Comic Book Reviews: 09.01.2010

I Have Issues Week of: 09.01.2010

This week snuck up and slapped me on the back of the head. Originally I looked at my virtual pull list and saw 2 books. What a bummer. And I was thinking, Well the podcast will be a quick one this week, and I also thought about doing a column about digging through the quarter bins. Luckily Marvel Comics unleashed a flurry of #1 issues, and between them and a few surprises, by pull list exploded. These may be a bit short, but I wanted to cover everyone.

One Month To Live #1 (OF 5)

WRITER: Stuart Moore, John Ostrander, RICK REMENDER & Rob Williams
PENCILS: Mike Del Mundo, Andrea Mutti & Koi Turnbull
INKS: ANDREA MUTTI
COLORED BY: ANDREA MUTTI

This book looked semi-interesting, and I must admit that I only picked it up for a few reasons that weren’t too compelling. But I enjoyed the crap out of it, and I think the average reader will too. We are introduced to Dennis Sykes who is your average joe working for a greedy-evil bank that won’t lend to a kids orphanage because the fat cats want their bonuses. After he delivers the bad news, he tries to help someone out of a robbery and gets beaten and poisoned with toixic waste (only in the Marvel U) but is rescued by The Thing (again only in Marvel’s NY). After Dr. Richards revives him, he give him the bad news that he has serious cancerous growths, and only a month to live.

Invigorated by the short deadline of his life, Dennis discovers he has weird matter-altering powers and decides to steal the money owed to the orphanage, but is caught by his family who think poorly of him for being Robin Hood. Since he feels guilty, he breaks back in to return the money, only to be captured by Spider-man, who eventually lets him go. Instead he uses his powers to give the orphans what they wanted (which is a rock garden) putting him on the radar of a bad guy who runs the neighborhood.

Now after that synopsis, I’m sure you can’t find many appealing mind-altering ideas that make your rush out to buy it. The real magic behind it isn’t the “It’s Clobbering Time!” or the witty commentary by Spider-Man, but it’s the interpersonal emotional dialogue between Dennis and his wife, and the awkward dialogues with his adopted daughter. The story is actually wracked with tragedy, but as a comic book reader, you get sucked into this world hoping for him, and hoping for a happy ending.

What also gives the book more impact that it should is the artwork by Mike del Mundo. The artwork is bright, dark, gritty and clean when it needs to be to illustrate the moods of the book. The darker panels give the proper somber tones and even a stressful tension that the teenage girl brings to her scenes. This book may be finite, and given its more grounded approach, we have a sense of reality that isn’t present in Avengers. Sure Spidey and Thing show up, but they are the same as seeing a bright green camaro, or a woman with a short skirt. They give you a sense of rare instance, but don’t dominate the overall mood.

It may be because I enjoy Vertigo books, but I really took a liking to this more grounded Marvel book, and the human problems that are in it. I like to escape to a world filled with super powers as much as the next guy, but as a comics reader, I enjoy books like this because they demonstrate what the medium is capable of.  Not once did I turn the page and roll my eyes when Dennis manifested powers. I didn’t sigh heavily when the Thing yelled “Clobbering Time!!!”. I was able to set the fan boy down, and embrace the story for the emotions that Rick Remender wanted me to feel, and that my friends is a rare thing.

Avengers Children’s Crusade #2 (OF 9)

WRITER: ALLAN HEINBERG
PENCILS: JIM CHEUNG
INKS: MARK MORALES
COLORED BY: JAYPO LLC
LETTERED BY: NEUROTIC CARTOONIST, INC
COVER BY: JIM CHEUNG

Jimmy Cheung is a great guy, and I have had the pleasure of hanging out with him since he is here in the boondocks of Florida. When you see his work, you automatically are drawn to the great character drawings, the framed action sequences, and the panel layouts. It’s always great work. And then when you meet the guy, you just become a rabid fan. He’s one of the nicest dudes, and a genuinely good guy. So of course I’ll pick up this book. I don’t even need Heinberg on it.

This book is a fantastic return of the too short lived Young Avengers title, and I am one of those fan boys that winces at the idea that anyone different from Hienberg and Cheung handling the book. Luckily we get a breath of fresh air, and this dynamic and young group can once again have adventures in an old-fashioned Marvel way.

I can blab on and on about Jimmy all day, but let me swing the spotlight on Heinberg. I was frustrated as hell when he left Wonder Woman since he was doing and awesome job of rebuilding her after Infinite Crisis. Heinberg seems to get comics. He’s fantastic at TV writing, but I love his comics work. He actually reminds me of  Jeff Loeb the way he stays within the standard tropes of comic books, but where Loeb loses me, Heinberg excels. Heinberg doesn’t insert everyone’s favorite one-liners for the sake of defining the book and giving people “What they want”. He merely writes a good story, stays true to the characters, and gives us some fun twists and turns along the way.

I’ll admit that the first issue gave me whiplash as they went back and forth to Avengers Tower, but this issue was fluid, and had a confluent idea behind it to keep driving the Young Avengers on their quest. The idea of the kids pairing up with Magneto was delicious, and the torn loyalties and tension was fantastic. All of which eventually leading to a fantastic teaser for next issue which I am anxious to read. Damn it Jimmy! Hurry up!!!

