Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Hot buttered Jesus, the boys over at GrayHaven Magazine.com have been busy as hell again, and we've got a few cool articles from them for this weekend with an assload of artwork. For now, wade through this stack of reviews and enjoy...
Hey Gang. Andrew from GrayHavenmagazine.com here. We have a ton of reviews up again, covering books for the past two weeks, as well at a look at the series run of Ruse. Enjoy.
Ruse 1-4
Written by Mark Waid and Illustrated by Jackson "Butch" Guice and Mike Perkins
Published by CrossGen Comics
Reviewed by Lance Karutz
Let me start off by saying that I do not regularly read CrossGen comics. I picked up the first couple issues of Mystic simply because I'm a big fan of Brandon Peterson's pencils, but the story quickly lost me. I even picked up the first couple issues of The First because I'm an even bigger fan of Bart Sears' work, buuuuut the story quickly lost me. I guess I've just never been much of a fan of comic heroes that rely heavily on mysticism as the source of their powers. And because I'd heard that most of CrossGen's line revolved around, ahem... mystic heroes, I wasn't too keen on checking out the rest of their line.
So imagine my surprise when I read the first few issues of Ruse, and found out that I really enjoy the book. Ruse is the story of Simon Archard, a private investigator/inventor who uses his incredible genius to solve crimes - often before all the clues have been presented to him. In the first few pages of the first issue, his sleuthing skills have already solved a crime based on a questionable array of evidence. He's just that good.
Sharing in his adventures is Emma Bishop, a beautiful young lady who is hiding a rather huge secret from her partner. It seems that Miss Emma controls a certain amount of magic. And we soon find out, in a thrilling scene where a damsel-in-distress is falling through a glass ceiling, that if Miss Emma were to blatantly use her powers around Mr. Archard, she would "lose the game," and more than likely never see him again. Which would be a bad thing, since she seems to be in love with him.
Set in Victorian times, in the fictional city of Partington, Waid and Guice do an exceptional job in portraying that period in history. The costumes are drawn with exquisite detail. The architecture is delineated with a loving hand. And Laura DuPuy's gently muted colors, as always, only serve to add depth to the world.
While the dialogue may not be as authentic as Alan Moore's verbage in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Waid's dialogue might actually be more palatable to the average comics fan. It's faithful to the times, but not quite as... overwhelming as Moore's. (I mention this primarily because Gentlemen is the book that Ruse is most likely to be compared to, as they're both set in a similar time and setting.)
One touch that I particularly admire is the inside front cover. In every issue, a brief synopsis of the story so far is given, presented as the front page of the Penny Arcadian, the largest paper in Partington, and it's the attention to details like this that help make the world of Ruse that much more believable.
One thing that's made particularly obvious is that Archer is entirely too intelligent for his own good. His social skills are practically non-existent, as he's too wrapped up in his own thoughts to realize how rude he is to everyone around him. Luckily for him, the whole city loves him thanks to his skills as a detective, and the good press that solving crimes has gotten him.
The first four issues of the book comprise the first story of the series. Waid does a stellar job of establishing his primary characters (Archard, Bishop and the city of Partington) within the first nine pages. The greater mystery, however, is spread throughout the length of the tale. It seems that crime, in spite of Archard's superb skills as a sleuth, is on the rise in Partington. Much of the crime revolves around a mysterious new drug that has suddenly popped up. Oddly enough, the drug popped up about the same time as the Baroness Miranda Cross. Archard meets the Baroness at dinner party (at which he reveals the occurrence of another crime as he walks in the door). She is immediately taken with the genius, which doesn't endear her to Emma at all.
And then the murders start. A blind and deaf retired sea Captain is found dead at the docks. Archard takes the case, and ends up discovering a ship that has smuggled in a huge amount of the new drug. The plot thickens as he boards the ship to search for clues and the vessel is set aflame. Emma once again risks "losing the game" by using her powers, and is very surprised to see that the Baroness is aboard the boat, and seems to be stealing Emma's power even as she uses it.
Although tempted to use her powers to save herself and Simon, Emma stops using her power, and Archard is able to get them safely from the wreckage. He turns to an associate to try and discern the origin of the new drug, and the associate is found dead. Along with the rise in crime, the town begins to turn against him. After escaping a murder attempt, he's shocked to open the paper one morning to see that he's being accused of murder. And the "victim" is still breathing.
