Comic Book Review

5 Page Preview - The Anchor #2 (Boom! Studios, 2009)

2009-11-09T17:07:00.001Z

A promising new title from Boom! Studios - 5 page preview with both covers previewed here, and a review to follow in the next couple of days....

The Anchor #2
Written by Phil Hester
Drawn by Brian Churilla
SC, 24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A & B: Brian Churilla
Diamond Code: SEP090680

Heaven’s hulking enforcer is on the hunt for both demon blood and the truth about his origin. His never ending battle takes him to a wild horse preserve in England where he must destroy or be destroyed by a hellish, bestial huntsman who feasts on unwitting campers. On a scale of 1 to 10, this comic goes to eleven. Retailers — clear racks on either side of The Anchor for the safety of lesser books.

Skin - Milligan & McCarthy (1990 / 1992)

2009-11-06T16:19:00.003Z

If you were to think about a list of 'lost' comic books that really need - in fact, demand - a reprint, what would you come up with? Alan Moore's 'Miracleman'? Morrison's 'Flex Mentallo'? Ennis' 'Hitman'? A reprint of IPC's 'Scream' title from 1984? The heavily politicised UK title 'Crisis' from the late 80's? What about Marvel Comics 70's / 80's Science Fiction titles like 'Micronauts' and 'Rom'?

Some of those would be near the top of my list (and the good news is that we should be getting the full Marvelman / Mircaleman story from the 80's reprinted. If you need more history on the convoluted and painful tale of Marvelman / Miracleman, see here.

However, top of my list would be an excoriating attack on Corporate villainy and cowardice, and its effect on one tragic, angry young man. At the top of my list would be 'Skin', by Pete Milligan & Brendan McCarthy.

Skin is a 48-page graphic novel written by Peter Milligan, from an original story from the illustrator of the book, Brendan McCarthy, with stunning colours by Carol Swain. Within those seething 48 pages is some of the most angry, poignant, bitter and tragic comic literature ever published. And it was thanks to an unlikely source, Kevin Eastman, creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, that this story ever did get published. Originally destined for the Fleetway title 'Crisis' in 1990, it was rejected because of objectionable content. With the stories controversial subject matter potentially making it unpublishable, it was Eastmans Tundra Publishing that eventually picked up 'Skin' in 1992, putting it out as a graphic novel.

It tells the story of a young skinhead, Martin Atchitson (aka Martin 'Atchet), a 15 year old with Thalidomide birth defects (clearly seen in the image above), growing up in early 1970s London. He is a 'Skin', or Skinhead, a predominantly white youth cult (though influenced by Black / Afro-Caribbean culture) that was mainly active in the 1960s and 1970s, before its style was appropriated and politicised by right wing extremists who believed in anti-immigration and carried out ethnic violence and football hooliganism.

The depiction of this subculture is authentic, with all the Skinhead style on display - Cherry Doc Marten boots up to and covering the shin, Braces over the top of a Mod-ish shirt (like a Ben Sherman) or Fred Perry, with tight jeans rolled up to show off the full boot. Martin is accepted as a member of a local Skinhead gang, led by the violent, unpredictable Johnny Gorman. That acceptance is limited though, with the likes of Gorman and other gang members Steve Bennet and 'that prat O'Donnel' all, to some degree or other, bullying Martin because of his disability.

Martin himself is also unpredictable, a mix of adolescence and impotent fury at his condition, leads to violent rages and his sexual urges manifest themselves in near sexual assault. A lot of this content can be uncomfortable to view, but none of it is ever gratuitous. When 'Cross-Eyed' Ruby, a girl Skinhead who obviously has feelings for Martin, educates him on the drug Thalidomide and its terrible effect on him, his rage becomes focused, crystallised, and a terrible denouement to this affecting story is set in motion.

Sadly, as mentioned earlier, this profoundly affecting comic is out of print, and unlikely to reappear any time soon. However, copies do turn up from time to time on Amazon and ebay. Also, a group, Modern Life is War, produced a song called 'Martin Atchet', which is a tribute to this fantastic piece of work. There is a link to a youtube video here, which includes some of the artwork from 'Skin' - be aware that it is not for the young or anyone who is likely to be offended.

'Skin' is an affecting experience. Once read, and it can be easily done in one intense burst, it stays with you. Not easily forgotten, 'Skin' needs to be reprinted, so a new generation and a new audience can appreciate an important piece of comic book fiction.

Review - Judge Dredd Complete Case Files 02 (Rebellion Books, 2006)

2009-11-05T18:56:00.001Z

This second volume detailing the chronolgical adventures of 2000ADs star in the ascendant is a real eye opener. The shift in quality from the earlier Dredd adventures is powered by one major change - Dredd goes epic. Twice. Consistency is another factor to the rise in quality inside this volume. Just two writers (John Wagner, Pat Mills) and a handful of great artists (Brian Bolland, Mike McMahon, Ron Smith, Brett Ewins and Brendan McCarthy) produce over 300 pages of work, and there is very little in the way of filler.

