Madman Atomic Comics #7

March 15, 2008

Madman Atomic Comics #7 (Image Comics)
By Michael Allred & Laura Allred

Following up on last issues truly astonishing death of Joe, Mike Allred takes a shot at the great creative challenge of a silent issue. As Frank Einstein takes a voyage through space, his ship runs aground on a distant world. As he seeks fuel or alternative transportation, he finds himself on an even more bizarre journey of the mind. While I always admire the skill necessary for a silent issue, I’m not really sure how well it works here. Madman is such a bizarre, cerebral property already, that I’m not really sure I understand what Allred is saying with the conclusion of this issue. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on with It Girl, how it relates to what has happened before, or how everything pieces together. I can really only hope, at this point, that next issue will start to clarify things once we get the dialogue back.

Rating: 7/10

The Manhattan Projects #1

March 18, 2012

Title: Infinite Oppenheimers

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Nick Pitarra
Letters: Rus Wooton
Colors: Cris Peter
Publisher: Image Comics

The Manhattan Project: the US think tank that helped develop the atomic bomb and win World War II. But what if there were more to it than that? What if the Project was just a cover for something even bigger – a chance for the greatest minds in the world to carry out virtually any sort of experiment the mind can conceive? And what if, like the project itself, not all of the minds involved were exactly what they appeared?

The Manhattan Projects, the new project by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra, starts out with an intriguing premise and then goes to a very different place. As a sort of alternate history project it starts with Oppenheimer – in real life one of the minds behind the Manhattan Project – and takes him to some very unexpected places. Well… unexpected before you start reading the book, anyway. I heard a lot about this issue’s big twist ending, and to be honest, it was a twist I suspected pretty early on.

That’s not to say it isn’t a really great issue, though. If it was nothing but the twist, there’d be no real reason to come back for issue two. The very concept is clever, original, and plump with potential to take the characters and their world into weird, unexplored, totally unique circumstances. That’s what has made Jonathan Hickman’s work on Fantastic Four so great, and it’s wonderful to see him bringing a similar sensibility to these other characters, who feel totally new despite a bit of familiarity that comes when you attempt any sort of alternate history project.

Nick Pitarra, Hickman’s partner on the recent The Red Wing miniseries, returns with this book as well. There’s only one real scene of sci-fi weirdness for him to illustrate, and he does it well, crafting robotic creatures that look time period appropriate and excitingly bizarre at the same time. Hopefully future installments will give him even more of a chance to branch out and cut loose.

It’s a promising beginning, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes in the future.

Rating: 9/10

No Place Like Home #1

March 4, 2012

Title: Home Again Part One

Writer: Angelo Tirotto
Art: Richard Jordan
Letters: Angelo Tirotto
Colors: Paul Little
Cover Art: Richard Jordan, Ian Churchill (Variant)
Publisher: Image Comics

A killer tornado strikes a small Kansas town, summoning home a young woman whose parents died in the disaster. Dee Dee Hamilton has been in Los Angeles for five years, but Emeraldsville is the same, dull like town she left… until a lunatic disrupts her parents’ funeral. Then, of course, there are the murders…

Fan as I am of all things related to L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, I always like to give a peek at unique interpretations of the Oz mythos. By the end of this issue, though, I’m not really getting a feel for what kind of comic this is supposed to be. The Oz connections are tenuous, to the point where if I hadn’t been promised there was a connection in the solicits for the series I would start to doubt they were even intentional, or at least any more than a quick homage. Is this supposed to be a horror story? A murder mystery? A small town soap opera? Some combination of the above? I’m interested in the book, but I think this first issue needed something a little stronger to hook us. By way of comparison, think of the first episode of Lost. It could have simply been a drama about plane crash survivors, but you at least had that quick appearance by the Smoke Monster to let you know something weird was going on. The closest thing to that in this issue is some animal behavior which, while unusual, isn’t even unheard of in the real world.

Helping out the story is some very nice work by Richard Jordan. His cover is really striking and evocative – perhaps a little on the cheesecake side, but the “surrender” tattoo across Dee Dee’s chest and the crow feathers in the background really help to establish the tone of the book. His interior work, as is usually the case, isn’t quite as polished as the cover, but it’s still really well-done, marvelous at setting the tone and effective at giving this book a certain feel.

I’m going to keep reading a few more issues before I decide if I’m sticking with this series or not. It has potential, but it’s important I get a feel for where this is going before the first story arc ends.

Rating: 7/10

Thief of Thieves #1

February 18, 2012

Title: Chapter One-The Thief and His Apprentice

Story: Robert Kirkman
Writer: Nick Spencer
Art: Shawn Martinbrough
Letters: Rus Wooton
Colors: Felix Serrano
Cover Art: Martinbrough & Serrano
Editor: Sina Grace
Publisher: Image Comics/Skybound

Meet Redmond and Celia, two expert thieves – or, at least, one expert thief and a thief in training. This issue not only introduces us, but flashes back to the day they met, and how they began their odd journey together, with Redmond teaching her how to become a master thief. But despite the allure of his lifestyle, just how satisfying a life does Redmond really lead?

