Star Trek: Year Four: The Enterprise Experiment

   Yesterday, the galaxy lost a great man with the passing of Leonard Nimoy: forever to be known as Mr. Spock. In no way was my reading of this trade done as a tribute or some sort of cheap attempt at garnering readership or hits within the Star Trek community. Honest. I actually started reading this book a couple of days before news of Nimoy's hospitalization for chest pains and had finished this book up the night before his death. With yesterday being my day to review a family-friendly comic, I got a day behind on reviewing 'the Enterprise Experiment' and this just happens to be an eerie coincidence.

   'The Enterprise Experiment' was written by original series screenwriter DC Fontana. The story is set during the fourth year of the Enterprise's five-year tour. (The show was canceled after only 3 years, so there are two 'mystery' years of the Enterprise. Why there has never been a Star Trek: Year Five though is beyond me.) The mini is also a sequel to the episodes 'The Enterprise Incident'- which was originally written by Fontana and 'Errand of Mercy', the episode that interduced the Klingons and the Organians.

  Since this story is based on two episodes, there's basically two parts to this story. The first part is the sequel to the 'Enterprise Incident,' in which the Federation has developed cloaking device based on the cloak Kirk and Spock stole from the Romulans during the 'Enterprise Incident.' When Kirk and Spock are on a shuttle craft in order to test the cloaking device's effectiveness they find themselves unable to detect any trace of the ship. That is because the cloaking device is also based on the technology of the Guardian of Forever, thus it phases the ship out of sync with the physical universe. With a Romulan warship on the horizon, Kirk and Spock must regain contact with their starship or they'll become sitting ducks.

    Part Two is the sequel of sorts to 'Errand of Mercy' starting with the Klingon Kor launching several successful attacks on outposts in the Klingon Neutral Zone. Since it appears that the Organians are no longer enforcing the peace treaty they imposed during "Errand of Mercy' the Enterprise is ordering to investigate the Organians disappearance and to stop Kor's attacks on Federation enclaves.

       I liked part one a lot better than part two. Mostly, I found the Romulan story to be more exciting and interesting. But I also found the Klingon story to be in error with the films, particularly 'Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.' Though the actual whereabouts of the Organians is a subject of debate amongst Trek fans, it's mentioned in both the film and novelization of ST:VI that the sentient beings have suddenly disappeared. But Year Four takes place a good decade or so- thus this story is in error. Trekkers call this sort of continuity flaw a 'nit' and this is a serious one.

    Another thing that I felt was out of sorts were flashback sequences involving Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. The purpose of those scenes was to show how much the three men are a family to each other than their actual families are. But it really didn't have much of a place in this story since the main themes had more to do with trust amongst people and faith in technology and not "family is the company you most keep."

   I don't think DC Fontana meant for these flashbacks to even be included. In the back of this volume is the writer's five-part original proposal for this series. Nowhere are the family flashbacks of the Enterprise's big three even mentioned. So, I think the blame rests with the editors. A good 10 pages was wasted on this extraneous storyline- pages that could have been used to better fill out the conflict between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

   Once again, IDW Publishing did a great job examining the unexplored reaches of the fourth year of the USS Enterprise's five-year mission under Jim Kirk. However, with the new Trek movies, IDW seems to be less focused on the original series. There's no reason why the publisher can't release comics based on both Treks since the new films are set in a tangent universe. I'd really like to see how the fifth and final year of Kirk's first command of the Enterprise ended. But since it's been 7 years since this Year Four story was published, it's probably a pipe dream.

    Lastly, let's talk about the art. It's very good with amazing detail to not just the original cast but the guest stars and the Enterprise as well. I marvelled at how much detail was put into the cloaking device and the work done on animated series character Arex, was fantastic. But the covers by the Sharp Brothers were even better and I enjoyed the pencil to inks processes added to the director's cut materials at volumes end.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Rest In Peace, MR. Spock #LLAP

Boldly, He Went...

Muddy Max: the Mystery of Marsh Creek (Family Comic Friday)

   

  Max is a clean kid. I didn't say clean cut- he still gets into trouble (and by the end of this book, he'll get into a bunch.) No, Max is a clean kid because his mom and dad are absolutely terrified of him getting the slightest bit dirty. So why did they move to the town of Marsh Creek, a burg so muddy, it oozes everywhere from the bubbling creek that gives the township its name?
   
   As Max's parents get even more obsessive about his cleanliness, the lad and his buddy Patrick, an electrician whiz, go on the hunt for answers. The mystery as to Max's need to be clean deepens when Max discovers a picture of a baby with his parents. The kid definitely isn't Max and when his folks freak out over the picture, our young hero decides to finally get down and dirty.

   Now Max has his answer as to why his parents don't want him to get the least bit dirty as mud gives the youth incredible super powers. After a few successful missions, Max decides nothing is wrong with getting a little dirty and becomes Muddy Max. But when the mud begins to not want to come off, maybe there is some to his folks' OCD.

   Muddy Max was a great story and it's a perfect selection for Family Comic Friday. It's got a clever plot, some great dialogue, intriguing characters, and a bunch of great mysteries to solve- like how did Max get his powers and just what about that picture of the mysterious child?Not only is this book entertaining, it's also educational.

   But it's a subtle teaching method, like that in Schoolhouse Rock! Also in the back of the book is a selection of fun things for kids to learn and do. With a variety of experiments, a tech lesson on facial aging programs, and much more, the special section at the book's end makes the muddy fun come alive.
 
    There's even an art lesson in the special section. It explains some of the artist's inspiration for some of the creative things Max makes with mud. I wish some examples of the art would've been published instead of just a few websites and book references. Another thing I think is missing from this books is a writing activity. With all of the experiments in this book, an opportunity to get kids writing something like an experiment log or even a chance to create a new type of dirty superhero (or even a villain for Max) would've been appropriate. But maybe those are activities that could be added to future volumes.

     Though Muddy Max has a definite ending there's a number one on the book's spine. So hopefully there will be some sequels. This potential series is so good, it would be a shame to let it go to waste. The publisher, Amp! Comics for Kids, also offers bulk discount rates for teachers as well as teaching guides. With a subplot on bullying, this story has both a social and scientific educational impact for kids.

  An classic series in the making that I highly recommend.

    Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

Star Wars: The Protocol Offensive

 This original Dark Horse Comics graphic novel from 1997 is co-written by the expert on protocol himself, C-3PO- Anthony Daniels. 'The Protocol Offensive' is a politically intriguing affair in which Threepio and his astromech partner R2-D2 must prevent two warring tribes from annihilating each other while negotiating a trade treaty with a mining company all at the same time.

 

 This story takes place in that strange period of time where the cartoon 'Droids' occurred (prior to Episode IV: A New Hope) when  both Threepio and Artoo were without masters. Like in that short-lived series, the droids undergo no less than 3 ownership changes. Only these point of sales take place the means of a 48-page story!

 

   I really enjoyed this story. The writing was really good and the dialogue perfect (and why wouldn't it be, it was written by Daniels who crafted the iconic character he's played for over 35-years now.) The art was also very good and I just loved the painted quality of it and the cover.

 

  Finishing this story, I did have one puzzling question: if Lucasfilm is to be believed, thanks to the new trilogy finally being made, any work made after Return of the Jedi was rendered no longer canon. Since the series 'Droids' as well as the 'Protocol Offensive' occurs before episode IV (but was published after Episode VI) is this story canon or not? Either way you want to answer this, and I challenge George Lucas to write an explanation in this review's comment section, this was a great story and a fun journey to a galaxy far, far away...

   Worth Consuming.

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Thanos: The Infinity Revelation

 

    I've normally viewed Thanos as an unbeatable (and uninteresting) force. But despite his might and power, the Mad Titan is perhaps the most flawed character in the Marvel Universe. It actually makes him more intriguing too. I mean why would I care about his pursuit of the secrets of the universe if Thanos was omnipotent? It would be like having God searching for meaning in Himself and that just doesn't make sense.

