Return of Long Box: March 18, 2009

I'm going to blame a bevy of end of the quarter papers and projects for my relative silence concerning the world of comics as of late. It was great to be able to sit down this past Wednesday and get caught up on a few weeks worth of comics. Still missing a few things, most notably issue four of No Heroes and issue three of Dark Avengers, but I'll try to pick those up this week and share some thoughts on them. Here's the week (and then some) in review:

BPRD: The Black Goddess #3
I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating; I'm really digging the epic tone that BPRD is taking with their latest story arch. This issue doesn't do much to progress the plot, but it does fill us in on some of Gilfryd's backstory (i.e. how he came to be in the form/position he's in currently). It doesn't answer many questions I've had, but I'm sure this information will play into the series' ultimate payoff further down the road. This issue also gives us a heavy dose of action as Johann Kraus leads a military outfit against a swarm of frogs and those giant walking beasties that leveled part of a city in The Warning. It's a brilliant twist that finds the BPRD defending the very people they've come to destroy from a common threat. At least, that's what we're being led to believe at the moment; the final few pages suggest that there may be certain ties between the frogs and Gilfryd's plan for world domination. With two issues to go, things are really getting heated. Mignola fans; this is the perfect thing to tide you over until the last four issues of the current Hellboy story begin hitting stores.

Young Liars #13
David Lapham, I don't know how you're going to explain all this, but my hat off to you for having the balls to put something as dense and confusing as this comic out into the world. This issue doesn't offer much in the way of answers (I actually can't remember an issue of Young Liars that has), but it does suggest that Danny is currently residing in some kind of twisted dreamworld in which all of his wildest dreams have come true. The best part of it all is that Danny knows it's all too good to be true, and is trying to come to terms with memories of his not-so-distant past. The last few pages of this issue suggest that the old Young Liars gang may be getting back together pretty soon, but only if Danny takes some rather drastic actions. I'm not sure if things are coming to a head, or just getting ready to blow up again, but who cares? This is one of the most consistently entertaining comics out there; it doesn't have to make sense.

Invincible Iron Man #11
Is that Tony Stark!? You'll inevitably find yourself asking that same question at several points in this issue. With Stark going into hiding to avoid the wrath of Norman Osborn, Larroca takes the opportunity to give the character a pretty drastic makeover. We get to see Tony friends wrestling with his criminal status; some even think he should just turn himself in. The centerpiece of this issue is a battle between Stark in an outdated piece of Iron Man armor and his old friend Rhodey a.k.a. War Machine. It's unclear as to who War Machine is currently working for (maybe readers of the War Machine comic might know this information), but it seems clear that he still feels some sort of tie to his old boss and friend. The book ends with a splash, as Tony is shot out of the sky and into the ocean, where a battle with a familiar nautical enemy is surely in the cards. Fraction's writing continues to deliver some of the best Iron Man stories in quite some time. Marvel, keep this guy on the series, and I'll keep reading it.

Ender's Game: Battle School #4
Yost is really finding a balance in this fourth issue of the Ender's Game: Battle School series. The story in this edition is fast paced and slightly hard to follow at times, but delivers all the needed plot points and information in a stylish manner. We're finally seeing Ender's genius in the Battle Room, and it's exactly how I imagined it would be. Still no sign of Bean, (maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but I could have sworn that the two crossed paths in Battle School at some point) however his story is being masterfully handled in the Ender's Shadow books. There something about seeing this story told in a visual medium that makes it all the more disturbing. These are seven-year-old kids who are being trained and treated as soldiers; pit against each other in combat. I think this could explain Ferry's choice to make the character designs play this aspect up; these are innocent-looking kids beating up on each other. It just makes the story hit home that much more; enough to make me want to take back my criticism of the art from previous reviews. Can't wait for the conclusion next month as well as the launch of the Command School series sometime after that.

Long Box: Feb. 4, 2009

This week was looking pretty solid until Dark Horse pulled a fast one and pushed back Hellboy until next week. So, just the usual Marvel stuff for this week, and then a double dose of Hellboy and BPRD next week. Now that I think about it, that doesn't sound so bad. A heads up to Watchmen collectors; the shops should be getting their first shipment of Series 1 figures in this week, so if you're looking for a Rorschach to adorn your cubicle with you might want to act fast. Here's the week in review:

Invincible Iron Man #10
This issue was severely lacking in the Tony Stark department, but made up for it entirely with some awesome developments with the characters of Pepper Potts, Maria Hill and Norman Osborn. In this issue we see Stark's reaction to Osborn's Iron Patriot, and the measures that Osborn is taking to incriminate Stark as much as he can. I really loved the press conference at the beginning of the book, where we see Osborn being a total smartass and taking control of the situation at the same time. As for the major development with Maria Hill... I won't ruin it, suffice to say that it was bound to happen sooner or later. Pepper gets the most interesting storyline, as she is put in charge of the hopelessly crumbling Stark Enterprises. The payoff is that Tony planned ahead and left her a little present that should literally get her involved in the battle in future issues. In earlier issues, Pepper was a little apprehensive about being turned into a weapon, but with Osborn threatening death upon anyone with connection to Stark, she clearly has chose to fight back. As always, Fraction's writing is above and beyond what I expect from a series like this. He's taking this character, and this character's world and really making it his own. For me, this is THE book to follow in the Dark Reign storyline, and is a worthy monthly purchase.

Ender's Game: Battle School #3
To start things off, this issue marks a huge improvement pace-wise over the last issue of this series. It has also been revealed through Marvel's April solicitations that there will be another Ender's Game mini-series following this one that will portray Ender's time at command school. A very smart choice, as there is still alot of group to cover story-wise. This issue is heavy on the Battle Chamber scenes, and they're as beautifully done as you would expect. In this issue we see Ender rising through the ranks of his fellow classmates, and the the immense pressure that is being put on this young soldier. The book starts out with a depiction of a virtual game that Ender plays in which he must outwit a giant to gain access to a magical fairy land. This is essentially a metaphor for his journey throughout the rest of this issue, and the allusions to it work very well. Yost's handling of the script for this issue is much more deft and moves at a brisk yet satisfying pace. I'm also finally getting used to Pasqual Ferry's artwork, and I especially liked his depictions of the Giant's Drink game. After a great issue like this, I'm really looking forward to the future Ender's Game titles.

Long Box: Jan. 14, 2009

This is it folks; the last blog post I'll ever write during the Bush administration. It's been especially entertaining to see just how excited the comic industry is getting about the prospect of a new president. Marvel in particular is really cashing in on the whole occasion. Who would have thought a comic with the soon-to-be-president on the cover would illicit such a reaction? This week is mostly going to be catch-up for me; thanks mainly to the fact that I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of Young Liars #10, just as #11 hit the comic shops. Many thanks to the great guys at Universe of Superheroes in Athens (no website to speak of, otherwise I'd link) for holding some stuff for me while I was gone over break. So, without any further ado, here's the week in review:

Invincible Iron Man #9
I know I've gushed about this series in the past, but I'm going to go ahead and reiterate one last time. If you're not already reading Invincible Iron man, and you consider yourself a fan of the Marvel U, you owe it to yourself to start picking this one up on a monthly basis. Matt Fraction's writing for the series hasn't diminished in quality since issue #1. This month's edition continues the Dark Reign-centric arch that started last month. If the escalation in tensions between the general public and Tony Stark seemed dramatic last month, it doesn't even begin to describe how bad it gets in this issue. Stark takes some actions that firmly place him at the top of Osborn's to-kill list. What I especially like is how Fraction is bring together the characters of Stark and former S.H.I.E.L.D. commander Maria Hill. Like it or not, their destinies are intertwined at this point, and each is realizing how much they need the other's help if they plan to survive. I can't end this review without once again mentioning the art of Salvador Larroca. Not only does this guy continue to turn in some top notch art for this series, but dude also manages to provide a pretty cool cover to boot. Perhaps the best thing I can say about this series as a whole is that each month's story only makes me anticipate the next month's that much more. Go ahead, pick up a copy.

BPRD: The Black Goddess #1
I found this first issue of the new BPRD arch to be a little bit of a letdown after the explosive bombast of The Warning. This newest storyline picks up essentially right where the previeous series left off, with the BPRD still actively searching for the whereabouts of Liz Sherman. Not a whole lot of progress is made on that front in this issue, but good old Lobster Johnson is brought back into the fold thanks to a bevy of flashbacks. It's hard to tell how all of the information presented in this issue will payoff, but that uncertainty makes the cliff-hanger ending one that is very unsatisfying. That being said, Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are not a writing team that dissapoints on a regular basis. The guys might be trying to take things a little slower for an issue or two, change up the mood a little. Guy Davis' art really gets a chance to shine among all the narration and exposition. I feel like I'm unfairly bashing a comic that tells a better story than most, but I really expect more from these guys. Fans, pick this one up and hope things get a little bit more up to speed next month.

Young Liars #10
As frustrating as it was to have to wait to read this issue for so long, the experience of reading #10 and #11 back to back really heightened my enjoyment of this series. It's a great demonstration of just how versatile David Lapham can be with his writing. I'm pretty sure this issue is a precursor to the first issue, a flashback to happier times for the Liars. The focus of this issue is on the character of Big C, and explains the motives behind alot of her actions in previous issues. Here we learn about Big C's first botched pregnancy, and the amount of emtional trauma it caused her. Lapham really plays to the reader's emotions in this issue; it's not nearly a trippy or disjointed as recent issues have been. It fleshes out the character of Big C, while at the same time explaining the relationships she has with the rest of the Liars. After reading this issue, it's perfectly clear why Big C considers Sadie one her best freinds and Danny as one of her worst enemies. The last few pages are some gut-wrenching stuff, but Lapham handles it all very beautifully. An issue like this shows the emotional range that the Young Liars series really possesses.

Young Liars #11
I hope I'm not ruining too much by calling this issue aptly-titled, but the cover really says it all. This month's edition jumps straight back into the main storyline and brings the rest of the Liars gang back into the fold. Sadie finally gets her climactic showdown with her father, the reclusive owner of the Brown Bag Superstores. The way it all happens is just as crazy as anyone who has read previous issues would expect. I think my favorite scene was watching Donnie and Annie X toting M-16s, and running, guns-blazing, behind a determined Sadie. I won't ruin too much about this climactic event, suffice to say, Danny's feigned-obliviousness to the Sadie's past is fully exposed here, and in a rather shocking way. I can't wait to see where Lapham takes the story from here. Those of you looking to catch up with this amazing series should definitely get your hands on the recently released Young Liars Vol. 1: Daydream Believer TPB which collects issues #1-6 for the low price of 10 bucks.

Long Box: Dec. 17, 2008

Last week I didn't manage to get everything I'd planned on, hence the carry-over of some of last week's titles into this week's reviews (and I STILL don't have a copy of Young Liars #10, so I'll get to that at a later date). Here's the week in review:

Secret Invasion: Dark Reign
This one-shot marks the passing of the baton from the Secret Invasion arch to the new Dark Reign moniker. Unsurprisingly it picks up exactly where the last frame of Secret Invasion #8 left off, with Osborn gathering a group of some of the most preeminent baddies for a conference room showdown. The entire story is dialogue-driven but that's actually a good thing, as this sort of thing seems to be one of Bendis' real strengths. Osborn's proposal is a simple one; everyone gets to keep doing what their doing as long as they agree to do so under his jurisdiction. Of course, figures such as Dr. Doom and Namor aren't entirely comfortable submitting themselves to the control of someone such as Osborn. However, the former Green Goblin seems to have an ace up his sleeve, in the form of a 'friend' of his who hides in the shadow behind a door. Whatever this entity is, it seems to sway everyone into consenting to a somewhat unstable alliance. However the best part of this one-shot comes at the end when we get a textbook example of just how mentally unstable Osborn really is. It reads like a set-up for something better, and in reality it's really nothing more than that, but Bendis and company make this required reading for anyone who wants a taste of whats to come in the Marvel U.

The Invincible Iron Man #8
So begins the exodus of Tony Stark, and the downfall of S.H.I.E.L.D. Invincible Iron Man rushes straight into the Dark Reign story arch, with little explination. Stark has taken the blame for the Skrull invasion, has been stripped of his status as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and is now left to watch as Norman Osborn is put in charge. The issue begins with Starks right-hand woman Maria Hill clearing out her desk at S.H.I.E.L.D. It's a great scene that reveals just how much the position of Commander meant to her, but how glad she is to be leaving the now corrupt organization. Matt Fraction keeps the reconciliation coming as Iron Man flies around the ruined S.H.I.E.L.D. heli-carrier, surveying the damage and ruminating on his new role in an Osborn-controlled world. We also get some sexual tension in the form of an upgrade of Pepper Pot's repulsomagnetic chest piece by Stark, which is as about as endearing as it gets between these two. Stark's final act of aggression towards Osborn comes in the form of a crippling computer virus that re-ups Stark's status as the most wanted man alive. I loved the way Fraction dealt with the Secret Invasion aftermath in this issue; he keeps proving himself time and time again as one of the best writers Marvel has in their stable. I also really like the direction this series is taking; it's safe to say that as long as Dark Reign is in effect, this book will chronicle the continuing battle between Tony Stark and Norman Osborn.

BPRD: War on Frogs #2
I'm not really sure how Dark Horse is classifying this series, I was under the impression that the first one was a one-shot. Regardless of where it fits into the comic collector lexicon, this second book in the War on Frogs series requires no prior reading. It's a straight-up, bloody man versus monster story along that on more than one occasion recalls James Cameron's Aliens. We have our stereotypical military guys; the newbie, the grizzled leader, and the panic-y private. They're pitted against an enemy they don't fully understand in an environment they can't escape from, in this case the bowls of a beached ship. One by one, members of the team are eliminated in the most gruesome manner possible by their unseen foe. By the end, there's one man standing and help is nowhere in sight. It's fairly formulaic, but entirely enjoyable in its own right. John Severin's first foray into the BPRD universe as an artist is highly successful and, strangely enough, recalls the old Aliens books that Dark Horse used to publish (I know I'm laying it on heavy with the Aliens allusions, but read it and you'll see what I mean). The War on Frogs seems far from over, so my guess is we'll be seeing a few more of these in months to come.

Deadpool #5
Marvel's rekindling of the character of Deadpool under the creative direction of Daniel Way has to be one of the smartest decisions they've made this year. To me, Deadpool is one of the most interesting character's in Marvel's stable; a superhero who doesn't take himself, or anyone else for that matter, too seriously. Way's writing reflects this in exactly the way it should, including the return of the famous 'yellow boxes' which detail Deadpool's internal dialogue in an often humorous fashion. And I haven't even mentioned the art of Carlo Barberi, who provides a stylized yet realistic world for Deadpool to inhabit. This month's issue finishes up the zombie-infested plotline introduced last month in a uniquly satisfying manner. Perhaps one of the best moments is the two-page spread towards the end where Deadpool demolishes a castle to the tune of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"; it's comic book art and witty writing at its finest. If you're not already reading Deadpool, do yourself a favor and pick up the next issue, as it's the beginning of a new storyline; always the perfect jumping-on point for new readers. Deadpool is exactly what a comic should be; darkly funny and undeniably entertaining.

Long Box: Nov. 5, 2008

It must be one of those weeks, because I'm kicking off all kinds of new columns here on the blog. I've really been rekindling my love of comics as of late, so I figured I might as well start posting a few thoughts on the books I decide to pick up every week. Unfortunately, this week is a little bit of a lull, as it seems everyone is pushing back their big releases until December (here's looking at you Marvel) so I'll throw in a few books from last week to round things out...

The Invincible Iron Man #7
I've been really digging the writing on this series since issue #1; Matt Fraction makes this series a good place to start for anyone new to Iron Man. This issue serves as a coda to the excellent "Five Nightmares" storyline, guest starring Spiderman in a surprisingly big role for a book without his name on it. There are some great lines between the two, as they band together and round up black market arms dealers. Some very nice colors as well, something that has been a major strong point of the series thus far. My only qualm with this book is that I'm still not sure where this takes place in continuity compared to the current events of Secret Invasion. My guess is the next few issues will likely answer this question, but right now it's a little confusing.

Hellboy: In the Chapel of the Moloch
Hell yeah! Mike Mignola's long awaited return to drawing duties on a Hellboy comic is finally here in the form of this one-shot from Dark Horse. I've been excited about this one for weeks now, and while it doesn't quite live up to the hype, it does deliver a solid Hellboy story. Mignola's art defines Hellboy; his blocky simple style is what made the character who he is today. But, with all the recent guest artists who have been taking over drawing duties, leaving Mignola to focus on the script, us Hellboy fans have been spoiled with beautiful renderings of this classic character. Mignola's artwork, while great in its own right, pales a little bit in comparison to some of the more recent artists on the series. Chapel of the Moloch is a pretty standard romp into an old, possessed church with a great fight scene to cap things off. It just seems a little rushed, and the art is even less detailed than the early Hellboy books, which make's it seem like Mignola might have had too many things on his plate. It's a fun read, but not the return to form that I was hoping for.

Secret Invasion: Thor #3
I approached the Secret Invasion tie-ins with great apprehension. I wasn't about to waste my money on some meaningless side story which barely tied into the overarching plot. But Secret Invasion: Thor has kept me pretty satisfied throughout it's short run, despite the fact that it really has no bearing on the Secret Invasion story-arch. The art is the main draw; it's just an incredibly good looking book with a great amount of detail. The plot is a little thin, involving a Super Skrull (man, we've been seeing alot of these in the Marvel U lately) invading Asgard while Thor and Beta-Ray Bill fight back. This third and final issue is essentially one long fight scene, ending in the climactic squashing (literally) of their foe. The ending makes a half-assed attempt to tie itself into the events of Secret Invasion #6, but I think this storyline stands on its own. It's not an overwrought, self-referential mess like alot of Thor books I've read. It's a great intro to the modern iteration of the character of Thor, and a nice send-off to this 3-issue tie-in.