Will Read Comic Books

So up to this point, I think I’ve been fairly clear about how I feel about Lemire and Foreman’s Animal Man. It happens to be probably my favourite of the New52, along with Wonder Woman and Swamp Thing. Well, for #3, Lemire and Foreman brought their game faces. And by faces, I mean creepy things with no faces at all.

<SPOILERS—Sorry, but the reveal in this issue is crucial, so if you care, stop reading>

What I’m referring to are the Totems, the former avatars of the Red - many without faces -through whom Buddy actually got his powers (slight retcon) and that Maxine, not Buddy, is the true next Avatar of the Red. Up until this issue, everyone had a basic consensus that Animal and Red equaled Swamp Thing and the Green; to see that put on its head is just fantastic. 

And aside from the reveal, I feel like so much more happened in general. While Maxine and Buddy are in the Red, two of the Three Hunters go after them there, and Buddy seems to get an extra power set of looking similar to whatever animal he takes the powers of—whether this is because they are in the Red or not is left to be seen. Back on the home front, Cliff and Ellen are similarly attacked and are now on the run. This looks like a set up for multiple parallel storylines between the two parts of the Baker family for a little while, giving Lemire some extra leg-room for a more literary approach, perhaps. 

Now, no review of this issue should go without mentioning the level of creepy that is elevating with every issue. While Animal Man is certainly earning its place as part of the ‘Dark’ family of DC books, it certainly isn’t the creepiest book that came out that week. With only one fairly calm death and almost comical body-snatching (re: ala Egger from Men in Black), its creepy factor is coming from Foreman’s fantastically surreal art. And intestine tentacles.

As for Travel Foreman, I have no idea how this guy is going to top himself. The sheer amount of non-violent viscera in this book is staggering, to the point that it is abstract in its portrayal - in truth, it’s some weird shit. Couple that with great Hunter and Totem models, and you have the space for some eventually-iconic interpretations of things in the DCU. And the lovely colourist, Lovern Kindzierski, gives the ability for the human brain to even begin to comprehend what Foreman is putting down. I mean that in the nicest, most effusive way possible.

TL;DR

Friggin amazing, as usual. 

WK

Well I gave it my best shot.

I think I’m going to keep my review of Action Comics #3 short, mainly because I don’t want to waste any more time on this book. 

Plot-wise, Sneak Peak at Astro City on Krypton (with scary Krypto), Clark gets the shake-down by the cops, his landlord thinks he might be Superman, Metropolis doesn’t like Superman saving cats from tree, talking machines, Luther talking to (most-likely) Brainiac, Metallo. I still feel like I’m reading Spiderman, but with more aliens and inter-planetary socialites.

Art-wise, Morales makes a cool Krypton, but dumpy clark is driving me nuts. I can say that he is a trained, competent artist. I just hate almost anything he wants to put to paper.

+UPDATE+ Apparently Gene Ha did the Krypton Scenes. I’m officially cutting this and never picking up a Rags Morales book again.

Frankly, I’m disappointed. Morrison’s All-Star Superman (which I picked up just three weeks ago—forshame on me) is just amazing. It appeals to everything I love about Superman and his archetypal good-guy nature. Angst should be had over not being able to save the world, not about whether or not people like him or his inability to stop greedy politicians from doing bad—but not super villain bad—things to their constituents. 

I have a Messiah Complex to live out vicariously through Superman and Morrison is not allowing me that anymore. Now he’s gotta be really ‘down to his socialist roots’.

Whatever, I’m done.

TL;DR 

I’m dropping Action Comics because its boring and I don’t like Morrison’s Superman. I also hate Rags Morales’ art.

WK

We’ve seen in general that DC’s new52 is keeping pace with itself - the good books stay good, the mediocre books stay mediocre, and the terrible books stay terrible. While I’ve heard Stormwatch got way better, most quality jumps stayed fairly small. (I’m still not going to pick it up though.) One of the books that got marginally better with its sophomore issue was Justice League Dark.

Plot-wise, we’re still putting the pieces in place, so it’s still a little disjointed, but in this issue we get some magic dueling, as well as a piece on why Deadman, who is essentially a ghost, can’t be with his (living) girlfriend, Dove. The questions you immediately asked at the end of Brightest Day about their love post-boomerang are somewhat answered here, and definitely enters creepy, Swayze Ghost territory. While a little strange, it did perk my interest in Deadman enough to pick up the first two issues of DC Comics Presents, whose inaugural story centers on Boston Brand himself. Great cross-promotion.  

The only thing that bummed me out some was that other than the Deadman sections, I felt that the story is still moving too slow; something needs to happen soon. 

And right at the end, we get a fun twist with what seems to be a betrayal of a group that does not yet exist. Will it ever actually exist? Is this going to be like Seven Soldiers of Victory? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.

One of the things I like about the book is how it subtly demonstrates everyone’s different magical and supernatural abilities - Zatanna’s backwards talking is different from Constantine’s rituals, which also feels very different from whatever Xanadu is doing with those cards. This is a great meld between Milligan and Janin and I look forward to seeing how they’ll work together when everyone is finally in the same room.

Speaking of the art, Janin and colorist Ulises Arreola do a bang-up job here. The style and colour palettes change with whoever we’re focused on, making for a distinct difference in tone, which of course helps the pacing of the book. The level of grit on constantine and enchantress compared to the smoothness of Zatanna and Xanadu make for a well-put-together book.

TL;DR

Another win, and possibly better than #1

WK

Last month, I spoke very highly of Wonder Woman #1, finding it to be a high action, high intrigue book with amazing visuals. The second issue is no less a success.

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James Robinson’s Starman series is in my top five favourite series. It may be my favourite. I own the omnibus collections and read them often. Jack Knight, Shade, Grundy, Mikaal, Ted Knight and the O’Dares are just great characters you can return to read again and again. Why am I saying all of this? Because the series that ended 10 years ago is finally back in some measure by giving Shade his own mini-series!

In what could be called the ‘second-wave’ of the New 52, DC pumped out three mini-series this month: Huntress, Penguin, and the Shade are our protagonists of these series and while much has been made about Huntress’ connection to other post-reboot books, it is unclear whether and where the Shade’s book falls in terms of continuity. But really, who cares? It’s a book about the Shade!

The Shade is an interesting character - he’s not a hero by any stretch, but Robinson made him into something other than a villain. He’s someone who wants to protect his dear city from destruction and squalor, and is perfectly happy to kill many, many people to do it. For those who know, it is very similar to Frau Totenkinder of Bill Willingham’s Fables: a character with few morals outside of protecting those they love or owe a debt to. Scary and awesome at the same time. Whenever I can, I want to read more about him, even if (especially if) I can’t get Jack Knight on the page anymore.

The plot is essentially Shade being melancholy, but quick-witted between conversations with the new (and former) Starman, Mikaal, love interest and cop Hope O’Dare, hoping for an adventure during the month of his creation. Some other guy is being hunted on the other side of the world, who then feels the need to contact Shade to warn him of similar danger. The danger finds Shade and from there, well, I’ll keep that a secret, for now.

Robinson is awesome at writing dialogue for Shade especially, but dialogue amongst the other characters is also quite refined and subtle in its delivery. The characters’ voices are still those of ten years ago - I feel like I’m slipping into an old glove. I wish I could say more, but let’s just say the writing is on par with Robinson’s level of quality.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure that anyone not intimately close to the character and setting are going to understand word-one of this book, and, possibly, series. That’s ok, I guess, because I’m sure Starman is still riding high on the popularity train of those who’ve read about Jack Knight’s adventures before.

The art, done by Cully Hamner, with colours by Dave McCaig, is reminiscent of Tony Harris’ and Peter Snejbjerg’s work from the original series, but with enough change to make it contemporary. Shade is a lot more buffer than usual, but I can lay that aside.

TL;DR

If you’ve read Starman, pick this up. If you haven’t, read Starman Vol.2 (1994-2001), and then read this.

WK

Could #2 be as good as the long-awaited #1? 

Yes. Yes it can.

Batwoman #2 hits the ground running with Kate talking to Bette about possibly joining Batman Inc, though Kate isn’t sure if is awesome or terrible (a little meta there, maybe). This is followed by our friends at the DEO getting deeper into the case by getting Kate’s date Detective Sawyer further on the trail of Batwoman in classic love/hate triangle between Sawyer, Kate, and Batwoman. More creepy weeping woman and a two-gang slaughter of metahumans. Finish off with a superhero on detective shakedown and Batwoman under a pier about to be attacked by the Weeping Woman herself. 

While the plot is moving forward well and is keeping my interest, what I think I’m finding more interesting is the difference between Kate as Kate and Kate as Batwoman. Similar to how Bruce flits between two very different personalities - one dour, the other jovial - in many portrayals of the character, Kate is similarly shown, being silly and frivolous at times on her date, very confident, but in a quirky, off-kilter way. I like it. It certainly gives depth to the character outside of the mask.

The art, once again, is just amazing. Between Williams and Stewart, we are served with a heaping platter of lovely pages. The consistent difference of a painted Batwoman and Weeping woman certainly keeps the two on a different plane than the other characters; those other characters may be important, but they are the focus like Kate and the Weeping Woman are. Even the DEO get there own palette of harder shadows, possibly implying that the DEO are going to be after Batwoman long after Hydrology finishes up.

Williams’ splashes are, as always, just beautiful. You could get some real money just blowing those splashes up to poster size. 

My one gripe is that Kate’s date clothes are really out there. As in, not modern or up to date in fashion sense out there. Even a change of colour would have helped. Time to spend more time with vogue there, art team. 

TL;DR

Batwoman continues to be a top pick for DC’s New 52. Pick it up - It’s awesome.

WK

Demon Knights #1 was a funny, slightly-horrifying and action-packed comic that set a tone similar to my days playing Dungeons and Dragons. If anything, that tone has been amped up to another level. I don’t know how good the actual D&D comic is, but this could replace it!

Plot Summary: Team fights dinosaurs in tavern. Team talks to villagers/each other and jokes arise. People get pissed that the Questing Queen isn’t there (yet). Many strange connections arise. Etrigan tries to leave with Xanadu, but are attacked by pteradactyls. Everyone is beset by DRAGONS.

If that isn’t a usual D&D game around a table with beers and dice, I don’t know what is: a bunch of near-non-sequiturs, people can’t agree on doing anything, obligatory girls in armor jokes, dragons (lots), and finally, “I’ve used up all my prepared magic”. Really? In what other piece of fantasy outside of D&D do magic-users rely on prepared magic? I think Wizards of the Coast may have grounds for some legal action, if you ask me.

And really, that’s all that’s going on. The plot so far is fancy-paper-thin, but with lots of jokes and action. As long as you know what you are getting into, it will meet expectations. Kudos to you, Paul Cornell. 

As for the art, I did have one issue with it. The art team (Diogenes Neves (pencils), Marcelo Maiolo (colour), and Oclair Albert (inks) has decided to change Etrigan entirely in design from the previous issue! They seem to be moving away from the Classic Kirby vibe from issue one, to a more ‘modern and realistic’ Etrigan. Boo to that. I want bright yellow skin, not ugly mustard colour!. Other than that (in my mind, major) flaw, The art is crisp with lots of fun mayhem without being too convoluted. Bright, fun faces all around, again with a cartoony feeling to the faces, giving hilariously subtle emotions throughout the book.

TL;DR

Good work Demon Knights, you’ve given me my funny action book fix for the week. 

WK

As an idea, Superman is an archetypal hero of grand proportions - a Messiah-like character whose intentions towards his adoptive planet have always been for its benefit. Practically speaking, however, we instinctively know that archetype so well within the collective Zeitgeist of our age that only when that archetype is taken to its extreme, either in the definition of the archetype or throwing that archetype into something against our core sensibilities does it get interesting.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Grant Morrison is giving us that. 

In this issue of Action Comics, Morrison delivers a story of Luthor torturing (or at least trying to torture) ‘the alien’, while various backup characters fall into place for later returns, most notably a certain Dr. Irons (Steel) and John Corben (Metallo). Superman eventually escapes with sass equal to that of the previous comic and just for fun, we get a call-back to Superman’s Jewish roots (see creator Jerry Siegel) by making his first hint of his Kryptonian heritage a burning bush moment with his Spacecraft. And Superman’s cape can’t be burned, just so’s you know.

I originally thought that Morrison’s bringing Superman back to his ‘roots’ would be totally awesome, but I feel I’ve seen this all before, but in other heroes. I feel like Clark is a guise for a Peter Parker and Supes is the same, but with different powers. Sure, he may be fighting for Socialist ideals to a point, but really, I’m kind of bored. 

Morales and Team bring much of the same for the art - while it is nice, I’m certainly not amazed by its uniqueness in any way. 

TL;DR

It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t feel anything with it. I’m not sure this book is going to stay with me by the end of its first arc.

WK

Originally, I was going to say that Animal Man #2 was the greatest #2 I had ever read, similar to its #1 status.

But then I read Swamp Thing #2 and it took that title in one fell swoop.

Snyder (story), Paquette (pencils & inks), and Fairbairn (colours) return for issue 2, leading up from the #1 cliffhanger of Holland meeting Swamp Thing face to face. Surprise and spoiler alert: not The Swamp Thing, just A swamp thing. This issue does what I love to read in just about any genre/media/epic, and that is explain to me some mythology. Snyder very carefully weaves the entire story of Swamp Thing in the DC Universe into a mythos that transcends all of the earlier work, as well as introduce a new ‘group’ to the natural forces of Earth. We knew about the Green and its representative, Swamp Thing, and the Red, who’s dealing closely with our favourite family the Bakers (see Animal Man), but now we know what’s been killing things elsewhere - the Third, the Other. This group is decay/death and one of its agents, Sethe, is after the Green. Consequently—and awesomely—we can infer that three other agents, the Hunters, are after the Red in Animal Man (see? I told it made Animal Man better ) I’m now totally invested in these two books because of this fact. Touché, Snyder, touché. Also, I have no idea who the lady with the white hair is, but I like her.

Paquette and Fairbairn once again bring the fire as well. Once again, when Swamp Thing (or the Green in general, I guess) is around, the panel frames are branch-like, sometimes with little buds on the branches, and when the Other is around, we have splotchy black-and-red lines that are more dirty than anything else. Those subtle cues are great to bring you into the story. Fairbairn’s colours cover a large range of clarity, hue, and depth, creating varied landscapes for the various different stories being unfolded in the narrative. While the work is far more ‘mainstream,’ the two artists have given a level of detail that would put most artists to shame. 

TL;DR

I don’t see how it gets much better than this - a gothic horror superhero comic with depth and mythos to rival anything coming from anywhere. A must-read.

WK

Now that #1 month is over (sort of - there mini-series’ to attend to now), now its time to see if the #2s are as good as their predecessors. In the case of this week’s 3 #2’s, it is certainly true. So to start off, let’s talk about Animal Man #2. 

Sweet merciful crap, I love this comic book.

First, a summary. After Maxine’s uh…new pets… show up, Buddy steps in and starts taking superhero leadership action, and the whole family gets involved. A neighbour gets involved, Maxine does something to him as well, and Buddy realizes he needs to take his daughter to ‘The Red,’ a place he’s never been and never fully understood. This place has some connection to his and his daughter’s powers, but he still doesn’t quite know. From there, we go on an artistically abstract journey with Buddy and Maxine traveling into the Red and the three gross monster’s from Buddy’s dream show up and feast on San Diego zoo, taking human form. Awesome.

What I love about Lemire’s writing is that even more than the previous issue, this book is about a plausible family, each with their quirks and personality. Even though two members of the family have zero powers, there is a feeling of importance to Ellen and Cliff to the story. I have a suspicion that duel narratives may be a strong aesthetic to this book in upcoming issues. For now, the father/daughter narrative is really compelling - what would you do if your six-year-old had the powers of a god? I don’t know, but I want to see what Buddy does in my place.

As for the introduction to the hunters, I loved them, but I loved them even more after reading Swamp Thing #2. It’s fairly clear now that Swamp Thing and Animal Man will be meeting eventually (within the next year of issues, I imagine) since they are both fighting agents of the same team. This is a great way to tie things together: you don’t need to read Swamp Thing to understand Animal Man at all, but knowing Swamp Thing makes Animal Man so. much. better. I get a real feeling of world being created between these two comic teams. 

Foreman’s art is still on that edge of surreal, bringing a level of aesthetic consistency to each character - their models are such that he’s able to be flexible with proportions without losing too much - Cliff, for instance, is very kinetic and is shown to be so by his proportions and perspectives always in flux. What I thought was a slight downturn though, was that the inks were thicker in this issue, creating a muddiness that took a little away from the art. That’s forgivable, however, because the travel spreads are delicious. And the bloated hippos will haunt my dreams. 

I failed to mention Lovern Kindzierski’s colours in the last review, but she’s still on point with a muted palette bolstered by slight gradients that give the book a gritty, organic quality that helps augment Foreman’s art very well. If Lemire, Foreman and Kindzierski keep it up, I may soon have a new favourite comics team (my favourite being Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leiahola from Fables.) These guys seem to get each other very well. 

TL;DR

If you didn’t pick up #1, the reprint is out this week, so pick it up with your #2, because this book is amazing and EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT.

WK