Flashback; DEFENDERS

Three things stand out for me regarding the
Marvel Comics title, THE DEFENDERS:
it was the most constantly mercurial comic
I can recall, and it was the most consistently
entertaining for a comic with a decent issue
run. And man, did it push controversy!

Modern readers might say 'Meh,' but in
the Seventies, the devil's offspring, race riots,
possession, drunk driving, insanity, and other
racy topics were NOT part of the comics
landscape!


The Defenders came together as their
trade-marked 'non-team' team in a few
early pairings of some characters you
couldn't imagine less compatible; The Hulk,
Dr. Strange, and Namor. Later, in a test run
in Marvel Feature, the Silver Surfer was
added.


Actually, none of those characters held
much interest for me. I loved their
interactive dynamic; full of strife and
discord and instability. I could relate
to that! But the characters themselves
did not rock me on their own.



When the Valkyrie was added, something
clicked. Now the wheels of change and
growth had started; fresh blood and conflict!
I had loved the character as Roy Thomas
had originally presented her in both forms,
and loved the fierce warrior with a secret!



When Nighthawk and Hellcat came along,
filling out the dysfunctional family's kids,
it was a perfect match. The three 'newbies'
with their spirit and connection balanced
out the old guard. It was the perfect
exploration of the generational gap in the
country.



The writing on the series was constantly
phenomenal. Creators like Steve Gerber,
Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, David
Anthony Kraft, Steven Grant, Peter B.
Gillis, J.M. DeMatteis, and others. Each
writer brought such a distinctive edge to
the book, transforming it but maintaining
the appeal and making the change organic.



Englehart perfected the oddness of the
team and their characterizations. Gerber
brought a whole new level of surreal
goodness to not just The Defenders, but
the genre in general; his work can't be
touched to this day for the bizarre and
unique plots! David Kraft brought more
humor and politics (which I loved) into
the fray.


J.M. DeMatteis introduced a whole other
level of intensity with spiritual, sexual, and
other philosophizing. And Peter Gillis took
'dark' and complex to a whole new level.
Screw a 'dark knight.'



Even when there was an issue that didn't
appeal to me as much, like the sci-fi stuff
and a focus on the Big Three, it was okay
because the scope of the book was so broad
that it made sense there would be things
that didn't 'fit.'


The biggest appeal was two-fold--and a bit
contradictory! The book was a constantly
evolving mismatched collection of outsiders
and loners who had no connection.

And it was a book about family. This was
really a world-view progressive title that
embraced concepts like multi-culturalism
and inclusiveness far more realistically than
(dare I say it?) the still-wonderful Claremont
& Byrne X-Men. The 'differentness' just was;
there wasn't a big focus on it.


There was also the soap opera appeal of the
series; plenty of ongoing, convoluted,
dramatized sub-plots! And lots of ties to
the rest of the Marvel Universe. Stories like
a finish to the OMEGA comic, the saga of
SQUADRON SUPREME, crossovers with
Captain America, Avengers, New Mutants,
and more.



Guest stars were always a welcome addition
to the crazy mix, depicting how even amongst
outcasts there can be differences and divisions!
Great characters like Luke Cage, Daredevil,
Yellow Jacket, Red Guardian, and Devil Slayer
filled out the B, C, and D-list extras that made
the mag so fab! (After all; it would be hard to
reveal a history of drug abuse with a major
top-tier hero! Suicide attempt? Trans-gendered?
Inter-racial dating? All of these 'taboo' subjects
and more were incorporated.)



Artwork on the series was as different as
the line-up and storytelling style. But from
clean and crisp Sal Buscema (with those
incredible Klaus Janson inks!!) to those
dark and moody Don Perlin/Kim DeMulder
graphics, it was all good to me!
The handful of Keith Giffen/+Klaus Janson
issues were heaven, too!

One of my fondest memories were those
terrific covers from a host of artists when the
title changed to NEW DEFENDERS; folks like
Sandy Plunkett, Kevin Nowlan, Bill Seinkiewicz,
and more doing fantastic showcases!



Just as the team itself in the original series,
the name 'Defenders' has been through some
changes over the decades. After the original
series, there have been several attempts to
revive the franchise.

My favorite was the Erik Larsen and Kurt
Busiek offering which combined a nostalgic
retro feel of both history, quirkiness, and humor.
Unfortunately, it was too good to last in today's
market.


To my surprise, THE LAST DEFENDERS
was outstanding. It took what had been established,
worked within that framework, and still came up
with a new twist.



