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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Thursday, March 13, 2008
From Comics Buyer's Guide #1640:
"I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"
- Harry Callahan, 1971
What does the "program director" of a show like Mid-Ohio-Con do? I didn't keep track of how many hours I spent working on the 2007 show, but I did save all my MOC-related e-mails. They added up to an astonishing 1098.
I have no doubt that other smarter program directors manage to do what I do a lot more efficiently. Promoter Roger Price copies me on all guest requests and signings. From these, I start coming up with ideas for panels. I try to design the panel program around the guests and things that have proved popular in the past. Then I start contacting guests, getting their consent to be on panels, scheduling the panels over the two-day show, consulting frequently with Roger Price...my assistants Gary Herrmann, Jeff Martin, and Don Hilliard...the absolutely indispensable Bob Ingersoll and Thom Zahler...and those guests like Mark Evanier, Maggie Thompson, Robyn Griggs, and Scott Crawford who are kind of enough to volunteer to host a panel or three for me. Finally, I write the panel copy for the show's program book while Gary and Jeff create amazing spread sheets to coordinate, well, everything.
This year, just before the show, I tried something different. I sent "Tony's Panelist Tips" to all the guests who had agreed to be part of our program. Much to my delight, I got a whole bunch of compliments on these tips. One guest told me he's saving them to read before every show he attends.
Being the generous kinda guy I am, I'm sharing these tips with you. Consider it a remarkably late and remarkably cheap Christmas present. Who loves you, baby?
Here's what I sent to Mid-Ohio-Con's guests:
Most of you aren't strangers to participating on convention panels, so I'll apologize in advance for this mass e-mail and if these tips strike you as blatantly obvious. Take from them what you will.
Prior to your panel, say, in the next day or two, you should e-mail me these two things:
1) How you would like to be introduced by the host/moderator of the panels you're on...
For example:
"On the panel, we have Brad Silver, writer/artist of Squid Squad, winner of the 2005 Wizard Award for Most Extraneous Cross-Hatching, and a native of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota."
2) What questions about your past or current/upcoming work you want the host to ask about. This is your chance to focus on what you'd most like to plug. You can't count on the fans to ask the "right" questions, but you can usually count on the host.
As you send me your intro and question information, I'll pass it on to the hosts of your panels. If you wish to communicate with them directly, I'll send you their e-mail address.
In the event you do not send me your intro and question info, we'll go online to research you. You should imagine us asking you this in our best Clint Eastwood voice:
"I know what you're thinking. What's in my Wikipedia entry? Is it accurate? Well, tell you the truth, in all this excitement of getting ready for Mid-Ohio-Con, I never got around to fact-checking it. But being as how it's Wikipedia, the most powerful misinformation engine in the world, and could blow your rep clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question:
"Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"
My crack team of assistants, notably Gary Herrmann and Jeff Martin, will be reminding you when it's time to head to the panel room for your moments to shine. But please keep your own eyes on the time as well.
Before the panel, think about how you want to present yourself to the fans and what you want to say.
One never knows what the audience will ask:
"Brad, is it true you're the love child of John Byrne and Ann Coulter?"
The host will do his/her best to defuse such moments.
When you answer a question, do listen to that little voice in your head telling you that you're going on way too long and that you're being a boring twit. By all means, tell your stories with relish, but also take aim for the points you want to make.
The panels run 45-55 minutes. The hosts will end them when their time is up or when there are no more questions and you can hear the echo of your own breathing in the room.
Be enthusiastic and positive. Have a good time or, at least, act like you're having a good time.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
Love you all madly,
Tony Isabella
Program Director
Mid-Ohio-Con
Following the convention, I send "thank you" e-mails to every panel crew member and participant. When I write this down, those 1098 e-mails don't seem like that many, do they?
Once that "thank you" notes have been sent, I collapse for as long as my deadlines and family will allow. Then I get back to my writing and my reviewing.
Let's see how that works out for me today.
There's always so much going on in the Marvel Universe, that I always seem to be a big event or two behind the rest of the kids. I haven't read any of the big X-Men stories of 2007, nor the second wave of Annihilation, but I did take a couple days recently to read World War Hulk and all its spin-off titles from the first shot to the final battle.
World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker #1 [$3.99] was a decent set-up for readers who hadn't followed Greg Pak's year-long "Planet Hulk" story in Incredible Hulk. Peter David's "Casus Belli" did a decent job summing up that story and making a pretty good case for the Hulk going to war against Iron Man, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange, the four arrogant men who considered themselves above the law and fired the Hulk off into space. The events those guys put into motion led to the tragedy that befell the Hulk's new world and those about to befall our own. This issue also included a reprint of the Amazing Fantasy story that introduced Amadeus Cho, the seventh smartest person on Earth and a staunch friend and defender of the Hulk.
Pak and artists John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson deserve major props for World War Hulk #1-5 [$3.99 each], arguably the best company crossover of the past decade or more. About a week of Marvel-time passes during the series, making it easy for connected titles to work their stories around it.
The Hulk is an unstoppable force of vengeance and even rough justice in the event. Does he go too far is his actions, justified or not? Of course, he does. But watching him take down those who wronged him, one by one, is exciting and terrifying. This is power exercised on a level rarely seen in comics. I abhor the excesses of Hulk and his allies, but I don't deny that I was thrilled to see Tony Stark get his head handed to him.
Pak kept the story edgy from start to finish. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There were twists a'plenty along the way, leading to a truly satisfying conclusion to the war. I don't know if Marvel will follow through on the logical consequences of World War Hulk - that sort of follow through has not been a strong suit at either Marvel or DC - but the series on its own ranks with the best Marvel Universe stories of all time.
Pak also wrote Incredible Hulk #106-111 [$2.99 each], focusing more on the Hulk's allies than the Hulk himself. Cho puts together a Champions reunion of sorts with Hercules and the Angel, adding Namora to the team. Rick Jones features prominently as does Miek of the Warbound. It's a solid run with consistently good art from Gary Frank, Leonard Kirk, and others.
A quick word on Amadeus Cho, who is perhaps the most competent character in this crossover. As befits his youth, he is passionate about his cause, but he's also moral and wise enough to know when the Hulk has crossed a line. In my pre-review notes, I wrote "this kid should be running SHIELD or maybe even the whole damn country." I hope we see much more of him in the Marvel Universe.
The various World War Hulk spin-offs are the mixed bag that you would expect. The good writers do a good job with them and the less-than-good writers don't.
Paul Jenkins is a great writer, so it came as no surprise to me that his six-issue World War Hulk: Front Line [$2.99 each] was the best of the spin-offs. Former Daily Bugle reporter Ben Urich and former Alternative reporter Sally Floyd, two of the very best characters in the Marvel Universe, are running their own newspaper and scooping their former employers. Floyd is dating detective Danny Granville of New York's Costume Division, New York City is getting hammered, and Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson is fuming at his new competition's success.
Front Line is divided into three series. Floyd and Urich are covering the story from the war zone with Floyd going through some rough times. Granville is paired with one of the Hulk's Warbound to investigate the death of an alien robot. Rounding out the six issues are short parodies of World War Hulk. The reporter stuff is outstanding, the cop stuff is very good, and the humor stuff takes some warming up to. But, as with Civil War: Front Line, this book is as good or better than the main event.
The worst spin-off is the virtually unreadable Heroes For Hire: World War Hulk, Heroes For Hire #11-15 [$2.99 each], by writer Zeb Wells and several artists. The "heroes" are either unrecognizable, uninteresting, or unlikeable, and sometimes all three. The padded storyline involves the insect members of Hulk's army trying to turn our world into their very own nest. The issues revel in brutality, gore, torture, and government and personal immorality. At the end of the arc, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing question what they have become. Me, I just hope that the next writer who works with them treats them more respectfully than did Wells.
Only slightly better is the four-issue World War Hulk: Gamma Corps by writer Frank Tieri and artist Carlos Ferreira. About as unnecessary an add-on as you can imagine, it stars a team of gamma-mutated individuals whose paths have crossed that of the Hulk and who blame the Hulk for the great misfortunes of their lives. Like much of Tieri's work, it is brutal, mean-spirited fare that takes far too long to reach its clumsy conclusion wherein the "Revenge Squad" has its admittedly surprising change of heart. The characters are still around at the end of the series, but no one at Marvel should be in a hurry to use them again.
The rest of the spin-offs fall between Front Line and Heroes For Hire/Gamma Squad.
Christos N. Gage and artist Butch Guice did a remarkably good job on The Invincible Iron Man #19 and #20 [$2.99 each]. I make no secret that I see Tony Stark as a war criminal and fitting counterpart to the real-life child of privilege currently residing in the White House, so I'm pleased when the megalomaniacal Avenger gets his head handed to him by the Hulk. On the other hand, Cage does a terrific job showing the magnitude of the responsibilities which Stark manipulated his way into being granted and the man's nigh-suicidal willingness to play God. That forthcoming big budget movie notwithstanding, Stark is the scariest villain in the Marvel Universe.
Gage also did an admirable job on World War Hulk: X-Men [$2.99 each]. Charles Xavier was not presented when Stark and the others decided to shoot the Hulk into space. In this three-issue series, the Hulk "visits" the Xavier Institute to ask the Professor how he would have voted had he voted. The action sequences of the X-Men trying to protect Xavier are a little padded, but the meat of this tale is that question and the response it receives. Terrific art by Andrea DiVito is also deserving of praise.
Though I haven't been reading Ghost Rider, issues #12 and #13 [$2.99] were easy to follow. Johnny Blaze is again the Rider, but he's struggling for control of his supernatural powers. The first of the two issues is a set-up for the second issue's intense battle with the Hulk, but the real and more interesting fight is between Blaze, trying to stop the Hulk, and his other self, who feels this is not their concern. The Rider exists to avenge the innocent and the Hulk's targets are far from that. Writer Daniel Way and artist Javier Saltares delivered solid work, but these issue aren't key to World War Hulk.
Nor is The Irredeemable Ant-Man #10 [$2.99] key to the event. But it does use the war to bring its ignoble protagonist to a major turning point in his life and fortunes. Written by Robert Kirkman with art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks, it's a good comic book about a man who's considerably less than a good man.
Written by Dan Slott, whose work I usually enjoy, Avengers: The Initiative #4 and #5 [$2.99 each] are weak additions to World War Hulk and to the title's continuity. The trainees are sent to help evacuate New Yorkers, but disobey orders and try to tackle the Hulk themselves. The always-nasty Peter Gyrich sends a rescue team after them, taking advantage of the dire situation to pursue his own agenda. The key lesson of this series seems to be that you can't trust Tony Stark and his super-goons, a lesson the citizens of the Marvel Universe should've learned by now. Just five issues into its run, Avengers: The Initiative already needs a new and more interesting direction.
Much to my surprise, Punisher War Journal #12 [$3.99] was an excellent sidebar to World War Hulk. In the story by writer Matt Fraction and artist Ariel Olivetti, the Punisher and Stuart Clarke, his weapons guy, help a family and other left-behind New Yorkers escape from a mess of savage bug-creatures. It's a nice change-of-pace to see Frank Castle as a protector; his showdown with the head bug is pretty spiffy. However, it should be noted that part of my delight stems from my late-in-the-game realization that I created Stuart Clarke back in the 1970s as a villain for The Champions. He wasn't a great favorite of mine, but it's nice to see him playing a key supporting role in this title.
Then we have World War Hulk: Aftersmash #1 [$3.99], the last battle of the conflict. Written by Greg Pak and drawn by Rafa Sandoval, the story isn't the last we'll be seeing of its featured characters, but it does put an end to the war. The Hulk isn't seen in this tale, though the unconscious form of Bruce Banner is shown once. Some combatants make peace with their enemies. Some choose to defy Stark and do their good works outside his reach. Some will be forever hated by the humans they attacked. Some will be haunted by what they did and saw in the war. And, of course, Tony Stark himself remains an evil mastermind who truly deserves a cap busted in his ass. If the Marvel writers deal honestly and logically with what was revealed during this war, their future stories will be of keen interest to me.
One more note before we get to the scores. In addition to the lead story, Aftersmash also features a three-page World War Hulk parody by Chris Giarrusso and previews of The Incredible Herc #112, Warbound #1, and a new Damage Control #1.
I rate comic books and other things on a scale of zero to five Tonys. An explanation of what these Tony-heads represent should be floating around this column somewhere. That said, let's check out the scores for World War Hulk and its companion titles.
World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker: four Tonys.
World War Hulk #1-5: five Tonys.
Incredible Hulk #106-111: four Tonys.
World War Hulk: Front Line #1-6: five Tonys.
Heroes For Hire #11-15: no Tonys.
World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1-4: one Tony.
Invincible Iron Man #19-20: three Tonys.
World War Hulk: X-Men: three Tonys.
Ghost Rider #12 and #13: three Tonys.
Irredeemable Ant-Man #10: three Tonys.
Avengers: The Initiative #4 and #5: two Tonys.
Punisher War Journal #12: four Tonys.
World War Hulk: Aftersmash: three Tonys.
That's a whole lot of Tonys. I'll have to order a new supply before my next column.
******
BLOGGY BITS
There's a chance of column plans over what I told you earlier this week. With Justin heading to Wizard World Los Angeles today, there will be no TOTs for tomorrow or for Monday, March 17. However, to make up for those skipped columns, we'll be adding TOTs for Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back on Tuesday with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 03/12/2008 | 03/13/2008 | 03/19/2008 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
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