Trade Paperback Reviews - Mike Tells It Straight - Comic Books

The Programme Vol. 2 Trade Paperback Review

2012-05-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

The Programme Vol. 2
DC Comics - Wildstorm
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$17.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781401219987

Contributors: Peter Milligan, CP Smith, and Pat Brosseau

Reprints: The Programme #7-12 (of 12)

Synopsis: A group of Soviet superhumans awaken in the modern day to wreak havoc upon the world. They were derived from failed US experiments thirty years earlier. The CIA attempts to coerce their sleeper superman into fighting the Cold War monsters, but a rogue scientist altered his programming toward liberal tendencies and he mistrusts the government.

Your Soviet superheroes

The Soviet super killers descend upon Las Vegas, the bastion of capitalism, like locusts and destroy everything in sight. Growing more desperate the government reawakens Senator Joe, a black superhuman brainwashed to believe he is Senator Joe McCarthy, the extreme anti-communist.

Somehow he is able to convince Max to fight against the Soviets, but they are overwhelmed in battle due to a lack of conviction. Meanwhile a race war is brewing in the southern US as unease over the Talibstan events back at home spiral out of control. Senator Joe is roughly awakened from his programming and defects.

Now Max is the only hope of the US against the resurrected Cold War superhumans. He lacks sufficient belief in his cause to be truly effective and the CIA attempts a last ditch ploy to revert his programming back to unquestioning loyalty. Can they repress his morality and force him to do their bidding? Failure means the death of capitalism and society as we know it. What about the corrupt CIA operatives angling for a coup to seize control of the US in the wake of destruction?

Pros: Complex plot with many twists and turns, mature/interesting superhuman concept, dark storyline, decent ending

Cons: The race war seemed forced and a bit implausible, art is too murky and dark

Mike Tells It Straight: Milligan finishes his deconstructed superhero epic The Programme. The finale was suitably grand with a fair amount of plot twists and comeuppances. Race war section felt forced and art (now with CP Smith doing colors too) became even less coherent/murky - detracted from the experience. Maybe if Smith were inked by someone else it would have worked better.

I felt the story was entertaining, but lacked any true addition to the core concepts. Milligan just polishes and puts his own spin on them. Good if you like conspiracy theories and slightly more realistic superhuman battles. Okay effort and a lukewarm recommendation.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Programme Vol. 1 Trade Paperback Review

2012-05-22T21:17:00.004-07:00

The Programme Vol. 1
DC Comics - Wildstorm
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$17.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781401218157

Contributors: Peter Milligan, CP Smith, Jonny Rench, Pat Brosseau, and variant cover to #1 by Ethan Van Sciver

Reprints: The Programme #1-6 (of 12)

Synopsis: American soldiers acquire several German scientists at the end of World War II along with an embryonic, prototype superbeing. They covertly develop a superhuman program during the Cold War, but something goes wrong. One of the young scientists on the project rebels and alters the right wing mental conditioning being artificially induced upon the superman. He writes in broader liberal thought patterns and ruins the project.

The "Talibstan Terror" wreaks havoc
on US military forces

Thirty years later a monstrously powerful superbeing begins wreaking havoc in Talibstan. Nothing the US military throws at the creature can stop it. The being wears a soldier outfit from the former USSR. It is revealed the Soviets managed to steal information on the superhuman project from the US and built their own arsenal of monsters. The creatures have awakened, but the world has changed. They seek out their creator in a Siberian prison camp.

Now the US has no alternative except bringing their failed superman back online. Max is an over-the-hill bar owner who only cares about tending bar and screwing his girlfriend. One day some government spooks show up and bring him in for questioning. They tell him he's got powers and is the only one who can stop the monster in Talibstan. Yeah, right. He's not buying it and doesn't want anything to do with the lying government.

In order to bring Max around the government unleashes their other failed superhuman - a black man who thinks he's Senator Joe McCarthy, the fanatical anti-communist! The Soviet superhumans make a splash in the US - right on the strip in Las Vegas and start destroying everything in sight. Will Senator Joe knock some sense into Max in time to save the day? Don't bet on it.

Pros: Dark storyline, mature/interesting superhuman concept, lots of twists and turns

Cons: Art is hard to decipher - too dark and shaded, Max is kind of a loser superman

Mike Tells It Straight: I'm a sucker for a good deconstructed superhuman story and The Programme seemed like the perfect way to satisfy that hunger. The setup was pretty standard with Nazi scientists taken in by the US military to perfect their superhuman experiments. We have a group of Soviet superhumans released and running amok in today's political climate (although I don't know why Milligan didn't just use Afghanistan instead of fabricating Talibstan).

Seemed like a good setup, but the art is too murky and the plot doesn't seem fresh. Milligan is a great writer and he does a very good job with this book - polishing up the standard liberalism ruining the fascist superhuman plot. I hope the second and final volume gives us a worthwhile ending.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

100 Bullets Vol. 3 Hang Up on the Hang Low Trade Paperback Review

2012-05-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

100 Bullets Vol. 3 - Hang Up on the Hang Low

DC Comics - Vertigo

Softcover Trade Paperback

128 pages

$14.99 (2001)

ISBN 9781563898556

Contributors: Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Clem Robins, Trish Mulvihill, Digital Chameleon, and covers by Dave Johnson

Reprints: 100 Bullets #15-19

Synopsis: Loop is a wannabe gangsta always getting into trouble. His father skipped out on his mom when he was a baby and Loop never knew him. One night Agent Graves shows up and gives Loop a briefcase containing one untraceable gun, 100 untraceable bullets, information on his father, and the guarantee he will not be prosecuted by the law.

Naturally Loop looks up his deadbeat dad and puts the gun in his face. Well, Curtis Hughes ain't no pushover. He's a mob enforcer with a mysterious past connected to Graves. That can't be good for Loop who gets his ass handed to him by his old man.

The two strike up a tentative relationship as Curtis brings Loop along on his jobs to teach him how to make it as a gangster. Loop is a hot-blooded youngster quick to draw his gun and his old man teaches him to even his temper.

Just as the pair are finally beginning to reconcile events take a nasty turn. A routine job goes sideways leaving Curtis to choose between his newly established bond with his son and the loyalty for his mob boss. Will he choose blood or self-preservation? You just know there won't be a happy ending.

Pros: One single storyline in this volume, Risso's art continues to be top notch - feels kinetic and urban, Azzarello's plot and writing are near perfect - the gangsta talk actually sounds okay, Johnson's covers continue to be solid, this story won an Eisner award in 2001 for Best Serialized Story - now that's impressive!

Cons: Somewhat unrealistic in several parts (but reminded me of a good pulp action flick), readers need to be familiar with previous volumes to understand the full story (although somewhat standalone)

Mike Tells It Straight: This series keeps getting better with each successive collection. It really helped to have one single coherent story in this volume and an Eisner award winner to boot. Azzarello and Risso craft a gut-wrenching crime noir tale within the conspiracy theory of Agent Graves' briefcase test.

This book can almost be read standalone, but new readers will only get about 90% of the story - continuing readers with the first two volumes under their belts will be treated to a nice layering of converging sub-plots. A lot of skill went into this story by both creators.

The characters are basically urban crime caricatures (this is comics after all and caricatures are essential in a visual medium), but you can instantly identify with them and Azzarello builds from there. I really disliked Loop's character at first, but by the end of the book he made a complete turnaround (kind of like Dizzy Cordova from the first volume). If you read the first two volumes and were on the fence then this storyline will pull you back in.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor Trade Paperback Review

2012-05-17T22:53:00.001-07:00

Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor
DC Comics - Wildstorm
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$19.99 (2009)
ISBN 9781401222079

Contributors: Mike Costa, Fiona Staples, Rob Leigh, and covers by Cully Hamner

Reprints: Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor #1-6 (of 6)

Synopsis: Jack Hawksmoor was human once. It was before he was abducted into the future and had his insides rebuilt in order to commune with the cities. See, in the future, Earth is one big city from horizon to horizon and the cities have a life of their own. The future people who altered Jack knew one of their cities would go rogue one day and try to destroy the past. They wanted to stop it and created an ultimate weapon - a being who draws strength from the cities, could absorb nourishment from pollution, no longer needed to sleep, could shape the cities' very surfaces to their will, and was so connected to the cities that they would die outside of urban environments.

Jack in the City by the Bay

Jack Hawksmoor was human once, but now he serves the cities - as protector, as savior. Jack hates San Francisco. His life was forever altered in the Bay Area, but Jack is drawn back to the scene of tragedy again and again. He searches for some sign to make sense of his hurt past. It never comes, but he always returns.

On this trip he stops a giant robot from Sliding Albion from destroying the Golden Gate bridge. Easy enough for a god of the cities. Then a strange thing happens - he encounters a dead space inside the city where a murder happened. Investigating further he encounters a beautiful woman who washed out of Stormwatch.

They investigate the murder and run into strange men with the power to stop Jack from communing with the city. The men know of his past and have a clandestine mission. They are from the future! Jack must solve the mystery of his origin while courting love or disaster.

Pros: Decent art by Staples, okay covers by Hamner, we get Hawksmoor's origin

Cons: Dialogue is atrocious - people from the future should speak differently than us, plot is weak, art is so-so

Costa gives us awesome dialogue like this

Mike Tells It Straight: Gone are the glory days of The Authority when Warren Ellis introduced us to the next generation of comics in ultra-violent, widescreen format. Long since the time of Ellis and his successor Mark Millar (who authored Jenny Sparks: Secret History of the Authority) we are left with an unknown (at least to me) writer's attempt at Jack Hawksmoor's origin.

It's a meager effort and the plot doesn't mesh in a coherent manner. The future people who altered Jack to become a god of the cities are revealed to be complete idiots. I had high expectations for this story after being a Stormwatch and Authority fan while those two books were in their prime.

This book is a far cry from Jenny Sparks' origin and leaves a lot to be desired. If you're an Authority completist then pick up the book, otherwise it doesn't add much to Hawksmoor's or the team's history.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Booster Gold Vol. 2 Blue and Gold Hardcover Review

2012-05-11T22:49:00.002-07:00

Booster Gold Vol. 2 - Blue and Gold
DC Comics
Hardcover
160 pages
$24.99 (2008)
$14.99 (2009) TPB
ISBN 9781401219567

Contributors: Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Hi-Fi, and Randy Gentile

Reprints: Booster Gold #0, 7-10, and #1,000,000

Synopsis: Booster Gold was a self-centered superhero in the 21st century who originally time-traveled from the 25th century with future-tech to gain fame and fortune after being a loser in his own time. After the events of 52 he became the greatest hero you've never heard of! He now protects the timestream with Rip Hunter, Time Master!

OMAC plays with it's food

Booster has abused his time-travelling privileges in order to save his best friend, Ted Kord aka the Blue Beetle, from death at the hands of Maxwell Lord prior to the happenings of Infinite Crisis. Rip Hunter tried to teach Booster the impossibility of changing the past, but the bond of friendship mixed with tragedy proved too strong to resist.

Time goes haywire and events shift with Blue Beetle's escape from oblivion - Maxwell Lord is not stopped by Wonder Woman before unleashing his O.M.A.C. (Observational Metahuman Activity Construct) army against all metahumans in the world. Heroes and villains alike are killed, the Justice League falls, and it's up to the old team of Blue and Gold to save the day!

We get a retelling of Booster's origin before the two adventurers attempt to stop Maxwell Lord. Things don't go as planned as Max has enslaved Superman with his psychic powers. How can they possibly stop Big Blue? Maxwell Lord is just the tip of the iceberg as the true villains show themselves - the Time Stealers!

They include Booster's estranged father - Supernova!? What terrible secret does he hold (in his ear) and can Ted Kord possibly live with himself at the price of so many other heroes?

Pros: Rapmund's finished art over Jurgens is decent, great colors (probably the best thing about this book are the bright colors), nostalgia for Justice League International days, lively plot, great use of past storylines like Zero Hour and DC One Million, their friendship is touching (yet very ambiguously gay duo)

Okay, so it's not Maxwell Lord

Cons: Jurgens art remains blocky and weak, story continues to jump around (hey, it's time travel), Dan Katz, dialogue is bland/hokey

Mike Tells It Straight: I'm a sucker for any dystopian superhero alternate reality story (Age of Apocalypse, Kingdom Come, Earth X, JLA: Rock of Ages to name a few). Johns and Katz attempt their own version while pulling in hypertime from Zero Hour and the far-flung future with DC One Million tie-ins. I absolutely love the fact they used these old storylines with specially numbered issues.

Great (but highly unlikely) reunion of the JLI and Jurgens' drawings under Rapmund's finishes are mildly palatable. The colors really save the book and are very bright. I liked this second volume better than the first - more happened and it had a lot of explanations. Good continuation to the 52 storyline, but I'm really curious to see how long this book will last (as of this review I think it has ended) since Booster is a relatively unknown character.

If you liked 52 then you will continue to dig the exploits of Booster Gold in these pages. This second volume is better than the first due to lots of non-stop action without a pause (for the reader to question what the heck is going on). High energy, mainstream superhero fare. Incredibly shallow, but potentially addicting and a solid mid-range book.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Zombie Simon Garth Trade Paperback Review

2012-04-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Zombie: Simon Garth
Marvel Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
96 pages
$13.99 (2008)
ISBN 9780785127512

Contributors: Kyle Hotz, Eric Powell, Dan Brown, and Joe Caramagna

Reprints: The Zombie: Simon Garth #1-4 (of 4)

Synopsis: A disoriented woman awakens after a terrible car accident on a deserted country road. Her daughter is missing and she desperately enters the woods to search. She is set upon by a pair of disgusting in-bred hillbillies, but miraculously rescued by a shambling horror wearing a name tag reading 'Simon'.

When we last saw Simon Garth, the former bank teller experienced the worst day of his life. His bank was robbed and he was taken hostage by a pair of bloodthirsty thieves. Things got worse as the unlucky group stumbled upon an army experiment gone awry. A highly contagious virus transformed a group of soldiers and any unwitting bystanders into mindless killing machines in pursuit of flesh. Simon managed to stop the bank robbers, but was infected by the virus and evacuated by an army scientist.

Their helicopter crashes and the virus spreads again in an isolated small town. Investigating the strange occurrence is the town's sheriff. He finds a man who survived the car crash and also looking for a girl. Hell descends upon the town and all of the players converge in an effort to survive.

The army scientist barely escapes the crash and manages to make contact with his superiors - will help arrive in time? The man from the car crash knows the woman and missing little girl - what is his dark secret which endangers the entire group? Simon Garth ambles through the forest - does he remember his former self or is he consumed by the insatiable violence of the virus?

Just another town hall meeting...of zombies

Pros: Art by Hotz is perfectly fit for this tale of zombie horror, story is logical progression from previous mini-series, ending was decent and left room for another sequel, retains the MAX rating with cursing and bloody gore, entertaining with a few plot twists

Cons: Characters are mostly one-dimensional, Simon Garth doesn't talk and his character really doesn't do much except react (must have been a helluva challenge to write), cannibal hillbillies, not as good as the first story (most sequels aren't), short - disposable entertainment

Mike Tells It Straight: Following up on the hidden gem Zombie, Kyle Hotz takes over the writing reigns (with an assist from Eric Powell - known for writing horror-comic The Goon) from Mike Raicht as well as his usual horror-tinged artwork. You can really tell Hotz went all out for this story - he does a great job.

It's a logical continuation of the first mini-series where Simon Garth is reintroduced with a modern spin. His original stories had him suffer a voodoo curse and be susceptible to control through a mystical amulet worn around his neck (yeah, it was the '70s). The old modus operandi is cast aside for the currently popular zombie plague apocalypse.

If you liked the first mini-series then this is a decent continuation which brings Simon Garth back to his status quo as a shambling, mute-yet-benevolent zombie. Hotz does a great job and shows some potential with his writing. Overall the story is not as good as the first one, but is still a passable zombie offering. I'm a sucker for an offbeat horror story and give this a fair recommendation.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

100 Bullets Vol. 2 Split Second Chance Trade Paperback Review

2012-04-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

100 Bullets Vol. 2 - Split Second Chance
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
224 pages
$14.95 (2001)
ISBN 9781563897115

Contributors: Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Grant Goleash, Clem Robins, and covers by Dave Johnson

Reprints: 100 Bullets #6-14

Synopsis: Somewhere along the way your life has been ruined. All those hopes and dreams smashed to pieces by the cruelest fate. Now you're a shadow of your former self and wallow in self-pity. Along comes Agent Graves with an offer you can't refuse. He gives you a briefcase containing an untraceable gun, one hundred untraceable bullets, evidence proving the person who ruined your life is guilty, and the sure fact you'll never be convicted.

