Another year done and dusted. As with 2008's 'Best Of' list we've gone through our reviews over the last 12 months and picked our 10 favourite books during that period (limiting ourselves to one mention per title!). Original reviews are reprinted along with new comments...
Matt C's Top 10 of 2009
Unquestionably the best major league ‘event book’ published by either of the Big Two in recent times. That may sound like faint praise when you consider the competition, but this genuinely is blockbuster comic book storytelling at its best.
BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (review originally published 19/07/2009)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
DC $3.99
Matt C: These days, with ‘event fatigue’ becoming more and more of a reality following a litany of disappointments, it’s a real surprise to find a debut issue of a major, Universe-altering miniseries from one of the Big Two that actually delivers on its promise, but that’s precisely what Blackest Night does. With Geoff Johns in charge this feels a lot more weighty than the usual high concept, soulless money-spinners we’ve seen of late; this is a brilliantly paced and frequently shocking issue that succeeds beyond the undeniably enticing ‘undead superheroes’ idea thanks to Johns’ deft handling of some of DC’s most recognizable icons along with some striking blockbuster visuals courtesy of Reis. The aforementioned shocks, although liable to get the backs up of some sections of the fanbase, seem necessary and logical within the context of the story rather than simply thrown in for the hell of it. All in all, this is a hugely promising start and another sign (along with the Bat-books and Wednesday Comics) that DC are starting to reclaim ground lost to their main rivals over the last couple of years. 9/10
The disappointing Reborn mini may have scuppered the forward momentum of Brubaker’s brilliant narrative somewhat, but you only have to look back to earlier in the year to see that when the writer delivered the goods on this book, he did it in style.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #46 (review originally published 01/02/2009)
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting
Marvel $2.99
Matt C: Just when I was starting to get worried this title was losing its edge it rebounds with an absolutely terrific issue that ticks all the right boxes in a way we haven’t seen for the last couple of months. The relationship between Bucky and the Sub-Mariner is perfectly realised: Namor may well possess an innate distrust of the surface world’s general populace, but you can tell that James Buchanan Barnes is someone he’d walk through the gates of Hell beside (although he’d never admit it!). It’s good to have Epting back and he rewards us with beautifully constructed action scene in Taiwan, with Frank D’Armata’s ominous colours bolstering the rainswept atmospherics. Add to that Bru’s astute script and you have a book that’s well and truly back on form. 9/10
With one issue left to go it’s still too early to say for sure, but this is could potentially stand beside Ennis’ very best work. It’s certainly leagues ahead of the numerous other zombie titles that are currently clogging the shelves of our local comic book stores.
CROSSED #7 (review orignally published 11/10/2009)
Writer: Garth Ennis
Art: Jacen Burrows
Avatar $3.99
Matt C: At this point the characters feel a lot less like zombie fodder and a lot more like people we’ve come to care about, which pretty much means Ennis has us in the palm of his hand and he can do whatever he likes. Basically, no one’s safe here, a fact that the writer highlights to horrifying effect this issue. With help from Burrows, who provides some expressive visual characterization along with the expected repulsive imagery, Ennis has had the all the ammunition to deliver what – so far – has been 2009’s most startling miniseries. 9/10
It’s Williams’ art that immediately grabs you, but you soon realise Rucka’s doing some of his finest work in years on scripting duties. Surprisingly, the best Bat-book currently being published doesn’t even feature the Dark Knight at all.
DETECTIVE COMICS #854 (review originally published 28/06/2009)
Writer: Greg Rucka
Art: J.H. Williams III & Cully Hamner
DC $3.99
Matt C: I’ve always preferred Greg Rucka’s more grounded, street-level superhero storytelling, so even though it features a different lead character I was eager to see him return to the title that really cemented his reputation as one of DC’s top writers almost a decade ago. The other draw was the unique, boundary-pushing artwork from J.H. Williams III who’s previously melted minds with his stunning, style-shredding illustrations in Alan Moore’s Promethea. I had pretty high expectations then, but this book caught me off guard by far exceeding them. Spinning out of events last seen in 52 and Rucka’s mini Crime Bible: Books Of Blood (yeah, it's a little late!) this new arc sees Batwoman continuing her quest to root out the acolytes of the Crime Bible in Gotham. The script is taut and realistic with Rucka steadfastly avoiding any sensationalist aspects of Kate Kane’s sexuality, and the art is glorious, Williams' panel layouts and stylistic changes to reflect the tone are always surprising and vital – that double-page scissor-kick splash will knock your socks off! This is a perfect example of words and images colliding to produce something unique, something that couldn’t be replicated in any other medium. Truly sublime. The back-up Question tale is fine - formulaic, but good to see Rucka getting his teeth into a character he’s made his own once more. Out of all the ‘new’ Bat-books – and yes, I’m including Batman And Robin – this is the pick of the bunch so far. 9/10
It hasn’t quite matched the thrill of the tremendous first issue, but Brubaker’s attempt to provide a cohesive timeline to the birthing of the Marvel Universe is still very impressive, and Epting seems to get better with each passing panel.
THE MARVELS PROJECT #1 (review originally published 09/08/2009)
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting
Marvel $3.99
Matt C: An exceptional start to the series that seeks to provide the definite story of the birth of the Marvel Universe as we know it during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Brubaker and Epting bring the same calibre of craftsmanship to this book that they’ve been displaying on Captain America for the last few years; the love, care and attention to detail that have made that title consistently the best superhero comic Marvel are currently publishing are fully in evidence here. Much as I love the old Invaders and Howling Commandos books it’s undeniably thrilling seeing a more mature and intelligent approach applied to this era, whether it’s expanding on the prologue of Marvels or witnessing a righteously pissed off Sub-Mariner extracting vengeance on a Nazi vessel dropping devastating depth charges on Atlantis. The art sees some of Epting’s best work yet; his evocation of the period is magnificent with Dave Stewart’s colours lending the panels a convincing historical hue. A superb debut. 10/10
Proof may be below many people’s radar, but weaving the real-life oddity Julia Pastrana into its universe provided the title with not only its best storyline, but also the best single issue of the entire run.
PROOF #23 (review originally published 13/09/2009)
Writer: Alex Grecian
Art: Riley Rossmo
Image $3.50
Matt C: A bit of a cheat here: I know this book was actually released last week, but I didn’t get around to reading it before last week’s reviews were posted, and as it turned out to be the best single issue I’ve read for a little while, well, it more than deserved a mention. The Julia storyline has been pretty special, the highpoint of the series so far, but this finale was something else entirely. It doesn’t happen too often, but every once in a while a comic will come along that virtually knocks you down with its emotional force. You wouldn’t think that a tale where someone’s intestines are wound out by a medieval torture device could be so moving, but damn if this issue of Proof didn’t tug hard on the heartstrings. Grecian and Rossmo (along with colourist Dave Casey) have been producing a solid, offbeat and immensely likeable series for the past couple of years, but here we see them kick things up to another level entirely. A beautiful piece of work. 10/10
With so many high points it’s incredibly difficult to pick just one issue to highlight; if I weren’t restricting myself to just one mention for a title in this list, there’s a good chance the entire Top 10 would be made up of issues of Scalped!
SCALPED #25 (review originally published 15/02/2009)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: R.M. Guera
DC/Vertigo $2.99
Matt C: A new character is introduced in this opening chapter of the High Lonesome storyline, and whether his name really is Moses Johnson, or whether that’s another of his multiple aliases doesn’t matter: after being subjected to his vile, ugly, fucked-up thoughts throughout the issue, all that matters is the knowledge that he’s a nasty piece of work. He’s a con man, a hustler and a murderer, and the way he manoeuvres himself into the world of Red Crow and Dashiell Bad Horse is brilliantly executed. This title continues to go from strength to strength as it puts the darker side of human nature under the microscope. Sublime. 10/10
A real delight, and its always reassuring to find something new in the medium that has charm and appeal without relying on spandex and capes. I look forward to more of this series in 2010.
THE STUFF OF LEGEND #1 (review originally published 02/08/2009)
Writers: Mike Raicht & Brian Smith
Art: Charles Paul Wilson III
Th3rd World Studios $4.99
Matt C: This is when Free Comic Book Day really does it’s job – I didn’t pick up the sampler of this book in my initial batch of freebies but a copy came into my possession shortly afterwards and I was quite smitten with the contents. Unsurprisingly the first issue proper is just as impressive, containing the previously published prologue along with the first two chapters of the story as we follow the cast of children’s toys into the realm of the Boogeyman to rescue their young owner. Set in Brooklyn in 1944, it cleverly parallels the nations mood as the toys debate venturing into the unknown to fight evil, while at the same time playing on childhood fears of what might be lurking behind closed doors or underneath the bed. As with all the best tales aimed at a younger audience it avoids sugarcoating its darker elements thus making it a much more appealing proposition for older readers. It’s superbly illustrated, with its sepia tones providing a sheen of realism to a world where toys come to life when no one’s looking. If Tim Burton directed Toy Story it might have looked a little bit like this. 9/10
Vertigo suddenly seem to be on a roll again with an impressive array of new series (including Sweet Tooth and Daytripper). This is the pick of the bunch though: relentlessly intelligent and endlessly thrilling, this is quite possibly Mike Carey’s best work to date.
THE UNWRITTEN #1 (review originally published 17/05/2009)
Writer: Mike Carey
Art: Peter Gross
DC/Vertigo $1.00
Matt C: This isn’t something that would normally appeal to me as it plays with a genre I don’t really care for (magic) and riffs on a franchise I only have marginal interest in (Harry Potter). If I’m honest, even though I appreciate Mike Carey is an intelligent and culturally savvy writer, not everything I’ve read of his has really clicked with me, so the real reason this became a must-buy was the price tag. Forty pages for a buck (about 70p in our English money)? You’ve really got to give it a shot for that price. And damn, was it a great buy! The premise is intriguing, but not quite a showstopper (and, let’s face it, not that original), but what Carey does with it is quite ingenious. There’s the humanity he brings to his characters, the astute take on celebrity culture, the metatextual elements he plays with, all presented to the reader with a dash of sly wit. Gross’s is art is deceptively simple in places, with its economical linework, but the range of emotions he brings out of the cast is impressive. Listen, obviously no comic is ever going to appeal to everyone, but fans are always on the lookout for something new, always looking for the next book that will knock their socks off. You may think The Unwritten is an astounding example of what the genre is capable of, you may think it’s pile of crap, but at this price you’d be a fool not to pick it up and make up your own mind. For my part, this is the best debut from Vertigo since Scalped. 9/10
A powerful miniseries that was far away from a regular X-book as you could imagine. The ‘masterpiece’ comment carries even more weight now than it did then.
X-MEN: MAGNETO TESTAMENT #5 (review originally published 06/02/2009)
Writer: Greg Pak
Art: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Marvel $3.99
Matt C: It’s not an easy read, it’s not a fun read, but it’s probably the bravest thing Marvel have published over the last few years, and it’s powerful enough in both the subject matter and the telling that, although the sales figures may not have been stellar, it’s going to have a shelf life that will far exceed many of its contemporaries. I anticipate revisiting X-Men: Magneto Testament in its entirety in the not too distant future because, while each single issue has been outstanding piece of serial storytellling, I have a feeling that, looking at it as a whole, it’s possibly something close to a masterpiece. 10/10
Stewart R’s Top 10 Of 2009
I’m not sure if the creators realized just how popular this title would prove to be but the dark powered edge to this crime comic has shot it to the top of many a pull-list, including mine.
CHEW #1 (review originally published 07/06/2009)
Writer: John Layman
Art: Rob Guillory
Image $2.99
Stewart R: This stood out for me a few months back when I plucked it out for a Previews choice, and my anticipation has finally been met head-on with the sweet smell of success. This is a great first issue from Layman and Guillory: their protagonist is Tony Chu, a vice cop with cibopathic abilities – he sees the past history of everything he eats – and here he finds himself staking out a speakeasy with a twist. Chicken has been banned as a food stuff since an outbreak of bird flu caused the deaths of millions of avian digesting Americans. Throw in a jerkwad partner, a mysterious FDA agent and a pinch of serial killer, stir, cook over 25-26 pages, and you have a delightfully slick filling with a beautifully artistic crust. Guillory throws literally everything at the page: a huge splash here, a neat repetition of panels there, close-ups and even a little thermo-imaging should the need arise. This promises to be a truly gritty detective story with a few laughs thrown in for good measure and I'm really looking forward to the second instalment. 9/10
Robert Kirkman tried his hand at a MAX title and brought Cory Walker and his pencils along for the ride to deliver a brutally entertaining look at what it’s like to have one foot in the grave as a hero.
DESTROYER #5 (review originally published 09/08/2009)
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Cory Walker
Marvel/MAX $3.99
Stewart R: With Destroyer carving his way through his own rogues gallery with lethal intensity over the previous four instalments I was unsure as to how Robert Kirkman would round out this highly enjoyable miniseries. Issue #5 demonstrates a writer working with ideas clearly and concisely and never overstepping his goal on delivering a vision to the audience. While Keene has had his adversaries throughout, the ultimate showdown was always going to be with death itself and it’s handled in a fashion that sits perfectly with the feel that this title has been aiming for. As expected Keene Marlowe refuses to go down without a fight and that brings an edgy, black-comedy atmosphere to this final showdown. Cory Walker’s art on this run has been nothing short of a triumph and he now sits firmly in my list of artists to watch. With all five issues in the bag I say to you now, trawl through the long-boxes at your local comic shop and pick this up in its entirety. Any illusions that this wasn’t going to be any good have been well and truly destroyed! 9/10
His Man of Action duties seem to have left this incredibly interesting title hanging on a hiatus line, but what Duncan Rouleau provided was intriguing to say the least. Do us a favour Duncan and get it finished… please?
THE GREAT UNKNOWN #1 (review originally published 22/02/2009)
Writer: Duncan Rouleau
Art: Duncan Rouleau
Image $3.50
Stewart R: Duncan Rouleau has been responsible for some of my favourite comic work over the past few years both in ideas and delivery. With The Great Unknown he's tackling the themes of idea ownership and of lost potential and he is tackling them very well indeed. Usually I would spout on and on about Rouleau's talent with pencil and pen and while his hand here is strong it's ultimately his brain, and particularly his character work, that shines through. Zach Feld is the unfulfilled potential of Generation X wrapped up into one superbly over-confident, brilliantly unenthused and possibly exploited drop-out. It's him against the world as far as he's concerned and just when he thinks he might be onto a winning strategy he's always mysteriously second best. Rouleau seems to be addressing issues which he has an interest in and even brings the pointlessness of reality television in for the briefest of laughs. Set it all against a palette of black, blue and the occasional splash of yellow and you've got my stylish book of the week. 9/10.
Blackest Night and Green Lantern seem to be where all the ‘main action’ is taking place but I’ve found the periphery to be a little more absorbing and Guy’s transformation was a true highlight in what has been a terrific year for the Corps comic.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43 (review originally published 20/12/2009)
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason, Rebecca Buchman & Tom Nguyen
DC $2.99
Stewart R: Truly wonderful stuff from Tomasi and Gleason this week as Guy Gardner’s transformation into a Red Lantern of Rage is realised following Kyle Rayner’s heroic sacrifice last time out. This book is filled to the brim with emotion - as befits a title linked to the Blackest Night event – and the level of tension is certainly palpable, ensuring that single every page is unmissable. Tomasi has been able to manoeuvre certain characters not involved in the main BN story into position on Oa and the involvement of Star Sapphire Miri and Yellow Lantern Kryb keeps the cast varied and the story unpredictable. Gleason delivers some truly breathtaking work with Guy’s initial ‘conscription’ and subsequent attack on the Black Lanterns being the giddying high point. I have to say that if you’re thinking of dropping any other $2.99 title at the moment then you should definitely start investing that money into this incredibly entertaining comic. 10/10
Abnett and Lanning have made every loss to this team feel very real and painful this year but it was this issue that truly defined their purpose in the increasingly crazy space-ways and star-lanes. Setting them out as intergalactic agents of peace and environmental activists was a stroke of genius.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #13 (review originally published 26/04/2009)
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Brad Walker & Victor Olazaba
Marvel $2.99
Stewart R: Page 17. That’s almost all that I need to say. Page 17 of this issue is the best page that I have read this week. Nine simple panels, two great characters and a clear indication that Abnett and Lanning know that adding a touch of humour to the mix in an ongoing title can really work wonders. Thanks to the various books embroiled in the War of Kings it’s become clear that there are no clear-cut ‘right and wrong’ sides to this conflict and the Guardians angle as protectors of the nature and fabric of space itself is really interesting. The fleshed out Guardians roster could possibly indicate that there will be casualties during the war, but hopefully not too numerous. Walker delivers some delightful pencilwork and can mix his layout style to suit the situation with skill. This issue is a triumph and not just because Groot finally gets a debriefing log at long, long last! 10/10
Certainly the greatest use of ‘sound’ in a comic that I have ever seen. Period. Nuff said.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #136 (review originally published 18/10/2009)
Writers: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Art: Reilly Brown & Nelson DeCastro
Marvel $2.99
Stewart R: The two-issues-a-month formula is still going strong and working very well indeed. This time we’re back with Herc and his childish father, Zeus, as they try to prevent the Dark Elf Hordes from invading the kingdoms of the world. There is a terrifically funny and entertaining punch-up between Hercules (masquerading as Thor) and Thor (masquerading as Hercules) as the Prince of Power’s initial duping of the Elvish Queen Alflyse is maintained for as long as possible. Pak and Van Lente really seem to appreciate that Herc is a true hero who can cross some moral and comedy boundaries in order to be the best that he can be. They also appear to be acutely aware that Thor and Herc have punched each other about the place before and they needed to come up with something fresh this time around. Here they display that knowledge perfectly with an outstanding and gut-bustingly funny fight which employs a manner of playground tactics to get the guffaws a-bellowing from your lungs while dissecting just what makes Herc the legend that he is. Reilly Brown’s talent as an artist really ups the comedic edge and the range of facial expressions that he can produce is particularly noteworthy. Great work from everyone involved. 9/10
I truly believe that Fraction may be the man to turn things around for the House of Ideas after Bendis’ rather heavy-handed approach to all-things Marvel. His work on this title, and this issue in particular, shows the man’s talent at bringing plot lines together cohesively and with superb tension.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #19 (review originally published 25/10/2009)
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Salvador Larroca
Marvel $3.99
Stewart R: Mr Fraction appears to have been wearing some magic Hat of Writing Excellence for the past two years – either that or he might just have been damn talented from the get-go! I truly suspect it is the latter. This was as perfect an ending to the Most Wanted arc as a reader could ask for and doesn’t cap off the story with a big fat full stop but instead drops in a delicious comma at the end, meaning that you’ll definitely be back to see what happens next. The characterization of Victoria Hand slowly beginning to crack under the pressure of looking after the most psychotic VIP on the planet is terrific and there’s certainly scope for expansion on that plot point. Fraction manages to reach a crescendo that people were anticipating in this title and while the Osborn vs Stark confrontation skirts along clichéd lines for the briefest of times, it fits so well into the giant puzzle of Tony’s plan that it’s instantly forgivable. Larroca, as always, brings his A-game to the table and to be honest I’m struggling to think of a time when the Iron Man armours have been drawn with such brilliant dynamism. Get the Most Wanted arc in trade when available if you’re late to the party and jump onboard next issue. I really don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 10/10
Boom! Studios can be very proud of what they have achieved these past twelve months and Unthinkable wins my vote for miniseries of the year. Terrifically well thought out and Tedesco is one talented artist to watch for.
UNTHINKABLE #1 (review originally published 17/05/2009)
Writer: Mark Sable
Art: Julian Totino Tedesco
Boom! Studios $3.99
Stewart R: In order to predict the terrorist events of the future a Think Tank is put together in order to establish all of the implausible, impossible, unthinkable scenarios that could confront the United States and the rest of the world in a post 9/11 society. Nothing is discounted and the possibilities are endless. This is a terrific premise alone but the comic that Mark Sable has then delivered is just as accomplished. The sibling relationship of the Ripley brothers (Steven’s an embittered military veteran who’s seen some of the worst that terrorism has to offer, Alan is his novelist brother who twists Steven’s experiences to fit the page and screen for the almighty dollar) aptly displays the paranoia and mistrust that the 21st century can succumb to. Once the World Trade Centre attack is factored in and the Ripley family suffers a loss the story picks up with the aforementioned Think Tank and it’s clear that Sable has thought long and hard on how something like this could pan out.
There’s promising character development while keeping the pacing brisk and resisting the urge to fall into a deep protracted analysis of past, real world events. Tedesco’s artwork is impeccable, delivering quick and explosive action where necessary and I’m really impressed with his great emotional characterization throughout. This is one conspiracy theory title that I will definitely be picking up the second issue of. 9/10
Abnett and Lanning appear once more in my Top 10 with their superb introduction to the Marvel-based conflict of the year. Paul Pelletier’s work is immense and this is one of the best examples of an artist understanding how to get the best from what the writer’s have given him.
WAR OF KINGS #1 (review originally published 08/03/2009)
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Paul Pelletier & Rick Magyar
Marvel $3.99
Stewart R: What a start to the series proper! The Shi'ar bring the battle to the Inhuman-led Kree in one mighty issue of cosmic quality. The months of preparatory work that DnA have put into the various space-based stories has led to this brutal opener and it's a wonderful read from beginning to end. Crystal's marriage to Ronan the Accuser was never going to have an easy start but to have a wedding day this disastrous?? Abnett and Lanning set the pace at brisk, reminding us of previous events in character conversation and moving forward with a neat inner-dialogue by Gladiator as he leads the new Imperial Guard into battle. Pelletier does a magnificent job throughout with wonderful full-page splashes with the odd special touch here and there (the flowers and blossoms in and amongst the panels of the wedding day - nice!) and Quintana's colours give the whole thing a polished, classic look. I simply cannot wait for the next five issues to arrive! 10/10
Kyle and Yost have made this book their own, but by taking brief, measured glimpses at what being a member of X-Force is doing to X-23 they’ve raised it to another level. Here they subject her to some nasty situations and my eyes were glued to the page from start to finish.
X-FORCE #20 (review originally published 01/11/2009)
Writers: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost
Art: Mike Choi & Sonia Oback
Marvel $2.99
Stewart R: X-23 has been used as a vicious tool of death by these writers for most of this X-Force run, but they have on occasion given us glimpses of Laura’s caring side and delicate psyche while also expanding on Wolverine’s strangely paternal instincts towards her. This has ensured that while X-Force shifts from blood-soaked page to blood-soaked page, it's really all about the loyalty and camaraderie that the team-mates have for each other as they tread their dark paths. X-23’s capture by the Facility and near-successful rescue by Agent Morales has been a captivating read as the one enemy that Laura can’t apparently hurt or kill tries her best to extract an excruciating revenge upon her. The pages where the Trigger Scent fills X-23 with bloodlust are a true triumph of brutal comic storytelling and Choi and Oback should be very proud of the artwork on show here. When you couple such action with the emotionally tinged scenes at the end with Morales and Laura, you can stamp the ‘Success’ mark squarely across the cover. 9/10
Due to the Festive break, Mini Reviews will return next Sunday. In the meantime, here's a more in depth look at one of the major releases of the last week.
THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME #1
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Greg Tocchini
Radical Comics $4.99
Matt C: This book had me sold with its title. Being a bit of a crime geek, to say I’m rather partial to tales of murder, deceit, revenge and general lawlessness is an understatement. The title of this miniseries was so powerful, so evocative, it’s one of those cases where you wonder how come no one ever thought to use it before; it’s so good you immediately doubt that anybody could ever come up with a storyline to match its brilliance. Rick Remender sets himself a huge task with this debut issue then, but while it’s fair to say this is no slam-dunk winner, it is mean and moody enough to make it a worthwhile purchase.
Radical are no strangers to putting out aesthetically pleasing product; the storytelling may not always make a good impression but, damn, they sure know how to put together a great looking book! Their new thing is the 64-page comic for $4.99, and while The Last Days Of American Crime actually has 48 pages of story with the rest made up of sketches and early art, there’s absolutely no denying it’s great value for money, especially when you consider the prices Marvel charge these days for often considerably less content.
The story itself, and the world Remender has envisioned, is pretty compelling: a signal is set to broadcast across the US which will make the performance of criminal acts a physical impossibility. It’s a top secret project, and the government are making doubly sure no one cottons on to it by trumpeting the move away from paper money to an entirely electronic economy. Two weeks before the signal goes live someone lets the cat out of the bag, and now the public are aware they won’t be able to get up to any bad deeds within a matter of days, chaos – naturally - ensues. Enter Graham Bricke, a career criminal who sees that this is final chance for that fabled ‘one last score’, and sets to work making it happen. Even before the job’s in motion things go awry, but as he’s working against the clock he has no choice but to press forward.
It’s an obvious choice to go for, the reliable noir staple that is the aforementioned ‘one last score’, but when you see the mayhem pouring out into the streets you do wonder whether there are more interesting and exciting stories happening elsewhere in this world. It doesn’t help that the three main players introduced so far in this plot aren’t proving to be the most charismatic individuals you’re ever likely to meet either. That said, the lurid murkiness of Tocchini’s art does draw you into the unfolding events, and Remender does provide some wonderfully tight and snappy dialogue. Other players enter the mix suggesting everything’s going to get a lot more dangerous and complicated quite swiftly so, reservations aside, it certainly leaves you looking forward to the next issue.
At the moment, The Last Days Of American Crime isn’t quite living up to its ingenious title or its deft high concept premise, but littered throughout its engaging first issue are signs that it could blossom into something thrillingly brutal. 7/10
Stewart R: With strange little incidents occurring around the world – Popes being lunged at, ‘foreign’ individuals trying to blow up planes flying to the US – you realise just what a paranoid and question-filled world we can live in today. Whereas the 20th century was predominantly about not trusting those people living on other shores or in faraway lands, the events of the later part of the century and those exploding out of the first decade of a new millennium have seen the mistrust spread much closer home.
Rick Remender’s exceptionally well-timed vision supposes that the United States’ Government develops a way to instantly make all native threats disappear completely by broadcasting a specific wave or frequency which would prevent criminality in entirety. That’s it, simple, easy and there is no need to go further into the science behind this; it’s just going to happen and now everyone has the deadline for when the change will take place.
It’s an intelligent plot point from which the writer can set out the final great heist before this monumental marker is reached. Normally with stories like this, the timings and deadlines for a good robbery are set by smaller, throwaway events which are ultimately inconsequential. But, by painting his background with broader strokes, it gives a real feeling of urgency and importance to the ‘job’ that his cast are planning and creates a world that’s only just a stone’s throw from our own. It’s certainly not an end-of-the-world scenario, but for the characters involved there is certainly the realisation that it is the end of their particular world as they know it. Thanks to this we get some terrific character development in just the first issue.
From the initial scenes we are led to believe that protagonist Graham Bricke is a cold-blooded and somewhat malicious hard man who is prepared to do anything in order to get what he wants, but Remender ensures that he’s not just a two-dimensional criminal during a fantastic second act that involves the sultry and seductive introduction of foxy computer hacker Shelby. By the time uber-confident Kevin Cash (great name for a heist team member) turns up it’s already clear that things are not going to be plain and simple and that everyone is hiding pasts and character faults that could scupper the devious plan at a moment’s notice.
The banter on display had me chuckling to myself in the festive company of family who all just looked on in baffled amusement as I became further engrossed in this brilliant comic. The artwork is truly exceptional with Tocchini’s neat, clean watercolour style capturing each and every location succinctly and the man’s colour work is fantastic – just flick through the book from beginning to end quickly and you’ll see just how he changes the palette through moody reds to fresh greens, blues and greys depending on where the story is taking us. It’s also important for a character-driven story to have expressive leads and Tocchini doesn’t disappoint on that front either; he even excels when the action takes a little turn for the briefly gruesome and the plot requires flying blood and human pieces to be present.
The whole thing is a great read from start to finish and the creators and Radical can be very proud of everything they have accomplished in this first issue. It’s a great plot with characters that draw you in to discover just what part they will play in the final grand robbery of the 21st Century. I excitedly sit here and wait now for 2010 and the next enticing issue of The Last Days of American Crime. Bring it on. 9/10
Cover Story is an occasional feature that looks at comic book covers from over the years that have inspired us, astounded us, made us laugh, made us cry, but mostly reminded us why we love the medium so much.
By Ian U
“So this is Xmas and what have you done.
Another year over and a new one just begun” - John Lennon
Well, as the song says its Christmas again and what have I done? Not enough articles for this blog for one thing! So here is my last ditch effort to get back into Matt C’s good books before 2010 rolls around. As a follow up to last year’s Top Ten Christmas comics what follows below is 12 top Christmas covers from my all time favourite comic – the mighty 2000AD! Over the years The Mighty Tharg has published a number of cracking covers by some of Britain’s top comics talent so what follows can’t fail to get you in the mood for mince pies, tinsel and mistletoe (Drokk it!)
1. 2000AD Prog 815 (Colin Macneil)
The first of several appearances on this list for art droid extraordinaire Colin MacNeil and one of my favourite Christmas covers, a seasonal Judge Dredd complete with Santa hat and lawgiver.
2. 2000AD Prog 398 (Kevin O’Neill)
A superb bit of festive alien weirdness by Kevin O’Neill and just the kind of thing that 2000AD excels at. By this point in his career O’Neill had already begun working in the States and this was one of the last pieces he did for 2000AD. My only regret is that this is a wraparound cover and I’ve been unable to find a scan of the back bit.
3. 2000AD Prog 296 (Mike McMahon)
Another 2000AD great and another fantastic cover. Mike McMahon depicting a very festive looking Dredd. In actual fact this isn’t really Dredd but we’ll not let that spoil a great cover! Snow, snowballs and festive greetings - what else do you need?
4. Judge Dredd Megazine Vol 3 Issue 6 (Kevin Walker)
More festive Dredd – this time taking down a seasonally-attired creep. The Meg hasn’t done nearly as many Christmas covers as its sister title so it’s always nice to see a good one.
