Metropolis

In losing Michael Jackson this week I was reminded, through various blogs around the Internet, of his deep lifelong love of the comic book medium. He shopped quite frequently at the comic store GOLDEN APPLE in California and over the years had a few comics actually made to tie-in with various entertainment projects he was working on at the time, such as the 3D CAPTAIN EO comic book produced by Eclipse Comics in the 1980s that tied-in with his short movie feature for Walt Disney.

I, for one, was a lifelong (if somewhat closeted) fan of his music, having grown up with his THRILLER album during my formative years and following his career (in secret) throughout his publishing history. I tried, sometimes in vain, to ignore the immense media scrutiny he suffered through and just concentrate on how much fun his music was appreciate it for what it was – but sometimes those glaring paparazzi lights were just too blinding. Say what you will about the man’s private life, but his music is undeniable. He was a gifted man who put a lot of thought and heart into every project he attached his name to. Whether it be a new album, a music video, a comic book tie-in or video game – no matter what he did I had fun and I couldn’t have asked for more.
In this dying age of print and tactile medias – one of the savviest marketing geniuses is gone, and my assorted collections will only suffer for it.
Now – on to the comics!
EUREKA: DORMANT GENE 3 (of 4) – This is far more interesting than it has any right to be, as far as TV tie-in/adaptations are concerned. An odd storytelling implement is used wherein characters fill in background with one or two panels, in some cases a few panels/pages, of unrelated artwork. As if they are telling our protagonist Sheriff Carter one thing and the panel we see is their (or his) thoughts on what they are relating. I’m not doing the practice justice in trying to convey how odd it seems, but trust me (or check it out for yourself) in a comic book like this it really stands out. OKAY.

UNKNOWN SOLDIER 9 - Joshua Dysart has now totally and completely sucked me into this version of the Unknown Soldier. This issue fills us in on his ally, an old warhorse of a CIA agent, and reveals or hints at the new guy’s previous relation to the older hero. And all this is done while keeping the politics and topical social commentary from overwhelming the story as well as informing the casual reader. Highly GOOD STUFF.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD 6 – Where else are you going to see Batman team up with Kid Eternity, Viking Prince, Shining Knight and G.I. ROBOT!!!!!! G.I. ROBOT!!!!! FANBOY FUN!

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS 1 – There have been various “villain” books released throughout the years, but certainly none have included such a beautiful roster as DC’s Gotham Girls; i.e. Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Paul Dini, and artist Guillem March, set up the status quo with our trio of protagonists setting up shop in Gotham City just as Dick Grayson has taken up the mantle of the Bat and Catwoman attempts to recover from her recent string of bad luck in the pages of Dini’s own run on Detective Comics. At this point is isn’t 100% clear on what our ladies’ mission statement will be or whether they can even trust one another, but it is clear they are wary allies in whatever they may plan in the future – and I couldn’t be happier. FANBOY FUN.

BATWOMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS 854 – Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III finally unleash the “controversial” heroine Batwoman upon the DC Universe with one of the most densely and richly illustrated books I’ve seen all year, and prove just why Williams is one of the most under-rated comic book artists working today. While in costume, Batwoman’s world is very stark with bold black white and red pages done in a visually striking noir-ish style that just leaps off the page. Out of costume her world becomes softer and more elegant with rich colors and a different style and tone that will have readers flipping back to the credits to see if the art was actually done by two very different artists (it ain’t!). Rucka uses this inaugural outing to set up the background world of our heroine and slyly fill in what little has already been revealed in the pages of 52 (did she appear anywhere else?), and as per usual his streetwise tough talking hard boiled style is more than up to the task. The issue is rounded out with another Rucka written gem with Rene Montoya as The Question finally getting a story of her own. BUENO EXCELLENTE!!!

GREEN LANTERN 42 - I was more than a little disappointed with the ruse used on Agent Orange at the beginning of the book – but the sheer jaw dropping nerve of the Guardians later on more than made me a little angry. OKAY.

RUNAWAYS 11 – Kathryn Immonen takes over Marvel’s little-book-that-could and makes it far more enjoyable, and in the spirit of creator Brian K. Vaughn’s original run, than even Joss Whedon or Terry Moore ever prayed they could. I admit – when Immonen, wife of artist Stuart Immonen, was announced as the new writer – I almost dropped the book. I’m glad I didn’t, as the unpredictability, so prevalent in BKV’s run, is back in force as well as the character’s voices being perfect out of the gate rather than the slow build to familiarity that seemed evident in Moore and Whedon’s run(s). FANBOY FUN.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST 27 – Iron Fist officially goes on hiatus with this issue to be replaced by a mini-series focusing on the Immortal Weapons. As far as (possible) final issues of a series goes this could have been worse. The majority of the issue finds Danny Rand return to see the Rand Corporation being destroyed through incompetence (and Hydra) and finding out his beloved Misty Knight is pregnant with his child. I’ve never really liked the plot device of taking someone rich and destroying their fortune just to see how they react, so Duane Swierczynski loses points from me on that one. GOOD STUFF.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 15 – With the jaw dropping cliffhanger ending of last issue, which saw the Guardians caught between the forces of the Imperial Guard AND their respective opponents, the Inhumans, I never would have thought that the build up between issues could pan out like I thought it should (in my own carnage lusting head), but Abnett and Lanning have done it again. The ensuing fight is full of enough Pow! and Boom! moments to keep me entertained and their own trademark brand of humor that has made this one of Marvel Comic’s best kept secrets. Via la Guardians of the Galaxy!!! FANBOY FUN!!!
NOVA 26 – Nova returns to lead the Nova Corps and take sides in the War of Kings event. Not much else to comment on, but that last page sure was a doozy. GOOD STUFF!
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND THE MI-13 14 – The penultimate issue of Marvel’s real best kept secret is one of epic bittersweet proportions. MI13 makes their move against Dracula, making me smile from ear to ear after the heartbreaking final pages of the previous issue, only to be countered by the cliff-hanger reveal on this issue’s last page. It’s been a wild fun ride MI13 – I can’t wait to read the big series finale next issue. And please allow me to shame you for not coming along with me and the other small but loyal group of readers that have been here all along – SHAME ON YOU!!! THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME, AND NOW IT’S BEING CANCELLED BECAUSE YOU WOULD RATHER READ CRAP LIKE AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE OR THE AMAZING OBAMA MAN. THANKS FOR NOTHING!!!! BUENO EXCELLENTE!!!