By Mike Heornime
Captain America was shot point blank by his secret agent girlfriend and I was still convinced that it wasn't enough to kill the Super Soldier. But in the weeks and months that followed, we were presented with evidence that seemed to confirm that Steve Rogers was definitely dead. Maybe the most amazing thing about Cap's death has been Brubaker's ability to keep Captain America's comic book alive and kickin' with its title character apparently pushin' up daisies (maybe, takin' a dirt nap on Boot Hill would be more appropriate than daisies).
Brubaker has done a lot more than just keep the spirit of Captain America alive. And he's had plenty of help from Marvel's best and brightest. As a matter of fact, Alex Ross, Brian Bendis, Jeph Loeb, Mark Millar, Matt Fraction, and Ed Brubaker have all had a hand in bringing back Captain America from the dead. So much so that we now have had at least nine appearances of Captain America since Steve Rogers was plugged full of lead. That's right. Nine.
Here they are in no particular order.
Captain America, the Corpse.
We've all seen this guy. It's supposedly the body of Steve Rogers, dead as a doornail. But is it really? Now that we've seen Captain America from Outer Space (see below), can we really be sure that Agent Carter didn't hypnotically ventilate the body of a Skrull imposter? This has my vote for how Marvel plans to return Steve Rogers to Marvel U continuity. But it's certainly not their only option.
Captain America from Outer Space.
Secret Invasion is Marvel's blockbuster event for the summer and Brian Bendis kicked us all in the brain balls with his show stopping scene at the end of issue 1. A space ship lands on Earth and is confronted by the New Avengers and the Mighty Avengers. When the space ship doors open up, who steps out? Marvel's Mightiest Heroes of the 1970s. Luke Cage sporting his tiara. Spider-Man with webbed armpits. Furry blue Beast before the catlike transformation. And Captain America. Over the course of the next couple of issues, it was revealed that some of these 70s throwbacks are the real McCoy (Hank?) while others are actually Skrulls. We've been told that this is Outer Space Cap is the real Cap but it hasn't been confirmed. Until then, here are some other options.
Captain America from the Invaders.
A little time traveling hocus-pocus, and Shazam! the Invaders from WWII are suddenly pulled from the past and thrust into the mixed up continuity of the present. Of course, the Invaders were a team of super heroes that included the Human Torch, Toro, The Sub-Mariner, Bucky, and Captain America. Now, with the wave of a magic wand (or magic keyboard as the case may be) and Voila!, the original Captain America/Steve Rogers is back. But is he here to stay? And how will he feel when he discovers that he's been assassinated by his girlfriend and replaced by his sidekick? If you thought Steve Rogers had problems before when he thought his sidekick died in an explosion and he had to adjust to contemporary American life, just imagine what it would be like to have this particular Invader's current blast of cold reality hitting you in the face.
Captain America, the Sidekick.
If you think for a second that the death of Captain America is the end of Captain America, witness Bucky Barnes. Long considered one of the few permanently dead characters in comics, Ed Brubaker did the unthinkable by bringing Bucky back from the grave to the applause of fans everywhere. Apparently Bucky Barnes was picked up by the Russians who brainwashed him, augmented his body with bionics, and transformed him into the world's most lethal assassin, the Winter Soldier. Thank goodness he was rehabilitated in time to fill the boots of his mentor. Today, Bucky Barnes IS Captain America. But I would be pretty surprised if Marvel left it that way. For one thing, they made sure they gave him a distinguishably different costume supposedly so that you can tell the difference between the real Cap and the Barnes Cap.
Captain America, the Punisher.
One of the first Marvel characters to pick up the mantle of Captain America was Frank Castle. Apparently Frank is a bit of a Captain America fanboy. Who knew? Anyway, soon after Cap's death, Frank decked himself out in his own version of Captain America's costume and set about Punishing criminals in his new guise. It's pretty hard to take seriously once you see the costume. But when it comes to effectively creating dramatic situations with tongue firmly placed in cheek, no one does it better than Matt Fraction, author of Punisher War Journal (and Iron Fist and Iron Man, too). Frank's not a real contender for the title of Captain America but he's been another one of the many Caps to hit the scene since Rogers' demise.
Captain America, the Archer.
Another huge fan of Captain America is Clint Barton, the man that used to be the Avenger named Hawkeye. I guess all those years of getting yelled at by Cap had the same effect as the Helsinki Syndrome. Anyway, not too long after Cap was put into cold storage, Tony Stark approached Clint Barton and asked him to take up the mantle of Captain America. After a brief tryout, Clint gave it up, admitting to Tony and himself that he was no Captain America. Too bad. He would've been my choice to put on the old stars and stripes in a world without Mr. Rogers.
Captain America, the Life Model Decoy (LMD).
One of our first glimpses of the posthumous Steve Rogers was in the pages of New Avengers, and seen through the astrally projected eyes of Doctor Strange. ("The coast is clear!" Yeah, right. Thanks Doc.) But alas, it was just a trap, as Wolverine confirmed later with his excellent super sense of smell. So who was that laying on the slab in the SHIELD morgue? A SHIELD LMD of course. As a matter of fact, if you wanted to get technical, Marvel is probably crawling with Captain Americas considering how many Cap LMDs SHIELD has made. As far as SHILED is concerned, you can never have too many Captain Americas around.
Captain America from the Fifties.
In a recent issue of Captain America, Agent Carter is digging around the Red Skull's lair when she comes across a Steve Rogers in a tube. By the next issue, we find out that this isn't Steve Rogers but instead some guy from the Fifties who was recruited to be Captain America's replacement while Steve was locked up in a block of ice somewhere in the Arctic Ocean. I guess, later this Cap replacement showed up and made trouble for the original Captain America who had been thawed out by then by the Avengers. Cap had to put this second rater down for whatever reason. And now the Red Skull has gotten his mitts on him and plans to make him the new Captain America. I'm sure Captain America the Sidekick will have something to say about that.
"Cap," the Earth Protecting Robot.
Probably the most unexpected Captain America appearance came in the pages of Mark Millar's Fantastic Four. In Millar's story, an old friend of Reed Richards has constructed a parallel Earth to be home to humans after our planet has been destroyed by our own pollution and neglect. To help make sure this new Earth will be safe from the ravishes of war, they invented "Cap," a very aggressive and effective robot designed to wipe out all military forces everywhere. "Cap" is a giant robot decorated to look a lot like like Captain America. When it accidentally ends up on the original Earth, "Cap" begins to fulfill its programming by going around the planet and destroying every military base on Earth. Eventually, Reed Richards puts the bot down 'cause "Cap" was programmed to never harm former boyfriends of his creator. Go figure.
So, as you can see, there's no shortage of Captain Americas. Quite the contrary. We have quite a glut. So the next time somebody decides to kill an A-lister like Batman, just relax. Chill out. It ain't nothin' to worry about. There are always plenty of skrulls, robots, time travelers, imposters, decoys, pacts with the devil, and sour seafood induced nightmares around to bring back any superhero from his (always) premature demise. Superheroes never die, they just get re-invented.
Review by Mike Heronime
New comics come out every Wednesday. It's like having a favorite TV show. You wait until Wednesday when it comes on and then you get to re-connect with your friends and familiars once again. It's one of these habitual rituals that people seem to adopt and adapt to so easily. I think it has something to do with the sun rising and setting and rising again and the comfort that comes with patterns that repeat. So in this regard, "new comics come out every Wednesday" is like hope for a bright tomorrow.
So what does it mean when Wednesday comes and goes without new comics? Doom? Despair? Well, no. But certainly disappointment. Kinda like the writers strike. Favorite TV shows were suddenly not available on their promised dates. Sadness set in. But this too came to pass. Just like this Wednesday will. The good news is that this comicless Wednesday will be swiftly followed by new comics on Thursday. A very short if not slightly inconvenient 24-hour delay in our chance to reconnect with our friends and familiars in the pages of our favorite comic books.
When Thursday finally gets here, and you find yourself scoping out the numerous options available to you on the shelves of your local comic book store, if you pick up nothing else, be sure to grab copies of the following:
ALL STAR SUPERMAN #11
Writer : Grant Morrison
Artist : Frank Quitely
Manufacturer / Publisher : DC
Description : "Superman--dead? What is the secret behind the Daily Planet's ominous headline from the future? And what does Clark Kent have to say about it? All the pieces of Lex Luthor's master plan to kill Superman begin to come together, building up to the All Star big bang in story's finale!"
