February 2016's comics

So, it's been a few weeks since I've posted here nan's that wasn't exactly what I had planned. Sadly, once again, real life (along with a tonne of small press reviews) have been keeping me busy.

Fortunately, this has given me plenty of time to get through all my comics picked up during February.

So, first up this month was Black Science #20, which continued the creation of a hero in lead character Grant McKay as he began his search for his team, and ended facing off against some ghosts from his recent past. Now, Black Science has been one of two true highlights in my pull list since the moment it began, but with this Godworld arc, it just feels like it's risen to a whole other level. Once again, this was an issue which was break neck, cover-to-cover action as McKay overcame obstacles and enemies to continue to rise higher and higher as the hero this story deserves. And with the still incredibly solid, pulpy looking art by Scalera, the only thing I'm hating about this book is the fact there is a month between issues because if this book was weekly then I'd still consider it money well spent (despite my limited budget).

Next on my pile was Superman: American Alien #4, which this time saw a slightly older still Clark Kent going to an intern job at the Daily Planet where his assignment is to cover a business meeting between DCU mainstays, Lex Luthor, Oliver Queen and Bruce Wayne. Now I couldn't get on board with this issue on the first read through, but on the second time I found this yet another enjoyable issue as it continued with concept of the building up the eventual man of steel. What I found most enjoyable here was the different points of view which were given by the various characters, each very different but so valid. However, I didn't take to the art so much for, while Jim Lee's style is very unique and I liked it on Batman Superman, here it is just too jarring and distracts me from the story. Despite that though, it's still an enjoyable series and I look forward to how it continues.

Then came Daredevil #3-4 which, this month, were the only print comics on my pile (Black Magick #2 was STILL not in yet!!!). These two issues continued the Tenfingers story with issue 3 seeing the man without fear protecting his new enemy against an old one while issue 4 saw him go and assist and the original Captain America in exchange for advice. Now, I feel really cruel for saying this, because I hear so much praise for this run, but these two issues continued  to be a struggle to get into. I think that the main problem is that, coming off of the tremendous Waid/Samnee run, this one had an uphill struggle to meet those standards anyway. However, the 'genie in the bottle' mentality of DD's secret identity just rubs me up the wrong way, as well as the fact that this character doesn't read like the Daredevil I know. There is nothing technically wrong with these issues (although the Cap issue felt a little shoehorned in), as Ron Garvey's art is still terrific, but I'm think my time reading Daredevil is done and these two issues really didn't do much to change my mind on that.
 

And finally, over the course of the month I continued the week-by week reading of The Legend of Wonder Woman #13-15, which let us see Diana learn more about the war and meantime discover a worrying revelation regarding her mother while running into a very familiar face while trying to confront said revelation. Now, after reading this, I find myself asking why it is that DC can't make books in its actual continuity which are as good as this as Renae De Liz continues to craft an incredibly engaging story which makes Wonder Woman's more traditional origin a lot more relatable to me. And although the story is starting to slow down a little (most likely to draw it out so it fills the 9 standard issues it is solicited for) it is still written so lovingly and the art is so vibrant that if this origin isn't considered the standard for the main (and film) versions of the character, then there really isn't anyone with taste in charge at DC.

So, that was February for me done and, while it was a bit of a let down given that Daredevil is dropping off my pull list for the first time since Dakota North was in the book, the other three books were so good that they more than made up for it when it comes to my enjoyment levels. Therefore, I should say that choosing my book of the month should be difficult and it almost was as Wonder Woman has been SO good. However, at the end of the day it still can't hold a candle to the awesomeness of Black Science #20 which is, without doubt, my favourite read of this bunch. Never mind though, maybe WW will take the top spot in March.

That said, I've still got to wait another (longer) month to find out. In the meantime though, back to indie comics I go!!!

 

 

Breaks

I do like those nice little fated moments in life where, just as I'm finishing up reading something, the book in question has some kind of milestone.

So, it seemed rather ironic that, just as artist Emma Vieceli was announcing that it was the second birthday of hers and Malin Ryden's webcomic Breaks, I was just finishing up reading it (well, up to date anyway). It was this irony made me decide to write this.

Breaks is different to my usual kinds of reads in that it isn't a superhero comic or something action packed, but is instead a much more charming kind of story. It is a coming of age story revolving primarily around Cortland Hunt and Ian Tanner, two schoolboy who despite having something of a bitter rivalry with each other, begin to develop a emotional connection while also dealing with their own ongoing problems.

To be fair, I'm probably simplifying this way too much because, despite how it sounds, I think Breaks is an incredibly complex and compelling piece of fiction. Writer Malin Ryden seems to have an incredible grasp of producing in depth, realistic teenage voices in her characters who, are so multi-faceted it is almost impossible not to empathise with them (except maybe Spence, because I think he's just a dick).

Of course, I can't ignore Emma Veiceli's art because I think her soft pencils are such a defining factor as to what makes this webcomic such an addictive read that to downplay them as anything less than equal in importance to the writing would be criminal.

Not since Alex + Ada have I read anything so emotional, but to say Breaks is 'just a love story' is an unbelievably ignorant understatement. To me, Breaks is a definitive coming of age stories as it shows its lead characters facing some real turmoil in battling the demons of their respective pasts. This is especially apparent to me in Cortland, whose temperament, social standing and cynical attitude remind me of my own at a similar. Based on that alone I'd have said this is a story which focuses equally on some mental health aspects as well as same sex love.

And, having ignored that point thus far, the focus on a same sex relationship is, quite possibly, the major factor in my thinking that this is an essential read and not because it is included but because of what it means. For me, this is a story about being yourself, not being afraid of your peers/society's thoughts of you and being strong enough to get back up when you are put down.

And as a sufferer of depression, those are certainly themes I like to read.

So, in the end, I enjoyed breaks, which I thought I would. But I can't believe how much I enjoyed it and now I hope that, if the first two years are anything to go by, Breaks will still be going in two more. This is an essential read in my book and hope my kids can read it when they are a bit older.

True Believers 2016, what a fantastic con!!!

This might not be a long post as I'm writing it while waiting for my car to be repaired, but I want to get it written before the memories of yesterday leave my head.

So, I've already written a show report on Pipedream comics which is up/will be up soon but here's a more personal take.

Yesterday was fantastic and I'm not over selling it here! From the moment I got there to the moment I left, the entire day was a blast.

The reason it was so good for me can be drummed up in one word;  conversation.

I got to talk to so many people yesterday. From old friends to new creators and beyond, I talked so much that I've lost my voice a little. But, damn do I not regret it!

I started with a circle round all the tables, with my plan being a second circuit to buy that didn't work too well. No sooner had I walked in the door the talking started with Big Punch Studios right there. This followed with Sam Webster, meeting Andy Bloor and more. However, not only was there lots of talking but I found so many sellers which saw me back issue diving for old Daredevil and FF issues.

And these two things were what took up my five hours there, to the point that I missed the panels I'd been planning to go to.

If I had to say one problem with True Believers it was that there was so much to see, not that that's a bad thing because of the quality of what I saw, like the awesomely knowledgeable comic sellers (Sid at Comic Connections is my hero)  and getting some good insights from, as well as giving praising to, the creators also.

And then there was the true highlights of my day. First there was meeting my absolutely favourite writer Paul Cornell, who was such an awesome and genuine guy and was so generous that it nearly floored me.

This was followed by seeing Emma Vieceli, where I gushed praise over hers and Malin Ryden's web comic Breaks, before seeing Emily Owens and Joe Glass, where I got to enjoy some in depth discussions on a variety of comic thoughts.

Those are the moments which really stuck out for me but, in truth, every person I spoke with was a joy and I could only wish I had gotten another hour, two, hell ten to have spoken with them all longer.

So, I said before that that might have been my last con for quite a while and, if it is, I'm glasd it was this one and all I can do is gush and thank everyone I encountered and everyone who arranged it for a truly fantastic con!!

And I really, REALLY hope I can go again next year.