Hey folks, Harry here... now that you've read the Sexiest Man In Comics' column, now we have a new addition to the AICN Comic Community... Andrew of GREY HAVEN fame... He'll be doing some interviews and reviews for AICN as well, to help flush out the indie section as well as adding an additional voice to what's coming this Thursday to a store near you!!!!
I had intended to use this column as a soapbox to preach about comics that you haven’t heard about. The goal would be to avoid writing yet another review or article on a mainstream title that even non-comic book fans have probably heard about. I’ve always used my resources to promote the creator rather than the product. To promote the small press and independent titles buried behind the rack and limited to one or two copies at the local comic book store. While I’ll still try to focus on bringing attention to the Blue Mondays, the Cerebuses, the Waiting Places, etc, my ultimate goal has changed. Instead of writing about good independent titles that you may not have heard about, I’m going to use this feature every week to write about good comic books that you should be reading, regardless of genre or who’s publishing them.
Close to 300 comic books are published each month. If you could name 10% of them off the top of your heads, I’d be shocked. Walking into a comic store can be a daunting task for even the most experienced comic book reader. By experienced, I’m referring to people who actually know what the importance of ‘Wednesday’ is. Even regular readers of comic books can overlook quality material because they’re in black and white or don’t have the marketing power of a major company behind them. On the flip side, there are plenty of readers who can name the best self-published titles, and support independent comics every week yet they refuse to pick up a quality superhero book because of a prejudice against mainstream, big company titles. Both views are ignorant.
I don’t claim that my opinions are more valid than anyone else’s. They’re just my opinions. But I have been writing about comics for 10 years now, and hopefully that experience has taught me something. All I can do is provide you all with as much information as possible to make an informed decision about whether you want to take a chance on a certain title or not. In the future, we’ll start having some interviews with different creators to let them speak for themselves, about the work being discussed. With any luck, a lot of you will read what I have to say in this column and take a chance on something you may have ignored before. Enjoy.
Detective Comics
Written by Greg Rucka and Illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough.
Grade: A
There are currently a dozen Batman related comics being published every month. Even the most die-hard fans probably don’t read each one, so where is a new reader to begin? I suggest going with the title that started it all. Batman made his first appearance in Detective Comics over 60 years ago. His popularity is unquestionable. Think about one character spawning a dozen titles. Almost two years ago, the title got a new creative team: Greg Rucka (who wrote the novels Finder, Keeper, Smoker and Shooting at Midnight as well as the critically acclaimed comic book mini-series, Whiteout) and Shawn Martinbrough. Recent ‘event’ stories like Batman Dies and Officer Down have been hard to take since Rucka was forced to write around all those crossovers in order to tell his story. Lately, things have gotten better and the title is once again self-contained so you don’t need a road map to follow what’s going on.
The creative team’s impact on the book was felt immediately. Batman got rid of the yellow ‘target’ oval around his chest, developed some new toys in his war on crime and started actually thinking like a detective for once. The supporting characters were given a lot more to do, particularly the various police officers who inhabit Batman’s world, elevating the title from standard superhero fare to an intelligent, characterization driven series. Rucka has spent the past year of this title making Batman and his supporting cast more logical and deductive in his thinking and actions.
Although most people only care to see Batman in action, Rucka hasn't neglected the Bruce Wayne identity. Bruce is still a millionaire playboy, but there's a distinct personality that goes along with this charade. Rucka has taken the time to truly develop the Wayne identity for the first time that I can recall, giving him a variety of quirks, foibles and other personality traits as Batman himself, making the character (Batman/Bruce Wayne) that much better. A few months ago, Sasha Bordeeax was introduced to the series as Bruce Wayne's bodyguard. She was hired by Wayne Enterprises to protect Wayne, against his wishes, and the story has provided for many, funny, tense and memorable moments. A recent issue (Detective #755) had Batman only appearing in a couple of panels, leaving the rest of the story to Bruce Wayne and retiring Commissioner James Gordon and it was one of the best issues of the year.
Rucka and Martinbrough continue to make this one of the best mainstream titles on the market and the definitive Batman for the new century. I don't believe there's ever been a better writer on a Batman book than Rucka. He’s given Bruce Wayne a pulse, made Batman more dimensional and put some solid characterization into the large support cast. Detective has also gone back to presenting a monthly short at the end of the main story. It’s a good idea, that gives the reader something else to enjoy in an issue and it allows DC to showcase some other talent using one of their most popular books.
