PGHHEAD’S 2022 COMIC ODYSSEY, PART 32
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 August 20, 2022 . . . 767 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 759 comics documented
I was wondering if the popularity was due to Netflix picking up the option on this title, but now I don’t think that the sole reason. I’m glad I let a mild case of F.O.M.O persuade me to give this a read.
Every single person on Earth obtains a personal genie (cute little floating blue cartoonish imps) and is granted one single wish. As Issue #2 opens the number of genies paired up with humans so far is just over 6.5 billion and growing. Just within the first eight hours of wish granting, the world descends into chaos and is not a safe place.Readers are treated to slices of events from various places across the globe.
My favorite (and what appears to be the centerpiece of the story) is the Lampwick Bar & Grill in St. Clair Shores, Michigan where an intuitive owner who wishes “no wish from outside the bar can affect it or anything in it.” Nothing undue happens this issue to affect the bar, but I couldn’t help noting that his wish does not specify what happens inside the bar . . where several patrons have not yet expressed their one wish.
The story ends on a cliff-hanger as three deceased figures from history knock on the door of the bar, hoping for entry. Browne’s art is humorous, intricately detailed and perfectly suited to bring Soule’s amusing story to life.
I’m not going to try and locate those back issues (#1, #3) I’m missing. A first printing of #1 is now valued at $25. I know I will appreciate this best in a trade paperback of Volume One. FIVE STARS.
The better stories here are the original ones more than the brief biographies of famous criminals. Some of these are quite detailed and wordy for an eight-page-or-less story, and could have made for some memorable short stories or longer-length crime fiction.
The only regret is that Steve Brower in editing this, and making a marvelous cross-section selection of stories to feature, did not credit any publishers, comic titles or dates for these stories. Writer and artist credits are scarce. It would have been nice to put some creator names to some of these stories.
The back cover text does feature some of the creators inside: Charles Biro, Dick Briefer, John Buscema, Gene Colan, Jack Cole, Reed Crandall, Fred Guardineer, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Bernie Krigstein, Mort Meskin, Bob Powell, John Prentice, Mike Sekowsky, Leonard Starr, Marvin Stein, Alex Toth, and many others. However, it would have made this even more valuable if it had included any known credits with each story. Although, I may have received a copy missing those credits. I've been told they appeared on a contents page. FIVE STARS.
This over-sized issue makes it #900 in Legacy inclusion, so that’s a memorable occasion. The story is also kind of memorable in that it brings back a villain from Issue #8 of the very first volume of Amazing Spider-Man: The Living Brain.
The story starts strong with Spidey up against a Super-Adaptoid created by the Living Brain (who manifests in physical form as The Project) who combines all the powers of the Sinister Six (who also show up for the finale). Lots of battles, but at it’s heart is a story that is a bit maudlin but still gets to the crux of what makes Peter Parker the best Spider-Man. The art by McGuinness is on point.
There are three short funny stories in the back to fill up the issue, all note-worthy. Peter Parker returning overdue library books. Meeting Jimmy Kimmell. A first date that goes wrong from Peter’s early days.
THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
This series wraps up, and I hope there is more to come. This vision of Afrofuturism, set in Johannesburg, South Africa in the year 3119 was a marvelous blend of textural and artistic storytelling, and as a bonus it included several African words and sayings along with translation.
While the ending left things wide open in terms of what happens next, there is resolution and conclusion to what I hope is just the first story arc. Naledi’s connection to the gods is finally revealed, as well as the power/connection of her imprisoned friend. Mercenary Kaelo realizes her error and does the right thing, and the mysterious plant/pet shows what it’s capable of of. A moving story of friendship and devotion to a cause in
a dangerous apocalyptic world.
And, keep your eye on Brazilian artist Santtos. His creative blend of European styles and manga is so appealing. Don’t miss his work on SAMARAI DOGGY, which debuts this week, August 10. FIVE STARS overall.
Upon release he gets a letter from a woman friend, the only other person who treated him with respect, that reveals her troubled life and then sets the "big man" on a bloody trail of revenge and justice.
This is not for the squeamish. It's brutal and graphic. If not for empathizing with the beleaguered main character, this would be a very difficult read. It's a bit of a departure for writer/artist Eric Powell, but still features his distinctive art style. FOUR STARS.
This is a cool spin on familiar mythos, that of the River Styx, the Ferryman, and The Grim Reaper. The best one word description for this intriguing story and lush art is “stylish”!
Jessica Harrow became a Reaper following her death. In the world of the afterlife her task (as well as fellow Reapers) is to ferry souls to their final destination. She doesn’t know how she died or why she became a Reaper, and those unknown answers drive her forward.
The main Grim Reaper seems to be missing and a wannabe administrator of the afterlife may be attempting to take control. After three
issues, some complications and side plots have arisen, but the main
premise remains a mystery - - not to mention what exactly follows after death.
FOUR STARS.
That cool Batman vs. Superman variant cover by Jim Lee has nothing to do with the story inside, but it did prompt me to scoop this out of a bargain bin. Superman spends most of the issue in a comotose state and is presumed dead until revived by a persistent Diana/Wonder Woman.
Previously, Supes was beaten to within an inch of his life by Rao, and ancient Kryptonian getting his powers from mystical “stones” and attempting to revive the old Kryptonian empire. He’s imprisioned Green Lantern and is amassing a huge army. There’s lots of exposition in this issue, and it’s apparent that Hitch takes the writing role seriously. I respect that, but I wasn’t real excited by this story. Granted, I just jumped in feet first because of that cover and wasn’t really vested in this multi-parter. THREE STARS.
I’ve looked over my copy several times and I keep finding new things to admire. At its’ heart this is a story of loss and revenge in a strange world dominated by machines and robots (and humanoids with animal features).
During the Fourth War of the Sun, a small dog named DOGGY experienced an irreparable trauma: his mother was brutally murdered, and his eight brothers, still puppies, were kidnapped by a mysterious man. To save them, Doggy fought bravely against the terrible killer, but all his efforts were in vain, and he was left for dead. What nobody imagined was that a technological vulture scavenging the region for corpses would be the one to rescue the dying dog from death’s scythe.
Now, Doggy has become Samurai Doggy, and his only goal is to quench his thirst for revenge.
Writer Chris Tex has experience in film direction and screenwriting in addition to his comics work, and it shows. He wisely keeps the dialogue to a minimum, and provides artist Santtos with vivid scenes that allow the art to tell the story. Judging by what’s contained within the 48-page debut issue, this is going to be epic.
After a disturbing beginning that recounts how Doggy nearly died, the story flashes forward twenty years with a very agile and mature Doggy seeking a reunion with his missing siblings as well as a return match with the vicious killer/kidnapper who removed his left eye. “Walking Through Skypanel” (see map in the back of the book) Doggy receives several opportunities to show how tough and skilled he is. No one seems to be able to provide him with information on his missing family, although there are a couple scenes where Doggy seems to overlook several clues that are highly visible and right under his nose.
SAMURAI DOGGY reminds me of many pop culture favorites, including Samurai Jack; Mad Max; The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly; other spaghetti westerns, and Magnus Robot Fighter. It’s a real showcase for Santtos. Don’t believe me? Well, Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark DE has designated SAMURAI DOGGY as a “guaranteed book” - - so you can read it without risk and judge for yourself, or just go on my recommendation and pick up a copy from your local comic shop. FIVE Stars for Art; Four Stars for Story - - I believe that adds up to FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
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