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In Scott’s Bag (2/13)

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Ales Kot, Archer & Armstrong, Batman, Battlefields, Bedlam, Bloodshot, Brian Michael Bendis, Change, Chris Bachalo, Clone, David Schulner, DC Comics, Duane Swierczynski, Ed Brubaker, Emanuela Lupacchino, Fatale, Fred Van Lente, Fury Max, Fury: My War Gone By, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Greg Capullo, Image, Juan Jose Ryp, Ken Kristensen, M.K. Perker, Manuel Garcia, Marvel, Morgan Jeske, Nick Spencer, Riley Rossmo, Russ Braun, Scott Snyder, Sean Phillips, Secret Avengers, Sloane Leong, Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant

Big stack, little time.  Here’s the rushed rundown as drawn from the sacred sack:

  • Fury: My War Gone By #9 (Read half of it at the gas station while filling up.  Full service with a smile–on my face, anyway!  Headbutts and boots to the throat’ll do that.)
  • Archer & Armstrong #7 (My sherbet!  My lychee nut!  Bring on Batman!)
  • Bloodshot #8 (Looks like it’s loaded!  And, umm, it is weird that I seem to, umm, like Gamma, umm, well, as more than just a friend?  Sigh.  I wonder if she’ll be my Valentine.)
Bloodshot #8

Bloodshot #8

  • Battlefields: The Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova #4 (Yes, please!)
  • Fatale #12 (Don’t think it’s a stretch to say that it’s gonna be tough to knock it off its perch.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #1 (How can one go wrong with Bendis and Bachalo?  Yeah, I’m gonna keep telling myself that until I actually crack it open.)
  • Secret Avengers #1 (It’s no secret: my expectations are pretty darned low.  It’s just that I can’t imagine a world–or a non-reboot-reboot–without a monthly Avengers book.  But then there’s reality.  Sad, sad reality.)
Secret Avengers #1

Secret Avengers #1

  • Todd, the Ugliest Kid on Earth #2 (Yeah, I get the irony.  I hope that’s not all I get.  If it is, I probably won‘t get #3.)
  • Change #3 (A quick flip: an acid trip, a peyote paid vacation.  Glorious.  Can’t wait to marry words to the psychedelic imagery.)
  • Batman #17 (Don’t want to open it until I’m good and ready.  I’ve got Archer and Armstrong, just in case.)
  • Bedlam #4 (Last issue pissed me off.  This could be my jumping off point.)
  • Comedian #5 (Nothing to say.  I feel like I should apologize for buying it.)

So, that’s what was in my bag.  What was in yours?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s Up?

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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Brian Michael Bendis, Colder, comics, Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Horse, David Mack, David Marquez, David Mazzucchelli, DC, Ed Brubaker, Fatale, Frankenstein, Fury Max, Fury: My War Gone By, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Image, Jeff Lemire, Juan Ferreyra, Justice League Dark, Klaus Janson, Marvel, Mikel Janin, Paul Tobin, Sara Pichelli, Sean Phillips, Ultimate Spider-Man

To heck with the fancy shmancy ball: we all know that the new year doesn’t officially start until the books drop into our bags on Wednesday.  Here’s what I expect to find:

  • Colder #3 (Dark Horse): I’ve really enjoyed the first two issues–both the nimble storytelling by Paul Tobin and the crazy-good art by Juan Ferreyra.  Can’t wait to bust it out of the bag.
Colder #3 Cover

Colder #3 Cover

  • Justice League Dark #15 (DC): Jeff Lemire’s shining on the Dark.  And this arc sounds downright magical–illegally so!  Happy to know that Frankenstein has found a home, too, after his–our #6 title of 2012–was, sadly, shuttered.
  • Fatale #11 (Image): Our #5 title of 2012!  It’s showing no signs of slowing down, either.  Looks like Ed Brubaker’s going to share some secrets about Josephine.  I’m listening.
Fatale #11 Cover

Fatale #11 Cover

  • Daredevil: End of Days #4 (Marvel): It’s Daredevil, so I’m down–even if I’m not blown away by it.  I don’t think I’m too far off: the whole “Mapone” thing may be the least compelling mystery of the year.  Yet I buy, and I read.
  • Fury: My War Gone By #8 (Marvel): Our #9 title of 2012!  Garth Ennis is comicdom’s reigning war general; and he’s got two super soldiers primed to punish the Viet Cong.  Can’t go wrong.
  • Ultimate Spider-Man #19 (Marvel): After a long, hard slog through the United We Stand storyline, #18 finds Brian Michael Bendis finally returning to what makes this title swing: Miles sans mask.  (My favorite panel–wonderfully wordless–only works because we can see his face.) While I’m excited that #19 promises the return of the terrific Sarah Pichelli, I’m not exactly thrilled that it also threatens a potentially poisonous villain: the one-note Venom.  We’ll see what happens.

That ought to do it.  However…

Like most of you, I’ve read quite a few Top Ten Comics of 2012 lists over the last few days.  Now, thanks to my comrades-in-comics, I’ve got a lot of other bag-worthy books to consider.  Looks like I’ll be rackin’ it on Wednesday.

Let me know if there’s something I shouldn’t pass up.

