POBB May 16, 2018

Pick of the Brown Bag

May 16, 2018

by

Ray Tate

The Pick of the Brown Bag welcomes you to a fresh posting of reviews including All-New Wolverine, Aquaman, Athena Voltaire, Avengers, Batman, Infinity 8, Infinity Countdown: Daredevil, The Mighty Thor, The New Challengers and X-Men: Red.  If life has got you in a bind and you don’t know whether or not to add The Punctilious Gerbil Man to your weekly yield, consider my Tweets to steer you in the right direction: #PickoftheBrownBag.

In 1957, comic book phenom Jack Kirby created the Challengers of the Unknown.  These four men survived certain death from a plane crash but responded a little strangely.  

Ace, Rocky, Red and the Professor decided to use their borrowed time to partake in all sorts of weird adventures.

For reasons I cannot explain, and I’m a fan, the Challengers of the Unknown scratched a comic book itch.  They outlasted Kirby by decades.  The Silver Age return of the superhero didn’t phase their success.  Neither did the modernization of the DC titles.  

Like many, their book was a casualty of the 1970s DC Implosion—the comic book equivalent of the depression.  Up to that point however, The Challengers of the Unknown with very few changes appeared to consistently carry an audience. 

After The Crisis on Infinite Earths struck, the original Challengers made rare appearances in DC’s new Post-Crisis Universe.  Every once and again, a talent would try to resuscitate the Challengers of the Unknown concept, if not the characters.  Writers Scott Snyder and Aaron Guillesppe team up with artists Andy Kubert, Klaus Jansen and Brad Anderson for the latest attempt.  The New Challengers.

This is the section where I’d normally hash out the plot, but I’m not going to do that this week.  Mainly because the plot is paper thin.  The ideas in the comic book are more complex, but secured in a nutshell.

New Challengers claims to be tied into or arising from Dark Nights Metal.  Maybe so, but I didn’t read that maxi-series and after perusing New Challengers I didn’t feel I missed anything.  That’s a point in the book’s favor.  It’s independent despite branding.  You also don’t need to know a thing about the original Challengers of the Unknown, but I highly recommend the trade paperback collecting Jack Kirby’s entire association.

ISBN: 9-781401-277192

Snyder and Guillesppe change the gist of The Challengers of the Unknown.  

Though paying homage to the original four, Guillesppe and Snyder create a virtual army of Challengers working in secret throughout history.  Of course, all these new challengers could have been inducted after the originals.  Discarding the Post-Crisis miniseries and the Challengers’ subsequent appearances gives the writers about thirty years to play with.

Kirby’s “borrowed time” was a metaphor based on Red’s watch, still stubbornly ticking away after the crash.  In my opinion, that gave the Challengers inherent poetry.  Snyder and Guillesppe make the time limit concrete and demonstrate what happens when you don’t heed the hourglass.

I started to wonder if this isn’t a giant con, and that the host of this party known as Prof exploits the Challengers of the Unknown legend for his own gain.  The gimmicks that he employs could be science fiction flimflam.  So, the artifice of the hourglass tattoos and this previously unknown legacy could be purposeful.  Clues to the sleight of hand.  The number of each Challengers team also appears to be important. 

The why escapes me.  Quantity is more important with magic than science, but for some reason there must be four in this iteration.  

The adherence also explains the failure to mention Dr. June Robbins, a frequent Challenger guest-star introduced in Showcase number seven 1957.  She becomes an honorary fifth member of the team.  The status is no slight.  Had Kirby known fans would accept June so readily, he likely would have included her on the plane.  He rectified his initial trepidation when creating the Fantastic Four with Stan Lee.  Although differing in personality and intellect, June was Sue Storm’s precursor.  Ironically, the films progressively turned Sue Storm into a scientist.

Kirby included June in as many adventures as he could.  June’s absence amongst the Challenger imagery therefore adds to the suspicion of the Prof, whoever he really is, playing a scam.  June does however appear on the poster cover.

Only time will tell if this is merely a tribute to Dr. Robbins, a nostalgia bite or something integral to the plot.

So, we’re introduced to four Challengers—one amusingly a giant sized MacGyver stand-in.  Herbalist Trina Alvarez however serves as the spotlit.  The New Challengers are all  nice enough and visually striking, but it’s too early to tell if they’ll carry a book or not.  

The Mission Impossible atmosphere coincides with Agents of SHIELD.  Such as when the Prof drops a well-equipped box of Challengers into the ocean.

As such, New Challengers actually seems like an update on the Secret Six, not the Challengers of the Unknown.
  

That doesn’t make it a bad comic book just not what’s advertised.  As of this writing, I’m still ambivalent.

The same goes for the newest iteration of The Avengers.  The art by Ed McGuinnes is a knockout, but only a few things in the book made me stand up and take notice.  I got my wish.  More She-Hulk interaction.

I’ve never seen a visceral fight between Ghost Rider and the Hulk, and this is a neatly choreographed skirmish.  Unlike many hero-on-hero duels, the battle makes sense.  The modern version of She-Hulk lost her coherency.  Ghost Rider in turn is just trying to stay alive.

The Celestial teleported She-Hulk to the Ghost Rider in an effort to stave off the cleansing of humanity.  She-Hulk however did not know that, or she forgot when she gained distance from the Celestial’s mind.  Whatever the reason, when you teleport a Hulk without permission, “Hulk Smash” is usually what you get on the other end. 

I also loved the Rock-Em-Sock-Em Celestial action.  That’s a rarity.  The Celestials, created by Jack Kirby, aren’t known for their violence.  They’re instead famous for standing like monoliths and accidentally destroying things when they casually move.  The kaiju is new or at least newish.

As to the rest, the main Avengers bore me because they’re all doing precisely the same thing.  Attacking a honking huge “robot” and failing at it.  The attacks lack finesse and distinguished power usage.  So, Iron Man, Thor, Captain Marvel and Captain America just blend together.  Lastly, the surprise guest-star doesn’t come as a surprise at all.  The narration makes his appearance obvious.

The Mighty Thor is not the debut of Odinson’s return to power.  Instead, it’s a doublet.  The first is a tour de farce with Thor’s rambunctious time traveling granddaughters: Frigg, Atli and Elisiv.  

Beautiful artwork by Jen Bartel and Matthew Wilson accompanies a sweet story that honors Jane Foster's impressive recent run as the Mighty Thor.  

The second stars the Dark Elf Malekith.  Can't say I gave a rat's ass about Malekith.  He relishes being evil and gloats about his gains in The War of the Realms.  His promise to bring hell to Midgard, Earth, made me wish for a Beta-Ray Bill vignette instead.  Frankly, a focus on Volstagg's wife, who's a fourth tier character at best, would have been more welcome.  So, only the easy-going tale with the ladies makes The Mighty Thor a wise choice when it drops in price and lands in the bargain bundles.  

In her latest miniseries, aviatrix Athena Voltaire protects archaeologists Dr. Mordido and Dr. Peters as they search for the pieces of an ancient tablet constructed by the historical magician/scientist Pope Sylvester.  Last issue, after fierce battle, the Nazis absconded with the tablet and left Athena in the dust.  This issue Dr. Mordido dopes out their likely whereabouts through cleverly constructed clues that fit into the ancient world.

In Morocco, our team retrace Pope Sylvester's final steps and confront more puzzles to decipher.  Up until now, everything in Athena Voltaire can be explained scientifically.

For example, the speaking mask or bust can be the result of a wax cylinder recording hidden inside clockwork.  Secret doors and invisible texts are the tried and true trickery of alchemists and scholars of elder times.  

As the story rockets to the finale, there can be no doubt that Bryant takes Athena into the realms of magic.

The menace’s nature is a nice surprise.  Thanks to Indiana Jones, you cannot help but connect Christian mythology and the Nazis that covet relics of power.  Bryant takes a different and lively approach to decidedly older lore.

Because of the sheer omnipotence of the being involved, you must ponder how a mere, albeit skilled mortal, like Athena Voltaire can escape such certain doom.  Bryant plays fair with the reader, and as a result generates a satisfying finish.

Athena Voltaire furthermore benefits from an expertly played wild card that in lesser hands would have acted as a dues ex machina.  Instead, she seems a natural part of the setting.  Likewise the double agent planted amongst the Nazis, smartly curtails revenge against Athena and maintains his cover while serving the Crown.

Added to all these assets along with smashing art by Ishmael Canales and Emily Elmer, is the cast.  Bryant takes a moment to address Athena’s personal life granting her more depth in the process.  He demonstrates Agent Desmond Forsyth’s loyalty to Athena over the mission as well as the Professor’s moral backbone.  If you haven’t followed Athena Voltaire certainly pick up the forthcoming collected edition.

Infinity 8’s first story ends on a nice gooey pulp note with Agent Keren escaping her cannibalistic pursuer in a bio-ship graveyard.

Her vengeance against the miscreant is vicious and comedic, but nothing personal.  When the alien comes to his senses, she’s willing to work with him.  Well, what’s left of him.  

Yeah.  Keren isn't stupid.  This is a hilarious sequence and should not be missed.  Underlying the pursuit and pulchritude, Sagoss the alien besotted with love finally gains Keren’s respect.

This mutual understanding allows Keren to display a thin layer of softness beneath the composition of a personality mostly awash in pragmatism.

As the story reaches its finish writer/co-creator Lewis Trondheim brings up the superpowers of the alien captain of the starship  Infinity 8.  Indicating a wild standard operating procedure to eschew catastrophe.  

The epilogue remarks on the events that unspooled in the past two issues as well as this one and in such a way that nothing seems like a cheat.  The remarkable art by Dominique Bertail draws upon the classic look of science fiction covers found on Astounding, Amazing Stories and Argosy.  Don't pass this by.

Tom Taylor’s final issue of All-New Wolverine is a winner.  Far into the future, Laura Kinney is the Queen of Madripoor, and her dying wish is to go Latveria, kill Dr. Doom and free her second clone sister Belladonna.  

She intended for this to be her last solo mission.  Her first clone sister Gabby alias Honey Badger alias Wolverine has other ideas.  She calls in the cavalry, and Laura begrudgingly admits that working with the team is a better idea.

Also great for the reader.  Through Laura’s interaction with Captain Marvel, The Wasp, the now mature Honey Badger of course and Kate Bishop, Taylor generates thematic humor and tactical cleverness.  What a boon to have artist Ramon Rosanas on board for the finale.  He illustrates all with unique faculty.

Nevertheless, Taylor delivers on his promise.  It all boils down to Wolverine and Dr. Doom.  Taylor first acknowledges Doom’s contingency planning.  It's a classic.

Taylor in a brilliant fair play move counters Doom’s alarming intellect with something foreshadowed that he simply could not predict.  That it’s characteristic of Laura makes the comeuppance that more juicy.

The original Wolverine is coming back to comic books, so Laura will be resuming the X-23 code name in a new eponymous title by former Tomb Raider writer Mariko Tamaki.  Tom Taylor however does not intend to leave Laura and Gabby Kinney’s world any time soon.  With artist Mahmud Asrar, Taylor counts both wolverines amongst the roster of X-Men Red.

An X-Men villain from the past sabotaged Jean Grey’s attempts to broker a peace between Homo sapiens and Homo superior.  This time the nemesis makes an error in taking over Storm.

The team overcome Storm, but leaves the powerful mutant alive in the process.  This grants Jean and new mutant Trinary the opportunity to discern what’s going on.

Taylor demonstrates that Jean doesn't actually need the Phoenix to be impressive.  Taylor imagines Jean to be so experienced in the use of her power that she can be the most versatile and awe-inspiring.

As Jean’s team gets closer to uncovering the identity of the opposite side, they realize that Wakanda is no longer a safe haven.  Fortunately, Jean and her team have another option.

The excursion to Atlantis allows for numerous funny and light moments as the team gels and becomes more seasoned about the enemy they face.

X-Men Red is that rarity of X-Men titles that will please the newly invested and the die-hard X-Men fan.  Taylor treats the X-Men as superheroes and widens their appeal with the inclusion of familiar faces and all-together new creations.  Though the problem is mutant related, it’s an easily understood attack that’s linked more to straight up science fiction rather than esoteric continuity.

Murk, loyal to the throne, nevertheless could not follow orders and kill Aquaman.  He instead wounded him out of commission and hid him in the undercurrent of Atlantis.

Murk hoped Arthur would recover, take Mera and get out of range to make a new life far away from Atlantean politics.  He felt Arthur made a lousy king, but knew him to be a good man and a good superhero.  This is precisely what worries him in his new collusion with Arthur to oust Trump like usurper Corum Rath.

The odd couple dialogue is the main draw to this issue of Aquaman.  Writer Dan Abnett clearly loves writing for Murk.  He’s made him an entertaining submerged Klingon throughout the Aquaman saga.

Neither Aquaman nor Murk knows what Rath has become in the interim of their fight and reconciliation.

Rath used the dark magic of Atlantis to, inadvertently, transform himself into a monster.  The development offers an out for Arthur’s noble ethic.  Even Batman killed monsters.  Will Arthur be forced to do the same?

Tom King brings the latest interlude with Booster Gold in Batman to a close.  As with previous issues, I can’t actually say what happened.  All of the events are spoilers.  Vaguely, this final chapter is an arch farce of time travel clean-up.

Though as darkly comedic as previous chapters, in this last act, King gives Booster genuine pathos.  Throughout "The Gift" Booster Gold benefited from one saving grace.  He didn't mean for any of the hell that transpired.  His gift-giving was sincere.  It just blew up in his face.

Batman’s and Catwoman’s silence as Booster relates his mistake is more expressive than words can convey.  "The Gift's" covers made you laugh with a "Booster Gold must die" meme, but Batman's actually not like that.  Especially now, since he found happiness.  King's Batman is pensive and caring, and you get the impression that Batman feels genuinely sorry for Booster and understands the weight he carried.  Catwoman probably feels the same, and she doesn't even know Booster as well as Batman does.  Not just another in the long line of great King Batman stories but also one of the best Booster Gold tales.  

Gerry Duggan’s Infinity Countdown: Daredevil is quite frankly disappointing.  It’s not bad.  It simply isn’t funny or moving.  It’s just kind of there.

Duggan is the mastermind behind Guardians of the Galaxy.  Almost every issue of Guardians earned my praise.  That’s because Duggan frequently reaches the hilarious heights of the cinematic Guardians of the Galaxy.  He also nuanced the comedy with character and emotional depth.

In this Daredevil one-shot, Duggan plays it straight.  He wastes the comedic potential of long time Daredevil nuisance Turk possessing an Infinity Stone.  Furthermore, Duggan makes Turk almost competent, and he's not. 

Even with an Infinity Stone, Turk proves no match for DD.  I presume that the best Turk can do is mentally push Daredevil away.  Else Daredevil let's Turk keep the Infinity Stone, and that makes no sense.  If you're a fan of artists Chris Sprouse, Phil Noto or Lee Ferguson you may wish to add this one-shot to your collection.  Nobody else need apply.