Good day, fellow comic book fans. I’m back to bring you another dose of my views of this week’s books. Now, I’ve been doing these reviews for quite some time, and if you’ve been reading, you know what books I like, and which ones I loooove. But I’d like to hear from you. Shoot me an email at XOdusTWS@cox.net sometime between now and next Thursday, and let me know what is your favorite book. Not the book you think is the best, or the one you think deserves more press, but the one that you look forward to every month. I just want to see what you like. Why? Because I care.
Really.
Alright, onto reviews!
Iron Man #6
“Extremis” part 6 of 6
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Adi Granov
Published by Marvel Comics
So here we are, finally finishing up this story. This started back in December of 2004. There has been a lot that has happened since then, but not much in the world of Iron Man. I hear that Adi Granov and his laborious art process are is the cause of the delay, but that’s neither here nor there, since it’s all done with. So, is it worth the wait?
I guess so. It’s a cool story, I’ll give it that. This is not an epic Iron Man tale though. Despite the fact that there are big fights and explosions, this is more of a character piece, and it’s about Tony Stark really coming to terms with himself and his alter-ego. This whole story, with its tone and its visual style reminded me of a Michael Mann film. In Mann’s films, it’s all about character and story, with the action secondary. Exactly the case here.
We are given an ultimately forgettable villain, but it’s what he brings out in Stark that is the real reason for him being here. I’ll miss this team on Iron Man, Ellis seemed like he had some interesting things to say on the character, but I’ll really appreciate the fact that we’ll be getting a normal dose of Iron monthly.
Grade: B
(By the way, I really would like to apologize for the above pun, but it really was just too easy. I had to do it. I’m sorry.)
Ultimate Spider-Man #92
“Deadpool” part 2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inks: John Dell with Mark McKenna
Colors: Laura Martin and Richard Isanove
Published by Marvel Comics
A fairly weak issue here. A lot happens, but it really seems like a bit of a mess. We don’t really know who the villains are, but Bendis sort of lets us know that Deadpool is a wise-a$$. The regular incarnation of Deadpool is still somewhat new, and I don’t know why they needed an ultimate version of him.
So, the story itself has Spidey and some of the X-Men literally dropped in the middle of nowhere (someone probably watched his ‘Lost’ DVDs before he sat down to write this script) and they have to fight……some villains. As for who they are, I don’t know. The issue ends with the start of another fight. But right now, I just don’t care.
As always, the best part of this comic is the dialogue and characterization. Bendis nails it, and gives us some nice moments, especially between Spidey and Colossus. Other than that though, it was a disappointing issue. I suppose I can just be thankful that this story will only last another two issues.
Grade: D
Captain America 65th Anniversary Special
“Secrets of Iron and Fire”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Javier Pulido, Marcos Martin, Mike Perkins, and Frank D’Armata
Colors: Javier Rodeiguez
Published by Marvel Comics
I was hesitant to pick this up at first, since I thought it was just going to be a bunch of reprints and then one new 6-page story. But as I leafed thru it at the store, I found it was a completely new story. And it’s a good one too. Great work by Pulido and Martin, giving a modern day sensibility to an older style of comic art.
Brubaker gives us an untold tale of Cap and Bucky’s early days, that ties in very well to what is currently going on in the book. I think the best part has to be that we get to see both of Nick Fury’s eyes!!! That has not happened in a long time. Secretly, I was hoping that we would find out how Nick lost his eye, but I guess this was just not the time.
Anyways, this story is a lot of fun. It’s not jawdropping, and you’re not going to be missing out on a whole lot if you don’t pick it up. But it’s a nice little story about the kind of guy Bucky is, and it gives a slight hint to where things may go from here.
Grade: B
New Avengers: Illuminati Special
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Alex Maleev
Colors: Dave Stewart (probably not the guy from the Eurythmics)
Published by Marvel Comics
I was looking forward to this, and I was not disappointed. Unlike this week’s “Ultimate Spider-man”, this was a Bendis book to be proud of. Actually, this is the kind of book that only Bendis can get away with. Most of the book is just conversations. Long conversations about the politics of super-heroics. We find out about this bizarre secret society consisting of Mr Fantastic, Dr Strange, Iron Man, Professor X, Namor, and Black Bolt. These characters are supposed to be the representatives of the superhero community, but they never seem to get along. It’s interesting to see how Bendis plays Namor off everyone else in the beginning, and then how the others almost warm to him in the end.
This issue also ties up some loose ends, in regards to Nick Fury showing up in recent issues of the Hulk, and it gives a bit of a timeline to other Marvel events.
There is a lot going on here, and it does a great job of setting the stage for May’s “Civil War” crossover. As I mentioned last week, Marvel is doing a great job making this story seem as realistic as possible.
Alex Maleev has lost nothing since the last time we saw his work, over in “Daredevil”. The way he portrays Iron Man in particular, you can really feel his despair, and in the end, heartbeak.
