In a remote book store, your anticipation grows
Tons of new comics, what to buy? Ol’ Donist knows
The Wake’s a must read surely, Satellite Sam adult time fun
And Sandman Overture’s beauty shines next to none
In your eager hands a book to make your heart swoon
Deadly Class is sure a gas, in heaven's grasp you now loom
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| 1st Monthly & Mandatory Donist World Corporate Sleepover |
Friday Slice of Heaven
***Possible Spoilers Below***
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| The Wake #7 |
Leeward’s use of the ear (communications device) actually delivered a message she wanted to hear...something about defeating the mers once and for all. Too bad the Arm—what passes for law enforcement—found out about what she was up to and threw both her and the man who sold her the ear, Pub, into the bowels of a repurposed cruise ship where they will spend the next six months rowing the vessel across the seas; that is if they don’t die first. Not one for being told what to do, Leeward plans (poorly) to escape but all plans are interrupted by a mer attack. All seems lost until an odd turn of events occurs.
<Arggh> I so want to spoil the ending of this issue, as I see two possibilities for what actually happened and I’m not totally certain as to which it is. I could also be totally wrong. Just know that I was not expecting this shocker of a cliffhanger in any way, and however the creators explain this...<ack>...situation...it’ll be fine with me. As truly bonkers as this ending is, I am biting my nails to see what happens next; it's gonna be a painful wait for issue 8. (Okay, deep breath, Donist. Chill out and get on with it.)
Despite the final two pages that left me calling for more more more, Snyder and Murphy’s submerged apocalyptic future is completely fascinating, and therein lies my problem with The Wake. The first half of this maxi-mini-series of what is to be a 10-issue comic progressed just fine. At issue four, I could envision how the comic would round out the next six issues, but then issue five slammed the door shut on that chapter, and issue six introduced a whole new world of wonders. We have three issues left in the series, and that is not going to be enough. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that the creators will wrap up the story in a satisfying manner, but I am going to want more...I know this. Issue six and seven have opened up so many potential areas in this world beyond Leeward's current plight that I want to travel to every corner of this fascinating world. Yes, I’m dying to see how Leeward handles what just happened, but I want to see her go from the West Coast to the East Coast as well as inland. I want to see her first meeting with Dash. I want to experience the training programs with the whales, and the capture of the first “king” mer. A common problem I see in many stories is a meandering when things just need to progress, but that is not the case here. I want to meander and take up residency in this story, and I mean that as the highest of compliments.
I don’t need to go into detail about how much I love the dialogue, or character development, or how striking Murphy’s art is—I will say the splash of the giant mer attacking the cruise ship is worth the price of admission—or for Hollingsworth’s beautiful world building through color. I’ve discussed all that before. The only other thing you need to know about The Wake is that it is a book you need to be buying. I do see a hardcover solicited at Amazon.com with a November release date, but that is a long ways away. With any luck we will see this title extended to 20 issues, or a new mini will be announced, or screw that noise...I'll gladly stick around for an on-going. It's safe to say I like this comic book. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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| Deadly Class #3 |
Some homework assignments are murder. Unfortunately for Marcus and his classmate and potential new friend, Willie, their homework assignment is exactly that...murder. The two are assigned to kill a vagrant and document the experience as well as the removal of the corpse; such are the disciplines taught at Kings Dominion, a school for assassins. Thankfully, Marcus's old acquaintance might have a lead on a bad man, but will either boy have the killer instinct to solidify a passing grade? What happens will shock you. Also, little do they know they are being watched by an outside party.
By the half way point of this issue, I was enjoying what I was reading and I liked the budding friendship between Marcus and Willie, which alone kept me interested in this title, but it’s what goes down later in the issue that has my grimmer side anxious to see more. Again, I’m not going to spoil what happens, just know I was not expecting the event in the slightest and that I was stunned afterwards. Dang, everything changes, but thankfully the creators at least give you insight into why things play out the way they do.
The characterization and dialogue are fantastic—no surprise there—and Loughridge’s coloring, although not realistic by design, packs a punch that drives the emotional beats of the story. Craig’s art continues to showcase storytelling grace as he glides your eyes from panel to panel. He even throws in a cool comic within a comic moment when detailing Willie’s past. The panel counts are again high, but they hammer home the intense moments, while easing you through the calmer ones; each page is worth taking time to appreciate.
