Mary Louise Eklund

Category: Comic Comments

I share my thoughts on comics that have on my pull-list. I wait until an arc is complete before giving my commentary.

Comic Comments – This Why I Go To JGS

THIS is why I read this title! I know, I know it’s a tie-in to the AvX Interruptus that I hate so but it is completely school centered. The story is set in the school, centered on staff and students, develops a larger story and is what I want when I pick up this comic. It is a stand alone issue entitle “On The Eve Of Battle”.

First cudos to the team on this issue: Jason Aaron, Writer – Jorge Molina Penciler, Norman Lee, Inker – Morry Hollowell, Colorist – Chirs Eliopoulos, Letterer – Stuart Immonen & Marte Gracia, Cover Artists – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Next we need to get the legal statement out of the way – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

As I said I’m very happy with this issue. It’s school centric which was the whole purpose of this line of comics to tell the story of Logan’s founding the Jean Grey School for High Learning. Here the X-Men that aren’t Pheonix possessed or backing those that are, have gathered at the school. Xavier is there. We deal with staff and student issues. New students from Utopia have enrolled and Headmaster Logan is as to the point as ever announcing over the PA “Attention students this is your headmaster reminding you welcome our new arrivals OR ELSE!” Gotta love ‘im he’s so not cut out to do what he’s doing but he’s trying.

The art is good. It’s not my favorite but given how much I disliked the first art of this series this art is more than serviceable. It’s good strong art that is not overly stylized and supports the story well. I totally enjoyed it and was thankful for it. However it wouldn’t rank in my top five, should I be pressed to do such.

In the end I put down the issue happy to be back to the core of the title. I enjoyed the whole thing from cover to cover. I like how Logan welcomed back the staff that had disagreed with him at the start of AvX but now sees it his way. I get the touching moment with Hank and felt it too. I worry about some of the hints dropped by students – who is Idie seeing at this church? How Quire deal with the Stepford Cuckoos given his feelings and resurrection of their sister? Warbird what will her new role be? Good plot lines to be developed over time if they don’t get lost (shhh we shall never bring up frozen wolverpups again that should be lost along with the stupid lupine/Romulus crap) in service of the huge ‘event’ multi-title marketing arcs.

So hang on to your hats an issue I thought lived up to the promise of the title but trust me it doesn’t last long. But let’s bathe in the joy of the moment shall we?

****Scans that are possible SPOILERS*** WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON DANGER OF SPOILERS*****

The great scientific minds (minus Bruce Banner) were puzzling over the Phoenix problem but Broo the JGS student saw the answer to their equation. I have to say I love how Tony befriends little lost Broo. Oh wait didn’t Tony want to register all mutants and declare them… oh let’s let Civil War by-gones be by-gones and enjoy the cute. Still if it were mutant me I’d hold a grudge against him.

There are so many things I loved in these few panels. First Logan’s announcement his gruff exterior with a heart of gold to run the school was showing in just that little bit. Next Quire and Stepfords LONG story there but to see him with them again in a school oh… you know that’s going to cook up trouble. Finally in the last panel there – my beloved bamfs. Not just because they are like naked little Kurts running around (I mean I adored Kurt as Logan’s BFF) but also how they seem to like and protect Kitty. I love how she’s petting one here and the look on that one’s face. So cute.

I think I liked this page best. Except that Bobby is iced up again. I am starting to feel sorry for Toad who must have to follow Professor Drake about and mop up the water puddles. Serious Bobby why?

Any way I like how Logan handles Bobby’s return. I want people who aren’t yes men. Logan knows he’s taken on something that goes against his grain, that isn’t his natural talent. Doesn’t mean he can’t do it just means he’s working at it and needs people who aren’t afraid to tell him like it is. Yeah there at the end Bobby’s totally right. Logan knows it but can’t change everything in the first year of being headmaster RIGHT?

Until next time folks!

November 27, 2012
Comic Comments – When A Hot Date Goes Bad

This is a decent tie-in to the AvX. If you’ve been reading you know my issues with AvX and I’m not following it beyond when it interrupts my pull list. This falls into that category. However I will say this issue is much better than the last issue which didn’t center on the school AT ALL. This centers on the school even though it’s a date between Kitty and Piotr (Colossus who is possessed with the Phoenix). We see the strain on the staff to have Hank, Rachel, Bobby, and Logan all off in the stupid war. We also see the strain between Kitty and Piotr differences over the school concept as well as the Phoenix force.

All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

The creative team for the issue is as follows: Jason Aaron, Writer – Jorge Molina, Penciler – Norman Lee, Inker – Morry Hollowell, Colorist – Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer – Nick Bradshaw & Justin Ponsor, Cover Artists – Jordan D. White, Assistant editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Jow Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Since the Scott/Logan issues from Wolverine and the X-Men title this is the best. That’s not saying much really but it’s something. This one like those centers on the school and tell how the AvX interruptus effects the staff and students at the school. Let’s face it I come to this title to read about the school, preferably Logan and his staff, students and how they interact AT THE SCHOOL he founded. I don’t come here to read about some alien race fighting the Phoenix force or some big sales pitch multi-title arc. This issue gives me what I buy the book to read and for that I am thankful.

There are many plot threads here that are developing – the return of staff that sided with Scott at first but don’t like what he’s become. Will the be welcomed back or turned away? Toad’s collecting Husk’s discarded skin and playing house with them. That’s gotta surface in some odd way some time. The relationship of Bobby/Kitty and Pitor/Kitty which is the future and will the headmistress stay at the school or go for a man? Oh and how is the school coping with so many of the staff gone? What if they are attacked when at low staff will Logan’s edict of ‘kids don’t fight’ stand? All great plot threads started in this issue and all centered around the school at the school.

While I’m in what I like/don’t like mode let me say I still don’t like Colossus being alive. Nope I don’t. When he was brought back in Ultimates I thought it was a disservice to his character that made a noble sacrifice to kill a virus that was deadly. I thought okay this is a separate universe I’ll go with the what if he survived in the Ultimates but don’t dare bring him back in the main 616 universe. But some how it bled over – why some things that happen in the Ultimates stay in the Ultimates and don’t bleed over but other stuff does is beyond me. It makes no damn sense. Then to bring back a character that performed a heroic death only to make him the monster he’s been becoming over the last year I don’t like at all. In my book Piotr is dead from the virus stayed dead and is a noble hero. Don’t care about the Ultimates any more and if he lives over there so be it. Don’t cross streams Marvel and for gosh sakes DON’T CROSS STEAMS ARBITRARILY!

As for the art – VAST improvement over the first arc in this line where it was so busy I had to cling to dialogue to tell what was happening in the story. There is no distortion of mouths or hands, no curling greyhound-ties, no pointy feel girls. It’s good solid art that I enjoyed VERY MUCH. I do think the color palette was a bit too far on the light or pastel side. I enjoy bolder colors but it didn’t bother me at the school so much as in the date scene. As for the cover, I love that art. Oh please please let that team do a few arcs in the story some time. PLEASE for me…

In the end I liked the story for what it was a forced tie-in from the title to the overall marketing arc that was undoing the House of M stuff for now at least. I’ve learned don’t count on Marvel to ever do much that lasts or is new and lasts. They almost always go back and forth on the same road. Yet hope does spring eternal and I hope that one day they will grow up and move beyond that. If only the money would let them.

As for this title there’s a few more AvX interruptus issues then they get an arc of their own. Shall we hope it’s as good as Alpha and Omega was? ohhh dare I hope even BETTER! Yes yes I’m climbing down I won’t go over the edge into insanity.

*** a few scanned pages that might be deemed spoilery** I didn’t want to spoil how the date went so here’s the staff meeting I enjoyed more than the date any way.

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November 20, 2012
Comic Comments – It’s Simply Nuts & Bolts from Another Planet

As you can tell from my previous Saucer Country reviews I am highly impressed with this comic thus far. I even went back to get the first complete arc before going on with the next stand alone issue. This issue is Saucer Country: The Bluebird Perspective another stand alone that is a companion piece to A Field Guide To Flying Saucers that was issue 6. In that issue the Professor introduced us to the lore of alien beings visiting humans. Here a group of scientists and engineers have taken the the perspective that yes UFOs do exist and they are actual spacecraft from another planet or dimension.

the required legal statement – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

The creative team for the issue is as follows: Paul Cornell, Writer – David Lapham, Art – Giulia Brusco, Color – Sal Cipriano, Letters – Mark Doyle, Associate Editor – Will Dennis, Editor – Saucer Country created by Cornell & Kelly.

We are introduced the Bluebirds through the new member Astelle Johnson a rising star in aerospace design. We’ve seen her in previous issues at a meeting being introduced and using the Bluebirds’ computer hacks to follow just what Professor Kidd is doing with the Governor’s campaign. Good plot thread connections coming together into a bigger picture here. That takes writing skill and Cornell shows he has that in every issue.

In this issue we learn that the Bluebirds were founded by WWII vet Joe Bermingen an RAF officer who saw Foo Fighters (no not the rock band the UFOs reported by allied pilots in WWII). He knew from his sighting that they weren’t Nazi test craft but alien. From there his life was centered on engineering craft like it and later upon finding crashed alien craft and back engineering it. The further the story goes the stranger it gets, but Astelle listens trying to understand it all just like us the reader.

This book does well to weave together all the various thoughts on the belief that UFOs aren’t paranormal but real machines to bring aliens here. It is ironic that the Bluebird spokesman dismisses Professor Kidd’s mythology with a grain of truth approach as going down the rabbit hole, given how far down the rabbit hole the story of Joe Bermingen goes. By the end of it even Astelle is left asking her mentor “Do you believe?” Science doesn’t need belief that’s an issue of faith – something Professor Kidd is investigating. So just like all the various lines of thought and mythology around UFOs in the real world become vastly inter tangled so do they in Saucer Country plot lines.

The story isn’t confusing at all Cornell has composed it well so that we the reader can follow Astelle, the Governor, and Professor Kidd down the rabbit hole without question. It all leads us deeper into his story of what happened to the leading Presidential candidate and her ex-husband that night in the New Mexico high desert? Will it change the election? If elected will that experience that changed her life change the world as a result of her Presidency? Just what is the truth of it all? I’ll keep reading for answers which is more that I ever expect to get in real life.

The art is up to the high standard as usual. I’m intrigued by the Bluebirds coming into the forefront of the tale. I want to know what role they will be playing. Now to bring the conspiracy group out more and ohh those spooky not quite human like but human non the less men in black we see here and there in the story. Lapham is excellent in working in Easter Eggs and visual hints to later issues in his art. I’m sure the SERPO screen we’ve seen Astelle viewing will come into play. Along with the fact that there are visual hints the Men In Black aren’t really men. The manner he handles the illustrating of the Joe Bermingen story is fantastic and just shows us enough to question what the rest of the story is, what did Joe really see as a Foo Fighter?

Well written story getting more complex but leading the reader on to more coupled with excellent art that adds more visual clues to the story telling makes this one of the best comics on my pull list. In short Vertigo has hit another home run with this issue.

Excellent scene that pulls on reality. It is true that control towers get radar ghosts they cannot determine the cause. I’ve talked to a few people in the industry most feel it has to do with weather and the earth’s own electromagnetic field. I’ve been told the newer systems are set up to filter out this anomalies. There are others who wonder if this is such a good idea. Should such things just be ignored? That’s where the rabbit hole goes – to tie them into the Joe B. story at the center of the Bluebirds was another great writing touch.

This draws on the theory that what is seen is actually top secret craft being flown. Before the Stealth lines were de-classified there were reports of triangle shaped UFOs – were these the stealth planes? Aurora is a line in the US budget for top secret military something. Retirees from the real area 51 contend that yes, yes it is. Again another excellent job writing in another of the ideas of UFOs into this story and illustrating them well.

I can’t wait to read issue 8!

November 12, 2012
Comic Comments – The Aliens Have Me

I’d heard good things about Saucer Country from the first issue. When I read that issue 6 was a good jumping on point, I jumped. I didn’t regret it. Honestly that issue was strong enough to put the title on my pull list and send searching for issues 1-5. The first arc of the series is entitled RUN. Just like the excellent writing in this book the title has layers of meaning and can apply to the high strangeness of the story or the mundane. That’s what makes this book so compelling it’s written with all the complexity, tightness, and layers of an excellent science fiction thriller.

All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Now the creation team: Paul Cornell, Writer – Ryan Kelly, Art & Covers – Giulia Brusco, Colors Issues 1-3 & 5 – Guilia Brusco & Lee Loughridge, Colors Issue 4 – Sal Cipriano, Letters – Mark Doyle, Associate Editor – Will Dennis, Editor – Saucer Country Created by Cornell & Kelly.

The story centers around Arcadia Alvarado the Governor of New Mexico who is the leading Democratic candidate for President. She and her ex-husband had a strange experience in the desert that is causing strange flashbacks for her and emotional disruption for him. This first arc deals with two types of running – Gov. Alvarado deciding to run for President and her ex-husband running from his memories of that night.

It is a nice contrast between her reaction and his to their shared missing time experience. He’s terrified but she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. At first their paths diverge. He goes to a known hypno-therapist that specializes in alien abductions. She confides to her campaign manager and personal assistant saying she doesn’t want it to go public but wants answers. They turn to a Harvard professor that studies mythology believing the UFO phenomena is modern mythology with some truth in the center spawning it all.

