I think I misjudged this series earlier. I mean, it’s understandable when the comics was promoted as an Ape version of the Marvel Universe and that was it. But the series was actually a lot better than that initial gimmick.

See, what this series did was present an initial premise and then after a second issue, sort of toss that premise out of the window. The Apes were still there, but the comic was redefined with the inclusion of vampires and alternate events, including an original character not found in mainstream Marvel. With a limited miniseries, the writer needs to realize there are no holds barred. They need to do as much with the series as they can, and if that means dropping, downplaying or subverting the gimmick they’ve already put forward, then so be it.

Marvel Apes was sort of cartoony, sure, but I think had this had Alex Ross art, people would see that this was a great book that was quite deeper than many people could give it credit.

Blood, Hex and Violence

Every once in awhile you get a comic that comes along and shocks you to the core. Not because it’s necessarily terrifying, but because it re-invents the wheel. Hexed is a comic by Michael Alan Nelson’s, BOOM! Studios in house horror savant who writes among many other things, Fall of Cthulhu.

courtesy BOOM!

Hexed is a comic about Lucifer, a female occult thief. This may seem like an overused gimmick, and to be truthful, there have been a lot of female protagonist occult thrillers on the market recently due to the success of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books. But this series redefines that genre not just in the way the conflict is set up, but in how Nelson uses unique devices to progress that conflict.

There are a lot of really cool throw away ideas in here, like a portal into a person or demons captured in toys, that are unique and fresh interpretations of this sort of story. While first issue critiques are always sketchy because you can’t judge an entire novel from its first chapter, Hexed makes you want to keep reading the other issues, which is more than I can say for other series.

Michael Alan Nelson said in the press release for Hexed, “I think a great story needs more than flashy gimmicks and a couple of neat concepts. You absolutely must have a compelling story and fleshed-out characters before you can start throwing labyrinthine plots into the mix. I look for chilling conflicts, then find ways to make them as unsettling and riveting as possible.” I see exactly what he means.

Hexed takes this almost tired genre, turns it on its head in new and creative ways, and sets up an inventive premise with the promise for more occult nonsensery that could disturb and/or fascinate you. A great indie must read.

Would I sound like a weirdo if I said Marvel Zombies 3 was more succulent than the flesh of a scared teenager? Probably. That’s why I’m saying Marvel Zombies 3 is as good as the original and defiantly better than the sequel, instead.

The main story focuses on the invasion of the Marvel Zombies from their universe to the mainstream Marvel Universe (616). This is a cool premise because the zombie characters can meet their non-zombie counterparts, basically because again, that battle would be really cool. I mean, honestly, this series is about fanboy crazy fun, not serious or emotional brooding found in many comics today. There is no point to this series other than plain fun (which the sequel kind of forgot), which means the writer has license to do whatever will make the fan happy.

This first issue is a fun start to the series, introducing an awesome super hero team just so they can get eaten, and also throwing in random and bizarre aspects of recent and past Marvel history - like S.W.O.R.D., Project Lightning Storm, and the Nexus of Realities. Morbius hasn’t made a cameo in awhile, and after learning about Iron Man’s past story arcs, I find it neat that Jocasta is back. I love Warren Ellis’ version of Machine Man, but Marvel Editorial seems to frown on other writers portraying the robot similar to Futurama’s Bender, so maybe the fun character we expect won’t show, but that’s not a big deal. Seeing zombie Deadpool makes up for everything this issue could have possibly lacked!

This is the perfect series for someone who wants comics to be funny. Check this out, even if you haven’t read the other volumes.

America’s Best Comics Returns!!!

Yes! This is it! I’ve been waiting 4 years for this! Top Ten: Beyond the Farthest Precinct was a travesty, a book too bizarre and random, undercutting the serious human issues Moore presented in his original series.

This new series, the second season, is what Farthest Precinct should have been. The characters are set up; old, new and underused alike to get set loose in a brilliant maze of story that all converges at one glorious end.

America’s Best Comics are the best modern comics readers can find, and naysayers need to read Top Ten to prove them wrong. Everything a super hero book should be - bizarre, epic, emotional - Top Ten is. Zander Cannon and Gene Ha know what they’re doing, and we should listen when they speak.

courtesy DC Comics

Stop Crying Wolf!

courtesy Image

Why do we read comics? Is it to read a good story, to be moved like we would if we were reading literature? Or are you an art connoisseur, and you read to see illustrations?

While many comic fans pretend to understand and be art experts, the main reason we read comics is for the good story. And good stories need characters we care about, characters established so the writer can then utilize them in new situations that tell great stories.

I’ve defended Robert Kirkman’s use of large sections of dialog because I know that all the talking has a legitimate point. He had to take time to wind up his toys so he could let them go, and Astounding Wolf-Man #8 panders to those people who read but hate reading. Compared to other Kirkman titles, this issue has little dialog. The characters are already established so long-winded speeches aren’t needed.

Kudos, Mr. Kirkman. Now let me interview you!

Daniel Shows Us The Way!

I was skeptical. Fabian Nicieza really defined the character and brought him to the zany, fourth dimensional limits we all have come to expect from this character. Daniel Way’s run of Wolverine: Origins was lackluster, having what seemed like a single fight taking five issues.

I read those Wolverine issues, and I swear that this Deadpool is almost from a different writer. This new Deadpool is on par with Nicieza’s. What I mean is Way’s previous Deadpool read like watered down Nicieza, almost what Way thought Deadpool should be written like. But this Deadpool from the new Secret Invasion tied-in series is brand new and rustic old.

If you are a fan of Deadpool, I highly recommend this continuation. This series was always one that recognized the craziness of comics, and having a reality check from time to time again is essential for us nerds. Plus, reality checks are always best accompanied by big guns and pop culture references.

Marvel’s Monkey Business

No seriously, what where they thinking? There is a lot to be said for premise based writing - pitching a concept or gimmick and running with it, fleshing out the story and plot as you go. Many comic projects begin with the premise - Captain America fights so and so, etc. But this premise?

Marvel Apes is clearly following the success of the alternate universe stories of Marvel Zombies. But the stark difference between these series is not the cheap gimmick - the heroes as X. No, the main difference is that Marvel Zombies was done, dare I say, more artfully? Read the rest of this entry »

Marvel’s big secret has been unveiled - I think. The black-and-white image I previously posted will deal with Marvel’s upcoming Dark Reign branding stories. Basically, titles will have “Dark Reign” printed on the cover and they will deal with this new phase of the Marvel Universe.

Personally, this isn’t as exciting an announcement as I thought it’d be. We don’t really know what Dark Reign is, and the other two mysterious ads in comics recently were not linked to this event. I think the biggest news was Bendis’ stating he’s finished with Mighty Avengers after issue 20.

Regardless, I hope Dark Reign or whatever the conclusion of Secret Invasion is called will bring some slower pace to the Marvel Universe and allow stories to be told for awhile without being hijacked for crossovers.

For the past few months Marvel has been running black and white ads of mysterious characters holding guns in several of their titles. There are no words or indication as to what this campaign is marketing, and the internet has been begging for answers. However, tonight we may find out what’s going on.

Marvel released a press release and image today:

“What is this mysterious image? Learn the answers to this and many more exciting 2009 plans as Marvel makes their jaw-dropping presentation at the Diamond Retailer Summit tonight. And check Tuesday for in-depth interviews on all of the major announcements being made!”

So far there have been little actual hints as to what this project might be, or who the characters involved are. I could be these are new characters, or new interpretations of old characters. The ads give a noir feel to this mystery, so it’s possible we are looking at a super human crime thriller? Your guess is as good as mine, at least until tonight.