Picks & Pans for June 04, 2008
Posted by: on June 9, 2008 at 3:53 am
Got a heaping helping for you this week. Ernie Estrella, Gavin Jasper of 4thletter!, and Carissa Koo break it down with a gang of reviews.
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Ernie: Abe’s solo adventure comes to a close and if you’ve been following like a good soldier, you’re hoping Abe goes on more adventures, at least as long as Alexander is willing to draw him. This is just a fun, spooky tale spotlighting Sapien’s green and unseasoned missions where he comes into his own. Mignola’s occult fantasy entices and lures us in while raising the hairs on our necks. The distant places with too many dark corners to count are familiar whether we’ve imagined them in our nightmares, walked through our cemeteries, or explored the deep depths of our soul. Like Abe, we struggle and investigate, survey our surrounds until we are able to overcome fear and escape our own drownings. |
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Ernie: Reading American Splendor is always a refreshing visit back home for me, Cleveland native and now a resident San Diegan. The blue collar ideals. The working man’s mentality. The dreary outlook. I think when you grow up in that town you make no apologies for being a realist, a pessimist, or a skeptic. It’s the lack of sunshine that Clevelanders see on a day-to-day basis that makes you all piss and vinegar. With all of the sun I get now, I’m just not used to it, I’m homesick at times, and American Splendor grays up my day up just fine. From the black and white (and inkwashed) art, to Pekar’s groucho demeanor, there’s enough in here to get you down and kicking the dirt. It’s warranted though, given our world, and life in general and this issue shows off how well-versed and well-read Pekar is. From politics, global warming, the history of Russian and Jewish immigrants in Cleveland to avant-garde jazz, there’s a lot on his mind. The hundreds of hours spent in Zubal’s bookstore tailor a well-read man. Whether you’re from Cleveland or not, you personally care about these observations or not, you’re still drawn to what HE thinks about them. Why? He captures everything that’s beautiful and equally ugly about living today, growing old, and simple pleasures in a few panels with his honest words–and that’s as American as you can get. |
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Gavin: Well, the art certainly looks better than the last issue. The Human Torch stuff looks especially nice. No, wait. I just saw that panel of Namor catching the axe again. It’s kind of a mix bag. In fact, that’s how I see the writing. Both Avengers teams can easily see that this is a time travel thing and get past the imposter accusations, but how long can every one of the Invaders go on convinced that every single guy in tights they come across is a Nazi? I’d think Steve Rogers is smarter than that. I’m also a bit confused by Iron Fist’s one line towards the end, which seems to miss the point about what the Secret Avengers team is all about. I’ll give this another issue, but I’m not expecting miracles. |
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Ernie: If comics were cuts of meat, there’s a lot of bacon and sausages out there. Fatty, tasty morsels of meat that are quick to satisfy but in the end aren’t the best bang for your dollar. As you move up to the sirloins and the strip steaks, you begin to get more quality, larger cuts of quality meat, and I can think of a select group of comics that would qualify. Criminal? Criminal is the filet mignon class of comics, kobe even, because you get a big slab of tender meat, and for that expense, you get every single penny back. 32 Pages, stand-alone stories, and some of the most tragic, memorable crime stories done in the comic format. It’s Brubaker & Phillps’ redesign of what a comic should be: Total satisfaction. And if this don’t satisfy you, become a vegetarian. The first two issues of the year we met Sebastian, Jake and the girl that came in between them, Danica. Sweet Danica. Watch out boy, she’s a man-eater. Her story is filled with men that have treated her wrong, and in turn she’s treated them just as bad. The layers built up over the years have made this fine woman tough, made her heart diminish, and turn her veins cold. Our ma’s and pop’s have taught us not to be like this, and perhaps that’s why we want to know so much about them, their motives, their irrational decisions. That’s why we can’t get them out of our heads, and why we root for them when we inherently know–things will go bad. |
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PICK! Dan Dare #6 |
