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In Bongo Congo
Good King Leonardo has decreed that we still have plenty of summer left, so let's check-out four new comic book issues and see if these titles stack-up to be included in the August edition of our summertime reading list:
Good King Leonardo has decreed that we still have plenty of summer left, so let's check-out four new comic book issues and see if these titles stack-up to be included in the August edition of our summertime reading list:
Magnus Robot Fighter #0
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Fred Van Lente: Writer
Roberto Castro: Art
Luigi Anderson & Mauricio
Wallace: Colors
Dynamite Entertainment has so far published five
issues in its revival of the famed Silver Age Magnus Robot Fighter comic
book. I decided to review issue #0, the cover of which appeared to
feature a female robot fighter in place of the traditional male Magnus.
An inside-the-front-cover narrative explains that she's "the very awesome
human, Leeja Clane," who polices the future city of North Am as a
peacekeeper with help from robots. The series is written by Fred Van Lente with
art by Roberto Castro and colors by the team of Luigi Anderson and Mauricio
Wallace.
The inside front cover narrative also explains that
the events of issue #0 occur in between the plotline of issues #2 and #3.
In this sidebar plot, we're introduced to the main character, a robot
named Gunbot-856. When he's dismantled in a robot fighter battle, we learn that
he, along with the other North Am robots, are part of a collective
consciousness that restores each robot to another body for continued life in
the ongoing futuristic robot war. Via flashback, we also learn how the robot
society evolved from our own present-day world. In the final few pages of issue
#0, Gunbot-856 in a renewed persona battles the famed Magnus and loses, ready to
be recycled by the collective consciousness for yet another personality
download into another body.
This title is an interesting successor to the
Silver Age Magnus series that has a mixed quality to it, keeping it in the
average-quality positive review category. On the plus side, writer Fred
Van Lente succeeds in advancing the old-school structure of the Magnus
storyverse with the addition of some wonderful modern-era science fiction
concepts, including an intriguing evolutionary explanation of the rise of the
robot society, the inclusion of nanobots in the storyline and most importantly,
the exceptional idea of a robot collective consciousness that allows the
destroyed battlebots to be recycled, similar to the Cylons in the remake of the
Battlestar Galactica television series. In addition, the artwork is
excellent and very appropriate for the science fiction robot plot theme.
However, two elements drag the
higher quality potential of this comic book down into the average quality
category. The first is a very muddled plotline; its impossible to get a
feel where this brief, one issue story fits into the overall, ongoing theme of
the monthly series. I expected issue #0 to be just that, a prequel
kick-off story leading into the monthly title. Instead, we're presented with a
sidebar tale that's somehow sandwiched in between whatever is going on in issue
#2 and #3, resulting in plain confusion.
Secondly, the front cover and narrative
introduction are very deceptive, misleading the reader into believing that this
series, as well as this issue in particular, stars Leeja Clane
as either a female robot fighter or at the least, a female co-star with
Magnus. Instead, Leeja has an extremely brief cameo on the first page,
after which the story veers completely away from her involvement.
Frankly, her starring role on the front cover is just plain deceptive and
should never have been allowed, serving merely to trick readers into wanting to
read this issue in expectation of a female robot fighter lead tale.
So in sum, a positive thumbs-up review
recommendation is well-deserved for this interesting storyverse that
successfully updates to modern-day reading sensibilities the Magnus comic
book series. But that thumbs-up decision is mixed with some legitimate
disappointment as to the vagueness of the plot details and the deliberate
misperception of the very limited role of the supposed female star of this
series in this issue, which inaccurately promotes her story presence heavily on
the front cover.
Groo Vs. Conan #1
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Sergio Aragones & Mark Evanier:
Writers
Sergio Aragones & Thomas Yeates:
Art
Tom Luth: Colors
Dark Horse Comics has published issue #1 of a
four-part mini-series entitled "Groo Versus Conan." The title is
self-explanatory, pairing-up Marvel's well-known Conan The Barbarian with
famed Mad Magazine artist-writer Sergio Aragones's just as well-known character
Groo. For the uninitiated, Groo is a satiric riff on Conan, featuring a
brainless, Homer Simpson-style idiotic version of Conan. Aragones and
Evanier co-created the "Groo The Wanderer" comic book title back in
the 1970's as one of the first successful creator-owned titles in the comic
book publishing industry. Groo himself sneaks-in at number 100 on IGN's
list of the "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes." The current crossover
mini-series is co-written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier, with art by
Sergio Aragones and Thomas Yeates, and colors by Tom Luth.
The issue #1 story segment alternates between two
sub-plots. In the first storythread, we're initially introduced to Conan doing
what he does best, namely rescuing a hot damsel in distress. Flash
forward to Groo being the idiot that he usually is, in this instance being
duped by an evil king into mistreating his subjects. This first storyline
ends in a bridge to issue #2, as the kingdom's subjects convince Conan to
become their protector and confront Groo in next month's issue.
