izombie # 1 (Plus Variant Thoughts)

Writer: Chris Roberson
Artists: Michael Allred
Colors: Laura Allred
Publisher: Vertigo
Published: May 2010

This is an intriguing story. Gwen is a zombie. By day she works as a grave digger. By night she solves mysteries with her ghost gal pal Ellie. Oh, and the these mysteries are instigated by Gwens meals, namely, newly dead folks brains. Umm!

The art is great, and the premise is promising...it'll be interesting to see where this one goes.

Also check the variant cover by one of my favourite artists, Darwyn Cooke.

I really don't like the whole variant cover thing going these days. Usually the art is pretty fantastic, but still...

Take for instance, the variant for this particular issue (see just below). It's fantastic. Probably one of Cookes finest, but what I'm not a fan of is the cover price. This issue was priced at $1, which is an introductory price for the first issue. Great. However, at the comic shop I go to, the Cooke variant cover was marked up to $10! That's a 1000% markup! As much as I love Cooke's work, I can't justify spending $10 for a 30 page comic. There are some some shops in Toronto that mark up all variant covers to $20, which is even crazier!

I wonder if retailers actually sell any of these variants. They must, considering how many are being produced these days. While I'm not 100% familiar with the economics of comics, I have a few ideas as to why variants are so pricey.

1) They're considered 'rare' as retailers have to purchase a certain amount of comics before they can receive a variant.
2) They usually have stellar artwork for the cover. Usually.
3) They have to be pricey so retailers can make up costs for the extra issues they had to purchase just to get the variant.
4) Hardcore fans and collectors will buy them.

Whatever the reason, I just can't get behind buying a variant cover with a cover price of $10 to $20 bucks. That's just too much. It would be better if variants were treated like rewards instead of priced up comic books. The loyal fans who really want a variant would make sure they were the first in line on new release Wednesdays. It's a win-win. The store gets customers in regularly, and fans pay regular price for a variant cover. Anyway, here are some variant covers that are awesome, and I'll never own.

All Star Superman # 10

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Frank Quitely

Colorist: Jamie Grant

Publisher: DC

Published: May 2008

All Star Superman is probably one of the finest stories to emerge in the last decade. I was reminded of this particular issue after reading an interview with Grant Morrison. (It is a great interview, and I highly recommend it.)

Issue 10 has Superman continuing his journey to make things right and do as much good as he can before his inevitable demise due to solar poisoning. In this issue Superman creates life, frees an imprisoned nation, cures all disease, and in one of the most touching moments in the series, saves a life.

With one page, broken into 5 panels, Morrison, Quitely, and Grant reminded me why I love comics. As Morrison states, one of the things he hoped readers of All Star Superman would take away with them was that a few words and some figure drawings would have the ability to "make you cry, make your heart soar,..."

Well I nearly lost it in this issue. I've been feeling glum as of late. Very glum. But after reading this issue I feel a little better. This is going to sound weird, but I really like that Superman chooses to save us not because he can, or because he needs to, but because he wants to...(alluding to Mark Waid)...it's nice to know that Superman believes in us. That we're worth it.

Breaking Into Comics - The MARVEL Way # 2

Writers: Various

Artists: Various

Publisher: Marvel

Published: May 2010

This comic was a great way to introduce fans to some up-and-coming talent in the Marvel U. Breaking Into Comics is a showcase for new talent, who describe their experiences on getting hired by Marvel as well penning/illustrating some great stories. This particular issue has 5 tales, centred around a choice selection of Marvels characters: The Fantastic Four, Thor, The New Mutants, Psylocke, and Deadpool.

Of particular note was the New Mutant tale illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta. The story is dark, very disturbing, and all grown up for a bunch of teenage muties. Hernandez Walta delivers top notch artwork. His work is foreboding, menacing, and deliberate. Just beautiful. After reading the tale, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It has such force.

The remainder of tales are great as well. With these folks propelling Marvel Foward, I'd say DC has their work cut out for them...then again DC has got Batman and Grant Morrison...

Here's a collage of some images from Breaking Into Comics:

Fearless Dawn # 1 - Free Comic Book Day

Writer/Artist: Steve Mannion

Publisher: Asylum Press

Published: May 2010

Probably one of the more provocative covers for a free comic book in recent years. Fearless Dawn is a superhero of sorts. She's, she's, well I'm not 100% sure, but she has a weird bat/antler type hat, a leather vest, leather slacks, tattoos, and a whole of fiestyness - which make her a superhero in my books!

In the eight page preview, she's storms Manitoba (?), to take down illegal suppliers of the deadly COMBAT DRUG! Basically she mows down a bunch of nazi type individuals, with the last page having her confront a drugged up baddie. Good stuff. The art is a nice blend of pin-up cheesecake with visceral action. Mannion seems to like drawing attractive ladies fighting military-esque monsters. Which is awesome.

