The Classics - The Fantastic Four "Top 10"

I wanted to do something special to celebrate passing a thousand posts here at Chuck's Comic of the Day - so here it is: For this week's "Classic" review, I'm going to list my personal Top 10 issues from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's run on the Fantastic Four.

I'm not including their Annuals in the list (but I'll get around to reviewing them eventually, I hope). These are the issues that I remember most fondly, for various reasons.

The glaring omission is probably the first issue - it's historic, but frankly not that great a comic. The team was still working out the kinks, frankly.

Anyway, here goes - my top 10, in reverse order (natch).

#10 - Fantastic Four 28

This comic is another great example of the Marvel formula wherein the good guys fight each other because of a misunderstanding.

Here the Mad Thinker and the Puppet Master team up (for the first time, I believe), take control of Professor X and pit the Fantastic Four against the X-Men.

The comic features loads of action, some fun plot twists and a great battle.

It's not deep, it's not meaningful, but it is a heck of a lot of fun.


#9 - Fantastic Four 18

I can't swear that this was the first issue of the Fantastic Four that I ever read - but it's the first one I remember reading.

It was loaded with mind-blowing concepts - alien races threatening the Earth! The Super Skrull, who copied the abilities of the entire FF! A battle royale where the good guys seem to have no chance of winning!

And this was one of the earliest issues where Kirby really started having fun with Mr. Fantastic's abilities, as he forms a giant hammer with his hand and turns into a human glider.

It was an action-packed issue, and as a kid I knew this was something special. The FF shot to the top of my comics list. (Even though the ending of the story was a bit of a cheat.)


#8 - Fantastic Four 4

This is a comic I first read as a reprint, and even though the style of it was a bit crude compared to later efforts, it's loaded with power.

This one starts out with the Human Torch quitting the team (each member had a turn at this - some more than once). He hides out in the Bowery, where he finds a bearded bum who has amazing strength. He gives the guy a shave with his flame (kids, don't try this at home), and the bum is revealed to be the Sub-Mariner!

Recovering his memory, Namor goes to war against the human race, and dredges up a Godzilla-sized monster to help destroy New York City.

This one holds up amazingly well today, and managed to work in some romance and heroism in there, too.


#7 - Fantastic Four 23

If earlier issues sparked my interest in the series, this comic sealed the deal.

Dr. Doom plans a series of traps to try to eliminate the FF. He empowers three men (The Terrible Three - not Lee and Kirby's greatest creations) with specific abilities and manages to catch our heroes.

But when they escape, Doom triggers his biggest trap - a Solar Wave, which (somehow) slowly opens a portal to space. As the expanse of space spilled across the floor toward our heroes, I was transfixed.

The series was really getting its creative juices flowing, and I would be there the rest of the way (which is to say, I'm still buying this comic every month).


#6 - Fantastic Four 26

One of the things Marvel did better than any other comics company, bar none, was fill an issue with action.

And few issues can beat this one, as we have the Fantastic Four and the Avengers teaming up to fight the Hulk in New York, with loads of destruction and mayhem along the way.

The heroes don't exactly work well together - they practically stumble over each other in their eagerness to tackle the Hulk - but it was a blast to read and, I suspect, Stan and Jack were having as much fun as the readers were.


#5 - Fantastic Four 46

By this point, the creative team as really hitting on all cylinders.

After a few glimpses the issue before, with this issue we finally meet the Inhumans, as Black Bolt and the Royal Family attack the FF (they were confused about a lot of things at the time).

The issue is packed with amazing sequences, as The Seeker tries to track down the Inhumans, captures the monstrous Dragon Man, all while the battle is raging.

The issue is loaded with amazing visuals, characters and concepts. By this point, Lee and Kirby and working on a different level from the rest of the industry.


#4 - Fantastic Four 43

What agony this issue caused!

It was the wrap-up to an exciting story wherein the Frightful Four had brainwashed the Thing and the Human Torch into becoming evil and attacking the Fantastic Four. All seemed hopeless - and this issue had the answers.

But... it arrived at the news stand the same day as Fantastic Four Annual #4, which featured the wedding of Reed and Sue! My family was on the way to my Grandparent's house to visit some cousins who were in town, and my 9-year-old self only had a quarter - enough to buy one issue or the other, but not both!

After much agonizing, I bought the annual. When we arrived at my Grandparents house, my cousin Jon loved the FF Annual and offered to buy it from me. When I hesitated, he offer 50 cents - so I sold it to him and talked Dad into stopping at the news stand again on the way home, and I gleefully bought both issues.

Lucky for me! It's a terrific issue, loaded with surprises and drama.


#3 - Fantastic Four 40

This could almost be my favorite issue.

The second of two parts, it features an FF who have lost their powers - yet they must confront Dr. Doom, who has taken control of the Baxter Building (their headquarters), and is turning Reed's inventions against the team.

Aided by a Wally Wood-drawn Daredevil, the team faces overwhelming odds. They regain their powers through a bit of trickery by Reed (kind of a dirty trickery, at that), but it leads to a powerful moment.

The team needs the help of the Thing to defeat Doom - but Ben hates being trapped in his monstrous form. After the change, he takes his anger out on Doom in a battle that is both brutal, intense and gripping.

I'd compare that final sequence to the classic Lee - Ditko scene where Spider-Man was trapped under machinery (actually, that issue was published after this one). The Thing battles through on courage and heart alone. It's a powerful sequence, and one of my all-time favorites.


#2 - Fantastic Four 51

Lots of fans will tell you that this is the best issue of the Fantastic Four - but they're wrong.

It is a great issue! It's a sad tale of a scientist who manages to steal the Thing's powers and appearance, intending to kill Reed Richards. Instead, he learns the most important lesson of his life - and redeems himself.

It's one of the most emotional issues of the Fantastic Four, and one of the best-written, too.

As a side note, this is also the issue where Reed discovers the Negative Zone - another example of Lee and Kirby kicking out ideas (seemingly) without even breaking a sweat.


#1 - Fantastic Four #49

Most fans call it the "Galactus Trilogy," but this is the issue at the heart of the series. The previous issue just set up the confrontation, and the next issue wrapped up the story quickly.

