Just two this week

newuniversal 1959: This one-shot of the early newuniversal world had a distinct feel to it. I hesitate because it's been a long time since I've seen the movie, but it felt like seeing Chinatown. No happy endings, some mind crushing, a fairly intense experience. I think it stands up pretty well to Warren Ellis's project, and that's saying something.

Ultimate Spider-Man 124: I'm not digging this arc. I'm conditioned to love everything Brian Bendis does, but I'm not digging this. As someone who played the game that this is referencing, I'm not getting a whole lot of new information, and the old information feels... less... when it's not presented through interactive media. So I try to read it as though I haven't played the game and know nothing about said game, but then it feels like I don't have enough information period. This arc was supposed to be something of a sequel, a follow-up to where the game ended, and I wish we could get to that already.

And here I am again

Invincible 51: From the cover alone it's clear that this was constructed as a jumping on point for new readers. I really hope it works, as I think this is a good series, but for regulars it feels a bit rehashy. Not a lot new happens as far as development - aside from new costumes and jobs for some people - but the last page makes up for it.

New Avengers 43: This really hits home one of the themes of the Secret Invasion, one that I really hope gets picked up in the MU as time goes on: the damage the Skrulls have done to Trust is far greater than anything else they could do. This is Grade A villainy here.

War Heroes 1: As it stands right now, the whole "This is what Ultimates 3 would've been if MM stayed on" isn't coming through for me. It's a world where the US bankrupts itself thrice over to fuel its army with superheroes, and a few people want to fuck this up in some way. I LIKE what this is, and I think it could do some interesting stuff storywise, and Tony Harris's art is great. But this is not Ultimates 3.

Daredevil 109: For my experience two things happen in books where Rucka's the main (co-)writer: a really awesome, strong female character comes around, and then they either die or get disfigured. Daredevil's a great title for him, as that's something of a theme there, too. Daredevil's quest to get a fresh mark on his win column/get an innocent man out of death row is still suspenseful, but the phrase "government cover-up" is in the field now, and I think I'm becoming burnt out on them. I'm hoping to see a new twist in the coming issues, and if anyone can do it I have faith in these two.

Called in sick

Unlike all the other hiatuses (hiati? hiatorum? rookery of haitus?) I've taken,this time I have excuses! Last Wednesday I was on the toilet trying to keep my innards in. Week before that I was prepping for Wizard World Chicago and as much love as I have for you, I needed to prep for that one. Right, on we go:

Secret Invasion 4: What I loved about the earlier issues was the interaction, the way characters were tripping over each other to determine who was/ wasn’t a Skrull. This has only blasting-related interactions, so I’m less satisfied. I did like that Agent Brand’s getting some positive page time, and I’m still onboard for the series, so there you go.

Powers 29: Just when you think Bendis and Oeming just want to make snuff films out of their properties, they give you something that might just qualify as a happy ending. [spoiler]Seeing Callista wink and proceed to wail ass, well, it wailed ass. I REALLY don’t know how Deena’s cure is going to play into this. It seems a little too perfect but I want to hold off until the fallout settles.[/spoiler] Nothing is safe in this book, but that doesn’t mean everything goes into the shitter. As a sucker for melodrama, I love it!

I Gotta Get Better at This

PS 238 #32: A disproportionate amount of footnotes in this issue. The character primer in the back I’m fine with, but the footnotes get distracting. Problem is I don’t know how you could smooth it out without losing the younger – and target – audience. I’m all for storylines that build on each other, and so knowing or having quick access to story history is unavoidable. With this particular story, Tyler deciding the fate of superhumans, one COULD have Tyler watching the various referenced events in tandem with the interviews, but that kind of density and the layouts necessary to tell all that in the space allowed would be a lot for younger readers to assimilate. Maybe too much. Errrgh.

Ex Machina 37: Fun dialog, government drama, and a costumed chick with poor impulse control. What’s not to love?

An odd tradition

I WORK at a comic book store. I'm surrounded by the things, talk endlessly about them, and what do I do when I get home Thursday nights (or Wednesdays if I'm picking up hours)? I read comics. I am in the late stages of addiction. Anyway...

PS 238 #31: There's a big time-travel themed subplot going through the book right now. This is not the place to quantify my issues with temporal shifts as a storytelling device, so I'll just say I will continue to buy the book for now. Those who've heard my rants know this is to be high praise.


Secret Invasion #2: I feel the need to apologize to the creators and producers of this book for what may be an error in my reading comprehension. Since this series is built around characters who may or may not be shape-shifting aliens that may or may not have been in society for years and are playing mind game inside mind game with someone unless they're an alien unless it's a double bluff and I'm not even sure what I'm saying at this point but it IS in the series... I can't read it as anything but genre parody at this point. I will say that AS genre parody, it's amazing. All the characters you've wanted to see tripping over each other are doing it in ways that any other company would know better than to allow. There are sexual encounters involving brains and they are completely without consent. Plots aren't twisting as much as they are assuming shapes that penetrate nine of the theoretical fifteen dimensions. Screw it all.

Logan 3: Again, logistically, I have no idea what happened here. I may just be tired and not getting it. If I weren't tired I might try and dissect it, but I think instead I'm going to focus on the beauty of the art and a "young" Logan's encounter with something beautiful.

Only 10 Days?!

It's felt like longer. Anyhoo, here's what I bought this week.

Ex Machina 36: Between being the only superhero in the world and being New York's latest mayor, Mitchell Hundred has no shortage of enemies, so it's fun to see a fan of his, one just as fanatical as some of the people he's gone up against. With a book as loaded as this can be, it's refreshing to have a fun moment.

New Avengers 40: Oh snap. The reveal here is only one skrull, but it's a monumental one. Watching this shake down through the main Secret Invasion story line's going to be great.

After a little break...

Sword 7: Getting a little deeper into the overall story here as Dara strikes out on her journey of vengeance. There are a few loose threads cropping up, like how someone apparently kind and compassionate like Dara can contemplate and execute revenge, the plans of the three siblings now that their main obstacle is supposedly gone, and other things. These threads could be fodder for future plot points, or they could be left flying. The Brothers Luna usually deliver, but the threads are so plainly seen here that I can’t help but wonder.

Powers Annual 2008: All Mike Oeming, all the time. The story is a little out of synch with the current arc but is otherwise well done – Walker gets a flashback to a much-earlier exploit – but the “letter column” is worth the cover price again. It’s a composite text-interview with some of the most prominent names working in comics today, questions ranging from daily schedule and inspirations to favorite musics and bathroom habits. It’s an amazing opportunity to get into the minds of at least one of your favorite creators today.

newuniversal: Everything Went White TPB: I am disappointed in everyone everywhere for not telling me about this series sooner. It’s a story about the next phase of humanity, a subject that Warren Ellis (w) is very qualified to write about. It has characters that break your heart, reads like hard sci-fi without overwhelming the reader in jargon, and is penciled by Salvador LaRocca so beautifully jaws break.