May Comics

From tfaw this month:

Single issue:

Short takes:

• Annihilators #3 (Marvel). Rocket Raccoon rules. Super powerful super beings trying to best each other is fun when done with style and in a good nature. Nice work so far to Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Tan Eng Huat, and Timothy Green et al for this mini.
• Atomic Robo: Deadly Art of Science #5 (Red 5). Conclusion to the latest series, which is, if nothing else, indicative of how solid Brian Clevinger’s and Scott Wegener’s work, with Ronda Patterson and Jeff Powell, has become on this title. Funny. Smart. Action. Science. One of the most reliable reads I pull.
• Avengers Academy #12, Avengers Academy: Giant Size #1, Avengers Academy #13 (Marvel). This trio of issues seems to have reignited A’s enthusiasm for this series. On the other hand, the “Giant Size” issue and #13 seem like stories that would have meant more before Young Allies was canceled.
• Birds of Prey #11 (DC). A Secret Six/BoP crossover issue. Would hardly deny Gail Simone that conceit. Always like to see Helena/Huntress anchor a story.
• B.P.R.D.: The Dead Remembered #2 (Dark Horse). This mini is developing some thoughtful character background for Liz that highlights the extent to which she is both of a generic type and distinctive at the same time. Looking forward to seeing how the historical piece is brought into the present and intertwined with Liz’s story.
• Carbon Grey #2 (Image). The most helpful thing about this issue is the narrative summary on the inside cover. Still long on style.
• Casanova: Gula #4 (Marvel Icon). Matt Fraction brings this arc to a gender bending conclusion (and maybe is an exception that proves the rule regarding what I write about Age of X below). Crazy James Bond-ish backup with Gabriel Ba in addition to the main story.
• Hellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish (Dark Horse). Mike Mignola adds alien abduction to the Hellboy-verse. I would like to see Kevin Nowlan on other Hellboy stories. I like that his lines are stronger than Mignola’s or Duncan Fegredo, and his figures more “realistic”, but that his Hellboy is still an homage to the character’s classic look: lanky and geometric.
• I, Zombie #13 (DC/Vertigo). A is still enjoying this book with me, but maybe finding it harder to track as the narrative deepens. A new arc starts here, but one that builds on prior foundations. Need to wait-and-see where “The Dead Presidents” characters are headed.
• The Li’l Depressed Boy #3 (Image). Most disappointing thing about this book so far is that A continues to resist reading it. Other than that, I am still impressed at how well Steven Struble and Sin Grace stay on the right side of the Nice Guy and the Manic Pixie Dream Girl with the two lead characters.
• Generation Hope #6 (Marvel). Fast start to a new arc.
• The New York Five #4 (DC/Vertigo). Done too soon.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Infinity (Marvel). In which Jonathan Hickman fills in some historical background to the vast story he is writing with this book. Dustin Weaver takes a break except for the cover.
• Silver Surfer #3 (Marvel). Serves as a key turning point in the story.
• Sir Edward Grey, Witchfinder #4 (Dark Horse). Zombies, demon dogs, a novel take on colonization of native peoples in North America. A good story.
• Uncanny X-Force #7, #8, and #9 (Marvel). A tentative conclusion to the Weapon X/Deathlok/The World story and a couple of one-offs about personal demons (Betsy and Warren) and how things change (Magneto and Wolverine). Billy Tan works to maintain the high standard of the book, but he and Dean White’s art in #9 is more photo real than I would like to see, especially on a title that benefits from more expressionism in how it is drawn and colored.
• Uncanny X-Men #535 and #536 (Marvel). Cool to read Kieron Gillen picking up on Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men story, especially as a way to deal with Kitty’s return. Terry and Rachel Dodson are much welcomed after too, too much Greg Land.
• Wolverine and Jubilee #4 (Marvel). Kathryn Immonen and Phil Noto bring their mini to close with some nice character moments and a story that tracks despite looking like it might have just been weird.
• X-Men: Prelude to Schism #1 (Marvel). All prelude and build-up, which, I guess, is all that is promised, no?
• Spider-Girl #6 and X-23 #9 (Marvel). Playing out the string with these titles. Who knows, maybe moving Jubilee and Noto to X-23 will make me change my mind about pulling that book.

Longer takes:

• Age of X: Chapter 5 (X-Men Legacy #247), Age of X: Chapter 6 (New Mutants #24), and Age of X Universe #2 (Marvel). I suppose that it is inevitable that they pay off for these kinds of stories is never as exciting as the set up. Having written that, Mike Carey did excellent work in plotting out the story and letting unfold in a way that made sense and that told you something about the alternate universe in which the action takes place. The Universe books with The Avengers could have been better integrated into the main story. I’m not sure they tell you much of interest. What I would have liked to see is more stories like the Dazzler backup by Chuck Kim and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, which is interesting for the way it does integrate mutant and non-mutant elements of the construct in Legion’s brain, but also for the distinct art style.
• I plan to address Angel #44, Angel: 100-Page Spectacular, Spike #7 and Spike #8 in a longer post on the IDW Angelverse.

TPBs:

DMZ Volume 10: Collective Punishment (DC/Vertigo).

Forthcoming.

Empire State: A Love Story (or Not) (Abrams). Jason Shiga’s new book is a charming work that spins the Nice Guy character by actually having him grow and making his love interest a fully actualized person with her own ideas about life. The different hues for the different lines of the narrative is an effective way to show Jimmy’s development at different stages of the story. Shiga’s art is, as always, highly expressive.

Neptune (Tug Boat Press).

Forthcoming.

Page by Paige (Amulet). I ordered Laura Lee Gulledge’s book because I thought it would be a good one to share with A, but I learned after the fact that she already had an advance copy that Anne-Marie picked up from ALA last year. So, we kind of did get to share, but not at the same time. In any event, it is hard not be drawn into Paige’s world. I appreciate how Gulledge keeps the story on the right side of sweet and precious; it seems perfect for the character. I am still thinking over many of the visual metaphors, which alternate between subtle and beautiful and pretty but ham handed. If these are meant to be Paige’s, that kind of unevenness seems appropriate. If they are meant for the reader, then that requires more assessment, I think. On the other hand, I know that it isn’t easy to come up with metaphoric imagery. In any case, a delightful book.

Secret Six: The Reptile Brain (DC).

Forthcoming.

Sleepyheads (Blank Slate Books).

Forthcoming.

Tiny Titans: Field Trippin’ (DC).

No longer the blast of pure joy it used to be, but still lots of fun. As always some of the best jokes involve parodies of the goings on in the real DCU. B’DG is adorable.

From Matt’s Cavalcade of Comics:

Rated Free for Everyone (Oni Press). One of two Free Comic Book Day offerings that I picked up from Oni. Both titles featured here have plenty of style, but not the kind of characters or stories that can still appeal to me as a an adult. I am thinking my nephew might like one or the other, though.

Spontaneous #1 (Oni Press). The more adult of the Oni titles for Free Comic Book Day. Brett Weldele’s art is plenty stylish, but Joe Harris’ story not quite enough of substance for me to decide to pull this one. Trade/wait, I think.

Top Shelf Kids Club (Top Shelf). Fun. Fun. Fun. Works in ways that the Oni all ages book doesn’t. Another great Johnny Boo from James Kolchaka, and I always enjoy having a reason to see another of Christian Slade’s Korgi and Andy Runton’s Owly.

The Dead Boy Detectives (DC/Vertigo).

Forthcoming.

Jenny Finn: Doom Messiah (BOOM! Studios).

A title I’ve thought about reading and would pick up a lot and finally did purchase on Free Comic Book Day. Looks and feels like an out of place B.P.R.D. or Hellboy mini, which is to say that it is pulp-y fun, but I will admit to hoping for something … different. My biggest problem, though, is with the lettering in chapters 1-2, which is tiny.

From comiXology:

Madman: Oddity #1 and #2 (Image). Don’t know why I’ve overlooked this awesomeness from Michael Allred before, but I am happy that it is available digitally for me to read. Crazy, but low-key, existential fun and wry commentary on superheroes. More when I finish the mini.

May “Worlds in Panels”: the wider fandom for comics adaptations

This month’s “Worlds in Panels” posted at PopMatters yesterday. I speculate on why people who don’t read comics get deeply committed to TV and film adaptations of comics characters, particularly superheroes.

Comic books, more particularly comic book characters, especially superheroes, are woven into the warp and weft of American popular culture. People can and do become fans of characters like Batman and Spider-Man without reading comics. More importantly, I can start conversations about iconic characters with all kinds of people in all kinds of places in the United States, and most likely, I will get responses that show a clear idea or image of those characters. Those ideas or images maybe positive or negative, or something else, but that flash of recognition is a sign of comics’ familiarity and meaning for readers and non-readers alike.

Read the column

Recommended daily reading – 12 May (hey, I still do this edition)

It’s Spring term and I find myself without time and energy to do many rewarding activities, like keeping up-to-date with my news feeds and maintaining this blog, but I have finally collected a few items to share.

Last week, Inside Higher Ed featured a story on the efforts of librarians to archive internet documents so that scholars in the future have the same kind of access to those texts as they do to print materials. The article is a good illustration as to why librarianship needs to be a professional and academic field, no matter what some in college administration might think.

Also last week, at The Atlantic, Ta-Nehisi Coates has an incisive blog post challenging assertions of “black privilege” and anti-affirmative action politics. The most salient point is that most who see themselves as victims of discrimination as a result of affirmative action also fail to see their own privilege and how being white has historically been a benefit in America.

And here’s another moment of mundane beauty in Spacing Toronto’s “Street Scene” series.

Finally, some cool and fun looking cosplay  (via Comics.Hockey.Boobs) (Update: here’s more).

April comics

From tfaw last month:

Single issues:

Quick takes:

• Angel #43 (IDW). The penultimate issue at IDW. Wait until next month for more.
• Annihilators #2 (Marvel). Well worth pulling for the bombastic storytelling and the comedy-adventure with Rocket Raccoon.
• Avengers Academy #11 (Marvel). Christos Gage continues to do nice work in interweaving stories about the students with stories about the adults. However, for some reason A showed less interest this month.
• Casanova: Gula #3 (Marvel Icon). Big craziness as the protagonists and antagonists switch roles and try to out clever each other.
• Dollhouse: Epitaphs (Dark Horse). Interesting one-shot. Fills in some gaps left from the TV series. Interested to see where they take the upcoming series. Cliff Richards and Michelle Madsen do a nice job of clearly evoking a cast of minor characters from television.
• Generation Hope #5 (Marvel). Setting the stage for the next part of story: what to do now that the new mutants have been gathered?
• Iceman and Angel #1 (one-shot) (Marvel). Good natured fun scripted by Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo). Some great exchanges between Bobby and Warren.
• I, Zombie #12 (DC/Vertigo). Nice break in the regular action with Gilbert Hernandez as guest artist.
• Li’l Depressed Boy (Image). See below.
• The New York Five #3 (DC/Vertigo). Still hard to believe that this series will end in one more issue.
• Scarlet #5 (Marvel Icon). Thus ends Book One. Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev continue to get a lot right about the present cultural moment in Portland, but the series still feels like prologue.
• Silver Surfer #2 (Marvel). Liking the story from Greg Pak.
• Spider-Girl #5 (Marvel). I read that the series will be coming to an end in June. Too bad. On the other hand, I was considering letting go because A, for some reason, refuses to read this title.
• Spike #6 (IDW). Ummm. Some stuff happens, and Lilah shows up at the end.
• Sir Edward Grey, Witchfinder: Lost and Gone Forever #3 (Dark Horse). Big confrontation with Grey’s friend, and some spooky visitations. Nice Victorian Western from Mike Mignola et al.
• Uncanny X-Force #5.1 and #6 (Marvel). Not sure why the “point one” issue is a supposed to be such a friendly entry into the series, but, in other news, I got to chat with Rick Remender at the Stumptown Comics Fest. Always nice to tell creators how much you like their work.
• Uncanny X-Men #534 and #534.1 and Annual #3 (Marvel). Matt Fraction’s (current) run on the title ends with some smart and clever plotting. Kieron Gillen’s “point one” issue makes more sense to me as an entry point for at least people who know the central X characters than does the Uncanny X-Force issue. The Annual, whatever its merits, sets up a story that I do not intend to follow through the other issues.
• Wolverine and Jubilee #3 (Marvel). Story gets kind of trippy, but then what did I expect with Kathryn Immonen on writing.
• X-Men: Legacy #246 (Age of X Chapter 3), New Mutants #23 (Age of X Chapter 4), and Age of X Universe #1 (Marvel). The tension continues to build nicely in the main story. The “universe” installment is brutally cold.

Longer takes:

• B.P.R.D.: The Dead Remembered #1 (Dark Horse). Mike Mignola and Scott Allie script a story about Liz Sherman as a teenager and ward of the B.P.R.D. Liz is alienated, angry, and jaded, which might be cliché, except that we know her as an adult and can see who this kid becomes. Despite her superficial similarities to other female firestarters, like Jean Grey, Liz has always been a more self-possessed character than most women featured in super hero, or super hero-esque, books. Stylish art, as expected, from Karl Moline, Andy Owens, and Dave Stewart. (And, yes, Dark Horse suckered me into buying two copies of the first issue with the alternate covers by Jo Chen and Moline).
• X-23 #8 (Marvel). I regret to say that with this issue I have decided to end my subscription. There have been brief moments where Marjorie Liu has used this book to tell a story about Laura/X-23, but for the most part she has seemed more like a supporting player in her own book. I think that Liu has some interesting ideas about Laura and her sense of ethics, her desire for humanity, for working through her past, but too much time is directed to servicing “events”. Making this book be the next place for Jubilee is almost interesting enough to keep pulling it, but also underscores the problem I am citing as my reason to quit. I’ll keep my eye out for trades, though.

TPBs:

Batman and Robin Reborn (DC).

Yeah, this is fun. I get why people like this series. Surprisingly compelling reboot of characters you would think were well worn, especially as a pair. But Grant Morrison and his artistic collaborators make them seem new, in part, of course by giving them new secret identities and forcing the new dynamic duo to prove themselves. I am reminded, however, as to why I don’t read that many Bat-books: Gotham is depressingly depraved.

Finder Library Volume 1 (Dark Horse).

Forthcoming.

Widowmaker (Marvel).

Forthcoming.

Hellblazer Volume 1: Original Sins (DC/Vertigo).

Another series that I am happy to see reissued as it makes it easier for me to find an entry point. Want to live with the character a little longer before writing more.

Possessions Volume 2: Ghost Table (Oni Press).

Ray Fawkes’ second installment in this series is as funny as the first. Gurgazon is still the most charming/disgusting little demon in the universe. A true all ages book for anyone who likes stories about the supernatural.

X-Men First Class Volume 2 (Marvel).

These collections are fun. Jeff Parker goes for a bright and mildly troubled view of super-powered teenager-ness, and succeeds splendidly. The artwork, by Roger Cruz, principally, in pencils and inks gets the gawkiness of the age right, but, particularly with Jean, and out of costume, can veer into figures that, like actors, look about a decade or so too old for the character’s age. Not so much an issue with the charming backups with Colleen Coover. The Marvel Girl and Scarlet Witch stories are especially enjoyable.

X-Men Forever 2 Volume 3: Perfect World (Marvel).

And with that Chris Claremont’s experiment comes to an end, I gather. As I’ve written before, I liked the loopiness of the series, but did find some elements, the willingness to kill off big characters, for example, a little tiring. I did like the resolution of the Storm/Ro/Ororo story, especially the reappearance of the mohawk.

From Bridge City Comics:

Takio (Marvel Icon).

Forthcoming.

Li’l Depressed Boy #1 and #2 (Image). Glossed over this in my news feeds, but after taking a second look, decided I would like to try it out, especially because I think A will like it (now, to get her to read it). In the opening issues S. Steven Struble and Sina Grace walk a fine line with the characters. LD does not show any of the entitlement of a Nice Guy, yet, and Jazmin is too prickly to be a full on Manic Pixie Dream Girl, but both could turn into those stereotypes.

From the Corvallis Book Bin:

Gear School (Dark Horse).

Picked this one up for A. Adam Gallardo (writer) and Nuria Peris & Sergi Sandoval (art) pack a lot of worldbuilding into a short book. Gallardo’s script is open-ended without sacrificing fulfillment of the immediate story. My primary problem with the book is that Peris and Sandoval draw the girls too old in the way that most actors who play high schoolers are actually in their 20s (or even 30s). It would have been interesting if Teresa had looked more her age instead of like a young adult. The meaning of story is confused by this artistic choice.

The Goon Volume 1: Nothin’ But Misery (Dark Horse).

Forthcoming.

Monkey vs. Robot (Top Shelf Productions).

More all ages fun. James Kolchaka writes and draws a story that can be read either as a “Spy vs. Spy” type battle and/or as an ecological fable about technology and progress. Most notably, it is easy to feel for both of the main characters at the end.

I will make a separate post of my purchases from Stumptown.