The Shortbox 7/12/07

The Boys #8
writer: Garth Ennis
artist: Darick Robertson
Dynamite Entertainment, released 6-27-07
I'm going to do my best not to make a Thin Lizzy joke for this review. That said, two issues into their run at Dynamite and I don't think these boys are back in town yet (okay, so I didn't try very hard). It's a pretty solid issue, however, and you do have to keep in mind that this was written before the creators knew they were going to be ousted from their initial home at Wildstorm. In other words, the second arc is probably going to move a little slower than the first.
The depiction of sexually dysfunctional superheroes continues, which one would hope isn't the only despicable aspect to this world's protectors (wow, I guess I actually want there to be something more appalling than that), but damn if it isn't interesting. Thankfully, Ennis does balance the homosexual perversions with more realistic issues, some that occur today and other more fantastic ones that likely would if we actually had powered people running amok. Although there isn't anything in particular to get excited over in this issue, it no doubt is setting things up down the line. A little more info on the Frenchman and the Female wouldn't hurt either.
7 out of 10

Thunderbolts #115
writer: Warren Ellis
artist: Mike Deodato, Jr.
Marvel Comics, released 6-27-07
I added this book to my pull list on a whim, and while it's been okay so far, I haven't felt compelled to write anything about for LowBrowMedia until now. Deodato's art is phenomenal in the issue. It's been great all along, but now with the ridiculously awesome violence that was in this one, he's moved onto my "will buy a book just because it says 'art by Mike Deodato, Jr.' on it" list. Even though it's the Scorpion inside, the new Venom has some great scenes in this one (bring back Brock at any time, Marvel). But this issue truly belongs to Bullseye. Being one of my favorite villains (big DD fan, remember?), Bullseye really hadn't done much in the book thus far, which had been disappointing. Then, rather unexpectedly, Ellis unleashed the psychopath that Bullseye is, maybe crazier than I've ever read him before (and that's saying something). I'll stay spoiler-free for this review, but Bullseye's future is a giant question mark at the close of the issue.
Also, I really have to give props to Ellis for making me care about the F-list level heroes he's put up against the T-Bolts. I can't believe I actually give a shit about a guy called American Eagle and I was actually pissed when Jack Flag died a few issues back. For hating superheroes, Warren Ellis sure knows how to write them.
9 out of 10

Jack of Fables #11
writers: Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
artist: Steve Leialoha
Vertigo/DC Comics, released 6-6-07
Five months after starting this two-part arc we finally receive some resolution. That said, I did love the little "don't worry, we'll fix it in the trade" line that they gave at the end of Jack of Fables #6. This is turning into a pretty good book. I had my doubts about it's longevity early on, but it looks like it'll be around for some time. The most interesting thing about this story has been yet-to-be-seen ramifications of Jack's recklessness with the Snow Queen. We certainly haven't seen the last of her. Willingham's plan for these Fables characters is extraordinary. Making Jack's actions the cause for her becoming the cold-hearted, evil legend we all know was brilliant. I hope at some point the events of this book are felt in the pages of Fables, though I think that may be a long time coming.
8 out of 10

Moon Knight #11
writer: Charlie Huston
artists: Mico Suayan & Frank D'Armata
Marvel Comics, released 6-20-07
The first six issues of this latest incarnation of Moon Knight were some of my favorite books put out over the past year. Since then, Huston has tied MK into the greater Marvel U again, which in theory is a great idea, but the execution has been underwhelming at best. We've had guest spots from Spidey, Captain America, the Punisher and now Iron Man over the past few months. Steve Rodgers was the only one that didn't seem forced to me, but it certainly did not have to be included. These have all been little scenes tying into Civil War. In fact, despite the proclamation on the cover that this is an Initiative issue, the events actually take place before CW #6. How long ago did that book come out?! Has it been seven months already? So add to the lackluster plot and forced tie-in elements the fact that the plot occurred so long ago that I'm no longer interested. We know Moon Knight didn't do anything in Civil War already, so what's the point of forcing it down our throats this long afterwards?
The truly saddening thing about all of this is that Huston is clearly a good writer and has the character of Moon Knight down. But this is also his first comic-writing endeavor, and he hasn't learned how to do a proper tie-in yet. I hope Huston comes back to comics after his Moon Knight run, striking a Brad Meltzer-like balance between his novels and comic work. In the mean time, here's to Marvel picking a strong writer to take the good that Huston's done with the character and make him great.
5 out of 10

Wasteland #10
writer: Antony Johnston
artist: Christopher Mitten
Oni Press, released 6-1-07
It's been almost a year since I last checked in with Wasteland here at LowBrowMedia and a lot has happened. The various fractions of the story are beginning to come together now, and what I suspected then I can now proclaim is true -- this is a great book. Yes, it's still just getting started, but with every issue that comes out, it's clear that this story is going somewhere. I can't tell exactly where yet, but I do know that Johnston has a plan for it, and as long as we, the comic-buying public, keep supporting it, we'll get there. The astounding piece of information we got in this issue is that Michael, Abi and Marcus all have ties to a world that (through Marcus' memory) is much more like our own than the "modern" world of Wasteland. How this all ties back to the America that we know is what keeps me repeatedly riveted each month.
Mitten's art is great once again, and his style appropriately evolves when a dream, flashback or hallucination is shown. The great thing about this book is that it is by no means too late to jump on it. If you agree with my reviews on this site, then you'll love this book.
9 out of 10

Iron Fist #6
writers: Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
artists: David Aja & Russ Heath
Marvel Comics, released 6-27-07
Amazingly enough, I haven't reviewed this title yet for the site. As you can probably guess, I'm ecstatic for each and every morsel I can get on it. It's written by two of the most exciting guys involved in comics right now and drawn exquisitely by a bevy of artists. David Aja draws the present-day Iron Fist story, while the other artists take care of the flashback portions of the story, which there are a lot of. That process, while unorthodox, is great, not only because it will keep the book from going late, but the styles themselves compliment each other and the eras they are depicting. This issue closes out the first arc and guest stars the original Heroes for Hire crew kicking some Hydra ass along with Iron Fist and his grand-pappy, Orson Rand. It is wall-to-wall action this go-around, and it's just a great read. Taking the billionaire playboy down to nothing, then mixing classic kung-fu mysticism with modern-day sensibilities drives forth a compelling and riveting ride each time I pick up an issue. This is probably my favorite Marvel book right now and it has the potential to get better. Who knows if it will, but a kung-fu competition in the next arc is a great place to start.
10 out of 10

The Shortbox 9/29/06

Squadron Supreme #6
writer: J. Michael Straczynski
artist: Juan Barranco
Marvel Comics, released 8-9-06
Six issues into this title, and I'm still waiting for things to get started. Typically after only six issues, a story with this much depth failing to explain everything wouldn't bother me. However, in this case, it's pace flat out irks me because Squadron Supreme is really at issue #24, being an extension of the fantastic, 18-issue Supreme Power series from 2003-05. The white elephant in the room for me is the amount of characters. Because there are 11 members in the group right now (not to mention the supporting cast), the development of both the characters and the plot is being spread too thin in order to cover all of them.
That said, Nighthawk finally makes an appearance in this issue. His most entertaining scene is one that would send Bobby de Niro's character from Taxi Driver into fits of violent jealousy. Though he may be nothing more than an African-American Batman, he's still the most interesting of the bunch to me. More Nighthawk can only be a good thing. Keep that in mind, J. Mike.
6 out of 10

Hellblazer #223
writer: Denise Mina
artist: Cristiano Cucina
Vertigo/DC Comics, released 8-16-06
I'm suggesting this as a jumping on point for all of those of you currently not reading the adventures of John Constantine because this issue was where I've begun reading as well. In this one-shot, Mina displays a fantastic ability to depict the insane with the villain here. I have a suspicion that we've not seen the last of him either. She's also reinvigorated Map in this issue, a minor character that I'm told had not been greatly utilized in recent runs by other writers. He appears to be placed on a path of great importance after the events at the close of the issue. That said, because I'm incredibly new to the title, I could be way off base. Either way, I dug the issue and can't wait to wrap my head around this world a bit more.
8 out of 10

New Avengers #23
writer: Brian Michael Bendis
artist: Oliver Coipel
Marvel Comics, released 8-23-06
If this issue is any indication as to what Bendis' proposed Spider-Woman series will be like, all I can say is, "Yes, sir! May I have another?" New Avengers #23 rocked my shit (that's a good thing, I think), and that's saying something considering how much I've enjoyed the Civil War-related N.A. issues already. Following the excellently scripted #21 and #22 about Captain America and Luke Cage, Bendis continues to focus on a single Avenger per issue. This round revolves around Jessica Drew and how the life of a triple agent is further complicated by the Registration Act. Although the Spider-Woman: Origin mini was seemingly unspectacular when I read it a few months ago, I now realize how important Jessica's past is to her relationship with the Avengers. I hope if you haven't read SW:O you enjoy this issue, but I can't see how -- you're missing out on so much without her backstory. She is on the verge of insanity by dividing herself between the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the folks over at Hydra. Hopefully she can simplify her life by choosing the side of Civil War that she does. I just don't see that happening though.
10 out of 10

The Boys #2
writer: Garth Ennis
artist: Darick Robertson
WildStorm/DC Comics, released 8-30-06
I haven't read any of Preacher yet, but when I read that Ennis had proclaimed this book would "out-Preacher Preacher" I had to give it a look. Without delving into what that statement actually means, what I know about Preacher, besides it being one of the best reads of the 90s, is that it was considered insanely violent both in subject matter and the methods in which that violence was depicted in. Don't know about you, but I can usually go for a nice dose of insane violence every month, so I slapped this baby on my pull list. The second issue introduces us to the rest of the Boys who weren't shown to us in #1. A lot of what is going to happen in this book is totally out of my range of prediction, at least as of right now. That said, it's a great setup for a series after the first two issues. Although there's plenty of subjects here that Ennis isn't the first guy to tackle, mainly critiquing of the Superhero in a modern landscape, there's also plenty to like. The Boys is certainly not for young boys and girls; in fact, it's really not for mature readers either. This is the perfect book for people over the age of 18 that still like a good dirty joke or a display of unabashed brutality.
8 out of 10

Heroes for Hire #1
writers: Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti
artists: Billy Tucci & Tom Palmer
Marvel Comics, released 8-23-06
The idea behind this new ongoing really intrigued me -- bounty hunters collecting on villains because the big heroes of the Marvel U are too busy fighting with each other to do the dirty work -- and toss in the fact it would be a direct descendent of the very enjoyable Daughters of the Dragon mini from earlier this year, I made sure I put it on my pull list. Colleen Wing and Misty Knight are the new front women, taking over for Iron Fist and Power Man/Luke Cage (who were busy being pushed into A-list status to bother picking up their old mantle). Joining them are an interesting bunch -- Black Cat (as I've mentioned in previous columns, an inexplicable favorite of mine), Shang Chi (no idea), Paladin (ditto) and the new Tarantula (I've never even heard of the old one, but whatever), as well as favs of mine from the DotD -- Humbug, Orka and, of course, Otis. It's a solid introduction issue and you definitely do not need to hunt down the mini to figure out what's going on. It is bogged down some in seriousness as opposed to the pure fun of the mini due to the landscape of Civil War, but I think more humor will eventually slip in. I am calling for an Otis spin-off in the near future, however. I love me some Otis.
7 out of 10