quote:

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Originally posted by Lardi:
Based on this CBR review, I decided to take a chance and pick up the first issue of Boom! Studio's adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? For those who've never heard of it, this was the book that the movie Blade Runner was loosely based upon.

While I do like Blade Runner, I've never been a really huge fan as it seemed to me to have more style than substance. While there are a lot of great visuals and concepts, the story and the characters never set my intellect on fire. Really, it wasn't all that great or distinctive a story, IMO.

So over the years I'd heard that the movie was very much not representative of the book like so many other movie adaptations, but the thought of actually reading the book was something that never really came to fruition.

So I read the review and was fascinated by how this project was actually going to use every single word that Dick used in his book (rather than some writer's selective use of them) accompanied by traditional comic book panel layouts (as opposed to spot illustrations you might expect in similar undertakings) and was intrigued enough to give it a go.

I just read issue one, and it was outstanding! Nothing much happens actionwise in this first issue, but it's just LOADED with imagination and fascinating sci-fi concepts as you are invited into this fully realized world. The visuals aren't exactly groundbreaking in and of themselves, but they do what a project like this should do and enhance what you're reading with them.

I suppose I could save the money I would spend on a 24-issue project which costs $3.99 a pop by just buying the novel for a portion of the total cost, but I really feel like I got my money's worth here. It was a much longer read than a normal comic, and each issue also has a bonus article like Brubaker's Criminal or Incognito, the first one by Warren Ellis.

That was some nice value for my money! I've already got #2 and look forward to reading it when its turn comes (I'm about a month behind in my reading and read each comic in the order I bought them almost without exception). I wish all $4 comics provided as much thought-provoking entertainment!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lardi:
First up for me is the BOOM! Comics series 28 Days Later, which is the continuation of the movie of the same name. Apparently, it ignores, without directly contradicting, the filmed sequel 28 Weeks Later. If you've seen the sequel, you'll know that it doesn't follow up on any of the characters from the original.

So this series directly follows the continuing adventures of one of the three survivors of the eponymous film: Click Here For A SpoilerSelena. This survivor is approached by a crew of journalists to be their guide as they attempt to illegally enter infection-ridden England to document what has happened in the aftermath of the events of the film. It's kind of a dubious premise given all the character went through to get out, but it's entertaining at times.

Apparently this is an open-ended, ongoing series. That surprised me as all the set-up really seems to scream "mini-series". Is it going to go thru different story arcs, or will it continue to be about this group of journalists indefinitely? I haven't read anything explaining the larger plan for the series, so I don't know.

Another problem I have is what about the other 2 survivors of the film? They are barely even referenced, and I got the feeling they would all be sticking together from then on at the film's end. One possibility is that the series could be going on the filmmakers' original intent that one of these three didn't survive the wounds entailed near the movie's end. If so, that still leaves another character unaccounted for. I liked the character featured here a lot, but the ambiguity about the others bugs me.

I'm on the precipice of discontinuing the book because there's very little reward in reading it on a monthly basis. In other words it seems a prototypical "written for the trades" kinda book. Even though we're down to only three apparent survivors from the crew, most of them apparently perished in an explosion last issue. That's not very much of a reward for longterm reading, and I felt like we barely got to know most of the characters. Plus, we haven't really got very much infected action to this point, so it's been pretty disappointing.

All that said, an advanced review of issue #5 (coming out tomorrow) looks like a promising tale giving us some backstory on theses journalists. I'll probably pick up that issue at least before making a decision.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
This thread is great and I'm glad you started it, Lardy.

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You're right, of course--I should so be a moderator on this forum!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Bah! *I* should be a moderator in this forum

Anyway, another review I've been meaning to crank out: Incorruptible by Mark Waid and Boom! Studios. I missed out on Irredeemable when it debuted because frankly, it sounded (and still does) pretty derivative of stories I’ve seen a million times in which a super-powerful hero goes crazy and becomes a bad guy: Miracleman (the classic); a dozen plus Superman stories; Parallax, etc. It just wasn’t enough to make me want to buy and even with some good reviews, I’m still not all that interested. I picked up Incorruptible only half realizing it was connected to Irredeemable in some way (its kind of like the exact opposite set in the same world) but figured I’d still give it a solid chance anyway. I’m a little on the fence on whether I’ll continue following #1. I likely will buy #2 but that will be my cut-off: grab me or lose me forever.

Incorruptible, a mass murderer villain trying to redeem himself while the greatest hero on Earth has gone the other way, is a more interesting premise to me. And the character himself is pretty interesting—that all being said, you don’t really learn all that much about him in #1. In fact, my major complaint is not all that much happens in #1 other than pure set-up, and I’m going to need more than that to commit to anything.

The art is exciting and unique with some Tim Sale type inspiration. That’s a bonus for me, but again, I felt like there was an over-usage of splash page dynamic shots of action mixed with talking heads—not the best way to use an exciting artist.

The main supporting character is a young female sidekick named Jailbait, which of course made me think of my own Jailbait Lass who I created, which of course made me presume that Mark Waid obviously stole this character from me when he registered on Legion World. Anyone who tells me differently will instantly become a hated enemy for life.

Here’s my major complaint: I don’t intend to buy Irredeemable but am considering Incorruptible. Isn’t it a comic book publisher’s job to make every single title accessible to new readers on a stand-alone basis? Shouldn’t one title easily be collectible without the reader having to pick up the sister-title? Obviously I think yes, and I think in order to do that, you need have that title find its own “voice”; thus far, I didn’t see that. I hope I’m wrong…they have one issue to convince me.
 

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Posted by Lardi on :
 
Unsurprisingly, a search for a Punisher thread yielded no results, so here I'm taking a few moments to review a the latest mature readers Punisher series called Punisher Max.

Certainly, I'm not the guy who picks up every grim-and-gritty generic franchise vigilante title that comes along, but there are two reasons I did: Jason Aarons and Steve Dillon. The former I know as the writer of his creator-owned Vertigo title Scalped, which is one of my top five favorite comics I'm currently picking up. The latter is a terrific artist best known for his work with Garth Ennis on Hellblazer, Preacher and the first year-plus worth of Punisher stories wrote (plus a mini last year that revisited their Punisher storyline). I'm a big fan of both of their work, so checking this out was a must.

Basically, Aarons is channeling Garth Ennis on this project so far, seeking to capture that blend of over-the-top violence and dark humor that Garth and Steve brewed in their run. What Aarons adds to the mix is his penchant for writing the criminal element, particularly the Kingpin.

This series deals with Marvel Universe characters Fisk and Castle but is outside of continuity. What this means is that Aarons can potentially do whatever he wants with these characters without impacting their roles in the proper "canon". Particularly, Aarons is giving us his version of the Kingpin's rise to power as a potential solution to the menace to the underworld that is Frank Castle. It's a pretty clever idea where the mob families conspire to make Castle believe there'a a person who rules them all in order to draw Castle into a trap. Problem is, Fisk, one of the mob boss's right hands, is orchestrating the ruse but is obviously fully intending to make it a reality with Fisk filling the role for real!

So far, so good. However, if you're not a fan of the Ennis/Dillon style, you're probably not going to like it. If you like Criminal, this is a much less subtle and nuanced type of crime comic and may not be to your liking. There's eyeballs popping out and bullets to thru the eyes left and right. All with the darkest of dark gallows humor in play. It also sucks that this is one of Marvel's numerous $3.99 comics with no extra pages.

What's kinda nice is that Aarons makes it clear, especially in how he and Steve tell issue 2, that there's very little difference between the supposed good guy and bad guy in their methods and ruthlessness. In some cases Fisk actually comes off as more sympathetic as we see the events that made him into who he is and the subtle moments that show us his love for his son. So far, this is definitely much more the Kingpin's story than it is the Punisher's.

Overall, I recommend it highly with the asterisk that it may not be your cup of tea. If you haven't enjoyed the stuff that Garth and Steve have done before, you won't like what Jason and Steve are producing here.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
You know, despite his beginnings, I've never been a huge Punisher fan. However, I don't hate the character and there are times I enjoy his presence. Which brings me back to "his beginnings"--I actually love when the Punisher would guest-star in Spider-Man's comics and felt the dynamic was perfect for a great story. The same with Daredevil though to a lesser degree.

That being said, I must credit Chuck Dixon and Johnny Romita Jr.'s 1990's "Punisher War Zone" comic for single-handidly getting my brother into comics after years of resisting. Sure, it was the 3rd Punisher title in an era when the Punisher was everywhere. But I also read it and thought it was excellent; the best series of Punisher issues I've ever read (roughly #1-13 IIRC). I reread not that long ago and its even better than I remember with Chuck Dixon at his absolute best.

That's all a bit off point though in reference to Punisher Max. What I'm getting at is that after Dixon left War Zone, we stopped collecting and then have not collected a Punisher series ever since. Even with Ennis as the writer (whom I love). Now Jason Aaron has come on, after impressing the hell out of me with Scalped (and damn I wish I tried out his Ghost Rider but I didn't realize it was him until after he was gone). Steve Dillon is a favorite of mine from his Preacher days with Ennis. Yet, even with these two guys I probably would have skipped the series all together anyway.

This is, of course, a long winded way of saying I might just have to try this out. It has several reasons I'd want to do so (Aaron, Dillon, sometimes liking the Punisher as a character). It just takes me a recomendation from someone whose preferences I trust.

Two things seem glaring to me: (1) $3.99 with nothing extra, something I find almost criminal. And (2) the usage of the Kingpin outside of continuity. Honestly, I don't see why they'd even bother--they could have just created a new character. On the one hand, I like when writers have some leeway in telling stories without continuity restrictions but on the other hand, you can't shake off the sense that the story doesn't count. Its never a deal-breaker but its definitely a hurdle.

I guess it will come down to the last second decision right there in the store if there is an available copy staring me in the face.
 

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Posted by Lardi on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Anyway, another review I've been meaning to crank out: Incorruptible by Mark Waid and Boom! Studios.

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Having just read Incorruptible earlier this week, I can say that I was very, very unimpressed and disappointed in the debut. I was excited by the concept of the opposite story to Irredeemable's Plutonian, but the transition to hero for Max Danger here just seemed too complete and unbelievable.

Now, Max hasn't really been seen over in Irredeemable to this point, so my criticism is NOT based on that. But based on the concept, it just seems implausible that a really bad guy would turn so far from what he was. Here, he's shown turncoating on his old buddies, taking the moral high ground with his underage paramour and destroying his old ill-gotten base of operations along with all his ill-gotten gains.

What's been explained in interviews with Waid (though not in this issue) is that Max's transformation is in reaction to the terrible threat to the world that his enemy the Plutonian has become. That seeing this change changed Max for the better because he saw what true evil was. None of that's explained here, and I think we need it post-haste to really wrap our minds around the character.

Waid has played the Plutonian and his descent into evil very slowly, revealing little clues and bits as he goes along. I think that has worked very well in that title, but there, the Plutonian is the antagonist.

If we're gonna root for Maz Danger, that approach just ain't gonna work in Incorruptible. If I don't see more of what I need really quickly, I'll drop this $4 comic like a hot potato!

Cobie's right, though--the art is really nice and a good fit with Peter Krause's over at Irredeemable.Hopefully, it won't continue to be wasted on a thoroughly uninvolving story!
 

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Posted by CJ Taylor on :
 
I've been reading DC's The Great Ten by Tony Bedard and Scott McDaniel. It's picking up on the group from 52. Bedard has managed to make all the Great Ten interesting, independent characters. He's tied them to more traditional Chinese folklore, but nothing require advanced knowledge. Each issue covers a member of the Ten, interacting with others of the group, and moving along a story of ancient gods returning.

The art is energetic, full of activity, very McDaniels. It's great for moving through a story in one issue. And he does a good job of making each issue feel specific to each character.

Something different in DC's stable, and I'm liking it.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
PunisherMax - well, I stopped by a CBS I don't normally go to (the one near my dog's groomer) and they didn't have a copy of #1 so I didn't pick it up. But if I see another somewhere else, I may follow up on.

Great Ten - I didn't realize Scott McDaniel was the artist here (or Bedard actually). I've loved McDaniel's work since Nightwing. I kind of wrote this miniseries off as something I wouldn't bother with because I now feel a deep distrust towards DC and their endless stream of minis and ongoings that fall flat. I'll browse through in the CBS next time.

One comic I picked up recently was Domino Lady by Moonstone Comics because it looked like a sexy, noirish title in the vain of the 30's pulps. Well, er, the sexy thing is sure true but I didn't realize its more of a platform for pin-up / good girl art than real sort of story. I'd say it hinges dangerous close to softcore porn (no nudity but basically all sex). There's nothing wrong with that but its not what I'm looking for in my comics these days, especially since I have them laying around my condo for my wife and eventually child to see. I guess it would be in the vain of some of those 30's pulps that were more titilating than quality. I won't be picking up another issue.
 

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Posted by Lardi on :
 
Yesterday, I read the latest issue of Irredeemable (#9), which is the comic from which the above-mentioned Incorruptible was spun off. I found it to be one of the better issues of the series to date.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, Irredeemable is about a world in which its Superman archetype, called the Plutonian, has gone totally bad. He's committed many, many atrocities including killing millions of people. One memorable issues shows the extent of his depravity as he destroys a Singapore-like country pretty much on a whim.

The protagonists of the series are the survivors of this world's JLA equivalent, the Paradigm. As the series opens, several of the Paradigm's members have already been killed by the Plutonian and more die in the first several issues. The survivors are desperate to find a way to bring the Plutonian down.

The thrust of the series is both their efforts to find a solution and their continuing exploration into what turned him in the first place. The Paradigm from the beginning have been following leads on both of these things. One interesting difference between Plutonian/Paradigm and Superman/JLA is that none of the Paradigm ever really knew much of anything about the Plutonian including his secret identity or the source of his power. So there is NO Kryptonite or any other known weakness, at least none that they've discovered.

So the series typically shows flashbacks to the Plutonian's time as a hero, typically through the remembrances of other Paradigm members. In the present the Paradigm typically split their time between looking for something to use against him, rescuing others from him and running from him. Only with issue #8 have they found anything that is effective at all, finally scoring their first victory against him as one of the Paradigm has gotten a big power boost.

Issue 9 deals with the aftermath of that victory and how this possible solution may be potentially as bad as the problem. Meanwhile, members of the Paradigm still pursue another solution in the form of trying to locate Modeus who was the Plutonian's arch enemy a la Lex Luthor or Brainiac.

I'd say the last few issues have brought some much-needed forward momentum to a series that, while enjoyable, has seemed to meander. This is the reason I haven't put Irredeemable in the "Any Recommendations" thread. For a superhero book, it demands a lot of patience from the reader. While there's been plenty of action, we still haven't, for example, learned exactly what the deal is as to why the Plutonian went bad. We've gotten puzzle pieces, but there's not anything definitive.

In a way this is a "quest" series more than anything. A quest for the truth. A quest for a solution to the problem. Any time you have a series like that, it can be problematic in holding the reader's interest. In that sense (and because it's a $3.99 comic) this may be a more perfect read in trade form.

But Irredeemable is picking up and moving forward, it is becoming less about a bad guy constantly routing the competition and it isgetting better as it goes on. What it isn't delivering so far, surprisingly, is compelling characters. The Paradigm so far haven't really impressed me as characters. In some ways they're kinda generic. To this point I haven't really found myself rooting for any one in particular or being particularly fearful that one or the other would be the next victim of the Plutonian. The Plutonian himself is the most enigmatic of them all but by necessity. Other than continuing the forward momentum, I'd say that is the main thing Waid needs to focus on much more from this point.

The Peter Krause art has been the consistently positive aspect of the series for me. I vaguely remember him from DC's Star Trek comics many years ago, and this guy's work has improved greatly from what I remember. The closest comparison I can think of is Brent Anderson's work on Astro City without seeming like he's aping that style.

So if you want to try it, go back and reread this review and weigh everything I said against your own sensibilities. If you decide to try it, consider trades or buying complete issue sets on eBay. If you pick up a random issue, I think you won't be all that impressed.

[ January 23, 2010, 11:25 PM: Message edited by: Lardi ]
 

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Posted by Quislet, Esq. on :
 
Although not a comic book per se, I have just finished reading E.C. Segar's Popeye "Plunder Island". This is an oversized book put out by Fantagraphics.

The book reprints the Sunday strips from Dec 3, 1933 through April 7, 1935 and the daily strips from Dec 11, 1933 through Jult 23, 1935. The Sunday strips are in full color and also feature the accompanying strip "Sappo" (one of the daily strips has Popeye talking about John Sappo)

In the Sunday strips, the actual Plunder Island saga lasts only until July 8, 1934. The rest of the Sunday strips have about 2-4 connected strips, but no overriding story like Plunder Island. Plunder Island introduces us to the Sea Hag and Alice, the Goon. There is a good combination of humor and adventure. Segar is good at setting a mood, setting some strips at night.

The daily strips also follow a story line. Among the story lines are Olive inheriting $20 million, Popeye falling in love with June Vanripple (daughter of the world's richest man), Olive making a movie and then suffering a nervous breakdown, the search for a cure, and dealing with an overthrown king. Later Segar has Popeye going West to root out some thieves and then a quest for the Pool of Youth. The Pool of Youth story brings back the Sea Hag, but Alice only shows up in one panel of one strip.

Popeye's romance with June Vanripple last from March to July of 1934. June shows up again at the end of September and remains in the strip until November of 1934. June's father was in the strip from March of 1934 through January 1935. June is unique among the characters in that she is drawn realistically. I do not think that she or her father were brought back into the strip.

Twice within the daily strips Segar has a stereotypical negro character of the day, the second one seems to have been a new character introduced, but it appears that the character was dropped. There were episodes of Popeye cross-dressing, only once as a disguise. A reoccurring theme is having Popeye come into large sums of money and almost immediately giving the money (and sometimes his clothes) away to impovished people, usually "widers which ain't got no husbands" and their children. Always admonishing them to feed their children spinach and milk.

The oversize of the book makes it a little unwieldy and shelving it difficult. The price is somewhat high at $29.99. The sheer number of strips makes reading it in one sitting almost impossible (you can try it if you want to) I did find another volume in the Boston Public Library. If your library has any of the volumes, I recommend it as a good read.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Cool stuff, Quis! I've been just reading about Popeye lately in my spare time (reading about comic strips that made it into early comic books) and I was surprised at just how immensely popular Popeye was in the 1930's and 1940's. While I'm familiar with Popeye like most Americans, I realize now I'm not as knowledgable as I thought. I actually might be interested in buying a copy of those eventually.

Popeye's "look" and speech patterns make him one of the most likeable and innately silly of all comic strip icons. How can you not like him?
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Here's a request if anyone picks up this title: could you post a review/your thoughts on First Wave (the miniseries)? This is one I'm on the fence about. In theory, this is the kind of thing I'd love. But from what I've seen in interviews and previews, I have serious doubts about whether DC will actually produce anything of any real value. The opinions of other Legion Worlders is something that might at least convince me to give it a try or give it a full pass.

PS - still waiting for that Viking review, Lardy
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
It hasn't come out yet.
 

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Posted by Lardi on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

PS - still waiting for that Viking review, Lardy

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quote:

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Originally posted by Officer Taylor:
Unsurprisingly, a search for a Punisher thread yielded no results, so here I'm taking a few moments to review a the latest mature readers Punisher series called Punisher Max.

Certainly, I'm not the guy who picks up every grim-and-gritty generic franchise vigilante title that comes along, but there are two reasons I did: Jason Aarons and Steve Dillon. The former I know as the writer of his creator-owned Vertigo title Scalped, which is one of my top five favorite comics I'm currently picking up. The latter is a terrific artist best known for his work with Garth Ennis on Hellblazer, Preacher and the first year-plus worth of Punisher stories wrote (plus a mini last year that revisited their Punisher storyline). I'm a big fan of both of their work, so checking this out was a must.

Basically, Aarons is channeling Garth Ennis on this project so far, seeking to capture that blend of over-the-top violence and dark humor that Garth and Steve brewed in their run. What Aarons adds to the mix is his penchant for writing the criminal element, particularly the Kingpin.

This series deals with Marvel Universe characters Fisk and Castle but is outside of continuity. What this means is that Aarons can potentially do whatever he wants with these characters without impacting their roles in the proper "canon". Particularly, Aarons is giving us his version of the Kingpin's rise to power as a potential solution to the menace to the underworld that is Frank Castle. It's a pretty clever idea where the mob families conspire to make Castle believe there'a a person who rules them all in order to draw Castle into a trap. Problem is, Fisk, one of the mob boss's right hands, is orchestrating the ruse but is obviously fully intending to make it a reality with Fisk filling the role for real!

So far, so good. However, if you're not a fan of the Ennis/Dillon style, you're probably not going to like it. If you like Criminal, this is a much less subtle and nuanced type of crime comic and may not be to your liking. There's eyeballs popping out and bullets to thru the eyes left and right. All with the darkest of dark gallows humor in play. It also sucks that this is one of Marvel's numerous $3.99 comics with no extra pages.

What's kinda nice is that Aarons makes it clear, especially in how he and Steve tell issue 2, that there's very little difference between the supposed good guy and bad guy in their methods and ruthlessness. In some cases Fisk actually comes off as more sympathetic as we see the events that made him into who he is and the subtle moments that show us his love for his son. So far, this is definitely much more the Kingpin's story than it is the Punisher's.

Overall, I recommend it highly with the asterisk that it may not be your cup of tea. If you haven't enjoyed the stuff that Garth and Steve have done before, you won't like what Jason and Steve are producing here.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
- You definitely have to review those Ghost Rider trades! I've considered picking them up myself but have not yet. One fresh recommendation from you will tip me that way since you haven't let me down yet!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Officer Taylor:
So, Des, did my review above of the first Aaron-written Ghost Rider trade picque your interest?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Today I read New Avengers: Luke Cage today; the reasons I picked it up and then read it are as follows:

I've never been much of a Luke Cage fan and in fact considered him silly 70's character for a long time. When Bendis brought him into New Avengers and it became obvious he was one of Bendis' favorites, I was against it at first. It was only begrudgingly that I've really come to grow to love Luke over these last couple of years. I think Cage is one of Bendis' great successes at Marvel--he's really fleshed the character out and made him someone I care about.

Meanwhile, I'm loving a ton of gritty crime comics these days--a genre I've always loved--and I've been in the mood for more of it. So I picked this up on a whim.

It sat in my pile until today when I saw Lash's post on John Arcudi made me push it to the forefront of my reading pile.

My reaction was: surprisingly, I'm glad I bought it and I think there's some potential here. It was a pretty enjoyable first issue, I'm curious as to what's going to happen in this little story and will likely pick up the rest of the mini.

A few thoughts:

- John Arcudi is a master storyteller and that shows here. He can balance an issue in a way that progresses the plot, keeps you heading towards each new page with interest and at the same time provide strong action sequences, great humor and good dialogue. He's one of comic's current great under-appreciated writers these days.

- The series starts out as a superhero story with Ronin and Spider-Man making appearances and gradually devolves into a gritty crime story (albeit with Hammerhead and Mr. Negative). I liked how that was done purposely to show the transition from one genre to the other in style as well as story.

- Luke Cage continues to become more likeable over the years. I love his relationship with Jessica and his growing sense responsibility and how that makes him feel more and more confined (anyone with kids would relate as I'm beginning to learn) but he struggles to maintain his principles. And here, he is taken out of that struggle and put into a situation from his older days, but this is still the same, modern Luke. The entire premise creates lots of subtle drama.

- One caveat is the art is not for everyone. Eric Canete is very manga-esque with an overly exaggerated cartoony look that isn't my favorite. But it is pretty dynamic and I can go with it because I liked the story.

The storyline itself will likely turn out to be a solid crime story but not anything that is going to be ground-breaking. I've never collected a Luke Cage comic before and so I'm okay with that--I can always pick up a solid crime story if its of good quality.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Kind of. If the art really isn't your bag, it might turn you off. But if you're looking for something a little grittier with a hero you might know, this might be the thing for you.

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Picked up #2 of this mini and I'm glad I'm reading it. I will definitely finish the story and find it to be a good read with all of the above good qualities still prominent in #2.

I think at this point if Luke had his own ongoing and it could be in this vein--street crime drama--I'd totally be buying it. I wish Arcudi could be writing Luke on a regular basis for solo stories while Bendis & Jeff Parker wrote him elsewhere in teams.

(Again, as someone who never bothered to give Luke a second notice until a few years ago, I'm surprised by how much I've grown to like him.)
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I picked up a comic book I'd heard about but for whatever reason never bothered to get until now: Cowboy Ninja Viking. What makes this comic book unique is (A) it's really crazy premise and (B) it's format. I picked up #3 because I couldn't find #1 and #2.

The premise is that the lead character has four personalities: his main personality, and then also a cowboy, a ninja and a viking. And through that premise, #3 of CNV is actually hilarious, weird and awesome all at the same time. The back and forth between personalities is as you'd expect the hilarious part, and also makes the series a very weird, quirky kind of thing. Weird/quirky is good because I'm always looking for something different. The sense of awesome is the different characters interacting besides the lead, which includes two other 'triplets'.

One negative for me, however, was it was pretty hard to understand what was going on a bit. The chaotic nature of the script kept the sense of fun going but I just read it about 20 minutes ago and I already forgot all the names of the lead characters. So a little more clarity would be welcome.

On the other hand, the weirdness and sense of chaos is wild. In addition to the lead there are the two other triplet characters that are equally crazy: one is his ex-wife who is a samuri / sniper / chef, and the two of them interacting meant there were 8 personalities interacting.

I think part of the premise is each 'triplet' was supposed to have a personality that isn't ferocious in battle, so you get 'chef' and 'Amish preacher' in some, yet our lead doesn't have this limitation.

The format, the other unique thing about it is that this comic is in full on Golden Age format, with a much wider page. I'll admit that in a fickle way this kind of kept me limited from picking it up. Comics actually look better in a wider format because of more page space, but it doesn't fit with my collection and you have to get the wider plastics to put them in. But I got over it; I hope others will too.

The artwork is by Riley Rossmo (writing was by AJ Lieberman), both are creators I'm not too familiar with. Rossmo's artwork is a bit scratchy for my tastes, though I can kind of see a very stylistic approach that grows on your throughout the course of the issue. I can see the Bill Sienkiewicz influence here, which isn't a bad thing because a lil' Bill S is sometimes quite enjoyable.

I'm uncertain at this point if I'll continue but in all likelihood, I'll probably buy a few more issues (I think its up to like #7 or something by now). I think I can handle the stylistic artwork and chaotic writing once a month in order to indulge in the ridiculous premise for a time. I'll definitely review any additional issues to see how I'm feeling over time.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Rise of Arsenal #3.

Okay. Okay. Deep breath. Deep bre-MOTHER$%^&%&%^^&%&^%^&&&#@#$%^y*(&*(^%%$%^^&!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, got that out of my system.

So, I read Rise of Arsenal #3 today. Let's begin...

We continue into the fight scene between Roy and the mother (HA!) of his child, Cheshire. Throws in a few barbs at Jade for what an awful mother she is, like Roy has any idea how true that is, until he has her pinned to the wall. Tears begin about how they miss Lian, kiss, and of course have sex. Oh wait, they don't. Because *GASP* Roy can't bring it up!

So, what does he do? He's got a new costume, boys and girls, and in my opinion he should've stuck to the purple one. He gets it just magically, apparently, because where did he get anyway? Nobody knows. No bow and no arrows. He's got knives and samurai swords. He decides to let loose on the criminals currently preying on a disorganized and damaged Star City. Vultures, he calls them. Then, on a rooftop, another visit from his hallucinational friend Corey, who informs him that painkillers aren't going to do the job anymore. Roy spots a drug dealer in an alley below, and decides that with Lian gone, it doesn't matter anymore what he does. He scores a premium "A-Train" hit and strings out, or whatever euphemism you use when someone does heroin.

We enter into a new hallucination. He sees Lian and has a "happy reunion" with her before he gets into a fight with an army of Prometheuses, screaming how he won't let them hurt her again. Then he sees the Electrocutioner, and big surprise, we finally see that Roy has simply beaten the holy hell out of a gang of junkies, and the Electructioner is really Batman. And for some reason Roy's holding a dead cat, I'm not entirely sure, I glanced at this part. Still strung out, he gets into a fight with Dick, with Dick saying he'll get Roy help before knocking Roy out.

