TOP PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
AVENGERS #23 ($3.99) guest stars the Black Cat.
MARVEL AGE TREASURY EDITION TP ($34.99) Collecting Marvel Age (2023) #1000 and Amazing Fantasy (2022) #1000. I'm not sure I've read both of these. Or maybe even either of them. I remember reading Marvvel Comics #1000, which retconned the Masked Raider as an important player. In these two: "J. Michael Straczynski and Kaare Andrews create the Marvel Universe in a backyard! Dan Slott and Michael Allred depict a crucial turning point for Captain Marvel! Rainbow Rowell and Shuma-Goraths! explore the blossoming relationship between Cyclops and Jean Grey! The original Human Torch finds his purpose thanks to Mark Waid and Alessandro Cappuccio! The Silver Surfer confronts Mephisto under the guidance of Steve McNiven! Plus: In special commemoration of Spider-Man, all-star creators including Jonathan Hickman, Kurt Busiek, Neil Gaiman, Jim Cheung, Olivier Coipel and Terry Dodson join the fun with new tales of AMAZING FANTASY!"
That doesn't sound familiar at all. Has anyone else read these books? I may watch for this at my LCS.
PHOENIX #8 ($3.99) has the first variant cover of six variants by R.B. Silva that connect to form an image of the original X-Men. Look for the rest of the connecting-cover variants on X-Men #11 (Feb. 12), Exceptional X-Men #6 (Feb. 19), Uncanny X-Men #10 (Feb. 19), X-Factor #7 (Feb. 19) and X-Men #12 (Feb. 26).
POWER MAN: TIMELESS #1 ($4.99) is by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and Bernard Chang. The over-powered Luke Cage from Timeless arrives in the present, where it doesn't seem like there could be much to challenge him. I'm sure the writers will whip something up for him, though. And wht does present-day Luke think about this?
SCARLET WITCH #9 ($3.99) also guest stars the Black Cat. Man, she gets around!
STAR WARS: LEGACY OF VADER #1 ($4.99) is by Charles Soule and Luke Ross. If you're a Star Wars comics fan, you've probably noticed that Marvel has essentially canceled its Star Wars line and is in the process of starting over. This series is set after Star Wars: The Last Jedi and follows Kylo Ren as he explores Darth Vader's life, because he's kind-of obsessed. And we kind-of know where it leads, too: HE KILLS HAN SOLO! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM! AND I'LL NEVER FORGIVE REY FOR KISSING HIM! I HATE HIM WITH THE FURY OF A THOUSAND, THOUSAND SUNS! I HATE HIS BIG NOSE AND HIS SHAGGY HAIR AND HIS STUPID LIGHT SABER THAT WOULD CUT OFF HIS FINGERS IF HE REALLY USED IT! DIE DIE DIE KYLO REN DIIIIIIIIIE!
Whew. Had to get that out of my system.
"When fans talk to me about my Star Wars work, two of my Marvel comic runs come up more than almost anything else: my 2017 run on Darth Vader with Giuseppe Camuncoli and my 2019 series The Rise of Kylo Ren with Will Sliney,” Soule told StarWars.com. “I think both of those worked so well in part because they were set in parts of the Star Wars timeline full of unanswered questions about characters the audience really loves. This new series is not just a combination of those two books, but also a chance to explore an extremely rich section of the timeline that's almost entirely open: Kylo Ren's time as Supreme Leader of the First Order between Episode VIII and Episode IX. It's one of the coolest series I've ever worked on, and I am very thrilled that I get to keep following my own path through the Star Wars galaxy with an amazing book like this."
“Charles has wanted to tell these stories for a while and we finally have the perfect opportunity,” Editor Mark Paniccia said. “You’ll be shocked at the revelations he has in store … things you never thought you’d see from Kylo’s AND Vader’s past. And Luke Ross has taken his visual storytelling to a new level. The page designs are incredible and flow hand-in-hand with Kylo’s dark and tortured story."
