Now Read This!

November 23, 2007November 23, 2007

Top 10: The Forty-Niners

By Alan Moore, Gene Ha, Todd Klein & Art Lyon (America’s Best Comics)
ISBN 1-84576-1491-6

Diverging from the more of less contemporary adventures of a pan-dimensional police force getting the job done in a city populated entirely of super-beings, gods and monsters: Alan Moore and Gene Ha here take us back to the beginning and incorporate the origin of Neopolis into a memorable tale of political and social upheaval that blends crime-drama, horror movie and period thriller into a seamless love story, an evocation of the very history of the comic book itself.

In 1949 a fresh political philosophy is creating a new America, and all the superheroes, villains, robots, aliens, super-naturals and just plain do-gooders that won the war and kept the home front safe are being compulsorily relocated to a brand new city, far away from normal citizens.

Into this bold new experiment comes a huge variety of extra-special beings: Everything from Nazi mad scientists, vampires, costumed heroes, and especially war heroes. Skywitch was a German aviator who fought with the Allies, and on her first day she meets 16 year old Jetlad, who shot down his first Nazi plane before his tenth birthday.

They strike up an unlikely friendship as they attempt to forge new â€œnormalâ€ lives in the burgeoning social experiment of Neopolis. But even if the World is new, nature is not and soon many inhabitants are returning to their old habits. Perhaps the newly minted police force isn’t such a lousy career path after allâ€¦

Although a tight and gripping thriller and a sterling origin tale for an award winning comic series, this is actually a compelling and elegiac expression of reality ending a Golden Age, with beautiful characterisations of extraordinary people rendered real by Gene Ha’s faded documentary-style illustration. Here is a lovely book that any mature reader will enjoy and cherish.

November 23, 2007November 23, 2007

Star Trek: Debt of Honor

By Christopher S. Claremont, Adam T. Hughes & Karl C. Story (DC Comics)
ISBN 1-84023-421-0

Nominally set after the fourth movie (the one with the Whales) it all starts with Kirk and time-displaced marine biologist Gillian Taylor waiting for the birth of the first baby cetacean when a mysterious message begins a long-planned covert mission involving practically everybody who ever appeared in an episode or film.

Early in his career Kirk and a Vulcan woman named T’Cel were the only survivors of an extra-galactic attack that destroyed the Starship Farragut in the borders between Federation, Klingon and Romulan space. Years later, (just after the â€œDoomsday Machineâ€ TV episode – the one that looked like a giant cream horn) the same aliens attack docked Klingon and Romulan ships. When Enterprise answers the distress calls Kirk discovers that T’Cel is now a Romulan Commander and our galaxy is under threat from the evolving and increasingly unstoppable extra-galactic invaders. The monsters’ assault once again defeated at great cost, the survivors make a pactâ€¦

The odd confederates meet once more (just after Star Trek: The Motion Picture) and a plan is hatched to stop the periodic bloody incursions irrespective of the political dictates of their leaders. When the aliens return, these Federation, Romulan and Klingon survivors will secretly unite to save their galaxy at all costsâ€¦

This is a Star Trek tale told in the classic manner, beautifully illustrated by the wonderful Adam Hughes and winningly over-written in approved Chris Claremont style. Romance and melodrama, action and sacrifice all combine to create a â€œTrekkie’sâ€ dream come true. It’s also a pretty good comic-book adventure too.

November 23, 2007November 23, 2007

Flash Gordon Volume 4

By Alex Raymond (Checker BPG)
ISBN: 1-933160-26-8

The fourth collection of the legendary Sunday comic strip – covering the period from June 12th 1938 to January 21st 1940 – continues the astonishing parade of wonders that bedazzled and captivated the world, with each sabbath instalment somehow topping the last in a seemingly endless progression of drama, excitement and fantasy. Raymond’s faultless blend of classicism and feudal futurism electrified the reading public, and his sagas captured the imagination of generations.

The previous volume ended with Flash and his fellow rebels hidden beneath Ming’s city when the monstrous despot floods the subterranean tunnels to destroy them, resulting in a massive collapse throughout the metropolis. This book opens with ‘The Tyrant of Mongo’ (which originally ran until March 5th 1939) and sees the surviving rebels strike back and even capture the merciless villain only to lose him due to the traitorous schemes of an ambitious woman.

Betrayed and sore pressed, the rebels escape as Ming gloats, thinking Flash dead at last. The fugitives return to Arboria where Prince Barin hides them once more, but evil never rests and Ming replaces one of the surviving rebels with his best spy. Once again the hero turns the tables, but must leave his sanctuary before Ming destroys itâ€¦

On March 12th 1938 ‘Ice Kingdom of Mongo’ began, and proved to be a visual high-point even by the monumentally impressive standards of this feature. Flash, Dale, Zarkov and faithful man-at-arms Ronal fly northwards to the pole but are forced to crash-land when the fierce cold freezes their rocket tubes. At the mercy of hideous snow beasts, they are rescued by Queen Fria of the polar kingdom of Frigia, but the fugitives are no safer in the sumptuous halls of her fabulous home than they were on the icy wastes. A spiteful courtier, Count Malo, attempts to murder Flash, and Dale and Ronal are taken as slaves by ice giants whilst on a hunting trip, with only Flash and the Queen left to rescue them.

After that unforgettable sequence, and with the giants defeated, the refugees settle in Frigia, but it becomes clear that many nobles see Flash as a threat to their ambitions, since the unmarried Fria is obviously smitten by the newcomer. A series of â€œmishapsâ€ culminate in open assassination attempts and even a coup. Events spiral out of control with spectacular results and personal and political intrigues pale into insignificance when the entire kingdom is imperilled by a huge monster that lives in a glacierâ€¦

The never-ending adventure went from one hairsbreadth escape, fight or chase to another, but Checker’s subdivision into the two long epics here is logical and satisfying. It’s hard to grasp that when Raymond and script collaborator Don Moore first created these spellbinding sagas they were only working from the most general of plans, with no conception of their eventual perpetuation in posterity of the periodical drama in these lush and lavish volumes.

Along with Hal Foster (Prince Valiant) and Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates/Steve Canyon), Raymond’s work on Flash Gordon is pivotal to the development of comic art. This strip influenced everybody who followed. If you’ve never seen this work, your comic reading life is tragically incomplete. But it’s never too lateâ€¦

November 22, 2007November 22, 2007

Milton Caniff’s America

Reflections of a Drawingboard Patriot

By Milton Caniff, edited by Shel Dorf (Eclipse Books)
ISBN 0-913-035-25-4

This little rarity is a delightful introduction into the old-fashioned world and magical artistry of possibly the greatest strip cartoonist of all time. Released in the mid 1980s when Caniff’s brand of patriotism was slowly giving way to a much more intolerant and cruel brand of paranoid nationalism, these excerpts from his vast body of work forcefully remind the reader of a purer, more idealistic and aspirational land of Freedom and Opportunity.

Fans will delight in the chance to see some of the creator’s early reportage and portraiture, his editorial cartooning and landmark strips such as the episode of Terry and the Pirates that was read into the Congressional Record. Also collected are his public service drawings, a Steve Canyon sequence (from 1982) entitled ‘What is Patriotism?’ and his strips dedicated to departed comrades.

Of most moving consequence are the collected Armed Forces Day strips and every Steve Canyon Christmas Day episode (an unbroken string of graphic ruminations on the lot and role of the military everyman) from 1947 to 1987.

Stirring, gripping, heartfelt, these evocations from a master of his craft are the best tribute from, to and by an honest plain-dealer. Simply Wonderful.

November 22, 2007November 22, 2007

Birds of Prey: Perfect Pitch

By Gail Simone, & various (DC Comics)
ISBN 1-84576-423-4

One of DC’s best and most consistent action adventure series, Birds of Prey recounts the missions and lives of a rotating team of female crime-fighters led by Barbara Gordon, the computer genius known as Oracle. Daughter of the Police Commissioner of Gotham City, her own career as Batgirl was ended when the Joker destroyed her spine in a terrifying kidnap attempt. This volume comprises stories that neatly straddle either side of the Infinite Crisis/One Year Later publishing events.

The Crisis was a massive re-setting of the DC universe involving cosmic upheaval, space war, the unleashing of wild magic, a anti-metahuman conspiracy and a global uniting of the world’s super-villains as well as the assault on reality by the sole survivors of the 1980s blockbuster Crisis on Infinite Earths, whilst One Year Later restarted the continuity of the DC Universe for all characters 365 days after the conclusion of said Crisis. This narrative ploy allowed the adventures to unfold with an aura of solidity and veracity whilst creating ready-made mysteries to intrigue the readers.

This volume (collecting issues #86-90 and #92-95 of the monthly comic book) starts with a delightful triptych of vignettes from guest illustrators Adriana Melo & Will Conrad (Lady Blackhawk), Bruce Timm (Black Canary) and David Lopez & Fernando Blanco (The Huntress), which serves as a deceptive set-up for the next story-arc.

