Saturday, December 31, 2011

Scalped v1: #5



Hoka Hey
Part 2 (of 2)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Lots going on here, both in the present and in the past. Not much can be said without giving away important information. The focal points in the past reveal more about Red Crow and Bad Horse. In the present the focus is on Bad Horse and Carol. Someone is dead before the chapter ends. The killer's identity is implied but that may just be misdirection.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

DC Direct Currents #24

Books shipping in January 1990

I dug this out of a long box yesterday. I'm not sure why I kept it but I'm not going to throw it away now. I've got more promotional material from DC and other companies, most of which is from the late 80s or early 90s.

There are check marks next to the two books that I bought at the time, Firestorm #95 and Shadow Strikes #6. Several years ago I bought the trade collection of the 3-part Adam Strange prestige mini-series. Damn good read, as I recall. I should reread it one of these days. I have the issue of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen which is featured on page 8.







Saturday, December 24, 2011

Scalped v1: #4



Hoka Hey
Part 1 (of 2)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Great chapter. Lots of visual story-telling and wordless panels. The plot thickens as more is revealed. The chapter opens with a flashback to the mid-70s. Two characters that have already been introduced are part of the flashback. A few pages in it is clear that one of them still thinks about that day, by the end of the chapter is clear that it haunts them both. It was a pivotal moment in their lives.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Scalped v1: #3



Indian Country
Part 3 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

This installment doesn't wind things down as much as set them up for future story arcs. A lot happens without an excessive amount of exposition. The action set piece that takes place on the first few pages of this chapter is beautifully drawn and colored. Bad Horse is a man on a mission serving more than one master, without a sanctuary or release valve. This first arc is a tease, sex without orgasm. Even though it won't appeal to everyone it will hook some who crave dark stories of reluctant heroes who face impossible odds while on multiple quests.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Scalped v1: #2



Indian Country
Part 2 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Better, not quite as heavy handed as the first issue; not quite as focused on exposition as #1. Bad Horse and Red Crow seem a litle more nuanced after reading this issue; they are now more human and not quite so much the forces of nature or stereotypes that they seemed to be. Still getting used to R.M. Guéra's work, which a first glance seems very similar to that of other long standing artists of books published under the Vertigo imprint.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Scalped v1: #1



Indian Country
Part 1 (of 3)

by Jason Aaron (writer) and R.M. Guéra (artist)

Sets the scene, introduces (what are presumably) the main character and a number of the supporting cast. The reveal at the end of the issue was just one of many. Every one of the fives scenes in this issue seems to introduce vital information. It isn't difficult to understand why this, the first issue is so heavily loaded with exposition, but hopefully future issues won't be told in quite the same heavy-handed manner.

Scalped is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Powers v13: #6



Godkiller: Part 1 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - This issue-and-a-half has nothing to do with the Z storyline. It picks up on some of the things that began in the previous issue and is the beginning of a new arc. It is unclear why this issue was included in this collection.

The new storyline deals with ancient beings, deities, in two particular scenes. In the first scene Walker and Callista travel to the Andes where they do battle with some unnamed and presumably ancient creature(s). There is a very Kirby-esque double page spread before the battle begins. The second scene is a murder investigation that Walker and Sunrise are conducting. The victim is Damocles, a power and member of the Golden Ones; a powers team that claimed to be reincarnated gods.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Powers v13: #5



Z: Part 5 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - The big picture is still murky but the little ones are crystal clear, and beautiful. It hurts to look at them, dwell on them, but they are worth the pain.

Boiled down, this segment is all about Walker's relationship with his girlfriend, Heather. There's more to than that, but that's the centerpiece, the bone to which the muscle is attached. Christian and Heather aren't together, instead they each get the spotlight for a time. He is despondent over not being near her, or maybe it is something more than that. She also hurts and in doing so reveals more than just her pain.

Oeming does a masterful job with the visual part of the story. Did there really need to be that many splash pages? Maybe not, but they all work.

There's a brief flashback to the 1950s which follows up on the flashback in the previous installment of this arc. In addition to providing background it also provides Oeming with an opportunity to imitate a famous 20th century painting.

The story continues to come together but some of it is still out of focus. With just one more installment to go in this arc it seems as if Bendis and Oeming may be doing more than just putting on the finishing touches. It seems as if they are sowing seeds whose fruit will be harvested in future arcs.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Powers v13: #4



Z: Part 4 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - This segment of the story had much less action but was much more interesting than the previous one. The story developed, stuff was revealed, important stuff. The picture is closer to complete than it was before. Stuff didn't just happen, important stuff happened.

