More reviewz

[jkcarrier]

More leftovers from SPX, plus some things I picked up over the weekend.

8 1/2 GHOSTS
http://www.indyworld.com/altcomics/
by Rich Tommaso. Fun, but a little underdeveloped. It's a cool premise -- a director working on a horror movie finds a genuine haunted house, and recruits the spirits to star in his film. But before we get much plot or character development, Tommaso brings in a deus ex machina out of left field, and the book abruptly ends. Love the artwork, but the story just left me unsatisfied.
"Oh, no-no-no-no-nooo... I'm fine, I'm fine. It's just... it's just a bit... uhhmm... unorthodox?"

BLACK WIDOW 2 #1
http://www.marvel.com/
by Richard K. Morgan, Sean Phillips, and Bill Sienkiewicz. The follow-up to the previous miniseries is shaping up to be another slick & suspenseful espionage yarn. Natasha is on the run, the U.S. government is after her, and she's just uncovered a drug-smuggling ring that may have ties to her former Soviet masters. Lots of interesting stuff going on, with great-looking art by Phillips & Sienkiewicz. Looking forward to more.
"And right now you must be the only human being on the planet trying to smuggle herself out of Miami and into Cuba, looking for political asylum."

DESOLATION JONES #3
http://www.wildstorm.com/
by Warren Ellis and J.H. Williams III. After two very strong issues, this one is a bit of a let-down. The storyline is mostly put on hold, so that Ellis can explain at length that the pornography industry (gasp!) exploits women. Damn, who knew? Williams' art makes the dry lecture a little more palatable, but c'mon, let's get back to the story already.
"So, yeah, I don't like to mess around. I like asphyxia. I like being spat on."

DEVIL DINOSAUR
http://www.marvel.com/
by Tom Sniegoski and Eric Powell. Oh yeah, that's the stuff! You've got Devil Dinosaur (one of Kirby's coolest and most underrated characters), the stupid green Hulk (the only one worth reading about), and Eric Powell (king of the manly-man artists). What's not to like? Lots of smashin' and bashin', plus the Celestials depicted as a bunch of backstabbing corporate drones. And the vintage Kirby monster story in back is just the cherry on top. Outstanding fun.
"Hey, you big-head robot-guys, let Hulk out of cage!"

FELL #2
http://www.imagecomics.com/
by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. I'm really enjoying this experiment in concise storytelling. A crucial piece of information drops into Fell's lap just a little too conveniently, but the way he narrows down his suspects is pretty darn clever. And it's pretty interesting watching an ambiguous relationship develop between Rich and Mayko. The bit with the coroner who eats on the job just cracked me up.
"Twice in the same two weeks I've gotten knifed by some random asshole."

A FINE MESS #2
http://www.mattmadden.com/
by Matt Madden. A collection of experimental strips where Madden plays with different formal techniques. One is a 26-panel strip, where each panel is laid out to suggest the shape of one letter of the alphabet. Another uses repeated panels to set up a poetic rhythm. My personal favorite is the "Exercises In Style" series, where he takes the same basic strip and translates it into several different idioms (there's a "Krazy Kat" version, a "Little Nemo" version, even a "Manga" version complete with gratuitous panty shot). The stories themselves aren't particularly engaging once you get past the structural gimmicks, but it's interesting to watch him play around with the possibiliites.
"It's the only way!"

FIN FANG FOUR
http://www.marvel.com/
by Scott Gray and Roger Landridge. Ok, I want this to become a regular series. Like, right now. This is the smartest, funniest, and best-characterized team book I've seen in ages. A bunch of monsters get rehabilitated, and are stuck working menial jobs in the Baxter Building. Fin Fang Foom runs a restaurant. Elektro hits on Reed's robot secretary (and gets taunted by H.E.R.B.I.E.). Googam has daddy issues. Gorgilla mops floors while singing "Working for the Yankee Dollar". This is fried comedy gold, and I demand more! More, you hear?
"It's not my fault! I didn't do it! I don't even know what I didn't do! In fact, I wasn't here when it happened! Whatever it was!"

