PGHHEAD'S 2021 COMICS ODYSSEY, Part Forty-One

  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. I’ve finally caught up, and actually moved ahead of deadline. Feeling better about this challenge . . . . 

# GOAL FOR DECEMBER 20  . . . 972 comics documented

CURRENT COUNT . . . . .    978  comics documented

#957 - #960  AMERICAN CARNAGE #1, #3-#5 (DC/Vertigo, 2019)  This mini-series ran for nine issues, and while I only sampled four random issues rescued from the bargain bin, I learned what I need to know about it. If you’re looking for an edgy crime story with some social commentary on politics and racism mixed in, look no further.  Perhaps someday when I get caught up with my backlog of unread comics I’ll pick up the trade paperback. However, if I saw the trade in a bargain bin, I”d scoop it up. In the meantime, I’ll add it to my want list. 

              Disgraced biracial FBI agent Richard Wright gets a second chance when he’s asked to become a mole inside the organization of philanthropist Wynn Allen Morgan, known to be associated with extremist groups. 

     He worms his way into the company via a non-profit rehabilitation service working for Morgan’s daughter (who he later begins to have feelings for).  Morgan has political aspirations and promotes himself as a friend to the poor, homeless, black and minority communities while at the same time he funds several white supremacist groups and uses them as his enforcers (like when the FBI gets too close to his operation). 

     Wright’s color makes his assignment especially difficult for him, as the organization is experiencing a power struggle between the charismatic Wynn Allen Morgan and the extremists who prefer beatings and cross burnings.  He becomes set up as a fall guy for a murder, and this card is used against him by Morgan to keep him in check. FOUR STARS.

#961  THE FLASH #160 (DC, 2000) 

Wally West marries TV reporter Linda Park.They leave for their honeymoon, but keep changing the location after being attacked no matter where they are. Turns out the couple is being tracked by Kobra, who’s not after who you might think he is. 

     After getting out of that trap, Wally and Linda find out who was informing on their whereabouts and follow the trail back to a jealous travel agent who turns out to be much more. Things get resolved in a tight one-issue story and the honeymoon resumes. 

THREE STARS.

#962 - #966  JACK KIRBY’S FOURTH WORLD #11, #13, #14, #17, #18 (DC, 1998) Writer/Artist John Byrne packed a lot into this title, obviously a student of one of Kirby’s final creations and perhaps his most complex universe (most famous for the introduction of Darkseid and the New Gods). 

    Byrne’s stories are equally complex, and it appears that he altered his engaging art style to more resemble the way that Jack Kirby illustrated. These issues form a nice tribute to King Kirby.

     Issues #11 & #13 add a back-up feature, Tales of the New Gods by writer/artist Walter Simonson — also a skilled writer with various mythos and illustrated in his engaging Simonson style. 

   On a side note, I suspect that the scenes featuring a giant from the Promethean Galaxy immobile in space might have provided the spark of inspiration for Al Ewing’s WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD series. 

   The main storyline running through these issues has to do with the Source Wall, which is filled with the entrapped bodies of those who sought to penetrate to the Source (according to the scheming manipulative Metron in his Moebius Chair). Darkseid is trapped there, and efforts by his son Kalibak to release eventually succeed despite Orion’s interference. 

    Is Darkseid grateful? Kalibak’s reward is painful. Now Apokolips and New Gensis are in for some equally painful times. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#967 - #970 FABLES #55 - #58 (DC/Vertigo, 2007) It’s the perfect time of year to revisit some of these wonderfully whimsical Bill Willingham tales of fairy tales characters living right next to (but not revealed) to human mundane civilization. I’d also forgotten how Mark Buckingham’s art really brought this to life. These are books to dwell on and enjoy. 

    Issue #55 wraps up “Sons of Empire” a four-part story. A Homelands war council debates the merits of engaging the “mundys” (humans) in a war that they soon realize would end in a loss and devastate Fabletown. It provided a neat opportunity for Willingham to tell a “what if” kind of story without actually destroying the balance. There’s a fun back-up story featuring the Three Blind Mice that showcases some early art by the incredible Inaki Miranda (WE LIVE). 

       Issue #56 is the fun Christmas issue with several stories, including Jack Horner breaking into Santa’s home at the North Pole, a flying carpet to transport presents to the top of the Beanpole, a conversation with Santa and a young boy who stayed up on Christmas eve to ask him an important question, and a tale of Christmas wishes at the home of Bigby (Big Bad) Wolf which leads directly into the next issue. 

    Issues #57-#58 contain the two-part “Father And Son” story illustrated by Michael Allred. Bigby Wolf reluctantly grants Snow White’s wish and returns his family to his ancestral castle so they can spend Christmas with Grandpa Wolf. There’s bad blood between father and son, as the flashback scenes reveal some dark secrets of the Wolf family. Nicely done and somewhat heart-warming. FOUR STARS. 

#971 - #978  ANIMAL MAN #6, #13-#17, #19, #21 (DC, 2012-2013) In Jeff Lemire’s capable hands, ANIMAL MAN became a family story, sometimes emotionally rewarding but more often sad. Buddy Baker just wants to be a good husband and father, yet his mission and agreement to help Swamp Thing keep him away. While that occurs, the Rot sweeps the country and infects his family, changing the dynamic forever. 

    Issue #6 falls between two story arcs, and gives John Paul Leon and Travel Foreman a shot at the art chores while regular Steve Pugh takes a well-deserved break before jumping into the next multi-issue story arc (where he really outdoes himself). Buddy Baker gains a little fame as the lead actor in the indie film “Tights”, a bit of which is showcased here. It seems like a throwaway, one-off issue but this actually comes back to play a role in the storyline much later. 

     Issues #13-16 contain the “Rotworld: The Red Kingdom” storyline and it’s epic and all-encompassing. Animal Man faces off against the spread of the Rot with an unlikely group of allies (Beast Boy, John Constantine, Steel, and Black Orchid) going up against Rot-corrupted members of the Justice League. Along the way they seek to revive an incapacitated Superman, only to find a Green Lantern from a plant-based world who plays an important role in the big battle. (What about Supes? - - oh yeah, he was corrupted). Add Frankenstein and his army plus Swamp Thing and his allies and its’ a battle royale. 

     The good guys win in the two-part “Rotworld: Finale” which begins in Issue #17 and continues in SWAMP THING #17 (which I don’t have, drat.) The Baker family is reunited (briefly) with the exception of son Cliff, and during his funeral Buddy’s family alienates him. Despondent, he rants at an adoring mob and annoying press due to the success of “Tights” and his award nomination.  Buddy tries to meet with the Red and persuade them to revive his son Cliff, but he’s not tactful and they cast him out. It takes daughter Maxine to get their cooperation. Good stuff, too bad it got smothered by all the other DC New 52 titles demanding attention. FOUR STARS.