Greetings and salutations folks,

We have a new staff member joining us to give even more opinionated and mildly informed views on everything: 67-Points-of-Articulation Spidey (67POAS)!

Seriously, this dude is more flexible than I am and can pop lock with the best of them. Please make him feel welcome.

Ok, let’s get on with it.

Fantastic Four: The End #1 (of 6)
Writer/Artist: Alan Davis

Translation:
Looks wonderful and Davis excels at old school world-building — but it takes its sweet time getting started. Actually, does it ever really start…?

Midnighter #1
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Chris Sprouse

Translation:
Very routine: lots of punching against unbeatable odds and the use of “the Midnighter’s gay!” for easy characterization/sympathy. The second half picks up a little, though. My curiousity = piqued.

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Marvel Zombies HC
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Sean Phillips
Cover artist: Arthur Suydam
$19.99

A creepy, funny take on both zombie lore and the Marvel Universe, Robert Kirkman’s Marvel Zombies will please fans of both. It’s pretty amazing what Kirkman gets away with here, as there’s often gruesome, disturbing imagery associated with some of Marvel’s most treasured properties (see the still-alive Black Panther being kept captive and sedated, leisurely eaten by zombie Giant-Man). What makes the story work is that these zombies can still talk and think, allowing Kirkman to make these zombie Marvel heroes the true center of the story. Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Iron-Man all bicker over who gets to eat what, and when the planet-eating Galactus arrives (irony alert!), our zombie heroes must unite in order to save their planet, defeat Galactus…and eat him. Great stuff. It’s a quick read, but worthy of your shelf; the cover gallery — featuring zombie parodies of classic Marvel covers — makes this collection worth owning all by itself.
KFR Rating: B+

Action Comics #844
Writers: Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist: Adam Kubert
$2.99

The first issue from new superstar creative team Geoff Johns, Richard Donner (director of Superman: The Movie) and Adam Kubert, Action Comics #844 doesn’t reach the heights of Grant Morrison’s revisionist takes on All Star Superman and Batman, but it comes close. Johns, Donner and Kubert are clearly placing their Superman in the world of the Donner/Singer films; Clark Kent looks like Brandon Routh, Superman now has the “S” beltbuckle from Superman Returns and visits his father in the Fortress of Solitude, and Perry White and the rest of the Daily Planet talk and work in classic breakneck-energy newsroom style. It might not be to everyone’s liking that the movies are influencing the comics, but this issue felt more true to the Superman mythos than Action Comics has felt in a long time. There’s also a major surprise here, very similar to one from Superman Returns, that if handled properly can make for an excellent change in the humdrum married life of Supes and Lois. The only disappointment is Adam Kubert’s art; apart from the terrific cover, Kubert’s pencils seem almost sloppy, and don’t come close to his previous landmark work. Still, a good start and worth picking up.
KFR Rating: B+

Tales Designed to Thrizzle #1
Writer & Artist: Michael Kupperman
$4.50

I know — this comic came out ages ago, but I missed out on the first go-round and my local comic store (Brooklyn’s superb Rocketship) only just got in a second printing. I wish I’d gotten the first print; this is one of the funniest and gleefully weird comics on the market today. From Mickey Rourke’s new business (pubic hair stencils) to the time traveling adventures of Snake N’ Bacon (a snake and piece of bacon that travel through time and do…nothing) to “Uncle Billy’s Drunken, Bitter Guide to the Animal Kingdom” in the “Kid’s Section” (”The Raccoon eats garbage, but it washes it in water first. Sounds like a boss I used to have! He’ll get what’s coming to him, you can bet on that. Son of a bitch caught me stealing paperclips.”), Tales Designed to Thrizzle is definitely worth the price, and definitely worth tracking down. A refreshingly smart comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Essential reading.
KFR Rating: A+

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WildCATS Volume 4 #1
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Jim Lee
$2.99

Volume 4, eh? I don’t give a crap that this book shipped late and might be bi-monthly or whatever, but it is weird how Marvel and DC keep trotting out certain characters/teams for ongoing series over and over even when it’s obvious they don’t seem to keep anybody’s interest over a long period of time. I’m just saying is all. Anyway, here we are in a month with a couple more new comics from Morrison, and that’s swell beyond belief.

As you might expect, WildCATS V4 #1 is a 100% set-up issue: moving various pieces into place, foreshadowing, firing the plot machinations, re-introducing characters, re-establishing relationships, you know the drill. There isn’t too much happening, although the issue is still lively and fascinating. At the very least, it’s exciting to see Morrison jumping into a new sandbox and enjoying himself. There’s even some of that good old patented Morrison superhero metafiction at work — check out that conversation between Spartan and Voodoo.

Jim Lee — our generation’s Kirby — does the usual. Should be a wild ride.

KFR Rating: B+

The Damned #1 (of 5)
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Brian Hurtt
$3.50

Eddie’s under a curse that prevents him from dying, so he makes his living as a hired hand and trusted advisor for a demon crime family in an unnamed Prohibition-era metropolis. But trouble’s brewing. There appears to be a war on the horizon between the demon families, and Eddie’s latest gig is leading him towards a dark secret that could spell his doom.

Bunn sometimes strays way too close to “Miller’s Crossing” in the first half of the book, but other than that one nitpick, this is a terrific first issue from two talented storytellers. Densely plotted and consistently engaging from front to back, Damned benefits tremendously from Hurtt, whose atmospheric and finely tuned pencils capture the gritty, melodramatic tension and psychological paranoia of the best noir.

KFR Rating: A-

After the jump, John Woo’s first comic and the other new Morrison book released last week.

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Cable & Deadpool #32
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Staz Johnson
$2.99

While Civil War has been decidedly mediocre, the related crossover tales in Marvel’s monthly titles have been surprisingly good. The latest Cable & Deadpool is no exception, keeping the title’s trademark humor and action while incorporating the more intriguing elements of the larger story without all the ponderous themes. Deadpool relishes his role as superpowered merc hired by the government to take down other superheroes, and it’s fun stuff to read, even if the irony is ridiculously obvious. With Cable’s semi-balanced view on superhero registration (it’s good in the short-term, bad in the long-term), there’s a wrinkle thrown into Marvel’s dumb “Who’s Side Are You On?” marketing campaign.
KFR Rating: B

Marvel Team-Up #25
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Andy Kuhn
$2.99

As the series finale of the great Robert Kirkman’s Marvel Team-Up, issue #25 seems a bit rushed, with a lot happening and getting resolved a little too fast. But it’s a joy from start to finish, with all the goofy superhero action one would want from a book with this title. Kirkman throws nearly every star of the Marvel Universe into the story — see cover — fighting a mute hulking bad guy. This issue won’t change the world, but it’s the type of comic that could make your little brother a fan for life and put a smile on your face.
KFR Rating: B+

Wolverine: Origins #7
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Steve Dillon
$2.99

Wolverine: Origins has been the most disappointing comic of the year, turning out to be a maddeningly decompressed, contrived and nonsensical mess. That reality makes issue #7 a true stunner. We finally get some significant events from Wolverine’s past, witty dialogue and a brisk pace that keeps the reader interested throughout (plus a terrific Mike Deodato variant cover). The format of the series is now obvious: 5-issue arcs that feature one drawn-out fight in the present, interspersed with revelatory flashbacks. This makes for an often bad monthly (see issues 1-6), but just maybe, when Marvel publishes the whole series in an omnibus 10 years from now, it’ll make for a solid read.
KFR Rating: B+

Gen13 #1
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Talent Caldwell
$2.99

An enjoyable restart for one of the Wildstorm Universe’s flagship titles. It’s a tad confusing at times — namely due to ill-defined intentions of the bad guys — but Gail Simone introduces each team member individually, successfully conveying their separate backstories while driving the plot forward, and there’s also a clever use of internet chat-room talk that adds to the creepiness of the opening scene. Talent Caldwell’s pencils are a little too close to Michael Turner’s, but fittingly recall the style of early ’90s Image. A definite step-up from the poor Wetworks relaunch.
KFR Rating: B

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That’s right, everybody. I’d like to personally thank the Italian-American community of the tri-state area for: A) getting me a day off of work, and B) giving us a good excuse to skip comic reviews this week.

We’ll be back with reviews next Monday.

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Batman #657
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
$2.99

Batman brings Damian, his supposed son, home to Wayne Manor/the Batcave, introduces him to Robin and Alfred, and insists that he uses his ninja powers to fight crime. Good times.

After three issues, this is still the most conventional and straightforward superhero comic Morrison’s ever written…and it’s still better than most of the other superhero books out there. A lot of that has to do with Morrison’s knack for pacing and innate grasp of building character through action and not extraneous, self-serving inner dialoge. There’s also no sense of the kind of continuity exhaustion that bogs down so many superhero books these days. Superb cliffhanger at the end, too.

Unfortunately more low-rent Silvestri in Kubert’s art this month than before. I admit, his big splash pages are wonderful, but the rest of the time I have a hard time telling if he’s a good artist or not.

KFR Rating: B

The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Vol. 1
Writer: Eiji Otsuka
Artist: Housui Yanazaki
$10.95

A group of five late-teen/20-somethings — two girls and three guys — investigate the supernatural in a minivan and often refer to themselves as a “gang.” Sound familiar? Thankfully, that’s pretty much where the similarities to “Scooby-Doo” end. The three guys in this posse of Buddhist university misfits have extra-normal powers, and what their group, the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, actually does is use those powers to help free the souls of the traumatically deceased: the murdered, the sick, the suicides, etc.

The four separate stories in this first volume are a tad formulaic and the art is plain, but overall, this is a refreshingly modest (no shrill yelling or flailing limbs!), original, and enjoyable horror manga. The main characters are likeable, the camaraderie between them is nicely depicted, and the stories are inventively grotesque. Often, they’re actually fairly disgusting. You could say the book is “Scooby-Doo” meets “Saw” and “Audition” and I suppose you wouldn’t be too far off.

KCDS is also deeply steeped in modern and classic Japanese mythology and culture, which the editor goes out of his way to clearly explain. In short, you can read this and actually learn something. Go figure.

KFR Rating: B+

After the jump, a new Spider-Man story from Stan the Man and the latest Marvel zombie book.

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Runaways #20
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Mike Norton
$2.99

Having never read an issue of Runaways before, I decided to finally see what all the hubbub was about. Turns out, this one lives up the hype: Runaways is a funny, exciting, and charming comic. For those who don’t know, the Runaways are a group of teenage superheroes who’ve vowed to atone for the evil ways of their supervillain parents. While this issue is mainly about the team trying to take down a giant purple monster wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, its simple plot recalls the elative adventure of classic Fantastic Four. Filled with memorable dialogue (”I already used my reduction incantation on Mole Man…” “Mole Man? He’s already, like, four feet tall!” “I thought it would be ironic, okay?”), this is one of the most refreshingly fun superhero comics available.
KFR Rating: A-

Wetworks #1
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Whilce Portacio
$2.99

One of the higher profile titles of the original Image/Wildstorm universe, and now one of the first comics to open the Wildstorm relaunch, Wetworks‘ return is a significant event. But this first issue is a big misstep. The story is confusing (it has something to do with human-eating monsters and/or vampires), especially considering how long these characters have been gone, and it’s never entirely clear where everything is going. Most disappointing, however, is the art; among the greatest of the early ’90s comics artists — see Uncanny X-Men #281 for some truly masterful art — Whilce Portacio’s pencils seem either rushed or just plain bland, and mostly lacking the stunning detail of his best work. Sometimes you can’t go home again — even to the early ’90s.
KFR Rating: C

Blade #1
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Howard Chaykin
$2.99

While Blade’s opening scene — the titular hero vs. a vampire Spider-Man — works in the sense that it’s unexpected, the fight turns out to be a throwaway moment that sets the tone for the entire issue. Most of what’s here is paint-by-numbers vampire storytelling, minus the thrilling action of the Blade films. While the origin flashbacks are kind of interesting, Marc Guggenheim does nothing to give Blade anything resembling a personality, and Howard Chaykin’s sloppy pencils are a distracting eyesore throughout. Disappointing.
KFR Rating: C-

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Fun Home
By Alison Bechdel
$19.95

It’s probably a decent time to start throwing around “Graphic Novel of the Year” hyperbole, and this extraordinary daddy-daughter/coming-of-age story from the creator of the acclaimed Dykes to Watch Out For is the one to beat.

Using a complex narrative structure, finely nuanced cartooning, and sly wit, Bechdel bares her anxiety-riddled soul about her unstable 70s girlhood — in particular, her troubled, closeted father, her struggles with OCD, and the slow, fascinating discovery of her own emerging sexuality. Fun Homeis as honest, engaging, haunting, elegant, and powerful as any graphic novel that I’ve read.

This is the kind of book where you could either write a couple sentences or a dissertation. There’s no middle ground. So, suffice it to say, you won’t be able to stop reading Fun Home when you pick it up, and when it’s over, you won’t be able to shake it.

KFR Rating: A+

Mystery in Space with Captain Comet #1 (of 8)
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artists: Shane Davis, Jim Starlin
$3.99

Captain Comet is a super-powered bounty hunter on an outer space metropolis called Hardcore Station, but he was killed during a particularly dangerous job and his body’s disappeared. Even his talking dog doesn’t know what happened…

You have to give the great Jim Starlin propers for maintaining his distinctive hippie-space-madness science-fiction style for this long, but its day has come and gone. There’s just too much exposition, verbosity, and inner dialogue involved, and it doesn’t have a lot of urgency. When it’s over, you get the odd feeling like you’ve just read a lot of words but nothing’s really happened.

The bottom line is if you still really, really dig Starlin, you’ll probably enjoy this to some degree. He does draw a third of the comic, and his art still looks great. Shane Davis pencils the rest in a respectable early-90s Image style.

Alert for those who rocked comics back in the late 80s: The Weird’s in this, which is kind of neat.

KFR Rating: B-

After the jump: the most popular Western hero in comics gets relaunched, and the one crossover event of 2006 that’s actually worth reading.

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