Batman: Evolution, a trade paperback collecting this new team’s earliest storyline, hits stores July 25th. Collecting Detective #743-750, the book will retail for $12.95. Detective Comics is published monthly by DC Comics.
Ultimate Spider-Man
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Illustrated by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert
Grade: A+
If Detective Comics is the definitive Batman title on the market today, then Ultimate Spider-Man is the definitive Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man is Marvel’s way of reinventing the character without resorting to rebooting the core books and alienating long time readers. The book stands alone outside the Marvel Universe and serves as a way to let readers both old and new discover the book and rediscover a character without 35 years of continuity and baggage. It’s a title that a fan of 35 years can appreciate or that a kid coming out of the Spider-Man movie next summer can pick up and not feel completely lost while reading. The first 7-part storyline was recently collected into a Trade Paperback volume and you can read Ultimate Spider-Man online for free for a sneak peak by going to Marvel.com.
Brian Michael Bendis is becoming a household name in the comic industry. He came to the attention of most readers through his Jinx and Torso series at Image Comics. He then has an acclaimed run on Sam and Twitch before moving on to Powers and then launching the Ultimate line at Marvel. By Fall, the current tally will have him writing 6 books a month: Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Powers, Alias, Daredevil and a 6 issue run of Elektra. Few writers could pull it off so well.
Bendis has shown a tremendous respect and understanding of the character of Peter Parker. He’s updated the people and situations to fit into the new millennium without resorting to needless changes just for the sake of doing it. Peter Parker is still a young man with issues that plague every young man and the reader is given insight into his daily life and the lives of those around him. Uncle Ben isn’t relegated to guest panel status before his final fate; he’s one of the main characters. Several issues into the run show Uncle Ben becoming the father figure mentor to Peter that was always alluded to but never portrayed in the original series. Aunt May has moved from tired old caricature of a pushy aunt to that of an eccentric but wise older woman. Mary Jane is no longer the pretty face with no substance. She’s an intelligent young woman in her own right and long time friend and neighbor of Peter’s. Flash Thompson isn’t just a jock with a chip on his shoulder. He’s a real jerk, surrounded by a cast of equally big jerks who serve to torment Peter and anyone else who’s different. Most of the readers have dealt with a Flash Thompson in their lives at one time or another and here we’re reminded vividly of how Peter’s life out of costume can be more traumatic than what happens when he wears the webs.
There were initial complaints that the title dragged because Peter hadn’t appeared in costume right from issue one. They don’t understand the character. Peter Parker became Spider-Man the moment he was bitten by the arachnid and given those powers. But he won’t become a hero until that fateful night when his life changes forever and he learns his greatest lesson. Peter Parker became Spider-Man before he ever put on the flashy costume. He realizes that he has these amazing powers, and as any kid would, he’s both frightened to death and excited as hell to have them. He no longer has to fear people like Flash Thompson because he could crush them if need be. The transition from tortured, lonely geek to confident, jovial hero didn’t happen overnight. Before Peter Parker could become Spider-Man, he had to first accept responsibility for the powers he’s been given. This journey of self-discovery is so well done, that you can only hope that the movie captures 10% of the magic and innocence of this time.
When Spider-Man finally does go into action, it’s a one of those instant classic moments. Bendis proves that he can write Spider-Man in action, complete with snappy banter and bad jokes. He even reinforces the reason Spidey feels compelled to tell the jokes, as well as showing readers how hard it can be to be a teenage super-hero. The ‘origin’ story is now over and the creative team is in the middle of a great new storyline which will begin make the difference between the ‘regular’ Spider-Man and ‘Ultimate’ Spider-Man a little more distinct.
The art team of Mark Bagley and Art Thibert deserve a lot of the credit, too. They’ve done a fantastic job making this book look as good as it reads. I particularly want to show my appreciation for Bagley, who penciled Spider-Man in the core book years ago. There has been some debate over whether Bagley was the right person for this job, and I think it's completely ludicrous. From Thunderbolts to New Warriors to Ultimate Spider-Man, he has shown tremendous growth as an artist and his illustrations these past 9 issues are something to be proud of, at least for this life long Spider fan.
Ultimate Spider-Man is Spider-Man for the new fan or for the fan that was disenchanted with what happened to the character over the past decade. The finished product has more than lived up to the initial hype and expectations I had. This is the best comic book being published today. Period
Ultimate Spider-Man is published monthly by Marvel Comics. Read Ultimate Spider-Man for free by going to www.marvel.com.
