The Rest of the Stack for 11/11/09

SWORD #1

“No Time to Breath” by Kieron Gillen (Writer), Steven Sanders (Pencils), And Craig Yeung (Inks)

“Not Yet” by Kieron Gillen (Writer), James McKelvie (Pencils), Matt Wilson (Inks), and Dave Lanphear (Colors)

The Story: In the main story, Abigail Brand spars with her partner, Commander Gyrich, welcomes Beast aboard her ship, and attempts to help her half-brother deal with a situation he has gotten himself into. In the backup story, Brand and Lockheed discuss Kitty Pryde’s current situation (being stuck inside a giant bullet).

The Good And The Bad: In the first issue of SWORD, writer Kieron Gillen throws a hell of a lot at the reader. New characters are introduced, conflicts are established, and the responsibilities (and hectic nature) of SWORD are explored more than they have been in the past. It’s pretty standard “new series” stuff, but thanks to the setting and slightly quirky tone of the dialogue, SWORD #1 feels quite fresh. While Abigail Brand doesn’t come across as the most likeable of characters, her supporting cast is more than strong enough to make up for it. Lockheed (in a nice touch, still reeling emotionally in both stories), Beast, Unit, and even Henry Gyrich all make quite a strong first (in the series) impression.

The artwork in SWORD #1 is serviceable, but only a few panels stand out in any meaningful way. Thankfully though, Steven Sanders and James McKelvie use a similar style so the book has a nice consistent look from start to finish. One thing I absolutely must mention is how horrid Steven Sanders’ take on Beast is. It’s like he’s part cat, part goat, and part Joe Camel…seriously…

Grade: C+

Sky Doll: Doll Factory #1

By Barbara Canepa & Alessandro Barbucci (Writers & Artists)

The Story: Doll’s Factory serves as a companion to the Sky Doll mini-series. There’s a short origin story that leads into the series released by Marvel a while back and a lot of behind the scenes/making of type of material.

The Good And The Bad: How do you feel about paying $5.99 for material that probably should have been put into the Sky Doll hardcover collection that came out some months ago? That’s really the key question that will decide how much you get out of Doll’s Factory #1. While the material is well presented and interesting (especially the short prequel), it isn’t really worth the money unless you are a huge Sky Doll fan. Since it’d be unfair to grade what’s, basically, just bonus material, I’ll instead label it…

For Fans Only!

Supergod #1

By Warren Ellis (Writer), Garrie Gastonny (Art), and Digikore Studios (Colors)

The Story: A scientist explains how the world went to hell as a result of the race to create superhumans that could be worshipped and save the world.

The Good And The Bad: It won’t be for everyone since it is quite dense and rather wordy, but thanks to Warren Ellis’ dry wit, intelligence, and sense of humor, the first issue of Supergod is well worth your time and money. Clever, smart, and damned good looking, Supergod #1 nicely fills the space that opened up when No Hero wrapped up. The two share similar themes, though No Hero was more about the drive to be superhuman while Supergod is more an exploration of the nature and meaning behind the superhero.

Tracker #1

By Jonathan Lincoln (Writer) and Francis Tsai (Artist)

The Story: An FBI agent discovers he’s not quite the same man he was before being found as the lone survivor in a bus full of mutilated people.

The Good And The Bad: Simply put, the first issue of Tracker isn’t a very good comic. From the clichéd main character with a five o’clock shadow and a hilariously stupid name (O’Roark) to the bland, somewhat predictable procedural stuff, nothing about the first issue of Tracker makes me want to follow the story to the end. While the premise of the series is all right and the potential is certainly there, Tracker #1 doesn’t have a particularly compelling or unique hook…or the characters that could possibly make up for the less than interesting things. At least Francis Tsai’s artwork is decent. Tsai’s art looks inconsistent as it jumps from being gritty and rough to polished throughout the book, but the storytelling is fine and the character work gets the job done.

Grade: D+

-Kyle Posluszny

 

Sky Doll #3 – Review

By Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa (Story, Art, and Colors)

Initially, I felt that I would have to come down hard on the third installment of the Sky Doll series because it might leaves too much up in the air for (what I thought to be) a conclusion. As it turns out, Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa are hard at work finishing up the next chapter of the Sky Doll adventure, so I re-read the issue again within that context and found it much more enjoyable than I had first thought. A whole lot happens in the latest installment, but don’t go into the issue expecting to find many answers.

If I had to pick one word to describe issue #3, it would probably be “chaotic.” As the story opens, main characters Jahu, Roy, and Noa find themselves thrust into the media spotlight as part of the coverage for a big religious event known as “The Holy Mission.” They are hastily prepared for a television appearance, thrown before the cameras, and soon caught right in the middle the religious revolution that has been brewing from the beginning. To say much more would undoubtedly lead to spoilers, so instead, let me just say that this issue contains more of what made the first two parts of the story so good. It is an engaging mix of politics, satire, sexuality, and religion that continues to be both personal and epic in scope. There is a large scale sociopolitical event taking place, but the personal journey of the characters caught up in the chaos is what really makes this story so compelling.

Barbucci and Canepa once again bring a fantastic science fiction world to life through vibrant artwork and engaging writing. This issue may be the strongest yet, artistically, because so much is going on and yet it never once feels as though control or direction is lost. The detail, character design, and use of color is some of the best I have ever seen, though I will admit that the style may not be everyone’s sort of thing. As for the writing, my only real complaint is that there is almost too much going on at once in this issue. There is a lot for the reader to digest and while I enjoy a challenging read, I get the feeling I don’t truly have a grasp on every aspect of the story being told. Perhaps the next issue will clear some things up, but considering that there is no telling when it will actually hit, I can’t help but feel a bit unfulfilled by where the story leaves off. There is still a lot I want to know, which is a good thing, but I don’t think this issue is as satisfying as it could have been had I been given a bit more explanation throughout.

If you have enjoyed Noa, Roy, and Jahu’s story thus far, make sure to check out this issue – all the elements that have been building since the first issue come to a head. Just be aware that you may (or should I say will) feel left hanging by some of the plot elements and, as of now, there is no set time frame for when the next part of the story will be released. (Grade B+)

-Kyle Posluszny

Sky Doll #2 – Review

By Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa (Story, Art, and Colors)

I honestly wish I could say something along the lines of “Sky Doll has done it again” and leave it up to the reader to discover how great this comic is on his or her own. But, since that would be a disservice to those coming to this website for a full review, let me just say that Sky Doll continues to be one of the most unique, vibrant, and controversial comics around. This is a high concept, philosophical story complimented by some absolutely incredible visuals. If you enjoyed part one, then by all means pick up this second issue.

Sky Doll #2 picks up where the first issue left off with Jehu, Roy, and stowaway doll Noa making their way to the planet Aqua to visit the planet’s religious leader, Gaia, as missionaries for the Papess Lodovica. On the planet Papathea, Lodovica deals with growing religious discontent as followers of deposed Papess Agape become increasingly more aggressive toward her style of leadership and religious guidance. As with the first issue, there is a great mix of social commentary, satire, sexuality, and political/religious intrigue. I would go into more detail about the story, but I fear giving too much away. Keep in mind, however, that this is a book for mature readers. I mention this because the sexuality is ramped up quite a bit and it is, at times, quite explicit.

Once again Barbucci and Canepa prove that they have a complete, complex, and consistent vision for both the characters and the world of Sky Doll. If I have any complaint with this second issue it is that the plot twists are fairly predictable. The characters continue to be strong and the writing as a whole is both biting and clever. This is a strong story made all the more engaging thanks to the interesting characters and a world with socio-political climate that begs to be examined.

As for the artwork, it continues to be stunning. The planet or Aqua is a visual treat and some images are both beautiful and disturbing. Barbucci and Canepa have a visual style that deftly combines the best of Disney, surrealism, science fiction, and horror. Everything in this book just works. This is one of the best looking books out there, without a doubt.

While this second chapter isn’t quite as strong as the first, but it still ranks as one of my favorite comics of this year or any. Sky Doll is telling a tale that works on a number of levels and it should be checked out by any mature readers looking for something different. I can’t wait for part three. (Grade: A)

-Kyle Posluszny

Sky Doll #1 – Review

By Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa (Story, Art & Colors)

Sky Doll #1 is the first release from Marvel’s new partnership with French publisher Soleil and it leaves me wondering exactly what kind of audience Marvel hopes to reach with this series. I had heard of this critically acclaimed series a while back and, while the first issue gives me the feeling that it deserves the praise, I could easily see Sky Doll becoming a lightning rod for controversy if the mainstream media got wind of it. Allow me to explain what I mean a bit before getting into the review, as I hope it will give everything I write a bit more clarity.

Under a colorful, futuristic, cartoon aesthetic, Sky Doll is, at its core, a pointed criticism of religion, sexual taboos, and society. To be honest, I could probably write pages and pages about the themes and imagery found in this first volume alone, but for simplicity’s sake let me just make clear that this is not a comic for kids, the easily offended, the very religious, or those uncomfortable with (possibly gratuitous) nudity or violence. This work just feels out of place amongst the rest of the Marvel lineup, though by no means do I consider that to be a bad thing. It’s just that Sky Doll is something very unique, very controversial, and, in some ways, groundbreaking both for it’s overall storyline as well as it’s interesting mix of both subtle and blatant dialogue/imagery. I highly recommend this series for anyone with an open mind, while at the same time I urge readers to be ready for something quite a bit different than anything you’ve read before. Now, on to the review…

Sky Doll tells the story of a doll named Noa who discovers that she is quite a bit different from all the other dolls. The “dolls” in question are bought and sold for various tasks or for sexual pleasure, and Noa decides that she’s had enough of life as it is and aims to prove that she is more than just a thing to be used. She stows away, in hopes of a better life, on a ship being used by Roy and Jahu, two emissaries of Papess Lodovica, the religious leader/icon of the city. In addition to the story of Noa and Roy, Sky Doll #1 also introduces us to the fanatical religious climate that permeates through all aspects of the society. Religion is politics, politics is religion, and the media exists to further the ideology through public displays of power like miracles and, what looks like, sacrifice. This is a very radical, possibly oppressive society and the book does not shy away from pointing out the dark side of religious devotion. There are hints throughout the book that Noa truly is much more than her label as a doll and it will be interesting to see how this is developed into what I can only imagine will be a challenge to the society as a whole.

The artwork in Sky Doll is something people will either love or hate. I thought the art was fantastic, as the colorful, vibrant, futuristic world really comes to life thanks to the almost Disney-like style and color palette. This book is extremely eye-catching, though I caution parents again that this is not a kids book, as the character designs are quite risqué, suggestive poses are common, and nudity is quite frequent. I could see someone arguing that the cartoony characters and world do not fit the grim, controversial subject matter, but I don’t think anyone could argue that this book is dull, boring, or uninteresting from a visual standpoint.

As I’ve mentioned before, the world of Sky Doll truly feels both alive and fully realized. The dialogue is realistic, the fanaticism is both understandable and disturbing, and the religious politics on display help to set the stage for Noa’s story and the world she lives in. The realistic, emotional, and, at times, deep, dialogue created memorable characters and relationships that I actually want to see develop. I especially enjoyed both the connection between Roy and Noa and the tension filled friendship of emissaries Roy and Jahu. This was just a strong read all around thanks to the combination of strong characters and a fully realized setting.

Overall, I cannot recommend Sky Doll #1 enough. This was an incredibly strong debut for the Soleil/Marvel partnership and I can only hope that this level of quality continues. I recommend Sky Doll for anyone looking for something unique and something that can be read a bit deeper than your average comic book. The world, the characters, and the art come together in a way that makes me think this series can really be something special. Pick this one up if it sounds even the least bit interesting to you. (Grade: A+)

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

This comic was originally published in the U.S. in Heavy Metal magazine as a special issue. It’s not your typical Marvel comic, so I applaud them for taking the risk and exposing this book to a larger audience.

Like Kyle said in his review, if mainstream media discovers this comic there will be lots of controversies (and sold out copies). It’s not a kiddie book. Lots of sexual innuendos and religion, which usually don’t go together, can be found in several occasions and I’m sure this book will offend many, many Christians.

Personally, I enjoyed this first issue. It’s a fresh original story and a nice getaway from current superhero comics. The art style is funny, cartoon like, and vivid. I’m definitely looking forward to the next issue. (Grade: B+)

-Daniel Yanez

A Third Opinion

What Kyle fails to remember is that Sky Doll is part of Marvel’s MAX imprint. If you take that into consideration, you’ll find that this series perfectly fits in with Marvel’s adult line of comics and is definitely one worth showcasing.

Sky Doll is thought provoking, charming, and a wonder to behold. Marvel is to be commended for bringing this series to the North American market. Hopefully it’ll garner the audience it so rightfully deserves. I’m not sure if it’ll get any kind of backlash from the media or right wing groups, but knowing Marvel’s marketing team, I’m sure they’ve got something brewing to sell more copies.

Despite my accolades for the book, I personally don’t find it to be anything original. Its story very much reminds me of concepts touched upon by Macross Plus, A.I., and Blade Runner. You could even throw in Pinocchio in there if you wanted. Whatever the case, this book is worth checking out. It’s the perfect marriage of story and art. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes

SKY DOLL #1 GIVEAWAY!!!
We have one copy of Sky Doll #1 to give away to a lucky winner. If you’ll like to be included in the giveaway, just post a comment below naming your favorite comic of the month. The contest will be open for roughly a week and winners will be chosen from a random integer generator. Winners will be emailed, and will have 72 hours to respond or be disqualified.