Hey Kids! Comics!! 02-22-07

It wasn't a bad week at my local comic shop. Four of my regular books were in, which is two more than last week and there were no asstastic stinkers like The Dark Tower to ruin my day.

Brave And The Bold #1

Wow. It's a throwback week for me as DC revives one of my favorite team-up books from the 70's. The only thing missing is Jim Aparo's groovy, Adams-inspired art, but luckily, they hired the great George Perez in his place. While Perez isn't in top form here, even average George is better than 95% of comic art out there.

Anyway, this issue teams up Batman and Green Lantern to solve an intergalactic murder-mystery. It's at least a two-parter and it seems they're not going to adhere to the traditional Batman and whoever format as next issue co-stars GL and Supergirl.

That annoys me. So what if the story takes place in another galaxy? Batman needs to be there, godammit!

Anyway, this issue was fun, though the story got a little over-complicated. I'll give the next a shot just to see where writer Mark Waid is going. Try it!

Criminal Macabre #3

As evidenced by my gushing reviews of the first two issues, I love this book and it just seems to get better with every issue. Steve Niles mixes horror and comedy as well as any writer in the business and artist Kyle Hotz' Kelly Jones/Bernie Wrightson inspired art sets the mood just right for this gory, nasty, yet funny detective story.

Cal MacDonald, sober against his will for the first time in years, must take on Nosferatu, Lord of the Undead, who's holding his girlfriend hostage. His reasons for messing with Cal have yet to be revealed, but Cal, fuck up that he is, probably deserves it.

This book rocks. Pick it up.

Hellblazer #229

This is the best Hellblazer in months. It's only one issue, the story is easy to follow and plays to Constantine's strength as a character — that of a womanizing, know-it-all dick-head who really does know it all. The previous arc, besides being too long and convoluted, sometimes portrayed Constantine as a depressed, whiney puss. John Constantine does not whine! This issue is a nice return to form.

If you're going to start reading Hellblazer, now's a good time as this one-shot marks the end of Mike Carey's mixed bag of a run. A new creative team takes over with next issue.

I recommend you pick up this issue simply because it's fun. I'm looking forward to the next as historically Hellblazer's always been graced with better-than-average creative teams and a shot in the arm of new blood bodes well for this character.

Legion Of Monsters: Werewolf By Night #1

This was purely a nostalgia purchase for me. Way back in 1975, Werewolf By Night #32 was one of the first comics I ever read. I was 7 years old and that issue scared the crap out me — It had Werewolf of course, and it was the first appearance of Moon Knight!

My babysitter's boyfriend bribed me with comics to keep my mouth shut about his visits during her "working hours". He had good taste — she was cute and, judging by the fact that she was giving it up while supposedly watching two small children, not all that responsible.

His bribery must have worked because I don't think my Mom ever found out. In hindsight, I should've held out for more. I wonder if he got lucky that night? Who'd have thought my lifelong love of horror comics is a direct result of my babysitter's out-of-control libido? Life is funny that way.

Anyway, this comic's alright. It's split between a story starring the title character and one featuring the Monster Of Frankenstein, a lesser star amongst Marvel's 70's horror offerings.

Both stories are drawn beautifully. The Werewolf By Night offering is illustrated in a tight, hyper-realistic style by Greg Land and Jay Leisten and it's really slick. I'd love to see these guys do a miniseries with this character.

The Frankenstein half is expressively written and rendered by Skottie Young, who has almost the direct opposite style of Land, but it works just as well, if not better, and has way more feeling. This guy needs a regular horror series.

Story-wise, both are marginally interesting. Neither made me sit up and take notice or even stop half-watching Mythbusters.

If you're a fan of great art and can deal with nondescript, inoffensive stories, give this book a try.

Red Menace #4 (of 6)

Damn, that Jerry Ordway can draw.

This story about the McCarthy red scare witch-hunts in the 50's and the superheroes it destroys has been done before, but it's at least written well enough so as to not interfere with Ordway's superb art and storytelling. He reminds me of a much more dynamic Curt Swan in that he can draw anything and draw it well.

At some point, this will be collected so don't feel as if you're missing anything by not picking it up right this second.

Rex Mundi #4

This alternate historical comic continues to be well written and paced. The art is just OK, but the story's what keeps me coming back for more.

In the world of Rex Mundi, magic exists, the Royalty of Europe never fell and WWI never happened. It also suggests that mankind is so inherently stupid, corrupt and easily manipulated that the rise of the Nazis and fascism was inevitable and religion is truly the root of all evil. Can't say I disagree. Maybe that's why I like it.

There's also plenty of nonsense about the Holy Grail and Jesus' bloodline for all you religious conspiracy nuts.

Don't sweat the rather clumsy art, it's secondary to the complex, yet well-done, narrative anyway.

If you haven't read this book before, do yourself a favor and pick up the collected editions or you'll be completely lost. It's a hell of a story and won't disappoint.

Fables Volume 8: Wolves

This is the latest collected volume of Bill Willingham's excellent series.

In this installment, Snow White and Bigby finally tie the knot. As expected, there's plenty of suspense and derring-do to go around as Bigby, much to the Adversary's lament, cements his reputation as the most dangerous Fable this side of Little Boy Blue.

This collection might be my favorite so far, as the story is tight as a drum and it has enough intrigue to fill four volumes of stories.

My only complaint about this great series is that volume 9 is not yet available. Just buy it, already.

That's it for this week. Check out Jared's blog for more reviews. Be sure to give him a piece of your mind...