Sensational She-Hulk #8

December 17, 2011

Title: The World’s Greatest Detective

Writer: John Bryne
Pencils: John Byrne
Inks: Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: Jim Novak
Cover Artist: John Byrne
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In his run on Sensational She-Hulk, writer/artist John Byrne did a wonderfully funny, irreverent version of the character that fully was aware of the fact that she was in a comic book. She’d frequently converse with the creative team, use the conventions of the art form to her advantage, and otherwise have way more fun than most mainstream comics think they’re allowed to have these days. This early issue actually came out in the summer, but it’s got a distinct Christmasy tinge to it.

She-Hulk, alias prosecuting attorney Jennifer Walkers when she’s not busy saving the world, is called upon to handle the case against a man who is accused of seven murders. Although everybody – even his public defender – believes him to be guilty, there’s no concrete evidence of his guilt. Jennifer gets a call from a tiny elf of a man who calls himself Nick St. Christopher – the world’s greatest detective – who believes he can help her on the case.

Although the story plays a little coy with Nick’s true identity, if you haven’t figured it out simply by the picture of him on the cover, something is seriously wrong with you. Byrne follows the two of them with a trail of evidence just in case you missed it – Nick leaving snow in his wake, entering a building via the chimney, and informing Jen that he always knows who has been naughty and nice among them. The book, as it always was at this time period, was really funny, but also managed to balance itself against the relatively serious moments of Jennifer working as a prosecutor. These elements combined to make a unique kind of comic book that I loved back then and just wish still existed today.

On a side-note, the book includes a scene where Nick gives Jen a gift and warns her not to open it until Christmas. Byrne clearly was setting something up here, but he left the book with the next issue. Fortunately for us all, he returned to it a few years later, and in issue #36 he finally picked up on this thread. I’ve got to find a copy of that one and add it to the ol’ Christmas review pile.

Rating: 8/10

Marvel Illustrated: The Jungle Book #1

April 9, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: The Jungle Book
Rating: T+

To launch the new Marvel Illustrated line, Marvel re-presents the legendary Gil Kane’s adaptation of The Jungle Book!

Based on the work of: Rudyard Kipling
Writers: Gil Kane & Mary Jo Duffy
Pencils: Gil Kane
Inks: P. Craig Russell
Colors: Christie Scheele & Petra Goldberg
Letters: Jim Novak
Original Editor: Al Milgrom
Collection Editor: Mark D. Beazley
Cover Art: P. Craig Russell & Lovern Kindzierski
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In a move that I applaud, Marvel Comics is making an effort to resurrect the old Classics Illustrated concept, taking classic literature and presenting it in a comic book format. To kick off the line, they’re giving us this one-shot reprinting four stories from Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book as adapted by the immortal Gil Kane.

The work is pretty solid. Kane (along with scripter Mary Jo Duffy for two of the stories) produced these four tales for Marvel Fanfare, and they read just fine as a straightforward adaptation of Kipling’s stories. What’s more, Kane and inker P. Craig Russell produce some truly beautiful adventure strip artwork, and fans of Kane really can’t do without having this book.

Roy Thomas, who helped develop the Jungle Book tales and will spearhead the new Marvel Illustrated line, provides us with an intriguing text piece about both projects. If you’re at all interested or curious about the new line, this book gives you a nice taste of what to expect, including a preview of the first book, The Last of the Mohicans (which features wonderful artwork by Steve Kurth). With so many contemporary novels being adapted (between the Dabel Brothers and The Dark Tower, perhaps the time is ripe to try this again.

Rating: 7/10

Somebody’s First Comic Book: Avengers (1963 Series) #189

Wondering what Somebody’s First Comic Book is all about? The explanation is on this page!

TITLE: Wings and Arrows

CREDITS:
Writer: Steven Grant (Plot by Grant, Mark Gruenwald & Roger Stern)
Penciller: John Byrne
Inks: Dan Green
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Ben Sean
Editor: Roger Stern
Publisher: Marvel Comics

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: I recognize Captain America, of course… saw that Thor trailer during the Superbowl. I thought Hawkeye was from MASH, though.

IMPRESSIONS: As this issue starts, the Avengers (seems to be your basic superhero team) is finishing up a mission and an old member, the Falcon, is coming back to re-join the group. But evidently, there’s some government rule that the team can only have seven members, so Hawkeye is getting kicked out.

Most of the book follows the now-unemployed Hawkeye as he attempts to find new employment as head of security for a big corporation, which just happens to be attacked by a supervillain called Deathbird. The fight scene between the two of them is pretty good, actually – a guy with a bow and arrow trying to take down a girl who can fly works out surprisingly well, and the writer gives us a very good feel for just who Hawkeye is.

In fact, even though we don’t see the rest of the team for more than a few pages each, we get to know them all pretty well. Especially Yellowjacket, the Vision, and the Scarlet Witch, all of whom are totally new characters to me. And hey, Iron Man and the Beast are in this too! I thought Beast was one of the X-Men though… anyway, we get a feel for what’s going on in all of their lives, and there are even several footnotes that seem to refer to other stories featuring these characters. Neat feature – the script gives you everything you need to know, but if you want to know more, it tells you where to look. I like that.

This was a pretty cool story. Lots of characters, although there’s really a spotlight on just one. Clearly there’s a lot of history here, but it’s nothing that’s particularly intimidating. I’d definitely read more of these characters.

GRADE: B+