Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Random Review Corner

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.

I'll certainly be interested to see what you think.

I'm still really enjoying Kirby Genesis after reading issue #3. The plethora of characters and concepts that are thrown at the reader are a blast to see and each one is given a chance to shine.

But really, despite being called *Kirby* Genesis, this is truly a Kurt Busiek production. The series reads like a great arc of Astro City, from the regular man POV, to the wide array of characters and the focus on normal people reacting to extraordinary people and circumstances. I'm a huge fan of Busiek and Astro City, so I love Kurt's writing style; here, I'm enjoying it to great effect. This is enhanced by knowing he (and Alex Ross to a lesser degree) are utilizing Kirby's concepts to do it.

The art by Jack Hebert is fantastic and really nails the grandiose feel of the series, while also having that down to Earth feel that Brent Anderson's artwork has when the moment calls for it. Hebert really does a great job here.

I'm enjoying this enough that I plan on picking up the spin-offs when they come out. Certainly Captain Victory since the writer is Sterling Gates, whom I've really grown to like over the years.

Fans of Busiek should definitely check this out!

Cobie, you encouraged me to review Kirby Genesis and I haven't gotten around to it yet. But I agree completely with all you said above.

I had been looking forward to a more regular schedule from Astro City and have been disappointed that it hasn't happened so far. But I'm enjoying KG just as much. It'd be great to have both, though.

Strange as it may seem to say, I sure hope Busiek isn't repurposing his Astro City plans into KG stories from the way you guys are describing it. I'd rather have AC than anything else Busiek would ever write. It's disheartening that there's been almost no news about AC since Wildstorm was dissolved.

So far, I'm enjoying Marvel's relaunched Punisher series after having recently read its first two issues. The book caught my eye as it was rolled out in the same wave as the recent relaunches of Moon Knight and Daredevil. Moon Knight, I passed on because of a lack of any affinity for the character and because of its $3.99 price point. Daredevil and Punisher, I'd read to varying dgrees over the years. Plus, their post-issue one price points were $2.99.

The biggest thing that sticks out about this new Punisher book is the outstanding art! Marco Checchetto was, I believe, one of a number of artists who illustrated Andy Diggle's recent ill-fated run on Daredevil. As I recall, the art was never the issue on that series. Here, Checchetto gets the chance to spread his wings on a book of his own that is written to showcase the man's art, and the end product is really magnificent to behold! It's gritty but also very beuatiful and entirely appropriate for a street-level crime book like this one. Definitely the book's prime selling point!

Writer Greg Rucka has been a pretty big star in this industry. Crime is one of the areas in which he excels, so this book suits him. Here, he tells the tales of a massacre at a wedding and how the police are racing against the Punisher to find out who's responsible. Only, one of the detectives on the force is feeding the lethal vigilante intel.

A very interesting approach Rucka is taking is that the Punisher so far is pretty much a secondary character in his own book. We see the police investigation and the bad guys scrambling to cover up their tracks. The Punisher is more like the bogeyman whose shadow looms just out of sight. We see him operate and surveil and even do what he does best, but--and I went back and checked, so I'm fairly sure--so far he hasn't had even one single line of dialogue!

At the same time, unlike the version in Punisher Max, this Frank Castle is firmly rooted in the Marvel Universe, as the conclusion of issue 2 makes clear. Looming for next issue is a confrontation with one of Spider-man's villains. We'll see if Frank says anything during that fight....

Good, eye-catching start to the new Punisher book! With Punisher Max already on my pull, it looks like this Rucka/Checchetto joint may have aspirations of joining in as well. Definitely onboard for another couple of issues at least!

Tiny Titans #45 - The Batgirl issue. Barabara has Batgirl suits for everyone, including a purple one for Steph, and the girls have a Batgirl party. The theme quickly changes to Soccer when Pantha shows up. This all leads to some fun Soccer matches/mayhem: The Secret Six vs. the Birds of Prey, Cows vs. Robins & finally Bats vs. Cows.

Some of the jokes try a little too hard, but how can you complain about an issue that has Bane playing soccer against little kids?

So recently I’ve checked out three new independent comics in my never-ending search to find all the best comics out there that may have gone unnoticed. Of the three, one was utterly fantastic (I’ll get to it last if you want to jump ahead) and two were only okay.

The first was Near Death, a crime series by Jay Faerber of Noble Causes and other superhero fame published by Image. I actually read this about two weeks ago and am now getting around to reviewing it—and to be honest, I’m having trouble remembering that much about it. I think that kind of says a lot too. While it was pretty well done, there was something a little by the numbers about the whole thing, where a hitman begins to grow a conscious later in his career. That type of story needs something a little extra and a new hook in order to draw me in. I like Faerber and want to collect one of his series but I don’t think it will be this one.

I also picked up Last of the Greats by Image, which is about a group of godlike superheroes that bring the world to the cusp of peace, only for mankind to betray and kill them. Except one was kept secret and survived, and now humanity is under attack by an alien race and they need his help. There are two big twists at the end. Here’s the thing: it’s a fine premise and done pretty well; but throughout the issue the theme is humanity is distrustful and will turn on you, and the “Great” will only help humanity if they accept his vision for what Earth should be. It’s all a bit too much like Waid’s Irredeemable, or Moore’s Miracleman or the Authority or a number of other pessimistic series where the super-beings are fed up with mankind and are giving as good as they’ve gotten. If any type of story has been done to death its this kind. So while it was all totally fine, it’s just not subject material I want to go forward on.

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!

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.

I'm with you on all counts, FC. The concept is indeed incredibly interesting and done in a way I've never seen before.

However, the violence ("snuff porn" being pretty accurate) was just too over the top for me. I've read novels before with graphic horrors perpetrated on characters but have been able to accept it as part of the narrative. Here, all I felt was disgust and being taken out of the story.

The Gym'll's forum on LW is littered with high praise for Nick Spencer posted by me over and over. But here, I have to admit, I'm pretty turned off because of those scenes. Compiled with the huge delays between issues, and I might have to pass on finishing out the mini.

#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).

<span style="font-size: 24px;"> it's coming </span>

Hoorah!

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

Is that a chastity belt?

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

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.

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.

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.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Cable 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. </span></span>

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.