CBR Review: Gravel #21

I recently reviewed Gravel #21 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With no word on the future of Gravel, issue 21 looks to be the last. Concluding the third seven-issue story arc of the series, and the large three-part story arc that was built from each smaller arc, William Gravel finds his position as King of Magicians in England not so secure after a crazed magician has killed his allies, destroyed his places of power, and left him seemingly defenseless. As always, people underestimate Gravel and they pay for the mistake with their lives. It’s a pretty simple pattern, but it’s driven the series so far, and allowed Gravel to be engaging as he consistently rises to the challenge, most often through surprise and skill. Even with everything taken away from him, he’s still as good as he was in the first issue when he began his quest to take down the Minor Seven."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews (August 25 2010)

Things are busy busy busy here with reviews to be written, blog posts to be written, plus super-secret things to be written. So why am I using my precious time for this? Because I love these super-short 'reviews.' I need to work at them a little more, so they can become these small, hardened, diamond-like things. Need to get better... always... onto reviews...

Gravel #20: After two storyarcs of Gravel working his way through magicians, killing them all as if they were nothing, the same thing is happening to him with his home and safe places all destroyed, and the new Minor Seven killed with even less effort than it took for him to do the originals. Granted, the originals were much more accomplished, but still. Crazy nutter that Gravel should have just killed is responsible. I have no idea if this series is continuing after next issue or if it will end after three seven-issue storyarcs. Either way, I'm sure I'll be okay. [****]

Thor #613: The longer this storyarc lasts, the less I care. I'm not sure why exactly. It's a logical outgrowth of what Gillen did during Siege, but... it's just not clicking with me. Maybe it's the overwrought narration by Mephisto's demon pal (that even Mephisto makes fun of!). Maybe it's a group of villains that I find boring. [**1/2]

Wonder Woman #602: And, because the only way to describe my reaction to this issue is to quote some of J. Michael Straczynski's dialogue from an episode of Babylon 5 from the third season, I'm sticking that under a cut in case you don't want to get spoiled.

Quickie Reviews (June 9 2010)

I've got things to do before heading out tonight with Michelle, so we'll keep this brief... as always.

Daytripper #7: "Haunting." I don't know what else to say. [****1/2]

Gravel #19: Always glad for another issue of this series. Not sure why Gravel just let the Scottish fuck who confesses to the sort of horrible misuse of magic that Gravel hates go -- other than it suits the plot. But, the service it does to the plot is pretty good by the end there. Gravel has made some enemies... and it looks like his allies are pretty shit. There's, what, two issues left in this arc? Looking forward to that. Don't know if the series continues after since Ellis only mentioned three seven-issue arcs... [***1/2]

Punishermax #8: A masterpiece of an issue. It serves the larger story, while functioning as its own piece with a complete beginning, middle, and end, tying together three narrative threads. The second page where Bullseye says "Who's up for a day at the park?" made me go "oh no..." And that ending was amazing. The Kingpin left alone with his 'power,' Bullseye learning that some experiences can't be replicated, and Frank crossing a line... fuck me, Jason Aaron writes a good comic and Steve Dillon drawing it is gravy. [****1/2]

S.H.I.E.L.D. #2: The first issue didn't wow me as much as everyone else, but this one knocked me on my ass. Dustin Waver somehow upped his game since the first issue, while Hickman is just charging ahead, hoping we'll all catch up in due time... the most confident storytelling from a Marvel book in god knows how long... Another great book in a very strong week for comics. [****1/2]

That's all. Later.

Quickie Reviews (Apr 21 2010)

Yeah, I should really change the name of these posts to Quickie Responses since these aren't reviews really. Just reactions, responses, random thoughts... whatever.

Gravel #18: If you've never read an issue of Gravel before, this is the issue for you as Ellis and Wolfer recap every Gravel story from Strange Kiss right up to the present in a series of three-panel pages with some slightly obtuse, suggestive narration as Gravel lays down the law to the new Minor Seven (of which there are only five). A fine issue, nice to see Wolfer doing some of the older stories in three panels like that. [***1/2]

Joe the Barbarian #4: Man, this issue just couldn't hold my attention. My mind kept wandering to what I was going to do after reading my comics and what's going on today and... some ideas and pieces of dialogue jumped out at me -- and the art is lovely as always, but... something just isn't clicking with me. I'll think on this and maybe say more when talking to Tim this week. [***]

Ultimate Comics Avengers #6: Anyone else getting flashbacks to The Authority #20 when they faced the evil Doctor? Horrible bastard with powers to bend reality... fucks with the good guys (who are bastards somewhat) instead of just killing them only to be undone by their overconfidence. Not as wonky an ending as that Authority issue, but still a little off. The stuff with the Red Skull in the hospital was so out of place that it came off as cliched and cheesy rather than heartfelt, while Nick Fury at the end was somewhat interesting. An enjoyable action comic and satisfying conclusion, but not exactly brilliant. Pacheco's art was serviceable with some pages/panels looking better than others. [***]

See, not a proper review in the house...

Quickie Reviews (Feb 24 2010)

Bigger week with my getting nine books, only three of which I'm reviewing for CBR. So, let's get to it...

Batman and Robin #9: I liked the Knight/Squire punching out the bad guy call back to the first arc. Batwoman's resurrection was handled well, but the evil Batman clone stole the show with his wonderfully twisted, incomplete thoughts. The page where characters from Batman's past are mashed up and combined is great. Cameron Stewart excels in this issue. [****]

Gravel #17: A bit of a minor issue with a few different scenes, two of which involve Gravel recruiting some magicians for the Minor Seven, and the other dealing with a twisted fucker trying to get Gravel's attention. This will most likely not stand out as much when read as part of the whole, but, alone, it's a little disappointing. Though, the 'blonde magic' stuff is pretty funny. [**1/2]

New Avengers #62: Don't you love it how the various comics regarding Steve Rogers's return/appearances since his return don't really add up? Because I sure do. This issue leads into Siege while wrapping up the fight with the Hood's people from last issue. Some great art by Stuart Immonen and Daniel Acuña. I also like how Steve says some personal things to people and we don't hear it. There's a lot to live up to in those sort of exchanges and Bendis is wise to show them without giving the details. Though, the not lining up with what we've seen elsewhere is annoying. [***]

Scalped #35: This is one of those comics that I know I should like more -- and I did like it, but I didn't love it. It's a slice of life sort of story about an older couple trying to survive and doing so by getting through it together. Jason Aaron's writing is solid and he uses their respective narrations to play off one another in cute ways, showing that they've been together so long that they know each other almost as well as they know themselves. But, it didn't hit me on emotional level, which was clearly the intention. This sort of story is meant to fucking nail you in the gut and it didn't... at least for me. I liked it a lot and it shows the potential this series has to explore ideas and characters beyond the core group (something Aaron has mentioned from time to time). Danijel Zezelj's dark, angular art is fantastic. I love how much emotion he can bring out in a character's face through his use of blocky shadows and lines. The juxtaposition of the third and final pages is great if you flip back and forth. A really good comic that didn't affect me as strongly as intended for whatever reason. [****]

Secret Warriors #13: Huh, we get some more background on the Kraken... and that final stuff is good, but mostly a 'this will mean more in the broader context' issue. As well, Stefano Caselli and Sunny Gho's work on art didn't look as good here. A little too bright, a little too polished... I've been liking the darker, sloppier work of late. That final page is some harsh shit that I don't expect to stick. Then again, given Sebastian's bitching prior to that, I can't exactly blame Fury... [***]

Thor #607: The different artists were distracting in this issue going from traditional to digital inks... the story wasn't as impressive as the first three issues of Gillen's run, though I liked Volstagg's scene in the police station. Loki is really overplaying his hand here in a sloppy way. [**1/2]

Later

Quickie Reviews: January 20, 2010

Because I don't feel like saying much sometimes... (And apologies if anything I say here winds up being said on the Splash Page podcast that will go online later this week probably. We had various recording issues, so I don't know what parts of mine and Tim's discussion actually got recorded and saved. But, whatever, if there's some crossover, just play that part while reading this blog and it's like you've got a transcript or some shit. Also, you'll see that, yes, I do write how I talk. Or, at least, I try to... what that says about my writing or how I speak is something I don't know...)

