Mary Louise Eklund

Tag: hobby

Comic Comments – Wolverine Noir

This is a 4 issue limited series. It takes the characters of the Wolverine stories and casts them in a hardboiled private eye Noir story set in in 1937 Bowery NY. All the characters appear as versions of themselves Logan, Dog, Mariko, Yuriko, Smitty, Thomas Logan, Victor Creed, and Rose. They all put in an appearances in the tale. None of them are mutants, just regular people. It is well done and I enjoyed this take on them.

The series is written by Stuart Moore; C. P. Smith, Artist; Rain Beredo; Colorist, Jeff Eckleberry, Letterer; Daniel Ketchum, Editor; Axel Alonso, Executive Editor; Joe Quesada, Editor In Chief; San Buckley, Publisher; Alan Fine, Executive Producer; C. P. Smith and Dennis Calero, Covers.

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 when I placed this on my pull-list I love Noir fiction. I’m not sure what my passion for dark tales with no one is clearly a hero but there are clear villains says about me personally but I do enjoy a good dark tale. This certainly falls in that category and pulls all the tropes of Noir into play.

Wolverine is cast as Jim Logan a private eye with his “brother” Dog Logan they run a seedy detective agency in the Bowery called Logan and Logan. Dog is a simple muscle head with Jim being the brains of the outfit. The story starts with the high class dame walking in off the street and hiring them. Classic! This is Mariko’s role. She’s a rich Japanese woman here on business for her father. She needs them to find out who has been following her and why. Clues lead to a local flophouse. Dog pleads to investigate that on his own and Jim lets him go. That’s when Dog goes missing and Jim sets out to find him. Along the way we meet Amiko and Victor Creed. In flashbacks we get the story of how Jim and Dog wound up in the Bowery and in doing so meet this story’s versions of Smitty, Thomas Logan, and Rose. In true fashion the story ends with Jim not being totally innocent over all but being a victim all the same. The twist at the end is who is behind making him the victim. Like all good Noir tales it’s a shocker but makes sense. I’ll not divulge it well worth the read.

I love the seedier versions of the familiar characters. Some actually wind up better in this tale they they are in the main continuity. Thomas is a preacher. Victor is rich and gets the best of Jim at every turn. Some are worse, Jim doesn’t get all the noble qualities of our Logan but has enough to make him recognizable. Amiko comes out equal but Mariko get short changed of true love in this tale. Rose is totally different but still is the ‘Little Redhaired Girl’ of Jim’s heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the story but I don’t want to see it continued. Sometimes a good tale is enough – don’t mess with it.

The art suits the style of the story. I like it here very much. It’s dark gritty and never quite gives you a clear image of what is really going on. Which matches what a true Noir tale is completely. However I’d find this annoying in a regular comic. I think it is important to match art style with the script and this is a perfect marriage. The perfect match gave more punch to the story overall and made this a success in my book (and I’ve read A LOT of Noir books). Cudos.

This covers all the completed recent arcs in my in-box until my next shipment. When that shipment arrives several titles will be completing arcs. Until then I’ll hit some older issues I like of various titles.

Next – panel and pages comments:

(more…)

September 7, 2012
Comic Comments – A Field Guide To Flying Saucers

This is a new comic book to me but I’m jumping in at issue 6. Saucer Country touted this as a good jump on issue and it is. I’m sorry I missed the past five, I’ve got them on back order. This comic dovetails into my fascination with paranormal, flying saucers, and the like. I’ve been fascinated with them since a bulletin board in the hallway when I was in third grade collected ‘true’ flying saucer tales during a big surge of interest in them in the early 70’s. (These times are know as flap among ufologist.) I have to say this issue gives a good over view of the classic cases and various theories about what these unknowns are.

First off we’ll get the legal disclaimer out of the way and give credit where credit is due. 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.

Credits for the issue are: Paul Cornell, Writer; Jimmy Broxton, Art & Color; Sal Ciprano, Letters; Mark Doyle, Associate Editor; and Will Dennis, Editor. Other special credits listed are thanks to Mark Pilkington for research help. Also Saucer Country created by Cornell & Kelly.

I’ve enjoyed reading flying saucer/UFO stories for going on four decades now. I’m pretty familiar with the classic stories and various theories about them. The highlights are well summed up in this issue from Kenneth Arnold’s sighting of crescent shaped craft just before the Roswell thing happened to how modern movies change what’s the predominate reports to blurring the lines between what was believed to be nut & bolt alien craft and paranormal occurrences. Even the current rage (I remember the first time it came around & I read Chariot of the Gods) of ancient gods being aliens is hit upon. It’s all covered here. Cudos for to the writers even in fiction on fringe topics do your research and get it right.

The frame for this summary of UFO lore and history is a lecture by researcher to a Senator and some other people. Apparently the audience had some unexplained experience in the first 5 issues and are now interested in the history of these types of events. The Professor gives a great history of the origins of the terms flying saucer, little green men, the greys and so much more. It’s a fun recap of what you’ll see bandied about should you delve into this subculture of UFOs. The frame works well to present it all. Along the way there are some twists aside – like who are the ‘sources’ the professor refers to? I’m sure that’ll be built upon in other issues. What the audience does with the information is another building block for the stories. Will they buy current theories, will they take the dubunker’s perspectives, or will they build their own explanations for what they experienced? This was enough of a taste to have me add this to my pull-list. I love a good alien story and have for over 40 years.

The art is excellent! I really enjoyed the panels illustrating what the Professor was saying. It gives a rich take on what was basically a lecture issue but instead became a travel through time. The art is sharp and realistic when it comes to the people but soft and at times cartoonish when it comes to the aliens. Perfect to walk that line without buying or discounting the various perspectives put forth in the lecture.

Okay I know you are wondering “Is she a believer or not?” The answer yes and no. I do believe that most, the vast majority of sightings and experiences can be explained in terms of things we understand today. They can be such things as hypnagogic sleep paralysis to test flights of secret experimental aircraft. BUT I do think that a very,very small bit of them are truly unexplained. What those things are – I haven’t a clue! BUT I enjoy hearing other people guess. I’ve not found an answer yet that I’ll buy. In the end I find it all great fuel for the creative engine and inspiration for stories of pure fiction.

So I’m sold on Saucer Country it’s on my pull list now! I’ve been a sucker for a good alien story for 40 years.

Up next on Comic Comments is Wolverine Noir this was a limited 4 book series telling an alternate story of Logan and Logan Private Investigations run by James Logan and his brother Dog. Next is panel and page comments.

(more…)

September 5, 2012
Comic Comments – The Gathering

This arc of Grimm Fairy Tales: Myths & Legends takes Issue 16 and 17. It deals with the story of Helios and his relation to the searching for an artifact today. I’m newish to this title and am still learning my way around the characters and universe. I tried to get into the main title Grimm Fairy Tales but never could. I did enjoy the last arc in this title and have kept it. I’ll explain more once the legalese and credits are 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.

The credits are a bit long and complicated given each issue has multiple covers. Just hang in there with me and let’s thank those who make our comics possible. Issue 16 story by Raven Gregory, Joe Brusha, and Ralph Tedesco; Raven Gregory, Writer; Joyce Mauriera and Ilias Kyriazis, Art; Jeff Balke, Sean Forney, & Ramon Ignacio Bunge, Colors; Jim Campbell, Letterer; Cover A (Pictured here) by Stjepan Sejic; Cover B by Robert Atkins & Sanju Nivangune; Boston Comic Con Exclusive Cover limited to 500 Copies by Elais Chatzoudis; Edited by Matt Rogers & Anthony Spay. Issue 17 Story by Raven Gregory, Joe Brusha, & Ralph Tedesco; Raven Gregroy, Writer; V. Kenneth Marion & Marco Constino, Art; Jeff Balke & Roland Pilcz, Colors; Jim Campbell, Letterer; Cover A (pictured here) by Ale Garza & Sanju Nivangune; Cover B by Mike Capprotti; Big D Comics Exclusive Cover limited to 500 Copies by Nei Ruffino; Phoenix Comic Con Exclusive Cover limited to 500 Copies by Eric Basaldua & Nei Ruffino; Phoenix Comic Con Exclusive Cover limited to 250 Copies by Eric Basaldua & Nei Ruffino; Pheonix Comic Con Exclusive Sketch Cover Limited to 75 Copies by Eric Basaldua; Edited by Matt Rogers & Raven Gregory.

Okay like I said I’m new to this and still trying to catch on to all the characters. The set up of each issue is a frame story of things going on today in the modern world with a fairy tale being told that has a bearing on the events of today. In the modern aspect there is a female police detective that is aware of these magical/fairy tale goings on slipping into our world from theirs. She acts as the police here to get them back to where they belong. While doing that she’s trying to keep down the freak out here over things we think aren’t real. Actually they aren’t real in this dimension but they are in other dimensions. That’s the basic concept and we’ll build from there together.

This two book arc has to do with the tale of Helios. He was born with the power of the sun in him. Unfortunately this meant he could touch no one without burning them to a cinder. He finds a way to control his power but must perform a secret ritual nightly for it work. He builds a normal life but the secret eats away at his wife. Where does he go nightly? What does he do? She sets out to find the answer and learns more than she bargained. In the modern story various entities are scrabbling to find parts of a medallion that contains the power of Helios. If someone gets all the parts and puts them together fire will be let loose upon the dimension where they are assembled. Needles to say our detective doesn’t want that to be here! or any where if she can help it.

In this arc the strong story is the fairy tale. It’s a tragedy but it’s well spun and brings out a life lesson about secrets, trust, and love. All good fairy tales have a lesson to them. Most fairy tales if you go back before the Disney-ification of them were not sweetness and light. They were warnings of dire consequences if lessons weren’t heeded. This one is a good illustration of what secrets, even well intended ones, in a relationship can do.

The modern one flashes so many characters I don’t know that didn’t have much meaning for me. I did get the idea of who is good and who is evil. Easy one – Devil = evil! I get that some of them have faced our detective before and want to destroy her for what she did in their last confrontation. Apparently some have newly allied to this purpose of striking down our dimension and its guardian detective lady. Don’t worry she’s got the glowy girl that talks in squiggly bubbles to help her out. She provides the back story to what Helios’s powers were.

