“I am not interested in teenage power fantasies. I'm interested in adult power fantasies because I'm an adult and I have power fantasies”, said Howard Chaykin almost three decades ago. And he sure had a valid point as most of the superhero stories back then were the quintessential “Adolescent Power Fantasies”.
But what does this term mean anyway? We all have power fantasies. Unless we’re the president of some powerful country, there’s no way we can feel like we are in total control of our lives. So how often do we dream of things not the way they are but the way we want them to be? Quite often, I’d say. So that’s one thing we have in common with Luther Strode. He’s a high school kid, a geek, a nerd, someone invisible to girls and vulnerable to the aggressiveness of other boys. So, of course, he’s more than entitled to look for some sort of escapism reading comic books and daydreaming about the possibility of being slightly more athletic, a little bit stronger, etc.
“The Strange Talent of Luther Strode” it’s an absolutely refreshing take on adolescent fantasies versus adult fantasies, and somehow manages to find a middle ground between these seemingly opposing options. Luther Strode mirrors our most shameful fantasies and embraces them. He decides to practice a new version of the Atlas Method (here it’s called the Hercules Method). The Charles Atlas Method was an old advertising that appeared in comic books in the 70s and 80s, sometimes it was like a one page comic strip: a strong man humiliates a skinny guy who is in the beach with his girlfriend; he then signs up for the Atlas Method (dynamic tension, it was also called), and bang! in a few weeks he had the muscles of a Greek god, more than enough to beat the hell out of the abusive guy in the beach (which of course, he does, thus impressing his girlfriend).
Justin Jordan had one of the most brilliant and original ideas I’ve seen lately: he takes this outdated concept of the Charles Atlas Method and transforms it into the source of Luther Strode’s new abilities. Indeed, as the teenager signs up for the method, he starts developing exceptional superpowers: he’s faster, stronger and more agile than any other teen in the world. Will he take revenge on the school bullies or will he try to live his life as normally as possible? Tradd Moore and Felipe Sobreiro provide page after page of vibrant and colorful art. Personally I had never heard about these creators before, but I’m glad I took the risk and preordered the first issue of this amazing miniseries. I’ll keep on reading, that’s for sure.
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"No estoy interesado en fantasías de poder adolescente. Estoy interesado en fantasías de poder adulto, porque soy un adulto y tengo fantasías de poder", dijo Howard Chaykin hace casi tres décadas. Y vaya que tenía un punto válido cuando, en ese entonces, muchas de las historias de súper-héroes eran la quintaesencia de la "fantasía de poder adolescente".
¿Pero qué significa este término? Todos tenemos fantasías de poder. A menos que seamos el presidente de algún país poderoso, es difícil que sintamos tener un total control sobre nuestras vidas. ¿Qué tan a menudo soñamos no con las cosas como son sino con las cosas como nos gustarían que fuesen? A menudo, diría yo. Así que eso es lo que tenemos en común con Luther Strode. Él es un alumno de secundaria, un nerd, alguien invisible para las chicas y vulnerable a la agresividad de otros chicos. Desde luego, está más que autorizado a buscar algo de escapismo leyendo cómics y soñando con ser ligeramente más atlético, un poquito más fuerte, etc.
“The Strange Talent of Luther Strode” es un refrescante enfoque sobre la fantasía adolescente versus la fantasía adulta, y de hecho aquí hay un balance entre estas dos opciones. Luther Strode refleja nuestras fantasías más vergonzosas y las acepta. Él decide practicar una nueva versión del Método Atlas (aquí el Método Hércules). El método Charles Atlas era una vieja publicidad que salía en cómics de los 70 y 80, a veces era como una tira cómica de una página: un fortachón humillaba a un chico flaquito, que estaba en la playa con su enamorada; luego, se inscribía en el método Atlas (tensión dinámica, le decían), y ¡bang!, en pocas semanas tenía los músculos de un dios griego, más que suficiente para sacarle la mugre al abusivo de la playa (y así, de paso, impresionaba a su chica).
Justin Jordan tuvo una de las más brillantes y originales ideas que he visto últimamente: toma el concepto pasado de moda de Charles Atlas y lo transforma en el origen de las nuevas habilidades de Luther Strode. De hecho, cuando el adolescente se inscribe en el método, empieza a desarrollar excepcionales súper-poderes: es más veloz, más fuerte y más ágil que cualquier otro joven en el mundo. ¿Se vengará de los abusivos del colegio o tratará de vivir su vida tan normalmente como le sea posible? Tradd Moore y Felipe Sobreiro entregan página tras página de vibrante y colorido arte. Personalmente, no conocía a estos creadores, pero estoy contento de haberme arriesgado a pre-ordenar el primer número de esta asombrosa miniserie. Seguiré leyéndola, sin lugar a dudas.
July was a good month for comics. Out of the 17 issues I bought, I can say I enjoyed Witch Doctor tremendously, as well as the beginning of a new arc in Hack / Slash. Image’s new miniseries The Vault had a very interesting first issue. Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was absolutely great. Butcher Baker Candlestickmaker has everything I love about Garth Ennis; and the second issue of Fly was, again, a very pleasant surprise. Boom’s Elric sure seems promising, but not as much as Joe Hill’s new miniseries: Clockworks and The Cape, although with very different tones, these first issues hooked me since page one. And now, without further ado, here there is the complete list of my July comics (as per solicitations):
100 PENNY PRESS WORMWOOD GENTLEMAN CORPSE #1
Ben Templesmith (w & a & c) Ben Templesmith, 30 Days of Night and Fell co-creator, brings his beloved creation Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse, back in an all-new miniseries this month. And for just a single dollar, you can also experience the first issue of Wormwood's initial miniseries and see just how the little corpse-possessing worm got his start.
BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #1
Writer: Garth Ennis Penciller/Inker/Covers: Darick Robertson The story of Billy Butcher, the Boys' mysterious leader, is told at last. From the backstreets of London's East End to the carnage of the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy, the most violent man in comics reveals the terrible nature of the forces that drive him. And when he's done, he'll be ready... to finish things once and for all. MATURE THEMES
CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by ED BRUBAKER Pencils & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA SR. Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS Movie Variant Cover also available Blank Variant Cover also available Bestselling Cap writer Ed Brubaker and superstar artist Steve McNiven bring you the next huge chapter in Steve Rogers life, and it's a perfect jumping-on point for fans of the Cap movie. A funeral for a fallen friend turns into a race against time as the original Captain America makes his explosive return! 32 PGS./Rated T+
ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST #1
(W) Chris Roberson (A) Francesco Biagini (C) Francesco Mattina, Benjamin Carre Afterword by Neil Gaiman! For 40 years comic fandom has thrilled to the exploits of Elric since his introduction in Marvel Comics' Conan the Barbarian in the early 1970s. Neil Gaiman called Elric's creator Michael Moorcock 'my model for what a writer was' while Warren Ellis said he is one of the 'eight core sites in my creative genome.' Now the godfather of the Multiverse teams up with hot New York Times bestseller Chris Roberson (Superman, iZombie, Stan Lee's Starborn) for an ongoing series that sees a crisis break out across multiple worlds with Moorcock's other two most famous fantasy franchise characters, Corum of the Scarlet Robe and Dorian Hawkmoon! The workings of Fate are being tampered across the Multiverse, upsetting the Cosmic Balance. Elric is on a quest to restore The Balance and save the Multiverse from ruin! Elric, Corum, and Hawkmoon are forced into action far and wide, but will they fight on the side of Law... or Chaos?
FLY #2 C CVR ERIC J (MR)
Written By Raven Gregory Artwork By Eric J Colors by Michael Garcia Cover C By Ale Garza If your fix on superheroes isn't being whetted by the Big Two, take a taste of Raven Gregory's FLY. One dose and you'll be hooked. - Aint it Cool As a teenager Eddie Patron had thought he'd seen it all. That is until his nerdy friend Francis Keiser introduced him to the drug FLY. Now the sky's the limit and Eddie is about to be introduced to a whole new world. A world that is not without it's consequences. From the mind of the writer of Image Comics THE GIFT, Zenescopes WONDERLAND TRILOGY and THE WAKING comes Raven Gregory's latest tale of suspense set in a world where superheroes aren't really heroes at all... How far would you go to FLY?
HACK SLASH #6 CVR B BELLEGARDE (MR)
story TIM SEELEY art DAN LEISTER cover A DAN LEISTER & RACHELLE ROSENBERG cover B NATE BELLEGARDE 'FAME MONSTER,' Part One Every time Cassie falls asleep, she dreams of another celebrity murder. And when she wake up, she finds it has actually happened! The cast of 'Douche Beach,' the Pouperheus Sisters, Lady Art Projekt, even teen heart throb Kendall Schipp and his millions of 'Worschippers'... none are safe from the Fame Monster!
HAUNTED CITY #0 CVR A RYAN
Peter Johnson - Writer / Michael Ryan - Art / Peter Steigerwald - Colors In the corners of our minds, we find ourselves asking? who protects us from the unknown® Detective Tom Whalen is a 'lifer' on the force, as well as a veteran of the decrepit streets of New York City?along with all the freaks that come with it. Yet, the city might not be anything close to what he thinks it is, in fact-it might just be far worse than he ever imagined! Journey through the supernatural origin and expansion of America's most famous metropolis, New York City, in this introductory HAUNTED CITY zero issue that will uncover those which dwells in the shadows of the paranormal, and also reveals why Detective Whalen may not be able to survive the city he's spent his entire life protecting. Aspen Comics proudly teams up with producer and director McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision to bring you this all-new story that sets the stage for the brand-new HAUNTED CITY #1 issue heading your way next month. Make sure to get in on the ground floor of this incredible new series that's set to take comics and Hollywood by storm! Complete with an additional sketchbook section, never before seen art, and a stunning cover by series artist Michael Ryan, this special #0 issue is not to be missed!
JOE HILL THE CAPE #1 (OF 4)
Joe Hill & Jason Ciaramella (w) o Zach Howard (a) o Howard, Nelson Daniel (c) A line has been crossed. After years of failure, Eric has finally found something he's good at, and is determined to let the world know. The follow-up to December's critically acclaimed, quickly sold-out one-shot, this new miniseries is again written by Jason Ciaramella and Joe Hill, with art by Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel. Explore your dark side.
KIRBY GENESIS #2
Writer: Kurt Busiek Penciller/Inker: Alex Ross, Jackson Herbert Covers: Alex Ross (main), Ryan Sook (1/10) The Midnight Swan is on the loose! The Wanderer has reached Earth! The Godrealms are opened, the Lightning Lady is freed, and dark alliances are formed that even Silver Star and Galaxy Green may not be able to stand against. And in the middle of all this, one young man searches for his lost friend -- only to run afoul of Thunderfoot, the Half-Human. The explosion of cosmic wonder and unbridled adventure ramps up, as Kirby: Genesis continues! Also featuring Captain Victory, Dragonsbane and the Mythics, the Pioneer Two and more!
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN CENTURY #2 1969
CHAPTER TWO takes place almost sixty years later in the psychedelic daze of Swinging London during 1969, a place where Tadukic Acid Diethylamide 26 is the drug of choice, and where different underworlds are starting to overlap dangerously to an accompaniment of sit-ins and sitars. The vicious gangster bosses of London's East End find themselves brought into contact with a counter-culture underground of mystical and medicated flower-children, or amoral pop-stars on the edge of psychological disintegration and developing a taste for Satanism. Alerted to a threat concerning the same magic order that she and her colleagues were investigating during 1910, a thoroughly modern Mina Murray and her dwindling league of comrades attempt to navigate the perilous rapids of London's hippy and criminal subculture, as well as the twilight world of its occultists. Starting to buckle from the pressures of the twentieth century and the weight of their own endless lives, Mina and her companions must nevertheless prevent the making of a Moonchild that might well turn out to be the antichrist.
LOCKE & KEY CLOCKWORKS #1 (OF 6)
Joe Hill (w) o Gabriel Rodriguez (a & c) Colonel Adam Crais's minutemen are literally trapped between a rock and a hard place; in the first days of the Revolutionary War, they find themselves hiding beneath 120 feet of New England stone, with a full regiment of redcoats waiting for them in the daylight... and a door into hell in the cavern below. The black door is open, and it's up to a 16-year-old smith named Ben Locke to find a way to close it. The biggest mysteries of the Locke & Key series are resolved as Clockworks opens, not with a bang, but with the thunderous crash of English cannons.
MARKSMEN #1 (OF 6)
story DAVID BAXTER & DAVE ELLIOTT art JAVIER ARANDA, GARRY LEACH & JESSICA KHOLINE OF IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS cover TOMM COKER Sixty years ago the oil ran out and debts were called in. Civil war followed that splintered America into warring fiefdoms. New San Diego is a technocratic utopia that offers the last bastion of peace and prosperity, provided you live within its walls. Drake McCoy is its best protector. McCoy, an expert marksman, defends the city from the numerous threats in the wasteland outside the walls. But when the oil rich Lone Star state sends a powerful army to steal New San Diego's energy technology, even Drake's leadership and skill may not be enough to fend off the siege.
NETHERWORLD #1 (OF 5) CVR A (MR)
Top Cow Productions, Inc. and Heroes and Villains Entertainment present the next evolution of supernatural noir! It's the message on the walls. It's the feeling in your gut. In this city, 'We are all lost.' Ray certainly is; a former cop turned private eye and junkie, haunted by his past in a city with no sun and no hope. A beautiful woman and a slick criminal both offer him the same job: Find a girl named Madeline and bring her to them. Ray doesn't want the job, but he can't just leave this girl in the middle. Thrust into the city's twisted underbelly, Ray will unveil Netherworld's darkest secrets and come face-to-face with his past. Beware, Ray. If you seek the truth, you just might find it. From masters of supernatural terror Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin (Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell, Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box) and the art team of Tony Shasteen and colorist JD Mettler (Witchblade: Annual, Stephen King's Talisman) comes a haunting supernatural noir epic like nothing you've ever seen before.
RED WING #1 (OF 6)
To stay alive in the future, the best fighter pilots in the world not only have to perfect their skills and master their aircraft, they also have to know how to travel through time. Brought to you by award winning writer JONATHAN HICKMAN and possibly the best new talent of the year, NICK PITARRA, the Red Wing is the story of the greatest battle in the history of the history of three worlds.
VAULT #1 (OF 3)
story SAM SARKAR art GARRIE GASTONNY color SAKTI YUWONO cover BAGUS HUTOMO A small team of treasure hunters struggles to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the 'Graveyard of the North Atlantic'. Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature's fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash from The Vault.
WALKING DEAD #87
story ROBERT KIRKMAN art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN / BW We learn to carry on without them. RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES
WITCH DOCTOR #2 (OF 4)
story BRANDON SEIFERT art / cover LUKA KETNER Another foray into medical horror from ROBERT KIRKMAN's Skybound Originals line! Is your baby really your baby - or is it a camouflaged monster that's feeding on you while you sleep® An infestation of Cuckoo Faeries is spreading through the nurseries of Arkham, Oregon, and it's up to Dr. Vincent Morrow, the Witch Doctor, to stop it! So why doesn't he want to bother® Plus: Shark cage diving with sea monsters!
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Julio fue un buen mes para los cómics. De los 17 ejemplares que compré, puedo decir que disfruté tremendamente con Witch Doctor, así como con el inicio del nuevo arco argumental de Hack / Slash. La nueva miniserie de Image, The Vault, tiene un comienzo interesante. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen de Alan Moore fue absolutamente genial. Butcher Baker Candlestickmaker condensa lo que más me encanta de Garth Ennis; y el segundo número de Fly fue, de nuevo, una muy placentera sorpresa. Elric de Boom parece prometedor, pero no tanto como las nuevas miniseries de Joe Hill: Clockworks y The Cape, aunque con tonos muy diferentes, estos primeros números capturaron por completo mi atención desde la página uno. Y sin más preámbulos, aquí va la lista de mis cómics de julio:
100 PENNY PRESS WORMWOOD GENTLEMAN CORPSE #1
¿Cuál es el origen de esta criatura capaz de poseer cuerpos?
BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #1
Esta es la historia de BILLY BUTCHER, el misterioso líder del grupo. Desde los callejones del bajo Londres, a la carnicería de la batalla; de la cumbre del amor hasta los abismos de la tragedia, todo es revelado al fin.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
El funeral de un amigo se convierte en una carrera contra el tiempo en el explosivo regreso del Capitán América original.
ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST #1
Una crisis amenaza con destruir múltiples mundos, amenazando la balanza cósmica. ELRIC buscará la ayuda de CORUM, el de la túnica roja, y DORIAN HAWKMOON para restaurar el equilibrio, ¿a favor de Caos u Orden?
FLY #2 C CVR ERIC J (MR)
Como adolescente, Eddie pensaba que lo había visto todo. Hasta que su amigo Francis lo introduce en el consumo de la droga FLY. Ahora el cielo es el límite y Eddie pronto conocerá un mundo absolutamente nuevo.
HACK / SLASH #6 CVR B BELLEGARDE (MR)
Cada vez que CASSIE duerme, sueña con el asesinato de una celebridad. Y cuando despierta descubre que, de hecho, así ha sucedido.
HAUNTED CITY #0 CVR A RYAN
Tom es un veterano detective en las decrépitas calles de New York. Sin embargo, la ciudad no es lo que él cree que es. Empieza el viaje que narra el origen de la sobrenatural expansión de la metrópolis más famosa de América.
JOE HILL THE CAPE #1 (OF 4)
Una línea ha sido cruzada. Después de años de fracaso, Eric finalmente ha descubierto para qué es bueno, y todos sabrán qué es.
KIRBY GENESIS #2
El Cisne de Medianoche ha escapado, El Errante ha alcanzado la Tierra, los Reinos Divinos están abiertos, la Dama del Rayo está libre, y ni siquiera Estrella de Plata y Galaxia Verde podrán enfrentar las oscuras alianzas que se han formado. Y en medio de todo ello, un joven busca a una amiga perdida…
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN CENTURY #2 1969
En la vorágine psicodélica de Londres durante 1969, el ácido es la droga que todos eligen. Los bajos mundos se sobreponen uno encima del otro. Los viciosos gánsteres de los bajos fondos londinenses entran en contacto con una ‘contracultura subte’, de místicos y medicados hijos de las flores o amorales estrellas del pop al borde de la desintegración psicológica y con interés en el satanismo. Alertados sobre una amenaza sobre la orden mágica que investigaron en 1910, una moderna MINA HARKER y su menguante liga de camaradas intentarán navegar por los peligrosos rápidos de la subcultura hippie y la criminal, al igual que el mundo del crepúsculo de los ocultistas. A punto de ceder por las presiones del siglo XX y por el peso de sus propias vidas inmortales, Mina y los suyos deben evitar a toda costa el nacimiento del Niño Lunar, que bien podría ser el anticristo.
LOCKE & KEY CLOCKWORKS #1 (OF 6)
En los primeros días de la guerra revolucionaria, los hombres de Adam Craig se encuentran escondidos bajo 120 pies de piedra de Nueva Inglaterra; y un regimiento de chaquetas rojas los persigue. Con las puertas del infierno abiertas, Ben Locke deberá encontrar la forma de cerrarlas.
MARKSMEN #1 (OF 6)
Hace sesenta años el petróleo se acabó y las deudas mundiales fueron cobradas. Una Guerra Civil despedazó Norteamérica. Ahora, Nuevo San Diego es una utopía tecnocrática, el último bastión de paz y prosperidad para aquellos que viven al interior de sus muros. Con una perfecta puntería, Drake protege a la ciudad de las numerosas amenazas que vienen de afuera. Hasta que el estado petrolero de la Estrella Solitaria manda un ejército.
NETHERWORLD #1 (OF 5) CVR A (MR)
El mismo mensaje se repite en las paredes “estamos perdidos”. Al menos para un ex policía que ha caído en desgracia, así parece ser.
RED WING #1 (OF 4)
Para permanecer vivos en el futuro, los mejores pilotos del mundo no sólo deberán perfeccionar la navegación sino también el viaje temporal.
VAULT #1 (OF 3)
Un pequeño equipo de buscadores del tesoro excava en un legendario pozo antes que una peligrosa tormenta los alcance. Armados con tecnología de punta, están preparados para todo excepto lo que encontrarán.
WALKING DEAD #87
Aprendemos a sobrevivir sin ellos.
WITCH DOCTOR #2 (OF 4)
¿Es tu bebé realmente tu bebé? ¿O es un monstruo camuflado que se alimenta de ti mientras duermes? Doctor Morrow versus la plaga.
