By Britt Schramm
August 9, 2004
First of all, before I start my column, I would like to say a few words about something that transpired this past weekend (July 31st to be exact). You see, there’s someone out there right now who’s probably still confused and distraught on how he was treated. Some breakups can be really hard, you know.
Unfortunately, there were no winners in this one; no one can really lay claim that they got the better end of the deal other than the realtor who will find him a new place to live in the Windy City. As for the reasons behind this separation, both sides are at fault for what ended up being a pretty dysfunctional relationship with hurt feelings apparently left on both sides which has lead to some petty accusations. It was just sad to see a communication breakdown like this one with so many desperate people caught in the crossfire, even the ones in the stands.
And I know that my words are not gonna be enough and he won’t read them anyway since he has more important things to do than to hear me blubber endlessly like a scorned suitor. But I would just like to take this moment to tell him that he will be missed and despite what other people are saying about him right now, he’ll always be a top notch guy in my book. Good luck, Nomah, and god speed.
So, in tribute to my man who used to wear a red No. 5 on his back, I would like to talk about the non-traditional superhero comic book and highlight five of these comics out there right now that you didn't even know existed.
Now, I can’t pinpoint the exact time that comic book creators decided to turn the camera inward per se on those men and women who dress up in brightly colored spandex in order to defeat the latest nefarious villain in an equally garish costume. All I know is that the first time I saw a book that dealt with an unconventional look at superheroes, I didn’t like it at all.
I wasn’t really into comics at the time (I was acting like the stereotypical 18-year-old by trying to act all cool when all along I really was still the dork I was before I hit puberty). One night, I was in a 7-11 in Norman, OK around 2 AM when I saw this comic called JUSTICE LEAGUE (by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire and Terry Austen) and decided to flip through it while my friend picked up a cheese hot dog with jalapenos (if you never had one at 2 AM, you don’t know what you’re missing).
Maybe it was the mass quantity of beer that I consumed that night or the fact that I was lusting after at that dog more than reading the book. But after a few pages, the format was so foreign to me that I couldn’t handle it. The superheroes in this book were not acting as stoic and reserved like I remembered them when I was growing up. They were squabbling with each other like kids at a playground. At the time, it didn’t seem right. So I put the comic back down and ran for a frozen burrito. Little did I know that this book was planting the seed for my eventual appreciation of the non-traditional superhero comic book.
Now it’s more than a few years later and the genre (if you could call it that and I do) of the non-traditional superhero book is thriving with the likes of POWERS, ASTRO CITY and TOP TEN. Since there are so many to choose from, I would like to highlight a few of these comics that are for those of you looking for a wee bit more than Diamond's Top 20 Ordered books.
(Please note – these books are not in any semblance of order as it would be like picking my favorite children. It’s just not possible. Maybe if one of them wrecks my car or flunks out of school then it would be easier but not right now. Think of it this way; this list is what U-Decide should’ve been like but with actual viable books.)
Hero Happy Hour (bi-monthly ongoing series; Geek Punk) – This one is the funny one of this group of five as it has some of the qualities that JUSTICE LEAGUE had but it takes the sheer hilarity of superheroes messing up to a whole nother level. Plus, this book has been getting some great writers and artists like Gail Simone, Steve Niles, Ben Templsmith, Tom Beland, Todd Nauck, Dave Crosland, Neil Vokes and our own, D.J. Coffman.
Book Synopsis: The Hideout Bar & Grill is a hangout for off duty superheroes to get together, let off some steam and once in awhile, try to hook up with each other. Something like a Bull & Finch for the capes and tights set. (Psst – in case you didn’t know, that’s the Boston pub that inspired CHEERS.) And just like CHEERS, the laughs come from all of the wacky situations that transpire within the bar. The characters that inhabit this universe have some vaguely similar qualities to some of the more famous superheroes in other books but they also exhibit some of the same human fragilities that plague our lives as well. If you like “Twisted Toyfare Theater” or THE TICK, pick this one up.
Love Fights (monthly maxi-series; Oni Press) – I’m not a fan of romance comics. But Andi Watson’s style of romance has won me over. He has done some pretty good stories in comics like GEISHA, SLOW NEWS DAY, DUMPED and SKELETON KEY (just don’t mention NAMOR. Ugh…). His books are usually low-key and exude his minimalist Black & White art style, which is very refreshing like a Wasabi Mint sherbet that cleanses the pallet prior to the Oh-Toro Tuna Sashimi.
Book Synopsis: It’s a romantic comedy involving Nora and Jack. One is a superhero tabloid writer who’s trying to uncover the paternity of a child that may be fathered by the local superhero, The Flamer. The other is a comic book penciler, trying to hang onto his job on the Flamer’s flagship comic. The whole series is told against a backdrop of superheroes and their personal lives but from the point of view of the media who covers them. If you must try to classify this book, think of a gentler “Powers” with a heaping helping of your favorite chick flick (Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Serendipity) and a splash of “Box Office Press”.
The Silencers (supposedly bi-monthly series; Moonstone) – Now, I’m not one to endorse books that are consistently late because it always feels like you’re the guy from The Offspring’s “Low Self-Esteem” song; get blown off all of the time until they’re ready to be with you and you drop everything to go to them. But I do give a certain amount of leeway for small press books (like Pantheon from my last column) and this here book is another exception to the rule.
Book Synopsis: The Silencers are a bunch of super-powered hitmen that are enforcers for the Mob. But now, they’re trying to retire from the biz and live normal lives. But they find out that the Mob is just like what Michael Corleone said in Godfather III, “Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in!” The road out is treacherous as killers are coming from all sides to try to knock them off before they go legit. Fans of “Sleeper”, “Powers” and “Gotham Central” should find this book more than entertaining.
Common Grounds (Mini-series; Top Cow/Image) – I was really surprised by this recently completed mini-series as I thought that it might come off as a pale version of Astro City. But, the variety of the stories is what hooked me. The book’s author, Troy Hickman, varied the focus of the stories in such a way that after I finished reading, I realized that my worries were unfounded. Also, this book has some of the best artists around like Dan Jurgens, Michael Avon Oeming, Carlos Pacheco, Chris Bachelo, Angel Medina and Sam Kieth.
Book Synopsis: Common Grounds is a doughnut shop that caters both the superhero and supervillains cross sections of society. There are no fights at any of the food chains as it is considered neutral turf. So, you might see a hero and archrival in line to satisfy their cruller jones or overhear a meeting of a 12-step overweight hero support group. To paraphrase Forrest, “Comic books are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
Richard Dragon (monthly ongoing series; DC) – OK, this one is a sentimental choice of mine for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve been a fan of Chuck Dixon’s work since his Batman run in the late 90’s. Second, I’m also a huge fan of Scott McDaniel’s art. To me, he is the standard for all of the other artists whose pencils grace the pages of Nightwing month in and month out. (If you haven’t read any of the first three trades of Nightwing, get up out of your chair, go out to your local store and buy the first trade called “A Knight in Bludhaven” then read it. I know you’ll thank me later.) Now, Dixon and McDaniel are back together again since that successful run on “Nightwing” by doing a somewhat continuation (if you can call it that) of “Way of the Rat”, which was Dixon’s old Kung Fu title from the now defunct CrossGen.
Book Synopsis: Richard Dragon is one of the martial arts gurus of DCU (right up there with Lady Shiva and Cheshire). The guy can kick all sorts of ass in widely varied disciplines. But he’s stuck in a “Bloodsport”-type fighting racket going from fight to fight; just occupy his time. That is until Bronze Tiger comes by to ask for his help in reigning in some of the baddest kung fu mofos in return for Dragon’s restored honor. With all of the action and chop-socky style of “Kill Bill”, “Way of the Rat”, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Shaing Chi”, you can’t ask for much more.
And don’t think that these types of books will end here. There’s a great graphic novel from AiT/Planet LAR aptly named HENCH which is a hilarious behind the scenes look at being a henchman. Think of Marvel’s THE HOOD but on a smaller scale. Hey, you know it’s gotta be good if Entertainment Weekly says so.
Plus, there’s gonna be what looks like a great upcoming book called “Hero Squared X-Tra Sized Special #1”, brought to you by the hilarious minds that created the aforementioned JUSTICE LEAGUE and the recently collected mini-series FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE. From just the description of this new book, I’m already salivating like a mad junkyard dog.
So, if you get a chance to take a look at these books at your local store, do me a favor. Think of me with my heart on my sleeve as I go through another year with those serial losers from the Back Bay. I have a feeling that they’re gonna kill me one of these days.
And now, here’s some Uncensored Reactions to this week’s upcoming First Look books:
ATTENTION COMIC BOOK READERS – This week, two of the Batman: War Games titles (Nightwing and Batman: Gotham Knights) were polybagged with some sort of free CD-Rom for the upcoming Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow movie (which my boss here at the ‘Shoot has raved about ever since he got back from the Con). I hate the fact that DC let some junior marketing executive (probably right out of college or even better, a seasonal intern) decide to junk up my weekly books with this unnecessary crap. If I really wanted this CD, I would’ve been more likely to pick it up if it was sitting by itself on the counter. But to have not just one but two discs (since I’ll buy both issues to continue the story) is not only wasteful of my time and their product, it’s asinine to put this disc in both issues of a huge summer crossover series.
Subsequently, due to that idiotic promotional tie-in and because I’m just plain lazy, I will be boycotting all of the DC titles from this section for this column only. So, in case anybody is listening up in NYC. “Hey, DC, stop it with all of the stupid marketing ploys and just give me my books!” That’s all I’m asking for, really.
However, since there are only four issues that are being reviewed, I’ve decided to add a new wrinkle to this week’s Uncensored Reactions: a sample quote. Don’t worry; it will not contain any spoilers. But hopefully, if it’s done properly, the quotes should give y’all a little smirk or giggle. And if the two people who actually read this column like it, it’ll be a part of the regular lineup. Not including you, Mom. Now that I've said my peace, we will now return you to your regularly scheduled program.
The Incredible Hulk #75 – Since I’m curious by nature, I decided to see what direction of the next Hulk issue was going towards since the last one gave the impression that a return to Jones’ minimalist use of the Jolly Green Giant was coming back into the forefront. Ah, a return of the Hulk’s greatest enemy. And while there is more Hulk to be had in this ish compared to Jones’ first story arc, this one is pretty good. Darick Robertson (Wolverine) brings his gritty style to the title, which works well. Things are looking up for this book.
Sample Quote: “Ah! Our old friend Lips! And sporting a new mustache yet! I don’t think the disguise is working. Just my opinion…”
Identity Disc #3 – Now, I can see where the comparisons to this book and “The Usual Suspects” are warranted. For those who are not reading this mini, the Identity Disc is supposedly the “Big Score” to a cadre of super villains that normally wouldn’t have anything to do with each other, save this book. I thought that Juggy was good now. Eh, who really cares? Rodi’s script isn’t bad for what he has to work with. But John Higgins’ art is dreadful. It looks like a bad combination of John McCrea and Edward Risso. Avoid this one, my friends.
Sample Quote: “No worries. If it didn’t work, I’d have used my card to sever his jugular.”
Spider-Man (Marvel Knights) #5 – Ah, it’s the lovely goodness that is Mark Millar doing his superhero shtick. I’ve enjoyed his foray into the head of Petey and friends while still trying to mess up the character’s status quo. And while I’ve liked Terry Dodson’s art on this book, this issue is all about the art from a certain local guy (for me, that is) Mr. Frank Cho of Liberty Meadows fame. His action sequences with Doc Ock are great but it’s his subdued approach to a personal moment between Peter and MJ that really works well. There’s something to be said about Cho and his excellent knowledge of people’s body language. If he can produce the same type of quality on the Shanna the She-Devil mini (if it’s ever released), I’m so there.
Sample Quote: “You skinny piece of crap. You look like Courtney Cox in that friggin’ costume!”
X-Force #1 – I saved the best one for last. It’s the Marvel-ous return of Rob Liefeld to the title that got him that infamous Levi’s 501 Spike Lee commercial. As I opened the book, I noticed that he hasn’t missed a beat (however, that beat was being played by one of those one-hit wonders Joe Public, EMF or Jesus Jones). Suddenly, it’s early '90s all over again. The highly stylized muscular anatomy. The extremely bad poses. The unnecessary lines all over the characters’ faces. The flashbacks coming fast and furious. After quickly reading the book, I had to close it and come to the decision that from that point on I would never try to venture down that awful road again. It is that bad, my friends. And what’s even funnier (or sadder depending on your point of view) is that Liefeld’s name is all over this book and is even before the writer’s name on the cover (Fabian Nicieza, just in case you’re scoring at home). Like anyone couldn’t figure whose book this one is by just looking at the cover. But then again, his rep for being a master of delayed releases might have caused an entire age demographic to miss out on his work. Hopefully, this series will serve as a warning to future generations not to read this stuff ever again.
Sample Quote: “But mutants – ah, you breed to become the future… But I will come to call your kind – food!”
That’s it for now, fellow readers of the four color world. I'll see you in two.
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