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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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For the first time since the Silver Age of Comics, after countless unbearably pretentious, unconscionably brutal, or just plain awful takes on one of comicdom's flagship heroes, at long last, DC Comics and writer Gail Simone have given me a Wonder Woman I can take to my heart, a Wonder Woman who might actually fulfill the eternal promise of the character, a Wonder Woman who shares her apartment with warrior gorillas. I love it!
Wonder Woman #14-17 [$2.99 each] feature Simone's first story - "The Circle" - with art by Terry and Rachel Dodson. Wonder Woman is now able to transform herself into a non-powered mortal and, as Diana Prince, is an agent with the Department of Metahuman Affairs. These issues cover a lot of ground, including a flashback to a hitherto-unrevealed aspect of Diana's birth, her mother's current situation, her work with the DMA, and Captain Nazi's plan to seize the Amazon island of Themyscira and make it the birthplace of a new Reich. Even if, like me, you haven't been following the title in recent months, Simone provides sufficient background to bring you up to speed. The only thing that threw me was the identity of a red-eyed guy who was in Diana's apartment and clearly uninvited in issue #16. I imagine he'll come into play sometime. Getting back to the warrior gorillas...
In #14, Wonder Woman confronts and wins over young warriors from Gorilla City who have been misled by Grodd. While the tempers of their elders cool, they crash at Diana's apartment. Yes, it is kind of like April O'Neil and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the first movie. But it's funny without being silly. The gorillas play a useful role in the story and don't overstay their welcome. Simone leaves me wanting to see more of them.
Overall, these were terrific comic books. Top-notch writing, good art and clear storytelling, first-rate coloring and lettering, all you could ask for and quite impressive when you consider the sorry history of Wonder Woman over the past couple decades. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next...and that earns Wonder Woman #14-17 four out of five Tonys.
It's been a while since Barack Obama spoke about race in the United States of America and how Americans need to break from the politics that use race to divide us all. It is an historic speech, one which establishes him as the most thoughtful of the candidates running for President and, as I see it, the best choice to lead our country. I truly believe that, long beyond the years of my life, our children will be studying this speech, hopefully as a turning point in ending our racial divides. Feeling thus, I was enormously pleased to discover that Young Avengers Presents #1 [Marvel; $2.99] deals with the same issues.
Writer Ed Brubaker's spotlight on Patriot, the grandson of the black Captain America who preceded Steve Rogers as America's first super-soldier, is painful. When Eli Bradley thinks to himself that sometimes it's really hard not to hate this country, it wounds me. Not because it's offensive, but because I understand his anger is the result of the darker pages of our nation's history. I have no doubts some readers will denounce Brubaker for allowing Eli's anger to find expression in a comic book. I also have no doubts that it is an honest and legitimate use of the character.
Supporting characters Kate Bishop (Hawkeye), Billy Kaplan (Wiccan), and Bucky Barnes (Winter Solider) are expertly used to help Eli find the elusive answers to his questions. Yes, there is something of the maudlin when Barnes speaks of Captain America and the original Patriot, but it reveals how those departed heroes inspire those who follow in their path.
For the cover of this issue, penciler Jim Cheung contrasted a striking image of Patriot with images from some of the best Captain America artists of the past. Inker John Dell and colorist Justin Ponsor provided the finishing touches.
Inside the issue, penciler Paco Medina's art and storytelling were solid from start to finish. Kudos are also due inker Juan Vlasco and colorist Nathan Fairbairn. I'm a story guy and these talented artists delivered visuals that kept the story flowing smoothly and hit all the action and emotional high points of the story. This is a comic that all hands - including associate editor Molly Lazer and editor Tom Brevoort - can be proud of.
Young Avengers Presents #1 earns a very impressive four out of five Tonys.
newuniversal: Everything Went White [Marvel; $14.99] collects the first six issues of writer Warren Ellis' re-imagining of Marvel's "New Universe" of two decades ago. Drawn by Salvador Larroca, the series features revamped versions of such New Universe stalwarts as Star Brand, Justice, Nightmask, and Spitfire. With bated breath, I await the reintroduction of Kickers, Inc.
Despite such gems as Mark Gruenwald's D.P. 7, the New Universe was a mixed bag at best. This time, instead of launching with a bunch of titles, Ellis is approaching this material as one big story and presenting it - for starters - in a single title. That was smart. His story is complicated, but it's surprisingly easy to keep track of the characters and concepts.
The new version of Star Brand Ken Connell isn't the incredible tool of the originals, making it easier for readers to sympathize with him. The sarcastic Izanami Randall is a delight as Nightmask. Dr. Jennifer Swann - Spitfire - is so much more interesting than in the original stories. She's a closet superhuman in the very belly of the American project created to destroy superhumans. Only John Tensen - Justice - falls flat. As depicted thus far, he's just another brutal vigilante playing judge and executioner with no need for a jury. As you might expect from an Ellis comic book, there is a great deal of graphic violence in newuniversal.
Whereas the first New Universe was presented as "the world outside our windows until the coming of the White Event," the world of newuniversal is much different than ours ever was. To quote Wikipedia:
"Warren Ellis describes the setting of newuniversal as "an alternate world where America is somewhat isolationist, Soviet Russia fell apart early and China took the lead in spaceflight. newuniversal #1 mentions Chinese moonbases, as well as hundreds of flights by Chinese spaceplanes. There are also other, smaller changes to the world's history; for example, Paul McCartney is dead and John Lennon is still alive. The September 11, 2001 attacks never happened, and the World Trade Center towers are still standing in 2006, as seen in newuniversal #1. Hillary Rodham Clinton is President of the United States."
Additionally, the White Event that kicks off the new series wasn't the first such event. The new superhumans are facing an American government that has secretly killed superhumans in the past and has been planning for any future emergence of such. On all sides, the stakes are critically high.
Ellis delivers a genuine page-turner with newuniversal: Everything Went White. Larroca keeps up with him every step of the way. The first series sold well with a second is planned for sometime later this year. This collection of the first series earns an impressive four out of five Tonys.
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COMICS IN THE COMICS
We continue our week of Superman, starting with Dan Piraro's Bizarro from March 14, 2007:
The Man of Steel is a frequent visitor to Mother Goose and Grimm by Mike Peters. This is from March 29, 2007:
Jeepers! Clark Kent faces a threat to his secret identity in John Deering's Strange Brew from April 10, 2007:
You will believe a superman can appear in lots of comic strips if you keep reading Comics in the Comics. I'll have another batch for you tomorrow.
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TONY POLLS
Summer movies? This summer - which, by Hollywood time, starts in May - will see the release of nearly two dozen films featuring super-heroes or other elements of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and good old pulp adventure.
This week's Tony Polls questions list twenty such films and ask which are your first, second, and third choices for those you would most like to see.
You can cast your votes by going here:
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 04/28/2008 | 04/29/2008 | 04/30/2008 >>
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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