johnchrist

Writer: Joe Kelly

 Artist/Colorist: Chris Bachalo

            Hate me if you will, but not only was I a fan of the “Brand New Day” Spider-Man concept, I also did not hink “One More Day” was so bad it would split the internet apart. All that aside, I have been enjoying AMS (Amazing Spider-Man) since the restart for the most part. There have been a few glitches here and there, some storylines that felt awkward, coupled by art that just did not capture me. However, there have been some bright spots. The most notable being the “Sometimes it Snows in April” arc by Zeb Wells and Chris Bachalo. It’s been a few months since, and a truck load of issues, but Bachalo is back, and with him comes an old accomplice, Joe Kelly, from one of my all-time favorite series, “Steampunk.”

            This issue is, for lack of a better word, perfect. Not only does it start off with a fast paced, ludicrous, and quippy chase through Manhattan but it pulls on the reigns just when its time for some serious gangster/gangsta smackdown. If Kelly doesn’t know these characters through and through he can sure fake it well. This applies not only to the familiar cast but also to those who have just arrived. In the space of two panels Kelly introduces us to a Miss Norah Winters and with less exposition than Shakespeare used to announce Rosencratz and Gildenstern’s demise we are treated with everything necessary to understand, empathize, and enjoy this character.  Furthermore, he introduces us to a new gang and one of its erstwhile siblings in a sweet yet eventually bitter display of what family means in the ghetto.

            The art. Oh the art! Bachalo is nothing if not amazing, each and every character is breathed new life in ways I scarcely dared imagine. Spider-Man actually shows emotion, Peter Parker appears every bit the slacker, Aunt May is rendered like never before, and Norah Winters makes me want to change preferences from brunettes to blondes! The action  scenes are intense and the backgrounds are absolutely sublime. I have nothing constructively critical, hell I am in nothing but awe! Though I’d rather not gush, I am left with no choice otherwise.

            This tale is given my best rating yet, 5 classic Sierra Nevada’s! Not only does "Family Ties" deliver the same 300 unasked and unexpected calories of Chico, California's finest pale ale, but its bitter sweet flavor mirror’s this sumptuous beer in perfect harmony.
            Bartender, bring me another!

Writer: Kathryn Immonen

Pencils: David Lafuente

Color Artist: John Rauch

Cover Artist: Stuart Immonen

In preparation for hitting my LCS, Illusive Comics, I decided to make a quick perusal of the Newsarama boards in hopes of finding something new and exciting to read.  There were a few options, but what especially piqued my competitive spirit was this post by BlueSpider; “my girlfriend caught me reading this book over the weekend. I think the page i was on was the the fantasy sequence with the disco pony.  She was just rolling on the floor laughing at me and at how gay the comic was.”

Could my unabashed masculinity counteract my desire to purchase a comic about a hot redhead in the Yukon, or would I soon find myself drinking apple-tinis in a bar on Castro?  Well, let’s just say that after a quick peek at the first issue I dropped Youngblood from my pull list, added Hellcat, drove to the nearest bar, had five shots of jager, and started a fight with the ugliest patron I could find.  Manliness revived, I returned home to finish reading.

Being relatively new to this character the first and highest praise I have is the author’s ability to catch a newcomer’s interest immediately.  Our introduction to Patsy Walker is both amusing and informative.  You not only learn who she was and what she is, but also exactly how her mind operates.  With this basic formula intact the remaining story flows exceedingly well. So well, in fact, that on a lark I tossed this issue onto my “civilian” [non comic reader] housemate’s lap for a glance. 

Now my housemate, a bay area contractor whose knowledge of comics extends as far as Hollywood dared portray, completely enjoyed this story.  Not only did I find him scanning the inside and back covers for anything he may have missed but the coveted “Do you have the remaining issues?” was posited upon completion.  Ergo, on top of my standard bottle-cap numerals, this title achieves the first ever “Alpine Underground award for excellent Gateway Comic!”  
                                             
Be careful kids, this might just lead to harder, more illicit substances, like a big summer crossover event.

Transitioning to art I must make my first criticism, that being the inclusion of a ‘cover artist.”  Much like waking up after a long night out only to discover that the sultry brunette you remember going home with is not quite who actually arrived, so is buying a comic with one artist’s art on the cover only to discover a complete stranger spooning the interiors.  In this instance, however, that fine specimen of femininity has been replaced by two equally stunning beauties in the form of David Lafuente and John Rauch’s masterful use of pencils and colors. 

I cannot separate the pair in my commendation.  Lafuente’s pencils are refreshingly expressive and Rauch’s colors capture Patsy Walker’s world just as expertly as Immonen’s exposition.  There are two particular panels that I can’t help but smile recalling; the first being Patsy’s reaction as Iron Man drops the bomb, “You don’t get Florida. It’s Alaska.”  The second is the look on her face as she sniffs at the ‘juice’ provided her via moose antlered mug in a local Alaskan bar.  As a former ski bum, that scene especially made my day.

Hellcat is a perfect harmony of story, pencils, and color.  If not for the dreaded cover artist switch-aroo this issue would be given five bottle-caps (six being reserved for superb conclusions), but as is it retains four highly coveted caps.  In honor of In-Bev’s recent purchase of Anheuser Busch I’ve selected the beer which represents the most seamless introduction possible; Spaten.  Never before have I visited a country that embraced me as quickly and heartily as Germany has in the drunken whirlwind of Spaten’s tent at Munich’s Oktoberfest.  Its flavor and refreshingly easy drinkability makes this beer the perfect accessory to compliment a night of drunken dancing atop planked tables or a day spent reading Immonen’s Hellcat.

PROST!

            Wolverine #66, which kicks off the Old Man Logan arc, has been on my must read list since Mark Millar first announced it. There has been a plethora of hype on this book, everything from previews, to interviews, blogs, and message boards.  Some have compared it to Dark Knight Returns, while others touted Unforgiven.  I was concerned that this much press would be impossible to live up to.  The proof would be in the presentation, and let me say, it doesn’t disappoint.

            Starting with the cover; the art is genuinely well done, right away the reader expects to step into a whole new Wolverine adventure.  The perforated skull of Captain America on the back leaves us guessing; What does he have to do with this tale, and which Cap is it, Steve or Bucky?  My mind automatically guesses a twisted sort of The Man Who Would Be King quest; one man journeying with the decapitated head of a dead friend. Those points aside, there is one minor criticism I have of the cover; Why the ubiquitous, “All-Time Greatest Adventure,” statement?  Truthfully, my eyes have become so inured by these earth shattering phrases cast across so many mainstream comic covers that I didn’t even notice it until my third viewing.

            On interiors, Steve McNiven’s art remains consistent with the cover, a gritty and expressive style that I fully enjoy.  Sacramento has become a wasteland, the Hulk’s progeny are so inbred they belong in the stereotypical Appalachian village, everything about the setting breaths neglect, that is, besides the Spider-Mobile.  Yes, it’s back folks!  Millar hasn’t spared us one grizzly detail, the retired heroes of the future are so disillusioned they’ve fallen upon driving the Cheese-Mobile McSenior. All in all McNiven’s art was effective and strong and leaves me only one criticism to render.  On page 24, as Hawkeye requests Logan’s assistance, the middle panel on the left seems to have been a bit of trouble for McNiven, particularly in regards to Logan’s wife’s expression. The only remaining complaint I have is the map of the U.S.A.  My problem isn’t it’s inclusion, on the contrary I am all for it.  The design appears no better than the ten minute photoshopped map I sent to my credit department to show who handles which sales territory in northern California.  I mean, come on, couldn’t they have contacted one of those brilliant artists who design the elegant maps for fantasy novels complete with flowing calligraphy and picturesque icons?

            The writing proved extremely engaging and the plot leaves me begging for more.  We know from the brief daydream that the berserker still lurks behind Logan’s eyes, and we can tell that his hero’s ambition is far from dead, but there is something holding him back, and discovering what that is will be worth another $2.99. This isn’t an all inclusive tale you can read in twenty two pages and be done with, it is a gifted introduction that streamlines the world of tomorrow and gives us reason to follow a man’s quest across it.

            I give this five bottle caps out of six, and not just any bottle caps, these are Hoegaarden caps.  We all know that Hoegaarden, with it’s uplifting flavor, and sunny disposition is a far cry from the dregs of beers, Miller Lite.  These Hoegaarden’s are for you, Millar!