Solo # 7: Michael Allred

Writers: Mike Allred, Lee Allred
Artist: Mike Allred
Colorist: Laura Allred
Publisher: DC
Published: December 2005

It's been a while since my last Comix 365 post...so I thought I would kick start it with another spectacular stupendous stellar Solo issue from decadent DC! And which artist you may wonder is DC displaying? Well if you haven't read the title or looked at the cover image, then rejoice and hollar aloud: MIKE ALLRED!

If you don't know who Mike Allred is, then please take your head out of the muck and wake up (NOW). Mike Allred has worked on such hits as X-Statix, Deadgirl, and his own acclaimed Madman series. His style is sleek, poppy, dynamic, and with the Laura Allred coloring, his work is all the more awesome.

Anyway, enough Allred worship...this ain't no Perez Hilton-esque blog...

Solo # 7 has Allred focusing his whimsy on the DC universe. There are 7 chapters, with 5 complete stories. The first story 'An Hour with Hourman' has our hero battling a case of the highs and lows of being a superhero who derives his powers from a pill. The second story 'Doom Patrol vs. Teen Titans' involves a case of Doom Patrol having to deal with vitality of youth, which is even more pronounced when the youths in question are the Teen Titans! Thirdly, Batman A-Go-Go is a throwback to the swinging, care free 60s where Batman realizes that 'times are a changing'. Fourthly, 'Fourth World Wager' involves Mister Miracle taking up a wager of even he may not be able to escape from. Finally 'Comic Book Clubhouse' is a wordless, visual odyssey involving comic book heroes meeting the kids who draw them.

This was a great Solo issue, that was even more fun reading the second time around. Allred has an innocent playfulness with a sly nod to seriousness shining through his work. In my mind, the highlight tales were Fourth World Wager and Batman A-Go-Go. Mister Miracle taking up a challenge of escape, with Orion concocting the trap was probably one of the funniest moments in this issue. As for Batman I really dug the light, shiny optimism turned sour Lee Allred breathed into the Batman A-Go-Go tale. Mike and Laura's art was all the more exemplary as they turned Batman from the brooding hero of today back to the swinging, goody two shoes of the 60s.

As a side note, if you google this Solo issue and you see a cover of Batman, don't be fooled to look for an actual copy with that image. I looked for years at various comic shops for this cover, and not once did I find it. Turns out it was never printed...I guess due to legal likeness issues of Batman looking like Adam West they had to scrap it. Oh well, thank heavens to the internet preserving a digital copy...

Anyway, see you next time: Same Bat Time. Same Bat Blog!

Solo # 3: Paul Pope

Writers: Paul Pope
Artist: Paul Pope
Colorist: Jose Villarrubia, Dave Stewart
Publisher: DC
Published: April 2005

I know: sick. Another Pope comic today.

This is another standout issue from the Solo series from DC. Pope kicks ass on this one, and in my mind it is on par with Cooke, Sale, and Scott's Solo issues.

The first tale is Popes interpretation of the Minotaur of Knossos, the second an AWESOME tribute to Kirby's OMAC. The third and fourth tale are nice tales of urban life and past memories. Finally, the last tale is a great story involving Robin, Bat's, and the Joker.

I really dug Pope's version of Joker. He reminds me of a sickened Cesar Romero (mostly because of the mustachio stubble). Check some scans and know that this is a must have issue for any serious comic collector.


Look familiar?

Solo # 8: Teddy Kristiansen

Writers: Teddy Kristiansen, Neil Gaiman, Steven Seagle
Artist: Teddy Kristiansen
Publisher: DC
Published: February 2006

Today being the first of the month, I just had to get another Solo issue on this site. Teddy Kristiansen is not the typical comic cartoonist. His artwork doesn't have the snap, crackle, and pop of Jack Kirby or the polish of Alex Ross, but instead has a dreamy surreal quality...each panel is more like a single painting.

There are 5 stories included in this Solo issue. The first one has Deadman in a sentimental mood. The second has a missionary being saved from headhunters by quoting from the good book, Wuthering Heights. The third tale is about a humid summer crush, and the fourth is about ruins. Finally the last tale is about some explorers in Antarctica being trapped and the story follows their decline and eventual deaths.

I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this Solo issue. I'm not a huge fan of painted comics, (aside from Kingdom Come and Brereton work), and I found the stories "tried too hard." But much like Pokemon, I gotta have em' all!

