Brave New Worlds

If you were to take a quick glance at the list of comics hitting the shelf tomorrow you may assume (if you know me) I’d be all about the Dean Koontz Frankenstein comic…well I’m not*. Let’s see what I am lookin’ forward to…

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Amazing Spider-Man #654.1

Dan Slott (w) Humberto Ramos (a)

Another of the Marvel point one issues, I am not certain how great of a jumping on point for new readers this issue is as Spider-Man does not even appear in this issue. Peter Parker does, but if you blink you very well miss him. No, this issue was all about Venom and his new relationship with a symbiote. I say a symbiote because it looks as if Uncle Sam has figured out a way to utilize good ol’Venom. Guess who the first test subject is?

That’s right, last time we saw our old buddy Flash Thompson he was in a wheel chair, victim of an IED overseas fighting in the army. However, now the Venom suit has given him a new lease on life. And along with that lease, new delusions of grandeur. You remember how it goes for Flash – he’s always dreamed of teaming up Spider-Man.

The book begins with Flash playing the part of James Bond, infiltrating a party and doing the mambo with some little honey as he approaches his target. Of course after this first successful mission, the ante gets upped and that is where this issue really gets interesting.

And just in case you were worried that our buddy Venom has been neutered – “Now ya done it! Now I’m gonna — Now we’re gonna tear ya limb from limb.” And that’s not even the best moment.

One thing is for certain, you know this partnership with the alien will not last forever, and I can not wait to see what happens when it falls apart.

Slott is at his usual best, as if Ramos. Forgive me as I need to leave to worship at ther altar of what is the new Spider-Man.

Justice of League of America #54

James Robinson (w) Brett Booth (a)

Let me start with saying I have not been the biggest fan of James Robinson’s run on JLA. I’m just not one of his disciples. Granted, I still need to read his Starman saga (which everyone raves about). Now that I got that out of the way, let me say how much fun this issue was.

Eclipso is an old -school JLA villain. Of course, this is an entirely new JLA without Superman, Wonder Woman and Bruce Wayne. And this is a new Eclipso who just live a certain brand of toasters has a plan. And boy this plan looks pretty spectacular.

I am not sure how long this story is going to run, but the first setup issue has me hooked. Plus, Brett Booth’s art is awesome. I don’t know why he has not done a regular mainstream title before now.

Plus, it’s always nice when we get a timeout from the heroes and see how the other lives, and thinks. I can’t wait for the next issue to ship.

Welcome to Friday. Welcome to your weekend

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Amazing Spider-Man #654

Dan Slott (w) Stegan Caselli (a)

Big Time is exactly what this title is these days. Taking a cue from its new arc, Dan Slott has been doing some “amazing” work now that he is the title’s lone scribe. Before I jump into just why 654 is my overwhelming (and Lane’s as well) pick of the week, I want to stand on my soapbox just a little bit longer and beat the drum that is the Amazing Spider-Man.

I am always talking about comics being fun. That’s not to say that there is not a place for some of our more brooding heroes, and titles. But in general, a lot of these characters give us an escape and Spider-Man at his best was that. For whatever reason during Brand New Day (maybe it was the multiple writers or the preceding arc) there was some really heavy stuff in those stories, and I am not talking Doc Brown’s definition of heavy (although a Delorean is probably very heavy, although maybe not as much today).

That’s a lot of words to just say that Slott has brought the fun back (Timberlake can bring sexy, Peter Parker is bringing the fun back) to the title. But he has. But there is more to it just being fun as readers discovered this week at the conclusion of issue #654. The second story of the arc features the Spider Slayer, J. Jonah Jameson, Mac Gargon (the former Venom) as the new Scorpion and the New Avengers. So, there is a lot going on. Of course Peter must make a sacrifice to save the lives of JJJ and everyone with a Jameson in their name (including Aunt May – ‘natch).

Problem is, he does not save the entire day, and he has to face other consequences that his sacrifice brought to his life and abilities. Oh damn, one thing is for sure, with the new Venom slowly coming back into the picture, Pete is going to need to be at full strength and at his best – a position he is no longer in at the conclusion of 654.

New Avengers #9

Brian Michael Bendis (w), Mike Deodato, Howard Chaykin (a)

Two stories for the price of one. In the immortal words of Hannibal Smith, leader of the A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Understanding there is always a method to the madness that is Bendis’ writing, I can not wait to see how these two separate story arc’s tie together. Thing is, they are both occurring in two different time periods – fun!

That’s right, Bendis takes us back to Nick Fury’s Nazi-hunting days. And it appears that he and his buddy Happy Hogan are actually pretty good at it. This is the days leading up to the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and what appears to be the Avengers. This could be just a shameless movie tie-in, but I like to believe its much more.

Meanwhile our gang in the modern time is having its own issues with preventive super-heroing. Trying to guarantee the world’s safety in this new age is not always easy, especially with those tricky laws and such. Good thing Ben Grimm, The Thing, is on the squad to find a loophole, or create a really big crater.

Honorable Mention The Death of Ultimate Spider-Man begins this week (long live Spider-Man) as his super-hero training begins in earnest with one Tony Stark. It is definitely a different relationship than the two shared during the early days of the Civil War. Anyway, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #153 (another Bendis title) starts to lay the building blocks. This book is a must if for no other reason than the panels and pages with Mysterio and Black Cat. Turns out the Kingpin used to have something of great power, and there is a lively discussion as to who’s possession it should come into. Guess what happens next? Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Speaking of the Death of Ultimate Spider-Man, more blocks to the story are coming together in the other tie-in, Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates #1 by Mark Millar. Millar knows how to spin an ultimate tale or two, so this crossover event should be top notch, especially in the new ultimate world order.

Also notable this week was the next Fables Cinderella mini-series – Cinderella Fables are Forever #1 by Chris Roberson and Shawn McManus. If you want to try Fables, but are overwhelmed by the 13 volumes, give Cinderella a shot for a terrific, albeit different, snapshot as to what is in store for you.

Welcome to Friday loyal readers (and, yes you too, you random first time clicker types). With Rob and George off in Dallas gallivanting with other ye ol comic shoppe owners and managers, my schedule feels all off…so sadly I feel like it’s Saturday (my Friday btw) but I have high hopes for the afternoon! Also links!!!

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Let’s take a poorly written look at 2 comics I’m looking forward to reading tomorrow… shall we

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Wow, tackling Warren Ellis as a Featured Creator is a huge undertaking as the man is a workhorse when it comes to writing comics. Getting his start in 1990 in merry ol’England penning a Judge Dredd and Doctor Who tale, Ellis made the jump to American companies Marvel and DC in 1994 and 1997, respectively, both of which he continues to write for in addition to numerous independent and creator-owned projects.

Writing as much as he does, it should not come as a surprise that he has been recognized for his ability to spin a yarn or two, winning two coveted Eisner Awards for his Image series Fell – Best New Series and Best Continuing Series.

He also has nabbed the Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 2004 for his three-issue Ministry of Space mini-series for Image Comics, as well as Eagle Awards for Favourite Comics Writer in 2007 (and for Nextwave – Favourite New Comic Book, Favorite Comics Story and Favourite Comics Villain – Dirk Anger, also in 2007) as well as last year for his web-based FreakAngels.

He has written many mainstream titles (X-Men, Ultimate Universe, Iron Man, Excalibur, Wolverine, Hellblazer, Justice League) and some of his own wild and crazy stuff (Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Red, Ocean, DV8, Authority, Global Frequency, Anna Mercury and Doktor Sleepless).

While it is a difficult task to pick just a few Ellis titles to spotlight, we have endeavored to present you a nice representation of the mind of the writer. Below we take a closer look at a few of his selected works – all of which are currently available at Brave New Worlds, as well as the titles mentioned above. For a full bibliography click here.

Transmetropolitan

A sixty-issue series, Transmetropolitan is Ellis’ largest work to date about a dystopian future (besides Star Trek is there ever any other?) America where a journalist, along with his filthy assistants, tired of two corrupt Presidents decide to expose the comings and goings to keep the world from falling deeper into despair. Along the way, of course Spider Jerusalem becomes a celebrity himself, a concept that keeps him honest as he continues to write his exposes. Ellis teamed with co-creator and artist Darick Robertson on this title.

Planetary

They say sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. I am not sure who “they” are, but they must have had Ellis’ Planetary in mind when it took him over four years to finish this 27-issue tale with artist John Cassaday. “Archaeologists of the Impossible,” Planetary is an organization that tracks down the world’s secret history. Intrigued? You should be. Planetary is made up of three superhumans, which have abilities ranging from invulnerability and super strength to manipulating information and freezing items at will. They are funded my the mysterious Fourth Man.

Doktor Sleepless

A monthly series produced by Avatar Press, Ellis himself compares Doktor Sleepless to his earlier fan-favorite Transmetropolitan, the book draws on a wide range of ideas from futurism and counter-culture. Sleepless may just be a trust-fund baby and genius who undergoes a transformation into a “cartoon mad scientist.”

Iron Man Extremis

Elements of this six-issue mini-series were adapted into the 2008 motion picture, Extremis turned Iron Man’s world upside down, redefining the story of Iron Man and increasing his armor’s ability significantly. Ellis was joined by artist Adi Granov on the run.

Fell

Illustrated by Ben Templesmith, Fell is about a detective who gets transferred to Snowtown, a city rife with urban decay and poverty – to an amazing exaggerated extreme. It’s citizens are desperate and hostile and violence is the way of life. Sounds like a swell place to live. Besides the crime, there are of course mysteries for our hero to solve as well. Can’t make the story that simple, can they?

Proving that he does something for eveyone, Ellis also wrote the animated shorts G.I. Joe Resolute, bringing the characters into very realistic, adult situations with actual consequences. Check out this entire tale on DVD.

Click below for previous Featured Creators;

Brian K. Vaughn

Some of you may know that it’s First Friday. Some of you could care less cause there’s new Magic cards out today. If you are the latter you’re a magician.

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DC Universe Online Legends #1

Marv Wolfman, Tony Bedard (w) Howard Porter, Adriana Melo, Livesay and Norman Lee (a)

I was hoping this would be a fun one. Just like the online MMO, the set up seems too good to be true. Luthor finally realizes his goal of taking out Superman, and pretty much every other hero along the way, but he had to enlist the assistance of Brainiac in order to do so. Of course, Brainiac has other plans (natch).

I know DC has reset its Universe more than one time, but you would think Luthor would remember one of these days that he is Charlie Brown to Brainiac’s Lucy. “Come here Lex Luthor, kick the football,” Brainiac would say. Luthor of course, never remembering that he is always Brainiac’s pawn would come on over, start running, gain speed and just when his foot is about to connect with that football – Luthor is on his back. Like none of us saw that coming. Of course, if we did we would not have this really cool concept for a game and now a biweekly comic book.

DC Universe finally lets the bad guys win, sort of. Issue one shows us the beginning of the end, but then splits into two stories – one in the past as Luthor retraces his steps as to how and when he got played and in the now where he attempts to recruit any remaining metas – good or bad – to help in the resistance against Brainiac before he wipes out the planet, like he is wiping away crumbs from his chin. That’s just how inconsequential all of this is to him – he is after all just a machine.

Just wait until you get to the end of the issue and see who answered the call for the new resistance of Earth.

The Invincible Iron Man #500.1

Matt Fraction (w) Salvador Larroca (a)

The first of the Marvel point one’s, or the “jumping” on point for new readers, Iron Man 500.1 is a treat. First, it is brought to us by the actual Eisner-award winning duo that has delivered sensational stories of ol’Shell head since the book’s reboot when the first movie was released back in 2009. Many of the point one’s will see different artists than those working on the regular titles.

Second, IT IS BROUGHT TO US BY THE REGULAR IRON MAN TEAM, and it is truly amazing. Fraction takes what could be a really dull and meandering premise and once again delivers big in a very poignant way. The is a great jumping on point for brand-new readers, and that includes comic newbies, super hero newbies or even new to Iron Man. Everything you ever needed to know about Iron Man and Tony Stark is in this issue. And it is done in such a way that regular readers to the book won’t even realize that is what they are reading.

Fraction is becoming Marvel’s everyman (obviously challenging Brian Michael Bendis for the crown) as he seems to be writing almost every title they have – in actuality he is writing Uncanny X-Men, Thor and the upcoming Fear Itself in addition to Iron Man). And his craft and storytelling never seem to suffer for it.

Plus, I love, LOVE, Larocca’s page layouts with this issue, very simply done, a perfect complement to the story itself. If you don’t read Iron Man, or even if you  do, make sure you read this one.

