Ewwwwwww ...

Animal Man 1-4
DC Comics
Jeff Lemire, writer
Travel Foreman, artist

Not quite sure what to make of this book.

I initially became aware of the Buddy Baker Animal Man character with Grant Morrison's re-imagining of the title as a Vertigo comic before Vertigo even existed. I liked the first five issues, and then dropped the title for some reason I can no longer recall, likely money and/or too many other titles I liked better. I later purchased the entire Morrison run on the title through the three trades DC collected them in. Not sure I was ready for the title when the individual issues came out, but I liked it enough to keep an eye out for the remainder of the series as it went through several subsequent writers. I have since purchased all of the issues of the Vertigo Animal Man after Morrison's run, but have not yet had/taken time to read them.

I next got a taste of Animal Man in the pages of 52, which returned him to a more super-hero style, in my mind, but I like that Animal Man. He wants to be a hero and has super powers, but he's also a family man and the superheroing is kind of like a part-time hobby for him. It's an interesting and not too common dynamic for a superhero title.

Then with the announcement of the DCnU, I learned that Animal Man would be one of the new titles DC was starting out with. I was excited by the idea of a monthly Animal Man book, while also trepidacious about all the talk of it being a horror title by a writer known for horror.

Buddy still has his wife and two kids, and he's a former stunt man who developed the ability to draw on the strengths of various animals. He's a part-time hero/adventurer and a full-time family man. But that family life is threatened when his young daughter, Maxine, begins displaying some abilities of her own. Dead animals seem to be re-animating and being drawn to her. They share with her, and she tries to tell her father, about the dangers of something called The Rot about the same time three monsters, agents of The Rot, show up to try to destroy her. It seems Maxine is a defender of The Red — kind of a carnivore's equivalent to The Green for plants in Swamp Thing — and The Rot wants to corrupt her to its own ends. All of this is new to Animal Man, and he must defend his daughter from these opposing forces.

Well, now that I've read the first four issues, I'm not sure I would exactly call this horror, but it isn't exactly my taste either. This title also seems like it will be heavily interacting and crossing over with Swamp Thing and a few other similarly themed books I don't have much interest in buying. Not sure this is my style of book plus it will tie in with several other books I'm not reading equals this is looking like a book for me to drop.

And, unless this is a completely original take on Lemire's part, it is making me think I might not like some of those later issues of that earlier Animal Man run I have yet to read.

Back To Basics, And It Feels So Wrong

Justice League International 1-4
DC Comics
Dan Jurgens, writer
Aaron Lopestri and Matt Ryan, artists

I wanted to like this book. It features Booster Gold prominently as team leader and is written by the man who created the character and later helped bring Booster to, in my opinion at least, true greatness following the events of 52 and Geoff Johns' efforts to reshape him into the time-policing "greatest hero you've never heard of." And maybe, given time, Jurgens will bring that feel of competence and confidence back to Booster. But it isn't there yet.

Yeah, the whole point of the DCnU is to restart these heroes' careers, but Booster really feels like he's coming out a loser from this reboot. And while the characters might not remember what has gone before, I read and liked the stories which preceded the DCnU relaunch and feel shortchanged on their behalf.

This title follows the efforts of the United Nations to create an international super-powered group of heroes they control. You know, because the Justice League has only been around for five years according to the set-up and has saved the world how many times in that history, so they have no allegiance to any nation and can't be trusted. Anyway, weak rationale aside, they pick a known pitch man, Booster, to lead the team because he ought to be controllable, right? Then they fill out the team with Ice from Norway, Vixen from Zambesi, Fire from Brazil, Rocket Red from Russia, August General in Iron from China and Godiva from Great Britain. They also select Guy Gardner to include a powerhouse Green Lantern on the team, but Guy balks at first, especially if he has to take orders from Booster. Oh, and they decide they don't want Batman involved, but the Dark Knight, as always, has his own plans. Not a bad roster of characters, many of whom have been on this team during past timelines, so there's a nod to tradition.

The team's first mission does not go well, however, and it takes first Batman's uncharacteristic encouragement to Booster, and then August General's additional support to hold the various heroes together. They are not yet a cohesive team by the end of the fourth issue, but then, neither is the story arc over yet, so there's time.

As I said, I wanted to like this book. And really, it's not bad. It is, in fact, an entertaining read. But in trying to winnow down my pull list and re-assess my current collecting, I'm afraid this title isn't quite good enough to stay. These days, I'm not just looking for good; I'm looking for great. Sadly, this book is falling short of that so far.

Update: After I read these first four issues but before this post was published, it has been announced that JLI is being canceled following its 12th issue. Guess I wasn't the only one who found this title somewhat lacking.

Everything Old Is New Again

Action Comics 1-4DC Comics
Grant Morrison, writer
Rags Morales and Gene Ha, artists

This book has been so hyped, it offered few surprises; but it DOES offer a solid read with some pretty pictures to go with it.

The story line returns Superman/Clark Kent to his activist, ultra-liberal, fighting against The Man's injustice, 1938 roots. A young Clark Kent is finding his way in Metropolis as a reporter for the Daily Star, making friends with Jimmy Olsen, a photographer from a rival newspaper, The Daily Planet, and butting heads with Lois Lane, a reporter for the Planet. Clark's portrayal is more nerdy than bumbling.

And as for Superman, he's more angry, lone vigilante than his usual portrayal, but that works for this early stage in his career. The first time we see the Man of Steel in action, he plows effortlessly through the hired muscle, straight to one of the city's worst  robber-baron types, a man Superman quickly suspends upside down from the top of a building (in a patented Batman move) while he works to scare a confession out of the "rat."

There are changes in this book -- the S-symbol is a bit more stylized, life on Krypton isn't quite like previous portrayals, relationships are tweaked here and there for several familiar faces -- but all of the basics of the story remain the same. I'll continue to pick this book up for a while for Morrison's fresh take on the character.

It's A Team Book, Dammit

Justice League 1-4
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Jim Lee, artist

I've heard a lot of people complain that for a writer known for his character work, Geoff Johns has dropped the ball with this title because it lacks any real characterization, instead opting for little more than slam-bam fights and too-cutesy quips. The criticism is usually joined with the charge that this book, above all others as the flagship title of The New 52! relaunch, deserves better.

After finally having a chance to read some of the DCnU debut titles, I say that Johns DOES add character moments in this title, albeit small ones, and that because this is the BIG team book leading off the relaunch effort, it must be mostly big and splashy or fans would decry the effort as lackluster.

Those of you who've been to this blog before know I tend to be somewhat behind in my comics reading. Life intrudes and quiet moments to sit and read are often precious and few, especially with a new baby in the house. So now that I've finally reached the beginnings of the relaunched titles from DC, I opted to read the first four issues of the titles I bought to get a real feel for the books before commenting. I'm so behind much of the time anyway, maybe I should just trade-wait most of my comic purchases, and do on some titles, but haven't made that switch completely.

Anyway, back to Justice League. This book in particular benefits from reading four issues at once, or even the entire arc. I have no defense for anyone wishing to complain about this book being a little slow in monthly form. This truly is an arc that would be better as a trade so the reader doesn't lose momentum between issues. Because momentum is what a book featuring this many big guns is all about. Early on in their careers, these heroes all give new meaning to the term big guns. Each of these heroes is new to superheroing, and even newer to working with others. I can handle the excess bravado and one-upmanship amply on display here because of that lack of experience. Those attitudes should not continue once this book leaves behind the League's origin and moves to more contemporary stories where the heroes are seasoned by five years of working together.

Also, let's face it: Most of these characters -- all of them, in fact, except Cyborg -- star in at least one title of their own. Those books, most written by other creators, are where the early character development will happen for Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman. Those other creators would resent Johns stealing their individual character-defining moments for his group book.

This is a fun superhero romp, and I'm enjoying the ride. If you are wanting deeper characterization, seek out these heroes' individual titles. This book is all about the larger dynamic.

Let's Just Keep Them A Secret

Secret Avengers 16-20
Marvel Comics
Warren Ellis, writer
various, artist

I liked the first couple story arcs of this covert Avengers team operating under the guiding hand of a costumeless Steve Rogers. The book had several characters I like teamed for specific missions alongside series regulars Rogers, the Black Widow and Beast. They were fun team-book stories under the authorship of Ed Brubaker. Between Brubaker's tenure and the announced new writer, Rick Remender, taking charge, this title featured several done-in-one tales penned by Warren Ellis. I like the done-in-one concept, something all too often missing from today's comics, and there's no denying that Ellis is a fantastic writer. These five issues are imaginative, filled with both action and character moments, and the artwork provided by each creator matches the tone of the respective story nicely. And yet, these five issues left me feeling ... meh. The characterization for Steve Rogers seemed sometimes a bit too harsh. Cap is a soldier and has no problem giving orders, but he seemed a little on the cold and distant side, almost mean-spirited, in some segments where he is interacting with other members of his team. That is NOT Steve Rogers, at least not for me. That's a deal-breaker on this series for me.

Pulling It All Together

Zorro Rides Again 1-6
Dynamite Entertainment
Matt Wagner, writer
Esteve Polls, artist

I've always liked Zorro, so picking up Dynamite's first Zorro series penned by Matt Wagner was a no-brainer. That series lasted for 20 issues and served to re-tell the origins of the character in details that, if not completely original, were certainly new to me. Diego de la Vega received much of his training at the hands of a secret society of masked vigilantes in Spain. His adopting the identity of el Zorro, the fox, is in keeping with the traditions of this secret society, as all of the adventurers in the society have similar names and spirit animals.

After a marvelous 20-issue run, Wagner took a short break, but promised to return to the series. In the interim, Dynamite published a pair of limited series centered on the character. First was a four-issue tale by Don MacGregor, no stranger to Zorro tales. The second served to link the legends of Zorro and the Lone Ranger.

Now Wagner has returned for Zorro Rides Again, which has been billed as only a 12-issue run. These first six issues make it clear that Zorro has had many adventures since the origin tale Wagner first told and that this may well prove to be the hero of California's final outing. Already in just the first six issues, several characters long-associated with the legend of Zorro have either met a final fate or been changed in quite drastic ways. In the hands of a lesser writer, that might make this seem like less a Zorro tale than one featuring some other hero masquerading as the true Zorro. But in Wagner's hands, the story unfolds in a manner that seems quite natural for the characters, and gives the events a weight that makes the reader feel for these characters as though they were flesh and blood individuals.

The artwork in these issues is also top-notch. Polls brings a fluidity to the characters' movements that evokes the swordplay they are known for, and his California countryside backgrounds look spectacular. Adding to the feel of the artwork is the wonderful use of colors, so thanks and praise must also be extended to colorist Oscar Manuel Martin.

Everything(in this miniseries)'s Archie

Criminal: The Last of the Innocent 1-4
Marvel Icon
Ed Brubaker, writer
Sean Phillips, artist
***mature content warning***

This is another series I picked up based on the strength of previous work by these same creators, and once again, I was not disappointed. I've enjoyed Brubaker's and Phillips's Criminal titles and hope they return to that world before long. As with previous outings from this series, the pair showcase a world in which few of the characters are "good" people, but I still find myself empathizing with the characters and rooting for them to triumph despite the often long odds against them. The particular twist in this four-issue story arc is that while the names of the characters are not at all familiar, it is not much of a stretch to see them living out very nearly the same lives in a little town called Riverdale.

Brubaker tells the story both in the present and with flashbacks to the characters' childhood days. To further the mental connection with another gang of high school characters, Phillips uses his usual gritty, realistic style for the contemporary sequences and a style similar to that found in Archie Comics for the flashback scenes. Kudos to this team as they knock another one out of the park.

Check back Tuesday for another review!

What Is Up With That Chick's Eyes?

Rachel Rising 1-4
Abstract Studio
Terry Moore, writer and artist

The publicized premise of this black-and-white comic is that the title character mysteriously cannot die. The series opens with Rachel discovering that fact along with the readers as she has to dig herself out of a shallow grave. Upon doing so and making her way home from the woods where she was left, Rachel learns that she has been missing for three days. The young woman shows physical signs of having been strangled but doesn't recall that happening or who might have been responsible.

As if that weren't bad enough, some of her friends don't even seem to recognize Rachel. And those who do aren't much help trying to help her remember the circumstances from her missing three days.

But Rachel's problems aren't the only odd occurrences readers of this series are privy to. A mysterious blonde woman stood watching from a hillside as Rachel freed herself from the shallow grave in which she'd been buried. This same woman has just as mysteriously appeared to other residents of the town in which Rachel lives (lived?) and has compelled or goaded them into doing horrible things, sometimes without uttering a single word.

Moore is a wonderful writer, and I have enjoyed his previous series, Strangers in Paradise and Echo. I gave this series a try based on his talent displayed in those previous works. It can sometimes be hard to scare a reader with a book which can simply be put down and walked away from. But Moore has crafted a genuinely intriguing and downright creepy first few issues of this series, and I look forward to more of the same.

As a side note: I'm going to add another post on Friday and see how things go twice a week. Not saying the change will be permanent at this point, but definitely for a few weeks, I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes. So come back next Tuesday, as usual, but also look for an extra review on Friday, Kiddie Cops!

Update: Just realized you really can't see Rachel's eyes in the image above, so anyone unfamiliar with the series might not get the post header. Take my word for it that Moore draws Rachel's eyes in this series in a downright creepy way.