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Click Here for the previous page, including solicitations for non-premier publishers.
By Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch $12.99, 160 pages, Page 184, Marvel Comics, MAY02 1540 Scheduled to ship August 28th Chris: I'm really surprised that I dig this book as much as I do, as I had unreasonably high-hopes for it when it came out. Bryan Hitch turned in some stellar work on THE AUTHORITY, and some slightly less-stellar work on JLA, so I was expecting a lot from him. Likewise, Mark Millar's AUTHORITY work had been fascinating stuff, not to mention I had just gotten a chance to read some of his early SAVIOUR material, and I was looking forward to seeing him piss all over superheroes in the same way. What can I say. I'm cynical. I remember, distinctly, having one of those fanboy moments when I first saw the cover artwork and all of the promotional art in Previews. I don't get that very often at all anymore -- I like to believe that I've stamped the fanboy out of my soul for good. But with every brilliant, leisurely paced issue that's released, I realize that there's a 14 year old kid inside me who still has those anticipatory butterflies in his stomach just waiting for the coming storm. James: Geek. But seriously, this is a quality comic and I'm all for quality comics, regardless of genre. Millar and Hitch have a great chemistry and just like you, I'm loving the slow build we've gotten over the first few issues. Chris: But, do you think the Hulk is really gonna flip out and leave the team? Like in the original series? Cuz, like, I really think that he'll be replaced with the uber-Hulks like in Morrison's MARVEL BOY then, and... aw fuck. I geeked all over myself. Damnit.
By Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev $14.99, 144 pages, Page 184, Marvel Comics, MAY02 1539 Scheduled to ship August 28th James: I have no long standing love of DAREDEVIL. There's little nostalgia there. I didn't read it as a kid. Hell, I don't think I've read but half of Frank Miller's classic run on the title. I vaguely remember being into the Ann Nocetti/JR Jr run as a teen, but I don't recall why. Somehow though, Bendis has taken a character I'm fairly indifferent to, in a genre I've kind of outgrown and made what might be my favorite monthly book. Like Millar, Bendis is taking his time with this story but the pay off is coming and it looks to be huge. And Bendis' partner in crime, Alex Maleev, is no slouch either. It's another great collaboration and an outstanding addition to any bookshelf. Chris: I actually just went back and took a look at my Previews Review for the month that Bendis and Maleev's first issue of DAREDEVIL was solicited. I made a point of mentioning that Maleev had developed a specific look and feel for Daredevil that was completely unique from the visual design that Quesada and Palmiotti had come up with. I remember Bendis making a point of mentioning that I had done so as well, because not many other people had noticed it. To be honest, if he hadn't of brought it up I probably wouldn't remember it while doing THIS Previews Review. And why am I bringing it up, gentle reader? Aside from mentioning that Bendis reads this column (or at least, read it once…), I wanted to point out that the care and attention given to the nuances of how the lead character moves throughout the air or how he fights is indicative of the care and attention given to nearly every aspect of this book under Bendis and Maleev's tenure. The art, the colouring, the dialogue, the plot, all of it flows together seamlessly and uniquely, making it one of the most (in my opinion of course) successful collaborations between two creators on the stands today. Bendis and Maleev's DAREDEVIL is a damn good collaboration and a damn good book, and this first collection of their work is something you ought to seriously give a read. James: UNDERBOSS is the first act in the best DAREDEVIL story in recent memory. It's a story of crime and punishment worthy of sitting side by side with Bendis' creator-owned work. Chris: Yeah, for folks who're expecting it to be watered down compared to JINX and AKA GOLDFISH, they'll find DAREDEVIL pleasantly surprising. Well, except for this latest issue where he took the subtext of the story and then had one of the characters state it plainly. Twice. That was a little awkward. But the rest has been ace. James: Bah. I didn't think so. But to each their own. Chris: "Dude, that's like, TOTALLY Shakespearean, and shit." "Shakespearean?" "Yeah. TOTALLY Shakespearean." James: Bah. BAH! It was funny. Chris: I'd like to reitterate my love for Bendis before he kicks my ass. James: And you're just bringing it up because Charlie Chu mentioned it. Chris: Well, I love me some Chu. And Matt Fraction. Love the Fraction.
By Scott Morse $2.99, Colour, 32 pages (without ads), Page 169, Marvel Comics, MAY02 1508 MAGIC PICKLE
TPB James: Me, I love Scott Morse and damn is it a good month to love Scott Morse. Chris: Why do you say that, James? James: Well, for starters there's the MAGIC PICKLE TPB we mentioned a little earlier, his ANCIENT JOE TPB from Dark Horse, and for Marvel fans there's GLIMPSE & ECHO, a new four-issue painted miniseries staring Elektra debuting this month. Chris: For those who may be unfamiliar with the genius Scott Morse, he's basically an animator/former assistant Jon J Muth/brilliant comics illustrator who's been responsible for such brilliant books as SOULWIND, VOLCANIC REVOLVER, LITTLE GREY MAN, and... MAGIC PICKLE. Tell us of the Pickle, James. James: It's pretty much like it sounds, Chris. He's a pickle. He has superpowers. He fights evil vegetables. He also makes me laugh for hours and hours. The new trade paperback reprints the story of his return to active duty and his introduction to a new partner, little JoJo Wigman. The TPB packed tighter than a jar full of dills with extra artwork, strips, and even Scott's "How to Draw Produce" feature from Wizard magazine. But, this is the Marvel section, so we should probably talk about Elektra. Chris: Right. Elektra. Well, I'm not a fan of Elektra, although I think that Greg Rucka has handled her incredibly well in the Elektra/Wolverine crossover, so anything's possible. Considering what a talented creator Morse is, I'm sure that the book will be, at the least, entertaining. Particularly if the art is as attractive as that cover. James: Oh, it will be. This is Morse's first fully painted miniseries and I can't wait. Chris: I honestly think that the fluidity of his artwork will translate brilliantly to the character. The interior artwork looks wonderful to boot. But that's not all that there is from Mr. Morse this month, is it James? James: No. No, it's not. There is a third reason July should be Scott Morse Month. ANCIENT JOE is Morse doing Hemingway and the results are completely unique. Chris: ANCIENT JOE is incredibly cinematic, the story of a being cursed for stealing the devil's silver and the price he has to pay. This book includes the entire three issue mini-series, as well as the stories from DARK HORSE PRESENTS, SCATTERBRAIN, and LOUD CANNOLI. James: It's a solid book. Chris: And the extra material should help pad out the main story, which I thought moved just a might quickly (even though it was a good read). James: I think that was just the nature of the story, though you're right, the trade will have a little more meat to it.
