| #48 | 3/26/08 | #6 |
SUPERMAN VS HOLLYWOOD
A nonfiction novel by Jake Rossen Publisher: Chicago Review Press, Incorporated Reviewer: Ambush Bug
I find it amazing that, after reading so much in college, I find so little time to read books without pictures these days. My commitment to "Indie Jones" has filled my literary schedule and, although I'm not complaining, it was nice to take a break from covering the independent comic scene and dive into an honest to gosh book for a change.When SUPERMAN VS HOLLYWOOD by Jake Rossen plopped on my doorstep, I was conflicted. First, as stated above, I found myself exclaiming "when the hell am I going to have the time to read this?", and secondly, I was never a big Superman fan (more of a Batman guy, ya know). Sure, I've seen all of the films and read comics starring the Big Blue Boy Scout (not the regular titles, but JLA and various specials). And I've kept up with the character throughout the years (anyone keeping an eye on the industry can't help but follow the latest Superman developments). So a 300-page book dedicated to the adventures behind the cameras trying to bring Superman successfully to the big screen didn't inspire me to crack open the book immediately.
But I am a huge fan of behind-the-scenes filmmaking documentaries and a bigger fan of DVD commentary tracks, pulling back the curtain to see the seedy happenings beyond the silver screen. Like many of you, my high school and college years were filled with dreams of making movies. It's been a while since those days and my life has gone in a different direction, but the fascination with how films are made is still there.
So I decided to set my Super-bias aside and commit to reading this bad boy.
And I am so, so, so glad I did.
The blurbs on the back of the book from the likes of Patton Oswalt, Mark Millar, and others like them state that once you pick this book, you won't be able to put it down--that it is filled with intimate details of the people behind the scenes of practically every incarnation of Superman ever to hit the big and small screen. And all of those comments are absolutely, completely, and utterly true.
This book is filled a Fortress of Solitude full of so many interesting, amusing, and downright disturbing facts. From Marlon Brando taping his script to the actress who played Ursa in SUPERMAN II's head while filming, then adding insult to injury by groping her between takes, to Brett Ratner's admission that he got into filmmaking simply for the chicks. From Tim Burton's failed treatment of the outsider from another planet, to the wise words of Tom Mankiewicz that Superman shouldn't get involved with the real world's problems and Christopher Reeve's decision to ignore those words with the butt-tastingly bad SUPERMAN IV. This book follows Superman beyond the cape, from his radio days all the way up to opening night of Brian Singer's SUPRMAN RETURNS.
Love them or hate them, we've all seen the films. What this book does so effectively is pull back the curtain and show the battles between good and evil that went on in executive board rooms. For ages, it seems Superman’s real eternal struggle was faith to the source material vs. Hollywood corporate intervention. This book pulls no punches in showing producers like John Peters and Ilya Salkind as pretty dastardly arch nemeses to creative visionary heroes & purists like Richard Donner, Tom Mankiewicz, and even Ain't It Cool News' own Harry Knowles (there's even a few paragraphs towards the end that focus on AICN's positive and negative influences over the making of the most recent Superman film).
Each chapter documents a cinematic stepping stone for Superman. I found the book to be interesting throughout the Fleischer cartoon and radio years. And even though I've seen HOLLYWOODLAND, the chapter dedicated to George Reeves was equally informative, but it wasn't until the bitter feud between producer Ilya Salkind and director Richard Donner pops up that this book becomes a true page-turner. From that point on, there is more pound for pound action between the misguided producer and those unlucky enough to work with him than in any SUPERMAN film to date. Producers making decisions on whims and popular trends instead of following the source material. Directors storming off set. Actors behaving like divas and making ungodly demands. Even the sainted Christopher Reeve is shown with an unblinking eye and portrayed as somewhat of a nasty guy at times (hell, who could blame him? He can't be a nice guy all of the time).
I loved reading through the possible incarnations (some amazing, some painful) of how Superman would be depicted on the screen. Had Brainiac been used instead of Richard Pryor as planned in SUPERMAN III, would we still puke a little in our mouths when we think of the film? If Nicholas Cage would have played Superman, would it have been his funniest film since THE WICKER MAN? If not for McG's fear of flying, would he have directed the latest film instead of Singer? The answer to these questions lie in this fascinating book.
Fans of Superman, buy this book. Fans of film, buy this book. It documents the turbulent never-ending battle Superman has had to endure for 70 years in unflinching and painstaking detail. Each page holds a fun factoid. Each chapter showing what could have been either inspires wonder or wincing. Those of you who are used to reading books of the four-color variety, have no fear. This is a quick read and one filled with information you may or may not know, but presented in a way that is completely un-put-down-able. This is something every fan of Superman should read. It'd be damn cool if a book of this type could be made about Batman or Wonder Woman or the Hulk or Spider-Man's film exploits. Go to the website or to your bookstore and seek SUPERMAN VS HOLLYWOOD out. It's a wonderful and often scary look at the silver screen and how it has tried so hard to defeat the Man of Steel.
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, reviewer and co-editor of AICN Comics for close to seven years. Look for his first published work coming soon in MUSCLES & FIGHTS Vol 3 from Cream City Comics. Bug fights, for truth, justice, and the American Way every time he logs onto his computer.
NEW WARRIORS #10
Writer: Kevin Grevioux Artist: Paco Medina Inker: Juan Vlasco Publisher: Marvel Comics Reviewer: Rock-Me Amodeo
I promise you, I did not read everything this week with the intention of saying it stunk. But it turned out to be a bad week if you were a comic book in my hands. Worse if you stunk.We’re ten issues in and I still don’t really know who’s on this team. There’s Jubilee who now looks just like two other girls on the team. But if you put them in civvies, I can’t tell them apart at all.
There’s blond guy who looks a lot like red-haired guy. There’s a black guy who looks a lot like blond guy. Jono, who looks like young Apocalypse. (Him, I can keep track of.) And red haired girl, wasn’t she a waitress at some point? Except when she goes to her job, her hair is now TAN, and she WORKS with a red-haired girl, and then she’s confronted by ANOTHER red-haired girl! Just how shallow is the color palette here, anyway? As if the characters didn’t all look similar enough already.
I don’t know what the sales are of this book, but if it goes more than a few issues past the last issue of THE ORDER (also known as “Beginning A Team Book 101”), that’s simply going to be criminal.
Okay, heartstring pulling time. In between the scenes of bickering generic superheroes, we find that Thrasher is not the next Tony Stark in training, but has been taking in homeless kids and helping them work and isn’t that sweet?
But the emotional resonance of “saving” these down-and-out characters has no real intellectual follow-through. First, I’m sure that finding homeless runaways who ALSO happen to be computer and electronic savants…well, I’m sure this happens all the time. However, the Thrasher character “saved” them because he NEEDED them, and he needed THEM to need HIM so they would stick around. It’s a form of purchased loyalty, and pretty controlling. I would be more impressed if we saw tales of him saving people in a less utilitarian fashion, and I’m surprised the Jubilee character did not see through this shallow and easily recognizable emotional manipulation.
Of course, the writer is trying to manipulate OUR emotions in similarly shallow fashion, so there you go. While I appreciate the consistency, I still resent the blatant and failed attempt.
Next issue: Red haired girl talks to red haired girl about doing something heroic while in civilian clothes! How will she explain that away? I can heartily wait.
Dante “Rock-Me” Amodeo has been reading comics for thirty-five years. His first novel, “Saban and The Ancient” (an espionage/paranormal thriller) was published 2006. He began writing for AICN Comics in 2007 and his second novel (“Saban Betrayed”) is due 2008. He’s often told he has a great face for radio.
GREEN LANTERN #29
Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Ivan Reis Publisher: DC Reviewer: Optimous Douche
Johns has been running full throttle, balls to the wall, choke a monkey with a lemur, insane nuts on GREEN LANTERN for the better part of a year. This month the man takes a well deserved break and doles out more information about the impending war of light in the form of a very special origin tale…awwww.If you’re a fan of GL, specifically Hal Jordan, and you were reading comics during the first CRISIS (back when comics were seared on dinosaur taint) chances are you read a little series called EMERALD DAWN. If you read this rehash of the Silver Age Green Lantern's origin, then most of GREEN LANTERN #29 will feel familiar with the exception of the last few pages.
But even though I knew 90% of what was going to happen, I still enjoyed the ride.
Yes, with most writers at the helm, I would be cursing the heavens for once again raining down on me the after school special that was Hal Jordan’s childhood (starring Scott Baio as Hal Jordan), but Johns has fun with it. The relationship dynamics between the Jordan brothers was perfect; this was truly the first time I saw Hal’s brothers as living breathing creatures within the DCU instead of psychological props.
As a long time fan of the series and a new fan of John’s work I actually appreciated this 22-page primer on the life of Hal Jordan. It was nice to hear Johns’ take on the tale and I appreciated not having to sift through twenty years of back issues to reread EMERALD DAWN.
I’m going to allow this “remember when”, because if the denouement of GL #29 (that’s the end for anyone who still calls French fries freedom fries) is any indicator, GL #30 is going to be one hell of a ride.