The Pat Mills epic 'The Cursed Earth' (with more than a nod to Roger Zelazney's 'Damnation Alley') is first, as Dredd and a motley crew of aliens, punk criminals and Judges try to deliver a vaccine to the ailing Mega City 2, and this journey across the radioactive wasteland between the 2 Mega-Cities provides the breadth and scope for Mills imagination to run riot as devastated communities in the wastelands, mutated flying rats, and gambling-obsessed mafia judges are all encountered by Dredd.

By the time of the finale, when a robotic army (a legacy of the Atomic War attacks what remains of Dredds convoy, the pace is relentless and absolutley gripping. This is a tale of heroes and sacrifice, with artists McMahon and Bolland giving this tale a suitably epic feel to match the text. Apart from the 'Apocalypse War' and 'The Executioner' storylines, I don't think any other Dredd story has gripped me as much.

John Wagner's immediate follow-up, another epic entitled 'The Day the Law Died' puts a (plainly insane) Deputy Chief Judge, Cal, in charge of Mega City One after the brutal assassination of the ailing Chief Judge, Clarence Goodman.

What follows is a battle for the soul of Mega City One as Dredd, a fugitive framed for a crime he did not commit, leading a rag-tag resistance army against the dangerous, murderous Cal and his fearsome SJS troops (an obvious nod to Hitlers SS).

Like 'The Cursed Earth', in this second epic it is the most unlikely who step up to be heroes - for Fergee in 'The Day The Law Died!', read Spikes Harvey Rotten in 'The Cursed Earth'.

'The Day The Law Died', while not as diverse and without the same amount of all-out action, is as gripping, though it does suffer slightly from the fact that there were several artists working on this arc (some McMahon, some Bolland, some Ewins / McCarthy, some Bolland / Leach, and finally, the introduction of the mighty Ron Smith to the Dredd art roster). It loses a little consistency, especially in the various depictions of Cal (McMahon giving him by far the most terrifying look of a lunatic, whereas Smith made him look dashing in a Frank Hampson / Dan Dare style. The finale, with Cal ready to put the whole City to sleep forever, while Dredd and his gang of resistance fighters race against time to stop him, is a classic.

So, in summary, this second case file is much better than the first compilation - in fact it's a huge leap in quality, undoubtedly bolstered by the chronology which saw one epic follow another. The world of Dredd expands with the inclusion of some memorable characters - Tweek, Spikes Harvey Rotten, Judge Giant, Fergee, Judge Griffin - and we (thankfully) see a lot less of some others who were heavily featured in Complete Case Files 1 (Maria, Walter). Dredd himself is a lot less whiny, looks more grizzled, and in both epics actually comes across as a proper action hero. How Dredd is placed in these stories - as the saviour / hero of a whole Metropolis - suits the context. Things would change over the years, as Dredds position in his world would shift, but the stories in this volume of Complete Case Files place Dredd firmly as the man of the moment, unwavering in his faith in Justice and the right of the Judges to dispense it. And it really works well in these stories. In fact, it keeps getting better, as further 'Case Files' will prove. If you want an introduction to Dredd, and you are not bothered about being completist, then this is the volume to get - skip the first one, it is a bit of a chore to wade through.

My only gripe is that we don't get the 2 (subsequently) banned episodes from the 'The Cursed Earth', or the bizarre, grovelling apology to the Jolly Green Giant in another prog after threats of legal action. We do, however, get a description of the Burger Wars and Green Giant episodes (but here below is the sort of stuff we don't get to see, and a Dredd cover of 2000AD that details the 'Burger War');

Review - Sweet Tooth #3 (Vertigo, 2009)

2009-11-05T11:06:00.001Z

Another fantastic installment of Jeff Lemires post-apocalyptic fairytale. Sweet Tooth is an intimate, gripping, and, yes, sweet tale of common human decency managing to flourish in a world gone very wrong indeed.

We see Gus and Jepperd move out beyond the 'sanctuary' that had kept Gus safe for so long - and he quickly comes to face to face with the horrors that the cataclysm wrought on the human race. The way Lemire portrays this can be subtle and heartbreaking, or devastating in its scope - no spoilers from me here, as you really need to experience it for yourself. Gus' introduction to a wider world, as an innocent, sheltered from civilisation up to the point when it has already faded into memory, is reminiscent of the boy in McCarthys 'The Road', but that is not to say the comparison is a criticsm of Lemires work. Rather, I find the way Gus' journey is being realised is touching and (within this fictional environment) totally honest and believable.

Jepperd, as surrogate father figure, protector and action hero reminiscent of a very grizzled Clint Eastwood, balances out the naivety of Gus, and brings a weary counterbalance to proceedings.

The pacing is terrific, a mix of action, pathos, tragedy, and a great ending, where possibilities really open for this small cast of characters. I have said it before and I will say it again - 'Sweet Tooth' is a brilliant read, one of the highlights of '09 and another classic title from Veritgo. If you haven't got into it yet, it's not too late! This is one of those titles where the 'singles or trade' debate is null and void in my opinion, as I need a fix of 'Sweet Tooth' every month. Your mileage may vary, but one way or another, single or trade, this demands your attention.

