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 . . . . . . .
#618 - #621 UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image Comics/Skybound, October 2023 - January 2024)
There’s a large amount of focus on Renfield, Dracula’s minion, across all four issues of this series. You might get the impression that this mini-series is about him, but you’d be wrong about that.
After all the iterations of the Dracula legend in film and comics, by focusing on the point-of-view of Renfield writer Tyrion injects new blood (ahem) into this genre.
In the text afterword to Issue #1 Tynion explains that he prefers to work with his own creations, but accepted the assignment to write an adaptation of the Universal film version of Dracula because it made a lasting impression on his young developing mind.
While this new series respectfully recreates the feel and look (thanks to amazing Simmonds art) of that film, Tyrion’s script is a breath of fresh (not foul) air. He’s really bringing this legendary icon to new life and anyone who is a fan of the film, the novel, or the vampire genre should be checking this series out.
As he did so well on the DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH series, Simmonds again both illustrates, inks and colors his work in a painted style that bring more clarity than I’ve ever seen from him before. The images are incredible. Tynion wisely hasn’t scripted one word of dialogue for Dracula, just letting the visuals communicate the power and menace behind the character. Also, I’ve never seen Renfield imagined and portrayed as creepy as he is here.
The introduction of the main characters (Harkness, Van Helsing, etc) and build up to the first victim to mingle blood with Dracula (Lucy) is dramatized perfectly.
The ending is inevitable but satisfying. I could have been fine with two more issues.This book is a winner. FIVE STARS.
#622 MARVEL & DISNEY: WHAT IF? . . . DONALD DUCK BECAME THOR one-shot by Steve Behling & Riccardo Secchi with art by Giada Perissinotto (Marvel Comics, November 2024) Marvel continues with its’ celebration of the 90th anniversary of Donald Duck and other Disney characters with these blends.
This one works much better than the recent DONALD DUCK/WOLVERINE story because it remembers to stay funny with some snappy one-liners and a little slapstick humor.
Donald takes youngsters Huey, Dewey & Louie on a trip to Norway to search for some ancient Viking relics for an Explorers Club project. They stop at a remote location, the same place that the Stone Men from Saturn (from a really early Thor comic) decide to land and begin converting the geography to rocks. Lucky for Donald just as they discover him he finds the Hammer of Thor- - and you can guess the rest. Even the Destroyer comes into play (as a robot of the Stone Men).
The art here is a bit more cartoonish as fits the story, which can be enjoyed by all ages. THREE STARS.
#623 HYDE STREET #1 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis (Image Comics/Ghost Machine, October 2024) This is the kind of consistently great title that Vertigo used to release. Let’s hope that it doesn’t get the same unrecognized, unappreciated dismissal that too many of those Vertigo imprints did. If you want an example of what a creative team is capable of when working in sync - - this is the ticket. I’m in awe of HYDE STREET.
Geoff Johns’ world-building is inventive and appealing. I’ve never seen Ivan Reis art look this good. Credit Danny Miki’s inks for highlighting those elaborate details. Also credit Brad Anderson’s marvelous color work that makes everything pop. He is currently my favorite colorist.
This is a horror/fantasy book and it’s as fresh as the other Ghost Machine titles so far (JUNKYARD JOE, GEIGER, ROOK/EXODUS).
“There is a street, just around the corner. Both familiar and unknown. A street branching off every small-town square and cutting through every big city avenue. . . . It is a place where the wicked and cruel are drawn, to the crossroads of morality and madness with the inevitable destination of not merely death - - - but something far worse.”
Yes, like a magnetic force the wicked and cruel are seemingly transported here, never to be free unless they comply with the wishes of The Scorekeeper. We meet two residents in the debut issue.
Pranky is a young boy scout striving to earn additional merit badges from The Scorekeeper in the meanest ways, such as helping an elderly lady carry her groceries along a crosswalk and leading her right down Hyde Street.
Mr. Freddy Xavier Ray (Mr. X-Ray) has been here since 1966. He’s a chain-smoking, well-dressed huckster who made his ill-gotten gains by duping innocent youngsters into buying bogus magical toys from the pages of comic book advertising. We learn how he was relocated to Hyde Street and it’s both sad and deplorable.
There’s plenty of art to be amazed at, including numerous Easter Eggs for your scrutiny: a nod to ROOK on some construction equipment, Pranky reading JUNKYARD JOE in his treehouse, a nod to the upcoming DEVOUR one-shot, and a brief intro to Doctor Ego. There’s also an office building directory listing that name-drops some upcoming characters.
So far, the debut issue is worthy of FIVE STARS. We’ll see if that holds up in successive issues. If you like Twlight-Zone type horror, then I suggest you find a copy of HYDE STREET #1.
#624 - #629 THE HUNGER AND THE DUSK #1 - #6 by G. Willow Wilson and Chris Wildgoose (IDW Publishing, July 2023 - February 2024)
Based on the high quality of this series plus INVISIBLE KINGDOM, I suggest picking up any original, creator-owned series penned by G. Willow Wilson. Her world-building, drama and suspense, and character development are at a high level. This first volume is an excellent introduction to the fantasy world of HUNGER AND THE DUSK, which I hope is a long-running series. Volume Two is out in single issues, which I'll be collecting so I can read them at one time (which is exactly what I did with Volume One.)
The art is compelling and the visuals in the battle scenes are dynamic and fluid. This is a title worthy of multiple readings.
In a world of diminishing resources orcs live to the north and humans to the south. The orc society is better organized and developed in comparison to the humans, who seem to be disorganized and struggling. There’s been an ages-old conflict between the two as humans seek to plow up lands and grow crops in areas where the cattle and food animals of the orcs prefer to graze.
When the Vangol, an ancient humanoid culture from across the sea, invade their world the orcs and humans must make an alliance to defend themselves. As a sign of their combined commitment, the orcs leader sends his cousin Tara, a young healer, to join and fight alongside the humans. The respect and admiration between her and Callum, the brash human commander, grows and seems to be developing into romance until some differences between the two arise and Volume One ends with Tara returning home. FOUR AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
#630 SKIN POLICE #1 by Jordan Thomas and Daniel Gete (Oni Press, October 2024) That cover is a bit mis-leading as it seems to indicate a horror gore-fest inside. Far from it, although there is a fair amount of bloody violence in Issue #1. This is a futuristic sci-fi comic with a wild concept that I can’t quite decide yet if it’s aiming for dark humor or not. I’ll need to read more to be sure.
SKIN POLICE reminds me of JUDGE DREDD and BLADE RUNNER, taking place in the teeming cityscapes of 2176 in Madrid,Spain. In prior years 2142 through 2156 a fertility pandemic occurred, which produced a black market for illegal cloned babies. These “duplicates” are not traceable and also do not realize that they were cloned. However, their genetics are unstable and 75% of them will “POP”, turning into homicidal maniacs.
The United Nations of Europe created a special government division to hunt down and remove these “deadly ticking time bombs”. The task force is called the Duplicate Identification and Capture Division, or DIC.
Agent Brisson Eckis is the top enforcement agent, and we get to see him in action as a dupe POPS onboard an airline flight and proceeds to attack and kill passengers and pilots. He is later assigned to mentor a new DIC recruit, and they work together on an investigation. Meanwhile a suspicious citizen reports her step-daughter as a dupe, and a chase ensues until she is rescued by a masked vigilante who offers to take her to sanctuary.
Lots of tight panels and explosive action, plenty of dialogue - this is a book that (like so many other recent reads) deserves multiple readings in order to take it all in.
The art by Daniel Gete revealing elaborate cityscapes and world designs show a Möbius influence, and there are traces of Paul Gulacy and Paul Chadwick in his style.
Don’t let this one get shedded and slip out of your grasp. FOUR AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
#631 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 by Jason Aaron and Rafael Alburquerque (IDW Publishing, September 2024) It’s becoming clearer now that Jason Aaron is setting up an epic story to kick off his run on TMNT. Each issue appears to be spotlighting an individual turtle after their apparent break-up and ends in a cliff-hanger. Issue #1 featured Raphael in prison.
Now Issue #2 focuses on Michelangelo, who’s become a superstar as the main character in a popular ninja TV series in Japan. But he’s lonely, getting lazy and careless when he is apparently drugged (poisoned pizza) and attacked by a familiar ninja clan at his apartment. Has one of his brothers actually come to help, or is he hallucinating?
New artist this issue. Those fight scenes are amazing. If you’re a TMNT fan, you’ve gotta be in turtle heaven right now. Pizza time! THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#632 EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #3 by various creators (Oni Press/EC Comics, September 2024) I’m really starting to experience and embrace the EC feel/vibe as I keep reading this title as well as CRUEL UNIVERSE. Those Lee Bermejo covers are outstanding. I no longer care that they don’t relate to any of the stories inside the issue. Just keep creating them, Lee.
It’s tougher to pick a favorite this issue as all three stories are exceptional. Although, “A Hand In It” by Jay Stephens and Leomacs is so morbidly appalling and amusing at the same time that it gets my vote. It also is the closest approximation to the look of a classic EC story with the art style of Leomacs, different sized panels, to the amount of story told through text boxes (and their shading) - - all the way down to the font selection.
Patricia Millicent has communication problems with her abusive husband, but no issues with communicating with her subjects at her work as a city morgue technician. Because the city’s resources are swamped there is an overflow problem with unclaimed cadavers, which are placed in a mobile storage unit under her care. She speaks to the bodies, shares secrets, dances for them, and has kept one particular cadaver under wraps for six years: it’s the body of Craig Harrison Davis, the “sundown choker” / “handsome horror” / “mommy murderer”. Patricia takes obsessive true crime fan/serial killer groupie to the next level.
She comes up with a grisly plan to dispatch her nasty husband and pin the blame elsewhere. Moral: always recycle properly.
“Blood Type” by Corinna Bechko and Jonathan Case: after the chartered yacht goes down, a vampire is stranded on a life raft with five other passengers. It’s “Ten Little Indians” divided by two. I don’t think I need to say any more.
Chris Condon and Charlie Adlard’s “A Crossroads Repetition” travels some familiar ground, but kicks up some fresh dirt. This time the unlucky gentleman who went to the crossroads to beseech the devil to change recent events gets the cross-purpose results in an endless repetition. At least Robert Johnson got to play guitar in the deal he made. But his request was more specific while the main character in this tale was way too general. Another FOUR STAR issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment