Welcome to the 6th installment of the new Leave Your Spandex @t the Door! Wednesday is Comic Book Day in the U.S., and LYS@D is here again with this week’s Early Bird Reviews, so you can catch up on what rocks and what flops this week before you head to your local LCS!
As a bonus, we’ve got an exclusive look at today shipping’s Planetary Brigade #2 from Boom! Studios, along with a character guide to the hit mini series! Scroll down to the end of the column and enjoy!
Birds of Prey #92
DC
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Michael Paulo Siqueira & Robin Riggs
Review Content: It’s One Year Later”¦ and I’m unimpressed! DC might have seriously shot itself in the foot with all the hype surrounding the OYL jump and the rumours they are spreading. Yes, Barbara is still Oracle (not Batwoman, not walking, and apparently not married to Dick Grayson either!). Huntress is also still on the team, but Black Canary isn’t, as she has been replaced by a new Jade Canary, an old adversary with a new name. I suggest avoiding the newly-released DC solicits if you don’t want to be spoiled on JC’s identity. There’s also another mysterious member that debuts on the last page, sort of, but is still unrevealed. Read on!
The issue’s focus is split between the new Birds’ mission to extract the Crime Doctor from the Society of super-villains, and BC’s newest Journey of self-discovery (she’ll be back on the team in 4 issues or less to kick her replacement’s derriere, no worries). The issue’s enjoyment doesn’t stem from the art, which is lacklustre and average at best, but from Gail Simone’s pen that is still as sharp as ever. She is having fun with her new girl-toy here, as she explores the effect of introducing an element as violent and unyielding as the Jade Canary into the world of the Birds. The result is not only an entertaining and unpredictable action sequence, but also a barrage of laugh-out-loud moments. Am I actually allowed to gripe that DC’s best title didn’t improved but just remained excellent? Now, if only they could get someone decent back on the art chores”¦
Score: C
Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man #6
Marvel
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Mike Wieringo
Review Content: After last issue’s refreshing story I was expecting an equally strong follow-up. This story introduces a new villain in spiderman’s life, a masked wrestler. Yes, I’m with you: YAWN. PAD gives him a veryinteresting origin and a fresh motive for going after Spidey, although his costume and powers are forgettable. Despite good intentions, I’m fearing it will follow the usual motif of “Good guy forced to fight other good guy because he/his loved one is threatened by a third villain. Then next issue Spidey will beat our masked good guy, he will ‘fess up and they will both pummel some sense into the third party. Happy End! I hope PAD defies expectations next issue. The scene that saves the issue from a more ghastly grade is the gag Peter plays on Jameson that unravels throughout the issue, and the return of the quipping Spider-Man we had so missed.
Score: D
Generation M #5 (of 5)
Marvel
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Ramon Bachs
Review Content: The final issue of the mini-series that earned Paul Jenkins back his reputation as a good writer! The big “mystery” surrounding the kille’s identity wraps up here, but I’m left with the question: What was the point of this series? The killings had seemed the focal point, but with the revelation of the kille’s inconsequential identity this year, it’s clear that they were merely filler; a side attraction, just like the flashy covers for each cover showcasing a semi-popular character depowered, who only appeared in the issue for a maximum of 2 pages each. No, this has been Sally’s story from the start, and that’s how the series wraps up: Sally stops talking to other ex-mutants and decides to write the story of her own mutant baby. Her loss is even deeper than what the hints from the first issues had indicated, a truly tragic and destructive experience. After reading through it, I identified with Sally and understood the reasons that lead to her downfall and her drinking problem. I’m happy to hear Sally’s story will continue in the Civil War mini: Front Line, and it’s the only aspect of that new over-hyped event I look forward to.
Score: B
Runaways #14
Marvel
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Review Content: Whoa! Whooa! WHOOOOOOA! *
*Translation: Another amazing issue by Vaughan and Alphona, although literally split in 2 parts. The first, furthering the characters’ interactions and strengthening their bonds. At the end of volume 1, Vaughan had delivered a powerful shocker with the revelation of Wilder as the team traitor and then his death. And in this issue, he one-ups himself! Through interludes, we’ve seen there is a new Pride in town, and their leader is a familiar-looking young black man”¦ Through a flashback we finally learn who is this new Pride, what is their agenda, and just how did their leader cheat death at the end of the last volume! Oh, oops, did I let that slip? I’m an evil spoiler-monger! But if you were reading Lying In the Gutters this week, you don’t have me to worry about. Runaways is one of the few books today that still has something fresh to give to the reader and can still genuinely surprise pleasantly!
