Weekly Haul

Fri Aug 1, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Comics Reviews for July 30

Rounding up the latest issues

A pretty slow week in comics, as everyone's still gasping for breath post Comic-Con (including me, even though I stayed at home this year). Not even a dozen books worth reading this week, and I somehow missed the JSA annual. Still, some interesting stuff, with a strong DC showing.

Book of the Week: Blue Beetle #29 -- This was a really strong debut issue from Matthew Sturges, which makes it all the more unfortunate that the finished cover (not the same as the image at right) lists the writer as "Rogers," meaning the departed writer, I imagine.

There's also a bizarre bit of text added that says: "No trespassing: Violators will be Prosecuted." Except the last word is crossed out and "Persecuted" is written over it. Meaningless fluff that distracts from an attractive bit of art.

Like I said, though, the issue is good stuff aside from a few minor awkwardnesses as Sturges warms up to the series. Jaime keeps on adventuring, though he's falling into a big mess involving Intergang and smugglers.

Sturges uses that to create a nice dynamic, as Jaime is forced to take a side in the immigration debate. This is a really good jumping-on point, if you've been thinking of giving the series a try.

Runners Up:

Green Lantern #33 -- Geoff Johns keeps working his magic, digging through the unexplored patches of DC lore for this tale of Hal and Sinestro's first teamup. It's a very Obi and Anakin scenario, except if Obi was the one who turned evil.

Johns uses subtlety in examining the reasons Sinestro went mad with power, and the prophecy of the Blackest Night finally is starting to be revealed.

Thor #10 -- Not a lot to say here, just another issue that somehow makes believable the idea of Valhalla appearing over the U.S. Reality and myth mingle, and the seduction of Balder deepens. Great stuff.

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Sat Jul 26, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Comics Reviews for July 26

Rounding up the latest issues

Wait a second, reviews of actual comic book? Isn't Comic-Con going on?

Yes and yes. I made it to the comics shop a bit belated this week on account of the San Diego craziness, but apparently real comics came to real comic book stores this week, although it was an understandably small batch. That being the case, it's a somewhat truncated Weekly Haul this time around.

Book of the Week: X-Files #0 -- One of the great all-time shows is back in a big way with this week's movie and DC's one-shot comic. Reviews aren't kind to the movie, but the book (set in the show's early years and scripted by one of the creators) is top-notch.

Comic adaptations are always tricky, as the art can go too far into trying to perfectly recreate actors and the writing can fall flat. But this issue reads and looks just like a classic episode.

Scully and Mulder investigate a series of weird deaths, where victims have no signs of injury or illness. Turns out there's something playing the possession game, which puts the heroes into a fun game of chess with the invisible adversary.

It's strong throughout, but the final reveal is a doozy, making it a must-read for fans.

Runners Up:

Daredevil #109 -- This arc is (finally) all about Matt getting his life back on track, but of course he can only do so while bringing some gangsters, the FBI and the CIA down on his head. A tense read, as Matt and his crew pull themselves further into danger's path with each page.

Invincible #51 -- Lots of daddy issues surface as Mark shows Oliver the superhero ropes and they each get a new costume (in a sequence fairly ripped out of The Incredibles). A few big plot developments, but mostly this is Robert Kirkman doing the teenager-as-superhero thing better than it's been done since Ditko's Spider-Man.

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Thu Jul 17, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Comics Reviews for July 17, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

A couple disappointments and a near no-show from DC aside, this was a pretty good week in comics, especially outside of the mainstream superheroes.

Still, this week more than anything is just a little whisper, as all eyes are on San Diego for next week's Comic-Con. All the same, books came out, so on to the reviews...

Book of the Week: Mice Templar #5 -- This series started out as a fairly typical fantasy story, albeit told with mice and featuring a violent edge.

Last issue, it started becoming clear that writer Bryan J.L. Glass was veering away from the expected route of the young protagonist realizing his great destiny and triumphing over evil.

This issue, any and all signs of the archetypal fantasy narrative have been thrown clear out the door. Paradigms change in a big way for Karic, and to write anything about it would be to spoil the fun.

Mike Oeming is once again top-notch on art, and really the only question left is how many times the creative team can keep raising the bar.

Runners Up:

Captain America #40 and Ghost Rider #25 -- Marvel had two superhero winners this week, with very different very good issues. Ghost Rider starts out slow, continuing the retrospective storyline of Johnny Blaze in jail. Zadkiel's manipulations continue, and things build to a hellacious conclusion, highlighted by Blaze literally using the Bible as a weapon. Only Jason Aaron could make that work.

Cap sees the big fight between Bucky and the new impostor (the old Nomad), but the real bout to watch is that between Sharon and the Red Skull's daughter. Ed Brubaker uses his skil with pacing to tell both stories at once, using each to heighten the drama of the other. And the ending? An out-and-out punch in the stomach moment.

Omega the Unknown #10 -- The weirdest Marvel series in a good, long while finally ends, with Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple taking a bow with a nearless wordless denouement that comes straight out of David Lynch's oddball mind. It's a fitting conclusion to the series, which was enigmatic for the whole trip.

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Fri Jul 11, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Comics Reviews for July 11, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

All around, a great week for comics even in the face of a few serious missteps. And while the latest Secret Invasion was quite good, it was the monthlies that really kicked into high gear. Let's get to the reviews...

Book of the Week: Justice Society of America #17 -- This book hit a pretty serious lull in the middle of the Gog storyline, as Magog went away and Gog (an apparently benevolent god) made his presence known.

The latest issue is all about that old axiom, be careful what you wish for. Gog is on the peacepath, so to speak, and turns his focus on the members of the JSA, granting their deepest desires.

But his altruism cuts both ways. Damage gets a new face and Pieter regains his sight, while Starman becomes sane ("not a good thing") and Power Girl is transported home... wherever that is.

It's a slickly done issue by Geoff Johns, who crafts an extremely dangerous story without a whiff of a villain. This series had been needing a kick in the pants, and this issue was a big swing of a steel-toed boot.

Runers Up:

Captain Britain #3 -- Even better than Secret Invasion is this spin-off title, which has the Skrulls invading Britain as part of their global conquest. This is one jam-packed issue, with epic fight scenes, tough decisions and even a believable turn from Merlin.

The expected rebirth of Captain Britain was goose-bumps good, and my only complaint is that this Skrull battalion is all fighting and no subterfuge, as they don't utilize that huge shape-shifting advantage.

The Goon #26 -- A classic gangsters-at-war story. Think Miller's Crossing, except with monsters, zombies and filthy humor. Eric Powell maybe goes a bit too far in places, but all in all it's a damn fine issue, and his art is brilliant as ever.

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Thu Jul 3, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Comics Reviews for July 3, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Things looked dour headed into the comics shop this week, but several books came out of left field and left me impressed. Rare that happens anymore when books get chewed over ad nauseum before they even hit shelves.

So let's celebrate this special little week, when the comics followed in the tradition of the grand U.S. of A. and liberated themselves from suckiness.

Book of the Week: Joker's Asylum #1 -- When it comes to the Joker, there are a few staple stories. And probably the most generic is Joker taking over a giant game show and threatening the kidnapped contestants with death.

So when this book -- which comes across like a clear cash-in on the upcoming Dark Knight film -- started off with that premise, I could only think, "Not again." That obvious bent is all set up, though, and writer Arvid Nelson swings the story in a direction that's not only surprising, it's also genuinely subversive.

The Joker's target is the "innocent," just not the contestants. He spares them (despite their idiocy), instead taking aim at a malevolent producer and the audience at home.

For anyone who bemoans the fact that thoughtful quiz shows are being swiftly pushed out of prominence by the like of Deal or No Deal, this is a story you'll love. Alex Sanchez also offers a very new art style that's scrawling but effective.

And the climactic line is a doozy: "Who's the real sicko, America?" Indeed.

Runners-Up:

High Rollers #1 and Station #1 -- Two new series from Boom! Studios, and both really shine. Station is a horror story set on an international space station, but at least so far there are no monsters or science fiction. The sizzle is all of the interpersonal type, as regional differences burn like a solar flare and one astronaut ends up killed.

High Rollers, from mystery writer Gary Phillips, is a Sopranos-like look at the rise of an L.A. crime lord. While the art in the first issue is too clean for the source material, Phillips keeps the story humming along as his antihero CQ starts to see the ugly side of a life in crime.

