Lastest Comics Haul

 

Wednesday is new comic book day! I went down to my friendly local comic book store, and here's what I picked up:

Marvel

True Believers

To celebrate Marvel's 80th annivesary, the comics giant reprinted some of their key classic issues. They've been out for a while and my local store had them on a rack for just over a dollar. I picked up the issue introducing Zemo and his Masters of Evil, and the issue where Rogue first joins the X-Men after leaving the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

X-Men Legends

The second issue came out on the 31st, so I picked it up as well as a variant cover edition of the first issue. I'm a big fan of basically anything X-Men so I'm excited to able to follow this series from the beginning.

Silk

Cindy Moon, given spider powers when she was bitten by the same radioactive spider that turned Peter Parker into Spider-Man, has her own ongoing series and I've been excited about it since I first heard it was on the way. This title is probably the one I'm most excited about from this haul.

DC

The Flash

Issue #768 sees Wally West asking Barry Allen to sever him from his speed powers when things go horribly wrong. Sounds to be a good place to jump onto the series for new or returning fans.

Source Point Press

Cult of Dracula

Dracula is one of those stories that I love so much, I happily own several copies and each one is special to me in some different way. When I saw that Source Point Press was releasing a vampire comic, I had to jump on that!

Captain America (2018) Issue 2

 

-By Ta-Nehisi Coates & Leinil Francis Yu

-Inkers: Gerry Alanguilan & Leinil Francil Yu

-Color Artist: Sunny Gho

-Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna

-Cover: Alex Ross

This issue takes a slower pace than the first, although it opens with Steve Rogers intervening on another attack from the same group of supersoldier terrorists with their faces painted with the American flag.

Although he succeeds, he's told off by General Ross, and it's clear that the American government doesn't trust the Captain like they used to. After this, Steve spends a lot of time dwelling on the past, on his failures, on how he's different (or not) from the super soldiers who attack innocent people. At the end, it looks like the good Captain is going to get some help from friends in Wakanda.

I really appreciated this issue. I really liked its slower, more emotional pace. It gave us some room to explore Steve's relationship with Sharon, and with his relationship with himself. Coates is clearly exploring the double-edged nature of patriotism and even masculinity, in a way that doesn't come across as superior or preachy, while still feeling pointed and topical.

The icing on the cake is the art and panel layout in this issue. There's some really creative and dynamic panels that reach out and seize your attention. I know I'm only two issues in, but I'm already considering buying the trades for this story. We'll pick up Captain America again next Friday!

How to Start Reading Comic Books

 

I know a lot of people who conceptually like comic books but feel too daunted to make the leap and start actually reading them. It's really no wonder why, it can look really daunting. Walking into a comic book store and there's shelves of the things, it's really hard to have any idea where to start. If I've just described your experience, I've got some thoughts to share that might make things a little easier.

My first thought is the simplest. Literally just start. If you see a book that looks interesting to you, go for it. Sure you'll be missing some context, but for most of the big titles (Ms. Marvel, Black Panther, Wonder Woman) you're kind of going to be missing some anyway. Not fully knowing the history of a situation or character is a pretty normal experience, even for seasoned comic book readers.

 

Second, you could wait until a new series starts and go from there. There's lots of ways to find out what comics are coming out in future weeks (new comic book day is always Wednesday, by the way), but my favorite is to use the internet. Simply searching for "new comic books this week" should take you to a few resources. You won't find a new #1 issue every week of course, but publishers are often rebooting or starting new spinoff or original series.

Third, if knowing a complete story is really important to you then you might want to consider looking at omnibus collections or what are called "trade paperbacks". An omnibus is a large volume collecting all of the individual monthly comics from a certain story. Trade paperbacks are the same idea, but are usually smaller, collecting about six or so issues per volume. Buying trades can be a good way to find an entire story, or to quickly catch up with an ongoing series.

Fourth, you might want to consider digital comics. There's lots of apps out there that allow you to buy comics online, and there's even some subscription services that allow to read a HUGE collection of older books if you're not concerned about staying up on the newest stuff. Personally, I subscribe to Marvel Unlimited and it's been great for me to read series that are older and I've missed out on.

However you go about it, I hope this has been at least somewhat useful and you feel more confident about stepping into this world that I really enjoy.

Captain America (2018) Issue 1

-By Ta-Nehisi Coates & Leinil Francis Yu

-Inker: Gerry Alanguilan

-Color Artist: Sunny Gho

-Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna

-Cover: Alex Ross

I've been a big fan of Ta-Nehisi Coates' work since I read his run of Black Panther (we'll get to that later) so when I found out that he had a hand in writing Captain America I immediately added it to my library. I was not disappointed.

This issue shows us a world that is recovering from a Hydra takeover. Through natural sounding dialogue and stunning art, we're shown that Hydra didn't just take over, but they broke what they had. There are many in the United States who are still loyal to Hydra and its ideals and Steve Rogers finds it difficult to know where his place is. When domestic terrorists shoot into a crowd of protestors with the American flag painted on their faces, the same flag Steve Rogers himself dresses with, it's difficult to know if you're the "good guy" after all.

As Hydra's influence in the USA is faltering, in Russia it still seems to have a firm hand over the people. A firm hand that a couple of special individuals are working to shake off, but we get a sense that Russia may just be exchanging one tyranny for another.

Something I'm already really appreciating about this book is that we get to see how the heroics are affecting ordinary people. We see civilians reacting with horror at the sight of armed gunmen, we see Cap and Bucky helping people get back to their feet or getting medical attention. It's a very grounded story that gives us the sense that Captain America is the people's hero, or at least is trying to be. He's not in the hero game for any kind of selfish reason. He's genuinely trying to use his power and privilege to help people.

To be honest, for the longest time Captain America didn't really do anything for me. I'm not sure why. Growing up a foreign kid in small town America didn't really breed much patriotism. That said, my biggest introduction to the character was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, wonderfully played by Chris Evans. I really liked his daring optimism and selfless heroics. He never sacrificed his own moral code, going so far as living in self-imposed exile in his effort to do the right thing.

Steve Rogers here seems so far to be on the same track. He calls himself "a man loyal to nothing except the dream" and that's the kind of character I can get behind.

Looking forward to next week when we move on to Issue 2.

Star Wars (2015) Issue 1

 

-Writer: Jason Aaron

-Artist: John Cassaday

-Colourist: Laura Martin

-Cover Artists: Cassidy & Martin

First off, I love how much this book resembles the films. Starting by devoting an entire page to “A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...” followed by a title card and opening crawl before sending us on our adventure via an opening shot of a ship approaching a planet. Very cool.

Our heroes are making a daring attack on an Imperial weapons factory. Han Solo is posing as the emissary from Jaba the Hutt, there to meet an Imperial negotiator about supplying the Empire with resources they need, especially now after the destruction of the first Death Star.

The plan to destroy the massive, automated factory goes smoothly, until the trouble starts. Luke discovers the Empire is keeping slaves in the facility, and Chewie (on lookout duty) sees that the Imperial negotiator has arrived, and it’s none other than Darth Vader himself. To make matters worse, the Millenium Falcon is being picked apart by scavengers and only C-3PO is there to stop them.

It isn’t long before all Hell breaks loose with Han and Leah leading the rescued prisoners to an AT-AT and Luke rushing off to face Vader, the man who killed both his mentor and his father (well... at last that’s what he believes).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really appreciate the attention to detail. There were clear efforts taken to make this comic look like a Star Wars movie, like an extension of the Skywalker saga.

The art is excellent, the humour is quips and in-keeping with the rest of the franchise. The action is very well executed.

Darth Vader is shown as particularly ruthless, at one point using a pair of Stormtroopers as unwilling human shields.

Leah is commanding and organized. Han is still trying (badly) to be a rogue with no allegiance. Luke is impulsive and over confident.

This issue is a great start to the series!

Ghost Rider (2019) Issue 2

 

-Cover Artist - Aaron Kuder & Dean White

-Writer - Ed Brisson

-Artists - Aaron Kuder, Craig Yeung, John Lucas, Luciano Vecchio

-Colourist - Jason Keith

Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider!

We open with Johnny Blaze walking through the streets, continuing his hunt for demons who have escaped Hell. Although Danny’s mother visited him at her grave and told him that something’s wrong with Johnny, that he’s going mad with power, Johnny is clearly being methodical in his use of the Spirit of Vengeance. He describes to himself (and the reader) that as he walks Earth, he can sense the sins of everyone around him, but that none of them deserve the fate that awaits in Hell, not like the prey he’s after.

Still, a Ghost Rider rampage, sending scores of demons back to hell catches the attention of the police, including Danny’s ex-girlfriend, Stacy. A regular at Danny’s bar is the latest victim of the Spirit of Vengeance (rather, a demon who had possessed him), and this news hits him pretty hard, especially after his spectral experience he had the night prior.

When that very evening, Johnny Blaze is raising Hell on a cruise ship, Danny goes to intervene. What happens is the Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider battle we’ve been waiting for. Danny does everything he can to save who he believes are innocents, and Johnny is furious that his brother is defending demons looking to spread their evil on Earth.

In the end, the King of Hell overpowers Danny, strips him of the Spirit of Vengeance, and throws him off a bridge, leaving him to drown.

This issue especially highlights the differences between Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch as Ghost Riders. Johnny has clearly embraced his role to the max, even visibly influenced by his new title as King of Hell. Danny’s relationship with the Spirit of Vengeance is more like Bruce Banner’s relationship with the Hulk, something holding him back, keeping him from living the life he really wants.

So what’s going on here? Who’s in the right? Has Johnny Blaze been too influenced by his crown? There’s definitely plenty of evidence to support that idea, not the least of which is his new look. A crown of horns burns from the top of his skull. I don’t buy it though.

