WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 MARVEL COMICS
With October right around the corner, Marvel has come up with some titles and one-shots to reintroduce us to their monster sub-universe. With a new version of the Crypt of Shadows title coming up, they tossed us a quick sneak peek with a new installment of the old Werewolf By Night title. And even with Elsa Bloodstone guest starring, this suffers from nostalgia. Back in the 1970’s, Marvel was THE PLACE to be for classic monster titles. With talent like Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan, Doug Moench, Mike Ploog, Roy Thomas, the list just goes on and on. But those stories and art were like lightning in a bottle and while numerous attempts have been made over the years, not one has succeeded. Now that being said, this isn’t all bad. Derek Landy’s story is entertaining and the presentation with some of the pages in black and white does add some real atmosphere. And while Fran Galan can really present us with some prime evil castle landscapes, our Werewolf is rather generic looking. But I guess my biggest complaint about the book is that our Werewolf can talk and think straight. While there are some minor moments of him being more animalistic, there is far too much witty banter and helpful camaraderie for a werewolf tale. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
ALLIGATOR LOKI #1 MARVEL COMICS
With his triumphant appearance in the Loki television series, it was only a matter of time that he’s be in his own comic. And why shouldn’t he, I mean if Thor can go through several issues as a frog, why can’t Loki be an alligator?! Alyssa Wong’s short tales illustrated by Bob Quinn’s cute interpretation of the horned reptile make for a wonderful all ages comic. Whether he’s enjoying a birthday party, or planning to steal the Infinity Gauntlet with regular Loki, or just biting Thor on the arm, he’s playful and loveable. I give it 8 out of 10 Grahams.
WORLD’S FINEST TEEN TITANS #3 DC COMICS
Having been on both sides of the panel table at conventions, I can officially say that Mark Waid has gotten the specifics and emotions of the Titanscon right on the money. Fun and enjoyable followed by moments of creepy and that trapped stifling sense as you feel like you might get mobbed. A new mystery featuring Bumblebee gets introduced and Batman is still being a Grade A jerk to Robin. And with Emanuela Lupacchino’s ability to feature the real-life heroes surrounded by cosplay versions of themselves, horribly over-priced well sculted statues of themselves, and weirdly shaped POP! Figures and Plushies and make it look real, is amazing. And in the end, we see why Robin is a necessary member of the Teen Titans. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
DANGER STREET BOOK 9 DC COMICS
Wow! Not since I sat down with a freshly purchased Howard the Duck #16 featuring Steve Gerber’s Zen and the Art of Comic Book Writing, have I had to absorb this much philosophical text in a comic. And I must admit Tom King did one hell of a job with it. An endless sword fight between Codename: Assassin and Manhunter using Metamorpho’s severed crystal arm and the Warlord’s classic blade on top a New York Skyscraper is genius. And the verbal give and take between these highly educated and dedicated fighters is mind blowing. This is not your average comic! I would recommend pouring a glass of good scotch, turning off everything in the room to prevent distraction and get ready to read this incredibly lengthy conversation a couple of times before you really start to think about what they are saying to each other. Mr. King, I salute you. I, for one, appreciate a story that challenges me on a literary level. 10 out of 10 Grahams.
