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Conan #10
Publisher: Dark Horse
COmics
Writer: Kurt
Busiek
Art: Cary
Nord and Thomas Yeats
Beautiful, that is the only way I can think to describe this book.
Not knowing much about Conan outside of what Hollywood has shown me
or the few glimpses I got from some Marvel Comics, I was never really
that impressed. Perhaps it was my age, into superheroes and what not,
why would a barbarian swinging a sword seem anywhere near as cool
as a bunch of dudes running around in their feety pajamas. It’s
amazing, when 20 years pass how differently someone can look at things.
Now I find myself relishing the escape from the capes and cowls, and
anticipating each issue. Busiek, does a wonderful job telling the
tales of Conan, this current issue is based on the story “The
God in the Bowl” by the creator of Conan, Robert E. Howard.
Not having read the original story, I don’t know how faithful
it is, but it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The true beauty
of this book though is the art. Nord and Yeats, do a fantastic job
of expressing the mood of the particular scene through their work.
The subtle line work in the facial expressions and body language,
do a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the atmosphere of the
story. Two other people that deserve credit are Dave Stweart, on colors,
and Richard Starkings (and Comicraft), on the lettering. This five
person team is turning out some extraordinary work, and I think that
the lack of one of these collaborators would make the entire book
suffer. This is truly teamwork. This is a good issue to pick up since
it is the first of a two part story. The master of the Temple (don’t
worry about which one) has been murdered and it’s Conan’s
word (that he didn’t do it) against the word of the single guard
that patrols the temple. So now it is up to local inquisitor to get
to the bottom of things. So far every issue has been easily accessible
and a great read. Give this book a chance.
-KEVIN-
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Marvel Team-Up #2
Publisher: Marvel
Comics
Writer: Robert
Kirkman
Art: Scott
Kolins
To tell you the truth, I was skeptical about this book when it was
first announced. I figured that Marvel was going to completely parade
their two biggest franchises in and out of this book as a way to sell
more books. I figured that it couldn’t be any good, since Marvel
has been saturating the market with all things Spider and “X”.
Ho Hum here it comes, more of the same. Or so I thought. Two issues
in and this book is really entertaining. It harkens back to the day
when the original Marvel Team-Up title was around. Get the heroes
together through some coincidence, give them something to argue about
that then turns into a common menace, team up dispatch the bad guys
and go their separate ways. I think the original series ran around
150 issues (not counting annuals) and it had the same basic formula.
It would seem that this one will as well, although there are hints
towards a larger common thread, but still this series seems to follow
the path the original series set out, and does it well; a little humor,
a little bickering and a lot of action. Kirkman, is making this book
fun, not quite She-Hulk fun, but definitely worth reading. Kolins
art, while I think it takes some getting used to, is a nice compliment
to the tone of the story, the details that he adds and leaves out
(sometimes- but not often) give the reader great visual cues to move
the story along. This issue, Spider-Man and Wolverine are up against
a new mutant, one that can produce powerful energy bursts and at the
same time is a student of Peter Parker’s at school. The pair
was at odds last issue when Wolverine wanted to capture the kid, treating
him as a threat, and Spider-Man wanted to protect him. This issue
Spider-Man finds out that he should have probably listened to Wolverine.
Now the two of them have to stop the boy before he does any more damage,
to his surrounding or innocent people. Take a look at the “letters”
page if you have the time, it’s kind of entertaining, not laugh
riot funny, but worth a chuckle. -KEVIN-
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Superman #211
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Brian
Azzarello
Pencils: Jim
Lee
Inks: Scott
Williams
I haven’t said or thought much about the current story line
in Superman. A group of people have fallen victim to something called
the “vanishing”, among them Superman, Clark Kent’s
wife, Lois Lane. Superman has been spending his time trying to find
out what or who was behind it while talking to a priest. This story
line seems like it has taken forever. So little seems to happen in
each issue that I keep forgetting each month, where things left off.
That’s not to say that the run has been bad, just not action
packed. I imagine though that this will be a good read once it is
all said and done. I think the pacing of the entire story once collected
will actually be quite good. Lee’s art is nice looking as always,
but I think I preferred his Batman run last year, but none the less
it’s still one of the few good things to come out of the 90s
boom/bust. It’s also nice to see it appear on a monthly basis.
Azzarello’s story, while I said it before seems to be paced
a little slow, it still has its merits. All to often people seem to
fall back on Superman fighting his way out of a situation, this story
actually has him reflecting a lot more than fighting, although I think
in the next four months, that may just change, especially since it
seems that Superman, may be on his way to find out who is behind the
disappearances. The next four issues should prove interesting.
-KEVIN-
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Holiday Time
As I’m writing this I am watching the
television and there is a building on fire in downtown Chicago. Normally
I wouldn’t bring something like that up, but it’s the
building that my sister works in. We both work for the same parent
company but in different buildings, thankfully she’s safe. Hopefully
everyone is, but as of right now, I don’t know. I was going
to make this a light hearted little note, but I thought that this
would be a better example for the message that I want to convey. Generally
this time of year, people take advantage of the time to reflect back
and be thankful and appreciate what they have. They take the time
to appreciate what they have and who they have around them. This is
the kind of thing that you should do all year long. In addition to
that you should also take the time to appreciate those they ordinarily
wouldn’t; someone who may need a little help, a kind word, or
even a smile. The world would be a much better place if people would
take the time to do this more often. You may never know when it will
be too late to put a little good Karma in the bank, so why wait. You
should take every opportunity you can to appreciate what is around
you. I’m going to get back to trying to find what is going on.
I hope that everyone has a great holiday season, filled with happiness,
good wishes, comfort and warmth. Ok I’m off my soap box and
will get back to next weeks reviews. Thanks for listening and supporting
the web site. -KEVIN-
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Al n'
Ann's Collectibles
Store Hours:
Mon-Thurs
11:00am - 7:00pm
Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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McHenry,IL 60050
Phone
(815)344-9696
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