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[thegeekerynj]

The Fat Guy Reads Stuff... Knight Terrors #1, Joker, Poison Ivy, Ravager, The Flash, & Robin

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Great Sleeping Cthulhu on his unflushable throne in sunken R’yleh!!!

Who is Insomnia? Why does he look like John Dee? Are Insomnia and John Dee linked (like Dr. Alchemy and Mr. Element)?

Where is the Nightmare Stone? Does it exist in the same realm as the Dreamstone? Where is Dream in all these shenanigans?

What is Boston Brand’s part in all this? Other than hopping into and out of Batman? Where is the rest of Justice League Dark?

Why is there no Knight Terrors: Constantine (that could have been insane)? Why no Knight Terrors: Detective Chimp (does Bobo sleep??)?

As you can see, I could go on with my rants, ramblings, and lunatic screams, however, I am tired, and I am sure you, gentle Reader do not have the time to commit to hours of my rabid rails and mental dribbling.

As that is the case, I happily bring to you this week’s crazed and bemused look at an Old Fat Man’s raving about comics…

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Knight Terrors: The Joker #1 (DC Comics 2 Issue mini, part of Knight Terrors event) Writer: Matthew Rosenberg   Artist: Stefano Raffaele

‘I’m pokin’ him, Boss. Now what?

‘Maybe he’s unconscious… Turn him over, right? That’s what you’re supposed to do?

So, not unconscious.’

What do you do when you have achieved your Life’s Goal?

Everyone has a Life Goal, whether it is Family, Career, or Happiness, but what if that Goal is a finite set, and once accomplished, there is no further to go?

Welcome to the HORROR of the Joker’s nightmare.

Since his inception in Batman #1 (April, 1940), the Joker has portrayed himself with one mission, the destruction of Batman. 83 years later, the Joker realizes, to his dismay, he has no purpose once he has accomplished this.

So, what does the man who has finished his life’s work do? Why, he becomes a drone in Corporate America! At WAYNE ENTERPRISES!!

Matthew Rosenberg has presented a tale of transcendent horror. The lunatic’s nightmare, to live a life of mundane service, to try to stand out, while being recognized as a cog in the machine.

Stefano Raffaele’s artwork is outstanding. The characterizations are wonderful, for example, the 5 pages showing where Mr. Kaiser is trying to find some new criminal activity to pursue and finds every search is blocked by internal firewalls and an overly helpful employee is beautiful in its portrayal of the psychopath as ‘normal’ man.

Riffing on Office Space, Wanted, and The Office, while capturing this maniacal genius as a frustrated office drone is priceless!

I can’t wait to see what Issue #2 will bring!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

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Knight Terrors:  Poison Ivy #1 (DC Comics 2 Issue mini, part of Knight Terrors event) Writer: G. Willow Wilson   Pencils: Atagun Ilhan   Inks: Mark Morales

“This is the home we’ve always wanted?

It’s like a cotton candy version of Better Homes and Gardens. I have nightmares about places like this.

People who live in these houses use PESTICIDES on their LAWNS…

Woah!

Pamela Isley’s nightmare is living in a cookie-cutter world that’s more pastel than Barbie’s Nightmare house! Complete with a Bat / Cat couple living next door, complete with a Bat Fam / Rogues match-up! 

Batgirl and Riddler on a bicycle built for two, Arnold Wesker and Jervis Tetch walking the neighborhood, and the face of Insomnia in the Sun, this is the too-perfect world where Ivy and Harley are ‘HAPPY’, a nightmare for the scientist /eco-terrorist/ base pessimist that is Poison Ivy.

G. Willow Wilson has crafted the perfect Hell for Ivy, a place where she is not comfortable in herself, not comfortable with her love (who is reminiscent of the Harley in the fantasy scene from Suicide Squad), and when she tries to accept this ‘New Life’ it all starts turning to sand…

Ilhan and Morales’ artwork capture the story Wilson is crafting beautifully. From ‘Honeymoon Happiness’ to ‘Meltdown Massacre’, they capture the nuance of Ivy’s Perfect World, straight to the sand it is built on. Over-the-top kitschy Suburbia, straight to Dante’s Inferno!

This looks to be a monstrous addition to the Knight Terrors storyline. I’m hoping the pay-off is as good as the intro.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knight Terrors: Ravager #1 (DC Comics, 2 issue mini, part of Knight Terrors event) Writer: Ed Brisson,  Artist: Dexter Soy

‘And you’re…

‘Rose Madison. Those… Those people were my foster parents. My real mom, she’s…

‘Dead. Oh My GOD. You… you’re me. But… I… WHO are the Madisons?’

Well, this is a FINE mess we’ve gotten ourselves into…

Gentle Readers, I am in awe of the contrivances and convolutions this Knight Terrors storyline is taking. It appears Insomnia has actually got a plan that involves more than putting everyone to sleep and psychically destroying them with their nightmares… and that plan involves Rose Wilson!

Ed Brisson writes a mean story. Yes, I said it. His stories tend to be gritty, hard boiled, rough-and-tumble affairs, and this one does not disappoint. As it's in the Nightmare Realm, gritty, scary and harsh would seem to be the norm… well, ‘the norm’ has no place in this conversation. The vision of Rose’s nightmare is downright visceral!

I can’t say I’ve ever seen Dexter Soy’s artwork before, but his stylings seem perfect for this type of story. His art style evokes an eerie, dark world, an environ of gore and devastation that envisions a true nightmare scenario. Devastated buildings, scared participants, and horrific villains, resembling blood drenched, flayed Deathstrokes.

Good times for Stephen King!

My only criticism, I wanted more!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶.5

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Knight Terrors #1 (DC Comics event) Writer: Joshua Williamson  Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, and Caspar Wijngaard

‘Sorry, sir. Big fan, sir.

The world is in danger. A lunatic has trapped the world inside their nightmares as he searches for something called THE NIGHTMARE STONE.

It’s up to the two of us to find out the truth and stop him.

I promise you. Once we solve this case I’ll—‘

‘Say no more… I always loved a good mystery.’

Once upon a time, millennia upon millennia ago, an evil British genius created a realm of the Endless. Of all the denizens in this realm, Dream of the Endless controlled the Dream Realm.

During his reign, a man named Wesley Dodd became trapped in the Dream Realm, and ultimately, died there.

WESLEY DODD, the Golden Age Sandman is BACK! my heart is all aflutter, and I am as giggly as a schoolgirl with her first crush!

Better yet, it isn’t just Wesley Dodd, it is ZOMBIE WESLEY DODD!! Talk about sleep deprived zombie mind, he’s actually a ZOMBIE!

I know i made my prejudices known concerning the erstwhile writer of this series, but Sweet Dagon in an aquarium tank sidecar, this is redemption beyond redemption! (Yes, Gentle Readers, Joshua Williamson has written his OWN Redemption Arc!!)

The story is beautifully researched, very well laid out, and (I can’t really believe I’m the one saying this) extremely well written.  The characterizations are, thus far, reminiscent of the creator’s portrayals. Deadman is evoking Arnold Drake and Len Wein, which makes this Cranky Old Man happier than a barbecue fan at a brisket tasting.

There is nothing wasted here. A statement I can make about EVERY part I have read so far.

I have never seen this team of artists before, but I hope to see lots more of them. This book is beautifully rendered, dare I say, masterfully. It has all the creep factor of a Wrightson or Totleben/Bissette offering, which is the highest praise I would ever reach to for a Horror Story.

It is gut-punch gorgeous.

If the writer doesn’t fall to trend, this will be a masterwork.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

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Knight Terrors: The Flash #1 (DC Comics, Event) Writer: Alex Paknadel, Artist: Daniel Bayliss

‘I…It was the Speed Force… The Speed Force was all wrong. There was something BURROWED into it, like a tick. Barry, I… I saw… I saw a MONSTER IN THE LIGHTNING!

Barry Allen. Forensic Scientist, family man, master of the Speed Force.

Now, he faces the worst nightmare ever. Wally dying, Jay incapacitated, and the Speed Force is infected by a monstrous evil.

His good friend Hal Jordan is dead, an animated corpse held together by will power and his Power Ring.

Alex Paknadel has created a pure nightmare. There are enough clues to this being a construct of some sort, but nothing overt, no piece that would truly stand out as ‘Out Of Place in the Day of a Speedster’. Let’s face it, in this nightmare, Barry can run forever, and never change anything.

Until I pieced together what I was looking at, this story had me off-kilter. Never sure of what I was seeing, questioning some of the basics of the Flash history, I was torn between whether I was looking at nightmare or adventure.

Then I noticed the costume.

Daniel Bayliss’s art is frenetic. Everything appears to be shaky, blurred slightly. Whether intentional or not, this style is perfect for a Flash story, especially a horror story.

As Barry rushes headlong ‘into the maze’, I find myself happy to have worked so hard in the first part of this story.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶.5

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Knight Terrors: Robin #1 (DC Comics Event)  Writer: Kenny Porter  Artist: Miguel Mendonca

‘And if we can feel pain, do you know what that means?

‘That you need a magnifying glass so you can  look even farther up Batman’s ass?’

Ahhh, Robin. 

Where do we start with nightmares for a Robin?

First off, why pick only one? EVERY Robin is a tragic figure, had a nightmare life… Soooo, let’s go to town! Two, TWO for the price of one!

Yes, Gentle Readers, Kenny Porter has incorporated two of the more tragic of the Robins, Tim Drake and Jason Todd, and made their nightmares a truly living Hellscape.

Tim Drake, whose father was killed by Captain Boomerang, and Jason Todd, killed by annoyed DC Fans. Both haunted by these deaths, and naturally, targeted by Insomnia.

Miguel Mendonca’s artwork is pretty. nicely rendered pencils and inks, reminiscent of the Bat-Books, right up to the creepy twist cliffhangers, earn they go all wonky-creepy… a nice way to end the issues.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

The Fat Guy Reads Stuff... The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Riding the IND 

Designed with the intent to acknowledge the Immense Contribution of the Independent Comic Press, and  highlight a more unique stable of products

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The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1(Tiny Onion/Dark Horse Press)- Creator - James Tynion IV (@jamesttynioniv) Script: Tate Brombal (@tatebrombal) Artist: Issac Goodhart (@issacgoodhart)

“I’m sorry. You’re being so patient with me. But truth is that without you I think I’d be going completely insane.

‘Coo?

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If there is one thing I have learned through my years of fandom, there are certain things the Reader should NEVER underestimate:

The simple beauty of Jack Kirby’s work,

The ability of Bull Sienkiewich to dazzle the reader with the brilliance of his art

Anything written by Denny O’Neil, Len Wein, Roy Thomas or Marv Wolfman

Add to this list:

4. The twists and turns in the imagination of James Tynion IV.

This brings us to his latest story, the Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, a title which in and of itself twists my age-enfeebled mind.

Christopher Chaos is an enigma, wrapped in a dimensional rip, trapped in a Schrodinger’s Box. He sees things that may or may not exist, envisions multiple levels of solutions to mathematical equations (during English Class), has auditory and visual hallucinations which might not be hallucinations… Is he certifiable, or truly experiencing everything he is seeing?

A great deal of story is crammed into the first issue, introducing Chris, his parents, his crush Hayden (who might be a werewolf), the Men in White, and Chris’ penchant desire to be Herbert West…

Strangely, none of it feels rushed. Everything flows at a good tempo, the dialogue is interesting and at times downright fun. Chris’s conversation with Peggy is both beautiful and poignant, an exposition of pain and self-realization leading the Reader to see the character as either a tortured soul, or a friend of the Pigeon Lady in Battery Park.

The team of Tynion, Brombal, and Goodhart have brought created a character and world full of such potential, it is only a matter of time until everyone is flocking to it!

Much like pigeons…

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

The Fat Guy Reads Stuff... Knight Terrors: First Blood #1 & Knight Terrors: Batman #1

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Knight Terrors: First Blood #1 (DC Comics Event): Writer: Joshua Williamson (@joshuawilliamson)  Artist: Howard Porter (@mrhowardporter)  Colors: Brad Anderson (@comicbrad)

‘YOU THINK YOU CAN FOOL ME?!

I am John Dee. DR. DESTINY! 

Dreams are MY playground! And that is what this is.

You think you can creep into my mind… and control me?

Don’t be shy. SHOW YOURSELF!

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Before I begin, I would share some biases held by the Old Crank with you my Gentle Readers:

The idea of Joshua Williamson as the writer of any book containing the Flash. My frustration with his ‘The Flash/Wally West needs to be redeemed in every other issue/storyline’ has been well documented to the point LCS Owners hate to see me on Flash Release Day…

John Dee is one of my favorite mystic characters. From the Silver Age introduction in Justice League of America V1 #5, through his appearances in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series, the Arrowverse, the DCAU,, and other places, John Dee/ John Deegan has always been a formidable adversary to any he crosses (I want David Thewlis to play him in the NEXT DCAU film… he is so wonderfully understated, and menacing!)

This being said, I am pleasantly surprised by what I have seen, so far.

Over the last 3-4 years, DC has been progressing toward the mystic side with their Event Books.

DCeased, Metal/Death Metal, Endless Winter, DC vs Vampires, and ALL the Crisis related events have led to a book that puts the Outer Realms in focus; The DreamWorlds, the Astral Plane, the playground for Justice League Dark, and one particular character: Boston Brand, Deadman.

This story is a prelude to lunacy, a junket to the realm of sleepless Heroes, and their NIGHTMARES. 

Joshua Williamson has written a tight, thrilling lead-in story to this year’s Event.  The dialogue is smooth, the storytelling is well thought out and eerie. 

The artwork by Howard Porter is beautiful. The pencils are very fine, almost scratchy, lending their look to a more gothic atmosphere. His rendition of the TRINITY is shadowed, almost haunted,  enhancing the mood of the art.

I must say I very excited to see this series play, but I am also facing some trepidation. This is a huge project, with a TREMENDOUS start. I am hoping it doesn’t slip back yo some old habits.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Knight Terrors: Batman  #1 (DC Comics Event)  Writer: Joshua Williamson (@joshuawilliamson)  Artist: Guillem March  (@guillem_march)  Darko Lafuente (@lafuente_rip)

‘WHAT IS THAT?

When you became Batman you turned yourself into a CREATURE OF THE NIGHT. Transformed yourself into a SYMBOL of Nightmares.

But now that NIGHTMARE has taken on a MIND OF ITS OWN…’

______________________________________________________________________

Nightmares. The dreams that keep on taking…

What happens when you have spent your life training yourself to isolate your fears, yet they become the very weapons used to break, or destroy you???