The second sub-plot takes us out of the
heroic fantasy plot into the "real world," focusing on the writers
themselves. As Aragones and Evanier struggle over the concept of writing
this crossover series, two events combine into slapstick comedy. First, their
local comic book shop is in the process of a forced eviction, leading to
Aragones being hit on the head in a support demonstration. And secondly,
said head injury deludes Aragones into thinking he's Conan himself, leading to
much in the way of hijinks and wackiness. And in a weird mix of the two
storylines, Aragones as the deluded Conan actually starts critiqueing a set of
Groo storyboards.
I'm a huge fan of Sergio Aragones work, from his
Mad Magazine output back in my younger days through his own current comic book
title, which I've previously reviewed in this column. While I expected to
be pleasantly entertained by this new title, I was also unexpectedly surprised
by the very high level of satire throughout the storyline. Perhaps its
the result of the writing collaboration between Aragones and Evanier, but
whatever the reason, there's an exceptional infusion of real world cultural and
political satire throughout the storyline that's above and beyond the average
level of humor found in a comedy-themed funny book.
The key here is the real world sub-plot that stars
the two writers. While the Groo-Conan storythread is solid entertainment,
the "Sergio and Mark" show is exceptionally funny, with a range of
non-stop one-liners and socio-political riffs well-worth the price of
admission. Without being a detail spoiler, my two favorite running gags
are a take-off on the state of our healthcare system, as Sergio keeps receiving
opposing treatments for his head injury, and a very creative take-off on
Sergio's real-world Spanish accent, which in this case has him speaking like
Yoda from Star Wars.
Had this comic book only featured a continual
story starring a Conan-Groo crossover plot, it still would have deserved a
positive thumbs-up review recommendation as quality reading material.
However, the alternating Sergio-Mark storythread kicks this new series up to
the top of all good fanboy and fangirl reading lists. There are only four
scheduled issues in this mini-series run, so by all means get on down to That's
Entertainment to snap-up your own copy of issue #1, then savor all four issues
of this highly entertaining and funny riff on Conan, Groo and most importantly,
the wacky adventures of their two famed writers as they strive to deal with
their own nutty lives while creating a joint Conan and Groo adventure!
Adventures Of Superman #15
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Ron Marz: Writer
Evan "Doc" Shaner: Art
Matthew Wilson: Colors
DC's Adventures Of Superman title is currently up
to issue #15. I previously reviewed an early issue, giving it a favorable
review for the three short tales presented in that particular issue, and
wanted to check back and see how the title is faring over a year later.
The current issue is scripted by Ron Marz with art by Evan "Doc"
Shaner and colors by Matthew Wilson.
Issue #15 features one full-length, stand alone
story entitled "Only Child." The plot features two interweaving
sub-plots. The shorter storythread features Clark Kent defending against Lois Lane's cynicism a
feature article he's written about two separated brothers who found each other
late in life. It's clear that Clark is defensive about the story due to
his own lack of siblings. In the lengthier storyline, when a giant
robot crashes from outer space into Metropolis, it turns-out that the robot was
a long-lost creation of Superman's father Jor-El, leading our hero to start
having sibling feelings toward his Dad's robot creation. Without being a detail
spoiler, the duo succeed in defending Earth from an alien invasion, with the
robot destroyed in the process. The story ends on a poignant note, as a
grieving Superman enshrines the fallen robot in his Fortress Of Solitude.
I was very impressed with the previous issue of
this title that I reviewed, in that it seems to have found its own
distinctive niche in the wide range of various Superman titles by
featuring both a fresh artistic vision and a unique emotional tone of Superman
Family storytelling. Issue #15 continues that exceptional creative
approach in three positive ways. First, the artistic team does a great
job in presenting a fresh styling of the well-known Superman storyverse
characters, with a particular emphasis on very impressive and wide-ranging,
realistic facial expressions. Secondly, the emotional content of the story is
very impressive. There's a lot of feeling and exploration of the human side of
Superman/Clark Kent in this title. This particular story succeeds well in
exploring Superman's natural feelings of loneliness due to him
missing his original family, with the family robot filling the gap for
awhile. Superman's grieving over the robot's death is actually quite moving and
succeeds in the goal of humanizing his well-known struggle to balance his life
on Earth with the emotional void in his life due to Krypton's loss.
Third and finally, I was happy to see that the
structure of this title has shifted from presenting three short tales per issue
to the standard one feature-length story. It works much better in giving
the creative team adequate space and breathing room to explore the emotional
content that's at the heart of the Adventures Of Superman storytelling
approach. So a positive thumbs-up review recommendation is well-deserved
for this unique and refreshing Superman title, which provides a high quality
and very entertaining storyline with a fresh fictional perspective on
everyone's favorite Man Of Steel.
