Hunter: The Age Of Magic #9
Written by Dylan Horrocks and Illustrated by Richard Case
Published by Vertigo
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
In part 2 of 'The Evil Gene', Tim goes about the business of his ordinary day - talking to angels, looking through music shops, and making deals with magicians he has no reason to trust, and having his DNA tested for the evil gene, of course! All par for the course when you are Tim Hunter, potentially the most powerful wizard in existence.
Last issue saw the introduction of supermarket checkout girl Eden, enspelled by the evil Mr. Lily so that she would fall completely and hopelessly in love with Tim, for purposes as yet unrevealed. This issue she follows him around London, trying to understand the strange fascination he exerts over her, and - unsurprisingly - wanting to be rid of it.
Eden knows nothing of magic. She is attractive, but not amazingly so, and otherwise seems to be quite an ordinary young woman. She is slightly cynical, and does not appear to be very well educated, but there is no obvious reason why Lily should have chosen her to be the pawn in some Machiavellian game.
Hunter continues to be exceptionally well written, with Eden promising to add a degree of ordinary world perspective to the magic and mayhem that would otherwise be missing from this title. In this one issue she is given more personality than many characters are given in years of development, simply by telling part of the story from her perspective, allowing us inside her head.
Tim himself has the confidence of a man who knows beyond all doubt that he is a Power in the world, and has nothing to prove to anyone, yet he still has the optimism and slight naiveté of most young men of his age. A strange mix that adds depth to Tim's personality, and makes him 'real' to the reader.
Richard Case's artwork continues to grow on me. His style is seemingly very simple, but nevertheless manages to convey the attitudes and emotions of his characters very well. He does not clutter his backgrounds, but provides just enough detail to convey the overall feel of location necessary for the story.
Hunter remains an exceptional read.
Overall: 9/10
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Infinite Kung Fu #1
Written and Illustrated by Kagan McLeod
Self Published by Kagan McLeod
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
Chances are that if you're reading this, you're a hardcore comic junkie who has a finger to the pulse of the industry and knows a thing or two about the latest buzz. If this is the case, then you probably stumbled on Kagan McLeod's self-published Kung Fu epic, Infinite Kung Fu on the internet or on the convention circuit.
The rest of you who don't fit that description, well…maybe you discovered this delight on the shelves of your local comic shops thanks to the wonderful people at Diamond, who finally gave one of the good guys a chance.
Now if perhaps you don't fit into either of these categories, prepare to feel left out in the cold because Infinite Kung Fu kicks some serious @$$.
Where many comic companies are jumping on the bandwagon in the post Matrix/Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/Hollywood Kung Fu explosion, Kagan McLeod is a hardcore follower of the genre and the art form. He isn't just cut and pasting some typical hero fare and filling it up with Kung Fu action sequences to make a quick buck. Rather, he's finally seeing the level of praise he deserves from years of hard work and patience.
Infinite Kung Fu pays homage to the action filled Kung Fu movies of the 1970's with a sprinkle of the funkadelic to get your booty grooving into the action. It tells of a post apocalyptic world that has reverted to customs and practices that were common hundreds of years ago. There's some zombies, immortals, a master and pupil all thrown in for good measure, be sure that this story doesn't let you down. McLeod's knowledge and love of Kung Fu is apparent in the way that he crafts a fun tale with a good deal of sensitivity around those usually clichéd and cheese ball moments that other Kung Fu wannabes seem to always fuddle up.
Artistically McLeod has an incredible sense of motion, and a unique style when it comes to forms. He uses pencils and inks to create variations in atmosphere and moods, while also showing off an incredible sense of race and all of the physical proportions that come with.
In the sad and unforgivable possibility that your comic shop has missed out on this incredible new talent, you can order your own copies of Infinite Kung Fu directly from the man himself at www.kaganmcleod.com/infinitekungfu. Be sure to check out the site for more of McLeod's stunning artistic work.
Cheers and all that…
Overall: 9/10
Just A Pilgrim: Garden Of Eden #1
Written by Garth Ennis and Illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra
Published by Black Bull
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
This is the second mini-series starring Ennis & Equerra's latest anti-hero, and like the first it is most definitely not for children. In a world where an increase in solar radiation has caused the world to dry up and created all kinds of weird mutations and horrible madmen, The Pilgrim is on a lone crusade to help the good wherever he can through the simple expedient of killing everything that threatens them.
A small group of scientists has succeeded in preserving some semblance of life at the bottom of what used to be the Marianas Trench. They are attempting to save what little of the old-world that they can, but something strange and horrible is slowly killing them off.
The arrival of The Pilgrim could well mean the difference between survival and death. This being an Ennis story, that could well be taken either way, of course...
Just A Pilgrim features Ennis' usual quirky cast of characters. From the militantly Christian Pilgrim himself to the young woman who has trained her pet snake to bring her apples, every character has their own little quirks and personality traits. This issue basically sets the scene for the series. Ennis fans will love it, but I do not think it will convert a new audience to his work.
Ezquerra's artwork is as beautifully detailed and distinctive as ever. His characters look like real human beings you might see walking down the street rather than the kind of perfect beings preferred by many artists, and seem more real because of it. This meshes really well with Ennis' approach to characterization, of course, and no-one draws strange and unearthly creatures quite like Ezquerra, which is a must for this title.
Like Ennis, he is a master of his craft.
Overall: 8/10
Just A Pilgrim: Garden of Eden #1
Written by Garth Ennis and Illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra
Published by Black Bull Entertainment
Reviewed by Jeffery Stevenson
Imagine a harsh world where the planet has shifted closer to the sun. The oceans have dried up, and increased exposure to radiation has forced mutations across the globe. In the middle of all this, in the deepest valley of what used to be the Pacific Ocean, lies a land still rich with water and lush vegetation--a virtual Garden of Eden. Now throw in some zombies and one shotgun toting, bible-quoting wanderer who's hell-bent on delivering justice to this world of heathens, and you have the backdrop for Garth Ennis' latest tale.
The first issue in a series is usually the toughest because a writer wants to get the reader's interest and set down the foundation for the rest of the story. Ennis does a wonderful job doing just this. As Pilgrim begins his descent down into the valley, he encounters the zombie creatures and the story gets rolling with a nice fight. Then the interaction between the characters fills us with insights on how this grand oasis was created, what its inhabitants are like, and some colorful background on Pilgrim. Some people might have some problems with this story because of its wordiness, but the pacing keeps the reading moving along nicely. Ennis provides lots of fascinating information on these characters, this world and what they're up against. Plus, with all that talking out of the way, it leaves room for lots more action in the rest of the series.
Luckily, this title has someone familiar with action. It's something Carlos Ezquerra can do well, especially after all that time working on Judge Dredd. Ezquerra has that harsh, gritty style that suits this story perfectly. It helps bring this story to your doorstep, from the desolate desert wasteland to the thriving jungle in the valley below. Of course, he also has that occasional anomaly with faces that crops up here and there, but that doesn't seem to get in the way of him laying out some good visuals for this story.
There's lots of information in this book that works out great for those that love to get dragged down deep into the bowels of a story. This series looks like it has some potential to be really great. And to think, I only picked up this book because I thought Pilgrim's duster looked cool.
Overall: 8/10
The Metabarons
Written by Alexandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by Juan Gimenez
Published by Humanoids Publishing
Reviewed by Alan David Doane
The Metabarons represents perhaps the most successful attempt ever at depicting in comics the type of sweeping, epic space-saga that has long occupied the realm of science fiction novels, but rarely been seen in comic books.
It's puzzling that there have been so few attempts because just like prose novels, the only cost of depicting a grand tapestry that spans galaxies is the cost of the creator's imagination. It would cost many hundreds of millions of dollars to properly breathe life into the events of The Metabarons on a movie screen, and even when that kind of money is spent, in Star Wars for example, there historically has been a limited scope in the depiction of the length and breadth of the saga. That's not a problem here.
Despite its focus on one family, The Metabarons is anything but limited. The artwork depicts majestic spaceships and worlds truly enormous in scale, inviting the reader to experience such grandeur in a way that very likely will never be possible in real life. The images here are more beautiful and mind-blowing than any ever seen on any movie screen. The fact that such astounding imagery is combined with a story that so convincingly depicts an alien culture is the key to the success of the series.