    Thanos could beat the combined might of the Avengers with the snap of a finger and he's literally done that more than once. But when the rogue finds what he's looking for, on more than one occasion, he fails in his pursuit of knowledge and power as his quests often leave him unsatisfied. Like the kid who got everything his wanted and then saddened because there was nothing else to desire, Thanos frequently undoes everything he's accomplished and is his own worse enemy.

 This cosmic offering in Marvel's Original Graphic Novel series is penned by Thanos creator Jim Starlin. Starlin's more recent take on Thanos has the villain a little more wiser and a little more vunerable as his record of defeats have put him on the outs with his true love, Death. As the living embodiments of Infinity and Eternity are preparing for a new era of foretold change to the cosmos, Thanos is given a chance to finally redeem himself. Joining Thanos in his quest is the mysterious Adam Warlock who's recently returned from the dead once again. His return will assist Thanos in locating a beacon that points the way to Thanos' preordained rebirth.
 
 Their journey takes them to a planet that houses a long dead civilization. Upon their arrival, the duo are challenged by a squad of peacekeepers called the Annihilators. The battle is fortuitous as it leads Thanos to the dimensional gateway he's been hunting for. But the villain and his travelling companion aren't alone as they discover another Thanos and Adam Warlock from an alternate dimension and they happen to be on the same reality changing crusade. But which team will usher in the next age of the Marvel Universe?

   There's so much going on in this graphic novel that I feared giving away too much. The quest has a major impact on the forthcoming Secret Wars reboot to the Marvel Universe due later this year. If you are a fan of Marvel and you're eagerly awaiting the major crossover event, you must read this book. The art is amazing, but the most important aspect of the Infinity Revelation is the story itself. It very meta and somewhat hard to explain.

  I'll admit, my synopsis did not do justice to the plot or the excellence contained within this books covers. Starlin is a master and thanks to him, I'm even more interested in Thanos and Adam Warlock, two characters that I've had very little use for in the past, than ever before.

   Add 'The Infinity Gauntlet' and it's numerous sequels to my wishlist.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

Marvel Fanfare #22

When a prison loaded with Tony Stark’s newest selection of technology undergoes a riot, it’s up to Iron Man to make the transition back to peace! What makes this story so awesome is that Iron Man doesn’t face a prison full of his greatest foes- but the inmates are comprised of most of Spider-man’s arch-enemies.

The art is a rich palette of water colors and neon curves that look like they were created on a Mac. It’s a refreshing turn from simple pencil and ink drawings. AND if this book was CGI in some way, it’s a much better product than some of the other strictly computer drawn comics that were more well known, of its era.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Wake

  Scott Snyder (Batman- New 52) pens a tale that is one part deep sea thriller and one part high seas sci-fi opera. When an unusual underwater sound is picked up by Homeland Security, oceanographer Lee Archer is whisked to an underwater oil mining station off the coast of Alaska that would make some of James Bond's greatest enemies blush. There, she and a team of experts come face to face with a terror from the deep that is as old as the earth herself. It's big, it's bad, and it's mean AND it's calling for mother!

    The story then jumps 200-years into the future in which over 95% of the earth is now covered with water and the seas are governed by pirates, makeshift democracies, and the same underwater terror that Lee Archer meet underneath Alaska's shoreline. Our hero is a young girl name Leeward, who with her pet dolphin, undergoes raids on the merfolk, harvesting their heads for a neurotoxin that's being fabricated into a designer drug of the surviving elite. But Leeward's troubles are just beginning when she intercepts a radio broadcast from a woman asking for rescue from a sunken sub: one Dr. Lee Archer!

    I completely enjoyed this title, but the first act was my favorite. It was like Aliens meet the Abyss with some Peter Benchley thrown in for good measure. The second act was literally Waterworld- only there's not Kevin Costner, nobody drinks their own pee, and it was actually worth reading. There were some elements of Barbarella and Mad Max thrown in as well. But it's the chilling action of the first half that is just a little bit better than the metaphysical tone of act two.