When Optimous Douche isn’t reading comics and misspelling the names of 80’s icons, he “transforms” into a corporate communications guru. Optimous is looking for artistry help, critical feedback and a little industry insight to get his original book AVERAGE JOE up, up and on the shelves. What if the entire world had super powers? Find out in the blog section of Optimous’ MySpace page to see some preview pages and leave comments.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #11
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artists: Mark Bagley and Marko Djurdjevic Inkers: Danny Miki and Allen Martinez Publisher: Marvel Comics Reviewer: Rock-Me Amodeo
Two weeks go by so quickly. Two weeks ago, I praised this book up and down. BMB and company tried to do something unique, something wonderful, and they succeeded.This week also had some unique elements. And while the story was carried forward, I found myself cringing through multiple segments. Two weeks ago, I loved this book, and I still do. But this week, I come not to praise this book. I come to bury it.
We open with a beautifully painted scene where we learn about Doom’s dalliances with Morgan Le Fay. And while lovingly rendered, the whole section could just as easily been covered by a hastily uttered, “Wow! Doom’s really been working on his mystic monsters!” But it does follow the lines of “show us, don’t tell us” so in that context, I cannot find fault. It also gives a human side to Doom rarely seen.
The thought balloons are back, of course, ranging from tangential to moot. Most add no contrast at all, no depth. Wasp thinks, as a battle starts, “Here we go.” Okay, but how does this move the story forward? Black Widow thinks “@#$!” on three occasions, and it could be cute to think Widow cusses a lot to herself. It could be HER thing. But Wonder Man has the same thought bubble as they are overwhelmed. So maybe it’s a very short running gag, sure. But it feels like noise.
Along the same lines, Ms. Marvel says, “My powers aren’t working.” Then she thinks, “My powers aren’t working!” Okay. I see the exclamation point. She’s scared. I get it. But it looks an awful lot like redundancy. And so on and so forth. Don’t forget, I’m a FAN of thought bubbles! But not like this.
And then Dr. Doom launches into the most ridiculous case of info-dump I’ve read since…well, since ULTIMATE HUMAN #3 thirty minutes prior, but for a really long time before that. Except this is all internal monologue. And on one page.
Once Doom begins to deliver his external monologue, he targets each person in turn. Now this was a potential high point in the issue. But his verbal attack on Ms. Marvel was so crass, so over the top…hey, if this Doom is a Skrull, then my hat is off to Bendis. He made this Doom so subtly different that he could be Doom, but not quite. If this Doom is a Skrull, we’ll all be looking back at this issue and thinking, “Gawrsh! I should have SEEN this from those subtle out-of-character clues in this issue and the last.” If Doom is a Skrull, then this was some excellent, masterful writing.
If this Doom is NOT a Skrull, however, then this Doom is about as Doom-y as Frank Miller’s ALL-STAR BATMAN is Batman-y. And I think we can all recognize the magnitude of possible suckage I’m talking about.
Off to the main battle. Ms. Marvel takes charge, as she should, being chairperson. Bob the Sentry (I don’t really have enough respect for the character to call him “The Sentry” or even “Sentry.” But “Bob the Sentry” seems about right…) gives Doom a nifty come-uppance, and Iron Man delivers the verbal coup-de-grace. These were also strong moments, bold and ballsy, which I always appreciate.
Shifty-eyed Spiderwoman arouses more than her share of suspicions, relaxing post battle in a hot tub. It will be interesting to see if that’s yet another red herring or if we’re getting closer to seeing the real end-game coming hither. Note that green eyes are not an admission of guilt, as BOTH characters in the hot tub have them.
And finally, we have one more beautifully painted page whose impact I cannot gauge or understand. Pretty but seemingly irrelevant, which describes most of this issue’s thought bubbles and more dialogue than I would have wished.
Penultimate thought: I’m so sad to know that this is Bagley’s last issue. I confess, I probably have a blind spot with the guy. I love everything he’s ever done, but even so, I think this has been a very strong run, as short as it’s been. He’s one of those people I will follow to whatever book he’s drawing and will most likely pick it up just for the artwork.
Last thought: I know I’m really being rough on Bendis. Maybe too rough, and I guess I’ll find out if a smite-o-gram makes its way to my Inbox. I’m not trying to be mean: the issue was stronger than it was weak, and moved the story forward, and had some really cool moments. If Marvel ever does give me a shot at writing, it will probably take years for me to get as good as Bendis on his WORST day. I recognize that, and am not trying to bite the hand that writes, per se. But there is a certain economy of writing I’ve come to expect from him, and based on prior issues, the value of this one was a little deflated.
MARVEL EUROPA TPB
Publisher: Marvel UK A rant from across the pond by Stones Throw who felt guilty about not supplying content this week.
