When you think about it, super-heroes are kinda funny. As much as I love them, the basic concept of people who put on spandex, meet arch-enemies, and pound the stuffing out of each other while rambling philosophically about the nature of good and evil is humorous. So every once in a while, it is nice for a comic to come along and take the pompous wind out of the sails of the whole super-hero genre.
Hero Squared, by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Joe Abraham, in the grand tradition of The Tick, revels in pointing out the funny side of the super-heroic life. From the knowingly melodramatic, "Which one of these people will DIE in this issue?" on the cover, to the shocking reveal at the end, this book really plays with the super-hero stereotypes for great comedic effect. Don't get the idea that this is a mean-spirited parody though, these guys clearly love comic book super-heroes as much as the rest of us, and the jokes are more like good-natured ribbing than mocking jabs.
Our hero, a slacker of the first order named Milo, is stuck in a rut and his life is going pretty much nowhere. He is too busy being an "artiste" to lower himself to taking a real, paying job. His relationship with his "far too good for him" girlfriend is going nowhere, and even his loser best friend is criticizing his life choices. Milo's self-esteem does not improve when he meets another Milo from an alternate universe. You see, where our Milo has pretty much failed to achieve anything, alternate Milo became Captain Valor the greatest hero of his universe. If only our Milo hadn't skipped out on that 10th grade field trip---
As you might expect, both the plot and the dialogue by DeMatteis and Giffen are all-around excellent. The interplay between the two Milos is hilarious, and this is not a comic that you will breeze through in 10 minutes time. There is plenty to digest and ponder on these pages. Abraham's art is simple and easy to follow, and he does a great job with the subtle differences between plain old Milo and Captain Valor.
If you like your super-hero comics with a bit of humor, you will love Hero Squared. This comic is worth reading for the villain's pathetic sidekick alone. Plus, you'll learn new words like calumny and keglers, proving that comics can be fun AND educational. Try out Hero Squared #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill
First things first-of all the many characters who inhabit the Marvel Universe, Beta Ray Bill has, by far, the coolest name. It's just fun to say. Go ahead, give it a try. Don't be shy, say it good and loud a few times: "Beta Ray Bill, Beta Ray Bill, Beta Ray Bill!" Fun, huh?
In case you don't know about Bill, he was introduced many eons ago during Walt Simonson's justly praised run on Thor. Bill, a somewhat horse-faced alien, was one of the very few characters ever actually deemed worthy enough to pick up Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. Because he needed Mjolnir to save his people, the Korbinite, Bill and Thor fought (How else do heroes make important decisions?) to see who should have the hammer. Bill whipped Thor's hinder, but cool pappa Odin made Bill a hammer of his own, called Stormbreaker. Bill and Thor became best-buddies, and went on to hit many things with hammers together.
Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill takes place just after Bill witnesses the utter destruction of Thor, Asgard, and all Asgardians at Ragnarock. Having had one of the worst days ever, Bill heads home to find his people locked in battle with a horrific and powerful alien menace. (Surprise guest star!) As if that wasn't bad enough, Bill's predecessor, Alpha Ray, has been awakened for battle. As you can probably guess, Alpha and Beta don't get along too well. Bill faces threats from all sides, and he can no longer rely on his adopted Asgardian brother to lend a helping hand.
Stormbreaker is written by Michael Avon Oeming and Dan Berman, with art by Andrea DiVito. Oeming is better known as the artist of Powers, but he was also the architect of the recent Ragnarock story-so he knows his Asgardians. DiVito's art is perfect for this title. The characters look powerful, and the combat and cosmic scenery are equally impressive.
If you miss Thor, if you like epic battles and planetary destruction, or if you just like horse-faced aliens pounding on things with magical hammers, you will love Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill. You can't go wrong, since the first issue is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! This book is worth the price, just so you have an excuse to say, "Beta Ray Bill" as often as you please. (Warning: saying Beta Ray Bill repeatedly in public may make people think you've finally "gone funny.")
In case you don't know about Bill, he was introduced many eons ago during Walt Simonson's justly praised run on Thor. Bill, a somewhat horse-faced alien, was one of the very few characters ever actually deemed worthy enough to pick up Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. Because he needed Mjolnir to save his people, the Korbinite, Bill and Thor fought (How else do heroes make important decisions?) to see who should have the hammer. Bill whipped Thor's hinder, but cool pappa Odin made Bill a hammer of his own, called Stormbreaker. Bill and Thor became best-buddies, and went on to hit many things with hammers together.
Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill takes place just after Bill witnesses the utter destruction of Thor, Asgard, and all Asgardians at Ragnarock. Having had one of the worst days ever, Bill heads home to find his people locked in battle with a horrific and powerful alien menace. (Surprise guest star!) As if that wasn't bad enough, Bill's predecessor, Alpha Ray, has been awakened for battle. As you can probably guess, Alpha and Beta don't get along too well. Bill faces threats from all sides, and he can no longer rely on his adopted Asgardian brother to lend a helping hand.
Stormbreaker is written by Michael Avon Oeming and Dan Berman, with art by Andrea DiVito. Oeming is better known as the artist of Powers, but he was also the architect of the recent Ragnarock story-so he knows his Asgardians. DiVito's art is perfect for this title. The characters look powerful, and the combat and cosmic scenery are equally impressive.
If you miss Thor, if you like epic battles and planetary destruction, or if you just like horse-faced aliens pounding on things with magical hammers, you will love Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill. You can't go wrong, since the first issue is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! This book is worth the price, just so you have an excuse to say, "Beta Ray Bill" as often as you please. (Warning: saying Beta Ray Bill repeatedly in public may make people think you've finally "gone funny.")
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
No excuses, Plain fun: Marvel Team-Up #4
One of the coolest things about super-hero comics is the whole shared universe concept. There is just nothing better than having your two favorite super-guys meet, whale on each other a bit, and then work together to takedown an invading alien armada or a fifty foot slug-monster. That's why Marvel's new Marvel Team-up (or MTU, as the hip kids call it) is so much fun.
I admit, I loved the old Marvel Team-Up. No matter how flimsy the excuse for Spider-Man and Iron Fist to meet, fight, and team-up, I was there for the ride. OK, after 100 issues or so, it did start to seem a little forced but I never let that get in the way of the fun. And fun is really the focus of this series!
The beauty of this new series is that writer Robert Kirkman (the super-genius behind Walking Dead and Invincible) and artist Scott Kolins do not take the easy way out. They don't just randomly pick some second-rate hero to stick with Spider-Man and send them off to fight Mole Man or a washed-up X-Men villain. Kirkman has put together an ongoing storyline that really takes advantage of the shared-world idea. Different heroes meet, get entangled in the plot, and then move on to let someone else get the spotlight.
Kirkman clearly loves the Marvel U, and all the nifty characters he can play with. (And he writes them very well!) This series has already featured Spider-Man, Wolverine, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man (sort of), and the Hulk. Plus, there have been cool cameos like Nova, Willy Lumpkin, and many more cleverly worked into the background by Kolins. Any other creative team would be content with that line-up, but not these guys! They have also created some original, and mysterious, villains to throw into the mix. All in only the first four issues! (Don't worry though, you can easily jump in at any point.)
If you miss the days of super-hero comics that are just plain fun, then you will love Marvel Team-Up. The humor, action, and mystery are non-stop. Heroes punch each other! Things blow up! Aliens do mysterious things! What's not to like? Do yourself a favor and try out MTU #4 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!
I admit, I loved the old Marvel Team-Up. No matter how flimsy the excuse for Spider-Man and Iron Fist to meet, fight, and team-up, I was there for the ride. OK, after 100 issues or so, it did start to seem a little forced but I never let that get in the way of the fun. And fun is really the focus of this series!
The beauty of this new series is that writer Robert Kirkman (the super-genius behind Walking Dead and Invincible) and artist Scott Kolins do not take the easy way out. They don't just randomly pick some second-rate hero to stick with Spider-Man and send them off to fight Mole Man or a washed-up X-Men villain. Kirkman has put together an ongoing storyline that really takes advantage of the shared-world idea. Different heroes meet, get entangled in the plot, and then move on to let someone else get the spotlight.
Kirkman clearly loves the Marvel U, and all the nifty characters he can play with. (And he writes them very well!) This series has already featured Spider-Man, Wolverine, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man (sort of), and the Hulk. Plus, there have been cool cameos like Nova, Willy Lumpkin, and many more cleverly worked into the background by Kolins. Any other creative team would be content with that line-up, but not these guys! They have also created some original, and mysterious, villains to throw into the mix. All in only the first four issues! (Don't worry though, you can easily jump in at any point.)
If you miss the days of super-hero comics that are just plain fun, then you will love Marvel Team-Up. The humor, action, and mystery are non-stop. Heroes punch each other! Things blow up! Aliens do mysterious things! What's not to like? Do yourself a favor and try out MTU #4 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
David returns: Incredible Hulk #77
You just can't go wrong with any comic that starts out with a giant, green man walking along the bottom of the ocean, punching sharks, and munching on the remains like Henry VIII with a turkey leg. I mean, how often do you see that? All too rarely, I say.
Of course, shark mangling is not the only cool thing about Incredible Hulk #77. This issue marks the return of Peter David as the Hulk's writer. To many fans, myself included, David (who wrote the Hulk for something like 12 years) is THE Hulk writer. Years ago, he took a character that most people thought was dead in the water and turned him into one of Marvel's biggest stars. Peter David really knows the Hulk, and it shows in his return to the character.
In this issue, Tempest Fugit-part 1, David quickly delves into what makes the Hulk tick. We see glimpses of Bruce Banner's past and how Banner, past and present, is connected to the Hulk. The way Banner and the Hulk relate to, and deal with, one another is a big part of what makes this character so interesting. David understands that, and it shows in this story. (By the way, this storyline is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, so you can claim you are gettin' an edumacation while reading this!)
The art by Lee Weeks is also excellent. The Hulk looks huge, powerful and grumpy. (Plus, he DOES wear purple pants. Where does Banner buy those elastic, purple pants?) The underwater action scenes have an impressive scale, and Weeks draws one mean squid-monster.
Incredible Hulk #77 has great hulk-out action, a cool story, pretty pictures and a cliffhanger ending that will make you say, "What the ----?" You can't go wrong! Not only that, but this week Hulk #77 is Four Color Fantasies Guaranteed Book of the Week. Trust me, it's worth cover price for the shark-mangling alone!
Of course, shark mangling is not the only cool thing about Incredible Hulk #77. This issue marks the return of Peter David as the Hulk's writer. To many fans, myself included, David (who wrote the Hulk for something like 12 years) is THE Hulk writer. Years ago, he took a character that most people thought was dead in the water and turned him into one of Marvel's biggest stars. Peter David really knows the Hulk, and it shows in his return to the character.
In this issue, Tempest Fugit-part 1, David quickly delves into what makes the Hulk tick. We see glimpses of Bruce Banner's past and how Banner, past and present, is connected to the Hulk. The way Banner and the Hulk relate to, and deal with, one another is a big part of what makes this character so interesting. David understands that, and it shows in this story. (By the way, this storyline is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, so you can claim you are gettin' an edumacation while reading this!)
The art by Lee Weeks is also excellent. The Hulk looks huge, powerful and grumpy. (Plus, he DOES wear purple pants. Where does Banner buy those elastic, purple pants?) The underwater action scenes have an impressive scale, and Weeks draws one mean squid-monster.
Incredible Hulk #77 has great hulk-out action, a cool story, pretty pictures and a cliffhanger ending that will make you say, "What the ----?" You can't go wrong! Not only that, but this week Hulk #77 is Four Color Fantasies Guaranteed Book of the Week. Trust me, it's worth cover price for the shark-mangling alone!
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