Now being sought by the constabulary, Archard and Bishop are even more shocked to find that certain persons involved in the strange happenings have begun to burst into blue flames when cornered. Not exactly conducive to solving a crime. And solve the crime he must, or else the fair towne of Partington may be overwhelmed by the forces of darkness.
These first four issues are a very fun read. I've already been through the storyline multiple times, picking out small details in the art and story that I didn't notice before. You can bet that I'll continue picking this one up, as the mystery of the Baroness and her wicked plans for Partington, and for Archard himself, have hardly been solved.
But enough about the story, as I fear I've almost given away too much. Butch Guice is at his best in this series. The costumes alone are worth the price of the book, as Victorian times lend themselves to his strengths - beautiful women dressed in laced finery, detailed architecure and a proper amount of action. And Mike Perkins is a pleasant surprise on inks. I've been following Guice's work for the last ten years or so, and few people other than himself can handle inking such delicate pencils. Perkins does a truly admirable job inking this book.
Archard and Bishop are exceedingly well written, coming across as the Victorian era's Nick and Nora Charles. Considering the fact that Simon and Emma are not actually romantically involved, this should become one of the more interesting elements of the book, as Miss Bishop tries to change their romantic status.
The one thing that I thought Waid might have done better in this story is to have had a better mystery. The lead character is a detective, and a lot of the fun in reading a good detective story is trying to figure out the mystery before the hero does. Unfortunately, due in part to Archard's incredible intelligence, the mysteries are solved all too quickly, before enough clues are presented for the readers to reach the proper conclusions ourselves.
But I suppose that's the price one pays when one's hero is capable of correctly solving a crime with just one clue.
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
Alias #6
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Gaydos
Published by Marvel/MAX Comics
Reviewed by Victor Destefano
This is the first issue of the book's second story arc and I've got to say, I think it's the best issue I've seen so far.
Private Investigator, Jessica Jones, gets a temporary break from running around trying to figure out who set her up and why. In this latest issue, a big chunk of the book is used to show a relaxed Jones chatting it up with Avenger Carol Danvers as the two eat lunch at an outdoor cafe. Talking about "typical woman things" like old, embarrassing memories, gossip, men and the like as if the two were normal Soccer moms who got a moment of free time while the little ones were in school.
It's nice to see another side of the character who, so far, is best known for being the woman who Luke Cage banged in the "special place." (A pity seeing how the book is actually far more exciting than that one incident.) Brian Bendis does an excellent job of writing the characters as if they were real people sitting and eating at the table right next to you.
After some of the womanly chatting, Jessica Jones went back to work trying to catch a client's husband doing what the client feared he was doing, taking his online relationships into the real world. How do you catch a husband who maybe took his online romps to the next level? Why you find him online to see if you can catch him and reel him in. Something that provided another great look into just what it is that Jessica Jones does and it even made for a couple humorous lines that ran through the investigator's head.
Along the way, Jones is startled by a seventeen-year-old kid who walks in to the office and answers her ringing phone while she's taking a much-needed pee. Jones learns that he's nothing more then a fan who digs her because she's apparently a "major piece of ass" and doesn't run around in spandex like the other super heroes of the day. Possibly flattered, Jones lets the lad know she doesn't have the time for this and sends him on his way.
The thing that got me about this is that, when asked if he could come back later, the perplexed Jones answers, "Maybe." Maybe? A sign that the teen will be seen again? Maybe as some sort of romantic interest or even a pseudo partner? Hmmm, interesting regardless of what it turns out to be.
The story ends with a distraught woman coming in to see if the Jones can help her find her husband who's been missing for a week now. Her husband and a relative of the private investigator, Rick Jones! Man, what a cliffhanger.
Michael Gaydos blunt and somewhat muddy style compliments Bendis' writing really well and does a great job in driving home that mysterious element that haunts the title. It may not exactly be a pretty style, but it damn sure effective.
Overall: 9/10
Alias #6
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Gaydos
Published by Marvel/MAX Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
As I noted last time I reviewed this book, it took me awhile to feel it out before I could commit to enjoying it or not, but now that I've outted myself as a fan, I'm glad to announce that this book continues to impress.
This issue is a bit of an interlude/prologue for the next story arch and is also the first time (except for a little anal loving in the first issue) that Bendis really plays with the range of adult themes open to him with an adult themed comic.
Most of the issue centers a round a lunch date between the main character Jessica Jones and her old friend from The Avengers, Carol Danvers. One of the best selling features on this book is having recognized Marvel characters talking about the things that Marvel fans have pondered through most of their adolescent, sexual development years, that being of course, the sex lives of super heroes. And really for no other reason could I recommend more, I mean we all suspect that Luke Cage was a dawg, and now we've confirmed it.
This title is fun, irreverent yet still provoking it's a good title for those of you who may be getting a little bored with the ho hum, dilly dally, same old same old, of the rest of the Marvel universe. It takes turns you wouldn't expect, and delivers a dialogue that is reminiscent of a Sienfeld episode in the way it casually runs through a variety of paces. The artwork is also fun in that it has a dirty, grown up feel to it where you can still see a hint of the old Marvel super hero in every panel, but it has grown past the pin up theatrics. The only thing I might criticize is that unless you're up on your Marvel 101, you may fun some of the banter a little less entertaining, but it isn't so complicated that you can't just enjoy the theme of it all.
Overall: 8.5/10
Amazing Spider-Man #38
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Illustrated by John Romita Jr.
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Aaron "Vroom Socko" Button
This is it, the issue where Peter and Aunt May have The Conversation;
Aunt May: Where do Spider-Men come from?
Peter: Well, when a man and a radioactive arachnid care about each other very much…
Kidding, only kidding.
The whole Superhero-Identity-Revealed storyline seems to be the big trend these days. Superman and Batman revealed themselves to the JLA, among others. Ultimate Spider-Man had Peter telling his secret to MJ. What makes this one stand out is the characters involved, their relationship to each other. The other reveals were between teammates and friends. This issue is all about family.
What struck me the most about this issue is when Peter explained exactly why he became Spider-Man. I may be wrong, but this is the first time I've seen Peter and Aunt May talking about the death of Uncle Ben, the first time they've dealt with it together. Aunt May's feelings about the death of her husband are laid bare, making for a powerful read.
J. Michael Straczynski has a thing for monologues, and this issue is full of them. This might be a bad thing for some people, but JMS knows how to both write a good soliloquy, and make it work in the context of the story. Most Talking Head stories can get boring fast. This one didn't.
Is John Romita Jr. the best artist Marvel has right now? Just looking at his rendition of Aunt May moved me. How many artists can draw an elderly woman putting up a brave face, but be hurt and scared underneath it, and be convincing? Not too many.
If you are a big time Spidey fan, buy this book. If you're just a casual Spidey fan, buy this book. If you know who Spider-Man is, BUY THIS BOOK.
Overall: 10/10
Batgirl #25
Written by Kelley Puckett and illustrated by Damion Scott
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
I don't know how to say it any clearer, but if you have never read Batgirl before but you do read comics and are a fan of sequential art, and graphic storytelling, you better run out and pick this baby up. Consistently, month after month, Batgirl comes out on time, and delivers some of the best collaborations of art and words in the industry. This issue is shinning pillar of perhaps one of the most over looked titles on the rack.
It's been one year since Batgirl came to Lady Shiva, for help in regaining her fighting talent after incidents early in the Batgirl run took them away from her. Trust me here, the details aren't really that important. You can figure it all out in this issue, as Batgirl faces off with Lady Shiva to the death, a gladiator payment for services rendered a year ago.
This issue is gorgeous, the action sequences are clean and polished you can follow the kung fu action from start to finish without having to cross your eyes and squint. The story telling is riveting, adding new depth to one of Batman's most one-dimensional villains, as well as giving simple a sweet look at the quest for redemption. "Karma that I understand."
One of the best things about this book is the way Puckett directs the story but is fully able to let Scott do the "telling". You can see how much the writer must trust the artist in every page as he allows the artwork to do it's own explaining, without bogging the story down with long winded speeches of plot disposition. It's this little fact that really makes this book stand out from a lot of the other super folk books, if you take a moment to look back on the two issues scripted by Chuck Dixon, you'll see what I mean. Puckett has a knack for subtlety that few writers in the industry are capable of.
This issue has some incredibly clever moments, taking what is probably one of the most clichéd adventures in comics, the horrifying "death match" and making it a powerful tale with twists, turns, a payoff and even a moral. Shame on you for missing it (if you do).
Overall: 10/10
Black Panther #41
Written by Christopher Priest and illustrated by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Paul Weissburg
I've gotta give Marvel credit for continuing this series, despite its low sales. Christopher Priest has a style unlike anyone else in comics and it's a real pleasure having a monthly comic written by him. This latest issue, the first part of the five-part "Enemy of the State II," is clearly intended to draw in new readers with its guest-stars (Iron Man and that Canadian guy with the metal claws) and the simultaneous release of the trade paperback edition of the original "Enemy of the State" storyline. While I'm grateful to the powers-that-be at Marvel for giving this series that kind of push, I can't help thinking that this comic is never going to be a big seller. It's too damn good for that.
One thing that makes "Black Panther" somewhat unique is that it has a strong political subtext to it. T'Challa (a.k.a. The Black Panther) is a king, not a super-hero. Sure, he's a great warrior and all that, but his main strength is his mind. The man is a planner. More of a Machiavelli than an action hero.
Adding to the charm of this book is Christopher Priest's bizarre sense of humor. In this most recent storyline, for example, we have a Black Panther doppelganger who speaks like a really, truly awful 1970's super-hero (and who is drawn in a Kirby-esque style). Watching the interaction between Tony Stark and this retro-Black Panther is more than just amusing.. it's hysterical.
It is a part of Priest's style in this series to have multiple storyline occurring simultaneously, which often makes things confusing but also adds to the blissful sense of pandemonium that this series delivers. I may not always know exactly what's going on, but it is always a fun ride.
While new readers who are picking up this latest issue to see Wolverine in action may be disappointed and confused by the complexity of Priest's writing, I'm grateful that he hasn't dumbed it down at all to pull in new readers. "Black Panther" is a one-of-a-kind series and it'd be a shame to see it altered to help sales. And, for those of you are hooked by the series, I highly recommend searching through the back-issue bin at your local store and picking up Priest's critically acclaimed "Quantum and Woody" (possibly his finest work) and "Xero" (a series he did for DC that never got the word-of-mouth it deserved).
One of these days, Christopher Priest will write a series that'll get him the recognition he so deserves (personally, I'd love to see him writing Batman or JLA). Until then, series like "Black Panther" will be treasured for as long as they may last.
Overall 8/10
Blue Monday: Lovecats
Written and Illustrated by Chynna Clugston-Major
Published by Oni Press
Reviewed by Aaron "Vroom Socko" Button
Blue Monday is one of a kind. How many other books are there that are as much fun? How many are written and drawn by a woman insanely talented in both areas? What other books feature a female protagonist, and yet is not alienating to male readers? (Okay, for the last question Strangers in Paradise fits the bill, but I'm trying to make a point here.)
In Lovecats, we find out how this group of crazy kids first came together. There is also some romance blooming in the air, what with it being Valentine's Day and all. Normally a Romance Comic wouldn't appeal to someone like myself, but this story had me involved in all the right places. (Not those places you sick freak!) "Sleepless in Seattle" this ain't. This is romance by way of cheap pizza places, used record stores, and '80s teen movies, which suits me just fine.
The main reason this works, however, it that Chynna Clugston-Major writes characters that are both true to their time and to themselves. This is how I remember being as a teenager, even if this isn't how I really was. Blue Monday invokes a mood, a sense of time and place that feels true. These are characters that I can relate to, one way or another.
As much as the story itself sets the mood, so does the art. Clugston-Major's artwork is phenomenal. These are teenagers who look and move like teens. Most artists who use this 'almost-Manga-but-not-quite' style look either end up looking out of place or just plain stupid, but here it works.
Arriving just in time for Valentine's Day, this is the one comic no one should miss.
Overall: 10/10
Detective Comics #767
Written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Steve Lieber and Mick Gray
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Paul Weissburg
As much as I generally loathe multi-part crossover extravaganzas, I must confess I'm very much enjoying the "Bruce Wayne: Murderer" storyline running through the Bat-titles this month. A lot of the credit must go to Greg Rucka, whom I think is one of the best writers ever to work on these characters. Rucka manages to emphasize the darkness without delving into the pseudo-psychological nonsense that other, less skilled writers have attempted to pull off. Rucka's Batman is driven and not altogether mentally stable in some ways, but he's also consistent. He may not be a people-person, but he cares about those in his circle (Nightwing, Gordon, Sasha, etc.) and he will do whatever is necessary to protect them.
In case you've somehow missed it so far, the plot thus far is that Vesper Fairchild (former lover to Bruce Wayne) has been found dead inside of Wayne Manor and Bruce is looking to be the most likely suspect. Of course, we readers know that it wasn't him, but no one within the story itself seems very certain about that (even his allies). One facet that's really enriched this storyline is the inclusion of Sasha, the Bodyguard to Bruce Wayne who eventually figured out his secret identity and who seemed to be well on her way to becoming his friend (and possibly more). She's been dragged into this whole mess and is now sitting in prison, unable to save herself without revealing Bruce's secret. In many ways, she's even more isolated than our lead character, because none of the supporting cast knows who the hell she is or why she's involved, and none of them trust her.
Det Comics #767 deals directly with Sasha's ordeals in prison as she tries, over and over again, to convince herself that she's doing the right thing and that Bruce Wayne is not a murderer. The problem is, she doesn't know for sure. She wants to believe in him, but it's getting difficult, and with each passing day, her trial looms ever closer. If something doesn't happen soon, she may spend the rest of her life in prison to defend his secret.
With no one to confide in and no help in sight, Sasha's loyalty is really being put to the test in this storyline, and I very much hope that she makes it through all of this without getting killed (or, worse, turning out to be the killer). Sasha is one of the most interesting characters to be brought into the "Bat-Family" in ages, and I don't want her to disappear at the end of this storyline.
As for the back-up feature, I must confess I've finally given up on it. Judd Winick is a very fine writer when he's working on non-super-hero projects ("Barry Ween" and "Pedro and Me") but his work for DC has left me cold. His stories simply aren't very exciting. I don't care about his lead character (Josie Mac) and I'm eager to see the space used for something else.
Having said that, however, Dect. Comics #767 is a very enjoyable read, full of tension and well-done characterization. If you've avoided the whole "Bruce Wayne: Murderer" storyline thus far, this would be a great issue to start it up with, as it's largely a self-contained story and represents all doesn't require you to go back and pick up the earlier issues.
Overall 9/10
Exiles #9
Written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Mike McKone
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
It's hard to write reviews for books that you really enjoy, the things you would like to say about the book mostly center around long winded fan boy rants of fun things that only fan boys really enjoy. I say this because the latest issue of Exiles is filled with things that really make me smile.
This is the second part of the most dramatic story arch in the Exiles series, and it has some really shinning moments that as I said above I really can't explain without rambling off on some uncontrollable tangent. In this issue Winick, if he meant to or not, has given some stunning commentary on the Marvel universe and some of it's mostly taken-for-granted-characters. It's amazing that this series really acts like a hall of mirrors, where all the warped reflections give you deeper insight into the things that your blind to in a regular mirror, or if you will are blind to because your so used to seeing it.
This series does more than show you different versions of the Marvel Universe turned on it's head, it's like a commentary or dissection of the themes that make the Marvel Universe what it is.
It's a stimulating read.
Overall: 9.5/10
X-Treme X-men #10
Written by Chris Claremont and Illustrated by Salvador Larroca
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
After finally shaking off what I'm going to officially consider those awkward first moments of a new book, the latest story arch of the X-treme team marks for long time X-Men readers a return to the strong story telling style that Claremont had mastered in the late eighties and early nineties of the Uncanny X-Men (yes, I admit that the X-Men days of glory to me were the pre-Australia and outback story arcs, so shoot me). I'm sure long time readers who pick this up will know what I mean, and for those who aren't long time readers just trust me when I say this story is reminiscent of the good old days.
Claremont doesn't just write these characters; in many cases he birthed and shaped these characters. And though most of the time that doesn't mean that much in the work for hire comic book world, but with Claremont it's the little details that really make this book tick, things like character interactions and sidebars. The way little plots from long ago can be used again without being dragging to the overall shape of the book.
The artwork continues to improve each month, though of course Larroca's pencils are always gorgeous, it is the slow evolution of the coloring on this book that readers wait patiently to catch up. This issue is much stronger with colors than many of the others; fewer of those unclear line mistakes make this issue easier to follow, especially for combat scenes.
Hmmm… it's weird when you review the same title every month you start to run out of insightful things to say about it.
It's a new story arc and it makes all the proper introductions, so just go read it.