By far, the best book of the week, and so far, the best of the year.
Grade: A
All-Star Superman
“Sweet Dreams, Superwoman”
Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Frank Quitely
Inks and Colors: Jamie Grant
Published by DC Comics
Unlike Batman’s “All-Star” book, which seemingly mocks the character’s conventions, this comic celebrates the elements that make up Superman. While I’m not convinced that this is the definitive modern day take on the character (that Morrison promised us), it is nevertheless an enjoyable version of the hero we know and love.
This issue revolves around Superman’s birthday gift to Lois Lane, which is…superpowers. Now THAT is a cool gift. I mean, the best birthday gift I ever got was a scooter, but superpowers tops that by a longshot. The catch is, she only has these powers for one day.
Superman and, uhm, Super-Lois(?), run into Samson and Atlas, who vie for her love and attention, and I have to say, the whole sequence is odd. I know it’s Grant Morrison, but it’s just a weird side story. Things like that will prevent it from being that “classic” Superman story.
But the issue redeems itself towards the end, when Quitely gives us a splash page for the ages. Truly great stuff right there. If you read the issue, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Highlight of the series, thus far.
While I’m not completely sold on this series yet, I still find in quite enjoyable. But the fact that Lois just doesn’t want to believe that Clark is Superman (even though he TOLD HER) is quite baffling.
Grade: B
Blue Beetle #1
“Blue Monday”
Writer: Keith Giffen & John Rogers
Art: Cully Hamner
Colors: David Self
Published by DC Comics
Didn’t really know what to expect from this series. I was never a big Blue Beetle fan, but hey, since it’s a new character in a new book, I thought I might give the first issue a try.
I will not be back for issue two.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad comic. But there is something very unoriginal to it. We’ve seen the whole young reluctant hero many many times before. All the stuff that happens here, we’ve seen in recent books like “Ultimate Spider-Man” or “Invincible”.
On top of all that, I really don’t think the world was looking for a new Blue Beetle. Comic-dom had all but deemed Ted Kord’s version rather lame, and his only defense came last year when he died. So if no one cared about a character who had been around for many years, why would we care about an unknown kid in that same role? Simple. We don’t.
Hamner’s art is quite nice though. He brings a real sense of energy to the action scenes, and a light, yet realistic feel to the character sequences. I don’t mean to be too negative, but I hope when this book limps away, we can get his work on a book that truly deserves his talent. Same thing goes for the writers. They are both really talented, but I fear they are writing a book that is just not going to go anywhere.
Hey, I could be wrong. But right now, I’m just not seeing anything special about this “Blue Beetle”.
Grade: D
Green Lantern #10
“Revenge of the Green Lanterns” Part One
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Iran Reis
Inks: Marc Campos
Colors: Moose Baumann
Published by DC Comics
This book wastes no time at all, it gets right into the action. We start off with a chase sequence/fight between GL, the Red Rockets, and the Igneous Man. In fact, the first half of the book moves a little too fast. We aren’t really given any sort of background for what is happening. This lets up a bit, and we see a strange green flashback sequence.
What we are to infer is that Hal as Green Lantern is in a bit of trouble, politically. The ‘Global Guardians’ are rather ticked at him. And his personal life is a bit of a mess too. It’s the morning after a one-night stand for Hal, and he gets somewhat of a lecture from (of all people) Oliver Queen. In a nice twist, Hal is now the confused, impetuous one.
The issue ends with a hint of things to come (Sinestro Corps!?), and a ghost of Hal’s past coming back.
This is not the best issue of GL, but it at least has me intrigued as to where things are going, as well as what really happened during the one year gap.
Oh, and Ivan Reis is one of the best working comic artists out there.
Grade: C
Action Comics #837
“Up Up and Away, Chapter Two: Mild-Mannered Reporter
Writers: Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art: Pete Woods
Colors: Brad Anderson
Published by DC Comics
Much to my dismay, billionaire mogul Lex Luthor is seemingly a thing of the past. I will miss him, but I can always hope for his return. Thankfully, we don’t have nutso-armor suit Lex either. What we do have is a pure evil Lex Luthor, which excites me very much. Luthor is away and scheming with Toyman and Metallo, while Superman is…no more.
Clark has lost his powers, and seems rather happy with that. He misses having the super-powers, but Johns and Busiek write him very content with being “normal” for the first time. While I’m sure this wont last, it’s fun to get to know Clark Kent as a real person for a time.
There is still a lot of set up in this issue, and I don’t mind it at all. They are taking their time with this story, and that’s fine. We all know Superman will return once again, but in the meantime we get to see an entirely different hero.
Pete Woods is also doing the best work of his career on this story, far superior to any of his work that I’ve seen before.
And why is there a Superboy statue up? What happened? I need to know!
Grade: A
