T.G.I.F.: November 30, 2006

It's almost become telegraphy (or contractual obligation): if you're doing an Eisner homage, you must include the book's title spelled out in architecture as Eisner did in his Spirit title sequences. I was surprised through the first few pages of Batman/Spirit as it didn't appear, and then ....



From Batman/Spirit by Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Better since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #30

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Read: Grant Morrison points to this issue as the Ground Zero for his current run on the character.

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Face The Face hangs upon Harvey Dent being left alone to police Gotham City ... it's looking pretty cape-crowded now, isn't it?

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"Saint George Killing the Dragon" by Bernardo Martorell, who died in 1452.

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words. For many more words (and excellent ones at that), check out Douglas Wolk's 52 Pickup.

Fifty-Two More Answers

Scipio asks.

I answer.

Again.

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1. Do you, like me, pray daily that Ralph Dibny dies in 52?
   I'm not a praying man.
   
   Perhaps I should start.


2. Have you noticed that on Heroes, the women generally have the "butch" physical powers and the men have the "passive" mental powers?
   I haven't. But now I'll be thinking about it in every episode.


3. Will Supernova remain a part of the DCU after 52?
   Yes, but not as Supernova.


4. Will there be an Aquaman movie?
   Not in this reality.


5. Am I the only person who still believes in the possible innocence of Skeets?
   I'm sure other tinfoil-hat-wearers agree with you.


6. When will the new Atom meet Hawkman?
   Brave And The Bold #4.


7. Am I the only person who doesn't think Montoya deserves to become the Question?
   I'd agree, but it's not just "deserve". It's just a bad, forced fit.


8. Has there ever been a more stinging condemnation of Wonder Woman than that made by Circe in the most recent issue?
   Superheroes should defend everyone, not just those from their own race/ethnicity/gender/religion/sexuality.


9. Am I the only person who really wants SuperChief to come back?
   I'd like to see more of him, as the character seemed to hint at complexity.


10. It's perfectly safe to assume that Dr. Light is the Evil Mastermind behind all the other villians in JLA, isn't it?
    Oh, dear. You are probably right, aren't you?


11. Who will come out first, Connor Hawke or Mario Lopez?
    Mario - I'm thinking his career needs the boost more. Since I have no idea who he is.


12. Why do I feel like I'm the only person reading Freedom Fighters?
    Because you are?


13. Does the fact that I burst out laughing when I read that Joe Quesada is Wizard's Man of the Year say more about Wizard, Joe, or me?
    All of the above.


14. If the latest Marvel Heroclix set has four ultra-rare zombified uniques, shouldn't the next DC set have four ultra-rare Starro-controlled figures?
    No ... New Frontier figures.


15. How will Batwoman kiss Montoya when she's wearing the Question mask?
    Off-panel, assuredly.


16. I am the only person who thinks Hercules should now be a permanent addition to Wonder Woman's "dynasty"?
    He does seem like he could be fun - especially if he can stay both chauvinist pig and hero.
    


17. Even when they name him "Sobek", aren't you going to call the Black Adam Family's new crocodile friend "Tawky Crawky"?
    I prefer "Crocy Crawny", myself.


18. If you had to live alone on a deserted island with one character from 52, which one would it be? I'd choose SuperChief; a lonely, lonely Superchief...
    Wicker Sue. Haven't you watched Survivor? You need kindling, man!


19. Can you name one villain who should be permanently "relocated" into Superman's Rogues Gallery, and why?
    Batman. Because the two are implacable enemies, and Batman will always win.
    
    ... Sorry. Had a Frank Miller moment there.


20. Don't you think Dr. Domino will be one of the Four Horsemen?
    Sorry, I can't enable you like that.


21. Is there a more boring book than Checkmate? I'm having trouble sleeping at night... .
    Have your tried a phone book? That's about all I can think of.


22. If M. Mallah & the Brain adopted, what would they name the child? I'm thinking "Dominique"... .
    I'm thinking "Dick Grayson Mallah-Brain".


23. If Aquagirl were to develop one superpower, what should it be?
    The power to be interesting?


24. Will there be a new Booster Gold, ya think?
    See #3.


25. Isn't this the first time we've actually seen Sivana's wife?
    No idea.


26. Don't you think Northwind should be rehumanified and brought back into the fold of the Hawkman dynasty?
    If only to permanently keep Kingdom Come an Elseworld ...


27. I'm the only person hoping the prophecy will be fulfilled by a monster eating Cassandra Cain, aren't I?
    I'm hoping it involves making her more evil, just to piss off more blogospherians. Perhaps he will eat her very soul.


28. If you were to bring back the Joker's Daughter, how would you do it?
    Just do it, ignoring any continuity I don't like?
    
    ... Sorry. Had a John Byrne moment there.


29. Shouldn't the Giant Lex Luthor Balloon be a recurring character?
    It needs a yearly appearance in the Rutland Halloween Parade.


30. Do the Wonder Scouts have merit badges for bondage and neck-wringing, and, if so, how are they earned?
    They are earned by hard work and practice, of course.
    


31. Since the most recent Heroclix map is the Space Map, shouldn't the next one be a Water/Ocean map?
    Ummmmmm .... sure?


32. Shouldn't Black Canary start dating Dr. Mid-Nite again?
    Yeah!


33. Was I the only person surprised by John Henry's loss of his new powers?
    I was only surprised it took so long.


34. Doesn't anyone else miss Neptune Perkins?
    I don't.


35. Isn't it about time we stop mooning over "Cowgirl" and start getting our asses kicked by the Sinestro Corps?
    I'm hoping Hal starts listening to My Chemical Romance and posting on MySpace. 'Cause that's about as good a use of the character ...


36. What one villain would you revitalize by making him/her a member of the Sinestro Corps?
    Crazy Quilt.


37. If DC published an anthology title with new stories written in a Golden Age style, would you buy it?
    No. Let the past be the past, I want comics for my age.


38. If DC published an anthology title with new stories written in a Silver Age style, would you buy it?
    No. Let the past be the past, I want comics for my age.


39. If DC published an anthology title with new stories written in a Bronze Age style, would you buy it?
    No. Let the past be the past, I want comics for my age.


40. Am I the only person who misses Ferdinand and wonders exactly where a minotaur lives if not at the Themysciran Embassy?
    I assume he lives under a cork tree.


41. I'm the last person on earth to realize how good Birds of Prey is, aren't I?
    I'm right there with you.


42. Superchief, Ferdinand, Northwind; hmm, do I need therapy or just a weekend at one of William Marston's furry festivals?
    No, you just need a PAC.


43. Since there will eventually be a new Terraman, what should he be like?
    A superintelligent gorilla ninja pirate zombie.


44. Doesn't anyone at DC remember that Congress can't pass Constitutional amendments without them being ratified by the states?
    This is New Earth, baby. The old rules don't apply.


45. Is it no longer continuity that Luthor was a third-party candidate?
    No idea.


46. Has anyone else noticed how much less child molestation and bodies-in-the-backyard there are now that Alan Moore's not writing for DC?
    Que?


47. Am I the only person who thinks Rex the Wonderdog should be a supporting player in something other than Shadowpact? I think a talking immortal dog would be perfect in either Wonder Woman or Manhunter... or maybe living with Wendy & Marvin in Teen Titans.
    He should be a supporting player in Brave And The Bold.


48. Shouldn't Mr. Terrific be a lot cheerier now that he's getting some?
    No. It's part of his mystique.


49. No one really misses the Ventriloquist, do they?
    I do.


50. So, is it Chung Tzu or Chung Zhu? I hope they choose the latter and cover it by saying that Westerners were mispronouncing it, because it's really odd and vaguely disrespectful to name a supervillain after an ancient philosopher for no reason... .
    Excellent point.


51. Am I the only person who thinks Dr. Mid-Nite should have his own title, with Dr. Scott consulting?
    Dr. Mid-Nite by Matt Wagner? Yes.
    Dr. Mid-Mite by Geoff Johns or Judd Winick or Greg Rucka? No.


52. Isn't there ever going to be a second issue of Digging for the Truth? I am dying to see Josh confront the villain.
    Josh is a tease.

This Week's Releases: November 29, 2006

Seems like just yesterday that I was at 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics picking up books ....

... In fact, it was just yesterday that I was at 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics picking up books!

The March Of Progress marches on, however, and new books are a' comin'.

I feel some important vote is cast as I choose between two Jeph Loeb books from opposite sides of the fence: Onslaught Reborn and Batman/The Spirit. Truth told, however, the Loebs cancel each other out and the choice comes down to Darwyn Cooke vs. Rob Liefeld. I know where my vote is going.

I've been sitting out Brubaker's Daredevil run, preferring to tradewait the whole thing and regretting my decision monthly. I do not intent to make the same mistake with Immortal Iron Fist.

Green Lantern is about at the end of the line for me. I want to like the book, but Johns' run has one plot repeated endlessly: Hal's Past Comes Back To Haunt Him. Go be a goddamn Space Cop, Hal, and quit yer emo navelgazin'.

Johns' Teen Titans also repeats that exact same plot, but I tolerate it better there. Maybe because they are not goddamn Space Cops who could be doing goddamn Space Cop things?

• 52 #30
• Batman #659
• Batman/The Spirit
• Deathblow #2
• Green Lantern #15
• Superman/Batman #30
• Teen Titans #41
• Captain America #24
• Immortal Iron Fist #1
• Nextwave: Agents Of H.A.T.E. #10
• Punisher X-Mas Special
• X-Men #193
• Talent #4

52 on 52 #29

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In a world without "The Trinity", the JSA is closing down because Jack Ryder said something mean? Because Luthor's super progeny doesn't like 'em? There's much talk about how they shouldn't quit ... but there's never a reason why they do.

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Coming Soon on The Food Network: Mad Style with Dr. Sivana

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words. For many more words (and excellent ones at that), check out Douglas Wolk's 52 Pickup.

This Week's Releases: November 22, 2006

To borrow a phrase, I "Can't Wait For Wednesday". It's not the usual comics-a-copia that has me all a-twitter, however. In fact, comics aren't even part of the equation this week. Wednesday morning, we'll load up the car and head on out to California to spend Thanksgiving with my family, including my nearly year-old niece who I have yet to meet in person. Strangely enough, three months of unemployment has left me really needing a vacation, and I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days.

So - this week's 52 on 52 will be delayed, as I won't be getting books until next Monday's trip to 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics where my pull list awaits. I'm hoping to swing a stop by The Fantabulous Isotope while in the Bay Area, however.

When I finally get to shoppin' next Monday what will I find? Though not a stellar week, another issue of Wonder Woman is a good thing. As is more Kubert Action, a Matt Fraction Double Feature (Casanova and Punisher War Journal) and a new Runaways.

• 52 #29
• Action Comics #845
• Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes #24
• Wonder Woman Vol 3 #3
• Casanova #6
• Godland #14
• Civil War: Front Line #8
• Fantastic Four: The End #2
• Punisher War Journal #1
• Runaways #22
• Wolverine #48
• X-Factor #13
• Conan #34
• Enigma Cipher #1
• Planetary Brigade: Origins #1

T.G.I.F.: November 17, 2006

While the issue as a whole was weak, 52 also managed to produce the biggest grin in this week's books. Red Tornado's head bolted to a pile of junk while mindlessly chanting "52! 52!" just tickles my funnybone.

From 52 #28 by Johns, Morrison, Rucka, Waid and Drew Johnson.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Better since August 26, 2005.

Action Figure

I wish I could say I picked up Action Figure: From The Journals Of Richard Marzelak at my local comic store, but that's not the case. Although the debut issue of the series was solicited through Diamond, it didn't meet order minimums. And we all know what that means. It's a shame this book didn't make it onto comic store shelves for at least a couple of reasons.

First, the professionalism behind Action Figure is apparent in every step - quality production values, excellent art, a story just off the beaten path. While VampireLesbianTitExplosion keeps on selling enough to make it through Diamond's policies, quality productions like this (and others) get left behind because they are not stroking a particular fanboy bone. Diamond gets to run its own business, and at times I agree with their "Survival Of The Retail Fittest" policies. There's a difference, though, between series that have a proven track record of poor sales, and a series that isn't even allowed to try and build that track record in the first place. I have no idea if Action Figure could become a hit, but I can say with certainty that it won't achieve that status without some presence in shops. I don't doubt that some self copies would have sold just off the strength of that engaging cover ... assuming there were shelf copies to be had.

