Thursday Morning Quarterback

Yeah, so I don't yet know how I'm going to go about reviewing comics. I don't want to blatantly rip-off Chris Sim's style, but if you're going to rip someone off, you might as well rip-off the best. Speaking of, Scipio Garling's modus operandi is also good. Like Bully and fun, Scipio focuses on the comics that makes him happy each week.

My problem with all these approaches is that, because they post soon after the comics are released, they have to limit their reviews so that they don't spoil any major plot points and ruin the comic for their readers (I have a trouble tip-toeing around spoilers. Consider this your warning for this post). Now this isn't much of a problem if you plan to do more in-depth reviews/commentary later, but given my posting frequency, I think we can all agree that I should try to stick to one, comprehensive review post per week.

I originally planned to do more of a weekly preview. My local comic book store sends me an e-mail every Saturday with the titles that are coming out next Wednesday. I thought I would look back through my collection and review the issue preceding the issue coming out that Wednesday. A month late, in most cases, but at least by then the statute of limitations on spoilers will have run out. Plus, you - my non-existent audience - get a feel for what's coming out and whether or not you want to pick it up.

I think I will do that. But not this week. It was an exceptionally light week, so I picked up a couple new titles. But first! an old staple:

52 Week 43
This week mainly revolved around the Black Marvel Family, a storyline I'm enjoying more than I probably should. Isis seems rather like a generic Giver Goddess character, but Osiris is interesting. He has a temper, but also a desire to be accepted. Because of that, he seems all too willing to jump through other people's hoops. He committed a horrific murder, but I can hardly blame him for it. And above all, as Captain Marvel says, he has "a good soul."

Teth-Adam, however, does not. But he really is trying to change. Redemption is hard, and despite all signs that he will eventually backslide, I can't help but root for him.

Oh, and Buddy might have inadvertently caused the return of Lady Stix. Whoops.

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #48 and
Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #49
Continuing on alphbetically (and sticking with DC), we come to Aquaman. This is one of the three titles that I decided to try out this week, and boy, am I glad I did.

I tried one or to issues of Aquaman before, but I couldn't really get into it. As much as I think the "sword and sorcery" bent they're taking works with the character and environment, it just isn't my scene. There's a reason the only "fantasy" books I read are Discworld and Harry Potter.

But this was interesting. Someone got the idea to update one of Aquaman's lamest villains and turn him into some sort of Lovecraftian figure. Brilliant. No sarcasm, I love the idea, and it makes for some interesting reading. Good enough to add this title to my pull list, even though they're bringing in a new creative team.

Oh, and anyone who think Geoff Johns is a gruesome writer should take a look at the Fisherman's bait shop.


Green Lantern #17
Another one of the three titles I decided I needed to try this week. Well, sorta.

This one was actually recommended to me by one of the guys at the comic shop. I had decided that I wanted to check out some Green Lantern, but I had decided to simply put Green Lantern Corps on my pull list as they were about to enter a new story arc. I have no love nor hatred for Hal Jordan; I never really cared. So I really didn't care about his book. John Stewart, on the other hand...

Well, the comic book shop man (I really ought to learn their names. I've been going there for almost a year now) assured me that I would like this issue. And he was right. Not only does John make a kickass appearance, but even though this was the last issue in an arc, I wasn't lost in the story. I did already warn about spoilers, right? Because I want to talk about certain scenes.

First off, right in the first three pages, we have Batman being given a Sinestro Corps ring because of his "ability to instill great fear." Very cool. But of course, the Bat knows better and resists. And with willpower worthy of a Lantern, he rejects the ring and it flies off and later presents itself to the psychopath son of Abin Sur.

Here's the thing. Batman was in Gotham at the time, Amon Sur was in the Sierra Madres. Are you telling me that there was no one within Gotham better suited to instill fear? Really?


JSA: Classified #23
Disappointing.

First off, and I don't know why, but I was expecting this issue to be Wild Cat-centric. But I like Doctor Mid-Nite, so no big deal, just not a good way to start out.

And if the next thing you see is the art, suddenly we have a problem.

You know Bizarro World? I know it sounds like I'm digressing, but stick with me for a second. You know Bizarro World? An entire planet inhabited solely by bizarros? Okay, now imagine a different world inhabited solely by Blobs. That's where this comic was drawn.

Everyone either looks like they're melting or 400-years-old. I mean, look at this:


It makes you wonder what it would look like if he had to draw someone youthful and smooth.


Oh. Oh, wow. I think I'm going to cry.

When is Wild Cat going to come and take the pain away?

Superman #657 and
Superman #658
I'm quickly becoming a fan of Kurt Busiek's. His recent run on Action Comics got me into Superman as a character and convinced me to put the title on my pull list (the Johns/Donner run made me drop it). I've also been enjoying his work on Justice Society of America and, just now, Green Lantern.

And while prophesy stories tend to be too vague and confusing to me, alternate future stories are fascinating. In these issues, some dude named Arion is telling Superman a truly depressing story about how the world goes to Hell in a hand basket because Superman et all are stupid enough fight evil. Seriously.

And what's appalling is, Arion makes sense. He says that there's a natural ebb and flow to the world. The higher civilization climbs, the further it eventually falls. And with the superhero community consistently beating back the forces of destruction, all they're really ensuring is that the eventual defeat will be devastating.

Also, it's nice to see Lex as a hero. Strange, but nice. I've always thought that the best characterization of Lex Luthor wasn't the ruthless businessman or the mad scientist, but the exceptional human driven to extremes after being eclipsed by the Man of Tomorrow. In this post-apocalyptic world, Lex gets his chance to shine, and he does. He shines like a beacon in the overcast Metropolis and fiercely protects the surviors in his charge.

It makes me anxious to save up to get those back issues of Lex Luthor: Man of Steel I've had my eye on.


Doctor Strange: The Oath #5
I've been lacking Marvel titles lately. Actually, since I started buying comics. Actually, Marvel has been lacking any titles I want to read since I started buying comics.

Doctor Strange: The Oath has given me hope that there is, in fact, Marvel books I will love if only I would take the time to look for them.

What's disappointing is that it isn't ongoing. I'm not too sad, because it ended excellently, which is all you can ask for these days.

One thing that's always freaked me out about Doctor Strange:


Fingers that would make Felix Faust break down and cry.


X-Factor #16
A solid issue with some great character growth for Jamie.

Forgive me for not going more in-depth, but this is more than I've written in the past three year, so I'm a little burnt out.

I really oughta come up with some sort of rating system, shouldn't I? Ah well, maybe Monday.


And if anyone out there is still reading, here's a little treat:


Got someone you want to nominate?
Here's something to get you started.