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Posted on Nov 24, 2003 - 07:01 AM by Admin |
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November 19, 2003 was another huge Comic Book Wednesday jam packed with hot new releases! Skeletor betrayed by one of his own!?! Bone nears its end! The Outsiders gain some shocking new members! A spooky Spawn! The return of Ambush Bug! And Captain Marvel’s mom has returned to straighten him out!?! These big events and more are all part of This Week’s 10 Best!
1. Masters of the Universe: Rise Of the Snake Men #2 (MVCreations) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
MVCreations’ adaptation of the Masters of the Universe cartoon episodes of the Rise Of The Snake Men have so far gotten off to a very strong start. I have to admit that due to situations beyond my control - i.e. forgetting to set the VCR - I have not been able to watch the first episode of the Rise Of The Snake Men cartoon. However, I have watched the conclusion of the cartoon storyline and I’m pleased to see that writer Val Staples not only follows the storyline, but he also expands on it! To be honest, I think I would have enjoyed the remainder of this miniseries even more than I am already enjoying it if I hadn’t watched the cartoon!
The first issue of Rise Of The Snake Men blew this Masters of the Universe fan away! This second issue tops that! This tale features a handful of scenes that Masters fans would never expect to see. We have betrayal, an unbelievable showdown and a stunning last page!
He-Man and the Masters have approached Skeletor in hopes that the evil overlord and his minions would help them stop the Snake Men from invading Eternia. In true villain fashion, Skeletor and his minions attack the Masters in one of the most impressive battles yet! And the outcome of this battle will shock you! The only thing more shocking is what happens to Skeletor! And the shocks don’t end there! Before this issue is over, two heroes will come to blows as the real reason behind the Snake Men’s invasion is revealed!
Staples writes a fast moving tale that may be one of the most action packed Masters of the Universe comics of all time! And it seems like Staples managed to include nearly everyone in this issue - including Stinkor! While many writers would be satisfied to include one shocker in a comic, Staples delivers enough for three or four comics in this issue! Staples even manages to tie this issue into current Masters’ comic canon by including some “beasts” last seen in Volume 2, issue #2! Longtime Masters of the Universe fans and newcomers can’t afford to pass this one by! Grab it quick! Rise Of The Snake Men #1 sold out in no time!
Artistically, Andie Tong provides the art for the entire issue. Tong’s style contrasts to the style of regular artists Emiliano Santalucia and Enza Fontana. Tong’s style even differs from Jonboy Meyers’ art from the first half of the first issue. However, that difference in style is not a bad thing. I really enjoyed Tong’s art in this issue. Tong shines with depictions of nearly every character, especially Skeletor and Zodak. Tong has even made me like He-Man’s new Snake Men armor! I wouldn’t even mind if He-Man kept the armor for awhile…
Mention also must be made about another installment of “Eternian Daze.” This hilarious comic strip from writer/artist Tony Grate and colorist/letterer Devin Duchscherer is a joy to read and look at. Who would have thought anyone in Eternia - aside from some of Skeletor’s hapless warriors - could be humorous?! In this installment, King Randor spends a little quality time with Prince Adam, taking him hunting and fishing with hilarious results! And I thought my hunting/fishing trips were hilarious disasters! “Eternian Daze” needs to be a permanent installment with each new Masters of the Universe comic!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant here. This is an action packed comic perfect for all ages. If I had to rant, it would be at myself for watching the conclusion of The Rise Of The Snake Men cartoon. Now, I know how this ends! Maybe Staples will throw in a few surprises in the next issue. He sure did in this one!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Skeletor responds to the Masters’ request to aid them in stopping the invading Snake Men in the expected way: he orders his evil minions to attack! A titanic battle erupts that comes to a shocking conclusion.
As Skeletor regroups his forces, he comes face to face with King Hsss and the Snake Men! When Skeletor orders his warriors to attack, everyone responds…but one! One of Skeletor’s long trusted allies betrays Skeletor, and Skeletor pays an unbelievable price!
Elsewhere, the Masters regroup as Zodak arrives. After talking to Zodak, the Masters discover the shocking reason why the Snake Men have been able to return to Eternia. This revelation leads to Zodak and He-Man coming to blows!
As He-Man and Zodak wage their little war, Skeletor’s betrayer discovers that the Snake Men’s promises aren’t what they seemed…As Skeletor’s betrayer tries to strike a new bargain before it’s too late, Zodak and He-Man witness a truly terrible scene unfolding at Snake Mountain!
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2. Wonder Woman #198 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Writer Greg Rucka works his magic again in the pages of Wonder Woman. No other writer has managed to capture my attention in this book as long as Rucka has. And, if you are a fan of Rucka, his writing in this book will surprise you.
When it was first announced that Rucka would be taking over Wonder Woman, I immediately pictured a darker Wonder Woman. After all, Rucka is famous for his crime novels and gritty Batman tales. However, Rucka has managed to pleasantly surprise me with his take on Wonder Woman. This is not a dark tale. At times, you could almost describe Wonder Woman as a bright comic book, if it weren’t for the evil plans brewing unbeknownst to Diana.
It’s really hard to put a finger on why I like Rucka’s Wonder Woman so much. This is not a typical comic book. Most issues don’t end with a big cliffhanger, although this issue does have a pretty thrilling last page. Most issues haven’t featured a whole lot of action. What Rucka has done with this comic book is make Wonder Woman extremely likable and down to Earth, hence the title of the current storyline. I find myself counting down the days until the next issue just to find out what will happen in Wonder Woman’s life next.
This issue finds more fallout building up from the release of Wonder Woman’s new book. While Ares uses the book to stir up things in Olympus, the Amazonians make a shocking discovery about Ares. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman is scheduled to debate the issues of her book on television, but she has traveled to Argentina to see an old friend, who just happens to be missing! To whet the reader’s appetite to come back for more, Veronica Cale adds another shocking character to a group that already includes Dr. Psycho…
Rucka’s new likable Wonder Woman is made even more presentable with the incredible art of Drew Johnson. Johnson makes Wonder Woman look beautiful, regal and realistic. No longer does Wonder Woman look like an X-bimbo from the 90s! And it was a joy to see Johnson illustrate one of my favorite DC Universe characters, a character I was just talking about recently: Artemis!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Only some mild language in this issue. I’m not sure if Rucka’s Wonder Woman would be a good all ages read anyway. The stories, while excellent, seem to be aimed at an older range of readers. Teen readers and up should have no trouble getting into this book, especially this issue - the best of Rucka’s run…so far!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Io brings a shocking discover to the attention of Artemis and Phillipus. It seems that somehow Ares has managed to enter Themyscrira and leave his mark behind. Speaking of Ares, he is currently trying to stir up trouble in Olympus by bringing Wonder Woman’s new book to the attention of Zeus.
Back in New York, Wonder Woman has enough trouble because of her book when Darrel Keyes and his Protect Our Children organization release “doctored” footage to the media showing Wonder Woman stopping the Flash from extinguishing a forest fire. Keyes goes so far as to challenge Wonder Woman to a televised debate. However, Wonder Woman is out of the country visiting an old friend.
Diana has gone to Argentina to see her friend, Vanessa Kapatelis. Vanessa has been undergoing a doctor’s treatment for six months and Diana hasn’t been able to see her. Diana is stunned to discover that Vanessa has been gone for three months! And the doctor has been keeping it a secret for that time due to threats made against his family!
As one of her staff members adequately fills in for Diana during the televised debate, Wonder Woman meets with Artemis, who delivers Io’s shocking information. The only thing more shocking is what Wonder Woman is not aware of. Veronica Cale has just purchased one of Wonder Woman’s “old friends”!
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3. Bone #53 (Cartoon Books) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
It’s really hard not to let the “Rave” get out of control on a comic book THIS good. Bone is one of those rare comics that gets better and better which each new issue. Calling Bone an “epic” is one of the biggest understatements of all time. Bone is a modern comic classic with fantasy, adventure and humor in epic proportions. If Tolkien had written a comic book, it would have looked a lot like Bone!
Writer/artist Jeff Smith turns things up a notch as this saga heads toward its finale in Bone #55. You can almost taste the urgency and desperation as the Bone cousins, Thorn, Gran’ma Ben and their allies are trapped in Atheia with invading armies and those stupid, stupid rat creatures closing in. To make an already tense situation worse, The Locust has found a new host, and the only thing that can defeat The Locust is The Crown Of Horns. In the midst of this incredible battle, Thorn has decided that she should be the one who recovers the Crown!
With Thorn missing, Fone Bone and his rat creature pal Bartleby set out to find her. With the armies knocking on the walls of Atheia and rat creatures entering the city, our heroes’ quest appears to be doomed before it truly gets underway! Meanwhile, Thorn has to face the invading armies and the mysterious Ghost Circles that encircle Atheia! Before this issue is over, an old “friend” will appear, a Bone cousin makes a shocking decision and you won’t believe what happens to Thorn!
I’m still not sure how Smith plans to wrap up this saga in two more issues. What I am sure of is that I don’t want him to! However, the last several issues of Bone have been some of the most action packed issues of the entire saga. Smith fits enough action and adventure into this issue to fill several comics! Prepare yourself for a thrilling page turner from beginning to end!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Nothing at all wrong here. Bone is still hands down one of the best all ages comics of all time. Younger readers will enjoy Smith’s incredible artwork and humor, while older readers will love the thrilling, complex fantasy tale that rivals anything ever written by Tolkien. And, as an added treat for us longtime fans, this issue ships roughly a month after the last issue! In a way, that may not be a good thing. That just means that the end will get here much sooner than this Bone fan wants!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Fone Bone and his rat creature pal Bartleby have gone in search of Thorn, who has ran away in the midst of the war to find The Crown Of Horns in hopes of defeating The Locust. However, by the time Fone Bone spots Thorn, rat creatures have already caught up with her! As Thorn runs away, she runs right into one of the mysterious Ghost Circles…and disappears!
Not knowing if Thorn is alive or dead, Fone Bone decides the only hope of finding her is to somehow find a way through the Ghost Circles to the enemy’s camp. To do that, Fone Bone hides beneath Bartleby as the rat creature blends in with the army of rat creatures!
Back in Atheia, the invading army and the rat creatures break through the gates. As the city becomes overrun, Smiley Bone runs into two old “friends” while Gran’ma Ben and Phoney Bone join the battle. The devious Phoney shockingly defends the city well. However, it’s the proposition that Gran’ma Ben offers Phoney that will shock longtime readers! The only thing more shocking is Phoney’s decision! With Atheia overrun, rat creatures within the city, Thorn missing and Fone Bone in the heart of the enemy’s camp, our heroes may be facing defeat before The Locust even shows up!
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4. Captain Marvel #16 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Surprisingly, this is the only Marvel comic book that made it onto This Week’s 10 Best this week! But what a comic book it is! Writer Peter David delivers one of the best comics of his illustrious career with this issue of Captain Marvel!
David’s new take on Captain Marvel is bold and daring to say the least. David has taken a previously goody goody superhero and turned him into an insane being with the power of a god! In fact, Marv believes he is God! And Marv has used that power to kill Rick Jones! How could David shock readers any more after a set up like that? The answer to that one lies in this issue!
A council of starfaring races has gotten together to stop Captain Marvel. Marv crashes the council meeting and informs the aliens that they will in time become a group of conquerors who will threaten galactic peace. To prevent that from coming to pass, Marv informs the aliens that he will annihilate them in a week’s time! The meeting takes an unexpected turn when the Titans arrive with someone guaranteed to take Marv down a notch: his mother, Elysius! Apparently rumors of Elysius’ demise have been greatly exaggerated! But that’s nothing compared to the shocker waiting for Marv - and the reader - at the end of this issue! This already different comic book is about to change again!
Artistically, the work in this issue is not only amazing, but it is beautifully smooth. Tony Azaceta and Chris Sotomayor deliver truly incredible work. And check out that amazing Barry Kitson cover!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to a little violence and an adult situation, this is not an all ages read. No real complaint here. If you’re a Captain Marvel fan, this issue is a must have! You won’t believe what shocks David delivers in this issue, especially that last page!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Captain Marvel’s already fragile state of mind is shattered by the discovery that the Titans have brought his mother to put a stop to his mad ways! For years now, Marv - and readers - have believed that Elysius was dead. Even after Marv shoots her and she survives, he refuses to believe that his mom has returned from the dead. So Marv leaves the council by reiterating his previous threat that he will kill them in a week!
After leaving the council, Marv goes to his father’s grave, accusing him of sending his mother. Marv’s mad accusations are interrupted by Epiphany, who has returned to “thank” Marv for helping her brother, Entropy. After a round of “thanking” Marv confides in Epiphany that he misses the now dead Rick Jones. The only thing that could stop these feelings is for Marv to bring Rick back from the dead! Marv doesn’t have that kind of power…does he?! While we get the shocking answer to that question, Marv and the reader are in for an even greater shock: someone unbelievable is waiting for Marv on Titan!
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5. Outsiders #6 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Writer Judd Winick continues to deliver some of the best work of his career with this issue of Outsiders. Winick’s over-the-top, Hollywood blockbuster take on this team has made Outsiders one of the best super team books in the entire industry. Winick has also made Outsiders one of the most unpredictable books on the shelves today!
In the previous issue, while on the trail of Brother Blood’s sleeper agents, Arsenal was shot five times in the chest! Immediately fans began to wonder if Winick was going to kill off one of the Outsiders’ leaders and a longtime fan favorite. This issue finds Arsenal near death and fighting for his life in a hospital, while the Outsiders try to track down Brother Blood. Due to Roy Harper’s severe injury, the Outsiders gain some new “members”. But the real shocker lies on this issue’s last page…
The surprises and action come fast and furious in this issue. Winick writes a fast moving, easy to read tale that effectively captures the drama and suspense that make this story work. And Winick doesn’t limit the surprises to the Outsiders. One of the more shocking moments in this issue happens to Brother Blood!
Artistically, guest artist Chris Cross once again fills in for Tom Raney. While I’m a big Raney fan, I have really enjoyed Cross’ stint on Outsiders, especially this issue. Cross illustrates an impressive Brother Blood, and he gives the Outsiders a dark, serious look that fits this storyline to a tee.
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No real rant here. Just keep in mind that this is not an all ages read. This issue of Outsiders features a lot of violence and strong language. Older readers will still find that this is one of the best comic books currently being published anywhere!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Brother Blood has taken over the super villain prison known as The Slab. Blood informs the incarcerated villains that he is going to free them if they will help him. However, Blood warns anyone who tries to overtake him will pay the price since their transports are laden with explosives. However, one super villain, Psimon, uses his psychic abilities to discover that Blood is lying.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is near death and fighting for his life in a hospital after being shot five times in the chest by one of Blood’s sleeper agents. As the Outsiders wait for good news, two heroes arrive to help the team take down Blood: Green Arrow Oliver Queen and Green Arrow Connor Hawke!
The Outsiders infiltrate The Slab before Blood and the other villains make their getaway. As the Outsiders battle the other villains, Nightwing takes on Blood, but the outcome is not what the Outsiders were hoping for.
As Brother Blood and the super villains make their escapes, the Outsiders are faced with an incredible choice: stop hundreds of murderous super villains from escaping or stop Blood from activating his mercenaries! The Outsiders’ choice will stun you! But not as much as what is waiting for Blood as he makes his getaway! And certainly not as much as what is waiting for the Outsiders when they return to their headquarters!
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6. WildGuard: Casting Call #3 (Image) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
WildGuard: Casting Call has been one of the most fun comic books that I have read in years. Writer/artist Todd Nauck has taken 500 superheroes, some super villains and given readers a comic that has a nostalgic feel to it. The twist is these superheroes are all trying to earn a spot on a made for TV super team called WildGuard. A nostalgic comic with dozens of unique, colorful superheroes mixed with reality television. How could I not like this book?!
Nauck gets to show off his writing chops with this issue. With the majority of the WildGuard hopefuls now the prisoners of a mysterious invading force, Nauck gets to focus on fewer characters as the remaining heroes form a rescue squad and two hopefuls work from the inside to free the captured superheroes. If you have labeled Nauck as “just an artist”, check out this issue to see he is much more!
