Man, another big week...but I guess I'm trying a few new series (6 number 1's plus a one-shot). Compared to the winter, though, when I was only getting 8 to 10 ish books, this is a shitload of books to buy!

Seriously, I know other people are saying it...let's give Mitch Breitweiser a chance on a REAL Captain America book...please? It was great for Theatre of War, Patriot, and the 615.1 issue, but a little more would be nice...seriously, he's made for this book, just check out this art!

I found out about this book while doing my weekly browse of the Image Comics website. The 5 page preview had me very interested...a big bruising super-hero type, Jay Leno and Dick Cheney, and a naked orgy - do you need anything else?

Story:

So the story here is pretty straightforward.Dick Cheney and Jay Leno approach Butcher Baker (he's the righteous maker) and offer him three women to have sex with if he’ll go and kill all of the supervillains that he put away because keeping them in prison is costing the taxpayers too much. And, cue craziness. Casey is definitely a man full of ideas, and although not all of them catch on with the comic book community, he really seems as though he's created a winner here. 


7.5/10





Art:

It's always refreshing to come across a great artist you've never seen before. Providing the line and color art for this issue is Mike Huddleston, who manages to make Casey’s crazy story his own. He does this through the use of numerous artistic styles which give each pages and sequence its own feeling and look. He seems to be able to easily shift from a cartoony comedy style (the car chase scene) to more traditional style (the ending) with relative ease. Additionally, the constantly shifting styles works with Casey’s crazy script for this book, adding a kinetic and energetic feeling to every page.


8.5/10





Overall:

This was a superhero comic unlike just about every other superhero comic ever. It was not afraid to be both ‘mature’ and juvenile, basking in the sheer excessiveness of the genre, and applying that excess to areas that Marvel and DC dare not tread. The closest I've seen to this is some of Mark Millar's more outrageous work. This alone would keep it on my pull list, but the fact that it is really good makes it a definite purchase for a least a few more issues.

8/10

As I mentioned previously, one of the first comics I read, and still one of my favorites, was Tintin in Tibet. Recently I just finished reading the first Blacksad book and loved every page of it (review to come when I learn to live without sleep...come on Evolution). I knew there was an entire world of comics across the Atlantic just waiting to be discovered but I had a hard time getting a hold of them locally. I decided to take a chance and order The first book of The Scorpion series by Desberg and Marini on the recommendation of a number of websites and podcasts. I am very glad I did.

Story:

Desberg weaves a classic action-adventure tale filled with swashbuckling and conspiracies. The story takes place in 18th century Rome, where members of a secret cabal of ruling families that dates back to the Roman Empire decide that it’s time to take the church back. His characterization of "The Scorpion", otherwise known as Armando Catalano, is fantastic. He is a womanizing, sword-fighting, acrobatic relic-hunter with a troubled past. And pinning him against a worthy opponent in Cardinal Trebaldi and his army of warrior-monks, poison wielding hotties, and sword-swinging expendables makes it all the more interesting.

8.5/10 





Art:


I knew the Marini was a big deal in the European comics scene and now I see why. His art here is really good. I mean really good. The ancient city of Rome comes alive as a result of his gorgeous painted panels. The action is kinetic and vibrant, the people all have their own sense of individuality and are easy to tell apart, and the various objects that make the city what it is (the horses, art, carts, etc.) are detailed and really add to the pages.

8.5/10 




Overall:

The mix of political and personal makes for a great adventure story. There’s plenty of action in the foreground from this womanising grave-robber, but the machinations of the church in the background, alongside the calculated peeling back of the Scorpion’s own history, makes for an intense and deeply satisfying historical romp. Highly recommended and money well spent!

8.5/10

DC has posted some concept art done by Andy Kubert. Arthur Curry now has a crewcut...and looks like he means business. Here's what Kubert had to say about his character design:

“What you’re looking at is probably my very first drawing of Aquaman. For Flashpoint, he’s military, tough and rugged with a scar on his face. You can see a lot of Sgt. Rock in his look…but that’s probably in my genes! I gave him the buzzcut to help with his background and decided to keep the trident like the original one…why mess with a good thing? The fins on his boots in this sketch didn’t make the final cut for the series. I like the take no prisoner attitude that he portrays since that’s his character. Someday, I’d love to take a crack at a hard-hitting mini-series with him. There’s so much visual that can be done with underwater techniques.”

Yildiray Cinar is a very good up-and-coming artist...and one whom I would like to see on a few more books...here is a great wolverine sketch he posted on his website. Enjoy!