I tried this first issue for several reasons. Foremost, I like the creators involved. Nick Spencer is a fantastic writer, Shawn Martinbrough a great artist, and Robert Kirkman has proven himself to be an important creator behind-the-scenes of the comic book world, trying harder than anybody else I can think of to expand the boundaries of what the medium can offer in terms of different kinds of stories, not just doing the same thing over and over again. For that, if nothing else, I’m inclined to at least sample anything he’s willing to lend his name to.

Thief of Thieves #1 isn’t bad. It’s got wonderful art, and interesting characters with a dynamic that doesn’t feel like most other comic book partnerships. The fact that these are criminals instead of heroic characters further places this book outside of the norm, and the way the two of them meet is funny and entertaining.

That said, I’m not sure I’m sold on this book’s longevity. The first issue is good, but I have trouble seeing what’s going to happen long-term. At the moment, it feels like the beginning of a miniseries (which is actually what I thought it was when I read it, until I got to Kirkman’s text piece at the end). And it could be a great miniseries. But it’s a harder sell as an ongoing, and instead of simply finishing the story, the next few issues instead will have the task of convincing me to devote three dollars a month to this title long term. Fortunately, this is a creative team good enough to do that. Hopefully, they’ll pull it off.

Rating: 7/10

PVP (2003) #19

October 3, 2005

Quick Rating: Good

Will Jade’s sister tear her relationship with Brent apart?

Writer: Scott Kurtz
Art: Scott Kurtz
Cover Art: Jonathan Luna
Publisher: Image Comics

When Jade Fontaine’s sister Miranda comes for a visit, she starts coming on to Brent Sienna in a big way. Whenever he tries to tell his girlfriend Jade, or anyone else for that matter, they treat him with disbelief. So what’s Miranda got up her sleeve?

As is often the case with PVP, the story is drawn from the sort of convoluted situation that belongs on a television sitcom. (Brent has even made comments in the daily PVP strip that they’ll be finished as soon as the public realizes they’re just a rip-off of Newsradio). But somehow the fact that it is such a familiar, over-the-top formula is exactly what makes PVP work. The reason the strip is so funny is because it’s not really about video games, but because it’s a satire of the workplace comedy. Kurtz uses the familiar stories and set-ups and turns them into great bits of metafictional comedy.

The second storyline in this issue draws equally from TV – some time ago Cole let go of his old friends Robbie and Jase and they wound up working for his arch-enemy, Max Powers. Now the promise of a reality show is drawing the rest of the PVP staff, and a justifiably upset Cole goes to ridiculously (and hilariously) un-justified lengths to teach them a lesson. Heck, just the sight of Skull in a giant handlebar mustache is reason enough to buy this comic book.

For fans, Jonathan Luna (of Girls and Ultra fame) contributes this month’s cover, a nice piece reminiscent of old-fashioned romance comic, complete with angst-ridden dialogue from Jade. I rather like when Kurtz gets a guest-artist for the cover, it’s always fun to see the PVP crew done in different styles.

Overall, a good, solid issue of a great humor comic book.

Rating: 7/10

Lullaby: Wisdom Seeker #3

July 2, 2005

Quick Rating: Very Good

As Jim searches for Pinocchio, Alice and Red Riding Hood take up a new quest.

Writers: Mike S. Miller & Ben Avery
Art: Hector Sevilla
Colors: Ulises Arreola & Djoko Santiko
Letters: Bill Tortolini
Editor: Mike S. Miller
Cover Art: Hector Sevilla
Publisher: Image Comics/Alias Enterprises

With Pinnochio missing, Jim Hawkins continues his search for his lost friend. Meanwhile, Alice, Piper and Red Riding Hood continue on their search for the disturbances that have been wreaking havoc on Wonderland – and all roads lead to Oz.

As the story of Lullaby continues, the writing starts to sharpen. In the last two issues, one of the few problems was how abruptly the book shifted from one set of the characters to another. It was almost as if you were reading two entirely different stories with similar themes. This issue the writers blend the two stories much better, cutting back and forth between the various tracts, giving the whole thing a much greater sense of connectivity.

The individual stories are getting better too, as we see more and more how these versions of the characters differ from the classics, and how the stories flow together. Alice and her crew make it to a bridge with a trial-by-combat requisite for crossing… and the combatants are goats. Meanwhile, we see what’s become of Red Riding Hood’s missing grandmother, who is in the clutches of a very familiar villain.

Not unlike Bill Willingham’s Fables, much of the appeal of this title is seeing how so many familiar characters and concepts can be changed and mutated, and ultimately, how they are pieced together. With just one issue left, though, it’s hard to imagine that the miniseries will reach a satisfying conclusion. This isn’t too big a deal – the ongoing series that will follow this up has already been solicited as launching in September, but at the same time, you’d want an inaugural miniseries to stand on its own.

Hector Sevilla, artist and co-creator, is in top form here. I know some people are put off by the rather Manga-esque form the artwork takes, but as long as it’s on an appropriate project, that doesn’t bother me at all. He does a really fantastic job reimagining the characters, The designs are really clever and offbeat, and the scenery and backgrounds are just beautiful.

This is a wonderful little all-ages tale, the sort of thing parents and their kids could be sharing together. And who knows – if your kids enjoy the comic enough, maybe you can use it to get them to pick up a few books without pictures, too.

Rating: 8/10

Hack/Slash (2010 Series) #10

December 17, 2011

Title: Interdimensional Women’s Prison Breakout Part 2

Writer: Tim Seeley
Art: Daniel Leister
Colorist: Mark Englert
Letterer: Crank!
Cover Artist: Tim Seeley
Editor: James Lowder
Publisher: Image Comics

Bomb Queen has leapt universes, landing in the world of Cassie Hack and her partner Vlad. But Vlad is sick and getting worse, and Cassie is going to need somebody else to help her out if she’s going to survive her second battle with the Bomb Queen… a former ally she never thought she’d turn to again. Together with Samhain, Cassie and Bomb Queen face off for the next round of battle.

Although Bomb Queen isn’t the sort of slasher movie enemy that Cassie usually does battle against, she’s certainly twisted enough to inspire terror when she’s played straight. She’s usually used as such a parody in her own title, mocking the conventions of superhero comics and their treatment of villains, that you can actually root for her just a little bit, despite the horrible things she does. That isn’t the case here. Bomb Queen is a killer and a lunatic, and Cassie – and through her, the reader – takes her as a serious threat. Plus, we do get a few genuine monsters thrown into the book as well, a sort of Killer Whale creature up front and a different kind of killer later on. All of these elements come together and make for a solid story that works both for Cassie and for Bomb Queen, which is a nice feeling.

Rating: 8/10

Dynamo 5 #5

July 13, 2007

Dynamo 5 #5 (Image Comics)
By Jay Faerber & Mahmud A. Asrar

This is kind of a surprising story for the young Dynamo 5 title. I would have expected a story dealing with the late Captain Dynamo’s return eventually, but I would have thought Faerber would have spent more time establishing the characters and their world before heading in that direction. On the other hand, taking that angle so early is just another element that makes this book a unique, entertaining read. The last-page reveal fits perfectly with the overall concept of the series, but still managed to be a legitimate shocker. The characters are forced to grow a bit here as well, which is something many of them sorely need. Faerber has thrown us a curve ball with a status-quo changing sstory before the status quo was even really established. It’s a bold idea, and it’s working.

Rating: 8/10

Firebreather (2008 Series) #2

August 16, 2008

Firebreather #2 (Image Comics)
By Phil Hester & Andy Kuhn

Think it’s bad when your birthday present from your dad goes on a rampage and nearly destroys a small town? Imagine how much worse it gets when your mom makes cupcakes with your face on them for your high school homeroom class. Duncan just can’t catch a break. Both of his parents are humiliating him in drastically different ways, and now to top it off, somebody seems to be leaving messages for him by writing on the football field with a school bus, which someone is just sure to notice. Of course, things aren’t peachy for his dad, either, who has to content with some ancient dragon-hunters who have their sights set on Duncan. What’s really great about this book is how utterly normal Duncan is, all things considered. He’s totally believable as a real teenager who just happens to have orange scales and wings. The fantastic elements of his life only serve to reinforce how much he craves an ordinary life, and it’s that relatability that makes him a fun character to read. This is a really strong addition to Image’s superhero line.
Rating: 8/10

Perhapanauts Halloween Spooktacular #1

October 17, 2009

Perhapanauts Halloween Spooktacular #1 (Image Comics)
By Todd Dezago, Fred Hembeck, Rich Woodall, Craig Rousseau, Mike Ploog, Matt Pott & Francesco Francavilla

One of Image’s finest, but sadly least-prolific series returns with this Halloween special. Todd DeZago and a series of artists gives us three solid tales of the Perhapanauts. Fred Hembeck illustrates “Choopie’s Halloween,” a really strong, funny story about our favorite little monster going trick or treating and, naturally, stumbling into some trouble along the way. Rich Woodall‘s art graces “Nacht des Tazelwurm,” a decent little monster story set in the Bavarian Alps. This has some really strong art, although the story itself is my least favorite in the book — not because it’s bad, but because there isn’t really anything that makes it a Halloween story. Finally, co-creator Craig Rousseau returns for “Big in Brazil,” in which our Sasquatch buddy Big heads to South America to seek out one of the other legendary monsters. Depending on which cover you get, there’s also a phenomenal piece of art by Mike Ploog topping off the book. Anything with the Perhapanauts is worth reading, and this is even better than ever.
Rating: 9/10