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 July 20, 2023. . . 667 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 479 comics documented
#451 - #453 CYBERPUNK 2077: TRAUMA TEAM #2 - #4 of 4 by Cullen Bunn and Miguel Valderrama (Dark Horse Comics, 2020) I picked this series up when it was originally released, solely on the strength of Cullen Bunn’s reputation. I had no idea that it was based on a video game. The comic actually preceded the release of the game, a bold move.
I’m reminded a lot of the Judge Dredd universe, dystopian mega-cities overrun with criminals who seem to favor high-rise apartment buildings for their base of operations. I guess the game did well (I’m not a gamer) as interest in Issue #1 rose and I ended up selling it. Time for a re-visit before I sell off the remaining issues.
The art team does some fine work here. There’s more blood than I’m used to seeing in science-fiction comics but considering the plot revolves around a trauma team of medics forced into dangerous situations it’s appropriate.
Main character Nadia is an assistant EMT for TTI: Trauma Team International (extractions for profit). She’s the only survivor of a failed rescue mission that ended in a shootout and the death of her lover in front of her eyes. She’s suffering from her own version of PTSD and when she’s thrust into a new rescue missions she freezes at critical moments. The subject of this extraction is the cruel criminal Apex, a “platinum” paying customer of TTI and the team finds themselves holed up on an upper floor and surrounded by his foes.
This situation is even more life-threatening than before, but Nadia and Apex may just survive by teaming up. The ending is very climatic but also loosely played so readers can interpret the finale however they want.
If all comics based on video games were this good, I’d be a believer. I was skeptical but CYBERPUNK 2077 won me over. The underlying theme is . . . when the world becomes cruel and cynical is there still room for compassion and morals? FOUR STARS.
#454 - #455 SINK #11: CUTTHROAT Deluxe Edition by John Lees and Alex Cormack (Comix Tribe, 2023) I’m a big fan of this series and spent a little extra to help the Kickstarter fundraiser and get this deluxe edition with heavier paper, extra content, bookmark and metal trading cards. If you’re a fan of comics that blend crime and horror then keep an eye out for the comic shop release later this year. Every issue is a stand-alone story that takes place in the fictional Scottish city of Sinkhill (based on John Lees’ home town of Glasgow).
Main character of this issue is Chrissie Woods, a grumpy widower with a feisty little bulldog/terrier mix who’s got a reputation in the neighborhood as a trivial complainer and a bit crazy. She’s still haunted by a childhood encounter (real or imagined) with Iron-Tooth Jack, the local legend called the Gorbals Vampire - - seven foot tall with metal fangs.
Her neighbor’s young son goes missing, and Chrissie is convinced (because of her nightmares) that Iron-Tooth is back. She’s determined to find the missing boy and bring justice to Iron-Tooth.
Chrissie is based on Lees’ grandmother (loosely) and the story is based in part (loosely) on a dream that she related to him when he was young and impressionable.
The back content is a mix, featuring some short one-page Sink comics, text piece by Lees, profiles of cover artists (including local C.P. Wilson III of The Stuff of Legends), and a cover gallery. Good stuff. FOUR STARS.
#456 - #461 WE STAND ON GUARD #1 - #6 by Brian K. Vaughan and Steve Skroce (Image Comics, July-December 2015) Futuristic war in 2112 - 2124 between Canada and the United States, with the U.S. as oppressor. Great story, and great art in this six-issue mini-series which I read in the individual issues. The comments in the letter pages are worth picking them up.
A general foible in parts of our human nature is to covet our neighbor's possessions. When that envy is acted on, it's usually trouble. When one nation's government covets something that another nation possesses (land, territory, oil, other resources) it generally leads to war. In this future scenario, the U.S. desires Canada's water. A fatal bombing of Washington D.C. is blamed on Canada, and this provides the motivation for the U.S. to retaliate by bombing Canadian cities and invading with high tech armored machines, aircraft and human and robotic ground troops.
Vaughan's story deals more with the human drama, and wisely so, among a small band of Canadian freedom fighters. The opening scenes in Issue #1 are extremely graphic and disturbing, and this sets the tone for the rest of the series, focusing on a brother and sister fighting for survival. The finale was a victory of sorts, but left an opening for more story. I prefer this the way it ended.
