Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Well... looks like they’re ducking the creditors again and moving what used to be GrayHavenMagazine.com to a new address. I’ll let Andrew explain...
Hi Gang. Andrew from GrayHaven here. I don’t know how many of you bother to click the links provided by AICN or how many people check out our main site from time to time, but for those of you who have been casual readers of the site over the course of our working with AICN, let me tell you that the site has moved. GrayHaven Magazine can now be found at GHMOnline.com. Hope you come and see us.
It’s going to be a busy couple weeks here. As GrayHaven goes, as goes the AICN comic work we do. This week you’ll get to read the first column written by Ron Zimmerman who worked on television’s Action, VIP, 7th Heaven and the forthcoming Kane, and has more recently been doing the comics Tangled Web, Get Kraven and Sweet Charity and the forthcoming Rawhide Kid and Ultimate Adventures. We also have the latest from Marvel President Bill Jemas and a few other surprises.
For now enjoy the recommendation, let us know what you thought, and of course, check out these books!
GREEN ARROW #14
Written by Kevin Smith and Illustrated by Phil Hester
Published by DC Comics
Reviewed by Aaron Weisbrod
Two Kevin Smith-penned titles hit the shelves this week. One of them was good (Green Arrow); one of them wasn’t (Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil that Men Do). Let’s focus on the good, shall we?
I had never read an issue of GREEN ARROW in my life before Kevin Smith re-launched the title, and since I’m not a fan of the character Green Arrow, it’s highly doubtful I’ll be picking-up any issues past Kevin Smith’s run. Overall, I’m not much of a DC fan, but Smith’s run on GREEN ARROW sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a shot. The first story-arc was surprisingly good, and the follow-up issues, including the current Issue #14, have also proven to be very enjoyable. Throughout the series it has seemed that Smith has been writing with a purpose: much like he did with DAREDEVIL, he wanted to make GREEN ARROW, a book featuring a second-tier character, a best-seller.
He has made GREEN ARROW a successful book not only through name-recognition (although that is undeniably a large factor), but also through engaging stories. I, as a reader with very limited knowledge of the Green Arrow character, have been able to follow the story since Issue #1 with very few problems. Furthermore, I have also been able to identify with the characters because they have been well-written and their actions and agendas have always been purposeful.
This still holds true in Issue #14, in which Green Arrow rushes his son to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life after he sustains a gunshot wound to the head at close range. However, unbeknownst to Green Arrow, upon learning that his query is still clinging to life, the villain who tried to kill him has come to the hospital to finish the job.
Overall it’s a suspenseful issue that drips with conviction and emotion. The final frame of this issue is extremely dramatic and emotional, and is a genuinely exciting cliffhanger—something you don’t see very often in many modern comic books.
Overall, GREEN ARROW #14 is a very good comic with no noticeable flaws. Hester’s artwork never misses the target, and Smith writes the book with a firm understanding of its characters and with a strong sense of purpose inherent in each issue.
LUCIFER #27
Written by Mike Carey and Illustrated by Peter Gross
Published by Vertigo
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
Elaine Belloc is dead, Lucifer is bereft of his power, and the triumph of the Basanos seems assured. Meanwhile the Archangel Michael is summoned to account for his actions by a most unforgiving God, and the Lilim seek out any route that might bring them the homeland they so desperately seek. Somehow, out of the biggest mess of his long existence, Lucifer must craft a near impossible victory, as the 'Purgatorio' story arc reaches its end......
Mike Carey continues to weave together a grand tapestry involving the personal and political machinations of many beings, some of whom seek alliance with Lucifer; many of whom seek his downfall. He never seems to forget the tiniest detail (Like Mazikeen's grudge against Jill Presto), nor lose track of exactly what his characters are after.
Given that we are not able to sympathise with his protagonist at all, the fact that Carey has crafted one of the best titles on the market is truly incredible.
Peter Gross' artwork continues to work perfectly for the series, portraying both the fantastic and the mundane with equal facility.
In short: Lucifer is the most intelligently written title on the market today. It's not the most new reader friendly, but well worth the time to get to know.
NEW X-MEN #128
Written by Grant Morrison and Illustrated by Igor Kordey
Published by Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Aaron Weisbrod
Although the “E is for Extinction” and Cassandra Nova story-arcs did little for me, the last two issues of New X-Men have seen, for the most part, a noticeable upswing in terms of clear, concise, thought-provoking, and engaging storytelling by Grant Morrison.
