TOP O' THE WEEK
ABSOLUTE MAGIC
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #5 (DC COMICS, $4.99) is by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman.
The other day I was reading the "Summer of Superman" press release and thinking, "This isn't really getting me excited. What would make Superman more interesting to me without fundamentally changing him?" And as I pondered, it occurred to me that each of DC's Trinity had, over time, shed what made them unique — their non-superhero, pulp roots — to become generic superheroes whose worlds were similar enough to be blended. And if the characters returned to their original genres, they might be more exciting to me.
In Superman's case, he launched from the enthusiasm two 1930s teenagers had for "scientifiction." And that's where Superman belongs: science fiction. But sci-fi has changed considerably since the days of Siegel and Shuster, when ubermenschen and gleaming futuristic cities and aliens with ray guns appeared on the covers of Amazing Stories and Argosy. Today's sci-fi is harder edged, more dystopian and with a wider set of philosophical questions. It's still a popular genre, so Superman should catch up to where it is now: Silo, Severance, Fallout, Neuromancer, Alien, Predator, Blade Runner, etc. Every Superman storyline should feature some mind-blowing science fiction concept, and aliens should truly be alien — and dangerous. Superman would be the bright spot in that darker universe, his primary colors standing out against the murky greys, his ideals a contrast to moral equivalencies. People would cling to him like a life raft, and he would certainly be a singular figure of inspiration in the DC Universe. That would hook me.
Continuing the thought experiment, I thought "What would make Batman more interesting without fundamentally changing him?" and again, I thought, take him back to his roots. Make him less a superhero, and more of a mystery/detective character, one who trafficks in horror more than bank robbers, like in the early days when he was fighting Monster Men, Mad Monks and vampires. Not only would he be less "generic superhero" and more "creature of the night," but it would also make Batman much more necessary in Gotham City. Let the GCPD handle Two-Face ... only Batman could track down whatever human or supernatural horror bedevils the city, and know how to deal with it. And The Joker? Stop pretending he's human.
Finishing the Trinity, I asked myself the same question about Wonder Woman, and the answer was, once again, take the character back to her genre roots, which is myth. Fantasy. Magic. And what do you know: That's exactly what Absolute Wonder Woman is already doing.
Took the long way around the block for that one, didn't I?
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM WEEK 3
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #68.DEATHS (MARVEL, $3.99) is by Christos Gage and Mark Buckingham. The "8 Deaths of Spider-Man" continues (but only for two more issues). "With Spider-Man now DEAD, it’s up to the X-Men to win the day and save the universe. But why are they fighting EACH OTHER?!?!" Because, duh, that's what they always do!
FANTASTIC FOUR #29 (MARVEL, $3.99) is by Ryan North and Cory Smith. I have seen the augers, the portents, the omens. Also, the solicitations. Things are not going to go well for the Cosmic Quartet.
I have mixed feelings about that Fantastic Four #51 homage.
IRON MAN #5 (MARVEL $3.99) is by writer Spencer Ackerman and artist Javier Pina. Iron Man and Ironheart investigate disappearances in "Little Latveria," a neighborhood in Chicago. This isn't technically a "One World Under Doom" crossover, but it's a warm-up for next issue, which is.
RED HULK #1 (MARVEL, $4.99) is by Benjamin Percy and Geoff Shaw. This isn't one of my favorite Hulks. Who'm I kidding? I really only like the original, and him only sometimes. (I never warmed up to Joe Fixit.) But Red Hulk is in the new Captain America movie, so this ongoing title seems almost inevitable.
“When I learned about the One World Under Doom event, my mind immediately went to Thunderbolt Ross,” Percy explained. “A global takeover would not be tolerated by a man who bleeds red, white and blue (but especially RED). And his experience — as a soldier in the field, as a military strategist in the war room, as a walking weapon of mass destruction — would make him someone Doom would target well before he made his move.
