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Saturday, December 09, 2006
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Best of the week: Comics bought 8 December
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So much for this post being late. With tomorrow being a long day, I wasn't expecting to get through my comics quickly. That said, I decided today would be ultra quiet, and took a decent chunk of time out for some reading.
Not too bad, considering that - yet again - they made it here a day late. With Christmas so close, I'd expect this to be the norm for the time being.
I got a ton more comics than last week, and on a whole, the comics were far better than they have been over the past couple of weeks.
Previous weeks:
Cover of the week:
 Spider-Man: Reign #1 (black costume), by Kaare Andrews
Quote of the week:
"He's been poisoned with a rather heinous nerve toxin, one that Metamorpho couldn't hope to purge from his system if he tried. And within the hour it will begin to, well, how do I put this delicately... melt his brain like ice cream on hot asphalt"
- Dr Sivana, describing the effects of the poison he dosed Nightwing up on, Outsiders #43
Best of the week:
 Detective Comics #826
DC Comics
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer and Wayne Faucher
Cover by Simone Bianchi
This is Paul Dini's greatest issue of Detective Comics yet. And ironically, for a series where the focus is Batman detective stories, it features a minimal amount of Batman, and no detective angle whatsoever. Instead, readers are treated to Robin and the Joker in a Christmas tale. Of sorts.
It's Christmas time in Gotham, and the Joker manages to take Robin hostage. The Joker, full of Christmas spirit, takes Robin for a joyride, where the helpless Boy Wonder is forced to watch a killing spree.
This is one of the great Joker stories. Dark, twisted and scary, but with a sense of humour that has you shaking your head that you actually laughed at that. Paul Dini proved on Batman: The Animated Series time and again that he "gets" the Joker, and he's done it again - this time without having to worry about the censorship inherent in the cartoon.
  Justice Society of America #1
DC Comics
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Art Thibert
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant Cover by Dale Eaglesham
Geoff Johns has been talking up his relaunch of Justice Society of America in a big way. From my perspective, he hasn't needed to, because when he was on the title, it was amazing (much as Paul Levitz's issues sucked big time). Johns has mentioned a few times that his intention is to make this the best comic on the shelves.
And from the look of the first issue, it may actually get there. From early in the issue with the Flash, Green Lantern and Wildcat discussing who to recruit, to the returning members, characters who have floated around the DCU, to all new characters, Johns has them all down pat. The new Starman is hilarious, as is Maxine Hunkel, who is yet to decide on a codename.
Dale Eaglesham's art is great, and suits the mood and tone beautifully, while successfully working with the large number of characters. This title has already eclipsed it's excellent sister book, Justice League of America. A great read.
 Outsiders #43
DC Comics
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Ron Randall and Art Thibert
Cover by Matthew Clarke
It's all about Dr Sivana, baby (and not so much Art Thibert, who inked two of the best books of the week). Not only does he provide the issue with a healthy dose of humour, he makes some revelations harkening back to the very beginning of the series. While the book is generally an excellent read, Sivana provides the issue with an extra dose of fun that elevates it to the best it has been in a long while.
Judd Winick knows how to handle his characters. Sivana, along with the Outsiders, are all so clearly defined, that the final issue of the current arc consisting of mainly dialogue, is a brilliant read.
The art does it's job nicely, but the strength of the issue really lies with Winick's writing. An excellent read.
 Spider-Man: Reign #1
Marvel Comics / Marvel Knights
Written by Kaare Andrews
Art by Kaare Andrews
Covers by Kaare Andrews
The "Black" cover can be seen above
I'm sorry to say that up until now, I wasn't familiar with Kaare Andrews' work. That said, after this issue, I will be keeping my eye out for any other work by him. He manages to write, draw and colour the entire issue, all to beautiful effect.
This issue is the first of the "new" Marvel Knights imprint, refocused to tell miniseries that sit outside of mainstream Marvel continuity. It tells the story of an elderly Peter Parker in a dystopian future, where New York is for all intents and purposes, a police state.
Thematically, this is similar to V For Vendetta, however in many ways, it looks set to be Spider-Man's equivalent of The Dark Knight Returns, bringing Spidey out of retirement to right wrongs. The script has gravitas, and the art is amazing. I'm not generally a fan of photorealistic backgrounds in comics, but Andrews has integrated these seamlessly, heightening the tone shown in the art. Highly recommended.
I read the original:
- Runaways Volume 2 Hardcover collects the first twelve issues of the second Runaways series, along with the Free Comic Book Day X-Men/Runaways special. For the most part, it's all a great read, though the Free Comic Book Day issue really sells the comic short. That aside, it's well worth it.
I didn't read the original:
 Sachs & Violens Trade Paperback
DC Comics
Originally published by Marvel Comics / EPIC
Written by Peter David
Art by George Perez
Cover by George Perez
While I'm not a fan of all of Peter David's work, I am a huge fan of artist George Perez. And I've enjoyed Sachs' and Violens' appearances in Fallen Angel.
This trade paperback collects the original miniseries from 1993, where writer Peter David uses these characters to examine the differences between sex and violence, which are so often grouped together, while being nothing alike.
That said, the story itself isn't high art. It's exploitative. It features a softcore "adult" model (Sachs) and photographer (Violens) in an adventure taking them through the seedy world of snuff movies, and beyond. It's a fun read, albeit nothing groundbreaking. Just fun.
Cancellation:
- Desolation Jones got the axe this week. I'm a huge fan of Warren Ellis, and loved the first arc, but Danijel Zezelj's art on this arc is shocking. I really can't stomach it, and it's virtually impossible to distinguish the characters from one another.
Other bits and pieces:
- Batman Confidential was fun, but not as fun as Superman Confidential
- Mystery in Space continues to be very cool
- Welcome to Tranquility was an excellent start to the series
- Beyond! wrapped up nicely, and builds towards something bid for D-list hero Gravity
- Newuniversal was a great reintroduction to the "New Universe", and promises to be a great series
- Angel: Auld Lang Syne plays off the first issue nicely
Everything I got this week:
- 52 Week 31
- Angel: Auld Lang Syne #2
- Batman Confidential #1
- Beyond! #6
- Detective Comics #826
- Doctor Strange: The Oath #3
- Justice Society of America #1
- Mystery in Space #4
- Newuniversal #1
- Nightwing #127
- Outsiders #43
- Sachs & Violens Trade Paperback
- Spider-Man: Reign #1
- Supergirl #12
- Superman Confidential #2
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #29
- Welcome to Tranquility #1
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posted by Batmite
10:09 PM
 
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