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| << September17, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 541.4 |
September17, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 541.7 >> |
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------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/bGIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> From TOP SHELF Monkey versus Robot James Kochalka $10, B/W Shoot, this seems like a hard book to review. First, there are few words, mostly images of monkeys and robots at war. I could write about how this is a tale about modernism versus the primal, the machine versus the organism. But honestly while that is valid, and probably the point, I thought that the work was clever and vital. I enjoyed the art, and the story and I think that comics are great to allow the mind to delve into the deeper meanings of a story, where there is no narrator, and no dialogue to speak of. Monkey throw poo, Robot throw rock. Doesn't sound like a fair fight, but then again, have you looked at a satellite scan of the former forests of the Amazon, or elsewhere where economic realities call for the harvest of trees and other natural resources? And of course there is the struggle within us, each of us, between our desire to have life go easier (tech), versus living a life connected with our natural world. Author Richard White wrote about how people who harvest wood through the sweat of their brow connect with nature, however differently than the environmentalist. We exist. Our struggle is ongoing. This is a thoughtful work, probably too expensive for some people, but as for me, I liked it. DDP puts out comics worth reading. I appreciate most of what Devil's Due produces. They are not a company that seeks to redo all that has been done, instead they create new works in familiar and fun genres. The licensed properties and new properties are all done with a similar attention to quality, and there is at DDP a feeling of greater achievements upon the horizon. BLADE OF KUMORI #1-4 Written: Ron Marz Artist: Dub & Grafiksismik Famous for taking Hal Jordan Green Lantern to the brinks of insanity and death Ron Marz reinvigorated his career at Cross Gen. While there he wrote THE PATH which was an awesome work, a samurai epic. Similar in quality, and setting, but nonetheless new, KUMORI is a ninja of sorts, an assassin from a clan/house of assassins. She is a nearly perfect killer but has, to this point been able to kill people who in some manner of thinking "deserved" it. The result of a command to execute an honorable man leads Kumori to reassess her life, career and choices and is not happy about having to do so. And she is not someone you want to piss off. The writing is clever, clean and interesting at all times. The art is good enough, with a look that transcends the pencils and inks. This is a first class story. BREAKDOWN #1-6 Writer: Chuck Dixon Artist: David Ross A hero sees his family killed and his former perfect looks and life destroyed. But he has powers, and he works to wreak revenge upon those who took his life from him. The title refers to the loss of that perfect existence, and the unquenchable thirst to destroy those who destroyed him. The hero decides he needs to break his father out of a maximum security prison and the two face all sorts of problems as a result, including, NUCLEAR problems. Dixon is a fabulous writer and his greatest titles share something in common, fabulous amounts of well executed action and true to life dialogue. This book has those. I want to see this title go on for a long time, if for no other reason than it feels here that Dixon is unleashed, and unconstrained. As such it is really fun. DEFEX #1-6 Writer: Marv Wolfman Artist: Stefano Casselli Kids with massive powers are shepherded by a seeming disreputable parent/guardian to being used for their powers for a purpose that is not good. The mystery involves dark forces and kids deciding how to escape, while still trying to remain a team. This is not the best work from Wolfman, Casselli or DDP. In fact it reached a conclusion at issue #6. The problem here is not the story, but it could be better. The problem here is not the art, though it could be better. The problem here is that the story does not feel new, does not have a compelling cast. So more, it seems to be an afterthought than a best effort. INFANTRY #1-4 Writer: Joe Casey Artist: Clement Suave Infantry follows two people, an investigator and a maniac. The investigator is bright, thoughtful and determined. The maniac destroys a bunch of stuff. Now, that is certainly fine, but while the writing here is very professionally done, after 4 issues I have had to make a great number of assumptions about the point. I generally try to review comics in a story arc, first issues or in trade paperback. The first issue was intriguing, but I learned very little. By the fourth issue I should know more. But, I did enjoy it. I remember what Grant Morrison asked, if you enjoy the work, what more is necessary? So, I must say, the art is good, the story interesting, and I hope the series continues to build. But until then I still have to say, where this is going, I have no idea. And if I weren't sent these for review, I might drop it from my buy list. GI JOE: SNAKE EYES DECLASSIFIED #1 Writer: Brandon Jerwa Artist: Emiliano Santalucia I dunno. When Sam bedded Diane some of the magic left Cheers. When I learned that George Lucas was going back to do Star Wars I was excited, until I learned that the next trilogy was a prequel. Arrgh. Now, I