I’ve often heard it said that Morrison’s books are either very entertaining or very pretentious, and up until two issues ago NEW X-MEN was much more the latter than the former. While some of his ideas have been exciting and/or fun (such as the imminent domination of the human race by mutants, the virus-sized Micro-Sentinels, and Beast outing himself to his former girlfriend), many of them have done little more than leave the impression that Morrison has been trying WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too hard to impress readers with his “brilliant” and “intellectual” concepts (most noticeably the idea of a mutant with a star as a head—yeesh).
However, with the last issue Morrison focused primarily on the new star-headed X-recruit Xorn, and in doing so he managed to tell a pleasant, albeit sometimes clumsy, self-contained story that gave insight to the character while not getting lost in a self-imposed pissing contest of zany sci-fi-based intellectualism.
This issue follows a similar route, focusing primarily on Jean Grey.
Due to the fact that several of Jean’s teammates have become concerned about her increasing telekinetic powers (including her husband Scott “Cyclops” Summers), Jean sits down with X-Men founder/leader/psychic Charles Xavier to see if he can help put the team at ease about her increasing mutant abilities. However, rather than being able to dismiss her growing powers as simple “evolution,” Xavier discovers that the powers are an extreme manifestation of the Phoenix Force that has resided inside her for years. This is a cause of great concern to Xavier because the last time the Phoenix Force manifested itself through Jean massive havoc, destruction, and death ensued. However, before any definitive conclusions can be reached, a costumed mutant criminal who calls himself Fantomex (ultra-hip readers and/or fans of singer Mike Patton will recognize this character as an homage to the French pulp villain Fantomas) interrupts the session, demanding the sanctuary Xavier promised to any/all mutants in need.
As I stated earlier in the review, Morrison’s attempt to be uber-intellectual while writing this book has, in my opinion, failed more often than it has succeeded. However, with this issue it seems as if has started to get a hold of himself and realized that actions speak louder than words. Rather than continuing to toss around crazy ideas just for the sake of “oooo’s” and “aaah’s,” with this issue Morrison is finally putting forth interesting concepts that work well within the context of the X-Men’s world. Such though-provoking concepts include numerous Xavier-run X-Corporations opening around the globe to help mutants in need, a globally-recognized psychic “emergency signal” that will be automatically picked-up by Cerebra and then forwarded to trained X-Men forces who can help the mutants in need, and a theory put forth by Xavier that suggests we are all slaves to predeterminalism through our own inherent evolutionary urges and instincts.
Now THAT is some intriguing stuff that makes me, as a person who has never read any X-MEN books before Morrison began this title, want to keep reading this book. As a person who has a limited knowledge/appreciation of X-history, the idea of the Phoenix coming back (for example) means very little to me. However, if Morrison continues to tell stories that are as clear, concise, engaging, and thought-provoking as this one, I’ll continue to buy the book for the long haul.
High concepts aside… this issue also features the X-Corps from UNCANNY X-MEN as well as the best fuggin’ Cyclops piece ever written—and it’s only one page long to boot! Seriously, if nothing else, pick-up this issue off the shelf and read the last two pages. In one page alone, Morrison has changed Scott Summers from the blandest X-MEN icon in existence to the most human character on the team. His comments on his estranged relationship with Jean are touching, poignant, heartfelt, and brutally honest. In this issue Scott finally addresses several of the inconsistencies that has plagued his relationship/marriage to Jean, and in doing so, Morrison has finally added a much needed sense of “reality” to their struggling relationship. I’m very excited to see where this will be going in the months to come.
Sadly, Igor Kordey’s European-style artwork is still muddy, muddled, and ugly more oftentimes than not. Although it’s better than his work from a few issues ago (obviously he wasn’t as rushed this time), the art is still so cloudy and vague in some places that there are prominent characters I couldn’t recognize until the third reading. I realize that Joey Q. is big on Kordey (after all, he’s competent and he’s fast), but any time he draws a group scene characters suddenly become unidentifiable. That’s not the type of artist you want on a team-based book
ROUTE 666 #1
Written by Tony Bedard and Illustrated by Karl Moline
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
Anyone who is a fan of M Night Shyamalan's film 'The Sixth Sense' should take a look a this latest offering from CrossGen, as the premise – at least at first – is fairly similar.
21 year old Cassandra 'Cassie' Starkweather is a college student on an alternate Earth that looks remarkably similar to our own, and she, like Haley Joel Osment's character in the film, can see and interact with ghosts.
That's where the similarity ends though, because otherworldly creatures are preying on the souls of the departed, and Cassie can see them, too. Like her mythological namesake, Cassie is doomed to be utterly disbelieved by all around her – which is a shame, as the predators do not enjoy being spied upon...
Bedard's writing quickly and effectively establishes his main character, her world, and the bad guys. We find out enough about Cassie to sympathise with her, but not enough that we feel we know her completely yet, which is as it should be. There is clearly plenty of room for her to grow, and I certainly get the impression that Bedard has a good idea of where he will be taking the story.
Penciller Karl Moline should certainly be familiar to comic readers for his work on 'Fray', and it is nice to see his unique style given a showcase that suits it so well. Indeed, Moline's art was the initial draw for me, but I find the premise an interesting one, and the writing is certainly good enough to lure me back.
In short: A good introductory issue with the promise of an intriguing story to come. Well worth a look, especially for fans of The Sixth Sense and the Horror genre generally.
ROUTE 666 #1
Written by Tony Bedard and Illustrated by Karl Moline
Published by Crossgen Comics
Reviewed by Aaron Weisbrod
Crossgen publishes several titles that do not involve “The Sigil.”
If you don’t read any of Crossgen’s books due to fear of Sigil-bearing characters, go back and re-read that first sentence before continuing on with this review.
Over the last year Crossgen has really grown beyond their “fantasy”-based roots, and thus far the results have all been enjoyable. RUSE is an excellent detective tale, THE PATH is unfolding as a great samurai epic, and THE WAY OF THE RAT is a fun martial arts-based “odd couple” romp. Considering the strong series of solid (and non-Sigil-centric) books that the “second generation” of Crossgen books have turned out to be thus far, I was cautiously optimistic about their first stab at a horror-based series with ROUTE 666.
The series focuses on Cassie Starkweather, a college girl who has been visited by ghosts since she was a child. However, after her parents began to send her to a battery of psychologists at the tender age of eight, Cassie took drastic measures to make sure that no ghosts would visit her ever again… and it worked.
Now a successful college junior, Cassie was living the life of a normal young woman of her age until (isn’t there always an “until” in situations like this?) her best friend Helene dies in a freak accident due partially to Cassie. As if being partially responsible for Helene’s death wasn’t enough, Cassie is visited by Helene’s ghost that night—until two hostile ghosts drag her spirit away.
Naturally, Cassie flips out, and just as naturally her parents don’t believe her story. As a result Cassie is sent to a mental hospital where she will be given time to work through the guilt she feels over Helene’s death. Although some of the staff members are creepy (including head psychologist Dr. Melchior), Cassie meets some decent staff members as well, and things are going as well as can be expected for a 22-year-old girl who’s being institutionalized—you guessed it—UNTIL the spirits that kidnapped Helene’s spirit come back for Cassie. Both they and their (thus far unseen) boss are very disturbed that Cassie can see them, and they plan on solving the dilemma in a very permanent fashion.
With only one issue under its belt ROUTE 666 is already shaping-up to be an interesting title. Along with the expected ghost and monsters angle, there are already small hints present that suggest some sort of Russian(-esque) type of conspiracy at play. It’s an interesting and refreshing new take on a familiar concept.
As with most Crossgen books I’ve seen, the artwork on ROUTE 666 is gorgeous. Neither the preview images that were on the web nor the somewhat lackluster cover do the final product any justice, and as a result I was pleasantly surprised by how pretty the book turned out.
However, when judging a horror book, the most important aspect (in my opinion) is the horror itself: is the book actually scary, or is the writer using ghosts and monsters just for the sake of using ghosts and monsters? Again, I was surprised by how intense some of the scenes in this book were! Helene’s death is gruesome without being gory, and the scene in which Cassie is trying to outrun the spirits chasing her is also dramatic and exciting.
