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Moon Knight Omnibus volume 1

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The Moon Knight Omnibus (volume 1) is a handsome, hefty, hardcover. A fitting tome for the longtime fanatic, or the new devotee who wants to fill in Moon Knight's history in one single place.

The dust jacket has a more contemporary cover image of Moon Knight than any of the stories inside, which all date from the earliest years of Moon Knight's history in the early 1970s and 80s. It was an era of different art sensibilities and publishing rules, where curses were more likely to call someone "you son of a pig!" (as in Moon Knight (1980) #1). Even in these horror-influenced stories, the code of the era resulted in different approaches.

The recently completed Moon Knight TV series dug deeply into the multiple personalities of this character. In the stories in this collection we see the emergence over time of this modern interpretation of Moon Knight.

Elements of it are present from the very beginning, in Werewolf By Night and Marvel Spotlight. But the presentation leaned more toward a man assuming other roles, like a good actor or a spy might, rather than expressions of internal personalities sometimes in conflict.

The collection includes lots of Moon Knight appearances in backup features, as the character struggled to find his place in the Marvel universe and, more importantly, in its publishing schedule. These stories are quick-hits, squeezing plot, character development, conflict and often some measure of resolution into a precious few pages.

Then at last, in 1980, came Moon Knight's standalone series. The Omnibus includes an astounding amount of these magazines, reprinting the first 20 issues of that character-defining series here. These are stories that firmly etched Moon Knight into his rightful place in the Marvel universe.

The dark side of this character comes through in these collected tales as well, even if the color and art sensibilities of the time were brighter and more vivid. In the first issue of the 1980 ongoing series, for example, Moon Knight can barely be restrained from pummeling Bushman to death, while on another page the wives of recently murdered men are forced to dance for their killers. These and other thematic elements of horror stories appear throughout the series.

There is so much here that I am reluctant to even begin discussing any individual story arc or issue or artist or author. Certainly the big ones are here, including legendary creators Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz, who set the baseline for Moon Knight for decades to come. Their contributions to this character and his circle of friends and enemies earned them a mention on the cover of the Omnibus itself.

If the TV series has piqued your interest in this character, or if you are a longtime fan, this collection is worthy of your attention and dollars.

If you lean more to the modern styles of graphical storytelling, as represented on the cover of this collection, and find the earlier eras less compelling, this collection may not be for you.

Overall I give it 3.5 capes

Description:

Discover the many faces of the Moon Knight! Mercenary. Werewolf hunter. Millionaire playboy. Cab driver. Super hero? Moon Knight is many things to many people, and he has the multiple personalities to match! Follow Marc Spector, the earthly Fist of Khonshu, as he battles to find his place in the Marvel Universe — and builds the strangest rogues’ gallery in all of comics. Prepare yourself for the deadly Bushmaster! Arsenal, the one-man army! Stained Glass Scarlet, the nun with a crossbow! And more! Featuring iconic stories by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz!

Collects: Werewolf by Night (1972) 32-33; Marvel Spotlight (1971) 28-29; Defenders (1972) 47-50; Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 22-23; Marvel Two-in-One (1974) 52; Moon Knight (1980) 1-20; Marvel Team-Up Annual (1976) 4; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 220; material from Defenders (1972) 51; Hulk Magazine (1978) 11-15, 17-18, 20; Marvel Preview (1975) 21

Authors: Various Artists: Various Published By: Marvel Published When: April 12 2022 Parental Rating: Teen ISBN-10: 1302933809 ISBN-13: 978-1302933807 Language: English Pages: 1016 pages

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Review: Girl Genius Volume 1: Agatha Heterodyne & The Beetleburg Clank

Description:

In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World... with mixed success. At Transylvania Polygnostic University, Agatha Clay is a student with trouble concentrating and rotten luck. Dedicated to her studies but unable to build anything that actually works, she seems destined for a lackluster career as a minor lab assistant. But when the University is overthrown, a strange "clank" stalks the streets and it begins to look like Agatha might carry a spark of Mad Science after all.

