It's been a few weeks since I last posted anything and the reason for that delay (along with all others apparently) is the chaos we all find ourselves in over COVID-19. Unfortunately, while social media has shown me all these people who are getting things done with their newfound 'freedom' of not going out, I seem to have the opposite problem.
Unlike everyone else, time has become even more of a premium than before, with my work from home being interspersed with additional nappy changes and feeding kids to my schedule. Now, I have no problem with this because my kids are awesome, but it just goes to show you the benefits of a lunch break and commute when it comes to an office job.
However, as I'm stuck in a VERY long queue (thanks to the 2 metre rule) for my medication at the pharmacy, I find I've got time to spare. Therefore, I thought I'd just talk about the few comics I've managed to read through in the past two weeks.
Frank at Home on the Farm #1-3 - My first review for Pipedream since the lockdown, I found that I really, REALLY enjoyed this series so far, as it had a really paranoid and supernatural atmosphere, reminding me of films like Blair Witch or the woman in black. I felt that it was really well written, driving home Frank's paranoia while also being subtle with the suspense and not going too big.
The art meanwhile, was every bit the equal to the story as I thought it look incredibly creepy, and seemed to have inspiration from Jae Lee's rather horror-esque style (although it was a little more subtle). All in all, this was an addictive read and I've got to try and get the money for the fourth issue before the Kickstarter ends.
Fantastic Four #20 - This issue picked up with the FF returning from their adventure to Spyre and as the team return to their normal (for them) lives, Johnny takes his newly acquired soulmate on a trip to help out best pal Wyatt who is having a Mole Man problem. I have to admit, I really enjoyed this issue and, despite all the problems it carried over from the prior arc, it was a nice done-in-one story which tried to clear up some of the mess made. I think what I enjoyed most was that, for a change, the focus was on Johnny and that his dynamic with Sky seemed better than in the entire Point of Origin arc. Of course, it still had the mandatory Thing focus (which seemed somewhat pointless) but I was sold on two other things: the as always gorgeous Paco Medina artwork and the fact that they attempted to show that Reed's guilt was not simply swept under the carpet. While I'm unwilling to forgive the series' prior transgressions, this issue has done a lot of good and convinced me to return next month (or whenever the next issue is released).
Marvel Knights Fantastic Four: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 - A Christmas gift and the first printed trade I've read since Spider-Man Life Storybefore new year, Marvel Knights FF volume 1 gives us the first half of the entire series as Marvel's first family are forced from their home and into 'normal' jobs when all their money is stolen. However, that doesn't change things for the villains as the four continue to content with alien invaders, princes of Atlantis and puppet masters, all the while attempting to hold down their new, "normal" jobs. This is then followed up by the the 4 part mini series of Hulk/Thing: Hard Knocks, which sees the Jade Giant and the ever loving, blue eyed Thing meet in the middle of nowhere for a fight as well as a bit of chatting about the past. I have to confess, while I'd heard great opinions on this series, I had been putting off the read in fear that it wouldn't live up to the hype l. Fortunately, my fears were put to rest from the very beginning as this was a fantastic (pardon the pun) read and certainly one of the best depictions of the Richard's clan. I think what I loved most about it was that the characters were portrayed more like a normal family than I have ever seen. With bickering, the need to get their own, individual jobs and the various other mundane day to day events (like going camping), this felt so down to earth and relatable in a way most other renditions don't. Also, this run saw a tremendous focus and character arc for Sue and Johnny (and to a lesser extent Reed) as they felt much more fully formed and their characters were so filled out, again more so than their other appearances (such as the current run).
Meanwhile, thought the art was good, although that's more of an average term over the three contributing artists. Niven's input was phenomenally gorgeous and I loved every page, every panel he created, making the four look so glamorous even as their world fell apart around them. Johnson's work too kept up with Niven's in terms of its gorgeous look. However Jim Muniz's style was a little haphazard in places, although equaled the rest when it was at its best.
Then there was Hard Knocks which I thought was a gorgeously written look into the relationship of Hulk and Thing. However, I thought that the best part of this mini had to be Jae Lee's art, who really made these monsters look monstrous and have the story some real atmosphere.
In truth, I could probably gush over this series forever (and I probably might come back and do that one day) but, suffice to say, I loved this run and look forward to Marvel releasing volume 2.
Total reading count: 20
And I'm done!!! Now obviously, the number is a lot lower than any other week (or even fortnight) that I've gone through so far this year. However, given the increased workload I find myself in, i dont think I've done too bad. Also, ive managed to read Marvel Knights FF, which is a goal I'm now glad I've achieved.
Hopefully, this is the start of a slow return to normalcy in regards of my rambling. I've got plans for other things I want to write as well as a review or two I wanna pull off this coming week.
However, there are more pressing priorities so who knows when that'll all be. I guess I'll just do my best.
In the meantime though, to all who (for some reason) read this, stay safe!!