The war hero, Z, is disparaged a little more, first by the teen who claims to have killed him and then by one his old war buddies. Z wasn't the man, the hero he claimed to be. he was a boozing thug who lived off a reputation he didn't fully earn.

Lines start to get blurred. Walker has trouble remembering the past, which isn't a new phenomenon.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Powers v13: #3



Z: Part 3 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - the best way to describe this installment is action. It's one big long chase scene, with a helping of World War 2 flashback thrown in for good measure. There isn't much in the way of character moments.

Oeming is in the driver's seat. It is mostly visual with a few lines, presumably penned by Bendis, thrown in here and there to help clarify and further expand the knowledge base. Possibly this isn't the first time that Powers has been this visual but so far this arc doesn't feel like most of the ones that preceeded it because of how it is being told.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Thanos #1-6
















Hunger by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom

Thanos is one of those rare comics from the big 2 that has a villain, in this case former villain, as the lead character. He has turned over a new leaf, he isn't as self-centered as he once was but that's about as far as he is wlling to take it. In Dungeons & Dragons terms Thanos is lawful neutral. If he fights with the good guys it is because it suits his purposes, not because he is altruistic.

The first couple issues are a little exposition-heavy. They set the scene and fill in Thanos' history. The last four issues flow much faster and, for the most part, are not bogged down with lots of dialogue or explanations. One of the nicest aspects of the story was how the Rigellian recorder was used both as a means to state the obvious and as the butt of jokes because it frequently did little other than state the obvious.

All in all this was a fun read. Starlin and Milgrom, using several cosmic level characters (Thanos, Adam Warlock, Galactus, Pip the Troll) told a story in which the continued existence of reality was threatened by a being from another plane of existence. This sort of story has been told before in the Marvel Universe. Some might not appreciate it for that reason, but there are some twists in this tale that make it unique or unique-seeming enough to make it a worthwhile read. The only shortcoming is possibly in how quickly and simply the story is resolved.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Powers v13: #2



Z: Part 2 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - The plot thickens. The most interesting developments come at the end of Part 2 when Christian confronts some people from his past. The encounter and the scenes leading up to it help to add some depth to the flashbacks in part 1.

The bulk of Part 2 focuses on a flashback to 1944 when Christian, Z, Billy, and Goose were costumed heroes. They didn't stay on the home front. They went toe-to-toe with the Nazis, including a giant robot. The flashback helps to fill in some of the gaps, adds background material, but doesn't seem to provide any vital pieces to the puzzle. They are fun, cool pages that are big on action.

Rereading Part 1 helped to illuminate what was happening in the first three pages of Part 2. Christian's girlfriend is receiving visions from his past. It is tough to say at this point why or how the visions are coming to her but they aren't all pleasant visions. These three pages may actually have been part of the previous issue. There are no clear chapter breaks in this or any of the other Powers collections.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Powers v13: #1



Z: Part 1 by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) - Although it starts with a chase scene (excitement! right?) the opening segment of the 13th collection of Powers fizzles a bit. The lights have been flipped on but they are flickering a bit. It's a slow start. Hopefully the pace and intensity of the story will pick up as more information is dropped into place.

Is the reader supposed to sympathize with Walker in the flashback sequence? Doubtful. Bendis and Oeming are probably just messing around, casting Walker in a negative light so that later he will seem to shine that much brighter. Even in the present he acts fairly aloof. The best character moments involve a couple of unnamed cops arguing over what they ate for lunch. Walker maybe in the spotlight, Pilgrim is mentioned but nowhere to be found, but he doesn't act or seem like he deserves it.

Not withstanding Walker's attitude, the flashback sequence is cool; a rare look into the past of the world that Powers takes place. Set in the post-WWII era Walker and company, of which the arc's titular character Z is the leader, do as they please. They see themselves as better than those around them and act accordingly. They aren't cops, the law probably considers them to be robbers, but they see themselves as being something else: Robin Hood and his merry men.

Powers is a creator-owned series published through the Icon imprint of Marvel Comics

Monday, September 5, 2011

Eight Herbs Mtn: The Rice Paddy Kid


by Ben Costa

Prequel to Pàng Vol 1: Refuge of the Heart. The Rice Paddy Kid is funny, amusing, informative, and heart-warming. Must read for anyone who enjoys martial arts movies or stories about orphans.

