Hello Chums,
After going to a con (Wizard World Texas), there is always something that I have picked up that I can't wait to dive into. Here are three trades and a finite series that I have just finished reading.
First up is Bite Club. Bite Club (B.C.) was released in single issues as B.C. 1-6 and B.C. Vampire Crime Unit 1-5. Now I'm not one to normally pick up a horror comic. So was it Howard Chaykin's writing or David Hahn's art (who has a very good batman animated style) that lead me to this book? No, it was the very nice Frank Quitely covers (he did the first 8 of 11 issues, Chaykin did the last three). Even though Quitely didn't do the interior work, the art is fine but not vampire scary, which is adequate for this tale.
B.C. is the story of the Del Toro family of Miami. The father, Eduardo Del Toro, is killed in the opening scene. We find out he's the head of a mafia style family and (oh yeah) a 265 year old vampire. His three children (all vampires of course) then struggle for control of the family. Let the back stabbing and dirty dealings begin! If you like mafia or vampire stories check it out. Rating: B-
Next up is Battle Hymn Farewell To The First Golden Age. As the name implies this story is set at the dawn of superheroes. We see a little back story, then we are introduced to the team. The team is lead by The Proud American (Captain America), who has been working close with the U.S. military during WW2. The roster includes The Artificial Man (The Vision), Johnny Zip (Quicksilver), Quinn Rey (The Submariner), Mid-Nite Hour (Batman? but with a gun) and Betty Jones (the femme fatale).
Band together as The Watchguard, they go on one unsuccessful mission. Of course the mission was set up just to test the limits of the team. Disappointed by some results and scared by others, the government then decides to pull the plug. Let the wet work begin!
The art by Jeremy Haun and color by Dave Bryant really make this feel like a period piece. While the writing by B.Clay Moore is good, this story moved too quickly. At just five issues, I would have preferred the story to be fleshed out more at seven or eight issues. Rating: B+
Next is The Boys by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The concept of The Boys is simple. Who watches the watchmen? Somebody needs to keep all the super powered people in check. If not, who do they answer to? Bring in The Boys, a group of four guys and a gal who are just as powerful as the tight wears they watch.
In the first arc we meet Wee Hughie, a smallish man who is newly in love with the perfect gal. Things are going great for the couple until two super beings forever alter their lives. Wee Hughie is then invited to join The Boys. But what can he do? He doesn't have super powers.
I've always enjoyed Garth Ennis' writing, but this isn't Preacher or The Punisher. However, it is entertaining. Hopefully the best is yet to come. Darick Robertson's art work is perfect for this type of story (Gritty!). Rating A-
Finishing up this quartet of comics, we have The Inhumans. The Inhumans have been hanging around the Marvel universe since the 60's. Stan and Jack featured them in early Fantastic Four stories. But these guys have been used so sporadically since then, they are "c" leaguers at best.
This tale is a good example of why these characters are hardly used. While the artwork is typical scratchy Jae Lee, I expected a lot more from Paul Jenkins in the writing department. However you can only do so much with a lead character (Black Bolt), that can't talk. If he does talk, watch out.
This story has The Inhumans at home doing what Inhumans do (just hanging out) in their city of Attilan. Meanwhile, humans are inching ever closer with their construction equipment. And one of their enemies is working from the inside. A very forgettable story. Rating: D-
K.R.C. (keep reading comics)
D.L.