MARVEL EUROPA is a collection of a few short stories by European comic bookers. I found myself really enjoying the DD/Cap one (written by Tito Faraci) and got the urge to write something up.Okay, last year Marvel Comics (an American publishing house that owns The Hulk, Spider-Man, and Rocket Raccoon) put out a tpb (trade paperback, a comic without staples, but where the pages are still bound together) called MARVEL EUROPA, collecting three stories by comic book makers from Europe. The cover depicts various Marvel Comics superheroes in front of the Houses of Parliament, the Eiffel Tower, etc., although this is not a factually accurate representation of Europe. The key story here has Daredevil, a blind lawyer who is also an acrobatic superhero and one of Marvel’s most realistic characters, and Captain America, a WWII veteran who was frozen in a block of ice, and is not dead. I tell you this because we do not find out these kinds of details from the story, it is simply cool to see two heroes team up. But knowing these things will add another dimension to your enjoyment, if you catch my drift. Where was I? Wait, I got it. The thing about comics in Europe (pronounced Your-up) is that superheroes are just another genre over there. So these stories have a less ingrained, fan-like perspective, which is refreshing and ironically ends up coming a lot closer to the original classics. The opening scene here sets Daredevil taking down some street hoods against Captain America fighting robots in a darkened Avengers training room, a dramatic way of communicating the personalities of these two heroes in my opinion. Cap, dedicated but lonely. DD, beats up punks for kicks. The plot is that the villain (Glowing Hands Man) abducts people in New York for reasons tied to both Daredevil and Captain America. Really, I wasn’t paying that much attention. The art by Claudio Villa is truly stunning and bears comparison to one of Marvel’s greats, Gene Colan. Villa’s Cap has shades of THE ULTIMATES and Steve Epting, but with more power and energy than even those guys can muster. His cemeteries are a thing of beauty. If you feel the need to look at the words, the translation makes the story feel a lot like a comic written Marvel Style (art first, dialogue later), which I personally think makes for a more dynamic read, although those accustomed to the characters may be annoyed by discrepancies like Nick Fury calling Cap “soldier”. Glowing Hands Man is a tragic, science-based villain in the classic Marvel tradition, though. The best scene was at the end, when Glowing Hands Man says he’ll kill everyone unless DD sacrifices himself. Hornhead starts walking towards the villain and it looks like we’re in for a heartfelt ending where Glowing Hands Man is defeated by the goodness in DD’s heart, but then, from behind, we see DD’s back muscles tense and he leaps in the air for Cap to throw his shield straight into GHM’s kisser. Pretty cool. Anyway, that is what I thought of this comic.
Every comic shop has them… battered long boxes jam-packed with dog-eared titles ranging from forgotten heroes of the 1970s to multiple copies of chromium-covered “collector’s item” comics from the Big Bust of the 1990s. But if you are patient, and dig deep enough, you just may find something special…
BLUE DEVIL Ongoing series (1984)
Publisher: DC Comics Total $$$ Spent: $15.00 entire series Reviewer: Bottle Imp
In 1984, DC Comics was on the cusp of changing the face of the comic book world. WATCHMEN and DARK KNIGHT RETURNS were soon to be released upon the world, beginning the “grim ‘n’ gritty” trend that lasted until...well, until now, come to think of it. CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS would revamp the DC Universe, giving readers a brand new spin on their favorite characters. Advertisements for upcoming series bore the tagline: “DC Comics Aren’t Just For Kids!” And yet at that same moment, other ads read: “DC—We’ve Made Comics Fun Again!” Such was the case with BLUE DEVIL.
Created by writers Gary Cohn and Dan Mishkin and artist Paris Cullins, Blue Devil was in actuality stuntman/special effects master Dan Cassidy, who built the Blue Devil costume (complete with super strong exoskeleton, explosive pyrotechnics, and rocket-powered trident—almost as if Tony Stark decided to work in Hollywood) to be used in a monster movie. While filming on a mysterious island, the crew unwittingly released a real demon. Cassidy managed to drive the demon back into his own realm, but not before the demon’s mystical energies merged Cassidy with his suit, trapping him forever in the form of the Blue Devil. Pretty standard superhero stuff, but what came next in the series made BLUE DEVIL unique.Instead of focusing on the tragic aspect of his origin, the decision was made to make the Blue Devil a FUN character! Keep in mind this was before Keith Giffen’s JUSTICE LEAGUE, a series which most people consider to be the first instance of a funny superhero comic. Blue Devil was an everyman hero who never took his situation too seriously, and his adventures likewise stayed on the fun and bouncy side. This was BLUE DEVIL’s appeal…and its ultimate downfall.
I picked up nearly the whole run of BLUE DEVIL (31 issues, one annual, plus the preview insert from FIRESTORM #24 and two other FIRESTORM cross-over issues) from a “3 for $1.00” bargain box. Reading the entire series, it became easy to see why it was cancelled. Good comedy is hard to maintain for an extended period of time—Giffen and others found that out later on JUSTICE LEAGUE. BLUE DEVIL devolved from a fun adventure comic to a series of goofy, slapsticky one-issue sitcoms. It also didn’t help that Paris Cullins had left the title early on, and the series never found a regular replacement penciller whose style was a match for the character. According to the letter column of the final issue, the writers were planning a more serious revamp of the character drawn by Denys Cowan, but poor sales forced BLUE DEVIL’s cancellation before the change could take place.Blue Devil floated around the DC Universe for years before being revamped as a real demon in the late ‘90s. He currently appears in the SHADOWPACT series, where he banishes demons back to hell with Lucifer’s Trident. Gone is the fun that initially made the character so appealing. However, Blue Devil appeared in his original costume (albeit with a tail) in the background of several episodes of the JUSICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED animated series, and subsequently became immortalized in plastic as an action figure (something that had been planned for the legendary “Super Powers” toyline before that line was discontinued). I think it would be fantastic if a writer like Dan Slott (who can write a great blend of humor, drama and adventure) took a stab at Blue Devil and brought him back to his roots…because comics really SHOULD be fun.
If you happen to run into BLUE DEVIL in your local bargain box, here are the issues I recommend picking up:
#1-9 (origin, guest-spot from Zatanna and the pre-crisis JLA, and a great storyline involving the Trickster, Bolt, and the biggest flying shoe you’ve ever seen)
#14 (first appearance of Kid Devil, now appearing in TEEN TITANS)
#20 (Halloween issue featuring a ghost of a rock star who looks uncannily like Jim Morrison summoning a monster who bears a suspicious resemblance to Looney Tunes’ Gossamer)
ANNUAL #1 (Blue Devil teams up with other mystical and monstrous DC heroes to fight Felix Faust in a fun, tongue-in-cheek romp)Also worthwhile is TEEN TITANS #42—Geoff Johns and Peter Snejbjerg do a nice job of reviewing Blue Devil’s history, as seen through the eyes of his self-proclaimed sidekick Kid Devil.
As for the rest of the series…well, it’s your six bucks.
AMERICAN TERROR Volume 1 (Soft cover)
Writers: Jeff McComsey & James Cooper Artist: Jeff McComsey Publisher: Alterna Comics Reviewer: Optimous Douche
I’ve often contemplated who I will be as a person when my time comes to join the AARP, kick back in the afternoon with a can of Ensure rather than a martini, and eat dinner at 3:00 pm so I can get a good fifteen hours sleep at night. Will I have the Beastie Boys pumping through my converged hearing aid MP3 player (iHear, get it)? Will I still be holding my comics each week in my hands or just downloading them directly into my frontal lobe?I also contemplate the bigger picture of where America will be as a society: whether we will be able to afford the luxuries of today, or if we’ll be wallowing in a dystopian nightmare where simply surviving expends all of our energy.
AMERICAN TERROR answers some and none of these questions, while opening up possibilities that this intrepid reporter of funny pages never dreamed possible.
The very first thing that struck me as I finished scrolling through this collected compellation of the first four issues of AMERICAN TERROR is how the book deftly avoided the trappings of most titles that try to prognosticate the day after tomorrow.
Set in the year 2041, McComsey and crew paint a picture of a world very much like our own, where evil is alive and well, but festering under the surface of our collective subconscious. It’s a world where we have turned a blind eye to injustice and we simply live in a technologically induced malaise forgetting who we are, why we’re alive, and the ultimate sacrifices made by our forefathers so we could live in this half vegetative state.
The story’s protagonist, Victor Shepard, is a man unstuck in time. The entire tale is told through a series of flashbacks as Victor prepares to bury one of his teammates from his days as a black-ops agent during the War of the Third Worlds. It’s important to note that he is not recounting World War III as we all have envisioned it. This was not a war where society has been decimated in a mushroom cloud and we are left with an irradiated agrarian culture. Rather he recounts a war of social upheaval where we are left with the veneer of a perfect society that ultimately cost us our humanity.
McComsey sketches beautifully detailed scenes rife with action and emotion. While I’m usually the first to shun any books that aren’t produced in full vision Technicolor, I have to say the lack of hues added a deeper element to this book. The absence of color helped drive home the morale ambiguity of Shepard’s actions. As he is labeled a terrorist by some and defined as an anti-hero by others, there are no black and white choices in Shepard’s life, just shades of gray.
At its core, the book is an indictment of America’s current foreign policy and our legislators’ panache for kowtowing to corporate interests over what is best for their constituents. However, the book never bludgeons you with this point like a Michael Moore film. Rather, the message is delicately unfolded in front of your eyes through great story telling and exceptional artwork.
THREE SHADOWS First Second
After last year's surprise LAIKA, I've grown to trust First Second when it comes to quality comic book reads. Their books take graphic storytelling seriously, pushing the medium forward and focusing on strong stories rather than flash and hype. THREE SHADOWS continues the trend focusing on the parents of a young boy and their unflinching commitment to keep him safe from harms way. The story starts out harmless enough with a boy bonding with his father while doing chores with mom back home worrying about the both of them. But when the boy sees three shadowy figures off in the horizon, the parents concern begins to grow. Who are these dark wraiths? What are they here for? Why to they disappear when they are approached? Soon, the father realizes their intent and does whatever he has to do in order to stop them. This is a powerful tale about the dedication and pain parents have to endure in order to keep their children safe. The tale is heartbreaking and the feelings of loss, dread, and fear is palpable in every wispily and expressionistic panel drawn my Cyril Perdosa (he wrote it too). Sick of tights, muscles, and all that goes with it? Try this fable from First Second or any other book in their library for books that make you realize how good comics can be. This is the best indie book I've read so far this year. Highly recommended. - Ambush Bug
HOW TO DRAW NOIR COMICS: THE ART & TECHNIQUE OF VISUAL STORYTELLING BY SHAWN MARTINBROUGH Watson-Guptill Publications
Shawn Martinbrough has proven himself a noir master with comics such as DETECTIVE COMICS and moody miniseries such as ANGELTOWN and THE MORLOCKS. The juxtaposition of lights and darks may seem easy to the untrained eye, but those of you who have actually tried creating mood in a panel or take the time to acknowledge the painstaking work put into conveying the ambiguous morality of a noir-filled world know that it is not. Martinbrough takes the reader through his artistic process, the materials he uses, and the guidelines he has come to follow while making some of the moodiest and noir-filled comics on the shelves. The artist does a great job of explaining things in a humble and insightful manner. Martinbrough is the first to admit mistakes or point out hurdles new artists must overcome in order to develop their abilities. This is a must-have for blossoming artists so they don't fall into the trappings of first-year Image Comics laziness. Even if you are not an artist, this is a good book that allows one to peer into the mind of an artist and understand his technique and methodology. Very informative with concise and useful tips on every page. - Ambush Bug
ULTIMATE HUMAN #3 Ultimate Marvel
I am a big fan of the Ultimate Universe’s iconic covers. Except when the people represented appear nowhere in the actual comic book until the last page, and not even in battle dress. I’m pretty sure that’s the case, but I’m not sure because I only scanned the last half of the book and didn’t finish it. I didn’t finish it because I got a little bored after the 14TH STRAIGHT FRICKING PAGE OF DIALOGUE! I mean, come on! Page after page of talking heads, and not a glimpse of David Byrne or the action I was expecting. Now if you are the sensitive sort…if you want page after page of 5-to-6 panels that rarely vary in size or color…if you love massive exposition and relentless info-dumps…if you want to really get to know someone that will most likely be dead at the end of the next issue…then this is the book for you. Sure, it was momentarily ruined by someone getting a syringe in the chest, and almost destroyed by our villain going all “Scanners” on some scientist’s heart, but other than that, nothing here to raise your pulse over a flat line. - Rock-Me
LIVING WITH THE DEAD TPB Dark Horse Comics
A while back, I reviewed the first issue of this light-hearted zombie tale set against the backdrop of OF MICE AND MEN, CLERKS, and a dollop of reality cooking shows sprinkled for good measure. I liked that first issue, but lost track of it amidst the zombie outbreak on today’s comic book stands. Reading this handy little collection of all three issues proved to be a breezy, yet fun experience. This book doesn't really go for the heady, social commentary that the Romero films or THE WALKING DEAD usually tackle. It's just two guys, trying to survive the zombie apocalypse and attempting to have some fun while doing it. Of course, order is shattered when the world's only living woman comes into play (It's always about a dame!). This book is well drawn in a grainy Richard Corben-esque style by artist Ben Stenbeck. Mike Richardson wrote it and despite the fact that the antics the two men get into to win the affections of the girl are somewhat sitcom-like, this was a fun read that didn’t slowed down until the very last page. – Bug
BLUE BEETLE #25 DC Comics