Anna Mercury 2 #3: High-concept action series keeps on a'truckin' boy oh boy. The whole space vikings thing is funny, but I'm more interested in seeing what Anna Mercury's fellow agents are like. The introduction of Max Jupiter -- wait, sorry, "THAT'S MAX FUCKING JUPITER, DEAR" -- at the end of the issue prompted a laugh, partly because of Facundo Percio's art. He's got a slick-yet-rough style. The wild, bug-eyed, freaked out look Mercury has a lot of the time really sells just how fucking insane her job is. Not a reveolutionary work, but I always enjoy it when an issue comes out. [***]

The Authority: The Lost Year #5: Ever wondered what would happen if you found an artist that was influenced by manga-influenced artists and Sam Kieth? Well, wonder no more thanks to Jonathan Wayshak. I'm very close to dropping this book as Keith Giffen's writing is... not good... I have no idea if this was Morrison's original plot or if Giffen is deviating, but it's lacking. Maybe Morrison would have made it work, but Giffen's dialogue lacks nuance and... reads like someone who understands only the most superficial characteristics of the Authority. At least I don't have to see Darick Robertson's art butchered by hack inking... [*1/2]

Captain America #602: Didn't make it through the Nomad story. Don't care. The main story is back into the regular sort of Captain America comic we all know and love. But with Dean White doing the colours. It looks better and why not take the break that Reborn provided as a chance to change the visual tone of the comic? [***1/2]

glamourpuss #11: The car story was a funny gag that didn't work in execution. The rest of the comic with Sim focusing on Stan Drake's facial expressions was great. Really wonderful stuff. [***]

Gravel #16: Both a 'done-in-one' issue and tying into the larger idea of Gravel as the new king of magicians in England. A pretty basic ghost story that's worthwhile as it brings up the friction between Gravel and those that really control England... which follows up on last issue's bit about that. The weakness of the main story hurts this issue a bit, but I do like seeing Gravel in a story that takes up just a single issue. Everything he's been involved in so far has been part of a larger story when, like John Constantine, the character lends itself to short horror stories. I'm kind of surprised that Ellis hasn't tapped that part of the character more yet. [**1/2]

Joe the Barbarian #1: Honestly, if I didn't know what the concept of this series was, I would have liked this issue less. The art is gorgeous in its sketchy, angular detail. But, the writing is weak and relies heavily on the idea that this will work much better when read as part of the whole. I would completely understand someone who had no idea where the story is heading reading this issue and not wanting to buy number two. It would be their loss, but I do understand. (One thing that our recording issues for the podcast does mean is that you won't hear Tim and I discuss this issue. Or how Vertigo's preview pages tend to be the final pages of the comic... good insights there... ah well...) [***]

Power Girl #8: A funny issue that had me more than last issue. I checked out this series partly to review #7 for CBR and partly because I really dug Palmiotti and Conner's "Supergirl" strip in Wednesday Comics. Last issue was fine, but didn't wow me -- or make me laugh much. This issue really brought the funny and did so in an interesting way plot-wise. Power Girl getting drunk and goofy was rather amusing as was the stuff with the bad guys -- and so much of the humour is executed in the visuals. That's a place where a lot of comics fall flat since doing funny comics requires an artist that can sell jokes visually and not a lot of people can do that (mostly because that's not a skill they develop when working on most superhero comics). I think this book may be getting a spot on my pull list. [***1/2]

Spider-Woman #5: I don't really have many thoughts on this book. I enjoy it, but not that much. I don't dislike it. It's like one of those TV shows that you watch because it's on, because you sometimes get one line or scene that makes you want to watch more. Alex Maleev's photoreferenced art is hit-or-miss as most photoreferenced art is. The drop-in at the end by the Thunderbolts comes out of nowhere -- in that bad way. Curious to see where this book is after next issue. I'm on the fence about it really. [**1/2]

And that was this week's non-CBR-reviewed books that I bought.

CBR Review: Gravel #14

I recently reviewed Gravel #14 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Now, no one goes into this issue thinking that Gravel is going to do anything but win, which is why Ellis and Mike Wolfer cleverly give him his victory and use it to put Gravel in a place where he doesn’t want to be. It’s almost like one person’s actions have determined that he would end up where he is and, when he realizes that, he can’t help but react poorly. All he ever really wanted was some peace and quiet, and the occasional pint, and that’s far from what he gets by the end of this issue."

You can read the rest HERE!

I Bought Comics: August is Almost Over

First and foremost, I want to close the books on this year's blogathon by announcing that when all was said and done, $225 was raised for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund thanks to donations from Tim Callahan, Joshua Schroeder, Michelle Farwell, Eric Rupe, Eric Owens, Leighton Connor, Dean (no last name provided), and Nick Eliopulos. Thanks to those fine folks and everyone else who supported me throughout. It was a good time and, hopefully, I can do it again next year.

Now, onto comics, where I've got a few weeks of catching up to do. Remember, these aren't reviews proper, they're just whatever thoughts occur to me when it comes time to write about these particular comics. Okay? Okay!

Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape #4

Marco Rudy is missed in the Nevett household. His work wasn't fully polished, but, man, he brought it with the page layouts in the first three issues. The new artist, whose name I forget and I'm too lazy to look up, isn't bad, he's just not nearly as exciting. The bigger shape of the story is beginning to appear. One of the most stunning DCU books in years, honestly, in term of experimentation and freedom. Normally, you need to be Scotish to get permission to write like this there.

Unwritten #4

This issue didn't wow me as much as previous ones. I think the initial novelty is wearing off, so we'll see if there's actually enough substance to carry this book forward. I forget where I read it (honestly -- I read a lot of stuff online), but someone was talking about how this issue is the final part of the first storyarc and, yet, it doesn't feel like the end of an arc (was it Graeme and Jeff in their podcast?). That's an interesting complaint/point and I think it's a valid one. I have no problem with larger, ongoing serials, but at least have some point to using storyarcs then. Previous Vertigo series told large, ongoing stories, yet managed to understand that if you call something a storyarc, it better have some sort of conclusion... which this one lacks. Not a huge complaint since I'm on board already, but it does make me wonder.

Doktor Sleepless #13

Man, the release schedule of this book really sucks the energy out, doesn't it? Some big things happen here, but I'm sure I only caught 3/4s of them, because I forget various things. Three more issues in this story and then I'll go back and reread it. Still, definitely worth picking up in some form if you're a fan of Ellis.

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #4

Not much to say... Joe Casey continues deconstructing the superhero team and advances the larger plot in some big ways. I'm really liking this series.

Gravel #13

This storyarc has been a bit too slow-moving for my tastes, but I'm reserving absolute and total judgment until it concludes, which should be next issue. I'm interested in seeing what Gravel comes up with regarding the death of Lady Avalon. Still one of my favourite books and one that I look forward to quite a bit each month (or whenever it comes out).

Project Superpowers: Meet the Bad Guys #1

Not too bad. Better than that Death-Defying 'Devil series Casey did for this property. Each issue will be self-contained and introduce new bad guys. The motivation for this one is sketchy and kind of lame, but it was an enjoyable issue.

The Boys: Herogasm #4

Wow. Wow. I've been rewatching The West Wing with my girlfriend (who hasn't seen the series really) and, when the show was first on, I was in high school. It aired at the worst time for me: Wednesdays at 10 pm. I don't know about you, but Wednesday nights, I was usually dead tired -- but I knew that the show was good and wanted to watch it... but missed episodes and didn't always follow along as best I could. One thing that always stood out to me, though, was the revelation that not only did the Vice President not play a big role in the White House, but he and the President didn't even like one another. Now, that may seem obvious to adults, but when you're young, you assume that people get along, particularly two guys who lead a country together, right? Well, Bartlett and Hoynes have nothing on Dakota Bob and Vic the Veep. Christ Ennis is fucked up.

Cerebus Archive #3

What makes this book so enjoyable is Sim's total willingness to mock himself, which he does a lot. And rightly so.

Dark Avengers #8

Finally, things happen. But, they're not the sort of things that really pay off from the extensive build-up of parts 2 through 4 of this crossover, sadly. The story is still way too decompressed for its own good, but now that it's going somewhere, I'm happy again.

Detective Comics #856

Great art, okay writing. No, scratch that: goddamn gorgeous art, okay writing.

