Wednesday's Previews, 10/27/10 Releases

Action Comics #894
Written by Paul Cornell; Co-feature written by Nick Spencer; Art by Pete Woods Co-feature art by RB Silva and Denis Frietas ; Cover by David Finch and Batt.

Guest-starring Death from Sandman! Yes, you read that right! Death! From Sandman! In Action Comics! Lex Luthor finds himself literally at Death's door, which leads to a fascinating look not only into the mind of one of the all-time greatest villains, but also at what Death means in the DC Universe…

And in the Jimmy Olsen co-feature, an alien race has chosen Metropolis to be the host of their millennial celebration! And who better to show them around town than James Bartholomew Olsen? But when the alien princess gets wasted and her brother starts picking bar fights, it's up to Jimmy to get things under control before all of Metropolis is destroyed!

Superman: Earth One
Written by J. Michael Straczynski; Art by Shane Davis and Sandra Hope; Cover by Shane Davis.

Forget everything you know about The Man of Steel and brace yourself for a staggering new take on the world's most popular Super Hero.

Best-selling, Hugo Award-winning writer J. Michael Straczynski (Brave and the Bold, Thor, Babylon 5) and red-hot rising star artist Shane Davis (Green Lantern, Superman/Batman) team up for this exciting launch of the Earth One graphic novel series. Set in an all-new continuity re-imagining DC's top heroes, Earth One is a new wave of original, stand-alone graphic novels produced by the top writers and artists in the industry. The groundbreaking new line rockets into effect right here with the Super Hero who started it all – Superman!

What would happen if the origin of The Man of Tomorrow were introduced today for the very first time? Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth's favorite adopted son as he grows from boy to Superman like you've never seen before!

Teen Titans #88
Great jumping on point!
Written by J.T. Krul; Art and cover by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood; 1:10 Variant cover by Adam Hughes.

It's here! A new day dawns for the Teen Titans, brought to you by the dynamic duo of J.T. Krul (Green Arrow, Blackest Night: Titans) and Nicola Scott (Wonder Woman, Secret Six)! Packed with action, steeped in emotion and featuring your favorite heroes, Teen Titans is ready to explode off the racks!

Starting right here, the team finds itself pushed in new directions and brought to new heights while also rediscovering its roots. With the rise of a mysterious new threat called the Feral Boys, Superboy, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Raven, Beast Boy and the newly returned Ravager will have the chance to rebuild their camaraderie in the face of all that might endanger it. But if they discover the truth behind the Feral Boys, will they be able to stand together to face it? Find out here as the new era of the Teen Titans begins in this perfect jumping-on-point issue!

Captain America #611
Great jumping on point!
Written by Ed Brubaker; Art by Filipe Daniel Moreno de Andrade and Daniel Acuna; Cover by Marko Djurdjevic.

"The Trial of Captain America" begins here! Nothing will ever be the same again, and this time we mean it. Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker and acclaimed artist Butch Guice continue to take Captain America to new heights!

Fantastic Four #584
Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Stephen H. Epting; Cover by Alan Davis.

It's the return of Galactus, a trip to Nu-World, the Old Kings of Atlantis and Namor, the all-new Yancy Street Gang, and the day the Thing becomes human again. Join Jonathan Hickman and superstar artist Steve Epting in "Three, Part 2: 'Congratulations, Mr. Grimm...You're Human Again.'''

Incognito: Bad Influences #1
Written by Ed Brubaker; Art and cover by Sean Philips.

Last year’s breakout hit finally returns! By the award-winning team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. One of the biggest Hollywood options of the year, nominated for three Eisner Awards, Incognito is finally back for more! It’s apocalyptic pulp noir at its finest! It’s been over a year since Zack Overkill came out of Witness Protection to build a new life. But working for the government isn’t that different from being controlled by them, and his new secret identity is becoming more trouble than it’s worth! So what will Zack do when tasked with a mission that sends him on a hunt into darkest corners of the super-criminal underworld where he was raised? Also returning with Incognito are the exclusive Pulp magazine essays by Jess Nevins, Professor of pulp history, only available in the single issues of Incognito.

Wednesday's Second Chances
If you missed them the first (or second) time around, the third printing of Skull Kickers #1 (below), the second printing Fantastic Four #583, and the second printing of Artifacts #2 will be released this week.

Wednesday’s Finest, 10/20/10 Releases

By Don M. Ventura

Kick-Ass 2 #1
Icon

Of the books listed in this post, there was not a bad one in the bunch. This caused a night of internal debate for me.

After much deciding, Kick Ass 2 was the finest Wednesday had to offer. For everything I feared Superior might be, I was already prepared for in the sequel to Kick-Ass. The shock of foul-mouthed Hit-Girl is gone. We are now allowed to just enjoy the progression of Dave Lizeski’s story. The question that should be asked with any sequel: Is there a story to be told?

The answer is yes. Kick Ass 2 does a little moving back and forth as a means of exposition. It’s just enough to show us where the story is heading, before moving back to the beginning of the tale midway through this first issue. As usual Millar understands pacing. He moves from scene to scene effortlessly, catching us up quickly with the characters.

John Romita, Jr. is perfectly suited for a story like this. His work can be dynamic and he draws movement incredibly well, but I’ve found his strength to be the somberness he brings to panels. For example, there is a scene where Mindy is telling her adopted father Marcus that’s she’ll quit the heroics and violence. Romita Jr. brings so much “acting” to both of the characters in this scene. I haven’t been a fan of Romita Jr.’s work on The Avengers, but I am reminded here why he remains one of my favorite artists. Dean White’s colors are exquisite and bring both grittiness and vibrance where it is required.

And where had the story progressed? Kick-Ass started a revolution at the end of the first series with other would-be vigilantes donning costumes and wild monikers. Kick-Ass 2 opens with Dave being trained in hand-to-hand by Mindy at the YMCA; Dave believes the next step is to form a super-team. Kick-Ass befriends another costumed avenger, Dr. Gravity, who has just the proposition that Dave is looking for. By the end of the issue, Dave brought face to face with the world he inspired.

I was not as enamored with the original Kick-Ass book as I was with the film, but I enjoyed what Millar and Romita, Jr. put together. Kick-Ass 2 feels like the evolution of the characters and the “real” world they inhabit. Both Mindy and Dave, besides the costumed-adventuring, have the weight of the world on their shoulders in this issue. They are both lost without the costumed alter-egos.

As expected Millar brings his strong (in every sense) comic dialogue. Whether it’s Doctor Gravity explaining the origins or his gravity pole, Dave and Mindy practicing at fighting skills in the ring, or when Dave’s friend argues the sexiness of May Parker in her night dress in the first Spider-Man film.

This is a great beginning to a story that asks “What happens next?” At the end of the last page I wondered the same thing.

That’s the sign of a good comic book.

Hulk #26
Marvel

Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman charged out of the gate last month on their inaugural issue of Hulk and they continue to charge this week.

Man oh man, Hardman draws an incredible Hulk. Actually, he draws an incredible everything. Thor appears midway through and a battle of testosterone ensues—and you don’t want it to stop. Hardman’s action sequences are nothing short of sensational. First we get Hulk with a Mjolnir to the stomach and then Thor ends things with a spectacular lightning bolt. The colors by Bettie Breitweiser are nothing short of exceptional. The blue-green background during the Thor and Hulk face-off was vibrant and striking.

Parker has brought great passion to this book. This could have become a throw away title after Jeph Loeb left, but Parker is writing Hulk exactly as he should. This is a tough a nails Hulk who’d die before he backed down. Not because he’s necessarily a hero, but because he’s a soldier.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t Iron Man and Hulk just go at it last month as a result of a misunderstanding?” Just wait. There’s an excellent payoff.

Parker, Hardman and Breitweiser continue to soar on this book. Let’s hope for a long run.

Superman/Batman #77
DC

Last month Supergirl teamed up with Batgirl in Batgirl #14 and the pairing was great. I wrote then that I was a sucker for just about any Batman-family and Superman-family characters joining forces and I got exactly what I wanted from Superman/Batman #77.

Supergirl enlists the help of Robin to solve a mass murder in Metroplois and, even with this dire backdrop, there is no shortage of comedy. Josh Williamson has written an exciting and fun one-shot that has Supergirl continuing to deal with the guilt over the fate of New Krypton, which brings a strong sense of continuity to the character. Williamson does equally well with his interpretation of Damian Wayne; the character is as full of hubris and as snarky as he is in Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin.