DC COMICS
If you missed "Absolute Power" and want to catch up, DC offers ABSOLUTE POWER HC ($29.99), ABSOLUTE POWER: ORIGINS TP ($17.99) and ABSOLUTE POWER: TASK FORCE VII TP ($19.99). Those are the three central miniseries, but they won't include the tie-ins in books like Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman. I suppose the inevitable omnibus will.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #4 ($4.99): Introducing the Absolute Omega Men, who have to be more interesting than the original recipe.
BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN #1 FACSIMILE EDITION ($4.99): Just what it says it is.
DC FINEST: TEEN TITANS — THE JUDAS CONTRACT TP ($39.99) collects The New Teen Titans #33-40, The New Teen Titans Annual #2, Tales of the Teen Titans #41-47, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3, The Vigilante #3, Batman and the Outsiders #5, Action Comics #546 and World's Finest Comics #300. This is a pretty famous story, so if you haven't read it, you probably should. But if you decide to review or start a thread, here's a topic I'd like addressed: Why is no one talking about Deathstroke being a rapist? It was clear (to me, anyway) from the stories collected here that part of Slade's control over Tara was sexual, and since she's underage, and he's probably in his 40s, that makes him a rapist. I'm sure that Wolfman and Perez included that bit to be edgy, and I get that. But why was it treated like "normal" controlling behavior, and not rape? As best as I can remember, that was never addressed in-story, or in later stories. Heck, Deathstroke even got his own series for a while. Which I didn't buy, because I find child rapists pretty loathsome. Or am I misremembering? I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject.
JSA #4 ($4.99) is by Jeff Lemire and Diego Olortegui.
I skipped the post-Rebirth re-introduction of the JSA, and regret it. So I've started reading this series, despite some negative reviews on this board (which I respect). But since I'm a little behind on my JSA lore, I'ver got questions!
- The Demons Three and Wotan refer to Hawkman as "Thanagarian," even though he's Carter Hall. They also say this is his final life. What th-?! Where did all this happen?
- The book establishes that Stargirl is at college, but where are all the other sidekicks and legacy characters that appeared in Stargirl and the Lost Children #1-6? Who else is missing from the other books I didn't read, which include Stargirl Spring Break Special, New Golden Age Special, Justice Society of America (2022) #1-12, Wesley Dodds: Sandman #1-6, Jay Garrick: The Flash #1-6 and Alan Scott: Green Lantern #1-6?
- Since I didn't read those books, I don't know what this Red Lantern can do or how she knows Alan Scott, Jade and Obsidian, although I can guess she's the daughter of the Red Lantern that appeared in Alan Scott: Green Lantern.
I was able to ID the new Injustice Society, mostly. There's Scandal Savage, Gentleman Ghost, Johnny Sorrow, Red Lantern II, Shadow Thief, Solomon Grundy and Wotan. I thought one of them was called Lady Kobra, but the internet tells me she's called Lady Eve. One I didn't know was addressed as Doctor Elemental, which I assume is related to the Flash villain. There was one I didn't know at all, which the internet says is named Fog. There are two Fogs in DC history, one a member of the Brotherhood of Dada in Doom Patrol, and the other who appeared in Roy Thomas' All-Star Squadron. I'm guessing it's the latter (although he had a partner named Night who doesn't appear to be in evidence).
I'm excited to see the return of Kid Eternity, although he seems to have suffered a gender switch. Perhaps she's the daughter of the original? Or a sidekick? Did that happen in Stargirl and the Lost Children?
I was wondering why this story is called "Ragnarok," and then up pops Surtr (although he's chained up). So Norse legend is going to be involved, which is nothing new to the JSA, which fought Valkyries in limbo for years.
It's not as bad as I expected, given the local reviews. But I am a big JSA fan, and I like the art, so there's two reasons I might like it more than others. (One exception: The way Olortegui depicts Wildcat's mask makes him look a little too cute. His widdle kittycat cheeks don't need to be that big.)
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT #2 (OF 6, $3.99): This book seems pretty important to the All In status quo, so I'm ordering it from Westfield. Sadly for any comments this week, the first issue hasn't arrived yet.
