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 June 10, 2022 . . . 533 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 513 comics documented
#492 - #494 BLACK PANTHER #1-#3 by John Ridley and Juann Cabal (Marvel, January-March 2022) While not a regular reader of the Black Panther titles, I’ve always had an interest in the direction the creative team takes the character. And, I’ve been there from the Lee-Kirby beginnings. I initially thought Stan Lee was putting his own spin on Lee Falk’s THE PHANTOM by featuring a black character (a bold move back in the mid-1960’s right after the Civil Rights Act). But Lee moved to establish T’Challa as a distinct character in the Marvel universe. What other hero is a member of royalty, a ruler and protector of a technologically-advanced civilization secluding themselves from the rest of society, especially those who covet the potential of vibranium?
My favorite version of Black Panther (post Lee-Kirby) is the long run by Christopher Priest. That’s the only version I read almost every single issue of. I stayed completely away from Volume Eight. Black Panther in space just seemed so wrong.
I like what John Ridley has done in Volume Nine. He’s brought T’Challa down-to-earth (in more ways than one) and made him a bit less regal and a bit more human. He’s got flaws, regrets, and even conceals a little self-doubt underneath his public persona. And, as things develop in Volume Nine, he’s no longer certain of who he can trust.
His role has changed. While he was away, Wakanda was transfomed into a parliamentary democracy, with an ambitious prime minister repeatedly reminding him of his new advisory role. However, the real conflict is a deadly mystery that T’Challa and his sister Shuri must work to solve.
Sometime ago, after Wakanda made their existence known to the rest of the world, T’Challa installed ten sleeper agents in various countries, to be his eyes and ears and to act as silent assassins should a threat to Wakanda manifest there. His entire network has been exposed and agents are being killed by unknown costumed assailants, beginning with his best friend Jhai, who was having a forbidden affair with sleeper agent Omolola. She wants to help T’Challa and Shuri.
There’s an interesting reference that comes up three times in Issue #1: “I live for this.” The first time is in the thought captions of T’Challa as he goes into action with The Avengers in the opening sequence, dispatching a band of Icelandic creatures and displaying his leadership abilities. Does he mean, he lives to lead or is he referring to something else? Captain America is questioning him, and hopes he will be more active and attentive in his returning role as chairperson of the team. Ironically, he later asks for a leave of absence after what happens.
Later, the masked ninja-like assassins of sleeper agents reveal they are willing to sacrifice themselves as they blow up. As Jhai tells the assassins “We fight to the end” one of them responds with “Cool. ‘Cause we live to die.”
Near the end of Issue #1, Omolola discusses the dire situation with Black Panther and asks “T’Challa . . . you’re going into this blind. You have no idea who or what you’re after. Are you ready for what comes next?” His response: “I’m more than ready. . . . I live for this.”
Issue #2 is taken up with more detective work plus several visits to the sleeper agents to warn them of the danger and offer sanctuary. Their responses are varied, and somewhat surprising. Attempts to capture and question any of the ninja assassins ends in failure, as they blow themselves up when cornered. “We live to die."
Issue #3 is the landmark 200th (in legacy numbering) and has extra content. T’Challa wants to go off the grid somewhere so they can regroup, and picks the planet Mars, where a second mutant colony is overseen by ex-wife (and X-Man) Storm. One of the mutants has an adverse reaction to the presence of Wakandans and has to be subdued. There’s a reason for that which is later revealed. (Also a character reveal of more flaws, as T’Challa not only lies to people he should trust - he also deceives and/or withholds information. Yep, he’s human - - as his heart-to-heart conversation with Storm indicates.
The first back-up story is by cartoonist Juni Ba, who serves as writer and artist for a fable-like tale that reminds me of something out of 1,001 Arabian Nights. Not bad, but not essential.
The third story is essential, as it’s the first appearance of Tosin, a new super-powered character who is rumored to play a big role in future issues and may end up being the next Black Panther. This issue has shot up in value as you may suspect, so if you don’t have a copy it might be hard to find. I tried to pick up another for a comics friend and tried four different shops, including Captain Blue Hen.
Just as Ridley’s version of Black Panther has been revealed to have plenty of warts, the land of Wakanada also gets a different spin from the perspective of Tosin. “The world sees Wakanda like it’s a tech-forward, Afro-futurist wonderland. Full of people as slick as they are smart . . . . . Wakanda’s a society that’s technologically advanced, yeah, but it’s also socially isolated . . . . The people are slick, but they’ve started to believe that being slick is being better . . . Better, as in: being superior.” Symbolic of some “first-world” countries, perhaps?
Tosin is a member of a separate tribe of Wakandans who rejected the high-tech ways and decided to live off the land. “Generations ago, the people of my tribe saw what Wakanda was becoming. A temple to the God of ‘Having’. It was built on tech and propped up by greed.” They object to the weaponizing of vibranium, although they do mix it into a liquid that they decorate their bodies with during ritual dances.
Tosin has been trained by his father and companions, and seems to have vibranium lines running throughout his body which allow his undefined powers. He believes it’s time for the new Wakanda to rise, and “I fight for the one, true Wakanda.”
That’s a whole bunch of interesting stuff for a new title/re-boot to handle. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
While the cast was deliberately chosen so they would be in their early to mid-twenties upon arrival at the planned destination, nothing could prepare them for what they encounter.
I didn't think a story that appears to be aimed at a young-adult audience would hold my attention as much as this did, but it worked for me. BOUNTIFUL GARDEN is a fast-paced read with elements of familiar sci-fi and horror tropes (including tentacles, and a dash of Lovecraftian cosmic horror) but put together in a way that entertains and makes you forget that you've read something like this before.
One Goodreads reviewer compared it to ALIENS meets THE RUINS, and that's a pretty good elevator pitch. I enjoyed the creeping suspense and the overall idea that a source of much-needed nutrition for a dying planet could turn out to be even more of a threat, one that is not noticed while it sustains until it's too late.
The art style is not for everyone, a bit simplistic, a water-color look that reminds me of the work of Matt Kindt and Tyler Boss, but as I read on it became effective.
A quick, entertaining read. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
Issue #4 notes: Factions are forming within Wakanda’s parliament during Black Panther’s Mars visitation as the new democracy is developing warts and cracks. Omolola in return travel discussion with T’Challa comments that she’s surprised he did not share the secret sleeper agent program with Storm and says that “one day I’d like to a actually get to know you.” To which he replies “I don’t know if two people who share a deception can ever really know each other at all.” That’s a good example of how Ridley uses several conversations like this to get into the psyche/mindset of his characters and makes this superhero title more interesting than others.
Meanwhile Shuri analyzes the videos of the assassin attacks and concludes that the combat and movement patterns are definitely Wakandan in nature. In the absence of the Dora Milaje, Akili now runs the law enforcement troops in Wakanada (the Hatut Zeraze) to stabilize Wakanda and his decisions and motives become suspect. Although the markings on their uniforms are different, they are the same color (white) as those worn by the assassins.
I enjoy how Ridley utilizes a simple line of dialogue and repeats it later in the story, often changing the context. In this issue, the line is “You’re not that good.”
Issue #5 notes: Omolola’s larger motivations make her the primary suspect in Jhai’s murder. Readers know differently but I like this wrinkle in the story. Who do you trust? Omolola is jailed, and I love her response during Shuri’s interrogation: “Sometimes, Shuri . . . you have so much intellect. But you don’t know how to think.” There are absolutely no characters in Ridley’s Black Panther story that are all-perfect, all-noble. I really respect and appreciate that. It’s refreshing.
Parliament brings up T’Challa for questioning and he is asked to relinquish the mantle of Black Panther and remain under house arrest. He complies, but soon escapes custody. Shuri and Omolola also manage to evade the confinement of the secret police.
