Tuesday, May 26, 2020

2021 COMIC BOOK QUARANTINE ODYSSEY, Part Seven

This began as a challenge issued to Captain Blue Hen from some friendly comic shops in Texas and Ohio.  Captain Blue Hen Comics didn’t win that challenge, but they came close.  Then, they were invited to keep going and participate in the 2,021 COMIC CHALLENGE - - same rules, the winner is the shop/group that reads and posts 2,021 comics first.

I’ll share all my posts to the group on this blog page.  I’ve been numbering my entries, picking up where I left off with the 1,000 COMIC CHALLENGE.  I’m curious to see how long it takes me to read that many comics. I want the results to be realistic so I’m not going to binge read unless I happen to be in the mood.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t end up reading some comics, so we’ll see how long it takes me.

#243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248  SWEET TOOTH #6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 39 (Vertigo, 2010-2013) Some great story-telling here. The science militia is rounding up all the animal children born during the plague. Their intent is to dissect them in search of an antidote. One scientist takes a more humane approach and hypnotizes Sweet Tooth in order to remember his beginnings. Seems like all mothers die in childbirth. Jepperd also lost his wife (captive of the militia) and his past gets explored in depth. #39 is the next to last issue and it doesn't end well. Sad, yet endearing (pun intended) story. FIVE STARS 

#249, 250, 251, 252, 253  AVENGERS UNDERCOVER VOLUME 2: GOING NATIVE (Marvel, 2014) Reprints Issues #6-10. This started out by engaging me with the character development and interactions (seven young Avengers learning how to fight, be a team, handle romance, etc) and then devolved into less interesting big battles in the last two issues. The team pretends to be part of Zemo's Masters Of Evil to foil his plans, but not before he commandeers a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. A ton of characters before it's all over. Better than average overall. THREE & ONE-HALF STARS.


#254, 255, 256  ALADDIN: LEGACY OF THE LOST 3 issue mini-series (Radical Comics, 2010) Very cinematic, no surprise from this company (used comics as storyboards to pitch movie ideas).Nice script from Ian Edginton. Cool art by Stjepan Sejic A neat little spin on the Aladdin story, adding Sinbad, more genies, and an immortal race of demonic gods into the mix. 3.5 STARS out of 5.

#257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264  CIVIL WAR: CAPTAIN AMERICA AND IRON MAN Trade Paperback. (Marvel, 2005) Big collection of cross-over stories. If asked to consider the mountain of Marvel mega-events and make a recommendation to new readers, two series always come to mind: CIVIL WAR and SECRET INVASION. Those are two that Marvel did right. Best of this volume are the Ed Brubaker/Mike Perkins Captain America issues and the one-shot Brian Michael Bendis/Alex Maleev Civil War: The Confession. Wow, that one really sticks the knife in and twists - - what a way to wrap up the event! FOUR STARS.

#265  YEAR ZERO #1 (AWA/Upshot, 2020) Writer Benjamin Percy promises to take the zombie apocalypse global instead of focusing on one group. He does that in this set up issue. Every 2-3 page scene raises questions I'll have to wait for answers: Polar ice, Mexico City, Tokyo, Minnesota, Kabul, Italy. FOUR STARS.

#266  DAPHNE BYRNE #4 (DC Black Label/Hill House, 2020) I love Kelley Jones art. Creepy gothic/Victorian story of introverted girl shadowed/posessed by mean spirit. FOUR STARS.

#267  THE DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #6 (DC Black Label/Hill House, 2020) Great to see the team from Unwritten back together. Demonic doll house seeks to break out in big-time renovation in this final issue. FOUR STARS.


#268  PLUNGE #3 (DC Black Label/Hill House, 2020) Not sure I like this Joe Hill story, but I keep coming back. The crew of a lost ship return 40 years later, with no eyes but allegedly friendly intentions. Creepy.  THREE STARS.

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