   There's a bit of a mystery behind the radio broadcast from Dr. Archer and while it gets explained some bits of interest do not. For example, there's a massive tower of ice in the middle of the world's largest remaining supply of fresh water. It's not really explained what its purpose is nor why it attracts birds to their frigid doom. Maybe it was just filler or maybe Snyder hopes to one-day return to the Wake universe and explore it further. I just refuse to believe that this tower is just a mere set piece. A frantic ending to this story also make for some serious plot holes but to expound on them would reveal some major spoilers.

  Lastly, let's talk about the art. WOW! Rarely does artwork creep me out (sure I've been saddened on occasion by some tragic scenes but never scared until now), but these mer-creatures are truly frightening. They are some bad dudes that I hope never to swim across on my next trip to the beach. Kudos to Sean Murphy for giving me nightmares.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Doctor Who #5 (2011-2012)

 The Doctor, Amy, and Rory hope to make it to 1966 Wembley in order to catch England winning the World Cup. Well, they make it to Wembley but just not at the right time thanks to the trusty machinations of the TARDIS. The trio arrives in Wemble's Woods during medieval times only to find a tribe of Vikings poised to overtake the area and later conquer London and all of England. Oh, and the Viking's are going to take Amy and Lord Wemble's wife as brides.
 
   In true fashion of the Doctor, it's up to him to save the day. Only he's not going to do with with swords or shields or even his sonic screwdriver. Instead, he's going to challenge the Vikings to a little game of football with Rory as goalie. Just don't tell the opposing team that Rory sucks as goalkeeper.

   Another great Doctor Who offering by IDW Publishing. The art is amazing and the plotting is fantastic. I've now read through 2 single-issue tales and a multi-issue affair and I must say I like them all equally. I hope IDW continued to mix it up like this as the format works very well.

    I really love the football variant cover B, too!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Forever Evil

  If Age of Ultron is the series that is most responsible for triggering the events that will lead to Marvel's Secret Wars reboot later this year, then Forever Evil is the DC Universe equivalent. When the Secret Society escapes earth-3 from a universe destroying entity, they arrive on earth-prime. Immediately they incapacitate the Justice League and might even have killed them. Now, the villainous mirror image of the Justice League seek to unite the villains of earth and rule our planet with an iron fist. But not if Lex Luthor and his team of non-conformist rogues and the Batman have anything to say about it.
   
   Forever Evil makes this the third reboot of the Secret Society that I've encountered and I must say this one is my favorite. Power Ring is a cowardly foe enslaved by the ring that gives him his power and his namesake. Johnny Quick and his miniature girlfriend Atomica are a superpowered version of the crazed killers played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis in the film 'Natural Born Killers.' But the most intriguing villain is Ultraman, who unlike Superman, gets his power from Kryptonite by crushing it up and sniffing it like pure Columbian coke. Just don't put him in direct sunlight.

     I really enjoyed having Lex Luthor be the hero for once. Sure, he's still a slime ball but this take makes him the type of foil that you love to hate. Plus the uneasy truce between Luthor and Batman makes for some very interesting scenes.

   Speaking of interesting scenes, the very final panel is killer- literally and it leaves a mystery as to just who is that speaking off-panel. Forever Evil might have taken a few pages to build up steam, but it finished quite nicely with some dynamic art to boot. Artist David Finch does a fine job of portraying the vast underworld of the DCU.

     I had been waiting to read this series once I had all of the companion issues collected. But when I found this at the library, I just couldn't pass it up. Pumped by how good this Geoff Jones miniseries was, I'm on the hunt for those additional issues now more than ever. I just can't figure out what occurs in those books but hopefully, I won't have to wait for long.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Toxic Crusaders #4 (Family Comic Friday)

 

 Toxic Crusaders, based on the cartoon of the same name, is proof that producers in the nineties did not know how to make age appropriate children's cartoons and programming. Toxic Crusaders is based on the Toxic Avenger films made by Troma, which is known for producing low budget gory and gross sex romps. Naturally, this is the perfect film series to adapt into programming for a kid. Sadly, the comic book isn't  much more suitable either.          
 
   As with the Toxic Avenger movies, the cartoon series revolves around  Melvin, a young janitor, who fell into some radioactive waste. Our hero emerges from the goo to become the Toxic Avenger who along with several other mutants form the Toxic Crusaders who battle the evil alien, Dr Killemall, whose mission is to turn the city of Tromaville into a desolate wasteland.    

     Shows aimed at boys in particular during the late eighties and early nineties were full of potty humor and gross jokes. The TV show (and subsequent comic) Toxic Crusaders was no different. In fact, this issue was entitled the 'Special All-Toilet Issue.' It comprises of three stories devoted to clogged toilets, large piles of feces, and lots of plungers.

   Though I remember this show being on TV as a kid I do not remember watching Toxic Crusaders. Like other preteens my age, I would watch horror movies like those made by Troma. In fact,  I do recall watching Toxic Avenger on cable but I wasn't a huge fan. But man was it gory and full of nudity.

    I also remember that this show was banned in Delaware and Maine because of the source material of which this cartoon was based. I do not recall Toxic Crusaders being banned in my area but with North Carolina being so conservative I would not doubt that at least a station or two followed suit like the channels up North did.
                                                                                   
   The thing that made Toxic Crusaders so controversial in the nineties wasn't necessarily the gross humor but the fact that the series was based on an r-rated movie known for nudity, rape, and madcap sex. A little T & A is even shown in this book when Toxie's magic mop emerges from a toilet in a residential bathroom. During this scene, you see that woman is taking a shower without a shower curtain. In that scene, you can actually see the woman's naked butt. Lucky for the girl (and the Comics Code) she managed to cover her breasts.

Toxic Crusaders, like its film predecessor, has become a cult classic. This series which ran for about 13 episodes and 8 issues and is considered a collector's item for fans of The Toxic Avenger films. It is also a difficult comic to find. When I found this at a comic book store in Burlington North Carolina last week it was the first time I had ever seen this series which was published in 1992.

The comic book (and cartoon) wouldn't be so bad if its target audience wasn't children under the age of 13. This series would be very popular if it was aired at a later time like the Adult Swim shows are on Cartoon Network. Personally, I found the jokes a little tasteless, a little Juvenile, and a little gross. But the story structure as well as the art wasn't so bad. I happen to have bought two issues of this series and look forward to reading the other issue sometime soon.

 However, the reason I still own this issue is based on its controversial nature. As you may know, I am a huge supporter of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Since the TV series was banned in some parts of the country, I consider this a banned comic of sorts. Thus, feel that this book has an important place in comic book history. Would I let my children read this book? Not until they were older, but I do not feel that this book warrants a witch hunt either.

  Instead, Toxic Crusaders should join the ranks of Rambo, Robocop, James Bond, Conan, and Starship Troopers as adult films repackaged to kids as a cartoon program in the Bad Idea Hall of Fame.

   Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

New Avengers, Volume 4: A Perfect World (Marvel NOW!)

   The crack in the foundation of the Illuminati reaches it's breaking point when their world killer device is finally put to the test. Racked by guilt, the team will lose a member and face down their final 8 hours of life on earth when another anomaly in the fabric of the multiverse arises. But when the deadline for the event passes and earth-616 is spared, the Illuminati regroup to determine what went wrong with their prediction of impending doom. Their greatest fears are realized when they discover that their former comrade-in-arms has formed his own version of the Illuminati out of the most wretched villains of the Marvel Universe.