Eight Herbs Mtn: The Rice Paddy Kid

Saturday, August 6, 2011

House of Mystery v4: Halloween Annual #1



Do You See What I See by Matthew Struges (writer), Luca Lossi (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), Lee Loughridge (colors) - This is the framing device for the rest of the stories in this issue. It seems to take place outside of the House of Mystery's current continuity. The participants in the framing story are all HoM regulars (Fig, Harry, Cress, Poet, Anne) but some of them were out of the picture by the end of the last story arc. Given the weird nature of the House, in particular, and comic books, in general, this isn't a difficult situation to accept.

The rest of the stories all read like promos for other Vertigo series. Some are better than others. All but one involve a mask which also plays a key role in the first story.

High Spirits by Mark Buckingham (write), Bill Willingham (writer, penciler), Kevin Nowlan (inker), Lee Loughridge (colors) - a Merv Pumpkinhead story

Letter from a Suicide by Peter Milligan (writer), Giuseppe Camuncoli (layouts), Stephano Landini (finishes), Dave McCaig (colors) - a John Constantine/Hellblazer story

Trick or Treat by Chris Roberson (writer), Mike Allred (artist), Laura Allred (colors) - an I Zombie! story

Captive Audience by Matt Wagner (writer), Amy Reeder Hadley (penciler), Richard Friend (inker), Guy Majors (colors) - a Madame Xanadu story - by far the prettiest of the four stories

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, July 30, 2011

House of Mystery v4: #20



The Beauty of Decay: Part Five: Elegies by Matthew Sturges (writer), Luca Rossi (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), and Lee Loughridge (colors) - Once again, the ending to an arc is not conclusive. Rather than close the door on what has come before the final chapter just seems to open new ones. A new status quo is established on the final pages with little in the way of explanation of how or why it came to pass.

This sort of storytelling defies logical analysis. It meanders here and there without presenting a clear path. Possibly, a bird's eye view of the story so far might reveal some pattern or method to the madness that is the House of Mystery. Things happen; there are consequences to actions but new elements are regularly introduced and old ones often reveal themselves to be more than they previously seemed to be. As previously noted these characteristics could be a drawback but Sturges, Rossi, and company continue to make HoM an entertaining read.

Spellbound by Matthew Sturges (writer) and Michael William Kaluta (artist) - This seems to be a story of and by Peter, Fig's father.

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, July 23, 2011

House of Mystery v4: #19



The Beauty of Decay: Part Four: Convergence by Matthew Sturges (writer), Luca Rossi (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), Joe Rubinstein (inker), and Lee Loughridge (colors) - More twists and turns as the denizens of the House struggle to make it back to their current abode.

Despite or due to some of the incredible direction changes the main story continues to be entertaining. Will there ever be a satisfactory resolution to the tale of the House, Fig, and the other residents? Does there need to be a satisfactory resolution? The fun in this series seems to be the way that Sturges weaves together the disparate characters and their backgrounds. What makes the story attractive right now may not make it so in the future.

Also, the images are soft on the eyes.

House & Home by Matthew Sturges (writer) and Antonio Fuso (artist) - Cain tells a tale of the House itself and how he came to be separated from it. There isn't much of a departure between the visual stylings of this backup story and the main story as is usually the case. The humorous touches are appreciated.

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, July 16, 2011

House of Mystery v4: #18



The Beauty of Decay: Part Three: Academics by Matthew Sturges (writer), Werther Dell'Edera (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), Andrew Pepoy (inker), and Lee Loughridge (colors) - Lots of interesting developments following the event that is foreshadowed on the cover of this collection. Some of the residents of the House go for a walk about the City. Fig, Peter and Jordan head for the library. Ceorel and Cain materialize from the remains of a tragedy. The others stick close to the House and clean up after another tragedy. The most interesting developments are those involving Fig, Peter, and Jordan. The other story bits and pieces seem to be setting things up for future installments.

The Tale of Brutus the Bold by Matthew Sturges (writer) and Jeff Lemire (artist) - This is of the best looking backup stories in the series so far. That said, the meaning of it all and its connection to the main story is tenuous at best. Possibly it is an allegory that requires the reader to look beneath the surface in order to see a deeper meaning.

