Learn and Enjoy: Orson Scott Card's Red Prophet: Tales of Alvin Maker #2

We all know that comics are wonderful, escapist entertainment. Every once in a while, however; a comic comes along that offers more than just mindless entertainment. Yes, reading some comics can make you feel like you are learning something. (I mean something besides the "facts" that radiation gives you super-powers and that zombies like brains.) Now don't get scared by the "L" word! Learning stuff can be fun AND good for you.

Orson Scott Card's Red Prophet: Tales of Alvin Maker #2 (hitherto referred to as Red Prophet) by Card, Roland Brown and Renato Arlem, is a great example of what I'm talking about here. After reading this comic, adapted from Card's novel, I really felt like I had brushed up on my American history. Though the story is clearly fictional, and contains some fantasy elements, I'm confident that Card did his research on history and native beliefs before writing this tale.

The story of Red Prophet takes place during the Western Expansion phase of America's development. In particular, it deals with the clash of cultures between the indigenous Americans and the European American settlers. In retrospect, we know that even the best intentioned pioneers had a disastrous impact on Native Americans (and those with bad intentions were, of course, infinitely worse). This story shows how different settlers, in different ways, really messed things up for the folks who were already living on this land.

After the murder of his father, young Lolla-Wossiky is never quite the same. He was always more sensitive and in-tune with the land than others, but witnessing such a violent, personal tragedy heightens that sensitivity to an overpowering and painful extent. Lolla-Wossiky sees and hears things that others don't. Things that can only be quieted with lots of alcohol. When he takes a keg of whiskey and heads off across the land to meet his dream beast, will Lolla-Wossiky find answers or just more confusing questions?

Red Prophet has a satisfying, thought-provoking story and realistic art that perfectly captures the historical setting. Best of all, you can learn something WITHOUT a keg of whiskey and a hundred mile walk! Try out Red Prophet while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.

No Elves Allowed: Wolfskin #1

Though I know it is oversimplifying things to say this, there are really two basic kinds of story in the fantasy genre. The first type has elves and magic and powerful relics with portentous names, like the "Great Ring of Eternal Diptheria." I know many people love those stories, but they just aren't my cup of black ale. The second type has enormous, hairy, foul-mouthed men (and sometimes women) who cart around gigantic swords and hack the living daylights out of each other. Now THAT, I can appreciate!

If, like me, you want your fantasy tales uncomplicated and violent, you're in for a treat with Avatar's Wolfskin #1 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. There isn't really much to say about the plot of the first issue. The Wolfskin of the title is a lone warrior from an infamous brotherhood of fighters. He is happy to mind his own business in life, but he is waylaid by troublemakers who just can't leave a stranger walking through their territory alone. Much extremely graphic hacking and beheading ensues. There is a larger plot building about a village at war, but this issue is mostly about the hacking.

Warren Ellis has earned a reputation as a writer who is not afraid to push the envelope or do the unexpected. You never know what you are going to get with a Warren Ellis comic, but you know it will be something different. Ellis brings his over-the-top style to the fantasy genre with Wolfskin, and it's a breath of fresh air compared to some of the self-important, elf-laden stuff out there. Ellis is also, along with Garth Ennis and Brian Bendis, one of comic's greatest writers of good old-fashioned cussin'. Even though there is more fighting than talking in this debut issue, our hero does show he can wield his tongue as well as his sword. (Avatar doesn't have a "mature readers" label on this book, but it is clearly not for the young or easily offended!)

Ryp's artwork is incredibly detailed, and wonderfully depicts both the violence and beauty of this world. Every time you pick the book up, you will notice elements in the art that you missed the last time through. The detail in some of the fight scenes suggests that he really brushed up on his Grey's Anatomy for this series.

Dig your least moldy old animal skin out of the closet, strap on your rusty broadsword, and pillage your way to Four Color Fantasies to try out Wolfskin #1. Just leave your pointy elf hat and wand of unicorn summoning at home.

Political Straight-Shooter: Green Arrow #61

No matter what your political leanings may be, I bet that most of us can agree on one thing: ninety percent of politicians are full of enormous, stinky, piles of hooey. It seems to me that politics would be SO much more productive (and interesting!) if politicians could forget about fund-raising and public opinion polls, and actually say what they really think about the issues. Hopefully, deeds would quickly follow the words. With no more kissing up to lobbies, or sweet-talking the press, maybe the politicos would be able to DO something useful for a change.

What does this have to do with comics, you ask? (And isn't that one of life's more pressing questions? Everything should have SOMETHING to do with comics.) Well, it has a lot to do with Green Arrow #61. Part of DC's "1 Year Later" event, this issue reveals that, during the missing year of the title, Oliver Queen (the maverick alter-ego of Green Arrow) has gotten himself elected as the Mayor of Star City.

Written by Judd Winick with art by Scott McDaniel, this issue reveals Ollie as the kind of politician I would like to see in the real world. He says exactly what he thinks, without worrying about being politically correct, hurting anyone's feelings, or even seeming just a bit crazy. Wouldn't we all like to see a public figure stand up at a press conference and threaten to hit the press with fire hoses if they don't settle down? He makes it quite clear that he became the mayor to help his city, and he will do whatever it takes to make things happen. Even if it kills him. Of course, killing the new Mayor has already occurred to some people....

By far the best thing about this issue is watching Mayor Queen handle his first press conference. Winick's version of Ollie is a guy I would jump to vote for, if given the chance. Though the press conference is very funny, it also makes sense that this is the kind of no-nonsense politician anyone crazy enough to dress up in green and shoot arrows at criminals would be. For the action fans out there, this issue isn't all politics and microphones. Ollie does get to suit up for a little archery action, and McDaniel's clean, stylish art is equally good in both settings. (It does cross my mind that a big-time public figure might need more to disguise himself than a hood and a little tiny green eye-mask. The beard should be a dead giveaway!)

So if you like a little politics in your comicbook world, Green Arrow #61 may be just the book for you. Not many super-folks have managed much success in the political arena (I'm looking at you, Tony Stark), so I can't wait to see if Ollie pulls it off! Cast your vote for more butt-kicking, arrow-fletching politicians. Mayor Queen speaks LOUDLY, and carries a big quiver! Vote now while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.