An excellent capstone to the first two years of an excellent series. I love everything about this book in general, and this issue specifically: witty banter. Scenes that make you go “Cool!” The heroic heart of Jaime Reyes. The stalwart love of his parents. Clever escapes from real dangers. And on and on and on. This book does so many things right, it’s hard to list them all. In the end, we wind up having an impromptu reunion of the old JLA, the one with Guy, Fire and Ice, Booster Gold…and even Batman. All in all, a very satisfying conclusion with more excellent artwork from Albuquerque and stellar writing from John Rogers. Do yourself a favor and if you don’t check out this issue, at least check out the next one, because the whole series has slowed down just enough for you to jump on. Don’t miss this. - Rock-Me
WOLVERINE – FIRST CLASS #1 Marvel Comics
I was expecting this to be several things: Light. Fluffy. Non-earth-shaking consequences and fairly self-contained. The one thing I was not expecting this to be was “good.” Well, surprise, because it was. The story takes place shortly after Kitty Pryde joined the X-men for good, and she’s there in all her under aged, black-and-yellow spandexed glory. Wolverine is still the scary loner of no words. And the story, written by Fred Van Lente, puts them together. It works. I’m at a loss to explain why the other FIRST CLASS series works so well they decided to make another, but maybe it’s like the attraction of FIELD OF DREAMS. Not the movie-goers’ attraction, but rather, the miles and miles of cars lined up in the final frame, wanting to watch their idols. There’s just something about the magic of yesteryear, where a jaded world wants to breath a relaxing sigh, sit back, and admire their heroes one more time. - Rock-Me
COUNTDOWN #5 DC Comics
This was a nifty piece of storytelling that ultimately wound up in a place that I wasn’t expecting. It made perfect sense and was very clever. I was impressed. Additionally, I was a few pages in before I realized the art was not typically generic, and realized it was my old pal Jim Starlin doing it. (We’re not really pals, and he doesn’t know me from Adam Warlock, but I felt cooler just for saying it.) In the end, though, I was disappointed by the fate of Una. After watching this piece of sentient furniture lumber through who-knows-how-many issues, I think she deserved better than the fate she got, and I think we deserved to know her just a bit better. A noble end, but a little pointless, and that made me sad. Overall, a strong issue, but all I can really say is: “Rats.” - Rock-Me
NEW AVENGERS #39 Marvel Comics
I’m not sure what it is about Bendis’ Avengers titles. It seems if MIGHTY AVENGERS sucks one week, then NEW AVENGERS makes up for it, and vice versa. This issue of NEW AVENGERS is a pretty good one. Bendis does a great job of amping up the paranoia in this intimate tale centering on Echo. There’s some nice interaction between Wolverine and Echo and some disturbing scenes with Daredevil. Small stories like these are Bendis’ forte. Here, we get a great dose of mood and a foreboding sense that all is not ok. Forget the painful read that is MIGHTY AVENGERS, these are the characters Bendis wants to write and it shows. - Bug
ARMY@LOVE #12 – Final Issue DC/Vertigo Comics
This series has always been like Viagra for my middle finger. I know I’m late with this, but I was thinking #13 would be coming out soon, and then I found out its on “hiatus.” Not surprising. I reviewed it when issue #6 came out, and my last words were, “Unless Veitch finds something of merit to say, I don’t see this book lasting more than another 6 or 10 issues, tops.” Aaaaaaaaaaaand…we’re done. The book was hemorrhaging readers left and right from its inception, with sales of the final issue somewhere in the low 5000’s, so I’m thinking hiatus may lean more toward “permanent vacation.” After heavy solicitations in major outlets, it never really got past its initial formula of “boobs + profanity + anti-war sentiment = intellectual” and I think the reading public finally discovered it was the emperor’s new satire. And if you think this book is really on hiatus, name three characters you think will come back. Heck, name three characters you even remember, and “naked chick” or “monkey-face guy” are not names. - Rock-MeRemember, if you have a comic book you’d like one of the @$$holes to take a look at, click on your favorite reviewer’s link and drop us an email.
Check out the @$$oles’ ComicSpace AICN Comics page here for an archive and more @$$y goodness.
ROUND ONE – BRACKET ONE
PART II
Welcome back! Ambush Bug here, on behalf of the @$$Holes at AICN Comics, welcoming you all to the first round of the first annual SECRET TOURNAMENT OF INFINITE @$$-KICKERY; a contest unlike any other; boiling fanboyism down to its basics...whether one guy can kick the other guy's @$$.
Sixty-four of comic bookdom’s best fighters have been chosen to fight in a no holds barred tournament, whittling the competition down to one winner. Its comics’ version of March Madness, folks. If you missed the first part of Round One / Bracket One, be sure to go to Monday’s AICN COMICS NEWS: SHOOT THE MESSENGER Column to see how this whole thing started. There’s still time to chime in on the matches there too, so after to submit your winners for this batch, head back there and participate in those matches as well.Let’s quickly go over the rules.
