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January
Comics
by Mike-oh
Here's a quick review of the comics I'm reading this month. Updated
each week. Descriptions are pulled from Midtown
Comics' web site (New York City's finest comic book shop). Editorial
is what I write.
Week
of January 31
52
Week #39
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Joe Bennett
Description:
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen
— and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed,
a hero will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy...and the reveal
of Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further.
Plus, The Origin of Mr. Terrific by Mark Waid and Dave Johnson.
Editorial:
Natalie discovers Jake is really Hannibal and the real Jake is really
half eaten. She also discovers that Lex Luthor has a mean super
left hook. Steel ain't gonna be to happy when he finds out. The
rest of the issue is a collection of short scenes that keep us up
to speed on the other stories of 52.
Elephantmen
#6
Image
Writer: Richard Starkings
Artist: Moritat, Dave Hine
Description:
"ABANDONED BY GOD" - The announcement of the marriage
of Obadiah Horn to Sahara sparks a firestorm of controversy, and
even their appearance on LIFE's morning show seems destined to end
in disaster.
"THE LAST THING I REMEMBER" - Nikken's determination to
create new life means that innocent African women must surrender
their own lives; willingly or unwillingly.
Editorial:
Richard Starkings' and Dave Hines' The Last Thing I Remember
is a touching and emotional story. Hines art is stylized and expressive.
You might remember it as the only good thing that came out of Marvel's
198. The main story by Starkings and Moritat is terrific as well.
Moritat's illustrations of Sahara are fetching. And Starkings has
created a provocative tale about inter-racial (inter-species) marriage.
It adds another layer to this socially aware science fiction epic.
The
Vault of Michael Allred #4
AAA Pop Comics
Writer: Michael Allred
Artist: Michael Allred
Editorial:
I'm a huge fan of Michael Allred. His art is amazing to me. Naturally,
I thrilled to this issue of his Vault. It's a great way to gain
more personal insights into the artist. He shares his discussions
with other artists as well as his thoughts about the characters
he creates and the decisions he makes about his career in comic
books. Add to all that a fantastic collection of art and The Vault
is indeed a treasure trove.
Annihilation
#6
Marvel
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Andrea DiVito
Description:
Nova and Annihilus face off in a fight to the finish with the fates
of two, count ‘em, two, universes at stake. You think that’s
bad? Wait until you see what happens when Galactus decides to go
to war. All this and Quasar! Need we add that after this issue,
Marvel’s cosmic landscape will never be the same?
Editorial:
The final issue of Annihilation is a fantastic finale to this epic
tale of truly cosmic proportions. Nova is established as a true
super-hero. Galactus gets to show off his immense power. And Ronan
is situated in an appropriate position of power within the Kree
empire. It's a little unsettling to me though, to have Annihilus
go from killed to reborn in just a few pages. The final reveal of
his rebirth is the kind of thing that is saved for after the long
credts at the end of a movie. Like Matrix Reloaded, Daredevil, or
X-Men Last Stand.
Daredevil
#93
Marvel
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark
Description:
Matt Murdock returns to the streets of New York, to Hell’s
Kitchen, to whatever is left of his life, and to face whatever he
must to try to get it back. What is Matt’s future? What has
happened in his absence, and what part does Kingpin play in all
this? The only place you’ll find those answers is in the stunning
conclusion to “The Devil Takes a Ride!”
Editorial:
I'm still reading this title. It's kinda hard to drop it with Brubaker
and Lark both on it. I love both these guys. And this issue is another
example of their greatness. Brubaker's story is extrememly sentimental
and very effective. You can really feel the Kingpin struggling with
his emotions. And the reunion between Matt and Foggy surpasses all
my expectations. Lark's art is, as always, awesome. I partcularly
like the picture of DD on the roof of their building at the end
of the story. Bravo.
Week
of January 24
52
Week #38
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Shawn Moll
Description:
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen
— and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed,
a hero will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy...and the reveal
of Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further.
Plus The Origin of Red Tornado by Mark Waid and Phil Jimenez.
Editorial:
Egg Fu is one scary dude. And his four horseman are way cool. 52
picks up speed as it hits the final quarter. Renee is tortured by
her commitment to saving The Question. Kudos to the art of Shawn
Moll for his extremely believable depiction of Renee's plite in
the frozen wilderness that separates her from Nanda Parbat.
