Book of the Week

I read some comics today, and there were a few that I really liked.  I'm bringing this column back for some quick reviews.

8-25-10
Fantastic Four 582
Marvel
No.  I won't shut up about this book.  It keeps getting better and better.

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9-1-10
Scarlet 2
Icon/Marvel
I also talked about this book last month.  The second issue didn't disappoint.

9-9-10
American Vampire 6
Vertigo/DC
I'm really glad with the way this issue turned out.  Even though there's no doubt that the Stephen King story greatly increased sales, I think it really hurt the book's pacing.  It was tough to get into this series with each issue split into two 16-page stories.  I really liked this issue.

r

runner up
Booster Gold 36
DC
I really love the direction this book is going in.  It's the only DC-proper title that I'm reading.  I hate what they've done with the DCU in recent years.  So it really surprises me that even though Booster deals with these plot lines, it does so in a funny and sad self-aware kind of a way that's really amazing.

Book of the Week

5-19-10

I mentioned Joe the Barbarian a few months ago when it first started.  We've just passed the halfway point with issue 5, and while I don't want to talk too much about the story, I will say that this comic is still amazing.  Morrison and Murphy work terrifically together.  The story is mostly told through beautiful artwork.  You really should be reading this.

Muchos Melvins

Just kidding.  See what I just did?  I went the other way this time.  I'm actually going to do a Book of the Week.  Serious, this time.  Here we go:

Book of the Week
            or
International Incident 2: Electric Boogaloo

5-12-10

I mentioned this a while back when it was first announced, and I'm happy to say that Booster Gold 32 lived up to my expectations.  In true Giffen and DeMatteis fashion, this book is hilarious.

The humor counter-balances surprisingly nicely with some real serious, heart-breaking moments.  Being a time traveler, Booster (mistakenly) jumps to Daxam in the midst of The Great Darkness (for those of you who don't know, we're talking about genocide).

Anyway, its a great start and seems to leading into some great stuff.  I should also mention that Chris Batista's artwork is great.

On the other side of that coin, I feel like I should mention Justice League: Generation Lost, the twenty-six issue miniseries written by Giffen and Winick starring the JLI kicked off the same day.  Unfortunately, this book isn't nearly as good as Booster Gold.  It's played serious, and Maxwell Lord is like the most dangerous villain in the DCU, and I just don't think the characters work well like that.  Bummer.  I guess you can't win them all.

Book of the Week

6-3-10

This week, my pick is The Bride Sreamed Murder, the fictional book mentioned in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.  Why did I pick it?  Because titling things after obscure Scorsese dialogue is cool.

Mustard

So, over a month ago, I said I would try to catch up on this page.  Obviously, I haven't.  I'm going to attempt this again.  A lot of the stuff I had planned is going to be irrelevant now, so I'm going to condense everything I had planned over the last month in this one post.  Here we go:

• First off, I've been working on Chunklet's upcoming book, and am now writing for their website.
• Isis is disbanding.  You can read about it and download some live stuff on www.chunklet.com (damn, I'm smooth).
• Da Blackhawks are still awesome.  More on that in a couple weeks. 
• LOST ended.  I liked it.
• Ronnie James Dio died last week.  That sucks.  Go find some videos on www.youtube.com.
• Iron Man 2 is really good.  Although the first was a lot better, and Terrance Howard was a much better Rhodey.
• Shade the Changing Man is going to be in upcoming issues of Hellblazer.  Shade is one of my favorite Vertigo series, and I'm excited to see Peter Milligan writing the character again for the first time in seven years (there was a short story in the Vertigo tenth anniversary book).
• Free Comic Book Day sucks.  I know it's basically advertisements disguised as free comics, but can't anyone put out something worth reading?  I give Image credit for putting out Savage Dragon 146 last year.  It's something comic readers would want.  And Marvel prints out books with smaller dimensions.  You're owned by Disney and you can't put out a full-sized comic book like everyone else (including tiny indie companies)?  Fuck you!
• Lastly, I have a stack of books that I picked to write about as Book of the Weeks.  I'm just going to list them.  They're all good.  Look at the companies' websites if you want synopses.  I should be getting the past couple of weeks' books soon, and will write full reviews on them:

3-24-10: Hellblazer 265 (DC/Vertigo)
3-31-10: Punisher 15 (Marvel)
4-07-10: S.H.I.E.L.D. 1 (Marvel)
4-14-10: Punishermax 6 (Marvel/Max)
4-21-10: American Vampire 2 (DC/Vertigo)
4-28-10: Fantastic Four 578 (Marvel)
5-01-10: Iron Man Thor (Marvel)
5-05-10: Hellboy in Mexico (Dark Horse)

Book of the Week

3-17-10

The penultimate issue of this book is another reason why I hate events. Like many of these things, The Siege book itself has been kind of, "OK. This is happening." I haven't been reading many of the spinoffs, but Dark Avengers has had some really cool stuff going on. It seems like this story really could have happened in Bendis' Avengers books and been a pretty strong story. On a similar note, I probably would have really enjoyed Blackest Night if it was just a four or five issue Green Lantern arc. Now, I understand that Marvel and DC are businesses and that profits do take precedence over storytelling, so I'll stop complaining. Anyway, you should read this book, even if you're not buying The Siege. I think it stands up pretty well on its own.

Book of the Week

3-10-10

I realize that, in recent weeks, my page has turned into posts of funny videos, esoteric pictures, terse sentences, and a lot of swearing at sports teams. I'm totally behind with this column, and will try to catch up in the next week or so.

Anyway, I don't think I've mentioned it on this page, but Micheal Avon Oeming is one of my favorite artists (and a really good writer, too) out there. This issue is a prime example of why.

After the To Be Continued:

"Holy Lord. We took it all the way to the back cover. Why? Because Mike drew this one big."

This comic has 41 pages of art (including the inside back- cover) and no ads. For a story that is usually told through many panels and dense dialogue, this issue is very sparse with huge panels. Oeming created a very cool and unique layout that really captures the essence of Noir in what is essentially an issue long, very exciting car chase.

Book of the Week

4-1-10

Blackest Night concluded yesterday with issue 8, and I can't believe that its only been thirteen months since the story began. Geoff Johns packed this thrill ride with non-stop dialogue. To me it didn't come any bigger than the reveal half way through the series that the whole thing was masterminded by Nekkron, a villain that no one suspected or even heard of. Villains and heroes team up! I've never seen that EVER! I did find it a little strange that they need a White Lantern to keep those uppity Black Lanterns in check. And although I'm sad to see Blackest Night go, I'm looking forward to the 26 issue (plus xover issues) Brightest Day. Huzzah and kudos to DC!

Book of the Week

3-3-10

Even though it had a pretty decent finale, I have some mixed feelings about this Stark: Disassembled arc. First off, I think that five issues is a little long to to spend with a main character in a coma. It seems like Marvel just wanted this character in stasis until The Siege was over.

I really liked the surreal scenes in Tony's subconscious, which is a storytelling technique that I normally find kind of annoying. I credit this to Salvador Larocca's gorgeous artwork and designs. I guess also that usually in these situations are usually just characters walking around in heaven or something talking to dead people and not getting chased around in the desert by giant robots, which is infinitely cooler.

What I really feel mixed about are the scenes outside of Tony's mind. While there were really good touching scenes with the supporting cast dealing with the fact that Tony might die, there was also the subplot of an assassination attempt by Ghost, a third tier character that I'm not really sure what he does or even his relation to Tony. I guess you need some action in a superhero comic, but this just seemed silly and posed no threat. Not that I really think Dr. Doom or Mandarin or anyone would ever kill Iron Man, but as a reader I could suspend my disbelief a little easier.

The other thing I find awkward is the end. We've spent almost a year and a half with Tony trying to redeem himself for the Registration Act, the death of Captain America, and all around generally being an asshole. So when they implant Tony's downloaded memories, it turns out that they were downloaded prior to all this which seems to relieve him of all of these responsibilities. I know that you would want the care-free Iron Man around the time of Iron Man 2's release, but it just seems like an easy reboot. Like Spider-Man's deal with Mephisto; it could work out. I guess we'll have to wait to see where Fraction goes with this.

Book of the Week

2-24-10

Once Again, Hickman and Eaglesham put out a great issue of Fantastic Four. It's got the fun and adventure of a 60's sci-fi movie when people would discover new worlds around every corner.

