Who's who in the Comics Bulletin Universe - Update 2009
Who is... Michael A. Diaz?
Michael Diaz lives in Michigan, but don't hold that against him.
There he works as a Sys. Admin. while fostering dreams of one day becoming a "real" writer.
Most importantly, Michael is seriously addicted to comics, something that his wonderful wife tolerates with the patience of a saint.
He also writes this weekly column that people occasionally read.
"[O]ne of the most positive
and entertaining columns going."
- Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Villains United)
WLG #258: Damn the Databases!
By Jason Sacks
Hey there, I'm Jason Sacks, longtime reviewer for CB and our current editor-in-chief. Mike Diaz is off fighting with a database this week so I'm filling in with my recommendations for the week. I'll do my best to fill Michael's big shoes, but, you know, some people just really can't be replaced.
KICK ASS #6 $2.99 (Mark Millar/John Romita Jr./Tom Palmer)
Big Daddy and Red Mist get the spotlight this issue, and I can't wait to see the kinds of things they get involved in. They've gradually grown on me as this series has proceeded, as I think they've grown on Millar, if the increasing focus on these characters is any indication.
Meanwhile I just love the character of Dave Lizewski – a.k.a. "Kick-Ass", who's kind of the anti-Peter Parker. Dave's a loser who puts on a costume and rather than become a cool kid, he just becomes more of a loser. Clever.
Plus there's some absolutely gorgeous art by JRJR and the legendary Tom Palmer.
And don't forget this comic gives the chance to say you're cooler than your friends because you discovered Kick Ass before the upcoming movie.
Never pass up a chance for bragging rights.
Skrull Kill Krew #1 $3.99 (Adam Felber/Paulo Siqueira/Amilton Santos)
Okay, I have to admit that this is a case where my nostalgia kind of gets the better of me, because I totally loved the old Grant Morrison series that inspired this revival. Yeah, I'm as sick of Skrulls as the next guy, but there are so darn few funny comics these days, and this comic promises that in spades.
I have no idea who new writer Adam Felber is, though I understand he wrote a book called Schrodinger's Cat, and what's more cooly comic-booky than Schrodinger's Cat?
Battle for the Cowl: Arkham #1 $2.99 (David Hine/Jeremy Haun)
First of all, just look at that gorgeous Ladrönn cover. Man, I love that guy's stuff! He never seems to do wrong - all his artwork is so interesting and so thoughtful. He always delivers such interesting images.
And the comic inside sounds interesting too. How do the residents of Arkham react to the death of their eternal nemesis? The idea behind this issue reminds me of the classic Moore/Bolland Killing Joke - there's a weird sort of codependence between ol' Bats and his rogue's gallery that makes their relationship very interesting.
The story focuses on the Asylum's administrator, Dr. Jeremiah Arkham, and you can only imagine how all the madness of the place will affect him. Expect some psychological fireworks here.
Detective Comics #853 $3.99 (Neil Gaiman/Andy Kubert/Scott Williams)
"Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" wraps up this issue. Part one was amazing - Neil Gaiman delivered a comic that managed to be weird, interesting, moving and thoughtful all at the same time. It was an impressive story that will rank next to Moore's legendary "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow".
Look, two references to Alan Moore. I must like the guy's work or something.
Invincible #61 $2.99 (Robert Kirkman/Ryan Ottley)
Month by month, Robert Kirkman delivers some of the most thoughtful superhero action in the industry in Invincible
This month, Invincible and his friends pick up the pieces of one of the most amazing single-issue fights in the history of comics, the Invincible War. Unlike Marvel's big crossover events, the war all took place in one incredibly compressed issue. Dozens of heroes battled dozens of villains with the fate of the Earth in the balance. Now it's time to pick up the pieces, but an even more frightening evil is right around the corner.
You just know that Kirkman will have as unique approach to rebuilding as he did to the destruction.
Ignition City #2 $3.99 (Warren Ellis/Gianluca Pagliarani)
There's some question whether this issue will be out tomorrow, but I'll be picking it up whenever it comes out. The first issue was Warren Ellis at his meta-referential best, packing references to the old time space action heroes in every nook and cranny of this series, then giving them his typical Ellis twists. Needless to say, this is a crazy and unpredictable new series.
Seriously. I have no idea what'll happen.
But I'll bet it'll make me laugh.
Caprica
Miss Battlestar Galactica as much as I do? Then you can console yourself with Caprica, the prequel to the series. From all advance reports, Caprica is filled with as much action, intrigue, complexity and unique characters as the series that inspired it. The same folks who made BSG made Caprica, and that's an amazingly good pedigree for me.
And yeah, you can wait till fall for the show to debut. But the DVD apparently has scenes that won't be shown on TV, and that's always a treat.
Plus, remember what I said earlier about being the first on your block!
Hopefully Michael will be back next week, databases willing. But I hope you enjoyed my take on this week's releases.
What comics did you get geeked out about this week? Just stop by the WLG message boards (see link below) and share!
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.