At some point, way back in the misty dawn of time [of this blog], I said this was a comics blog. It hasn't really turned out that way, aside from a few sketchbook pictures here and there. I thought it was high time I put in a couple of comic book reviews, just to spice things up.
The following is a series of very short reviews of comics I've read. Most of these come from the library where I work - we have a moderate collection. Because I'm lazy, the reviews will probably be quite short, depending on what I want to say about it. Also, if you've never heard of any of these comics or creators, all's the better - I've become a bit of a connoisseur, I've found, of comics nobody's ever heard of (although this review will include some more commonly-known titles and artists).
(By the way, starting from this point, I might be using the word "comickers" a lot - it simply means, "comic book artists". It's just a bit easier than saying "comic book artists" every single time).
Anyway, here they are.
1. The Acme Novelty Library
Chris Ware
Chris Ware, out of Chicago, is quite possibly my favorite comic book artist of all time. He comes from the strange, murky realm of artists who make comics - that is, they are artists first, and only comickers second. His highly technical machine-like style, together with the ubiquity of the cynical, future-happy Acme Company, contrast sharply with his themes of loneliness, abandonment, and anxiety as he follows a circus of ordinary losers around their heartbreakingly pathetic existences. I guess his characters, who have such unrealistic, unrealizable hopes, struck a cord with my younger self. You'll laugh and cry at the same time. Then the man will crush your soul. Then you will come back for more.
2. Rocco Vargas
Daniel Torres
This was a hardcover collection of Spanish comic book creator Daniel Torres' Rocco Vargas stories I picked up. The titular character is a sharp Spaniard in a zoot-suit who spends his time sitting around the pool of his resort cafe, wooing the ladies, and - sometimes - saving the solar system. The whole story is a piecemeal metaphor for the Cold War, but then it's hard to go wrong with that (see Rocky and Bullwinkle, for cryin' out loud). Torres' strong European "illustrative" approach to comic book work makes for an even more enjoyable read, blending a retro 'thirties feel with a streamlined Euro-comics look. Definitely a solid read, and surprisingly deep after the first couple of issues.
3. Punk Rock and Trailer Parks
Derf
And yes, I am a fan of the punk comics: at first I loathed them for their sheer hideousness and depravity, and then I grew to love them for exactly the same reason. Might make a couple myself. At any rate, here's a sweet little story about a gigantic, Tolkien-quoting, fart-recording, trailer-park-dwelling lunatic from Akron, Ohio, who refers to himself (in the third person!) as "The Baron". The story revolves around his senior year, the friends he makes, and the music he dives into headfirst. Along the way you'll meet his crazy next door neighbor who barks like a dog, his drunk former Communist great-uncle who drives everywhere on a lawn mower, and punk idols few have ever heard of (I certainly hadn't). The whole story vibrates with mad energy, thanks in part to the hideous and yet strangely compelling artwork; but at the same time it has a somber undertone: it's really about a struggling rust-belt town, and the means by which the denizens seek out escape. An awesome comic - if you're into that sort of thing.
4. Hellboy
Mike Mignola
Not a specific book; just Mike Mignola's whole Hellboy universe. Big Red and his team of freaky commandos battle various monsters, demons, and Lovecraftian threats, all in Mignola's distinctive "woodcut" style. Along the way you'll meet freakies like Abraham Sapien, Roger the Homunculus, Liz Sherman, and Johann Krauss. I personally liked the series best when Mignola was at the helm, but Guy Davis is doing quite all right with the spin-off, B.P.R.D. (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development). Definitely give this one a whirl.
5. Dungeon
Writer: Louis Trondheim
Artist: Joann Sfar
A long, rambling jaunt through the minds of Trondheim and Sfar, this time concerning a certain duck in a quasi-Dungeons-and-Dragons universe. The essence of the story is that a Dungeonmaster needs a new hero, and the duck signs up for the job; he is joined by his overseer/sidekick, an ornery yet sensitive half-dragon. Hijinks ensue. There is plenty of meandering through Sfar's beautiful scenery to take up a day or so, and plenty of weird characters to meet and laugh at along the way. On the whole, a good one.
6. Invincible, vol. 1
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker
This one surprised the hell out of me - it has a typical teen superhero fantasy look, but once you get into it, it is way out of the ordinary. The series follows the adventures of Mark Grayson, a high school kid who just happens to be the son of "Omni Man", the most powerful being on earth. Along the way, of course, he has to balance homework and girlfriends and saving the world, etc. The creators of Invincible do a nice job of toning back the soap opera aspect and allowing the drama to play out purely in the superheroic field; I also like that the main character isn't as annoying as Peter Parker has become, and in general the self-conscious superhero-cliche jokes aren't beaten like a dead horse. Added to that, there's also some very, very clever stuff in here (to me, at least): riffs on DC, Marvel, Watchmen, Star Trek, and comic book artists; and a brutal twist worthy of Alan Moore. Really comments on the nature of superheroes, especially Superman and his godlike ilk. (Also, it has one of the most awesome superheroes ever created: Monster Girl). On the whole, a fantastic read - really ranks up there with the best, in my book.