Sneak Peaks for Comics Shipping Wednesday, June 6, 2001:
Daredevil: Yellow #1
Written by Jeph Loeb and Illustrated by Tim Sale and Matt Hollingsworth
Grade: A
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have collaborated many times before to much fan and critical success on mini-series like Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory. This time around, they tackle Daredevil, the Man without Fear. Daredevil’s had an impressive group of creators guiding his tales: Frank Miller, Ann Nocenti, Kevin Smith, Dave Mack and more recently, Brian Michael Bendis. Although his origin has been told countless times before, this first issue of the latest origin proves that you can revisit old territory and find something unique and important to say.
The story begins in the present day with Daredevil experiencing something he isn’t accustomed to, fear. He’s haunted by recent events in his life and goes back to his father’s old gym to reminisce about how it all began for him. Most of this issue focuses on his father, ‘Battling’ Jack Murdock and his boxing career, with Matt’s law career as a parallel. Loeb knows how to write gritty characters and this issue is full of them, from the men in the ring to the mobsters outside, trying to pull the strings.
The character of Jack Murdock is really fleshed out here, as is his relationship with his son. Complexity is the key, and Loeb never appears to introduce a character or situation that doesn’t have a purpose. He also makes use of Matt’s unique abilities in very interesting ways. There are several scenes where Matt is helpless to do what needs to be done, only because he can’t let on about his extraordinary abilities. The results are heartbreaking and you’ll be left wondering how you can feel so much for two characters you’ve only really known for 22 pages. Also revealed in this issue is a perfectly plausible and satisfying explanation on how a blind man came up with that original red and yellow costume
Tim Sale is extraordinary once again. This issue would be worth picking up just to look at his art, particularly the double page spread in the beginning of the book and the final pinup style page that closes the issue out. The coloring by Matt Hollingsworth is also excellent. You’ll be hard pressed to find better visuals than those that are in this book. From the flashy action splash pages to the very crowded scenes in a restaurant, Sale just amazes with his ability.
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale seem to get better each time they collaborate on a project and this issue is no exception. If the rest of the mini-series can be as good, this could end up being their newest masterpiece. At the very least, it certainly looks to be a strong contender for the definitive origin of Daredevil.
Daredevil: Yellow #1 reaches stores this week from Marvel Comics and retails for $3.50.
Exiles #1
Written by Judd Winick and Illustrated by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna
Grade: B+
The Exiles closes out the new mutant revolution at Marvel. I knew next to nothing about this series or characters before reading the first issue. The concept is pretty intriguing. There are and have been many different realities presented in the Marvel Universe and countless more that haven’t yet been touched upon. Six X-Men from different realities have been brought together for purposes which are explained in the book. I thought it was very cleaver how Winick found a way to take popular characters from different storylines and worlds in the X-Universe and bring them together to form a team. Time travel, alternate realities and the like are risky business. There’s always a good chance that the writer can stumble over the convoluted rules they create, but at least in this initial issue, it works.
When trying to get new readers interested in a book, you want to try and make the book as accessible as possible. I was concerned that there would be too many cult favorite characters that only true X-Men fans would know, causing every other reader to become confused. Winick took care of those concerns by introducing each of the characters over again, with a brief back-story on where they came from. I never heard of any of these characters before this issue and I was able to catch on and enjoy the story just fine.
Winick is able to get this series off and running with the very first issue, which is no small feat, considering that this is a multi-dimensional cast of relatively obscure characters. It also shows, contrary to the terribly average Green Lantern (also written by Winick), that he can do superheroes and do them well. McKone and McKenna do a solid job on the art chores. Their style isn’t as flashy or defined as some of the better-known artists out there, but they have a nice clean look to their work, which suits the book well.
Pedro and Me showed readers that Winick could be serious. Barry Ween showed readers that Winick could be funny. Exiles does a fine job of showcasing Winick’s ability to balance those skills and introduce readers to a high concept story that’s accessible to even the most novice reader.
Exiles #1 reaches stores this week from Marvel Comics and retails for $2.99 (double sized issue)
Essential Read of the Week:
Torso
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko and Illustrated by Brian Michael Bendis
Grade: A+
Torso was a 6 issue limited series that was recently collected into one, easy to read collection. The idea came about one night after Brian and Marc were just sitting around, talking about the hidden history of Cleveland. Marc brought up the Torso killings, which were a series of murders that took place in the 1930s. Anywhere from 12 to 30 victims were attributed to this Torso killer, who left dismembered body parts as his or her calling card. The victims had no clues as to their identities, nor did there seem to be any reason for their deaths. On top of that, Elliot Ness, fresh from his triumph over Al Capone, had become safety director for Cleveland (which had become as corrupt as Chicago) and handled the mysterious Torso case personally. It was the story of America’s first serial killer.
