Kivus' Comics

Light Reading

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:34:04 -0400

Since I finished _Mass Effect_ so quickly during the week, I decided to catch up on some graphic novel reading. I just finished _Annihilation: Book 1_ (the last 4-part Nova story was exceptional), and am currently working on _Annihilation: Book2_,…

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Mary Marvel "Growing Up"

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:14:50 -0400

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Mary Marvel "Growing Up"

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:32:03 -0400

One of the more interesting story lines of DC Comics’ weekly comic _Countdown_ has been Mary Marvel acquiring Black Adam’s power. One of the side effects of obtaining this power is that Mary now has a darker and far less innocent look. There has been some controversy about her new look, however, nothing to match the uproar over the infamous “Mary Jane Statue”.

Old Mary:

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New Mary:
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Justice League Unlimited

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:11:59 -0400

If you’re a comic fan and you’ve never watched _Justice League Unlimited_ , it’s highly recommended. From it’s depiction of what Batman should be, to a version of Hawkgirl that far spaces the comics iteration (in fact if there was a comic based on this version of Hawkgirl, I’d subscribe in a second), to the hilarious comedy provided by The Flash (played by Michael Rossenbum (Smallville’s Lex Luthor)) the show just shines. Seasons 1 and 2 are available in DVD right now, go pick them up.

Justice League Unlimited - Season One (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Justice League Unlimited - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Alias Omnibus Review

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:57:14 -0400

Anyone who has read Marvel comics in the last few years should be familiar with Brian Michael Bendis. One of Marvel’s preeminent comic writers, and the driving force behind events such as last year’s _House of M_, Bendis’ influence is felt throughout the Marvel universes. _Alias_ represents one example of what Bendis does particularly well, taking a flawed superhero, showing her human aspects, and allowing the reader to the relate to the hero on a level that surpasses the standard, idealistic “watch the hero save the world” identification. This time, that former superheroine is Jessica Jones, who left the hero lifestyle (and an invitation to join the Avengers) after being emotionally scared in a clash with a supervillain. In an attempt to redeem herself, Jessica does what any former superhero (or vampire with a soul) would do: open a private investigations firm.

_Alias_ follows Jessica as she struggles to find herself. Separated from most of the superhero community (except a few Bendis favorites, such as Carol “Ms. Marvel” Danvers, and a “cape chasing” Luke Cage), Jessica is still not quite comfortable as a run of the mill citizen. The journey takes her through a number of distinct story arcs: a mystery concerning one of Marvel’s most popular heroes, a quest to find a missing small town girl, the hunt for another superheroine that has lost her way, and a confrontation with a dark figure from Jessica’s past. Jointly, Jessica struggles with her own inner turmoil, hitting rock bottom in a number of personal ways. Explaining how far she is able to pull herself up would be a disservice to Bendis’ excellent storytelling, especially since his style seems much more at home in a collection than it does in a monthly. Though the final arcs of the Jessica’s story don’t quite measure up to the earlier ones, the work, in its entirety, is a compelling examination of someone who fell from her pedestal and is now fighting just to find her place.

Michael Gaydos’ art seems well tailored to both the tone and substance of the story. Though not as detailed as the art of a David Finch, its grit and subtle darkness gives the reader a feeling that Jessica is a “real” person. Contrasted with the light, cartoony, flashbacks of her past, the dark lines and numerous shadows on the present day life of Jessica Jones provide a stark example of where she was then, compared to where she is now.

The high cost of this volume, and its MAX series label (manifested almost solely in the dropping of F-bombs), means some comic fans will have to wait until they can afford the price tag , or until they are old enough to purchase the material, the _Alias: Omnibus_ ultimately belongs on every comic fan’s shelf. Even though he’s tried to do similar things with characters like Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel since, Jessica Jones remains Brian Michael Bendis’ penultimate character resurrection and a story that deserves to be read.

RATING: MUST HAVE

Alias Omnibus (Marvel Comics) (Max Comics) Brian Michael Bendis

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