Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes, page 8

Book Review: Doctor Who: The Flood

Doctor Who: The Flood by Scott Gray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects twenty-five months of Comic Strips in Doctor Who Magazine, including the last of the Eighth Doctor stories. There are a lot of ups and downs as the Doctor moves on from Izzy:

Where Nobody Knows Your Name (DWM 329): After having said farewell to his companion Izzy in the previous story, the Eighth Doctor strolls into a bar and has a conversation with a bartender.

As a story, this one is basic. There's a nice variety of aliens which are interesting to look at and other than that, it's just the Doctor and the Bartender talking. There's a nice reveal at the end, but otherwise, this is pretty standard. Grade: C

Doctor Who and the Nightmare Game (DWM 330-332) While attending a Football (soccer to Americans) game, the Doctor runs smack into an alien invasion. A somewhat disappointing tale, but it's far from Gareth Roberts best work with few laughs and not many surprises. Both the story and the Doctor's "companion" for one story are pretty forgettable. Art's decent, but other than that, there's not much to commend this. Grade: C-

The Power of Thoueris (DWM 333): While trying to enjoy a holiday in ancient Egypt, an old Egyptian goddess appears and the Doctor has to fight and expose her. This is a very bog standard story. The Doctor vs. a false god is an old trope and because of the story being this short, there's little space to dress this up. Because of this being only be a one issue story, there's no subtlly or surprise. It's just striaight to the point. The art is the best thing about this strip. It's stylized and interesting to look at. Unfortunately, the story doesn't actually do anything noteworthy. Grade: C-

In the Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack (DWM 334-336), the Eighth Doctor returns to London at the beginning of the gaslight era where a mysterious phantom known as Spring-heel Jack is terrorizing the city.

This is a well-realized tale. The era works well with Doctor Who, the artwork is superb and we have some nice twists and subversion of expectations within the space of what is a rather short comic story. Overall, this story makes a very solid read. Grade: B+


The Land of Happy Endings: A fortieth anniversary story that finds the Eighth Doctor back with his grandchildren Jack and Gillian, who he travelled with in the pages of TV comics. The story is a silly bit of nonsense with a sweet salute to theTV comics, including that art that really captures the style. The ending is nice and poignant and very fitting for an anniversary year. Grade: B+

In Bad Blood (DWM 338-342), the Doctor arrives in the Old American West where a group of minors has disappeared and General Custer is investigating, while the Doctor meets with Chief Sitting Bull.

This story does a lot right. None of the historical characters come off as cartoonish, not even General Custer who has been the target of many attacks since his death. The plot has some clever reveals and the return of an old foe, which I have mixed thoughts on, but didn't throw the story off much. I did think the monster reveal towards the final chapters was really quite remarkable.

Overall, a very solid outing for the Eighth Doctor. Grade: B+

Sins of the Fathers (DWM 343-345): After the events of Bad Blood, Destrii needs medical care so the Doctor takes Destrii to the future and Hippocrates Base for treatment. However, their arrival is ill-timed as Destrii becomes part of an alien invasion plot.

Overall, this story is a pretty standard base under siege set up. It's elevated by some of its high concept ideas, the art, and also Destrii's character. She's really fun, particularly when she's involved in fights. Overall, it's not all that unique a story, but it's well-told.

The Flood (DWM 346-353): The Doctor and Destrii arrive in 2005 London at a market where something strange is going on and it all leads up to the return of the Cybermen.

This is an eight-part story and it's a rivetting finale for the Eighth Doctor. The Cybermen's plan is really quite unique a nice change from the typical way of Cybermen forcing people to convert. The Cyberleader even has an argument that they're saving the Earth. The finale is appropriately epic and really gives the Eighth Doctor a good comic book sendoff even though it's not the regeneration scene that Russell T. Davies offered the script.

I have mixed feelings about the Cybermen design as it goes in the same direction as the Series 8 Cybermen only moreso. I also felt it was an abrupt ending for Destrii whose time in the TARDIS had really just gotten started. Still, despite the limitations of the forced ending of the strip, this was a really superb read.

One great reason to read these Panini books is all of the behind the scenes information on the writing and art of the script as we get to find out what inspired the writers. This is nice as we get to find out how the Eighth Doctor almost regenerated in the pages of Doctor Who magazine, why they didn't happen, and get the alternate script for what that story would have looked like.

Despite starting out with three weak scripts, the book finishes very strong and is well worth the read.




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Book Review: Atlas Era Tales of Suspense Masterworks Vol. 3

Atlas Era Tales of Suspense Masterworks Vol. 3 (Tales of Suspense by Jack Kirby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects eleven issues of Tales of Suspense from the 1960s, when it was an anthology book for stories of Science Fiction and the supernatural, though more science fiction. The stories are all between 5 and 10 pages long, with no ongoing stories between issues, so you get a lot of quick stories and most are fairly well-executed. There are few misses like the brilliant mad scientist who discovered time travel and planned to make himself a god in Ancient Roman by showing modern technology but failed because he didn't plan for how he would make technology work. Still, the shortness of the stories is an asset as any failed stories don't take long to read and there's always a better one around the bend including quite a few that feature Twilight Zone style twists.

The stories can be a little goofy, but they're never too silly and some of the talent behind them are the same people who (by now) were already beginning to establish the Marvel Age of Superhero comics. If you like some fun silver age Sci Fi, this is a solid read.



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Book Review: Spider-Man: The Gathering of the Sinister Six (Audiobook)

Spider-Man: The Gathering of the Sinister Six by Adam-Troy Castro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The first of the Sinister Six trilogy of text novels by Adam-Troy Castro finds a sinister "Gentleman" gathering together the Sinister Six, but one of them-Mysterio is launching a deadly plot of his own against the acting community.

I have to admit that this book did kind of pull the rug out from under me. Initially, at the start of the book, the focus was on the Gentleman, his cruelty, and his plan to take on Spider-man for reasons unknown, as well as to destroy the city and somehow reap a handsome profit. The story then shifts to a suicide attempt by an aging actor who has been being tormented and then succombs. We then learn it's part of a much broader plot by Mysterio.

Still, what we get is a very enjoyable novel. It manages to capture the spirit of comic book characters including J. Jonah Jameson and Flash Thompson and makes them very three-dimensional. I also appreciated the return of a hero who'd fought alongisde Spider-man in the 1970s for the final act and how he was fleshed out. Comic continuity is used intelligently, so we know enough what had come before without getting bogged down. In addition, the side and original characters are well-crafted as well, and Castro either had some solid knowledge of show biz or did a ton of research.

I'm also a huge fan of the Mary Jane-Peter Parker marriage, so it's great to read a book with that intact and to see how they interact. Mary Jane is well-handled and well-treated as a character, which is better than many comic book writers gave her.

While I listened to the modern well-narrated recently-released audiobook, listeners/readers should be aware that this book is a product of the times it was written in: the mid-1990s. Honestly, this book would be two thirds as long if everyone had smartpones and could access YouTube and IMDB.
Still, if you accept that, this is a fun ride that does justice to Spider-man in novel form.





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Book Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen?

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? by Matt Fraction

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Someone's trying to kill Jimmy Olsen...a lot of people are trying to kill Jimmy Olsen, but one in particular sends him into hiding and in search of who is really behind what's happening to him. Along the way he's going to meet friend and foe alike as he seeks to find out the truth.

This book is a hoot as it pays tribute to all of the insane whackiness Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen has gotten himself into, in many ways hearkening back to the Silver Age of comics. It's filled with all sorts of outrageous over the top characters and situations, and humorous adventures. They even find an effective way to recast Jimmy in the 21st Century media culture...as the insane over the top vlogger whose constant antics draw enough worldwide advertising hits to keep business coming to the Planet.

That said, the book is hard to follow at times. It jumps in around in time and location and it can be hard to ell whether it's just doing an homage over a situation is plot-relevant. Still, because the book doesn't take itself too seriously, it doesn't matter quite as much. It's a whacky fun read and if that's what you're in the mood for, this will hit the spot.



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Book Review: Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo: Ultimate Collection, Book 1

Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo: Ultimate Collection, Book 1 by Mark Waid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects the start of Mark Waid and MikeJo Wieringo's run on Fantastic Four.

The book kicks off with Issue 60, which is a one-shot overview of the Fantastic Four and the sort of things that they do and experience. They've hired a marketing guy to help promote the team and he's trying to figure them out. Given that Waid admitted a lack of interest in the characters coming in, this character feels a lot like self-insertion, like he's speaking for how Waid understands the group. It's still an interesting read.

Issue 61 finds Ben murderously outraged about the latest Yancy Street prank and we learn who was really behind all the pranks we'd seen for 40 years prior. Sue sends Johnny to stop Ben and plans to make him more responses.

Issues 62-64 is the ʃ£πt¡Σπ storyline in which a character made up of computer code emerges and starts going after the non-Reed Richards members of the Fantastic Four. This is a decent enough story with a solid conclusion that allows Reed to shine.

Issues 65 and 66 is the two part, "The Small Stuff" story with Johnny in his new role managing the company's corporation deals with someone who wants to buy unstable molecules and Ben and Reed deal with an interdimensional insectile creature in the Baxter Building. The Ben and Reed plot is fine and some bit of B-plot comic relief, but it's the Johnny plot that ultimately makes this interesting and gives some needed character moments.

The book also includes Avengers #400. I think the only reason I can think for for the inclusion is that it was written by Waid. It's an effective celebration of 400 issues of the Avengers that provides a satisfying end, though all we get of the Fantastic Four is a cameo.

Overall, this was not bad. Waid brings a nice perspective to the Fantastic Four, appreciated them as a family and introduces some fun ideas. I look forward to reading more.



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Book Review: Avengers: Vision and the Scarlet Witch

Avengers: Vision and the Scarlet Witch by Steve Englehart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects the very busy Avengers Annual where the Scarlet Witch and Vision are married, and then collects their four-issue mini-series.

The annual is decent, although there's a lot going on and it feels like there's a lot you'd miss if you're not up on all the ends and outs of 1980s comics.

The mini-series doesn't tell a complete story in and of itself, rather it teases what a series might be like. Issue 1 is kind of a standard affair with them moving into a house on Halloween and hijinxs ensuing. Issue 2 is more interesting in that it brings back the Whizzer who was at one point assumed to be the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's father. Wanda doesn't have the heart to tell him the truth and they try and help him free his actual son from an institution with tragic results.

Issue three features Wonder Man, from whom Vision's personality was drawn, coming to help a wounded Vision out. Issue 4 features a visit to Pietro to encounter Magnetto and learn a key fact about the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's life.

Overall, this is a solid volume. While it's not spectacular and there's ongoing arc, it nonetheless discloses some key moments for the character and is a worthy read for Marvel fans.



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Book Review: The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty

The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty by Fabian Nicieza

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book contains two Captain America mini-series.

The first is the Adventures of Captain America, which is a 1990s retelling of Cap's origin and earliest adventures with a lot of details expanded. Overall, this was a likable story with solid art, particularly for the era that managed to mostly remain consistent with what had come before. While not every change worked, I thought most did. This is a fun look at a little less experienced Captain America.

Captain America: The Newspaper strips is an attempt to rectify the lack of Captain America newspaper strips being published during the golden age of comics like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman were. This works fairly although the art definitely more reflects the style of the early 2000s when it was written rather than the 1940s. I also felt the plot wasn't that great, particularly given that this was the only story that would told like this. Still, it's a nice read if you're a fan of the Golden Age cap tales.





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Book Review: Young Justice, Vol. 3: Warriors and Warlords

Young Justice, Vol. 3: Warriors and Warlords by Brian Michael Bendis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book collects the final eight issues of Young Justice. The plot with Superboy in the last volume is taken care of in the previous volume and then we get a bunch of individual issues that fill in continuity.

Overall, this wasn't bad. The art was pretty consistent and the stories had some interesting moments, but this didn't go anywhere and it was a little frustrating that a big defining for the team happened outside the book I was reading. This was okay, but I hope Young Justice returns with a bit more focus.



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Book Review: Event Leviathan

Event Leviathan by Brian Michael Bendis

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The Leviathan Event isn't a bad idea. There's a new shadowy threat called determined to bring order at any cost. Lois Lane decides that what's needed to solve the case is to bring together the DC universe's greatest detectives. This is good...in theory.

The problem is that this is a case of way too many cooks. There are simply too many detectives running around, essentially clustered together in large groups, with some dominating and some just contributing enough banter that we can say, "Yeah, that character was in this comic."

Instead, we get a lot of build up and a few plot points about how dangerous Leviathan is and it's hard to care about any of it. The solution to the case is unsatisfying which makes this a pretty disappointing miss for Brian Michael Bendis.



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Book Review: Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men, Vol. 7

Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men, Vol. 7 by Steve Englehart

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Set after the X-Men went into reprints and before Giant X-men #1 made them legends, this book collects a guest appearances by individual X-men in Amazing Spider-man and the Incredible Hulk, and also multiple X-Men guest-starring in Marvel Team-up.

The comics are okay. Marvel Team-up #4 is probably the best story and the X-men do take the lead since Spidey's out of commission for most of the book. The Beast's solo series is not bad, but what he was going through felt very derivative of what the Incredible Hulk's set-up. Still, it's worth seeing in order to find out how the classic Hank McCoy changed to his more beastial form. Although his changing of color from gray to blue is not well-explained.

It's not terrible, but you can see why the X-men were in a no-man's land.



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