Missing in Action

Han Solo & Chewbacca #1

Marvel Comics' current Star Wars comic book series (Marvel Comics' volume 3; volume 4 overall if you include Dark Horse Comics' one-time series) takes place following the events of 1980's The Empire Strikes Back.  As we all know, Han Solo was frozen in carbonite at the end of the film and isn't rescued from the carbonite's deep freeze until 1983's The Return of the Jedi.  Therefore, he is MIA in this Star Wars comic series.  Charles Soule is a fantastic writer and has added Lando to the familiar cast, but no one is really a good replacement for the beloved character Han Solo. 

Finally, two years later, Marvel Comics gives us Han Solo and Chewbacca, exploring the adventures of these two best friends.  The comic book series takes place between the events of the 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story and 1977's Star Wars: A New Hope, the original film.  Unfortunately, it's only a ten-issue limited series.  It's longer than the 5-issue Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda individual comic book series, so maybe they're testing out its popularity and it will come back as a regular series.  

I've been purchasing each issue in the Han Solo and Chewbacca series every month as they're released.  I was waiting until I had all ten issues before I started reading them.  I had just gotten issue #9, so I decided to start reading them, figuring by the time I read through them (in addition to the other comic book series I read), #10 would be released.  I read issue #1 through issue #9 back to back, non-stop.  I was completely absorbed into this backstory written by Marc Guggenheim.  Now I cannot wait until issue #10 is released so I can see how the story ends.  

Han Solo & Chewbacca #2

Along the way, we see such familiar characters as Jabba the Hutt, Bib Fortuna, Greedo, and Maz Kanata.  It gives readers a greater understanding of their background and connections to Han Solo and Chewbacca.  When Han shoots Greedo in Star Wars: A New Hope, we now understand what in their history ticks Han off so much about Greedo.  When an older Han (played by Harrison Ford) runs into Maz in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we now know how they know each other from the past.    

I don't want to give away much of the exciting storyline, but I will say that it is currently one of my favorite comic book series, and I will be sad to see it come to an end.  Here's hoping Marvel recognizes its potential and continues giving us more of Han and Chewie's adventures written by Guggenheim.  After all, Darth Vader has his own ongoing series.  Even Doctor Aphra has her own ongoing series, and she's never been in a Star Wars film.  (Sorry, not a fan.)  

Silky Smooth

What do you get when you cross Spider-Man with the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?  You get Silk.

Marvel Comics' Silk has become one of my favorite series.  It's unique and offers some character development that a lot of series don't.  Besides fighting crime, there's the mystery of Silk's life in a bunker, adjusting to life outside the bunker, where her family is now, and her weird sexual connection to Peter Parker.  She's Asian, too, which gives some diversity to Marvel's superhero line-up.

The art seems a bit too cartoonish, but it's a well-written series.  Check it out!

Teen Titans vs. Champions

With the two Teen Titans series set in the New 52 Universe that truly sucked (not to mention the even worse Ravagers spin-off), I had hopes that the latest Teen Titans series set in DC's Rebirth would return to its New Teen Titans roots, or would at least resemble Geoff Johns' fantastic 2003 series.  I've read the Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 issue, and I'm disappointed to report that it doesn't get much better, folks.

Gone are Bunker, the new Power Girl, Wonder Girl (?), and Superboy, with additions of Starfire, the new Kid Flash, and Damian replacing Tim as the Robin on the team, but it still doesn't have that spark or character chemistry that the 1980s or 2003 series had.  Everyone just seemed bratty with shitty dialogue, just like the New 52 Teen Titans.  This was DC's big opportunity to do something great (again) with the Teen Titans...and they sadly fucked it up (again).

At the same time, I also read (and compared) the first issue of Marvel's new Champions series, which features teenage versions of Avengers characters.  Champions captured the spirit of the original 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s Teen Titans (and TV's Young Justice) that DC's "Rebirth" of the Teen Titans should have.  Fed up with the adult Avengers, the teenage Ms. Marvel, Totally Awesome Hulk, time-traveling Cyclops, Miles Morales' Spider-Man (boy?), Nova, and Vision's daughter Viv, form their own team.  The dialogue isn't cheesy or forced, and the first issue provides a great banding together of members.

Because the Teen Titans were always my favorite growing up, I hate to admit that in the contest of Teen Titans vs. Champions, Champions wins hands down.

Josie and the Pussyvampires

I previously wrote about my dislike for the new Afterlife with Archie series when it first debuted.  After reading a couple of issues, I dropped it.

I picked up the standalone issue of Afterlife with Archie #10 because it featured a spooky rendition of Josie and the Pussycats, and I have a lifelong affinity for them that stems from my childhood when I watched their fabulous short-lived cartoon series.  I have to admit that I. FREAKING. LOVED. IT.

