Iron and the Maiden #2 - Jason Rubin (w) and Francis Manapul (p)
Well, I got shafted and wound up with the craptastic cover by Chris Bachalo. Alas.
Halfway through the series (which is, unfortunately, a mini, and restricted to four, but at least they're all completed and shipping on guaranteed dates), the stage is set for what looks like a violence-filled and gun-blasting finale. Although I fully expect some twist to happen somewhere in the next issue. Either that, or one grudge match next issue, and a bigger one in the fourth issue.
And really, that's what this series is. It's just one big grudge match, really, from the start. It's what makes it so good, at the core, and so much damn fun to read. It's not all about random dialogue and talk, or about skrully skrulls, or decompression, or incredibly trippy storylines (while I love Loeb to death, I'll admit that sometimes some of his stories are a tad taxing), or whatever else. It's a tale of revenge. It's violence. It's an homage to 1930s gangsters. It's a great, vividly imagined world.
Anyway, hitman Iron wakes up after being out of it for six months, finding that he's been saved by the only surviving member of a family he attempted to save. Engaging in fisticuffs, he makes a shows to the head of the Syndicate (his boss, Big Daddy) that he's back, and is told that if he repays the money he's been accused of stealing, he'll live (more or less, that's the deal). At the same time, it's revealed that Big Daddy knows who really took the money and killed everyone - Sweet Joey Petunia, who's still been working for Big Daddy - and offers him Iron's right-hand-man status if he can kill Iron. Both deals expire in 48 hours.
Rubin, whose previous work is in video games, seriously did this research before moving into the comics medium, and that's refreshing. His work with Francis Manapul is incredibly engaging, and between the two of them, the book displays some of the best and most refreshing breakdowns and panel work that I've seen lately in comics. Not a stale thing about them.
Between the fun and pleasure of reading the book, the great art, the refusal to pull punches when it comes to language and art, this is one of those books you people should be reading (well, assuming you like good stuff and you think an homage to 1930s gangster stuff is fun, I suppose). And if you don't read many independents, you should read it. And c'mon, it's only four issues. Then finito and done.
Outsiders #50 - Tony Bedard (w) and Matthew Clarke (p)
I'll be sad to see Clarke leaving this title (well, the title's new title), as I like his work in general, and have grown to really like it on this title, not to mention that I like how he draws Batman a lot. And he'd be drawing Batman a lot on this title's successor, Batman and the Outsiders. But oh well.
Technically, despite seeing Bedard do the Five of a Kind issue for Thunder and the Martian Manhunter, this is the first we've seen of him with the Outsiders. And I've got to say, it's pretty good. I had some reservations, as I really hated what he did on Exiles, and since the two teams are along the same lines, I dreaded what might happen on this title. Now, admittedly, it could all go downhill from here, but this first issue gives me some faith.
Essentially, Batman takes his team on their first outing, leading in the field under the Matches Malone persona (sweet). Grace sends a text to Thunder telling her where to meet them, but that shouldn't surprise anyone who's seen the cover art for subsequent issues. And even after reading the aforementioned Five of a Kind, I don't think any of us doubted that she'd wind up back on the team. Just like we all expect Aquanewb to make it on the team. And Catwoman breaks into their sub and wants in.
At least initially, it looks like the team's main enemies are going to be the members of the Suicide Squad, on which is Boomerang Junior, previously a member of the Outsiders. Assuming Bedard pushes this, there could be some fun tension as a result. And a battle royale!
All in all, a clear premise, Koi Turnbull proved with the Thunder/MM issue that he can do some good interior work with the characters, and Bedard does a good job of writing the title. So, yay.