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Ernie: If we must turn to one of Britain’s science fiction heroes to feel patriotism then we must do what we must do. Actually it’s more like idealism which is one of Ennis’ many strengths. Whether it’s the full-throttle vigilantism of the Punisher or the leadership of Dan Dare who stares death in the eye for his country, Ennis’ heroes are the quintessential idealists. It difficult to believe that Ennis’ imagination has real world counterparts, but even if they did exist, would people be able to shake the numbing effect of the negative and paranoia-filled bombing spewed by mainstream media? Ennis and Erskine are not trying to undo that, but they are trying to create a world where people believe in their leaders and the people who lead their soldiers through dangerous waters. Where we can drop all the suspicion and follow by pure trust. I realize this if fiction, sadly, but it inspires one even if just for a couple dozen pages worth. Dan Dare isn’t so much about one man as it is the effect of that man on others. |
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Gavin: Dini built up the Riddler’s credit as a legal-friendly detective over the last year or so only to damage it hard with this issue. Perhaps it ties into Trinity. Either way, it feels somewhat forced. Really, what the issue is about is the highly entertaining chatroom segment. It starts off as something you groan at. Then as you continue on, you smirk a little. Soon you find yourself snickering at the truth about certain aspects of the chat. This one scene takes what could have been a passable issue and makes it far more worth checking out. Though it does water down the cover’s hyped up cameo, which adds little interest in the scheme of things. |
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PAN! Duostar Racers |
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Carissa: This whole issue hurts. The art, typical of Ashley Wood, is pretty but confusing. The storyline looks like it was purposely intended to be ambiguous in this first issue, but it is really just completely indecipherable. This is what I’m guessing: People racing each other on gigantic robots? (I only figured this out after looking at the sketchbook pages) And wait! There is a nefarious plot underhand. But I can’t tell what, because I can’t understand a damn thing that is happening in this comic. The author tries way too hard to be cryptic about what’s going on. The dialogue is uninteresting, the characters have no names or distinguishable personalities, and the entire setting is shot to hell. There is absolutely nothing in this comic that would make me come back to the second issue. Hardcore Wood fans may like it. Looks like there’s going to be gratuitous Ashley Wood boobies and ass in the next one. |
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Ernie: I described this this title last month as a satisfying “different” read and the second issue holds up. Each story contains an uninterrupted short story, a twisted tall-tale if you will, and it’s told in a stage that’s part of a bigger story. In this second issue the larger story stuck out more–reversed from the debut–and that’s important for the title because that’s what will keep readers coming back no matter how good those little tales are. Fig’s found her way to the House of Mystery, and appears to have a special connection to it that the other permanent members don’t. This dynamic of the newcomer and the longtime residents are interesting ingredients brought to the pot. Jill Thompson provided this issue’s escape and seeing her work is always an enjoyable trip, even if it’s only for five pages. Thompson just keeps getting better and better as the years go by and her gray ink-wash look fits this book like a silk glove because it takes you out of the main story smoothly and grabs you through each panel. I can imagine this book building momentum each month and an anticipation of what kind of bar story we’re going to get. Keep an eye on this. |
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Gavin: Fraction’s take on Iron Man continues to work with a style I’ll call “sensible decompression.” So many times since Extremis, we’ve seen Iron Man go on about all the things going on in his helmet. All the sensory overload that he’s able to absorb because he’s freakishly smart and part computer. The comic in question isn’t so much a story being told as it is a documentary of Tony Stark’s busy, busy life that happens to tie into itself. He’s all over the place, but he anchors us in a way that it doesn’t matter how many subplots we’re forced to sit through. I also enjoy Fraction’s take on Iron Man meeting with the resurrected Thor for the second time. Considering what a botch job JMS did with the first meeting, it’s nice to see that this time it’s Thor who comes off as the complete ass. How about them apples? |