5. 2000AD Prog 450 (Alan Davies)
Another lovely wraparound cover that I’ve been unable to locate the back of! By this point in 2000AD’s history Alan Moore was also on his way to America with his future collaborator Kevin O’Neill so artist Alan Davies was just starting to experiment with DR & Quinch on his own. Sadly his efforts never really rivalled those of the Great Bearded One himself! Still, his fantastic pencil work shines through on this cover.
6. 2000AD Prog 763 (Richard Dolan)
Another nice seasonal Dredd piece which works all the better for not dressing Dredd himself up and instead focussing on Mega City One. The addition of snow to the traditional Megacityscape is a great idea. Doesn’t explain where someone got a massive 50ft Santa hat from though!
7. 2000AD Prog 710 (Colin MacNeil)
Our second outing for the MacNeil droid with a lovely cover depicting many of the stars of 2000AD past and present lining up to give Tharg their Christmas lists, if they can just get Santa out of the way first!
8. 2000AD Prog 44 (Kevin O’Neill)
And now a second outing for O’Neill with this fantastic cover from the glorious early years of the title. A fairly standard 2000AD cover (Dredd smashing through a window on his bike, gun drawn) as depicted many times over the years but with added snow, Christmas tree and Santa outfit. Perfect! Love the X-Wing fighter swooping over the logo as well.
9.2000AD Prog 920 (Jason Brashill)
Aww, how cute! Those stalwarts of 2000AD, Tharg, Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Slaine and Hammerstein, turned into baubles and hung from the tree. Not just a great cover but also a great idea – if someone made these I’d buy a set tomorrow!
10. Judge Dredd Megazine Vol 4 Issue 279 (Greg Staples)
The second of the two Megazine covers in this list brings us right up to date with last year’s festive cover. Last time he was busting a snowman, this time it’s Santa himself. Twenty years for housebreaking – classic!
11. 2000AD Prog 867 (Colin MacNeil)
Here’s the third and final MacNeil cover and this time it’s Tharg’s turn to don the red coat. Apparently this was originally designed to emulate a Victorian period Christmas card design and I think it pays off really well. The gift-wrapped logo is a nice little touch as well.
12. 2000AD Prog 658 (Richard Dolan)
And there we go, number 12. Another festive Dredd, this time doing his bit for charity with the kids (because after all, Christmas is all about the kids!)
Hope you’ve all enjoyed this festive rundown. Maybe it’s inspired a few of you to grab a few old progs out of the attic for a re-read. After all, nothing says Christmas quite like mutants, genetically engineered future soldiers and fascist coppers! Merry Christmas!
While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.
Matt C's Byrne FF project continues this week.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN #5
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Bryan Hitch & Butch Guice
Marvel $3.99
Matt C: Marvel has really dropped the ball with this now. Steve Rogers has already begun parading around in various other books in his Cap suit, so any ounce of suspense that might have been squeezed out of this storyline has now dissipated. On top of that, you really do have to question what the original plan for this series was seeing as they’ve extended it from five issues to six. Is this one the result of that? An issue jam-packed with action and not much else? It’s more than competently put together but it’s so clichéd in its representation of a Cap vs Skull showdown that you wonder where the groundbreaking brilliance that Brubaker once brought to Captain America has gone. A handsome looking product it may be, but I can’t imagine anyone who’s been along for the ride since the very beginning (and by that I mean Bru’s Captain America #1) not being disappointed by the way this is playing out. 6/10
Matt T: Quite possibly the best compliment that has been levelled at Reborn during my reviews of the miniseries has been that the occasional issue could sit within the main series. This issue is yet another representation of that, as the Skull-possessed Cap has to contend with a fight from both inside and outside. Bucky may or may not be Cap for much longer, but he kicks ass and takes names in impressive style here. It may be one long fight, but the panel layouts are incredibly inventive and the tension is amped up in an impressive fashion until the conclusion, making this one of my favourite issues so far. 8/10
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason, Rebecca Buchman and Tom Nguyen
DC $2.99
Stewart R: Truly wonderful stuff from Tomasi and Gleason this week as Guy Gardner’s transformation into a Red Lantern of Rage is realised following Kyle Rayner’s heroic sacrifice last time out. This book is filled to the brim with emotion - as befits a title linked to the Blackest Night event – and the level of tension is certainly palpable, ensuring that single every page is unmissable. Tomasi has been able to manoeuvre certain characters not involved in the main BN story into position on Oa and the involvement of Star Sapphire Miri and Yellow Lantern Kryb keeps the cast varied and the story unpredictable. Gleason delivers some truly breathtaking work with Guy’s initial ‘conscription’ and subsequent attack on the Black Lanterns being the giddying high point. I have to say that if you’re thinking of dropping any other $2.99 title at the moment then you should definitely start investing that money into this incredibly entertaining comic. 10/10
NOLA #2
Writers: Chris Gorak & Pierluigi Cothran
Art: Damian Couceiro
Boom! Studios £3.99
Matt C: The debut issue of this mini was damn impressive; this issue, not so much. Nola’s transformation from regular civilian to an angel of vengeance seems incredibly swift and, based on what we’ve been shown so far, somewhat unlikely. The structure is occasionally confusing too, and at certain points I wasn’t entirely sure whether we were in the past or present. I still want to see where this goes, and hopefully it’ll make more sense when all the pieces slot into place; the art’s very evocative and there’s some nice characterization so I’m rooting fo the promise of that debut issue to pay off. 6/10
REALM OF KINGS: INHUMANS #2
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art: Pablo Raimondi and Andrew Hennessy
Marvel $3.99
Stewart R: I gave each of the new Realm Of Kings titles a chance on the debut and then promised I would make a harsh call on one or both depending on the quality. With the Starjammers onboard, the Imperial Guard title is safe on the pull-list for the moment and the intriguing political edge that this Inhumans title is carrying has me now cursing Marvel’s $3.99 policy. There is enough decent plot work, character development and a reasonable guest appearance by the Mighty Avengers to make this a pretty good $2.99 book, and Abnett and Lanning do a good job of showing the troubled position that the Inhumans find themselves in having to prove their worth to a whole civilisation. I do however wish there were a few more pages (or less adverts) to truly warrant the extra buck. 6/10
GODLAND #30
Writer: Joe Casey
Art: Tom Scioli
Image $2.99
Matt C: A while ago I somehow got the impression that this series was going to conclude with #30 so decided to stick around for that to happen. That clearly isn’t the case so I think I’m just going to have to quit it anyway. When it first debuted, the way Godland channelled Jack Kirby’s creative genius into a story that managed to be both reverent and irreverent at the same time was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, as it progressed, it began to get a little more self-indulgent, a little less read-friendly, and – I hate to say it – a little bit dull. It still looks beautiful – Scioli can do ‘Kirby Cosmic’ brilliantly - but on the whole the plot doesn’t seem to have much direction anymore, so it’s time to say adiós. 5/10
X-FACTOR #200
Writer: Peter David
Art: Bing Cansino & Marco Santucci
Marvel $4.99
Matt T: As one of my favourite team books ever, X-Factor has been hitting the heights with superb plotting and characterisation for a few years now. The jump in time had me mildly concerned, even if the team has returned to their spiritual home of New York. As ever with bumper issues half is barely worth it, but the main plot starts with a cracking mystery in the disappearance of the Invisible Woman. It may sound like, as Valeria puts it, a whimsical tale, but shy of the by-the-numbers punch up Peter David has once more thrown up a twist-laden story that will doubtless have more implications in the future. As a first issue it'll make your head spin, but I encourage newcomers to stick with X-Factor for the long run. There's always an excellent payoff, even if it takes 20 issues to get there. 8/10
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40
Writer: James Robinson
Art: Mark Bagley, Rob Hunter, Scott Hanna and Marlo Alquiza
DC $3.99
Stewart R: I rarely review an issue of this title despite having all 40 issues in the current run; my major problem has been that the actual premise and heart of the Justice League has been weakened and diluted for quite some time which is something thankfully being addressed now, though not yet resolved, by the creative team currently behind the wheel. This Blackest Night tie-in has the bruised and battered makeshift line-up fighting for their lives against former friends and foes in Black Lantern guise. There’s some great character analysis by Robinson here as the team members are forced to realise some of their worst fears and justify not only their presence in the League but as superheroes as well. There’s a well thought out dynamic to the whole confrontation as the female-centric Leaguers battle against some really creepy and nasty individuals. Bagley’s art suits the book at the moment but I’m hoping Ed Benes will find his way back to it at some later date. 7/10
CABLE #21
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Art: Humberto Ramos & Carlos Cuerva
Marvel $3.99
Matt T: About ten issues ago Bishop was within a hair's breadth of killing Cable and Hope, and now he's.... no closer. In fact, if Hope hadn't sprouted into a Jean Grey-lookalike then this book would've had painfully little to stop it from being the same issue after issue. Chances are all and sundry will make it back to this time, and the fight will end when someone eventually puts Bishop in the ground. Until then, the intelligent original plot has been dragged to wafer-thin breaking point and I, for one, am very bored. 4/10
INCORRUPTIBLE #1
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Jean Diaz
Boom! Studios $3.99
Stewart R: Mark Waid is crafting his own little universe of awesomeness over at Boom! and, now that a world living in fear of the maniacal Plutonian has been established (pick up Irredeemable for more of that) it seems that Waid has plenty more planned. Incorruptible comes at this world from the exact opposite angle with a near-indestructible career villain realising that the rules that governed life on the planet have changed and he might be the only person who can chalk up a win as a hero. This first issue doesn’t try to chase over Max Damage’s past but instead deals with his initial actions in the present, tackling his former partners and establishing a connection with the cities law-enforcement to try to show that he’s on the level. Diaz’s art style fits the ‘gritty capes and powers’ feel that Waid seems to be going for though his delivery of Jailbait seems a touch confused considering her name and the references to her age. Obviously taste and decency might be playing a part there but she looks like a mid-twenties female character to me. All in all it’s an interesting, though not entirely original, story but if Irredeemable is anything to go by this should show promise of being a good accompanying title. 7/10
Matt C: An okay start to the ‘sister’ series of Irredeemable, even if I remain unconvinced that this new superhero universe Waid has created can sustain two ongoing titles. It’s a neat idea when you’ve got the ultimate hero going rogue to have the ultimate villain turn legit, but nothing in this debut issue suggests that this couldn’t have been dealt with as a sub plot in Irredeemable. Max Damage does seem a bit two-dimensional compared to the Plutonian – it’s early days though, I guess – but Jailbait (underaged female supervillain) is a wonderfully wrong creation, and I have a feeling she’ll be a real highlight once this series gets moving. The art from Diaz has its own identity, but (and I don’t know whether this is intentional) there is a certain similarity to Peter Krause’s work on Irredeemable that lends a consistency to the shared universe the characters inhabit. This isn’t an essential purchase in the way Irredeemable #1 was, but I do trust Waid, so I believe there is potential for greatness down the line. 6/10
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #4
Writer: Greeg Hurwitz
Art: Jerome Opeña
Marvel $2.99
Stewart R: Yep, four issues in and I’m hooked. After last month’s reintroduction of Bushman I had wondered whether Hurwitz might peak too soon and rush in an ill-timed rematch against Marc Spector/Jake Lockley’s uber-nemesis. Luckily Hurwitz instead chooses to prolong the build up and place the focus on Lockley’s need to steer clear from the dark and blood-filled path he previously trod. There’s some terrific work from Opeña who not only deals with Moon Knight’s particular brand of crime-fighting well but also uses a neat trick in only showing the detail in a characters eyes when absolutely necessary, which brings a heightened feeling of foreboding to the whole comic. If the level of quality is maintained we could be looking at one of the ongoing titles of 2010. 8/10
EX MACHINA #47
Writer: Brian K Vaughan
Art: Tony Harris
DC/Wildstorm $2.99
Matt C: A series where I’m just waiting on the conclusion now, which is a shame because when it started it was genuinely surprising and packed with thought-provoking, intelligent ideas. Now I get the feeling Vaughan’s heart’s not in it as much because, while there’s a bona fide shocking moment in this issue, it doesn’t carry the emotional resonance it should, at least not for me. I wonder if perhaps it would hold together better in the collected format, because the erratic scheduling it’s suffered from probably helped add to my lack of engagement at this point, but I honestly don’t know if I’d ever be willing to revisit it in the future. 5/10
THUNDERBOLTS #139
Writer: Jeff Parker
Art: Miguel Sepulveda
Marvel $2.99
Stewart R: With Jeff Parker now at the helm, the Agents of Atlas were always likely to make an appearance here and the timing is just right. The Thunderbolts are a team trying to find their feet after a string of continuous losses and embarrassing defeats, not to mention constant infighting and double-dealing. Parker seems determined to dig a little deeper into the team dynamic than Diggle did during his short creative stint and I think it should make this comic stronger for it. Who better to pit this misfit bunch of mercenaries and killers masquerading as heroes against than another team who are the exact opposite? Thankfully we’re being guided through all this by a writer who knows how to get the best out of characters’ strengths and weaknesses and the fist-fight proves to be a well thought out set piece with a gut-wrenching cliffhanger. Good stuff for a title that was in definite need of a lift. 7/10
THE UNKNOWN: THE DEVIL MADE FLESH #3
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Minick Oosterveer
Boom! Studios $3.99
Matt C: For me, this is the crown jewel in Boom!’s roster: supernaturally tinged mysteries that have the ability to surprise even the most jaded comic book reader. There’s no way in hell I would’ve guessed the reason behind the murders that world’s greatest detective Catherine Allingham is currently investigating, and it’s a testament to Waid’s skill as a writer that he can throw such a curveball into the plot and make it seem perfectly natural and obvious. Add to the tight, ingenious script some great action rendered by Oosterveer and basically this second Unknown miniseries is a winner. I sincerely hope there are more in the pipeline. 8/10
UNDERGROUND #4
Writer: Jeff Parker
Art: Steve Lieber
Image $3.50
Stewart R: Not many writers could get away with a comic revolving around two people trapped in a cave system and running for their lives but Jeff Parker has once again hit his A-game to deliver a great little read. With last issue's subterranean tensions being about misunderstandings, gunfights and strangulations, things are a bit more subdued and claustrophobic this time around. Seth and Wes’s struggles to avoid their pursuers and stay alive ‘underground’ are fantastically tense and, thanks to writer and artist working in harmony, brilliantly realized. The use of a greyscale palette for Wes and Seth’s scenes is inspired and really brings the close surroundings in that bit tighter. Little conversations on coping with the fear of the conditions and trying to stay positive keep things moving along nicely while the brief trips to the overground rescue efforts keep the plot on course for what I’m sure will be a well-rounded finale next issue. 8/10
THE LAST RESORT #5
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
IDW $3.99
Matt C: More than anything it was the Darwyn Cooke covers that drew me to this mini as there’s only so much zombie madness I can take, but it has been a reasonably enjoyable series all told. This final issue was a bit of a let down as I hoped the writers might have had something a little different lined up, but as it goes they stick pretty closely to genre conventions and there isn’t really anything in the way of surprises. Caracuzzo’s art has an agreeable earthiness to it, and he doesn’t skimp on the gore factor, while Palmiotti and Gray imbue their script with a sexed-up flavour and an obvious glee in dispatching various characters. It’ll be a decent read in collected format but I’d really only recommend it to those who are already fans of the genre as I honestly think the appeal is a bit limited outside of that particular audience. 6/10
Stewart R: Oh dear, where did it all go wrong? Well, actually thinking back it really started to fall apart in the second issue when the pretty undistinguishable cast members started being fed upon by the infected hordes or dying in bizarre and accidental ways. This final issue ties the main story of the ‘survivors’ up in a rather hurried and uninteresting fashion and then tries to spin a shock epilogue at you that actually has me really hoping that IDW decide to save the paper and ink instead. The art from Caracuzzo certainly hasn’t helped my opinion of this miniseries as the lack of detail and consistency in his work was occasionally off-putting. If you spot this one in a box in your local comic shop at some point in the future don’t be fooled by the excellent Darwyn Cooke covers; just slide it back in its place and pretend you never saw it. 2/10
FANTASTIC FOUR #287
Writer: John Byrne
Art: John Byrne & Joe Sinnott
Marvel $0.75
Matt C: Sue, Jen and a guest-starring Janet Van Dyne (aka the Wasp) seem a little to eager to aid a costumed chap attacking an embassy in New York, even if it is the Latverian embassy, so it’s not really much of a surprise when things go pear-shaped. Reed surely wouldn’t have allowed him teammates to run into the fray without properly assessing the situation, but then he’s busy tinkering with the Fantasticar at this point in time. Byrne picks up a plot thread he left dangling back in FF #260 to allow the team’s greatest nemesis to return after a long hiatus. It’s great to see Joe Sinnott back on inking duties again: having lent his skills to some of the greatest artists ever to have transformed the pages of FF into things of wonder, he brings a classic feel to the book almost instantly. A lot of this is really prologue to what comes next, but it’s damn fine prologue all the same. 8/10
BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (review originally published 19/07/2009)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #46 (review originally published 01/02/2009)
CROSSED #7 (review orignally published 11/10/2009)
DETECTIVE COMICS #854 (review originally published 28/06/2009)
THE MARVELS PROJECT #1 (review originally published 09/08/2009)
PROOF #23 (review originally published 13/09/2009)
SCALPED #25 (review originally published 15/02/2009)
THE STUFF OF LEGEND #1 (review originally published 02/08/2009)
THE UNWRITTEN #1 (review originally published 17/05/2009)
X-MEN: MAGNETO TESTAMENT #5 (review originally published 06/02/2009)
CHEW #1 (review originally published 07/06/2009)
DESTROYER #5 (review originally published 09/08/2009)
THE GREAT UNKNOWN #1 (review originally published 22/02/2009)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43 (review originally published 20/12/2009)
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #13 (review originally published 26/04/2009)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #136 (review originally published 18/10/2009)
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #19 (review originally published 25/10/2009)
UNTHINKABLE #1 (review originally published 17/05/2009)
WAR OF KINGS #1 (review originally published 08/03/2009)
X-FORCE #20 (review originally published 01/11/2009)