Score: B
Planetary Brigade #2
Boom Studios
Writer: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Artist: Fabio Moon, Zid of Ifs, Joe Abraham and Alfa of Ifs
Review Content: A few weeks back, Giffen and DeMatteis announced they were taking their “Bwahaha” comics style exclusively to their new home at Boom Studios. At first I was disappointed as I wouldn’t be seeing any more archetypal dysfunctional Defenders done justly (I have already accepted there’s no more Superbuddies in the crystal ball). For all of its charm, Hero Squared felt too constrained in its sitcom “flatmates with my superhero alter ego” trapping. But Planetery Brigade”¦ Now this is it, this is Giffen and DeMatteis letting loose, with the same brand of humour, but without editorial constraints and fan preconceptions about what a character should and should not do. I say good riddance to your Defenders and Superbuddies, and hello to the Mauve Visitor and Tri-Eye!
In many ways, this mini-series reminded me of the stories in the first Giffen / DeMatteis League run. We’re still new to the characters so there’s an adjustment period as we take in bits and pieces of personal history and connect the dots to try and relate to these new people that interact in these pages in front of us. When I was compiling the bios at the end of this column, I was amazed at just how much back-story they managed to compress into these 40+ pages of story! All this info isn’t force-fed to the reader, but rather sneakily passed on through the dialogue, without any cheesy exposition.
The second issue follows the storyline from last issue, but is remarkably new-reader friendly. A poor slob is unwillingly acting as a portal to another dimension and unleashing all kinds of evil meanies on earth. As you can see from the spotlight pages, the problem doesn’t take long to escalate! Last issue’s spotlight characters (Earth Goddess, the good Captain and the Mauve Visitor) take a step back and let the new talent take center-stage. I’m torn between who my fave is right now, but it’s a toss-up between Tri-Eye, Mr Brilliant and the Mauve Visitor! Scroll don to read all about them in our bios section!
So, to summarise: fresh characters, a cohesive plot, laugh-a-minute dialogue, and a surprisingly touching ending. Why not give it a straight A then? The only set-back of this title compared to the previous collaborations of the duo (which earned them several Nexus Year-End Awards, to be announced this week) is the art. As Starman mentions in his review to follow, once again the art is handled by a committee of new artists taking their first break here. In the first issue the differences in artistic style were too jarring and took the reader out of the story; as much as I adore Mark Badge’s art style, it simply can’t integrate well with other art styles in a book like this. In this issue, the artistic styles are more homogeneous, following a simple line that reminds of rising star Marcos Martin and Javier Pulido. Again, I’m a fan of this school of style, but the BwaHaHa brand of books call for someone closer to Kevin Maguire’s expressive style, like ChrisCross, Batista or X-Statix’s newest sensation: Nick Dragotta.
The Final Word: more addictive than crack covered Twinkies, and I hope I get quoted on it!
Score: B
And as a bonus for Starman Matt fans, here is a second advance review of this issue from the man:
Planetary Brigade #2
Boom Studios
Writers Keith Giffen & JM DeMatteis:
Artists: Fabio Moon, Zid of Ifs, Joe Abraham and Alfa of Ifs
When I first looked at this book, I was expecting some nice BWA-HA-HA-HA! (patent pending) moments. I was not disappointed as this new superhero team book – written by the same degenerate maniacs responsible for I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League and the recent Defenders mini-series – delivered the laughs that the cover suggested.
The bad jokes, one-liners and insult humor are here in all their Marxian glory. Groucho Marxian, that is. There are also some fairly transparent parodies of established characters (If you can’t figure out who Grim Knight is supposed to be, hand in your fanboy credentials now”¦) so total newbies to the Giffen/DeMatteis style of humor will have something to latch onto.
But it’s not all comedy. I was surprised to find a rather touching and serious story here, to say nothing of a rather neat satire of Identity Crisis. I should add that my surprise comes not from the fact that Giffen and DeMatties are capable of such fine drama (go read Kraven: The Last Hunt or some 80’s Legion of Superheroes sometime if you don’t believe me) but that I am surprised to find it here in a book that has been advertised as a pure comedy..
Sadly, the art brings down would otherwise be a top-notch book. While none of the four artists do a bad job, the book suffers for having four artists when the reader can see some les than subtle changes in style, inking and character appearance. For one particularly painful example, check out the ears on Pussycat”¦ which go from being Elfish on page 2 to HUGE cat ears on page 15.
Score: B
And now, as promised, here are two preview pages from the second issue, in stores today and the Official Who’s Who in the Boom Boom U.!
Captain Valor
Real name: Milo Stone
Age: undisclosed
Powers: Flies, leaps, pushes, pulls, and helps old ladies across the street
Distinguishing features: Just follow the trail of boy scout cookie crumbs.
The Bwahaha: The moral compass of the group, stuck pointing to the 1960s. Valor has old-fashioned superhero ideals and looks at the groups adventures through Siegel/Schuster-tinted glasses: every hero must uphold to greater ideals, they must be selfless and courageous, and above all else, team-ups aren’t gay.
Purring Pussycat
Real name: Pussy (at least that’s what she likes to be called in her intimate moments –wink- )
Age: 27
Powers: Cat powers. Sorta like Catwoman, Tigra, Feral, Cheetah, Cheetarah”¦At least none of them had whiskers! Good going Giffen!
Distinguishing features: Let’s see: pointy ears, a tail, long fingernails and toenails which she paints bright red (no accounting for taste), a slutty leotard stripper outfit”¦ and whiskers! She’s the first moustached superheroine in comics, but you can probably recognize her more easily from her hand on your crotch!
The Bwahaha:The word trollop is flung around her a lot. The analog of DC’s Huntress in terms of sluttiness, but more self-aware! She’s in it for the money, the fame and the sex. At least she’s not afraid to admit it. The other Brigadiers don’t think much of her mental capacity, but who can blame them. She lives off Mister Briliant, exploiting his geekboy crush on her.
Third Eye
Real name: Julia
Age: 17
Powers: A powerful mystic and teleporter. She can transport her consciousness onto another hero, but it leaves her body unconschious and vulnerable.
Distinguishing features: What, apart from the huge gazing third eye on her forehead staring straight into your soul? She has a habit of materializing in a room without even a warning puff of smoke. She is the butchiest member of the team, despite the apparent lack of facial hair.
The Bwahaha: T-Eye was kidnapped as a baby and raised by demons. Generally has the Batman effect on people (look it up in the medical journals as enuresis). She is the realist of the group, the one who knows what must be done and is prepared to take on the burden of the responsibility.
Earth Goddess
Real name: Lisa
Age: Oooooooooold! I don’t think you could carbon-date her even if she ever gave you permission to try
Powers: Super-strong and super-able to breathe underwater
Distinguishing features: 6’8” or so in height, she’s like Storm and Wonderwoman slapped together, literally: from the waist up, her left side is black, and her right is white. Sorta makes you wish she was the star of WorldWatch instead, doesn’t it, you sicko? But we love you still!
The Bwahaha: Meek loser Lisa was chosen (against her will) to be the human vessel for the conscience of Gaia, the earth mother. Earth Goddess needs to change back into Lisa in order to recharge her powers. Although Lisa has the hots for Valor, Earth Goddess has wider interests, and it quickly becomes a hot topic. She is the team’s greenie. And she also doesn’t have facial hair.
Mauve Visitor
Real name: undisclosed
Age: 451, although he says he’s only 316!
Powers: Telepathy, pyrokinesis, teleportation, brilliance, and an impeccable taste in soft furnishings.
Distinguishing features: He’s short , stubby, bald, has bug eyes, but no nose, and four fingers. He’s also purple-tinted, in case you were wondering. The official action figure comes with a detachable martini glass.
The Bwahaha: A member of the alien Prissuvian race, his vessel was shot down by the military 4 years ago, and he has since been living off their budget, pretending to do superhero work. He has an ego the size of a small planet (insert John Byrne reference), and probably thinks he’s too good for this team and for this planet by extension. Gayer than Captain Valor, although just barely. He has a crush on Mr Brilliant, but who can blame him ;) ?
Grim Knight
Real name: Stephen
Age: undisclosed
Powers: He wields the enchanted Excalibur sword (or a reasonable facsimile thereof TM) and rides his enchanted horse, Guinevere. What kind of self-respecting knight rides a female horse anyway? pfeh
Distinguishing features: Sunny disposition. Not! Two pointy ears short of a Batman.
The Bwahaha: He’s the Midnighter to Valo’s Apollo, and you make your own connotations after this. The team’s pessimist, sadist and token sociopath.
Mister Brilliant
Real name: Edison, “Ed” for short
Age: 32, and still a virgin
Powers: Cybernetically augmented senses, digestively augmented ass and a very cool gadget “Ultichair” with enough firepower to take down several small nations.
Distinguishing features: Professor X meets the Blob. If he ever stood up from that chair, his ass would block out the sun over the northern hemisphere. Did I mention he’s fat?
The Bwahaha: The only person on the team whose ego challenges Mauve Visito’s in an interplanetary war! Mr Brilliant lives in a comic shop and publishes his adventures in his own comic book. He makes the Comicbook guy from the Simpsons look hygienic by comparison. Probably spends his free time moderating his own message boards, which would explain why he has no time to shower or get laid. He has a geekboy crush on Pussy, but he has better chance of getting some if he starts batting for the other team.
Aaaaand that’s a wrap for this week! I’m waiting your comments and feedback through email to Manolis@gmail.com. If you self-publish your own comics or represent an indy comics company, add me to your press release list, and I will run your news in this space every week.
Manolis Vamvounis
a.k.a. Dr. Dooplove