Second is that though there are problems in this first issue, it shows tremendous promise ... promise that can only be realized by continuing work and feedback. Art needs an audience - it's part of the learning curve - and I hope Richard Marcej can find one though his all-out carpetbombing of the WeboComicsblogoNet and his easy-to-use web shop. The simplest and best praise I can five a first issue is this: I want to see more Action Figure. It's far from perfect, but it is charming, filled with passion, features some wonderful cartooning, and has a disticnt voice. Although Richard Marcej is new to comic books, his experience in cartooning and design is readily apparent.

The biggest weaknesses in the book come right at the front, a barrier before heading into the meat of the story. Both the introductory letter from the author and the curious framing sequence serve the same purpose: to let us know what an accomplished, important man Richard Marcej is. The framing sequence pertains to his alter-ego "Richard Marzelak", but using the phrase "thinly-veiled" would be overstating the case by implying the existence of some sort of veil. Besides the general off-putting own-horn-tooting of it all, it's also committing the cardinal sin: it is a lot of tell and not much show. I'm being handed the curriculum vitae of Richard Marcej/Marzelak, as if it matters. As a reader, I want an entertaining story about interesting people and things: I don't care about truth or credentials or importance. Outside of comics, Harvey Pekar is anything but accomplished and important ... how he observed life and told stories made him a success, not his resume.


Once past that initial hurdle, the book starts to come to life. The art style loosens considerably, and really starts to drive this story of office politics, art, and their uneasy coexistence. There are a few too many cliches peppered through out: dreams of flying by someone who feels trapped, adventures in being late for work, bosses who exist purely as obstacle, too-witty banter by officemates. It edges toward s sitcom, but what begins to carry the book and make it stand out is the character of Richard Marzelak. Once past the aggrandizing bits at the beginning, a whole different character emerges, and one not totally unlike the aforementioned Pekar. Marzelak is a bitter dreamer, illuminated in flashes of optimism and despair. He causes most of his own problems, and it's those moments when you realize that he's not entirely sympathetic that really make the book. He's more complex than his label of "struggling cartoonist". Is is his failures - not his gleaming resume - that make the character interesting.

I hope that web sales or other distribution methods will help Action Figure find a life apart from Diamond. It's an interesting book, and promises to become more so as Richard Marcej grows as a storyteller. The art's there, the production values are there, the characters are there: all that's needed now is the storytelling and the ability to let the work speak for itself. I'm looking forward to Action Figure #2.

52 on 52 #28

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52 has been on a roll lately. That roll ends at #28.

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What happens when foreshadowing goes from subtext to text?

It becomes exposition.

This "Odd Couple" storyline should get to the point, quicklike.

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A Green Lantern created a permanent organic entity? Which can have its eyes plucked and kept as souvenirs?

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words. For many more words (and excellent ones at that), check out Douglas Wolk's 52 Pickup.

This Week's Releases: November 15, 2006

A light week, which is a fine, fine thing. I'm re-reading Seven Soldiers according to The Morrison Method, wrapping up Mayflower before Thanksgiving, and clearing the decks for Against The Day. I've actually had dreams about reading Against The Day ... that's how much I'm looking forward to Pynchon's latest. So a light weeks of comics just means I can get a lot of other reading done.

The biggest release of the week in my little world is Absolute New Frontier, as I still have never read the series. I heard raves about it when I returned to comics, but had a sneaking suspicion that if I bought the TPBs I would quickly be replacing them with the at-that-time-unannounced Absolute edition so I held off. Now that waiting will be rewarded, and I can't wait to read this story. Maybe I'm an idiot for buying a story for the first time in an Absolute Edition, but I feel pretty assured it'll be worth it. Though I support my local shop (2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics), I will probably be an ass and buy this online where the discount will be substantial.

There's a lot of good comics on the list, however, at a fraction the price of Absolute New Frontier. The next part of Astro City: The Dark Age begins, Astonishing X-Men continues its quiet run of excellence, and the Knaufs follow up on their excellent opening Iron Man arc.

Oh, and something called Civil War drops, which is at least good food for my Google Reader.

• 52 #28 $2.50
• Absolute DC: The New Frontier
• Astro City: The Dark Age Book 2 #1
• Birds Of Prey #100
• Astonishing X-Men #18
• Cable/Deadpool #34
• Civil War #5
• Iron Man #13
• New Avengers #25
• Ultimate Fantastic Four #36
• Escapists #5

Seven Sons

And if you didn't hear R.E.M.'s "7 Chinese Brothers" playing over imaginary end credits when you finished the story, you're a better man than I, Gunga Din.

I am not better than you, Mr. Bacardi.

Though I have dim childhood memories of The Five Chinese Brothers, it was R.E.M. that filled my head as I read Seven Sons by Alexander Grecian and Riley Rossmo. When went through my head was not various tellings of an old folktale, but the unintelligible mumblings of the Man From Atlanta. I came into this remembering little beyond "seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean", and read this excellent new AiT/Planetlar release with fresh eyes and mind. Though Grecian's wonderful essay that closes the book discusses the history of the story in all it's permutations, I did not come to Seven Sons with the baggage of childhood or political correctness.

What strikes me most about the book is the deep emotional power that Grecian and Rossmo wring from the triggering incident of the story. How have other tellings - children's books - glossed over the fact that this story hinges on the death of innocent children? In Seven Sons, that is brought to the terrible forefront in a sequence that's as riveting as any I've seen in comics. Rossmo's jagged art, filled with swirling blacks and expressionistic figures really sells the tragedy that lies at the heart of the story. He does so most notably in a beautiful panel that freezes time to show a single tear representing the struggle Brother One goes through as he tries to save both the children and their rescuers. It's a time dilation that brilliantly sets the emotional stage for the rest of the book.

Originally, this was to be called Seven Brothers, but the name was changed to separate it from the Woo/Ennis Seven Brothers at Virgin Comics. In a strange twist, this renaming points to most interesting and fully-developed individual in the book. The mother anchors this story from the opening pages all the way through to the explosive climax. She is in many ways the fulcrum of the book, a silent mover. The business-driven title change points to a fundamental theme of the book: these are sons, and that definition makes this a story about family in a way that the idea of adult brothers does not. It is tighter, more fragile, and more filled with passion.

If there's a flaw with Seven Sons, it is this: I don't know it ever manages to match the power of that triggering sequence. The biggest problem is one inherent to the source story: how to create individual brothers in a story that relies on them being indistinguishable? Though there's some beautiful storytelling, the brothers remain defined solely by their powers. We come to understand them as a unit, and feel their inner life as a group, but they remain interchangeable parts in a machine work plot. After that glimpse into the heroism of Brother One, we never get in again for am emotional closeup for any of the brothers. It's well written, and Rossmo keeps bringing fantastic art to every page ... and had they not played their hole card early, I might have had a different reaction to the book. When your opening gambit is a sequence as powerful as any I've seen in comics, you have to have one hell of a follow-through. I hope we see more from this team ... because once they can get that follow through, it will be something truly special to read.

T.G.I.F.: November 10, 2006

Only the third post this week. I wish I could - like a seeming half of the WeboComicsBlogoNet - blame this, but I will instead blame this and this and this.

And this.

Nevertheless, a trip to Batman's sci-fi closet fills me with Friday joy.

From Batman #643 by Grant Morrison, Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Better since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #27

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Que? The Spectre got squashed inside Crispus Allen during Infinite Crisis. 27 weeks later, the Wrath Of God's hostless again?

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I'm supposed to be awed by the pure evilosity of a flying gold Roomba? 52 gave us Wicker Sue: I'm going to need something creepier to buy Skeets as a major villain.


*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words.

This Week's Releases: November 8, 2006

My most anticipated releases this week are of a distinctly digital kind: Gears Of War and Call Of Duty 3. Both for the Xbox 360, both hitting tomorrow. It's a banner month for gaming, and these two titles look to get it started tight. I also have a copy of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance on the way through the cheapness of eBay, and will be sure to share some thoughts.

And when I get to 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics? What will I be buying there?

Well, it's more a matter of what I won't be buying. There's a lot of interesting-but-I'll-wait releasing this week. Bullet Points has a great premise and Tommy Lee Edwards, but J. Michael Straczynski's comics work is really hit and miss for me ... without the "hit" part. Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes II has a great creative team, but will probably read better in the eventual trade than in monthly doses. I get the same tradewait vibe off Wisdom, but the fact Paul Cornell is responsible for one of the best hours of television ever makes me feel like I should give it a try.

The highlight of the week, without doubt, is a new Action Philosophers! arriving to grace us with its intelligence and humor.

• 52 #27
• Batman #658
• Batman And The Mad Monk #4
• Gen 13 #2
• Green Lantern #14
• Superman #657
• Teen Titans #40
• Phonogram #3
• Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #4
• Doctor Strange: Oath #2
• Eternals #5
• Wisdom #1
• Battlestar Galactica #3
• Action Philosophers #7

T.G.I.F.: November 3, 2006

Though I have problems with Midnighter #1, by Garth Ennis and Chris Sprouse, I can't deny it also gave me my favorite panel of the week.

"Kicksplodo" barely describes the coolness of this panel, with Midnighter leaping to kick an artillery shell out of the air. It's a great moment, and Sprouse's page explodes with energy.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Better since August 26, 2005.

Midnighter #1

faggot

swish

fruit

AIDS

We get it.

Midnighter's gay.

We get it.

There's a lot to like in the first issue of Midnighter by Garth Ennis and Chris Sprouse. It's yet another twist on the classic Ennis Hard Man character, but with enough twists and turns to make a story I want to read more of.

What I don't want to read more of is page after page of gay bashing. Perhaps this is similar to 70s Black Panther or Luke Cage, where every plot revolved around racists and racism, but it somehow feels less noble in intent. Perhaps because it's so casual and pervasive? Perhaps because it feels very one-note? Perhaps because it feels like a verbal tic used by Ennis to separate Midnighter from every other black-leather-clad badass he writes? "Ah, yeah ... that's right," says Ennis. "Midnighter's the gay one. OK. Off to write the issue." Is Punsiher filled with Italian jokes? Was Jesse Custer constantly defined by being a Texan?

Ennis hits the truly interesting part of the character in the first few pages. He's a reductio ad absurdum Batman, a killing machine who is only barely human. He exists only as action, and is uncomfortable without it. That's the hook this series could hang on, and Ennis develops a situation that takes full advantage of it. But if Midnighter becomes issue after issue where the lead character is defined purely by his sexuality, I won't be around to see how that Millar-esque last page reveal resolves itself.

52 on 52 #26

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The halfway point. Deep breath, everyone.

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Is Natasha that ready to cheap shot her father on television? It seems like all complexity has been removed from this once-fascinating relationship.

---

I know Christmas comes earlier every year, but did Superboy-Prime punch it into November?

---

Thank God! Waverider's on the case! He'll save Christmas!

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words.

Focused Bloviation

If Focused Totality and 5WG just isn't enough for you, I've been interviewed over at Bloggasm. Simon Owens asked some great questions, giving me a chance to think about some new topics.

Lots of fun, and the more places I can bloviate about comics and games, the better.

Rock Bottom

When I first read about Rock Bottom, I expected a riff on Paul Chadwick's Concrete. Though it shares some common themes (namely the nature of celebrity) with Chadwick's epic, Rock Bottom is an entirely different beast. Rock Bottom isn't about superpowers ... it's about death.

Joe Casey's script is incredibly dense, packing in observations about high medical costs, consumer culture, estranged families, abortion, divorce, and celebrity in many forms - musical, scientific, and superheroic. It may be guilty of tackling too much, but there are only brief moments (like the home shopping scam) when the tangents threaten to spiral the book out of control. Rock Bottom hits a list of hot-button topics, but avoids feeling too issue-based by keeping complex characters front and center. Tommy Dare's gradual and fatal transformation into stone is the heart of the book, and the character is compelling. He's utterly flawed, and we're spared the TV-movie dictum that his impending death will transform him into a saint. He makes questionable decisions throughout, and that friction between expectation and what's delivered keeps the book a page-turner through the final images.

Charlie Adlard pulls off an artistic gamble with the tones in the book. As the novel begins, there is no shading to be seen. It's a bit confusing at times, the naked lines lacking definition and shape. It all pays off as the book develops, though. The grey tones are used exclusively to show the progression of Tommy Dare's petrification, and that color starts to anchor the book. As packed as the script is, that simple grey reminds us in every panel who this story is about, and what is happening to him. One of the book's themes is how the reality of Dare's impending death gets swallowed up by bigger societal forces, and it's Adlard's subtle experiment that carries the storytelling weight of that theme.

Rock Bottom is a damn fine book that is completely unlike what I was expecting. I should have know better than to expect the expected from Joe Casey, Charlie Adlard, and AiT/PlanetLar.