Overall, I was extremely surprised by how well this first issue of ROUTE 666 came together. The comic market has been lacking a well-written, well-illustrated, non-gratuitous, and genuinely chilling horror title since Vertigo’s failed anthology title FLINCH, and I’m glad to see Crossgen doing their part to help fill the void. Fans of horror movies/books/comics, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (and company) or Peter Jackson’s cult-classic flick “The Frighteners” would do well in checking out ROUTE 666.
OVERALL – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
SCION #24 & 25
Written by Ron Marz and Illustrated by Jim Cheung
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
I am forced to review these two issues of Scion together because they arrived at my comic shop together. After last month's mess up at the printers, someone somewhere clearly did not consider the UK market much of a priority. That being said...
These two issues bring to a close the first story arc, with a huge naval battle and what could well be the final conflict between the Raven and Heron dynasties. Ashleigh meets Ethan's father for the first time, Ethan and Bron fight a final climactic duel, and the Herons hold a family reunion.
This is undoubtedly Ron Marz's best writing. He really seems to know all of these characters inside out, from their motivations, to the way they think, to the way they feel about each other. Bron's hatred of Ethan and Ashleigh, for example, is great enough to destroy his rationality, whilst the love between the members of the Heron dynasty is strong enough to overcome any conflicts of opinion between them.
There are quite a number of characters in Scion, and while the emphasis rightly remains on the hero, Ethan, none of the others get lost or forgotten about in the overall story. They all act as you would expect them to at all times, yet the story does not feel cluttered or unwieldy. This, for me, is Marz's greatest achievement on this title.
Jim Cheung's artwork continues to add depth to the story by expressing the feelings of the various characters, and thus emphasising the actual meanings behind their words. If a normal picture is worth a thousand words, one of Cheung's is surely worth at least double that.
In short: Ethan and Ashleigh have the best realised relationship in comics, and come complete with a versatile and interesting supporting cast, many of whom could carry a story on their own. This and the superb artwork make Scion one of the best comics on the market every month. These issues are certainly no exception
SIGIL #25
Written by Chuck Dixon and Illustrated by Scot Eaton
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
This issue sees Saurian outcast Tchlusarud take up the standard of rebellion against the government of Khyradon in an action packed all-out Saurian battle. Forget Sam, Roiya and the other human characters, this is really where it's at!
Once again Chuck Dixon proves that he knows the difference between Science Fiction and 'Superheroes In Space' with what is probably the best issue of Sigil to date. Alien creatures armed with exotic weaponry fight against a brutal overlord to determine the fate of their planet. Tchlusarud emerges as a true leader, a capable general, and an inspiration to his people.
There is no doubt that Dixon has taken hold of a title that no-one really knew what to do with and breathed life into it. The characters have purpose and motivation for the first time, and personalities are emerging as a result. SIGIL was always intended to be a proper Science Fiction title, and now, thanks to Dixon it is.
Scot Eaton's art is at its best when the pages are packed with weird alien races and hectic mass battle scenes, making him the perfect partner for Dixon on this title. The more detail there is in a scene, the more he seems to like it. His 'battle lizards' look plausible enough to be natural Tcharunian creatures, but still alien enough that they could not be mistaken for Earth reptiles. Great stuff.
In short: The most improved title of the year so far, and worth another look by anyone who has given up on it. Fans of proper Science Fiction should certainly take a look too
SOJOURN #12
Written by Ron Marz and Illustrated by June Brigman
Published by CrossGen
Reviewed by Elliot Kane
Arwyn and Gareth stop to rest in a glade where the forms of heroes are mysteriously carved into the trunks of the trees by unknown hands, but the sorceress Neven is not happy that they have turned away from the quest she gave them. Meanwhile, the thoughts of the undead tyrant Mordath turn to rebuilding his castle, and to his revenge against Arwyn. All this, and Arwyn's dog, Kreeg, solves the mystery of the Glade Of Heroes...
This issue serves to end the last chapter of the story, but also provides us with a few interesting character moments, particularly in an exchange between Neven and Ayden. It's nice to see a bit more of Kreeg too, who hasn't really gotten a lot of attention over the last few issues. Dog or not, he is an important supporting character.
