Sunday Reading 2-26-12
“Whatever the tasks, do them slowly with ease, in mindfulness, so not do any tasks with the goal of getting them over with. Resolve to each job in a relaxed way, with all your attention.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master
To often as comic readers it is so easy to simply rush through our comics and then head off to the message boards to “voice” our displeasure. We forget to take the time to enjoy the experience of reading comics and to find what it is we truly enjoy about comic book collecting. So let’s take this time to truly look at the comics from the last week and find just what it is to be great in the world of comics. This week I take a look at 3 titles: Uncanny X-Force #22, The Flash #6, and Fantastic Four #603.
Uncanny X-Force #22
X-Force is consistently one of the best books Marvel is putting out. It’s not afraid to challenge our moral values and while there is some shock factor to it, it is also well thought out deeply interesting. This storyline has added some extra complexity by adding in the Captain Britain Corps and Otherword. Even with the increase in characters, Rick Remender’s story has a nice flow to it and its pretty easy to keep track of all the players.
One of the most interesting team ups they deal with here is Meggan, or Wolverine and the AoA Nightclawer; no matter what universe he is from it seems Kurt Wagner is great at bringing out the best in people and adding some happiness to people’s lives. What is striking is his internal monologue that shows a much harsher and cruel edge to Nightcralwer that what we are used to.
The artwork by Greg Tocchini combined with the color work of Dean White really fits the mood of the story and keeps the flow of Rick Remender’s story nicely. Their depictions of Weapon III really make the character come to life in a gruesome way and considering how his powers work that’s a good thing. The ending twist / cliffhanger is also well done, but be warned as with everything in this book it;s not really kid appropriate. Also the Next issue box gives us a nice look at a homage to Excalibur that many old-time fans should enjoy.
The Flash #6
I would say that so far more than any other DCU New 52 comic (at least the ones I read) Flash is the one that has truly embraced the idea of moving forward and doing something new with its title character while at the same time still trying to give respect to the past. While I haven’t made up my mind yet whether or not I like this “new” version of Captain Cold, I must say that the story Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato is a great introduction.
We quickly learn why Captain Cold’s motivations have changed and why his modus operandi has changed as well. It’s a clear part of the story that is needed and handled beautifully. Besides the whole issue with the good Captain the Flash team has also taken this as a opportunity to update the concept around the Cosmic Treadmill. Again, this change is something keeping with the history of the FLash while taking it in a whole new direction, this idea has the potential to backfire on them I think, but because they have handled everything so wonderfully so far I’m hooked and looking anxiously to see what they do with it.
The fact that the artwork on this book is by the same team that writes it really makes the story flow and engage the reader. The line work is probably some of the best work Francis has ever done and continues to renovate the way speed is dissected.
One of the best things though is not only the display of action and super powers, Captain Cold also comes off very spectacular, but its the small character moments that also shine and really show that this creative team has a love for this book. Patty and Berry just sitting and having a talk or the Doctor trying to talk reasonably to Captain Cold are all handled very well.
Top Recommendation: Fantastic Four #603
I think it’s safe to say that Jonathan Hickman’s fun of Fantastic Four has been epic in scope and this issue manages to take it up another notch. It’s nice to see that some things, even for the Fantastic Four, are just too much, too big, to awesome to handle. With Galactus and the Celestials throwing down in the middle of space and the FF looking on its hard to describe. Hickman continues to find ways to surprise and surpass old ideas as the battle goes on; Galactus knows much more about he Celestials than he is willing to tell (hopefully a mystery for another time) and the Celestials are so daunted by it that they perform a merger that I don’t recall ever being shown before.
This is what the Fantastic Four should be about. It’s not super heroes per say, though they are trying to save the world, but it is high adventure with massive dose of the fantastic thrown in. The characters come to life whether it’s the Invisible Woman showing her willpower, the Thing being proactive or just Franklin being hesitant to with his own secrets. Everyone gets a chance to shine.
Barry Kitson was made to draw this kind of story and man does he deliver. He nails the grandeur of the battle between Glaactus and the Celestials, he literally makes the story feel “big”. Each of the FF get a chance to shine as they stand toe-to-toe with the Celestials are their powers are highlighted. All of it leads up to a nice last page “hope” panel when what we hope is the calvary arrives. Again Kitson nails it all to give us the grand wonder that the script deserves.
Once again we have reached the end my friends. I hope you have found the time to sit back and relax as you have enjoyed the experience. With that, I hope your comics reading has left upon you something so great that you can stop in and share it with all of us. Sunday Reading should be fantastic and hopefully that found its way into your stack of comics.