did like those movies, I liked Cheers with or without Diane Chambers but leaving mysteries unsolved is a valuable thing to the mythos of a character, and to the drama found in a story. MARVEL Comics might well have learned this with ORIGIN and the Wolverine saga. Is the character lessened by knowing? No. But the mystery being solved or at least described is going to limit the drama in future stories. Snake Eyes Declassified has not thus far solved any mystery and has not opened the story to question, yet. Currently Snake Eyes and Stormshadow are enemies and former friends, I cannot wait to see how that aspect of the betrayal between characters is revealed, but the rest? Not so much. However I will give the book a chance, because the writing is well done, the art is quite good and the cover was fabulous. Viper Comics are different and fun. While it is true I find myself enjoying much of what I read in the world of comics, VIPER is not just a comic book company. They produce intelligent thought provoking works that do not follow genre or cliche. I might not love their comics componently, but I do appreciate that they do not tread a path that is common. They are trailblazers deserving praise. THE MIDDLE MAN #1 Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach Artist: Les McClaine Two people work for a secret agency whose job it is to solve mysteries and fight odd villains, evil scientists and gorillas. The work here is clever and fun. As a first issue it did a great job of introducing the concept, the art was ok to good, the writing damn good, and the whole product pretty good. The cover was not so good, but, still, it did what it needed to. I look forward to further issues here, and want it to continue to be as good as it is here. KARMA INCORPORATED #1 Writer: David Hopkins Artist: Tom Kurzanski A corporation of sorts sets out to bring a form of instant karma upon wrong doers. It is their work or job to make people pay. But this is not about crime, it is more about sin than legal wrongs. As such there is a feeling about this work that is completely unlike anything you've likely read in comics before. Is that good or bad? Well new is always something unexpected in any art form, so yeah, it is good. But how about how well the concept was delivered? Ummm, well... it was ok. But however much it did not work perfectly or whatever faults this comic had, I give it a great deal of leeway. I think whenever people shoot high and land low it is forgivable. Whenever people shoot low and reach it, exactly what have they done? Great intentions are not wrong when the result is something we would not have seen if the creative team had not tried. The writing here was not even, and the characters a bit wooden. The art was ok. But if the goal here was to lead me to think about consequences and behavior, this book was a success. ODDLY NORMAL #1-4 Writer/Artist: Otis Frampton Oddly Normal, is odd, and hardly normal. She has witch powers, and human nature. Half of who she is, is human. Half of who she is, is witch. The result is a character who is conflicted between the world she lives in and that of the world she wants to live in. The story is cute, has worth and is interesting. The art is not so attractive to me, with characters who look odd, and not normal. I suspect that there is a lot to like here, but it is not my cup of tea. RANDOM ENCOUNTER #1-4 Writer/Artist: Nicc Balce Random Encounter is a title I enjoyed. Zombies, aliens and teenagers deal with life from a skewed perspective. I liked the characters, but I could not say there is a great deal of development of characters through out. The story is simple, pleasant, and I suspect that among the target audience a growing desire for more from this creative talent, as it is well done. FROM HEROICPUB.com I have a great deal of affection for the type of product put out by HEROIC. While I appreciate the best of decompressed storylines, and ultra realistic or ultra stylized art, HEROIC does not worry to be "modern" or "in step" with the present comic market formats and narrative style. What they do is tell straight forward hero stories that if not all ages are certainly most ages. An example of this was the recently reprinted in TPB ALTER EGO by Roy Thomas and others. His work has many levels, about being a part of an adventure, found IN a comic, and living in reality, but we are living in a different reality. So he uses writer hints to let the reader know there is a difference, such as in tone, and comic talk versus real talk. (I once called it mature or adult language but that is not true, simply, that people talk like adults in the non comic reality portion of the story.) Now you are welcome to dismiss the publisher or not, your taste is your own, but I think that for someone looking for the kind of comics they read in the 70s or 80s regarding style and content, these books are for them. Here are some of the offerings: FLARE #20-27 Writer: Wilson Hill (and others) Artist: Gordon Purcell (and others) FLARE is the flagship title of HEROIC and she is a light good person who fights evil, crime, and cosmic forces who oppose the earth. Her costume is various shades of bad girl/good girl, resembling Black Canary from DC. I am fine about that, she is mighty cute in those fishnet stockings. The stories here are episodic, not long decompressed stories, and the ongoing nature of the stories are not oppressively uninviting to newcomers. These stories were fun, needing no outside knowledge of continuity to enjoy, and had about them a certain charm that made for