Just in time for Christmas, a virtual sleigh full of comics. Do any of them serve as lumps of coal? On Spoilers, on Rants, On Text, dash away all!
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 12/21/11: Part 1
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #5: Co-creator Kevin Eastman, co-writer Tom Waltz, regular artist Dan Duncan and regular colorist Ronda Pattison continue on their effective relaunch and re-creation of the TMNT franchise. The previous issue of the core series shipped in November, but IDW also began the first spin-off mini series two weeks ago via another creative team. Both series operate together as cohesively as the Ninja Turtles themselves. This issue serves as what some have called a "trade break" (trade paperback break) between the end of the first arc and the start of the next. It focuses on Splinter taking out the henchmen of their enemy Old Hob, while at the same time getting used to Raphael being officially part of the family again. This issue goes the closest to answering why our heroes know ancient ninja skills, and it is likely as drastic a departure from the iconic origin than some of the laboratory scenes in prior issues. The gist? Splinter and the Turtles are reincarnations of Homato Yoshi and his four sons who were slain in feudal Japan centuries ago. Splinter is somehow aware of this, and it seems their enemy - Oroku Saki - will likely be reincarnated and oppose them as well. It is questionable which is a farther stretch - that a rat could mimic martial arts from a cage, or whether five genetic mutant experiments would happen to contain the reincarnated souls of ninja from feudal Japan. In fairness, the Ninja Turtle universe always involved elements of eastern philosophy (such as reincarnation) and no end of mysticism in stories (which their last two film sequels have run with). The big moment at the end - the Turtles leaving aside their Mirage era similar masks for the mainstream individual colored ones - was spoiled by the micro-series two weeks ago, but still remains effective. Meanwhile, the tale weaves a way for Casey Jones and April O'Neil to meet.
While it is a shame that Dark Horse Comics lost out on the TMNT franchise (as some preview artwork for a canceled series was quite good), IDW has crafted a terrific reinvention of the long time franchise. Eastman's involvement and blessing goes a long way to allow longtime fans to swallow some of the drastic shifts in the origin, and Waltz and Duncan work well to offer a series that pays homage to the past but is produced for the 21st century. This issue sees co-artist Mateus Santolouco handle the flashback scenes in feudal Japan, and his style meshes perfectly with Duncan. Using a different artist for flashbacks to allow the regular artist to produce timely pages is a trick Ed Brubaker utilized well for IMMORTAL IRON FIST and CAPTAIN AMERICA for ages. As an addendum, after last week's AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 offering only 20 pages for $3.99, it has suddenly become refreshing that IDW's series actually are still 22 pages long for that price.
INVINCIBLE #86: Co-creator Cory Walker, as well as former regular colorist FCO Plascencia, finish their two issue stint on Robert Kirkman's flagship superhero series at Image Comics. As usual for a Cory Walker two-issue stint, this story has focused on Nolan/Omni-Man and Allen in space. This time, the two long time friends are fighting over the fate of the Earth itself, in literal terms. Allen has just discovered that the last of the war-mongering Viltrumites are on Earth taking refuge to recover their numbers after the end of the war earlier in the year. Nolan sees that as a chance to rehabilitate his people as he was during the 18 or so years he was on Earth raising a son (Invincible). Allen, however, sees it as a chance to wipe a scourge from the universe once and for all. The problem? Because humans are so close genetically to Viltrumites, a virus made to kill the latter could also eradicate the former. What's worse, Nolan's son Oliver ends up agreeing with Allen! The result is a fight and the establishing of the next status quo shift for 2012. In the end, as Invincible himself may end up making plans to "save" the earth (by taking it over), will Allen be proven right? While the eyes of fans may be more used to Ryan Ottley's pencils than Walker's on this series, Walker's artwork is always exceptional here, able to add vigor to no end of species and scenes. There is a part of me curious if Kirkman enjoys shattering status quo's on this book merely as an end unto itself - changing the deck chairs at any cost - or whether that is simply because most "big two" superhero comics offer merely the illusion of change. Perhaps a lack of serious antagonists has inspired Kirkman to transform Allen into one; unlike a lot of antagonists in this series, Allen genuinely believes he is in the right and has a fair point in terms of pure alien logic. Given how Mark is starting to think in pure logical terms himself, this could be an interesting clash - especially as Kirkman isn't like Jonathan Hickman and doesn't always portray emotionally detached intelligence as being perpetually righteous. In the end, it could all be a parable about how easily power can corrupt even the most righteous. Interesting times for this book lay ahead in 2012.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #676: This is a done-in-one story by Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos before Mark Waid fills in next month for a DAREDEVIL crossover. It takes place after the last issue, but could be considered something of a jumping on point. Despite the title, Spider-Man himself appears only on the cover; this story focuses entirely on the Sinister Six, as they prepare for their biggest gambit ever. This is essentially a prelude for next year's big ASM story featuring the Six, and is also Slott's 50th issue of ASM. The motivation for world conquest this time isn't general villainy; it is because founder Dr. Octopus is dying and thus wants to get in his ultimate triumph before he goes. To this end he has recruited a roster which has remained amazingly loyal to him given historical considerations - Electro, Rhino, Sandman, Mysterio, and Chameleon - replacing independent types like Vulture, or mad-men like Kraven, Hobgoblin, or even Scorpion or Green Goblin. The team has been featured in the opening arc to Slott's BIG TIME run, and have also been featured in a story alongside the Future Foundation, and even an issue of AVENGERS ACADEMY written by Slott's frequent co-writer Christos Gage. In this issue, the Six take on another villain team, the Intelligencia (created by Jeph Loeb from HULK) to essentially prevent them from taking over the world first. While this results in a massive brawl, there are some interesting character beats to this issue - such as Sandman and the Wizard actually being friends, and the fact that Rhino feels he has nothing left to lose. Ock's ego and his need to be seen as superior to his super-genius peers is naturally front and center as well. Slott is once again a master of weaving continuity into his stories, noting how Mad Thinker was connected to Electro's recent power surges and even a critical detail regarding Klaw that readers of DAREDEVIL would guess quickly. Ramos' artwork is excellent for the action and all the bizarre characters, backed up well alongside Victor Olazaba's inks and Edgar Delgado's reliable colors. While not everyone may be into stories where the villains, as villains, are the stars, this one manages to provide a great taste of action as well as a primer on what is to come for ASM in 2012. Well done, all around.
DAREDEVIL #7: In solicitations, Marvel boldly proclaims this “the most critically acclaimed launch of the year” in capital letters. It is difficult to argue as writer Mark Waid and regular artist Paolo Rivera have both performed a fearless task on their own – making DAREDEVIL more of a fun series without a retcon or a reboot of continuity. Matt Murdock is still the hero who has lost every woman he’s loved to insanity and/or Bullseye, and who did go mad, get possessed by a demon and erect a ninja castle in the middle of Hell’s Kitchen a year ago. He simply has decided to stop acting mopey and live life as if every day is his last; i.e. lightening up when he can. While his best friend (and only surviving supporting character) “Foggy” Nelson is behooved, the readers have often been thrilled. However, this issue is what some may call a “trade break” issue – a “done in one” story that serves the purpose to mark the end of the first trade collection and the start of the next. While this issue is quite effectively executed and thrilling, it is my least favorite of the run thus far. Which says this series has only great things for its future.
It is the Christmas season, and over the last few weeks/months Murdock has done a lot. He’s returned to the superhero stage and foiled a kidnapping, all the while defeating mobsters, the Spot, Klaw, Bruiser, and managing to escape the world’s deadliest crime syndicates with a disc which reveals all their secrets. This time, however, Murdock is performing a civic duty – an annual field trip he leads with a troupe of blind “problem” children upstate. However, when their bus gets into an accident in a blizzard and their driver is killed, it’s up to Daredevil to survive the elements as well as lead the scared kids to safety. While Rivera’s artwork is exceptional, and Waid attempts to illustrate how blizzard conditions mess with the hero’s radar sense greatly, it is difficult to suspend belief enough that a hero who can survive all that DD has would really succumb to some snow in the Catskills. In fairness, at least Murdock’s narration makes note of that absurdity.
Next year will bring what amounts to two months of double (and triple) shipping for DAREDEVIL. Mark Waid fills in for Dan Slott for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #677 to helm a two part crossover which concludes in DAREDEVIL #8, which features art by Emma Rios (SPIDER-ISLAND: CLOAK & DAGGER). And in February, Daredevil will not only ship two regular issues, but will also have a 10.1 issue drawn by Khoi Pham (MIGHTY AVENGERS, INCREDIBLE HERCULES, CHAOS WAR). 2012 will see quite a few books double, triple, and even quintuple ship (VENOM), as Marvel struggles with DC over market share. This relaunch of DAREDEVIL isn’t setting the sales charts on fire, but is still far from the lows of the series’ sales history as well. It will remain to be seen how this over publication will aid the series. Given that ASM has been a consistent Top 25 sellers for years now, it will be interesting if the crossover helps promote Waid and Rivera’s effective relaunch. It didn’t work to boost sales on AVENGERS ACADEMY, but DAREDEVIL at least had a movie.
Although it is brief, a highlight of the issue is a Christmas party Murdock attends due to Foggy’s urging. From his delightfully clever choice of sweater to his A.D.A Kirsten McDuffie – who is sworn to prove Murdock is really Daredevil – it injects some much needed whimsy into the grim vigilante. Joe Rivera’s inks and Javier Rodriguez’s colors compliment Rivera’s artwork wonderfully, as always.
This is hardly a bad issue, but it is probably my least favorite of the run. While the cry of “filler story” is something most professional writers bemoan, this issue comes very, very, VERY close to fulfilling that claim. It is effectively told, paced, drawn and written, which saves it from that dustbin and allows it to rise above many other Marvel comics in spite of the fact that it pits it’s hero against a blizzard and a school bus crash. Part of the dilemma of DAREDEVIL is that he has very few iconic arch enemies left; Bullseye is still dead, Kingpin has been busy in ASM, and Purple Man has moved on. That leaves bottom feeders like Gladiator. This is likely why Waid has instead focused on having Daredevil battle other villains from other galleries (Spot), or general syndicates (A.I.M., HYDRA, etc.). A new rogue in Bruiser from the previous two issues is a better direction to take, as this franchise desperately needs some new blood in terms of antagonists. It appears for the next few issues, Waid will continue on his random villain merry go round; the Spider-Man crossover will feature Black Cat, and subsequent solicitations promise a confrontation with the Mole Man. While longtime DD fans may be amused by seeing their hero battle other rogues for a change, it merely distracts from the problem that DD’s own gallery has been bone dry aside for the same figures for decades. If this book is truly Marvel’s best relaunch, Waid and editor Steve Wacker will tackle that problem in 2012.
For the moment, however, Daredevil battles snowflakes and it still makes for an enjoyable read. That about says it all.
FANTASTIC FOUR #601: This continues right from FANTASTIC FOUR #600, as this series has branched off into two after a 600th issue like INCREDIBLE HULK and HULK did. While FF featured annoying kids and crappy art, this installment features the Four characters one actually cares about, with better art by Steve Epting. If given the choice of two FF books by Jonathan Hickman (which I am), and with resources being finite (which they are), FANTASTIC FOUR is the easy call. Last issue was a mega sized special where a lot of crazy stuff happenened. The new Supreme Intelligence has led a Kree aramada to Earth to destroy it to try to kill all of the Inhumans left in the universe, since "it" sees them as a threat - Black Bolt especially. While the Inhumans weren't on Earth or even on the Moon for some time, apparently the SI didn't notice and Ronan & Crystal didn't inform him. Both Ronan and Crystal naturally oppose the SI, but haven't lifted a finger to stop "him" - and at the end of this issue are exiled from Hala. Meanwhile, the Human Torch emerges alive again from the Negative Zone, and now commands the entire Annihilation Wave. In this issue, he uses the fleet to repel the Kree armada from Manhattan Island and proclaim his survival to the rest of the Four as well as virtually every Marvel hero. Initially suicidal from grief and allowing himself to die at the hands of Kree Sentry robots, Thing is the most effected by it, finding the will to battle once more. The rest of the Four seem to take into stride that Johnny has a half-bug arm and not only commands an army of monsters, but also is utilizing the Cosmic Control Rod. He's the guy who used to fall asleep reading a textbook and now he's leading an entire dimension; perhaps that will be fodder for discussion in later issues.
This issue has a lot of action as the Inhumans join the fight and repel the Kree, although falling space debris threatens to doom the earth anyway. Next issue promises Galactus, where things will likely get even crazier. It will be curious what happens to the "Four" now that they are a Four again - will Spider-Man remain? Will Marvel relaunch the book next year as FANTASTIC FIVE? In fairness, the book marched along as the FANTASTIC FOUR for stretches of time in the 90's where there seemed to be more than four core members of the team (Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Psi-Lord, Thing, Kristoff Vernard, Namor, Ant-Man, and Huntara all involved around one era). Epting's artwork is exceptional as always, with great colors by Paul Mounts, with two inkers (alongside Epting) along for the ride for deadline purposes. Hickman struggles mightily to remake Johnny Storm into a commanding presence, while still maintaining his iconic wit and humor. The transitions between the two are a bit awkward. It is akin to Spider-Man emerging from a seeming death commanding a fleet of Spider-Demons and spouting lines like, "Walloping web-snappers, those shoulder-pads are SO 1985!" with "FIGHT TO THE DEATH, ANTHROPOD-HORDES!" within the same page. While I am glad that some writer has chosen to make Johnny something more than a spastic joke after so many years, part of me feels Hickman has gone too far into the other direction and overcompensated. All Johnny had to become was efficient, competent, and confident - not a rip off of Green Skarr. None of the other characters seem to care that Johnny is suddenly willing to sacrifice Annihilation hordes and blow up Kree ships with Kree inside without a care, not even Spider-Man. Seriously, EVERY superhero is allowed to kill but the Punisher these days. Castle's getting screwed.
Overall, this was a very solid issue from the last; this has been better FF stuff from Hickman than earlier in the year. While FF #13 was a dud, FANTASTIC FOUR will be the book I remain on. Marvel's attempt to sell me two Hickman books here only succeeded for a month.
) as are Broo and Kid Gladiator. And Krakoa? What an interesting development there!!!
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