Wednesday Number Ones 7/10/08
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 BPRD: The Warning #1, Captain America: White #0, Femme Noir: Dark City Diaries #1, Final Crisis Requiem #1, I Kill Giants #1, Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods #1, Spooks Omega Team #0, and Transformers: All Hail Megatron #1.
Nick Budd Read and Thought:
Spooks Omega Team #0
Writers: Larry Hama & Ryan Schifrin
Artist: Adam Archer
Company: Devils Due Publishing
To be honest, this one was disappointing. It wasn’t that I was expecting something so awesome that it would skyrocket to be my number one pick of the week. No, that wasn’t likely. Still, what it should have been was at least a fun, action packed outing. What it is though is a predictable snapshot of a mission in the Amazon Rain Forest that goes awry when the Spook Squad is attacked by zombies. There’s action to find but it’s teamed up with a mixture of blah or groan worthy dialogue. Also, as much as I liked the first issue of the initial series, the concept behind Spooks, a G.I. Joe meets B.P.R.D., is something that gets old fast. It’s been done before and sadly, it’s been done better. Adam Archer’s art however, I found quite nice. His action, characters, and backgrounds all are above average. I especially enjoyed the temple that he created and the monsters that the team fights, as they have a feel that’s reminiscent to some of Guy Davis’ creations. Overall, this one’s mindless entertainment that happens to come with a price tag of 0.99 cents. If you’re curious at all about the book, now’s the time to give it a try. Just don’t expect perfection.
Transformers: All Hail Megatron #1
Writer: Shane McCarthy
Artist: Guido Guidi
Company: IDW Publishing
I am more than likely the biggest Transformers geek of the Panteon. The Marvel comic series was one of the first comics that I read growing up, and when IDW revamped the Transformers Universe a few years back, I was stoked. Yes, you heard me correctly, I was stoked. And then there was much rejoicing, because what was published was actually very good. So, to say that I was looking forward to this new portion of the Transformers story, a part where the bad guys have essentially already won the big battle, might be a little of an understatement. Now having read the issue, I can now say that it certainly lived up to expectations. Shane McCarthy’s story starts with a great hook, placing this series a year after Transformers Devastation, and then rolls right into some action that pits the Decepticons, and I mean all of them, versus the United States military. Some of the characters bits and appearances don’t line up exactly with the current continuity, but with the gap in the time line, things will more than likely be revealed that will explain them. Also, Guido Guidi’s art, while not as strong as E. J. Su, turns in some nice work. The likenesses are dead on and his action is dynamic and clean. All in all, the Transformers fan in me is very happy.
Dan Grendell Read and Thought:
BPRD: The Warning #1
Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Artist: Guy Davis
Company: Dark Horse Comics
At this point, I’m about out of things to say about this book. I just feel like I’m repeating myself ad nauseum now. Mignola and Arcudi write a creepy and evocative team book, Davis is one of my favorite artists and amazingly talented, Dave Stewart is one of the best colorists in the business, and so on in that fashion. This issue, Abe leads a team looking for Captain Daimio, and the rest of the squad uses a seance to contact the spirit of Lobster Johnson in hopes that he knows something about the strange man who has been appearing in Liz’s dreams. This is consistently one of the best books around, and if you haven’t checked it out, you owe it to yourself to do so.
I Kill Giants #1
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: JM Ken Niimura
Company: Image Comics
First of all, Niimura is a great artist. I very much dig his style in this book, a rounded, shadowed look that puts focus on white space. Kelly’s story here, of a lonely, misunderstood young girl who claims to kill giants, is a weird one but intriguing. It’s never clear whether Barbara really does kill giants or if that’s something she makes up as a way to strengthen herself and set herself apart from the people around her; the difference between her imagination and reality is somewhat blurred. What is clear is that she’s extremely smart, an iconoclast, and feels alone in the world. It will be interesting to see how Kelly develops this, whether it will be a character development story as I expect or something more bizarre. Either way, I’m on for the ride.
