In 2021 I’d like to cross over the 1,000 comics review barrier, meaning reviews that I (Mike Clarke a.k.a. pghhead) contribute to the blog. That’s what this odyssey is about, beginning January 01, 2021. Wish me luck . . . . .
We begin this new round with two sides/edges of the blade . . . . .
#219 BLACK KNIGHT: CURSE OF THE EBONY BLADE #1 (Marvel, May 2021) The art and coloring really pop, which grabbed my attention and motivated me to pick this up on impulse. Sergio Davila and Arif Prianto make a great art team. I’m intrigued by Si Spurrier’s story but not quite sure about it, due to inconsistency.
Spurrier can’t seem to make up his mind about whether this is a tongue-in-cheek humorous superhero book or something more serious. He flits back and forth from both modes, especially with the main character. I get that he’s schizophrenic, so the swings in behavior and words make sense. But I can’t figure out if Spurrier is trying to create sympathy for Dane Whitman/Black Knight (self-esteem issues, anxiety, negativity, blustering etc) or making fun of him. I would prefer the former reason, and won’t go along with the latter.
The story is a good set-up for what’s to come, as long as Whitman doesn’t keep losing his head over matters. The Avengers are featured and this spotlights the rocky relationship Black Knight has with the team. I’m going to give this another issue to convince me. Definitely worth your checking out if you’re looking for something new. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#220 BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS #1 (Titan, March 2021) I was impressed with the very first story arc of Titan’s BLADE RUNNER 2019. The art evoked the mood and atmosphere of the movies, and the story was well done. It just failed to hook me, so I didn’t keep up with it. This prequel of sorts does the same fine job of creating that same climate and ambience of the first film, just like a science fiction/noir detective vibe.
This covers the early days of development of Replicants by the Tyrell Corporation and the story of the very first Blade Runner in a fictional 2009 Los Angeles. Detective Moreaux investigates the unknown murder or suicide (hanging) of a prominent Tyrell scientist, and learns that a new Replicant prototype has escaped from the lab. I’m definitely hanging around for the first arc, and maybe longer. FOUR STARS.
#221-#223 OUT OF THE BLUE, VOLUME ONE (Aftershock, 2019) One of my absolute favorite war comics is this oversized hardcover with some incredibly detailed WWII aerial combat. FIVE STARS. A full review can be found on this blog for March 23.
#224 ALIEN #1 (Marvel, May 2021) Marvel’s spin on the Alien mythos kicks off, and I’m happy to report that the franchise is in good hands. This has all the building tension of the first Alien film, right from the opening pages. Main character Gabriel Cruz shares his reoccurring nightmares with a Bishop-model android psychoanalyst, and things are off and running. (I love that this Bishop model bears an uncanny resemblance to Lance Hendrickson from the Alien films).
It’s now 2200, many years removed from 2122 when the Nostromo commercial space vessel investigated a distress call and encountered the Xenomorphs for the first time. It appears that mankind has not learned much from that encounter, and the dangers still exist.
Cruz is newly retired after a military career and service as security chief to the Epsilon Orbital Research And Development space station operated by multinational corporation Weyland-Yutani. He returns to Earth hoping to reignite a shattered family relationship with Danny, his only surviving son.
Danny still hates Gabriel, is secretly a member of an anti-corporate group, and steals his father’s access codes to the space station. (Why would a retired employee still have access? Well, maybe he’s not completely retired, as the story alludes. Otherwise, major plot flaw.) Danny and his troop get aboard the research station and find something they wish they hadn’t. Here we go!
I wanted to dislike this book, as I’m a bit miffed that Disney/Marvel has yanked yet another licensed property away from Dark Horse Comics who have done nothing but mostly good work with both Star Wars and Alien franchises. Sometimes good stories win over good intentions. Don’t judge me. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#225 RABID WORLD #1 (Scout, March 2021) For my money, there’s plenty of zombie fare in comics. I’m not really looking for more. However, some readers may be missing that monthly fix of people struggling to survive in a changing zombie world now that THE WALKING DEAD has concluded. It’s too soon to tell, but RABID WORLD may be the cure for zombie allure.
A farmer in Eastern Maryland finds his crops and trees covered in some brown crap and a very sick dog that he rushes to the vet. Before he can get there, the dog attacks him inside the truck and he sustains severe bites. A good samaritan transports the farmer to the hospital. Things spread from there. A specialist in pathogens, Dr. Frank Oster, is contacted by the CDC and airlifted to a special government research facility, rescued just in time as Baltimore area residents prowl the streets in a mad rage.
Seems like the opening act of many a zombie tale from books, film and comics. What makes this interesting is the familiar setting (Baltimore and Annapolis area, with plenty of local references). However, what’s going to bring me back for Issue #2 is the art. Good details and powerful expressions jammed into small panels in an effective way. Oleg Okunev colors his work in black and white and neutral brown/beige shades. Each page has just a few panels with other colors (blue truck, red on a bloody hand, calico cat, etc) that makes the images pop. This is one to watch.Next issue planned for June, so look for Issue #1 now and be ready. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS for story; FOUR STARS for art.
#226 JAMES BOND, AGENT OF SPECTRE #1 (Dynamite, March 2021) Dynamite has done a very fine job overall with this licensed property, wisely publishing mini-series by different creative teams rather than a regular monthly title. This looks to be one of the better story arcs.
The opening act of Christos Gage’s story is very promising, and a great set-up for more to come. I won’t be spoiling anything by sharing details, as the title is a dead giveaway. Bond comes up against Spectre’s #1, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who makes a lucrative offer - - enough to retire on and arrange a new identity unknown to M.I.6 or Spectre. Just kill a rival within Spectre. Bond takes the deal, but can he be trusted to betray his employer?
There’s a lot of dialogue and exposition in this first issue, but there’s still enough action for artist Luca Casalanguida to show what he can do. His portrait of Bond is a neat amalgam of Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and George Lazenby. Not bad company.
Showing admirable restraint, Dynamite only published seven covers, all variations on the excellent main cover by Steve Epting. Why mess with a good thing. FOUR STARS.
The highlight here is the black & white reprint of Garth Ennis’ “Hellman: At The Twilight Of The Reich” featuring WWII combat with German tanks and revealing the more benevolent side of a German commanding officer.
“Kids Rule OK” and “Hell Machine” both deal with post-apocalyptic survival groups. Both are well-done but not making much of an impact on me as I’ve kind of over-dosed on this genre.
“Hook Jaw” is definitely worthwhile and quite different, written by Quint Amity with fabulous caption and dialogue-free art by Dan Lish. The main character is a ferocious great white shark.
“Dredger” is a James Bond-flavored secret agent story with a little twist at the end showing that agent Dredger has moral and principles. Justice will be served. This is the first time I’ve seen a copy of this magazine anywhere, and kind of hoping I stumble across this again. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS for the collection.
#229-#233 RAI #6 - #10 (Valiant, April - December 2020) I thought Matt Kindt really revived this character from the early days of Valiant (1980’s), but Dan Abnett has taken it to another level of creativity and world-building entirely. This came out sporadically in 2020 due to pandemic issues/delays, but has now been collected in a trade paperback. I reviewed the second story arc on this blog for March 26 . . . . .
#234 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #61/Legacy #862 (Marvel, May 2021) My short-termed fascination with Nick Spencer’s run on Amazing Spider-Man ends with this issue.
I’m just not interested in where this in going, and the new things don’t excite me: 1) the new costume, 2) the new housemates for Peter Parker, 3) the alteration in Pat Gleason’s style, why? Looks more like a Marvel house style now, and is less appealing to me. 4) the Gog - ugh.
The best thing here is the variant cover, the main reason I picked this up. TWO STARS.
#235 AVENGERS #39/Legacy #739 (Marvel, February 2021) I’ve gone through a short-lived variant cover fever. My temperature is back to normal now.
I thought this was a new issue, but it’s the same one I read and reviewed earlier - just with a cool Knullified variant cover.
This is the beginning of the Phoenix Force saga, which is important for that reason. It did hold up on a second reading. THREE STARS.
#236 CAPTAIN AMERICA #26/Legacy #730 (February 2021) “All Die Young, Part VII” The variant cover fever was still influencing me when I grabbed this one.
A big cast of characters in this one, with the conflict centered on a trip to Madripoor to rescue the Daughters of Liberty.
A significant issue in that Red Hulk (General Thunderbolt Ross) returns, with an appropriate patriotic message near the end. THREE STARS.
#237 DAREDEVIL #28/Legacy #640 (May 2021) Yep, you guessed correctly as to why I picked this up.
Matt Murdock willingly serves prison time wearing a partial Daredevil mask. Elektra takes up the Daredevil mantle to protect the streets of Hell’s Kitchen.
THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#238 IMMORTAL HULK #44/Legacy #761 (Marvel, May 2021) OMG, this is so good.
However, if you haven’t been currently reading this title you will have extreme difficulty following what is going on. It’s a super complicated plot that Al Ewing does a masterful job of juggling/holding together. Don’t be impatient like me, and just wait for the trade paperbacks.
Joe Bennett’s pencil’s are so good though that you could buy this just to study the images. FOUR STARS.
#239 NOTTINGHAM #1 (Mad Cave, March 2021) A little spin on the Robin Hood legend, with “Hood” as a serial killer. However, he does have a purpose although it’s a bit horrific.
Maid Marion is also portrayed differently here, not as noble and innocent. The very angular art style and coloring are attention-getting as well. Worth following. FOUR STARS.
#240-#245 NAMELESS (Image Comics, 2016) by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
An occult hustler known only as Namelss is recruited by a consortium of billionaire futurists for a desperate mission. And the malevolent asteroid Xibalba spins closer on a collision course with Earth . . . .
Trust me, it's not that simple. I tried to digest this and write a coherent review and posted it to this blog for Saturday, March 27.
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