It’s been a busy week, and I’ve spent much of it writing, or thinking of writing, but mostly fiction. Apparently I actually can be productive when I put my mind to it – 3,000 words this afternoon. Yay for me. But in the meantime, a quick wrapup of this week’s books:
Blue Beetle #8: I’m still digging this book – it’s a fun superhero gig with a strong supporting cast, a good sense of humour, and a mysterious-yet-not-completely-frustrating question driving the plot. Jaime hits the road with Brenda and the Peacemaker to meet Danielle Garrett, the granddaughter of the original (pre-Ted) Blue Beetle. But they’re followed by the creepy hunchback guy from #5, and violent hijinks ensue.
Cully Hamner is just about perfect for the book, demonstrating a great mix of light cartooning and serious superheroics. Perhaps most importantly, the cast look their age, and even in Blue Beetle form Jaime looks like a scrawny teenager instead of a bulked up weightlifter. The fight scene could be clearer – there are references to burning down a church and the general decimation of an entire town, but it’s not evident in the art. It’s unfortunate that Hamner is leaving the book, but the upside might be an artist who can handle the monthly grind: As good as Hamner is, most of the fill-ins haven’t been nearly up to his standard. Casey Jones does some decent pages, but aside from a nice page laying out some exposition, it’s generally fill-in quality.
I’m less concerned about Keith Giffen’s departure, since John Rogers wrote #7 solo and that was my favourite issue to date. Rogers, who’s quite possibly out-funnying the Father of Bwa-ha-ha, has a good knack for dialogue, and the opening pages treat us to some nice bickering between Jaime, Brenda, and Peacemaker. Danielle Garret treads a fine line between wishing she had her grandfather’s property and genuinely wanting to help the kids out.
The Other Side #2: I’m not entirely sure the story has much more to offer than many of the “G.I. goes to Vietnam” cliches alongside a similar portrait of a North Vietnamese soldier, but it does it very well. Writer Jason Aaron has a distinctive voice, and he manages to make old hat seem fresh and exciting. The talking rifle makes another appearance, and he continues to capture “the dramatic horrors of war” very well.
Meanwhile, Cameron Stewart continues to knock the book out of the park. Aaron’s taken a been-there, done-that concept and breathed some fresh air into it; Stewart has taken it and turned it into a series of elaborate balloons to be marched down Main Street in the Thanksgiving Parade. I’ve thought Stewart was good for some time now, but his work this book is nudging him into the top ten artists around, and putting The Other Side on the very short list of books I’d be willing to buy even if the story sucked. Thankfully it doesn’t, but still: Check this out, if for no other reason than to see a very good artist blossoming into a great one.
Midnighter #1: The Wildstorm relaunch continues with Garth Ennis & Chris Sprouse’s take on The Gay Batman. It’s okay, perfectly functional without being particularly good at any one thing: Midnighter takes off from the Authority to blow up some bad guys driving tanks in Afghanistan. On his way back he’s abducted by someone who manages to neutralize his incredible fighting powers and wants him to perform a very odd mission.
On the one hand, it’s one of the better first issues of the Wildstorm relaunch: Ennis actually explains who this guy is, what he can do, and what he’s all about. On the other hand, it’s essentially Midnighter kicking the crap out of a bunch of people before someone else kicks the crap out of him. It’s entertaining but uninspiring, though I’m somewhat surprised Ennis has toned down the ultraviolence; he’s definitely writing for a PG audience here, which may be a good thing considering the ugly mess The Boys turned into.
But it does have a pretty kickass final page. That counts for a lot, and probably merits a look at the second issue.
Local #7: This issue is, to a large extent, the flip side of #1, but with a different main character. Megan doesn’t appear in person this time, but in the form of postcards written to her younger cousin Nicky. Nicky’s living an unexciting life with his parents in Tempe, Arizona, and stirring up shit: Drinking, drugs, petty vandalism.
In the first issue, we saw Megan reject her asshole druggie boyfriend in favour of taking control of her own life. The next few issues were about taking responsibility for your own actions and life, and even though Megan’s had an understandable relapse lately (perhaps explaining why I haven’t dug the past couple issues as much), she’s still on the right path.
But Nicky’s just a fuckup. Unlike Megan, he doesn’t take steps to change his crappy life, he just slacks off, gets drunk, gets angry, and breaks stuff. It’s all very mall punk – lots of rage, little constructive outlet. Which is the point, admittedly – life in the suburbs sucks – but it’s not terribly compelling.
I miss Megan.
Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse #4: Ben Templesmith’s book has quickly become one of my favourites, so it deserves its own post. Suffice it to say that this issue is just as funny as the previous three, and it features Wormwood saving the world through the magic of old fraternity connections.
On the down side, Templesmith (or the letterer, perhaps) can’t decide if the big bad demon’s name is Moloch or Maloch. Little respect for the horrid king besmeared with the blood of sacrifices.
But still: This book is like awesomeness on toast. It’s like if someone cast Hellboy as a wacky sitcom. A wacky sitcom that kicked total ass.
As if the book doesn’t kick enough awesome ass as is, Templesmith promises angry leprechauns in the next issue. Fuck yeah.