52 Week #52

Brendan: It’s finally over. A full year has passed, and the mega-story that was DC Comics’ most ambitious project ever reached the climactic finish.

So how was it?

The problem with judging 52 up to this point has been the lack of precedent. A normal miniseries is generally about seven issues. The first two issues set Act 1, the next three give Act 2, and we wrap up with the last two. In this series the acts were each about eighteen issues long. While this was an exciting prospect and a true novelty, eighteen issues of setup was a difficult burden for much of the audience. One would not be wrong to say this series was slow at times.

But, that was the payoff.

Two weeks ago the mini event of World War III gave us all some much needed action. If 52 was going to feel like a meaningful series in DC history, we were going to need to see some people get fucked up. Black Adam, my personal favorite character of the series, fucked some people up. In so doing, we got the explanations for the varied “One Year Later” mysteries. Last week gave some resolution to that event. So, if WWIII was the huge crazy go nuts battle at year’s end, how would the series finally resolve? What could there possibly be left?

It turns out, lots. As was leaked in Dan Didio’s DC Nation column a few months back, the multiverse is alive and well in the DC Univ…Multiverse. Consequently, the Grant Morrison-acid trip-inspired-evolved Mr. Mind, after a year of burrowing about in Skeet’s innards, is hungry for the whole reality spawning pie. It’s up to Booster Gold, Rip Hunter, and Supernova (?) to stop him. (Spoilers! They do)

For me, the series paid off. Mike Mckone made a spectacular return to DC for the bulk of this book. Since his work on Exiles he has drawn some of my favorite superhero comics. His stuff is slick. Justiniano does some good work following his great art on WWIII’s Week 50. The rest of the book is rendered by 52 mainstays Chris Batista, Pat Olliffe, Darick Robertson, and Eddy Barrows. The large art cast didn’t distract at all, and in fact gives weight to the expansive scale of this project by each giving the denouement of the stories key players.

I think 52 did well to close the book on some very long running stories. From the initial kickoff of Identity Crisis, through the first Countdown, all of Infinite Crisis, and now 52, we had a story that dealt with a scale that only the DC Multiverse could handle. It was a story that only comics could tell, pushing the boundaries of what periodical comics can do in the ways they tell stories. We got some hugely heroic moments from a lot of underutilized characters, and a plot that no one could have predicted. A hero was redeemed, an Odyssey occurred in space, a family was made stronger, a love persevered, pride killed, and a woman found peace with herself. Add to that another all purpose continuity fixit, a couple big fight scenes, a definitive change to the status quo, a few spin off series starring DC’s new A list, and you’ll have 52. What were you expecting?

Adan: Awesomeness abounds in this issue of greatness rolled in superbity! Okay, maybe there’s a little hyperbole here, but this really was pretty damn good. The explanation of the multiverse was handled expertly, as was the Mr. Mind/Skeets/Rip Hunter/Booster Gold finale to the whole endeavour (although I still think the kids dropped the ball with the whole OYL bit). Yes, Giffen’s Justice League International (the best of them all) may have suffered some massive casualties in the past three years, but some of them have risen to greatness again thanks to this massive series: Animal Man, Booster Gold, and especially Elongated Man. Way to go Rucka, Waid, Johns, and Morrison, as well as all the artists. Also, the editors and production staffers for getting this thing out every week. I honestly didn’t think you’d pull it off; in fact, I gave you a maximum of twelve weeks before one of them was late. I’d like my words back, so that I can eat them.

Alien Pig Farm 3000 #1

Brendan: Right off the bat, this book was what all comics should aspire to be. Why, in the first five pages we see aliens, dinosaurs, The Finger, and rednecks. Those are ingredients for success. The premise is pretty simple; aliens crashed on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago, and today some bumpkins find them. Hilarity, of course, ensues. So the setup is strong, and the loose, cartoony horror illustration holds up. In fact, even the lettering of Jason Hanley stands out in establishing the off the wall mood. The narrative voice of the series also goes a long way to engage the reader. Unfortunately, the promise of the first act fails to carry throughout. Where the simple setup of aliens juxtaposed with hicks was spot on perfect and funny unto itself, the story itself quickly falls back on easy redneck humor that is neither funny nor original. This laziness seems to carry itself into the dialogue, where exposition is overly telegraphed. This is the kind of book that gets better the more outlandish it stays. I had enough fun to want to see where the next issue goes, but the leash may be short.

Adan: Brendan is right. I like dinosaurs, aliens, and to some extent, hillbillies. But how come we have to immediately go to the “hicks have sex with their sisters” joke? The main character seems pretty intelligent, more so than any of the other characters, definitely, cooking up ways evade the cops using the terrain and traps he’s set up. In fact, after the dinos and aliens set-up, we get an extended “Dukes of Hazzard”-type chase sequence, complete with bridge jumping. It’s pretty fun, but it’s not my bag.

Books With Pictures #3

Brendan: The first two issues of this series were lovingly crafted insights into the world of comic book retail. As a non-comic outsider, Melissa, mouthpiece of writer/ artist Sina Grace, takes an often hilarious look at comic culture. This issue, though, was a big disappointment. Porn is funny, comic customers and retailers feel awkward around pretty girls, and people can be assholes. None of this is really fresh ground. This book felt rushed and lacked a literary center. In the notes following the story, Grace admits that it has been ten months since the last chapters were actually crafted, but instead of growing as a storyteller he seems to have lapsed. The first issues showed promise, but I get the feeling that he is going to have to find a new story to tell. This one just feels over.

Adan: I thought it was pretty funny, but I haven’t read the first two issues. It was a spot-on recreation of the retail clerks and the customers of a comic book store (although their girl-to-boy ratio seems to be higher than most). My favorite joke in the book was the “Tongue in Cheek” joke because plays-on-words are the best kind of jokes (also, I’m a huge nerd). So, yeah, I disagree with the Coach and will be looking for the previous two issues so that I can laugh at avatars of myself and my co-workers.

Incredible Hulk #106 and World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker

Adan: First things first: read Incredible Hulk before you read the Prologue, because that’s the order that will make the most sense. That said, I love this Amadeus Cho kid. He is fantastic! Also fantastic, Hulk’s Warbound. If Cho actually gets together with the gladiators and becomes their brains, the Earth is fucking toast. I especially liked She-Hulk’s talks with Doc Samson about the Hulk and why he thinks the Illuminati were right to shoot him into space and why she thinks they’re a bunch of wankers. The Prologue also features a very funny Mini-Marvels retelling of the New Avengers: Illuminati one-shot and the Planet Hulk storyline, as well as a reprint of Amadeus Cho’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15.

Brendan: Mastermind Excello! Yes, he truly seems to be the breakout star of the upcoming promoto-vent World War Hulk. Seeing his first appearance was a treat, and I especially like the tongue in cheek description captions. He really feels like the chaotic wrench for Reed and Tony’s power structure. Booyakasha. Giarrusso’s strip is hilarious, but also a surprisingly viable take on that story. Peter David lays the groundwork for what should be a cool Hulk tale by finding the voices of She-Hulk and Doc Samson. I’ve been as leery as anyone concerning this obvious cash in following Civil War, and I don’t plan on altering my reading list to fit the World War checklists, but if the Hulk book and main mini stay this entertaining it should be a big hit.

Hellboy: Darkness Calls #1

Adan: YES! New Hellboy! And right in the first six pages there is a HUGE revelation! Oh man, how I have waited for Mike Mignola to give this to me. It’s creepy, it’s a little bit confusing, but most of all, it’s great! Hecate shows up, as do tons of other witches, and Hellboy doesn’t deal well with witches. They tend to want to kick his ass. Duncan Fegredo’s art is perfect for this book (well, not as perfect as Mignola’s, but he’d take years): it’s spooky and dark, and there’s this heaviness to it, even during daylight scenes, that seems to just grab foreboding right out of the air and make lines with it. It’s really quite good.

Brendan: Good story, good art, good times. Fegredo has come a long way since his Kevin Smith years, and his Hellboy manages to feel right without just being a Mignola rehash. Don’t have anything bad to say, really. This feels weird. Let’s move on to…

Nascar Heroes #1

Adan: A NASCAR driver with superpowers. Heck, a whole pit crew with superpowers. And an evil NASCAR driver with superpowers. How can you not love the heck out of this book (I don’t even like NASCAR)? It’s a pretty simple premise (evil guy is doing crazy experiments so that he can win more easily and our hero gets caught up in it, as does his pit crew), but with cars! And not just any cars; NASCAR cars! Look, you’re gonna read this, and you’re going to like it. Not because it’s some kind of fantastic thing or anything, but because it’s such a ridiculous premise.

