Oresama Teacher: Kimodameshi

I read Oresama Teacher , Vol. 18

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

I Reads You Review: Marvel Super Heroes: SECRET WARS #1

MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jim Shooter
PENCILS: Michael Zeck
INKS: John Beatty
COLORS: Christie Scheele
LETTERS: Joe Rosen
EDITOR: Tom DeFalco
32pp, Color, $.75¢ U.S. (May 1984)

Everything old is new again and again and again...  Marvel Comics launched its latest everything-is-changing event comic book miniseries, Secret Wars, this week.  However, neither the event nor the  title is new.

A little over 31 years ago, 1984 was the year Marvel Comics released Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (Secret Wars, for short).  Not everything about that Secret Wars was new.  For instance, Marvel had apparently contemplated and attempted this type of comic book event – a large number of super-heroes taking on a large number of super-villains – in the comic book, Contest of Champions (1982).  For all intents and purposes, however, Secret Wars was the first its kind, a successful gathering of a comic book publisher's most recognizable heroes and villains in a special comic book series.

So this is how the story goes.  Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 (“The War Begins”) opens as a large group of Marvel Comics' biggest superheroes arrive in an unknown and distant part of the universe.  Members of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and also Spider-Man find themselves aboard a large and mysterious space ship of some kind.  Meanwhile, some of Marvel Comics' biggest super-villains find themselves transported aboard a similar ship.

Both groups watch an entire galaxy being destroyed and, almost immediately afterward, watch a planet being built.  The one who brought the heroes and villains to the far depths of space and who is also the builder of this new world finally speaks.  The voice says that he is “from beyond.”  He promises both heroes and villains that if they slay their enemies, “all you desire shall be yours.”

That is an easy proposition for this “Beyonder” (as Galactus calls him) to make, as he knows that many of his listeners are spoiling for a fight.  Heroes and villains know that their most hated adversaries are members of the group on the other side, and that even within their own ranks are people whom they dislike... maybe even enough to kill.  Let the battle royale begin!

I had not read Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 in ages, but when I read that Marvel Comics' big 2015 event would be entitled “Secret Wars,” I found a copy of the original on eBay at a decent price.  I don't remember what I thought of Secret Wars #1 after reading it for the first time all the years ago.  I do remember that by the time I got to the halfway point, I was disappointed in entire series.

Marvel hyped Secret Wars as the event that would change everything.  I think either TIME or Newsweek magazine covered the series in short article.  Other than a new costume for Spider-Man and some fights, nothing changed, however.  In fact, Spider-Man's new costume, the original version of the black costume that was actually an alien symbiote, appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (cover dated: May 1984) comic book before it “first appeared” in Secret Wars #8.

Reading Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 now, I find myself ambivalent.  I am curious to read the rest of the series, but this first issue is neither especially bad or particularly good.  Mike Zeck was not the right artist to draw the large number of characters and big action scenes required for Secret Wars, although he proved to be quite good at drawing solo Spider-Man comics and The Punisher.  In fact, I still think of Zeck, an especially talent artist, as the definitive Punisher artist.

As for the story and script by Jim Shooter, it is more inconsistent than imaginative.  In a few spots, the character drama is good.  In some places, Shooter presages the kind of superhero revolution that was about to explode via Alan Moore (Watchmen) and Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns).

Ultimately, Shooter and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars did introduce something to American superhero comic books that remains to this day – the big event as a big, money-grabbing lie.  For the most part, big event miniseries change little.  When one does bring change to our favorite superhero universes, that change usually lasts until the next big event.  There are exceptions, such as DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), which is why it is fondly remembered by those who read it.

The truth is that Secret Wars showed American comic book publishers that they could create an atmosphere via a publishing event in which fans and readers, i.e. their customers, feel the need to buy (literally) into an event.  That includes purchasing the main event series and many, if not all, of the related or tie-in publications.  The sequel to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, Secret Wars II (1985), had tie-in issues (as did DC's Crisis), some of which only had a tenuous connection to the main series.