The two creators thought that the story would make an excellent idea for a film and began to do more research on the case, scouring for any pieces of information that they could find. They eventually decided that they couldn’t wait for Hollywood to tell this story, and believing it to be a very visual concept, they turned it into a comic book instead.
Written by Bendis and Andreyko, Torso was originally published by Image comics as a 6-part mini-series. Now, readers can get the collected volume and not have to wait between chapters to find out what happens next. The dialogue is sharp and real, as fans have come to expect from these two talents. Characters talk like real people and the interesting cast, populated by cynics and law enforcement who’s been bought and paid for, making Ness’ job even more difficult. Fans of Bendis’ current work on Ultimate Spider-Man and Daredevil and Powers may not have experienced his fantastic artistic ability and here’s their chance to check out his best work. Seamlessly blending photographic images with penciled art, the visuals on this book are absolutely stunning. The technique’s been used before, most notably in Bendis’ other early works: AKA Goldfish and Jinx, but it’s been mastered here.
Torso is a flawless example of what the comic medium is capable of achieving. Andreyko and Bendis have told an important story about a horrifying subject and have done it blending fantastic, realistic dialogue with innovative, gorgeous art. This is the type of comic work that you give to people who think comic books are a dying medium or a children’s medium to show them how wrong they are. This is one of the finest comic works ever created and it’s one of the best stories (comic or otherwise) to have been published in the last ten years.
Currently on Miramax’s ‘To Do List’, the first draft of the Torso screenplay has been completed and is in the hands of execs. You don’t have an excuse for not seeking out this work. If you can’t find it in a comic book specialty store, you can get it easily from the web. Both Jinxworld.com and Amazon.com can be used to get your hands on this breathtaking work.
Andrew Goletz is the creator of Gray Haven Magazine, a publication which seeks to promote creative talents of all types. Featuring original stories, humor, opinion columns, interviews and reviews, GHM celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. Check it out at Grey Haven Magazine.
Next Week: Three Independent Comics you Must read, as well as some more ‘sneak peaks’.
Hey Harry here again... With your historic treat of the week... People often times ask me where most of my comic reading takes place... Well, I love modern comics, but with so much coming out, often times I feel lost trying to find the good stuff... I stay to a select group of tried and true writers and artists... The one's that win the Eisners every year... The comics that friends hand me and say READ THIS... and the covers that speak to me. HOWEVER, most of my comic budget goes to yesteryear... I love comics that have that pungent pulp paper smell... I love the way the inks glow off their covers... I love the yellowing of the paper... the clipped coupons... the filled out forms... Comics that have a vibe of being loved. Comics that feel like history. And there is nothing as ironically funny as HISTORY...
For example... Look at this issue of TEENAGE DOPE SLAVES... one of the most infamous comics in my collection... I love the hysteria and horrific depiction on the cover... inside the tale is tawdry and wrong in all the right ways.
Then there were the fears of WORLD WAR III... Technology as our ally and our worst nightmare. Hollywood has often thought of making a WORLD WAR III movie, but the scripts thus far haven't touched the imaginations of the world of comics... The film world wants to make things real... Me... I like an image of a personal helicopter device... or Jets attacking ground troops as an A-bomb explodes in the background... I don't care it that's totally impossible... IT LOOKS COOL... At the same time the image is horrific in a way that reality can't cover... the idea that even dropping A-Bombs isn't enough... we have to kill kill kill on a personal level as well... I also like the patriotic rhetoric about being ever vigilant that these books put out. The positive reinforcement of Peace Through War Machines being fed to a nation's youth.
Then there is the sheer melodrama of the Men and Young Man comics... Morality tales laid out in a exploitive 'thrills and chills' fashion. A real, "Their coming to get you Barbara" tactic of making you afraid of pulling pranks... Of how to be a man... There was far more on the market than just Superheroes and reading these books you can begin to understand the mindset and points of view of the older crowds... THIS is what they were being fed to believe.
But then you have the Cheese cake... the luscious mega babe and her talking dog Harry.... Hmmm... Sounds like the way a certain Kitten treats me... hehehehe, just kiddin... Till next week, this is Harry saying adieu...
