Showing posts with label Nick Spencer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nick Spencer. Show all posts

June 7, 2013

Jimmy Olsen - Nick Spencer & RB Silva


Amanda Conner puts the fun in Jimmy's life / 
Amanda Conner pone la diversión en la vida de Jimmy
When you are 19 years old, you are not kid anymore. Your teenage years are basically over, and you are about to step if not into full adulthood at least into your twenties. You are old enough to vote but, for some reason, you are not legally permitted to buy alcohol. You can still get away with some childish stuff but you know that the severe specter of maturity already hovers over your head. 

Jimmy Olsen is Superman’s pal. He has helped the Man of Steel to save the day in countless occasions, he has seen his fair share of alien invasions, supervillains and extraordinary events. But the ordinary is also a fundamental part of his life. So how does this 19-year-old boy spend his free time? He does what many teens do: he plays online videogames. And he plays for hours, and hours, and hours…

And this is the beauty of Nick Spencer’s approach, a writer famous for giving life to young people in Image’s “Morning Glories”. Like a master chef, he mixes the ingredients of the ordinary and the extraordinary in one delightful and absolutely delicious recipe for fun. 

Everything starts when Chloe, Jimmy’s girlfriend breaks up with him and of course the young man’s reaction as immature as ever. He simply mumbles that he’s better off by himself and he continues to play videogames in his underwear, eating junk food and even taking a piss with one hand while holding the game’s controls with the other… Now that’s the way a 19-year-old kid should and would act and that’s something many authors have forgotten in recent decades. Superman writers have focused too much on the “Superman’s pal” aspect and not enough on Olsen’s human side.
Jimmy Olsen playing and eating junk food / Jimmy Olsen jugando y comiendo comida chatarra

Obviously, Jimmy Olsen can’t admit that he loves Chloe, and that he wants to go back with her. But something deep inside him tells him that he can’t spend the rest of the week eating Dorito’s in his coach. He needs to get up off his ass and do something different, and so he decides to stop being an auxiliary character in his own life, to stop being Superman’s damsel in distress, to stop whining.

And in one week he thwarts the schemes of a race of alien invaders, he struggles against one of Lex Luthor’s minions –who, among other evil deed, is seducing Jimmy’s ex-girlfriend– and he also runs into a creature of the fifth dimension that traps him into an alternate reality where everything in Jimmy’s life seems to be perfect: he’s the top reporter of Metropolis, he has Superman’s powers and he is about to get married to a wealthy and attractive girl. Except that there is something missing.
Jimmy gets married? ¿Jimmy se casa?

Nick Spencer reminds us of every era in the life of Jimmy Olsen as a character, from the Byrne era (with a very clever homage to major Berkowitz) to more recent days, from the 60s and 70s, when Jimmy Olsen was a giant turtle, an elongated man, a kryptonite radiated mutant and sometimes even a transvestite (let’s keep in mind that a man dressing up as a woman was considered as comedy material not only in comics but also in movies such as “Some Like It Hot” or “Tootsie”), perhaps keeping in line with what Morrison wrote about the Silver Age, a state of flux, in which the body of the hero could be transformed into different animals or alien species, and the classic “masculine heroes” would become “fluid and feminine”.

In addition to Nick’s brilliant script we also have the vibrant and dynamic art of RB Silva, someone who really knows how to make young people look good on the page. Amanda Conner’s cover is also one of the funniest and prettiest cover we could find on any given month. One look at Jimmy Olsen’s expression gives us the right tone of this outstanding one-shot. 
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Life can be better if you have superpowers /
la vida puede ser mejor si tienes superpoderes

Cuando tienes 19 años, ya no eres un chiquillo. Tus años de adolescente básicamente han llegado a su fin, y estás a punto de entrar si bien no en una adultez total sí en tus veintes. Tienes edad suficiente para votar pero, por alguna razón, no tienes permiso legal para comprar alcohol. Todavía puedes actuar un tanto infantilmente pero sabes que el severo espectro de la madurez flota por encima de tu cabeza.

Jimmy Olsen es el amigo de Superman. Ha ayudado al Hombre de Acero a salvar la ciudad en incontables ocasiones, y ha visto muchas invasiones extraterrestres y eventos extraordinarios. Pero lo ordinario también es parte fundamental de su vida. Así que, ¿cómo gasta su tiempo este chico de 19 años? Se dedica a lo que muchos jóvenes se dedican: juegos en línea. Y juega por horas, y horas, y horas…

Y esta es la belleza en el enfoque de Nick Spencer, un escritor famoso por darle vida a un grupo de jovencitos en “Morning Glories” de Image. Como un chef maestro, mezcla los ingredientes de lo ordinario y lo extraordinario en una adorable y absolutamente deliciosa receta para la diversión.

Todo empieza cuando Chloe, la enamorada de Jimmy, rompe con él y, por supuesto, la reacción del muchacho es tan inmadura como siempre. Simplemente farfulla que está mejor sin pareja y sigue jugando en ropa interior, comiendo comida chatarra e incluso meando con una mano mientras sujeta los controles del juego con la otra... De hecho, así es como se comportaría un chico de 19 años y eso es algo que muchos autores han olvidado en décadas recientes. Los escritores de Superman se han enfocado demasiado en el aspecto de "amigo de Superman" y no lo suficiente en el lado humano de Olsen. 
Jimmy Olsen in his underwear / Jimmy Olsen en ropa interior

Obviamente, Jimmy Olsen no puede admitir que ama a Chloe, y que quiere regresar con ella. Pero algo muy dentro de él le hace saber que no puede pasar el resto de la semana comiendo Doritos en su sofá. Necesita mover el culo y hacer algo diferente, así que decide dejar de ser un personaje auxiliar en su propia vida, dejar de ser la damisela en apuros de Superman, dejar de lloriquear.

Y en una semana obstaculiza los planes de invasión de una raza alienígena, lucha contra uno de los secuaces de Lex Luthor -quien, entre otras fechorías, está seduciendo a la ex-enamorada de Jimmy- y también se tropieza con una criatura de la quinta dimensión que lo atrapa en una realidad alternativa donde todo en la vida de Jimmy parece ser perfecto: es el mejor reportero de Metrópolis, tiene los poderes de Superman y está a punto de casarse con una atractiva y acaudalada chica. Excepto que… algo le falta.

Nick Spencer nos recuerda cada era en la vida de Jimmy Olsen como personaje, desde la época de Byrne (con un muy astuto homenaje al alcalde Berkowitz) a días más recientes, desde los 60s y los 70s, cuando Jimmy Olsen era una tortuga gigante, un hombre elástico, un mutante irradiado por la kriptonita y, a veces, incluso un travesti (tengamos en cuenta que un hombre vistiéndose de mujer era considerado material de comedia no solamente en cómics sino también en películas como “Some Like It Hot” o “Tootsie”), tal vez confirmando lo que Morrison escribió sobre la Edad de Plata, un estado de flujo, en el que el cuerpo de un héroe podía ser transformado en diferentes animales o especies extraterrestres, en el que los clásicos "héroes masculinos" se convertían en seres “fluidos y femeninos”.