Astonishing X-Men #25 -- After the disappointing dragging-on-forever conclusion to Joss Whedon's run, I was all set to give up on this book, especially after learning it would be part of the listless X-Men's current continuity. Then I started reading it. Credit Warren Ellis with taking this book back to the characters, focusing skillfully on their relationships and putting together a great comic, even though nothing much really happens.

I'm still not sure about Simone Bianchi's take on the art, though I love how experimental he's being with design. And if the words, "Chaparanga, where alien spaceships go to die," doesn't make you excited for next issue, I don't think we can be friends.

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Thu Jun 26, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for June 26, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Just for the fun of it, here's one last story from Heroes Con (which I reported on extensively here and here). Nobody's mentioned this, but simultaneous to the comics convention was another big event titled "Dub," basically a con for tricked out cars. One of the funniest things I've ever seen was a group of P. Diddy look-alikes gaping as a Heroes attendee strolled past in full manga gear (don't know which character) and did a spinning kick/sword swipe right in front of them. I'm still amazed the weekend ended peacefully.

That aside, let's turn to the week in comics, which was huge. HUGE. DC trotted out Final Crisis #2, and Marvel counter-punched with an incredible 30-plus issues. Once the smoke cleared, Marvel stood up strong, dominating another go 'round. And DC's bad month just got worse.

Book of the Week: The Immortal Iron Fist #16 -- This is a packed book, starting out with the wind down from the epic battle that just took place in the Seven Cities of Heaven. Danny Rand is a changed man, dismantling his corporation and doing whatever he can to help the world.

You can see the influence of Orson Randall, and it's nice to see his presence linger on after his death. Danny's transitioning into a more mature character, asking the big questions. It's the natural result of the recent ground-shaking, and Matt Fraction's a smart man for taking things in that direction.

There are lots of extremely well written little personal moments in this issue, between Danny and Misty, Jeryn, Luke Cage and a swarm of pint-sized karate students. But before things get too heart-warming, Fractioin ends with a game-changing reveal that's shocking in part because of how well it's set up, in part through brilliant page layouts.

The only question is how well the book will hold up once Fraction moves on.

The Runners Up:

Captain America #39 -- There's lots to see in this issue, as per usual with Ed Brubaker, but the main draw is the fight between Bucky and the former Nomad, both of whom are essentially masquerading as Captain America. Think about that: A revived Bucky with a robotic arm fighting against Nomad.

That sounds like something straight out of the dreadful muck of the '90s, yet Brubaker pulls it off with ease, crafting another tense and dramatic issue with plenty of action. There's also the continued subtle developments of Red Skull's agenda, a nice moment for Sharon Carter and a quality fill-in artist for Steve Epting.

Daredevil #108 -- We've finally seemed to pass the "Matt Murdock's life can't get any worse" stage that had dragged on for several years. He's still miserable (and he gets his butt kicked), but he has quite the interesting case to dive into and appears to be responding well to the mental challenge (even if he does resort to  fisticuffs at one point). Also, Dakota North is quickly becoming a favorite character.

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Thu Jun 19, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for June 19, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Let's get this out of the way up front: Not a great week for comics. A few good eggs, but a whole lot of blah hit the shelves this week. So it goes.

In other news, I'll be in Charlotte at Heroes Con this weekend, so if you make it there, give me a shout. Or, if you're the creator of one of the books I just called "blah," you can punch me in the face.

Book of the Week: RASL #2 -- As usual, the only complaint with Jeff Smith is that he and deadlines are like oil and fire. And yes, oil and fire is worse than oil and water. Trust me.

This issue was supposed to come out last month, but it's here now and it's a dandy of an issue. I'm a fan of Bone and Shazam!, but without pause I'd call RASL his best work yet.

The dimension-hopping lead's troubles continue as he learns an organization of some sort has caught onto his little exploits and is in hot pursuit. Smith throws in a lot of sci fi, but with his unwavering command of the medium he never lets the story out of noir territory.

This is the most serious and adult story Smith has done, which is certainly of note, but I find more interesting his experimentations with story structure. He's pushing himself to new levels, and we get to enjoy the ride (stop-and-go as it is).

Runner Up:

X-Factor #32 -- This issue doesn't have that usual snap-crackle-and-pop of Peter David's dialogues and monologues, but that's by design as we see the fallout of Arcade's near-complete destruction of Mutant Town.

It's one big exhalation of an issue, with Madrox crumbling mentally (as ever) and the team rallying (sort of). David uses the moment to make a big paradigm shift with the team and the series, set up brilliantly with a series of reverses involving government stooge Val Cooper.

Really, though, the big draw is David's intro update on his family. Those always kill me. Someone pay him to write a third person memoir, please!

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Thu Jun 12, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for June 12, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

An odd blend of comics this week, with four new series, a couple of landmark issues (Invincible hit 50 and The Goon hit 25) and Geoff Johns making sure we remember why he's THE MAN when it comes to superhero comics. On that note...

Book of the Week: Action Comics #866 -- As in Green Lantern, Johns mines DC's history for revelations that make big waves for today's heroes. This issue marks the start of his Brainiac storyline, which begins with Braniac's shockingly brutal theft of Kandar from Krypton.

That campy relic of Superman's Silver Age becomes a tense and believable moment even before Johns uses it to lay out a mystery in the present (a Brainiac robot steals a sample of Superman's blood while the main Brainiac seems imprisoned in his own ship). Check out the ComicMix interview with Johns about the story.

It's that rare first issue of a storyline that delicately lets readers know something big is in the works without ramming that point down anyone's throat. It's epic but never self important.

As if that wasn't enough, there's the best Daily Planet sequence in a Superman comic in years, highlighted by this exchange about the newly returned Cat Grant. Lois: "I bet she has TMZ tattooed on her butt." Clark (lifting his glasses): "I don't see it... Kidding."

Runners Up:

The Goon #25 -- The return of Lazlo has the Goon thinking about turning tail, which shows just how lousy Eric Powell has made things for his scar-faced protagonist. It's not as funny as your typical Goon tale, but that's a good thing. And the end speaks for itself: "The war starts now!"

Powell's art is in its finest, breathtaking form in this issue, from action sequences to emotional lulls. With his smooth designs and slight exaggerations, Powell is something of a modern Norman Rockwell who likes to draw demons being chopped up with cleavers instead of idyllic slices of life.

Captain Britain and MI 13 #2 -- This series is essentially an answer to the question: What would Secret Invasion be like if Neil Gaiman wrote it? The British heroes continue to struggle to protect their homeland's stores of magic from the invading Skrulls, which is complicated by old disagreements in the magical world and, of course, the apparent death of Captain Britain.

Even more than that other Skrull series, this book is capturing the "fate of the world in the balance" vibe, and it creates an interesting dichotomy between the surgically precise Skrull invasion and the unpredictable world of magic.

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Thu Jun 5, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for June 5, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Quite a top-notch week in comics, all in all. We had another Secret Invasion entry and the debut of DC's Trinity (I'll be doing separate weekly reviews of that one), as well as strong outings from other series.

There seemed to be a viral outbreak of silliness, though, as a handful of comics pushed the goofy too far and suffered for it. Only a couple of outright stink bombs, which are helping me kick off a new section for these reviews: The Dregs. Now, the reviews...

Book of the Week: Secret Invasion #3 -- First, let me say there continue to be some serious problems with Skrullapalooza '08. The series is not even remotely self contained, so any casual fan is probably going to be quite lost, there are a few too many unclear moments (lost either in script or art), and the Skrull invasion force still looks like they were designed by Toys R' Us.

That out of the way, this issue merits top billing for a few big reasons.

First, the story actually moves ahead after stagnating in the Savage Land. Second, there are some huh-yuge fights, and Leinil Yu takes a bellows and pumps them full of hot air. Third...

We need a big SPOILER WARNING for this. Third, we learn the biggest reveal in modern comics memory, that this colossal, inconsistent prick of Tony Stark who has embroiled the Marvel Universe isn't really Tony Stark. Gasp. He's a Skrull.

Runners Up:

Abe Sapien: The Drowning #5 -- This series ends with a graceful if unsatisfying issue, filled with more sparsely worded craziness (giant flying eel?!?) and Abe continuing to wonder how he stacks up. "You aren't Hellboy and you never will be," he tells himself. But, like Hellboy, he learns the crucial lesson that guns usually don't stop supernatural forces.

The shining light of this series is artist Jason Alexander, who lends everything a perfect ephemeral, abstract air. The good news is he's going to be doing more BPRD work.

