So, after last week's ... opinion piece (I guess), I realised that I now had a lot more comic to vent about as, not only did I want to talk about last week's reads, but now I had additional comics which I had read during this past week to vent my thoughts on.
So I better get started really.
Last week had been mainly focused on reading, with the Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary Giant #1 being first on that list as well as what had occupied most of my free time. This issue, like the Green Arrow and Aquaman ones before it, offered up a selection of stories from various creators showing off the greatness that is DC's Princess of Themyscaria.
Now, this was a good read in my opinion. Not spectacular by any stretch but this celebrations contained some really good stories like In Memorium, which was such a beautifully written story and looked gorgeous thanks to Jim Cheung's art (and made me intrigued to pick up the series proper and see what's going on), Dear Diana, which I loved for seeing Diana looking after everyone and realise that she enjoys doing it (I also really liked the Infinite Crisis-esque art), Better Angels, which I enjoyed reading for the connection between Diana and Cheetah (I also liked the silver age-esque art, although I did find it a little confusing in places), Saturn Rising, which was an interesting story that I enjoyed because it showed Diana's use of a non-violent resolution to the problem (the art looked fantastic too), and Immortal Mysteries, which I thought was another great story that showed off Diana's compassion with a more modern art look that I loved but with a horror tinge to it (this one also enticed me to consider checking out new 52 run (based on costume)).
Of course, not all of the stories were winners in my eyes, with Dreamers, Fresh Catch and Dated only being 'OK' in my book (although I am intrigued to check more out about Dreamers) and Low Orbit not really coming across as my thing. However, like all comics, I consider this entirely subjective. At the end of the day, I did enjoy this Giant-Sized issue and thought it gave a great insight into who and what the character of Wonder Woman is.
After that I read the first volume of White Ash, a fantasy series from Scout Comics for which I reviewed over at Pipedream Comics. Now, my full thoughts are all there and I'd hate to just rehash the same old thoughts but I really did love this book. I thought it contained a great story and some gorgeous art and, by the end, made me really want to pick up the trade (I guess that means it'll be going on my recommended list). The second series comes out next month and while I probably wont get the singles, I do look forward to the trade as the first volume left me with a host of questions which included; What is Thane planning? Is there something special about Kaitlyn? and, maybe most importantly, What's with all the cats?
So, with week one done, I moved into this week, where the beginning of my time focus on the final Amazing Spider-Man arc of the Dan Slott run, Red Goblin. This arc saw ol' Webhead face off against his most dangerous adversary yet as (probably) his two worst villains come together to form something altogether far more deadly, all in an effort to destroy him and everyone he loves.
Now, this was a difficult trade to get a read on for me as, while I certainly got the impression from the cover that this was meant to be some epic endgame/swansong to Slott's tenure, I really found myself struggling to get invested from the beginning (although it got easier as the story progressed and the final battle really did feel epic). I think the problem I had was that I literally jumped in at the end and so, missing the last ten plus years of set up, I wasn't invested enough in the journey Peter Parker had been on. That said, I think the biggest problem I had connecting with this was that Peter just came across as so whiny to begin with, which really put me off.
However, as I said, the story did get better for me and I think this may have been because the focus went towards the villain as opposed to Parker's internal angst. Still, this wasn't the only good thing in my eyes as I really loved the artwork from the cadre of artists like Stuart Immomen and Giuseppe Camuncoli (although I did struggle with Humberto Ramos' middle input, which is strange given he drew one of the best Goblin stories I know of). Surprisingly, I also loved the inclusion of the wider Spider-family, especially Flash who was without doubt the MVP of this arc (I've also got to say that there's a gag which references Eddie Brock as a poor man's Peter Parker and I loved seeing that pay off. Freaking hilarious).
By the end though, this story had me in a little bit of a Quandry. I marked the Red Goblin arc as 3 stars on Comixology, which would classify it as 'good' in my book. However, this is one of those reads where I found it stretched out between 'good', 'ok' and 'not my thing'. As such, while I did enjoy it to some degree, I don't think it gives me incentive to check out the story prior or the continuation beyond. Still, it was a fun enough read (for the most part) to pass the time.
The rest of this week was then filled with reading small press comics. The first of which was Sagas of the Shield Maiden Book 2, which I also reviewed (as part of a round up) for Pipedream Comics. Now, I really liked the first book and so this second instalment had some big shoes to fill. Thankfully, I thought Asa Wheatley and his team didn't disappoint as I certainly enjoyed this sequel, thinking it was a great continuation of the original. I loved how engrossing the stories were and I enjoyed the art a lot too (although I did think that it all looked too similar, unlike the very broad styles of Book 1). As such, I'm already looking forward to book 3.
Next up was the The Cage #1 which was not a homage to the Star Trek episode (I don't think) but was a supervillain centred story by Matt Garvey, Dean Kotz and J Francis Totti which followed a technology based supervillain who, stripped of his tech, is sent to a maximum security, superhuman specialised prison called 'The Cage'.