Roy awakens strapped to a bed in a padded room, with Black Canary. Canary informs Roy about what he did and that she knows he's using again. Roy tries to say it's the pain in his arm that made him do it, but she won't listen, and tells Roy that it's for his own good. We find out that Dick had brought him to Virgil House, apparently a place for supervillains with substance abuse problems. Dick and Dinah talk about Roy and whether or not he actually wants help.

We close on Roy having another "conversation" with Corey, saying that Dinah's right and he'll probably beat this as well, until he starts screaming at Corey to leave him alone. It closes with it being a hallucination of Lian, battered and bruised, asking why Roy didn't hear her crying.

"DEATH OF A HERO"

...

Good God what the hell are these people doing? Impotent? Honestly? Was that really necessary? To just keep throwing more salt on the wound?

Whatever "ending" this book has had already been ruined the minute DC released the solicit for Titans #26 in August, and it has cemented what this book is. Gratuitous. Pure and simple. This isn't emotional, nor is it meaningful. This is pain, this is weakness, this is suffering. All we've seen is a interesting character had indignity after indignity stacked on top of him and done by him. He's alienated himself and he's betrayed everything he stands for. This isn't about Lian anymore, this is about himself and what's been done to HIM. This isn't a grieving father, it's just plain selfishness.

And of course, what everyone feared has come true. Roy has turned into another anti-hero. He's started on the path as DC's Punisher. And we don't even have to read anymore of the issues to know how it'll turn out. Empty. Hollow and empty. How do I know? Animal Man.

In the last storyarc Grant Morrison did for Animal Man, he had Buddy Baker's family, his wife Ellen and his kids Maxine and Cliff, killed by an assassin hired by big business guys who didn't like Buddy screwing up their business. The end result was Buddy teaming up with Mirror Master to find the three guys responsible. Buddy cut his hair and donned a new costume made from leather, the skin of dead animals, and he killed each one of them. He made them suffer, them and the guy they hired to do it. And how did he feel after it? Empty. Nothing was the same. We know how it's going to end with Roy, and don't say anything else.

His friends have been standing around like a bunch of slack-jawed morons and doing nothing but making it worse. Did Mia HONESTLY think Roy would even want to look at her? And God knows Dinah hasn't been helpful. For three issues she's just looked like she's made of ice. She's the closest thing Roy has to mom, why isn't she acting like it. And don't say because of Ollie because those two break up and get back together on a daily basis, it's pathetic. She is pathetic. And Dick hasn't had any emotion on his face at all. Did any of them even know about the painkillers yet? Or the hallucinations? Did they know about them? No. They've done nothing. They aren't IN character at all.

I can't believe I'm honestly going to read the last issue.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Based on a recommendation by Outdoor Miner, I picked up The Weird World of Jack Staff by Paul Grist (published by Image). Everything I've ever heard about this series is that its excellent but know ahead of time its basically quarterly (if that).

Jack Staff sprang out of a Union Jack project with Marvel that never took off, and over the years Paul Grist has expanded it to become its own franchise of British superhero, and has brought in all manner of British comic book archetypes and analogues. The series also has the quirky art style of Paul Grist, which you absolutely have to be a fan of before you enter. I was never a fan before but I kind of dig now that I've read the issue. Many artists these days have a somewhat similar style (Mike Avon Oeming comes to mind but its different enough to stand out).

Overall, the issue had three stories running through 5 short stories (part 1, story 1; part 1, story 2; part 1, story 3; part 2 story 2; part 2 story 3--if you can keep up with that). The jumping between stories is a bit off-putting at first, but I can appreciate some solid non-linear storytelling and it certainly makes me feel engaged. One of the stories was complete but the other two were continued. If I knew this would be out again next month, that wouldn't bother me, but I kind of wish I got all full stories (no matter what the size) if I have to wait a few months for the next issue.

The tone of the series is fun/adventure with a self-awareness that causes some humor at times. The artwork is cartoony which underlies that, but the series certainly takes itself seriously.

All in all, a solid buy. Will I buy another issue? I'm not really too sure--I haven't committed myself to doing so; but there is a good chance I might pick up an issue off the rack at any given time and buy it. I may even decide to buy a few back issues if I'm bored and looking for something to read. But there are other things I will want to get beforehand that will take precedence.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
A comic I've been meaning to get to in my pile and finally did is Speak of the Devil by Gilbert Hernandez & Dark Horse Comics. Hernandez is of course most well known for co-creating the legendary independent comic book series Love and Rockets with his brothers, which has been one of the exemplary comic books from the independent scene throughout its history.

I've never read Love & Rockets (and am quite curious if anyone here ever has) but all I've ever heard about it is how damn good it is. So I wanted to give this a try. The first thing to get used to is Hernandez's art style, which is a simple, cartoony style at first glance, but a slower read reveals some real depth in facial expressions and tone. Despite the cartoonish style, you get a sense that this is a serious work, with some real poignancy developing. At times, it's also quite eerie.

Speak of the Devil was in fact, quite interesting. It basically is about a girl in a devil costume who is a voyeur, looking into people's homes and watching their most private moments and you get the sense that there is really a lot going on in her head that you're just dying to learn more about. Meanwhile, the pele she is watching have their own weird subtleties. This includes her father & step-mom, who become ware there is a peeping Tom about, but don't realize its her; it is even further complicated when the step-mother appears to enjoy the idea of someone watching her & her husband have sex.

It's a very interesting look at people in general, with some very Hitchcock-esque overtones on sexuality and voyeurism. The artwork with this premise and these characters, takes on a very eerie tone. Being in black & white also enhances that.

I have to say, it's a little hard to put into words how I felt about the issue. I thought it was more fascinating than anything and I might try to pick up #2 at the very least. I do know this came out quite awhile ago and has not finished yet, so I suspect there were some heavy delays somewhere along the way.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Sandman: The Doll's House

The fourth Sandman volume I read and the second one I bought.

The volume starts with a tale about a lost glass kingdom of Africa, told by a tribal elder to a young man going through rites of passage. It's a tale of a queen named Nada, who became the love of the dream god, Lord Kai'ckul. Nada had first met him not knowing he was the lord of dreams, and when she learned his true identity she was horrified, for nothing ever good comes from one loving an Endless. However, Kai'ckul convinces her to make love with him, and almost as punishment, a meteor struck and destroyed her city. Nada threw herself from a cliff, and in the realm of Grandmother Death Kai'ckul asked her three times to come back with her. On the third, he warned her if she said no he would send her to hell. The elder ends the story there, as no one knows what happened. But we know, as in the previous volume, that Nada was indeed sent to Hell, and is still there up to this volume.

Meanwhile, Desire, the androgynous Endless, notes that Dream and has returned. It contact's it's twin sister, Despair, about the arrival of a Vortex.

The volume focuses on Rose Walker, a teenage girl who has long since separated from her brother Jed, after their parents divorced. Rose is traveling to England with her mother, Miranda, at the behest of an old woman named Unity Kinkaid. Unity was one of many people who, in the first Sandman volume, succumbed to the "sleepy sickness" that overtook so many when Dream was captured. Unity had been raped while she was asleep, and the child was given up for adoption. The child being Miranda. As Rose gives her mom and her newly acquainted grandmother a chance to sort it out, she wanders into a broom closet and meets the Three (Cynthia, Mildred, and Mordred). The inform her that she is at a crossroads, and warn her about very bad, very dangerous things to come for her and her brother.

Over in the Dreaming, Dream is still attempting to fully repair all the damage done to his realm since his departure. He learns that there are four dreams currently missing. Brute and Glob, two nightmares, a realm called Fiddler's Green, and one of Dream's greater nightmares, the Corinthian, a man with jagged teeth lining his eye sockets. He is also dealing with the upcoming rebirth of a "vortex", an occurrence which happens in the Dreaming and if not dealt with can have serious consequences for both worlds.

Rose, using money given to her by her grandmother, goes back to the United States to try and find her brother (with help from a private detective). She moves into a boarding house populated by...

*Hal: The landlord, a gay man who works in a drag show, and quiet possibly the sanest one besides Rose.
*Barbie and Ken: A yuppie couple who are almost horrifyingly normal. They even finish each other's sentences.
*Chantal and Zelda: A pair of women who collect stuffed spiders. No one knows if they're lesbians, sisters, business partners, or whatever. Zelda never speaks, and they always dress in bridal gowns.
*Gilbert: Who is never seen.

Rose, during her investigation, learns that after her father died, her brother was sent to live with their grandfather. But then their grandfather died, so the trail goes cold.

It turns out, though, that Jed was sent to live with two cousins, Barnaby and Clarice, who are given a stipend by social services. The two treat him like an animal and keep him locked in the basement; they only take him out as a show for when someone from social services comes by. Jed, however, is also the hiding place Brute and Glob have been using. Inside his mind they've severed it from the Dreaming, and have been using...

Hector Hall, a.k.a. Silver Scarab, a.k.a. Sandman, as THEIR Sandman, to replace Morpheus. They've even got Lyta Hall, still pregnant after two years inside Jed's mind. Hector is convinced he is the Sandman and he fights dangerous enemies. The truth is, Brute and Glob had him replaced Garrett Sandford, the former Sandman, who killed himself. This Sandman is the revision Jack Kirby created years ago, the one that appeared in Infinity Inc. Hector has been fighting nonsensical battles against pathetic enemies, and Lyta has all but lost touch with reality. Dream finally discovers the two, and sets out to deal with them. Hector tries to fight off the "Nightmare Beast" before Dream finally pulls everyone out of Jed's mind. The resulting explosion kills Barnaby and Clarice. Brute and Glob attempt to beg for mercy, but Dream consigns them to the "Darkness". He then sends Hector Hall back to the afterlife, earning him Lyta's rage. He informs her, though, that because of the time her baby spent gestating in the Dreaming, he might be there to claim it. As he leaves, Lyta warns him that he'll have her baby over her dead body, the spooky bastard. And Jed? Well, he gets a ride...

Back over to Rose, she finally meets the mysterious Gilbert, an old gentleman who helps save her from a group of muggers. When Rose finally gets word on Clarice and Barnaby, Gilbert accompanies her on her trip. The two stop at a hotel which is being used for a cereal convention...

That is, a convention of serial killers. Collectors, as they call themselves. Among them are the Corinthian, who appears to be a twenty-something man with white hair and a pair of sunglasses. These "collectors" swap stories about their exploits, discussing methods and partying, actually holding "panels". There's even one about female serial killers being type-cast as black widows and nurses. The Corinthian, along with a couple of others, take the time to have a little "fun" with a man claiming to be a killer called the Boogeyman, but turns out to be the editor of a BDSM magazine.

Rose is completely unaware of the convention's true face, although Gilbert becomes aware when he sees the Corinthian in an elevator. Thankfully, the Corinthian doesn't notice him. Why? You'll find out later. He writes down a name on a piece of paper, telling Rose to call it out if she ever needs help. Which she does, when an overweight "collector" called Fun Land, who has a thing for little girls, decides to introduce himself. He attempts to rape Rose in her room, but she manages to call out the name on the paper. Morpheus. Dream arrives and puts Fun Land in his own little dream world. He then makes quick work of the Corinthian, dissolving him into nothing, save for a skull with teeth in the eye sockets. Before he leaves, Dream does something to the rest of the collectors, and making them realize just how petty and meaningless their lives really are. He makes them see what's inside, and it traumatizes them.

In the parking lot, Rose finds Gilbert, carrying Jed in his arms.

Back at the boarding house, we culminate on the vortex story as Rose falls asleep, and we peer into the dreams of the other housemates...

*Ken: Dreams of money, power, and sex.
*Barbie: She dreams she is Princess Barbie of the Land, having just found the Porpentine with Martin Tenebones. They are trying to save the Land from the malevolent Cuckoo.
*Chantal: Chantal falls in love with a sentence, yet her dreams turn into repeating moments, trying to make something of nothing.
*Zelda: Her childhood, where it is hinted that she collected bones from a graveyard.
*Hal: Questions of identity, of being over the rainbow, and Judy Garland ripping off her face to find one under another.

We learn that Rose, as a Vortex, has the ability to combine all these dreams together, open them up and merge them. Dream must kill her or she could destroy the Dreaming. The housemates wake up, slightly traumatized by the events, most of all Barbie, with the ramifications from that being revealed in volume 5.

Gilbert is visited by Matthew Cable in his raven form, a companion to Dream, who informs him about Rose's predicament. Gilbert enters the Dreaming and reveals himself as Fiddler's Green. Transforming back into his former self, he offers his life for Rose's, but Dream is adamant.

Meanwhile, in Britain, Unity Kinkaid is dying, and drifts off to sleep with her daughter by her side. In the Dreaming, Unity, appearing as she did when she was young, finds Dream and Rose. She explains to Dream that, had he not been imprisoned, SHE would've been the actual Vortex. She tells Rose that she needs to give her her heart, as it's the only way Unity can become the Vortex. Rose does, actually, reaching inside and pulling out a glass heart, which she gives to Unity. At that moment, she dies in the real world.

Six months pass, with both Dream and Rose doing some thinking. Rose has isolated herself and thinks about the ramifications if her dreams were real, meaning her and all humans are just game pieces. But, she decides that she brooded long enough and decides that the dreams were merely dreams.

Dream, however, confronts his sibling, Desire. He has figured out that, Desire was the one who raped Unity Kinkaid, thus making Rose his great niece. If Dream had killed Rose, he would've killed a family member, which is one of biggest no-no's for the Endless. Desire, content with using humans as pieces, gets a reality check from Dream, who informs hir that without humans, the Endless would have no meaning. The Endless are humanity's toys, not the other way around. Obviously, Desire doesn't get it.

There's also a fill-in story with a man named Hob Gadling, who believes he will not die simply because he chooses not to. Starting in the Middle Ages, his words are heard by Death and Dream, and Death decides to humor him. From that point, Dream decides to meet with him once every hundred years. The meetings demonstrate Dream's growth as a person.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^The Dream / Hob stories remain a personal high water mark for me in regards to character interactions in comic books. I could reread those every single day I think.

Click Here For A SpoilerAnd the final Hob story where he meets up with Death after Dream has died and decides he wants to live at least another 100 years leaves a huge smile on my face every time. Its symbolic for what Gaiman achieved on the series and the reasons for choosing life over death: relationships and art/stories.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I was actually surprised that Fun Land made an appearance in Kevin Smith's Widening Gyre Batman miniseries.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
The Doll's House is a great read. It set so much up for the Sandman series. Nice summary, Kid.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Thank you.

The Sandman: Dream Country

A series of four stories which aren't really related to one another, yet one will have a part to play later on the series.

CALLIOPE
*A struggling writer named Richard Madoc, who hasn't been able to write anything after the success of his first novel, contacts another author, an old man named Erasmus Fry. In return for a bezoar Fry gives Madoc the secret to his success. Calliope, one of the nine muses who, years ago, Fry managed to trap, and has been keeping her for sixty years. Actually, Fry gives him to Madoc because she's of no use to him anymore. Richard brings her to his home, rapes her, and then begins writing his next novel after a surge of inspiration.

Calliope calls on the Three, this time in their form as Greek Goddesses, begging for help. We learn in this conversation that she was once Dream's wife, and they had a son, Orpheus. But their relationship ended very badly, and she denies the possibility of any help from him. Not like he could, considering this is when Dream was imprisoned. The Three tell her they can't do anything, and Calliope begs for any help at all. Even from Dream.

As time passes over a few years, Richard keeps using Calliope to fuel his writing, and becomes the next Clive Barker/Stephen King, winning awards, having his books turned into films, and appearing on talk shows. He learns, though, that Erasmus Fry has died. Richard's reminded that Fry had asked, if Richard intended to do any more in return for giving him Calliope, to get his book "Here Comes A Candle" republished. Richard did nothing.

Finally, Calliope has her meeting with her ex-husband after his release.

Returning home one night, Richard finds Dream in his home, demanding Calliope's release. Richard claims he can't because he needs her for inspiration. Her inspiration's a drug and he's got a never-ending supply. Dream, indignant to Richard's response, decides that if he wants ideas, he'll get them. LOTS of them. Richard does indeed, but they keep coming so quickly he resorts to having to carve them on a brick wall with his fingers. He's found by a doctor friend, the one who gave him the bezoar in the beginning, and takes him back to his place. Richard tells his friend to go to his apartment and tell Calliope she's free to go. The friend does so, and once she's gone, Richard's imagination goes completely blank.

Calliope speaks with Dream, and while they don't exactly get back together, they part ways amicably. Well, amicably enough.
 

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Posted by Officer Taylor on :
 
Sarky, as creator of this thread, I had more in mind reviewing the books as opposed to summarizing them. If you recount the story point-by-point, then anyone reading the post will already know everything there is to know about the story and won't have any reason to check it out themselves. Think about concentrating on your reactions to the story and art and giving enough of the plot to whet someone's appetite (or enough to show that it's worth avoiding).

Not trying to dictate how posts here should be formatted but offering my perspective. If I had an unread Sandman trade, for example, I'd actually be pretty upset to see the story spoiled beat-by-beat.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Sorry... I tend to do that whenever I try to review a book.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I dug through the back issue bins and picked up Black Terror #1 because Outdoor Miner has been collecting it and he's led me in the direction of several great comics lately. It's by Dynamite Entertainment and spins out of the Project Superpowers event/storyline they have going featuring the usage of several Golden Age characters now in the public domain from companies like Nedor, Lev Gleason Publications, Standard, Centaur and I think a few others.

A little disclaimer: I have not read any Project Superpowers stories and did not intend to; so my feelings toward Black Terror are very much reflected by the fact that I'm reading a title directly tied into a larger title. I simply have read enough ensemble comics lately that aren't doing it for me and am tired of the 'large group of superheroes = cool" mentality pervasive in comics. I also feel that every comic book should stand on its own.

So from the above, you can guess what criticism I have against Black Terror, that it is too tied into Project Superpowers which kind of hurts it and I think that its a fair and accurate criticism. On the other hand, having so many other characters appear in the opening pages was exciting to see, and helped accentuate how Black Terror stands out among them. For a #1 issue, I would let it pass and hope that in future issues Black Terror is more the sole focus (though some guest stars are okay).

Alternatively, the most obvious and biggest feat was the immensely terrific interior art by Mike Lilly. Alex Ross is the spiritual guru of this whole event and does some gorgeous cover work, but I actually thought the interior work by Mike Lilly was superior to that--it was actually quite impressive! Black Terror is portrayed as very much a superhero with dynamic action sequences, but there is also a dark, moody quality to it in places. And then there is a third element, a swashbuckler feel that adds a layer of excitement and 'fun', despite the serious story. All of this could be picked up from the artwork, and I'm so impressed that its enough to get me to buy #2.

Black Terror himself is a character that is pretty groovy. He's got a long history, being a Golden Age superstar and then having a brief comeback in the 1980's. He's a bit unique, having a pirate / death motif, like a swashbuckling Punisher that is a bit more superhero than that description would you think. I currently collect no other comic books with a star like him.

The plotting and scripting was done by Jim Krueger which was 'okay'. The plot is interesting but it's really feeling like a subplot of the larger Project Superpowers plot. That's okay for right now, but I hope Black Terror eventually stands out on its own.

The scripting portion of it I felt was very over-narrated, with far too many dramatic adjectives to describe an emotion or situation. It reminded me a bit of the 1970's when that was more common, and that's not always a good thing--for every 1970's comic that was well-written there was one that wasn't.

So I'm on the fence. The plot & scripting were only okay, but the art and the character have peaked my interest. I'll likely now dig through the bins for #2 and make a decision after that.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
The Secret History by Jean-Pierre Pécau, various artists Volume I (Archaia Press)

There was a review for this book that called it "one of those fancy-pants European comics..." - but there wasn't anything snooty about it. It's an engrossing, complex journey through history, primarily of Europe.

The Secret History follows four immortal siblings through time. They were the only survivors from an ancient village and each one was given a runestone by their dying shaman. Two tend towards the dark side and two tend towards the good, but all are master manipulators and the battles which they provoke are not only for power but against one another. The siblings (who call themselves Archons) are not so interesting character-wise; it's the games they play which hold one's attention.

The stories progress through time, from the Egyptian era (so favoured by Archaia) through the Middle Ages, up to World War I. Pécau takes real world events and retells them to show how they were influenced, if not instigated, by the four. Some poetic licence is applied to his portrayal of real historical people, which gives them a depth of character that the four Archons lack.

A number of different artists worked on the book, which was originally published as 7 individual issues. Beautiful and highly detailed artwork throughout, and the styles are not so different as to be distracting.

It's the perfect story for a secret society, wheels-within-wheels, conspiracy buff like myself.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^Wow FC, that sounds *exactly* like my cup of tea! I'm doing a big TPB order sometime soon and that will certainly make the list!
 

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Posted by stuorstew on :
 
For me Boom Studios have been on a real roll of late with quality books such as Irredeemable, Incorruptible and The Unknown stories all being quality reads. The one thing those books have in common though is they are written by Mark Waid who, his involvement in End of an Era aside , can usually be relied upon to spin a decent story.

Bearing this in mind I was interested to see how they would fare on books without Mr Waids involvement; with Codebreakers a four issue mini series by Carey Malloy and Scott Godlewski I am happy to discover that they are still very good indeed.

The story features a team of FBI Crypto-analysts who had been working on a case breaking a mob family when something goes horribly wrong and one of their members disappear. From there the story picks up as the other team members attempt to rescue their missing colleague, people are tortured, deals are made with the enemy, one member appears to know more than they let on, things get blown up, people are shot and there are big surprises revealed. All this has happened and as of now there is still one issue to go!

Some mini-series are not so much written for the trade but more written for the sequel spending the majority of the story introducing the characters and setting the scene before ending abruptly and not always satisfyingly whilst making it quite clear that the real story will be told in future volumes. Fortunately that is not he case here; I first saw the book in a seven page preview in the back of another Boom book and from that excerpt you learnt who the characters were, what they did and how they related to each other. Even better you got the impression from the dialogue that this was a group who had been together for awhile which helps the believability of their actions for the rest of the tale.

The art is crisp and clear with each person clearly distinguishable and the action depicted logically and realistically.

This is a four issue mini series and there is only one issue left to be released so it is probably worth waiting for the trade if you do give it a go but baring a huge, and on the basis of the story so far highly unlikely, massive drop in quality I would say you will be in for a fun time.
 

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Posted by Officer Taylor on :
 
^^Sounds interesting, stew! Pleas post again after the fourth issue to let us know how the story worked as a whole and to show whether the conclusion backed your recommendation.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I just bought Green Arrow #16-21, despite my initial embargo on all Green Arrow books in protest. Well, NEW Arrow books.

I haven't had a chance to fully read it, but I gotta say it's weird reading Catman as the fat loser he WAS and Secret Six showing him as the hard-ass mothafu@ka he is NOW.

I actually like the way Hester draws Roy, even though I've read somewhere he detests the "Navajo" look. Although I am confused as to where this sits in continuity, based on Roy's physical appearance. I.e, the soul patch he sports through it.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I just did a review of Villains for Hire on comicvine. Enjoy...

All I pretty much have to say is that it took all five of them to kill Ryan Choi. A teenager powered by at least six or seven gods and a genocidal sociopath who blew up a small country. But since this has to be longer I'll continue. I was never Ryan Choi's biggest fan, that is to say I didn't dislike him, but I agree with comic book resources zero out of five stars critique and them calling this a "superhero snuff film" if I got the words right. Ryan had a lot more potential that's now wasted until another contrived resurrection story takes place after all the mourning is said and done six years from now.

Deathstroke is pretty much doing the same thing he did with Titans East, by promising these people something he obviously is never going to be able to give them. Does anyone else miss the days when he wasn't a grand ubervillain? No, to call him an ubervillain would actually have him doing something big, yet if it took all five of them to kill a relatively inexperienced hero it just makes them out as losers. Cheshire continues to prove what a selfish, hypocritical little nothing she really is by a mourning the child she was willing to let die so long as she had a replacement. I fail to understand why they wrote Osiris going out as a hero in Blackest Night just to bring him back and throw him in with these losers. Tattooed Man I also feel sorry for, but I was intrigued by Cinder and I'd like to know more about her. But she was the ONLY interesting thing about this book.

I know they said that the DCU wasn't going to be a bright, happy place after Blackest Night but I didn't think that meant we'd be regressing to 1985. We can now add Ryan Choi to a list made up of Lian Harper, Tempest, Dolphin, Damage, Holly Granger, Cassandra Cain, Jason Todd, the Reboot and Threeboot Legion, Tasmanian Devil and the Global Guardians, Anima, and a lot of others out there who haven't had proper treatment. I don't want to sound like I'm whining, and if I am I'm apologizing, but to be honest I would've given this book zero as well if I could've.

I actually feel bad for the people who worked on this book, and I'm not saying this to be smug, because chances are, in the future people who get bad reviews for their books will probably be saying "well, at least it's not as bad as what Villains for Hire got."

That, and I'd actually prefer Ryan Choi as the Atom to Ray Palmer.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Um... so. For a while now, I've been re-reading my Sandman collections. The last couple of weeks, at least. The two I've really been paying more attention to are Dream Country and World's End. Dream Country was the first Sandman book I ever read. An old version I found in a library, I'd have preferred it if I bought the collection with the cover matching the one I borrowed, but I could only get the new cover. I summarized the first story, Calliope, now I'm going to review the last one, Facade. Then I'm going to review a story from World's End, the Golden Boy.

It's a story illustrated by Colleen Doran, in which the Sandman doesn't appear at all. But Death does. Due to this book it forever cements my ideal depiction of Death by Doran. Most of you might know her for the work she did on Element Lad. She also illustrated "Anne Rice's The Master of Rampling Gate".

This is the story of Urania Blackwell, Element Girl. Don't know who she is? No one did. She was the Lady Metamorpho, from the 1960s. Urania had allowed herself to gain powers like Metamorpho, and for a while she might've been his lover but he did not feel the same way. This story is about life after that. Urania has become a shut-in, an agoraphobic, due to her frightening appearance. She lives on a company pension and her only contact with the outside world is a man from the CIA she talks to over the phone, Mulligan. Her apartment is run down and littered with discarded faces, silicate masks she creates when she needs to pose for normal that harden and fall off. She uses them for things, things normal people use. That's all she wants. And she can't have it. She's haunted by dreams where everything is okay, and then she wakes up. She's just waiting to die, to finally be over. This story is sad, very sad, to her recollection of how she gained her powers to her disastrous attempt at having lunch with an old friend outside her apartment in which her "face" falls off in her plate of spaghetti bolognese.

Death, who just happens to be walking by, attempts to give Urania a shoulder to cry on. She listens to Urania listing the possible ways to die, and the ways they could go wrong. The bitter irony of all the people who want to live, and she wants it to end because she has no other alternatives. Death tells her that it's not as bad as makes it out to be, and even metamorphae (people like her and Rex Mason) will die eventually. When Urania figures out who her visitor really is, she's at first relieved that her suffering will end. However, Death explains that she was indeed just passing by.

"I'm not blessed OR merciful. I'm just me. I've got a job to do and I do it."

People make their own hells, their own deaths. They can view what Death does either way, a blessing or a curse. It doesn't really make a difference. And oblivion? Not an option. However, Death finally agrees to help Urania if it's what she really wants. She can't simply kill her, though. Death directs Urania to Ra, the person responsible for her powers (she received them from a meteor called the Orb of Ra). Ra, the Egyptian sun god, has kept bringing in people like Urania into existence in his never-ending battle against Apep, the Serpent who never dies, even though Death claimed Apep 3000 years ago. She tells Urania that Ra is the sun, sort of. Urania actually speaks to Ra by speaking to the sun, and asks him to take away her powers. She looks at the sun, and realizes that, it's actually a mask too, and the face behind it is so beautiful... when she turns into a statue. Facade ends with Death wishing Urania better luck next time before she answers her phone. "You want Rainie? She's gone away I'm afraid."

"Who am I? Just a friend. Sometimes. Maybe. Sorry I couldn't be of any help. Be seeing you..."

This story deals with a lot of things. It's about eventually throwing away old things instead of hanging onto them. It's a sharp contrast to the ideal world of superheroics in which gaining powers from a meteor can be a wonderful thing. Here, it's a curse, because Urania lives in the "real world" and there's no place for superpowers in the real world. Ironically, there is, because we need these superheroes to brighten our own lives, to give us hope. The sad thing is, even in our comics, the real world has invaded too many times, and now that naive idealism is slowly starting to die like it did in the 1980s. The real world has become like cancer in comics, which went into remission for a while but has returned.

I'm talking, of course, about Rise of Arsenal. I look at the two, and I see a horrible contrast. Urania Blackwell and Roy Harper share a frightening similarity. Urania has been thrust into the real world and is ostracized for it, both intentionally and unintentionally, due to her powers and appearance, and it slowly drags her down. She fears people will reject her because of her face, and her fears are found true when she attempts to go outside for the first time in a long time. When the story begins, we assume she has been dragged down to her current state over a period of years and she's just about ready to crack. This story is about longing for an end to it and it can be viewed, in some ways, as a happy ending, as Death helps Urania come to an important realization. I don't believe in suicide, and I don't think this is what this story is advocating. I guess people should draw their own conclusions on what it means.

Roy Harper, however, is now having the real world invade his life. His arm's been cut off, his marksmanship is impaired, he's impotent, and back and on drugs. And the biggest source of his problems is that his daughter has been killed. What chronologically and theoretically took years to do to Urania, it's now being done to Roy in a matter of days. His suffering has been done because of what death DID to his life, and unlike Urania, chances are he has no chance for a happy ending, because his story is just pain stacked upon pain with no silver lining. But like Urania, he is both intentionally and unintentionally ostracizing himself from others.

Both characters suffer from the real world, yet they contrast greatly in terms of what death means to them and the facades of their life. Urania wanted to strip hers away and die.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm making connections that don't exist.

...

I'll review the second story later.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Sometimes you crack me up, Kid. It's definitely not a connection I would make, but more power to you for making it. Do you dream in technicolor?

The contrast, for me, is that Gaiman used an obscure super hero to offer some insight into the human condition. The current day DC universe seems to come from a much more cynical place. It's more about trying to gain attention and sales with short term shock value. There is no real effort at insight.

I agree that Doran's work on this story gave us a signature version of Death.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I have to be honest, when I saw the artwork she did in Volume 5, I could barely tell it was the same artist.

I don't think I dream in technicolor, but I'll be sure to ask.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Sometimes I dream in full on, four color comic book panels. That freaks me out and makes me think I should get a life or something... I wonder what Gaiman would make of that?
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Delirium envy?
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
I think you nailed it. Delirium is the Endless I most wish I could be.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I guess I'd want to be Destruction.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
What was his purpose? Destroying things was necessary to make room for the new? Gaiman and insight again. I love the way he could take something that could typically be seen as a negative, and flip it into a positive. Very metaphysical.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
I guess. If I wanted to destroy things it'd be to fix them, in a way.

I don't honestly care about what generation I am. Old or new it's all the same to me.

Oddly though, I just took one of those silly quizzes and apparently I'm more like Death.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I dug through the back issue bins and picked up Black Terror #1 because Outdoor Miner has been collecting it and he's led me in the direction of several great comics lately. It's by Dynamite Entertainment and spins out of the Project Superpowers event/storyline they have going featuring the usage of several Golden Age characters now in the public domain from companies like Nedor, Lev Gleason Publications, Standard, Centaur and I think a few others.

A little disclaimer: I have not read any Project Superpowers stories and did not intend to; so my feelings toward Black Terror are very much reflected by the fact that I'm reading a title directly tied into a larger title. I simply have read enough ensemble comics lately that aren't doing it for me and am tired of the 'large group of superheroes = cool" mentality pervasive in comics. I also feel that every comic book should stand on its own.

So from the above, you can guess what criticism I have against Black Terror, that it is too tied into Project Superpowers which kind of hurts it and I think that its a fair and accurate criticism. On the other hand, having so many other characters appear in the opening pages was exciting to see, and helped accentuate how Black Terror stands out among them. For a #1 issue, I would let it pass and hope that in future issues Black Terror is more the sole focus (though some guest stars are okay).

Alternatively, the most obvious and biggest feat was the immensely terrific interior art by Mike Lilly. Alex Ross is the spiritual guru of this whole event and does some gorgeous cover work, but I actually thought the interior work by Mike Lilly was superior to that--it was actually quite impressive! Black Terror is portrayed as very much a superhero with dynamic action sequences, but there is also a dark, moody quality to it in places. And then there is a third element, a swashbuckler feel that adds a layer of excitement and 'fun', despite the serious story. All of this could be picked up from the artwork, and I'm so impressed that its enough to get me to buy #2.

Black Terror himself is a character that is pretty groovy. He's got a long history, being a Golden Age superstar and then having a brief comeback in the 1980's. He's a bit unique, having a pirate / death motif, like a swashbuckling Punisher that is a bit more superhero than that description would you think. I currently collect no other comic books with a star like him.

The plotting and scripting was done by Jim Krueger which was 'okay'. The plot is interesting but it's really feeling like a subplot of the larger Project Superpowers plot. That's okay for right now, but I hope Black Terror eventually stands out on its own.

The scripting portion of it I felt was very over-narrated, with far too many dramatic adjectives to describe an emotion or situation. It reminded me a bit of the 1970's when that was more common, and that's not always a good thing--for every 1970's comic that was well-written there was one that wasn't.

So I'm on the fence. The plot & scripting were only okay, but the art and the character have peaked my interest. I'll likely now dig through the bins for #2 and make a decision after that.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Here's one that shortly may make the jump from this thread to "Any Recommendations?" and even to its own thread. I'm talking about Turf published by Image Comics, written by Jonathan Ross and artwork by Tommy Lee Edwards.

Turf has a double-whammy: an exciting, awesome premise and a creative team that is able to execute it on every level.

First, the premise is just really cool. It takes place in the Prohibition days of the Roaring 20's in NYC, which is an era I love to read about but never really get to it seems (particularly in Chicago, NYC or other major US cities). It has vampires. It has gangsters. It has a plucky female reporter who is appalled at the willingness of people to indulge in excess even though it supports organized crime. And yes, it even has aliens. The last of those being one I just have no idea how its going to fit in.

The execution hits on every level so far. It's funny and the creative team obviously is acknowledging the combination of all of the above elements is a little funny. Yet, the entire story-telling and dialogue plays it completely serious, which is how I think it should be done here. So you, as the reader, feel completely engaged. The story is tight and moves fast, with solid pacing. And the sheer amount of story you get in the first issue is fantastic...it took me twice as long to read as a normal DC or Marvel comic these days.

Interestingly, I just committed to another vampire comic with a section that takes place in the 20's, American Vampire by Vertigo. Other than those two factors, the two series are completely different however and comparing the two doesn't really show much.

Jonathan Ross is I guess a big celebrity in Great Britain, but I've never heard of him in my corner of the USA. What I do know is that he is providing a solid story, great dialogue and interesting characters. He apparently is a true comic fan too, as I quick check revealed he was the guy who did that incredibly awesome Steve Ditko documentary for the BBC a few years back. This guy is no celebrity visiting comic books. He's a comic book fan who is able to cash in on celebrity status to pursue his hobbies.

Tommy Lee Edwards provides some great artwork as well. I'm not all that familiar with him, but I like his style. It's loaded with detail character designs, with inks that add a ton to each page and detailed backgrounds, all things that are a must for this reader. It has a very noirish feel with bits of horror, which fits for the style of the story. It's definitely a style unlike any other I'm reading these days. Perhaps the closest artist in style is Sean Phillips from Criminal.

Everything clicked for an excellent #1, which was worth every penny. I will definitely be picking up #2 and #3 and hopefully go from there.

Also, a great letters page introduction by Mark Millar who reminds me why he's so damn likable.

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Originally posted by Chief Taylor:
From the Roundtable:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
- You definitely have to review those Ghost Rider trades! I've considered picking them up myself but have not yet. One fresh recommendation from you will tip me that way since you haven't let me down yet!

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With the prospect of my CBS having a big back issue sale on FCBD, I felt the time was right to finally read the first Jason Aaron Ghost Rider trade "Hell Bent and Heaven Bound", which I'd snagged last year and was saving for whenever the mood hit. The combo of the recent mention above and the knowledge that my CBS has most of the subsequent issues beyond the first trade made the timing right.

And you know what? Aaron delivers once again! You KNOW the guy can write when he can take one of the Marvel characters I've had the least affinity for over the years (not to mention a lack of any definitive creative run on the character, IMO) and make me enjoy the heck out of it!

Let me qualify this a little. There are two things that may be viewed as hindrances to your enjoyment of this trade: 1) The story itself is incomplete. This is clearly Book One of the longer arc that Aaron is telling and is more like a set-up for what is to come than a story with a beginning, middle and end. 2) The beginning or the impetus for the plot itself occurred before this trade under another writer. I think Aaron catches us up on what we really need to know, however, so the second is probably less a hindrance than the first. Heck, I'll help ya out with the second myself---Read on!

So we begin Aaron's story with our protagonist Johnny Blaze reeling from the revelation that everything he knew about his spirit of vengeance was wrong. He's learned that rather than getting his powers and role from Hell, the source of everything he's gone through is actually an angel from Heaven using Johnny as a tool. This angel, Zadkiel, is actually following in Satan's footsteps and is staging a second coup against God and looks to be closer to pulling it off than Satan ever was. Somehow, in ways that are unknown, Johnny is an unwilling pawn in Zadkiel's plan and always has been.

So that's where Aaron picks up. Johnny is mad as hell <pun intended> and is looking for a way to find a way to get to Zadkiel and exact his vengeance against the entity whom he now knows is resposible for all his misery. Thing is, Johnny has no idea how to get to Heaven and confront him and is grasping at straws. "Hell Bent and Heaven Bound" is basically the story of the first two stops Johnny takes on that quest.

On the surface this comes off as kind of a retread of the overall arc of Garth Ennis's Preacher, and their are some definite similarities on the surface. Aaron's humorous touches and knack for violent moments mirror Ennis's quite a bit. There's a bit with a cannibal that feels very Ennis-esque, for example. But I'd say so far there are enough differences and unique touches to distinguish it enough for me to overlook the similarities.

One thing I really liked about Aaron's work here is that he gives Johnny a voice and an attitude that don't make him feel generic. Johnny's really rough-and-tumble and has really no room for melodrama. I suppose some could argue he's cut from the same badass cloth as other grim-and-gritties like Dirty Harry or the Punisher, but there's a voice to him that feels fresh irregardless. Since Johnny never made any real impression on me before, I'd say that's a definite step up.

This trade is absolutely packed with action! That can sometimes be a bad thing, but here I'd say it serves the character and the nature of the plot very well. It definitely leans toward the horror side but is peppered with plentiful helpings of dark humor. I mean we've got the cannibal character, killer ghosts haunting a stretch of highway, a Christian priest turned Satanist mass murderer, a killer who tries to save his victims' souls and, best of all--a horde of relentless killer nurses! All in one trade!

The art? Not the best I've ever seen, but overall, I liked it. Both artists suit the mood of the story very well. Both are a little scratchy and prone to ugly facial features and body types, but it serves the stories very well. I doubt anyone would want pin-ups of any given page, but it works.

What unifies it all is a pretty cool style of coloring. It's what I'd describe as kind of a water coloring/oil painting hybrid that I have either not seen before or haven't seen much. It's a clever choice as I think more garish traditional colors may have hurt the sketchier drawing styles of the pencillers.

I think the main thing to say about this trade is that it was a fun read. There's a sense of a bigger story which may leave some dissatisfied, but think of it in terms of the title character's vehicle--Aaron is taking us on a ride on a big badass hawg that leaves a big flaming trail in its wake. It's smart, it's cool and it's wicked fun--everything a concept like Ghost Rider should always have been. I will definitely be completing the story ASAP!

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Based on Lardy’s above recommendation (and a track record for fine taste in comics) and the strength of Jason Aaron’s writing (because that guy is just phenomenal), I picked up the Ghost Rider TPB Hell Bent and Heaven Bound. Throughout my entire comic book reading life, I’ve never collected Ghost Rider comics; though like many of us I suspect, I love the visual of the character. I actually did buy two issues of Spirit of Vengeance back in the early 90’s when it crossed over with Web of Spider-Man; during that era as many can recall, Ghost Rider was part of Marvel’s most popular four: Punisher, Wolverine, Spidey and he, and they appeared non-stop just about everywhere in the MU. Like the Punisher (but unlike Wolverine or Spider-Man), Ghost Rider has kind of fallen off in the last 15 years. The tendency is to kind of still get a little put-off by having him in my face all those years ago but in all actuality, he’s been a prominent part of the Marvel Universe for 4 decades now. So in a round-about way, I’m saying I like the idea of the character but never enough to buy his series.

That’s why I’m still surprised at just how much I loved this TPB! Everything about it just clicked for me and for the first time ever, I actually felt like I *got* Ghost Rider. The tone and the atmosphere of the series really felt very firm for me, in an establishing the nature of the series kind of way, and I realize I really like the idea of a Spectre-like character that is more badass and street-level.

At this point in time, I’m only 4 issues into the 6 issue TPB because there is an easy break point between the 4-issue Jason Aaron opener and a subsequent two-parter. Each has a different artist as well (I’ll get to that shortly). In a way, it’s too bad that Jason Aaron wasn’t responsible for launching this series (this is like #20 or something) because it’s a perfect opening arc for a comic book as it lays out the characters, builds a heavy momentum from the onset and then makes you curious for the larger mythos while enjoying the story you’re reading now.

What makes the story work is the masterful storytelling of Jason Aaron. This guy is simply just blowing me away these days with Scalped and now his other work that I’m discovering. He is a great storyteller in terms of pacing the story and drawing you in, as well as dialogue. But even more than that, he just has this brash, balls to the wall style that feels incredibly rugged that you can’t help but not only love, but also respect. It reminds me in a way (in terms of rugged nature) of early Frank Miller Daredevil in that respect. But Aaron isn’t about just macho, in your face manliness; rather, he’s all about character and having people make decisions and stick to them—and there is something inherently rugged about that even when that line of thinking is very flawed in certain situations.

Of course, when you’ve got a story this jam-packed with different threats (machine gun-toting nurses, cannibal descendents of other cannibals, a road of flesh-eating ghosts), you know you’ve got a winner. There is no doubt that this is just a fun trade to read whether you’re 13 years old or 63 years old.

The artist on the first arc is Roland Boschi, whose work I admit I’m not familiar with. Long story short: I think this guy is a seriously underrated artist with some real chops! The composition of the entire story makes it feel ripe with energy, popping off the page and moving things along in a very thrilling way. I was thumbing back through after my initial reading and was amazed on how each page just felt and looked so different from the next, making it very pleasing on the eye. More specific, he has a real knack for facial expressions for the smaller panels, while excels at panoramic views or larger scenes that have an epic feel to them. I see some Mike Mignola influence in his style, and almost see him as part of the larger ‘cartoony’ movement of artists making a comeback in comics (Cooke, Sale, Martin, Pulido, etc.) though he has a much sharper look to it; he kind of reminds me a bit of a grittier Frances Manupal too. Whatever the case, he’s good enough where people will be comparing artists to him shortly.

You also mention the coloring and the unique feel to it—I noticed that (perhaps because you clued me in beforehand) and I agree, it added a great little extra ‘oomph’ to the art. I liked it quite a bit. Ghost Rider’s visual allows for such great emphasis on the hellfire and the coloring really used that to its advantage.

The surprise character who came back is actually a pretty big shocker for Ghost Rider fans if I remember correctly. As someone not all that familiar with the character, it isn’t quite that shocking to me, but the sense of something quite larger happening here helps up the tension.

I’m on to the second half of the trade and I suddenly realize that it’s unfortunate that Ghost Rider got cancelled and most people never got to experience a Jason Aaron Ghost Rider run. I know I never would have thought to have bought it—a lot of it is timing and lack of marketing on Marvel’s part and just not enough buzz around Aaron just then. But if I had read this arc and there was currently an Aaron Ghost Rider series, you bet I’d be buying it. As it stands, this was good enough to make me decide to buy Aaron’s Wolverine #1 in the coming months when that comes out and I almost never buy Wolverine comics. But I’m committed to at least checking out the majority of his work no matter what universe or whatever character he’s using.

I’ll do a follow-up post on the second story.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^And following up on the above, I read the second story arc of the first trade "There is No God on Cell Block D" which was a nice 2-parter that was very complimentary to the first story. I'm actually a big fan of trades that aren't just one big 6 part story--I've always loved how the Preacher trades incorporated one-shot issues in the beginning or end.

My first thought is that the artwork by Tan Eng Huat was okay but not as good as Roland Boschi on the first story; I've liked his artwork before elsewhere but he's not in the 'my favorite' category. He has a very 1990's/Image style with over-exaggerated forms and even though I don't mind that style, it's just not my favorite. Still, it wasn't too distracting.

What I really liked is how this storyline moved the overall plot forward in a big way while also once again providing a solid story. And the antagonist / threat was a very different one from the first story; where the first story had the pure supernatural elements / conspiratorial group going against Ghost Rider, this one had a strait-up 'big bad' for Johnny to battle. I won't say super-villain because Ghost Rider isn't really a superhero, but that's the closest description and it was good to see.

I really enjoyed this trade a lot. I'll buy the second Aaron one sometime soon to at least see where he went with the story. Again, it's a damn shame Lardy and I came to this late (and so many others never looked at it) because if an ongoing Jason Aaron Ghost Rider series was coming out now I would be incredibly excited about it.
 

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Posted by Chief Taylor on :
 
I'm glad you liked it, Des! I always get a little bit of a lift when someone tries something I recommended and really digs it.

Like you, I was never really into Ghost Rider. Every character needs a writer to come along that just really nails what the character should be all about. For my money that was Jason Aaron on Ghost Rider.

I have the three subsequent trades of Aaron's Ghost Rider run. Having read 2 of those 3 (and 3 of the 4 altogether), I can say honestly that his work on the book hasn't disappointed me in delivering on the promise of that great first trade's worth of stories!

The Last Stand (the second Aaron Ghost Rider trade) has a really epic story in it that really delivers a great payoff to the larger story hinted at in the first trade. It's kind of got that Empire strikes back feel to it, if you know what I mean? (No...Johnny Blaze doesn't get frozen in carbonite! ) It expands the story, we finally get to meat Zadkiel and see what he's up to and Blaze gets a supporting cast. There are a lot of jaw-droppingly cool moments. The only thing slightly disappointing was that the dark humor is toned down a little. It's there, but maybe a little less prominent than in the first trade. But the story doesn't disappoint at all. I especially loved the new Ghost Riders we meet in the course of this storyline.

What kind of dragged The Last Stand down at the beginning for me, though, was its reintroduction of characters from the Danny Ketch iteration of the character. I mean, it makes sense since Ketch is involved heavily in the story, but not knowing who Blackout, Caretaker and some of the other characters are took me out of it a little bit. Luckily, that's really just in the first couple issues that comprise the trade. The remaining four issues just barrel on and fit in really well with what is established in the last trade. Those issues really are what this book is all about and knock it out of the park!

The art is by Tan Eng Huat, who I first noticed years ago on one of the numerous Doom Patrol relaunches. He also did the last couple of stories in the first Aaron GR trade. Anyhow, I liked his style wherever I've seen it. It's similar to the style used by Roland Boschi as described by Cobie above. I think I like it a little better than Boschi's style, but that may be because I'm more familiar with Huat's.

The third Aaron Ghost Rider trade Trials and Tribulations is a bit disappointing. Not because aaron loses his touch or anything, but because only three of the five stories within it are his. There are only three Aaron stories to bridge The Last Stand and the final volume Heavens on Fire, so Marvel fills in the trade with an annual that was written by someone else and a reprint of an issue of Johnny Blaze's original Ghost Rider series. Neither extra story sucks exactly, but they are what they are.

The Aaron's stories are three one-offs that kind of bridge the second and fourth trades with standalone stories that give the characters separate adventurers while setting up their frames of mind for the upcoming final act. The scene-stealer among the three is the story with Ketch vs. the Highwayman, literally the trucker from Hell! The dark humor I was missing from Last Stand is definitely back in this story!

I really enjoyed seeing Tony Moore's art on these stories! Tony, I best know from his being the artist on the original 6 issues of The walking Dead. Seeing him draw some more extravagant supernatural stuff here was a real treat. These particular stories really suit Moore's strengths very well, I think. I'd really like to see more of his stuff--where's he hiding these days?!?

Anyway, if you can just snag the three pertinent issues instead of this trade, I'd recommend it. If you get the trade, make sure you get a bargain (like I did) and don't pay the full $12.99 cover price. I suppose you could even skip the Aaron issues contained herein because none are absolutely essential to the larger story, but I'd certainly recommend getting them.

Next up is the last volume Heavens on Fire. I'm sure I'll be reading it fairly soon, but I don't want to rush it. I want to savor it as its the end of a brilliant run, y'know? Des, you'll be pleased to know that Buschi is back for that one!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Okay, I stopped by my back-up CBS today to get some Lone Ranger back issues and made an impulse buy where I totally succumbed to the nostalgia of my youth. I actually went and picked up Shadowhawk #1 by Image Comics.

I know what you're thinking: Cobie, are you crazy? But hold, faithful, lurker! You may have seen me speak of this before but when I was 12-14, and Image Comics was just starting, Shadowhawk was my favorite! When my father decided we were canceling all Image Comics after like the 3rd or 4th month, I pleaded my case and was able to keep both Shadowhawk and Spawn. I've always had a soft spot for Shadowhawk ever since. It was my gritty comic of my youth.

So, where does that leave me now? Well, the premise is the original Shadowhawk is back, after dying 10 years ago (after having AIDS when that was a serious new thing for comics). The premise itself is enough to excite me.

The execution, on the other hand, was merely "okay". Not bad, mind you, but not anything really spectacular. Putting aside any rose-colored memories of the original series I may have, this new relaunch is by all new comers on the creative team whom I don't know, with Jim Valentino overseeing things. My problem is they basically write Shadowhawk as a Frank Miller Daredevil type in terms of grittiness while the artwork is a bit more superhero-y than I would have liked. They bring the question up right in the comic: is he superhero or vigilante? I'd like them to decide and go with it.

Much too much time was spent with Shadowhawk fighting a super-villain. This is a #1--I need the supporting cast laid out and I need the entire spirit of the series established. That was a negative. How they are going to get this together since he's 'back from the dead' is beyond me but I hope they do.

They also need to remind me and show new readers what makes Shadowhawk different from Daredevil or Batman or other vigilantes. A black superhero isn't that rare anymore and I don't think he has AIDS now, so what makes him different? Let's get into that.

On the plus side, the artwork was very good, and I'm reminded why I like the characters look so much.

I'm also curious on whether they can resolve the back from the dead bit in a cool way. I'd like to see a real restoration of a cast and secret identity--if they can accomplish that, it'd be a big bonus.

Also on the plus side is that this really is the original Shadowhawk who is a no-nonsense badass. I hated when the next Shadowhawk was a young kid who was enthusiastic and naive and it basically made me stop collecting. Invincible already has that covered. The idea of a Daredevil that has crossed the line and keeps crossing it, while knowing he's done so and hating himself for it--that's a bit more intriguing to me. I'm hoping we get more of that.

I'm willing to give this series another 2 issues on nostalgia alone, which is something I wouldn't afford many other comics, even DC and Marvels. They need to win me over, and then I'll make a decision. I *want* to like this series because I have a soft spot for the character. But he's no Spider-Man or Legion, meaning I won't buy his series just 'cuz. I need a solid delivery every issue story-wise and art-wise.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Today I read New Avengers: Luke Cage today; the reasons I picked it up and then read it are as follows:

I've never been much of a Luke Cage fan and in fact considered him silly 70's character for a long time. When Bendis brought him into New Avengers and it became obvious he was one of Bendis' favorites, I was against it at first. It was only begrudgingly that I've really come to grow to love Luke over these last couple of years. I think Cage is one of Bendis' great successes at Marvel--he's really fleshed the character out and made him someone I care about.

Meanwhile, I'm loving a ton of gritty crime comics these days--a genre I've always loved--and I've been in the mood for more of it. So I picked this up on a whim.

It sat in my pile until today when I saw Lash's post on John Arcudi made me push it to the forefront of my reading pile.

My reaction was: surprisingly, I'm glad I bought it and I think there's some potential here. It was a pretty enjoyable first issue, I'm curious as to what's going to happen in this little story and will likely pick up the rest of the mini.

A few thoughts:

- John Arcudi is a master storyteller and that shows here. He can balance an issue in a way that progresses the plot, keeps you heading towards each new page with interest and at the same time provide strong action sequences, great humor and good dialogue. He's one of comic's current great under-appreciated writers these days.

- The series starts out as a superhero story with Ronin and Spider-Man making appearances and gradually devolves into a gritty crime story (albeit with Hammerhead and Mr. Negative). I liked how that was done purposely to show the transition from one genre to the other in style as well as story.

- Luke Cage continues to become more likeable over the years. I love his relationship with Jessica and his growing sense responsibility and how that makes him feel more and more confined (anyone with kids would relate as I'm beginning to learn) but he struggles to maintain his principles. And here, he is taken out of that struggle and put into a situation from his older days, but this is still the same, modern Luke. The entire premise creates lots of subtle drama.

- One caveat is the art is not for everyone. Eric Canete is very manga-esque with an overly exaggerated cartoony look that isn't my favorite. But it is pretty dynamic and I can go with it because I liked the story.

The storyline itself will likely turn out to be a solid crime story but not anything that is going to be ground-breaking. I've never collected a Luke Cage comic before and so I'm okay with that--I can always pick up a solid crime story if its of good quality.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Kind of. If the art really isn't your bag, it might turn you off. But if you're looking for something a little grittier with a hero you might know, this might be the thing for you.

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Picked up #2 of this mini and I'm glad I'm reading it. I will definitely finish the story and find it to be a good read with all of the above good qualities still prominent in #2.

I think at this point if Luke had his own ongoing and it could be in this vein--street crime drama--I'd totally be buying it. I wish Arcudi could be writing Luke on a regular basis for solo stories while Bendis & Jeff Parker wrote him elsewhere in teams.

(Again, as someone who never bothered to give Luke a second notice until a few years ago, I'm surprised by how much I've grown to like him.)

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Originally posted by Dev Em:
Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy (GN format)

First off, the artwork is unbelievable. Joe Kubert is a living legend, and should be drawing Sgt Rock every month...okay, I'd settle for every other month.

The story is pretty straight-forward. Rock and Easy have to deliver a package that could help end the war. Easy is loaded with the regulars like Ice, Dozer, Wildman and Sureshot. There are also the characters that may of or may not of been seem before, that you know could be the ones to go. This is after all WWII, and bad things happen to our crew all the time. They do loose a few members along the way, in totally believable ways...and it doesn't feel gratuitios like other comics, as this is about war. Plenty of blood and death in these here pages, but it fits the subject matter.

The package turns out to be a surprise, Dozeer picks up an extra passanger, and there's a baby being carried around by Easy for a while. Nothing is ever easy for Easy, and this collection showcases the no nonsense way Rock deals with his cre to accomplish the goal, while letting them get away with more than probably most other leaders in the war.

There are so many little things that make this book great. Looks that the characters give each other. Nice things that they do for wach other. Dozer and his freind, and what Sureshot does for him after what happens. Sureshot drawing cartooons of their story. Wildman throwing down on a two-timing local they come across.

One thing about this. It's set in Lithuania. May not be a big deal for anyone else, but I'm about 1/3 Lithuanian, so I thought it was pretty dang cool.

Now I wanna go get me some old Joe Kubert war stories...gonna have to hit a local con soon.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Hack/Slash was for the longest time the flagship comic book published by Devil’s Due and in recent months has transferred over to Image Comics since Devil’s Due is having major monetary problems. To commemorate things with the new publisher, Tim Seeley (creator/writer) kicked things off with a new miniseries that focuses on the origins of Cassie Hack, the main character.

I’ve never collected the series before because it just didn’t seem like my thing but I thought I’d give it a try since it was a new jumping on point / #1 and it focused more on the character’s origins. I didn’t expect much so I was surprised by much I liked it—certainly enough to pick up #2.

The best way I can describe this comic is it is probably the most like a B-grade teen slasher/horror film out of all the horror comics in the industry, so if you like those kind of movies (and I do), this might just be right up your alley. There is a fair amount of gore but it’s not really overwhelming—it’s probably less than you’d get from a random Blackest Night tie-in issue. Rather, it’s the creepy factor that is so prominent, and the low-level terror is ongoing throughout the entire thing. Seeley purposely has the subtle “teenager anxieties paralleling the horror” that many slasher flicks have constantly within the story but it’s not hitting you over the head. I unfairly thought it was going to be the opposite based on ads & covers for the series. It also has a strong “me against the world” vibe that anyone who remembers their teenage years can relate to (whether they were good or bad) but its more in the ‘cool’ sense than the ‘depressing’ sense which is a nice counter-balance to the horror going on in the story.

Anyone who’s seen a variant cover or marketing ad for this series will assume there is a HUGE amount of T&A involved and I admit I thought that would be the case too. I’m certainly not against some T&A in comics but sometimes it kind of gets on my nerves when its distracting—it’s just not what I’m looking for in comics somedays and I don’t exactly live with my brother and some pals anymore, so I can’t have something lying around I wouldn’t be embarrassed for my wife to browse through. So I was surprised to see I was actually a bit wrong on that front too: sure there is a little bit of T&A but its nowhere near as prominent as you’d think. I can name 30 Marvel, DC and other independent titles with more of it. I suspect it’s only so prominent on the covers to try to draw readers in.

Rather, what I was most delighted about was how strong and interesting the lead character Cassie Hack is. She is beautiful too, but her beauty isn’t always played up in sexy pin-up poses. Rather, what is seen is she is a complex person with a dark background, yet is very intelligent and very capable. As a reader, I liked her immediately, was incredibly intrigued by her, felt a great deal of empathy and above all, just wanted to see more of what she will do next.

I’ve never read any Hack/Slash prior to this, and all of those stories take place after, so I picked a good time to come in as a blank slate. I’m going to stick around for sure. If anyone else has read this before, please let me know what you think—especially horror buffs. I could see this spinning into a thread of its own!

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Okay LW, I've got a random review for you, and specifically for Lardy. I picked up Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine by Marvel Comics the other day despite initially reading the solicitation and thinking it would get a HARD Pass. The reason is really that who in the world needs another Wolverine comic, or another Wolverine/Spider-Man comic? Well, as a major Spider-Man fan, after a little while, I started to think, maybe I actually do.

Then I saw Comic Book Resources gave an incredibly rare 5 out of 5 stars in its review of #1 which made me stand up and take notice. I shouldn't have been surprised: artwork is by Adam Kubert, who I have always loved and the writing is by Jason Aaron, who has been getting a shower of praise from Lardy, myself and the general comic book critic community for a long time. Aaron is the man, and this thread is chalk-full of reviews of comics Lardy has picked up based on his name.

My general reaction was: this is a pretty groovy Spidey/Wolvie story! I'm pretty glad I got it, and I'll definitely get the next two issues (making it highly likely I'll complete the six issue mini). The premise caught me totally off-guard, as I was expecting a street-level type story with ninjas or gangsters, which is kind of the stereotypical team-up these two heroes have. WRONG. We've got time travel, dinosaurs and pure superheroey goodness from the get-go. I can not only dig it, but I was feelin' super-fly about it.

Kubert's artwork is terrific and as a longtime fan who loved his Ka-Zar and Hulk in the Savage Lad stories, I was pleased as pie to see Kubert doing dinosaurs, cavemen, volcanos and all other manner of visual treats. (Spoiler that might influence you: the tale is *not* in the Savage Land).

But the real treat was the writing. Aaron is renowned for his seriousness and grittiness in Scalped but here he shows he can be a completely different writer when he wants to be. The story is serious, but there is a certain amount of fun to the plot. Aaron also just nails Spider-Man's voice, something many writers struggle with. He's funny, he's ironic, he's self-referential, but he's also brilliant, courageous and moral. I'm suddenly wishing he was writing some Amazing Spider-Man stories!

Aaron's real dynamic is the Logan/Peter relationship which he gets very well. These two aren't exactly pals and get under each other's skin quite a bit. They don't hate each other (like the forceful Batman & Superman hate each other nonsense of the late 80's/90's), but they really don't enjoy being around one another. And it makes for all kinds of awkward, tension-filled scenarios that Aaron loads with great dialogue.

I think this was a solid buy. Any Spider-Man fans looking for a Spidey fix but hating the current ASM, this might be for you. It also is a distinctly superhero story with sci-fi overtones.

One disclaimer I'd add though is this isn't exactly the most earth-shattering story of the year in terms of sense of importance, so I don't to overstate it. It fits within the category of 'terrific little yarn but in the grand scheme of things relatively unimportant to the larger mythos', which are types of stories I enjoy quite a bit (unless the maturing friendship between Peter and Logan counts as important to you).

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I don't collect any Radical Comics right now--does anyone here? I'm curious what their output is like.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I did read Scarlet tonight, and was very glad to have found a copy after one CBS I visited had sold out. I think this did very well sales-wise and I’m thrilled for Alex Maleev who deserves tons of $$ for his awesome work over the years.

My feeling after reading #1 is I really want to see where this is going and learn more about Scarlet, so in that regard, Bendis & Maleev succeeded in getting me to at least pick up #2 and probably #3 and from there, possibly hook me permanently. I found that while the nuts & bolts of the plot aren’t all that original, the characterization of Scarlet was very intriguing and drew me right in.

Bendis was able to flex his writing muscles less in terms of plot and more in terms of structure and narrative with this story, and in that regard, I liked it quite a bit. Sometimes that is enough to get me really interested, because it makes a comic book stand out. The breaking of the fourth wall was entertaining and made me sit up and take notice; in the interview in the back of the book, Bendis compares it to John Cusack in High Fidelity and I think that’s a good comparison. It didn’t take me out of the story and actually made me get more into the story as I felt I was getting to know Scarlet better.

The other really cool narrative device was the three page sequence that really kicks off the story where several panels act as a summery of Scarlet’s life: ‘Birth’, ‘First Shit’, First Fight’, and so on. I thought it was effective in being amusing/funny while also being very original.

The best part of the issue for me though was the Alex Maleev artwork, as I really love it. I was super-disappointed that Spider-Woman ended and can now let those feelings rest as I’m getting a new dose of Maleev. He really seems to be going all out here as well, as it retains the grittiness of Daredevil that made me a fan, but it also seems more beautiful. Maybe its Scarlet’s subtle attractiveness or the energy of the issue, but it felt more panoramic in a way. Hard to explain what I mean, but I think this was a great artist doing some of his greatest work ever.

I expect the story will get better as time goes on (not that it was bad, it just wasn’t spectacular), but in the meantime, the artwork is gorgeous enough to make me feel satisfied with the purchase.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Okay LW, I've got a random review for you, and specifically for Lardy. I picked up Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine by Marvel Comics the other day despite initially reading the solicitation and thinking it would get a HARD Pass. The reason is really that who in the world needs another Wolverine comic, or another Wolverine/Spider-Man comic? Well, as a major Spider-Man fan, after a little while, I started to think, maybe I actually do.

Then I saw Comic Book Resources gave an incredibly rare 5 out of 5 stars in its review of #1 which made me stand up and take notice. I shouldn't have been surprised: artwork is by Adam Kubert, who I have always loved and the writing is by Jason Aaron, who has been getting a shower of praise from Lardy, myself and the general comic book critic community for a long time. Aaron is the man, and this thread is chalk-full of reviews of comics Lardy has picked up based on his name.

My general reaction was: this is a pretty groovy Spidey/Wolvie story! I'm pretty glad I got it, and I'll definitely get the next two issues (making it highly likely I'll complete the six issue mini). The premise caught me totally off-guard, as I was expecting a street-level type story with ninjas or gangsters, which is kind of the stereotypical team-up these two heroes have. WRONG. We've got time travel, dinosaurs and pure superheroey goodness from the get-go. I can not only dig it, but I was feelin' super-fly about it.

Kubert's artwork is terrific and as a longtime fan who loved his Ka-Zar and Hulk in the Savage Lad stories, I was pleased as pie to see Kubert doing dinosaurs, cavemen, volcanos and all other manner of visual treats. (Spoiler that might influence you: the tale is *not* in the Savage Land).

But the real treat was the writing. Aaron is renowned for his seriousness and grittiness in Scalped but here he shows he can be a completely different writer when he wants to be. The story is serious, but there is a certain amount of fun to the plot. Aaron also just nails Spider-Man's voice, something many writers struggle with. He's funny, he's ironic, he's self-referential, but he's also brilliant, courageous and moral. I'm suddenly wishing he was writing some Amazing Spider-Man stories!

Aaron's real dynamic is the Logan/Peter relationship which he gets very well. These two aren't exactly pals and get under each other's skin quite a bit. They don't hate each other (like the forceful Batman & Superman hate each other nonsense of the late 80's/90's), but they really don't enjoy being around one another. And it makes for all kinds of awkward, tension-filled scenarios that Aaron loads with great dialogue.

I think this was a solid buy. Any Spider-Man fans looking for a Spidey fix but hating the current ASM, this might be for you. It also is a distinctly superhero story with sci-fi overtones.

One disclaimer I'd add though is this isn't exactly the most earth-shattering story of the year in terms of sense of importance, so I don't to overstate it. It fits within the category of 'terrific little yarn but in the grand scheme of things relatively unimportant to the larger mythos', which are types of stories I enjoy quite a bit (unless the maturing friendship between Peter and Logan counts as important to you).

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Reading the second issue of this miniseries, I found it just a little bit less good than the first issue, mainly because the actual plot seems to be moving along very slowly. Readers considering this series should keep that in mind.

Making the comic still a very worthwhile buy is the characterization by writer Jason Aaron, who really seems to nail both Peter and Logan with every panel. He also brings out what makes them so likable while ignoring some of the more cliche characteristics of both.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one day became an ongoing Marvel title. (Marvel Team-Up with two of every five issues focusing on Wolverine & Spidey isn't a bad idea, with the other 3 of 5 focusing on under-used characters IMO). If it was with this creative team, I'd buy it.

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Okay, I stopped by my back-up CBS today to get some Lone Ranger back issues and made an impulse buy where I totally succumbed to the nostalgia of my youth. I actually went and picked up Shadowhawk #1 by Image Comics.

I know what you're thinking: Cobie, are you crazy? But hold, faithful, lurker! You may have seen me speak of this before but when I was 12-14, and Image Comics was just starting, Shadowhawk was my favorite! When my father decided we were canceling all Image Comics after like the 3rd or 4th month, I pleaded my case and was able to keep both Shadowhawk and Spawn. I've always had a soft spot for Shadowhawk ever since. It was my gritty comic of my youth.

So, where does that leave me now? Well, the premise is the original Shadowhawk is back, after dying 10 years ago (after having AIDS when that was a serious new thing for comics). The premise itself is enough to excite me.

The execution, on the other hand, was merely "okay". Not bad, mind you, but not anything really spectacular. Putting aside any rose-colored memories of the original series I may have, this new relaunch is by all new comers on the creative team whom I don't know, with Jim Valentino overseeing things. My problem is they basically write Shadowhawk as a Frank Miller Daredevil type in terms of grittiness while the artwork is a bit more superhero-y than I would have liked. They bring the question up right in the comic: is he superhero or vigilante? I'd like them to decide and go with it.

Much too much time was spent with Shadowhawk fighting a super-villain. This is a #1--I need the supporting cast laid out and I need the entire spirit of the series established. That was a negative. How they are going to get this together since he's 'back from the dead' is beyond me but I hope they do.

They also need to remind me and show new readers what makes Shadowhawk different from Daredevil or Batman or other vigilantes. A black superhero isn't that rare anymore and I don't think he has AIDS now, so what makes him different? Let's get into that.

On the plus side, the artwork was very good, and I'm reminded why I like the characters look so much.

I'm also curious on whether they can resolve the back from the dead bit in a cool way. I'd like to see a real restoration of a cast and secret identity--if they can accomplish that, it'd be a big bonus.

Also on the plus side is that this really is the original Shadowhawk who is a no-nonsense badass. I hated when the next Shadowhawk was a young kid who was enthusiastic and naive and it basically made me stop collecting. Invincible already has that covered. The idea of a Daredevil that has crossed the line and keeps crossing it, while knowing he's done so and hating himself for it--that's a bit more intriguing to me. I'm hoping we get more of that.

I'm willing to give this series another 2 issues on nostalgia alone, which is something I wouldn't afford many other comics, even DC and Marvels. They need to win me over, and then I'll make a decision. I *want* to like this series because I have a soft spot for the character. But he's no Spider-Man or Legion, meaning I won't buy his series just 'cuz. I need a solid delivery every issue story-wise and art-wise.

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So after reading #2 I can say that this was a definite improvement for Shadowhawk. Like I said, some nostalgia for the character makes me really want to like the title, but the series is going ot have to really earn it every step of the way. #2 was certainly good enough to get me to check out #3.

That being said, I'm hoping for continued improvement as we go and the creative team to find their footing. The art here was very good and the writing better, but I felt like it could have just been a little tighter. The dialogue could have been a hair smoother.

What I really liked was when a superhero who knew the previous second ShadowHawk (there was the original, then a second, now the original again) shows up, ShadowHawk brushes her off in a pretty harsh way. It's a clear separation from the superheroics of the last version, which I felt were very bland, and the gritty, crime-comic oriented first/now version. I hope that continues as this is a title that definitely works better as a vigilante / mystery man rather than a superhero.

I think the chalk-outline serial killer is an interesting subplot and the cat-thief at the close of the issue getting caught at the crime scene is a good twist. After the first issue, I admit I was a bit dissapointed. Now after the second I'm feeling a lot better about it. We'll see what the third brings.

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Well, I finally did get around to reading #3 of Shadowhawk and my impression of the comic is...it just isn't anything very good. It's not terrible, or even 'bad', but it isn't great, or even 'good'. It's just okay. I like this character a lot, but if this was a host of other characters I would be dropping it without a second thought. I think three issues is enough time for any series to get it's footing and grab the reader and this hasn't done so.

The problem lies in both the writing and artwork. It feels very raw and very flat. There isn't anything striking about it.

I think #3 was my final issue. Unless I'm in the CBS looking for anything to buy to tide me over until my next big run, I don't really have much of a reason to continue. It's too bad--if Valentino was the actual artist, that would probably be enough to keep me around a little longer.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
One of the big announcements coming from the smaller publishers in recent months has been the team-up between BOOM! Studios and Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment to create three new superhero titles. I'm slightly skeptical about more superhero comics entering this market unless they are hands-down excellent, but figured all three would be worth a try. Of course quite a lot would depend on the actual creative teams as it's obvious Stan's involvement is limited (though he'll probably take all the credit like he's done his whole career--but that's a conversation for somewhere else ).

Soldier Zero was the first to come out, about a veteran from Afghanistan confined to a wheelchair and trying to move on with his life before a meteor hits that will ultimate give him a supehero power set and armor to make him Soldier Zero. If that's vague, it's because that's all we get in #1...it's only part of the origin and there isn't much action. Of course, a big part is the awkwardness for the soldier trying to get by in a wheelchair and how uncomfortable other people are around him.

This last bit is interesting though a little 'on the nose' in delivery, but that's part & parcel for a Stan Lee comic so it isn't surprising. It also fits with the old Marvel 'tragic hero' angle. I think in premise it's a good one and something I'd like to see more. But 6 or so pages of it is a bit much; this should have been condensed throughout the issue so we could get a full origin here.

Paul Cornell, who I'm just becoming familiar with in Action Comics and Knight & Squire, is handling the writing and the dialogue is very good. The plotting, as a I mention above, is a bit slow and vague so far.

Javier Pina provides the artwork and does a nice job. My problem is it isn't anything spectacular because it doesn't feel very detailed; the backgrounds are almost completely empty in every panel. That always smells like a rush job to me where corners were cut and as some LWers may know, I *hate* that.

I'd give this a solid C+ / B- and at this point, I'm unsure whether I'll get #2. I certainly will try the other 2 comics though. Is anyone else going to pick any of these up?
 

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Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
 

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I'd give this a solid C+ / B- and at this point, I'm unsure whether I'll get #2. I certainly will try the other 2 comics though. Is anyone else going to pick any of these up?

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

The art: Chad Hardin provides the artwork, whom I’m unfamiliar with (or at least, can’t remember him from anything).

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Originally posted by Fanfic Lady:
Cobie, the only time I liked Eric Masterson was in the few issues of the Harras Avengers that he was in. I know you're a fan of the Harras Avengers like myself, and would certainly be interested to know what you thought of his appearances there.

As for the new book, I appreciate your review, but I may or may not give it a go. I wasn't a huge fan of that Thor era, and never followed the first Thunderstrike book.

BTW, Eric, his son Kevin, and the whole Thunderstrike thing were actually the creation of Tom DeFalco, not Ralph Macchio.

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the funny thing is I was looking at Tom DeFalco’s name on the comic book and writing out Ralph Macchio. Talk about the brain seeing what it wants! I always get them confused for some reason.

To answer your question, I thought Harras did a great job with Thunderstrike for the little time he had him. In fact, since I was a young teen when the Harras run was coming out, my intro to Eric Masterson actually works backwards: the first time I ever saw him was via Harras. I only ever went backwards to read the Masterson Thor / Thunderstrike stories afterwards. Having read the Harras run numerous times since, I can see why I liked him at first (I always recall him showing up right at the end of the Black Knight / Sersi Saga); like most Harras depictions during the run, he nailed the character completely, highlighted what made him unique and also made him very likable.

In the Avengers, Masterson always felt like an outsider since he was the “fake-Thor” and that was the right way to approach his membership. I felt bad for him but understood.

Something I forgot to mention in my above review is there is an excellent back-up with Todd Nauck artwork where Sif is speaking to the Valkrye, telling the story of Eric Masterson (as a set-up for a Valkrye supporting character who will be joining the series next issue). The back-up does a wonderful job showing how heroically Masterson saved Thor and helped Thor on numerous occasions. It highlights that he wasn’t a *replacement Thor* but rather, an ally of Thor, like Beta Ray Bill.
 

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Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
 
Todd Nauck?

I'll have to Byrne-steal it for sure, if only for the back-up. Thanks, Cobie.

Re: Eric in the Avengers, I thought his finest moment is near the end of Operation Galactic Storm, when he's the only one of the killing expedition to have second thoughts.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
What could possibly be the very best work Mark Millar has ever done, and by far the best artwork Leinil Yu has every produced, has arrived in the form of Superior, an independent comic released by Marvel's Icon imprint. Millar is a writer many love to hate, but I've always felt he was very talented and his independent work has always been his best stuff. He is a naturally at evoking the 'teenage emotions' in his reader, but here, he does a great job evoking the sense of wonder that a kid or pre-teen would feel and it was very refreshing! Millar's recent track-record included a sub-par Fantastic Four run and a really good Nemesis miniseries (creator-owned) and I think here he turns that creator-owned success in quality into a streak (likely continued with Kick-Ass II).

Leinil Yu, who is an artist that to be honest, I find to be one of the weaker 'hot' artists in comics, is suddenly proving me wrong by providing artwork for a story that he clearly loves and is invested in. The level of detail is huge! The scope switches from tight 'small-screen' moments to scenes incredibly epic and grand, while throughout the whole thing conveying a sense of wonder.

Dave McCraig, who does the colors, also does a wonderful job bringing some 'pop' to the artwork. Superior really felt like an iconic, coloful superhero who could exist in the great eras of comics past as well as today.

The premise, in which a pre-teen with MS suddenly finds himself transformed into a grown-up superhero (similar to Captain Marvel, but with some twists including not knowing how to change back) is very solid. Millar does a great job making very clear the lead character's point of view in being shocked and then terrified at the turn of events.

Something should also be mentioned: there is no excess violence, sex, smut, gross humor or other trademarks many may think should be here. In fact, this is very clearly something you could hand an 8 year old, while incredibly entertaining to a 30 year old like myself.

I highly recommend this and I also dare those with a preconception of Millar (or Yu, like me) to try it out and be surprised...and delighted.

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Originally posted by MLLASH:
Sounds like I'm still not missing anything. REBELS has been a missed opportunity in my opinion.

It totally jumped the shark with Stealth's death, but wasn't all that great before that either.

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Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
re: Doom Patrol Showcases - I love your description of the stories as a twisted soap opera.

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Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
I found Morrison's DP a little too weird at times.

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Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
The current series captures the original tone for me, although it has much darker underpinnings, which I find suitable to the times we're living in.

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Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
re: REBELS #23 - Much as I enjoyed the two Doxes reluctantly working together, I think you're spot on with your criticism of that issue. The original L.E.G.I.O.N. developed the other characters much more, which made it a real team book. We've had glimpses of that in this series, but it's very Dox-intense - and now we're back to more Starro.

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Yeah, I have no problem with Dox being the main character (as he was in the old series), but this is still supposed to be an ensemble book. The prior series had very well-developed supporting characters, but Bedard is letting the current cast languish for the most part. Maybe Captain Comet, Starfire and Adam Strange get some memorable scenes, but all of the rest have been little more than wallpaper for a good while.

On the plus side, a review I read of 24 seems to indicate that there's at least some progress along these lines. Hopefully, it's with more than just those same three characters.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Something I’ve seen very little reaction to online (which is never a good thing) is DC’s Weird Worlds #1 which came out recently. All in all, I thought the first issue had some really great artwork on all three stories, but the actual stories themselves were a bit run of the mill.

I actually like the anthology format and would love to see it actually work for American superheroes one day. If one could thrive it would be the perfect place for new ideas to blossom, and I like the fact that with three features you get more bang for your buck. But what is often the case, anthologies are packed with many sub-par stuff as a way for the publisher to pad the issue. I wish rather than the three stories we had here, there was an anthology collecting all the best back-ups at DC: the Atom, The Spirit Black & White feature, and Justice, Inc.

The art was great on all three, though the Lobo and Tanga stories weren’t overly dynamic. The Garbage Man story by Ariel Olivetti actually was incredibly dynamic and gorgeous to look at though and I wonder if the character had his own single issue if he’d have a better chance?

Ultimately though, Garbage Man felt too much like a Swamp Thing / Man-Thing rip off (with parts of the Toxic Avenger thrown in), and Tanga is just Starfire with attitude and on restraint backed by humorous dialogue so far. The Lobo story is nothing I haven’t read 1,000 times before. I would have liked for these stories to be a bit more original—something to make me sit back and say ‘wow’.

I’m not sure if I’ll get #2—very likely I will not. Too bad, because as I said, I’d love for this format to actually work!
 

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Posted by Chief Lardy on :
 
A few days ago, I read the finale of Time Bomb, a three issue series published by Radical Comics, written by GrayPal (Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti) and featuring art by Paul Gulacy. Well! What a terrific, satisfying series this was!

Plotwise, we have some familiar story trappings: Nazi doomsday device set off and a crack team sent back in time to prevent it from ever happening. We've seen elements of both before and maybe even combined together before, but with very few new ideas truly out there, what distinguishes one from the other is the story's execution. In my opinion the execution here was pretty impressive!

GrayPal adopt a tone and feel to their story that is very reminiscent of a classic James Bond-type spy thriller. We've got all the trappings here: futuristic gadgets, widescreen action, stuff gettin' blowed up good, dastardly bad guys (can't get more dastardly than Nazis, can ya?) and a good helping of sex appeal that's titillating without leaning to the pornographic.

Paul Gulacy is a perfect choice to illustrate the book. A story that's got a sexy, James Bond edge is right up his alley, if you're familiar with his work. He's got a flair for the dramatic and the sexy and has a sharp, clean line that is instantly recognizable. Sometimes his eyes look a little too much like they're staring at the reader, and occasionally his poses are a little stiff. But more often than not, Paul totally delivers the story. Many "hot" artists would be out of their element here, but Paul is totally in his.

The characters are not incredibly deep, as they rarely are in this kind of story, but they are effective and each have their memorable moments.

The story surprised me with some of its twists. I didn't, for example, expect to see Adolph Hitler pop up. I especially didn't expect him to figure so prominently in the unconventional resolution. I won't spoil it here, but in a way Time Bomb breaks some of the rules of the traditional time travel story by not leaving history alone exactly as we remember it. If you're reading these words and trying to read between the lines, I'd hazard a guess that you're absolutely wrong in what you might be assuming! I think that's a good thing!

Even though each issue was priced at $4.99 a pop, you get terrific value at 48 pages each worth of story. The book comes with the "mature readers" label, due to some violence, a little bit of nudity and plentiful usage of the f-word and other colorful metaphors. I wouldn't put any of these on the level of, say, a typical Garth Ennis book, so it's pretty tasteful and not over-the-top.

Time Bomb is a fun spy thriller with some roads taken that are expected and unexpected. I'm a fan of Paul Gulacy's art and was glad to see it here. If you're looking for a change of pace from superheroes and the supernatural and wouldn't mind a spy thriller with a few sci-fi aspects, then I think Time Bomb might be just for you!

Lardy's rating for Time Bomb: 4.5 Donuts (out of five)!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^You know, I thought about grabbing this but didn't and your review has me kicking myself for that. It sounds like a great read, and I *must* check it out! Definitely something I'll want to follow-up on.

(Comic Book Review Month is worth it if only for me to find one or two items I know Lardy is reading ).

I'm also a fan of Gulacy's artwork.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
Some time ago I had decided that other than Ultimate Spider-Man, I had given up completely on the Ultimate Universe. After a steady decline for several years, I realized I just didn’t care anymore. So recently when I saw Ultimate Thor on the stands, I passed it by several times before I eventually bought it. The reason for doing so can easily be summed up: Jonathan Hickman. Hickman is so good these days, based on Fantastic Four and especially SHIELD, that his name carries a lot of weight with me.

Ultimately, I made the right call. Just like SHIELD, I was very impressed by the scope of Ultimate Thor and the suspenseful and grandiose method in story-telling which is being used. It already feels incredibly epic: Baron Zemo in WWII; Ragnarok; a young Thor, Loki and Balder having adventures together; Dr. Don Blake visiting Ultimate Thor who may or may not be losing his mind. Hickman can write and I love his style.

Carlos Pacheco, who isn’t my favorite artist, does a fantastic job here, and impressed more than he ever has before. His art looked very clean and exciting.

This was a pleasant surprise and I’m committed to the rest of the series now.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Prince Valiant by Hal Foster, Volumes 1 & 2

This is a real oldie - these two volumes cover the newspaper strips from 1937 - 1940.

I loathed Prince Valiant when I was a kid. It was one of the really boring newspaper comic strips that my mother thought was educational. Several decades later, my opinion has entirely reversed.

Hal Foster was grew up in Halifax; our local comic store Strange Adventures has had a bit of a push on his work. I was flipping through one of the collections and was so impressed with the art work, I bought the book.

The art is beautiful and richly detailed. I could just enjoy that and ignore the stories, but the stories themselves have a peculiar charm.

Prince Valiant is set in the medieval era, but Foster has taken history and myth, along with different time periods and jumbled it all together. There's lots of Arthurian legend mixed in with adventures in Rome, Scandinavia and the Holy Land, Atilla the Hun and Vikings. The adventure is appealing in its nostalgic innocence, yet there's a good measure of brutal violence (not graphic, but cheerily dispensed by Val) thrown in. I was surprised to see a fair number of scenes of naked or nearly naked men wrestling and bathing together, so maybe there was some subtext there, or the 1930s weren't as stuffy as I thought.

One distinctive aspect of Foster's work is the total lack of word balloons; all the story is told in text at the bottom of each panel.

The volumes are oversized and pricey, but if you find them in your library, I'd recommend taking them out.

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Very cool! I've always wanted to check out Foster's Prince Valiant but never have. This is something I actually might consider buying for myself soon. (I'm getting through the massive first volume of Dick Tracy first, which is taking months).

Foster mixing up different time periods so the series has characters from all different eras makes it actually even more appealing!
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Starting in 1996, DC had released an Elseworlds one-shot entitled "Superman's Metropolis", an intriguing melding of the Superman mythos with the silent film "Metropolis". Written by Jean-Marc & Randy Lofficier and Roy Thomas, and illustrated by Ted McKeever, the story was followed by a sequel in 1999, "Batman: Nosferatu", which melded Batman with the likes of "Nosferatu" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". Roy Thomas did not help with this one. Finally, the series was finished with a third one-shot in 2003, "Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon", which melded the Wonder Woman mythos with the likes of "The Blue Angel" and "Dr. Mabuse". Although the Lofficiers intended to create a FOURTH one-shot.

The first of this series that I read was Blue Amazon in early 2006, the second was Metropolis, which I received as a Christmas gift in 2006, and Nosferatu, which I got in 2008.

The storyline is set in the city aptly named Metropolis, and it's the only city, or so it appears. It's origins have been time lost.

Since Blue Amazon was the first one I read, I want to review it, but I'll try not to divulge too much of what goes on, as it would spoil the first two. However, Blue Amazon was alluded to in Nosferatu by way of the appearance of Dr. Psykho's Palace of Sin, and a poster for "Diana as the Blue Amazon".

In this story, Wonder Woman is recast as Diana, a singer whose stage name is, aptly, the Blue Amazon. She works as a performer at the Palace of Sin, a seedy place run by Dr. Psykho. She is highly sought after by the men who attend her performances, but there are times when her songs are so soul shattering that some leave, shaken by her voice. Of course, Steve Trevor-Son chooses to listen to her with his eyes closed, although he does regard her beauty. Whereas Steve is an army official in regular continuity, here he's an architect whom is helping Lois, the wife of the Super-Man, learn about Metropolis' origins. Steve is captivated by Diana, and she returns the sentiment by how he doesn't lust after her like the others.

Make note, though, that Diana is not a cold and empty beauty as the name "Blue Amazon" would imply. The blue pertains to a sense of sadness, as Diana is an amnesiac and must deal with being "owned" by Dr. Psykho. As Metropolis' origins are a mystery, so are Diana's, and not even Dr. Psykho knows what they are. That doesn't mean he doesn't try though. To make matters worse, he makes some money after hours letting Diana be degraded via a whip. When Steve walks in on this, he blends into the crowd of men watching the torture, but stays to help Diana.

Now, the problem with this book is that it might be considered shorter than the other two, and Diana doesn't really receive that much exposure as the Wonder Woman after she fully awakens. She mainly plays the role of the enigmatic beauty, the singer, the blue angel seeking out her memories under the control of the disgusting Psykho. One could applaud her continuing resistance against Psykho's attempts to enter her mind, although this could probably be more attributed to the fact that she's an amnesiac. However, one can also consider in that, when Psykho attempts to kill Steve, the only person who showed her kindness and respect, it can be seen as a play on the legendary love that Wonder Woman is said to have.

We are also treated to the mysterious Cheetah, who is searching for Diana, but where did she come from? And why does she want Diana? Here, the Cheetah is more ghastly than her normal appearance.

The story deals with the secrets of the past, Metropolis' past, Diana's past, and the mystery of "The Time of Smoke and Soot". It also makes use of both the first and second book, specifically the Super-Man and the Nosferatu, although while this is spoiling a bit, the Nosferatu gets more fighting action than the Super-Man.

In terms of the art, Ted McKeever's style has changed since Nosferatu, as it did from Metropolis. The entire story is colored in a red tint, as Nosferatu was colored in grey, and Metropolis in a gold. There is one metaphor that could apply. Metropolis is the day, Nosferatu the night, and the Blue Amazon is sunset, or even dawn, but the tint is removed by the end. When Diana is first introduced in the Palace of Sin, she is colored entirely in a blue tint. On the cover, Diana is depicted in a costume that is a bit similar to a cross between her regular outfit and the leather she wore during the Artemis days. But in the story itself she simply wears a black bodysuit with a yellow "W". McKeever's lines can be considered a bit ugly at times, but he excels at portraying truly horrific villains and monsters, the Cheetah and Dr. Psykho are examples. One can also remember that since this is based on a German expressionist film, of course the art would look strange.

I applaud the twist used in revealing just where Metropolis is, but wish we would have had more exposure of Diana as Wonder Woman.

I'd have to give it a 4 out of 5.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
So as a former graduate student with a focus in Roman History and a genuine love for it, I picked up Caligula #1 by Avatar. I fully expected it to be over the top violent and sexual, since I've seen the 70's movie, know full well Caligula's history and realize almost every Avatar comic has sex & violence. But you know, I was totally taken aback by just how much sex & violence there was--specifically, how much rape there was. It was basically non-stop.

I'm actually sure it's a pretty accurate depiction of life during Caligula's reign as Augustus. But you know, its just not what I want to read about in comics. I put it down and felt a sick to my stomach feeling I haven't felt since I was like 13 and reading my father's adult comics that I was supposed to.

Definitely a disappointment. I'd love for an ongoing series set in Roman times that doesn't focus on (A) Ceaser or (B) Caligula or Nero.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I also picked up Infinite Vacation by Image because of how freaking impressive writer Nick Spencer has been on everything he touches (see: Morning Glories, Thunder AGENTS, etc.). After issue #1, I can see this might be the most complex of all his stories and that is saying something! Spencer, like Jonathan Hickman, is not afraid to revel in the complexities and mysteries of his series which is what makes them so exciting. Here, we have the most off-beat thus far in what amounts to a really original premise for a story.

The lead character seems addicted to the 'Infinite Vacation', where you can purchase the ability to change your life to an alternate reality where a decision or moment of your life worked out differently. The implications of such an idea seem endless and Spencer gives us a huge dose of that possibility with #1.

For example, the lead character is Mark, and throughout the issue you meet numerous other Marks from other realities. Many of these, you don't realize at first its actually another Mark until its revealed to you. Mark sees a psychiatrist, who happens to be a Mark from another reality. When Mark questions some of the things happening to alternate Marks, the people who run the Infinite Vacation make sure he speaks to a customer service rep who is also a Mark from another reality since Mark knows how best to deal with Mark. Confused? You bet! But yet, in an awesome way.

Christian Ward does a great job on art, where he provides a pretty consistent, structured style in places and yet at points his art evolves into an almost hallucinogenic feel, which underscores the weirdness of alternate realities. It really works with the plot.

I'll admit--I only half understand whats happening...but I really want to know more!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^CBR gave Infinite Vacation #1 a 4.5 out of 5 star review!
 

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Posted by Exo-Lardy on :
 
I just got to Infinite Vacation #1 (second printing) in my ever-growing stack on Tuesday, myself. Another Nick Spencer smash hit, says Lardy! It felt utterly fascinating and original.

I also totally dug the sometimes psychedelic art! Ward's art is reminiscent of what Duncan Fegredo did in the 90's on titles like Enigma with Peter Milligan for Vertigo.

I have no idea where the story's going, except that it may turn out to be a multi-dimensional murder mystery? Maybe? In any case I'm onboard for the ride!

P.S. There's a gorgeous purple-haired chick in it who I'm kinda-sorta in love with at the moment!
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
JLA: A League of One

Hardcover graphic novel released in November 2000.

Story and painted art by Christopher Moeller.

Plot:

Wonder Woman learns of an ancient prophecy that foretells that the members of the Justice League will be killed in a battle with an ancient female dragon named Drakful Karkang. She secretly plots to take out all the members of the League so they won't be available to fight the dragon. She fights the dragon alone , in the name of the Justice League - as a League of one - in an effort to save the world, by defeating the dragon while sacrificing herself to save her team mates.

Art: A+

Beautifully painted and colored. The story contains fantasy elements that include the dragon queen, a race of gnomes who discover her, a young wood nymph and a young sea nymph who are childhood friends of Diana's. This book contains some of the most unforgettable fantasy images that DC has ever produced. There is a wonderful sequence in which the sea nymph transforms Diana into a mermaid.

The story takes place during the League's watchtower era. The sequences on the moon and in the watchtower are grand.

Wonder Woman battles Batman and Flash along the Amazon River while they are engaged in a battle with Poison Ivy. Gorgeous. The battle with Superman is spread out over seven breathtaking pages.

Story: B+

The fantasy elements are wonderful. Diana's determination is inspiring. Wonder Woman and Batman matching wits is gripping.
The conclusion is suspenseful, but leaves some unanswered questions.

Recommendation:

Well worth the money if you can find it. This is a model for how original graphic novels should be done.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
It probably says a lot that I couldn't find a thread on LW for Fear Itself. Most of us are fed up with crossovers and LW has always been more DC centric. Much like Flashpoint, I've bought the first few issues of each crossover to see if my fears of them being bad would come true out of curiosity.

For Fear Itself, I think it's been a pretty weak product. Overall, the story seems pretty run of the mill, and the sense of dread and epic-ness of the threat is being told to us, rather than shown to us. Fraction's writing has never been my favorite and that continues here.

But in #3 what really did it for me was
Click Here For A Spoilerthe death of Bucky. I have no idea if that is going to stick or not, since I don't believe things anymore. But I have to say, this is one of the worst deaths in years--and that's saying something! Not in the way it was done but just how pointless and un-dramatic it is. I'd rank it along Hawkeye's mindless death in Avengers Dissassembled. It really just felt lame

I think I'm done with #3 and won't continue on. Not sure how Marvel could have ever greenlit this since its just so run of the mill.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
agreed!

I was also displeased and fairly confused by Fear Itself #3. I wrote in the All Avengers thread a long and somewhat snarky review.

I compared Fear Itself #2 to Power Rangers.

Immonen's art is dragging me through the dirt. by that i mean i'm forced to read this story because his art is so great.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I don't want to post four times in a row in the Spirit thread so I'll just make mention here that artist John Paul Leon--who I had never heard of before--did an outstanding job on yhe latest issue. He's definitely in the mold of one of my favorites Marcos Martin with a hint of Darwyn Cooke influence.

The Spirit as written by David Hine continues to be utterly excellent.
 

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Posted by Dev - Em on :
 
Showcase Presents: Bat Lash

I've read the first two stories in this nice handy little collection. First off, let me say that I have always been interested in this collection since I found out that Nick Cardy drew the majority of it. It does not disappoint in the art department either for Showcase #76 and Bat Lash #1.

Showcase #76 - Our introduction to Bat Lash. Will he save the West - or ruin it? Well, if this story is any indication, he's gonna save it from itself. Westerns can be a mixed bag...hard to get the right balance of humor, action and romance. This book seems to do it all effortlessly. Sergio Aragones plots this story and Denny O'Neil scripts it. It's a pretty straightforward tale of a man moving through the waest looking for love (or at least a woman to have fun with), food, and some peace and quiet.

The man who loves peace and is willing to fight/kill for it gets a little overdone between this and the next book, but it's not too distracting. There is a nice little twist at the end that I honestly did not see coming with the reveal of the 'main' villain of the story.

Bat Lash #1 was another great straightforward tale of Bat Lash moving through the west breaking hearts and getting into trouble. Things are set right by the end, and Lash is off for his next adventure.

Now, I cannot say enough about the art in these stories. This is one collection that does well in black and white. (I think only Kubert's work is more fitting of the format, at least for the DC showcase series.)

Overall, I am liking the book a lot more than I thought I would, and I figured that OI would at least enjoy it for the art if nothing else...thankfully, the stories are surprisingly fresh and fun.
 

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Posted by Dev - Em on :
 
More reviews as I read through the book, although I do not want to spoil these stories for anyone that may be tempted to grab this off your local stores shelf...Needless to say, I will continue to talk about them as I go.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Next month DC Comics will be launching an all new Batgirl #1, with Barbara Gordon returning to the role. Readers are split. Some preferring Babs in the role of Oracle, and others feeling that this is a move that is long overdue. Both camps are making good arguments. I’m looking at it as new interpretation of Batgirl and plan to buy it with no reservations. In light of the circumstances and debate, I am presenting a random review of one of the earliest stories I recall reading Barbara as Batgirl.

Story: “The Isle of A Thousand Thrills”

Published in Batman Family #3 January-February 1976

Writer: Elliot S! Maggin

Artists: J.L. Garcia Lopez and Vince Colletta

Opening splash page text: They’re back! The flame-haired huntress from Gotham, Batgirl, and the crimson-chested youth who learned his craft at the side of the Batman and grew to young manhood as Robin. Together again in a land where time whirls, flip flops and leap-frogs madly across history – as the Dynamite Duo find themselves battling for their lives in an “Isle of a Thousand Thrills!”

Synopsis: Dick Grayson and a fellow Hudson University student named Frank Gilbert are in Provincetown in anticipation of a big announcement from Major Montana. Mr. Montana is a film maker, cartoon director, novelist, magician, and wealthy eccentric. Congresswoman Gordon and Senator Cleary are in Provincetown investigating off-shore oil drilling (or something!). Dick goes out of his way to make sure that Babs doesn’t see him. He fears that if Robin has to go into action, she may put two and two together and finally realize his secret identity.

Major Montana holds a banquet and mysteriously announces that he plans to unveil a fabulous gift for the young and young at heart. The next day, Dick, Frank, and some college girls are eating at a seaside ice cream shop when the Congressional delegation walks in. While Dick is scurrying away to avoid Babs, a giant sea dinosaur attacks the shoreline. Robin roars onto the scene on a motorcycle. Batgirl appears on a rooftop and they go into battle against the monster, eventually chasing him back into the water. Batgirl and Robin jump into a rented motorboat to chase the sea monster. They are followed by several boats of tourists. They eventually come to an island, where no island was before. The Dynamite Duo and tourists battle a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spanish Inquisition Soldiers, and futuristic thought police with jet packs on the island. It is eventually revealed that the island is Major Montana’s gift. It is a place where normal people will be given the thrills of acting as heroes.

In the epilogue, Batgirl and Robin reveal that they have each deduced the other’s secret identities and part company with smiles on their faces.


My Reactions:

Not only was this one of the earliest experiences I had reading about Batgirl, but it was also my first exposure to the pencils of Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. I’ve been a fan for life. The drawings are crisp and clean. The action scenes are exciting to watch. Batgirl and Robin look like acrobats through and through. Graceful and fluid. The fantasy elements mix naturally with modern day Provincetown.

The story is simple and interesting. This is where the chemistry between Babs and Dick started for me. It’s a chemistry that remains as natural and unforced today as it was over 35 years ago. It’s a chemistry that I anticipate will be capitalized on in the new DC universe. Much of the current debate centers on whether Barbara will be recast as a “junior partner” by returning to the role of Batgirl. I don’t see that happening. Both she and Dick had already transcended that role in this adventure from 1975. They were clearly competent and capable of carrying a story. It’s a story that withstands the test of time.

[ August 14, 2011, 06:47 PM: Message edited by: Jerry ]
 

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Posted by Dev - Em on :
 
well, I finished the Bat Lash Showcase. It's an interesting read. The art is great, even the stories that arre not by Cardy are good.

Bat Lash as a character is interesting. Once you see his origin story (how he came to lead the life he leads) he makes a bit more sense, and the whole "I'm a peaceful man pushed into violence to prevent violence" thing becomes very clear and understandable.

The stories by Aragones, O'Neil and Cardy were the strongest of the bunch, and those that came after seemed to be taken from an episode of Maverick.

There is quite a bit of stereotypical Mexican 'slang/speaking' that is a bit distracting at some points, but is not unlike watching a Speedy Gonzales cartoon, or a Cheech & Chong movie.

My overall opinion...Well worth the money spent, and would be worth the regular price. I think I may start tracking down the singles of his series...to see these in color. The black and white art is great, but seeing the cover for Bat Lash #2 on the coverof this collection, makes me want to see the fuill art in color as well to see the subtle changes that coloring can bring about.
 

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Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
 
You may have convinced me to pick up the Bat Lash Showcase!
 

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Posted by Dev - Em on :
 
EDE. It's a 9.99 book, and you can probably find it on a special somewhere cheaper than that...the art alone is worth the price though, and the fun interjected into the seriousness of the stories makes them a good read.
 

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Posted by DrakeB3004 on :
 
Cloak & Dagger: I loved these guys in the 80's, so I'll always see what they're up to. Spider Island crossover nonsense aside, (it's barely part of the story) this is its own story and it's all about character! (seriously, it's like a breath of fresh air) It's also about New York City as much as Daredevil ever has been. This is definitely the "The rent is too damn high/everyone lives in Brooklyn" NYC as much as their origins were steeped in the "Taxi Driver/Times Square is a cesspool" NYC back in the day.

The double narration could have been cliche and predictable, (I'm talking to you, "Superman/Batman") but here it's well-done and really gives you a sense of who these people are. And they're clearly recognizable as the same people, but modernized in a good, (non-pandering) way. This is only a mini, but we need books like this as ongoings!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^I'm actually thinking of grabbing this and your rec definitely helps Drake!

A series I'm surprisingly enjoying is Kirby Genesis by Dynamite. Everyone knows I'm a big Kirby fan but the series is actually much more of a Kurt Busiek series than anything. So I'd say regardless whether you like Kirby, I'd say it's more about how much you like Busiek's style. It's very Astro City / Marvels in usage of POV characters, ensemble cast and grandiose nature of it.

I'm enjoying seeing Kirby characters I only ever saw briefly (like his Topps universe stuff) and ones I've never been able to read (like Captain Victory). Like most of his creations the untapped potential is just so raw.

The art by Jack Hebert is very much in the mold AC's Brent Anderson with obvious Alex Ross influences. I'm liking it quite a bit.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Over the last coupla days, I read the TPB of Suicide Squad: From the Ashes, which collected the 8-issue miniseries "Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag". Not sure at all why they changed the name for the TPB. What mattered to me was at the time the mini was released, I was on a bit of a sabbatical from monthly comics and totally missed it. Had I been getting the monthlies at the time, this would have been a "must buy" as I was a HUGE fan of Ostrander's classic run on SS during the late '80s.

I eBay watched this for a long time, but never seemed to find the kind of bargain I like to get when purchasing back issues or trades. Finally, I got the trade as part of a large order from mycomicsshop.com in June. (I got it NM for $9 when the trade has a cover of $19.99!)

While it started out a little slow and somewhat confusing in its timeline, this story really started to click on all cylinders and show that John Ostrander still could tell a frickin' AWESOME Squad story that pulled no punches.

Drawing it was Javier Pina, a name I'm unfamiliar with but one who has a clean, realistic style. Some of the faces were a little inconsistent and less fully rendered at times, particularly with the character of Rick Flag. But overall, the art was fine and very pleasing.

This story took place after Capt. Boomerang's death (and before his Blackest Night resurrection), but Ostrander managed to work him into the flashback sequences that opened the story. And nearly all the other surviving Squad favorites were there as well: Bronze Tiger, Deadshot, Nightshade, Amanda Waller and other notable alumni like Count Vertigo and Plastique. Boomerang's son, Multiplex and some obscure guys rounded out the cast.

Front and center was Rick Flag. Flag was one of the mainstays in the old series until he was apparently killed off a couple of years into the series' run at ground zero of a nuclear explosion. But we learn that the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.

Flag is back and his loyalties to the Squad in question because also involved is one General Wade Eiling, who fans of Captain Atom's defunct Bates/Broderick DC series will remember very well. Eiling also showed up occasionally during Ostrander's classic SS run, and this appearance follows up on where Eiling was left by Grant Morrison during Grant's classic JLA run in the body of JLA for the Shaggy Man. Flag worked for Eiling prior to Flag joining the Suicide Squad. In this story we learn a lot more about Eiling's role in Flag's life.

So the Squad reunites to remove a deadly viral agent from the hands of a greedy corporation looking to sell it to the highest bidder. Eiling, conscripted into Squad service by his rival Waller plans to betray the Squad and throw in with the corporate baddies. Will Eiling have the last laugh?

Among the many things that makes this story great is the respect that Ostrander has for DC history. He uses Cliff Carmichael from the old Firestorm book. We see a little bit of Skartaris, home of the Warlord. Eiling was a great character that had fallen completely off the map after Morrison used him. All the nods to previous versions of the Squad and to its own rich history during Ostander's run.

Ostrander is a master at his craft, and this especially shines through in his dedication to character building. All the characters, major and minor, in this book get moments to shine. Two deaths that otherwise wouldn't have been a big deal for me simply were because Ostrander made me care about them.

Yes, this is Suicide Squad, so not everybody makes it out alive. It was a very suspenseful read with lots of great moments. (How deadly is Deadshot blindfolded? Pretty deadly, it turns out!) Bronze Tiger, Flag, Waller and even Boomerbutt, Jr. all have plenty of room to shine. I also liked the character of Rustam (who also survived the nuke that would have killed Flag) in this book quite a bit.

I loved this book! It's a shame that a long-awaited Squad revival is finally around the corner but without Ostrander being attached. At this point with John and with what looks like the crappiest version of Harley Quinn yet involved that it will be a hard pass.

A crying shame, I say.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Fish Police: Hairballs, by Steve Moncuse (volume 1)

This is a collection of comics published in 1985.

Fish Police is a noir-themed cop story, with Inspector Gill as the main character in a world populated by fish with arms and humanoid faces (and clothing, for the most part).

So it's a fish theme, with fish jokes and fish names (Dr. Calamari, Goldie, Angelfish, etc.). Gill is investigating the crime organization S.Q.U.I.D., which allegedly is producing a drug called Hairballs. This drug allows users to "live in a universe filled with people who walk on two legs" and S.Q.U.I.D. wants to invade and exploit this universe. Gill is fascinated, not just because of the potential crime, but because he was in fact once a human.

There is no explanation of how he became a fish, which I found frustrating. Perhaps it was in a separate issue not included in this collection?

The art is black and white and does a great job on the anthropomorphic fish.

It sounded unusual and wacky, but, honestly, I didn't love it. The jokes weren't that funny, the story wandered off at one point and the lead character was more of an immature goof than a hard-boiled detective.

Worth taking out of the library, if you can find it, but, personally, I wouldn't bother with a Volume 2 if there is one.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lard Lad:
Over the last coupla days, I read the TPB of Suicide Squad: From the Ashes, which collected the 8-issue miniseries "Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag". Not sure at all why they changed the name for the TPB. What mattered to me was at the time the mini was released, I was on a bit of a sabbatical from monthly comics and totally missed it. Had I been getting the monthlies at the time, this would have been a "must buy" as I was a HUGE fan of Ostrander's classic run on SS during the late '80s.

I eBay watched this for a long time, but never seemed to find the kind of bargain I like to get when purchasing back issues or trades. Finally, I got the trade as part of a large order from mycomicsshop.com in June. (I got it NM for $9 when the trade has a cover of $19.99!)

While it started out a little slow and somewhat confusing in its timeline, this story really started to click on all cylinders and show that John Ostrander still could tell a frickin' AWESOME Squad story that pulled no punches.

Drawing it was Javier Pina, a name I'm unfamiliar with but one who has a clean, realistic style. Some of the faces were a little inconsistent and less fully rendered at times, particularly with the character of Rick Flag. But overall, the art was fine and very pleasing.

This story took place after Capt. Boomerang's death (and before his Blackest Night resurrection), but Ostrander managed to work him into the flashback sequences that opened the story. And nearly all the other surviving Squad favorites were there as well: Bronze Tiger, Deadshot, Nightshade, Amanda Waller and other notable alumni like Count Vertigo and Plastique. Boomerang's son, Multiplex and some obscure guys rounded out the cast.

Front and center was Rick Flag. Flag was one of the mainstays in the old series until he was apparently killed off a couple of years into the series' run at ground zero of a nuclear explosion. But we learn that the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.

Flag is back and his loyalties to the Squad in question because also involved is one General Wade Eiling, who fans of Captain Atom's defunct Bates/Broderick DC series will remember very well. Eiling also showed up occasionally during Ostrander's classic SS run, and this appearance follows up on where Eiling was left by Grant Morrison during Grant's classic JLA run in the body of JLA for the Shaggy Man. Flag worked for Eiling prior to Flag joining the Suicide Squad. In this story we learn a lot more about Eiling's role in Flag's life.

So the Squad reunites to remove a deadly viral agent from the hands of a greedy corporation looking to sell it to the highest bidder. Eiling, conscripted into Squad service by his rival Waller plans to betray the Squad and throw in with the corporate baddies. Will Eiling have the last laugh?

Among the many things that makes this story great is the respect that Ostrander has for DC history. He uses Cliff Carmichael from the old Firestorm book. We see a little bit of Skartaris, home of the Warlord. Eiling was a great character that had fallen completely off the map after Morrison used him. All the nods to previous versions of the Squad and to its own rich history during Ostander's run.

Ostrander is a master at his craft, and this especially shines through in his dedication to character building. All the characters, major and minor, in this book get moments to shine. Two deaths that otherwise wouldn't have been a big deal for me simply were because Ostrander made me care about them.

Yes, this is Suicide Squad, so not everybody makes it out alive. It was a very suspenseful read with lots of great moments. (How deadly is Deadshot blindfolded? Pretty deadly, it turns out!) Bronze Tiger, Flag, Waller and even Boomerbutt, Jr. all have plenty of room to shine. I also liked the character of Rustam (who also survived the nuke that would have killed Flag) in this book quite a bit.

I loved this book! It's a shame that a long-awaited Squad revival is finally around the corner but without Ostrander being attached. At this point with John and with what looks like the crappiest version of Harley Quinn yet involved that it will be a hard pass.

A crying shame, I say.

---

Lardy, my reactions to this were posted here! I also enjoyed it quite a bit!
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Just read Image's Undying Love #4, the wrap-up to what is either going to be the first of a series of miniseries or the end of the arc before it goes on hiatus for an undetermined period of time.

Here's how Image describes the series in its solicited TPB collection of 1-4:

A tale of horror-action, equal parts vampire mythology and Chinese folklore, set in modern day Hong Kong. Ex-soldier John Sargent has fallen for a beautiful Chinese woman named Mei. The only thing keeping the star-crossed lovers apart: she's a vampire. To free Mei from the curse, Sargent sets out to destroy the vampire that made her. The only problem: Mei was turned by one of the most powerful vampires in history...

That's a pretty good description, I'd say. Undying Love is a more gritty, horror bent on the vampire genre (like American Vampire), so don't be fooled by the "Twilight" vibe of the title. This has been an entertaining, moody book with some strong action set-ups and a feeling of mythology. Setting it in Hong Kong is a welcome spin as the setting really distinguishes it from other vampire books.

I love the art by Tomm Coker here. It's a little reminiscent of Sean Philips' style (of Criminal, Sleeper and Incognito fame with writer Ed Brubaker) but is distinctive for its photo-realistic faces while also having a more abstract, scratchier quality to it. Co-writer (with Coker) Daniel Freedman is also the colorist, and his colors are simultaneously bright and gloomy, an effect that really enhances the look and feel of the book.

With the close of this arc, you get the feeling Coker and freedman have barely scratched the surface of their story. There's much to learn about John and Mei's pasts and what draws them together. We eventually see how they met, but there are a lot of blanks to fill.

They have an intriguing nemesis in Shang-Ji, who is barely glimpsed in the story, and his hoardes of vampire/shapeshifter assassins. The goal is to destroy Shang, so that Mei will be freed of her curse.

Even more intriguing are the mystical fox people who seem to be playing both sides and are very enigmatic like the animals themselves are. They are seen in the bookend issues, and we can tell by the end that they and their leader shen will play a prominent role in how this eventually ends.

This is a strong, impressive start to what will obviously be a finite saga. I will definitely be buying it whenever it continues. Hopefully, that will be very soon!
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Project: Superman #2 was a decent read and earned its place as one of only two Flashpoint tie-in series (the other being Secret Seven) that I picked up. I did so because Scott Snyder co-wrote it and Gene ha was the artist. It's nothing groundbreaking or superlative, but it's a decent telling of this alternate timeline in which Superman was captured as a boy by the government and studied by them for military applications.

Here we get an apparent resolution to the storyline of a previous test subject and learn that this Kal shares a certain fondness for a certain Ms. Lane that the familiar versin has after young kal meets young Lois.

It's interesting to see Sam Lane take a paternal interest in young Kal as he tries to protect him from the more inhumane tests the Project attempts. The take that Sam always wanted a son is ironic given what he did in the forgettable New Krypton storyline.

A decent read. Nothing astounding, though. Wondering what the final issue may hold as the main conflict of the first two issues is seemingly resolved here. We'll see when I catch up to it!
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 


"The Tomb of the White Bat"

Published in Batman Family#19 Aug/Sep 1978

Story: Denny O'Neil

Art: Michael Golden

Plot: Bruce Wayne accompanies a foreign ambassador on a bus tour through a snowy mountainous region in an effort to prevent his assassination. Also on the bus are the driver, the ambassador's secretary, and two body guards. One of whom Wayne suspects of being an assassin. The explosion of a snow packed bridge strands the group on the mountain. They are quickly shot at by superstitious mountain people. Wayne runs off into the hills pretending to be frightened by the shots. Batman emerges to confront the shooters, but is confronted by their over 100 year old matriarch, Granny Bleach. Granny Bleach tells the story of how she and her family came to be tasked with the job of keeping outsiders away from the home of the legendary White Bat. The White Bat is a vampire bat who drained a member of Granny's party over a 100 years ago.

The story goes back and forth between Batman's efforts to protect the ambassador from the assassin and battles with the mountain people. Mystery, super heroics, and the supernatural come together in the finale.

My Thoughts:

This is one of my all time favorite Batman stories. O'Neil brilliantly packs a lot of story into 20 pages. Part of the story feels like an Agatha Christy mystery, as Batman attempts to discover who among the colorful characters on the bus is the assassin. Part of the story feels like a classic Swamp Thing adventure as Batman interacts with the superstition of the mountain people, and the legendary bat. Batman is out of his usual element of the dark grittiness of Gotham. He is a dark figure in the snow and sunlight. Golden captures this contrast beautifully with images that propel this outing from a simple story into a timeless classic.

[ September 05, 2011, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Jerry ]
 

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Posted by Blacula on :
 
^ That story sounds awesome Jerry! And exactly the sort of Batman story I love. I much prefer when writers take Batman out of Gotham and play him off against antagonists in exotic an interesting locales.

I would love to read more 70s Batman too. I've only read a few issues from that period and judging by the covers alone, it looks like it could be my favourite Bat-era ever.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Makes me want to look for some of that 70s Batman! That was probably my favourite era for Bat stories.

I posted a review of Jim Gallagher's graphic novel, which I greatly enjoyed.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
The Incal Classic Collection by Alex Jodorowsky and Moebius

This is probably the trippiest comic book I ever read. First published in the 80s, it is said to have had a massive influence on sci fi books and movies.

No doubt; it's full of incredibly beautiful artwork, illustrating complex worlds of the strangest things you could imagine.

The Incal is the story of a low-joe detective John DiFool, who finds a box which identifies itself as a living being called the Incal. It sends him on a mysterious adventure to, basically, save the universe, and achieve enlightenment along the way.

There's a good review with some of the artwork (not the most stunning, IMO) at ifanboy, which says as much as I could say about this book. Really, it sort of leaves you speechless. Truly recommended for fans of sci fi high weirdness.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Cobie, did you see my Undying Love review a few posts up yonder? You've been bugging me for one for a while....

[ September 06, 2011, 10:41 AM: Message edited by: Lard Lad ]
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I had missed it, but just checked it out. Very interesting! At first, I'd be hesitant to pick up another vampire related title but the Japanese aspect of it adds that dose of differentiation to give it that nice niche feel. The Japanese have such fantastic traditions in horror that enjoy seeing that combo of setting / genre.

I may pick up the trade when it comes out. It's also the type of story that is right up my brothers and sisters alley.

Tom Coker artwork is a big draw too from what I've seen.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
At first, I'd be hesitant to pick up another vampire related title but the Japanese aspect of it adds that dose of differentiation to give it that nice niche feel. The Japanese have such fantastic traditions in horror that enjoy seeing that combo of setting / genre.

---

Chinese, Cobie...Chinese.
 

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Posted by Quislet, Esq on :
 
I just finished

This is the complete run of Dr. Fate in More Fun Comics. Running from May 1940 to July/August 1944. In all 44 stories. Initially Dr. Fate was in the full mask we know and love (at least I love the full mask) Inza is there from the start, but she does not know who Dr. Fate is and neither do the readers. It is not until the end of More Fun #66 (April 1941) that Fate takes off his mask for both Inza and the reader. The following issue has the origin of Dr. Fate and give him the name of Kent Nelson.

The early Dr. Fate stories have him fighting eerie menaces and scientific menaces. He fights 3 sets of aliens and in one story destroys the planet of one group of aliens. Even Nabu in his origin story is an alien from the pplanet Cilia. Most of Dr. Fate's early opponents meet with death. The description of Dr. Fate's power varies. In one telling he possess the knowledge of matter/energy conversion. In his origin he learns the secret of molecular control of his body. He is shown consistantly able to fly, have fire or energy coming from his hands, and he has a telepathic link with Inza.

Then in More Fun 72 (October 1941) Dr. Fate goes from this to this

Interesting note: On the cover of More Fun 72 Dr. Fate has the full mask.

At this point Dr. Fate faces only gangsters. Although he does have one reoccurring villain, Mr. Who. Mr. Who is a scientist who created Solution Z. Solution Z mostly allows Mr. Who to grow to giant size, shrink, and assume the appearance of other people.

Dr. Fate's powers stabilize to flight and invulnerability. He continues to use a crystal ball and now has a ring that tells im where the croook has gotten to. Dr. Fate is give the weakness that he is vulnerable to gas. This transforms into him needing air (like who doesn't) but to the extent that even just having a noose put around his neck instantly has him swooning.

Then in More Fun 85, Dr. Fate becomes a medical doctor also. The stories do have him make the decision to become a MD and studying for it. There are two stories in this phase of Dr. FAte that stand out for me. The first involves a magic painting that allows anyone to step into it and explore a whole new world. The other has Dr. Fate temporarily losing his powers but still has to save a bunch of trapped miners. In the last story it looked like Dr. Fate was about to get the comic foil sidekick.

They are typical Golden Age stories and Golden Age art. Still an enjoyable read. The visuals are pretty typical too. The villain the Octopus had a good visual. The Clock had a cartoony appearance, but I liked the use of a pencil thin mustache as the hand of a clock on his face. See above

If you like Golden Age stories, this is a book you will like.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 


The Nightly News by Jonathan Hickman

Hickman's distinctive art just mesmerizes me. It's dreamlike - although this story is not sweet dreams. It's a bit disturbing; it reminded me of Scalped in that sense, uncomfortably violent but an incredibly good story.

TV news reporters, anchors and, eventually, executives are being gunned down by mysterious assailants. Their story unfolds and we learn that these are people who were wronged by the media, had their lives ruined and were recruited into a murder cult by a figure who calls himself The Hand of the Voice. The Voice directs the action, but we never see him/her; the Hand speaks for the Voice, trains the assassins and gives them their orders. The hunt is on to stop the murderers and a great cat and mouse game begins. But who is cat and who is mouse? At the end, we see who the Voice is - and it was a surprise to me.

Interspersed with the actual story are many half pages of facts about media control and manipulation. Nothing new to me, but it might be informative for young people.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
^This is one I've been dying to read! Glad you read & reviewed it, FC. This is only 'must buy next' list of TPB's.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Continuing my Jonathan Hickman lovefest:

Transhuman by Jonathan Hickman, art by J.M. Ringuet

The subject is genetic engineering, specifically, the story of two companies, Humonics and Chimeracorp.

The book is presented as a documentary; Heinrich Dowidat is the interviewer/commentator. He takes us through the history of the two companies, both in a race to develop transhuman products. Things go badly, then worse: very dark, if you're a human. If you're a simian, however, then things could be looking up....

As with Hickman's other works, it's a very compelling, page-turning story, with a lot of gruesome events and a shock ending. (I wonder if Hickman is a misanthrope. He certainly brings out the bad side of humanity, although it's hard to argue that there aren't a lot of unpleasant people in high-stakes business ventures.) It's also a very "talky" book, as befits a documentary.

The artwork suits the story; it doesn't have the dreamlike quality of Hickman's own art - it's more gritty, lots of dark, or bland colours (olive green, grey, brown). There's only one fact sheet page, with the print so small, beige on olive green, I couldn't read it without daylight and a magnifying glass - my only complaint (and maybe that's just my eyes).
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
The last of my Jonathan Hickman GNs:

Red Mass for Mars, by Jonathan Hickman, art by Ryan Bodenheim

Earth, 2115: after devastating climate change, plague, terrorism and tech gone haywire, Earth's survivors have settled into a prosperous and advanced civilization. Marcus Farber Astorga, a superhero known as The Benefactor, foresees a threat from outer space which could wipe out human life, the Hun-Du, a parasitical pod-culture.

The other superheroes of Earth are assembled to fight the coming threat, but The Benefactor realizes that they need someone even more powerful: Mars, the ultimate warrior, who was exiled after murdering two criminals and two fellow heroes who tried to stop him.

This book is more upbeat than Hickman's other work, although not without more than a few atrocities. However, it's essentially the story of humankind fighting for its survival, sacrifice for the good of others and man's evolution towards something better.

There are a few nice nods to superhero history throughout the book. Although there are a number of different heroes, most of them remain one-note characters; only The Benefactor, Mars, a mage called Lightbender and a scientist Dr. Thaddeus White are developed. I was curious about the others, but it's a tighter story with this more narrow focus.

Of all the Hickman GNs, this one struck me as the most mainstream in terms of concept.

The art is lovely, highly detailed, with omnipresent starfield backgrounds and muted blues and reds. I don't really have the vocabulary to describe it adequately.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Loving that you've reviewed these Hickman creator-owned stories! He's quickly become one of my favorites so they're all on my must-read list.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
I just put down Image's Drums #3, the penultimate issue of what looks to be an all-too short miniseries based on how much my level of enjoyment demands MUCH MORE!

Drums is basically a crime/horror story in which some FBI agents are called in to investigate an apparent ritualistic mass murder/suicide. In a manner that echoes the X-Files series, our characters learn that there's much more of a supernatural element behind the eerie goings-on.

The setting is Florida in the middle of a full-blown hurricane! These conditions help create a sense of moodiness and isolation that might otherwise have not been capable of being plausibly created in a modern-set tale.

The context for all of this is the mysterious voodoo culture. The exploration and explanation of this culture by writer El Torres, to me, has been the most fascinating thing about the series. In his text pieces at the end of every issue, Torres has a glossary for all the terms used in his stories and explains that he has to simplify and merge aspects of the culture a bit to make them more understandable to the reader. I'd say he does an incredible job with this, and even with all the unfamiliar terms and names and foreign language bits, you don't really need the glossary and backmatter to "get" it all. They enhance the enjoyment, sure, but the script and the art do their jobs very well.

I love the art! Abe Hernando has a style reminiscent in certain ways of Darwyn Cooke and of (Captain America/Gotham Central's) Michael Lark. Hernando also brings home the spooky when he is (frequently) called upon to do so! The colors are subdued, attractive and suited to the darker nature of the story.

Issues 1 and 2 are heavier on the character exploration, the official investigation and the lore of the voodoo culture. ("Voodoo", btw, is rarely used as a term in the book, preferring to use more accurate terminology.) There are plenty of creepy and horrific scenes in those issues, but issue 3 is where all the horror comes out to play and goes BATSHIT CRAZY! This is an action overdrive issue, and, well, it reminds you of what the source of most of the zombie lore actually is! I wouldn't call Drums a "zombie book", but they have a large presence in the story and don't seem to have the traditional zombie weakness amd cliches.

The characters are all really interesting. The two leads are FBI investigators Irons and Poltz. Irons has a mysterious connection to the supernatural goings-on. Poltz is more the comic relief but really shines in issue 3. I like the pair so much, I deeply hope that Torres and Hernando bring us more stories of their adventures (assuming they survive, which is seriously in doubt).

Honestly, if Drums were ongoing, it may very well have been top contender for my best new series in 2011! So far it's THAT good! Hell, if it ends satisfyingly, I might make an exception. If you're in to books with a horror bent that are well-written, well-drawn and have a memorable concept and memorable characters--do yourself a favor and check it out, damnit!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I was hoping you'd review this one Lardy! I totally missed it the first time around and it's been woefully under-ordered by CBS's. I didnt even know what it was about to be honest.

Your high praise is enough to get me to check out the trade when it's released, certainly. Sounds like Image has yet another triumph as they continue to clearly dominate comics as the best publisher in the business these days.

Note to LWers: when Lardy recommends a title like this, you should take note! He's the guy who got LW into Chew, Scalped and bunches of other titles that almost went over-looked!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
The Ultimates 01 is a good contrast with Justice league #1.

I'm not in love with it, I picked it up because of the art and the action but, it takes a completely different approach to a first issue.

Everything is up and running, The Ultimates are spread out across the world managing several international incidents.

In the beging some super scientist terrorists hatch some weird big bubble in Germany.

This issue is juggling a lot, and switching back and forth to Nick Fury managing a military incident between Argentina and Uruguay.

(Which is fine in the issue. But in real life, I think it's comical to imagine Uruguay and Argentina going to war. Oh well, The Ultimate Universe is an alternate dimension! )

Tony Stark is doing his usual thing, boozing and ladies.

The EU Captain 'Britains' are sent to tell Thor and the Asgardians to tone it down, which erupts into a free for all.

The fight between the Captain 'Britains' and the Asgardians bring them to the door step of those weird super science terrorists we saw at the beginning .... just as things across the planet in Montevideo heat up.


Overall, there's lots of action, people flying around on almost every spread, and about three plotlines going on simultaneously. Ultimates 01 hits the ground running, and catches us up while it's getting on with the story.

It is towards the opposite extreme of character development, but I will be getting number 2 quite happily.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
A few weekends ago, I went to a local comic book convention and had a fantastic time. In addition to looking for some Golden Age World's Finest comics my Dad and I need for our collection, I made sure I checked out the artist's alley section to see some true 'small press' independent creators. These were true struggling artists who were publishing their own comics and trying to make it; as this was a small convention, these guys came out there on their own dime hoping to tech any fan they could. Naturally, I talked to them all, and bought a bunch of their comics. I even promised I'd review them online and spread the word.

Many of these look like they'll be very rough around the edges, however some look quite good. The best looking of the bunch is a comic called Bushidan by a publisher called Interverse Comics in Norwalk, CT. Unlike some others going the superhero route, this group had several high-concept genre titles. This one is about a Japanese samuri in the 12th century who is lost at see in the Pacific Ocean and survives all the way across to Southern California. It really brilliantly combines samuri fiction with naval fiction with pre-white man western fiction. There are even hints to come of the Aztecs or Mayans being a factor. The creators obvious knowledge of history is very impressive.

What was so terrific about this story was the artwork by Rowel Roque, who is penciler and inker. He's obviously the driving force here and already shows some incredible talent. I hope this guy makes it! Great composition, rich backgrounds and strong looking figures--it was a beautiful issue to read, as good as stuff from any major publisher.

The writer / editor is Richard Errington, who I believe is also publisher and the guy running the show. He's doing a good job story wise (and production wise) but his dialogue is a little rough. This is enhanced by the lettering not being as professional I'm used to seeing; obviously when you're small press you make due with what you got.

At the end of the day, I actually enjoyed this quite a bit and glad I bought it (I suspect it may be the best in the bunch). I definitely hope these guys succeed. Their website is www.interversecomics.com.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Warlord of Mars #9 from Dynamite.

The best issue yet of a very solid series. Action, romance, science fiction and a bit of history thrown in. What's not to like? We've been waiting for the big kiss scene and it was beautifully executed.

I don't do variant covers, and my comic book shop always gets plenty of all options. I always pick the one where John shows the most skin. I'm shallow that way. How does everyone else decide?
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I like the Joe Juska ones! But I feel you on embracing your shallowness--I usually pick a sexy Dejah Thoris one that isn't *too far* over the line (meaning my wife and mother of my young son wont think it's porn).
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
So ... I've started on SCALPED based on some recommendations from this board.

FYI: It's a dramatization of modern life on a reservation. There's a lot of crime and a lot of mystery.

moving right along, I'm on issue 18. It's a shame I just got them at a back issue sale and it's really a shame I don't have each and every one because the stories really really add up together.

for example, there's a whole issue on some random kid ... but it turns out he's the crime boss' janitor. it's a subtle connection but turns out be a somewhat regular role and a very poignant role.

This works for me much better reading them all in marathon style as the first few issues took some time to get going. Especially since there are some highlight issues which are totally based on one character and you don't get any of the other overall plot at all, and then that character will disappear for about six issues before they come back into play.

However, when reading them all at once, it's awesome how intricate and 'full' the plots and story lines are over a range of many issues.

At issue 18 I'm still left with more questions than answers and just starting to have characters I will root for. It's a huge cast, and while characters are developed, it takes some time to get to know them ... especially since there's several mysteries going on.

Why does everyone hate Gina Bad Horse? for one.

Aaron seems fluent with the subject matter and easily portrays the complicated lives of each character without being cheesey. There's a lot of drama in here but the sense is that this is some gritty underworld where everybody's life is so messed up it's believable. Aaron doesn't rely on stunts to push the plot's envelope. It would be easy to be exploitative with this gritty subject matter of a debauched, criminal, and oppressed life on the reservation but ... Aaron dosn't do that.


A few words about the art:
It can be murky and messy at first but ... when reading it last night in bed, I hit issue 18 that had a fill in artist ... and I loyally set it down and went to sleep.

Whereupon, I had violent nightmares.

That's a rich comic.


My dramatic tagline for this series:

It's a Walking Dead for adults.



(I like Walking Dead btw)

[ September 17, 2011, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Power Boy ]
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
You had individual issues, Peebs, but some missing here and there? Is that what you mean? If so, which issues did you have?

One thing to always remember about Scalped is that driving the overall plot forward is secondary to exploring the characters pretty much always. There are storylines that advance things significantly, followed by runs where we justy get to know characters better. Character is what sells me on a given series better than anything, and Scalped is my favorite for that very reason!

"Walking Dead for adults?" If you mean because of its focus on character, I can see that. Otherwise, I'm lost!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
I've read 4, 6,7, and 9 - 17 so far and ... I should have like 18 t about 38 with more regularity. So I've got a lot of Scalped to go.

Re: Walking Dead for Adults comment ... I meant that Walking Dead, while the best parts IMO are character driven ... I think relies on stunts, and shocks, and some science fiction tricks to make impacts while ... Scalped is more of an embellished world with rich characters that act and react in 'believable' ways.

.. maybe that is 'its focus on character'.

They're both gory, dark, and going for some sort of realism but I would say that the realism in Walking Dead is 'hyper realism' where as the realism in scalped is 'really messed up people realism.' Not meaning to take anything from the Walking Dead, it's just that it's more of a roller coaster type story. Walking Dead is somehow more instantly gratifying where Scalped builds more on itself over time. IMO.

If that makes sense.

[ September 17, 2011, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Power Boy ]
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
Scalped has very very quickly become one of my favorites too.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
I've read 4, 6,7, and 9 - 17 so far and ... I should have like 18 t about 38 with more regularity. So I've got a lot of Scalped to go.

Re: Walking Dead for Adults comment ... I meant that Walking Dead, while the best parts IMO are character driven ... I think relies on stunts, and shocks, and some science fiction tricks to make impacts while ... Scalped is more of an embellished world with rich characters that act and react in 'believable' ways.

.. maybe that is 'its focus on character'.

They're both gory, dark, and going for some sort of realism but I would say that the realism in Walking Dead is 'hyper realism' where as the realism in scalped is 'really messed up people realism.' Not meaning to take anything from the Walking Dead, it's just that it's more of a roller coaster type story. Walking Dead is somehow more instantly gratifying where Scalped builds more on itself over time. IMO.

If that makes sense.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Power Boy:
Scalped has very very quickly become one of my favorites too.

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Wow! Glad to hear that!

I think a Scalped TV series (on HBO or something) would potentially be the best EVAR if done right!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
I think it would translate verbatim to tv ... but i'd be so afraid they wouldn't do it right i'd prefer they not try.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
So before SCALPED ... I was reading POWERS.

POWERS is like Batman the animated series meets Prime Suspect (.. the original gritty british version with Helen Mirren. )

The premise is ridiculous and utterly real at the same time. After a major disaster involving super powers the federal government outlaws the use of super powers. All the heroes retire like good law abiding citizens ... and all the villains .... still break the law and start to run the cities.

Powers follows two main detectives on the super powered crime beat. Neither have super powers, one is a former hero.

Bendis does a great job in the first issues of translating a characters voice to real life, so well I can almost hear their words in my ears.

I've read 1 - 12, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25

I have to say I like the initial story lines better ... the two cops against super villain crime lords, the return of a dead hero mysteriously back to fighting super villains, and the eventual return of this world's justice league. I think this book excels in portraying these characters moving along in this world. In some of the later issues, the focus shifts from cases and stories to explain the world and our characters situation in them ... to being stories about the defined characters. Around, issue 24 it's pretty serialized and more like other comic books where the characters have adventures and things happen to them but there's less of a spotlight on their struggles and motivations ... or maybe just getting to know them and their position in this strange situation.

I think the art is fantastic, it's like Bruce Timm's evil twin drew these pages.

The stories are not light, they are heavy but they are on the short side of heavy. So, each issue can be read pretty quickly but there's some meat there.

despite my criticisms ... POWERS is frickin awesome, and one of the very best comics i'm reading right now.

It's exciting to read and makes me excited about comic books.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I'm also a fan of Powers! I started a LW thread but only Dev and I seemed to be talking about it.

Great, well-written series. It's where Bendis shines the most with his dialogue (and why he gets the rep for writing dialogue well).
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Power Boy:
I think it would translate verbatim to tv ... but i'd be so afraid they wouldn't do it right i'd prefer they not try.

---

Of course I wouldn't want just any ol' hack to adapt it! But if someone cares about the material and is faithful to it, then it could be the best thing ever to grace a TV screen. I'd LOVE to see some known and unknown Native American actors get a chance to shine in such meaty unconventional, meaty and challenging roles!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
you guys gotta stop reading and reviewing such good comics ... I can't keep up!

(I'll have to save Morning Glories and Chew for the trades and a rainy day or lonely train/plane ride. )

Actually, there's a lot of great stuff out there now!!!! ...... I never would've just tried them on my own.

I'm working on Unwritten ...
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
you guys gotta stop reading and reviewing such good comics ... I can't keep up!

(I'll have to save Morning Glories and Chew for the trades and a rainy day or lonely train/plane ride. )

Actually, there's a lot of great stuff out there now!!!! ...... I never would've just tried them on my own.

I'm working on Unwritten ...

---

"Thank" us by convincing us to spend OUR hard-earneds on stuff we'd otherwise overlook!
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
As I continue to wade thru my backlog of August books, I present a few mini-reviews of some of that months DC books. Here, instead of their own threads, in an effort to keep the DCnU flow goin' without pesky flashbacks....

Jonah Hex #70:

The story title "Weird western" is apt here as Jonah heals from an injury and imagines his death in a few similar-but-different scenarios. Lotta symbolic stuff happens, that's mostly over my head, especially with the girl claiming he's her father. Beautiful Ryan Sook/Mick Gray art in the "dream" portion. The guy Diego Olmos who closes the book with the "real" portion also looks great under some Palmiotti inks.

The end really seems a way to literally close the book here prior to GrayPal moving on with Jonah to the DCnU. Several memorable characters from the run pop up and have some nice moments with Jonah.

A pretty good issue. But not up there among the best one's I've read from this run.


Adventure Comics # 529:

I think Levitz closes off the Legion Academy arc off in good fashion here, giving the students a chance to save the day against Cosmic King. The Borges/Alquiza art is attractive. Though it felt almost obligatory of Levitz to kill off one of the students, I have to admit that the scene comes off pretty nice.

It'll be nice to see several of the characters graduate to this weeks new LSH #1, but I wish they included Gravity Kid and Jed Rikane among them. I like that Paul officially "outs" them here, but it seems wasted when the characters are being taken off the board.


Batman: Gates of Gotham #4:

This is a good, overlooked miniseries from my current favorite writer Scott Snyder and co-writer Kyle Higgins. I love that they are deepening Gotham's history here and tying in the Elliotts (Hush's family) and Cobblepots into it, along with the Waynes. I'm certain that this is a blueprint that Snyder will be building upon as his run resumes in DCnU Batman.

One thing I'm suddenly a bit apprehensive about is that Snyder has written Dick Grayson so well as Batman that having him switch to writing Bruce in the relaunch could suffer in comparison. Snyder sold Dick as Batman as so uniquely Dick (better than Morrison, IMO) that I wonder if he'll write Bruce in as interesting a way. We'll know soon enough.

This is also a tense, exciting thriller that also utilizes Cassandra, Tim and Damien very effectively. It's also a good mystery! Can't wait to read the conclusion soon. Definitely recommended!


Flashpoint #4:

You know what? I enjoyed this penultimate issue of Flashpoint quite a bit! It was packed with character and plot and was serviced very well by Andy Kubert on art. Flashpoint is much-maligned for many reasons, but if you read it by itself (thru 4 issues, at least), it's not a bad story. These things are often hurt by the greed of the publishers blowing it up into a mega-event. Few books can live up to that kind of hype. But if you take it as what it really is--a nice Flash-centric alternate reality yarn--then it's not bad at all.

Unfortunately, it's blown up to be not only a mega-event, but the conclusion of an era of the DC Universe. I've little doubt that the conclusion will disappoint in that respect. But issue four was an exciting, full read that was also, dare I say it, fun! Loved for example, the twist on the Captain Marvel concept that got a chunk of the spotlight, this go-round.

Yeah, there was a bit of carnage thrown in, but it's all in good fun with a reality reset/reboot around the corner.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Punisher Max #16 concluded the third arc "Frank" that gets us a rare look into the past of Frank Castle before he donned the skull of the Punisher. We see flashbacks of Frank returning home from Vietnam and having difficulty reconnectiong with his family and settling down into a normal job. Vietnam has changed him completely.

Frank is reflecting on this as he's recuperating in solitary confinement in prison. The last arc "Bullseye" left him badly injured and incarcerated. You can imagine what this stirs up among his fellow prisoners, many of whom have friends and family executed by the vigilante.

So in this issue both past and present storylines conclude. We see again what happened to Castle's family, what his last conversation with his wife was and how that having been the way he left off with her haunts him. In the present we see Castle get out of his situation and where he will go from there.

Really, this continues to be an excellent series that never disappoints. Aaron's scripts are very interesting and full of character and action. And it's a sheer pleasure to see Steve Dillon again on a monthly basis. He's a natural for a Punisher book. Together, they bring more depth to Frank in this particular arc than he's rarely had over his existence. Here, we learn that he's punishing himself in his mission in his own way as much as he's punishing the scum he encounters.

It's a dark, gritty, violent book, but not one with out an element of dark humor. Not for everybody, but still very solid.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
I read The Red Wing #2 today. Red Wing is an Image Comics mini written by FF's Jonathan Hickman. This is a book about war being waged thru time travel, via rocket planes (the titlular Red Wing) that fly cross space and time.

The art is by Nick Pitarra, whose style reminds me a bit of Geoff Darrow's style. It's very detailed but rough at the same time.

This issue deals with 2 storylines as we follow a pilot who crash landed in, I believe, pre-conquest Incan South America, while in the "present" we follow his son who is attempting to follow in his dad's path as a pilot/time-traveller. It ends with a bit of a shocker that links the two in a way while revealing more about the Red Wing's mysterious enemy.

It's a pretty strong effort so far that I feel dwarfs Hickman's work at Marvel to this point. This one is not open-ended and drawn out like everything he does there. No, I wouldn't be surprised if Red Wing continues in future volumes, but knowing that this one will end after 4 issues, makes me feel like there will be some sense of closure at least. I suspect, also, that most creators put their all into concepts that they actually own than the work-for-hire stuff, anyway.

Good first two issues--hoping for a strong concluding two!
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Red Wing! Waiting for the TPB, but I'm glad to hear you enjoy it so far.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I'm also loving it. Utterly fantastic so far!

(I should note I also enjoy Hickman's FF and SHIELD much more than Lardy. I consider SHIELD better than 98% of DC and Marvel's comics.)
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Mark Millar and Johnny Romita Jr.’s Kick-Ass (vol. 2) continues to be a huge amount of fun whenever an issue comes out. The recent #3 was the perfect balance act between over the top humor with ultra-serious moments that happen like a blitzkrieg, shocking the reader and advancing the plot.

I resisted this comic throughout its first volume and it was only when I got the movie on a plane last year that I got to see just how fun this was. I picked up this second volume and have been enjoying it since.

I happen to like a good amount of what Millar does, especially his creator-owned stuff. I’m also a huge fan of JR Jr. So if you like these creators, you’ll love this—its 100% Millar with 100% Romita Jr. with no restraints. If you dislike even one of them, you’ll probably hate this.

But the bottom line is that this is fun, fun, fun. Despite things like decapitations and crazy violence and sex related stuff, though that kind of enhances the fun too.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath #2: After what I thought was a decent #1, the second issue was a whole lotta "meh". Basically, it was predictable as hell. GLs disagree with Guardians and go after them. Guardians stay aloof and tell the GLs to get the hell back to their sectors. Further instructions on a need-to-know basis. How many times have we seen this exact same plot?!?!

This was most definitely a place-holder/money grab, and I'm sorry I blew $8 of my hard-earneds. Stay away from it unless you've got THAT much moolah to blow. Instead, try out a new Image book, and you'll likely find something a lot more interesting.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
Blue Estate #5

I know Cobie's been curious about this one for a while. Blue Estate is kind of a mish-mash of a mob story, celebrity dirty deeds analogs and private eye genres with a little helping of skimpily-clad ladies in tow.

After five issues, I find that there's stuff to like in each issue, but the story tends to be difficult to keep straight in monthly doses. This is even with clever recap pages that begin each issue. Even with those, there are a lot of half-remembered references and forgotten characters popping in and out. They're all connected, but as some characters take an issue off, you forget who they are.

In other words I think Blue Estate will read better in trade form or with a bunch of issues hoarded and read together. Actually, maybe I'd recommend the latter because I don't see the trade collecting 1-4 as being all that satisfying of a read as it is.

The art for this issue lists 5 names as the book's artists with the lead artist also being the principle storyteller Viktor Kalvachev. The art looks about as inconsistent as the number of artists would imply. They mesh together fairly well, but the book could benefit from a single penciller, etc.

I guess this review trends toward the negative, but it's not really bad at all. Maybe most people could keep track better than I am? If you'd like to read a serialized monthly drama with some action, a web of intrigue and a dose of humor, then you could do a lot worse.

I'm on the fence as to whether I get issue 6.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Interesting review. I know you had said before you weren't sure exactly how you felt about it (this was a few issues ago IIRC).

I had my CBS add it to my pull with #5 and I'll be getting the TPB (#1-4) when it comes out, so by then I'll probably read the first 7 issues or so together at a clip. Should be interesting to see how I feel about it, having read it that way.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
I'll certainly be interested to see what you think.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
^I'm actually thinking of grabbing this and your rec definitely helps Drake!

A series I'm surprisingly enjoying is Kirby Genesis by Dynamite. Everyone knows I'm a big Kirby fan but the series is actually much more of a Kurt Busiek series than anything. So I'd say regardless whether you like Kirby, I'd say it's more about how much you like Busiek's style. It's very Astro City / Marvels in usage of POV characters, ensemble cast and grandiose nature of it.

I'm enjoying seeing Kirby characters I only ever saw briefly (like his Topps universe stuff) and ones I've never been able to read (like Captain Victory). Like most of his creations the untapped potential is just so raw.

The art by Jack Hebert is very much in the mold AC's Brent Anderson with obvious Alex Ross influences. I'm liking it quite a bit.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

While those two are series I’m ultimately going to pass on, there is one new series that I was totally blown away and impressed by: The Rinse by BOOM! Studios, in what may be their single strongest showing to date IMO. Now this is a damn fine crime comic and I was totally impressed by the writing and art all the way through. Crime author Gary Phillips lends his sensibilities to the comic book industry and nails it at every turn: the plot and themes are smart and clever, while being realistic and completely in the shape of “modern noir”. It’s a crime series but something quite different—dealing with an expert money launderer who ‘rinses’ dirty money to make it clean—and it absolutely stands out from other crime series I read. The art by Marc Laming is also really fantastic, with just a touch of Darwyn Cooke though always having both feet planted in realism. Even the colors by Darrin Moore do a great job enhancing the story.

The Rinse #1 is only $1.00 and every single person who reads this should be out looking for it the next time they go the CBS. It’s one of the best introductory issues I’ve read in awhile and I’m totally hooked. Above all, I like how it doesn’t shy away from being intelligent and complex but at the same time doesn’t take an MBA to understand. And the main character is fully developed from the get-go, and he’s likable although he’s no saint so you’re rooting for him. He’s also quite clever, in a way that reminded me of Veronica Mars, where that cleverness gives you one more reason to root for a character that is entirely unique.

So, two passes and one must-continue for me!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Infinite Vacation #3 arrived with my last batch of comics. I'd completely forgotten about Infinite Vacation, it's been a while since the last issue.

I had really mixed feelings about this issue. The concept continues to fascinate: a company offers travel to other universes inhabited by your parallel selves. This issue brings a mind-twister: if there is an infinite number of universes, there is one in which there is only one universe. Good news for the Singularians, who oppose The Infinite Vacation, bad news for the board of directors.

What I disliked about #3 was the extremely graphic violent encounter between three of the Marks. Snuff porn, not for me. Just the idea that there are probably people out there who enjoy that stuff leaves me chilled.

Regardless, it's a good story, with vibrant artwork. Unfortunately, it appears that the next issue won't be out until the spring.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lard Lad:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:

While those two are series I’m ultimately going to pass on, there is one new series that I was totally blown away and impressed by: The Rinse by BOOM! Studios, in what may be their single strongest showing to date IMO. Now this is a damn fine crime comic and I was totally impressed by the writing and art all the way through. Crime author Gary Phillips lends his sensibilities to the comic book industry and nails it at every turn: the plot and themes are smart and clever, while being realistic and completely in the shape of “modern noir”. It’s a crime series but something quite different—dealing with an expert money launderer who ‘rinses’ dirty money to make it clean—and it absolutely stands out from other crime series I read. The art by Marc Laming is also really fantastic, with just a touch of Darwyn Cooke though always having both feet planted in realism. Even the colors by Darrin Moore do a great job enhancing the story.

The Rinse #1 is only $1.00 and every single person who reads this should be out looking for it the next time they go the CBS. It’s one of the best introductory issues I’ve read in awhile and I’m totally hooked. Above all, I like how it doesn’t shy away from being intelligent and complex but at the same time doesn’t take an MBA to understand. And the main character is fully developed from the get-go, and he’s likable although he’s no saint so you’re rooting for him. He’s also quite clever, in a way that reminded me of Veronica Mars, where that cleverness gives you one more reason to root for a character that is entirely unique.

So, two passes and one must-continue for me!

---

I read that dollar issue of The Rinse as well and found it highly enjoyable! Reading your review made me realize that I'd somehow forgot to review it, even though I meant to. Needless to say, I found it a fascinating and well-done read. I think issue 2 has been out a few weeks. Gotta remember to snatch one at my CBS if its there!

---

#2 and #3 are out and the series continues to be fantastic! Very tightly written with a plot and main character that embraces the sophisticated and complexity of money laundering, while at the same time having a very stylized and 'cool' atmosphere because of the lush art and coloring.

I'm really digging this series in a big way. Much like the Brubaker / Phillips crime stories, this is crime comics done totally right.

By far the best thing BOOM! has ever offered IMO (exceeding even Unknown which I thought was a terrific series of minis).
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
it's coming


 

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Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
 
Hoorah!

I'm genuinely excited. The first 25 issues of that series are the 1992 crossover event have all aged suprisingly well.
 

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Posted by Legion Tracker on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
it's coming

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Is that a chastity belt?
 

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Posted by Pov on :
 
I'm more struck by his "battle dildo" there... careful, Stryfe, you'll put yer eye out kid!
 

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Posted by Dev - Em on :
 
Ooohhh...got some X-Force, New Warriors, Clandestine, and a few random comics - What If?, Black Knight coming up.

It may be time for a Dev's Random Comic review thread.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
Batman #400

Special anniversary issue - cover dated October 1986 - Price $1.50

60 pages of story - two page text introduction by Stephen King, and four pin ups.

Written by Doug Moench

Artists: The story contains 11 chapters. Each chapter is illustrated by a different artist/art team.

Plot: As Batman marks the anniversary of the night he first donned the cloak of the bat, dual explosions rock Arkham Asylum and the State Penitentiary. Dozens of Batman's greatest villains are released. They make plans to meet the mysterious man behind their release, and join him in his plot against Batman.

Julia Pennyworth is abducted by the Scarecrow. Harvey Bullock is kidnapped by Poison Ivy. Vicky Vale is taken by the Riddler and the Black Spider. Killer Croc brutalizes and abducts Alfred.

The Joker, Penguin, Killer Moth, Deadshot, the Mad Hatter, and Cavilier attack Gotham Police headquarters taking Gordon, GPD officers and staff hostage.

Ra's Al Ghul is revealed as the mastermind. He offers to kill all the villains if Batman agrees to join him as a partner in reshaping the world. Batman refuses.

Batman, Robin (Jason Todd), Catwoman, and Talia join forces to free the hostages, go after the villains and confront Ra's Al Ghul.

My opinions:

This is an issue worth owning for the grand scale of it all. The writing is solidly in line with the Moench era Batman. Moench wrote Jason Todd well and put together an interesting supporting cast. Batman's motivations sometimes felt off during his run. All of that holds true here.

Ultimately, this story both succeeds and fails due to the art. Steve Lightle does the pencils on the opening chapter. His work is striking and leaves you hungry for more. Lightle passes the baton to George Perez who delivers his expected high level of quality. After that the art gets really bumpy. Sudden changes of styles disrupt the story. Much of the art looks rushed. Bill Sienkiewicz turns in an overly dark and poorly stylized chapter that pretty much destroys the flow of the story. His chapter is the one that reveals Ra's Al Ghul as the master villain and presents a symbolic moment of the giant penny in the Batcave crashing to the floor. The work is so murky that Ra's is not recognizable during the reveal and the falling penny loses most of its effect.

However, there is some redemption in the final chapter by Brian Bolland. Man, I wish I owned more Batman work by Bolland.

There's also an awesome pin up by Mike Grell.

Final grade: B-

The issue gets an A for effort, but the delivery is all over the map.

[ December 13, 2011, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Jerry ]
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
My CBS owner convinced me to try:

Avengers Sanction as the prelude to Avengers vs. X-Men

(even though is weird because Storm and Wolverine are on both teams, and then there's Hank the Beast ... )

anyway, art is a little bit like Art Adams which is ok.

Click Here For A SpoilerCable returns and is taking out Avengers because of some vaguery about their involvement in Hope's disappearance and since she's gone, in the future she won't be around to save the world and the world is destroyed. so Cable thinks he can save the world by killing the Avengers, and save his daughter Hope. a couple nice bits ... he puts Cap in a Magneto designed restraining chair that turns his motor skills to that of an infant ... this chair appeared a long long time ago in the Uncanny X-Men. Also, Cable is called Askani's son ... which i thought was nice and hasn't been used, maybe since the 90s. Anyway ... Cable shoots Captain America in the head. or something, the screen goes black so we're not sure. He's going after Iron Man in issue #2. I'm no fan of either Cap or Tony but .... MEH!!!!! oh and Cable is drawn really sketchy and large ... liefeld-esque.

Well, I wanted to give it a shot, but now I won't be getting number 2, and I'm not sure if I'll be following the Avengers vs. the X-Men at all.

Maybe I will just dig out these and read them:



Mark Silvestri was ON FIRE back then.
 

---

Posted by Dave Hackett on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jerry:
Batman #400

Special anniversary issue - cover dated October 1986 - Price $1.50

60 pages of story - two page text introduction by Stephen King, and four pin ups.

Written by Doug Moench

---

I remember being furious after this issue because I didn't understand that this was mostly a capping off of the Pre-Crisis Batman and all the stories afterwards (Year One was a few issues away), were basically new continuity. The plot of the story has R'as free all the villains, and a handful of them sticking around to knock off Batman. By the end of the story they make a point of noting that other than the villains Batman re-captures here (Joker, Penguin, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, etc), all the rest are out there and need to be brought in again.

So who are the villains in the next few issues of Batman and Detective? The Joker, Mad hatter, Penguin and the Scarecrow. 12 year-old me almost had an aneurysm as this blatant continuity face-slap.
 

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Posted by Jerry on :
 
I tend to think of most DC comics that were printed soon after Crisis as occurring in a "ripple reality" - not quite the pre-Crisis universe but not quite the post Crisis universe. Kind of an Earth in transition. If I recall correctly, the plan wasn't to create a new origin and continuity for Batman until after the success of "Dark Knight." Miller was then allowed to re-imagine Batman in Year One. It could be that Moench wasn't fully aware of this plan when he was plotting #400.
 

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Posted by lil'rhino on :
 
Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying the 2 newest titles from Bongo Comics: Spongebob Comics-full of indy cred. on a monthly basis, and Sergio Aragones' Funnies-the man's a genius.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
I'm totally addicted to Powers

It's a good mix of satisfying junk food action, more complex twists (some you see coming and some you don't), meta conversation on what if superheroes actually existed, dripping with personality character dialogue, and way out there sci fi.

one story arc i personally got a kick out of was the outlaw of super powers, and then of course ... the villains are criminals ... and continue to use their powers, ignoring the law .. duh .. and all the heroes retire like good law abiding citizens ...

leaving our non powered detectives with their hands full ...

bwahahaha .. that is the kind of sh@* that would happen in real life!
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Everlast by Chad Michael Murray, art by Robbi Rodriguez, Andrew Huerta, J.K. Woodward and Trevor Hairsine. Published by Archaia

I've enjoyed many of the Archaia publications that deal with ancient mythical themes and Everlast is no exception.

There's a long history of stories about an Earthly paradise hidden within the hollow core of the planet. The book opens with a two page overview of this idea.

Derek Everlast has a job. He is one of a team selected - pre-ordained at birth, really - to find the 144,000 people who will be saved at the End of Days and transport them to Haven, the hollow-core paradise. (This isn't a Christian or religious story, it just takes that apocalyptic theme as a basis.)

Of particular importance are 12 figures who are necessary for the countdown to the end times to begin. Everlast has found the last of the 12, and must get her to Haven.

There's a problem, of course. Everlast's original mentor has turned against them, claiming that they are serving evil forces and Haven must be stopped. Who's right? Since the author himself describes this guy as the villain, you assume he is - but doubt lingers.

There are four different artists on the book, with very distinctive styles, each one chosen for a particular character's point of view. I thought this was very successful in contributing to the story's mood.

The book ends with the possibility of a sequel, which I suppose will depend on how this one sells. However, the story stands alone; you don't have a sense of something missing - although a sequel would be welcome, given the quality of the tale and the artwork.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Glory #23 by Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell.

I have only bought one issue of Glory, a Christmas special which had a story about her by Liefeld, and a Youngbloods story Todd Nauck did the artwork on. At least, I think it was the Youngbloods. I've been trying to get issues of the Avatar run, but I haven't seen all the covers.

This reworking of Glory...

Ross Campbell doesn't draw a waif thin, back caving in on itself porn star knock-off of Wonder Woman. Glory is beautiful, but it's not in the cleavage. She doesn't show off cleavage. This woman is a body builder. The first page of her in action has her simultaneously ripping a Nazi's arm off as she's throwing a tank. She has a discussion with Supreme, who has also received a redesign which we don't fully see. He's talking about how there are other super heroes popping up, but, he doesn't trust them or Glory. Because in his words she's second only to him in terms of power, reckless, lacking respect in higher authority, and that, her behavior is "unacceptable".

This is her response.

Glory: Unacceptable? By whose standards? Yours?

She then talks about her upbringing, a union between two warring nations which united her mother's people and her father's people, and how since she was born they trained her either to rule those two races or destroy one if they broke the peace. And how, despite that, she left and took her training to the human world because she saw their potential to be great.

Glory: Let's talk about all this and really think if I give a damn about what you command. You want to determine my role? I'll tell you my role. I'm here to stay and make this world a better one. Despite everything. Especially you.

Supreme: ...

Glory: Right. That's what I thought. In a way, I appreciate it. You care about the greater good. Despite somehow having narcissistic motives. If anything, you amused me. Finding something to laugh about is rare during wartime. For that I thank you, but I've got work to do. You should do the same. Be good.

Supreme: Hm.

I admit it, I love this woman.

This whole issue brings the reader up to speed on Glory and her life, through the eyes of Riley Barnes, a young woman who has been dreaming about Glory all her life and has started to search for her. Her journey leads her to a small French town, where she meets American Gloria West. For anyone who'll remember, Gloria West was Glory's alter-ego in Alan Moore's run. Joe Keatinge blends together Glory's original run with a touch of revamp and reboot, connecting it with Alan Moore's short lived run and adding in a satire of Wonder Woman's comic book history. Joe has taken Gloria and transformed her from Glory's secret identity to being a human woman who shared her consciousness with Glory. Glory and Gloria had fused because Glory wanted to truly know what it was like to be a human being. Glory existed in Gloria's subconscious without stealing her life from her, and Gloria came to embrace the fusion and the excitement of Glory's life. Then one day, she stopped becoming Glory. This issue shows what happened to Glory after all of these years, and I won't reveal what.

The highlight is Ross Campbell's artwork. His redesign of Glory, her people, and has ability at body types and giving people distinctive features is amazing. I was expecting something along his fascination with Big Beautiful Woman, ala "Water Baby" and "The Abandoned". I was wrong.

Glory was conceived as an anti-hero Wonder Woman. With one issue they've taken her beyond that. There is no cheesecake in this book. There is violence, but it's not quite over the top 90s violence. Glory does not snarl or rant about how much of a bad ass she is, but she is confident and strong with hope for humanity, beautiful, and refuses to bow before the so-called authority of people like Supreme without threatening to disembowel him.

I want more.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
So in typical Cobie fashion, I made a mistake I make about once a year. I found a series that I really thought was great but never ordered it; so by the time I recalled that it was out, I started hunting down back issues or the first trade. In the meantime, I continued to collect the current issues, not reading them, until I could get the first ones. So by the time I started reading Blue Estate by Image, I had already purchased the first (8) issues. And honestly, while it was okay, it’s not a series I think I want to continue.

I should have been tipped off when Lardy didn’t like it; usually we’re on the same page though there are times when one of us really likes something the other doesn’t. Here, I went in expecting a noir / crime / thriller type comic based on the covers of the issues and the praise I’d read online about it being very much in the pulp tradition. That might be true but not in the sense I wanted; instead this is actually a much more humor-focused comic book than anything, and that threw me for a loop. It focuses on several different characters, all with very serious motivations and circumstances, but the delivery is done in a very humorous style. And actually I found that dichotomy to not really work all that well; there is a definite disconnect between the tone and characters / subject matter. The series Chew is able to pull that off really well month in and month out, but here, it just couldn’t get over that hump from slightly amusing into something really incredible (like the aforementioned Chew).

On top of that, the art is pretty inconsistent and really not suited towards me. It’s cartoony at time and anime-ish at times, but stuck between switching from one to the next. That inconsistency continually took me out of the story.

After reading (8) issues (ugh, Lady Cobalt prob shouldn’t know how much that cost), I felt I didn’t really have enough interest to go on. This isn’t a bad series, per se, but its just not really for me.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
SK – great review on Glory! I actually may pick it up now and give it a shot, especially since I was so impressed by Prophet.

FC – glad to hear that you liked Everlast. It’s a series I’d heard about and I’m interested in. I’ve seen interviews with Chad Michael Murray, who is an actor among the younger set, and he actually comes off as the real deal to me. Someone who loves literature in all its various forms and would prefer to be a writer over an actor.
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Too pressed for time to really review, but figured I'd offer:

Grabbed Glory based on Sarky's rec (which is highest compliment I can offer in this forum). I had high expectations and I can say they were exceeded!. Everything Sarky says is dead on and I'd also add that it's a pretty nicely layered storytelling and excellent character work. The two characters intro-ed are terrific, and I'm looking forward to seeing them interact with Glory.

I also picked up Superbia by Boom! It was actually really good--I liked it a lot! Felt very fresh and energetic, taking a 'kinda' popular concept and injecting quite a bit of story and character into it. Best thing from Boom I've ever read.
 

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Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
 
Augh! My shop was sold out of Superbia before I could get a copy, and Bleeding Cool reports that it's selling out all over the place.

Guess I'll wait for the trade.
 

---

Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I'll keep an eye out for you next time I go, and if I can I'll snag a copy.

Also, we read all the same good articles at Bleeding Cool.
 

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Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
 
Yay! Thanks a million, Cobie!

And, yes, Bleeding Cool is the awesomest comics-and-more site around.
 

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Posted by Anita Cocktail on :
 
The Manhattan Projects #1 by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Pitarra (Image Comics)

Holy crap! I picked this baby up on a whim and I'm so glad I did.
Child, it was utterly fabulous!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Got that one reserved! Can't wait for it!
 

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Posted by Anita Cocktail on :
 
Hell Yeah #1 by Joe Keating & Andre Szymanowicz (Image Comics)

I almost passed this up, due to the title sounding a bit derivative of Kick Ass, but it was highly recommended by the charming & attractive clerk at my CBS, so I bought it.

I'm so glad I did!
Full of violence & profanity(but, sadly, no sex), this promising new title hooked me in with it's interesting cast, intriguing premise & well-established setting.

The lead character, Benjamin Day, is full of piss & vinegar, topped off with an adorable little tush! There's also an all-girl punk band, The All-New, All-Differents, who reminded me of my days as a bi-curious pop-tart back in college.

Auntie Anita says heck yes to Hell Yeah!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
After Sarky's recommendation for the Glory relaunch proved to be a fantastic grab, I snagged the second issue...and I'm officially hooked. This is a fantastic, unique series.

It takes a lot of guts to depict a female lead like so. They do it, and pull it off. And with it comes a great story, fantastic characters and some solid storytelling.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Here's my review of a one-shot Sailor Moon story.

Casablanca Memory was a special one-shot story Naoko Takeuchi wrote about Sailor Mars. Chronologically it’s set in the first story arc of the manga before the Senshi finally met Sailor Venus. Part of the story was inspired from a conversation Naoko had with Michie Tomizawa, Mars’ voice actor, where she mentioned that her favorite flower is a white lily called a casablanca.

The story starts on April 17, which is Rei’s birthday. She unexpectedly receives a bouquet of red roses and a love letter from a boy who’s cousin goes to the same school she does. When Rei meets up with Usagi (Sailor Moon) and Ami (Sailor Mercury), she tells them they can keep the roses and the letter, because she has absolutely no interest in men. Ami mentions to Usagi that they haven’t gotten to really know Rei, probably because she goes to a different school, but also because she never really talks about herself.

When she returns to home to her grandfather’s shrine, she finds her birthday gift from her father waiting for her: a white dress and a bouquet of white lilies, the same gift she got last year. Ami and Usagi show up and give Rei a birthday gift as well, a music box which plays a song called “Rain Tree”. Usagi notes how pretty the lilies are, and Rei says they’re called “casablancas”, and they’re her favorite. After she leaves, Rei’s grandfather explains to her friends that Rei only ever meets with her father on her birthday. He’s a busy politician and Rei actively despises him, because he was so wrapped up in his career he wasn’t there for his wife, Rei’s mother, when she died. After that, Rei went to live with her grandfather at the Hikawa Shrine.

From there, we learn about Rei, her relationship with her father, and his aid, a man named Kaidou. Since Rei was little, Kaidou acted as a sort of big brother figure while he worked under her father, even after Rei’s mother Risa died. Two years before the story began, Rei was with Kaidou when she first saw a casablanca lily. Kaidou remarked that Rei would look good in white, and on her birthday shortly afterward, Rei received a bouquet of the aforementioned lillies in a white dress. She eventually realized that it was Kaidou, and not her father, who had bothered to pick out her birthday gifts. It’s quite obvious that Rei has feelings for Kaidou, and that he himself shares some of those feelings. Of course, things don’t work out in the way you think they do.

This isn’t a story about how Rei and this older gentleman enter into a doomed relationship, this is about Rei and her ability to trust people. At least, to me it is. Before meeting the Senshi, Rei had no friends because she didn’t think she was capable of trusting anyone other than herself. She felt that she and Kaidou were kindred spirits. He confessed that he didn’t want to enter a relationship either, out of fear that he would neglect his wife and children for his career. Kindred spirits. And then, one day, Rei saw Kaidou with a woman who he’s become engaged to, the daughter of the head of the Independence Party. Rei, naturally, felt betrayed. It seems she couldn’t trust Kaidou after all. That’s not their last encounter before her most recent birthday, but I don’t want to divulge what happened in that moment.

As Rei becomes more engrossed in her memories as time goes on, she begins to question why she has suddenly felt so sentimental. It’s not normal for her to be this emotional. The persistence of memories and sentimentality is a theme in this story, and they are connected with the rainy weather and the Rain Tree music boxes. The restaurant Rei went to for her birthday is also called “The Rain Tree”, and so they had one on display. The music boxes are an ongoing element, and the implications behind their sad melody are sinister. The more people keep hearing the sad song it plays, the more they think about failed relationships and unhappiness from the past. Their appearance coincides with flooding caused by the beginning of the Rainy Season, which is progressively getting worse. Could it be the Enemy?

Beyond memories and sentimentality, there’s the key element of growth as a person, and trust, and just how Rei has grown as a person, and her views on relationships. That was one of the things about Rei that got changed in the anime. In the manga, Rei was a stoic and demure miko priestess, who had a fiery temper and no interest in the opposite sex, whereas in the anime she was a hot-blooded hothead who actively sought a boyfriend and frequently got into childish fights with Usagi.

The story makes a point about choosing not to pursue romantic relationships, and Rei believes that if she ever became involved with someone she would become too greedy and wind up destroying that person. She’s fine with not having a boyfriend because she has a purpose as a Senshi and friends she count on. The ending marks a demonstration of Rei’s growth since she became a Senshi. She’s now able to trust people and she’s warmed up a little bit. Even if she doesn’t have any interest in men, that’s okay, because not pursuing romance doesn’t mean a person has to live alone.

There’s one part in this story that seems to have stuck with me. When Rei runs into Makoto (Sailor Jupiter), she treats her to a drink at the Rain Tree restaurant. It’s here that Makoto mentions a unrequited crush she once had, and Rei recalls that day she saw Kaidou with his fiance. Rei gets up and asks to play at the piano in the restaurant, and plays the theme to the movie Casablanca. Casablanca, in Spanish, means “white house”. I can’t help but feel a bit of irony in that Rei’s favorite flower is called a casablanca. With casablanca meaning white house, there’s the connection to her father and how his political career dominated his life. I try to wonder if there’s a deeper meaning to that, while at the same time I particularly like the artwork of Rei playing at the piano, with an image of the lilies in the background. It really captures her sad, strong regality, and it’s easy to understand why she was initially believed to be the Moon Princess when she first appeared.
 

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Posted by Anita Cocktail on :
 
Ragemoor #1 by Jan Strnad & Richard Corben (Dark Horse Comics)

Let me start off by saying that Corben's art is as good today as it was in it's Heavy Metal heyday.(late 70s, early 80s)

Well-paced & creepily atmospheric in glorious black & white, this book feels like it was ripped out of one of the Warren horror books of the 70's, like Creepy or Eerie. A living castle that feeds on human blood!

A fun & spooky read, with Corben indulging his penchant for drawing nudes.

Can't wait for #2!
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Voice by Carla Speed McNeil

This is the latest volume in McNeil's Finder series, which takes place in an alternate world.

This is Rachel's story. Rachel is daughter of a high-ranking Llaverac (one of several clans) family. At 18, she must compete in a beauty pageant to be admitted as a full member of the clan and to enjoy a wide variety of privileges. The Llaveracs are this world's drama queens, they all look feminine and are very theatrical. (Other clans have different admission criteria, such as proving good mathematical skills.) But the Llaveracs are a hoot, and well suited to be the focus of a graphic novel.

Unlike her mixed-clan siblings, Rachel is pure Llaverac. She's a bit of a bubblehead, party girl, interested in fashion - but she knows if she can get clan membership, she can help her siblings. Going home after day one of the pageant, however, she gets mugged - and loses her hereditary ring. No ring, no pageant - so the hunt is on to find the ring.

What follows is two nights and a day of tracking through the city, looking for a nomadic friend of the family named Jaeger, who she believes could find her stolen ring. This trek is Rachel's journey of the soul; she goes through a wide variety of experiences in this delightfully strange world and emerges as an "interesting girl" - unlike the other Barbie Doll contestants. It's a wonderful coming of age story, augmented with fascinating notes from the author/artist about Rachel's world.

