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 . . . . .
#320-321 EDEN (AfterShock, May 5 release) My absolute favorite of the new comics releases for May 5. I'm going to spotlight this incredibly well-done novella ("one-shock") on my blog, but wanted to get the word out right away to everybody else who loves a complete-in-one issue tale.
A horror romance with a chilling Twilight-Zone vibe. Beautiful for its simplicity but careful crafting in both story and art. FIVE STARS.
#322 IMMORTAL HULK #46 (Marvel, July 2021) “You And Me Against The World”
Another month goes by, and this remains my #1 favorite current Marvel book. That misshapen distorted version of the Hulk with an upside down Rick Jones fused to a phantom monster continues to give me shivers every time Joe Bennett draws him. Bennett is the master of depicting body horror in comics.
The U-Foes put a different version of the Hulk down, but he’s not out. He escapes to drink a beer at a Manhattan pub while Agent Gyrich calls on The Avengers - - again. Thor gets there first; then it’s seven to one versus the Hulk. But wait, monster Betty Brant shows up to help. And Gamma Flight can’t be far behind.
I see a real knockdown, cage match spectacle coming up. FOUR STARS.
#323 THE MARVELS #1 (Marvel, June 2021) The original Marvels mini-series from 1994 by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross is one of my favorites. It told the story of the Marvel universe from the street-level perspective of a news photographer, just an ordinary guy, and brought back that initial sense of wonder that I felt when first experiencing super-hero comics as a youngster. Marvel has re-bottled the magic several times since then, but nothing comes close to the original.
Busiek is back on script; but Ross is only doing covers for this one. The theme for this series, as described on the contents page and in an afterwords is “Anyone. Anywhere. Any Time.” Indeed, there are eleven different settings in a range of time periods featuring multiple characters in this first, introductory issue. However, bigger is not necessarily better. I have a feeling that Marvel has milked the cash cow of Marvels too many times, and now it’s dried up.
The ordinary guy (maybe) this time is new character Kevin Schumer, who acts as a tour guide for visitors who want to see the super-hero sights while visiting NYC. He transports them in a used, hovering FantastiCar (no explanation as to how he comes to possess it), repainted with the name of his service - Kshoom. I just can’t warm up to this character the way I did to Phil Shelden in the original series - - he has no charm, just a lot of wind.
I keep giving these Marvel sagas a chance to engage me, and keep coming away disappointed. I’m done with this one. TWO STARS.
#324-#329 RECKLESS graphic novel by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image, December 2020) Brubaker and Phillips are the team supreme of crime fiction in comics. So awesome! A longer review appears on this blog for May 10. FIVE STARS
#330 VIETNAM HORROR #2 (Behemoth, April 2021) I picked this up on impulse while making my rounds. Only copy on the shelves, and no sign of a #1 issue. But, skimming through it while in the shop, the art really caught my eye. Black & white illustrations with incredible use of shading and a photo-realistic look. Took a chance hoping it was a stand-alone story. It wasn’t, but I could still catch up to the plot.
February, 1968 Ke Sanh province. A small squad is sent downriver to support Major Tundo and his team, who are isolated in the jungle at the foot of a mountain with a scary local reputation - also criss-crossed with tunnels and crawling with Vietcong.
Meanwhile back at the encampment, soldiers are breaking out with a mysterious rash/fever. Is it related to the drug the local prostitutes were giving them to smoke? Back at the mountain, a tunnel rat finds an alarming surprise waiting for him. Damn, a continued story - but this is good enough to cause me to look for more. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#331 JAMES BOND, AGENT OF SPECTRE #3 (Dynamite, May 2021)
The middle issue of this Christos Gage/Luca Casalanguida min-series does not disappoint. Bond’s uneasy alliance with Spectre’s Blofeld is tested as he makes yet another bargain with the enemy. This time it’s Blofeld’s rival Titania Jones.
Can he survive both? How far will he go to maintain the ruse? Kill an ally? Double and triple crosses. If you like the Bond films, this will satisfy.
Great Steranko tribute cover by Aaron Lopresti. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#332-#334 PUNK TACO children’s graphic novel (AWE, 2018)I bought this for my grandson (Dylan) at the 2019 Baltimore Comic Con. He wasn’t quite ready for it at that time so I held it back.
I’ll give to him when we visit this month. He’s almost six now (July birthday), but reads at a third-grade level. Hope I can read this with him. A longer review appears on this blog for May 11. FOUR STARS.
#335-#337 OWLY: FLYING LESSONS (Graphix, April 2021) Children's graphic novel by Andy Runton. A great series to introduce children to reading. My grandson loves these. A longer review appears on this blog for May 12. FIVE STARS.
#338-#343 MAX MEOW, CAT CRUSADER children’s graphic novel by John Gallagher (Random House Graphic, 2020)
Funny and cute. MAX MEOW, along with TINY TITANS are the comic series/graphic novels I would recommend for introducing young readers to super-heroes. The stories are engaging. The art is colorful. There are themes of friendship and responsibility along with some silly humor that can also be appreciated by middle-grade readers.
Another gift for my book-loving grandson. FOUR STARS.
#344-#348 IRON FIST: HEART OF THE DRAGON #1-5 (Marvel, March-July 2021)
Pure action-adventure as only the gifted Larry Hama (G.I Joe, etc) can script it. The art enhances the proceedings so well, and helps make the book what it is, from the gorgeous covers by Billy Tan to the interior art by Dave Wachter.
The Eighth City and an army of undead ninjas, assisted by Taskmaster and Lady Bullseye are killing the dragons of the Seven Cities under Heaven and taking their hearts in order to open a portal for the Eighth City to emerge. Iron Fist and Power Man enlist The Immortal Weapons to stop them. Okoye of Wakanda also gets involved.
Lots of mysticism and philosophy mixed in, but not too overwhelming. I didn’t realize there was one more issue left in this story. Otherwise I would have waited to read all six issues at once. FOUR STARS.
#349-#350 ZOEY AND KETCHUP: DAYDREAM BELIEVER by John Gallagher with Katie Gallagher (Skydog Press)
Another fun children’s book from the talented Mr. Gallagher. Young Zoey has a vivid imagination as her dog Ketchup (on the tip of his tail) can attest, since he serves as the narrator of the book. This time Zoey’s creativity takes her and Ketchup on a very funny Indiana Jones adventure.
Yep, this is for my grandson. FOUR STARS.
#351-#354 A QUARTET OF AWESOME! I’d love to write a more in-depth review of these four AfterShock books came out this week, but lack the time (since I should be packing for a trip). But I wanted to mention that I read these books this week while the ink and/or blood is still fresh. . . . . . .
SILVER CITY #1 A great debut issue with amazing art. A tragic accident takes down a crowd of people, who awake to find themselves in Silver City, a version of Purgatory with an elaborate set of rules. Young and attractive Ru finds herself paired up with very young Junie, separated from her parents (who perhaps survived the big accident). A pair of English punk/hipsters offer to be their guides, but can they be trusted? FOUR STARS.
PROJECT PATRON #2
The leader is down and chaos ensues among the remaining members of the task force responsible for maintaining the Patron ruse. This just got intense.
FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
MANIAC OF NEW YORK #4
Harry the Maniac and the survivors (for now) engage in a round of pursuit, retaliation, and evasion inside a bloody subway car. I held my breath through most of this issue, which leads up to an exciting final round next month.
Love the little foreshadowing twist at the end. FOUR STARS.
SCOUT’S HONOR #5 finale.
This has been consistently good from the get-go, and the ending is very satisfying.
Tough, noble female protagonist beats the odds in a post-apocalyptic world (like Mad Max) where many take their cues from a Ranger Scout manual.
FIVE STARS.
#356-#360 WE LIVE #1-5 (Aftershock)
Now that the series has concluded I re-read these issues at one sitting. This science-fiction tale has it all: incredible world-building, a fantastic story, and amazing art.
If someone asked me to suggest some titles that give a good indication of what Aftershock Comics are all about - and I was limited to just one selection - - it would be WE LIVE without question.
I definitely want to say more about this in a lengthy review, but I’ll have to delay that for now as I’m getting books ready for sale at the Captain Blue Hen outdoor comics flea market on Memorial Day. I also just purchased the trade paperback edition of WE LIVE, as this title is easily accessible to all through your local comic shop.
This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf for multiple readings in the future. FIVE STARS.
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