Of all the heroes in the Marvel Universe, Daredevil just may be the one with the worst luck and the toughest breaks. Look at his origin story, he has to go blind AND lose his dad to even get in the hero biz. Unlike other heroes, the toxic, radioactive goop that gets dumped on him doesn't give him super-strength, or the ability to fly and shoot laser beams. He gets radar and really good hearing. His girlfriends either get killed by Bullseye or they turn out to be nutso psychopaths or (in most cases) both. Life is never easy for the Man Without Fear.
In recent years, Daredevil's identity was exposed in the press, so he has to spend most of his time dealing with lawsuits and assassination attempts. Despite it all, Matt Murdoch keeps pulling on his red PJs and struggling to bring justice to the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen. I think we can probably forgive the guy for being just a little cranky. It is understandable when DD decides that enough is enough. He takes out the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, once and for all, and essentially declares himself the new "Kingpin."
"Decalogue, Part 1" in Daredevil #71 takes a look at how the public feels about the whole Daredevil situation. Most community churches have counselling for troubled teens, or people who need help with their marriage. St. Mary's Church in Hell's Kitchen has Wednesday sessions to discuss "The Devil Among Us." The small group that comes together here to discuss DD shows clearly that different members of the community have very different outlooks on Matt's alter ego. To some he is a hero, to others a jerk who can't mind his own business, and to some he is a creepy guy who dresses up in a devil suit and punches people.
Daredevil #71 is written by fan-favorite Brian Michael Bendis, with art by Alex Maleev. As always, Bendis writes excellent dialogue, and brings an unique approach to looking at the life of a super-hero and the way he affects the world around him. Bendis has been writing Daredevil for years now, so he knows his stuff when it comes to Matt Murdoch. (And despite the fact that Bendis writes something like a bajillion books every month, he keeps turning out quality!) Maleev's art has a realistic, yet dark and sketchy quality that makes a perfect match for DD's gritty, street-level heroics.
If you like your super-heroics just a bit on the dark and gritty side, you will love Daredevil: Decalogue, Part 1. It has Bendis, it has action, it has noir, and it has a guy in a red devil suit punching people! What more could anyone ask for? (Other than some sort of talking monkey.) If nothing else, you'll be glad you don't live Matt's life. Try Daredevil #71 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! You lucky devil!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Mad Science Origins: Ultimate Iron Man #1
Of all the many lessons comics have to teach us, the most frequently repeated is that cutting-edge scientific research (AKA "mad science") is often way more trouble than it is worth. Maybe comics wouldn't have to warn us about the dangers of science gone wild so much if people would just learn to lay off the test tubes. Science should be left in the capable hands of reasonable professionals, like Bill Nye and Professor Frink, not reckless munitions developers in Marvel's Ultimate universe.
Ultimate Iron Man #1 by Orson Scott Card and Andy Kubert, starts at the very beginning of the life of Iron Man. Actually, it starts even before the beginning. The story takes place years in the past, as Howard Stark begins work on an entirely new kind of armor. The cool thing about this armor is that you just spray it on from an aerosol can and you become invulnerable to almost any trauma, from ice picks to baseball bats. The downside is that it will eat your skin off in three hours.
The skin-eating problem means that Stark needs help, so he enlists the best geneticist he can find. Dr. Maria Cerrera is not only brilliant, she is darn cute too. Being a typical member of the Stark family, Howard is soon smitten with her and love blooms for the future parents of Iron Man. Unfortunately for them, scientific disaster soon rears its ugly head...
Orson Scott Card is a world-renowned, best selling author of science fiction novels, and he really brings his science know-how to this story. A character like Iron Man really needs to be right at the edge of current scientific theory and Ultimate Iron Man definitely is on that edge. The art by Andy Kubert is, as always, gorgeous and exciting. The only possible complaint with this first issue is that we don't actually get to see Kubert's version of Iron Man in action. At least that leaves something to look forward to!
So remember kids, science is awful dangerous but comics can wisely show you the way to avoid disaster. If you want to experience the thrill of experimentation without endangering your friends and loved-ones, pick up Ultimate Iron Man #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.
Ultimate Iron Man #1 by Orson Scott Card and Andy Kubert, starts at the very beginning of the life of Iron Man. Actually, it starts even before the beginning. The story takes place years in the past, as Howard Stark begins work on an entirely new kind of armor. The cool thing about this armor is that you just spray it on from an aerosol can and you become invulnerable to almost any trauma, from ice picks to baseball bats. The downside is that it will eat your skin off in three hours.
The skin-eating problem means that Stark needs help, so he enlists the best geneticist he can find. Dr. Maria Cerrera is not only brilliant, she is darn cute too. Being a typical member of the Stark family, Howard is soon smitten with her and love blooms for the future parents of Iron Man. Unfortunately for them, scientific disaster soon rears its ugly head...
Orson Scott Card is a world-renowned, best selling author of science fiction novels, and he really brings his science know-how to this story. A character like Iron Man really needs to be right at the edge of current scientific theory and Ultimate Iron Man definitely is on that edge. The art by Andy Kubert is, as always, gorgeous and exciting. The only possible complaint with this first issue is that we don't actually get to see Kubert's version of Iron Man in action. At least that leaves something to look forward to!
So remember kids, science is awful dangerous but comics can wisely show you the way to avoid disaster. If you want to experience the thrill of experimentation without endangering your friends and loved-ones, pick up Ultimate Iron Man #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Mythic Aspirations: Blood of the Demon #1
Summoning up aid from the forces of darkness is really a tricky business. On the one hand, you may have an incredibly powerful being to defeat your enemies, conquer armies, or help with the laundry. This could be very useful. On the other hand (moral implications aside), the summoned one may find a way out of your control, bite your face off, and drag you screaming into the abyss. Very tricky business.
DC Comics' Blood of the Demon #1 starts out with just such a tricky proposition. Over a thousand years ago, Merlin (Yes, THE Merlin) summons up the demon Etrigan to help fend off the forces of Morgaine Le Fey. Unfortunately, Camelot falls but Merlin allows Etrigan to live on, tempered by a human side. For the next thousand years, the human Jason Blood and his demon half, Etrigan, fight for humanity against the forces of evil.
Today, in Gotham City, some extemely bad people (or people-like things) decide they have a need for Etrigan's special talents. They capture and torture Jason Blood in the hopes of finding Etrigan. What they unleash, however, may be more than they, or the world, can handle...
Blood of the Demon is pencilled and plotted by John Byrne, with scripting by Will Pfeifer. Byrne has been one of the most well-known names in comics for decades. He has written and drawn highly regarded stories for many classic characters, including the X-Men, Superman, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, She-Hulk, and many, many others. John Byrne knows comics, and that shows with his work here. The characters look great and the action, and there is a LOT of action, is dynamic and easy to follow.
If you like supernatural stories with a dark edge, you will enjoy Blood of the Demon #1. This isn't for the faint hearted, as there is quite a bit of bloodshed, but there is some humor to lighten the darker moments. (Beware the naked, bullet-proof man!) Give Etrigan a try now, while he is starring in Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just remember, don't go summoning evil forces in your own home. Take out the trash yourself, and you'll be happier in the long run.
DC Comics' Blood of the Demon #1 starts out with just such a tricky proposition. Over a thousand years ago, Merlin (Yes, THE Merlin) summons up the demon Etrigan to help fend off the forces of Morgaine Le Fey. Unfortunately, Camelot falls but Merlin allows Etrigan to live on, tempered by a human side. For the next thousand years, the human Jason Blood and his demon half, Etrigan, fight for humanity against the forces of evil.
Today, in Gotham City, some extemely bad people (or people-like things) decide they have a need for Etrigan's special talents. They capture and torture Jason Blood in the hopes of finding Etrigan. What they unleash, however, may be more than they, or the world, can handle...
