The Secret Lair of Adam Smasher

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

My Top 12 Comics For January 2016

2016 began with conclusion of two great series, Hickman’s Secret Wars and Brubaker’s the Fade Out.

There was also the return of Image comics “Nowhere Men”, DC adding to its stable of miniseries (Poison Ivy, Swamp Thing, Deadshot/Katana) and Aftershock building on its line-up with 2 new books, one from Brian Azzarello, and the other from Justin Jordan.

But the biggest news of the month for me was that for the first time in the brief history of this thread, a Marvel comic took the top spot in my top 10! (Hmm, now what could that be?)

Hon Mentions: Wayward #13 (Image), Dreaming Eagles #2 (Aftershock), Super Zero #2 (Aftershock), Amelia Cole #25 (Monkeybrain), Night of the Red Panda #12 (Monkeybrain), Spider-Gwen #4 (Marvel), Spider-Woman #3 (Marvel), Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #3 (Marvel)

12. A-Force #1 (Marvel)

Written by G. Willow Wilson

Art by Jorge Molina * Colors by Laura Martin

This was a blast -- lifted by Singularity's upbeat personality ("Friend!") and, as illustrated in that sweet double page spread, that each woman brings something distinct and important to the team.

11. The Death Defying Dr. Mirage: Second Chances #2 (Valiant)
Written by Jen Van Meter
Art by Roberto De La Torre * Colors by David Baron
The Mirage’s try and untangle a mystery… but the pursuers have now become the pursued. The smart plotting and character work make this a spellbinding treat. So far this second mini is better than the first.

10. Letter 44 #22 (Oni)
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque * Colors by Dan Jackson
This is one I digital wait on and because of that, we usually don't see it on these lists. But this political sci-fi series is one of the best, unheralded comics on the stands today. It's a smart, human drama and in this issue President Blades receives great news... which might not be so great after all.

9. Revival #36 (Image)
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert
The characters in this series are so well written. This issue focuses on friends and family reacting to news of the Cypress sisters who are on the run from the law (and their cause is not helped by the lies spread by our scheming Government agents). The introduction of an Amish samurai brought in to hunt the sisters was odd… but as a plot point it has quirky possibilities.

8. East of West #24 (Image)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
Hickman’s one of the few writers who can make filler, interesting. The Chosen receive a personal invitation to the end game, which gives us the opportunity to catch up with characters we haven’t seen in a spell. While the story is thin, the writing is as clever and cutting as ever and the art features several highlights.

7. Monstress #3 (Image)
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art and Colors by Sana Takeda
Fast paced, violent, beautifully illustrated. There are only hints at new plot development. But damn does this this comic leave me breathless!

6. American Monster #1 (Aftershock)
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art and Colors by Juan Doe
Looks like this’ll be bad-ass and hard like 100 Bullets (and if it’s only half as great as that series, it’ll still be a winner) I don’t know where Azzarello’s going with the story, but the colorful cast and small town locale hooked me -- and once again Brian’s paired with a superb artist (he’s always been lucky that way)

5. Injection #6 (Image)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Delcan Shalvey * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Wickedly brilliant, with the Holmesian Vivek Headland on a case that forces him to draw from past experiences… which are pretty twisted! (But why are the characters in this book obsessed with sandwiches?)

4. The Vision #3 (Marvel)
Written by Tom King
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Eerie, sci-fi series continues to explore what it is to be human. Mommy Vision is scary and real creepy…. Hell, even the seduction scene was funny/creepy. And now an ominous new subplot is brought to light.

3. Toil and Trouble #5 (Boom/Archaia)
Written by Mairghread Scott
Art and Colors by Kelly & Nichole Scott
Two witches battle for the soul and fate of Macbeth! This issue is thoughtfully constructed and offers up a surprising twist in its final act.

2. The Fade Out #12 (Image)
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips * Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser
While the reveal on the murder mystery was anticlimactic, the point being made hit hard (the only good person in Hollywood, the only one to do the right thing, dies for it). What a sad and haunting ending - What incisive character work.

1. Secret Wars #9 (Marvel)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Esad Ribic * Colors by Ive Svorcina
Hickman again, this time he wraps up an epic years in the making. And despite complaints about delays and what not… bottom line? This was damn impressive storytelling! The grand finale nailed the relationship between Reed and Doom -- Their angry exchanges were smart as hell and cut to the heart of their long standing feud. In addition, I liked how it came full circle: with the Black Panther in a slightly altered scene from the first issue of New Avengers, to the appropriate way in ends with the Future Foundation, which was created to serve mankind and build a better tomorrow through science and philanthropy and exploration, rather than super heroics. Bravo Mr. Hickman, bravo.

Writer of the Month

Jonathan Hickman (Secret Wars, East of West)

Artists of the Month:

Esad Ribic & Ive Svorcina (Secret Wars)

To Feb 2016

Back to Dec 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

My Top 14 Comics For December 2015

December endings included Prez, JLU, Nameless and Gotham by Midnight.

December beginnings? The return of Lucifer (great), Dr. Mirage (good), and Hellcat (goofy). As well as the launch of Aftershock comics (which included Palmiotti & Conners Superzero and Enis and Coleby’s Dreaming Eagles)

Christmas meant digital sales, so I was able to sample several on my wish list. From Image: The superb Outcast, the delightful Head Lopper and best of all, Monstress! I grabbed these goodies from Dark Horse: Joe Golem, Mystery Girl, Serenity: Leaves on the Wind, The Paybacks, and Resident Alien: The Sam Hain Mystery. There were also freebies: The Spire #1 from Boom, and Archie #1 from Archie Comics.

Alas, 5 weeks in December and a lot of great comics meant I had to make several painful cuts to my list just to keep it sane. Among those missing… Amazing Spider-Man #4, Harley’s Little Back Book #1 (with Wonder Woman), Harrow County #8, Wayward #12, The Mighty Thor #2. Toil and Trouble #4, Revival #35, Invisible Republic #8 and Black Magick #3!

Collected Edition of the Month

We Can Never Go Home: Vol 1 (Black Mask) by Matthew Rosenberg, Patrick Kindlon & Josh Hood
There’s been a lot of buzz about small publisher, Black Mask and this book in particular. WCNGH is about 2 teens (one with super powers) on the run from the law and a crime boss. The trade collects the first 5 issues for the bargain price of $9.99 and it’s well worth checking out.

14. Monstress #2 (Image)
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art and Colors by Sana Takeda
This dark fantasy continues to impress and surprise, as it fleshes out its world and the way its characters fit in it, all while addressing the bigotry and racism that has infected this place and people.

13. Nameless #6 (Image)
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Chris Burnham * Colors by Nathan Fairbairn
The final issue reveals itself as existential horror, both weird and difficult. And I while I gave into its dark charms, I can’t really tell you EXACTLY what Grant’s trying to say about the nature of identity, or society or sacrifice (maybe it’s simply that terrible things happen when outside forces pour ideas into your head?) Still, it had me by the throat and never let go. Morrison also appears to have left the door open for another mini.

12. Secret Wars #8 (Marvel)
Written by Johnathan Hickman
Art by Esad Ribic * Colors by Ive Svorcina
Valeria called it, this was pure spectacle, featuring a couple of giants (I love giants), and a confrontation between Doom and Thanos that made my geek heart flutter.

11. Ms Marvel #2 (Marvel)
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Takeshi Miyazawa * Colors by Ian Herring
While it repeats the “people in control of an evil genius” bit found in the first arc, seeing Kamala resolved to figure out the scheme is fun and the character portrayals –always the hallmark of this series- continue to be honest, wise and humorous. Great Chiang cover.

10. James Bond: Varger #2 and #3 (Dynamite)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Jason Masters * Colors by Guy Major
2 issues this month. Ellis channels Fleming nicely, little details like the conversation about the coffee made me smile because book Bond was a food snob. The action packed and ultra violent 3rd issue sees the plot kick into high, as 007 has to use his brains (as well as his gun) and the creepy baddies get even creepier.

9. Spider-Gwen #3 (Marvel)
Written by Jason Latour
Art by Robbi Rodriguez * Colors by Rico Renzi
This is a quieter issue, sets up some new troubles for Gwen and her father by way of Murdock and a Goblin. What I loved best were the conversations between Spider-Women of two worlds (one being Jessica Drew). My heart went out to the young heroine as she contemplates her life, and that of the Gwen who died on Earth 616.