The fact that this is a translated work actually plays to its favour, I think. We are, after all, trying to understand the motives and actions of an alien culture whose way of life is utterly repugnant. The Metabaron dynasty is built on an implicit masochism and an explicit ritual of mutiliation as a rite of passage. I could never imagine going through what the family does to maintain its lineage, but the struggles faced by the Metabarons are depicted against a backdrop of truly interstellar concerns; a big problem that is met by a big solution, with even bigger sacrifices made along the way.
This won't be a totally alien tale for most readers; there are echoes of earlier tales like Dune and Asimov's Foundation saga here; the execution and artwork, though, set The Metabarons apart as one of the most ambitious and visually staggering series ever attempted in the medium of comics. The fact that it stays grounded in the human by its focus on the tragedies and triumphs of the individual members of the family makes it all the more accessible. This may be an alien culture, but its lives, loves, battles and wars are convincingly depicted in one of the most compelling science-fiction comic books ever
Overall: 10/10
My Monkey's Name is Jennifer #1
Written and Illustrated by Ken Knudtsen
Slave Labor Graphics
Reviewed by Chaos McKenzie
I've long been known to have a serious hardcore soft spot for comics about canine heroes. Krypto, Ace, Lock Jaw, Stray -- the list goes on. If it was super powered and a dog, I was all over it.
These days I'm starting to have an all-new affinity for monkeys and their brethren. With "My Monkey's Name is Jennifer", I've been introduced to one of the best animal POV stories since Paul Jenkins wrote from the mind of a giant bulldog in the Inhumans.
Jennifer is the tale of a declawed, neutered, and extremely volatile ape appropriately named Jennifer by his human charges who he abhors. I'm not familiar with Ken Knudtsen at all. I'm not sure if Jennifer is another continuation of a man with a wicked sense of humor, but for my first read of his work, it is by far worth investigating.
The first issue sets you up with a kidnapping, a deranged villain, and a new and mysterious hero. The story is a delightful read, twisted with a sense of sway back humor. Written primarily from the point of view of the deranged primate, we get a hilarious poke at human nature. The art is a little unclear at times, but for the most part captures the foul mood of Jennifer, and the whimsical nature of human beings.
It's one of the most unique Monkey books that I've seen in a long time and is most definitely worth a gander for a nice little read.
Overall: 9/10
The Norm: Keys Two- Office
Written and illustrated by Michael Jantze
Reviewed by Alan David Doane
Here's a compact and delightful collection of Michael Jantze's daily comic strip The Norm. Norm is an ordinary, average and somewhat cranky vehicle for Jantze's droll commentary on everyday life. The overriding theme of this collection is Norm and his relationships with his friends. Having lost one to a move, Norm holds a contest to find a new buddy, in the funniest sequence in the book. As he screens the applicants, he tells someone claiming to be offbeat and witty that "Sorry, I'll be the witty, offbeat one." It's amusing stuff, and God knows there's precious little of that in the newspaper funnies these days.
I also especially like a brief series of strips pondering the popularity of liquid soap. It's always great when a cartoonist asks questions that seem obvious only in retrospect, and that's just what Jantze does in this sequence; its dry irony actually made me laugh out loud at more than one point.
A word about the format of this comic: It's a bit shorter and wider than the average mainstream book, black and white on nice white paper with an attractive, natural-looking brown paper cover. This is one of the most handsome packages I've seen, and at four bucks for about 100 daily strips plus some spot illustrations, it's a real bargain.
Jantze's artwork is also a strong selling point. His designs are clear and simple (as required by the form he works in, of course), with a masterful use of blacks to provide visual interest and lead the eye. His bold ink line is confident in the manner of Bill Watterson, and the few illustrations he includes here apart from the dailies make me curious to see what he might be capable of in a more expansive format. The Norm: The Graphic Novel would be most welcome in my reading stack.
In fact, the next issue of this quarterly series may seem novel-like, as the end pages of this issue lead to some major life changes for our buddy Norm. How he ends up engaged to one of his best friends is so bizarre and befuddling that it almost seems drawn from real life, and it definitely leaves me wanting to see more of The Norm
Overall: 8/10
The Power Company #2
Written by Kurt Busiek and Illustrated by Tom Grummett
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Aaron "Vroom Socko" Button
This is one interesting concept, I'll give 'em that.