I bought into events for a few years, but lost interest in world-changing comic book events a long time ago.  When I returned to reading superhero comic books some years ago, I found myself still disinterested in comic book publishing events.  A few times, a friend or store owner passed a freebie that was part of an event, and I read them.  Thirty years after Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, the writing in comic books is supposed to be so much better than it was in the past.  Still, even when a golden boy writes a crossover, line-wide, event, it tends to amount to sound and fury signifying...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (support on Patreon)


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past"

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST
VIZ MEDIA/Perfect Square – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Shotaro Ishinomori
TRANSLATION: Dan Owsen
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7541-4; paperback (May 2015)
192pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £13.99 U.K.

The manga-ka (artist-creator), the late Shotaro Ishinomori (1938-1998), was an influential figure in manga and anime and in the live-action film and television genre known as “tokusatsu.”  Ishinomori is the creator of such series as Cyborg 009 (1964) and Kamen Rider (a manga and tokusatsu).  VIZ Media recently brought a “lost” work of Ishinomori back into print.

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy themed action-adventure video game series published by Nintendo.  Since 1986, Nintendo has published over 20 Zelda games and spin-offs.  For two decades, Nintendo has also officially endorsed and commissioned manga adaptations of The Legend of Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, loosely based on a 1991 game of the same title, was published in 1992.  Written and drawn by Shotaro Ishinomori, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was a twelve-part series originally published in the magazine, Nintendo Power, from Volume 32 (January 1992) to Volume 43 (December 1992).

VIZ Media brought the long out-of-print The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past back to readers through its “Perfect Square” imprint.  VIZ published the new The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past as an 8” x 11.75” full-color, paperback, graphic novel.  This special, single-volume, print edition, which is exclusive to VIZ Media, carries an SRP of $19.99 U.S. and $22.99 CAN.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is set in the kingdom of Hyrule and focuses on a young man named Link.  One night, he receives a telepathic summons from Princess Zelda, who is being held prisoner by Agahnim, an evil wizard.  Agahnim wants to use the life force of seven maidens to open the Golden Seal to the Dark World, which would allow a great evil to come into the world of light, of which Hyrule is a part.

Rescuing Zelda and keeping her safe turns out to be quite a task.  Link goes on a quest to retrieve the “Three Symbols of Virtue,” a trio of pendants that will make it easier for Link to find and to wield the “Master Sword.”  Is Link really the legendary hero who appears once every hundred years to use the Master Sword in order to save Hyrule?  A difficult journey and quest will answer that question.

I am not sure if I ever realized that there were comics and manga based on The Legend of Zelda, although I was aware of the 1989 American animated television miniseries.  VIZ Media sent me copy-for-review of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and as soon as I flipped through it, I was impressed with this graphic novel.  The colors are dazzling and really show well on the high-quality coated paper stock upon which this book is printed.

As for the story, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is an especially fun read.  What “little kid” is left in me loved it.  In fact, I think that this is a perfect graphic novel for elementary school age readers.  It is a simple quest story that jumps around a lot – sometimes in a manner that makes for awkward transitions within an scene and from one scene to the next.  However, the inventive supporting characters and imaginative locales, as depicted by Shotaro Ishinomori, are captivating.

I am surprised that I find myself thinking that VIZ Media's publication of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is a good comics reclamation project.  I think some American manga fans will also be glad for the return of this lost comics video game adaptation.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter Two - Page 3

Grumble Chapter Two, Page 3 is here:  http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletwopage003.html

NOTE:  Last year, I printed some promotional copies of Grumble: Chapter One through a POD printer.  I will sign and number a copy of this "rare" comic book for $5 post paid, which you can purchase here or http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/i-reads-shopping.html

07-Ghost: The Emperor and My Mom

I read 07-GHOST, Vol. 15

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Review: "Batman Eternal #52" Offers a Great End to a Great Series