Collects: NA - this is an original graphic novel Authors: Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio Artists: Phil Foglio, Brian Snoddy Published By: Studio Foglio Published When: Aug. 12 2002 Parental Rating: PG

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Review:

Girl Genius is a wonderful, imaginative and funny tale. This first graphic novel in the series, titled 'Agatha Heterodyne and the Beelteburg Clank' gives us a life vest, before tossing us into the deep end of a world filled with a wild mixture of social structures and steampunk-inspired mad science. The introductory letter from the professors Foglio of Transylvania Polygnostic University, and a brief three-paragraph mise-en-scene, barely prepares us for the onslaught we meet from the very first page.

Autonomous robots, steam power, airships, medieval peasantry, Napoleonic social structures and military dress, genetically mutant Jagermonsters and more all blend into a stunningly original universe. It is a world where a small handful of Sparks, people of preternatural intelligence, and a tendency toward advanced and even Mad science, have shaped the world sometimes for good and sometimes for evil gain.

But no new Sparks have been born in almost a generation. Until Agatha awakens. The day before, she had been a half-incompetent student of decidedly non-Spark instructors at the University. Then to her own surprise, the Spark in her emerges and she immediately sets to building a giant searcher robot.

Through a series of mishaps and arrogant wrong assumptions, she is captured by the evil-Spark Baron Wulfenbach and his son Gilgamesh. Father and son do not always get along, as the son tires of his father's constant testing – the father’s doubts run deep that his heir will be able to live up to the Baron's own level of brilliance, and their banter is at times sharp and always witty.

Agatha's capture, however, is based on the assumption that she is the girlfriend of the true new Spark, so she is brought along almost as an afterthought, to help motivate or otherwise manipulate him. The story continues in volume 2.

As rich, humorous and enjoyable as this offbeat story is, the art matches it gear for gear. Human shapes, facial expressions, autonomous robots, monstrous genetic mutations, a rich variety of costumes, and textured backgrounds – there are many demands on the pencilling skills of Phil Foglio, and he handles the range beautifully. Brian Snoddy's inks have been done in "black and white" although the black tends more toward sepia tones, lending a uniqueness to the visuals, one that feels period-appropriate for the larger story.

So what is a Beetleburg Clank, from the story's title? It is no spoiler to say it refers to a new robot (Clank) coming from Dr Beetle’s university campus. Beyond that, you will have to immerse yourself in the story and figure out other elements like the Hive Engine and more.

In all, this is a thrilling tale, cover to cover, and leaves us eagerly anticipating volume 2. I score it 4.5 capes out of 5.

ISBN-10: 1890856193 ISBN-13: 978-1890856199 Language: English Pages: 96 pages

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Review: A-Force Vol. 0: Warzones!

Description:

An all-new book featuring Marvel's Mightiest Women! In a secluded corner of the Battleworld, an island nation is fiercely protected by a team of Avengers the likes of which has only ever been glimpsed before. Fighting to protect the small sliver of their world that's left, the Amazing A-FORCE stands shoulder to shoulder, ready to take on the horde!

Collects: A-Force 1-5 (Secret Wars) Authors: G. Willow Wilson, Marguerite Bennett Artists: Jorge Molina Published By: Marvel Published When: Dec 1 2015 Parental Rating: PG

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Review:

What a wonderful surprise! This book was a charming and delightful read.

A-Force Volume Zero is a Secret Wars Warzones! tie-in. The bar of my expectations for such a book is very low. In mega-event crossovers, you can anticipate a thin plot and little character or relationship development, with the story serving as little more than a platform for a series of confrontations between the protagonists and their opponents.

This TPB collection, on the other hand, introduced a compelling new character in the form of Singularity, the universe-as-girl; it was filled with examples of leadership and deep relationships; and it worked in some thematic implications of patriarchal oppression. Writers Marguerite Bennett and G. Willow Wilson hooked me from the very first page, and reeled me in.

The story sees a band of super-powered women protecting a little slice of Utopia, in the form of the island of Arcadia in the midst of the Battleworld chaos. They patrol the skies and perimeter, keeping their citizens safe.

But when a bout of youthful excessive enthusiasm leads to the banishment of America, one of the younger members of the group, the drama, tensions, challenges of and to She-Hulk’s leadership bubble to the surface.

And as evidence mounts of a traitor in their midst, the women of A-Force wrestle with how to care for and support one another, while defending their principles and their island's citizens, from outsiders and from the women Thors who enforce the laws of Battleworld.

The story revolves around a core group, led by She-Hulk and with her closest confidants being Dazzler and Captain Marvel. Yet there are cameos by many other prominent women and heroines in the Marvel universe.

Penciller Jorge Molina's images are evocative and show the strength of character, resolve and leadership of these women. And he only seldom slips into any of the objectifying angles and renderings more common in the world of superhero comics.

Relationship drama abounds in this short collection, perhaps most intensely with the Nico character. Don't miss her intense confrontation with Loki her mentor, beautifully written and drawn!

And that patriarchy? Ask yourself "where are the men and what are they doing?" as you read this book. In Arcadia, the men are pushing strollers and sleeping in as their wives and partners head off to work, protecting the island. Men outside this Utopia, however, such as Dr Strange, are the inflexible outside powers, enforcing harmful rules not designed with the well-being of these women in mind. And the most powerful males and costumed heroes only appear as attacking zombie hordes. It makes a statement about the oppressive tendencies of the male of the species, and the intrusion it brings into the strong leadership, aspirations and self-determination of the women leading this Utopic land.

The book is officially rated "T+" but I think that is excessive, I consider it PG for its level of comic-book violence and themes.

Score: 4 capes out of 5

ISBN-10: 078519861X ISBN-13: 978-0785198611 Language: English Pages: 112 pages

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Review: Convergence Flashpoint book 2

Description:

A CONVERGENCE tie-in graphic novel! Once, there were infinite Earths. Then there came a Crisis…a Zero Hour…a Flashpoint. Worlds lived. Worlds died. But some worlds must now fight for their future—in the Convergence! The evil alien intelligence known as Brainiac has stolen 50 doomed cities from throughout time and space and sealed them behind impenetrable domes. Now, after a year, the domes will come down—and the heroes and villains of 50 dead worlds must battle to be the last one standing! In this volume: THE ATOM: It’s atomic fusion as Ray Palmer joins forces with Ryan Choi against the man who killed him—Deathstroke the Terminator! SPEED FORCE: Wally West leads the Flash family in a race to protect their city against the onslaught of Flashpoint’s warmongering Wonder Woman! THE TITANS: With their team in tatters, Starfire, Donna Troy and Arsenal are the last line of defense against the world-conquering Extremists! BATMAN AND ROBIN: It’s up to a dysfunctional Bat-family—the Dark Knight Detective, his son Damian, and his prodigal protégé Jason Todd—to stop an Extremist invasion of Gotham City! HARLEY QUINN: When the going gets tough, the tough get crazy—which is why Harley Quinn is teaming with Poison Ivy and Catwoman against Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew! The legends of the pre-Flashpoint DC Universe make a last stand against threats from worlds both brutal and bizarre in CONVERGENCE: FLASHPOINT BOOK TWO!

Collects: Convergence The Atom #1-2, Convergence Speed Force #1-2, Convergence The Titans #1-2, Convergence Batman and Robin #1-2, Convergence Harley Quinn #1-2 Authors: Various Artists: Various Published By: DC Comics Published When: Oct. 27 2015 Parental Rating:  Teen

Review:

This is the final TPB collection in this series, the end of the Convergence cross-over story-line. As usual, we will review each in turn. Overall it merits 2.5 capes, the stories are pleasant enough but cannot hold up in the larger crossover collection.

The full set of reviews are archived here.

The Atom

A good comic or graphic novel will tell as much or more of the story through the art and the visual narrative as through the words and the written narrative. The pictures, layout, colors, sequencing, framing and more all communicate to the reader, in the best such stories.

There are places where this tale reaches for such lofty heights. I am not familiar with the broader body of work by Steve Yeowell (pencils), but I like what I see in this story. There were several pages where I paused to admire the visuals, as he worked wonders with a very strange concept – the changing hands of the Atom. The dome eliminated the superpowers of most heroes, but somehow the Atom had the ability to make one hand extremely large. It’s an idea that could turn utterly ridiculous visually, and Yeowell works hard to rein in the potential for silliness in the imagery and communicate just the idea.

This is perhaps most effective and most subtle at the conclusion, where the Ryan Choi Atom works some mass-redistribution wonders. Subtle enough art that I had to pause on the relevant panels – writer Tom Peyer leaves entirely in the artists’ hands the job of showing us the results.

Peyer’s tale is pretty dark in other places, with stabbings and severed limbs, and Yeowell does not shy away from graphic representations of those scenes, a shocking contrast to the garish blue and red colors of Atom’s outfit.

A story at times touching, confusing, challenging and with several points of artistic interest.

Speed Force

In other Convergence stories, author Tony Bedard has given us some dark tales. In Convergence Aquaman it was a battle to the bloody death; while in Convergence Green Lantern / Parallax the former Hal Jordan wiped out an entire city.

This story had the potential to go to some dark and violent places, too, with Flash (Wally West) facing a battle-hardened warrior Wonder Woman and her legion of amazons from the Flashpoint universe. In fact, she taunts him in preparation for the slaughter, a nice little trash-talk sequence.

But this story needs to stay children-friendly, and Bedard pulls it back from a darker precipice. For Wally West is not just a superhero, he is also a father, and this has been bring-your-kids-to-work year. His children were with him, bound by the Speed Force, visiting Gotham when the dome trapped them, away from home and powerless for the year.

Then there’s the turtle. Fastback, the speed-force-powered turtle joins Flash in the battle. How dark can you go when telling a tale with children and heroic amphibians as side-kicks? (My daughter tells me turtles are technically reptiles not amphibians; my push-back is that they also do not have super-powers or talk in a southern accent. But of course, she’s correct.)

This is a light story, in both art and plot. An amusing enough read, although what it is doing in the Convergence crossover is a puzzle.

Titans

Summarizing a story or a character’s history in a succinct way is a frequent challenge, especially in a crossover event like Convergence which may bring in readers unfamiliar with the nuances of the character. Fabian Nicieza attempts exactly such a summary for Speedy, the former sidekick of Green Arrow and now a Titan. He uses the first three pages of the story to do so, which gives artists Ron Wagner and Jose Marzan Jr a lot of room to work with. The result is a beautiful  summary of the key moments of the life of the hero now known as Arsenal. An especially nice touch was the graininess of some of the panels, a nod to the look of comics in earlier eras.

The background is not just an FYI – it is crucial to the narrative. For Nicieza’s story hinges on the potential return to Arsenal of his dead daughter. Will he make a devil’s bargain to get her back? Will he shoot Donna Troy and Starfire in cold blood? With the rest of the Titans outgunned by a group of Extremists, will he rise to the challenge?

Outside those first three pages, Wagner and Marzan Jr give us a stream of dynamic panels, filled with dramatic action, clever views, and loads of emotion. Since Arsenal / Speedy is not high on my personal list, I had low expectations for this story, but was pleasantly surprised and impressed by its depth and power.

Batman and Robin

In my youth I met the art of Denys Cowan on DC’s The Question series, in the late 1980s. The Question, famously, has a faceless mask, covering all features with a blank white-flesh covering. With that for context, his art in this series is jarring. The faces are a never-ending stream of sharp angles, prominent cheekbones, and full lips. The Penguin in particular has a needle-sharp nose, in profile, and painfully protruding cheekbones.

There are also constant pencil-lines for shading. Sure, it’s a classic drawing technique, but feels overused to the point of distraction in this short 2-part tale. Whether that is on Cowan or his penciller Klaus Janzen, it took away from the overall enjoyment.

In terms of story, Ron Marz weaves together fraternal tensions between the Damian-Robin character and his predecessor Jason Todd as Red Hood. The mutual resentment leads to blows, but can they put aside their differences and their animosity to work for the good of their city? With a little manipulation by the Batman, they find that they can.

The Extremists, the champions of their rival city in these Convergence games, are little more than a villain-of-the-month, fodder for our heroes to defeat and save the day. The result is an average story, sort-of fitting the overall Convergence arc. If only its art was pleasant to look at.

Harley Quinn

Like the Speed Force story earlier in this collection, we get anthropomorphic super-animals in this tale. Harley Quinn must face Captain Carrot in a battle to save their cities. But unlike the Flash-meets-Fastback one, this tale has a layer of ambiguity, as Harley’s meds have long since run out. Could this all be a psychotic hallucination? A crazy dream?

Steve Pugh’s story takes Harley on quite a journey, from villain to hero to villain and back again, all in the span of a two-issue comic. She’s busted mid-heist; she meets and falls in love during her rehab; she is turned loose and appears to slaughter her opponents; but not everything is as it appears and her goodness-streak re-emerges.

This is a fun, trippy romp, through the mind of Harley and the cartoon world of Captain Carrot and his crew. Artists Phil Winslade and John Dell keep it loose and fun, putting some real grit into Carrot, and emotion into the supporting characters like Poison Ivy or Harley’s love interest.

ISBN-10:  1401258360 ISBN-13: 978-1401258368 Language: English Pages: 272 pages

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Review - Superman for all Seasons graphic novel

The title of this trade paperback collection nods to the classic play and 1966 film, "A Man for all Seasons"

That story is about a man with a powerful strength of character, one with a willingness to stand by his conscience, whatever the personal cost. And there are elements of that narrative in "Superman for all Seasons" as our title character struggles with his role and the place of his power and gifts of strength and character, in a society where individual advancement and power seem the higher virtues.

The graphic novel is also framed around seasons of the year. It is a beautiful coming-of-age story, in which the turning of the seasons from Spring to Summer to Fall and Winter mirror the arc of Clark's gradual maturing into the classic Superman, beloved icon of truth and justice. We see the small-town country boy growing into his full stature, first in his small community then finding his larger purpose in life in the urban center.

It starts with the discovery and exploration of his powers in Spring. This leads into his bursting onto the world scene in the Summer, with lots of nods to classic and Golden-age Superman moments. Fall bring the excruciating tension of darker turns in the plot. Our story reaches its climax, its apex in Winter, bringing us full circle again to a new Spring, filled with renewed dedication to being Superman.

Helping to delineate the seasons of the story, each turn of the season proceeds with a new narrative voice. Jonathan Kent in Spring changes to Lois Lane in Summer, then surprisingly Lex Luthor for Fall and ending with Lana Lang in the winter tale. As the narrative voice shifts, so too does the font of their text boxes. Just one of the many subtle yet deft touches throughout this book.

At crucial moments, the still-maturing young hero must center himself, and does so with a return home. To refresh and renew, then to return to the battle with stronger resolve, fortified and informed by this touchstone of the rural perspective.

Relationships, in all their human affection and messiness, also are central to this story. Father and son watching a sunset. Flirting with a favorite girl and sharing deepest secrets. The local minister. The barber. The young child unaware of how dangerous are his surroundings. Countless other connections, that add depth and new angles. I found myself often pausing, rereading a given page more slowly, sipping and savoring these encounters and interactions.

The art throughout this book is absolutely gorgeous. Tim Sale fills page after page with passion, emotion and action. Occasional sepia-toned photo album memories add texture and nuance to Clark, and depth to his origins.

Clark is rendered as a big-hearted, big-bodied rural farm boy, more bulky than muscular. The stereotypical washboard abs and layers of muscle upon muscle so typical of the superhero genre are replaced here with the clean lines of a frame-filling big guy.

The contrast of sweetness and gentleness in an oversized body is evoked even more by placing such small and simple features on the large form. It's almost an anti-Manga style, with small eyes and subtle lips set into the vast expanse of space that is Superman's head and face. A clever artistic choice that conveys the character's simple, uncomplicated outlook and his honesty and trust. His conscience is clear and he has the strength to stand by it.

The colors by Bjarne Hansen blend and soften these features even more , in a beautiful watercolor palate, rounding out the power of the simple lines and inks.

Superman for all Seasons is a fresh take on a much-covered character, told with subtlety and sensitivity, and wrapped in breathtakingly beautiful art. It is one of the true treasures of my graphic novel / TPB collection.

Score: 5 capes out of 5

Collects: Superman for all Seasons #1-4 and stories from Superman/Batman Secret Files #1, Superman/Batman #26 and Solo #1

Authors: Jeph Loeb Artists: Tim Sale Published By: DC Comics Published When: July 31 2018 (new edition) Parental Rating: PG

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Green Hornet: Year One (vol 1)

Description: The Green Hornet expansion continues as Dynamite presents the original tales of comics most iconic hero! And Matt Wagner, one of the most creative creators in comics, takes the reins, bringing the characters to their basic roots. Joining Wagner is artist Aaron (Sherlock Holmes) Campbell, whose stunning recreation of the industrial world of 30s Chicago is sure to wow fans across the globe. Collects: issues #1-6, along with a complete cover gallery Authors: Matt Wagner Artists: Aaron Campbell Published By: Dynamite Entertainment Published When: Nov. 16 2010 Parental Rating: Teen

Review:

Where did Green Hornet come from? How did he meet Kato? Why did he take up his crime-fighting ways, with their pureness of motivation but a presentation to the world that leaves questions about just which side he is on? These are the stories you will find in this TPB.

The narrative itself jumps from the characters' present (Chicago 1938) to the past and back. The Green Hornet battles mobster Skid Caruso and his minions, gradually drawing closer and increasingly harrying and annoying the mob boss, in the present.

Flashbacks are mixed in, revealing key moments in the previous months and years that led to Britt Reid's development and introduction to Kato.

Overall, the story is fine, although I found the present to be less interesting than the flashbacks. There was a feeling of inevitability in the tale, and I wished for the plot to move along a little faster toward its end-game.

But the vignettes from the past were engrossing and fascinating. Kato's childhood training and fascination with the advanced skills his father only reluctantly taught him. His participation in the horrific Rape of Nanking events. Britt Reid's fascination with a particular strain of killer hornet, and his gradual acceptance of his father's vocation, even if their methods differ greatly. These were well-scripted and perfect bite-sized pieces of the greater whole.

A highlight of this book is the beautiful artwork by Aaron Campbell. The action moves dramatically from one panel to the next, capturing the era and the mood. The tones are dark, as suits the subject matter of a 1930s battle against organized crime. Francesco Francavilla's coloring is outstanding, saturated with reds, oranges and browns as the baseline, with stunning pops of green at key moments.

A beautiful book, with a strong back-story and a so-so main narrative. It all adds up to 4 out of 5 capes.

ISBN-10: 1606901494 ISBN-13: 9781606901496 Language: English Pages: 140

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Batman: Arkham Origins

Description: The best-selling video game comes to comic books in BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS! In the video game Batman: Arkham Origins, Black Mask orders a hit on the Dark Knight and assassins from all across Gotham City answer the call. Batman must defeat the likes of Deathstroke, Bane, The Joker, Copperhead and others while trying to find out what Black Mask is up to. Based on the hit video game, this volume is presented in multi-path comic format, allowing the reader to make critical choices throughout this interactive adventure. Collects: chapters #1-14 Authors: Adam Beechen, Doug Wagner, Frank Hannah Artists: Various Published By: DC Comics Published When: Sept 2014 Parental Rating: Teen

Review:

Video games like Batman: Arkham Origins are frequently "choose your path" in format. Will you pursue this villain or that? Will you go here or there? There is some linear progression forced upon the player, with some defined choice-points. When you make the wrong choices, it is easy to reset and restart.

"Choose your own adventure" books have a similar format, some sections that drive the plot forward, and points where the reader makes a choice for the character. Their popularity with young readers comes and goes, and they have a bit steeper effort needed to start over, although backing up one choice is reasonably simple.

This graphic novel attempts to bring this format to the world of comics. It does not succeed.

Sure, the format is there, with decision points, and different destination pages depending on the choice.

But the decisions to be made ranged from trivial to clearly consequential, and from immediate-response moments to ones open to more thought and contemplation. The demands of graphic story-telling, including layout, pacing, even the need to fill each page, add to the challenge of navigating the story. 

At least while doing all that page-flipping, the art is consistently eye-pleasing.

Sadly, I am left with a disjointed story, and my level of interest in the overall narrative diminished with each subsequent reverting to previous decision points.

Could this format work? Can comics and multi-path reader-choice approach, at key plot points, go together successfully? Maybe. I would certainly read another attempt. But I do wonder if the nature of the format, with some pages of carefully crafted art and narrative being skipped or throw-away due to reader choices, makes it an inherently weaker form of story-telling than the video game on which it is based.

For the art and for the willingness to try a novel experiment, I give it 2 capes out of 5.

ISBN-10: 1401248861 ISBN-13: 9781401248864 Language: English Pages: 160