Eventually the two paths conjoin again but not without first going through many of the common threads of the UFO/Alien abduction discussion. More angles are brought to play by new characters. The arguments that the hypno-therapist leads the subject comes into play. The conspiratorial/disclosure group that believes the government not only knows about the aliens but may be in cahoots with them show up. The UFOs are nuts & bolts from another planet are represented. The concept that it’s inter-dimensional/paranormal occurrence is there. The hostile alien take over contingent has it’s thumb in the story pie. The friendly human like aliens here to guide us past our warring ways are in the waiting room too. The remarkable and impressive thing is Cornell weaves all these things together in a riveting compelling story.

I must praise Cornell for researching the topic well. He’s got it all and woven it together seamlessly without making it a confusing mess. That’s talent as a writer. The layers of story going on is impressive along with the number of players that are converging but not confusing the plot. At the core of his story is the unknown event where what’s true and what’s fiction blur as much as reality and fantasy for the characters. Much applause to him and I’m anxious to see where he takes us next.

The art is excellent and among my favorite art in current titles. I like the realism with just enough comic flare to make the people seem believable but still better than real life. The flashes into the alien memories, thoughts, and concepts are well done to evoke the feeling of the character experiencing them. From the evil torturing aliens to the friendly guiding ones that reveal cues to the future – all are beyond normal but yet fit their roles. The excellent execution blends well and supports the fantastic writing.

This title is firmly planted on my pull list. This along with several other new titles coming along are proof that excellence in writing and art will create a buzz in the comic community. You don’t need a big franchise or formulas to sell comics the first print of these sold out quickly and even went into 3rd printings on some issues. Comic book fans are hungry for great art and stories. The big guys are meeting the market for it but the small guys are. Saucer Country didn’t only meet the market it made a slam dunk!

**YOU KNOW WHAT’S NEXT POSSIBLE SPOILER SCANS** Enjoy!

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November 8, 2012
Comic Comments – We All Make Mistakes

I got The First X-Men on a whim and regretted it. It’s not the story so much, that’s good. It’s not the art that’s great. It’s me. This is one of those comics that is the reason I don’t rate them. As comics go this one brings what comics should bring, story and art working well together. It’s just not for me. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you why.

The required legal statement – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Credit where credit is due: Neal Adams & Christos Gage, Writers – Neal Adams, Artist (issue 1) & Penciler (issue 2) – Andrew Currie, Inker (issue 2) – Mathew Wilson, Colorist – VC’s Clayton Cowles, Letterer – Adams & Wilson, Covers – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonoso, Editor In Chief, – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

I’ve been through the start of the X-Men so many times. I did the original. I did the Ultimates. I did the XMen movies (2 starts). I don’t need another. I got it. Really I do. It’s kind of like Xavier deaths. Been there got a T-Shirt the first few times now I’m bored with it. That’s why I stopped after two issues. I don’t need yet another take on the retelling of the X-Men getting together. I’m old for a comic reader – near 50. I’m not male. I’m not the typical audience comics are written toward. I get that. I’m not the audience for this one.

By now you get this is a new take on how the X-Men get started. Apparently here the major influence in starting it all is Wolverine. He’s not the odd amnesiac that shows up later trying to do the right while figure himself out. He’s doing what the mainstream character took decades to mature into – uniting mutants to live together in peace with non-mutants and protect one and all. Here in this story Xavier is the one dragging his heels on the idea.

Like I said the writing is good. It’s a different take on the start for a different generation. I have no beef with that. The Ultimates was the same thing but I think I enjoyed that because Aaron was young and it was introducing his generation to the concept. I went through the introduction with his eyes. Now he’s a young man. I don’t have a kid to go through the new tale with and this almost 50 reader doesn’t want to start again unless the start is face meltingly awesome. This isn’t. It’s good. If I had endless comic book fund I’d stay on but I don’t so this gave way and dropped from my pull list.

As for the art, I like it. It’s great comic book art. I enjoyed it. It has elements of classic comics and new elements to it. I can’t put my finger on just what it is because I’m not an artist to get the details of style phrased just right. Still I enjoyed it and would like to see more of this work in mainstream titles.

Bottom line: If you are up to starting a new X-men universe or have never experienced another retelling of it – then by all means jump on and enjoy!

You know what’s next a few pages to give you a feel for the books. If you don’t want possible spoilers then don’t look Myrtle!
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November 3, 2012
Comic Comments – Ghost of An Old Friend

I loved Ghostbusters when it came out. It was the summer after I graduated high school. I think I saw it four times in the theater with various groups of friends. Years later when DVD technology came into our home it was the first DVD I ever bought. I wanted to introduce Aaron to the fun that was Egon, Peter, Ray, and Winston. That’s why I put the comic on my pull list when I returned to comics. Unfortunately I jumped on at issue 4. This arc covers issues 1-4. I was set for the next arc which I loved (and was commented upon at my G+). So I had to go back and get issues 1-3 to complete this arc. That took some doing as it was sold out, but I finally got the issues and read the whole arc. It’s good to have the gang back together and complete.

First let’s credit the team that built this arc: Erik Burnham – Writer, Dan Shoening, Artist – Luis Antonio Delgado, Colorist – Tristan Jones, PCOC Pages – Shawn Lee, Letterer – Bobby Curnow, Associate Edits (Issue 1) – Tom Waltz, Editor. Now for cover credits by issue. Issue 1: Cover A (pictures here) – Art by Dan Schoening, Colors by Antonio Delgado – Cover B Nick Runge – Covers RIA & RIB Art by Dan Schoening, colors by Antonio Degado. Issue 2: Cover A – Art by Dan Schoening, Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado – Cover B (pictured here) by Nick Runge – Cover R1 Art by Dan Schoening, Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado. Issue 3: Cover A – Art by Dan Schoening, Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado – Cover B (pictured here) by Nick Runge – Cover R1 by Tristan Jones. Issue 4: Cover A (pictured here) – Art by Dan Schoening, Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado – Cover B by Nick Runge – Cover R1 art by Erik Burnham, Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado.

Next we need to get the legal statement out of the way – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

This whole story centers on the moment in the first movie where Ray chose the StayPuf Man to be the Destructor for Gozer. This led to the ending we are familiar with and made the GBs a world hero and franchise. All is well that ends well right? Uh for everyone but Gozer.

This arc centers on Gozer trying to get a second chance to enter our plane of existence. The first step is getting Ray to select something a bit more ominous. Ray has an ally in this his fairy godfather – Jake Blues. Yep the John Belushi character of the Blues Brothers. With Jake on your side you know you are going to win!

Through out this second chapter of the Gozer story there are connections to the movies. Slimer makes another appearance. We see the Carpathian’s painting in the background of some scenes. Mr Peck from the EPA (yes the dickless wonder) gets a new job from the Governor of New York. It’s all good if you love this universe.

This art is fun and cartoony. I don’t mind because honestly so were the movies. It all fits nicely into the universe and carries forward the story much better than the animated series did. I can see some influence stylistically from the series but it is not too much.

Finally the covers – the Cover B series draws inspiration from famous band album covers. There’s the Beatles Abby Road Album on Issue 2, and Queen II on Issue 3 pictured here. The alternate for Issue 01 was KISS Destroyer inspired. Issue 4 moved into TV shows with the R1 cover inspired by the Brady Bunch. I enjoyed seeing the thumbnail of the ones I didn’t purchase. Yet, I won’t be getting into the collecting of cover variations.

In the end I loved it. It’s like the Dark Shadows comics for me a visit to something I loved at a younger time in my life. With the rumor mill churning on GB III announced to start production in 2013 this is a fun way to fill the time and get excited for the next movie in what has become a comedy cult classic.

***YOU KNOW WHAT’S NEXT*** POSSIBLE SPOILER SCANS***

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November 1, 2012
Comic Comments – When Men Are The Fairest

I was looking forward to this issue of the Fairest from the previews. The stand alone issue is entitled Lamia. It’s a noir crime story told with the Fable characters and set in the 1940s LA. Think LA Confidential but with Fables Beast taking the lead detective role. Yes that’s right this issue of Fairest centers on a male character. He’s off to capture a female dragon that he has been containing every few decades since the fables took refuge in the mundy world. As always he’s teamed up with St. George to contain the threat. I have to say the story is excellent. The twist at the end left me shocked so much I had to read it twice. The old ‘did that mean what I thought it meant?!?’ reader’s double take. Cudos to Matthew Sturges for penning such an awesome story. I PROMISE no spoilers or hint of spoilers on the great twist.

Speaking of the writer Matthew Sturges, I’d like to acknowledge all the people that made this awesome issue happen. Shawn McManus – Art & Colors, Todd Klein – Letters, Adam Hughes – Cover, Gregory Lockard – Assistant Editor, Shelly Bond – Editor, and Bill Willingham – Creator & Consultant.

Next we need to get the legal statement out of the way – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Ahh the story – a female dragon named Lamia is loose in the mundy world again. It is in November of 1946. Beast and St George team up again but this time under the names Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. We learn other famous literary detectives through the years have been Beast and St George working to contain Lamia when she escapes.

Now you’d think the mundies like us would notice a big green scaly lizard taking victims in 1946 LA. Ahh but one of Lamia’s powers is she can transform into a beautiful woman. This is why all her victims are men and how she lures them in. The story is of her containment yet again.

