The Week In Ink: January 30, 2008

You know, as weird as it felt to take so much time off from the ISB over the past month, not having to stick to the daily update schedule was actually a little liberating.

I actually discussed it with noted slacker Dave Campbell about it a couple days ago, and we talked about how not updating frees up so much time. I mean, with all those hours that we would’ve otherwise spent on cracking jokes about Daredevil’s battle with the Surgeon General or Jimmy Olsen’s hippie hate-in, we could…

Well, what do you think we could do, Superman?

 

 

Well yeah. That’s always an option, but be warned: Campbell will crawl you. He’s a scrapper.

But no matter! Tonight, the ISB’s back in action with another round of the Internet’s Most Cantankerous Comics Reviews! Here’s what I bought this week…

 

 

…but before we get to those, here’s something that I didn’t buy this week… because you can snag it for free!

 


 

 

FlashBack Universe Presents: The Paladin: That’s right, folks: the guys at the FlashBack universe have dropped their first full-length adventure of 2008, and to be honest, they’re kicking it off with the best story they’ve done yet. Admittedly, I might be a little biased in that statement, what with the fact that I split a hotel room with artist/plotter Pierre Villeneuve at HeroesCon last year, and the fact that scripter Chad Bowers is a good friend of mine too, but really: It’s forty pages of quality work.

As you might be able to guess from the cover, the Paladin is totally not Captain America, in much the same way that the Creature and Wildcard (from the upcoming FBU story that I wrote) are totally not the Thing and Spider-Man, except that, well, he actually isn’t. I don’t think anybody’ll dispute that he’s an analogue for Cap on most levels, but there’s a great twist to his character that comes through in this story that sets him well apart.

It’s good stuff and while there are parts that are a little too brutal for my tastes–especially when it’s set against the bright, usually-cheery backdrop of the FlashBack Universe–it all comes together nicely. But really, my review doesn’t mean a whole lot when you can just download it yourself, along with every other FBU story, for a total cost of absolutely free. Of course, if you like it, I’d encourage you to make a small donation to keep the hits coming, but all in all, it’s a pretty low-pressure situation, and you get forty pages of a super-hero slugging it out with a guy called Killstroke for your troubles, and who among us can turn that down?

 


 

Comics

 

Avengers: The Initaitive #9: So it is just me, or is the thing that the Tactigon fears most in all the universe actually Doug “The Grasshopper” Taggert, who died–much like his legacy characters–a record 5.8 seconds after joining the Great Lakes Avengers?

Admittedly, it seems like a stretch, but come on: GLA was written by The Initiative‘s own Dan Slott, it has about as much success as its predecessors, and when you get right down to it, how many suits of green armor with three light-up toes and insect legs can there actually be floating around the Marvel Universe? Probably a lot more than you’d think, but still.

Of course, alleged Grasshopper sightings are only a small part of what makes this one of the more enjoyable titles Marvel’s putting out these days, despite what I can only assume is a concerted effort by colorist Daniele Rudoni to make it as hard to look at as possible. Even that can’t hold it back too much, though, and this issue’s a great example why. Slott and co-writer Christos Gage are doing a bang-up job with the new story, drawing on plot threads that started in the first issue without creating a book that feels overly drawn-out, and (once you get past the coloring) the art suits it perfectly, right down to a facial expression for the villain that’s more reminiscent of Jei from Usagi Yojimbo than anything else. So, you know, even if it’s not the stunning return of the grasshopper and the start of an All-Slott crossover that’ll feature the shocking return of the Spider-Mobile, it’s got a lot going for it.

 

Badger Saves the World #2: With this issue, we’re two months into the return of the Badger (three if you count the Bull! one-shot), and I’ve got to confess that as much as I genuinely enjoy most of Mike Baron’s other work, I’m finding that it’s leaving me a little cold.

And the weird thing is, I’m not exactly sure why. It’s not that it’s a bad comic–those, I can recognize. There are plenty of good bits, like this issue’s casting of the Three Stooges as terrorists, and while they’re thrown together in a way that I’d generally refer to as “jumpy,” they read pretty well in and of themselves. The problem, I think–and the reason Dr. K seems to like it more than I do–is that I don’t have the background with the character to contextualize what’s going on like I suspect most of the book’s target audience does. Of course, I did pick myself up a copy of The Complete Badger v.1 to try and ameliorate that once I get around to actually reading it, but maybe it’s just not for me.

 

Batman #673: I’ll be honest with you guys: As excited as I was about Grant Morrison coming on as the regular writer of Batman and as much as I really liked the Club of Heroes story, this book hasn’t been doing it for me lately, and I think the blame can be squarely placed at the feet of “The Resurrection of Ra’s al-Ghul.”

Not to get off on a tangent here, but man. What a lousy crossover. So lousy, in fact, that I completely forgot to buy the last part, and when I eventually went back and flipped through it to find that it ends with a toast of hot cocoa on Christmas Eve that comes right out of left field, I realized that I’d made the right choice and decided to just get Detective in trade from now on. So really, it’s not entirely Morrison’s fault that his over-arching plotline of the three other Batmen has been sidetracked for some corporate-mandated nonsense–although to be fair, that argument holds a little less water when you realize that it was also held up by the four-part John Ostrander story that gave us the genius that is Johnny Karaoke–but reading month-to-month, it shows.

And yet, this month’s issue is still a pretty awesome read, with Batman on the edge of death and hallucinating everything from Bat-Mite to his Golden Age equivalent confronting the guy who killed his parents. It’s good stuff, and while you’d never know it from the cover, Tony Daniel’s art continues to be a very pleasant surprise that I forget about until I actually open an issue to look at the interiors. I just wish that I didn’t have to get through everything else to find out what’s going on here.

 

Captain America #34: You know what’s weird? Waking up to NPR’s Morning Edition on Wednesday and hearing them talk about Bucky becoming the new Captain America. I mean, sure, we all expected the bit on the Colbert Report, but getting it from Renée Montagne before a hot shower and a jolt of caffeine can be a little jarring. For me, anyway.

Then again, there’s no reason NPR shouldn’t be talking about Cap. After all, it’s consistently been one of the best titles that Marvel publishes, and if there’s anything that’s newsworthy, it’s Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s ability to not only bring Bucky back from the dead and make it good, but to kill off Steve Rogers and then replace him with Bucky… and have it still be awesome. It’s a hell of an accomplishment, and yet, here it is, in a story so entertaining that it can’t help but blame the subprime lending crisis on the Red Skull. Genius.

But the focus, of course, isn’t on the three-year buildup to this point, but the end result itself with the all-new sixty year-old Captain America, and as mentioned, it’s a great read that Nina Totenberg should be proud to provide an on-air transcript of. Brubaker’s script is sharp as always, and as I’ve mentioned before, Epting’s art on the book is fantastic, and looks great underneath Butch Guice’s inks. The only problem with it’s the Alex Ross costume design that’s been lifted wholesale bears an odd resemblance to The Shield and/or the Puerto Rican flag, and they even pull that off pretty well. It’s excellent stuff, and as always, if you’re not reading it, you oughtta be. You wouldn’t want to let Steve Inskeep down, would you?

 

Fantastic Four #553: If there’s one thing I’ve learned from comics and movies over the years, it’s that when man finally conquers temporal physics, he will do so with a chalkboard, and nothing more.

But anyway, this issue marks the end of Dwayne McDuffie’s run on the title as he steps aside to make room for Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch, who are the perfect creative team for the book, assuming that you don’t actually like the characters and don’t really care if it ever actually comes out. Still, McDuffie goes out on a high note with this one, relying as it does on the time-honored plot device that is pissed-off time-traveling Doctor Doom and an ending that pretty explicitly promises that everything works out okay.

Besides the fact that these make it the perfect jumping-off point–not that I’m taking the option just yet; I’m as curious as to what Millar and Hitch are actually going to do as the next guy–it’s all stuff that we’ve seen before, but McDuffie makes it work by setting it against the backdrop of Civil War. That was a book that cast Reed definitively on the wrong side of the conflict, and the entirety of McDuffie’s run has been set up around the idea of building the readers’ trust, where even his greatest enemy has to admit that he actually was working for the greater good the whole time. It’s a simple structure, but it’s pulled off well, and it’s a shame that we don’t get to see what else McDuffie could do with the title if his run went on a little longer.

But then again, we won’t have those Michael Turner covers to deal with anymore, so maybe it’s a pretty fair trade.

 

The Spirit #13: I think it’s safe to say that I like Christmas Specials significantly more than the average comics reader, and I’m all for getting them a little early, but really: January? That seems like a little much.

What? Late? Oh, right then. That explains a lot.

 

Suburban Glamour #3: Back when I reviewed the first issue of this one, Suburban Glamour creator and Phonogram artist Jamie McKelvie stopped by the ISB to tell me that I’d enjoy page eleven of this issue. To be honest, I was hoping that I’d pop this thing open to find one of McKelvie’s signature hipster chicks sporting an ISB t-shirt or discussing how an in-depth knowledge of ROM Spaceknight was a real turn-on, but sadly, that was not the case. What I got, however, is almost as good: Someone getting laid out with a left hook in the second of McKelvie’s fight scenes to occur in a public bathroom.

What can I say? The guy knows what I like.

As for the rest of the issue, well, it was excellent as usual. I’ve mentioned my affection for McKelvie’s art before and he puts it to as good a use in this one as he ever does, driving the silent sections with his phenomenally expressive faces–and fingers–that tell the story almost as well as his dialogue. In fact, I’d wager to say that it was my favorite comic about magic-using ladies that I read this week.

And as should be obvious by now, it was up against some pretty tough competition.

 

Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #48: Some of you might recall that over the past few months, my relationship with Tarot has been… strained, at best. I mean, let’s not mince words here: If Tarot‘s not the worst comic being published today, it’s gotta be in the top five; that’s part of its charm. But with the “Witch Key” storyline that went on for the past year, it went from its normal, delightful awfulness to out-and-out hostility to the readers, which culminated in the last issue’s bizarre exercise in photo reference, where Jim Balent lovingly detailed the gruesome murders of some of his real-life pals. Suffice to say, it’d gotten to the point where even I was thinking of dropping the book, and if there’s one thing I’ve proven over the past three years, it’s that I’ve got a pretty high tolerance for awful comics.

But now that I’ve read #48? Crisis averted, folks: Tarot‘s back in “top” form with an issue that sees Raven Hex–Tarot’s sister and occasional nemesis–fighting her own (literal) personal demons while wearing an outfit that boasts at least ten pentagrams and zero pants. It is astoundingly bad, and absolutely glorious.

How bad and how glorious, you might ask? Well believe me: I could go on for quite some time on the glimpse into dementia that is Tarot #48, but there’s one panel–no, one half panel–that can describe it all better than I could ever even hope to, so I’m just going to post that. It should really go without saying, but this isn’t remotely safe for work, and in all honesty, probably isn’t safe for sanity, but it sums things up just about right: Click… and behold.

Oh, Tarot. What are we going to do with you?

 

ISB BEST OF THE WEEK

 

 

Y – The Last Man #60: Because really, it just about had to be.

I don’t often write about Y, and it’s not just because I’m usually pretty tired by the time I get down to the end of the alphabet. No, much like the problem with books like Fables and its sister title, I find it difficult to write about something that I genuinely enjoy for a consistent level of quality, but I’d be remiss if I let this one get by without comment. To be honest, I’d always figured from the moment that I started reading Y that it’d end with Yorick and Beth reuiniting at last, and when that happened four issues ago, I suddenly had no idea where it was going, and with the rollercoaster of the last few issues, I’ve been in suspense ever since, and it’s not often that that happens in the world of comics.

Of course, with 59 solid issues leading up to it, the odds weren’t exactly on Vaughan, Guerra, Marzan & Co. dropping the ball on #60, but it’s been known to happen before. Now that it’s all over, though, I’m very pleased with it, and pretty surprised, too. I thought there’d a little more heartbreak to it, and while that’s definitely there, it wasn’t the kind of tear-jerker that I was expecting. Of course, I got misty reading the last issue of The Punisher, so my views on emotional content might be a little skewed, but I didn’t think the end would be quite as uplifting as it was.

And what an ending. Not to spoil anything for you guys, but man, that was a hell of a good last page.

 


 

And speaking of endings, I’m pretty sure that’s the week! As akways, if you’ve got anything on your mind about this week’s comics, or if you just want to talk about how fun Jeff Parker, Paul Tobin and Clayton Henry’s What If: Spider-Man vs. Wolverine was for a story about Spidey shooting people in the face, feel free to leave a comment in the section below. Me, I’m gonna go see if Sweet Lady Gin can help me ease the pain of that panel from Tarot.

I doubt it, though. Self-medicating can only do so much.

30 thoughts on “The Week In Ink: January 30, 2008

  1. If you can, you might want to check out Proof. I mean the most recent issue does have a Bigfoot who works for a secret government agency called the Lodge, sitting down for tea with a Chupacabre that is killing hikers in Minnesota. Which, I don’t know, sounds like the kind of thing you might like…

  2. Chris, I thought I’d shamelessly plug my entry in the IDW Transformers cover competition since it involves the promise of robots fighting bears:
    http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3170

    I’m about 6 months late with this comment, but I just finished reading The Punisher presents: Barracuda trade, which was certified grade A comedy genius. I didn’t think Ennis could top Hitman vs Lobo for belly laughs, but casting Christopher Walken as the bad guy and having him repeatedly run over a man with a tank forced me to put the trade down lest I follow in the fatal footsteps of the weasels from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

  3. I think the coloring on The Avengers: Initiative is the perfect compliment to the tone of the book. It is muggy and oppressive, which is probably the exact phrase the recruits would use to describe their experience at Camp Hammond.

    I don’t disagree that it’s unpleasant, I just think that it’s intentionally unpleasant.

  4. God love ya for mentioning the mighty Badger there, Chris. Truly one of THE great indy comics EVER – along with Nexus & Grimjack.

    Seeing it back on the shelves fills my heart with joy, although I’m not super-keen on the art (waaay to unfocused and cartoony for me.)

    The earlier stuff – i.e. the tpb you’ve got – is much better; and if you can find it, the graphic novel, Hexbreaker, is one mean read (think Enter The Dragon, only with POWER TOOLS.)

    Mmm!

  5. I think something got lost in the first sentence of the “Avengers: Initiative” review.

  6. FYI: There’s an HTML error here — “So it is just me, or is the thing that the Tactigon fears most in all the universe actually GLA was written …”

    I had to view your HTML code to read about your speculation about the Grasshopper.

  7. I got a good chuckle from the Taskmaster alt. text, likes. It was good.

    I don’t know about the colouring on the Initiative, but why is the paper that comics are printed on so darn shiny? They are impossible to read unless held at just the right angle! Gah!

    Maybe I just have stupid eyes.

  8. I think something got lost in the first sentence of the “Avengers: Initiative” review.

    HTML errors can’t silence my truth! It’s been fixed.

  9. The scene with Ampersand and the last page were definitely the two best parts of Y #60. A great end to an even greater series.

  10. It’s always the little things that make me adore comics, so “Kang’s Third Law Of Causality” (from FF) made me as giddy and giggly as a schoolgirl.

  11. I think I must be stupid.
    All this time, and I don’t know if I ever noticed that Sims does these reviews in alphabetical order.

    The comics have indeed rotted my brains.

    Still, funny stuff.

    ~P~
    P-TOR

  12. spencer said: I don’t disagree that it’s unpleasant, I just think that it’s intentionally unpleasant.

    Isn’t this the mega-argument fans have been having about Marvel in general over the past year?

  13. You work too hard Chris. Look at all the effort you put into this post. I mean, I was exhausted by the time I finished reading it. I say just post a scan of somebody getting kicked in the head and take a nap.

  14. That “What If” issue was ridiculously awesome! How was that not pitched as a mini-series or something?

  15. Any theories on why Spider-Man vs. Wolverine got the alternative ending treatment? It was a pretty decent read with a nice ending, but why go What If? on a story that’s around twenty years old and outdated thanks to the demise of the Cold War?

  16. why go What If? on a story that’s around twenty years old and outdated thanks to the demise of the Cold War?

    Because that story is fucking awesome. Good enough for me!

    I was kind of hoping that the What If? story would be a prelude to a TPB reprinting the original and the What If? and maybe some extras. Unfortunately, it looks like this What If? is going out in some strange TPB in April, so I was totally wrong.

  17. why go What If? on a story that’s around twenty years old and outdated thanks to the demise of the Cold War?

    Because that story is fucking awesome.

    Yup.

  18. That Tarot panel…

    Oh. The Pain. And I don’t drink, so I can’t wash it away with gin. What shall I do?

  19. 29th sign that Civilization As We Know It is OVER:

    The figure from that Tarot panel will be in Preview‘s merchandise section next month.

  20. BTW, Chris: I’m a huge Badger fan from way back (read the series when it originally came out); and the new issues leave me cold, too.

    I think it’s the art. While the original series didn’t sport stunning artwork (except when Jeff Butler drew it), it benefited from a couple of regular artists who complimented the, umm, unique storylines that Baron did during the book. (Bill Reinhold and Ron Lim in particular.)

    Let’s face it: it’s tough to find a guy who can draw a good transvestite ex-Nazi nun.

  21. I’m not doubting the kick-assity of Spidey/Wolvie. One Priest fanboy called it the best Owsley/Bright collaboration ever, and I’m inclined to agree (save for a few issues of Quantum & Woody). I’m just curious as to why Marvel would bring that in when their recent What If? stories have been centered on recent “event” series.

  22. I’d echo the old-time Badger readers comments of pick up the Bill Reinhold issues. I had a look at the reprint volume and it was pretty gruesomely printed. I doubt they had the original artwork, looks like it was shot from old comics-ugh. I didn’t pick up the the second issue of the new series due to a lack of that old magic.
    That said, probably my two favourite Badger Issues aren’t draw by Reinhold. They’re “What are you, a lawyer?”, which is a crossover with Clonezone and is drawn by Eric Shanower and the one with the skating bison in the mall, which has rather drab art, but the story is so great, it doesn’t matter.

  23. I think they did the What If for a couple reasons:
    1. It’s Spidey and Wolverine. It’ll sell more copies than anything else this week.
    2. They’ve known for months that everyone is pissed at the whole Spidey thing. So bring out an awesome What If on the one week that Amazing doesn’t come out to remind us how cool the character can be.
    3. It’s Spidey and Wolverine. There’s not a lot of real stories that have those two together.
    4. It’s Spidey and Wolverine. In case you missed the marketing info. :)

  24. I don’t know what is worse, that Spirit is a fill in issue or it’s a month late or that I have to wait another month for Mike Ploog. Three forgettable stories. Man.