We’re back! Again, we apologize for last week’s scheduling issues. We’re here a day late due to the holiday release, but we continue with our eyes focused on the less appreciated and visible books on the shelves. Miss hearing us bitch about mainstream fare? Like us shining a little light on the underdogs? Let us know!- B

Avengers Next TP

Adan: I don’t think this is for me. The future Avengers are cool and all, but I just don’t care. I barely care about the current Avengers, and they at least have some bearing on continuity (assuming Marvel hasn’t thrown it out the window along with the bath water). Most of these updated, future characters seem little more than cookie cut-outs of their present-time counterparts. Stinger is a genius like Ant-Man, Mainframe is a hard-ass like Iron Man, Bluestreak is a troublemaker like Quicksliver, Thena is haughty like Thor, etc. I don’t think this is for me, but I do think this might be for young kids, like maybe five to ten-year-olds. And this isn’t a bad thing at all. Standard super-hero fare without all the blood and mature themes that most super-hero books have nowadays. Sort of like super-hero training wheels for the kids.

Brendan: Ah, if only that I could agree with you. This week, some people will claim The Boys as their guilty pleasure, but mine is the wacky and sometimes stupid world of MC2… Marvel’s second generation! The fun of these books lie in the total throwback retro storytelling. I feel like I could set my watch to this book; setup…fight…wound licking…misunderstanding that leads to a superhero fight…reconciliation. What is funny about the MC2 line is that it launched around the same time as the Ultimate line, and where the Ultimate line stripped away continuity and attempted new ways to structure and market stories, the MC2 line went the opposite way, cementing in the oldest of old school style and being entirely predicated not only on careful continuity, but continuity that is already dated over ten years. I shouldn’t like it, but I can’t help it.

The truth is I read this book for just one reason, THUNDERSTRIKE. Even though this ponytail wearing blonde is merely the son of the original Thor knockoff, there are still about 7,205 reasons he is cooler than any character not named Thunderstrike.

Basically, I have an unnatural affinity towards that crappy 90s character, and anyone reading Cable and Deadpool or begging for Gambit to come back is no better than me.

Ron Lim delivers a clean and concise story, and DeFalco makes the same sort of comic he made twenty years ago. That is comforting, somehow.

Adan: Thunderstrike? Thunderstrike!? Did you love the Scarlet Spider a ridiculous amount, too?

Boys TP and Boys #7

Adan: Well, here it is. More Boys. Listen, I actually do like this book (or at least I did the first time I read it) and I know everybody thinks it’s the Second Coming or whatever. However, and I found this out upon reading the trade, it does not hold up well at all. Sure, the first time I read it, it was shits and giggles and “Oh my God, I can’t believe he did that” (and this actually happened again as I read issue seven), but the second time I read it, I was just bored. I wasn’t appalled or titillated or anything else. I didn’t even chuckle. I was just bored.

Upon reading the all-new seventh issue, though, I was once again enjoying the book. I laughed out loud on numerous occassions (especially during the final scene with Tek-Knight and his boy sidekick) and I peeked around to make sure no one on the subway could see what utter filth I was guffawing at. I am now eagerly awaiting the eighth issue. But I’ll tell you what, if Brendan and I hadn’t already decided to do the seventh issue, I would have quit Boys altogether after re-reading the trade. I was just bored.

Brendan: People had to buy this comic for me to get me to read it. The central premise of superhero gangbusters just didn’t appeal to me. When I read it I was entertained and shocked, as I was meant to be, but I didn’t see how it would, in Ennis’ words, “out-Preacher Preacher.” That is some hyperbole. That said, it obviously deserved to be continued and Garth Ennis and Darrick Robertson have enough credibility that I will stick around until I know for sure I don’t care about this book.

My main concern had been the violence. It wasn’t so much that I was disturbed by the sex or violence this book so clearly dove into, but rather that I didn’t see any point to it. Preacher used violence to contrast the optimism it championed, and this series seemed to use it only for sheer shock value. I was looking forward to the reread, if only to learn if this cast would warrant the long term approach the creative team has taken with the book. I agree with Adan that it was in no way better the second time around.

The new issue got me thinking, though. Well first I thought that I almost definitely knew the guy on the cover, and that disturbed me. But then I had a thought during the scene in the comicbook shop. I thought that maybe Ennis is using the rampant fetishism and skewed reality prevalent in mainstream comics. Perhaps he is trying to explore the roots of that psychological attraction, and do so by kicking superheroes in the balls. I don’t know if these or other lofty goals are in this title’s future, but I hope they are. But shit, worst case scenario it’s just another book where people kick each other and fuck in most unnerving ways. Can never have too many of those.