ASTONISHING X-MEN GIANT SIZE #1
Writer : Joss Whedon
Artist : John Cassaday
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "Too big to be contained in a normal issue, the grand finale of Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly) and John Cassaday's (CAPTAIN AMERICA, Planetary) landmark run is right here! The powerlords of Breakworld bring the fight to Earth. Can the X-Men stop them from destroying the whole planet? Will the Avengers join their fight? What we do know is this: one of the X-Men won't walk away from this fight. Plus spotlight interviews with Whedon and Cassaday!"
BATMAN #677 RIP
Writer : Grant Morrison
Artist : "Tony Daniel, Sandu Florea"
Manufacturer / Publisher : DC
Description : "Continuing "Batman R.I.P," the epic story that will change the legend of the Dark Knight forever! As the life of Bruce Wayne takes an interesting turn with Jezebel Jet, the life of Batman falls into the ultimate downward spiral."
FINAL CRISIS #1
Writer : Grant Morrison
Artist : J.G. Jones
Manufacturer / Publisher : DC
Description : "Witness the historic start of the final chapter in the Crisis trilogy that could only spring from the mind of Grant Morrison -- Final Crisis, featuring stunning art by J.G. Jones (52 Covers)! Worlds will live and heroes will die in this epic tale spanning the beginning and end of the DC Universe! The entire Multiverse is threatened as the mysterious Libra assembles an army of the DCU's most terrifying super villains. But what is the ultimate plan, and who will live to find out?"
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #15
Writer : Various
Artist : David Aja
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "TALES OF THE IRON FIST! When we last saw Bei Bang-Wen, he was leaping to what seemed to be a certain death off the top of the Taku Forts -- would you believe us if we told you that was only the beginning? Join us as we take a look at another one of the fabulous Iron Fists of years past and his legendary legacy in "The Story of the Iron Fist Bei Bang-Wen -- The Perfect Strategy Mind and his Miraculous Travels to the Dark Continent, and What Mysteries of the World and of the Self that He Learned There (1827-1860)" By Matt Fraction and Khari Evans!"
KING SIZE HULK #1
Writer : Jeph Loeb
Artist : Various
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "HULK vs. SHE-HULK! HULK vs. WENDIGO! HULK vs. ??????????? JEPH LOEB! ART ADAMS! FRANK CHO! TOO many SUPERSTARS to fit into a puny REGULAR-SIZED issue!!! We're comin' upside your head with a KING-SIZE spectacular with MORE smashing, bashing, trashing, and clashing than should be allowed by law!!! Three new tales that fill in the gaps of the best-selling HULK book, and set up NEW storylines! PLUS, classic tales including THE INCREDIBLE HULK 180 (the REAL 1st appearance of Wolverine!) and AVENGERS 83 (Lady Liberators, anyone?)! More? You want MORE!?!? How about a super-secret MYSTERY ARTIST????"
NEW AVENGERS #41 (SECRET INVASTION TIE-IN)
Writer : Brian Michael Bendis
Artist : Leinil Francis Yu
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The Avengers are trapped in the Savage Land, battling friend and foe. And Spider-Man heads to the one person in the entire place he knows he can trust: Ka-Zar!! But is it really him? This important chapter rewinds the events of the very first New Avengers story and shows how it connects to the Invasion."
Marvel Comics wants to know which comics you believe sported the best cover art in 2007. Visit their website and you can browse every comic book cover published by Marvel in 2007 and select your top 5. I know it's a little late in the year for a Best Of 2007 contest. But it's still a fun little romp down memory lane. Below you can check out my picks, just for grins. Visit Marvel to cast your vote by clicking here.
Review by Mark Allen
Project Superpowers, published by Dynamite Entertainment, 32 pages, $2.99.
As seems to be popular these days, Dynamite Entertainment has “resurrected” several Golden Age comic book heroes for a series entitled Project Superpowers. But this project is far more than simply an attempt to cash in on a trend.
The plot is by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, and involves heroes of W.W. II interacting in the modern world. Readers are treated to the story of a hero who has to make a difficult choice, visiting what he sees as a lesser evil upon his comrades in order to put a halt to a larger one. But, was his decision the right one? That’s the question that is addressed, against a background of intriguing characterization, a looming global threat, and the growing anticipation of confrontations, not just between good and evil, but also between degrees of righteousness.