As for the art, it’s cheesecake art. Yes just like the cover so goes the interior. I don’t mind topless mermaids I get that. I just don’t get some of the outrageous poses or going to battle in less clothes than you wear at your desk back in division headquarters. Hey I love some beefcake as much as the next person so I get cheesecake is the other side to that. Fine but there are times it’s practical and times it’s just ridiculous. Which I think is a fundamental difference between fangurls and fanboys – just where the suspension of belief is in favor of the cake of your choice. I think this title which is known for it goes over my boundary but I do enjoy the fairy tales so I’ll hang on another arc and see if the writing over comes my eye rolling.

The other thing that annoyed me was the changing font. I get doing something to bubbles to let us know this person speaks mentally (mind to mind) rather than out loud. I get doing something to the bubbles to indicate this person sounds different than anything around this dimension. I don’t like all the odd fonts for that. It throws off my reading. It’s like reading one of Aaron’s 3rd grade papers when he discovered how to change fonts, do bold and italics. Very annoying – stick to one font and change the bubbles.

This title is on probation with me. I can’t say I dislike it because I don’t. I can’t say I don’t enjoy it because I do. I can say that finances spent on comics are limited and this one isn’t as liked or enjoyed as much as others. If a really interesting new title comes along and I need to drop a title this one is on the short list to be dropped – unless the next arc will blows my socks off or given the cheesecake art should I say pants?

Next up on Comic Comments is Saucer Country Issue 6 which was touted as a good jump on issue entitled A Field Guide To Flying Saucers. Panels and pages comments after the jump (warning could be considered SPOILERY)

(more…)

September 3, 2012
Comic Comments – Wide Awake

This is the first arc of the Fable spin-off Fairest. It takes issues 1-6 to tell the story of Sleeping Beauty (Brier Rose) and the Snow Queen (Lumi) waking from their slumber imposed by Brier’s curse but used by the Fables to destroy the Adversary. Okay, I know if you don’t read the Fables title this a lot of jargon to take in. Hold on I’ll do some ‘splainin’ after we get the legal disclaimer and artistic credits 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.

I love giving credit to the creators. First off Fairest is created by Bill Willingham. The credits beyond that are as follows. If not issues are noted the credit stands for all the issues 1-6. The credits are: Bill Willingham, Writer; PHil Jimenez, Pencils and Variant Covers for Issue 1, Andy Lanning, Inks Issues 1 & 2, pages 1-7 & 12-20 in Issue 3, Issue 4 with Andre Pepoy on pages 12 & 13, pages 1, 3-9, 12-14, & 17 or Issue 5, pages 2-14, 16-20 of Issue 6′ Andrew Pepoy, Inker pages 2, 10-11, 15-16, 18-20 of Issue 5 and pages 1 & 15 of Issue 6; Andrew Dalhouse, Colors Todd Klein, Letters; Adam Hughes, Covers, Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Variant Cover Colors Issue 1; Special Thanks to Zander Cannon, Issues 2-6; Gregory Lockard, Assistant Editor; Shelly Bond, Editor.

For those who don’t follow Fables let me first explain the concept. Think of any fairy tale, folk lore, or fable you’ve ever heard that is now in the public domain and those are the denizens of Fables. There are many different worlds in Fables Oz, Arabian Tales, King Arthur’s Court, and so-on. These are call the homelands. We are a world in this universe know as Mundy because magic isn’t as predominate here. The book started when many characters were fleeing the homelands because of a villain called The Advisory. These refugees settle into life in New York City in a neighborhood called Fabletown. Except for the animals because talking animals would draw attention land was bought in upstate New York for them and they settled there on The Farm. The war raged on with The Advisory for many issues but finally his empire in the homelands was defeated with a multi-pronged attack that included Brier Rose (Sleeping Beauty) sneaking into his capital and pricking her finger at just the right moment to put all in charge of the empire into a sound sleep due to her curse. There have been many arcs since then and the capital slept away as Fabletown/Farm won the war and started the return of those who wanted to go back to the homelands. Recently goblins took Brier and Lumi (Snow Queen was formerly of Advisory inner court) not sure which one was the Sleeping Beauty since both were beautiful. Upon leaving they torched the capital killing all the other sleepers in the city. THAT’s where the Fairest series begins.

I do encourage you to read all of Fables it’s a fantastic story way beyond the normal comic. It’s well written, entertaining, adult centered, story using characters from our childhood. However if you aren’t up to reading all those TPBs (even from your local library) then you can catch up with the Wikipedia article on the title or peruse the list of characters at Wikipedia.

Now we are all on the same page as it were, let’s get on with Wide Awake where the ladies awaken. The story starts with Ali Baba finding a bottle in the ashes of The Advisory’s capital. In the bottle is a Bottle Imp whose power isn’t to grant wishes but instead to know things, specialty being the Mundy world. Still he knows where the greatest treasure of the capital city that has not been looted is kept. He leads Ali to the goblin encampment and the women. After some adventure and misadventure Ali wakes the beauties by kissing Brier with true love in his heart. Only the twist is the true love isn’t for Brier. The Lumi wakes in a really bad mood. She freezes all the goblins immediately and but feeling generous tells Ali, the Bottle Imp, and Brier to RUN! They take her at her word. Eventually they are caught and held as guests/prisoners of Lumi. There we learn Lumi LOVES stories. Bottle Imp tells how Brier became cursed something she didn’t know herself, how Lumi came to serve The Adversary, and a bit about how Ali became the Prince of Thieves. Later the knowledge gained from these stories helps Lumi and Brier win a large battle and come to a chilly friendship. Bottle Imp is granted his freedom for his help. We find out who was the true love in Ali’s heart when he kissed Brier. Brier not only gets revenge on the Dark Fae that cursed her but also learns that what she wants isn’t true love but true builders love – a foundation to build a future with someone else.

The story is like all in the Fables franchise extremely well written. Honestly the character development that continually builds on itself. This series is impressive and multi-faceted. It has a good sense of humor in it with the Bottle Imp bringing most of it. I love how things that were small at first become more important as the story moves along. If you read any in this universe you have to be on your toes watching for where those small plot pivots are! Excellent for engaging a reader beyond surface entertainment. There is a lot of thought and writerly talent brought to bear in the story. Excellently done.

Fables is know for extremely artistic covers that represent characters in the story. Fairest is following in that tradition but I don’t think it’s as strong. The cover of issue 5 falls very short of that mark. The Photoshopped glowy fire in the background is pathetic. If it had centered on just Lumi and her polar bear that would have been great but now we had to grey them up and add some Photoshop horror. Issue 1 is by far my favorite cover. It is a wraparound cover with all the fair ladies that will make up Fairest pictured tending the waking Brier who kicks off the series. Great concept! Excellent execution!

The interior art lives up to the VERY HIGH standards of the Fables franchise. It’s beautiful but story supporting. The people are consistent and well done. The sheer details put into the panels are breathtaking. It’s wonderful to just thumb through and enjoy the images. However I do miss the Fables trademark theme page boarders but that’s never been a feature of their spin-off books. I’m a big fan of the theme boarders. I think it comes from loving the old line illustrated books. Except these are in color! I’ll point them out when reviewing Cubs In Toyland arc when it is complete in that title.

Over all this didn’t disappoint it brought great story with fantastic art the very things I expect from the Fables franchise. It’s a sound and strong beginning for this title. It did not fall short on any measure and honestly I expected nothing less.

Next up for Comic Comments is a Zenescope title. We’ll visit Grimm Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends issues 16 & 17 for The Gathering story arc.

Up next is pages and panel comments: **SPOILER ALERT**

(more…)

August 31, 2012
Comic Comments – Reborn

We join Deadpool in issues 55 -57. The arc is Reborn and Deadpool is. He’s gotten his wish for Death in a way – he can now die which makes life sweeter. However being Deadpool he’s not thought about what the other consequence would be. Some are great others not so great, he sets out to fix one of the not so great ones.

Now for the legalise and credit. 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 credit for this arc is as follows: Daniel Way, Writer; Shawn Crystal, Artist; John Rauch, Colors; VC’s Joe Sabino, Letterer; Dave Johnson, Cover; Jordan D. White, Editor; Nick Lowe, Senior Editor; Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief; Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer; Dan Buckley, Publisher; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

One of the good things that resulted from Deadpool losing his regeneration ability. He’s got his rugged good looks back! He’s pleased with that. He’s just not comfortable without his face covered after having it covered for years. Understandable and tragic in any one else but in this case it’s funny, being DP and all.

One of the downsides is he can now be killed. Even worse he’s lost his edge in fighting because he could always rely on regeneration to fix any damage. Now it’s not true and a simple low class supervillain wanna be can kick his ass. His answer is to go get more training to hone his skills. That leads to an attempted heist of Pym Particles from SHIELD. Except things don’t go as planned, Deadpool is set up but the tables turn and he winds up saving the one who set him up and the wanna be supervillain that attacked him. I love it when Deadpool’s plans come together.

The other downside is that word has gotten out to DPs various enemies that he can now be killed. So once our insane hero had again honed his fighting edge to go save Bob in the three days Wolverine gave him. Except now he has people gunning for him that just might take up his time.

The story is fun and DP is as crazy as ever. He’s good in that he couldn’t let someone who double crossed him die nor could he let a guy that brings a glue gun to a real gun fight get killed. That’s the endearing part of DP. The amusing part is his prattle. That’s classic here from his trying to remember how to shave to wondering why the Trickster wants to work with him. Great DP story – not too heavy but amusing all the way through. This is a great read for the laughs. DP bumbles through like the Mr. Magoo of superheroes. Not only does he save the two but he also foils the robbery. Well worth reading, I’m surprised at the end he didn’t say “I love it when a plan comes together.” LOL!

The art is strong for me. It’s got a slight cartoonish edge but that works well for DP given his take on the world. The covers are pretty. Issue 56 has a 1960s feel to me kinda invoking Fury Max covers but with a comical DP twist. I like that. Issue 55 cover has women in the back ground and while I don’t disagree with the concept women would find the newly restored DP handsome it’s not really addressed in the book. His restored looks are addressed but women’s response isn’t. Again a pet peeve of mine, I’d been happier with just him making love hearts to his own reflection. Still it’s a pretty cover.

That concludes our visit with Deadpool for now. We’ll leave him with Dresden Files and Fables to finish their arcs before I write a Comic Comment on them. Up next will be the first arc of Vertigo‘s Fairest entitled Wide Awake.

