AICN COMICS: WEEKEND EDITION!! Reviews and More!!
Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Okay. No room for me to run my yap this time. First, Andrew from Gray Haven Magazine.com sent along a brand new week's worth of reviews:
Hey Gang. Andrew from GrayHaven Magazine here with another batch of reviews. Enjoy.
Bloodstone #4
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and illustrated by Michael Lopez & Tom Derenick
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
This is the concluding issue of the four issue mini-series designed to introduce Elsa Bloodstone and her supporting cast to the world at large. The last page is a blatant plug for a possible ongoing series, and I would guess that if Marvel gets a sufficient response Elsa will get her own series.
OK, Marvel. She's a good character. Give her her own series, please.
That being said, it is time to review the strengths and weaknesses of the series as a whole and this issue in particular.
Each issue has borne little relationship to any of the others, being a series of set pieces that allow Elsa the space to show us who she is and what she is capable of. She hasn't been fully tested yet, but it is clear that the potential is there. Combine Buffy Summers and Lara Croft and you get Elsa Bloodstone. Fans of both Buffy and Tomb Raider should find much to enjoy here.
Elsa herself looks like a blonde Lara, and was raised in England by her mother. She is confident, outgoing and constantly joking about life, the universe and everything. Her character is very endearing, and I can definitely see her becoming a firm favourite of mine very quickly. The only real problem with Elsa is that her writers are clearly very unfamiliar with England, and need to do rather more research on the linguistic and cultural differences between England and America. With this little wrinkle smoothed out, Elsa should be a very strong character indeed.
Adam the Frankenstein's Monster caretaker and Charles Barnabus the lawyer who lives under the dark shadow of vampirism are clearly affectionate nods to popular fiction, but no less likeable because of it.
Adam especially has a great line in deadpan humour, and makes the perfect foil for Elsa. Both he and Barnabus are good solid cast members who have much to add to the story.
Tomas, the very enthusiastic young man who wishes to be Elsa's boyfriend is less convincing. He loves the whole monster hunting idea, but has no special talents or abilities, and virtually has 'casualty waiting to happen' tattooed on his forehead. Elsa is impulsive, but she has the abilities to back it up. Tomas loves the thrill of the whole thing, but comes across like an over-excited twelve year old who does not have any idea of how much danger he is in. Xander he ain't, and I remain to be convinced that he adds any real value to the cast.
Lastly, Elsa's mother is a very good character in her own right. Some of the best parts of the series have been the quieter mother-daughter character building moments.
Artistically speaking, Bloodstone is very well drawn indeed. The first three issues placed rather too much emphasis on Elsa's anatomy, but Michael Lopez has stopped doing that for the fourth issue, which is good. He is an excellent artist and his characters and monsters alike are unique and distinctive. So much so that the fact that the epilogue at the end of the fourth issue is drawn by Tom Derenick is visually jarring. Not that Derenick is a bad artist - he is clearly very talented - but Lopez's Elsa just looks so right for who the character is supposed to be that anyone else's version just looks wrong.
Issue 4 is probably the weakest story-wise, and feels a bit rushed, as if two issues were crammed into one. Nonetheless, it is a good read, and well worth your time.
Overall: 8 out of 10
Boneyard #5
Written and illustrated by Richard Moore
Published by NBM Publishing
Reviewed by Alan David Doane
Here's one that almost got away.
I bought this issue on the advice of Jevon at Electric City Comics in Schenectady, New York. He knows I write online comics reviews, but has never before steered me toward a title specifically for me to review it. Knowing that he has good taste in comics, and being of a mind to expand my horizons, I plopped down the $2.95 (oh, all right, plus probably forty bucks for other stuff, honey...I'm sorry! I can't help myself!) and brought home Boneyard #5.
A week or so later, I noticed I hadn't reviewed it yet. Then I began to wonder why, and realized I hadn't even read it yet. This is very unlike me. And I hate mysteries, believe me.
Moving some stuff at home over the weekend, I discovered the book down behind my bedside stand, rudely bent in half (despite its bag and board) and mocking me with its clever ability to avoid a timely review.
Well, it might not be timely, but here's my review:
Boneyard #5 was sold to me as a good jumping-on point, the beginning of a new story arc. In the way of all intellegent comics, the inside front cover features an introductory paragraph that brings new readers up to date on what has gone before. We learn Michael Paris has inherited a graveyard inhabited by monesters, but that the true evil lies with the townspeople, especially the Mayor, Satan.
This relatively quiet issue finds Michael being persecuted by the IRS and dealing with an unwelcome roommate, as well as the romantic advances of a sexy fish-woman. It's light reading, but very appealing, and with an attractive art-style that seems heavily indebted to animation techniques. I would have liked to see more of Michael's relationship with Abbey, a beautiful woman who has befriended our hero and is also a vampire.
I liked the lead character, Michael. His plight is funny and unique, and Moore is an inventive creator who paces the high-concept sitcom-like story well.
The sexual innuendo probably rules this out for younger readers, despite the artwork that would surely appeal to them. Boneyard is light, but not insubstantial, and if you're looking for a breezy and amusing read, it's worth checking out.
Overall: 7 out of 10
Caricature TPB
Written and illustrated by Dan Clowes
Published by Fantagraphics Books
Reviewed by Alan David Doane
I know Dan Clowes isn't a carnival caricaturist who had an affair with a teenage girl who claimed to be in her early 20s. I know he isn't an isolated, disaffected young boy whose halloween mask serves as an ironic indicator of the horror he refuses to let himself feel. And I am reasonably certain that he isn't a fat girl who grew up to be a beautiful young woman who terrorized a theater full of people with a fake handgun.
The greatest thing about this collection of nine falsely autobiographical tales is that, while reading them, you forget that Clowes is a 40-ish cartoonist and filmmaker who has probably never sketched cartoons at carnivals, never written messages in the sand to a girl he's too shy to approach, and almost certainly never been an over-the-hill superhero being shown up by a young stud with a flashier costume. These tales are all twisted in Clowes's unique fashion, but they're all utterly convincing portraits of humanity in all its shame. Clowes gets under the skin of his characters like an invasive parasite, making a tiny tear in their flesh and then crawling through the layers of their being, revealing their character, their dreams, and most of all their empty, lost humanity.
These tales are all told in the first person, giving them a surprising unity that I wasn't expecting from such a broad variety of subjects and characters. Clowes, god-like, brings in these people who never existed and breathes life into the clay and makes them walk and talk and shows us just enough to humiliate them and mock them.
There's no one here who evokes sympathy in the manner of Enid in Ghost World, but this is a very different collection with a very different intent; it does include some serious works that evoke the quality and mood of Clowes's lengthier, celebrated novels David Boring and Ghost World, such as "Gynecology," "Like a Weed, Joe," and the story that gives the collection its name, "Caricature."
"Caricature" is a nuanced and subtle character study of a carnival caricaturist who meets a troubled and enigmatic girl that works her way into his life, until he begins to open up to the idea of settling down with her for a life on the road. Then, of course, the cruel hammer of Clowes's true-to-life cynicism comes down hard, leaving us with a somewhat unresolved and yet satisfying ending. There is a convincing level of detail about what such a life might be like, and a depressingly genuine sense of loneliness and bitterness; it's a weighty piece worthy of giving its name to this collection of stories.
The best story here may be "Like a Weed," which manages to capture perfectly the awkwardness and lonliness of growing up. It is, perhaps, the most substantive and human of these stories. It finds the protagonist leaving messages in the sand that are returned by an untouchable girl a universe apart from him, but her messages are garbled, lost in the wake of the relentless surf that carries their truth out to sea. It reminds me of the ghostly messages haunting the walls of Ghost World, and strongly hints at a fascination Clowes seems to have with the human tragedy of missed communications; we try to reach out, but something always seems to get in the way. Usually, it's ourselves.
Probably the most delightful tale here is the one that closes the book, "Black Nylon." It stands serious superhero comics up and splatters their brains against the wall gangland-style in a way Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns were afraid to: Moore and Miller retained a love of the genre that prevented them from saying in hundreds and hundreds of pages what Clowes gets across in just six and a half.
Clowes is a master of the comics artform, one of the best cartoonists alive. While I think Ghost World is his best work to date, you owe it to yourself to investigate these other works as well. It's a satisfying collection of bizarre falsehoods that speaks truth about the world and its inhabitants on every page
Overall: 9 out of 10
Exiles #10
Written by Judd Winick and Illustrated by Mike McKone
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
Okay, so I've been battling it out between Alias, New X-Men, Felon, and Exiles for like two months now, but it's official… EXILES IS MY FAVORITE BOOK ON THE STANDS.
Why?
- constant growth and evolution of stories and ideas
- almost monthly revamps
- edgy and passionate writing
- expressive and inspired artwork
- a cast of realistically emotional characters
- a female version of Nightcrawler, who literally kicks ass
When the last issue of X-Force came out I gave Milligan some mad props for doing Marvel's first teenage pregnancy / consequence story with a main character. Today I give Judd Winick even madder props for taking one of his largest criticisms with this book, and making it a slap to the face, touching turn of the story. It has been said that Exiles is inherently flawed with a cast of rotating characters and a mission that separates them from any real emotional growth. Well the next person who says that can come see me personally and I'll be more than willing to slap them around a little. I don't want to give anything away from this issue, you just need to hear my pleas and go to your comic store to buy it or read it off the shelf (yes, that's not usually kosher, but just explain to your local comic store that I sent you). I mean this issue contains one of the most emotional things I've seen since the Phoenix shot herself on the moon, and even that seems a little "meh" now.
Keep your eyes peeled for my soon to be released essay entitled "Reality Displacement: Emotional Warfare" to be out in comic stores soon. It will be looking at such prevalent issues such as sexual attraction to the familiar, heroism and parenthood, forced separation due to cosmic reality going screwy, and sexual behavior of the reality displaced. All of which are found in here.
Overall: 10 out of 10
Hellblazer TPB: Hard Times
Written by Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben
Published by DC Vertigo
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
This trade paperback boldly throws a quote from Alan Moore on its cover stating "Azzarello and Corben clearly have John Constantine down, cold and to the life…" It's kind of a powerful flag to bear considering the talents that have penned the adventures of the Constantine before. It's kind of like a gold medal in the portraying someone else's creation competition, and these boys deserve it for sure.
A common theme for my reviews is first time events, this being my first time reading anything by Azzarello and wow, what a looser I've been. I never picked up 100 Bullets because I was trying to stand my ground on some lame ass issue I was debating when I worked at the Silver Snail, and then it got too far ahead of me to start picking up. As for the trades, well, I've no excuse for not buying the trades -- but expect to see some 100 Bullet reviews in the near future.
Azzarello is an incredibly crafty writer. He uses that incredible vice of the comics medium in which he tells a myriad of tales of entirely no relation until the very end, when you realize it's too late now to bail out if the journey is making you uncomfortable.
This book is some of the best Constantine moments I've seen since his early days in Swamp Thing and the original Delano penned issues of Hellblazer. It invokes that complex sense of survival versus conscious that is at the core of a good Hellblazer story, and it's sure to drag a hundred bystanders down with it in the process.
Good show…
Overall: 10 out of 10
Hunter: The Age Of Magic #8
Written by Dylan Horrocks and illustrated by Richard Case
Published by Vertigo
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
This is the beginning of a new story arc for Tim Hunter. Home in England at last, Tim decides he is tired of hiding from all the people who want to hunt him or hurt him of influence him, so he drops the magical wards that prevent him being found.
This is possibly not the wisest thing to do when every occult group in the world wants you either on their side or dead, but when you are the Merlin, the living embodiment of magic, you make your own rules.
Consequences, of course, are another matter, and the Order Of The Golden Lotus are poised to make their move in the form of Mister Lily, whose voice projects charm. They are surely only the first to move, and there will be others.
But this issue mainly concerns a party held by one of Tim's friends, and the occult dabblers that attend that party. Particularly a young scientist named Francis Fabian who says that he has discovered 'The Evil Gene'.
Fabian's character is very quickly established, and the major point of this story arc is thereby introduced. He is intelligently written, and his argument that magic and science are two sides of the same coin is very well reasoned. Whether you agree with him or not, he makes a plausible case for his beliefs.
This issue is a fairly good jumping on point for new readers, as there is little that really needs an explanation within the context of the story that does not get adequate coverage. It gives a pretty good idea of the whole 'feel' of the series, and will give new readers a very good idea of whether Hunter will appeal to them or not.
The artwork is solid, conveying character very well, although Fabian looks a little too similar to Tim himself for my liking.
Both writer and artist are obviously familiar with England - or give a good impression of being so - which adds to the feeling that all of this could be happening somewhere right now if we only knew it.
A good solid book with many strengths and no real weaknesses.
Overall: 9.5 out of 10
JSA #33
Written by Goyer and Johns and Illustrated by Kirk and Champagne
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Paul Weissburg
For a short while after the Hawkman storyline, I felt like JSA was losing its momentum. There was a three-issue slump which, while not awful, certainly wasn't all that engrossing. Mr. Goyer has returned to co-writing the book, however, and suddenly all is well in the world once more.
JSA #33 is the first part of a five-part storyline in which the entire world has been re-imagined by the Ultra-Humanite (bad guy.. sometimes looks like a white gorilla). As our story begins, Sand (can they PLEASE change his name?) wakes up in this brave new world and we discover along with him just how messed up things have become.
I don't want to give away too much because half the fun is discovering this new world with our protagonist, but suffice it to say that the odds are certainly stacked against the good guys, as they more or less have to contend with every super-being in the DC Universe. On top of that, one of the few survivors is Icicle, an old villain with a definite axe to grind.
Goyer and Johns were wise to include Icicle in this story, as he gives Sand someone to chat with as he's exploring the new Earth, and he also adds a layer of tension to everything that's happening. Beyond that, the guy's pretty darn funny, as when he explains why he chose to free Sand, of all people.
This new storyline looks to be a whole lot of fun so, despite the embarrassingly lame cover, I highly recommend this comic.
Overall: 8 out of 10
Lucifer #23
Written by Mike Carey and Illustrated by Peter Gross and Ryan Kelly
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
I hate it when comic books confuse the crap out of me. HEHEHE, sorry… no I don't. This latest issue of Lucifer has done the kind of thing that makes for great comic storytelling, no matter how hard you try, and you just don't know whom to root for. I think back to the lovely days of The Sandman's The Kindly Ones, where I was left biting my nails trying to decide how Dream's impending death was going to effect me and if I should technically not support a character that I loved.
Lucifer has rehashed this debate for me, and I absolutely welcome the inner turmoil over it. Here Lucifer fights to defend his unearthly new paradise against a foe that seems on one hand bend on it's destruction, while on the other hand they're really just antsy to get out of our dimension and have some space to themselves. As the protagonist of the series, Carey has made Lucifer a charming and extremely likeable person. But let's keep a clear head here, he is the devil… charming and easy likeability are his tricks of the trade. Can we really assume that what he is up in the pages of this comic are honorable? Contrariwise, we have the tale of what is a tragic son trying to prove himself independent of his father.
Another amazing thing about this issue is the fact that Carey is unafraid to do that which most comics these days are running screaming from. He plays with continuity, he makes things that happened long ago have effect and meaning now. He flaps his wings softly in Hong Kong, and causes hurricanes in butt f##k Idaho… it's kind of revolutionary in mainstream books these days. Long lasting effects from a character's actions. Cool.
In each panel, as the battle flares on, you keep switching sides. You keep questioning where your heart, your loyalties, your beliefs are heading. Your left spell bound, not sure if you should feel guilty about it or not.
It's a delicious read.
Overall: 10 out of 10
Peter Parker: Spider-Man #40
Written by Paul Jenkins and Illustrated by Mark Buckingham
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Drew Haverstock
Why do people flock to JMS's Amazing Spider-Man when, in my humble opinion, Paul Jenkins is putting out the better book? Not that JMS is doing a poor job - but Paul is taking the title under his tenure to new heights, and experimenting with all types of storytelling possibilities.
From the slice of life yarns, to the Kurt Busiek-like "common man's eyes" snippits, to balls-to-the-wall action and anguish sagas, Paul and Mark are trying to do more with the character than any other writer has in eons. And one thing this man seems to never forget is how to close a page. Almost every closing corner forces you to turn the page quickly to see what's going to happen next, an art that many in this business have forgotten completely.
Codename: John Hancock is the second part of a three part series pitting Spiderman against Fusion and the good Doctor Octopus. Reduced to a blithering fool under the weight of Fusion's mental persuasion, Doc Ock has become a pawn in Fusion's quest to undermine Spiderman's world.
The opening issue set up the players well, and here we see what Fusion's grand scheme is all about. As Paul often does, though, things are turned on their ear in short order. Even Nick Fury and Shield play a part in this ever-growing conspiracy.
My hat goes off to these two creators though for bringing back the humor to this book as well. Jenkins' ability to make Peter **funny** once again has been a resounding success. His one-liners actually make me laugh out loud on occasion - a rare feat indeed. And balanced against the dark storyline surrounding him, the book is an involving and unbelievably satisfying read.
While I've been a big fan of Buckingham's work so far on the title, the past few months have shown a slight decline in his efforts. Backgrounds at times are left open and untouched -- a habit that tends to drive me crazy. While I don't expect Darrow-like detail on every page, set-up and intermediate shots are required to keep things moving smoothly. I'm often distracted by the fact that sometimes an entire page or two will go by with the main characters simply acting in air. So Mark, if you happen to read this....stop it already.
In the end though, this story is shaping up to be the best that Jenkins has done thus far. And that should say a lot.
Overall: 9 out of 10
Sigil #21
Written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Scot Eaton
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
A few months ago I was on the edge of ditching Sigil, but then I read that Chuck Dixon would be taking over with issue 21, so I stuck around.
