Archive for April, 2005

Hack/Slash: Comic Book Carnage

April 25, 2005 | Comics

Hack/Slash: Comic Book Carnage Tim Seeley, Federica Manfredi Devil’s Due Press $4.95 US *** 1/2 (out of five) The comic that has the most fun torching other comics is back and this time — well it’s the same as every time — it’s hilarious. Cassie and Vlad, the slasher catchers, have got their work cut out (if you’ll pardon the pun) for them this time. Someone is killing some of the hottest guests at a huge comic book convention — including real life creators: Robert Kirkman, Steve Niles and Skottie Young — prompting Cassie and Vlad into action. In typical Hack/Slash fashion, mayhem and bloodshed ensues all with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Writer Tim Seeley and artist Federica Manfredi give readers another good time with this 48-page treat.

The Iron Ghost #1 (of 6)

April 25, 2005 | Comics

The Iron Ghost #1 (of 6) Chuck Dixon, Sergio Cariello Image Comics $3.65/$2.95 US *** 1/2 (out of five) In a war where the costs were higher than just the lives of soldiers, one man wants revenge. Set in Berlin in the closing months of the Second World War, The Iron Ghost follows this mysterious avenger on a brutal killing spree, while investigators try to uncover the motivation for these murders. Writer Chuck Dixon, along with artist Sergio Cariello delivers a fast-paced and distinctively different comic in a time period and setting that garners little attention nowadays. The Iron Ghost is a refreshing change of pace from men in tights.

Countdown To Infinite Crisis #1

April 4, 2005 | Comics

Countdown To Infinite Crisis #1 Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Judd Winick, Rags Morales, Ed Benes, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, Jesus Saiz DC Comics $1.35/$1 US ***** (out of five) DC Countdown is everything that is right about superhero comics. This whopping 80-page book, co-written by three of the best in the industry (Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka and Judd Winick) and illustrated by five of the hottest talents around, (Rags Morales, Ed Benes, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez and Jesus Saiz), launches the DC Universe towards the highly anticipated Infinite Crisis limited series later this year with a bang. The Blue Beetle, a second-tier hero whose popularity peaked 15 years ago when he was a member of the Justice League, is systematically having his life destroyed. Someone has taken his fortune and wrecked his home and his possessions and worst of all: none of his fellow heroes are taking him seriously. Determined to solve the crime, the Beetle wanders through the busy lives of many of the DC Universe’s most heroic — including the big three: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman — getting himself closer and closer to the answers he seeks. In the end the Beetle proves his mettle. He shows he’s not second tier. He’s solved a crime that the Dark Knight Detective himself couldn’t and it turns out to be a threat that endangers every super-powered person on Earth. Learning the truth behind the crime, however, comes with a very steep price. DC Countdown combines mystery, action, tragedy, excitement and stunning art and all for $1.35 and is this year’s first absolute must-read comic.

Conan Vol. 1: The Frost Giant’s Daughter And Other Stories

April 4, 2005 | Trades

Conan Vol. 1: The Frost Giant’s Daughter And Other Stories Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord Dark Horse Books $24.95 US (Hardcover) **** 1/2 (out of five) Some people would travel long and hard to get to paradise. Others do all that and slay a lot of people on the way. The triumphant return of Conan, the world’s most famous barbarian, lived up to the pre-release hype and became one of most talked about series of 2004. Writer Kurt Busiek went back to the original tales of Conan, penned in the 1930s by Texan Robert E. Howard, for the inspiration for this series — the first monthly title for the sword-wielding muscleman in nearly 10 years. Beginning with an adaptation of Howard’s The Frost Giant’s Daughter, Busiek immediately erases all memories of cheesy Arnold Schwarzenegger films and shows readers that this hero is one who commands respect. His partner in this endevour, Calgarian artist Cary Nord, takes his work to an astounding level in this volume — showing a gift for capturing the rawness of Conan’s world and yet showing a softness at the same time that is quite mesmerizing. Conan Vol. 1, which collects the first seven issues along with sketches and other great bonus material, sees the barbarian heading north in search of the fabled land of Hyberborea — where immortals rule and winter never rears its ugly head. But Conan quickly learns that that type of magic comes with a very steep price.

100%

April 4, 2005 | Trades

100% Paul Pope Vertigo/DC Comics $33.99/$24.99 US (Paperback) **** (out of five) Paul Pope’s latest work is all about the future — appropriate from a person whose stirring work may inspire the next generation of graphic storytellers. Set in Manhattan in 2038, 100% shows, in lush black ink strokes, how the complications of modern society will always come down to interpersonal relationships of the people in it. With a flair for cutting to his characters’ essences, Pope weaves together the lives of six New Yorkers — each searching for love and understanding — set against the backdrop of a spectacularly vulgar and gritty city of the future. From Strel, the nightclub manager who is hiding a broken heart, to John, the busboy who is longing for something more and Eloy, the artist who is trying to collect 100 teapots to tune to the perfect pitch — 100% is simply just that engrossing.

Best Of American Splendor

April 4, 2005 | Trades

Best Of American Splendor Harvey Pekar Ballantine Books $25.95/$17.95 US (Paperback) *** 1/2 (out of five) Ever anguish over a dying pet? Or wonder how to peel and eat a tangerine (and dispose of the seeds)? Or simply hate your job? Then you’ve got a good perspective into the life of Harvey Pekar, the writer of American Splendor. Joined by a who’s who of the alternative comics scene, Pekar dances back and forth between historical, autobiographical and occasionally nonsensical stories in this collection of this acclaimed and long-running series. This is, when Pekar’s not bitching and complaining. A noted and proudly acknowledged curmudgeon, Pekar gripes about everything from his mundane existence as a hospital file clerk to his distaste for society at large in a manner that will have you seeing your life in a whole new light.

Star Wars Tales Vol. 5

April 4, 2005 | Trades

Star Wars Tales Vol. 5 Dark Horse Books $19.95 US (Paperback) *** 1/2 (out of five) Star Wars Tales features beautifully illustrated and occasionally moving short stories of the fight against evil brought forth by some of the most talented writers and artists in the comic biz. Sound good? It’s even better if you love Ewok and Gungan jokes. While this fifth collection of this anthology series is marked with highlights such as the haunting Ghosts Of Hoth, featuring the Wookie Chewbacca and the organic art of Calgary’s Cary Nord, the best of this series is the sport that can be made of the embarrassing Jar Jar (“Meesa a bad move, Mr. Lucas”) and those stunted teddy-bear things. Chris Eliopoulos’ Problem Solvers, featuring Ewok IT guys is laugh-out-loud fun as is Scott Kurtz’s brilliant The Rebel Club, which fuses Star Wars with The Breakfast Club (picture a young Judd Nelson as Han Solo and Molly Ringwald as Leia) and Tony Millionaire’s George R. Binks, a look at how horrifying it would be to be Jar Jar’s dad.

B.P.R.D.: Plague Of Frogs

April 4, 2005 | Trades

B.P.R.D.: Plague Of Frogs Mike Mignola, Guy Davis Dark Horse Books $17.95 US (Paperback) *** 1/2 (out of five) Abe Sapien: who are you? This question has long loomed in the minds of Hellboy fans — a much larger contingent now thanks to some pretty impressive box office numbers — but had never been answered … until now. And, of course, the only person who could tell the origin tale of the amphibian member of the Bureau Of Paranormal Research And Defense (B.P.R.D.) is Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola. While Mignola eschews his art tools in favour of his keyboard in this volume, his love of these characters shines through as he, along with artist Guy Davis, take readers back to the beginning — the first Hellboy tale — to tell Abe’s story. And they do it with style. Called in to investigate a mysterious one-man attack on a paranormal research lab, Abe — who was discovered in a jar in the basement of an abandoned building and has no memory of his past — and the other members of the B.P.R.D. quickly find themselves knee deep in frog monsters, a mould creature and other, darker forces which may end up costing Abe his life before he can figure out how he came to be in that basement.

Otherworld #1 (of 12)

April 4, 2005 | Comics

Otherworld #1 (of 12) Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning Vertigo/DC Comics $4/$2.99 US **** (out of five) Sometimes a creator’s love for a pet project just shines through like a ray of sunshine. Otherworld, written and drawn in stunning detail by Phil Jimenez, shows just such a love. Combining science fiction and fantasy with real-world values, Jimenez, one of the classiest gentlemen in comics, kicks off his dream project by flipping readers back and forth from a world-threatening danger in Otherworld and the lives of some ordinary college students. But the fate of one of those students may hold dire consequences for both worlds. An intriguing beginning to what promises to be a terrific series.

Apocalypse Nerd #1 (of 6)

April 4, 2005 | Comics

Apocalypse Nerd #1 (of 6) Peter Bagge Dark Horse Comics $2.99 US *** 1/2 (out of five) It’s the end of the world as he knows it — and Perry’s not feelin’ so fine. As a matter of fact, he’s feeling more like a nerd in the woods. While Perry and his best friend Gord are camping in the wilds of Washington State one weekend, a foreign power detonates a nuclear bomb over Seattle — ending the good thing Perry had going as a Microsoft employee. Stuck with no home to return to, the duo decide to rough it, leaving Perry right out of his element and into the age old question: If a nerd falls in the forest, does anybody care? Created by comic veteran Peter Bagge, Apocalypse Nerd is a solid mix of melodrama and comedy that will have you running wild.