April 4, 2009

The Geek Sheet: The X-Men, Robin, and Batgirl

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xmen1The very first X-Men comic to be published by Marvel was X-Men #1. It was released in September of 1963, and the team consisted of Professor X, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, and Angel. The X-Men’s most popular character, Wolverine, didn’t join the team until 12 years later in 1975 when he appeared in Giant Size X-Men #1!

A Fastball Special is the term that was originally coined for when the steel-bodied Colossus tossed a feral Wolverine at an opponent. Over the years though, many different characters have performed the move, but it has only been perfected by the Russian and Canadian mutants.

Meanwhile, over at D.C. Comics, there have been four different characters who have taken up the Robin mantle at Batman’s side. In order of duty they have been: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Tim Drake again. Dick Grayson later grew up to become the blue and black clad Nightwing. Jason Todd brutally died at the hands of The 101113-48969-fastball-special1Joker only to return years later as the vigilante Red Hood. Now Todd has become something of an anti-hero, taunting his former comrades by donning their costumes and delivering a harsher form of justice. Tim Drake is still in high cover-largeschool and could easily be compared to Marvel’s Peter Parker during his younger years. Before she was Robin, Stephanie Brown patrolled the streets of Gotham City as the purple robed Spoiler. Batman took her under his wing when Tim went on an hiatus as Robin, giving Stephanie the role of Batman’s right hand… woman. She was seemingly killed by the villain Black Mask, only to come back a few years later. She has returned to her role as Spoiler.

Similarly, the Batgirl cowl has been taken up by two different women: Police Commissioner James Gordon’s daughter, Barbara Gordon, and the act first/ask questions later, Cassandra Cain. Barbara Gordon was Batgirl until The Joker crippled her by busting up her legs in “The Killing Joke” story arc. She is now consigned to a wheel chair and goes by the name of Oracle. Oracle is a computer hack, essentially taking the role of ‘mission control’ when it comes to the Bat-Family. Ironically, Cassandra Cain (who currently dons the Batgirl title) was trained by Barbara and is a total bad ass.

 

March 27, 2009

Spotlight On: Green Lantern: Rebirth

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gl_rbth_tpbIn 1970 DC charged comic book writer Denny O’Neil with revamping the super hero, Green Lantern. In 2004 the DC top brass appointed the same task to comics scribe Geoff Johns. The order was easier said than done: make Green Lantern interesting again. Not only was Johns assigned the task of reviving the shattered Green Lantern Corps., but he also was told to (literally) breathe new life into the man who destroyed the Corps: Hal Jordan, the greatest of the Green Lanterns.

Enter Green Lantern: Rebirth.

Rebirth is a six issue story that re-evaluates who Hal Jordan is as a man, and re-establishes the Green Lantern Corps. as a beacon of hope in the universe. As Johns states in the Rebirth Trade Paper Back, “It’s all tied into Green Lantern mythology, which is what we’re looking to restore. Everything needs to be tied back to Hal Jordan, who he was, is, and where he’s going.” Without a doubt Johns, along with artist Ethan Van Sciver, achieves these goals in Rebirth, presenting the Green Lantern mythos as a character driven sci-fi thriller.

The story begins with Green Lantern Kyle Rayner (Hal Jordan’s replacement after his descent into madness as the evil being Parallax) flying a space ship out of the sun’s core. Rayner’s cargo is the coffin of Jordan, and after crash landing on Earth his ring emits a warning that would alarm even the strongest of the Green Lantern Corps: “Parallax is coming”… Meanwhile, Green Lantern John Stewart tries to convince former Lantern, Guy Gardner, that he misses being a part of the Corps. While the two attend a Red Sox/Yankees game (I won’t reveal who wins here), the previously devastated Coast City suddenly reappears out of nowhere. To make the situation even more bizarre, so does the spirit of Hal Jordan, a.k.a Green Lantern, a.k.a The Spectre, a.k.a Parallax…

green_lantern_rebirth3Geoff Johns does a great job of adding depth and character to every major player in this tale, touching on how certain characters feel about the potential return of Hal Jordan; is he friend or foe? Johns presents John Stewart as an admirer of Jordan, while Batman serves as his antithesis. Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) makes an appearance in the defense of Jordan, keeping a close eye on his most precious memento; Hal’s power ring. Johns’ sole weak point in the writing is his tendency to use objects as a convention to incite will power into his characters. In Rebirth the object is the jacket of Hal’s father. Later on in the series, it will be Kyle’s attachment to a painting by his mother. While sentimental, it also comes off as a gimmick.

