FANTASTIC FOUR #1 MARVEL COMICS
Hey look everybody Fantastic Four #1! This is the 6th time Marvel has produced a Fantastic Four #1, so forgive me if the gimmick has worn a little thin on me. We also have a spoiler alert but if you haven’t figured out that Reed and Sue are alive yet, you have bigger issues than spoilers. What Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli have penned here is a wonderful recap of our lost foursome with having to rehash 80% of continuity horrors that come from a title with 6 #1 issues. It is a caring look at a FAMILY of adventurers. And frankly after the bleak outlook of the Marvel Two In One series, it was quite refreshing. Starting on a low note of a prank done in poor taste that has the whole world sitting on the edge of it’s seat only to have the prank revealed and the hope drain from the masses. To the joy of Ben Grimm finally popping the question and then to the tragic realization of Johnny Storm that his family isn’t coming back, this tale is a real roller coaster ride. But no one can deny the cheer that must have erupted in the Marvel Universe when the signal was received telling the world that the Fantastic Four was indeed alive. With a Dr. Doom back up feature, all the major players are here. Well, except Reed, Sue, and the kids. But my aggravation is quickly diffused by the one page entry by Slott and Skottie Young as the Impossible Man speaks the words coming out of my brain. Funny, heartbreaking, inspirational, and irritating, this one has it all. And reminds us on the classic tales when Reed didn’t notice Sue’s new dress or Johnny gave Ben a hot foot. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #5 IDW COMICS
Titles like this remind me of how I have mellowed with age and my tastes have changed. As a boy, you couldn’t pay me to read a Walt Disney comic. I quite vividly remember an instance when, on a family trip to Upper, Upper Minnesota and jonesing for a comic fix, I chose a Captain Canuck over a Walk Disney comic. But I digress, the truth is that these stories are enjoyable, family friendly, and accepted worldwide. This Showcase title not only gives us tales of our favorites but since they are originating overseas, feature some lesser known characters. Do you know Dickie Duck? Or how about John D. Rubberduck? Neither did I until now. And after all these years, it puts a smile on my face to learn something new from a comic. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
HOT LUNCH SPECIAL #1 AFTERSHOCK PUBLISHING
Another one of the independent books that might just slip under your radar if your not careful. Eliot Rahal and Jorge Fornes spin a wonderfully complicated tale of the mob, the food industry, and families. And with Fornes noir-ish style of art, this title definite reminds me of the movie Fargo. The story comes off very true to life and makes me wonder about all those packaged sandwiches that you see at the convenience stores. The first message has been sent, the question is how is the family going to retaliate? Looking forward to issue #2. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1 DC/VERIGO COMICS
Wow! After all this time and the world of the Sandman is still awe-inspiring. And with a mysterious crisis threating the Dreaming, it’s up to the many jaw-dropping secondary characters that belong to Gaiman’s imagination to save the day. All your old favorites are here. From Matthew the Raven to Eve to Cain and Abel, the epic story told here is the perfect relaunch of the Vertigo imprint. I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
HEY KIDS! COMICS #1 IMAGE COMICS
A new Howard Chaykin book with a mocking comic fn photo cover, of course I’m interested (check out the one button the fan is wearing – classic!) And the story here is both a dream and a nightmare of us older comic fans who remember the glory days when the idea of having a letter printed in a comic (or be still my beating heart) a tour of the offices of any of the comic producers of the day was the be all end all of life as we knew it. Only to discover that behind the scenes, the Bullpen family we admired and so desperately wanted to join was a very dyslexic family at best. As the story bounces back and forth through the years, it really puts the lives of these “fictional” comic professionals into perspective. This one actually brought a little tear to my eye as it brought me back to a time when we all thought to ourselves “If Shooter could do it, so could I.” I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
ROCK & ROLL BIOGRAPHIES SPINAL TAP #1 ACME INK
Holy 1990’s Flashback, Nigel! I didn’t even realize that a version of Rock and Roll Comics still existed but they could not have picked a better subject than everyone’s favorite faux band. A wonderful look back at not only the imaginary history of the band that wasn’t but at the history of the men and women who made it happen in real life. A volume filled with interesting bits that are guaranteed to keep any Spinal Tap fan amused. Totally worth the price of the ticket. I give it a 9 out of 10.