Short Con, Long Odds - Chucky and Pony are two childhood friends who grow up on the wrong side of the tracks. Chucky ends up being an expert gambler with a knack for dice, but he does a long stint in prison ruining his chance to make a lot of money. Pony spends that time building a rep and getting paid. Now Chucky is out and trying to make a name for himself, but things aren't going so well. Agent Graves shows up to reveal who is responsible for Chucky's imprisonment and make an offer he can't refuse. Things get ugly.
Day, Hour, Minute...Man - Agent Graves meets up with an old friend and we learn a few details about his past. He's not a man you want to cross.
The Right Ear, Left in the Cold - Cole Burns sells ice cream in the neighborhoods. He also sells stolen cigarettes and is connected to the local mobster, Goldy Petrovic. Another ice cream seller is trying to horn in on his territory, but Cole is too busy making time with his girlfriend. Agent Graves shows up with a briefcase and evidence showing the person responsible for burning the old folks home his grandmother lived in. Guess who?
Heartbreak, Sunny Side Up - A woman works in a diner and mourns for her lost little girl - she ran away to the city and never came back. Agent Graves shows up with a briefcase and evidence revealing why her little girl ran away. The truth hits close to home.
Parlez Kung Vous - Dizzy Cordova gets sent to Paris by Shepard to meet up with a man named Branch. Seems like Branch got the same offer from Agent Graves that Dizzy acted upon (in the first volume). We learn about a longstanding secret organization called The Trust and about the Minutemen. Dizzy meets Cole Burns.

Dizzy and Branch hang out in the park

Pros: Risso does a great job of artful storytelling, Azzarello's writing and dialogue are good, grander mystery of The Trust and Minutemen is revealed, covers by Johnson are interesting

Cons: Briefcase deal is a high-concept one-trick pony, many short stories, some implausible situations, no explanation on how Dizzy knows all sorts of martial arts, seems implausible Agent Graves would have carte blanche to perform his little tests - even if he has major connections

Mike Tells It Straight: I was a bit critical in my review of the first volume of 100 Bullets - a series with lots of hype which delivered a lukewarm start. Well, I can say the second volume was an improvement as both writing and art kicked up a notch. It helped to have a larger issue count in this volume and we get to slowly discover a few hints about Agent Graves' history. The first volume was definitely missing a bigger plot which appears in this second volume.

Azzarello and Risso gel as a team in these pages and deliver some good storytelling. I was genuinely interested in what happened next in the story arcs. You must read the first volume to get a full understanding of the events in this volume. If you liked the first volume then you'll enjoy the second (especially if you buy into the conspiracy backdrop). I'll check out the third volume to see where this all goes and knowing the series ends at one hundred issues reassures me an answer will eventually be given.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Zombie Trade Paperback Review

2012-04-24T18:11:00.001-07:00

Zombie

Marvel Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
104 pages
$13.99 (2007)
ISBN 9780785119135

Contributors: Mike Raicht, Kyle Hotz, Dan Brown, Virtual Calligraphy, and Joe Caramagna

Reprints: Zombie #1-4 (of 4)

Synopsis: Simon Garth is having a bad day. The bank where he toils away as a mid-level drone is being robbed by two bloodthirsty crooks. They kill his boss and threaten his attractive co-worker (who he has a secret crush on). To make things worse the police show up and the crooks snatch both bank workers as hostages.

The hapless crew of robbers and hostages run smack into a bizarre chemical disaster. Soldiers and civilians have been transformed into deranged savages attacking anyone who comes near. The infected are unstoppable unless their brains are somehow interrupted (like with a shotgun).

Fleeing to a nearby rest stop the group seeks shelter from the ever-increasing crowd of shambling horrors. They hook up with a soldier and scientist who know suspiciously more about the epidemic than meets the eye. One of the group is bitten by an infected. Can Simon keep it together amidst criminals and the undead? Worst. Day. Ever.

Pros: Hotz's art is perfect for this dark thriller, great writing by Raicht - plot twists, pacing, dialogue, MAX book which allows appropriate level of gore and cursing (I'd be cursing up a storm if zombies were chasing me), nice revival of the The Zombie character (re-introduced in the '70s) for modern audiences, excellent ending which leaves room for sequel

Cons: Plot can be predictable (most zombie/horror stories are), characters are two-dimensional for the most part, short read

Just another day at the office throttling zombies

Mike Tells It Straight: Zombie was a pleasant surprise - good art, action-packed story, and it kept my interest throughout. Hotz's art is dark and moody - a perfect fit for creepy zombie mayhem with some offbeat humor. The MAX rating helps tremendously with a gore factor of 10 and plenty of colorful language.

Writing, dialogue, and plot twists by Raicht were well done. Things got predictable at the end, but it was still a lot of fun. The Zombie (aka Simon Garth) was originally created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett in a short story back in 1953 and was re-introduced with mild success in the '70s.

This MAX series revives the Simon Garth character and takes away the voodoo aspect of his origin - also removing the amulet he wore which allowed others to control him. Now his origin is aligned with the popular viral-plague-causes-zombie-apocalypse theme so prevalent in today's depiction of zombies.

He goes on to star in a sequel The Zombie: Simon Garth which I plan to check out and review. I was completely unfamiliar with the character in his previous incarnation, but recall seeing him appear in Marvel Zombies 3 (cameo) and Marvel Zombies 4 (supporting character) which were previously reviewed. I like the concept of the character and Zombie acts as an origin story (great jumping on point), but I'm not sure if his later stories will be as interesting. The idea of a shambling, mute main character just doesn't seem very plausible for future stories. Check this book out - it's a well-written and well-executed zombie story.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Question: The Five Books of Blood Trade Paperback Review

2012-04-15T22:38:00.001-07:00

The Question: The Five Books of Blood

DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
128 pages
$14.99 (2009)
$19.99 (2008) Hardcover
ISBN 9781401223359

Contributors: Greg Rucka, Tom Mandrake, Matthew Clark, Manuel Garcia, Steve Lieber, Diego Olmos, Jesus Saiz, Jimmy Palmiotti, David Baron, Santi Arcas, Javier Mena, Steve Wands, and covers by John Van Fleet

Reprints: 52 Aftermath: Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood #1-5 (of 5)

Synopsis: After the startling events of 52, Vic "Charlie" Sage has passed the mantle of The Question to ex-cop Renee Montoya. She first encountered the 'crime bible' in Gotham and ended up saving the life of Batwoman (her former lover). Now she is obsessed with tracking down all of the copies of the accursed book across the globe.

She learns of a monk from the crime faith (where he teaches brutal martial arts and torture techniques) selling a rare original bible in Gotham. He baits a trap for her and she must chase him across Europe. In order to gain information she goes undercover as a patron at a brothel and ends up falling for her escort.

Is her obsession with the crime bible evidence of something deeper and darker in her soul? Will she succumb to this dark side or remain the untouchable hero? A final showdown with the monk puts her to the test!

Pros: Neat digital covers by Van Fleet, Rucka's depiction of Montoya is excellent, extra 'journal of Renee Montoya' included in collected edition

Cons: Too many artists, the crime religion is kind of hokey, ending felt rushed and final showdown was hard to believe

Mike Tells It Straight: Rucka brings us the next stage of Renee Montoya's adventures after becoming the Question II and saving Batwoman's life. She continues to search for the crime bibles and is almost consumed by her obsessions. You must read the entire 52 series as a prerequisite to this book in order to understand the shift from Vic Sage (Question I) to Montoya.

This mini-series was originally run as a 52 Aftermath book titled Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood, but it got a name change to promote The Question character (which is a good idea).

I found this story to be passable with some decent character writing, but I just never bought into the crime religion thing. The wide cast of artists was jarring from issue to issue as well. If you really enjoyed The Question parts of 52 then here is your next installment. Otherwise, as a standalone storyline, this book is run of the mill.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Blood: A Tale Trade Paperback Review

2012-04-07T20:28:00.001-07:00

Blood: A Tale

DC Comics - Vertigo
Softcover Trade Paperback
192 pages
$19.95 (2005)
ISBN 9781401202637

Contributors: J.M. DeMatteis, Kent Williams, Jon J. Muth, George Pratt, Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh, and Gaspar Saladino

Reprints: Blood: A Tale #1-4 (of 4)

Synopsis: An aged king roosts in his deathbed and refuses to die. He is visited by a spirit who tells him the tale of Blood. The tale begins with a baby found by a young woman and an old crone. The young woman raises the baby as her own until she must give him up to be educated by monks. Life in the monastery is rigid and cruel, but the boy learns.

Blood becomes a vampire

He eventually leaves the monastery and ventures into the world. It's a bleak and depressing place with no real answers to any of his questions. Blood continues to search and discovers the world is dangerous as he runs into a pack of vampires. He turns.

Now Blood's short life is over and his long un-life begins, but he refuses to give up without a fight. Continuing to search for answers he gains two companions - a female vampire who becomes his lover and a crippled, floating man called Little One. They form a bizarre family and continue on Blood's vague quest.

Can Blood find answers in this mad world and how far can one fall before giving up? What of the un-dead king and his refusal to accept death?

Nice...art, yeah.

Pros: Some very nice painted art by Williams - particularly the nudes and scenes of intense emotion, good overall story concept by DeMatteis, makes the reader think and ponder with several layers of storytelling

Cons: Dis-jointed story, weak narrative at times, both art and story suffer from inconsistencies, murky and hard to understand, touted as a 'vampire' story yet has very little to do with vampires, Little One character is odd (looks like a Sienkiewicz knock-off design)

Mike Tells It Straight: DeMatteis crafts an existential, mythical tale with a passing familiarity to vampires. His storytelling impressed me with its multiple layers (the old man being told the story of Blood and the events of Blood's life) and metaphor for the phases of life (Blood's learning process as he stumbles through life and un-life). Reminds me of tribal folk tales - like how primitive cultures explained how the moon came to be or fire was discovered.

Vampires live in packs in the woods -
kind of like wolves

Originally published as a mini-series by Marvel in 1988 through their Epic imprint (for mature readers), Blood: A Tale was again published by DC's Vertigo in the mid-90's and finally collected into one volume. The story is out there and challenges the reader to think about the metaphors presented. It has some interesting moments, but I felt the narrative style and Williams' art were too inconsistent to make a lasting impression. It reminded me more of a really good art project than an epic graphic novel.

The tag line "A vampire story unlike any other" was misleading - sure, Blood becomes a vampire and does a few vampire things, but it's not really about vampires. It's about a boy's journey of discovery and finally finding peace in life. Good art, confusing story, dated at this point (over 20 years old), and pretty low on the recommendation list.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Brave Old World Review

2012-03-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Brave Old World
DC Comics
Comic Book Mini-Series
32/ea. = 128 pages (2000)
$2.50/ea. = $10.00

Published: Brave Old World #1-4 (of 4)

Contributors: William Messner-Loebs, Phil Hester, Guy Davis, Kevin Somers, John Costanza, and covers by Paul Rivoche

Synopsis: It's the year 1999 and as the millennium approaches a group of computer scientists and former hackers work to solve the Y2K problem (caused by the abbreviation of four digit to two digit years in computer and mechanical systems). They discover a planetary alignment in the solar system is converging at the same time as the turn of the millennium, interacting with the Earth's electromagnetic communications web, and causing a 'harmonic convergence' or feedback loop affecting space-time.

They work to counter the effect by creating an area of stable time and then using the internet to spread the effects worldwide. Their plans don't quite work and the group is hurtled back in time exactly 100 years to 1900. Now they must use the primitive resources of the industrial age to fix the feedback loop, return to their time, and avoid changing the future.

Unfortunately the limited health resources and stark social inequality of the time (racism, sexism) claim the lives and sanity of several members. Add in periodic attacks from polluted techno-humans who have travelled to the past from a post-apocalyptic future caused by the group's tampering with the past.

So that's what a steam-powered computer looks like!

The only thing going for the scientists is their keen knowledge of future technology - can they possibly cobble together a working computer to save the time-stream? Can they persevere the backwards thinking of the past and avoid a fiery death aimed at them from the future? Don't bet on a happy ending.

Pros: Some interesting steampunk ideas as the hackers try to build modern equipment with primitive machinery, mildly realistic events with historical references

Cons: Ending felt rushed, art didn't really jive with story (Hester's style), use of profanity felt out of place and just added in to make the story more 'hip' or 'Vertigo'

Mike Tells It Straight: This was part of the V2K (play on Y2K as Vertigo 2K) storylines put out in 2000 (along with Four Horsemen, I Die at Midnight, Totems, and Pulp Fantastic). None of these books were major hits and will likely never be collected into trade format.

The plot premise is ridiculously complicated and didn't make much sense. Putting that aside I enjoyed some minor parts of the story, but overall it was a miss. Hester's art didn't mesh and Messner-Loebs' scripting was off (especially the narrator). I liked Rivoche's covers, but the interiors didn't match their grittiness. The promise of cool steampunk fell short and you can leave this one in the quarter bins.

Miracleman Book One - A Dream of Flying Trade Paperback Review

2012-03-22T23:11:00.001-07:00

Miracleman Vol. 1 - A Dream of Flying
Eclipse Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
80 pages
$9.95 (1990)
$29.95 (1990) Hardcover
ISBN 9780913035610

Contributors: Alan Moore, Alan Davis, Garry Leach, and Ron Courtney

Reprints: Miracleman #1-3

Synopsis: Michael Moran is a 40-something reporter stuck in a rut. He suffers from recurring nightmares and migraine headaches. During a terrorist incident at a nuclear power facility Moran collapses and is taken aside by one of the terrorists. He suddenly remembers a secret word which transforms him into the god-like being Miracleman.

He begins to recall his past and put the pieces of his shattered life back together, but they don't quite fit. His origin and adventures sound like they're straight out of a comic book. He begins to uncover the truth about himself and his two former partners - Young Miracleman and Kid Miracleman. The horrific reality of his life may be too much for him to bear as a far-sweeping plot involving aliens, extra-dimensional space, mad scientists, and evil sidekicks is revealed. Hang on to your seat for this dark ride!

Pros: Legendary writing by Moore, highly detailed artwork by Leach and Davis, plausible resurrection of marginal knockoff U.K. character originally based on Captain Marvel (aka Shazam!), set in the 'real' world without a bunch of superheroes in tights running around

Cons: Very expensive and difficult to lay hands on a copy, collected edition is missing the first few pages of the first story ('50s-style time travel story which ends with zoom in on Miracleman's eye), Evelyn Cream's sapphire teeth are a bit campy (too James Bond villainy)

Mike Tells It Straight: Moore's Miracleman is a cult classic which deconstructs the traditional superhero into the modern world. It revives the Marvelman character originally created by Mick Anglo in the '50s as a replacement for U.K. reprints of Captain Marvel (Shazam!) from Fawcett Publications. The character's name was changed to avoid copyright issues with Marvel Comics in the States.

This first arc remains one of Moore's earliest and best superhero stories. At the time of publication he broke new ground in the superhero genre and cut his teeth for masterpieces to follow (Watchmen, Swamp Thing). The deconstructionist era began in the '80s with Moore's work here, Rick Veitch's The One, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, and Moore again with Watchmen.

Despite the modern twist the story still has a few campy bits which remind me of bad '70s movies - mostly espionage agents with gimmicks. If you can't pick up the collection then get the individual issues - there's no telling when the material will be reprinted due to a morass of legal battles over the rights (including Mick Anglo, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Todd McFarlane, and a host of others). Marvel even faked a claim for the rights of the character in the last few years, but they merely secured rights from Mick Anglo to publish old black and white stories from the '50s/'60s.

This book is quality and part of the sordid history of modern comics - it elevates the comic book medium and is an absolute must-read.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen Trade Paperback Review

2012-03-08T18:23:00.001-08:00

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$19.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781401217815

Contributors: Keith Giffen, Pat Olliffe, John Stanisci, Hi-Fi Colour, Pat Brosseau, John Hill, Travis Lanham, and covers by Ethan Van Sciver

Reprints: 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1-6 (of 6)

Synopsis: In the wake of the catastrophic events of 52 comes the return of the Four Horsemen (of Apokolips! - couldn't resist). Bialya has been reduced to ashes after the near-genocidal rampage of Black Adam - who first battled and defeated the Horsemen after they killed the Black Marvel Family. They're not so easily vanquished and rise from the ashes of the decimated nation.

Superman vs. zombies? Now that's
going to be a quick fight.

Standing in their way are Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman along with the mad scientists of Oolong Island who were responsible for unleashing the Horsemen in the first place. Now Oolong is led by Dr. Veronica Cale and she wants the Horsemen destroyed, but what are her true motivations? Are the three returned heroes a match for a quartet of death-gods from Apokolips?

Pros: Great covers by Van Sciver, competent art by Olliffe, Giffen's dialogue has its moments

Cons: Felt like plot was rushed (whatever happened to the Bialyan president?), desperately needed character recaps/histories for lesser known players and Checkmate, Horsemen are generic super-tough baddies, ending was lame

Mike Tells It Straight: This story might as well be 52 weeks 53 and 54 - it's a direct continuation of the story, but this time the Big Three (Bats, Supes, and Wondie were absent from the DCU during 52) have returned. I usually like Giffen's writing, consider Olliffe to be a competent artist, and dig Van Sciver's detailed art - not so much this time.

Wolfman has nards!?

The plot was a jumbled mess with zero setup to explain what is going on - prerequisite reading is 52, World War III, and the Checkmate series which spun out of Infinite Crisis. If you don't read these then you'll be completely hosed on this book. The Horsemen were already beaten by Black Adam during 52 with a much better story behind it. This confrontation just didn't have the same impact - is there really any doubt Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will prevail? None whatsoever.

Olliffe's art was passable, but somewhat inconsistent - I blame the horrible character designs of the Horsemen. Same deal for Van Sciver's covers - the Horsemen just don't fit. They're 100% disposable bad guys. Even the ending was lame and felt like a cop out. If you loved 52 and are compelled to read anything related then maybe, maybe buy this book - otherwise it's a forgettable read with no redeeming qualities (except maybe Snapper Carr).

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Black Adam: The Dark Age Trade Paperback Review

2012-03-07T21:55:00.001-08:00

Black Adam: The Dark Age
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$17.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781401217860

Contributors: Peter Tomasi, Doug Mahnke, Norm Rapmund, Christian Alamy, Nathan Eyring, Nick Napolitano, and variant cover to #1 (and TPB) by Alex Ross

Reprints: Black Adam: The Dark Age #1-6 (of 6)

Synopsis: Following the catastrophic events of 52 and World War III comes the further adventures of the most-hated man on Earth - Black Adam! After the death of the Black Marvel Family, Adam went on a mass-murdering rampage through Bialya and battled the world's heroes across the globe. He was ultimately defeated by Captain Marvel who reset his magic word and left him in his human form - Teth Adam.

Will he end up like this?

Adam is now fugitive without powers, seemingly not without allies. His mission is to resurrect his one true love - Isis! She fell to one of the Four Horsemen loosed during the events of 52. He will scour the globe searching for a way to bring her back to life and let nothing stand in his way. A constant target of assassins, authorities, and heroes - Adam doesn't care who is sacrificed for lost love and knows no mercy. His will is insurmountable, but what is his new magic word!? Can a mere mortal prevail against the entire world?

Pros: Great art by Mahnke, nice writing by Tomasi, interesting plot twists

Cons: Somewhat predictable, a few plot holes

Mike Tells It Straight: Everything you would expect and hope for a Black Adam follow-up to the conclusion of 52 and World War III - needless to say you must read one or both of these previous books in order to fully enjoy/comprehend events in this book.

Great job by Tomasi and Mahnke - skillful writing and art. A few surprises, some predictable parts, and a decent ending. Black Adam has grown into a formidable character in the DCU under the guidance of Geoff Johns (JSA) and Tomasi handles him expertly.

I always like a good story starring a villain with some depth and examining their motivations. This book is a solid read and recommended, especially if you enjoyed 52.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children: A Cotton Candy Autopsy Trade Paperback Review

2012-02-28T22:30:00.002-08:00

Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children: A Cotton Candy Autopsy
DC Comics - Piranha Press
Softcover Trade Paperback
112 pages
$12.95 (1991)
ISBN 9780930289898

Contributors: Dave Louapre and Dan Sweetman

Reprints: Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children #1, 13 + original final chapter

Synopsis: The big top is burning and the clowns are raging drunk, have stolen a car, kidnapped the two-headed lady, and are making a run for it. Their journey from the circus is surreal and deadly. These clowns aren't friendly or nice, but will play your kid's birthday party and steal all of your booze. Watch out!

Bingo and his wife, Addy - the Two-Headed Lady, make a run south of the border to start over in a Mexican circus. The two lovebirds (or is that three?) attempt to make a new life for themselves, but trouble has a way of catching up to people. Will they be linked to the circus fire in America and what secret is Addy's 'quiet head' hiding?

Joey Punchinello is supposed to be dead, but somehow he's alive and starting over with the same mistakes. Can a leopard change his spots and can a clown really change his stripes? Joey will either get a new lease on life or suffer a final, fatal clown-beat-down - what sounds more likely?

Clowns and fire don't mix...with alcohol

Pros: Real clowns and really drunk clowns, harsh and honest portrayal of circus life - it ain't pretty or fair, unique story with some great insight into real clowning, highly disturbing, alt-rock band Mr. Bungle used Sweetman's clown artwork for some of their albums in the '90s

The only good clown is a dead clown...
strapped to the hood of your car

Cons: I'll never look at clowns the same way again (brrrrrr!), Sweetman's art reminds me of prison art - I bet he did time, kinda depressing, black and white, somewhat fanciful and unrealistic at times

Mike Tells It Straight: Real clowns and circus folk aren't all smiles and laughs for the crowd. Have you ever seen a clown walking down the street in broad daylight? It's freaky and there's something about clowns that makes normal people uneasy. Who are they under that makeup and how can they live the clown life? Now imagine seeing a falling down drunk clown after midnight? Clowns get messed up in real life - either by self-infliction (booze and drugs) or other people (no one feels bad after hitting a clown). The stories are sad, twisted and fascinating all at the same time.

This book is far off the beaten path and oddly compelling. Classic reading for true alt-comic fans.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Can't Get No Graphic Novel Review

2012-02-24T22:43:00.001-08:00

Can't Get No
DC Comics
Graphic Novel
352 pages
$19.99 (2006)
ISBN 9781401210595

Contributors: Rick Veitch

Synopsis: Chad Roe has the perfect life - CEO of an up-and-coming company (which sells the first truly permanent marker, Eter-No-Mark), beautiful wife, great house, and enough pills to keep him comfortably numb through the whole thing. His life turns out to be a fragile facade just waiting to crumble at the slightest touch. It starts with a massive lawsuit threatening to bankrupt his company leading him to a drunken night of debauchery. In the cold light of day he faces with unbridled horror the discovery that his companions from the previous evening have covered him in Eter-No-Mark from head to toe (even the little toe in his pants).

Chad Roe's life is in the toilet - things can't get much worse...or can they?

His world comes crumbling down on September, 10, 2011 and he flees to the streets of New York as a social pariah. Suddenly the unthinkable happens and the world changes forever. He makes his way along the roads of America and experiences the dysfunctional spirit of America - broken and warped by years of social disintegration. Can he find salvation among the ashes of liberty and justice?

Veitch captures the horror of 9-11 with simple pictures

Pros: Massive page count, Veitch's art is simple yet persuasive, interesting story concept and presentation (landscape format with no word balloons for talking, just narrator text boxes)

Cons: Black and white, funky landscape format (I know, it's unique and outside of the typical comic book stereotype), surprisingly quick read despite page count, text and art often felt disjointed, a lot of pseudo-metaphorical/allegorical wordplay

Mike Tells It Straight: Veitch is one of the great modern comic book storytellers and he crafts a truly unique experience both for the reader and main character of Can't Get No. The blend of Chad Roe's misfortune against the backdrop of 9-11 was a remarkable contrast which turned into an allegorical ride through modern America. The book is told in landscape format with simple art and simple text boxes, but Veitch is a master sequential artist and he makes difficult story composition look easy (it's anything but).

The recommended reading style of this book is to first view the art on the page and then read the text boxes superimposed over the images. The words and pictures feel disassociated from each other and it's up to the reader to blend them together (if possible).

This book is definitely not for everyone and a lot different than I expected. I felt the disassociated words didn't enhance my reading experience, but eventually found the groove Veitch intended to create for the reader. It's an incredibly alternative format and story - not recommended for most readers except those looking for something very different. If you hate reading poetry then avoid, but if you want a quirky tale light years away from mainstream comics then go for it.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Empowered Volume 4 Review

2012-02-24T21:33:00.001-08:00

Empowered Vol. 4
Dark Horse Comics
Graphic Novel
208 pages
$15.99 (2008)
ISBN 9781593079949

Contributors: Adam Warren

Synopsis: Empowered is a self-conscious superhero with a fragile hypermembrane super-suit giving her enhanced abilities at the cost of her self-esteem. It's super-flimsy, becomes unreliable when torn and fits ultra-tight giving everyone a free peek at all her nooks and crannies. She's a laughing-stock in the superhero community for being regularly captured and tied up. Despite her abysmal reputation she manages to keep a plucky attitude with the help of her former minion boyfriend, Thugboy, and her best friend, Ninjette.

When Sistah Spooky loses her
powers she becomes
Lil' Spooky

Emp and Thugboy help Ninjette recover from the brutal beating she suffered at the hands (and feet) of her ninja clan members in the last volume. They were trying to reclaim her after she ran away several years ago to avoid a dreadful clan life (it's in New Jersey). The sexual tension between her and Thugboy heats up while she recuperates at the apartment he shares with Emp.

Meanwhile Willy Pete pops up again to jam his raging hot boner (literally hot enough to pop your skull like a grenade) into the skulls of more hapless victims. He's still pissed about losing to Thugboy and wants to make sweet love to his head. Emp spends some time at the Suprahuman Medical Center and befriends a young boy who wants to be a supervillain.

The superheroes have their own awards show and Emp is nominated for a Capey - 'Suprahuman Most Deserving of Wider Recognition', but something is fishy about the nomination - will this be a Carrie moment where everyone ridicules Emp?

Pros: Warren's art is top-notch as ever, Thugboy and Ninjette being guiltily attracted to each other was hilarious, story was more coherent, nice ending, some color pages, Emp actually saves the day, and Sistah Spooky gets shown up

Cons: Digest-sized (like all those manga books filling the shelves at your computer programmer friend's house - you should tell him about the bald spot), black and white, price increase over previous volumes, Willy Pete is pretty disgusting

Mike Tells It Straight: I think this volume has been my favorite so far - Warren steps up his writing by giving us an actual story running through the separate chapters and resolving it at the end of the book. It's a major improvement over the scattered storytelling of previous volumes and the slow progression of supporting character sub-plots.  Example is the Thugboy/Willy Pete showdown which has been agonizingly plodding along.  Willy Pete gets even more nasty in this book and it's time to give this loser his comeuppance already!

The sexual innuendo and beautifully drawn women are still a great draw, but Warren delivers a compelling tale to make this a successful series progression.   You'll need to be up-to-speed on the storylines from all the previous volumes in order to enjoy it, but Empowered continues to be an amusing read.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

100 Bullets Vol. 1 First Shot, Last Call Trade Paperback Review

2012-02-23T22:00:00.003-08:00

100 Bullets Vol. 1 - First Shot, Last Call
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
128 pages
$9.95 (2000)
ISBN 9781563896453

Contributors: Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Dave Johnson, Clem Robins, Digital Chameleon, Grant Goleash, and introduction by Jim Steranko

Reprints: 100 Bullets #1-5 + story from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3

Synopsis: Agent Graves has an offer you can't refuse - he'll give you a suitcase containing all the evidence proving the person who ruined your life is guilty, an untraceable gun, one hundred untraceable bullets, and a promise you'll never be convicted.

Dizzy

100 Bullets - Isabelle "Dizzy" Cordova just got out of prison and returns to her old neighborhood. While she was locked up her husband and child were gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Her brother is now a young OG running major deals on the streets. Dizzy rides the train one day and meets a strange man with a suitcase. The evidence points to two crooked cops, but the truth behind her family's murder runs deeper. Will she choose revenge or make peace with her troubled past?
Shot, Water Back - Lee Dolan is a down-on-his-luck bartender in a rat-hole pub. He used to be a hot-shot restaurateur with a bright future until some kiddie porn showed up on his computer. Despite his pleas of innocence the media roasted him alive and his wife walked right out the door with their son. Agent Graves shows up in his bar with the briefcase and points him in the direction of a beautiful socialite. Seems she's hiding a nasty secret, but can Lee really commit cold-blooded murder?

Agent Graves

Silencer Night - It's Christmas Eve at the precinct when a sweet old woman walks in and confesses to murder. Seems she was given a briefcase and the weight of her conscience has finally won. Problem is there's no murder case to solve. Does this sound familiar?

Pros: Decent writing by Azzarello, highly competent art by Risso, painted covers by Johnson, nominated for an Eisner award - Best New Series 2000, nominated for an Eisner award - Best Serialized Story #1-3 "100 Bullets" 2000

Cons: Typical crime noir, gang-member dialect doesn't sound authentic, short stories, some majorly implausible situations, high-concept

Mike Tells It Straight: This Vertigo series has gotten a lot of praise over the years and I finally decided to check it out. It was decent, but didn't knock my socks off. Decent crime noir with good art, covers were just okay. I liked the plot twists at the end and the main characters had some depth, but all the other characters were flat. Parts of the story just didn't mesh smoothly.

"Could you at least look at my
face, yeah, it's up here, if
you're going to shoot me in
the face?"

The story premise is set up with Graves giving people the suitcase filled with evidence and a gun/bullets to exact revenge on the guilty (who are untouchable by the due process of law). It's an interesting premise, but I can see the novelty wearing off pretty quickly without some major continuing plot developments.

My take on this first collection is the creative team and story were still working out some kinks. Subsequent arcs must get better or the series wouldn't have won three Eisner awards. I loved Ed Brubaker's crime noir from Criminal and his superhero version in Sleeper, but this didn't quite hit the same level. I'll give the next volume a chance mostly because of the hype and we'll see what happens.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

2020 Visions Trade Paperback Review

2012-02-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

2020 Visions
DC Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
296 pages
$19.99 (2005)
$29.95 (2004) Hardcover
ISBN 9780973703993

Contributors: Jamie Delano, Frank Quitely, Warren Pleece, James Romberger, Steve Pugh, introduction by Richard Kadrey, and covers by John Eder, Stephen John Phillips

Reprints: 2020 Visions #1-12 (of 12)

Synopsis: The world of 2020 America is a fractured mess as corporate culture has run rampant and individual liberty is an afterthought. Four tales paints us a distressing picture of our possible future:

Lust for Life - Alex Woychek at 70 years of age is a former pornographic book publisher put out of business by the female political ruling elite of New York City. The privileged financial drones working in the global economic market have walled (Wall Street - get it?) themselves within bio-domes and shut out the poor underclass. The mean streets of the city have become a hot-bed of fear and loathing as antibiotic-resistant viruses threaten to bring about a new century of plague. If you've got the cold sweats and look remotely contagious, it's off to the Ellis Island containment camp and you're never heard from again. Bad news for Alex when a pavement diver splashes him with a nasty bug. Now he's got a fever, nothing to lose, and a raging hard-on.
La Tormenta - Florida has seceded from America and is now run by Christian cartel families. Pollution and disease have caused birth rates to plummet across the nation and Florida is home to a heavy trade in baby trafficking. Meet Jack Atlanta, a sexually-ambiguous private investigator who likes to wear a bra and pencil-thin mustache. She's also addicted to virtual porn and her dealer's sister has disappeared. In order to preserve her kinky fetish lifestyle Jack must dredge up her buried past and go undercover to find the girl. Too bad she falls right into the path of a serial killer named "El Escultor" - The Sculptor.
Renegade - Ethan was born with a twin brother, Adam, who got the good looks and luck of the pair. Adam was adopted while Ethan with his deformed eye was shipped out to a Christian work-farm. He ran away to Islamic Detroit and eventually ran afoul of the law only to be shipped to a Montana militia. Bad luck follows him and soon he's on a death march to save the ranch owner's son from a group of techno-Indians living in the hills. Never fitting in anywhere, will Ethan find peace or die a lonely death calling out his brother's name?
Repro-Man - Adam is a prize stud in antiseptic Southern California where sex is outlawed and rich women pay loads of money for his frozen loads. He's a perfect physical specimen and owned by Nurtura Corp. Only the rich can afford to finance offspring and it's illegal for the poor to breed (most of the men are sterile anyway). M.A.M.B.A. are a female resistance force who spring Adam so he can impregnate the masses, but they're in for a rude awakening when Nurtura's armed forces come calling. Now Adam and the surviving female guerrilla fighter are on the run.

Pros: Delano's writing is decent, art by Quitely and Pugh is okay

Cons: Black and white - the original series was in color, art is rough and gritty, covers are photo-realistic and not great

The only color is on the cover

Mike Tells It Straight: Delano paints us a four-part dystopian future where society has degraded into a socio-political nightmare. The "Millennium of Women" has taken over a fractured America through secession and civil war. Reproduction is a challenge both legally and physically (due to widespread male sterilization from environmental pollution).

The main characters of each story are linked which makes the four stories mildly congruous. It's an interesting read, but the art isn't great despite naming Quitely among the artists. He rose to stardom after this series and his art just didn't shine brightly here. The black-and-white format really killed this collected edition for me. Obviously cost was an issue and full-color format was sacrificed to get this edition printed.

I don't recommend getting this book unless you're a big Vertigo or Delano fan, but if you do - pick up the original color issues instead of the collection.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The One Trade Paperback Review

2012-02-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

The One
King Hell Press
Softcover Trade Paperback
192 pages
$14.00 (1989)
$17.95 (2003)
ISBN 9780962486456

Contributors: Rick Veitch

Reprints: The One #1-6 (of 6)

Synopsis: The world has teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation for decades and is deep in the throes of the Cold War. Itchy Itch, the world's richest boy grown up into a loathsome billionaire crackpot, tips the balance of power and the nuclear silos empty on both sides. It looks like the end, but a miraculous intervention stops mutual extinction - The One!

A mysterious being (or metaphysical concept) with the goal of helping all of mankind ascend to the next level of evolution, The One lives among us, but has its own enemies. First and foremost is The One's opposite number - The Other! Representing all the evil and greed within the collective mind of humans, The Other wishes to drag humanity back into a primordial debauchery.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em

Both the US and USSR have covert superhuman programs ready to put into action, but the two countries bungle it through gross misconduct of the power elite. Now superhumans threaten to destroy society where nuclear weapons failed and everyone must choose a side. Join The One to gain spiritual enlightenment or join The Other to get earthly pleasures. The world is doomed!

Pros: Great commentary on the cold war era during the '80s (self-annihilation of the world), beautiful satire on superheroes as weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), Veitch's original covers are awesome (and thankfully in color for this edition), Ubermaus!

Cons: Black and white collected edition - the original was in color and looked better, Puzz Fundles stories are totally lame

Mike Tells It Straight: Rick Veitch is a master storyteller and one of the "Revisionist Superhero Movement" pioneers. The One is his powerful first entry into the pantheon of stories (which includes Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Miracleman, Veitch's Bratpack) which brought the superhero into a modern light for adult sensibilities.

Enjoy The One classic

The One is a fascinating look at the '80s when nuclear self-destruction was thoroughly embedded in the collective unconscious of the world yet culture was leaning toward opulent self-obsession. I was drawn back to my early childhood when Coca-Cola, Nike, and Marlboro ruled the landscape.

This story is a must-read for fans of Veitch, Moore, Miller, Gaiman, and any of those other pioneers who looked at the pathetic state of corporate superheroes and thought things should be different. I preferred the original color version, but the book is still a worthwhile read. You consider yourself a mature reader - well, what are you waiting for then?

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Pulse Vol. 3 Fear Trade Paperback Review

2012-01-31T23:28:00.000-08:00

The Pulse Vol. 3 - Fear
Marvel Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
144 pages
$14.99 (2006)
ISBN 9780785119517

Contributors: Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos, Olivier Coipel, Jose Villarrubia, June Chung, Richard Isanove, Drew Geraci, Drew Hennessy, John Livesay, Mike Mayhew, Rick Magyar, Danny Miki, Mark Morales, Mike Perkins, and Tim Townsend

Reprints: The Pulse #11-14 (of 14); New Avengers Annual #1

Synopsis: Jessica Jones is a former superhero who gave up the life after a severely traumatizing experience and never looked back...or so we thought. She eventually started Alias Investigations and worked as a private investigator while continually beating herself up with alcohol and cigarettes. On a particularly drunken night she slept with close friend Luke Cage and ended up pregnant with his baby. The two grew closer and have become a loving pair of expectant parents. Jessica quit the somewhat dangerous PI work to become a consultant for J. Jonah Jameson's Daily Bugle newspaper and work with Ben Urich on the fledgling superhero section.

Now Jessica is a nervous soon-to-be-mother with a million questions. Will the baby come out all right since she has superpowers from an accident with radioactive material? She gets advice from the ultimate super-mom - Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman! Just in time apparently as the baby decides to be born.

It's Jessica vs. the health care system when she shows up at a hospital and tells them she has superpowers. Of course her doctor is nowhere to be found (they have a funny way of doing that when you're trying to deliver your baby!) and only Luke Cage's new teammates can help -- AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!

The team includes at least one doctor, but he's a little Strange (mwah-ha-ha). What happens when the media shows up and JJJ demands the exclusive story he was promised when Jessica first began working for him? Meanwhile Ben Urich uncovers the forgotten hero-turned-homeless - D-Man!

Jessica recounts the first time she met Luke Cage and Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist) during a second brief stint as a superhero (told ya!). Meanwhile the two new parents get hitched and it's a deadly affair as the recently croaked Yelena Bulova (aka Black Widow II) comes calling for revenge. She's been souped up by AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics) and is powerful enough to take on the whole team. Will Jessica and Luke's wedding be ruined?

The progression of Jessica Jones' life

Pros: Michael Gaydos is back!, Bendis writes Jessica really well, major events happen, the annual was an action-packed slugfest

Cons: Coipel's art was a bit cartoony, Jessica's wedding vows were kinda corny, D-Man story interlaced with Jessica's labor felt like a non-sequitur, the trade shouldn't have been titled "Fear", covers by Mayhew weren't as good (I didn't like his rendition of Jessica)

Mike Tells It Straight: We finally get Bendis and Gaydos reunited after the end of Alias just to have The Pulse end. These two definitely had a good thing going and it should never have been messed with. This final volume was bittersweet, but overall a good read and puts a nice cap on the JJ saga with the birth/wedding. She becomes a supporting character in New Avengers after this, but Bendis writes it so I'm hoping she'll still be treated properly.

Bottom line - Alias was a great series and Jessica was the star. In The Pulse she was relegated to cast member and finally became the star again, but too late. This series could never quite hit the same high notes as its Marvel MAX (mature readers imprint) predecessor. Nevertheless this book is an absolute must-read for fans of Jessica Jones and worth checking out. Farewell!

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Girls Complete Collection Deluxe Hardcover Review

2012-01-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

Girls
Image Comics
Oversized Hardcover
624 pages
$99.99 (2007)
$49.99 (2011) Complete TPB
$14.99 (2005) 1: Conception TPB
$14.99 (2006) 2: Emergence TPB
$14.99 (2006) 3: Survival TPB
$14.99 (2007) 4: Extinction TPB
ISBN 9781582408262

Contributors: Jonathan Luna and Joshua Luna

Reprints: Girls #1-24 (of 24)

Synopsis: Ethan Daniels is trapped in a small town. He works at the Teenie Weenie Mart, his ex-girlfriend is hooking up with the town cop, and his life is about to change. He nearly runs down a beautiful, naked girl on his way home one night after publicly humiliating himself at the one, local bar (where his ex bartends, sheesh). The girl seems dazed and he brings her home in order to help her. Can he resist the temptation of this beautiful girl even though she is willing enough? Hardly.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty! Good kitty!

This girl is not what she seems and soon there is a catastrophe of bizarrely epic proportions endangering the entire community of Pennystown. More girls appear and escalating danger comes with them. Something of questionable appearance is found in a cornfield and people go missing. The mystery deepens as both the men and women of the town become each others' only hope and worst enemies.

Can the people of Pennystown survive the coming of the girls? Which side are you on?

Pros: Simple and clean art, good colors, good writing and especially dialogue, absolutely beautiful hardcover collection w/slipcase, tons of extras, it's for mature audiences - lots of naked girls running around and plenty of swearing, great characterization and interactions, some funny moments and interesting action (not that kind of action, pervert!)

Cons: Simplistic and a bit shallow (i.e. stereotypical), some minor plot holes, not compelling for repeat readings, the nudity is very subdued and not in-your-face enough, art is subtle not flashy, drags on at times with heavy dialogue

Mike Tells It Straight: What's not to like about a collection of naked girls? Not much as it turns out. The Luna brothers have become well known for creating good content (Spider-Woman: Origin, The Sword, Ultra) and Girls was a great read. Each issue had a cliffhanger/reveal which kept the pace exciting. I was expecting a lot more sci-fi, but the story really focused on the character interactions (which were damn funny most of the time).

That looks kinda fun

I heartily recommend this story if you're looking for somethng outside of the superhero genre and enjoy a television show like Lost. The only major drawback to this edition is the price. It's expensive and while the art looked great in the larger format, it wasn't really necessary. The extras were nice, but I'm not planning to read it again anytime soon.

The individual trade paperbacks or the recent softcover complete collection are way more affordable and I suggest picking those up instead of the deluxe hardcover - unless you prefer the way it looks on your shelf next to your editions of Ultra and The Sword. Whatever your preference, check it out and I'm definitely planning to track down more work by the Lunas.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Pulse Vol. 2 Secret War Trade Paperback Review

2012-01-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

The Pulse Vol. 2 - Secret War
Marvel Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
96 pages
$11.99 (2005)
ISBN 9780785114789

Contributors: Brian Michael Bendis, Brent Anderson, Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano, Pete Pantazis, Cory Petit, and covers by Mike Mayhew

Reprints: The Pulse #6-9

Synopsis: Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are the victims of a brutal attack which leaves both in the hospital. Nick Fury shows up at the hospital and reveals Luke took part in a covert espionage action which has run afoul. Luke goes missing and Jessica must desperately claw for clues to his whereabouts. She utilizes every resource available, but superheroes are notoriously bad at returning voicemail messages.

Can her friends at the Daily Bugle help when Fury is considered an off-limits subject? Jessica has no one to turn to until a trio of Hydra agents pick her up and offer her aid. Will she sell her soul to save Luke and the baby?

