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| Wednesday, November 5, 2008 10:19 PM |
| The Take |
 by Fëanor |
Fëanor's weekly comic book review post.
This covers new releases from the week of October 29th, as well as a TPB I picked up while on vacation in Rehoboth Beach this past weekend.
Back issues and old data
The New Avengers: The Sentry
I saw this at half price in a book store in Delaware (where there's no sales tax!) and what with the great low price and my newfound love of the Sentry, I just couldn't resist it. (I also bought another book at the store, but I haven't read it yet, so you'll have to wait until a future episode of The Take for my review of that one.) It's a hardcover collection that includes issues 7 through 10 of New Avengers, as well as New Avengers: Most Wanted Files. I'd actually be curious to read issues 1 through 6 of New Avengers, as they apparently include the earliest appearance of the Sentry in comics apart from the miniseries that actually introduced him, as well as the formation of this latest incarnation of the New Avengers (they come together in response to a mass breakout from the supervillain prison the Raft). After the Sentry helps the Avengers, he disappears before they can offer him a spot on the team. This book opens up shortly after those events, with Tony Stark calling a meeting of the Illuminati to talk about what happened, and see if anybody remembers the Sentry (it's interesting seeing this meeting, as it looks very, very similar to the supposed meeting of the Illuminati that turns out to be a Skrull exercise in one of my favorite Secret Invasion tie-ins). Meanwhile, a villain named the Wrecker has broken into a collector's house to get back his costume and his weapon. The Avengers show up to stop him. There's a fun little fight. Later, S.H.I.E.L.D. tracks down the Sentry and finds him hiding in a cave. Iron Man and Captain America show up to talk to him. He wants them to leave, insisting that the Void is coming, but they want to know what's going on: his wife Lindy, whom he claims to have killed, is still alive. But no one remembers the Sentry. He exists only in a comic book. How can this be? The Sentry just freaks out and teleports himself away. There's a fun flashback where we get to see how Tony convinced Wolverine to join the Avengers, then some more of the fight with the Wrecker, and an amusing explanation from Spider-Woman about her pheromone powers. Then freaking everybody - like, most of the Marvel heroes - show up on Bob Reynolds' front lawn to confront him and figure out what his deal is once and for all. Most of the rest of the issue is a whole lot of talking and exposition as Emma Frost jumps into Bob's head and pokes around, slowly figuring out what's happened to him and how to undo it. Outside his head, a giant epic super fight is going on between all the Marvel heroes and the Void. Despite the talkiness and all the exposition, it's actually a pretty cool sequence. In the end the Void disappears, the Sentry is brought back into the world, offered a place in the Avengers (partially so they can keep an eye on him, but also because they want his help), and his Watchtower reappears. Tony tells the Illuminati all about it... but he's still hiding something from them. Probably something that's since come out and been resolved, but I can't think what at the moment.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this story, and I'm looking forward to digging around and reading more about the Sentry.
In the back of the book is the New Avengers: Most Wanted Files, which is one of those encyclopedic lists of characters that comics companies like to put out every once in a while. In this case it's done up as if it's a bunch of S.H.I.E.L.D. case files on the worst supervillains, each with backstory, vital statistics, and list of powers, as well as notes on the strengths and weaknesses of the villain from people like Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Captain America, Luke Cage, and Wolverine. I'm still reading this part of the book, but there's a lot of information here, so it's taking me a while. Plus I always find these encyclopedia things rather boring and ridiculous. I mean, reading an encyclopedia straight through is just not fun, even one about comic book characters. And short synopses of the backstories of comic book characters always end up sounding completely silly and unbelievable, because taking the cyclical, mythical, serial stories of comics and crushing them down into a few paragraphs just emphasizes their fantastical and repetitive aspects. The comments from the superheroes add an element of humor and interest, but they can be annoying, too, as they're not always written very well. Still, there's a lot of important information here about the Marvel universe that I'd like to store away in my brain for future use; most of the characters in this section I've never even heard of before.
Thumbs Up
New releases
Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes #1
This is the first issue in a really interesting two-issue miniseries from Warren Ellis. It contains two stories, each a different retelling of the events of the first couple issues of Ellis' run on Astonishing X-Men. In the first story, we see what would have happened had Agent X-13 gone after Cyclops first instead of trying to tangle with Wolverine. This turns out to be a good strategy decision by Agent X-13, although it's very bad for Earth-616. But that's the one thing that bugs me about this story: that the world is referred to as Earth-616. Earth-616 is the Marvel Universe. It's where all the canon events take place. We know what happened between the X-Men and Agent X-13 on Earth-616; we read it in Astonishing X-Men. So it doesn't make sense that the world in this story, where the events unfold quite differently, would be referred to as Earth-616. It should be Earth-617 or something like that. I mean, if you're telling a story of a parallel Earth, where something different happened, give it a different name than the real Earth, right? Besides that one nagging issue, this is a very neat story, and a horrific but believable vision of what could have happened to our heroes. Putting a version of Magneto in the belly of the Dethlok-class security unit was a particularly interesting and creepy touch.
