New comics

New comics!

Absolute Wonder Woman 14

Diana fights her evil “there’s always a cost to magic (ripped off of Jason Aaron’s Doctor Strange?)” doppelganger.  It’s a little anticlimactic.  (Literal deus ex machina w/ the goddess Gaia.)  Curious to see how Absolute Diana interacts w/ Absolute Bruce Wayne next issue.

Spider-Man Holiday Spectacular 1

Thanks to iFanboy for the rec.  A delightful little story by Rainbow Rowell.  Spider-Man goes to a bunch of superhero Christmas parties, and can’t comprehend that everyone actively wants him to be there.  Super sweet.  

Detective Comics 1103

I love it whenever Batman and Lois Lane interact.  There’s something about the mutual respect between the two of them that always makes for a crackling relationship.  Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin continue to put out the best possible version of classic superhero comics.  

One World Under Doom 9

Doom makes a bargain with the Living Tribunal in order to resurrect Valeria Richards.  The price is Doom’s reign, his power, and apparently his life.  All in all, very well executed by Ryan North and well drawn by RB Silva.  Marvel should put North in charge of more events.

Wonder Woman 27

Wonder Woman kicks the crap out of Mouse King, and it’s ridiculously satisfying.  I’m so ready for everyone to stop talking Mousespeak.

Capes 1

Reprinting Robert Kirkman’s original series, which I completely missed.  I’ll stick around until they get to the new material, which won’t be Kirkman written.  

Absolute Batman 14

Holy shit.  The battle between Batman and Bane may be one of the best comic book fight scenes I’ve ever read.  It just keeps escalating and escalating until the very end.  This may also be the only good use of the “big blobby thing as the boss fight” trope, one of my biggest pop culture pet peeves.  Seriously, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta created a masterpiece here. 

Absolute Batman 15

Jock guest-draws the origin of Absolute Joker.  It’s a Hob Gadling/Kingo (from Eternals) “immortal person passes himself off as the son of the previous generation” scenario.  Not bad, but not a high point of the series.  I do like Snyder’s “Joker is the one with the mansion and the grandfather clock leading down to a secret cave” twist.

Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League 5

Surprise surprise, Cheetah was in on it the whole time.  The crew pull off their heist, only to be betrayed (or not?) by Klarion at the end.  The plan itself was fine, but nothing particularly memorable.  Still, I’m enjoying myself.  

New comics

Assorted Crisis Events 7

Not the strongest of Deniz Camp’s efforts on this title, but good enough.  A guy keeps encountering dead versions of himself from other multiverses.  What does he do with the bodies?  How does it affect his psyche?  A downer of a story, as are most of these.  

Fantastic Four 6

Most of the issue is standard adventure-of-the-month, but the ending is set up really well, and I’m looking forward to see what Ryan North and Humberto Ramos do with this.

Children of the Round Table 4

What is it about Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo collaborations?  They’re both individually amazing, but both of their comics (this and Seven Secrets) just don’t click for me at all.  I’ll probably give this a few more issues, then bail.

Ultimate Spider-Man 23

Oh no, is Jonathan Hickman going to crash and burn on the landing?  This was going so good for over twenty issues, and now it’s going to falter?  Grah!  The various dilemmas here didn’t captivate me in any way.  I really hope he pulls it out.  It’d be such a shame.  (But, alas, hardly a surprise given Hickman’s track record.)

New Gods 12

Only a re-read will determine if this story was actually any good, but the quality of Evan Cagle’s art is not in question.  A+ work.  

Powers 25 3

Origin story of the cop from the end of issue 2.  This is so in Bendis’ wheelhouse.

Trinity 5

Middle Liz goes on a date with Jason Todd (of all people).  This should be a slam dunk for Tom King, but the fact that it’s Jason Todd keeps this from working for me.  

Batman/Deadpool 1

The DC side of the crossover.  This was mostly total crap.  Grant Morrison writes a shit main meta story.  The backup stories are completely forgettable (except for the excellent Tom Taylor/Bruno Redondo Nightwing/Wolverine/Honey Badger teamup).  

DC KO 1-2

I didn’t pick this up because the first issue was polybagged.  Luckily, the reprint wasn’t.  Elevator pitch: What if the extremely entertaining Deathmatch actually used DC IP?  It’s actually way more Battle Royale free-for-all than the bracket elimination tournament I was expecting.  But it’s still a lot of fun, which is really what something like this really needs to lean into.  

Partisan

Fuck.  Garth Ennis and Steve Epting have something magical going on over at TKO Comics.  This isn’t as good as Sara, but that’s one of the all-time greats.  This is both darker and more life-affirming at the same time.  God, this is good. 

Library books

Library books I read.

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

Written by Mark Seal, this is the story of how The Godfather was made.  An entertaining read for sure.  

How to Invent Things

Years ago, I saw a t-shirt with every useful scientific discovery printed on it.  “If you’re trapped in the past, these are the things you need to know.”  I could never find it again, which always made me sad.  Then I discovered that the brilliant Ryan North took the premise and wrote a whole book on it.  He does it with his customary humor and intelligence, and I love how he makes learning such a fun experience.  

He also wrote “How to Take Over the World,” which I started but wasn’t in the mindset to finish.  I’m sure I’ll get back to it someday.

A Month in the Country

I picked this up on the recommendation of some rare book seller on Youtube.  I figure it was slim enough to be worth the time investment.  It tells the story of a WWI vet recovering from PTSD as he restores an old church mural in a tiny, idyllic town.  I liked the concept and plot, but there was something about the writing that didn’t work for me.  It was a little too dreamy and abstract, and J.L. Carr doesn’t explain things quite enough.  I was forced to make just a few more connections than I wanted to, fill in a few more blanks than I was comfortable with.

Shogun

Shogun Season 1

I finally got around to watching this while I was on vacation in Tahoe.  I loved the book, but haven’t read it in years.  This didn’t disappoint, and deserved all the accolades and awards it won.  As far as I can tell, it stayed true enough to the James Clavell novel where it needed to, and strayed where it made sense.  Anna Sawai did a phenomenal job with an extremely complex and challenging role.  All the kudos to this series. 

New comics

Kaya 1-5

Picked up this trade because it got amazing reviews and I like Wes Craig’s art on Deadly Class.  This a Lone Wolf and Cub-type fantasy story, where a young girl must keep her ousted prince half-brother safe and deliver him to a faraway safe haven.  It’s not bad, but not good enough for me to buy more.

Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League 4

The heist kicks off, and is anyone buying that Cheetah’s playing the role of the wildcard?  This was already done in Ocean’s 11, and there’s no way this isn’t part of the plan.  

Assorted Crisis Events 6

So this might be an ongoing series now?  Deniz Camp writes a harrowing dementia allegory.  This is my nightmare scenario, to be trapped in my body as my mind goes, forcing those I love to care for me.  Kill me before it gets that bad.  

Absolute Green Lantern 8

I quit this with issue 6, and the issue 7 flip through shows me I made the right decision.  But Al Ewing gives us Sojourner’s origin story here, and it was compelling enough for me to buy it.  The next issue is on flip through watch as well.  

Runaways 5

As this much-appreciated miniseries ends, Doombot ceases to embrace the duality, Gert and Nico explore their new magical powers, and Alex might be back on the team?  I hope this does well enough for Rainbow Rowell to return in the future.

Voyeur 2

Issue 1 retold from the woman’s PoV.  Still enjoying it.  

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 10

I stopped enjoying this ages ago.  At least we’re finally done with this.

Absolute Batman Annual 1

Holy fuck can Daniel Warren Johnson write and draw a story.  So so visceral, and with an strong emotional core as well.  This was effing phenomenal.

New comics

Once again, I’m so far behind.

Scarlet v1 1-10

Scarlet v2 1-5

Despite his being one of my favorite writers, there are still a lot of Brian Michael Bendis gaps in my collection.  Scarlet was one of those by choice, as the subject matter didn’t really interest me much.  But I’ve become more of an Alex Maleev fan since it first came out, and I found the first two trades on sale, so it was an easy pickup.  

This is a wish-fulfillment “how could someone really push back against the corrupt law enforcement establishment” kind of story.  Bendis takes a ripped-from-the-headlines case of police brutality and extends it in a direction where one of the victims manages to get somewhere with her retaliation, sparking a revolution that extends beyond the noise and generates actual signal.  

It’s not bad, but Bendis has a hard time wrapping it up in any kind of realistic manner.  The plot starts off somewhat plausibly, and then completely spirals out of control.  It ends on a cliffhanger, and I’d pick it up any followups, but it’s not his best by any stretch.

Poison Ivy Annual 1

Credit to Jessica Fong for the beautiful cover.  It got me to take it off the shelf and flip through it, revealing the lovely Mark Buckingham.  This G Willow Wilson story is basically a retelling of the Lady in the Lake story, and given the standalone nature, I figured it was worth a pick up.  This would fit right in with Fables, and it’s a fun little read.

Children of the Round Table 3

This is such a slight story, I finish each issue wondering where the page count went.  But it’s pretty and I want to support the team of Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo.  

DIe: Loaded 1

Apparently I wouldn’t buy the original series if I had to do it all over again.  But here I am with this sequel series that I had no idea was happening.  Once again, I’m sucked into this world.  (Just like the characters…)  Like the first Die, each single issue might be stronger than the collected work.  We’ll see if present me is an idiot for ignoring the advice of past me.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring 4

Our serial killer Sam is falling into the classic comic book villain trap of playing with the detective, giving her a chance to figure it out before killing her.  I have no idea if she’s going to get away with it, and that’s what’s giving this story that extra oomph.  Patrick Horvarth really knows what he’s doing.  

Fantastic Four 5

This time, Ryan North pairs up Sue Storm with Felicia Hardy, solving a frame job to exonerate the Black Cat.  I buy her figuring the method, but not the culprit.  It’s a bit too far of a leap.  Still, it’s fun, and the Humberto Ramos art is more than plenty to cover up the writing flaws.

Absolute Superman 13

Turns out the Battle of Kansas is more of a siege.  It’s not bad, but this Superman just isn’t as relatable as the one in the main universe, and that makes all the difference in the world.  There’s a heart missing to this series that’s holding it back. 

Planet She-Hulk 1

I had zero interest in this, but once again, the value of a strong cover proves its worth.  Aaron Kuder is effing phenomenal, where’s he been?  (Looking…A bunch of Marvel stuff I haven’t read.)  Paired with some fun writing by Stephanie Phillips, this team has sold me on sticking around for a few more issues.

Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes 1

Erica Henderson tells the origin story of Harley and Ivy’s romance.  I’m not a fan of her work (a huge reason why I haven’t latched on to Squirrel Girl, which I really should try again now that I know Ryan North was the writer on it), but I love this couple and Henderson does a good enough job with this first issue. 

New comics

Children of the Round Table 2

Boilerplate stuff; the kids start training with their weapons and mysterious government agents start chasing them.  One of the kids’ grandmothers turns out to have known more than she let on.  Nothing to write home about.  But the art is fun, the colors are bright, and I have no problem supporting these creators.

Battle Beast 6

Same with Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley.  I’ll plunk down my cash for whatever they want to put out, but even more so.  

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 9

Chris Samnee puts in his usual good work, Loeb fully retcons Selina Kyle as a Falcone, and talk about people who have lost their fastball.  Between this and Batman: Hush II, Jeph Loeb is cementing my belief that he hasn’t written anything good in a long time.

Krypto 5

This series did not need to exist.  I did not need to buy it.  It’s a slight, pointless waste of time and Ryan North’s talents.  I would never have believed that it came from his pen.  

Wonder Woman 26

The origin of Mouseland.  It’s pretty ridiculous, and I don’t buy it.  The execution and art save it some, but not really.  I’ll be happy when Tom King and Daniel Sampere put this behind them.

One World Under Doom 8

Valeria Richards enters the fray, and Ryan North finally reveals how this whole thing is going to end.  (Unless he has one final twist, which I wouldn’t put past him.)

New Comics

New comics!

Fantastic Four 4

Alicia Masters is the hero of this issue, where her blindness is the only reason the alien threat to the family is discovered.  As usual, Ryan North takes a random scientific concept and builds the story around it to excellent, entertaining effect.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 12

The final issue of Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra’s run (with a talented roster of fill-ins at the beginning).  It’s not a masterpiece or anything, and this last issue is filled with a generic fight scene, but the run was always fun and gorgeous to look at.  Not sticking around for Gene Luen Yang’s run; TMNT doesn’t have the childhood nostalgic pull of Transformers or GI Joe, and I only hopped on for Aaron.

Detective Comics 1102

Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin’s run really harkens back to the days of Norm Breyfogle, Jim Aparo, and the pre-Knightfall Batman comics.  Standalone (or short arc) stories that are reliable, fun, and pretty much disposable.  Which I mean in a good way.  It’s all in the craft and execution, and this creative team has it in spades.

Ultimate Spider-Man 22

Setting up the final few issues.  Ultimate Superior Spider-Man shows up as Otto Octavius has apparently been officially recruited by Peter and Harry.  Here’s hoping that Jonathan Hickman can bring this home.  (Which would be a rare feat for him…)

Powers 25 2

God is it nice to be reading vintage Bendis dialogue again.  I love this man’s writing.  (I just picked up Scarlet for cheap in trade, can’t wait to read that for the first time.)

Absolute Wonder Woman 13

Horribly disappointed that Hayden Sherman didn’t draw this one, but Matias Bergara (who I don’t think I’ve seen before) does a fine job.  Still, hopefully this is just for this two-parter and Sherman returns post-haste. 

The War 3

Well that didn’t end the way I expected.  First of all, super happy that Ennis zagged with the home invasion cliffhanger.  The family still dies as expected but in a much darker (even for this story) manner than I imagined.  I don’t think it really works, but that doesn’t diminish the strength of these three issues.  (He lost the shutout, but not the complete game victory.)  Ennis can still bring the heat after so many years.  

Absolute Batman 13

Phew, Selena didn’t get wrecked by Bane, which I thought was the implication with the cliffhanger last issue.  I still love love love this book.

New Gods 11

I don’t love the Ram V story the way I love a lot of his other work.  I think it’s because the New Gods have never worked as more than a plot device for me, and making them the main characters is inherently never going to succeed.  But he does a serviceable job, and Evan Cagle takes the comic on his back and carries it across the line.  His work is flat out gorgeous.  

Movies

Some things I’ve seen:

Old Guard 2

I really liked the first movie, and was looking forward to this followup.  Unfortunately, this was ridiculously bad.  The action scenes don’t have the crisp efficiency of the original, the hokey mumbo jumbo about transferring immortality is insultingly stupid, Charlize has an epic-ly horrible haircut, and the film ends on a cliffhanger with zero resolution.  A complete disappointment.

Regret watching: Yes

Would watch again: No

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Stupid

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry

I watched this on Netflix because it looked like a light, breezy romance, which it mostly is.  I didn’t realize that it was based on a book by Gabrielle Zevin, who wrote Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.  Apparently the book is better than the movie, which tracks.  This isn’t bad at all, but it could definitely use some fleshing out.  Kunal Nayyar (of Big Bang Theory fame) does okay as the protagonist, and his relationship with Lucy Hale is cute enough.  But he doesn’t quite pull off the transformative effect his adopted daughter is supposed to have elicited.  

There’s one scene that I really like, where Hale meets the real author of the book that brought her and Nayyar together.  There’s a sadness and quiet pride to the interaction that’s beautiful.  

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: No

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Fine

New comics

New comics!

Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League 3

The crew has been assembled and the prep work begins.  This is a fun romp.

Absolute Superman 12

We get looped in to what Kal-El was up to during his early years on Earth.  Not bad, but not stand out, either.

New comics

 New comics!

New Gods 1-10

I’ve never cared for the New Gods, but I’ve been a fan of everything I’ve read from Ram V, so I thought I’d give this a shot.  I tried the first trade, and it was good enough that I picked up the next four issues.  I just found out it’s a twelve issue miniseries, and I’m definitely going to finish it off.  The art by Evan Cagle is absolutely phenomenal.  There’s a European look to it, stunning.  Sadly, I’m assuming it’s the crazy detailed nature of his art that necessitates the appearance of a guest artist doing at least a couple of pages every issue.  (And sometimes way more than that.)

The story isn’t bad as New God stories go.  I’ve just never cared for any of them aside from Barda and Scott Free.  

Assorted Crisis Events 1-5

Holy crap.  Issue 3 is one of the darkest things I’ve ever read.  And the rest of this anthology series isn’t a bucket of roses either.  Deniz Camp does what the best science fiction writers do; he takes a sci-fi conceit and then applies the darkness of humanity to it, so that it feels all too real and hauntingly terrifying.  Really glad I picked this up.

Wonder Woman 25

Not the biggest fan of this arc, but I’ll suffer through it.  Tom King and Daniel Sampere are still worth following.  

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring 3

Sam’s origin story.  This is so freaking good.  

Ultimate Spider-Man 21

Ultimate Mr Negative’s origin.  I’m so confused.  Is Gwen Stacy his sister?  Or been masquerading as his sister?  Or is he delusional?  Poor story telling by Jonathan Hickman.  (It’s finally caught up with him.)

DC vs Vampires: World War V 12

And so ends (presumably) this multi-volume saga.  Not as good as DCeased, but an entertaining, worthy effort by the always-dependable Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt.  

Detective Comics 1101

A new story arc.  Tom Taylor has really gone back to basics with Detective, self-contained adventures that are just solidly well-told.  I’m not complaining, especially if he continues to do it with Mikel Janin.  

Absolute Wonder Woman 12

If I could only read one comic a month, it would be this one. 

New comics

Battle Beast 5

Not enough fighting, but next issue looks to change that.

Deadpool/Batman 1

Marvel’s side of this inter-company crossover.  Nothing to write home about, but not horrible.  Actually, Frank Miller’s three pages were pretty horrible.  Is it safe to mark him as finished?  I’d be sad about it, but signs really point to yes.

Voyeur 1

A fun con comic with a sexy twist.  I’m in on this launch title from new publisher Ignition Press.  

Powers 25 1

Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming return, and boy is it nice to read Bendis again.  He disappeared from my radar after his DC tenure fizzled, and it’s nice to know that he hasn’t completely lost his stuff either.  

Short Game

I’m so happy to get more material from Mitsuru Adachi of Cross Game fame, but this collection of short stories isn’t nearly as good as his long work.