EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m reviving a feature I occasionally wrote for the old BC Refugees blog - - PRE-ORDER PICKS. In the past, I would page through the monthly Previews catalog and then offer a long list of books that I felt were worthy of your attention but might not be something your local comic shop was ordering for their shelves. In most cases, I was judging these books by their potential, taking a chance that they would be as good as I anticipated. I’m going to take a different approach for the new articles. I’m only going to recommend books that I know are really good, because I’ve read an advance review copy of a single issue - - or I’ve read all the individual issues that comprise a new trade paperback or hardcover being offered. With all of these PRE-ORDER PICKS keep in mind - - if you are interested, don’t take a chance on the store having a copy. Make sure by pre-ordering. Your local comic shop will thank you. Guaranteed sales help make them profitable. Please place your order before Wednesday, March 27 - - which is the cut-off date.
AHOY COMICS’ first expedition took sail last year and landed on our shores during the third quarter of 2018, with four debut titles coming to port. I’m not going out on a limb by designating them the small publisher to watch in 2019. They have already proven to be a premium quality house of ideas.
THE WRONG EARTH was their very first title, and it’s appropriate that it now becomes the first Ahoy trade paperback collection this year. The publisher’s goals were clearly stated in the editorial page of THE WRONG EARTH #1. The goal was to produce books that were “smart, good-looking, unusual and funny.”
They clearly hit the target, in my opinion. In addition, Ahoy also promises to provide “more” every issue with extra content. Most 32 page Ahoy titles contain a 20-page main story, a second back-up feature, interviews with creators, and the return of short text fiction (which disappeared from comics pages in the 1960’s.) I haven’t seen the trade paperback yet (scheduled for release in May) but I’ve read the individual issues — and if they include everything then the trade paperback will be worth the asking price.
Story arcs for those four debut titles are wrapping up, and Ahoy is preparing for the launch of its second expedition in April with brand new titles. For now, let’s take a look at what’s available to pre-order tomorrow (3/27).
THE WRONG EARTH #1-6 (Ahoy Comics) Tom Peyer, writer. Jamal Igle, art. Juan Castro, inker. Andy Troy, color. Rob Steen, letters. All back-up stories written by Paul Constant, with art on Stinger stories by Frank Cammuso, Dragonflyman and Stinger art by Tom Feister, and art on Dragonfly stories by Gary Erkskine.
If you’ve been following the comics career paths of either Tom Peyer or Jamal Igle (two under-the-radar creators deserving of more recogniton) then you need to pick up THE WRONG EARTH VOL 1 trade paperback, as it showcases some of the best work of both.
Peyer’s writing is sharp, crisp and subtly pokes fun at the super-hero genre, albeit respectfully and lovingly. This could easily be read as a straight-up super-hero adventure story - - but it’s more than that.
Jamal Igle’s art sparkles under the eye of inker Castro and colorist Troy. It’s both fluid and dynamic. It reminds me overall of THE WATCHMAN art, although Igle is not copying, and isn’t confined to a strict nine-panel-per-page format, allowing him creative freedom with panel placement and size.
THE WRONG EARTH is a homage to the super-hero tales from a more innocent age (mid-’60’s,early ’70’s) as well as darker-themed superhero fare from the time when things began to shade grayer (beginning in late ’60’s, slogging through the ’70’s and really hitting stride in the ’80’s and beyond).
Fortune City substitutes for Gotham, and exists on both Earth Alpha and Earth Omega — as well as a super-hero with similarities and differences. Dragonflyman on Earth Alpha is “campy”, utilizing gadgets and a sidekick (Stinger). Dragonfly on Earth Omega is “gritty” employing both brutality and sometimes murder to protect citizens from criminals. He works alone, as his sidekick committed suicide.
Both heroes have similar costumes, with Dragonflyman’s being a bit more colorful and inviting while Dragonfly’s costume conceals more and is slightly intimidating.
The main villain on both worlds goes by the title of Number One. On Earth Alpha he’s a sharp dresser, makes cornball wisecracks and goes with crimes that polish his vanity (as in stealing expensive art from museums and replacing with portraits of himself). His team uses numbers as pseudonyms, beginning with the alluring Deuce (like Joker’s Harley Quinn) and well-dressed thugs. Number One on Earth Omega prefers traditional crime targets (banks, etc), resembles a punk rocker and employs brutality and violence to keep his crew in line. All his henchmen dress like terrorists, with concealing masks.
One common element that plays a big part in the series is a teleport-mirror, as both Number Ones walk through these mirrors to escape from a pursuing Dragonflyman/Dragonfly. Both hero and villain find themselves in the opposite world, and therein lies the crux of the series. How do hero and villain adjust to worlds that contrast where they came from? Do they adapt? Do they effect change? Do they live?
Things really come to a head in Issue #5 with an unexpected fatality and Issue #6 where we learn the universe is much bigger than the worlds of Alpha and Omega - - a real cliff-hanger, and a teaser for Volume Two coming in 2020.
There are great moments and highlights throughout the first volume, but I don’t want to make this column too long. Take my word for it and check it out. Here’s just one example . . . .
- Issue #4 is one of my favorites, featuring a team of super-villains on both worlds. The Dastardly League on Earth Alpha has some amusing members, including Dr Yo-Yo, Granny Oakley, Toreador, and Chef Escargot. All funny, but my absolute favorite is the ridiculous Kactus of Earth Omega.
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