Hey, Mike and Sylvain here, and welcome to What Looks Good February ‘04. Here’s the deal: each month when Previews comes out we’re going to take a look through it and find things that interest us. Then we sort through and find either A. a great book with not too much popularity and/or B. a new title or creative team/arc on a current title. The whole idea is to give you a glimpse into what is out there that maybe you’re not reading but should be reading. If we don’t read the title then we’ll tell you why we it doesn’t interest us. There are so many books out there now that everyone wants to stick to something with an established name. Not too many people are willing to give a new book a chance because they don’t want to stick with it through the development of the book to the point where it gets big. Well, that’s the completely wrong way to look at it. Hopefully after reading this column you’ll be interested enough to go and pick out a book that you normally wouldn’t and give it a shot. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something really great that you love. Aspen Sketchbook #1 (A) Michael Turner, Talent Caldwell, (C) Peter Steigerwald Mike: Michael Turner and Talent Caldwell are two great artists. In this book we get to see 32 pages of their action packed sketches. With the likes of Fathom, Ekos, and Soulfire in this book it is something not to be missed. Aspen Entertainment is the newest break into the comic business and I’m not too sure it is getting the recognition it deserves. Michael Turner has some great talents lined up for the company, not to mention great ideas. Aspen has the will to go far, it just needs more of a fan base. It’ll certainly do well if people just give it a chance. Sylvain: Michael Turner is an overrated artist. Sure he can draw pretty women, but a lot of other people can too. Also, if I want to see a pretty female in a bra and panties every three page I’ll just surf the net for that. So, I won’t get this one because for me it doesn’t contain anything original and worthy of buying it. There’s plenty of other stuff that deserves my money more than this, like Runaways or Monolith. Conan #1 (W) Kurt Busiek, (P) Cary Nord, (I) Dave Stewart Mike: Busiek and Nord really impressed me with the Conan: The Legend so I’m definitely going to get this. This series is basically Ultimate Conan, as Marvel would say. Nord’s pencils are fantastic and Busiek’s story is top notch. Even someone who knows nothing about Conan (like me) will love the book. Busiek and Nord are bringing back Conan and it is just another one of the many great new titles coming out. Give it a try, what’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t like it then at least you gave it a try. You just have to take the risk, and with Conan…it is a good risk. Sylvain: Last month I went to my comic shop and I saw this little title for $0.25. So I was like “let’s pick this up, I’ll read it and…” Well, I was a fool, because I loved the short story and now I am putting it on my pull list. This title is worth picking up because Kurt Busiek is writing it and you don’t need to have read all those other Conan stories to understand it. The art is beautiful; it looks like it was painted but it is really pencil. Also, this new book stays close to the roots of Conan and it is not softened for a larger audience. In 12 pages we got two decapitations, so just imagine what they can do with 22 pages! Action Comics #812, Adventure of Superman #612 and Superman #202 (W) Michael Turner & Joe Kelly, (P) Talent Caldwell Mike: Joe Kelly, Michael Turner, and Talent Caldwell: that’s good enough, but now this story is taking Superman (Kal El) back to his homeland, Krypton. Why is he there? Who knows? It is a six-part story going through Superman and Adventures of Superman as well, and though I only usually read Action Comics I’ll be getting the other issues as well. From what it sounds like it is definitely going to be good. Caldwell is a great artist and Turner and Kelly can write, plus it is Superman, who is a fan favorite. Action Comics has never let me down before and it is certainly not going to let me down now. Sylvain: To be honest with, I have no interest whatsoever in this six-part crossover. Another tale of “back to Krypton” but this time Superman has a motorcycle and weird fetish costume. I’m getting sick and tired of these crossovers that I have to buy four or five issues of other series I don’t ever read and that won’t have any impact on the regular run. Come on, people stop taking us for idiots, we might be geeks but not idiots. Batman: Gotham Knights #50 (W) A.J. Lieberman, (A) Al Barrionuevo & Francis Portela Mike: The return of Hush, and all too soon. As much as I’m a Hush fan and love anything do with Hush I think it is too soon to bring him back. Lieberman and Barrionuveo should do a good job but it is kind of risky. I’m expecting a lot and if it is not up to snuff with me then that’s that. Hopefully they will do a good job because that’d be really great to see someone follow up the awe-stricken arc that Loeb and Lee did with Batman a few months ago. Hush’s plot before was really good so I wonder what he has in store this time. Sylvain: The ending of Hush