Comic Reviews 7/15/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Good King Leonardo has decreed that its time to review another eclectic group of comics, so let's review three comic books this week that feature characters somewhat outside the mainstream of superhero-themed comic books:

Rocketeer Adventures #1 and #2
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Various Writers and Artists

IDW Publishing has recently revived for a fresh publishing run the ever-popular Rocketeer comic book title. Long-time fanboys and fangirls know very well the popularity and history of this character; created in 1982 by the late artist/writer Dave Stevens, the original comic book title was very popular, culminating in the Walt Disney Company releasing in 1991 a Rocketeer feature film. Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the comic featured stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who finds a mysterious jet pack and becomes the masked Rocketeer hero/adventurer. The Pulp Era series was also famed for Dave Stevens's high quality illustrations of Secord's girlfriend Betty, drawn as a lookalike of famed 1950's pinup girl Bette Page. I originally planned on reviewing issue #2 of this new series, but found it so interesting that I went back and also read issue #1, as such combining the two issues into a single review.

The concept of the new title is to pay homage to both the late Dave Stevens and his beloved character creations with four stories presented in each issue. Each story is produced by a different well-known comic creator, including issue #1 stories written and/or drawn by Mike Allred and Kurt Busiek/Michael Kaluta and issue #2 stories created by Mark Waid, Darwyn Cooke and Gene Ha. Three stories stand-out in particular. "The Rocketeer" kicks-off issue #1 with a fast and furious action/adventure plot written and drawn by John Cassady, beginning with classic gangster action and ending on a perfect comedy note. "It Ain't The Fall That Kills Ya..." leads-off issue #2 with a Mark Waid plot that's a sharp commentary on fame, fortune and movie industry politics in Hollywood. And issue #2's "Episode Six-Betty Saves The Day!" is a wonderful Darwyn Cooke tale featuring girlfriend Betty replacing Cliff in the lead action role as an homage to the old Republic Studios weekly movie serial adventures.

This new comic book series is that rare treat of a title that I just couldn't put down. It was simply brilliant of IDW Publishing to structure the comic book as a monthly four-story series featuring a cavalcade of the best and brightest comic story creators that the industry has to offer. While the three stories singled-out above were my personal favorites, all eight stories in these two premier issues are of equal production quality, entertainment and just-plain-fun. There isn't a comic title out there right now that does a better job of presenting the pulp fiction/art deco action adventure era, with each story providing a different interpretive spin on that world, as seen by the various artists and writers involved in this project.

Two final elements deserve notice in this title. The first is an exquisite Betty pin-up page in issue #1 as drawn by artist Jim Silke. And secondly, the title honors the late Dave Stevens with a full page notice in each issue soliciting donations to the Hairy Cell Leukemia Research Foundation, Inc., to help battle the disease that took Dave Stevens much too soon from the world of his wonderful comic book creations. So don't just add this new series to your comic book reading pile, but instead place this comic at the very top of that ever-growing pile to read as soon as possible!

Ruse #4
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Mark Waid: Writer
Mirco Pierfederici: Art

Marvel Comics is currently up to issue #4 in its mini-series revival of Ruse. For the uninitiated, Ruse was a Crossgen Publications title that ran about a decade ago. The concept was the unusual premise of presenting a Victorian-era detective series with a science fiction twist. While the story universe resembled Sherlock Holmes's London, the setting was actually on the planet Arcadia in the Victorian London-like city of Partington. The Holmes-like "world's greatest detective" in the series was Simon Archard, assisted by his assistant/partner Emma Bishop in adventures that included fantasy elements. Well-known writer Mark Waid launched the Crossgen title and returns here to script the Marvel series, with art by Mirco Pierfederici.

The multi-issue storyline is entitled "The Victorian Guide To Murder." A page one narrative informs the reader that to-date, the tale centers on Simon and Emma pursuing Simon's old detective mentor Lightbourne, who is effectively using blackmail and murder to advance a devious scheme to control Queen Victoria and grab control for himself of India. Without being a detail spoiler, a lot of fast-paced Holmes-style deduction, sleuthing and big-time battle action rolls-out from page-to-page in this issue. A humorous sub-plot threads its way through the storyline, in which Simon and Emma keep-up a witty banter about Emma's equal role in the detective partnership, versus Simon's efforts to see her as a subservient assistant. All of the various plot sub-elements advance nicely to a thrilling conclusion, which nicely wraps-up this four-issue mini-series in a satisfying ending.

This comic book presents an off-beat and interesting genre style that makes for a refreshing change of pace from the usual comic book hero storylines. While I can't speak to the first three issues, this fourth and final issue in the mini-series excludes any real fantasy elements and gives us a well-presented and very entertaining take on the classic Victorian detective genre. A-lister Mark Waid's dialogue and story pacing is top notch and Mirco Pierfererici's artistic style is well-suited to this particular storyline. The issue also succeeds very well as both a stand-alone, single issue read and a final installment to the four-part title series.

Two final review notes are worth mention. First, the "Solving The Mystery" letters to the editor page in this issue pitches for readers to write or e-mail Marvel Comics if they wish to see future installments of Ruse. And secondly, there's a fun preview as a second story in this issue of the upcoming Mark Waid-scripted run of a new Daredevil title thats an additional fun read. So an enthusiastic recommendation for you to expand your superhero-reading horizons with the addition of this historical thriller title to your comic book reading list. And don't forget to e-mail or write to Marvel Comics to tell them to produce future editions of Ruse!

Moon Girl #2
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
Tony Trov and Johnny Zito: Writers
The Rahzzah: Art

Red 5 Comics had a very interesting preview of this new title as a second story feature in their Atomic Robo Free Comic Book Day title, so I thought I'd check-out a full issue of this off-beat new series. The character of Moon Girl was actually created in the Golden Age by Gardner Fox and Sheldon Moldoff for EC Comics. Moon Girl is Princess Klara, royalty from an Eastern European country who comes to America and fights crime using superpowers derived from a moon rock. The original EC presentation of Moon Girl is credited as being one of two comic books that started the historic trend of EC horror comic books. The Red 5 Comics re-boot of this character is scripted by the team of Tony Trov and Johnny Zito, with art by someone who calls himself The Rahzzah.

The issue #2 storyline continues a multi-issue storyline which interweaves two sub-plots. In the main storyline set in 1955 New York City, Moon Girl battles a villainess named The Sugar Plum Fairy, who's out to zombify (is that a real word...if so, I claim all copyrights to it!) the city populace. A second sub-plot alternates between 1938 and 1955 and focuses on a battle of wills between Moon Girl and her old world mentor/trainer Mistress Satana. When Klara escapes to America to start a normal new life, Mistress Satana follows her to New York and implements a very bloody strategy to drag her fleeing prodigy back into the world of being Moon Girl.

This is one of the more intriguing and very weird comic books to come down the new issues pike in quite awhile. The mix of The Rahzzah's unique and gorgeous artwork with the odd juxtiposition of flashbacks and heavy dose of s&m mixed into the Mistress Satana storythread brew-up into a fever dream of a tale that feels almost like a hallucinatory version of a Grimm's fairy tale. Frankly, on first read I disliked the entire feel of this comic, but it hooked me into a second read a few days later and it grew on me. So I'm giving it a positive thumbs-up review recommendation with an important caveat: this is not your father's (or grandfather's, more likely) Golden Age-innocent style of Moon Girl. This is a Moon Girl redesigned for the jaded, early 21st century, full of modern-day storytelling blood, horror and s&m. So while I suggest keeping the kids and old-timers away from this title, it is a very interesting change-of-pace read for young adult and middle-aged readers, alike.

Contest Winner Announcement!!!

Our latest contest challenge was for you to correctly identify three famous television dog actors that we quizzed you on. And our winner selected via a roll of the dice from among several correct entries is (drumroll, please...) Gregory Goding, who correctly tells us that Eddy The Jack Russell Terrier starred on Frasier, Duke The Bloodhound was one of our favorite characters on The Beverly Hillbillies and Rex The Wonder Dog German Shephard starred back in the Golden Age of television on The Roy Rogers Show. Congratulations to Gregory, who wins the first prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment!

New Contest Announcement!!!

As all baseball fans know, during this past week Derek Jeter of the Yankees became only the 28th player in major league baseball history to reach the 3000 hit plateau, hitting a home run for his 3000th hit. Our baseball trivia challenge for this week is for you to e-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com and tell us of the previous 27 players to reach the 3000-hit plateau, who is the only one to also hit a home run for his 3000th hit? As always, in the event of multiple correct answers, our winner of the first prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment will be chosen via a roll of the dice.

That's all for now, so have a great comic book reading week and see you again next week Here In Bongo Congo!

Comic reviews 7/8/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Its another "All-DC Comics Week" Here In Bongo Congo and as such Good King Leonardo has decreed that we review two new Flahpoint event series titles along with the latest issue of a regular DC monthly title. So let's see how these new comic books stack-up against each other:

Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Adam Shlagman: Writer
Ben Oliver: Art
Allen Passalaqua: Colors

Among the many limited-issue new comic book titles under the wide umbrella of DC's Flashpoint event series is issue #1 of Flashpoint: Hal Jordan. As I've mentioned in previous Flashpoint reviews, the concept of this alternate universe series is that an enemy of The Flash has altered the structure of the DC storytelling universe. In this brave new world, Aquaman and Wonder Woman lead their respective empires in world war against humanity, resulting in millions of deaths in Western Europe. In addition, the backstories and lives of most of the major DC superheroes are radically different throughout this series. The Hal Jordan mini-series is scripted by Adam Schlagman with art by Ben Oliver and colors by Allen Passalaqua.

Issue #1 is entitled "Rising Tide" and alters the familiar origin tale of Hal Jordan becoming the Green Lantern. In this revised origin story, instead of working as a hotshot test pilot for Ferris Aircraft, Hal and owner Carol Ferris are transformed into co-pilots patrolling the Atlantic against Aquaman's forces, as the company appears to be conscripted into military service. Without being a detail spoiler, the pair have a wild action adventure against some of Aquaman's forces. In follow-up to the incident, Hal goes out on solo flight patrol and by the end of the issue #1 story segment encounters the crashlanded, dying alien Green Lantern who we know will bequeath the coveted Green Lantern power ring to him at the start of next month's issue #2.

Its been a lot of fun this past month reading a selection of the various Flashpoint titles; DC deserves a worthy shout-out for adopting the strategy of unfolding various alternate history segments of their wider superhero universe via the production of these short-run mini-series titles. The three-issue Hal Jordan title should provide just the right length of story arc to introduce the alternate version of Green Lantern and establish his place in the Flashpoint event universe for further action as the entire series evolves. Issue #1 in this brief series definitely provides a mix of alternate history freshness and entertainment as one piece of the overall Flashpoint picture puzzle. It should be a lot of fun to see how the creative team of this title uses the Emerald Warrior within the world war situation of Flashpoint. So a definite thumbs-up recommendation to place Flashpoint: Hal Jordan at the top of that ever-growing list of various Flashpoint series titles to read over the summer.

Flashpoint: Project Superman #1
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Scott Snyder & Lowell Francis: Writers
Gene Ha: Art
Art Lyon: Colors

Our second comic book reviewed this week within the Flashpoint story universe is issue #1 of the three-issue mini-series entitled Flashpoint: Project Superman. Obviously, this branch of the Flashpoint event establishes an alternate tale of DC's favorite All-American superhero. The series is based on a general plot outlined by the writing team of Scott Snyder and Lowell Francis, with Francis soloing on fleshing-out their joint concept into a detailed story script. The title's artwork is produced by Gene Ha with colors by Art Lyon.

Issue #1 establishes a prequel storyline in lead-up to the eventual issue #2 arrival of Superman on the scene by focusing on "Project Superman," a secret U.S. Army Project managed by the infamous General Lane, whose goal is to create a Captain America-style supersoldier. The ultimate secret volunteer for this experiment is Lieutenant Neil Sinclair, who in the standard DC comic book universe is apparently the superhero Apollo from the Wildstorm group of characters that DC incorporated into their publishing world a few years ago. The issue #1 plotline interweaves two sub-plots; the decades-long intense experimentation on Sinclair, as he steadily evolves the range of Superman's well-known powers (x-ray and heat vision, super-hearing, etc.), along with a parallel decline in Sinclair's basic human compassion and value for human life. By issue's end, the inevitable bloody tragedy occurs, resulting in Sinclair being squirreled away by General Lane in lock-up for the safety of America. The issue #1 story segment concludes with the rocket carrying baby Kal-El crashlanding in Metropolis instead of Kansas, with the public attention of the event leading Sinclair to scheme a plan for the true eventual Superman to assist in his resurrection and freedom.

While I'm giving this issue a well-deserved positive review recommendation, its with the qualification that it could have been a better-produced comic book issue, on two counts. First, choosing to focus an entire Flashpoint comic book issue on an alternate version of Sinclair/Apollo was confusing for readers like me who aren't experienced readers of the Wildstorm hero character. A first page narrative or some other explanatory device would have been helpful in providing a clearer understanding of the standard and alternative Sinclair storyline structure. Secondly, scripter Lowell Francis just wastes too much time plotting at length the evolution of Sinclair's Superman-like powers in parallel with his decline in moral character. Given the constraints of a three-issue mini-series, this issue #1 storyline should have been condensed to the first half of the issue, allowing much more story space for evolving Superman into the mix right in issue #1.

So in sum, while this is an interesting and entertaining comic book, its just not among the very best of the Flashpoint story titles. I'd keep it on my list for Flashpoint reading, but suggest getting around to reading it after such other titles as the main Flashpoint mini-series, the Flying Graysons title and the Green Lantern title reviewed above.

Power Girl #25
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Judd Winick: Writer
Hendry Prasetya: Art
Jessica Kholinne: Colors

DC's Power Girl title is up to issue #25 this month. I gave a very positive review to an issue in the early run of this series and a negative review to a follow-up issue, so I was interested this week in returning to the latest issue to see how this comic book is faring with the current creative team. I was also attracted to the fact that Batman guest stars in the current story run. The series is currently scripted by Judd Winick with art by Hendry Prasetya and colors by Jessica Kholinne.

Issue #25 is the second and final part of a two-issue story arc entitled "We Can Be Heroes." The story quickly updates the reader on plot progress to-date, in which Power Girl and Batman have helped the government imprison a meta-human named Rayhan Mazin. It turns out that Mazin has been falsely profiled as a terrorist due to his Arab-American background. In issue #25, Mazin breaks-out of confinement to visit his dying father. Without being a detail spoiler, Power Girl and Batman have an extended confrontation with Mazin, which alternates between heavy battle action and detailed conversation throughout the issue. By issue's end, the unjust and false accusation against Mazin is resolved; the issue ends on a neat, two-page redirection of the plotline, in which Batman and Power Girl have an interesting conversation resolving some lingering JSA business between the two heroes.

I enjoyed very much the change-of-pace plot focus of this issue, as an alternative to the big-time Flashpoint universe events dominating this summer's DC new issues publication schedule. Veteran writer Judd Winick does a stellar job in blending the relevant political topic of racial/ethnic profiling with a standard battle action subplot. The artwork here is exquisite, with the art team giving us some of the best action panels that I've seen in a very long time, particularly a series of panels that emphasize to great visual effect just how superpowerful and ultra-invincible Power Girl is in comparison to other, obviously less-powerful heroes in the DC Universe. I also enjoyed the freshness of the Rayhan Mazin character and hope that DC continues to feature this meta-human character, who I personally have never seen before this issue, in future issues of DC comic book titles.

So I'm very glad to see that the current creative team has successfully restored the Power Girl title to a level of entertainment and production quality on par with the early issues of this title that were helmed by renowed comic creator Amanda Connor.

Current Contest Results!!!

We had no entries to our current contest, which challenged you to pitch to us your favorite episode of the long-running animation series The Simpsons. So we'll just move-on to a new contest below.

New Contest Announcement!!!

We'll go back this week to our ever-popular trivia form of contest challenge. And since we're smack in the middle of the dog days of summer, what better time than to offer-up a dog trivia contest! The Bongo Congo panel of contest judges challenges you this week to e-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com with the correct answer to the following challenge: Name the correct popular television shows that each of the three following famous dog actors appeared on:

Eddie, The Jack Russell Terrier

Duke, The Blood Hound

Bullet The Wonder Dog, A German Shephard

As always, in the event of multiple correct entries, the winner of the $10.00 first prize gift certificate to That's Entertainment will be chosen via a roll of the dice.

That's all for now, so have a great dog-walking and comic book reading week and see you again next week Here In Bongo Congo!

Comic Reviews 7/1/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Good King Leonardo has decreed that its Back To The Future Week here in Bongo Congo, so let's review two new DC comics and one new Marvel comic that star some of the more historical, long-term A-list superheroes from the respective publishers:

Superman #712
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Kurt Busiek: Writer
Rick Leonardi: Pencils
Jonathan Sibal: Inks
Brad Anderson: Colors

DC's flagship original Superman title is up to issue #712 this month. A page one Editor's Note explains that due to a production delay, the scheduled start of a new multi-issue story arc is replaced in this month's issue with the publication of a "lost classic" story starring Krypto the Superdog. The storyline is set shortly after Superboy died in the Infinite Crisis event and Superman went missing. This one-issue tale is scripted by A-list writer Kurt Busiek with pencils by Rick Leonardi, inks by Jonathan Sibal and colors by Brad Anderson.

The story weaves together two interconnected sub-plots, one set in the past and one in the present-day. The past storyline updates the reader on the events of Infinite Crisis that led to the demise/disappearance of members of Krpto's extended Superman Family. The present-day pages detail Krypto's actions in two respects, patiently waiting for his family members to return all the while searching across the Earth and in outer space for his missing human buddies. Without being a detail spoiler, the story concludes by coming full circle from the opening flashback panels, with Krypto settling-in for a long, continued wait nestled by a favorite toy that he shared in play with Superboy at the start of the tale. There's a hopeful note at the conclusion, as the last panel marks the story close as "Not The End..."

