Brawler #2 (Time Bomb Comics)

 

The second issue of the independent anthology finally arrived in the post and well worth the wait it was after their latest Kickstarter. This full colour annual comic contains no less than 8 comic strips plus one text story (that explains the cover) and a tribute to a sadly departed contributor, Nigel Dobbyn.

First up is a story set i ancient times in which two returning warriors are ambushed by bandits. Wolfheart by Ferg Handley has excellent art by James Devlin which certainly sets the bar for the rest of the comic. 

This is followed by my personal favourite story from this issue Major Rakhana bywhich has the British Empire claiming a planet in space during the reign of Queen Victoria by two of her Indian subjects. I'd like to see more of this.

Also of particular interest was Amnesia Agents by Jason Cobley with art from James Gray which was a closely written adventure and appears to part of a wider series which might be worth tracking down if the concept grabs you. 

The other two stories which caught my full attention was the amusing Helga Frankenstein  by John Short & Gabrielle Noble and Karl Kampe, The Adventurer by Jorgen Karlsson and Hakan Aydin.

Overall this is a comic well worth picking up. I also have the first issue which I believe is still available from the publishers and is likewise a good read.

Rating: 4 Stars (Recommended)

Available from: timebombcomics.com

Rediscovering the Nineties: Witchblade

 

David Wohl/Christina Z (w) Michael Turner (a)

One of the comics that attracted my interest on returning to the hobby in 1998 was a title I kept seeing on the wall of comic shops at highly inflated prices. This was Witchblade from Top Cow a company whose output I did eventually take an interest in. especially this one and The Darkness which were interconnected.

However these back issues were out of my pay range and I only started reading the comic with #26 which meant I was a little confused about what was going on so instead of spending money I didn't have on comics that by now would be comparatively valueless as the bottom has fallen out of the market I picked up the trade paperback of the first eight issues.

This volume contains the first story arc featuring Sarah Pezzini a rather stunning New York Cop who after encountering the mystical object eventually known as the Witchblade has this knack of losing all her clothes. I don't think in these more woke times we'd see the like but regardless of any ideological niceties I did enjoy this comic which was well written by David Wohl & Christina Z and wonderfully illustrated by the talented now sadly departed Michael Turner.

In this adventure we meet the main protagonists Jeremy irons a rich bastard who also dabbles in men's depravities through drugs, prostitution and slavery. He also has possession of the Witchblade an object of great power that has rejected him but he seeks a bearer through whom he can control the object of his desires.

His right hand man is Ian Nottingham, a loyal and murderous servant of Irons whose role becomes more enigmatic as the story progresses and his hate for Irons grows. A connection is made with Sarah and the plot is afoot as they say.

Turners art really does bring out both the magic and the brutality of the story in a highly stylish manner. I went on to read most of the 187 issue of this run (some of which I will return to in the future) though became less interested in later years as did many others as the "last" issue was published in 2015.

Top Cow seems to have disappeared off the map as have most of the other old Image studios and stars though there has been a recent 12 issue series of Witchblade with a new bearer of the artefact which I have not read but never say never.

Overall if you can pick up a copy of this and the numerous other volumes they are an entertaining read and the Top Cow Universe with Tomb Raider, The Darkness and Fathom (for the first story arc) was place worth exploring for a while.

The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman (DC/Hardcover/2018)

 

Liam Sharp (w) & (a)

Brave & the Bold was a series published by DC Comics that is mostly remembered for it's team-ups with Batman being the lead character for most issues and in which he met so many other denizens of the DC Universe including those from from other times and other planets. It was a great title from the days when a comic contained one complete story.

Sadly those days are long gone and today's comics are geared to be at least six issue story arcs so they can be collected in book form for the wider market. This has it's ups and downs as it makes comic collecting more difficult for the casual reader meaning less sales and many opting to wait for the trade collections.

In the past I have usually collected comics in the traditional format only buying collections when there are back issues I missed, can't find, are too expensive or are in a special format. Nowadays with my local comic shop no longer doing new comics I have moved over to buying collections via Amazon as they are cheaper and I don't pay delivery either.

The original six-issue mini series was originally published whilst I was languishing paralysed in hospital for some eight months following my aneurysm so comics were the last thing on my mind so I missed this series and wasn't even aware of it's existence until I noticed it whilst looking for something to read.

The story brings together two of the great icons of the DC Universe into a murder mystery that takes place in a dimension similar yet different to Themyscira as it is walled in and nearly entirely cut off from the outside world. It is the home of the Celtic or Irish Gods and faerie folk.

As Diana and her lover (Steve Trevor) lay in bed relaxing away from humanity in Antarctic where they believe a peaceful escape can be found an ancient entity known as Cernunnos Cernach appears and asks for the help of the Princess in brokering a peace in Tir Na Nog. Of course Diana agrees.

Meanwhile in Gotham City...

Something is amiss in the Irish Quarter and Bruce is unsure of what to make of it. People seem slow and distracted as if in a dream. Is this the work of the Scarecrow or something more sinister. Batman goes to investigate and finds himself caught in a world of apparitions and has to be pulled out by following Alfred's instructions.

It's magic. Bruce muses, a science of sorts he does not understand.

Meanwhile Diana arrives in Tir Na Nog to find that one of the rival Kings, Elatha has been murdered seemingly by a young boy who his Guards are intent on executing however not all is as it seems. Using her lasso Wonder Woman finds the accused innocent but in this realm it is not believed.

Diana needs a detective. The best...and that would be the Batman.

This is a story set in a magical realm where all is not quite s it seems but the Bat is not easily fooled and with the Princess in toe is determined not only to solve the murder but find out the connection with what is happening in Gotham.

And just what is that hobo doing in Gotham City....

A terrific story written by Liam Sharp who also provides superbly detailed artwork bringing the world of Tir Na Nog to life. My sole criticism is that this really would have benefited from the larger Deluxe format that DC sometime use.

Still widely available so..

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly Recommended)

Batman: Last Knight On Earth (Three issue mini series) (DC/Black Label)

 

Scott Synder (w) Greg Capullo (a)

One of the more interesting comics to come out of Dc's new Black Label imprint is this "out of continuity" story about Bruce Wayne waking up in Arkham Asylum being told everything he knows is a delusion. There is no Batman. He killed his parents and lost his mind. His doctor looks like the Joker and other attendants look like Harley and Bane.

Afred's appearance doesn't help matters and make Bruce distressed even further. Everything is obviously a lie as any reader, even the novice DC fan will know but this ony takes the Bat to yet another illusion,. The world has changed. The world has ended. 

And Batman was responsible.

Bruce heads off into the wider world to see what is left and where he can fit in. His first stopping point is where he collects the Joker's severed head.

The Joker is still alive and wants to be Robin.

There are allies to be found and there are enemies abroad. Darkseid is dead and Omega now controls Gotham with the anti-life equation and most of the world that is left.

On our journey we meet The Court of Owls, survivors who fought and Diana still lives and has made a dark deal to save part of mankind.

Bruce must stop the power of Omega growing further.

Who is Omega?

Oh and how the Joker lives on as a head is mystery never resolved but his humour a way into understanding the darkness that the world has fallen into.

There is the Bat. He brings...hope.

Rating: 5 Stars Plus (One of the best Batman stories of modern times)

The Dollhouse Family (DC Black Label/Hardcover)

 

Mike Carey (w) Peter Gross (a)

As Earth forms two cosmic beings crash on Earth.

Millions of years later....

It's Alice's birthday and she gets a present, actually an inheritance of a superbly detailed Doll's House from her dead Aunt. Her father is more concerned about it's value but for once her mother gets her way and Alice can keep her toy.

All is not well in the family or the house and gradually Alice has to hide from the growing domestic violence until one day she is invited into the Doll's House by Bess. 

All she has to do is say the magic words....

Meanwhile back in the Nineteenth Century her ancestor finds a sleeping being of gigantic size in a cave. There is also a woman, a rather forward one who seeks to satisfy her carnal desires with the somewhat lost and bewildered Joseph.

The Doll's House has a "Black Room" which only appears when it wants to be seen and the family iving within only speak of it in whispers. In fact it's best not to mention it all, but the room has an offer to make.

Will Alice succumb to to the temptation and how will her life be affected if she does?

Mike Carey who was responsible for the Lucifer series published by Vertigo develops a complex story set across generations which sees the murder of an abuser, the bullying of Alice and the secret behind the Doll's House is waiting for the reader to be found. The art by Peter Gross complements the story perfectly.

This would make a great movie.

*Collects The Dollhouse Family six issue series originally published by DC Comics under the Joe Hill/Hill House imprint. 

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly Recommended)

JLA: League of One (DC Hardback OGN/2000)

Ancient serpent brought to bay, dies upon a golden spear. Brave hearts riding into death saving the living world from fear. In victory the heroes fall. Dragon slaying as she's slain. 

The Delphi Oracle

 

Christopher Moeller (w) & (a) 

Having developed a taste for reading collected editions I decided to pick out JLA: A League of One from the dusty part of my bookshelves. I hadn't read this since it was published. Unlike the other graphic novels I've been reviewing this was an original story published in both hardback & paperback editions telling the tale of how Wonder Woman betrayed the League. 

There were dragons.

Once mankind was plagued by an evil race of dragons the last of whom was seemingly destroyed or banished in the Middle Ages by an army of men. However her acolytes survived and have awakened the ancient evil deep in her Swiss lair.

Dragons feed on gold.

All over central Europe there are thefts of gold and jewellery. Treasure that will awaken Drakul Karfang last of her hateful race. Those that serve will be transformed. Or eaten.

The Oracle at Delphi has a warning that Wonder Woman takes as the death of the league so one by one with the help of a couple of sprites she disables or sends off the others. Only Batman tries to stop her but on this rare occasion he fails.

Wonder Woman sends life-pods around the sun and weakens Superman so he it takes longer to rescue the JLA. 

Diana will face the ancient evil and die in the place of the JLA.

An unexpected tale of love, friendship and betrayal (all for the right reasons even if Kal-El is not happy) but an interesting one. Worth picking up and still in print via Amazon which surprised me after all this time and not at inflated prices like some of their offerings.

Batman: Universe (Hardcover) (DC)

 

Brian Michael Bendis (w) Nick Derington (a)

Batman was always one of may favourite comic book characters whether in the Dark Knight or Sixties mode his tales were usually entertaining. Batman's "Rogue Gallery" is the most memorable list of insane criminals ever created. From the Joker to the Ventriloquist these criminals were dangerous.

Then there were his female opponents, Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to name just three who were different. As for the ever extending bat-family the supporting cast from Batgirl to Robin and beyond sharing the nights of Gotham helped develop a world for the reader to immerse themselves in.

Then there was the "wider" DC Universe in which Batman joined the Justice league, led the Outsiders but also teamed up with practically everybody that the writers could bring to Brave & the Bold including Kamandi, Scalphunter and Sgt Rock as difficult as that may seem given the time periods. But these are comics after all.

Batman: Universe was a six issue mini-series which takes the Bat quite literally across the DC Universe as he pursues the mystery of Jonah Hex's Faberge Egg. The Riddler steals the item but isn't himself and as the Bat pursues our troublesome foe the wonderful interactive dialogue between Alfred and Master Bruce takes on a life of it's own.

From Amsterdam with the Green Arrow in toe to the Planet Thanagar and back, a veritable legion of Green Lanterns and one of the worst villains of all, one Vandal Savage the Bat lives and dies, gets transformed and back all in order to save the world if not the universe from what lay within the egg.

An entertaining adventure worth adding to your bookshelf. Currently available in hardback, a paperback edition has just been solicited by DC this month.

Rating: 5 Stars

Rediscovering the Nineties: Avengelyene

 

Having missed the nineties comic boom I did try out some of the comics that I missed from various creators and companies that were not familiar to me. Of course collecting old comics retrospectively doesn't actually reveal the chaos that ensued in this dark period for the industry.

Although shed loads of comics were being shifted including that infamous product the "variant cover" people were not always buying them for the right reasons. My final trip to the Forbidden Planet in 1989 before dropping out the hobby was spoilt by this bloke buying the last two issues of some comic I was quietly waiting to pick up. The speculators were upon us.

Even when I had returned there was still a lot of this going on with that damned Wizard magazine telling everyone this or that title was "hot" (and not whether it was any good or not) promoting the monetary value before any other consideration. 

Happily that shouty journal has gone the way of the speculators (or most of them) and publishers have cottoned on to making sure popular comics are available in collected form. This enabled to regular reader to get the full story without being ripped off by over-priced issues on the walls of some shops. 

I refuse to buy variant covers to this day. I overheard a kid say in the Forbidden Planet "It's the same comic inside...." Out of the mouths of babes...

Amongst the comics I chose to pick up was Avengelyne from Maximum Press which I discovered was one of Rob Liefeld's many publishing fronts. In fact I picked up quite a few issues but the first issue was missing from the boxes. Having become a regular at Avalon Comics on my return to the hobby the owner Bruce went out back and just threw in a copy of the first issue. A "chrome" cover no less something which had become popular for some reason during the nineties.

I have to say the initial three issue mini is an OK story and I was quite happy to collect Avengelne  with all it's religious themes about the main character an apparently "fallen Angel" and her continuing fight against evil. Nothing new in particular but fun even if the art work was peculiar in places, something else that happened in the nineties.

The other main problem that seemed to wreck the industry was the tardiness of the new stars of comic-dom, something which actually continued until fairly recently. I mean I became a fan of industry "bad boy" Rob Liefeld but his inability to finish anything he starts is more than a little annoying. I'm told the gaps between issues back in the decade led to disillusionment and lost sales. I'm not surprised. 

I was "lucky" as these comics were sitting around in the cheap bins waiting to be read or as some retailers found just collecting dust. I'm glad I picked up a few of these and have to say although varied there is fun to be had with some of these comics.

As for Avengelyne it's one I did actually end up collecting and even went on to buy the revived series from Avatar when they picked up the Liefeld line. Will she return? Who knows, but I had some fun reading these comics though they are not up to today's standards....

Dead She Said (3 Issue Mini Series) (IDW/2008)

Steve Niles (w) Bernie Wrightson (a)

Any comic written and drawn by a team consisting of Niles and Wrightson has to be worth picking up and Dead She Said is no exception. The tale begins with a familiar scene of a Private Detective waking up on his bed from a hard night out. A mixture of drinking and he vaguely remembers, fighting has left him in a warm wet pool. Except there is something seriously wrong here.

Jack Coogan has a gun shot wound and that's his blood he's lying in. Almost all eight pints of it so he should be dead. Hist gut is hanging out and rigor mortis has actually set in. He is dead and has to crack his joints to move. How is this possible and who the hell killed him and why. The mystery begins.

Having more enemies than friends (what private Dick doesn't) he has to figure out what happened and do something about that smell. The rotting flesh aroma that goes around with him. Even the Police are none too keen on holding him even after they find Coogan standing over the ripped apart body of the man who killed him.

Of course he didn't do it which was obvious otherwise there would be blood all over him. He has picked up a clue though. It looks like a crabs claw but isn't. What is going on. Dropping his clue off with a mate at the museum for analysis he visits his ex or at least someone he tried to pick up. Putting his hand on her ass wasn't a great idea but help he needs. She's a mortician and Jack needs embalming.

Meanwhile a young couple disappear while camping leaving their kids wondering what happened and jack moves against his would be killer, the one who put a contract out on him. A mad scientist whose activities had attracted the suspicion of his wife who erroneously thought he was having an affair. Perhaps it would have been better for everyone if he had....

Giant ants attack a trailer park for "the meat" needed for their farm controlled by our resident mad scientist who also has another "Frankenstein" project on the go. More "Human Caterpillar" if you have seen that movie. A disgusting creation made of human bits.

The confrontation happens and Jack gains his revenge by throwing a "queen" scent on the scientist leading to his demise at the hands of his creations. World domination plans over only a fire will destroy all these monstrosities.

Jack watches as his own faux funeral takes place and his dead injuries are more pronounced than ever. What we never discover is why Jack lived.......

Judge Dredd Megazine #428 (Out Wednesday!)

One of the advantages of being a subscriber to both 2000AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine is that copies arrive on my doormat a few days before publication giving me an opportunity to read and review before the casual buyer.  Given the pandemic & the need to avoid going out (I'm in a vulnerable group) it's also the best way to ensure I get copies with the shops shut.

The latest issue begins with a one off and quite tragic Judge Dredd story that harks back to an earlier issue (though I can't recall which, must be age creeping up on me)  The Night Flyer in which people are abducted through their windows about which our perp remarks:

We live in a world filled with flying cars. powerboards, jet packs and anti grav packs....and yet people still leave their windows open at night.

And so another victim is taken though Dredd sees the culprit and pursues. The horror is about to become apparent.

The other stories in the latest issue all continue from the last issue including alternatte universe mega City in Megatropolis and proto-Judges in Dreadnoughts.  We also discover that Judge Death has developed a dislike for poets in part five of Deliverance as one of his misguided disciples finds out.

There's also an interesting article on John Sanders one of the people responsible for Fleetway's line of comics and the world he lived and worked in. There's also mention of "stroppy staff" at 2000AD which doesn't surprise me but creative people usually are and the fact that the comic has survived and prospered despite the collapse of the British comics industry is a tribute to their sterling work.

The book Kings Reach is also out now.

The Judge Dredd Megazine comes bagged with part three of the 2000AD Encyclopedia!

Rating: 4.5 Stars.

Also out this week is the latest 2000AD with a splendid Slaine cover. the art on this series is superb.

All publications available from: 2000ad.com

Support British Comics!

Brave & the Bold (Vol 2) #32 (DC/2010)

 

J. Michael Staczynski (w) Jesus Saiz (a)

Team-up comic books were always a favourite of mine from a very early age. Starting with World's Finest which was mostly, but not always Superman & Batman and of course the first volume of Brave & the Bold which became a mainly Batman team up book while DC Comics Presents featured Superman, these have always had the attraction of featuring characters not seen that often or put our heroes in a situation one might not expect!

Marvel had their Team up with Spider-Man and there was the lovable Thing meeting all and sundry in Marvel-Two-In-One but these had long disappeared by the time that Dc revived this title. This second volume featured all sorts of unusual team-ups and were a mixture of story-arcs and one off stories.

This particular issue offers Aquaman teamed up with The Demon, a jack Kirby creation who always seems to be lurking somewhere in the DC Universe. This time the power of the Demon and the King of the seas need to be combined as there is a threat to all life on earth.

It just so happens some poor sod washes up on the beach and ends up being taken along for the ride as they face this Cthulhu like thing coming out of a pit in the bottom of the ocean surrounded by an army of those who have died at sea.

Of course our heroes combine their powers and Aquaman shows his ability to control fish or sea life is of great use as he brings an army of his own to the fight. This time the creature from the other side is beaten but he will try again. 

The Demon and the King will be waiting...........
 

 

Star Trek: Voyager - False Colors (One Shot) (Wildstorm/2000)

 

Nathan Archer (w) Jeffrey Moy with Philip Moy (a)

One of my favourite Star Trek franchises was Voyager and the sight of Seven of Nine gracing the cover of any comic was enough for a fanboy like me to pick up a copy. In fact this was the first Star Trek Comic I ever purchased having only just returned to the hobby after nearly a ten year gap. 

This was also Wildstorm's first Star Trek comic as DC had decided to give the newly reacquired franchise to their newly purchased imprint. Jim Lee had left Image for a better deal at DC and taken his studio and properties with him. Wildstorm had a reputation for good art and story telling though the acquisition of Jim Lee's talent was no doubt a major factor in DC's decision.

Produced in a "Prestige Format" this one-off tale of Voyager was a well written & illustrated foray into the world of Star Trek: Voyager and really had the feel of the show. Having purchased this and last read some twenty years ago I had forgotten the story which had at it's core the Borg and Seven taking the lead.

Photo: Fair use

Voyager encounters a debris field of wrecked spaceships and there's more. Something indicates the presence of the Borg but something isn't quite right. Deciding to flee before any further encounter with their worst nightmare the crew find themselves trapped in a stasis beam emanating from a giant ship that is Borg and isn't at the same time.

There are two hours before their shields exhaust and the ship will be boarded so Seven along with Chakoyay and Tuvak disguise themselves as Borg and enter the alien vessel where they encounter aliens also posing as Borg. Seven manages to scare the proverbial out of their opponents who think they are facing the real deal and flee.

It turns out the ship is controlled by pirates who salvaged parts of a Borg ship for their own use but do not realise that these components are gradually asserting their identity which Seven takes advantage of. In the ensuing battle the Borg fragments separated and the pirates are beaten. Seven has to be forcibly severed from the Borg machinery before Voyager can make good it's escape.

The Borg are coming and the pirates find themselves at their mercy long after Voyagers departure. 

This time assimilation will be real....

We3 Deluxe Hardcover Edition (DC Vertigo/2011)

 

Grant Morrison (w) Frank Quitley (a)

Having been adding new collections to the bookshelf it was inevitable that I would pick up at least one old edition that I hadn't read for years and We3 was one of two I chose to revise. Sometimes things read better the second time around and I had only read this it came out having ignored the original mini-series from 2004.

This tale is an anti-vivisectionists nightmare. Heck it's any animal lover or pet owner's worst nightmare to find their beloved dog, cat or even rabbit caught up in the military industrial complex and weaponised to kill!

The brutal story is brought to us from the mind of Grant Morrison with the wonderfully suitable art of Frank Quitley. A classic Frankenstein's monster done with ordinary household pets except the scientist who developed their capabilities makes one mistake the General doesn't like.

They can talk. 

Weapons don't converse and neither do dogs so their time is up and the trio are due to be put down but the will to live and the guilt or the love of their creator combined gives them freedom and hope. 

Tracked down by the army time after time the trio fight back, winning on each occasion prompting the sending out of number four, a rather brutal dog with a nature that nearly leads him to eating a policeman much to the horror of the General.

Although an old story and many will have read it there has long been talk of turning this tragic yet lovable tale into a movie. Disney it won't be but with the age of CGI upon us would make great big screen entertainment. I guess it may not happen given the lapse in time but if you want something different to read this is a good choice. 

Pick up a copy of this edition if you can (as it has 10 extra pages in an oversized format) or the trade paperback if you can't. Some comic shops may still have all three original issues if you are lucky but however you take you comics do read this. You won't be disappointed.

I don't normally rate back issues but this would get a rare 5 Stars Plus since it is that good and comes highly recommended from this reviewer.

Unaired TV Pilot from 1985: Dan Dare Pilot of the Future

One of the classic British comic characters was Dan Dare who ran in the weekly Eagle comic from 1950 to 1969 and via reprints in Lion & Eagle to new adventures in the second volume of Eagle which confusingly started out with his descendent of the same name.

There have been various attempts at reviving him with Grant Morrison's odd take in Revolver and limited series from the now defunct Virgin Comics to a more recent mini-series from Titan Comics. sadly none seen to have taken.

There have been radio versions from the long lamented Radio Luxembourg and of course the BBC but only a CGI version ever made it to TV. Though there was this one attempt in 1985 from Zenith Productions which despite everything actually looked quite good for it's time. Pity the programme never made it to a full series!

Now if someone could just persuade a TV company to employ Alexander Armstrong to play the key role....he'd make the ideal Dan Dare.

The 77 #4 (Out Now)

The latest issue of The 77 British comics anthology finally arrived a couple of days ago. A problem with the Kickstarter survey programme rather than the publishers but no harm done as this was well worth the wait. This is probably the best issue yet and there is some good news for the publishers and contributors...

The 77 has been voted Britain's second favourite comic in the ComicScene awards for which Benksy and his chums are to be congratulated. The production of this comic is a major achievement for all  involved and has been part of the burgeoning revival of the British comics scene over the last year or so.

If you haven't read a copy yet now is the time to start especially as the cover is graced by my personal favourite strip from the comic Penny Pentagram. There's plenty more inside for everyone including all the regular features and a cracking one-off story A Demon For Dinner!

There was also an interesting and I thought quite poignant letter from Matthew Ellis who suggests stories get published in longer instalments. Given the frequency of The 77 this seems like a good idea to me. Apparently this is on the cards and what's more there will be a collected edition of Division 77 with extra stories which sounds like worth picking up.....

And, wait for it...a The 77 Annual! That means if Comic Scene go ahead with another edition of theirs we will have two proper Annuals to buy at Christmas. letters to Santa now methinks.

Rating: 4 Stars (Recommended)

Available from: getmycomics.com

And there's more. Another comic is on it's way from the publishers via Steve MacManus of 2000AD fame. Blazer will be on Kickstarter from January 21st and I'll certainly be contributing to that. There's a full interview with Steve over at John Freeman's Down The Tubes website.

Sign up for the Blazer Kickstarter Alert here!