But here we have the FF fighting the impossible battle, as they fight God. I mean, Galactus, the world eater.

There's so much story crammed into this issue, it's staggering. We discover the purpose of Galactus and see an image of the fate Earth faces. The FF attack him and are immediately defeated. We meet the Silver Surfer (who recites one of the great lines in comics: "Nay, it is supremely credible!") The FF attack Galactus again (with somewhat better success). They fight the Punisher (not the guy with the skull on his chest). The Human Torch flies across the universe with the help of the Watcher. The Silver Surfer decides to attack his master!

These days, it would take a 12-part mini-series to cover that much ground.

This was Lee and Kirby at their best, combining action, cosmic concepts, romance, adventure - adding a lot of heart, and weaving it all into an amazing tapestry.

It's a stunning body of work, and it's still my all-time favorite comics series. Classics indeed!

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3

Three issues in and this series continues its slow reveal.

This issue focuses on one of my favorite T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, the blue-skinned android named NoMAN.

As originally conceived, he was a hero who couldn't be killed. If something damaged or destroyed his android body, his mind was shifted into a "spare" body. That made him the perfect agent to tackle any dangerous assignment.

Add to it his iconic look - blue skin, eyes always in shadow - and his invisibility cloak, and he was a formidable force.

This issue takes us back and forth from the modern-day attempts to bring NoMAN back into action for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. to glimpses of his history with the organization.

There's a lot going on here that we don't know about - and an especially dirty trick by writer Nick Spencer to bring NoMAN back - but it's another clever issue with a great twist at the end.

The art is split by era and by artist, with Cafu handling the modern-day events and the legendary Howard Chaykin handling the flashbacks, and turning in incredible work as always.

I'm not sure how most fans of the original series will feel about this book - it's very different in style and substance. But if you know that going in, I suspect you'll enjoy this series - it's smart, sneaky and full of surprises.

Grade: A-

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The Incredible Hulks #620

It's a time-honored storytelling device, when working with a really powerful character (like, say, The Hulk), to hit him on a mental level (where presumably the playing field is more level).

That's the tactic used in this issue, and to good effect, as the Hulk Family must face opponents who are dead - including the monstrous version of Bruce Banner's father, who is powered by the Hulk's own childhood fears - and thus, more powerful than the Hulk.

Writer Greg Pak gives us some great character moments (and dialogue) between the living and the dead - especially the reaction of his dead mother to Bruce's wives.

The art by Paul Pelletier and Danny Miki is outstanding as always, with some amazing splash pages on display.

But I have to make special mention of the back-up feature, a thin story with the Hulk testing his rocky friend Korg - but it's notable for the artist, Simon Bisley, who seems to be having a lot of fun drawing loads of mayhem.

I'm still not crazy about the Chaos War tie-in (I still don't like the mix of magic and the Hulks), but there's no denying this is a powerful issue with some great moments.

Grade: A-

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Heroes for Hire #2

Here's the second issue of Heroes for Hire, and it's... an awful lot like the first issue.

Once again we're dropped into the middle of an ongoing menace - this one has a supernatural angle to it - and Misty Knight serves as Oracle - I mean, as the behind-the-scenes guidance for several Marvel characters to tackle the mystery and take out the mastermind behind it.

Notice I didn't call them Marvel "heroes" - that's because none of them seem particularly heroic, with the possible exception of Paladin (and I'm not even sure about him).

Of more interest is the secret force working behind Misty without her knowing it - but that mystery will be apparently a while in being solved.

For me, this comic still sits firmly on the fence. The writing by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning is sharp, but the comic still feels more like a random team-up issue than part of a team book.

The art by Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy is quite good - dark and moody with a painted look to it. A few of the panel layouts seem odd, but overall their style works for this comic.

I'm interested enough to keep hanging on for now - but unless it all starts pulling together more (and soon), I doubt I'll make it past the first story arc.

Grade: B

1000 Posts!

Hard to believe that this is post #1000 for Chuck's Comic of the Day! (It snuck up on me, sorta like Christmas always does.)

It's one of those statistics that only I care about, but still... I'll have to cook up something special for the occasion. An extra-special "Classic Comic" post this week, perhaps. I know just the thing...

At any rate, thanks for reading along! Our numbers keep ramping up, and my keyboard shows no sign of burning out anytime soon, so I'll keep cranking out reviews. As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

It occurs to me that if I were writing a novel, I'd be finished by now. If only I had a good idea for a novel...

Spawn #200

Well, no one's more surprised than me to see that Spawn is still being published - and it's made it to issue 200!

If success were measured by art alone, I could believe it - the comic has a long history of outstanding artists turning in fine work (even if the subject matter is often repulsive), starting with artist and writer Todd McFarlane, who created the comic back in 1992. (I covered the first issue in this "Classic" review.)

This is the first issue I've bought in about 17 years (although I've read a handful of issues since then). My first impression is: not much has changed.

The one big change surprised me - the original Spawn, Al Simmons, is apparently out of the picture (Dead? Disappeared? Who knows?), and a new victim (some guy named Jim) is now wearing the Spawn costume.

Otherwise, it feels like the same comic. The art is quite good (though watching a demon puke an ocean of vomit on another demon doesn't do much for me). The credits are a bit confusing - the layouts and pencils are credited to McFarlane and Michael Golden - though I don't see much of either artist in the finished product. Maybe it's me.

But there are loads of detail, all kinds of gory action... yeah, that's about it.

The story makes no sense at all (though I'll grant that part of the problem may be that I haven't read - or don't remember - any details from the last 185 issues). There's some kind of unbeatable monster version of Spawn - the Omega Spawn - and it attacks Spawn and the Clown (the demon known as the Violator, who is pretending to be Spawn's friend).

The Violator ends up fighting the Freak (who's hiding a big secret) while the Spawns duke it out - sort of.

It all just reads like it could be issue #16. Big fights, clunky dialogue, no heart to any of the characters, no boundaries to the action (hey, it's magic and demons - they can do anything!), no purpose - just lots of noise and smashing.

After 18 years, Spawn is still all style and no substance. My advice: avoid it.

Grade: D+

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Daredevil Reborn #1 (of 4)

Daredevil is a comic that, when it's good, it's one of my favorites; but when it's bad, I drop it like a brick.

As a result, I missed the whole Shadowlands storyline - when it was obvious that Daredevil was recast as a villain (and one who murders his opponents), I knew that comic wasn't for me - so I stopped buying. (I did the same thing a decade or two back during the "organic armor" DD stories.)

Now Shadowlands is done and as a result, in Daredevil Reborn, Matt Murdock is... walking across America? Where have I heard that one before?

Nah, it doesn't really bother me - going out to find yourself is a time-honored tradition, and if any character needs a good scrubbing, DD's the guy.

So here we have Matt wandering through a small town in New Mexico (though I'm not sure how you go south from New York and end up in the desert). He runs across a town of people who are obviously hiding a secret - but since he's not a hero anymore (or so he tells himself), why should he care?

This isn't a bad book at all - the story by Andy Diggle is a step up from the last DD issue I read - and I like the art by Davide Gianfelice. It has a strong, stark look to it that fits the story well.

It's too early to tell how successful they're going to be in bringing Daredevil back, so they haven't won me back yet - but this is a good first step. We'll see how it goes with the other three chapters.

Grade: B+

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Thor The Mighty Avenger #8

Here we reach the end of the run of this comic that earned a spot on my Top 10 list for 2010.

It's not quite the final issue for Thor The Mighty Avenger, as the creative team will be doing a comic for Free Comic Book Day that will serve as issue #9 - but whatever the case, it's a shame to see this title end.

This has been a Thor comic that's part action / adventure, part exploration of a different version of the Marvel Universe, and part romance story as Thor and Jane Foster fall in love.

This issue covers all the bases. We have Thor captured by a team of scientists who control an army of robots, and we get some hints about the true nature of Thor's memory loss. We meet Tony Stark as he pilots an early, cruder version of his Iron Man armor (and Giant-Man and the Wasp put in a cameo as well). And Jane's love for Thor is what makes the rescue possible.

I hope the fans will keep flocking to this book and (through strong sales) force Marvel to bring the creative team back for a further run. Congrats to writer Roger Langridge and artist Chris Samnee for an outstanding run on this title!

It's funny to note that this issue is number "8 of 8," as though this had been intended as a limited series all along.

I'm OK with that, as long as there are more series like it in the future.

Grade: A

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A Cold Day for Comics

But you can't let a little snow get in the way!

Here's what I picked up today:

- Daredevil: Reborn #1 (of 4) - Hope springs eternal.

- Doc Savage #10 - Been enjoying this storyline.

- Heroes for Hire #2 - Lots of 'splosions here.

- The Incredible Hulks #620 - It's a family affair (but no Buffy or Jody or Uncle Bill).

- Spawn #200 - The first issue of this comic I've bought since #15 (or so).

- Thor The Mighty Avenger #8 - The final issue (sorta).

- T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3 - Focus on NoMan.

And that's it!

The Classics - Lost in Space #1

I should admit that I was a big fan of the original Lost in Space TV show, though even as a kid I knew it was often silly and campy.

As a science fiction show, it paled next to the original Star Trek series - but I enjoyed it just the same and watched faithfully.

The concept was basic enough - a space ship is launched to travel to the star Alpha Centauri, but it is sent off course, and the crew (which is mostly made up of a family named Robinson) is lost. They travel to different planets (often crashing) and have all kinds of adventures.

It was a fun show, with adventure (mostly handled by the father, John, and the pilot of the Jupiter 2, Major West), human interest (the family interaction) and comedy (Dr. Smith and the Robot).

My Dad watched it, too, and often remarked that he'd have had Dr. Smith shot right from the start, and the family would have had no problems after that. But I digress.

Gold Key had its own Lost in Space comic book (I reviewed an issue here), but despite the similarities, it was all about a different Robinson family.

It wasn't until this comic from Innovation Corporation in 1991 that the TV show made it into comic book form.

This issue got the series off to a rocky start. The story started in the middle, with the family and their ship being attacked by some destructive alien plants and monsters.

They manage to clear and repair the devastated ship and rebuild the Robot (which was destroyed in the attack) in a few hours (which seems improbable at best, given the amount of destruction).

The shaky script was provided by Matt Thompson and David Campiti, and they also work in some of the backstory of the crew, including some interesting hints about why Dr. Smith was sent to sabotage the mission. (And thankfully Smith here is back to his original nasty made, instead of playing the comic stooge.)

The art by Eddy Newell and Mark Jones is pretty uneven, although there are some flashes of genius on display. But the issue is marred (at least for me) by more than a few cheesecake poses by the girls (who are a bit older than they were in the original show, thank goodness). The cover is a good example of that excess - thankfully one that was soon dropped from the series.

There were better days ahead for this series, as Bill Mumy - who had played Will Robinson on the series - took over most of the writing chores, and turned in some excellent stories.

This first issue was very rough around the edges, but it was a great to see the Robinsons back in action again. It was a good idea whose time had come.

Sadly, it didn't last - the comic folded a couple of years later, at the same time that Innovation did. But it was fun while it lasted!

Grade: C+

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Jonah Hex #63

This is a comic I pick up from time to time, and then kick myself because I don't pick it up regularly.

Jonah Hex is about as straightforward as a comic can be. The title character lives in the "Old West" (at some point shortly after the Civil War) and makes his living as a bounty hunter.

He's hired to track down a murderous monster named Loco, who specializes in killing and torturing women and children. When he hears about the horrible things Loco has done, Hex flashes back to his own childhood and remembers a particularly unpleasant event.

His search for Loco shows why Hex is a virtual force of nature - especially when he's properly motivated.

The story by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti is lean, clever and brutal - think of the movie Unforgiven and you have the feel of this comic.

The series is also blessed by some amazing artists. This time around the art is by Jordi Bernet, and it's impressive. The landscapes are terrific, the emotions and intensity of the story are vivid, and the raw nature of the life and death struggle is splashed across each page. Great, great work here!

Hey, there's a good New Year's resolution: I promise to not miss any more issues of this outstanding series. (And there's a resolution I can stick to!)

Grade: A-

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The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1 (One-Shot)

I've been missing out on the "Cosmic Corner" of Marvel's Universe, so I didn't read about the Annihilation Wave or the other mini-series that were related to the Guardians of the Galaxy series (which is apparently my loss, considering what rave reviews those series received).

I did pick up the just-wrapped mini-series about The Thanos Imperative, and enjoyed it a lot (it narrowly missed making my top 10 list for 2010).

In the wake of that series we have this one-shot, Devastation, which bridges between the previous adventure and the one coming up next.

This issue is one of those "assembling the team" events, as we see how the scattered members of the next cosmic team are brought together.

It's a fun issue as written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. It offers a nice balance between action, humor and character interplay. The personalities involved here are interesting and a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it all goes from here.

Like the recent Avengers books, what we see here is a gathering of heavy hitters - sort of a Cosmic Avengers (though they don't go by that name).

The art is my Miguel Sepulveda, with colors by Rain Beredo, and it's very good. They take us to a number of different settings, with some striking vistas and strong action sequences.

You definitely get the sense that the creative team is "turning up the volume" on the cosmic corner, and judging by the surprise appearance on that final double-page spread (which got a hoot out of me), the fun is just beginning.

Grade: A-

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Brightest Day #17

After far too many issues where not a whole lot actually happened, this issue of Brightest Day finally kicks it into gear.

The focus here is on three different events. At the end of the previous issue, it appeared that Firestorm had managed to destroy the universe. Thankfully, that wasn't the case (sorry for the spoiler, I trust that doesn't surprise anyone). Here we find out where he/they are and we get some clues about where they're off to next (Firestorm is two heroes in one, as two young men - Ronnie and Jason - merge to form the entity).

Then we look in on Deadman (who's now alive) as his relationship with Dove continues to grow. He decides it's time to set things right with his loved ones.

The action part of the issue belongs to Hawkman and Hawkgirl as they step into Green Lantern's turf and find themselves in the middle of a war on Zamaron, the home of the Star Sapphires - and their new queen, Carol Ferris.

The art, as always, is a bit of a mix, with four different pencilers at work here - but the art is (mostly) very good, with some outstanding splash pages.

I'm not sure if it's the bi-weekly publication schedule or the large cast of characters that populate this series, but this comic has been dragging lately. But the good news is, this issue seems to have the story back up to speed - and something very interesting happens on that last page.

So I'm going to keep hanging in there, hoping for more issues like this one.

Grade: B+

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John Byrne's Next Men #2

As I mentioned in this post, I was a fan of John Byrne's Next Men during the book's first incarnation, and I'm happy to see it back again.

But despite that, I feel a bit lost in this story so far - but I suspect that's the general idea.

We pick up this issue with three of the story's main characters separated and lost in time.

Federal Agent Tony Murcheson finds herself in the South during the Civil War - which is especially bad since she's African-American. Byrne pulls few punches here in his depiction of life among slaves.

Nathan, whose vision-based powers are beginning to fade, finds himself on the front lines during a battle between the Allies and the Nazis in World War II.

Jasmine, who we see only briefly, seems to have landed in Elizabethan England.

I have no idea why they've been tossed around in time, but Byrne has a great handle on time-traveling tales, so I trust all will be made clear soon (and the "Next Issue" art indicates that might be the case).

It's a solid tale with some of Byrne's best artwork on display - each time period has its own feel, and the emotions of the characters are intense and real.

So far, this series if off to a great (re-)start, and I'm anxious to see where it all goes from here. Recommended!

Grade: A-

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Ultimate Captain America #1

Well, I'm really torn over this issue - there are things about Ultimate Captain America that I really like, and things that I really didn't like.

First, the good news: the art is terrific. Artist Ron Garney has tackled Cap before, and he always does a terrific job. His style is unique - rough-edged and kinetic, with great layouts and stunning images. I can see a touch of Kubert in there - but it's mostly Garney's own, ever-evolving style on display.

But the art is the only reason to buy the book - the story by Jason Aaron really falls flat.

That's mostly because it seems like a direct copy of the recent confrontation between Cap and the Red Skull over in the Ultimate Avengers comic. Once again, Cap is up against an opponent who seems unstoppable.

It's one thing for Cap to get defeated occasionally, but this guy is the ultimate soldier - yet every time we see him he's getting his head handed to him.

There's some fun bits of dialogue on display here, but otherwise, it's just more of the same.

It would be nice to see a writer try to do some more with Cap as a person - surely he's not the ass-kicking soldier 24/7.

Give him a life - and then we'll be getting somewhere new, instead of visiting the same old territory over and over again.

Grade: C+

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Avengers: Prime #5 (of 5)

I've really enjoyed Avengers: Prime, even though I consider it deeply flawed.

I like the idea behind it - to throw the "Big Three" Avengers together into one hoo-hah adventure, and show how they overcame past animosities and went back to being good friends.

The great thing about the book has been the artwork by Alan Davis. This issue in particular would have given most artists a stroke, since it involves more than one splash page featuring hundreds of creatures, all fighting for their lives. Davis makes it look effortless - his pages just crackle with energy.

I love his depiction of Thor, Captain America and Iron Man - each one iconic and heroic, but real characters just the same. I've never seen him do anything less than excellent work, and his art makes any issue an automatic purchase.

Brian Bendis' story mostly works, but there are a few problems that make it difficult to accept. The worst offense is Steve Rogers (apparently) falling in love with a beautiful Elf - this is the guy who's in love with Sharon Carter, right? Making him unfaithful does not make him a more interesting characrter.

Then there's the big bad of the series, Hela. Her appearance here does not fit well with her recent storyline in Thor's own comic (there they were allies - here, they're fighting to the finish). A little tweaking could have fixed this.

My other complaint is that the wrap-up to the series is a bit too pat, and happens too quickly.

Despite those quibbles (and I'll grant that these are things that won't bother about 95 percent of readers out there), this is an entertaining series and I'm sorry to see it end.

(That's what Marvel needs - another ongoing Avengers comic!)

Grade: A-

Comic Book Day - In Theory

I'm on the road today, so I may not get back in time to post the list of what I bought today - so instead, let's look into the future.

Here's a list of what I plan to buy:

- Avengers: Prime #5 (of 5) - An outstanding series, I'm sorry to see it end.

- Brightest Day #17 - This one, on the other hand, has dragged quite a bit.

- Irredeemable #21 - It'll be interesting to see what happens when the Plutonian wakes up...

- Jonah Hex #63 - Always a heckuva good comic.

- John Byrne's Next Men #2 - So glad this is back again.

- Ozma of Oz #3 (of 8) - One of my top 10 comics from 2010.

- Thanos Imperative Devastation (One Shot) - Really enjoyed the mini-series.

- Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 - Giving it a shot.

And thats it! (Maybe.)

UPDATE: Well, I was close. The store didn't get its copies of Ozma of Oz, so that'll have to wait until next week. Bummer. Otherwise, my list was spot on.

The Classics - Lone Wolf and Cub #1

Before buying this comic in 1987, I had heard about Lone Wolf and Cub - but I'd never seen it.

The series was a huge hit in Japan. Written by Kazuo Koike and drawn by Goseki Kojima, it tells the story of Itto Ogami, who was once the Executioner serving the Shogun. An evil plot leaves him dishonored, his wife murdered, and his master orders him to commit suicide. But Itto decides to walk a different path, and roams the country with his infant son in a baby carriage (of sorts).

It's easy to see why the series is popular. The art and the story are terrific and they work together seamlessly. Itto is forced to live by his wits and his incredible fighting skills. He hires himself out when needed and often faces overwhelming odds - but through his intelligence and skill he manages to survive.

Some of the elements of the story are, no doubt, lost in the translation. Certain motions are emphasized - the movement of a foot, shrugging off a piece of clothing - that would no doubt have more meaning to someone more familiar with the traditions.

Even coming at the story with no knowledge of the history or culture behind the events (as I did), you'll still find yourself mesmerized by the ingenuity of the story and the intense, powerful art on display.

This series has been collected many times in different formats, and I urge you to check it out. This is the art of comics at its most pure.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A+

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Ultimate Thor #3

During the original Stan Lee / Jack Kirby run of The Mighty Thor, each issue included a backup story called "Tales of Asgard," focusing on stories of the Norse Gods from long ago.

It was a great way to learn some of the backstory behind the characters, and lots of fun to see young Thor and Loki in action against assorted giants and monsters.

In Ultimate Thor, we have a similar effect, as the story spills over three different eras: the Asgard of ages ago, when Thor, Loki and Balder were close friends; the Asgard of 1939 when the home of the Gods faces a devastating attack; and the modern day, when doctors are examining a man who claims to be Thor.

In the hands of writer Jonathan Hickman, we're getting a terrific story of life and death, destruction and damnation - and perhaps we'll learn why Thor ended up being analyzed in modern times.

The art by Carlos Pacheco and Dexter Vines is outstanding - they jump from quiet moments to rollicking action sequences effortlessly. They're working on a big canvas and making the most of it.

Hopefully next issue will answer the biggest question of the all: why does his hammer keep changing shapes?

So far, this has been an excellent series and a worthy successor to the Lee / Kirby work. Higher praise than that would be hard to imagine.

Grade: A-

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S.H.I.E.L.D. #5

This series continues to impress as it plays around with big concepts and historic figures.

For those who came in late, the S.H.I.E.L.D. in this comic may (or may not) be connected to the super-spy agency now being led by Steve Rogers.

But the comic offers up a history of this organization (apparently) dedicated to protecting the Earth from cosmic menaces. It was started in ancient Egypt and continues into modern times with some famous names attached - and some links to Marvel's history as well.

This issue focuses on Howard Stark and Franklin Richards - the fathers of Tony and Reed, respectively. They're being sent on a mission that takes them away from their families - and apparently sends them far into the future.

The comic also focuses on growing tensions in the ranks between the followers of Leonardo da Vinci and Sir Isaac Newton - both are still alive in the late 1950s, thanks to some scientific miracles.

But what are their plans, and what is the Star Child? And how does the mysterious Leonid fit into the picture, and who is his father?

Those are some of the mysteries unfolding here, and it's a lot of fun to follow along.

Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Dustin Weaver are doing amazing work here, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

This series isn't for the casual comics fan - it will challenge you, surprise you and make you think. I really have no idea where this series goes from here - and I love it!

Grade: A

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The Flash #8

This issue has the feel of a "let's get back on schedule" issue, but that's fine - since it's a good read.

You won't find much of The Flash in this issue, because it's dedicated to the backstory behind Barry Allen's opposite, the Reverse-Flash.

Writer Geoff Johns has crafted an outstanding story here, though it brings with it one minor problem - according to the rules of this story, the Reverse-Flash is now unbeatable.

That's because he demonstrates the ability to go back in time and change the course of events - making his own life before becoming a super-villain something of a horror story.

One of DC's oldest tropes was that history couldn't be changed. Superman was always trying to change some historic event - Lincoln's assassination, for example - but he found it was impossible.

But apparently those old rules have been thrown away, because Eobard Thawne can change almost anything.

I'm curious to see how anyone can stop him - after all, if he's defeated by an opponent, it's easy to go back and "correct" his mistakes.

But I suspect there's more to this story than we've seen so far - and I look forward to seeing how it works out.

Oh, it's also great to see Scott Kolins handling the art - outstanding, intense work on display here.

So far, I'm really enjoying the new adventures of The Flash - but I look forward to future issues that will actually feature the title character.

Grade: A-

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Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine #4 (of 6)

Happy New Year, everyone!

For any comic book to be great, it takes a simple combination of great story and great art.

This mini-series Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine has loads of great art, courtesy of the pencils of Adam Kubert and the digital inks of Mark Roslan. The layouts are imaginative, the characters are real and expressive, the backgrounds are detailed and the action frenetic.

But the story just doesn't hold together well at all. Part of the problem is the length of time between issues - it's been three months since the last installment. The other problem is that the story is just loaded down with crazy, unconnected events.

In the first issue, Spider-Man and Wolverine are dealing with a bank robbery when they find themselves thrown into the distant past. Since then they've bounced around in time, into alternate realities, and in this issue, they find themselves showing up in each other's past.

To make matters even more confused, a never-before-seen, time-traveling character shows up who is somehow central to the story - and the big bad is revealed on the final page.

It just all feels like a story that's being made up as it rolls along.

The comic is worth buying for the art - but until the story starts making sense, it'll never make the grade as a "great" comic. It's only halfway there.

Grade: B-

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Top 10 Comics of 2010

As I’ve mentioned before, I think "Top 10" lists are complete crap.

They’re always subjective and I never agree with them. But we can’t let a little thing like that stop us, can we?

My list is in no way inclusive, since there are hundreds of comics that were published in the past year that I didn’t read. As always, these are the top 10 of the hundreds of comics I reviewed for this blog. Your mileage may vary.

I gave out quite a few “A-” grades this year, but only 30 “A” grades - and no “A+” grades, which means none of the comics I read this year really knocked my socks off (last year I awarded four "A+" grades).

First, some honorable mentions, any of which could easily have found a spot in the top 10:

Astro City: Silver Agent
Avengers: Prime
Batman and Robin
Conan the Cimmerian
Dark Avengers
DC Universe Legacies
The Flash
Green Lantern
The Incredible Hulk(s)
Jonah Hex
New Avengers
Power Girl
Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour
Secret Avengers
Secret Warriors
SHIELD
Thanos Imperative

Lots of good stuff there! (Oh, and if you're looking for the worst comic of 2010, it was Wolverine: The Best There Is.)

Here’s my list of the best (in reverse order, natch):

10. Warlord #12

Here’s a comic that (sadly) apparently flew under everyone’s radar.

I've always been a big fan of Mike Grell's Warlord.

At times, the book has been handled by other creators, and the results were usually disappointing. But with Grell writing and drawing, the comic has almost always been excellent.

This revived version of that character's adventures has been entertaining, but seemed to struggle under the weight of a lot of backstory.

It's been surprising to see Grell working so hard to squeeze in so many characters, trying to bring readers back up to speed on the mythology of the character.

In this issue, we see the reasons behind Grell's haste, as the title takes a genuinely shocking turn. It was almost three decades ago that Grell set up the story that reaches its climax in this issue, and it's amazing to see it unfold.

More than that I will not say, except to add that the art is exceptional. I could quibble with a few page layouts, but the fact is, Grell is still the master of this kind of swashbuckling action/adventure story.

Any reader who fondly remembers those original Warlord stories owes it to himself (or herself) to buy this issue. Don't say I didn't warn you.


9. Thor The Mighty Avenger #6

It never fails - you find a new comic you really like, and it's snatched away by the old devil named "cancellation."

As I mentioned in this review, I arrived late to this comic - but am I glad I found it before it disappeared!

Marvel announced this week that it was canceling Thor: The Mighty Avenger with issue number 8 because of low sales, and that's not surprising.

Well, it's surprising because it's such a good comic, but it's not surprising considering that Marvel is flooding the market with Thor-related comics these days (you'd think there was a movie in the works). It's easy to see how this gem could get lost in the sea of product.

It's such a fresh take on the character, placing him in a reality separate from the usual Marvel digs. He's been banished from Asgard and forbidden to return - but he doesn't know why.

While that mystery plays out, he's become involved with Jane Foster, a museum curator and a much more developed character than the original version (forgive me, Stan). Their relationship is sweet.

But don't think the series is action-free. Thor gets plenty of chances to sling his hammer, and has a memorable confrontation in this issue with Heimdall, the guardian of the Rainbow Bridge. That character shows off some amazing (and previously unknown) skills here, and you have to like any fight that includes an appearance by Fin Fang Foom.

The writing by Roger Langridge is terrific, and Chris Samnee's art is original and refreshing. It's different, and it's not the usual blustering God of Thunder that some writers and artists have portrayed - but it's a clever take on the concept.

If you've missed the comics, and you're a fan of Thor, you can pick up the collections that are on the way. I'm a big fan of the original Thor comic, but I enjoyed this one a lot.

Chances are that you will, too.


8. Siege #3

This is the point in this mini-series where we move beyond mere story and launch into that most beloved of Marvel traditions: the knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred, bare-knuckles brawl to end all brawls.

All the players have been assembled and moved into place - all that's left is a fight on a huge scale.

Writer Brian Bendis gets in a few good shots of sharp dialogue, but this issue hinges on the art, and Olivier Coipel (with inker Mark Morales and colorist Laura Martin) delivers a haymaker here.

He gets to run wild with splash pages of heroes and villains lunging into action, and great scenes of absolute carnage.

Need I mention what a delight it is to see (the real) Captain America and Thor doing what they do best?

This issue almost flies by too fast, and we're left with a cliffhanger that unleashes the ultimate menace - a fight that I have no idea how the heroes are going to survive.

Isn't that great?

This issue is lots of fun - a cool splash of water after the long dreary trudge of the Dark Reign. I'm looking forward to the grand finale!


7. Ozma of Oz #1

As a longtime fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz, I've been thrilled with Marvel's adaptations of the first two books in that series.

And now here's the first issue in the adaptation of the third book, Ozma of Oz.

While I enjoyed Baum's second book, The Land of Oz, I have to agree with those readers who felt he'd made a mistake in not including Dorothy Gale in that story.

It's an oversight that is corrected in this book, as Dorothy finds herself thrown overboard during an ocean voyage (she's sailing with Uncle Henry to Australia), and she washes up on the "shore" of Oz.

She has a companion - Billina, a talking chicken. About their adventures (and their amusing debates) I'll say no more, except to urge you to give it a read.

Writer Eric Shanower is a long-time fan of Oz and his enthusiasm shows in his adaptation of the original story - it really has the "feel" of that classic story.

The art by Skottie Young continues to be a pure delight - part innovation, part animation. The characters are lively and delightful, and the scenery is creative, unique and otherworldly (in a great way).

I'm going to keep raving about this series until you try it, so you might as well give in. I'd hate for anyone to miss this.


6. Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #1

It's interesting how similar this storyline - on the face of it - is to the recent death and return of Captain America.

Since the writers of both series (Ed Brubaker and Grant Morrison) are comics pros and darned good writers, the similarity must be a coincidence - and comics history is loaded with similar events (Man-Thing and Swamp Thing, anyone?)

If memory serves, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne picks up from the climax of Final Crisis, wherein Batman was apparently destroyed by Darkseid's Omega Effect blast - but instead was sent back in time to the dawn of man.

It sounds like a problem easily solved, and Bruce (Batman) Wayne leaves a message on a cave wall designed to bring some time-traveling help - but that would be too simple. There's a lot more going on here that Batman (and we the reader) aren't aware of.

What we do have is a surprising and often brutal battle for survival, with Morrison providing lots of twists and turns along the way.

The art is by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, and it's outstanding. Powerful layouts, great character designs, brutal fights and several outstanding splash pages - really impressive stuff here.

I should add that other than the "lost in time" element (and the hero's inevitable return), this story really has nothing in common with Captain America's recent return - other than great art and story, that is.


5. Hellboy / Beasts of Burden

So here's a comic that, on the strength of the concept alone, would make it one of my favorite comics of the year.

After reading it, I'm happy to report that it's even better than I hoped it would be - which is pretty amazing, because let's face it, most team-up / crossovers end up being crap.

Perhaps this one works because both comic creations - Mike Mignola's Hellboy (the demonic creature who was adopted by mankind and fights on its side against horrors of all kinds) and Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson's Beasts of Burden (dogs in the neighborhood of Burden Hill carry on the long tradition of protecting the people in the town from supernatural horrors) - are a similar mix of horror and humor, triumph and tragedy.

The two are brought together in a touching way. as a mysterious dog tugs on Hellboy's coat and leads him - somehow - to the dogs and cat who make up the "Beasts."

Somehow Hellboy can understand them. In their own comic, the Beasts can talk to each other, but not to humans (think Watership Down), though this is never exactly explained.

They go in search of a horror that lives deep underground, and the lives of our heroes hang in the balance.

You might expect horrific images in a Hellboy story, but don't let the inclusion of cute dogs and a cat fool you into thinking this is a fuzzy animal story - the Beasts of Burden tales are just as grisly, horrific and often heartbreaking as any comic I can remember reading.

This issue is written by Evan Dorkin and drawn by Jill Thompson, and it's just amazing. The characters are expressive, the settings haunting and beautiful, the monsters horrific - it's just a scary delight from start to finish.

If you're not a fan of horror, then this isn't for you.

But if you enjoy it, this is a comic you must not miss.


4. Fantastic Four #586

Writer Jonathan Hickman has been waving several big stories over his run on the Fantastic Four, and those threads reach their breaking point with this issue.

Mr. Fantastic is dealing with Galactus (though someone should tell cover artist Alan Davis that Reed no longer wears the short-sleeved uniform). The Invisible Woman is caught between two warring undersea nations. The Thing and the Human Torch are facing an overwhelming alien invasion.

And next issue, one of the four will die. (I'm still guessing the one killed will be the Human Torch, but that's just a wild guess.)

The art by Steve Epting is excellent, loaded with lots of big events and intense moments.

As I've said before: you really should be buying this series. It's big, bold and daring - and it keeps moving in unexpected directions, pushing the boundaries of the super-hero saga. What's not to like?


3. Blackest Night #8

Do I even need to review this issue?

Surely anyone who's been following the Blackest Night story wants to see how it all wraps up.

This issue features the final showdown between the forces of light (and life) and the forces of darkness (and death). There are quite a few twists along the way and more than a few surprising turns of events.

Writer Geoff Johns has crafted a solid ending to the series, with lots of good scenes along the way that will bring a smile to the face of most fans.

Penciler Ivan Reis with inkers Oclair Albert and Joe Prado and colorist Alex Sinclair deliver stunning visuals here, with numerous full-page and double-page splashes, every one stunning in detail and powerful images. Kudos to the art team for doing fantastic work and delivering it on time!

The ending leaves plenty of room for future storylines, and the series itself serves as a good springboard for the future of DC Comics.

It's shaping up to be a brighter tomorrow, thanks to this series (and despite its dark and sometimes grisly moments). I'm anxious to see what the future holds for DC, and fans should thank Geoff Johns for his efforts in getting DC's house in order.

Now if only the other creators can go forth and do likewise...


2. Avengers #4

The Avengers, like the Fantastic Four, always seem to work best on a big stage - and the setting for the ongoing story is about as big as it gets.

Time has come undone, so different eras (and different menaces) are piling up in the streets of New York City. To solve the problem, the Avengers have taken a classic approach - they've broken into two teams.

One has gone into the future (where they see a super-powered battle that's right out of a fanboy's nightmare), and one group is still in the present, fighting a holding action against the time-tossed intruders.

The end result is, this is an issue that's a heck of a lot of fun even if you're not familiar with the Next Avengers, who first appeared in a direct-to-video adventure.

They are the children of the Avengers (at least in one alternate reality), and their part in all this is still a mystery.

You really get the sense that Brian Bendis is having a great time writing this comic - the story is over the top, the dialogue crackles, and the action is intense. And it's always great to see Killraven again!

Of course, it never hurts having artists like John Romita, Jr. and Klaus Janson working on your comic - they turn in some stunning pages here, and I especially enjoyed watching Thor cut loose on the bad guys - something we don't see often enough.

If you haven't been following this story, you'll want to wait for the collection - but this is one of my "read it in the car" comics. In other words, after I pick up my comics at the shop (usually over my lunch break), I drive back to my parking space at work, and if it's an issue I'm anxious to read, I'll do so before going back to work.

This is one of the few that I always read in the car - that's how much I look forward to it. So, highly recommended!


1. Man With the Getaway Face

Recently I finally got around to reading The Hunter, the first graphic adaptation featuring Richard Stark's Parker, and it was a surprise.

I hadn't read the original books, so after a quick skim it looked like a hard-boiled detective story. It has that feel to it, but Parker is not a heroic figure at all - he's a hardened criminal who lives by his own code, and uses his brains and his incredible toughness to overcome any obstacle.

Here we get the story of an attempt to rob an armored car, and the struggle to put together a team that can work together. It's not my favorite kind of story, but one thing guaranteed I'd be reading the story: it was adapted by Darwyn Cooke, one of the top writer/artists working in comics today.

And since Frank Miller seems to be taking an extended break from Sin City, it's good to finally have another testosterone-loaded story floating around.

If you were put off by the high price on The Hunter ($24.99), then here's a real bargain for you - The Man With the Getaway Face can be yours for a mere two bucks! It's 24 pages long, printed on oversized paper with a two-color process.

It's raw, hard-edged and impossible to put down. Cooke shows his storytelling chops by crafting a story with relatively little action, but loads of tension and drama, great characters and a story that will keep you guessing.

Cooke is that rare breed - few writers are great artists, and few artists are great writers - but Cooke does either craft with equal skill, and my rule of thumb is simple - if he's working on it as artist, writer or both, I'm buying it.

He hasn't disappointed me yet.

The Avengers #8

I find it impressive that I'm enjoying this comic even though I don't care much for the storyline (for reasons mentioned in last month's review).

This issue focuses on a reunion (of sorts) of The Illuminati. That group is made up of five of the Earth's most powerful defenders, gathered together before (and during) Marvel's Civil War to covertly tackle some of the biggest menaces facing the Earth.

One of their adventures involved the Infinity Gems. When combined, the owner controlled all reality - as Thanos demonstrated some years back.

To safeguard the gems, they were divided among the members of the Illuminiati - but now The Hood has somehow gained the knowledge and the ability to track them down.

This issue also involves the Red Hulk, who goes to the Avengers for help in dealing with The Hood.

While the storyline doesn't do much for me, as always, writer Brian Bendis works his usual magic with crisp dialogue and great characterization.

The real star of the issue, though, is artist John Romita, Jr. and inker Klaus Janson. They're doing amazing work here and have picked up the torch carried for so many years by Junior's dad and John Buscema. Lots of powerful craftsmanship on display here.

Bendis might yet win me over with this story, but there are lots of things to dislike. Bringing back the Illuminati brings back the ghost of the evil Tony Stark who brought about the vile Civil War. The Hood is a poor substitute for Thanos (or any number of cosmic menaces). And the all-powerful weapon bit has been done to pieces.

But even with that, this is a comic that pops to the top of my reading stack and stays there. Go figure.

Grade: B+

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Batman: The Dark Knight #1

As a general rule I'm a sucker for first issues, but there were several reasons to pick up Batman: The Dark Knight.

You have to give DC credit for nerve, since "The Dark Knight" title really belongs to Frank Miller for his amazing series about an aged Batman - I'm somewhat surprised to see them allow a different creative team to bring out a series under that title.

The art is by David Finch (with inking by Scott Williams), and he's a terrific artist, known for his outstanding covers. He holds up that end of the deal nicely here - the art is detailed, moody and very well-crafted.

The story is written by Finch, as well, so the question is: how does he stack up as a writer? The answer: it's too soon to tell. I can't say that anything about this issue really amazed me or indicated that he's a force to be reckoned with - but it's not a bad beginning at all, and I'll wait until the end of this first story arc before deciding.

The story follows Bruce (Batman) Wayne as he searches for a missing woman from his past. His search brings him up against a couple of well-known enemies... and that's about it for this issue.

If I gave out "Incomplete" grades, this issue would get one. It holds promise, but things seem to be moving slowly, with scenes included that don't seem to move the story forward.

I'll be hanging around through the first story arc, but unless the quality of the story picks up, that'll be it for me.

Grade: B

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The Last Comics of 2010

I'm working on my "Best Comics of 2010" list, which should be posted on Jan. 1 - but in the meantime, here's what I picked up at the comics shop today:

- Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine #4 (of 6) - Story's a mess but the art is nice. Will it ever end?

- Avengers #8 - The return of the Illuminati.

- Batman: The Dark Knight #1 - I'm a sucker for first issues.

- Captain America #613 - Cap on trial.

- The Flash #8 - Actually, it's all about the Reverse-Flash.

- Green Lantern #61 - Actually, it's about The Spectre.

- Hellboy: The Sleeping and the Dead #1 (of 2) - This book just keeps getting better.

- Justice Society of America #46 - More bad things happen.

- SHIELD #5 - Nobody expects Tesla!

- Secret Warriors #23 - Filling in the blanks.

- Ultimate Thor #3 - The end of Asgard.

The Classics - Mage #1

It's impressive to note just how good writer and artist Matt Wagner was from the very beginning.

Not long after launching what I believe was his first comic for the company Comico, the impressive Grendel, he followed it with another epic saga - Mage.

This first series of stories, subtitled "The Hero Discovered," introduced Kevin Matchstick, a young man with great taste in T-shirts. He meets an odd homeless man on the street and soon finds himself trying to defend what he assumes is a man being mugged in a back alley.

But he's stunned by his own abilities - especially after he punches a hole through a brick wall with his bare fist.

He has another encounter with the homeless guy, who apparently has magical powers - and some answers to Kevin's questions.

It was a great start to the series that had its roots firmly based in Arthurian legends. It's a bit rough around the edges, both in terms of story and the art, but it holds up fine today (which you can't say about a lot of the stuff published in 1984) - and it's a series that just kept getting better, just like its creator.

Wagner's art is a bit rough here, but loaded with power and energy - especially the fight scenes, which are brutal and intense. His layouts are vibrant and clever, and his storytelling very clear (aside from a couple of rookie panel-flow mistakes).

This was just the beginning of a long and productive career that continues to this day. I'm always anxious to see what work Wagner will do next - especially when he returns to his roots with Mage and Grendel.

Grade: B+

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