Green Arrow by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino

First of all, I want to say that while you may think it is deliberate that I'm posting this just a few days after I had a review go up on Pipedream Comics for a new Jeff Lemire title, I assure you it was all a remarkable coincidence.

Green Arrow: The Deluxe
Edition by Jeff Lemire and
Andrea Sorrentino

In the last few years, I've started to develop a wishlist of comics which, based on the opinions of comic folk who I respect, are to be considered 'high quality.' Now, as of the time this post dropped, this list is pretty extensive (nearly 500 titles at time of writing) and makes for a pretty confident assumption that I'll never read them all.

This is lead even more credence when you know that my unread pile is actually pretty big itself (although not 500 comics), with some really big comic runs such as Rucka's Wonder Woman and Coates' Black Panther (as well as the Liss/Francavilla Black Panther and the Rucka/Scott Black Magick, although both of these were converted from physical to digital) still sitting on the proverbial night stand.

Couple that with all the review material I have and it takes time to get to something of my own.

I love this panel. It just
screams Aja's Hawkeye to me.

However, just recently I decided that I would take a break from reviewing and try a title which I had been neglecting for far too long.

The Green Arrow run by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino is a title I've had in my 'to be read' pile since August 2018. This has been a run which I have continually heard great things about (such as how it was one of the few bright spots of the New 52) and, so, once it came on sale on Comixology I figured that there was no time like the present. However, it is something of a victim of its own quality as, due to its over 400 pages of content, it is quite a daunting, time consuming prospect and not something which can effectively lobby for my rather precious time in comparison to a smaller, 6 issue (180 ish page) trade or even a single instalment.

However, waiting was no longer something I wanted to do and, after reading it, I'm so glad I didn't any more.

Count Vertigo is a bad ass!

Lemire and Sorrentino's Green Arrow focuses on everybody's favourite Billionaire, Philanthropist, Playboy with a Robin Hood complex as he continues to fight crime/the little guy(? In truth, I've never quite understood GA's shtick. Sometimes he's said to be a Social Justice Warrior-esue character and others he's Batman-lite) in the mean streets of Seattle. However, when a new enemy with an old grudge rolls into town, Oliver Queen finds himself stripped of everything and everyone he knew as he is drawn into a centuries old war which may have something to do with not only his own Father but also the reasons behind his becoming Green Arrow.

(I feel that was pretty good. If anyone needs a synopsis writer, do get in touch ;-) )

Sorrentino's work is really the key to
this run. This 'weakness point' panel is
breathtaking!!

Now, I'll be honest, besides the TV series (which IS Batman-lite), I have very little exposure to the Green Arrow. An appearance in Identity Crisis taking on Deathstroke and a copy of Quiver (I think) which I ended up not reading and selling on are about as much of the comic character as I have come across in fifteen plus years. Also, my experience with both Lemire and Sorrentino at this point had been severely minimal. Therefore, as I finally cracked open this (metaphorical) book, I did wonder if this run was really going to be as good as everyone said it was.

Fortunately, though, I absolutely loved this run of Green Arrow and devoured it like the addict I am with every spare moment life afforded me. From the moment I started it all the way until the end it felt like I was reading a story which was a cross between the Brubaker and Diggle runs of Daredevil (before the mess which was Shadowland) and Fraction's Immortal Iron Fist, with visuals which looked a lot like they had been pulled from Aja's (who was also on Immortal Iron Fist) Hawkeye run (which, of course, Fraction wrote. Lots of connections here!).

Sorrentino goes above and beyond,
Creating some unique looks for things
like Vertigo's power set.

As I've just said, my experience with Ollie Queen in comics, is nearly non-existent. However, I've just remembered how I struggled through J. T. Krul's Brightest Day Green Arrow. Based on that, and the fact Krul continued on GA after flash point for the first arc, I be tempted to guess that the New 52 run prior to Lemire and Sorrentino's involvement wasn't the best (although, I can't prove that). However, from the beginsight of this omnibus, it really feels like Lemire is deconstructing the character and getting rid of everything that isn't needed. For me, this is a brilliant decision as I mmediately feel caught up and not having to look at those prior arcs.

I'm really just gushing about
Sorrentino's work now!

In fact, by the end of the entire run, I felt it was entirely conceivable that this omnibus could be treated as an Elseworld's tale more than a part of something bigger, akin to Batman Arkham Asylum. This is because, the character effectively returns to where he started and it's only through the journey that anything really happens as Ollie questions himself and makes himself stronger. The thing is, in a world where characters don't die and rarely change, I think these kinds of stories make the best kind.

And so, this run saw Ollie face off against six (well, three. Three were good guys) clans based on different weapons; Sword, Axe, Spear, Shield, Fist,  and, naturally Arrow. I really loved this idea because, while I have to admit it struck me as very similar to the seven capital cities of heaven story from the immortal iron fist, I'm a little real sucker for tales that imply their hero's greater destiny in the world and that's what we got here. Meanwhile, I will point out that Magus, who is the head of the mysterious eighth clan (which I initially thought might be the trident, connecting Atlants and Aquaman) reminds me a lot of Master Ido (I think that's his name) from the Daredevil run I mentioned.

I mean, seriously!!

However, this 'mystical' (for want of a better word) element isn't the only thing I love about this omnibus as, from beginning to end, I was fully engrossed by this story. Lemire did a tremendous job creating great characters to fill this world, repurposing old villains into new formats which work, and making something believable out of some of the he madness which we see happen to the emerald archer. If there is one problem I have anywhere at all, it is the introduction of Diggle which seems like pandering (and pointless now it looks like Diggle in the to show is actually John Stewart. However, he still serves a good purpose and so even that problem isn't really a problem.



Ok, action scenes within the sound
effect text. Just wow!!!

But then there is Sorrentino's art, which I love throughout this title as I continuously floors me. I said earlier how it reminds me of Hawkeye and this is true. However, I honestly think this work outclasses Aja's Hawkeye work and that's no mean feat. The full page shot of Green Arrow and his opponent falling down the side of a building, the scenes involving the use of Count Vertigo's powers, the shots juxtapositioned with targets to imply the sharp shooting of practically every character in this story, even the scenes of Richard Dragon sizing his opponents up, every shot is a feast for the eyes.

In fact, the only downside was that it had to end. This really was a fantastic read and I'm kicking myself that I didn't check it out sooner, although they do say better late than never. However, reading makes want to check out Gideon Falls, Descender, Sweet Tooth and as many other works by these two creators (including revisiting Black Hammer) as soon as possible.

Because, if I waited too long with Green Arrow, imagine how many other pure gold series I'm missing out on.

Fantastic Four #16

I'll be honest here, this post shouldn't really exist!

 

After reading through last month's issue, I realised that I had become overly negative against the Fantastic Four comic. Now this wasn't deliberate but simply a case of frustration of how far (I felt) the title seemed to have fallen under it's current writer (the artists, on the other hand, were really wowing me).

 

Fantastic Four #16

As a result, I vowed that I wouldn't write anymore posts on this book which, upon re-reading, felt too negative on my part (I've got no problem with constructive critique, but I want to be writing about how much I love comics).

 

However, upon reading issue 16 last week (as of time of posting), while I did enjoy it more than I expected (Yes, I did enjoy it and, yes, I'm as surprised as anyone), I had a swirl of ideas about how it could have been better.

 

Now, I'm no writer (not a good one anyway) but I thought that instead of just being all down on the issue, I'd say what I liked, what I didn't and, of those latter points, what I would have done differently.

 

(So, constructive critique then?)

 

Izaakse's is just so moodily gorgeous.
Overseer kinda reminds me of
Annihilus with his outfit.

SO, anyway, this issue picked up from the last with the Four (told) still trapped on Spyre. Johnny takes the time to get to know his new 'wife' and how they are connected. Reed and Sue spend the issue trying to understand what is going on from the rather suspicious Overseer and Ben remains trapped in Lowtown (think Old New York from Futurama) facing off against the 500 monster army of Freak Alley and its leader, Scrum.

 

Like I said, I did enjoy this issue. It wasn't issue 10-14 great in my eyes but nor was it 15 awful either, giving me hope that the prior issue simply suffered from the problems all second parts of a 4 part story face.

 



Seeing Reed shaped as a glider is
awesome (but didn't Sue fly?)

Of course, this issue had as many flaws as it did benefits but, in this attempt to be more positive, I'm gonna focus on the good bits first and chief amongst them was the art (again). I really have loved Sean Izaakse art during this series, it's moody, it's rich, it's just so incredibly beautifiul to look at issue in, issue out. If this guy (and Paco Medina) stay on this book forever I would not have a problem with this!! Then there is the Thing's story in this arc, which I found to be as inspiring as hell here as we got to see him not only show off his heart and fighting spirit (again), but also his speech toward the end to show just how far the character has come in the last nearly 60 years (during a Twist I didn't see coming). I've said it before and I'll say it again, Slott pulls off Ben's voice perfectly and he sounds accurate in my head as I read his dialogue, especially when he's describing Alicia in this issue which is Fantastic (pardon the pun). I've said so many times that I dislike the skewed focus Ben is getting in this run but, when things are evened out a little, Ben's a really cool character to follow.



However, that is where my good points end, for while the issue did feel much more evenly split between the four than the last issue (or even most of the run), Johnny, Sue and Reed just felt totally 'off' when compared to the Ever Loving Blue Eyed Thing. Now, in fairness, many of these problems I saw were mostly just me nit-picking. However, you notice things when you are invested in characters (right?).

 

As such, here's what I struggled with (as well as what I'd have done instead):

• The Johnny/sky dynamic in this issue felt really wooden/forced, with the characters seemingly having no connection as I read their scenes. What I hope is that we discover this is because their 'connection' was faked by the Overseer for some nefarious purpose.
• When Reed discussed (briefly) the armbands, I felt he would have spoken with more scientific interest in his dialogue. While I know it's always been a thing, I've always considered that Reed rarely gives Namor a second thought.

• 

  When you need to reach your friends,
  the classic signals are the best!

  I felt more focus should have gone on Reed's guilt from the discovery that Spyrian citizen's suffered because of him. Reed has always felt guilty about and, while he may of accepted it to a degree, the revelation of further fault would have thrown him off his game more than what we saw (although, it would have been cool to have him realise the Overseer's 'secret' as he dwelled on this revelation).
• While I absolutely loved the wacky image of Reed as a glider, it would have been nice to have a legit reason why Sue wasn't doing the flying. Maybe it was so she could focus on their defence from the solar unparralled. Speaking of Sue.....
• The formation of the team symbol should have been Sue's idea. While Reed is the leader and a smart guy, Sue's deferring to him constantly really undersell her own character. So, doing this would have helped in depicting her better.
• I feel that the Reed/Sue scenes where they subsequently learn the truth and escape shouldn't have been one whole scene and broken up with other pages. Doing this would have made for a better flow for that scene (in my opinion).

Ben looks to be leading a
revolt (who would've
guessed?)

Now, like I said before, this is me kind of just nit-picking and even if these were legit problems as realised by someone who knows what they are talking about, they'd probably have much better solutions than me.

Also, this isn't a terrible issue it's just that, to me, a lot of it feels 'off' and not the Fantastic Four as I know them. Now, I'm not going to say that despite its flaws in cautiously optimistic about the series going forward because I feel I know better. I'm at a place where I'm genuinely wondering if I should drop this series (which, given my commitment to the FF so far, I think emphasises my feelings) but, for now, I'm intrigued to see how this ends because, while some of my prior predictions look set to come true, it appears that something is going to happen which I didn't expect like. 

In the meantime, I just hope that FF Negative Zone one-shot gives me a Fantastic Four team which feels more like I know them.



 

Comic Reviews: October 2019

As we inch ever closer to Christmas and all of the stresses that come with it (not to mention that my almost entire family decided to be born between now and then) I'm finding myself under a little bit of pressure to live real life while also keeping up with my reviews for Pipedream Comics.

This isn't helped by the rather large pile of comics I started October with which needed to be checked out.

(Well, need is a strong word as it sure isn't a chore but, gosh darn, if it isn't a lot. And more get added every week. Oh the hardship ;-) )

Fortunately, now October is done, that's five more of them are out of the way and, as is becoming tradition, I figured I'd just post a little something so I could air my more personal views on those comics which maybe didn't make the review proper.

The Odyssey Initiation #1

So, the first review was for The Odyssey Initiation #1. Now, I enjoyed this, but I also didn't and I'm not sure I can totally explain why. In truth, there is nothing essentially wrong with this comic as the story is fun and has this feel of classic sci-fi adventure. However, the biggest mark against it is that, as I read it I felt like I've seen it all before. This was because the Odyssey Initiation feels so very similar to the story from the first Mass Effect game. Even the ship looks the same as the Normandy from that series and so much of the world feels like the ideas were ripped directly from it.

Of course, I've tried to review it on its own merits and it is an interesting story. The characters, while rather basic thus far, are intriguing and do I want to know more. Meanwhile, while the art isn't the best, it does have a wholly unique style which I think fits rather well to the book, story and world. This a book which deserves more of my time. However, all things being equal, I can't shake those original thoughts about Odyssey and, while I certainly hope I'm wrong and it's just a coincidence, there are still too many similarities to ME. I'll be honest, I really hope that it's just my brain putting 2 and 2 together to make 5, but while I'd check the next issue out, if the story went the way I think it would (or remember Mass Effect going), I probably wouldn't feel the need to go beyond that.

Rok the God #1

So, moving on from space was .... well, space and football with my review for Rok the God #1. In truth, I wasn't sure what to expect from this going in and was a little hesitant to check it out. However, I'm glad that I did because it was really fun and really enjoyable. I have to admit that I'm not sure for my reasons for my enjoyment, but I felt that it just had this vibe and tone which was refreshing and different, more akin to British comics that I had read rather than American ones. The art was good, very reminiscient of Valiant's style (which is one I love), although I did feel that the colour choices let it down a little. That said, it was a really good read (which I hope the review gets across), which annoyed me that I had never seen the original series. Fortunately, I found it on Comichaus, so I can check that out soon enough.

Relics of Youth #1

I followed that up with my now seemingly mandatory visit to Vault Comics library with review of Relics of Youth #1 and, again I really enjoyed this comic, a lot!!! It was a little slower than a lot of the stuff that I've read recently, but I did think it was incredibly engrossing with the whole 'certain people connected for some reason' shtick. I did think the basic explanation of the plot was a little vague here, but the characters and the overall mystery within the story certainly did enough to hook me on this. The art, meanwhile just looks glorious in my opinion, with the visuals looking very Alex + Ada but a little less clean (that's the best term I can think of, it looks almost like the art of someone in a desert, if you get what I mean). This is helped by the colours, of which I thought were really good, especially at the beginning where the creative look to have assigned a colour to introduce each main character. All in all, Vault gave me another great one for which I'd really like to see more of.

Elk Mountain #1

Then came the review for Elk Mountain #1. Now, I really loved this issue as it looks visually stunning all the way through in a style similar to another artist who's work I adore and it also tells a story that both does and doesn't seem to subvert a regular superhero story, but yet does both in the best of ways. However, I didn't think it was perfect as the art slipped on one panel and the writer aged it badly with a Trump reference (given that he'll probably be gone by next year) and villains I didn't really care about. However, probably its worst failing was the ending which saw a reveal which I don't think was necessary as I feel it's taken the focus of the story away from the townsfolks (who I felt were made more intriguing by just before this page). Hopefully I've gotten that across. Overall, I really loved this issued and would love to read the rest of the series.

The Family Graves

And finally, just before October ended I hammered out a review for the Family Graves by Source Point Press. First up, I'm not going to lie, the opening paragraph sucked and so, that is editor Alex Thomas' work (or will be once it is posted I would bet). The rest, though, is all me and I really, really enjoyed this book, which I think tapped that part of me that relates and loves the Fantastic Four. I thought a lot of the dynamics felt mostly realistic for a family (the language was a bit wooden for those emotional scenes, but not enough that you'd notice so I didn't really include it). The plot didn't really seem very important here, as it felt a little simplistic (although the it also felt a bit convoluted in places but maybe that was just me). However, the character dynamics were fun and the humour hit the mark. Meanwhile, I loved the art, which has a fun vibe to it and made me think of the late 90's FF (a lot of references to that series in here). What I especially liked was the depiction of the mum, Bjanka, who looked threatenly awesome as her monstrous alter ego and was written really strongly. Honestly, while it didn't catch me like a lot of other comics recently, I still enjoyed it immensely and look forward to future instalments.

So, another month done and, I've got to admit, while they were all of varying levels a strength/quality from the perspective of my reviewers hat, I did actually enjoy everything I got the opportunity to read in the last 31 days (although admittedly some more than others). I'm now certain that this is the third or fourth month in a row that I've said this and that is a testament to the great creators and the fantastic ideas that they are all so professionally putting together (sometimes better than those who make a lot more money).

All I can say, if this keeps up into next month then I'll be stumped how I'll contribute to Pipedream comics top 50. They'll be just far too many options.