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Ernie: For the first time, Marvel actually has a comic in its main universe that people can be referred to hot off the heels of the success of a film. You don’t need to read anything before, or be prepped that this story takes place in an alternate universe. It’s clear that this title is tailored to readers who loved everything about the film and wanted more. There’s more Rhodey here, more Pepper, more Armor Wars and Tony just being Tony; juggling being a leader of technology and the weapons race, leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. and being a playboy. Hey, Modok’s in this too. My mind’s made up. Marvel’s best character isn’t Spider-Man anymore. |
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Ernie: Great stories have great conflict and Northlanders is wealthy with it. Transplanting you to a far off but familiar place–where situations appear to be black and white but are steeped in gray–you’ll gladly allow combatants Gorm and Sven free rent in your mind. With every issue, they get more settled. The former allows you to role-play a bully, while any aggression you’ve pent up can be let go in Sven. With two more issues to conclude the opening arc, Sven finally gets some much needed support and some more added incentive. In a land full of two-faces and hidden causes, it’s wise not to let your guard down and you’d be wrong if you think you can catch your breath. Readers are beginning to cash in the benefits for investing in Wood’s blueprint and Gianfelice and McCaig’s palatial art. Rather than being an action comic filled with splash pages, each act of violence in Northlanders has purpose. Each player wears a stone-faced visage, but reveal much more when blood is spilled. From verbal stabs to the swing of the axe, or the quenching of Sven’s sexual desires, momentum always seems to roll towards the last page. This is fiction constructed at its best. |
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Carissa: So far, Jonathan Lethem’s Omega Unknown has been one of the most amazing indie superhero comics. This issue lives up to the success of all the ones before it. The dialogue and art is deadpan perfect. The existentialist narration from Omega’s talking head friend gives us an insight into themes the comic explores, while still remaining light, humorous, and everything that is the opposite of wanky. There is so much wonderful craziness in this issue. The Mink fighting his dearly departed robotic hand! Alex donning the suit and fighting throngs of infected deliverymen and hamburger shop employees! The best part is, while everything that happens is ridiculous and over-the-top, it’s so deadpan, I don’t even notice. I just want to find out what happens in the last issue. |
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Gavin: I can’t believe the difference a colorist can make. Yu, always get somebody to color for you. Jessica Drew actually looks pretty attractive here, rather than the hag that Wolverine spied on in the shower back in New Avengers. I’m not sure I can really review Secret Invasion #3 correctly. I feel like I need to wait for the series to finish before I know what I really think of this issue. For the time being, I thought it was fun stuff. Bendis is trying to balance his subplots by focusing on specific ones longer than other writers would. This unfortunately shortchanges some of the more interesting stuff, like Agent Brand’s situation in space and Marvel Boy’s enigmatic appearance in the first issue. I will say this, with five more issues left to go, I have no idea where this is going. It feels climactic despite not even being halfway done. We’ll see if the momentum carries it anywhere. |
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Ernie: (Before reading this issue, start a bag of microwavable popcorn. Got it started? Good.) One of the many reasons I dislike superhero events is that there is so much care given to every corner of the universe–to show just how encompassing it all is–that you just don’t get enough story. Bendis does his best to update us on seemingly everyone’s situation for the first half of the book rendering it for the most part useless. Which brings us to Savage Land. (Take out the bag of popcorn and let it cool a bit…and start eating it in a few minutes) If you’ve been keeping up with all of the Avengers titles, it feels like we’ve been on Savage Land forever! So can a good second half redeem the fluff before it? It comes real close but not quite. There’s plenty of BIG popcorn moments packed in those final pages but I just wish that we didn’t have to wait so long. Some people might be happy others, not so. I’m also convinced after a few years of writing Avengers titles that Bendis just isn’t a big fan of androids. So yes a handful of money shots shoved in after all the fluffing. After a good head start, this event has stalled in the jungle with just as much good stuff happening outside the pages of Secret Invasion as there is inside. It’s not very consistent though. More to come I imagine but realize that this is a $4 book–and only 22 pages, Marvel, give us our full money’s worth (and give me a reason to eat my popcorn at the beginning of the story.) |