Additionally, any time a writer sets up a vexing “who do you trust” dilemma in a story, it’s a good thing. (Yes, I want to be vexed by storylines; it means I’m invested.) Ross and Krueger are quite successful in that regard, as Bruce Carter, aka “The Fighting Yank,” is torn between two would-be advisers; the ghost of an ancestor and a mysterious apparition called the American Spirit. This helps keep readers guessing, and glued to the story.
Carlos Paul handles the interior art, which fairly explodes with drama, action and intensity when called for, while ably portraying more subdued scenes as well. All the while, his style is grounded in reality, steeped in detail, and made all the more enjoyable by the choices of colorist Debora Corita.
Alex Ross supplies the covers for each issue, which, while not adding anything to the actual story, makes for a most attractive “wrapping” for this gift to comics fans.
Project Superpowers is well worth your time and investment, and will probably appeal more to teenage and adult readers. Find it at comics shops, online retailers and auctions, and atwww.dynamiteentertainment.com .
Mark Allen
By Mike Heronime
Despite my commitment to small press comics and my determination to buy fewer superhero comics and more non-genre books, Marvel continues to capture my comic book dollar. It's simply because they continue to employ the best creative talent in the business. Ed Brubaker, Bryan Hitch, Mark Millar, Greg Pak and Brian Bendis are represented in this week's books alone. It's not that DC doesn't have their share of top talent. The difference is that Marvel's superhero writers are creating comic books that transcend the super hero genre and read more like action movies than superhero comic books. Captain America, Fantastic Four, Hercules, and Secret Invasion are all prime examples of Marvel's great success with creating comic books that are tremendously entertaining without feeling like stories about goofy flakes with capes. The other book on this week's list is from Wildstorm. And like the Marvel books, The Programme turns the traditional superhero story on its ear and in the process, makes it completely plausible that this sort of thing could happen any day now.
If you don't buy anything else this Wednesday, make sure you pick up these great comics.
Descriptions by Midtown Comics.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #38
Writer : Ed Brubaker
Artist : Various
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "Bucky Barnes never wanted to be Captain America, but he's doing his best to carry on the legacy of Steve Rogers, in his own way, while trying to save Sharon Carter from the Red Skull and his minions. But maybe he's not the only one running around in a Captain America outfit! Part Two of ""The Man Who Bought America"" by the acclaimed team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting."
FANTASTIC FOUR #557
Writer : Mark Millar
Artist : Bryan Hitch
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "World's Greatest" concludes! It's the ultimate engine of peace pitted against Reed Richards' most lethal invention, for all the marbles! And a shocking final page that'll have you feeling every minute of the thirty-day wait until the next issue!"
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #117 (SECRET INVASION TIE-IN)
Writer : Greg Pak
Artist : Khoi Pham
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The Greek Goliath gathers the most powerful super-team ever assembled to counter-attack the Skrull gods! Face front, True Believers, and prepare for the pantheon-pounding premiere of... THE GOD SQUAD!"
MIGHTY AVENGERS #14 (SECRET INVASION TIE-IN)
Writer : Brian Michael Bendis
Artist : Mark Bagley
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
PROGRAMME #11
Writer : Peter Milligan
Artist : C.P. Smith
Manufacturer / Publisher : DC/Wildstorm
Description : Max has finally become the superman that the U.S. Government has sought -- but at what price? And is American society crumbed beyond salvage? The super-human war of ideologies is on!
By Mike HeronimeAmong my favorite comic book authors I include Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Mark Waid, and, of course, Eric Robinson and Tony Pacitti. I would suggest that most of the names on the short list you probably recognize with maybe the exceptions of Eric and Tony. Eric introduced me to Tony. Both writers work with me on the comic books we publish for Pandemonium Comics. Eric writes Dark Dallas and Tony writes two titles, RoboPlanet and The Silencer. And both writers are getting their share of press lately. Eric was recently mentioned in a D Magazine review of Dark Dallas. And now you can read Tony's interview by Southcoast 247 as they pick his brain to find out his secrets to comic book success. You can read their interview with Tony by clicking here.
Descriptions by Midtown Comics
Editorial by Mike Heronime
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #559
Writer : Bob Gale
Artist : Phil Jimenez
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The DB, New York's trashiest tabloid, has just hired the sleaziest, most muckraking, lowlife paparazzi of them all...PETER PARKER?! Say it ain't so, true believer! Also in this ish, J. Jonah Jameson finds inner peace and harmony...(Hey, it could happen! Maybe.) All this and the first ever livestreaming super-villain: Screwball! Dan Slott returns to Spidey, and he's bringing Marcos Martin (DOCTOR STRANGE: THE OATH) with him!"
Editorial: Here it comes again. Another week of Spider-Man. No complaints. How long can they keep it up? Let's just see.
BATMAN #676 RIP
Writer : Grant Morrison
Artist : Tony Daniel - Sandu Florea
Manufacturer / Publisher : DC
Description : "Are you ready for Batman R.I.P.? Beginning the epic story that will change the legend of the Dark Knight forever! Everything in Grant Morrison's groundbreaking run on Batman has been leading to this story, and nothing will ever be the same again. Who will live? Who will die? Who will be Batman? The answers are sure to shock you in Batman R.I.P., featuring artwork by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea and covers by Alex Ross."
Editorial: Here it comes. Batman is dead?! Is it possible. You can bet I'll be picking up the book to find out. I'm banking on Grant Morrison's plans to make us all forget Frank Miller and Alan Moore. Count on it.
BPRD 1946 #5
Writer : "Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart"
Artist : Paul Azaceta
Manufacturer / Publisher : Dark Horse
Description : "B.P.R.D.: 1946 rises to its astounding conclusion as Bruttenholm at last comes face to face with one of the most diabolical villains to emerge from the Third Reich, a mad genius whose creations will plague the B.P.R.D. for years to come."
Editorial: It's truly the scariest, creepiest comic book on the stands. If you missed the Hellboy Free Comic Book last week, then you missed a lot. Among other things, it included a little tie-in story to 1946.
CASANOVA #14
Writer : Matt Fraction
Artist : Fabio Moon
Manufacturer / Publisher : Image
Description : "The second album of CASANOVA comes to an end and you absolutely won't believe it. If Casanova comes back, surely this would be the issue, right? Right? He's gonna come back, isn't he? It's all gonna work out all right, isn't it? At the end of the issue, everything will be beautiful again and nothing will hurt, right? Right? Hello? God? By MATT FRACTION (PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL, THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST) and FABIO MOON (SUGARSHOCK, De:TALES), it's the comic GQ called ""Brilliant."""
Editorial: GQ called it brilliant. I guess even GQ can be right once in a while. It is brilliant. Kick ass. Off the hook. Flippin' fantastic. If you aren't reading this book, check you pulse. You might be dead.
GIANT SIZE INCREDIBLE HULK #1
Writer : Roger Stern
Artist : Cory Hamscher - Zach Howard
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The Hulk may be a misunderstood monster, but his former sidekick, Fred Sloan, is determined to set the record straight. He's traveling the country, finding stories of the Hulk touching people's lives, researching for his book, 'Hulk Encounter: A Survivor's Story."" But will he find the Hulk revered as a hero, or despised as a menace? Meanwhile, the green goliath himself is on the run, getting into trouble as he goes. Join classic Hulk writer Roger Stern for this look into the impact of Hulk's smashing! PLUS: Re-presenting the hard-to-find INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL #7 by Robert Stern, John Byrne and Bob Layton!"
Editorial: A Giant Size Hulk without Greg Pak. Is that even possible? We'll see. The Hulk is hot. Can't miss this one.
TWELVE #5
Writer : J. Michael Straczynski
Artist : Chris Weston
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : Tensions rise and heroes come to blows as the time-lost Twelve from the Golden Age find their fundamental beliefs challenged in the world of the 21st Century. Plus; the Origin of the Witness--he's seen what you've done!
Editorial: JMS is making this his Watchmen. So far, so good. Is it possible that guys like JMS, Morrison, or Millar make the world forget about Alan Moore? Read this one and tell me what you think.
Those familiar with Pandemonium Comics will be familiar with the name of Daniel Crosier. Dan provided the writing and art for the January issue of Pandemonium Comics titled "Sons of Soil." He has also created cover art for PositiveBrand titles "The Zombie" and "The Land of Andrak." Additional cover illustrations by Dan will be seen later this year on Pandemonium Comics titles "The Arena", "The Exquisite Vanishteer", and "Grave Mistakes." Given Dan's unique talents and style, it's no wonder Yahoo! has asked Dan for his expert opinion on pursuing a career in comic book art. What follows is an excerpt from an article posted by Yahoo! Hot Jobs targeting job seekers.