  I hadn't been such a fan of this series because I felt like there was some missing information as to why the Marvel Universe is unravelling. But after reading 'Age of Ultron,' I felt like those gaps in my knowledge were finally filled. Thus, I really enjoyed this volume. Plus, the art was amazing and there were some awesome action sequences. Also, if you've ever wanted to see the Marvel Universe destroy the Justice League then this issue is for you because the resident superheroes of the tangent universe wiped out by the Illuminati at the beginning of this book are clear archetypes of the Distinguished Competition.

   Once again, I get hooked on a storyline only to have to wait until my library gets the next volume (or buy up the next several issues.) My only hope is that volume 5 will be worth the wait. Plus with this year's 'Secret Wars' storyline which will reboot the Marvel Universe, there won't be very many issues of this series left, so I shouldn't have to wonder what happens next for too long.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Age of Confusion

   

   I feel like this merits some clarification. When I found the 'AGE OF ULTRON' hardcover I saw the companion right next to it. Wanting to read the entire collection of this storyline, I grabbed them both. (I literally shouted "Score!" While doing a fist pump. I was that excited.)                                  
 
    Much to my chagrin, after reading the entire hardcover edition, I found that the companion didn't have any new material in it. If you own that volume then there is no reason to own the AOU Companion. So why did Marvel publish it in the first place?          

    Obvious answer aside (to get more of your money) I did some research to find out. According to stashmycomics.com, there have only been two reprintings of AOU; the hardcover edition and a trade paperback. The hardcover, published in 2013, retailed for $75! The 2014 trade retailed for only $35, but it doesn't include the supplement issues like the hardcover does. The Companion which contains the supplemental issues was published at the same time as the trade and sells for $30 and was published in trade paperback form only. So, Marvel thought they were doing it's fans a favor by publishing the two works in a cheaper for format with the whopping discount price of $65! (Wow Marvel, thanks for the price break!)

   Another option for readers could be to just buy all of the issues in the miniseries and supplementals individually. But if you can't find the issues in a bargain bin, you'll likely pay more than the price of the hardcover. Another option is to get just the 10 issues of the AOU mini and then get the companion. It can be found on Amazon for as low as $21.45 new ($16 used.)

   So, now you've got some options. More importantly, you've been warned so that you don't spend your hard earned money on duplicate titles.

Now go read some comics!

Age of Ultron Companion

  This trade contains the companion issues devoted to the age of Ultron. These issues explore events such as how Black Widow and Moon Knight teamed up in San Francisco during the Ultron invasion, how the U.K's magical heroes were scraping by during the Age of Ultron occupation of Britain, as well as a few glimpses into the pocket parallel universe created by the actions of Wolverine. To finish the set (and segue into the Avenger AI storyline), there's a great origin story about Henry Pym, set during the aftermath of the AOU miniseries.  

    With dozens of writers, artists, inkers, and editors involved in this work, I can't judge the work as a whole. It would not really be fair since these issues are supposed to provide glimpses into the corners of the Marvel Universe left untouched by the AOU mini.

Below is a list of the issues found in this book:

Avengers Assemble 14AU -15AU 
 Fantastic Four 5AU 
Fearless Defenders 4AU
 Superior Spider-Man 6AU 
 Ultron 1AU 
 Uncanny Avengers 8AU 
 Wolverine & the X-Men 27AU 
 Age of Ultron 10AI

The best art is found in the Age of Ultron #10AI and it's a pretty good story about the childhood and early career of Dr. Pym. The Superior Spider-Man  was also very well written. Not only that but it left me intrigued to read the rest of that series. (Note to self: add to wish list immediately.)

   My least favorite issue takes place in the pocket universe caused by Wolverine murdering Henry Pym before he could create Ultron. That issue is Fearless Defenders #4AU. It involves a character named Hippolyta going to Latveria to fight her father Ares. What is this? Wonder Woman? It's a complete rip-off! I could not stand it. 

   Other than that, this was a great collection of stories that supplement the AOU miniseries. It was an enjoyable read and required reading for anyone looking to understand the root of the collapse of the Marvel Universe and it's forthcoming reboot later this year.

Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.