Criminal
#4
Icon
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Description:
Leo's attempt to make a deal goes badly, and the men on his and
Greta's trail have made their move, leaving a path of death and
destruction in their wake... And bringing Leo face to face with
the violence that lurks deep inside his darkest places. What happens
next will shock even him! Bonus--CRIMINAL promises more content
than the average comic, with each issue packed from cover to cover
with content, featuring a full length continuing story, as well
as back-up stories and articles and DVD-style behind the scenes
extras.
Editorial:
Ed and Sean really know how to screw things up. For their heroes,
anyways. For us readers, they just screw us around. Criminal is
a terrifically twisted and turning crime story that is leading crimeworld's
most cautious criminal down a path to certain destruction. A path
where his friends and family fall by the wayside because this path
is as sharp as a razor. Before the story is finished, there might
not even be room there for Leo.
Civil
War: The Return One Shot
Marvel
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Tom Raney
Description:
As the Civil War rages, two of the universe’s greatest heroes
are confronted with pasts they can’t leave behind in two heart-rendering
tales. On Earth, the Sentry confronts his inner demons as the shadows
of past and future battles tear him apart. Within The Negative Zone,
the walls of 42, are pulled back to reveal the return of one of
the Marveldom’s greatest heroes...now face-to-face with a
Universe they no longer recognize.
Editorial:
This is classic greedy publishers screwing up a fun idea. The Return
is a veiled reference to Marvel bringing back Captain Mar-Vell from
the dead. To help build up the anticipation, Marvel had designed
a blank white cover to commemorate the event and conceal the surprise
that would be a bonus to the readers of Civil War. Of course, before
any fun could be had with readers, Marvel decided to publish another
cover with Captain Mar-Vell on the cover, thereby spoiling any surprise
at all. Maybe they read the issue and decided that it sucked so
bad (which it does) that it no longer deserved the bonus treatment.
I just hope Marvel doesn't bone up the relaunch of this character
as badly as they did this Civil War One Shot. Captain Marvel deserves
the Hal Jordan treatment. Not this.
Doctor
Strange: The Oath #4
Marvel
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Marcos Martin
Description:
Outside the hidden hospice of the vigilante caretaker known as Night
Nurse, Doctor Strange takes on a terrifying new villain in the strangest
battle of the Sorcerer Supreme’s career!
Editorial:
Vaughn and Martin are writing the book on reviving dead characters
by breathing life back into what made them great to begin with.
Martin's art is a nod of respect to Steve Ditko's original incarnation
of the good doctor. But it's Vaughn's story that has recaptured
everything compelling about the Sorcerer Supreme by making him more
real and human. When Doctor Strange rebukes the Merrakant Hellguard
when he bids him, "Welcome to New York City," it's like
saying Doctor Strange is a New Yorker first and Sorcerer second.
And that's the kind of perspective that's making this series a hit.
Eternals
#6
Marvel
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Description:
The double-sized finale of NEIL GAIMAN and JOHN ROMITA JR.’s
epic! The Eternals face their mystery enemy at last. This issue
will solidify the Eternals’ place in the Marvel Universe.
Will they register? Guest-starring the Avengers!
Editorial:
Don't believe that description. This is issue 6 of 7. One more issue
before it's over. The art has been John Romita's best. The story
has been a little confusing. I'll have to go back and read it again
once it's all over. But I am a little disappointed that the Civil
War krept in. Enough is enough. That story doesn't have to invade
every corner of the Marvel Universe.
X-Factor
#15
Marvel
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Pablo Raimondi
Description:
Having a hard time accepting the idea of Jamie Madrox, Agent of
S.H.I.E.L.D.? Well, that's nothing compared to what's going to happen
when Jamie is captured by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s foremost opponents and
is transformed into Jamie Madrox...Agent of Hydra! Plus...Siryn
and Monet decide to go shopping and have a grand Mall seizure!
Editorial:
Peter David must be in an all-out contest with Warren Ellis, pitting
his X-Factor against Ellis' Nextwave. Both writers have assembled
completely charming casts and produced wildly entertaining stories
full of surprises every issue. But I think Peter David is going
to win this one unless Warren decides to lengthen the life of Nextwave
beyond its twelfth issue finale.