James: Take a cup of Pete Milligan, mix with 2 cups of sifted Allred, and finally add a pinch of Darwyn Cooke and you have the delicious dish that is X-STATIX #1. While Milligan and Mike Allred's take on X-Force may not have been completely original, their execution has certainly been unique. X-STATIX promises to be more of the same with even more new characters, more new subplots, and perhaps most importantly, more DOOP! Chris: The 're-invention' of X-FORCE as X-STATIX promises to be interesting. While it was probably put together for financial considerations, if anyone could take advantage of the situation for a radical re-invention of the book, those people would have to be Peter Milligan and Mike Allred. I'm really looking forward to the title, but then, I'm really looking forward to every issue of X-FORCE too. Speaking of which, when are we going to see the second X-FORCE trade paperback? I wants me some more X-FORCE goodness. James: Marvel's enthusiasm for TPBs is undeniable and I'm honestly surprised that they haven't solicited it yet. Chances are we'll see it soon though. Chris: I'm sure it will, I'm just impatient because now we won't see it until September at the earliest. What I'm actually shocked at is that Peter Milligan isn't really capitalizing on his 'fame', with more projects coming out of him. Is he a one-book-a-month author? James: It would seem that way but with the book being as good as it is I'm not complainin' Chris: I know. But I just read ENIGMA again, and THE EATERS for the first time (Thanks James!) and fell in love all over. I want more Milligan, damnit. I want 4x Milligan a month. James: Bah! Your expectations are too high. Chris: Heh, you're right. Maybe I should just settle into fanboyism, be happy with whatever I get, and staunchly defend every move anyone ever makes because I love their comic books so much... Or Not. James: You're so cynical. Chris: No, I'm an optimist. It just seems cynical because this is comics. On that note, two more X-Book Mainstays get re-launched with SOLDIER X #1 and AGENT X #1. James: I'd like to note that both of the other 2 relaunches also have stellar creative teams attached with Darko Macan & Igor Kordey on SOLDIER X and Gail Simone & UDON on AGENT X. Chris: I concur entirely. Darko (GRENDEL TALES) Macan and Igor (WHY DO PEOPLE HATE ME?) Kordey doing military porn featuring Cable. Sounds fun. And Gail and Udon's run on DEADPOOL has been fun so far, so I'll continue to expect big things of them. Also From Marvel this month:
Chris: Comicbookdom is abuzz with the prospect of the world's first hooker superhero. I'd like to say I'm excited, but I'm not. There's a certain perverse curiosity, and Warren Ellis has given it a fairly decent recomendation, so I'm sure it'll be a fun little read at the least. Amanda Connor's artwork is also a welcome addition, as she can draw the fantastic and the mundane with equal ability, which should make for a lovely contrast. James: Enh. While the creative team is certainly an impressive grouping the concept just does nothing for me. I just have no interest. Chris: Neither did I. But it's an original short story that starts and ends in that book. I'll give it a shot, at the very least.
By Jonathan Vankin and Seth Fisher $2.95, Colour, 32 pages, Page 97, DC/Vertigo, MAY02 0276 FLASH: TIME
FLIES Chris: These two works are mainly linked together here because they both feature the stunning artwork of Seth (HAPPYDALE, GREEN LANTERN: WILLWORLD) Fisher. But there's a thematic linking as well, as both titles explore fantastic 'cities of the future'; the fictional Central City of TIME FLIES and the bleeding edge of Tokyo. Both books look to have some brilliant artwork, and both have intriguing premises. TIME FLIES has the Flash (I know, I know) running his way into the future, which will allow Fisher to explore varied architecture and design (something he's very good at). VERTIGO POP: TOKYO explores present day Tokyo, and all the strangeness and wonder of the city is sure to be captured in Fisher's elegant details. James: Something about Fisher's work just doesn't click for me. I can see the skill he has on the page but for some reason it just doesn't feel right. Chris: You've mentioned this before, and rather than just go off on you for the phillistine that you are, I'll instead ask what you think of the new VERTIGO: POP line. James: Well, it's not much of a line, more of a thematic grouping. I'm totally onboard for the LONDON mini by the aforementioned Peter Milligan and the always-excellent Phillip Bond, but the other two I'm kind of "enh" on. Chris: Hey! Peter Milligan on a four issue mini, concurrant to X-STATIX! I guess, sometimes, dreams do come true!
Chris: I have a dirty secret. I never finished reading the original LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN mini-series. See, I own the first four issues, and I meant to buy the next two, but they were late and I lost interest and I just figured I'd wait for the trade paperback collection. It's been... I think three years since issue #1 of the miniseries came out, and sadly, there is no trade paperback collection. James: But there is a sharp hardcover that's offered again this month (Order Code STAR12324)... Chris: Yeah, I know. It's one of the nicer hardcovers that DC has put out too. I just got into the idea of waiting for the trade paperback collection and never got out of it. It doesn't help that the hardcover is over forty dollars Canadian either, mind... James: All you Canadians do is complain... If you bucked up and bought the damn book you'd see that Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill have crafted a fine superhero tale consisting completely of characters taken from Victorian era literature. It's a unique approach to the central genre of the medium and it's one very few could pull off with the effectiveness Moore does. There is a sense of genuine wonder in this book that's absent from the vast majority of comics on the stands. Chris: I know, I know. I really liked the first few issues, but my enthusiasm for the series was greatly diminished. To be compeltely honest, it was one of the reasons that I went to buying pretty much only collections and original graphic novels in the first place... But yes, I agree. The first series (what I've read of it) was phenomenal. This one, with even more of a middle eastern influence, should be fantastic and unique. The question is, do I wait for the collection (even if it's a $40 hardcover) first? James: Heh. That's a question only you can answer. You'd think, though, that DC would have learned from their previous folly and that this mini won't fall into the scheduling problems that plagued the first. Chris: From everything I've heard it won't, as this book is already done, or close to it. Here's to hoping eh?
Chris: I'd like to say this is my guilty pleasure for the month, but that's next. What this book is, actually, is a pretty sharp looking Military Sci-Fi book, with some outstanding art (even if you don't like Portacio), and an incredible premise. I can't help but think that if this book had come out alongside AUTHORITY #1, it would be considered the Pop Masterpiece that AUTHORITY is. From all accounts, it seems to be putting Ellis' Stormwatch run into the context of a big-budget action movie, sort of a Tom Clancy spin on Stormwatch to Ellis' Michael Bay. I'm really anticipating this book, as I am much of the Eye of the Storm line. James: Micah Wight has certainly become an outspoken presence on the Warren Ellis Forum since the announcement of this book and while I respect his candor, his attitude has kind of turned me off. Comparisons to Clancy almost make matters worse, as the technojargin and military procedure always seemed to be at the expense of actual character development in Clancy's books and if this is going to be the Wildstorm equivalent, I doubt I'll bother. Add to that initial disinterest my active dislike of Portacio's style and this book really isn't for me. Chris: I respect a man who knows what he likes. You're wrong though. This book is going to kick ass, in a way that's been missing from my life for too long. James: Well, Clancy has sold millions of books, so there's obviously an audience for the material, it's just not me.
Chris: This is my real guilty pleasure for the month. OUT THERE is the expertly crafted story of four teenagers from different cliques, thrown together when a great evil threatens their town. Yes, it's incredibly cliche, but the story takes the cliche and uses it to create resonance and an appropriate level of drama. That, and the art and colouring is gorgeous. I mean, just frick'n gorgeous. I don't know that I've ever seen artwork and colour that are as well integrated on this book. James: Expertly crafted? Are you kidding? I'll agree that it's a beautiful book. Humberto Ramos is a guy that manages to balance style with substance almost perfectly and Edgar Delgado's colors are some of the best in the business but the writing has no drama, no tension, and completely fails to engage. I wanted to like this book. Hell, I wanted to LOVE this book, but the writing makes it a mess of pretty pictures trapped in a jumble of cliches and lazy writing. Chris: Oh, expertly crafted, sorry. I was talking about the art. I dunno, the story was really "readable". For instance, when that kid got locked in the Freezer, there was some definite tension there... I just think that in my "entertaining" category, my standards are a little different. I found OUT THERE about as entertaining as the SPIDER-MAN movie, and there are very obvious problems in the writing with both. But, it's serviceable enough. James: Enh. I think you can have pure entertainment and have it still be well-thought-out. OUT THERE just makes me sad. It's a heap of potential that just doesn't come together. Chris: Maybe reading the issues all at once in this collected format will give it a new resonance for you. Or maybe it'll make me hate it too. :) James: Anything's possible. ;)
James: When paired with the right artist, Joe Casey is capable of turning in some exceptional work. His collaboration with Jose Ladronn on CABLE showed the potential of two creators on the verge and his partnership with Sean Phillips on WILDCATS deconstructed the concept of the superhero team book and with the pieces constructed something totally new. Ashley Wood on the other hand has produced some gorgeous artwork over the years but his sequential work has almost always been incoherent or at the very least hard to follow. For some reason I still hold out hope for this book, though. Like WILDCATS, this looks to be another deconstruction of the dominant genre of American comics and while I worry a little about Casey canabalizing himself, I think this book will be a distinct exercise in sequential storytelling. Chris: I had a chance to read some of Ashley Wood's more recent sequential work in this year's UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL (also with Casey), and it wasn't too bad at all. It's very... different... though. It's very design-oriented, less concerned with draftsmanship than he is with page layout and mood. To be honest, I'd rather see more of this sort of experimentation, rather than folks expecting every comic to look more or less the same. The promotional image/cover is very well rendered and identifiable, which leads me to believe that the incoherency that you feel marked his earlier work won't be present here. James: That's vaguely reassuring. Like I said, I'm cautiously optimistic. I want to like the book. Chris: Me too. Who says I'm a cynic?
James: While the new art team on CATWOMAN is certainly a worthy successor to the Darwyn Cooke/Mike Allred team that kicked off the new series, it'd be a shame for Cooke to leave Selina Kyle completely behind. Luckily, that ain't happening. Cooke's back on Catwoman in this all-new hardcover adventure that fills in the gaps between the last CATWOMAN series and the Brubaker/Cooke relaunch of last year. Chris: I gotta say, this is the kind of Original Graphic Novel Hardcover from DC that I can get into. Something special, something worthy of the extended format, and the singular vision of a creator who really has a story to tell. I think this book is gonna be top notch, if Darwyn's previous work is any indication. James: I do, too. My only reservation is the 8 different pinup artists they have listed. Eight pages of pinups in a $25/96 page hardcover seems a little excessive Chris: I'm not thrilled about that either, but considering the calibre of the artists (Allred, Hernandez, Hughes, Mignola, Steranko) it could be a hell of a lot worse... Granted, I'm naturally inclined to wait for the trade paperback collection of this one anyhow (though Darwyn Cooke may do a signing at my store, so I'd be hard-pressed not to pick it up in that event). James: It's an impressive list, it just seems a bit much.
James: A new HELLBOY miniseries! Hmmm, since it's HELLBOY, I'm going to assume that the first wish is for a jetpack that actually works and the second is to not fall through any more floors. What's the THIRD WISH? Only Mike Mignola knows for sure. The rest of us will probably have to read this little two-issue thing to find out. Chris: Yeah, I'm not terribly convinced that we will find out though. I mean, we'll probably get most of the story, and then they'll do an epilogue that explains everything and include that in the trade, or something... James: Bah. Whine to someone else. Chris: Who's whining? Just pointing out the many and obvious benefits to waiting for the collected edition. :-)
Well, that's the Previews Review again for this month! Damnit, these things are getting bigger and bigger each time out. Biggest PREVIEWS ever, biggest REVIEW ever, for the second month in a row. I really want to thank you folks for reading each month. I also want to thank my partner James here for joining in yet again. It's been a blast as always, Chris. Remember, folks, the only way to ensure that you get the books you want is to pre-order so make sure your retailer knows which of this month's offerings float your boat! Particularly the books from the first half of the review. As good as ULTIMATES is, there's a pretty good chance that your retailer is going to order it anyway. Don't assume the same on CINDERALLA, SIDEKICKS, or SLOW NEWS DAY. Make sure to pre-order! See you next month! Christopher Butcher,
vagabond
|
X-STATIX
#1
THE
PRO ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
Also
from Image this month:
LEAGUE
OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 2 #1
STORMWATCH:
TEAM ACHILES
OUT
THERE VOL. 1 TP
AUTOMATIC
KAFKA #1
CATWOMAN:
SELINA'S BIG SCORE HC
HELLBOY:
THE THIRD WISH
Also
From Dark Horse: 
