December 19, 2016
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Uncategorized
Comics, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, Marvel Comics, review, Squirrel Girl
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe!
Written by Ryan North
Drawn by Erica Henderson
Published by Marvel Comics
I frigging love Squirrel Girl. North and Henderson’s irreverent take on the Marvel Universe is the highlight of my pull list, and when I heard they were doing a graphic novel, I had to get on-board immediately.
A parody of a classic but ultra-serious Punisher story, USGBUTMU! features all of my favorite things about North’s writing, and my favorite things about the Marvel Universe. Mad science, morally gray villains, and Tony Stark’s utter disregard for lab safety.
When a device confiscated from a mad scientist accidentally creates a duplicate of Squirrel Girl, she couldn’t be happier with the result. But duplicate Squirrel Girl Allene soon decides to save the Earth for Squirrels, and banish humanity to the moon. After getting the Squirrel Girl and her friends out of the way, she quickly and efficiently goes about beating up and capturing anyone who could stop her.
Essentially a long-form version of a Squirrel Girl issue, North and Henderson use the extra room to really shine. With a story just as silly and smart as the Squirrel Girl ongoing series, this graphic novel is a delight for fans, and a wonderful introduction to readers new to the character. North’s writing remains sharp and absurdist, and Henderson’s art and coloring more than keep pace. With gems like a unit of squirrels attempting to operate an Ironman suit, and Squirrel Girl using sorting techniques to plot her enemies’ downfall, this is just the perfect mix of crazy comedy I enjoy.
Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe is available from Comixology, or your local comics shop, and makes a great gift.
December 12, 2016
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Review
Comics, Doctor Aphra, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, Star Wars
Doctor Aphra #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Drawn by Kev Walker
Published by Marvel Comics
How do you write a good anti-hero? Put them up against forces larger, and worse than themselves and always, always make the bill come due for their evil deeds, in one way or another. This is just what Kieron Gillen and Kev Walker’s Doctor Aphra sets out in its first issue.
The scheming anthropologist accomplice of Darth Vader is back in her own series, and I couldn’t be happier to see her again. Accompanied by her droids 000 and BT, dark-mirror analogues of C3P0 and R2-D2, she’s still out looking for big scores and outsmarting the Galaxy’s ever-present underworld. Clever, deep in debt, and out to save her own skin rather than the galaxy, she’s the perfect update of all of Han Solo’s tropes. Just don’t call it a redemption arc.
Gillen’s story ditches the Campbellian melodrama and delivers a story full of double crosses, brawling, badass wookiees, and grimly comic murder droids. Walker’s art is fun, and expressive, with action-oriented layouts. Colorist Antonio Fabela proves you can tell a dark story in comics without over-shading the page.
Aphra was one of my favorite characters from Gillen’s Darth Vader run, and I can’t see what shenanigans she gets up to away from the sith lord’s watchful eye. Doctor Aphra #1 is available digitally from Comixolgoy, or in print at your local comics shop.
August 24, 2016
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics
Chris Hastings, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Loki, Marvel, review
Hugh Likes Comics
Vote Loki #1
Written by Christopher Hastings
Drawn by Langdon Foss
Published by Marvel Comics
Over the course of his publication history, the Marvel Comics version of Loki has been a god, a super-villain, a king, and a storyteller. He’s gained it all, lost it all, died, come back to life, and opted out of the end of the world. After all that, where do you take the character? Have him run for president, of course!
Writer Chris Hastings and artist Langdon Foss take over the character following Al Ewing and Lee Garbett’s run of “Loki: Agent of Asgard,” and they are taking a few notes from that version of the God of Mischief. Issue one is mostly setup, with Loki stopping a terrorist attack and ‘coincidentally’ becoming interested enough in the political process to throw his horned-helmet in the ring. But with a trickster like Loki, the setup can be just as much fun as the reveal.
Hastings, the writer and artist of the webcomic “Dr. Mcninja,” is a part of a wave of new independent creators at Marvel. Spearheaded by Ryan North and Erica Henderson’s “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl,” the superhero publisher is banking on a new selection of titles helmed by artists and writers who got their start on the internet instead of the bullpen.
Foss’s art is well suited, and the coloring by Chris Chuckry lends a nice atmosphere to the comic. The only real flaw here is that the attempts at political commentary come off as broad and toothless. ‘Politicians sure are liars’ is hardly a new take in 2016, and with a series of stock fictional characters mostly hanging out in the background, “Vote Loki” doesn’t bring anything new or incisive to the table. But the reason most readers will pick up this comic will be just to watch Loki string along whatever con this turns out to be.
Vote Loki # 1 is available from your local comics shop, or digitally through Comixology.
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March 30, 2016
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Uncategorized
Comic Bento, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, Spider-Man
Edge of Spider-Verse
Written by Various
Drawn by Various
Published by Marvel Comics
I am a sucker for alternate versions of iconic characters. Different twists, new ideas, and retellings are my jam, which is why I really enjoyed “Edge of Spider-Verse” even if it is a set-up for a very complicated Spider-Man crossover event that I didn’t read. The graphic novel collects five single-issue comics, each with a different version of the iconic superhero.
Each story is complete, and has very different styles and takes. Spider-Man Noir is a 30’s pulp take on the hero, who fights a stage magician version of villain Mysterio. A classic horror-comic version imagines Spider-Man not as hero, but as a grotesque, bloodthirsty monster. And the breakout hit of the book imagines what would happen if Gwen Stacy, rather than Peter Parker, was bitten by the radioactive spider of destiny.
My favorite version was Sp//dr, a Katsuhiro Otomo-inspired take which stars a teenage girl piloting a spider-like robot with the assistance of a genetically engineered creature.
The art and writing vary across the different titles, and each of them ends with some tie-in to the big event comic, either recruitment by the good guys or a confrontation with the villains. It gives some of these tales slightly unsatisfying endings, but what I like about this collection is the creativity that is brought to this well-established character.
I received this comic via Comic Bento, a subscription service that mail delivers curated boxes of comics to subscribers. It is also available from Comixology or your local comics shop.
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March 2, 2016
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Uncategorized
HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Iron Fist, Marvel, Power Man, review
Power Man and Iron Fist #1
Written by David Walker
Drawn by Sanford Greene
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Published by Marvel Comics
I haven’t read much of the original Power Man and Iron Fist comics from the ’70’s, but I’m a big fan of the concept, especially the way the characters relate in modern Marvel comics. So needless to say, I’m onboard with Power Man and Iron Fist’s 2016 incarnation.
In the Marvel tradition, this is a getting the band back together sort of story, but while it builds on older continuity, it didn’t leave me lost. Years ago, Jennie Royce was the office manager for Luke Cage and Danny Rand, the Heroes for Hire. When she was tried for killing her ex-boyfriend, they did everything they could to help, but she was still convicted. Released from prison, the former partners reunite to meet her at the ferry. Luke has moved on since then, and has started a family. Danny is still fighting crime by night as Iron Fist. When Jennie asks them for a favor, the return of a necklace she says was stolen by gangsters, they get pulled back into street-level crime-fighting. And while Danny is happy to relive his glory days, Luke is less enthusiastic.
While Walker is setting up a nice little crime story, what really sells it is Greene’s art. He uses design and body language to give reinforce the plot and sell the characters. Even something as simple as putting Danny in his Iron Fist jumpsuit while leaving Luke in his vest and collared shirt says volumes about where these characters are and what they want. I particularly like the way flashbacks were drawn. They hover in the negative space above the figures, and it is both unusual and effective.
Power Man and Iron Fist #1 tells a nice little crime tale, while setting up a larger story to come. Check it out on Comixology or in your local comics shop.
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October 30, 2015
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics
Al Ewing, Comics, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, New Avengers, review
New Avengers # 1
Written by Al Ewing
Drawn by Gerrardo Sandoval
Published by Marvel Comics
With almost an entire line of new comics coming out, Marvel probably has most of my immediate attention. Particularly after the variety of neat stories that came out of Battleworld. There are a lot of new ideas and re-imaginings to come, but one of the books I’m most excited about is New Avengers.
The interesting thing about the book is that by most marketing standards, it shouldn’t work. It’s a superhero team made entirely of legacy heroes, supporting characters, and C-listers. And that is why I really hope it succeeds.
Organized by mutant billionaire Roberto Da Costa (A. K. A. Sunspot,) the team consists of former Master of Evil/Thunderbolt Songbird, the newest White Tiger, Power Man Victor Alvarez (not Luke Cage,) Wiccan and Hulkling from the Young Avengers, and Squirrel Girl. Hawkeye is also presented as a potential recruit. Da Costa tells him he was ‘hoping for the other one.’ Squirrel Girl’s sidekick Tippy-toe is also a member. Together they represent Avengers Idea Mechanics, a global problem-solving team.
The thing that really works about this team is that writer Al Ewing really understands the voices of these characters and gives them all a chance to interact naturally with each other. The writing for everyone is very on-point, with Squirrel Girl attempting to reason with the bad guys and Wiccan and Hulkling showing characteristic empathy and concern. The whole concept of Sunspot trying to solve crises by throwing misfit teen superheroes at them from his Pacific Island Fortress is ludicrous yet so entirely in keeping with the character that I’m completely sold.
The art is solid, but not without its nitpicks. Sandoval’s designs have a delightfully energetic Saturday morning cartoon feel, with exaggerated features and not-quite proportional limbs. Stylistic choices aside, a few of the characters feel a bit off model, and occasionally drawn from unusual angles. Squirrel girl seems to be missing her tail, for instance. He feels a bit uncomfortable with the characters, but his style is charming enough that I hope he either relaxes or makes the designs more his own as the series goes on.
New Avengers is a delightful new comic that brings back some of my favorite characters without relying too heavily on an encyclopedic backstory to enjoy the book. It’s a great introduction, and I can’t wait to see where their adventures take them next. New Avengers is available from Comixology, the Marvel app, or your local comics shop.
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October 14, 2015
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics
HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, Ms Marvel, review
Ms. Marvel
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Drawn by Adrian Alphona, and others.
Published by Marvel Comics
Spider-Man was the quintessential teen superhero. When he was introduced in the early sixties, teens in comics were either sidekicks like Robin, or less genre characters like Archie. But Peter Parker both fought villains and managed the travails of family and high school. Marvel has attempted to replicate this formula many times since, with varying levels of success. The most recent, and possibly most successful attempt, is “Ms. Marvel” by G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Adrian Alphona.
Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American Girl living in Jersey City. When a supernatural event gives her superpowers, she has to figure out how to navigate being a costumed heroine like her idols, Captain Marvel and the Avengers, while also dealing with her daily life.
“Ms. Marvel” is great because it is authentic where most most pulp fiction goes over the top. That isn’t to say that this isn’t a comic full of super-heroic action and giant robots, because it totally is. But WIlson has taken great care in not only creating deep characters, but also presenting a broad range of characters within the community of Jersey City. Identity is the central theme of this story, and the level of nuance she brings to the topic is stunning for a funny-book.
In a marked contrast to Stan Lee’s throwing a mountain of slang against the wall and seeing what sticks, WIlson starts off her book talking about concern trolling. In a media landscape where the Muslim community is so often reduced to images of terrorism and privation, this is a huge deal.
Kamala’s rebelliousness and her struggle with her own identity plays out nicely against her shapeshifting powers. When she gains them, she says she would like to be her hero, Captain Marvel, ‘in the classic, politically incorrect costume, and kick butt in giant wedge heels.’ but when she turns into that, she finds it is entirely wrong for her. She’s at her most powerful when she uses her powers to stretch or heal herself. Basically, she’s a shapeshifter who turns into herself, which is a really clever concept, especially in a teenage book.
Alphona’s art is great as well. His style is sketchier here than it was in previous cult-hit teen comic “Runaways,” but he still shows that he really gets how to draw teenagers, who all too often in comics come out looking like slightly shorter adults.
While the directness of this comic might be a bit off putting to adults, this is a perfect comic for teens of all kinds. And the reveal of the bad guy, The Inventor, is so much perfect comics fun, that I won’t spoil it here. But is well worth checking out for that moment alone.
Ms. Marvel is available from Comixology, The Marvel Unlimited App, or your local comics shop.
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September 9, 2015
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics
Battleworld, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, review
The End has come for the Marvel Universe. Through events too complicated and not actually relevant here, the arcane fictional multiverse has come to an end. But there were some survivors. On a single planet, tiny slivers of these dead Earths remain, ruled with god-like power by Victor Von Doom.
This is the short version of the premise for Marvel’s big summer crossover, “Secret Wars.” The main story follows Doom, Dr. Strange and their allies as they try and keep their last light stable in the face of internal strife and unexpected visitors. It certainly is interesting to see Dr. Doom remake the world in the image of his Game of Thrones fanfic. It even comes complete with scheming baronies and an epic, continent-long wall. But the real draw is the diverse and imaginative Battleworld tie-ins.
Marvel used to have a non-canon series called “What if?” where writers imagined what would happen if famous storylines had played out differently. Freed from the shackles of continuity, creators were able to tell any stories they wished, without having to ensure the characters all maintained the status-quo.
