BT06 – More Comics (Reviews), Kids!

Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?]

Black Panther #18 (Marvel) [4/3/3/1] (w. Reginald Hudlin; a. Scot Eaton)

The wedding of T’challa and Ororo.  A fascinating mix of romance with mysticism, politics, pomp, partying, and plotline.  Amidst everything going on, Black Panther brings Iron Man and Cap together on neutral ground to at least have them at the wedding.  And the results are what one would expect …  Good stuff, and it will be interesting to see if the profound geopolitical impact of the wedding within this title translates at all to other titles.  Now that would
be cool …

Captain America #20 (Marvel) [3/4/1/2] (w. Ed Brubaker; a. Steve Epting)

Despite having followed along this series and despite the intro page “previously” text, this is still overly complicated.  Plots, counter-plots, parallel plots, and other such bits, as we have Cap and company vs. General Lukin (cum Red Skull) vs. Bucky / the Winter Soldier vs. Crossbones and Sin.  Who’s trying to assassinate whom, and why?  It’s a mess.

That said, there’s some nice characterization, and the artwork is appropriately murky.  If the book is too complicated for its own good, that’s a shame, and it would be nice to see a Captain America “Civil War” comic — but I’ve more or less enjoyed the grittier CA world of the last couple of years, so I’m willing to let it ride for a bit.

Castle Waiting #1 (Fantagraphics) [4/5/3/5] (w/a. Linda Medley)

Volume 2 of this series starts up back at the castle, picking right back up from the collection I reviewed earlier.  In many ways, it’s a settling-down volume, reintroducing the characters and the setting, but it’s also a large cast, and who’s behaving in what way why wouldn’t always be obvious to the first-time reader.  On the other hand, it’s a full 32 pages of beautiful drawings and story, with house
ads only inside the covers, so you definitely get your (hefty) money’s worth.  A fine place to start the book, if you’re willing to work at it a bit.  I certainly plan on reading it regularly from here on out.

Catwoman #57 (DC) [4/3/1/2] (w. Will Pfeifer; a. David Lopez / Alvaro Lopez)

Mid-story, we have the real Catwoman returning home to discover her secret identity — and her baby — have been discovered by a psychopath and his henchman.  Meanwhile, the woman Selina is training up to be her replacement is picking up pointers, even as her identity and association with the death of the Black Mask is also about to be blown.

This has been an interesting “One Year Later” reboot, as Selina tries to move on and is finding circumstances, and her own instincts, fighting against her better judgment.  Right now anyone new to the title would be completely confused, but I look forward to how the story arc resolves.

Checkmate #4 (DC) [4/4/1/2]  (w. Greg Rucka; a. Jesus Saiz)

If there’s one person who should be able to write well about espionage and the organizations behind it, it’s Greg Rucka.  He’s trying all the right things here, but the book isn’t big enough to hold metahuman/super-agent slugfests, character studies, international politics, and organizational politics.  Oh, and tie it all into what’s going on in the DCU.  Rucka can do any of this well, but not all at once.  Plus, the book has a cast of multiple dozens, and if you have to keep identifying by
little boxes who they are and what role they play in Checkmate, you’re in trouble.

That said, I’m sure going to stick with this book, at least until it gets canceled.

Civil War #3 (Marvel) [4/4/3/1] (w. Mark Millar; a. Steve McNiven)

Spidey unmasks.  T’challa turns down an offer to join Iron Man’s team.  As does Doctor Strange.  As do the X-Men — mostly.  The “rebels” make their plans, but get pulled into a major trap, which turns into a major slugfest — despite an attempt by IM to talk Cap into laying down arms (Cap still gets the sympathy vote for his reasoning).  And that slugfest in turn gets interrupted, and half of Cap’s team taken down by …

Well, as Stan Lee would say, “The most unexpected Guest Star of all!”

A bit less talky than previous issues, which is exactly what this series doesn’t need.  Big slugfests can be shown anywhere — this book should be hammering the issues involved.  After all, hero vs. hero is old hat, if you think about it (how does every superhero team-up start?). 

McNiven’s art is crisp and pretty, but also a bit static, which also argues against making this a big fight title.

(listening to: Lanchester, Elsa, “When a Lady Has a Piazza” from Sings Bawdy Cockney Songs)
(listening to: Arnold, David & David McAlmont, “Diamonds Are Forever” from Shaken And Stirred – The David Arnold James Bond Project)
(listening to: Beatles, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” from Blue Album 1967-1970)
(listening to: Tyler, Bonnie, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” from Billboard Top Hits – 1983)
(listening to: Lauper, Cyndi, “He’s So Unusual” from She’s So Unusual)
(listening to: Fitzgerald, Ella, “You’re the Top (from Anything Goes, 1934)” from Sings The Cole Porter Song Book)
(listening to: Riepl, Kevin, “1938SF-mission” from Strike Force)
(listening to: Baez, Joan, “Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 – Aria” from 5)
(listening to: Hogwood & AAM, “Amen” (Handel) from Messiah)
(listening to: Jackson, Joe, “Prelude” from Heaven & Hell)
(listening to: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, “Roll The Stone Away” from Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. III)
(listening to: Hogwood & AAM, “Then Shall Be Brought to Pass / Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?” (Handel) from Messiah)
(listening to: Birmingham, “Sym No. 8 in F, Op. 83 – Allegro vivace” from Beethoven – Complete Symphonies – Vol. II)
(listening to: Peter, Paul & Mary, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” from Best of … – Ten Years Together)
(listening to: Symphonic Cast, “At The Barricade (Upon These Stones)” from Les Misérables (Symphonic))
(listening to: Mamas & the Papas, “Monday Monday” from Mamas & the Papas – 16 of Their Greatest Hits)