Broken Frontier

Every once in a while I step away from the usual format, and “shotgun” through a couple of titles that I’m particularly fond of, but might not have enough to say about them for a full column.  It turns out there’s a bunch of books like that this week, so here we are.

Oh, and on a side note, I recently was given a chance to preview Tales from the Bully Pulpit by Benito Cereno and Graeme MacDonald, which is currently in Previews, and it’s by far one of the funniest, most unique comics I’ve read in years.  The humor, style, and overall feel of the book is wholly its own, and Tales is an absolute laugh riot.  It’s in your best interest to order it now, because I foresee a total sell out once the word gets out on just how brilliant it is.  I should disclose that Benito is a friend of mine, but, still, friend or otherwise, this is simply the best adventure-comedy comic I’ve ever read.

On to this week’s picks:

Robin: Bill Willingham took over the book that was more or less treading water after Chuck Dixon’s run.  Well, a few art personnel changes later, the book is back in fighting shape.  Tim’s dad discovered his costume while looking for drugs in his room (to explain Tim’s strange behavior.)  He ended up with a gun in Bruce Wayne’s face and the threat of the exposure of all of the Bat-family’s secrets.  Tim Drake instead did the unthinkable and stepped down as Robin.  Now, Tim’s girlfriend Stephanie (also known as the non-Bat sanctioned vigilante The Spoiler) has stepped into the role.  Batman’s motives are being played closed to his chest, but you can be sure he didn’t let Stephanie take up the mantle without some kind of ulterior motive.

Alright, so, it’s no Fables, but, Willingham has brought the book back up to above average Superhero fodder, and it’s poised to make the leap to the superb book it has the potential to be.  The art team has apparently settled down, and while Damion Scott and Robert Campanella’s work is perhaps a bit too manga influenced for some people, it seems to fit the kineticism that Willingham has brought to the book.  I think the bottom line is that the book has a ton of potential, and especially after the events of this summer’s forthcoming “War Games” crossover, which is rumored to be Tim and Stephanie heavy, I think it might remain standing as one of the strongest Bat-titles being printed.  I have the utmost faith that Willingham can hit this one out of the park.

Astonishing X-Men: Alright, so it probably doesn’t need my endorsement to get people to read it.  But, absurd number of variant covers (and variant editions) aside, Astonishing X-Men has done that rare feat of an X-book, and stood up to its adjective.  Joss Whedon and John Cassaday have made easily the best X-Men comic since Claremont’s first run on Uncanny.  Crafted with superb character moments, just enough action and external information to fill in new readers without irritating the X-legion, this book is in fact the real deal.  In fact, it’s SO good, it made me drop the other two main X-books, because, well, they just can’t compete.    Cassaday’s art is brilliant, and as long as both creators (notorious for their respective comic delays) stay on track, I think this might be the best year to be an X-fan since before the words “Alternate Reality Nathan Summers” were uttered.

Sammy: A Very Sammy Day: The first Sammy mini-series from Image was a wonderful spin on an old urban legend, with some beautiful line art and a stunning sense of humor.  Writer and Artist Azad is one talented guy.  This extended one shot about the bumbling burglar is a follow up of sorts to that original series, and promises to be more of the same wacky good time.  Azad manages to deliver some great non-superhero fun with a character that is an endearing everyman with his own distinct look and personality (and a kitty cat). 

Fun for you and your non-superhero comics reading friends!

Tupelo TPB: I’ve reviewed this series before, but, this weeks TPB release deserves more attention, as it seems very few people checked out this supremely fun Punk-Rock/Superhero/Surrealist jaunt, and now with the inclusion of a CD of the fictious band the book is about, you have even less reason to say “No.”  It’s a blast and you won’t be sorry.

- Josh Fialkov