let me down. I was happy to see Hush fall into water and say to myself, “so long sucker.” Now that I am fully recovered from this bad comic moment they go back at it again. To me it seems that DC are trying everything they can to squeeze out every dime they can from the Loeb/Lee run on Batman. Sorry DC, but this time you’re not fooling me. DC: The New Frontier #2 (W) Darwyn Cooke, (A) Darwyn Cooke Mike: Darwyn Cooke is an artist and writer that I like a lot. With the New Frontier he’s telling tales of Silver Age-DC characters. It is not totally his take on it but more or less a different perspective of it. In my opinion this is going to be really good. With six issues there’s a lot he’s going to fit in so watch out for it. You can see your favorite DC characters reliving events but from a whole other side. It is going to get into how they really feel about it and what’s going on in their lives. Sylvain: I don’t know why there is such a buzz around this project. First of all, the art for this book doesn’t appeal me at all. And I have no interest whatsoever about the Silver Age. I’m just tired of seeing the origin of the same character told again and again. Even if the writer adds little twists of his own it is still the same old story. So far the only writer who can make me like a tale from the Silver Age is Jeph Loeb with his Marvel spectrum tales (Hulk: Grey, Spider-Man: Blue, et al.). Detective Comics #791 (W) A.J. Lieberman, (A) Pete Woods, Cam Smith & Nathan Fox Mike: Detective Comics has been OK lately. Most of the reason I get it is for the Tim Sale covers but I know that there will be good stories to coming into it, just wait and see. Hopefully this new arc will be a good one. The creative team of Anderson Gabrych and Pete Woods seems to be good. Detective Comics is nearing issue #800 and it is going to be a great road ahead. Sylvain: Never read it; won’t read it. That’s all I have to say! Flash #207 (W) Geoff Johns, (A) Howard Porter & Livesay Mike: Geoff Johns and Howard Porter doing Flash is a wonderful thing. Johns’ story with Porter’s art is something that cannot be missed. Both are two of my favorite creators, and with Flash being a terrific character I’m hooked on this book, not to mention the Michael Turner covers! This issue pretty much is a stand-alone leading into their first arc. You’ve seen what Porter has been doing with the Fantastic Four, now see him take on Flash! Sylvain: Great jumping point for new readers, The Flash is actually Geoff John’s best book out there. I just read all the trades from the Johns’ run last week and now I’m hooked on it. Also, in this new story arc, Kid Flash and the JSA’s Flash are guest starring. Since the way Johns handles Kid Flash in Teen Titans is perfect I can’t wait to read this one. H-E-R-O #13 (W) Will Pfeifer, (A) Leonard Kirk & Wade Von Grawbadger Mike: OK, here’s the rundown of the arc: a guy stumbles upon the hero device, it turns him into a female super-heroine, and then he looses the hero device and must face life as a women. Where does Pfeifer get these ideas? H-E-R-O has been a great title and I think it is overlooked by a lot. In my opinion it is one of the best new series out there. The concept of it is great and whatever artist he has doing the book, whether it be Kano or someone else, has my full support because it is so difficult to create all these new one time characters. H:E:R:O is always a great read that never lets me down. The Monolith #1 (W) Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, (A) Phil Winslade Sylvain: Last year I made a terrible mistake: I passed on the 21 Down issues and I missed a really great book. This time Palmiotti and Gray are back with a tale about DC’s most terrifying defender. I think everyone who’ll pick this book will be pleasantly surprised by the dark and mature tone of this book. DC is putting a lot of effort and publicity on this book. The least you can do is to give it a try before they start putting out more Hush materials. For those who are not sure yet, look at the preview pages in almost every DC book this month. Mike: Well, I’ll have to admit it, at first the Monolith didn’t really interest me. Sure, the team of Palmiotti, Gray, and Winslade is very tempting, but I just wasn’t buying into it. Then I saw some of the preview pages and it all changed. The artwork is great and Palmiotti and Gray have a terrific story from what I’ve read. Please give this title a shot. If I didn’t I’d be missing out on a great book that DC is putting out. The first issue is 56 pages for only $3.50, that’s a steal! Plastic Man #3 (W) Kyle Baker, (A) Kyle Baker Mike: Kyle Baker is back, Plastic Man is back, and it is all in one great book. I’m a fan of Bakers pencils and I’m sure he can deliver the witty writing that Plastic Man needs. This is probably the best title coming from DC this winter. Being a new series people might not be too open to get it, but please give this book a try. After seeing the things Baker has done with issue #1 he has my full support. If you want a great comic that takes you back to the good old days with some more modern aspects in it, then Plastic Man is the book for you. Sylvain: Plastic Man has never been my favorite character