This issue was noted as the second appearance of new and intriguing character Tosin. Don’t get excited. He’s only in two panels, as an audience member during T’Challa’s Parliament inquiry. But, his one line of dialogue (to himself) may be foreshadowing: “Corrupt. All of them."
Issue #6 notes: T’Challa must now rely on his own skills in order to prove his innocence, a tough task considering he’s without the Panther suit and his lies and deceptions have been exposed to Wakanda. There’s lots of fights this issue, as it becomes clear T’Challa could use some help. He gets it, although his helper is plenty pissed at his behavior and another interrogation occurs. “You’re the worst kind of person, you know that? A liar . . . with a good heart.”
He receives even more help as the issue ends. But, as the next issue preview states . . . . “Are the seeds of distrust too deep? And even together, will they be enough to stop Akili and his military coup?”
If the standard super-hero/super-team stuff isn’t holding your attention, maybe you should check out this book. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
Kieron Gillen’s signature cutting wit help to make almost everything he writes worthwhile. He also has a knack for creating compelling, original characters with flaws that make them all-the-more endearing.
Retired monster hunter and grandma Bridgette McGuire is one of my favorites - - - a hard-nosed, demanding and domineering matriarch. Grandson and museum curator Duncan McGuire is the perfect foil, unaware of his background and bewildered by this dangerous new wrinkle in his grandma while becoming a willing accomplice to her mission with world-wide consequences. He’s suddenly thrust into a world of magic and mysticism and he adapts (as he was secretly prepared to by his grandma) despite some awkwardness at the beginning. Their blood relationship and love for each other (maybe) play an important role, and make for a more interesting story. Add Rose, a recent date-gone-wrong for Duncan, and you have another foil that Grandma rapidly recruits to the cause. At first she is reluctant and skeptical, but a few nightmarish observations quickly change or mind. Adapt and comply, or die.
There’s even more family ties incorporated into the story, as Elaine, the head of the Nationalists, convinces Arthur that she produced a new Galahad (apparently her son) to find the Holy Grail and enter into a new age of rule (rack and ruin, more likely) for Great Britain.Seems like she also has ties to Granny and Duncan. Plus, there’s a Fisher King who also has a connection to some of these characters (avoiding complete spoilers).
Add some otherworldly monsters into the mix to establish that Duncan has morphed into a “natural” (also the new Percival) while the action and threat build with every issues in this first story arc. Before it ends, we are introduced to the Ladies of the Lake, Excalibur, a foiled plot, the sealing of otherworldly portals, and the introduction of Merlin. Bring on the next storyline!
Dan Mora’s art is gorgeous and the colors of Tamra Bonvillain make this a beautiful book to scan over the vivid images. FIVE STARS.
While Dylan tells his story in an odd narrative style, interrupting the flow of the action with flashbacks and re-telling the scenes out of sequence, this would not be the great story it is without them. The premise and story-telling that earned Volume One a four-star rating concentrates more in Volume Two on further development of Dylan and other characters, even introducing some new players that are just as engaging. Volume Two rates a five-star for those differences.
Dylan’s newfound confidence makes him careless, and suddenly the police are aware of his presence and its’ not long before newspaper and media stories begin to cover the search for the vigilante killer.
Enter new character Lily Sharpe, a super-smart but frustrated police detective not receiving the credit she deserves and subject to ridicule from her chauvinistic peers. She’s also on the trail of Dylan, perusing the evidence and building a profile.
Chapter Three is completely dedicated to the back-story of Kira and her family. I’ve never seen a secondary character as fleshed out and established as Brubaker does here. It makes the relationship between her and Dylan easier to understand.
When Dylan’s actions result in the accidental death of someone he considered a friend (of sorts) he begins to question the morality of what he’s doing. Then the demon appears again to agitate him further. FIVE STARS.
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