Intergalactic #1

Brendan: Matt Olson is a comics’ talent. His design and cartooning skills are showcased in this new series. His art is reminiscent of the Star Wars books by Dark Horse, if only a bit more stylized and memorable. Lead Alyssia Sentropy is a space elf designed by the pseudo- government to subvert and infiltrate corrupt space corporations. Also, importantly, she’s hot.

Creating a cool female action star can be tricky because the line between heroic fantasy and icky keep- it-to-yourself fantasy can be gray. On the one hand creating the girl of your dreams is the exact goal one should strive for, but on the other hand it can be overly gratifying and limit one’s potential audience. Whenever I think of kickass she- heroes I think of Buffy. While Buffy is sexy, and can quip a mean one-liner, it is the emotional rollercoaster she rides and the supporting cast that ground her that make her relatable to an audience. If she were just being strong and kickass all of the time, and never showed herself with her guard down, she would be reduced to cheesecake. It remains to be seen if Alyssa will become a three dimensional and fully realized character, but for now it is enough that she kicks ass and spouts one liners. (”Oh snap!”)

More so than the character or the story, Olson’s art was the true standout for me. I thought his facial expressions were easy to understand and fun, and his designs were effective enough to sell his “Intergalactic” vision. More fantasy than sci-fi, this book compares favorably to Devil’s Due’s Hack Slash series.

It was overwritten at times, notably with the heavy interior monologue, but it was a good example of the exposition debates we’ve had here for the last few weeks. The bulk of the information was “told” in words, but was accompanied by art that served as a strong visual lead to complement the copy. This book was a success to me, and I see a strong future for it so long as we see evidence of real characters and not just farce.

Adan: See? This is what happens when you don’t have a quick opening spiel explaining a little bit of your world to your reader. You spend most of your comic in clunky exposition telling me that Earth is run by corporations and fight wars and what not. You waste one full page (as well as many other obnoxious asides) on exposition you could have gotten out of the way in a short piece of text.

However, this may have just been badly written. Clunky exposition aside, I actually was looking forward to enjoying this futuristic world, but unfortunately it wsn’t just the exposition that was clunky. It all was. The origin, the mission specs, the introduction of characters, and on and on and on. It was just bad writing. It’s the kind of writing I’m more accustomed to seeing in a Creative Writing class (or on a Marvel or DC book). It’s not all bad news, though, Matt Olson, as your art is fantastic. Your character design is pretty sweet and your tech is sufficiently “of the future” while still maintaining a Steampunky feel. Either start writing better, or just get yourself a new scripter, and you’ll be fine. I expect great things from you, artwise, regardless of what you do with the writing.

Brendan: But you liked the art, right? So why WOULDN’T you want to see more of it to progress or set up the story? The rest of the writing, I agree, does not live up to the standards of the art. It may get better with more practice, but I agree that a polished voice would not be the worst thing for this book.

Adan: Yeah, I like the art a lot and would very much like to see less of it obscured by stupid, clunky text boxes. I think we have a disconnect, you and I. If there had been text piece at the front explaining the world, it would not have cut pages out of the comic. There would have still been the same number of pages, but there would have been more actual story.

Justice Society of America #6

Adan: We did JLA (excuse me, Justice League of America) two weeks back and now we tackle the old fogeys half of “The Lightning Saga.” I don’t know what it is, but even after acknowledging Meltzer’s vast improvement on the premeire super-team of today, Geoff Johns’ handling of the premier super-team of yesterday is leaps and bounds better (so is his handling of the premier super-team of tomorrow, by the way). It’s like Johns was born to do this. Yes, I know his final Teen Titans arc was phoned in and his Green Lantern usually infuriates me to no end, but he has never written a bad JSA story. Ever. And, as I said two weeks ago, old school Legion just multiplies my enjoyment factor by a factor of about ten.

Eaglesham’s art is also pretty good. Sometimes his character’s look too similar to each other (is that Superman or Catman?), but overall it’s good. More importantly, his attention to detail is damn fine. Take a look at the swamp scenes, and then take a look at the boots of Damage, Hourman, Black Lightning, Wonder Woman, and Liberty Belle. There’s swamp muck on them, and it stays there until… uhh… the villain attacks (no spoilers for you). But then more muck gets on more heroes’ clothes and it sticks on ’till the end. It’s amazing that something as simple as swamp muck makes me this happy.

Brendan: You and your muck. So the Lightning Saga rages on. Dale Eaglesham has forced his way into any conversation regarding today’s best superhero pencillers. Geoff Johns’ double page layouts continue to get more and more intricate and only Eaglesham has managed to master the style without sacrificing clarity. To me, this was Tony Daniel’s most difficult assignment on Teen Titans. Every line in this book looks purposeful and valuable. My biggest regret of this crossover has been the interruptions on this creative teams’ run, but the art has retained the high standard.

