Comic Book Review: Brightest Day #20

Written By: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artist: Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

Inker: Julio Ferreira, Oclair Albert, Norm Rapmund, Marlo Alquiza, & Andy Owens

Colorist: Aspen MLT’s Peter Steigerwald & Nathan Eyring

Cover Artist: Gary Frank & Nathan Eyring

Letterer: Rob Clark Jr.

Editor: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Aquawar comes to an end with a lifespan of only two issues!  A little disappointing if you ask me.  I guess DC should have called it “Aqua Crisis” in order feel justified in stretching it out further huh?  Never-the-less, many resolutions happen in this issue; Mera and Aquaman come to terms with each other, Aqualad and Aquagirl have a very strange “brother-sister” moment, the Aquawar (or Beach battle) is wiped out with a huge splash of a finish, and as a reward for completing his mission Aquaman is put to death.

Huh?

That’s basically what I asked myself with almost every page turn of issue #20.  Not only is there a confusing twist at the end, but everything in this issue makes me do a double-turn; mostly because this White Lantern and his moralistic ramblings just aren’t making any sense.  This, in turn, causes me to think that Brightest Day is one of the more contrived miniseries I’ve ever read from DC.

To start off, was the purpose of Aquawar purely to help Aquaman get the truth from Mera?  Is that all?  The White Lantern really thought that putting everyone’s lives in danger only to help Arthur discover the truth was the best course of action?  Yeah, it worked – the two lovers got back together in a loving embrace, very romantic I must say.  But how does this event do any good when the White Lantern kills Aquaman off at the very last moment, only causing more pain and anguish for Mera?  If it was Aquaman who needed to learn something, why create this whole scene when the purpose was to have him die immediately after?  With only four issues to go, Johns and Tomasi had better make some sense of killing everyone off after they’ve completed these “tasks” the White Lantern has secretly given them.  Right now, I feel like I’m reading a series by Grant Morrison.

The White Lantern seems like it’s on crack, or high on meth doesn’t it?  It tells Boston Brand to eat hamburgers, open up the Bermuda Triangle where all Hell breaks loose, and seems to be stringing everyone along on this wild goose chase.  I’m all about waiting for a mystery to make sense, but good grief, how much plot twisting chaos can a person put into a story until it becomes a pile of incoherent jargon? 

This issue isn’t without its bright sides however; the clever (flirty) interaction that Aqualad and Aquagirl have did put a smile on my face.  But most of the better moments stem from the visual aspects; Mera’s powerful water wipe-out, with nothing but clean and incredibly beautiful blues and whites to give the water that colorful, yet destructive personality is almost perfect.  It’s also very difficult to draw people as if they are in the water, floating and swimming about; another reason why Reis and Prado are masters at their craft and career.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

While this issue held my interest, it left me disappointed and wondering what happened to the great momentum built up by issue #19.  Resolutions to problems are being lost in confusion and flow of story transitions are dying out as fast as the characters are.  Johns and Tomasi, please help me to understand what’s going sooner rather than later!

4 out of 10 Stars

Best Artist of 2010...Francis Manapul

Sometimes it's hard for me to pick who I think made the top spot for best artist for the entire year.  There's so many good ones out there and they all do there part in giving stories life and gusto.  Amanda Conner and Gary Frank were close contenders, followed closely by Frank Quietly.  But there is no doubt in my mind as to who wins the title for this year.

In 2009 I picked Ed Benes, but he only worked on very few comics that year; it made me feel the need to alter my requirements for being the Heretic's Blog pick for best artist.  Well this year I think I got it right!  Say hello to the best artist of 2010, Mr. Francis Manapul! (applause!)

He hasn't been working in comics that long based on the information I was able to scrounge up on him, (that's right Manapul, I'm your personal stalker!)  but in 2007 he signed a contract with DC comics and has worked on some very popular titles like Legion of Superheroes, Superman/Batman and Adventure Comics.  While his career with DC is very short, he's definitely made a mark for himself within the comic book world and is progressively rising.

I should note that he has a resume with some very well-to-do comic book companies such as Aspen, Top Cow and Image Comics.  All of which truly help him boost into the artist spotlight today.

I've chosen Manapul as 2010's best artist mainly for his work in the 3rd volume of the Flash title.  For those familiar with his work, Manapul's style is unique and edgy, always pronouncing that "sketched out" look.  Most other artists out there take time to make everything they do exceptionally clean with extra smooth lines.  This isn't bad by any means, it's the way I draw for pete's sake!  But Manapul gives us something fresh and different to look at while enjoying our comic reading experience.  I hope to be at a comic book convention where he attends so I can shake his hand and tell him how much I enjoy his artwork.

Below are a few of his pieces, enjoy!

Comic Book Review: Superman Secret Origin #6

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Jon Sibal

Colorist: Brad Anderson

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Art: Frank and Anderson

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Certainly we all can recognize the corny foundation that Superman was built on, correct?  When a hero is created as a warrior for the American people, always claiming he’s here to fight for truth, justice, and the American way, and sporting an outfit that greatly resembles out American flag, you can’t help but think corn and cheese.  Within the last few years, however, Superman has evolved into a much more sophisticated character with writers delving into his darker side, having him question himself and the people he saves.  Once “Superman: For Tomorrow” came out, I’ve continually said that it IS the best Superman Story in history.  However, what Geoff Johns has done with Superman: Secret Origin could possibly kick For Tomorrow off the “Greatest Superman Story” bookshelf and replace it with this latest edition in the Superman folklore.

I can only assume that the reason for this timely delay in publication of this issue is due to the remapping of the DC Universe Johns is currently doing.  So knowing that, I can forgive DC for making me wait so long for the proverbial sixth and final issue of this series.  But good grief!  Please, don’t make us wait that long ever again!

The most appealing aspect of this comic for me was how Johns gave Superman that corny edge but not forget about the more serious character that has been established today.  Too many times I think fans forget that Superman is here to protect the people within the comic book world and simply think of him as an awesome, all powerful superhero.  Johns reminds us that Superman, among all his cheesy and corny inspirational speeches, has chosen to protect the people because he can.  Interestingly enough, Superman isn’t taking all of this punishment to save his own life, but rather for the people since General Lane and John Corbin decided that causalities among the Metropolis inhabitants is a minor concern next to killing Superman for the sake of national security.  And it’s within this fight that we see the people of metropolis come to a new realization of Superman; they don’t just accept Superman right off the bat, but they do recognize they have a hero among them and are willing to embrace that and give Superman a chance at their trust.

Like I’ve always said, Gary Frank is THE artist for Superman.  He researched the bright and chipper feel that was in the old, campy Richard Donner Superman films.  But Frank takes an extra step in reminding us of what Superman looked like when fighting after being dragged through dirt and hiding in a sewer system.  The level of detail put into this series on the part of Frank was an incredible achievement.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

I couldn’t help but ask myself at the end of #6, “What was the secret?”  Nothing really very new was revealed except the addition of General Sam Lane in the story.  What I think Johns was going for with this series was to reestablish Superman with very little things; There’s a reason for Clark being a stumbling mild mannered reporter, Metropolis seems to be a REAL big and congested city with rude citizens, and the relationship Superman developed in the early years seem much more rooted in realistic terms.  But with that I can’t seem to wonder if “Secret Origin” was a weak title for this fantastic series.  I was anticipating some extraordinary secret to be revealed that would cause us to look at Superman in a new light, possibly bringing in new readers and showing the world that Superman isn’t just corn and cheese.  But sadly, that did not occur.  However, this series was a great success and I may have to purchase this when it comes out in TPB.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Writing: 10

Art: 10

Themes: 10

Incentive Points: 2

Comic Book Review: Superman #700

Book Information Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, JAMES ROBINSON & DAN JURGENS
Art by EDDY BARROWS, BERNARD CHANG, DAN JURGENS & J.P. MAYER
Cover by GARY FRANK

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
Just like Batman, #700 has finally come within the Man of Steel’s clutches. It’s hard to believe that the corny, all American “good ‘ol boy” has been able to last this long. Don’t get me wrong, I love Supes, but there are times where I wonder how the heck a character as cheesy and goody two-shoish as he was able to last in our modern society this long. Just goes to show you how much people, deep down inside, truly want someone like Superman to exist.

#700 brings us three entertaining stories all written (and drawn) by numerous people. The opener brings us the Parasite running after Lois Lane (our proverbial damsel in distress if you will) because she stuck in her nose where she shouldn’t have. I’m not even sure what the heck Parasite and Prankster were trying to do, but it didn’t truly matter did it? All that mattered was giving Lois and Clark that one true intimate moment they have been lacking for over a year. At first I thought Robinson was going to really kill it for me, but instead made this entire section worth every penny in the $4.99 price mark. I think if Lois and Clark ever leave each other, it will truly be the end of comics as we know it. Out of all the comic book couples, Lois and Clark are the icons; the only true lasting phenomenon that has rooted itself within the DC Universe that will never be pulled up. Robinson wrote the greatest reunion of these two that will never be mastered by any other writer. Not even the great Geoff Johns or Gail Simone could have done better.

Bernard Chang in addition made this section that much better. Chang has excelled so much within this last year, but this issue marks a gold medal achievement for him. His attention to detail and clean artistic approach cannot be described as anything but perfect.

With a few turns of the pages, we come to the second feature by Dan Jurgens entitled, “Geometry,” Purposefully written in the classic story telling style, Jurgens brings us a tale where Robin goes out on his own despite Batman’s (Bruce Wayne) orders to stay home. Grayson gets in trouble and it’s up to Superman to save the Boy Wonder. It’s a pleasantly funny story with very corny ending that gives me an idea of what it must have been like reading comics when my parents were kids. I was worried at first that Batman and Robin were taking over this part of the book, but luckily Jurgens made everything come together quite nicely. And the art really gave the story that much more of an edge.

The final section of this book gives the new Superman writer a chance to show us what’s in store for the Man of Steel. With his recent return, people are flowering Superman with praise and bombarding him with questions about what life was like away from Earth. Being as humble as he could, Superman still meets a hateful and unloving slap to the face by an innocent civilian who blames her husband’s death on Superman’s absence. While the crowd is bewildered and offended at this lady’s actions, Superman takes her words and actions to heart and begins walking away, dwelling on the whole situation.

Even though I find this transition into Superman #701 a little too “Forrest Gumpish,” the message behind this transition is very powerful. After all Superman has gone through this past year, the one thing that pulls at his heart strings the most is the fact that he was unable to save a man who died of a tumor. This woman who so suddenly confronted him made a foot print in his heart that may never disappear. I appreciated this approach by Mr. Straczynski even though it’s only going to lead to a long, drawn out “coming-of-age” walk across America, but I think I can bear through it. I can at least give it a chance right? Especially with Eddy Barrows helming the art!

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
In the same degree of Wonder Woman #700, Supes #700 brings an incredible amount of profound storylines to boost him into a new era of Superman stories. All we can do now is hope that Michael S. can do what James Robinson was unable to do.

Ratings
Writing: 9
Themes: 9
Art: 10
Overall: 9.33 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Superman Secret Origin #5 (of 6)

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Gary Frank

Cover by Gary Frank

Inked by Jon Sibal

Colored by Brad Anderson

Lettering by Steve Wands

Plot

The name “Superman” is becoming a household name but the citizens of Metropolis are still unsure of him.  It’s an issue of trust, and not everyone does…Can you guess what Lex Luthor thinks of him?  As Superman gains popularity, the multibillionaire scientist discovers a way to weaken the Man of Steel.  Now a plan is forming to not only destroy Superman, but to bring him down to the lowest depths.  With the help of General Sam Lane and Sergeant John Corbin, Luthor puts his plan into action, with some interesting side effects. 

My Thoughts

Where Blackest Night will go down in history as the greatest comic book miniseries of all time, Superman: Secret Origin will be known as the most intriguing and well written.  Issue #5 brings some new realizations on established characters while reinventing others without disappointment. 

Writing

I’m beginning to see the reasons why a retelling of Superman’s origin was requested.  As comics evolve and consistently derive new developments within the story, questions arise as to how well these new developments connect with character’s origins and beginnings.  General Sam Lane, while being apart of the Superman story for some time now, was never established as a Superman hater and anything foreign.  With the recent commotion going on with the World of New Krypton series, with General Lane at the heart of it all, something was needed to show that Sam Lane has been around this whole time and that he has always hated the Man of Steel.  The potential for future conflicts between these two individuals is endless now because of this initial meeting.  Could Sam Lane become one of Superman’s more ruthless enemies along side Luthor?

It’s interesting to think about for me.  Superman now has two arch enemies, both of whom are humans.  The parasite could kill Superman in a heart beat along with many other super villains that Superman fights monthly, but it’s the HUMAN characters that seem to cause the most trouble for the Man of Steel.  And with John Corbin now on the cusp of becoming the famous Metallo, Geoff Johns will soon show us that Superman now has a human trifecta of arch enemies.

Themes

We are being taken on a fantastic literary journey of rediscovering Superman’s roots with new and interesting twists, focused mainly around the connection between Lois and Clark.  Geoff John’s is not only establishing both of the characters individually, but the relationship between the two has already begun in a positive manner.  Instead of giving Lois the well known “holier than thou” attitude towards Clark, she has become more of a buddy, something that Lois Lane wasn’t known for in her early years of comic book folklore. 

While everyone else is so unsure of Superman, this issue hones in on the uncertainty Lois has for Clark Kent.  The moment the “bumbling” reporter subtly and effortlessly gives Mr. John Corbin the famous ‘strong handshake’ is when Ms. Lane really starts to wonder who this man in a blue suit is.  To quote Lois, “one minute Clark Kent is this guy stumbling through his day with a milk mustache, oversized glasses and a bad suit; And the next, he’s as confident and insightful as any man I’ve ever………met.”  And it’s in that audible pause (well it’s a written pause, but you get my meaning) where she’s unsure if there are any feelings she has for him or not.  Johns is portraying this as a Lois and Clark love story rather than a Lois and Superman love story.

Art

I can’t reiterate enough times as to how perfect Gary Frank is as THE Superman artist.  Alongside the obvious Christopher Reeve approach to Superman, Gary Frank takes so much from the Richard Donner films and sticks them into this comic book miniseries.  Everything about issue #5 gave me multiple moments of cinematic nostalgia as I was reminded so much of those campy, yet wonderful films.  

But even within this single image, the array of talent shown from Frank is incredibly vast.  The light coming from the fire, his cape wrinkled from the wind flowing behind him, the muscular definition, it's all there!  Gary Frank has really gone above and beyond with this series.

While all of that is a great aspect to these comics, this particular issue shows off Frank’s ability to entice and amaze with his artistic abilities.  One of my favorite action shots is of Superman as he lifts a chunk of building away from two innocent bystanders amongst the pyretic mass burning all around them.  While Aaron Lopresti and Ed Benes take the top spot with me as the best comic book artists in the business, Gary Frank continues to impress upon me how great he truly is.  His attention to detail can certainly not go unnoticed.  He has an uncanny ability to utilize light to his advantage in getting that emotional effect…

And giving the rooms in the Daily Planet office building that dirty, unkept, busy look about them…

Other Aspects

While this issue is fantastic and the most entertaining installment of this series, I can’t say the cover meets the standards set with what’s inside.  Sure it’s drawn well and Lex Luthor looks as creepy as he always has, but there’s a little bit of false advertising going on here.  Yes, John Corbin will become Metallo, with the emphasis in the word ‘WILL.’  In this issue, Corbin doesn’t even know what’s about to happen to him, but the cover suggests he has suited up and ready to battle the Man of Steel.  This isn’t a big deal by any means, but it does make me wonder what kind of planning is involved when it comes to designing a comic book cover in the DC world.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming May 26, 2010

The reimagining of Superman's early days concludes as he faces his toughest foe yet – his childhood friend Lex Luthor! The victor will be Metropolis's hero. If you think you know how this plays out, then you underestimate how much Luthor wants that title…

Comic Book Review: Superman Secret Origin #4 (of 6)

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Gary Frank

Plot

The world wants to know more about Superman, but all Lex Luthor wants is to portray the newcomer as Earth’s enemy.  As Superman fights his first real enemy, the Parasite, Luthor plans out his dastardly deed in setting up the Man of Steel.

My Thoughts

After finishing this 4^th installment of the revamped Superman origin story I asked myself, “what is the secret?”  It’s legitimate question to ask.  The clues aren’t necessarily coming through for me all that well.  Is this new origin story simply DC’s attempt to legitimize Superman’s first years and throw out the corniness that came from the films and Golden age comics?  We’ve received a lot of new twists on certain aspects of his life and a new look at how the Man of Steel views his life on Earth, but what is the secret?  Green Lantern’s Secret origin story at least followed a set of clues that kept us thinking logically about the events, but this series hasn’t given us (the readers) much to work with.

Currently, Johns is running with things we already know.  Johns established that Lois was a bitchy, head strong reporter who can’t stand the thought of Lex Luthor, yet relishes the chance of interviewing him.  We also have the confirmation that Lex Luthor did in fact hate Superman from the start (as if we didn’t know) and puts on a amazing act for the people of Metropolis, acting as its savior.  The Parasite, in addition is given no new realizations unfamiliar to us, was still accidentally exposed to chemicals which changed him to the purple, energy sucking vampire, still had an unrelenting crave for human energy, still wants Superman the most due to his stamina, and remains one of the dumbest villains in Superman’s repertoire.  The only twist that comes along in this issue is Luthor’s speech, claiming Superman to be an enemy of the people and possibly an invader from a different world…but we expected that right?

With all that said, the story in and of itself is well written.  The dialog between characters is strong a flows smoothly, contains very driven character, and gets at the heart of a single individual.  This week, Johns gave a shinning moment to our beloved pal, Jimmy Olsen.  The young photographer is still a dork, however Johns has given Olsen a more mature look, despite all of his freckles.  No more “golly gee” or “gee wilikers” for Jimmy, he’s more of a socially adapted person rather than socially awkward. 

Like I’ve said before, Gary Frank is THE Superman artist.  DC needs to hire Frank forever and keep the artistry that he is bringing to the pages of Superman.  Get rid of Bernard Chang and permanently put Gary Frank on board.  That was one of the creepiest renditions of the Parasite I have ever seen. Frank just keeps on bringing it home! 

Overall

This issue is fun to read, but doesn’t really push the story forward into anything new.  Knowing Johns however, it’s possible that this issue contains hidden importance that will be revealed once the final issue hits stores.  My fingers are crossed.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming March 31^st, 2010

Superman versus Metallo – for the first time! Witness the origin of one of Superman's most-feared foes, as an attack by Lex Luthor goes awry and gives birth to the evil of Metallo. Can an inexperienced Man of Steel handle a foe with a heart of Kryptonite? Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Perry White are close to revealing Luthor as the monster that he is – but are they willing to pay for that truth with their lives?