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.

What a Looker!

Batman and the Outsiders #31 (1986)

When Looker appeared out of nowhere and joined the Outsiders (formerly Batman and the Outsiders) back in 1985 with her heavily eye-shadowed eyes and pink bow above the hip of her bare leg, I was not a fan.  I felt like she was intruding on a great dynamic that the Outsiders had going and was a little too popular and flashy to join a group of supposed outsiders.  

Worse, when I started reading comics again in 2007, I discovered that Looker was now a vampire. WTF?  It was as jarring as learning that Jubilee from Marvel Comics' X-Men had become one, too.  It seemed that both big comic companies were taking two of their silliest creations and jumping on the vampire craze bandwagon.  

I think there's an unnecessary vampire-mania going on right now, mostly thanks to Twilight.  However, I decided to give DC's I, Vampire revival the benefit of a doubt and read the first five issues. As you can see from my review, I thought it was as awful -- if not worse -- than even Twilight.

National Comics Looker #1 (2012)

Recently, though, I purchased and read DC Comics' new Looker one-shot.  I was intrigued by the fantastic blood-red cover, and especially by the National Comics moniker.  (Quick history lesson:  DC Comics was called National Comics long, long ago.  It was the title of an anthology series from Quality Comics in the 1940s.)  

Anyway, today in 2012, DC Comics introduced this new anthology series titled National Comics, which is supposed to showcase a number of one-shot series focusing on some of DC's more obscure characters such as Kid Eternity, Looker, Rose and Thorn, Madame X, etc.  Looker reimagines the vampiress in DC's New 52.  All I have to say is:  WOW.  If only other New 52 series and characters were as interesting, well-written, and beautifully illustrated as National Comics Looker.  Ian Edginton did a fantastic job with character development.  Not just Looker (aka Emily Briggs), but also her supporting characters.  The artist, Mike Miller, gave us vivid depictions of each character and scene, bringing everything (pun intended) "to life."  I found myself reading the comic slowly to savor each panel.  I knew this was only a one-shot and didn't want the story to end.  

My only question is, "Why isn't there a Looker monthly series instead of crap like I, Vampire?" 

iVampire

Even though I think the entertainment world is oversaturated with vampires right now, I decided to pick up DC Comics' new I, Vampire series, despite its grammatically awkward title.  Or maybe because of it.  I never read the original in the 1980s, but I remember hearing about it/seeing it in comic book stores. 

Due to vampires' popularity right now, I'm sure that was why DC decided to revisit this old title.  I was intrigued by how DC would incorporate vampires into the DCU, and I hoped it would be more successful than Marvel's attempt last year with their "Curse of the Mutants" storyline.  

After reading the first issue of I, Vampire, I can clearly say that I have no fucking clue what happened.  Maybe it sounds "racist," but I have no idea who is who in the vampire world; they all look alike to me.  I won't give up on the title just yet, though.  I'll read the series for a couple more issues to see if I get into more.