On to the panels and pages comments…

(more…)

August 28, 2012
Comic Comments – Dead

Ahh back to routine. We are now to another Marvel title – Deadpool. This 5 book arc is entitled Dead and takes issues 50 – 54. I like him because of his constant stream of conscious prattle. I enjoy it when it’s more pop culture centered. Still this story fits him to a T and I enjoyed it. The art was great and life is good in the Deadpool universe. Except he wants to die.

Let’ s do credits and legal statement. First off 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 legal is out of the off to give credit for the Merc with a Mouth Dead arc: Daniel Way, Writer; Carlo Barberi, Penciler Issue 50; Ale Garza, Penciller Issues 51-54; Walden Wong, Inker Issue 50; Sean Parsons, Inker Issues 51-54; Dommo, Colorist Issue 50; Dommo Sanchez Amara, Colorist Issues 51-54 (not sure if the same person since credit is listed differently); 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; and Alan Find, Executive Producer.

The covers for this arc are awesome. I do enjoy them and like how the hold true to the spirit of the content and reflect Deadpool’s style. The interior art is done by two artist and is very similar in style. I can’t say I prefer one over the other. There are things with each that I love and stuff I don’t care for but nothing I despise. The style leans a bit toward cartoonish at times but that suits Deadpool given his almost Road Runner like behavior at times. I think both the covers and interiors are solid comic book art that I enjoyed very much.

The story is one that builds on Evil Deadpool from the previous arc. For those of you who don’t know Deadpool has a regeneration ability so that makes him unkillable kinda like Logan in that fact. Except a mad scientist kept parts Deadpool had lost frozen and those were thawed out to grow together to make an EVIL Deadpool. Which in theory would also be unkillable. Except in the battle against Evil DP, someone shot him with a serum dart that killed him. Now the real Deadpool thought that was great! He can finally die! He wants the serum. Thus starts this arc where he’s trying to die.

Other mutants who have the regeneration/healing abilities aren’t so keen on the serum and want to control it. Deadpool being his crazy self drags his buddy Hydra Bob into the mess he creates trying to find the serum. DP goes to Fisk, the leader of a world-wide crime syndicate, and tells him about it. Fisk says he’s not interested then goes looking for himself. Which is also the response of Daken. Except Daken wants it to mess with his father Logan. Finally DP goes to the Uncanny X-Force who agree to work with him to find the threat.

What follows is a series of ever more complicated follies of trying to find the serum. Think A-Team when the plan comes together, well DP’s plan of dying is coming together. In the end, the serum isn’t exactly what they thought it was and DP decides he REALLY doesn’t want to die any way. He comes to that conclusion once Bob points out once DP is dead there won’t be anyone to protect Bob, DP’s BFF. Only problem is it’s a bit too late when DP changes his mind because everyone is out to kill him for stirring up more than needs to be stirred up.

Deadpool is classic Deadpool. His internal dialogue is sharp and witty. Everyone’s reaction to him adds a bit of humor to the classic superhero/supervillain match-up. I find it funny that we get what’s going on in his head because we have the stream of consciousness narration boxes in both his internal voices. Psylocke on the other hand is at a loss to make sense of his mind. In the end it is Logan who gets the guy, he knows what it’s like to stick around to save a friend, even when you are tired of sticking around.

I think this starts a new era for Deadpool. For once I’m hoping not too much changes. Sure there are some changes, some that are major but essentially I want him to remain the wacky not quite right reluctant hero. The one that annoys the heck out of everyone even Capt. America. We’ll see what’s up next for the Merc with a mouth, Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.

Up next is another Deadpool arc. This one takes issues 55-57 and is called Reborn. After that we’ll be leaving Deadpool to finish his current arc. That’ll take us out of Marvel for a while. We’ll pass over Dynamite’s Dresden Files and Vertigo’s Fables for the same reason – let them finish their arcs. We’ll settled into Fairest‘s first arc taking issues 1-6, it’s entitled Wide Awake. I think you’ll enjoy that one!

You know what’s after the jump! Panels and Pages Commentary!

(more…)

August 27, 2012
Comic Comment – WXM Alpha and Omega

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega was a limited run five issue story. I will have to say I LOVED this story. It’s the kind of thing I come to a book about Logan running a school for mutant kids to find. KUDOS! I don’t know why this wonderful arc wasn’t part of the main title. I can only guess it would have interfered withe AvsX Interruptus and we gotta support the annual Big Event to sell dem comic books. Never mind great art and great story telling we need multi-title gimmicks. AT least we got this story!

I want to give credit to the creators of this arc. They are: Brian Wood, Writer; Roland Boschi & Dan Brown, Art (Westchester); Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Jay Leisten, Norman Lee, & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issue 1; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Walden Wong, Ronda Pattison & Andres Mossa, Art (Construct) Issue 2; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issues 3 & 4; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Cam Smith & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issue 5; Mark Brooks, Cover Art issues 1 & 2; Joe Tyler Christopher, Cover Art Issue 3, 4, & 5; VX’S Joe Sabino, Letterer, Jared K. Fletcher, Designer; Sebastian Girner, Assistant Editor; Jeanine Schaefer, Editor; Nick Lowe, Group Editor; Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief; Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Dan Buckley, Publisher; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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’ll start with the art. I like the covers. Though they aren’t always accurate for the story. Like Beast doesn’t appear in any issue but on the cover of 5. They all reflect the story well and represent what is going on in the books. It’s not stock images stuck on to finish it off. My favorite cover is 4. I just like the composition of it and the idea of Quentin trying to force Logan into doing something and Logan fighting that control. So the covers are cool and despite all the little Liefield pouches on Logan in the first one I like them.

The interior art is well conceived. I like having two distinct styles for the two settings of the story. One is the school – real life what’s going on here in reality. The second is the construct – what’s going on in the mind game Quentin is running. The art for Westchester is bright crisp and clean. The art for the construct (images cobbled together by Quentin from his favorite video games, action movies, and books) is darker and grittier. The concept works beautifully to quickly and clearly let you know where you are. The characters are well done in both worlds. Well except Rachel at times looks odd… in Westchester. I had a few nit picky things because I am a nit picky person when it comes to my favorite character in comic books but over all I was happily reading and enjoying the experience of a good story told with words and art.

The story is a simple one but profoundly reveals much about the two main characters and who they really are. Logan proves he’s a changed man, even the berserker rage in him has changed. Quentin exposes the real kid under all the bravado he puts on most of the time. The only problem is the whole school gets caught up in these two strong personalities coming to terms with each other and themselves.

Quentin is bored. He’s rebellious and resents having to go to classes. He focuses most of his frustration on Logan as the headmaster. Quentin feels he’s being held prisoner here by Logan given how he came to be a student (scroll down for black and white scan to see the deal Logan made). To prove he doesn’t need to go the psychwar 101 class he decides to take over the mind of the headmaster. Also there’s a bit of jealousy that Logan is “the coolest dude in the room.” So he captures Logan’s conscience into this mind construct he’s built. Immediately there are problems. First Logan was sparring with Hisako Ichiki, Armor, at the time and the mind capture caught her in the construct too. Second there’s the bodies of Logan and Hisako collapsing on the grass in front of the school.

Quentin deals with these problems and goes about playing games with Logan in the construct. Only another problem surfaces, Quentin didn’t capture all of Logan’s mind. The berserker part is still in Logan’s body and now has control of it. Not good to have an angry Berserker running loose in the school screaming for Quire! The school goes into lockdown while Rachel tries to figure out where Hisako is and what’s happened to the headmaster.

Quentin is feeling the strain. Logan very experience in mind games realizes something is up in the construct. He’s fighting against it and trying to put it all together. Hisako is taking his lead. This ups the stress level on Quentin who realizes he has to shut this down and get Logan back in control of his body. After Logan tore up Quentin’s room looking for him.

When in the construct a few things come to light. Quentin isn’t as confident as he seems he’s really a terrified young man with a magnificent power. He’s not totally sure how to use it or control it. He’s lonely and scared and truth be told admires Logan. Logan stays true to himself he’s willing to fight to keep Quentin and Hisako safe. Quentin realizes how important the school is for so many people like himself and Hisako. He knows if Logan doesn’t make it out of the construct then that’s over. Only problem is Quentin can’t get them out! It’s taken on running itself and he has no idea on how to shut it down.

In the end Quentin grows up some and makes a sacrifice of himself for all the others he knows needs Logan and the school. They finally make out of the construct but not damage free. However, both Quentin and Logan learned some important things from the debacle. They come to a new understanding between the two of them.

Like I said this is an awesome story for the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning. It’s what I want from the title. Logan is not Xavier as headmaster but it’s growing into the role and making it his own. His students aren’t being groomed to be a fighting team but they are being groomed to be responsible mutants in life. This story underlines that concept and reaffirms it not only for the title that is currently just supporting the AvsX arc but for Logan himself.

Next up we’ll be leaving Marvel for a look at my free preview issue of DC’s Batman Earth One. A funny fact – you can confirm this with my parents – my first word in life was Batman. No joke. I was DC fan way back but left it behind in the 70s and move to Marvel. Who knows maybe this issue convinces me to try DC again. Stay tuned.

You know what’s after the jump. Commentary on panels and pages.

(more…)

August 22, 2012
Comic Comments – Born Warbird

This is Kid Gladiator’s father fighting the Phoenix. Why it’s on the cover of Wolverine and The X-Men is beyond me. Its tie to this title is very tenuous at best. Are we now going to be treated to a series of covers of parents of students at the school reacting to the Big Event? So goes the whole issue 13 of the title. It’s not about the school, staff members, students, but rather the bodyguard of a student.

Still I like to give credit where it’s due. As Charlemagne said no one ever did me a favor or an injustice without being richly repaid (or words to that effect as a high schooler I wanted that on my tombstone see why Wolverine is my favorite). Those responsible for this issue are: Jason Aaron, Writer; Nick Bradshaw, Penciler; Walden Wong, Cam Smith, & Nick Bradshaw, Inkers; Guru EFX, 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; Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer; Dan Buckley, Publisher; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

We all know my rule about MY X-men – no aliens and no magic! This issue centers around an alien bodyguard of an alien student who I pretend isn’t alien but is a rich mutant brat with a mutant bodyguard. It didn’t work well in this issue. She is of Shi’Tar no that’s not shittier that’s Shi’Tar a warrior like race (think Klingon but cleaner with brighter colors).

