In 2021 I set a goal to post reviews here for 1,000 comics, and finished the year at 1,008 reviews. It was a stretch - - not to read that many comics, because I actually read quite a bit more. The challenge is to find and take the time to write a fair review of what I read - - but I made it. I’m up for a new year, and a new challenge. My goal for 2022 is to read and document 1,200 comics. That’s an average of 100 books per month, easy enough to check and update. Wish me luck!
# GOAL FOR MARCH 31, 2022 . . . 300 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 276 comics documented
Last issue, young female Naledi, on her own after her mother passed away, was saved from a brutal gang by Kaelo, an independent and strong-willed vagabond.Naledi is a prized capture, as her albino skin makes her stand out. Kaelo plans to sell her to the abathakathi (witches) in Serepa, one of the few towns still standing.
People are starving in this world, and Shandu is the prophet/leader/savior of Serepa with the witch Beleka at his side. With the city running out of food and the threat of an uprising, Shandu gives a public demonstration of his power involving ritualistic killing and revival.
Kaelo learns that Naledi is on a holy quest to find the land of the living gods, a paradise of greenery, water and ample supplies of food. Her mother came from there, was a servant to the gods until she lost favor and had to escape. She brought a sentient plant with her, and Naledi who communicates telepathically with Buyo (the plant) hopes that it can lead her to the promised land.
However, she may turn up as the next sacrifice for Shandu, who claims to have the ancestors at his back. Things are heating up. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
One of the Deathloks from Infinity’s End shows up on Earth-616. Both he and Ghost Rider/Robbie Reyes are teleported to Earth-818. Here, the Black Skull has his sties set on devastating that planet (already accomplished) and then conquering all of reality.
They soon find themselves in the Black Skull’s prison. Tony Stark, who is Ant Man on Earth-818 enlists his Avengers (Vision, Moon Knight Wonder Man, Infinity Thing) to rescue the prisoners. Things get worse from there.
Essentially, if you’re prepared to forget everything you know about The Avengers, etc. you’ll have as much fun reading this as writer Aaron must have had with a new set of toys in a new playground. Plus, I’ve always had my eye on Kuder’s cool art. I was entertained.
FOUR STARS.
These mini-series were viewed as a cash-grab by greedy corporate heads at DC and met with a lot of disdain resulting in them being over-looked by many critics and fans out of respect for Moore. Like it or not, it’s DC’s right to produce new works with these characters. By comparison, what might readers have missed if no one was permitted to follow the marvelous Stan Lee/Steve Ditko AMAZING SPIDER-MAN stories?
While none of the BEFORE WATCHMEN series should be viewed as essential, they do seem to remain true to the general mood of the original work. Why not view it as simply good fan fiction? Fortunately, the later DOOMSDAY series by Geoff Johns was not criticized as much and received the recognition that it deserved.
My comments may be viewed as a personal apology to anyone who is offended or disturbed by learning that I really enjoyed BEFORE WATCHMEN: NITE OWL. Also, if any of these spin-off prequel series prompted new readers to seek out the original work, that is a good result.
Here’s another reason why this one appealed to me so much: viewing the great pencil art of Andy Kubert inked by his father, Joe Kubert. Sadly, Joe Kubert passed away before the final issue of this series was released. He must have been ailing, as Bill Sienkiewicz stepped in to assist with inks on Issue #3, and completed the work alone on Issue #4.
J. Michael Straczynski treats the characters of Nite Owl and Rorschach with respect and dives into their heads, exploring the history and life experiences that shaped their characters and led to lives as vigilante heroes. Both grew up under domineering fathers and were frequent witnesses to abuse and violation of their mothers. They each responded to this in different ways. It seems logical that they would later bond and work together as shown in this prequel.
Nite Owl falls in love, but with a den mother for a prostitution ring, that is a neat adult spin on the Spider-Man/Black Cat relationship. Rorschach is portrayed as an introvert harboring dark secrets and guilt, which manifests in his behavior as soon as he dons the mask. He takes a job as janitor for a church organization, not realizing that he’s working for a demented evil preacher until it’s too late. FOUR STARS.
An astronomical phenomenon referred to as the White Event bombarded Earth with energies, triggering bodily mutations in every one person in one million and giving them paranormal forms and abilities.
A group of five sought sanctuary with their mentor Emmett Proudhawk in San Francisco. Following his death, they fled to Canada, with the exception of Thomas Boyd (an energy syphon) who left and ended up with the Army.
Now the remaining members of Psi-Force need to break into the Fort Benning, Georgia training camp for paranormal soldiers and free Boyd so he can help them on yet another rescue mission. Big fights ensue, including some skirmishes with members of DP7 (another New Universe group), also part of the training camp. THREE STARS.
However, for your money there are two stories here which include a flashback to the history of the Lazurus resin development and the early planning/funding for Task Force Z. Bloom plays a role in both stories, and he is not to be trusted.
Following the newest death of several task force members in Issue #5, the remaining team is Red Hood, Two-Face (the actual administrator of Task Force Z), Bane and Mister Freeze — who must deal with KGBeast and also Batman. Resurrection Man shows up (briefly) in a flashback sequence.
Issue #6 serves as a welcome explanation of the team formation as well as a prelude for what’s to come. Seems like the next mission will be to take out and eliminate the threat of the treacherous Bloom. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
For as powerful as the army of Black Skulls boasted to be, they went down rather swiftly once the goddesses arrived. The first story arc ends, but things are just warming up.
All the other Earths are in danger, and it seems like this war will take “forever” to end. Enter Captain Carter/Captain Britain plus alternate versions of War Machine and Hawkeye. I did not enjoy this issue as much as the previous three. Too many characters. Not enough time given to development or reveals about them. I thought Aaron’s treatment of the goddesses was rather predictable and lazy, considering this is the same writer that wrote some memorable tales with Jane Carter as Thor. I may be bowing out of this title as well. THREE STARS.
It’s unusual that in the early months of 2022 we find there are two titles based on African mythos and cultures. NEW MASTERS joins LAND OF THE LIVING GODS, as both titles showcase African creators introducing us to their native themes. I’m enjoying both of these titles and suggest you check them out.
LAND OF THE LIVING GODS is an easier title to jump into, but NEW MASTERS is worth spending your time with and getting to know the ensemble cast of characters and the interplanetary Afro-futurism society detailed here.
The beginning of Issue #1 reminded me a lot of the opening of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS as young scavenger Ola and her robotic companion Ashe explore a dead ship in search of Obsidium (a precious mineral essential to energy and space travel, kind of like oil to our fossil fuel-driven planet as well as the spice of DUNE). The story then zooms out to give readers an overview of this vast world and introduces a wide variety of diverse characters. It’s not until Issue #2 that some of the connections between them are made and major plot threads revealed. Definitely worth your time. FOUR STARS.
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