Throughout this issue, we see that Lilith is working behind the scenes, pulling her strings to rally more support. She sees herself as Mephisto’s true successor, and is poised to take the throne right out from under the Ghost Rider. Speaking of Mephisto, I doubt he’s sitting quietly out of the picture. I think there’s much more going on here than we’ve been let to see yet.

Either way, we’ve got lots of this story left to go and I’m looking forward to seeing where it’ll take us.

Ghost Rider (2019) Issue 1

 

Cover

-Colourist: Dean White

-Penciler: Aaron Kuder

Interior

-Colorist: Jason Keith

-Editor: Christopher Robinson

-Inker: Juan Frigeri

-Writer: Ed Brisson

I don’t know if any of you folks know this about me, but I love Ghost Rider. I’ve known about the character for ages and always enjoyed the aesthetic, but it was reading the Robbie Reyes stories (more on those later) that had me hooked on everything with a flaming skull.

This series starts off with one Hell of an intro (yes that is a pun) as we’re thrust into a story that has Johnny Blaze on the throne of Hell, doing everything in his power to keep control over those demons who find they’re unhappy with his managerial style.

A portal is opened to the mortal world with demons spilling out, seeking freedom. Johnny goes after them, walking the Earth for the first time in a while.

Johnny asks his half brother, Danny Ketch (also a Ghost Rider), for assistance, but he refuses. Danny’s a wreck. Drunk more often than not, he resents his role as a Ghost Rider. He has some second thoughts though, when while visiting his mother’s grave, he sees her spirit warn him that Johnny has been corrupted by Hell and something needs to be done about it.

As far as I’m concerned, this is a strong start to the series. I’m enjoying this Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider set up, and I’m deeply curious about how everything’s going to go down. Johnny Blaze might be the current King of Hell, but the demons haven’t forgotten their loyalty to Mephisto. On top of that, Lilith has her own eyes on the title. Lots of strings tangled up here and I’m very excited to see where they all lead.

The art in this book is fantastic. There’s a brilliant sense of movement and speed present in the line work, and the style choices are delightful. The demons are visceral, monstrous, with rich and varied designs, armed with cruel blades or machine guns, and some even ride around Hell on mopeds. It’s awesome, very expressive, and indicative of the imagination behind the pencils and pens.

I’m really looking forward to reading what’s coming next!

Wolverine: Old Man Logan

Writer: Mark Millar

Penciler: Steve McNiven

Inker: Dexter Vines

Colourist: Morry Hollowell

Fifty years ago, Wolverine died.

This series rocked imaginations when it came out and it pushed Wolverine as a character and the world he inhabits in a very new and interesting direction. It also inspired the film Logan, and it’s easy to see why.

I’m not going to dive into spoilers, because even though it’s been out for a few years now, I still think anyone who has any interest in reading this series absolutely should.

This story is set in a world (America, at least. We don’t get much indication of how the rest of the world is holding up, but we can assume it’s not much better) where the supervillains have won and carved it up for themselves. Almost all the superheroes are dead and we really get to see how far the country has gone to into Hell.

Wolverine lives on a humble farm with his wife and two kids. This Wolverine, as the title suggests, has aged significantly compared to what we’re used to. He’s still, however, visibly very strong and capable.

The story opens with the Hulk Gang, descendants of Bruce Banner, brutalizing Logan because his family is late on the rent. They demand double next month or they’ll kill everyone. While his wounds heal (much slower than we’re used to) Hawkeye pays a visit and offers Logan a job. He needs a navigator to go with him on a cross-country road trip delivery job, and Logan accepts.

What follows is some heavy stuff. We see the final, unglamorous resting places of more than one hero, and we see that in the hero’s absence, lots of new unforeseen threats have arrived.

The art is fantastic all the way through. The action sequences are high intensity and carry a great sense of motion, and when the story slows down to breathe, it’s wonderfully expressive.

Something I appreciate about Old Man Logan is the trust it has for the audience. It doesn’t need to overly explain everything about the state of the world. Any exposition comes in the form of natural sounding dialogue and it’s honestly refreshing to read. We never find out all the specifics of the The Day The Heroes Fell, and the story is better for it.

There’s so much about these comics that I love.

I love that The President of the United States is left secret until the end, but once you know, you start seeing all the clues that have been there the whole time.

I really love how much these comics are interconnected. The world feels like a real place and this world and story makes so much sense. It’s so well planned out.

I love that this story is so dark and the circumstances of this world are so heartbreaking, but extreme circumstances breed extreme heroism.

I love that the rough heroism and overall tone of the story reminds of Clint Eastwood’s Dollar Trilogy.

When I opened this book, I was a little apprehensive, but I found I enjoyed these comics much more than I had expected to. If you’re a fan of Wolverine in any capacity, I can’t recommend it strongly enough.