Too … much … cheesecake …
Must … review … comics …
Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?]
The Ultimates: Homeland Security (Marvel) [4/5/3/3] (collects #7-13)
w. Mark Millar; a. Bryan Hitch
This “Ultimate Universe” Avengers tale has the team recovering from the Hulk’s murderous rampage through New York City. They add some members, and end up in a big fight against an alien invasion. Big, beautiful, cynical action. I can’t warm up to the Ultimates, but it’s a fascinating book to read. I’m just glad they aren’t in my world — though I suspect if we did have a national super-team, they’d, yes, be closer to the Ultimates than the Avengers.
Usagi Yojimbo: Duel at Kitanoji (Vol. 17) (Marvel) [5/5/4/5] (collects #53-60)
w/a. Stan Sakai
A long and tangled tale of honor (as usual), when Usagi befriends a ronin who plans to duel his sensei. Usagi is a perpectual delight — intricately crafted, beautiful, and moving — and this volume ranks up there with its best.
It’s interesting to compare the two books above. Both are beautifully rendered. Both tell well the story they intend to tell. Both address a hard, sometimes cruel world, and a world inhabited by people with flaws and weaknesses.
But I know which one I like better.
(listening to: Pomona College Mens Blue & Whites, “Sweet Georgia Brown” from Silence Profound)
(listening to: Frente!, “Oh Brilliance” from Labour of Love)
(listening to: Giacchino, Michael and Tim Simonec, “Kronos Unveiled” from Incredibles)
(listening to: Wainwright III, Loudon, “Primrose Hill (Live)” from So Damn Happy)
(listening to: Battlefield Band, “The Snows of France & Holland” from Anthem for the Comman Man)
(listening to: “Amok Time: T’Pring” from Star Trek Orig TV Sdtrk – II)
(listening to: Cleveland, Ashley & G. Chapman, “Where Do I Go” from Alpha Blessing, An)