Hate Annual #8 — Writer/Artist: Peter Bagge
Bagge, whose Hate was one of the high-water marks of ’90s indie comics, is still chronicling the adventures of Buddy Bradley and his now-wife Lisa. They’re now more domestic (they have a six-year-old), but have the same propensity for getting involved with various idiots (parents of other children, in this story), and since Lisa eventually end up onstage at a stripper club, it’s not like they’ve settled down completely. Bagge’s cartoony, exaggerated style is still used to great effect, including on a number of true-life one-page strips on various scientists (Joseph Priestley, Mendeleyev and Walter Reed, among others), which offer scholarship and slapstick in equal measure, and are almost worth the cover price by themselves.
Spider-Man: Fever #1 (of 3) — Writer/Artist: Brendan McCarthy
Another Spidey mini-series? I intended to pick this up, leaf through it and put it back, but it pulled me right in, and wouldn’t let me put it down. McCarthy’s a British comics artist, probably best known in the US for his work with Grant Morrison on Zenith and with Peter Milligan (he did a number of covers for Shade, the Changing Man); his American printed work also includes the Vertigo book Rogan Gash, Eclipse’s Strange Days and, most recently, an issue of DC’s Solo devoted to his art. Here, he’s in full-on Steve Ditko mode, with a hallucinatory Spidey/Dr. Strange story involving soul-sucking spiders from another dimension. Creepy, colorful, and deeply weird (the last-page cliffhanger has the King Spider saying “A human soul? Prepare it immediately. I shall have it with custard!”), it should appeal to anyone who liked Marvel’s recent Strange Tales anthology, or who otherwise appreciates gonzo variations on standard superhero tropes.
Demo #3 (of 6) — Writer: Brian Wood; Art: Becky Cloonan
Marlo, a twenty-something receptionist at a vet’s office, has OCD which takes the form of ubiquitous Post-It notes that she writes as reminders, encouragements and comments to herself, and plasters everywhere. Then, she starts finding other Post-Its, whose unseen author uses them to strike up a dialogue with her… and that’s all you need to know, really, other than to note that Wood’s story is a perfect showcase for Cloonan’s cute, sexy, expressive art, and that you’ll be likely to smile when you think about this story later.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight #34 — Writer: Brad Meltzer; Pencils: Georges Jeanty; Inks: Andy Owens
Buffy and Angel have sex. A lot (and, since they’re both now super-powered, in a lot of positions, including in low orbit). It’s a PG book, so there are a lot of conveniently-placed branches and long shots, and they call it “f#@%ing,” but still… for fans, both of the book and the TV series, it’s gotta be a high point (special bonus: on the letters page, they talk about heading “into the climax of Season Eight.” and I don’t even think they’re being ironic). Next issue, of course, many Bad Things look like they’re lined up to happen, so the sex has consequences — but this issue is all about the libido, and, fanfic fantasies aside, it’s nice to see Whedon’s long-suffering heroine get some happiness for once.
Ultimate X #2 — Writer: Jeph Loeb; Pencils: Art Adams; Inks: Mark Roslan
The story, which involves Jean Grey working at a shopping center and being romanced by a mall cop, is predictably brain-dead (and, ultimately, bloody), but the Adams art is so pretty, so well-composed and fun to look at, that it sweeps all objections aside. Say this for Loeb: the down-home setting, and opportunities for Jean to express emotion, show that he knows how to play to his artist’s strengths.
Jonah Hex #54 — Writers: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; Art: Jordi Bernet
Just like the previous review, except (1) substitute “Bernet” for “Adams,” and (2) dial back on the “brain-dead,” since Palmiotti and Grey always seem to kick their games up a notch or two when writing about their grizzled soon-to-be movie star. Ten years from now, we’ll look back on this (so far) almost-five-year run, marvel at the parade of top artists that contributed to it, and wonder why we didn’t appreciate it more while it was here.
Uncanny X-Men #523 — Writer: Matt Fraction; Pencils: Terry Dodson; Inks: Rachel Dodson
Being part of “Second Coming,” and having to shoehorn in all those characters and imposed situations, doesn’t do this book any favors — but Fraction’s still able to deliver a competent script, with a few decent character moments, and after the last few issues, where the writing had to carry the book, it’s good to have the Dodsons back on the art.
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:
Batman and Robin #11 — Writer: Grant Morrison; Pencils: Andy Clarke; Inks: Scott Hanna
Superman: Secret Origin #5 (of 6) — Writer: Geoff Johns; Pencils: Gary Frank; Inks: Jon Sibal
The Boys #41 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Art: Darick Robertson
Knights of the Dinner Table #160 — Creators: Jolly Blackburn, Steve Johansson, David Kenzer and Brian Jelke
Phil Mateer
