wktf's Reviews
There sure are a lot of high profile comics that came out this week. “Planet Hulk” is rocking forward, Kaare Andrews who so brilliantly drew the covers for the Bruce Jones/JR JR Incredible Hulk issues is the sole creator on the new Spider-Man: Reign Marvel Knights mini-series, and Batman Confidential premiers this month as well. Marvel’s even released their Holiday Special this week and the surprisingly enjoyable Beyond mini-series wraps up. And, while I’ve bought all these higher profile titles, I’m not reviewing any of them in favor of these three books which, I’m happy to say, are pretty damn good in their own right.
Detective Comics #826
DC Comics
Written by: Paul Dini
Drawn by: Don Kramer
Holy $&!@. What a story. This yuletide tale, aptly named “Slayride,” gives new irony to the expression “any port in a storm.” Robin’s helplessly trapped in the situation of his life or, more aptly, he’s really watching the path to his own death, at the hands of The Joker. Did I say “helplessly?” As he keeps telling himself, even when it seems hopeless, “Always another way out. Always.” Alright, here’s the deal. This story starts with Robin chasing down a car full of arms dealers only to find himself trapped between two warring factions trying to control the same territory. As he desperately tries to maneuver himself out of danger he dives into the car of a good Samaritan offering to help put some distance between himself and the gunmen. Only, to Tim Drake’s surprise, his benefactor is The Joker who quickly gases Tim and takes him on…well, check out the title.
This story is all Robin and The Joker. There are flashbacks to Tim, D_ick, and Bruce’s time during the post-Infinite Crisis “52” period. But, make no mistake, Tim is on his own and he’s in serious trouble. And The Joker. Damn. We all know what he’s about. Sociopathic, psychopathic, homicidal madman. There’s nothing he does that really should be surprising. So just imagine being stunned at The Joker’s action and Dini and Kramer’s portrayal of him. At first we see him almost coming across as a benign clown, despite the maniacal smile, dilated pupils and murderous actions, bantering good naturedly with Tim. But Kramer turns the corner on this loony tune with one single panel that reminded me of Bolland’s Joker in “The Killing Joke” and one of two most terrifying villains in all of comics (the second being the Red Skull) is in full view. How Tim gets out of this is what this story’s all about, and how he’s able to keep his cool, verbally parries with The Joker under the circumstances, and the calculating desperation with which he fights his way back is a testament to his heroism and leadership.
Dini and Kramer are quickly becoming one of my new favorite creative teams. These guys just plain deliver the goods. Dini has absolutely proven himself to be THE Batman writer not just in any medium but, maybe, in every medium. His and Bruce Timm’s animated series is some of the best Batman anywhere. And in the pages of this comic he gives us great stories and characterization along the lines we expect in the comics, NOT a redux of his cartoon. Yes, this book is my pick of the week.
Doctor Strange: The Oath #3 of 5
Marvel Comics
Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Drawn by: Marcos Martin
Wong’s dying from a malignant brain tumor and Dr. Strange, having traveled to another dimension to retrieve a potion to cure his servant and friend, was nearly fatally shot by a thief known as Brigand. Brigand’s pistol used to belong to Hitler and the bad mojo in that gun was not enough for Strange to combat and Brigand made off with the elixir which, it turns out, also happens to be the universal cure for cancer. Unconscious and bleeding out, Strange was delivered to the Night Nurse, the mysterious and alluring caregiver to New York’s superhero crowd. With the aid of Strange, himself, in his ectoplasmic form, Night Nurse is able to revive him and together the three venture forth to retrieve Wong’s cure.
This issue finds the good Doctor and his two friends face to face with Brigand, who’s got Night Nurse by the neck and a gun to her head, as well as his employer, a gent named Nicodemus West. Back in Strange’s past, when he was a great surgeon who lost the motor skills in his hands due to a car accident, it was Nicodemus West who operated on him and restored him as best he could. Since then, he’s gone on to head a pharmaceutical firm and even dabble in black magic. He also reports to a group of mystical Overlords who claim to want mankind to earn their salvation and not have it handed to them as they feel Strange would do if he reacquires this elixir.