Verdict - Amazing. As rich and fulfilling as any novel or film. This is a masterpiece in progress. 10 out of 10.

Review - Unknown Soldier #13 (Vertigo, 2009)

2009-10-29T20:06:00.001Z

'The Way Home' is the new arc in this terrific series, taking us back to the heart of this title, with the Unknown Soldier coming to the aid of Paul, a child taken by the rebels and forced into their army. His story, told through his own words and drawings, is harrowing, but all the more disturbing for the fact that you know that this is a very real scenario endured by many. Having escaped the GUSCO camp (aimed at rehabilitating child soldiers), having escaped the hellish conditions of forced conscription into the LRA, Paul is now desperate to get to his family in an IDP camp. Moses, initially reluctant, agrees to help this tragic child.

That summarises the issue, but does not do justice to the contents. The writing, as ever, is brutally honest in its depiction of a war in Africa where the most vulnerable are the most exploited and the casualties of war are predominantly the innocent. While Dysart is keen to emphasise the suffering - and this he does with subtlety, power and honesty - he can also weave a terrific and involving story around these bald and terrible facts.

This issue sees a change of artist, as Ponticelli takes a break. The replacement artist is DRC illustrator Pat Masioni. I am a huge fan of Ponticellis work, but Masioni ably takes up the art duties and makes this issue his own. His art, like Ponticellis, lays bare the brutality of war, the grief of suffering and the evil that men can do - witness his drawing of a child being ripped from his mothers arms, her pleading, the hostility and threat of the rebel soldiers - and does it with an energy and anger that drives the story, engaging the reader.

Unknown Soldier #13 is a change of pace from the high octane thriller energy of the 'Easy Kill' arc. It is more contemplative, more terrifying, more heart-rending. The focus is back on the victims of the wars and internecine struggles in Africa. There is no greater tribute to this title than this - Dysart and his supremely gifted artists sear these terrible events into your conscious. A lot of the images and words are not easy to forget. and nor should they be. Unknown Soldier is the most important comic book on the market right now, it is political, righteous, angry, engaging and gripping - no other title manages this feat.

Verdict - superlative. 9.5 out of 10.

Review - Resurrection #4 (Onipress, 2009)

2009-10-24T21:15:00.001+01:00

Back in June I reviewed issue 1 of 'Chapter 2' / reboot of Resurrection. To be honest I was not that impressed with it - I thought Greenwoods art lacked something, that it was too 'cartoony' for the subject matter, and the characters left me unmoved. Overall I felt uninvolved. One highlight was the start of the issue, featuring Bill Clinton, as the President of The United States, addressing his nation about the Alien invasion.

I nearly gave up after issues 2 & 3 to be honest. But this issue just about has the start of something interesting. Without giving away the ending, it is fair to say that what Guggenheim began with at the start of 'chapter 2', he carries over into the end of issue with some style. Oh, and there is some 'Dawn of the Dead' type shenanigans with the Road Agents trying to break through into Red Lion. Being British, everytime I read 'Red Lion' I think of an old-school English pub, with nictine stained walls and a fruit machine blinking in the corner of a dimly light room. So let's forget the fact that 'Red Lion' is a plain daft name for a sanctuary, and grab what positives we can from this - Resurrection #4 turns a corner - it actually works on a basic level (to entertain), though a lot of the problems I have with the series - the art, the lack of character in the characters - remain.

Still, it stays on my pull list for now. A resurrection of sorts, for Resurrection.

Verdict. Just about a 7 out of 10, for the action and the ending, which was rather great, and surprising.

5 page Preview - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? #5 (Boom! Studios, 2009)

2009-10-23T14:17:00.000+01:00

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? #5 (A)
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? #5 (B)
Written by Philip K. Dick
Drawn by Tony Parker
SC, 32 pgs, FC, (5 of 24), SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Moritat
COVER B: Brett Weldele
Diamond Code: AUG090721

The book that inspired BLADE RUNNER continues! The world has survived war… but is it ready for mass empathy? Everyday, the thousands left on Earth immerse themselves within the plight of Wilbur Mercer. They suffer as he does, making a never-ending climb through a Hellish terrain. Welcome to the world of Rick Deckard, the world of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

5 page preview of 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' #5, which is due to be released on October 28th, 2009;

5 Page Preview - Die Hard Year One #2 (Boom! Studios, 2009)

2009-10-23T14:16:00.000+01:00

5 page preview of Boom! Studios 'Die Hard Year One' #2, on sale October 28th, 2009;

Cover A

DIE HARD: YEAR ONE #2 (A)
DIE HARD: YEAR ONE #2 (B)
Written by Howard Chaykin
Drawn by Stephen Thompson
24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Dave Johnson
COVER B: Jock
Diamond Code: JUL090749
Preview Pack : Covers + First 5 pages

BOOM! Studios continues to present America’s greatest action hero translated into the sequential art form for the first time! Drunks, pimps, freaks and the debauched rich. It’s all in a night’s work for NYPD rookie John McClane. But what happens when 1976’s toughest kid on the street runs into a dark conspiracy involving a blonde on the run? With McClane, it means the fun’s just starting. Join legendary industry creator Howard Chaykin on a thrill ride that’s rung up over $1 billion in box office worldwide and become the gold standard for classic action! Yippee Ki Yay!