The premise is that Josie and the Pussycats are vampires who have been hit musical successes (in their own way) in every decade, but then they fade into obscurity before reinventing themselves the next decade.  This fascinated me, and I loved the issue.  My only disappointment is that this was a one-off issue, and I don't think there are plans to incorporate them into the regular series' storyline.

I'm still not reading Afterlife with Archie every month, but if they ever bring back Josie and the Pussycats (or give them their own series that could take place in any decade), I definitely will.

Putting the "Super" in Superman

While I loved the first two Superman movies from the 1970s/80s, as well as the Super Friends Saturday morning cartoon series and its spin-offs, as a kid, I was never that crazy about reading the Superman comic books.  Week after week in the 80s, I'd visit my local comic book store.  Superman comics, including Action Comics and DC Comics Presents, never entered the rotation, with the exception of the occasional issue that guest-starred another character I liked.  That was, until John Byrne came onboard in 1986.  At that point, I was already a huge fan of his work on the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Alpha Flight.  He made Superman interesting and more relatable for me.  That is to say, he gave him more human qualities, developed his personality, and gave him better storylines.  Meanwhile, George Perez was doing the same for Wonder Woman for me.  

Cut to 2008. I began reading Superman again and followed him up through his "Grounded" storyline until the long-running series ended with the events of Flashpoint.  Then DC Comics announced the New 52 and that Superman would feature George Perez and Nicola Scott.  I was intrigued.  I think they're both extremely talented.  Sadly, neither of them lasted on the title for very long, and Superman's storyline in the New 52 was obviously dictated from high above.  Still, I continued reading through many writer and artist changes, I guess out of some sort of weird obligation.  Then Geoff Johns finally took over the writing reigns with #32.  A-Ha!  Maybe now it will get better.  Along with him, he brought artist John Romita Jr.  I'm not sure what the craze is about his art.  The characters look so stiff and, many times, unlifelike.  Naturally, Johns didn't last long on the book; he's got way too many other obligations.  Then it was announced that Gene Luen Yang was coming onboard as writer with #41.  Who?  Never heard of him.  The Superman comics piled up while I read other series.  Then I finally sat down to read a few months' worth.  The writing was fantastic.  I had to flip back to see who it was.  Gene Luen Yang.  Wow.  Still never heard of him, but thought his writing was the best I've seen on this latest Superman series.  Now if only they'd bring back Nicola Scott on art chores.

On my drive home last night, I was listening to NPR.  (Yes, I know.  It makes me feel old, too.)  A segment came on about a Gene Yang.  It was talking about him being named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.  I thought, could this be the same Gene Yang?   When I got home, I Googled him to find out.  Sure enough, it was.  Wow.  Congratulations, and well-deserved.  I guess I'm not the only one impressed with his talent.  I hope Yang remains a permanent fixture in the DC Universe.  They need all the help they can get with the stale comics they've produced in the New 52 and beyond.  I hope they realize that it's not all about action, action, action and churning out boring, elongated stories just to later sell in graphic novel format.  Comics, too, can (and should) have character development (and aging).    

To Thrill A Mockingbird

West Coast Avengers #1
(limited series)

I've been a fan of Mockingbird since the days of the West Coast Avengers back in the 1980s, as that was one of my favorite series.  I also loved her as half of the Hawkeye/Mockingbird coupling.  

Hawkeye & Mockingbird #6

Cut to: 2010.  I was excited about the Hawkeye & Mockingbird series...only to be disappointed that they didn't reunite romantically and the series was canceled after only six issues.  

While I'm not crazy about the emphasis put on her involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the past few years, I decided to pick up her latest comic, a one-shot, celebrating 50 Years of S.H.I.E.L.D.  As I started reading, I thought, "Who wrote this?" and "Why isn't this a regular series?"  It was unlike a lot of the action-packed and non-character-focused crap that I've read as of late.  Turns out, it's a new writer to comic books -- Chelsea Cain.  Ah, that explains it.  She hasn't been editorialized to death yet.  She's a published novelist and, because it was a one-shot issue, Marvel probably let her write whatever she wanted to.  And what she wrote was an excellent story of mystery, romance, and character development that left me wanting more.  It's a shame I can't slap down $4-$5 on a comic book and get the same quality time and time again. 

Mockingbird #1 (one-shot)

The back-up story introduced the Red Widow who has some connection to the Black Widow.  Meh.  After a lead-in like Cain's Mockingbird story, the Red Widow story by a YA novelist was doomed to fail.  I would have liked another story of Mockingbird. 

With Mockingbird becoming more and more known through ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series and Marvel wanting to increase the number of female-driven comics, I'd like to think it's only a matter of time before Mockingbird gets her own monthly series.  Let's just hope that Chelsea Cain writes it.

It's No Secret: the Latest Event Series is Lame

Back in the 80s, I read the Secret Wars limited series and freakin' loved it.  It was so exciting and so many exciting things came out of it:  Spider-Man got his black symbiote costume, The Thing stayed behind on Battleworld and got his own series, She-Hulk joined the Fantastic Four, etc.  Not only was the series unique and interesting, but Secret Wars action figures came out of it.  There were characters I had never had or seen before to play with!  Yes, they were pretty cheaply made with no points of articulation, but still it felt revolutionary.

A couple of years later came Secret Wars II, which was just plain farcical with the Beyonder in his white Miami Vice leisure suit. 

After the most recent shitty Marvel event series, AXIS, I was really looking forward to the new Secret Wars series.  I finally read Secret Wars #1 (2015) and all I have to say is, "Huh?"  What the fuck was that?  Seriously.  What the fuck was that?  I don't even know what the hell happened.  It felt like I was picked up and plopped down in the middle of something going on -- a battle of some sorts on Earth -- and I'm supposed to enjoy that and follow along?   Did I miss the introduction?  This was the first issue, correct?  

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  It was written by Jonathan Hickman after all, who has previously turned me away from his storytelling on Fantastic Four and the Avengers.  There's no character development.  No character interaction.  No enjoyable/followable plot.  It's just battle after battle after pointless battle, like watching Man of Steel on repeat.  And while his comics always have more word balloons than most comics, they don't really say anything.  The dialogue doesn't feel real or seem to come naturally to the characters speaking it.  The characters are always telling what is happening, when the pages should naturally just "show" it without explanation and the extraneous wording. 

After reading the latest Secret Wars #1, I can only guess that the rest of the series will be equally boring and pointless, much like every Marvel event series that has recently preceded it.  Wake me when the Marvel Universe is over. 

Hawkeye Misses His Target...AGAIN.

What's up with Hawkeye #22?  

Issue #21 was finally released in April 2015, five months after #20.  And there were several lapses in the comics prior to that.  Now instead of releasing (forever delayed) #22, Marvel Comics goes ahead and releases an "All-New" Hawkeye series?  FAIL.  

Who hires these bozos?  You can't meet a deadline?  Writer?  Artist?  Editor?  Etc.?  Did Kevin Smith write this book?  Hello?  Anyone home? 

Tell ya what, Marvel, you can keep Hawkeye #22.  My collection ended with #21.  

With the Avengers movies riding a huge financial wave, you'd think they'd want to capitalize on one of the main characters by producing a consistent series.  By the way, it also helps that when you have a Hawkeye comic, that you include that superhero (the Clint Barton version) instead of focusing on the "other" (lame) Hawkeye (Kate Bishop).  And just why can't she get her own moniker anyway?  So, Marvel, you can keep All-New Hawkeye, too, because I'm not buying into it when you can't even include the main character in his own book.   

I've always loved Hawkeye and was a HUGE fan of him during the West Coast Avengers days, so I was excited when he was included in the silver screen version of the Avengers and got his own series.  Sadly, while Marvel Studios seems to know what to do with Hawkeye, it seems Marvel Comics doesn't.

An EYE for an EYE

In time for Convergence, Eye finally caught up with DC Comics' weekly series New 52: Futures End that ended with #48.  Sadly, Eye was underwhelmed.  The series ended with a whimper, not a bang. 

It felt like the series had some direction at the beginning but then the creators and/or execs decided to just say "fuck it" and move on to the Next Big Thing (i.e., Convergence.)   It didn't even offer much of a lead-in to Convergence.  Brainiac started to come collect cities...but then they defeated him?   And pretty quickly, too.  Eye was quite confused.

Eye think what the series was also missing was interesting characters.  Or maybe they just weren't used properly.  Included were Batman Beyond, Shazam as Superman, Amethyst, Frankenstein, Grifter, Mister Terrific, Tim Drake (retired), and a new female Firestorm.  Meh.  Eye think DC did a much better job of using secondary characters in their 2006 weekly series 52.  Eye was invested in the 52 characters, not so much in the New 52 Futures End ones.

Eye wasted about $150 and who knows how many hours of my time waiting for something exciting and big to happen, but it never did.  And the series didn't even matter in the course of things. 

Move along, folks, there's nothing to see here...

