Secret Service #4 – Review

By: Mark Millar (writer), Dave Gibbons (art), Matthew Vaughn (co-plotter), Andy Lanning (inks), Angus McKie (colorist)

The Story: After some setbacks, a young spy-in-training gets taken under his uncle’s wing.

Quick Review: This was a pretty sharp issue.  It is well-paced, has an enjoyable story and a sharp sense of humor.  Getting art from Dave Gibbons isn’t hurting things either as the whole product looks very nice.

If I have a complaint about the issue and series its that we are still watching this young spy-to-be working his way through training.  We’ve been on this story for a few issues now.  To recap, the basic story of Secret Service is that England’s #1 spy (James Bond, without the use of that trademarked name) who brings his lowbrow nephew into the spy agency as a way to “save” him: he saw the teen growing up in a lousy environment, with lousy alcoholic divorced parents and decided to get him “out of there” before he turned into another useless street punk.  It’s much the same thing as when at-risk kids in the U.S. join the military.  Thus far, we’ve seen that the kid is highly capable at the physical tasks, but lacking the spit and polish to be a truly successful spy.  Even though we’ve kinda been stuck in training mode for a few issues, the final challenge they come up with for the kid and his resolution are so cool that I didn’t really mind that much.  It’s almost like Millar had this one more “awesome” scenario to convey and since it’s his book, he was able to tell it.  It was also very cool watching the kid get fashion tips from his uncle.  Hopefully some of the comic fans reading the issue will pick up a tip or two…..

The Secret Service #3 – Review

By: Mark Millar (writer), Dave Gibbons (art), Matthew Vaughn (co-plotter), Andy Lanning (inks), Angus McKie (colors)

The Story: The nephew of England’s best secret agent goes through his training to become a super spy.

Review: This is a very solid issue.  It isn’t something you’ll be telling your grandchildren about someday, but it isn’t one of those comics that you read and think, “Why am I buying this crap?” either.

Mark Millar does series with an eye towards movies.  You’ll hear a lot of fans peeing all over that concept, but I’ve never heard a good rationale for why that is inherently bad.  Of course…none of us likes to read a failed screenplay that was turned into a comic.  That’s just insulting.  But Millar’s comics (like Secret Service) are really entertaining screenplays turned into comics.  Fun stories are fun stories.

It does seem that Millar has two types of stories though.  He has the vulgar, over-the-top comics that will need a LOT of editing on the way to becoming a film (Kick-Ass, Wanted, Nemesis) and then he has his series that play it pretty darn straight and even gives the series a lot of heart (Superior which could totally be a Stephen Spielberg movie).  Secret Service is more of the latter.  There are a few moments where Millar might toss in something a touch vulgar, but it’s just make sure you’re paying attention.

The Secret Service #1 – Review

By: Mark Millar (writer), Matthew Vaughn (co-plotter), Dave Gibbons (art), Angus McKie (colors)

The Story: A little, Kick-Ass-style deconstruction of the superspy genre?

Review (with SPOILERS): Much like Kick-Ass asked the question, “What would really happen if people tried to be spandex-wearing superheroes?” Secret Service is having the same type of thought about the James Bond/superspy genre.  That genre of entertainment is just about as silly as superheroes since there’s no way a James Bond or Jason Bourne character could really pull off all those amazing stunts and escapes because the bad guys are almost never that inept and humans just aren’t that durable: we break and die.

That point is driven home during a surreal first scene where some bad guys have kidnapped Mark Hamill (a.k.a. Luke Skywalker).  A superspy shows up to save him and we go though all the Bond-esque stuff: amazing feats of marksmanship, cool technologies against henchmen, etc.  But, when the time comes to jump the snowmobile off the cliff and open the Union Jack-themed parachute  (ripped right form that thrilling scene in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me with Sir Roger Moore as Bond), you wait, and you wait… Then SPLAT!  And, you know what?  That’s probably about how it would work in real life.  Even the world’s elite warriors and spies just can’t string together 20 incredible feats in a row.

All of this is backdrop for a bigger story that the creators want to tell us.  It features as a main character a British superspy…a colleague of the guy who went splat.  We come to learn that although this guy is very Bond-esque in his mannerism and customs, he grew up poor.  And not poor in the sense of “workman takes his lunchpail to work everyday…” We’re talking about what we’d call in the United States “redneck trash”: uneducated, lousy teenage juvenile delinquent teenage kids, unstable families, recreational drug use by the parents, little kids rolling joints for the parents, mothers shacking up with loser guys, etc.   So, this guy somehow bettered himself and “escaped” from this vicious cycle of poor education and low expectations.  However, we’ve seen this movie before: The lowbrow family is always having problems that require the protagonist to step away from their better life to “fix” one of their problems…..and he sighs, rolls his eyes, but helps out because he loves his family even if he DOES think they are a bunch of losers.  Millar has this theme nailed.

DC Universe Legacies #4 – Review

by: Len Wein (writer), Scott Kolins (artist), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (penciller), Dave Gibbons (inker)

The Story: Paul Lincoln continues his narration of the history of the D.C. Universe to, as of yet, and unknown audience, but for the time being, us, the reader.  After the emergence of the Silver Age of Superheroes, vigilante crime fighting is in an upswing, as we see heroes back on the streets, fighting to protect the people.  And this time, they’re back with sidekicks.  But is it possible to have too many heroes?

The Good: I don’t know how Len Wein does it, but with such a vast array of history, he really narrows down the high points of the DCU history and presents it in a clear, concise manner that is easy to follow.  This particular issues brings back some of the Golden Age heroes, the Silver Age heroes and introduces the next generation, the Teen Titans.  One would think that this would be too much for one book, but Wein is a talented writer and really does a good job, combining them into one issue.  Not great, but good.

A definite highlight of the book is the pairing of the Golden Age heroes fighting alongside of the Silver Age heroes, perhaps a nod to the ideology of Kingdom Come.  Wein continues to map out the ground work of DCU on every page of this issue, keeping it interesting and entertaining.  Thus far, I haven’t had the feeling of rolling my eyes as I relive some of the greatest moments of the DCU history.

Scott Kolins’ artistry of the first two pages of the issue is very reminiscent of the style of Alex Ross, which is a nice touch to the nostalgic tale of the story.  The detail is so strong that I feel as though I’m looking at photographs with word bubbles drawn on them to better tell the story.

DC Universe Legacies #3 – Review

by Len Wein (writer), Scott Kolins (artist), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (penciller) and Dave Gibbons (inker)

The Story: Len Wein continues his story telling, through the voice of narrator Paul Lincoln, as he recounts what he remembers of the onset of an expected new group of superheroes, after the United States government so hastily pushed aside its first generation of costumed avengers.  But is the world ready to welcome back the idea of costumed vigilantes?

The Good: I have to start out with saying that I really enjoyed the artwork in this issue.  A combination of Kolins, Garcia-Lopez and Gibbons all work together really well to capture a sense of nostalgia in every frame.  There isn’t much flow from panel to panel, and really, there shouldn’t be.  The idea is that this is a story being told from one old man’s memory.  Instead, we see almost snapshots, traveling from specific memory detail to specific memory detail, as Paul Lincoln remembers it all happening.

We also learn that our narrator had also spent some time as a police officer.  This seemed a strong reference to the fact that we are surrounded by costumed superheroes every day, who go by different titles, such as police officer, fireman, doctor, etc.  We are all human and have the ability to do great things.  We don’t need to search for heroes from another planet.  Besides, as Paul’s partner, Officer John Jones, tells us “…there are no aliens on earth.”

Elephantmen #25 – Review

By: Richard Starkings (writer), art by various

The Story: In a recap of sorts, we follow the inner monologue of one of Hip and Ebony’s fellow agents at the Information Agency, as he reflects on the history of the Elephantmen.

What’s Good: I love Elephantmen, but this is the first really good “jumping on point” issue that has come out since the series started.  It gives a nice recap of the series to date, complete with lots of footnotes to previous issues if you want to know more.  Of course, you’d be better off buying the trades or tracking down the back issues, but if you refuse to do that, this issue will get you pretty well caught up before spending the last 2 pages introducing the ominous new story arc that will carry this series for the near future (which looks like a lot of fun, btw).

The other hook on this anniversary issue is that it is drawn with 25 splash pages, each by a different artist.  In some ways, this issue is a little like having an Elephantmen themed sketch-book.  Not surprisingly, my favorite page was by Ladronn who is probably most responsible for the look of the series.

Wednesday Comics #2 – Review

By Gaiman, Allred, Berganza, Galloway, Pope, Palmiotti, Conner, Didio, Lopez, Nowlan, Calwell, Kubert, Kerschl, Fletcher, Simonson, Stelfreeze, Azzarello, Rossio, Gibbons, Sook, Baler, Bullock, Heuck, Acudi, Bermelo, Busiek, Quinones

The Story: The fun, thrills, suspense, and drama continues! DC’s newest creation just might be the comics event of the decade.

What’s Good: Last week’s installment was great, but this week was even better. The stories progressed and improved in interesting and unexpected directions and  I still got a kick out of the newspaper style format. Basically the stories I enjoyed last week, I ended up loving this week, and a few stories that I was iffy about last week, I became hooked on this week. Case-in-point was Green Lantern, which I thought was one of the weakest last installment, but now it’s probably the strongest this week. The Superman story also was on a whole new level this week as it explored his relationship with Batman to perfection. Plus, the art was just jaw-dropping on this strip. The Flash story was also particularly memorable.

It’s hard to put into words, but there is just something intangibly excellent about this whole project. It elicits engrossment and  wonderment that is rarely found in any medium. It’s some type of literary magic that is both ethereal and tangible.

What’s Not So Good: Once again, the Wonder Woman story was something that didn’t attract me at all. I just can’t get into it and I really question why the creator had to tell the story so tersely. It doesn’t lend itself to this format. That being said, the take on the character is unique.

Conclusion: Choose your sports metaphor: a home run; a touchdown, score, goal, or whatever, DC wins big once again with Wednesday Comics. Lee Bemejo gets MVP from this outing.  With DC Wednesday Comics being even better than last week, this work warrants an…

Grade: A+

-Rob G.

DC Wednesday Comics #1 – Review

By Gaiman, Allred, Berganza, Galloway, Pope, Palmiotti, Conner, Didio, Lopez, Nowlan, Calwell, Kubert, Kerschl, Fletcher, Simonson, Stelfreeze, Azzarello, Rossio, Gibbons, Sook, Baler, Bullock, Heuck, Acudi, Bermelo, Busiek, Quinones.

The Story: The Bat-Signal is thrown. Jim Gordon greets Batman bleary-eyed and torn, as the Dark Knight stands on the spotlight and listens. He learns about the abduction of one of Gotham’s best, and how he is set to be murdered at midnight.  Batman looks at the clock, which reads 11:59 PM. Batman crouches and reaches for his Bat-Hook. The scene cuts to the abducted being suffocated. The end of part 1.

This story and fourteen other newspaper styled comic shorts compose this groundbreaking venture by DC Comics.

What’s Good: In a general sense, what’s not to love about Wednesday comics? It’s a newspaper of super hero comics created by some of the greatest talent out there. Seriously, if this doesn’t appeal to you then there is something wrong with your comic book soul.

I would say that 95% of the stories here are all-out winners. The ones that work best are the ones that have the greatest hook, as in most cases, there are only a handful of panels to get the reader interested in the story. The best stories in my opinion were the Batman, Kamandi, Hawkman, Flash and Superman; mostly because of the great art.

As I read these stories, I was pulled into the sense of pure wonder that DC elicits profoundly in a reader. Some stories are fun (Metal Men), some are deep (Flash and Kamandi), some are thrilling (Batman), some have great multi-character work (Metamorpho)  and some are just poetic, like the Hawkman story. There’s a little for every comic book fan in this newspaper.

What’s Not So Good: The Wonder Woman story was terrible and nearly impossible to understand. I didn’t even finish reading it. Also, the Green Lantern was underwhelming and had no hook whatsoever. But, really you can’t hate on this comic/newspaper because of a few blown stories when there are still more installments coming every week for the next couple months.

Conclusion: This is really cool stuff, and kudos to DC for making this happen and for making such a daring and novel move. The last time I was this excited about a comic book medium was when I was a kid and there was a cereal that had comics in its box, that even had a “page” on the back (Does any WCBR reader remember this too?).  This should be their next 52 week project.

It’s not just the idea that works here, but the comics are actually mostly excellent as long as your willing, as a reader, to try a new form. This is an incredibly diverse selection of styles and stories and it just works brilliantly. I cannot wait for next week’s installment of Wednesday Comics.  I would totally give this an A+, but my boss Ray would give me a virtual wack and correctly remind me that a few of these stories didn’t deliver and we only give A+’s to near perfection. However, this is the first time that I can remember when I have given two different books from the same company an “A” in the same week. Nevertheless, DC has done it with a great Green Lantern #43 and this awesome invention.

Grade: A

– Rob G.