Dave Farabee Read and Thought:
Final Crisis: Requiem
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Company: DC Comics
You could be forgiven for not noticing that Martian Manhunter died in the first issue of DC’s Final Crisis. It happened out of nowhere, had no impact, had no follow-up. Well, I guess this is the storyline where we’re being exhorted to care, but it only inspired me to get pissed off. About the only thing I can sort of appreciate is that the story reveals his final battle and shows him getting in some shots on the bad guys before they off him, but it’s still such an ugly ending that it only served to remind me how much I despise DC’s bloodlust of the last few years. After J’onn’s death we get some pretty standard mourning speeches, though even those come off badly because of a shaky script from Peter Tomasi that includes some, frankly, lame melancholic humor (Green Arrow actually says, “He was my favorite Martian.”) It builds to an unsatisfying wrap that amounts to a retelling of J’onn’s history for page after page after page. It’s like the J’onn J’onnz clip show. So, yeah, a bad follow through to a bad idea . Doug Mahnke’s art looks terrific though. I’ve always thought he was good and he just continues to get better. This story didn’t deserve him.
Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods #1 of 4
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: Steve Scott
Company: Dark Horse Comics
Not as good as I’d hoped and nowhere near as good as the recent Indiana Jones Adventures, but solid enough to give it and issue or two to see how things play out. The story, which yet again pits Indy against Nazis in a race to track down various artifacts (getting a bit played out, fellas) reminded me of the older Marvel and Dark Horse Indy comics - a little overly verbose, a little too “comic booky.” There’s really just entirely too much exposition in mid action and chase sequences. The art’s a bigger draw, a classicist approach reminiscent of the guys who’ve been drawing Captain America recently - Epting, Perkins and Guice. Moderately recommended if you’re feeling an Indy Jones jones, but I’d certainly recommend Indiana Jones Adventures over it.
Randy Lander Read and Thought:
Captain America White #0
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Company: Marvel Comics
This is a teaser for the upcoming miniseries, rather than the first full issue, but it’s not filler material and marketing fluff, like so many teasers. Instead, there’s a 17-page lead story by Loeb and Sale (with Dave Stewart, as always, on colors), a ton of Cap sketches by Sale and an interview by Richard Starkings, who has previously done excellent interviews with Sale in the Tim Sale: Black and White book. In other words, as a package, this is a pretty good deal. As a story? Also pretty good. Loeb and Sale bring out the best in one another, and while the narration can sometimes veer into the sappy or self-important, it usually feels earned on these mega-icons, and a little more exploration of the Cap-Bucky story without revelations that Bucky was a death commando is kind of a refreshing, optimistic take on the character in light of the gritty, noir take on both characters in the modern Marvel Universe. Not that Loeb skimps on the drama, as there’s some nice weight to Bucky’s hero worship of Cap and earning his uniform, but it’s more like a modernization of the original stories rather than a wholly new take. That type of thing isn’t for everyone, but it’s safe to say that if you’ve liked the larger-than-life visions of the early days of Hulk, Daredevil and Spider-Man that these creators have done, you’re going to like their take on Captain America as well.
Femme Noir: The Dark City Diaries #1
Writer: Christopher Mills
Artists: Joe Staton & Horacio Ottolini
Company: APE Entertainment
There’s no shortage of noir crime in comics these days, but fun, pulpy crime books like Femme Noir are less common. Mills serves up three potential origin stories (each serving as a self-contained pulp adventure to boot) for his mysterious blonde avenger, and even if a two-gun toting, trenchcoat-wearing tough dame is not the newest concept in the book, Mills captures exactly what’s fun and alluring about this type of character. In addition, the plots run the gamut from a murder mystery, a mad scientist with a crazy device and a tale of revenge, and include all kinds of pulp archetypes, from the plucky reporter to the sultry singer to (of course) mobsters. It’s a promising setting, tone and set of characters. Even better, it features some of the best art I’ve ever seen from longtime comic book artist Joe Staton, paired with relative newbie inker Ottolini and colorist Melissa Kaercher to paint a detailed, shadowy picture that reminds me in style of Will Eisner’s work. Staton’s storytelling is less flashy and inventive than Eisner at his best, but it’s solid and strong, and his work on the backgrounds, the rain, the incidental atmosphere of “Port Nocturne” and its denizens is exceptional.
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Will there ever be a Hellboy/BRPD Omnibus? I’ve always enjoyed little dabbles into the world here and and there, but at this point I’d rather wait and drop $100 for the whole shebang in one oversized book. The series suffers a bit from “Where do newcomers begin?” syndrome. I know it doesn’t tell one long story, but people still like to read things in order.
Can’t wait for the movie, though.
10 Jul 2008 at 3:46 pm
QuoteBob: I can say that at the least the early Hellboy volumes are numbered on the spine, which is the only way I could get into the series, initially. I haven’t gotten to BPRD yet, so I don’t know about that, but at least Hellboy should be an easy enough place to get started.
(incidentally, the first volume is “Seed of Destruction.”)
10 Jul 2008 at 4:55 pm
Quote“There’s no shortage of noir crime in comics these days”
5 noir crime comics, 700 superhero comics. Still feels like a shortage to me.
10 Jul 2008 at 6:21 pm
Quote(long time reader etc)
SO so glad to hear that All Hail Megatron doesn’t dissapoint, I’ve been looking forward to it for some time - Like you Nick, the old (UK from memory in the newsagents here in Oz) TF comics were my intro to comics as a whole, and yes I may own a few of the little robot buggers as well. Particularly interested in this arc as I’m someone who’s always thought the ‘Cons are just misunderstood entrepeneuers with a keen interest in the energy market….
- And yes, I’ll be picking up the criminal trade today as well (keep fighting the good - and gritty - fight mr Bru).
By the way, to all the Pants-ers (?) thanks for features like these - Wed 1’s alone has got me into a few things I wouldn’t have otherwise read.
10 Jul 2008 at 6:52 pm
QuoteFair enough, Ed. But then, using that comparison, there’s a shortage of everything but superhero books. Which, honestly, isn’t too far off the mark.
Okay, now I’m depressed.
10 Jul 2008 at 9:15 pm
QuoteNo problem. That’s my main goal as a reviewer- to try to expose people to some books that they may otherwise have passed by.
10 Jul 2008 at 9:17 pm
QuoteI dunno about an Omnibus, but Dark Horse is releasing beautiful oversize hardcovers of Hellboy that have what amounts to two trades worth of material in them plus some extras for fifty bucks each. As for a starting place, the trades of each are numbered nowadays, so start at the beginning, and if you have an older un-numbered trade, start at Seed of Destruction for Hellboy and either Hollow Earth and other stories or Plague of Frogs for BPRD (the latter is where the ongoing story really begins).
10 Jul 2008 at 9:21 pm
QuoteI think it’d be impossible to collect all of it into an omnibus… there are a whole lot of volumes. It’s actually pretty easy to start, though, you can start with volume one of either series. And I definitely recommend them. And I’ll strongly second Dan’s recommendation of the swanky-as-hell Hellboy hardcover.
I’ll admit that it’d be easier if the earlier BPRD one-shots were out-of-sequence, like the Hellboy Weird Tales volumes, so that Volume 3 - Plague of Frogs (the first Mignola/Davis/Stewart issues) was actually volume one, but that’s a minor gripe.
BPRD shows no signs of slowing down, either. The Warning #1 is a fantastic read that follows up nicely on what’s been going before, introduces new plot elements, has a *great* use of ghostly pulp crimefighter Lobster Johnson, introduces a new villain (or maybe misunderstood ally?) and is full of creepy moments, great characterization and the usual stunning artwork by Davis and Stewart.
If Halo & Sprocket weren’t my favorite funny comic book ever, BPRD would definitely have been my top pick this week. And that’s up against two of my favorite books of the moment, Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, not to mention a slew of impressive trades.
Heh. OK, fair enough, you got me on that one.
My main goal as a reviewer is to make tons of money and impress girls.
It doesn’t? And there’s no pay, you say?
Well, crap.
10 Jul 2008 at 10:37 pm
QuoteJust wondering what are you guys thoughts on The New York Four. It’s made by the team that brought Local, so it has to be good, right?
11 Jul 2008 at 4:12 am
QuoteStart at #1 with Hellboy, you say? It’s a bizarre approach, but I may have to try it. I admit, I was hoping for an Omnibus to save a little coin, as well.
If you could only choose one would it be Hellboy or BPRD?
11 Jul 2008 at 6:47 am
QuoteThis is actually a tough question, as I love both of these series. If push came to shove though, as much as I love the character of Hellboy, BPRD would more than likely win out. The team dynamic and just the characters that Mignola has created, not to mention the rich ongoing story that easily and wonderfully gets under your skin, is what I would call, absolute perfection.
And of course, having Guy Davis as your go to guy doesn’t hurt things either.
11 Jul 2008 at 7:11 am
QuoteWell said, Ed!!
11 Jul 2008 at 7:14 am
QuoteI know this is off topic but: Why haven’t you even mentioned the passing of Michael Turner? I wasn’t a big fan of his work but his fight against cancer is truly inspiring.
11 Jul 2008 at 7:29 am
QuoteI’m guessing it’s because Comic Pants is a comic book REVIEW site, not a comics NEWS site. Take any other big piece of comics news that has been reported on all the comics sites, and chances are it hasn’t been mentioned here either. I’m sure it isn’t anything against Mr. Turner.
11 Jul 2008 at 8:24 am
QuoteNothing unusual here - we just don’t really post industry news at Comic Pants.
11 Jul 2008 at 8:25 am
QuoteLooking forward to Femme Noir. I liked the online strips. Good Solid Stuff.
11 Jul 2008 at 11:22 am
Quotei liked I Kill Giants.
11 Jul 2008 at 12:03 pm
QuoteY’know, Jay, you could help rectify this imbalance by bringing back Dodge’s Bullets. I loved that one-shot, and I’d sure love to see more.
Like Nick, I have a tough time answering this, but like Nick, I think I’d say BPRD. Love Guy Davis’s artwork, love the team vibe, love the more ongoing nature of the stories.
11 Jul 2008 at 12:08 pm
Quote700 comics? Seems a little off.
Marvel makes 100 a month, DC makes 100 a month, and that totals to 200. Marvel and DC together have the majority of the market. Diamond reports sales to 300 places every month. But there can’t possibly be 400 comics that sell below #300. A lot of those comics near the bottom of the list are reorders.
And to further qualify, there are not enough GOOD noir comics.
11 Jul 2008 at 12:18 pm
Quotei think you’re ignoring the point.
11 Jul 2008 at 12:48 pm
QuoteI think perhaps Mr. Brubaker was exaggerating just a tad. And, yes, you are missing the point.
11 Jul 2008 at 12:50 pm
QuoteThanks, man. I loved Dodge, too, but you and I are in the minority. There’s not really enough support for a sequel. A completely new crime book, though … that’s more likely.
~ Jay
11 Jul 2008 at 2:48 pm
QuoteWhat you don’t realize is that as a writer for Marvel and a former writer for DC, Ed Brubaker has access to the 500 secret comics published by each publisher each month.
Oddly enough, 300 of them are Wolverine, and 100 of them are Batman.
12 Jul 2008 at 1:47 am
QuoteI actully love Wolverine and think the problem is not that there’s too many Wolverine stories but that he’s on too many teams. He’s a nasty son of a bitch that nobody likes but a member of evrey club on earth.
Can I SAY again how badly i’d like to write Terror v Wolverine
12 Jul 2008 at 12:24 pm
QuoteI’d gladly take the 100 Batman comic books every month, on the theory that (old joke punch line):
“With all this horseshit, there must be a pony in here somewhere!”
12 Jul 2008 at 7:06 pm
Quote“…save a little coin.”
I thought I would have to time-travel back to the 1950s to hear that expression again.
13 Jul 2008 at 12:14 am
QuoteWhat little I’ve read of Shane McCarthy (a really good Detective Comics two-parter and a truly fantastic Riddler story in Legends of the Dark Knight) makes me wonder why he isn’t everywhere.
15 Jul 2008 at 6:51 am
Quote