Ale Garza has drawn a dynamic book, starting from the opening page as Supergirl floats over the horrific crime scene being pelted by raindrops. There is a lot to love on the pages of this issue.

Morning Glories #3
Image

Nick Spencer is amazing me with each succeeding issue of Morning Glories, and issue #3 is no different. It is exceptionally well paced; I was flipping through the last pages so quickly because Spencer and artist Joe Eisma created an amazingly suspenseful third act to this book.

The book opens with opens 500 years in the past with an eerie scene in a dungeon as two presumably innocent prisoners attempt to figure out why they have been taken captive. Another mystery is presented to the readers of Morning Glories in the form of the cryptic messages written on the walls of the dungeon: “The hour of our release draws near.” The message is revisited inexplicably at the end of the issue.

Morning Glories is shaping up to being the Lost of comic books. Like last month, I tossed this book on top of my large pile of comics, read it immediately, and was immersed in the growing mystery. Spencer continues to drop small hints at what is happening at the school and with the kids, not enough to figure anything out, but enough to keep speculation blooming.

Power Girl #17
DC

I picked up Power Girl on a lark when Judd Winick was took over the reigns. I wanted to read something with a good jumping on point and I’ve always enjoyed Winick’s writing. Power Girl is always solid and this issue may have been my favorite.

The first half of the story co-stars Batman as he helps Power Girl resolve the mystery of the creature she fought in the last issue. After reading Winick’s take on Dick Grayson Batman I wondered why the writer couldn’t get a crack at one of the many Bat-titles coming in the next few months. I fully endorsed Power Girl’s sentiment of the new Dark Knight in this issue: “I digs me some Dick Grayson scooting around in the Kevlar pajamas.”

Sami Basri has illustrated one gorgeous issue after another. I am shocked that he is able to do a monthly series because his work looks terribly time-consuming. The coloring by Sunny Gho and Jessica Kholinne is equally superb; I love the depth they bring to the flesh tones and costumes.

Winick closes the issue with a WTF scene and an excellent final panel. Power Girl says: “What the Hell is going on here?” and the caption for the next issue reads: “Next: What the hell is going on here!”

Skull Kickers #2
Image

While I was not completely won over by the first issue of Skull Kickers, I found the title to grow on me with this second issue; Jim Zubkavich’s script demonstrates again a knack for both broad humor and subtle humor.

There are priceless sound effects incorporated in this book. The dwarf jumps towards a giant with the words “powerful leap” above him (instead of “Whoooosh!” perhaps). The giant brushes him away violently: “powerful smack.” Later the dwarf is trying to keep up with his tall accomplice. The sound effect for the dwarf: “run, run, run, run.” For the giant: “stride, stride” It is so ridiculous and charmingly clever.

We still don’t learn much about the two anti-hero protagonists in this book other than they live for violence and earn a living in a less than respectable manner. Zubkavich offers a couple of pages of FAQ’s at the end of the issue to explain a little more about the book (very little).

I think I’m now well invested in Skull Kickers.

Comic Shop Monogamy is an Oxymoron

By Don M. Ventura

I have a confession to make: I got me a cheatin’ heart. While it would be wonderful to be in a monogamous relationship, time and again I find myself unable to commit. Trust me, I wish I could. It would save on time. And gas.

The victim here is my local comic book shop owner. Let’s call him “Annie.” But Annie is just one in a long line of store owners who have been required to maintain an open relationship with me.

Annie’s been different though. Annie gives me twenty percent off of all of my titles. Forty percent off of trades and graphic novels. If I walk in on a Saturday to refill a hole in a book I’m reading, Annie comes and asks if I got all my books. He’s a real peach.

But Annie never has every book I’m interested in. They never do. “They” being the long list of shop owners who have regularly pulled my titles, but either neglect to pull one or run out of a book by the time I request it. It is here where my commitment to my store begins to fray. When I don’t get a book I want, I become antsy and start making the rounds to find it. Fear of paying a ridiculous amount or wait for a second printing takes over.

Please, don’t mention anything. I think Annie has an idea, but it isn’t something we choose to discuss. He wouldn’t understand.

