May 7, 2010
Judge Dredd: America (2008, Rebellion/2000AD) ****
W: John Wagner A: Colin MacNeil.
A successful singer meets the girl he had loved as a child, only to learn that she is involved with a terrorist organisation.
Thoughtful, hard-hitting account of growing up and apart is succesfully transplanted into Mega-City One. Wagner’s surprising script twists in the least expected ways, without losing sight of the humanity at its core. Last page is like a punch in the stomach. Colin MacNeil’s vivid painted art is among the best of his career.
Originally serialised in the Judge Dredd Megazine.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged Colin MacNeil, John Wagner, Judge Dredd, Judge Dredd: America, Rebellion/2000AD | Leave a Comment »
May 6, 2010
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2002, America’s Best Comics/Wildstorm/DC Comics) ****
W: Alan Moore A: Kevin O’Neill.
Allan Quartermain, Mina Harker, Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man and Jekyll & Hyde are brought together to save the British Empire from its greatest threat.
Rip-roaring adventure yarn is set in a world where all of fiction has existed and balances on O’Neill’s exquisite and expressive art. Moore populates cast with familiar figure from Victorian literature without bringing story to a halt, and work succeeds on its wit. Recommended.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged 2002, Alan Moore, America’s Best Comics/Wildstorm/DC Comics, Kevin O'Neill, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen | Leave a Comment »
May 5, 2010
Madman Adventures (1995, Kitchen Sink Press) ***
W/A: Mike Allred.
Friendly superhero Frank Einstein, AKA Madman, is sent back in time and meets an alien in these tales of high weirdness.
Bright, breezy adventure superheroics told with a love of disposable pop culture and dollops of irony. Allred’s attractive art make slight story into something very much more, and elevates this above masses.
Introduction by Allred.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged 1995, Kitchen Sink Press, Madman, Madman Adventures, Mike Allred | Leave a Comment »
May 4, 2010
Zenith Book Five (1990, Titan Books) ****
W: Grant Morrison A: Steve Yeowell.
The various heroes of multiple dimension face the Lloiger, but where is Zenith when the final battle commences?
Conclusion of “War in Heaven” (Phase III) storyline is somewhat subdued, hinting at future events. Story is as smart as ever, with a genuinely surprising and fitting final twist to proceedings. Yeowell’s art is again exceptional. Followed by the uncollected conclusion “Phase IV”.
Originally serialised in 2000AD.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged 1990, 2000AD, Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell, Titan Books, Zenith, Zenith Book Five | Leave a Comment »
May 3, 2010
Zenith Book Four (1990, Titan Books) ****1/2
W: Grant Morrison A: Steve Yeowell.
The Zenith saga sprawls across multiple worlds as the lloiger attack the multiverse.
Morrison and Yeowell’s superhero satire is at its peak here, while remaining an affecting and effective story in its own right. Fans of British comics will delight in supporting cast of classic heroes, both from IPC and other companies. Yeowell’s black and white art is superlative, bringing a solid reality to proceedings without ever giving up his distinctive line.
Originally serialised in 2000AD.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1990, 2000AD, Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell, Titan Books, Zenith, Zenith Book Four | Leave a Comment »
May 2, 2010
Young Death: Boyhood of a Superfiend (2003, Rebellion Books) ***
W: John Wagner A: Peter Docherty.
In Mega-City one, Judge Death recounts his origin to a terrified journalist.
Funny squib of a story strips some of the mystery away from popular Judge Dredd villain, and adds unnecessary comedic elements to what had been a horror character. None the less, succeeds in what it sets out to do. Docherty’s art is grisly in places, but pleasing. Bit player Mrs Gunderson has since become regular supporting player in the series.
Originally serialised in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Wagner wrote this under the pen-name of Brian Skuter, the journalist in the comic.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2000AD, 2003, John Wagner, Judge Dredd, Peter Docherty, Rebellion Books, Young Death: Boyhood of a Superfiend | Leave a Comment »