The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: July 1 – July 7, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 8 comics last week: Secret Wars #4, Darth Vader #7, Princess Leia #5, Detective Comics #42, Action Comics #42, A-Force #2, Amazing Spider-Man #19.1 and Ultimate End #3.

The best comic I read last week was Secret Wars #4

I am a DC Comics guy primarily. I have said that many times in weekly “Best Sequential” post. I anticipated with some dismay the big spring/summer crossover events from the “big two” comic book companies. Their premises seemed so similar that it was silly. Both featured patchwork worlds. Both touted significant changes to their respective comic universes. Both revisited past story lines and periods in the publishers’ histories.

When this spring came around, I knew I would read DC Comics’ Convergence and I knew I would read Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars. I was hopeful I would love one. Convergence. I should have paid attention to the creative teams. DC’s Convergence was written by someone I’d never really heard of in tv writer Tim King. Marvel’s is written by Jonathan Hickman, an author I’ve been reading – continuously – for years. And Esad Ribic’s art on the Marvel title blows away almost everything being published today. It annihilates what Carlo Pagulayan was able to do for Convergence. Not that Pagulayan’s art was poor – it was good. But Ribic’s is great. Smooth and crisp, Ribic is delivering the so-called “wide-screen” action as well as the character moments. Hickman’s script calls for both and Ribic is more than capably delivering. He’s the kind of artist I want to follow from title-to-title.

As Secret Wars #4 clearly demonstrates, the backbone of Jonathan Hickman’s Marvel Universe is and always will be Reed Richards. This makes me nervous because Hickman is set to take a break from writing Marvel Comics when Secret Wars concludes. Does this mean Reed Richards is on his way out, too? Regardless, I’ll enjoy the ride for now. Hickman seems to love Mr. Fantastic and he certainly knows what to do with him. Though this is the first issue of the mini-series that Reed has figured in as an active participant in events, his presence has been woven throughout the title. This should come as no surprise, When your main character up to this point has been Victor Von Doom, can Reed really be far behind? As it turns out, no.

I’ve loved this book and I’ve truly appreciated the fact that Hickman, it appears to me, has toned down some of his world-building, science fiction concepts (concepts that have, sometimes, been beyond me – no fault of Hickman’s – I’m just not that bright as it turns out) in favor of a more straightforward but no less engaging story. He’s balancing the fate of the universe on the head of Dr. Doom’s pin and putting the heroes (and villains) in place to tip that fate. We know that the Marvel Universe will change as a result of Secret Wars and the change will be more significant than Spider-Man wearing a black costume. What is most impressive about this series is that it gives reason for the change. The changes that will result will make some sense from a story-telling perspective.

That’s something Convergence didn’t come close to delivering.

Secret Wars is going to fulfill this promise… and then some.

Hickman and Ribic are giving comic book fans the best superhero series of the summer and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week – May 27 – June 2, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 10 comics last week: Convergence #8, Old Man Logan #1, Convergence: Crime Syndicate  #2, Convergence:Action Comics #2, Convergence: Booster Gold #2, Infinity Gauntlet #1, Convergence: Detective Comics #2, Convergence: Infinity Inc #2, Convergence: Justice Society of America #2 and Uncanny Avengers: Ultron Forever #1.

The best comic I read last week was ANYTHING CONVERGENCE RELATED… because it’s over. Man. That was a terrible event. I am just glad it’s done. Can I have my regularly scheduled DC Comics back now?

The best book I actually read last week (though Old Man Logan #1 was pretty good, I didn’t love, love it like this) was Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years.

This compilation published last year for Batman’s 75th anniversary is written by and drawn by a Bat-Talion of people and the book covers every era of the caped crusader’s amazing journey. This is a must have for Bat-Fans, casual and otherwise. The worst story in this book far outpaced almost everything I read last week and they were surely more original than re-treading old stories (and down you go, Old Man Logan).

Great stuff!

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: May 20 – May 26, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 12 comics last week: Convergence #7, A-Force #1, Ultimate End #1,  Convergence: Adventures of Superman #2, Convergence: Justice League of America #2, Convergence: New Teen Titans #2, Avengers World #21, Wytches #6, Daredevil #15.1, Star Wars #5, Uncanny X-Men #34 and Batman and the Outsiders #2.

The best comic I read last week was Daredevil #15.1

I feel like I could pick Daredevil and any Daredevil related title written by Mark Waid and drawn by Chris Samnee every time an issue is published. Since these two creators have taken over the character, the stories have been terrific, honoring the long history of the character while seeking out new narrative ground, and the art – especially under Samnee – has been tremendous. Samnee’s take on Daredevil is simply perfect and fits the tone that Waid has struck for the series like a glove.

15.1 is a special title. Mark Waid writes a wonderful frame story around two other pieces, one written by comic veteran Mark Guggenheim and the other scribed by Samnee himself!

