Longer Is Not Always Better

Amazing X-Men #13

I'm a little behind in reading my Amazing X-Men comics, so I just finished issue #13 last night.  All I can say is...WOW.  It was such an -- dare I say? -- amazing story starring one of my favorite minor characters, Anole, who just happens to be gay.  And green and scaly.  

The issue is a "filler" issue by James Tynion IV who's not a series regular.  It's a sweet tale about Anole meeting a guy online.  They click, chat for several hours, and decide to meet up for coffee.  Only Anole can't go through with it because he's afraid that his appearance will scare away his prospective suitor.  The only weird part being...would you meet up with someone online who you've never seen a photo of?  That aside, it was a perfectly written story contained within a single issue.  It also features Northstar, another out X-Man, as well as Nightcrawler, who knows a thing or two about growing up looking different.  I loved the lesson the story taught, and it was comforting to see Northstar and Nightcrawler tackling the mentor role for this teenage boy who's not only struggling with his mutant powers, but also his appearance and being gay.  

Amazing X-Men #7

Recently, Amazing X-Men had another "filler" issue with #7, featuring a reunion of Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Iceman and Firestar.   The concept of this story made me giddy with nostalgia, having loved the Saturday morning cartoon series from the early 1980s.  The issue was written by Kathryn Immonen, also not a series regular. 

I miss the single-issue story that was so prevalent in the 1980s, as they always seem to be the better written.  It's too bad there aren't more single-issue contained comic stories like these two Amazing X-Men stories, as well as the Rose & Thorn and Looker one-shots from 2012.  Storylines in modern comics are typically stretched over six issues so they can be collected into a graphic novel for additional sales.  From a business standpoint, I get that.  From a quality standpoint, I'm disappointed.  Unfortunately, when that happens, most stories also usually feel like they're stretched.  What could have been a one-, two-, or three-part story is now six parts and it's borrrrrrrrrring.  

I'm all for these one-off filler issues.  They not only give aspiring writers and artists an opportunity to show what they can do, but they tend to be much more enjoyable to read.  I anticipate DC's upcoming one- or two-part Convergence-related stories to be similarly enjoyable.  Then it will be back to business-as-usual and the humdrum 6-part stories will resume.  Marvel and DC could both learn a lesson from this, though. 

A Thorny Debate

National Comics' Rose & Thorn #1 (2012)

DC Comics again produces a better comic in a one-shot than numerous of their ongoing series.  What am I talking about?  National Comics' Rose and Thorn.  Like last month's Looker one-shot, Rose and Thorn reintroduces a character into the new DC Universe.  

Now, I absolutely loved the first Rose/Thorn character in the DCU.  It was later shockingly discovered that she was the mother of Jade and Obsidian from Infinity, Inc., having previously married the Alan Scott Green Lantern of Earth Two. That made for fantastic storytelling. 

Infinity, Inc. Annual #1 (1985)

The new Rose is a geeky high schooler whose Thorn persona comes out and does some wild things that impress even the Mean Girls.  She gets a tattoo from one of the Mean Girls' ex-boyfriend's dad and then turns into an S&M dominatrix, ties him up, and mutilates him by "branding" him with the word "MINE" across his chest.  We also discover that, as Thorn, she tried kissing her best friend in high school (another nerd) and, come to find out, the friend actually liked it.  How will Rose handle these new revelations when she can't control her second personality?

In my opinion, DC has done a better job reintroducing their characters through the National Comics medium than through their regular New 52 titles.  I hope we get to see Looker and Rose & Thorn in their own well-told monthly series one day...

(se)X-Factor

One of my favorite comic books in the 1980s was Marvel Comics' X-Factor.  It revived the original X-Men team and brought Jean Grey back to life (the first time). 

The team today is very different than the team of yesteryear.  It focuses on X-Factor Investigations, which is a detective agency made up of mutants.  And some of the team consists of characters that I've never had a particular fondness for:  Madrox, Longshot, and Shatterstar.  On the other hand, Wolfsbane (one of the original New Mutants) and Rictor (one of the young mutants the original X-Factor takes under their care) are also team members and I've always liked the two of them.  