We learn Warbird was given Kid Gladiator as her charge to be punished. She tells of how she liked to draw, let an enemy kid go during a battle, and still longs to learn how to live. Her culture teaches her how to die, but she’s struggling to learn how to live.

That story is told with the obligatory cuts to the Big Event story of Warbird going with Gladiator (the father) to get her charge. Kid Gladiator has gone to fight with the X-Men. Since the Phoenix is with the X-Men they have to do battle with it. The warrior race the Shi’Tar get their asses kicked.

No sign of the school, no sign of the staff, no sign of Wolverine named in the title, just the memories of a student’s bodyguard and fights scenes. Don’t care about any of that I come to this title for the stuff that was left out this time.

It is on that note we leave this title to churn away in AvsX interruptus. Hopefully when it pops back up in the rotation we’ll be through with that and can get back to the reason for the title.

Up next is a great limited run title that does take place at the school, that is about the students and staff. Wolverine and The X-Men: Alpha and Omega issues 1-5.

Not much here just one scan of a few panels. You hear Warbird tell us her punishment for letting a kid go and see a bit of the fight action.

(more…)

August 20, 2012
Comic Comments – Got Hope?

After some internal debate I decided to take this AVX tie-in stories one at a time. They hop all around the major story time line so really they are single stand alone vignettes related to the characters featured in Wolverine And The X-Men title. This one centers on the staff in their new positions on their chosen sides in the war. It’s issue 11 for the title and has very little to do with the operation of the school. I’m not buying the titles in AVX so I have fill in here and there with what I learn of the other story lines that are effecting what’s going on here. I’ll try to keep up but if you can fill me in or correct me that’d be great.

As always there’s credits to be given: Jason Aaron, Writer; Nick Bradshaw, Penciler; Walden Wong, Nick Bradshaw, & Norman Lee, Inkers; Justin Ponsor, Colorist; Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer; 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; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

First off the cover – I have no clue why Hulk is red and don’t really care. I’m not into Hulk comics too much SMASH not enough story. Next it’s Bobby all iced up again doing that multiple man trick he developed back in issue 1. Has nothing to do with why I come to Wolverine and the X-Men title which is Logan and his school. This cover has everything to do with the event I have no interest in at all.

Interior is just a choppy mess. We jump from fight to fight with the only slim thread tying it to this title is each fight either has a staff member or student in it. The fights are all fan-boy match-ups shown in just a few panels before we jump over here then over there. I can name the characters because I recognize them and am familiar with the Marvel Universe.

There was one big thing I got from this issue. Logan realizes he can’t kill Hope even if it’s to save the world. It’s not what he’s been fighting for, it’s not who he chose to be from now on. He’s not the guy who kills kids, he’s the one who saves them. He’s determined to save Hope.

A few asides I picked up are: Capt can kick Gambit’s ass. Kid Omega sided with Scott. Quentin complains about not being able to fight doesn’t care which side just hates doing homework. Hope has some Phoenix in her right now and wants to get to the moon for some reason.

That’s it. That’s all I got. Glad Logan reaffirmed his reasons for founding the school. Don’t care about the rest. Just wish this big fight would be over so we can reboot – sorry that’s a DC term now isn’t it – so we can be Marvel NOW!’d and get back to Logan being headmaster at a school for mutant kids.

Next up is issue 12 entitled Hounded with more AVX crap. Yeah you can feel my excitement over this radiating out through the screen can’t you? **YAWN**

(more…)

August 16, 2012
Comic Comments – Day of the Phoenix, Dark Night of the Soul/Avengers vs X-Men…vs X-Men

It’s happened, I didn’t like it. It disrupts the whole great thing that was starting at Jean Grey School For Higher Learning, Avengers versus X-Men. I’ve grouped Wolverine and the X-Men issues 9 and 10 cover Scott coming to the school to see who will side with him and who will side with the Avengers.

Credits for the issues are as follows Jason Aaron, Writer; Chris Bachalo, Penciler/Colorist; Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza, Al Vey, Inkers Issues 9 & 10 Victor Olazaba joined the Inker team for issue 10; Chris Bachalo, Cover Issue 9; Tim Townsend, Cover Issue 10; Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer; 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; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

Before I get into a long thing about the story and the AVX let me address the art. There on cover 9 is my main complaint about Bachalo’s art. Logan is a retangle with a pin head. His torso is too wide, his arms too large, the whole thing is too square and the head is too small. I don’t like the style. I’ve come to take some of his moments when it’s downtime as just art I don’t like as much as others. However when the bodies get boxy, the fights get overly done, the characters are unrecognizable I have to ditch the art and rely of Jason Aaron’s writing to carry me through. Luckily it does. So I know now I really don’t like Bachalo’s fights because I can’t tell what’s going on, I don’t like his Iceman because it’s so cluttered and over done I can’t tell what’s going on. I don’t like it when goes for more style than story telling, I can’t tell who is who or what’s going on. It’s me. I’m not the target market. I’m over 45 not young but dear Marvel I have a very deep pocket and if you want me buying up say 20+ titles a month again, well I have to tell what’s going on and who is who in well written not told before stories.

