PGHHEAD'S 2023 COMICS ODYSSEY, Part Thirty-Five

PGHHEAD’S 2023 COMICS ODYSSEY, PART 35

       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 October 31, 2023. . . 1,000 comics documented

CURRENT COUNT . . . . .  781 comics documented

#757 - #761  BATMAN #125, 126, 127, 129, 130 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez (DC Comics, September 2022 - February 2023)

     I have mixed feelings about this one. Obviously, I read comics for the action and escapism they so often provide. So, if you feel the same way and/or you're a Batman fan (my favorite DC character) then I still recommend this to you. The fabulous art of Jorge Jimenez is always worth the price of admission. 

     However, in addition to the action/escapism my favorite Batman stories contain character reveals that get to the heart of what motivates and compels Bruce Wayne/Batman to do what he does. When Zdarsky was announced as part of the new creative team on BATMAN I was expecting some of those psychological reveals, based on the fine work he did with his run on DAREDEVIL ( a deep dive into Matt Murdock's purpose/mission and whether he should continue). While Zdarsky does touch on that in the early issues of this story arc, he downplays it in favor of the action story.

 

    For me, this was a decent read but I found it to be a little too over-the-top and a lot of the set-up raised questions. Sure, Batman might have developed a counter to himself (a Failsafe) should he ever stray from his mission and actually take a life - - - but shouldn't Failsafe have been activated long before this story? Haven't there been plenty of Batman stories where he's wanted for murder, a fugitive pursued by the police? Oh well. The scene in the late part of the story where Batman manages to find his way back to Earth (without benefit of a spaceship) was a bit much to accept. 

     Failsafe is a Terminator-inspired character, and entertaining, but I hope to not see him again. Once was enough. Also, the dramatic fatalistic but anti-climatic ending failed to wring any emotion out of me. You just know it's not going to hold up. The back-up story with Catwoman trying to find the survivors/inheritors of Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin's estate also didn't seem true to her character. After learning what she did (no spoilers here) I'm extremely doubtful that she wouldn't reveal her findings to Batman and bail him out.   THREE STARS.

#762 - #766 CREEPSHOW #1 - #5 by various creative teams (Image Comics, September 2022 - January 2023)  What began as a movie homage to pre-Comics Code era 1950’s horror comics, specifically EC’s TALES FROM THE CRYPT, has now come full circle with a comics series. 

     The first film, CREEPSHOW (1982), is a personal favorite of mine. Directed by George Romero (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,DAWN OF THE DEAD) and featuring the screenwriting debut of Stephen King (also a personal appearance in the movie) - - it was the first film anthology in a long history of same to successfully blend horror with comedy. Dark humor, mind you, but the laughs were as plentiful as the scares. I thought it was ground-breaking, and I can’t recall any of the many attempts at this since then having quite the same effect. Also, special effects master Tom Savini gave the movie the feel of a comic book by incorporating animation in the framing sequences and replicating some comic-like effects in the live-action scenes.

  

The more recent CREEPSHOW television series on AMC/Shudder comes the closest. Now, there’s a comic to try and capture that same magic.  While it didn’t quite hit the target for me, CREEPSHOW the comic is definitely a welcome addition to the family and maintains that subtle blend of horror and comedy.  Each issue features two stories. Some very talented writers and artists are involved, including Chris Burnham, David Lapham, Francesco Francavilla, Kyle Starks, Fran Kalan, and Steve Orlando. 

    There’s not a clunker in the bunch. All ten stories are worthwhile and fun. 

Among my favorites are “Take One” (remember not to take more than your share during Trick Or Treat Night), “Hair” (a barber with lots of animal friends, both small and huge), “La Mascara De La Muerte” (a disgraced Mexican wrestler loses her mask and decides to return wearing her late father’s devil mask, to gruesome results), and “Thirst Trap” (the consequences of taking too many selfies). However, if I can only pick one story it would be the closer in Issue #5, “Husk” written by horror novelist Clay McLeod Chapman, where passing down time-bound Southern traditions to a dear daughter can has horrifying results - especially if she was adopted and found in the woods.  FOUR STARS.

#767 - #771  STAR WARS: TIE FIGHTER trade paperback by Jody Houser and Roge  Antonio (Marvel Worldwide Inc, 2019)  

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     Enter Shadow Wing! The Empire's salvation - the Rebellion's doom! As the war between the rebels and the Galactic Empire stretches on, it is the innocent people of the galaxy who are most at risk. 

     An elite squadron of TIE fighter pilots is assembled to help protect Imperial interests - and hammer the Emperor's fury down upon the treasonous and violent Rebel Alliance. But how far is this untested team willing to go to preserve law and order? And are the pilots of Shadow Wing as loyal to the Empire as they seem?

     Jody Houser does an impressive job here of not deviating from Star Wars canon and introducing a brand-new cast of interesting characters. What is most remarkable is that this a tale told from "the other side", meaning not the good guys Rebel Alliance that we root for but the troops under the command of the wicked Emperor Palpatine.

     The five members of the Shadow Wing tie-fighter squadron reveal that not every person who sides with the Imperial Forces is necessarily pure evil. They have many concerns and fears similar to members of the rebellion and also sometimes express doubts about whether they are on the right side. 

     I appreciate how this was handled. It's sensitive and skillful.

Not to mention that the space battles are well-choreographed and illustrated. This is one of the better Star Wars comics. Great visuals.   FOUR STARS.

#772 - #777  I WALK WITH MONSTERS #1 - #6 by Paul Cornell and Sally Cantirino (Vault Comics/Nightfall, November 2020 - May 2021) 

In her past, the Important Man took away Jacey's brother. Now Jacey has David, who is sometimes a monster. Together, they hunt those who prey on the vulnerable. But the Important Man is still out there.

MONSTERS WALK BESIDE US ALL, AND SOMETIMES LURK WITHIN.

     This starts out with a novel premise, builds tension slowly then fizzles a bit, and concludes very rapidly with an unexpected and surprising ending.

I think this title could have done better if certain scenes were more clearly defined by the script. Cornell is a cerebral writer, and this story will certainly challenge readers as he keeps it vague or symbolic regarding the back-story. Each issue is interspersed with brief flashback scenes that give the tiniest of clues, but mainly serve to break the momentum of the story. What was called for was a bit more of emotional tension, which ebbs and flows instead of being the primary driver here.

    If you can define the back-story of Jacey’s upbringing and the real intentions of the “Important Man” (a politician in the middle of a campaign) it begins to make more sense. I’m not pretending to fully get it, so I won’t be sharing my speculations. 

   I enjoyed the story, despite the challenges. On the plus side, the art is interesting and the coloring is effective, dark and atmospheric. I appreciate the story-telling device of showing blanks in the dialogue when Jacey struggles for a full memory of past scenes as well as partially obscured faces on campaign posters as she tries to fixate on the right image of  the Important Man. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#778 - #781  30 DAYS OF NIGHT, NIGHT AGAIN trade paperback by Joe R. Lansdale and Sam Keith (IDW Publishing, December 2011)

 

    I am a big fan of Texas story-teller Joe R. Lansdale, who has a real knack for creating fascinating characters, whip-smart snarky dialogue, and intriguing plots - - - none of which you will find in 30 DAYS OF NIGHT: NIGHT, AGAIN.

     That doesn't mean that Lansdale isn't a decent writer for comics. It just doesn't work here. In truth, I haven't been that impressed with any of the 30 DAYS OF NIGHT sequels by different creative teams. Some concepts are better suited for a one-and-done. You can't deny the brilliance of the Steve Niles/Ben Templesmith original. That said, if you'd like to read some really good comics work from Joe R. Lansdale then check out the weird western JONAH HEX mini-series he did with the awesome Tim Truman for DC/Vertigo. 

     However, if you're in the mood for a good scary vampire tale (as I was) since it's Halloween season and you can be satisfied with that, then check this one out. It won't disappoint in that respect.

     Sam Keith is also not at the top of his game here. While there are some moments of captivating art, there are too many sloppy scenes (especially the flashbacks, maybe amateurish on purpose) that look like unfinished sketches. In either case, if you're curious to check out Lansdale and Keith - - please don't start here. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.

     The Goodreads SYNOPSIS: Fleeing the site of a secondary vampire infestation in the cold wilds of Alaska, a band of survivors arrive at a climate change facility during the final days of a long period of extended daylight. The inhabitants of the research compound are trying to determine the nature of a strange object found in the ice when the survivors arrive, leading to a frightening and bloody confrontation between humans and vampires - and an odd and unexpected guest!