POISON IVY #30 ($3.99) is a flip book, with Poison Ivy's adventures in The Grey on one side, and Janet's adventures in The Green on the other. I've not been following this book, but I'm almost tempted to just for the Jenny Frison variant covers. That girl is good. Anyway, I don't know why Pamela and Harley aren't an item any more, or if Pamela and Janet are. That seems like an important thing to know in order to enjoy this series. Although if the April solicitations are to be believed, Janet may have a bad secret, which could herald her ouster.
SHAZAM #20 ($3.99): Jon Kent guest stars. DC tends to call him "Super Son" these days in to distinguish him from his dad.
DARK HORSE
FRANKENSTEIN: THE NEW WORLD— SEA OF FOREVER #1 (OF 4, $3.99) is by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Thomas Sniegoski and Peter Bergting, and if that isn't enough to get you interested, I don't know what else to say. I'll try anyway, of course.
The Hellboy Saga ended with "Ragna Rok," the end of civilization and most life on Earth. Frankenstein (now known as the timeless oracle) and some elements of humanity survived by retreating underground, while Hellboy's blood re-seeded surface. In Frankenstein: New World, a girl named Lilja had visions of a new darkness arising on the surface, so she and Frankenstein (who had slept for 1,000 years) emerged to see what there was to see. Sea of Forever continues the exploration of this brave new world (with such strange creatures in it) ... and the darkness is revealed. It's called "The Murk," but it was once called something else, another species that survived underground. It was called ...
Nope. Won't spoil it.
Now are you hooked? I'll toss in that Bergling's work remains clean and attractive, and his storytelling brisk and engaging. The dialogue is also simple and clean, bordering on the poetic.
“I am ridiculously excited about this series! Hellboy’s world may be over, but its echoes ripple through the New World, as you’ll discover in The Sea of Forever,” Sniegoski said. Golden added, “There’s room for so many unique stories in this series. At the same time, Frankenstein and Lilja’s journey has a destination, and we can’t wait to bring you there!"
"When Chris, Mike, Peter and I finished up Frankenstein: New World, we knew that we had lots of story still to tell ... and thankfully, Dark Horse agreed,” says co-writer Thomas E. Sniegoski. “With Frankenstein: New World — The Sea of Forever, we've gotten the opportunity to delve even deeper into this evolving, post-apocalyptic world full of beauty, wonder and a gradually growing evil on the verge of infecting this new, pristine world. I can't wait for folks to see this next chapter in the Frankenstein: New World saga!"
IDW PUBLISHING
EXORCISM AT 1600 PENN #3 (MR, $4.99) is by (W) Hannah Rose May (A) Vanesa Del Rey.
The first issue of this book came out in October, the second in December and the third in the first week of February. I don't know if the creators are slow, the financial problems at IDW have interfered with production, of if the book is simply bi-monthly (the indicia doesn't say). The result is that to read this issue, I perforce re-read the first two. That presents another triad of possibilities: I don't know if this is a consequence of reading too much every month to retain it all, or if I'm simply not that into the book, or I am simply getting old and forgetful.
Although I am actually into the story. I have a keen interest in stories that suggest a supernatural situation to modern people. As someone who doesn't believe in the supernatural in the slightest, I'm curious to see how skeptical, post-Elightenment people fare when presented with that as a reality. When do they ditch science, logic and rationality and latch on to the supernatural as the cause of their ills? Does it take physical evidence? Were they always ready to ditch science when their interests lead elsewhere? Or do they not really believe it, but pursue supernatural solutions (like exorcisms) as a what-have-we-got-to-lose last resort?
We're hitting that point now with this book, with only one issue to go, and we'll likely see these rational people embrace fringe theology right about now. (Or there's not much of a story.) But that's not my only interest; the writing is really good on this book, and I've come to like the characters. The governmental aspects — the protagonist is president — are presented convincingly and crisply, even though it's a given the author has never been in the Oval Office during an emergency.
I wish I could say the same for the art, which is so rough that at times I have to stare for a while to figure out what's going on. Part of that is no doubt due to my aging vision, but I don't think I'd care for it in my prime.
BOOM! STUDIOS
BRONZE FACES #1 (OF 6, $4.99) is described as a heist book that is also "an exhilarating adventure and a breathtaking descent into mythology, history, and the horrors of colonialism." Here's a PREVIEW.