Week
of January 17
52
Week #37
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Patrick Olliffe
Description:
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen
? and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed, a hero
will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy...and the reveal of
Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further. Plus The Origin
of Firestorm by Mark Waid and Jamal Igle.
Editorial:
If you haven't been reading 52, what were you thinking? This story
has been one wild rollercoaster ride and it ain't over yet. The
best part? When you have a crummy week for comics like this one,
you would at least have 52 to read.
Spirit
#2
DC
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Description:
The Spirit is confronted by his old nemesis, P?Gell, who has designs
on a wealthy member of an Arab royal family, Prince Farouk. P?Gell,
quite possibly the sexiest seductress in comics history, uses her
womanly wiles to achieve her ends ? as the Spirit does what he can
to thwart her!
Editorial:
Will Eisner proved he was the master and his inspiration has fathered
a wealth of talented successors. Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, and
Darwyn Cooke prove with every issue they write that it's possible
make dense, exciting, dramatic, funny stories that begin and end
between covers. The Spirit is such a marvelous creation, it s a
joy to see it as alive and well in this century as it was in the
last one. Thank you Will. And thank you Darwyn for continuing the
legacy with so much respect for the character's past and so much
vision for what his future holds.
Week
of January 11
52
Week #36
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Chris Batista
Description:
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen
— and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed,
a hero will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy...and the reveal
of Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further.
Plus The Origin of Green Arrow by Mark Waid and Tim Sale.
Editorial:
Little baby steps. There is so much story to tell about so many
characters caught up in so much drama that many of these issues
seem to be taking baby steps as they inch their way to their inevitable
ending. It hasn't been bad but it certainly could have been better
if the story had been divided into parts or chapters. With an entire
year to tell stories in, why not tell more stories that begin and
end, one after another? Instead of trying to build the suspense
and drama across all 52 issues? Little baby steps this issue include
a death of an older character, a last ditch effor to save the life
of another, and a Kandor teaser.
Rush
City #4
DC
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Timothy Green II
Editorial:
I probably should have stopped reading this series a couple of issues
ago. I really liked the first one. And the second and third issues
weren't too bad either. But I think three stories was all this character
had in him. This issue has Rush chasing down the transexual twin
and winner of the big money lotto before bad guys find him and steal
the lotto ticket for themselves. Lame.
Tales
of the Unexpected #4
DC
Writer: David Lapham - Brian Azzarello
Artist: Battle and Chiang
Editorial:
Batman tussles with the Spectre. It was bound to happen sooner or
later. You don't go around killing people week after week in weird
creepy ways without drawing the attention of the Dark Knight. Although
I can't say Batman's role in this issue was anything more than an
attempt to boost sales. Cheap trick for someone like the Spirit
of God's Wrath. I don't know why cheap tricks are required when
you've got Brian Azzarello and Dr. 13 on your side unless you consider
that a cheap trick to create something that can compete with Warren
Ellis' Nextwave. Bet you didn't think I'd notice, didja?.
Agents
of Atlas #6
Marvel
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Description:
And now,
the showdown that’s been building for 50 years: Jimmy Woo
and his team go into the heart of the Atlas Foundation and face
their oldest enemy. Prepare to learn secrets of The Human Robot
and human civilization itself when you enter THE TEMPLE OF ATLAS!
Editorial:
Jeff Parker has created a cast of characters that become such quick
friends to us readers, it's hard to imagine life without them now
that this series is over. It reminds me of Stephen King's It. I
remember feeling so disappointed that the adventures had reached
their end. Saying goodbye to Stuttering Bill and the rest of the
Losers Club felt like the final moments before boarding the bus
home from summer camp. I can only hope that this six issue series
is only the beginning and not the end of the Agents of Atlas.
Thunderbolts
#110
Marvel
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Mike Deadato Jr
Description:
Venom, lethal protector! The enigmatic Moonstone! Bullseye, the
man who never misses! Songbird, mistress of sound! Chen Lu, the
Radioactive Man! Swordsman, master of the blade! The mystery man
called Penance! And Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin! They?re America?s
newest celebrities, ready to take to the skies at a moment?s notice
in pursuit of those secret, unregistered superhumans hiding among
us! They?re the All-New, All-Deadly THUNDERBOLTS ? making the world
a safer place for ordinary people one would-be costumed hero at
a time! In the wake of CIVIL WAR, Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato
present a dark and disturbing take on Marvel?s most wanted, where
the line between hero and villain is difficult to find ? if it exists
at all!
Editorial:
To tell you the truth (and I always try to tell you the truth) I
bought this book for the cover. Leinel Yu's Venom is SWEET! Man,
I love this guy's art. Then I opened it up and saw how Deodato had
patterned his Norman Osborn after Tommy Lee Jones. That was pretty
sweet, too. Maybe best of all is having anther great story written
by Warren Ellis to surprise and astound us. Pick up Thunderbolts
if you know what's good for you.
Week
of January 4
52
Week #35
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Phil Jimenez
Description:
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen
— and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed,
a hero will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy…and the
reveal of Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further.
Plus The Origin of Black Canary by Mark Waid and Howard Chaykin.
Editorial:
This issue raises the bar considerably for the remaining 17. Phil
Jimenez' art is awesome. Superheroes are falling out of the sky
all around and even on top of the good people of Metropolis as Luthor
turns his back on it like so much bad weather. It's an awesome comic
book moment brought to life by the skilled pencils of Jimenez. Unfortunately
it only lasts for the first seven pages. But they're seven great
pages.
All-Star
Superman #6
DC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Description:
The All Star saga brings Superman back to Smallville to mourn the
loss of his adoptive father. As Clark Kent returns to his hometown
roots, the fifth Dimensional trickster investigates human drama
from an entirely different perspective.
Editorial:
At the end of issue 5, Morrison and Quietly leave us hanging as
Nasty, Lex Luthor's dominatrix clad sidekick, escorts Clark Kent
through the underground sewers that flow beneath Luthor's prison
cell. The words "To Be Continued" came down with a mighty
thud on a series that had been maintaining a record for exciting,
dense stories that had their beginning and, for all intents and
purposes, their ending in the same issue. Now, I pick up issue 6
expecting to find out what happenes to Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, and
Nasty. And what's up with Luthor having to draw on his left eyebrow.
But Morrison and Quitely have decided not to let us off the hook
yet. Instead, we are treated to a fanciful story of Superman dealing
with the death of his adoptive father and a visit from a team of
future Supermen. And then this issue ends with To Be Continued,
also. I don't get it. But I will be sure to get the next issue.
This is great stuff.
Superman
#658
DC
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
Description:
In a horrific future where heroes, villains and lunatics are fighting
to the death for what’s left of the world, Superman finally
returns! But can even he save the planet? And which threat from
this future is coming back to haunt the past?
Editorial:
Kurt Busiek might be the most under-appreciated writer in comics.
Not that he hasn't had a stellar career full to the brim with accomplishments.
But it seems like all the buzz nowadays is for Morrison, Ellis,
Vaughn, Azzarello, Whedon, Millar, and Metzler and everyone's forgotten
what a fantastic pro Busiek really is. This is the guy that penned
Kingdom Come and Astro City. And he's proving once again that he's
not a writer to be trifled with as he spins the tale of Camelot
Falls in the pages of Superman. Busiek's wildly entertaining story
is complimented through and through by Carlos Pacheco's note-perfect
rendition of Superman. I believe Pacheco's Superman is so perfect
that he should be crowned the next Curt Swan and given art duties
on Superman for the rest of his life.
Civil
War #6
Marvel
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Steve McNiven
Description:
Captain
America’s depleted forces have determined the secret of File
42, setting them on a last-ditch collision course with Iron Man
and the Pro-Registration heroes! It’s the beginning of the
battle of the century—a conflict in which virtually every
superhuman on Earth will be forced to choose a side to fight on!
Editorial:
Twist. Twist. Twist. Mark Millar twists the knife in my guts a little
more as he continues to unfold the core of his Civil War in slow,
painful strokes. Twist. Our favorite heroes are torn apart and fighting
brother against brother. Twist. The Punisher is allowed to join
Captain America's team. Twist. The Punisher blows away a couple
of people right in front of Cap and gets pounded by the good Captain.
Twist. As Caps team breaks in on Tony's prison. Twist. As Iron Man's
crew is lying in wait of Cap's crew. Twist. There is a traitor in
Cap's camp. Twist. There's a traitor in Iron Man's camp. Twist.
And he's set all of those super prisoners free. Mark Millar is so
twisted.
Fantastic
Four: The End #3
Marvel
Writer: Alan Davis
Artist: Alan Davis
Description:
Their family scattered to the four corners of a solar system quarantined
from the rest of the universe, besieged by a number of their most
relentless enemies, including the Super-Skrull, the Mole Man, Diablo,
the Mad Thinker and the Kree Sentry, can the members of the Fantastic
Four survive—and triumph?
Editorial:
Alan Davis and Alex Ross have at least two things in common. They're
both great artists. And they both write the most convoluted stories.
I've been enjoying this particular outing with Davis but by the
time most writers are bringing the story in focus, Davis is continuing
to expand the subplots until we're not really sure where it's all
going or even how we got here. But Davis' art is like dating Jessica
Simpson. Who really cares what she's saying as long as she's looking
so fine.
Incredible
Hulk #102
Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Carlo Pagulayan
Description:
Armies clash and titans smash as the Green Scar and the Red King
throw down over Crown City! It’s the fight we’ve all
been waiting for — after ten epic issues in the “Planet
Hulk” saga, the Hulk and the Emperor finally meet again. But
will this savage showdown between the Hulk’s rage and the
Emperor’s ruthlessness lead to the liberation — or total
destruction -- of the Hulk, his crew, and the people and planet
of Sakaar?
Editorial:
The signs were all there before. And I had my suspicions. But now
I feel fairly certain that we are reading the result of a carefully
laid plan to recapture former Hulk glory. I can see the meeting
at Marvel now. Someone, probably Tom Breevort said something like,
"The Hulk has sucked forever. The last time this guy was interesting
was back when he was making out with Jarella." And someone
else in the room, probably Quesada, said, "Okay, let's write
the Jarella story again." And everyone nodded and then they
came up with the ingredient list: Hulk gets satched from present
reality. Lands in harsh world. Never changes to Banner. Meets woman
who sees the inner Hulk and they fall in love. The rest of the people
in this strange world also appreciate the inner-Hulk and decide
to make him their king. Just as soon as Hulk feels comfortable in
this world, he gets snatched back to his former reality. It's that
last part that hasn't happened yet. But mark my words, it's what's
happening next. By the way, Ladrone's covers are freaking amazing.
Irredeemable
Ant-Man #4
Marvel
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Phil Hester
Editorial:
I have a serious love-hate relationship with this book. Right now,
I'm back to hate. I'm hoping it ends soon.
Iron
Man: Hypervelocity #1
Marvel
Writer: Adam Warren
Artist: Brian Denham
Editorial:
Brian Denham was at Zeus Comics last Thursday signing his new Iron
Man comic. Zeus was literally giving away issues for an hour during
the lunchtime rush. I had to pick up a copy and I'm glad I did.
I was very surprised by Denham's art. His Iron Man is cloaked in
shadow with glimmering highlights and dazzling reflections that
help tell the story about the world's most amazing technology that
is wrapped around... Wait a minute... Who's this suit of armor wrapped
around? You'll have to pick up an issue yourself to find out.
New
Universal #2
Marvel
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist:Salvador Larroca
Description:
The White Event. The most startling celestial phenomenon ever witnessed
by the human race. While most humans are left to wonder its significance,
a few have emerged from its wake as something more. Now, they must
come to terms with their new existences…and survive a world
that is struggling to come to terms with them.
Editorial:
If there was never a make believe world of super heroes and someone
just up and imagined them one day, they might come to be like the
television series, Heroes. Or even possibly like the superpowered
people of Ellis' NewUniversal. In this world, there are no metahumans.
Or at least there weren't before the White Event. But now there
are. And they have amazing powers that don't have anything to do
with bats, or spiders, or rhinos, or ancestoral curses, or super
soldier formulas. Larroca gives Ellis' wild imaginings the perfect
expression of unbridled power and chaotic energy to help make this
story of new beginnings seem even more real and more plausible than
that other one on television.
So,
what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give
us your feedback.
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