Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Slice of Heaven, Slice Into the Woods 10/28/2011

(Sung to the tune of OMD's "Secret")

I got a Secret Avengers, Aja's king
Martial arts sincerely is his thing
Loved The Sixth Gun I will never doubt
Them demon guns to stop freaking me out
There are books that you gotta read
I, Vampire is one that you need
It's not really all that hard Obie
Visit Donist World and you will see

Alright, thank you OMD for stopping by and you are more than welcome to perform "Messages" or "Electricity" or "Enola Gay"...okay, yeah, talk to y'all later.  You guys up for meeting at In-N-Out later?  We'll just take that as a date tbd.  Until that time it looks like it is just me and your pal Obie, my friends' Boston Terrier and my second reader after my mom.  Anyhow, I bought five books this week, but I'm only going to be talking about three of them as one underwhelmed and the other just was not my thang.  So have a look-see at this week's...


Friday Slice of Heaven




***Possible Spoilers Below***




The Sixth Gun #16
The Sixth Gun #16 - Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Brian Hurtt, published by Oni Press.  The Sixth Gun is usually the first comic that I read when I get home from the comic store.  It is one of the most consistent titles even when guest artists are brought in and remains one of my most anticipated titles month to month.  But, after this week of being less than enthused by my other books, I realized that this stellar comic is damn near impossible to follow, so I think I will be listening Vanessa Williams's advice and "save the best for last" going forward.
The story opens with Gregory VonAllen Montcrief talking to his young step-daughter, Becky Montcrief, in what appears to be a flashback.  While Becky plays in the yard, Gregory walks into the house and retrieves the Sixth Gun from under the bed and uses it to communicate with a very much adult Becky years in the future.  Meanwhile, Gord Cantrell sits on the porch of the abandoned plantation with his dead wife, Caroline, who had her heart cut out of her chest by General Hume many years ago.   In speaking with another ghost, that of the evil plantation owner, Braxton Bill Hood, Gord learns that there might be a way to bring his wife and children back to the land of the living.  The reason and method of Hood's demise becomes clear and Gord finds the books of the Six Guns, while present-day Becky realizes that the Sword of Abraham may not have her best interest at heart.
I loved this issue!  With little in the way of action, but the realization of an incredibly new cool power for the Sixth Gun, plus a deeper look into Gord Cantrell's past, this issue left me riveted and wanting more.  Sure I'm biting my nails to learn the fate of Drake Sinclair, but it's coming.  I'm more than happy with Bunn and Hurtt taking their time getting there so long as they keep giving me stories like this and they continue delving into their other fascinating characters.  I do hope to see the day when Becky finally takes charge and we learn more about her past and character, which I'm sure is not that far down the road.  I can't wait for issue seventeen.  VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


I, Vampire #2
I, Vampire #2 - Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov and illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino, published by DC Comics.  Last month, issue one told the story of Andrew and Mary's years together as vampires: their love, their beliefs and the beginning of the end of their relationship.  It also showed Mary's betrayal of Andrew and her goal to rule the world...all from Andrew's point of view.  The second installment tells much the same story, only this time from the perspective of Mary, Queen of Blood.
Mary Seward has been a vampire for many years, but she has held her desires at bay out of respect for the love of Andrew.  But no longer.  In an act of betrayal, Mary sets a trap for her beloved maker, namely an army of vampires, all wishing to see him dead.  As he fights the much lesser undead, Mary joins the fight in one last, vain attempt to win her love over to her side, but Andrew will not bend.  With her adversary occupied, Mary leaves the scene to begin her crusade to rule the world.
Damn.  Cool.  Comic.  Damn, cool comic.  I, Vampire is unlike any vampire book/show/comic I have seen and Fialkov has succeeded in taking a horrible, evil creature and making her plight understandable.  Although the majority of this issue is a huge fight scene, it at no time becomes boring or repetitive.  Each attack, punch, kick and transformation is important to the direction these two characters are destined to take.  Sorrentino's art brings such tension and grace to the book, where one moment Mary is a beautiful, almost whimsical-looking woman, to the next where she is a creature of terror, with elongated jaws and a torn mouth full of teeth ready to combat Andrew's flowing mist form. With introductions out of the way, I am anxious to see where Fialkov and Sorrentino take us with the tragic story of these vampire lovers turned enemies.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Secret Avengers #18
Secret Avengers #18 - Written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by David Aja, published by Marvel Comics.  True confession time...I have been on the verge of canceling this title for quite a few issues, but the introduction of John Aman and Shang-Chi occasionally to the team has kept my interest sparked and having Warren Ellis added to the equation doesn't hurt.  Now it looks like I have to get the next issue, despite my grumbling at the $3.99 price point.
Shang-Chi stands in a space station located in the "No-Zone," completely surrounded by members of the Shadow Council; they don't stand a chance.  The Council is mining "bad continuums" for transmatter, a substance that a mere two gallons worth could turn the earth into a sun, and these terrorist are willing to unleash it on the world.  All that stands in opposition to the Shadow Council is Steve Rogers, Sharon Carter (wearing a Satan Claw...badass) and the aforementioned Shang-Chi.  Again, the evil-doers don't stand a chance.
Ellis's story was fun and I especially liked the panels and development given to Shang-Chi, whether he was fighting, or expressing his disapproval at being used as a thug, this character shined.  The real draw for me--aside from one of my favorite martial artists--was the art of David Aja.  The Immortal Iron Fist by Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker and Aja is one of my all-time favorite Marvel books, not just because of the stellar story, but also because of the amazing art by David Aja.  Seeing Aja tackling Shang-Chi left me wanting more of his beautifully choreographed fight scenes and the dramatic pauses in action for a character's moment of self reflection.  ***Plea to Marvel: Give us loyal readers a Kung-Fu comic.  How about a title that is eleven pages of Iron Fist and eleven pages of Shang-Chi.  ALL PAGES drawn by Mr. Aja and each story written by a talented writer.  *cough* *cough* I'm available and I know some other new writer folks too*cough* *cough*.  RECOMMENDED!


Slice Into the Woods




Layoff At Marvel - Sigh...I hate to hear news like this, but I sincerely hope that all of the talented people who lost their jobs land on their feet and continue to work towards making great comics...just as they were doing previously at Marvel.  I am sorry for you all.
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