Nauck sheds more light on certain characters in this issue, making me regret that voting has already ended for fans to vote online for their favorite WildGuard members. We learn that Wannabe must have a different outfit for every occasion, and we learn the secret origin of Jun-Go. Meanwhile, we get the feeling that there is something between Jun-Go and my personal pick, Ignacia. However, the most shocking revelation in this issue is the truth behind Strong-Bot…Then there’s a new hero who suddenly appears on the scene…
Nauck illustrates another impressive issue comparable only to a George Perez masterpiece! No matter how many characters Nauck puts onto a page, each character is detailed and distinctive from the others. Incredibly detailed, colorful, amazing art. Do like The Fan Man - read this one once for the story and go back for a second helping for the art!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant at all here. This is a great all ages comic that both new and longtime Comic Fanatics should be able to pick up and love! WildGuard: Casting Call is one of the best comics that Image has published in years! There’s no way that this miniseries shouldn’t become an ongoing series!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, WildGuard’s producer, the superhero known as Four, has taken the remaining wannabes and formed a rescue party to save the captured superheroes. Four feels the team’s chances are good since they have a Grand Thunder Mecha-Man on their team: Strong-Bot. However, Four doesn’t realize there is more - and less - than meets the eye when it comes to Strong-Bot!
As Four and her rescue party head out to save the captured superheroes, a new hero enters the picture. Meanwhile, two of the “captured” heroes - Jun-Go and Ignacia - are working from the inside trying to free the captured superheroes. Along the way, Jun-Go relates his secret origin to his new friend…who may end up being more than a friend!
As Ignacia and Jun-Go come under attack, another hero manages to escape from his captors, albeit after getting doused with some neurotoxins. As swarms of robotic monsters begin to close in on our heroes, it looks like the field of contestants is about to get narrowed down drastically! The tribe has spoken…
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7. Lobo Unbound #4 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
As a longtime Lobo and Keith Giffen fan, this issue is what I was expecting from this new miniseries! THIS is the Lobo I know and love! While the first issue of this miniseries blew me away, the following two and Bling Bling the Hip Hop Ho completely turned me off. Lobo fans, fear not! This issue is the best of this miniseries…so far!
Giffen delivers the classic Lobo that fans have known and loved for years. Lobo is crass, vile, vulgar and trapped in a world filled with hilarity! Lobo has been made the absolute ruler of his own world, and all it took to convince Lobo was to show him that he had his own harem! However, Lobo’s little paradise is threatened by the return of a bounty hunter who has been hired to take down the Main Man: the one and only Ambush Bug, or is it Ambush Bob now?!
With Lobo and Ambush Bug in one comic book, you can expect a few laughs. With Giffen writing the tale, you can expect a side splitting, over the top comic! Giffen even manages to break down that “unbreakable” barrier in comics between the real world and the world of the comic book! And Ambush Bug and Lobo don’t even come face to face in this issue! This has me drooling for Lobo Unbound #5 and, while we are at it, why not an Ambush Bug series?! Let me be the first to cast that vote!
This issue features the artwork of two greats: Alex Horley and Andy Kuhn. Horely beautifully illustrates the Lobo portions of this comic, while Kuhn illustrates the Ambush Bug sequences. While I’m a huge fan of Horley’s work, I found myself enjoying Kuhn’s Ambush Bug immensely! If there ever is an Ambush Bug comic, please let Kuhn be the artist!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Keep in mind this is a mature readers only comic due to language and situations. The only true complaint about this comic is its late shipping. As this issue hit the stands, Lobo Unbound #6 was already due.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Lobo is offered the chance to become the ultimate ruler of his own world. Despite the offer of being able to execute anyone at his whim, Lobo refuses to accept the rulership…until he is informed that he gets his own harem!
Elsewhere, Lobo’s newly discovered paradise is about to be threatened by the bounty hunter known as Ambush Bug! However, before Ambush bug can take out Lobo, he first has to get through the planet’s luggage claims after declaring that he still finds Christina Aguilera attractive!
After a through and deserved beating, Ambush Bug is tossed in jail, but his crime is nothing compared to the disgusting crime of his neighboring prisoner! Despite calling Ambush Bug everything from “Ambush Buck” to “Ambush Bob”, the Moyl Man and his fellow Moyl Men break Ambush Bug out of prison.
As Lobo hears about “Ambush Bob” in his harem, Ambush Bob informs his new allies about his target. Ambush Bug and the reader is shocked to discover what the Moyl Men want to do with a certain part of Lobo! It’s gonna take a lot of fraggin’ for Lobo to get out of this mess!
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8. The Possessed #5 (Wildstorm/Cliffhanger) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
If you are looking for a sleeper comic book hit this year, The Possessed is it. Judging by the sales numbers, not many people are buying this miniseries, and that is a shame. The Possessed is one of the creepiest comics to hit the shelves in years! From the story to the top notch art, The Possessed is an eerie joy to read and look at.
Writer Geoff Johns teams up with writer Kris Grimminger to deliver a horror tale that reads like “The Exorcist” meets “Ghostbusters” with a lot of “Rambo” thrown in for good measure! A group of people who have been possessed at one time in their lives have banded together to wage war against demons to prevent others from suffering their fates.
Along the way, these “heroes” bring some high-tech, demon battling weapons and methods into play, including inoculating themselves with holy water. The kicker comes when the team discovers their leader has purposely refused to inoculate himself, allowing himself to become possessed again. While the team begins to wonder if their own leader has betrayed them, they have to battle a town filled with demons! But those demons are nothing compared to what is waiting for the team…
Johns and Grimminger deliver a story that is filled with creepy moments. If you are a fan of “The Exorcist”, you will be thrilled to find quite a few of those type of eerie moments in this book. One of the most unnerving moments occurs when a group of possessed kids begin to pursue some of the team! And the last three pages are bone-chillingly creepy!
Artist Liam Sharp was the ideal choice to illustrate this miniseries. Sharp is able to illustrate a beautiful woman or a muscle-bound man on one page, only to deliver some of the most frightening looking demons on the very next page! Wait until you see what happens to a group of demons that get doused with holy water!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Keep in mind this is definitely a mature readers only comic. This issue features strong language, partial nudity, violence and some really frightening demons! No real complaints about this issue at all. This miniseries so far has read like a really good, R-rated horror flick! Between Sharp’s art and the story from Johns and Grimminger, I’m already wishing that this one was an ongoing series! I don’t want this kind of fun to end with next month’s issue!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Walt and Burroughs make their way to the Iron Wood Elementary School fearing what they are going to find. Once inside the school, their fears are realized as they discover numerous adult corpses. But that’s not as terrifying as what is waiting in the hall: a whole school full of possessed children!
Elsewhere, Katherine battles a handful of possessed townsfolk, while Holly and her new ally Michael watch more possessed townsfolk eating and carrying animals from a pet store for some type of sacrifice! Once Holly has an idea of what their now-possessed leader Christian is up to, they head for the church.
Back at the school, the possessed children chase Walt and Burroughs to the school’s pool. As the demon children rush in, Burroughs tries an unlikely solution: blessing the pool water! Meanwhile, Katherine has run into an “old friend.” And speaking of old friends, Christian has returned…possessed and leading a group of possessed townsfolk! Things are about to get a whole lot worse…
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9. Spawn #130 (Image) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
It’s not often that Spawn finds its way to This Week’s 10 Best, so when it does you can bet that it’s a great issue! And this is one of the best issues of Spawn in awhile! Writer Brian Holguin delivers a spooky issue that has shades of a classic ghost story and the movie “Thirteen Ghosts.” I’m not sure I could have handled this one if it came out around Halloween!
This is one of the easier to read Spawn tales. Holguin delivers a fast moving tale that even newcomers shouldn’t have much trouble getting into. Detective Twitch Williams has lost his family and blames the loss on Spawn. Al Simmons agrees to help Twitch track down his missing son, not sure of where their search will lead them. Twitch’s son isn’t the same anymore and has taken refuge in a house that just happens to be haunted by seven and a half ghosts! Spawn is the last thing you should be scared of in this tale!
Holguin lays out the story in classic ghost story style. Holguin introduces each ghost - except for the one no one talks about - and explains how they became ghosts. Immediately, the reader is pulled in and begins to care about the ghosts and sympathize with the spirits. Once Holguin puts all the players in place, the story suddenly becomes a chest pounding, adrenaline churning tale that will leave the reader slack jawed by the end of the issue! If Spawn was this good every month, I would be much more upset about this book’s late shipping!
Artist Angel Medina once again illustrates an incredible issue. If there is one thing that you can say about Spawn, it’s that the art in this book has consistently been amazing. I’ve been a fan of Medina’s work for years, dating back to his time with the old Marvel series Warlock and the Infinity Watch, and I can say that Medina’s art has never looked this good! Medina’s art is almost enough to make this Comic Fanatic forget this book was once illustrated by some guy named McFarlane!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
This issue of Spawn is at best a teens and up read with only some mild language, violence and tense situations. The only rant about this book? You guessed it. Late shipping! As this issue hit the stands, Spawn #139 was already overdue with Spawn #140 due out next week!
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens in a solitary house on Mansion Street. This house is located in a weed choked field in a neighborhood that has since been bulldozed. Inside this house are seven and a half ghosts! The ghosts include the elderly Maggie, the lumberjack Peter, the child Sally, the jazz trumpeter Baz, the busboy Silas, the mourning parent Imelda and the ghost in the locked cellar that no one talks about! The half comes in with Twitch’s son Max.
As Twitch and Al Simmons make there way across the country tracking down Max, he spends his time talking to the child Sally about their families. Max also shows Sally the gun he has brought with him. Sally gets the brilliant idea that if Max finds someone he likes, he could shoot them so they could live with him in the house forever!
Spawn and Twitch make their way to the house on Mansion Street. Once they enter, lumberjack Peter informs them that they are trespassing. As Spawn battles the ghost, Peter manages to touch Twitch, chilling him to the bone! Max hears his father’s cries and rushes to his side, as the cellar door begins to rattle against its lock! As the cellar door begins to bulge, Max realizes that he has left his gun upstairs…
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10. Legion Secret Files 3003 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
To be honest, I had a lot of reservations about picking up this book. I had only just started reading Legion with issue #25 a few weeks ago. Spending $4.95 for a Secret Files comic has never been one of my favorite things to do, even if I was a diehard fan of the particular character or team. I really was afraid that I would spend all of that cash and end up with a bunch of pinups and a short story or two. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
This Secret Files is different from any Secret Files DC has published before. Instead of the pinups and a short story or two, this Secret Files is one super-sized story that manages to highlight each individual member of the Legion and move the current Legion storyline forward! If anything, this book has made me want to read more Legion comics, more so than the excellent Legion #25! If you are a newcomer who has always wanted to give Legion a try, here’s your jumping on point!
Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning deliver a very readable super-sized come that moves evenly and never seems to bog down. The whole story is based around a television reporter who is granted a tour of Legion World, including Superboy, some characters I had forgotten about and many characters not touched on in Legion #25. As the interview/tour is conducted, unknown to the Legion there are sinister forces brewing…
Artistically, this Secret Files is amazing to look at. One of The Fan Man’s faves, Leonard Kirk, illustrates part of this super-sized issue, while Tony Harris illustrates the remainder of the comic. For $4.95, you won’t find a better bargain for your money when it comes to story and art than this Secret Files. The secret is out! This one is a must have!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
A great all ages issue that deserves no complaints. Many readers might be scared away by the large price tag, but I felt that my money was well spent here. If I had to complain about something, let it be the fact that no villains are highlighted here. For Legion newbies like me, I would like to know what forces the Legion face on a regular basis.
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens with some sinister forces making a move that will surely affect the Legion very soon. Meanwhile, the Legion are playing host to reporter Trudy Trusoe, who has come to offer her viewers an inside look at the Legion. Along the way, Trudy meets new members like Shikari and founding members like Cosmic Boy and Saturn Girl.
The founding members relate how R.J. Brande formed the Legion. Trudy is also given an honorary Legionnaire ring, which she promptly discovers enables her to fly! As the tour continues, Trudy is introduced to the Legion’s first married couple, Apparition and Ultra Boy, and their child, Ultra Kid. In the Legion’s bar, Trudy discovers folks like Timber Wolf and Ferro.
As the tour takes a moment for refreshments, Kid Quantum excuses herself. As Quantum walks down the hall, something strange happens to her…something that makes her believe that she may have to step down as leader before becoming a liability to the Legion!
The tour resumes with Trudy watching the Legion’s newest member, Superboy, working out with Karate Kid. While many believe that Superboy has been sent to deliver them, Cosmic Boy confides off camera that if people are expecting the second coming of Superman, they are going to be disappointed.
After visiting a changed Sensor, Cosmic Boy tells Trudy about the Legionnaires who have went into space with Brande. The tour is wrapped up with Spark showing Trudy the different parts of Legion World, including visiting the Winath Habitat where her brother Livewire is staying. Spark explains how Livewire died, only to recently return in the body of his murderer, Element Lad.
As Trudy wraps up her tour and her broadcast day, it appears that sinister forces are about to begin some new trouble for the Legion…with a very familiar face!
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