7. Tintin
Hergé
Again, not a specific title, but the whole shebang. A really charming comic - another done in the European "illustrative" style. Follows the adventures of Tintin, the Captain, and Tintin's dog Snowball as they traipse around the world, doing God-knows-what and getting in all sorts of trouble. The cartoony characters integrate nicely into their realistic world; Hergé is not a comic book artist per sé, nor even an artist-who-makes-comics; I guess you could say he is a combination of both in the way only European comickers can be (see Daniel Torres). A really solid set of adventure stories, and though not intended for kids, definitely kid-friendly to boot.
8. Buddy Does Seattle
Peter Bagge
Another one o' them Poorly Drawn Comics (PDC's) that I'm such a sucker for. This time it's set in Seattle, during the grunge epidemic, when seemingly everyone was shiftless, unwashed, and sexually deviant; the eponymous character lives in an apartment with two or three (or four) bizarre roommates. I dug Bagge's weird, apelike humans; "Stinky" Leonard is a favorite. The compilation is at its absolute best during the whole "Leonard and the Love Gods" escapade (there's a point at which the eponymous band screams, "I scream...you scream...we all scream...for HEROIN!!!!" that had me busting a gut laughing); at its worst when Buddy is interacting with the comic's annoying females. A good comic, on the whole.
8. Clan Apis
Jay Hosler
It's basically a textbook about bees told in story form: "Everything You Wanted to Know About Bees (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)". The main character is a bee named Nyuki, who is guided through the stages of growth and perils of the bee world by her mentor and friend, Dvorah. I liked the spare, black-and-white interior art, and the various arthropods are well-rendered. And who knew how much personality could be wrangled out of bee-faces? Kudos to Dr. Hosler on this one. All in all, a good read, and very informative to boot.
9. All-Star Action Classics: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Writer: Michael Mucci
Artists: Ben Caldwell, Bill Halliar
I don't know why I like this one. Maybe I shouldn't. But somehow the highly cartoonified look of the thing, when combined with Bram Stoker's words, make for a damn good comic. The character design for Dracula himself is possibly the most effective I've ever seen - neither the Bela Lugosi type, nor the metrosexual Twilight/Van Helsing/Underworld variety, but the grisly, cultured ghoul Stoker intended to portray. On the whole, surprisingly good - even if it is intended for kids.
And now, a couple that didn't pass muster...
1. Brooklyn Dreams
Writer: J. M. DeMatteis
Illustrator: Glenn Barr
This story centers around the childhood of narrator Vincent Carl Santini, and his odd life in Brooklyn with his crazy Italian stepfather and neurotic Jewish mother; the narrator appears every so often, but mostly you see his reflections upon his past. Reading it, I couldn't help wondering if the main character was a stand-in for the author - it had that kind of quasi-autobiographical feel to it. For the most part a good comic; lots of great characters keep things interesting, and I'm generally up for a "slice of life" comic every now and then. Personally, I wished the narrator wouldn't show up quite so often, especially since he tends to pop in and start another narrative tangental to the first. Essentially you're hopping around between all sorts of different thoughts. I suppose this makes for a more "conversational" experience - as if you're just stopping by for a chat - but mostly it's just irritating. There's also an attempt at mysticism that doesn't work very well: as a child, the narrator is frightened by his "inner demons"; but the adult narrator has an annoying "I've got it all figured out now" attitude that becomes more and more annoying as the book goes on (there's even a dedication to the Meher Baba, the "King of Hearts", if I remember correctly). On the whole, a so-so comic book; a few good stories, but nothing memorable.
2. Tellos: Reluctant Heroes
Writer: Todd Dezago
Artist: Mike Wieringo
This story concerns the adventures of Jarek, a human boy, and his man-tiger sidekick, Koj, along with several ancellary characters, including a beautiful pirate and a pair of luckless thieves; they are menaced by the villain Malesus and his horde. If one word could describe this comic, it is slick - or at least an attempt at it, artwise. Lots of little special effects thrown in (I think even a lens flare or two), and I'm pretty sure the coloring is in Photoshop. Personally I count that as a strike against it - then again, might be personal taste. Somebody else might be annoyed with the giant gloves, a la Kingdom Hearts or Fable, that everybody seems to be wearing in this one. And then there's the general busy-ness of the panels. And the mediocre dialogue. And, to top it all off, one of the lamest uber-villains in the history of storytelling - true, it was an original touch to make Sauron into a blue teenager in a shirt and jeans, but then you should make him really evil to compensate, and the creators of this one...didn't. A couple of good things here, too: the layouts are pretty, the world is kind of cool, and at some point there was a dragon smoking a blunt (but of course the idea didn't go anywhere). The best part of the whole collection, really, was the "Tellos: Prelude" in the back, which had a fairly tight story, and a satisfying twist at the end. On the whole, though, a pretty mediocre effort - a couple of Photoshop effects, an attempt at "cool" character design, and some good ideas that don't really go anywhere.
The following is a series of very short reviews of comics I've read. Most of these come from the library where I work - we have a moderate collection. Because I'm lazy, the reviews will probably be quite short, depending on what I want to say about it. Also, if you've never heard of any of these comics or creators, all's the better - I've become a bit of a connoisseur, I've found, of comics nobody's ever heard of (although this review will include some more commonly-known titles and artists).
(By the way, starting from this point, I might be using the word "comickers" a lot - it simply means, "comic book artists". It's just a bit easier than saying "comic book artists" every single time).
Anyway, here they are.
1. The Acme Novelty Library
Chris Ware
Chris Ware, out of Chicago, is quite possibly my favorite comic book artist of all time. He comes from the strange, murky realm of artists who make comics - that is, they are artists first, and only comickers second. His highly technical machine-like style, together with the ubiquity of the cynical, future-happy Acme Company, contrast sharply with his themes of loneliness, abandonment, and anxiety as he follows a circus of ordinary losers around their heartbreakingly pathetic existences. I guess his characters, who have such unrealistic, unrealizable hopes, struck a cord with my younger self. You'll laugh and cry at the same time. Then the man will crush your soul. Then you will come back for more.2. Rocco Vargas
Daniel Torres
This was a hardcover collection of Spanish comic book creator Daniel Torres' Rocco Vargas stories I picked up. The titular character is a sharp Spaniard in a zoot-suit who spends his time sitting around the pool of his resort cafe, wooing the ladies, and - sometimes - saving the solar system. The whole story is a piecemeal metaphor for the Cold War, but then it's hard to go wrong with that (see Rocky and Bullwinkle, for cryin' out loud). Torres' strong European "illustrative" approach to comic book work makes for an even more enjoyable read, blending a retro 'thirties feel with a streamlined Euro-comics look. Definitely a solid read, and surprisingly deep after the first couple of issues.3. Punk Rock and Trailer Parks
Derf
And yes, I am a fan of the punk comics: at first I loathed them for their sheer hideousness and depravity, and then I grew to love them for exactly the same reason. Might make a couple myself. At any rate, here's a sweet little story about a gigantic, Tolkien-quoting, fart-recording, trailer-park-dwelling lunatic from Akron, Ohio, who refers to himself (in the third person!) as "The Baron". The story revolves around his senior year, the friends he makes, and the music he dives into headfirst. Along the way you'll meet his crazy next door neighbor who barks like a dog, his drunk former Communist great-uncle who drives everywhere on a lawn mower, and punk idols few have ever heard of (I certainly hadn't). The whole story vibrates with mad energy, thanks in part to the hideous and yet strangely compelling artwork; but at the same time it has a somber undertone: it's really about a struggling rust-belt town, and the means by which the denizens seek out escape. An awesome comic - if you're into that sort of thing.
4. Hellboy
Mike Mignola
Not a specific book; just Mike Mignola's whole Hellboy universe. Big Red and his team of freaky commandos battle various monsters, demons, and Lovecraftian threats, all in Mignola's distinctive "woodcut" style. Along the way you'll meet freakies like Abraham Sapien, Roger the Homunculus, Liz Sherman, and Johann Krauss. I personally liked the series best when Mignola was at the helm, but Guy Davis is doing quite all right with the spin-off, B.P.R.D. (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development). Definitely give this one a whirl.
5. Dungeon
Writer: Louis Trondheim
Artist: Joann Sfar
A long, rambling jaunt through the minds of Trondheim and Sfar, this time concerning a certain duck in a quasi-Dungeons-and-Dragons universe. The essence of the story is that a Dungeonmaster needs a new hero, and the duck signs up for the job; he is joined by his overseer/sidekick, an ornery yet sensitive half-dragon. Hijinks ensue. There is plenty of meandering through Sfar's beautiful scenery to take up a day or so, and plenty of weird characters to meet and laugh at along the way. On the whole, a good one.6. Invincible, vol. 1
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker
This one surprised the hell out of me - it has a typical teen superhero fantasy look, but once you get into it, it is way out of the ordinary. The series follows the adventures of Mark Grayson, a high school kid who just happens to be the son of "Omni Man", the most powerful being on earth. Along the way, of course, he has to balance homework and girlfriends and saving the world, etc. The creators of Invincible do a nice job of toning back the soap opera aspect and allowing the drama to play out purely in the superheroic field; I also like that the main character isn't as annoying as Peter Parker has become, and in general the self-conscious superhero-cliche jokes aren't beaten like a dead horse. Added to that, there's also some very, very clever stuff in here (to me, at least): riffs on DC, Marvel, Watchmen, Star Trek, and comic book artists; and a brutal twist worthy of Alan Moore. Really comments on the nature of superheroes, especially Superman and his godlike ilk. (Also, it has one of the most awesome superheroes ever created: Monster Girl). On the whole, a fantastic read - really ranks up there with the best, in my book.7. Tintin
Hergé
Again, not a specific title, but the whole shebang. A really charming comic - another done in the European "illustrative" style. Follows the adventures of Tintin, the Captain, and Tintin's dog Snowball as they traipse around the world, doing God-knows-what and getting in all sorts of trouble. The cartoony characters integrate nicely into their realistic world; Hergé is not a comic book artist per sé, nor even an artist-who-makes-comics; I guess you could say he is a combination of both in the way only European comickers can be (see Daniel Torres). A really solid set of adventure stories, and though not intended for kids, definitely kid-friendly to boot.8. Buddy Does Seattle
Peter Bagge
8. Clan Apis
Jay Hosler
It's basically a textbook about bees told in story form: "Everything You Wanted to Know About Bees (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)". The main character is a bee named Nyuki, who is guided through the stages of growth and perils of the bee world by her mentor and friend, Dvorah. I liked the spare, black-and-white interior art, and the various arthropods are well-rendered. And who knew how much personality could be wrangled out of bee-faces? Kudos to Dr. Hosler on this one. All in all, a good read, and very informative to boot.9. All-Star Action Classics: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Writer: Michael Mucci
Artists: Ben Caldwell, Bill Halliar
I don't know why I like this one. Maybe I shouldn't. But somehow the highly cartoonified look of the thing, when combined with Bram Stoker's words, make for a damn good comic. The character design for Dracula himself is possibly the most effective I've ever seen - neither the Bela Lugosi type, nor the metrosexual Twilight/Van Helsing/Underworld variety, but the grisly, cultured ghoul Stoker intended to portray. On the whole, surprisingly good - even if it is intended for kids.And now, a couple that didn't pass muster...
1. Brooklyn Dreams
Writer: J. M. DeMatteis
Illustrator: Glenn Barr
This story centers around the childhood of narrator Vincent Carl Santini, and his odd life in Brooklyn with his crazy Italian stepfather and neurotic Jewish mother; the narrator appears every so often, but mostly you see his reflections upon his past. Reading it, I couldn't help wondering if the main character was a stand-in for the author - it had that kind of quasi-autobiographical feel to it. For the most part a good comic; lots of great characters keep things interesting, and I'm generally up for a "slice of life" comic every now and then. Personally, I wished the narrator wouldn't show up quite so often, especially since he tends to pop in and start another narrative tangental to the first. Essentially you're hopping around between all sorts of different thoughts. I suppose this makes for a more "conversational" experience - as if you're just stopping by for a chat - but mostly it's just irritating. There's also an attempt at mysticism that doesn't work very well: as a child, the narrator is frightened by his "inner demons"; but the adult narrator has an annoying "I've got it all figured out now" attitude that becomes more and more annoying as the book goes on (there's even a dedication to the Meher Baba, the "King of Hearts", if I remember correctly). On the whole, a so-so comic book; a few good stories, but nothing memorable.2. Tellos: Reluctant Heroes
Writer: Todd Dezago
Artist: Mike Wieringo
This story concerns the adventures of Jarek, a human boy, and his man-tiger sidekick, Koj, along with several ancellary characters, including a beautiful pirate and a pair of luckless thieves; they are menaced by the villain Malesus and his horde. If one word could describe this comic, it is slick - or at least an attempt at it, artwise. Lots of little special effects thrown in (I think even a lens flare or two), and I'm pretty sure the coloring is in Photoshop. Personally I count that as a strike against it - then again, might be personal taste. Somebody else might be annoyed with the giant gloves, a la Kingdom Hearts or Fable, that everybody seems to be wearing in this one. And then there's the general busy-ness of the panels. And the mediocre dialogue. And, to top it all off, one of the lamest uber-villains in the history of storytelling - true, it was an original touch to make Sauron into a blue teenager in a shirt and jeans, but then you should make him really evil to compensate, and the creators of this one...didn't. A couple of good things here, too: the layouts are pretty, the world is kind of cool, and at some point there was a dragon smoking a blunt (but of course the idea didn't go anywhere). The best part of the whole collection, really, was the "Tellos: Prelude" in the back, which had a fairly tight story, and a satisfying twist at the end. On the whole, though, a pretty mediocre effort - a couple of Photoshop effects, an attempt at "cool" character design, and some good ideas that don't really go anywhere.
Comments