There's plenty of dated stuff in THE DEFENDERS,
as with any printed work, but it stands the test
of time. Modern readers can enjoy reading the series
as a stand-alone book; an alternative to break from
the 'same-old, same-old.'
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For individual issues or Trade Paperbacks, check out my
store of choice, Lone Star Comics for great prices!

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>Buy comic books at mycomicshop.com

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(Maybe my fave issue ever; All of the one-shot
wonders and forgotten D-listers from the Marvel
Universe come crashing down on Defenders' HQ
for try-outs! "Morts and Jobbers...UNITE!")

SKIM graphic novel

Occasionally I'll find a work that I was unaware of and the revelation of the treasure

is quite intoxicating. Imagine my surprise when the local BFE country library debuted

the SKIM graphic novel!

The cover caught my eye, with the lead character's angst-ridden face so delicately portrayed.

I flipped through just for curiosity's sake. The artwork was gorgeous and textured, drawing me into the characters. There's a fluidity to the figures that is simply beautiful.

Then, I read a panel at random. I was hooked!

SKIM is the story of a high school girl who attends an all-girl prep school. It's filled with all sorts

of emotion revolving around a suicide and its impact on the student body. There's also coping with being in a one-parent household, discovering a first love, questioning religious identity, grief of fading friendships, and so much more. In other words, it's a story that all ages can relate to.

The specific setting for the story seems to be around 1993, and there are some fun references thrown in to set the stage. This is a story for people who don't quite fit in, and aren't worried about it. It's one of the most remarkable stories I've read in any format, and the marriage of words and pictures is flawless for the writer and artist to be different people.

Mariko Tamaki provides the story and Jillian Tamaki sets down the illustrations.

The work is sparse, in both departments, condensing all the vitals into a deceptively

simplistic loaded tapestry. There is a truth in the work that is breath-taking, and I

was enthralled with wanting to find out the outcome of Kim's various plights.

I love a good story where a normal person can be depicted, warts and all, and still come out okay. Writers these days have lost sight of how to be genuine and fearless, opting instead for sensationalistic and predictable. For anyone you know who appreciates a great ride, and anyone who has ever been proud to know their own voice, I heartily recommend this book!

Looking Good: Women of the DC Universe

Gorgeous work, from Adam Hughes.

This is why I still love comics!

Looking Good: Catwoman

Brian Bolland can do no wrong, so...

Awesome rendition of the 'Nine Lives' (or costumes/incarnations) of the Cat. This was done as a cover for a Catwoman Trade paperback.

I love how it's cheesecake but still fierce!

Looking Good: Justice League of America

The JLA's 'Satellite Era' was for me--like many old timers--their 'best' stories.

I love this line-up for many reasons, as this was the period when all of the family dynamics between all the various members were established. (Steve Englehart and Gerry Conway in particular did phenomenal work.)

This piece was done by the incomparable Alex Ross for a cover/poster for Wizard Magazine, if I recall correctly. Beautiful stuff. The muted colors, the personalities displayed, the familiarity, and of course, Hal Jordan's enormous tool box!

This pic encapsulates every good memory of that extraordinary time in comics. Enjoy!

Looking Good: Teen Titans

I've always been a devoted Teen Titans fan (at least up until the late 1980's,
and only very sporadically since.) But I am definitely old school.

This piece, originally commissioned by a fan by Titans artist extraordinaire,
George Perez, eventually saw print in the back of NEW TEEN TITANS
(Baxter.) Thank Christ 'Cousin Oliver' (Danny Chase--double Ugh!) was
not included.

And Goddess bless George--and the fan--for doing Duela justice and including her!

Enjoy!

Current Faves!

SECRET SIX (Volume 3) #s 1-16

Gail Simone is a tremendous writer who does great characterization and build-up with her storylines--two things sorely lacking in a splash-page crazy deconstructed-story world. She has perfect pitch and timing, and has a knack for providing great reveals and surprises. (No shock she's a fan of John Ostrander!)

With her team book, Secret Six, she has a vast universe of nastiness and despair at her disposal, and it's good dirty fun. Backstabbing, killing, deal-making; all the terribleness of a soap opera without a pesky reset button or a glamorous last act reversal.

Nicola Scott provides excellent art for such a dark series; and her men are absolutely delectable. I always did love a bad boy, but DAMN! Bane, Cat-Man, and Deadshot are all drool worthy in every panel.

If you're a fan of great stories, dark humor, sexiness, and lots of cool cameos and geek-bits, you'll love this book!
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DETECTIVE COMICS # 854-858
(and counting)
You always worry with a high profile book that the reality won't match the expectation, but this book has more than delivered.