The remainder of the issue has more previews of Asylum Presses other works. There are some good stuff...but to me Fearless Dawn is the highlight. Check the site for more in yo face awesomeness. But before you head on over, check out some kick-ass art below.

Futurama # 33: Attack of the 50-Foot Amy

Writer: Ian Boothby
Artist: Carlos Valenti
Publisher: Bongo Comics
Published: May 2007

I'm a bit behind in my blogging, so I'm going to try a new thing till I catch up: THE 90 SECOND REVIEW!

Today has Amy being doused with a spray that makes her grow till she is the size of King Kong. As can be expected the issue has scenes parodied straight out of King Kong. Also Bender starts emulating - 90 seconds are up!!!! Enjoy some scans:

Twas' Bender that killed the beast. 

More Comix 365 articles:  

Fearless Dawn

Liberty Comics #2

Funny Book # 2

Writers/Artists: Jason, Martin Kellerman, Michael Kupperman, David B., Paul Hornschemeier, Jordan Crane, Mark Martin, R. Kikuo Johnson, Megan Kelso, Johnny Ryan, John Pham, Joe Daly, Max
Publisher: Fantagraphics
Published: May 2006

Another edition of FREE COMIC BOOK DAY MADNESS. This is Fantagraphics addition, and as you can plainly see above, it's got some of their top talent. Check some scans:

Batman Gotham Knights # 3

Writers: Paul Pope, Devin Grayson
Artists: Paul Ryan, Paul Pope
Publisher: DC
Published: May 2000

Chock this one up to laziness again. I had some more pre-scans of Pope's stuff. You know, when it comes to Batsy, Pope definitely has a handle on that guy. Year 100 is fantastic, and any other short story he has done is usually top notch as well.

Ok, Gotham Knights 3 has Batman battling it out with undead and Popes tale has Batman battling a guy in a giant robot suit, all the while suffering the indiginity of a broken nose. These black and white tales are the stories that compose the Batman Black and White Volumes. They're pretty sweet.

Spider-Man Fairy Tales # 1

Writers: C.B. Cebulski, David Sexton
Artist: Ricardo Tercio
Publisher: Marvel
Published: May 2007

Holy hell did I ever some nightmares about spiders the other night. Fuck I hate spiders...creepiest little things ever...anyway, speaking of spiders, here's another of Spidey's fairy tale issues. This one is pretty cool. It's *ahem* a spin on Red Riding Hood starring Mary Jane. The issue sticks pretty true to the original tale, less the eating of grandma or Mary Jane by the wolf...well, I guess it doesn't stick that close after all..but like the tale's evolution over the years, this one just evolved to fit - THE APPROVED COMIC CODE!!!

Marvel Romance Redux # 1: Guys & Dolls

Writers: Jeff Parker, Jim Starlin, John Lustig, Don Heck, Zeb Wells, Jean Thomas, Jimmy Palmiotti, Stan Lee, Frank Tieri
Artists: Jack Abel, Vinny Colletta, Gene Colan, Bill Everett, John Buscema, John Romita Sr., Frank Giacoia
Publisher: Marvel
Published: May 2006

It's that time of year again: Black History Month. Finally Chocolate City has become a reality. Nice.

Oh - also Valentines Day is fast approaching.

Here's a comic with romance on the agenda. Marvel's Romance Redux is equal parts an ode to the past and a satirical send up. Marvel has dug deep into the vault, dredging up the old romance comics of yesteryear and re-scripting the stories.

The first tale involves a witch who falls prey to a Diner Demon, and the second tale involves money and relationships. The third tale has a woman in love twisting her true nature, and the fourth involves forbidden love. Finally the last story has a star being born.

I found this issue pretty good. The new scripts were funny, and complemented the art quite well. I especially liked the issue involving the Diner Demon. The lead female character was a witch who was falling in love with a guy who only thought of food. Kinda reminded me of Carl Weathers when he was guest starring on Arrested Development.

The art is fantastic and even though the stories lack the original script it is pretty easy to figure out the original plot for most of these stories. They usually involve a lonely or unhappy girl who meets a man, falls in love, under goes some sort of drama, then it all wraps up with a kiss or the girl is still lonely. It seems like a lot of these old stories were all about finding a mate or your doomed to unhappiness, which I guess is what Valentines Day is all about!

Death Hawk # 1

Writer: Mark Ellis
Artist: Adam Hughes
Cover Artist: Dave Dorman
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Published: May 1988

NOW THAT'S A COMIC COVER!

Forget the story, that cover speaks for itself! Here's a bad ass and wherever this guy goes, so goes ADVENTURE! And look at that eyeball thingy - shit yeah!

For you nit pickers here's the story: Death Hawk is hired to return a relic to his employers, and on his quest he meets the vivacious and deadly Vanessa, who has other plans for the relic...thus begins ADVENTURE!

The Unexpected # 222

Writers: Arnold Drake, B.S. Watson, Mark Pasko, Robert Kanigher
Artists: Tor F. Infante, Michael Clark, John Celardo, Mark Silverstri, Keith Giffen
Publisher: DC
Published: May 1982

Another odd one today.

The opening story has a father who is a widow. Him and his wife, Linda had problems conceiving. However, one mysterious night Linda wakes up smelling lilacs. Going back to sleep they think nothing of it. Later she ends up becoming pregnant and during the child's birth Linda ends up dying. The child is named Miracle, and she goes on to live a childhood full of abuse by her peers and being raised by a father who never speaks her name. She is picked on because she is permanently bald, and her father blames her for Linda's death. One day while driving back from Linda's grave, they both smell lilacs. Immediately after smelling them a spaceship lands. They stop, and aliens approach them. Miracle takes off her wig, and the aliens announce they are here to pick up their child. Turns out the aliens can't conceive, so they impregnate earth women. The aliens take their child, and as a thank you they return a cloned version of Linda. The husband is overjoyed and finally says his child's name, but only in reference to saying "goodbye."

More like: "Goodbye Miracle, thanks for nothing. Oh and thank you aliens for killing my first wife and then returning a cloned copy that won't have any of the memories or personality that I fell in love with. Thanks again!"

Damn aliens, think they can do anything....

The second tale is a one page story of aliens deciding us humans are doing all right for ourselves as they observe some folks buying stuff at a local department store.

The third tale has a vampire on the loose. After preying upon his victims he calls the local police department, so that his victims won't die. The cops eventually track the vampire down and find out he is the brother to the head detective, and in life the vampire was a priest.

Finally the last tale has Alexander the Great on his quest to conquer the known world. At the height of his power, he dies, but is not given a coin to pay the toll to cross the river Styx. So in life, he was a king of kings, but in death he is nothing more than a lost soul who can't pay the price for a decent afterlife. Deep...

Deadman # 4

Writer: Steve Vance
Artist: Josef Beroy
Cover: Mike Mignola
Publisher: DC
Published: May 2002

Boston Brand is a dead man.

Nope, that's not a line out of the Sopranos. It's an introduction to DC's favorite ghost. Boston Brand worked at a circus as a trapeze artist and would dress up in a red outfit with white makeup. His moniker was Deadman. Brand ended up getting murdered, and in the afterlife Rama Kushna gave him the power to possess living souls to find his murderer. Pretty cool, right?

Well it is cool.

Issue # 4 has Brand on a mission to find some baddies. He ends up possessing the body of a local convict and is able to get some info on a group of terrorists who plan to nuke Glad City via a submarine unless some cash is coughed up. Brand infiltrates the submarine, possesses a few of the terrorists and saves the day, much to the displeasure of the bad guys, as the sub takes on a bit too much water and they all drown.

One of the best sequences in this issue is when Deadman is contemplating possessing the body of Clark Kent. He visits Clark and Lois who are about to eat dinner. As the two sit down to eat, Deadman watches Kent burst back and fourth from the table. Each time Clark comes back he mentions what catastrophe he had to avert, all the while Deadman stares on flabbergasted. By this point, Deadman leaves, not bothering to possess Superman as he already has a full plate.

Get it - Lois and him are trying to eat dinner! On plates! Clark's is full 'cause he is too busy rescuing folks! I wonder: Does Superman need to eat? I don't think he needs to, because he is pretty much a solar battery; and if he did need to eat, then technically he could suffer from starvation, which could lead to a lame way for the mightiest of heroes to exit stage left.

The Amazing Screw-On Head

Writer/Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: May 2002

The Amazing Screw-On Head is a secret government agent who answers directly to the President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Groin is Screw-On Head's faithful man servant. Emperor Zombie is the bad guy who enjoys dabbling in all things arcane and forbidden. Madam Patience is a vampire. Mr. Dog is a stuffed reanimated dog.

Interested yet?

This comic is one of those stand alone issues that make your head spin. Equal parts humorous and horror-like, this tale won the Eisner Award for Best Humor publication. The art is spooky, deep, and forbidding. The characters are unique and bizarre, and the story itself seems like it was birthed in a dream after a night of boozing. This is a must have for any serious comic fan. And if you're not serious, you can always check out the animated cartoon based off the comic. It's just as funny. Maybe even better, 'cause it's got Paul "I'm not drinking fucking Merlot!" Giamatti, David "Oh Dear" Hyde Pierce, and Molly "Superstar" Shannon as the voice actors. Just awesome.