For the last three years I have embarked on a Comics Odyssey, reading and writing reviews of comics towards an ambitious goal which I only attained on one of three attempts. This year, I still want to read more comics and write reviews, but I’m not setting a specific goal. I’ll just document them and number them. We’ll see how far I can go . . . . . . . .
#96 ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1 by Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli (Marvel Worldwide Incorporated, April 2024) Synopsis:
In the wake of ULTIMATE INVASION, Khonshu and Ra - the force known together as Moon Knight - are seeking to expand their brutal control of the continent of Africa. In response, the lone bulwark against them, the isolated nation of Wakanda, will send forth its champion...its king...the Black Panther! From the creative minds of Bryan Hill (BLADE, KILLMONGER) and Stefano Caselli (X-MEN RED, AVENGERS) comes a bold new take on the world of Black Panther and Wakanda! Rated T+
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER sold out via pre-orders at the distributor level, and has caused prices to skyrocket on the resale market. Issue #1 is already valued at $24 on Comics Price Guide and even more ridiculous asking prices can be found on eBay. Don’t get sucked in, unless you have to have a first printing and can’t wait. A second printing has been announced, and pre-ordering a copy through your local comics shop helps the whole industry. Screw the speculators.
Is it worth the hype? Well, it’s good enough to rave about, although I’m not feeling it and will most likely stop right here. Fans of Black Panther will like that it features familiar characters albeit in somewhat newer roles. New fans can jump in from the get-go and follow this story. Also, the art is great. The visualization by Stefano is quite stunning and looks like Wakanda from the Marvel movies.
Issue #1 is kind of a slow burn, set up, intro issue and really didn’t hold my attention. Wakanda is apparently going to become public, on the verge of a war with a brutal conqueror (the forces known as Moon Knight - - I’d rather they just stuck with Khonshu), and even former foes may look more proactive than a patient, cautious T’Challa. This review is purely subjective and your results may vary. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#97 - #100 BATMAN-SANTA CLAUS: SILENT KNIGHT #1 - #4 by Jeff Parker, art by Michele Bandini (Issues #1) Michele Bandini and Trevor Hairsine (Issue #2-3), Danny Kim and Stephen Segovia (Issue #4) (DC Comics, January-February 2024)
This is not a comic you can share with your young children, cousins, or grandchildren - - despite that wholesome misleading cover for Issue #1.Better stick with the Archie Christmas Specials if that’s what you’re after. (Side issue - - - is the comics industry missing an opportunity here? I remember a time when there were lots of Christmas comics aimed at very young readers.)
Now that I have that concern out of the way, fans of the Batman family should pick this mini-series up. It’s a tight story, with some humorous moments despite its’ dark nature, with some neat visuals. I previously reviewed Issues #1 and #2, but read the full series for the first time just now.
Some ugly winged creatures interrupt Christmas carolers and silence them forever. They are the Draug, similar to vampires except the puncture wound is singular and they completely drain and kill their victims (exsanguination). Batman, Robin, and Zatanna have their hands full.
Until some help arrives in the form of Santa Claus, looking like Odin or an Asgardian god (because he is). He knows Batman and the others, including what was on their Christmas wish lists. Writer Parker pulls from Scandinavian mythology and goes back to Viking times to reveal the origins of the Draug. Many creatures from the wilds of Asgard made their way to Earth. Asgard would dispatch hunters every year to round them up, eventually sealing the Draug in a vault. During the last hunt, Santa Claus and his friend Krampus were left behind. Krampus is beast-like, with a mischievous streak. He threatens to eat children unless they behave, but he only wants to scare them into being good - - until later when he has to be put in check by Santa,who eventually confines him to a Phantom-Zone-like limbo.
Krampus has escaped and freed the Draug and is on a mission of revenge. Before the series ends, many weird creatures escape and have to be contained. Turns out that Krampus isn’t really that vicious. He’s been possessed by some demonic spirits that got out of limbo with him. Despite the murderous nature of these beasts and the threat to some super-heroes (even Superman struggles) the story has a happy ending and a bit of a warm Christmas message in Issue #4.
Along with some Santa humor (he reminds each new hero he meets of their childhood address, and sometimes repeats their Christmas wish list), there is some funny banter among the heroes. There are many guest stars (Superman, Nightwing, Batgirl, Blue Beetle, Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, etc) One of my favorite moments is when Green Arrow confesses to Santa that it was he who ate the plate of cookies left out every Christmas eve. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#101 - #102 SOMNA #2 by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay (Dstlry, January 2024) Synopsis:
Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, SOMNA follows one woman's erotic escape from the confines of her puritanical world.
No one is above suspicion when the relentless Witch Hunter Roland draws his net around someone close to him as this darkly sexual thriller races towards its gripping conclusion!
Moody, atmospheric, dark, and erotic - - SOMNA continues the mystery of the dark-but-sexy visitor in dreams (maybe more) while another murder occurs in town during the absence of the Witch Hunter, who eventually shows up late night to find his spouse in a revealing pose that makes him suspect demonic possession. The murder trail also points suspiciously to her best friend and her secret lover.
I’m enjoying this slow burn towards a tense and dreaded outcome and marveling at Lotay’s gorgeous portrait-like art. FOUR STARS.
#103 THE SPIRIT #15 written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evander with art by Paul Smith. Cover by Bruce Timm (DC Comics, April 2008) “The Diamond Exchange”.
While I’m a big admirer of Spirit creator Will Eisner and his contributions/influence on comics, I’ve yet to read a single tribute story (from a handful of different and respectful creators) that sparks the same nostalgic joy.
The best thing about Issue #15 is the six-to-eight panel per page art of Paul Smith. He captures the look and feel of classic Eisner but none of the flair or innovation with shadows, depth or perspective. Granted, maybe the story didn’t allow for that - - but this is mostly functional.
The story revolves around an annual Ms. World Supermodel competition being held in Paris and a plot to swap a treasured diamond tiara prize with a glass duplicate. Ho hum. TWO AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
#104 - #105 NIGHTWING/MAGILLA GORILLA SPECIAL #1 by Heath Corson with pencils by Tom Grummett and Tom Derenick “A Shrewdness of Apes” Sure, these one-shot pairings of Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters look like fun, but it’s hard to take the storylines seriously.
In this one, Magilla Gorilla is a huge Hollywood star and wants Dick Grayson’s involvement in a biopic of the Flying Grayson family, with Magilla playing the role of his father. Dick turns down the opportunity to be a producer, and his non-involvement dooms the project, which propels Magilla into an angry rage. When his manager is murdered that night Magilla becomes suspect #1.
So Nightwing decides to help Magilla uncover who set him up, and before the murderer is revealed the trail leads to fellow simian actor Grape Ape, his manager Regal Beagle, and Manila’s junkie sister and her boyfriend.
I was expecting a comedic story, even silly, but this was quite dramatic and even ends on a warm note. What a surprise.
The back-up story is part 3 of a 4-part Secret Squirrel story that’s equally dramatic but does include some so-so funny banter. It’s by J.M. DeMatteis and Tom Mandrake, two creators I respect so I tried to follow along. Please don’t ask for a synopsis. THREE STARS.
#106 - #109 ADVENTURE COMICS 80 PAGE GIANT #1 by various creators (DC Comics, October 2008, $4.95) The Pluses and Minuses of 80 Page Giants, also the late DC Dollar Comics from the 1980’s-1990’s) . . . . .
PLUS: 80 pages of content, although this particular issue ran just 72 pages, with stories featuring Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Shazam, Superboy, Legion of Super-Heroes, Supergirl, and Tales of the Bizarro World.
MINUS: Sometimes there were only one or two original stories, with reprints filling out the rest of the book. This particular issue was all-new material, a “celebration of the heroic legacy”.
PLUS: Every single story is a stand-alone tale, complete in this issue. No need to pick up the next issue or any crossover connections.
MINUS: With just 8-12 pages for writers and artists to work with, it’s not easy to add depth or themes other than a hero-villain confrontation and outcome. Writing memorable stand-alone tales requires a particular skill set, which wasn’t in plentiful evidence here.
So, what were the memorable stories in this issue?
PLUS: The best tale here is “The Longshot” featuring Green Arrow by Chuck Dixson and Rick Burchett. GA takes the ultimate test of his archery skills in a deadly contest at a remote monastery in the Himalayas. Followed by the awful title of “Glug-Glug Ka-Pow!”, the Superboy story by Ivan Velez Jr. and Steve Lightle. There’s a subtle message here about first impressions and jumping to conclusions when Superbly encounters a mermaid and a Kraken-like monster. Less exciting, but still good is the John Byrne-scripted “Darkness Fallen” set in 1950 where Wonder Woman engages in a final encounter with Dark Angel, The art by Phil Winslade is a combination of a homage to 1940’s Wonder Woman art as well as John Byrne’s distinctive style.,
MINUS: The other stories are disposable entertainment, instantly forgettable. My least favorite story was “Bizarro Must Think” by Tom Peyer and Kevin O’Neil. Peyer is capable of much better than this. All this succeeded in doing was take his credibility down one notch.
Quantity and quality are not related, and not necessarily equal. OVERALL RATING: THREE STARS.
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