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, July 9, 2011

House of Mystery v4: #17



The Beauty of Decay: Part Two: Poetics by Matthew Sturges (writer), Werther Dell'Edera (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), and Lee Loughridge (colors) - Not a lot happens in this segment of the Beauty of Decay. The only curious, new development is the substitution of Werther Dell'Edera for Luca Rossi. Their styles are different enough that it is noticeable but not so much so for it to be jarring.

The best way to characterize the shift from one artist to the other is to say that Rossi's pencils feel much lighter than Dell'Edera's. The lines on Dell'Edera's pages are thicker and feel heavier. It is difficult to say how much of this is due to the inks and colors. The choice of color pallette for this segment probably contributes to the heavier feel.

The best part of Poetics is the humorous lines thrown in here and there. They help to keep it light in what could otherwise be an oppresively down segment of the arger story.

Mise-en-Scène by Bill Willingham (writer) and Al Davison (artist) - Poet's origin tale, just in time for, what appears to be his exit from the central storyline. If his full name was revealed in an earlier arc then it was not a memorable event. Take a love story, add a twist, and that describes this tale. It isn't particularly good or original but at least it is relevant to the central story

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Saturday, July 2, 2011

House of Mystery v4: #16



The Beauty of Decay: Part One: Entropy by Matthew Sturges (writer), Luca Rossi (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), and Lee Loughridge (colors)

This segment of House of Mystery is visually engaging but narratively incomplete. Still, the two page spread that simultaneously depicts the goings on in various rooms of the House is splendid. Not every room is populated but each one adds to the overall picture.

The Hounds of Titus Roan by Bill Willingham (writer) and Richard Corben (artist) - This is a straight up gothic horror story about a writer trapped in a mysterious castle (Titus Roan) by the feral beasts. Nothing really stands out about this tale. Sometimes the tales help to paint in details or background information of the ongoing story but that is not the case in this instance. Maybe it is unreasonable to expect something special from each of the tales but more often than not they are nothing special.

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics

Friday, June 24, 2011

DMZ v7: #41



Zee, DMZ
by Brian Wood (writer) and Nikki Cook (artist)

Several issues ago while the book continued to focus on Matty, Zee took off. She headed north, left the area controlled by Parco Delgado and his forces. For the moment Matty is set aside as the book turns its attention to Zee, Matty's ex-girlfriend. She's fed up with Matty and how cozy he has gotten with Parco. She doesn't see the turmoil Parco is putting Matty through, just the outward signs that Matty works for Parco.

I'm through with DMZ. I gave it two tries, read the first 7 trades, more than 40 issues. It doesn't speak to me the way some books do. There's a framework that I like but there isn't enough meat on the bones, for me.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Heroes Con 2011 - Part 10

Some relatively new web comics that I learned about at the show and have started to read. The descriptions below were written by the authors.



Distillum by Sarah Dill - one good f#ckup deserves a thousand more. The streets of Savannah, Georgia are about to get a whole lot weirder. Follow Rob, Jamie and Kavitha through all their crazy shenanigans! THEM KIDS, THEY’S CRAZY.



Val the Red Beard by Robin Holstein - What if storm chasers could repel storms? Now replace those storm chasers with pirate like mercenaries piloting flying ships hired to protect those less fortunate to be caught on the ground, and have the storms actually created by large behemoth monsters that live inside them.



Oyster War - Hell on the half shell.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

DMZ v7: #40


War Powers: Chapter Four
by Brian Wood (writer) and Ricardo Burchielli (artist)

This and the last Riccardo Burchielli-drawn arc dragged along at a slow pace. If the scenery was more appealing, which isn't so much a dig at the visuals as it is at the way the story unfolds, then it would probably make the book a more compelling read. This makes two consecutive Burchielli-drawn arcs that begin with a bang, end with a punch but fizzle in the middle.

The most frustrating part of the story is how it hints at more but does not deliver. It all feels very surface level but the implication is that there is more, subrosa. In a shorter story, a limited series of 6 or 12 issues this would be more understandable and acceptable. In a story that is this long, 60+ issues, there needs to be more skin on the bones than what has been provided as of this issue.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Heroes Con 2011 - Part 9

Three of the many (12) pieces of art that I purchased at Heroes Con...

Justice Society of America by Irwin Hasen



Justice Society of America by Irwin Hasen - I'm glad I ran across this man, one of the artists of the JSA from their original run in All-Star Comics. The coloring job on the page isn't perfect but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to own a picture drawn by a golden-age artist.



Sandman by Joe QuinonesHarley the She-Devil by Joe Quinones



Sandman and Harley the She-Devil by Joe Quinones - When I stumbled across Joe's table I was looking for something inexpensive; the price, $5 per print, was just too right and the images too nice for me to say no

Friday, June 17, 2011

DMZ v7: #39



War Powers: Chapter Three
by Brian Wood (writer) and Ricardo Burchielli (artist)

It feels like there is a disconnect between the story and the artwork. It isn't a gaping chasm but it is there. Early in this chapter there are a number of scenes where it is hard to tell who is whom.

What happened? One possibility is that the story was changed after Burchielli drew the pages. Another possibility is that there was a miscommunication and Burchielli drew the story differently than Wood intended it to be. Either way, it looks sloppy and some pages look like they were significantly altered after Burchielli touched them.

On the plus side more puzzle pieces are starting to get uncovered. Matty learns what Parco is up to, but not his exact plan. What he pieces together doesn't seem too far fetched but the storytelling feels sloppy. There are far too few moving parts to make the story as epic as it is starting to feel.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Heroes Con 2011 - Part 8

Three of the many (12) pieces of art that I purchased at Heroes Con...

Jack Tenrec and Hannah Dundee by Robbi Rodriguez



Jack Tenrec & Hannah Dundee by Robbi Rodriguez - this was another pre-order; I sent the man my money and the names of the characters I wanted a month before the show but I didn't hear back from him; I was nervous about whether he had finished it because he hadn't posted it on his blog even though he had posted there a number of other commissions he had done; bottom line is he did a great job with it

Pirate Dreams by Robin Holstein



Pirate Dreams by Robin Holstein - very impressive work by an artist with whom I was previously unfamiliar; I asked for something involving a female pirate and a djinn and left the rest up to him

Exterminators #6 page 8



Exterminators #6 p8 by Tony Moore (pencils) and Ande Parks (inks) - I ran across Tony Moore's table early in the show. He had a box full of pages for sale. I rumaged through them twice before settling on this one. I'm sure the guy standing behind me, waiting his turn, for approximately 10 minutes, didn't appreciate that. *shrug* I've wanted to own a Tony Moore piece probably since I first saw his work on Walking Dead. This is my kind of page: no action, it is more like a page of meaningful interaction.

Heroes Con 2011 - Part 7

Three of the many (12) pieces of art that I purchased at Heroes Con...

Skeleton Wizard by Christian N. St. Pierre



Skeleton Wizard by Christian N. St. Pierre - a pencil sketch that I requested after looking through his books; very pleased with how it turned out; I wasn't too specific with what I wanted I just asked for a skeleton wizard wearing a head piece and sporting some jewlery and left the rest up to him

Machine Man by Terence Hoskins



Machine Man by Terrence Hoskins - a pre-order that I requested a few weeks before the show; after seeing a recent sketch he did of Doctor Doom I got it my head that I would like him to draw Machine Man; I pointed him to a couple of Jack Kirby covers for inspiration and he delivered exactly what I wanted

Buttercup, Samurai Jack, and Dexter by Stephanie Gladden



Buttercup, Samurai Jack, Dexter by Stephanie Gladden - I named the characters I wanted and left the rest up to her; she did an awesome job

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

DMZ v7: #38



War Powers: Chapter Two
by Brian Wood (writer) and Ricardo Burchielli (artist)

This chapter feels like set up for something or things yet come or yet to be revealed. Things happen but the text and pictures only explain things in rudimentary terms. It all feels very surface level. It isn't terribly impressive but that's because there's a piece of the puzzle that's missing. Hopefully the next couple chapters in this arc will help to round out the story.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

Heroes Con 2011 - Part 6

Three of the many (12) pieces of art that I purchased at Heroes Con...

Reading Goat by Meredith Randazzo



Reading Goat by Meredith Randazzo - I asked for an anthropomorphic goat reading a book; she drew it in under 10 minutes; we chatted while she drew

Sponge Bob MODOK by Jacob Chabot



Sponge Bob as Modok by Jacob Chabot - I've had this idea in mind for several weeks; when I saw his art I thought that he seemed like a good fit for this mash-up; we didn't chat while he drew

Sgt Rock by Andy Price



Sgt Rock by Andy Price - his sketch cards aren't cheap ($25) so I felt like I was taking a bit of a risk buying one; I didn't hang around while he drew it; I was stunned by the finished product; it is flipping gorgeous; I may have to get another one the next time I see him