Pick of the Brown Bag
March 28, 2018
by
Ray Tate
Greetings, it’s time to mellow out with the latest Pick of the Brown Bag. My name is Ray Tate, and I review the best and worst of the comic book yield for the week. Remember, if you haven't time for the meatier reviews, you can always check me out on Twitter: #PickoftheBrownBag. For this installment, I’ll look at Batgirl, The Doomsday Clock, Mera Queen of Atlantis, Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man, Rough Riders and Sheena. First the new book Infinity 8 from Lion Forge.
Infinity 8 is the opening act of an action-packed presentation from Lewis Trondheim and Zep. The remarkable purified illustration of Dominque Bertail educes a classic Commando Cody look nested in a diverse alien setting.
Infinity 8 nods at gung-ho adventurous science fiction. The story delivers a decidedly adult approach.
Agent Yoko Keren’s quest for a suitable human mate is an inversion of several science fiction chestnuts. How many times have extraterrestrials invaded for the sake of procreating with nubile earth women? How often has an interplanetary despot noted the comeliness of his female captives?
Yoko's unsentimental reasoning for bearing a child gives her a unique, entertaining attitude that smoothly integrates with her matter-of-fact badassery. She also goes about her foray in a clinical manner. No sampling. Just analyzing with technology to determine a perspective candidate's genetic makeup.
The fascinating Yoko operates on the space cruiser Infinity 8 piloted by a gargantuan vermiform Captain. The Captain's powers bestow the christening of the ship and the rationale behind the book’s name.
This reel-back of time has yet to occur, but I can't imagine Trondheim and Zep introducing such a device without using it at some point. In the present, the Captain assigns Yoko to investigate a debris field that’s drifting along the cruiser’s flight path.
Yoko engages a deeper study when noticing a particularly interesting looking derelict.
I applaud the uniqueness of Bertail's visions. The ship maintains organic sections, yet it's a frequently wondrous creation as opposed to grotesque. As Yoko conducts her probe, the debris field triggers an unusual alien uprising aboard the Infinity 8.
The revolt at first seems absurd and mostly harmless but with a cliffhanger promises to be more nettlesome. Infinity 8 is an ideal addition to the collection of mature science fiction fans.
Created in 1912 by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first jungle man in literature was of course Tarzan. Although, one can argue that Rudyard Kipling beat him to the punch about twenty years earlier with his fable The Jungle Book. Tomato, Tomato.
Over the years, various critics peeled back the layers of Tarzan to find a symbol of male white supremacy, accusing Burroughs of racism in the process. It doesn't quite add up. Tarzan murdered black cannibal natives described in freakish detail. He also slew white proto-Nazis equally vilified. Burroughs created men and women from different nationalities that stood out from the prominent stereotypes. Indeed, Tarzan considered the Waziri tribe his brothers and sisters despite their black skin. Burroughs despised slavery, and Tarzan is only too happy to kill slavers. The even-handed contrast continues throughout the Tarzan novels. Furthermore, Burroughs was really only interested in making a buck from his imagination. He never set out to be a social crusader or maligner.
That said. Our culture evolved to the point where many writers are uncomfortable with the idea of a white man or woman becoming lord of the black and brown jungles. However, the concept of skin color being a factor in reigning over the jungle is in fact a simplification.
The jungle murdered Tarzan’s human father and mother. Both were whites. That white skin didn't save them. Kala the great She-Ape lost her own ape-child. So she begged her tribe to spare Tarzan and raised him as her own. Tarzan’s ape teachings forged him into a jungle lord. Not his skin color. A native wise man raised Sheena. It’s native knowledge that allowed Sheena to become Queen of the Jungle, not her white skin.
Nevertheless, the sensitivity isn’t wrong, and I welcome Marguerite Bennett’s and Christina Trujillo’s reworking of Sheena’s origin to expose white privilege in fact and fiction. This will be such a spoiler that I’ve posted the “incriminating” graphics below the actual reviews.
Though Queen of the Jungle in Dynamite’s new series, Sheena isn’t the chief of the tribe that adopted her. She follows a female leader who last issue ordered Sheena to confront a stranger to Mother Forest. That stranger may be responsible for the Rot that appears to be poisoning the environment. Lirio, Sheena’s friend who may wish to be more, accompanies her on the trek. Lirio is also
the botanist of the tribe. So, she’s not just some pretty charm on Sheena’s bracelet.
After encountering a legendary monster from folklore, Sheena and Lirio meet the outsider who caused the consternation. Sheena surprisingly discovers an even match.
The outsider is certainly not typical Cowadi, and the intruder does not seek to harm Sheena or Lirio. Rather, she’s on a quest that will affect Sheena’s future. Meanwhile, trouble brews at Caldwell Industries where the Cowadi that invaded Sheena’s jungle in the first six issues attempts to meddle with things they do not understand.
The strong artwork by Maria Sanapo and Ceci De La Cruz expresses the ferocity and beauty of Sheena’s world and her person. It’s narratively sound and attractive.
