Still doing fine. Really. I can quit — er, not quit any time!
On with the TPB reviews!
Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?]
Strange Kiss (Avatar) [4/4/4/3]
w. Warren Ellis; a. Mike Wolfer
The introduction of William Gravel, British black-ops combat magician, fighting stuff that would give John Constantine nightmares. This is a gruesome, disturbing little story, well-done and — except for the parts that raise one’s gorge — delightfully readable. The situation looks simple — strange lizard-like creatures are gestating inside of humans, some of whom then go homicidally crazy. Things get — worse, after that. Good stuff, but certainly not for everyone.
Superman: the Greatest Stories Ever Told (DC) [4/4/5/2]
w/a. Diverse Hands
A collection of Supes stories from the 30s to 00s. And there are in fact some fine stories in here, from Siegel to Swan to Maggin to Byrne to Kelly. The greatest? I certainly couldn’t argue the matter either way (the terms being ill-defined), but it’s definitely worth picking up if you have any interest in Superman’s history, especially as he’s been see across his nearly seventy years of life.
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol. 1) (DC) [4/3/4/2]
w. Jeph Loeb; a. Ed McGuinness
There’s a lot to like in this new team-up comic. Certainly it’s amusing and insightful to have the internal narratives of each of the title characters pop up, and contrast how Bats sees a situation (and his partner) vs how Supes does. The story does end up playing a key spot in recent DC history, spelling the end of President Luthor, and foreshadowing a lot of the themes also touched on in the recent JLU cartoon. Overall, an impressive debut, though McGuinness’ art is a bit cartoony for my taste.
Supreme: The Return (DC) [4/4/4/1]
w. Alan Moore; a. various
Moore serves up tales of Supreme, emulating comics everywhere from the old Legion days to Kirby to styles across the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Disturbingly good — you’re never quite sure if it’s meant to be satire or straight-up writing. Knowing Moore, who knows. Still, a great exercise in nostalgia and story-telling.
(listening to: Schifrin, Lalo, “Danube Incident” from Crime Jazz (Music in The Second Degree))
(listening to: Armstrong, Louis, “We Have All the Time in the World” from Best Of James Bond – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition)
(listening to: Shore, Howard, “The Treason of Isengard” from LOTR1: The Fellowship of the Ring)
(listening to: Heart, “Nothin’ At All” from Heart)
(listening to: Disney, “Baby” from Jungle Book)
(listening to: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, “Shake Your Lovemaker” from Zoot Suit Riot)
(listening to: Webber, Andrew Lloyd & Tim Rice, “The Last Supper” from Jesus Christ Superstar)