Graphic Content
By Wally Flores Jr.

 

MORE THAN A SIDE NOTE

One of the things I've enjoyed about comics since I was a kid is that they offered the opportunity for shows and movies to be expanded on. Call them 'universes' or 'intellectual properties' if you like. For me it was all about expanding on a concept, or focusing in on a certain part. Both Marvel and DC did it from time to time (mostly Marvel it seems). It didn't matter if it was Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe, Power Lords, M.A.S.K., Robotix, Starriors, Visionaries, Sectaurs or Centurions. There were stories about concepts to be told. While some were also cartoons usually the comics took things in a different direction. Sometimes the stories on TV were better, sometimes the stories in the comics were better. Still, the medium of comics was used to expand the concepts. Looking back it was usually just a way to make another bit of money off of us kids. But, things have changed since then. Right?

I still like buying titles that I think will expand on certain concepts I enjoy. Some do it to a more serious degree, like the current Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel titles. They aren't just little flash in the pants limited series. They are full and living extensions of the shows. They aren't "side note," they are an actual continuation of the shows. They are the shows in static images instead of moving images. But what about the ones that do seem to be more "side note" based? The ones that are meant to be short, to fill in a blank, or give us a different perspective on what we've seen.

I just finished reading the Mass Effect: Redemption trade from Dark Horse Comics. For me, it was very enjoyable. Some things still seem to be missing, but I have faith they'll fill in more. Did it help to expand the story? Not really. If you're a fan of the Mass Effect games and you don't read Mass Effect: Redemption you won't be missing anything. Your experience of the games will in no way be lacking. If you go back later and read it you won't say, "Wow! I wish I had known that sooner." I'm sorry, but that impact isn't in story contained within the pages of Mass Effect: Redemption. It's written for fans that want more, nobody else, and the only reason it probably succeeds on that level is that it was written by the lead writer of Mass Effect 2. Still, it could have been worse. What if it even left the fans out in the cold?

Another series I'm currently reading is Modern Warfare 2: Ghost from WildStorm. I really enjoyed the games (before they started getting hacked to shreds) and really wanted to know more about the bad-ass character 'Ghost' who seemed so cool, yet was gone so quickly. What Boba Fett was to Star Wars, Ghost is to Modern Warfare. So, when I heard they were making a mini-series I just had to read it. The series isn't for people who aren't fans of the game, and it's not really for people who are fans of the game. Heck, it's not really for fans of Ghost. You see, the story in the pages of Modern Warfare 2: Ghost is a simple soldier story so far. OK, it's not 'simple' but it is a story about a soldier and other than the use of name of the character Ghost and perhaps what is supposed to be his likeness, there is NOTHING in the pages of the first five issues (it's six issues total) that roots it in the Modern Warfare universe. It could have just as easily been a unique stand alone mini with no connection to anything other than itself. The strongest connection it has to Modern Warfare 2 is that those words are on the cover. Sometimes though the formula for a short series is done to perfection.

Before the new 'Star Trek' movie came out Star Trek: Countdown came out from IDW. This is a mini done right. If you read it before you see the movie the movie carries that much so much more to the story. The movie stands alone fine, but the movie and the comic are a winning combination for fans of the relaunch of Star Trek.

Finally, I do have to add one more title to the list of ones that got it right, and that is The Guild from Dark Horse Comics. As Star Trek: Countdown was done by writers of that movie so was The Guild written by the creator of that web series, Felicia Day. The Guild is THE START of . . . well . . . The Guild. There is a big difference between Star Trek: Countdown and The Guild though. Countdown leads directly into the movie where The Guild hints towards things to come in the world of The Guild. Where Star Trek: Countdown could have been renamed, 'Star Trek 0,' The Guild is NOT 'The Guild: Season 0.' If anything The Guild is 'The Guild: Alpha.' It is the start of the story and there are many more tales that could take place between The Guild and the web series. I am very happy that The Guild was done in such a fashion because while I only recent got into The Guild I really enjoy it. The idea that there could be more stories to come in comic form (hopefully written by Felicia Day herself) really makes me happy.

Right now I'm waiting for the first three issues of The Expendables from Dynamite. As I've just finished explaining, there are many ways the mini could go. It could be a wonderful lead in to what is likely to be a great mindless action flick, or it could be something that is a complete waste of paper. As it's written by Chuck Dixon I have faith. He has always been a solid writer in my eyes. Still, depending on what he was given to work with his skills may not matter. I do hope as time goes on though that there comes a consistent expectation for these kinds of minis though. I hope they are solidly thought out and written titles. For those of us that enjoy the worlds they connect to, I think we expect better. I don't mind spending my money on something that is well crafted to expand an idea. I do mind spending my money on something that is crafted simply to get me to spend my money. These kind of comics need to be more than a side note. They need to be something that can be appreciated and wanted, or else ideas will be shelved in the hopes of the next movie, television series, or book.


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Review Copyright © 2010 Wally Flores Jr.

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