Ignition City #1 — Ariter: Warren Ellis; Art: Gianluca Pagliarani
Doktor Sleepless #12 — Writer: Warren Ellis; Art: Ivan Rodriguez
Ellis is a 1950s sf pulp writer reincarnated for the 21st century. Ignition City is a what-if-the-space-race-had-gone-differently alternate-Earth tale much like Ministry of Space, but grittier, and focused more on the human elements; it would have fit in a magazine like Galaxy of If or even Fantasy and Science Fiction. Doktor Sleepless is sleeker and more modern, an examination of near-future hi-tech communications hardware, with the software filtered through Carlos Casteneda and H. G. Lovecraft. It’s in a quiet stage right now, focusing issues on supporting characters, but seems to be putting the pieces in place for an apocalyptic conclusion somewhere far down the road. If you’re a fan of ’50s and ’60s sf, it’s a pleasure to watch Ellis work.
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess #4 (of 5) — Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi; Art: Guy Davis
Davis is so good at the little human moments that you forget how awesome it is when he gets to draw, oh, two-page spreads of fiery giant orange-glowing dragons battling huge dark obscene insect/robot shadow things. The more apocalyptic the Mignolaverse becomes, the better for the rest of us; for both this series and Hellboy, the next year or two should be a lot of fun.
Secret Six #8 — Writer: Gail Simone; Penciler: Carlos Rodrigues; Inker: Bit
Simone should be writing more books; this stand-alone story in which Deadshot and Scandal double-date and each find — well, not love (the exact phrase is “rut in the mud with a stranger”), but a moment or two of human connection — is very nicely done, snarky and cynical but also wise. Bonus feature: a three-page “Ragdoll Dreams” strip with art by Amanda Gould in “Tiny Titans” style that tries a little too hard to make a catchphrase out of “save the monkeys,” but is pretty darn triumphantly weird just the same.
Green Lantern #38 — Writer: Geoff Johns; Penciler: Philip Tan; Inks: Jonathan Gapion
Now “Blackest Night” is looming close enough to be part of the cover dress, and we’re getting the orange lanterns, and the Guardians trying to pry the blue ring off of Hal’s finger, and other events proceeding apace. I predict that, in a year or two, there’s going to be a point where he’s wearing every ring of every color at the same time, and I further predict that, in spite of ourselves, we’re going to find it totally awesome. Johns is a textbook builder of stories, laying the groundwork and building anticipation for them years in advance, and he does this compulsive soap-opera fanboy stuff like nobody else.
Young Liars #14 — Writer/Artist: David Lapham
This damn thing has now sucked me back into it; ok, the spider revelation was jarring and switched genres, from noirish real-world to wildly-careening sf, but now that I’m done being annoyed the new status quo is fun, too, with its little Philip K. Dickish realities and counter-realities, and the way the character both are and aren’t the same as before. Given the title, it’s clear the rug’s going to get pulled out from under us a few more times before this whole series is over; let’s hope the payoff continues to be worth the accumulated annoyance.
Stuff I read and liked enough to buy, but don’t have much to say about, so read previous reviews in the archives if you’re interested:
The Sword #16 — Writers/Artists: Jonathan and Joshua Luna
Echo #11 — Writer/Artist: Terry Moore
Gold Digger #104 — Writer/Artist: Fred Perry
Phil Mateer
