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4 months ago
Doctor Recommended: Update, Review & The Bat Books Part One
Lets take a look back at the last six months in comics. Things weren’t “late 90’s stagnant” for the industry, but the medium needed a kick. DC boldly concocted the ultimate booster shot in the form of 52 new #1 issues representing a brand new continuity which followed the slightly underwhelming “Flashpoint” transition. Many fans were upset and cynical while many non-fans perked up at the opportunity to try DC on for size. Even if readers weren’t privy to architect Geoff Johns, the idea of Jim Lee doing a complete refashioning of these iconic heroes was reason enough to pay attention.
Its interesting to see that even though the main goal of this relaunch was to satisfy an unquantified demand for a day-of-release digital option, sales rocketed for the printed format and DC made out like bandits. This could very well have been a fluke, and understandably many industry oracles braced for a severe decline in sales after everybody and their sister ran out and bought #1 issues like prospectors in a fool’s gold rush. Much to the delight of retailers, publishers and fans alike, people actually read these things, and based on the merits of the stories being told the ship is holding a steady course.
As you can see by the Diamond graphs below, Marvel no longer dwarfs DC, rather balance has been restored in the force. As a result, many independent publishers are getting residual attention and the medium as a whole has been sufficiently revitalized; at least enough to set the stage for growing the overall readership.
Sales for both graphic novels and comics both dipped over the holidays but that was to be expected. Poppa needs a new I-Pad, am I right?
It was unfortunate to see Marvel being forced to make cuts, especially on series that had barely just begun. The new Ghost Rider series (which I was enjoying), X-23, Punisher Max and many others. This is of course due to underwhelming sales, but if we’re being honest, Marvel is suffering the effects of market saturation. Too many books and not enough readers; it makes perfect sense, and I believe this has been the fiercest problem for the industry for many years now. DC was able to trim the fat as a built in feature of their relaunch, and give everyone a way to test the waters without being annoyed by too many kids in the pool crying out for attention.
That said, the big two and each independent or minor publisher out there have much to offer comic book readers both old and new. I plan to sporadically make recommendations on the titles I am reading and enjoying, and I would like in this article to start with what us collectors refer to as “the Batbooks”.
BATMAN
Scott Snyder is the best thing to happen to the bat universe in a long time. Here we have a writer that can effortlessly spin a sprawling yarn without ever once seeming to overdo it. He has the restraint, the nuance and intelligence that elevates the medium, and unlike distinguished talents like Alan Moore, Warren Ellis and dare I say the Frank Miller of yore, he has the level headed graciousness that suggests he’s not prone to fall into a downward spiral of pride and petulance that often impedes longstanding careers with a single company. Yes indeed he is the total package, and he LOVES writing Batman. His teaming with Spawn alumni Greg Capullo was an inspired decision on DC’s part, and while Snyder effortlessly juggles other excellent titles such as Swamp Thing and Severed (we will discuss those at some point) his delving into the history of Gotham and the introduction of the mysterious and omnipresent Court of Owls is indicative of a long, exciting and richly detailed run on what has become the flagship bat title of the new 52.
BATWOMAN
Enough can not be said about Batwoman. J.H Williams III continues to intensify his outstanding craft and explores new ways to visually bedazzle with every frame. This series is easily one of the best that DC has to offer and follows Greg Rucka’s brilliant run on Detective Comics which would later comprise the best selling graphic novel “Elegy”. J.H and co-scripter Hayden Blackman were left to carry on Rucka’s gritty re-imagining of the character after a turbulent departure from DC, and they do not disappoint. The duo is clearly bent on keeping the storytelling as consistent as the art is wildly vivid and experimental. Some people have trouble following this stuff panel to panel, but I find this to be among its strengths. What better comic than one that demands your complete attention and more than a few seconds fixated on a page. It also helps that Kate Kane and those surrounding her are some of the most complex and interesting characters I’ve ever read.
Batwoman seems slightly removed from the rest of the Batbooks in that there is minimal interaction with other characters that aren’t native to Kate Kane’s journey. In this special instance this plays to the strengths of the overall package. This book could only be hampered by the majority of Batman canon, but I presume J.H and company will find interesting ways for certain previously established heroes and villains to cross Kate’s path, and when it happens it will mean something. This is not your average comic, this stands alone as an elite work of collaborative art and is my favorite of the new 52.
BATMAN & ROBIN
I am overjoyed that with this relaunch we are seeing the very best work of two criminally under-appreciated lads named Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. There is a chemistry at work here - with the aid of fantastic inker Mick Gray - that is hitting a sweet spot worthy of what Snyder is attempting to develop in this iteration of Gotham. While Snyder’s story feels large and high octane, these guys are taking a darker, more internalized route that explores the father-son dynamic between Bruce and his complicated, genetically perfected son Damian. Damian is a piece of work; violent, headstrong and seemingly torn between his father’s strict code of ethics and a modus operandi as previously instilled by the Al Ghul’s and their League of Assassins. This character was originally the bi-product of a much debated storyline courtesy of madman Grant Morrison but man I’m I glad it stuck because Damian is without a doubt the most interesting Robin and he gives Batman something far more difficult to engage than the average villain. The adversary at hand is a fascinating antagonist called “Nobody” who pushes and prods Bruce to question his methods while attempting to appeal to Damian’s darker nature. This is a solid, riveting and tension filled book that has an eery look and personality all its own.I eagerly await every installment.
BATGIRL
Sound the horn of celebration: Gail Simone is back to penning Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Just when people were warming up to Stephanie Brown after Cassandra Cain donned the cowl for some time, DC decided it was time for Barbara to climb out of the wheelchair and kick some ass. This is all well and good, but I find that the explanation for this as per the continuity being carried over to the new 52 is a bit insufficient to the point where it feels more like a gimmick than a righteous executive decision. Apparently Barbara was only without her legs for two years after the joker shot her in the spine, and that was like a million years ago to those of us who remember it happening.
Regardless, Simone does what does best and delivers to us very likeable Batgirl as she struggles to overcome a fear of being shot, adjusts to being able to execute vigilante justice and making some mistakes along the way. Ardian Syaf’s art is perfect for the spunky nature of the book; he loves drawing our heroin extending her limbs into the “camera” and plays around with poses and perspective, and the new costume is pretty darn cool. Unfortunately I feel that the title could have used a better initial villain other than “The Mirror” who is yet another “woe is me my family died so everyone must pay” type. We’ve been here before many times, and the revelations and dramatic scenes don’t have the impact they should. Simone seems too caught up in Batgirl’s internal dilemma and charismatic quips to design a decent story arc around her. Her developing relationship with her quirky new Asian roommate shouldn’t be more interesting than what has her bat-panties in a bunch. Here is hoping that Gail gets a bit more inspired as time goes on.
WELL that’s it for now, join me for part two when I talk Batwing, Nightwing, and the incredibly enjoyable Birds of Prey. I probably have to mention Detective Comics and The Dark Knight… but that’s not gonna be pretty.Anyhow this is your Doctor signing off for the evening!
DOCTOR FLUXX
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4 months ago
Doctor Recommended: Mystic #1 Marvel Crossgen
Every once in awhile a well executed first issue takes you by surprise and darts straight for your heart. Here is strong proof that the steampunk fantasy genre deserves more exploration in comics, especially when the creative team is sympatico about generating some Disney grade charm with its characters. Writer G. Willow Wilson, artists David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez, and colorist Nathan Fairbairn have me on board for what promises to be a great 4 issue romp.
Life is hard in a Hyperion orphanage for teens Viv and Giselle. Naive and hopeful Viv secretly studies up on the local mysticism and believes that things will eventually get better, but best friend Giselle is fed up and wants out now; to flee their circumstances and their ruthless, demanding headmistress. It doesn’t take long in the outside world for the wayward peasants to get pounced on by destiny.
Eisner Award-nominated Wilson is smart to spend this first episode focused on endearing these girls to the reader. One could argue there are a few very familiar mechanics at work here that could qualify as tropes - rags to riches and whatnot - but these are the kind of themes and situations that never get old. Most importantly the world is gently unfolding and explained through the interactions and observations of its characters and never once gets anywhere close to exposition. I like when a plot briskly becomes apparent with cinematic ease and this does it swimmingly.
The art and colors are vibrant and perfect for the spirited tone established. Lopez’s style has a way of feeling animated, and it was easy for me to imagine these pictures in motion. I sincerely hope this book catches on enough to warrant an ongoing series (as presumptuous as that may be) in fact I’m not ashamed to admit that it should be ideal reading for the ladies out there looking for a quick fix outside of the big two universes.
I’ve never read CrossGen books before, I know Ron Marz and company founded it some time ago. If “Mystic” is exemplary of their titles than I am going to have to pay closer attention. I can always appreciate an all ages book that capitalizes on its own simple charms and HEY lets have more of this marriage of magic and industry in a Renaissance bun. More of that please.
DOCTOR FLUXX
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Notes: 877 / 4 months ago from philnoto
Holmes and Watson
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Notes: 1 / 4 months ago
I was thinking this for a clothing or perfume line…
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Notes: 1 / 4 months ago
Behold: The New Blog.
As many thousands of people would have never been the wiser, my personal website was recently dissolved. Credit for this unfortunate reality is owed to the unmitigated reactionary agendas of an impossibly evil pug nosed bitch, one that I used to have the displeasure of working with at the web development agency that provided me the tools to make it. There is a story here that I hope to exploit in the future, but hey, lets not begin this new blog with venomous tongue lashings, it doesn’t become me.
Ehhhh you know, on the other hand I’ve never been one for convention so lets go ahead with that anyways. I’d like to offer a resounding FUCK YOU to Gina of Homespun Websites. There is a special place in hell for thunderous, self important lady-beasts. The truth is before I edited this post I had said it fourteen other times before the proceeding paragraph and that did seem a tad excessive. In case you’re suspicious that this person doesn’t necessarily deserve such abrasive sentiment I would refer you to the mythology of Medusa the Gorgon for premise.
Hey geeks! I have this new blog and its on Tumblr! I suppose its for the better. This is a fresh new chance for me to get my house in order and blast you with ingenious rants and musings the way any real man should.
I want to make it perfectly clear that this ain’t gonna be your stepdaddy’s blog about golf and deli sandwiches, no sir. There’s gonna be “this”, “that”, and a whole bunch of “the other thing”. I will churn out useless information so furiously that it will spin your brain in its pan and get your spinal fluids all hot and bubbly.
Comics, video games, film, music the occasional fury against more severe injustices; you’re getting the total uncensored package. Its like this blog is the soapbox I could never literally stand on because I’m not sure how to identify one from an ordinary box.
This is your doctor saying I’ll be chatting at you soon so RSS feed this badboy and succumb to a process I like to call “The Geekening”!
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