For the last three years I have embarked on a Comics Odyssey, reading and writing reviews of comics towards an ambitious goal which I only attained on one of three attempts. This year, I still want to read more comics and write reviews, but I’m not setting a specific goal. I’ll just document them and number them. We’ll see how far I can go . . . . . . .
#229 ULTIMATE X-MEN #2 written, drawn and colored by Peach Momoko (Marvel, June 2024) What I enjoy most about this new title is the mystery that is ever-so-slowly unraveling as the characters make minor discoveries and the cast continues to grow. Also, the underlying horror element is appealing to me. Momoko’s story is carefully crafted and tugs on your emotions as it unfolds. To borrow a phrase too often heard in commercials: “this is not your father’s X-Men!”
The art is also unlike anything you are likely to find in X-Men books, aside from Momoko’s earlier work in the Demon Days one-shots. There’s a heavy manga influence but this is not pure manga. The watercolor style is quite effective. The best way I can describe this art is that it’s simple, evocative, and first time I’ve used this word - - - soothing. And that just makes the horrific scenes even more powerful.
Everything occurs in a high school setting. Hisako (introduced last issue) is still recovering from the loss of her good friend (his alleged suicide is suspect) and trying to come to term with her new powers (similar to Armor). She makes a new friend in white-haired Mei who understands what’s going on and reveals her powers (similar to Storm) to Hisako.They team up to get behind the shadow form who haunts them, who gets more aggressive and dangerous this issue as more students turn up dead.
There’s a new closeted teen character with powers to be introduced who appears near the issue’s end, and apparently feels some vibration emanating from the two girls. FOUR STARS.
#230 REDCOAT #1 by Geoff Johns and Bryan Hitch (Image Comics/Ghost Machine, April 2024) This may become my favorite of the Ghost Machine titles; but I reserve final judgment until I’ve checked them all plus read a few consecutive issues.
Here’s what I like most about REDCOAT: 1. THE CHARACTER. As a British redcoat in 1776, he’s on the wrong side but could likely become a true anti-hero who may change allegiances as the story moves on. And, it doesn’t feel like he became a soldier because he supports Britain’s cause, but more like he wanted the paycheck. Plus, he’s an unusual main character - - an immortal who didn’t ask to be - he was caught in a force that was intended to give Benjamin Franklin super-powers. He’s always on the run and often hiding, from Revolutionary forces, creditors, unhappy lovers, or those who want revenge for a relative he has killed. Simon Pure (an ironic name, to be sure) can be killed, but will be resurrected - usually in a different time period that he cannot control. He’s a scoundrel, a bumbler, and seems clueless as to how to use his abilities to his benefit. He just seems to go with the flow. Definitely not heroic, and that’s a difference that I can appreciate. Also, I love how he often breaks the Fourth Wall and speaks directly to the reader.
2) TIME TRAVEL: You can tell right from this first issue that Johns will be putting a definite spin on historical figures. Here, the Founding Fathers were part of a cabal that used rituals to grant them super-powers. John Hancock exterminates a group of British Soldiers with magical fireflies. I can’t wait to see what other historical figures Redcoat will meet and what time periods he will end up in.
3) AN OVERVIEW OF THE UNNAMED UNIVERSE: Those time travel abilities will make it possible to visit other period in John’s carefully mapped out universe. Overall this is a neat debut issue. FOUR STARS.
#231 SILICON BANDITS #1 by Jason Starr and Dalibor Talajic (Magma Comix, April 2024) The year is 2089, some time after the fifth World War. But, this doesn’t appear to be a post-apocalypse story despite the cover image. The cityscape of New Phoenix, in the Western Quadrant of the former United States appears undamaged. The country is controlled by four trillionaires, and many jobs have been replaced by artificial intelligence.
While there’s a sufficient amount of science-fiction themed titles within today’s comics offerings, when you narrow it down to stories that don’t contain a horror element or space opera - - the choices begin to narrow. I’ve always been drawn to deeper, complex storylines that depict not just the actions but the consequences of those actions on a future society. SILICON BANDITS pushes all those buttons for me, and reminds me of the novels of Cory Doctorow that deal with the effects of technology.
The words of Western Quadrant CEO Etan Crane during a public presentation are full of not-so-subtle innuendo: “Over the past sixty years, the world has seen rapid development of artificial beings, from rudimentary robots to the common android of today.
Our newest android, the Crane Forty-Seven, far surpasses the capability of the Forty-Six, or any previous model, and it will position our quadrant as a military and economic juggernaut for years to come.
Revenues from the C-47 will spearhead economic growth throughout our economy and strengthen our military.
Most importantly, the prosperity will trickle down and all of our shareholders will benefit from higher basic incomes and improved, happier lifestyles.”
The designers behind the C-47 should be excited, but only half of the scientist couple is elated. Aurora Withers basks in the limelight, while her husband Kenji Sato hangs back and seems embarrassed by the sudden attention as they stand on stage to mass applause.
He’s troubled by what they’ve done, as revealed in dramatic fashion in private conversations following the event. Shortly thereafter they are fired from their positions within Crane Robotics as the domineering CEO plans to use the new C-47s to design and implement their own upgrades.
But Kenji thought this might happen and put a plan into motion that he kept hidden from his wife. He wants to steal Crane’s stockpiles of “gallium”, a crucial component in android tech. There are several side plots including a former Army buddy of Kenji who blackmails him in order to pay off a huge gambling debt.
This is a dialogue heavy debut issue with plenty to appreciate. There’s almost zero action scenes but Starr's story is intriguing enough plus the art and coloring help to drive it forward. In spite of six to eight-panel pages Talajic makes the most of them with just enough background detail and expressive character movements.
I’m thoroughly engaged with this one, and expect it to move forward into a more action-oriented second issue as the theft begins. We’ll see if the creative team can continue to keep this interesting. FIVE STARS so far.
#232 DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO #1 of 8 by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson with art by Simone Ragazzoni (Boom! Studios, March 2024 - second printing)
Speaking of science-fiction comics with more complexity and depth - - here’s another entry. Unless you are a regular reader of the Dune novels, your head may be spinning after trying to absorb all the plot developments, characters, and settings in this debut issue.
While it’s a prelude to the main Dune novel, the third and final prequel series from Boom!, that doesn’t mean you can jump right in catch up. Thankfully, the story doesn’t bog down with trying to explain all the relationships between the ruling Houses and space commerce and power struggles etc. Having read DUNE several times (but decades apart) I was able to reacquaint myself with much of this fascinating and ultra-detailed universe. Thankfully, the art isn’t as cluttered and is easy on the eye. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
SYNOPSIS:
House Corrino, once the deadliest house in the Dune universe as the Imperial family, plays a key role in the developments leading into the events of the first novel.
While conflicts escalate between the Fremen and House Harkonnon on Arrakis, the Bene Gesserit keep a close eye on Jessica's fateful pregnancy, and House Atreides takes part in the plan to seal Ix's fate...
#233 NIGHTWING #113 by Tom Taylor and Marv Wolfman with art by Danielle Di NuCuolo and Bruno Redondo (DC Comics, June 2024)
It’s the landmark issue (Legacy #300) for NIGHTWING, and this is part foreshadowing of the next story arc (“Fallen Grayson”) featuring the threat of Heartless and part celebration of Dick Grayson/Nightwing’s history.
Tom Taylor does a great job of taking advantage of more eyes on this title (because of the #300) by slow-walking the new plot points without taking away from the birthday celebration/city benefactor award for Grayson as befits a landmark issue. He manages to juggle both in a way that should grab some new readers for this title as well as persuade many to go back and pick up some of the earlier Taylor-scripted stories in trade paperback. I’ve read several random issues of Taylor’s run and won’t argue with any who claim this is the best version of Nightwing. He’s certainly done a lot to develop the character, probably the most since the ground-breaking work by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.
Plus, it’s nice to see a call-out tribute to them with the party at Marv & George’s Pizza restaurant as well an two pages where Wolfman actually inserts himself into the story. Also, there’s a delicious wordless short story by Michael Conrad and Howard Porter that provides ice cream on the birthday cake. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