Miles Morales: The Ultimate
Spider-Man #4
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Brian Michael Bendis: Writer
David Marquez: Art
Justin Ponsor: Colors
Marvel Comics is up to issue #4 of its
"Mile Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man" title. For the uninitiated,
the Ultimates line of Marvel comic book titles presents alternate reality
versions of well-known and traditional Marvel Comics storyverses and
characters. The much-publicized "Death of Peter Parker" event
from last year occurred in this Ultimates storyverse, with Black Hispanic
teenager Miles Morales picking-up the Spidey mantle from the fallen
Parker. The series is written by A-list writer Brian Michael Bendis with
art by David Marquez and colors by Justin Ponsor.
Issue #4 is the current installment of an ongoing
multi-issue storyarc and interweaves two sub-plots. The first is more
soap opera-oriented, focusing on teenage angst; after Miles reveals his
superhero identity to girlfriend Katie Bishop, the girl freaks-out and in a
lengthy emotional scene with her sister, talks about her fears and shock over
Miles putting his life at risk as Spidey. The lengthier second
sub-plot brings thrilling action-adventure to the story installment,
as Miles faces-down a buffed-up, demonic super-sized version of Norman
Osbourne/The Green Goblin. The story builds to a dramatic climax as the
assumed-dead Peter Parker arrives on the scene and teams-up with Miles to
defeat the fire-breathing Goblin. Next month's story installment will
most likely focus on the emotional fall-out among the Spiderman support
characters regarding Parker's seeming rise from the dead.
I always enjoy reading Ultimates comic book
titles, for the thrill of the alternate reality element in each presentation,
and this issue is no exception. Three major story elements combine to
make this a high quality thrill-ride adventure of a read. The first is
the fun of the alternate reality details. I just plain loved the fact
that seemingly everyone who has died or disappeared over the years in the main
Spider-Man story universe is alive and well in this Ultimates tale. We're
treated to Gwen Stacy, Aunt May and everyone else grouped together and
hanging-out in this title. Secondly, writer Bendis brings his to-be-expected
A-game to the scripting, nicely balancing emotional elements and extreme
action-adventure throughout the tale. Bendis excels in this story segment
in weaving all players together by the final few pages into
group-wide mutual shock and emotion, as everyone reacts in their own way
to the return of Peter Parker.
Third, the artwork is exceptional here, with artist
David Marquez and colorist Just Ponsor particularly excelling in portraying the
Goblin-two Spideys battle scene. You can just feel the heat rising off of the
pages as the Goblin wields his flaming ability against our two heroes, along
with the fiery devastation of the residential neighborhood battle site.
As a final review comment, I was also relieved to
learn that the whole "Death of Peter Parker" event has taken place in
the Ultimates storyverse. I'm not a regular Spider-Man reader these days,
and just assumed this past year that Marvel had positioned the event within the
main Spidey title, which irked my personal preference for maintaining
storyverse continuity over the years for favorite comic book characters.
But now I know that we can have our cake and eat it too, as the saying goes,
with both the usual Peter Parker titles and this Ultimates spin on
Spider-Man. So enjoy the variety and definitely take the time to be
entertained by this very well-crafted and high quality alternate version
of everyone's favorite Wall-Crawling superhero, Spider-Man!
Contest Winner Announcement!!!
Our latest contest challenged you to pitch to
us your current favorite television show or series. And our contest
winner is (drumroll, please...) Erin O'Connor, who tells us in her own words:
"Right now I'm really into The Leftovers on HBO. Ever since LOST ended,
I've been looking for something complex and mysterious. I love shows that
challenge you to figure out what's happening and then when you think you've got
it, they turn everything upside down." An interesting choice and a
good explanation/pitch for the rest of us to check-out The Leftovers.
Congratulations to Erin who wins our first prize $10.00 gift certificate to
That's Entertainment!
New Contest Challenge Announcement!!!
Last week was the special 60th
anniversary publication milestone for the well-known sports magazine Sports
Illustrated. In honor of the magazine's birthday, the Bongo Congo Panel Of
Contest Judges have decreed that we challenge you this week with a special
Sports Illustrated trivia contest. Your challenge is to e-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com no later than Wednesday,
September 3 with the correct answer to the following question: Which
famed American athlete has appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated
over the years more than anyone else? Hint: this person has appeared on
the famed front cover a total of fifty (50) times! As always, in the
event of multiple correct answers, the winner of our first prize $10.00 gift
certificate to That's Entertainment will be chosen via a roll of the
dice. Please note that our $10.00 gift certificate to That's
Entertainment is redeemable for regular retail merchandise or in-store, ongoing
specials, only.
That's all for now, so have two great Patriots
pre-season training camp and exhibition game-watching (Go Pats!) and comic book
reading weeks and see you again on Friday, September 5 Here In Bongo Congo!