BATMAN ETERNAL #52

STORY: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV (with Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, Tim Seeley)
SCRIPT: James Tynion IV
ART: Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira; Robson Rocha and Guillermo Ortego; David Lafuente; Tim Seeley; Ray Fawkes
COLORS: Allen Passalaqua; Gabe Eltaeb; John Kalisz; John Rauch
LETTERS: Steve Wands
COVER: Jae Lee with June Chung
VARIANT COVER: Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

SPOILER ALERT

The conclusion of the weekly Batman epic, Batman Eternal, is here.  First, shout out to all the creative people who played a part in bringing us this year-long adventure.  Batman Eternal #52 is one of those inspiring stories that makes you remember why you're a Batman fan.

This is a story about heroes, both super and everyday.  Batman is brought to the lowest point that we have seen him.  He is tortured and beat-down to within an inch of his life.  He is a beaten man, deprived of all his technology.  What saves him is the inspiration of others.

In a wonderful piece of writing, the writers have Jim Gordon make an impassioned speech to the people of Gotham to come to Batman's rescue.  Then, we truly see that Batman is eternal.  Even if he would have died at the moment, his legacy would have lived on.  It never comes to this because all the people who Batman has inspired come to his rescue.

This is the aspect of Batman that sets him apart from other superheroes.  Batman is an inspiration to others to find the strength to fight against unimaginable odds for the greater good.  The admirable thing about the story is it concluded with action and put the happy ending stuff all in one issue.  I hate to waste my money on an issues that are all happy endings.

Overall, this is a good ending to 52 weeks of DC's greatest character, giving us mystery, intrigue, and action in epic proportions.  This team of writers needs to take that deep breath and do whatever they do to reward themselves when they accomplish the monumental task.

There are so many artists on the Batman Eternal creative team; some deserve praise; some don't.  I'll leave it to the beholder to decide for themselves.

I rate Batman Eternal #52 Buy Your Own Copy (#2 on the Al-o-Meter)

The text is copyright © 2015 Albert Avilla. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 6, 2015

DC COMICS
JAN150309     BATMAN #40 COMBO PACK (ENDGAME) (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
JAN150232     BATMAN EARTH ONE HC VOL 02     $24.99
JAN150365     BATMAN SUPERMAN HC VOL 03 SECOND CHANCE (N52)     $22.99
FEB150252     BATMAN SUPERMAN TP VOL 02 GAME OVER (N52)     $16.99
MAR150155     CONVERGENCE #5     $3.99
MAR150171     CONVERGENCE ATOM #2     $3.99
MAR150173     CONVERGENCE BATGIRL #2     $3.99
MAR150175     CONVERGENCE BATMAN & ROBIN #2     $3.99
MAR150177     CONVERGENCE HARLEY QUINN #2     $3.99
MAR150179     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE #2     $3.99
MAR150181     CONVERGENCE NIGHTWING ORACLE #2     $3.99
MAR150183     CONVERGENCE QUESTION #2     $3.99
MAR150185     CONVERGENCE SPEED FORCE #2     $3.99
MAR150187     CONVERGENCE SUPERMAN #2     $3.99
MAR150189     CONVERGENCE TITANS #2     $3.99
JAN150371     DIAL H DELUXE ED HC (N52)     $34.99
MAR150258     FLASH SEASON ZERO #8     $2.99
FEB150274     GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE TP (MR)     $19.99
MAR150307     HINTERKIND #18 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150253     JUSTICE LEAGUE #40 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAR150292     MAD MAX FURY ROAD INSPIRED ARTISTS DLX ED HC (MR)     $24.99
MAR150311     NAMES #9 (MR)     $2.99
MAR150291     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #10     $2.99
FEB150262     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 TP VOL 06 ALIEN     $16.99
JAN150290     SUPERMAN #40 COMBO PACK     $4.99
JAN150382     SUPERMAN VS DARKSEID TP     $19.99
MAR150314     WOLF MOON #6 (MR)     $3.99
FEB150234     WONDER WOMAN 77 SPECIAL #1     $7.99