Let me explain to those who read this but aren’t really comic geeks. Yes, yes there are some and I’ve heard from them, positive stuff. I figure if I entertain non comic book geeks rambling on about comic books then I’m doing something right. Maybe just maybe they might pick one up and find out they like them too. BACK on topic here just what is Avenger Versus X-Men? Well it’s and “event” that crosses into many Marvel Universe titles and makes changes to the whole universe or at least a majority of the characters. First time it happened it was awesome, it was a way to make deeply needed changes in many titles all at once while telling an epic story that showed how everything was related in the Marvel Universe. The one that did this as it should have been done was House of M. It sold well, as in fabulously well. So Marvel made a big changing arc an annual event even though the story lines didn’t need such drastic revision so frequently. Marvel wanted the sales. The next big event I liked was Civil War it started out great but ended with a whimper in my opinion and drove me from buying Marvel for about 4 years. (I came back because Logan was becoming headmaster and I wanted to catch up on how he changed so much). You don’t really need to worry about Civil War because unlike House of M it’s changes didn’t last and we’re still not feeling their effects today. Ironman and Capt America are on the same team again for years and mutant registration went away and the broken stuff they stopped for isn’t broken any more. There were other arcs that sounded stupid and when I’d see posters for them I’d roll my eyes and dispargeningly say “Fanboys, the damn company is run by adolescent fanboys.” It seemed the HULK SMASH of World War Hulk and the bizarre in fighting was the ultimate fan boy argument of “What if Hulk fought Ben Grimm who’d win?” or what if this character fought that one… No reason, no ramifications, no real changes just smashing and fighting and hype.

So the big events started to refresh then got stale themselves. Now the current big event is Avengers versus X-Men the title even belies my reason for dropping out of Marvel for four years. The story stems back to two things 1) there are few mutants after the House of M and 2) the Phoenix force (a fiery space bird that’s been WAY over used for DECADES at Marvel). It’s coming back to earth, Jean Grey the only character that finally and thankfully has stayed dead (PLEASE LET HER STAY THAT WAY) isn’t here to host it so it’s thought it’ll destroy the planet or get Hope Summers the child of Jean. X-Men under the leadership of Scott Summers who is acting more and more like Villain Magneto did in the old days – sees this as a good thing to make more mutants. Avengers don’t want the planet to die and think it’s a bad thing. Now you’re up to speed. An over used reset tool with an over used plot devise has now become an event that will disrupt titles that didn’t need resetting or disrupting.

So now to Issues 9, we rap up the problems from issue 8 Hank is well Logan has his legs back. Then the school becomes aware the Phoenix is coming to earth. The ball starts rolling – Logan is an Avenger and has been an X-Man for years but he’s now on the outs with Scott (see the dartboard here figured out the B isn’t Bobby it’s Beast) thus not part of the team any more. Capt America shows up to talk to his Avenger teammate with the most Phoenix experience, Logan. Everyone involved knows this is going to be drawing up sides, Logan makes it clear he’s on the Avenger’s side because he thinks that the only way for the planet and thus his school will survive. He doesn’t want the kids involved. As it is none have tossed in with the X-Men yet but Hank makes it clear he’s joining Logan with the Avengers. The other staff opts to stay at the school and keep the kids on routine and protected from all of this.

Issue 10 takes place after the Avengers try to take Hope Summers (the believed Phoenix Target) from the X-Men. There has been the first battle, and now Scott Summers himself shows up at Jean Grey’s School of Higher Learning to find who stands with him from the staff there. He first approaches Logan which makes sense being the leader of the group and all. It leads to some really excellent dialogue between the two frienemies. Logan carried a torch for Scott’s wife for years still does in that he named his school after her maiden name and the statue is the Marvel Girl costume.

Speaking of the statue there is a well written moment between Logan and Idie at Jean’s statue. He takes on the headmaster/father role very well and very comfortably. I was impressed how he put aside all the adult crap about AVX to chat with her about how she was doing. That’s what a mature man does when he’s responsible for kids. He protects from the adult problems and helps them with their problems. Admittedly most kids don’t list flame thrower toilets as among their problems but when you integrate the Danger Room training through out the building that’s what you get. OH BTW Capt America only got a B- when battled the new integrated Danger Room… issue 9.

In the end we know the staff divides Bobby, Rachel, Gambit and Chamber go back to Utopia and follow Scott. Cannonball, Husk, Kitty, Rogue, and a few others I can’t recognize from Bachalo’s art stay on the school as staff. They will protect the school no matter what and keep the kids out of the fight. Hank and Logan are off on different missions to support the Avengers.

The sides have been taken let’s get this over with so we can HOPEFULLY go back to a good comic centered on a school for mutant kids with James “Logan” Howlett as the headmaster. In the end I think he should have told both sides to go F**K YOURSELF, holed up in his school and become the Switzerland of AVX to keep the kids safe but then again he is the best at what he does, and what he does isn’t pretty. Besides it’s a fight against Summers no way Logan’s not gonna throw a punch at Scott when given the chance.

Next up more AVX tie-in story lines. We see the fractured staff on their new lines. Each has to decide what they are willing to do to former teammates in this battle. I’ll do two issues again Got Hope and Hounded, issues 11 and 12.

Spoilery comments on specific pages and panels after the jump.

(more…)

August 15, 2012