Sunday Reading

Here’s the moral of the story: Comics are supposed to be fun. This week we read Stormwatch, Casanova, Action Comics and Animal Man.

It seems that sometimes we forget that. The internet supplies us with a great community where we can voice our opinions, our rants and our raves. Often though it seems we are only motivated to post when something truly inspires us, unfortunately that passion is often first found in those things that upset us.  They changed my character’s costume, they rebooted him, my guy’s in limbo, my super-hero would never do that and so on… I’ve been caught up in that myself many a time. The Comic Bloc itself has had message board wars over such things with passions often consuming even some of the most calm and rational posters.  But what of the other side of the coin?

That’s what we’re here for this Sunday, to take the internet back for a least a moment and to look past the negative and focus on the positive. Instead of talking about what comics have done wrong let’s talk about what they did right! Every Sunday were going to look back at the comics published that week and highlight the ones that got it right; the right amount of action, the drama done right, the great twist ending, the surprising guest star, whatever you see that week that makes you say “now that was good.”

I’ll be talking about what’s in my Bloc-O-Comics and some of my fellow Comic Bloc writers will also be stopping in to give their input. We invite you to check us and to share your best of the week picks also. As people read through maybe, just maybe we can inspire someone to pick up a book they may not have otherwise given a try.  Each week I will also pick one book as the Top recommendation for that week, it might be one of my books or it might be one from my fellow writers, you’ll never know if you don’t stop in and take a look.  So let’s get on with the show…

We’re going to take a look at 4 books this week, presented in no particular order, except for the Top Recommendation of the Week:

Stormwatch #1.

I have never read Stormawatch or the Authority; I just never got into them for some reason. Truthfully I was only getting this because one of my favorite characters, J’Onn J’onzz the Martian Manhunter, was in it. While I’m still a little unclear on who some of the characters are I must say that I’m intrigued.

We have a great set-up for an organization that has existed in secret for centuries and are the caretakers of the world. They actively recruit the best and/or most powerful people they can. I look forward to seeing how these “professionals” will interact in the future with the “heroes” of the DCU. The creative team has done a great job here of establishing personalities and leaving the door wide open for a large range of stories to be told. It obvious from some of the points touched on in this issue that this will be a cornerstone book for things happening across the DCU.

The artwork was solid and I was really happy that Miguel Sepulveda was able to handle the multiple locations that existed through the book so well. While I still need to get use to how the Stormwatch character are supposed to look, I can say that I enjoyed the Martian Manhunter and it was great to see his shape shifting abilities take center stage. The transitions from human to Martian to monster were fun to watch.

I have said before that all the DCU books have only an issue or two to keep me buying and I can honestly say that this one is off to a great start.

“James Bond + David Bowie + Acid + multiverse concepts = a book that would make Grant Morrison go “What?” That sums up this book about high concept secret agents, different universes, naked heroics with “undernut” and more crazy visuals that any other artist but Bá could handle. If you want a book that demands to be read, looked at, pondered, re-read and pondered over again this is the book for you. This has always been a book that rewards the patient and we are seeing things that go back to issue one of Luxuria in this issue. Do yourself a favor and hunt down a copy, it’s not for everyone but those who can get into it may just find their new favorite book.”

Wow that seems pretty high praise especially if your into things that will blow your mind. Maybe I’ll have to find some room in my budget to take a chance on this.

Action Comics #1

Next on our list for Sunday Reading is Action Comics, now this is not a book I normally get but my fellow Comic Bloc writer Robert McSantos had this to say:

“Even in a “reboot”, Grant Morrison manages to make subtle references to Superman’s history, from both the comics and outside media. Superman proves to be faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but not quite more powerful than a locomotive. There’s a nice contrast between the hero bouncing around from place to place (hence the name of the series, I suppose) while the villain stays in the same standing position throughout the issue. Rags Morales’ Lex Luthor looks like a young Ed Wynn in some panels, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

I was a little unsure if returning Superman to his roots would work out for Superman fans, I guess Robert seems to like this first step. I’ve heard say that this new Superman direction is supposed to humanize him a little bit, I guess if they pull that off, when people look back at this issue it will truly be super!

TOP RECOMMENDATION:

Here it is folks our first Sunday Reading Top of the Week recommendation. While normally I feel my books are the best, I have to say that after seeing what Adam Schiewe has to say about Animal Man this week I think I made a mistake in not picking this book up. Let’s take a look at his thoughts on issue #1:

“Ladies and gentleman this may be the underdog of the new 52. If you go to your shop and they have a copy of this book on the shelf do yourself a favor and pick it up. Horror, humor, family drama, superheroes and more are all in the pages of this book. If this title can keep up the pace established in this first issue then we are all in for a treat as this was one of the best books of the week. The Dark line is off to a great start between this book and Swamp Thing, and readers of both are in for a treat, Animal Man and Swamp Thing are the Batman and Superman of the Dark, I am calling it now.  The writing’s superhero, yet so steeped in horror. It makes for an amazing mix and a sample of what to expect from this line of DC. And the art, WOW! Where has  Travel Foreman been?! It’s the best parts of Sienkiewicz with a smoother style and face work of Jamie McKelvie.”

Wow, it seems as if Animal Man may turn out to be one of the strongest books of the DCU. I’ve heard from other Bloc members and writers that they also found this book to be spectacular and who am I to argue with them?

That will bring our first Sunday Reading to an end. Looks like DC Comics really came out strong with the launch of their new 52 books this week. Anyone out there have a Marvel book they think belongs here?  How about another independent book?  Remember folks it’s not just what we think, it’s what you think that makes it great. So what was your top pick, what comic book made your trip to your comic shop, or mail box, for digital inbox, worth your time?

Till next Sunday I’m you host Skip Scherer (lionknight) and I’ll be seeing you on the Bloc.