Turning pages,

Scott

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The Top Ten Comics of 2012

29 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by dmainhart in 5 Comics You Should Be Reading

≈ 21 Comments

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Adventure Time, Al Ewing, Alberto Ponticelli, Animal Man, Archer & Armstrong, Battlefields: The Green Fields Beyond, Bloodshot, Braden Lamb, Brendan McCarthy, Brian K. Vaughn, China Mieville, Chris Samnee, Daredevil, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Dial H, Ed Brubaker, Fantagraphics, Fatale, Fiona Staples, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Fury Max, Fury: My War Gone By, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Harbinger, IDW, Image Comics, James Robinson, Jeff Lemire, kaboom!, Marco Rudy, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mateus Santoluoco, Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT, Nick Fury, Oni, Popeye, Rachel Rising, Ryan North, Saga, Scott Snyder, Sean Phillips, Severed, Shelli Paroline, Snarked, Steve Pugh, Stumptown: The Case of the Baby in the Velvet Case, Swamp Thing, Tales Designed to Thrizzle, Terry Moore, The Shade, The Zaucer of Zilk, Travel Foreman, Valiant, Winter Soldier, Wonder Woman, Yanick Paquette

Welcome to the 27th Annual Edition of the Top Ten Comics of the Year! What began as two educators blogging in obscurity about their love affair with comics, has grown to become the most highly-anticipated event of the year amongst trend-setters, industry-watchers and that most idolized of velvet rope celebrities, the comic book creator. Why it seems like just yesterday that a little book called Sandman made the list (No. 7, 1991) giving birth to a worldwide phenomenon (we just received our yearly gift of one dozen black roses and homemade crumpets from Neil in eternal gratitude).

A note to the naysayers who complain about end-of-year lists: comics and numbers go hand-in-hand like old movies and cigarettes. If you say the number 27, what serious comics fan wouldn’t think Detective? Or 252, Spidey’s black costume? Why do round-numbered “anniversary” issues always sell higher? From what dark recesses of the mind  doth spring the obsession for a new Number 1 (as this past year surely demonstrates)? Fighting it is like the Kingpin fighting his urge for a donut: counter-intuitive and pointless. So to the list-cynics I say: go make a Top Ten List of your Least Favorite Top Ten Lists and be done with it. You’ll feel better.

The rules: As always, 80% (or 8) of our choices are books that Scott and Derek both read. We each get one alternate to round out the list (see if you can guess which ones these are! Correct answers will get a prize!). For limited series, the lion’s share of the story had to have seen print this year to be eligible (for instance, although Severed finished in 2012, most of the story was published in 2011. Similarly, Garth Ennis’ latest run on Battlefields, which tend to run in nine-issue installments, is only two issues in – and is already a strong contender for next year’s list). There are also no graphic novels on the list. There is no shortage of exciting work being done in a longer format, but this list, like the website itself, is dedicated to those wonderful monthly, folded-and-stapled periodicals which compel us to make our weekly Wednesday trek to the local comic book store for fear of missing something. (Having said that, congrats to Chris Ware on the inclusion of Building Stories on the NY Times own list of Top Ten Books of the Year. Check it out. It is a piece of work.)

What unites most of the books on the list I think, is an expansive approach to storytelling; a willful cherry-picking of literary devices from various genres, gleefully mashing them up against each other and seeing what happens. The playfulness in the examples below is infectious but not inchoate; they are produced by masters of their craft. Each creator involved has hit some kind of stride in the past year. Each comic is a breath of fresh air in our four-colored medium. We are the lucky recipients.

We here at Images and Nerds, of course, welcome debate (as long as you realize the futility of it, as all results are final, having been engraved in a cave wall for posterity.)

Without further eloquence, here’s our Top Ten:

ST_Cv0_ds10. Animal Man/Swamp Thing (DC) – OK, so this is our sneaky way of cramming eleven titles into our top ten list, but these two books really need to be considered as one. The amount of planning and coordination done by respective writers Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder could serve as a template for the proper way to do that most fraught of endeavors: the crossover. These two clearly share a vision and it’s been thrilling to watch two creators at the top of their game working in such organic concert. Though the story has bogged down somewhat now that we’re in the middle of the epic proper, it’s been one of the surprising delights of the past year to watch their little corner of the DCU grow into its most compelling destination. (DM)

9. Fury: Myfury max War Gone By (Marvel) – I hope you didn’t let your year go by without your grabbing Garth Ennis’s take on Marvel’s eternal warrior, Nick Fury, the only cyclops worth a good Goddamn in the Marvel Universe, anymore, be it NOW! or MAX or whatever.  Fury’s certainly the star here as he boozily–and honestly–reflects upon some of the secret missions he undertook after WW II to ostensibly make a difference in a dangerous world.  But this title is more so everything we love about Ennis: perfectly composed conversations amongst expertly crafted characters (like the deliciously deep Shirley Defabio and the larger-than-life–and classic Ennis creation–Sergent Chef Steinhoff), all before a backdrop of war, with stops in Indochina, Cuba, and Vietnam, where the book will continue–at a punishing pace–in 2013.  But if Fury’s too hero for you, check out Ennis’s latest Battlefields saga, Battlefields: The Green Fields Beyond; it’s through two–a Top Ten worthy two–of six.  Either way, you can’t go wrong; in this guy’s hands, war is heaven. (SC)

shade8. The Shade (DC) – Once upon a time their was a writer of enormous range and nuance; one who easily blended genres and had an uncanny ability to capture the untidy, individual voices of each of his many characters in service of stories both grand and intimate. His name was James Robinson and the exemplar of his craft was a series called Starman. Now in the years since the end of that remarkable book, there has been a writer named James Robinson working on various super-hero books, but the quality of them has been so wildly inconsistent and lacking in authorial voice that it can scarcely seem possible that it is the same writer. Interesting then, that it took a return to the Starman universe to bring about a return to form. In The Shade, Robinson returns to his most compelling creation; a character both physically and morally in the shadows, one whose dandyish affectations and droll, Oscar Wilde-inflected narration serve as perfect counterpoint to the pulpy theatrics of a host of skillfully handled genres and subgenres. Welcome back Mr. Robinson. Stay awhile, please do. (DM)

dd127. Daredevil (Marvel) – Even a blind person who hasn’t had his other senses enhanced by exposure to radioactive material could see that this title has been Marvel’s best for over a year now.  Aside from the seemingly endless Omega Drive arc, which was a series of wrong turns–including a pointless crossover with Spider-Man and The Punisher–with a few delectable diversions dribbled in, specifically issue #12, Daredevil has been the model book in terms of how to marry mirth and mystery.  Mark Waid, Chris Samnee, and Javier Rodriguez had Daredevil dance with Doom for a couple of sensational issues and then created something strange and beautiful with the Coyote storyline, one that had me, at times, wondering if it were headed anywhere–and, in the end, boy, was it!  Damn my dubiousness!  There are a few creators worth our blind trust and our limitless patience, and Waid is without a doubt one of them.  (Speaking of, have you noticed the tone Waid’s establishing over on Indestructible Hulk?)  Similarly, there are many heroes whom we hold dear, but none as dearly as The Man Without Fear. (SC)

FRSH_Cv06. Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (DC)  – What could easily have been a Hellboy rip-off instead turns out to be an exuberant melange of Universal Monsters from the 1930s and James Bond tropes turned on their head. Jeff Lemire (see #10) got the ball rolling (along with Alberto Ponticelli, whose pitch-perfect art will be missed when he leaves shortly – see #1) with a commitment to unrelenting, over-the-top action. The extraordinary Matt Kindt (see #3) continued the run by focusing on Frankenstein’s tragic history, without sacrificing a whit absurdity or epic carnage. If anything the hint of pathos serves to ground the general giant-monster frenzy, making the book even stronger.  Another oddball (and alas, soon to be late and lamented) winner from DC. (DM)

Fatale-Cover-Image-Comics5. Fatale (Image) – Sure, Ed Brubaker seemed to give up on Captain America in an uninspired final run; and he ran a minimalist route as he turned Winter Soldier into a must-read–and, unexpectedly, a top Marvel book for 2012.  It’s clear, however, where he was focusing his energies: Fatale is Mr. Brubaker at his brutal best.  If you have enjoyed his iconic work with the spectacular Sean Phillips on such titles as Criminal and Incognito, then you’ve most assuredly found Fatale to die for.  A dangerous dame, herself in danger; a fistful of dupes, their freewill twisted as if by magic; some crooked cops and crazy cultists; buckets of blood and nightmarish monsters: all of it comes together to set a terrifying tone and to mold and unfold a complex and compelling mystery–one that insists upon your complete attention.  And how about Phillips’ covers?  Stunning.  Yes, indeed, this is a book that stands out from the rest–in more ways than one. (SC)

ZaucerofZilk_Image4. The Zaucer of Zilk (IDW)  – Brendan McCarthy and Al Ewing’s mini-masterpiece is also perhaps the hardest book on the list to define. Carrollian fantasy, 1960’s psychedelia, and high-flying adventure crash together in a two-issue candy-colored phantasmagoria of a tale. The all-too-brief narrative packs in a lot of story but never feels weighed down by its creators everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach. Indeed the sheer scope of imagination on display – conceptually, thematically, incidentally even –  breathes such voluminous life into the thing that it threatens to take flight right out of your hands and soar into the ether. It would take most comics years to build a universe as enthralling as this. I, for one, am hoping for a return trip. (DM)

190133. Mind MGMT (Dark Horse) – This is one sexy book.  Matt Kindt–a creator on the cusp of greatness–is doing what he’s so very good at here: telling a taut tale at a brisk pace, one supported by humble yet gorgeous artwork, with colors you just want to drown in.  Go ahead: open any issue to any page; I guarantee you’ll gasp for air–and it’ll feel exhilarating.  I love the concept: Mind MGMT is like the Bush-era Office of Strategic Influence on steroids.  The execution is flawless: the story starts with a startling scene of murderous rage, which, teasingly lacks motive and context, and then segues into a cloudy memory of Amnesia Flight 815, which, in turn, sets the stage for Meru, who sees her next bestseller in the mid-air mystery.  But it’s all just foreplay, friends.  Once Meru meets Henry Lyme, the narrative explodes with the latter’s back story, which is awe-inspiring in its inventiveness and hellishly heart-wrenching, especially as we learn how the rogue operative had a hand–or, more accurately, a mind–in the opening sequence of ultraviolence.  Simply masterful.  The extras are fun, too, especially the bonus stories, which help to build this brilliantly intricate new mythology of men and women who are dangerously and desperately more than their fellow man.  Through seven issues of Mind MGMT and with his fantastic work on Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Kindt’s proving that he’s more, too–that he’s undoubtedly fit to comfortably sit in the pantheon of present day comic book gods. (SC)

saga-12. Saga (Image) – Combine Star Wars with Romeo and Juliet. Douglas Adams with Meet the Parents. Heavy Metal with The Wonder Years. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are pushing against all kinds of boundaries here in a comic that truly has the air of limitless possibility about it. They are also unafraid of testing the preconceptions of their own readership (not to mention their intestinal fortitude – I personally can’t wait for Fard the Ogre’s 2012 Pin-Up Calendar, in all its scrotal glory). But for all this, in the end their story is about one family’s struggle to survive. In this day and age, what could be more resonant? (DM)

DIALH_Cv41. Dial H (DC) – Who knew that it’d take a “Second Wave” to shore up our faith in The New 52?  Well, it did: and said wave, which rolled in during low tide–with even lower expectations–deposited this unexpected treasure from novelist China Mieville and artist extraordinaire Mateus Santolouco at our feet; but once in hand, it was clear: this weird and wonderful story of a regular schmoe who dials up heroes from different worlds is a tsunami of creative vision.  Sure, the first few issues are tough to follow, but it’s in a manner reminiscent of the best of Grant Morrison, where perplexity percolates into something akin to pleasure.  And there’s plenty of pleasure to be had here, especially in the surprises born of Nelson’s turning the dial: there’s the unforgettable first, Boy Chimney, conjured in a stunning sequence of soot and smoke by Santolouco; and there’s the brilliantly satirical Chief Mighty Arrow, depicted bravely by guest artist David Lapham in an issue that just missed being named our Best Single Issue of the Year.  No hero, however, was as inspirational as Rescue Jack: with the dial down, Nelson finds the hero within and saves the day–if only for a moment.  Looking forward, 2013 promises an exciting turn: former Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. artist Alberto Ponticelli has been tapped to take on the challenge of bringing the magic of Mieville’s mind to the page.  We know he’s up for it.  Let’s hope that the readership is, too.  While Dial H has survived the Fourth Wave–sadly, the same can’t be said of Frankenstein–who knows which books the inevitable Fifth and Sixth Waves will wrest from our hands.  So, we say, with the volume dial cranked to 11: buy this book! (SC)

Derek’s Honorable Mentions:

5. Wonder Woman (DC) 4. Snarked! (kaboom!) 3. Stumptown: The Case of the Baby in the Velvet Case (Oni) 2. Popeye (IDW) 1. Tales Designed to Thrizzle (Fantagraphics)

Scott’s Honorable Mentions:

5. Winter Soldier (Marvel) 4. Wonder Woman (DC) 3. Harbinger (Valiant) 2. Archer & Armstrong (Valiant) 1. Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)

Best Single Issue of the Year: Adventure Time #10 (kaboom!) – “Choose Your Own Adventure Time!” by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb. This 15 page story is: An entertaining juggling act of any number playful narratives. A nostalgic, tongue-in-cheek callback for Gen Xer’s and one of their quaint, decidedly analog forms of interactive experience. A meditation on the control we have over our lives (or lack thereof) invoking the Free-Will vs. Determinism debate. A formalistic tour de force where story and design combine seamlessly in an innovative fashion that seems to expand the very  possibilities of the comic book medium. A children’s book with fart jokes. You choose.

Publisher of the Year: This is easy. With four out of the top ten spots (including No.1) it’s gotta be DC right? Wrong. If the first full year of the New 52 relaunch was able to till some fertile ground where the above books were allowed to grow, we are grateful. But each of these books are outliers in the DCU (or in the case of Animal Man/Swamp Thing, at least started as such). Much of their appeal lies in how they’re straining against and redefining the very super-hero mold that they are a part of. Because that of course was the focus of the New 52: superheroes. Retrenching, dusting off the icons and giving them a makeover for the 21st century. In 2012 however, that seems a backward-looking editorial mandate. Artistically, comics as a medium have long since proved capable of encompassing any genre or subject under the sun (or behind it. or beyond it.)  But what our medium still suffers from (and this is why the general public remains unconvinced about the viability of comics as a legitimate entertainment source) is a lack of the sheer amount and variety of product that you see in other formats (TV, movies, books, etc). Like it or not, when most people think comic books, they still think superheroes. Well the company doing the most change that, to fill the void on a week-by-week basis is: Image Comics (knew I’d get there eventually, right?) Go ahead, check out their catalog on any given week: crime, sci-fi, espionage, historical fiction, horror, comedy (and yes, some capes too). And all creator-owned. Are they all hits? Of course not. But Image is doing more than any publisher to create a culture that cultivates young talent while also attracting established creators, united by this one overarching philosophy: create any damn comic you can think of. Smells like the future–or at least 2013.

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

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Back and Forth: One Sided

16 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by ScottNerd in Back and Forth, Microviews

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Action Comics, Animal Man, Brian Azzarello, Colder, Comedian, Dark Horse, Fury Max, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Grant Morrison, Jack Reacher, Jeff Lemire, Juan Ferreyra, Marco Rudy, Paul Tobin, Rags Morales, Scott Snyder, Steve Pugh, Superman, Swamp Thing, The Hobbit

Scott Carney: Not gonna lie, Derek: the last couple of weeks haven’t really blown me away.  In fact, they’ve left me pretty cold.

Derek Mainhart: Dude, it’s the weather.  It’s December.

SC: I know it’s December, wise ass.  The fact that it’s December has just made it friggin’ colder.

DM: No, that’s Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra.  They made it–colder, I mean.  Colder #2.  Remember?  You were actually looking forward to it.

SC: So this is how it’s gonna be?

DM: Yup.

SC: Fantastic.

DM: What’s the matter with you?

SC: Nothing. Why?

DM: ‘Cause your face is all red.

SC: F you.

DM: FF you.

SC: Nah.  I can’t do this.  I’m outta here.  Gonna watch some TV or do something less productive.

DM: So you can rot your brain?

SC: You’re not funny.

DM: Oh, and you’re some sort of furious comedian?  There are a lot of books worth talking about, man.  Just accept it.  I’ll even get the action started if you want.

SC: What I’d like you to do is dial it down a bit.  I’ll–damn it.

DM: I knew you had it in you.

Colder #2 Cover
—Colder #2 Cover

SC: Yeah, so, why don’t I just get to it, then.  I really liked Colder #2. It took me a while to find it, but it was certainly worth the effort.  Ferreyra’s art is absolutely gorgeous.  Did you notice how the characters wore the shadows from the leaves as they were walking beneath the trees?  What attention to detail!  And it complements Tobin’s creepy-ass story so very well–whether it’s the precipitous present or the fiery return to the institution or the wickedly-rendered Hungry World; it’s all so good.  Hell, I’m certainly hungry for more!

DM: What else you got?

SC: Well, how about FF #1?  I know you like Mike Allred’s work a lot; but I’ve had trouble getting into it.  His guest turns on DD and on Wolverine and the X-Men weren’t my favorite.  But there was something about the way he conveys his characters that meant something to me.  Something I couldn’t quite grasp.  Something very distant.  Too distant.

DM: This is getting really heavy all of a sudden.

SC: And wouldn’t you know, I couldn’t tell what it was until this book–until his stunning take on She-Hulk.  You know what it is?  His style–his very distinct style–reminds me of Colorforms.  Boy, did I love Colorforms.  So, it makes sense I’d dig Allred.  His work is super solid here, especially as it carries Matt Fraction’s father-to-father tete-a-tete and the silly recruitment of the “new” Fantastic Four, which will stand in place of the family Fantastic for all of four minutes.  Four minutes?  I’m sure.  And I’ve probably mentioned it before: I’m not a big fan of Fraction.  In fact, I’ve probably liked about half of what I’ve read of his.  But I like how he’s set this up.  I particularly enjoyed the photo booth-like strips of the kids’ teaching Ant-Man about the foundation, which comes into context on the last page.

DM: I smell a segue here.

SC: Boy, it’s like you know exactly where I’m headed.

DM: You can can say that.  Back to it.

SC:  OK.  Well, both Swamp Thing #15 and Animal Man #15 play up the power of the final page turn with semi-surprise endings.  I won’t give them away–

DM: Wow.  When have you ever missed an opportunity to spoil an ending for an unsuspecting reader?

SC: I don’t know what to tell you.  I’m feeling stingy.  Must be the holidays.  Anyway, if I may?  I won’t give them away, but, tell me, would it really matter if I did?  This Rotworld storyline, while relatively well done, especially for a crossover, is essentially a possible future, right?  In that, I’m left wondering, does it count?  Kinda like with Spider-Men, you know?  But then I’m like, does it really matter if it counts?  Does it matter if it doesn’t?  A dumb debate, I know.  Pushing that aside, it’s worth noting that it’s clear that Snyder and Lemire are, quite literally, on the same page here: they’ve created almost perfectly parallel experiences that don’t suffer for the similarities.  In that, I feel like they’re doing something special.  This time around, Lemire’s side of the story stands out, especially with Lemire’s bringing his former charge, Frankenstein, into the fray.  Don’t get me wrong: Snyder definitely doesn’t disappoint.  I like how he’s teasing us with the probably-not-dead Abby Arcane narrative.  However, I wasn’t as impressed with his use of William this time around.  In fact, Lemire used the tricky little bastard to greater effect over on AM.  Oh, and I can’t forget: Marco Rudy’s layouts are pretty stellar.   What a ride, right?  Until, of course, the final page–a clean splash where–

DM: Hey!  I thought you weren’t going to spoil the, what did you call it, “semi-surprise.”

SC: Oh, all right.  Maybe I’ll just mention that Fury Max #7 was terrific.  I love the layers Ennis builds into this issue; it feels like a mini-series in and of itself!  And wouldn’t you know, Comedian #4 came out on the same day.

DM: Yes, it did.

SC: Yeah, unfortunately: for me and for it.  Azzarello’s take on Blake couldn’t chew Fury’s cigar.  Ms. Defabio, on the other hand…

DM: Va-va-voom!

SC: I’d like to see Defabio Max. But that’s another story entirely.  Another story worth noting, by the way: Grant Morrison’s fresh take on Mr. Mxyzptlk in Action Comics #15.  Page after page of space/time wackiness!  Here’s Morrison proving that he sees and writes in more dimensions than anyone else.  As always, I’m left thinking, What the hell is going on here? and That’s so, so good! at the same time.  But what I did understand–and love–is the idea of “taking revenge on [Superman’s] whole life at once–”  How ridiculously great is that?  What a way for Morrison to make his way!  Gosh, I’m gonna miss him.

DM: Of course you will.  But you won’t have to miss him for too long: Multiversity is right around the corner.

SC: Yeah, I guess.

DM: Hey, now!  Why not move on to something that definitely made you happy–and I’m not talking about Morrison’s Image mini.

SC: Dial H #7?  That made me happy.

Dial H #7 Cover

Dial H #7 Cover

DM: See!  I knew it.  Go on.

SC: It’s non-stop wacky fun!  I love that Nelson and Roxie are sharing the single dial and the fact that Nelson’s “losing track” of who has turned into whom.  Mieville’s been developing the danger of the dial for a while; it’s a brilliant angle, really.  Oh, and can I get an “Amen!” for the creator of this peerless comic’s conjuring the cult of the dial and his clever turn in having the “Angel of the Dial” turn out to be a “super-woodlouse who talks like a 3-year-old”?

DM: Amen!

SC: You’re a good friend.

DM: Yes, I am.

SC: Well, friend, Mieville doesn’t stop there!

DM: Testify!

SC: Sure, his heroes are typically of the hit-and-run variety.  But you know one idea that definitely has legs?  The Centipede.  Love David Lapham’s final splash, by the way.  In fact, he’s done a fine job since taking over the duties from Mateus Santoloucco.  I’d go as far to say that the storytelling is sharper as a result of his more straighforward style.  Speaking of splashes: my favorite sequence in the book is when Manteau becomes The Planktonian and encounters an “old nemesis.”  So, so good–especially when the “multitude” takes the form of a humanoid and shouts, “And you will sing no more!”  It’s a memorable moment: like Gandolf’s commanding, “You shall not pass!”  Epic.

DM: Sounds like someone’s looking forward to The Hobbit?

SC: Not as much as I’m looking forward to Jack Reacher.

DM: Really?

SC: No.

Turning pages,

Scott & Derek

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In Scott’s Bag (12/5)

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

≈ Leave a comment

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Action Comics, Adventure Time, Amazing Spider-Man, Animal Man, Bill Sienkiewicz, Brian Azzarello, Brian Michael Bendis, China Mieville, Colder, Comedian, Dan Slott, Daniel Way, Daredevil: End of Days, David Lapham, David Mack, Dial H, Elektra, Frank Castle, Fury Max, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Grant Morrison, Humberto Ramos, Jeff Lemire, Juan Ferreyra, Klaus Janson, Marco Rudy, Paul Tobin, Rags Morales, Scott Snyder, Steve Dillon, Steve Pugh, Swamp Thing, Thunderbolts

I’m proud of myself.  So very, very proud of myself–mainly for what I didn’t leave with.  That, of course, doesn’t mean I got all of the books I wanted.  Here’s the super skinny:

The Gift of Bag

  • Action Comics #15
  • Animal Man #15
  • Dial H #7 (Looks like Lapham’s still on art duties.  Nothing wrong with that–especially after last month’s home run.  I thumbed through it and found some serious smile material.  Oh, Mr. Mieville, what pray-tell are you on?)
  • Swamp Thing #15 (Marco Rudy’s layouts look crazy!  I wonder how well they carry the story.)
  • Comedian #4 (Ugh.  Looks like it survived the pull list purge.  There’s a $4 oops.)
  • Fury Max #7 (Ennis shows ’em–including Azzarello on Comedian–how it’s done.)

Counterpicking

  • Daredevil: End of Days #3 (Worth the purch–if only for the spread across pages 2-3.  I’m such a slut for Elektra.)
  • Thunderbolts #1 (See previous comment.  Plus, I told Derek I’d probably buy it if, while thumbing through, I came to find Elektra stabbing someone in the face with her sai.  How about in the back of the head and out the forehead?  How about–on the same page as the aforementioned skewering–through one temple and out the other?  Close enough!)

Shelf Love

  • Adventure Time #10 (Derek really liked it, and, fortunately, my guy still had a copy sittin’ on the shelf.  Looks like a lot of fun.)
Adventure Time #10 Cover B

Adventure Time #10 Cover B

I missed Amazing Spider-Man #699 (sold out–already!), Colder #2 (none ordered for the shelf), and Secret Service #6 (possible non-ship?).  You know what that means: Fourth World here I come!  (It’s becoming a weekly thing.  Yikes!)

Oh, yeah: I passed on Avengers #1 and All-New X-Men #3.  Go me!

What did you get in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott

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Back and Forth: Laborious Bastards

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by ScottNerd in Back and Forth, Microviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Battlefields: Dear Billy, Battlefields: The Green Fields Beyond, Bob Burden, BOOM!, Caleb Monroe, Clerks, comics, Darick Robertson, Doop, Dynamite Entertainment, Fantasia, Flaming Carrot, Fury Max, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Grant Morrison, Happy, IDW, Jason Aaron, Jeff Lemire, Joe the Barbarian, John Constantine, John Layman, John McCrea, Justice League Dark, Kickstarter, Lee Garbett, Mark Waid, Mars Attacks, Mike Allred, Neil Gaiman, Peter Milligan, Roger Rabbit, Steed and Mrs. Peel, Tex Avery, The New 52, Vertigo, Will Sliney, Wolverine and the X-Men, X-Force, X-Statix, Zatanna

Scott Carney: Looks like I’ve finally hit the wall.  Or the bag.  Or something.  I’m staring at the stack for the week (all used, one abused) and I’m struggling–struggling because not a single comic struck me enough to make me bleed words.  So let me cut myself…

Derek Mainhart: I feel your pain. I was really excited about this week’s books. Two Grant Morrison books? Lots o’ Allred art? Sign me up! And yet I’m similarly uninspired. I guess we need to start with the book that seemed to have the most potential to make me Happy….

SC: Maybe an allusion to Clerks will make you happy: Seventy-two?  Seventy-two?  Grant Morrison used the f-word or some form of the f-word seventy-two times!

DM: In a row?

SC: Well done.  Can you believe it, though?  That’s how many times an f-word flies off the pages of his effusively offensive, belatedly offbeat, and finally fun Happy #1.  From the first c-word, Morrison, a true super scribe–and pen-point sniper–in his own write, makes it clear that he’s happy to be writing a book for Image and that he’s, sadly, no Garth Ennis when it comes to four-wheelin’ it with four-letter words.  As a result, I really had no use for this book–this is until Happy the Horse reveals who he is and why he needs Sax, our prostrate protagonist.  That bit hooked me hard.  That’s right: I’m going to accept the fact that the explicit language is meant to exaggerate the dour song of experience of the X-rated adult world and to set up the bizarre yet greatly appreciated arrival of an–as far as we know–innocent child’s hyperbolically-cartoonish imaginary friend.  So, despite my initial doubt, I’m going to ride the crazy premise of a loyal My Little Pegasus and its looking to swoop in and save the day with a soiled sidekick; I’m going to trust in Morrison and am going to grab #2.

DM: Yeah, I had a similar reaction. Those first few pages read like a bad impression of Ennis (a true impresario of invective – see below). But I guess that’s the point: Morrison’s satirizing gritty, foulmouthed, hyper-violent crime stories. One of the goombahs even says “We can do this without all the (effin) language.” But the problem is that, in satirizing the dreary, grim and gritty milieu of many a mediocre comic (and movie for that matter), he has created a story that is, in fact, all of those things. Darick Robertson really sells the contrast well; he renders a world that is positively grimy to heighten his rendition of Happy, who looks like a Fantasia character designed by Tex Avery. Unfortunately, that stark visual contrast isn’t matched by the story. In order for the satire to really work, Happy needs to be utterly guileless, standing in counterpoint to the cynical drudgery that surrounds him (think Roger Rabbit). But Happy only looks ridiculous. He’s as wise to the sleaze as anyone; more so, in fact as he informs Nick of his own predicament, “You’re in a mob hospital, they took your weapons, sedated you and now they’ve sent a torture squad to screw some kinda password out of you.” So, no, I’m not buying into the whole hilarity of the situation. Even the conceit (protagonist-goes-on-quest-with-imaginary-friend-or-are-they..?) is something Morrison recently explored in the far superior (thus far) Joe the Barbarian. Sigh. Like you said, it’s Morrison. I’ll always give him the benefit of a doubt (and my 3 bucks for #2).

