Monthly Archives: April 2013

What’s Up?

30 Tuesday Apr 2013

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Things are looking up.  Don’t believe me?  Look down.

May Will Be’s

  • Dial H #12 (DC): WTF, indeed!  A return to early form with some seriously convoluted explanations.  Was cute then.  Not so cute now.  Despite that, still intriguing and inventive–and the only DC book left on my pull-list.  I mean, look at this cover for crying out loud!

STK529261

  • Animal Man #20 (DC): After a few duds, Buddy’s singing for his supper–or at least for his place at my ever-shrinking dinner table.  Maybe—just maybe–with the Rot in the rear view mirror, Jeff Lemire will be able to return to his wheelhouse.
  • Green Arrow #20 (DC): Hey!  A double-shot of Lemire!  Not as exciting as a double-shot of Ennis–or even Hickman at this point–if I’m being honest.  He’s kept me around, however, by making the Green Arrow/Kimodo conflict not unlike the classic Daredevil/Bullseye rivalry that I love so much.  He’s also made me feel uncomfortable–terribly so a times–with the insinuation of Kimodo’s effervescently violent daughter.  It takes a lot to affect me like that; so, this issue’s earned my attention.
Green Arrow #20

Green Arrow #20

  • All-New X-Men #11 (Marvel): Hope it’s a better date than its little sister.  Yeah, Uncanny #5 didn’t do it for me.
  • Indestructible Hulk #7 (Marvel): Attuma was enough of a drag.  #6 was like hitting the brakes as hard and as unexpectedly as can be.  Waid gets a long leash, but sheesh!  I get it’s Simonson doing Thor.  But here?  Now?  Ugh.
  • Harbinger Wars #2 (Valiant): So far, so good.
Harbinger Wars #2

Harbinger Wars #2

  • Shadowman #0 (Valiant): Surprisingly good month after month.

Comic Day Decisions

  • Mister X: Eviction #1 (Dark Horse): Picked up the recent One-Shot.  Liked it enough to put this on the radar.  Dean Motter’s work is certainly worth a look–probably even a read.
Mister X: Eviction #1

Mister X: Eviction #1

  • Movement #1 (DC): I’ll thumb through it–if only because it’s a #1 and because Gail Simone’s attached to it.
  • Ten Grand #1 (Image): J. Michael Straczynski is always worth a shot.  When he’s on, he’s as solid as they come.
  • Hawkeye #10 (Marvel): I’ve still got to get through Vol. 1.  May be worth jumping on the monthly bandwagon.  May make more sense to wait for the next trade.  We’ll see.
  • Winter Soldier #18 (Marvel): Kicked it off the pull-list a few months back but have been picking it up nevertheless.  Was digging it up until the last issue.  May choose to ride out the arc.  May decide to just cut the cord now.
  • Black Bat #1 (Dynamite): Will judge this one on the art.  If it grabs me, I’ll grab it.  Brian Boucellato’s work on The Flash wasn’t strong enough to make this a must have.
  • Suicide Risk #1 (BOOM!): Mike Carey’s name, however, is enough here.  I liked Lucifer back in the day and enjoyed what I’ve read of The Unwritten.
Suicide Risk #1

Suicide Risk #1

I may leave the store with no more than ten books.

Uh huh.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

 

In Scott’s Bag (4/24)

28 Sunday Apr 2013

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Planned on picking up a ton of books.  Ended up with a ton minus one.  Left me with blood pressure rising.

Big Ol’ Bags Under My Eyes

  • Helheim #2 (Score!)
Helheim #2

Helheim #2

  • Deathmatch #5 (As much as I’d like to let this one fall by the wayside, I can’t.  I just can’t!  It’s all Paul Jenkins, who is doing a fine job of combining familiar flavors with fresh ingredients.)
  • Mind MGMT #10 (My prediction: back to form.  Looks beautiful.  Kindt’s artwork has such an amazing flow to it: it’s uncannily kinetic.)
Mind MGMT #10

Mind MGMT #10

  • Lost Vegas #2 (Read it.  Once again, the art’s the star here.  Lee’s work, amplified by Sotomayor’s stunning colors, still trumps McCann’s story, which, if I’m being fair, has laid more cards–better cards–on the table.)
Lost Vegas #2

Lost Vegas #2

  • East of West #2 (Read it.  Big plans and baby steps: Hickman’s M.O.  I’m willing to stick around, though I suspect that this might read better as a trade.)
  • FF #6 (Read it already: not Allred-y at all, now is it?  Joe Quinones?  Say it ain’t so!  It is so–and isn’t even a fraction as effective.  So, no.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #5 (Two minuses from the get-go: no Bachalo and a trip to Limbo.  Just when I was getting caught up in…)
  • Fury: My War Gone By #11 (Read it.  So, so good.  The spectre of the looming finale has me feeling melancholic.)
  • Clone #6 (Read it.  Not going to complain about it anymore.  Whatever the title’s weaknesses–and there are some glaring weaknesses–Clone has earned its place as a guilty pleasure.  Gotta see what’s next!)
Clone #6

Clone #6

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #22 (Quick flip through: Oops, probably shouldn’t have flipped through.  Some gorgeous work from Pichelli.)
  • Jupiter’s Legacy #1 (Promise officially broken.  We’ll see if it’s “Shame on me” soon enough.)
  • The Massive #11 (Saving.  Gotta catch up.)
  • The Manhattan Projects #11 (Saving this one, too, for the same reason.)
  • The Answer #4 (Read it.  Now I know the question: WTF?  No, really.  Would’ve fit right in with DC’s offerings for the month.)
  • Batman Incorporated #10 (Read it.  Really good.  The source of the gravity in the Batverse.  Speaking of gravity: how ’bout a little lead rain?  Kudos Mr. Burnham.)

Missed out on Rachel Rising #16.  Yeah, can’t let that happen again.

Turning pages,

Scott

Microviews: Viewer Discretion Advised

27 Saturday Apr 2013

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Saga #12: Well, wouldn’t you know, some silly willy–some sucker–rolled out the red carpet of controversy for this issue–and Prince Robot IV relishes the impromptu marketing moment: he stomps fiercely: from his blog-busting fantasy-in-a-dream sequence, which jerks things–I mean, kicks things–off, to his arrogantly ironic prediction.  (Phew, that’s a mouthful!)  The glorious Inglorious Basterds comes to mind as the Prince works over Heist, a principled cyclops, an author who is more than meets the eye and the screen: he’s Vaughn, telling it like it is, isn’t he?  And how about the final page?  Getting there was a treat, even if the turn was as expected as a sunset.  While not as remarkable as #11, this issue still stands as an example of what Vaughn and Staples are capable of: uncompromisingly taut storytelling that swallows certain homogeneous conventions while spitting out a fabulously fresh narrative.  I’m not ashamed to say I raced out to buy this book; nor am I ashamed to say its clearly Book of the Week.

Saga #12

Saga #12

Sex #2: After a month-long refractory period, Joe Casey’s Sex returns without a bang.  It’s no surprise, really: Casey’s erecting something here, and it’s apparent that he’s going to take his time; I mean, why wouldn’t he, right?  (Makes this whole exercise–two issues in, at least–a tad more masturbatory than congressional, no?)  Problem is, seems as if Casey’s going to take more time than I’m willing to endure.  And the Batman analog?  The Millaresque villain?  Turn offs each.  Overall, the darn thing doesn’t come off as sex at all.  Let’s be honest: there’s nothing particularly penetrating here; hell, the story’s about as sexy as Kubrick’s castratingly antierotic Eyes Wide Shut.  It’s not even foreplay, for goodness sake.  If anything, it’s flirting–uncomfortable, unrequited flirting. So, to save myself from possible–more so, probable–regret, I’m going to do the responsible thing: I’m going to say, flatly and forcefully, “No!” to Mr. Casey–I’m going to pass on issue #3.

Batman and Red Robin #19: OK, so, I bought the book primarily to see what Peter Tomasi was going to do with Carrie Kelley, she of DK2 fame–or infamy, which is more like it, I suppose.  Yes: this is further evidence of what I’ve become: I’m a shameless comic book john, looking for cheap thrills under colorful covers every Wednesday afternoon.  Well, as it turns out, the insinuation of the Frank Miller creation was more novelty than anything else: her wearing the Robin costume–in the context of a superhero-themed costume party–was equal parts fun and frivolous, leaving me with the smile of one who knows he’s been worked over.  As it turns, however, that story–as unsubstantial as it may be–acts eagerly as a matted frame for another, much more vital and relevant story–an adventure, for sure–in which Batman goes Batmad.  Tomasi has taken the tack, has made the wise choice, of having Batman become a darker knight in response to Grant Morrison’s unflinchingly fatal and much ballyhooed move over on Batman Incorporated, one that immediately placed Scott Snyder–the crowned king of the colony of Bat books–and his impotent gesture (see: “Death of the Family”) in checkmate.  This Batman is focused; he’s desperate: he’s “a man racked with pain [looking] for light in a world gone dark”; and he does so by, quite literally, tearing an ally apart at the seams.  Poor Frankenstein!  Now, it’s true: Batman promises Red Robin that he has “every intention of putting [the monster] back together”; but that isn’t nearly enough of a salve to heal over the image of Batman as Dr. Mengele using violent science to, in this case, “find a way to bring Robin back.”  That’s right: this isn’t Snyder’s brooding Batman–one who, in Batman #19, seems like a calculated and arrogant protest against Morrison’s competing plot line; this is a father–an understandably rabid Batman–who’ll do anything for his son.  And this is a comic that cannot be judged by its gimmicky cover alone: it has to be held to the ear in order to hear the fierce beat of its broken heart.  Hold it closely enough and you just might hear your own heart keeping the same fractured time.

Batman and Red Robin #19

Batman and Red Robin #19

Turning pages,

Scott


What’s Up?

23 Tuesday Apr 2013

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I like long lists and I cannot lie.  (I know, I know: I’ve been talking a big game about cutting down my weekly haul.  In fact, I have been trimming off some dead ends; I really have been. Thing is, for each book I cut out, another two sprout up in its place.  It’s not fair!  Not that I have to buy them.  OK, who am I fooling?  Of course I do!  I have to have them to surrrrrrviiiiiiiiive!)

  • The Answer #4 (Dark Horse): Has been lots of fun.  Can’t believe it’s going to end here.
  • The Massive #11 (Dark Horse): A new obsession of mine–on the strength of Dark Horse’s #1 for $1 campaign.
The Massive #11

The Massive #11

  • Mind MGMT #10 (Dark Horse): Hasn’t been up to par of late.  Or maybe it has been, and that’s the problem.  I can’t tell anymore!  Must be tough for a series to carry such a burden of expectations.  Isn’t fair to expect Kindt to keep raising the bar with every new issue, is it?  But I still do.
  • Batman Incorporated #10 (DC): Continuing the Great Batman Hijacking.  Kudos, Mr. Morrison, kudos.
  • Clone #6 (Image): This title was supposed to end up on the cutting room floor.  Instead, I find myself infected with renewed interest on the strength of a pretty decent #5.  Curse your cliffhangers, David Schulner!
  • East of West #2 (Image): Willing to let it build–especially now that I’m high on Hickman’s The Manhattan Projects.  (Yup: that’s why they make the trades, folks–for fools like me.)
  • Jupiter’s Legacy #1 (Image): Swore I was done with Millar after Secret Service.  I also swore I wouldn’t spend more than twenty bucks a week on comics.
Jupiter's Legacy #1

Jupiter’s Legacy #1

  • Lost Vegas #2 (Image): #1 was absolutely gorgeous.  Sure, Lee’s artwork overshadowed the story, but McCann did enough to bring me back to the table.  The bet: I’ll like this issue even more.
  • The Manhattan Projects #11 (Image): As I mentioned: I’m still catching up (I’m deep into Vol. 2), but I’m loving every page.  Might as well jump on the monthly bandwagon now!
The Manhattan Projects #11

The Manhattan Projects #11

  • FF #6 (Marvel): Light, airy, sweet: it’s a damn puff pastry!
  • Fury: My War Gone By #11 (Marvel): You’ll never know, Garth, how much I love you/Please don’t take my Fury away.
  • Ultimate Spider-Man #22: In #21, Bendis gave me what I wanted: maskless Miles–and more!  I know I can’t get it every time out, but, gosh, when it happens, it’s so good.
  • Uncanny X-Men #5 (Marvel): I’m kinda glad I stuck with this–and with All-New.  While I could do without some of the poorly played goofy stuff, I’m suddenly satisfied with the sister titles and how they’re being woven together.  More important: I’m starting to like Cyclops again.
  • Deathmatch #5 (BOOM!): A frivolous title that is hanging on by a thread–an intriguingly hearty thread.
  • Helheim #2 (Oni Press): Sold out at the distributor?  One of my guys better have this on the damn shelf or so help me!  No, really: I’ll need someone to help me–pay a ridiculous premium for it.  Damn Thursday mark-ups!
  • Rachel Rising #16 (Abstract Studio): #15 wasn’t as powerful as previous issues.  Hey, it’s bound to happen: Moore’s living in the same universe as Kindt over on Mind MGMT.  That bar can be a real bitch.
Rachel Rising #16

Rachel Rising #16

That’s not just a long list.  That’s a really solid list.  May not be a dead end in the bunch.

Might have to leave the scissors in the drawer this week.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (4/17)

17 Wednesday Apr 2013

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Went as planned plus three:

Reserved Bagging

  • Daredevil #25 (Of course I flipped through it.  Looks pretty stellar.  Bet it’ll read even better.)
  • Batwoman #19 (Just not excited about it.  Quick flip didn’t help.)
  • Revival #9 (Hoping the spirit’s–or the alien’s or the whatever-the-heck-it-is is–the same as the previous issue’s.)
  • Wonder Woman #19 (Don’t want to come off as misogynist or anything, but it seems as if I’m a bit down on the women this week.)
  • Bloodshot #10 (Doesn’t look up to standard.  Blame Kitson?  Would hate to.  May have to.)
Bloodshot #10

Bloodshot #10

  • X-O Manowar #12 (Same goes for this one.  Won’t be able to blame Kitson, though.  Could this be a rare off week for Valiant?)
  • Daredevil: End of Days #7 (Didn’t think it’d be worth much, even with the names attached to it.  Boy, was I wrong, mostly because of the names attached.)

Dancing with My Shelf (Uh, uh, uh, oh…)

  • Todd: The Ugliest Kid on Earth #4 (Outside of my sticking too long with Green Lantern and Aquaman, this is probably my biggest mistake.  As empty of value as a series can get–and yet here I am.)
  • The Shadow: Year One #2 (We’ll see, won’t we?  Unless, of course, well, the whole shadow thing…)
The Shadow: Year One #2

The Shadow: Year One #2

  • Mara #4 (If anyone else were the writer, I’m not sure if I Wood’ve given it a shot.  Now that it’s four in, I feel compelled to go all the way.)
Mara #4

Mara #4

  • Bodie Troll #1 (Not normally my thing, its being all cartoony and whatnot; but it seems like it could be fun.)
  • Five Ghosts #2 (No denying it: the book looks sharp; and it seems more focused than the first issue, too.)
Five Ghosts #2

Five Ghosts #2

  • Miniature Jesus #1 (A bigger-than-average book for a smaller-than-average savior.  Feels kinda funny in my hands.  That’s not what He said.)
  • The Sixth Gun #30 (I’m officially on board!  Thing is, I’ve got to let it lie until Vol. 5.  Stinkeroo!)
  • The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun #3 (Dear Mr. Bunn: I will also buy Daughters of the Gun, Fathers of the Gun, Mothers of the Gun, Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles of the Gun.  Neighbors, Classmates, Dogs, Cats…  Hear what I’m sayin’?)

What did you get in your bag today?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

16 Tuesday Apr 2013

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The evidence is overwhelming.  The Bloated Two are losing my interest–and, as result, my business.  But, as you can see by my list, I’m going to end up with a bloated bag anyway.

  • Batwoman #19 (DC): Pretty much ready to ditch it.  The selling point–Mr. Williams III’s images–has become a period, ending my run, too.
Batwoman #19

Batwoman #19

  • Wonder Woman #19 (DC): #18 was pretty terrible on the art front and on the writing front.  Not a good sign; but could be a hiccup.  We’ll see.
  • Five Ghosts #2 (Image): The first one wasn’t as engaging as I had hoped it’d be.  Willing to give it another shot, however.
  • Mara #4 (Image): I’ve made it this far.
  • Revival #9 (Image): #8 was a return to form.  Plenty of plot threads to tug at.
Revival #9

Revival #9

  • Todd, the Ugliest Kid on Earth #4 (Image): Thank goodness!
  • Daredevil #25 (Marvel): Still Marvel’s best
Daredevil #25

Daredevil #25

  • Bloodshot #10 (Valiant): Has been pretty darned good of late.  Now: Harbinger Wars.
  • X-O Manowar #12 (Valiant): Has come back to life with Planet Death!
  • The Shadow: Year One #2 (Dynamite): Wasn’t bad.  Liked #1 more than I liked Ennis’s turn with the same character.  Also liked it more than Waid’s Green Hornet. Wonder if I’m the only one.
  • The Sixth Gun #30 (Oni): I’ve read Vols. 1-4.  Waiting for Vol. 5, sure; but I’m going to start my monthly obsession now.  Odds are good, however, I’ll let it sit around until I’m caught up.
The Sixth Gun #30

The Sixth Gun #30

  • The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun #3 (Oni): A must for any serious fan of The Sixth Gun.  I may be late to the party, but Bunn and Hurtt have hooked me hard!

That oughta keep me from my responsibilities for a while.

Turning pages,

Scott

Top 5 Books of March 2013 – The Best of Times?

14 Sunday Apr 2013

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Folks, if you don’t already know, it’s a great time to be reading comics. Take this month’s list for example: when stalwarts like Garth Ennis’s Battlefields and Ed Brubaker’s Fatale don’t even crack the top five (not to mention such left field surprises as My?tery Society and The Answer!) you know it’s been some good readin’. Dare I suggest we’re witnessing a second Golden Age?

5. Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake #3 (kaboom!): Natasha Allegri’s delectable delight is not exactly subversive, like a dessert laden with liquor, but it is a multi-layered cake. It can be gulped down, with childlike ravenousness, as the super-fun fairy tale that is. Or it can be slowly digested as a knowing commentary on gender roles. Or better yet, both. Bon Appetit. (DM)

4. Buddy Cops (Dark Horse): To kinda quote the Clan: “[Nate Cosby] be tossin’, enforcin’, [his] style is awesome/[Evan Shaner’s] causin’ more Family Feuds than Richard Dawson/And the survey said–[if ya didn’t think Buddy Cops was friggin’ hilarious,] ya [must be] dead.” (SC–with a little help from RZA)

3. The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #2 (IDW): Pulp heroes tearing it up in the golden age of Hollywood? Really, what more could you ask for? Roger Langridge and J Bone’s ode to nostalgia earns the label “classic” on every level. A dream for comics fans and movie fans. (DM)

2. Nowhere Men #4 (Image): Complex storytelling, beautiful art and sophisticated design: Eric Stephenson, Nate Bellegarde and Fonografiks’ tale of science gone awry in a retro-mod near future is a sleek, finely-tuned, precision vehicle. If “science is the new rock n’ roll” then this is the coolest book on the stands. (DM)

1. Saga #11 (Image): A stunning piece of storytelling from Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples.  Over the course of eleven issues, they’ve managed to assemble the most relatable cast of characters in comics; and that unparalleled ensemble is put to the test in this emotionally charged issue of sex, love, sacrifice, and death.  There isn’t another book being published that can touch it.  I thank God I get to–every four weeks or so.  (SC)

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Animal Man #18 (DC) –  “The most tragic day in the life of Buddy Baker”?  OK.  If you say so.  In fact, you had to say so because, as the story unfolded, I felt absolutely nothing of tragedy–except maybe the very tragic pangs of disappointment.  In the end, my expectations for this title–which had been on life support after #17–were killed along with Cliff, himself a mini Animal Man, playing the role of the simply unnecessary sacrificial lamb. (SC)

But let’s accentuate the positive: this month’s Top 5 represent a wild variety of storytelling, genre and art that affirms and re-affirms our love of the medium. We share these books because they are the ones that excited us this month. So what’s your Top 5?  Share it with us. Or spread the word and tell a friend. Like we said, it’s a great time to be reading comics.

Turning pages,

Scott & Derek

In Scott’s Bag (4/10)

12 Friday Apr 2013

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Ended up being a little bigger than I expected.

That, of course, is what she said.

  • The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #3 (Despite the title of this Rocketeer arc, Langridge and J Bone’s mini run has been nothing but fun!)
The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #3

The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #3

  • Sledgehammer 44 #2 (If it weren’t a two-and-done, probably would’ve passed.)
  • Secret Service #6 (Oh, yeah!  That’s what happened!)
  • Harbinger #11 (Consistently energetic and engaging.)
  • Archer & Armstrong #9 (Consistently smart and fun.)
Archer & Armstrong #9

Archer & Armstrong #9

  • Batman #19 (Increasingly arrogant and, unfortunately, forgettable.)
  • Mister X One-Shot (A Derekommendation from two weeks ago or so.  Looks very cool.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #4 (Has been spotty–same as All-New–but color me recruited.)
Uncanny X-Men #4

Uncanny X-Men #4

  • Batman and Red Robin #19 (Read it.  Another example of my being a whore for newsworthy books.  Now, if Carrie Kelley weren’t in it, I wouldn’t have bought it and I would’ve missed Frankenstein in a turn that left me in stitches–and him out of them!  Thank goodness for Frank Miller!)
  • Saga #12 (Read it, duh.  Come on, now, folks: if you’re stuck on the near-inconsequential in-your-face screen shots, you don’t deserve to read this book–this exercise in love and layers.)
  • Snow Angel One-Shot (Another Dark Horse one-shot recommended by Derek.  Was lucky my mistress had one left.)
  • Hawkeye #1 (I’m finally giving it a shot–after five printings!  Recommended by my mistress–my shop guy on the sly–so I can decide whether or not to grab the trade.  From what I’ve heard and read, I’m late to a helluva party.)
  • X #0 (Been happy with Swierczynski over on Bloodshot.  Figured it’s worth a shot.  Boy, that’s a lot of Dark Horse books.)
X #0

X #0

  • Sex #2 (First go-round wasn’t all that satisfying.  Rarely, however, will I give up after one issue.  We’ll see what this one does for me.)

She also said something else, but I wasn’t paying attention.

Too busy turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

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Shrinkage.

George Costanza feared it.  I embrace it.

Yank It!

  • Batman #19 (DC): Has been a pull-list stalwart since my ReStart.  Would hate to make it a comicday decision, but looks like we’re headed in that direction–especially if #19 was any indication of what’s to come.
  • Archer & Armstrong #9 (Valiant): Remains my palate cleanser.
  • Harbinger #11 (Valiant): Always a book to look forward to–more so now that we’re in the midst of Harbinger Wars.
Harbinger #11

Harbinger #11

Me Pluck!

  • Saga #12 (Image): There are no words to describe–  OK.  OK.  There are plenty of words.  Just read my latest Microviews if you don’t believe me.  Not only as good as it gets; quite possibly as good as it’s ever gotten.  UPDATE: Toss in a little controversy over the screening of some in-your-face oral storytelling and, come on, now you’ve got to grab it!
Saga #12

Saga #12

  • The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #3 (IDW): There’s nothing limited about this limited series.  It’s Hollywood magic.  Terrific stuff.
  • Sex #2 (Image): Felt kind of let down after the last time.  I’ve lowered my expectations accordingly and cautiously say, “Yes.”
  • Sledgehammer 44 (Dark Horse): I “open[ed] up my fruit cage” for the first one.  “Fruit [wasn’t] as sweet as can be,” but I’ll leave it open, nevertheless.  Kind of pointless to ditch a two-issue mini halfway through.
Sledgehammer 44 #2

Sledgehammer 44 #2

  • Uncanny X-Men #4 (Marvel): This is evidence of my faith in Bendis.  I know someone who thinks it’s the faith of a fool; and, believe me, I get it; but All-New is getting better; so you–yes, YOU–never know.  Take my four bucks, Mr. Comic Shop Man!  Let me willingly court regret!

I’ll Believe It When I See It

  • Secret Service #6 (Marvel): I think I remember #5.  I think I liked it.  I know I don’t give a crap about this.  Damn my curse.
Secret Service #6

Secret Service #6

Shrink!  Shrink!  Shrink!

Turning fewer pages,

Scott

Microviews: Playing Catch Up

07 Sunday Apr 2013

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I’m up to date with my reading.  Writing-wise, as you’re about to discover, I’m a bit behind; but I couldn’t let these books slip by without a word or two.

