PGHHEAD’S 2022 COMIC ODYSSEY, PART 47
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 December 10, 2022 . . . 1133 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 1044 comics documented
Comments on the story first: Dynamic one-panel per page drawn out fight scene between Superman and Doomsday which ends in their death.
It still has an impact on me, despite knowing (even back in 1993) that DC would never retire a legend, an icon, for very long.
Other comments: The memories reading this brought back more to me were the age of speculation that occurred in the 1990’s and almost brought the comics industry down. Investors who were not collectors were buying comics, hoping to see them grow in value and make some big money. Books like Death of Superman and X-Men (1991) never delivered on those hopes, simply because so many copies were printed and sold (supply and demand). You can pick up a 9.4 Near Mint copy of the black polybag Superman for around $10, worth less if the bag has been opened. But there is a Platinum Edition in a sealed black polybag with a really low print run that could fetch $185, if you can find it and then find another buyer willing to purchase it from you.
Back then I also bought 5 different covers for X-Men #1 (Chris Claremont and Jim Lee) from October 1991 out of the 10 variations being offered. These also had a big print run but go for $5-$22 these days depending on the cover. I even remember buying these at Books Galore in Erie, PA.
To be fair, I guess the speculation craze of the 1990’s (all sorts of cover gimmicks) did help fuel the early days of Image and the first iteration of Valiant so it’s not a terrible thing. This special edition brought back some fond memories. 30 years ago? Wow. FOUR STARS.
#1038 - #1039 RONIN BOOK II #1 of 6 by Frank Miller, Philip Tan, and Daniel Henriques (Frank Miller Presents, November 2022) I
’ve never read the original RONIN by Frank Miller and hope to remedy that some day. RONIN BOOK II is a stunning, black and white explosion of big art and an intriguing story.
The main character here is Casey, skilled with the sword and having a connection with the original Ronin, which is hinted at in a disturbing flashback in the opening scenes with Casey injected with multiple probes from a Matrix-like machine. The remainder of the book details Casey in flight from something unspecified with her young infant son Billy in a basket on her back. They encounter a fierce monster as we learn that young Billy may have benefited from his mother’s training.
A decent beginning, although the story is kind of vague. But the art is what brought me here, and might keep me here. I’ll probably find some disagreement here, but the best way I can describe the art is if you took Frank Miller’s style from SIN CITY and put it in a blender with Todd McFarlane’s art from SPAWN.
THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
For fans of fantasy comics, this is as good an introductory issue as you are likely to find. This is my first encounter with Lorenzo De Felici. He is an inventive and imaginative creator, and one to watch.
In recent years, I’ve noticed the increasing importance of color in comics story-telling. The color selection, use of hues, and shading, light and darkness can really enhance the effect and impact of the story, or in some cases detract from it. (I’m not of fan of color schemes so bright in oranges and pinks that I need to use sunglasses).
De Felici makes color the root of the story, as KROMA takes place in a mundane fantasy world (a walled-in community) that is very pale and the brighter colors of the outside world are only shared with a privileged few, students of the priest-like Makavi. The title is a play on words, as chroma is defined as “purity or intensity of color.”
The synopsis of the story details how “after a great calamity left only one city left on earth, the last humans have survived by removing color from their lives.” Young disciple Set is disturbed by a ritual involving the chase of a monster birthed from a large egg. He later visits the jail cell where the monster is held only to learn that under the trappings is a young girl (the only female in the story at this point) with one green eye and one blue eye. They enjoy several conversations and develop a friendship.
The world-building here is clever and inventive. I don’t want to share too much and spoil it. I’ll definitely follow this for another issue to get a better idea of where things are going. FOUR STARS.
While I’ve grown disillusioned with epic crossover storylines, if you’re going to read any Marvel books it’s almost impossible to avoid them. At least this one is pretty good, and not your average crossover epic. Plus, if you haven’t been following this storyline there is enough explanation provided (along with the roll call pages) for new readers to pick up on.
It’s kind of a superhero team trope that when two teams meet up there has to be some kind of misunderstanding followed by a fight. The Avengers and Avengers B.C. duke it out here, and it takes up most of the issue. It’s well-played and entertaining.
However, the Avengers were there to recruit the pre-historic Avengers in the battle and explained that upfront. Even their leader Agamotto agreed they should join forces. But then the headstrong irrational members start to fight anyway. What a head-scratcher!
More interesting to me are the developments in the character of Robbie Reyes, now not just Ghost-Rider but the All-Rider. And, we finally get a look at the Avengers Prime character which is a bit surprising. Is that a new version of The Beyonder? Lots to digest here, as I’m looking forward to the wrap-up of this years-long saga. Oh yeah, the art is pretty damn good as well. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
Meet new character Dora, a detective from across the pond in the USA, who’s been traumatized by the events of that opening scene. The only person who helped her deal with the PTSD and who she fell in love with was Ellie’s Uncle Alfie. Dora believes Alfie did not die of natural causes and enlists occult detective Ellie (Alfie’s niece) in her personal investigation.
The trail leads to Carlin, another new character who’s “a total but useful wanker.” He’s a mystical practioner of the dark arts and fills in Ellie and Dora about the 500 Club, the Ars Goetia, the Pruflas and others. Only about 72 devils have been freed from their infernal realm, so there’s not much work ahead. Spurrier’s world-building is awesome to behold and his ability to mix in current events in Britain and elsewhere make this a very palatable mix. FIVE STARS.
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