Regrettably, this story is becoming more and more of an almost exclusive Legion story. This is well and good for longtime fans, but I think everyone tuned in to this story to see the Justice League and Society interact, rather than the re-reinvention of a few obscure characters into adult versions of their 1970s counterparts. It isn’t a bad story, but it does distract from the center of the books, namely cutting down on interaction between the main characters. This has been more true on JLA, whereas it feels as though this book has done better to maintain the thematic core. Both, though, have made sure to allot at least one really fun character moment, (in this issue… who will Liberty Belle set Wonder Woman up with?).

It is still novel to see the see our new Multiverse in action, which we do here. I am also loving the slow reveal of Superman’s history. It seems as though most every Superman comic is once again somehow in continuity, and the decryption process feels like a journey we the readers are going on with both the creators and characters. The latest issue of Action Comics also scratch this itch.

Dug this one, and I really hope that Johns and Eaglesham are committed to this book long-term, because they have really hit their stride.

New Avengers: Illuminati #3

Brendan: This has been a top notch mini series for Marvel. Of course I would prefer to see Jim Cheung work on the excellent Young Avengers, largely due to the youthful faces that seem inherent in his work, but this is an excellent second option. Seeing the extra layer the Illuminati add to Marvel’s event history is a dicey sell. Knowledgeable readers already know the final outcome of each issue’s central conflict, and so the book’s purpose instead becomes a character study of Marvel’s secret movers and shakers.

This issue dealt with the first miniseries “event” Marvel published, The Secret Wars. A pretty major retcon is revealed in regards to the enigmatic Beyonder. Revisionist history can trouble longtime readers, but this layer serves to develop the Marvel Universe in a believable way, and to me greatly enriches Black Bolt. It seems to fit Bolt into a more classic Marvel mold, peering past the ultimate stoic leader to his own feet of clay.

This story manages to change both nothing and everything. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Adan: It’s been awhile since the last issue of this series came out (and even longer since Tony took his pants off in space), but the Secret Six make their triumphant return (sans Tony, pants and all) to explain the mystery of…. the Beyonder? Really? Okay, but it better real good. He’s a mutant inhuman! Oh, crap, it’s totally not good at all. And what’s with Dr. Strange telling the Beyonder what he does violates the natural order of things? You do magic, ya goober! How is that not violating the natural order of things? Well, I guess Bendis and Reed had to stall somewhere on this mini and they picked the midpoint to do it. I just wish this hadn’t taken so long to come out after the second one, then maybe we wouldn’t have noticed (we totally would have).

Of note is my complete confusion as to when this takes place. It’s after the first “Secret Wars”, that much Xavier makes abundantly clear, but I guess it’s before “Secret Wars II”? The Beyonder is wearing his jumpsuit from that arc, and he’s hanging out in a facsimile of
Manhattan… Wait, did Bendis and Reed just place “Secret Wars II” out of continuity? You sly devils, you. I may have to take all of that back.

Cheung’s pencils are still good, thank goodness. Check out his aerial shots of Manhattan, especially the first one through a field of asteroids. That is breathtaking. I want that blown up and on my wall.

Brendan: Secret Wars II goes, but the leisure suit stays. There is justice in this world.

Adan: There’s something in this world, alright, but I don’t think it’s justice… unless you’re talking about that crappy 90’s character Justice that you also love for no real good reason.

Ray Harryhausen Presents Wrath of the Titans #1

Adan: A sort of sequel to the 1981 movie Clash of the Titans, which was itself a retelling of some Greek myths. I don’t know. I’m torn by my love for all things mythological and for the almost complete ennui this story elicited from me. I guess if I almost don’t care even though Perseus kills some suckas and a Hydra shows up, then it can’t be that good. That’s really unfortunate because I really want something like this to succeed, especially after looking at the ad for Sinbad: Rogue from Mars in the back. Doesn’t that sound freakin’ awesome? I’ll give this book another shot and hope the writers, Darren G. Davis and Scott Davis, can figure out how to make their writing less clunky and coma-inducing.

On the other hand, the art team of penciller Nadir Balan and colorist Joey Campos make some pretty pictures. It has a kind of charcoal element. That might come simply from adding colors directly to the pencils and skipping the inking stage altogether, but I like it nonetheless. Although, Perseus does have one goofy-ass smile. Whatever, Bubo is still around and he’s pretty damn cool.

Brendan: First things first, I agree, this was beautiful. It evoked the work of Cary Nord on Conan, which was fitting considering the subject matter. I thought it worked particularly well on the more complicated and busy pages, with the simpler three panel talking heads pages could have used an inker’s flair. I always understood what was going on in the art, and that is no small task.

I also thought that this was a brilliant concept to license. It did just enough to feel familiar and accessible.