Welcome, Gentle Readers to Knight Terrors: Batman #1, a study in terror, only needing Rod Serling, and a gallery of pictures.

Joshua Williamson and Guillen March have woven a tale of the macabre and horrors so vivid, the casual reader might not get the full impact of the story.

The Story, as woven by Joshua Williamson, is a treacly confection dripping of pain and anguish, fear and dread, each morsel a delectable bite of a fevered psyche. This one being the Batman’s.

I am hard pressed to separate the writing from the art, and I am not sure which enhances which…

A silent page depicting in glorious scratchy art a young Bruce Wayne running from the sight of his mother’s GIANT pearls, rolling toward him to extinguish the life of the man-child…

or the page of Insomnia describing Bruce Wayne’s greatest failures, past, present, and to come…

If this volume of the 42-plus issue story is any indication of where this team is going, all I can do is tell you to go to your LCS and Buy! I fear this is going to surpass ALL my hopes and expectations…

And for that I cry tears of joy.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

The Fat Guy Reads Stuff... Nightwing #105

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of ComicsBy: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Nightwing #105 (DC Comics) 

Writer: Tom Taylor (@tomtaylormade)  

Artist: Bruno Redondo (@bruno_redondo_f)

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‘Mister Wing—

‘IT’S ONE WORD.

‘Excuse me?

‘NIGHTWING is one word. So, it’s not “Mister Wing.

It would be like me calling you ‘MISTER HOLE.’

_____________________________________________________

[Aside: Normally, there is one quote/snippet that stands out to me, inspiring my choice of book to review. There were more than 30 in this book… this one chosen simply because it sounds so much like something I would say.

I could have just as easily opened with a picture of Bitewing licking Dick awake.]

 SQUEEEEEEEEEE! (Yes, my 9-year-old-Kawaii-Fangirl just made  another appearance)

Since this issue was announced, I have been on tenterhooks, flopping back and forth between excitement and trepidation.

(Begin boooo-ring lecture -)

Telling a story from the First-Person perspective creates a unique view for you, the Gentle Reader. Comics are normally written from a Third-Person Perspective, where the Reader views the Character’s Actions and Interactions with their co-characters against the background of their environment.

First-Person Storytelling portrays EVERYTHING from the Main Character’s point of view. This adds an eccentricity to the artwork, where the Artist, in illustrating the story must capture the vision of the story and the sightline of the First Person. This is hardly a simple task. Between Line-of-sight perspectives, and capturing small details like curved reflections, there are a million more details to render. Correctly.

Now, I will put away my Podium of Tedium, and return to the regularly scheduled critique…

Since taking over this book, Tom Taylor has taken the character of Dick Grayson to new heights, constantly showing him to be Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth’s greatest success. The storylines have been well thought out, engaging, and in many instances downright glorious.

This issue is the proof in the pudding.

Snappy patter, good characterizations, strong story, recurring villain duo Double Dare as a mercenary Robin Hood type, and Bitewing (!), give the reader more than enough reason to part with their hard-earned money.

It was the artwork that grabbed me by the collar and forced me to stay.

Bruno Redondo has taken Tom Taylor’s stories and made them a MUST READ. As the Primary Artist on Nightwing, Mr. Redondo brings a brightness to the Nightwing Story, something missing from the grim, gritty artwork in other Bat-Family books.

In addition, with this being the second ‘gimmick art book’ (artwork displaying an out-of-the-ordinary style of storytelling) Mr. Redondo has done, as described by critics, I would submit this as a successful experiment in Sequential Art Storytelling, turning the norms on their respective heads, and giving the reader a fresh, camera-eye view of the story unfolding.

I applaud such risk-taking, as I did with Steranko’s Agent of SHIELD art, Bill Sienkiewicz’s New Mutants, Frank Miller’s Daredevil, and both Neil Adams and Marshall Rogers Batman.

The story in Issue #105 is entitled ‘You Are Nightwing’.

If at the end of the story, you, Gentle Reader, do not feel you have experienced a day in the life, you have not done the story justice.

Mrs. Taylor and Redondo certainly did.

Thank you.

[thegeekerynj]

The Fat Guy Reads Stuff... Ultimate Invasion #1

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Greetings Gentle Readers, and welcome back to what I hope will be a weekly look at one or more offerings of this Week in Comics! 

ENJOY!

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Ultimate Invasion #1 (Marvel Comics) 

Writer: Jonathan Hickman ; Pencils: Bryan Hitch ; Inks: Andrew Currie

‘If you could do it all again— if you could really change things — if you had the chance… would you erase me from existence?’

‘…  …  YES.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

_______________________________________________________________________

Three lines.

A snippet of conversation between two of Comics most intelligent characters frame the context for what is to come.

As a variant on the ‘Kill Baby Hitler’ Time Travel story, the Maker (Reed Richards of Earth-1610) has become intent on one thing- recreation of the Ultimates Universe. To this end, He has built something wonderful, and monstrous.

And traveled to Earth-6160 to ply his ways…

Jonathan Hickman has once again brought the reader to a higher level, raised the storytelling to a point beyond the normal world building of the comics form, to heights not sewn since Archie Goodwin and Steve Gerber graced the page.

Clean crisp descriptions, snappy patter, and multi-leveled dialogue dripping in snark and imbued with condescension, while conveying the basic message of the speaker. Hickman has recaptured the beauty of the Ultimates Universe, and graded it kicking and screaming into a new universe. 

Hitch and Currie are a nice complement to this writing, their artwork raising the expectation of the reader with every panel, facial expression, and gesture. Hitch’s pencils are a reach back to the incredible detail in his original Ultimates series.

The story leaves the reader with a whetted appetite for more, like a fine appetizer teasing everything to come from a master chef and his team. It certainly doesn’t disappoint, from the first page to the additional pages of Hitch’s pencils, showing the right writer/artist team can bring much without the smallest touch of dialogue.

Gentle Reader, this title has shown that lightning can be caught in a bottle a second time, that Hickman and Hitch are the team to do it, and Gods Bless anyone standing in their ways.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

The Year In Review - 2022 The Cranky Old Man picks his Favorites of the Year

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

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As the Sun slowly finishes its trip around my waist, the time has come to look back at some of the truly amazing offerings that arrived during 2022.

Now, as with all things, these rankings are subjective. Since they are mine, they are also correct.

Now, get off my lawn, and please enjoy!

Top 5 Comics of 2022:

Number 1:

The Human Target (DC, 12 Issue Series) - Writer: Tom King  Artist: Greg Smallwood

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

‘My name is Christopher Chance. My game is THE HUMAN TARGET. This is how it’s played.

You hire me to pretend to be you. So you can see who hates you enough to kill you. You live, I die. 

Everyone wins.’

_______________________________________________________________________

Leave it to Tom King to give us a story anchored by a character relegated to B-Stories, a noirish murder mystery, and the bumbling, lovable incarnation of the Justice League gifted to us by the maestros Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire, and Al Gordon, all wrapped up as a ‘50s style detective show, complete with booze, broads, bullets, and an angry Guy Gardner.

Oh, and Christopher Chance has 14 days to solve his own murder. 

Life is good.

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Number 2:

Nightwing (DC, ongoing) - Writer: Tom Taylor   Pencils/Inks: Bruno Redondo   Colors: Adriano Lucas

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

‘Hey, Jon, guess what Batman keeps in his belt?

Some sensible people have pointed out he keeps his LOLLIPOPS dangerously close to the Smoke Bombs that are a similar shape and size, but he’s pretty stubborn.

Here you go. Want to see me juggle?’

_______________________________________________________________________

Yes, I know this run began in 2021, but it hit its stride in 2022… not that the first 11 issues weren’t incredible.

Mentoring Jon Kent, teaming with Wally West, ‘shipping with Barbara Gordon (in the neatest version of Batgirl since Gail Simone’s ‘Batgirl of Burnside’ run), battling Heartless and Blockbuster for the ‘heart’ of Bludhaven, Tom Taylor has given us the Dick Grayson fans have wanted for years.

The MAN Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth raised to be the best version of Richard Grayson.

Add to this the beautiful art and triptych covers of Bruno Redondo, and this becomes one of the don’t-miss series of the year.

Oh, and let’s not forget Bitewing and NiteMite (I. WANT. THIS. FUNKO. POP.)

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Number 3:

Public Domain (Image Comics) Creator: Chip Zdarsky (So appropriate)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

‘Let’s fight for what’s ours.’

_______________________________________________________________________

This one line says everything you need to know to understand the story Chip Zdarsky is telling. It’s the story of Kirby, Ditko, Wood, Toth, Wrightson, Morrow, and going back as far as Siegel and Schuster, those masters who created characters, and unwittingly, signed away their creations for pennies.

Zdarsky’s portrayal of Sy Dallas and his family trying to wade through the decision process comes down to one question - what is the value of everything you create?

I have been hanging on every page of every issue, waiting for a final answer. 

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Number 4:

Avengers - X-Men - Eternals: Judgement Day (Marvel SUPER-Event, 17 various issues)  - Writer: Kieron Gillen, Artists: Various

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

‘We simply have to build a GOD. Help us. Help us build our God.’

‘This plan is pure hubris… but speaking broadly, I’m PRO HUBRIS.

But… How on EARTH do you think we are going to MAKE A GOD in a few hours?’

‘Look around you, Mr. Stark of the Avengers… WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.’

Ajak of the Eternals and Tony Stark

_______________________________________________________________________

Druig of The Eternals has proclaimed the X-Men are X_Treme Deviants, and attacked them in ALL their seats of power, with help from an excommunicated Moira MacTaggart.

Sersi, Ajak, Makkari and others of the Eternals Society removed themselves from the society over ‘directional differences’. 

The Avengers, having monitored spikes in the expenditure of ‘Celestial’ energy, assume a pending attack against HUMANITY by the Eternals.

Mistakes are made. Lives are lost.

Hilarity ensues.

Kieron Gillen, of DIE fame, has undertaken the writing task for this Marvelverse-spanning enterprise, beautifully incorporating these three disparate groups, along with the Titan Starfox, Iron Fist, and human vessels… 

A story of destruction and zealotry, where blindly following a laid-out path without understanding the repercussions leads to reaction rather than thought.

Where the flawed are perfect in their understanding, principle is more important than purity, and those who stand against the unprincipled are the TRUE heroes.

And the only things that are eternal are love and shame.

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Number 5:

Joe Hill’s Rain (Szyzgy  Press / Image Comics) Author: Joe Hill, Adapted by: David M Booher, Art: Zoe Thorogood

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

‘At least Yolanda and I had the kiss.

“OUCH!”

‘Can one kiss last a lifetime?

‘Count yourself lucky if you never have to find out.’

_______________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been in a rainstorm that felt like needles piercing your skin?

Now, picture those piercings being razor-sharp shards of ice impaling people with the misfortune of being caught in this first downfall…

Joe Hill’s apocalyptic story is beautifully and painstakingly translated to the comic page through the deft scripting of David Booker, and the hauntingly beautiful renderings of Zoe Thorogood.

The story, a mere 5-issues, is deserving of multiple reads, to fully absorb the various details in the artwork, and to thoroughly embrace the wonder and devastation of Honeysuckle Speck.

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Honorable Mentions:

, 

The Variants (Marvel Comics)  Writer: Gail Simone, Art: Phil Noto

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

‘Killgrave is beyond being able to hurt anyone, Maria. I’ve seen him. I KNOW.

‘You think I’m begging you to help me, Ms. Jones-Cage. I’m not. I’m WARNING you.

_______________________________________________________________________

GAIL SIMONE!! 

JESSICA JONES!!

KILLGRAVE!!

A Multiverse of Jessicas, including a CAPTAIN F’N AMERICA!!

Well worth the read, #6 in a Top 10!

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Stray Dogs: Dog Days  (Image Comics)  Writer: Tony Fleecs  Art: Trish Forstner

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The beginnings and the fitting end for the Stray Dogs tale, showing how each of the Strays came to be in the Yard…

Fleecs and Forstner succeed once again in making this cranky old man sob!

[thegeekerynj]

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #1-4 (Dark Horse Comics) Writer: Evan Dorkin (@evandorkin) and Sarah Dyer (@colorkitten)  Artist: Benjamin Dewey (@benjamindewey) Letters: Nate Piekos (@Blambot)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Riding the IND 

Designed with the intent to acknowledge the Immense Contribution of the Independent Comic Press, and  highlight a more unique stable of products

==========================================

Greetings, Salutations, and Hi-De-Ho Neighbors!

Welcome, one and all, to the Show that Never Ends, the Sideshow that is my desire to report to YOU, Gentle Readers, what is amazing, wonderful and so extremely FAN-Tastical in the world of Independent Comics!

I’ll be your host for what I hope will be an enlightening, joy and thrill-filled ride through the last couple of months of the Indy World where, hopefully, at the end, I may have inspired you to dip your toe into some of the beauty I am describing here…

With that said, let’s begin our descent into ADVENTURE!

_______________________________________________________________

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #1-4 (Dark Horse Comics)

Writer: Evan Dorkin (@evandorkin) and Sarah Dyer (@colorkitten)  Artist: Benjamin Dewey (@benjamindewey) Letters: Nate Piekos (@Blambot)

‘A great spiritual disturbance has arisen in the Zou Valley. There is HATRED there, and DEATH.

‘Only a complete fool would go anywhere near that place.

‘Complete Fools. That’s US, I’m guessin’.  RIGHT?

————————————————————————————————

W.C. Fields has been attributed the quote ‘Never work with animals or children.’

I am certainly glad the creative team has never taken this to heart.

‘Beasts of Burden’, in all its iterations, is the love child of Evan Dorkin. A long running set of stories for Dark Horse Publishing, these tales extoll the virtues of Wise Dogs, Apprentices, and Swifties, Dogs and Cats who have, through the Grace of Nature, been granted power which they use to protect the less fortunate, and humans. 

In many cases, these majestic beasts choose to work with Humans who understand the powers the Dogs and Cats possess, and as a result, all work toward protecting the World, together.

Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory tells the tale of Emrys, a Wise Dog, and his Human, Jonathan Hope, who venture to Japan post V-J Day, in 1947. They are investigating the disappearance and gruesome murder of some US Soldiers in Northern Japan.

The story is rife with Japanese folklore and mysticism, bringing in mythological creatures from throughout Japan’s storied history. Each being gets spotlighted, and contributes to the story, which is a pleasant surprise, considering many would just drop some of these characterizations in as window dressing. 

As I read these issues, i kept hoping for a Kaiju… but I digress.

