Hello everyone, and welcome to another installment of Wednesday Shuffle, your weekly source for comic-book rundowns.
This week was an odd mix, to be sure. Though 75% Marvel, not a one of the books this week felt remotely like the others. In fact, today was a great example of the various types of comics published by the big companies these days: the Ongoing Series, the Event Comic, and the One-Shot. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Escape from Wonderland #1
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, did split a dude’s head open with an axe
Plot
The Wonderland mythos established by Zenescope Entertainment is a complex, often confusing ordeal. Much like the books that inspired them, these comics don’t always make a ton of sense, and are intertwined to the point of convolution.
In this first issue we are thrown with little explanation directly back into the fray that has become Wonderland’s signature. Callie Liddle, our heroine from the previous books, has re-entered Wonderland on a mission to rescue her newborn daughter, who has been kidnapped by her brother Johnny. Callie meets with the Red Queen (ruler of Wonderland in the Queen of Hearts’ absence) who, in turn, directs her to the lair of the Jabberwocky [sic]. Along the way, she confronts the Carpenter (of the “Walrus & the” variety) and then a bunch of sexual-harassment road-signs.
Go figure.
Meanwhile, the Johnny brings Callie’s daughter to the Jabberwocky [sic], because apparently she is the “solution to all [their] problems.”
Also meanwhile, in the real world, Charles Dodgson, the source of all this trouble, watches as the Queen of Hearts invites small children into her “fun house” (because axe-wielding crazy-ladies aren’t scary enough, they should also be carnies)
Art
Okay, the art in the Wonderland books has always been stellar, but it is very hard to call this book “nice to look at.” If Zenescope is good at two things, they are sex and violence, and gosh darn if this book isn’t dripping with both (sometimes literally). What’s nice about Wonderland is that everything is always very clear. Characters are creative, colors are vibrant, and the backgrounds are well-designed and detailed. This actually aids the sense of un-reality in the books, providing intense violence, exaggerated breasts, and implausible outfits and weapons, all in a crystal-clear, unapologetic style that screams “lucid dream.”
This particular book, however, was much stronger than most in terms of characters. Old ones are re-created perfectly, and new designs are integrated well. Whatever the hell that worm thing guarding the Jabberwocky’s [sic] lair was, it was pretty awesome (Though the Jabberwock itself was a little too over-the-top)
Writing
The writing in this issue is a mixed bag. The narration, provided by Callie, Johnny, and Dodgson in turn, was quite good, and gave an aura of mystique and foreshadowing. Each voice conveys the same message – “shit just got real” – but in totally different ways. Callie has been pushed too far, Johnny’s plans have all begun to come together, and Dodgson has known this day would come, but is willing to watch the world burn in exchange for his own life.
On the other hand, the dialogue is lacking. Not only is it kept fairly minimal (which can work) but it’s also a tad… off, somehow. After two books we’ve gotten pretty used to Wonderland’s denizens speaking in contradictions and riddles. Suddenly, everyone and their mother is using good old-fashioned plainspeak, which is a bit off-putting. Personally, it is my opinion that all Jabberwocks should speak at least partly in pentameter.
Thoughts
This issue a decent beginning to the series. I mean, I love this stuff, but I can see how some others wouldn’t. This issue is typical Wonderland – sexy, violent, and intense.
However, when I say this book is “typical Wonderland” I really mean that. If you haven’t read the other books, you are going to feel alienated. Characters are not explained, and you’ll be struggling through the whole thing to make sense of it all. Also, the violence is completely no-limits. Splattered brains, swords to the head, horses without skin – it’s got everything.
Oh, and the reason I kept inserting “[sic]” after the word “Jabberwocky” is because of the common misconception this book falls into: “Jabberwocky” is the name of the poem, not the monster itself. That would be a “Jabberwock.” As in
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch”
Escape from Wonderland #1 is priced at $3.75 of all things, and I recommend it provided you’ve read Wonderland books before. This is not a jumping-on point.
