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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Free Comic Book Day must-haves
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Tue, Apr 27, 2010 at 7:55 PM
This week is a big one for comic fans. Not only are books coming out on Wednesday like normal, but a bunch of titles are also hitting shops this Saturday (May 1) as part of the annual comic-centric "holiday" of sorts — Free Comic Book Day.
Here in Charlotte, the folks at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find are, again, bringing in a bunch of artists to do sketches and sign stuff; the folks at the shop are also hosting a cool art show (featured on the cover of this week's Creative Loafing).
Now, when it comes to the actual comics being given away this year, I'll be picking up everything. I mean, they are FREE. Still, there are a few books I'm more excited about than others. Here's my list of FCBD must-haves:
Doctor Solar/Magnus: Consider this issue (with two stories) the opening salvo of legendary writer Jim Shooter's new superhero line at Dark Horse Comics. It's been a hot minute since Dark Horse published a line of superhero books, and the company has smartly paired Shooter with some of characters he has real history with.
Fractured Fables: From Jim Valentino's Shadowline imprint at Image comes a comic that seems like real all-ages fun.
Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock: Again, this issue is meant to get readers excited about the new Fraggle Rock series and the acclaimed comic Mouse Guard. I'm curious.
War of the Supermen No. 0: I'm interested to see how this story line starts up. If it's good, I'll buy the upcoming issues.
DC Kids Mega-Sampler: This was a fun read at last year's FCBD, so I'm in for 2010.
Bongo: Free-For-All: Gotta love the Simpsons!
Artifacts: First Look: I don't read a lot of Top Cow comics, but — damn — what have I got to lose?
Oni Press Free-For-All!: Should be good stuff.
G.I. Joe #155 ½: I haven't been too excited over most of the modern day revamps of G.I. Joe, but this one seems fun. It's written by longtime Joe scribe Larry Hama and picks up the continuity of the Marvel series that ended a looooong time ago. And No. 155 ½ is a herald for a new series over at IDW.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Four-Color Commentary What's really wrong with James Robinson's Justice League of America
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Just read an interview on Newsarama with writer James Robinson about his current stint on the Justice League of America.
In case you haven't read his run yet, it is absolutely dreadful, and it features the WORST JLA lineup (the Dick Grayson version of Batman, Donna Troy, the "disco" Starman and Congorilla ... that's it!) since the Detroit iteration back in the day.
Anyway, I was reading the interview and Robinson said something that really struck to the heart of the problem with the title:
"One of the things about this book is it's always going to feel like it's right in the heart of the DC Universe."
That's an erroneous way to approach the book and is one the reasons why the teams roster changes so much. By trying to tie it so much to current DC continuity — which is always shifting and moving — then the book is sort of handcuffed by the whims of dozens of different creators on a bunch of divergent comics. So if Superman is in outer space for a story arc in his own book, then he's missing from the JLA for just as longer ... maybe longer. (The worst example of this was during Dwayne McDuffie's run not too long ago.)
And make no mistake, the JLA is DC's "Big Seven" — Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and The Flash — and any change to that lineup is merely an aberration that can't last long.
Now, I'm not saying the JLA should totally avoid continuity. I'm just saying that the team's adventures work best when they take place between story line's on the individual members' own books — not during.
That's my take.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Four-Color Commentary J. Michael Straczynski's (bad) ideas for his upcoming run on Wonder Woman
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 3:18 PM
I just read a post on Newsarama.com about the new direction on Wonder Woman (starting with issue 601), as directed by the new creative team of J. Michael Straczynski and artist Don Kramer — and honestly, I'm worried. Here's a quote from JMS himself about his upcoming run:
"Our story puts Diana, alone, against almost impossible odds in a situation that begins with the destruction of Paradise Island and nearly everything she holds dear,” added JMS. “Pursued, hunted, with the events that led to this a mystery, and her future uncertain, Diana must go into the depths of her soul, and the darkest places in the world, to try and rescue the people, and the world, she cares for. Something, or someone, has flipped a switch so that the world she lives in is not the world that was...and she's the only hope of restoring that world."
Sounds like a really bad idea. I mean, how many times does Paradise Island need to be destroyed? This seems to happen all the time. Does anyone even remember what made the place cool in the first place?
That "destructive" train of thought makes me think about everything that's wrong with DC these days; every creative team is so anxious to tear everything down, kill people, etc. What Wonder Woman really needs is great stories and great art. That's it.
Speaking of art, Don Kramer is talented, but I don't really think he's the right guy for Wonder Woman. If DC is really committed to getting WW to icon status again, I think they need to get a big-name artist on the book.
I hope JMS and Kramer both prove me wrong, but I doubt it. That's my two-cents.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Comic book review: X-Force No. 25
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Published by Marvel Comics. Written by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost. Art by Clayton Crain.
Now I know there are many folks out there who consider this a mindless action book — or just clump it with millions of other X-books out there. But, I contend that, so far, X-Force has proved to be one of Marvel’s most entertaining mutant comics.
Sure, the title is filled with action. And blood. Lots of blood. After all, this team has been “sanctioned” by Cyclops to do what no other X-crew has been able to do: kill bad guys with extreme prejudice. And while Kyle and Yost don’t explore the legal ramifications of hacking folks to death on a monthly basis, they do examine the emotional consequences of murder — especially with members like Warpath, Wolfsbane, and X-23.
For the last two years, we’ve seen how Warpath and Woflsbane have been transformed and mentally tortured by the act — even when it’s been a necessity — of killing “evil” people. And we’ve seen X-23, on the other hand, NOT be affected by her homicidal tendencies … and Wolverine’s concern over her cold bloodlust.
By the end of this month’s edition, much of the team is gone — kicked out or, having come to terms with their actions, choosing to leave on their on accord. I’m interested to see where the series goes now — after its inevitable tie-in with the X-Men’s newest gargantuan crossover “Second Coming.” Hopefully it’ll be as good as what’s been published to date.
This review is also set to appear on the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find blog this week. I write reviews for that site — and those reviews never really appear on this blog, so check it out to read more of my stuff (I know you just looooovvve my work).
Friday, April 2, 2010
Comic News / Four-Color Commentary VIDEO: Marvel's iPad app in action
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Kewl:
