Comic Reviews: September 2019

Another month over, another month closer to Christmas (Oh God, NOT Christmas).

Now, to be honest, as I post this September isn't exactly over as we still have the rest of today (which of course varies depending on where you are). However, as it is the final day and I'm unlikely to review anything else before it ends (although miracles do happen, right?), I'm just gonna call it now; September is done!

And so, because it is done, I've written my what is now standard monthly overview of all the comics I've reviewed on behalf of my good old comic-based employer, Pipedream Comics. Now last month wasn't a bad little month comic wise, as so I recall being intrigued as September began as to what I was going to get and whether it could match up.

Fortunately, I think it's fair to say that it did, and then some.

Omni #1. Image from
Comixology.

The first review for September was Omni #1, the final comic from the Humanoid/H1 shared universe (I did say we'd come back to it later). Now, I really enjoyed this one, as it felt like the strongest of the three Humanoid titles that I've read recently. The story seemed more focused on the characters, as it came across as more of an origin to me and left little confusion. Also, I felt that the power set was weirdly cool and different and to very much my liking. Meanwhile, while the art looks much the same as Ignited and Strangelands and that in itself is no big problem, there was a splash page early on which gave us a visual representation of the Cecilia's power which looked just amazing and really made its mark in my brain.

Meanwhile, I didn't mention the backup because I gushed a lot about the main story but it is the same tale as from Strangelands, picking up after that issue. Now, I liked the backup from Strangelands but this was very intriguing and did make me wonder if 'Ignited' people were cropping up much earlier than these comics were leading us to believe as well as what the girl's power is (to which I'm thinking body swapping).

Overall, though this was the standout comic of the Humanoids line for me and I'd be happy to come back for more (and maybe even return to the others if that backup continues).

Mall #1. Image from
Comixology.

So, next up was Mall #1 and, I have to admit, that this was another comic which I really enjoyed. However, unlike with Omni, I probably knew so after reading the synopsis. With Mall I thought it was fun, it was frantic and it very much reminded me of Karl Urban's Judge Dredd film (or, I guess, Battle Royale which such films are kind of based on). I think the thing about this comic was that, while it is a very 'Walking Dead' style environment, it didn't dwell on that too much, instead focusing on an kind of 'who done it' tale, as Andre attempted to find who'd framed him and only used the end of the world as a back drop.

Meanwhile, the art has this gritty look which works well with that world and also cements that 'action movie' vibe. That said, I did think that the art started to fail towards the end, with a battle between two opposing clans look really bad compared to some of the awesome close up scenes just a few pages earlier. Of course, that one blip wasn't enough to wipe away all of the good in this comic from my perspective and certainly wouldn't stop me from checking out issue 2 at the absolute least.

Sera and the Royal Stars #1
Image from Comixology.

With the next review, I chose to follow up Mall with another Vault book (because they seem to be flooding the market, and not in a bad way) with Sera and the Royal Stars #1 & 2. Once again, I liked this book although, I've got to admit, I'm not sure why. I think that there was some charm to Sera as it looked good in terms of its art and I didnt' see any problems when it came to its story or how it was written. However, despite all of that I did feel that Sera was incredibly 'subdued', with little (that I could see) which could be picked out to focus on (save for the Stars reveals, which I thought were incredibly colourful).

However, despite that, I do believe with what I've written when I said Sera was a good book, with the beginnings of an epic tale filled with intriguing characters who have been drawn and colour to a terrific degree. I personally would like to read more of this series (which, as always is my barometer for if something is good) because sometimes comics just feel like reading despite being unable to quantify why. However, I do hope something jumps out at me more in future issues if/when I were to continue.

For my next couple of reviews of the month I moved away from my standard review pile to partake in some 'special requests'. The first of which was Tainted by Dean Kish, whom came to me for an urgent review before the clock on his kickstarter ended (something I'm always willing to oblige). However, this was a tough one to review for a number of reasons. I found the first issue incredibly tough going to get into, which I don't think it helped that the depression aspect (which is what appealed to me most being a sufferer) seemed very glossed over in favour of setting up the big 'good vs evil' story.

That said, the second issue felt a lot better to me as it flow better without the first issue's need to set up and seemed to focus more on Creek (the main character's) recovery while simultaneously prepping her for the big battle, both of which seemed accurately (in my mind anyway) entwined. The art, on the other hand, is really gorgeous and it makes me think of Manga in some way (or at least some British Manga-inspired comics I've seen). However, I may have been a bit brutal as I do think that, while it looks good, some of Creek's depictions felt clichéd and unrealistic given what she was going through. A bit nit-picky (and, hey, who am I to judge) but it just stuck with me.

Overall though, I did like this comic and am intrigued to see where it goes. That said, it's high price was a bit of a turn off (something I never mentioned in the review) to me personally. However, given Dean's explanation and his plan to amend those prices to a more reasonable level in future, I look forward to seeing the Kickstarter not only run again but succeed.

Glass Hood. Cover by
Michael Rea.

I followed this with the second of my 'special requests' (although this was simply because I got a copy due to my 'other job' as a proofreader) as I reviewed Matt Garvey's new Glass Hood. Now this review ended up being a couple of drafts and is a good example of how first impressions should not always be final ones. This is because my initial thought was how this is such a fantastic story which feels incredibly well paced, never once feeling to slow or rushing, how the characters are so compelling and the twist is, well, I really didn't see it coming and how Graham and Stefano's respective art styles are stellar and really help sell this book. Of course, none of this is false as I did love this book, especially the art as Graham's worked looked very noir-esque and makes everyone look old and tired, while Stefano's is so full of life and very silver age in that respects.

However, when I took a step back, a minute to breathe and looked again, I realised that, yes, this is a good book but, in the end, it could only come second to Red Rocket Comet, although I still believe this lose was only by a nose. Still, this was a great read (which I'm really coming to expect from Matt these days) and a strong comic and was very much worthy of my time and my money (which I really need to send him for a print copy sometime).

Milky #1. Image from
Comixology.

Finally, my reviews returned to the regularly scheduled comics pile as I finished September by checking out Milky, a comic book which Pipedream Comics had been giving a fair bit of love for in the last couple of months, focusing on both the Kickstarter and an interview with the creator. A lot of hype, huh? Well, after reading this I think it was worth it as Milky was a really enjoyable comic. It's a lot of fun and, though I've mentioned the Edgar Wright Cornetto trilogy a fair bit during the review it's only because that's the vibe they give me as I was reading. In honesty, I think that this is a comic  is something special, as the writing felt sharp with some nice witty dialogue and the art was just gorgeous, which just now reminds me of Valiant Comic's Ninjak (which is a really good first 6 issues, by the way).

Now,it's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination as the story and character tropes didn't feel the most original concepts and the art looked a little rough when it got to depicting the aliens invaders at most points. However, these are small quibbles in comparison to the book as a whole, which was just such a great read. Once again, I'd have to say that this is another one that I'd like to check more out.

Which I now realise is almost all of them as I reach the end of this post (in fact it was ALL of them).

So, there's a round up of everything which I had the privilege to review in September for Pipedream comics and, to put it bluntly, 'privilege' is right! I feel I've gotten exceptionally lucky with my review material this month as, while they all varying in their levels of quality, all six of these comics were reads worthy of my time which I would gladly pick up their successive issues (where they had any) if money was no object.

Sadly, money is still an object (for me anyway) and so, these titles will have to just settle with being consigned to my (ever growing) wish list. That said, it's a nice change of pace to have such full on optimism about the comics handed to me to read over a month.

It makes me wonder what next month will consist of?!

M.F.K.Z. Vol. 1

This is most likely going to be a very short post but it was one I really wanted to write because... well, because I wanted to remind myself that, sometimes, when I make a judgement on a comic that there is a good chance that I could be wrong.

Case in point.

M.F.K.Z Volume 1. Image
from Comixology.

MFKZ Volume 1 is an odd comic book for my collection, mainly because I honestly have no idea where it came from (other than Comixology). Now, my best guess is that Comixology were offering it to readers for free at some point (presumably between last October and now, although I'm convinced I've had it sitting in my library for a lot longer.) and, because I will pick up anything that says 'Free' on Comixology, I added it to my cart and picked it up. It has languished in the unread section ever since...

... Until now.

Comixology's synopsis tells the tale of MFKZ best as it Angelino, a kid from Dark Meat City who's can't get his life together, bouncing from crap job to crap job as he and his flame headed buddy Vinz make ends meet just so they can stay in their dump of a hotel room in Dark Meat City (the explanation for why this is called this is actually rather interesting). However, their dull, monotonous life has a major turn when Angelino is involved in a scooter accident, leading him on a crazy adventure as he and Vinz are chased across town and caught in the crossfire between gangsters, government agents and some men in black types who may not be all that they appear.

Now, at this point, I'm not sure what I can say. I'm now wondering if I allowed my bias to make my decision on this title for me because, despite reading the synopsis, one look at the cover and the fact that this was a free title at the time just didn't inspire me to believe that I would enjoy this.

How wrong I was.

M.F.K.Z. (which, after reading this, I'm confident stands for Mother F*%$*£% KraZy. Yes, I know that isn't correctly spelled) took me a little time to get into it, feeling a little slow to begin with. However, as soon as Angelino took his nose dive from his scooter I felt that the pacing just ramped up and had me absolutely hooked as the insane action and just the circumstances these two guys got into had me inexplicably intrigued.

As I read it, all I could think of was the film Pineapple Express and how the responses of Angelino and Vinz were so similar to that film's protagonists. In fact, MFKZ struck me as being exactly like many comedy films of that ilk, where the useless heroes somehow stumble through a shootout they (indirectly caused) without either taking, or handing out, a single bullet.

The strange thing is this; this comic is so NOT my usual cup of tea. It's tone is bizarre on an almost Deadpool-esque level (which I think I've mentioned before is definitely not my thing) while the art is... well, the art just doesn't look like my thing.

However, for me this is (Red Dwarf quote alert) my Fried Egg, Chilli, Chutney Sandwich; where it contains all the wrong ingredients but actually gets things spot on.

I'm not sure what else I can say and my lunch is over so I'm gonna go away with this. M.F.K.Z. is actually a really fun book despite an implication in it's cover or synopsis that argue counter to this. I kind of just wished that I'd gotten around to it sooner, not because it has fundamentally changed my life (it's good, but not that good) but because I probably ended up reading something comparatively sub-par instead.

The point is, M.F.K.Z. has re-taught me (because I'm sure I've been taught this once) that, in the end, any comic can be really great fun and a really awesome read, I've just got to swallow by bias and give it a shot!

September's Pull List: Fantastic Four #14

As I sit down to write this post, it has been 4 days since I first read this comic, 2 days since I last read it and I'm exceedingly tired and so I'm uncertain if the words will come out in a discernible order for this post.

But, hot damn!!, if this comic wasn't so good that I'm going to give it a try anyway!

Fantastic Four #14

Fantastic Four #14 started a whole new story arc for Marvel's first family, beginning with a donation of sorts when they unveil the Marvel-1, the ship they travelled in when they first got their powers, as a new feature at the National Air and Space museum. However, seeing his original rocket ship once more appears to give Reed Richards the itch as he then sets to work at building a successor so that he and his family can complete that first mission from all those years ago.

A rather simplistic synopsis to this issue, but there is so much more to it but then I fear that I'd hit spoiler territory. However, lets not mince words, I freaking loved this issue!!! Almost from beginning to end this felt like a quintessential Fantastic Four story; one that saw this team going big as they pushed their limits and went boldly where no one had.... well, you get the idea. Now, granted this issue wasn't so much of the 'Fantastic', the weird and the wacky, but given it was the beginning of an arc, this was still a Fantastic (pardon the pun) issue.

This issue is definitely more the Reed
and Johnny show!

Now, I've been complaining for many issues now about how the series has, thus far felt like the Ben Grimm and friends series. However, the man upstairs (or more accurately, Dan Slott) appears to have heard me because this issue felt like much more even split. This is because, while I felt this was more Reed and Johnny's story (exemplified by them being the ones working on their 'new project) and so they got the lion's share of the focus, Ben continued to make his rocky presence known as the story harkens back to FF #1 and the traumas he continues to deal with. In the end, it all made me a happy man, although it was a shame Sue got left behind and felt relegated to a background character (but maybe/hopefully, she'll shine in the next issue). However, it's made up for me by letting us see Reed be all Reed like in his thinking and actions, which I just enjoy when it happens.
 

This art is just 'WOW'!

Of course, beyond the core four, Alicia continues to be an awesome character and I think Slott has, like with the Thing, got her voice down to a T. I loved how she knew her husbands mind and, despite agreeing with him as he ranted about not going with them, was simultaneously prepping his lunch (in an albeit clichéd manner, but we can forgive because it was funny) because she knew what his final decision was going to be. I also loved the 'Sun is getting real low' quip during the new rocket's big reveal, thinking it was nicely taken from the MCU (and apt given Ben took out the Hulk just one issue ago).

Beyond the 'current' storyline, however, I really liked how Slott ... 'slotted' (for want of a better word) some nice little bits of retconning to the original origin story which, while not fundamentally changing it, did give it a bit more believability. This is best seen in the montage of Johnny training to be the back-up pilot, which I had never considered in all the years I'd been reading the series and was a nice touch in giving plausibility why this kid got on the mission. Also, the introduction of Duke and Sandy as the 'original' crew before Sue and Johnny nabbed their spots was equally interesting, and a sign that the right people were on that flight when Ben was discussed.
 

Ben (finally) suiting up!

Speaking of Ben, I found it incredibly sad that we got to see discrimination and lots of 'oohh, look at that monster' thrown in Ben's direction. While I guess it makes sense for the story, because it needs Ben to be totally against re-doing the flight and what better way than to bring up all the negative things related to the original (the horrified looks and the Black Box recording for two), given that this is a world with Hulks, Inhumans, Mutants (one of whom looks like Ben) and aliens, I'd have thought that had people had gotten over this?

Also, while I'm thinking, I wonder why the Four never went to this world and completed this 'mission' before now? It's not like they haven't gone into deep space or travelled through time or hopped dimensions before or on greater distances (as Valeria points out, in faster ships), so why not this planet? I guess if they had we wouldn't be having this story, so I shouldn't nitpick.
 

'Let's see what's out there.'

Anyway, I've talked at length (surprise, surprise) about the story and the characters and so on, but I need to take a couple of minutes to gush about the art. This is because Paco Medina's work in this issue is in-freaking-credible!! Every panel was absolutely gorgeous, looking so vibrant and rich and sharp. In fairness, I'm not really qualified to critique this artwork, but the best I can say is that this work is the best of the series so far (Isaakse's work from the issues 13 and 14 drops to a close second) with Medina making this issue stand out to me with a whole host of amazing panels like the The Marvel-1 ribbon cuting, the Marvel-2 reveal, Ben suiting up, the take-off, Sue being woken by a working Reed, Reed opening walls and Reed and Johnny working to name but a few (they are certainly my favourites).

 

I think, at this point, I've shot my bolt (a nice CGS quote) on this issue and I'm totally out of things I can further talk about. However, I think I've confirmed what I initially said when I started this post in that I totally loved this issue. It's felt like a bit a slow build up and a long road to get here since the FF returned, but this comic is now getting to the point that I remember it being best.

Now, I'm totally pumped for the next issue. I'll admit that I'm hoping Sue gets a little more focus and/or equal footing to the rest of the four in the upcoming issues but, besides that, I think this is the level I hope all future issues will reach!!