The confederation of villains called the Society has a counterpart to Oracle. The Calculator, an obsessive knowledge-broker, is going crazy trying to discover his electronic rival’s identity and so instigates a deadly Machiavellian plot to solve his problem. Squandering Society resources he kidnaps one of her operatives to force a revelation from the team, whilst simultaneously employing super-assassin Deathstroke to kill everybody before his own bosses discover his mistakes. This superb and hyper-tense thriller has guest-shots from Batman and Green Arrow but the real pay-off (as always) comes from the grit and resilience of the core team. Gail Simone continues to show why she’s one of the most popular action writers in the business and the enthralling art is divided between Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson, Eddy Barrows & Robin Riggs, Paulo Siqueira, Adam Dekraker & Riggs again.

Issue #92 was the Infinite Crisis tie-in, so this volume excludes it and resumes One Year Later with a new team cleaning up Gotham’s super-villains since Batman and Robin have been missing since the Crisis ended. Replacing Black Canary is Lady Shiva, the world’s deadliest woman, and a ruthless killer. The Canary is deep in the jungles of Indo-China, being subjected to a brutalizing retraining at a sinister Martial Arts training Camp. As she hones her skill her old team-mates are trying to save a little girl from being killed because her father betrayed The Society.

The narrative device of resuming storytelling in the middle works well in this case. Not knowing how we got here enhances the tension of this two-track drama, the art and action (from Siqueira & Riggs, and Joe Prado & Dick Giordano) are utterly engrossing and Simone’s deftness with dialogue and character, not to mention the skilful way she drops clues and references to the unseen recent past teases without confusing.

Despite all the potential bewilderment that the continuity shuffling might have caused, this is still a superb superhero thriller with as much to offer the newcomer as the dedicated fan. All action comics should be this good.

November 22, 2007November 22, 2007

Batman: Black and White, Vol 1 – New Edition

Wondering, “WHAT SHALL I GET HIM FOR CHRISTMAS?”

Batman: Black and White, Vol 1 - New Edition Â

By various (DC Comics)
ISBN 10: 1-84576-682-2 ISBN 13: 978-1-84576-682-5

Although I only reviewed this title a few months ago I just felt you ought to know that a lovely new paperback edition has been released in time for Christmas. If you’d like a more detailed run-down of the contents then you might want to check out our Archive section, but if you’re in a hurry you can just take it from me that this is one of the best and most satisfying Batman books ever published.

Originally a four issue miniseries, the editors invited some of the world’s greatest comics creators, whether they were new to the character or long-time Batman veterans, to tell a story of the Caped Crusader free of any continuity constraints and designed to work in stark monochrome.

The results were astounding, challenging and naturally, mega-award winning. If you are any sort of Bat-fan or aficionado of the art-form there will be something in this wonderful tome that will blow your socks off. Just don’t read it in front of your Nan – she spent hours knitting them.

November 21, 2007November 21, 2007

The Comic Book in America

An Illustrated History

By Mike Benton (Taylor Publications)
ISBN13: 978-0-87833-659-3

This lavish and informative coffee-table book is also a hugely useful primer into the history and secrets of that purely American graphic invention: The Comic Book.

Beginning with a brief introduction into the birth and nature of comics, covering the years 1896-1932 , the text goes on to summarise the growth and consolidation of the industry with a year by year prÃ©cis of trends, sales, personalities and significant events starting with the birth of the physical artefact in 1933 all the way through to 1989.

A second section details each and every individual publisher, their output, impact and, most usually, demise, and the text concludes with a final section which features a lively analysis of Genres in comic-books ranging from Crime to Western, by way of such milestones as Educational, Horror, Satire and even Underground Comix.

Sumptuously illustrated with hundreds of beautiful comic covers, many of them incredibly rare, all of them wonderfully attractive and compelling, this is a treat for any fan, and if there is the odd factual inaccuracy, it is more than counterbalanced by the sheer enthusiasm and joyous exuberance of the total package. This is an utter delight.

November 21, 2007November 21, 2007

Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword, Vol 2

By Wing Shing Ma (DrMaster Publications)
ISBN 13: 978-1-59796-041-0

Unbelievable as it may sound the action kicks into even higher gear in this follow-up collection of martial arts comics in the classic Hong Kong Style. Hero Hua is the latest of his family line tasked with protecting the mystical Blood Sword from the varied forces of evil that want to possess it. With a huge support network of Kung Fu â€œgoodiesâ€ to offset the brutal losses to his own family – all tragic victims of the never-ending battle – he thwarts every attempt by such villains as Heart Demon and General Satan to obtain the artefact.

This series is a truly generational saga that spans many lands and many years. After a climactic confrontation Hero Hua goes to America and the focus switches to the son he thought lost. Jian Xiong has been raised in secret and isolation by his grandfather to protect him from enemies. Many years pass, and the child grows into a wayward but good-hearted fifteen-year-old in a desolate fishing village. But one day his life changes forever when the island is invaded by the fearsome hordes of the Death Gate, a martial arts cult looking for the next Young Master, who is their destined leaderâ€¦

Another magnificent campaign of battles and duels ensues before order is restored, but by the end Jian has triumphed and himself travelled to the United States. Can a meeting with his father be far away? You’ll need to read volume III for that answer.

Crafted in a variety of artistic styles including pen-and-ink, crayon, painted art, even photography, this is an exotic and frenetic comic about fighting, heavily influenced by the mystical component of Kung Fu. If you prefer a semblance of realism in your fiction this rollercoaster romp is not for you. This is Fighting Fantasy.

Superhero fans might be amazed at the variety of powers a lifetime of knuckle push-ups and bowing can produce, but this is a style of comic that is wedded to the concept of training and will creating miracles. It is however, irresistibly exuberant, beautifully illustrated and endlessly compelling. If you’re an open-minded fan, you may find yourself carried away on this relentless tide of shallow characterisation and non-stop action.

November 21, 2007November 21, 2007

Chroma: The Art of Alex Schomburg

By Jon Gustafson (Father Tree Press)
ISBN: 0-936861-00-2

The fields of science fiction and comicbook publishing have lots of historical links. Indeed many publishers of â€œpulpsâ€ moved into the funnies industry (such as Avon, Fiction House or Marvel) with varying degrees of success. One of the most individual and impressive creators of science fiction covers was possibly also the most unique and iconic comic cover artists of the Golden Age. His name was Alex Schomburg.

This lovely volume, part biography, part gallery, lavishly represents some of the glorious pulse-quickening masterpieces of his twin careers with lots of highly informative detail that nonetheless never intrudes on the many lavish and spectacular illustrations of this hugely talented individual.

Although by no means a complete archive of Schomburg’s output, his landmark covers (throughout World War II he was the regular cover artist of Marvel Mystery Comics, Captain America Comics, All Winners and many other Marvel titles, and performed the same painterly role for Pines/Better/Nedor – whose character pantheon formed the basis for Alan Moore’s America’s Best Comics a few years ago) are a visual treasure trove for any fan, and the sheer beauty and wonderment of his other work will delight any reader with a passion for fantasy.

This volume also includes appreciations and paeans of deserved praise from such luminaries as Stan Lee, Kelly Freas, Brian Aldiss, Harlan Ellison and others. A beautiful addition to any collection of art-books and a nostalgic delight for fans gifted with a sense of wonder.

November 20, 2007November 20, 2007

Batgirl: Silent Running

By Scott Peterson, Kelley Puckett, Damion Scott & Robert Campenella (DC Comics)
ISBN: 1-84023-266-8

After Gotham City was devastated in an earthquake (Batman: Cataclysm ISBN13: 978-1-56389-527-2) it was abandoned by the US government in a spookily prescient foretaste of what would happen to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005 (see Batman: No Man’s Land Volumes 1-3, ISBN 13’s: 978-1-56389-564-7, 978-1-56389-599-9, and 978-1-56389-634-7 respectively). In the rubble, a number of heroes struggled to protect the innocent. One of these was a brand new incarnation of Batgirl.

As the crisis ended and a semblance of normality returned to the battered metropolis, the new heroine got her own series and a mentor in the form of Babs Gordon, the wheelchair-bound crime-fighter called Oracle, who was also the first Batgirl.

The current holder of the title is an enigmatic problem. Raised as an experiment by martial arts super-assassin David Cain, she cannot communicate since her language centres have been over-ridden in an experiment to make combat her only communication tool. An apparent runaway, she has been adopted by the Batman as a weapon in his never-ending battle, but the more humane Oracle has become her guardian and teacher.

In this first volume (collecting issues #1-6 of the monthly comic-book) the new Batgirl is trying to find her way, bereft even of the ability to learn, whilst revelling in the role of defender of the helpless, but her development as a human being threatens to diminish her capacity as a weapon, and the mystery of her past would indicate that she is possibly a two-edged sword in Batman’s arsenalâ€¦

Spellbinding, overwhelmingly fast-paced and with very little dialogue, these tales are a breakneck, supercharged thrill-ride that concentrates on non-stop action yet still manages to be heavily plot-based with genuine empathy and emotional impact. This is superb comic story-telling and should be on every fan’s wish-list or bookshelf.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: