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by Wayne Markley
Someone commented on my last blog post, and fairly I think, that I was too negative about the whole comic book industry. So this time out I thought I would take a few minutes of your time and write about some of my favorite books ideal now. For those who read this frequently a couple of the titles will be familiar as I liked them in the past, and I still do. but on the other hand, there are a number of new books that have crept onto my need to read list.
Thunder Agents
The one book that has shocked me the most is DC’s Thunder Agents. DC has a long history of licensing other publisher’s characters and then totaling screwing around with them or dropping the ball and the characters become afterthoughts. Archie’s Red Circle characters and Milestone are a couple of examples. I did not have high hopes for the launch of the former Tower Comics characters, Thunder Agents. There have only been five issues at this point, but I have been both shocked and very pleased at how good these issues have been. It is a complex story that draws on the rich history of the series while setting it in the modern age. I have been told by some that the stories rely too heavily on the history of the characters and if you are not familiar with the original stories (which DC has reprinted in a very great set of six hardcovers) they don’t make much sense, but I have not found this to be a problem.
FF
Another book I really took pleasure in was FF #1. To be honest, I also took pleasure in Jonathan Hickman’s run on wonderful Four, even though I thought the death of Johnny storm was rather weak. I suspect that is because his death (or lack thereof..) will play part of the new FF title as it evolves. I really like the new costumes and the new purpose of the team, and adding Spider-Man was a great touch. I also really like Hickman’s shield comic, but to be sincere I am not sure I fully understand it. I plan on re-reading the first arc over again when the hardcover comes out. I have been told that it reads much better in one sitting. and while I am on the topic, I really take pleasure in secret Warriors, also written by Hickman, which is due to wrap up soon. It is filled with twists and turns and it seems to turn onto itself a bit like a pretzel, but it is a very good story that is deeply tied to the history of the marvel Universe.
Invincible
Another title that a lot of people I talk with agree is an exceptional book (assuming they read it) is Robert Kirkman’s Invincible. I like nearly everything Kirkman writes, from Haunt to walking Dead to Guarding the Globe, but I think Invincible is one of the best. It is a straight superhero book that is filled with touching human emotions. You will feel like you are enjoying a Spielberg motion picture rather than reading a superhero comic. one of my favorite things about Kirkman’s comics is that he writes his characters into a corner where it seems like there is no escape, and on the next page there is a 180 degree turn and it is nothing I would ever expect. It is not something out of the blue that the writer was forced to do because he has screwed himself, but it is a very creative way out of a situation. I have not seen in a comic before. My gosh – originality! This book is collected in six stunning hardcovers or 12 spiffy trades.
Unwritten
This next book I have only read in trades and the a lot more I have read it, the a lot more I have took pleasure in it. It is Vertigo’s Unwritten. It is written by Mike Cary, who is not one of my favorite writers, but I find these series to be very entertaining and well done. It is a mix of Harry Potter with fantasy elements and stunning art. I found the first and third collections better than the second, but overall the whole series is a very satisfying read. I am not a substantial fan of fantasy material, so for me to take pleasure in a fantasy series so much is high praise indeed. This is the best book for someone who is not a superhero fan and is trying to find something different.
I Am Legion
Next, I would recommend not a book, but a publishing company – Humanoids. Humanoids have been around for nearly a decade in America, first self publishing, then being published by DC Comics, and now they are back to publishing their own material again. So far in their current incarnation they have published a mix of European material and material done for Europe by American creators. I would recommend any of these books even though they are wildly different in terms of storytelling and style. Some example are I Am Legion, a science fiction (sort of) story set in Nazi Germany with stunning art by John Cassaday. another is Day of the Magicians, an epic story telling the tale of a secret cult of magicians and a messed up family who are an interregnal piece of the future of earth. It features stunning full color art. A third book is Metal. This is a fantasy/sword and sorcery tale with very great art by Butch Guice. as with all the books by Humanoids, these book features a strong story, with a beginning, middle and an end and it is supported with stunning art. Every book Humanoids has done so far features some of the best production values you will see in a collection.
Criminal: Last of the Innocent
I want to take a moment to mention a handful of books I really take pleasure in but I have promoted lots of times in the past so I will not spend a lot of time going over individual titles. These include Ed Brubaker’s Criminal; a hardboiled crime comic that rivals the best film noir movies. Jonah Hex, a standalone book that I think is one of, if not the best comic, month after month. secret agent X-9 collections from IDW. The second volume of this comic strip by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson is a fine example of how good a comic strip can be. prince Valiant compilations from Fantagraphics. As I have said over and over, comics do not get much better than this in storytelling, art and coloring.
As always, these are just my opinions and welcome your opinions, both pro and con. What I have written in no way reflects Westfield’s or its employee’s opinions. Please send any comments to me at MFBWAY@aol.com.
As always, thank you for your time.