Battleworld feels like a vast series of these what-ifs, all playing out at once on one huge world. And while it looks like the world will be back to some semblance of normal in a few months, these stories are fascinating while they last. The sheer breadth of stories to choose from ensures that there is something for every reader. Want to watch a team of tough Lady-Avengers punch out sharks? There’s a title for that. Want to see SHIELD fight an inexorable tide of zombies, robots, and Kirby-style monsters? There’s one for that. Want to read a gritty murder mystery where all the cops are Thor? Bam. Want to see an extension of every big X-Men crossover or alternate reality since Days of Future Past? Battleworld has you covered, all while slowly building towards Secret Wars’ climax.
The writing and art from each book differs, but with so many to choose from, chances are there will be something to suit your taste. It looks like the world will come back and everything will go back to normal in a month or two. But until then, visit your local comics shop, pick something that interests you, and settle in. It’ll be a heck of a ride.
January 8, 2015
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Review
Erica Henderson, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, review, Ryan North, Squirrel Girl, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1
Written by Ryan North
Drawn by Erica Henderson
Published by Marvel Comics
Some comics are meant to amaze. They sculpt years of storytelling continuity into jaw-dropping moments of greatness. Some comics are meant to shock, taking familiar tropes or safe concepts and turning them on their head by framing them in the harsh light of gritty realism.
And some comics are just plain fun. I suspect “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” falls into the third category. The eponymous S G is Doreen Green, a jokey Z-lister with the a fluffy tail, a prominent overbite, and the proportional strength and speed of a squirrel. She also has no idea how to operate outside of the superhero mode, which is about to make her first day of college very interesting.
Written by Dinosaur Comics creator Ryan North and drawn by indie artist Erica Henderson, this book will feel familiar to anyone familiar with their work. It’s a light, breezy tale filled with misappropriated superhero theme songs, squirrel (fish) out of water humor, and even alt text printed on the bottom of each page. Even the art has a softer, more cartoonish quality that lends itself well to North’s wacky script. This isn’t going to be one of those comics that changes everything, but it was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Doreen and her pet squirrel/sidekick Tiptoe get into with her cat-obsessed roommate, oh, and it looks like she might have to save the world after all, too.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is available from Comixology or your local comics shop.
October 14, 2014
hughjodonnell
Hugh Likes Comics, Review
Chris Claremont, Comics, Frank Miller, HLC, Hugh Likes Comics, Marvel, review, Wolverine
Written by Chris Claremont
Drawn by Frank Miller
Published by Marvel Comics
Love him or hate him, Wolverine is one of the most popular and exposed characters in Marvel’s stable of heroes. And with the publisher set to kill him for a while, I thought it was time to take a look at the limited series that really cemented his character.
It’s easy to see why this comic was so groundbreaking. Right off the bat, it establishes Wolverine as a much darker, more badass character than his taciturn, volatile persona on the X-Men. This is Wolverine in his element, and that means hunting bears and fighting hordes of ninja. After spending some time in the deep woods of Canada, Logan discovers that his letters to his girlfriend, Japanese dignitary Mariko Yashida have been returned unopened, and that she has left the US. Wolverine follows her to back to Japan. There, he discovers that her father, a presumed deceased crime lord, has returned, and that Mariko has been married to one of his lieutenants.
After being rolled by Yashida in a fight which would have killed him if not for his mutant powers, Logan is rescued by Yukio, a hedonistic assassin who is playing games of her own.
“Wolverine” is Claremont writing at the peak of his craft. Unrestrained by the team dynamic and superhero tropes of the ongoing X-Men comic, he really digs down into Wolverine’s character. This isn’t just four-color antics, but a rich, pulpy story about honor, appearances, and the nuances of a world shaded in gray. And being drawn by a Frank Miller just coming into his own as an artist elevates the comic to a classic.
Delivering a gritty comic is harder than taking a cape and rolling in the mud for a little bit. It’s something that has to be carefully structured. The pieces all need to support each other in a way that the reader both can believe and doesn’t expect. “Wolverine” delivers by revealing a deeper, darker world in the periphery of one the reader already knows. It shows a midnight underworld hidden behind an upstanding daylight face. And it does it beautifully. Miller’s Japan is a labyrinth of towering yet indistinct skyscrapers, with scores of ninja hiding in every alley. It echoes and reinforces the script beautifully. Miller echoes seminal Japanese artist Goseki Kojima in this story of corruption hiding within the Yashida clan’s adherence to tradition, and one warrior willing to abandon all pretexts to expose the truth.
In graphic story telling, especially when a writer and an artist are both masters of their craft, the finished product can seem at odds with itself. The words can be sharp and engaging. The art can be beautiful, but they need to work together to properly tell a story like this. Here, Claremont and Miller’s efforts are a synthesis that is greater than the whole of its parts.
The Wolverine is available from Amazon, Comixology, or your local comic shop.
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