Review by Dana: Doctor Thirteen

Doctor Thirteen: Architecture & Mortality TPB, by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang

Think of writer Brian Azzarello, you probably think grim and gritty: His acclaimed series, 100 Bullets, or his various Batman projects (hopefully you don’t think of his incomprehensible, Superman: For Tomorrow). In Doctor Thirteen: Architecture & Mortality, Azzarello does a 180 turn, surprising us with a very entertaining ode to DC’s pre-crisis continuity.

One of DC’s more obscure characters, Doctor Thirteen is a paranormal investigator who has always found a mundane explanation behind each of his cases. Reasonably, he has become a complete skeptic despite existing in the DC universe.

In this storyline, originally published as a backup feature to the Spectre in Tales of the Unexpected #1-8(2006-2007), we find the good Doctor, who has been experiencing strange dreams, led to a plane crash in the French Alps. There, he and his daughter, Traci Thirteen, encounter D-list, horror character, I… Vampire! Things only get stranger and more absurd as Doctor Thirteen soon finds himself at the head of a small army of silver age characters so obscure, they had this comic reader of 35 years rushing to Wikipedia to find out who the hell most of them were! After battling Nazi gorillas and an animated Mount Rushmore, this motley cast of characters makes their way to New York City to battle against the ominous Architects, a quartet of men you might find vaguely familiar. Doctor Thirteen and his friends fight not just for survival, but for relevance in a “realistic” world.

Don’t pick this book up thinking it will be a piece of straight, in-continuity storytelling. It is a meta commentary on the direction of mainstream comics, that at times reads almost stream-of consciousness. That being said, the characters in Architecture & Mortality are written with such wit and warmth by Brian Azzarello, and are so beautifully illustrated by the thick line of Cliff Chiang, that this book can’t help but be a delight to longtime DC fans. In particular, those who feel a seemingly infinite number of Crises have excised a lot of wonder and fun from the comic book world.

Currently available through your local comic retailer, DCBS, or Amazon.com

Review by Dana: Haunted Tank TPB

Haunted Tank TPB, by Frank Marrafino & Henry Flint

Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Russ Heath, the original The Haunted Tank premiered in DC’s G.I. Combat #87(May 1961), and ran continually until 1987. The feature chronicled the exploits of an American tank commander during World War II, Lieutenant Jeb Stuart, who is aided in his missions by the ghost of his ancestor, a Confederate general, J.E.B. Stuart. The Haunted Tank was second only to Sgt Rock as DC Comics’ longest-running war series.

DC revisited the concept in 2008, through their Vertigo imprint mini-series Haunted Tank. Writer Frank Marrafino and artist Henry Flint update the series to 2003, taking place during the US invasion of Iraq. As before, Confederate General Stuart returns from the spirit world to fight alongside a tank squad, this time led by his modern descendent, African-American Sergeant Jamal Stuart. Sparks soon fly as both soldiers are taken aback by each other’s presences.

Though the bickering, mostly about race, between the two Stuarts can get a bit tiresome, Marrafino’s script is entertaining and at times hilarious. Henry Flint’s highly detailed artwork is just great, simultaneously capturing the ugliness of war, as well as its sometime morbid absurdity. Haunted Tank is a well-made and thought-provoking book, commenting not just on racial politics and the Iraq War, but also on the concepts of honor and glory, and how they are viewed and sometimes exploited during times of war.

Currently available through your local comic retailer, DCBS, or Amazon.com.

SUGGESTED FOR MATURE READERS

Review by the Dork: Superman Back in Action

Writer: Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza. Len Wein and Gerry Conway for DC Comics Presents
Artist: Pete Woods. José Luis García-López for DC Comics Presents
Publisher: DC Comics (2007)
Price: $14.99 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: Action Comics #841-843 and DC Comics Presents #4, #17, and #24

Kurt Busiek writes a fun old school tale in this 3 issue story arc. Busiek shows the superheroes and us dorks a world where collectability goes amok.

In this story Busiek is also paying homage to Simpson's Treehouse of Horror X where the Comic Guy becomes The Collector and starts putting people in protective sleeves only to be stopped by the heroes Clobber Girl (Lisa) and Stretch Dude (Bart). If you haven't seen the episode I recommend you do.

The only thing that seems weird in this TPB is the extra stories that were selected. Like I have said previously in posts, I love the fact DC is adding these reprints to their TPBs, but usually they have something to do with the main story. These three stories really have nothing to do with it other than they star Superman, are cool stories and drawn by a favorite of mine José Luis García-López.

So I ain't bitchin just wondering why?

Review by the Dork: Superman Escape From Bizarro World

Writer: Richard Donner and Geoff Johns with various
Artist: Eric Powell and various
Publisher: DC Comics (2008)
Price: $24.99 (Hardcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: Action Comics #855-857, Superman #140, DC Comics Presents #71 and Man of Steel #5

This TPB is in the vein of what DC has been doing lately; which I applaud. They take a story arc from a comic book series, one that doesn't have enough issues to really make a complete TPB and then flesh it out with relevant back stories. So not only do you get a great current story you get also all these cool old stories.

This Bizarro story is great and once again shows how Geoff Johns with THE Richard Donner is the master of mixing the old universes with the new ones in ways that are coherent and not clunky.

I have both DC Comics Presents #71 and Man of Steel #5 in some boxes packed away so it was nice to reread these tales and remember how much I liked them. It was also great to read a much older tale of Bizarro that was new to me.

So DC keep up what you're doing and I'll keep slapping the cash down.

Review by the Dork: Breathe

Writer: John Sheridan
Artist: Kit Wallis
Publisher: Markosia Enterprise(2007)
Price: $19.99 (Hardcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: Breathe #1-4

The Dork Review is meant to be a positive and fun site celebrating what we enjoy and not what we hate. So I usually won't be commenting on a book if I don't particularly like it, but sometimes a book rides the good/bad fence for me. Breathe is one of those books.

In some ways I like the book, especially the art. I like the serene quality to it as it reminds me of the one issue comic Joshua Middleton put out called Sky Between Branches. The soft quality could have been really contrasted by the harshness of the acts in the book.

But something in the story or the way the characters talk doesn't draw me in but pushes me out of the story. I think this had the potential to be more. If the creators had had a stiff critique before publication I think this book would have shined.

I know it's hard to go back, but I would like to see this story if it was reworked and republished.

Review by the Dork: Life Sucks GN

Writer: Jessica Abel and Gabe Soria
Artist: Warren Pleece
Publisher: First Second; 1st American Ed edition (April 29, 2008)
Price: $19.95 (Softcover) $29.95 (Hardcover)
Format: Graphic Novel

I bought this book on a whim. I was not aware of any of the previous work these creators had done. This is a story about vampires, both real ones and posers.

It does have a funny spin on the idea of what it means to be a vampire and I don't think eternal life would be worth it.

Also it is one of the "wordiest" graphic novels I have ever read, but not in a bad way. You certainly get your money's worth timewise.

Review by the Dork: Space Ghost

Writer: Joe Kelley
Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Publisher: DC Comics (2005)
Price: $14.99 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: Space Ghost #1-6

I have always loved Alex Toth's Space Ghost from its early days as a Hanna-Barbera 1966's TV cartoon, to Mark Evanier and Steve Rude's 1987 Comico adaptation to a comic book, to his appearance as a talk show host for Cartoon Networks' 1994 show Space Ghost Coast to Coast and now as a SERIOUS rendition by Joe Kelley and Ariel Olivetti.

Kelley and Olivetti's Space Ghost is supposed to be more "reality" based; which to me is just classic. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that pitch to the DC editors.

So a nod to the editors Joey Cavalieri and Robert Greenberger for making this happen.

There was supposed to be a follow up series but to date it has not materialized.

This was quite enjoyable and easily recommended. Now if Kelley and Olivetti would just tackle Herculoids I would be a happy man.

Review by Darren: Continuity GN

Writer: Jason McNamara
Artist: Tony Talbert
Publisher: AiT/PlanetLar (July 12, 2006)
Price: $12.95 (Softcover)
Format: Graphic Novel

What would happen if you went to bed and woke up in the morning to find the world changed overnight.

This is Alicia's dilemma that begins innocently and quickly takes a sharp turn into horror.

Hopped up on amphetamines, Alicia can't allow herself to fall asleep because the world she knows changes everytime she dreams.

Review by Darren: Garth Ennis' 303 TPB

Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Jacen Burrows
Publisher: Avatar Press (March 21, 2007)
Price: $19.99 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: 303 #1-6

A team of Russian mercenaries hunt for the downed wreckage of an American Plane in the hills of Afghanistan with a British contingent of mercenaries after the same goal.

In the aftermath of the destruction of both teams, a Russian Colonel, the lone survivor, is cursed with darkest of secrets and a thirst for revenge that takes him to the heartland of America.

He will not stop until his 303 rifle is satisfied.

This is the best thing that GARTH ENNIS has ever written. Tightly paced with a prescient narration, the hands off attitude of AVATAR comics has allowed ENNIS to take his story to whatever dark corner he chooses.

And, boy, is it dark.

Review by Darren: One Plus One TPB

Writer: Neal Shaffer
Artist: Daniel Krall
Publisher: Oni Press (October 1, 2003)
Price: $14.95 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: One Plus One #1-5

David Coulson is an agent of destiny and not necessarily a good guy or a bad one. He journeys into dead end bars and makes sure the cards fall where they're supposed to. Leonard is a writer tortured by everyday life, unable to look at people without seeing what they will look like after they die. Celeste is a waitress with a dark social life and Eddie is the wanna-be con man David decides to teach the ropes. Who will live, who will die and why oh why?

One of the only comics in recent years I've read again and again, not because it's impenetrable but because it is layered and complex with meanings that unlock themselves for the dedicated reader.

Review by Darren: The Adventures of Luther Arkwright TPB

Writer and Artist: Bryan Talbot
Publisher: Dark Horse (May 21, 2008)
Price: $18.95 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: The Adventures of Luther Arkwright #1-9

"A work ambitious in both scope and complexity that still stands unique upon the comics landscape...stunning"-ALAN MOORE

"Surely one of the all time great epics of the medium."-GARTH ENNIS

"An alternative history of modern times...It is also a very good, romantic inventive, fast paced yarn"-MICHAEL MOORCOCK

Yes. I frontloaded this review with some heavyweights, putting aside my own enlarged ego to make you at least look at just who loves this book.

Behold the David Bowie Jerry Cornelius godhead, a being who exists in only one parallel reality but is able to navigate within all of them. His mission: to stop the parallel world advance of the Disruptors who are bent on nothing less than total enslavement or, if need be, total destruction of all counter earths.

Don't get bogged down in the plot. This is a dissertation on fascism and the creation of mythology masquerading as an action movie. Densely written and drawn by Bryan Talbot, it is a masterpiece that stands along Watchmen in terms of quality. Now that Dark Horse has put it back in print, there is no excuse for anyone not to read it.

Review by the Dork: Suburban Glamour TPB

Writer and Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Publisher: Image Comics (May 21, 2008)
Price: $9.99 Softcover
Format: TPB
Includes: Suburban Glamour #1-4

First off, I avoided the single issues of this book because I wasn't overly thrilled by the Phonogram TPB; which I believe had been drawn AND written by Jamie McKelvie. The writing on Phonogram came off a little too pretentious for my taste.

So it came as a nice surprise when I found myself enjoying the story as well as the art in the Suburban Glamour TPB. Upon further investigation (like reading the credits) I discovered something! Jamie McKelvie did NOT write the Phonogram series. He did, however, write Suburban Glamour.

My quick, ill placed judgment of Jamie McKelvie was undeserved and almost cost me a good read. Sorry about that dude. Now back to the book at hand.

Suburban Glamour was enjoyable to read and nicely complemented by Jamie McKelvie's clean art style. The story was not overly original, but what stories are? In the end, it's how you tell the story that matters and Astrid Johnson's story is told quite well.

What I especially liked about the series is the character development. Too often characters in comics are blank slates with little or no personality. But Jamie McKelvie manages to give his heroine a voice, a persona; which is cool and unexpected.

My only criticism is of his artwork, which feels stiff at times. My guess is that pages and deadlines will hammer that out.

I look forward to his next project as artist AND writer and will pick up the single issues this time.

Review by Darren: Sleeper Volumes 1-4 TPBS

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Publisher: Wildstorm (DC) (January 1, 2004-October 1, 2005)
Price: $17.95 (Softcover) Volumes 2 and 3 In Print. Volumes 1 and 4 are Out of Print.
Format: TPB
Includes: Sleeper #1-12 and Sleeper: Season Two #1-12

It's the late 90's and an obscure Wildstorm character, Holden Carver, has been resurrected by relative unknown, Ed Brubaker.

Holden is placed in deep cover with the bad guys. I mean, the real bad guys (the Illuminati, bilderberg group, any secret society that rules the world). His job, to infiltrate and eventually destroy them. The problem is, the only man who knows he's undercover, the man who placed him undercover has been shot and is in a deep coma . Can Holden survive playing for both sides? Is there any way to maintain a moral compass when both sides start to seem indistinguishable from one another.

Brubaker is a master at injecting passion and gravitas into comics while most writers sleep through years of tired continuity. His stories matter.

All four Sleeper books should be purchased and all at once. Anything less will only cause you further grief, because you're going to read the first one and immediately want the next and curse the fates for having to get in your shitty and burn precious fossil fuels getting back to the comic shop. There's also a great prequel by the name of Point Blank that explains just who put Holden's boss in a coma. It's a doozy.

If you like your superheroes on the mature side, if you love noir, if you love espionage, if you have any love for anything in your heart, you will pick up these books. A complete saga in a finite amount of books. Go. Buy.

P.S. If you want to go to a store that 99% of the time keeps the books in stock, Earth 2 at 15017 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks is the store for you. They also do mail order. Tell them Darren sent you.

Review by the Dork: Power Girl TPB

Writer: Geoff Johns (JSA Classified), Paul Levitz (Showcase)
Artist: Amanda Conner (JSA Classified), Joe Staton (Showcase)
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes
Publisher: DC Comics (June 7, 2006)
Price: $14.99 (Softcover)
Format: TPB
Includes: JSA (1999) #32, #39, JSA: Classified (2005) #1-4, Secret Origins (1986) #11, and Showcase (1956) #97-#99

This trade paperback is exactly the right way to handle mixing the new with the old. It is a CHARACTER driven trade paperback not a series based one. I don't know who is responsible, more then likely Paul Levitz, but I LOVE this kind of trade paperback. Here is why...

It doesn't just give us the typical collection, it gives us more to chew on, bits and pieces of history. It's a collection that is well thought out, from Adam Hughes amazing cover to Geoff Johns continuity saving story.

It starts us off at the beginning with the Pre-Crisis Showcase appearances. Then leads us to a post-Crisis origin story and tops it all off with the JSA: Classified story; which thankfully wipes away all the crap in between and brings us back to the beginning of who Power Girl is and should be...the cousin of Earth 2's Superman. A thumbs up to Geoff John for steering this ship back on course and a finger to those who F'd it up.

My only real negative comment is that it's not for the casual Border's reader. But to quote Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams, "...so we told him to stick it!"

Review by the Dork: Fear Agent Volume 1: Re-Ignition TPB

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Tony Moore
Publisher: Image Comics (June 21, 2006)
Price: $13.95 (Softcover-Out of Print)
Format: TPB
Includes: Fear Agent #1-4

This is a great series both in issue form and trade paperback. It is a modern day take on the old style EC Comics Weird Science books. Rick Remender took his love for these fantastic stories and paid true homage to them.

I enjoyed that Rick Remender just jumps into this space adventure with little back story or explanation. Right out of the gate we get space truckers, tentacled beasts, alien cavemen, a drunk texas spaceman exterminator with a ray and a jetpack, a giant squid brain and a full page explosion, and that's just the first issue.

Tony Moore's artwork and storytelling is clear, action packed and very well paced. His artwork reflects and supports the charm of the story.

Neither the artwork nor the story overwhelm the reader, but instead compliment each other; which is a credit to both Rick and Tony.

The third leg in this creative tripod is Lee Louridge's colors, which are AMAZING! Vibrant, cool, and perfect.

In the end, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers got nothing on Heath Huston, Fear Agent.

Review by the Dork: Alex Toth by Design

Writer: Alex Toth and Darrel McNeil
Artist: Alex Toth
Publisher: Saga Pix/Gold Medal Productions
Price: $24.95 (Out of Print)
Format: TPB Softcover
Includes: Animation conceptual drawings, turnarounds, storyboards, essays, and commentary about the animation field.

Alex Toth and Darrell McNeil in 1996 published Alex Toth by Design. The book collected 350 model sheets that Alex Toth had done over the course of his career in animation.

Unfortunately, because they never obtained the rights to use copyrighted material, like Superman, Batman, Herculoids, etc., the book was discontinued with only a limited print run.

Currently, you can find copies of the book on Ebay, but be prepared to pay a very high price ranging from $125 to $250.

This book is a wealth of knowledge, personality and insight to Alex Toth and the world of Hanna- Barbera cartoons.

I have only seen this book because a co-worker owns a copy. I have, on several occasions, tried to buy a copy on Ebay but to no avail.

I hope one day that a publisher will see the value in doing the legal leg work necessary to get this book reprinted and in the hands of Toth fans.

This book is a MUST HAVE for Alex Toth and 1970's Hanna- Barbera Superhero fans.

Here is an index of the book...

pin-up: BATMAN (1)
TV Cartoons (10)
Toth biography
prod. art: The Angry Red Planet storyboards (6)
prod. art: Jonny Quest modelsheets (5)
prod. art: Space Ghost modelsheets (10)
prod. art: Three Musketteers storyboards (9)
prod. art: Three Musketteers modelsheets (1)
prod. art: Space Ghost modelsheets (1)
prod. art: Dino Boy modelsheets (1)
prod. art: Herculoids modelsheets (1)
prod. art: for Ruby-Spears (90)
presentation art: for H-B (28)
text by AT: Alex in Wander-Land (9)
(illustrated with designs for Hot Wheels, Sky Hawks and others)
prod. art: Sea Lab storyboards (4)
prod. art: Sea Lab modelsheets (20)
prod. art: Oliver Twist modelsheets (6)
prod. art: Josie and the Pussycats modelsheets (10)
prod. art: Lost in Space modelsheets (2)
prod. art: Super Friends modelsheets (16)
presentation art: for Super Friends (1)
prod. art: Super Friends storyboards (16)
prod. art: Super Friends modelsheets (21)
prod. art: Super Friends storyboards (18)
(storyboards for a complete episode)
prod. art: Thundarr designs (5)
prod. art: Bionic 6 modelsheets (50)
assorted art for the studios (11)
text by AT: About the authors (text w/illos and doodles) ibc (1)
(illo rep. SAN DIEGO CON PROGRAM 1972)

Review by the Dork: Superman, What Happened to the Man of Tomorrow TPB

Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Curt Swan
Publisher: DC Comics (January 1, 1997)
Price: Softcover-Out of Print
Format: TPB
Includes: Superman #423 and Action Comics #583

I didn't read these two issue when they first came out, but later discovered that they existed through an article I read. It then took me several years to track these issues down and I was very happy for it.

The stories are a farewell to the Pre-Crisis Superman as John Byrne was about to reboot Superman for the post-Crisis Universe. It was a nice tribute and goodbye to the Superman who could move planets and to an artist, Curt Swan, who had given life to the character for three decades.

Though Curt Swan did do a few projects here and there, this two issue book was his retirement from the Superman books. There's an awesome page that Curt Swan did of Superman flying away from the Daily Planet; which I saw on Ebay years later that had been signed by all the artist and writers at DC as a going away gift to Swan. It's a piece of nostalgia that would be on the top of my list to track down and buy, should I ever win the lottery.

In 1997 DC put the two issues out as a Trade Paperback, a very sweet move on their part and a must have for any true collector.

If DC should ever re-release this Trade I would hope they include a tribute and history of Curt Swan and his journey with the Man of Steel.

Review by the Dork: Annihilation Book One TPB

Writer: Keith Giffen, Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning
Artist: Mitch Breitweiser, Scott Kolins, Ariel Olivetti and Kev Walker
Publisher: Marvel Comics (October 17, 2007)
Price: $24.99 Softcover Hardcover (Out of Print-March 7, 2007)
Format: TPB
Includes: Drax the Destroyer #1-4, Annihilation Prologue and Annihilation: Nova #1-4.

I just finished reading the first volume in this epic storyline. For most crossovers I don't read them as single issues as they usually are too hard to follow and the trade will show whether or not the storyline holds up across the arc of titles. Most do not and become almost unreadable.

However, this first volume does hold up, so I tip my hat to both editor Andy Schmidt and collection editor Mark D. Beazley.

What I looked forward to reading in this Annihilation story is the corner of the Marvel Universe rarely explored, the worlds beyond Earth.

So far, so good.

The one thing I would have liked to see in this first volume and in the first couple of pages is an in depth What's What of the Universe. I do appreciate the Bio/History pages provided, but the surface material was not enough to answer questions that I had going into the series.

Like...I thought the Skulls lost their ability to shape shift? I thought the Kree civilizations had been destroyed? etc. etc.

Review by the Dork: Jeremiah Harm TPB

Writer: Keith Giffen and Alan Grant
Artist: Rael Lyra and Joe Prado
Publisher: Boom Studios (September 11, 2007)
Price: $14.99 Softcover 6x9
Format: TPB
Includes: Issues #1-5

I bought the single issues of this book and continued till the end of the series; which a lot of times I don't. I usually buy a few issues then do the whole "wait till it's in a trade" thing.

I enjoyed the story, it was very DC Lobo-esque which isn't surprising considering it was written by Alan Grant and Keith Giffen-who co-created/wrote Lobo. I wouldn't mind seeing where this character goes...

The art of Rael Lyra (http://raellyra.blogspot.com/) is what first drew me to this series and kept me there. The style reminded me of Peter Chung's Aeon Flux but more solid in it's foundation. I will most certainly pick up anything in the future from this artist.

OK, to the trade. WHY!? Do publishers insist on changing the size of their trades. That is my biggest criticism of this trade, the unique size. Here is a note to all publishers...for god sake's pick a format and keep to it.