Wonder Woman, issues 1-3 (DC Comics, 2011)
Blood. Guts. Intrigue. Meticulous storytelling. Betrayal. Fights. And lots of hairpin plot twists. After three issues, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s new Wonder Woman is a rousing success on every level. Azzarello’s writing is sparse and understated, leaving plenty of open possibilities for the reader to ponder as the plot roars forward. Chiang’s art screams across the page, creating worlds of space and emotion with a few sharp lines. The color palate is warm and muted, browns and purples and yellows; exotic worlds of dusk and sunrise, faces lit by bonfires and torches. It’s lovely to look at, and the words stream by without a moment of intrusion. It’s a beautifully integrated comic, all the aspects fitting together to tell a tale that goes… Somewhere. Somewhere full of mystery and excitement.
Myriad artists and writers have put their stamp on the Amazon princess over the last four decades, some to great acclaim, but none ever seem to stick around long or make lasting contributions to the mythology. It’s too early to tell yet how this new series will fare, but it certainly seems to be on the right track: A strong story, striking art, and a freight train’s worth of momentum. I’ve picked up three consecutive issues of Wonder Woman for the first time ever, and my only frustration is that I have to wait a month for the next one.
Legion Of Monsters, issues 1-2 (Marvel Comics, 2011)
Monsters working undercover, united to keep the world safe from monsters. That’s the concept for this limited series, and it’s so ludicrous and dumb that it works. Creepy-crawly characters from the farthest reaches of the Marvel universe are pulled together: from Morbius The Living Vampire to The Living Mummy to Elsa Bloodstone, Monster Hunter. It’s a whirlwind of beasts and battles and motorcycles and double-crosses. The script by Dennis Hopeless is ebullient and quick-paced, placing the cast in ludicrous situations and letting mayhem ensue. And Juan Doe’s stylized art is a joy to behold, throwing ink across the pages with reckless abandon, creating a thrilling ruckus of lines and monsters and action. It’s pretty, it’s fun, plenty of things blow up; it’s everything one could want in a paranormal superhero comic.
The Shade, issues 1-3 (DC Comics, 2011)
Many years ago, in a time called the 90s, there was a comic from DC called Starman. It was an epic tale of superheroics, intrigue, self-discovery, and romance. It told the story of a man, a family, and an American city from frontier settlement to modern metropolis. It drew together forgotten elements from the long and sprawling history of DC’s continuity, and remade them in vital and compelling fashion. It was written by James Robinson, ran for seven years and 81 issues, and received great critical acclaim.
The Shade was one of the leads of that series: a hero, a villain, a catalyst for events and a master of circumstance. And now, two decades and a handful of DC’s universe-shattering events later, James Robinson has brought him back in a new self-titled series. And it’s fantastic. No prior knowledge is necessary to read and enjoy this book, all that’s needed is a love of adventure and a mind for well-woven stories. The title character is a mysterious and dapper gentleman who controls the forces of shadow and darkness; as the story begins, he thwarts an attempt on his life and must leave home in search of those who masterminded the would-be assassination. The narrative twists, turns, flashes back and forth in time, and despite the complexity, intrigues (rather than confuses) with each new revelation. The words flow freely, charming and beguiling. Artist Cully Hamner clearly delineates the emotion and activity, and provide plenty of negative space for the reader’s eyes to dance along. It’s action-packed, intelligent, and it’s literary without being self-important; a clever, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining read. And it looks lovely.
The third issue was released this week and the first two are still readily available, so there’s no excuse for missing out. Grab them, read them, wait eagerly for the next installment, and tell your friends to do the same.
The Shade and Wonder Woman are published monthly by DC Comics, Legion Of Monsters is a 4-issue limited series published monthly by Marvel Comics. They are all available through your local comic shop, or various online sources.