Best Comic of the Week:
The Mercenary Sea #1 – 
I had a good feeling about this comic when I saw its solicitation in Previews a couple of months ago, so despite the fact that I didn’t recognize the names of the writer or artist, I pre-ordered it. I’m very glad that I did too, as this is a very well-crafted comic. It is set in the South Pacific in 1938, and centres on a group of mercenaries who live on a submarine. The book opens with the group landing on an island and traveling through a thick jungle. There’s a tense confrontation with some natives, but that is all misdirection; they’re all old friends who share a love of cinema, and we soon learn that the leader of our protagonists, an American named Jack Harper, is looking for a mythic island full of riches. The reality though is that Harper and his crew are moving from job to job, just trying to stay afloat and a few steps ahead of the various warlords, angry slavers, and home governments that pursue them. In a lot of ways, this comic reminded me of Joss Whedon’s Firefly, in that the crew members have secrets and are on the run, and don’t always get along with each other (although rather lacking in that show’s humour). They accept a milk run job delivering medical supplies to another island, but that doesn’t look to be as simple as it sounds. Writer Kel Symons jams a lot of background into this first hour, but manages to never bog down the story in information. Artist Mathew Reynolds uses a lot of digital tricks in his art to give the book the look of animation cells, and while I don’t always love that approach, I found it to be very effective here. Among the lot of strong new debuts this week, this is the book that should not be overlooked.
Quick Takes:
Abe Sapien #10 – One thing that is interesting about the current state of the Mignola-verse is the way in which the ‘Hell on Earth’ chaos has affected different communities and areas. As we’re seeing in recent issues of BPRD, Manhattan is utterly devastated, but the small town where Abe has found himself is still relatively normal, and working hard to keep things that way. This, of course, makes Abe one of the stranger things in town, even though there is a large group of squatters hanging out on the outskirts who look to be trouble. Mike Mignola and Scott Allie have been able to cram a lot of dread into this book, and Max Fiumara’s art is wonderful. I didn’t expect that I’d like this series as much as I do the main BPRD title.
All-New X-Men #23 – As the Trial of Jean Grey continues, we get even more proof that Brian Michael Bendis only reads the Marvel comics that he writes, as we get a surprise appearance at the end of the book by a certain group of space pirates/freedom fighters, the leader of which is supposed to be dead, one of whom is supposed to be on Earth, and all of whom are supposed to be on good terms with the Shi’ar, not joyfully engaging their forces for no real reason. Leaving all of that aside (which is annoying), the rest of the issue is not bad, as Jean gets interrogated by the Imperial Guard, and the Past X-Men have a chat with the Guardians of the Galaxy on their ship. There are other inconsistencies, such as Past Beast’s explanation of why the X-Men are in the present, but Bendis’s light humour keeps the issue moving. I really like the way that Stuart Immonen draws the Imperial Guard – there’s a thing about Dave Cockrum costume designs that makes them hard for all artists to pull off, but he manages pretty nicely.
Avengers #26 – I’m a little concerned that having Jonathan Hickman write three Avengers titles concurrently is beginning to wear on him a little, as this current Avengers arc feels very unfocused, and somewhat at odds with what’s going on in Avengers World. The Avengers that have been brought to the 616 by AIM are not good guys, and AIM decides to test their new adaptoid robots on them, which at least explains how one of them turned up dead in the last issue. My problem is with the way in which Maria Hill treats our Avengers, seeing them as potential suspects in other-Pym’s death, which really doesn’t make a lot of sense. I suspect that there is a much larger plan at play here, because that’s how Hickman writes, but I’m finding that I’m beginning to lose interest here.
