- Things have been upside down recently, so I'm quite behind on comic reviews. I rarely get to the shop now. And when I do, I have less time to read. So I have roughly a full month of comics to go over. Better get started. In order of anticipation:
- Mystic issue 1 - Marvel continues their renewal of the Crossgen franchises, this time with Mystic. I read very little of it in the first incarnation, but there is something winning about this version. The first issue deals with two girls who dream of escaping their orphanage to learn magic. It is a classic tale where the ending is written based on how it began. But the writing and art have me interested in how they execute it. I'm very likely to see this miniseries to the end.
- Justice League issue 1 - The all-star team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee take on the all-star cast of the Justice League, showing how the group came together. If I have a compliment to give it, it's that this issue reminded me of the Marvel Ultimate books. The story will obviously take its time to build, but that makes the anticipation that much greater. Assuming it holds up, there may be a second DC comic that I end up reading on a monthly basis.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Nine issue 1 - Did you know this was happening? I certainly didn't. I lost interest in Season Eight as it went along as the story went real wacky there at the end. But considering how that series wrapped up, I was at least curious how this would go. This issue could very well just be the next issue in the series instead of a new number one. But I'm still curious what Joss does with Buffy from here. Especially since I get a strong Season Six vibe from the issue. And I intend that to be a compliment.
- Danger Girl and the Army of Darkness issue 3 - This series continues to be the best Danger Girl since the original series. I don't know if adding Ash to the mix was required to make it good again, but some thing works.
- Rocketeer Adventures issue 4 - As last issue in the series, it did not end on the strongest of notes, storywise. The Ashley Wood pinups at the end actually were amazing, but the stories did not live up the the great start. Nonetheless, I'm so happy that IDW has helped to bring the Rocketeer back to life with so many creative people. I'm sure Dave Stevens would be proud.
- Warlord of Mars: Fall of Barsoom issue 2 - Like the first issue, Fall of Barsoom is an interesting take on Burroughs' world. As long as the quality keeps up, it looks like I'll keep buying Warlord of Mars books.
- Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris issues 5 & 6 - Like these.
- Warlord of Mars issue 9 - And this one too. I really hope they don't start any more series.
- Batwoman issue 1 - I've been waiting for this comic for a long time. You could say I've been waiting since November 2010 when issue zero came out. Or you could say I've been waiting since April 2010 when her last issue in Detective Comics came out. It is worth the wait. J.H. Williams produces beautiful art with an amazing eye for how a page is designed. And his writing, alongside Haden Blackman, feels like a perfect continuation of the story that Greg Rucka started. If Batwoman fell off your radar because of the long wait, it's time to come back. (And it's time for me to fire up my Batwoman look-alike in Champions Online, I think.)
- Criminal: Last of the Innocent issue 4 - I know that everyone love this arc, but I continue to be left cold by it. I think that it is because I lack any connection to the comics that it is referencing. It's a fine story. An interesting story, even. But it feels like I'm at arm's length from it because I'm not in on the joke. That may be my fault or the comic's. Either way, I hope that the next Criminal series speaks to me more.
© 2011 Marty Runyon. All rights reserved.
- Although a couple of these books are from last week, I actually picked up quite a few new issues this week. Although I went to pick up Criminal, I was surprised to find the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. And while I was there, I might as well pick up one or two other books, right? Time to get reading.
- Rocketeer Adventures issue 3 - It's hard to write about an anthology series month after month. Especially when everything included is good stuff. I should say that the stories this issue were the strongest yet, each a great addition to the Rocketeer universe. The pinups may not have been as strong, but two okay pages do not drag down the issue.
As an aside, Dave Stevens: Complete Sketches & Studies was available and it took everything in my power not to slap $50 down right then and there. I almost hope someone else buys the one copy they had so that I don't have to face it down again next week. I'm not that strong.
- Warlord of Mars issue 8 - John Carter carries on his mission to rescue his beloved Dejah Thoris. Since she is now betrothed to another, Carter must find a way to free her from captivity without transgressing Mars customs that might prevent the two of them from ever being together. The action is still strong and I love how Burroughs' crazy imagination shines through. I'm still enjoying this series a lot more than I thought that I might.
- Warlord of Mars: Fall of Barsoom issue 1 - Fall of Barsoom is to Warlord of Mars as The Old Republic is to Star Wars. This is a good thing. The story takes place 100,000 years before the main book and explains how Mars fell into its current predicament, with its failed oceans and atmosphere, and with racial tensions between the various peoples on the rise. I liked the writing and enjoyed the Jim-Lee-esque art. It could have been bad, but the book seems like a worthy addition to history of Barsoom.
- Kirby: Genesis issue 2 - Jiminy Christmas, this book is packed full of crazy. All kinds of crazy. I've never actually read a Jack Kirby book, but this seems like the kind of crazy that everyone wants me to think Jack Kirby books were like. Still reading, still curious about the crazy. At least it looks pretty.
- Glamourpuss issue 20 - In this issue, we get a rummination on the love triangle between Nelson Algren, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre, the continued examination of Alex Raymond's final day, and more fashion model art. In other words, just another issue of Glamourpuss.
That's a good thing if you like Dave Sim and enjoy following whatever lacunae he wants to investigate. It's not your average comic book. And thank goodness for that.
- Criminal: The Last of the Innocent issue 2 - After all of the breathless reviews ruined my enjoyment of the first issue, The Last of the Innocent comes back much stronger in the second. Brubaker, Phillips, and Staples continue to kill it with each issue. I'm not going to get me to spoil anything, but I will say that all of the action promised in the first issue finally comes to fruition this issue. Don't miss it.
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Century: 1969 - You know, this is a long book and I'm tired. Maybe I'll come back to it later.
© 2011 Marty Runyon. All rights reserved.
- It has been too long since I've done one of these. Since I miss writing about comics, it's time to get back. I don't buy enough comics to for a weekly thing, so I've throwing a couple weeks together to bulk it up. You are welcome.
- Axe Cop volume 1 - As I grow older, I think back at some of the things I created as a child and wonder what I was thinking. Through the haze of years and maturity, I've lost touch with self that could be that wildly inventive. Axe Cop broke through all that and reminded me what it was like to be a child again. The comic is mad crazy, but it's also inventive and hilarious. And let's not forget the art. Malachai and Ethan Nicolle have created something unique and I am a happier person for having read it.
- Blue Estate issue 1 - I probably would have passed right by this book without thinking twice if not for the beautiful cover. Blue Estate seems to be a mystery/crime comic. It's really interesting. I know that is damning with faint praise, but it is the best I can do. The entire issue is told in caption boxes over the panels with very little dialogue, setting up the premise of the story. But that is the problem; it is all set up. Maybe it reads better in the trade, but it's not the strongest start for a monthly periodical. Nonetheless, I'm curious enough to pick up issue two.
- Glamourpuss issue 18 - There is no way I'm going to sell anyone on this comic by now. If you really are interested in seeing Dave Sim hold forth on women's fashion magazines, the cartooning styles of Alex Raymond and Stan Drake, or pretty much anything else that comes to his mind, you probably want to read this. I suspect the audience for such a product is vanishingly small, but I happen to fall on the Venn diagram so I enjoyed it.
- Incognito: Bad Influences issue 5 - Incognito has always felt like the poor second cousin to Brubaker and Phillips' Criminal. But since anything by them is an order of magnitute more awesome than most other comics, that is not such a bad thing. This final issue of the arc takes some nice twists and turns, leaving the series in a much darker place. While my reaction to the first arc wasn't as positive, I think Bad Influences actually makes the series as a whole that much stronger.
- Ruse issue 1 & Sigil issue 1 - I'm just going to do these together because this is already getting old. I was a fan of CrossGen back in the day and I was disappointed when it crashed and burned. Ruse in particular had a lot of potential. Yes, it was one of the recent fad of "he's just like BLANK, only now he's an asshole" (in this case BLANK is Sherlock Holmes), but the writing and art really rose above that premise. Both of these issues were a lot of fun and I'm glad that Marvel is giving them a chance to fly again.
© 2011 Marty Runyon. All rights reserved.
- I haven't felt like writing about comics a lot recently, especially since I've cut way back on my reading list. This week's was especially strong though, so I had to get out the capsule reviews again. Just remember, I warned you about this sort of thing happening.
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Eight issue 29 - My ardor for this series has waned over the last couple years, but I always find something to like about Buffy Season Eight. Here in part four of Jane Espenson's "Retreat," the army has arrived at the Slayers' hideaway and Buffy figures out what has really been happening with their magic. If I'm following this right, Season Eight will be wrapping up soon and it really needs to. I'm looking forward to the end of the series because prolonging the story is only going to wear it out.
- Criminal: The Sinners issue 1 - After the long sojourn while Incognito was published, Criminal returns to life under the amazing talents of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. This issue feels a lot like a homecoming, not just because the series has returned, but we also see the return of Tracy Lawless. It's been a year since the end of Lawless and Tracy finds himself still in the employ of Sebastian Hyde. But only just barely since he's not particularly good at his job. So instead of working as a hitman, Hyde wants him to investigate a string of gangland murders. Although I enjoyed Incognito, this issue reminds me why I missed Criminal so much. It's still my favorite comic currently published.
- Planetary issue 27 - The guy at the cash register remarked that this was the year for all the late series to finally finish up. And true to form, the final issue of Planetary has arrived. As Warren Ellis remarked, issue 27 is an epilogue to the story. Since the climax occurred last issue (Heck, I don't even remember when that came out), this issue is about tying up loose ends. Thankfully, Ellis and John Cassaday make this finale as strong as every other issue in the series and a fitting conclusion. Planetary has finally come to its end and it went out as crazy and amazing as it started. If only comics could all be this good.
- X-Men Vs. Agents Of Atlas issue 1 - The only reason this isn't called Agents Of Atlas issue 12 is because the X-Men sell more comics. I would complain about crass commercialism, but anything that sells more AoA is fine by me. Jeff Parker is still writing superheroes on par with Robert Kirkman. Art is still a little weird with all constant shifts, but it doesn't detract too badly. So if you like superheroes and you're overlooking this because it's a strange title on the rack, give it a try. It's really fun.
© 2009 Marty Runyon. All rights reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Bullet Points, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
- My big comic purchase for last week was Incognito, issue one. If that sounds wrong to you, that's because there is something wrong with the world.
- Last month when I went into my Friendly Local Comic Shop, I asked if Incognito came in. And it had come in, only they all went right back out again. I was stunned by this. I know, I know, Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are awesome. Sleeper was awesome and Criminal continues to be awesome. But I normally don't have trouble finding them on the shelves. This was a problem for me.
- It seems this was a problem for Marvel as well since they went back to press for a second round. It was this second printing that finally showed up at my comic store along with the second issue. "Second issue?" you ask. "But you typed '#1' in the title instead of '#1-2.'" You would be right. It seems like no one ever learns. So I have the first issue but not the second. I hope to pick that up when issue three comes out.
- Issue one was good, if a little slow. It was beautiful, thanks to Sean Phillips and Val Staples. But for some reason the whole superpowered thing was a little offputting. It'll probably pick up in a issue or two so I'm not stopping now.
- Late again, but moving fast.
- Criminal volume 2 issue 2: Wow. It has been implied throughout Criminal that Teeg Lawless, the star of this issue, was a straight-up bastard. What this issue shows is that he was so much more and so much less. Once again, Brubaker and Phillips craft a great story, this time of a broken man who can't help but break everything around him too. My highest recommendations for this series continue unabated.
- Echo issue 2: Terry Moore's tale of technological terror (couldn't resist) continues on in this equally strong second issue. We get his usually blend of humor, despair, oddity, and the mundane in one attractive package. The story has started to focus and I'm very interested in seeing where this is going.
- Serenity: Better Days issue 2: I wish I could say this was getting better. There were some little bits that I enjoyed about this comic, but it is just not the same. At least there is only one more issue to read before I can tuck my Firefly nostalgia safely away.
- For a blog about games and comics, I sure spend a bunch of time talking about games and very little on comics. Here I attempt to rectify this omission and, thus, reestablish this blog as the foremost resource of all things Anjin. Without further ado:
- All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder issue 9: Once again the question must be asked, "Does Frank Miller have any idea what he's doing?" At times, my opinion has swung between thinking that he's definitely pushing the Batman mystique to its logical conclusion, if not farther, or thinking that he's just writing from the seat of his pants. With this issue, I've come to the conclusion that he maybe doing a little of both. Topping this all off with Jim Lee's detailed line work certainly does a good job of disguising the parody being played out. But underneath the art, Frank Miller is having his cake and eating it too, probably losing fans on both sides, but genuinely amusing us in the middle.
- Criminal volume 2 issue 1: My favorite ongoing comic returns to ongoing status with this issue. And thank your requisite deity, because I can only deal with so much nerd heartbreak in my life. Criminal is constantly the best comic on the stands, hands down. This new issue 1? Awesome. Ed Brubaker has a masterful command of the crime genre and the all-too-human characters that are the real reason to tell crime stories. Sean Phillips' art is consistently compelling in clarity of storytelling and evocation of emotion. If you are into crime fiction or film, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't read this book. And this issue is the perfect starting point.
- Astonishing X-Men: I'm already writing an article about AXM but I'll indulge in a few words here. If you like Joss Whedon, if you liked the X-Men in any prior form, or if you just like beautiful pictures, there is something for you here. If you fit all of the above, try not to drool on the pages of this series. This is the only costumed super-hero book I read anymore.
- Criminal: I told myself that I wouldn't choose this series since Sleeper already appears in my top five. That was seven months ago when I first started writing this post. (Yes, I'm a winner.) Criminal is a pitch perfect crime drama with tough and evocative writing by Ed Brubaker and subtly expressive art from Sean Phillips. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Criminal is the one comic book that I absolutely have to pick up on New Comic Wednesday.
- Mage: When I was young, comics were all about superheroes and toy licenses. I read my Spidey and my G.I. Joe. Then along came Mage. A retelling of the Arthurian legend in modern times, it captured my imagination like none before. This was the comic that taught me that comic books don't have to be for kids. Matt Wagner, if you're out there, isn't it time for you to get started on book three?
- Queen & Country: If you told me that I would end up liking a comic book series about a British secret agent, the various politically charged missions she goes on, and the turmoil that brings to her life... actually that sounds really good. And it is. Greg Rucka even got a couple of great prose novels out of the deal. So if you want espionage without the movie cliches, this is the book for you.
- Sleeper: Like all good things, I got into Sleeper late. But the old saying applies here: better late than never. Sleeper is the story of a deep-cover agent in a criminal organization. His problem is that his handler is in a coma, so no one knows he's undercover. He constantly has to balance maintaining his cover against sinking to low into the moral quagmire, knowing all the while that there may never be anyway for him to get out. And while the story is set in a superhero universe, this is a story about good and evil and the thin line between the two. Anyone who likes action and espionage will like Sleeper. A bold statement, but true nonetheless.