Last issue, they team went underground to a radioactive city of mutated Moloids where Galactus' skeleton is buried. This time, they travel to a research base in Antarctica only go to an underwater city of fish and snail and dolphin people.

Eaglesham's art really adds a lot to the storytelling. Much of the book is completely told in the art. There are no words during an underwater battle, and the sequence is told with no confusion at all. This task can even be difficult for veteran artists.

It looks like this book is going to send the team all over the universe in these one-issue adventures that will later be seen as a larger overarching story.

Book of the Week

2-17-10

I'm really happy that they're finally doing something cool with the Sentry in the Avengers books. For years, he's kind of been this Deus Ex Machina-type character:

"[Powerful villain] is attacking!"
"Get Bob!"
"He's crying in a corner somewhere!"

Flash to end of battle.

"Bob, pull yourself together. We need you."
"OK."

Sentry ends fight.

Since Norman Osborne's formed his Avengers in this title, he's been manipulating the mentally unbalanced Bob Reynolds (Sentry) to further his purpose. Now his chickens are coming home to roost as Reynolds learns that Osborne's intentions may not be as noble as he's made them out to be. Now, Osborne has to deal with a hostile (and still loony) Sentry.

Although I feel that The Siege has been a little drawn out (it seems like the story could have been told in an over-sized one-shot), the character-developing tie-in issues have been very good. I'm looking forward to seeing Osborne's team dismantled.

Book of the Week

You may have noticed that I haven't picked a Book of the Week in a little while. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to pick up my books weekly anymore. However, I'm going to try to keep track of when books come out and keep the column going. I should get my books in a few days and have two Book of the Week pics in the coming week. That's pretty much how I'm hoping this thing progresses.

Anyway, I figure that since I haven't read any comic books in a couple weeks, I'll recommend a novel with no graphics. I read John Dies at the End a couple years back and liked it so much that I'm still telling people to read it.

It's gone through a few incarnations. Originally published online at http://johndiesattheend.com/, it later found a softcover printing through Permuted Press. It recently got a hardcover printing through a larger publisher with bigger distribution. Don't quote me, but I think that all three versions differ slightly.

I'm not really going to divulge much of the plot, but the book is both really funny and really disgusting and terrifying at the same time without any awkwardness. I think Don Coscarelli (who owns the movie rights) described it as Stephen King meets Douglas Adams. So, go check this out and I'll get back to the regular Book of the Week soon.

Book of the Week

2-10-10

First off, I'm going to say something that a lot of people don't agree with, and that's The Punisher is a garbage character. He's a psychopath with a lot of guns. I don't get his appeal. I think I'm the only person in the world who didn't like Garth Ennis' Max run (I did very much enjoy his Marvel Knights run, which is hilarious).

That being said, recent months have seemed like a bit of a time warp, being that three of my favorite monthly comics are two Punishers and a Ghost Rider. Well, Ghost Rider just ended. Maybe I'll make my way back to 2010. Although, the way the two Punisher books are going, maybe not.

When I do enjoy The Punisher, I tend to enjoy stories that aren't necessarily realistic or gritty. I watched a lot of Steven Segal movies in my youth and the avenge-family's-death story just seems a little played out to me. However, what I don't tire of is violence, and Punishermax (even the title is barely mediocre) does not fall short in that aspect.

Also, the story is told from the criminals' perspective. The Punisher just kind of shows up like Jason Vorhees every now and again, takes an almost inhuman beating, and offs a bunch of gangsters. There's really more of a pathos with the criminals. Its odd, but I find myself wanting to see the Punisher get killed.

It looks like this series will be about taking classic Marvel villains and rebooting them in the Max universe. This first arc is about the Kingpin and up next is Bullseye. A new character called The Mennonite makes his debut. Oh. And I almost forgot to mention the creative team. It's written by Jason Aaron, drawn by veteran Punisher artist, Steve Dillon, and has these really cool unique covers by Dave Johnson. Check it out.

Book of the Week

2-3-10

Holy Fuck! This book just keeps getting crazier! I wish all superhero books had this much excitement.

I mean, although The Siege is only halfway through, we all knew six months ago that it would end with Cap, Thor, and Iron Man getting back together to defeat the Dark Avengers. I could still be wrong, but I don't think that there's anyone here that wouldn't bet copious amounts of money on that statement.