Batman #28 – I think that Scott Snyder’s Batman series is the perfect example of everything that is wrong with the New 52. He’s been slowly introducing new ideas into the wealth of the character’s history, and then abandoning them for months or completely. The Court of Owls storyline introduced the notion that Bruce may have a brother, but since that finished, we’ve seen and heard nothing about it. In Death of the Family, he rather dubiously severed Bruce’s ties with all of the young men who have been Robins, and Batgirl, but the ramifications of that have been left to other writers to explore (mainly Peter Tomasi in his Batman and _____ series). He introduced the character of Harper Row over a year ago, but she’s only rarely seen. He launched Zero Year, a story that is supposed to take place at the very beginning of his career, with a scene set in a completely ruined and feral Gotham, but we’ve not seen anything looking like that since. Now, we take a month off from Zero Year (again – the same thing happened in Villains Month, making that storyline absolutely endless) to run an issue-long preview of the upcoming weekly Batman Eternal title. It is set ‘soon’ from now, and once again, Gotham has been put in a dire situation, but we don’t know what it is. We do know that there is an 8:00 curfew, and that a new crime lord appears to be running things, including the police force. Harper Row is now Bluebird, Batman’s sidekick, and they are interested in rescuing the secret that can save Gotham from this new crimelord. I’m avoiding spoiling anything (especially the thing that made our head honcho at the Nexus so happy), so it’s hard to speak of this book with any specifics, but I was also pleased to see who showed up on the last page. The thing is, I feel like once again, this is all about the promise, and not the real pay off. How long is it going to be before we can really figure out what’s going on? A year? Two? And will this stuff affect the other Bat-books, or is Batman Eternal going to be a stand-alone thing? It feels like DC is just simply using current material to market what is yet to come, in an endless cycle that feels cheaper than even Marvel’s method of spinning new cross-overs out of the last issue of current ones. On the positive side, this was an exciting issue, and it was fun to try to puzzle out just what was going on (I’m particularly interested in learning who was in the Bat-cave, but am afraid it might be Carrie Kelly). Dustin Nguyen drew this issue, which was a nice surprise, and a great alternative to Greg Capullo’s usual art. A little while back, I decided that I’m going to stop pre-ordering Batman, and maybe stop buying the title all together. Despite enjoying this issue, it’s pushed me one step closer to abandoning the book.
The Bunker #1 – I don’t like buying or reading digital comics. Perhaps it’s just my stubborn old-fashionedness, but for me, to enjoy a comic, I need to be holding it in my hands and flipping through pages. There are two exceptions to that rule though – Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin’s The Private Eye, and Joshua Hale Fialkov and Joe Infurnari’s The Bunker. These are two digital-only comics that I’ve felt the need to keep buying out of my massive respect for the creators. And now, The Bunker has moved to paper thanks to Oni Press, and I find I’m buying it all over again, and not even minding. Fialkov and Infurnari are telling a very interesting story about a group of early 20 somethings who discover an underground bunker filled with documentation of their futures. It seems that one of them will become President, and another the developer of a modified crop that carries a disease that kills off most of the planet. Obviously the friends are doubtful of the whole situation, but as their individual letters from the future reveal secrets and betrayals, enough of them are convinced that it’s all real. The problem lies in figuring out how they should be reacting to the whole thing. Infurnari’s art is pretty muddy in places, but it’s cool to see him age and de-age the characters depending on when a scene is taking place, and Fialkov has always done well with character-driven stories. I like the way this book is structured, and look forward to watching the story unfold, especially in light of the surprise on the last page.
EGOs #2 – I enjoyed the first issue of this new series, and thought I’d see what the second issue was like. I don’t know that I got the same thrill out of it, as writer Stuart Moore is still building the cast of characters (especially since most of Deuce’s team doesn’t make it out of this issue), and perhaps has them going up against a threat that is going to be too difficult to beat (a galaxy sized combination of Galactus and Ego the Living Planet, basically). Still, this series does partially fill the void left by the lack of good Legion of Super-Heroes stories; I’ll give this one more issue to sell me on it.
Eternal Warrior #6 – Off in the far-flung future, Gilad has arrived at the city that sent out the device that destroyed his village, only to find it run by a slaver. It doesn’t take long for him to solve that problem, but when he sees the pit from which the people there are excavating old technology, he realizes that his problems are only beginning. I’ve been enjoying this arc, and especially Robert Gill’s artwork in it. I’m looking forward to Rai inevitably showing up here too.
Fatale #20 – Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’s incredible series is starting off its final arc, and while I’m going to be sad to see it go, I’m already looking forward to their next project. These two creators can do no wrong, and it’s very exciting to see them tie together threads from the length of this series, as Josephine and Nicolas finally come face to face again. Great stuff.
The Fuse #1 – Antony Johnston’s Wasteland is one of my favourite independent titles, and while I haven’t loved Justin Greenwood’s work on that book, I was intrigued to see them work together on The Fuse, their new colour series at Image. The book is set on a very large space station – it’s basically a city – that looks like it’s seen better days. Our main character is Ralph Dietrich, a young detective who has requested transfer to the station. He’s barely arrived when he witnesses a ‘cabler’ (I don’t really know what that means yet, but it’s clear it’s the closest thing that the Fuse has to a homeless person) die from a gunshot wound. His new partner, a very crusty older woman, is also on the scene, and they get to work. This book reminds me of Homicide Life on the Street, if it was set on Babylon 5. Johnston references his love of police procedurals and ‘lived-in’ science fiction in the back of the book, and he does a good job of paying tribute to these influences with this issue. Greenwood’s art looks a lot better in colour, and while the station is a dirty place, his clean lines work well here. This comic’s definitely caught my interest, and I’m going to be eagerly sticking around for more.
Great Pacific #13 – This series has returned from a hiatus with an odd little one-off story. A visitor has appeared in New Texas, and he claims to be from the Universal Ministry of Intergalactica. Chas Worthington, our main character, is interested in what this guy has to say, especially since he’s very flattering, but as with the big twist that ended the last arc of this very strange title, all is not as it appears. This is a very unusual comic, but that’s what I like most about it.
Harbinger #21 – The second issue of the Resistance arc is a nice quiet one, as the Renegades bring Ax, the super-hacker, to their hidden lair, while the Harbinger Foundation hunts for them throughout LA. Having so much downtime gives the team time to argue with each other, and get it on a little, in a very character-driven issue. Joshua Dysart’s control of these characters is excellent, and he even got me to like Torque a little this month, something I didn’t expect to see happen.
Hawken: Melee #5 – Nathan Fox wrote and drew this issue of this video-game mini-series, so like the Jim Mahfood issue, I was intrigued. This is a pretty quick done-in-one story about a girl who is known for making deadly little gadgets (although she hates that word), and the people who want to use her talents. It’s basically a big chase sequence, and with an artist as kinetic as Fox, you know that’s going to work out well.
Letter 44 #4 – It’s a great week for comics by Charles Soule (see below), as he hits it out of the park with the latest issue of Letter 44. This is a series about a fictional President of the United States who, on the first day on the job, discovers that the US has known about what appears to be an alien mining operation within the solar system, and has sent a group of scientists and soldiers to investigate. In this issue, the crew of the Clarke make their first contact with alien technology, while on Earth, the President’s Chief of Staff is recovering from the attack he suffered last issue, and political conspiracies begin to circle around the President. This is a very smart, very well-written series that keeps getting better with each new issue.
Manifest Destiny #4 – Image’s monster-filled historical comic about Lewis and Clark’s real expedition continues to amaze with another very good issue. Our explorers meet Sacagawea this month, and learn just how deadly the plant-zombie virus is. I’ve been getting a lot of enjoyment out of this series since it debuted, and am pleased to hear that it is selling very well. I hope it sticks around for a good long time.
Marvel Knights X-Men #4 – Brahm Revel’s backwoods take on the X-Men continues to be a very good mini-series. We finally get some explanations, as the two mutants who have brought a small squad of X-Men to a very remote place explain their backstories, and we learn just what is making a group of meth cookers so crazy. I really like Revel’s art (always have), and find he approaches writing the X-Men in a similar manner to Chris Claremont’s heyday, with strong characterizations that drive the story, a nice counterpoint to Bendis’s current tenure with the team.
Secret Avengers #15 – The squad’s plans to rescue Mockingbird hit a few snags in this issue, which is mostly all action, handled nicely by artist Luke Ross. It’s a good issue, but I’m realizing now that it’s all just prelude to the upcoming relaunch.
She-Hulk #1– When I found out that Javier Pulido is drawing the new She-Hulk series, I was prepared to buy it, even if it was being written by Chuck Austen or Jeph Loeb. Luckily, the title was given to Charles Soule, one of the brightest up-and-comers at the Big Two (see above), and the first issue is great. At the beginning, Jen Walters is brought in to a performance review at the big-deal law firm where she’s been working for the last year, only to discover that she was only hired to bring in super-hero related business. After quitting, she takes on a case for the widow of a man who was possibly cheated by Tony Stark. The comic is amusing and entertaining, in a Waid/Samnee Daredevil sort of vein, and a nice dense read. Pulido’s art and layouts are as brilliant as they usually are, and this book can be considered another winner for the All-New Marvel Now! roll-out. I highly recommend giving this a look.
The Sixth Gun #38 – I’m a little surprised by the body count racked up by the bad guys in this issue, as the Grey Witch’s forces continue to attack Drake Sinclair and his friends. This title has gotten very exciting in the last two months, and is always a great read.
Star Wars #14 – Darth Vader continues to seek revenge on Colonel Bircher, and everyone who helped him to infiltrate the Empire, in the second of a very good two-part arc. I like the way Brian Wood uses a young Imperial ensign to narrate the story, as it gives us a different point of view from what we usually see in Star Wars comics. This has been a very good interlude before Wood goes back to chronicling the Rebels and their plight.
The Walking Dead #121 – Negan stumbles across Eugene and his small bullet-making factory on his retreat from the Community, which could seriously tip the balance in the ‘All Out War’. While this is going on, the Community is licking its wounds and making plans for their next move. Another very good issue, with an emotional two-page spread. I remember when I had to wait up to three months for a new issue of The Walking Dead; it’s such a treat to be able to expect a new one every two weeks.
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 – Rick Remender always writes a terrific first issue, and this one is no different. We join Nick Fury and SHIELD agent Ran Shen (who is currently the main villain in Remender’s Captain America) in 1966 as they work to rescue a pair of Nazi scientists from Hydra. The scientists have a powerful secret, and there is a great deal of urgency to Fury and Shen’s mission, which involves infiltrating a gigantic castle in a mountain, which is complete with large-scale villain lairs. Remender works hard to establish Shen as an important SHIELD agent, almost equal to Fury in his ability, and allows this character to narrate the book. The thing is, this comic is named after the Winter Soldier, so it’s not long before Bucky, as a brainwashed and deadly Soviet agent, shows up as well. Roland Boschi makes this book look very exciting, as characters creep around the castle and chase each other via glider over deadly cliffs. A good start to this mini-series for sure.
Wolverine and the X-Men #41 – Jason Aaron is wrapping up his run on this title, but he manages to find the time to basically give this issue over to Toad, as he is fired from his job as janitor at the Jean Grey School. One thing I haven’t liked about Aaron’s time on the X-Men is the way he’s chosen to portray certain characters, chief among them being Paige Guthrie (a character who has always been portrayed very strangely – remember when she had a relationship with Angel in the Chuck Austen days and had sex with him in the sky in front of her mother?). Crazy Paige fell in love with Toad, but now that she’s better, she doesn’t know how she feels about him, and is also a guidance counselor. It’s kind of nonsense.