Three issues in and I am still loving this series, as each provides a new level of excitement and opens the door just a sliver wider as we look in on these characters’ past lives. I can’t wait to see what happens next. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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| Satellite Sam #7 |
Libby Meyers, the assistant director for the hit children’s show Satellite Sam, has been keeping a secret for quite a while. Unknown to Michael at the time, Libby used to run a weekly errand for his father, where she would make deposits to a peculiar storage facility. Now, if he can get his head together and stop letting his daddy issues dictate his life and dalliances, he might be able to appreciate the enormity of what it is Libby has to show him. Of course, he should probably try not to implode his career by giving poorly-thought-out and inappropriate gifts to the Satellite Sam crew. Change is a coming.
I love this book. Not just because of the aforementioned Chaykin-lady steaminess, but because of his command of body language, facial expressions and the storytelling of his sequentials that keep you gliding through the story while also stopping to linger, to appreciate. Fraction’s dialogue is distinct to each character and the situations that arise, whether part of the overall mystery or not, each word is simply engrossing. If you are a fan of the television show Mad Men, or of either creators’ non-superhero work, then this is the book for you. The good news is that if you have not yet picked up this series, then you can get the trade (issues 1-5) for under $8 at MyComicShop.com (and support me in the process!) and then easily grab these two issues for this unique and authentic look at television showbiz in the ’50s. Satellite Sam is not for the kiddies, but if you are looking for a break from super heroes and villains punching each other in the face, then you know what you need to do. Satellite Sam is an amazing work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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| Sandman Overture #2 |
We begin the tale with the current manifestation of Dream, he who was once known as Daniel, as he prepares to go for a walk where he encounters Mad Hettie and discusses the intricacies of time. Meanwhile, in 1915, the previous incarnation of Dream, Morpheus the Shaper, meets a host of different versions of himself, some more alien than others. Each aspect of Dream sees themself as the only aspect that exists as others fade and appear and...wait, where was I? Anyhow, the Dreams have gathered because one of their own has died and they want to know who is responsible, so they consult the first Dream, a creature reminiscent of the “Old Gods.” Dream then goes into his ruby gem to consult with “The First Circle”…something something somebody named Glory. Uh…something something a mad star…blue lady made out of stars…Morpheus and an aspect of himself venture forth to meet with someone unexpected.
I understood roughly 65–70% of what went down in this issue, but that's okay. The Sandman Overture is lyrical in its lovely dialogue and captions. Gaiman’s words are mesmerizing and just as magical as the tale being told. Couple the exemplary writing with Williams III’s stunning imagery, and there is absolutely no excuse for skipping this issue. Ignore the lengthy delay, you will forget all about it the very moment you see the ghostly Daniel, with his complete lack of a hard black line, or when you see the many aspects of Dream, or when you wander through the crimson landscape of the mystical ruby. You will want to stay on each panel of each page as Stewart’s coloring style shifts along with the change of each location; every page is worthy of mounting in your home for all to adore. Even the lettering is something to appreciate in this issue as Klein gets the workout of his life with each Dream aspect—and trust me, denizens, there are many—receive their own distinct word balloon, and most of the aspects speak; lettering is something that is usually designed to be invisible, yet Klein's work here is a triumph of the lettering art form.
Neither the wait between issues, nor my inadequate Donist mind should discourage you from checking out this gorgeous comic book—mom always claimed you were the smarter ones anyways, denizens. You need to see this. You need to read this. Come to think of it…rereading issue one and two back-to-back might not be such a bad idea for this comic book from another plane of existence. I won't even guess as to what might come in issue three, as Dream(s) journeys to meet he-who-I-won't-name, but I can tell you I am excited to see what happens. Hopefully the wait won't be too long. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Slice Into the Woods
Still Missing Some Books - Gosh darn it. Dag nabbit. Geez Louise. Where’s my The Sixth Gun? Where's my Undertow? Awwww Sugar! Hopefully these missing comics show up next week. Cripes, I hate waitin’ when I shouldn’t have to wait…that goes doubly so when we are talking comics.
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