Saga #11: Opened it up and said, “Hello”–not like “Hello, hi, howya doin’?” but more like “Hell-oh!” in response to yet another remarkable salutation–a tantalizing and titillating page one–from Vaughn and Staples, one in which we find Marko and Alana coming together in a coital splash, followed by a delightfully daring debate that glows like an after-sex cigarette.  That scene is cleverly coupled with The Will’s wordless yet startlingly intimate retrieval of Lying Cat, made possible only by the bounty hunter’s discharging of a decidedly phallic device.  That bit of brilliant storytelling from the book’s creators is humbled, however, by the burden taken on by Barr, Marko’s father.  Be honest: have you ever believed a character more than you believed Barr when he tells Alana, “I’ll hold us together”?  You know that rare rush you get from an unexpected brush with beauty?  Yeah, got that–and more: I mean, have you ever hurt as much as when Barr passes on while peering into Hazel’s “peepers”?  Have you ever tasted as bittersweet a morsel as when Marko manages a magical father-son memory, one cleverly conveyed in two languages, including one we all understand: the language of love?  And for good measure, older Hazel’s commentary ties it all together with a gentle tug or two on our heartstrings–with a final line for the ages.  Truly inspiring work.

Saga #11

Saga #11

My?tery Society Special 2013: Frivolous fun!  Steve Niles and Andrew Ritchie bring together mystery and monsters and, in doing so, deliver the goods and the chivalrous evil, particularly in the form of the gentlemanly Dracula, who steals the show even as he not so surprisingly fails to show up in the book’s final gag: a vampire-free group photo.  Niles’ immaculate timing sells the decidedly dessicated humor, which helps to keep the confidently-wielded familiar–which reminds us of our favorite stories, be they bound to page or screen–as fresh as an undead daisy.  I welcomed the whiff of Frankenstein, “however brief it was”; see, I’ve been in a wicked state of withdrawal since the demise of the fantastic Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and since I dropped the disappointing JLD–so I’ll take what I can get!

My?tery Society

My?tery Society Special 2013

Five Ghosts #1: Overreaching and underwhelming.  Frank Barbiere throws a lot at us in this first issue of a five-issue mini.  He kicks things off well enough by introducing us to Fabian Gray, an Indiana Jones-type–almost necessarily kicking Nazi ass–blessed and cursed with an assortment of skills derived from five literary archetypes, not entirely unlike Captain Marvel, who too derives his powers from a pantheon of legendary figures.  This one-man League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has some “unfinished business” of a personal nature that he harps on, and then he eventually–after some more harping and an evil-spirited interlude or two–hops on a plane to Africa, where things don’t turn out so well for him–or for us, if I’m being honest.  Africa?  Really?  Already?  Sebastian says it best: “I’m guessing that means something bad.”  What’s not so bad about the book?  Chris Mooneyham’s art is, in and of itself, fine; however, he’s hamstrung a bit by Barbiere’s ridiculously fast pace; and, as a result, too often he’s unable to bring the requisite energy to the page.  Overall, looks like Barbiere is shooting for novel-level complexity to suit the allusions at the center of his concept.  Unfortunately, the result is a few frayed narrative threads.  Will I pick up #2?  I’m thinkin’ it’ll be a comicday decision.  At the rate I’m shedding books, odds are good this’ll sneak its way back into my bag.  And then if I’m two-deep into the series, you know I’ll run it out till the end.  (That’s my blessing-slash-curse.)  Here’s to hoping these two fellas find their groove–because at the core of this story is something I might like to get into.

Five Ghosts #1

Five Ghosts #1

Ultimate Spider Man #21: We kept asking for it and darned if we didn’t get it: a costume-free issue!  And a damn good one, too.  Bendis spares the spandex and spoils us with angst and honesty; he–like a genie granting wishes–serves up a teenage boy’s dream team-up: Miles, Ganke, Mary Jane, and Gwen Stacy.  Gotta love it and the possibilities.  Also gotta love the way Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor bring the fantasy to life.  The art is terrific throughout and terrifying when it needs to be.  Yeah, at the start of this arc, I thought Venom would be narrative poison; but I put my faith in Bendis, and it turns out that my faith was put well.  This is an intense issue.  It’s an exemplary issue.  It cements this title as one of Marvel’s best, and it’s another reason why I feel comfortable buying All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men despite my lingering doubts about those titles.  Bendis can be this good at any time–and I’d hate to miss it when it happens.

Ultimate Spider-Man #21

Ultimate Spider-Man #21

Turning pages,

Scott