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Gavin: In the weekly comic game of late, DC has one triumph and one tragedy. As Countdown failed because it was just a pale shadow of 52, Trinity decides to instead be the antithesis of 52. Instead of a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, we’re getting just that. With the talent involved and the timeless dynamic of the Big Three, it has a great chance at success. The initial storyline shows much promise, especially Busiek’s interactions between the three heroes out of costume. In fact, the opening meeting feels almost like picking up where Infinite Crisis left off in terms of those three. The secondary story, while perhaps a little too long compared to the first, lays down some of the early groundwork for what this series will truly be about. I’m interested. Let’s see where it goes. |
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Gavin: There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. There’s a man with a gun over there… Sorry. The Ultimate world takes a step closer to being more in tune to ours as compared to the 616 reality with the story that keeps all the fantastic aspects of Earth’s superhumans stuck together, all dependent on just one decision. With guys like Hulk, Spider-Man, Green Goblin and Doc Ock, the idea that Captain America’s very existence has led to a brave new world isn’t new. But how far does this go? We get the beginnings of some storyline spider webs that may pay off, but outside of the cliffhanger reveal, there isn’t much that keeps this issue engaging. It’s fairly dull, all in all, and doesn’t feel like it’ll be more than a trivia list for a dying continuity. Prove me wrong, Bendis. |
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Gavin: We’re given two different stories here. The first is about Wolverine hanging out with some hippies and going up against some pompous fox hunters. Considering how simple it is for Wolverine to deal with the likes of them, there’s obviously something more going on. Unfortunately, Simon Spurrier’s story goes back and forth all over the clock to the point of confusion, only to end abruptly. That’s a shame, since it had a nice piece of originality to it. Rick Remender writes the second story, which feels like more of a classic Wolverine adventure. It doesn’t have enough space to make the plot twists any less predictable, but in the dialogue, he injects some good personality into Logan. Jerome Opena’s art also helps this, adding lots of expression in Wolverine’s facial gestures. I just feel that these two stories shouldn’t have been stapled together. Both would have been better with more pages instead of having to share. |
7 Responses to "Picks & Pans for June 04, 2008"
1 | Josh Neufeld
Thanks for the poetic shout-out to AMERICAN SPLENDOR #3. My name is usually spelled “Neufeld” without that extra “i”.
2 | Jon Haehnle
As I was telling our esteemed editor, David, personally I’m really disappointed with Secret Invasion. It’s halfway through and I’m not even excited. Although I liked the (seeming) return of Mockingbird, the existence of the duplicate throwback heroes mostly seems confusing for no reason. I guess but Bendis has reasons for all this and we’ll see how it plays out in the second half. But even the return of Fury didn’t do anything for me, surrounded by his young recruits (Son of Ghost Rider?). Mostly I am just disappointed because I really enjoyed Civil War and World War Hulk — I mean granted they started out great and ended kinda “meh”, but I think that’s somewhat to be expected when writers are faced with fandom’s desire for things not to change too much overall. So to be halfway through SI with not much excitement is just sad to me. I wouldn’t even recommend SI to anyone, but I told plenty of people to check out CW and WWH. Ah well.
4 | Ernie Estrella
Josh, many-many apologies, that’s my fault!
Jon, 3 issues in and it seems as if the Savage Land battles has lasted 2 minutes…
6 | Carissa
Secret Invasion a real time comic.
You spend seven minutes reading three issues.
Seven minutes pass.
They should make it into a TV show, like 24.
7 | Jon Haehnle
Gav: Ok, Grandson of Ghost Rider. Son of Ares. This doesn’t make it better for me :(
Carissa: I guess those would that be 7 minutes you want back from your life?