Ethan Van Sciver’s pencils are fantastic. He thinks like a cinematographer as every panel looks like it was pulled from a movie. His clean lines make the people look realistic amongst scenic backgrounds and detailed costumes. The fight scenes are loaded with action, and the battle between Green Lantern Kilowog and the sole surviving Guardian, Ganthet, is particularly awesome. Sciver’s statement about the uselessness of Aquaman doesn’t go unnoticed, and the only out of place shot is when Kyle Rayner attacks an enemy with a giant pencil. Not only does Kyle attack with the eraser side, but he strikes a thinking pose in the heat of battle… it’s awkward. Moose Baumann’s colors are vibrant, and play a major role in this story as color decides ones green_lantern_rebirth2allegiance to good or evil. Moose’s work shines it’s brightest when Hal Jordan takes on one of his greatest foes; trails of light emit from the combatants giving the scene an appropriate science fiction feel. Inks by Prentis Rollins, Marlo Alquiza, Mick Gray, and Sciver are finely done. Special features in the trade include a forward by Brad Meltzer, a variant cover gallery, Johns’ plot outline, and six pages of story previously published only in Wizard magazine.

While Green Lantern: Rebirth is the perfect jumping on point for new comers to the Green Lantern mythos, it also serves as a worthy tale to long time Lantern fans. Rebirth addresses the past and resolves it, shifting the focus to the future of the Green Lantern Corps. So charge up your power ring and say the oath, because Green Lantern: Rebirth is only the beginning…

This article is also published in Extra Sequential #2, the free online comics magazine! Be sure to check it out by clicking here!

 

October 3, 2008

TLP Comic Book Review Episode III

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Check it out:

Thanks for watching!

 

September 13, 2008

TLP Comic Book Review Episode II

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Finally completed Episode II.

Give it a view:

Thanks for watching!

 

August 26, 2008

Frighteningly Different

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Batman: Gotham After Midnight is a twelve issue mini series that was marketed as a frightful, scary, dark Batman adventure.

For the most part, the marketing was dead on.

Brief plot synopsis:

While Gotham after dark is dangerous, Gotham after midnight is ‘Hell on Earth.’ The Scarecrow has broken out of Arkham Asylum and has become obsessed with stealing a rare artifact. When The Batman arrives on the scene and tangles with his old foe, he realizes that petty theft isn’t the typical M.O. of The Scarecrow. He draws the logical conclusion; someone (or something) far more sinister must be behind this scheme…

Some thoughts on the issue:

-Writer Steve Niles spins an enveloping detective story, and is careful to refer to the title character as ‘The’ Batman, which I’m a fan of. The scene I enjoyed the most was probably the least action packed; The Batman’s rooftop meeting with Police Commissioner James Gordon. Typically these late night get togethers are a copout way to deliver the exposition (no pun intended). But for the first time in recent memory the rooftop scene, while delivering the necessary expo, flowed with the rest of the plot and didn’t feel forced in delivery. Bravo.

-While the writing is nothing to sneer at, Kelley Jones’ pencils without a doubt make this book. He reverts to the old-time Detective Comics Batman look complete with a flowing cape and long eared cowl. The Batman’s sharp, hawklike features make his appearance far more menacing than the Batman we have grown accustomed to in recent comic book pages. I dig Jones’ use of The Batman’s cape, as it seems to have a mind of its own. We often see it sprawling all over the place, and is very ‘Spawn’ looking in nature. My only qualm with Jones’ work is that in some panels The Batman is drawn awkwardly. Certain body parts aren’t in proportion to others, and at times his body contorts in ways that defy the laws of physics. Still, Jones’ art is perfect for this title and is beautiful to look at.

-Michelle Madsen does a great job with the colors, only complimenting the dark, after midnight mood of the book.

-The Chapter 2 introduction shot of Batman holding a sledgehammer looks… out of place and a little silly.

-Some one liners:

“I’m going to have to have a word with Jeremiah Arkham and maybe Bruce Wayne about donating to Arkham’s security.” – The Batman

“I see. Are you expecting Godzilla to attack Gotham then?” – Alfred

“The best preparation is a full stomach, Master Bruce. Imagine if your stomach were to growl at the wrong time.” -Alfred

-A full page spread gives a unique, intruiging view of the Batcave. It’s very cool looking, as is the one man Batmobile complete with side jets!

The final word:

While more fitting for an October release as opposed to mid summer, overall this issue is a great read. Pick it up if for no other reason than Jones’ art work as it’s definitely worth a look. For the first issue in a 12 issue mini, Batman: Gotham After Midnight can only get darker…

3/5 stars

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Batman: Gotham After Midnight #1

 

August 22, 2008

Ambush My Pull List

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It comes as a surprise that throughout the history of comics, Ambush Bug has only had twelve issues all to his own, the most recent of which being in 1992. This newest reintroduction of the classic DC character, Ambush Bug: Year None #1 (of 6), is an amusing read that is worth the price of admission.

Brief plot synopsis:

Female characters are being murdered in vast quantities accross the DC Universe, and when the Continuity Officer bites the bullet, Ambush Bug gets the call for help… Since all the other super heroes seem to be on lunch break. The problem is that for nearly the last two decades Ambush Bug has been living in the the world of DC’s back issues, completely devoid of any knowledge of recent comic book events.

As the Bug tries to solve the murder, his ignorance of any recent comic continuity leads him into some precarious situations. And I’m not just referring to his dealing with the loss of thought balloons. As Ambush Bug tries to solve the murder, he is stalked by a discarded article of his own clothing, who now dons a metal mask intent on revenge…

We meet many wacky characters in this first issue, most of whom have been written off by the DC Universe. Some of them include Yankee Poodle, rap mogul Hugey Huge, and Egg Fu. Their names should speak for themselves.

Some thoughts on the issue:

-Robert Loren Fleming does a great job with the script. His writing is clever, and playing with the Bug’s lack of recent comic knowledge is an amusing convention. I also like Fleming’s concept of breaking the ‘fourth wall’ with the reader. In theatre the ‘fourth wall’ refers to the idea that the audience is separate from the world of the play; that there is a fourth (invisible) wall separating the two worlds. In this comic, Fleming breaks down that fourth wall as Ambush Bug references the reader directly, making the character genuinely likable.

-Keith Giffen’s art is great. His pencils have that vintage comic story telling feel to it, complete with yellow narration boxes and simply drawn characters. Giffen also plotted the book with the classic six panels per page layout, and it fits perfectly with this title.

-Letterer Pat Brosseau uses a Silver Age font, and colorer Guy Major stays true to the theme of the old time comic book feel.

-Some one liners:

“My thought balloons used to be all white and fluffy, and now they’re blue and rectangular!!” – Ambush Bug

“I almost stopped at Teen Titans HQ… But I’ve been nauseated enough for one day without having to deal with all that acne!” – Ambush Bug

“Gasp! I’m trapped on Earth Six, where it’s always the Swinging Sixties!!” – Ambush Bug

-Ambush Bug’s ability to ‘pop’ in and out of places as a form of teleportation would make Nightcrawler jealous.

The final word:

If you’re a DC fanatic this title is for you, especially if your area of expertise is the Silver Age and the Bronze Age. Ambush Bug: Year None is a fun, light read, that has a great plot and a lovable protagonist. I can’t make you read it, but I’ll bug you to pick up this first issue until the cows come home!

4/5 stars

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Ambush Bug: Year None #1

 

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