Hickman's distinctive art just mesmerizes me. It's dreamlike - although this story is not sweet dreams. It's a bit disturbing; it reminded me of Scalped in that sense, uncomfortably violent but an incredibly good story.
TV news reporters, anchors and, eventually, executives are being gunned down by mysterious assailants. Their story unfolds and we learn that these are people who were wronged by the media, had their lives ruined and were recruited into a murder cult by a figure who calls himself The Hand of the Voice. The Voice directs the action, but we never see him/her; the Hand speaks for the Voice, trains the assassins and gives them their orders. The hunt is on to stop the murderers and a great cat and mouse game begins. But who is cat and who is mouse? At the end, we see who the Voice is - and it was a surprise to me.
Interspersed with the actual story are many half pages of facts about media control and manipulation. Nothing new to me, but it might be informative for young people.
posted
^This is one I've been dying to read! Glad you read & reviewed it, FC. This is only 'must buy next' list of TPB's.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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Transhuman by Jonathan Hickman, art by J.M. Ringuet
The subject is genetic engineering, specifically, the story of two companies, Humonics and Chimeracorp.
The book is presented as a documentary; Heinrich Dowidat is the interviewer/commentator. He takes us through the history of the two companies, both in a race to develop transhuman products. Things go badly, then worse: very dark, if you're a human. If you're a simian, however, then things could be looking up....
As with Hickman's other works, it's a very compelling, page-turning story, with a lot of gruesome events and a shock ending. (I wonder if Hickman is a misanthrope. He certainly brings out the bad side of humanity, although it's hard to argue that there aren't a lot of unpleasant people in high-stakes business ventures.) It's also a very "talky" book, as befits a documentary.
The artwork suits the story; it doesn't have the dreamlike quality of Hickman's own art - it's more gritty, lots of dark, or bland colours (olive green, grey, brown). There's only one fact sheet page, with the print so small, beige on olive green, I couldn't read it without daylight and a magnifying glass - my only complaint (and maybe that's just my eyes).
Red Mass for Mars, by Jonathan Hickman, art by Ryan Bodenheim
Earth, 2115: after devastating climate change, plague, terrorism and tech gone haywire, Earth's survivors have settled into a prosperous and advanced civilization. Marcus Farber Astorga, a superhero known as The Benefactor, foresees a threat from outer space which could wipe out human life, the Hun-Du, a parasitical pod-culture.
The other superheroes of Earth are assembled to fight the coming threat, but The Benefactor realizes that they need someone even more powerful: Mars, the ultimate warrior, who was exiled after murdering two criminals and two fellow heroes who tried to stop him.
This book is more upbeat than Hickman's other work, although not without more than a few atrocities. However, it's essentially the story of humankind fighting for its survival, sacrifice for the good of others and man's evolution towards something better.
There are a few nice nods to superhero history throughout the book. Although there are a number of different heroes, most of them remain one-note characters; only The Benefactor, Mars, a mage called Lightbender and a scientist Dr. Thaddeus White are developed. I was curious about the others, but it's a tighter story with this more narrow focus.
Of all the Hickman GNs, this one struck me as the most mainstream in terms of concept.
The art is lovely, highly detailed, with omnipresent starfield backgrounds and muted blues and reds. I don't really have the vocabulary to describe it adequately.
posted
Loving that you've reviewed these Hickman creator-owned stories! He's quickly become one of my favorites so they're all on my must-read list.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
I just put down Image's Drums #3, the penultimate issue of what looks to be an all-too short miniseries based on how much my level of enjoyment demands MUCH MORE!
Drums is basically a crime/horror story in which some FBI agents are called in to investigate an apparent ritualistic mass murder/suicide. In a manner that echoes the X-Files series, our characters learn that there's much more of a supernatural element behind the eerie goings-on.
The setting is Florida in the middle of a full-blown hurricane! These conditions help create a sense of moodiness and isolation that might otherwise have not been capable of being plausibly created in a modern-set tale.
The context for all of this is the mysterious voodoo culture. The exploration and explanation of this culture by writer El Torres, to me, has been the most fascinating thing about the series. In his text pieces at the end of every issue, Torres has a glossary for all the terms used in his stories and explains that he has to simplify and merge aspects of the culture a bit to make them more understandable to the reader. I'd say he does an incredible job with this, and even with all the unfamiliar terms and names and foreign language bits, you don't really need the glossary and backmatter to "get" it all. They enhance the enjoyment, sure, but the script and the art do their jobs very well.
I love the art! Abe Hernando has a style reminiscent in certain ways of Darwyn Cooke and of (Captain America/Gotham Central's) Michael Lark. Hernando also brings home the spooky when he is (frequently) called upon to do so! The colors are subdued, attractive and suited to the darker nature of the story.
Issues 1 and 2 are heavier on the character exploration, the official investigation and the lore of the voodoo culture. ("Voodoo", btw, is rarely used as a term in the book, preferring to use more accurate terminology.) There are plenty of creepy and horrific scenes in those issues, but issue 3 is where all the horror comes out to play and goes BATSHIT CRAZY! This is an action overdrive issue, and, well, it reminds you of what the source of most of the zombie lore actually is! I wouldn't call Drums a "zombie book", but they have a large presence in the story and don't seem to have the traditional zombie weakness amd cliches.
The characters are all really interesting. The two leads are FBI investigators Irons and Poltz. Irons has a mysterious connection to the supernatural goings-on. Poltz is more the comic relief but really shines in issue 3. I like the pair so much, I deeply hope that Torres and Hernando bring us more stories of their adventures (assuming they survive, which is seriously in doubt).
Honestly, if Drums were ongoing, it may very well have been top contender for my best new series in 2011! So far it's THAT good! Hell, if it ends satisfyingly, I might make an exception. If you're in to books with a horror bent that are well-written, well-drawn and have a memorable concept and memorable characters--do yourself a favor and check it out, damnit!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I was hoping you'd review this one Lardy! I totally missed it the first time around and it's been woefully under-ordered by CBS's. I didnt even know what it was about to be honest.
Your high praise is enough to get me to check out the trade when it's released, certainly. Sounds like Image has yet another triumph as they continue to clearly dominate comics as the best publisher in the business these days.
Note to LWers: when Lardy recommends a title like this, you should take note! He's the guy who got LW into Chew, Scalped and bunches of other titles that almost went over-looked!
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
The Ultimates 01 is a good contrast with Justice league #1.
I'm not in love with it, I picked it up because of the art and the action but, it takes a completely different approach to a first issue.
Everything is up and running, The Ultimates are spread out across the world managing several international incidents.
In the beging some super scientist terrorists hatch some weird big bubble in Germany.
This issue is juggling a lot, and switching back and forth to Nick Fury managing a military incident between Argentina and Uruguay.
(Which is fine in the issue. But in real life, I think it's comical to imagine Uruguay and Argentina going to war. Oh well, The Ultimate Universe is an alternate dimension! )
Tony Stark is doing his usual thing, boozing and ladies.
The EU Captain 'Britains' are sent to tell Thor and the Asgardians to tone it down, which erupts into a free for all.
The fight between the Captain 'Britains' and the Asgardians bring them to the door step of those weird super science terrorists we saw at the beginning .... just as things across the planet in Montevideo heat up.
Overall, there's lots of action, people flying around on almost every spread, and about three plotlines going on simultaneously. Ultimates 01 hits the ground running, and catches us up while it's getting on with the story.
It is towards the opposite extreme of character development, but I will be getting number 2 quite happily.
From: Ninja Land | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
A few weekends ago, I went to a local comic book convention and had a fantastic time. In addition to looking for some Golden Age World's Finest comics my Dad and I need for our collection, I made sure I checked out the artist's alley section to see some true 'small press' independent creators. These were true struggling artists who were publishing their own comics and trying to make it; as this was a small convention, these guys came out there on their own dime hoping to tech any fan they could. Naturally, I talked to them all, and bought a bunch of their comics. I even promised I'd review them online and spread the word.
Many of these look like they'll be very rough around the edges, however some look quite good. The best looking of the bunch is a comic called Bushidan by a publisher called Interverse Comics in Norwalk, CT. Unlike some others going the superhero route, this group had several high-concept genre titles. This one is about a Japanese samuri in the 12th century who is lost at see in the Pacific Ocean and survives all the way across to Southern California. It really brilliantly combines samuri fiction with naval fiction with pre-white man western fiction. There are even hints to come of the Aztecs or Mayans being a factor. The creators obvious knowledge of history is very impressive.
