Seven comics this week, which for me is the large side of "average" quantity. Mostly a Marvel week, but DC & Image get some love too (and offer a break from Skrull crap). As always, full spoilers.
Dread's Bought/Thought for 9/17/08:
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #12: For those curious of when the first issue shipped, it was November 20th, 2005. That means it took nearly 3 years for this "monthly" maxi-series to finish. Alongside ALL-STAR BATMAN, this title was one that rarely shipped, but when it did, it usually sold in the 6 figures. Unfortunately, that lateness took a lot of steam out of the series itself and the line in general (you'll notice that there aren't any more ALL-STAR books being promoted, are there). Compared to it's partner, AS-S was usually considered the better of the two. While the subplot was Superman's impending death via solar radiation overload (from a scheme by Luthor), most of the stories were one shots or 2-shots and that helped with the lateness. Morrison, of course, would go on to write many DC comics since 2005, including a year on 52, a Batman run and other stuff. Quietly was always a slow artist, hence why Morrison's NXM run often had fill in art.
Still, if this issue shipped at less than 100k this month, DC really only has themselves to blame.
Last issue, Luthor escaped from death row with an elixir that gave him Superman's powers for 24 hours (similar, ironically, to one Superman made for Lois Lane's birthday back in the 3rd issue). Superman has seemingly expended the last of his energy fighting a sun-parasite monster summoned by Luthor, and dies as Clark Kent at the PLANET building. Kal-El has a near-death experience with his father Jor-El which basically claims that Kryptonians have a different "afterlife" experience than humans. They all break down into energy when they die and join a collective, or something. Kal, of course, decides to sacrifice all that for another short period back with the mortals. The sun-monster ends up backstabbing Luthor to poison the son, with the vain demi-god vowing he can "fix it". Superman returns and basically defeats Luthor with a Gravity Gun that burns out his false powers, then decks him. Superman seemingly sacrifices himself to repower the sun, which would be original if Hal Jordon hadn't basically done that in FINAL NIGHT about 12 years ago. Superman's death is kept a little ambiguous with Lois refusing to believe that he won't return at some point, like he always did.
In the end, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN has been a playground for Morrison's love of Golden & Silver Age cheese-ball super-science and plot points. If you are someone who wanted to see some "classic" things done in modern ways, you enjoyed it. If you felt stories about SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSON were best left in the 50's, then most of this series probably seemed daft. I'm all for reinventing things in ways besides black leather and bleakness, and even a series about Superman's death avoided being bleak. I liked how it also defined Luthor as someone who, despite what he says about things, is simply a vain, petty mad scientist with a grudge at the end. Even with Superman's death, it isn't enough for Luthor; he NEVER will be an equivalent to "The Man of Tomorrow". It also defined Superman as not someone who "makes humanity lazy" by "doing everything for them", but someone to aspire to.
Quietly's art is what it is; great for background and he makes everyone's face look like a mummified 87 year old woman. But it works and it manages to fit the tone of the series well, and Morrison gets along well with him.
This will probably make a nice Hardcover, but in the end all I can say is that it was an entertaining lark. It was more about big ideas and wonked out science than pulse packing action. It was more like Superman stories of old being told in more of a 21st century way, only without apologizing for the bits that were outdated, instead believing they are "timeless". They aren't, but the attempt is more noble than, erm, a Mark Millar style, cynical-bleak-leather-fest. Considering the book shipped less often than ASTONISHING X-MEN under Whedon & Cassaday most months, it will just be another book that I don't have to expect at random every 2-4 months. Some will adore the small moments and ideas, and while I liked them, overall, it's alright. The Superman universe, at the very least, works out better with a "Anything 60's is gold!" mantra than Batman sure does. BAT-HOMBRE did not need to return.
At least ALL-STAR SUPERMAN didn't need to manufacture a curse-strewn recall to get reorder numbers up and create a black market collectable. What? You think DC is so naive that they didn't know what would happen? It was totally rigged to drum up interest. Those who think DC isn't that desperate obviously have not been reading sales reports for the last year. Any ground they made up to Marvel in 2006 is gone. Comic sales overall have been down for 7 straight months (compared to 2007) and as #2, DC feels the punch more.
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #8: In which Wolf-Man's tone moves from CAPES WITH HORROR to "The Incredible Hulk TV Show". After the events of last issue, Gary is on the run from both his family and the law, framed for murdering his wife (which his former vampire mentor, Zachariah, did "accidentally"). His daughter hates him and the world knows that he is Wolf-Man, and there are FBI agents hunting him and a bounty on his head. Even something as simple as hitch-hiking across the highway nearly costs Gary his life when he is spotted and shot at.
Apparently, though, mortal wounds in daylight "regenerate" as soon as the night comes and he becomes Wolf-Man (presuming rigor mortus doesn't set in). He returns to the same park where he was originally bitten and received the "curse". Wolf-Man finds the original "Elder Brood" who empowered him, seeking training in "how to kill a vampire".
Issue #7 changed the tone of the series and got things back down a more horror route. While I did like the superhero stuff, I do like that this is a middle-ground between INVINCIBLE and what I presume WALKING DEAD is like. Jason Howard's art is cool as always, and in the letters page, Kirkman puts all the blame on his late books on himself. He claims that with him now devoted solely to Image now, things will get back on track. WOLF-MAN has been a bimonthly (and still late) since the beginning and that can take some Oomph out of a serial story. But aside for that, it's been a good ride. I'd argue AW-M is a better update of a WEREWOLF BY NIGHT sort of premise for the 21st century (WWBN was created back in the 70's) and owes a bit to that old Marvel franchise.
After initially being accepted by society, Wolf-Man has entered the Hulk-ish area of being an anti-hero, considered by many to be a monster. This works out for him and is probably the genre expectation for a werewolf, although I do appreciate that Kirkman flirted with the other side of things for quite a while. It isn't his best comic, but one that I still enjoy quite a bit, and hope that time between issues does finally shorten.
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI-13 #5: The issue fans of the series have been waiting for; the Skrulls are dust and Blade, former Marvel movie star and recipient of some of the worst comics of the past decade returns to print. Will the third time be the charm for Blade, who has been in one waste after another in terms of comics after the 1998 film put him and Marvel on the map?
Cornell at least is giving the Daywalker the ol' college try. He envisions Blade as a vampire hunter by specialty, but a killer-of-supernatural-beasties in general. He takes time to explain things about Blade's past without going into Claremont-level exposition; revealing, or reminding rather, that Blade has a mechanical arm, and that he was technically born in Britain. Blade agrees to join the team because of all the supernatural monsters unleashed during the Skrull Invasion. This naturally fits him, especially for eagle-eyed fans who note that Lillith was among those freed monsters and Blade worked exclusively with the Midnight Sons group to put her away years ago. Cornell gets the right tone with Blade; he is a man of few words, but when he does speak, he speaks powerfully, and usually has his own agenda. In a way, he reminds me of what Drax is to the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
To me, one limitation I always felt Blade had was that his personality made a solo comic about him bleak and monotone. He needed other characters to bounce off of. In his own series, he was always paired with stock vampire hunters who usually got slaughtered to showcase how bad-ass Blade was by surviving in comparison. Here, Blade gets to interact with other superhero characters like Brian Braddock and Pete Wisdom, and it works well. Brian and Wisdom have battled monsters and criminals before, but haven't devoted themselves quite like Blade has. Plus, Blade has no sense of humor, and they do. It works.
I also don't mind Blade without the trenchcoat, because trenches are kind of played out after the 90's. The bolt tat's/hairdo is weird, but distinctive.
Most of the issue focuses on Dane Whitman talking to Faiza's Muslim parents about getting permission for her to join MI-13. Her father, a doctor, is especially suspicious, especially given Black Knight's role in the Crusades, a continuity tid bit I can imagine half of Marvel's editors don't care to know. Faiza's mother causes more hyjinks to ensue by incorrectly assuming that Dane wants to marry her daughter. Dane officially makes Faiza his "steward", which I guess is like an apprentice, but the pair do have romantic chemistry together. Overall, Faiza is a great new character for me. She's a Muslim without beating one over the head with it or adhering to stock cliches. Her parents are concerned about things like scapegoating and security, but they also come off as real people besides all that. It was also good to see Strider again (or whatever magic winged horse Whitman is using now since Al Kravenoff ate the genetically bred one in PWJ). Why use a motorcycle when you have a magic horse that breaks the speed barrier? You think chicks dig cars? They LOVE horses.
Union Jack guest stars as he and Spitfire take down some Sons of the Serpent terrorists (whichever ones were left over from LAST DEFENDERS). Jack is happy with MI-5 and isn't joining Jaqualine's new team, but wants to explore their relationship and work with her new half-vampire status (it appears she is normal by day and at night, or when angry, struggles with her bloodlust). In a way it is a shame that Union Jack won't join, but so long as he guests every arc or so, it seems fine. She also mourns John the Skrull before having a very eventful meeting with Blade for the cliffhanger ending.
Brian's new powers, as shown in the previews, connect his new power levels to willpower and emotion; basically he can become as strong and tough as he wants and wills to. To me, a fan of emotional heroic moments, this is more ideal than "you get weaker the farther you are from England" and limitations of the past. It's a similar power level that Gladiator from the Imperial Guard has, only without the space mohawk.
I agree with the sentiment that the issue was low-key. Most of it was talking scenes aside for the final page; if that is considered "action packed", then all of Bendis' DAREDEVIL issues were action blockbusters. Unlike Bendis, the conversations here are full of wit and are interesting. Blade reacts to Spitfire's status exactly as I imagined and that makes issue #6 one that I heavily anticipate. Cornell has crafted a great team book here that ignores some of the cliches of other team books while embracing what works. The only niggle was explaining MI-16 as purely a monster-hunting force when they just fought off an alien invasion and Spitfire was helping fight a terrorist cell. Granted, in superhero work, the roles overlap.
Olliffe fills in for Leonard Kirk on art and does a good job; his Brian looked a tad beefier and that is good. I also wouldn't mind if Olliffe stayed here and Kirk reteamed with Jeff Parker for AGENTS OF ATLAS, but there is no way that Marvel is giving that book another shot, unfortunately (especially with Namora busy in INCREDIBLE HERCULES). I really have little negative to say about this book; if you like team superhero comics and want one that doesn't base things in NYC or is mired in bleakness, CB&MI13 is for you.
GHOST RIDER #27: Picking up from last month, where Dan Ketch, who is working for the evil angel Zadkiel, attacked the Caretaker with a squad of GR rogues; all but Blackout were killed (or at least severely injured). Johnny Blaze was on the road at the time, and ran into a random nun.
Her name is Sara and she turns out to be of vital importance, being Caretaker's grand-daughter. She is tasked with filling in for him, since he was dying and all. With but a touch of his library tomes, she mystically absorbs all his knowledge. It seemed like a bit of a length to replace a crusty-old-man mentor with a virginal nun one, but it works out. Blaze and Blackout also have an interesting one-page fight that doesn't go well for ol' Blacky. Ketch believes he is "saving" people, while we finally meet Zadkiel in the flesh at the end of the issue, and he is hardly compassionate.
The theme of the run of GR is that the lines between Heaven and Hell, and even Demons and Angels, are very blurry. After all, many demons were once angels who fell from Heaven, after all. Zadkiel is an angel with lofty ambitions for the throne of Heaven and is worse than many demons. Pitting the old and new Ghost Rider's against each other has also drummed up interest among fans of the franchise, although it may not have done much for sales. This is still a book that straddles the Top 85-100 very precariously. Not everyone is a fan of that either, since Ketch still has many fans and some don't like seeing him cast as the antagonist for Johnny Blaze. Aaron's convinced me to let things play out. For me, Blaze had the better name and origin, while Ketch had the better design and powers. Now things are getting merged a bit and I am interested in how they play out. Lord knows the GR continuity is a nightmare to piece together with all the retcons anyway. He's almost like Marvel's Hawkman.
Huat had seemingly become the new regular artist and while I still am not a big fan of it (he has odd angles and makes Blackout look like a girl), it isn't bad enough to turn me off completely, and reminds me of Image house style for B-List titles like SAM AND TWITCH from the 90's.
I still think the book would have been better off if Aaron and not Way had launched it, but now that Aaron is on, he's taken the horse by the reigns and really is working things as best as he could. It isn't one of my favorite books, but one I usually don't mind reading; a B-List title that I don't regret buying. Giving "the next guy" after Way a 6 issue chance for once paid off.
