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Review Date: 08/24/2009
We're having our first real heatwave of the summer this
week, so what better way to kick-off our latest reviews
than with a comic featuring the original Golden
Age Human Torch, followed by a cool reintroduction of
a DC classic and a third food-oriented new comic title
to cleanse your comic reading palate:
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The
Marvels Project
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Ed Brubaker: Writer
Steve Epting:Art
Dave Stewart: Colors
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Marvel has just released issue #1 of a new 8-issue
mini-series entitled "The Marvels Project", by creators
Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, with colors by Dave
Stewart. The comic is crafted to fit into the
universe of the two well-known previous "Marvels"
limited edition series, and nicely complements the
on-going tribute series that Marvel is producing in
honor of the 70th Anniversary of its founding
as Timely Publications.
The plot of issue #1 combines the basic well-known
origin facts of several Golden Age Marvel Universe
heros with a fresh perspective on the details.
The story narrator is Dr. Thomas Halloway, a New York
surgeon who will eventually become The Angel, who
for the uninitated, was the fourth most popular Golden
Age Marvel superhero, after Captain America, The Human
Torch and The Submariner. Two subplots alternate
throughout the issue. The first tale is in a
sense The Angel's origin story; while Halloway is
a civilian doctor throughout the issue, his interaction
with the time-traveling Two-Gun Kid lays the groundwork
for his transforming into The Angel in upcoming issues
of this series. The second storyline gives us
early separate experiences of The Submariner, Human
Torch and Sgt. Fury in dealing with the early stages
of the gathering storm of World War II.
This is a noteworthy key mini-series in the Golden
Age Marvel legacy for several reasons. The fresh
perspective and new historical details on the very
early origins of Marvel's Golden Age characters
is both entertaining and long overdue. While
the two previous Marvels limited series were
excellent, both focused only on Silver Age hero
origins, leaving a significant gap in this style of
comic book history story-telling. Brubaker also
deserves credit for adding the intriguing element
of the timetraveling Two-Gun Kid to the storyline.
I won't spoil that story element with any details
in this review, other than expressing my personal
hope that the Two Gun Kid's presence might provide
a significant link between the Golden and Silver
Age Marvel worlds in upcoming issues, that's hinted
at toward the beginning of issue #1.
I was also relieved to find that Brubaker presents
the serious historical tone of the mini-series
without getting too overbearing. While I loved
the two Silver Age-focused Marvels series, both
had an overserious, creepy apocalypic tone to
their storylines, with the narrator giving the reader
the feel that the world was ending with the arrival
of the superhumans. The creative team avoids
that element here, just giving us a straight-up history
lesson on the start of the superheros with a lot of
neat, new facts about these well-known folks, keeping it
all very fresh and entertaining. So an enthusiastic
thumbs-up for the kick-off issue for this new "history
of Marvel" series.
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Adventure Comics #504
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Geoff Johns: Writer
Francis Manapul: Artist
Brian Buccellato: Colorist |
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DC Comics has just revived publication of Adventure
Comics, one of the oldest and most prestigious titles
in the comic book industry, listing the first new
issue as number #504 in a continuation of
the original numbering lineage. Veteran writer
Geoff Johns scripts the issue with art by Francis
Manapul and Brian Buccellato. The main story
stars modern-day Superboy Conner Kent, while a back-up
story features The Legion Of Super-Heroes.
The feature story establishes Conner Kent back in
Smallville, as he moves-in with Ma Kent and our favorite
super-pup Krypto back on the family farm. Superboy/Conner
is a teenager restlessly searching for his roots,
and trying to come to terms with the fact that he's
a clone with the combined DNA of both Superman and
Lex Luthor. The storyline sounds pretty basic
as Conner just tries to settle-in at high school,
get to know folks and try to help the Smallville
residents in his Superboy role. But in
gifted writer Geoff Johns's hands, these story themes
are presented very movingly with touching emotional
impact.
While there is also a sub-plot regarding a Swamp
Thing-like creature hovering around the edge of the
story, the story mostly focuses on Conner's efforts
to both settle-into his new life and come to
terms with his dual good/evil heritage. Again,
credit is due to Johns for also weaving Superman himself
and Krypto into the tale. I'm a sucker for Krypto
stories, which are few and far between these days,
and just loved the flying pup's starring role in this
story alongside the other main characters.
Story number two is an eight-page tale entitled "Long
Live The Legion," also scripted by Johns with art
by Clayton Henry and colors by Brian Reber.
In an interesting cross-connection with his recently-completed
stint on the Justice Society of America (JSA) title,
Johns features JSA member Starman as central to the
story, focusing on Starman struggling with his schizophrenia
while spending time in Smallville. It will be
interesting to see how Starman and his affliction
interact in the next issue with the Legion elements of
the plot that begin to evolve on the final page
of the tale.
So all in all, a very sincere and happy welcome
back for this much-missed flagship DC title.
DC has published an excellent first effort with the
re-introduction of Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes
in this story run, with the highest quality writing
and artwork that the good DC reader could ask for.
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Chew
#3
Publisher: Image Comics
John Layman: Writer
Rob Guillory: Art
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And now for something completely
different, as our old friends at Monty Python used
to say. While perusing the new issues shelves
at That's Entertainment last week, I was drawn (no
comic art pun intended!) to this very unique new comic
title from Image Publishing. The comic is the
creation of writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory.
The protagonist in Chew is Tony Chu (pun intended,
I assume!), a newly-hired agent of the Food &
Drug Administration (FDA). The title "agent"
is presented literally here, as Tony and his fellow
FDA employees operate as gun-toting, CSI-style crime
fighters and enforcers of truth, justice and the general
protection of our food supply health codes and
restaurant sanitary standards. Issue #3
is entitled "Taster's Choice" and is the mid-story
in a five-issue story arc. Without giving away
key story plot details, the issue packs into
a day in the life of Tony Chu a delightful
stew with equal portions of unrequited love,
crime, mystery, overpowering restaurant reviews and
high-paced action all in the name of protecting
of America's gastronomic standards.
To say that I loved this comic is an understatement.
Think "The Food Network Meets CSI" and you get the
general approach of this new title. The concept
of presenting a Federal ATF crimefighting-style team
charged with addressing FDA food issues is not
only fresh and original, but hilarious in the skilled
hands of the comic's two creators. After reading
one issue of Chew, you'll never be satisfied watching
CSI or one of its multiple imitators again unless
the plot involves culinary intrigue! So definitely
swing by That's Entertainment and grab an issue or
two of Chew to take home and "digest" (ouch!).
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New
Contest Announcement!!!
This heatwave is making everyone lazy, and that includes
the Bongo Congo panel of contest judges. The King's
Cousin, Prince Itchy, has suggested that we keep it simple
this time out so we can all conserve our thinking cap
energy until a cool front comes through the region.
As such, your contest assignment is very simple. E-mail
us at Gordon_A@msn.com with your submittal
of your favorite comic that you've been reading lately,
naming the comic and also explaining to us why you enjoy
this comic above and beyond all else that's on your current
reading list.
Since there's no right or wrong answer here, all entries
will be eligible for a roll-of-the-dice selection for the
contest prize of a $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment.
So get that entry in to Gordon_A@msn.com and tell the
rest of fandom what you think is the best of the best in
current comic book reading.
That's all for this week, so stay cool and see you again
next week Here In Bongo Congo!
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