********
IMAGE $0.50
Given away to Major Adventure Comics.com Subscription Delivery Service Subscribers as our "FREE" COMIC BOOK DAY offering.
Monthly Ongoing Series.
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Ryan Ottley
Summarizing the premise of this zero issue : Mark Grayson is confronted by his new girlfriend Amber because she fears he is dealing drugs. Mark carries a beeper, disappears suddenly without warning, and is vague or elusive about where he was. To preserve their relationship, Mark reveals he is the superhero Invincible.
Invincible has consistently been "A recommended reading title" on the NEW RELEASE WALL. This zero issue not only contains all of the elements which make the title recommended reading, but because of the price and the content, elevates it to A MAJOR ADVENTURE "MUST READ" TITLE. It fits right in to the continuity of the series and is also an excellent recap to this point for new readers. Throughout the run of the series, writer Robert Kirkman has taken all of the familiar archetypes and infused them with engaging characterizations. At the same time, he puts his own unique spin on those archetypes, resulting in stories that are fun to read, full of unexpected twists and turns. Complementing the writing, artist Ryan Ottley vividly captures the dynamics of the story, whether rendering a fight sequence or a simple facial reaction. What makes this book worth reading is how well Kirkman deals with the concept of being a superhero and balancing normal responsibilities and relationships. It didn't take Invincible's girlfriend decades to figure out he was hiding something before he had to deal with her suspicions!
-- Major Adventure 04/27/2005
********
************
COMMENTARY by MAJOR ADVENTURE
************
The sham that is "Free" Comic Book Day.
"Free" Comic Book Day is a sham because retailers have to buy those comics to give away. It's free to everyone but the retailers. Granted, some might argue that the cost to retailers is nominal. However it's still a cost, especially when the "free" comics must be purchased in bulk quantities. The "Free" Comic Book Day titles offered for sale to retailers are reprints on cheap paper. As for the selection of reprinted comics available, if subscribers were actually interesting in reading those titles they would have bought them when they were originally on sale. Don't believe me? Go ahead and visit one of the fine brick and mortar establishments in the area "officially" participating in "Free" Comic Book Day and see what they're giving away. I'll be pleasantly surprised if you are induced to add any one of those titles to your subscription list because you were impressed by the free copy you got. But, I don't want you Subscription Delivery Service Subscribers to feel like you're "missing out" on "Free" Comic Book Day. So, if I'm going to buy something to give away, I'll buy something I like. I think you will like Invincible #0, too. You may not end up subscribing to it. But you will see why it's "A recommended reading title".
********
IMAGE $2.95
Monthly Ongoing Series (An overly optimistic designation by the publisher.)
UPDATE: 4/22/05: The July issue of Previews is listing the 4th issue as the last of a "four issue limited series". Why Am I not surprised.
Writer: Keith Champagne
Artist: Andy Smith
Summarizing the premise : A troubled, but pre-postal, teen finds what looks like an "X-O class" battle suit.
The first issue ended with Carson Deeds, in his newly acquired battle armor, preparing to exact his revenge on all those mean kids at the prom. The second issue begins with Carson floating around aimlessly trying to figure out how to stop the armor from picking up various audio transmissions flooding the suit. Snippets of the audio hint at what happened at the prom, which is eventually revealed in a flashback sequence. This could have been a clever devise, if something dire, or interesting, ultimately happened at the prom. It didn't. Instead we jump to the "I've got superpowers so I'll break into a bank because I can" moment, complete with a "With great power comes great opportunity." quote. I guess I was hoping for a commitment to the teenage revenge fantasy played out with superpowers premise set up in the first issue. That concept could have been a very thought provoking limited series. But I don't think that subject matter is where this title really wants to go. I don't think "Armor X" will go anywhere now. If it makes it to five issues before it's cancelled I'll be surprised.
-- Major Adventure 04/14/2005
********
BATMAN
: JEKYLL & HYDE #1 (Of 5)
DC $2.99
Limited Series
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artists: Jae Lee.
Summarizing the premise : Two-Face versus himself.
Paul Jenkins' claim to fame is that he was chosen to write "Origin", which as origins for Wolverine go, was good, just not as good as Weapon X. But for years he was writing "Spectacular Spider-Man", a title I often referred to as "Legend Of The Dark Spider". It was a series characterized by short, self-contained, character driven story arcs; which may or may not have taken place in current continuity, maybe set in the past, maybe in present, maybe somewhere/when else. It was similar to the "Legends Of The Dark Knight" series, which has all those distinct features. The difference between LODK and Spec Spi was that LODK had rotating creative teams which had various degrees of success, from "Must Read" to crap. The first issue of Batman : Jekyll & Hyde looks like a "Must Read" LODK tale. What truly elevates this issue is the artwork of Jae Lee. Personally, I've never been a fan of his art, or I should say, his choice of projects. His style is extremely moody, dark, and atmospheric; short on action, high on dramatic style. I found it uncomplimentary in resent projects like "Hulk And Thing: Hard Knocks" and "The Inhumans", among others in the past. But "extremely moody, dark, and atmospheric" is a perfect fit for a "short on action, high on dramatic style" character driven story, which is Jenkins forte. Kudos go to the editor who finally put this pair together on a project with characters that highlight their respective strengths: Batman and Two-Face. Issue #1 of Batman: Jekyll & Hyde is definitely worth a look!
-- Major Adventure 04/14/2005
********
************ COMMENTARY by MAJOR ADVENTURE ************
Second Printing Of DC Countdown To Infinite Crisis Price Gouging.
DC
Comics has announced the second printing of this absolutely superb one shot will
have a cover price of $1.99. Since the first printing was only a dollar, this
decision by DC to raise the price is a slap in the face to retailers and consumers
alike. It's uncharacteristic of the company, which, in the past, has always been
"the retailer's friend" in the industry. Multiple printings of Identity
Crisis issues allowed retailers to attract new readers to this series at any time,
a prime example of DC's "friendly" policy of keeping a best selling
title in print. But each printing maintained the original cover price, no matter
what the cover variance might have been. Doubling the cover price of a second
printing is a disturbing precedent for DC to set. That is the real crisis
********
THE
HUMAN RACE #1 (Of 7)
DC $2.99
Limited Series
Writer: Ben Raab
Artists: Justiniano & Walden Wong.
Summarizing the premise : The super-powered fraternity of Delta Chi Delta is charged with protecting the genetic code of the human race from any outside interference. (Since this books looks like it's set in the mainstream DCU, it doesn’t seem like they’ve been doing a very good job so far. I’ll let you know whether or not the premise is as lame as it sounds.)
It's not as lame as it sounds. The promo material for this limited series does it a disservice by keying on the word "fraternity", because it jumps out at you with all the wrong associations. When I think "fraternity", I think keg parties, togas, and John Belushi ranting about the German's bombing Pearl Harbor. Wonderful, a comic about beer swilling superhero's dressed in sheets, which would explain why they've done such a lousy job of protecting the earth from outside interference. Maybe they used the tag "fraternity" since all of the other good grouping labels, like league, society, etc, have been taken. Regardless, the team is actually a sect, a "secret sect". And the outside interference they're protecting against is very specific. What I liked about this issue was how well it presented a detailed back story, without getting bogged down with those details. It's written by Ben Raab, whose name I'm familiar with. But for the life of me I couldn't tell you a single project he's done, because nothing stands out. This, however, stands out. He establishes a main character who is subjected to a change similar to that of a Marvel mutant. But where as the whole concept of being "feared and hated" for being different has been worn out in the Marvel U, here it's given a refreshing and engaging take. Issue #1 of The Human Race is "worth a look".
-- Major Adventure 03/20/2005
********
IMAGE $2.95
Monthly Ongoing Series
Writer: Keith Champagne
Artist: Andy Smith
Summarizing the premise : A troubled, but pre-postal, teen finds what looks like an "X-O class" battle suit.
First off, there is no "pre-postal" about this one. Not when the "troubled teen" is on the way to the prom with a bag full of "over night priority express with delivery confirmation to the morgue" for all those mean kids who picked on him. Of course, he never makes it there. Because that's when he stumbles across the sentient liquid metal armor in a ditch, which is EVEN BETTER for a teenage revenge fantasy! Oh, and do I need to point out any more similarities in the armor concept for someone to initiate a copyright infringement action? On a positive note, the supporting cast features inverted stereotypes. The "Flash Thompson" Big Man On Campus is polite, considerate, and genuinely concerned about our boy. The "unrequited love interest" he's tutoring is not only a blind girl, but a slut, too! This series looks like it's going to be about "when 'with great power comes great responsibility' goes horribly wrong". So, I'll follow up on the second issue just to see if carnage ensues at the prom.
-- Major Adventure 03/16/2005
********
