George Perez: Storyteller, published by Dynamic Forces, Inc., 208 pages, $29.99.
George Perez. Mention that name to the average comics fan and you will, at the least, receive a respectful response. At the most, you could hear an excited verbal dissertation listing that fan’s favorite Perez works and how they impacted his or her life at the time. Well, their hobby life, at any rate. In an age when the word “icon” may be in danger of overuse, it’s safe to say George Perez is approaching such status. Now, there’s a definitive work covering the man and his artistic legacy - George Perez: Storyteller, by Christopher Lawrence.

There is a reason why George Perez engenders heartfelt enthusiasm from so many fans. The man is an extremely talented creator. More than celebrating just that, however, Storyteller gives readers a peak at the whys and wherefores of his assignments to the many projects for which he is so fondly remembered, garnered from a very long and involved interview with the man, himself. His memorable runs on Marvel’s Avengers, D.C.’s Teen Titans and Crisis On Infinite Earths, as well as those well-known special projects, such as The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect and JLA/Avengers, as well as many lesser-known works, are addressed in a crowd pleasing hardcover edition.

I especially enjoyed Perez’s candor in the book, especially when addressing his years-long struggles with meeting deadlines and overall professional dependability. In a profession that has, at times, seemed overrun with massive egos, it’s gratifying to hear a creator of Perez’s caliber claim responsibility for mistakes, and then work to make it right. That says a lot about, not just the work, but the man.

George Perez: Storyteller is recommended for all fans of superhero comics, because, at some point, every fan has come into contact with his stellar work. It is also recommended for those interested in comics history, as the contributions of Perez are considerable. Find the book at your local comics shop, some bookstores and at www.dynamicforces.com .

Mark Allen

The Power of Iron Man, published by Marvel Comics, prices vary.
One of the most (if not THE most) attractive aspects of Marvel Comics, beginning with the inception of their superhero revival in 1961 with the Fantastic Four, has been the vulnerability of their characters. In AND out of their costumes, they had problems, both self-made and inflicted upon them. No stranger to that trend was Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man. One of the best examples of this billionaire philanthropist’s non-charmed life is collected in a trade paperback originally published in 1984 called The Power of Iron Man.
Written by David Michilinie, Tony Stark is taken through his paces by a mysterious assailant behind the scenes, as he faces several different villains, as well as multiple manipulations of his armor, once with fatal results. Add to this Stark’s personal struggle with alcoholism, a subject not tackled seriously in comics to that point, and you have one of Michilinie’s greatest accomplishments in the comics industry.

If that weren’t enough, readers are treated to the amazing art combo of John Romita Jr.’s pencils and Bob Layton’s art finishes and inks. Both now longstanding figures in comics, their work was amazingly action-oriented, expressive and detailed even 20+ years ago. In fact, even though I’ve always been a fan of Romita, Jr., it’s my contention that, while his work has improved in many aspects over the years, it has lost a certain dynamic fluidity since his early days drawing characters such as Iron Man and Spider-man. In other words, you can see something in The Power of Iron Man that you just can’t see anymore.

One of the best things about this collection, however, is that it hails from the days when creators didn’t feel compelled to place superheroes in “real life” settings. Imagine that; imaginary concepts in an imaginary world. Who’da thunk it?

The Power of Iron Man is recommended for all fans of superhero action and adventure. Find it at comics shops, and online retailers and auctions.

Mark Allen

The Black Coat: A Call to Arms, published by Ape Entertainment, 104 pages, $12.95.
Who is The Black Coat? He’s a spy who leads The Knights of Liberty, opposing the tyranny of the British in Colonial New York City. Right off the bat, you have to give credit to Ben Lichius, Adam Cogan and Francesco Francavilla, the creators of The Black Coat: A Call to Arms - there aren’t many (any?) modern comics works set in the Pre-Revolutionary War period. This may be a first. Regardless of whether or not they are trailblazers, however, one thing is certain; The Black Coat is worth your time.

Writers Lichius and Cogan spin a web of intrigue, adventure and downright macabre “creepiness” as they lay out the Knights’ struggle against an organization called “The League.” The presence of a shadowy mastermind concealed in bandages adds an element of mystery, while a Mr. Hyde-like serial killer called “The Butcher” supplies the appropriate “chill” factor. I’ll not reveal the secret that makes that character all the more indomitable, but it’s a fun detail that cranks up the story’s sense of urgency.

The art work on the story is handled by Francavilla, who has a wonderful eye for detail, as well as the use of blacks and textures. His evocative style sets the tone for the story very well, and is integral to maintaining the horror factor. I’ve said it before and surely will again, it’s a very small number of comics artists who can perform well in the black and white medium. Say hello to Francesco Francavilla, one of those who live there.

All in all, The Black Coat delivers the goods, and is one of those hard-to-find worthwhile alternatives to the glut of superhero books out there. It is recommended for older readers, due to some graphic imagery. But, even at that, the creators are good at weeding out the “gore” factor. It’s disturbing without being disgusting. Find it at comics shops, online retailers and auctions and at www.the-black-coat.com .

Mark Allen