I read an article that the powers-that-be were pairing up Rictor and Shatterstar as a gay couple and it intrigued me.  To throw an even bigger twist into the storyline, Wolfsbane shows up seven months pregnant, carrying Rictor's baby, and catches the two of them together.  Whoa.  Talk about drama. 

I gave X-Factor #207 and #208 a try.  I was extremely impressed with writer Peter David's character development, as it gave me a greater appreciation toward characters I've always liked, as well as those that I never particularly cared for.  And the scenes involving Rictor, Shatterstar, and Wolfsbane were fantastic.   A special thank you goes out to Peter David and Marvel Comics for including scenes between Rictor and Shatterstar that were not limited to a hug or pat on the back.  They're shown as a regular romantic couple trying to work out their problems.

Peter focuses more on the interaction of the characters, by giving them their own lives and stories, rather than using the characters to just fight battle after boring battle.  He moves the characters forward with real-life events that will forever change their lives.  Unfortunately, this doesn't happen enough in comic books.  Oh, and I was happy to discover that Longshot no longer sported a mullet and Shatterstar no longer looked like a samurai with a ponytail.  

As long as Peter David stays on as the writer, I'm definitely adding X-Factor to my list of monthly comics.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bi-Curious Spider-Man

I used to read the Amazing Spider-Man all the time throughout the 1980s. I followed him through the Secret Wars, the black suit, Todd McFarlane's art, etc. Spidey was my favorite Marvel comic, other than the Fantastic Four and Uncanny X-Men back then. In the past couple of years, I've started reading comics again (mostly DC characters), but picked up the recent "American Son" storyline in Amazing Spider-Man. I have to admit that it was pretty cool reading about the webslinger again, and I liked that his story wasn't crossing over into other comics that I'd have to pick up.

The humor was still there, and there have been some interesting turn of events: his nemesis J. Jonah Jameson is now the mayor, Peter is no longer (and apparently never was) married to Mary Jane, Aunt May is engaged to JJJ's father, Norman Osborn (aka Green Goblin) is in charge of the Avengers, and -- what's this? -- Peter Parker has the hots for his best friend, Harry Osborn? Yes, folks. There were some definite heavy homoerotic undertones throughout the story. The first one caught my eye, but I let it go, figuring it was a fluke. Then there was another...then another...and suddenly I was wondering if these were purposely placed.

Could it possibly be true? After almost 600 issues, could our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man be gay and have a secret crush on his best friend Harry? I'd love to see Peter Parker, one of the most famous, well-known, and beloved comic book characters come out of the closet. How awesome would that be? Especially since he's no longer married to Mary Jane. Alas, this will probably never happen in my -- or any -- lifetime, but I just had to ponder the thought of it because I felt some definite "vibes" from Spidey toward Harry. Sadly, even if Spidey/Peter were to come out, it doesn't seem like Harry would return his affections. This could be an interesting storyline in itself, though, as Peter wrestles with the feeling of rejection and coming to terms with himself as he once did with the death of his Uncle Ben.

At any rate, I look forward to seeing what Marvel has cooked up for our Friendly Neighborhood Bi-Curious Spider-Man.

Desperate Manhunters

I came back into comics around the time that the new Manhunter by DC Comics was supposedly cancelled with issue #30. I really didn't have much interest in the series, as the comic -- from what I remember -- was always about a generic Manhunter character. Plus, there now have been eight Manhunters in the DC Universe . After discovering that one of my favorite "lost" superheroes (Obsidian) from the 80s Infinity, Inc. was now appearing in the new Manhunter, I had to take a peek! Right away, I was hooked by the writing of co-creator Marc Andreyko. I bought up all 30 past issues and read them all in a row, cover to cover. I could tell that Andreyko was more interested in telling a story than fight/action sequences. He used a variety of minor characters in his stories that I grew to know and care about. (I use the term "care" loosely, though, as some of them are assholes, but I still want them in the stories.) He also successfully merged Kate Spencer, the new Manhunter, into the world of DC Comics as she became the attorney for superheroes and supervillains of the DC Universe, such as Copperhead, the Shadow Thief, and even Wonder Woman. And Andreyko was all about Infinity, Inc., bringing back characters from one of my favorite series from the past, as well as using Infinity's premise of superheroes' children when he revealed that the new Manhunter was actually the granddaughter of Phantom Lady and Iron Munro from The Young All-Stars, a follow-up to the All-Star Squadron. You with me? Good. Andreyko even brought back Mister Bones from Infinity Inc.'s Helix team. Yea for Andreyko reviving some of my favorite characters that DC shooed aside!

When the series returned with issue #31, it took a surprisingly different (and downward) turn for me. The comic was no longer about Kate Spencer, attorney to superheroes, and her supporting characters. It was now about being a member of Birds of Prey (Oy vey! Kat'e not team-oriented!) and Manhunter, the vigilante, going to Mexico. And staying. For issue after issue after issue. And the fabulous crisp art apparently stayed in the U.S., too, leaving only jagged lines by Michael Gaydos. What happened to our girl, Andreyko?

I've now just read the latest issue, issue #37, and discovered that now Andreyko went all Desperate Housewives on us. Flash forward about 12 years. Kate Spencer's young son, Ramsey, is now a young adult, gay, in a relationship, and becoming a superhero in his own right. Kate is in a relationship with a younger man. Dylan has a mechanical leg. Huh? I guess Andreyko wanted to wind things up since the series is going to be cancelled -- again -- with the next issue (#38). Maybe if the Mexico storyline wasn't involved and there was better art upon the series' return, this second cancellation wouldn't have happened? Hmmm?

Sigh...I'm going to miss Kate Spencer and her cast of characters.

Villains

As I started getting back into comic books after a 15-year sabbatical, I recall seeing Salvation Runin the comic book store, but skipped over it until halfway through the series when I finally realized what it was actually about (since the title was NOT a dead giveaway). I then picked up back issues and followed the series through its end. I'm not sure how sales were for Salvation Run but, in my opinion, it might have done better with a clearer title. But I digress...

The idea that a large number of DC Comics villains were sent to a "prison planet" intrigued me, as it recalled Marvel Comics' Secret Wars back in the 1980s. Plus, I do love mustache-twirling villains (what would a hero be without a villain?) and its rare that a villain is the star of a comic book series. While Salvation Run was just "okay," I did discover that DC had put out another comic about villains a couple of years previous called -- what else? -- Villains United. I picked up all the back issues (because I do loves me some villains!), despite not being incredibly thrilled with the line-up other than Cheshire, whom I've always liked as a character since my 1980s New Teen Titans days. Immediately, I was drawn in by Gail Simone's storytelling and character development. Further, I discovered that the storylines were very adult-oriented and "spoke to me," if you will. The old Batman villain (and Catwoman knockoff) Catman is now hot and sexy? Cheshire flirts with him, they fall into bed, and have a child together? A new Ragdoll has a twisted sense of humor and is seemingly in love with a Parademon from Apokolips who looks after his welfare? Vandal Savage has a daughter code-named Scandal who's a lesbian and partnered with fellow teammate Knockout who's also from Apokolips? The also now-sexy Deadshot is caught in bed with Knockout as Scandal walks in on them?! SCANDALOUS! I love it! These are not your 1980s comics characters! And suddenly, I'm in love with all these minor characters I didn't know I could instantly love!

I voraciously devoured every issue featuring the Secret Six that I could get my hands on (including their appearances in Birds of Prey). I was a bit disappointed that the Parademon was taken away from us too soon because I loved the twisted chemistry between he and Ragdoll, but I was grateful for Simone to bring on the equally twisted "new" Mad Hatter. And then I was pleasantly elated when Ragdoll disposed of him by pushing him off a cliff because, truly, one eccentric person in the group is enough.

Losing Knockout to death in Birds of Prey was a bit sad...but quickly gotten over. She always seemed generic and disposable to me whereas a few of the other Secret Sixers are certainly not.

So, with all that said, it's not difficult to guess that I am full of anticipation for the new ongoing Secret Six series featuring Gail Simone's writing. I wish it (and her) much success as I want to continue to read where the future takes some of my newfound favorite characters month after month after month. And, it goes with saying, that I look forward to many future sexual (and sometimes bizarre) escapades of the Six.