This book could still has the potential to go in hundreds of directions. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dragon we read for 150 issues never returns. The book could easily be shift focus to the crazy dictator Dragon or even Malcolm, Dragon's son and be just as entertaining. Possibly even more so.

Savage Dragon moves the story forward the way that the big two are always pretending to. We now have a new Dragon that eats brains; a new Overlord who's a Cubs fan. How many series are this exciting 160+ issues in? Great job, Erik Larsen! Here's to 150 more!

Book of the Week

1-27-10

This book caught me a bit by surprise. I normally don't read Fantastic Four. In fact, I think the last time I bought two consecutive issues was when Claremont took over, and even then, I didn't stay on board for long. I tried the first issue of Millar's run, and found it abysmal.

But advertisements and previews got me interested in this. So I bought it. And I really liked it. This is mostly a setup book, but it looks like Jonathon Hickman has some pretty wild ideas coming up, and I'm totally excited. Dale Eaglesham's art is great. There's a great Alan Davis cover.

There's a new aspect that adds a bit of depth to the Moleman and Moloids that I've never seen. I don't want to spoil too much, so I'll just say that there are a lot of cool ideas planted here. I hope subsequent issues hold up, because it looks like The Fantastic Four are in for a far-out Kirby-esque epic. There's potential for a lot of fun.

Book of the Week

1-20-10

I haven't loved everything I've read by Grant Morrison. In fact I think most of his recent mainstream work has been below par (apart from All-Star Superman, which I think is probably not only the best Superman comic ever made, but also the best comic of the past decade). I do, however, love everything that he's written for Vertigo.
His first new project since 2005's Viminarama is an eight issue miniseries entitled Joe the Barbarian.

The first issue is a brief introduction of charcters and hints at the story's direction near the end. It's about a disconnected adolescent boy that travels between reality and imagination. It remains to be seen whether this is literal or figurative, but I'm thinking literal.

Morrison is accompanied artist Sean Murphy. Much of the story is told through the art, and the book is filled with gorgeous (sometimes two-page) splashes.

Also, there are several surprise cameos in one of these splashes. One of which is an all time favorite of mine: The Main Man, Lobo. Are you still reading this? Go get it.

Book of the Week

1-13-10

Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson occasionally team-up to write these pretty cool hardboiled monster miniseries. I think this is a mini. IDW doesn't usually mark that kind of thing.

Anyway, The Ghoul is their latest. Its is in the tradition of Any Which Way but Loose. A cop is assigned an unlikely partner. He's a monster. Its a pretty solid story. Obviously, the art's fantastic. Its got lots of monsters and big guns. Check it out.

Book of the Week

1-6-10

Savage Dragon is a book for that is for people who love comic books. Its not a something that will convert a non-reader, but people who are familiar with the genre and serial storytelling should be picking it up.

There's really no good jumping on point. Maybe issue 1, but it's not really necessary. Like the old Marvel Comics, you can jump on anywhere (maybe even this issue which is a Part 2) , feel like there's a lot of stuff you may not know, but enjoy it the same nonetheless.

Hell, I don't remember a lot of what's happened. It's been going on since 1992. There have been ups and downs, but after 160 issues (including the miniseries and zero issue),I'm in for the long haul. The book is episodic and long term plot lines are there to reward old readers as opposed to alienate new ones.

Erik Larsen knows the genre, and unlike Marvel or DC doesn't have to worry about keeping characters stagnant to sell movies and merch. The character is constantly evolving and...

SPOILER ALERT

...is not even in this issue. I mean, there are two Dragons in this issue, but one is a clone and the other is from an alternate universe. Our Dragon got offed six issues ago. Will he be back? Probably, but who knows? Larsen has gotten rid of core characters (and even core timelines) in the past. Whatever happens will serve the story.

Larsen will often try different art or storytelling methods. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. This issue is one long fight sequence. It totally works. There's enough dialogue and plot throughout the banter to keep this issue interesting and move the story along. In fact, I didn't even realize that the whole issue was one fight until it was pointed out on the letters page.

I'm very happy with the way this book has picked up since Larsen stepped down from being the head of Image. Although, I do think he brought a lot of quality books and some prestige to the company, his own book suffered in scheduling, story, and art. Since he's gotten back up to speed, Savage Dragon it the best its been in years , and with this issue, it gets even better.