New Avengers #56

Why is Bobbi in her Mockingbird costume on the cover, but wearing a different costume inside the issue? Otherwise, an interesting issue. Wait, doesn't Luke Cage have the Wrecker's crowbar? What's going on? The bad guys striking back is definitely good stuff. Some people have been growing tired of these guys dealing with the Hood and the other bad guys, but, having just reread the entire series, I'm enjoying it more than I was before. It's nice to see a threat maintain itself like this and change and grow over time. Yes, the Hood and his gang keep showing up, but, each time, it's different. Good stuff.

Scalped #31

Oh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. A slower issue, but you can tell that things are going bad for a lot of people and soon.

Secret Warriors #7

Jonathan Hickman is flying solo... and it reads the exact same. I didn't get the issue of Thunderbolts that this crosses over with, but it doesn't seem essential. Maybe it is. Whatever. I trust in Hickman to keep me up to speed. The artist for this arc is okay, but I have a strange fondness for Caselli. JT is playing a dangerous game with Fury -- one that's going to bite him in the ass since we know that he will die sometime... a few possibilities there: after much conflict with Fury, he sacrifices himself for the greater good; he doesn't listen to Fury and gets killed; Fury kills him. I'm hoping for anything but the first one since it's cliched and overdone.

And, shit, that was a lot of comics for the past few weeks. Again, thanks to all who donated money to the CBLDF.

I Bought Comics: July 8, 2009

[My girlfriend is out of town this weekend camping with friends. I am lonely as a result. What? Weekends are our time to hang out and all of the things that that entails. But, no, this weekend, I'm sitting in my basement apartment all alone, tired, cranky, and ready to talk about comics. Oh lucky you, imaginary reader. You shall be the recipient of my Wisdom on this dark Saturday morning. I come not to review comics but to talk shit. Rock and roll.]

Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1

Because I am a sucker and god forbid we didn't know every small stupid mundane detail about how it came about that the Dark X-Men were formed. Fuck you for buying this and fuck me, too. I hate it when I'm part of the problem. I hate myself right now because of a dumb comic... what the fuck? When did my life come down to me writing about comics online at 2:33 am and hating myself for buying a dumb, shitty comic? And make no mistake, this is a DUMB SHITTY COMIC, people! I don't care how you try to dress it up, there is no reason for this comic to exist except to feed the beast and I'm beginning to hate the beast. I've been digging Fraction's little crossover so far, because it's a logical extension of the larger story -- why wouldn't Norman Osborn form his own X-Men? Why won't he form his own Fantastic Four? Or his own Heroes for Hire? Or his own Secret Defenders? Why not Dark Guardians of the Galaxy? DARK ELDERS OF THE UNIVERSE! Oh yes, it shall be glorious and then we can have dozens of specials detailing how Norman Osborn personally approached each and every character to recruit them to his team and we can be aware of every small bit of continuity, because we have to know. We must know! Because god forbid we didn't know exactly how, detail-for-detail, second-for-second why a lame-as-fuck z-list bullshit character like the Mimic joined the Dark X-Men. You know why? Because Matt Fraction said so. The character wasn't doing anything and Fraction thought he'd make a good addition to the team. That's why. In the story, it's basically the same thing: he wasn't really doing anything and Norman decided he wanted him. It's goddamn metafictional. Art imitating life. No one cares about the Mimic, so why not throw him on the stupid mirror mirror version of the X-Men? He's like Dark Angel or something. And Dark Beast? Well... I can't even remember what happened in that story. It was rubbish and pointless. The Namor one at least built on recent events, because his joining the team actually requires an explanation, because, when we last saw him, he was ready to rip off Osborn's skull and shit in his brain. You want to know why Namor joined up? Because he doesn't know why. Or maybe he did it all for the nookie. Who the fuck knows? And I paid four dollars and something for this comic and I'll probably buy the next two issues, too. I am pathetic and part of the problem. I mean, I've got to know what's up with this team. I just got to. Fuck.

Gravel #12

Another solid issue of Gravel. I'm not sure where this is going, but each issue is enjoyable. Highly underrated book.

No Hero #6

Warren Ellis wins, you fucking bastards. I don't know exactly what, but he wins. Everyone give up, because the superhero comic is officially dead. The last page of No Hero #6 killed it. The final page grabbed the superhero comic's spine, ripped it out of its back, and then the final page proceeded to attach the spine to itself using excess skin -- it made itself a giant penis out of spine and uttered

THERE.

NOW I LOOK LIKE A REAL FUCKING SUPERHERO.

There's nothing else you can do with superhero comics anymore. I sure as shit don't know what else there is. I thought I'd actually seen it all, but then I saw a guy rip out a spine and attach it to his groin in triumph. And he's been the fucking portagonist of this comic. He's our point of view character. The new recruit. Our eyes and ears. So what does that say about us? Why did I feel excited about that final page? Does Warren Ellis know something about my superhero-loving brain that I don't? Because Josh is me and I'm Josh, so I secretly want my penis to fall off and then replace it with a superhero's spine? Of course I do, because I just realised that superheroes are just about money. All of the high ideals I worshipped, the morals, the ethics, the saving the world -- all a facade in the pusuit of money. I gave up my social life, I stayed inside weekends, pouring over my precious superhero comics, escaping into their worlds, I gave it all up and it's just about money. That's all. Oh sure, they'll say that it's about art and the love of the characters, but I know for sure. They raised the price by a dollar not because they had to, not because that's the only way to keep the comics coming, for superheroes to keep saving the world, but because they want more money. They're happy to lie to our faces, to laugh about it, to bullshit us -- they make us care, make us obsess, make us devote large chunks of our lives. We could be out getting laid and drinking and having fun, we could be making friends, but we don't. We're willing to exchange our cocks and our appearance if it means we can live the superhero dream. AND IT'S REALLY JUST ABOUT MONEY. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY. FROM DAY ONE. We've been had, we've been bilked -- and when we realise the truth, we'll want our cocks back by any means necessary... Warren Ellis knows this and he's shown us the truth. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh fuck and he's right. That final page is so goddamned fucked. And it's a mirror, people. Look at Josh's mask. It's a mirror that reflects our faces. Because he is us and we are him. Enjoy your comics.

I Bought Comics: May 13, 2009

[Normal reviews may buy my comics these days, but they're kind of boring sometimes, you know? A little too 'you must write this way all of the time' for my tastes. Sometimes. I'm not complaining. It's just that there are a lot of rules and people get annoyed if you stray too far. Examine an issue solely on its own merits and they get pissed. Examine an issue within the context of the whole and they get pissed. Call a writer a "stupid motherfucking retard who obviously learned English thirdhand two hours before shitting out a turd that some inbred editor decided to call a script" and your editor makes you rewrite. Not here, my friends. Not here where I don't do proper reviews. Calling them reviews would be wrong, oh yes. They are simply whatever I feel like saying about a particular comic. Blessed freedom.]

Captain Britain and MI:13 #13

Um... what? This arc is only half over and it looks like the bad guys have won. I mean, the team's all dead. They're all dead! Where do you go from there? Paul Cornell knows and I trust him. I'm a cynical fella and don't buy that all of those characters are dead, but it's still shocking to see them all slaughtered with such ease.

Final Crisis Aftermatch: Escape #1

I read this twice on Wednesday. I wasn't sure if I was going to pick this up or not, but the preview pages convinced me to give it a shot. Out of these four Final Crisis Aftermath titles, I knew I would be getting Dance for certain, while Ink and Run looked like shit -- Escape was the only one that had me debating. It was Dan DiDio's pet project with him editing it directly, which was a strike against it, honestly (I tend to take a dismal view of ANY project where an editor is heavily involved -- and the more power said editor has, the less I want it -- Mark Waid over at BOOM! is an exception, of course). But, promises of it being similar to The Prisoner had me intrigued. Marco Rudy on art was also a plus since I dug his Final Crisis stuff when it wasn't too rushed. I have no idea who Nemesis is, but this was one damn good comic. A real mindfuck that doesn't even attempt to explain anything. Number Six himself even shows up. Reminds me a bit of The Filth (the Mr. Green/Mr. Yellow issue in particular). Rudy pulls in all sorts of influences from Williams to Weston to Mandrake, and it's a visual joy. The writing isn't quite at that Morrison level, the narration a bit too heavyhanded at times, but there's promise -- and it's better than a lot of the other shit out there. Not the sort of comic you'd expect DC to publish, at least not in its regular Universe. Hard to believe that this is the same company that gave out Blackest Night #0 for free, permanently damaging lords knows how many minds. Good show, Ivan Brandon.