Blood of the Demon is pencilled and plotted by John Byrne, with scripting by Will Pfeifer. Byrne has been one of the most well-known names in comics for decades. He has written and drawn highly regarded stories for many classic characters, including the X-Men, Superman, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, She-Hulk, and many, many others. John Byrne knows comics, and that shows with his work here. The characters look great and the action, and there is a LOT of action, is dynamic and easy to follow.
If you like supernatural stories with a dark edge, you will enjoy Blood of the Demon #1. This isn't for the faint hearted, as there is quite a bit of bloodshed, but there is some humor to lighten the darker moments. (Beware the naked, bullet-proof man!) Give Etrigan a try now, while he is starring in Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just remember, don't go summoning evil forces in your own home. Take out the trash yourself, and you'll be happier in the long run.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Comics Cautionary Tale: Legend #1
You know, if more comic book characters actually READ comics, quite a few of the tricky situations they get themselves into could be avoided. For example, any comic book reader can tell you that untested, cutting-edge, "crazy" scientific experiments probably should not be conducted on onesel for ones' family. The odds are that you will end up insane, in jail, or in a gooey puddle on the floor.
In Legend #1, it is all too clear that Abednego Danner has not read enough comics. In what appears to be rural America, many decades ago, Danner starts experimenting with the chemistry of living things. He believes, much to the dismay of his sternly religious wife, that it is possible to create a human who has strength and endurance beyond imagining. He experiments on lesser animals, but when his wife becomes pregnant, Abednego just can't resist the urge to get out the hypo and start secretly injecting her with glowing, green chemicals.
Their son, Hugo, seems normal enough at birth, but it quickly becomes apparent that he is no average baby. The real story of Legend follows as Hugo grows up. Both he and his parents struggle to deal with his abilities, and to find Hugo's place in a society that hates him because he is different. Hugo has to learn to deal with abusive children and with intolerant adults, while not losing control of his awesome power. Life is not going to be easy for Hugo Danner.
Legend is written by Howard Chaykin with art by Russ Heath. In comics, you can't get a better pedigree than that. These are creators whose names have long been synonymous with quality, and Legend shows off their skills very well. The story and the characters are immediately involving, and Heath's pencils are perfect for evoking a quaint, but far from perfect, America of the past.
Legend #1 is a great first issue that will leave you hungry for more. There are some serious themes to think about here (and some cussin'), so it is recommended for older readers. Legendary comics creators, mad-science and super-powers. You can't go wrong with all of these ingredients combined. Check out Legend #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just don't start injecting your friends and family with green, glowing, science-y stuff. It will only lead to tears.
In Legend #1, it is all too clear that Abednego Danner has not read enough comics. In what appears to be rural America, many decades ago, Danner starts experimenting with the chemistry of living things. He believes, much to the dismay of his sternly religious wife, that it is possible to create a human who has strength and endurance beyond imagining. He experiments on lesser animals, but when his wife becomes pregnant, Abednego just can't resist the urge to get out the hypo and start secretly injecting her with glowing, green chemicals.
Their son, Hugo, seems normal enough at birth, but it quickly becomes apparent that he is no average baby. The real story of Legend follows as Hugo grows up. Both he and his parents struggle to deal with his abilities, and to find Hugo's place in a society that hates him because he is different. Hugo has to learn to deal with abusive children and with intolerant adults, while not losing control of his awesome power. Life is not going to be easy for Hugo Danner.
Legend is written by Howard Chaykin with art by Russ Heath. In comics, you can't get a better pedigree than that. These are creators whose names have long been synonymous with quality, and Legend shows off their skills very well. The story and the characters are immediately involving, and Heath's pencils are perfect for evoking a quaint, but far from perfect, America of the past.
Legend #1 is a great first issue that will leave you hungry for more. There are some serious themes to think about here (and some cussin'), so it is recommended for older readers. Legendary comics creators, mad-science and super-powers. You can't go wrong with all of these ingredients combined. Check out Legend #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just don't start injecting your friends and family with green, glowing, science-y stuff. It will only lead to tears.
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