SC: While Morrison’s f-bombs seemed awkwardly wired, Ennis’s are timed to go off at just the right moment in Fury Max #6.  But that’s just Ennis playing to his–and the “one-eyed [a-hole’s]”–strength.  The expected explosion of expletives isn’t the only reason why this book wears its warning like a Medal of Honor, however; Goran Parlov goes for the gore with a crushing depiction of a head in a vise and with Fury’s straight-out-of-the-headlines mouthful of face.  (I can hear the creators cackling during the process of putting this scene together: “Yes, I’ll have el Cubano, please.”)  And how about poor Elgen?  This brave soul–this patriot–takes a knife to the nether regions, is tossed to the sharks, loses a couple of limbs, and welcomes a benevolent bullet from the coldly caring colonel.  It’s clear: War is hell; and Fury and Heatherly are left to sail the Styx together.  Overall, this issue carries a terrific and oft terrifying tune–though, and I think I’m being fair, this time, the Shirley Defabio scenes don’t necessarily reach the height of perfect harmony.  Hey, it’s gonna happen.  You know what shouldn’t happen?  I’ll tell you what shouldn’t happen: the biggest flaw I found stands defiantly on the last page–the very last page–of the book: #7 comes out on 12/5?  Really?  Really?  Bastards.

DM: Nobody writes war comics better the Ennis. Military history is obviously a passion of his and he captures it in all its awful glory. His Battlefields series from Dynamite is even better than this one. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment, Battlefields: The Green Fields Beyond, due out in November. If you like Fury, you could do worse than picking up a trade. They’re standalone stories and are a great display of Ennis’ true range (Dear Billy being my personal fave).  Don’t be a bastard. Check it out.

SC: Hmm.  Guess I’ll have to check that out.  Speaking of bastards: I love Jeff Lemire’s take on John Constantine.  (I love Lee Garbett’s take on Zatanna, as well; “Raeppa,” indeed.)  In Justice League Dark #0, the hellblazing S.O.B. is shown to be an insatiable magic whore with a heart–a heart probably plagued with plaque from all the cigarettes he sucks down over the course of the issue.  (Hmm.  I wonder if Zatanna could help him with that with a simple, “Euqalp eb enog!”  That little witch is a keeper, son!)  Story-wise, the book is split in two: there’s the well-developed and snappy slow burn of the first part, which ends with Nick Necro’s fully transparent flytrap of a phone call; and then there’s the rest, which lacks any heat at all, thanks, in part, to the aptly named Cold Flame.  But it’s OK; it’s all good: the darn thing’s a one and done; and next month, we get back down to business with “The War for the Books of Magic.”  Can’t wait for that.  Wait.  Why wait?  Why not try—this: “Htnom ylf yb!”

DM: I gotta disagree with you here. Constantine is a very singular sort of scoundrel. Ambivalent to the point of maddening. Distinct Liverpool accent. Deadpan, world-weary sarcasm. It’s not every writer that can nail the trenchant rhythms of his speech, or his enigmatically contrarian attitude. And, sadly, Lemire is not up to the task (though I commend him for not resorting to using “bollocks” every two panels). His rendition of Constantine has been serviceable within the team format of this book. But in a solo tale like this one, his flawed grasp of the character becomes glaring. A trench coat and a cigarette do not a bastard make. Yes, I realize this is the New 52 version of the character.  A good thing too. The Vertigo version would eat this guy alive.

SC: Something for Garth Ennis to explore in a new series: Constantine Max.

DM: I’m already looking forward to it!  But–and here’s another one you may not have picked up–a book that has no problem capturing the idiom of its lead characters is Steed and Mrs. Peel #1 (published by BOOM!). What is odd, initially confusing, and finally intriguing about the story (Caleb Monroe’s script working from Mark Waid’s plot with art by Will Sliney), is that it immediately takes those two beloved leads completely out of their comfort zone. A post-apocalyptic London, complete with irradiated mutant zombies? Hardly what we’d expect for our avatars of the swingin’ sixties. Indeed, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop (you know, hallucination, elaborate hoax, etc.), but apparently Waid and Monroe are sticking to their guns. Here (unlike in Happy) the study in contrasts works: no matter the mind-numbing horror they now face, our heroes imperturbably maintain their stiff upper lip and all that. End of the world? No excuse to lose one’s cool. Good show! (Sorry. I’ll stop.)

Another book making gleeful fun out out of the annihilation of mankind is Mars Attacks #4 (IDW). I do think writer John Layman makes a mistake in portraying the Martians as slightly  sympathetic. Still, each issue has been a scorched earth snapshot of the havoc those bloodthirsty, brain-exposed bastards are wreaking, rendered in equal parts comedy and gore by the always engaging John McCrea. The disparate snapshots seem to be coming together at the end of this issue. Not sure how I feel about that. But ancient Aztecs? Giant fleas? Buzzsaws to the noggin? High-octane hilarity.

But even that doesn’t come close to the near-sublime, spasmodic absurdity that is…Wolverine and the X-Men #17. Yes. That’s right. Wolverine and the X-Men. I’ve steered clear of the X-books for quite a while now. Their convoluted, insular story lines have rendered them seemingly impenetrable. But Mike Allred and Doop reunited for the first time since their glorious run on X-Force and X-Statix (written by Peter Milligan)? It was the kind of gift I didn’t realize I wanted until I saw it. Any reservations I may have had about deciphering labyrinthine layers of X-history were quickly dispelled on page 3 with the merciful announcement: “Previously – Lots of things happened, but don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Enjoy.” Reassured, I sat back, relaxed and did enjoy a true MIKE ALLRED COMIC. Certain writers, (Neil Gaiman, the previously mentioned Morrison and Ennis) seem to bring out the best in the artists they work with. Well Allred is one of the few artists who does that with writers. It’s as if they realize they need to up their game, channel their inner anarchist, and let it fly. And happily Jason Aaron (never a timid writer) is up for the challenge. The set-up: Wolverine hires Doop to protect the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning (which I guess is what it’s called now) from the myriad threats lurking, well, everywhere. His haphazard duties include, but are not limited to: ambushing a bowling league, seducing various members of a school board, and teaming up for an interdimensional adventure with the most unanticipatedly awesome guest star of the year, whose identity I won’t ruin. (Suffice it to say, my inner-geek had a heart attack.) Doop – truly an intrepid hero of the people. Really, the book this most resembles in its wondrous lunacy is Bob Burden’s legendary Flaming Carrot (check out his recently successful Kickstarter campaign for happy news on that front – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/592668574/flaming-carrot-hardback-and-digital-comics). And that is rarefied air indeed. And so, at the end, I was left in a Doop-shaped pickle; was I wrong about my X-aversion? Did I need to start picking up this book? And then I turned to the Next Issue box featuring a Phoenix-enflamed Cyclops tie-in to the monstrosity that is AvX. Thus I find myself in the unique position of declaring: Book of the Week. I have no intention of picking up the next issue.