The illustration conveys the emotions at play as well as the subtlety in Lirio’s feelings for Sheena and Sheena’s confusion over Lirio’s heart.
During “The Throne of Atlantis,” readers learned that Aquaman staple villain and half-brother Ocean Master was King of Atlantis, with Aquaman’s blessing. Under the presumption of surface world attack, Ocean Master or Orm drowned numerous cities in the DC Universe. As time progressed, Orm found himself locked up in Belle Reve only to be set free during “Forever Evil.” Rather than join the bad guys as expected, Orm instinctively saved two land dwellers. He intended to marry this woman, and still may.
Mera’s ascension to the throne however distracts Orm from his goal. Once again Dan Abnett thinks through the ramifications that should naturally occur because of the setup. Although Mera’s claim to the throne, promoted by the crazy matriarchy the Widowhood, and Aquaman is legitimate. So is Orm’s.
If Mera is a Queen in Exile, then surely Orm, who is a native of Atlantis and royal born, is a King in Exile. The conflict between them seems perfectly reasonable rather than contrived.
Abnett juxtaposes their lives elegantly as artist Lan Medina knocks ‘em dead with her kickass depictions of Mera’s and Orm’s visceral attacks upon each other.
Abnett juxtaposes their lives elegantly as artist Lan Medina knocks ‘em dead with her kickass depictions of Mera’s and Orm’s visceral attacks upon each other.
It’s daughter/daddy day in a perfect stand-alone Batgirl by Hope Larson and artist Scott Godlewski. Larson outlays a mystery that inveigles Batgirl and also creates goodwill with the Burnside police department.
The particulars of the case draw the Commissioner into the investigation and brings him straight into the path of his daughter.
In the New 52, the Commissioner does not know his daughter and Batgirl are one in the same. That was the original circumstance. However, Babs Gordon looked very different from her alter-ego.
Babs intended Batgirl to show off her hard won karate honed muscle and a more vivacious side that she hid from the rest of the world. Gordon like most men in the era were mighty sexist and could not possibly make the connection between energy and curves to a quiet profession and sensible clothing. It’s a symbolic example of the whole good girl/bad girl dilemma that faced women for ages.
In the Bronze Age, as Babs became more like Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon naturally figured out his daughter’s dual identity. So, now, to pull the wool over her Dad's eyes, Batgirl probably pulls the same numerous Batman tricks that dissuade anybody from linking him to Bruce Wayne.
Her costume is a full body outfit, and her mask hides most of her face. She probably modulates her voice, adopts different body language, stages alibis and basically becomes a really good actor playing a role.
Babs Gordon being crippled furthermore argues for Batgirl being a different person, despite her reappearing at a time when Babs regains her mobility.
Her costume is a full body outfit, and her mask hides most of her face. She probably modulates her voice, adopts different body language, stages alibis and basically becomes a really good actor playing a role.
Babs Gordon being crippled furthermore argues for Batgirl being a different person, despite her reappearing at a time when Babs regains her mobility.
The story in which Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon become partners offers a lot to the faithful Batgirl reader as well as the newcomer. The tale is a solid mystery even without Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon as detectives. It’s surprisingly non-violent in the traditional sense, but does not preclude drama or conflict ably rendered by Godlewski.
Larson tailors the story to Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon. So, you never ask why are they actually participating. Batgirl utilizes her photographic memory several times and displays her wants as a scientist. Commissioner Gordon emphasizes the difference between police officials and caped crusaders. He also exhibits the kind of temperament needed to survive in this modern world of superheroes.
Larson tailors the story to Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon. So, you never ask why are they actually participating. Batgirl utilizes her photographic memory several times and displays her wants as a scientist. Commissioner Gordon emphasizes the difference between police officials and caped crusaders. He also exhibits the kind of temperament needed to survive in this modern world of superheroes.
Back in the sixties, DC Comics produced genuine, good natured humor books. These included but not just Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Maniaks, The Inferior Five and Angel and the Ape. Sholly Fisch’s wonderful Scooby-Doo Team-Up returns to these laughs.
Though Angel and the Ape earn the cover spotlight, they’re not the only comedians to take the stage.
The story begins with a Jerry Lewis analogue spotting a monster during his famous telethon. Those versed in DC’s comic history will quickly identify the apparition,
Even if you figure out what’s what and who’s who, Fisch packs numerous surprises, humor and twists in this done-in-one multitude detective story.
Because the comedic stars display far more animated antics than the above average crime fighter, regular artist Dario Brizuella gets a real work out here. Furthermore, each funny man and straight man bears a design as distinctive as Scooby-Doo and the Gang that Brizuella effortlessly replicates..
Spider-Man, J.Jonah Jameson and Teresa Durand slipped sidewise through time and space in order to pilfer the secrets of an alternate Tinkerer. This they do to save their timeline from the destruction wrought by alien invaders.
Spidey teamed up with his younger self, and while he’s searching for the Tinkerer’s answers, he’s also using his knowledge to help his younger incarnation avoid the traps that he fell into.
Spidey’s decking of Mysterio negates a seriously bad time for Spider-Man that occurred way, way back in the Lee/Ditko years. He’s not the only one taking advantage of the situation.
Teresa may be Spider-Man’s sister, but due to a constant barrage of villainous psychological warfare, she no longer knows for sure. She appeared on Spider-Man’s doorstep for different reasons, but now that she has the opportunity, she can earnestly determine the truth. The answer is surprising and unprecedented.
Unfortunately, the time travelers forgot the rules of Heisenberg, and their observation and interaction with this time stream changes the outcomes outside of their control.
Writer Chip Zdarsky has a flair for humor, and he also demonstrates an understanding of drama. He and artist Joe Quinones imbue palpable depth and raw emotion to Teresa’s quest. Both talents furthermore excel when displaying Norman Osborn’s utter madness. Not the suave kind either. Norman is a gibbering psychopath with delusions of grandeur.
How you respond to the Doomsday Clock will depend upon how invested you are in the Watchmen and the new Rorschach. I found Rorschach to be interesting in the first two issues, but the more he's fleshed out, the less I care.
Batman tricked Rorschach into Arkham Asylum. There’s not much difference between Arkham and the nuthouse that inform’s Rorschach’s origin.
The reader learns how the new Rorschach connects to the old one killed by Dr. Manhattan and the Watchmen in general. One of the Watchmen that was not part of the original story helps Waylon Jones survive in the sanitarium and facilitates Jones’ rebirth as Rorschach. It’s a clinically well told story. I just can’t get that worked up about Rorschach’s origin or the Watchmen in general without a contrast to the DC heroes. The best scene occurs when one of those heroes seen in Rebirth finally makes her move.
Batman tricked Rorschach into Arkham Asylum. There’s not much difference between Arkham and the nuthouse that inform’s Rorschach’s origin.
The reader learns how the new Rorschach connects to the old one killed by Dr. Manhattan and the Watchmen in general. One of the Watchmen that was not part of the original story helps Waylon Jones survive in the sanitarium and facilitates Jones’ rebirth as Rorschach. It’s a clinically well told story. I just can’t get that worked up about Rorschach’s origin or the Watchmen in general without a contrast to the DC heroes. The best scene occurs when one of those heroes seen in Rebirth finally makes her move.
For new readers, having President Roosevelt starring as a comic book action hero may be a hard pill to swallow. Roosevelt was the historical commander of the Spanish-American War cavalry unit nicknamed the Rough Riders. In the comic book, he forms the group conceived by writer Adam Glass: Monk Eastman, Thomas Edison, Jack Johnson and Annie Oakley.
Glass builds on the friction that split the Rough Riders in the last two volumes. They work together as a necessity not because they like each other, barring the core trio of Houdini, Annie and Jack. Monk though a crook and introduced as a racist evolved to tolerate Jack. Annie and Houdini basically the honest folk of the bunch recognize Edison and Roosevelt as untrustworthy manipulators of the truth.
Roosevelt as in history ascends to the White House gradually. In the first volume, he’s an Assemblyman by day and crusader from the Dime Store Novels by night. In the second volume, Roosevelt gains the Presidency when an assassin fells McKinley. So in this volume, he’s President through a natural progression to investigate and unnatural incursion.
The real life Harry Houdini was not only a magician and the world’s greatest escape artist. He also traveled the world busting charlatans who claimed to possess supernatural powers. In the Rough Riders, that factual side-gig leads Harry to discover true to life occult. Harry calls upon his old team to save the world, and he needs Roosevelt to convince a reluctant guest-star to join the team.
The guest-star will come to no shock to the well-read horror aficionado, and the Rough Riders through his ken quickly identify the nature of their foe. Not that it necessarily helps them.
The comedy contrasts the horrific as Glass smoothly contrasts the occult against the laws of physics, which frequently end any further danger through spectacular means.
Pat Oliffe’s artwork in this volume just may be his best work for the series, and Gabe Eltaeb’s colors are notable for the special effects.
As it turns out Sheena appears to be the sire of an interracial marriage. Originally, Sheena had white parents, but there’s no reason why you cannot maintain the classic look of Sheena while investing in an ethnic diversity in her past. Travel down humanity’s genetic past, and we all end up in Africa.
The interloper is in fact Sheena’s grandmother who never gave up searching for her daughter. When she discovers the truth, it’s a missionary nightmare.
It's also clear that Sheena’s grandmother isn’t some primitive. When confronting her daughter’s teacher, she wears civilized clothing, and she’s likely a civilized woman as well as a native. The tribes probably teach their children extremely well, and while it’s unlikely they know who Amelia Earhardt is or calculus, they probably do understand other scientific principles. Regardless, Bennett’s and Trujilo’s additions bring a native integrity to Sheena that’s hard not to admire.
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