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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, August 7, 2008
Batman #675 [DC Comics; $2.99] is one bad Batman comic book and I don't remotely mean that in anything but a negative way. From the trite Tony Daniel cover of a grimacing over-muscular Bats posing menacingly in the rain through its pages of so-so writing by Grant Morrison and mediocre interior artwork by Ryan Benjamin and Saleem Crawford, I found myself asking of DC Comics:
"THIS is the comic you put the Batman brand on just before the release of a major movie?"
The book opens up a page of Nightwing and Robin standing over some dog-masked crooks on whom they have clearly been beating. It has nothing to do with this issue's story, but it does get some super-hero costumes into the issue early on.
Then we get pages of horrendous close-ups of a smitten Bruce Wayne and his current girlfriend having a one-sided argument which lacks drama and wit. The argument is interrupted by the arrival of a terrorist comes to seize the girlfriend. I'm not sure why, but it seems to have something to do with her father and their native country. It probably would mean more to me with a little subtle exposition, but there's not much subtlety in this issue.
There are cut-away scenes of Talia, Merlyn the Archer, and Damien, apparently the son of Talia and Bats. Talia isn't thrilled about the new girlfriend, but she isn't behind the attack of the terrorists.
Nightwing and Robin show up to deal with the underlings while Bruce goes all Wolverine on the lead terrorist. Bruce looks and moves so much like Logan I don't know how Benjamin managed to resist drawing him with claws.
The show of violence prompts new girlfriend to realize Bruce Wayne is Batman...and for me to realize all I have to show for the time I spend reading this comic book is this review. Doesn't seem like a fair tradeoff to me.
BATMAN #675 gets no Tonys whatsoever.
******
COMICS IN THE COMICS
In today's edition of Comics in the Comics, we look at some recent mentions of Peanuts. We begin with an editorial cartoon by Mike Luckovich:
It's from July 3 of this year.
Snoopy made an appearance in Hilary Price's Rhymes with Orange from July 14:
In Funky Winkerbean, with Bull coaching daughter Jinx on a summer softball team, it's not surprising that a few Peanuts references would turn up.
These are from July 28 and August 1:
One more. It's Dave Whamond's Reality Check panel from August 3:
Keep watching TOT for more Comics in the Comics.
******
GET MORE TONY
Out this week is Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 7 [Marvel; $16.99], which reprints Fantastic Four #138-159, Giant-Size Super-Stars #1, Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2-4, and Avengers #127. Most of these 1970s issues were written by either Gerry Conway or Roy Thomas with one or two issues apiece by Steve Englehart, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and Chris Claremont, and yours truly. Artists include John Buscema, Rich Buckler, and Sal Buscema with Joe Sinnott doing most of the inking.
Fantastic Four #153 is the one I wrote. In fact, due to the book's lateness in the wake of the previous writer's departure, I had to plot the issue with Buckler in about an hour, then script each batch of pages as he brought them into the office. Rich and I completed our part of the issue in three days and three nights. Letterer Joe Rosen and embellisher Joe Sinnott weren't far behind us. Everyone rose to the deadline challenge, the issue made it to the printer on time, and, in retrospect, though it's certainly not an award-winner, I think it's a decent comic book. I chalk up its dumber aspects - like the merging of two worlds and the subsequent cosmic love-in - to my not having any idea what the previous writer had in mind for the finale of the story or even if he had intended to wrap it up in the one issue assigned to me.
Those were exciting times.
To answer the questions I get asked every time Marvel reprints one of my old stories:
Yes, Marvel sends me a copy of any book in which my work has been reprinted and, once the sales are in, they also send me some sort of royalty check. The checks aren't usually large, but I've never had to chase after them and, for that, I bestow many kudos on the folks at Marvel.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 08/06/2008 | 08/07/2008 | 08/08/2008 >>
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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