8. All-New Wolverine #3 (Marvel)
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by David Lopez * Colors by Nathan Fairbairn
Lopez delivers on a spectacular car chase sequence and a vicious fight the character is known for. But what you also get here is a debate on the nature of violence and a Laura who’s no longer comfortable with killing first, and asking questions later. This series continues to shine… and Gabby’s become quite the scene stealer.

7. East of West #23 (Image)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Nick Dragotta * Colors by Frank Martin
EoW did not win my “Best Ongoing” award as I’d once thought it might, because it has not been the consistent 5-star series it was in its first 2 years. But this, this is more like the EoW I love! You have characters with tongues like daggers, orchestrating intricate political schemes. Backstabbing, ass covering bastards one and all…. and I love ‘em for it. Death and his group might be the only honorable ones in the bunch (and we really need to see him again).

6. Lazarus #21 (Image)
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Michal Lark * Colors by Santi Arcas
What an explosive pulse pounding finish to the arc. There are some nifty exchanges as a new leader steps up for team-Carlyle. And on the battlefield, Forever uses brainpower against the enemy!

5. Spider-Woman #2 (Marvel)
Written by Dennis Hopeless
Art and Colors by Javier Rodriguez
Fantastically intense, with dollops of humor: Jessica finds herself trapped, isolated, outnumbered and not quite in fighting shape. I love seeing her use her wits in this situation. What a wonderful, intelligent, funny character she’s become. All that AND Captain Marvel!

4. The Vision #2 (Marvel)
Written by Tom King
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Can a synthezoid be human…. Would our messy, volatile natures play havoc with the cool, analytical aspects of an artificial being? That seems to be the theme here, and it’s both disturbing and a little sad watching this family struggle to fit in and be accepted. What put a chill down my spine were the imitations of human behavior – from Vin’s violent response to a persistent student (and then walking away as if it were no big deal) to the wife stroking her daughter’s hair because it was mussed up… not understanding that in a traumatic situation a human mother would do that to give comfort, not for cosmetic reasons.

3. Trees #13 (Image)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art and Colors by Jason Howard
Ellis’s dialogue is eloquent (and of course Howard translates it into potent imagery). One thing I’ve enjoyed in this arc is the clever transitions from one location to the other. Here, the conversation about livestock in the trap, takes us to that very thing happening in New York.

2. Prez #6 (DC)
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Ben Caldwell * Colors by Jeremy Lawson
This was the perfect way to close the first part of this miniseries; it wraps up the major conflict and brings together those characters who have populated the subplots. The art is an absolute dream; the humor is a scream (as when Madam President notes that a “Madam” is someone who runs a whorehouse... which is not only funny but also says a lot about politics).

1. Pretty Deadly #7 (Image)
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art by Emma Rios * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Emma Rios is doing astonishing work: Its surreal, has a certain musicality to it, panels flow like water. She makes the book visually breathtaking. DeConnick adds another layer to her story, no longer just about death, but the ravages of war.

Writer, Artists and Panel of the Month: I'm giving it all to Pretty Deadly. The top panel would be that incredible double page spread Kelly Sue and Emma breakdown in the backmatter.

To Jan 2016

Back to Nov 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

2012 Comic Book Awards

Best Ongoing Series: Wonder Woman by Azzarello & Chiang (DC)

Best Ministries: Godzilla: Half Century War by James Stokoe (IDW)

Best New Series: Fatale by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips (Image)

Nominees: Cap Marvel, Manhattan Projects, Revival, Bandett (I know, I know... Saga. I liked it but wasn't as knocked out as others were)

Most Disappointing Cancelation: X-23 by Marjorie Liu & Phil Noto

Best Event or Crossover: Zero Month (DC) – Despite the whining from some net critics, there were several outstanding issues here. Including Wonder Woman, I, Vampire, Batgirl, Dial H, Swamp Thing, Supergirl, Sword of Sorcery, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Frankenstein Agent of SHADE, Batman, Batwoman and Demon Knights.

Best Original Graphic Novel: Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf) - As the book blurb describes it, this moving tale is about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality.