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The Last Two Weeks Of Comics In Twenty-One Pictures

Published Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:00:45 -0500

Dr Manolis Vamvounis writes from Greece;

Oops. My trip abroad last week meant I've fallen a bit behind on our weekly panels coverage, let's see if we can power through two weeks worth of comics and memorable moments!

THE 5 SECOND ENGAGEMENT

It was the wedding of the year in ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 as Northstar tied the know with his beau Kyle. Yes, it was a bit out of the blue and screamed of a cash-grab, but so what? Marjorie Liu managed to make the hastiness of it all an organic part of the story. The issue capitalises on the strong emotional punch and the "controversial" (still? yes, sadly) nature of gay wedding without getting too preachy.

I'm just tears-flowing happy to see this sort of story, wishing it was around when kids like me were struggling with our sexuality growing up and could not even pick up on the vague allusions to Northstar's sexuality that managed to make it through the censors of the time. To have that same character hover over the Marvel heroes and declare his love for his man is… well it's something wonderful, even if we would have initially taken the gesture for granted.

RORSCHACH ACCORDING TO JMS

"Hurm" indeed. Was Rorschach always so… "bub"-y? Was Nite Owl always such a poor Batman stand-in of an adventurer? Well, "probably" on the latter, which is why Alan Moore never really spent that much energy into showing his swashbuckling, super-punching days, as opposed to his beer-belly introspective post-vigilante blues. NITE OWL #1 was the poorest of the BEFORE WATCHMEN books so far, reading like a rehash of the main Watchmen book's flashback sequences through Nite Owl's viewpoint, beautifully re-illustrated by the son-and-father team of Andy and Joe Kubert.

BEFORE WATCHMEN: THE COMEDIAN #1 on the other hand was VERY ballsy and original, choosing the deal with the gray area of the Comedian's relationship with the Kennedies and his involvement in JFK's assassination and/or Marilyn's death. It's refreshingly bold and the only book from the series so far that might be able to survive a comparison with the original book's characterisation.

NO MORE "NO MORE…"

In the end of AVX #6 (it's two weeks later so I won't really class this as a spoiler) the "Phoenix Five" declare war against the Avengers for daring oppose their "No More War" declaration of Pax Utopia. Hurm.

We all know that the X-Men magically curing the world's problems Squadron Supreme/Miracleman style is never going to stick in a perpetually real world-mirroring fictional universe like the mainstream Marvel U, but this storytelling delivery method is making the situation seem even more far-fetched. The changes in this issue are just TOO radical and miraculous. Again, the mutants' nearsightedness to the Phoenix's obviously ominous omnipotence is far too cult-like to rule out straight-out brain-washing, but that genuinely doesn't seem to be the route the writers seem to be headed for. It may just be good old convenient blanket poor characterisation.

EXHIBIT A

I've only ever had good things to say about Christos Gage and his deft use of continuity and cohesive characterisation… BUT! X-MEN LEGACY #269 sees Rogue just lash out at a non-hostile Ms Marvel and instinctively move to grab her to steal her powers… Considering their shared history, Ms Marvel is seriously UNDERreacting in the panel above. From any other writer I'd consider this a poor choice of action, but coming from Gage this is just criminal. If any character has evolved past simply following orders and being this uncharacteristically clueless, it oughta be Rogue. After all, she's already lived through her fair share of evil mutant brotherhoods…

EXHIBIT B

WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #12 focuses on Rachel Grey in a way that both makes use of her vast and convoluted history, while at the same time making her a very relatable and, well, frankly, extremely cool character. I never thought I'd live to see the day. There's little moments like her asking Cyclops if the Phoenix still talks about her, or larger ones like her epic grand-standing against ThorGodofFreakingThunder. Unlike the other books, here we see a bit more reason and honest trepidation behind the obligatory A on X action.

BECAUSE WHY NOT

I've avoided talking about Matt Fraction's CASANOVA AVARITIA for fear the limited space here would cause the compressed high density awesomeness to reach critical mass and destroy the world or worlds as we know it/them… just like in the final 4th issue of the 3rd series, in the kind of wordless 9-page sequence where the panels are making soul-destroying music in your head as you scroll down/turn the page. It's the rock-star of comic books, the type of so over-your-head high-concept-ness that you might not just grasp as you're reading through the first or second (or heck, tenth time) but it keeps pulling you back with its sheer live naked emotion and insanity. Plus, Charles Dickens, because why not? This is Matt Fraction unchained and unedited, and it's a shame we don't get to experience this sort of viral awesomeness more often.

HYPERWONDERFUL

If Marvel won't let them do more cosmic stories, DnA might as well invent their own universe of cosmic supers and run wild with it. THE HYPERNATURALS #1 from Boom Studios is just that, a high concept "hyper"hero cosmic epic of the grandest scale involving an invented heroic legacy spanning 100 years, reality-altering artifacts, planet destroying madness, high stakes adventuring, and most importantly, a few already fascinating protagonists. The new world's glossary may take some getting used to and a couple of read-throughs, but it's ultimately a very rewarding venture. Disappointed fans of the recently discontinued GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and ANNIHILATORS series have an exciting new cosmic universe to turn to.

MAL(ICIOUS) NOURISHMENT

So, years ago, back in the end of the much-maligned (well, *I* loved it) infant-eating SHRED storyline, the by then completely bestial Lizard retreated underground followed by a group of still savagely regressed New Yorkers, UNBEKNOWNST to Spidey. In this week's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688, Spider-man tracks down the Lizard, confessing to knowing about his "army" of innocent mutated civilians, only to discover their pretty thoroughly (hint hint) cleaned out bones. In what part of the Power/Responsibility seesaw does knowingly abandoning a group of innocent civilians at a proven cannibalistic anthopomorphic lizard's mercy fall on? Responsibility for this mess falls squarely on Peter's head (well, and Dan Slott).

IT'S NOT BAD ROMANCE, IT'S BAT-RAPE

You just can't trust the daughter of your evil immortal arch-nemesis these days. BATMAN INCORPORATED #2 recounts the origin of Talia Al Ghul, her "relationship" with the Dark Knight and the events behind Damian's conception and her rise as Morrison's latest uber Bat-villain. Talia's never been a character I cared about at all. Seeing her daddy issues laid bare here, and the obvious parallels to Damian's upbringing is starting to put her in a sympathetic light. You know, for a world-class psycho terrorist.

A TALE OF TWO SPIDERS

After a rather stale first setup issue, SPIDER-MEN #2 just keeps on delivering on the promised 616-ultimate crossover goodness. The first meeting between adult Peter Parker and Miles Morales is everything a fan would expect and so much more: sincere, funny, awkward, sentimental… Bendis has been trying to write 616 Spidey right for years now, this is where he finally gets it juuuust right.

IN SPACE NOONE CAN HEAR Y- GRRRRR

It's the Hulk versus russian cyborg bears… in space! INCREDIBLE HULK #10 is yet another in a now long string of entertaining and unexpected self-contained issues.

SMELLS LIKE TEEN CRUSH

We'll always remember TEEN TITANS #10 as the issue where it all finally clicked into place. The tiresome battles and crossovers and cullings are over and the Titans are reunited (and stranded) on Mystery Island, recuperating and bonding. I'm loving how certain characters are shining through, like Bunker and his oh-so-subtle adoration towards Superboy, the awkwardness between Red Robin and Not Wonder Girl, or the sweet romance between Kid Flash and Kiran. Lobdell has finally found these characters' voices and he's really making them sing.

SOMETHING ABOUT LAYLA

I'm loving the (initially creepy) romance between Layla and Madrox, in X-FACTOR #238. Isn't it time the girl got a wardrobe and (most importantly) haircut fitting her personality? The same goes for new cast members Havok and Polaris who seem out of place in their official uniforms. Show some team spirit!

WTF, MAN!

I don't know much about prostitutes, but surely it's the middle bits of the anatomy that are the most… profitable? As disconcerting as they may look, these creatures are the least offensive and shocking feature of the kink-obsessed Sextillion pleasure resort in SAGA #4, that one strikes a bit more close to reality than any reader might be comfortable with. Amazing job by all involved.

MIND THE SPOILERS

THE RETURN OF TEENAGE TONY STARK

Well, sorta. If instead of a teenager he was a conscious self-manifestation of a tumour inside Stark's head… Yes, Stark is that smart even his tumours have super-powers. ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #12 is a VERY high-concept finale to the rather tedious current storyline. I'm hoping the next arc steers clear of tiresome previous continuity and launches a new reader friendly team and story.

RED ALERT

If there's one guarantee in any Phoenix story… there be redheads! Sinister has gone Jean Grey-cloning MAD in UNCANNY X-MEN #14 and I genuinely fear for writer Kieron Gillen and the very narrow precipice that he has placed himself on. Madelyne Pryor is a very often over- /mis- used plot device of a character that has long outlived her relevance and significance. Multiplying the problem isn't going to fix it. Just reread Spider-man Maximum Clonage.

THE LIFE AND DEATH AND DEATH AND DEATH AND DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL

Sure, it's a tired old trope, teasing the return of the original Captain Marvel (or Mar-Vell if you will), only to kill him again and restore the status quo (heck, he's been back at least five times in the past 15 years). Even with Bucky and Jason Todd and everyone in between back to life, his is a death that still holds significance in the Marvel U, raising Mar-Vell on a pedestal that few others can aspire too. He's the original untainted, unrelenting, pure heroic ideal. And Remender reaffirms all these qualities in his little tribute to the character in the story arc that ends (once more) with his heroic sacrifice in SECRET AVENGERS #28.

A SHARP DOSE OF REALITY

The current FABLES storyline, featuring the diversification and growing adventures of Snow White and Bigby's six (seven?) young cubs has been oddly uncomfortable from the first moment of Therese's abduction (seduction?) into the land of discarded toys. Issue 118 reveals the uneasy, unacceptable truth behind the nature of these ghastly toys, in one of the book's most daring and striking climaxes.

MAN-THING'S BACK, ALRIGHT

..and he brings with him some amusing dialects and a bountiful of continuity issues in DARK AVENGERS #176, only one issue after the title's relabeling and supposed fresh new direction.

GOREWATCH

As an adult reader I found the Flash villain "Murmur" to be revolting because of his (very graphically) sewn-together lips. Imagine my disgust at the cover and first page of BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #10! To actually see the villain saw his lips together on-panel… (muffled eeeeeuch noises). Greg Hurwitz's first issue as a new writer is a bit uneven, making some odd choices that may or may not get justified by the following issues, yet still miles above from the unreadable mess that was the original 9-issue run of this book post-reboot.

Two weeks worth of books may be too much to take in all at once. But let's try:

SPIDER-MEN #2 is the best book of the two weeks, and the most improved from #1, the end of CASANOVA AVARITIA featured the most lyrical end of the world in comics and HYPERNATURALS is most promising new series launch of the month. AVX has taken a very interesting turn that has led to some great stories and more questionable characterisation. FABLES and SAGA tried to touch the same sensitive chords, and both managed spectacularly.

Still, my only tears this month were those of joy for our proud and happy boy Northstar. Let's hope his wedding survives both the Marvel editors and New York legislature for many decade sto come.

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