WildC.A.T.S: Homecoming

WildC.A.T.S: Homecoming (1999, Wildstorm/Image Comics) ***

W: Alan Moore A: Various.

While the original WildC.A.T.s team learn their true place in the Deamonite war, a new team of CATs form to take the fight to the criminals on Earth.

Collection of first half of Moore’s run sees the writer deftly undetmine the previous stories and shift the focus from action to interaction.  New characters introduced in this volume seem far more interesting than those carried over from previous volumes.  Nominal regular penciller Travis Charest’s art, when it appears, is superlative, but rotation of inferior fill-ins undermine cohesion of story.

WildC.A.T.s.: Gang War

WildC.A.T.S: Gang War (1998, Wildstorm/Image Comics) ***1/2

W: Alan Moore P: Travis Charest, Dave Johnson, Ryan Benjamin, Jim Lee, Matt Broome (& more!) I: Dave Johnson, Troy Hubbs, Trevor Scott, et al.

The two WildC.A.T.s teams are united, only to find themselves embroiled in a gang war with the vengeful criminals of the city.

Dispite a dizzying array of artists, Moore’s precisely plotted story still hangs together as a great superhero team book.  Pick up on points from the previous volume and runs with them to quite natural and unexpected conclusions.  Major detriment: massive Fire From Heaven crossover that hamstrings beginning of the volume.

Voodoo: Dancing in the Dark

Voodoo: Dancing in the Dark (1999, Wildstorm/DC Comics) ***

W: Alan Moore P: Michael Lopez & Al Rio I: Trevor Scott, Edwin Rosell, et al.

Strippers are being murdered in New Orleans, and the former WildCAT Voodoo finds herself caught up in the mystery.

What looks on first glance as yet another in the endless procession of Bad Girl Books turns out to be something rather more, thanks largely to Moore’s respectful and fascinating treatment of Voodoo as a religion.  The boys do seem to enjoy drawing the strippers, though.  Horrible flimsy cover – sort out that card stock Wildstorm!  Introduction by Brandon Choi.

Alan Moore’s Magic Words

Alan Moore Magic Words (2002, Avatar Press) *1/2

W: Alan Moore A: Various.

Selection of Moore’s song lyrics set to pictures.

As in previous Caliber volume (which shares some of the same lyrics) results are mixed to say the least.  European artists provide variously literal and schlocky interpretations of Moore’s words. Saving grace is Anthony Johnstone’s summary of Moore’s musical output.

Introduction by Warren Ellis.

Metropol

Metropol (1995, Blue Eyed Dog) ****

W/A: Ted McKeever.

Dark, grotesque story about a city caught up in a battle between beings that are something like angels.

From a Kafkaesque opening to an epic, cataclysmic finale, Metropol is never less than compelling.  McKeever’s grim fairy tale of city living is not for all tastes, but is rewarding to those who persevere.  Loosely connected to McKeever’s earlier Eddy Current.

Krazy and Ignatz – “There is a Heppy Lend – Fur, Fur Awa-a-y”

Krazy and Ignatz – “There is a Heppy Lend – Fur, Fur Awa-a-y” (2002, Fantagraphics Books) ****1/2

W/A: George Herriman.

Fantagraphics’ first volume collecting the Sunday Krazy Kat strip picks right up where Eclipse left off a decade earlier, with improved reproduction and a snazzy design by Acme Novelty Library’s Chris Ware.  This volume collects 1925 and 1925 and contains some of the best comics ever created.  The only thing that keeps this from having five stars is the format of the strips foisted upon Herriman by William Randolph Hearst, his publisher.

History of the DC Universe

History of the DC Universe (1986, DC Comics) **

W: Marv Wolfman A: George Perez.

In the wake of Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC presents the new history of the Universe their characters inhabit.

Odd volume, neither comics nor picture book, that seeks to summarise 50 years of contradictory continuity into a semblance of coherence.  Perez’s art is pretty enough, and Wolfman does as good a job as can be done but whole fails to gel, and seems very much a product of its time.  Doubtless one for the fans.

Cages

Cages (2002, NBM/Titan Books) ****1/2

W/A: Dave McKean.

An artist takes new quarters in the hope that the change will provide inspiration, little suspecting that his downstairs neighbour is an author under fatwa.

McKean’s graphic novel is a thing of parts: part soap-opera, part-comedy, part-satire,  that adds up to a very satisfying whole.  Wry study of artistic expression and relationships is told in a deft style in this, McKean’s debut writing.  Tale often meanders, and strange dreamlike digressions will put off some readers, but dazzling array of styles and innovative use of the page mean that the book is constantly fascinating.   Funny, demanding and in places quite beautiful – highly recommended.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Crisis on Infinite Earths (2001, DC Comics) ****

W: Marv Wolfman A: George Perez.

The heroes and villains across the multiverse have to unite against a common foe that aims to destroy not just the universe, but every universe.

Epic storyline that changed the face of comics is a breathless ride through the DC Universe, though intricacies of myriad characters and their relationships may be lost on readers not already familiar with them.  Despite this, grand scope of title, and deaths of iconic characters mean that it is far from inaccessible, and it stands as one of the few crossovers with a genuine reason to exist and strong story at its core. Perez’s detailed art never looks cluttered and tells story in fine style.  Take a good look at Alex Ross’ incredible cover and see who you can name.

The Books of Magic

The Books of Magic (1993, DC Comics) ***1/2

W: Neil Gaiman A: John Bolton, Scot Hampton, Charles Vess, Paul Johnson.

A young boy named Tim Hunter, who may or may not become the greatest magician of the age, is shown the occult world by a quartet of strangers.

Gaiman is joined by four fine artists for his History of magic in the DC Universe.  There are some fine moments to be had especially in the sequences featuring John Constantine, though readers may feel lost in amongst so many unfamiliar characters and names.