Gravel #11

If this story is going where it looks like it will be going, I am very pleased. That direction, for the record, is Gravel just killing off the Major Seven entirely. Why bother solving the mystery when you can carbetbomb the whole lot? Lateral thinking. Solider thinking. He's not a detective and he doesn't like trumped up idiots who sit around and do nothing except admire how brilliant they are. Wolfer fucking draws the shit out of those final pages. Some very good work.

Secret Warriors #4

Jonathan Hickman continues to improve with each issue, juggling all of these characters and situations. Nick Fury is a bastard, but that good kind. The Hydra stuff is interesting. I don't know what to say beyond this is a good fucking comic. Christ.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen -- Century: 1910

I read a black and white .pdf of this a while back. Enjoyed it then. Haven't reread it yet, but do like the colours. Thinking I may do a Reread Review of The Black Dossier if only to show how dumb I really am. But, yeah, a really nice read that takes a different form from previous League stories -- which Moore says is a result of not having to pander as much to DC and readers. It works.

I Bought Comics: April's Fool 2009

[Not reviews. Not at all. Just thoughts. Not necessarily intelligent ones.]

Gravel #10

I didn't know this was coming out this week. Normally, my updated Diamond list comes via Midtown Comics's website and they didn't have it listed, so imagine my surprise when I was handed this along with the other books on my pull list. A pleasant surprise. This issue is a bit slower and gets away from the main point a bit. I do like how Ellis and Wolfer don't bother to deal with the "cliffhanger" from last issue, merely showing us that, yeah, Gravel survived and has solved the problem. Good stuff. Hopefully "Gravel finds and recuits a new Minor Seven" doesn't proceed as slowly as it looks like it will. Wolfer on art is still just what this old Strange Kiss fan enjoys.

Irredeemable #1

I read this last Monday via .pdf, so eat that. It's an enjoyable enough issue. David Uzumeri over at the Savage Critics makes a good point that, perhaps, Waid is trying too hard to break from his perceived "Silver Age character lovefest" persona that anyone who's been paying attention knows is bullshit. But, this is the first issue, so let Waid overdo it a little, I say. Let him pile the shit on at first, pretty much dare you not to keep reading and then show off his regular skills in a "See? Who's old fashioned now, assholes?" move. Also, thanks to Augie, I've listened to all of the "15 Minutes with Mark Waid" podcasts and it's good stuff. All of them can be found here aside from one, which wasn't labelled properly. Check them out. Thanks to my .pdf-aquiring abilities, I'll probably trade-wait this series, but, so far, yeah, I'm on board.

Scalped #27

Scalped good. Very good. Buy Scalped.

Strange Adventures #2

Hey, did you know that this book already has a running back-up feature? Jim Starlin: several steps ahead of the rest of DC. The main part of this book is interesting as the Weird is revealed officially to be the new vessel of Synnar, which I assumed Starlin would drag out more--thankfully, he just dives in. The back-up feature continues to be the best part of this book, as it was in the first issue. Starlin on art (albeit with the godawful inks of Rob Hunter) doing a Bizarro story where Bizarro doesn't talk. I love it. Throw in an insane final image of a woman with a little Lady Styx growing out of her head that has its own Lady Styx growing out of its head and, hey, Starlin is a bit insane.

That does it for this week.

I Bought Comics: Beginning of February 2009

[Wherein I discuss comics that I got in the past two weeks that I didn't review for CBR. Not really reviews or anything. Just random thoughts, impressions... like, you know, whatever!]

Boys #27

The worst issue in a long time... relaxed to the point of who cares... Ennis riffing on St. Patrick's Day and America in ways we've all seen before... not bad, just feels like filler...

Secret Warriors #1

I wish this book was actually called "Nick Fury: Agent of Nothing." That title appears on the cover between the two words of the actual title of this comics and it is waaaaaaaaaaaaay better. "Secret Warriors" is a vague, kind of blah title for a comic, but "Nick Fury: Agent of Nothing"? Fucking sign me up! I don't care who's writing it, who's drawing it, if it costs $1.00 per issue or five bucks, whatever, put that book on my pull list now, because it will rock my fucking socks off. And this issue kind of did that. The art was better than I expected, honestly. Not quite what I'd look for in a comic book, but passable. Hickman's writing is a lot better at what it does than I expected, too. He's never shown a lot of character depth in his work to date, preferring to meditate on ideas than characters. And that's worked really well, so to see him handle characters with deft and ease like this is pretty astonishing. The final page "surprise" isn't THAT big a revelation when you actually read the back-up material, but it's still cool.

Gravel #9

Throughout the first eight issues of this title, characters have called William Gravel dumb, compared him to a dog--and this seemed to annoy him, piss him off, and he killed them. But, here, he does the same thing and I love that Ellis and Wolfer would do that. Those arrogant pricks weren't wrong in calling him thick, in comparing him to a dog, but, fuck, why would you do it out loud and to the face of your attack dog? Lots of emphasis on Gravel's character here, which works well. Nice to see them use this ongoing series to actually put some meat on his bones.

Incognito #2

I liked this a lot better than the first issue. Even the lettering doesn't bother me as much. Don't know what else to say. I am amused that this issue ends on the same plot point as Scalped #25.

Scalped #25

Year three begins and, wow, Jason Aaron does the unexpected by introducing a new character from off the rez. Very fucking good.

Thor #600

Oh hellsssssssssss yessssssssssss... although, I already get the impression that Thor and Balder are playing Loki. Loki hasn't overtly done anything wrong yet, so they're just going with the flow and waiting for a slip-up to nail her balls to the wall. I do find it interesting that the Dark Avengers show up sans Ares and Sentry, the two characters that could really give Thor a run for his money--though I did notice that Noh-Varr is not used at all--no one knows how to deal with him. This book had a slow start, but Straczynski is really building a compelling story here. The bonus stuff is great, too. Stan Lee and David Aja's story is a little... cutesy, but nice. The "Mini Marvels" story is pretty damn funny and recaps the 13-issue run to date well. Plus, bonus Lee/Kirby stories and the requisite "Every cover of the title you're reading to date" thing that Marvel does in every anniversary issue like this it seems.

Also, not "I Bought Comics" related really, but I am rather excited at the news that Joe Casey will be handling Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance, which will centre on the Super Young Team. I still say that Marvel should have tapped Casey to handle Noh-Varr if they weren't going to get Morrison to come back. Here's hoping Casey brings it.

CBR Review: Gravel #8

I recently reviewed Gravel #8 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It’s also a fun change of pace to see Wolfer’s art in color, since all of the previous mini-series were black and white with grey tones. The color is utilized particularly well when Gravel meets with the other six members of the Major Seven in a magical place where the sky is a psychedelic mixture of neon greens, pinks, and white. The splash page that has Gravel arrive there is jarring since the book usually has very muted, dark colors."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Gravel #6

Today, I reviewed Gravel #6 for CBR, writing the following sentences: "The William Gravel in this issue is unlike one previously seen in that he’s not in control of the situation. In the past, he’s been up against big odds and powerful opponents, but he’s always had a plan, and now these acolytes throw him off guard. Despite being a killer, Gravel is not one to kill needlessly, especially a bunch of misguided and stupid kids who don’t know how stupid they are. He doesn’t want to play master to them, but seems unsure as to what else to do."

You can read the rest HERE!

I Bought Comics: Third Week of September 2008

[Were my life a novel, this post would be a chapter titled "In Which Chad Discusses Comics in a Rambling and Disjointed Manner with No Attempts made at Coherance... for about the Seven-Hundredth Time..." Even I wouldn't buy that book, because it sounds pretty lame.]

All-Star Superman #12

"Every party needs a pooper and that's why we invited you... PARTY-POOPER!" I think that should be put on my tombstone when I die. Never a fan of this series. I could admire it in a cold, intellectual manner, appreciate what Morrison was doing, but not actually care... because I don't care. And that's one of the obvious goals of this series: to make you care. It failed with me. But, my conception of Superman was altered forever by Joe Casey... and I don't get a thrill out of seeing him punch out Lex Luthor. I don't get a thrill out of Lex Luthor running around in purple-and-green clothes like a goddamn moron either. Silver Age ideas filtered through modern sensibilities... with a hint of nostalgia thrown in... I find the characters vapid and superficial in their unyielding optimism and positivity... No doubt a few will think me wrong to praise some of the books I got this week while critiquing this one, but that's the way it goes. On a technical level, this is impressive comic, but when it so obviously wants to connect emotionally with the reader and doesn't, then it's also a failure of a comic. Because, for all of his inspiring ideals, Superman is still just a guy who punches guys out and that seems so... mundane to me. Really, he can't transcend physical violence?

Captain Britain and MI:13 #5

This continues to be an entertaining book as we get a breather issue between Skrulls and Evil Magical Beings. Blade joins the team and has one hell of a final page. The stuff with Faiza's parents was goofy and funny. Really a light issue that doesn't feel that light. After the previous four issues, this is a nice break. I'm sure Cornell will have some fun playing around with Captain Britain's new powers. I will miss John the Skrull, though.

Ghost Rider #27

A weaker issue of Jason Aaron's run. Mostly plot positioning and not much else. Zadkiel looks as absurd as you'd expect. The entire story is pretty absurd, but does work most of the time. Last issue was glorious in its absurdity, but this one was just kind of there. Nothing particularly bad about it, just another particularly great either.

Gravel #5

With Oscar Jiminez on art, this book is coming out on a nice regular basis, thankfully. The last page made me laugh quite a bit, because of how simple Gravel is taken down. He overcomes so much and basically falls for an electrified gate (electrified with magic!). I'm a little disappointed that we won't get to see these other magicians much, but Colgrave is a bit cliched... in that way that works. The aristocrat who looks down on Gravel as working-class--and then comes after him in a hunt. Very appropriate and kind of funny, particularly when Gravel calls in his horse. I think the first arc is meant to be eight issues (and then the first of three arcs that make up the larger story Ellis has planned) and now that it's back on track schedule-wise, I'm happy. Not a comic that will blow your mind, but some good action stuff with the odd bit of wit.

Holy War #5

Some interesting ideas like using Comet to stop the beginning of a war by pretending to be god... or a competing religion trying to stop a Second Coming... A strange world where other religions are recognised as factually valid, but are still heretical! I was hoping for the anti-god ray, though. The relationship of Synnar and the Nameless One is explained, too. If it didn't have to try so hard to fit into the DCU and these characters specifically, Starlin could be having a lot more fun, I think.

Mighty Avengers #18

One of those rare tie-in issues that is actually worth the price! That, and since I'm looking for to the new Howlin' Commandos Secret Warriors book co-written with Jonathan Hickman, I am digging any issue devoted to this ragtag bunch. Nick Fury is doing his "goddammit, we've got a war coming, so you do what I say how I say it when I say or so help me god I will rape everyone you ever cared about starting with your sweet ass!" routine. Here, he tells his Howlin' Commandos Secret Warriors to kidnap Maria Hill because she's a Skrull. And we get a few flashbacks to his training of the group (none of which are all that original, but at least Bendis has the sense to keep them in flashbacks rather than devoting an entire issue to training). The mission goes pretty well and then the invasion breaks out. A solid issue and one of the better tie-ins... particularly because it doesn't just spend 22 pages showing when and where someone got replaced by a Skrull (really, an entire comic for those?). Oh and I will continue to call them "Howlin' Commandos Secret Warriors," because I'm a stupid little fanboy sometimes.

Scalped #21

On page seven, RM Guera signs the bottom of the page with Jason Aaron's name, too. That's cool. Another new story with no Dashett Bad Horse to be seen. The juxtaposition between Red Crow at the beginning of the issue and the end is very interesting. Continues to be a fantastic comic. I have little else to say.

Secret Invasion: Thor #2

...a baby is born during a "tornedo" (aka Skrulls invading Asgard) and she's named Faith! See, that isn't just cliche in its usual way, because the Asgardians are gods! And the new Skrulls are "godkillers"! And... wow... could the b-story be anymore cliche? I did like the guys from town wanting to help the Asgardians with what they thought was a fire, though. And the look on Bill's face when he sees what they did to his hammer... Still, not that great. I imagine the third issue will end with Thor flying off to New York.

I also got Glamourpuss #3 and a couple of trades (latest Andy Diggle Hellblazer and the final Loveless one), so I might discuss them all on Friday... or just one... or none. We'll see.

I Bought Comics: Fourth Week of July 2008

[In which I discuss the comics I paid legal tender for on this fine July Wednesday... I bought many comics with my legal tender... I also bought a coke slushy with legal tender... And I'm listening to a CD I bought earlier this year with legal tender... I like the term "legal tender" today...]

Oh, I haven't read Glamourpuss #2 yet. I began it, but it requires more attention than I feel like giving right now. Maybe I'll say a few words later this week or just jump it in with next week's books.

Gravel #3

...holy shit, I forgot this comic even existed. I missed it, because seeing how I buy Hellblazer in trades, having a monthly book (or something approximating one) that's devoted to magic is good. Particularly since William Gravel is a pretty unique figure within magic. In this issue, he continues to hunt down the Minor Seven and actually encounters one with some brains. Funny that. Normally, I like Oscar Jiminez's art, but his Gravel doesn't work for me. Too skinny, too ragged... Everything else he draws works for me; he just can't do the main character quite right. Jiminez's figures have always leaned towards the lanky side of things, so it's not surprising, but Gravel is a big guy who should scare you a bit with his size. He's a soldier and Jiminez draws him more like a Constantine. Ah well. I'm tempted to go back and reread the two-and-a-half issues that came before this one since it's been so long. Hopefully they'll get this book back on track since it's the closest thing Avatar has to a flagship book these days (well, one that someone may give a fuck about), which I find funny since Hellblazer is the spine of Vertigo (in my opinion, at least) and Avatar is a place that out Vertigos Vertigo (or seems to want to sometimes). A comparison between Constantine and Gravel would almost certainly point out many fundamental differences between Vertigo and Avatar. Someone up for that?

The Immortal Iron Fist #17

"New Iron Fist Creative Team Doesn't Suck!" the headlines read across the blogosphere... Not a bad start. Of course, not quite where the book was, but Duane Swierczynski does his best to continue the Fraction/Brubaker plots while also injecting his own stuff. Travel Foreman's art does little for me, but it doesn't interfere with the story, so that's a pass from me. I'm glad I didn't drop this book since Swierczynski's work here is better than it is on Cable. A lot happens in this issue compared to not much happening over with our mutant friend. I'm on board, boys.

Liberty Comics

Picked this up for three reasons:

1. New Boys story by Ennis and Robertson.

2. New Criminal story by Brubaker and Phillips.

3. Fantastic way of giving money to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

There's a lot more here than the two stories I was interested in and most of them are decent. The Boys story is kind of funny as Hughie makes a sales pitch to all of the superhero fans out there--basically, donate money and your favourite heroes won't get fucked up by the Boys. It's a nice little joke.

The Criminal story does a good job of working within the context of that series and within the context of the overall book here. The message in most stories deal with freedom of speech and not being silenced by "authority." The Criminal story has Tracy Lawless visit a reporter and discuss what happens to reporters with integrity.

The other stuff here is decent, too. Some new work by Darwyn Cooke is always cool; I rather like Rick Veitch's Brat Pack pin-up--same with Arthur Adams's contribution. If you didn't buy this book, make sure to. It's easily worth the four bucks cover price.

The New Avengers #43

Insight into the ship full of "heroes" that are really Skrulls as "Captain America" dies. Whoo. Again, a whole issue given to this? It's not bad, it's just not great.

Omega the Unknown #10

The shop had a copy this week! YAY! An odd end to an odd series, but entirely appropriate. I always like it when the cover of a comic acts as the first panel, too. Am going to reread this series as a whole in the next week at some point. Really, it was good. The end here is chilling and depressing, in a way--but not, almost. I don't know.

Uncanny X-Men #500

Fraction joins Brubaker on the book here, so, what the fuck, let's check it out, shall we? Rather mediocre, really. Not bad, but nothing here that makes me want to buy another issue. The Magneto stuff wasn't too bad, but everything else was just too... I don't know... cutesy? This is a cute book. It's all "Things are so good that we're going to get pissed off about an art exhibit!" and shit. Really? We're at the point where it's the X-Men versus an art exhibit? Throw in art by artists whose work I don't like and... well, sorry, folks, but no.

