Thursday Morning Superhero

The Walking Dead and Skybound have created Movember team entitled Abraham's Army.  It not only celebrates the mustachioed man, it is raising money for men's health and I would encourage all of you to check it out here.   I joined the team and am currently sporting a dirty lip for a good cause.   You can also purchase Abraham shirts with 20% of the proceeds going towards Movember here.  Enough about facial hair, let's move on to the three great books I picked up this week.

Pick of the Week:

Trillium #4 - Jeff Lemire continues to impress with his sci-fi drama that connects an earth in the past with the planet Atabithi.  Nika and some of the Atabithians have been trapped on earth and venture to a native tribe with Billy.  Meanwhile, Clayton is captured by the humans who are planning a raid on Atabithi to secure the Trillium.  The tension and uncertainty that exists in both times is palpable and the unexplained energy source that is coming from the temple that connected the two times simply compounds things.  Lemire's artwork continues to amaze me in its ability to connect the reader with the character.  Some of the most powerful panels show the struggle these various groups have communicating with one another and the frustration and terror these individuals have.  There are some hints as to what is connecting the two times, but there still remains a lot of intrigue around the Atabithian, the Trillium, and the humans from different times.

The Rest:

Ghosted #5 - This new title from Joshua Williamson has been a pure joy to read thus far and the first arc was brought to an enjoyable conclusion.  When we left Jackson and his crew last time Trick, the only member of the team capable of performing an exorcism, had just been possessed by an evil spirit.  Night has fallen on Trask Mansion and things do not look good for Jackson and company.  Throw in some back-stabbing, bribing, and the real reason for the Trask Mansion invasion and you are provided with an entertaining book that provides great closure to the first arc. Williamson has clearly put a lot of thought into the characters and it remains wide open just how far he can take this series.  Definitely worth your time and money to pick this supernatural title up.

Ten Grand #5 - It has been quite some time since we were able to visit J. Michael Straczynski's Ten Grand and I am happy to be back.  C.P. Smith is the new artist on board and the timing seemed very appropriate.  As a refresher, Joe is cursed and can only spend time with his deceased wife if he dies in a righteous cause.  He is then granted five minutes with her before returning to life.  In the last issue we learned that his wife is not in Heaven or Hell.  Smith's first task was drawing the purgatory in which Joe finds himself as he searches in wife.  The dramatic change from Ben Templesmith's style is welcome and worked with the dramatic shift in the story.  A lot of questions remain, but Straczynski's ability to create meaningful characters and intrigue will bring me back.  An unexpected issue that was pleasantly surprising.  

Thursday Morning Superhero

I am excited to say that Villain Month is a thing of the past and that this week marks the return to the DC we know and love.  In addition, Matt Kindt takes a stab at Spider-Man, Andy Diggle brings us a Captain America arc, and issue #3 of Trillium drops.  It feels good to be reading comics in October.

Pick of the Week:

Trillium #3 - We start issue #3 with Nika in quarantine after consuming the trillium flower and venturing into the past.  When she comes to she learns that Pohl is moving forward with an all out attack on the Atabithian folk in order to extract the trillium in order to fend off the Caul.  Lemire engages the reader in a playful manner again as you have to flip the comic upside down to catch up with Billy.  The drama is intense in this issue as Clayton tries to get Billy to return home and Nike attempts to flee so she can warn the Atabithian about the invasion. It all comes to a boil when Clayton uses dynamite to blow a hole in the temple at the same time the Pohl fleet arrives to extract the trillium.  Issue 4 has been dubbed "The end of the universe" so I can't imagine things will slow down.  Lemire remains unique in his ability to create emotional bonds between his characters and the reader in his character renderings.  Nike and Billy simply draw you in every time you peer into their eyes.  It is almost like you know them and empathize with them by looking at a single panel.  Great, great series.

The Rest:

Captain America: Living Legend #1 - I was very excited to learn that Andy Diggle would be penning an arc of Captain America.  One of my favorite men in tights, I have struggled getting into the current Captain America relaunch.  This, on the other hand, is a return to class Captain America.  With flashbacks to WWII, nods to the space race, and a mysterious Russian soldier named Volkov, it has a Brubaker feel to it that I gladly welcome.  Definitely on board for this one.

Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1 - Matt Kindt delivers one of the most trippy comic books I have read in some time.  The art from Marco Rudy is simply stunning and does an amazing job keeping up with the drug induced story.  Spider-Man ventures into a haunted house for a photo shoot and is greeted by Madame Web.  From what I gather, it was a little confusing with all the hallucinating and flashbacks, Spidey has to take down 99 bad guys in order to survive.  Possibly all of them while suffering the effects of Jack O' Lanterns's poison gas.  It's Matt Kindt and Spider-Man so I will check out issue #2. 

Forever Evil #2 - Ultraman and the Injustice League continue to wreak total havoc on earth.  To be more precise, they are plotting while the super villains are taking advantage of the supposed death of the Justice League to break stuff and hurt people.  I enjoyed seeing Robin step up and attempt to lead the Teen Titans in the absence of the Justice League, but these mega-events all seem to blur together.  All hope looks lost and then something amazing happens.  Not thinking I will continue this one.

What I should have read:

Earth 2 #16 - In his final issue, James Robinson unleashes Apokolips' stranded forces in a battle that is sure to end Steppenwolf.  I have not kept up with this series, but apparently the twist at the end of the issue is of epic proportion and may present a problem to the new creative team taking the helm.  This is a series I have always wanted to go back and read.  From the reviews I have read on this issue, that time might be soon.

Thursday Morning Superhero

I must admit that I am quite distracted this week.  My son will be celebrating his sixth birthday on Friday, I will be attending Gen Con for the first time next week, and I have been prepping for my day job as students will be returning to campus soon.  What I needed was a solid collection of books this week to give me an escape from everything that is happening here.  I must say that the comic gods delivered.

Pick of the Week:

Trillium #1 - Jeff Lemire's science fiction epic Trillium debuted this week with high expectations.  Lemire has never disappointed me in the past and his work continues to be simply stunning.  What he does with his comics isn't fair to other creators.  What moves me most with the work of Lemire is his ability to create intrigue and mystery through a simple facial expression, and how past relationships define who a character was and who they become.  The premise of the book is that Nika, a scientist set to secure trillium flowers from an alien race, has had her timeline drastically reduced to complete her work for the good of humanity.  At the center of the Atabithian village is a mysterious temple.  William, a archaeologist who is suffering from war flashbacks, is from the past and is seeking an Incan temple of great power.  Their two paths intersect in a way that is not only satisfying from a story standpoint, but from the process of reading the physical comic as well.  Mild spoiler, but Lemire designed this comic as a flip book with a separate story for each character.  Their point of meeting is at the middle of the book with reversed panels upside down from one another.  Simply stunning.  I had high hopes for Trillium, given how much I have enjoyed The Underwater Welder, Sweet Tooth, and Essex County, and it looks like Lemire is delivering another classic full on mystery and parental relationships.  Well played sir.

The Rest:

Burn to Lose: Burn the Orphanage - This title may be the polar opposite of Trillium.  You can throw depth, mystery, and character development out the window for some good mindless fun.  In this tale we learn that Rock, a cross between Ryu, Ken, and Johnny from the Karate Kid, was in an orphanage that was burned down when he was a kid.  He was the only survivor and he is going to punch his way on the streets, in a bar, and against stripper ninjas to exact his revenge.  Yep.  That's about it.

Robocop #1 -  I guess they can't all be enjoyable.  When I saw that Boom! Studios was releasing a new My brain saw Frank Miller + comic + Robocop = Gold!  I should have listened to my friend who said he was excited initially, until he remember that Miller wrote Robocop 2.  Based on a Miller script for Robocop 3, you may want to pass on this one.  A clunky story paired together with subpar art and you have my $4 regret of the week.

Helheim #6 - Cullen Bunn wraps up the first arc of his nordic tale in stunning fashion.  The witches

feud comes to its dramatic conclusion with twists that I did not see coming.  Bunn really hits the nail on the head with his balance between horror and drama.  Rikard's father plays a significant role and I fear for him in upcoming arcs.  I don't want to spoil anything, but if you have missed this book so far you will want to pick up the trade.

Artful Daggers #6 - This Mokeybrain title from Sean Williams and Adam Knave really picked things up this week.  The Tricksters are finally becoming what the corporations feared what they would become.  An uprising is in the works, but the amount of deception and lack of trust amongst members will ensure that nothing is easy.  One of the best bargains on the comic market today at only $.99 an issue.  You could pick up the current arc on ComiXology for less than $6!

Ten Grand #4 - Following an emotionally charged issue, Joe is presented with a new challenge that shakes him to the core.  For the first time since he struck his bargain, he is unable to reach his angel on the other side.  Enlisting the help of a trapped soul, Joe learns that not only is his angel missing, but Sarah's soul is missing as well.  Really enjoying this series.

What I Should Have Read:
Manhattan Projects #13 - I really want to return to this series at some point, and it sounds like I missed a great issue.  Fictional versions of Einstein and other World War II era scientists are featured in this flashback issue.

Satellite Sam #2 - Mike is not only dealing with the loss of his father, but with the pressure to fill in as his replacement.  He turns to the bottle and the story switches focus to the owner of the station, adding another wrinkle in this ever complicated period piece.