Now, I'm a big fan of Matt Garvey's work, but have kind of tailed off since Glass Hood (most of his books after just weren't my thing). However, I got the chance to read an advance of the Cage (it's not what you know, right) and, in my eyes, it was a return to form for Matt with a really gritty and engrossing read. Of course, I think what made it really good was the art as Dean Kotz pencils and J Francis Totti's colour really give this a harsh, brutal look that is just so impressive (and that monkey looks f****** nuts too!).
By the time I reached the end (and that surprise twist to cliff-hanger it on), it was fair to say that was hooked on this one. I've been hearing rumours on this comic for a while so not only am I glad that it met my expectations, but I really hope that it's sequels escape Matt's head thick and fast.
Then came yet another Matt Garvey comic (seriously, it's who you know ... and how much you bug them) in the sketch version of Vodou Cowboy #1 which followed a Cowboy Witch Doctor who makes his way to a small mining town when an old friend asks for his help in dealing with some supernatural goings on.
Now, I wasn't sure what to expect with this, as the cover made me think of the Alterna series Horrors of the West (which did freak me out when I read it). However, I thought Vodou Cowboy was really something else. Garvey injected it with a real unnerving atmosphere that I loved and gave it a really dark vibe. But what was really standout to me was Arjuna Susini's art, which just unbelievably phenomenal in this comic and I just fell in love with as it really put across that dark, rough western tone while also infusing it with some really dark horror vibes
I think that if there is some downside to the comic it is the question as to whether the issue proper will be coloured. If this is the case then I'd think that's a shame because Susini's artwork is so amazing that in black and white it really catches the atmosphere perfectly. That said, with the colour credit going to the terrific Dee Cunniffe, I sure would be interested in seeing a colour version. Regardless of whether it ends up monochrome or colour, I thought this was one addictive comic and I'm already looking forward to more.
And that brings us to yesterday (which was Thursday as of time of posting) where I managed to cram two more comics in from my pull list.
The first was Star Trek: The Mirror War #1, the first part proper of this newest Mirror universe story, which saw Picard and the crew of the Enterprise track down a target worthy of their mettle and desire to form an armada to rebuild the Terran Empire. But first, they'd need to pick up a few supplies, and Picard a spare set of eyes as his crew begin their plots against him.
I'll have to admit, that there wasn't much I could really say about this issue. The Tipton's once again have me truly intrigued about where this band or Imperial pirates are about to go and how it'll intersect with what we already know about the Mirror Universe. It also reminded me of a lot of concepts and characters from Mirror Broken that I had forgotten about in the interim.
However, I feel it is still just way too early in the story to feel one way or the other about this issue. It certainly didn't turn me off of getting the next issue and the art was cool, although it struggled with me from not being J.K. Woodward, but I have faith that it'll do well by the end.
And finally I read Fantastic Four #37, which saw the First Family celebrate Halloween in different ways as Ben and Alicia took Jo and Nikki trick or treating, Johnny attempted a normal life in his new supercharged state and Reed pondered on the recent message from his father.
I really loved this issue, as it felt like a nice break issue to allow the various storyline to breathe and catch up. In fact, I really enjoyed all three of the stories relating to Johnny, Reed and Ben as they really touched a nerve with me and I felt like I related to each of them in some way perfectly. Meanwhile the art by Nico Leon was gorgeous, reminding me lot of prior artists Isaakze, Medina and Silva (which is no bad thing).
I won't lie, that the issue wasn't perfect because, while it was nice to see her as the supportive rock of the four, it sure Would be nice to see Sue get more focus and an arc for herself. Also, the arc surrounding Alicia felt a bit pointless with its seemingly abrupt end. Nonetheless though, this was another strong issue which is becoming surprisingly common of late. Hopefully that'll continue for a good long while.
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And that's everything I've read in two weeks (Dear God, I never realised it was so much). Shockingly though, it still wasn't everything I filled my time with.
I've managed to cobble some extra spare time together and used it to rebuild a story idea that I previously had. What was originally a four page story that I wrote some time (what feels a bit like years now) back received a little bit of inspiration during the last two weeks as I listened to comic podcasts. As a result I managed to complete revamp the story, changing some events in a minor way and stretching it out a little to the point that it is now and eleven page tale.
This now puts the total number of pages I've scripted to 56 as I find myself pondering what to do next. In truth, I still have plenty of other ideas, so I'll probably just move on to that next week.
Not that I'll be short of time as my pull list comics are at zero next week. However, there are a few comics I'm still pondering on. The first of which continues to be the Comixology Originals sale which is going on and I've whittled my choices down to six titles. However, I've just got to see if I'll have the coin left by the end of the month in order to get them all. Otherwise, I'll probably just have to pick up what I can afford.
Nonetheless, that's next week's problem. For now, this week is done (and last week with it) and I guess I better go find some reading material for next week.
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