What I Buy Wednesdays: June 3rd 2009

June 2--- The Return



Been a few weeks since we reflected on What I bought Wednesday- luckily we’ve got a whole new comics’ landscape to go over. Holler.

Batman and Robin #1 (DC): was first off, because there aren’t many creators that win multiple awards for their superhero work. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (or his real life alter ego, Vin Deighan) are the rare team that earn universal acclaim. They’re just great together. I was extra pumped to read this because I had just done an interview with the Quite Frank one himself for Newsarama He’s such a thoughtful and thorough interview, it’s really rewarding. Anyway the issue itself rocks, just panel after panel after page after page a constant stream of good ideas and good comic-ery. This book has a lot to live up to, not in the least because of how well the passing of the cowl in Brubaker and Epting’s Captain America book. Thing is, it has an asset Cap and Bucky didn’t- Dick was always supposed to become Batman. Maybe we would never see it, but we knew it would happen. This story is just a chance to show us that future, and there’s no reason to predetermine a ceiling for how successfully this concept might play out. Either way, like the book says, “Crime is doomed. “




The Muppet Show #3 (of 4?!? >:-[ Boom): I’m really not okay with the fact that there’s only one issue of Roger Langridge’s Muppet Show left, especially with last week’s lackluster Muppet Robin Hood. This was my favorite issue thus far, not surprisingly given the spotlight on Gonzo the Great. Langridge’s Muppets feel more like the originals than every project since Henson’s passing- that’s really what I think. The voice and writing is perfect, and I just love revisiting all the sketches, from Pigs in Space to Bear on Patrol. It all just feels right. Never mind the sketch with Gonzo’s nourish and almost-properly-spelled Gumshoe McGurk act. I love the energy of this book, and I never want it to go away.



Buffy, Tales of the Vampires #1 (Dark Horse): Speaking of energy in comics, Becky Cloonan and Vasilis Lolos might be the most energetic creators making comics right now. Both of their works’ just feel like young adulthood, almost an ugly/ beautiful manifestation. Maybe that doesn’t make sense to anybody but me, but I don’t care. Anyway I could give a damn about Buffy, but with Cloonan writing and Lolos artin’, I wanted to check it out for myself. Glad I did, because this book had all the ambiguously awesome storytelling that was offered in their Pixu book. I think this issue was kind of about boredom and luxury, but it might be a story that’s different things to different people. It’s sexy and sad and kind of damning. Anyway, it got me to buy Buffy, so they must be doing something right.



Amazing Spider-Man #596 (Marvel): Paolo Siqueira does an admirable job, but it’s hard not to be disappointed by the lack of Phil Jimenez in this second chapter of the American Son storyline. The first issue was so starkly powerful, it just would have been nice to see this project through by one artist. Alas, not all things can be. The art is still good enough, and Joe Kelly’s story is a perfect summer blockbuster. Of all the stories in the new era of Spider-Man, (I would love if we could stop citing One More Day and Brand New Day altogether, and move on) this one has the makings of being the most memorable. Harry’s just a ticking time bomb at this point, and Pete’s going undercover. Like I said, perfect summer fodder. I’m plenty on board.



Atomic Robo: Shadow from Beyond Time 1 & 2 (Red5 Comics): Somehow I missed the first issue of this series hitting the shelf. Understand, this is very unlike me. Curious. Anyway, I’m thrilled with the new storyline. I think we’d just reached our max of seeing the army-style Robo, so the pulpy Lovecraftian plotline is welcome. This book is as funny as Spider-Man in its prime, with storytelling as crystal clear as any superhero book on the stands. It’s actually so good I don’t always know how to talk about it. It’s just everything I want my comics to be.



Superman: World of New Krypton #4 or 12 (DC): I’m still loving Pete Woods’ work on this series, and given that this is the only book starring Superman, this is the only Superman book I’m buying. It’s a thrill to see him playing a true espionage role, because it undercuts all of the points of Superman haters. He’s showing his ability to inspire and be “Super,” without the luxury of his dominant powers. It’s nice to have as grounded a science fiction story as this is, because it allows us to see the Green Lantern Corps from the perspective of those they are expected to police. Hal and John are fun guest stars, and I think this book has a lot more adventure left in it.



Dark Avengers #5 (Marvel): Norman Osborn’s never been more powerful, but the eerie thing is that he’s never seemed so totally in control of his own demons, and that was makes the entire Marvel Universe such a tense place to be right now. From the early going, I think I like the adversarial relationship between this book and New Avengers more than I ever liked the interplay between that title and Bendis’ Mighty Avengers. Hawkeye went public to the media with his concerns over Osborn’s stability and general villainy in NA, and here Bendis delivers an all-too familiar response, with a deft showing of media manipulation from the erstwhile Green Goblin. Between this title and Deodato and Ellis’ Thunderbolts work, Norman Osborn has become the most compelling character in the entire Marvel U. Ares provided my favorite moment in this book, by calling his teammates out, and reminding them that, hey, from here on out, they can be whoever they choose to be. Maybe one or two will choose to take the side of the righteous, but this book will be a lot cooler if they don’t.



Deadpool: Suicide Kings #3 of 5 (Marvel): I just like seeing Wade Wilson get into all kinds of wacky hijinx with Marvel’s greatest street level characters. He and Punisher make perfect foils, and Daredevil is the quintessential straight-man to ‘Pool’s shenanigans. While I’m digging the ongoing series, I really appreciate the use of Agency X in this book, and think this miniseries has done well to integrate Deadpool into the Marvel U at large. It and the ongoing series are serving different masters. Frankly, I don’t care- Marvel can put out as many Deadpool books as they like, and I’ll probably be on board with all of them. I’m stubborn that way.



Astro City: The Dark Age Book 3 #2 (Wildstorm): Kurt Busiek and Brett Anderson can make superhero stories about just about anything, and the epic Dark Age set of books is no exception. I might go back to reading this in trades, not as an indictment of the singles, but rather as a testament to how well the series works in total.



Jersey Gods #5 (Image): Okay, so I was late to the party in figuring out just how this book worked. I was a little weirded out by the main hero’s nomenclature- because really, are we ready for a white space god named “Barock?” Maybe we are… but I’d have waited it out a bit, or something. Anyway, this issue wraps up the introductory arc of this series, finally getting together the two romantic leads; Barock and Zoe. I dug the direct way they handled all the potential Superman similarities, as it allowed Brunswich and McCaid to fully differentiate their book from the icon by stating the disparities explicitly. Barock the Jersey God is strictly on Earth for the chance to be with his love. Going forward, will a romantic relationship with part of humanity be enough to motivate the extranatural being into the role of hero? We’ll find out. This book seeks to be the perfect blend of superhero comics and romance ones, and now that the couple’s got together, it will be interesting to see how the creators continue to innovate and challenge the title, without resorting to trite superhero cliché stories. With a great look, and a story that makes that visual style necessary, this is a title I plan on paying attention to for as long as it’s hitting the shelves.



Chew #1 (Image): This was what I’d call a “buzz” book, because when Ed Brubaker is telling you a book should have been picked up by Vertigo, you’re gonna read that, and that’s buzz. Detective Chu is cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions via food consumption. That’s the hook I’d heard, and that was a decent one, to be sure, but to me it’s the other part of this story that makes this book so intriguing: it seems that the world’s lost its mind over bird flu, and as a result all fowl is outlawed, making deliciousness like chicken a controlled (read: narcotic) substance. See, to me it isn’t Chu’s kind of cool power that makes this book worthwhile, it’s the backdrop that utilizes that trait in to the strongest degree in-story. Concept’s good. Art’s good. Writing’s good. Comic’s good.



Astonishing Tales #5 (Marvel): I’m buying this book for Mojo. I refuse to make any bones about it. C.B Cebulski’s Punisher/ Wolverine story has its moments, and I like the idea of the 2020 Iron Man, but the only thing that’s satisfying me month in and month out in this series is the hilarious New Mutants meets Mojo meets modern Hollywood storyline. I don’t mind reading the rest of this book for the potential of finding another gem, but I would personally prefer to see only one or two ongoing stories in this anthology, and a smattering of shorts and vignettes. I thought the ongoing serials were what killed Marvel Comics Presents, and I hope this series avoids the same mistakes, and sustains as fertile grounds for fresh talent.



Skaar #11 (Marvel): I’ve just got such a soft spot for Ron Lim’s style, and I’m glad to see him on a book like this, because it suits him well. Hulk’s bastard son has descended on Earth to hunt down his jade, gigantic dad, and to show him the what’s what. I like the new wrinkle of a meeker alter ego for Skaar, as it is nice to see him saddled with the burden of his parent’s issues, as we all are. Pak has made the Hulk mythos his own, and I can’t wait for the day that we get the Skaar/ Amadeous Cho ongoing he must have up his sleeve. It will be glorious.



Ultimatum #4 (Ultimate Marvel): Look- hate the sin, not the sinner. It’s not my fault that Jeph Loeb is writing a miniseries that turns the tide on my beloved Ultimates line. And no, I don’t particularly want to support this series, or the concepts that drive it, but goddamn it, I was there at the beginning of Marvel’s 21st century, collection- focused publishing initiative, and goddamn it, I’m going to see it through. I read this issue completely unmoved, and really felt like it was just a level of a platform video game, but I bought it with the green American money, so I guess I can just stuff my opinions in a sack and let Loeb laugh all the way to the bank. Just know, sir, that I’m shaking my clenched fists towards the sky, ruing your base villainy.



Ultimate Spider-Man #133 (Ultimate Marvel): I just wanted to make sure I read that other book so I could fully appreciate this one. I think it’s been this to many people- but hot damn if Ultimate Spider-Man isn’t the book that kept me in comics, and challenged me to begin to analyze what I thought made the comics I enjoyed good, and why I was so drawn to them. I’m sad to see this title come to a close, but not really since it is soon to be relaunched as Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. But hey, we gave Conan O’Brien his moment of reflection when he moved from Late Night to Tonight Show , so I’m going to take a second and go over just what this iteration of the Web-Head has made it so important to me for a decade now.

Understand, when Ultimate Spider-Man launched, I was as close to Peter Parker as I’d ever been in my life. I was fourteen years old, he was a shade over fifteen, I had a girl best-friend that I had aims to make a best-girlfriend, as did he. I wasn’t the biggest loser in school, but I had my share of foils and nemeses. So did Peter. I just didn’t have powers, and until the very last page of the first issue, neither did he. I’d read comics all of my life at that point, and Marvel Comics to boot, but I’d never followed Spider-Man intently until that series. Suddenly, it was the most anticipated book I read each month. It all clicked- I finally saw what made Spider-Man the transcendent character he was. His everyman-ness, his resilience, his ability, well, ultimately… Amazing, it all came together. He was funny the way I tried to be funny, he was embittered in the teenage fashion I was, I know, I know, that’s how every Spider-Man fan in the history of ever has felt, that’s what makes him an “everyman,” but still, I was profoundly affected by thi s book.

That was ten years ago. The decade of one’s teen years into one’s young adulthood is funny because, within the confines of one’s mind, it is one long narrative of a constant central character. I think of myself as pretty much the same person as I did when I was 14; my inner monologue sounds the same, my life-goals are pretty much the same (although that might say more about who I am at 24 than who I was at 14), but, of course, I’ve acquired all the life experiences a 14 year old only thinks he has. In any case, it’s surreal to think that month in, month out, during that entire era, this book has been there, and been a model of consistency. Sure, people can gripe about the Geldoff story, or the Carnage one, and claim that the title fell off in quality, but I would contend that those people simply outgrew their need for, and maybe thereby their ability to understand and relate to this book.

The lesson of this book has been pretty much a constant- Peter, for all his capabilities, is someone whose desire to be a great agent of change has been outclassed by the world’s ability to stay exactly the way it is, despite the efforts of the young and idealistic. The only thing that’s really happened is that Peter’s world has become more complicated. He has more battles to fight, and maybe he’s gotten better at managing the struggle, but the struggle has also gotten better at managing him.

I hope the revamp of this title doesn’t change too much of the book’s core strengths. I hope I haven’t outgrown it. The ability to read the same book, chapter by chapter, for 10 years is one of those qualities exclusive to comics.

Maybe there’s nothing profound to draw from the decade of this run, maybe it’s just a book I’ve read for a long time. But I can’t help but feel like when this book started, I was that Ultimate Peter Parker, and here at issue #133, I’m the aged Peter of the 616 Marvel. It’s just a bizarre sensation… and it feels a little too much like growing up.



Until next time-

'We're gonna need a bigger (inter)Net'

After a time of tumult and incongruity, I've managed to stabilize as a writer, and get some good work done. Here are some links to my more recent work.

I talked to versatile writer G. Willow Wilson about her new Vertigo series, AIR. She seems to have a really unique world perspective that makes her a valuable voice in the sometimes homogeneous realm of comics.

Another year, another San Diego Comiccon Exclusive announcement. This time, it was my buddy Frank Marrafino's new Vertigo mini-series, Haunted Tank, with art by Henry Flint, (whose Elephantmen work has been a real favorite of mine). Like any Vertigo series worth it's salt, this revival looks to be as provocative as it is timely.

It was a season of revisiting, so, with the release of their new fantasy book Madame Xanadu, I caught up with writer/ artist Matt Wagner and artist/ writer Amy Reeder Hadley about progress on their new title. They were both great, gracious subjects, and after having seen that book develop over the course of a few years, I was amazed at just how well executed it all was.

It was also time to close the book on the modern masterpiece that was All Star Superman, so I talked to artist Frank Quietly about his experience on the high profile success. After getting my journalist career kick-started with the great Scot, it was very rewarding to be able to reconnect.

Did some reviewing in the last few months. Here's a quick wrap-up;

A major issue for me, both as a critic and as a member of the comic-reading community, is the blind distaste for anything that could be labeled an "event." All an "event" comic is is a marketing tool, a brand, that publishers with a large output can use to really throw their weight behind a particular series. They are not inherently good, or inherently bad; like anything, they come down to execution. Brian Bendis' Secret Invasion maxi-series is no different. except that he has his own books to use as support for this ambitious story.

Sometimes, as a reader, you get lucky. And lucky is exactly how I felt when it was announced that writer Matt Fraction, (who I have often accused of stealing my 'look,' particularly when I was Ritchie Tennenbaum for Halloween), would be supplementing the ongoing Thor series. A favorite writer tackling a favorite character is a joy unique to comics, and when Fraction tapped Beta Ray Bill to be the bridge character for the Secret Invasion: Thor miniseries, I couldn't stop talking about it.

It was Fraction and Ed Brubaker's departure from the Iron Fist title that demanded I check in on how it was handled by the subsequent team of Duance Swierczynski, Travel Foreman, and Russ Heath. It is never quite fair to compare one or two issues to a sum total of a successful creative run, but I think I gave a fair benefit of the doubt.

Phil Hester is immensely talented, and it was on his reputation alone I gave the El Diablo mini a shot. I wasn't disappointed, and writer Jai Nitz has had the kind of career that makes one hopeful that paying one's dues pays off. I don't think this series will be the book that makes him a viable option "big-time" writer in comics, but it is exactly the kind of book that can prove to an audience that you have the talent to hang in the industry.

As a writer, I can think of no more daunting task then following Alan Moore on a project. That's like having George Carlin be your warm up the audience guy. But that was the task for Zander (and, though I dropped the ball on it, also Kevin) Cannon, who did plot, script, and layouts on the new Top Ten: Season 2 series, with artist Gene Ha! Again, this is no small task, but they do a very commendable job.

I was a huge fan of the Oni OGN Labor Days, by Philip Gelatt and Rick Lacy. There were some serious philosophical questions it laid out, which really surprised me. It reminded me of I Heart Huckabees in that way, which I dug.

I was really excited to do this solo feature on Final Crisis: Rogue's Revenge #3, by the slick Flash team of Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. To be perfectly honest, I was more satisfied with the way this review came out than almost anything I've written. Things that I had wanted to say about Johns for a long time just sort of coalesced when I wrote this piece. But, that said, it is a lot easier to write a good review when you have a great subject.

Most recent was this review of Jeff Smith's Bone follow-up, RASL. I don't know what it is about the medium, but parallel worlds are an awful prevalent subject in comics. Smith really knocks this one out of the park, and I'm sure that when the project is complete it will be a new classic.



So that's the wrap for the last few months. I'm looking forward to trying out some new critiques on this space; from book reviews, to movies, video games, and really whatever comes up, it should be a good exercise in talking about what's good and bad.

I'm nothing if not a person who loves to talk about what he loves.

My Net of the Interwebs

So I do a little writing. You may be the type who does a little reading. We should hang out sometime, and swap skills-

My first published work. Frank Quietly, or Vin Deighan if he likes you, was a phenomenal interview. It took a little time to get done, but as he consistently proves, quality can take time. I sorta flipped when it got linked to by The Beat. Shout out to DC/ Vertigo's Brandon Montclare for hooking up an intern with a big-shot.

My first batch of reviews for PopCultureShock. I worked with these guys for a while, and there was nothing like having a stack of eleven unread comics awaiting judgment. Adan and I would go on to debate the merits of Marvel's Civil War for, well, ever. I can't believe I held off without a Confession joke. I must have been nervous about first impressions. Well, these are my Confessions. Shout out to Laura Hudson for finding other stuff to do, and freeing up the roster spot.

Index of Brendan (formerly Laura) and Adan's Picks, Pans, and Scans. I had a lot of fun with the BAAPPAS gig. Holler if you hear me to Jon Haehnle, for hooking the gig up.

The stalled This is Why They're Hot series of articles, where I try and reverse engineer what makes comic writers successful based on their earliest, most complete work. I had really high hopes for this concept, and hope to find venues to continue the exploration. I started with the most mysterious man in comics not named Alan Moore, Warren Ellis. I also ended with Ellis. Again, look for this concept to be retooled and re-upped. Adan Jimenez gets the props here, for editing this document during rush hour at a comicbook store on a Wednesday.

We sent that series off in style with the massive and all encompassing BLAAPPAS Finale. This was all of our favorite comic of all time. You may have picked up, but I like telling people what I like, especially when its friggin' awesome.

Talk about the right book at the right time and you get quoted in press releases, like I did for Halo #1. As far as I'm concerned, if Marvel posts my writing on their website, then I have written for them. Don't argue semantics with me, Quesada, just CTC.

I'm going to be one of those "I was there when," guys and show my review for Red 5 Comics' Atomic Robo #1. Just a really good comic, and I'm glad it got the much earned recognition with their Eisner Nomination.

Same deal for Johnny Hiro #1. I'm not above wanting credit for being on the ground floor. Fred Chao also was kind enough to throw shout outs me and everybody else who wrote about him in the last issue of the series, so he and his 4X Eisner nominated-ass gets a certified BIG UPS.

My first exclusive! Matt Wagner's Madame Xanadu Vertigo series was announced at last year's San Diego Comic-Con. We did this over the phone, another first for me, and man was Matt Wagner awesome. We shot the shit, and he managed to convince me that somehow Madame Xanadu was, like, really cool. Thats a big deal. Big time shout out to Bob Schreck for introducing me to the comics' legend, and for being one in his own right.

A follow up with MX artist Amy Hadley. Her work is stunning, and soon everyone will know.

Cliff Chiang and Green Arrow/ Black Canary. I wish I would have talked to him more about Doctor 13, which is now one of my all-time favorite stories.

Shane Davis is as good a superhero penciler as there is right now. I think with his latest run on Superman/ Batman everyone is starting to figure that out.

Infinity Gauntlet #1 is the first comic cover that burned itself into my brain, so when I got the chance to talk to writer/ artist Jim Starlin for his work on Mystery in Space, I was pretty geeked. I later got a chance to double dip into the kings of the cosmos with artist Ron Lim.

A quickie with the legendary Neal Adams. Whenever DC does publish his collaboration with Frank Miller, it will be ON.

One of my first reviews for Newsarama and shotgunreviews Best Shots, Greg Pak's Warbound #1. I try pretty hard to give the high visibility comics every chance to sink or swim on their own. It bums me out how indy- cool- intellectual types shit on high-selling books just for the sake of doing it, and it bums me out equally when mainstream readers don't look critically at what makes their favorite books good, or when they just buy slavishly and bitch. The people who run the Big Two aren't idiots, so when they invest resources into stories, it is worth giving them a shot.

I also try and find books that I think have crossover appeal, mostly so my friends who don't read comics will read my reviews. That was the case with this Best Shots Extra for Virgin's Buddha #1. I might have been a little easy on this book just to try and encourage people to try it, but in retrospect the comment listed is right, they should just read Tezuka's version.

I love Elephantmen, and so should you. Pulpy sci-fi and talking animals in a dystopian future. Don't be stupid, read that book.

Again, telling everyone what my idea of awesome is, this time for the Best Shots' 2007 Year in Review-review. Notable is James Stokoe's Wonton Soup, a title that should pop-up on way more radars. The only problem is that when I read something this good, and when the creator is close enough to my age that I can identify his or her influences, I get very jealous. Then I cry myself to sleep. So thanks for being awesome, jerks.

Lastly, last week's Best Shots. My Amazing Spidey was done, in part, because the Newsarama boards can't help but get themselves intensely riled up whenever anyone discusses the recent shake-down to Spidey continuity. Sometimes you have to shake the jar of bees, or, if you prefer, kick the dog with bees in his mouth and when he barks he shoots bees at you. Either way, I think that Brand New Day has been a resounding success, and no matter what a married dude tells you, there is a shitload more hijinx when you're single. Sorry guys, thats the trade-off.

So I think thats most all of the good stuff, and, y'know, some of the okay stuff. Nice little handy list so you don't have to Google me, baby.

That is a lot of Nerd-words, so next time we'll discuss something truly gangsta-riffic, like the Muppets.

Not that comic's aren't gangsta. Or even, Gangsta Large.