Bright, shining hope and pitch-black humour this week.
Brightest Day, Volume Two (hardcover)
Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi; art by various; published by DC Comics.
The mystery/drama continues. Will secrets be revealed? And speaking of secrets...
Secret Six: The Reptile Brain (softcover)
Written by Gail Simone and Paul Cornell; art by J. Calafiore, Pete Woods, et al; published by DC Comics.
This series is always awesome and hilarious, and a crossover with Cornell's Action Comics storyline sets my excitement to 11!
After a Marvel rush, I'm starting to settle back into the DC Universe again...
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Fantastic Four: Three (Review)
Writer: Jonathan HickmanArtists: Steve Epting, Nick Dragotta, Mark Brooks
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Fantastic Four #583-588It is so rare that a mainstream, in-continuity superhero story is worthy of such high praise as Fantastic Four: Three. Not that there aren't exceptional stories out there, but it is like saying a single episode of your favorite TV show is equal to a great movie. Free of context or prelude, one small piece of an on-going saga can feel a little hollow when compared to a complete, self-contained epic.
Yes, Three is the culmination of Jonathan Hickman's entire emotional run on this series, and previous knowledge is essential, but the skill poured into this story and the impact that it has on the reader elevates it onto a whole new level, and into comic book history.
We all knew going in that this was going to be the much-publicised storyline that saw the death of a Fantastic Four member, but anyone who half-heartedly jumped on board just so that they could say the comic book equivalent of "I was there" will not find it that easy. This isn't just the death of a superhero -- this is the loss of a family member.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Friday, 29 April 2011
A-Musing: The Worst of My Collection
As you might imagine, I have quite a lot of comic book trades. And, as with any large collection, some of it is crap.
We all experience buyer's remorse from time to time, and we are all lured in by shiny beads or what-have-you. There are comics I wish I could retcon from my shelves as easily as they do with Superman's origins.
Do not misunderstand me: I gotta lotta good stuff too. And a lot of it is not awful, but poor, and that's a different story. Nor am I trying to say that these trades are quantifiably terrible. There's no such thing. It's just that, in my humble opinion, I feel that the quality of the work does not justify my purchase.
Here are a few examples:
We all experience buyer's remorse from time to time, and we are all lured in by shiny beads or what-have-you. There are comics I wish I could retcon from my shelves as easily as they do with Superman's origins.
Do not misunderstand me: I gotta lotta good stuff too. And a lot of it is not awful, but poor, and that's a different story. Nor am I trying to say that these trades are quantifiably terrible. There's no such thing. It's just that, in my humble opinion, I feel that the quality of the work does not justify my purchase.
Here are a few examples:
Thursday, 28 April 2011
The Weekly Trade #22
Just had a Thorgasmic movie-going experience (can you guess what I saw?) and am in a comics mood!
Whadda I got?
Action Comics #900 (issue)
By various writers and artists; published by DC Comics.
I'm not an obsessive collector type, but America's longest running comic series, which birthed Superman -- and thus superheroes -- in its number one issue is a hell of a milestone that not even I resisted.
Fantastic Four: Three (hardcover)
Written by Jonathan Hickman; art by Steve Epting and Nick Dragotta; published by Marvel Comics.
This is probably my favourite Marvel series at the moment, and this collection features the death of an FF member (I won't spoil, just in case some of you haven't heard).
Jonah Hex: Tall Tales (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by various; published by DC Comics.
Always a great read, and it always feels like too long since the last one came out.
See you next week, people of Midgard!
Whadda I got?
Action Comics #900 (issue)
By various writers and artists; published by DC Comics.
I'm not an obsessive collector type, but America's longest running comic series, which birthed Superman -- and thus superheroes -- in its number one issue is a hell of a milestone that not even I resisted.
Fantastic Four: Three (hardcover)
Written by Jonathan Hickman; art by Steve Epting and Nick Dragotta; published by Marvel Comics.
This is probably my favourite Marvel series at the moment, and this collection features the death of an FF member (I won't spoil, just in case some of you haven't heard).
Jonah Hex: Tall Tales (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by various; published by DC Comics.
Always a great read, and it always feels like too long since the last one came out.
See you next week, people of Midgard!
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Thor, Volume One (Classic Review)
Originally released in 2008.
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
The first page of this collection tells you everything you need to know about the rest of it: Gorgeous artwork and lofty dialogue.
