PGHHEAD'S 2021 COMICS ODYSSEY, Part Thirty-Three

   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. . . . 

# GOAL FOR OCTOBER 10  . . . 778 comics documented

CURRENT COUNT . . . . .  783  comics documented

 #754 - #758  TWO MOONS #1 - #5 (Image, 2021)  It's the perfect month to read and review horror comics. I’m going to do my best to post a horror comics review on the Pop Culture Podium blog for each of the 31 days in October. This one was posted on October 01. Let’s get this started . . . . .

#759 - #763 CRUELER THAN DEAD Volume 1 (Ablaze, 2021) This is just different enough from the abundance of zombie stories to hold and keep my attention. It's the story-telling and the visuals that make this memorable. The art is detailed, the panorama scenes are extremely revealing of post-infestation Japan, and emotions and facial expressions are depicted without the exaggeration I've seen in many manga. A full review was posted to the blog for October 03.  FOUR STARS.

#764 - #768  ALIEN #1 - #5 (Marvel, 2021)   

 Phillip Kennedy Johnson shows the proper respect for the source material and tells a new story with all the familiar trappings that made the original so compelling. Salvador Larroca's art is spot-on, detailing the technology, space environments, and some seriously creepy aliens. A full review was posted to the blog for October 03.  FOUR STARS.

#769 - #770  10 YEARS TO DEATH one-shot (AfterShock, September 2021)   October is the perfect month for a good ghost story, this one inspired by allegedly true events (or perhaps tall tales told to young impressionable minds). A full review was posted to this blog for October 04. FOUR STARS.

#771  ALIENS AFTERMATH #1 (Marvel, July 2021) ALIENS the film celebrates it’s 35th Anniversary. To commemorate that, Marvel publishes this one-shot. Writer Benjamin Percy brings the story to the site of the film, to LV 426 the moon orbiting the planet Calpamos where the Hadley’s Hope colony was overrun by Xenomorphs in 2179. Dave Wachter’s art recreates the moody, dark atmospheres of the first two ALIEN/ALIENS films.  But the story left me wanting more than what’s offered here. 

It’s now 2214 and,as before, the greedy Weyland-Yutani corporation is up to no good, and an anti-Weyland-Yutani group of rebels is trying to put a wrench in their works. Hmmnn, where have I read this before? Only in every single Marvel Alien comic so far. Guys, this is no longer fresh. 

     Cutter Vasquez, a reckless commando member of the rebels, is a descendent of colonial Marine Jennete Vasquez (from the ALIENS film) which makes this new mission to explore the ruins of Hadley’s Hope a personal one for him. He’s the only member of the group that Percy gives any panel time to, too bad he’s not likable. There are only cardboard portraits of the other characters, which resulted in my not being vested in this story since I didn’t like any character and they were expendable. 

    While this one-shot story does end (and not very well) it leaves the door open for a continuation of the story. Disappointment on top of disappointment. I expect one-shot issues to be one and done. Admittedly, the first story arc in ALIEN was better than this, but I’m losing my interest quickly. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#772  THE MARVELS #5 (Marvel, September 2021) While I sort of admire what writer Kurt Busiek is aiming for here, an all-encompassing epic featuring primary characters (Iron Man, for example), lesser-used characters (Dakota North, wha?) newer characters (Aero) and new creations (Kevin Schumer, Threadneedle, etc) in multiple big adventures - - -  it’s a really slow build, and I’m losing patience.

     At least by this point Busiek is showing us where some of the dots are but not connecting any of them so far. It’s still mostly a mystery as to where this is heading. More subplots introduced as well as more guest appearances, enough to make your head swim.

   Here’s the gist of it: the small nation of Siancong, former home of giant monster factories and now ruled by criminal Lady Lotus, is pissed off at the rest of the world. Lotus encases the land in a giant dome. In another dimension Threadneedle reads a prophetic book and watches these events with motorcylist Ace acting as his boots on the ground. He manipulates the threads of history (or rewrites the book?) to guide the heroes and characters where he wants them. THREE STARS.

#773 - #777  BABYTEETH, VOLUME 1: BORN (Aftershock, 2021) If you only have time to read one horror graphic novel this Halloween season, this is an excellent choice. A complete review was posted to this blog on Tuesday, October 6. FIVE STARS.

#778 - #783  SUPERMAN: RED SON, THE DELUXE EDITION Didn't think I'd ever say this: There's too much story here for just three prestige issues (as originally published). That's why I rate this FOUR STARS instead of Five Stars. A full review appears on this blog for Sunday, October 10.