Although I'm always happy for a little visibility for the Sisters of Sappho, I worry about depictions being gratuitous or sappy. No worries there; Rucka and Williams do a great job of keeping Batwoman a Dyke-To-Watch-Out-For without her sexuality running the show. We get to see her drag it up at a ball with Maggie Sawyer, we're treated to a date from hell, and of course her ex is in the back-up feature (The Question.) But the intensity of the Kate character, her troubled past and her broken family are the real focus.

This book is all action and intrigue, with the mystery only just beginning to unravel some 5 issues in. Williams art is beyond phenomenal (the word is not overused here) and I can sit and scan the gorgeous pages for an hour after reading. J.H. Williams III is doing pencil, ink, and coloring work on the series. (His "PROMETHEA" with Alan Moore was easily one of the best artistic works of all time.)

Regardless of your feelings about the absence of The Bat, this book is well worth your time and money; let go of any preconceptions you may have had about the character or the hype. Good stuff can be popular, too!
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AVENGERS: INITIATIVE #s 1-30
(and counting)
When Christos Gage (Chris Gage, Christian Gage, whatever name he's using this week) came on as co-writer for Initiative, I was a bit concerned. It was in my top two books every month, and Chris Gage's history was a bit sporadic for my tastes. He had started off incredibly with "DEADSHOT" at DC, and his "IRON MAN/CAPTAIN AMERICA: CASUALTIES OF WAR" Special was phenomenal. But then he had put out a lot of stuff that, frankly, I found mediocre and flavorless. So I was quite trepidatious.

Doubts be damned! This is still a butt-whooper month after month, and Gage has made it his own after Slott's departure. Inventive, insightful, far-reaching, action-packed, gripping, and well planned. The changing art is cool since it's almost an anthology book with the constantly changing perspectives and storylines, so that works out as well.

I love getting to see the underpinnings of the larger universe. This book provides a pulse of the Marvel Universe on whole through a large cast of diverse characters getting some spotlight. And as is typically the case, when you utilize the folks that don't have a huge following, there's a lot of leeway for what can be done.

This is the place to see the big picture unfold. See relationships grow and change, fave characters come into their own. This one has it all.
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EX MACHINA # 1-45 (and counting)
Brian K. Vaughan has become hands-down the best new comics writer of the last decade.
Yes, fan boys; FUCK GEOFF JOHNS! This here is the grown folks real deal.

He can write any style story so deftly that you forget you're reading fiction. It's inspirational how easy he makes tying all the chords together. (Damn him!)

My current fave of his is EX MACHINA, a Wildstorm/DC ongoing about Mayor Hundred of New York City; a super hot, super savvy metro-sexual (there's an ongoing controversy right there!) with a remarkably complex cast and a superb mixing of politics, history, sociology, and science fiction. And Tony Harris' art is stupendous. In addition to his lush, incredible designs and layout, he has succeeded in making two fictional 4-color characters top the real world 'Hottest Bachelors' list (Hundred and Bradbury, baby!)

The complete series thus far is available in affordable trades (see below) and Vaughan's previous work includes the equally worthy "Y: THE LAST MAN", "PRIDE OF BAGHDAD", "RUNAWAYS", and some powerful good stories in Marvel's "4-1-1" and Dark Horse's "Buffy."
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I bought a few issues of "THE MIGHT AVENGERS" in the beginning because Deodato's Ares was slobberific good eye candy. But now that Master Man Dan Slott has taken over (along with some amazing pencil work by Khoi Pham, the book is hyper-addictive. It is seriously a title I re-read the minute I finish just to be sure it was as incredible as I though it was, and then find myself wincing in realization that I have to wait 30 more days for another fix.


MIGHTY AVENGERS # 21-31
(and counting)
Slott has been around for quite a while; he started off writing excellent stories for the 'kiddie comics' such as "Ren & Stimpy," "Batman Adventures," etc. (I calls 'em 'all ages,' but why quibble!) But he has come to prominence with 'mainstream comics fans' in recent years for his splendid blend of story-telling, humor, wit, Easter eggs, and geek history.

His "SPIDER-MAN/HUMAN TORCH" mini-series was pure silk. His two "SHE-HULK" series were perfection. His "THE THING" series, though brief, showed how simple it is to showcase a great character after 40 years of stories. "AVENGERS: INITIATIVE" is one of the best concepts in decades.

Now, with Mighty, he's taken back the real Avengers and shown how it's done. A big 'Thank You' to Mr. Slott for making one of my fave teams readable once more! Great characterization, action, momentum, dialogue, and a reverence for even the 'C' and 'D' list characters. Great stuff.

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For ordering any new or back issues, check out the link below for Lone Star Comics, my recommended online dealer!

http://www.mycomicshop.com/?AffID=274971P01>Buy comic books at mycomicshop.com