PGHHEAD'S 2023 COMICS ODYSSEY, Part 14

PGHHEAD’S 2023 COMICS ODYSSEY, PART 14

       This marks the third consecutive year that I will attempt to document my comics reading by writing at least a mini-review. The goal is 1200 books read and reviewed in 2023, although I missed the mark in 2022 by 88 books.  Still, I like that number as it’s easy enough to track - - - 100 books per month on average. Wish me luck!

# GOAL FOR March 31, 2023. . . 300 comics documented

CURRENT COUNT . . . . .  303 comics documented

#283 - #288  DC COMICS PRESENTS SGT ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD #1 - #6 of 6 by Bruce Campbell and Eduardo Risso (DC Comics, November 2022 - April 2023)   The infamous Sgt. Rock & Easy Company of DC Comics versus an army of goose-stepping Nazi zombies? That's a recipe for a good bit of action-adventure fun that I thoroughly enjoyed. Veteran horror film actor Bruce Campbell scripts this, forgoes much of the character development aside from the essentials, and goes for all-out action every single issue until the climatic showdown with Hitler (who blows up real good). 

     I read this in the individual monthly issues and look forward to seeing how this looks in the upcoming hardcover (but I'm not planning to purchase it). I'm not complaining, but battle after battle for six full issues is a bit monotonous. I would have liked to see Campbell's take on these characters, but maybe his take is exactly what he's shown us. However, it was a real blast to see the innovative art of Eduardo Risso on a war comic. Plus those Gary Frank/Brad Anderson covers are awesome. THREE STARS.

#289 - #292  PARASOMNIA: THE DREAMING GOD #1 - #4 of 4 by Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti (Dark Horse Comics, August - November 2022) 

I appreciated the creative premise of Volume One but was highly disappointed by the haphazard, convoluted and confusing way that Cullen Bunn chose to tell that story. I was hoping that Bunn would rectify that in Volume Two and move the story forward and achieve its' full potential. Sadly, that did not happen.

     Volume 2 is even more confusing than Volume One, especially with the addition of several side plots that aren't fully explained as well a brand-new dream world of cyberpunk. The only redeeming element in both Volumes is the fantastic artwork of Andrea Mutti.

     When this series was announced, I immediately pre-ordered and subscribed to the initial four issues of Volume One - - my decision solely based on the creative team. One of my favorite horror comics writers paired up with the amazing talents of the artist. That seemed like a dream team, pun intended. 

     When subscribing to a full series, I will normally wait to read all the issues at one time. Because Volume 2 was announced shortly after Volume 1 completed, I automatically subscribed. Sigh. I have learned my lesson. TWO STARS.

#293 - #298  JUSTICE WARRIORS #1 - #6 of 6 by Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson (Ahoy Comics, 2022)  This is a dystopian satire from political cartoonist Matt Bors and filmmaker/illustrator Ben Clarkson. Their first foray into a comics mini-series has its moments, an interesting if very familiar premise, and plenty of digs at the police state, consumerism, social media, influencers, etc. If you like 2000AD/JUDGE DREDD and 2020’s LUDOCRATS mini-series you may enjoy this series.  

     Ahoy Comics mini-series trend towards the irreverent, satirical and comedic categories and can usually be relied upon for quality story and art across their many titles. I found that JUSTICE WARRIORS fits the first two categories very well but only manages to be comedic in places. At least, I did not think it was that amusing. While the art is very creative and engaging I felt that the story dragged in enough places to make me lose interest. 

 

  In the future, the world has been transformed into residents that resemble human caricatures or cartoonish versions of monsters and mutants. Bubble City is billed as the world’s first “perfect city”. Inside its protective shell, the metropolis proclaims itself as a city of equality, diversity, and prosperity with no crime whatsoever. Outside of the bubble is the Uninhabited Zone (UZ), home of the “Uzzers”, a densely populated slum where most of the mutant population resides and longs for the security of Bubble City.

    After watching his partner die after being run over by a self-driving bus, Bubble City veteran Swamp Cop (a cartoon version of the Creature From The Black Lagoon in a police uniform) suffers from PTSD and hallucinates. He is partnered with rookie cop Schitt (a giant pile of crap jammed into a police uniform) and is tasked with showing him how to bend the rules in the UZ.

