A much smaller week than the last, my wallet rejoices. It is also a happy week by virtue of INVINCIBLE coming out (a week later than Diamond announced, as usual).
Spoiler warning, brought to you by THE SPIRIT PORK & BEANS. They're full of sugar and your mother is lazy.
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT for 4/18/07:
52 WEEK #50: Only two weeks left for DC's weekly series, although considering they have another yearlong weekly coming after this one, because lord knows without this, DC's entire competition against Marvel relies on JLA and countless late A-list books, it almost doesn't feel like one. As expected, this is the start of WORLD WAR III. There has been some confusion as to how this fits into the continuity, but as I barely read any DC comics and am merely a pedestrian to their universe, I don't give a rat's rear. What immediately caught my attention is how Mary Marvel's facial expression totally ruins the cover. It has all the other heroes facing Black Adam and either looking shocked, sad, or enraged, but there she is with some sort of bizarre rasberry, a mix of either disgust or gas. Maybe she got SHAZAM'd in a very uncomfortable place. Like the back of a Volkswagon. Heh, I know, bad. Contining. The art this time around is quite good and fluid, at least when compared to the "mutilation of Batwoman" issue. Now, despite the entertaining bits, this issue makes obvious that the Black Marvel segment of 52 has officially hogged it. It has devoted itself to about half the issues and most of the major action. This has been a problem at times, and made the multi-faceted premise of 52 seem hollow as about a month would be spent on Adam & Co, and maybe only token references to other stories. In a way this issue shares that problems. Sure, Steel & Natasha show up, and Booster Gold FINALLY returns, as if to remind us there is actually another storyline happening. But it's yet another Black Adam issue. However, I'll overlook that, because I am a sucker for good action. If my pompus criticisms have one weakness (prolly a few), it is that if I am handed an exciting, well paced fight scene, I tend to enjoy it and overlook the flaws. This is issue #50. It is essentially the entire DCU, minus Batman & Superman (and lord knows who or what Wonder Woman is anymore) vs. Black Adam, who escaped Oolong Island thanks to Atom Smasher and is tearing through China to get to the Great Ten, as they were allied with Egg-Fu (snicker). It seems Atom-Smasher is the most sympathetic to BA, but as I never read JSA I don't get it, especially as Black Adam seemingly has abandoned all reason. There really was no reason to slaughter millions of civilians in Bialya aside for venting, but he did it anyway. Because Isis told him to; he's still whipped. Kidding. Anyway, so the Great Ten attempt to fight him, rather than trying to put him to sleep announcing their long names, and one by one they fail (although at least Seven Deadly Brothers makes sense. It still sounds stilted, awkward, and I can't take it seriously, but at least it makes sense when you know the guy can split into 7 dopples). The JSA, what is left of the JLA and every hero who felt like a night in the hospital goes after Adam, and they all fail until Zatanna comes up with a plan with Capt. Marvel to somehow "switch" Adam's magic word with the power of a SHAZAM thunderbolt that Marvel actually fries himself to hold (and it makes his hair white, sort of like Rogue in X-MEN). So Adam is left battered and powerless, sort of like Magneto in X3. A satisfying actioner with a satisfying ending, especially as the Booster Gold subplot and the 52 thing FINALLY is reintroduced. But can the cadre of writers resolve it in only two issues (even if the last is double-sized, so it's more like three)? That...is the question. But definately a return to thrills and spills from 52, and the best issue in, god, at least a month for me.
THE SPIRIT #5: I caught up on the back issues sometime last month, and was glad I did, because this series by Cooke & Co. is quite good. Fundamental Spirit action with Cooke's usual cinematic flair. This issue, while cute, is probably my least favorite of the set so far, if only because of Mr. Carrion and his weird vulture "Miss Julia" that he literally makes out with. This is probably some old school rube, but I found him a bit too weird. However, the most interesting bit, of course, is that he essentially pulls a scheme simular to the B:TAS episode "JOKER'S WILD"; he uses the Spirit's image to sell a shoddy product because as an untrademarked vigilante outlaw, there is no legal recourse to be taken against him, and everything is pure profit. Considering that Cooke got his start working for Timm & Co. on the Batman cartoons, seeing the connection is not so far-fetched. However, unlike "JOKER'S WILD", where the scheme was to lure the Joker to his themed casino so he'd torch it and get the con man insurance money, Carrion simply wants to unload some shoddy "pork & beans" and make his millions quick, then retire in style. The best bits are the anime-tastic commercials, which I could SO see working on CARTOON NETWORK or something. The concept of a food product that is pork, beans, and sugar somehow selling is of course a satire, not unlike something MAD magazine might do, but it still was funny. Spirit, of course, is not too happy about being known as "bean man" to crooks now, but is unable to make Carrion stop. However, when muscleman Cossack, one of Spirit's enemies, tracks Carrion down, that stupid vulture saves the day for Spirit & Co. Ebony White gets in some action and I guess it is another issue where The Spirit essentially needed help to take down one of his own enemies. Just this has only happened maybe twice in 5 issues, vs, say, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN where it's happened maybe 30 times in over 100 (mostly in a row; oh, I flipped through the last issue, and what a surprise, Ronin gets to embarass and pwn Spider-Man. Really, what a shock, I was SO tired of that crap and am so glad I am off that damn book). As usual, half the appeal isn't exactly the characters, but to see Cooke's mastery of the comic artform, from pacing to angles to mood and whatnot. There is a loose subplot linking all these issues together, but they are mostly standalones. No crossovers, no angles, no gimmicks, just solid comic book stuff. Great read. Definately a title I am glad I caught up on and am reading monthly. I never imagined myself reading and enjoying modern Spirit tales, but here I am. Not the best issue of the lot, but still aces better than a lot of dreck on the racks, and a pleasure to read. Yes, yes, somewhere someone likes making comic boys that bring entertainment, and not emotional shocks, frustration, cheap sells, and gimmicks.
INVINCIBLE #40: One of the few comics that actually lives up to it's title tagger ("Probably the best superhero comic book in the universe"), and a title I eagerly anticipate each month. It melts my cynic's heart to still see a superhero universe done so well in a single title (yes, Kirkman loosely links it to other projects he has done, like CAPES and TECH JACKET, but he hasn't organized some inane crossover). When this book is "quiet", it still is entertaining, but man, when the fat is in the fire, it really PUMPS! This issue, more than some, proves that INVINCIBLE has become more than a book about a young solo hero, but a book about scores of superheroes and the wild, wacky, and violent universe they live in. Kirkman actually manages to almost make his B-plot seem more brutal and thrilling than his A-plot. The A-Plot is of course Invincible, Atomic Eve, Immortal, Shapesmith, Robot, Bulletproof & Monster Girl vs. the Sequid army that has overthrown Mars and is now set on Earth. Eve is pushed to the limit pulling her Invisible Woman act to save everyone several times, and the Sequids come off as a very unique enemy; not huge tankers like many villians, they have strength in endless waves of tiny numbers smothering beings. So even when everyone can smash dozens easy, the battle has a hectic pace to it, especially as Eve's stamina begins to fail. Elsewhere, Amber is enjoying a "friend" who doesn't bail on dates for every emergency (like filling in at work). She is SO leaving Mark. The B-Plot, however, is quiet gorey. If this were a mainstream book, sure, it'd sell like it deserves, but all the shocks would have been ruined weeks ago, and thus the issue less effective. At first seeming like a random fight to keep the B-List heroes busy (Rex Slode, Shrinking Ray, & Dupli-Kate) tangling with the Lizard League, it turned very gorey, very fast, thanks to the henchman of the year, Komodo. I was genuinely surprised it got that brutal so quick, and that at least one or two of those heroes may not have survived (and in fact been vicously murdered). Rex also shows off some tough-arse grit even in the face of defeat and loss, and he may be more than a jerkwad after all. I think I have an idea of how The Lizard League's leader will bite it, but Kirkman's surprised me before. Sometimes INVINCIBLE seems like a book that is almost too genre predictable with showey action and whatnot, so gorey, tragic battles when you least expect them showcase how dangerous this life is. Plus, got to love the solict for #41 that makes no secret that Invincible beats the Sequids. Kirkman knows how to play it. While the star is immortal, the side characters are not, and thus shocks come in. He may be a chore on ULTIMATE X-MEN, but here he is god. As always, this series doesn't come out often enough or sell as well for my benefit. Probably my favorite ongoing title.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #2: Well, that didn't last long. After a very promising first issue, MA succumbs to the flaws of it's writer, much as Sentry usually succumbs to the flaws of his psyche. But at least Cho's art is still very very pretty, and no, not just the chick who is nude for the entire issue (but smoke always hides the naughty bits. Got to love modern American morals; showing gorey violence and murder is fine, preaching about friends backstabbing each other is heroic, but god forbid anyone sees a nipple on a breast, all of reality would crumble). Bendis turnes to an old story tactic; when his story seems straightforward, mix it up and slow it down with a lot of flashbacks that serve very little to the plot other than to spoonfeed details to an audience that wants it. If you don't, tough. We already went over who is gathered to the team and why. There was little need to rehash these scenes again with showing EXACTLY HOW Stark & Carol recruit everyone. They're not bad scenes, mind you, but they're hardly pivotal nor tell us anything we haven't already guessed or known. The sort of stuff that is usually editted from a film. Bendis also seems to have forgotten that Wonder Man can turn into a crackly energy guy and fly. He was injured by Goblin last year, but I have heard nada about that injury effecting his powers. It just seems that Bendy liked his 80's power levels, so here they are, without explaination. Simon joins because he won't get work as an actor, Janet still flounders as a designer, and Sentry is essentially not a real character, but a collection of phobies, neurosis, and flaws in the shape of a man. And Black Widow is the hottie Ex Commie eager for action, who looks good in anything she wears. Really, was this a revealing shock? They were all Stark's stormtroopers during CW so why wouldn't they all sign up? Joe Q also made a big hoopla over "the return of thought balloons" (he used to lament how boring they were, but once Bendis uses him, it's suddenly fantastic), but as of this issue, I am officially tired of them. Much like Bendis' dialogue style, it was inititally innovative and interesting, but he has overdone it and now it loses it's spark; you can have too much of a good thing. Now it makes it seem that even as they are talking in "Bendispeak", they think it too. Plus, you always have to love writers who put the criticisms of their audiences into the statements of their villians (Lady Ultron scoffing at Ares and going, "I preferred Thor"), who ultimately will lose. Plus, I still have no idea what the F is going on, without any hints. Ultron trashed Mole Man's underworld, and nukes his monsters. He has invaded Iron Man's body, for some reason. He is a woman who looks like Jan, because, at least, because Ultron still is running with Pym's mental patterns. Right, nothing to do with Cho Cheesecake. And Lady Ultron's powers are typical Bendis godmoder; she can pwn the heroes instantly, without effort, with some unexplainable ability (she can shoot out shockwaves and summon thunder from the sky). The Mighty Avengers lose their first battle. Really, I don't think any writer has gotten as much mileage out of the constant failures and humilations of superheroes than Bendis. To him, that is all they do. They make mistake, after mistake, after mistake, after an endless stream of invincible enemies who can only be defeated by some plot convient side character who shows up and explains things like some 4th grade Librarian from Bizarro World. I have read this from Bendis 500 god damned times and I am sick to F'ing death of it. There are good parts here, sure, but they don't combine into a good whole. How he writes Ultimate Spider-Man is like a guidebook to how he writes everything now, it seems. Promising beginning. Muddled middle. Heroes are humilated, make mistakes, only survive due to plot convience, gimmick or arrogant side character wins for them. The only kinks in this pattern are stories he co-writes with others, like THE ILLUMINATI, and one-shots, where he is amazingly competant. Not the worst comic by far, but jeez, haven't I seen this before? It looks pretty, though. Yes, there is a difference between buildup, with some hints thrown in to keep fans guessing, and just keeping things confusing to almost force the audience to follow along with it, like ULTIMATE CLONE SAGA, or some cheesy soap opera. If I had to pick a fave member, though, it is Ares. Hands down. And of course Stark isn't dead, but that is the least of the issue's problems.
MOON KNIGHT #9: It just seems tacky to me to have tailers for TWO events on one cover; the top is part of CASUALTIES OF WAR, and the icon is for WWH. For those wondering, the Punisher only shows up in one page for the climax, and it is terribly random. But it actually is a solid issue, if only because Huston is able to focus on his main storyline without randomly throwing in details from CW. Of course, throwing in CW tidbits, while distracting to the stories, have boosted sales for this book (which was already selling pretty well), so take that for what you will. Suayan takes over for interiors from the lateness-plagued Finch, and he is able to maintain Finch's tone while still having his own unique bits, and I think it works very well. I like it. Basically, Specter is working out with Frenchie's new boyfriend, and then Midnight, his seemingly dead ex-cyborg partner, returns to throw him a vicious beating and challenge him to a showdown, lest he tear apart his friends just as he has innocent women as the serial killer "Midnight Man" (who was his father). In this way Huston shows off that he actually has read up on the source material while adding his own spark to things. The action is vicious and brutal, as one'd expect. MK's enemy is another from his past with issues. And a gritty showdown is in the wings, but unfortunately may get sidetracked next issue for more CW bits. I know Huston admitted to this, but it reaks of a little editorial wrangling, and it is interfering with a solid story. I'll bare with it, though. Still a solid dark vigilante tale and continues to be one of a growing list of competant Marvel relaunches.
ULTIMATE X-MEN #81: Having both this and INVINCIBLE in one week is rather unfair to UXM, as it is Kirkman's worst up against his best. Oliver is back at pencils, but this issue has no action, so he is tolerable, although some of his figures still look sketchy and I have to wait for dialogue to figure out who they are. And no, the cover is not taken out of context; Kirkman revives Beast. On the one hand, Bendis' pacing of his death made it seem worse than it should have been, but past stories got a lot of milage out of it, and it hit home the fact that this was a new universe where almost no one was safe. Slowly but surely, Kirkman is introducing into Ultimate X-Men all of the elements from 616 that bogged the franchise down in conveluted crap. Time Travel, for one, and resurrections and "non-deaths" for another. First he spends a few issues having Xavier awkwardly die and then 2 issues with the characters reacting, only to reveal, whoops, he ain't dead (after dropping in the "I am pedo for Jean" bit and then doing nothing with it). Now, he brings back Beast after, what, 2+ years? And back to his "furless" status quo (what, just so there is buildup for the fur again?) Okay, I can live with the last bit, but the explaination seems a bit, well, conveluted. Xavier & Fury faked Beast's death, and allowed his friends to believe it, and allowed Hank to believe his friends were with him, so he could do research on the Legacy Virus for the feds. Throw in an evil twin and this could be GUIDING LIGHT. On the plus side, everything else was readable. Scott's comments defending Toad from Jean were F'ing CLASSIC, and about time he had some cajones again. Nightcrawler falls in with the Morlocks, which seems fitting. Bishop wants to reorganize the X-Men now that Scott has made the school non-violent, like Emma's. Of course, the big problem was that the lesson of NEW MUTANTS was that there would always need to be an X-Men because the world is not ready for muties yet, so some of them NEED to fight. Scott was there, should know this, but seems to be going through the motions to fit the story. There are bits tying together, and he does recall past bits from Vaughan, although I think Vaughan would have handled this book a HELLUVA lot better (offing Mr. Sinister seems like a waste, but whatever). Kirkman's run has just been awkward, underwhelming, and making the book too much like it's counterpart. Even because I felt Bendis' death scene with Beast wasn't handled perfectly doesn't mean I wanted it to be undone with psychic-babble (taking the place of magic for Ultimate, it seems). One step forward, two steps back. It's not as horrid as USM was getting, but all of the core Ultimate books are in a creative slump and I am beginning to question the limits of my loyalty. ULTIMATE POWER is argueably the best Ultimate book out now for me.
