Welcome back to the incredibly late, not-so-current First Impressions! With some new books, some old books, some books we found cheap at the summer conventions, and other assorted odds and ends.

All reviews by Matt Singer (MS), Scott Grunewald (SG), Brian Domingos (BD), Jon Ellis (JE) and Alex Bernstein (AB)

GHOST WORLD
by Daniel Clowes
Collected Trade Paperback
Fantagraphic Books
$9.95

Ahhh...GHOST WORLD. The perfect graphic novel for anyone who's ever been an adolescent teenage girl. I, on the other hand, was never an adolescent teenage girl. The book didn't seem to stand up to all the acclaim it received, and if anyone wants to examine the irony of someone named Jon Ellis saying GHOST WORLD didn't stand up to the hype, be my guest. Yes it was an amusing slice of life, but far too simplistic to be as revered as it is. I am looking forward to the movie though. I get the feeling it will be much better suited to the small screen. (JE)

THE DEFENDERS #8
Writer: Erik Larsen and Kurt Busiek
Artist: Ron Frenz
Marvel Comics
$2.25

"The Worst Comic Ever Produced!" That's the hysterical quote from an incredibly tiny Comics International review that Marvel had the cojones to hang atop the current issue of THE DEFENDERS. Possibly the funniest marketing I've seen in years, but that's the Quesada era for you. So, is it? Of course not. (Comics International clearly has never read THUNDER BUNNY, THE HUMAN FLY or TIMID THE TIMID GHOST among millions of others. But perhaps they didn't get these comics in England.

Okay, I'm ultra-conscious that I am the audience for this series. Sure, 99% of comics play to nostalgia buyers. But DEFENDERS - perhaps the comics equivalent of "That 70's Show" - already has a massive cult audience built in. We must see Nighthawk, Hellcat and a savage Hulk bouncing around. And honestly, Gerber's not coming back, so the sillier the better, I say. So, here you go: Not the Worst Comic Ever Produced. (AB)

THE FLASH #175
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Scott Kolins
Inker: Doug Hazlewood
DC Comics
$2.25

I never thought I’d say this, but THE FLASH may just be the best super hero comic on the shelf. You start with striking covers by the mighty Brian Bolland and follow it up with constantly entertaining stories by Geoff Johns. This guy kills me. Here I am desperately attempting to cut down my pamphlet puchases and each month he hits me with Flash stories that haven’t been this good in easily five years. Scott Kolins is an equally excellent addition to the creative team. Together with Doug Hazlewood and James Sinclair the book is different from just about every other book out right now. The characters are thoughtful and the plots clever. The storytelling and pacing is all top quality work. Issue 175 kicks off a new shocking storyline and is a decent place for new readers to begin. (BD)

STRANGEHAVEN #13
by Gary Spencer Millidge
$2.95

Not a first issue by any means, but this is the first new issue of STRANGEHAVEN in going on a year and a half. Add that to the books new design and a new art style by Millidge and I think the book is notable. At the end of issue #12 we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger, albeit one that I was certain I knew the answer to. Well needless to say I didn’t. The sleepy town of Strangehaven, that seems to hold onto it’s inhabitants as a mother clings to it’s child, continues to get stranger and decidedly darker. As the opening narration points out, there is “always something going on behind closed doors” and the infidelity, witchcraft, masonistic rituals and possible murders within the town certainly attest to that.

Issue #13 probably isn’t the place for a new reader to jump on. (The two currently in print and exceptionally affordably priced trades are a must read in my opinion.) But if you’re a reader who’s forgotten the book due to lateness, I’d highly suggest picking the book up again, especially for Millidge’s lush new art style. (SG)

Warren Ellis’ BAD WORLD #1
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Jacen Burrows

Ellis is more editor than writer here, really. He takes us on a tour of the madness that the Internet has exposed him to. Plots to clone Jesus, aliens fighting for civil rights and Jesus’ firearms caliber preferences are all on display as Warren shows us that “bad” is truly in the eye of the beholder. Warren’s narration is complemented by the highly detailed and unsettling artwork of Jacen Burrows. Why Jacen hasn’t been snatched up by one of the majors by now is one of those mysteries that will probably evolve into a conspiracy theory that Warren will most certainly take note of. (SG)

THE AUTHORITY #23
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Inkers: Rich Friend & Jason Martin
DC/Wildstorm Comics
$2.50

The six month wait for new AUTHORITY is over and we get…this? Peyer's got the tone down, and Nguyen's art is fine, but this issue really had a lot to live up to and I don't really think it came through. A new team takes over the Authority mantle, but the issue provides little explanation and little reason for us to care what's going on, as if the mere fact that these guys talk the talk and walk the walk means more than who they are and what they are doing. For those who thought THE AUTHORITY was little more than flash over substance; well, they have never been more correct. Let's hope Peyer figures out where he's going with this and fast. (MS)

“My. Girl. Friend.” was the pointed declaration of the ‘New’ Midnighter as he tried to convince the world that the old Authority was gone, and left them in their place. It was also the highlight of a very fun first issue. While I'm glad that this new Right Wing Authority will be gone soon enough, I rather enjoy the light humor that they’ve brought to the book. Peyer, writer of the criminally under-appreciated Hourman, jumps into the typical Authority bloody mayhem with ease, and Nguyen’s art easily matches the strong level that we’ve come to expect on the book. (SG)

DAREDEVIL: YELLOW #1
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Marvel Comics
$3.50

The acclaimed creators of SUPERMAN: FOR ALL SEASONS and two year-long Batman mini-series finally turn free agent and start hitting for Marvel. The result is an issue that will likely dazzle newcomers to the Daredevil origin, with Loeb's lovely interior monologue and Sale's incredible artwork. Still, this dedicated Daredevil fan can't help feel somewhat slighted; for all the gorgeous artwork and well-written prose, there isn't much here that isn't in the original origin or Frank Miller's recent retelling THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR. I look forward to the next issue, on the assumption that with it Loeb and Sale will start taking our hero into territory that's slightly more uncharted. (MS)

I’ve always been on the sidelines, wondering why so much praise was heaped onto Loeb and Sale for their past collaborations. While both technically well done, their Batman stories seemed forced and kind of redundant, almost as if I’d read them somewhere before. Their take of Superman was more enjoyable for me, but still seemed a little too ‘been there done that’ for my tastes. Sadly, I feel the same way about DAREDEVIL: YELLOW.

Sale is obviously an incredibly talented artist, and Jeph Loeb knows how to put a good story together, but while reading the book I just kept thinking that I’d read and seen it all before. Some people may enjoy this retro trend that’s been going on for a few years, but it’s just not my thing. And neither is DAREDEVIL: YELLOW. (SG)

EXILES #1
Writer: Judd Winick
Pencils: Mike McKone
Inks: Mark McKenna
Marvel Comics
$2.99

Not to be confused with the also-tangentially X-related Malibu book of the same name, EXILES finally gives Marvel an excuse to give Blink, the popular X-Man from their AGE OF APOCALYPSE storyline, a reason to exist beyond old continuity. Here Blink hooks up with a bunch of other displaced X-Men from alternate realities, including Nightcrawler's daughter, and a Thunderbird who was enhanced by Apocalypse, Archangel-style. Winick seems to have a better handle on super-heroes here than in current run on GREEN LANTERN, and the comic's premise (X-Men if they were in "Quantum Leap" mixed with "Back to the Future") is nifty, but this issue itself is very talky and not exactly a great read. Still, the potential is there. McKone's art is excellent (Here's a guy that deserved a monthly book), and Winick seems to have the pieces in place for what could be a fine ongoing series. I, for one, hope he nails it. (MS)

Yet another new X-Book that I was sure I was going to hate yet found myself liking. I don’t think EXILES is as good as THE BROTHERHOOD by any means, but it was fun, rather easy to get into, had clever dialogue, and nice clean artwork. It relies heavily on X-continuity, maybe too heavily, but a general passing knowledge or X-lore will be enough to get you by. (SG)

DRAW! Magazine
Editor: Michael Manley
TwoMorrows
$5.95

I’ve heard it suggested that SKETCH magazine is basically there to promote and sell Blue Line products, and not much else. While I find that to be unduly harsh and generally untrue, I will agree that the magazine that attempts to be a quality industry focused magazine suffers from anemic content and an unfocused agenda. DRAW is an attempt to create a pure industry magazine that creates a place for pro’s to give each other tips, and for aspiring creators to learn from established talent.

For the most part, I think DRAW has succeeded. It’s not perfect by any means. It could use a nice going over by a graphic artist with a sense of modern style, and maybe a content editor who can trim articles that tend to ramble. However, these are minor complaints next to some brilliant and in-depth content. Dave Gibbons' step-by-step guide to laying out a comic with the aid of a computer is worth the cover price alone, and a wonderful feature on man-of-action Larry Young is pretty great, too. It’s also nice to see talent like Bret Blevins and Ricardo Villagran getting some ink. Over all, this is a great look into the working of the comic industry and quite worth picking up. (SG)

JOSS WHEDONS’S FRAY #1
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: Karl Moline
Inker: Andy Owens
Image Comics
$2.95

Joss Whedon is, of course, the man behind Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, and he’s brought the Slayer Mythos to comics in the form of FRAY. Melaka Fray is the first Slayer called in two hundred years, but she’s clueless about what she is, while sinister and evil unknowns are not. They want her dead, and she wants to know why the criminal she works for is giving her a bonus.

Whedon knows how to craft an engaging story and fill it with well-rounded and instantly likable characters. Fray is action packed, funny, and very readable, just like Buffy is watchable. If you’re a fan of his TV shows, then give FRAY a try. (SG)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS runs every other week at PopImage.com. All artwork copyright it's respective owners and creators, used for purposes of review.

PopImage Forum - Discuss this message at the PopImage forum.