04.02.08 Comics

Every week I plan on writing my thoughts on the comics I’ve picked up that week so tuck in and enjoy. Oh and these will all contain spoilers so fair warning
I had a dream this morning that Astonishing X-men came out today and woke from my nap with a wonderful uplifting feeling. Though it didn’t there was plenty of good stuff; my lukewarm anticipation for Secret Invasion was blown away by fevered lust the last panel alone is worth the price Reed Richards has always grated my nerves. For a few months I had come to worry that Bendis was beginning a downward trend. However I am now confidant that while he may not have a golden touch he is far from fallen. I also enjoy the idea of revisiting old events though I am adverse to what I like to call super continuity. It is my opinion that comics have evolved to a point that writers should feel free to flitter hither and thither doing what they like and not let the ramifications overwhelm the story. We should all be aware of a sort of implied reset button when a writer leaves an on going title. Straczynski’s Spider-Man is a good example of this he ended his run and it was replaced, although there was potentially five more years of stories dealing with the events he set into motion. His successor has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Like having a magnificent meal followed by a lump of shit you mistook for an after dinner mint. Comics have come so far since the 70’s why return with such stories as “Spider-Man Murderer!?”
Kick ass lives up to its name in the first issue I came to hate this kid, but at the end of the second I had to stifle a cheer.
As Countdown draws to a close it leaves me asking what the fuck, this is a clear example of super continuity gone wrong. Despite this I find it entertaining and will withhold judgment till after Final Crisis, my fanatical addiction devotion to Grant Morrison will allow nothing less.
The Twelve, what can I say that does this book justice? Straczynski, as I mentioned before is a master storyteller and this series continues that tradition. I especially love his hard look at anti-Semitism and the price we pay for betraying our ideals. My favorite part of this issue is when Victor says “I am a Jew” to which professor Everett replies “So am I”. Weston’s art is what gives this exchange such gravity, where Victor sees this as a mark of shame Everett’s defiant gaze shows us that the world can dictate what we must do it should never dictate who we are.
The second issue of Logan is a clear example of why continuity is not important. These mythological characters are so well defined that they can simply be plugged into situations allowing us to explore the human condition through the archetype’s ordeal.
The fanboy in me squeals with glee at the arrival of Buffy and Angel comics.
Finally because I know nothing about Kamandi and I failed to anticipate where countdown was heading, I picked up the countdown special. As I started reading it I soon realized I love Kamandi. It is so bad it’s great the severe Kirby art, the horrible, horrible science and terrible dialogue come together to form a spectacular crapfest of delightful proportions. I look forward to searching out the single issues and foisting them on the unprotected brain meats of my nephew.