The art of the issue supports the noir crime theme excellently. The panels are either the cool grays or sepia tones of yesteryear. The only exception it to add the color red. This is used well not to be a gimmick to highlight the gore of Lamia’s kills but also to add to the neon and other things of the time. It isn’t over done at all. It’s actually very restrained adding to the power of the just one color pop. Adding the over all dark depressing feel that such a requirement for noir crime.

I don’t rate comics when I review them. Because I don’t want to become the arbitrator of what’s good and what’s not. I’m here to share my opinion on the books. It might be a great comic and I know that but I don’t care for it. How do I rate that? However I’d have to say this one comes down to being a 10 out of 10 for me. It hits all the right notes I want when coming to a comic for a story. Great art, excellent writing, well done plot, and twists within twists at the ending. Bravo! to the Fairest team for making this one of my must reads.

** NOTE NONE OF THE SCANS BELOW SPOIL THE TWISTS** I chose scans that more display how wonderful the use of art was with the story. I am limiting them so I don’t spoil the great plot surprises along the way.

As you can see part of Beast’s narration of the story appears as a letter home to Beauty. Here you can see how the gray tones and the touch of red add to the feel of the story and highlight the noir setting.

Here we see Lamia transform as she escapes from Beast. She sheds her woman appearance to slither out a vent. Here the art moved from the grey hues of the top page scan there to the more sepia tones of the interiors. Since this issue is mostly in those tones sepia indicates indoor settings and greys outdoor.

Again this was an awesome issue. If you are interested in getting into comics but aren’t into the superhero idea do try Fairest or its parent comic Fables. Both are excellent!

October 30, 2012
Comic Comments – Everyone DIES!

When the title says Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe it ain’t kidding. When Marvel says PARENTAL ADVISORY NOT FOR KIDS they aren’t kidding either. Our comic relief Deadpool takes on a darker new persona that’s more not the quipping funny guy with battle skills any more. His inner dialogue is more philosophical than campy. This is not the usual Deadpool but this isn’t part of the normal Marvel universe where AVX interruptus is going on any way.

First let’s give the crazy guys who created this nightmare credit. Cullen Bunn, Writer – Dalibor Talajic’, Artist – Lee Loughridge, Colorist, VC’s Joe Sabino, Letterer – Kaare Andrews, Cover Artist – Jordan D. White, Editor – Nick Lowe, Senior Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Next the required legal statement – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

I have to say I went into this not knowing what to expect and came out oddly conflicted but liking it.

What I don’t like about it is what makes it the have the parental advisory – the gore. Comic books often show fighting, often show deaths of heroes and villains (most of the time death doesn’t last) but generally it’s not gory it’s more like the old Westerns where the violence was cleaned up. Someone gets shot they just fly against the bar and slump kind of thing. Here it’s not that clean – though why it isn’t I don’t know. It could have been. I can only guess it isn’t because it doesn’t have to be being a stand-alone short.

I have to tread lightly here about what I like about it so I don’t spoiler it too much. I like DP’s motivation and the whole concept of why he’s doing it. It’s developed and unveiled well over the four issues. Though I have to say I got it before it became hammer proportions as it is in the final issue. The reason suits Deadpool in the end.

Once I let go of my dislike of the graphic nature of it I did find amusement in how DP went about killing off both heroes and villains alike. He makes endings that oddly suit the victims. His prattle contains the clues to his motivation.

As for the art – leaving the goriness aside – it’s awesome. I like it very much for me Talajic hits a home run on it. It actually reminds me of the Walking Dead art which I like very much. Only this is colorized. A good grounded in reality comic book artist is what this story needed being so graphic and dark. It is exactly what it got.

Now for the final test – would I recommend it? Not everyone no by a LONG shot. I think this only appeals to hardcore Marvel fans. You’ve got to know the victims to get a lot of the story. You have to know Deadpool to understand the irony of him. Given that I’m still not sure I’d say buy it – maybe borrow it or check it out of the adult section of the library (ours has an adult graphic novel section bet yours does too). IF you are a Deadpool fan as I am a Wolverine fan – then yes I’d say you need this. Otherwise – take it or leave it.

*** NOTICE FROM ON SPOILER SCANS*** I did choose scans that were NOT graphic or gory. Being me I looked for more story and character related moments.

I would just like it noted that my Wolverine said it wasn’t a good idea to do what started it all. Just please take note he’s the only one! He knew this wasn’t a good idea and boy it wasn’t.

For those who don’t know this is an Observer – Marvel has had them as narrators on and off for years. I hate them. I don’t know why but I don’t like an omnipresent narrator. It’s lazy writing. It’s telling not showing. So I did enjoy the fact that DP got one as one of his first victims!

Okay maybe this is graphic – Howard The Duck with his goose cooked. I’m sorry I thought it was funny. Does that mean I’m perverse? Nah just have a good sense of humor.

Here’s where the hints of his motive is becoming hammer. Really Chuck you shouldn’t have put DP in an institution.

In the final books DP spells out his motivation. Makes you think about all we put our favorite characters through just for our own entertainment. I have to say I do enjoy it as a reader and thinking up such things as a writer.

Until next time!

October 25, 2012
Comic Comments – Deadpool Can Die

When we left Deadpool he was ‘cured’ of his healing factor and handsome again. Now he’s honing his skills as he got soft healing from injuries. BUT now that he is killable his enemies would like to oblige. Thus starts this three issue arc entitled Blacklisted.

First the legal stuff: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Next credit where credit is due: Daniel Way, Writer – Salva Espin, Artist – Dommo Sanchez Aymara, Colorist Issues 58 & 59, Guru eFX, Colorist Issue 60 – VC’S Joe Sabino, Letterer – Dave Johnson, Covers – Jordan D. White, Editor – Nick Lowe, Senior Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

This story has all of Deadpool’s enemies who have Black in their name going after him. Black Box a villain that can control electronics uses social media to notify the villain world that our beloved Merc with a Mouth can die. The hi-jinx ensue from that.

This was what I look for in a Deadpool comic – comic relief poking fun at the superhero/supervillain genre while loving it too. Deadpool is crazy and clueless but talented fighter. His villains are bumbling and would be dangerous if only they could get it together. Inter cut with all of this is the constant inner dialogue of Deadpool himself the sane and the insane. Then add his 1980s action movie quips based on current pop culture and you have a fun read.

No when I come to a Deadpool comic I don’t want to see character growth. I don’t want a tight story. I don’t want top shelf art. I want DP to be himself, just like Roadrunner is always himself. I want a romp of a story that’s amusing, fun, and has action. I want art that’s a bit cartoony or comical at times. I have to say this arc gave me all of that. I walked away from the story contented. I got exactly what I came for and it was fun!

**Warning** Warning**Scrolling further MAY result in spoilers as I chat about some particular pages from issues **WARNING**WARNING

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October 22, 2012
Comic Comments – Pull List Update

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post updating on my pull list status. Some comics have fallen by the wayside and others have come on the list. Let’s look at what I am reading and why.

If you’ve been to Cons you’ll laugh and nod while reading.

The Adventures of Comic Con Girl had me laughing and nodding. I’ve been to Cons and I know of what they are parodying. This is a limited run and fun to laugh at ourselves. I look forward to her adventures and know if this was on-going it’d drop but for the short limited it’s worth the read.

This issue Logan IS the bomb.

Actually I’ll have to say it wasn’t Logan being a bomb that brought me back. What brought me back into this title was the previews of this issue. I loved how the team reacted and worked together after the Logan bomb went off. How they supported him and worked with each other to figure it out. I like that kind of X-Men story it’s too much inter fighting and not enough teamwork stories lately. So I went back to issue 50 just before Northstar’s wedding issue. Oh Logan blew at the wedding reception luckily he’d left the tent to walk off his ‘too many canapes’ that were upsetting his stomach.

You wouldn’t know it today since I’m heavily Marvel and Independents but DC and I go way back. So far back that my first word was Batman, not Mom, not Dad, but Batman. However I burned on DC decades ago. I’d tried about every five years or so to make a foray into their titles to be disappointed. However the free Earth One I got with the preview of the Batman story line hooked me. That was a title I liked with just Batman. I put my old buddy back on the list in hopes we can renew our friendship. Would be could to welcome him back with Wolverine and Bigby as a favored hero.

I liked Top Cow back in the day. Then with the buzz surrounding this and the kickstarter project I just gotta see the results. So this went on the pull list. I’ll let you know what I think.

I’m staying with this title out of nostalgia. I loved Dark Shadows back in the early 70s and this has kept the vibe. Unlike the Depp/Burton butchering of it, this held true to what I adored. So as long as they keep up with the original I’ll keep this on my pull list.

Deadpool‘s own title the best of the Merc with a Mouth. I enjoy him as the antidote for the overly serious superhero/villain stories. He’s staying on the pull list for the fun that he is.

Fables is a staple of any pull list I ever create. when starting a pull list first on the list is Wolverine and second is Fables. Fables for consistence excellence in writing and art. I’ve never been let down by them in the years I’ve been reading.

The latest and currently on-going spin off from Fables. Just like the main titles have never let me down – neither have the spin-off titles. So I’m on board.

