After all these, aren’t comics that came out this week. But I think somebody forgot to tell Jake about “skip week”.
Jake needs some new hobbies.
I’m messing with the fonts for the next few comics. Bear with me.
Yes, thanks to scheduling issues due to the placement of the holidays this year, even Previews (whose track record in getting comics out on time and where they belong has more than a few flaws…and yes, I know most of them get there–when the publisher is big enough for them to care, although I’m still missing a few GNs I ordered from DC and Image) decided to frag it, and take the week off.
But while no NEW comics came out this week (or at least ones not ones I collect–we did get a Blackest Night comic and a preview for Marvel’s next big storyline godhelpus), there were a few OLD comics that were sitting in my folder thanks to either my being sick or broke so much this year. (Still beats being in the hospital or home recovering and not getting a paycheck like last year.) So I was able to clear those out last week, and try to clear out some of the GNs that have been sitting in there for a while. So now it’s time to give those the once-over and see if they were worth the wait.
Looney Tunes #181
DC Comics/Johnny DC (February 2010)
There are four stories in this comic. Two “Duck Dogers” comics (based on the recent series instead of the old shorts, which is fine with me–I still want a Duck Dogers comic) bookending two Bugs Bunny stories. I’m just going to do this one in speed mode.
The first Dogers story finds Duck and his eager young space cadet sent to the Bumble Bee planet (sadly not involving my favorite Transformer) to get the workers back to making honey. Once he clones himself you can see where things begin to go wrong, leading to the cover as the two run to become the head of the honey factory. Frankly, it’s funnier when it’s Bugs vs. Yosemite Sam than these two.
The rather short Bugs story has him tricking the buzzard kid. Big whoop.
The second Bugs story is a bit more fun, as Martin kidnaps Bugs and sicks killer “Glambots” on him to literally love him to death. Even Elmer’s cameo is used a lot better than you’d expect.
The final Dogers story has our heroes trying to get the ship cleaned up before the President of Space comes for a visit. Weak premise just to get to the hi-jinks. At least the payoff is worth it.
Recommendation: Worth a look, but unless your a big Duck Dogers fan, I’m not sure it’s worth getting.
The Mangalicous Tick: The Rise of the Setting Sun #4
final issue
New England Comics Press (December 2009)
CREATOR: Ben Edlund
ARTISTS/WRITERS: Liz & Benn Robbins and Brother Mac
PUBLISHER: George Suarez
After passing the gatekeeper’s test, the Tick and his new traveling companions pass through the gate and reach the City–and the Setting Sun. In that time, Arthur, Oedipus, and the Chainsaw Vigilante have gathered the City’s hero population into an army to challenge the Setting Sun. In the battle (which also cameos Paul the Samurai, I think), Arthur gets his hands on the Dark Scroll, and he and the Princess use the two scrolls to restore the City and the injured good guys as well as purging a dark force from the Setting Sun, restoring the Princess’s true love. The visitors return to their time/world, and the Tick and Arthur resume their battle against evil!
What they got right: While I only know Paul the Samurai and the Chainsaw Vigilante from the trade offers in the back of the comic, long time fans of The Tick probably know them, so it was neat to see them included. (Personally, I wish American Maid and Die Fledermaus were there as well, but I’m not sure if they ever showed up in the comics.) The bit with the “loaned” segway was a cute moment during Arthur’s stirring speech, and might have been a “Best Scene” contender had I picked the comic up the week it came out. And the Tick is…the Tick. As for the guest characters, I wouldn’t mind seeing them in some kind of spin-off.
What they got wrong: Maybe it’s the spacing of the comic, but I don’t remember any allusion to a dark force taking over the future “Setting Sun”. Maybe I should recheck that. When his helmet is removed in the final battle, he looked so much like Paul the Samurai that I had to double check to make sure they were separate characters. (Setting Sun has a bigger chin, which the Tick comments on.)
Recommendation: If you haven’t been getting the previous issues, keep an eye out for the sure-to-come trade. If you have the extra money, buy it. It’s a good story.
The Phantom: Generations #6
Moonstone Entertainment (2009)
WRITER: Steve Hockensmith
ARTIST: Scott Brooks
COLORIST: Renato Guerra
COVER ART: Doug Klauba & Ruben Procopio
COVER COLORIST: Jason Millet
EDITORS: Mike Bullock & Ed Rhoades
After an encounter with the Phantom leading to a crippled hand, pirate Guy Dusollier is weary about a second encounter. His captain, however, is looking forward to one, and attacks a ship off of Mawitaan, with the only survivors being a pair of children and a mysterious traveler who joined the ship. Guy becomes protective of the children and realizes his captain has gone off the deep end in his obsession with the Phantom–who turns out to be the mysterious traveler. Moved by Guy’s concern for the children, he teams up with Guy to rescue them, and Guy sacrifices himself to destroy the ship and crew.
What they got right: The story is told not from the Phantom’s point of view but Guy’s, which offers a look at the villains the Ghost Who Walks goes up against. What happens the Skull mark goes into your soul? It’s a tale of redemption for someone Phantoms are usually told are soulless bastards with no chance for redemption. The art is very nice, being an illustrated tale as the rest of the series is.
What they got wrong: However, other aspects of the series are missing here. We get no idea which Phantom this is (I would guess the 6th one, in keeping with tradition) or the time period it takes place. We have to guess at both, and my AMERICAN history is flawed thanks to the public school system, so I have no idea what was going in in Africa. I also miss the “Chronicles” aspect of the first four stories, but you really couldn’t tell this story in that style so I can forgive it easier here than last issue. The art is sometimes misplaced, showing events of the previous page rather than the current one.
Recommendation: This is a great story for Phantom fans. If you can get it, get it.
Super Hero Squad #4
FINAL ISSUE
Marvel Comics (February 2010)
WRITER: Eugene Son
STORY: Cort Lane & Eugene Son
ARTIST: Marcelo Dichiara
COLORS: Sotocolor
LETTERER: Dave Sharpe
PRODUCTION: Damien Lucchese
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Michael Horwitz
EDITOR: Nathan Cosby
After rescuing a dog from Doctor Doom, Reptil finds the dog popping up everywhere. That’s because he’s Lockjaw, the teleporting pet of the Inhumans. This being a Marvel comic, misunderstanding and fighting ensues.
What they got right: It’s a fun story, with only one fourth-wall break (which sadly involves praising Bendis at the writer’s expense). The art is closer to the cartoon.
What they got wrong: I hope that in the upcoming regular series they have longer main stories. They could easily fit two or three more of the strips onto a page than they have been, so why not put the strips on fewer pages and focus on the main story. It’s a disappointment.
Recommendation: They should just continue to #5 rather than go #1 again, but you should keep looking for it. It’s a fun read and with Marvel Adventures going away there won’t be too many of those left coming from Marvel. (Which is odd for a company about to be brought into the Disney Empire.)
No Best Scene of the Week award this week. Next week everything should be back to normal. Which is good news for Jake. 🙂
BW Media Spotlight 