The writing overall is solid, and adds a little depth to Mordath and some of the supporting cast, which is always a good thing. Gareth and Arwyn are clearly at ease in each other's company now, and I loved the Kreeg sequences, but I cannot help feeling that both Arwyn and Gareth are under-developed. We know what they want, but not really who they are. A year into the title, Sojourn is undeniably a good story, but not yet a great one.
The art, on the other hand, is fantastic. I have never heard of June Brigman before, but on the strength of this I will certainly be looking out for her work in future. Her backgrounds are a little less detailed than those of regular penciller Greg Land, but her characters have the same high detail and overall look. I never once got the feeling that this was 'fill-in issue' artwork, and if Land ever leaves Sojourn (horrible as the thought is), Brigman would certainly make a worthy successor.
In short: Sojourn #12 is worth buying for the artwork more than the story, which does little to advance the overall epic.
TRANSFORMERS: GENERATION ONE #3
Written by Chris Sarracini and Illustrated by Pat Lee
Published by Dreamwave Productions
Reviewed by Aaron Weisbrod
I’ve never been a big fan of nostalgia products. The G.I. JOE revamp, the upcoming THUNDERCATS relaunch, hell, even Hulk Hogan’s comeback have failed to excite me… and this is why I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying Dreamwave’s new TRANSFORMERS mini-series.
Granted, unlike many of the aforementioned properties, I was always a fan of the Transformers TV series when I was younger. As a youngster I enjoyed how well portrayed many of the characters were, and I also found the bleak nature of the show (especially later in the series) refreshing when compared to all of the other happy-go-lucky cartoons that clogged the airwaves. Sure, G.I. Joe and He-Man were decent… but Transformers always struck me as a cut above the rest… much like TRANSFORMERS: G1 stands above every other “1980’s nostalgia” book on the market to date.
Issue #3 of TRANSFORMERS: G1 begins with Optimus Prime visiting the site of a recent Transformers attack. As he surveys the damage and the human casualties, Prime is devastated to learn that some of his fellow Autobots were involved in the carnage. As can be expected, Prime suspects that they were under someone else’s control. This rationalizing of the massacre serves only to anger Spike, who lashes out at Prime, stating that if it weren’t for the Transformers’ presence on Earth in the first place, a lot of innocent people wouldn’t have lost their lives.
Heartbroken (well, heartbroken as a robot can be, I suppose), Prime leads his small band of remaining Autobot troops to the Decepticon headquarters for a full frontal assault. However, unbeknownst to Prime, Megatron has put a devastating plan in motion that already may mean irreversible extinction for all life on Earth. Furthermore, a very influential and powerful Autobot has decided to join the Decepticon cause. Finally, the U.S. government also has their own ideas about how to deal with the Transformer menace, and all of these factors come to an explosive climax by the end of Issue #3.
Thus far, writer Chris Sarracini’s renditions of the Transformers have been seamless. Although the characters have seemingly leapt from the TV series to the comic with their personalities and motives relatively intact, many classic characters are evolving and growing throughout the series. Furthermore, the storyline is surprisingly engaging and emotional. When [CENSORED] ripped his Autobot symbol from his chest and threw it at Prime’s feet, my heart literally skipped a beat. I found myself thinking to myself “No! It can’t be! He can’t turn on Prime now… not after all this time!” as I read his renouncement of Prime’s cause. However, the switch DOES make sense, regardless of how demoralizing it may be. (Besides, there’s always hope that he’ll come around by the mini-series’ finale in Issue #6…)
As excellent as the writing may be, Pat Lee’s artwork threatens to steal the show month after month. His penciling is a blend of photo-realism and manga (much like the artwork on Image’s THE RED STAR), and his intricate linework combined with the pale color schemes suits the book perfectly.
If you’ve been avoiding this book because you’ve been boycotting the recent wave of 1980’s nostalgia that has gripped the comic book industry (not that I can necessarily blame anyone for doing so), you’re doing yourself a disservice by not checking out this book. I probably won’t be purchasing any of the other TRANSFORMERS projects coming from Dreamwave once this mini-series is over, so I can’t recommend that others pick them up when they hit the shelves… but I WILL highly recommend that readers who missed THIS series the first time around pick up the TRANSFORMERS: G1 TPB once it hits the shelves. Based on how excellent the series has been thus far, I doubt the complete story will leave many readers disappointed.
OVERALL - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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