The Invincible Iron Man #16: World’s Most Wanted, Pt. 9
Not a new issue, but I just got it today. Why not drop a word in?
Plot
I’m a bit out of the loop when it comes to Iron Man, though Wikipedia has helped fill the gap.
This issue is pretty much the culmination of events that have been going on for a while in this book (I guess). Iron Man and Pepper Potts (who also has armor now) are being held captive by Madam Masque, who, for whatever backstory-related reason, is in love with Tony Stark (and also completely insane).
So there’s some talking, Madam Masque think she and Tony should run away together, Pepper manages to get free by remote-controlling her armor, and tells Tony to flee while she takes care of Masque.
Also, in a side-plot I don’t fully understand as yet, former-Director of SHIELD Maria Hill is now unstable and needs to contact Captain America (Bucky Barnes) to give him some weird computer equipment. Black Widow, her contact, is reluctant, and snoops around, trying to figure out what the equipment is. Her contact is shady, btw. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn whines about how Tony’s armor suit is so much cooler than his and how he wants one.
Ugh. Dark Reign is so stupid sometimes…
Art
The art in this issue is above average, but nothing particularly special. A little grainier than some books, the effect is still pretty good. I don’t like Tony’s current character design, (he needs a beard, damnit) but shy of that, no real complaints.
Writing
The writing in the issue is pretty run of the mill… if your mill is Marvel and the flour they pour out is made from imported organic wheat.
What the strained metaphor was trying to convey is that this book is well-written, but that from Marvel, that’s no surprise. Dialogue is decent. However, I do object to the characterization Tony is going through right now. I mean, I get the whole role-reversal thing with Pepper, but do you have to make him completely sniveling for this many issues?
Thoughts
Invincible Iron Man is in keeping with the Marvel standard of quality, but that’s about all. If you like the character, like action, or just want to know what Gwyneth Paltrow got wrong, you can check it out. $2.99
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On
Captain America… in Iraq? Okaaay…
Plot
Not much to be said of this one, sadly. It’s not really a Captain America book, more of a book with Captain America in it. The story follows a young soldier in the U.S. Army as he fights in Iraq. On his second tour, he is assigned to Captain America, driving him around on peace talks. When a particular order from Cap leads to the man getting both legs and an arm blown off, we see the ordeal that he goes through, learning how to walk again, and dealing with his anger towards Cap. That’s about it, really.
Art
The art in this issue is, much like Iron Man, pretty standard. Not exceptional, but not bad by any stretch. The colors are nice, the characters well-drawn, and the environments are atmospheric. Nothing bad, nothing special.
Writing
Okay. I never thought an issue of Captain America could be this disappointing, but then again, without Brubaker, I shouldn’t be surprised.
This issue is all wrong. Now, I’m not going to get all fanboy on you, but I don’t think that Mr. Jenkins knew what he was writing.
I’ll accept that this is a book about a soldier who served with Cap, rather than Cap himself. I’ll accept that war is ugly, and that Iraq is one of the uglier wars we’ve ever had. I'll even accept that you want to do a comic-book as a tribute. It seems like a good idea, even.
But what I won’t accept is the mischaracterization of Steve Rogers. I will not.
This book, while a beautiful, fitting tribute to our men and women overseas, (and I do not want to trivialize that, it’s a very good book in that regard) is a complete insult to Captain America.
Firstly, Captain America should not be in Iraq. Now, I understand the appeal, I understand him as a symbol of America, and the military in particular, but Captain America is the embodiment of all that is profoundly right with America. To put him in such a morally ambiguous situation, to try, through proxy, to characterize America as truly right in this war, is not fair – not to America, not to our soldiers, not to Cap, and not to Iraq. It is tasteless. This is not 1942, these are not the Nazis. This comic insults everyone by implying that they are.
Secondly, this book characterizes Captain America as, well, a captain. Here’s the problem with that, everyone: Captain America is a soldier, yes, but he’s also a supersoldier. A hero. A symbol. A man who always showed profound affection for his men, and would not lead them into danger for a “show of force.” He doesn’t always win the day, but he’s not stupid. He’s not afraid of emotions, as we’ve seen time and time again with characters like Bucky, Agent 13, and the Falcon. He’s a profoundly good man, in that 1940’s small-town America kind of way. This book attempts to modernize him, make him the kind of cold, man-of-few-words military commander that we have today. That is simply incorrect.
Thoughts
This book is just wrong. It is wrong on so many levels.
The main issue is that it could have been a great book, if only Captain America wasn’t in it. As a tribute to the hardships of war, the bravery of our sons and daughters, and the traumas that come from battle, it works very well. But once you add Captain America, a man who, much like Superman, is a symbol of justice and right, who is strong through his emotions, not in spite of them, and try to make him the tough-on-the-outside, caring-on-the-inside kind of military man of today, you cheapen both the tribute, and the hero.
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On sells for 3.99. I’d advise you not to bother.
The Marvels Project #1
How it all began, how it shall begin again
Plot
It is 1938, and the world is about to change forever.
Acting as a re-introduction to the golden Age of Comics, The Marvels Project #1 begins with a Doctor, one Thomas Halloway, as he muses on the stories of a (seemingly) senile old man who claims he has been to the future. The old man tells stories of gods and heroes, of things incredible, amazing, invincible, and uncanny.
Fast-forward to 1939, where President Roosevelt discusses the advancing threat of the Nazi regime with a pair of U.S… people. Maybe they’re historical figures, maybe they’re fictional, I dunno.
Anyway, it is revealed that the government has been funding the work of Prof. Phineas Horton, creator of the world’s first “synthetic man,” who will soon become the first Human Torch.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Nazis are bombing the area around Atlantis, scavenging the dead denizens of the sea for dissection. Namor, the soon-to-be Sub-Mariner, is a tad pissed about that, and proceeds to blow them to hell.
At the same time, somewhere else, Steve Rogers is turned away by the military, and young Nick Fury is recruited for a secret mission.
Art
The art of this book is very, very nice. “Camera angles” differ and provide new, interesting images, colors are subdued but well-executed, and the few moments of brightness (the flames of the human Torch, Nazi flags, etc) contrast nicely with the rest of the book. A great deal of detail is in this book, from the splintering of wood to the dead eyes of bombed merpeople, and this book can honestly be said to be both well-drwan and, unlike Wonderland, pleasant to look at. However, FDR didn’t really look much like FDR. Other than that, everything’s fine, though.
Writing
Typical Brubaker. What can I say, the man is good.
This issue serves simply to set the characters up, so characterization isn’t a big issue as yet. What’s there is good, though, and the dialogue flows well. The book is narrated by Halloway, giving us a normal man’s perspective on these new, world-changing events. It’s hard to say if the writing was particularly good in this one – good writing means emotion, and emotion means context. Since this is really more of a prologue than anything else, there’s not much to be emotional about.
Thoughts
A solid comic, with keen visuals and good writing. Not much happens in this issue, but shit is about to hit the fan pretty quick, so, while this issue is rather non-descript, I have a very good feeling about the series over-all. I have a keen suspicion that this could very well be one of those “must read” series someday.
The Marvels Project # 1 runs at $3.99. Jump on now, before the ball gets rolling.
Conclusion
This week was not unpleasant. Though Theater of War was a big disappointment and Iron Man was pretty average, both The Marvels Project and Escape from Wonderland lived up to expectations. It is a bit weird that the two #1s today were much stronger than their One-Shot and Ongoing-Series comrades, but I suppose that’s the way things go sometimes. Over-all, this week was above-average, leaving you sad it was so expensive, but not disappointed with the content itself per se.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Tales From Wonderland: Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
Knights of the Old Republic #44
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