League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century: 1910 #1 — Writer: Alan Moore; Art: Kevin O’Neill
Well, of course you should buy this; that goes without saying: it’s a new episode of one of the most high-profile, high-quality series of the ’00s. What makes it worth mentioning is Top Shelf’s handsome package — $7.95 for 84 squarebound pages (74 pages of actual story, plus some text features), with very high production values. There’s a lot of talk in comics retailing about the “satisfying chunk” theory — the idea that comics buyers will buy whatever makes them feel like they’re getting good story value for their money — and this certainly passes that test; compared to the standard 22 flimsy pages for $2.99 (and, increasingly, $3.99), it’s the bargain of the year.
Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye #2 (of 3) — Writer: Grant Morrison; Art: Cameron Stewart
Just as weirdly wonderful as the first issue, with a last page that’s a perfect, stirring lead-in to next episode’s conclusion of this arc. Morrison’s very good at Philip K. Dickesque paranoia, that slowly increasing suspicion that the world isn’t what it seems, that reality is something much stranger, and more sinister, than we know; the only downside is that sometimes the payoff isn’t as good as the buildup (call it The Matrix syndrome). Here, enough hints about What’s Really Happening are dropped to make me optimistic that this will be a classic stubborn-heroism-against-souless-conformity tale, and not a disappointment.
The Human Torch #1 (of 1) — Writer: Scott Snyder; Art: Scott Wegener
Same as the recent Sub-Mariner and Cap books — a new story set in the early Golden Age, plus a reprint. Two pieces of good news: first, the reprint is a 19-page Carl Burgos story from 1940, enough to give a real sense of the gaudy, energetic pizzazz of that period. Second, Wegener’s art in the new story has a quirky, angular indie sensibility (with moody, effective coloring by Ronda Pattison) that takes it beyond standard modern superhero fare and makes it a good match for the freshness of the reprint.
Angel: Blood and Trenches #3 (of 4) — Writer/Artist: John Byrne
I’m really liking the way the art here’s shot directly from Byrne’s very tight pencils — look at the splash, and then the bookshelves on the next two pages — and the effective, restrained way he’s using splashes of red in his otherwise black-and-white world. Seeing his art this way makes it seem brand-new, and offers us a chance to appreciate his too-often-taken-for-granted skills.
Jonah Hex #43 — Writers: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; Art: Paul Gulacy
I already mentioned this book favorably over in my mostly-unfavorable review of Power Girl, but wanted to take a minute here to acknowledge the cool Gulacy art, the effective, non-gimmicky use of silence throughout much of the story, and the neat (and refreshingly non-sexist) little misdirection in the Hex/woman-in-distress encounter. This book is a quiet, inexplicable treasure (43 issues of a Western? In today’s market?), and we need to appreciate it for as long as Gray and Palmiotti can keep corralling good artists to render their cynical, inventive little tales.
Cerebus Archives #1 — Dave Sim
A bunch of crap from Dave Sim’s files — his 1975 story for the black-and-white Psycho magazine, plus his ’70s Beavers cartoons, some correspondence from Gene Day, and a rejection note from Gray Morrow’s Archie Red Circle line. For $3, it’s worth it just to get a feel for the world of a neophyte struggling to break into comics over 30 years ago.
The Boys #30 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Art: Darick Robertson
Halfway through the run (I think), and a reminder that Butcher, while tough and on the right side, is nothing close to a hero — although I’m still pulling for Hughie and Annie to be, and hoping that they’ll be riding off into the sunset together in the final panel of the final issue.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight #25 — Writer: Doug Petrie; Pencils: Georges Jeanty; Inks: Andy Owens
Resolving the Dawn’s-transformation subplot, while moving a few other things along and providing the usual bits of characterization and snarky dialogue — in other words, a normal, competent issue of a pretty good comic.
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:
Gold Digger #105 — Writer/Artist: Fred Perry
Amazing Spider-Man #593 — Writer: Mark Waid; Pencils: Mike McKone; Inks: Lanning and Kesel
Invincible Iron Man #13 — Writer: Matt Fraction; Art: Salvador Larroca
Astro City: The Dark Age: Book Three #1 (of 4) — Writer: Kurt Busiek; Art: Brent E. Anderson
Star Trek: Crew #3 (of 4) — Writer/Artist: John Byrne
Phil Mateer
glad you liked the torch issue – stay in touch!