The Colorful World of Comic Book Artistry
Daniel Crosier, comic book illustrator currently working on "Bartholomew of the Scissors" (Blue Water Productions), says comic book illustrations are a natural extension of his artistic ability, which includes creating contemporary wood sculptures, paintings, building props for local films, and directing short films. "This is another outlet for my art and storytelling. Having a background in illustration translates well into comic books."
Comic book illustrators typically work closely with the in-house editorial department. As stories evolve, so do the illustrations to match the characters and their actions. Illustrators need to adhere to strict deadlines to ensure their role is on track with the publisher's schedule and be able to work with others. "Work at your craft and learn how to take criticism," says Crosier.
Dream big: "Network, network, network!" he advises. "If an opportunity doesn't present itself, make an opportunity. Things will rarely happen to you." A degree in fine arts is a plus.
The rest of the article can be read here.
By Mike Heronime
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY has come and gone. Hopefully you took advantage of the opportunity and snatched up some excellent free comic books on Saturday. If not, your comic book store probably still has some great books lying around (like X-men, Hellboy, Ignatz, and Gekiga which I highly recommend). So while your trolling your comic book store this Wednesday for FREE books, be sure to pick up copies (you'll have to pay for these) of the following top notch titles:
Descriptions by Midtown Comics
Editorial by Mike Heronime
Writer : Bob Gale
Artist : Phil Jimenez
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The frighteningly funky and fearsome Freak returns, more powerful than ever! And this action-packed issue features the gorgeous art of Barry Kitson -- fresh from Marvel's THE ORDER! Plus: Menace! Curt Connors! Aunt May! Lots of innocent bystanders! Gale wrote it, Wacker edited it, and Marvel actually thought it was a good idea to publish it!"
Editorial:
AVENGERS INVADERS #1
Writer : Jim Krueger
Artist : Steve Sadowski
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "The original Invaders (Captain America , Bucky , Human Torch , Toro , and the Sub-Mariner) return in a twelve issue maxi-series by the award winning team behind EARTH X, Justice and Project Superpowers .The greatest super-team of World War II finds themselves transported from the battlefields of the Second World War to a future they never imagined! Now, the Invaders find themselves confronted by two teams of Avengers who want desperately to believe these heroes are who they say they are, while Tony Stark faces his greatest challenge since the Civil War as he must deal with the "return" of Steve Rogers. Confronted by a world they barely recognize, the Invaders will have to show two teams of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes just what kind of power, courage and sheer determination it took to defeat the forces of unrelenting evil in the Twentieth century. In fact--they may just have to do it again in the Twenty-First."
Editorial: Spider-man continues to be a great series. Please support this book and we'll end up with DC and Marvel producing comic books like TV series. Every week it'll be a new episode. These guys have the resources so they should do it.
DARK TOWER LONG ROAD HOME #3
Writer : "Robin Furth, Peter David"
Artist : "Lee, Isanove"
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "With Roland's consciousness trapped within Maerlyn's Grapefruit, his ka-tet companion, Alain, enters the mystical todash space in an attempt to rescue his friend. But as he and Roland flit in and out of alien dimensions, Cuthbert, the last member of their ka-tet, desperately tries to stave off a pack of slavering mutant wolves who have come to devour the unconscious Roland and Alain!"
Editorial: The art is great. The story is okay. Definitely creepy. Well written at least. This is probably more appropriate to purchase as a hard bound collection (note to self).
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
Writer : Matt Fraction
Artist : Salvador Larroca
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "A bold new ONGOING TITLE for the biggest hero of 2008! IRON MAN! You know you love him! And as the summer's most anticipated movie boot-jets its way into theaters, here's the perfect jumping-on point for new readers and Iron Man fans alike! Tony Stark -- Iron Man, billionaire industrialist and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- faces the most overwhelming challenge of his life. Ezekiel Stane, the son of Tony's late business rival and archenemy Obadiah, has set his sights, his genius and his considerable fortune on the task of destroying Tony Stark and Iron Man. What's worse, he's got Iron Man tech, and he's every bit Iron Man's equal and opposite--except younger, faster, smarter--and immeasurably evil. Rising star writer Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST) and superstar artist Salvador Larroca (UNCANNY X-MEN) join forces to repulsor-ray your comic books to a cinder!"
Editorial: Not as good as the movie. But not too bad. Matt Fraction is writing it but it's very different from Casanova (not nearly as weird) and Iron Fist (not nearly as intense). But don't let that keep you from picking up a copy. It's just getting started. And knowing Fraction, when this baby kicks in the overdrive, look out.
LOGAN #3
Writer : Brian K. Vaughan
Artist : Eduardo Risso
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : "In the gut-wrenching conclusion to Vaughan and Risso's epic story, Wolverine must make the single most difficult decision of his long and bloody career."
Editorial: I don't really think this is BK Vaughn's greatest work. But Risso was born to draw Wolverine. The main thing about the series is how it finally clears up how Logan lost his memory.
SECRET INVASION #2
Writer : Brian Michael Bendis
Artist : Leinil Franics Yu
Manufacturer / Publisher : Marvel
Description : The Invasion is here!! The Marvel Universe is in shambles. The Skrull Empire's plan has birthed itself into perfection. It is hero versus hero!! Resurrections and reunions!! Is Tony Stark a Skrull? And is that actually Captain America leading the heroes into a new era?? EXPECT CHANGE!!
Editorial: I am so confused. There are heroes everywhere. Who's a skrull and who's not? It was a difficult question before they doubled the cast. Now I'm afraid we may never know. Do you think?
Review by Michael Vance
artists/available comics shops and at www.twomorrows.com.
Disclaimer: I have written for Alter Ego magazine, and therefore cannot be unbiased in this review.
I love this magazine! Alter Ego is a periodical mostly about the history of super-hero comic book titles with a sprinkling of information on comic strips. It is generally packed from glossy cover to cover with art, photographs, and new information on the world’s most popular artform starting in the early ‘30s.
The cover of the 75th issue is a montage of the art styles used on Fawcett Publication’s
“Captain Marvel”, Superman’s only serious contender for the title of the best selling superhero of all time.
“Captain Marvel”, Superman’s only serious contender for the title of the best selling superhero of all time.
Shazam!! About half of the issue is dedicated to the interpretation of the “Big Red
Cheese” by many different writers and artists for more than fifty years. Features in the rest of the issue include articles on artists and writers probably unknown to most readers. That’s because, for the most part, creators did not get bylines on their stories published in the first 25 years of comic books.
Cheese” by many different writers and artists for more than fifty years. Features in the rest of the issue include articles on artists and writers probably unknown to most readers. That’s because, for the most part, creators did not get bylines on their stories published in the first 25 years of comic books.
As example, Maxwell Elkan is a man unknown to even most hardcore comics fans. Yet this talented artist produced a substantial amount of outstanding comics work in multiple
genres for twenty years. Recognition of his talent and of his role in the formative years of comics is no longer overdue.
genres for twenty years. Recognition of his talent and of his role in the formative years of comics is no longer overdue.
This issue also offers a delightful 2008 calendar featuring famous movie actresses as
super-heroines from the ‘30s and ‘40s. What comics fan could resist Jane Russell as Phantom Lady or Esther Williams as Rocketgirl? Hubba, hubba!
super-heroines from the ‘30s and ‘40s. What comics fan could resist Jane Russell as Phantom Lady or Esther Williams as Rocketgirl? Hubba, hubba!
If the preceding sounds like Alter Ego is not a magazine for causal comics readers, you
have good ears. Alter Ego is highly recommended for die-hard comics fans.
Michael Vance
Order Dark Corridor,a horror, fantasy, and suspense short story magazine at www.mainenterprises.ecrater.com! Michael Vance contributes the offbeat tales "The Zoo" and "Picked Clean". $4.50 per issue, USA.
Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to www.fourcolorcommentary.com
have good ears. Alter Ego is highly recommended for die-hard comics fans.
Michael Vance
Order Dark Corridor,a horror, fantasy, and suspense short story magazine at www.mainenterprises.ecrater.com! Michael Vance contributes the offbeat tales "The Zoo" and "Picked Clean". $4.50 per issue, USA.
Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to www.fourcolorcommentary.com
Top Feeds From the Comic Book NewsCenter