Bretzke said it best when he said that Daytripper “belongs to the generations.” This is talent. This is pain. This is dreams. This is death. -Scott

Daytripper #9

X-Women (One Shot).

Two words: Fan Service.

You would struggle to find that many scantily clad female figures in a Victoria’s Secret catalogue.  In fact I would argue that said catalogue would feature more clothing and far less up-skirting.

Rogue, Shadowcat, Storm and Psylocke attempt to have a holiday, but it is derailed by Chris Claremont, who sends them on an East Asian adventure which results in most of their clothing going missing, only to be replaced by various swimsuits and torn denim shorts.  I only wish this were an exaggeration.

I’m told there’s a story in this issue somewhere, but I struggled to find it.  Something about kidnapping and plane worshipers.

If these buxom babes have ever occupied your naughty thoughts then perhaps this is something that’ll fit nicely under the mattress, otherwise re-chart a course and avoid this isle of depravity. -Bretzke.

Joe the Barbarian #6

Five issues of quality delivered with stunning visuals and a story that may have made certain stone faced reviewers shed a tear. Yes it was me.

Then… Well issue 6 isn’t what we’ve been lead to expect.  I know, right?  The consistent art is there, the story, for what it is, is well told.  And perhaps that’s where the problem lies.  This 6th chapter of Joe’s adventure in the the fractured recesses of his mind (or are they…) revolves around his arrival at a city of apathy towards the war.  We know it to be the hearth in his lounge room but his vision portrays it somewhat like a sleeping nation, aware of war on all sides but seeing itself as strong enough to lack participation.

In truth it’s unfair to call this issue a stumble.  It was inevitable that this content would have to be covered, not every issue can be about dodging sword bearing shadows and tumbling along in make-shift submarines.  At some point adversity had to be encountered of a bureaucratic  kind.  Joe struggles against this pervasive force vainly until he simply runs out of puff.  It’s at this point that the story feels to be at it’s lowest.  An argument could be made either way as to whether this is deliberate or just a piece of good sport on the part of Morrison.  Regardless, unlikely friends (unlikely to have survived) make it to the citadel and rouse Joe with words of whimsy.

You should certainly read this like one should always read Dickens: It’s not always enjoyable, but you’ll feel better for the experience. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #5

Spoiler alert!

Damn you Grant Morrison!  I haven’t cried because of a comic in forever.  A curse upon your soul.  Now that’s out of the way…

Vertigo continues to present the bleeding edge in what comics should be with this update of Joe.  As we read on the story was almost becoming formulaic in installments 1 through to 4, the book breaking into a cycle of recount, explore, new device, cliffhanger.  This issue breaks the mold however.

What was new from last issue is quickly dumped, Jack and Joe are on their own and there is a deep, dark evil on their tails (well, tail, the rat you know).  While the story deviates away to the fate of the other compatriots, your mind never wands far from the fate of Joe and Jack.  I almost feel stupid for not realizing this was coming months ago.  The amount of empathy that we are lead to feel for Jack, his torment at not being the warrior of his brothers.  It was never really a question of if he would stand up, but when.

In a sequence reminiscent of a certain Bridge born battle with a Balrog (Alliteration!), Jack becomes all he can be.  Morrison brings his writing muscle to the fore and what could have been trite or static is a dynamic and heart wrenching sequence.  If you don’t mist up during this, you don’t have a heart.  Or at least you never had a pet rat.  I did, and I did.

Joe had always been a safe title for me, always enjoyable and a romp through an imaginary(?) world with a furry best friend.  Now it’s a dark and troubled title I shall have hesitation to pick up straight away.  That isn’t a bad thing, its the consequence of excellent storytelling. -Bretzke.

Joe and Jack need to get up and out from down and below.  How do you do that?  Go to an odd little guild of coward inventors of course!  Cue entry of cute female side-kick.

Consistent quality.  But hey, this is Vertigo.  Did you honestly expect anything less? -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #4

How neglectful of me to leave this review so late, but in honesty, what do you expect this to say?  It’s amazing!  The art is perfect, the story is insightful and the delivery cannot be corrected.  If only more titles existed like this. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #2

Beyond compare this is simply stellar.  The developments continue as Joe sinks further and further, but into what, we don’t quite know. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #3

It would be a mistake to treat this like a regular comic.  Nothing contained within is fluff, everything is placed exactly where it is for a reason.  Don’t just idly skip through the pages reading, look at the panels, devour them.  This is a series that should will stick with you.  Joe is a young man attending a school he hates, holding bitter feelings for the things done to him.  Its only natural he should want to escape.  Pitty for him, he does… -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #1

Own this book.  Take your time and read it, sumptuously devour its pages as though they will be the last thing you see. This is not your father’s comic book.  I don’t even think this is our comic book.  This belongs to the generations. -Bretzke

daytripper #1

When people go over the top, they get what is deserved.  This happens twice in here, the first is obvious but the second less so.  There is much to be learned here and some lasting (read permanent) consequences.  Standard spidey fare with snappy retorts and beatdowns.  The end is somewhat baffling but its hopefully leading.. somewhere. -Bretzke

The Amazing Spider-Man #614