DC Relaunch, Month 2

I’ve decided to stick with all six books I picked up the first week of the DC Relaunch (Batgirl is delayed until next week). It’s fun to follow a set of new books as their longer-term stories get underway, and, now that the first issue blitz is over, I found I was look at them with more of a critical eye.

Stormwatch#2 – Paul Cornell/Miguel Sepulveda, Al Barrionuevo

This book is finding its legs. I found the first issue ambitious in the scope of its plot lines and character introductions. There’s a bit more room here to breathe, see the characters in action, and watch them interact with each other. There is still a lot going on, but the various threats the group is facing are starting to coalesce. The threats don’t necessarily tie together plot-wise, it just feels like the group is facing a lot at once, piling on top of them, and the combined pressure is getting to them. I’m really enjoying everything going on with the vengeful, angry moon, lashing out at Earth; it feels like something straight out of The Authority, and, with Henry’s allegiance to it, there’s more intrigue to this plot line. There’s an interesting dynamic set up here, as Stormwatch try to woo Apollo and Midnighter into their group, with the promise that they are high-end heroes; they don’t deal with common criminals. They have been around for centuries and their concerns are global. It’s condescending and annoying, but it works as a pitch for the series. They may think they are above everyone, but this group bickers like small children and their egos get in the way at every turn. Sepulveda's more polished artwork remains in place for the moon scenes, and is appropriate in depciting the caverns and creatures there. Al Barrioneuvo steps in for most of the rest of the issues, and he creates more vibrant, expressive figures than Sepulveda did in the first issue. There’s still something that has to come together for this book, but the ingredients are all there and simmering.

Swamp Thing#2 – Scott Snyder/Yanick Paquette

This is really good stuff. Snyder throws us headlong into all of the backstory and where things will go from here. Alec Holland remains a strong protagonist, still morose and angry, but also resentful with “the Green,” feeling that he devoted his life to the plant world, and all it brought him was death and a bunch of bad memories. I like that he can reject the swamp creature’s proposal and still come off as heroic and likable. We learn what the book is all about, with a creature responsible for the plagues of history on the loose, and the Parliament of Trees offering Alec the role of Swamp Thing to stop it. It appears as if everything from Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing days still happened (at least in a general sense), along with the idea that Alec’s bloodline is destined to work with the Parliament and the Green. I like all of these ideas and think they set a great foundation for the book. That said, they are delivered in pages so full of dialogue that they would make a mid-1980's issue of Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men look like a breezy read. In the midst of these explanations is a book chock full of horror, insect plagues, horrible creatures brandishing the faces of infants, and twisted necks. Paquette is a perfect fit. His panel layouts convey Alec’s mindset, appearing fragmented, jagged, and smashed together like his broken memories and sense of self. He transitions perfectly into the horror of the final sequences, literally having a swarm of flies fall onto the page and overtake the action. He sells the disturbing images perfectly, while depicting a damaged and unhappy protagonist at the centre of the story. And his depiction of the swamp creature withering away are wonderful, bringing back great memories of similar scenes in Moore’s issues. A somewhat wild ride, where the heavy exposition works in spite of itself to create a vibrant world and a sense of danger.

Static Shock#2 Scott McDaniel, John Rozum/Scott McDaniel

Not sure on this one. It feels a little like a bunch of jumbled elements are struggling to come together, while a story is playing out in the background. In the first issue, it was obvious a number of elements of Static’s past were brought in without too much introduction, but it wasn’t overwhelming. I actually found it kind of charming. Here, further elements and supporting characters are mentioned, and it’s not working. If a full reboot wasn’t in the cards, the character’s past had to be either pared down or dolled out a little slower. The story is just fine, but hardly breaking barriers. The group after Static for interfering in their shady business dealings continue to pursue him, and the action scenes work well. Beyond that, not much happens. The lead character remains likable, even if his dialogue is a little exposition-heavy (particularly in the scene where he’s just talking out loud to himself), and I like his struggles to find a place for himself in his new school. McDaniel’s art works on the action scenes, with a frenetic pace and a strong, angular look, but some of the faces and settings do look a bit rushed in spots. It’s an enjoyable comic, but it struggles in comparison to the pedigree of the week’s other releases. Stellar cover, though.

Action Comics#2 – Grant Morrison/Rags Morales, Brent Anderson

This is just amazing. It’s everything I could have hoped for. It’s got its own feel, its own energy, and its own brand of fun. This book is low tech and revels in it. It makes anything trying to be hip and modern look pathetic. A run down electric chair that looks like it belongs in a museum comes off as a terrible device of death. Superman’s jeans and t-shirt are emblems of strength and perseverance. The simple shot of an outstretched cape being shot at feels like torture is being performed. Morales creates a Superman who thrives in this world, and his playful attitude shines through. This is a fairly contained issue, set on the military compound Superman has been brought to, but it feels expansive in its reach. Lex Luthor is being crafted as a great opponent. He’s not young, cunning, and dangerous, but a bit older, desperate, and angry. I love his struggle to interpret and break down Superman, mocking his alien heritage and calling him “it,” to no avail. Superman’s portrayal is tour de force. I didn’t know what to expect from this “for the people, against The Man” hero, so I continue to be surprised by how likeable and upbeat he is. His actions are laced with anger, but he revels in heroism and taking down societal oppressors, and it’s a joy to read. His escape is a truly rousing moment. Once he breaks out of the chair, the action doesn’t let up as he plows through the military defenses. There’s a supporting cast being built up, with Lois, General Lane, and John Henry Irons making substantial appearances. Morrison also hints at a Kryptonian force aiding Lex in defeating Superman. The silent, menacing ship, apparently taking down its last son, makes for a great visual and chilling end. Morales, a fairly conventional artist in my eyes, is nonetheless building a visual world for this rough and down to earth story, so much so that Brent Anderson is able to work within that world when drawing the Lois scenes without missing a beat. Truly great stuff.

Animal Man#2 – Jeff Lemire/Travel Foreman

This book was just slightly beat out by Action Comics as my favourite of the week. It’s still excellent stuff. It’s a perfect fusion of story and visuals. Travel Foreman creates a number of disturbing images here, from splash pages depicting grossly impregnated hippos and Buddy and Maxine’s distorted bodies as they enter the Red, to smaller details like Maxine feeding milk to her skeleton cat. These images really sell the horror at the core of the story. At the same time, he depicts the fear, anger, and worry of the human characters with intensity, knowing when to pull back on the backgrounds to emphasize the character. The opening segment deals with the fallout of the first issue’s cliffhanger in fairly disturbing fashion. I love this lengthy sequence, set in the dead of night on a quaint suburban street, but full of animal skeletons and distorted body parts. Buddy’s wife is growing into an interesting character. Harsh and rude to her husband last issue, it becomes obvious here that she acts like this because she is scared of his powers. I loved her running around in her underwear and t-shirt during this chaos; it reminded me of JoBeth Williams in a similar outfit in the climax of Poltergeist, and stressed the dangers being brought into her home. The story proper gets underway, with Buddy and Maxine traveling into the Red to right some sort of imbalance, and fix the scarring that has emerged on Buddy’s face and chest. Maxine is becoming the standout character of the book, developing powers like her father, but trying to be a calming influence in her frightened family. A really strong book, playing right to my sensibilities.

DC New 52

So DC released the first wave of relaunched titles this week and I picked up more than I expected to. This relaunch is coming at a time when I'm becoming a bit disinterested in the wider direction of the Marvel Universe, so I was more than happy to try out a few of these titles.

Stormwatch #1 - Paul Cornell/Miguel Sepulveda

I was a litte lukewarm on this after my first read, but upon rereading it, I loved the energy and fast pace. On paper, this was a dream book for me - Paul Cornell rejigging the beloved Authority concept. I don't think it hit it's true potential in the first issue, but it was still a strong debut. The fast pace and flurry of characters and scenes are both a boon and a hindrance - I loved being thrown into the world of this covert team, but felt that perhaps a bit too much happened in one issue. There are a lot of central characters here, and we meet them all briefly. I really liked the tone of the dialogue, though. At times, the characters in The Authority were a bit too lofty, but here the dialogue was a bit more relatable. Jenny Quantam is kind of whiny and the others just seem annoyed with each other. I also enjoyed some of the plot concepts here - Harry Tanner encountering the consciousness of the moon, which is attacking Earth; Apollo resisting joining Stormwatch. This team may not be the ultra-cool Authority that superhumans would die to be a part of, and I really liked that. Sepulveda's art had to depict a lot of different things here, but was always grounded in expressive characters that evoked Mike McKone's faces and body language. It was an eclectic issue, that perhaps had too much going on for it's own good, but still an audacious debut.


Batgirl #1 - Gail Simone/Adrian Syaf

I picked this up more because of the strong advanced press than any attachement to the character or Gail Simone. I was incredibly impressed. For all the bright colours and talk of moving on, this is a haunted book. Barbara Gordon is haunted by the Joker's attack that left her paralyzed. As for her time in the wheelchair, she draws strength from those years and tries to move on from them. Even moreso than Alec Holland in Swamp Thing, Barbara is the most engaging protagonist in this week's books, haunted by her past, trying to leap valiantly into the future, and still hesitant about letting people in. The book is also paced perfectly, with harrowing, violent scenes juxtaposed against Barbara's efforts to build a new life for herself. Her somewhat downbeat narration permeates the entire issue. Syaf's art is fairly dyanmic in places, with a nice detail and depth to his figures and a stunning splash page of Batgirl swinging into action. Outside of Animal Man, this one left the strongest impression on me.


Swamp Thing #1 - Scott Snyder/Yanick Paquette

I'm a fan of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, but the main draw for me here was writer Scott Snyder, who has wowed me with his work on Detective Comics. I just thought putting him on this character seemed like a perfect fit. I was a bit surprised to find that this wasn't my favourite of the relaunched books, for as much as I enjoyed it. Because for everything good thing Snyder does here, the issue felt a little thin. A couple of villainous subplots are brewing, but in terms of the main character, Alec Holland, we don't get much more than an introduction. That's really my only criticism, but it still nags for me. The work Snyder does with Holland is top notch. He's a man haunted by his time as a swamp-like creature, and, even being back in his own body now, he feels like a third person, not himself or the swamp creature. I loved how Snyder depicted his awareness of plant life, and his feeling that it is all violent and sinister. It's a great setup piece, presenting a man terrorized by a past he can't understand. I just wish it went a bit further than setup with Holland's story. That said, there are subplot scenes here lifted directly from Moore's Swamp Thing, in terms of their ominous nature, that hint at future threats. Paquette is an artist I've never encountered beyond the odd X-Men fill-in, and his work here is lovely. He nails the sinister flashbacks and subplots, with creative panel arrangements and haunting visuals, but also crafts a great Alec Holland, as a man who looks tired and weary. It is a strong debut, with a great voice for its lead character, I just would have liked a bit more beyond setup.


Static Shock #1 - Scott McDaniel, John Rozum/Scott McDaniel

I picked this up on a lark when I realized I wasn't getting any traditional superhero books this week. I have no knowledge of the character, but I've always liked a good teen hero book. This ended up being exactly what I hoped for - an energetic, fun introduction to a young hero. There's no origin provided here, only background on Static's powers and family/work situation. But it's all weaved in pretty seamlessly. This issue provides that setup for the character, but also launches him into some ongoing plot threads. Static's portrayal is the best part of the issue; he has a confidence in himself as a hero (seen in a couple fun action sequences), but feels like a dweeb in his real life. It's like he keeps trying to get his real life to catch up to the coolness of his superhero one, but is still a normal kid at the heart of it. There was a good balance here, with fun action scenes, sinister vilains plotting, and scenes of Static at home, trying to convince his parents to get him a car. I've always liked McDaniel's art. Outside of some rough-looking faces, the art is lively and fun, with some creative action scenes. This was a pleasant surprise and I'll be picking it up again.


Action Comics #1 - Grant Morrison/Rags Morales

I've led myself to believe this was the comic I've been waiting for since the day I was born. So I had high expectations for it. It delivered. This is a fast-paced, fun comic with a thoughtful side and a bold new voice for Superman. I loved this portrayal of Superman - fighting for the common people, exposing corruption, becoming a local champion. He earnestly believes his extreme measures are justifiable because they expose criminals. He's almost a boyscout version of Transmetropolitan's Spider Jerusalem, desperate for regular people to win out over corruption and excess. At the same time, he's a likeable, relatable character. The glimpses into his personal life were great, as were his friendship-rivalry with Lois and Jimmy. The bulk of the issue is a series of fight and chase scenes, drawn with wonderful energy by Morales. The army, the police, and even a consultant (Lex Luthor) are brought in to try and make sense of this super being, whose powers seem to expand by the day. It's a realistic look at how the authorities would respond to such a forceful vigilante coming into their city. This issue never lets up for a second, even in its few quieter scenes, and had a great energy to it. A triumph.


Animal Man #1 - Jeff Lemire/Travel Forman

But this was my favourite of the group. Lemire has a great ability to mix the bizarre with the sweet and warm, which is on display here. Buddy Baker's family life is the crux of the book. But for every sweet moment there, there's another jab from Buddy's wife about his superhero career and the path into acting he's now following. Foreman's art is clean and stark here, with very sparse backgrounds, making the family members feel standoffish and at odds with each other. It's very effective. The action picks up when Animal Man confronts a hostage situation in a children's hospital, where Foreman really lets loose on Buddy accessing his animal powers. The dream sequence that closes the book is an unsettling one, leading to a cliffhanger that hints at dark and deadly things for the Baker family. This comic felt exactly like the Vertigo comics of old, like Swamp Thing or Shade The Changing Man, which is the highest praise I can offer. It brought weirdness right back where it belongs, to the family, with gusto. It also was rooted in its characters. Buddy is genuinely interesting, conflicted about where he should take his superhero life and perhaps feeling a bit ashamed for going back to acting. The opening interview with him was a great device for introducing the character and his setup. An excellent first issue.


And, not to be forgotten, I picked up the latest issue of iZombie (#17, Chris Roberson/Mike Allred), one of the only DC/Vertigo books I've ever bought in single issues, as opposed to trades. This is the little book that could for me and I adore every issue. Roberson has packed a multitude of characters into this book and gives each of them a subplot scene or two in every issue. It's created a wonderful tapestry. But, all of a sudden on the final page of the last issue, we saw two of the main story threads suddenly come together (literally, the groups of characters ran into each other on the street). With this issue, the broader conflicts driving the weirdness in the town of Eugene, Oregon, are starting to come into clearer view. That said, there are still a bevy of other subplots that have barely come to a bubble (and more start here, with Ellie taking a bizarre creature she finds on the street under her wing and a brain in a coffee pot arriving to ruin Galatea's still-unrevealed schemes). But there is genuine excitement here as Gwen starts to learn more about how she became a zombie and how she knew Amon in her past life, not to mention a giant street fight with other zombies. It's a delightful book and I'm happy I've stuck with it.