The Week In Ink: August 8, 2007

Thursday night belongs to earnest comics criticism here on the ISB, but for those of you wondering if I’m going to abandon my usual tactic and go the spectacles-and-pipe route full time after last night’s Relatively Serious Reviews, allow me to assure you that there’s only one thing we take seriously around here.

 

 

Because people getting kicked in the face is serious business.

The rest of it, however, can be easily expressed through jokes about monkeys, and that’s the foundation upon which the Internet’s Most Unrelentingly Savage Comics Reviews are based! Here’s what I bought this week…

 

 

…and that, my friends, is one awesome comics week. How awesome? Let’s find out!

 


 

Comics

 

Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #2: Given that it was pretty much the basis of my review for the last issue, I might as well go ahead and get the bad news out of the way now: With this issue’s big reveal of Wraith’s origin, it’s made abundantly clear that he is not, in actuality, ROM: Spaceknight. And that sound you just heard? Yes: It was your heart breaking.

But that’s probably being a little melodramatic. Ever since the rumor of the ROM/Wraith connection hit the Web, it’s been something that I’ve really been hoping would turn out to be true, but now that Wraith’s been revealed to be exactly what they said he was (an entirely new character), I’m doing my best not to be disappointed. After all, it’s nobody’s fault that he’s not ROM, and while there’s a good chance that Wraith’s going to be stuck in my head as “Not ROM” for the forseeable future, that’s not really a great basis for criticism. Spider-Man, for instance, is not ROM either, but I don’t hold it against him.

That said, the character we do have is a highly entertaining one, with Javier Grillo-Marxauch cramming a heck of a lot between the covers with the same ejoyable energy that he brought to his Super-Skrull mini-series. Even the character’s origin–where Grillo-Marxauch takes the metaphor of doing The Man With No Name in Space to its literal extreme–is compelling, even though it suffers from a severe lack of the desire to protect golden Galador, and Kyle Hotz handles that and the incredibly brutal fight scene against Ronan in an incredibly enjoyable manner. Like I said last month, even though he didn’t turn out to be the greatest of the Spaceknights, Wraith is still a book being put out by some incredibly talented folks, and this issue proves that I was right. About that part, anyway.

 

ISB BEST OF THE WEEK

 

 

Batman #667: The original “Club of Heroes” story from World’s Finest #89 is one of those stories that I’ve wanted to read ever since I first heard about it, but never managed to track down. In case you’re not familiar, it concerns a group of international crime fighters, all of whom adhere to the odd Silver-Age aesthetic that allows you to be a super-hero purely due to your embodiment of vague national stereotypes. It’s pretty much the exact same premise that led to the following year’s “Green Arrows of the World” story, which–considering that most Silver Age Green Arrow stories revolved around his heartbreaking attempts to be exactly like Batman–should’ve probably been expected. Either way, the Club of Heroes–much like the multinational Green Arrow Corps–showed up for their first appearance, and then were promptly never heard from again.

Until Grant Morrison, I mean, who brought back the Knight and Squire in the first arc of JLA Classified for a story so mind-blowingly awesome that it still ranks as three issues worth of some of the best super-hero comics I’d ever read. And in what’s probably the most striking thing about them, Morrison had allowed the characters to change right along with the ones that actually had stories to work with: The original Squire, Cyril Shelldrake, had grown up and lost his money, only to fight his way back to his role as the Knight with the help of the new Squire, Beryl Hutchinson, a poor street kid who couldn’t afford an education, and so taught herself by reading every book in the library. It’s such a great little Silver-Agey origin that it’s impossible to not like, and their appearance there just made me want to read the first story more.

Cut to today, and I still haven’t managed to track down the first one, but exactly fifty years after WF #89’s cover date, Morrison’s brought the Club of Heroes back for another go, and it is awesome. He recasts them here–as he’s wont to do–as a group of well-meaning idle rich, with the implication that they lack the tragic element of Batman’s story that drives him to be the best. The only one who comes close to his level is Cyril, and it’s fitting that he’s the first one to greet Batman as he arrives, shaking his hand as an equal while the others debate whether or not Batman’s actually going to show up, and chat about what they’ve been up to in the years since they’ve seen each other. A few pages later, the reunion’s been revealed to be a sinister death-trap, half locked-room mystery and half Most Dangerous Game, and it’s exactly the kind of thing Morrison excels at, with wonderful character moments. When the Legionnaire gets taken out, for example, he still manages to backhand his own murderer after being stabbed seventeen times, which is a fantastic reminder that while he may have succumbed to gluttony and sloth in his later years, this is still a dude who used to hang with the Batman.

As for the art, I’ve been wanting to see more of JH Williams III doing Batman since his run on Detective with Paul Dini turned into the Dini/Don Kramer run (and then the Occasional Dini/Kramer With Lots Of Fill-Ins run), and he does a beautiful job here. It’s a story that lends itself to his justifiably famous page layouts, and he takes full advantage of them with beautiful two-page spreads and gorgeous character pieces that work perfectly with the story he’s given.

Long story short (too late!): I love this comic to pieces, and I’m pretty sure you will too.

 

Casanova #8: For those of you who haven’t been paying attention to the way I go on pretty much weekly about how Matt Fraction is one of the best writers working in comics today–which will have its next scheduled showing later on in this post when I get to Punisher War Journal–allow me to sum up the basic plot of this issue: Casanova Quinn is an interdimensional super-spy/master thief who lives in the head of a giant World War II-era Japanese robot and spends the opening of this issue beating the living crap out of a predatory madman named Dokkktor Klockhammer, which is probably the best name for a bad guy in the history of fiction. And that’s just the premise; the details are even better.

This issue is, after all, the start of the second storyline for Fraction, and whereas the first featured the amazing art of Gabriel Ba, this one’s got the equally amazing Fabio Moon (Ba’s twin brother) handling art, and it’s just gorgeous. The coloring in the book’s actually a pretty major element to it, and where the first arc was black and white with pale green highlights, this one’s swapped that out for a vivid electric blue that just grabs the eye and doesn’t let go. And as always, it’s $1.99, with the same “Slimline” format that Warren Ellis uses for Fell, which seems to draw more story in less pages out of its creators. So really, if you haven’t read it and don’t quite want to jump on the great oversized hardcover, this one makes a perfect one to try out to see if you like it. And if you don’t, well, check your car battery at the door, because I’m pretty sure that this is unequivocably rad.

 

Daredevil #99: I’d like to take this opportunity and ask you guys to think of your favorite Marvel Comics story. It could be one of the classics, or one that means a lot to you for sentimental reasons, or whatever it is that floats your boat, but take a moment and think about that one Marvel story that stands out for you above all the rest.

Now imagine how much more awesome it would be if the Enforcers were in it.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what it’s like to be Ed Brubaker. Admittedly, there might be a little more to it than that–like the kind of writing ability that allows him to turn out stuff like Captain America and the exceptionally awesome Criminal every month–but I think we’ve got the basics right there.

 

Fables #64: I hate that I mention this every time I review an issue of Fables–as if a consistent and incredible level of quality was something to complain about–but it’s always hard for me to come up with something new to say about this comic other than just reminding everyone that yes, it came out, and yes, it’s still pretty excellent. The same problem exists with Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli’s DMZ, but with this week’s Fables, there’s something new added to the mix that’s ripe for commentary: This issue’s art is done not by regular series penciller Mark Buckingham, but by Aaron Alexovich, who comes on for a lighthearted story of Snow and Bigby’s kids celebrating their birthday as the training for all-out storybook war continues around them.

As should come as no surprise from this book, he does a fine job, with pencils that reminded me more of My Faith in Frankie’s Sonny Liew than anything else with great, expressive facial expressions and button-cute takes on the characters. Which, now that I think of it, may be a little strange for an issue based around training for war and the revelation of strange family secrets, but, well, it’s Fables. Things tend to work out pretty well in that book.

 

Gen13 #11: As much as this book has been treading water for me over the past few months, I would like to point out that this issue does feature a page revealing an alternate WildStorm Universe where all the heroes are kids, featuring a Li’l Jakita Wagner in pink bunny slippers. If that’s not worth sticking around, then brother, I don’t know what is.

 

Green Arrow: Year One #3: We’re halfway into the series, and I’m still surprised at how great this book’s shaping up to be. Maybe it has somethign to do with the fact that it’s coming out biweekly, leaving less time for the initial shock to wear off, but even with as much as I liked Andy Diggle and Jock on The Losers, it’s still blindsided me, and it’s still pretty amazing. Take this issue: The addition of a plot point revolving around heroin could easily come off as trite and telegraphed given the character’s most defining moment, but even with Ollie mispronouncing the villain’s name as “China White” back in #1, it comes off as fresh and immensely enjoyable. If you’re a fan of the character, this is the book that’s going to remind you why, and if you’re not, give it a shot anyway: It might be the one that does it for you.

 

Gumby #2: I’m going to go out on a limb with a pretty bold statement here, but bear with me: There’s a pretty good chance that Gumby #2 was the single best comic book of 2006.

The first two issues were reoffered from Diamond this week, and while I don’t usually recommend things this strongly, I’d advise you to do whatever you can to get one from your local comic book store, and I’m saying that as someone with a pretty active dislike of the original claymation shorts. These things, though, operate on an entirely different level. It’s like Bob Burden and Rick Geary figured out a way to mine pure, undiluted joy, shape it into comics, and then sell it to you for $3.95.

If further convincing is necessary, then allow me to summarize this issue: In an effort to raise money to buy rocket-powered roller-skates to impress a girl named Cuddles, Gumby gets a job at the local circus. Owing to the fact that circus people are inherently evil, however, things go bad, but the day is saved when–and I swear to you that this is actually what happens–Johnny Cash descends from Heaven to help Gumby pass through a burnin’ ring of fire and rescue his gal. Go back and read that again; I guarantee you that it’s as great as you thought it was. And the entire book is like that. So seriously, just trust me on this one and get this comic.

 

The Incredible Hulk #109: Pop quiz, hotshots: In this issue, the Incredible Hulk suplexes a helicopter. Is this awesome?

Y / N

(Answer below)

 

Punisher War Journal #10: So you guys remember a few months ago when the Punisher said he was going to steal a car, drive to Mexico, and shoot Hatemonger in the face? Yeah, well, not to spoil anything for you, but Frank Castle isn’t really known for making idle threats.

It’s no secret that War Journal‘s been one of my favorite comics ever since its debut, and this past story arc has just been flat-out fantastic. I mean, it’s the Punisher fighting Nazis, and the only way that premise could get better is if the Nazis were bears that were rigged to explode when they were karate-kicked, but beleive it or not, my love of this book goes beyond just the over-the-top action. Even more than having him dress up like Captain America (or a vigilante facsimile thereof), the big deal with this story has been Frank’s murder of Tatiana Arocha under the influence of H-Rays, which goes back to one of the character’s defining qualities: He’s been the victim of mind-controlling elements and pushed over the edge to become an indiscriminate killer before, and along with a soft spot for damsels in distress–which was recently explored by Garth Ennis–is his major weakness. He’s already snapped to the point where he thinks nothing of hunting down and murdering the guilty one by one, but the bit of cold, hard sanity that keeps him from catching the innocent in the crossfire is fair game, and seeing Fraction bring that into the book in a way that alienates him from Stuart Clarke and gives him the rare moment of self doubt makes for some truly enjoyable comics. It’s fun stuff, as always.

And man, he totally shoots that guy in the face.

 


 

And that’s the week. As per usual, any questions on something I read, skipped over, or left on the shelf are welcome, and if you’ve got any other comments–or an urge to discuss how Christos Gage is quietly becoming one of the best writers in the industry thanks to titles like Stormwatch PHD, feel free to drop a line in the comments section.

As for me, well, I’m takin’ a break, starting after this week’s Friday Night Fights. Sunday’s my birthday after all, so just like last year, I’m shifting the ISB into low-content mode for the next week, celebrating another year of kicks to the face by posting one every day. Hopefully, you guys’ll enjoy it.

And if you don’t, well, wait it out. I’ll be back.

 

Answer To Tonight’s Quiz: Yes, it is awesome. But not as awesome as it would be if the Enforcers were involved.

30 thoughts on “The Week In Ink: August 8, 2007

  1. 1. Rom is obviously lying to Ronan and Phalanx to conceal his TRUE origin. So that the big reveal of him as the Greatest Space Knight Ever will be that much more awesome…

    2. A locked room murder mystery involving the Batman SOUNDS good. Until you think about the fact that he has access to a telportation network and telepaths pretty much whenever he wants…

    3. Namora being in Hulk’s “crew” has bugged me since she stepped in between her cousin and the kid genius. I mean her being around pretty much wrecks the ENTIRE POINT of the Agents of A.T.L.A.S faking their deaths. Plus now that Wakandan agent is going to have some serious ‘splain to do…

  2. see you in a week sims.

    and no longer! don’t make me rustle up myself a car, drive down there and..

    well, you know.

    happy birthday, kid.

  3. Fun story aside, it really needs to be pointed out just how much J. H. Williams knocked the art out of the park in Batman #667. Heck, he managed to draw all of the heroes in homage to different artists.

    The Gaucho = Howard Chaykin
    Knight & Squire = Ed McGuiness
    Wingman = AzBats
    Dark Ranger looks like Alex Toth to me.
    The Musketeer looks like Norm Breyfogle.
    Man-of-Bats and Red Raven could have been drawn by Gil Kane.
    I’ve heard Dave Gibbons suggested for The Legionary.

    Just a bunch of fun stuff.

  4. You liked the Fable art? Hm wasn’t my cup of tea. To me it felt too manga like and I’m not a fan.

    Do you read and like The Boys? Just curious.

  5. Thank God the Punisher finally gets the job done this issue. I never doubted that dude would get shot in the face, but the wait was killing me.

    RE: Adding the Enforcers to my favorite comic story. In my mind I can’t figure out which is more awesome, the Enforcers working for the Red Skull and getting totally clobbered or them teaming up with the Thing and Ben Grimm and beating up plastic Nazi androids as a team.

  6. I believe Chris Sims has hit on a great new concept for the next volume of Marvel’s What If? ongoing: What If The Enforcers Were In Every One Of Your Favorite Marvel Comics?

    Issue one? The Enforcers joining Reed Richards’ crew on their rocket ride to meet destiny. And let’s just follow that all the way up until Hulk comes down from space to beat up all eight Illuminati (oh yeah, the Enforcers are on the Illuminati now) to get revenge for being shot into space and blowed up.

  7. I didn’t get down with the latest issue of the Incredible Hulk, but, after the genius of that pop-quiz, that is a great call, bruh.

  8. There’s a great Enforcers story from an older DD book (when Kesel was writing) round 1996 where they team up the Eel. You should check it out.

  9. I’m just sad that the fact that the face-kicking pic up top is from a Nova comic probably means that the face-kicker is not the Lady Ambush Bug she appears to be.

  10. Li’l Jakita Wagner in pink Bunny slippers is a Very Awesome Thing, as is the smalltown version of Jack Hawksmoor.

  11. 14: Oh, good, it wasn’t just me seeing it.

    ‘Hey, is that Ambush Bug? No, wait, tits. But… it is Ambush Bug. With tits? No, that can’t be right. ARG!’ *brain explodes*

  12. Also, it only fuels my desperate desire for the next DC/Marvel crossover even to be Cable/Deadpool vs. Lobo/Ambush Bug.

  13. Ah, Amubush bug. I wish my comic store carried your back issues.

    Ambush bug REALLY got the short end of the stick in almalgam.

    Namely, Lunatik.
    Urgh.

  14. Wraith #2: No kidding. My hopes were dashed and my heart sank when I read it. Instead of who we all hoped Wraith would be, it turns out he is that guy from The Darkness.

  15. Come to think of it, “The Kid Who Collected Spider-man” would’ve been much better if The Enforcers showed up and kicked his head in.

  16. Clint Eastwood and Isabella Rossellini guest-star on the cover of Daredevil #99 as Matt and Milla.

  17. To Robert R. Says:
    I thought I was imagining the homage to different artists until I saw the dead-on Howard Chaykin impersonation.

    The Musketeer actually looked like David Lloyd to me.

    I will swear on a stack of Sim’s Jimmy Olsen comics that Dark Ranger is definitely Kevin Nowlan.

    And Morrison is paying homage to The Avengers (tv) episode “The Superlative Seven” and Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Indians” if you ask me.

    First Batman book I have picked up in years. It’s great stuff.

  18. Q: Could Johnny Cash-sent-from-Heaven beat the Enforcers??

    A: Yes, and he wouldn’t even need to put down his guitar.

  19. I only really noticed the Chaykin, but now that you mention it, it really makes sense. To be honest, I just figured that the Knight looks like an Ed McGuinness drawing because, y’know, that’s what the Knight looks like.

  20. Q: Could Johnny Cash-sent-from-Heaven beat the Enforcers??

    Well, it wouldn’t be much of an event. Montana (and maybe Fancy Dan) would just get down on bended knee before JCfH; and Ox would stand there scratching his pumpkin head.

    Wait… I see it now: In 2008, Marvel brings you a 6-part limited series:

    Johnny Cash and the Enforcers

    Join us, won’t you? Aloha.

    Jack Lord

  21. Glad to see you mention PHD, which is becoming one of my favourites. And considering I started with the feeling “Why the hell did you cancel Achilles if you were just going to come out with this thing?”, that’s some good work on PHD’s part.

    I love where they’re being welcomed to Skywatch, and Fuji fighting H.A.R.M. is just ignored.

  22. Detective Comics #215 is the actual first appearance of most of those characters in a story that could only be titled “The Batmen of All Nations.”

    World’s Finest #89 was a sequel of sorts.