(You can read the next story, Torch, on-line; old-school Cramer prefers books and the on-line artwork isn't as finished as in the paper version.)
 

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Posted by Mystery Lad on :
 
VILLIANS FOR HIRE: OK, this wasn't a bad mini-series, by any means. Not great either, but it had enjoyable points and featured a grand plan (or two) which was interesting to watch play out.

But why the heck was Deadly Nightshade even in the thing? She got, what, 3 panels?!!! And was drawn to make Misty Knight look good, if you follow. She was publicized in all the promotional stuff and really shoudln't have been.

Bah! When's a fan's decades-long craving for black leather bikini wearing afro-puffed bad girls who can control werewolves and invent seriously wacked out crap going to be satisfied?
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Dotter of Her Father's Eye, by Mary and Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse)

Two stories are interwoven in this graphic novel: Mary Talbot's, the daughter of Joycean scholar James Atherton, and Lucia Joyce's, daughter of James Joyce. Mary is researching Lucia Joyce, whose life was more or less tragic. She fought her father's condemnation of her involvement in Europe's burgeoning modern dance movement, and gradually descended into madness. Who knew James Joyce was such a stick-in-the-mud when it came to his own daughter? Mary finds some parallels between her own difficult father and James Joyce, although she comes out much better than Lucia (and thoroughly sane) in the end. Girls coming of age in 1920 vs 1960, interesting times for both women and a very interesting biography/autobiography.
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Spontaneous by Joe Harris & Brett Weldale (Oni)

Melvin Reys' father died from spontaneous human combustion before Melvin's eyes and he's been on a quest for other victims - and answers - ever since that awful day.
Melvin has some sort of sense regarding future victims, of which there seem to be a high proportion in his town. "My life is a Stephen King novel", says Melvin.

Emily Durshmiller, wannabe investigative reporter, smells a good story and starts following Melvin around. There's some link to a tragedy that happened at the local chemical plant before Melvin was born: a terrible fire closed the plant down and ended the mysterious Prometheus Project. But no one alive knows whether Prometheus was a weapon, a fuel, a propulsion system or something else?

The former plant owner is confined to a retirement home, but he's not talking, except for a few cryptic comments.

The mystery is solved in the end, as all good mysteries should be, with gruesome consequences. "Prometheus stole fire from the gods... but the fire had other ideas," concludes Emily.

It's a curious subject and an interesting story, although I got a bit muddled at times and had to reread a few pages to clear up what happened at the end; a few things (like the plant owner's behaviour) were a bit too cryptic. While I felt some sympathy for Melvin, I didn't warm up to him (no pun intended) and I found the persistent Emily a tad annoying.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
picked up a few trades for upcoming travel ...

cheated a bit and read issue one of the 1st Morning Glories For a Better Future volume today.


It certainly starts off with a bang. wow.

So far it's not exactly anything you haven't seen before, seems a bit like a sci fi tv show.

BUT ... it's really jam packed with excitement. It just keeps smacking you in the face with a big portion of 'didn't see that coming' or 'wow that's creepy' or 'already!'.

can't wait to see where this snowball ends up at the bottom of the avalanche!
 

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Posted by jimgallagher on :
 
Okay I just discovered this thread and it seems like an appropriate place to put in a shameless plug for my own graphic novel, complete with reviews by our very own Fat Cramer among others:

http://www.legionworld.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=002363#000014
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fat Cramer:
Spontaneous by Joe Harris & Brett Weldale (Oni)

Melvin Reys' father died from spontaneous human combustion before Melvin's eyes and he's been on a quest for other victims - and answers - ever since that awful day.
Melvin has some sort of sense regarding future victims, of which there seem to be a high proportion in his town. "My life is a Stephen King novel", says Melvin.

Emily Durshmiller, wannabe investigative reporter, smells a good story and starts following Melvin around. There's some link to a tragedy that happened at the local chemical plant before Melvin was born: a terrible fire closed the plant down and ended the mysterious Prometheus Project. But no one alive knows whether Prometheus was a weapon, a fuel, a propulsion system or something else?

The former plant owner is confined to a retirement home, but he's not talking, except for a few cryptic comments.

The mystery is solved in the end, as all good mysteries should be, with gruesome consequences. "Prometheus stole fire from the gods... but the fire had other ideas," concludes Emily.

It's a curious subject and an interesting story, although I got a bit muddled at times and had to reread a few pages to clear up what happened at the end; a few things (like the plant owner's behaviour) were a bit too cryptic. While I felt some sympathy for Melvin, I didn't warm up to him (no pun intended) and I found the persistent Emily a tad annoying.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anita Cocktail:
Ragemoor #1 by Jan Strnad & Richard Corben (Dark Horse Comics)

Let me start off by saying that Corben's art is as good today as it was in it's Heavy Metal heyday.(late 70s, early 80s)

Well-paced & creepily atmospheric in glorious black & white, this book feels like it was ripped out of one of the Warren horror books of the 70's, like Creepy or Eerie. A living castle that feeds on human blood!

A fun & spooky read, with Corben indulging his penchant for drawing nudes.

Can't wait for #2!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anita Cocktail:
Hell Yeah #1 by Joe Keating & Andre Szymanowicz (Image Comics)

I almost passed this up, due to the title sounding a bit derivative of Kick Ass, but it was highly recommended by the charming & attractive clerk at my CBS, so I bought it.

I'm so glad I did!
Full of violence & profanity(but, sadly, no sex), this promising new title hooked me in with it's interesting cast, intriguing premise & well-established setting.

The lead character, Benjamin Day, is full of piss & vinegar, topped off with an adorable little tush! There's also an all-girl punk band, The All-New, All-Differents, who reminded me of my days as a bi-curious pop-tart back in college.

Auntie Anita says heck yes to Hell Yeah!

---

So in my rush to pick up Danger Club #1, I was delighted to find Hell Yeah #1 (2nd printing) and #2, both of which were flying so fast off the shelves, they're likely gone now. I read a lot of great reviews of #1, including Anita's. I've learned that if Anita likes it, it's usually very good.

My initial impression is wow, this is a fun, exiting comic! There's action, tension, complex but fun plots and teenage characters just screaming angst! Writer Joe Keatage already blew me away with Glory and that continues here. The twist ending in #2 takes the story up another notch and makes me super curious as to where its going. Meanwhile, the three female 'superheroes' from an Alt reality introduced here really hooked me, in the sense that we already have a large cast (which at like 80% female works).

The art by Andre Szymanowicz just POPS and sizzles in the right places. It has a slight Möbius / Quietly influence that I like, while still being unique. The characters are sexy and energetic. And theres something raw about it, slightly unpolished which I find appealing.

I really liked this! Yet another add to my pull list from Image. 

And this issue had more cute tushes and some sexy kissing scenes, to make up for the lack of sex in #1!
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
Nowhere Man by Marc Guggenheim and Jeevan J. Kang (Dynamite)

A pretty interesting series, but not blowing my mind.

It's a Philip K. Dick sort of premise: in the future, everyone has been infected with something that permits The Overmind to detect illegal/homicidal thoughts, thereby wiping out crime.

However, one child has been born and genetically altered by his father to escape the Overmind. Grown to adulthood, the only way to test if it works is for him to kill somebody.

The Overmind doesn't have things under control quite as much as the powers that be think, however. The protaganist, by issue #2, is meeting all sorts of seedy characters and is being chased by Orions (the police). And, of course, there is a beautiful blonde Orion who is also questioning things, much to the annoyance of her commander, so you figure there's going to be a love interest in future issues, and maybe lots of Overmind-free babies.
 

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Posted by MLLASH's back on :
 
I have decided to take a break from DC for a bit and am very much looking forward to reading SAGA, SUPREME and DANGER CLUB (all from Image) next!

I would make it 5 Image titles in a row, but I I already know I love THE WALKING DEAD and I have let several issues of MORNING GLORIES pile up in my pull because I want to try reading several issues at once.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
hmmm Lash + New Deadwardians = ?
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
hmmm Lash + New Deadwardians = ?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by MLLASH's back:
I bet these books are a LOT better than Youngblood, Wildcats, Brigade and Spawn though!!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
Have I said yet ... that I'm really enjoying Super Crooks!?

It's fun. And I feel for these down on their luck crooks. (not that much 'cause their crooks but ... you know)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Power Boy:
This weeks Daredevil #12 was IMO stupendous ...

just a great great story ... not even any action.

art was great. and I just found the story pleasantly superb.

I loved the back story on his friend ship with foggy and the development of his new friendship with the Assistant D.A.

---

Yep, it's a great story. And leading into it, the Omega Effect story crossover with Avenging Spider-Man #6 and Punisher #10 was superb in all aspects. I'm loving Daredevil!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
New Deadwardians #3 of 8.

This issue was a bit of a slump compared to issue 2. This book is still nothing new ... but I like Vampires and Zombies, and the Victorian setting. I'm not sure if I'm along for 8 issues though, maybe 4.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
This weeks SUPER CROOKS raised the stakes ... the twist in the final scene has me on the edge of my seat until next month!

America's got Powers #2 was the best book I bought this week. I really feel for the poor protagonist stuck between a rock and a hard place.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
POWERS was also exquisite this week! It's getting better and better.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
Dial H #2 review.


Picking up from the first issue, we’re greeted with Nelson experimenting with the H Dial. He’s trying out different identities, seeing what he’ll turn into, and learns that the Dial’s power is not necessarily unlimited. The more frequently he uses the dial, the shorter duration for the identities. The Dial requires time to recharge its energy. In this issue, Nelson becomes:

*The Human Virus
*Shamanticore
*Pelican Army
*Double Bluff
*Hole Punch
*Rancid Ninja
*Skeet
*Control-Alt-Delete
*Iron Snail

The first four have been seen on the cover, but the identities which receive the most time on panel are Control-Alt-Delete and Iron Snail. I was slightly disappointed, because I was hoping to see some more action from both Double Bluff and Pelican Army. …both. Double. Word play.

Nelson starts doing investigating into what his friend Darren has gotten himself into. It turns out that Darren has been joining in some breaking and entering. But all of the target homes have belonged to people who’ve lapsed into comas. Not from natural causes. There’s a connection between the cases, but Nelson doesn’t investigate that. In the first issue, the doctor Nelson spoke with (who also has a big role to play) mentioned dealing with “gang members lapsing into comas”. At first, I thought she was talking about the guys Nelson fought as Boy Chimney. It turns out I was wrong.

As Control-Alt-Delete, Nelson goes to check out the home that Darren was supposed to break into. Here, he meets the mysterious Manteau mentioned in the previous issue. It’s unclear as to what power Manteau has, but she assumes that Nelson is someone who’s fought her before. It’s also implied that Manteau is also connected to the Dial in some way. When Nelson uses his “reboot” power on Manteau, it seems to turn her back to normal from whatever she was. As she flees, she takes a landline phone from the apartment with her. Another observation: Manteau has frequently been engaging in fights with the people Darren has been working with, those working for X.N.

X.N. actually stands for “Ex Nihilo”. We get to meet X.N., and her prisoner it turns out. The previous issue we saw that X.N. had someone kept in a glass cage. Here, we’re introduced to the Squid, a decidedly inhuman person who agrees to do some dirty work for X.N. In this case, it’s getting rid of Darren Hirsch. The Squid, however, makes it clear that he wants something from X.N. but he is not her slave, and that he’s only helping her so he can finally get what he wants. The Squid alternates between elegant elocution and sailor mouth when he fights Nelson, this time as the Iron Snail. Believe me, the name is not as stupid as it sounds when you see Nelson in action.

Besides the action, we get a glimpse into Nelson’s personal life. He tries to contact the previously mentioned Julie from the first issue. It’s implied that their relationship ended somewhat badly, but he turns to Julie because he needs someone to talk to. He doesn’t get to talk to Julie like he wanted, though she doesn’t tell him to go screw himself. Mieville once again provides a demonstration of human emotion doing tastefully by not over-hyping the drama. Nelson is still depressed and slightly submersed in self-loathing, but not to the point that he’s bemoaning how the world is a horrible, empty place. Littleville, however, is mentioned as a very depressing little town where nothing works. Not even relationships. Nelson has begun to look to the H Dial as a way of escaping from the drudgeries of his life. If he’s not careful, he might start becoming an addict.

The issue ends with Nelson being offered by Manteau to explore into where the Dial truly comes from and what he’s gotten himself into. The Squid and X.N. are anticipating the return of… something, Darren Hirsch isn’t doing so well, and it looks like Nelson is now a target.

With Mieville’s realist superheroic psychological exploration of a dial that turns you into superheroes and Mateus’s distinct and original character designs, I still look forward to more.
 

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Posted by razsolo on :
 
I dropped Birds of Prey with #9....while I really like the characterisations (this version of Katana is awesome and Starling has quickly become one of my favourite characters), I'm kind of getting over being thrown into the middle of things every issue and never getting full answers. At first I thought this was a conscious choice of the writer, to keep us as unbalanced as the Birds are and to keep things unpredictable....and it still MAY be that, but it's stopped being a satisfying mystery and just started feeling like sloppy writing. Why is Batgirl suddenly hanging out with them? What happened to the completely different story from last issue? What happened to the completely different story from the issue before? It's too choppy with regrettably not enough to make up for the choppiness.

I have picked up the first 2 issues of Dial H though, and am enjoying it. Not really 100% sold on the bad guy/s, but Nelson is a legitimately interesting protagonist for a superhero comic and the identities are all unique and very creative thus far. I will give this one a few issues and see where it goes I think.
 

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Posted by Anita Cocktail on :
 
On Mr. Cobie's recommendation, I picked up & read Resident Alien #0 & #1.
As usual, he was right.
I loved it!! It has a very mid-20th century sci-fi feel to it & the story is told in such a low-key manner, that it totally sucks you into it's little world.
It's linda like a J'onn J'onzz story concentrating on the mystery-solving instead of the super-heroics... and the art definitely has Forte-flavor.
Highly recommended!!
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
^Also purchased issues 0 and 1 last Wednesday! When I get to it, I'll let ya know what I think!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Yay! I knew you'd love it, Anita! You're dead on about the mid 20th century sci-fi vibe.

And Lardy, also glad you grabbed it too! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
The latest series I've dived into headfirst is Skullkickers! I randomly bought #13 and liked it so much I went ahead and for the first two trades so I could get caught up all at once.

It's action meets comedy meets swords & sorcery with an energy to it that is infectious and exhausting (in a good way). The two leads are hilarious and charming. The intro to the first trade likens them to being part Conan in their love of mischief, part Fafraid & the Grey Mouser because of their witty camaraderie, and part hilarious juvenile humor of a teenage Dungeons & Dragons campaign gone off on an uncontrollable tangent. Its all those things except with an awesome factor times 1,000.

Its just damn fun. I've read the first trade in a sitting and will get to the second shortly. The series won't be for everyone...but if you're looking for a funny-ass adventure series that includes elves, dwarves and an ass-kicking female-only manned pirate ship then this is your comic.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
Picked up the Boys trades 2 and 3. The store didn't have #1.

Why has no one recommended this to me before !

It's like Preacher + Powers ... In fact, I bet Bendis was a big fan.

There is quite a lot of over the top shock but, it comes so hard and heavy that its really not about the shock value or being sensational, in a way it trivializes taboo subjects to the point where they are actually merely there for comic value and/or put into the light of day in order to actually examine them.

[ June 18, 2012, 12:01 PM: Message edited by: Power Boy ]
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
I've been beating that drum over on The Boys' own thread sporadically, Peebs, with little-to-no effect. Even Cobie, a huge Ennis fan, hasn't picked it up yet! Others, like Kent, tried and liked it, but have lapsed and seem unwilling to revisit it.

But you hit the nail on the head with the book's vibe with your "Preacher + Powers" analogy!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
Dark Horse is on it's own roll lately with creator-owned comics, and the latest one is another fantastic opening: The Massive. Its intelligent with great characters and a fascinating premise that has me at least wanting to give it a solid 6 issue follow up to see where it's going.

The post-Apocalyptic premise set in the naval mystery genre--a genre that hasn't really been mainstream since the pre-superhero Golden Age--is delightfully unique.

Between this and Conan, I'm finding Brian Wood's writing to be very appealing.
 

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Posted by Sarcasm Kid on :
 
It's now time for my reviews of the second and third issues of Dial H.

#2: http://www.comicvine.com/dial-h-connection-lost/37-338455/user-reviews/?review_id=30051

#3: http://www.comicvine.com/dial-h-come-here-i-need-you/37-344037/user-reviews/?review_id=30483
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
So...a few reviews in short...

I grabbed Revival by Image on a whim even though I have zero interest in collecting another series featuring zombies. I'm glad I did--because it was excellent! I'm definitely in for another 5+ issues, as I thought the premiere issue delivered a fascinating premise, some really strong lead characters and a strong last page hook. They call it 'rural noir' and that's a great description--it's not quite horror, and has that slow burn growing sense of unease. It's by Tim Seeley (by far the best thing I've seen from him) and Mike Norton (whose always been good and is now entering his 'great' phase). Definitely recommend to fans of horror, noir, zombies or just great comics!

I've always liked Los Bros Hernandez, even though I haven't been their most avid follower. So I picked up Fatima: the Blood Spinners #1 by Dark Horse & Gilbert Hernandez, and soaked up the wonderful artwork inside, which was a nod to the great B-movies of yesteryear. The story itself was a little weak for my tastes though and I won't be coming back for the second issue. Great art, too generic story: not regretting buying but not feeling bad about not continuing. 

I also grabbed Grim Leaper by Image because it's written by Kurtis Wiebe, who has knocked my socks of with Peter Panzerfaust and Green Wake. I was a little disappointed because I wasn't prepared for how snarky the lead was and how humorous the art would be. The story--a guy who keeps getting killed in ridiculous ways and coming back in another body finds a girl with the same curse--is interesting but something I feel I've seen before. But it's the tone of the story and the artwork that kind of had me skimming towards the end. Oh well, Wiebe rocks but they can't all be geared towards my tastes!
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:


I also grabbed Grim Leaper by Image because it's written by Kurtis Wiebe, who has knocked my socks of with Peter Panzerfaust and Green Wake. I was a little disappointed because I wasn't prepared for how snarky the lead was and how humorous the art would be. The story--a guy who keeps getting killed in ridiculous ways and coming back in another body finds a girl with the same curse--is interesting but something I feel I've seen before. But it's the tone of the story and the artwork that kind of had me skimming towards the end. Oh well, Wiebe rocks but they can't all be geared towards my tastes!

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Hm. Looks like I liked Grim Leaper a lot more than you did. It wasn't the most-out-there thing I'd ever seen, but it definitely commanded my interest. I really liked the art and coloring style used here especially. I've a feeling this one will only get better from here as the first issue was mostly set-up.
 

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Posted by Lard Lad on :
 
And it looks like I'll have to give Revival a look-see! So much Image product coming out that it's impossible to guess which ones I should give a whirl!
 

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Posted by Fat Cramer on :
 
The Valerian and Laureline series: Book 1 - The City of Shifting Waters; Book 2 - The Empire of a Thousand Planets
by J.-C. Mezieres and P. Christin

This series from France began in 1967 and is available now in English. Valerian and Laureline are two Spatio-Temporal agents in Earth's future, whose mission is to patrol both history and their current universe, to defend the Terran Empire.

The City of Shifting Waters has the pair travel back to New York City in 1986 to find escaped prisoner Xombul, the would-be dictator of Earth. Earth is mostly flooded after a hydrogen bomb depot blew up near the North Pole and melted the ice caps. This is normally a forbidden period for time travel, but Xombul is such a serious villain that he must be recaptured at all costs.

The pair arrive in New York, encounter a variety of scavengers and gang members, dress up like hippies to fit in, and, with the help of a gang leader, find Xombul and a key physicist he has captured. (The physicist just happens to look like Jerry Lewis.) Xombul, of course, plans to change history according to his liking. Many adventures and chasing Xombul across America, and the good guys win in the end.

For 1967, the story is not very dated, apart from some references to current events and the illustration of computers. It's also quite a wordy story, which I enjoy. The artwork is great, cartoony but detailed with lots of exotic settings, groovy robots and space machines.

The Empire of a Thousand Planets has the pair travel within their own time to the planet Syrte the Magnificent, centre of an Empire which Earth fears may present a threat at some point - so Valerian and Laureline are sent to check it out. They discover that the Empire is controlled by a group called The Enlighteneds, mysterious creatures who hide within the palace and keep the people downtrodden. The two agents meet a merchant named Elmir, who encourages them to sneak into the palace in exchange for information about the Enlighteneds. More wild adventures, leading to a revolution and discovery of exactly who the Enlighteneds are.

This volume is much more futuristic and here the artist really shows his creativity.

At the end of the book, the publishers include a page showing how images first introduced in the series were picked up and copied by Hollywood.
 

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Posted by razsolo on :
 
Transformers: more than meets the eye

I have never really been a massive Transformers comic book fan...I like the animated stuff when it's on, though I wouldn't really go out of my way to see it. I just always kinda thought that print isn't the best medium for a series whose greatest appeal is gigantic transforming robots.

I still tend to feel that the transforming aspect of Transformers gets a little lost when you're looking at static images, but the writing in this series is more than good enough to outshine that. The dialogue in this series is always really sharo and intelligent, the characters all have their own individual personalities, and the premise is something different. In this series, the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons is over and a bunch of them have now set off into the unknown to find the Knights of Cyberton (legendary figures from their past who may not even have existed).

The art is also very well-suited; Nick Roche draws him some good techy stuff. Admittedly I have a little trouble telling them apart at times, but that's not a flaw in the art so much as it is with me being much more used to reading comics about humanoids.

I have been reading previews and reviews of the series up till now; now that it's at issue 7 and I have yet to see anything I don't like, I decided to pick up the first issue on Comixology. I liked it enough that I have grabbed the rest as well.

It's good stuff!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
I had high hopes and was thrilled to have them exceeded by Debris, which just launched by Image! It's by Kurtis Wiebe (the genius behind Peter Panzerfaust and Green Wake) and Riley Rossmo (also a genius, as also seen on Green Wake). It's a high concept sci-fi series with a great lead, solid hook and just face melting artwork that is glorious to behold.

Wiebe is a master at injecting a sense of 'adventure' and he does that here with a firm sci-fi premise. He also writes one of the most promising female leads in forever! Kick-ass and enjoyably multi-layered. Just like Peter Panzerfaust there is a wonderful sense of epicness just around the corner.

Riley Rossmo is always fantastic and here he delivers his most beautiful work ever. It's a slight adjustment to his style with colors by Owen Gieni that just make it POP! The imagery really explodes off the page and I found myself just stopping to stare at panels.

This is a 4 issue mini and is shaping up to be a highlight of 2012 comics. I highly recommend it to everyone.

If you like Final Fantasy video games, sci-fi, kick ass female leads and adventure high octane enough to make you smile, you will love this.
 

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Posted by Anita Cocktail on :
 
I just read Debris #1 & loved it too, darling!
Great set up to a promising new series!!
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
You have impeccable tastes, my dear!
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
I picked up Idolized #1. Not sure why but an Arthur Adams cover dosn't hurt.

I was pleasantly surprised!!! The set up involves a girl trying out for a super hero reality show. She has some fairly typical reasons for doing it ... both of which don't exactly sale as series to me.

BUT big butt ... It was so WELL-DONE I really enjoyed it. The art is nice, and very emotive, and the writing is also emotive. While the story may not sound so unique ... the main character really comes off of the page. I'll be in for #2 at least.

This review basically reflects my own review:

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/08/15/comic-review-idolized-1/

.......................


In other news, I picked up a bunch of back issues of Justice League Dark and the Flash. The art certainly helps on these books but Flash for sure comes across as light and short. However, I'm hopeful that it'll work with the single hero against one or two villains each month. The year long rogue's saga is coming to a head, and that's what prompted me to go all in ... I'm a sucker for the Rogue's AND the 'Golden Glider' appears ... new and improved in a a great new take on the character IMO. (well she's a psychopath which I worry will go bad soon but what I like is her new power set/identity)

I think most of DC's books are light and short but hopefully 8 or so back issues in a row will satisfy me.


I am curious about Wonder Woman as well, the art looks good, and everyone keeps telling me how great it is. But ... I flipped through the most recent one and it seemed light / melodramatic. Besides I am soured on DC and especially the big three. (Also, souring on the X-Men and Avengers ... we'll see.)

Any thoughts on Wonder Woman ?
 

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Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
 
The vast majority of DC books are utter crap. JLDark is one of the better ones. Flash is worth buying for the art alone (at its risk taking / boundary pushing best) but I agree it's grown very light issue to issue.

I enjoy Wonder Woman quite a lot. Artist Cliff Chang makes the series; when he misses an issue, it reveals to the reader that the story is not quite as good as we thought.
 

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Posted by Power Boy on :
 
So ... I'm having a budget crisis ... so I have decided to slash and burn the amount of titles i get.

This week ... I put several things back on the shelf after perusing them ...

One of which was Earth 2 #0. Art was so so and I didn't find it very interesting for Terry Sloane and Batman to be on the same team together (especially to have him pull the same trick that the Bat pulled on the JLA before) ... and they didn't show a catwoman ... even though they referred to her.


What I did purchase ... made me happy.


World's Finest #0.

All Kevin Maguire, loved the story, and how Kara and Helena met and bonded. The one thing I didn't like is I always thought Robin was Robin like the bird ... since robins are really smart feisty and agile ... and this issue comes out and says its robin like robin hood .. oh well maybe its a bit of both.

Hawkeye #2

great story, not too gory but adult ... and Kate Bishop I mean ... what more could you ask for. Especially out from under the atmosphere of a "kid's" title. This issue starts a story line while #1 had a done in one introduction. I can't wait to see where it goes ... Hawkeye made me love it in 1 issue. This is a cool clint barton that recognizes his character failings which make him much more than the dumb jock as he's been portrayed in the avengers.


Silk Spectre #2

great fun, I like the introduction of the Comedian ... and I think it was a most honest if not over the top depiction of drug use. however, it seems a bit non U.S. to me in certain details ... I'll keep my eyes peeled. It is really different and 'small town' compared to the other Before Watchmen titles I am reading. Maybe by the end, the sweet girl will get to where she was in the Watchmen series. I'm not sure I want her too though, I could go for quite some time with this type of Silk Spectre Year One atmosphere.


Thor #19

my least favorite of the four but its Alan Davis. the story has me a bit confused, i think there's some continuity problems .. i am trying to tune out, which are fairly central to the plot which has the vanir and the aesir divided ... and changes the wife of odin from frigga to freya ... and claims they have no son tying their tribes together ... meaning no balder ... i dont get it ... not so many issues ago we had balder leading the asgardians ...


It was really nice to only read things I thought were very good or I enjoyed!
 

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Posted by Mystery Lad on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Power Boy:

Thor #19

my least favorite of the four but its Alan Davis. the story has me a bit confused, i think there's some continuity problems .. i am trying to tune out, which are fairly central to the plot which has the vanir and the aesir divided ... and changes the wife of odin from frigga to freya ... and claims they have no son tying their tribes together ... meaning no balder ... i dont get it ... not so many issues ago we had balder leading the asgardians ...

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Cobalt Kid:
I had high hopes and was thrilled to have them exceeded by Debris, which just launched by Image! It's by Kurtis Wiebe (the genius behind Peter Panzerfaust and Green Wake) and Riley Rossmo (also a genius, as also seen on Green Wake). It's a high concept sci-fi series with a great lead, solid hook and just face melting artwork that is glorious to behold.

Wiebe is a master at injecting a sense of 'adventure' and he does that here with a firm sci-fi premise. He also writes one of the most promising female leads in forever! Kick-ass and enjoyably multi-layered. Just like Peter Panzerfaust there is a wonderful sense of epicness just around the corner.

Riley Rossmo is always fantastic and here he delivers his most beautiful work ever. It's a slight adjustment to his style with colors by Owen Gieni that just make it POP! The imagery really explodes off the page and I found myself just stopping to stare at panels.

This is a 4 issue mini and is shaping up to be a highlight of 2012 comics. I highly recommend it to everyone.

If you like Final Fantasy video games, sci-fi, kick ass female leads and adventure high octane enough to make you smile, you will love this.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Anita Cocktail:
I just read Debris #1 & loved it too, darling!
Great set up to a promising new series!!

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