OTHER COMICS

"The Blood-Stained Crown"

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Art: Timothy Truman
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
$2.99 U.S.

"Yeah, the world would swing if I were king"
This is a rather predictable reading experience as it becomes fairly obvious that the young prince isn’t buying the revised version of Conan’s adventure that he’s been handed, and as such his efforts to discover the truth are hardly surprising. The issue also lacks the dramatic suspense that it needed to sell this hunt for the truth, as the prince’s efforts to discover the true story don’t really run up against any real resistance, and when he confronts Wazir with the unaltered version of Conan’s adventure has the villain quickly backing away from his efforts to push this young man into an unjust war. Now there are some enjoyable moments as we see a possible ancestor of Conan’s displays that the ability to take on an entire army of attackers has been pass down the bloodline. The issue also manages to nicely sell the moment of surprise as we see the prince resists the urgings of his advisors to execute the man who is brought before him, and the alternate plan that he comes up with nicely displays his leadership skills. I also rather enjoyed the fact that even when we see the revised version of Conan’s adventure, Conan doesn’t suddenly become all sweetness and light, as the manner that he deals with the underling who tried to trick him into a conflict is nicely abrupt. The ever cheerful manner that the young prince interacts with Wazir after knowing he tried to trick him was also a lot of fun. Still, the Rashomon style plot didn’t really offer up any surprising moments, and the final version of the story is downright strange as I really didn’t understand why we’re supposed to be surprised that Conan’s new partnership was so short-lived, as Conan is a well established loner. As for the art I’m a big fan of Tim Truman’s work, and the only quibble that I’d make about his art is that I so rarely cross paths with it. Still, he’s a masterful storyteller, and more importantly when the art is called upon to deliver the big attack, how can one not be impressed by the sheer power behind Conan’s attacks. I do have to say I’m not quite sold on this issue’s cover though as Conan looks like he’s about to cry.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

EX MACHINA SPECIAL #1

"Life and Death - Part 1 of 2"

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Chris Sprouse
Inks: Karl Story
Colors: JD Mettler
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Publisher: Wildtorm Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.25 CAN

"If we could talk to the animals"
Brian K. Vaughan takes Ex Machina out of the political arena, and offers up a story that should feel quite familiar to most comic book readers as this opening issue takes place back when Mitch Hundred was running around as the Great Machine and finding the life of a super-hero is full of unwelcome surprises. Now this issue offers up the creation of a big baddie for the Great Machine to square off against, and Brian K. Vaughen certainly doesn’t wander too far off the beaten path when it comes the abilities that this villain brings to the table, as in response to the Great Machine’s ability to control machines, his opponent gains the ability to control animals. Now since most of the action plays out within the confines of New York City the animals that are employed as weapons don’t exactly evoke a sense of real danger, but I suspect the next chapter will play out in an environment that’ll increase the sense of danger (e.g. the City Zoo, the sewer system). The book also benefits from the opening conversation set in the present day, as we find Mayor Hundred being questioned about the death penalty, and the big question that sparks the flashback to this Great Machine adventure casts an ominous pall over the story. Brian K. Vaughan also continues to do a lovely job of selling the reality of the Great Machine’s adventures, as the problems he encounters can’t help but make you smile, from the ungrateful reactions of the people he saves certain death, to fun conversation where we see the Great Machine almost bought the farm thanks to a lucky shot from a paintball gun. The issue also does an effective job of selling the idea that the Great Machine and Pherson, his newly created enemy can’t help but be at odds with each other. As for the art I haven’t seen Chris Sprouse’s work since I stopped picking up Tom Strong, but he looks to be a very solid fit for this book, as this two-part project looks to be a bit more action intensive than the monthly title, and Chris Sprouse is right at home when it comes to comic book action. The art also does a very effective job of selling the sense of danger when Pherson discovers his powers.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

EX MACHINA #19

"March to War - Chapter Three"

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Tony Harris
Inks: Tom Feister
Colors: JD Mettler
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Publisher: Wildstorm Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.00 CAN

"Paranoia, paranoia, everybody's coming to get me"
Brian K. Vaughan handles hot button issue debates far better than any writer I’ve come across, as he’s surprisingly fair-minded about the issues that his characters are discussing without engaging in the fence sitting that many writers employ when they’re trying to sell the idea that they are looking at both sides of the issue. I mean his characters are allowed to have opinions, and while it’s clear that Mayor Hundred is trying to appease both sides he’s allowed the freedom to shoot down arguments that he feels need to be knocked down, and make counter arguments that might not win him many friends. I mean the sit down meeting that Hundred has with the various religious leaders is a perfect look at the balancing act that Brian K. Vaughan regularly performs in these pages, and if all debates were this good at presenting all sides of the argument than I’d be far more inclined to follow the issues of the day. We also get an equally engaging discussion about the effectiveness of the random bag search, and this exchange results in a lovely moment where we see Mitch’s level of frustration finally reaches it’s breaking point. We also get a solid look at the detective work that is being done to bring the parties responsible for the gas attack to justice, and the book opens with a nice little scene where we see the thugs who lynched a man at the end of the previous issue are brought to justice. The climate of fear that this attack has managed to create is also deftly captured during the closing scene as we see a police officer shoots a fleeing suspect only to discover that man was no threat to anyone but himself. If nothing else the fallout from this development should make for an interesting final issue. As for the art, Tony Harris continues to deliver some lovely work on this series, as he’s equally impressive when it comes to delivering the action and the talking heads. I mean from the impact shot of the police officer using his battering ram to take down a suspect, to the scene where Mitch decides he’s not willing to accept another member of his staff calling it quits, the art does a lovely job of telling the story.

4 out of 5 Stars

THE WALKING DEAD #27

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Letters: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $3.50 CAN

"So here I am with open arms"
This issue divides it’s time pretty evenly between the cast members who are out trying to locate another group of survivors, and the rest of the cast back at the prison. Now while the developments with former plot thread are likely to generate more buzz among regular readers of this book I have to say I found the material playing out back at the prison to be a little bit more engaging. I mean how can one not love how poorly Lori handled the situation with Carol, and the tension that this exchange is likely to generate should be interesting. We also see a friendship of sorts is starting to develop between Tyreese and Axel, and if nothing else it’s nice to see Axel has actually been given something to do. Plus, his observation about the zombie infested world is actually a view point that I don’t believe I’ve ever seen expressed, so it earns points for originality. We also get a nice father/daughter moment between Maggie and Hershel, as it would appear that Robert Kirkman is making an effort to soften the rather unlikable edges that turned many readers off Hershel. In any event, I guess I really should get around to discussing the status quo shattering material that plays out with Rick’s group, as they make a couple fairly major discoveries over the course of this issue, with the biggest development being that they come into contact with a second group of survivors. We also receive a wonderful cliff-hanger moment as Rick and company learn a very uncomfortable truth about this second group, and one does get the sense that next issue is going to be one of the more intense issues that Robert Kirkman has offered up in quite some time. As for the art, Charlie Adlard is in fine form as he’s shaping up to be a very strong artist when it comes to pure storytelling. He’s also becoming very good at selling the emotions of these characters, from the explosion of anger on Carol’s face after Lori rejects her idea, to the delightfully sinister expression on the Governor’s face as he reveals how they’ve been keeping their pet zombies fed. I also have to say that this issue’s cover stands up as one of my all time favourites.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

CONAN #26

"Seeds of Empire"

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Art: Timothy Turman
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
$2.99 U.S.

"In the printed word - is where truth lies"
Kurt Busiek is far from the first writer to play with the idea of a story being influenced by a person coming in after the fact so it better suits their own interests, but I will give him full credit for using this plot device to generate a fairly engaging bit of intrigue in the time period where we see one of Conan’s chronicled adventures is altered by one of the young prince’s underlings so that it supports the current push to wage war on a neighbouring country. Now I’m sure there will be fans that commend/condemn Kurt Busiek for offering up a narrative where one can draw clear links to current world events, but as long as the story keeps me entertained I could care less if one can spot the political leanings of the writer. Now I will say it’s a little curious to see Conan being used as an example of a leader who exercised restraint when it comes to waging war, as in the adventures we’ve seen thus far in this series his been pretty much the polar opposite. However, I have to confess I haven’t read any of the stories that detail the character’s adventures once he becomes a king so it’s entirely possible that he matured into a responsible leader who didn’t wade into unnecessary conflicts. Still this issue gets this arc off to an interesting start, and one has to enjoyed the simple fact that the revised adventures of Conan transformed the character into a blood-crazed lunatic, and it should be interesting to see if the young prince will accept the rather dramatic changes that have been made to the story, or will he figure out what has been done. As for the art, Timothy Truman is one of my favourite artists, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover he’ll was providing the art for this two issue arc, before his impending arrival as the book’s new writer. In any event he turns in a lovely looking issue with his strongest work coming in the final pages as we see the revised Conan as a battle-crazed warmonger. One also has to make mention of the fact that Tony Harris is the book’s cover artist, and he turns in another lovely effort, with Conan’s steely gaze being a near perfect visual moment.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PLANETARY BRIGADE #2

"Hole in the World"

Writers: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art: Fabio Moon, Zid of IFS, Joe Abraham and Alfa of IFS
Colors: Pilvi Kuusela of IFS
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Publisher: Boom! Studios
$2.99 U.S.

"I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me"
If you didn’t see the solution to this crisis coming long before it’s actual arrival than you really should read more comics, but I have to say I was rather impressed that Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis didn’t back down by bringing in a last second alternate after the writing had milked all the dramatic tension out of idea that in order to save the world our hero would have to kill the innocent dupe who was endangering it. I also have to give the writing credit for offering up an aftermath to this murder that packed more genuine emotion than DC writers have managed to generate over the past year as they’ve explored the idea of heroes crossing lines that they shouldn’t. I mean most of these characters have only been around for the two issues that have made up this miniseries, and yet their varied reactions after they figure out how the threat was taken out did a lovely job of revealing how much depth the writing has managed to infuse these characters with in such a short span. I mean the exchange between the Third Eye and the Grim Knight is a fantastic example of why it’s a little disappointing that there are fans who have written Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis off as simply comedy writers, as they are able to offer up dramatic punches to the gut better than most anybody in the business. That isn’t to say that this issue isn’t largely driven by it’s ability to make readers laugh, as the back and forth interaction between these characters offers up a wealth of laugh loud moments. Plus, only Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis could take the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons and turn him into a viable super-hero, as Mister Brilliant makes a very entertaining debut appearance in this issue. In fact the only complaint that I’d make about this issue is that it’s not a monthly series, as it’s downright depressing that this is the final issue. As for the art, the style shift between the various artists isn’t quite as jarring as it was on the first issue, and the artists all do a very effective job when it comes to the delivery of some visually striking action shots. In fact the only quibble that I’d make about the art is that the coloring a bit flat and it lacked the visual punch that the story seemed to call for.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

THE WALKING DEAD #26

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Pencils and Inks: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn
Letters: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $3.50 CAN

"There are dark clouds hurtling through the sky"
I have to confess that when the last issue ended with the question about the helicopter my first thought was that Glenn was referring to a helicopter that was parked in the lot with the cars, and I was going through the various cast members trying to figure out which character might know how to pilot this new means of going out to get supplies. However, the opening pages of this issue quickly pull me away from the plot thread that I had created, and I have to say I was rather surprised how big a deal it is when Robert Kirkman introduces the idea that other people survived the zombie infestation. I mean when you step back and actually think it’s really not all that hard to imagine that there would be other pockets of survivors, but the simple truth of the matter is that one is able to get so comfortable with the idea that our cast is alone in the midst of a world of zombies that it’s very easy to be caught off guard when Robert Kirkman reminds readers that there could be other survivors. Now this issue also manages to get some members of our cast away from the confines of the prison, as Rick, Glenn and Michonne head out in to the world to where they believed the helicopter crashed. Now this plot manages to offer up some nice jump scare moments as Robert Kirkman is well versed in the horror movie concept that one the best zombie attacks is they spring out of nowhere, and almost manages to take a good chunk out of our hero. We also get some solid character development with both Glenn and Michonne offering up fairly lengthy exchanges where they offer up a bit of back-story. Meanwhile back at the prison we see Carol creates a lovely uncomfortable moment as she proposed a living arrangement that leaves Lori speechless, and I’m rather looking forward to the fallout from this little development. As for the art Charlie Adlard is given ample opportunity to offer up the zombie action that fans come to this book hoping to find, and Michonne is allowed to come across as the clearly the best zombie killer in this group. The art also does a lovely job of selling the big issue ending surprise reveal.

3.5 out of 5 Stars