Youngblood #4

Still not sure about this book. Casey seems to have a plan, particularly with how he moves the team away from its reality TV show here (leaving its new leader to fight the villains alone... ouch!), but... it's also kind of bland in how it does it all. There hasn't been any really insightful commentary on "superheroes as TV stars" nor any real drive towards rising above that beyond Shaft kind of telling them to. Maybe next issue will do it better since it looks like they're introducing a new Youngblood team and the return of Televillain... This book was supposed to reclaim Youngblood as the supposedly forward-thinking book it once was (and, if you look at the early stuff on a purely conceptual level, it was in its own way) and has yet to. And, like Gravel, it needs to get back on schedule.

That's it for this week.

The Sunday Open: Last Week of March

Do you know what today is? Yes, that's right, it's Wrestlemania. That has nothing to do with comics, really, but it's still awesome.

All-Star Superman #10

Things begin to wrap up here as Superman prepares for his death and Morrison revisits old ideas. Now, writers often revisit the same ideas over and over again, but they do it in different ways, which I don't see from Morrison here. The metafictional aspects of the issue are not much different from anything he's done before, which is rather boring. An enjoyable issue that didn't really wow me, which is pretty standard for this book (aside from that second Bizarro issue that everyone else--except Jog--seemed to hate). One of the problems is that this is the book that Morrison has been gearing up for his entire career... resulting in a lot of the same ideas and concepts being used here in much the same ways. You could call his book "Grant Morrison's Greatest Hits" and not be too far off the mark. Which is fine, I guess.

Gravel #2

This may be my favourite comic of the week. It's nothing that special or that different from what we've gotten with the character before--but I do enjoy seeing the different types of magic Ellis and Wolfer give us. As well, the weird politics of the major seven and minor seven is very interesting, as Gravel is looked down upon/feared for things the other members are more than willing to do. There are suggestions that because he's working class that he doesn't belong--that he's just a thug--but he also continually out-thinks his fellow magicians because of his thug-like qualities. The fight being fought isn't one of skill or power, it's of the ability to kill other people and William Gravel does that for a living, making him much better at it. I really enjoyed how he turned the horses against the woman here. Not a brilliant book, but very solid with no major flaws.

Star Trek: New Frontier #1

I have never understood why Paramount hasn't given Peter David a lot of money and had him head up a TV series with these characters. I've been reading this series for years (although missed a few books during the past few since I read library copies--I really should go back and buy the ones I don't have) and it's always impressed me and seemed like the next logical step for the franchise to take. Enterprise was a stupid idea, because who wants a series about the future's past? You can do that for an episode every once in a while, but as a series? Who gives a fuck? New Frontier is a mix of new characters and minor characters like Robin Lefler, Elizabeth Shelby or that female Vulcan doctor that would occasionally show up on Next Generation. The basic concept was that the Thallon empire has collapsed and the Federation is sending a ship in to make sure things don't get too out of hand. The captain is Mackenzie Calhoun, probably the best captain of any series--the guy is fucking crazy at times. For example, in the first story, the ship comes across a broken ship and takes on the passengers with the intention of dropping them at a Starbase or something later. They come across a planet that offers to take on these refugees and Calhoun has a bad feeling, tells them not to go. They refuse and go to the planet, at which point the government tells Calhoun that if he doesn't turn over some lovely Starfleet weaponry, they will kill the refugees. He tells them to go fuck themselves because he told the refugees not to go down, they didn't listen, so fuck them, too. In fact, fuck everyone, fire quantum torpedos at the planet--the government official says go ahead, because the rulers are deep underground and Calhoun will only be killing civillians. A few hundred feet before impact, he blows up the torpedos, seemingly giving in to the government... but then broadcasts the entire exchange, causing the civillian population to rise up and overthrow the government. He always seemed like the sort of captain Warren Ellis would write.

A dozen books later, we arrive here at the second comic series (well, Wildstorm did a graphic novel) featuring the characters. The issue begins with Admiral Jellico stealing a new experimental time-ship and the Excalibur being tasked with having to find it. Not much happens beyond that, but it's a good set-up issue and catches everyone up to speed on where the characters are. It's weird to see some of these characters drawn, though, since I'm so used to just reading about them. Damn, I really need to complete my collection of New Frontier books and go on a reading-spree. Even if you're not familiar with the series, maybe check it out as it's the best Star Trek stuff I've ever encountered... seriously, New Frontier is better than anything Trek-related I've seen.

Oh, and the art is by a guy named Stephen Thompson, who does good work. His style is kind of sketchy at times, but in a really good way. I'm particularly impressed with how he handles characters that were played by actors as they resemble those actors enough, but aren't photorealistic. Robin Lefler, for example, was played by Ashley Judd and there's only one panel that really looks like Ashley Judd, the rest just look like someone similar to Judd--which I prefer. I look forward to seeing how he does on future issues.

Transhuman #1

Jonathan Hickman's third series features him on art only. Like the other books, it's more about ideas than characters. There is a lovely two pages mocking the X-Men a little here. The form is mockumentary. The art is alright. I will continue to read.

Ultimate Human #3

An engaging issue that tells the story of Ultimate Pete Wisdom, secret agent man. I am a staunch opposer of all things military, but I felt for Ultimate Wisdom here. Wonder how the series will end next month.

Global Frequency: Planet Ablaze

Read this when it came out via my dad. Six self-contained stories in this issue tied together by the Global Frequency, 1001 people dedicated to making the world a better place by stopping bad thingsfrom happening. All good done-in-one stories that explore pet themes of Ellis with great art by the likes of Garry Leach, Steve Dillon, Jon J Muth and David Lloyd. I need to get the second trade.

JLA: Kid Amazo

Holy shit, Peter Milligan has produced an amazing Justice League story here on the nature of man and machine while deconstructing the League. Now, it wouldn't be out of line to say that some of the characters seem out of character, but that's not the point. Milligan is operating with a set group of characters that he uses to explore themes and ideas, while critiquing the concept of the group. Kid Amazo thought he was a normal college student until he learned that, no, he's a weird combination of human and... Amazo. The JLA observes him in the hopes that he will not become villainous, but the interference of the group is what turns him "evil." As the group has no real leadership and no hierarchy, each member acts alone on their instincts, which is how things get bad for the group. I mean, the only way to defeat Kid Amazo (who has the added power of being able to put himself into the mindset of each League member, down to every part of each's pscyhe) is to fight amongst themselves and, basically, beat up a schizophrenic man. The JLA are bad, bad people. This book is an answer to Morrison's run on JLA that explores why the team can't work and why superpeople have adverse effects on the world. Very, very good. Except for the art, which is done by Carlos D'anda... I am not a fan.

Sorry for being so brief in places.

The Sunday Open: 02/03/08 Books

Goddamn, let's do this thing...

Batman #674

It all becomes clear and those of us who have been saying "Wait for it..." (myself, Tim Callahan, Geoff Klock to name a few) are vindicated as Morrison ties things together and gives a clear lead-in to "Batman RIP." Hell, I'm even digging on Tony Daniel's work here a bit. That's strange.

I also should admit that I was wrong in my assessment of issue 666 as being the conclusion to the "Three Bat-Ghosts" story as here Batman confronts Anti-Christ Batman (unless it's a different guy in the future...) and gets out of his death-trap with Morrison providing some of the best Bat-narration I've read in a long, long time. This is the Batman of his JLA run and if you're not reading this book, you're a fool.

I'm wondering what role the Joker will play in "Batman RIP" myself. He can't be the mysterious enemy... can he?

Goddamn, I am excited about this book. And I missed the Black Glove reference until Tim mentioned it over at his blog. Good eye, mon ami--you're a better reader than I.

Criminal #1

And just to prove that they can do a fantastic story in one issue, Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips give us part of Gnarls' past. We all know Gnarls as the bartender of the Undertow(n) in the first two arcs of this title, but, goddamn, his story is good.

Brubaker continues to have an amazing sense of character and motivation. This issue, in particular, is based more on characters acting and reacting than a more artificial, external plot. Put anyone else in the same situation and you'd almost certainly get different results.

And Phillips just continues to be one of the best storytellers in the business. That first splash page is just beautifully done and tells an entire story by itself. Not only that, but his character work is on par with Brubaker's--so much is told through their body language and facial expressions.

Shit, if you're not reading this book, you're a bigger fool than those not reading Batman.