I have a handful of favorite characters in Marvel beyond Wolverine. One of the is Nick Fury. When this started set in the 60s with great cover art I was interested and haven’t been disappointed. I’ve heard the tale of Fury in WWII many times but Fury in the 60s-80s not so much and enjoy this take on him.

Another favorite Marvel man of mine is Gambit. He’s had his own title many times – this is his 5th. I wouldn’t miss it. I’m waiting for the first arc to complete before reading but I have flipped through. I’m anxious to see what he’s like here as teacher by day – superhero thief by night.

I’m a fan of the Ghosbusters movies. The first DVD I ever bought was the first movie. So I had to try this comic, they had me at John Beluishi as Jake Blues was the guardian angel of Ackroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stanz sold me on the series.

With the pleathra of paranormal “reality” shows and my penchant for loving those types of stories I had to try out this title. I’ve not been disappointed and it still sits on my pull-list in a well deserved spot.

When Marvel Zombies were introduced I loved them as a novelty gag. I didn’t nor am I interested in a series based on them. BUT a Halloween special SURE! Zombies, Marvel, and Halloween pass the candy corn I’ve got reading to do. I’ll also be getting the Holidays special just like last year. Hopefully I’ll be more timely in reviewing it.

Speaking of zombies – this centers around zombies in Wisconsin. I couldn’t resist. I’ve not read waiting on complete first arc before I dive in. I know it’s been highly praised and is in multiple reprints to meet demand.

I read great reviews of this and jumped in at issue 6 which was sold as a good jumping on point. I liked it so much I went back and bought issues 1-5. I’m a fan of the odd and strange. I’ve been intrigued by UFO tales since there was a bulletin board outside my 3rd grade class about them back in 1974. This story is good at weaving in all the classic tales, theories, incidents, and such into the telling. I am enjoying it very much.

Okay another type of story I enjoy the heist/scam story. Think Oceans 12, The Heist, The Sting, etc. Scam struck me as being in that vein. I put on the list and was surprised when I got issue 1 that it’s more than a double sized issue. I’ll stay on to see where it goes. So far so good.

Okay I jumped on this for two reasons 1) awesome reviews 10 out of 10 rating this I gotta see and 2) I’ve had to make similar decision (not so extreme) working in the rad waste industry as a consultant. I’ll be honest I’ve not read them yet again waiting for a full arc so I can judge. But if it lives up to a portion of what the reviewers claim – it’s awesome.

I got this to see where the over all Marvel universe goes post AvX interruptus. I hop on and off the New Avengers boat as the title and arcs grab me. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay on this Uncanny Avengers title but for now I’m willing to stay for at least the first arc.

I’m on and off the X-Force boat like I’ve been the Avenger boat. Anytime Cable isn’t there I’ll consider it. I don’t like Cable and avoid him unless Deadpool is there then I consider it REAL HARD. So here we have Wolverine and Deadpool my most favorite character and one of my other favorite Marvel men. So I’m on until this title ends at issue 35, which is 4 more issues.

Okay I’ll admit it I hopped on this title after falling for the TV show it inspired. Yes they are two different stories with the same characters and kinda the same plot but not exactly. Both are excellent both get my time, neither am I dropping. Good writing will always keep me enthralled.

Remember back at Fables I said whenever I start a pull list… well this is the first title on it. My favorite character by far in the comics is James “Logan” Howlett. This title at times rocks and other times sucks (like the most recently completed arc sucked.) At times it’ll be so bad I’ll drop comics all together for years (AHEM Evolution arc I’m looking RIGHT AT YOU) but then something awesome will come and I’ll be back. So this time I put on my barn boots and waded through the last arc of Sabertooth Reborn and hoped for better. Isn’t that always how it is with the one you love they’ll drive you crazy.

This would be number 3 on my pull list. I love this title and hope, hope that they assign strong artists to it. I adore the growth of character it took to make Wolverine headmaster of his own school. Five years ago we’d thought it’d been Scott but no it’s Logan who inherits Xavier’s dream and carries on. It makes perfect sense in many ways. I love watching it be carried out. I hope this title is around for a VERY long time and sits there on any pull list I make with Wolverine and Fables.

The final title doesn’t have a preview cover released yet – Wolverine Max. It’s a Wolverine title so yeah it’s on my list. It’s another retelling of the Wolverine tale so I might like it if it’s limited like Wolverine Noir was or I might get bored and dump it. Been there done that don’t need another universe to follow… like recent First X-Men title for me. Only time will tell. Check in to my next pull list post and see if it stayed or read the Comic Comments I do and see what I think.

Until next time!

October 16, 2012