The second story takes place on Earth-889 (that's better!), which is pretty much a steampunk version of Earth-616. Again the X-Men tangle with Agent X-13, and again there's a kind of disaster, but not nearly as final and terrible as in the first story. Neither X-13 nor the X-Men come out of it unscathed, but the X-Men definitely get the better end of the deal. This story is very fun, with wonderful steampunk depictions of all the characters, and twisted, Ellis-ized versions of them and their relationships with each other. Even better, it's narrated entirely by Emma Frost, and I'm not sure anybody writes Emma better than Warren Ellis. There's also a clever and interesting reference back to the first story in X-13's dialogue.
In the back of the book is a page with some early sketches of the cover, to show the process that went into creating it. That's followed by Ellis' complete scripts of both the preceding stories, accompanied by early pencil sketches of the final artwork. I've never actually seen complete comic book scripts before, so it was very fascinating to read these and to see what goes into them. Ellis puts a lot of personality and many weird little comments into the scripts, too, which makes them extra entertaining. And reading the script gives you a deeper insight into some of the feelings, plot points, and character traits Ellis was trying to convey.
In other words, great stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to the next issue.
Thumbs Up
Captain America Theater of War: Operation Zero-Point #1
This is a one-shot by Charles and Daniel Knauf, with art by Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser (quite the family affair). It tells the story of a mission Cap undertook in Poland in 1944. He's supposed to rendezvous with an agent of the Polish Resistance, then infiltrate a secret Nazi base and extract a defecting scientist. At the secret base, the scientist is building anti-gravity flying saucers. That's right, Nazi flying saucers! And the Nazi in charge is a one-eyed giant named The Butcher who wrestled a bear to the ground and snapped its neck when he was 13. It's a promising premise! And the story's pretty exciting, as it's packed with pretty much non-stop action, and features Cap beating the crap out of Nazis and blowing up their shit in bad-ass fashion. Plus the art is quite excellent, with a wonderful retro look, great character work, and a fascinating, warm color palette. The story, despite some of its more fantastic elements, is a bit cliche, and some of the dialogue could be better (the opening sequence, which features Cap constantly talking to himself, is particularly weird and awkward), but overall it's quite good.
Thumbs Sideways
Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns
This is a one-shot Final Crisis tie-in by Geoff Johns, with pencils by Shane Davis, inks by Sandra Hope, and colors by Nei Ruffino. It features, as you might expect, the origin of the new Red Lantern Corps, as well as the first appearance of a Blue Lantern. The first Red Lantern is that troublesome Inversion dude, Atrocitus. The Red Lantern's power is based in rage, and is born specifically out of the rage and hatred the Inversions feel over the massacre inflicted on them by the Guardians' Manhunters millenia ago, not to mention their imprisonment by Sinestro. Speaking of Sinestro, next we see Hal Jordan heading off to escort Sinestro to his execution. He talks out his feelings about the execution with his friends; on the surface he claims to be all right with it, but you get the sense there's some unease underneath. Meanwhile, back on Oa, the artists and writer find a really cool way to show us that the Guardians have been infected and infiltrated by fear - and that one of their number, who has sent a Lantern out on a secret mission to recover the Anti-Monitor's corpse, may even be working for Sinestro. There's an interesting interlude with some guys called Controllers who seem to be planning to capture another new source of Lantern power, although they may have competition. Then a great big awesome battle erupts among the Yellow Lanterns, Green Lanterns, and Red Lanterns, ending with what looks like victory for the Reds. But then this Blue Lantern, apparently sent by Ganthet, shows up to save Hal and friends.
Very, very interesting stuff! As I've said before, I really love the mythos Johns is building around the various Lantern Corps. It may seem a little ridiculous having all these different colors and emotions showing up, but I think it's a really cool concept that's being handled in a fascinating and fun way. I'll never get tired of guys fighting each other with power rings. Also, the art in this issue is really excellent. I'll be looking forward to the next issue of Green Lantern, which is where this book says the story will continue.
Thumbs Up
Hellboy: In the Chapel of Moloch
This Hellboy one-shot has been talked up quite a bit, thanks to the fact that it's the first Hellboy book written and drawn by Mike Mignola for a number of years. I actually wish it hadn't gotten so much hype, as I suspect I would have enjoyed it more, but as it is I definitely had fun with it. It's set in Portugal in 1992, where Hellboy has been called in to figure out why an artist, who moved to a small town there to get some work done, has become ill and is acting strange, and keeps holing himself up in an old abandoned church every night to work on a gigantic sculpture. Turns out he's essentially been possessed by an ancient God-monster called Moloch. But don't worry, Hellboy takes care of it.
Actually, looking over the story again to write this, I realized how good it really is. Mignola's art is fantastic as always - very creepy and atmospheric - and his writing is very clever and very funny. Mignola also, as usual, works in some fascinating old myths and monsters that really give the story depth, history, and power. And did I mention that it's funny? The thing about ripping off Goya, and then the last little exchange about getting the rent money back - brilliant! It's another great addition to the story of Hellboy. And it sounds like from the notes in the letter section in the back that lots more fun stuff is coming, in the form of stories about Sir Edward Grey, a new Hellboy miniseries, another War on Frogs one-shot, and a new B.P.R.D. miniseries. Imagine me rubbing my hands together in anticipation.
Thumbs Up
The Incredible Hercules #122
The slightly silly, but also rather dramatic, "Love & War" storyline continues in this issue with Namor showing up, blaming Hercules on sight for the wreckage he sees, and getting into a big fight with the guy. Finally Namora breaks it up and explains what really happened, and the whole crew of them go to attack the Amazons. Well, Herc doesn't think an attack will be necessary, as he remembers some fine times he had with Hippolyta. But then he discovers it's not Hippolyta he's going to be dealing with, and he and the Amazons go at each other big time. Meanwhile, Cho helps the new Queen of the Amazons decipher an ancient text, with the understanding that he will be rewarded with... sugar. Unfortunately for him, he's just being used. And in the final surprise reveal, we discover the Amazons have got themselves a pretty high level hostage.
This story is getting more interesting, and there's lots of comedy, action, drama, and romance. Also, I don't know who picks the sound effect words, the writer or the artist (I'm guessing the writer), but man is that person having fun with them in this issue. Kasploooom? Crakkajamma? Sploingbrraahhhm? Good lord.
Anyways, guess I'll keep sticking with this book for now.
Thumbs Up
Jack of Fables #27
The story of the Page sisters, as narrated by Ms. Wall, concludes in this issue, taking the story right up to the brink of a giant showdown between all the factions. This issue focuses on Hillary Page, a girl who just loves Fables. There's also a fight with Humpty Dumpty, and the hilarious antics of the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Dormouse at a secret revolutionary meeting at the Boughs. Then there's an interesting escape by Mr. Thorn, and the appearance of Deus Ex Machina. And, some hours after I finished reading the comic the first time, I thought back on it and finally figured out who Ms. Wall is (I was driving poppy somewhere and suddenly said, "Ohhh! I get it!"). Pretty funny!
So yeah, good stuff, and a great setup for the next arc. I'm ready!
Thumbs Up
Marvel 1985 #6
This is the concluding issue of Mark Millar's post-modern, world-spanning miniseries, wherein the heroes finally show up to take on the villains in the real world, leading to a crazy all-out super fight, and we finally get to see the end of the flashback story and discover what the secret is that's caused all these things to happen. It turns out to be something a little corny, but it kind of works. And the very end is really cool, and even a little moving. I definitely enjoyed this miniseries. It's a fun and clever story with lovely, unique art, and it plays with the idea of comics, and comic collecting, in an interesting way, and with much affection.
Thumbs Up
No Hero #2
Joshua learns a little bit more about what's happening to the Front Line, how it works, and its history. Carrick's friends and associates express some misgivings about going forward with inducting Joshua so quickly, and without the standard psych evaluation (and, in fact, even Joshua gets nervous about it), but Carrick insists it's necessary, and at the end of the issue Joshua takes the drug and begins to experience the transformation, which takes the form of some really horrific and surreal hallucinations.
As usual, Ellis' writing is strong - funny and intelligent - and the concepts he's dealing with are fascinating. Juan Jose Ryp's art is also detailed, complex, and impressive. My only complaint is that the issue is too short. I want more, now!
Thumbs Up
Secret Invasion: X-Men #3
We start things off with an awesome psychic fight between Emma and the Skrulls. Then it turns out the Skrulls are herding up all the civilians in a very disturbing way. Meanwhile, Nightcrawler finally thinks to tell somebody about the weird magic ball that talks to him, and Beast is able to use this information to uncover the secret of the new Super Skrulls, and find a way to defeat them - but the cost may be too high. In between there are some fun action scenes with the fighting and the hey hey.
I'm loving Ma Sepulveda's fascinating art on this title; the story is tense and exciting; and the dialogue is clever. We'll just have to see how it all comes together in the next, and last, issue.
Thumbs Up
Solomon Kane #2
I still can't quite make up my mind whether I like this title or not. I definitely enjoy Mario Guevara's swirling art, and Scott Allie's writing certainly isn't bad. But the story is really taking it's time coming together. It looks like Solomon's road companion is actually a murderer and a thief, the woman of the house is a seducer, the man of the house has been sacrificing kids to satisfy some evil power, and it's all tied in to the story of the monks that gave the castle its evil name. It's kind of interesting, but... I don't know, something about it is just not grabbing me. Maybe it's because the dialogue is so stilted and odd, and it's so hard to sympathize with or even fully understand any of the characters. I should probably just drop the book... but I remain curious as to where the story is going. We'll see how I feel when the next issue comes out.
Thumbs Sideways
Star Wars: Legacy #29
This I'm definitely dropping. I mean, I want to know what happens at the end of the Vector storyline, but I don't want to know badly enough to spend money on two more issues of this terrible comic. The dialogue is so, so corny and bad, and so overloaded with all that ridiculous slang; the characters are so lame, especially the trying-too-hard-to-be-a-bad-ass Cade Skywalker; and the characters' ridiculous, soap opera-esque relationship problems do not interest me in the slightest. The art is pretty good, and the wordless dream sequence in the middle of the book is very cool, but otherwise this thing is just garbage.
Thumbs Down |
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