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When this column started my original intention was to examine the history of traditions in comic books and how these traditions were being carried on today. As much as I love reading about the history of comics, as much as I love many of the traditions in mainstream comics, it's not where the excitement of the medium lies for me. For quite awhile now this column has had little-to-nothing to do with traditions and it's really time to try something new.
Since straying from the theme of traditions this column has become a monthly rant of sorts about whatever struck me at the time the end of the month rolled around. There is no shortage of rants or opinions on the Internet and I'd really like to do something with a bit more of a recurring theme. When examing what this theme would be it was necessary to examine what I love about comic books at the moment, what gets me interested in writing about them. For the past year the moments that have truly made me feel excited about this industry have involved trying a new book, small press or mainstream, and discovering something that truly brings something innovative to the medium.
Starting this month, I'm going to choose around five titles from the Previews Catalogue from Diamond Distributors that look interesting or innovative and discuss why I am ordering them. Then once the books arrive, I'll give you the thumbs up or down and talk about whether or not the gamble was worth it. Luckily I've got several interesting books like Tardi's Adele series and Ariel Schrag's near-masterpiece Potential to talk about in the meantime. In addition to these picks and reviews I might also throw in a mini-rant but the focus of this column is really going to lean towards trying something new.
My picks for March of 2002 are:
- King David by Kyle Baker, published by DC/Vertigo. Nearly everything this man touches turns to gold, as has been demonstrated in books like I Die at Midnight and The Cowboy Wally Show, not to mention the infamous "Leticia Lerner-Superman's Babysitter" story that won an Eisner Award. While the Biblical subject-matter isn't near the top of my list for comic book adaptations I would buy an adaptation of the film Freddy Got Fingered if Baker was behind it. King David should be one of the most epic releases of 2002 and will hopefully not be overlooked by retailers or readers.
- Incredible Hulk #38 by Bruce Jones, John Romita Jr. and Tom Palmer, published by Marvel Comics. Hulk is a character that has never really been a big favorite of mine despite having talented writers like Peter David and Paul Jenkins writing his stories. However, the approach that Bruce Jones is taking on this book sounds very intriguing and Romita Jr. and Palmer have always been a very reliable art team. Coupled with beautiful covers from Kaare Andrews and this book is on my list for deserving of a try-out.
- Sugar Buzz #8 by Ian Carney and Woodrow Phoenix, published by Slave Labor Graphics. One of the most entertaining titles I read during 2001 was Where's it At Sugar Kat?, a spin-off mini-series by Carney and Phoenix with characters who originated in Sugar Buzz. This issue features a story titled "The Lovely Land of Love" which is described in the solicitation as a cross between the Care Bears and H.R. Pufinstuf. Considering the biting and twisted perspective the creator's brought to the Sugar Kat mini-series this should be a pretty humorous read.
- Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things #1 by Ted Naifeh, published by Oni Press. Oni has a pretty decent track record with releasing quality projects and the advance images of this look very well done. The theme of a young girl who doesn't quite fit in when she moves to a new neighborhood is one most of us can relate to, and the addition of "The Night Things" should give this story a push towards the fantastic without under-cutting the idea of alienation. There is an advance look for this at Ted Naifeh's website at http://www.thenightthings.com/ so if you get a chance check it out.
- Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire #1, by Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo and Tim Bradstreet, published by Wildstorm/DC. This one is a bit of a cheat on my part as a friend is doing the pencils for this project, yet trying to be as objective as possible this should be a very dynamic project. Batman, a crusading avenger who cherishes life, and Deathblow, a black-ops assassin with a terminal illness, are nearly as different as characters can be in terms of their outlooks. Rather than resorting to the standard crossover conventions, however, the creators of this book are weaving a tale that takes place over a decade and has Batman investigating a mystery that Deathblow was involved in before his death. Azzarello has done brilliant works on books like 100 Bullets and Bradstreet's cover artwork and work for the role-playing game Vampire: The Masquerade are incredibly well-known. For those of you who aren't familiar with Bermejo's work from titles such as Superman/Gen 13, you can expect an intricately detailed style coupled with an shadowy and intrigue-filled world.
And to finish off, just a few short comic related notes and thoughts:
-It is very nice to see Dark Horse Comics designating March as "Cliff Richards Month." Richards is the artist on many of their Buffy the Vampire Slayer related projects as well as doing many other licensed product related titles. On the Buffy titles his work has been pretty excellent, both nailing likenesses and nuances of the series while also bringing his own style to the books. There should be big things ahead in Richards' future and it is very admirable of Dark Horse for acknowledging this.
-Maybe I'm just cheap, but Marvel's trade paperback releases seem to be somewhat overpriced for material that has already been printed in other places. I really wanted to recommend the Union Jack trade papberback by Ben Raab and John Cassaday but $11.50 for a 96 page reprint book seems a bit steep. If these were intial releases I would understand, but what incentive is there for a fan who could easily go buy the original issues for several dollars less?
-I bought Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #11 on a whim this week and was incredibly impressed. Chynna Clugston-Major is a very talented artist and seeing her work in color here was even more impressive. While I'm not usually a fan of Brian Michael Bendis, I have to give him credit for writing a very engaging script here. Neither Peter Parker nor the members of the X-Men appear in costume here, but it is quite possibly the best story involving the X-Men or Spider-Man released this year. During a brief encounter in a mall that takes place on a school "ditch day" Peter's friends realize that the group of characters who know Peter from someplace (the X-Men) are mutants. The questions that follow from Peter's friends are dead-on as for what you might expect teenagers to ask about a minority group such as mutants. The message of this issue never felt forced and would be a great read to hand to high school students.
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