After Ragnarok, the battle to end all battles, Asgard and its residents have been wiped out. From the void of nothingness, Thor is resurrected by his former alter ego Dr. Don Blake, who is also restored to reality. And so Thor sets about rebuilding that which was lost; reconstructing Asgard in a field in Oklahoma, and seeking out his people in the bodies of mortals.
I fell in love with this story the first time I read it. Coipel's art is simply divine, with powerful designs, striking layouts, and realistic body language and facial expressions. I can recognise each unique character and feel as though I know them intimately. He works in conjunction with Straczynski to create a rich atmosphere whatever the tone, whether dark and grim or light and humorous. The famous Laura Martin on colours doesn't hurt either.
Writer: J. Michael StraczynskiArtist: Olivier Coipel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Thor #1-6The first page of this collection tells you everything you need to know about the rest of it: Gorgeous artwork and lofty dialogue.
After Ragnarok, the battle to end all battles, Asgard and its residents have been wiped out. From the void of nothingness, Thor is resurrected by his former alter ego Dr. Don Blake, who is also restored to reality. And so Thor sets about rebuilding that which was lost; reconstructing Asgard in a field in Oklahoma, and seeking out his people in the bodies of mortals.
I fell in love with this story the first time I read it. Coipel's art is simply divine, with powerful designs, striking layouts, and realistic body language and facial expressions. I can recognise each unique character and feel as though I know them intimately. He works in conjunction with Straczynski to create a rich atmosphere whatever the tone, whether dark and grim or light and humorous. The famous Laura Martin on colours doesn't hurt either.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
The Weekly Trade #21
My sister turned 21 yesterday. Just thought I'd point out the coincidence.
Didn't get anything new this week, despite temptation.
Nightwing: Freefall (softcover)
Written by Peter J. Tomasi; art by Rags Morales and Don Kramer; published by DC Comics.
The thing about Dick Grayson being Batman now is that it has made me truly appreciate him as more than just a right-hand man, even in past stories. With a great creative team on this title, I had to check it out. Because I just can't get enough Dick. Sorry.
Terra (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by Amanda Conner; published by DC Comics.
Set before the amazing new Power Girl series by the same amazing creative team, this tells the story of PG's plucky gal pal Terra. Who is also pretty amazing.
Shine on, you crazy diamonds! Shine on...
Didn't get anything new this week, despite temptation.
Nightwing: Freefall (softcover)
Written by Peter J. Tomasi; art by Rags Morales and Don Kramer; published by DC Comics.
The thing about Dick Grayson being Batman now is that it has made me truly appreciate him as more than just a right-hand man, even in past stories. With a great creative team on this title, I had to check it out. Because I just can't get enough Dick. Sorry.
Terra (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by Amanda Conner; published by DC Comics.
Set before the amazing new Power Girl series by the same amazing creative team, this tells the story of PG's plucky gal pal Terra. Who is also pretty amazing.
Shine on, you crazy diamonds! Shine on...
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Where Do I Start With... Thor
Who?
Of course, as everyone knows, Thor is the ancient Norse God of Thunder, but he was adapted for Marvel Comics in 1962 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, making his first appearance in Journey into Mystery #83. Originally, he was bound to New York surgeon Dr. Donald Blake, and they would switch places at will. This has changed over the years, with Thor being attached to other mortals as well as going it alone, but Blake has recently returned to the series.
Possessing godlike strength and stamina, Thor also wields the mighty Mjölnir -- his legendary hammer; enabling him to fly, and command thunder and lightning.
Known for his headstrong attitude and Shakespearean speech, Thor has always taken part in fantastical adventures on both Earth and beyond, and is not limited to the laws and ethics of man. He is burdened by greater, more divine responsibilities.
Okay, so where do I start?
Of course, as everyone knows, Thor is the ancient Norse God of Thunder, but he was adapted for Marvel Comics in 1962 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, making his first appearance in Journey into Mystery #83. Originally, he was bound to New York surgeon Dr. Donald Blake, and they would switch places at will. This has changed over the years, with Thor being attached to other mortals as well as going it alone, but Blake has recently returned to the series.
Possessing godlike strength and stamina, Thor also wields the mighty Mjölnir -- his legendary hammer; enabling him to fly, and command thunder and lightning.
Known for his headstrong attitude and Shakespearean speech, Thor has always taken part in fantastical adventures on both Earth and beyond, and is not limited to the laws and ethics of man. He is burdened by greater, more divine responsibilities.
Okay, so where do I start?
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