Hello, Old Friends

Ever since its announcement, I've been looking forward to DC Comics' Convergence series and spin-offs.  Why?  Like a lot of long-time readers, I have a personal history invested in the "old" characters (i.e., pre-New 52).  Not only that, they seem to have more personality and character development than those in the New 52. 

Of the main series, I've read Convergence #0 and #1 so far.  It's been interesting, but even better have been the spin-off Convergence series.  The ones I've read from week one have been:   

• Convergence: Speed Force #1 - starring the (Caucasian) Wally West Flash and his two speedy kids
• Convergence: Superman #1 - starring Superman and his pregnant wife Lois Lane
• Convergence: The Atom #1 - starring an "I-Hear-Voices" Ray Palmer
• Convergence:  Nightwing & Oracle #1 - starring a romantically involved Dick Grayson and wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon
• Convergence:  The Titans #1 - starring Donna Troy, Starfire, and Arsenal
• Convergence:  Harley Quinn #1 - starring a fully clothed Harley

All of got to say is:  FANTASTIC.  This is what DC Comics has been missing for the past four years since the inception of the New 52 Universe.  Not only does it bring back the characters that I know and love and that have an actual history, but it involves character development, human emotion/interaction, and decent dialogue.  Maybe people (myself included) wouldn't dislike the New 52 Universe so much if it wasn't focused on dreariness, flat emotions, battles/fight scenes, and cheesy dialogue.

With these Convergence titles, I get Wally West worried about his kids and wife, Superman looking forward to being a father, the Atom wigging out, Dick Grayson proposing to Barbara Gordon, Starfire being jealous about Dick's romance, Roy Harper still agonizing over the death of his daughter, Donna Troy working her photographer job, and Harley Quinn interacting with Catwoman and Poison Ivy again.  (Not to mention Captain Carrot's teammate Fastback chasing after Wally West!)  These are real human traits, feelings, and emotions, and they're what's missing from DC Comics today. 

The bigger question about Convergence is: Why is the storywriting so much better?  Is it due to the return of the better characters?  Or are they using writers who aren't fatigued and/or mandated to write crap? 

I'm not sure what the future holds for the DC Universe, but I'm thinking that if they decide to stick with the flat, two-dimensional characters of the New 52 Universe, then I'll probably drop several titles and maybe even quit reading comics all together again.  (And don't even get me started with the new Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman; I've already canceled those comics.)  Until then, I'm going to enjoy seeing my old friends converge.

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. 

Crazy Nuts

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is a return to when comics were fun.   I'm not saying they all need to be "fun," but they don't all have be so dark and dreary (yes, I'm pointing fingers at you DC New 52 and Marvel NOW!). 

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is about Doreen Green who is a nerdy girl going off to college for the first time.  She just happens to have all the powers of a squirrel (?), can communicate with squirrels, and has a big bushy squirrel tail.  How does she become inconspicuous at college with a big ol' tail?  Why, she neatly tucks it into her pants, giving her a Kim Kardashian booty. 

It's apparent that Doreen doesn't have a lot of friends outside of squirrels, probably because they think she's a bit -- pardon the pun -- nuts because she talks to squirrels, or just looks like she's talking to herself.  Her new college roommate has a secret cat in their dorm room, and they already seem to be hitting it off, so good for her.  Doreen also gets flirted with a bit, gets scared, and runs off.  You know, normal college girl stuff.
 
Besides establishing her character and supporting cast in issue #1, Squirrel Girl also battles Kraven the Hunter.  Well, not so much battles him as she outwits him.  

Writer Ryan North provides a fast, enjoyable read, and Erica Henderson's art is cartoonish, which normally I wouldn't like for comic books but it suits Squirrel Girl's style.  

While The Unbeatable Squirrel doesn't hold the same exciting appeal for me as the new Ant-Man comic, I will continue to pick it up every month, as it's fun and a nice break from all the darkness and seriousness that plagues too many comics today.

The Force Is Strong With Them

Star Wars #1
(Marvel Comics 1977)

As a kid, I loved loved loved everything Star Wars.  Except the comic book.  I could never get into it.  I guess I never felt like Marvel Comics captured the magic that the movies did.  

Star Wars #1
(Dark Horse Comics 2012)

After Dark Horse Comics got the licensing for Star Wars in the early 1990s, I gave them a try, too, but wound up with similar results.  Many years went by with nary a Star Wars comic in my monthly reading collection.  I got excited when, in 2012, Dark Horse was going to feature a new series with the original characters.  Unfortunately, even this series left me a little flat. 

With Disney acquiring Marvel and Star Wars, it was only a matter of time before they took back the rights to create their own Star Wars comic books.  So, today in 2015, we have a new Star Wars #1 from Marvel Comics.  I must admit it's the best rendition so far that I've read of these classic characters.  I feel like it captures the excitement, adventure, and mystery of the first film.  The issue held my interest throughout, and when it reached its cliffhanger conclusion, it made me look forward to issue #2. 

Star Wars #1
(Marvel Comics 2015)

Congrats to Jason Aaron on the great writing and to John Cassaday on making the characters lifelike, resembling the actors who portrayed these spectacular characters on the silver screen.  You've finally captured the magic of the Force. 

No Small Feat

I just finished reading Ant-Man #1.  Now that, my friends, is how you start off a comic book series.  Not only was this issue one of the best first issues of a series I've ever read, but it was one of the best comic book issues I've read in quite a long time.  Too long of a time.  

I've never been that interested in Ant-Man, but with the movie coming out soon, I decided to give the series and character a try.  I'm very glad I did.  Nick Spencer did a fantastic job establishing the character, his personality, and his supporting characters.  And this is coming from someone who's very unfamiliar with the Scott Lang Ant-Man.  I already feel like I know (and like) him.  He's down on his luck, but he's got a sense of humor about himself.  He's got responsibilities that he know he's ignored for too long.  He's screwed up his past and now wants to make amends.  In other words, he feels real.  And that's what's missing from most comic books today that are too focused on epic battles.  The human side is missing.  The character interaction is missing. 

In this first issue, we're given a well-written overview of Lang's origin (all new information to me), as told to a job interviewer.  It was different than your typical first-issue origin comic and better because it wasn't just a retelling-of-origin issue.  Spencer informed readers of Lang's origin, but mostly set up the series going forward.  

I'm not familiar with artist Ramon Rosanas, but after reading Ant-Man #1, I already like him, too.  His art fits well with Ant-Man, or really any comic book superhero, I would imagine.  It's clean and realistic looking. 

With only one issue under its belt, Ant-Man has quickly jumped to the top of my monthly comic book reads.  I only hope Ant-Man continues with its fine storytelling and doesn't jump on the epically boring bandwagon.

Hawkeye Goes to the Dogs

Why was the 2012 Hawkeye series canceled by Marvel Comics?  I'll tell you why:  it sucked.

Pizza Dog

Don't get me wrong; when the series first started, Matt Fraction and David Aja did a fantastic job.  I even hailed it in a previous review.  Sadly, it quickly went to the dogs.  (And I don't just mean Pizza Dog.)  

Pizza Dog himself was a great addition to the Hawkeye supporting cast.  Who wasn't?  "Hawkeye" Kate Bishop.  I'm pretty sure the reason Marvel gave Hawkeye his own series was due to his popularity in a tiny movie called The Avengers.   I don't recall ever seeing Kate Bishop in the movie. 

Shown above, the series originally promised us Clint Barton (a.k.a. Hawkeye) and his life outside of the Avengers.  Sadly, the series quickly became about some teenage chick that Fraction apparently has fantasies about who would never ever warrant her own book.  Heck, she can't even sustain a team book (Young Avengers).  That's how crappy her character is.  And do we even need a second Hawkeye?  Why not just call her Speedy or something?

Surprisingly, that wasn't the worst thing about the series.  Yes, I'm talking about issue #17.  The summary for that book is as follows:  

Who could forget that time when Clint Barton let his neighbor's kids watched a holiday cartoon at his place?  At long last, this issue is pretty much the cartoon they all watch.

And they are correct.  Not only are we subjected to Kate Bishop instead of Clint Barton, but now we're given a joke for our $2.99.  It had to be one of the worst comics I've ever read in 30 years.  With issue #18, the story returned to -- you guessed it -- Kate Bishop.  

And THAT, my friends, is why this series was canceled.  Who wants to continue reading this garbage?  

Now Marvel (or is that Marvel NOW!?) is putting out the All-New Hawkeye in 2015, restarting the series with #1.  Naturally, that's not uncommon nowadays for Marvel (sigh...), and it's probably meant to coincide with the release of the next Avengers movie. 

In the first issue's summary, we're told that we'll be getting "a fresh new look into the life of everyone's favorite Avenger."  Then the next sentence starts, "With Kate Bishop, his trusted ward and protégé back at his side..."  I guess Marvel hasn't learned their lesson.  Have you?  I have.  I won't be spending $3.99 now for a series that still can't get it right.  

 

Marvel Sins Again

So, I just finally finished reading Marvel's latest "big crossover event," Original Sin.  When I first heard about the series, I was grateful that it didn't involve the word "secret," "infinity," or a play on the letters "A" and "X."  The concept fascinated me, too, as I was curious what secrets the Watcher held and how these would play out and affect the various regular series.   I again foolishly thought, "This one will be better!" 


While there were some interesting consequences that bled into Marvel's regular series (such as Charles Xavier's last will and testament and the Fantastic Four's inner drama), I honestly could have done without reading the entire Original Sin limited series.  As has been the case with most of Marvel's "big events" over the years, it was quite dull and lifeless (no pun intended) from the start.

By the time I reached the double-sized final issue, I was just grateful that this latest moneymaking disaster was over.  The outcome was just...meh.  The answer to all of the questions above was, "Frankly, who cares?"  I was just grateful that I didn't buy invest any more of my time and money with the various tie-in limited series. 

That being said, I look forward to wasting my money on Marvel's new AXIS limited series and next year's Secret Wars redux. 

You Don't Know Dick

"Dick. That's an interesting name.  My bottom hurts just thinking about it." - Madonna

Cover of Grayson #1

Okay, so other than his first name, that song lyric doesn't really have much application to the new GRAYSON series starring Dick Grayson (former Robin, former Teen Titan, former Nightwing, former Batman), but how often do I get the chance to use it?

When this new series/title was first announced, I was a bit disappointed that Nightwing was being cancelled, as Dick Grayson/Robin/Nightwing has always been one of my favorite characters.  I guess DC thought he needed some shaking up.  While I was unsure about this new direction, I was glad that Dick was at least getting another series (and that he wasn't actually killed in Forever Evil).  And I appreciate the fact that they kept the elements of the Nightwing logo in the new Grayson logo. 

I read the first issue of Grayson and was surprised that I actually enjoyed it.  The story was fast-paced, yet not too bogged down in action.  It was very Mission Impossible-esque, and the cover reminds one of James Bond.  I guess Grayson is supposed to be the next great spy along the lines of those two famous spies. 

Interior art by Mikel Janin.

Speaking of the cover, I question why DC didn't use an illustration drawn by the comic's regular artist, Mikel Janin, when -- to me -- his art and characters look so much better than Andrew Robinson's.  It's so great, though, that they went with a hot pink background to really make Dick's dark outfit stand out.  It's very eye-catching.  

There was also some character development and interaction in Grayson, including appearances by Stormwatch's Midnighter and Helena Bertinelli, in her first appearance in the New 52.  The new Helena is much more Italian/Mediterranean-looking, and I'm curious to see if she'll eventually assume the Huntress persona or leave that to Helena Wayne on Earth 2.  Regardless, I'd like to see more of these two as regular supporting characters for Dick to interact with on a personal level. 

Helena Bertinelli

So far, I'm sold on Grayson, and I can deal without a Nightwing in the DC Universe for the time being. 

Teen Titans - #AwYeah?

I just read Teen Titans #1 (2014).  What volume are we up to?  Who can keep track anymore?  Anyway, it's the second Teen Titans #1 comic already in the New 52 which began in 2011.  

First, the cover.  For a first issue, it's pretty average.  It doesn't say much.  It doesn't give me much insight into the interior, what the story's about, or make me think, "Oh, that looks great.  I wanna buy that."  

On the other hand, I really like Kenneth Rocafort's art and the vibrate colors that leap off the page.  I appreciate that DC tried to appeal to a younger crowd by incorporating social media into the cover, like Twitter ("Chirper" here with #hashtags and @mentions) and Facebook (with the facial tags in the image), but it still doesn't give me any insight into the comic's contents.    

It's also interesting to note that even though they're starting another Teen Titans series (after only a month hiatus), they chose not to create a new logo to distinguish the new series with a "new direction" with a new logo.  They didn't even bother to include "NEW" in the title like the New Suicide Squad series which underwent a similar cancellation/month hiatus/revamp to help boost sales, too.  I have to say that the New 52 logo is my least favorite (and the least creative) of all the TT logos from series' past, so I'm disappointed that they didn't even try something new and different.  My favorite logos, of course, being from the 1980 and 2003 series.  

In this latest first issue, the team, fortunately, is already established.  We don't have to go through another origin story.  I will say that I already like the characters in this new series much better than the previous attempt.  Are they the same characters?  Yes.  But apparently DC listened to its readers and decided to make the comic more "fun" than dark and dreary.  Cassie/Wonder Girl is much more pleasant and easier to deal with.  She's not the friendly Cassie of pre-Flashpoint, but she's better than the first New 52 grumpy version.  And so far, she hasn't said, "Don't call me Wonder Girl" (even though she IS Wonder Girl).  Let's keep it that way.  

Also, Gar is green.  Again.  Beast Boy started out in the New 52 as red.  Now, mysteriously, he's back to being his original green from Pre-Flashpoint, and so far, nobody's questioning it, and we're not given an explanation why.  Will this be addressed?  I'm not complaining, because I do like a green Gar better, so thanks also for that character change. 

That's SO NOT Raven.

Red Robin and Bunker are pretty much the same, so that leaves Raven.  Sigh...  Shrouded in darkness and mystery, she was one of my favorite characters before.  Now she's only shrouded in feathers.  Gone, too, are the squiggly lines around her word balloons that let us know that her voice was oddly inhuman.  I guess she doesn't sound that different from the rest of the teens now, so that's good if she wants to get a job as a phone sex operator.

The award for "Least Missed" in this new series goes to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. and Harvest, both of whom (thank Trigon) didn't make an appearance in the first issue. 
There is, however, a S.T.A.R. Labs, though, like in the 1980s series. 

The best thing about this new series is that the five teenage superheroes are all working together as a team.  Let's hope we can continue to see the team evolve with additional character development and interaction between our five heroes and any new ones that may be added in the future. 

Boyz n the (Red) Hood

Batman #638

Since I wasn't reading comics in 2005 (I was on hiatus from 1994-2007), I finally just read the "Under the Hood" storyline from Batman #635-638 and the related "Family Reunion" storyline from Batman #639-641.  Both stories were written by Judd Winick, and we're introduced to the new character, Red Hood, who is revealed to be a back-from-the-dead Jason Todd (former Robin). 

Obviously, I already knew that Jason Todd had come back from the dead, but I still wanted to read the actual story that brought him back.  I have to say that it was a pretty good, fast-paced storyline with a lot of great character development.  Winick did a beautiful job capturing Batman's emotions and his interactions with other superhero friends such as Green Arrow and Superman who also "came back from the dead," as he tries to make sense of Jason's possible return.  I think that's something that's missing from today's New 52: character development and personal interactions.  It's all about action, action, action, forgetting that these heroes also have personal lives and are (or should be) people like you and me, that we can relate to on a more-than-action level.  

From "Under the Hood"

One of my favorite scenes in the story was when the Red Hood/Jason Todd goes to visit the Joker and begins to beat him with a crowbar.  It's sweet revenge for Jason being beat to death by the Joker in the "A Death in Family" storyline from Batman #426-429.  

I also appreciate the irony of Jason assuming the Red Hood identity upon his return, as this was the Joker's original persona (or at least it used to be before all of his retcons).  I guess Jason wanted to acknowledge how the Joker (negatively) influenced his life and future.  
 

From "A Death in the Family"

"Under the Hood" (later changed to "Under the Red Hood") and "Family Reunion" are must-reads for any fans of Batman, Red Hood, or great storytelling!

Popping My Comic Con Cherry

This past weekend, I finally had my Comic Con cherry popped.  I visited SDCC 2014 Thursday through Saturday, learning a little bit more each day. 

What did I think?  Total chaos. Actually, Thursday wasn't too bad, but the crowds grew exponentially with each passing day.  By the time Saturday came around, you could barely move through the San Diego Convention Center without your genitals pressed against the person in front of you.  

Would I do it again?  Meh.  I think a lot would have to change for me to muster up the enthusiasm to return. 

First and most important:  the fairness of admission to the panels.  I didn't grasp the lengths that people go to to get into these panels until I started reading about people's experiences online a week before the Con.  They will literally camp out overnight to see a show the following evening; that's almost 24 hours of waiting.  That's worse than Black Friday.   That's when my mind starting thinking how awful my trip would be and when my heart was no longer into it.  Nevertheless, I went because I had already invested so much money into the visit.  The tickets themselves were reasonable (approximately $40 per day), but it was the airfare and hotel that really took a chunk out of my wallet.  

From my understanding, previously, just one person from a group had to stand in line for the very popular "Hall H," and then others could come and basically cut the line.  I guess this year, they tried something different.  Everyone in the group had to be there to initially line up (outdoors) for Hall H, they'd receive a wristband to show that they were in line, and then they could leave and go do whatever while, in shifts, one person held their place in line.  It's pretty much the same thing, but I guess it eliminates too many people cutting in line.  However, what about us solo travelers?  I understand that there is limited capacity in the rooms, but there needs to be some fairness so that everyone has an opportunity to experience more at Comic Con.  They also don't clear the rooms after each panel, so many people will just stay in that room for hours on end, taking up a seat.  So one person gets to see everything; another doesn't get to see anything.  In my opinion, to make Comic Con more of an enjoyable, fair experience, there would be a lottery where people can sign up in advance for panels they'd like to see.  Then, like the ticket-buying system, you'd then be randomly chosen to attend events/panels you'd like to see.  Rooms would also be cleared after each panel to make way for the next group of ticketholders.  I know the diehard campers wouldn't like this, but what's wrong with everyone having an enjoyable experience?  

Another negative feature is the exclusive merchandise that's only available at SDCC.  I have to somewhat agree with Mile High Comics' point of view on this matter.  After my first attempt at buying something I spotted and really liked (a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament of The Empire Strikes Back Wampa), I began to see this aspect of Comic Con in a whole new light as well.  There are only so many items available for sale per day.  Once they're gone, they're gone until the next day.  I get that, but there should also be enough for anyone who took the time and expense to travel to Comic Con.  However, there are even more catches than just a limited daily supply.  You have to be one of the first in line, first thing in the morning.  Many times, that involves just getting a ticket to return later in the day to stand in another line to purchase whatever may be available/left at that time.  And, most of the time, people are buying merchandise in multiples.  Why?  Just to resell on eBay.  I saw people loaded up with bag upon bag filled with Hasbro toys.  And you know they weren't buying them as Christmas gifts.  They were stocking up to resell them.  So people who actually may want ONE of something for their own personal collection are screwed over by greedy vultures just there to turn a profit.  I collect Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments.  I have a lot of Star Wars ones.  The Wampa would have been a nice addition to my Christmas tree.  So on Saturday morning, I was there when the doors to the Convention Center opened.  I went straight to the Hallmark booth and found the line...already capped.  Seriously?  If getting there when they first open isn't early enough, when is?

The booths/exhibits around the Exhibit Hall were all about the same.  If you wanted to experience whatever they were offering, you had to have a ticket, which you received at some undisclosed time/location.   If you wanted an autograph or photo of some celebrity, you had to have a ticket (and, yes, they were always already sold out or at capacity).   Maybe it's just my naivety and inexperience, but if I'm not given the resources/information, how am I supposed to know what protocol to follow?  

I also learned that if you're not networking through social media during your ENTIRE visit, then you're also screwed.  Apparently, instead of walking around and enjoying being "in the moment," you need to have your face buried in your phone, facebooking and twatting.  That's where you learn of surprise appearances, pop-up sales, secret passwords, blah, blah, blah...  That's also where you get to see and learn about everything that you missed because you were excluded. 

I did have some enjoyable moments, though.  I actually did get into the TV Land panel on the first day to see Betty White (and William Shatner and Donald Faison) up on stage.  I was excited about that.  Of course, that was over at the Hilton, where things seemed to be easier to get into.  I also got to see some current DC Comics writers and artists (e.g., Geoff Johns, Charles Soule, Nicola Scott) in a panel I was surprised at how easy it was to get into (I think something else much more popular was going on at the time).  I stood in line for about an hour to get into the Big Bang Theory writers panel and barely got into the back of a room so big that surprise guest, Wil Wheaton, was about the size of an ant.  And, lastly, after another hour-long winding line, I got the very last seat in a panel for Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County comic strip).  Of course, that one was next to the largest possible man who was wide enough to take up three seats total. 

Walking around the exhibit hall, I got to see many of the artists whose work I'm familiar with and admire, and spotted random celebrities doing autograph signings and taking photos.  Of course, these (1) required tickets or (2) cost about $50 per autograph/photo.  But it was still fun just to see them and grab a candid photo.  I also spotted Ian Zierling (Beverly Hills 90210, Sharknado) while I was having lunch in the Gaslamp Quarter, outside the Convention Center.  I overheard someone say Tara Reid was there, too, but I never saw her.  To be fair, I didn't check the floor. 

Surprisingly, people weren't as decked out in costumes as I thought/heard they'd be.  Granted, there were many, but it wasn't the majority, so *not* dressing up didn't make me feel like I stood out.  I enjoyed walking around the main Exhibit Hall, seeing the costumes and tables, even if I didn't/couldn't participate in all of them.  

Not surprisingly, I didn't go to any of the invitation-only nighttime Hollywood parties, so my evenings were spent unwinding in my hotel with a beautiful marina view.  By that point anyway, I had already had enough of the favoritism, elitist attitudes, and special privileges.  I didn't want to stand in any more lines to only be disappointed once again.  I left by Saturday afternoon, just to get away from everything.  Fortunately, I had beautiful San Diego waiting for me and enjoyed the sunshine, fresh air, bay breeze, and, finally, dinner in Little Italy. 

So, like I said at the beginning, a lot would have to change for me to spend my money on another Comic Con, equal opportunities above all.  As it stands, you don't experience Comic Con, you fight a losing battle.  You tread water, just trying not to drown.  I'm glad I went, but I was also happy when it was over.