A new team of superheroes based out of San Francisco takes on a giant dragon, fights amongst themselves, and brawls with a group of hi-tech thieves, all while trying to recruit a new member. There's a lot going on in this book, and it's only at part two. There's almost too much happening; with the exception of Manhunter, these are all new characters. How am I supposed to care about people I know nothing about? Yes, there were several introductory one-shots a few months ago, but this book was billed as accessible without having read them. So far, that isn't the case.
If all that is true, why am I recommending this book? Because the one character that has been developed, the Iron Man-style Skyrocket, is a great one. Her ambivalence about this group matches my own, and as she learns more about them, so does the reader. The idea of a team of superheroes structured like a law firm, complete with senior partner, is a new one that I'm sure will work. It just needs a little time. Kurt Busiek is a skilled writer, and once he gets his footing, I'm sure the characterization will fall into place.
Whatever complaints I have about the story, the art holds its own. Tom Grummett has a solid storytelling style, and the look of the team is picture perfect. So far how the members of the Power Company look and move is telling more about them than the story. What that tells me is that Grummett is in tune with both the characters and Busiek, which can only be considered a good thing.
Once we get to know these characters, I have the feeling this will become a stand-out book. Busiek is one of my favorite writers in the biz, and I trust him to give us an interesting ride. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the view.
Overall: 7/10
Sigil #22
Written by Chuck Dixon and Illustrated by Scot Eaton
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
Samandahl Rey is back, and just in time as the action is about to get white hot in this story of intergalactic warfare. The Saurians have just assassinated the president of Gaia, capital of the Human Planetary Union, and look to have some very interesting ideas on just how to follow that up.
But will Sam care? Having learned from Sephie that he has the power to heal, he is faced with the horrible feeling of having failed his best and only friend, Roiya Sintor, allowing her to die when he could have saved her. He didn't know how to use that side of the power - still doesn't really - but he still blames himself. It is one thing to be constantly unlucky, another to fail a friend...
Meanwhile, Zanniati, Sam's lady love and ex-wife of the traitorous Sultan Ronolo have gone missing. Having decided to try to kill Ronolo last issue, she was instead captured by him. This issue we find out exactly what he has in store for her, and what else he has been planning as a war advisor to the Saurians. He certainly doesn't think small, that's for sure...
Chuck Dixon has brought an energy to this title that is fast making it a favourite of mine. There is a real sense of pace as Saurians and Humans determinedly escalate their war of mutual extinction. Dixon is clearly having a lot of fun writing this, having as much fun with Saurian politics as he is with explosions. Excellent stuff throughout!
Scot Eaton's art is perfect for this title. Eaton has a real sense of scope, which is utterly necessary for the kind of space opera that Dixon is writing. He does explosions and gun fights very well too, and his space craft have a real sense of functionality about them.
Look for Sigil to gain in popularity very rapidly.
Overall: 9/10
Sojourn #9
Written by Ron Marz and Illustrated by Greg Land
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
Gareth finds a new sword and Arwyn tries to bribe the dragon into going after Mordath. After all, why waste all that time gathering arrow fragments and summoning lost heroes when you can recruit a fiery engine of destruction to your cause?
So why do I have the feeling it isn't going to be at all that simple?
Ron Marz continues to create a fantasy epic in the traditional grand scope of novelists rather than a traditional comic. Not a lot actually happens in this issue, but what does is well told. We gain no really new insights into the main characters, but the plot is advanced with the enticing prospect of a possible battle between Mordath and the dragon. (Personally, I know who my money's on...)
Greg Land's artwork considers to be exceptional, but the real artistic honours for this issue go to colourist Caesar Rodriguez for a beautiful dream sequence that carries such a wonderfully unearthly quality that it catches the eye and the mind both. It is so beautiful that it cannot help but detract from the rest of the issue, but this is a small price to pay for such exquisite work.
A good issue, but not the best in the series so far.
Overall: 8/10
Statement:
We don't review bad books.
"A lot of people have been wondering why there have been so many positive reviews on this section and on GrayHaven Magazine.
This doesn't mean that we like every single book that comes out. We're just not going to draw attention and waste time on the bad ones. What it does mean is that we're going to use the time and space we have in a given week to focus on the quality books...the books we think you SHOULD be reading.
We want to bring your attention to these great works, get a debate going and get your butts into the comic shops to check them out for yourselves. There are plenty of sites on the web where they do comic reviews that include both positive and negative looks at books. God speed, but that's not what we're about"- Andrew
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