Just this Wednesday I stopped by after a long day’s work to pick up my books; I had emailed some last minute additions to my regular list but Annie hadn’t responded to let me know he’d pull the books. Lo and behold, Superman/Batman #76 was not with my pulls. I was upset, but I couldn’t say anything. After all, he set aside Skull Crackers #1 and I was afraid I was going to be driving all over town for that one.

So after sunset, I drove by Comics Unlimited in Huntington Beach. I was certain “Roxie” would have it.

Hello!” says Roxie with a warm welcome. I return a guilt ridden smile. Roxie knows the score. The scent of a two-timing comic book enthusiast permeates through the shop. In the back corner I sigh as I clasp the issue I so desired to read. I go to the counter with my single title. Roxie is aware he’s my sloppy seconds.

Later that night I got an email from Annie:

“Hey Don - did you get all the books below...I think I remember dropping a Skullkickers in your box, but I have a Superman Batman stashed behind the counter for someone and I am wondering if it is for you. Please let me know ASAP - thanks, (Annie)”

I felt this big.

One of these days I’m going to sit down and come clean with Annie. I’ll confess that, although he cannot keep me completely satiated, he has filled a hole in both my heart and my wallet.

Wednesday's Finest, 9/22/10 Releases

By Don M. Ventura
Titles released on September 22nd.

Superman/Batman #76

DC

While running some errands this afternoon, I continued to reflect on a powerful image from Superman/Batman #76. Lois Lane has awakened to find her husband, still in costume, sitting at the edge of their bed. Slumped over, he grieves over the passing of his closest friend. He is engulfed by his iconic cape. A cape that, at this moment, is much larger than the man wearing it. This issue is the exploration of Superman as a man.

In the current run of Superman, J. Michael Straczynski has been attempting to write a tale in which Superman is more relatable. However, Judd Winick has been able to achieve something much more powerful in this one-shot by presenting a story that needed to be told: how did Superman react to the death of Batman? I can only surmise, because we know Bruce Wayne will eventually return to his cape and cowl, it was considered a story pointless to tell. Thankfully Winick was passionate to give us this.

The story opens with Dick Grayson and Tim Drake running things from the Batcave at the concluding events of Final Crisis. Superman and Wonder Woman arrive to inform Batman’s longtime protégé’s of the tragedy.

Winick and artist Marco Rudy take us inside Superman’s head and his heart in this emotionally gripping piece which is less a story than a series of substantive vignettes. Superman is reminded of the recent passing of his own father, he recalls his first meeting with Batman, and there is a moving scene where the man of steel is staring at the caped crusader’s hand while listening to the autopsy results. Winick, one of DC’s unsung storytellers in terms of producing well-paced super hero yarns, has struck a home run here. Page after page offer one moving scene after another as Superman ultimately comes to terms with the death of his friend.

Wonder Woman and Nightwing are used nicely here as well, as they are so integral to the two leads of this title. After a nasty run in with Dick, who recently donned the Batman costume, Superman has heart-to-heart with Wonder Woman on his fears of being immortal and what it ultimately means to their loved ones. She consoles him, takes his hand, and they have a quiet moment on a bridge overlooking Metropolis.

My only qualm was with some of the inconsistencies Rudy had in drawing Superman’s face—other than that, his layouts were dynamic. Page slowly through this issue and search for all of the nods to iconic batman images; one in particular: Superman holding Batman’s tattered costume while in the silhouette of Batman standing over his slain parents.

With all of the Batbooks and tie-ins that were released after the “death” of Batman in the pages of Final Crisis, it is shocking that it took so long for this story to be told. But truth be told, it was worth the wait.

Avengers #5
Marvel

This book is beginning to give me a headache. Its story is going all over the place. What began as a story about the future children of the Avengers, has become an ultra-hyper time travel adventure featuring Kang, Ultron, Galactus, Apocalypse, Marvel Boy, Devil Dinosaur, and geriatric versions of the Hulk and Tony Stark. I believe I understand what Brian Michael Bendis is attempting: a bombastic action-adventure series with one WTF-cliffhanger after the next. But it is just too much because all of the dramatic choices are coming off as arbitrary.

While John Romita Jr.’s artwork was improved in this issue and last, it is still not working well with everything Bendis is throwing into the mix. If the next arc does not calm down by a few decibels, I won’t be giving any more issues of Avengers a warm home.

That said, the following Avengers titles I am currently reading are all solid; Children’s Crusade, The Secret Avengers (a strong Nick Fury-centric issue came out this week), and New Avengers (the better Bendis-scribed Avengers series).

Velocity #2
Top Cow

While I tend to pick up my books based on the writers and storyline, I have been completely captivated by Kenneth Rocafort’s artwork on Velocity. That is not to say that Ron Marz is playing the part of chopped liver on this mini, but Rocafort pages are one exquisite example of strong drawing after another. Even when the story slows down for a little exposition, Rocafort nails every panel. Rocafort’s work is made even more pleasing by Sunny Gho’s coloring; a spectacular water color effect has been employed, adding delicate texture to the artwork.

So there is a story. Velocity was caught by Dr. Erasmus Payne in the last issue and she and her teammates from Cyberforce have been injected with a deadly virus. Velocity has one hour to provide her comrades with an antidote before the virus does it’s dastardly business. Marz is a reliable writer (and the guy who turned Hal Jordan into a murderer) who knows how to tell a strong super hero tale with wit and solid action.

Now let’s get Rocafort on a team book!

Hulk #25
Marvel

There was nothing that interested me about a Red Hulk or the Jeph Loeb-penned story that has unfolded over the past two years. After reading the first issue of Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman’s run on the book, I see great potential for this character.

Thunderbolt Ross, who was unmasked (figuratively) as the Red Hulk a few months back, has been offered an opportunity to use his powers for good by Captain Steve Rogers. In this issue, Red Hulk takes him up on it and is thrust immediately into action against M.O.D.O.K. and the Leader’s genetic weapons of mass destruction. Iron Man is soon on the scene, unaware he and Red Hulk are on the same side. Naturally this leads to the time-honored tradition of the heroes beating one another to a pulp due to a case of mistaken intentions.

Parker’s spin on a good Red Hulk is believable considering what has occurred before this. I enjoyed the friction between Thunderbolt Ross and Bruce Banner; their distaste for one another is matched only by that of J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man. Hardman draws an awesome Red Hulk and the fight between he and Iron Man is some really quality stuff.

Flash #5

DC

When I first opened this issue I thought, “Man, Barry has been fighting these Renegade guys for too long.” However, the story has actually progressed nicely. By the final page it is clear that Geoff Johns is getting everything tied together in this penultimate issue of the “Death of the Rogues” storyline.

As usual, Francis Manapul proves he was born to draw splash pages. There’s a two-page doozy with the Rogue’s and Renegades squaring off in front of Mirror Master’s Silver-Agey mirror. Come on, “In case the Flash returns break glass”?

Johns is having fun introducing his Rogue’s to the returning Barry Allen; he continues to demonstrate his ability to create really bad bad guys. Johns sets up the finale of this inaugural arc with two fantastic cliff hangers. Barry is placed squarely in the wrong place at the wrong time if he is planning to save his beloved Iris. Though there was a lot of groaning upon Barry’s return, it is hard to dispute that The Flash is one of the best super hero books being published.

Skull Kickers #1
Image

There’s been a lot of early buzz on Jim Zubkavich’s Skull Kickers and the first issue by no means disappoints. After all, the opening page is of a dwarf fighting a potbellied werewolf. Dwarf: “Yeesh! Who ever heard of a fat werewolf?” The tone has been set.

Skull Kickers is the story of two medieval mercenaries, one a large contemporary-speaking man and the other a temperamental (underline temper and mental) dwarf, who travel around villages and kingdoms looking for monsters to battle. For a price. The two main characters remain nameless, but their personalities are clearly identified over the course of the story.

The art chores are split evenly between two artists, who have worked uniformly here: Chris Stevens and Edwin Huang. The artwork is cartoonish and gory, when the story calls for it (which is a fair amount).

Is this Image offering worth the buzz? It may be too early to say. I wasn’t as taken with this book as I have been with Chew or Morning Glories. That said, this is absolutely a fun first issue that grants all the dark laughs comic book readers embrace.