Wolverine and the X-Men #17 Cover

SC: I wouldn’t pick it up if I were you.  Thing is, I’m not; so, I’ll be picking it up as a loyal reader might be expected to–even with the seemingly never-ending AvX tie-in hanging over it like something you really don’t want hanging over something you like.  (I’ve already explained–in the previous Back and Forth–how I feel about that whole thing.)  Aaron’s sashayed around the silliness well enough; he’s even played it for a laugh or two–done particularly well in #16, with the focus on the snarky Kilgore kid.  And, you know, that’s what I’ve liked about this series: the “we’re superheroes, sure, but we’re not super serious” vibe.  This issue, however, seems waaaaay over the top–which is fine; I mean, it does focus on Doop, for God’s sake.  Thing is, it felt forced at times, like it had to be pushed and shoved–dragged, even–to the apex of wackiness.  Don’t get me wrong: I thought the Nazi bowling team was a strike; I laughed heartily at Doop’s daliances with members of both genders; and, oh, how I dug the cameo to which you referred.  I don’t know.  I don’t know why I didn’t fall into it as much as you did.  Maybe it’s because you’ve got the experience with the Allred/Doop tandem that I don’t have.  (Thanks for letting me borrow the X-Force trade, by the way.)  Maybe it’s because I’m a grumpy bastard who finds comfort in continuity.  Speaking of continuity: with all the stuff going down after AvX #12–with titles getting axed and added–I’m left wondering if Wolverine and the X-Men will be a thing of the past or if it’ll be a part of Now!  Now, speaking of Now!: I’m pretty sure you’ve got something to get off your chest about the Marvel revamp.  Care to share?

DM: Later.

SC: Bastard.

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In Scott’s Bag (9/26)

26 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Art Baltazar, bag, Batman Incorporated, Butch Guice, Chris Samnee, comics, Ed Brubaker, Franco, Fury Max, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison, Jason Aaron, Jeff Lemire, Justice League Dark, Lee Garbett, Mark Waid, Mike Allred, Superman Family Adventures, The Rocketeer, The Ultimates, Wednesday, Winter Soldier, Wolverine and the X-Men

Seems like a fun bunch.  Impatient, too.  They’re desperate–just dying!–to be read.  And I’m desperate–still denying!—because I have dictatorial duties demanding my time.

Baggy Pants

  • Winter Soldier #11 (We’re in the winter of Brubaker’s run, apparently.  That makes me terribly sad; but I’ll have to buck up and soldier on.)
  • Wolverine and the X-Men #17 (Hmm.  A fill-in book, sure; but it’s Allred doin’ Doop.  I’m down.)
  • Fury Max #6 (Thumbed through.  Saw a guy with his head in a vise.  Max, indeed.)
  • Justice League Dark #0 (Constantine’s such a smug bastard.  Love it.)
  • The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #2 (I missed it when it came out.  Thanks to my guy, I didn’t have to miss it very long.  Plus: I get an unexpected Chris Samnee fix!)

Skinny Jeans

  • Batman Incorporated #0 (Why haven’t I put this on my pull list?)
  • The Ultimates #16 (I’m such a chump.  I didn’t have to pick it up.  But I saw it there; and the little demon said, “Well, you got the last one, so you might as well.”  I was like, “Angel?  Little angel?”  Ended up finding the little angel when I got back to the car: it was bound and gagged behind the driver’s seat; and it looked at me with eyes filled with sorry tears as I placed my bag–with this book in it–on the backseat.)

The Ultimates #16 Cover

Baby Girl’s Pick of the Week

  • Superman Family Adventures #5 (She’s got good taste.)

Can’t wait to get busy with these.

What did you get in your bag today?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s Up?

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Batman Incorporated, Chris Bachalo, comics, DC Comics, Ed Brubaker, Fury Max, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison, Happy, Image, Jason Aaron, Jeff Lemire, Justice League Dark, Marvel, Nick Fury, Sam Humphries, The Ulti, Tuesday, Winter Soldier, Wolverine and the X-Men

I can’t believe how quickly this week crept up on me.  One of these days, I’m going to have to turn the tables. And the chairs, too, I guess.  Don’t want the dining room to look like crap.

Old Soldiers Never Die

  • Fury Max #6

Fury Max #6 Cover

  • Winter Soldier #11
  • Wolverine & the X-Men #17

More Zeroes

  • Batman Incorporated #0
  • Justice League Dark #0: Now there’s a “breakthrough” cover with some attitude.

A Warm Gun

  • Happy #1: Gosh, I hope I get a hold of this.  Otherwise, I’ll be–

If I Truly Hate Myself…

  • The Ultimates #16: I’ll see if I can muster the willpower to say thee nay.

A double-shot of Morrison?  Some death and dialogue a la Ennis?  A little Lemire?  A bit o’ Brubaker?  I’ll take it!

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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