Comic Roundup
Astonishing X-Men #19: On one hand, I'm fully aware this book has become Kitty the Vampire Slayer, but the art is very nice, and I don't really mind the obvious role-playing. The writer manages, within a few scenes, to make me care about Ord and his alien culture and I continue to parse Agent Brand as Ace. Pete's deadpan joke made me laugh out loud and nod my head.
Batman and the Mad Monk #5: In many ways, this mini-series is what LOTDK started out doing, retconning in old stories that maybe happened - and did if you believe it. This one guy writes, draws and colors this book, which comes out on time and delivers a satisfying chunk of the story about vampires. It's rarely over-wrought, treats the supernatural elements sedately, and it's full of great moments of a young Bruce being a total dumbass who remains respectful of Alfred's guidance.
Birds of Prey #101: The neat thing about Gail Simone is that she knows just how to blend the perfect amount of indulgent fanwank with a good story. She can introduce a character swiftly and efficiently, so even if you don't know who Big Barda, Judomaster or that blond chick with the triangle on her shirt are, you get a good idea. Sometimes, there's butler-maid dialogue, but it doesn't feel like it, and I'm happy to give points for that. Also, it's true, Oracle's reminiscing about Dinah was terribly, terribly gay and at this point, I'm sure Gail knows perfectly well we'll interpret it that way. She's such a champ.
Bomb Queen #3: Have you ever picked up a "bad girl" comic, the kind where you can tell instantly that it's aimed only at teenage boys? This isn't one, despite the gratuitous art and subject matter. Yes, the main character is a villainess, who rules a city but the whole thing is like a twisted golden age comic, with constant background riffs on modern society. People die gruesomely on a regular basis; there is no question that Bomb Queen is a horrible, vicious, selfish person. Yet, at the end of the book, you're cheering for her, so something is going on here. It's not just the art. And anyway, Ashe is the best sidekick ever.
Fables #56: I don't have anything deep or meaningful to say here. I enjoyed the cute family scenes among the White Wolf household and I look forward to whatever Ambrose's arc kicks off.
Immortal Iron Fist #2: This is one of those books where I am completely unfamiliar with the character except from ancient back-issues where he looks like a complete dork. There's something about punching an ancient dragon, an extended mythology of supernatural heroes - which period appropriate art for each - and a glowing fist. Okay. I picked up this book because I wanted to read about an anti-hero fighting organized crime, amongst an environment of friends. In short, the book I've read for this content has ceased to have it, so Marvel can have my money, because Brubaker is doing a good job convincing me.
Justice #9: This book has very pretty art, but it is sort of crap despite being an Elseworld. This issue was pretty off. There were very arbitrary scene transitions, that left me confused, people fighting and I wasn't sure why, and bad wank. I'm talking about the Kingdom Come inspired robo-suits. That's the sort of wank that makes me suspect a toy-line is imminent. Anyway, not impressed.
Loveless #14: If you have a married people kink, you should be reading this comic. What I mean is, this book takes that old bizarre myth that happy couples can't be interesting and shoves it up fandom's collective ass. And it shows that, on panel, however you want to interpret that statement. It also handles racism, politics and other power plays in sensitive ways, demonstrating the complexity of the subject matter in a human context. You should be reading this book.
Ultimate Power #3: Is a crossover. It's nothing special and getting a bit late for the plot to finally be plodding forward.
Ultimate X-Men #77: I don't mind the rehash. It's kinda of funny really, watching these over-wrought re-writes of ancient plot-lines. I think I've read the fic where Xavier confesses his secret love for Jean, to Scott's horror and then... Um, doesn't he turn into Onslaught or something after that? It's gets fuzzy. The page where Rogue was nonplussed by her regenerating arm while everyone watched in horror was worth the laugh. I wonder if Wolverine really becomes Cable or if we're simply meant to think that. I don't know enough about this writer to guage his skill at that.
X-Factor #14: Continues to be made of awesome. Here's a group of characters that I've never bothered following. Maybe this book is butchering their continuities; I don't know. I like the angle that Jamie is indecisive because he's incomplete, literally. I appreciate that a subplot involving Theresa and Monet that could have been played up for laughs is going the "grow the fuck up and act like sensible adults" route. I even like that plot device girl.
X-Men #194: I know people don't like the art here. It can get choppy. I don't really care because it has Rogue with a brain in it. She's a lead character and she's smart, sometimes mean and completely run out of patience. Did I mention she's got her brain back? And a nice comfortable wardrobe, too.
Batman and the Mad Monk #5: In many ways, this mini-series is what LOTDK started out doing, retconning in old stories that maybe happened - and did if you believe it. This one guy writes, draws and colors this book, which comes out on time and delivers a satisfying chunk of the story about vampires. It's rarely over-wrought, treats the supernatural elements sedately, and it's full of great moments of a young Bruce being a total dumbass who remains respectful of Alfred's guidance.
Birds of Prey #101: The neat thing about Gail Simone is that she knows just how to blend the perfect amount of indulgent fanwank with a good story. She can introduce a character swiftly and efficiently, so even if you don't know who Big Barda, Judomaster or that blond chick with the triangle on her shirt are, you get a good idea. Sometimes, there's butler-maid dialogue, but it doesn't feel like it, and I'm happy to give points for that. Also, it's true, Oracle's reminiscing about Dinah was terribly, terribly gay and at this point, I'm sure Gail knows perfectly well we'll interpret it that way. She's such a champ.
Bomb Queen #3: Have you ever picked up a "bad girl" comic, the kind where you can tell instantly that it's aimed only at teenage boys? This isn't one, despite the gratuitous art and subject matter. Yes, the main character is a villainess, who rules a city but the whole thing is like a twisted golden age comic, with constant background riffs on modern society. People die gruesomely on a regular basis; there is no question that Bomb Queen is a horrible, vicious, selfish person. Yet, at the end of the book, you're cheering for her, so something is going on here. It's not just the art. And anyway, Ashe is the best sidekick ever.
Fables #56: I don't have anything deep or meaningful to say here. I enjoyed the cute family scenes among the White Wolf household and I look forward to whatever Ambrose's arc kicks off.
Immortal Iron Fist #2: This is one of those books where I am completely unfamiliar with the character except from ancient back-issues where he looks like a complete dork. There's something about punching an ancient dragon, an extended mythology of supernatural heroes - which period appropriate art for each - and a glowing fist. Okay. I picked up this book because I wanted to read about an anti-hero fighting organized crime, amongst an environment of friends. In short, the book I've read for this content has ceased to have it, so Marvel can have my money, because Brubaker is doing a good job convincing me.
Justice #9: This book has very pretty art, but it is sort of crap despite being an Elseworld. This issue was pretty off. There were very arbitrary scene transitions, that left me confused, people fighting and I wasn't sure why, and bad wank. I'm talking about the Kingdom Come inspired robo-suits. That's the sort of wank that makes me suspect a toy-line is imminent. Anyway, not impressed.
Loveless #14: If you have a married people kink, you should be reading this comic. What I mean is, this book takes that old bizarre myth that happy couples can't be interesting and shoves it up fandom's collective ass. And it shows that, on panel, however you want to interpret that statement. It also handles racism, politics and other power plays in sensitive ways, demonstrating the complexity of the subject matter in a human context. You should be reading this book.
Ultimate Power #3: Is a crossover. It's nothing special and getting a bit late for the plot to finally be plodding forward.
Ultimate X-Men #77: I don't mind the rehash. It's kinda of funny really, watching these over-wrought re-writes of ancient plot-lines. I think I've read the fic where Xavier confesses his secret love for Jean, to Scott's horror and then... Um, doesn't he turn into Onslaught or something after that? It's gets fuzzy. The page where Rogue was nonplussed by her regenerating arm while everyone watched in horror was worth the laugh. I wonder if Wolverine really becomes Cable or if we're simply meant to think that. I don't know enough about this writer to guage his skill at that.
X-Factor #14: Continues to be made of awesome. Here's a group of characters that I've never bothered following. Maybe this book is butchering their continuities; I don't know. I like the angle that Jamie is indecisive because he's incomplete, literally. I appreciate that a subplot involving Theresa and Monet that could have been played up for laughs is going the "grow the fuck up and act like sensible adults" route. I even like that plot device girl.
X-Men #194: I know people don't like the art here. It can get choppy. I don't really care because it has Rogue with a brain in it. She's a lead character and she's smart, sometimes mean and completely run out of patience. Did I mention she's got her brain back? And a nice comfortable wardrobe, too.