Want to read more comics but lack enough green paper to make it happen? Here are some good books that won’t empty your wallet, and provide you another reason to frequent a bricks-and-mortar local comics shop.
THE WORLD OF KRYPTON one-shot (DC Comics, May 2018 cover date) Free from DC and partnership with The SYFY Channel. Story by John Byrne. Breakdowns by Mike Mignola. Finishes by Rick Bryant. Letters by john Workman. Colors by Petra Scotese.
There are ten pages of photos and several paragraphs of text in this free comic revealing some background on the new KRYPTON series on the SYFY television channel. Apparently the series (which I haven’t seen yet, but will do so very soon) will focus on the various families of power on Krypton two generations before its’ destruction and the beginning of Superman’s journey to Earth: the Houses of El (science), Vex (law and politics), Zod (planetary defense) and Em (military guild). Seg-El is Superman’s grandfather, who will have some critical decisions to make, as well as trying to restore family honor after the execution of scientist Val-El for treason.
The link between television series and comic is Val-El, who in the comic is a young Kryptonian man about to experience his “day of passage.” The comic is a reprint of Issue #1 of the 1987 WORLD OF KRYPTON limited series. It would be great to see a reprint of the entire 4-issue run, but I’ve a feeling this issue was produced solely for promotional purposes, to drum up interest in the tv-series. However, if your curiosity prompts you to seek out these issues, it should only set you back no more than $10 total provided you can find them.
The comic portrays life on ancient Krypton, which was an advanced civilization where cloning was perfected. All prominent citizens have at least 3 clones of themselves waiting in storage, to be utilized for body parts when needed in order to prolong life. There’s a movement underfoot, a revolution of sorts, to recognize clones and grant them the same rights as all Kryptonians. The art by Mignola and Bryant is interesting in that their collaboration results in art that looks more like early John Byrne rather than Mignola or Bryant.
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: A little bit melodramatic, but a nice job by Byrne 2.5 POINTS
ART: When the panels are larger and not overwhelmed by dialogue balloons, it’s quite nice to behold. 2.5 POINTS
COVER: Really looks like the SYFY show, and not the original comic. A bit misleading. 1 POINT
READ AGAIN? I wouldn’t, simply because this is only 1/4 of the story. 0 POINTS
RECOMMEND? I always recommend you take a chance on a free book. Why not? 1 POINT.
TOTAL RATING: 7 POINTS.
TRUE BELIEVERS: VENOM - CARNAGE one-shot (Marvel Comics, May 2018 cover date, $1) David Michelinie, writer. Mark Bagley, penciler. Randy Emberlin, inker. Rick Parker, letterer. Bob Sharen, colorist.
If you wanted to own a copy of the original story from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #363 it could set you back as much as $8 for a good copy - - so $1 is a real bargain.
I love the Bagley art in this issue, especially the fight scenes. I think it rivals his later work on ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. I actually like what I see here better. The story by Michelinie (the creator of both Venom and Carnage) is loaded with drama and details, and would most likely be a 3-4 issue story arc if being told in modern times. He sure knows how to cram a lot of story into a single issue and still keep it entertaining and not cluttered.
For those not familiar with this classic issue, the alien symbiotic that bonded with Eddie Brock breaks him out of jail so they can become Venom again. In the process, the alien left enough bodily residue behind to create another symbiote, who joins with Brock’s prison cellmate, the brutal Cletus Kasady. They become Carnage. Venom has to postpone his death wish for the hated Spider-Man and team with him to bring down Carnage.
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: Renewed appreciation for Michelinie’s work after reading this again. 3 POINTS
ART: Delightful. 2.5 POINTS
COVER: Our three co-stars are featured. 2 POINTS.
READ AGAIN? Always read the classic stories more than once. 1 POINT
RECOMMEND? Only $1. That’s a no-brainer. 1 POINT
TOTAL RATING: 9.5 POINTS. Go get it.
TRUE BELIEVERS: AGENT VENOM one-shot (Marvel Comics, May 2018 cover date, $1) Writer: Rick Remender. Penciler: Tony Moore. Inks: Crimelab! Studios. Colorist: John Rauch. Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Rick Remender has written some seriously good stories, but does produce his share of dumb ideas from time to time. But, for $1 I was more than willing to take a chance on a story I’d never read before. This one was much better than I expected. It’s a reprint of VENOM #1 from 2011, which you can still find in back issue bins, or pick up the Volume 1 trade paperback.
The first thing that made an impression on me is the more-than-credible job of artist Moore. Lots of detail in every one of his panels. It takes some time to take in what’s going on in each page. The colors are muted and drab, painting an appropriately grim scene of warfare.
Remender’s story is strong on details as well. Eddie Brock as Venom is long gone. The government has established some control over the alien symbiote and uses it as a weapon. They find the perfect host in Peter Parker’s old high school rival, Flash Thompson. Flash is now a Middle East war hero who lost his legs.
His mission as Venom is to air-drop into a war zone in a made-up Eastern European country and extricate a terrorist weapons-maker before the enemy (Hobgoblin) can get to him. Flash has principles and a personal code of honor, plus a tendency for raging anger that dangerously allows the alien symbiote to regain control. This all makes the government handlers very nervous.
Flash/Venom accomplishes part of the mission, but not exactly what the government intended. His discipline is followed up by another rejection in an ironic twist ending. This is a complete-in-one-issue story, but will make you want to read the next few issues.
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: 2.5 POINTS
ART: 2.5 POINTS
COVER: 2 POINTS.
READ AGAIN? 1 POINT
RECOMMEND? 1 POINT
TOTAL RATING: 9 POINTS. Go get it.
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