Solo # 2: Richard Corben

Writers: Richard Corben, John Arcudi
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: DC
Published: February 2005

The second issue of Solo follows up the stellar opening by Sale. This issue has Richard Corben, the Master of the Grotesque, strutting his stuff. There are five tales, four as stand alone stories set outside the DC universe, and one concerning the Spectre.

The first four tales are classic Corben stuff, violence, forbidden treasures, and things never appearing as they are. The first tale has an imminent archaeologist in search of a forbidden treasure. He is met by a beautiful local, who warns him not to seek the treasure. By this time, bandits raid her home, knock the archaeologist out, and force her to lead them to the treasure...too bad for them, she's a mummy who ends up killing them. Suckas! As for the archaeologist, he wakes up and runs to the treasure room, only to have the door close behind him, trapping him forever. So as you can see, no happy endings here, and just desserts delivered courtesy of Corben.

The last tale about Spectre is a great read. It has Jim Corrigan (the human host to THE WRATH OF GOD - THE SPECTRE), following up a tip from a dead man as to the whereabouts of a killer. The dead man hopes his act of kindness will earn him a spot in Heaven, and The Spectre will get to enforce justice - holy style! Another spectacular issue from a spectacular series!

Solo # 1: Tim Sale

Writers: Tim Sale, Darwyn Cooke, Diana Schutz, Jeph Loeb, Brian Azzarello
Artist: Tim Sale
Publisher: DC
Published: December 2004

This is the first issue that started this magnificent series. Sale is teamed up with a pantheon of great writers, which is a testament to his level of artistic skill. I've read that Tim Sale is color blind. This isn't too surprising considering his work is highly stylistic, his brushwork is crisp, and his art looks fantastic when viewed in black and white.

Tim Sale's Solo issue has 6 short tales. The first one concerns a non-typical date between Catwoman and Batman. The second story is about debts owed, and the third tale is a 50's style romance with an extremely sad ending about Supergirl and Dick Wilson. The fourth tale is about Superman's prom date, and the fifth tale is a pitch perfect crime noir. Finally the last tale concerns a single kiss and a tear.

This issue of Solo is absolutely fantastic. I had read some of Sales work, The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Daredevil Yellow, and I found his artwork was breathtaking, seductive, moody, and stylized. With this issue, a sad romantic Sale emerges forth. Each story is about a relationship of some kind, be it crazy love, enduring love, first loves, bitter love, to old love. Each story is quite touching, and that combined with his artwork, Sale creates a romance comic of the highest order. Certainly one of the bests I've ever read.








More Comix 365 articles:  

X-Men Classic #47

Tales Designed to Thrizzle

Solo # 10: Damion Scott

Writers: Damion Scott, Rob Markman, Randee Carcano
Artist: Damion Scott
Colorist: Damion Scott, Brian Stelfreeze
Publisher: DC
Published: June 2006

Another masterpiece of DC's Solo series drawn/written by the comic graffiti dynamo Damion Scott. During his introduction, Damion states that graffiti art is a major influence on his work. He wasn't kidding. His style of art for the four tales he presents don't belong in a comic - they belong in a major city, downtown, scrawled across the backs of restaurants, apartments, and pasted to the brick enclosed alleyways. It was this comic that started me on my obsession to collect the entire Solo series.

The first tale is of Flash and his race against Death. The second chapter is Scotts visual depiction of the different elements of what Superman means to him. The third tale concerns a brutal training of Robin by Batgirl, and finally, the last tale has Batman in a unique dance with Batgirl.

I could go on and on as to why this Solo issue is a masterpiece, but I'll just let some scanned images of Scott's work speak for itself. Enjoy!

Solo # 5: Darwyn Cooke

Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC
Published: August 2005

The Solo collection published by DC is probably the finest series produced in the last 4 years. For those folks that don't know what the Solo series is all about, let me recap: a single issue comic drawn and written by one artist. The contents of the issue are the sole discretion of the artist. They are literally given free reign to write/draw anything they want (except the competitors, ie. Marvel, Image, etc). Occasionally, help is brought in to write a story, (which, yes, defeats the absolute solo rule, but who's that nit picky?), but in the case of issue 5, Cooke delivers an entire issue by himself.

Darwyn's Solo effort has seven chapters, ranging from an awesome Batman tale, to a little crime drama, to one man's love affair with his vacuum. (Yeah, I know bizarre, but great.) Cooke's artwork is amazing, as usual, his Batman is dark and foreboding, and the opening story is a perfect example of what a Solo concept is all about. Stay tuned, folks, as I'll be writing up quick reviews on all 12 issues of the Solo series during my 365 run.