Scarlet #1.

It is rare to find a book of this caliber and I think it only fair to warn you, it’s right at the top of my “Best of…” list for 2010.  It’s appropriate that this book be under the Icon banner, Marvel’s creator owned franchise, as this book feels firmly within the stable of Bendis, long may he reign.

The premise for the book is an unusual one: you are a participant in the dialogue with the only other person given any voice, the girl on the cover.  You follow this individual around and for the first few pages you witness murder and mayhem, but with this soothing, sometimes dulcetly toned individual explaining to you why that police officer had to die.  A retrospective ensues detailing why a person’s life has come to this dramatic level.

The storytelling, delivered through flashback, single title montage pages or direct interaction (dialogue isn’t a fitting word) is simply stunning.  This book breaks new ground in the delivery of a story which is simultaneously depressing and daunting.  You may end this book feeling hopeless or without answers.  In fact if you don’t finish reading with those emotions, I want you to tell me how you achieved that.  This is not a book about happy endings.

Granted the depressing backdrop, the artwork sings loudly.  Muted colours only interrupted by the scarlet hair of our protagonist, in fact this hair is often used as a punctuation mark within a crammed and scrambled scene; where’s our girl, oh there she is, much like the little girl character in Schindler’s List.  At times the work almost appears photo perfect and this can be distracting, but only momentarily.

As an exercise in storytelling this book is of high value.  As a story in and of itself, it’s powerful but depressing.  It’s a winner for me. -Bretzke.

New Avengers #1

There are two stories going on here.  One is the happy, sappy and overly cutesy way that Luke Cage comes to be in charge of the New Avengers, how he procures a magnificent mansion through the benefaction of one Tony Stark and how he goes about sniping different members of other teams, to make his own.  Including Wolverine, Thing and a few notable others.  It’s as though Luke was given free reign in the Avengers warehouse and walked out with a truckload.

The second story is the one you actually want to read.  In case you didn’t pick up the subtle subtext above, the first story is a bit crappy.  The second story is about an evil from beyond who appears to be taking out mystical users, initially making contact through Stephen Strange (Always good to see him) and works his way up to Brother Voodoo.  Of course these two stories are eventually going to coincide and this only bodes well for the first story, but is a stain on the second one.

Luke Cage doing mysticism is like a bull doing sudoku; inelegant and fairly smelly.

Granted the first story, that of origins should be pretty done by now, let us hope that the second story is the one that continues.  If this book continues playing happy families I will drop it faster than a rancid ham.

That’s fast. -Bretzke

This is a sleeper in the comicbook world and I for the life of me cannot figure out why.  The storytelling is stellar with some of the best rendered dialogue scenes I have encountered, heartfelt emotion and honest drama.  This doesn’t feel contrived or forced in anyway; perhaps this is how comics could be?

The issue revolves around what brought about the demise of ‘Z’, a Power from a previous era.  As with all tales of supremacy, corruption is not far from the mix.  Redemption is sought by some, to forget is the goal of others.  To my mind this is a closer account of what could occur, were powers real.

Watchmen, without the glossy finish. -Bretzke

Powers #4

This is how a chase sequence should be written and directed.  Excellent tension, coupled with action from car crushing through to the minutia of a silent cat and mouse game.  The reveal at the end is satisfying, you’ll read this one in almost one breath, but it’s worth it. -Bretzke

Powers #3

The investigation continues into the death of ‘Z’, leading down some unexpected paths and what seems to be an easy solution just creates more problems for the team.  Excellent story here, but the art is starting to wear thing.  It varies from spacious and precise (Scene ascending stairs to house at end) to spare and simplistic (Nazi Robot).  Either style would be adequate, but not both in the same book.  Cake, or eat it, C’mon! -Bretzke

Powers #2

Superheroes need policing too, and these are the guys to do it.  Imagine “The Watchmen” but without holding back on the gore and viscera.  Yes, I know what I wrote.  This is a rebranding of a previous series and it appears to have come off well.  However some of the art is not executed as well as is suitable for this kind of detective book – too cartoony at times.  As an introductory piece the standard fare is covered; flashbacks, origins and the start of a grisly murder.  I’m on board, care to ride? -Bretzke

Powers #1

Compelling story, captivating artwork, and stunning color. If you haven’t read the “Marvel History” before (which I haven’t) then I highly recommend this series (based on this issue, at least). And I dare you to show me a color artist who’s better than Dave Stewart. Seriously.

The Marvels Project #1

Simon Trask. Fearless leader. Protector of children. Taker of the moral high ground. Pederast? Probably. This book is sweet. Makes me almost forget how pissed I am that Fraction can’t work exclusively on Casanova. Now if I could just find/buy a damn copy of Uncanny #513, I’d be caught up.

Utopia - Chapter One

I would not want the job of showing how New Yorkers dealt with a freakin’ alien invasion…at least not without lots of cusswords, guns and the like. This book has its moments. Definitely felt myself drawn in, if only to be disappointed by the all-ages approach. (She NEEDED to go out that window, man!)

Secret Invasion - Front Line TPB

I absolutely love those moments when Hank shows us all what a deadly character he can be when pushed. A thrilling conclusion to an arc that had me scratching my head and rolling my eyes from time to time. Glad I stuck with it!

Astonishing X-Men #30