T.G.I.F.: December 29, 2006

Everyone and their brother will be handing you Hamburger-Spewing Elvis M.O.D.O.K.s.

I bring you a damn funny character moment.

Have a Happy New Year, and I'll see you in 2007!

From Astonishing X-men #19 by Joss Whedon and John Cassady.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Slightly More Tolerable since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #34

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The cover teases a death, and we get Stupid Axe Guy? (J.G. Jones agrees.)

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New Year's Eve is December 33rd.

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Week 29's cover promised "39 Days till the Rain". I assumed this was to be a rain of depowered Luthorheroes falling from the skies.

39 days would put us in Week 35.

*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.

Merry Christmas!

Two thoughts as you enjoy this bit of Holiday Cheer:

1) Wouldn't it be great if DC's whole "Look To The Skies" buildup was leading not to the New Gods, but the Old Ones? Ambush Bug vs. Azathoth would get my money, that's for sure.

2) Be on the lookout for Cthulhu Tales: The Rising.

T.G.I.F.: December 22, 2006

Yes, I know it's not comics. This defines me as a Child Of The Eighties as much as Anatomy Lesson and Ronin: Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Bob Geldof.

Merry Christmas!

Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Slightly More Tolerable since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #33

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Is this supposed to be ... shocking? Titillating? Romantic?

I'm assuming that "stiff", "posed", and "Tussaud-like" wasn't the intention.

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I'll keep Alfred's words of wisdom in mind on the 25th.

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OK. I admit it. I choked up.

I'm an easy mark at Christmastime. "It's A Wonderful Life Syndrome" is the medical diagnosis.

*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: December 20, 2006

Brian Hibbs says it's a feast this week ....then why is my list so sparse? I'm not complaining: I still have shopping to do.

Size aside, there are still comics awaiting me at 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics. Among the best are some books I already have in one form or another, and won't be buying again: Action Philosophers Giant-Size Thing Vol. 2, Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade #1, and the trade collection of the excellent Revolutionary War yarn Black Coat: A Call To Arms. Beyond that, I continue to be interested by Civil War and 52, and am really enjoying Criminal. I'm most looking forward to New Avengers, strangely enough. The title perpetually hovers at the cliff's edge of my pull list, but I can't say "no" to Bendis/Maleev ... no matter what words are on the cover.

• 52 #33
• Birds Of Prey #101
• Teen Titans #42
• Civil War: Front Line #9
• Criminal #3
• Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties Of War
• Iron Man #14
• New Avengers #26
• New Avengers: Illuminati #1
• Bakers Meet Jingle Belle

Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade #1

Yes, I played the game. Yes, I painted the little men. Yes, I flocked the hills. I consulted rulebooks and charts and blast templates. ... I pretty much drew the line at fiction, however. It always seemed a step too far. Warhammer 40,000 is a damned interesting universe, though - full of darkness, religion, and Gothic architecture. It's got a lot more grit and conflict than its fantasy counterpart, and I can definitely see the potential for some great fiction from the setting.

Adapting a licensed universe presents a tightrope act for a writer: there's a good chunk of your audience coming to the comic shop specifically for the license, but another set reading it as just another comic. You need to appeal to both worlds, laying out the superstructure while not boring those already familiar with it. Dan Abnett's no stranger to the universe of Warhammer 40K, and he's also written a comic or two. He's the perfect writer for the project, and it shows: he walks that tightrope well, engaging in a lot of world-building while developing a fistful of plots and characters that will carry through the miniseries. With co-writer Ian Edgington, he hits a perfect tone that makes this universe work, a mythic scale that makes sure it doesn't fall into Tom Clancy In Space territory.

BOOM! Studios has done it again, pairing a top-notch writer who brings experience to the table with an unknown artist bursting with potential: Lui Antonio. Though his faces feel a bit too over-drawn, too controlled, his sense of scale and composition is a perfect match for the legendary tone Abnett and Edgington bring to the comic. There's violence and action aplenty, and and multiple plots and characters ... Antonio never gets overwhelmed, and keeps the storytelling both clear and beautiful. He's also helped immensely by his ability to stay on-model, as the Warhammer universe has always has utterly fantastic visuals to play with.

Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade is a hell of an opportunity for a small publisher, and BOOM! is capitalizing on it. This is a great debut issue, one that will satisfy both Games Workshop die-hards and newcomers to the universe. It hits store shelves tomorrow, December 20th.

T.G.I.F.: December 15, 2006

Not much in this week's books that qualifies for the stringent requirements placed upon the T.G.I.F.: an image that made me smile.

Hence, an image from a book that's new to me: Absolute New Frontier. This was my first time reading it, and while my reaction was tempered by the outsized hype ... I still loved it. This image is just one of many that blew off the page, exploding a sense of time and place and boundless optimism. New Frontier has some storytelling deficiencies, but is an unparalleled period piece and a work of tone. A month of Fridays, and I couldn't get to all the images I loved in here.

From Absolute New Frontier By Darwyn Cooke.

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

52 on 52 #32

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"My Earth"?

"My Earth"?

Either someone needs to learn a lesson about sharing, or the Multiverse is back.

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What a great week for character: Osiris, Buddy, Ralph, and Accomplished Physician all get nice moments explaining who they are and why we should care.

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But she didn't say that.

Clue, compression, or sloppiness?

*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: December 13, 2006

I love Christmas Specials.

Keep your snark to yourselves: they fill me with nostalgia and happiness.

I don't care if I'm killing comics - DCU Infinite Christmas Special will sit at the top of the stack as I hot the register at 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics.

There's also some Holiday fun coming from Marvel tomorrow. I've been reading Wolverine through the Civil War tie-ins, because the Guggenheim/Ramos collaboration has been quite a bit of fun. I'll be dropping the title like a really hot thing that was burning my hands as of next month, when Loeb/Bianchi begin their run. In the interim, however, comes a Christmas tale by the 2000 A.D. team of Rob Williams and Lawrence Campbell which will keep me reading the title for one more double-sized issue.

Fresh off my first reading of New Frontier, I'm also pretty excited about The Spirit. It won't be Eisner, but that doesn't mean it can't be damn good. I'm certainly hoping that Clark, Diana, and Bruce get up and stretch during Justice League Of America, and also hoping that The Escapists does something in it's last issue to redeem a disappointing run.

I desperately want Curses, but need to hold off until after the 25th. I don't much like waiting.

• 52 #32
• Batman #660
• DCU Infinite Christmas Special
• Gen 13 #3
• Justice League Of America #4
• Spirit #1
• Stormwatch: PHD #2
• Fantastic Four: The End #3
• Wolverine #49
• X-Factor #14
• Escapists #6
• Curses

Focused Linkblogging

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

• Johanna does a good roundup of the Chuck Dixon Midnighter situation. I commented there, and now am paralyzed with fear that I can't write well enough to make my point and will become a target of WeboComicsBlogoNet derision. It goes a little something like this: I still find myself thinking of Midnighter as "the gay Batman", and it seems I'm not the only one. I don't think anything long-term is achieved by keeping all gay characters as one-note representations of an entire demographic, and if a few issues go by that focus on some other aspect of the character it can only help to flesh Midnighter out. Apollo and Midnighter still feel like gaysploitation, played for shock and edge. I want to get to the point where their sexuality is one trait amongst many.


• Dirk Deppey deconstructs Howard Chaykin's current work. This is as excellent a piece of comics writing as I've read in a while, and puts a historical perspective on Chaykin that's too easily forgotten. Those late Eighties are my personal Golden Age, and Chaykin was one of its luminaries. Deppey understands that and asks what's happened since?


• Something magical is happening with Punks. Please report back, because it's behind the MySpace Curtain, and as much as I love Punks ... I don't love it that much.


• ... And since I have resisted MySpace so far, I sincerely doubt my interest in signing up for ComicSpace. I know I'm alone here ... y'all have fun.


• Resplendent Beard goes off. Read it, it's a treat.


• Waaaaaay too late to write about Minx, isn't it? I just would say - on the name itself - that I regularly have to explain to my two girls that we will not be buying them Bratz. "Bratz" and "Minx" seem to flow along a similar continuum that while not empowering, is certainly successful. I suspect DC is more interested in making money by selling these books to tweeners by hook or by crook than they are in Advancing The Cause Of Womanhood. "Minx" is a name that - for good or bad - will sell. As for the creators' genitalia? I'd need to see the submissions pile to really make a judgement there - I'd hope that it was simply the strongest proposals available.


• If the Update-A-Tron 3000 is permanently down, how will we survive?

T.G.I.F.: December 8, 2006

Because nothing says "Christmas" like fascism.


From Marvel Holiday Special 2006.

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

52 on 52 #31

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Did M3G themselves compile the continuity nitpicks driving this scene, or did an intern do the actual Newsarama surfing?

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Dr. Fate? Ahead? BWA-HA-HA!

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The close connection of "Key" and "Superman" leads me to this key.

... I'm grasping at straws, hoping for something more interesting than the obvious answer of "Booster Gold".

*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.

Raised By Squirrels

You know what I love about Raised By Squirrels, by Brad and Monica Banko Meehan? Actually there's more than one thing - we'll get to that later. What I love, at least initially, is that it reminds me that "Indie Comics" is about as useful a term as "Cable TV". It's a business term, and exists only by ceding the central ground to the industry titans, lumping the rest together as a fringe. Though we'd like to cobble it all together in generic terms: a reviled Big Two providing slick entertainment and everything else as soulfelt art.

It's bullshit. Comics is about people wanting to tell stories, some of whom have marketing dollars behind them, and some who don't. Though they dominate the market, it's not like two Manhattan publishers own the exclusive patent on action thrillers. Many readers of Checkmate, The Ultimates, Chase, or Sleeper might turn their nose up at Raised By Squirrels because anything not coming from the offices of Joe Quesada or Dan DiDio is "artsy indy comix", but would do well to remember that publishing models do not define content. Though disguised as a black-and-white book from an unknown publisher, Raised by Squirrels is as slick and engaging a superhero espionage thriller as you'd find in any "mainstream" book.

The "squirrels" of the title refers to the "S.Q.R.L.", a shadowy security agency that employs metanormal agents to protect national interests. There are hierarchies of power within the agency, and it's near impossible to "retire". Noir backstabbing, betrayals and conspiracies litter the scene, but the Meehans keep the plot and action at the forefront without letting the book degenerate into an atmosphere piece or a chunk of world-building. The story is told through short, titled sequences that are driven by the book's online origins but also serve a as sharp, staccato rhythm to keep the story moving without much pause.

The biggest stumbling block that a Big Two reader might find here is the art. It's certainly not that the art is bad: the composition is excellent, and though the characters are a bit stiff and mannered, there's also a tremendous amount of emotion in the faces and body language. It just feels "off" a bit, the script and art seeming to belong to two different comics. The art feels like a rough draft, a storyboard of what the book would look like with the clean finish the snappy script seems to call for: the naturalistic cinematography of a Sean Phillips or a John Cassady. On the flip side of that, I feel like the art is straining against the heavy plotting of the script, desperately wanting the space to explore fall trees and expressionist cityscapes. I can't say that the friction doesn't have it's merits, however ... the pull between art and story may be the very tension that keeps this from becoming too slick, polished and commercial.

This trade paperback is available for a very value-packed $4.95 at the excellent Raised By Squirrels Website, with a second volume soon to follow. If you're still not sure, you can also download the all the issues in PDF format for the low, low cost of completely free. If a crackling tale of superheroes and espionage gone bad sounds worthwhile, give it a try ... regardless of publisher.

The Penultimate Elk's Run Post?

Since I returned to comics, nothing has excited me as much as Elk's Run. That's why I'm thrilled I'll finally get to read the whole thing! Josh breaks the good news ....

Don't know about Elk's Run? Well, you could start here. Then go here. And read this. And follow up with this.

This Week's Releases: December 6, 2006

I'd like to join the bandwagon and throw all the promotional weight of the Focused Totality Most Anticipated Book Award behind the "relaunch" of the incredicool Manhunter. I'd like to reward Marc Andreyko for creating such a complex character, and Dan DiDio for giving the title a second lease on life. I really hope that this second chance is all the book needs.

I'd like to ... but I won't. The book I most want to get my hands on when I head down to 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics is newuniversal, Warren Ellis' reimagining of the New Universe. It's not due to some deep seated love of Kickers, Inc., either. It's Warren Ellis let loose in a sci-fi universe with only minimal attention paid to servicing trademarks ... that usually works out pretty damn well.

Those that care will note that Agents of Atlas and Beyond! are both missing from my list ... having missed issues of both while I was away a few weeks due to employment shenanigans, I've decided to "wait for the trade" (as the cognoscenti term it). I find I'm skipping more miniseries lately as they tend to read better in their intended trade paperback format. Brian K. Vaughan's fantastic Doctor Strange: Oath is the exception the proves the rule.

• 52 #31
• Batman Confidential #1
• Desolation Jones #8
• Detective Comics #826
• Justice Society Of America #1
• Manhunter #26
• Midnighter #2
• Superman Confidential #2
• Tranquility #1
• Doctor Strange: Oath #3
• Incredible Hulk #101
• Marvel Holiday Special 2006
• newuniversal #1
• Uncanny X-Men #481

ScatterThoughts: Some November Books

It's Giffen and DeMatteis and wacky superhero hijinks ... you know what to expect, right? Planetary Brigade: Origins #1 covers the formation of a league dedicated to justice, with familiar character types from the warrior woman to the curious alien (whose Oreo opinion is still unrevealed) to the millionaire-by-day/dark-avenger-by-night. It's also home to Captain Valor of Hero Squared, and this three issue miniseries will act as prequel to that BOOM! Studios smash hit. It's a funny book with some great lines, but it's a significant departure from both Justice League and Hero Squared. Whereas both of those books were truly sitcoms, Planetary Brigade: Origins bleeds more toward satire, sending up heroes we know and love. It's a delicate balance, and when the Batman analogue says his old sidekick is "dead as a boot" it starts to go off the rails. Sitcom is about situation and character, but this is mere parody ... and not very clever parody, at that. Since I know these characters exist solely as commentary on other characters, I never feel fully invested in them or in their story. Planetary Brigade: Origins sure delivers on the hijinks that Giffen and DeMatteis are famous for, but it falls short of their best work by not offering much behind the hijinks.

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I think Talent #4 is the fourth issue of a four-issue miniseries. The last panel says "The End", and no fifth issue has been solicited. However, when the next to last panel includes the lead character saying "the first thing I'm going to do is find the man at the center of this conspiracy" ... I'm sure you can forgive my confusion. Talent's an interesting book with beautiful art, but it's feeling of "pitch on paper" has bugged me from the start and this "ending" only reinforces that feeling. I really wonder how this would have turned out without the five studio bidding war. Would the series have had a true ending, instead of just a slight pause before the next installment?

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Wha-huh? Deathblow #2 is among my favorite books of the week? I vacillated before buying this, as the first issue's darker-than-dark paramilitary/conspiracy/superhero vibe did nothing for me other than trigger flashbacks to the nineties. This second issue starts off in the same vein, then takes a left turn into birthday parties and talking dogs and opposing spy organizations called "U.S." and "T.H.E.M.". Though Carlos D'Anda's art remains solidly in the hyper-macho genre, Azzarello's script is starting to flirt with the madness of Matt Fraction's excellent Casanova, and could easily become one of the surprises in this Wildstorm relaunch.

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Oh! Hey! Speaking of Matt Fraction and "darker-than-dark paramilitary/conspiracy/superhero vibe", along comes Punisher War Journal #1. Punisher's a character that I've never had much use for: having read many a Mack Bolan adventure back in the day, I can't help but see Frank Castle as a pale knockoff of something without much substance to start with. Matt Fraction's the draw here, and he delivers what is easily the best comicbookery to arise out of Marvel's Civil War shenanigans. This is a very different take than the grim-n-gritty killer that personified the Chromium Age Of Comics, and reads as the diary of a madman. There's no mistake: Frank Castle is bugshit nuts, and Ariel Olivetti's off-kilter perspectives only heighten the feeling that we're seeing the world through crazy eyes.

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.