Además del brillante guión de Nick, también tenemos el arte vibrante y dinámico de RB Silva, alguien que realmente sabe cómo hacer que los jóvenes se vean bien en la página. La portada de Amanda Conner es también una de las más bonitas y divertidas que podríamos encontrar mes a mes. Un vistazo a la expresión de Jimmy Olsen nos da el tono apropiado de este sobresaliente número especial.

March 18, 2012

February comic books/ Cómics de febrero

February was the shortest month on the year (yes, even on a leap year); fortunately a dozen of comic books arrived to my doorstep just in the nick of time. I really enjoyed Avengers Academy and the first issue of Winter Soldier. The new Conan from Dark Horse was quite a disappointment, though; I usually like Brian Wood’s writing but seems to me like he hasn’t been able to find Conan’s true voice as a character. And Becky Cloonan’s style was simply not the right fit for the Cimmerian. Once again, the classic comic books are much better than the current versions. Again Morning Glories and Unwritten continue to deliver the goods. And Severed ends on a high note. Strange Talent of Luther Strode was very violent and, of course, very entertaining.

And now, without further ado, here you go: February comics as per solicitations.

AVENGERS 1959 #1 (OF 5)
Written and Penciled by HOWARD CHAYKIN Cover by HOWARD CHAYKIN EXPLODING FROM THE PAGES OF NEW AVENGERS? It's the tail end of the fabulous fifties. NICK FURY and his AVENGERS roar into their secret mission, hunting down NAZI SUPER VILLAINS?men and women relentlessly preparing to unleash hell on a troubled world barely holding onto peace?only to find the Avengers have what appears to be serious competition in their manhunt for these escaped ubermenschen?when their mission is suddenly compromised by interference from an unlikely source. 32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+


AVENGERS ACADEMY #6
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE Pencils & Cover by MIKE McKONE Variant Cover by MIKE McKONE Reptil goes Jurassic on Tigra! When Humberto is elected class leader of Avengers Academy, it should be a dream come true…but instead it's a nightmare! As he struggles with the weight of his repressed grief and anger, added to the responsibility he feels to keep his teammates on the heroic path, something's got to give...and it might just be Reptil's humanity! Plus: more on Quicksilver and Finesse, the villainy of Mentallo, and another Avengers guest appearance in the series that Comic Book Club Live hails as 'All of the fun of '90s New Warriors with a dark side.' 32 PGS./Rated A


CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 CARNEVALE CVR
In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard's fan-favorite 'Queen of the Black Coast,' Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen B?lit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling. This is Conan as you've never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard's greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!


MORNING GLORIES #16 (MR)
'P.E.,' Part Four


NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1 JORDAN CVR (MR)
story ANGELO TIROTTO art / cover RICHARD JORDAN 'HOME AGAIN' Dee's life is in turmoil when her parents are killed in a freak tornado. Returning to Kansas for the funeral after five years in LA, Dee discovers Emeraldsville is the same unexciting place it was when she left - until the bizarre unexplained murders begin. With an unknown killer closing in, the events of one night in 1959 begin to unravel as a portal to a world of horror opens, a portal paved with yellow bricks...


SEVERED #7 (OF 7) (MR)
story SCOTT SNYDER & SCOTT TUFT art / cover ATTILA FUTAKI  'HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS' In 1916, a boy runs away from home in search of his father. But along the way he meets a salesman with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. SCOTT SNYDER (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN, SWAMP THING), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI (NYT Best-Selling-Artist: PERCY JACKSON) comes the most terrifying horror series of the year. Be there for the thrilling conclusion.


STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #5 (OF 6) (MR)
story JUSTIN JORDAN art / cover TRADD MOORE  Luther tries to rescue Petra, and things end bloody. Meanwhile, Pete and Luther's Mom are left alone to face something unimaginably worse. Not everyone gets out of this issue alive. The penultimate issue of the hit series.


THIEF OF THIEVES #1
story ROBERT KIRKMAN & NICK SPENCER art / cover SHAWN MARTINBROUGH Conrad Paulson lives a secret double life as master thief Redmond. There is nothing he can't steal, nothing he can't have... except for the life he left behind. Now, with a grown son he hardly knows, and an ex-wife he never stopped loving, Conrad must try to piece together what's left of his life, before the FBI finally catch up to him... but it appears they are the least of his worries.


UNWRITTEN #34 (MR)
Tom has fought his way through to the holy of holies, where the Cabal's high council sits in judgment over the world. But stripped of his magical powers, he's just one man against a vast machine - and against the even more sinister power that lurks behind it.


WALKING DEAD #94 (MR)
story ROBERT KIRKMAN art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN  They are unprepared for this


WINTER SOLDIER #1
Winter Soldier and Black Widow are the super-spies of the Marvel U! • Ex-Russian Sleeper Agents awaken, but under who's control? • Is that Dr. Doom? Uh oh. 32 PGS./Rated T+

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Rodin Esquejo

Febrero es el mes más corto del año (incluso en un año bisiesto), de todos modos, una docena de cómics llegaron a mi casa justo a tiempo. Realmente disfruté leyendo Avengers Academy y el primer número de Winter Soldier. El nuevo Conan de Dark Horse fue bastante decepcionante, usualmente me gustan los guiones de Brian Wood, pero me parece que no ha sido capaz de encontrar la verdadera voz de Conan como personaje. Y el estilo de Becky Cloonan simplemente no encaja con el cimerio. Nuevamente, los cómics clásicos son muchísimo mejores que las versiones actuales. Nuevamente Morning Glories y Unwritten llegan con buenos momentos. Y Severed tiene un final tremendo. Strange Talent of Luther Strode fue muy violento y, por supuesto, muy entretenido.

Y sin más que decir, aquí está la lista de los cómics de febrero.

AVENGERS 1959 #1 (OF 5)
Estamos en los fabulosos cincuentas. NICK FURY y su grupo de Vengadores cazarán a villanos nazis, capaces de abrir las puertas del averno.


AVENGERS ACADEMY #6
Reptil se vuelve Jurásico. Cuando Humberto es elegido líder de la clase en la Academia de los Vengadores, debería ser como un sueño… pero en lugar de eso es una pesadilla. Ahora, deberá lidiar con su ira reprimida.


CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1
Una nueva adaptación de “La Reina de la Costa Negra”. Conan le da la espalda al mundo civilizado y llega al mar, al lado de la pirata BELIT.


MORNING GLORIES #16 (MR)
Educación física, cuarta parte.


NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1 JORDAN CVR (MR)
Su vida se tambalea luego de que sus padres murieron a causa de un tornado. De vuelta en Kansas para el funeral, luego de 5 años en Los Ángeles, su pueblo sigue siendo tan aburrido como siempre. Hasta que bizarros e inexplicables asesinatos empiezan a suceder.


SEVERED #7 (OF 7) (MR)
El hogar está donde está el corazón. Aquí concluye todo.

signed edition / edición autografiada

STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #5 (OF 6) (MR)
Luther intenta rescatar a Petra, y las cosas salen mal. Mientras tanto, la madre de Luther y Pete deben enfrentarse a algo inimaginable.


THIEF OF THIEVES #1
Él vive una vida secreta como un ladrón experto. No hay nada que no pueda robar, nada que no pueda tener, excepto el tiempo perdido. Ahora, con un hijo grande que apenas conoce, y una ex esposa a la que sigue queriendo, debe solucionar su vida antes que el FBI lo alcance.


UNWRITTEN #34
Tom se ha abierto paso a través del santuario, donde está el alto concilio de la Cábala. Pero sin sus poderes mágicos, él es solamente un hombre en contra de la máquina y de los poderes siniestros que lo acechan.


WALKING DEAD #94
No están preparados para esto.


WINTER SOLDIER #1
WINTER SOLDIER y BLACK WIDOW son espías infalibles. ¿Pero qué pasa cuando el ex agente ruso despierta bajo el control de DOOM?

February 7, 2012

January comic books / cómics de enero

I got my January comic books on record time! And I think I read them even faster. Icon is still producing some of the most interesting titles such as Brilliant and Superior, while Avatar keeps catering to the horror fans like no other publisher could… this month Caligula ends, but Ferals begins. Unwritten and Morning Glories continue to be some of my favorite ongoing series, while Luther Strode and Severed are the best Image miniseries right now. I’d like to emphasize the quality of the first issue of Whispers, a very promising title. And now, without further ado, January issues are here as per solicitations. Which one of these should I review first?


And also, a couple of panels from an old X-Factor issue. How could you not love Madrox, the Multiple Man?

BRILLIANT #2 (MR)
Created by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & MARK BAGLEY Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY Variant Covers by DAVID MACK & MICHAEL AVON OEMING How do Bendis and Bagley follow up their record-breaking, award-winning run on the million-selling ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN? With another chapter of their new creator-owned series BRILLIANT. The challenge has been set: a handful of?genius college students have taken it upon themselves to crack the mystery of superpowers. Can it be done? Can science fiction again become science fact? Find out in this crackling thriller sure to entertain fans of SCARLET and POWERS. 40 PGS./Mature  Copyright 2011 Jinxworld Inc.


CALIGULA #6 (OF 6)
The streets of Rome run red with blood as David (CROSSED) Lapham brings a startling conclusion to the story of the most feared Emperor of time, Caligula!  Felix has endured the brutal slaughter of his parents, the intrusive savage needs of a nightmare steed, and the hedonistically maddened ravings of his beloved and despised enemy.  Having been tasked to record the gospel of Caligula, can a mortal man decipher the supernatural secrets of Rome's most despised despot and put an end to the insanity® David Lapham drags fans into the darkest corners of Rome's history and dares you to stare down the madness within.  German Nobile illustrates this final gruesome chapter in the Caligula epic.  Caligula #6 is available with a Regular cover by Jacen Burrows, a Wraparound cover by series artist German Nobile, and a special Golden age of Rome retailer incentive cover.


FERALS # 1
Cover: Gabriel Andrade Writer: David Lapham Art: Gabriel Andrade Lapham unleashes a new on-going horror series! David (CROSSED) Lapham returns to his Stray Bullets roots with a brutal supernatural crime drama that features the grueling horror of a new type of werewolf! Officer Dale Chesnutt has a big bloody problem - slaughtered civilians are turning up in the sleepy town of Cypress and now it's on him to figure it out. But while he is discovering more carnage, and his violent passions for a sexy mysterious woman, a vicious creature strikes again, this time at Dale's own family. The horrific mystery begins to unfold with Gabriel (LADY DEATH) Andrade illustrating the on-going Ferals epic. Available with a Regular, Wraparound, Gore, and special Slashed Retailer Incentive cover by series artist Gabriel Andrade.


LORD OF THE JUNGLE #1 (MR)
The original Lord of the Jungle returns! If you thought you knew the story, think again! For the first time in its 100 year history the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs story, Tarzan of The Apes is told UNCENSORED! This series will capture the savagery and action of the original while expanding on it with new elements! The story begins in the late 1800s, John Clayton, Lord of Greystoke, and his wife, the Lady Alice, are left stranded on a remote African coast. They must fend for themselves in this savage world, and the fact that Lady Alice is pregnant doesn't make things any easier! The violent saga of Greystoke begins in December written by Arvid Nelson and illustrated by Roberto Castro, and featuring covers by Alex Ross, Lucio Parillo, Ryan Sook, and Paul Renaud!


MORNING GLORIES #15 (MR)
P.E. Part Two


SEVERED #6 (MR)
story SCOTT SNYDER & SCOTT TUFT art / cover ATTILA FUTAKI  'PERMANENT TEETH' In 1916, a boy runs away from home in search of his father. But along the way he meets a salesman with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. SCOTT SNYDER (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN, SWAMP THING), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI (NYT Best-Selling-Artist: PERCY JACKSON) comes the most terrifying horror series of the last year.


STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #4 (OF 6) (MR)
story JUSTIN JORDAN art / cover TRADD MOORE Luther versus The Librarian, Round One! The truth is revealed as Luther meets the Librarian for the first time and finds out the origin of his abilities and what the pinstriped madman has planned for him. All your questions are answered as the countdown to the end begins.


SUPERIOR # 7
Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils & Cover by LEINIL FRANICS YU DOUBLE-SIZED FINALE to the best new comic in years as the first volume of Superior draws to a close and the creators promise is the best fight-scene they have ever achieved on the printed page. It's Superior versus Abraxas in the middle of New York and thousands of innocent people dying every time someone throws a punch. Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) has already snapped up the rights for this book meaning Millar has yet another movie franchise he can boast about. Buy this now while it's still cheap. Plus: An exclusive 6-page lettered preview of the new Supercrooks series by Mark Millar and Leinil Yu, launching in January. 40 PGS./Mature


UNWRITTEN #33
Recovered and recharged, Tom is ready to invade the cabal's inner sanctum as 'Tommy Taylor and the War of Words' continues. And the Cabal are more than ready to receive him into the charged narrative space of the Grid. As Pullman's trap closes, revelations about the Cabal's true aims come thick and fast.


WALKING DEAD #93 (MR)
story ROBERT KIRKMAN art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN  'A LARGER WORLD' begins here! As we ramp up to the release of our monumental 100th issue, the world is changing.  Rick and his band of survivors are faced with new threats - and new opportunities.  Nothing will ever be the same - and with this book, you know we mean it!


WHISPERS #1
story JOSHUA LUNA art & cover JOSHUA LUNA A mentally troubled man is suddenly empowered with the ability to leave his physical body in 'ghost' form and manipulate people in strange and disturbing ways. With this incredible power, will he control his demons...or discover even more® JOSHUA LUNA of the Luna Brothers (ULTRA, GIRLS, THE SWORD) makes a solo debut with a dark, supernatural thriller that questions free will and explores the obsessions, addictions and urges we all have and may not have control of at all.

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Recibí mis cómics de enero en tiempo récord. Y los leí aún más rápido. Icon sigue produciendo algunos de los títulos más interesantes como Brilliant y Superior, mientras que Avatar sigue engriendo a los fans del terror... este mes finaliza Caligula pero comienza Ferals. Unwritten y Morning Glories siguen siendo algunas de mis colecciones regulares favoritas, mientras que Luther Strode y Severed son las mejores miniseries de Image actualmente. Me gustaría hacer énfasis en la calidad del primer número de Whispers, un título más que prometedor. Y ahora, sin más preámbulos, ahí van los cómics de enero. ¿Cuál debería reseñar primero?
X-Factor

Y finalmente un par de páginas de un número viejo de X-Factor, ¿a quién no le encanta Madrox, el Hombre Múltiple?

BRILLIANT #2 (MR) 
Todos conocen el reto. Ahora, un grupo de jóvenes genios, estudiantes universitarios, deciden investigar científicamente los súper poderes. ¿Podrá la ciencia ficción convertirse en ciencia a secas?


CALIGULA #6 (OF 6)
Las calles de Roma se llenan de sangre. Félix ha resistido el brutal asesinato de sus padres, las intrusivas necesidades salvajes de un corcel de pesadilla, la locura de su hedonística de su amado y odiado enemigo. Su misión es registrar el evangelio de Calígula, pero ¿podrá un mortal descubrir el secreto sobrenatural del más odiado déspota?


FERALS # 1
Llega una nueva raza de hombres lobo. El oficial Dale tiene un grave problema: civiles masacrados empiezan a aparecer en su pacífico pueblito. Y mientras descubre la carnicería, su propia familia es atacada.

Multiple Man

LORD OF THE JUNGLE #1 (MR)
El rey de la jungla original regresa. Por primera vez, la historia de TARZAN de los simios es contada sin censura. En 1800, John Clayton y su esposa Alice se pierden en la costa africana. Y ella está embarazada.


MORNING GLORIES #15 (MR)
‘Educación Física’, segunda parte.


SEVERED #6 (MR)
Dientes permanentes. El horror de verdad está en 1916.


STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #4
Luther versus el Bibliotecario. La verdad se revela en este primer encuentro, y Luther descubrirá el origen de sus extraordinarias habilidades.


SUPERIOR # 7
Superior versus Abraxas pelean en medio de New York, y miles de inocentes mueren cada vez que uno de ellos lanza un golpe.


UNWRITTEN #33
Recuperado y recargado, Tom está listo para invadir el santuario interno de la Cábala. La guerra de los mundos continúa.


WALKING DEAD #93 (MR)
El mundo está cambiando. Rick y los suyos se enfrentan a nuevas amenazas y nuevas oportunidades. Nada volverá a ser lo mismo.

Madrox

WHISPERS #1
Un hombre mentalmente inestable repentinamente gana el poder de salir de su cuerpo físico como un fantasma, manipulando a la gente de extrañas y perturbadoras maneras. ¿Podrá controlarse a sí mismo?

October 19, 2011

September comic books / Cómics de setiembre


So I finally finished reading September comic books, and I was pleasantly surprised. Big Lie was so good that deserved its own review, but so were Action Comics, Brilliant and Severed. So in the next days, expect to see these titles reviewed. Kick Ass 2 # 4 was a very intense, powerful issue (I’ll review the whole series once it’s done); Nick Spencer’s Ultimate Comics X-Men # 1 was the best first issue from Marvel Comics that I’ve read in over a year. Witch Doctor continues to be a really fascinating miniseries (deserves its own review too). And, of course, Avengers the Children’s Crusade is still my favorite limited series from Marvel (besides Jim Cheung’s art is top notch). The Boys and Walking Dead Weekly are great (yeah, I know these are technically not September 2011 material). So without further ado, here they are, as per solicitations.

ACTION COMICS #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT Cover by RAGS MORALES Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you've ever read! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe! Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.


AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #7 (OF 9)
Written by ALLAN HEINBERG Pencils & Cover by JIM CHEUNG IT'S THE AVENGERS VERSUS THE X-MEN - with the Young Avengers and X-Factor caught in the crossfire -- as all four teams battle to determine who will hold the Scarlet Witch responsible for her crimes. Plus, when the origin of the Scarlet Witch's godlike powers - and the secret history of her murderous rampage in 'Avengers:  Disassembled' -- are finally revealed, the truth creates a rift among the members of the Young Avengers that the team may not survive. 32 PGS./Rated T+


BIG LIE #1
story RICK VEITCH art RICK VEITCH & GARY ERSKINE cover THOMAS YEATES  A lab tech travels back in time on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 to try and get her husband out of the world trade center before it falls, but will the facts convince him before it's too late® A riveting tale of 9/11 by award winning master storyteller RICK VEITCH that exposes 'The Big Lie!'


BOYS #9 (M)
By Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson The most talked about comic of the year continues from Dynamite Entertainment, writer/co-creator Garth Ennis, and artist/co-creator Darick Robertson! The game is afoot as Hughie and Butcher's murder investigation delves deeper into the Tek-Knight's background. The deeper they dig, though, the bigger the mystery. And what dark secret does Hughie have about the Tek-Knight and his headquarters?


BOYS #18 (MR)
By Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson 'Good For The Soul' concludes with a bang - or a splat! - as a reluctant Hughie takes on the resurrected Blarney Cock in a no-holds barred brawl for it all! Annie January tells A-Train the long and the short of things, Mother's Milk continues to mystify, and Butcher provides some much-needed advice on funeral arrangements. And will Hughie ever be allowed to forget his 'facial incident'?


BOYS #27 (MR)
By Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson & John Higgins New York turns emerald green as Saint Patrick's Day strikes, and Hughie gets to see the G-Wiz boys at their very worst. He also sits down for a pow-wow with Butcher, who lets a couple of secrets slip- to Hughie's extreme discomfort. And back at the G-Mansion, the G-Men face the most vocal component of the G-Empire... in We Gotta Go Now, part five.


BOYS #29 (MR)
Writer: GARTH ENNIS Penciller/Inker: DARICK ROBERTSON Desperate times result in extremely desperate measures, as the foulest secrets of the G-Men are revealed and Hughie leads the Boys to battle. We Gotta Go Now reaches its incendiary conclusion... and things will never be the same. Featuring two covers split 50/50 - one by co-creator Darick Robertson and the other by legendary creator David Lloyd!


BOYS #30 (MR)
Garth Ennis (W) Darick Robertson (A) In the grim aftermath of 'We Gotta Go Now', everyone takes a much needed pause for breath. Vought-American tidy up the loose ends, Mother's Milk delivers some bad news, and the Frenchman makes one last appeal for reason- unfortunately, it's to the Female. Meanwhile, Hughie's not sure he can go on at all, in light of what he's witnessed, and Butcher goes to visit Rayner- with anything but romance on his mind... All under a set of covers, one by Robertson and the other a special alternate cover by Jim Lee! Plus, a select group of artists provides a special gallery of Boys pin-ups! Issue #30 is the biggest and best yet!


BOYS #31 (MR)
Writer: GARTH ENNIS Penciller/Inker: CARLOS EZQUERRA It had to happen sooner or later: the supes get mad enough to go after the Boys. One of the world's most powerful superteams decides to hit our heroes, all guns blazing, and the Female is the first to fall into their lethal trap. Meanwhile, Hughie is still plagued with doubt, and Annie finds herself on the receiving end of the worst new look ever- in THE SELF-PRESERVATION SOCIETY, part one. And this special four issue story arc is drawn by legendary artist and Judge Dredd co-creator - Carlos Ezquerra!


BOYS #32 (MR)
Written by GARTH ENNIS Art by CARLOS EZQUERRA With the Female gone and the survivors left reeling, the Boys find out who's after them the hard way- walking straight into a nightmarish trap. Pulping teenage supes is one thing, but how will our heroes fair against a front-rank supe team of unimaginable power? Blood flies and bones shatter, as Butcher decides to meet fire with fire... in The Self-Preservation Society, part two.


BOYS #35 (MR)
Origins time. In the first of the two part 'Nothing Like It In The World', Mother's Milk tells Hughie the story of his life to date- his upbringing in Harlem, the secret of his massive strength, the catastrophe that struck his family, and the unforgettable boxing championship disaster that led him to join The Boys. Recommended for Mature Readers.


BRILLIANT #1 (MR)
Created by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & MARK BAGLEY Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY Variant Covers by DAVID MACK & MICHAEL AVON OEMING The first creator-owned book by ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN co-creators Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, BRILLIANT tells the story of a handful of college-age geniuses who challenge each other to solve the mystery of superpowers. Can the best and brightest change science fiction into science fact? And if so, how will the world at large react? BRILLIANT is a thriller of the highest order. It is a story of how true power can either destroy or protect the strongest of friendships. It is the story of how the world will react when our true potential is finally unlocked. This fast-talking, whip-smart new series will thrill fans of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, POWERS and SCARLET. The first award-winning collection of Bendis and Bagley's ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN has sold well over one million copies. 40 PGS./Mature


GAME OF THRONES #1
(W) George R.R. Martin, Daniel Abraham (A) Tommy Patterson (C) Alex Ross (main), Mike Miller (1-in-10) George R.R. Martin has been called 'the American Tolkien' by Time Magazine, and now his landmark fantasy series is being adapted to a graphic format, starting with the first book of the series: A Game of Thrones. The premiere issue introduces readers to George's world, adapting the prologue and first three chapters of the novel, and bringing onto the graphic stage such iconic characters as Eddard and Catelyn Stark, Jon Snow, young Bran Stark, and Daenerys Targaryen. This novel has also been adapted as a major miniseries by HBO - with HBO's highest ratings to date, since having premiered on April 17, 2011!


KICK-ASS 2 #4 (MR)
Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. Red Mist takes on a new identity too vulgar for print and issues a command to all his super-bastards on Twitter to wreak havoc on New York. Meanwhile, the cops are cracking down on all costumed activity and tracing the secret identities of all the heroes. Could Dave get a knock on his door, and has enough spit hit the fan for Hit-Girl to pick up her sword again?


KIRBY GENESIS #3
(W) Kurt Busiek (A) Jack Herbert, Alex Ross (C) Alex Ross (main), Ryan Sook (1-in-10) The explosive cosmic world-changing event picks up speed! As Silver Star, Captain Victory and the Glory Knights form an uneasy alliance, their foes unite as well -- and make their move to claim the all-powerful Proto-Seed. Meanwhile, young Kirby discovers the secrets of the Phantom Continent -- and comes face-to-face with the Primals! And what's the Wanderer's role in all this?


MORNING GLORIES #12 (MR)
story NICK SPENCER art JOE EISMA cover RODIN ESQUEJO With a slew of unexpected deaths rocking the very foundations of the academy, the faculty are on high alert - and suspicions arise among the Glories as they learn there may be a killer in their midst. The stage is set for the action-packed third arc right here!


SEVERED #2 (MR)
story SCOTT SNYDER & SCOTT TUFT art / cover ATTILA FUTAKI  'NEW SKIN' Jack learns the road is full of swindlers. And in Chicago, the most devious one awaits him: a travelling-salesman with shark-like-teeth who craves the flesh of the innocent.  SCOTT SNYDER (American Vampire, Detective Comics), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI ("Percy Jackson") are back with 2011's most terrifying horror series. SEVERED.


ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #1
Written by NICK SPENCER Penciled by PACO MEDINA Cover by KAARE ANDREWS (POLYBAGGED) Variant Cover by Paco Medina The biggest mutant cover-up has gone public as the true history of the x-gene is revealed. As an identity crisis rocks the mutant world, the mistrust between man and x-man gets deeper. But a bigger question remains: who are the X-Men? Nick Spencer and Paco Medina make their thunderous Ultimate debut in one of the most anticipated series yet!


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #37 (MR)
Story: Robert Kirkman Art/Cover: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn  The ninth month begins...


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #38 (MR)
Story: Robert Kirkman Art/Cover: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn  Preparation for war.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #39 (MR)
Story: Robert Kirkman Art/Cover: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn  BIRTH.


WITCH DOCTOR #3 (OF 4)
story BRANDON SEIFERT  art / cover LUKA KETNER  It's Dr. Morrow's biggest case yet: 'The Patient From The Black Lagoon!'  What's the secret of the Deep Ones® How do they fit in with the Relapse, the Extinction Event that's coming for humankind® And why are Morrow and his medical staff at each other's throats®  'Basically, I'm jealous.  Bastards!' -- Ben Templesmith


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Ya me leí todos mis cómics de setiembre, y he quedado gratamente sorprendido. “Big Lie” fue tan bueno que merecía su propia reseña, pero también lo fueron “Action Comics”, “Brilliant” y “Severed”. Así que en los próximos días verán reseñas de estos títulos. “Kick Ass 2” # 4 fue un número intenso (comentaré toda la serie cuando esté completa); “Ultimate Comics X-Men” # 1 de Nick Spencer ha sido el mejor primer número de todo lo que he leído de Marvel Cómics en el último año. “Witch Doctor” sigue siendo una miniserie fascinante (también merece su propia reseña). Y, por supuesto, “Avengers the Children’s Crusade” todavía es mi serie limitada favorita de Marvel (además, el arte de Jim Cheung es de primera). “The Boys” y “Walking Dead Weekly” están muy bien (y sí, ya sé que técnicamente no son de Setiembre de 2011). Y sin más que decir, aquí está la lista.

ACTION COMICS #1
Es… el Hombre de Acero como nunca antes lo habéis visto.


AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #7 (OF 9) 
¡AVENGERS versus X-MEN! Con los Jóvenes Vengadores y X-Factor atrapados en el fuego cruzado… todos luchan para determinar quién juzgará a SCARLET WITCH por sus crímenes. Además, se revelará el origen de su casi ilimitado poder así como la historia detrás de sus asesinatos.


BIG LIE #1
Una laboratorista viaja en el tiempo hasta la mañana del 11 de setiembre de 2001, para intentar rescatar a su marido de las Torres Gemelas.


BOYS #9 (M)   
La investigación prosigue pero el misterio sigue sin resolverse.


BOYS #18 (MR)  
Conclusión de la saga “Bueno para el alma”.


BOYS #27 (MR) 
En el día Saint Patrick, New York está de color verde. Y HUGHIE ve a los integrantes de G-WIZ caer a su punto más bajo. 


BOYS #29 (MR) 
Comentario: Tiempos desesperados, medidas desesperadas. Los secretos más sórdidos de los Hombres G son revelados.


BOYS #30 (MR) 
Tras los recientes acontecimientos, todos los integrantes del equipo necesitan un merecido descanso.


BOYS #31 (MR) 
Los más poderosos súper equipos deciden perseguir a THE BOYS. ¿Y qué papel juega la Sociedad de la Auto-Preservación?


BOYS #32 (MR) 
¿Quiénes son los perseguidores? ¿Qué trampas han preparado?


BOYS #35 (MR) 
El origen secreto de uno de los protagonistas es revelado.


BRILLIANT #1 (MR) 
Ellos son un puñado de genios que estudian en la universidad y  se retan a sí mismos para resolver el misterio de los súper poderes. ¿Podrán los mejores y más brillantes convertir la ciencia ficción en ciencia a secas? ¿Y si lo logran, cómo reaccionaría el mundo? ¿El poder los corromperá?


GAME OF THRONES #1
Adaptación del prólogo y los tres primeros capítulos de la novela de George R. R. Martin, Juego de Tronos.


KICK-ASS 2 #4 (MR)
RED MIST asume una nueva identidad tan vulgar que no puede ser comentada, mientras que convoca a todos sus secuaces usando redes sociales. Mientras, la policía investiga la identidad de los enmascarados.


KIRBY GENESIS #3 
SILVER STAR, CAPTAIN VICTORY y GLORY KNIGHTS forman una difícil alianza al mismo tiempo que sus enemigos se unen. Mientras tanto, el joven Kirby descubre los secretos del continente fantasma y sus habitantes.


MORNING GLORIES #12 (MR)
La cantidad de muertes inesperadas afecta a la academia, la facultad está alerta – y las sospechas se dirigen a los nuevos alumnos.


SEVERED #2 (MR)
Jack descubre que la carretera está llena de charlatanes. Y en Chicago está el más retorcido de todos: un vendedor, un viajante, con dientes filudos como los de un tiburón, en busca de carne inocente.


ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #1
El más grande encubrimiento de los mutantes se ha hecho público. La verdad del gen X ha sido revelada. El mundo mutante entra en crisis, y la desconfianza entre la gente y los X-MEN aumenta.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #37
Empieza el noveno mes.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #38
Preparación para la guerra.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #39
Nacimiento.


WITCH DOCTOR #3 (OF 4) 
El caso más importante del doctor Morrow: El paciente de la Laguna Negra. ¿Cuál es el secreto de estas criaturas de lo profundo? ¿Cómo se relacionan con el Evento Extinción que amenaza a la humanidad? 

September 15, 2011

August comic books / Cómics de agosto

August sure was a good month for comic books. Morning Glories # 11 continued the tradition of digging into the past lives of the main characters, this time it was the turn of Ike, the wealthy and selfish kid that has quickly turned into of my favorite characters. Severed # 1 was a very pleasant surprise, can’t wait for the next issues. Red Wing # 2 was so much better than the first issue, why did Jonathan Hickman decided to start with such an uninspiring first issue? But if I had to choose a favorite that’d be Kick Ass 2 # 3, it made me laugh, it shocked me, so much happened here, this is the antithesis of decompression. Hero Comics 2011 and Caligula # 3 were very good, I’ll try to review them in individual posts. And, of course, Butcher Baker Candlestickmaker # 2 was everything I could hope for from such a creative team as the one formed by Ennis and Robertson. So without further ado here you have my comic books from August (and in no particular order):

ARMY OF DARKNESS #1
By James Kuhoric & Sanford Greene The Army of Darkness ongoing series is here and the first story arc features the crossover no one ever expected to see: Army of Darkness vs. Re-Animator! Ash Vs. West! Winner takes all! Following the exciting conclusion of Shop 'Til You Drop (Dead), this first issue finds Ash committed to Arkham Asylum. It's here that he runs afoul of a rather ghoulish and creepy Herbert West... and the battle of the century begins! Featuring covers by (and shipping in equal increments): J.G. Jones (Wanted), Sanford Greene, Gabriel Dell'Otto (Secret War), and Nick Bradshaw. And, as if that weren't enough, there will a 1-in-25 cover by Nick Bradshaw featuring an 'homage' to classic slasher monster films, inserted in orders shipped! Also available Signed by artist Sanford Green! For the 'discriminating collector,' Dynamite presents a High End Limited Edition with a new 'Boomstick Foil' cover by Sanford Greene!


ARMY OF DARKNESS #2
By James Kuhoric, Sanford Greene, & Scott Kester Locked in an insane asylum, surrounded by re-animated abominations, and low on gas, Ash leads a misfit band of wannabe heroes into the depths of a Deadite-infested madhouse. Facing an entire wing of undead inmates, Ash must uncover the Necronomicon and send the evil spirits back before the gateway to the Old Ones is opened, ushering in the destruction of the human race! Its Cthulhu meets 'Chin-Fu' as everyone's favorite one-handed, wisecracking anti-hero discovers that there are worse things than Deadites detailed in the blood-soaked pages of the Book of the Dead! Can Ash uncover the book and save the day before the 'Chosen One' flies over the cuckoo's nest?!


ARMY OF DARKNESS FROM ASHES #1
by James Kuhoric & Fernando Blanco Fresh from the Marvel Zombies vs. AOD crossover! ... well, not 'minty' fresh, but fresh enough from his appearance in the universe of the Marvel Zombies, our un-intrepid hero has returned to his own world ... but what a world it's become! Evil Ash and his Deadite hordes rule the land, and everywhere Ash turns is filled with mutants and monsters! Can Ashley J. Williams gather his 'chosen' and take down the Deadite hordes and restore order to the world? Read on, and find out! The action and post-apocalyptic excitement is once again brought to you by the creative team of writer James Kuhoric and artist Fernando Blanco, and features a stunning painted cover from Arthur (Savage Tales, Marvel Zombies) Suydam and an alternate cover by Fabiano Neves!


ARMY OF DARKNESS FROM ASHES #2 
by James Kuhoric & Fernando Blanco Dynamite proudly presents the return of Ash and the Army of Darkness! Continuing the undead action and excitement from issue #1 (following the crossover of 2007, Marvel Zombies vs. the Army of Darkness), Ash continues to explore the Deadite-infested wastes of Detroit as he attempts to wrestle control of the world back from Evil Ash and his Deadite minions! Featuring another stunning script by James Kuhoric, awesome art by Fernando Blanco, and sure-to-be coveted covers by Arthur Suydam (75%) and a vicious variant chance cover by Fabiano (Marvel Zombies vs. the Army of Darkness) Neves, this is destined to be the most talked about AOD series yet! Also available in a special Foil Cov


BOYS #10 (M)
Hughie has pieced together the mysterious death of a young man, and a super-human is to blame... but is apprehension of the culprit going to be possible? Can a murderer who wears a cape be punished?


BOYS #12 (M)
The plot thickens as Little Nina's backers are revealed, and the Boys dig deeper into the mystery of the exploding supes. Hughie learns the delicate art of prisoner interrogation, and Vas lets slip the secret of the Black Skull Vodka in 'Glorious Five Year Plan,' Part Two!


BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #2 (MR)
(W) Garth Ennis (A/C) Darick Robertson 1982: on the desolate Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, young Royal Marine Billy Butcher finds his calling. But no one can stay at war forever, and trouble comes when he indulges his love of conflict in civilian life. Butcher's life seems locked on a grim course- but help may be at hand from a rather unexpected source... MATURE THEMES


CALIGULA #3 (OF 6) WRAP CVR (MR)
(W) David Lapham (A) German Nobile David (Crossed) Lapham unveils a new tale of ancient Rome and the most feared emperor of all time. The one name that still speaks volumes of how absolute power can corrupt - Caligula. Things in Rome are reaching the breaking point. Caligula's madness is becoming apparent to some. He must go. However successfully acting on it is a very different matter. Virgin blood ceremonies, gladiator fights rigged for added brutality, and dinner parties where guests are randomly slaughtered - is there a limit to Caligula's depravity? Can Felix keep his focus and sanity in the face of so much misery and horro? A modern master of horror, Lapham digs deep into the world of Rome 37 AD and offers a unique epic of sin. Joined by new talent German Nobile who promises to serve up fully-painted pages dripping with blood, this all-new, full-color series will be six issues of evil that will make any Crossed fan smile with glee. For in the age of Caligula, all roads lead to Hell. Caligula #3 is available with a Regular cover by Jacen Burrows, a Wraparound cover by series artist German Nobile, and a special rare Golden retriever incentive.


HERO COMICS 2011 (ONE SHOT)
Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, John Layman, Richard Starkings, Steven Perry, Ralph Reese (w)  Mike Dringenberg, Sam Kieth, Rob Guillory, Chris Ivy, Stephen R. Bissette, Ralph Reese (a)  J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes Hero Comics 2011 reunites the original Sandman creative team for the first time in more than 20 years! Gaiman, Kieth, Dringenberg, together again at last! This is BIG! This is THE BEATLES getting back together for one final album-this is an event that is not to be missed! But that's not all, we also have an exclusive CHEW short story by John Layman and Rob Guillory! Chew was one of the most honored and acclaimed books last year, taking the comics world by storm. Its meteoric rise included an Eisner Award for best new series of the year! Plus, we've got a beauty of an ELEPHANTMAN story by Richard Starkings and Dougie Braithwaite! Special bonus-Sam Kieth brings you a behind-the-scenes mini-memoir of how this Sandman-alum project came to be. Plus true-to-life experiences from comics creators who have personally benefitted from the Hero Initiative!


KICK-ASS 2 #3 (MR)
Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. The sequel to the New York Times best-selling comic - which spawned the hit movie - continues! By putting on his now-famous green costume and dishing out his own brand of vigilante justice on street thugs and mob bosses alike, high school loser Dave Lizewski changed the world. Now, after a successful first mission with his new team of self-proclaimed 'super heroes'-?JUSTICE FOREVER - Dave and his crew start to understand what living in this new world really means. Plus, the return of Kick-Ass' arch-nemesis THE RED MIST, and things come to a head for HIT-GIRL! 32 PGS./Mature


MORNING GLORIES #11 (MR)
story NICK SPENCER art JOE EISMA cover RODIN ESQUEJO  He's the Glory everyone loves to hate: This issue, learn all the secrets behind Manhattan's most devious young socialite!


PUNISHER #1
Written by GREG RUCKA Penciled by MARCO CHECCHETTO Cover by BRYAN HITCH Variant Cover by SAL BUSCEMA Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS Blank cover also available TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK. For Frank Castle death comes easy...life is where things gets complicated. Fully loaded with the Eisner winning writer Greg Rucka (Batwoman, Queen and Country, WOLVERINE) and neo-superstar artist Marco Checchetto (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil), the BIGGEST GUN of all returns with blood on his hands and vengeance in his eyes. As New York City's body counts continue to rise, the city's streets are teeming with more methodical criminals than ever and a police force doing it's best to keep its head above water. The Punisher has returned to serve his own brand of justice with everything's he's got... but can he survive the darkness stored in his own arsenal? Plus bonus pages exploring some of the new personalities in Frank's life...and how closely intertwined living is with dying. 40 PGS./Parental Advisory


RED WING #2 (OF 4)
story JONATHAN HICKMAN, A PLUS! PROJECT art & cover NICK PITARRA & RACHELLE ROSENBERG  'LEARNING TO FLY' Lost in time -- deep in enemy history --  the Captain of the First Wing must find a way home so that he can begin the space-time program that will one day save his future.   


SEVERED #1 (MR)
story SCOTT SNYDER & SCOTT TUFT art / cover ATTILA FUTAKI  'NOTHING WASTED,' Part One 1916. A man haunts the roads; a man with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. When 12-year-old Jack Garron runs away from home, he'll see how quickly the American Dream becomes a nightmare. Be there at the beginning of the series that everyone will be talking about!  From Eisner-nominated writer SCOTT SNYDER (American Vampire, Detective Comics), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI (NYT Best-Selling-Artist: Percy Jackson) comes the most terrifying horror series of 2011--SEVERED.


VAMPIRELLA #8 
(W) Eric Trautmann (A) Fabiano Neves (C) Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic (25%), Paul Renaud (25%), Ale Garza (25%), Fabiano Neves (25%) A lonely stretch of highway. A tiny town in the middle of nowhere. A trio of vicious creatures on a mission of murder and destruction. And all that stands in their way is Vampirella. It's a road-trip through death and horror, as Vampirella, still dealing with the aftermath of her first adventure, faces a threat that may finally be her match.


WALKING DEAD #88 (MR)
story ROBERT KIRKMAN art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN  Every day, it becomes a little bit easier.


ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #1
Writer: Matt Wagner Penciller/Inker: Esteve Polls Covers: Matt Wagner The one and only Matt (MAGE, GRENDEL) Wagner returns to conclude his epic story of Zorro! We return to the story as Alejeandro de la Vega finds out that his son, Don Diego, is pulling double-duty as Zorro. How will this affect Zorro's continuing crusade against the alcalde of Los Angeles, Luis Quintero? Find out in ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #1!


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Agosto fue un buen mes para los cómics. Morning Glories # 11 continuó la tradición de escarbar en el pasado de los personajes principales, esta vez fue el turno de Ike, el acaudalado y egoísta chaval que rápidamente se ha convertido en uno de mis personajes predilectos. Severed # 1 fue una sorpresa sumamente agradable, no puedo esperar a leer las próximas entregas. Red Wing # 2 estuvo mucho mejor que el primer número, ¿por qué Jonathan Hickman habrá decidido empezar la miniserie de manera tan débil? Aunque si tuviera que elegir a mi favorito sería Kick Ass 2 # 3, que me hizo reír y me impresionó bastante, pasaron tantas cosas en este ejemplar que se convierte en la antítesis de la descompresión. Hero Comics 2011 y Caligula # 3 fueron muy buenos, y trataré de revisarlos individualmente. Y, por supuesto, Butcher Baker Candlestickmaker # 2 fue todo lo que podría esperar de un equipo tan creativo como el formado por Ennis y Robertson. Así que, sin mayores preámbulos, aquí están mis cómics de agosto: 

ARMY OF DARKNESS #1
El ejército de la oscuridad se enfrentará al Re-Animador.


ARMY OF DARKNESS #2
¿Cómo enfrentarse a las abominaciones reanimadas?


ARMY OF DARKNESS FROM ASHES #1
El mundo ha cambiado. ¿Podrá ASH encontrar a los ‘elegidos’?


ARMY OF DARKNESS FROM ASHES #2  
Es hora de luchar por el control de un mundo peligroso.

My layouts / mis bocetos

BOYS #10 (M)
Un súper-humano es culpable de la muerte de un joven. ¿Pero será posible capturar a un sujeto con tantos poderes? 


BOYS #12 (M)  
El misterio del “supes” explosivo aumenta. Mientras, el delicado arte de interrogar prisioneros pasa a ser algo fundamental.


BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #2 (MR) 
1982: en las desoladas islas del Atlántico Sur, el joven marine Billy encuentra su vocación. Pero nadie puede estar en guerra para siempre.


CALIGULA #3 (OF 6) WRAP CVR (MR) 
La locura de Calígula es evidente para algunos. Y debe terminar. ¿Pero qué se puede hacer contra el césar? Ceremonias con sangre de vírgenes, luchas de gladiadores y cenas en los que los invitados son asesinados al azar. ¿Hay límite a la depravación de Calígula? ¿Podrá Félix conservar la cordura ante tanta miseria y horror?


HERO COMICS 2011 (ONE SHOT)  
Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth & Mike Dringenberg. El equipo creativo original de SANDMAN reunido por primera vez en más de veinte años.


KICK-ASS 2 #3 (MR)
Al usar un traje verde y luchar contra el crimen, KICK-ASS cambió el mundo. Ahora, después de una primera misión exitosa con su nuevo equipo, Dave intentará comprender qué es lo que significa vivir en este mundo.


MORNING GLORIES #11 (MR)
Él es la gloria que todos odian. ¿Cuáles son los siniestros secretos del chico más adinerado e insoportable de todo Manhattan?


PUNISHER #1 
Para Frank la muerte llega fácil... la vida es lo complicado. Frank regresa con sangre en sus manos y venganza en su mirada


RED WING #2 (OF 4) 
Perdido en el tiempo, el capitán del Primer Ala debe encontrar un camino a casa para iniciar el programa que salvará el futuro.


SEVERED #1 (MR) 
En 1916, un hombre acecha los caminos, hambriento de carne. Cuando Jack, un chaval de doce años, escapa de casa descubrirá qué tan rápido el sueño americano se convierte en una pesadilla. 


VAMPIRELLA #8 
Una carretera. Un pequeño pueblo en medio de la nada. Un trío de viciosas criaturas en una misión de asesinato y destrucción.


WALKING DEAD #88
Cada día es más fácil.


ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #1 
Alejandro de la Vega descubre que su hijo, Don Diego, es el nuevo Zorro. ¿Cómo afectará este descubrimiento al Zorro original?

March 13, 2011

“Chicamatic” de Natalia Pilo-Pais (Galería Cecilia González)

This Wednesday I was in the inauguration of “Chicamatic” by Natalia Pilo-Pais in Cecilia Gonzalez Gallery. The artistic works remind us of past decades, in which the objectified woman was also the woman with objects, namely a fridge from a certain brand or other kitchen appliances. Have things really changed for women nowadays? In Peruvian publicity only women with bikinis appear on beer TV ads, and there is also the typical laundry commercial in which a man lectures the woman (yes, the same woman who’s been in charge of laundry her entire life) on which cleaning product is the best. I found the Baudrillard quotation in the official gallery text quite interesting, as it make us remember the inconstancy of that which Lacan denominated the object a, which is so aptly represented in marketing.


And since the focus is in feminine consumerism, dictated by hegemonic male control, I decided to include a weapon of mass destruction, which perhaps is a male object in itself. I painted it with watercolors and keeping in mind that I haven’t colored anything in years, I think the result is not bad.


And I also got the first Morning Glories trade paperback. I might re-read the first 6 issues next week.

 



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El día miércoles estuve en la inauguración de “Chicamatic” de Natalia Pilo-Pais, en la Galería Cecilia González. Esta original muestra nos retrotrae a décadas pasadas, en donde la mujer-objeto era concebida a través de la mujer-con-el-objeto; es decir, la ama de casa ideal tenía una plancha de esta marca, una refrigeradora de esta otra marca, etc. ¿Vivimos en tiempos en los que la mujer se encuentra absolutamente emancipada? No necesariamente, la publicidad de cerveza parece confiar solamente en las mujeres en bikinis y no existen detergentes para el público masculino (recordemos el esquema típico, la ama de casa que lava ropa todo el tiempo pero que ni siquiera es capaz de elegir un producto que deja la ropa blanca “de verdad” y una persona, curiosamente un hombre, le enseña qué marca comprar). Interesante la cita sobre Baudrillard que se encuentra en el texto oficial de la muestra, porque nos remite finalmente a la inconstancia de eso que Lacan llamaba el objeto a, nunca mejor explicitado que a través del marketing.


Y teniendo en cuenta que toda la muestra gira en torno a los objetos de consumo femeninos, dictados por una hegemónica mente masculina, decidí incluir algo que, suponemos, es un objeto masculino en sí mismo, por el simple hecho de ser un arma de destrucción masiva. Pinté este dibujo con acuarelas, y para ser la primera vez que uso color en muchos años creo que no quedó tan mal.