FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS/ALL TIME COMICS – @fantagraphics @alltimecomics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Josh Bayer and Benjamin Marra
SCRIPT: Josh Bayer
PENCILS: Benjamin Marra
INKS: Al Milgrom
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COLORS: Matt Rota
MISC. ART: Jason T. Miles and Ken Landgraf; Eric Haven
COVERS: Das Pastoras; Gilbert Hernandez; Tony Millionaire
24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)
“Web of Oblivion!”
Alternative comix mainstay, Fantagraphics Books, is currently publishing comic books set in a new shared superhero universe. Entitled “All Time Comics,” this imprint/universe will see the release of six comic books, each a stand-alone story featuring a particular superhero or set of superheroes.
The hook with All Time Comics is that each title is a mash-up of and throwback to classic 1970s comic books, especially those published by Marvel Comics. The second title is All Time Comics: Bullwhip. It is plotted by Josh Bayer and Benjamin Marra; scripted by Bayer; drawn by Marra (pencils) and Al Milgrom (inks); colored by Matt Rota; and lettered by Rick Parker.
All Time Comics: Bullwhip #1 (“Web of Oblivion!”) opens in Metro City at a concert venue. Candy Christilliam and her band “Brain Parasites” were about to jam, but the concert is being held up by a woman-hating villain, “The Mysogynist.” Lucikly the mysterious crime-fighter, Bullwhip, has sworn to keep Metro City safe from villainy, violence, and sexist pigs.
However, The Mysogynist isn't the only evil-doer plaguing the concert and the city. The second villain is the “Time Vampire,” a strange figure determined to attack one of the twin Alexi sisters. The third adversary acts from the shadows; he is Raingod.
Like All Time Comics: Crime Destroyer #1, Bullwhip #1 is a retro comic book, recalling the past, but not as much as the Crime Destroyer. For me, Bullwhip reads like an almost, but not quite pure comic book. The difference is that Bullwhip is a female superhero and a rock solid feminist, who kicks ass with all the gusto of the most ballsy male superheroes. And, well, pure comic books seem to keep women on the side – at least the pure comics of the past.
All Time Comics: Bullwhip #1 feels like a Fantagraphics Books alt-comix title, with the art owing more to Dan Clowes or Peter Bagge than it does to Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, or Gil Kane – three of the most influential graphic artist comic book storytellers in modern superhero comic books. The story is also retro, part Silver Age Marvel Comics and part Charlton Comics oddball horror / superhero comic book.
In the end, influences and inspiration aside, I had a blast reading this comic book, and dammit, I want more... NOW! I heartily recommend it.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
----------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment