Superman: The Secret Years #4 (of 4),

Well, the joy couldn’t last. Once again, Superboy is down in the dumps. First his arch-enemy escaped Juvenile, then his roommate was paralyzed from the waist down after drunk driving, then his girlfriend turned out to be a mermaid who went back to live with her people. To top things off, Superboy’s best friend died in a fiery accident and the Boy of Steel was just seconds too late to save him.

 

In order to ease his pains, Superboy goes off to live with the survivors of the Bermuda Triangle, who were discovered to have found paradise in a parallel universe a couple of issues ago. With Superboy gone, all hell has broken loose as Lex Luthor has taken control of the USA’s nuclear arsenal and will destroy earth, unless the Boy of Steel agrees to die at Chrome Dome’s hands.

How will this work? Well, let’s just say that Luthor’s come up with a way to steal Superboy’s powers and thus if and when Superboy ever answers Luthor’s challenge it’s going to be an uneven fight in the opposite direction.

The biggest conflict in this issue isn’t if Superboy will defeat Luthor but will he be reached in time to keep earth from being vaporized. Remember, Superboy is on a parallel earth and despite super-hearing can’t hear Luthor’s global communiqué. Thankfully Superboy created a sort of dog-whistle and pre-cursor to Jimmy Olsen’s signal watch in order to give to his best friend in case of emergency and we all know how that turned out.

Perry White in his pre-editorial days at the Daily Planet plays a major part in this conclusion to the Secret Years. 'Where’s Superboy?' has become the leading headline and solving this question could earn the reporter who breaks that story a Pulitzer- and editorship of the Planet. I’m just glad White was around to offer some sage fatherly advice that Clark Kent has sorely been missing in this mini-series. So, all-in-all, I was very happy with how this series ended.

Lastly, I want to talk about the cover art. It features a pre-Dark Knight Returns Frank Miller. I’ve really enjoyed these covers. But, this one of Superman in a very patriotic pose is one of my favorites. It’s classic Superman!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars (Overall series rating: 8.75)

Superman: The Secret Years #3 (of 4)

 

Things seem to be looking up for Clark Kent. Even though Luthor is on the loose, Kent has a new girlfriend, and new best friend, and he’s discovered the secret of the Bermuda Triangle. Things couldn’t be better!

 

But on the night Lori Lemaris is set to return to her people, a dam bursts in the Western US and Superboy must do the right thing and save the day. Only as he’s set to return to Metropolis, his new best friend is trapped in a raging inferno. I think you see where this is going…

 

Will the Boy of Steel be able to save his friend before it’s too late?

 

A great third chapter in the Secret Years of Superboy. I like a happy Clark Kent a lot better than one who wallows in self-pity. The art is classic and clean and like I mentioned earlier, the dialogue scripting is fantastic.

 

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Superman: The Secret Years #2 (of 4)

 With the drunk driving accident of one of his roommates, Clark Kent feels responsible that he wasn’t able to save his friend from becoming paralyzed. Down in the dumps, the Boy of Steel tries to take his mind off of things while searching for a number of planes and boats that have disappeared recently in the Bermuda Triangle.

But life seems to want to get in the way. Lex Luthor has escaped- AGAIN! A mysterious young co-ed in a wheelchair literally falls into Kent’s lap and steals his heat. And a freshman to Metropolis U appears on Clark’s doorstep, claiming to be from his hometown, desperate to become his best friend. Aside from a case of hero worship, it turns out Clark has no idea who this kid is.

This second chapter in the untold years of Superboy’s life right before becoming Superman was very well done. The story paid an excellent tribute to the golden age of comics with the appearance of Lori Lemaris. Also, the scripting is superb when it comes to Clark Kent interacting with his roommates and classmates around campus. What is annoying is Superboy’s self-deprecating inside voice. I like my Superboy/man to be confident. I guess it’s needing in order for the super hero to eventually grow up but I just don’t prefer a whiny and uneasy Clark Kent. I think that’s why I liked it when after the Crisis, DC brought back the Kents instead of having them die right after Clark graduates high school.

True, Clark has his moments of self-doubt in the Post-Crisis comics. But, he’s got Ma and Pa Kent to help center him. That sort of sage advice is sorely lacking for Superboy in this series.

Aside from that, the series is pretty good and it’s growing into a hidden treasure in my vast comic book collection.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Superman: The Secret Years #1 (of 4)

Sometime in the late 70s and early 80s, a series of short stories were published in the back of certain Superman themed comics that told of Clark Kent’s days at Metropolis U. The series only lasted a couple of years with about a dozen tales total. The writers of the series desperately wanted to continue telling some untold tales of Superboy as he was growing into the Man of Steel. But for various reasons, the project never manifested. Now, it’s 1985 and with the history erasing Crisis on Infinite Earth’s quickly approaching, it was do or die time to conclude the early days of Clark Kent.

  In this first issue, Clark is still Superboy and is asked by Kansas officials to help recapture Lex Luthor, who has escaped from a juvenile detention facility. While searching for Luthor in his spare time, Clark Kent must come to terms being the only boy out of a group of 4 dorm mates without living parents. Also, one of his roomies is succumbing to alcoholism. When Luthor finally makes his plans known, it’s up to Superboy to save Metropolis from the fiend’s criminal intentions. Sadly, it’s a decision and action that may cost Kent the life of his roommate.

   I enjoyed this tale, but in this first chapter, I really didn’t know what was going on. I had never read any of the college years tales of Clark Kent before. In fact, my little spiel at the beginning of this review was all comic book history that I didn’t learn until a “Letter from the Editor” article at the end of this issue. Now that I know more of the background of Superman: The Secret Years, I think the rest of this miniseries will be more enjoyable.

  Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

The Tick, Free Comic Book 2013 Edition

 

I normally don’t buy Free Comic Book Edition comics unless I find them in a bargain bin. My idea is if you can’t get the free comic when it was available then tough. But, I made an exception with this one. Actually, I didn’t even know that this existed until about 4 months ago when I got a flyer from my all-time favorite comic book by-mail seller, Mile High Comics. The flyer listed all of the 2013 FCBD issues that were still for sale. At $2.99 or higher, I wasn’t about to shell out my hard earned cash for something I couldn’t get for free just a few months earlier.

 

Again, I figured I’d have to way to find them in a dollar box. Then I saw the 2013 FCBD Tick. I just had to have it. Thankfully, Mile High was having a massive 60% sale (fans who subscribe to their newsletter get in on some sweet sales.) So, my $3.99 Tick ended up costing about a $1.70. I could live with that!

 

In this Free Comic Book Day offering, the Tick, Arthur, and some of their superhero buddies spend a day at the beach. The Tick looks for sea shells. Bumbling Bee and the rest of the friends of Tick and Arthur get their drink freak on. And Arthur gets a major case of sunburn. As the night approaches, the super heroes decide to go on a trolley tour of the City, when a strike force of underwater creatures that look a lot like hermit crabs invade! So much for a night out on the town!

 

This issue was super funny. I laughed out loud several times. I thought it was very smartly written and totally insane (mostly Tick) at the same time. Even better, this issue was in full color!

 

I am on the prowl for Tick comics and they are such a rare treat. Now that New England Comics has issued 3 FCBD Tick Comics in the past 4 years, I now am on the annual hunt for the newest Tick freebie adventure. If you can’t find this in a bargain bin, do yourself a favorite, subscribe to the Mile High Comics newsletter, look for details in the super duper cod word sale and get this issue (on a steep discount.) You’ll be very glad you did.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

The Twelve, Volume 2 (Continuing a Thrilling Novel of Tomorrow)

 

Things are looking bleak for the Twelve as they attempt to adjust to modern day society. One is in jail for murders linked to his firearms and a cold case from the 1940s, another is having trouble being relevant in Hollywood, yet another must keep his mind control powers in check or face a possible aneurysm. All the while several others of the Twelve are coming to terms with the loss of loved ones, friends, and sidekicks.

    As in the first volume, someone is killing stereotypes and all evidence point to at least one or more of the Twelve as the culprit. Now when one of the Twelve is mutilated, it’s up to the masked vigilante known as the Phantom Reporter to get to the end of these murders.

   Volume 2 was much better than volume 1. It did not seem so much like a Watchmen rip-off. The idea behind the story was in relation to the 70^th anniversary of Marvel Comics. I liked the old school approach. However, my favorite story involving the Twelve was a one-shot inserted at the end of volume 2.

    Titled The Twelve: Spearhead, that tale explained how the Twelve wound up in the European theatre. There are some great action sequences where members of the Twelve are teamed with Captain America, the Whizzer, Human Torch and Toro, and Prince Namor giving the what-not to the Nazis. The book fitting ends where the Twelve began, falling into a Nazi trap and over 6 decades of suspended animation sleep.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

FCBD 2013 Rated Free for Everyone (FCBD 2013)

 

Rated Free For Everyone is a collection of kids titles published by Oni Press. I’ve been quite impressed with Oni over the years and they publish quality work. This 2013 Free Comic Book Day offering is no exception.

    The star of the book is Mermin. He’s the little amphibian creature you see riding a Orca and enjoying it. In Mermin’s story, he goes on a field trip with some children to an aquarium. Unfortunately, due to his aquatic nature, Mermin doesn’t understand that you look at the fish from behind glass- not go swimming in hopes of making new friends. At any moment, I expected to see Leonard Nimoy swim by. (Let me know if you get the reference.) It was a very funny story and would not mind getting my hands on future editions.

 Riding the killer whale with Merman and looking scared to death is Crogan. Crogan is a Hessian soldier during the Revolutionary War. But he’s a good guy- so maybe he’s wearing the uniform of a Hessian he killed (not sure.) Anyway, Crogan and his men learn some important lessons about the importance of command and trust those you’ve just met. It was a good story, but not as good as the Mermin tale.

 

Both stories are kid friendly. But I would put Mermin’s tale at ages 7 and up and the Crogan tale at 10 and up. There’s nothing really objectionable, it’s just that Mermin has some big words and there is killing of redcoats and minutemen in Crogan’s story. So, parents will want to take note of that.

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

HULK AND THE AGENTS OF S.M.A.S.H. + AVENGERS ASSEMBLE (FCBD)

Thanks to the plethora of Marvel Comics movies, the animated world is dominated by Marvel Comics. In this 2013 Free Comic Book Day offering, fans of Disney XD’s Hulk and the Agents of SMASH and Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes get a rare treat seeing these series get the comic book treatment. I’ve not done the research, but I am sure these two series eventually became comic books- even briefly. However, I’m not happy with at least one these Marvel’s approaches.

  The Avengers story was an original piece designed to help non-viewers learn who’s a part of the show. I enjoyed it. It captured the spirit of the cartoon very well, while keeping in some sort of balance with the Avengers live-action film.

   What I hated was the Agents of SMASH story. It wasn’t an original story. Heck, it wasn’t even based on original art. Like the Ultimate Spider-man comic based on the cartoon of the same name, the Agents of SMASH story was based on an episode from the show. In fact, even panel was taken from the cartoon as well. There’s no originality to this work whatsoever. I will be mighty disappointed if Marvel continued that trend in an ongoing comic of Agents of SMASH.

   Parents shouldn’t be discouraged from letting their kids read this comic nor what the shows they are based on. But I know if I was a kid and I got a comic based on the show and it wasn’t a totally new story, I would’ve felt gyped.  It would be one thing if Marvel at least drew new art around an old story used on the show, but they don’t. Marvel has for years made adaptions of movies and TV shows and draw new art for already published stuff (I.E. The Star Wars comic series and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.) So, why buck the norm? Until Marvel decides to stop publishing its TV shows in comic form verbatim and with still photos from the show, I am not going to waste my money or time or a series like Agents of SMASH.

 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Twelve, volume 1: a Thrilling Novel of Tomorrow

 

The Twelve is a clever idea to explain why many of the super-heroes from the 1940s disappeared and were never heard from again in the annuals of Marvel Comics history- until now. When a dozen B-list heroes are captured and placed in suspended animation just hours before the Allies occupy World War II Berlin, the world passes them over like a forgotten keepsake in a dusty attic. Thanks to an excavation project to build a new parking lot in present day Berlin, the Twelve are recovered and shipped to American for de-freezing and adjustment therapy into the present day.

    This is exactly what happens to Captain America in First Avenger a couple of years later. So, it’s possible that this series inspired a Marvel movie. However, I feel like a lot of this series takes its inspiration from DC’s Watchmen. The series is about a bunch of super heroes that find that they no longer fit into the world they helped create. The only difference is that the Watchmen aged with their world, these Twelve heroes did not.

     The American government takes them in and ‘repays’ them for their duty in WWII by provided clothes, food, and a roof over their heads in hopes that they’ll eventually become agents of the government once again after their transition period has completed. It very well could go south very fast were it not for a murder mystery building in the wings.

   Someone is killing stereotypes- gays, people of color, gangs and such. The evidence is pointing to some of the Twelve. So just who is the murderer? The suspense hits a fevered pitch when the series takes a small flash forward and shows one of the Twelve lying in a pool of blood.

   Thanks to a great mystery hiding behind a thinly veiled allegory for the end of American innocence, the Twelve is actually pretty good. The art is very good and I love the ‘pulp’ feel of the covers. I cannot wait to see what happens in volume 2.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Adventures of Dr. McNinja, volume 2: Timefist

Well, it didn’t take very long for me to return to the strange world of Dr. McNinja. Part ninja, part doctor, all Irish (?)- and completely insane, in this volume Doctor McNinja experiences a number of space/time continuum bending adventures. First, The McNinja family has their annual battle with a clan of pirates and we learn the not-so terrible secret behind how McNinja was able to obtain a degree in every field. Then McNinja and a time-travelling clone of the mayor must hi-jack a space shuttle to prevent sentient dinosaurs from outer space from retaking control of the earth. Lastly, McNinja and the mayor clone end up in an alternate time-line in the future, during which said space dinosaurs have ruled the world with an iron stumpy fist for 2 decades.

 

While I very much enjoyed this volume and hope to get my hands on more titles in the future, this volume wasn’t quite as good as the first. The biggest problem was that there was a lot of references to works I hadn’t read yet. Dr. McNinja has been a web series for years and those stories have been reprinted before. Yet, Dark Horse Comics has only published 2 volumes; neither of which contain any of the stories that Christopher Hastings references to in his editorial comments.

 

Also making this story not quite as good as the first is the quantum mechanics of the plot. I love time travel and alternate timeline stories. These tales are very good. However, they may be a little too good. One thing that makes me a fan of Doctor Who is the Timey-Wimey/ Wibbly-Wobbly nature of time travel- meaning time can be rewritten. In this series, time can’t be rewritten, thus if someone travels in time, they create parallel universes, much like Marty does in Back to the Future (parts 1, 2, and 3- but mostly 2.) There’s even a chart in the last story that makes some of the timeline confusion involve a little less head scratching. It helps, but it’s a lot of information to keep straight.

 

Lastly, I want to give kudos to the short story at the end of this volume. I mentioned in my review of volume 1 that Dr. McNinja reminds me so much of Axe Cop, that I heard Axe Cop’s voice when McNinja talks. Well, in this book, I’m hearing double as McNinja and Axe Cop meet for a tale that involves pizzas that turn it’s eaters into blobbish mutants. No, this isn’t an allegory for the obesity problem in America in relation to fast food. Well, it might be, but I think it was unintentional. The team-up was also and I hope the two heroes of the bizarre will reunite real soon. Hopefully, the big-wigs at Fox will take note and add Dr. McNinja to their Animation Domination line-up on Saturday nights. (As well as renew Axe Cop for some new episodes.)

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Hawkeye, volume 2: Little Hits (Marvel NOW!)

 

The continuing Marvel adventures of Hawkeye is one of the best series currently on the market. While the storylines are excellent and the characters are memorable, it’s the art that is the star of the book. Artist David Aja’s style is fantastic. It’s so Steranko-like, it’s not funny! There’s such a stylistic flare that is pop, modern, and high art all at once. Plus, the color palette used in the series is so beautiful that I didn’t notice the intentional usage of a limited number of colors; nor did I realize how the colors and shading on these stories were a tool of symbolism until I read the about the coloring process in the 'director's cut' note in the back of the book. This book is a primer for Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.

 

When we last saw Hawkeye (in volume 1) life was looking up. He and his youthful namesake Kate Bishop (Hawkeye II) had beaten a Russian gang and bought a brownstone in order to keep the residents from being evicted. He even obtained a new pet, named Lucky. Things were looking up. Now in volume 2, that’s just about all gone to pot.

 

Now a landlord, Hawkeye must keep up with repairs. But how can he do that when he can’t hook up a DVR and keeps shooting his neighbor’s satellite dishes up with arrows? The Tracksuit Bros have returned and threaten to kill all of his tenants if the Avenger refuses to leave the city. Clint Barton refuses and now a Polish assassin that likes to dress like a mime has been given a contract to snuff him out. Oh, and there’s a love triangle with a showgirl, his actual girlfriend Spider-woman and his work wife, Black Widow! Oh, did I forget to mention that his ex is back in town seeking closure of their divorce? It’s more like a love pentagon.

 

If ‘My Life As A Weapon’ was the rise of the bow and arrowed Avenger, then ‘Little Hits’ is his ascent into hell. It’s a complete 180 degree turn and it mirrors volume 1 so very well. I love it.

 

Lastly, in true Marvel fashion, another real life disaster is addressed in the comics as both Hawkeyes are pitted against the rages of mother nature when Hurricane Sandy hits the Eastern seaboard. It’s yet another Marvel triumph and proof that Marvel NOW! is the better reboot of the big two publishers. (Sorry, DC- but it’s so true!)

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Captain America, Volume 1: The New Deal (Marvel Knights)

In this collection of the first six issues of the Marvel Knights Captain America series, Cap is assigned to free a small town from terrorists. The entire town is being held hostage and will only be freed if Captain America dies. Before his infiltration, the Sentinel of Freedom is offered a new type of dog tag that will register if the Avenger is alive or not. It turns red when the wearer's life functions cease.

However, when Cap notices that all of the terrorists are wearing this experimental technology, he smells a rat and goes on a rampage throughout SHIELD headquarters. Thus begins a global trek that will pit the first Avenger against a new foe who represents an age-old terror.

Marvel Knights is supposed to be a grittier PG-13/ R rated version of the Marvel Comics. While the fight scenes are more graphic than most Captain America comics that I have read, there’s very little else objectionable in this series. The language is PG, there’s no sex, no nudity either. As for Captain America, he’s wholesome and stands for his morals and nation without compromise.

I can see elements of the Winter Soldier film in this book. Cap’s uniform is more streamlines and more geared for protection and supply. His mask even conceals a helmet. Also, Steve Rogers’ unease with being lied to by Nick Fury and his SHIELD superiors is similar to the unsettled feeling Chris Evans’ Cap has towards the heli-carrier program.

I was very happy with this book. There are some plot lines left open, especially as to just who is operating behind the scenes of the US government to supply these new dog tags that not only report of a soldier’s health, but can even kill. I’ve got a pretty good understanding as to how SHIELD got a hold of this tech, but there’s still some question as to the morality of the agencies supply line. The New Deal has a definite ending- no “To Be Continued Here.” However, I think volume 2 probably delves more into these loose ends. Hopefully, I will get my hands on that book shortly and see.

Lastly, I want to talk about the art. It’s very clean and the inking is superb. I just love the sketched quality of the pages and the muted color palette. The covers are excellent and look like the patriotic posters of World War II enlistment campaigns. Artist John Cassaday is the perfect Captain America artist.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man, volume 3: The Secret Origin of Tony Stark- Book 2 (Marvel NOW!)

The conclusion to the Secret Origin of Tony Stark changes everything you know about Iron Man and I love it! More secrets about the deal that Tony’s parents made with 451 are reveal. Not only that, Tony ends his vacation in outer space and a major supporting character reveals some forthcoming nuptial plans.

While some of pacing of the middle of this volume began to progress at a snail’s pace, I was very happy with this book. The art is incredible and the action is top notch (when it does occur.) There’s some great mind-bending physics involved with Stark attempting to escape a temporal black hole and I just love how everything you thought you knew about Tony Stark gets thrown out the window. I cannot wait to read what Tony does with the new information he has about his family history and I hope my local library picks up that volume as soon as it’s available for release.

Lastly, I didn’t mention this about the last volume, but I thought that the covers were awesome. There are a variety of variant covers of the “Baby Iron Man” cover and I love the color scheme and creativity of covers such as the “Family Iron Man” cover as seen on the cover (and this review.)

I usually give Marvel grief for their retooling of their characters. This time, I will admit, I was in the presence of greatness. The creative team behind Iron Man has done an exceptional job with Iron Man and have crafted him into a franchise player in the Marvel NOW! universe.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man, volume 2: The Secret Origin of Tony Stark- Book 1 (Marvel NOW!)

 

Tony Stark is now touring the farthest reaches of space with the Guardians of the Galaxy in an attempt to find himself. During a break from the Guardians, Iron Man winds up on a little dot in space that makes Mos Eisley look welcoming. It’s there that the old Stark charm gets him jailed and placed on trial for having killed their god. While imprisoned, Stark is greeted by a celestial recorder named 451, who offers Ole Shell Head some legal advice.

 

Sadly, 451’s plot is merely a ploy for the rogue robot to steal an ancient artifact that results in the destruction of the tiny planetoid. Angered by the betrayal, Stark employs Death’s Head, the murderous android bounty hunter of Marvel UK fame to track 451. It’s then that Tony Stark will begin to get the answers he’s been searching for during his jaunt through outer space. Only, 451 is going to reveal a secret from Stark’s parent’s past that he’s going to wish stayed buried.

 

This volume is a great mix of current Marvel events and the rich history of the Marvel Universe. There’s lots of great cameos including Death’s Head and a variety of characters from Avengers 1959. Plus the often enigmatic Starks play a major role in several flashbacks from before tony Stark’s birth.

 

I really enjoyed this volume. I am a bit confused as in volume 1, I remember Tony Stark going into space, but I don’t remember him hooking up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Plus, I’ve read the Marvel NOW! first volume of Guardians, in which Stark is already a member of the team. So, when did the team-up first occur? Did I miss something or have yet to read it? (Would very much like to know- so please message me if you have any information on this, dear readers.)

 

With some fantastic art, great action, and a fantastic mystery into the origins of Tony Stark (pre-Iron Man and pre-life too!) the first half of the Secret Origin of Tony Stark was top notch.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

The Adventures of Dr. McNinja volume 1: Night Powers

 

Holey Mol-ey! Am I in love with the one web comic in world history to star an Irish Ninja physician! Dr. McNinja is all three things rolled into one and his world is totally insane. Helping McNinja save the world from evil is his gorilla secretary, Judy and his 12-year old sidekick, Gordito, a cowboy that rides a velociraptor and bears a full mustache.

 

If this series seems completely nuts, it is! There’s definite elements of the Tick, Deadpool, and Supernatural Law. But the comic that is the most like Dr. McNinja is another classic web series known as Axe Cop! This series isn’t written by a six-year old. But when I read McNinja speck, I hear Axe Cop’s voice in my head. (Axe Cop is also an animated feature on Fox and is voiced by the epic Nick Offerman of Parks and Rec.

 

Adding to the craziness are the tiny blurbs on the bottom on each page by series creator Christopher Hastings. They’re like a director’s cut for the absurd.

 

I found this book at my local library. I love that place. I am so glad that they had this book as well as a second volume in the series, which I look forward to eagerly. I have only read one book so far, yet Dr. McNinja has already become not only one of my favorite independent comics, but one of my favorite comics series of all-time. Fantastically bizarre stuff.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

Superman: The Kansas Sighting #2

After a lovely opening chapter, Book 2 of Superman: The Kansas Sighting quickly became a hot mess. After discovering his father on the alien ship that kidnapped him in the previous issue, Superman/ Clark Kent declares war on extraterrestrial life. See, it appears that Jor-El did abduct humans prior to sending his infant son to earth. Rather that listen to his 'father’s' explanation, The Man of Steel gets bitchy and starts a war with anything that looks like a little grey man.

Seriously, this just doesn’t seem like something Superman would do. But, he feels so betrayed at having honored his Kryptonian parents for so long that the mere shock at learning that his people kidnapped humans sends him into a rage. Here’s the kicker, we later learn that the humans kidnapped by Jor-El’s probe, were collected deceased. One of the characters in this book claims her son was alive when he was kidnapped by Jor-El, so how did he die? It’s never explained. In fact, if the mother did it, which I think happened just prior to the alien contact, instead of being brought to justice, she’s literally rewarded with a chance to spend the rest of her days with her boy.

The other issue with this book I have is that the probe used by Jor-El has somehow gotten stuck on autopilot after losing communication with its creator after the destruction of Krypton. Thus, looking for new instructions and a new master, the probe continues to abduct people- living people who when returned to earth report of being experimented on. I like the idea of the probe seeking out the last surviving Kryptonian as its pilot. But in executing this mission, the probe has contradicted itself. So, which is it- live humans or dead humans being kidnapped?

If this review seems confusing, that’s probably because of how much of a mess this closing chapter is. Kansas Sighting started out with promise and quickly fell into disrepair. I’m not even going to hype how this chapter takes much of its inspiration of the little lost probe from the train wreck (that I actually love a lot) that is Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

I just thank God that there wasn’t a third installment in this series. I don’t think I could’ve stomached it.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man 3

I must say that Iron Man 3 made up for the abysmal film known as Iron Man 2. IM2 was basically the first film only with Stane and the Iron Monger being replaced with Sam Rockwell’s character and Whiplash. The third installment in the Iron Man series is a completely different movie and I am very grateful.

The film takes place a few months after the Avengers film with tony Stark suffering PTSD from being almost sucked into a wormhole AND almost dying. He can’t sleep, he can’t focus, and he’s given control of his company to Pepper Potts, his girl Friday. Adding to the mix is the mysterious Mandarin who basically calls Stark out. After a mysterious series of fire bombings, one of which almost kills Tony’s former bodyguard, Happy Hogan, the billionaire playboy accepts the Mandarin’s challenge and loses his armory, home, and what the world thinks is his life to this international terrorist.

Iron Man winds up in Tennessee with a broken suit of armor and meets up with a new pal; a toe-haired youth named Harley. Harley is basically a hillbilly version of Stark. I like him and I hope that he’ll either wind up in Iron Man 4 OR even better, the Iron Man comics canon. Harley is annoying but his chemistry works well with Robert Downey Jr. He’s also kinda like Yoda as his tactics work to bring Tony out of his funk and reenergizes him to take it to the Mandarin.

Along the way, Iron Man is joined with the Iron Patriot- a more family friendly version of War Machine. I don’t mind having Iron Patriot in the film, but I’d rather a villain be under that armor like Norman Osborn was during the Dark Reign storyline as opposed to Rhodey. At least at first, Then once the Patriot’s true colors show, then you have Rhodey taking the mantle over. It just makes better sense.

Perhaps the best thing about this film that I have heard from many a fan that already saw the movie (and I agree to) is the whole extremis storyline, which involves a secret military project that turns soldiers into living bombs. Honestly, I’ve never read the Extremis storyline- I am in the process of collecting it. My only experience with Extremis is from the Iron Man Armored Adventures TV series. But in that, Extremis was a computer virus that gave Tony Stark the ability to link up with any computer and do a lot of funky hacking stuff. Computer hacking is a long way off from walking talking firebombs.

I really enjoyed this film. It was neat to see locations from my home state of North Carolina in the movie. Some scenes were films just miles away from my work. (Too bad they didn’t come to my place of employ and make me a star, but I digress.) The twists and turns of the film were dynamic. The chemistry of the actors was perfect- even if the yawnable Gwyneth Paltrow was in the movie. All in all, the film finished with a crescendo that like the first Iron Man picture left me excited for more and wanting to devour some Marvel Comics starring ole Shell Head.

This is a great comic book movie that wouldn’t work as a plain old action film. Yes, most of the stunts are laughably impossible. But hey, this is a super hero movie- so suspend that disbelief.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Superman: The Kansas Sighting #1

Legendary Justice League scribe and artist, JM DeMatteis asks an interesting question that until this book, I don’t think was ever explored in the vast history of the Superman family. Before sending his son, Kal-El to earth, did the scientist Jor-El do any field research on the third rock from the sun? And if he did, was he responsible for any of those alien abductions we hear about on the X-Files?

 That’s the type of postulations explored when an Unsolved Mysteries type of show comes snooping around Smallville. When Clark Kent learns that his father was questioned during the filming, it leads to both adoptive father and son questioning themselves and the motives of Clark’s Kryptonian parents.

Eager to find some answers, Kent gets permission from the Daily Planet to investigate. Teamed with Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, Kent runs into the production team who’ve found more witnesses who’ve claimed to have been abducted the night Kal-el crashed to earth. Clark is ready to dismiss one of the witnesses until he gets kidnapped by alien beings himself.

This is mostly a Clark Kent tale. Superman appears very little in this story. But that’s okay- it’s a very well written and thought out examination of our countries obsession with UFOs. Along the way, Clark will question whether his biological father was an ethical scientist and if he discovers that Jor-El acted inappropriately, how will that change Superman’s role on earth? More importantly, how is it going to change how earth sees Superman’s role?

DeMatteis did a fantastic job on this opening chapter. The art was very good too but it’s not very consistent.  However, I enjoy a good mystery and I love the X-Files eerie feel that the story has. I almost regret not waiting closer to Halloween to read this.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Beautiful Lego by Mike Doyle

Ok- I admit it; I didn’t check out this book from the library for the articles. I got Beautiful Lego for its vast array of impressive Lego art. Actually, when I checked this book out, I thought it was only pictures anyways.

The ‘articles’ are a series of Q&A type interviews with some of the artists featured in this coffee table tribute to the iconic plastic building block. Each interview is basically the same with the artist explaining their roots and their love for Legos. I wasn’t interested in that. I wanted pictures.

While there are hundreds of impressive photos of sculptures made of plastic blocks ranging from Freddie Mercury to imaginary castles in the sky, I feel like a lot of this book was wasted on text and not the real reason anyone would want to own this book- photos of Lego art.

I’m not going to blast the art in this book. Personally, I like the works that are made to represent something real or iconic; such as models of DC Comics characters or Battlestar Galactica vehicles. There’s a lot of fanciful stuff in here too like robots and geometric shapes. But those works while impressive are not my cup of tea. Some other Lego artworks of note are the ones that are made to look like flames and human anatomy.

Beautiful Lego is just that- absolutely beautiful. But I think too much of this book is spent on artist profiles. I obtained the book for the artwork and with ¼ of the book devoted to something other than Lego art; I don’t think it’s worth the $29.95 cover price. Once again, I am glad that I got this book from my library and didn’t shell out my hard earned money for something that I wasn’t expecting.

Worth Consuming- for the artwork alone.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Tick: 2014 Free Comic Book Day Edition

 

The Tick and his faithful sidekick Arthur are back in another all-new, full color story just in time for the 2014 Free Comic Book Day! YES! I love the Tick so much, starting from the epic Fox Kids cartoon to the various comics starring Big Blue I’ve managed to find over the years. Finding the Tick isn’t easy. He’s such a cult classic that most stuff starring him is rarely available used and if it is, it’s pricy! So, to get a new story annually for free is a treat I look forward to.

 

In this issue, the home town of the Tick is stolen by an alien entity called the Hoarder. For those of you familiar with DC Comics, the Hoarder is a lot like Brainiac, only not as smart and definitely not green (in color).  For those of you familiar with Marvel Comics, the Hoarder is a lot like the Collector, only messier and lazier. Of course, insanity ensues as the Tick and Arthur try to free their beloved city from the intergalactic menace.

 

Then there’s a secondary short story that involves a low-key day at the Tick/ Arthur household and a person known as “Santa-Cowboy.” That story was funny, but it’s wasn’t an instant classic. In fact, some elements of that tale was just plain weird.

 

The art was fantastic and for the most part, I really enjoyed this FCBD offering. I laughed aloud several times and I marveled over the ads promoting new and classic works starring Tick. Hopefully, they’ll be a part of my collection someday soon. Until then, a man can dream.

 

Worth consuming!

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Where am I? Being Transferred...

No, I'm not being transferred from my job or anything like that. As you may know, 'Madman with a Book' is not my first attempt at an online reading journal. For about 6 years I've been using another site. For about 5 and a half years, I was very happy with the site. Then the logging in problems started.


It seemed like every week the site was down for maintance and I'd get incressingly worried that I would lose all my years of reviews. I depended on that site to help me keep track of what I'd read. When you've read over 2,600 books (yes mostly comics) it's hard to keep track over what you've read and what you haven't.


Anyways, 3 days ago I got a notice saying that the site would being shutting down on May 31st. At that time, I still had about 1,500 reviews that I had yet to transfer over to MMWAB. So, I've been spending most of my online time transferring my reviews to a Word document in order to transfer over to this site.


It takes a lot of time to post old reviews while keeping up with the latest things I have read. I try to add about 25 old reviews a week. But until I can get the last few hundred of them saved into a Word file, I'm going to have to forgo time on Blogger. I'm hope to be back in business by the end of the week.


I apologize for the delay and hope you will continue to enjoy the rantings of a madman with a book.

DC Comics Presents Teen Titans 100-page Spectacular One-shot

 

Here’s one thing I have learned about the 100-page Spectaculars of DC’s, they’re reprints. So, despite this fact that I find these guys in bargain bins, the chances are that there’s something in these treasuries that I’ve read. That’s the case here as I’ve already read (and probably reviewed) the main attraction of this book: the Teen Titans Lost Annual.

 

Since I’ve already reviewed it, I won’t mince words again. But, if you want to read my review of the Lost Annual CLICK HERE.

 

The rest of this comic was devoted the epic DC works of Mike and Laura Allred (who crafted the Lost Annual) - perhaps my favorite pencils and inking duo in all of comicdom. Along the way, we get a visit from Bizarro, watch Hourman make the most out of an hour’s worth of Miraclo, see how the boys from New Genesis unwind, and catch an “unaired” episode of the 1960s Batman TV show. Rounding out the back-up features in a no holds barred house party held by the Teen Titans in Bruce Wayne’s bachelor pad. This romp is a Who’s Who of 60s super hero teams and teens, including the Doom Patrol,  the Legion of Super-heroes, as well as Supergirl and Batgirl. It’s hilarious and a little inappropriate- I LOVE IT!!!

 

I love the Allreds. Their style is retro (and colorful and ultra-clean) and they’ve got such an affinity for nostalgia. Plus, Michael is extremely witty and has a wicked sense of humor. These guys make this book worth reading and hopefully, one day, I’ll get to meet them at a Con.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out 10 stars.

Marvel: Now What?! #1

It’s rare for me to buy a comic at regular price. But I did just that this weekend during the 2014 Free Comic Book Day event at Parts Unknown in Greensboro, NC. I love Marvel’s parodies. They do a fantastic job at poking fun at themselves. It’s one of the few things I think that they do better than DC. My love for Marvel parody began with the 90s series What the?!? That wasn’t the first humor/ parody comic (prior examples are Not Brand Echh and CRAZY!) done by the publisher, but it was the first one I was familiar with. Since then, Marvel has done some all-humor issues of What If… as well as more recently Fin Fang Four Return, Shame Itself, and Wha…HUH?

Now What?! mostly skewers the new Marvel NOW! reboot. The first part of this comic is a tutorial from the High Evolutionary on what changes occurred during the reboot and what’s in store for the Marvel Universe. As with most topical humor, there is an element of truth involved. Marvel did such a good job in the segment that I couldn’t tell what was true and what was fiction. Despite this, I thought a very good point was made; in the 90s just about every title was geared to the ever popular X-Men. Now that the Avengers movie has made the Avengers a hot commodity, the playing field has many characters becoming Avengers. Before long every title in the Marvel playbook is going to be either an X-title or an Avengers one.

After the Marvel NOW! tutorial, there were several short stories and one-page splashes that were lots of fun. The ladies of Marvel brunch was very funny and a biting satire at sexism in comics. There were several pages devoted to a Q&A panel called “WY-If” that asked some interesting questions about some of the lesser known characters of the Marvel Universe. But perhaps my favorite secondary feature was an intervention of earth’s Watcher by his fellow Watchers. It was extremely funny and featured some great art. Not everything was great. For example, the secret origin of Doctor Octopus was kinda lame and I didn’t get all of the inside jokes during the NOW! segment.

Overall, Marvel did another slam bang up job. I hope they’ll continue to produce more parody specials in the future. If they do, I’ll probably forgo my rule on only buying back issues. A book like this is worth the full cover price.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Avengers: Volume 3: Prelude to Infinity (Marvel NOW!)

 

Continuing from the “Last White Event” storyline, the earth is in great peril thanks to several biological attacks from some extraterrestrial foe. The possibly right but more than likely crazy Captain Universe sees the end of the world unless the Avengers line-up gets bigger. In the beginning of the membership drive to end all membership drives, expect heroes, villains, and the occasional wild card to be offered a chance to become an Avenger.

 

I waited a little too long to read this follow-up to the Last White Event. There were a few plotlines that I had forgotten. So, this was a tougher read for me. Thankfully, I have the sequel, Avengers: Infinity, on hand so I should be in decent shape. Believe me, the mystery behind this threat to the earth is so vast and complex, binge reading of the first four volumes of the Marvel NOW! Avengers is required and essential.

 

The art was fantastic. I really liked the cover gallery. Fantastic kudos to artists Mike DeDato, Stefano Caselli, and Leinil Francis Yu.  The art in this entire volume is noteworthy.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.