Omega the Unknown #9 -- Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple's bizarre cerebral odyssey is nearly at an end, and this penultimate issue brings the Omega and robot forces to a head in a big way, with the world at stake. Still, things are never too heavy, and despite a dramatic death it ends up being the most rambunctious issue yet.

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Fri May 30, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 30, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

First things first, a rant. This was a banner week for comics (and don't those always fall after a holiday, postponing releases 'til Thursday?), but I have a pretty substantial bone to pick. This week's comics were rife with price-gouging from both DC and Marvel, with pointless cost hikes on several issues. The only semi-understandable $3.99 tag came with Final Crisis, which I reviewed on its own right here.

Now, rant aside, the reviews...

Book of the Week: Northlanders #6 #6 -- Brian Wood's series of Scandinavian mayhem has been hit and miss, but this issue's on target like a broadsword to the brain. Sven continues to kill as many of Gorm's allies as he can, brought to life with gloriously gory art.

But the key to this issue is how it's gradually pulling Sven away from his mindless pursuit of revenge, even if it happens with a way too convenient to plot development.

It's the story of a leader's birth, but instead of being told through the rosy view of history and legend, it's an ugly, bitter and brutal story. It could yet turn into a truly great series, as long as it doesn't stray too far into the trite territory of Braveheart.

Runners Up:

Thor #9 -- J. Michael Straczynski is doing so many things right in this book that it's impossible to single any one of them out as central to the series' success. Moving the plot in a new direction, he has Loki playing the Asgardian angles for the umpteenth time, only it's so sly and written so well that it feels completely fresh, and not just because Loki's now a woman.

The best moments come from the odd and awkward interactions between the Asgardians and the real world, which is now their world: an awkward love connection between god and mortal and the priceless image of two gods stuck in a small town jail after they had a too-public rumble with some monsters.

Green Lantern #31 -- The origin of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern continues, and it's the same balance of good and bad. On the one hand, Geoff Johns is covering ground that's been covered too many times already, with Jordan getting his ring and starting training on Oa.

As boring as those moments are, the hidden part of the origin, the shadowy "Darkest Night" prophecy, continues to be endlessly interesting. It draws in so many unexplored pieces of Jordan's and Sinestro's backgrounds that it's a shame Johns decides to waste time on the known aspects.

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Fri May 23, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 23, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Kudos to Marvel, who blew the pants off the competition in this week's batch of issues, with an unprecedented four books being so good I have to list them all as tied for the top spot. And, surprise surprise, none of them were Skrullapalooza '08 tie-ins.

Superheroes aside, a good mix of indies came out as well, making for a well rounded week that I'll count as an early birthday present to yours truly.

Book(s) of the Week -- While these four Marvel books are all essentially equals, the pole position goes to Black Panther #36. Now, I've long been something of a Reggie Hudlin hater, but he packs so much story into this issue without making it feel overloaded that it reads like a pre-Bendis Era comic. Killmonger - who makes a surprisingly good villain - rallies a destitute African nation around him in a way that truly captures the continent's actual unrest. Meanwhile, we finally see the Storm-BP marriage addressed in a believable way, some intense fighting and the line of the week: "He's already the Mole Man! What more could we do to him?"

Over in Ghost Rider #23, Jason Aaron follows last issue's big buildup with a huge explosion (literally), and a storyline that perfectly depicts just how tortured Johnny Blaze really is. The art, by Roland Boschi, continues to shine, all scratchy and intense.

Captain America #38 makes the cut as another flawless entry from Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, with special credit for an entirely plausible and non-Skrullish explanation to the mysterious Steve Rogers that Sharon found last go-round. Meanwhile, Bucky continues to gain his sea legs as the new Cap and the Red Skull's plans meet political reality.

Lastly but not leastly, Peter David wraps up his Arcade storyline in X-Factor #31, which pulls readers deeply into the looming destruction of Mutanttown with the little emotional moments David is so good at. He also lets Arcade continue to be a relentlessly entertaining villain and makes this team of non-heroes truly heroic.

The Runners Up:

Scalped #17 -- I've always been on the fence about this series, which has gone back and forth between too action-heavy and too slow. This issue strikes a solid balance as the community buries Dash's mother and he finally lets himself mourn.

