I Love Comics 3000, Part Fifteen

 I’ve been numbering my entries, picking up where I left off with the 2,021 COMIC BOOK QUARANTINE ODYSSEY.  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 this takes. The journey began with the 1,000 Comics Challenge on approximately March 15, 2020.

 

#374  IMMORTAL HULK #34 (Marvel, June 2020) “The Apotheosis of Samuel Sterns.”  Writer Al Ewing finally gets to put his imprint on The Leader. But in this re-introduction issue, he first revisits Samuel Sterns’ back-story as a series of memories in what now becomes the fifth, and perhaps most dangerous, reincarnation of The Leader. Each time Sterns returned to his human form he became smarter. Each time the Leader returned he obtained new knowledge to work into and finesse his master plan. Ewing also introduces the dark element that he brought to Bruce Banner/The Hulk - - that of an even higher power, which appears to the Leader in moments of resurrection as a blinding green light blocking out the image of a god or demon - who speaks to both gamma-powered individuals as if they were his children. Has the Leader finally uncovered the method to cross over into the nether-dimension and recruit Brian Banner? A nice build-up issue. With the announcement of IMMORTAL HULK concluding at Issue #50, I’m expecting this to be a long term plot element. FOUR STARS.

#375  THE OSIRIS PATH #1 (Behemoth Comics, June 2020) I would not be aware of this new comics publisher if not for Captain Blue Hen’s taking a chance and adding this to their new release shelf, where I promptly picked it up, scanned it, and bought it. Oh, where can impulse buyers get new comics if not for local comic shops?  A thousand times thank you, CBH. This is a neat mash-up of action adventure and science-fiction. Dr. Alexander Hancock is an archeologist recruited for a 1980 secretive space mission that deposits him on Parson’s Crater on Earth’s moon. The clandestine moon base has actually been there before the official moon landing of July 4, 1967. He joins the crew of the nuclear-powered spaceship Orion to Mars, where they investigate some Egyptian-looking temples, where they are attacked by “Set group”. An intriguing beginning with amusing banter and expressive art. FOUR STARS. 

#376  OUR FIGHTING FORCES GIANT #1 (DC Comics, May 2020) I don’t buy too many of these DC Giants but this one caught my attention. There are three new stories in this issue, and all three are worthwhile. The best of the bunch is the main story with The Unknown Soldier, “House Call”, told in Priest’s inimitable style. A news reporter tries to figure out which member of a quartet might be The Unknown Soldier. I couldn’t figure it out. The opening sequence is a classic. Batwoman gets involved in a covert mission while a West Point cadet in “Code Of Honor”. “Medal of Honor” featuring Batman is based on Army Specialist Sal Giunta (who shares writing credits with Brad Meltzer), a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in Afghanistan. Art by Jim Lee! The five reprint stories aren’t bad either - all stand alone stories, which is much appreciated. FOUR STARS.

#377  THE GRIEVLING  #1 of 2  (Clover Press, April 2020 — $7.99) 

Fans of horror comics writer Steve Niles may be a bit disappointed by this latest effort, which lacks the in-depth human revelations of some of his other works. I’m wondering if this book is intended for the young adult reader, although there is no indication of that anywhere on the front or back cover. I’m also not sure the art style of Damien Worm (which reminds me of Ben Templesmith) has teenager appeal. He draws, inks, colors and shades his work here. Many pages are a dark wash of a single color where the white background of word balloons appear ghostly pale. Lily Baxter is an outcast at high school, branded “the loner” and “the freak”. On Halloween night she makes an annual visit to the cemetery, not just to pay her respects and speak to the headstones of family members - - but to every single grave where she knew the deceased. Some teens playing pranks visit the cemetery and tease her unmercifully until a fatal accident occurs and they flee. However, the deceased won’t let Lily die, and she’s resurrected with a companion inside her to protect her from danger. Lily is an interesting character, although a little too one-dimensional. Still, this is a very fast read despite its length, and I’m looking forward to the conclusion. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#378  HOTELL #2 of 4 (AWA/Upshot, June 2020) “Room 2: The Three Deaths of Muriel Stansfield”  I’ve been following writer John Lees ever since his authentic but grisly take on struggling Scottish dark city/low income/high crime residents in SINK (Comixtribe). This book is a quartet of linked tales done in a style reminiscent of Twilight Zone but edgier. The main character from Issue #1 makes an appearance, as does the creepy/seedy hotel manager, who’s main role seems to be that of warning people off some dangerous areas. A seemingly loving couple on a highway trip stop at the isolated Pierrot Courts (“hotell”, with the o and t missing from the neon sign, heh heh). The husband is not so loving, and has plans to rid himself of his spouse. He made a poor choice of location. The story title is a spoiler of sorts. No matter. You’ll still cringe. FOUR STARS.

#379  ROAD TO EMPYRE: THE KREE/SKRULL WAR #1 (Marvel, May 2020)  Those about to hop on the EMPYRE band wagon for a wild multi-issue mega-event of a comics ride may consider this prologue essential. For me, I consider the prologue essential and the mega-event non-essential. The prologue gives me an indication of what the event will be about, so I can decide whether I want to take the ride. I’ve learned from decades now of various Marvel epic events to approach with caution. They all promise a shake-up of the Marvel Universe that will change it forever, something that actually occurs hardly ever. After reading this, I’ve decided to sit it out (again) and wait for some reviews to convince me (or not) to purchase the eventual collection. You can usually ignore all the spin-off series, unless you’re a completist and have unlimited funds for comics. I do like the cover logo, with the word EMPYRE falling apart on the last four letters like the Hulk just punched it. The spelling is clever, as if to foreshadow that this apparently attempt at conquest may end up in flames (or a funeral pyre). ROAD TO EMPYRE focuses on the remaining members of the now-fatherless Warner family, the last Skrulls hiding in plain sight on Earth to prepare the way for the annexation of the planet.

While they flee their burning home, mother Warner explains to her three daughters the history of Skull-Kree interactions from the beginning of time in a tight, well-written summary of all those past conflicts, with a few revelations - -  including the newest, which is that the Kree and Skrull have joined forces to destroy their common enemy - - Earth. Why would these two enemies join forces? The story hints at a reason, but a pretty lame one. Maybe in the pages of the upcoming EMPYRE they’ll come up with a better reason. They need to, or this may fall flat on its face. THREE STARS.

#380 ROGUE PLANET #2 (Oni Press, June 2020) Cullen Bunn, writer. Andy MacDonald,art. “Chapter 02: Scarecrows.” I’m enjoying this series so far. The salvage vessel Cortes has landed on a planet with no star system. Something strange and ominous is keeping them away from a promised payload. With one crew member already killed by the creature, it now manifests as eyeballs and tentacles overflowing the former spacesuits of previous victims. Meanwhile, as Franco tries to fix the ship’s wiring, he encounters a familiar but unwelcome visitor. As some members of the ship’s crew wander outside to investigate a blood trail, the native welcoming party shows up. FOUR STARS.