The Five for January 28, 2009

There is the world, and then there is way that each of us chooses to look at the world. Generally when I look at the world, it is through rose-colored (or Bobby Clarke colored) glasses. It is just who I am. This explanation will serve to rationalize my top five comics of the week (and my surprising rant at the end of my review). Thus without further ado …

How does the old joke go? How about any old joke for that matter? What do you get when you let the lead singer of My Chemical Romance write a comic book for Dark Horse Comics? How about a pretty damn good comic as The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #3 hits shelves this week.

If you have yet to pick up The Umbrella Academy, don’t start with this issue. There is too much history in the nine previous stories before this week that you would be totally lost. Go and pick up the Apocalypse Suite which is now available in trade paperback. Then when you realize that you have been missing out on one of the finer comics in the ‘verse, you can pick up the first three editions of the current run.

I read this week’s issue and as I turned each page I could not believe Gerard Way was capable of such storytelling. This week’s issue (“Television or Are You There, God? It’s Me, Klaus”) is just as much fun as the previous two in this story arc. Ever since they saved the world in Apocalypse Suite, the surviving members of the Umbrella Academy are shells of their former heroic selves, none more so than Space Boy (and wait until you see what happens to him this week).

And before I forget, Gabriel Ba’s artwork is a magnificent compliment to the tale of Number Five, the White Violin and the Séance (just to name a few).

It has been a long time since the New Avengers have been good. I am talking the beginning of Brian Michael Bendis’ run on New Avengers oh so many issues ago. The previous arc was okay but felt like filler for Secret Invasion. Now we are into the good stuff as issue #49 finds Luke Cage dealing with the consequences after he just agreed to a deal with the devil (or Norman Osborn for detail’s sake).

Just as he did last week with Dark Avengers #1, Bendis pens a tale where I think one thing is going to happen only be surprised once again, especially by the actions of everyone involved on the last panels. Without giving any specifics away, you have to love when Norman states “Guess who just made the list.” This issue needs to make your list, and fast.

Once again this poor title was way down on my reading list, and once again The Incredible Hercules proved just how incredible Greg Pak and Feed Van Lente are at story-telling in the ultimate buddy book of the millennia. I have to admit I was a little more than confused as to what was going on as the end was worth my befuddlement. Let’s just say that Spider-Woman, a female Wolverine, Ms. Fantastic and the White Phoenix all make appearances in a topsy-turvy world that is upside down for Amadeus Cho and our hero Herc. Ever since this title was turned over to the God during World War Hulk it has been a solid performer every month. Issue #125 does not disappoint.

Sometimes I think I take Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s run on Fantastic Four for granted. Sometimes I feel the story is sort of dragging or not as grandiose as I expect from this duo. But I was reminded today by my friend George just how good and how much we both always look forward to the FF coming out each month. And for the longest time that was not the case.

Fantastic Four #563 hits shelves this week and it’s a nice break from all the commotion that has been going on in the title since the dynamic duo took over about a year ago. This is a classic FF tale with it centering on the family and what is happening in the world as the bread crumbs to the new threat are starting to be found. I think Stan and Jack would be particularly proud of this issue. There are no Earth-shattering moments, just a good-old fashion FF time.

Last but not least, Nova is like The Incredible Hercules for me. The title always works its way towards the bottom of my reading pile, and I am always astounded at how much I enjoy it. This was literally the second to last book I read tonight. It was so much more than where it was located in my stack.

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have done a terrific job with the story of Richard Rider, who used to be the sole remaining member of the Nova Corp. In the last few issues, Worldmind has decided to restart the Corps much to Rider’s chagrin. Not being able to do anything to stop an ever-growing powerful Worldmind, you get the feeling reading Nova #21 that things are not going as they should.

Abnett and Lanning allow me inside Rider’s head and I feel the dread he has as the events of this week’s tale unfold on the page. And wait until how the issue ends.

I have never been a fan of the sci-fi comics (Green Lantern, Nova, etc.), which is a real surprise since I am a Star Trek nut. That being said, I need to start moving Nova up higher in the read pile.

And now my rant for the week and if you had not noticed no DC books made it into my recommendations. And there is a reason for that as they dropped the ball, big time. Superman was decent, but really only got going until the end. Batman, which was the second part of the Heart of Hush follow up by Paul Dini, saw a disappointing end at what was a very enjoyable eight-issue arc (and a complete waste of a great Catwoman appearance).

But now I take notice with The Powers That Be at DC Comics and ask what were you thinking? I know there are business decisions that need to be made. Books that don’t sell well need to be retooled, cancelled or what have you – and such was the case of the poor-performing but entertaining (at least for me) Legion of Super-Heroes.

Hope was restored about a year ago when Jim Shooter regained the reigns to the title that made him a comics’ legend. DC decided Legion had enough time to prove itself recently and that it was going to end. Shooter’s current story was planned to end around issue #54. DC decided issue #50 (this week’s book) was the end. So this week when I opened up the issue to see that Shooter and artist Francis Manapul were not even involved with the finale’s production and were replaced, I was beside myself. It is insulting enough to not allow Shooter to finish what he started on his terms. Finish the story in an annual or special ala Superman Last Son. Show the man, and book, some respect.

And don’t even get me started on the farce that was Final Crisis #7. Don’t forget to tip your clerk at Starbucks – Peace.

Daredevil: Born Again

Frank Miller was on his game in the mid-1980s. There was his Dark Knight Returns for DC, which established Bats into what he is today and set the tone and changed the way authors write everything in comics.

And then there was Daredevil: Born Again, which Marvel has recollected this week as part of its Premiere Hardcover collection. Born Again is the seminal moment for “the man without fear.” Just like Gwen Stacy’s death at the hands of the Green Goblin in the 70s established Peter Parker and Spider-Man, Born Again is the blueprint for everything Matt Murdock and Daredevil.

Born Again ran over seven issues and collects all eight Daredevils (#226-233) that Miller and artist David Mazzucchelli collaborated on. This is not the first time Daredevil’s life has been changed by Miller, as it was the writer’s earlier stint that killed off Murdock’s love in Elektra at the hands of Bullseye.

And while Elektra’s death was stunning and heartfelt for the blind lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen, Daredevil went on about his business. His every decision afterwards was not filled with guilt over her death (like Spidey’s with Gwen Stacy). Part of the reason I believe is that Elektra knew the deal when she was putting on the costume.

Born Again is the moment in Daredevil lore when everything changes and it is the ultimate Kingpin story. There is betrayal, loss (and a lot of it) and rebirth. It has Foggy Nelson (of course), establishes Ben Ulrich and reintroduces one Karen Page (and boy have we missed what was going on her life). Why are all the best Daredevil stories with Karen Page (Yellow, Guardian Devil)?

Miller pens a terrific tale of deconstructing a character and then picking them back up. It is a shame some of that beauty can not translate into what he has done recently – i.e. The Spirit and All-Star Batman and Robin.

I have never been a huge fan of Mazzucchelli’s artwork, but in this story it works really well. He has a gritty style that combined with Miller’s hard-boiled story telling becomes the perfect complement to the letters on the page. After experiencing this story all at once (I read the original month-by-agonizing month) and taking in Mazzucchelli’s splash pages, I have to think today’s artists whether knowingly or not took a page (or two) from Mazzucchelli’s run on DD. Simon Bianchi, Jim Lee – I am talking to you.

Anyway, that’s all I have for today. Remember to tip your waitress on the way out – Peace!

The Five (Plus One Yo)

It is a dark time in the world of comics. (I felt like old Ben Kenobi just then, except I am not talking about the Rebellion or the Empire, but then again maybe I am). Anyhow, with both the Marvel and DC comic ‘verses plunged into Dark Reign and Faces of Evil things are just plain bleak right now on some of our favorite comic pages. Thus begins my five picks of the week …

If you are not familiar with my weekly reviews, let me begin by stating that they are always spoiler free. I very rarely get into specifics on the book lest to give something away before the audience gets to read them.

By nature, I am a pretty cheerful and positive sort and all this evil that is afoot and in charge brings me down a little bit. I know for some in comicdom this is a dream come true with the villains ruling the roost. And it’s not like we have not been teased with the Old Man Logan storyline or Kingdom Come. That being said, there were some real good stories this week with some real nasty individuals in the middle of things.

My pick of the week is a toss up between Faces of Evil Deathstroke and Dark Avengers #1. I was not prepared to like the Deathstroke book in the least bit and to be honest the only real reason I even gave it a go was because Georges Jeanty was supplying the artwork. Mark McKenna’s inks do not do Jeanty’s pencils justice, but it was still enough to get by. David Hine meanwhile was crafting a masterpiece on old Slade, who last we saw was dying after his encounter with Geo-Force on the pages of DC Last Will and Testament. FOE was a nice follow up to a not so great first story.

For fans of Deathstroke, you will be happy because everyone’s favorite DC Assassin is back baby, and possibly more dangerous than ever when we get to the last page. Of course there are family issues to wrestle out in this one before the Terminator can move on, but honestly, when are there not issues in that family?

Meanwhile, another evil dude – storming Norman Osborn – is just getting started at the havoc he is capable of playing in the Marvel hood. Brian Michael Bendis is at it again. How does someone who writes so many titles get it so right with everything he touches? Mike Deodato’s art works perfectly with this story. To be honest I thought the issue was going to be Tony Stark getting the gang back together to go after Osborn. I could not have been more wrong on so many levels. Trust me this is one issue you don’t want to miss.

Next is another book I was not ready to like. I am not a big Dan Slott guy, just never have been. I pretty much stayed away from his entire run of Avengers Initiative and only grudgingly read his Amazing Spidey issues. This week, the Scarlet Witch was on the cover so I had to find out what’s what. And it looks like Mighty Avengers is going to be existing on its own from the other books for awhile. And from the looks of this week’s issue #21, it is going to be fun. Khoi Pham supplied the understated pencils and did his usual bang up job.

Coming in this week at number four is a shocker as well. I tagged Justice League of America #29 by Len Wein with a story on Starbreaker. The only real reason I liked this issue was because it felt like such an old school tale – might have had something to do with Wein penning the title this month. It was just good to see the old JLA back in action with orange and green uniform Aqauman, pre-married Ollie and Canary, and oh yeah the Atom Baby! But wait, there’s more. As much fun the old tale was, the last two pages and its reveal pay it off even bigger for the next issue. I can say no more.

Last but not least are two titles. That’s right I am going with a tie for fifth place. Unlike my previous occupation which frowned on ties, I am going with the tie. To stay with the theme of this article once again I was so not wanting to read this comic or expecting to like it. Although the latter is a lie but we will get to that in a second. Punisher Frank Castle #66 came out this week written by Duane Swiercyznski.

Not to name drop, who am I kidding let’s name drop away. Duane frequents the store I work in a bit. We got to talking and he told me about his upcoming arc on Punisher and that it was going to take place in Philly. Remember how I am not a Slott guy, well I am even less a Punisher guy. The only time in comics that I even liked the character was when Captain America was kicking his ass in Civil War. I just don’t care for the title.

But a funny thing happens to me when the name Swiercyznski is on the cover, I have to read it. I never really liked Cable, but have been enjoying the current run immensely by our aforementioned writer. Iron Fist is immortal, who cares. Well, Swiercyznski makes me care. So there we have it, the slippery slope that is the Punisher. Still don’t care for the character after reading this issue, but loved the story and where it’s going.

What title tied this week for a mention on my Top Five, well that would be Angel After the Fall #16 or Season Five of the television show. IDW has given it the old college try. This title is not as strong or good as Buffy Season Eight, but it still gives me more stories in the world of Whedon and for that I am grateful. This month’s issue sort of hits a reset button and I hope after meandering around for a year and a half that Brian Lynch will finally takes us somewhere. And please keep Franco Urru on the art or bring David Messina over, otherwise just don’t publish for that month because no one else in the IDW pen can really get the likenesses down that well.

That’s it for this week boys and girls. Don’t know if you agree or not, but hopefully they and I will keep you entertained.

It's time to have a little fun with the Dark Knight. I know what you are thinking; the Dark Knight, as in Batman, as in the Dark Knight from the movies this summer? He's the one.

Cartoon Network's latest animated offering from the DC Universe is Batman: Brave and the Bold and I have to admit it is a lot of fun.

For the animated Batman purest out there I only have one thing to say, get over yourselves. Granted, the animated series was a classic that has been off the air for what seems like forever.

Brave and the Bold will not sully TAS good name.

Brave and the Bold is the ultimate in team ups as each week Bats gets to work with not one, but usually two different DC Comics heroes. Usually in the teaser before the title credits we join Batman and one of said heroes already in progress taking down some evil doer. Then after the titles we get another hero and our main story. There have only been five episodes so far, and again, they have been a lot of fun.

So far we have seen the classic Green Arrow, Blue Beetle, Ice, Guy Gardner, Plastic Man, Demon, Aquaman and Red Tornado with the Outsiders and many more on the docket. The jazzy score gives Batman: Brave and the Bold a classic 60s cartoon feel without the poor animation from that decade.

So if you like good cartoons and want to check out something fresh and fun, go to Cartoon Network on Friday nights for Batman: Brave and the Bold, or download the episode from iTunes on Saturday morning and watch it in your pj's while you are eating some Captain Crunch (the preferable way to watch cartoons).

And now a public service announcement. For every good and fun animated journey into the world of superheroes, there is an equally hard to watch one. The new Wolverine and the X-Men falls into that category. I think the cartoon Gods knew this in advance and is the reason the show first aired in Canada and will broadcast on Niktoons in the States by the end of the month.

I decided to take a peek on youtube as a couple of people uploaded a bunch of the episodes that have aired north of the border. Wow, this one is bad. I actually could not watch an entire episode. The animated is decent, but I have no time for rain in cartoons that show windshiled wipers on and no rain falling. But that's not the hardest part, its the melodrama of the episodes that remind me of the old Fox series from the 1990s which I SO can never watch again (I am still trying to get the funk of the original out of my mind).

Because Wolverine and the X-Men is so bad, I can no longer spend anymore time talking about it ... Peace.