Honorable Mention Goes out to Thor For Asgard #6 and Amazing Spider-Man #653. First Thor, Robert Rodi and Simone Bianchi do a phenomenal job on this six-part Marvel Knights mini-series, meaning this tale is really not part of the ongoing Marvel continuity. Thor is experiencing something of a renaissance with its upcoming movie as Marvel seems to have greenlit every idea about the God of Thunder in anticipation of throngs of movie goers rushing comic stores after seeing the film this summer (here’s hoping). What is awaiting them is some swell stuff, including the aforementioned title. When last we saw Thor, he was dying and says “Do not fear. I what it is that I must do …” and boy does he, as this one was a terrific story from start to finish. The final issue wraps the story up nicely while planting a few new seeds for a possible follow up story (again). This was a strong job. And Bianchi’s pencils which seem better suited for splash pages and covers than storytelling fit in perfectly with the Asgardian theme.

And once again I need to give high honors to Dan Slott’s Spider-Man “Big Time” arc. Wow, this has been consistently good and fun storytelling, the like of which this book has not seen since the heyday of a certain JMS. The first arc was just collected in hardcover this week, and if you have yet to jump back on board with Spider-Man, now is the perfect time to do so. A fun time is on every page.

And I would be neglect if I did not mention this other title once again this week, Gabriel Ba’s and Fabio Moon’s Vertigo mini-series Daytripper was collected as a trade paperback this week. It’s an amazing story about life that is extremely well written and drawn. It’s as if the Brazilian twins were born to be in the medium. Also, it will be the topic of the next Willow Grove book discussion on Saturday, February 26 @ 7 p.m. If you have yet to come out to the book club, now is a perfect time with a perfect book to discuss. Hope to see you there!

Daredevil Guardian Devil

Kevin Smith (w) Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (a)

Daredevil Guardian Devil was the first eight issues of the Marvel Knights Daredevil launch as well as Kevin Smith’s first foray into mainstream comic book writing. I think both were a huge success as Smith was able to soften his hyperkinetic awareness of his character’s self-involved worlds and tell a really heartfelt story about the Man Without Fear with some surprising twists and turns.

I feel as if this is Smith’s best comic effort and although many enjoy his Green Arrow run, I am not one of them. That run seems to talky while his second Marvel effort – Spider-Man/Black Cat The Evil That Men Do just does not hit the same notes as his Daredevil debut.

One of the other revelations on this book is Joe Quesada’s amazing pencils. This was years before his okay efforts on Amazing Spider-Man’s One More Day and One Moment in Time. One of my friends recently said that he thought Quesada should have just kept drawing instead of taking over the reigns of Marvel, and I agreed immediately with him, especially after looking at his work on this story.

It’s hard to believe this story is 10 years old. And it has a lot going on. There is a baby that could be the next savior which Daredevil is enlisted to protect. We get cameo appearances by many of Marvel’s mightiest heroes, plus a couple of former lovers return to Matt Murdoch’s life including the Black Widow. And then there is also a surprise foe, who’s story in this book saw many hardcore fans outraged and crying foul.

Don’t discount Smith’s ability to make an easy and smooth transition from screenwriting to comics, that made it look like he was doing comics all his life. In fact, it’s not until the end of page 5 that we actually get real character dialogue instead of inner monologues, but it’s those inner thoughts that set up the story for us, and what a doozy of a tale Smith has in store for all of us.

What makes it all the more great is that the dialogue is coming from none other than our hero, who’s introduction in book is pretty sweet. It’s funny that we first see Murdoch, in church and in the confessional. If anyone is going to write something heavy with Roman Catholic overtones, Smith is the guy (especially after his film Dogma).

I feel that Smith gets a ton of credit for his way with words, but never enough for his ability to tell a story. Just look at the triumph that is his Clerks II. Granted, to me, this is his best effort at the helm of a comic. He may attain this awesomeness again on a mainstream title, but his efforts that followed paled in comparison with this one.

How’s this for not giving anything away but telling you why you should be reading this book, even if it’s over 10 years old?

Check out previous “My Pick” selections below.

Danger Girl

Superman Earth One

Thor by J. Michael Straczynski TP Volume 1

Star Trek Countdown

Superman/Batman Supergirl

Final Crisis Legion of 3 Worlds

The Chill