Index

The Word

June 10, 2008

Off The Radar

Adam Messinger

You got all your comics for the week didn’t you? I think that I have found that one you missed, the neglected comic you turned down at the comic shop dance for a more high profile book. Well Midnighter #20 was a great book.

Unfortunately #20 is the last issue of the series. Like many great comics, the numbers didn’t pull and it got the axe from on-high. Midnighter was a fun, violent, and a relief from everything else. This issue tops off the “Killer 8” storyline about the 8th generation assassin sent to kill the Midnighter. Writer Keith Giffen decided that since this is the last issue that he could virtually do whatever he wanted. It’s nice to see this issue a little more violent than any of the others that came before. This violence is more fun than usual because it is illustrated by Lee Garbett and Rick Burchett. These two guys deliver clear images and dynamic action that, for me, define the character. From Garbett’s performance here, it is safe to say that in a few years time he will be the next Frank Quietly. The greatest part of this issue is that you didn’t have to think. Sometimes that’s a bad thing but in this case it makes for an entertaining read. This issue revolves around Midnighter tying up the loose ends and making sure the people who had the hit on him are stopped, as well as saying goodbye to the “secret identity”. This last issue does a great job of not only bringing the story line around full circle but the series as well.

If you’re a fan of the Punisher or other anti-heroes then this book is definitely for you. The fact that it is a last issue shouldn’t deter you from getting this because it’s fairly easy to understand what is going on. When the trade comes out it would be well worth picking up, but this issue stands on it’s own very well. If you are looking for an epic or light yarn then try someplace else, but if you are into slightly asshole superheroes who kill their enemies then check it out. I had a lot of fun on this ride of a series, but I know it might not be for everyone. I give Midnighter #20 a 4/5.

Rating: 4/5
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June 1, 2008

The book you missed this week.

Adam Messinger

When you think X-Men who could carry solo books you probably think Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and maybe even Professor Xavier. There is one more to add to the list...Angel. Angel, who is currently spotlighted in X-Factor, has been the latest to be inducted into the Marvel Knights series of books that are set in an ambiguous continuity. Who doesn't love a book free of continuity, and especially when that's an origin story. Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist, Adam Pollina, have teamed up to tell Angel's coming of age story where he frist gets his wings. I was a huge naysayer of this when I first heard about it, because I was unimpressed by Sacasa and Pollina's past resume. So when I head news of them telling a story that didn't need to be told I ignored it. After flipping through issue one, on stands this week, I was mildly curious and decided to give it a shot. After reading the first issue I am certainly glad I did. This is one of the best comics I've read in a long time. The art style is quite unique and fits the slightly off center tone of the book excellently. I cannot emphasize enough how much Adam Pollina has hit the ball out of the park with his thinly stocky characters and dynamic panel work that would stand out in a crowd. I never thought seeing the daily life of Angel would be interesting but between the amazing art and crisp interesting dialogue I am hooked. Sacasa's story is a crazy, interesting and feels quite authentic with the mix of teenage interaction and quirky characters. This is a book you probably passed on when it hit the shelves but I would highly recommend going back for it. As a fan of the more obscure comics, I am more excited for the next issue of this than the next issue of Secret Invasion. This is truly a hidden gem that gets wedged out by all the other big event books. If the rest of the series continues to be as good as the first issue, this will be a classic.

Rating: 5/5
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May 1, 2008

Caught in the DMZ

Adam Messinger

I've seen artistic freedom that runs rampant over a city. I've seen vegetarian restaurants on the top of buildings. As people ate there, they ignored the sight of a ravaged city below them. Where is all of this, you may wonder? It is in the DMZ, an ongoing comic series from Vertigo.

Recently I cracked open the first graphic novel, DMZ: On the Ground, which contains the first five issues.  Writer Brian Wood throws us right into the life of journalistic intern, Matty Roth.  Matty has become part of a top notch broadcast crew that is sent into the middle of a battle zone sparked by America's second civil war.  Their arrival is met with sniper fire and in the scrambling retreat, Matty is left behind.  He watches as his crew's helicopters get shot down right before his eyes in the middle of Manhattan, a.k.a The DMZ.  This is the story of Matty's survival.  Wood sets up a great supporting cast in no time and throws Matty into a situation that has infinite possibilities.  We follow Matty as he learns how to survive with constantly being under gunfire while attempting to be an onsite journalist with the equipment left behind.  One scene, where Matty follows a medic around the city for a day, is particularly tear-jerking as they encounter children with severe war wounds.  The effectiveness of this scene is greatly due to artist Riccardo Burchielli's rough, but cartoon like pencils.  Burchielli's art gives Matty's world cohesiveness; much like it is in actual place with consistency and landmarks.  No matter where Matty is put, whether it be the main city, the snowy confines of a mythical militia, or all over the place, Burchielli's art never fails to breathe life into the scene.

This creative team gels perfectly. When Wood steps in for art on the news footage scenes, it flows seamlessly.  They define the character of Matty and the DMZ in an interesting fashion that make the book hard to put down.  This title just cements my impression of Wood as must read name in comics.  DMZ is another notch in Wood’s belt alongside such greats as Local (Oni Comics) and Supermarket (IDW), two other must reads. All of the above mentioned are strictly for adults though with heavy violence and adult language, if you are 18 or above and a comic fan then pick this up now!  It should go without saying that this gets a 5/5.

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Feb. 28, 2008

Poison Candy Tastes Better Than the Healthy Crap!

Adam Messinger

David Hine is a rare type of writer. The few X-Men books of his that I had read were sub par at best but then a little project came along that completely shocked me. This project, Silent War was great. It was so great that, in this reader's eye, it made up for all of his past blah-ness. So a couple of weeks ago, when I saw he had a manga coming out, I was surprised, intrigued, and nervous all at once. Changing mediums from comics to manga could have been a train wreck but after reading Poison Candy volume 1 I am sad that I have to wait for volume 2.

Hine crafts a nice science fiction story around Sam Case. Sam is a teenage musician unknowingly infected with a fatal disease that has become a world wide epidemic among people his age. Sam realized something was wrong long before the doctors told him, because most teenagers can't randomly gain telekinetic abilities and protective force fields. These newfound abilities are results of the same virus that is killing him. When you add the government going after him with a man who claims to be able to cure him, you've got a solid combination. Hine does a nice job of moving the story along with a great balance of action and character development. Within in reading the first few pages, my jaw dropped in shock.as to what was so shocking, you should read it for yourself and find out. As one of manga's more cynical readers, I was entertained from front to back by Hine and artist, Hans Steinbach. Steinbach provides some decent visuals for the story, but in a few panels I had to stare for a little bit to figure out what was happening. There were also a few panels where Steinbach diverts from the solid, serious style and goes into the extremely exaggerated reactions that I hate so much in manga. As much as I liked Poison Candy, this title is clearly for older audiences because of strong language, lots of fun and bloody violence, and teenage sex. Poison Candy earns a 4/5 stars.
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Jan 2008

2007 King's Top 5 Lists

Top Five Boxed Games
  • Descent
  • Killer Bunnies
  • Zombies 2nd ed
  • Marvel Heroes
  • Settlers of Catan
Top Five Collectible Card Games
  • Naruto
  • Magic the Gathering
  • Yu-gi-Oh!
  • World of Warcraft
  • Pokemon
Top Five Collectible Miniature Games
  • Dungeon & Dragon Miniature Game
  • Star Wars Starship Battles
  • HeroClix
  • Axis and Allies
  • Horroclix
Top Five Comics
  • Countdown DC
  • Dark Tower Gunslinger Born Marvel
  • Captain America Marvel
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Dark Horse
  • Detective Comics DC
Top Five Graphic Novels of 2007 at King's
  • Moon Knight The Bottom
  • Civil War
  • Road to Civil War
  • 300
  • Walking Dead vol 1 Days Gone By
Top Five Manga Series
  • Naruto
  • Bleach
  • Death Note
  • Dragon Ball Z
  • Fruits Basket
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