One of the nice things about this hobby is the variety of subject matter out there, and I like to try new titles and genres from time to time. Sure, you end up spending a little money on something you might not like so much; just like paying to see a movie or play and then being disappointed in it for whatever reason. But every now and then, you find a gem that makes the small risk all worth it; something you would have missed if not for taking the chance. If you don’t already do this, I highly recommend it once in a while.
Several months ago, I heard about AK Comics, a small company producing superhero comics, but with Middle Eastern settings and characters. The concept of the familiar-style heroes done in and by another culture sounded interesting to me, so I read some more. Apparently the company is a couple years old and has already been publishing their line in the Middle East. They are just now bringing the comics to the U.S.
I decided to give them a try, just to see how different they were, how good, if I liked them. Unfortunately, by the time I’d heard of them, it was too late to order the first issue of their four titles. I figured, hey, the first issue would be nice, but I’m just trying them out, so I’ll take what I can get and worry about the first issues later, if I like what I read. So I ordered the fourth issues of Aya, Jalila, Rakan and Zein, all of which arrived with my most recent shipment of new comics.
My initial reactions are somewhat mixed, but I am interested enough to try some more. The art on all four titles is somewhat more cartoony than I would have expected from the covers. Most of the color interiors are along the lines of Justice League Unlimited or something similar. All of the characters are set slightly in a “post-apocalyptic future” that doesn’t look that much different from today to me so far. Rakan is set in the past. In these particular issues, Aya and Jalila, both female leads, were obviously part of ongoing stories, while Rakan and Zein, both males, were stand-alone stories, a little more satisfying in a trial issue. If I had to pick a favorite of the four right now, it would probably be Zein. A least favorite so far would by Aya. The one I most want to like would be Jalila. For a little more information, read on.
Aya, Princess of Darkness 4 (AK Comics) — This young woman, Rania, is a skilled fighter with a quick mind, but no actual powers — think Batgirl or a non-sonic Black Canary. She takes direction from a benefactor, Number Zero, who supplies her with information and targets, then works to bring them to justice. A new power has moved in and has been killing off rival gang bosses in an effort to take control of crime in Aya’s city. She tries to intervene and prevent the slayings of two crime bosses, but fails each time against the assassin, One Bullet. Still, she is deemed a threat, and the mastermind threatens to add three other costumed assassins to One Bullet in an effort to slay Aya in the next issue.
Jalila, Protector of the City of All Faiths 4 (AK Comics) — Ansam is a nuclear scientist who also possesses a radiation suit designed by her parents which helps her focus her powers into electrical radiation blasts of varying intensity. This issue begins after Jalila has been captured by an enemy. She revives and escapes by burning her guards, telling them, “ Don’t worry about those radiation burns on your necks — they’ll go away in about a year! In the meantime, stay out of trouble or the next burn marks will be permanent!” Much of the rest of the issue alternates between Jalila trying to determine what the bad guys are planning, and checking up on her two brothers, one of whom has unknowingly gotten mixed up with the villains.
Rakan, the Lone Warrior 4 (AK Comics) — For this character, think Conan in Egypt. The young child was part of a nomadic tribe slaughtered by barbarians. Little Rakan, the lone survivor, was taken in and raised by a sabertooth cat. Raised in this environment, next to his brother sabertooth, Arameh, the young man grew to adulthood. Upon leaving the sabertooths, he met a mystic leader in a hidden oasis. This man taught Rakan to fight, and in exchange, Rakan now wandres the desert searching for the man’s kidnapped daughter. In this issue, Rakan and Arameh come across the aftermath of a fierce battle. Rakan rescues a single female captive still alive, and at her urging, takes her to the nearest kingdom where she says she was sent on a peace mission. Once in the kingdom, however, Rakan finds things not as he expected.
Zein, the Last Pharaoh 4 (AK Comics) — Zein, like Aya and Jalila, typically takes place in the future. However, the character is supposed to be almost immortal, having been born in 14,000 B.C., and this tale takes place in 1889, during the British occupation of Zein’s homeland. At this time, Zein maintains a secret identity of Dr. Kabil, a trainee of the British Dr. Livingston. Livingston is a decent man, not prone to looking down upon the natives as many of his countrymen do, but in his efforts to help the natives, he unwittingly unleashes a powerful monstrosity which Zein must dispatch.
Cobb: Off the Leash 1-3 (IDW Publishing) — This tale, written by manly Beau Smith and illustrated by Eduardo Barreto, is a straight-forward action flick in comic form. Cobb is a former Secret Service agent with a penchant for getting into trouble. He opts to go work with his former friend and mentor as a private investigator just as a Russian mobster’s wife tries to run away and seeks help staying hidden from her husband. Of course, she seeks help from Cobb and his new partner. Of course, the bad guys follow her. Of course, mayhem ensues. This is the kind of testosterone action Smith specializes in, and he does it well.
Impossible Tales 1 ( After Hours Press) — I’m always on the lookout for some off-beat sci-fi, time-travel or alternate reality tale, and that’s what this two-parter seemed to promise. Too bad the execution on this comic didn’t quite live up to the promises made in the promos. The story isn’t that complicated, but the flow from panel to panel is not as smooth, sometimes, as it should be.
52 Week 17 (DC Comics) — We drop in on Luthor’s new team of “heroes” and witness Red Tornado’s latest rebirth briefly, but the bulk of this issue is devoted to the space-faring heroes in their efforts to return home. Instead, they run into Lobo. This issue was a little disappointing, but then, I don’t much care for Lobo, so .....
Teen Titans 38-39 (DC Comics) — These two books kick off Titans Around the World in which Robin, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Ravager and Kid Devil track Raven, trying to find her and uncover a possible traitor. The idea is to introduce us to the various new characters who served as Titans during the missing year, as the current team retraces Raven’s steps in visiting several of these past members. The problem is, since we readers don’t know these new “old” characters, it’s a little hard to care what happens to them. We meet Miss Martian and Zatara, and I am curious if she’s green or white or what, but otherwise, meh. Then we get to the characters we HAVE seen before. Initially, it was good to see Red Star again, but he seems to not be doing so well since the deaths of Wildebeast and Pantha, which is understandable. And what is up with Risk? He’s an almost homeless thief? What the hell?!? I’m sticking around for more, but almost out of morbid curiosity than enjoyment.
Dang, am I being overly critical of my comics lately? Seems like more of my reviews are coming up minuses of late. Hmmm .....
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