Vanguard vol's 1 - 3

It's been a long time coming but finally we have reached this point.

I have finally read volumes one through three of Dan Butcher's Superhero thriller we comic, Vanguard!!

I had always planned on reading this series ever since I had heard about it thanks to Dan's position on the Awesome Comic Podcast which had made me aware of it. However, even after buying all three volumes at True Believers back in February of this year, Vanguard still managed to slide further and further down my reading pile as other priorities came across my desk.

However, even when I finally broke into Vanguard's three trades, I had not anticipated it taking a month to read them all as further disruptions reared their ugly heads.

Fortunately, as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait.

Set in the not too distant future, Vanguard tells the story of the eponymous super hero team, Great Britain's own Justice League consisting of Superman-like Kingsword, Merlin-esque Woden, the telepathic Godiva, Wolf-man Gradlion, telekinetic Ophelia, newbie Spitfire and Captain America analog leader, Pendragon. When the team is sent on a simple rescue mission, little do they know that the secrets they will stumble upon are only the beginning of a intricate plan by mysterious factions intent on using the chaos they support for a push to take over the world. With enemies both without and within, it falls to Britain's greatest heroes to make a stand for their country in a battle of good versus evil that will take place over years, as two generations of super powered patriots fight to ensure freedom within the British Isles.

Now, I've written that basic breakdown of the series to sound as epic as my limited skills can achieve and that is for good reason. In truth, I found Vanguard to be such an epic story that the best compliment I can give it is to say that it is the Super-hero equivalent of Star Wars. By the time I'd reached the end, I found Vanguard was a truly fantastic read as it felt like Dan Butcher had created such a captivating story and set it in such an engrossing world that I found myself cursing every time I had to set the book(s) down in order to sleep/work/be an adult.

These first three volumes are broken down into two distinct stories. The first two volumes are a prelude to the main event and tell a story of a more familiar world set fifteen years in the narrative past as the Vanguard battle to get to the truth of the mysterious conspiracy they've stumbled across and attempt to ensure the good guys win. Meanwhile, the third volume takes place after the dust has settled as a new selection of super-heroes pick up the mantle in order to undo the damage caused from that opening story.

Of these three volumes, I felt that the strongest by far was the second title (which also had the most awesome cover, although the other two were close second/third) because, while one and three were used to set up two different status quo's, volume 2 felt incredibly intricate, deep and heavily designed in both it's list of characters and the complexity of the story. In fact, it was this complex political, almost Manchurian Candidate-esque, thriller of a plot that most appealed to me as I really felt Dan's story went from one that had started rather simply to something which had so many working parts as hidden characters, turncoats and unknown quantities were just putting the screws on the heroes. However, the fact that these same heroes still pushed back against these ever increasing odds only made the series so much more engaging to me.

Speaking of the characters, there is such a broad selection of personality types included that it really helps feel like this could have been an almost autobiographical story given just how varied I thought they were. Of course, this is both something of a blessing and a curse as not only does it add depth to this already heavily layered world but, due to there being so many people, I found it a struggle to keep up with who exactly was who (especially given that only volume 2 contained a previously in Vanguard recap page). That said, despite the struggle to keep up with all the new character intro's, very few (if any) have come across to me as superfluous as even the dead continue to have a purpose in the overall narrative. Besides that, I do think it also opens up a well of spin offs once Dan has finished his main story; the beginnings of Vanguard, the Origin of Xian, where Cates got that armour, the fall of McPhaidon (who by the way, looks the spit of the actor who played Provero in the V for Vendetta movie).

As for Dan's art in Vanguard, well, what can I say beyond how gorgeous it is!! I'm a big fan of his Dan's work in Awesome Comics (go pledge to his Vyper kickstarter to see what I mean) as well as his input into an issue of comichaus (I think it was). In Vanguard, however, his standard digital, Clayton Crain-esque pencils and inks look to just be ramped up to 11 as every panel seems to just be made to look bigger and more outlandish, otherwise known as perfectly in keeping with the story. I did feel that this was let down in the third volume as the darker atmosphere (also known as night time) muted it's eye popping aspect a little. However, that volume felt like one of those 'night is darkest just before the dawn' moments in the story and I'm confident that the next volume will blow up again with no problem.

I also have to say how much I felt that Dan was satirizing a lot about regular life in this series, with ideas of corporate sponsored superheroes, puppet prime ministers and soldiers doing their jobs as if it were a video game. It has made me wonder if Dan is much of a fan of Black Mirror because this would be perfect as that kind of TV production (which might happen given Dan's recent 'Netflix' banner). Nonetheless, given all that has happened in 2020 (pandemics, unemployment, BLM, police brutality corrupt Governments, etc) so much of this series seems to draw on, or be influenced by similar events, making the whole run (so far) so much more compelling to me as a result.

I previously purchased Vanguard's first volume through Comixology some years ago and, while I enjoyed it, I maybe didn't find it all that memorable. However, checking it out again with the additional bonus of more issues and advancing age (and maybe wisdom) has helped me realise that I was wrong to dismiss it on the first read.

I'm going to try and catch up at the webcomic now, because it's criminal that I've left it this long. However, even if I don't, I know I'm going to have to make the funds available whenever volume 4 comes out.

After the Apocalypse (a 'Comics for the Apocalypse' tie-in)

This past week has felt like the longest week on record. Of course, this hasn't been helped by a week that has seen the UK re-eenter lockdown and the States have an election where the winner was finally announced after five days (congrats to them, by the way. Our American cousins appear to have dodged the apocalypse).

For me, this longevity has been brutal; with my readthough of Vanguard still incomplete (in what is probably the longest period of time I've read one series yet), fitting in reviews on top of everything else a struggle as those coveted lunch hours in the office were taken away again and just the general exhaustion that comes with the Winter months (at least I think so).

However, I suspect the real culprit for this incredibly long week has been my appearance on Samuel George London's Comics for the Apocalypse podcast, which was recorded last Tuesday but hit the wider world just yesterday (as of the date of posting this).

I have to confess that, prior to my appearance, i found myself incredibly nervous as I feared that it would become apparent just how little about comics I knew. Also, my last podcast appearance on the great Longbox Review a few years ago had always made me feed that I hadn't been a particularly engrossing guest (although not based on anything in particular). However, whole I'm sure my words had the same sleep inducing drone was my previous appearance, I found the entire evening to be an incredibly fun one as rarely am I allowed to come 'of the leash' and just talk my voice away (which I almost did saw) about comics.

Afterwards, I felt that the only thing I could really talk about here was that interview. However, rather than just harp on with the same old spiel Sam and I had already covered (I thought we were rather in depth), I wanted to do something on my end to, at the very least, commemorate the experience but maybe make it a little bit richer. A tie-in or companion piece, if you will (because comics have no shortage of those).

Therefore, I figure that the best I can do to provide context to my answers is to point people in the direction of the comics which I referenced.

So, here goes ...

I don't know what more I can really add about Daredevil Vol's 4-7 by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev and others beyond what I've already said. While the Man Without Fear has enjoyed some tremendous runs since this series (see Waid/Samnee), I still believe that this is one of the best Daredevil runs going. The art is perfect for the story told, especially at a time when the 'house style' seemed like it was still a thing. Unfortunately, my arc-per book copies are no longer in print. However, you can pick up a collected edition which contains all four of the books I spoke of as well as a couple more. Unfortunately, this edition isn't available on Comixology but you can pick up the ultimate collections volume 1 and volume 2 which contain everything plus a bit extra (and both are also in print).

With Chunks #2 by Matt Garvey by Cris Canfailla, I'm not exaggerating when I class this as my funniest comic. Matt knows how to tell a joke and puts that skill to good use here. Meanwhile Kris' sparse colour on monochrome really does stand out and look gorgeous. If you want further detail, there is a blog post about this issue and issue 1, as well as a review for issue 3. Along with the other issues of the series, is currently available on Comixology for a bargain price of 79p per issue. Unfortunately, the print editions are presently unavailable as Matt's Big Cartel page is currently undergoing a facelift. However, he has confirmed to me if will be back in a few weeks. But, if you want a print copy, find Matt on Twitter, as I'm sure he'll sort you out.

The Vision by Tom King, Gabriel Walta et el is an amazing story which got me right in the gut (and I've gone in depth about it previously). What really broke my heart about it though is that the proposed follow up series by Chelsea Cain was cancelled, depriving us of what would have been a truly interesting sequel. This series is also available on Comixology and in print, although the latter only seems to be available as a full collected edition and not as two separate trades.

The Porcelain trilogy by Benjamin Reed, Chris Wildgoose is also available in print, although it's tough to nail down a where and the best place to go for any info on them is the Improper Books website. You can also acquire it through Comixology, but only in French (Kjndle is a better bet it seems. Much like Vision, this is brutal but addictively engrossing, with truly fall in love artwork. If you want greater detail on Porcelain, Bone China or Ivory Tower then check out my Pipedream reviews.

Transience: An Unforgettable Anthology by Leo Johnson et el is, sadly, only available from Gumroad page as a pay-what-you-want option. Km not sure what more I can say about this comic but if you buy it I'd recommend you offer that fair amount because whatever you offer is going to be a stellar twice the price!! This comic is THAT good (as my review will attest to if you need the info).

Daredevil #500 by Ed Brubaker at el is available on Comixology, which is probably the best place to go to see this cover in all it's glory as any trade or collection containing the issue appears to be out of print. However, here's a snapshot in case neither takes your fancy.

Captain Britain & MI:13 #1 Cover D by Paul Cornell, Leonard Kirk et el is, most likely, unavailable for purchase unless you scour Ebay. However, regarding the series itself, which is phenomenal and worthy of your time to read, it is available on both Comixology and in print, both of which may just have the 3rd printing variant amongst the back pages. If it doesnt though, just imagine issue 1's cover without any colour.

Harvest by A.J. Lieberman and Colin Lorimer is truly underrated in every sense of the word (and I really need to re-read and write about it in 2021). If you have the spare change to pick it up, either digitally (I'd recommend the singles) or in print, you should do it. Also, check out this combined cover.

DC: New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke doesnt really need any more praise than I think I already gave it. However, if you want some, I previously wrote a blog post on the book. It is available both in print and digitally, although the print copy isn't the one I have (although they all still have the same gorgeous artwork, so it's not a downside).

Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodrigues is absolutely what I implied of it in that it's a wonderfully epic story. It treads the fine line between gothic horror and young adult coming of age story better than Joseph Gordon Levitt in the film about the tightrope walker. Unfortunately, I've only noted my thoughts about the third volume (which you can see here) but if those and my words here are enough to swing you, Comixology have the entire series in 6 trades or you can buy a box set bundle in print.

So, there I am done with those notes on the comics I'd take into the apocalypse. Maybe they are totally useless and/or pointless but I enioyed doing it and commemorating the opportunity to talk comics so, on that note, thank you Sam!!

... Oh, and before I forget

I did a review for Burn Residue #1 last week on Pipedream comics and it was a comic I really enjoyed, despite my hesitation over its cover which I thought was a little garish/loud for my tastes (like a Joker-centric crime book). However, once I cracked it open, I found the issue to be far more subtle than I was expecting and, as a result, far more interesting.

I thought the story progressed really well, with the flow and pacing of the issue never stopping even a little and any seeming pauses were well utilized and hidden with the inclusion of the flashback to provide exposition before returning to the present day action. As a result, I don't think there is ever a moment where this became boring or a slog to read. As for the art, though it was a little rough around the edges, I felt that the art style really complimented the story as the issue progressed, giving it its own look while solidifying the crime feel like with other gritty crime books.

It does lack a few pieces of information; how he survived his attack? how he got to where he is now? even what's his name? However, that doesn't detract from the fact that I really enjoyed this comic and think it is well worth people's time to check out.

So, another week down. Hopefully next week will a totally see me complete and write about Vanguard (because, seriously, I've ran put of filler) but as I'm down to the final issue at time of writing, I don't see that being a problem.

Unless the apocalypse commences of course ...

A week off.

I have absolutely nothing to talk about this week!!

I'm now between the second and third volumes of Vanguard and I have a couple of other 'projects' I'm halfway through.

As such, I have nothing really of any substance to ramble on about here (not even some half baked theory about a tv show I'm watching).

Therefore, I was going to ignore this week and have a week of writing nothing here. However, instead of being lazy I figured I'd just put up a short thing about a couple of reviews I had done for Pipedream Comics (as I usually do anyway) just to give that little extra clarity (like I do anyway).

So, first review up in this past week was Commander Rao. Now I have to confess, I wasn't sure what to expect from this, I thought it was an ongoing. However, Now I know it is a one-shot, I'm a little disappointed.

I thought Commander Rao was a really well written, very emotional piece of story-telling. I was absolutely captivated by this as I read it and watched Rao walk through Hell to find absolution in the eyes of herself for seemingly abandoning her friend. I thought it was a real character-examination into the themes of loyalty and friendship.

Meanwhile, the art was absolutely stellar!! I loved the subtle change in style and colour from the future to the past, with the future looking incredibly loud and sci-fi-esque while the past had this old fashioned, drained colour look to it.

Of course, it wasn't perfect, as I thought it was lacking on some info to common sense questions (although they maybe weren't necessary to the story) and the art's action scenes were a little confusing to follow. However, overall, I'd recommend everyone should check out this book at least once.

After that came the review for Gunrunner. Now, this review was a tough one to write because, while the story itself was  really, really good, there was very little I could take away from it to actually write about.

The story is fast paced and, as such, feels extremely edge of the seat from (almost) beginning to end. As a result of this I found it to be really enjoyable to read. It was also almost entirely devoid of problems to the extent that if there was any issue, it was that I thought the opening scene was a little confusing and only after reading the whole story did I feel there was context enough to understand.

Otherwise, the book was fine. Most of the characters felt a little one note but they served their purpose and made Tali a more compelling lead, while the art was solid throughout (apart from maybe one scene early on). I honestly felt that this was a simple, well executed comic; no grandeur, no pomp, just effective, streamlined, enjoyable storytelling.

But, despite my lack of depth in my thoughts of it, I'd still tell anyone who asked that they should read it!!

And that's it!!! Apologies of the shortness of the post this week. All being well, I'll have something more to talk about next week.