Deathblow #9

And thus things ends with a whimper, not a bang.

...you didn't even know this book was still coming out, did you? Now it's over and no one cares. Hell, I don't. I stuck with this book because it seemed the thing to do. And it wasn't too bad. But, where was the payoff? Was this it?

Actually, this ending is not what I expected at all. Call it a cynical version of Flex Mentallo. A post-9/11 version. Brian Azzarello playing around with the superhero genre like the dark side of Grant Morrison's coin. Just as Marvel is the dark side of DC's coin. Is it odd that Wildstorm is owned by DC, but the heroes we see at the end are obviously Marvel heroes? Is there meaning in that?

Was there meaning in these nine issues at all? Maybe I'll do a post on them to try and figure it out. But, who cares, no one read this book.

Gravel #1

I think my only issue with William Gravel, as a character, is that he's too invincible. I have read every comic that he's been in and I've never gotten the idea that he's ever in any danger. I imagine Ellis and Wolfer will changed that, but it needs to be said. I do love the invincible, don't-fuck-with characters, but after... oh, 25-and-a-half issues, it's getting a little old. Even in past books where it seemed like Gravel was being fucked with, it was all part of the plan and he could get out of it at any time. Let's see that change, shall we?

Kick-Ass #1

Yeah, I didn't like this comic book. Maybe if there was one thing about it that made me want to read the next issue. The central character is a cypher that bores me and the concept isn't new or handled in any real original manner. The art is fine, although I'm not the biggest Romita, Jr. fan--particularly the sketchy, 3/4s finished work we get here. I think I may have just picked up this book so I would have something to bash and make fun of. However, much like Millar's first issue of Fantastic Four, there isn't enough here to do that. Maybe if the book actually did something rather than suggesting things while patting itself on the back for being so clever for suggesting said things. I really need to stop wasting money on Millar comics. I'm sorry.

Rasl #1

This is the first Jeff Smith comic that I've read. Yes, yes, I've yet to read Bone, but such things happen. Have you read Crime and Punishment? Ulysses? How about The Great Gatsby or Moby-Dick? Well, shit, brother, that's just the way life works, isn't it? (And, out of curiosity, would anyone who's read Bone even rank it alongside those books I just mentioned?)

Anyway...

I kind of dug this issue. I have a weakness for alternative realities, particularly any that involved small changes as seen in popculture. Blonde on Blonde by Robert Zimmerman? Sign me up, sir.

However, there isn't much here to really make a judgement. This is obviously a part of a larger story and reads as such. We're (barely) introduced to the concept of a guy who uses technology to steal for others and finds himself in a parallel world where things are just a little different. This is framed by our protagonist looking beat up and walking in a desert. What is going on?

The art is clean and evocative, but a little static at times.

If I see the second issue, I'll probably buy it because I'm curious to see what happens next.

Thor #6

Six issues done and we now find ourselves at the end of the first storyarc (kind of) and facing my judgement:

WILL I KEEP BUYING THOR?

Actually, yeah. This issue was really well done. Straczynski devotes the first half to stories from regular people about their encounters with the Asgardians, and it's good stuff. Volstagg not knowing what indoor plumbing is, Hogun helping to change a tire, and Kelda quite possibly hitting on a local... I almost wish the entire issue was stuff like this, because it's very interesting--but JMS is smart to limit it as these three stories are very well done and get the idea across.

The rest of the issue is Thor and Donald Blake debating if Thor should "reactivate" the rest of the Asgardians--in particular, Odin as Thor wants to move forward, beyond the old cycle and the old ways, and Odin won't understand. In the end, he does it and then falls to the Earth.

I'm looking forward to what Odin is/does and how he and Thor deal with their differences. As well, Oliver Coipel's art is growing on me. His work in this issue is pretty good--particularly his facial expressions. Much like Phillips' work on Criminal, Coipel's art does a lot of the heavy lifting as far as characters go here, particularly the regular people.

So, yeah, I think I'll stick with this book for the time being. We'll see how the next two issues go since that's a two-part story.

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears

Another $10 Marvel hardcover, this one written by Garth Ennis, drawn by Clayton Crain and dealing with a Civil War-era Ghost Rider (the American Civil War, not the Marvel one). Actually, if you've read Ennis' work concerning the Saint of Killers, or even something like Punisher: Born, you won't find much new here. There are good people, there are bad people who fuck up the good people, and then there are good people who damn themselves to get vengeance on the bad people. It's not that this book isn't good, it's just that I've seen Ennis do this story a few times before and there's not much new for me here.

The only new area he really gets into is the issue of blacks in that time period, but he doesn't do a whole lot with it. Honestly, this book feels like The Saint of Killers 2, except with a different ending (albeit, not by much). It certainly didn't require six issues, but also wasn't a waste of my ten bucks.

Crain's artwork is very inconsistent as he uses a lot of computer effects to deliver a pseudo-painted book that only works depending on the panel. It's not bad, but it's not good either. I think if he spent some more time working at it, he could deliver a solid book.

Ennis fans won't find much new here, and I'm not sure people who aren't Ennis fans would want to bother as this is really one of those books only Ennis fans buy because they buy everything he writes. (Does that make sense to anyone other than me?)

Hellblazer: Joyride

Finally, the first trade collecting Andy Diggle's (still-ongoing, I believe) run on Hellblazer arrives. A new writer on Hellblazer always has me a little excited because each one brings such a unique perspective to the character. Despite being very well-established, John Constantine is really quite versatile in where writers can take him. Compare, oh let's say, Brian Azzarello's run with Mike Carey's... same title character, but very different books in their own way. You get that on other books, but not to the same extent. Constantine's world is so open and big that writers really can go in their own directions.

Diggle's first four issues here seem a response to Carey and Denise Mina's runs as he works to build Constantine back up from the hole they'd dug and thrown him into. Thankfully, Diggle's "restoration" is slow and organic, going far back into John's past. I could see where some would have a problem with him just putting John up like that, but he'd been in a pretty bad place for around three years by this point, so you could say he was due for some good news. (And, sure, he saved the world once or twice, but only with some hefty costs.) As well, he only makes John okay with John--he doesn't repair any of his personal problems or anything (yet), so it's not the biggest victory.

The last four issues set up a new nemesis for John and have some social commentary in them, which fits the book. These issues also deal with vengeance and how far you'd go to get it. The answer is, pretty damn far apparently. Lots of fucked up shit and John only getting by through luck and a little skill.

Joyride is a really good read and Diggle is a great addition to the book. I can't wait for the next collection. (And, shit, I really do need to go back and get the Delano and Ennis collections.)

The Sunday Open: Strange Killings is Not Dead Yet

A Warren Ellis Sunday this week with Strange Killings and his four-issue Wolverine story from years back.

Strange Killings, Strange Killings: Strong Medicine and Strange Killings: Necromancer

So far, three of the four Strange Killings collections have arrived from Chapters; I'm missing The Body Orchard, but Ellis and artist/script assister Mike Wolfer are very good at making each of these books self-contained. Yeah, there are references to previous books a little, but nothing that makes the story hard to understand. The basic premise is that William Gravel is an SAS officer waiting for manditory retirement at the age of 40 and getting the ass duties because the service doesn't want him to fade quietly away. He's also a combat magician, which means that anytime there's a problem that seems a bit too strange, a bit otherworldly, they call in Gravel--and then second-guess his methods, of course.

Gravel first appeared in Strange Kiss where he killed a giant not-quite-real lizard thing that was impregnating people in an effort to keep his species alive. Gravel killed him, because the lizard killed Gravel's friend. Ellis followed this up with Stranger Kisses, which was Gravel versus the city of LA when he comes across men who surgically alter people in weird sexual ways. With Strange Killings, Ellis wasn't able to fully write these series, so artist Mike Wolfer helped with the dialogue, much as he's doing on the new Gravel series. The most impressive thing that one can say about Wolfer's scripting work here is that you can't tell what lines are Ellis's and which ones are Wolfer's. I had avoided the Strange Killings stuff because I knew Ellis only plotted and did some of the dialogue and I didn't want anything that wasn't up to the normal Ellis standard. Thankfully, that's not the case here.

The first series, just Strange Killings, has Gravel entering a prison that has been taken over by black magic, turning anyone inside into zombies that power the spell. There's the built-in fun where the colonel in charge orders Gravel to resolve the problem, but, at the same time, looks down on him for his methods. This conflict between "men who get the job done" and "people who need the men but despise them for what they do" pops up in Ellis's work from time to time. Red was built around that conflict, The Authority hinted at it a little if you look at that book within the larger superhero context, and Black Summer builds on that theme in a different way. This story is mostly Gravel killing zombies--you know, nothing too deep, but it's good fun. The ending is pretty damn funny, too.

Strong Medicine breaks from that idea when a police officer need Gravel's help in solving the murder of a child that appears to have been killed in a ritualistic manner. The officer uses knowledge of Gravel's past operations to blackmail him, keeping with the theme, but, as the story progresses, the detective becomes more and more willing to go along with Gravel's methods as they produce results. Here, we have a character that changes his opinion over the course of the story as he realises the necessity of men like Gravel when dealing with problems beyond the normal scope of human understanding.

This series also deals with race relations in a cursory manner. Ellis doesn't comment on that issue much, but it's worth noting that this is the only Strange Killings book (that I've read--The Body Orchard could prove me wrong) that takes place in London and the only other Ellis work where I remember heavy racist tones showing up was his first Hellblazer arc, also set in London. Everyone likes to think of cities like London and New York as above such petty concerns, but Ellis reminds us that, yes, London has serious problems with race, too.

Strangely enough, Necromancer doesn't have much race discussion despite taking place in the Phillipines, which could lend itself to discussion of colonisation. Actually, there's a vague hint of British colonisation in all of these books as Gravel has suggested that the British Empire still rules the world, it just pretended to fall apart as that's an easier way to run things. You'll note that, often, Gravel is in places he shouldn't be, doing things he shouldn't be doing, all for the glory of the Empire. In Stranger Kisses, he suggests that his mission in the US was to kill an army general.

Necromancer is more zombies and is the longest of the stories (so far) at six issues. These additional issues don't add much to the story, they just allow for Gravel to spend more time killing zombies in the jungle with an American journalist he was supposed to kill. In this series, the colonel doesn't like Gravel, but uses him because he doesn't want an officer sitting on his ass.

This series also has Gravel using his powers in the most open ways as he see him teleport, kill without being near anyone and causing bullets to fly around. All abilities seen before, but they're used with such frequency here that it's a little jarring.

If you enjoy violence, sarcasm and the occasional naked breast, check these books out. They're pretty fucked up, but entertaining.

Wolverine: Not Dead Yet

In late 1997/early 1998, Warren Ellis wrote four issues of Wolverine and they're not bad. Ellis doesn't do anything revolutionary with the character, telling a straight-forward revenge story (well, two revenge stories, actually). Ten years ago, in Hong Kong, Logan was seeing a woman and spent some time drinking with an aging assassin named McLeish. Well, McLeish killed the girl's father (a movie producer) for the Triad and Logan responded by seemingly killing McLeish. Right now, it turns out that McLeish may not be so dead and is out to kill Logan.

We get four issues full of killing until Logan finally kills McLeish. Again, pretty straight-forward and nothing too special. It's a decent enough story, though.

It's also worth checking out for early Lenil Fracis Yu art where characters actually look how they're supposed to.

Tomorrow, an interview with Mark Millar from 2001.

The Sunday Open: First Books of 2008

Let's pause for a moment and celebrate this being GraphiContent's 301st post. That's impressive, maybe? I dunno, actually. You know what, fuck it, let's get to the books.

Gravel #0

I totally skipped all of the Strange Killings minis. I got Strange Kiss and Stranger Kisses, but then missed everything. But, I always liked William Gravel and thought the idea of a combat magician was pretty cool. So, I saw this zero issue in the store and figured I'd check it out. First off, I was thrown off by the colour. I'm used to black and white William Gravel and colour is kind of weird for me. But, colour is also good. The story is simple: Gravel saves some hostages in Afghanistan since he's an SAS agent and then fucks up an occult detective that has taken his place in a group of magicians called the minor seven while he was in Afghanistan. This sets up him going after the other members of the group for cutting him out. Should be an entertaining series and, honestly, the fact that Mike Wolfer co-wrote it doesn't show.

Thor #5

So, the cover is just lying to me? On the cover, Thor is obviously in front of Sif and, in the comic, it turns out to be Loki now in female form. That means the cover is a lie. Fuck that shit.

The Mighty Avengers #7

Hey, look at that, plot points that happened months ago in another title! And, once again, Bendis has lost me with the thought balloons. There was the kinda funny moment where Wonder Man is told he needs a new costume. Otherwise, nothing really new here.

Batman #672

I'm a little (just a little, mind you) disappointed that the third Batman shows up here, just because I loved the idea of Morrison concluding that story in issue 666. Otherwise, this is a decent issue that falls in line with issues 664 and 665, everything in between not even seeming to factor in. There's not much to say about this issue specifically as it is obviously a piece in a larger puzzle, but I'm wonderng how Morrison's run will read as a whole considering the fact that this issue really does seem to come right after #665.

Wolverine #61

And so ends "Logan Dies," an arc that seems to have done two things: made it so that the next time Wolverine dies, he stays dead (like that will happen), and the return of Mariko's father from the dead. This arc should have been, like, three or four issues max. Meh.

Ultimate Human #1

After Bendis and Millar, it's weird to think that Warren Ellis has had the most impact on the Ultimate universe, although most of his stuff has taken place outside of the main titles. This series seems perfect for Ellis: two oddball geniuses, lots of science, a twisted villain (actually, combining two MU characters like that is really smart), and stuff hitting other stuff. Will this be the best comic of the year? Of course not. But, it's entertaining and a good read. Plus, the last line of the issue "I don't think I like it when he's angry" just makes me laugh.

Youngblood #1

I bought this because Joe Casey is writing and this may just wind up in the pile of crappy Casey comics alongside Infantry and Hellcop. It has potential as Casey takes the book back to its roots, recognising that Youngblood did do a lot of the things that The Authority and Ultimates have done, but years before. The only problem is that the logical thing would be to try and take this title beyond what those books have done... and Casey doesn't do that here. It reads like X-Statix lite. I'm not sure if I like the West Wing reference either--mostly because I'm not sure I want Aaron Sorkin's characters inhabiting the same world as Rob Liefeld's. Eeeeeuuugh!

The Boys #14

There's something very anticlimactic about this issue (especially for Little Nina). The group does stop the plot to take over Russia/turn it back into the USSR, but it just kind of happens. Hughie has a few nice moments, especially when he freaks the suit out. Butcher gets to blow up a warehouse of superheroes, which makes him happy. As well, Ennis sets up the corporation behind the whole thing as a future threat. It's a decent issue, but I expected more from Ennis.

The Death of the New Gods #4

Okay, I think I figured this out: the Anti-Life Equation is a living being (according to Starlin's take on it, which was first used in The Cosmic Odyssey) and it's the little globe at the end of this issue. As well, the killer is actually Mr. Miracle, turned evil by the Anti-Life Equation which he keeps using and pushes him further and further "out there." I could be wrong, but that's my guess. I am digging Starlin's work here. His layouts are so singular and unique to him and I love it. I have a total weakness for it. This series isn't the greatest, but I'm finding at least one moment each issue that wows me.

Captain America #33

And thus Bucky becomes the new Captain America, a choice we all saw coming but couldn't quite believe. Brubaker continues to just nail these characters and have Steve Rogers play a giant role in the book despite being dead. In fact, the driving force in this issue is Rogers with every other character's actions dictated by Rogers. Plus, Iron Man gets in a fight while not seeming like a douchebag. Wow.

Thunderbolts #118

Again, a cover just lying to me. Despite what the cover shows, Doc Samson and Penance get along just fine in this issue. Norman Osborn falls apart and so does the group, further demonstrating that a group of villains is a retarded idea--but makes for good comics. My favourite moment of the issue has to be Osborn sitting on the toilet (just sitting, pants on), wearing the Green Goblin mask and saying "I'M COMING OUT."

Omega the Unknown #4

Ooooooooooooh, so that statue isn't Professor X! The head statue speaks and things become a little more confusing. This is a good book, but will read better as a whole. Am really digging the art--although the lettering on the first page is a little unclear as to the order of the balloons.

I also read Ultimates 2 and Fantastic Four: First Family, but I'll save them for next week. Give them some more space, maybe throw in some Incal and Black Diamond Detective Agency.