good, if uncomplicated reading. Flare is beautiful, and she is the good girl you root for, and love to cheer for. The writing throughout the first seven books was even, if not spectacular, and the art, while workmanlike, was certainly good enough. THE BLACK ENCHANTRESS #1-3 Writer: Wilson Hill Artist: J. Adam Walters (and others) Her soul is dark, her beauty unbelievable. She has powers that emanate from her genetic make up, she is a witch. But despite her world views, her lack of ethics or morality, she ends up often treading a line that is morally gray. As such she is an intriguing figure, and learning her origins and raison d'etre is interesting. Unfortunately, the art here is just ok, and borders upon T & A far more than FLARE. The writing is interesting but the great majority of art here is not good enough to impart mood or the vagaries and grayness of the characters involved. However, the art does allow for some very well built and looking females. FLARE ADVENTURES WITH THE LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS #14 Writer: Lou Mougin Artist: Henry Martinez and Rob Lansley The League of Champions are a group of heroes who fight the forces of evil and crime that threaten their world. This chapter in their tales follows them in a cosmic battle, that ends with them laying upon the ground defeated by a most demonic looking opponent. The art, including depictions of George Bush senior and wife Barbara, was not good. It looked to be drawn from a how to book from Rob Liefeld formerly of IMAGE comics, and it was a lesson not well learned. I am ok with the art though, as the story was rather fun, and I liked learning about the characters of the Champions, as I had not had a previous experience with them. The story was interesting and that will bring me back to the title. GRAPHICCLASSICS.com When I collected comics, as a youth and younger fellow, I collected Classics Illustrated, and enjoyed them. Graphic classics are not altogether the same as that fine series. These are certainly of equal or greater quality, but instead of "classics" that everyone recognizes the title of, these are short stories and such by the greats of classic literature. Pulps and early Sci Fi and Speculative fiction are all subjects for interpretation. The writers are therefore dead guys, and the stories are being illustrated by some very fine, if not recognized names, and very much high quality artists. As you can see, the two covers here, demonstrate that the covers alone are worth the purchase. HORROR CLASSICS Volume Ten Various talent, $11.95, Anthology TPB, B/W, Cover art Mark A. Nelson Take the greatest speculative fiction authors, illustrate them with new, interesting artists and place one of the finest covers known to man on the front. This book made for an hour of reading, and to a story I thought it was good. Anthologies are difficult sometimes, (and always for me) due to the multi party nature of the work. But obviously whoever chose the artists, whoever edited the work, they knew how to match visual mood and tones, with story depth and intrigue. Of particular note is the tale THE MONKEY'S PAW written by WW Jacobs and adapted by JW Pierard. This story is well known, but the illustrator's work and interpretation made certain that even knowing the story well, I never skimmed or skipped over a panel or missed a syllable. This collection is worth your dollar. ADVENTURE CLASSICS Volume Twelve Various talent, $11.95, Anthology TPB, B/W, Cover art Chris Moore This is High Adventure, with Pulp tales brought to life. The stories here are less classics as they are uncovered gems, but they are nonetheless good. A wonderful theme in High Adventure and Pulp stories is travel and the world outside of our own. The stories here allow the reader to travel to Amazon jungles, the Hindu Kush Valley, Paris, and the Valley of the Kings and more. The assembled art talent do a reasonably good job, but again the true stars are the stories, and their ability to create a sense of wonder and to inspire the imagination. I think IMAGE is Small Press Heaven. If a talent has work that deserves publishing they can check out the deal at IMAGE and perhaps get published. IMAGE publishes a great, fun and diverse amount of books, I like many of them, and I think that the publisher is good for the industry. I realize that that could be true for all successful publishers, but in this way, publishing lesser known talents, IMAGE is the conduit through which many talents go from unknown to known. And that is good thing. ARMORX #3,4 Writer: Keith Champagne Artist: Andy Smith Armor X is the story of a kid, with few morals, and worse ethics, who is encased in a suit of armor, and can use it for good, but instead, he is a kid with a new toy and no restraint. Ultimately, he is confronted by beings who are desirous of the armor, and he tries to avoid them. His flight from combat leads to a horrible tragedy, which leads to another twist. The art here is a clear reason to read this, Smith really did fine work. I like the story, and I like the unapologetic end. It was true to its roots, and beginnings and carried the story through to a tragic but ultimate end. While the writing was somewhat uneven, it definitely improved towards the end. The dialogue was brutal in some ways, but the concept of the characters, their genuine motives and behaviors, and original ideas regarding hero and power, made the writing a success. I want to see what they put in a TPB of this book as I imagine there are some fine looking character sketches and concepts to look at. BATTLE POPE #1,2 Writer: Robert Kirkman Artist: Tony Moore The Battle Pope is the ass kicking representative of God on earth. However, the forces of darkness have a stranglehold upon the earth, and there is little or no hope. Christ is on the earth too, but he is a weenie. The writing is fine, and the art rather good. However, after years of reviewing, I finally have been offended. I realize there is no effort to present this as serious or an alternative to Christianity, however, as a Christian I feel Kirkman has just about taken a dump upon the scriptures and called Jesus a loser. If I had laughed even once I would accept that this was humorous despite itself. But instead, it made me angry. Ok, all the elitist intellectual bloggers who think I am a 'pollyanna' will have more fuel for their fire. But, ultimately, Kirkman had to know people would be offended, and I was. He was right. It was good for what it was I guess, but God is good, without qualifier. FELL #1 Writer: Warren Ellis Artist: Ben Templesmith Detective Richard Fell is a faced with enormous problems. Horrifyingly violent, bloody murders have affected Snowtown. And whereas Fell is a seemingly moral intelligent fellow, whose mind can stand up to the rigors of viewing society's underbelly? FELL uses a single issue story format, and I believe it is a quality story, done in one, and for the 16 pages and reduced price, I say this is worth it. The writing was excellent, as per Ellis's norm. The art was somewhat brighter and less dreary than Templesmith's normal moody tones. I enjoyed this book, think it will sell well, and, given time, could change how monthly comics are formatted. Think about it, if a single story, of 16 pages for 2 dollars succeeds, why would publishers put out 24 pages or more of story? We could be seeing an opening shot in the format wars!!! Or not. FERRO CITY #1,2 Writer/Artist: Jason Armstrong This work is not hard to categorize. It is science fiction and crime noir. Robots with human traits deal with one another in a city as noirish and dark as possible. Organized crime, tough guys and danger are in great abundance here. NYC MECH does something similar, however, whereas NYC MECH seems at this point to be human drama using robots, this seems to me to be something more. With inspired use of characters and intrigue this plays as Sin City, and the robot aspect is not forgotten. It is homage of the best sort. Now while this is not pretty, it is pretty doggone good. BONE REST: A World's End #1, 2 Writer: Matteo Casali Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli A Bone white figure, looking for trouble finds it, and a dark enemy. There is a plot here that involves the end times as found in Christianity, but I think particularly the Catholic version of such. Blood, reborn dark creatures, filth and horror fill this, and it is not easy to see where it is going. The art here is important because the story itself is, unusual. The two main characters, protagonist and antagonist are shown with no face, of sorts. In one case there is no mouth yet the character can speak, in the other, there is a smile and eyes, but no nose. The face work looks very much like the impressionistic work of Keith Giffen or his predecessor Jose Munoz. As such I suspect there is a subtext of sorts that readers are supposed to be informed or moved by the faces with regards to the events going on in the story. I am confused here, not saying it is good or bad. Simply, as a story it is not fully cooked. As such, I would not be able to recommend this, although I am not in any way saying not to buy it, just, it ain't there yet and I am not sure when it will be. The EXPATRIATE #2, 3 Writer: Clay Moore Artist: Jason Latour I thought I knew what was going on. A fellow runs (with a lovely woman) from the authorities and is in the sweltering heat of Mexico, fans blow, leveler blinds keep out the blinding sunlight and cigarettes are smoked. But by issue three's conclusion, every damn thing you thought you knew, goes out the window. Issue one reminded me of Desperado or El Mariachi. Issues two and three were reminiscent in pace and tone of 60s cult sci fi movies. And, ultimately, there is still a strong flavor of noir throughout. The story itself is filled with intrigue and misdirection. The art was not great but it nonetheless told the story well. I went into this with eyes wide open and no preconceived notions. Where I am now is someone bemused by the fact that I have found a story that uses cliche to tell a brand new story. It is really a fun thing to think you know what is going on, and to be surprised. I think of the issues reviewed in this column, this wins best of show and that for story alone. NECROMANCER #1 Writer: Jason Ortega Artist: Frances Manapul A young woman is held prisoner by a demon, who taunts her with memories of her past and the story of how she became a prisoner of the fiends of hell. She was a daughter of a strictly religious family, with rules and expectations that had chafed her wild spirit. When ordered to attend a bible study she uses the opportunity to introduce the young members of the study to dark magic, and unleashes demons, who are violent and wicked. The consequences of her acts are tragic, and there are many unanswered questions. Ortega understands how to write a first issue. There is no reason after buying issue one that I would not buy issue two. The art is well done, however, it is done in the TOP COW (Silvestri/Turner) house style. As such there are huge eyes, cupie doll looks and some weird anatomy. The art overcomes those stylistic devices by telling a story that is compelling and with people who are emotive and real. I have seen some of the pages of issue #2, and the art does move in a less TC style, so if the artist continues on this title, I look forward to his growth and independence from other styles. This was good, compelling and interesting. STRANGE GIRL #1-3 Writer: Rick Remender Artist: Eric Nguyen A naughty girl is left upon the earth after the rapture has hit and has taken the believers away. The remnants of those still on the earth face demonic forces who are now unleashed upon the populace. The Strange Girl of the title wants to find her way to heaven, despite her situation, and she tries to negotiate the fine line that exists between being of the world, and simply living in it. Her adventures are dark and the world she lives in is ambivalent to her fate. Remender is a first class writer and despite his using of a current hot setting, the post raptured earth and end times, he makes the setting new, and very interesting. His writing here is well able to move the characters through the story perils, and, compel the reader to become attached to the the characters. The art is mindblowingly good. The colors and linework are fabulous. Consider this book to be a must buy. THANKS TO: The many publishers who provided product for this column's reviews. Alex Ness The Land Of Frost Box 142 Rockford MN 55373-0142 Alexander@popthought.com ONLINE ARCHIVES: ============================ http://popthought.com/ http://robingoodfellow.com/ http://stlcomics.com http://slushfactory.com/columns/an/ http://hometown.aol.com/ComicBkNet/ http://landoffrost.blogspot.com/ http://www.outsidethepanels.com _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Suspended Animation Michael Vance & Mark Allen MiklVance2@worldnet.att.net http://www.starland.com/sus [Michael Vance, a professional writer since 1977 and has been published in dozens of magazines including Starlog and Jack and Jill, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventure: The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his wrote own strip, Holiday Out, that was reprinted as a comic book. Vance also wrote the comic books Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars. His short stories have appeared in dozens of magazines and recorded by actor William (Murder She Wrote) Windom. Suspended Animation, has been published for more than sixteen years, and Vance worked in newspapers for 22 years as an editor, writer and advertising manager. Mark Allen lives in Western Oklahoma with his wife and daughter. He has been a Baptist minister for over 15 years, and has also written for the Oklahoma news industry. Having indulged in comics for nearly 30 years, Mark now enjoys using the written word to share with others what he believes is a true, and extremely under-acknowledged, art form.] Comics Legend Jim Lange has been the editorial cartoonist for the Daily Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City since 1950. That means folks outside of Oklahoma probably don't know Lange's work even though he's drawn more than 17,000 cartoons, and just about every one is a gem. In 1994, his newspaper published Lange, a 204 page sampling of more than 400 editorial cartoons. Those who buy it will come away with one clear insight into Lange's work. This gentle giant is able to firmly and quietly stand up for what he believes (and Lange is a conservative) without insulting those who disagree. He does so whether he is jabbing a United States President or some policy decision, ribbing a state official who is caught with his hand in the public's cookie jar, or grinning at the mundane foolishness of everyday life. Because he's done it for so long, readers will find 'ancient' fodder like Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon as well as the notorious up to 1994. And you'll recognize every one of them. Unlike a few editorial cartoonists, Lange is a master of caricature. You will also recognize yourself in John Q. Public, Lange's 'common man' dressed in a crumpled suit and sensible black shoes. Partially balding and sporting a bit of a brush of a mustache, he consistently wears a befuddled or amused expression as he observes the follies of life. Just like you. Lange's minimalistic style also features a master's instinct on what is visually needed and not needed to make his point with each incredibly smooth and visually attractive line. His work is highly recommended, and if you send around $20 for his book to The Daily Oklahoman, P.O. Box 25125 Oklahoma City, OK 73125, you'll be $20 poorer but much more rich indeed. (The observant will notice this is the first time in sixteen years I've included information of where to buy a book. Take the hint). MV For information on Vance's short stories, comic books, and available work, query MiklVance@Yahoo.com. _________________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine (CBEM) --------------------------->Disclaimer<--------------------------- This is an ANNOUNCE only mailing list, only the Editor can send messages to the list. No one else has access to the subscriber list. Replies to these messages will be received by the Editor ONLY, so you must CC: individual contributors if you want them to get your E-Mail. The E-mail to the E-mag MAY be used in future issues at the Editor's discretion UNLESS you specifically request that they not be. It is our policy to withhold names and/or Addresses, by request only, from letters of comment. 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