What was so terrific about this story was the artwork by Rowel Roque, who is penciler and inker. He's obviously the driving force here and already shows some incredible talent. I hope this guy makes it! Great composition, rich backgrounds and strong looking figures--it was a beautiful issue to read, as good as stuff from any major publisher.
The writer / editor is Richard Errington, who I believe is also publisher and the guy running the show. He's doing a good job story wise (and production wise) but his dialogue is a little rough. This is enhanced by the lettering not being as professional I'm used to seeing; obviously when you're small press you make due with what you got.
At the end of the day, I actually enjoyed this quite a bit and glad I bought it (I suspect it may be the best in the bunch). I definitely hope these guys succeed. Their website is www.interversecomics.com.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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The best issue yet of a very solid series. Action, romance, science fiction and a bit of history thrown in. What's not to like? We've been waiting for the big kiss scene and it was beautifully executed.
I don't do variant covers, and my comic book shop always gets plenty of all options. I always pick the one where John shows the most skin. I'm shallow that way. How does everyone else decide?
-------------------- No regrets, Coyote.
From: Missouri | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I like the Joe Juska ones! But I feel you on embracing your shallowness--I usually pick a sexy Dejah Thoris one that isn't *too far* over the line (meaning my wife and mother of my young son wont think it's porn).
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
So ... I've started on SCALPED based on some recommendations from this board.
FYI: It's a dramatization of modern life on a reservation. There's a lot of crime and a lot of mystery.
moving right along, I'm on issue 18. It's a shame I just got them at a back issue sale and it's really a shame I don't have each and every one because the stories really really add up together.
for example, there's a whole issue on some random kid ... but it turns out he's the crime boss' janitor. it's a subtle connection but turns out be a somewhat regular role and a very poignant role.
This works for me much better reading them all in marathon style as the first few issues took some time to get going. Especially since there are some highlight issues which are totally based on one character and you don't get any of the other overall plot at all, and then that character will disappear for about six issues before they come back into play.
However, when reading them all at once, it's awesome how intricate and 'full' the plots and story lines are over a range of many issues.
At issue 18 I'm still left with more questions than answers and just starting to have characters I will root for. It's a huge cast, and while characters are developed, it takes some time to get to know them ... especially since there's several mysteries going on.
Why does everyone hate Gina Bad Horse? for one.
Aaron seems fluent with the subject matter and easily portrays the complicated lives of each character without being cheesey. There's a lot of drama in here but the sense is that this is some gritty underworld where everybody's life is so messed up it's believable. Aaron doesn't rely on stunts to push the plot's envelope. It would be easy to be exploitative with this gritty subject matter of a debauched, criminal, and oppressed life on the reservation but ... Aaron dosn't do that.
A few words about the art: It can be murky and messy at first but ... when reading it last night in bed, I hit issue 18 that had a fill in artist ... and I loyally set it down and went to sleep.
Whereupon, I had violent nightmares.
That's a rich comic.
My dramatic tagline for this series:
It's a Walking Dead for adults.
(I like Walking Dead btw)
[ September 17, 2011, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Power Boy ]
From: Ninja Land | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
You had individual issues, Peebs, but some missing here and there? Is that what you mean? If so, which issues did you have?
One thing to always remember about Scalped is that driving the overall plot forward is secondary to exploring the characters pretty much always. There are storylines that advance things significantly, followed by runs where we justy get to know characters better. Character is what sells me on a given series better than anything, and Scalped is my favorite for that very reason!
"Walking Dead for adults?" If you mean because of its focus on character, I can see that. Otherwise, I'm lost!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I've read 4, 6,7, and 9 - 17 so far and ... I should have like 18 t about 38 with more regularity. So I've got a lot of Scalped to go.
Re: Walking Dead for Adults comment ... I meant that Walking Dead, while the best parts IMO are character driven ... I think relies on stunts, and shocks, and some science fiction tricks to make impacts while ... Scalped is more of an embellished world with rich characters that act and react in 'believable' ways.
.. maybe that is 'its focus on character'.
They're both gory, dark, and going for some sort of realism but I would say that the realism in Walking Dead is 'hyper realism' where as the realism in scalped is 'really messed up people realism.' Not meaning to take anything from the Walking Dead, it's just that it's more of a roller coaster type story. Walking Dead is somehow more instantly gratifying where Scalped builds more on itself over time. IMO.
If that makes sense.
[ September 17, 2011, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Power Boy ]
From: Ninja Land | Registered: Nov 2004
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Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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