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
THE GREEN HORNET/MISS FURY #2 (DYNAMITE, $4.99) is by Alex Segura and Federico Sorressa.
I was a little confused by the first issue, but this second one has abandoned the non-linear storytelling and I'm making sense of it now. And, as expected, Segura's character work is terrific. Hornet and Fury are very different crimefighters, and that is strongly established. But Segura has added a layer to both of their backstories, in that both were trained by the same guy, named the Shrike. And someone is killing everyone trained by the Shrike, which includes some redshirt superheroes we've never heard of before. (And since they're dead, we're not likely to hear about them again, except in flashback.)
In addition to adding characterization to both Hornet and Fury, Segura is also establishing real danger for these two. (And Kato, who is on some mission of his own.) It's not all the dead masks, but both issues end on a cliffhanger, but more than that, at least two of our trio are badly injured. It's not going well for our heroes, but it's only issue #2. I'll be here for the rest!
SAVAGE TALES WINTER SPECIAL 2025 #1 (DYNAMITE, 40 PAGES, $5.99) is by writer David Avallone and artists Eman Casallos, Mariano Benitez-Chapo and Hamish Munro-Cook.
This may be confusing, but Titan has the rights to Savage Sword of Conan, while Dynamite has the rights to Savage Tales. The titles, of course, not the contents. As discussed in an earlier iteration of Comics Guide, Savage Tales began life at Marvel with Robert E. Howard properties like Conan, Kull and Solomon Kane. (The cover of this issue is an homage to the cover of Savage Tales #1, where Conan was holding the head of some opponent he'd beheaded.) However, four issues in, Marvel launched sister title Savage Sword of Conan, scooping up the main REH characters, so Savage Tales became a Ka-Zar vehicle with issue #5. Anyway, one can be forgiven for picking up something called Savage Tales and expecting Conan.
Who isn't in this issue, because Titan has the REH estate franchise. But Dynamite has other significant properties to populate this issue:
"His War Chapter Three," by David Avallone and Hamish Munro-Cook, stars Gullivar Jones, who is an American military man transported magically to Mars, where he fights local warlords and falls in love with a princess. This all happens in Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation, which was written by Edwin Lester Arnold. If that sounds an awful lot like A Princess of Mars, I'll just note that Jones came out in 1905, and Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous work came out seven years later, so you can draw your own conclusions. Also, Jones and Carter both appeared in Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. II. Another source of familiarity: Marvel adapted Jones in Creatures on the Loose #16-21, and Monsters Unleashed #4 and #8.
Less well-known — and I didn't know it until I looked it up — is that Dynamite has combined these two Martian stories, with Jones coming to Mars a generation or so before John Carter, when it was lush and covered mostly with forest. In this story, he arrives somewhat later, to find a Mars more in line with Carter's experience. We don't know why yet, because the story's continued. But he does meet his beloved Heru and her people, who are much changed, along with the planet. She blames him for the changes on Mars, so we'll have to see if that's so (at least in Dynamite continuity).
Next is a self-contained story by Avallone and Eman Casallos, "Mutiny on Mars." It's exactly what the title says it is, which John Carter and Dejah Thoris meet and defeat. The ending says the duo will return, presumably to find out the mastermind behind the mutiny. An amusing bit of fluff, where the self-confident Carter and Thoris never seem in any real danger.
Next is "The Real Thing," a Vampirella story by Avallone and Mariano Benitez-Chapo, in which a TV host (or an influencer, hard to tell these days) does the Vampira/Elvira schtick and explores (and fakes) "haunted" places, like the graveyard in this story, on camera. Unfortunately for her, she finds some real vampires. Fortunately for her, Vampirella is on the case. This is also self-contained, and gives this lapsed Vampirella reader a heads up on her latest status quo.
Lastly, "Seeing Red" is reprinted from Red Sona: Black, White and Red, which is, appropriately, rendered in black, white and red. It's by Kurt Busiek, so it's probably the best-written story in the book. The art here, by Benjamin Dewey, is adequate when it's not above average, which is true through the book as a whole.
MORE COMICS
ARCHIE’S VALENTINE’S DAY SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT, ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, $3.99) has a new story by Jamie L Rotante and Holly G. It's basically an overview of Riverdale's romantic scene by the invisible cartoon characters Hearts, Flowers and Candy. Not the best, but harmless. Some of the reprints are nice, though, including one by Dan DeCarlo.
Here's a complete story. It's not a great one, because it stars Moose, who simply isn't that interesting a character.
BLOCK'D TP (MAD CAVE-MAVERICK, $4.99) is about werewolves of high school. Ah-hoo! Werewolves of high school! You better stay away from him. He'll rip your lungs out, Jim! Ha! I'd like to meet his tailor.
CRUEL KINGDOM #2 (OF 6, ONI PRESS INC., $4.99): Creators this issue include writers Cameron Chittock (Mapmakers, TMNT), Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine) and Steve Niles (Thirty Days of Night), and artists PJ Holden (2000 AD), David Lapham (Stray Bullets) and Andrea Mutti (Rebels). No doubt Jeff of Earth-J will post something about it, and I will answer when I've read it.
GIVE ME LIBERTY: A REVISED HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TP (FANTAGRAPHICS, MR, $20.00) reprints a cartoon history of the U.S. serialized in alternative weekly newspapers in 1975-76 by Gilbert Shelton (ZAP Comix, The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) and Ted Richards (Air Pirates, The Forty Year Old Hippie). It's the war, genocide and social unrest you know, only with laffs. Here's a PREVIEW.
LAND OF MIRRORS GN (DRAWN & QUARTERLY, $29.95) is by Maria Medem.
"Antonia is the sole inhabitant of a deserted town, with only a roaming pack of dogs and her own worn out memories to keep her company. Nothing is new in this world, the ponds are so still they are dead, and her recollections feel more vivid than her surroundings. At times, the isolation is unbearable. Until she meets her flower. Her flower gives her purpose: a reason to get up each morning, to ring the bells of the town, to wake up the fields, and to feel alive. And yet a relentless thought eats away at her-what will happen once her flower dies? Her quest to save the flower begins alongside a charming traveler from the land of mirrors. The pair embark on a journey filled with music, swimming holes, and folk tales whispered late into the starry night. They march through the fields to the beat of turtledove calls, occasionally stopping to get drunk off the fruits of the strawberry tree. Slowly Antonia opens up to the world beyond her town, to the people who inhabit it-and to the endless possibilities of community and friendship."
I can't tell without having read it, but I suspect this is a metapor for some mental illness or other. Here's a PREVIEW.
THE PHANTOM COMPLETE DAILIES VOL 33 1988-1989 HC (HERMES PRESS, $60.00): Comic strip collector alert! I'm collecting this series!
PRINCE VALIANT VOL 29 1993-1994 HC (FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS, $39.99): Comic strip collector alert! I'm collecting this one, too!
RETIREMENT PARTY GN (MR, FLOATING WORLD COMICS, $15.00) is by Teffy Goldenberg (City Crime Comics). Goldenberg is an Isreali artist who draws in a faux Golden Age style, which doesn't do a lot for me, because most Golden Age art was terrible. But don't let me influence you!
ROBOT TOD #1 (FLOATING WORLD COMICS, $4.99) is by Farel Dalrymple (Pop Gun War, The Wrenchies). is trying to find his memories in a post-apocalyptic world, aided by strange companions. Shrug. But the watercolor art is nice, as you can see from this Bleeding Cool PREVIEW.
SNOWCAT PRINCE HC (ONI PRESS, $19.99) is by Dina Norlund, a Norwegian author. "To break the curse on the kingdom, Syv, the youngest snowcat prince sets out on a dangerous quest to find the long-lost magical crown of his ancestor and learn the true meaning of bravery and honor." That's kinda standard kiddie fantasy, but hey, it's Norwegian! I've never seen Norwegian comics!
A TREASURY OF XXth CENTURY MURDER COMPENDIUM VOL 2 TP (NBM, 320 PAGES, B&W, $24.99) is by Rick Geary. If you haven't read any of Geary's treasuries of murder, there's no time like the present to start. Not only does Geary do deep dives into research, and withhold opinion entirely, but his B&W, faux-woodcut style brings a sense of timelessness to these murders, which were never solved. See if you can figure out Sacco and Vanzetti, the Black Dahlia, "Lovers Lane" and "Famous Players." Here's a PREVIEW.
MARVEL PREMIER COLLECTION
This line appears to be distributed entirely by Penguin Random House, and not by Diamond at all. That means it probably wasn't in Preview magazine, wasn't in my Westfield catalog, and may not be in some comic shops. It's only thanks to a press release that I know about it at all. I'm not sure how I can keep track of it over time, but I'll learn.
The books are 6x9, and may be a reaction to DC's "DC Finest" or "Compact Comics" lines, which were themselves a reaction to Marvel's Epic Collection line. And round and round it goes. The first four books are:
- Daredevil: Born Again (Feb. 4, with the TV adaptation beginning March 4)
- Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (Feb. 4, with the Eyes of Wakanda series premiering Aug. 6)
- Captain America: Winter Soldier (April 1, already adapted into a movie)
- Fantastic Four: Solve Everything (June 17, with Fantastic Four: First Steps arriving July 25)
Here's some chit-chat from the press release:
“We’ve all heard the age-old questions: ‘Where do I start? What is that one run you just cannot miss? What should I read before or after the next big movie or television show to have the best experience?’ The Marvel Premier Collection program is our answer to each of those questions,” said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Comics and Franchise. “Comics are at the heart of everything we do at Marvel, so this collection will be our go-to publishing line for any and all fans looking for a way into — or further into — the Marvel Universe. These titles will not be the only place to start of course, but they will be one of the best.”
Here are the solicitations:
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN ($14.99)
From the powerhouse pairing of Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli comes the definitive Daredevil tale. Daredevil’s identity as attorney Matt Murdock is exposed by his former lover Karen Page at her lowest point.
Now the blind hero must find all the strength he can muster as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, wastes no time crushing the man behind the mask. As he’s nursed back to health, Matt discovers a shocking family secret that will change him forever. Can he piece his life back together and survive a battle against a brutal Super-Soldier named Nuke?
Written by FRANK MILLER with DENNIS O’NEIL
Art by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
Cover Art by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
Collects Daredevil (1964) #226-233
BLACK PANTHER: A NATION UNDER OUR FEET
As esteemed author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates brings his considerable talents to Marvel, will he usher in a new age of glory for Wakanda and its king, T’Challa, A.K.A. the Black Panther? Or will he enter the proud kingdom into its final days? The high-tech African nation has been ravaged by outside forces, its queen has fallen and the people have turned against their king. As dissidents seek violent change, two of T’Challa’s own Dora Milaje forge their own brave path. And while outside forces pour fuel on the fire, the Black Panther recruits his own crew to aid in the struggle.
Meanwhile, on the spiritual plane, a journey of transformation begins. This is a story of a king who must find a new way to lead. Of a queen whose tale is not yet fully told. Of angels fighting for change and devils fomenting chaos. Of allies and enemies, friends and foes, love and hate. This is the story of Wakanda.
Written by TA-NEHISI COATES
Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE & CHRIS SPROUSE
Cover Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE
Collects Black Panther (2016) #1-12
Replies
I remember reading Marvel Comics #1000, which retconned the Masked Raider as an important player.
The cynic in me realizes that the raison d'être of Marvel Comics #1000 was to retain copyright of Marvel's most obscure characters into perpetuity.
Why is no one talking about Deathstroke being a rapist?
FWIW (although I have found no one else who has ever agreed with me), my take is (and always has been) that Tara Markov was playing at being a "bad girl," and Slade Wilson simply indulged her fantasies. ("Sure, Tara... we're totally lovers. Whatever.") He's still playing her, but he's not taking sexual advantage of her. Try reading it that way. Granted, she actually was a psychopathic killer, but I never got the impression that she and Deathstroke were actually sleeping together.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE NEW WORLD— SEA OF FOREVER #1: You know, I bought Frankenstein: The New World but I don't think I ever read it. Proabably, rather than tradewaiting, I bought the individual issues, waited to read them all at once, then forgot. I'll try to dig 'em up and read 'em before Wednesday.
CRUEL KINGDOM #2: No doubt Jeff of Earth-J will post something about it...
No doubt. ;)
THE PHANTOM COMPLETE DAILIES VOL 33 1988-1989 HC: I'm collecting this series!
Me, too!
PRINCE VALIANT VOL 29 1993-1994 HC: I'm collecting this one, too!
Me, too!
Re: MARVEL COMICS #1000- I did like how they had the Enclave be the scientists who see the Original Human Torch created and then become the Golden Age's Three Xs. The premise of artificial life would ispire them to create...HIM! (adam Warlock)
Re: DEATHSTROKE--I might have this wrong but I think they skirted the issue by saying that Terra was always psychotic and uncontrollable and she was the aggressor in their relationship. Of course, later it was said that Slade Wilson liked younger women though not minors per se.
I am not sure I should talk about Deathstroke's relationship with Tara Markov at all, since we are talking about a 1985 story that has questionable canonicity after so many rewritings of the continuity and assorted retcons... but I don't see how the diner scene between Gar and Slade in Tales of Teen Titans #55 can be read in any way that does not implicitly state that Slade did have sexual intimacy with Tara.
In regards with her original incarnation, George Perez said they did.
George Perez said they did.
Someone always points that out.
I don't see how the diner scene between Gar and Slade in Tales of Teen Titans #55 can be read in any way that does not implicitly state that Slade did have sexual intimacy with Tara.
"The Judas Contract" is a storyline I have re-read periodically over the years, but I haven't read Tales of the Teen Titans #55 since since 1985 and don't recall that scene specifically. I'll have to give it a look and get back to you.
I just now noticed that there will be two issues of Jed MacKay's "X-Men" in February. Apparently it has become a biweekly between last week's #10 (a fine issue, btw) and #13, which will also be part of the "X-Manhunt" event.
Several of those books with variant connecting covers by R.B. Silva published in February will be part of that event (which apparently features the escape of Prof. Xavier from Graymalkin prison and the reactions from various mutants and mutant teams): "X-Men", "Uncanny X-Men", "X-Factor". "Exceptional" will have a tie-in. "Nyx", "Storm" and "X-Force" will also be part of "X-Manhunt", which apparently ends within a one-shot "Omega" issue.
Incidentally, MacKay wrote a Black Cat series a while ago and apparently quite likes the character; he even went out of his way to mention her in his "Doctor Strange" run. Why Steve Orlando is also featuring her in "Scarlet Witch", that I don't know.
I haven't read Tales of the Teen Titans #55 since since 1985... I'll have to give it a look and get back to you.
Got it.
First, though, look at pages 21-22 of New Teen Titans #34, pp.11-12 of #39, and p.22 of Tales of the Teen Titans #42, their scenes together. The most suggestive of these scenes is the one in #39, but it is far from explicit. Tell me what in these scenes (or any other) invalidates my interpretation of the situation.
Moving on to #55. On page 21, Slade says, "She used me and I used her"; also, "Something drew me to her. Maybe it was her youth, maybe I thought I could teach her... it was probably ego." On page 24, Logan comes right out and asks him point blank: "Did you ever make love to Tara?" After a wordless panel in which Slade considers how to respond, he says, "Would that make any difference?" He neither confirms nor denies, but again, I think my interpretation is perfectly cromulent... regardless of what Wolfman and/or Perez may or may not have intended.
He doesn't have to be a rpist unless you want him to be a rapist.
Fair enough.
As an aside, I don't really think that #53-55 had a very clear tale about Gar and Slade. There are many twists, turns and sudden statements that things were not as they appeared to be.
Issues #45-58 were published concurrently with "New Titans" Vol 2 #1-13 (it was the time period when one book was sold to newstands and the other to specialty stores) as well as "Crisis On Infinite Earths" #1-7, so I may not be mistaken in judging the writing in those issues not to be Marv Wolfman's best. Many a plot wanders aimless or just fizzles without resolution, some ending up entirely forgotten about in the post-Crisis continuity.
For #53-55 and Gar and Slade, that means a weird plot about the possibility of a second Deathstroke who is not Slade. I think but can't swear that it is eventually revealed that the impostor is Gar with an illusionary disguise created by the Mento Helmet, and that both Gar and Slade had decided independently that it would be for the best if Slade was not arrested after being judged - presumably, in Gar's case, because he wanted Slade free so that he could inflict his own brand of punishment personally.
It was really not the best writing and seems to have been largely forgotten since.
It was really not the best writing and seems to have been largely forgotten since.
I agree, and I suspect that is why I have not re-read this particular run of issues in 40 years. (I skimmed them this morning.) Something else occurs to me, too. Above, Captain Comics said, "It was clear (to me, anyway)... that part of Slade's control over Tara was sexual." That was was his initial impression (and that of others, I suspect, as well), but my first impression was quite different. When I first saw her in her "sexy" lingere, wearing too much make-up and smoking a cigarette, I thought she looked utterly ridiculous, like Kitty Pryde in her "roller disco" costume (but in a different way). Plus, after seeing Slade's relationship Slade with with wife as depicted in #44, it hard for me to picture him having any kind of "romantic" relationship with such a little girl as Tara.
The cynic in me realizes that the raison d'être of Marvel Comics #1000 was to retain copyright of Marvel's most obscure characters into perpetuity.
The cynic in you is usually right.
Granted, she actually was a psychopathic killer, but I never got the impression that she and Deathstroke were actually sleeping together.
I haven't read it in decdades, but somehow I go thte impression they were. This is why I asked.
Re: MARVEL COMICS #1000- I did like how they had the Enclave be the scientists who see the Original Human Torch created and then become the Golden Age's Three Xs. The premise of artificial life would ispire them to create...HIM! (adam Warlock)
Agreed! If you're going to have a trio of scientists more than once, it makes sense they're the same trio of scientists.
Several of those books with variant connecting covers by R.B. Silva published in February will be part of that event (which apparently features the escape of Prof. Xavier from Graymalkin prison and the reactions from various mutants and mutant teams): "X-Men", "Uncanny X-Men", "X-Factor". "Exceptional" will have a tie-in. "Nyx", "Storm" and "X-Force" will also be part of "X-Manhunt", which apparently ends within a one-shot "Omega" issue.
What I like about X-Manhunt is that the entire crossover occurs in February-release issues. If I buy all the X-titles this month, I get the whole story, the end. It's like a slow motion trade paperback. By contrast, "One World Under Doom" will run 9 months. (The tie-ins aren't consistent, so I won't have to buy every Marvel title, but I'm going to have to pay attention.)
I am not sure I should talk about Deathstroke's relationship with Tara Markov at all, since we are talking about a 1985 story that has questionable canonicity after so many rewritings of the continuity and assorted retcons.
And we wouldn't be talking about it ... except that DC is republishing it again this week. So it's fair game.
In regards with her original incarnation, George Perez said they did.
That kind of ends the argument for me.
Moving on to #55. On page 21, Slade says, "She used me and I used her"; also, "Something drew me to her. Maybe it was her youth, maybe I thought I could teach her... it was probably ego." On page 24, Logan comes right out and asks him point blank: "Did you ever make love to Tara?" After a wordless panel in which Slade considers how to respond, he says, "Would that make any difference?"
Again, this ends the argument for me. When someone asks you if you are a pederast, you say no, as quickly and as loudly as you can. Unlress you are a pederast, in which case you prevaricate ("Would that make a difference?")
Think about that in any other context. "Did you kill your wife?" "Would it make you mad if I did?" It's a reluctant admission of guilt.
He doesn't have to be a rapist unless you want him to be a rapist.
Given Perez's remark and Slade's evasion in #55, I think the evidence leans to the inverse: "He isn't innocent of child rape unless you want him to be innocent of child rape."
Incidentally, MacKay wrote a Black Cat series a while ago and apparently quite likes the character; he even went out of his way to mention her in his "Doctor Strange" run. Why Steve Orlando is also featuring her in "Scarlet Witch", that I don't know.
Maybe two hot chicks on the cover are better than one.
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