Another week, another collection of dollars exchanged for comic books. Thankfully, this happens to be a very good week so far, and one that has brought some surprises and some predictably awesome books.
0: Uwe Boll will direct the adaptation of this comic
0.1 – 1: Burn upon touching
1- 1.9: Abysmal
2.0 – 2.9: Art. Writing. Editing. All bad.
3.0 – 3.9: You’d be a masochist to pick this up.
4.0 – 4.9: “I’ll give it another month…but that was not good.”
5.0 – 5.9: “Really? The Watcher? In the face? I guess it was fun.”
6.0 – 6.9: “Hmm. That was decent.”
7.0 – 7.9: Well made but a few problems
8.0 – 8.9: Nearly flawless
9.0 – 9.9: Outstanding
10: Perfection. Issue of the year contender
This week one of my four books gets as close to a perfect grade as I’ll get, because in my mind a book better be damn near earth shattering in its awesomeness to get the vaunted 10.0. This book is one of these four: Turf #2, Secret Avengers #2, Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #1, and Invincible #73. One is outstanding, but how are the other three? Let’s take a look after the jump.
Turf #2
Written by: Jonathan Ross
Illustrated by: Tommy Lee Edwards
Every step of the way through Turf, I couldn’t shake something. It just wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I read.
“This book is fucking awesome.”
I enjoy each and every aspect of this book about as much as any book on the stands. For just $2.99, Turf gives you the densest read on the stands but also something that is so gripping and impeccably paced that it could easily be called brisk. It is a book that is steeped in genre conventions like mobsters, vampires and aliens, yet when paired with an unbudging sense of reality and blanketed in atmosphere and foreboding, these tropes feel fresh and alive quite unlike most other similar efforts.
Jonathan Ross has created a new world in this book that is inviting in its darkness and upheaval. The entire cast feels richly designed, from the eager-to-excel reporter Susie Randall to the gangster-with-a-conscience Eddie Falco to even scumbags like crooked cop Pete O’Leary…everyone feels fully realized and alive.
The plot itself is brilliant, creating a fresh take on Prohibition-era gangster turf wars with sci-fi spins throughout. The way all of the pieces weave together and connect is exquisite, creating a real fluidity and sense that anything could happen at any given moment.
Tommy Lee Edwards is an artist who is seriously underrated in the “best in the business” artist conversations. The level of detail on the page and the sheer power of storytelling he emits with his artwork are astounding. I can just look at his pages for minutes at a time, taking in all of the sumptuous detail in a veritable feast for my eyes.
Two details I don’t want to leave out about this book are the lettering and the final page of each issue. The lettering is incredibly effective, in that it actually progresses the story and fits into the pages as a storytelling tool in itself. There is a real cadence to the scripts Ross writes, and letterer John Workman does an exceptional job at squeezing out all of the power from them.
The last page is awesome, and inexplicably so. I’m trying to recall what exactly the influence is that Ross and Edwards derive this page from…definitely something from yesteryear, but the way they announce “Next issue…” and give us four panels of art and four lines of words that belong with each other escalates the excitement level for the next issue ten fold. When I put down the issue, I was legitimately upset that I had to stop reading.
After two issues, Turf is easily one of my favorite books on the market. I loved the first issue, but I somehow enjoyed the second issue even more. Jonathan Ross, Tommy Lee Edwards, and the rest of the team have quickly crafted a book that is inventive, imaginative, and highly entertaining. What more can I say besides you better go out and buy this book, because it is incredible.
Continued belowFinal Verdict: 9.9 — Buy
Secret Avengers #2
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated by: Mike Deodato
For a team with “secret” in their name, this one sure isn’t that secretive. I mean, this issue plays out like a sci-fi action flick, seeing our heroes do battle with an envoy of baddies on Mars of all places.
However, just because it doesn’t cater to the title that well doesn’t mean it still isn’t entertaining. Ed Brubaker plays up the team dynamics very well within this issue, having Moon Knight doting on Steve Rogers, Ant Man and War Machine forming an interesting parternship, and the duo of Beast and Rogers acting as the seasoned veterans of a fresh and unlikely team. Putting this unlikely alchemic concoction together in a very intriguing plot tied to Roxxon and Hydra is a savvy choice by Bru, and it leads to another strong issue.
Mike Deodato is the star here though, as everything about this issue plays up to his strengths. This book features some ferocious and kinetic action sequences in which Deodato clearly savors throughout. Deodato has grown very impressive over the years in his ability to cleverly lay out pages, and his panel work only aids his action sequences. I think my only complaint would be that Deodato’s work is always so steeped in darkness, but I don’t think that will be going away any time soon, so there really is no reason to beat on that drum.
Two issues in, I’m finding Secret Avengers to be far different than its other Avengers brethren. Not in a bad way, but in a fresh way that is very welcome to me as a reader. While I haven’t been bowled over yet, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t entertained. Keep up the good work team.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – Buy
Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #1
Written by: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Illustrated by: Peter Snejbjerg
Given the recent conclusion of BPRD: King of Fear and the Black Flame’s suggestion about what Abe’s ultimate destiny is, it makes sense for Mignola and the rest of his merry men to take a step back and to provide another look into Abe’s complex past. Because how can you know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been, right?
This issue begins with a young Russian man named Iosif, a man who is writing a letter to his love as he patiently awaits his death at the bottom of the sea in the submarine he served on. The year is 1948, and it seems this sub was carrying very precious cargo — a seemingly enchanted helm named “Melchiorre’s Burgonet” (for those that are seasoned Final Fantasy fans, yes that is an awesome name and yes I do feel like you should be able to purchase it in an item shop). This rare and powerful cargo leads Abe and the BPRD to attempt to retrieve it in 1984, but as customary in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, this doesn’t go exactly at planned.
What transpires is a thoughtful sojourn for Abe under the sea, a short jaunt that underlines why Abe is such a strong character. His acquatic journey is one of peace and self-doubt that quickly begins to fall apart once Abe surfaces with the helm. It is an exciting conclusion, and one that I’m eager to see wrap up next month.
Peter Snejbjerg is no stranger to these parts, having illustrated B.P.R.D.: War on Frogs #4 previously. His work is strong as per usual, providing cleaner lines than we’re used to from the Mignola-verse crew but definitely every bit of the storytelling power and character model quality. I’m glad to see him back in this world, as his work is a very nice fit as well as change of pace in the grand scheme of Mignola-verse.
Another solid effort to build the mythology and dense history of these characters I (and many others) have come to love over the years. Everyone involved put out a very solid effort, and it just left me excited for more next time.
Continued belowFinal Verdict: 7.8 — Buy
Invincible #73
Written by: Robert Kirkman
Illustrated by: Ryan Ottley
Following last issue and the complete and utter bloodbath that took place in that issue, it’s unsurprising that this issue is a bit more on the calm side. With Mark finally killing Conquest and getting his intestines ripped out of his body in the process, it turns out he may need a bit of recovery time after that, and recovery time he is given as Nolan and Oliver bond while taking care of the recuperating Invincible.
The development of Oliver and Nolan’s relationship does a lot to add weight to them as individuals as well, as both of them have been two of the harder characters to measure in terms of where they stand amidst the light/dark spectrum. It is a very revealing and entertaining issue, if only for the moments between the two of them. However, it does lead to a very concerning intro section of the letters column, which I highly recommend reading and telling me whether or not the editor was lying about that!
While they are all off planetside recovering, Allen and Tech Jacket have managed to Star Wars the living crap out of the Viltrumites, hitching a ride right underneath them to stay out of sight until the calvary arrives. With the Coalition of Planets going after the Viltrumites shortly after the bad news about the Grayson envoy, this doesn’t take long at all. Allen and Tech Jacket quickly become a very entertaining pair in their own right, as these two somewhat unrealized characters get layers of depth and entertainment added to them. The war carries on, and we are given a look at the first significant chink in the Coalition plan — turncoats! Dun dun dun! Looks like next issue will be even more hardcore than ones previous, and I worry for our one eyed friend if the cover is any indicator.
Ryan Ottley is the man. That is all you can say. Even when the issue is filled with quieter moments, we’re still given A++ work from him. He is one of the most reliably great artists in the industry, and someone who manages to excel at whatever Robert Kirkman asks him to draw. It is astounding work, really.
Invincible is another metronome book. It is incredibly reliable and impossible to deny in its absurd consistency, and this issue is a bit of a change of pace but a still very strong issue. The Viltrumite War marches on, but not in the way I thought it would. Yet, it’s still great. Nice work Team Invincible, once again.
Final Verdict: 8.2 — Buy