but I was willing to check out his own series until it turned out to be a “Loony Tune”-style book. I don’t think that Plastic Man should be in just a funny book. Maybe for a three-issue mini-series I would buy it, but as an ongoing count me out. Maybe I’m one of not too open people Mike is referring to, but I can live with it. Superman/Batman #7 (W) Jeph Loeb, (A) Pat Lee Mike: Jeph Loeb has done a bang-up job on Superman/Batman so far. This issue is dealing with Superboy’s true origins with some help from Supes, Bats, and Robin. It is just one issue, after which Loeb and Turner will be working together. In this issue Pat Lee takes care of the pencils. I must admit I’m not a Pat Lee fan at all. Hopefully Loeb can produce a good story that’ll help me bypass the visual effects I’ll have to sit through. Sylvain: Mike, you have to be out of your mind. Pat Lee is one hell of good penciler. Just look at those Transformer G1 issues, they are really nice. I think that it is fun to mix Superman/Batman with a story line from the Teen Titans. It just makes the DC Universe more connected together compared to the Marvel Universe. So, Teen Titans fans get this one. Loeb is better at writing Superman than Batman but I still enjoy that book a lot. Superman: Secret Identity #2 (of 4) (W) Kurt Busiek, (A) Stuart Immonen Mike: Kurt Busiek is telling the tale of a boy named Clark Kent, growing up in Kansas who one day has the powers of Superman, but he isn’t the real Superman. He lives in Kansas and his parent’s just name him Clark, a typical Kansas name. Then one day he gets Superman powers. This has my interest because Busiek and Immonen are great at telling their stories and Superman is a great character. Combine them and you have an automatic thriller. I don’t think too many people are going to jump on this simply because they don’t think that it’ll be too good. Issue #1 looks great! A perfect issue, that shouldn’t be missed out on. Sylvain: As much as Marvel has too many Wolverine limited series, DC has just too many Superman limited series. I respect Kurt Busiek’s work, but I don’t think we need to see a young teenager having Superman powers. If I want to see teenager with power I’ll just watch Smallville Wednesdays at 10pm. Wildstorm Coup D’Etat #1: Sleeper (W) Ed Brubaker, (A) Jim Lee Mike: OK I’ll admit it the only reason I’m getting this issue is because Jim Lee is drawing it and I’m a HUGE fan. His pencils are out of this world. Jim Lee is my favorite artist and in my opinion the best artist in the business today. You can be sure that anything he draws will be a great book. The story I’m sure is going to be great and if I like it then I’ll get the rest of the series. This is going to be great for any Jim Lee fan. Sylvain: I stopped reading titles from the WildStorm universe after Mark Millar left The Authority and I don’t think that putting Jim Lee on a WildStorm crossover will bring me back to this universe. If there’s a trade I might pick it up but it won’t be a priority for me. However, I do salute the effort that they are putting on this project. Cloudfall: Loose Ends (W) Robert Kirkman, (A) E.J. SU Sylvain: Sometimes you just pick a book without any apparent reason except that you want to try something new or just bring a new flavor to your monthly reading. Cloudfall is one of those books. Sometimes I like stuff that isn’t from Marvel or DC and not too “indy” for my tastes. According to Previews this book is an urban adventure, so it is just going to be a change from all of those superhero comics I’m reading already. I think Cloudfall fits into this category and since it ships quarterly it is not too hard on my wallet and it might turn out to be a good read. Mike: Kirkman is a great writer, and Su did some terrific work on Tech Jacket. The only reason I’m not picking this one up is because it simply doesn’t catch my interest. After I read the description I told myself, “Kirkman’s always reliable for a good story but this just isn’t my thing.” I’m not saying it isn’t going to be good, but it is not for me. 4 #1 & #2 (W) Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, (A) Steve McNiven Mike: A Marvel Knights Fantastic Four story can go a long way, especially when its creative team is Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Steve McNiven. It is your typical FF story with the family element but with an edgier appeal. I believe this will be the most realistic FF book yet to come. They have very few limits as to what they can do and I have complete faith that they will make it as close to what a modern day FF would be as possible. Sylvain: I’ll have to pass on this title for two reasons: I don’t think we need another Fantastic Four title in the Marvel Universe; it would be like having two different Dare Devil titles. I like the Fantastic Four, but I’m not sure that there are many writers that can really tap into them the way Stan Lee, and now Mark Waid, have done. My second reason is a political one: since Dan Buckley took over Marvel they starting to cancel like mad (the Epic line, Gun Theory, Sentinel, the Tsunami trades, Kingpin, and so on). I just don’t feel like starting to put my money into something that is going to be canceled in the middle of the run. Runaways #11 & #12 (W) Brian K. Vaughan, (A) Takeshi Miyazawa Mike: Runaways has been really good since issue #1. I’m not too sure about the fill-in penciler for these issues but I know that Vaughn will come through with a totally kick-ass story. The misadventures of the Runaways continue and I couldn’t love it any more! At first I wasn’t too sure about the whole Tsunami line from Marvel. To be honest I thought it was all a bunch of crap. Then everyone started praising Runaways so I just had to buy it. Well, that was the best moves of my life! Runaways is the best new series Marvel has going for them. Give this book a chance like I did. Don’t let it get canceled due to lack of sales. It is really a great book! Sylvain: What the f**k are they doing with Runaways? Since this book came out I have been trying to get as many people as I can to read it. People were kind of afraid to read this because it is new to the Marvel Universe and he “for the kids” feel to it. Now Marvel is changing the artist; my Runaways look like an anime rip-off. So please, read this book even if the characters will look stupid for at least two issues because I’m sure the story won’t be. Everybody reading Ultimate Spider-Man should then read Runaways because it is the exact same type of book. Everybody read this book because if it gets canceled I’ll go hunt down every one of you who are not reading it! Secret War #1 (of 5) (W) Brian Michael Bendis, (A) Gabriele Dell’Otto Mike: Well, it is been rumored for a while but it is finally happening: Bendis is writing a Secret War! Bendis’ writing is off the charts good and for being so prolific his work stays so good. This is probably the most anticipated series coming out on my list. The painted work by Gabrielle Dell’Otto is incredible! Secret Wars was always a great series in my opinion and I’m sure that Bendis and Dell’Otto will bring it nothing but good. It is a great new mini-series and you should jump on it because these issues are going to be hot after they come out. Sylvain: I don’t think this book need any presentation. Bendis and the next Alex Ross on a series that is going to shake the foundation of the Marvel Universe; what else can you ask for? Apparently, Nick Fury is going to be a changed man after this, a villain will change sides, and somebody may die. The only downside is that it is shipping quarterly, so if I got this right it will take a year and a month to see the end of this. Isn’t that a bit long? Supreme Power #7 Mike: Straczynski and Frank have done a great job reinterpreting the Squadron Supreme into modern day. The origins of Hyperion, Doctor Spectrum, it is all great stuff. This is definitely a hot new title not to be missed. In this new arc a few more members of the team with different powers are introduced. Once the whole team is assembled it is going to be great. With all that power the first fight should be amazing. The title is nothing but spectacular. With virtually no limits as to what he can do Straczynski uses every element to his advantage to bring you a great story from a fresh, new series. Sylvain: I love real life superheroes and after the Ultimates this is the best book on the market, and it ships out on time. For those of you who don’t read this book because they don’t like JMS’s Spider-Man get your head out of the sand and go buy this book. This team of Squadron Supreme has nothing to do with the old phony, JLA rip off Squadron Supreme. It is a really great mature book without going too much over the top like Millar sometimes does, staying fresh and also new. Well, you have to love that dog scene in the first issue. X-Statix #19 Mike: Milligan and Allred: possibly the greatest team-up in comics since Stan and Jack. X-Statix is THE GREATEST BOOK OUT THERE! No matter what anyone else says go out and buy X-Statix! Allred’s art is superb and Milligan’s story follows it with every last bit of greatness. Mutants in the public eye living the way any rich person would. Come on, you know you want it. Milligan has delivered some of the most controversial and realistic stories in X-Statix and it should not be overlooked. Plus, Allred’s “indy”-style gives the book that classic but modern feel that every comic should have. Buy it now. This book comes with the HIGHEST recommendation from me. Sylvain: This has never done anything for me. Maybe I’m dumb or I just don’t get the jokes but I preferred Formerly Known as the Justice League over this book. Also, all this Princess Di stuff drove me away from this book. Maybe I’m really close-minded on funny titles since I don’t like Plastic Man either. Superheroes in a funny book are not my cup of tea. I’ll prefer to read PVP and Puffed if I want funny book. Like Garth Ennis is said. there are just too many superheroes everywhere. Well, that’s all for this month’s column; we hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for giving us a try and we hope you’ll come back for more. Any comments you have please let us know. We want to know what you think and how we can improve the column or what you think is wrong with it. In comics we believe that it is up to the readers to decide and sway decisions. Until next month! -Mike and Sylvain |
