Intriguing story, Noir-ish art make NewUniversal 1959 a must read

Back in "ye olden days" of the 1980s, when Marvel first tried to launch its New Universe, there was a huge wave of hype, all new ongoing series were launched, and everybody was terribly excited. Then the books actually came out, most of them were pretty goofy and, to be honest, not very good. (No offense if you have fond memories of Kickers, Inc.) The hype died down, the books went away, and that was the end of that. The New Universe became the old, forgotten, universe.

This time around, the folks at Marvel have a different approach. The new NewUniversal books have kind of slipped under the radar. They kicked off with an under-hyped limited series from Warren Ellis, and have continued wth a string of interesting short series and one-shots from various creators. These books aren't getting much attention, but they're actually pretty good.

The latest entry is a one-shot: NewUniversal 1959, taking a look at what happened the first time a mysterious white flash appeared in the sky. Not only were the fancy new computers of America, circa 1953, all fried, but some people started showing signs of weird new abilities. In a very film noir, Cold War era USA, ordinary citizens with super-powers are not viewed as a good thing. The brand new National Security Agency starts keeping track of these superhumans, and they don't like what they see.

The three cases who first pop up on their radar are: Lester Robbins, who can appear and disappear anywhere around the world seemingly at random; Veronica Kelly, who can chop people up with her mind; and a young fella named Tony Stark, who can build impossible things. (The inclusion of this ill-fated Stark does seem to confirm that this is a universe that runs parallel to the "real" Marvel U.) The N.S.A. is determined to prevent these people from threatening humanity, so they put cold-blooded scientist Phillip Voight on the case. Phillip and his "men in black" will go to almost any lengths to stop what they see as the "superhuman menace."

With an intriguing, self-contained, story by Kieron Gillen, and atmospheric, noir-ish, art by Greg Scott, this one-shot is a great story on its own, and an essential piece of new New Universe history. Plus, Iron Man fans seriously do not want to miss what becomes of this world's Tony Stark. (He totally doesn't get to be played by Robert Downey Jr. in a blockbuster movie!) Try out NewUniversal 1959 this week at Four Color Fantasies, while it is the guaranteed Book of the Week. You wouldn't want the government looking in to your un-American book buying practices, would you?

Real, Gritty Mutant Comic: NYX: No Way Home #1

Despite the fact that they complain a lot, most of Marvel's mutants have a pretty cushy gig. Sure, they're hated and feared by a world they're sworn to protect, but they have cool costumes, super-human powers, live in mansions, and fly around in stealth jets. Oh, the poor babies. Now that there are only about 200 mutants left in the world, you'd think they would all hitch on to the X-Men bandwagon, but a few still fall through the cracks. I'm not really sure which is worse, living a life of abject poverty and desolation, or having Mr. Sinister keep showing up to kick you in the face.

NYX: No Way Home #1 seems to suggest that poverty might be worse. This series stars a group of mutant city kids, who are without homes or families. Kiden, Tatiana, Bobby, and Bobby's Lil' Bro have, thanks to dumpster diving and odd jobs, managed to scrounge together a life for themselves. They even have at least one benefactor, former teacher Cameron Palmer, who feeds them from time to time, while pushing them to better themselves. The kids feel like their lives, while hard, aren't really that bad. Unfortunately, someone seems to have an eye on these kids. Someone who wants to make their lives a whole lot worse...

NYX is written by Marjorie Liu, and she does a great job pulling readers into the story with glimpses of the future horror the kids have to look forward to. Liu also does a great job making the cast a believable group of characters who, for the most part, sound like real kids. The art by Kalman Andrasofszky is also excellent. The characters are all very distinctive, and they act and emote in ways which really pull readers into the reality of the story. Andrasofszky includes loads of small, convincing detail in every panel. The first issue also includes a very nice sketchbook from Andrasofszky, and a nifty interview between the two creators.

If you like your mutant comics with a little more reality, and a little less glamour, NYX: No Way Home is the book for you! Action, humor, teen angst, and violent torture all in one book! What more could you need? It may not have Wolverine in it, but this comic is guaranteed all week at Four Color Fantasies, so you'd be making a huge mistake if you don't give it a try. You don't want let these kids down, do you?

Marvel's unique angle: True Believers #1

In the modern Marvel Universe, vigilante heroes who operate without express permission from Tony Stark are very much frowned upon. The whole idea of taking the law into your own hands, as most heroes of yore did, is enough to get you whisked away to an "undisclosed location" in the Negative Zone. But can S.H.I.E.L.D., the government, or "the Man" really be trusted to do what needs to be done? Can they be trusted to hold all the cards, keeping the public safe and informed?

Probably not. That's where the True Believers come in! This mini-series, by Cary Bates and Paul Gulacy, introduces a team who are not only about protecting the public, but also keeping them informed. The True Believers round up the bad guys, and keep the people informed with an untraceable, unhackable website. They expose corrupt government and corporate figures, they even expose the secrets of Super Heroes gone wrong. No secret is safe from the True Believers. As their motto, a quote from George Orwell, says, "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes an act of rebellion." (See what you can learn from the classics? When you finish your comics, go read 1984.)

In the first issue, the team infiltrates an underground hooker fight club, where the kidnapped ladies are fired up with Mutant Growth Hormone and LSD and forced to bash away at each other for the amusement of a bunch of rich, old guys. Rich, old guys dressed up as Super Heroes, that is. Once the True Believers put a stop to their fun, they post the story, with loads of video evidence, to their website and the media takes things from there. They expose corruption and lies wherever they find them, and the authorities have no idea how to find them or stop them. They operate under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s nose, and they don't hesitate to go after big targets. Including a very high-profile, much loved, hero...

Cary Bates story is filled with unexpected twists and turns. The central idea, of rebelling to get the truth to the people, obviously has some connections to real world current events, while also looking at Marvel's heroes from a slighty different angle. Gulacy's art does a great job of capturing the "espionage thriller" feel of the story, and making the super hero elements seem real and believable. Plus, he draws a naked lady, covered in swirly energy stuff, kicking a wrinkled, old, senator, dressed in a Hulk suit, in the face. That's something you don't see every day.

If you want to know the truth, you need to read True Believers! The first issue is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, so what are you waiting for? Someone to hack into your computer and reveal your most shocking secrets to the world? If you don't want that to happen, and I don't think you do, then you better read this book.

Support the Art We Love, Buy CBLDF Liberty Comics

As Americans, one of the greatest freedoms we have is the freedom to write, draw, or read anything we want. Unfortunately, this is also one of the freedoms people are always trying to take away from us. There are way too many people out there who want to cover your eyes and ears "for your own good." Personally, I believe I am capable of making my own decisions about what is good or bad for me, and I think you are capable too. Freedom of speech and expression is an incredibly valuable gift we often seem to take for granted. If you don't like censorship, if you don't want people telling you what you can read, then you love liberty, and Liberty Comics should be on your reading list.

The CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) Presents: Liberty Comics-Big First Amendment Issue is an awesome opportunity for you to support a great cause while enjoying yourself at the same time! The CBLDF provides money for the legal defense of comic book retailers and creators who fall afoul of the dark forces of censorship. People in the comic book business make great targets for attack by these dark forces, because they don't have the bankroll to mount huge legal battles, and they often have to accept defeat, even when they are in the right. Bullies do love to pick on those who can't defend themselves, you know. Thanks to the CBLDF, there is someone to step in and protect those who can't protect themselves. By the simple act of buying and reading a brilliant comic, you can be part of the team that helps save the day!

So what is actually in this book? An amazing cavalcade of top-notch creators making great comics, is all! To start things off, there are two great covers, a nifty Hell...I mean, HECKboy, cover by Mike Mignola or a sexy Danger Girl cover by J. Scott Campbell. Inside the book, there is a hilariously wrong tale of fund-raising gone wild featuring The Boys, by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. There is also a fun, educational, series of Tales of Comic Book Censorship by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Not sold yet? How about contributions from Darwyn Cooke, Mark Millar, J. Bone, Ed Brubaker, and Richard Starkings? If that doesn't convince you, how about a gorgeous two-page spread featuring the first new Monkeyman and O'Brien work in years by the amazing Arthur Adams? If none of that stuff interests you, you must not like comics. (And I know that's not true!) Great stories and beautiful art packs these pages!

Liberty Comics gives you the chance to support an excellent, important cause, while treating yourself to a blast of tip-top comics! I think that's the kind of charitable giving we can all get behind. So do the right thing. Try out Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, support the CBLDF, and bask in your freedom to do so! I mean, you DO love liberty don't you? You don't want "the man" to come and take away your favorite comics, do you? I think we all know the answers, so buy this book!