Brightest Day #9

Written by GEOFF JOHNS & PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK & JOE PRADO
Covers by DAVID FINCH
Variant covers by IVAN REIS

Another solid hit. I was worried to death that we would have a run of Haws stuff, but luckily, it was J’honn and Aquaman. Although the book seemed brief compared to Superman:Last family #2, and 1 Month to Live, it was still filled with good stuff. J’honn is torn and decimating Ollie’s magic forest, as Ollie has to stop the out of control Martian Manhunter, we learn the new Aqualad is the son of none other than Black Manta. That will make for some great stories in the future. In the hands of Geoff Johns Aquaman goes from confusing-crap-character to cool water-avenger.

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #158

Writer: Larry Hama

Artist: Agustin Padilla, Rod Whigham

The Joes turn up the heat, and rally at COBRA’s secret Silent Castle. Scarlett and Snake Eyes, infiltrate the castle while Duke and boys rouse bloody hell outside. The issue is filled with great action sequences that leap out of an 8-year old imagination (not a bad thing), and story really does a fine job of giving everyone their minutes of glory. My only gripes were that a few twists in logic drew me out of the story. Even though the story was a bit muddled near the end, and telegraphed everything happening in simple terms, I still enjoyed the book as an enjoyable military toy book.  I’m looking forward to seeing the Joes kick the crap out of COBRA this time, and especially  anxious to see Cobra Commander’s new battle armor.

Superman The Last Family Of Krypton #2 (OF 3)

Written by CARY BATES
Art by RENATO ARLEM
Cover by FELIPE MASSAFERA

I had no idea how much I missed the “Elseworlds” books until this book showed up. And it’s hard to “break in the room”, especially with this crowd or over-analyzing fan boys. Cary Bates continues to write a logically different Superman book, and Renato Arlem illustrates it with balanced and beautifully rendered imagery.

The saga of the Els continues as Clark tries to find his place on Earth. His super-powered twin siblings learn that they are half-mortal due to their earth-birth (sounds like a disgusting beer), and Lex continues to outshine Clark. Only in this book we get a look at the growing cult called “Doomsday” that wants this fantastic super-family off Earth.

Much of the book’s imagery and famous lines can still be found in Mario Puzo’s screenplay of Superman:The Movie, but it wasn’t too awkwardly jammed into the book. I still enjoyed the twist of the half-super twins, the way Lex is playing both sides (naturally) and I especially liked the artwork. These double issues are great, and I’m happy I grabbed this is in issues instead of trade.

Thor For Asgard #1 (OF 6)

WRITER: ROB RODI
PENCILS: SIMONE BIANCHI
INKS: SIMONE BIANCHI
COLORED BY: SIMONE PERUZZI
LETTERED BY: NEUROTIC CARTOONIST, INC
COVER BY: SIMONE BIANCHI

I know some fans must hate it, but I’m loving the influx of Thor titles, and I really enjoy these side books. Some fans have cried foul on the account that the movie is coming out, and Marvel is trying to rip-off the readers. Horse hockey! Here’s why: Shut up. Enjoy the extra Thor books, and no one is putting a gun to your head to buy them.

So in this tale Thor is putting down rebellions in the 9 realms after Odin has gone missing for two years and Blader is dead. Can anyone say Ragnarock? Thor must carry the weight of Odin’s throne a she tried to lead the Gods through this dreary time. He Doesn’t have the power of Mjoner, and times are getting leaner and leaner. It was a dreary read, but the tale is dreary. My highlight of the book is when Thor and company have to attack civilians and front giants alike since the frost giants are using the simple folk as human shields. Interesting commentary there. Bianchi draws a pretty good Thor book. The photo-real renderings and character designs are really easy on the eye, and the layouts break up the pages in refreshing ways.

Wolverine #1

WRITER: JASON AARON
PENCILS: RENATO GUEDES
INKS: ART & COMICS INT’L
COLORED BY: MATTHEW WILSON
COVER BY: JAE LEE

Jason Aaron has joined the ranks of Geoff Johns, Warren Ellis and Brian K Vaughn as a writer whom I will try anything their name is on. He writes a solid story, with good cliff hangers, true characterization, great experimentation without compromise of character, and a great balance of reality and fantasy. I have always felt that the great comic book writers are the one s that can take chances, remember the stories that have come before, and still write a book that is something new without betraying the true nature of the character.

Here Aaron writes a Wolverine book that gives us the gritty back-story that accompanies Wolverine, and manages to move along at a good pace without being mired in inner-dialogue. Wolvie meets up with Wraith, and then a mysterious group attacks wraith, Wolvie’s girlfriend, and presumably everyone he cares about. Mystique comes to the rescue, and explains that Logan is actually separated. At this point the story ends with Logan about to be tortured in the bowls of Hell. I know right? Craziness. But it all worked. Renato Guedes art is well done, and I enjoyed the thin lines that cleanly rendered the characters. He had great action panels, and some cool character designs.

I also enjoyed the Silver Samuri backup story even though I had no idea he died. It was great, and you can really tell that Aaron has read every issue of Wolverine and that is why he gets him. Not a cliché in sight.

Wolverine Road To Hell #1

WRITER: JASON AARON, MARJORIE LIU, RICK REMENDER & DANIEL WAY
PENCILS: Mico Suayan, Guiseppe Camuncoli, Will Conrad & Jerome Opena

This book stole my lunch money. Another one of those books with 9-page previews of other books that I shouldn’t be charged for since it is a big advertisement. Boooooooo Marvel for this book.