@ Contestants are powerless and weaponless upon entering the ring. They must win on fighting prowess and character alone! @ You check out the fights listed below and send a 300 word (or less) fight scene to us determining who the winner is and how the fight should play out. (Remember: it’s best to SHOW, don’t TELL in these submissions. That means write the scene as if it is happening, don’t tell us what will happen…it makes for more interesting readin’, don’t cha know!). @ Be sure to indicate winner of each match in the subject line of your email. @ Submissions are judged by a select group of @$$Holes (Hint: we’re looking for the most entertaining one to win, not necessarily the one that has been done and over done in comics before. ORIGINALITY RULEZ!). @ Winners of each match will be announced in the column a week later (That means if the fights were introduced in Monday’s SHOOT THE MESSENGER Column, the winner will be announced the following Monday, same for Wednesday’s reviews column). @ Submissions can be sent in to @$$Hole HQ via the link below until midnight Friday. @ THIS CONTEST IS NOT FOR PROFIT! But done out of love for Fan Fic, comic book store trash talk, and online comic book debate. @ Have fun and enter as many times as you’d like! There can be only one winner, it’s up to you who that turns out to be!
Now that we have the rules out of the way. Be sure to click on contestants name to go to their Wikipedia pages for more info. Let the matches begin!
Bracket One
Fight Five
USAGENT VS KGBEAST
If you call the USAGent Replacement Cap, be prepared to eat fist. Lacking Captain America’s social graces, the USAgent is about as tough and abrasive as you can get. He’s been in the Avengers and can be seen most recently in the ALPHA FLIGHT miniseries and MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS. Even without his shield and enhanced strength, the USAgent takes no crap and will die defending the red, white, and blue.KGBeast is faithful to his homeland as well. Even without his weapons, he is one of the most dangerous men to ever come from Russia. It’s Ivan Drago all over again. KGBeast may or may not be dead in the DCU (who knows these days), but he’s bound to pop up again sometime soon.
Let’s start the Cold War all over again, shall we?
Bracket One
Fight Six
BRONZE TIGER VS BLACK PANTHER
Bronze Tiger can been seen kicking and clawing his way through anyone and anything Amanda Waller points him at in DC’s SUICIDE SQUAD. A close friend of Richard Dragon and JLA’s Vixen, Bronze Tiger started out as a villain challenging Batman to some truly deadly fights, but found himself redeemed by working with criminals for hire by the government. He’s a ferocious fighter and martial arts master.Just because The Black Panther is the ruler of a jungle kingdom and recently married Halle Barry doesn’t mean he’s gone soft. Living in the deepest, darkest parts of Africa, the Panther has learned a thing or two about fighting. Although his advanced strength and weapons can’t be used in this match, he’s still proves to be one of the deadliest men in the Marvel Universe and can be seen in his monthly ongoing series.
Which of these cats will win; the Tiger or the Panther?
Bracket One
Fight Seven
ELEKTRA VS LADY SHIVA
We ain’t talking about the Skrull Elektra that showed up recently in NEW AVENGERS. We’re talking about the real deal Elektra that proved to be a more than a match for Daredevil and scores of Hand ninjas. With or without her sais, she’s as deadly as she is beautiful.Lady Shiva is without a doubt, the most dangerous woman in the DCU. She recently showed her noble side in BIRDS OF PREY, but this martial arts master doesn’t stay with one side for long. Her high moral code and ego often prove to be both her greatest strengths and weaknesses.
Which kung fu mistress will walk away alive?
Bracket One
Fight Eight
BATROC THE LEAPER VS WILDCAT
Captain America’s French foe may instill more chuckles than shivers, but Batroc the Leaper is still one of the world’s best savate (a form of kickboxing) masters. Think of him as a slightly less douchy Jean Claude Van Damme. Although underestimating this leaping Frenchman could be a fatal mistake. Batroc hasn’t shown up in any Marvel books in a while, but I’m sure he’ll be leaping back into action real soon. That is, if he can beat his opponent.BATROC THE LEAPER VS WILDCAT
Don’t let the kitty costume fool ya. Wildcat is a world heavyweight boxing champion. Known for his powerful fists in the ring and his bare-knuckle brawls outside of it, Wildcat can go toe to toe with the best of them and even taught Batman a thing or two about a right hook. Wildcat can be seen teaching hand-to-hand to DC’s newest heroes in JSA.
Will it be feet or fists that come out on top in this match?
