Wednesday Number Ones 8/29/07
Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Comic Pants. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature.
This week we will cover 52 Aftermath The Four Horsemen #1 of 6, Brit #1, Countdown To Adventure #1 of 8, Gene Simmons Dominatrix #1, Last Fantastic Four Story #1, Mice Templar #1, Punks The Summer Comics Special #1, and Teen Titans #50.
Nick Budd Read and Thought:
Teen Titans #50
Writers: Various
Artists: Various
Company: DC Comics
When you have a laundry list of outrageously talented people that is as long as my arm as this does, people such as George Perez, Marv Wolfman, Geoff Johns and Sean McKeever, the obvious end result should be something that’s monumentally exciting and extremely worth the $3.99 price tage that’s on the cover. I really wish that this was the case, that this 50th Issue Special really was something special, but it isn’t. What this book is instead, besides being Sean McKeever’s first foray into the world of the Titans and a rather large “Jam Issue”, is yet another tribute to the passing of Bart Allen. Well, it does that and at the same time as the flashbacks are being played up, a larger story is also being told that sets up the next arc of McKeever’s story. It’s all very readable but nothing about it jumps out as being great. Even the art, something that I was sure would be fantastic, falls short and much of it has a feel of being too rushed. If you’re a diehard Titans fan, then this might be something to pick up. If you’re not, I’d skip it.
Countdown to Adventure #1
Writers: Adam Beechen & Justin Gray
Artists: Eddy Barrows & Fabrizio Fiorentino
It might be worth noting that while the stories that were told in 52 were fun, not all of them obviously deserved a continuation. So, when DC first let it slip that the same trio of heroes that had teamed up in the sometimes boring “Space Odyssey” portion of 52 were getting their own miniseries, I couldn’t quite grasp why. Now that the first issue has come out, I’m still scratching my head. Let me start out by saying this: Eddy Barrows is a kick ass artist. I’d easily put him in the Dale Eaglesham category, as his renditions of the characters border on the fantastic and the sci-fi action pieces that he gets to draw all look gorgeous. Beyond the nice looking art though, Beechen’s story is sort of run of the mill and doesn’t quite grab you. There are some nice bits and pieces with Animal Man’s family and a cool little bit with Adam Strange, but the inclusion of the Countdown character Forerunner and the Monitors to the story does nothing other than make you want to scream. The book has possibilities but whether it can deliver on those possibilities is a whole other story.
Dave Farabee Read and Thought:
The Last Fantastic Four Story
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Company: Marvel Comics
I hate to say it, but it’s no surprise this was a disappointment. Stan Lee was the best of the best in his 60s heyday, but he so captured the zeitgeist of that moment that he’s never been able to move forward. Reminds me of Charles Schultz in that respect. How can you have anything but respect for their accomplishments? But that doesn’t make the last decade or two of Peanuts particularly readable, nor Stan Lee’s hypothetical ending to the Fantastic Four. The premise is a sort of warmed-over Galactus story, dragging its feet with the repetitious failures of other heroes to stop a sudden cosmic threat…right up until the FF provide a deus ex machina solution that hinges on the hoary sci-fi cliche of aliens recognizing the potential of humanity. If anything, Stan’s writing has actually regressed, such that where his comics were once truly “all ages”, I think the only readers who’d enjoy this would be the under-ten set. But it’s a bad story, likely to be a sad read for most. Stan’s writing alternates between painful attempts to be modern and painful attempts to be old-school. The one saving grace is Romita Jr.’s mostly excellent art, but even he fumbles the ball on Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Bummer. Best, I think, to remember Stan’s greatness via the many fine reprints of his classic FF stuff.
Gene Simmons’ Dominatrix
Writer: Sean Taylor
Artist: Flavio Hoffe
Company: IDW Publishing
“Dominatrix created by Gene Simmons” proclaims the inside front cover. Does that mean he invented the actual concept of the dominatrix? Or maybe that he constructed a dominatrix like some kind of Frankenstein Monster? Maybe that second thing. What better than a Frankenstein Monster analogy to explain the horrible melding of superhero comic and softcore wank book that is…Gene Simmons’ Dominatrix? One third of the book is the lead character whipping people and getting in and out of costume. One third’s her philosophizing about her job with the depth you’d expect from, oh, a Top Cow book. And one third’s a plot about one of her clients accidentally letting her in on a conspiracy that she needs superhero-making drugs to fight her way out of. Quite the monster alright. The art’s not terrible - just a sort of bleh pastiche of Adam Hughes and Kevin Maguire - but it won’t save you from being Gene Simmons’ gimp if you read this book.
Dan Grendell Read and Thought:
Punks the Summer Comics Special #1
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist: Kody Chamberlain
Company: Digital Webbing
If you’ve ever seen the British show The Young Ones, you have a basic idea of what to expect from this book. It features four anarchist teens with bizarre heads (a skull, a bulldog, a fist, and Abe Lincoln, if you can believe that), who beat the crap out of each other while ripping on Morrissey, fighting off alien invaders, and interviewing comics writer Rick Remender. If Rick Remender were a fish. Surreal is hardly the word for it, but it all adds up to a delightfully mind-bending package. Chamberlain’s artwork is a crazy photographic collage, and I can’t think of any better way to do this comic. This is a book that clearly has something to say, and that something is: don’t stick strange aliens up your ass.
52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Pat Olliffe and John Stanisci
Company: DC Comics
Well, it turns out the Four Horsemen aren’t quite so dead as we thought. They did kind of get punked by Black Adam in 52, and it turns out they just found new bodies. This issue establishes where they are and involves Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in their return, and it was a decent read, if a bit boring. Some characterizations seemed off, with Wonder Woman coming off like a bully and Batman making a cannibal joke after meeting Famine, but overall the Horsemen come across as a real threat and the story is interesting enough. I wasn’t wowed by it, but this was decent enough.
Randy Lander Read and Thought:
Brit #1
Writer: Bruce Brown
Artist: Cliff Rathburn
Company: Image Comics
Chances are, many fans of Invincible have never heard of Brit, even though he and some of his supporting cast have shown up in crowd scenes and even in bigger background roles in that title. But I think it’s safe to say, if you love Invincible, you’re going to love Brit, even though Robert Kirkman is in editor mode in this one, turning over writing to the plenty capable Bruce Brown. Operating under the authority of the same shadowy goverment organization that runs Invincible, Brit is a supertough old man who operates with his field liaison, the cyborg Donald. The two quip like a pair of borderline retired action heroes while battling dinosaurs on behalf of the San Diego zoo or fighting a midget doomsday cult about to launch a toxic missile at Japan, and yes, it’s just as fun and irreverent as that sounds. Cliff Rathburn, another longtime member of the Kirkman players, brings his A-game with art that is as clear and fun as the work Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley have done on Invincible, and the book ends with one of those almost but not quite played out shocker endings that pretty much demands you take a look at the second issue.
Mice Templar #1
Writer: Bryan Glass
Writer/Artist: Mike Avon Oeming
Company: Image Comics
Coming on the heels of Mouse Guard (even though it’s original creation precedes David Petersen’s series), Mice Templar had its work cut out for it. Even with a relatively big name creator like Mike Oeming at the helm, displaying a beautiful new evolution of his art style, could Image convince folks there was room for more than one fantasy-themed mouse comic in the market? Unfortunately, where Mice Templar fails isn’t in comparison to Mouse Guard, but in Glass and Oeming’s overly dense story, packed with too many characters and too much going on. An odd complaint, I know, but there were so many characters and so much history thrown at the reader right up-front that I felt overwhelmed to the point of not caring. The book looks beautiful, with stunning colors by Wil Quintana and lovingly detailed and rendered characters and backgrounds by Oeming. However, Oeming isn’t quite as good as Petersen at making sure the similar-looking mice are easily distinguishable as characters, and the action sequences can get a bit chaotic, which doesn’t help the “what the hell is going on?” factor begun with the character overload. Credit where credit is due, Mice Templar is put together well, attractive to look at and features a density of material that’s rare in today’s single issues, but at this early stage, it seems too sprawling and ambitious, lacking a focused narrative to keep this reader interested.
Loading ...
Question: Despite the lackluster review of Titans #50, could a new reader pick the book up? I am familiar with the Titans in general but am by no means an expert on their many iterations and attendant circuitous continuity. However, I’ve heard good things about Sean McKeever and I thought I’d dive in with this issue. How accessible is it to someone with only basic knowledge of the Titans?
Besides, I’m a sucker for oversized jam issues like this. Bang for your buck and all that.
Thanks.
29 Aug 2007 at 3:01 pm
QuoteRandy is correct. I love Invincible and I love this issue of Brit as well. Of course I am a sucker for all things Kirkman as well. Does anyone know anything about previous Bruce Brown books?
29 Aug 2007 at 3:16 pm
QuoteI’m going to go with the always fun yes and no answer for this.
Yes: This issue does give a good general rundown of the characters and hits on some of the general Titans history (Johns’ era and others previous to it).
No: It seems that McKeever is taking his cue from a storyline that happened a few trade volumes ago (Vol. 4). I’m actually excited about him taking over the Titans, as I do think McKeever is a very good writer. I hope that he makes the story a little more accessible for new readers though.
Hope this helped and didn’t instead just sound like gibberish. I can never tell myself.
29 Aug 2007 at 3:22 pm
Quote29 Aug 2007 at 3:39 pm
QuoteBonehead question here: How do I stop the delay that allows me to edit my response? If I don’t need to edit, how do I post immediately?
The answer is probably very simple, but then, so am I.
Thanks.
29 Aug 2007 at 3:44 pm
QuoteActually, and I could be wrong, I think that when you post something, it posts. The timer thing is the amount of time that you have to edit your comment.
As for the DC books:
Action Comics: Haven’t been reading this title but the issue released this week (#855) looks really good. I love Eric Powell’s art and the idea of him drawing Bizarro is too perfect.
Batman: Hated it at first. Really. Then #666 came along and since then, I’m absolutely having the time of my life. This might have something to do with the J.H. Williams art or that Morrison’s notion of Clue with superheroes just hits the right vibe.
Justice Society: Hmmm. I was on it at first, then off of it. Now, I’m sort of in the middle on it. I’ve always like Geoff John’s work on the book and the art by Dale Eaglesham is top-notch.
Justice League of America: Wasn’t that big on Meltzer’s take. Just was irritated by the molasses-like pacing. But I’m wild about McDuffie coming on board. I’m looking forward to his first issue quite a bit…Maybe more than any other DC title that’s been solicited.
29 Aug 2007 at 4:38 pm
QuoteMan, a lot of sub-par and mediocre comics out today. I probably won’t pick up anything new, maybe except Brit, and the usual stuff I get. Any thoughts on the new Bomb Queen issue? Is this series worth reading?
29 Aug 2007 at 4:48 pm
QuoteI am big on Justice Society as well. It’s not the best book ever written, but very solid issue to issue (except for the JLA crossover garbage.) McDuffie should help save JLA (although prob doom F4.)
Sluggo you should try Mahnunter. In fact everyone should try it, the 3rd trade came out today and I picked it up. Hopefully it will be as good as the first two.
You know I am not a huge crossover fan, so I understand reluctance to buy anything DC now for fear that it will be a Countdown tie in (which has been hugely dissapointing to me.). I am only mildly interested in World War Hulk right now, but it seems to me the crossover issues were handled better in the Marvel universe. Of course that’s prob because I am a huge Marvel fanboy. Am I wrong here?
How’s that for rambling? King Kong aint got nuthin on me!
29 Aug 2007 at 4:55 pm
QuoteI checked out Booster Gold #1, as I got the original series when it first came out many, many moons ago, and I enjoyed it a lot. It certainly captured who Booster is, and set up an interesting story. I’ll keep checking it out, despite the fact that I almost completely ignore non-Vertigo DC nowadays.
29 Aug 2007 at 5:36 pm
QuoteHmm, Brit sounds interesting. I’m a big Kirkman fan so I might have to check this out, I haven’t read the older stuff though, but it sounds like its pretty accessible.
I bought the first couple Teen Titans trade no too long ago, i’m not totally up to date but I still enjoyed this issue. I wasn’t crazy about the art in the “present day” sequences but i’m looking forward to McKeever’s run.
I have yet to read Mouse Guard (I did buy it though, just haven’t read it yet). So being a fantasy-mouse-book virgin I really dug it. It kinda made me nostalgic for the Redwall books which I used to LOVE as kid. Its not reinventing the wheel or anything but it’s pretty damn entertaining.
29 Aug 2007 at 9:22 pm
QuoteNo review of Action Comics? This was by far my favorite book of the week (and the 1st part in a storyline), although I have always been a sucker for Bizzaro.
30 Aug 2007 at 8:43 am
QuoteI like Eric Powell, but my interest in the Johns/Donner run died after a couple issues, and I’ve come to really dislike Bizarro, for the most part. So I didn’t actually read it. Didn’t make the cut for Wednesday Number Ones mostly because it was a busy week, and we did already review the Johns/Donner creative team when they started… albeit with a different storyline and a different artist.
30 Aug 2007 at 2:07 pm
QuoteRandy, you just highlighted something I’ve been thinking about. I’ve appreciated your reviews since the FourthRail days and Dave’s since he posted reviews on AICN. I couldn’t count all of the great books and creators you’ve introduced me to. Comic Pants is my favorite review site on the web. But since you mainly highlight first issues and trades, I was wondering why you don’t periodically check in to see how certain books are doing. You said, “we did already review the Johns/Donner creative team when they started… albeit with a different storyline and a different artist.” How long ago was that? Does that mean this current storyline will be more of the same? I’m not asking you and your team to review every book that comes out each week, but I wonder if a creative team can start getting better over the course of a run, or if a mini-series can improve after a weak first issue. Maybe it doesn’t happen that often.
30 Aug 2007 at 8:18 pm
QuoteHonestly? It’s a time issue. I have so little time to write these days, and I feel like the first issues/trades are where I can make either more long-term recommendations that take into account the beginning, middle *and* end of a story or the strong starters that might go overlooked. The “in the middle” stuff is, unfortunately, given a bit of short shrift, but I think that if you have to choose to leave something out, that’s probably it.
I think it was about a year ago, so there have been about four issues since then.
Sorry, that was just a snarky aside about late books.
It does happen. I mean, I wasn’t that crazy about Manhunter #1 (gave it an OK, but not great, review) but it’s now a book I love. The Morrison Batman stuff started out pretty weak in the eyes of most of us here at Pants HQ, but Nick loved the last three issues so much that he reviewed #666 and has a review coming up of #667-668. So I guess when there’s that much of a dramatic change, we do tend to notice.
On the other hand, I just went and reread Checkmate #1-9 in a fit of Rucka appreciation to see if it held up for me after I checked out midway through issue two. And while I certainly found it readable, it struck me as somehow weaker at the superhero genre stuff than Suicide Squad or the original Checkmate and weaker at the espionage stuff than the pure espionage (without superhero elements) of Rucka’s Queen & Country. Basically, my opinion changed slightly (from “I hate this” to “I can read this, but I have significant problems with it”) but not enough to justify much of a review.
I think the latter is more common than the former. It’s easy for someone to have an off issue, or even an off opening arc, and then get really good, but it’s much more common for an off opening arc or first issue to indicate a general disconnect from what the reader is going to want long-term.
Basically, when a book really picks up from a weak beginning or something like that, I try to mention it, at least in Top Five and if possible in a review. But in general, if I didn’t like something at first, and I don’t say anything about it, I’m either: A) Not reading it or B) Holding to my original opinion, more or less.
30 Aug 2007 at 8:37 pm
QuoteThanks for the kind words about Punks, Dan. Really good to hear you enjoyed it so much!
31 Aug 2007 at 12:06 pm
QuoteYou bet. It’s always good to come across a book that just totally takes a left turn from the standard comics tropes, but its even better to find one that is actually a blast to read too.
31 Aug 2007 at 2:43 pm
QuoteCharles Schultz?
Somebody’s been watching too much Hogan’s Heroes, I suspect.
01 Sep 2007 at 9:26 pm
QuoteThere’s an extra ‘t’ in there, but I suspect he’s referring to the creator of Peanuts, not the most lovable Nazi ever.
03 Sep 2007 at 6:15 pm
Quote