Rob G’s Top Ten Number #1’s

The following list is my picks for the best first issues, based on comics that have been released during by tenure as a hobbyist, i.e the past twenty years. They are from series that were or are ongoing series, not minis. The only factor in choosing these books was simple: Greatness.

1. Y The Last Man

Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra

Unmatched storytelling and utterly masterful writing. So many plot threads perfectly bundled up in perhaps the best example of non-linear storytelling.

2. Four Eyes

Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara

An incredibly unique story, told perfectly with outstanding art. Whips you up and takes you to a place that is both familiar and fantastic.

3. Preacher

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

Like Y The Last Man, an expertly crafted story, with brilliant pacing and perfect dialogue. Plus, insanely novel concepts and characters.

4. The Walking Dead

Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

A regular paged issue that seems like a novella. Haunting, engaging, fun and most importantly, Rick is a character you want to travel with.

5. Batman and Robin

Grant Morrison and Frank Quietley

Morrison and Quietly. Usually that says it all, but this was something unexpected with its new take on the dynamic duo, creating a new mythos rather than perfecting an old one– like they do in All Star Superman.

6. Planetary

Warren Ellis and John Cassady

Mind-bending and genre-jarring. Ellis scoops you up while Cassaday blows you away. For Sci-Fi, there is Firefly for TV and Planetary for Comics.

7. All Star Superman

Grant Morrison and Frank Quietley

Everything Superman should be  in both character  and appearance. Also, perhaps the best colored comic in the past 15 years.

8. The Ultimates

Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch

The Avengers you want and a team of characters that make sense. Story hits you as the art wows.

9. Ultimate Spider-Man

Brian Bendis and Mark Bagely

The best Spider-Man ever. Period. Perhaps the most endearing comic character ever created. Instant love.

10. The Unwritten/Invincible

Mike Carey and Peter Gross/Robert Kirkman and Corey Walker

Both these issues set up addicting stories and characters. Like the other comics in this list, greatness was evident from the get-go.

Be sure to weigh-in in the comment section!

Four Eyes #3 – Review

By Joe Kelly (writer) Max Fiumara (pencils, inks), and Nestor Pereyra (colors)

The Story: Our protagonist Enrico, full of pure innocence and unbridled optimism, goes on his first dragon egg hunt with a pack of unseemly and desperate characters. While working out his pervasive sense of loss over the death of his father, he meets other members of Boccini’s crew, as he travels into a dead-end, dragon-infested cave; where he meets this comic’s name sake.

What’s Good: Alright, I’m gonna try not to gush like a fanboy and keep some objective editorialism (yeah, I know, I made that last word  up), but really, this comic is magnificent. As much as I am in awe of Joe Kelly’s scripting and plotting, it’s Max Fiumara who gets to put a star on his refrigerator for this issue.  I wouldn’t believe he could top the dragon designs in the past couple issues, but he did. In fact, he destroyed them. The pandemonium in the cave, “when dragons attack,” was gloriously drawn. The scenes were emotive in the sense that I could feel the terror the humans were experiencing as the dragon tore into them. All the action in each panel was clear and the unique style that characterizes Fiumuara’s pencils remained in tact. Characters were expressive and natural. Setting, depth, and perspective were all precise.

Now, onto Kelly. This whole project works on so many levels and this issue exemplifies them all. First off, like any good story, it all hinges on the characters that comprise the story. From Fawkes, the tough as nails foreman with a soft heart, to Enrico’s caring mother, the whole cast is great. Obviously, Enrico is the motor of the whole story and he is an easy character to fall in love with. The way he handles his father’s death, specifically his near-euphoria in following in his footsteps even though it is clearly an almost certain death sentence, is very powerful and a depiction true to human nature.

The overall story here is classic and formulaic, especially the ending, and many aspects of the tale feel familiar. But perhaps ironically,  this doesn’t detract from the novelty of this tale. I mean we are talking about dragons and the great depression here–not exactly a common concept. Also, the fact that this is told masterfully, even the predictable events are highly enjoyable to read.

What’s Not So Good: With this comic as it stands on its own? Not a thing. However, the release dates and stability of this series is a real issue. But, let’s save that for the….

Conclusion: Obviously, the lateness of this issue’s release and the uncertainty of when the next issue is coming is frustrating. Very frustrating, in fact. I applaud Joe Kelly for owning up to this problem and formulating a plan to get back on track. But the reality is is that this stability is over half a year away, which is really disappointing from a customer’s perspective. Ultimately, the strength of this series will overcome the disastrous logistical end of it. Yet this is still a major gripe.

All that aside, this is my favorite comic on the stands right now, as it even ranks up there with my all-time favorites. I cannot remember being as sold on a series so early on as I am with Four Eyes. I am psyched about the ability of this series to appeal to a wide and diverse audience and I hope it catches on. This is a series that is good for the whole comic medium and its advancement.

Grade: A

-Rob G.