   The main conflict that runs throughout all six issues (and seems like forever to resolve) is the siege of Bubble City by the mutant Libras (zodiac obsessed insurrectionists) led by Libra, their giant A.I. avatar. The main problem for me with this title is that I did not care about a single one of these characters, and the humor was spotty enough that I didn’t get to smile much. THREE STARS.

#299 - #300  SWAMP THING: GREEN HELL #3 of 3 by Jeff Lemire and Doug Mahnke (DC Black Label, May 2023) This is the final issue of the series, and it ends in epic fashion with a very satisfying somewhat symbolic ending. Despite the huge battle with humanity at stake that occupies center stage in this finale, Lemire manages to still mix in a little of the humanity and tenderness that is characteristic of his best works.

     It’s the end of days. What’s left of humanity is confined to a small island. But the Green and the Red have decided to end it, and create a new more powerful Swamp Thing avatar to finish it. When the original Swamp Thing/ Alex Holland is revived by an aging John Constantine (aided by Deadman) to counter the attack, even more monsters arrive and overwhelm the human forces.  Enter Maxine Baxter/Animal Woman young daughter of the original Animal Man and even more powerful to try and change the tide of destiny. Good stuff that will make a great graphic novel to be read in one sitting. Mahnke’s art takes it to another level. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS

#301  WESLEY SNIPES’ THE EXILED #2 of 6 by Adam Lawson and gabriel ‘Eskimo’ Santos (What Not Publishing, March 2023) So far, this has proven to be an interesting blend of science fiction, occult horror and detective/mystery. The art is dynamic and panel placement and overlays are creative.

     Main character detective Niles ‘Roach’ Washington encounters a masked and hooded serial killer using ancient tools to rip out spines. The police department downplays his theories and several members warn him off pursuing this any further, which just arouses his suspicions.

  In Issue #2 the mysterious killer takes out his new partner (that he didn’t fully trust) but spares Washington. Is it because of the unusual ripples of spine that we see on Washington’s naked back in one scene? This issues raises more questions while answering others. 

    Turns out that there are criminal aliens that have been exiled to Earth and there is a silent war going on between them and humans. Washington just became initiated into the group. 

    Whenever a new small independent publisher shows up on the crowded comic scene I try to sample some debut issues and make a effort to support them by following at least one title or mini-series to completion or its’ first story arc. I’d only sampled one What Not debut issue prior to this, didn’t care one iota for it, and wasn’t interested by the descriptions of their other titles until now. I think I’ll see this one through. FOUR STARS.

#302 - #303  ALL NIGHT & EVERY DAY prestige format one-shot by Ray Fawkes and Andrea Frittella (AfterShock Comics, March 2023)  “Party like there’s no tomorrow . . . because there isn’t”

     There are enough story possibilities in this one-shot comic to fill a four or six-issue mini-series. AfterShock Comics and writer Ray Fawkes resist that impulse and instead stick to the core of the story and stick the landing.

   ALL NIGHT & EVERY DAY is like one of those creepy Twilight Zone revival episodes narrated by Jordan Peele that don’t scare you so much as creep under your skin and itch. Maybe Fawkes will return to this world again for a new story. The potential is certainly there, as well as a built-in villain and/or protagonist of dubious motives. 

   Welcome to the ‘Banquet Hideous’, the party that never ends. You can’t leave. You don’t age and you never die no matter what happens inside. Once a door is opened and a new room entered, you won’t be able to turn around and go back to the same place. 

   Grief-stricken Michaela was left standing at the altar on her wedding day. Her fiancé never showed his face, not even two years later as police have no clues concerning his whereabouts. Michaela’s refusal to give up the search has turned her into an introvert. Friends try to help her out of her shell and bring her to the house party and end up trapping her and themselves within its’ curse. Guess who she finds within?

    There is quite a bit of drama here, and a bit of new disturbing information that causes Michaela to rethink her previous relationship. Will the house take pity on her and lead her to the exit door? This is how you create a one-shot with impact! FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.