Todd Klein's Blog, page 152

And Then I Read: GREEN LANTERNS #22

Image © DC Entertainment. Written by Sam Humphries, art by Ronan Cliquet, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Dave Sharpe.

There have been eras in Green Lantern comics where I felt there was too much time spent away from Earth. This title reversed that completely, keeping the leads, Jessica and Simon, on Earth for 21 issues, so when they are now whisked away to Mogo to have the full Corps experience, it feels fresh. We get to see the magic of ring travel, the wonders of the universe, and the diversity of the Corps through Jessica’s eyes in particular, who’s never been in space. When they arrive on Mogo (replacing the lost Oa as headquarters), Simon and Jessica are welcomed, but find they must undergo training. Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner are to be their trainers. Also drawn to Mogo is the rogue Guardian, Rami, who has a secret of his own. This should be interesting!

Recommended.

And Then I Read: MARCH BOOK TWO

Art by  Nate Powell, written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin.

The middle volume of this trilogy follows John Lewis from 1960 to 1963 in his courageous participation in Civil Rights actions and events. As the movement grows, so does the violence and hatred of those opposed to it. Lewis was one of the Freedom Riders, volunteers taking integrated public buses into the deep South where they were met by angry mobs and equally hateful police and authorities. They were beaten, jailed, and humiliated, but Lewis and many of his fellows met the anger with passive resistance in the mode of Gandhi, and reports of the violence against them only drew more to the movement. John is soon among the leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, and this volume culminates at the March on Washington in 1963, scene of the famous “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. King. Lewis is the only one of the speakers at the event still living, and his memories and testament are made all the more harrowing and real in this treatment, an excellent example of the power of comics. Softening the grim elements are framing sections of Lewis in 2009 at the inauguration of Barack Obama, and the evidence that he made it through those difficult and dangerous times.

Highly recommended.

And Then I Read: THE FLASH #25

Image © DC Entertainment. Written by Joshua Williamson, art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, Neil Googe, Howard Porter and Ryan Sook, Colored by Hi-Fi and Ivan Plascencia, lettered by Steve Wands.

This extra-sized issue takes us with Barry Allen to the 25th Century, home of his nemesis Reverse-Flash, who holds Iris West prisoner there. Along the way we get a recap and exploration of their history with each other, beginning with Barry’s first visit to that future and first meeting with Eobard Thawne, the era’s biggest Flash fan. At present, Thawne runs a large Flash museum, and their friendship seems to go sour on a very minor point: something Barry said to Eobard that he found inspiring was also said to someone else in a different situation. Really? Seems more like a faint excuse than a reason for hatred. Thawne has captured Iris and lured Barry here to mess with both their minds.

The art on this issue was somewhat distracting because of the style differences between the four artists. Otherwise, it was an interesting read, and a nice change from recent issues. Would that we could all visit the future!

Recommended.

Incoming: NEW TEEN TITANS OMNIBUS VOL. 2

Image © DC Entertainment.

I loved this series when it was new, and enjoyed the chance to letter some of them. Both Marv and George were excellent separately, and even better together. This thick book collects issues 21-41 plus a crossover with BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5, and has introductions by the creators. On sale date is Feb. 21st. This may be the second prining, from what I see online.

And Then I Read: MARCH, Book One

Art by Nate Powell, written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin.

This much celebrated story of the life of John Lewis is moving, and inspiring. Life in the South during Segregation is something I’ve only read about, or seen in films or TV documentaries. Somehow this illustrated version focused on the life of one boy growing to manhood makes it more personal, more understandable, more outrageous than all the video clips of angry people and heroic marchers can convey. It brings it home to the reader. The boy who loved the chickens he cared for on his parents’ farm so much that he couldn’t bear to eat them, and who snuck off to school when he was supposed to be helping with the harvest. The young man who helped organize sit-ins at lunch counters in his town that didn’t serve people of his color. Taking on the hatred and violence with passive resistance in the spirit of Gandhi. Going to jail for his principles. Gradually gaining some grudging compromises from the town mayor.

Fine work by everyone involved. I look forward to reading the rest. Highly recommended.

Pulled From My Files #74: GHOST RIDER 2099

All images © Marvel.

Some time in late 1994 or early 1995 I was asked by Joey Cavalieri at Marvel to design a new logo for this book. I’d already done a revised version of the 2099 part for him, and he wanted a new look to go with it. This existing logo, which I think was by Ken Lopez, is kind of a digital approach to the regular flaming Ghost Rider logo, and I like it, though I’m not crazy about the 2099 part.

I did three marker sketches. This is the 2099 I had already done with a stencil approach to the character name. Not very easy to read, and I now find it a bad design.

My second sketch uses the same letter forms, but uses a bevelled outline and fills in the background with sold black, which helps readability some. The flame around the outside harkens back to the previous regular Ghost Rider logos.

I think this is the most interesting of my sketches, though the approach is similar to one I had used on other Marvel logos. None of these sketches really embody anything futuristic, and I think they should have.

Marvel went another way, and used another designer for their final logo, and this design is much more original and interesting than any of mine, with its combination of angles and verticals. I think the A.D. is mine, not sure. I’m also not sure who designed this, but it’s pretty nice, and does seem futuristic.

Other articles in this series can be found in the “Pulled From My Files” topic on the right column of this blog page. More when I have time.

And Then I Read: MISTER MIRACLE 4

Image © DC Entertainment. Written by Tom King, art and colors by Mitch Gerads, letters by Clayton Cowles.

The fine cover of this issue by Nick Derrington is kind of a bait and switch. It’s much more in the mainstream DC and Kirby tradition, while the art inside is definitely not. If the cover promises a Kirbyesque action-filled cosmic adventure,  that also is not what the interior delivers. Despite that, I find this book quite entertaining, possibly because it goes so against expectations.

The entire issue is nine-panel grids. Many are medium shots of characters, or head shots, often repeated. Much of the issue is an impromptu trial of Scott Free by the current Highfather, Orion, acting as judge and jury, with Lightray along and Barda there with Scott. This was expected. She ordered a veggie and dip tray. (Perfect comic relief.) Orion reduces the trial to a series of true or false questions that Scott must answer. MUST answer. Sounds boring, doesn’t it? I found it anything but. Writer Tom King skillfully turns this very restrictive scenario into riveting, soul-wrenching confessions from Scott, and some from the others as well. You have to read it, there’s no good way to explain it. Mitch Gerads’ art is perfect for this issue, even with the occasional trippy effect panel. The characters are in costume, but completely believable as real people…assuming they are real people. The tension that builds in this story is finally released in a single punch that carries far more impact because of that. I am quite impressed.

Highly recommended.

And Then I Read: STEEPLE FOLLY by M.E. Atkinson

Cover art by Charlotte Hough.

I’ve written before about the Lockett family books by this author, most recently HERE.

The series began in 1936 with “August Adventure,” and this is the fourteenth and last from 1950. The Lockett family, upper middle class, with parents usually away in India, raised by Aunts and Uncles, and often able to get out on adventures with little or no adult supervision. A sort of vacation fantasy for British children stuck in strict classrooms or kept in by rainy weather. The Locketts are clever, bookish Oliver, idea-provider Jane and athletic Bill, ready for action. Their world is one that was on the way out in the 1930s, and well over by 1950, with servants to provide meals and transportation, for instance. Atkinson was not one of the best writers in this small genre, but I enjoy her books and was a bit sad to read the last of the Locketts.

Some things are different in this last book. In the beginning we finally see them interacting with their parents, home from India for good. While the Locketts have been at school for years, this time they are sweating examinations for university, and Bill has to go for special tutoring, taking him conveniently away from home. The other two soon find a way to join him, and all sorts of mysteries are revealed, which the Locketts, of course try to solve. There’s also a horse riding element to the story, something Atkinson was getting into in her non-Lockett books, and a plotline that pits them against a pair of nasty rich children who feel threatened by the Locketts, and try to stop them from entering a local horse show. This leads to a frightening night for Jane, as she is captured and threatened with bodily harm by the pair, something which rarely happens in the other books, if at all. Sort of a real world moment intruding on the fantasy. Other plots involve possible treasure, a gang led by a scarfaced man that must be investigated, a tower on the moor that may hold secrets, and plenty of other excitement. These books are plot-driven, but the characters are reasonably well developed too, and make for interesting reading. Old friends are enlisted, and new ones made, midnight forays and sleuthing abound. Many meals are consumed, always well described. If you like this sort of book, the Lockett adventures are worth searching for, though they’re long out of print.

At the end, Jane declares that her horrible night has cured her of wanting adventures. “I shan’t mind if I don’t have another one ever, ever again.” is how the book ends. And as far as we know, she didn’t.

Recommended.

And Then I Read: THE SANDMAN OVERSIZE SPECIAL 1

Image © DC Entertainment. New Sandman stories by Dan Jurgens and Jon Bogdanove, and Steve Orlando, Rick Leonardi and Dan Green. Colors by Steve Buccellato and Roberto Flores.  Letters by Wille Schubert and Wes Abbott. Cover by Paul Pope and Lovern Kindzierski. And how annoying is it that the letterers aren’t credited on the Comixology credits page that begins all their offerings? Very.

I loved the first issue of Simon and Kirby’s 1970s SANDMAN, and liked the remaining issues pretty well. The characters are bombastic and silly, but both these stories capture the Kirby feel in the script and art, and are a fun, nostalgic revisit. Both stories are elevated a little above the average comics slugfest by their unique connections to Jack Kirby, each in its own way, but the most fun is in the art, really. Rounding out the book are short backup stories, “Tales of the DNA Project,” that Kirby did for his run on JIMMY OLSEN. This comic seems to hit all the marks for the Kirby 100 project and go just above them.

Recommended.

And Then I Read: THE MIDDLE AGE BOOK TWO by Steve Conley

Image © Steve Conley.

Actually, I read this wonderful webcomic weekly online, but Steve does a fine job with these self-published collections. Sir Quimp and his sarcastic magic sword Maledicta, in a quest for dragons that seems quite impossible, are joined this time by a hard-drinking wizard, Melvwyn, and (according to the wizard) the deadliest warrior and most cunning tracker he’s ever known: Waddlebottom, the Lord of All Ducks. Before long, they’re fleeing from the King, who wants Sir Quimp dead. Will Melvwyn’s unlikely magic cake do the trick?

I continue to love this strip, it’s clever, funny, surprising, and beautifully drawn, colored and lettered by Steve Conley. The very best way to enjoy it is to become a supporter of the strip on Patreon, it’s what pays the bills for Steve, but to see if it’s for you, sample it first at MiddleAgeComic.com. Those award nominations on the cover above are there for a reason. Go see why.

Highly recommended.