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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 Monday, June 2, 2008
Karl Kaufman was a German-American pilot whose parents had returned to their native land before the start of World War I. Kaufman was determined to fight against Germany, but, in order to protect his family, he became the mysterious Phantom Eagle. Created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Herb Trimpe, the Eagle made his debut in Marvel Super-Heroes #16 [September, 1968] and, unfortunately, flew into obscurity thereafter. It would be his one and only solo story for the next four decades.
A time travel tale allowed Roy Thomas to feature the Phantom Eagle in a 1971 issue of Incredible Hulk. He was an actual phantom seeking revenge on the killer of his parents when I used him several years later in Ghost Rider. He made brief appearances in a 1976 issue of Invaders and a 1993 issue of Thor Corps, though the latter was for two panels in a story involving an alternate reality. An alternate version of the character was appeared in Thunderbolts, but it was not the "real" Karl Kaufman. Not much to show for forty years in comic books.
So I was surprised to see the character return in War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1 [Marvel/Max; $3.99] by writer Garth Ennis and artist Howard Chaykin. Clearly, this was a comic book I needed to read.
Ennis has written several excellent war comics, so I was eager to read his take on the Phantom Eagle. The first issue comes up short on background. We learn little of Kaufman save that his desire to fight against the Germans is strong, that his orders are forgeries, and that war is far less exciting and heroic than he had believed. But the mystery works well, reminding me a little of the intrigues to be found in the classic Willi Franz/Sam Glanzman "The Lonely War of Capt. Willy Schultz" from the late 1960s. Chaykin's art and storytelling is terrific, depicting the era with a gritty glamor and not shying away from the blood and guts - literally - of war.
Ennis sets the stage with some wonderful opening captions and then brings several interesting characters on stage: an American pilot who'd rather fly with British pilots instead of his fellow countrymen; the Brit flight commander in charge of the Yank pilots, and the squadron's woefully inebriated C.O. Ennis' Karl Kaufman is a nice mix of anxiety and naivete. Indeed, my only real problem with this issue is that a major event occurs completely off-panel. It would have had more impact if we had seen it.
War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1 is fine start to this five-issue series. It earns an impressive four out of five Tonys.
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LIGHTNING ROUND REVIEWS
Scroll down to the "Bloggy Bits" section and you'll learn why I'm reading over 100 DC Comics publications this month. One of the ones I've read so far is Yuri Narushima's Young Magician Volume 11 [$9.99] from DC's CMX manga imprint. The series is about a young mad facing demonic challenges and learning how to understand and use his own tremendous power. I was concerned about starting the series without reading its first ten volumes, but this volume did start with a "story so far" recap. The recap helped a bit, but this chunk of the story dragged through its 200 or so pages, losing me several times as I struggled to keep track of the characters and their relationships to one another. There were some good scenes, though I couldn't always place them in the context of the overall tale, and some very nice art. They weren't enough to leave me with a satisfying experience. With so much exceptional manga available to American readers, the best score that I can give this volume is a disappointing one out of five Tonys.
Bill Black's America's Greatest Comics #8 [AC Comics; $6.95] reprints a fistful of 1940s and 1950s stories drawn by such legendary talents as Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Alex Toth, Bob Powell, Al Williamson, Steve Ditko, Bernard Krigstein, Kurt Schaffenberger, and others. Not every one of the eight stories is a gem, but I got a kick out of the Simon/Kirby "The Leather Pusher," a tale of love and boxing, as well as the hilarious Powell-drawn "Disc Jockey," and the Krigstein-drawn "The Vagrant." Also worth noting: the wild Toth art on "The Armored Car Murders." The issue came out in 2004, but is still available on Black's website:
accomics.com
America's Greatest Comics #8 earns four Tonys.
Archie #584 [Archie Comics; $2.25] is another fun issue with three tales by Craig Boldman and one by Angelo DeCesare. The DeCesare story deals with ring tones, one of several recent stories in Archie titles that center on modern technology, while the ones by Boldman are delightful episodes that build and build until they reach their respective punch lines. The cover and interior art is provided by the all-star team of penciller Stan Goldberg and inker Bob Smith. The issue earns four out of five Tonys.
Archie & Friends #119 [$2.25] features the third part of the "World Tour" story by writer Alex Simmons with artists Rex Lindsay, Jim Amash, and Al Nickerson. On all counts, "Nighty Night to Nairobi" is a good story, filled with action and intrigue as the Riverdale teens visit five cities while being stalked by mysterious figures, but it leaves me somewhat disappointed. The story arc is too ambitious for the regular Archie format; it would've been much better served by a larger package, something along the lines of the wonderful the Dennis the Menace summer specials of my youth. Such a package could've allowed for more sightseeing of the fascinating cities the kids are visiting, more in-character humor, and even a bit more suspense. I applaud the effort, but the best I can give this issue is a respectable three Tonys.
Veronica #188 [$2.25] is an average issue of the title, which isn't always the strongest in the story department. It leads with "Prom Showdown" by writer/artist Dan Parent, in which Archie knowingly escorts three girls - Betty, Veronica, and Cheryl Blossom - to the dance. Multiple prom-dates are rare, but they do happen in the real world. Sadly, Parent takes this tale in all the usual directions. George Gladir's "Keen Competition" has Ronnie turning her business "acumen" to getting more dates with Archie than Betty does, but her plan has an unexpected flaw. Finally, our title star bakes a birthday cake for her mom in Mike Pellowski's "That Takes The Cake." Inker Jim Amash does solid work throughout the issue, but the stories are just too typical for me to give the issue more than a disappointing two Tonys.
I'm usually complimentary of Rebellion's 2000 AD Extreme Edition, which offers readers over 100 pages of black-and-white and sometimes color reprints from the legendary British weekly and does so at the very reasonable price of $5.99. Alas, I can't be at all kind toward issue #25 [November 27, 2007]. The issue collects both series of "The Mean Team" by "The Beast" (writers John Wagner and Alan Grant wisely concealing their identities) and Alan Hebden with art by Massimo Bellardinelli.
The Mean Team are the champs of the Death-Bowl, a sport which gives you points for killing your opponents. Bad Jack Keller, the game's most violent player, is slaying opponents in record numbers to earn his freedom. By the time the two stories are end, he and his teammates are on the lam, end up on an Earth quarantined as the home of all evil, learns the reason for Keller's existence, and - here comes a big old SPOILER WARNING all get run over by a truck to bring the story to a not-nearly-quick-enough conclusion. "Future sports" have been done much better in other 2000 AD strips. About the only interesting bit in these stories is when a mortally-injured player gets his brain transplanted into the body of a panther. But, given the interminable length of these series, that's not enough to score the issue any points with me. The issue gets absolutely no Tonys whatsoever.
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BLOGGY BITS
June is the month of my DC Challenge to myself. A few days ago, on receipt of a box containing a month's worth of comics and trades from DC and its various imprints, I decided I would read and review every last item in that box. Don't ask me why. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.
I jumped the gun and reviewed a few of these items last week in "Tony's Other Online Tips," the twice-weekly column I write for the Comics Buyer's Guide online forum. Here's what I told my readers there:
"Here are the "rules" for this endeavor. I must read three or four items every day. I'll review some of them here, some of them in my "Tony's Online Tips" columns, and some of the trades in my next "Tony's Tips" column for CBG itself.
I will not read earlier issues of the titles to figure out what has gone before. If I can't figure out enough of what has gone before to understand what I'm reading, I'll let you know that and deduct "points" accordingly. Because at three bucks an issue, the editors and readers should make certain even the newest reader knows what's going in that issue."
Reading three or four comics or trades per day might not seem like a huge challenge, but I'm also determined to read and review at least as many items from other publishers while continuing to write this column, do all my family/parent/household stuff, and work on two new books, both of which need to be completed in the next three months. I...am...insane.
Is this a challenge or a cry for help?
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COMICS IN THE COMICS
You know the drill. I love comic strips and panels that guest star comic-book or comic-strip characters or otherwise comment on the comics art form. Here are some recent examples, starting with Scott Nickel's Eek! from May 26:
Dave Whamond's Reality Check from May 30:
Charlos Gary's Working It Out from May 30:
Superman received a mention in the May 31 Blondie strip by Dean Young and John Marshall:
Finally, Batman makes another appearance in the May 31 edition of Mother Goose and Grimm by Mike Peters:
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TIP THE TIPSTER
Tony's Online Tips is a reader-sponsored feature, made possible through your "Tip The Tipster" donations. Your donations have paid for the next eight columns, but, after that, there won't be any new columns until we receive additional donations. If you'd like to contribute and keep TOT running, click on the "Tip The Tipster" link you'll find elsewhere on this page.
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TONY POLLS
Every Tuesday, I post new Tony Polls questions for your balloting entertainment. Today is your last chance to vote on the six DVD categories of the 34th Annual Saturn Awards, which will be presented by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films in late June.
To cast your votes, head over to...
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
...and then look for new questions tomorrow.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 05/30/2008 | 06/02/2008 | 06/03/2008 >>
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:
Tony's Online Tips
840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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