Review: X-O Manowar – Birth
The fourth series to come out from Valiant Comics in the 1990s, “X-O Manowar” mixed the barbarian archetype with the idea of a high-tech hero for “X-O Manowar.” Aric is a Visigoth, captured long ago by the spider-aliens. He finally breaks free, stealing the Manowar armor and returning to earth. But more time has passed than Aric realizes — 1600 years. He’s now in 1990s earth, as the spider-aliens stealthily invade earth by means of members of their race altered to look human.
Aric and the X-O armor seek revenge on the aliens, with few allies and less knowledge of the workings of the modern world. Valiant’s interconnected universe shows up in “X-O,” though it’s not necessary to understanding the story. Aric fights the Harbinger kids, and briefly crosses paths with Solar. A not-yet Shadowman, Jack Boniface, shows up in a New Orleans scene.
This book collects issues 0-6 of the original series, and adds a new story by Bob Layton detailing the rise of Lydia, the spider-alien running Orb Industries before Aric’s return.
Writers include Jim Shooter, Steve Englehart, Bob Layton and Jorge Gonzales.
Pencillers include Barry Windsor-Smith, Sal Velluto, Mike Leeke, Mike Manley, Steve Ditko and Joe Quesada; Layton is among the inkers.
Despite the “many hands” approach, “X-O” is thematically consistent (at least through the course of this collection), and worth a read.
– Matt Price
ComicsPRO meeting: DC reprint updates
DC Vice President of Sales Bob Wayne recapped several reprint projects from DC set for the coming months.
Following the success of the “Killing Joke” hardcover reprint, DC is readying a reprint of “Camelot 3000″ in deluxe hardcover for November. Both projects were drawn by Brian Bolland. “Camelot 3000″ was written by Mike W. Barr and was a reimagining of the King Arthur mythos.
“It’s a perfect followup sale to ‘Batman: The Killing Joke,’” Wayne said.
In September, DC plans an Absolute edition of “Frank Miller’s Ronin.” The Absolute line consists of oversized hardcovers of some of DC’s most popular comic books. Wayne said ”Ronin” was in development as a film, and he expected increased interest in the series.
In the Absolute line, while particulars were still being discussed, Wayne said it would be unlikely to see Warren Ellis’ “Transmetropolitan,” due to the length of the series, and that it doesn’t promote anything else DC is currently publishing. Wayne said “All-Star Superman” and “All-Star Batman” were far more likely.
In 2009, DC plans to reprint the classic Golden Age storyline “The Monster Society of Evil,” starring Captain Marvel, by C.C. Beck and others.
Brian K. Vaughan’s recently completed ”Y: The Last Man” will be released for the first time in hardcover, with each hardcover containing two of the softcover editions, Wayne said.
– Matt Price
ComicsPRO meeting: DC Comics updates on economy, “Watchmen”
LAS VEGAS — DC’s vice-president said a softening economy could cause some direct-market retailers to see sales resistance at the high and low end of the spectrum, but that overall, strong story content would be the chief determination in the sales of most comic-book projects.
“The content of the ongoing series is the primary motivating factor even going into difficult economic times,” Wayne said. He expected any comic-book attrition that did occur to be in series where people were collecting to continue their run of a title. On the high end, Wayne said the increasing choices in expensive comic-book related collectibles could make it more likely that customers facing a tough economic situation would pass on costly merchandise.
Bob Wayne talked about upcoming projects for DC Comics at the ComicsPRO annual meeting in Las Vegas, including reprint projects tying in to next year’s “Watchmen” motion picture.
DC will offer a program allowing retailers to stock up on the perennial seller in softcover format. In addition, the deluxe oversized hardcover “The Absolute Watchmen” will come back into print. And, for the first time, DC will offer a regular trim size hardcover of ”Watchmen.”
“Watchmen,” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, is the basis of a 2009 movie being directed by Zack Snyder (“300″).
– Matt Price
Matt Price’s 10 best graphic novels of the year
From outer-space adventure to destructive romantic relationships, comic books in graphic novel format continued to push the medium forward. The following are the best graphic novels for 2007:
1. Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press)
Scott Pilgrim, the slacker twentysomething musician, must still battle his new girlfriend Ramona’s ex-lovers in this fourth volume of the “Scott Pilgrim” series. This pioneering “arcade logic” series is the perfect hybrid of action and romance in a post-videogame, post-manga world.
2. Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan (Drawn and Quarterly)
Israeli cab driver Koby Franco is drawn into a mystery when his father’s ex-girlfriend Nuni contacts him. She wants to search for Koby’s father, who she says may have been killed in a terrorist attack. Koby’s search for his father becomes a search for himself, as Motan examines modern
Israel in this evocative graphic novel.
3. First in Space by James Vining (Oni Press)
“First in Space” is based on the true story of Ham, a chimpanzee trained by NASA to make the first sub-orbital space flight. Well-researched and compelling, “First in Space” is suitable for all ages.
4. All-Star Superman vol. 1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC Comics)
Morrison and Quitely capture the charm of comics’ Silver Age with their take on Superman, a Man of Steel who creates Superman robots, and whose best pal Jimmy Olsen finds himself gaining strange powers. Several story tropes from the 1960s come full circle, as Morrison boils them down to their essence and represents them with modern flair.
5. The Homeless Channel by Matt Silady (AiT-Planet Lar)
Network exec Darcy Shaw thinks “The Homeless Channel” will both draw attention to the homeless plight, and be a good way to make some money, taking reality television to the next level.
Aaron Sorkin-like dialogue and art reminiscent of an early Brian Michael Bendis make “The Homeless Channel” a noteworthy debut.
6. Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine (Drawn and Quarterly)
Ben Tanaka is an abrasive
San Francisco theater owner who obsesses over white girls; this doesn’t help his relationship with his Asian-American activist girlfriend Miko. An interesting look at race and sex through the lens of an intimate graphic novel.
7. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill (DC Comics/WildStorm/ABC)
Something of a sourcebook gone mad,
Moore explores the history of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” concept, featuring heroes and villains from throughout literature.
8. Shazam: Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith (DC Comics)
Jeff Smith captures the charm and wit of the 1940s Captain Marvel stories, recaptured for modern audiences.
9. Astronaut Dad vol. 1 by David Hopkins and Brent Schoonover (Silent Devil)
David Hopkins looks at the children of astronaut reservists in the 1960s, making the space race more personal.
10. Nothing Better: No Place Like Home by Tyler Page (Dementian)Tyler Page (“Stylish Vittles”) takes his Web comic to graphic novel format in “Nothing Better,” which examines two mismatched roommates at a Lutheran college. “Nothing Better” is reminiscent of “Strangers in Paradise” and “Blankets,” with engaging characters and fresh art.
Salon.com weighs in on graphic novels
Not all geeks are like me: pale, unattractive trolls who scrape, Hunchback of Notre Dame-like, from store to store to get their fix of tan, attractive superheroes.
No, some of them are high-falutin’ writers for Salon.com, which just put out a list of this year’s notable comics and graphic novels.
I haven’t read everything on the list, but I’m a big fan of “Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together” — I devoured it in one sitting and I’m eager to read it again — and “All-Star Superman” from DC Comics.
One I was surprised missed the list was “Captain America,” which is notable to me for just being a great comic, but maybe to others because the main character is now long-dead. Marvel Comics foresaw the expectations of most of us (that Cap would be back among the living in no time flat) and defied them, first by keeping Steve Rogers a corpse, but also by not filling his boots immediately.
I don’t know about Matt (really, I know nothing about the guy. Is he tall, I wonder?), but I’m working on a Top 10 comics of the year list which I look forward to foisting upon you and our loyal podcast listeners in the coming weeks.
– Greg Elwell
Waitin’ for the trade
For those of you who find single issues (or “floppies”) to sticky and tedious to handle, DC Comics has dropped a list of their upcoming collections.
52 AFTERMATH: THE FOUR HORSEMEN TP – $19.99, 144 pages
THE ALL-NEW ATOM: THE HUNT FOR RAY PALMER TP – $14.99, 128 pages
BATMAN VS. TWO-FACE TP – $19.99, 192 pages
BATMAN: THE JOKER’S LAST LAUGH TP – $19.99, 192 pages
BATMAN: THE RESURRECTION OF RA’S AL GHUL HC – $29.99, 256 pages
BLACK ADAM: THE DARK AGE TP – $17.99, 144 pages
BOOSTER GOLD: 52 PICK-UP HC – $24.99, 160 pages
CHECKMATE VOL. 3: THE FALL OF THE WALL TP – $14.99, 168 pages
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS VOL. 1 TP – $19.99, 296 pages
GREEN LANTERN: NO FEAR TP – $12.99, 176 pages
INFINITY INC. VOL. 1: LUTHOR’S MONSTERS TP – $14.99, 128 pages
JACK KIRBY’S O.M.A.C. HC – $24.99, 176 pages
JUSTICE VOL. 1 TP – $14.99, 160 pages
THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: 1,050 YEARS OF THE FUTURE TP – $19.99, 224 pages
THE SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY ARCHIVES VOL. 3 HC – $59.99, 272 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: GREEN LANTERN VOL. 3 TP – $16.99, 528 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE HAUNTED TANK VOL. 2 TP – $16.99, 560 pages
THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC – $49.99, 448 pages
SUPERMAN: ESCAPE FROM BIZARRO WORLD HC – $24.99, 160 pages
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF KRYPTON TP – $14.99, 192 pages
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER VOL. 1 HC – $29.99, 240 pages
BATMAN: JEKYLL & HYDE TP – $14.99, 144 pages
COUNTDOWN PRESENTS: THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER TP – $17.99, 160 pages
THE QUESTION: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD HC – $19.99, 128 pages
THE DOOM PATROL ARCHIVES VOL. 5 HC – $49.99, 208 pages
GREEN LANTERN: THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR VOL. 2 HC – $24.99, 192 pages
GREEN LANTERN: TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS HC – $29.99, 200 pages
THE JOKER: THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD TP – $19.99, 192 pages
THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE INJUSTICE LEAGUE HC – $19.99, 144 pages
METAMORPHO: YEAR ONE TP – $14.99, 144 pages
SHADOWPACT VOL. 3: DARKNESS AND LIGHT TP – $14.99, 144 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: BATMAN VOL. 3 TP – $16.99, 552 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE FLASH VOL. 2 TP – $16.99, 552 pages
SUPERMAN: CAMELOT FALLS VOL. 1 TP – $12.99, 128 pages
SUPERMAN: LAST SON HC – $19.99, 160 pages
TANGENT COMICS VOL. 3 TP – $19.99, 208 pages
TEEN TITANS: TITANS OF TOMORROW TP – $14.99, 144 pages
WORLD’S FINEST DELUXE EDITION HC – $29.99, 176 pages
THE ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3 HC – $99.00, 616 pages
FABLES VOL. 10: THE GOOD PRINCE TP – $17.99, 240 pages
LOVELESS VOL. 3: BLACKWATER FALLS TP – $14.99, 224 pages
VERTIGO FIRST CUT TP – $4.99, 168 pages
DEMO TP – $19.99, 328 pages
JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER: THE FEAR MACHINE TP – $14.99, 240 pages
JACK OF FABLES VOL. 3: THE BAD PRINCE TP – $14.99, 128 pages
THE VINYL UNDERGROUND VOL. 1: SNOGGING FOR ENGLAND TP – $9.99, 128 pages
Y: THE LAST MAN VOL. 10: WHYS AND WHEREFORES TP – $14.99, 168 pages
HEROES TP – $19.99, 240 pages
TOM STRONG BOOK 6 TP – $17.99, 160 pages
WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY VOL. 2 TP – $19.99, 144 pages
EX MACHINA DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 HC – $29.99, 272 pages
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: BLACK DOSSIER — THE ABSOLUTE EDITION HC – $99.00, 200 pages
THE PROGRAMME VOL. 1 TP – $17.99, 144 pages
BATMAN AND SON TP – $14.99, 200 pages
BATMAN: GOING SANE TP – $14.99, 160 pages
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE TP – $17.99, 192 pages
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS VOL. 2 TP – $19.99, 296 pages
COUNTDOWN: ARENA TP – $17.99, 168 pages
DIANA PRINCE: WONDER WOMAN VOL. 2 TP – $19.99, 176 pages
THE FLASH: THE WILD WESTS HC – $24.99, 160 pages
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 2 HC – $24.99, 208 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: HAWKMAN VOL. 2 TP – $16.99, 560 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: HOUSE OF SECRETS VOL. 1 TP – $16.99, 544 pages
SUPERMAN AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES HC – $19.99, 168 pages
THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM VOL. 2 TP – $14.99, 144 pages
WONDER GIRL: CHAMPION TP – $17.99, 144 pages
ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. 1 TP – $12.99, 160 pages
ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. 2 HC – $19.99, 160 pages
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD VOL. 2: THE BOOK OF DESTINY HC – $24.99, 160 pages
COUNTDOWN PRESENTS: LORD HAVOK AND THE EXTREMISTS TP – $17.99, 144 pages
THE DEATH OF THE NEW GODS HC – $29.99, 256 pages
DR. FATE: COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY TP – $17.99, 192 pages
JLA VOL. 1: THE DELUXE EDITION HC – $29.99, 256 pages
METAL MEN HC – $24.99, 200 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN VOL. 4 TP – $16.99, 648 pages
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE ATOM VOL. 2 TP – $16.99, 528 pages
SIMON DARK VOL. 1: WHAT SIMON DOES TP – $14.99, 144 pages
THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 25 HC – $59.99, 256 pages
SUICIDE SQUAD: FROM THE ASHES TP – $19.99, 192 pages
SUPERGIRL: BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL TP – $17.99, 176 pages
THE SUPERMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 5 TP – $14.99, 192 pages
AMERICAN VIRGIN VOL. 4: AROUND THE WORLD TP – $17.99, 224 pages
ARMY @ LOVE VOL. 2: GENERATION PWNED TP – $12.99, 168 pages
DMZ VOL. 5: THE HIDDEN WAR TP – $12.99, 144 pages
JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER: THE LAUGHING MAGICIAN TP – $14.99, 128 pages
THE SANDMAN PRESENTS: THE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES TP – $12.99, 104 pages
TESTAMENT VOL. 4: EXODUS TP – $14.99, 144 pages
ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK 1 HC - $29.99, 256 pages
THE AUTHORITY: PRIME TP – $17.99, 144 pages
WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS TP – $17.99, 144 pages
WORLD OF WARCRAFT VOL. 1 HC – $19.99, 160 pages
AMERICA’S BEST COMICS PRIMER TP – $4.99, 168 pages
DEATHBLOW TP – $19.99, 224 pages
MIDNIGHTER VOL. 2 TP - $14.99, 160 pages
There are some good deals here (notably a Vertigo and America’s Best Comics primer, even though that line is defunct…for now) and some big releases, like the Starman Omnibus for completist freaks like me.
– Greg Elwell
