Archive for April, 2006
April 24, 2006 | Comics
Savage Dragon #125
Erik Larsen
Image Comics
$5.80/$4.99 US
**** 1/2 (out of five)
The Savage Dragon is used to getting blown up, but he’s never been bugged like this before.
In this 64-page whopper of an issue, creator Erik Larsen gives his readers a little of everything. First Dragon gets blasted by a most unlikely villain. Then the comatose hero gets bugged — literally — by the same ne’redowell, now transformed into a fly.
Mix in a couple of classic Mr. Glum stories, along with a brand new one, and you’ve got an awesome milestone issue that is worth every penny.
Don’t look now, but after taking some time off to get Image Comics’ business side straightened away, Larsen is rounding back into form and Savage Dragon is quickly becoming a fantastic monthly read again.
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April 24, 2006 | Comics
Conan: Book Of Thoth #1 (of 3)
Kurt Busiek, Len Wein, Kelley Jones
Dark Horse Comics
$4.99 US
**** (out of five)
He is the ultimate evil in the world of Conan.
He is Thoth-amon, and he is such a great damned villain that he can hold up a 40-page comic without a single appearance by the muscle-bound Cimmerian.
Of course having a creative team featuring Kurt Busiek (Astro City, Conan) and Len Wein (Swamp Thing) as writers and the incomparable Kelley Jones (Batman) handling the art chores doesn’t hurt.
This first issue takes from Thoth’s humble beginnings as a thief to his first bloody murder and his discovery of the ancient snake-god, Set.
It’s creepy, clever stuff worthy of such a classic baddy.
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April 24, 2006 | Comics
Shadowhawk #11
Jim Valentino
Image Comics
$4.15/$3.50 US
*** 1/2 (out of five)
Jim’s back and all is right with Shadowhawk again.
I should have written something up two months ago when series creator Jim Valentino first returned the writing and illustrating chores, but after letting it sink in for a couple of issues, I just can’t restrain myself any longer: this series is improving in leaps and bounds.
Valentino’s art is sharp and really benefits from some of the advancements in computerized colouring since his last drawing stint, which was a many years ago.
The story, which sees the current Shadowhawk — Eddie Collins — give up his mantle after the violent death of his best friend, is also very well constructed (albeit a might formulaic) and has really helped give focus to a series that was kind of coasting.
Welcome back, Jim. Please stay a while, will you?
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April 24, 2006 | Comics
What Were They Thinking: Some People Never Learn #1
Keith Giffen, Chris Ward, Andrew Cosby
Boom! Studios
$3.99 US
*** 1/2 (out of five)
It’s become a fine Internet tradition to remix old comics, so I guess it was just a matter of time before a publisher started printing them.
Boom! Studios takes some cheesy old golden-age art and gives them a knee-slapping spin when creators such as Keith Giffen, Chris Ward and Andrew Cosby change the meanings with some modern, often ridiculous, lingo.
It’s not high art, but it’s funny —and sometimes that’s good enough.
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April 24, 2006 | Comics
Spawn #1 In 3D
Todd McFarlane
Image Comics
$6.80/$5.95 US
*** 1/2 (out of five)
It’s Todd McFarlane’s Spawn in 3D. Neato!
Personally, I love 3D comics and don’t think the industry does nearly enough of them. But to do it with such a famous issue, the debut of Spawn from 1992 is just sheer brilliance.
Created as part of the Todd McFarlane Retrospective Exhibit at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York City, this issue can take you on an all-new trip down memory lane.
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April 24, 2006 | Comics
Crisis Aftermath: The Battle For Bludhaven #1
DC Comics
$4/$2.99
** 1/2 (out of five)
Everything DC has done around Infinite Crisis has been gold.
But nobody’s perfect.
The Battle For Bludhaven starts in the aftermath of the Chemo disaster (the Secret Society of Super-Villains dropped the giant chemical weapon in the unsuspecting city in Infinite Crisis). As they rush to help the victims, the Teen Titans get booted out of town by some group of U.S. government-backed heroes called Freedom’s Ring. Fast forward to one year later (like the rest of the DCU did last month) and we find Bludhaven a walled-off city cloaked in mystery, where more obscure heroes and villains, like the Nuclear Legion and the Atomic Knights roam.
I realize DC has had a lot of success by bringing back a bunch of minor characters from the past (Detective Chimp, Detective Chimp, Detective Chimp!), but this one might be a bit too much of a reach.
Still, it’s a must to pick up because you just never know what’s going to be key read in today’s DCU.
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