Graphic Content
By Wally Flores Jr.

2002 has gone by folks. I’ve dished my opinions and given my rants on a few books and subjects, but there isn’t enough time to do it all. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to throw out some ramblings about books I have haven’t had the time to tackle and some tidbits on ones I have. Think of it as the things that have stuck in my mind regarding comics of the past year. I’ll even be nice and break things into three categories for you. The good, the bad, and yo mama . . . I mean . . . the ugly. The Good

Green Lantern - Yeah, I’m biased . . . so sue me. Still, since Judd Winick has taken over as writer on this book nearly all the characters have won. Kyle is growing as a person, and in turn as a hero. Jade has her powers back and is supportive of Kyle in nearly everything he does. John is back in action as Green Lantern again and hopefully represents one more step towards the return of the Green Lantern Corps. Kyle had to deal with feeling powerless when Terry was the victim of a gay bashing, and now is pulling himself together. Add some Alan Scott appearances and you’ve got a title that has been more of a "Green Lantern Family." This past year wasn’t just about Kyle and his ring, it was about who he is and those around him. While the book may change next year with a new writer, the past year has definitely continued to advanced the character in a positive fashion. JSA - David Goyer and Geoff Johns are writing one of the best books on the shelves folks. If you’re not reading it you’re missing out. More things going on at once than you would think it would be possible to track, and yet it happens and it happens well. If you’re not getting this book now you need to. The Flash - What? Why it’s Geoff Johns again. The Flash may be fast but Johns has definitely been giving him a run for his money (hehe . . . I made a bad pun). While I don’t consider this title outstanding it is very solid with clear cut story arcs that would make it easy for you to jump on if you wanted. Uncanny X-Men - I never thought the day would come but I’m reading an X-title again. Even more frightening is that I’m really enjoying it. Chuck Austen is bringing back the kind of characters I used to care about. They’re doing and saying things that really made me interested in the X-Men so many years ago. Who knows, maybe someday this title will help me forget the time I came to despise the X-titles. If you’re considering not getting his book, or dropping it, because Kia Asamiya is coming aboard as artist you’re missing the content and you’re missing the point. It’s a nose people, not a third eyeball. Black Panther - This title is tied for first in my ranking of best comics ever written. Christopher Priest mixes humor, politics and humanity together in a title that I think most people just can’t comprehend. The story is going in a new direction now, but it’s still keeping my interest. I won’t tell you to buy it because I’ve realized your average comic reader either can’t get the point, or won’t. GI Joe: Frontline - Larry Hama has returned to fill in some blanks that exist between the series of the past and the current series. This is true 80s revival at its finest. With Dan Jurgens penciling it’s a nice rounded book of story and art. If you used to get the original Marvel series and aren’t getting this you need to pick it up. Hawkman - The third time is a charm for Geoff Johns. With the help of James Robinson for the story and the pencils of Rags Morales, Johns has given Hawkman and Hawkgirl a title that has the heroics of JSA but allows for the expansion of the characters on a more everyday level. Way of the Rat - After much opposition to getting into the CrossGen universe I heard about this title. Being a sucker for martial arts I had to check it out. Great writing by Chuck Dixon and excellent pencils by Jeff Johnson create an entertaining story of an unlikely hero and a talking monkey in a mystical Asian-like society. It has a monkey as a main character people! Things are always more interesting with a monkey, you know that. Route 666 - Following my dip in the GrossGen pool with Way of the Rat I decided to check out this title. This title is incredible. I eagerly wait for each issue. The concept and groundwork were introduced solidly and quickly. Since then Tony Bedard and Karl Moline have continually delivered with this book. Think "The Sixth Sense" meets "The Monster Squad" and you’re on the right track for a basic concept of this outstanding series. The Bad

T-Bolts - Oh thank god this title is finally coming to an end. I used to like this title so much, and I usually like Fabian Nicieza’s writing, but this book has just taken SUCH a nose dive in the last year. I’m still getting it just to finish out the run before the content change, nothing more. They tried to save the title with a story on Counter Earth folks. That’s like finding a cure for the crew of the Enterprise in the transporters. It shows you know the writers have given up getting things done in an interesting way. U-Decide - Not a title but a concept that is now a blemish on the comic reading community. You’ve got Peter David lowering himself to participate in what is a comic geek’s equivalent to a pissing contest. You’ve got Joe Quesada endorsing a title (which I do like) when he should be doing something important, like making sure that writers responsible for keeping a cigar out of Wolverine’s hands aren’t lighting up any kind of substance themselves. Lastly, you’ve got Bill Jemas who for some INSANE reason was allowed to write Marville and get it printed. My take? Burn Marville, think about checking out Ultimate Adventures, and hope that Captain Marvel can find a rhythm. Reader Responses to Gay Characters - First, you’ve got people afraid their kids are going to become gay by reading the titles with the characters. Then, you’ve got gay people accusing everyone and their mother of being a homophobe just because they don’t want to read about these concepts in their favorite titles. Finally, you’ve got both sides harping about how each character is just a "token." Nice to know tolerance and open minds seem to lack on all sides. For those of you that have been quiet on the issue, or who have actually taken the time to comment intelligently, I thank you. Marville - I realize I already said this book sucked earlier, but it’s so bad I had to make sure and warn you one last time not to read it. Yes, it really is THAT bad. The Ugly

Before I got into the books I’ll explain what "The Ugly" is. These are books that need to shape up in my eyes. Some may be working on it now, but I’m still going to issue my warnings to you folks. Power Company - The overdone "let’s all learn to be heroes" theme comes at us once again. Yes folks, Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett have re-imagined the Thunderbolts (which was really just a re-imagined New Warriors) and mixed in a desire for earning cash. Busiek has already admitted to re-working the concept to make the book more interesting, so there may be a chance . . . or it may just be a nice way of saying he’s already worked out the series’ ending. The series needs to abandon the overplayed group conflict and work in some group chemistry. Captain Marvel - I’m just mentioning this one because I was NOT a reader of this title before the U-Decide fiasco. I’ve got the first three issues or the re-launch and so far only the second one is interesting. In my opinion the first issue shouldn’t have even existed, and the second issue should have been our introduction. I’ve heard from multiple people that the first issue was a great jump on issue, and you know what . . . they were all readers of the title BEFORE the re-launch. See, David said he was going to create a better "jump on" opportunity for people who didn’t read the series. Unfortunately, the only people who seem to have seen this "jump on" opportunity already read the series. This book could have a niche audience, but if that’s the case David just needs to admit it, like Priest has with Black Panther. JLA - Usually I’m a fan of Joe Kelly’s writing, but since he’s come on JLA the series has been a mixed bag. He’s got a nice element of humanism that keeps things light, but he wasn’t really able to pull out the "grandness" of the first story he tried to do. The concept was nice, the execution was lacking. I have hope that he’ll make things interesting by changing up the team members, but we’ll have to wait and see. Transformers - I like Transformers. I like Dreamwave. However, I’m getting a little sick of the fact that it always takes Dreamwave titles three issues before things get rolling. Admittedly, the Armada series is great work compared to the television show (dubbed "Transformers: Pokemon" by a friend). Still, I’m hoping we can get a solid story base in one issue soon, or at least some work on the flow of the books. This is a great license that I really don’t want to see Dreamwave flush away. GI Joe - The first two issues of GI Joe: Frontline outdo this regular series by a mile. A friend of mine put it best when he said the basic concept of the book can be summed up in the phrase "We’re GI Joe! We’re cool!" That really does sum up this title, and yes that was the same friend that came up with "Transformers: Pokemon." Josh Blaylock seems to be more in awe of the characters he’s writing than trying to flesh them out. I don’t know if he’s scared of making Hama mad by messing with concepts he founded or what, but Blaylock has to work harder on the characters and less on the "coolness." Micronauts - Having to re-work a concept with a fan base is not an easy task, but Micronauts is doing its doing it’s best. Unfortunately the creators are basking in the glory positive comments of an Internet site rather than actually turning out a book. Here is something to keep in mind guys. The other "revival" titles are seriously outpacing you. The comments you’re gushing about come from a site who’s comic reviewer (in my opinion) could increase his industry awareness tenfold if he spent some times on other sites. Why don’t you listen to Green Day instead, "Don’t pat yourself on the back, you might break your spine." Less ego, more work. Avengers - Oh, the pain. After barely surviving Busiek’s final issues of a great story that took way too freaking long to tell, I finally get to see that Geoff Johns (is this guy busy or what?) is taking the helm of writer. Unfortunately my brain is still fried from the end of Busiek’s run and John’s first arc threw me because it’s was touched with the feel of JLA. Now, if Johns can keep this up he’ll bring the book back to the standing it deserves. I will admit I’m already feeling better with Black Panther being on the active roster, but let’s see how Johns does in the Marvel Universe. The Ultimates - The Ultimate take on the Avengers. The Hulk is an overgrown frat boy, the Wasp is now Asian and a mutant, Captain America is anything but inspiring, and Nick Fury looks like Samuel Jackson. OK, that last thing was a good point. Apparently someone came up with the idea of "What if the Avengers were a Real World group?" Now I don’t mean as in our world Real World. I mean the MTV show where everyone that is brought into the group is there to create some kind of stereotype drama of an adolescent’s life. The Ultimates are built on dysfunction, not teamwork. Now, I’m all for some realism, but not at the sacrifice of the story. And, since the story isn’t being released on time all I’m left with is varied levels of irritation. Bring in someone with a psychology degree to straighten these people out, or put the dang book out. Something! Anything! Hire monkeys to bang on a typewriter, it may be an improvement. Rising Stars - Just finish it! For the love of god finish the series! Pleeeease! With that, I’m done talking about the things that have stuck out to me this past year. There is stuff I like, there is stuff I can’t stand, and there is stuff I see potential in. I’m sure next year will have more of the same. However, with the release of Daredevil, The Hulk and X2 we may finally be able to abolish the negative things people think when they think comics. Oh wait, never mind. Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather has already been announced. I guess we’ll go with more of the same.

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