Cover B

Preview of Die Hard Year One #2;

Solicitation for Unknown Soldier #16 (Vertigo, 2010)

2009-10-23T14:15:00.000+01:00

Another classic Vertigo title, probably the next best thing to The Walking Dead in my opinion;

UNKNOWN SOLDIER #16
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Alberto Ponticelli
Cover by Dave Johnson
Moses, descending deeper into the mystery of who murdered the IDP camp doctor, begins to stir the nest of hornets that is the criminal underworld of refugee camp life. He suspects everyone – and everyone suspects him. It’s nothing short of hard-boiled detective fiction, East African style.
On sale January 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

Solicitation for Sweet Tooth #5 (Vertigo, 2010)

2009-10-23T14:14:00.000+01:00

One of the highlights of this comic year, good to see it will be with us in 2010;

SWEET TOOTH #5
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art and cover by Jeff Lemire

“The new ‘must read’ book.” – Geoff Johns
“Dark, moving and intriguing.” – Frank Quitely

Surprises abound in this conclusion to the first arc of the red-hot Vertigo series that’s so compelling you’re not going to want to wait for the trade. On the dangerous road to a rumored safe haven, Gus and Jeppard come to a raw moment of truth.
On sale January 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

Solicitation for The Walking Dead #69 (Image, 2010)

2009-10-23T13:20:00.001+01:00

THE WALKING DEAD #69
Written by Robert Kirkman,
art and cover by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
At long last... they arrive. But will things get better... or worse?
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Jan. 13.

So, they finally get to DC, and they finally get to use that brilliant cover that has been knocking about for over a year now....

DC looks pretty deserted though, doesn't it? Maybe they knew what was coming and had evacuation plans in place? Maybe the lack of people suggests forewarning, which suggests conspiracy, which suggests that maybe Eugene does know what caused the Zombie plague, and therefore he actually may know how to do something about it...........maybe....

Review - Swordsmith Assassin #3 (Boom!, 2009)

2009-10-20T21:41:00.001+01:00

A Japanese revenge tale, as told by Americans? Set in Feudal Japan?

Should Americans be writing about Feudal Japan?

Based on 'Swordsmith Assassin', the answer is a 'yes'. It is not an unequivocal 'yes', for I do not believe that 'Swordsmith Assassin' actually adds much to the genre other than celebrate the likes of 'Lady Snowblood' and 'Lone Wolf & Cub' - and that is probably the point.

The plot is classic revenge material, with Toshiro Ono - the titular 'Swordsmith Assassin' - the focus of the drama. He is a master Swordsmith, who has spent his life making the best swords that have ever been forged and selling them to the highest bidder. But it is this lack of scruples that seals his fate, as his family are killed by a blade of his own making. In the aftermath of his loss, Toshiro realises he must make sure none of his swords ever kill again. To do this, he must track down every sword he has made.

I dived into issue 3 without the benefit of reading 1 & 2. I found the story accessible, though only realised late on in this issue that Ono was relaying his story to a Prussian General, who has the last of his swords. The issue is crammed with subterfuge, love and betrayal, and some great action sequences. The plot moves along quickly, and the issue as a whole was entertaining and made me want to know more about Ono.

As a limited series (4 issues), it is quite difficult to appraise a single issue towards the end of the series, without the benefit of reading the previous issues. However, I recommend Swordsmith Assassin to those who enjoy Japanese Historical drama and those who enjoy revenge tales. In basic terms, if you liked Lone Wolf & Cub, you will find something in this to your taste.

By the way, I love that cover......

Verdict. Solid entertainment, though this is a limited series - catch up with issues 1 & 2 before getting this issue. 7 out of 10.

'Swordsmith Assassin' #3 is out tomorrow (21st October) from Boom!

Boom! Studios kindly provided a digital copy of this issue for review.

Review of The Walking Dead #66 (Image) (2009)

2009-10-15T21:27:00.001+01:00

Warning - mild spoilers.

"What we've done to survive....sometimes I feel like we're no better than the dead ones"
Rick Grimes, Walking Dead #66

Walking Dead week is a great week. I get to read one of the best pieces of contemporary fiction but I also get to write a little review on my little blog and it is a real highlight of the month for me. It's the little things....Since Kirkman laid down his manifesto for '09 - to get his titles out on time, every month - I have been even happier. Walking Dead has made its shipping date every time this year, without any sign of fatigue or quality control issues. In fact, looking back on this concluding issue of 'Fear the Hunters', and looking back over the arc as a whole, I can now say I was wrong if I ever doubted what Kirkman was doing with this storyline. I just didn't understand. I take it all back, as issue 66 actually sits up at the top as one of the best, if not the best, of the series so far, and the arc......well, more on that later.

First up, issue 66.

So much happens, yet so much of it is not what you would expect. Understated, moving, tense - this issue has all of these qualities. The Hunters confrontation is not what you would expect - it is a testament to Adlards creativity and confidence that he would produce so many splash pages, double page spreads and quick fire panels that deal with violence without actually showing any of the acts that were perpetrated. He does not have to show the explicit details - this is an artist so in tune with his subject matter and characters that all he needs to do is show the anger or despair in the characters faces, accompanied by a few stark images of the aftermath. It is excellent.

The art really distinguishes a lot of the Walking Dead, and here it is again on a par with Kirkmans plotting and dialogue in creating a fully rounded piece of art. I have just been re-reading a scene with Dale and Rick, where Dale is lying on a bed, close to death. The art captures the man as a broken old man, his stubble resting on his double chin, his eyes weary of the fights, but Adlard also manages to infuse a nobility about him, which, when coupled with Kirkmans redemptive dialogue, provides a highlight of this issue. But I could go on, as there are so many highs - like the father / son reunion, Abraham about to go psycho on the reverend, Ricks cold killer stare, completely devoid of feelings - and the final panels between Rick and Carl which are absolutely stunning - between them, Kirkman and Adlard manage to portray a dam-burst of emotion with a few well chosen panels and few words. Adlard can draw a child quivering on the edge of tears like no other artist. Stunning.

So, what of the arc overall? Well, I had my reservations up to last issue, but the fact is that this arc is probably better enjoyed as a trade - the pieces fit together in a way that is quite remarkable, whereas those of us who buy the singles maybe don't get the bigger picture with the piecemeal offerings. Whatever - the 'Hunters' arc was not going to be another 'No-one is safe', and is all the better for it. 'Fear the Hunters' opens up so many possibilities beyond issue 66, with new revelations, a new mindset amongst some of the group, and an overall sense of urgency brought about by dwindling food supplies. There was no whole scale clear out of the cast, and again, the title retains its integrity and quality by constantly managing to sidestep what the readers expectations are, and give them something so much better. The 'fear' in the arc title retains a lot of power throughout this arc - 'fear' of the future, 'fear' of what the individuals are becoming, the fear of loss and losing loved ones (and for a while there was a fear of the Hunters - and subsequently who are the Hunters? etc).

My Walking Dead week is nearing its end. I would like to thank Kirkman, Adlard, Rathburn, Image Comics and whoever else is responsible for producing this shining light of a comic every month. It gives me immense pleasure to read it, to write about it, to speculate on it. Thank you.

One more thing - is Kirkmans position as an elevated member of the Image board influencing the content of Walking Dead? More and more often, after 'Chew' was previewed in it a few issues back, The Walking Dead now hosts preview pages of upcming titles on a regular basis. Not really a criticism, more an observation, though to be honest, more pages of The Walking Dead itself would be more welcome than bolted on previews.

Verdict. Near perfect. In a week where there is not a lot else to write home about, this title continues to hit the heights. Still at the top of its game and nearly 70 issues in - 10 out of 10.

Review - Sweet Tooth #2 (Vertigo, 2009)

2009-10-13T07:17:00.001+01:00

I think of all the good stuff that Vertigo have put out over the years - Y the Last Man, Fables, The Losers, Unknown Soldier (I know this only scratches the surface) - and I can safely say that Sweet Tooth is comparable in quality to all of those titles. Issue 2 has the same quiet despair and sadness of the debut, as Gus (aka Sweet Tooth) and his potential saviour (who introduces himself as Jepperd) try to figure each other out, and Jepperd, for whatever reason, tries to coax Gus out from the Woods (where the child believes he is safe and protected) to go to the 'Preserve'. The Preserve is where the mutated children of Earth, free from the sickness that is killing all the rest of the populations, can be safe from the 'HUnters', who want to determine the children's secret for their preservation.

The pacing is relaxed, but the action can be ferocious, and Lemire's art gives the whole thing a primal, but humane quality. Observe the faces of Gus and Jepperd bathed in the shadows cast by an open fire and there is something beautiful, sad and noble in both of them. The Hunters we have seen so far look either pathetic, terrifying or slightly absurd - and sometimes all of those things at once.

The final page is terrific. I want more. This book is a real highlight of the month now - alongside 'Walking Dead', 'Unknown Soldier' and 'The Boys'.

Sweet Tooth demands your attention - there is still time to get in one of the most important and exciting new titles of 2009.

Verdict. Love it. I think I said this before, but I will say it again just in case - 'Sweet Tooth' could be the only post-apocalyptic fairy tale you will ever need to read. It is wonderful. 8.75 out of 10.

Review - The Boys #35 (Dynamite, 2009)

2009-10-13T07:15:00.001+01:00

For all his bravado and tendency to shock, it is important to remember that Garth Ennis can also show a much more sensitive side. Shock is not his M.O. He is a talented storyteller who will use that aspect of his style to propel the story, but as we see with issue #35 of The Boys, it is when he focuses on real human drama that some of his best work emerges.

Ostensibly a riff on the vogue for 'origin' stories in comics, the 'origin' of Mothers Milk is absorbing, sad, tragic - and with enough shock moments to remind you that you are, after all, reading an Ennis title. You learn of his childhood, his link with Vought, the exploitation of workers, the immorality of Big Business, the best boxing scene since Frank Miller was in charge of Daredevil some 25 years ago or more AND MM's first meeting with Billy Butcher. The Boys have enough reputation now for this sort of origin story to have a real resonance and Ennis does not disappoint.

The art, with Darick Robertson back after Carlos Ezquerra filled in for the last arc, is exemplary - Robertson can portray any aspect of a City with ease, his character drawing is brilliant and his dark humour seeps through when it comes to the more shocking stuff. I say it a lot, but it is still true - The Boys has great quality control. It is never less than brilliant. They even do 'origin' stories that are better than 99% of all other 'origin' stories. Probably. There is that much goodness in the tale of Mothers Milk that it is enough to spread across 2 issues - more to come with issue #36. Eagerly anticipating.......

Verdict. With 'The Boys', Ennis continues to effortlessly produce a great title. Good to see Robertson back as well. I really enjoyed this issue. 8.75 out of 10.

Review - Crossed #7 (Avatar, 2009)

2009-10-13T07:12:00.001+01:00

In which all vestiges of hope for the future are extinguished.

After what seems months, a new issue of Crossed arrives. In it, the survivors are on the run from the pursuing 'Crossed', led by the very big, really angry 'Horse Cock' man. They cross terrain! We see a Crossed barbecue! There is water action. The whole thing is pretty thrilling, the sense of fear the Crossed instill very much at the forefront of proceedings.

The ending is sad and brutal and pretty shocking and - wait for it - handled with an amount of subtlety that is not always present in this series. Yes it has the trademark 'Crossed' savagery, the expected sharp tongue and brutal choices, but it is done in a particularly sensitive way.

I am trying to say that I enjoyed this issue. Whatever lies ahead, this issue was a turning point, for several reasons - although all hope seems to be gone, at least the Survivors started to show some spirit - there was the beginning of a fight back, of resistance, of turning and confronting fear. With 2 issues left, this series is firmly back on track.

Verdict. A return to form - tense, shocking, formiddable. The last 2 issues promise much. Let us hope they deliver. 8.5 out of 10.

Review - Unknown Soldier #12 (Vertigo, 2009)

2009-10-02T10:12:00.001+01:00

The final episode of the 'Easy Kill' arc is as satisfying as the rest, with the cinematic tension built up in the last issue exploding into a bloody climax. I think that this issue is all about the art of Ponticelli, who stages the action with an experienced hand and knowing eye - Moses battles with the terrorist cell are thrilling, brutal set pieces, the hotel rooms and corridors becoming a frame for the bloody ballet as the protagonists race to get to the intended target - the American actress Margaret Wells. To give away more would ruin the surprises, but some characters show their allegiance to the Unknown Soldier as others appear to have walked away from him.

Dysart also delivers with the dialogue, as Wells vents her frustration at her role in life - and finds solace and support in her beliefs. The message is, doing something for justifiable and good reason is never not a good thing. It is a simple truism, and the delivery here is understated, but the point is clearly made.

It will be interesting to see where Dysart and Ponticelli take us from here - you get the feeling that by the end of this issue some of Moses relationships have altered forever - and there may be no positives to take from any of those changes. What is certain is this title continues to deliver. Still a highlight of any week, still one of the top titles around. How long before it gets picked up for the movie option?

Verdict - superb styling, strong storytelling, top title. 8.5 out of 10. For the arc overall, I give 'Easy Kill' 8.75 out of 10.

Solicitation for The Boys #37 (2009)

2009-09-29T10:03:00.000+01:00

It's another origin story (in the best tradition of Ennis trashing the tropes of Superhero fiction....)

THE BOYS #37

Rating: MATURE
Covers: Darick Robertson
Writer: Garth Ennis
Penciller/Inker: Darick Robertson
Colorist: Tony Avi?a
Genre: SUPERHERO
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: DECEMBER, 2009
Format: Comic Book
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130132031

High in the French Pyrenees lies the little mountain village of Franglais, as quiet and peaceful a place as you could imagine... until her favorite son comes home. The Frenchman's origin is finally revealed, in a pulse-bounding tale of seething passion, vile betrayal and classic Gallic melancholy. Who is Black Pierre? Why is the lovely Marie not there to welcome her beloved Frenchie home? And how can one croissant change everything? Find out in The Boys 37!

Review - Judge Dredd Complete Case Files 01 (Rebellion Books, 2006)

2009-09-28T18:46:00.001+01:00

As you may well know, Rebellion (the owners of 2000AD) have been putting out a series of books showing, sequentially, all of Judge Dredds tales in 2000AD, from his debut in prog 2. I have recently had my interest reawakened in 2000AD, with the likes of Cradlegrave, and as a result, have wanted to revisit my youth and rediscover the Dredd tales of my youth, and continue it on from where I left off, which around 1989. I plan to do a review on each 'Case File' - I have 4 up to now - as and when they get read by me. This is my impression of the Complete Case Files 01.

This initial title clearly shows the difficulty the creators and all the creatives had in finding a voice, tone and style for Dredd. Within 5 years you have epic tales that are (justifiably) well remembered - tales like 'The Apocalypse War', and sooner than that you have other Dredd classics like 'The Judge Child Quest'. Within a year or so of his debut, Dredd is taking vaccines across the irradiated wastelands of 'The Cursed Earth' on a desperate mercy mission. But unitl then, you have the early stuff.

Let me burst the bubble - early Dredd is not that good.

With some of the most laborious plotting (The Robot Wars - the proto Dredd 'epic' is just a one issue story streeeeetched over 6 issues, and boy does it feel like it) and lashings of poetic justice / ironic endings (Criminals on the verge of killing Dredd getting smited by a Sword wielded by a Statue representing Justice etc.... The endings tend to be telegraphed a mile off, and that makes the whole thing feel very corny in parts - because it is very corny in parts. Also, Maria (the astoundingly generic Italian Mama) the Housekeeper, and Walter the (bloody) Wobot are pointless and painful at times (and there are even some 'Bonus' Walter strips crafted by Brian Bolland towards the back of this book, not that they are really worth the time or effort).

However, aside from some of the stories, and the dialogue being very much of its time, you get some exquisite and exciting art from some brilliant artists - Bolland, Ezquerra, McMahon. For example, on this page, you get the antique dialogue ("Your money mister - and no jive!") and the astounding visions of what a Mega City over 100 years in the future would look like;

There is enough in this volume to keep you amused - there are some good tales here, of Death Races, Deadly Game Shows, Morris Minor Thieves (you see? The Seventies produced Dredd and its all over these early strips) and (probably) the best story in the strip - the 'Return of Rico'. And as I stated before, the art is stunning throughout. The book as a whole is well thought out, with some of Dredds covers from early 2000AD at the back of the book as a bonus, and Dredds prototype adventure from 'issue zero', 'Bank Raid', where his methods are brutal - literally a Judge, jury and Executioner.

How can I sum this all up? Case Files 01 is great at conveying a City seeped in madness, despair and forever teetering on Chaos - and only the Judges are able to keep a lid on it. Dredd comes across as a bit of a dick in these early issues, trying to be more a traditional comic book hero, but with an arrogance and swagger that just makes him unlikeable. This aspect of his character is something that is, thankfully, dispensed with as time goes by. The problems with these strips in this first compilation are all teething problems, and they do not go away with Case Files 02 or 03 wither, but they are more obvious here. Sometimes it was a chore getting through this (Elvis the Killer Car is awful) but other times it was interesting, and occasionally it was fun. If you ever got the American reprints of early Dredd;

you will understand.

And this is how it all starts - with the tale of a criminal called 'Whitey' (how very Seventies...), with that Iconic figure astride his Lawmaster bike;

Solicitation for The Walking Dead TP #11 ' Fear The Hunters' (2009)

2009-09-25T17:14:00.002+01:00

THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 11 TP
Written by Robert Kirkman, art and cover by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
No one is safe in the aftermath of the most shocking Walking Dead storyline yet. The remaining survivors continue the road to Washington DC, but not everyone will make it out alive. Collecting issues 61-66 of the New York Times best-selling series! Collects The Walking Dead #61-66.
136 pages, black and white, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 23.

The Walking Dead #68 Solicitation (Image, 2009)

2009-09-25T17:09:00.000+01:00

THE WALKING DEAD #68
Written by Robert Kirkman, art and cover by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
Another stranger is encountered on the way to Washington. The information this man brings could change everything for the survivors.
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Dec. 9.

Looks like the 'Safe Zone' arc may be starting up by the end of the year...

Review - Giant Size Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel, 2009)

2009-09-24T09:35:00.001+01:00

Finally - after a year, and numerous delays between each issue, and none longer than the wait for this finale - we get to the conclusion of Old Man Logan. It does not disappoint. The saying goes that 'revenge is a dish best served cold', but to be honest, I prefer my revenge fiction to be played out in the heat of anger and rage, subsuming the grief by spilling the blood of the enemy, smiting the perpetrators. Logan does a lot of this in this oversize edition, as he takes out the dreadful progeny of Bruce Banner in a post-apocalyptic hell where all the Heroes are dead, and the innocent are prey to the hunger and desires of the corrupted. The pages are awash with the slashing fury of Wolverine as the panels are sprayed with blood, like a Lone Wolf and Cub movie transferred to blood soaked print. The influences abound - you can see the debt to the Spaghetti Western, to Mad Max, to Lone Wolf and Cub. The fact is though, that it takes all these influences and makes the story one of the better Wolverine stories, and that is a considerable compliment when you consider the sheer weight of stories about this character that have been produced in the last 25 years. Old Man Logan is fun, furious, bloody and brutal. It's like the best B-Movie revenge thriller that was never made (think Mad Max 2 meets The Exterminator) and I will be getting the Hardcover collection of this when it gets released towards the end of the year. Apart from the disjointed release schedule, Old Man Logan has been a total success as far as I am concerned, and this final issue did justice to the tale as a whole, which was something of a relief, and made for a fearsome few minutes of reading.

Finally, Mark Millar has written a great revenge tale and a re imagining of the Wolverine story, but thanks and tributes have to go to McNiven (pencils), Vines and Morales (inkers) and Hollowell (colours) - your work was splendid, bringing life to this tale with your vision of a fallen America.

Verdict - a great finale, exactly how you would want this tale to end. 8.5 out of 10. For the whole story, it gets a big 9 out of 10.

Carlos Ezquerra Concept art for Judge Dredd

2009-09-23T17:07:00.001+01:00

Prior to my review of the first of the Judge Dredd Case Files, I thought it would be nice to look at some of the original concept art, devised by Carlos Ezquerra. He had the whole design nailed, didn't he? That sketch with Dredd on the Lawmaster looks amazing - and it is interesting to note that the helmet that the Judge is wearing is more like a motorbike helmet, with visor. In the second picture, the helmet looks more like another of Ezquerra's character designs - that of Johnny Alpha, Strontium Dog. The final design shown here is the blueprint for Dredd.

Judge Dredd Complete Case Files 01 review to follow in the next few days.

Praising 'Sweet Tooth' (2009)

2009-09-18T16:20:00.002+01:00

Hey, guess what? Post Apocalyptic fiction need not be Mad Max or Dawn of the Dead or Walking Dead or even Dead Run! Sometimes it can be a little like The Road, which is more focussed on the intensity of relationships in a world changed forever. I guess The Walking Dead is like that to an extent, but The Road is a book and The Walking Dead is a comic, and they are not comparable on a lot of levels - The Road, as a novel, is an intensely suffocating experience, painful, tragic, harrowing and fearful, with only a chink of light pervading the all encompassing tragedy as the story unfolds. A new comic book is, I think, trying something a little different to the usual 'after the bomb / plague / zombies' histrionics. It is called 'Sweet Tooth', and the first issue is charming and gripping, and plays out like a modern day folk / fairy tale. It reminded me of Pinocchio, with a dash of The Road thrown in (especially the candy bar scene, reminiscent as it was of the Cola scene in Cormac McCarthys book). There is peril, there is sadness and there is hope. There is a boy with Antlers called Sweet Tooth, living in a reserve, told never to stray beyond the boundaries of his environment. The first issue holds many delights and bodes well for future episodes. I don't know how Vertigo do it, but they continue to find and publish quality. This looks it will be up there with Unknown Soldier as the best of the current line up. I urge you to check 'Sweet Tooth' out, especially as the cover price for issue 1 - that is a proper issue 1, not an issue 0 with a reduced page count - is incredibly low and bloody good value. It is on my pull list and so you expect reviews of forthcoming issues.

Issue 1 has been out for a couple of weeks now, but should be available from your local comic shop. Go get!

Review - The Walking Dead #65 (2009)

2009-09-17T22:15:00.002+01:00

Just read issue #65. I don't know now. Maybe I was expecting something more - but with 'Fear The Hunters' approaching its climax, what is there to 'fear'? Nothing, it seems.

This is no 'No-one Is Safe' - there is no Governor here. Just a collection of tired, miserable people, driven to do what they need to do. Rick and co take the fight to these wretches, with Rick going in and attempting to 'negotiate', and this allows time for some back story and exposition - the Hunters explaining their motives. All rather drab it is too - it reminded me of the Bill Hicks monologue about Saddam and 'The Republican Guard', who were believed to be (if you believed Hicks) something like 12 foot tall warriors, until the Allied forces got to Baghdad and found normal Iraqis in Uniform. Well, this group of Hunters are even less spectacular. Then, in a neat scene reminiscent of Jensen using the power of his mnd to floor security guards (with a little help from sniper fire) in an early issue of 'The Losers', Rick takes the fight to them Hunters....

I liked the last page. Rick looks feral nowadays, a yin to the yang of Sgt Fords Military style neatness. The last 4 or 5 pages nearly made up for the middle section, which was saggy and made me wonder what the fuss was about with 'The Hunters' all along.

There were some other nice touches - Eugene being useful, Andrea being altogether useful, caring and a crack-shot, and Charlie Adlard drawing the rack and ruin of Suburbia in such a way that the misery seeps out of the page at you. The death of nearly everything - Charlie Adlard can summon up that vista for you in a few panels of black and white art.

Verdict. I still enjoyed this issue by the way, but the Hunters seem such an anti-climax. Still, there is enough here to keep the many fans of the book satisfied, but the whole arc seems destined to be less than what I expected....7.75 out of 10.

The Walking Dead #65 is out now from Image.