Pros: Great covers by Mayhew, Bendis continues to deliver good dialogue and plot, no more Mark Bagley from the first story arc, Lark's art was really good (he drew the last half of this collection) and reminiscent of Gaydos from Alias, Jessica gives J. Jonah Jameson a piece of her mind, Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist) gives Jessica a piece of his mind

Pwned!

Cons: Anderson's art was better than Bagley's, but too dark, this story is a tie-in to Secret War and you get the feeling the major action is happening elsewhere, no MAX rating (Marvel's mature content imprint) and no swearing/explicit content

Mike Tells It Straight: We finally get a Jessica Jones story arc in The Pulse, but it's a one-off, side story to Secret War. I loved Alias and the previous story arc (The Pulse: Thin Air) didn't have enough Jessica Jones in it for my taste (although it was still a great story).

This time we get enough Jessica Jones, but no real explanation of the events causing vast turmoil to descend upon her life. Instead we spend four issues in the dark and then get a small amount of clarity at the very end. The art style by Anderson and Lark is dark and moody, which emphasizes the fog poor Jessica is in throughout the story.

Bendis writes a successful tale if his objective was to highlight the confusion of Jessica during the spillover of events from Secret War. If you haven't read Alias or Secret War then this may be difficult to follow. Otherwise it was a passable entry into the saga of Jessica Jones' life and brings back the focus to our favorite flawed, former superheroine. I still miss her abundant profanity, but we're back on track to the Alias days.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Pulse Vol. 1 Thin Air Trade Paperback Review

2012-01-19T21:33:00.000-08:00

The Pulse Vol. 1 - Thin Air
Marvel Comics
Softcover Trade Paperback
120 pages
$13.99 (2004)
ISBN 9780785113324

Contributors: Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Scott Hanna, Brian Reber, Frank D'Armata, Cory Petit, and cover by Mike Mayhew

Reprints: The Pulse #1-5

Synopsis: The next chapter in the life of Jessica Jones unfolds! She and Luke Cage have been together since the shocking revelation that Jessica is pregnant with his baby. In an effort to keep herself out of harm's way during the pregnancy, Jessica has shut down Alias Investigations and is starting a new job with the Daily Bugle.

J. Jonah Jameson has finally admitted his hard line, anti-superhero propaganda is not winning new readers. He wants to create a superhero news section with Ben Urich (award-winning writer, but out of favor since he refused to reveal Daredevil's secret identity) and featuring Jessica Jones as a research consultant. Jessica helped JJJ when his foster daughter went missing and has earned a microscopic soft spot in his petrified heart.

This ain't half bad!

The first story Jones and Urich cover is one that cuts right to the heart of the Daily Bugle newspaper as one of their own is found murdered. The suspect is believed to have super powers and the new reporting team have their work cut out finding the killer. What happens when Jessica's new job puts her right back in harm's way?

Pros: Nice covers by Mayhew, great dialogue and story by Bendis, good art by Bagley who ain't no stranger to any of these characters (he drew flashback sequences in Alias)

Cons: I prefer Gaydos' art from Alias (the first series starring Jessica Jones) vs. Bagley's art on this one, Bendis/Bagley use an excessive amount of double-page dialogue spreads utilizing repeat/copied panels (i.e. Jessica's same head shot five times with different dialogue) in the first few issues, Alias had a MAX rating (for mature audiences) while this series doesn't = it's not the same Jessica Jones without the cussing!

Mike Tells It Straight: I loved Alias and really dug Bendis' portrayal of Jessica Jones. When that series ended and this one started up I had to check it out. Going into this reading with a lot of expectations I was both let down and thrilled at the same time. Let me explain - Alias was a Marvel MAX book with a lot (I mean a lot) of cussing, smoking, and mature themes. It was a hoot! Then Bendis and Marvel decided to pull the plug in favor of this Daily Bugle centered book without the mature rating so they could feature all of the mainstream Marvel heroes without tarnishing their images with 'mature content' situations. Complete BS IMHO.

Wherefore art thou Jessica Jones?

Jessica Jones' character is lessened by her treatment in this series - she was the star of Alias, but is just another member of the cast here. She doesn't swear, doesn't smoke (obviously with the pregnancy and all), and is not the true focus of the series. Bagley's art didn't do her or Luke Cage justice (too cartoony). It was a let down. BUT...

The story was phenomenal - the Daily Bugle cast: J. Jonah Jameson, Ben Urich, Robbie Robertson et al were incredibly well-portrayed. Bendis paced it really well and gave us a cliffhanger at the end of every issue. Major events happened in the lives of Urich, Spider-Man, and a specific villain. Bagley's art was perfect for these characters. It was a book that changed the status quo and I loved it.

In conclusion, the Alias fans will be disappointed by this book, but take solace - it's still a great read. Yes, despite the ridiculous double-page, multiple-head-shot, and dialogue-ridden pages - Bendis delivers!

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Annihilation Book Three Hardcover Review

2012-01-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

Annihilation Vol. 3
Marvel Comics
Oversized Hardcover
304 pages
$29.99 (2007)
$24.99 (2007)
ISBN 9780785125136

Contributors: Christos Gage, Guiseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Landini, June Chung, Cory Petit, Scott Kolins, Keith Giffen, Stuart Moore, Andrea DiVito, Paul Mounts, Laura Villari, and Mike McKone

Reprints: Annihilation #1-6 (of 6), Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-2 (of 2), Annihilation: Nova Corps Files

Synopsis: The Annihilation Wave has broken through from the Negative Zone to our universe and destroys everything in its path. None are safe as Annihilus, long-time foe of the Fantastic Four and possessor of the Cosmic Control Rod, unleashes his ruthless armada to scour the cosmos of life.

Someone call for exterminators!?

Xandar and the Nova Corps fell within the first few days of the Wave's attack and Nova is the sole survivor, housing the entire power of the Nova Force and Worldmind within his body. He leads a resistance army called the United Front against the Wave with little to no success. Aided by a reborn Drax the Destroyer, Peter Quill the former Star-Lord, Gamora, several former Heralds of Galactus, Ronan the Accuser, and the Super-Skrull - Nova fights a desperate and ultimately futile battle. The shattered Skrull Empire has been decimated and the Kree are next in line for obliteration.

Annihilus now holds the Quantum Bands and is close to harnessing cosmic power with the help of Thanos. The pair of despots seek to imprison Galactus with the help of two Proemial Gods, Tenebrous and Aegis. Moondragon is captured by Thanos setting Drax on a collision course with his destiny to kill the mad Titan. The universe stands on the brink of annihilation - can the heroes prevail and who will fall next?

Did anyone get the number of that Annihilation Wave?

Four post-Annihilation stories starring the Heralds of Galactus:

Finally released by Annihilus' control-parasites Terrax, Paibok the Power Skrull, and the Delinquent make planet-fall on a world controlled by the Space Parasite - can they resist his power in their weakened state?
Stardust reincorporates after the devastating events of the Annihilation War and is confronted by the last remnants of its former life. The Ethereal creature gets one last chance at redemption
Firelord hunts down members of the Centurions for their war crimes. He encounters a group seeking atonement by opposing their former allies. Will his fiery anger blind him to their attempt or can he forgive those forced into the service of Annihilus?
The two Proemial Gods, Tenebrous and Aegis plan to reorder the universe to fit their warped views. The Silver Surfer battles them amid the wreckage of the K'yln at the Universal Crunch, but he is hopelessly outmatched - can he survive fighting the gods who defeated his master?

Stardust, Terrax, Galactus, Firelord and the Silver Surfer

Pros: Awesome covers by Dell'Otto (probably the highlight of the whole series), major cosmic events happen, spectacular finale, art by DiVito was decent, battle between Thanos and Drax

Cons: Interior art didn't blow me away, Proemial Gods were wasted on the Surfer story, Nova Corps files felt like a lot of filler

Mike Tells It Straight: This final collection of the Annihilation saga brought back the excitement I felt from the first volume. We get more intergalactic war, major plot twists, and an exciting finale. The final battle between Drax and Thanos was a shocker, Galactus plays a big role in the saga, and Marvel successfully revamps their cosmic heroes.

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.

I enjoyed this crossover as much as Civil War although it was very different. The real story was Nova's journey from being a green rookie to cosmic powerhouse and savior of the universe. His character is very alike to Spider-Man's - regular kid gets superpowers and learns their importance. Nova matured in this series and I'm looking forward to his further adventures in the sequel - Annihilation: Conquest.

The saga suffers from the typical modern storytelling decompression technique - good for selling more comic books, but it bogs down the reader. The whole thing could have been told in twelve issues, but it was still a good read. You won't find better cosmic action from Marvel in the modern era - check out this book (especially for those of you disappointed by volume two - it gets better).

TO BUY and Recommendations: