The day before Thanksgiving and we have a hearty helping of comics this week to finish off Thanksgiving. As usual, ASTONISHING WOLF-MAN is running a bit behind, and full spoilers ahead.
Dread's Bought/Thought for 11/26/08:
END LEAGUE #6: Here we are, 6th issue and usually the obligatory "trade break", only this arc is going onward. While not a bad piece of work, it would easily be the "dud" of the week for me. The problem here is I simply don't feel for any of the characters. They just exist as recognizable achetypes and aside for codenames, powers, and a spiffy one liner or two I just don't feel many of them. Astonishman got the lion's share, but he's been dead for about 3-4 issues now. Prairie Ghost started to get some, but he's been mostly off panel for two issues. Now we are delving into Codename Black, who is basically Batman with a spookier motif. Unfortunately, the scene in which he argues with his mother and brother Peter about carrying on their wicked father's legacy (or not) just reminded me too much of HEROES, albeit unintentionally. Remender clearly has a story here, and it is a bleak superhero epic about the last team of heroes left in a world where the bad guys won, but the characters are just cogs in the story. I feel no sense of urgency about whether Black can save his friends because they're barely characters to me. Plus, last issue it was revealed the "hammer" he is chasing after that Smiling Man offers is a fraud, so there's some oomph taken out of the climax.
Canete's taken over as full time artist now and his style has a flair all it's own. I think I preferred the last artist, though, and it isn't enough to bring the work above mediocrity. I usually like seeing how stories end, but I may not have more than another issue or two in me. After a decent premise, this has proven to be underwhelming. Remender would have been better off cutting his team roster in half and really making us care about the heroes as they live through nightmares. Without that emotional investment, it is just akin to a slasher movie where you mindlessly watch the action and count down until someone "gets it".
UMBRELLA ACADEMY: DALLAS #1: After what seems like forever, the next installment of Gerald Way & Gabriel Ba's quickly British superhero team unfolds and unlike END LEAGUE, this team has loads of character in it's characters. Of course, the tone is entirely different. This issue isn't as quicky as the debut issue of the last installment, but that is to be expected. The characters and their universe have already be introduced and this is a continuation of their story.
A quick fight in the past in the era of JFK against the Lincoln monument (which is a fun gag, although POWERPUFF GIRLS, DEXTER'S LABORATORY and SOUTH PARK have already done similar gags). The team is still reacting to the Apocalypse Suite last time around. Spaceboy appears to be sitting around with the munchies, gaining wait. The crazed Seance is on an all time high after saving the world and has a new dose of confidence. Rumor has lost her voice (and thus her power) and insists on her sister White Violine reliving the horror she wrought. Krakken is still out busting heads. And the time travelling Number Five is losing money on the track and dodging more soldiers from the Time Police. And the monkey is still dead, and quite cross about it.
Some could say that so far, it is typical of a sequel; it isn't fresh as it used to be, since there are expectations now, and it is trying to provide more of what the last story did. I disagree. I think UMBRELLA ACADEMY is a fun, quirky little superhero series and it is ten times better than a slew of Big Two books out there. Plus, it actually sells in the Top 100, which is amazing for a non-Whedon or Star Wars Dark Horse book. Ba's art is great and really helps nail down the look of the book here. I could easily see this as a quirky ADULT SWIM type series. Rumor "talking" via notepad is actually a more interesting vehicle than I imagined.
The last volume should be out on trade so if you're into superheroes and haven't given this a try, I recommend it. I mean, it beats buying HULK or something.
BLUE BEETLE #33: A dead book walking, being canceled after issue #36. A lot of emoting has been had on this forum about it, as this was one of DC's few healthy titles and characters left. After all, without BLUE BEETLE, all that is left for Jaime Reyes is TEEN TITANS, where he is liable to be raped or killed (or have a member of his family raped or killed). DiDio for once can't really be blamed for this; the book has lasted way longer than it should have; it was barely selling 15k by issue #19 and as of Sept. 2008 was selling barely over 12k with sales slipping 1-3% a month. At #161 in the Top 200, books like INVINCIBLE, AVENGERS: FAIRY TALES, and SPIDER-GIRL outsold it. Some retailers at THE BEAT argued the final nail in the coffin was the "all Spanish" issue, where they claim many readers simply left the issue on the stands and never looked back. Looking at harder numbers, the book had been in a slow and steady sales decline for two years; after a brief spike from SINESTRO CORPS, it fell like a stone. However, the drop in sales from issue #26 (the all-Spanish issue) to #27 was 3.5%, which was the biggest one issue drop the book had seen in 3-5 months. Frankly, I was surprised Sturges & Alberquerque got another arc considering how dire the sales were. Obviously appearing in TEEN TITANS (which sells 41k within the Top 60) didn't do much to boost BLUE BEETLE's sales. Some speculate that him appearing in BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD could have helped, but I frankly doubt we will see a sale increase from Nov. - Dec. 2008.
No, what killed this book was simply being a well written, well drawn, relatively light hearted and witty superhero saga in an age, era, and especially a company that worships interconnected bleakness, hack-shock value work, and endless crossovers. There are few books that are like CAPTAIN AMERICA; good books that happen to also sell well. Usually it is one or the other.
Still, as Yogi Berra would say, "It ain't over 'til it's over", and Blue Beetle still has some issues left.
The aforementioned Teen Titans appear in this story, although honestly I don't know why they are there besides to provide some (admittedly fun) banter with Peacemaker. The Titans officially appear to help Blue Beetle defend El Paso as he has to contend with not only a magnetic pulse that is empowering random crooks and screwing with his scarab's sensors, but a powder keg of tension from the populace regarding border security. A lot of people think that Marvel is the company that writes about current social topics and DC sort of twiddles their thumbs, but this issue is very relevant in BLUE BEETLE. It was virtually ignored in our Presidential election towards the end simply because it was a hot button issue. Exploiting this tension, though, is the new Dr. Polaris, who is seeking to take over El Paso as if he is the new La Dama.
Paco and Brenda, meanwhile, manage to escape their situation with Mari as well as help get Beetle back on track to fight her father. In a way, Mari could be argued as being a "Mary Sue"; she has just appeared and has intertwined herself into the cast very quickly by creating a love triangle with Paco & Brenda and of course being the ever-endangered daughter of the big bad. But she manages to be quirky enough that she isn't nearly as boring as Layla Miller was in HOUSE OF M (who, before Peter David, was the definition of a Mary Sue). Dr. Polaris seemingly kills Beetle in the cliffhanger and the tag for the next issue cheekingly reminds us of the end. Alberquerque's art is awesome as always for the book and his name is even mentioned in the dialogue. Robin & Peacemaker get in some amusing tag team action.
It really, really sucks that BLUE BEETLE is ending, but in the big picture, a three year run that was good throughout is a very rare thing in today's day and age. The character won't be forgotten and for all we know, could be rediscovered in trade. And Jaime's wait from page to animation was not nearly as long as other characters. And at the very least, we will have a final showdown between Jaime and what may be his deadliest enemy yet. Can't wait to see how it all ends. Sturges has claimed a character will die by issue #36, and I kind of hope it is Mari, so the rest of the little "universe" is left intact by the end.
Completely random thought; I flipped through WONDER WOMAN this week, and was I the only one who looked at that last page and thought, "I guess Diana forgot her safe word?"
CAPTAIN AMERICA #44: CA reviews can get very boring; there is only so many ways to write the same thing. I know the book is good. You know the book is good. Is there really a point to more? If you're not enjoying the title, you're either a die hard Rogers fan bitter about the death, or haven't given it a try.
Very well. After another awesome Epting cover, part 2 of this 3 part story naturally continues with flashbacks and present action. After saving Chinese prodigy Zhang Chin in the 40's, Bucky returned to him by 1968, but by then he was the brainwashed Winter Soldier, cryogenically thawed out for covert Cold War assassinations and merc missions. In present day, a figure from that era, perhaps both Chin and his mysterious, demonic protector, are involved in a mission involving stolen U.N. items. This leads to Widow and New Cap investigating, and Buck walking into a trap set up by the mastermind as well as Batroc the Leaper.
Speaking of Batroc, honestly, THIS is how to make a villain cool. Brubaker hasn't made Batroc into a serial killer wearing black leather. He hasn't made him a hero. He even kept the orange and purple color scheme and the high school French words sprinkled into his speech. But what he has made Batroc is more professional. His outfit is more functional, but not in that obnoxious Bryan Hitch way (thanks, Luke Ross, who is filling in for Epting fine). With Brubaker's sense of action pacing, his high flying savate is actually very interesting. And Batroc knows fighting styles to know when he is fighting the same man twice regardless of a mask. And fights atop moving vehicles always equal cool. Brubaker's always managed that balance between espionage and balls-to-the-wall action pacing, and can actually PACE IT (instead of, oh, Bendis, who seems to delight in one cluster**** group Royal Rumble after another), and always has artists in Epting, Perkins, or Ross who can draw it elegantly.
I haven't the foggiest who the "mystery man" is, but I like his creepy design, and I am sure the last issue will explain it all. After the long grind of the Red Skull story a three issue arc is a nice breather. I also am enjoying that Buck & Widow are now a couple and all but partners in their crusade. The tone of the story of course is that Bucky may be Captain America now, but he did have that dark past that he sometimes uses for his missions for intel, but also can come back to haunt him. As a former manipulated spy, Romanov fits into his life very well. DC keeps trying to rip this run off with some of their Batman stories, and that is all they can do; TRY.
Not everything has to be a grand conspiracy and I am enjoying this newfound adventure as the era of New Cap boldly continues. Still hope Brubaker plans to stay past issue #50. I can't imagine the franchise without him anymore. Hell, without him, I was never inclined to leap aboard.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #7: After the obligatory "dark secret that splits the team asunder before issue #12" storyline from SECRET INVASION (which, to be fair, was still pretty darn good), we have a reorganized team roster, as shown on the cover. Yes, sometimes a cover IS still accurate.
After finding out that Peter Quill had Mantis "teep" into the thoughts of the various members to have them assemble ASAP, Drax & Quasar split to search for Drax's adopted daughter Cammi, Warlock & Gamora are investigating the Universal Church of Truth, and Peter Quill is now the prisoner of Blastaar (who has apparently regained power in the Negative Zone). This leaves Rocket Raccoon to "lead" a squad consisting of everyone who is left (Mantis, Groot, and Major Victory) alongside Bug. Missing from the debut, Bug even pokes some fun at some fans asking about him at various online juctures by teasing, "I didn't make the original cut"? Naturally, I don't expect this line up to remain as it is for long, and am glad the rest of the characters have not been forgotten. Adam Warlock seeks to actually LEAD the Church once he exposes it's secrets, Gamora actually doesn't look too bad in short hair, and Phyla learns a hint that "Heather", i.e. Moondragon, may actually not be dead. To be fair, some people have been calling Moondragon's return since Ultron killed her in ANNIHILATION CONQUEST. Me? I was never a fan of Heather and always thought that it was about time after some 40 years of fighting the Avengers, that Ultron finally managed to actually kill one of them. DnA's trademark snappy dialogue is still as fresh as ever with Rocket's squad, even though Groot's catch phrase has long since worn out it's welcome.
Starhawk also reveals more secrets about the unraveling of time and space as well as his/her purpose. It ties things into the old GOTG comic book series but in a way that isn't so heavy with lore that a casual fan like me isn't lost; I mean I know of GOTG from trading cards and handbooks, but that is about it. Victory finds himself stumbling upon Zom soldiers and Badoon strongholds just as in his own alternate future. Even some of the original GOTG are shown. Pelletier, as usual, is in his element with space comics and GOTG really allows him to draw all sorts of interesting characters, background, and battles.
While I was rather vocal about being annoyed at the typical "team break up" storyline, especially so soon after the team was formed and I got used to everyone, Abnett & Lanning are executing the story well; plus, by following all of the characters, it cements the team aspect even if not everyone is actually on the roster. Y'know, like an X-Men book, only actually good and not confusing. I am interested in how the old Guardians will link up with the new ones and how it all factors into WAR OF KINGS. Although honestly, I probably got a bigger kick out of the other Abnett & Lanning space book of the week.
NEW WARRIORS #18: Another dead book walking, this has fallen outside the Top 100 sales and will be finished by issue #20; still the longest run the NW franchise has had in ages, even if Grevioux chose to sink or swim with a cast of castoff X-Men. The cast, or at least what is left of them, are still stuck 30 years in the future where Night-Thrasher is still wanted by the feds and Iron Man has seemingly taken over the country and soon the world with an iron fist.
I think the major problem here is that the "Iron Man in danger of being a fascist" has sort of been back peddled in the comics for a good 7-8 months now at least. Marvel has tried to back off and make him more conflicted and less like Dr. Doom. The movie promotion had a great deal to do with that, as well as the end of CIVIL WAR polarization. But NEW WARRIORS' entire premise is still rebelling against Iron Man's Initiative and it's boot-stomping enforcement. Right now the only forces still harshly enforcing the SHRA against superheroes are the Thunderbolts, who Iron Man doesn't directly lead. There also is mention of secret U.S. take-over conspiracies, but honestly these stories feel like left overs from, generously, a half a year ago.
The major reveal at the end of the issue is, of course, Future Iron Man & Future Thrasher are not who they appear to be. Future Thrash is in fact a social security collectin' Tony Stark while "Iron Man" is in fact Dwayne Taylor, who claims that if he "killed Donyell, he would be killing himself". I am guessing the moral may be that by reviving Dwayne, he ends up becoming a worse armored tyrant than Stark would ever become, and thus Donyell's entire purpose since his car accident is for naught. While Dwayne Taylor always had his moments of darkness, claiming he would take over Stark's company and armor and essentially take over the world may be a bit much. I mean, this was a guy willing to turn against his adopted parents when they turned out to be evil (Chord, at least, was trying to redeem himself). This revelation may convince Donyell to allow his brother to rest in peace to not allow this future to come to pass, which is an outcome some long-term Warriors fans may not be happy with. Me? I doubted Dwayne would be returning; Marvel stretched things making a hubbub over Stamford then to revive Speedball (and make him Emoball). Reviving anyone else from that battle risks making CW look like even more of an overreaction story than it was.
The artist for the issue is Casey Jones. GOONGALA! No, seriously, that is his name, and I know they likely are not one and the same. Didn't Brown draw some of the last issues?
There is hinting that the X-Warriors may not be able to return home and could be stuck in the dystopian alternate future, and I hope that isn't the fate for all of them, least not Wondra/Jubilee. Det. Sykes is still getting used to hanging out with the semi-militant anti-SHRA vigilantes and still does not like cooperating with them, even when faced with no other options.
Honestly, the first issue of ADAM: THE BLUE MARVEL seemed to interest me more than NEW WARRIORS at this point and while I am glad Grevioux will have the chance to wrap up his run in the next two issues, I won't miss this title as much as, say, BLUE BEETLE. It has run it's course and I don't mind bidding farewell to it in Jan. 2009. I just hope Grevioux's work at integrating some of these C-List X-Men into the more Marvel superhero mainstream are not wasted in future appearances, especially Wondra.
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