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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 Friday, April 25, 2008
I'll be appearing as a guest at the Screaming Tiki Con on October 17-29 at the Eastwood Expo Center in Niles, Ohio. This might just be my only convention of the year, though I am waiting to hear from other promoters.
Gary Friedrich, the creator of the non-western Ghost Rider and the writer of so many fine Sgt. Fury stories, recommended the show to me and then recommended me to the show. Now just being able to hang with Gary and his wife Jean would have been incentive enough to get me to the show, but there are other cool guests and exhibits as well.
From the Batman TV show of the 1960s, there's Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar. West was a terrific guest at a couple of Mid-Ohio-Con while I've never had the pleasure of meeting Ward or Newmar. I'm looking forward to seeing them.
From Superman: The Movie, the show is presenting Sarah Douglas and Margot Kidder. I met Douglas at last year's Mid-Ohio-Con and liked her a lot...and I spoke to Kidder, who had to cancel her MOC appearance last year, and liked her a lot.
Peter "Chewbacca" Mayhew will also be there, along with comics guests Todd Dezago, Craig Rousseau, Peter Smith, Dave Aikins, Andy Bennett, Michael San Giacomo, and others. More guest announcements are forthcoming.
Three of the great cars of adventure will be on display during the show: Batman's classic Batmobile, Speed Racer's Mach V, and Knight Rider's K.I.T.T. Hmm...I should do a Tony Polls question on which is the coolest hero vehicle.
There will also be panels and special events for the kids who come to the show. For more info, go to:
www.screamingtikicon.com
As I said above, this could be my only convention of the year. But, if I add any other shows to my schedule, I'll let you know about them right here.
******
BONES: BURIED DEEP
Bones: Buried Deep by Max Allan Collins [Pocket Star; $7.99] is based on the television series created by Hart Hanson and featuring the character created by Kathy Reichs. I read a review referring to this as "reverse engineering" from the original Reichs novels, but, not having read her books, I came to this one bringing naught save my enjoyment of the TV show.
Collins is one of my favorite writers and he didn't disappoint me here. FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth is in Chicago, a city well known to Collins, working on bringing down a mob family when that case is upended by two events. The first is that his star witness disappears. The second is that a skeleton, wired together from a number of skeletons, is dumped on the steps of a federal building. Are the two events connected?
Booth calls in Doc Temperance Brennan from the Smithsonian in D.C. She's not thrilled to be dragged away from her state-of-the-art lab, but, after a second skeleton is deposited in an alley with special meaning to the F.B.I., she takes a keen an interest in both of these cases - the mob family and the possible serial killer - as Booth himself. Things get a little crazy.
This novel takes place early in the Brennan/Booth partnership, which threw me at first. Brennan takes offensive to her nickname and says "I don't know what that means" so often that it reminded me how annoying the originally funny and revealing line became when overused in the early episodes of the TV show. That's my only real negative on this book, though I would have liked to see Brennan and Booth in their usual setting. Maybe next book.
Collins does his usual fine job with his cops and gangsters in this novel. If a player from either side has a role in his story, Collins elevates him from plot functionary to a more fully realized character. His books always feel true.
Bones: Buried Deep earns an impressive four out of five Tonys. Collins should write a bad book sometime, just to surprise me. But I don't think he has it in him.
******
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
The Brave and the Bold #1 [DC; $2.99] is easily one of the best super-hero comics I've read in years. Writer Mark Waid, teamed with the amazing George Perez, started with a eye-catching mystery and proceeded to weave a story utilizing Batman and Green Lantern and as well as or better than any other DCU writer. I was especially delighted to see "my" Batman in this issue, a supremely capable and confident hero who isn't a dick. It was a great start to an epic that will run twelve issues.
After reading this, I immediately read the next ten issues and was further impressed by how well Waid and Perez unfolded a truly big story featuring dozens of characters. Not even Waid and Perez can make me like Lobo, but, man, did they push my "veteran comics fan" buttons with their use of the Blackhawks, the Boy Commandoes, the Metal Men, the Silent Knight, the Silver Age Teen Titans, and, especially, the Challengers of the Unknown. Also most noteworthy: the uneasy alliance of Superman and Ultraman, and the latter's fear of his universe's version of Mxyzptlk. I can't wait to see where this all ends.
DC Comics probably doesn't appreciate what they have in this title; it doesn't fit easily into the damaged DC Universe of their other super-hero titles. Sadly, with Waid leaving around issue #16 or so, I fear the fun will leave with him. Still, let's enjoy this special series while we can.
The Brave and the Bold #1-11 earn the full five out of five Tonys. The first six issues have been reprinted in a spiffy hardcover with introduction and annotations by Waid. Your public library should buy this book and, whenever it comes out, the second volume as well. Ask them nicely.
******
BLOGGY BITS
Speaking of conventions...
I'm envious of comics creators who can so easily "network" at conventions. Maybe it's because my self-confidence has taken a bit of a beating over the years, but it's not a skill I possess to any marketable degree.
You can probably figure out when my confidence started going south on me, but the kicker probably came at a pair of conventions. At a Chicago event, I was - I thought - offered a job as an editor and writer for a new, well-funded outfit. The plan was to finalize the deal in San Diego and then spend a week in Los Angeles getting ready for my move. It was a difficult decision to make - neither Barb or myself were overjoyed with the notion of my being away from her and our kids - but it seemed like a terrific opportunity for me and, eventually, our family.
Until I actually got to San Diego.
Where the person who had offered me the job dodged me for the entire convention until I caught up with him Sunday.
Which is when he told me there was no editor's job for me and no writing for me and that he wouldn't be in Los Angeles for what was supposed to have been my orientation week. He'd be on vacation. Imagine my mortification.
I did go to Los Angeles and, despite spending time with some dear friends, I was utterly miserable. In a stupid attempt to make myself feel better, I ran up enormous credit card bills that I'd be paying off for the next year. Trust me on this: stuff will not get you through times of no work better than meaningful work will get you through times of no stuff.
After that West Coast adventure, I never really conducted any business at conventions. I tried. I'd call editors and publishers in advance and set up meetings, only to get to the cons and be told they couldn't squeeze me into their schedules. Friends would try to introduce me to their editors and publishers, but excuses would be made and I'd be looking at their departing backsides. Though, in truth, with some folks, it was difficult to tell if they were coming or going. If networking were a pistol, then I would be the poster child for being gunshy.
Maybe I'll get back on that horse someday. I certainly would love to hear from people who want to work with me and I apologize in advance should I appear to be defensive. No one should mistake my caution for a lack of enthusiasm. I'm doing my best to get past the baggage of my past and buy some brand-new baggage.
Just as the airlines start charging extra for that second bag. Does my timing suck or what?
Wow! Do you know how much it would have cost in therapy bills for me to work on the above? There are times when I think I should be paying you for letting me write these columns.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. Have a happy and safe weekend.
I'll be back on Monday with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 04/24/2008 | 04/25/2008 | 04/28/2008 >>
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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:
Tony's Online Tips
840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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