And if Dixon's first issue is anything to go by, I'm glad I did. He starts out by giving a personality to Zanniati, a character who no-one has ever really done anything with before. She seemed to exist as a plot device rather than a character, but that clearly changes as of this issue.
JeMerik and Roiya are actually interacting in a believable fashion, with Roiya the hologram more than a little frustrated that the incredibly powerful being who says he loves her keeps secrets that she feels she needs to know. JeMerik himself seems to be developing a fine sense of irony rather than simply being a deus ex machina.
We get serious insights into the Saurian culture, and the promise of incipient mayhem with a rather unexpected escalation of the Human-Saurian war. Clearly Chuck Dixon intends to have a lot of fun with the vast scope inherent in two warring galactic empires.
If this issue is any indication of future trends, Sigil will become very popular, very soon, especially among sci-fi fans. It is certainly a radical improvement over the rest of the run so far (although I liked the last issue too) and it is very clear that Chuck Dixon knows exactly where he wants this series to go.
I dislike judging new directions from only one issue, but this is very promising indeed.
Scot Eaton's artwork is superb. His machinery and starships look real, which is always a must in a sci-fi story, and his characters are well drawn and distinctive.
Overall: 9 out of 10
Sojourn #8
Written by Ron Marz and illustrated by Greg Land
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
If your jaw drops when you see the dragon for the first time, know that you are not alone! For any fantasy fan, the full page spread where the dragon first makes its appearance is worth the cover price on its own. The power, majesty and danger that Greg Land manages to convey are almost unbelievable. This isn't just a crocodile with wings or a dumb beast - IT'S A DRAGON!!!
If I sound enchanted, it's because I am. I can't remember the last time I was this impressed. I knew that Land is one of the best pencillers in the business, that his humans (particularly the ladies) are beautifully rendered and almost look like they could walk off the page... It is a given that his background scenery will be almost photographic... But the dragon is mind blowing!
As to the story, well, blonde beauty Arwyn and Gareth the one-eyed archer continue their quest for the five pieces of the Arrow Of Ayden, an artifact required to summon the legendary warrior from his resting place (or perhaps from his sojourn...). One piece is rumoured to be in the lair of the aforementioned dragon, which brings our heroes to what promises to be a most fateful meeting...
The story moves forward well, beginning with the tavern brawl set up in the last issue and encompassing the search for the dragon's lair. As usual, Gareth does the narration, allowing us an insight into the way he thinks. Arwyn is a mystery to him, and remains so to us, the readers, as a result. Given that Arwyn is the main character this is an approach that could rebound, but Marz handles it very well. There are a few good character moments involving Arwyn's dog, Kreeg, and it is easy to see that Gareth and Arwyn are becoming more used to each other's company and more trusting of each other as a result.
There are as yet no hints of romance, which is as it should be considering that Arwyn has just buried a husband and daughter. Whatever Gareth may wish - and his attraction seems purely physical thus far - Arwyn is just not ready for any kind of romantic involvement yet.
Marz seems to have a great gift for developing characters properly over time, allowing them to grow and change naturally. He is an exceptional writer, and Sojourn is a superb read.
Overall: 10 out of 10
Thor #46
Written by Dan Jurgens and illustrated by Tom Raney and Scott Hanna
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Alan David Doane
I was surprised by how easily Jurgens and Raney were able to get me interested in this issue, which is mainly about Tarene, "Thor Girl," as my son and a lot of other people call her. She's greatly humanized here as Jake Olson teaches her to be responsible with her abilities, and as she takes on a human form in a winning scene set in her human alter-ego's high school.
We get a glimpse of the new status quo for the title character, as the Lord of Asgard lords it over his subjects and pitches woo with a woman I assume is the Enchantress in disguise. I don't know how long Odin will remain dead, but I find the new situation Thor finds himself in appealing. He longs for action, but his station in life demands patience and contemplation that he may not even be capable of.
This issue didn't feel as momentous to me as last issue, which was penciler Tom Raney's debut, and fairly sang of the beginning of a new era. Raney is one of my favourite artists and his spectacular work last month convinced me to continue to pick up Thor despite an overall apathy to the character and his history.
Unfortunately, there's something off about the art this issue; the lines look odd to me, like a new printing or production process is being used. Maybe Hanna is just experimenting with a thinner line, but I'd like to see more solidity to the art than we're getting here.
All too quickly, the issue was over on a somewhat startling cliffhanger (featuring the return of an old villain strongly hinted at in the opening sequence) that makes good use of the appeal for Tarene that's built up over the course of the issue, and makes me want to see what happens next. When it comes to a mainstream superhero comic book, you can't ask for much more than that.
Overall: 7 out of 10
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