“So I proposed a story in which Ross would be kidnapped by Doom and forced into a ‘Think Tank’ prison in which he would test out various war-time scenarios. That's where we begin — in a book that does not give you a second to breathe. It moves and moves and moves with constant action and tension. Geoff Shaw is a brilliant and brutal artist who I worked with on the Wolverine/Ghost Rider crossover: Weapons of Vengeance. We planned this not just as an action showpiece, but as a war book. Get ready for a Hulk-sized assault on the senses.”
"Hulk has always been my favorite Marvel character, so to play in this gamma irradiated sand box has been a dream come true,” Shaw added. “Add Doctor Doom to the mix, arguably the Villain-of-all-villains, and artistically it’s an embarrassment of riches. We're going to rock your red socks off!"
In INCREDIBLE HULK #19, we’ll discover Ross has been operating dangerous covert missions across the globe in the name of national security,” says series editor Mark Paniccia. “From this point on, Ben and Geoff bring intrigue and mystery paired with pulse-pounding action and shocking moments never letting their foot off the gas!”
MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST
BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #4 (OF 6, DC COMICS, $4.99) is by writer Tom King and artist Ryan Sook. I'm only two issues into this book, and while I'm enjoying it, I'm not sure what to make of the premise. A prominent Justice Leaguer is on a globally televised event where she's getting the crap beaten out of her, and is completely alone? I don't expect Superman to step in, but shouldn't Green Arrow at least be there for moral support? Maybe we'll find out in the four issues I haven't read yet.
CAPTAIN AMERICA & VOLSTAGG #1 (ONE-SHOT, MARVEL, $4.99) is by J. Michael Straczynski and Bernard Chang. This is the second of six books where Straczynkski was allowed to pick two characters and slam them together for a one-shot. I didn't much care for the first one (Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon), but in this one Volstagg recruits Steve Rogers due to a war in the nine realms. I love when the gods show respect to Cap. Yes, he's routinely depicted as the best of us, which is a high bar. But it means we've got it in us to rise above our natures. I often doubt that these days, so I need this.
HELLO DARKNESS #8 (MR, BOOM, $5.99) features stories by writers Garth Ennis, Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion Iv, Robert Hack and Jordan Thomas, and artists Becky Cloonan, Luana Vecchio, Werther Dell'Edera, Robert Hack and Shaky Kane.
Everybody has fun until someone loses an eye.
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #4 (DC COMICS, $3.99) is by writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora. I've only read the first two issues, which has featured a slew of plotlines. One of them was people finding Parademons gestating on Earth, and evidently it's that plotline that's going to erupt this issue.
STAR WARS: RISE OF SKYWALKER ADAPTATION #1 (OF 5, MARVEL, $4.99) IS by writer Jody Houser and artist Will Sliney. Not the best Star Wars movie, but I feel like Marvel should adapt all the movies, and then collect them. Just on principle.
“There’s a resurgence of interest in these characters, especially Kylo Ren, Darth Vader’s blood heir,” Editor Mark Paniccia shared. “Jody’s script captures the impact of these iconic moments between the film’s heroes and villains, while the art by Will Sliney and dazzling colors by Guru-eFX give a visually unique experience of this epic finale.”
WOMEN OF MARVEL: SHE-DEVILS #1 (MARVEL, $4.99) is by writers Stephanie Phillips, Alison Samson, more. Tells an interconnected story starring Shanna the She-Devil, Elektra, Echo and Wolverine (Laura Kinney). These themed, non-continuity, multi-charactered annuals don't really do anything for me, but maybe they do for you.
GOLDEN AGE OF REPRINTS
DAREDEVIL #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (MARVEL, $4.99): "Remember when we introduced ... Spider-Man?" Yes, but he's not in this book. "A mighty companion magazine to such all-time greats as the Fantastic Four!" Who also don't appear in this book. "Can you guess why Daredevil is different from all other crimefighters?" His costume was designed by a blind guy. "In this issue you will meet ... gorgeous Karen Page!" With the haircut of a 9th grader which, in my book, isn't gorgeous. What a dishonest cover.
FLASH BY GRANT MORRISON AND MARK MILLAR THE DELUXE EDITION HC (DC COMICS, $49.99) collects The Flash #130-141, Green Lantern #96, Green Arrow #130, and a story from The Flash 80-Page Giant #1 and Secret Origins #50. I don't remember this at all, so I must not have been impressed. But it's Grant Morrison! Anyone care to refresh my memory?
JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER — DEAD IN AMERICA HC (MR, DC COMICS, $39.99): It's Constantine. It's Black Label. My money is aching to be spent.
MMW: THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL 18 HC (MARVEL, $75.00) takes us through Iron Man #192 (with bits from Marvel Team-Up and Jack of Hearts).
POWER GIRL VOL 2: MORE THAN A CRUSH (2023, $19.99): I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Power Girl isn't going to succeed unless they fully integrate her into the DC Universe. Naughty covers aren't going to do it. Changing her first name isn't going to do it. And a guest appearance by Lobo's obscure lesbian daughter isn't going to do it. Now a continuity-significant team-up with Batman? A defining storyline with Supergirl? A romp with Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy? Joining the Birds of Prey? Those things might do it.
MORE COMICS
ALLEY OOP AND MAGIC STAFF COMPLETE SUNDAYS 1997-1999 GN (MANUSCRIPT PRESS, $34.99): Comic strip collector alert!
ALLEY OOP AND THE NEANDERTHALS GN (MANUSCRIPT PRESS, $19.99): Comic strip collector alert!
BADGER MAD MONKEY SHOCK N ROLL #2 (OF 5, 1FIRST COMICS, $6.99): Badger alert!
FAREWELL, MY ODIN VOL. 1 TP (TITAN, 208 PAGES, B&W, $12.99) is by Chihiro Yoshioka. This is pretty good, but I still put it down halfway. It's the story of a wolf-boy who is taken in by a kindly priest in 11th century England, who names him Luke. But Vikings kill the priest, so Luke becomes the vengeance-crazed Odin the War-Wolf. I put it down at that point, as I felt like I'd read this story before, and I have trouble following manga action tropes sometimes. But true manga enthusiasts would probably love it.
FERAL STAR #1 (OF 4, COSMIC LION PRODUCTIONS, $8.00) is by John Burkett. Anthropomorphic animals on a space station.
FIGHT GIRLS DIRECTOR’S CUT EDITION TP (MR, AWA, $17.99): I have always believed that this book was nothing but an excuse for Frank Cho to draw women with big butts. If you have a different theory, I will entertain it. But probably not for long.
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #314 (IMAGE, $3.99) is by Larry Hama (Wolverine) and Andrew Krahnke (Bloodrik). Roadblock, Shipwreck, Tunnel Rat, and Tripwire in spaaaaace!
“Amidst his 300+ issue saga, Larry Hama has written a fantastic single issue G.I. JOE story that makes for a great jumping-on point for new readers and lapsed fans,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “And within these pages, the astounding Andrew Krahnke makes his G.I. Joe debut! Welcome to the team, Andrew!”
GODZILLA VS. AMERICA: CHICAGO #1 (IDW, $7.99) is a new anthology series taking Godzillal to new American cities to stomp. This issue features four stories set in the Windy City by Tim Seeley (The Local Man, Grayson), Mike Costa (God is Dead) and Ryan Browne (Eight Billion Genies, Curse Words), Caroline Cash (PeePee PooPoo Comics) and Ezra Clayton Daniels (Upgrade Soul, BTTM FDRS). As you'd expect, the creators include a lot of Chicago-specific elements, like the El and Logan Square.
It's an anthology, so the average reader will like some stories, and not like others. I didn't care for the art on the last two strories, but enjoyed the experience overall.
JOHN CARPENTER’S TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION: PAUSE #1 (OF 6, MR, STORM KING PRODUCTIONS INC, $4.99) is by writer Matthew K. Manning and artist Conor Boyle. A Twilight Zone-y story about freezing time.
I always wonder what, if anything, John Carpenter has to do with the comics with his name on them.
JUMPSCARE #1 (DARK HORSE, $3.99) is a new superhero by mostly horror writer Cullen Bunn, but with a twist; Jumpscare is a horror-movie fan, who uses those movies as a motif for her adventures. It's all of a piece, since her foes are the remnants of Elder God attack on her city. She can slice and dice them to her heart's content, because they're just Lovecraftian monsters. The art is harsher than I care for, but it's abslutely suited to the story. I'm interested to see where this is going.
“Hands down, Jumpscare is some of the most fun I've ever had writing a comic,” said Bunn. “I absolutely love this character. She's everything I love about horror movies, everything I love about superheroes, everything I love about comics, all rolled into one character. If you're a horror fan, get ready to meet your new favorite superhero.”
"Jumpscare was just an absolute mayhem fueled blast to draw. I can't wait for people to see her in all her horror fueled glory,” added Luckert.
LIFE DRAWING: A LOVE AND ROCKETS STORY HC (FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS, $24.99) is a graphic novel from Jaime Hernandez, using some of his Love and Rockets characters. A young Latine, Tonto, daughter of a character whose name I've forgotten, goes to community college, where she gets a crush on art teacher Ray (that Ray), who is married to Maggie (that Maggie) that Tonto doesn't like. Hi-jinks ensue, I guess? Here's a PREVIEW. Jaime was always my favorite Hernandez brother art-wise, but I think Gilbert is the better writer.
NINE LIVES OF SALEM #1 (ONE-SHOT, ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, $4.99) is by writer Cullen Bunn and artists Dan Schening and Ben Galvan.
I know what you're thinking. "Do I really want to read about a cartoon cat from Archie Comics?" Well, you kinda do. This is by Cullen Bunn, who knows a thing or two about horror comics. And Salem isn't just a cartoon cat -- he used to be a warlock, who enslaved some demons back when he was human. And they're back, with revenge on their minds.
OK, yes, it's still a story about a cartoon cat. But a dangerous one.
NIGHTS #13 (IMAGE, MR, $3.99) is by writer Wyatt Kennedy and artist Luigi Formisano. I haven't been reading Nights, set in a world where supernatural creatures live casually among us, but I intend to at some point. The press release says this is the beginning of Season Two (well, it has been optioned for TV) and "the perfect jumping-on point." But when I jump on, it will be at the beginning.
"The plan with Nights has always been to explore different storytelling styles, genres and tone from season to season, and whereas Season One had a breezy, episodic structure, Season Two will be a hard serialized drama,” said Kennedy. “The stakes are higher — we're going darker, gorier, rougher and most importantly, we're leaving behind the setting of Season One, Santo Pedro. It's not abandoning the heart and humor that's integral to the series, but this is certainly the darkest chapter of the story thus far."
Continued Kennedy: “We're going to dive into the consequences of Season One’s bloodbath and examine the new status quo for our returning cast. I'm excited to properly introduce new characters like the demon conquistador Eda, and Gray's ex-fiancé, the Witch Erik. At the core though, this is still Vince's story about the dysfunctional found family he's been adopted into, and his romance with Gray. And through his lens, we'll see how secrets can tear even the closest of bonds apart."
"Everything’s changing in Season Two, and I'm not pulling any punches,” said Formisano. “Visually, expect Nights to push boundaries even further. I’m definitely taking a lot of my inspiration from horror directors like Cronenberg, Bava, Fulci, del Toro, and of course mangaka like Junji Ito and Yukinobu Tatsu. Season Two’s concept art and character design will reveal new facets of our lovely characters, uncovering their true natures in ways that might surprise, and even shock, readers. Let’s not fool ourselves, Wyatt and I are two weirdos. Nights is a weird book. As a result, I want to challenge the readers with a rougher style and a frenetic pacing they won’t find anywhere else. Buckle up, Season Two is about to be wild."
POP KILL #1 (OF 4, MR, MAD CAVE, $6.99) is by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Dave Johnson and artist Juan Santacruz. "Imagine a world where the two dominant and competing cola companies, each worth billions, are owned by former Siamese twins who are now separated and have grown to hate each other so much they hire assassins, saboteurs and espionage personnel to meddle with each other on a daily basis."
That is not a world I would have ever imagined. And now I don't have to, because these guys have done it for me. (Also, you have to say "conjoined twins" now.)
PULPHOPE2: THE ART OF PAUL POPE HC (MR, DARK HORSE, $59.99): Paul Pope is lionized by the comics industry, but I just don't see it. For one thing, all his men look like Mick Jagger in the '70s. I like Mick Jagger, but that kind of hair and clothes went out of style 40 years ago. And most men aren't that skinny any more.
Also, whenever anyone says "Pope" I pronounce it in my head like Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau, which makes it hard to take seriously.
RADIANT BLACK #31 (IMAGE, $3.99) is by writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, and artist Eduardo Ferigato. The press release describes this as the beginning of a "Rebuild" era, and a "perfect jumping-on point." I haven't been reading Radiant Black, nor do I intend to, but I thought you ought to know.
“We’re officially entering a new era for Radiant Black and The Massive-Verse and I can’t wait for readers to see where we’re taking this universe next. We pride ourselves on making all of our books as accessible as possible and starting with Radiant Black #31 next month, we’re officially entering our 'Rebuild' era—we’re back, we’re on time and we’re committed to continuing to push the boundaries on what a superhero comic book, and universe, can be. Join us tonight as we take you inside what we hope will be the Massive-Verse’s most exciting chapter yet!”
ROGUE THE SAVAGE LAND #2 (OF 5, MARVEL, $3.99): If you were just judging by the covers, you might think this is a Zenescope book.
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #7 (MR, TITAN, $6.99): For some reason, I have no preview.
STAR TREK: SECTION 31 #1 (ONE-SHOT, IDW, $5.99) is by writer Alyssa Wong (Spirit World, Doctor Aphra) and artist Megan Levens (Star Trek). A one-shot that tells of Georgiou's training to become emperor of the Terran Empire. I wanted something that would get me excited about Section 31 again after the recent generic heist movie left a bad taste in my mouth. This didn't quite do it. It's a decent story, but pretty much what you'd expect. The art is fairly generic. For Star Trek (and Michelle Yeoh) fans only.
TOXIC AVENGER #5 (OF 5, AHOY COMICS, $3.99): Ahoy Comics alert!
Here's the trading card:
WORLD WITHIN THE WORLD: COLL MINICOMIX & SHORT WORKS HC (MR, FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS, $39.99) is by Julia Gfrörer. I guess Fantagraphics is never going to run out of artists I've never heard of. It makes me feel small. Anyway, here's a PREVIEW.
X-MEN #12 (MARVEL, $4.99): Alpha Flight guest-stars.
Replies
If you haven't read Batman: Dark Age, make sure you also read Superman: Space Age.
Trade paperback coming March 5.
BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #4... I'm only two issues into this book, and while I'm enjoying it, I'm not sure what to make of the premise. A prominent Justice Leaguer is on a globally televised event where she's getting the crap beaten out of her, and is completely alone? I don't expect Superman to step in, but shouldn't Green Arrow at least be there for moral support? Maybe we'll find out in the four issues I haven't read yet.
You'll find out in this very issue. (That's Ollie, in flashback, on the cover.) This issue also provides something of an "EYKIW" regarding their relationship.
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