American Vampire #28
Once in a while, I would like to see Scott Snyder fail. It is disheartening when a writer cannot fail, and that seems to be Snyder’s big problem. He is rejoined by artist Rafael Albuquerque for the start of a new storyline in one of Vertigo’s best titles, reuniting Skinner Sweet and Pearl. The set-up for this story reaches back to the first issues of the title, and the creative tandem starts the arc strong in this issue.
Aquaman #10
More of the history between Aquaman and Black Manta is brought to light in the latest issue of what might, very quietly, be one of the best DC Comics books on the market.
Generally speaking, when a book seems to flash by, you sit and say to yourself, “Is that it? Is that all there is?” This issue seemed to take literally two minutes to read, but left me with such a sense of satisfaction that it was gratifying instead of disappointing. Geoff Johns has done for Aquaman what he did for Green Lantern for years: made him an interesting character. Nobody thought it could be done, and they were horribly wrong.
Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1
I thought I would like this book less. I honestly did. I’m not a huge fan of Andy or Joe Kubert’s art, but in a book set in the 1960s, the art is stylistically perfect. The story is solid as well, told by Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski. We’re dealing with the passing of the mantle from the Golden Age to Silver Age Nite Owls, the first meeting with Rorschach, the formation of the Crimebusters and the appearance of the second Silk Specter. It’s a lot of ground to cover, and it is handled well. It might not be as epic as the first issue of Minutemen, or as emotional as the Comedian, but it works admirably.
Fatale #6
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the evil geniuses behind Criminal and Incognito, are back with the start of a new storyline featuring everyone’s favorite femme fatale, the mysterious Josephine, and her unshakable power over men. She’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way. And this book isn’t good, it’s excellent. Brubaker’s writing suits noir so well. He does an incredible job with Captain America, but compared to his noir work, Cap is utter crap. And Sean Phillips’ art is so moody, so detailed, it feels like Humphrey Bogart might walk through at any moment.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #10
If Tony Bedard is not getting laid on a regular basis, there is no justice in this world. For him to have this many characters, each fully fleshed-out, engaged in a gonzo storyline like this, he might be one of the biggest stars of the future. He should probably be far more famous than he is, certainly. Tomas Giorello’s art is gorgeous, too, but nothing compares to Arkillo shouting, “Insect scum! Tremble before the new god of terror!” While being a “good guy,” mind you. And emerging from a yellow ring construct of a pair of jaws with dozens of giant, sharp teeth. Utter bliss.
The Hypernaturals #1
Boom Studios brings us Dan Abnett’s first appearance on this review list this week, with Andy Lanning in tow, riffing on the Legion of Super Heroes without ripping them off. It’s anno quantinuum 100, a century after the computer running Earth became sentient, and the latest incarnation of the Earth empire’s superhero team, the Hypernaturals, just disappeared on their first mission. The issue is packed with narrative detail, clever art, and I cannot wait for issue 2.
New Deadwardians #4 of 8
Dan Abnett continues to build a strong story taking place in the aftermath of a war against zombies. For those who haven’t been following this Vertigo miniseries, during Queen Victoria’s reign, a zombie plague broke out. In the middle of the war against the zombies, someone discovered how to make vampires, who are immune to zombie bites, and vampirism itself can be used to cure a zombie bite in its early stages. So, of course, the British upper crust all became vampires, beat back the zombies, and more or less left the lower classes to fend for themselves. Decades later, however, one of the aristocratic vampires turns up dead, and Chief Inspector George Suttle of Scotland Yard is left to figure out how he was murdered, since there is no sign of any of the normal ways of killing a vampire. It’s just really excellent, clever stuff. Abnett (generally with his buddy Andy Lanning) is probably best known for his cosmic stuff at Marvel, but this book is far and away more intelligent and engaging. Well, with the exception of Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Perhaps adding them in would be that last ingredient needed to make this an instant classic. Vampires and Rocket Raccoon and Groot vs. zombies and a mysterious murderer. Hmmm…
X-Men Legacy #269
It had to happen. Everyone knew it when they announced AvX. Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel (soon to be Captain Marvel, but not yet). Ms. Marvel comes to talk, Rogue comes out swinging, and we begin to see the first cracks appear in the X-Men in this monumental (and interminable) crossover. While issues 1-5 of the main miniseries were nothing to write home about, things really picked up with last week’s Round 6, and X-Men Legacy this week very quietly turns up the heat. Last issue’s focus on Frenzy and her past was good, this one is possibly better. Ms. Marvel is written as a brilliant tactician, which is appropriate, and we are reminded both of Rogue’s youth and of the distance she has already come in her life. If more of the X-Men writing was like this, I might make fewer jokes at their expense. Christos Gage wrote a quietly great story here, and he deserves to be noted for it. The art, on the other hand, is an example of what happens when you put out all of your
top titles twice a month: you wind up relying on mediocre talent who can get the job done, but won’t impress anyone while they’re at it.
Courtesy of Anthony Glassman and South Philly Comics
