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Monday, October 09, 2006
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Best of the week: Comics bought 7 October
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Being in Melbourne over Thursday and Friday meant that I didn't get to grab my comics until yesterday. Yet, I still managed to get through them quickly, and as always, my thoughts are below.
It was a smaller shipment, but it was, for the most part, enjoyable stuff!
Previous weeks:
Quote of the week:
"Hmm. It seems like there was one other slight concern, now what was that again? Oh, no, wait, I've got it. I was just eaten by a thirty-foot naked woman."
- The Atom narrating the story, The All-New Atom #4.
Best of the week:
 Doctor Strange: The Oath #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Brian K Vaughan
Art by Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Marcos Martin
I've never been much of a fan of Doctor Strange. I always found the character to be incredibly pompous, and aside from Giffen and DeMatties recent Defenders miniseries, the character had been taken ridiculously seriously. So, when I decided to check out this miniseries, it wasn't the character that engaged me, but rather the fact that it's written by the always brilliant Brian K Vaughan.
One thing that Vaughan does is write characters incredibly. Most of the issue revolves around Doc Strange talking to the Night Nurse, first recounting his origin, then telling her the story of how he ended up shot. Vaughan has great banter between the characters, and even the issue's opening with a cameo featuring Iron Fist and Arana was great. Add a twist which adds an amount of gravity, and this issue is a very satisfying read.
 Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere #9
DC Comics / Vertigo
Written by Mike Carey
Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Art by Glen Fabry
Cover by Glen Fabry
While I'm generally skeptical about adaptations, Mike Carey has managed to capture the essence of Neil Gaiman's brilliant Neverwhere brilliantly through these nine issues. While the last few issues of the book have been chronically late, it still manages to keep the interest high.
There was quite a bit of material left to cover in this issue, and I was worried that this issue would skim through it. Luckily, my worries were proven unfounded, as Carey brings the reader through the events, and not once do these 22 pages seem rushed.
Glen Fabry's art is as good as always, capturing both the worlds of London "above" and "below". His takes on the characters are amazing, and make me wish that Neverwhere will someday be adapted into a movie, with the budget it deserves.
 Nightwing #125
DC Comics
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund
Cover by Andy Clarke
Bruce Jones' time writing Nightwing ranged between entertaining and horrible. Happily, he was soon replaced with Marv Wolfman, who has previously written some of the greatest Nightwing stories ever during his years on Teen Titans.
Wolfman introduces a new villain, Raptor, who stands accused of murder. Nightwing works to uncover the truth, and readers are treated to an underused aspect of the character: detective work. And it works nicely, especially when intersperced with Nightwing's internal monologue, showing us just how human the character is.
Wolfman has also managed to drop the crappy aspects of Jones' run, choosing to focus on Nightwing himself, rather than an arbitrary supporting cast. Mix this in with great art by Dan Jurgens, who hasn't been getting nearly enough work lately, and it makes for a great read with a "classic" feel to it.
 Spike: Asylum #2
IDW Publishing
Written by Brian Lynch
Art by Franco Urru
Cover by Franco Urru
For the most part, IDW's Angel-universe comics have been very enjoyable. Spike vs Dracula was a really enjoyable read, and in two short issues, Spike: Asylum looks set to top it.
Screenwriter Brian Lynch obviously knows and loves the character, and this is abundantly clear throughout the issue. It has a healthy dose of humour, as well as some great emotional resonance after a particular twist three quarters through the issue.
Franco Urro has a fairly cartoony style, though manages to capture the essence of Spike nicely, as well as manages to have fun with the various demons throughout the asylum. All in all, great stuff!
Infinitely hard
 Infinite Crisis hardcover
DC Comics
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Phil Jimenez, George Perez, Jerry Ordway, Ivan Reis, and Andy Lanning
Cover by Phil Jiminez
DC's sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths was the comic book event of 2005 and 2006. A huge tale of epic proportions, it featured the return of Superman and Lois Lane from Earth 2, Alexander Luthor from Earth 3, and Superboy from Earth Prime; combined the threads from the lead up miniseries' The OMAC Project, Day of Vengeance, The Rann/Thanagar War, and Villains United, and set the stage for DC's weekly year long story 52.
And it was damn good.
DC have collected this miniseries in all it's glory, and added an introduction by Dan DiDio, and a lengthy interview with Geoff Johns, Phil Jiminez and others, which is quite interesting at points. Some changes have been made to the comic, however: some for the better, and others for the worse. But really, the impact of these changes is minimal.
If you haven't read Infinite Crisis, the hardcover's well worth it. If you have read Infinite Crisis, it's still well worth it.
I also read the original:
- Spike vs Dracula is an amusing read, concentrating on Spike's centuries-long rivalry with Dracula. It never takes itself too seriously, and if you're a fan of Spike, you'll enjoy the story.
I didn't get these:
- I missed out on The Boys #3 this week, because the issues were damged on arrival. When I get hold of a copy in the next couple of weeks, I'll let you know.
- Similarly, I missed out on Mystery in Space #2, though that's probably my fault for forgetting to add it to my standing order after the first issue. I should have a copy next week.
Other bits and pieces:
- Detective Comics was a great Penguin story.
- OMAC's getting good, finally.
- The shit really hits the fan in Outsiders, making for a great read.
- X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong improves greatly on #1.
- Fallen Angel continues to be one of the better books on the shelf.
Everything I got this week:
- 52 Week 22
- Agents of ATLAS #3
- The All-New Atom #4
- Beyond! #4
- Detective Comics #824
- Doctor Strange: The Oath #1
- Fallen Angel #9
- Infinite Crisis hardcover
- Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere #9
- Nightwing #125
- OMAC #4
- Outsiders #41
- Spike: Asylum #2
- X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong #2
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posted by Batmite
12:14 AM
 
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