HOUSE OF TWELVE #1-3
http://www.houseoftwelve.com/
by Cheese Hasselberger and various. A rude and snarky anthology in the great underground tradition. #1 centers around the loose theme of gods and religion, #2 is the science fiction issue (probably my favorite overall), and the squarebound #3 doesn't really have a specific theme (except perhaps "be as gross as possible" ;-) ). As with any anthology, the quality varies, but there are more hits than misses. Your mileage will probably vary, depending on your tolerance for bodily-function humor and "stickin' it to the man" sloganeering. With so many indy books falling all over themselves for mainstream acceptance, it's kind of refreshing to see a book with a message as simple as "religion is kinda stupid", or "explosive diarrhea is funny".
"If there is a potential mate in your life, try to minimize his exposure to menstruation. Or risk turning him gay."

KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY #4
http://www.davidmack.net/
by David Mack. An author inserting himself into the story is usually pretty cringe-worthy, but this is not bad. David Mack and Kabuki share a plane ride, and Mack talks about his childhood and his intent to mask the autobiographical nature of his work by hiding behind a female protagonist (hint, hint). But I'm a total sucker for Mack's work -- he could paint and collage his grocery list, and I'd eat it up. If the self-indulgent confessional bothers you, just look at the pretty pictures and you'll have gotten your $2.99 worth.
"Don't sacrifice your dreams for security. There is no security."

KLARION #4
http://www.dccomics.com/
by Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving. A terrific conclusion to the miniseries, and the first of the Seven Soldiers books that felt like it had some decent closure (while still being a lead-in to the upcoming SEVEN SOLDIERS one-shot). We find out a lot more about Klarion's people and his own abilities, as well as the mysterious "Horrigal" (which is incredibly freaky and awesome). I wasn't familiar with Frazer Irving before this, but I'll be looking out for his work in the future -- I love his style.
"I intend to modernize. You'd look good in a bikini."

PENG #1
http://www.reyyy.com/
by Corey Lewis. Gives new meaning to the phrase "over the top". The idea of a professional kickball league is goofy enough, but add in martial arts moves and video game power-ups and you've got one bizarre book. It's a blast, though -- fast-paced, funny, and hits that sweet spot between "self-aware" and "totally camp". I'm not sure that the novelty won't wear off in a couple of issues, but taken by itself this issue is darn near perfect.
"A Rotating-Tornado Hook-Shot!! And with only one arm!!"

PLASTIC FARM #11
http://www.plasticfarm.com/
by Rafer Roberts, Dave Morgan, and Danielle Corsetto. The byzantine plot continues, with characters from previous issues starting to crop up again. The main story is about a guy who lucks into a perfect relationship -- she's gorgeous, rich, etc. But he won't give her the one thing she wants in return, and the whole thing turns into an EC Comics-style revenge story. Kind of gross, but also pretty funny. Next issue is supposed to finally explain how some of this stuff ties together. I'll believe it when I see it.
"Who wants to see a really cool trick?"

PLASTIC MAN #18
http://www.dccomics.com/
by Kyle Baker. This book just gets better and better, and to hell with all you philistines who aren't buying it. Two words, people: TEEN. SPECTRE. Or how about these two: SELF. CANNIBALISM. Ok, five more: SECEIP NOILLIM A OTNI KAERB. Buy this book or I will stab you with a giant knife.
"Woozy, things are changing in our universe. People are dying violently. Superheroes are crying!"

RED SONJA #2
http://www.dynamicforces.com/
by Michael Avon Oeming, Mike Carey, and Mel Rubi. I am trying hard to like this, but the story is boring me to tears. There's a couple of decent action scenes (I dig the flaming skull bolo), but 90% of the issue is just blah-blah-blah, caption after caption of pseudo-archaic hot air. Sonja herself completely lacks a personality, which just adds to the tedium. Bleh. Bring back Roy Thomas. Bring back Louise Simonson. Hell, even Tom DeFalco's version was better than this snooze-fest.
"I know your dress. And I know your kind."

SHAOLIN COWBOY #4
http://www.burlymanentertainment.com/
by Geofrey Darrow. I keep waiting for this shtick to get old, but it never does. Silent kung fu cowboy + Motormouth donkey sidekick = laughing out loud. Every time. The fact that it's such frivolous nonsense rendered in such obsessive detail just makes it funnier. Completely mental, I love it.
"By the way, Oscar Wilde... what are ben-wa balls and why do you know so much about 'em?"

SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST #1-2
http://www.adhousebooks.com/
by Josh Cotter. Holy shit. This book makes ACME NOVELTY look cheerful and uplifting. It's brilliantly done, and sort of funny at times, but totally bleak and nihilistic. Numerous stories of alienated and abused children, like PEANUTS turned up to "11". I can't say I really "enjoyed" it, but reading it was certainly a powerful experience. Go ahead and pick it up, but don't have any sharp instruments nearby when you read it.
"I ain't never goin' back there, Kitty..."

SOLO #6
http://www.dccomics.com/
by Jordi Bernet and various. Spanish artist Bernet seemed like an odd choice for this spotlight series, but damned if this isn't a terrific collection of stories. His style is an attractive mix of Kubert and Toth, and the writers play to his strengths by giving him lots of old-fashioned tough guys and sexy dames to draw. The lead story, "Back Bone", is my favorite -- a horror tale with a hilarious twist at the end. The rest are pretty good too: a western, a prison drama, and some sleazy goings-on in Las Vegas. The obligatory DC Universe story is the weakest by far: Yet another rendition of that tired "Batman and his villains as neurotic co-dependents" thing. But it's worth it to see Bernet's rendition of Poison Ivy. Rowr!
"The Lord's retribution! His terrible wrath come full circle!"

SUPERNATURAL LAW #41 and SUPERNATURAL LAW 101
http://www.exhibitapress.com/
by Batton Lash. You can always count on Lash for a solid, entertaining read. #41 is the CBLDF benefit issue, and has a funny angle on the idea of "offensive art" -- paintings come to life and start literally offending people with rude comments. The 101 issue is a flashback to how Wolff and Byrd first met. It's fun seeing them as harried law students (with '80s hair!) and building their partnership. Lots of great bits with the supporting cast too, from the law professors to Jeff's pushy parents.
"Or how about the debate between 'Man With A Glove' and 'Paul And His Grandsons'? It's a clash of the Titians!"

THIEVES & KINGS #47
http://www.iboxpublishing.com/
by Mark Oakley. Ha ha, god bless Heath. I love it when she takes Rubel and Kim aside and basically says "Y'know, we really should stop a minute and try to figure out WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON." As an occasionally-confuzzled reader, I wanted to kiss her. ;-) I also love the scene where Leahanna slowly and methodically verbally demolishes that guardsman. But then, oops, she loses her cool at the end. That can't end well.
"It means you better be on your toes! You're going to get what you asked for!"

WHERE MONSTERS DWELL
http://www.marvel.com/
by Jeff Parker, Russell Braun, and various people who suck. I suppose the law of averages dictates that at least one of these "Marvel Monster Group" books would be a stinker. This is the one. Keith Giffen and Peter David manage to come up with exactly one meager joke apiece, which then gets stretched out interminably over ten pages. Awful, awful stuff, and the art on both stories is ugly to boot. Thankfully, Jeff Parker is there to show those two feebs how to actually construct a plot: a clever premise, an ending that actually surprised me, plus a dollop of genuine humor. Decent artwork on this one too, although maybe it just looks good by comparison. Oh, and the Kirby reprint is aces. But so much of this book is so eye-gougingly bad, I can't recommend it.
"...and please stop using my depilatories!"

This still isn't all the SPX swag, believe it or not. More to come.