Is there any doubt to anyone who’s read any of his stuff that Brian K. Vaughan is a great comic book writer? While this may not be his finest work, Vaughan gives us a modern, engaging and even exciting tale about a character many have labeled as a dull supporting character. Strange is a witty intellect, sure, but he’s also a fiercely loyal man of action. And he’s a superhero. How will the Hippocratic Oath he swore as a physician guide his hand should he get a hold of this serum? First he has to get it and forces certainly are stacked against him. One of the best parts of this series is the respect and relationship that seems to be developing between Dr. Strange and the Night Nurse. Their Sherlock Holmes and Watson banter is endearing and, I think, they’d make an interesting pair. Him, his head in mystical, surreal affairs. Her, firmly grounded in the New York street life. I’m curious what Vaughan’s going to do with them but I like where he seems to be heading. Martin’s pencils seem to fit the story well and even are bit reminiscent of Steve Ditko. I don’t much like some of the liberties he’s taking with Strange’s garb, such as putting him in slacks and loafers and having his vestments mostly cover up his orange and black spotted gloves. I much prefer Doc’s classic look. Regardless, I’m enjoying the hell out of this mini series, I can’t wait to see how it ends, and I have high hopes for an ongoing Brian K. Vaughan Dr. Strange title after this series concludes.
Stan Lee Meets The Silver Surfer #1
Marvel Comics
Written by: Stan Lee, Paul Jenkins, Jacob Chabot
Drawn by: Mike Wieringo, Mark Buckingham, Jacob Chabot, John Busema
Has everyone else been having as much fun with these books, these commemorations of 65 years of Stan Lee at Marvel, as I have? Thus far, The Man has had virtual personal encounters with Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, the ever lovin’ blue eyed Thing and, last week, the nefarious Dr. Doom. But, in finishing this series with The Silver Surfer, has Stan saved the best for last? He’s certainly made no secret of his love for the character even though, ironically, the Surfer was a surprise to Stan when he first saw Jack Kirby’s drawings for the classic FF #48. True enough, Kirby dreamed up the Surfer on his own, figuring someone as all-powerful as Galactus would need a servant of some kind. In 1990’s Marvel Masterworks #14, the first Surfer Masterworks, Lee writes when intoning about his various creations, “An yet, if push comes to shove and I really have to name the one that turns me on the most…well, I think you’ve guessed it by now. It just hast to be that high-flyin’, parable-spoutin’, cosmic-powered, shiny-domed spanner of the starry spaceways – arguably the most unique and certainly the most soliloquizing super hero of them all – the Silver Surfer!”
And he certainly is spouting soliloquies in this title. So much so that he’s driving Galactus crazy. So crazy that Big G kidnaps Stan, the first to write about him, to talk some sense into his introspective philosophizing herald. Suddenly, whammo, Stan’s standing behind the Surfer on his board as he’s whizzing through the cosmos. And, man, can Mike Wieringo draw some awesome cosmos and a pretty awesome Surfer, as well! I have to admit, while even the overly verbose Stan is out-verbosed by the waxing Surfer, and when Galactus asked Stan, “Now do you see how unbearable he is?” I actually started laughing out loud (and I was in a diner while I was reading this).
The next story is a touching one by the reunited Spectacular Spider-Man creative team of Paul Jenkins and Mark Buckingham. These guys have worked some serious magic before and, I must say, this tale’s delightful as we get a glimpse of Jenkins’ childhood in 1971, when he looks like he’s about 6 years old, getting a visit from Stan as he’s struggling to create his own comic book superhero. Like Roy Thomas’ WWII tribute in a prior issue, and unlike Bendis’ self-congratulatory Impossible Man tribute to Stan, this story takes on a fairy tale like quality to it that imbues Stan, who’s coaching the little Jenkins boy along, with the fatherly spirit many of us who read his stuff in the 1960s and 70s felt. I can almost forgive how this story finishes out just from Jenkins’ giving us a peak into his childhood inspiration to create comics. And Buckingham’s framing each page with the heroes featured in this mini series gives the story a bit of a magical feel.
The next segment, as in all the installments in this series, is a two page goof, with Marvel’s villains plotting to kill Stan for not inviting them to his party. Finally, we have a Stan-chosen reprinting of Silver Surfer #14, “The Surfer and the Spider!” where the last hero in this series meets and battles the first hero in the series, The Amazing Spider-Man!
I read last week in Comic Shop News that Marvel is packaging the five Stan Lee Meets stories, plus the accompanying heaping of classic Stan Lee tales, into a hardcover collection. Along with the 800+ page Frank Miller Daredevil Omnibus this will be on my February 2007 pull list for sure.
