Comics 15/05/08
Bit of a mixed bag this week comics-wise.
First up, and possibly the biggest release of the week for DC fans is the Final Crisis sketchbook.
As a tease of what’s upcoming I think it works well. We get a look at the redesigns instore for some of the New Gods as well as a look at some of the new superhero teams Morrison has lined up.
As I’ve said before, I’m not a big fan of the New Gods, but I liked the look of these redesigns, and the concepts behind them (although I’m still unsure about the Darkseid having trouble moving thing). We get a really interesting tease in terms of the “Multiverse Machine” (perhaps a sign that there’s a larger plan for the multiverse which will definitely see it sticking around? I hope so), and a look at some of the new Japanese super teams (I love the Super Young Team a crazy Japanese version of the JLA).
Less successful for me, was Titans #2. I’m not a dyed-in-the-wool Titans fan, although I enjoyed Geoff’s relaunch of the Teen Titans, and I like the characters well enough. I thought I’d give this series a couple of issues, but to be honest, its not grabbing me. Some of the characterisations felt a bit off to me, and I’m not big on the art. The three crossovers going on that I’m picking up, I’m going to have to get brutal on titles that I don’t love, so I can’t see me picking up the next issue.
The first part of Batman RIP though, I enjoyed. While it very much felt like a first part, with not a huge amount happening, and more introducing things, I’m definitely intrigued enough to be sticking with this crossover for now. I have to say though, as someone who’s not been buying Morrison’s Batman, I loved the interaction between Bruce, Tim and Alfred.
From the non-DC side of things, I had Knights of the Old Republic #28. Although not a series I talk about a lot on the blog, its one I’ve enjoyed immensely, possibly ranking alongside GL in terms of my pull list.
I have to say though, that the much-vaunted Vector crossover has done nothing for me. I disliked the fact that most of the main cast were missing for the last 4 issues, and I found the art badly off-putting. I can’t say I’ve been left with any real desire to pick up the rest of the crossover, and I’m really hoping that now its over, the series will get back to telling stories I more enjoy. I will say though, that I did appreciate the writer trying to fit the crossover around his ongoing story of Zhane being on the run from the Jedi Masters.
From Marvel, I picked up Captain Britain #1. Now being written by Paul Cornell (of Dr Who fame), and with “Secret Invasion” stamped on the top, I couldn’t resist.
I really enjoyed this book. It was probably the surprise hit of the week for me, as something I ended up enjoying a lot more than I thought I would. Its really grabbed me, and its really nice to be reading about a British hero, and set in Britain as well. In that regard, I think Marvel have probably done a very wise thing in getting a British writer on board. However, I’m going to stop saying “Britain” now, lest I end up sounding like an episode of League of Gentlemen.
I do love the setup though, with Captain Britain resolving to be more like a proper counterpart to Captain America, and the Skrull disguised as John Lennon who’s working with MI 13 (the agency Cap works for) to help find other Skrull infiltrators. I’m definitely onboard for the next issue.
Comments
Comment from Alan
Time May 19, 2008 at 12:36
A big thing for me was Captain Britain acknowledging that he wants to work towards properly becoming Britain’s answer to Captain America. I think this is something that’s long been overdue. It’d be great to have a real iconic British superhero, and he certainly fits the bill.
Completely agree about using the book to properly show the Skrull invasion as a world wide event. The downside in comics being that these things can end up being very US-centric which, while understandable in US-created comics, sometimes doesn’t give the big events the sense of scale they deserve.
Comment from Pie Man 70
Time May 19, 2008 at 13:19
Out of curisoity, did you pick up the all new Iron Manual, bit of a dissapointment as it may well have been called Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe – Iron man.
Comment from Alan
Time May 19, 2008 at 14:12
I must admit, I’ve picked it up, but I’ve only just flipped through it.
It did look more like a Who’s Who, rather than a proper technical manual like the original was though.
I did like seeing all the different armours though. It really hammered home how many there’s been.
I picked up Invincible Iron Man as well. However I do have one over-riding problem with the IM books. I hate the Extremis armour. I just think it looks ugly.
Comment from Pie Man 70
Time May 19, 2008 at 15:23
Don’t mind the extremis armour. Main gripe is that its a little bland. New armours always used to be a distinct change for me, so the extremis just being a re-iteration of the previous suit was a bit of a disapointment. My problem with the New Iron manual was that it was mostly an official handbook about iron man, with only a few tech pieces, unlike the original which was mostly tech. Breifly confused at some of the later armours (Along the lines of, I’ve been reading Iron Man for the past 5 years and don’t remember half of these) until I remembered that Execute programme had featured several suits of armour.
Comment from Alan
Time May 22, 2008 at 16:44
I’ve now read the Iron Manual, and I see what you mean. It is a nice guide, and its good seeing all the armours together (he’s fair gotten through them in recent years, hasn’t he?).
But yeah, especially given all the Extremis changes to Tony in the last couple of years, a proper technical guide like the original would’ve been nice.
However, I can see how they’ve put it together for people jumping on, post-movie. And kudos to them for not airbrushing out the dodgy bits of continuity. I was surprised to see Teen Tony talked about in the book.
Comment from Pie Man 70
Time May 19, 2008 at 12:20
Captain Britain was very good, like how the Black night can forgoe the effects of his ebony blade by making flippant comments. I do remember a really bad joke in an old Solo avengers story where, after being shnned by the wasp, the Black night says words like “Oh well, guess its back to polishing the old Ebony blade”. Indeed.
Its just quite good taht the Skrulls have decided to invade the owrld as opposed to New york as well.