Well, let’s begin with the artwork. Benjamin Dewey is a master of this art form. His art style screams ‘Comfortable, friendly, expressive’, while his storytelling says ‘Come, sit  and read for a while.’.  The pages, panels and layouts are PRETTY. There are no steroided out super-dogs, no sharp angles / explosions of characters from the page. This is a TALE to be spun, and his will be one half of the medium to do the spinning.  

I am dutifully impressed every time I see this gentleman’s work. It is a talent that continues to grow, and I really can’t wait  to see where he goes next.

An aside, All 4 of the A Covers for the books are done by Ben Dewey.  His style is so distinctive, the owner of the geekery pointed out to me which covers he did, saying ‘These covers are beautiful. He does such pretty, distinctive work.’  

For me, it was the B Covers that got me, with Jill Thompson doing Issue 2, Stephanie (granddaughter of John) Buscema on Issue 3, and Evan Dorkin doing Issue 4. Every one as pretty as the A Covers, and complementary to the story.

Now, for the tale of the TALE and Tails… Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer really knocked this one out of the park. 

A well told story of two Dogs (a Wise One, and one not so wise) who are out of place, but unafraid to go forth and try to do what is RIGHT, for the sake of all. A tale as old as time, with Tengu, and Kitsune, Tanuki , Oni, Kappa and Jorogumo.

Not to forget the Shibi Inu guardian Temple Dogs.

In a story concerning Japan, it was important to look at ALL the context. The Time, the Placement of the ‘Big Bad’, and whether their reaction to what occurred was potentially warranted, based upon the understanding of the History.

The storytelling is not heavy handed or hamfisted. In many cases, when mythologies from different cultures are mixed, the Writer / s will resort to the typical superhero trope of ‘Let them fight it out, realize they have a common enemy, and gang tackle the Big Bad. 

Happily, this was not the case. the team of Dorkin and Dyer gave each set of characters a sense of rationality and purpose. Emrys and Mullins were investigating the disappearances, they weren’t looking to smash anything flat before talking. The Guardians were protectors first, thinking characters. The Oni and Jorogumo, well, they were serving their baser natures, which is what they were known for; while the Council, and Lord Yamanaya served their people, and not the Outside World.

All in all, Mythology treated with a loving respect which has been seen before from this team, whether on a Marvel Snapshot story, tales of rancid Dairy Products, a group of over the top fanboys… well, you get my drift, I am sure.

The dialogue was natural feeling, one could ALMOST hear a lilt of British accent in Emrys’ lines, where there was a feel of Bensonhurst in Mullins voice. Now, how much of that was attributable to the writing, or in combination with the artwork, I couldn’t say. 

I can say in reading these books 3 times, I heard the accents in my head every time. I’ll attribute it to well seasoned writing.

The most important aspect of this writing, it left me wanting more. Evan and Sarah have whetted my appetite for more stories about these characters.

I am looking forward to the slate of stories which has been proposed, and I hope that when the time / scripts come, Ben Dewey is there to do the pencils and inks.

Thank you, guys. You have made an Old Fat Guy very happy.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

========================================================

[thegeekerynj]

DC Pride #1 (DC Comics)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

DC Pride #1 (DC Comics)

Writers: James Tynion IV, Steve Orlando, Vita Alaya, Mariko Tamaki, Sam Johns, Danny Lore, Sina Grace, Nicole Maines, Andrew Wheeler

Foreward by Mark Andreyko

Artists: Trung Le Nguyễn, Stephen Byrne, Skylar Partridge, Amy Reeder, Klaus Janson, Lisa Sterle, Ro Stein and Ted Brandt, Rachel Stott, Luciano Vecchio

Harley & Ivy Variant Cover by Jen Bartel

‘Who the HELL are you to interrupt MY work??

Just two unruly friends of Dorothy out for a night’s walk…’

————————————————————————————————

Strangely enough, in the middle of a John Constantine Pick-up story, a Midnight one-liner is the stand out for me!

Greetings from the far side of the Pandemic, Gentle Readers, and welcome back to the Angry Fat Guy’s Recent Rambling Reviews of Ribald, Raucous and Reckless  Protagonists of Four Color Art… Say THAT three times fast!

June is Pride Month, and in celebration of this both DC and MARVEL have put together collections of stories about LGBTQIA Characters, written and or artistically rendered by LGBTQIA artistes.

Now, I have chosen the DC Pride book over the Marvel book primarily due to proximity, the DC book is on top of the pile, and the Marvel book is much further down. In as much as I have no dislike for any of the characters on either side, and I do have a limited amount of time, I will be reviewing the DC book at this time (as a big fan of both Bobby Drake and Jean-Paul Beaubier I will review this book at a later time, and address the ham handed treatment of Northstar’s ‘coming out’)

Well, enough of the soapbox, and on to the reviews…

First, the Foreward by Marc Andreyko. 

If you are going to host a book which pays tribute to the LGBTQIA Community in Comics, there is no better way to start than with an essay which addresses the elephant in the room. Andreyko’s essay is simple, straight forward, and on some levels, incendiary. 

‘LGBTQ+ Characters were once used for shock value as villains, prancing butts of jokes, or martyred souls felled by AIDS, or bashing, or some other awful untimely end.’

And that’s the THIRD SENTENCE! The absolutely horrid thing is, there is nothing but truth in these words. Which, unfortunately could bring me back to Northstar… Stay on target, stay on target…

So, we can start off with Jen Bartel’s beautiful Harley / Ivy Variant cover. This was easy, being the Queens of the DC Pride Parade. These two characters have been written together, whether as friends, lovers, nearly conjoined, however one wishes to look at it, for years.This cover, showing them as a Yin and Yang, being crossed by a rainbow…simply gorgeous! 

For me, this was worth the price of admission… yet we still have all those wondrous rides!

Now, I intend to hit on three of the nine stories herein, just in the interest of not boring you all  ( see- In the interest of interest… OK, you can smack me)…or maybe four.

Story the First: He’s The Light Of My Life - Sam Johns writer, Klaus Janson, Art.

Disclaimer: Klaus Janson!!!!!  End of Disclaimer.

Alan Scott. The original Green Lantern.  Magic Power Lantern, weakness is wood… Earth - 2 Golden Age Hero. Man who very recently came out as gay.

Obsidian. Todd Rice, estranged son of Alan Scott, openly gay for much longer than Alan Scott, but just finding out his father was also gay.

This story really hit the social issues of growing up in different times, where ‘Confirmed Bachelors’ needed to meet in closed rooms, with shuttered windows, for fear of what would happen if they were caught doing unacceptable things versus today, where the Social Issues were more cloaked in hatred than fear.

Sam Johns took a deft touch to the many sides of this discussion, looking at the man who was, all those years ago, the man who is today, and the man who grew up to know who he is today. 

This could have been an extremely heavy handed story, told from the side of Todd, but Johns chose to give both characters their voice, so the Reader could understand the driving forces behind Alan Scott’s fear of coming out, and his final decision to do so.

This was a very well written tale, which was only made better for me through the pencil and ink work of Klaus Janson. Not nearly as noirish and dark as his seminal Daredevil days, Janson brings these characters to life for me, with fine line, detail, and an intricate understanding of where less can be much more, and hw once in a while, MORE can be less than what is needed.

This was, by far, my favorite story in this collection.

Date Night, by Nicole Maines, drawn by Rachael Stott. 

First off, points for Nicole Maines, As a Transgender Activist, a Transgender Woman, and a Regular member of the Supergirl cast, portraying the first Transgender Superhero on Television or Film.

Date Night? Nice little story, looking at the character of Dreamer, or Nura Nal, the half human - half Naltorian member of Team Supergirl, and ultimately, distant progenitor of Dream Girl of the Legion of Super Heroes (Long Live the Legion!)

What is nicer is the artwork of Rachael Stott. This is some extremely pretty work, with detail, and flair, and just enough flashes of brilliance to make this very short story a standout.

I am actually looking forward to seeing if there will be a continuation of these characters somewhere in the DCEU, after Supergirl closes out its Television run this year. These characters are pretty neat, and deserve an extended life.

Third story, but not my least favorite, by any means… 

Try The Girl written by Vita Alaya, art by Skylar Partridge.

I’m a sucker for a story about the Question. Whether it’s Vic Sage, Victor Szasz, or Renee Montoya, Steve Ditko’s vision for a protector of human rights brings the Question to the fore, as the embodiment of protecting Hub City, and those living there.

The story starts out simply enough, with a missing girl.

The girl, it seems, also happens to be a candidate for mayor, who happens to be Black, and interested in actually helping the poor and oppressed of Hub City. 

A perfect case for Renee Montoya, The Question.

Vita Alaya gives us a nice little mystery story, an almost typical Question tale, in four pages of beautiful homage work by Skylar Partridge. 

Had I not known better, I would have sworn I was reading a Lemire / Cowyn story, which is very high praise, indeed. Simple, straight forward, no wasted panels or words…

Complete with the Main Character being taken by surprise. No mistakes, no problems. Very High Praise, indeed.

And finally, because where half of the free world complains about how many places one can find a Batman presence in the DCEU… My complaint has been “How many places are you going to put Harley, Anyway???”…

I have no complaint with ‘Another Word For A Truck To Move Your Furniture’, written by Mariko Tamaki, and drawn by Amy Reeder. What complaint could I have?? This is the BEST PLACE for an Ivy - Harley story, outside of one of their own books.

And what a story… Mariko Tamaki is a wondrous writer, capturing the essence of the Harley and Ivy vibe with some cute dialogue, and fun activity. Am Reeder brings a joyful, bouncy feel to the characters; Ivy who spends the entire eight pages being happy and frustrated with Harley, and Harley, who deftly avoids answering the ONE Question any two people who have been together for any time try to look at, ‘Where are We Going?’.

A beautiful, well written and rendered tale of a lunatic relationship going healthily toward Love.

Now, there are more tales in this book, which I have chosen not to touch on (except for the quote from Midnighter, it was deserving of print), just for lack of time. As i said earlier, EVERY Tale in this book is a winner, these just hit me hardest.

Some might dispute my choices, and that’s OK. I defy anyone to see a stinker in the bunch.

Is this book worth the price tag? At $9.99, it is a little steep for the everyday reader… but if you can get past that, you will no be disappointed.

I can Promise you that.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

====================================================

[thegeekerynj]

Strange Adventures #10   (DC Black Label) by @TomKingTK @MitchGerads & @DocShaner

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Strange Adventures #10  (DC Black Label)

Writer: Tom King   Artists: Mitch Gerads, Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner

‘His dedication reads…

“For my daughter, whom I lost in the war. My life is spent with grief.”

‘That last part there— That’s Psalm 31, King James Translation, 1611. 

What confuses me about that is, if you know the passage, it’s not about the grief or loss. It’s not about death.Maybe some people wouldn’t know this. But your husband is a renowned archaeologist. One who worked on the historical Bible, and he’d know it well.

No, Psalm 31 is about being hurt by your enemies.

Being ashamed of what they made you into.’

————————————————————————————————

Here we are Gentle Readers. The Endgame.

And this, this is the smoking gun.

GODS ABOVE AND BELOW! I hate Tom King! I WANT the last two issues of this book NOW!

I was abut a third of the way through this chapter of the story, and the tears started coming. I couldn’t stop them. Between the letter Michael Holt sends to Alanna, and the captivating artwork, the depiction of the sssllllllloooooowwwwwwwwwwww realization on Alanna’s face when she realizes what has happened… 

As much as I was waiting for this, it was all too much.

Gods, it was IN - Mutha -Frickin’- CREDIBLE! (Thanks to Samuel L.)

I can’t say much more than this:

GO.

BUY. 

READ.

NOW!!

Take the hint!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

(Yes, I know!)

[thegeekerynj]

Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom #1  (DC Comics)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom #1  (DC Comics)

Writer: Brandon Easton   Artist: Fico Ossio

‘Falling. Fast.

Hard to breathe. Having the time of my life.

Should i cue the ‘Dirty dancing’ Soundtrack?

No, thanks Mother Box. I’m not in the mood for cheesy 80’s pop at the moment.’

—————————————————————————————

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of ALLLLLLLLL Agessss! 

Allow me to introduce you to Shilo Norman, Mister Miracle!

Don’t you mean Scott Free? Son of Hi— NO! I mean Shilo Norman, the young man who has taken the mantle of Mister Miracle, now that Scott has retired.

We open on our new Mister Miracle performing a stunt bordering on the lunatic. Chained to a chair, attached to a drone, we open with him at the edge of space… 62 MILES above the Earth. With the push of a button, and a Three, Two, One… we have FREEFALL.

Still chained to the chair.

Achieving Terminal Velocity.

No Parachutes, well past the SAFE open mark.

And, cue the celebration.

This is typically the Scott Free / Barda / Oberon lunatic stunt, but now, it’s just Shilo and Mother Box.

Brandon Easton has crafted a pretty little tale about a young man who has lived a world of strife in his very short lifetime. One who wears his pain on his shoulders, like an armor, to protect him from exposing his vulnerable self to the World. 

Yes, Mister Norman’s story is a story of exploration,… he is looking for acceptance, and love, and happiness, and he has loneliness, and an inability to let anyone close.

So far.

Fico Ossio is a new name to me. This is the first book I have seen him work on, and I can say that I can’t wit to see more. His artwork is edgy. I am reluctant to say pretty, because it has a raw quality which i find very appealing. It isn’t fine, or crisp, rather it is a little rough, edgy. 

Norman has seen some stuff. He was a player in the Final Crisis, survived both the Anti Life Equation and the Omega Sanction, and he was instrumental in ending the Last Laugh riots. This guy thinks falling from the edge of space is a cakewalk.

Ossio shows every heinous laugh line.

Gods, it is glorious!

This is the first issue of a six issue mini series, and i can’t wait to see what insanity Issue 2 brings!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

______________________________________________________

[thegeekerynj]

Milestone Returns Infinite Edition Zero (DC Comics / Milestone Imprint)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Milestone Returns Infinite Edition Zero (DC Comics / Milestone Imprint) 

Writers: Reginald Hudlin, Greg Pak   Artists: Denys Cowan, Nikolas Draper-Ivey, Bill Sienkiewicz, CRISSCROSS, Juan Castro, Jim Lee, Jimmy Palmiotti, Ryan Benjamin, Don Ho, Khoi Pham, Scott Hanna

‘You didn’t even give me a WARNING before you emptied your pistols at me. An UNARMED Man.

‘What’s that… What’s ON you?

The BLACKNESS that protects me? Does it scare you? I haven’t even started shooting back yet.’

———————————————————————————————————

Oh, Milestone! How I have missed ye!

What is Milestone, you ask? Wellllll, let’s set the WABAC to 1993, when a group of writers and artists decided it was time to address the underrepresentation of the minority community in Comics.

With that, Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, Christopher Priest and some other creative giants brought forth Milestone Media Company, LLC., or, Milestone. 

Working in conjunction with DC, this talented group brought forth some amazing characters: Static, or Virgil Hawkins and the Bang Babies, victims of a chemical bath gone wrong; Hardware, Curtis Metcalf, child prodigy, and creator of the chemical which unleashed the Bang Babies on the ‘Dakotaverse’.

Then there’s Icon and Rocket, an alien trapped on Earth since 1839 and a young woman who tried to rob his home, who become heroes, in an attempt to bring hope to the downtrodden.

Hope. The message of the Milestone books. 

Something there has been too little of for a while, but things are getting brighter.

Milestone Returns!

And not a moment too soon!

For a larger book (39 pages of story) this read like a travel pamphlet. Nooo, not that it had no substance, it was just that fast!

The first half read like it was ripped from the newspapers of 2020, with unnecessary, and totally over the top violence against minorities, whether peaceful protesters, or people who didn’t open their doors quickly enough.

In one part of the story, we have the beginnings of the ‘Dakotaverse’, the world of Static, Hardware and the rest. We see the beginnings of the Bang Babies, the people effected by Curtis Metcalf’s crowd suppression mist. We also see Metcalf himself, realizing he will be hung out to dry by his boss, so he has the good sense to head for home before all Hell and Police ‘Justice’ descends upon him.

As is the case, his criminal boss rolls over on him like the boulder in ‘Raiders’, and the cops bust into his home, guns blazing.

Never let it be said that the four color sequential art medium cannot be used effectively to communicate what is happening in the world. Faster than you can say Breonna Taylor, HARDWARE is born.

Yes, yes, this is a rehash of the first issues of STATIC, HARDWARE and ICON from ’93, complete with enough Social Conscience rewrite from 2020-2021 to make these characters relevant, and more importantly, alive.

The artwork in the first half of the book is pretty. No, it is majestic. it is Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.

It is a cure for ED. Yes, it’s that good. They ALWAYS are.

The writing is wonderful, as well. Reginald Hudlin doesn’t miss a beat, bringing all these characters back to the world as if they had never gone away. Static is still a little innocent, and a lot a kid, Icon is still stiffer than REBAR, and Curt Metcalf is every bit the super mind, almost Michael Holt-ish. The only thing missing are the T-Spheres, but the rest of his gadgets and gewgaws get him through, quite easily.

Let’s face it, DC has been remiss in keeping this imprint isolated to the Infinite Universe web comics. With all the complaints over the last two years, and everything happening in the US over the last 5, they might have been smarter to get this off the ground earlier.

Thankfully, the team of Cowan, Sienkiewicz, Hudlin, CRISSCROSS, et. al., have stepped up to make this work.

Good Luck, Gentlemen! Congrats on a great start!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

DC’s Future State: The Home Runs, Hits, and outright Strikeouts  

(Or, how Politics and Comics Don’t Mix)

Greetings from somewhen along the fractured timelines, and somewhere in the newly reconstituting Omniverse! Tis’ I, your faithful, but recently missing Fat Guy, finding his way back to a Universe with a keyboard, Intel processor, and something as far from MyFace as possible!

Gentle Readers, when last I had the privilege of gracing these Interwebs, Death Metal #7 had not yet hit the shelves, nor had Dead Earth #6. 

My spin down the ‘rabbit holes’, between the lunacy of the viral insanity that gripped the country, and then, the worries which came out of the COVID Pandemic, had me more focused on depressing issues, than the IMPORTANT THINGS in LIFE…

What DID happen with Wonder Woman? And, What came out of the lunacy of the Metal Saga?

Well, let’s touch on a few of those topics, the second, first.

What happened out of the Metal Saga? Well, we get a view of the Future, or a possible Future, if this is the Final State. We get to see some Characters grow, some disappear, some books remain the same, some will change DRASTICALLY.

We get to hear jokes about the Fifth Generation and how it is a marketing ploy for the Mothership, the United Conglomerated Moneygrab AT&T.

We get a name change from 5G to Future State, without a real concept change.

Oh, and Dan DiDio got fired. So did about half of DC’s regular staff.

But, I digress. 

Anyway, the premise is really simple… It’s Baseball Season! That being the case, I’m going to engage in a game of hybrid game of Sewer Cap Baseball, with each group of books graded as a Single, Double  Triple , Home Run, Out or Side Retired. This will not be an arbitrary judgment, as there will be some criteria to be followed.

The RULES: 

Home Runs  Well, a Home Run has to have outstanding artistry and story, the work being exemplary. Plot, characters, premise, everything is crisp, fresh and enjoyable. Writer and Artists have brought the reader to a place where they know the divergent reality is believable, in context.

Triples: If a Home Run is everything hitting on all cylinders, the Triple is the single knock in the engine. The pothole that nags at the Reader, the Idea that makes the Collector say, ‘This was really good…BUTTTTTT…’. Not the hook that leaves you wanting more, it’s the oversized hook that says’I just can’t swallow that’.

Double: A Double has a glaring issue that takes the reader out of the story… Frank Miller ‘300’ style Artwork on “Millie the Model’ type of ‘Well, that was a misfire!’ The story can be exceptional, or the Artwork wonderful, there’s just that GLARING issue that pulls the Reader away.

Single: The GLARING ERROR is extensive, pairing Yo-Yo Ma with Weird Al extensive. Both wonderful, but put together, and too much is lost in translation. The pairing of an ultra detailed writer with a 60’s style artist, who does no backgrounds, except for splash pages.

STRIKE OUT: Something is just BAD. 1985 Secret Wars BAD. Unfinished Kevin Smith Widening Gyre Cliffhanger BAD. Spider Buggy BAD. Not usually one to say something is BAD, I have said I didn’t like certain things. Not liking something does not make it BAD. Something horrifically wrong with it, that makes it BAD.

SIDE RETIRED: OK, this is a very special category, reserved for the Story That Has Been Done To Death, Didn’t Need To Be Done Again, Yet Here We Are, New Universe, Same Old CRAP!

This is the ‘Superman painted himself with invisible lead paint’ story, the ‘Bat-Shark Repellent in the Utility Belt Story (outside the 60’s camp stories)’…

So Gentle Readers, with all that said, the Pitchers and Catchers are set, the Batters are ready, the Managers are already bitching at the Umpire, sooooooo, Let’s Play Ball!

And remember, the Umpire reserves the right to continue the Game onto another day, as the Sun Goes Down…

===========================================================

First Inning:

Batter UP!

Dark Nights: Death Metal #7

Writer: Scott ‘Skull Crusher’ Snyder  Pencils (PP1-28) Greg ‘Constrictor’ Capullo,  Inks: Jonathan ‘’Gut Punch’ Glapion; Artist (PP 29-36) Yanick ‘Yell Master’ Paquette,  Artist (PP 37-38) Bryan ‘Hatchet Man’ Hitch

‘Tell me our shorts were not this short!

No way! They were MUCH SHORTER!

I will not die by pixie boot. I will not die by…’

———————————————————————————————————

This is it folks! The First Batter, or, the End of the Beginning, however the heck you want to look at it.

Gentle Readers, you can’t get to the Future State without first talking about the last issue of the series that brought you there… so, here we go!

Six issues, or, 23 issues, depending on your budget, wallet size, and ability to ‘Just Say NO!’, and here we are, the LAST ISSUE of the Death Metal Saga, which actually started way back in Batman #1 of the REBIRTH reboot, and carried through the METAL / Batman Who Laughs / Year of the Villain… so, the gift that kept on taking!

Anyway, this has been the Longest Long Game, and the Payoff has been SPECTACULAR! 

Constantly swinging between the Battle of the Bat-Families, the Superman Fight Squad and the Last Son, and the one - on - one death match between Wonder Woman and The Batman who Laughs, we get the battle scenes we have craved all along. 

Death, carnage, mayhem, and Jarro… who could ask for - - - What, you want more???? Well, we can add in the Totality, Diana of Themyscira, Goddess, ElseWorld, and finally finding out who was narrating this book for the last 77 years… Ya know, that’s enough.

Not that there isn’t more, I’m just not writing about it here…

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have left everything on the field with this book. No regrets, no punches puled, they finished this the way they started, unrelenting, unforgiving, and absolutely unstoppable. 

As a fan, I can say this is one of the few books I really jonesed for over the last year. The months when there was a skip due to the ‘One - offs’, I think I really got the shakes. This was one of the three stories of 2020 that made this Reader sit up and take notice.

As such, I highly recommend this entire series. This issue was fantastic, a fine ending to lead in to a new phase of the DC Universe, and Frickin’ ELSEWORLD!!!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

First Batter - Home Run!

===========================================================

Batting Second…

Generations Shattered  #1 / Generations Forged #1

Writers: Dan Jurgens, Robert Venditti, Andy Schmidt  

Artists: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, John Romita JR and Danny Miki, Kevin Nowlan, Rags Morales, Doug Braithwaite, Ema Lupacchino and Wade von Grawbadger, Dan Jurgens and Klaus Janson, Yanick Paquette, Bernard Chang, Aaron LoPresti and Matt Ryan, Mike Perkins, Fernando Pasarin and Oclair Albert, Paul Pelletier and Sandra Hope. Colleen Doran, Marco Santucci, Joe Prado, Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie, Dan Jurgens and Kevin Nowlan

‘I will not spend another day behind bars! Not on Tamaran! Not on Maltus! And not HERE!

Starfire! Don’t!

It’s RICOCHETING!

Not bored now!’

———————————————————————————————————

So, What happens when ALL the Timelines are SHATTERED by a Multi-Cosmic Level Event?

Naturally, you send Booster Gold out to recruit an army of tactically important individuals from across the Multiverse, is an attempt to repair and cement the Timelines back together.

And what happens when said Man with a Master Plan and a hovering supercomputer gets himself killed?

Well, that duty now falls to Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth!

Yes, this is where we start, in the Time After The Great Disaster, with Kamandi and Tuftan trying to outrun some Bat-Men, and the Great White Goneness (Crisis Energy, Take II), an aged Booster Gold trying to recruit him, then getting swallowed up by the Crisis Energy (™), and Kamandi and a Skeets bracer escaping into the Dimensional Void to continue Booster’s mission…

No, this isn’t a rehash of the Kamandi Challenge from a few years ago, this is the aftermath of Death Metal.

All the Time / Dimensional Lines are in flux, and they can either get repaired, or, if Dominus has his way, only his little pocket dimension will remain.

So, we have Kamandi and Skeets, Starfire (from 1983), John Henry Irons (Steel) (from 1993), Superboy (from the Legion Timeline), Dr. Kimiyo Hoshi (Dr. Light) (from 1987), Sinestro Korugar, the Green Lantern for Sector 1417, Booster Gold, Day 1 in Metropolis, and Batman, circa 1939 versus Dominus’ incarnation of the Linear Men… O.M.A.C, Liri Lee, Rayak the Ravager, Matthew Ryder, Ultra-Humanite, Knockout, Artemis, Eradicator, Major Force, and Nemesis Kid… A virtual Who’s Who of Evil throughout the DC Timelines!

The Goal? Survive, Win, Preserve the hard-fought victory brought by the sacrifice of Diana, or face Oblivion.

A very well written story, presented by some amazing artists, and showcasing others we will be seeing throughout the Future State event. Of some note, the gorgeous pages by Colleen Doran, the work of Kevin Nowlan, Rags Morales, Doug Braithwaite, John Romita JR, Dan Jurgens and Klaus Janson. Some of the pages… ehhh.

A neat tie in, a way to let readers new and old know there are things which need to be fixed, and there are plans underway to do so, and to once again highlight Rip Hunter’s Blackboard!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

Second Batter - Triple

===========================================================

In the Three Hole…

Future State: Kara Zor-El  Superwoman

Writer: Marguerite Bennett   Artist: Marguerite Sauvage

‘I’ve come so far to learn that I can’t control what others think.

And that was another thing i learned from you, my good, grand Greatest Boy, KRYPTO the SUPERDOG.’

———————————————————————————————————

The title of this story comes from a quote attributed to Confucius,’Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves’, implying in the seeking of vengeance, one loses themselves, as well.

‘Dig Two Graves’ takes place in the far future, long after the prophesied battle between Clark and Jon Kent, when the son suppliants the father.

Kara has taken those who sought Safe Haven to the Moon, to the Fortress of Solitude there, where she expanded, and reinforced, and made it habitable for those looking to escape the violence.

And she forsook the violence, herself.  

No longer to be called upon as the Protector of Kal-El, a title long gone and forgotten, she has chosen to practice the ideals which her cousin, his son, and she should have been practicing all along.  Consideration, kindness, respect…

And then the idyllic peace is broken.

Marguerite Bennett gives us an extraordinarily beautiful story, one of insight, growth, beginnings and ends. This is a masterful piece, which tells a tale on many levels, which appeals to the most cynical among us (hand raised here), and the youngest, most hopeful at heart.

Paired with the writing is the beauty of Marguerite Sauvage’s artwork, both delicate in places and frenetic in others, telling the tale of the Gardener, the Hero, and the Rescuer. Beautifully rendered, the art carries the words as a tune carries lyric, bringing the Reader through the rises and lulls of the storyline in a beautifully orchestrated dance

Most notable of the story is the coloring, or seeming lack thereof For most of the story, with some exceptions, the most vibrantly colored character is Kara, with the Colonists and the Visitors appearing as pale in comparison ( for the most part, they are white, with pale highlights). 

This story is one of the true highlights of the Future State lineup…

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

AAAnnnnnnddddddd, It’s outta Here!  

HOME RUN

===========================================================

And in the Clean-Up Spot…

Future State: Green Lantern #1-2

Writer: Geoffrey Thorne  Artist: Tom Rainey

Writer: Ryan Cady  Artist: Sam Basti

Writer: Ernie Altbacher  Artist: Clayton Henry

Writer: Josie Campbell  Artist: Andie Tong

Writer: Robert Venditti  Artist: Dexter Soy

‘My name is Beelu Kenz. You won’t have heard of my world.Bit of a Hellscape really. Everything there kills you. The air, the animals, even the dirt.

My people not only live there, we THRIVE. We ADAPT.We’re not the bloody fighters Khundia makes but we’ve got one thing over you. Two things, really.

We’re the BEST Weaponeers in the Spiral Arm. No one can touch us.

My Planet’s called IMSK and when an Imskian wants something to die—-

—-IT SPROCKING DIES!’

———————————————————————————————————

Two issues, five stories, one central theme carried through both issues… the Oan Lantern of Power has died.

We have John Stewart leading a cadre of Lantern Warriors, in the defense of a planet, against the militant worshippers of the God in Red, a god they believe wants warriors to commit slaughter and carnage in his name.

Stewart and Company teach them three lessons.

The story is marvelous, bringing in some great old names (Salaak, G’NORT!), while weaving a tale of great intrigue and detail which keeps the reader enthralled to the last page.

`

Next, the Sinestro Corps, taking the Green Lantern Outpost stations, invade the Station in Sector 023, only to find it defended by Jessica Cruz.

Story number three, well, there had to be a Warrior’s Bar Story, didn’t there? Which, of course gives us Guy Gardner.

The fourth story, a team story, puts Keli Quintela, the Teen Lantern and Mogo, the Living Planet, on a mission to find Jo Mullein, the Lantern’s resident detective, in the hopes of finding out the secrets of Keli’s overpowered, obviously alien ‘Power Gauntlet’.

Finally, and obviously necessary, for what collection of stories about the Green Lantern Corps would be complete without it, we get the story of Hal Jordan, and his search for the Lanterns, and  the Guardian’s Homeworld of Oa.

And who he finds when he arrives there…

Every story on point, every character well written, all converging toward, well, we don’t know yet. But we will.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

The windup! The Pitch! The SWING! KRAAAAK!  IT”S IN THE BLEACHERS!!

HOME RUN!

===========================================================

Batting Fifth

Future State: Legion of Super Heroes #1-2

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis  Artist: Riley Rossmo

‘If I knew this was why you called me here, I would never have come! Not only should the Legion STAY DISBANDED —- The word should NEVER be spoken again!

T —- Tas —-  GAKK!  COFF!

***Listen, I stopped giving out Free Mood Stabilizers a long time ago*** But that wasn’t going the way you wanted!

_______________________________________________________________________

So, 31st Century, and the known galaxies are KA-Blooie!

RJ Brande is dead, the Legion has been disbanded, and BATTLE LINES have been drawn along loyalties…

Why, you ask?? How???

Well, it seems Post - Death Metal and the Restructuring, there was a traitor in the Legion.

Jan Arrah, Element Lad, has been branded with the label, a branding which carries to all his people.

The result of the treachery, the Planets of the Known Galaxies have been ruined, and left nearly uninhabitable.

Or, was it these people…

Brian Michael Bendis has given us a new future, one in the midst of upheaval, where the United Planets has been disbanded, the Legion is split along loyalties, and whether they want vengeance or redemption.

A well written, engaging story, wonderfully told through some different characters: 

Chuck Taine, Bouncing Boy, taking the battle to the Khunds as they try to colonize the devastated worlds; 

Imra Ardeen, Saturn Girl, trying to bring her beloved Legion back together to fight the real threat to the galaxy, and carrying a secret which is crushing her;

Luornu Durgo, once Triplicate Girl, now trying to find herself after one of her selves has been killed, and afraid to recombine because the pain of missing her is too great to deal with, and other characters we have come to know over the last year.

Where Bendis’ story is the blazing signal fire to light the way toward a stronger future in the DC Multiverse, Riley Rossmo’s Art is the Asbestos Blanket and Aircraft Fire Foam which induces all the cancers and kills it.

I’m sorry. There are times Riley Rossmo’s artwork really works for me. This chaotic styling is perfect within the framework of characters like Bizarro, Constantine, even the JLA, when there are magic or Lobo-like story elements involved. I especially liked his work on the Robin King, the frenetic, chaotic stylings appealed to my senses, made me giggle, and cringe at the same time.

Not here, though. Here, his work pulled me out of the story faster than if I had a tow hook jammed through my nether regions, and it was attached to a hiballin’ Peterbilt turbocharged tractor trailer.

This, Gentle Readers, was painful. It hurt my eyes, on a scale with the COVID News Conference from April 2020. I think I bled. 

I might still be…

I know I cried, because no matter how good the story was, I could not enjoy it.

Out of 5     🌶🌶

OUT

Batting Sixth

Future State: Aquaman 1-2

Writer: Brandon Thomas, Artist: Daniel Sampere

‘Is she here?

Jackson?

AQUAMAN, IS SHE HERE?

AQUAWOMAN LIVES’

———————————————————————————————————

Oh GOD. OHGODOHGODOHGODOHGOD!!!

Have you ever heard that line, or an iteration of it? The Katz’s Deli scene in ‘When Harry Met Sally’, maybe?

This book  was the equivalent.

I know, it was an Aquaman Book.

How often has an Aquaman Book been Original, or Relevant?

There was Craig Hamilton’s Miniseries in 1985, that gave us the really neat camo Aquaman suit, then there was Flashpoint, and Throne of Atlantis, and the introduction of Kaldur’ahm, or Jackson Hyde, the son of Black Manta.

Now, we have Andy Curry, AquaWoman.

This is a time where less is more. 

Brandon Thomas has given us a two issue story which I have gone back and read 4 times, because it is that good! David Sampere’s artwork is crazy beautiful, so gloriously detailed it leaves the eyes wanting more. 

This is the AquaPerson Story I have been waiting for since the movie… No dumb oversized seahorses, no force waterballs… carnage, and dimension hopping insanity, this makes a fantastic story!

All I can say is, if there is one story you MUST Read, it is this!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

And that ball is GOING, GOING, GONE! They’re gonna find that one out on Sheffield!

HOME RUN

===========================================================

Seventh Batter

Future State: The Flash #1-2

Writer: Brandon Vietti   Artist Dale Eaglesham

‘Focus on the Science.

Science reveals Answers. 

Answers build Hope.’

———————————————————————————————————

NOOOOOOO!

After EVERY Time I picked up a Flash book over the last two years, and constantly getting assaulted with a NEVER-ENDING GODSFORSAKEN Redemption Arc story, what do i see here?

Barry Allen, in a REDEMPTION ARC STORYLINE!!!

The self-sacrificing hero of the Crisis, the overpowered, no the hero with the broken power structure, who turned Superman into an Anti-Life Zombie by VIBRATING THROUGH HIS ULTRA DENSE BODY, and leaving his fingers inside (uh, GROSS!!, but oh so cool!) now in a REDEMPTION ARC???

Nope! I’m done.

As Pretty as Dale Eaglesham’s artwork is (and it is pretty), This is a MAD Fail for me.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶     (if I split the grading this would have a 4.5 for the Artwork… the layouts are imaginative and well done, and the speed scenes are fantastic! This is how the Flash should be done, as artwork)

SIDE RETIRED.

As the sun starts to dip, and the street lights begin coming on, it’s time to call it a night.

At the end of the First Half of the Innings we have:

4 Home Runs

1 Triple ( a near miss, more for consistency of story and artwork… but points for Nemesis Kid and Major Force!)

1 Out (If I split it, it would have been a HR and a Side Retiring Art Fail)

And an Outright Side Retire

7 sets done, 15 more to do… We’ll start playing at Sunrise tomorrow, make a real day of it!

[thegeekerynj]

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

The ALL Death Metal Issue 

Dark Nights: Death Metal # 5 - 6 (DC Comics)

# 5: Writer: Scott “the Scourge’ Snyder   Pencils: Greg ‘Cold-Blooded’ Capullo  Inks: Jonathan ‘Gallows God’ Glapion

#6: Writer: Scott ‘Slasher’ Snyder   Pencils: Greg ‘ Crusher’ Capullo   Inks: Jonathan ‘Death Punch’ Glapion

1)  ‘Speaking of Batman, What’d you do to the Castle Guy?

Simple. I transferred his soul from that Gotham to the one in your hand.

Thanks to a modified BRAINIAC algorithm, he will remain trapped inside for centuries, even thousands of yea - - -

Or, you could step on him!

2) He’s sent his evil Earths! I can sense them coming! Get Prepared!

Bizarro SO NOT prepared!

Wait!,What?

I have a very sharp rock.

From here on out, we fight together, every LIVING Being on this - - -

AHEM.

Sorry. Every being - - Living, DEAD, Undead - - We Fight together!

Better’

3)  ‘I’ve heard a lot of Prayers on the battlefield. Sometimes they’re whispered. Sometimes they’re screamed at the sky. They usually come before the worst of it. I’ve heard Prayers for Victory, for Providence, Prayers for Forgiveness. Whatever’s in a soldier’s heart, whatever longing, you hear it then.

God, I wish I still had my hair.’

4) ‘You wanna say it kid?

All right everyone… #$%* CHARGE!

Language kiddo, Language.’

———————————————————————————————————

Greetings, Gentle Readers, and welcome one and all to the back half of this, the ride to Crazy Town called Death Metal!

Now, before we go too far into this, and believe me, there’s lots to touch on, let’s recap:

At some point following Hell Arisen, The Batman Who Laughs, and his infected Multiversal minions, recreated much of the Earth - Prime Universe in his image

Perpetua is off destroying other Universes, collecting Crisis Energy, so she can remake the Universes in HER vision

Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and Scott Free are being kept as ‘Wardens’,  payment for protecting their loved ones

Batman is controlling the Black Lantern (we know what that means)

Superman has been infected with Anti-life

There are many heroes running around the reconfigured fighting their battles to maintain their freedom, and perhaps, turn the war

There are villains doing so, too

Jarro is totally badass!

Jonah Hex is so much moreso!

When doing multiple issues, and having so many great snarky quotes, you can’t pick just one… and 4 still isn’t enough!

So, between the Metal, Year of the Villain, Hell Arisen, the Primary Death Metal story, the side issues, which in some cases were better than the primary story, and the 5 issue crossover into JLA (a true crossover, not a Crisis 1-Panel type of crossover), we have come almost two years to get to where we are…

Issue 5 and 6, two issues which carry most of the motion toward the endgame of Issue 7, really deliver. We get payoff from some of the earlier storylines. We get explanations, and confirmations for things that were hinted at early in the storyline. 

There’s paragons of virtue working alongside villains. There’s Black Lanterns working with Red and Green Lanterns, Supermen, good, evil and cyborg, coordinated for one goal.

And an Amazonian Princess leading the largest group of Czarnian Bastiches ever seen.

All against the Hordes of the Laughing Bat.

I’m going a little off script here for a minute, so please, don’t treat this as a reason to zoom ahead to the next stop…

I must admit, I am sorry to hear the readership has dropped off for this storyline. While I understand there are choices that need to be made, to say there are too many crossovers is ludicrous, especially if you stuck through the original Metal Saga, then the Year of the Villain , with every title having three or four crossover books, then right into Hell Arisen, with the Infected one-shots, and the crossovers for all those books, and the native title crossovers.

The way Snyder and Capullo, and ultimately DC handled this Event was the right call… Keep everything isolated to the Event Books. Let the series continue to play out, so the Readers were not forced to make the unfortunate ‘Do I really need to pick up THIS title, even though I never read the book’ decision.

I mean, outside of the 5 issue JLA run, which wound up being a block of issues which were 100% a JLA story, links to the Death Metal storyline, there were none of the ‘Crossover Banners’ we have grown so used to since Crisis, Infinite Crisis, Invasion, Secret Wars, Spider-Geddon, Millennium, Civil War, and I could go on ad nauseam… No, for once, they took the High Road, and basically made the reader aware ‘This Book Is Part Of This Story’ Period. 

By giving the Readers the choice, do I want the Extras, or do I just want the Main Storyline, there was a show of Actual Understanding for the consumer. There was no need to stick 2 panels in a book to connect it to the Event, let’s play it out separately.

I’ve been reading comics for a very long time. THIS WAS A FIRST.

My feeling is, many Readers saw the first two issues, then the One Shots, and immediately thought they needed everything to know what was going on in the story. Now, that isn’t to say the first two issues weren’t a little slow, but, like I’ve been saying all along, that was the hill, and Issue Three, well, that was the First Drop, and we kept picking up speed from there.

I think many got out a little too early.

I can only compare it to a fine wine, which, upon opening, might not have everything you want in that first sip. However, once there is a little bit of breathing, slightly more time has progressed from the first sip to the second, there is so much more nuance, and flavor and outright appeal, that the progression through to the last swallow makes each prior an event unto itself.

So it is with great literature, and excellent graphic novels.

But I have digressed long enough.

These issues carry us from the action of the JLA ‘Doom Metal’ segue, where the reformed amalgam of the League, League Dark, and Titans fight their way to the Omega Knight, and both save the Martian Manhunter from his Bat influenced doppelgänger, and defeat the Omega Knight, recover the Death Metal, the legendary ‘Tenth Metal’ (Nth Metal actually being the Ninth Metal), which can bestow the ability to harness, unmake or create worlds and universes. This is the building material of the gods, used to create the Mother Boxes utilized by the Fourth World.

We also find out what ‘thinking small’ is all about, as Wonder Woman finally figures out what Lex was alluding to with the story of his childhood, and as a direct result, we get a different rendition of the WW84 Armor.

As setups go, these issues laid out the roadmap to the end of the story, making the participants fight for every inch of ground they travelled, every single enemy they extinguish.

Scott Snyder has paved the way to a MASSIVE FINAL Issue, a No Holds Barred, No DQ, No Time Limit , RFK Stadium Pelt Santa with Ice Balls Brawl between Wonder Woman and her Forces of the Multiverse and The Darkest Night and His Corrupted Dark Universe Minions, Winners Take All!

As with the last 4 issues, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion have left nothing to chance, portraying each panel with the care and dedication of master surgeons, giving the Reader visceral eye candy, which rips, rends and tears at the fabric of emotion, similar to the Warhead mixed in with pieces of lemon candy. In some cases, it is enough to bring tears, always for the right reason.

May the Gods, Snyder, Capullo and Glapion have mercy on our souls, as they bring the goods one more time! On to Issue 7!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

(And, I am sorry for my time on the soapbox.)

===========================================================

Death Metal: The Secret Origin

Writers: Scott Snyder & Geoff Johns    Artists: Jerry Ordway  (1 - 7, 35 - 38), Francis Manapul (8-12, 32 - 34), Ryan Benjamin & Richard Friend (14 -21), Paul Pelletier & Norm Rapmund (22 - 31)

‘Look! The Evil Worlds! They’re vanishing!

Whoever did it, they just gave us a fighting chance!

Whoever did it is dead.

But who? Who did it?

We’ll never know.

RRF.

RAARF.

AAAOOOO!

———————————————————————————————————

The Secret Origin…

Or, the one where we figure out Superboy Prime…

Yes, Gentle Readers, this is the story Thirty-Five Years in the making.The Story of Clark Kent of Earth Prime, a young man who, on a night unlike any other found he had the same super powers as his comic book hero and namesake, Superman.

In the Infinite Crisis storyline, Superboy Prime was written having gone insane, having been in this ‘perfect utopian pocket dimension’, too long with the memories that everyone he had loved, his parents, his sweetheart Laurie, were all dead, he while was alive in an idyllic world.

Who wouldn’t lash out… and KILL Superman and Lois Lane of Earth-2?

Scott Snyder and Geoff Johns bring a completion to this story, bringing it full circle, to examine the character, and his psyche, what he has been living with, dealing with, and ultimately showing him to be a sympathetic character, and the hero he has always dreamed of being.

Now, as we learned in the Trinity Crisis one shot, The Bat who Laughs travelled the timelines, pulling specific players from the points of their defeats, and gave them an opportunity to correct their defeats… and did so with Darkseid, the Anti-Monitor and of course Prime. 

The Bat’s plan? To derail the Trinity, and ultimately end the War before the major fighting got started.

What wasn’t counted on was the ability of Diana to convince Clark Kent that the Bat would find a way to make the reward insufferable, and that she would help him to become the hero he had always seen himself as, the one he wanted to be by fighting against the Dark Universe’s influences, and help bring about the rebirth of the Multiverse that was.

Which brings us to the Secret Origin.

This is where we learn what the Bat offers Superboy Prime, what he thinks will sway this young man to give in to the madness which took him once, the madness he has regretted, and ultimately suffered because of, ever since.

Where we learn the measure of those he has been teamed with, and whether they Hero or Villain, are deserving of the titles they carry, based on how he is viewed.

Ultimately, we learn a lesson some of us have already known, that in the measure of intelligence, the instincts of a dog are far more impressive than the most intelligent man’s thoughts. By miles.

At this point, I would like to say when this character was included as part of Death Metal, I saw some form of this story coming. The character received truly shabby treatment after Crisis, and in Infinite Crisis, rather than being treated as broken, was painted as a villain. 

Hell, Hank Hall got better treatment after Armageddon 2001!

Anyway, Scott Snyder and Geoff Johns have written what must be seen as the HAVE TO READ Story of this series, outside of the series itself. This is not only a great story, it is a clinic on how to build a character, These writers have taken this broken child, a Kal-El who has lost everything he loved, over and again, and shown how a man can be saved.

Through belief, faith, and the love of a dog.

So, you see, Mr. Williamson, this is how you write a Redemption Arc.

The art for this story is transformative (heh heh heh). For each section of the story, whether it is the Man, the Superboy as seen by Others, The Boy and A Dog, or the Fight Scenes, there is a specific artist for each portion of the arc, with specific strengths. As such, they will be addressed individually…

Jerry Ordway opens and closes the book. I could stop here, and anyone who is a longtime DC Reader would know why this needed no elaboration. He has been a DC staple since the 1980s, known for artwork that is detailed artistically accurate and beautiful. For anyone who does not know his work, he is technically accurate and imaginatively beautiful. For comparisons, think Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers, the Dodsons, or Capelli and Glapion… but, he’s doing it by himself, no inker to interpret his work. (Example - the comics spinner rack, with the 1984 accurate covers, and bending of same from being riffled through).

Then, of course, there is the final splash page of the book, an homage to Action Comics #1. This page would have brought a tear to this cranky old man’s eye, were I not already all cried out…

Ryan Benjamin and Richard Friend bring us through the character driven portions of the story, the interactions between Prime and the other members of the ‘Super Squad’, and the battle with the Bat’s team… The Superiors of the Ancient House of El - The Saint, the Shepherd, the Savior, and the Last Sun. 

These pages are beautifully rendered, detailed and distinct from all the other artists, but not distractingly so. This method of storytelling, with the truly distinct art styles gives an illusion of the ‘fractured’ nature of the character, how he is broken on some level, and as a result, is  somewhat disjointed. 

Add to this the ‘Temporal and Dimensional Dissonance’ displayed when Prime interacts with the characters, the explosive nature of the differences he sees when he physically assaults one of the Supermen, and the entirety of the storytelling process is on display from the mind of the character.  Without access to the script, there is no way to know how much of this is directly on the Art Team, however, as the interpretation is important, I’m happy to give the tie to the runner here.

It works on so many levels.

The battle between the Bat and Prime falls to the team of Paul Pelletier and Norm Rapmund. This work is sharp, explicit and explosive, showing the inter-connectivity between Prime and the Multiverse, a carryover from the Crisis events which become a major strength for Prime. Every touch, every punch evokes sights, visions of things that could be, could have been, may still be…

And now, the reason the old crank was all cried out…

Francis Manapul.

I held off talking about these pages due the something special I found in them.

For the most part, there were two characters on these pages. Yes, the first page and a half featured the entire Superman Squad, including the Villains, but my focus was drawn to, and laser focused on the Boy and the Dog.

You could say Manapul merely rendered the interpretation of the words Snyder and Johns wrote to describe each panel, but in the end, He. Drew. Each. Panel. Manapul owned each and every panel, whether it featured the Boy, the Dog, or Both. 

You could say Francis Manapul made each panel his bitch.

Now, any person who has owned a dog knows that the dog is actually the one who selects who their master will be, who they will love, and who they will stand beside, from the time they are both pups, until their end of times.

Manapul proves he understands this. He expresses this through graphite and ink, bringing more emption to the face of a dog than I’ve seen on many people. The feeling expressed in Krypto’s face tells as much of the story here as does Prime’s expressions. The expressiveness is captivating, and deserving of very tear shed.

In years to come, comics fans will (as Comics Fans do) bring up this story on a level with Old Yeller, The Biscuit Eater, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Alan Moore’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’ and the incomparable Harlan Ellison’s ‘A Boy and His Dog’, as examples of how to write animals with feeling.

They won’t be wrong, except, in my humble opinion, this story is head and shoulders above the others.

This is the story which changes the entire Death Metal Saga, and more importantly, that finally redeems one of the most maligned characters in the Post - Crisis DC Universe.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

===========================================================

Dark Nights: Last Stories of the DC Universe

Writers: Joshua Williamson, James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Jeff Lemire, Mariko Tamaki, Gail Simone, Christopher Sebela, Cecil Castellucci, Mark Waid

Artists: Travis Moore, Rafael Albuquerque, Daniel Sampere, Meghan Hetrick, Christopher Mooneyham, Minka Andulfo, Francis Manapul

‘An Oath.

Excuse me?

I would’ve liked to have had an oath. Just something cool to say when suiting up. Was always a little jealous of the Lanterns, to be honest.

“Beware my noise! Black Canary’s Yell!”

Dork! Remind me not to let you write it!’

———————————————————————————————————

When all is said and done, it is necessary to go with a Green Arrow quote. There is no greater level of snark, and from a writing perspective, I just can’t use Robin Williams’ standard.

Gentle Readers, when it is time to go into the Final Battle, this is the group of characters, no heroes, one should want to see standing by, ready to take up arms for the people.

Now, with this particular book falling between issues 5 and 6 of the Death Metal series, these are the stories of the group of characters currently coming together around Donna Troy, Wonder Girl.

Teen Titans, Titans, JLA, and other groups as they have fallen together, all these characters have at one point or another crossed paths with Donna Troy, which makes her a perfect rally point for the writers. The fact she has been around, either as part of the Original Teen Titans, or with Wonder Woman since the Sixties, makes her one of the iconic characters in this storyline.

Williamson, Tynion and Snyder have no problem waltzing her around from group to group, checking on heroes, villains, combined groups. Tao make sure all is well, and to make sure a friendly face is seen before everything goes to Hell in ahand basket burning hand basket.

Which is when Wally West shows up.

This compilation of short stories gives some insight into the characters, their mindsets, and how they see all this playing out.

The Green Lantern story, is one of regrets repented, with Hal Jordan and Thaal Sinestro fighting on the same side, once again, in more ways than one. Jeff Lemire can write a simple story that tugs at the heartstrings, and brings real feelings. The artwork by Rafael Albuquerque is simple, and everything necessary for this story.

The Wonder Woman story, ‘The Question’, is the self examination of why we fight, what drives a person. The question, posed as a riddle by the Riddler, is simple, What do you call a person who’s greatest strength is their weakness, Someone who can never win, and never lose, A person who must fight for justice, but brings an end to justice?

The answer, both simple and complex. And the basis for the story.

Green Arrow and Black Canary take center stage in Dust From a Distant Storm. A story of oaths, and OATHS, and a question unspoken, but answered. Leave it to Gail Simone  and Meghan Hetrick to kick my ass in 8 pages. Feelings, laughs, Joker Megalodons, and the daughter of the Arrow and Canary from one of the 46 destroyed Earths. This was my second favorite story in the book, excluding the wrapper.

Cecil Castellucci is a name I have not heard before reading this story of the Bat-Family, We Fight For Love. That I hadn’t heard of him before meant I had no expectations, other than the potential to be disappointed. I was very happily surprised, and this story was a real gem. 

Now, part of the reason for this was the artwork of Mirka Andolfo, whose soft lines, and sharp detail (go ahead, figure that one out) made this a story more about the family that exists around Bruce Wayne, the young men and women who look to him as a father, and he to them, as his children. The beauty of the storytelling, the simplicity of some of the framing, the whole idea of the dead man bringing the family together to celebrate life, well, it struck a chord in me which has been hit all too often in this series.

And did I mention Damien, Magpie, Croc and Despero in a High Stakes Poker game… and Jason Todd trading some time to listen to Mara the swordsmith for a new sword? How about Dick trying to reconcile with Barbara before going into battle, in case there isn’t a later?

Oh, and a wedding.

My favorite story, well, that would be from one of my favorite writers, Mark Waid.

His story, Man of Tomorrow, is one we have been waiting for, or promised, or expected in some variation for, ahhhh, probably 30 years, since GENERATIONS. It’s a simple tale, one of desire to spend the last little while before all Hellscape breaks out with your loved ones, but also needing to answer the call of duty. How can a man accomplish both?

As it turns out, if the Man of Tomorrow has a piece of Time Hopper tech from the Thirtieth Century, he can answer the call to duty as many times as necessary in one minute… and he does. And why wouldn’t he, after all, he is Superman.

This, Gentle Readers, was the finest story of the collection, again excluding the wrapper story. Mark Waid pulled out all the stops, never took his foot off the gas, cut the brake lines, and powered through this story, not with action, but emotion. 

Now, Mr. Waid would have been nowhere without the pencils and inks of Francis Manual. I will NOT repeat myself here, as I had much to say about his work above. I can only say, Thank You Great Creators that there were no animals in this story. *snf*

Eight pages of people in need. Famine arrested, schools built, food delivered, the poor made whole, the damaged, saved.

Good-byes made to family and friends.

And, when the minute is up, the rest of the night is for his wife and son. 

I hate these people for making me feel.

And now, ‘Together’, where we see EVERY Titan from every iteration of the team… picking up right after Wally shows up.

This is the first time Donna has seen Wally since the Heroes in Crisis storyline, when his insanity brought about the Speed Force explosion that killed Roy Harper, their friend, and teammate.

Time, and history make strange bedfellows in this world, hugs and forgiveness become commonplace.

So does resurrected Black Lantern Titans.

Leaving this story, the Titans of Old, and New are whole, they’ve had their pep talk, and been told they are better than the JLA, because they have been facing the same things the JLA faced, but as children… which makes the Titans the team to be.

And, off we go, Gentle Readers, to the last steep hill on this pan dimensional roller coaster ride in an effort to reset the Multiverse. Wh will live, who will die, how much will be reset… only time, and Scott Snyder know for sure.

But, I can tell you this. I am looking forward to the last two issues of this series!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

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[thegeekerynj]

Death Metal: Infinite Hour EXXXTREME! One Shot

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Death Metal: Infinite Hour EXXXTREME! One Shot 

Writers: Frank Tieri / Becky Cloonan/ Sam Humphries   Artists: Tyler Kirkham / Rags Morales / Denys Cowan & Bill Sienkiewicz

‘Zactly which one o’ ya BASTICHES is gonna change my diaper?!’

———————————————————————————————————

Ambush Bug and Cheeks, the Toy Wonder. 

Buddy Baker, Animal Man. 

John Byrne’s Jennifer Walters, She Hulk. 

Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk. 

Superboy-Prime and Alexander Luthor, Junior. 

Tippy-Toe and Monkey Joe, Squirrel Girl’s companions.

And of course, Wade Wilson, the Merc with the Mouth, Deadpool.

All characters who joyously break the Fourth Wall, and interact with you, Gentle Reader, on a regular basis, should you in fact choose to read any of the publications they are featured in.

Add to this list my personal favorite, the Fraggin’ Ultimate Bastich from Czarnia, the Main Man hisself, and you have the subject of the current one shot of this speeding train to hell, LOBO.

WHYYYYYYY? You might scream, at the top of your lungs, in a near pandemonium induced frenzy… What possible reason could there be for this lunacy, outside of Keith Giffen’s mind? 

Well, be at peace, Gentle Readers, for there is a reason for this madness. Reason and, believe it or not, direction. For, you see, this is a story of three parts, each unique, and special, and glorious in their lunacy. 

Oh, and did I mention the last one is done by the artistic teal of Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz?

I didn’t? Wall…. Shut your fraggin’ pinhole and listen to the Main Reviewer!

The first Story is the preluder to Death Metal for Lobo, and how he becomes involved in the actual story. For those who have been following the Death Metal book, you already know Lobo has been working for Luthor, hired to find something of immense value.

Today, we get the lowdown.

We also find out that on one of the Dark Universe Earths, Bruce Wayne has combined Czarnian DNA with his own Human DNA, creating a hybrid, ‘the Mainest Man of All, the Batman Who Frags!’

The Bat’s training, with Czarnian abilities… Holy Mother of Cthulhu! But is he a match for the Ultimate Bastich?

This segment is a neat little story, the lead-in to Partytown, if Partytown is decorated in guts and every possible weapon down to living being. Needless to say, Lobo gets the advantage, takes it, and is able to get out of the Bar, right to Luthor, and his contract.

I must say before going forward that the Writing / Art Team on this Story is a complete unknown to me. This could be due to the fact I am a cranky old jackass, and only like what I like. More likely though, I am not nearly as well read as I should be, and am remiss in saying so. Either way, snob or ignorant, I will cop to both.

Frank Tieri lays the groundwork in this story like a well crafted stone floor. The imperfections, while barely noticeable add to the nuance, the ambiance of the story. You see, the Czarnian’s story is one of legend, and his autobiography (see LOBO #0, October, 1994), which could be legend, or outright bull, or whatever… Anything which appears to be out of character can be attributed to the ‘Legend of The Scourge o’ The Cosmos’.

However you happen to see it, this story works as THE kickoff point for Lobo’s introduction, and the Reader’s first real look at Stan Lee’s favorite DC Character.

Now, let’s talk the art. Tyler Kirkham is a well kept secret for me. His style complements this character very well, to the point that, should the Future State include a Lobo book, he might be a nice to see on art. There is a primal roughness that complements this character completely, and more so when the interaction between Lobo and the Bat is taking place.

Second Story, through the wormhole to the Death Metal…

Earth - Prime. Blackhawk Island. 

Enter Lobo, Stage Right, with Bat Monday right behind him!

Can I say again how much I love the concept of a Batman / Solomon Grundy cross? A Batman who cannot be killed, does not feel pain, is built like a mystical brick house, and has retained SOME of his intellect and fighting skill? How do you defeat that?

Well, being a little bit smarter than Grundy, and dropping the outer wall of Blackhawk Citadel on him is a good start. 

Once past the Bat Monday, on to the Death Metal… and its guardian, Katar Hol, Hawkman. It seems Katar has been studying the properties of this ultimate metal, and journaling all his findings as compiling all the information he could find about it.

Unfortunately, Hol’s notes have been stolen. Luckily, he was able to protect the Death Metal, itself.

Luckily for Lobo. Contract, part 1 complete.

I miss Rags Morales. I didn’t realize how much until I started reading this section of the story. My introduction to his artwork was Identity Crisis, one of the most polarizing stories of the last 40 years ( I highly recommend it, as an example of how grief and the ‘HUMAN’ portion of SUPERHUMAN can be portrayed in literature - Kudos to Brad Meltzer, once again), and if you, Gentle Reader, couldn’t tell, seeing it here brought the feelings back again.

The layouts, breakdowns, detail work… it all works so well in this section of the story. There isn’t a real need for the grittiness evident in the first chapter. This is a more nuanced chapter, with less breakage, and damage.

Writing by Becky Cloonan. Who the F#@% is Becky Cloonan, and why haven’t I read anything by her before? Maybe because she’s primarily known as an artist? Yeah, that’s probably it… But, Sweet Old Ones, why isn’t she writing more??

This was a phenomenal segue from the First Chapter. Well written, great action, characters were really on target, Hell, the interactions between Lobo and Monday were fantastic, and gave me the second great laugh of the issue:

‘…A Lady Never Tells!’

The drop into GemWorld is a nice touch, especially with Lobo now in possession of a material which will allow him to rewrite history, or remake the universe… now with magic!

Part the Third, and my hear starts skipping beats… Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, Fanboy Viagra!

We start off with a Lobo-ized retcon of the Trinity’s Origin Stories, complete with LOBO in every part! 

Exit to a reclining Lobo, watching this all play out in a pocket universe he created using the Death Metal, fantasizing about his next story, something involving Starfire, … Fraggin’ imaginative Bastich, that Lobo is!

So, rather than delivering the Death Metal, and completing his contract, Lobo has decided to have some Main Man Time, until Brainiac shows up to ruin it. Not by attacking, or fighting, but by pushing Lobo to complete the contract fo Luthor could get the Final Steps of the plan in gear.

Never one to be pushed, Lobo takes the opportunity to remake the Coluan in the image of Miss Tribb, his Fourth Grade teacher (who he detests), until… you guessed it, the Bat who Frags shows up. And comedy ensues!

Sam Humphries finishes this story off perfectly. Total irreverence, complete disregard, and ultimately, Lobo’s need, no his code of honor, which revolves around his completion of a contract which he has undertaken. Sure, Lobo is the ultimate cosmic jerk, under any and every  word which reverences mayhem, destruction and disrespect, one would find the Czarnian’s grinning face, clenching a cigar in his teeth. But, the same photo would be found under HONOR. 

This is the redeeming characteristic of Lobo, his sense of honor.

Sam Humphries redeeming characteristic? Lobo World.

As for the ART TEAM? Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz by themselves are separate perfect storms, capable of rendering incredible work. These two together, well, to quote Wayne Campbell:

‘We’re not worthy!’

These 11 pages are a glorious sensory experience. The detail work, the homage pieces (the Bat-Lobo Retcon has a very Year One look and feel), are marvelous. Nothing left to be misinterpreted, right to the shoulder push through the portal into Lobo World, these Masters of the Craft play off each other to bring about the most amazing visuals, while telling Humphries unadulterated story. 

Like I said, Fanboy Viagra.

This is One for the Ages… well, Three for the Ages, and not to be missed!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

Short Reviews, when the Big Mouth doesn’t have much to say… Or is trying to get caught up from COVID / Election Overload

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Short Takes 

Short Reviews, when the Big Mouth doesn’t have much to say… Or is trying to get caught up from COVID / Election Overload

Legion of Super Heroes 6-10  (DC Comics)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis    Pencils: Ryan Sook (#6 - 7, 10) Various (8 - 9)   Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger (#6 - 7, 10) Various (8 - 9)

‘You want to be called Bouncing Boy?

Looking at the Memexes, we were considering “The Bullet”.

Bullet?

It’s a projectile that——

No, with me, it’s all about the BOUNCE.

———————————————————————————————————

Can Brian Bendis write everything?

Between story, and downright FUN, this is a great book.  Team books are hard to do well, if for no other reason, because of the characterizations. 

Multiple characters mean multiple personalities, and some of those will always get underdeveloped in relationship to the team, as the writer invariably has favorites  Unless…

What we are seeing with LSH is development of characters from across the spectrum. Every book has development of some of the characters, even if they’re not directly involved in the story. This is a far cry from what you see in other books.

Add to this Ryan Sook’s breakdowns, and Wade von Grawbadger’s inks, and you get a pretty package, all tied up in a big bow. More importantly, this is a story with a legacy reaching back 60 years, and is being truly refreshed for a new audience.

This isn’t the Legion I read in 1967, but it’s damned good! 

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Suicide Squad #9 - 10  (DC Comics)

Writer: Tom Taylor  Artist: Bruno Redondo

I have Kord’s location.

Okay. Do you also have the Senator?

Oh, did you want him back for some reason? That spineless mouth-breather championed a law to dump more waste into the sea. Delusional, greedy @#$% thinks he owns the world.

I have some friends reminding him he does not.

———————————————————————————————————

Floyd Lawton, first appearance, Batman #59, June 1950, as the man who never misses.

Floyd Lawton, a man who feels no rereason to continue living, but has no wish to die: who puts his life on the line to save his teammates time and time again, to save his daughter and her mother, all with the wish of dying in a truly spectacular fashion.

Floyd Lawton, who finally finds a reason to live, in the eyes of his daughter, Zoe.

Floyd Lawton. Deadshot. Perennial member of Task Force X, finally earned his pardon.

Game Over.

By all that’s Unholy, Tom Taylor is a hateful SOB! But the man writes a great story!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

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Marvel Zombies Resurrection # 1 - 4  (Marvel Comics)

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson   Artist: Leonard Kirk

‘Fine. I guess we came all this way. 

Might as well do something really stupid.

———————————————————————————————————

This sums up exploring the World, any world, during a Zombie Apocalypse. Especially when those with Super Powers have been turned into Super Zombies.

So, we pick up with Peter Parker, Forge, Karla Sofen (Moonstone), Valeria and Franklin Richards, a Flerkin named Chewie, and the reprogrammed Sentinel lovingly called ‘Nana’, moving from defendable place to defensible area, seeking a ‘safe place’. Somewhere they can rest for more than one night… if that is possible.

Always realizing the next tree could be hiding a zombified Avenger, or Defender, or Loved one…

Johnson’s Miniseries is another version of the Marvel Zombiepocalypse, which begs the question, what happens when Zombie Galactus infects your world? Or, more importantly, when it CARRIES the infection to your world?

Leonard Kirk’s art style is perfect for this story, a very dark, visceral style which is a little hard on the eyes, making the reader work for every panel. Yes, it hurts to read, but IT SHOULD! It’s Zombies!

This is worth the read if you can get all 4 issues (the first issue came out in July).

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

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Rorschach #1  (DC Black Label)

Writer: Tom King   Artist: Jorge Fornes

‘They won’t talk to me. Treating me like I’m a  damn Kindergarten kid. I got twins in Kindergarten. Duane and Dwight. I’m not a Kindergarten kid. 

Jesus Christ. What’d they say to you?

That you’re dying.

Shit.

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In 1985, Walter Kovacs died. 

It went unnoticed, but for the few in attendance, for Kovacs died following the Alien Invasion of New York, which, in effect saved the world.

Yet, unnoticed, but for the few, Walter Kovacs became a red splash on the Antarctic permafrost.

And Rorschach, the Crime Hunter, died with him.

Or. did he?

In a world existing somewhere between Watchmen 1985 and Current Multiverses, Tom King and begun a noir-ish tale… Did Rorschsch come back, to foil an assassination attempt, and die in the process?

Did he come back, and fail at an attempt at assassination?

Or, Gentle Readers, is there a whole slew of balls in the air we just haven’t seen yet, that we are going to be expected to juggle deftly, as they drop just into sight?

I can’t wait for the answer!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Justice League #54 - 57  (Death Metal Tie-In) (DC Comics)

Writer: Joshua Williamson    Artists: Xermanico (54, 57), Pencils: Robson Rocha (55 - 56), Inks: Daniel Henriquez (55 - 56)

“Don’t you get it Cyborg? We’re not the Justice League!

We’re the Suicide Squad!

———————————————————————————————————

I have said before I am not a fan of Joshua Williamson’s writing.

Maybe I just don’t like him on the Flash. 

Four issues, each of them a very good story, each building, with some action and humor, to a smash mouth endpoint, that brings us to Death Metal #5.

I have to say, I’m enjoying this run of Justice League, even with the switch of artist teams mid - tale Xermanico’s work os beautiful, right into the valley of the Starros (that gave me giggle fits!) Rocha and Henriquez’s work is very pretty, and a little darker than Xermanico’s, giving a more atmospheric touch to the Antenna of LOD.

I have to admit, they do a mean Kori, as well! Really FIERCE, with a Full Length mohawk!

Well worth the cost of admission, and a strong addition to the Metal storyline.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Nightwing #75 - 76 (DC Comics)

Writer: Dan Jurgens   Artists: Travis Moore and Ronan Cliquet (75), Ronan Cliquet (76)

‘We have to talk.’

———————————————————————————————————

Four words. 

Four words that have ended more relationships than violence.

Dan Jurgens has done a masterful job of tying up the Ric Grayson / Amnesias storyline that seems to have run for nigh on ever… by bringing it full circle to Anatoli Knyazev, the KGBeast.

The artwork in these two issues was pretty, with obvious switches between that of Travis Moore (the Titans / Batgirl pages) and Ronan Cliquet’s Batman / KGBeast pages.

Nicely tied up, completing multiple storylines in two issues. Ready to move forward/

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶.5

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Young Justice  #19 - 20 (DC Comics)

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and David  Walker   Artist: Scott Godlewski

Red Tomato?

I think he said Tornado, and you know it.

Honestly, he talks so fast, I can’t understand him most of the time.

———————————————————————————————————

Damian Wayne, Robin.  Cassie Sandmark, Wonder Girl. Bart Allen, Impulse. Conner Kent, Superboy. Stephanie Brown, Spoiler. Keli Quintela, Teen Lantern. Zan and Jayna. the Wonder Twins. Jinny Hex, Naomi, Amethyst,

Twenty issues in, and the book is cancelled… or is planned to end. Either way, this is a suck way to do things, DC.

This is a great group of characters. Much better than the roster in the Young Justice cartoon, simply for the diversity. Some heroes just coming into their own, some who have existed for years,  (the Wonder Twins have been around in MULTIPLE iterations since the 1970’s), all helping each other… This was a great jumping in book for pre-teens who weren’t up for all the violence / hyperkinetic action / storytelling of a true adult book.

And, it was FUN!

Bendis, Walker and Godlewski produced a fantastic product every month.

One which is ending too soon. Unless, of course, it is going to come back in a new package… 

Hint, hint, hint…

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Amazing Spider-Man 50 - 53  ‘Last Remains’  (Marvel Comics (duh!))

Writer: Nick Spencer   Artist: Patrick Gleason

‘You’re going to love it, Pete. There’s no better feeling in this life — Than being surrounded by those you love.

———————————————————————————————————

So, what are the rules around DEAD Characters returning?

Do they have to be relevant after so many years? Shouldn’t they be, well, driven to do something? Not take more than 50 issues to finally get around to saying…”Bazinga!’, or it’s equivalent?

I must admit, issue 50 is the first issue of a Spider-Man book I picked up, and started to enjoy, until I realized I needed to pick up the LR issues also in order to get the whole story. Didn’t’t we get enough of this in the Shooter Years? 

What about a year and a half ago, when Marvel vowed they would never pull this crap again?? 

I guess they forgot… (Insert comparison to jackass in office here).

Too much work, don’t really care.

Especially when the reveal of who Kindred is happens in issue 50, and Peter finds out in #53… Puh-Leez!

At least it’s not Professor Warren and his Gwen Stacy clone. **BRRRRR** Freakin’ Creepy Old Perv!

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶

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Batman 101 - 102 (DC Comics (bigger DUH!))

Writer: James Tynion IV   Artist: Guillen March (101)  Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan   Inks: Danny Miki   Artist: Carlos D’Anda (Pages 13 - 16)

‘DOUBLE RENT! And you don’t talk to the other tenants! They are good people.

Little Santa Prisca is a community. We live through BANE. We live through JOKER. Don’t blow it up with all your nonsense!

You got it Charlie, No Nonsense. Not Here.

Hey! What’s your policy on Hyenas?

———————————————————————————————————

So, Lucius Fox is one of the richest men in the world. 

Selina Kyle has put the Bat on a One Year Clock to get his stuff together, or she walks.

Clownkiller might be the Bernard Goetz of Superhero Vigilantism (look up the reference, I can’t do everything!), but he goes about proving you can’t keep a good vigilante killer down if he has Google.

Ghost Maker is more than we thought, and knows who Bruce Wayne keeps in the closet (or cave).

Is there anyone in Gotham who doesn’t know who Bruce Wayne is?

Tynion continues to pump out some great product, the stories and characters do not disappoint. Including Grifter as Fox’s ‘bodyguard’ was a nice touch, having him get the drop on Batman, a nicer one.

The art in both books, while vastly different, is simply gorgeous. I want to see more od the team of Pagulayan and Miki, I’m hoping to see their work grow with the storylines.

Next issue, BATTLE Sequences! Should be fun, not that it hasn’t been so far.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

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Shang Chi  #1 - 2 (Marvel Comics)

‘I have to save my Little Sister!

I have to kill my Big Brother!’

———————————————————————————————————

Only meetings should have agendas.

-Me, just now

Once upon a time, Sax Rohmer wrote stories about the machinations of one Fu Manchu, and his oft overturned attempts to take over the world.

In 1973, Steve Engelhart and Jim Starlin brought Shang Chi, son of Fu Manchu into the Marvel Universe, where he and his MI-6 partners Clive Reston and Black Jack Tarr were responsible for being the monkey wrenches in the machinery of Fu Manchu’s Plans.

It seems that Shang Chi is back, without his prior father. He is still proficient in all forms of martial arts, but now, he is ‘Champion of House of the Deadly Hand’ (like that name isn’t going to come to but him in the butt like a Karmic werewolf), and since the passing of his ‘Father”, now the Commander of the Five Weapons Society.

The artwork is pretty, and the story, steeped in Asian Mysticism, is a little draggy so far. Is the story good? Yeah, it’s a nice reminder of a character I exjyed a long tome ago.

Will it get better? Time will tell.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶.5

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The Rise of Ultraman #1 - 3 (Marvel Comics, by way of Tsuburaya Productions)

Writers: Kyle Higgins and Matt Groom    Artist: Francesco Manna

Oh. You’re here to fight because you think we’re one of the species that can’t evolve.

No. I know you cannot evolve.

Fifty-Four of your years ago, my brother came to assist you. And you killed him.

———————————————————————————————————

In the late 60’s, on certain New York television stations, the Saturday Afternoon hours were filled with Japanese imports, Kaiju - United Science Patrol, and of course the story of the death of Moroboshi, and the coming of Ultraman.

Ultraman, a human - alien symbiosis, who fought the Kaiju menace coming to take over the Earth.

Forward to 2020, a new Ultraman, with a new team of USP helpers / friends, and what looks at this point to be a corrupt system surrounding them.

This creative team has done a marvelous job with the material thus far, reviving this character for a modern reader.

It’s just a shame it’s only 5 issues…

It is definitely worth the read.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

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American Vampire 1976 #1 - 2 (DC Comics)

Writer: Scott Snyder   Artist: Artist: Rafael Albuquerque

‘DAMMIT! Before what happened with Gus, you were the best vampire tracker and killer around. I’m asking you to help me take down whoever this PEELING MAN is.

But if this shitty music and LASERS is your life now, then just say so, and I’ll leave you to it.

It’s not a laser, you goddamned idiot.

It’s a SOLAR LAMP. **klik**

———————————————————————————————————

Ten years ago, Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque and Stephen King started a journey which has spanned 10 Years in real time, but 200 years, and 12 separate cycles in series time.

The current iteration has our favorite group of vamps and exterminators running around 1976, wrecking discos, trains, and graveyards, all in the name of bringing back Stoker’s primary villain.

Snyder proves again he is up to the task of creating a world of whimsy and horror, providing mayhem, madness, and the occasional snorting giggle. His droll wit, and ability to write a phenomenal action piece makes this cycle of the American Vampire story a must read.

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

Dark Nights: Death Metal   The Multiverse Who Laughs (One Shot   DC Comics)

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Dark Nights: Death Metal   The Multiverse Who Laughs (One Shot   DC Comics) 

Writers: Snyder, Tynion IV, Williamson, Oswalt, Conner & Palmiotti, Ahmed, Thomas

Artists:  Gedeon, Greene, Hardin, Eaton & Raymond, Mandrake

‘So then I carried the plane on my back Till I could land it on the ground safely. Turns out the main computer had a glitch that shut down the engines

Holee Haltin’  Disaster! Good thing you were there to save everybody. My day was nothin’ special. Finished paperwork for you guys an’ then i hadda see the doctor about ear mites.

SO annoying.

Un… I got milked.      That was fun.

———————————————————————————————————

Ahhh, there’s nothing like scary stories around the campfire. 

The Marshmallows, the weiners, the stories of murder and destruction.

Chee! Chee! Chee!

Yes Gentle Readers, this is the Robin King, telling stories to the Groblins, his new band of followers. Stories about some of the Earths and Universes we have not seen, and will not see, for they are already gone.

Tales of selfish Martians, and overly generous Speedsters, and Kryptonians who arrived on Earth as adults, after passing through the cosmic radiation at the heart of a black hole. Of Lanterns who gave into their fear, and became worse than the Jordan Parallax, Atlantean kings raised not by humans, but by denizens of the Trench, and women, oh, the women, who proved they were not only the mightiest warriors, but that you most certainly did NOT want to piss them off.

Then, with the past as prologue, the King regaled his subjects with four tales of the Dark Multiverse, which both amazed and horrified this reader.

Mind you, these stories are all based off other tales, some currently running, some very old, by comparison. 

All classics, to one extent or another.

The first, starring everyone’s favorite  serial assassin / murderer, Victor Szasz, is a riff on the Hugo Strange / Arkham stories from the Silver Age… What can you do with a guy who’s a real cut-up? All while making fun of Kite Man…

The second tale involves, believe it or not, the Super Pets, and what happens when, well, a super virus hits. The conversation between Krypto and Beppo is heartbreaking. The results are not pretty… but, Bat-Cow!

The third story takes the  award winning Neil Adams - Denny O’Neil stories from the 70’s, and turns them on their head, looking at what happens when the Social Justice Warrior has to become the warrior for basic freedoms.

Finally, what happens when it’s the Scarecrow, and not Bane who causes Knightfall, and a man in armor is the one who becomes the inspiration for Azrael…

In another lifetime, these might have become Elseworlds stories. Every one of them, neat little pocket story, a bottle element for their world.

For my taste, this was a better use of this venue than some of the other one shots, as it actually takes some of the classics, and gives them the tweak they need to make the reader say ‘Hmmmmm, that would be pretty #%*&@! crazy if they did that!’ We didn’t need full stories, just some set-ups, and then, let the fireworks commence.

Could they have done more? Maybe… But, I don’t know if they could have topped the Bat-Cow visuals (I love Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti!)

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

Writers: Snyder, Tynion IV, Williamson, Oswalt, Conner & Palmiotti, Ahmed, Thomas

Artists:  Gedeon, Greene, Hardin, Eaton & Raymond, Mandrake

‘So then I carried the plane on my back Till I could land it on the ground safely. Turns out the main computer had a glitch that shut down the engines

Holee Haltin’  Disaster! Good thing you were there to save everybody. My day was nothin’ special. Finished paperwork for you guys an’ then i hadda see the doctor about ear mites.

SO annoying.

Un… I got milked.      That was fun.

———————————————————————————————————

Ahhh, there’s nothing like scary stories around the campfire. 

The Marshmallows, the whiners, the stories of murder and destruction.

Chee! Chee! Chee!

Yes Gentle Readers, this is the Robin King, telling stories to the Groblins, his new band of followers. Stories about some of the Earths and Universes we have not seen, and will not see, for they are already gone.

Tales of selfish Martians, and overly generous Speedsters, and Kryptonians who arrived on Earth as adults, after passing through the cosmic radiation at the heart of a black hole. Of Lanterns who gave into their fear, and became worse than the Jordan Parallax, Atlantean kings raised not by humans, but by denizens of the Trench, and women, oh, the women, who proved they were not only the mightiest warriors, but that you most certainly did NOT want to piss them off.

Then, with the past as prologue, the King regaled his subjects with four tales of the Dark Multiverse, which both amazed and horrified this reader.

Mind you, these stories are all based off other tales, some currently running, some very old, by comparison. 

All classics, to one extent or another.

The first, starring everyone’s favorite  serial assassin / murderer, Victor Szasz, is a riff on the Hugo Strange / Arkham stories from the Silver Age… What can you do with a guy who’s a real cut-up? All while making fun of Kite Man…

The second tale involves, believe it or not, the Super Pets, and what happens when, well, a super virus hits. The conversation between Krypto and Beppo is heartbreaking. The results are not pretty… but, Bat-Cow!

The third story takes the  award winning Neil Adams - Denny O’Neil stories from the 70’s, and turns them on their head, looking at what happens when the Social Justice Warrior has to become the warrior for basic freedoms.

Finally, what happens when it’s the Scarecrow, and not Bane who causes Knightfall, and a man in armor is the one who becomes the inspiration for Azrael…

In another lifetime, these might have become Elseworlds stories. Every one of them, neat little pocket story, a bottle element for their world.

For my taste, this was a better use of this venue than some of the other one shots, as it actually takes some of the classics, and gives them the tweak they need to make the reader say ‘Hmmmmm, that would be pretty #%*&@! crazy if they did that!’ We didn’t need full stories, just some set-ups, and then, let the fireworks commence.

Could they have done more? Maybe… But, I don’t know if they could have topped the Bat-Cow visuals (I love Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti!)

Out of 5🌶        🌶🌶🌶🌶

[thegeekerynj]

A Christmas List for the Fan in All of Us

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

A Christmas List for the Fan in All of Us 

Greetings Gentle Readers! As the Holidays approach, whether Christmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Saturnalia, Krampusnacht, or whatever you might celebrate, our thoughts invariably turn to trying to find the PERFECT GIFT for that Special Someone, let me offer some suggestions:

MARVEL

For the Avengers Fan:

The Kree - Skrull War - Recently re-collected, this is the basis for Captain Marvel, as well as 70% of the Marvel Comics Mythology, as all the heroes, from the Silver Age, through to the Present have had conflicts with either the Kree, the Skrull, or both.

Roy Thomas, Neil Adams, Sal and John Buscema bring these stories to life, crossing years, and parsecs to bring these characters to you.

For the Spider-Man Fan:

Kraven’s Last Hunt - Kraven the Hunter has hunted, captured, and killed every dangerous creature he has sought out… Except one. In his final quest, Peter Parker’s alter ego will be his quarry, and Kraven will prove he is the better by capturing, killing, and BECOMING SPIDER-MAN!

One of the greatest of the Spider-Man stories, this is best acquired in the Deluxe Edition, which carries the sequel story.

This JM DeMatteis and Mike Zeck’s masterpiece, and a story that is always discussed as one of the Five Best Spider-Man Stories.

For the X-Men Fan:

God Loves, Man Kills - An X-Men story written as a Graphic Novel, due to the graphic nature, and subject matter, this book really looks at the concepts of racism and religious bigotry, through the glass of the ‘Mutant Menace’. Written in 1982, the lessons carry through today, maybe mores than they did then.

I am sure when Brent Anderson and Chris Claremont brought this to life, they had no idea of the relevance it would carry 40 years after.

For the Black Panther Fan:

Panther’s Quest and Panther’s Rage - Two collections, written by Don McGregor, drawn by Rich Buckler and Gene Colan, which became the basis for the Black Panther we see today. Prince T’Challa, defending Wakanda from the onslaught of social injustice and invading mercenary armies, while in search of his mother, who until now was thought to be dead.

This is the character portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, regal, intelligent, strong, and fair.

For the Daredevil Fan:

Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson 1&2 - I know, this is a big one, but if they never read this before, they will love you forever. And if they have, they will love you anyway, because the Miller books are priceless, and not to be read regularly.

This is the seminal Daredevil Story, from which all Daredevil stories grew. Everything before it was nice. Everything after, a pale shadow. This is brilliance.

DC

For the Superman Fan:

Whatever Happened to the Man Of Tomorrow - Written by Alan Moore, drawn by Kurt Schaffenburg and Curt Swan, this reprints the two part story which asks the question: Where did Superman Go? 

Many of these collections also include the Alan Moore story ‘For the Man Who Has Everything’, which is a real added bonus, as it is also a great story.

For the Batman Fan:

The Dark Knight Returns - This is the inspiration for the dark, gritty Batman we know now from the Christopher Nolan BATMAN films., as well as the Snyder Batman in BvS, and Justice League.

The fight scene between Batman and Superman its directly from the third issue of this story. It is a MUST READ for any Comics Fan.

For the DC Fan:

Mister Miracle - The collected Jack Kirby, or the collected Tom King maxi-series, it doesn’t matter which one. Both are phenomenal.

The Kirby Collection is from the late 60’s, and the King  - Gerads collection is from 2017.

Kingdom Come - Mark Waid and Alex Ross create a future where the old guard of heroes have removed themselves from the public eye, and the new breed which have taken their place have little or no regard for those they are supposed to be protecting, creating a terrified populous looking to lash out rather than reason.

This book is beautifully rendered by the man who is currently considered the greatest superhero artist of the day, as Alex Ross’ paintings can be as covers, and if lucky, interiors of some current comics.

Watchmen - The book which inspired the movie, and the recent HBO series, this is Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s tribute to the Charlton characters of old, and a story  about what happens when there are no checks and balances on the powerful.

Another object lesson for today…

For the Comics Fan:

Spawn - Todd McFarlane’s creation, Al Simmons, after a long distinguished service to his country becomes an assassin for the CIA, and is summarily murdered by his friend.  As a reward for his career as an assassin, he is sent to Hell, where he makes a deal with a devil, agreeing to become a Helspawn, and serve Malebolgia, in exchange for seeing his wife Wanda one last time.

Al learns twi things. First, never trust a devil and second, you CAN break a deal with Hell, if you don’t violate the letter of the deal.

This series is collected in many volumes, I’d try to find Origins Vol 1…

Saga - Written by Brian K Vaughn, drawn by Kieron Gillen, this is the story of Hazel, a child born to parents from opposite sides of a never ending galactic war.  Hazel’s family risks life and limb to try to find a peaceful future for themselves, in a universe that would see them dead, rather than let them exist.

While available in many editions, the Compendiums which collect 15 - 18 issues are the best way to read this.

Other Things:

Funko Figures - Whether Superheroes, Television Characters, Movie Characters or Pop references (There’s a Grumpy Cat… WHY!!??!!), there’s something for everyone in the Funko Line of figures

Q-Fig - Newer to the scene, these are more detailed, and smaller than Funko figures. They are also more expensive. 

But, in their defense, they are MUCH COOLER! 

Let’s face it, if you visit your Friendly Neighborhood Comic Purveyor, he will definitely be able to point you in the direction of something amazing for the special Fan in your life!

Happy Shopping!