X-Force #1 – I still haven’t picked up the issues that crossed Cable and X-Force with Uncanny X-Force, so I’m not sure just how Cable has managed to put together a team featuring Psylocke, Marrow, Dr. Nemesis, and Fantomex (who is perhaps back to his old, combined self?). Anyway, they are going to be aggressively stockpiling weapons for the good of mutantkind (or something like that), and go after one such item that is kept on a plane that circles Antarctica. Simon Spurrier is a good writer, but I don’t like the way he uses Marrow to narrate the issue, as she keeps keeps comparing being on a mission to listening to music, and the metaphor becomes a little too heavy-handed (when did Marrow get her powers back, anyway?). Rock-He Kim’s art is a lot like Clayton Crain’s, but perhaps a little more sterile. I don’t think it made the story any more accessible. This might grow to become a good series, but I think it needs a lot more work first, as right now it feels like it’s trying too hard.
Comics I Would Have Bought if They Weren’t $4:
All-New X-Factor #3
Rachel Rising #23
Revolutionary War Death’s Head II #1
Savage Wolverine #14.NOW
Superior Spider-Man #27.NOW
Thor God of Thunder #19.NOW
Uncanny #6
Bargain Comics:
A+X #13 – In what was probably a last-ditch attempt to save this book, Marvel started a six-part serial with this issue, featuring Captain America and Cyclops, who get recruited to hunt down a cadre of super-powered Skrulls. It’s a fun start to the story, as it’s written by Deadpool writer Gerry Duggan. The back-up is a bizarre bit by Howard Chaykin, who has Emma Frost convince the Black Widow to help her track down an old sex video that she stars in. I hate the way Chaykin draws women’s faces, and this issue is a perfect example of why. It looks like he just draws the eyes, and leaves the rest for the colourist to fill in. Emma and Natasha never looked so haggard and old.
Savage Wolverine #12 – Logan gets involved in trying to stop the illegal trade in ivory and other animal parts, which takes him (of course) to Madripoor in this first issue of an arc written and drawn by Phil Jimenez. I don’t often think of Jimenez as a writer, but he has a very good handle on Logan, and on the residents of the Jean Grey School that show up in this story (especially Kitty). It goes without saying that the art is terrific too.
Shadowman #0, 7-10 – These issues represent the end of Justin Jordan’s run as writer on the title, and they really highlight everything I’ve found wrong about Shadowman since it was launched as part of the new Valiant comic line. The problem lies with the main character, Jack Boniface. He’s just not that interesting. Two of these comics, #s 0 and 10 are focused on the Darque siblings, and they are much more interesting than any of the rest of Jordan’s run. Also hurting this book is the sheer number of artists working on each issue. Roberto De La Torre’s pages are fantastic, but that just underscores how quotidian every other page is.
Shadowman #12 – This issue, on the other hand, written by Ales Kot, Christopher Sebela, and Duffy Boudreau does a better job of exploring Jack and the role that Shadowman plays. The stories are all pretty short, but do look at Jack from some newer angles, and show that the character does have some potential. It’s nice seeing artists like Cafu and Matthew Southworth playing in the Valiant Universe. Has anyone been reading Peter Milligan’s work with this character? Is it worth checking out?
X-Men Legacy #18-20 – Marvel’s strangest corner of the X-Books gets even stranger in these three issues (and a hell of a lot wordier) as Legion finishes his conflict with Luka, and ends up in trouble with Aarkus, the alien cop he attacked a while back. I liked with Simon Spurrier was doing with this book in the beginning, but it’s kind of groaning under its own weight at this point.
The Week in Manga:
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Vol. 13 – I never expected that I’d stick with a manga series for thirteen volumes, but I love the characters that populate the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, just as I love the strange situations that writer Eiji Otsuka drops them in. In this volume, there’s a story involving a vengeful young woman with technology that turns lecherous men into her slaves. There’s another story about a murder trial that involves synaesthesia, a topic of great interest to me, and another that has the Service investigating body parts found on the grounds of Tokyo’s proposed Olympic sites. These stories are always terrific reads, largely because of Otsuka’s strong feel for character.
That was my week for new and old comics. What did you read and enjoy this week? Let us know in the comments section.