The frame deals with Matt Murdock in the final stages of collaborating with ghost writer Foggy Nelson on the true story of Daredevil. In the frame, Waid sets the stage for Guggenheim  to wrestle with a surprisingly serious legal question about Daredevil and his vigilante activities and for Samnee to take Diablo, one of the more silly characters from Daredevil’s past.

What makes all of these stories work is the tremendous “feel” the writers have for the character. They, especially Waid, know Daredevil and they know what makes him work. Each separate chapter gives us a different insight into him. Waid writes the character as fully formed, fully confident hero. Guggenheim writes a serious Daredevil at the beginning of his career, wrestling with questions of morality and law – questions not normally grappled with in a comic book. And Samnee deftly plays on the happy-go-lucky side of the character whose adventures can often flip from the comic to the critical. Readers of Daredevil #15.1 are treated to three great stories.

And the art is awesome. Peter Krause illustrates the middle chapter of the tale and, rather than simply aping Samnee’s work, Krause draws a Daredevil all his own, identifiable in the Samnee-style, but distinct and cool.

Samnee’s the star here. The fluidity with which he choreographs superheroics is a clinic for other artists. His Daredevil should be the standard by which all future incarnations are judged and his work must be mentioned in the same breath with Miller and Quesada (if not Bill Everett himself). Beyond the art, Samnee’s story rocks. He’s learned much in his collaboration with Waid and I look forward to books he pens.

Matthew Willson’s colors deserve mention, too, and they lend the book a tonal color palette that holds things together.

Daredevil is the consistently best superhero comic on the stands. Period.

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: May 13 – 19, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 8 comics last week: Convergence #6, Secret Wars #2, Darth Vader #5,  Convergence: Shadow of the Bat #2, Convergence: Superman: Man of Steel #2, Convergence: Justice League International #2, Chrononauts #3 and Star Trek #45.

The best comic I read last week was Darth Vader #5

I was skeptical about my own personal enjoyment of a Darth Vader centered title. It’s not that I don’t like Vader, I just find him kind of one-note, especially in this post-New Hope, pre-Empire Strikes Back era in which the book takes place. I also haven’t loved books by Kieron Gillan who writes this one.

But I do like Salvador LaRocca and his photo realistic art has always appealed to me. I like that he “casts” an actor in the leads of his comics… like he did with Josh Holloway in Iron Man a few years back. Frankly, I think he’d be terrific on the main Star Wars title. I have liked him since his early work. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think he’s really good. His style is perfectly suited here.

The story is really well done, too. Vader has discovered, in the wake of the Death Star Debacle, that the Emperor isn’t any more forgiving of his failures than Vader himself is of those around him and, while the Emperor hasn’t outright killed the Lord of the Sith, he’s making Vader’s life very difficult. Vader’s death is around any corner and he has only his skills, a pseudo-apprentice (the very George Lucas-y named Doctor Aphra) and two murder-bots for company.

It’s all the company he needs.

Gillan is writing a compelling narrative in this first arc, not only invoking the original trilogy, but bringing in appropriate elements from the prequels to populate his story. There is tension that is driven by plot and that is something hard to accomplish with a story-line who’s conclusion is already written.

Darth Vader is a fun book, a great read and a worthy addition to the Star Wars mythos.

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week – April 29 – May 5, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read a ridiculous 17 comics last week: Convergence #4, New Avengers #33, Superman #40, Avengers #44, Batman #40, Daredevil #15, Justice League #40, Multiversity #2, New Avengers: Ultron Forever #1, Convergence: Action Comics #1, Convergence: Booster Gold #1, Convergence: Crime Syndicate #1,  Convergence: Justice Society of America #1, Convergence: Detective Comics #1, Convergence: Infinity Inc. #1 and Princess Leia #3. 

The best comic I read last week was Justice League #40

I know, I know. It was a very big week. Batman Endgame wrapped up. Daredevil (terrific as always) came out. There were a bunch of Convergence titles (but as the main mini series is all but unreadable, I can’t see picking a tie-in for it). So why am I picking Justice League as the best thing I read last week?

Because, in terms of a comic that surprised me, that set up a big event (the Darkseid War) in an exciting manner, that deftly blended words and pictures, Justice League #40 gave me all I wanted from a superhero comic book. Geoff Johns seems to know and acknowledge comic book history better than any other writer working for DC Comics right now. Wisely linking this latest challenge for the Justice League to crises (pun intended) past, Johns lets the reader know that the stakes for this story are going to be very high. The set up leads the reader to believe that there may well be significant consequences coming for the Justice League and I will be disappointed if the story line doesn’t deliver.

I think it will.

Johns’ partner on the book is the very solid Jason Fabok. Employing a style somewhere between Neal Adams and Jim Lee, Fabok’s pencils get sharper every issue as does his ability to compose big action.  He is also excelling in the smaller moments (although this issue doesn’t give him too many) and shows a growing ability to differentiate among his characters. His Superman looks the same panel-after-panel, his Wonder Woman is recognizable scene-to-scene. If this kind of line work were easy, every artist would be doing it. They aren’t. Fabok is a rising star and a good fit for this title.

I am excited about The Darkseid War, far more excited than I am for DC’s Convergence or Marvel’s Secret Wars. Come on, gentlemen, don’t let me down!

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: April 22 – April 28, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 9 comics last week: Convergence #3, Avengers World #20, Amazing Spider-Man #17.1, All New X-Men #40, Chrononauts #2,  Convergence: Justice League of America #1, Convergence: New Teen Titans #1, Convergence: Adventures of Superman #1 and Star Wars #4. 

The best comic I read last week was Chrononauts #2

I run hot and cold on Mark Millar. I tend to like his stuff when he’s not trying to overwhelm his audience with shock and awe. The creator of Kingsmen: The Secret Service, Kick Ass and Wanted has also written some great “traditional” superhero comic books like Superman: Red Son and The Ultlimates. As one might expect, his superhero work resonates more with me than the other stuff.

But I was drawn to Chrononauts by the premise – two brilliant, time-traveling buddies decide to buck the government operatives for whom they work and live in the time-stream as conquerors and heroes – and the art – Sean Murphy who I followed on The Wake is just brilliant.

This book is flat-out fun. Corbin Quinn and Danny Reilly (great names!) are terrific characters that endear themselves to the reader from their first appearance. The first two issues have been incredibly paced, quick and cutthroat, and the twists and turns of the story have, so far, paid off the far-out premise.

The movie rights for this one have already been sold and I cannot wait for it. Fun, funny and furious, Chrononauts is the type of comic that should bring more readers into the habit. It’s a great creation by one of the best comic writers in the business. Go buy Chrononauts before time runs out! See what I did there?

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: April 15 – 22, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 6 comics last week: Convergence #2, Star Trek #44,  Convergence: Shadow of the Bat #1, Convergence: Justice League International #1, Convergence: Man of Steel #1 and Uncanny X-Men #33. Oh, and I bought a crazily low-priced collection of 8 comics for $4.99 from comixology.com Daredevil: Guardian Devil.

The best comic I read last week was Daredevil: Guardian Devil

This was a really bad week for new comics. I really, really am not enjoying Convergence, the DC Comics event of the year that is supposed to… well, never mind. It doesn’t matter what it’s supposed to do. It’s not doing anything for me. What would be impressive is if I stopped reading it and its tie-in issues.

We’ll see what my will power is tomorrow.

Convergence wasn’t good. Uncanny X-Men was okay, but not great. Star Trek was passable.

But Guardian Devil? Perfect.

This is a little unfair of a choice. I read this book in monthly format when it was published in the last 1990s and I remember it being very good. It was on sale because of the Netflix Daredevil series – which is very good, too, by-the-way. Kevin Smith writes, Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti draw and the character Daredevil reaches new heights. This is a terrific book which set the standard for great comics for Marvel for years to follow. Read it if you get the chance.

Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week: April 8 – 14, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 11 comics last week: Convergence #1, Darth Vader #4, Avengers World #19, Star Trek/Planet of the Apes #5, Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #12, Convergence: Batgirl #1, Convergence: Titans #1, Convergence: Justice League #1, Convergence: Superman #1, Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #1 and Convergence: Batman and Robin #1. The best comic I read last week was Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle#1.

I love the pre-New 52 Nightwing. Having grown up following the Bronze Age stories of Dick Grayson leading the Teen Titans and then the New Teen Titans, watching him leave the Robin identity behind for the Nightwing guise and, finally, the Batman mantle, I have been invested in his history. Part of that history was his on-again/off-again romance with Barbara Gordon. One could say that romance was at the heart of the character. Barbara Gordon, too, has always been a character I have liked. Her own journey from Batgirl to Oracle is well detailed and was fodder for great stories.

Almost all of these histories were wiped away by Flashpoint and The New 52.

As part of DC Comics’ summer event Convergence, many “old” histories are being are being brought back, at least for a month or two. Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #1 is written by Gail Simone who has great experience with both characters and the story is a welcome return to Nightwing and Oracle, to their romance and to the feeling of comics of about 10 years ago.

Simone knows what she’s doing. Her story strikes all the right chords and, while the plot points are a bit restrictive as, in the issue, the writer is asked to revisit old continuity and then turn the story towards the threat of “worlds colliding,” Simone balances all this very nicely. In fact, I wonder if Simone was able to choose the antagonists for the issue – Hawkman and Hawkwoman – are the perfect foils. Two couples in love who are about to face off for the survival of their respective cities is rich drama. Of all the Convergence titles, this one worked the best. The conclusion felt organic and the cliff hanger didn’t feel forced.

Simone is a great writer. This is a good book made my pick of the week because of my love of the characters. I miss these versions of Nightwing and Barbara Gordon. It was nice to have them back for a month.

And There Came Comic Mega Event Confusion

Here’s what would be cool – DC Comics and Marvel Comics shock the world with their Convergence and Secret Wars summer events by CROSSING OVER THEIR COMIC BOOK UNIVERSES! Wouldn’t that be shocking? Wouldn’t that be cool?

The two major comic companies are staging universe shattering crossover events. I understand this. Crossovers, though comic collectors complain about them, make a lot of money. Crossovers that ask collectors to buy various tie-in titles make a lot more money. I get why DC and Marvel tend to roll one of these out every so often (In Marvel’s case, it’s been about once every six months lately. DC has mounted one of these less frequently of late.)

Here’s what I don’t understand: why are they SO similar this year?

Can someone please tell me what the substantive differences are in these two premises?

Premise One: The basic premise involves the collision of the________ Universe with the _________ Universe which destroys both. But pieces of the two universes – with other universes – are mysteriously saved and combined with other post collision universes creating the __________.

Premise Two: Set on a world outside time and space, ______________ has roamed the history of the ________ Universe. Using it to abduct heroes from different lost and defunct eras and across the multiverse, ______________ amasses a collection of 50 cities. Taking them to this mysterious world within domes he opens them to see what happens. The ensuing chaos pits various heroes and villains and their historic or multiverse counterparts against each other.

Yes, obviously, there are differences, but the similarities are very hard to overlook. What would be cool is if DC and Marvel were actually crossing over their comic book universes this summer as part of these events. Man, just give us a one shot of Marvel characters on the world with domed cities or DC characters suddenly finding themselves on the post world collision planet. We’d love it!

As it stands, these concepts are so similar they cannot exist without being judged one-against-the-other.

Wait. Maybe that’s the point.

The Best Sequential Art I Read Last Week – April 1 – April 7, 2015

I am a comic book collector and happy to be one. I might say “proud” if I hadn’t, over a year ago, switched to reading digital as opposed to print comics. I feel a bit robbed of the tactile sensations of the hobby – of the turn of the page, the sneaking look to the panel a page over, the bagging and shorting and stacking and filing. Though I read my comics in a different medium than I used to, I still treat each Wednesday (comic book delivery day to specialty shops around the country) as different from the other days of the week. I subscribe and now, rather than go to the comic store to be handed the books pulled for my “Hold Slot,” I click a button on my iPad and watch them download.

Then I read them.

Rare is the week that I don’t read them all between Wednesdays and some weeks I have, well… let’s just say more comic books in my digital downloads than a grown man should. Comic book legend Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) is one of the most influential men even to put pencil to drawing board in the pursuit of making comics. So influential was he that the industry awards (think the Oscars or the Emmys or the Grammys) are named The Eisner Awards. He called comic books “sequential art,” perhaps because he became embarrassed by his profession when he had to admit what he did for a living. This is my weekly reaction to the comics I read.

I read 10 comics last week: Amazing Spider-Man #17, Arkham Manor: Endgame #1, Avengers #43, Avengers: Ultron Forever #1, Batman and Robin Annual #3,  Batman Eternal #52, Batman/Superman Annual #2, Convergence #0, Gotham Academy: Endgame #1 and Superman/Wonder Woman 17. The best comic I read last week was Avengers: Ultron Forever #1.  Marvel knows how to ramp up to a big event. This week, during the month-long ramp up to the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron, they released the first issue of this Ultron miniseries and they also released an Ultron graphic novel (Avengers: Rage of Ultron). Seems everything’s coming up Ultron.

When stories are as good as this one, that’s just fine. This first issue, written by Steve Ewing, is a knowing homage to the Avengers Forever miniseries that was published in 1998. Recalling a great story like that one is a bold thing to do, but Ultron Forever, judging by this issue, looks like it might have the chops to be in that company.

The set up is familiar: Ultron has conquered, well, everything, and has set himself up as ruler of the universe. Former Avengers are corrupted and in his service. The only way to combat him is devised by a character who may or may not be what he seems. This mystery is part of the fun of the first issue.

Bringing together Avengers from different parts of the time stream is right out of Avengers Forever. What makes this fun is the choices Ewing makes, the characters he pulls together. Essentially what we have are examples of all the core Avengers, but not the versions currently populating continuity (outside of the new Thor about whom I am interested to read). The dynamics of this team and the manner in which they interact was fun to read in this issue and I hope will continue throughout the series.

Penciller Alan Davis is one of my all time favorites and, while his work here may not have the detail it once did, I am happy to see his work. He calls back a bygone era and that seems more than appropriate for this tale.

I hope the remainder of the series lives up to this debut. It was a great start.