This one-shot filler tale succeeds as an entertaining issue of Superman in several respects. First, its provides a nice, simple mid-summer breather from the multitudes of multi-issue "event" story arcs that prevail in most of the new comic production out there these days. Secondly, veteran writer Kurt Busiek succeeds in adding another quality story to the inventory of occasional Krypto stories existing in the DC comic universe. Busiek does an admirable job of balancing the flashback sub-plot as a strong support to the present-day Krypto storyline, helping to make the narrative-free dog-centric scenes make sense due to the past tense human narrative. And third, Busiek gives us doglover's a treat by effectively portraying that wonderful trait of all dogs, that of unconditional love for their family, as Krypto patiently searches and waits for all to be right again in his world.

At times emotional and almost heartbreaking, at times just a fun and entertaining read, all-in-all this issue well deserves a positive thumbs-up recommendation as a mid-summer treat starring everyone's favorite DC universe superpup!

Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search For Swamp Thing #1
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Jonathan Vankin: Writer
Marco Castiello: Pencils
Vincenzo Acunzo: Inks
Barb Ciardo: Colors

DC has also just published issue #1 in a three-issue mini-series that follows-up with DC universe events in the aftermath of the Brightest Day series events. This particular title focuses on the search for Swamp Thing and stars everyone's favorite demon world-connected sleuth John Constantine, along with Batman and Zatanna. The issue #1 cover also implies that Superman will be joining the plot in upcoming issues of the title. The comic book is scripted by Jonathan Vankin with pencils by Marco Castiello, inks by Vincenzo Acunzo and colors by Barb Ciardo.

The kick-off story segment begins with Constantine being ambushed in London after receiving a false message from his old friend Swamp Thing, resulting in his being infected with a swamp-based life-threatening malady. John travels to Gotham to enlist The Batman both in search of Swamp Thing and in search of a cure for the increasingly-viral infection. Most of the issue #1 storyline progresses a detailed confrontation between Constantine and Batman, in which the pair verbally joust as Costantine works hard to establish credibility and trust with the Caped Crusader. By issue's end, Zatanna enters the picture and joins the newly-formed team. The issue ends in a dramatic bridge to next month's story segment, as a surprise development regarding Swamp Thing's identity is revealed which hints of a possible answer to both Swamp Thing's disappearance and John Constantine's strange malady.

This new title is a decent and entertaining addition to the varied Brightest Day and post-Brightest Day events unfolding in the DC comic book universe. The combination of Constantine, Batman and Zatanna provide a unique and fresh mix of characters as a hero team. I particularly enjoyed the extended verbal duel between Constantine and Batman, with the demonic detective more than holding his own with witty remarks and sharp dialogue, resulting in Constantine at times actually getting the better of Batman and ultimately succeeding in adding the Caped Crusadar to his team. Writer Jonathan Vankin structures the story with just the right sense of mystery that makes the reader want to stick with this tale to see where the plot takes us over the course of three issues. It should also be fun to see how Superman fits into this story beginning in next month's issue #2.

So a definite thumbs-up recommendation to add this fresh and interesting limited series title to your mid-summer pile of beach-reading new comic books!

Ultimate Spider-Man #160
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Brian Michael Bendis: Writer
Mark Bagley: Pencils
Andy Lanning & Andrew Hennessy: Inks
Justin Ponsor: Colors

The latest "death of our favorite superhero" storyline wraps-up its five-part story presentation with "Death Of Spider-Man: Part 5" in issue #160 of Ultimate Spider-Man. For the uninitiated, the many "Ultimate" titles published by Marvel provide very interesting alternative character histories of some of the most well-known Marvel heroes. Significant alternate Spider-Man elements in this title include re-booting Peter Parker/Spidey and friends back to their original high school-aged roots, along with the key premise revision that everyone near and dear to Parker, from Aunt May to Mary Jane and back again, share in the knowledge of Parker's superhero identity. The Death Of Spider-Man event series is scripted by veteran writer Brian Michael Bendis with pencils by Mark Bagley, inks shared by Andy Lanning and Andrew Hennessy, and colors by Justin Ponsor.

This concluding story segment consists of a single issue-long mega-battle scene. Having been seriously wounded by a crazed Green Goblin in last month's issue, Parker must now confront the killer supervillain literally in his home neighborhood in front of Aunt May's house. As the action unfolds, Spider-Man is forced to desperately juggle two efforts with split-second precision: trying to fend-off the Goblin's fianl push to kill our hero, while also attempting to protect his various friends and loved ones who stand smack in the path of harm's way. Various fellow teen heros and Spidey family members try and fail to help our hero. In the end, as expected, Spidey/young Parker seemingly stops the villain while also seemingly bleeding-out and expiring from his Goblin-inflicted wounds.

I say "seemingly" in the story summary because as all good fanboys and fangirls know, no hero is ever permanently expired in any of the periodical "death of our favorite hero" comic book publishing events. But that's o.k., because none of us really want to lose our heroes; the fun of these situations is seeing how the creative team that's assigned the task eventually resurrects our hero and explains the supposed demise in the first place. In that respect, this part five conclusion is both entertaining in its own right and provides a nice first act to the second and third acts of the play, the respective "coping with Spidey's death" and "hooray, our hero's back" segments of the story. A particular hats-off in issue #160 is deserved for A-list writer Bendis, who stretches out of his writing comfort zone with a tale light on his usual detailed dialogue and philosophical character rambling and heavier on old-fashioned Marvel Comics battle action. The result is a nice throwback style of storytelling that fits perfectly with entire "back to the future" teen years reboot of Spidey in this particular Ultimate comic book title.

So we're three-for-three this week, with another positive thumbs-up recommendation to add this entertaining and just-plain-fun issue of Ultimate Spider-Man to our growing pile of new comic books to read on that beach blanket!

Contest Winner Announcement!!!

Our latest contest asked you to correctly identify what the initial "S" stands for as President Harry S. Truman's middle name. We had quite a few correct entries, so via a roll of the dice our selected winner is (drumroll, please)...Erin O'Connor, who correctly tells us that the S stands for just that, the letter S! Truman's parents chose the letter S to honor both of his grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young. Single initial middle names were a common historical practice among Scot-Irish immigrant families to America. The Bongo Congo panel of contest judges have also decided to award a second, honorary contest prize to Christian P. Mock, who is the only contest entrant who has the same name situation; Christian tells us that his folks also couldn't decide which grandparent to honor, thus giving him the middle name of the letter P! Congrats to both of our winners, who each receive a $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment!

New Contest Announcement!!!

Let's take a break from trivia this week and have a comic/animation-related contest challenge. The Bongo Congo panel of contest judges was recently watching an episode of this past season's The Simpsons and was impressed how the writing quality of the show has maintained its strength over the many years of the show. As such, your challenge this week is to e-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com telling us which episode of The Simpsons is your very favorite episode, and why. As always, our selected first prize winner will receive a $10.00 gift certificate to our favorite home-away-from-home, That's Entertainment!

That's all for now, so great a great Fourth Of July comic book reading week and see you again next week here In Bongo Congo!

comic reviews 6/24/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Good King Leonardo has declared that this week we review two D.C. Comics and one Marvel Comic that look like interesting summertime reading, so let's see how each of these issues fare:

Flashpoint: Deadman & The Flying Graysons #1

Publisher: D.C. Comics

J.T. Krul: Writer

Mikel Janin: Art

Ulises Arreola: Colors

Among the many titles currently being published under the umbrella of DC's Flashpoint mega-event is issue #1 of a three-part mini-series entitled "Flashpoint: Deadman & The Flying Graysons." The issue is scripted by J.T. Krul with art by Mikel Janin and colors by Ulises Arreola. I reviewed not long ago issue #1 of the main five-issue Flashpoint mini-series. For the uninitiated, the premise of Flashpoint is that an enemy of Barry Allen/The Flash has managed to alter the reality of the DC superhero universe. The most significant change features Wonder Woman and Aquaman leading their respective armies in war against humanity, resulting in millions of lives lost in Western Europe. Many creative changes occur regarding the idntities and histories of numerous DC heroes.

Issue #1 of this three-part series pairs alternate realities for Dick Grayson/Robin with Boston Brand/Deadman. In this new world, Grayson never became Robin, instead teaming with his still-living parents in a traveling circus trapped in Europe while the war rages. Their fellow circus performers include a still-living Boston Brand performing as an egocentric acrobat and Dr. Fate, relegated in this new world to a sideshow magic act. Two sub-plots thread their way through this Flashpoint segment. One focuses on the changed personalities and interaction between our DC heroes who are now relegated to circus act status, while the second brings the world war to their insulated world. The issue concludes in a dramatic bridge to issue #2, in which Wonder Woman's troops arrive in seacrh of poor Dr. Fate, for a key reason which I won't reveal as a spoiler in this review.

I liked the kick-off Flashpoint issue that I reviewed last month, due to the entertaining potential that the alternate reality concept holds for DC readers. This latest series doesn't fail in that regard, continuing to give us some really fresh and creative changes to very familiar hero roles turned topsy-turvy in this dangerous new reality of superhero world war. One of the most intriguing elements of this series is the decision by writer J.T. Krul to construct personalities for Robin, Deadman and Dr. Fate completely different from their standard DC characters, thereby taking the alternate reality story concept even deeper than normal into the brave and often frightening new world that the Flashpoint series is constructing. So a definite thumbs-up recommendation to have some fun summertime light beach reading by diving into this "what if?" version of our favorite DC superheros.

Freedom Fighters #9

Publisher: D.C. Comics

Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti: Writers

Travis Moore: Pencils

Trevor Scott: Inks

Allen Passalaqua: Colors

DC's Freedom Fighters comic book title is currently up to issue #9. The Freedom Fighters superhero team consists of Native American hero Black Condor, Doll Man, Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, The Ray and team leader Uncle Sam. I had given a negative review to the first issue of the title and wanted to revisit it this month to see how the story quality is faring. The creative team consists of co-writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, penciler Travis Moore, inker Trevor Scott and colorist Allen Passalaqua.

The current issue is Part Nine of the ongoing multi-issue storyline entitled "American Nightmare," and presents three story segments. The first sub-plot consists of a detailed discussion among the team members on how best to assist Human Bomb in functioning on his own while the group tries to address an unclear but inferred ongoing break-up of the team. The mid-section of the issue shifts to standard superhero crimefighting fare, as Black Condor returns to his home in the Southwestern U.S. and assists his deputy sheriff cousin in crimefighting. The final third of the issue abruptly shifts the storytelling genre, as the team reassembles to fight bizarre alien-like creatures who invade the U.S. from a future timeline with the goal of killing millions of humans to affect supposedly historic events.

Unfortunately, the Freedom Fighters comic book title hasn't outgrown the series flaws and problems which were evident from the beginning of this comic book series. While the artwork is top notch, the story presentation is bizarrely jumbled. None of the three story sections connect in subject matter or transition with the others, rendering much of the plotline illogical even for a comic book world. The beginning of the story is confusing and would have been helped with a catch-up narrative updating new readers on the details of the ongoing group break-up. And the sudden dumping of readers in the third section of the issue into a weird future alien invasion is very jarring and just adds to an overall sense that someone is mailing-in the effort here, oddly cutting and pasting-together story ideas that just don't blend together in a one-issue storyline.

So unfortunately, a belated thumbs-down recommendation to pass on this uncomfortable storyline with an unfinished feel to it. There's lots of other entertaining DC comics on those new issues shelves at That's Entertainment for your summer reading enjoyment.

Ghost Rider #0.1

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Rob Williams: Writer

Matthew Clark: Pencils

Sean Parsons: Inker

Robert Schwager: Colors

Marvel Comics is in the process of rebooting its well-known Ghost Rider character, with the publication of a prequel issue # 0.1 leading up to issue #1 of the new title. Fans of Ghost Rider are familiar with the story of motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze, who makes a deal with a demon that backfires, leaving him as the fire-wielding, skullblazing hero Ghost Rider. The new series is scripted by Rob Williams with pencils by Matthew Clark, inks by Sean Parsons and colors by Robert Schwager.

Prequel issue # 0.1 is entitled "Give Up The Ghost." The title is applicable, as Johnny is approached by a mysterious stranger named Adam who offers him the chance to be finally free of the skull-on-fire Ghost Rider demonic curse. After struggling throughout the story to make a decision, by issue's end Johnny takes the plunge, following Adam's instructions and seemingly ridding himself of the curse. Its also clear that Adam has not-so-good intentions regarding his purpose for helping Johnny, and that part of the deal is that some unknown person will be burdened with the relocated Ghost Rider curse.

I'm an old Ghost Rider fan and clearly remember the day when I bought that very first issue of Ghost Rider back in the good old comic book reading days. As such, I was very pleased with this latest take on the story universe of this cursed Marvel hero. The artwork is wonderful, with the motorcycle action scenes both plentiful and providing the reader with an impressive feel for the action and adventure. I was also impressed with writer Rob Williams's approach of building a storyline of mystery around the lifting-of-the-curse storythread. It should be a lot of fun in upcoming issues for readers to learn more about the mysterious Adam as well as the consequences to everyone on the lifting of the curse. Obviously, Johnny will be put in a situation in which he will have to take the curse back in order to free some poor soul, but the details of the story should be very entertaining.

So whether you're an old Ghost Rider fan like me or a newcomer to our favorite hell-on-wheels good guy, this issue and the upcoming new series promises a lot of summer reading heat wave entertainment!

Contest Winner Announcement!!!

Our latest contest challenged you to correctly tell us which letter of the alphabet is not included in the names of any of the 50 U.S. states. My fellow reviewer Dave LeBlanc correctly answered the question for fun, having seen this question on the same recent episode of Jeopardy that I did. We received a lot of correct entries (as well as a few incorrect ones), and our randomly-selected winner is (drumroll, please)...Kevin Browne, who correctly identified the letter Q as never popping-up in any names of the 50 states. Congrats to Kevin, who wins the first prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment!

New Contest Announcement!!!

Let's try another summertime trivia contest this week. E-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com with the answer to the following question: What does the middle initial "S" stand for in President Harry S. Truman's name? As always, in the event of multiple correct entries, the winner of the first-prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment will be chosen via a random roll of the dice.

That's all for now, so have a great summer comic book reading week and see you again next week Here In Bongo Congo!!!

Comic Reviews 6/18/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Good King Leonardo has decreed that we review the kick-off issues of two new mini-series that just debut, one from Marvel Comics and one from D.C. Comics, along with a fun, new satire title of a well-known science fiction franchise. So let's get right to it and see how these three new titles fare:

Mystery Men #1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
David Liss: Writer
Patrick Zircher: Art
Andy Troy: Colors

Marvel Comics has just published issue #1 of a new five-issue limited series entitled Mystery Men. Set in 1930's Depression-era America, the story concept introduces some brand-new Pulp-era costumed heroes to the Marvel comic book universe, while eventually having these characters interact with the Golden Age versions of well-known, established Marvel superheroes. The series is scripted by writer David Liss with art by Patrick Zircher and colors by Andy Troy.

Issue #1 has two interweaving sub-plots. The first storyline kicks-off the origins of the Mystery Men team of pulp-era new superheroes. When cat burgler Dennis Piper's Broadway star girlfriend is murdered and he's falsely blamed for the crime, he becomes "The Operative," trading-in his cat burgler persona to try and solve the crime. By the end of this first issue, he's begun to assemble the Mystery Men, as two additional people get pulled-into the mystery: his girlfriend's twin sister pilot adventurer and "The Revenant," a mysterious African American superhero whose powers seem to be a combination of those of DC's The Flash and The Spectre. Our second sub-plot follows the actions of the murderer himself, a deformed evil humanoid known as "The General," who operates in two directions. One is the management from his lair in the brand-new Empire State Building of an evil secret corporate board of directors. His second area of activity is within the occult, as he clearly has dealings with the demonic world in exchange for wielding the power to cloud people's minds to hide his deformity and his evil actions. By the end of issue #1, its clear that the next two steps in this series are the further assembly of the Mystery Men team and further advancement of The General's plans for occult murder and world dominance.

Its incredibly difficult for any comic book creative team to introduce brand-new hero characters that comfortably fit into the publisher's existing superhero story universe. As such, Marvel Comics has achieved the very rare feat of successfully jumping this creative hurdle. The three good-guy characters here very comfortably and credibly fit nicely into the Golden Age Marvel Comics universe. Writer David Liss explains in a back-of-the-book letter that he had two goals with this title-first, to add such credible new characters to the Marvel comic book world and secondly, to use the plot to address some gritty historical themes of Depression-era America, such as racism and societal inequalities in general. He progresses very well out-of-the-gate with these goals in issue #1. Blend-in Patrick Zircher and Andy Troy's highly skilled artistic style and we've got a very significant and entertaining new conceptual branch added to the wider tree that is the Marvel universe.

I couldn't help but compare this new series to DC's ongoing First Wave event series, which also takes a pulp-era approach to comic book storytelling. While I've enjoyed much of what I've read in the First Wave titles, Mystery Men clearly raises the bar in terms of delivering high-quality Pulp Era comic book action and adventure within the framework of a major comic book publisher's existing story universe. It should be a lot of fun to see how Marvel weaves its established stable of superheroes into this new spin on Marvel storytelling. So whether you're a Pulp-era story fan and just a standard Marvel Comics fan, by all means don't miss-out on the premier of this new and worthwhile Marvel Comics story world!


Batman: Gates Of Gotham #1
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins: Writer
Trevor McCarthy: Art
Guy Major: Colors

DC Comics has also just published issue #1 of a new five-issue Batman mini-series entitled "Batman: Gates Of Gotham." The series adds a new spin on the many Batman story universe concepts by proposing to blend a "secret history of Gotham City" into the world of all things Batman. The series is scripted by Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins, with art by Trevor McCarthy and colors by Guy Major. Scott Snyder is also known among us Batman fanatics as the writer of a very popular multi-issue story arc currently unfolding in monthly issues of Detective Comics.

Issue #1 is sub-titled "A Bridge To The Past" and literally takes the title to heart, providing us with a tale that flashes between past and present as it focuses on three famous bridges in Gotham City. The past segment of the tale focuses on the 19th century origins of the bridges, as Bruce Wayne/Batman's grandfather Alan Wayne creates the three river spans in partnership with the Elliotts and the Cobblepots, ancestors of Batman's archfoes Thomas Elliot/Hush and Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin. In the present-day plotline, a mysterious foe blows-up the three bridges and threatens "the founder's families," leading to an unlikely alliance between Batman/Dick Grayson and The Penguin against the attacker-with-an-historic-agenda.

Its always fun to come across a new mini-series that adds a fresh perspective to the well-known elements of a popular hero's world. Add this new title to the list of series that succeed on that count. The historic element is very creative, allying the grandfathers of today's trio of adversaries; I particularly got a kick out of The Penguin's willingness to grudgingly cooperate with Batman, valuing their joint family history over today's situation. A hats-off is also due to the artistic team for presenting a unique artistic format that's perfect for conveying the mix of Victorian Gotham that co-exists in both the past and present sides of the storyline. So by all means get in on the ground floor with issue #1 of this new and very entertaining Batman mini-series.



Space Warped #1
Publisher: Kaboom!
Herve Bourhis: Writer
Rudy Spiessert: Art
Mathilda: Colors
Dan Heching: Translation
Kevin Church: Americanization

Kaboom! comics, the children's division of Boom! Entertainmnet, has just published issue #1 of an American edition of an overseas-produced parody of Star Wars entitled "Space Warped". The creative team includes writer Herve Bourhis with art by Rudy Spiessert and colors by Mathilda. The Kaboom! version of this title was assisted in production by translater Dan Heching and with "Americanization" by Kevin Church.

This Stars Wars spoof faithfully follows the main events of the very first Star Wars movie. The idea here is to re-present the plotline in a low tech satiric manner. Instead of robot droids we have two human "druids," instead of hover cars we have ox-drawn carts, instead of a death star we have a bad guy's castle, etc. Names have been changed also, so Princess Leia is now Lady Leica, Darth Vador is Lord Salvador, Obi Wan Kenobi is Bernard The Mad Monk (you get the picture). By the end of issue #1, the story has progressed to the point equal in the original tale at which our friends link-up with Harrison Ford and Chewbacca to begin the outer space segment of the first movie adventure.

While the first few pages of this storyline unfolded a bit slow and in a somewhat confusing manner, by page four I was hooked on this extremely funny and original retake of the classic Star Wars movie #1 tale. It was a brilliant and just plain fun move to place the well-known story in a primitive low tech setting. The result is a series of hilarious riffs on the well-known movie scenes. Without being a detail spoiler, my favorite touches in this retelling include this comic's version of "The Force." as well as the bust-a-gut retelling of the original scene in which Luke and Obi Wan find that the Imperial Stormtroopers have killed Luke's aunt and uncle back at the ranch on Tatooine (sounds potentially unfunny, but it really does work).

The satire here is sharp and funny, but without coming close to the edge of snarkiness or staleness abyss that some Mad Magazine-style satires sometimes fall into. So by all means, grab at copy of Space Warped at That's Entertainment, and "May The Farce Be With You!"


Contest Winner Announcement!!!

Our latest contest challenged you to tell us what upcoming comic or superhero movie you most anticipate seeing. And our winner is (drumroll, please),,,Mike Dooley. While Mike tells us that he's a big fan of such heroes as Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America and The X-Men, he's being non-traditional this summer and most looking forward to the upcoming film "Cowboys and Aliens," the science fiction western starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, based on Scott Mitchell Rosenberg's 2006 graphic novel.

Mike writes that while the comic book has never appealed to him, he feels that the premise could be perfectly suited for the big screen. A bold and cutting-edge choice, Mike-we'll all know whether we agree with you or not after the movie hits the theatres on July 29! Congrats to Mike for winning our first prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainment!


New Contest Announcement!!!

Let's try another trivia contest for this week. E-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com with the answer to the following question: What is the one letter of the alphabet that is not included in the names of any of the 50 states in the U.S.? As always, in the event of multiple correct submissions, the winner of the first prize $10.00 gift certificate to That's Entertainmnet will be chosen via a roll of the dice.

That's all for now, so have a great comic book reading and summer blockbuster movie viewing week, and see you again next week Here In Bongo Congo!

comic reviews 6/10/11

Here In Bongo Congo

Good King Leonardo has decreed that its "Science Fiction Theme Week" Here In Bongo Congo, so let's review two new science fiction-themed comic book titles along with a classic Batman title:

Strange Adventures #1

Publisher: D.C. Vertigo Comics

Various Artists & Writers

DC Comics has recently restarted through its Vertigo imprint of comics its Strange Adventures title. Aging fanboys and fangirls will recall DC's long-running Silver Age version of this comic book, which featured science fiction tales in comic book form and is renowned among Silver Age collectors for having some of the most interesting and fun classic science fiction front covers. The over-sized issue #1 in the new series features a whopping nine stories encompassing a broad variety of science fiction storylines, with each tale presented by a different writer-artist team. The issue also features a fun science fiction cover by popular comic book artist Paul Pope.

While I expected a wide range of story quality from strong to weak, I was blown-away by the excellent quality of the three tales that lead in the issue. The first story is entitled "Case 21" and gives us a taut thriller set in a Bladerunner-type future mega-city with a shocking ending. Our second tale is entitled "The White Room." To avoid any spoiler details, I'll just comment that its an engrossing tale on the nature of reaility as well as a subtle comment on our real-world addiction to video-related technology. The third story is entitled "Partners," and has an entertaining Twilight Zone feel to it. Again, without spoiling any details, the plot centers on two male friends, each of whom has convinced the other that one of them is real and the other an imaginary sidekick, and neither one knows which-is-which. Overall, the credited writer-artist teams consistently deliver in this trio of stories with taut cutting-edge storylines and appropriate graphic styles for each of the varied story themes.

Of the additional tales, three are average and decent, one tale is a cliched re-hashing of an old science fiction story theme and two are just outright gory in graphic style and stupid in plotline. Any mix of nine stories in a comic book is going to have a range of story quality, so three excellent stories and three decent tales give us a higher-than-expected batting average for quality in this premier issue. So in sum, a very well-deserved thumbs-up positive recommendation for the return of this classic standard Silver Age science fiction-themed comic book title. Here's hoping that DC Vertigo keeps this new title going for awhile and keeps publishing it in the multi-story, over-sized format of issue #1.

Science Dog #2

Publisher: Image Comics

Robert Kirkman: Writer

Cory Walker: Pencils & Inks

Dave Stewart & Chris Chuckry: Colors

Image Comics is up to issue #2 of a new science fiction series entitled "Science Dog," featuring a humanoid dog scientist and his human sidekicks Rachel and Daniel. The series is written by Robert Kirkman, known among many projects for his work on The Walking Dead and Invincible comic book series. Pencils and inks are provided by Cory Walker with colors provided by Dave Stewart and Chris Chuckry.

The issue #2 plot is a very fast-paced tale of timetravel and alternate versions of reality. After being detained by aliens onboard an Earth-orbiting spaceship, Science Dog returns to Earth to find immense death and disaster caused by his arch-enemy Walter. Our hero attempts to make things right by using his timemachine several times, each time altering reality in some unexpected way. Obviously, by issue's end things are set right. But the kicker at the conclusion is very emotional and heart-rending, regarding the fate of Science Dog as he makes a particular personal sacrifice to reset reality in a particular way to assure that his friends Rachel and Daniel are protected from harm in the original disaster.

I was very impressed with this new comic book title for a few reasons. First, in a good way it reminded me of a Fantagraphics comic book title from the 1980's entitled "Dalgoda," (A Dog Lad spelled backwards). That very entertaining limited issue title featured an almost identical humanoid dog character's adventures in space, leading me to speculate that perhaps Kirkman wrote that title, also, or at the very least is paying homage to Dalgoda with this title. Secondly, while bleak and dark at times, the issue #2 plotline is beautifully presented, mixing traditional time travel/alternate reality story themes with some striking emotional content. And third, its fair to conclude that this comic book, in story style and graphic presentation, has many of the good elements that make the very popular "Atomic Robo" such a pleasure to read.

So whether you're a fan of talking dogs, science fiction themes or just plain entertaining comic book storytelling, by all means give this new Image Comics title a read.

Detective Comics #877

Publisher: D.C. Comics

Scott Snyder: Writer

Jock: Art

David Baron: Colors

DC's flagship Batman title, Detective Comics, is up to issue #877. There's been a lot of enthusiastic talk among Batman fans of late regarding the current creative team at the helm of this title, which includes popular writer Scott Snyder, renowned for his accomplished work on American Vampire. An artist named Jock pencils this issue with colors provided by David Baron.

This issue is the second installment of a three-part story arc entitled "Hungry City." Its a Dick Grayson-As-Batman tale, with The Caped Crusader smack in the middle of fast action as he tries to protect Sonia Branch, the good daughter of a mob boss, from threats by two modern-day Gotham crime kingpins called The Roadrunner and Tiger Shark. The plotline unfolds in three segments, starting with a battle between Batman and The Roadrunner, proceeding to an extended brainstorming session between Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Sonia Branch, and progressing into an undersea hunt through Gotham Harbor which ends in Batman's dramatic arrival at Tiger Shark's underwater criminal lair.

This is an excellent Batman story which stands solidly on its own two feet as an independent tale as well as the second segment of a three-part multi-issue story. This creative team goes betond refreshing Detective Comics, literally CPRing new life into the flagship DC Comics title. Jock and David Baron's graphic product is on equal par with past Batman A-list artists including Neal Adams and Dick Giordano, with the mid-story meeting of Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Sonia Branch in a driving Gotham evening rain the quintessential depiction of a Dark Knight Gotham noir setting. The combination of this well-written and beautifully-rendered story left me breathless and feeling rainsoaked myself.

So a well-deserved thumbs-up positive recommendation this week for this very high quality Batman tale in Detective Comics, which successfully doubles as a single story segment as well as the latest installment in this entertaining ongoing storyline.

Contest Winner Announcement!!!

Out latest contest challenge was for you to answer a simple trivia question as to what is the most popular fruit eaten annually in the U.S. these days. The Bongo Congo panel of contest judges were astounded by the flood of e-mail submissions to this question-we received the most contest submittals that we've ever received for a contest! I guess its the simple questions that get readers attention, after all. And the winner of our contest chosen at random from among our many correct submittals is (drumroll, please)...Gregory Goding, who correctly answered that the banana is the most popular fruit in the U.S. Other folks made logical guesses that the orange and the tomato (yes, the tomato is technically a fruit!) are most popular, but the banana rules! Congratulations to Gregory for winning the $10.00 first prize gift certificate to That's Entertainment!

New Contest Announcement!!!

As all good fanboys and fangirls know, this summer will see the release of more than the usual number of summer blockbuster superhero movies. So far, we've seen the Thor movie and can't wait to check-out as many of the other great movies as possible (X-Men rule!).

So your challange this week is to e-mail us at Gordon_A@msn.com and pitch to us either the best summer superhero movie that you've seen so far, or tell us which one you're most looking forward to seeing and why. As always, our contest winner will receive a $10.00 first prize gift certificate to That's Entertainment!

That's all for now, so keep enjoying the recent early summer sunshine and see you again next week Here In Bongo Congo!

We're off this week from adding any new reviews, so we'll be back on June 10 with new reviews for you along with our current contest challenge winner and a new contest challenge for you-in the meantime, enjoy our reviews below!!!

Thanks So Much,

Alan