I had fewer problems with the writing than Adan. Any attempt at “dating” dialogue can always feel contrived and is often stilted. This reason alone contributes largely to why Marvel hasn’t published a Thor comicbook in three years. It doesn’t drive me away as a reader, but I can understand that it does others. It wasn’t quite as funny as it wanted to be, but it had a lightheartedness that salvaged the contrived language.

We agree again, Adan. Comics as a medium were created to tell stories like Sinbad: Rogue of Mars. If it is anything like the Sinbad vs Dinosaurs sketch in the bonus back material of the book we should be in for a trip.

Adan: Yeah, I’m gonna be there faster than I’ve ever been to anything else.

The Ride: Die Valkyrie #1

Adan: I’m not a car guy in the least, so whatever on that front. I mean, I guess a 1968 RS/SS is cool and all (it certainly looks it), but I wouldn’t know a 1968 RS/SS from a 1986 Mustang if my life depended on it. I am, however, a tomboy-with-guns guy. Laci, the schoolgirl assassin who was first seen touching herself immediately after making a bus blow up in the first Ride mini-series, is back here, hanging out with a bunch of nuns trying to stick on the right path, but not doing a very good job of it. Also in this issue, we get three new characters collectively calling themselves Valkyries who do know cars (and who also know that the Valkyries of Norse myth rode wolves and not winged stallions; extra brownie points to Wagner and Stelfreeze for knowing something even my Dungeon Master didn’t*). It’s a fun read and Stelfreeze’s art is clean and crisp. I especially enjoyed his Hulk Hogan-esque father character (who is appropriately named Sturluson, after Snorri Sturluson I presume). In fact, this whole book is full of Norse myth references. That one-eyed guy who wants his car back? Probably descended from ol’ One-Eyed Odin himself (I wasn’t joking when I said I had a weakness for the mythologies).

Brendan: Ah to be a young, irresponsible girl again… Or something… Stelfreeze doesn’t waste a line here, and it pays off. I like the parallels between the two storylines. Somehow it feels clever and fresh to have all your protagonists be women and all the antagonists men. The plot itself is still pretty straightforward and simple, but the mythological trappings and the fast pace make sure the story stays fun.

And who, pray tell, was Snorri Sturluson? (okay, I know too, but there’s no reason this can’t become a learning BAAPPAS).

Adan: Snorri Sturluson was the 13th century poet who took all the Norse myth stuff, which had been told orally only before him, and wrote it down. He arranged the myths into his Eddas and this is why we, the people of the future, have the Norse myths as complete as we do. Just imagine, if Sturluson hadn’t written down the Norse myths, there is a very real chance we wouldn’t who the hell Thor was, much less make comics about him. Raise your mead and thank the stars for Snorri Sturluson. And this has been your PCS PSA.

Adan: *Actually, my DM probably did know, and chose the winged stallion route anyway. But just so you can say you learned something today, “Gunn’s horse” is a kenning for wolf (a kenning is an old Norse poetic device similar to a metaphor), Gunn being a Valkyrie. If you already knew this, then congratulations, you’re smarter than the average Wolf of Bees.

Silver Surfer: Requiem #1

Adan:The cover is very reminiscent of the last Marvel Knights mini to come out. I assume that’s done on purpose and I applaud it if this is true. I also applaud the apparent decision to make all MK minis alternate future-type stories. A return to What If? stories is always welcome, especially if they’re good (nevermind what I said about the future Avengers). Requiem also fast forwards to an alternate future in which the Silver Surfer did not resume his duties as herald of Galactus, and instead his power is waning. Straczynski is pretty wordy in this book, but I guess the Surfer has always been wordy. Ribic, on the other hand, slings a brush with the best of them. He can paint a space scene better than most, and can paint the reflective body of the Surfer better than anybody. Seriously, just look at any panel with the Surfer in it and you will believe that a man can be your mirror. If he stands still, that is.

Brendan: Is anyone shocked this came out only just in time for the upcoming movie? And the Ultimate Galactus HC shipped this week, too? And Silver Surfer is on the cover of both regular and Ultimate FF this month? Is Marvel, like, paying attention or something?

The new standard Marvel Knights cover dress does well to brand the minis in a way that feels important. I don’t know if it means “Elseworlds” or whatever, but so far it has meant quality.

Silver Surfer is at a turning point in his life. Facing a bleak future, he apparently begins a journey of self-rediscovery. Like the best Surfer stories, this explores the depth of human emotions and other philosophical wonders. For newcomers, we get a quick recap of his origin. Straczynski delivers a solid script devoid of pretension, and Esad Ribic paints beautifully. There may be a few too many splash pages from a storytelling perspective, but the awe-striking art makes up for the worth. Perhaps the most noticeable quirk of the art was the fact that the FF looked less photo-realistic than the Surfer, a testament to how naturally Ribic’s style meshes with the character.