Brendan: I may have had my ridiculous premise fill with Alien Pig Farm. I will say this, for speedster lovers this issue was at least as good as the first eight issues of the latest Flash run. Probably better, even. I learned, in perfect infomercial style, a lot about how NASCAR works, and what qualifies as a fast pit time, (9.8 seconds! That’s amazing!) The art was a nice surprise, and had the clean feel of a very good animator. It’s a NASCAR world, apparently, and we’re just living in it. Or something. I guess. But what happens when Jimmy Dash meets the NFL Superpro?

Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1

Brendan: “He’s my husband. You’re just some dude.”

MJ can be pretty great. So this is an oversized annual, but nobody fights. Blasphemy, you cry, but wait- it is actually a pretty sweet love story of Pete and MJ. In fact, I would contend that this issue is proof that Marvel is committed to the Parker marriage for the long term. This would be a waste of a story if she’s just going to die in a few months. Of course, it could be the opposite. Guess we’ll have to see.

Matt Fraction continues to perform as one of my favorite writers working. His story works well, both in addressing the current upheaval for the Parker family, (hospital bills, running from the law, tax season) and looking back in Spider-Man history. Salvador Larroca does good work both in creating a look for Peter that evokes shame and lawlessness as well as doing a hell of a John Romita Sr/ Ross Andru impersonation of the Coffee Bean years. Ultimately, this issue is a character piece about why these two are in love. Fraction’s voice is perfectly suited to the story, especially coming through strong in the voice of a twenty-something couple. They feel modern and familiar, which does more to make them relatable than any dissolution of their marriage would. Big fan of this issue, and also a big fan of SHEILD making an appearance without Iron Man. Hate that guy.

Adan: I am a HUGE fan of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, and this annual feels like a natural extension of that series (in fact, maybe Fraction should take over that title once Sean McKeever leaves) because Spider-Man most definitely loves Mary Jane, and Mary Jane reciprocates with all her heart. It’s a sweet story, filled with flashbacks to simpler times. But the Coach is wrong: there is some action. It’s small, but it’s there amidst the sweetness and love.

Welcome to Tranquility #6

Adan: A most satisfying ending to the first arc of Gail Simone’s WildStorm comic. Mr. Articulate’s murderer is revealed, as are a bunch of other things that dovetail nicely into one bang-up ending. Everybody has their moment in the sun, including crazy-ass pilot MInxy Millions, and everybody gets to help save the day… well, most everybody. Some people just get their asses beat. If you’ve never read an issue, then pick up the trade when it comes out, but definitely, definitely check out. It’s probably the best thing coming out of WildStorm right now.

Brendan: Gail Simone had a great handle on the large cast of this book. The characters each have unique voices and memorable powers or hooks. Neil Googe and Billy Dallas Patton do a great job making the story look great. The plot itself feels reminiscent of the Minutemen flashbacks of Watchmen, so that doesn’t suck. In fact, it is really nice to see one of these Worldstorm books not sucking, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here.

And Others…

Adan: Geoff Johns’ last issue of Teen Titans was a complete and utter disappointment. I’m pretty sure he just stopped caring after awhile. On the other hand, Brian K. Vaughn’s sole issue of Midnighter was great. The storytelling technique he uses this issue is something I don’t think I’ve seen before, and it worked really well.

Brendan: Yeah, it felt like there was a really good, touching story somewhere hidden in Johns’ last Titans go, but it was hidden amidst the crap. For whatever reason, though, I’m looking forward to the new era of the book. Beechen has been very good on Robin. Astonishing X-Men was a good one, and Cassaday seemed to go the extra mile on backgrounds with definite results. Green Lantern was interesting and artist Daniel Acuna seemed to progress a bit, but the real draw was the great Sinestro Corps backup. Also… Nextwave is showing up in a comic this week! Can you be the one to find them first!?!?!

Adan: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. It’s a pretty funny cameo, as are all Nextwave appearances, really.