I enjoyed the story mainly for the characterization and it's not possible to return most of these characters for a sequel. FIVE STARS.
#462 EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #3 by Steve Orlando and Sebastian Piriz (Mad Cave Studios, July 2023) This is becoming one of my favorite current horror titles for various reasons: 1) The art and coloring by Piriz is dynamic and exciting to view. 2) Orlando’s story keeps me engaged with the confrontations verbal and physical, between the two Exorcist Knights, Syd Miller and Ellen Blair - once lovers who have a historic strained relationship. 3) Every month it’s a new representation of one of the Seven Deadly Sins - but never in a predictable manner. And, each Sin seems to recall previous grievances between the team. This time they go up against Gluttony - and it’s not the pig-out food fest you might imagine - it’s a thirst/hunger for glory and recognition that almost overcomes one of them.
I love the entire premise and it keeps me interested as Orlando reveals different aspects of the devil-fighters organization each issue. At the bottom of the Hellscraper (inverted multi-story building leading to Hell) there may be more than just a soul auction going on. And there may be more demons to fight, too many for a team of just two. Next up: Greed, bigger and meaner than ever. FOUR STARS.
#463 - #464 THOR ANNUAL #1 by Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing with art by Ibrahim Roberson (Marvel Worldwide Inc, September 2023) I haven’t been reading THOR, so the release of an annual is a chance for me to catch up a bit while enjoying a self-contained story (annuals are usually reliable for a one-shot complete story). There’s a lot going on here, pretty much epic in nature, and what I appreciate is that it’s not stretched out over multiple issues or part of a big crossover event. The story is pretty compact and concludes satisfactory, although leaving an opening (of course).
Thor, the All-Father (but still feeling more like Thor than he is like his father Odin) learns from Sif of a new threat to the Ten Realms and travels to Earth/Midguard to learn more from his allies. He finds a changed world.
THOR: “Your life here. All you have ever known . . . is dirt and suffering. And your only hope of escape is . . . not causing trouble.”
PETER PARKER (who doesn’t remember he is Spider-Man): “A bit bleak, but . . . yeah, you nailed it.”
M.O.D.O.K. has incorporated within himself the broken pieces of the destroyed Bifrost/Rainbow Bridge and has transformed into something cosmic, the huge M.Y.T.H.O.S. (Master of Yggdrasil, the Tyrant of Humanity, the Omnipotent Savior.) Curiously, the story does not explain the acronym. I learned of it on the Comic Book Roundup site from a reviewer. How they knew is another mystery.
The story ends satisfactorily, and Thor even learns how to handle and conduct himself in his new King of Asgard role and his confidence grows.
The back-up feature is a six-page prologue to THE IMMORTAL THOR series by Al Ewing and Martin Coccolo coming in August. Thor uses the All-Power to restore his broken hammer to full strength. Ho hum so far. FOUR STARS.
#465 - #467 CAPTAIN AMERICA #750 an over-sized anniversary issue featuring seven stories by various artists and writers (Marvel Worldwide Inc, September 2023) To be fair in my comments here, I haven’t been following any of the Captain America titles. So, this issue could be much more important to regular readers. It’s sad and reflective, serving as a reminder of the importance of Cap and pointing the way for the new series to follow. It didn’t work as well for me, probably because I’m not as vested in what’s going on.
The publisher’s synopsis relates what’s inside better than I can:
“THE CAPTAINS AMERICA MOURN THEIR FALLEN!
After the harrowing events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: COLD WAR, the Captains America return home to mourn their fallen - and strive to honor the power of legacy. Plus: The secret origin of Sam Wilson's new shield revealed, and a bold new direction for Sharon Carter!
In honor of 750 issues of CAPTAIN AMERICA, a team of fan-favorite guest writers join forces with superstar artists to spin timeless tales celebrating the epic history of the star-spangled hero! “
The entire issue read to me like a series of scenes rather than introducing any major plot or action. My overall impression is that I just read one giant eulogy, with plenty of scenes of funeral services and graveside visits. I’m not even sure who the character is that is being mourned in one of the stories.
The longer stories mark the end of writer Tochi Onyebuchi’s run on the title, and the penultimate issue of Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly’s run on their title. Those two were the better stories of the issue.
It’s a mixed bag of storytelling and artwork that didn’t create any desire for me to start following any Captain America title. Sigh.
Better to go back and dig out my copies from the Brubaker run and read them again. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#468 KNIGHT TERRORS: THE FLASH #1 of 2 by Alex Paknadel and Daniel Bayliss (DC Comics, July 12, 2023 release date) While I’m sitting out the two-month Knight Terrors event, I decided to sample at least one title and chose this. The story was much better than expected and I found it to be engaging. Curiosity is probably going to prompt me to pick up the concluding issue.
As an introduction to DC characters with those unfamiliar with them (hard to imagine) these short mini-series will give readers a basic understanding, but that’s about it. Unless the title is written by the current scripter on the regular series (this one isn’t) you can’t get a real feel for the book’s true configuration as these stories occurs outside of the main continuity. So why bother? If you like good stand-alone stories (although this breaks the one-issue standard) you might possibly find a good one in the Knight Terrors bunch.
Barry Allen is the main Flash in this one, not understanding that he’s living in the Nightmare Realm and having trouble distinguishing reality from dreams. He even foreshadows this in a conversation with Iris.
Wally (as Kid Flash) has been stabbed by Gorilla Grodd with the Spear of Destiny and is dying in a hospital bed. Barry tries to use the Speed Force to go back in time and alter reality. Of course, things don’t work out as he expected. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#469 - #478 ANOTHER KIND young adult original graphic novel by Trevor Bream and Cait May (Harper Alley, 2021) A librarian friend of mine and fellow comics fans, Matt Lowder, wrote such a glowing review of this awhile back that I had to check this out for myself and reserved a copy from the local library. His review was posted to my blog on July 14.
I’m always looking for books to recommend or purchase for my 7-year old grandson. A voracious reader who’s several levels beyond second grade for reading comprehension- - I thought this might appeal to him. However, he may not be ready for the violence that’s contained in the story so I’m holding off for a few years.
As for me, this was a real winner - - and I agree 100% with everything that Matt said. It whetted my appetite to try some more YA OGNs. FIVE STARS.
Synopsis: “Tucked away in a government facility nicknamed the Playroom, six not-quite-human kids learn to control their strange and unpredictable abilities. Life is good--or safe, at least--hidden from the prying eyes of a judgmental world.
That is, until a security breach forces them out of their home and into the path of the Collector, a mysterious being with leech-like powers.
Can the group band together to thwart the Collector's devious plan, or will they wind up the newest addition to his collection?
#479 DC MANGA SAMPLER by various writers and artists (DC Comics, July 2023) In September, DC will release several manga collections featuring familiar superhero characters. This free hand-out at comic shops gives readers a chance to preview the first three titles and decide if this is worth their attention.
While you can get a good feel for the art styles, it’s difficult to really understand what the main plot of these stories may be - simply because the samples are not long enough to really determine that. Unless, this is the main story. If so, it’s strange — - like Bizarro super-man versions of these characters.
Apparently JOKER: ONE OPERATION JOKER VOL. 1 will be about The Joker raising a baby boy (who looks a little like a tiny Bruce Wayne). In a flashback scene, Joker gets into a fight with Batman at a chemical plant and falls into a vat all over again.
BATMAN: JUSTICE BUSTER VOL. 1 is told completely without words as Batman chases a flying armored foe across the city’s skyline. The villain’s mission is interrupted by Batman but he still manages to escape. In the only dialogue so far, the villain reminds Batman “you can’t be lax about gadget maintenance”.
SUPERMAN VS. MESHI VOL 1 is apparently about Superman’s hunger cravings. When Lois turns down Clark Kent’s lunch invite, it gives him an excuse to change into Superman and travel to a ramen restaurant in Japan to get some double-pork.
I’ll probably break down and pick up at least one of these, most likely the Joker story. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
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