Robin #174 -- The best from DC this week, as Robin and Batman figure out the identity of the new hero muddying Gotham's waters. I won't spoil it here, but it's a true surprise that doesn't seem TOO contrived. The real highlight is the realistic way Chuck Dixon captures everyone's emotional response to the big news.

Continue reading The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 23, 2008 ›

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Fri May 16, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for April 3, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Let's be honest: It was a forgettable week for comics. Both Marvel and DC are still trying to get their summer events off the ground, and the rest of their books seem to be treading water. And while a few decent indies hit the shelves this week, none were exceptional.

So, if that's not enough to get you excited for a big batch of reviews, I don't know what is.

Book of the Week: BPRD 1946 #5 -- For a series that started out with three and a half low-key books, BPRD 1946 goes out with a frenetic climax, as Bruttenholm and pals do their darndest to prevent a payload of monsters from being launched into America.

There are also monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys, all captured in crazed fashion by artist Paul Azaceta (read my interview with Paul right here).

This book continues to work well as narrative backfill, showing the Bruttenholm's transition from fighting Nazis to raising Hellboy. While there are allusions to events to come, the story never obsesses with self reference, as it's too busy having fun. Sample dialogue from the villain: "You're in over your head, stranger! You and your popgun army!"

Lots of credit to Mike Mignola and co-writer Joshua Dysart for pumping out yet another Hellboy property while keeping the quality sky-high. (You can also read my interview with Dysart right here.)

Runner Up:

DMZ #31 -- This series seems to have finally pulled itself out of a long dry spell of one-and-done books that strayed too far from the central narrative. We're back to Matty in his role of journalist/angry-young-dude, as he covers the campaign of Parco, a mix of Hugo Chavez and Barack Obama who's trying to jostle the system. As expected, the system doesn't like being jostled.

When this series is clicking, Brian Wood does a beautiful job of paralleling real events and politics without straining. The DMZ story works all by itself, but it still offers commentary on things like the current election season and Iraq.

Continue reading The Weekly Haul: Reviews for April 3, 2008 ›

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Thu May 8, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 8, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

Simply put, a huge week in comics, with a full load of books even before we get into Skrullapalooza 2008. Though a few decent indies came out, superheroes dominated the shelves, and Marvel's superheroes especially, including a couple of big debuts.

Book of the Week: Nova #13 -- A comic has to be pretty dang good to overcome a cover like the one at right, which seems to show Nova and Silver Surfer en flagrante as Galactus serves as an interstellar peeping tom.

Despite that, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's space book shows no Annihilation hangover, keeping the pedal all the way to the floor. Back to trying to serve as a cop of the cosmos, Nova responds to a world being destroyed by Galactus. In a great catch, Nova realizes the world is already doomed, so he focuses instead on the rescue mission (with nice allusions to FEMA and Hurricane Katrina).

As if that wasn't enough, the writing crew throws in the complicating villain Harrow, a malevolent and vague force that feeds off suffering -- a clever parallel to Galactus' appetite.

No kidding, this is one of the best superhero comics right now, and easily the most enjoyable space story in recent years.

Runners Up:

The Boys #18 -- The comic known for its raunchiness is as bellicose as ever, with a constant peppering of cursing that almost makes Deadwood seem prim and proper. While that's what the series has come to be known for, this issue surprises in how well it captures interactions among the characters in low-key ways.

Of course, there's also a lengthy scene of a floating corpse peeing all over...

The All-New Atom #23 -- Escalating craziness is the proper description for this series. Ryan is now in some sort of alternate universe, where his friends (thought to have been eaten by last issue's monster) are fending off bizarre monsters. A classic bad-to-worse issue, with lively art from Pat Olliffe and another great cliffhanger ending.

Continue reading The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 8, 2008 ›

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Thu May 1, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 1, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

War is the topic du jour in comics this week, with battles breaking out or warming up in darn near every issue. But instead of mindless battling, most of this week's comics gave a deeper look into the costs and reality of violence. A reflection of our times, perhaps?

Book of the Week: DC Universe #0 -- A very good issue, though not on par with Countdown to Infinite Crisis, which was a more lucid preamble to a big event. But that's to be expected with Grant Morrison, who sets up Final Crisis with a series of vignettes that introduce the personal hell in store for many heroes.

The narration -- leading to a very well done reveal that I won't spoil -- is appropriately vague and ominous, letting us know that storm clouds are brewing (though without falling into such cliché). The issue appropriately establishes the seriousness of the war on the horizon, though the elements of that war remain opaque.

While DC still has a lot to make up for after the painful Countdown, this issue goes a long way toward that end, not so much picking up from Countdown #1 as hitting "reset" on it.

The best scene is that with Batman and Joker, a meeting that starts out almost exactly like all of their interactions at Arkham, then twists in a new, foreboding direction. The layouts, which are extremely creative if not consistent, offer another highlight.

In the long run, though, this issue is only as good as the event that follows it.

Runners Up:

Elephantmen: War Toys #3 -- In what could be just an excuse to draw some cool human-animal hybrids fighting with big guns, this series has offered a very solemn look at war. The Elephantmen are next-gen Hessians in a war between humans, and their animal instincts lead to atrocities.

It's a gruesome reflection on how people wage war, that in battle humans become as ferocious and bloodthirsty as animals. A female guerilla soldier opposing the Elephantmen, Yvette, serves as the point of reason in this tragedy, her life in exchange for the animals gaining some humanity.

New Avengers #40 -- The latest Skrullapalooza prequel that actually came out after Secret Invasion #1is a very worthwhile read, and manages to overcome its tardiness. In Mighty Avengers #12 and now this, Brian Michael Bendis has illuminated some of the anciliary issues to the big war between Skrulls and Earth, with this issue focusing on the Skrulls.

Giving motivation to villains is key to making a great comics event, and the plight of the Skrulls becomes very relatable, as does their turn toward religious extremism and their hatred of earth's heroes. He loves you indeed.

Continue reading The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 1, 2008 ›

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Thu Apr 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for April 24, 2008

Rounding up the latest comics issues

This week in comics was all over the map, a schizophrenic jumble of thrills, idiocy, fun and pulp. The good books were great, and the bad ones were terrible. At the very least, it was entertaining from start to finish.

Book of the Week: The Mice Templar #4 -- After the third issue of this series came out a couple months back, I wrote that while it was a good read, I was still waiting for the story to diverge from the rote fantasy plot. Writer Bryan J.L. Glass sent me a note saying just wait for issue #4, when things take a big turn.

Sure enough, the latest issue marks the point when The Mice Templar went from good to great. This isn't just a fantasy tale featuring mice, it's an intricately detailed epic and one of the best stories on comics shelves today.

In issue #4, Karic and Pilot continue their journey, with Karic showing both his potential as a great Templar and his youthful uncertainty. As they go along, Glass draws readers deeper into the massive mythos he has created, a back story that is mysterious but not confused. The issue ends with a too-good-to-spoil moment of "nothing will ever be the same." My only complaint is having to wait two months for the next issue.

Lastly, Mike Oeming's art on this series improves with every issue, and it started out strong. He manages to make scenes of fighting mice into tense, dramatic moments, and his watercolor work in the concluding pages expands on the perceptions of what comic book art can be.

The Runners Up:

The Mighty Avengers #12 -- Those of us who bailed out on the end of the horrifically delayed Secret War finally have an answer to the question of "Where the hell did Nick Fury go?" In this potboiler of an issue, Brian Michael Bendis diverges from the boring Mighty team to trace Fury's movements while in exile, starting with the one-eyed wonder finding out about the Skrull infiltration.

From there, a paranoid Fury pushes forward as covertly as possible, investigating anyone and everyone to determine who the Skrulls are. The issue ends with an exhausted and uncertain Fury standing before a wall of photos of heroes, some marked as Skrulls. The issue follows in tone the great Gene Hackman thriller The Conversation, and is perhaps the best Secret Invasion lead-in yet.

Fall of Cthulhu #11 -- This Lovecraftian tale from BOOM! Studios has been up and down over the first storylines, but the latest (The Gray Man) starts off like a perfect blend of Lovecraft's stories and an old issue from EC Comics. A mysterious girl -- you know trouble's brewing when her nickname is Lucifer -- is pulled into a sheriff's office, and the authorities struggle to figure out how she's connected to all the recent trouble in Arkham.

Michael Alan Nelson's script work because he perfectly sets up the sheriff and his deputies in the role of the unknowing everymen who've stumbled into some ugliness far beyond their comprehension. This is a genuinely creepy book.

Continue reading The Weekly Haul: Reviews for April 24, 2008 ›

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