Review: Kull #1 (Dark Horse)
KULL #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
Arvid Nelson, the writer of the alternate-history murder mystery “Rex Mundi,” has been tabbed by Dark Horse to helm “Kull,” the third comic-book series based on the Robert E. Howard properties.
Kull, a warrior-king, has named himself ruler of Valusia, a formerly great kingdom now living in dreams of its past. To unite the kingdom under his rule, Kull must lay siege to the Iron Fortress, and its ruler, Count Areyas.
The Iron Fortress will be difficult to subdue – and even moreso if Areyas releases the monster, Etrigor.
The art of Will Conrad (“Serenity,” “Conan”) ably captures the fantasy setting. Conrad’s depiction of action, and his storytelling, are top-notch.
Howard’s original “Conan” story was in fact a reworking of a rejected “Kull” tale, so naturally the characters have similarities. But Nelson’s portrayal of Kull is layered, with a more thoughtful and philosophical approach than Conan. This “Kull” storyline will adapt the Robert E. Howard story “The Shadow Kingdom.”
The covers are by Andy Brase and Joe Kubert, and while both are good, I preferred the Brase cover on this issue.
I haven’t read any of the previous “Kull” comics from other publishers, or the original stories themselves. But as of the first issue, “Kull” is my favorite of the current batch of Robert E. Howard comics.
- Matt Price
New Terminator comics coming from Dark Horse
From Dark Horse:
In 1990, at the start of the boom of licensed comics, Dark Horse began publishing Terminator. Now, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the first Terminator film, Dark Horse is excited to announce the return of all new Terminator material for a whole new generation of fans!
With renewed interest in the property in both television and film, Dark Horse announced today its intent to begin creating new comics for release in conjunction with the film’s silver anniversary in 2009.
Rand Marlis, President of Creative Licensing Corporation who represents all Terminator tie-ins, said ”I’m thrilled to be once again working with Dark Horse. They are a superb comic book company and really know the Terminator world. Our prior Dark Horse comics are classics and we look forward to more quality stories and art from the Dark Horse team.”
Dark Horse president and publisher, Mike Richardson stated “We’ve had great success with the ongoing saga of Sarah and John Connor in the past, and the worldwide interest in Terminator has us eager to begin a brand new series picking up where we left off.”
The publisher went on to say that the storyline is being developed and the creative team will be announced shortly.
Dark Horse’s successful Termintor Omnibus Vol. 1 & 2 are currently available at a retail price of $24.95.
Myspace has “Kull” preview
Shoot on over to MySpace Comic Books for an early look at Dark Horse’s “Kull,” set for a November release. Joining “Conan” and “Solomon Kane” in Dark Horse’s Robert E. Howard lineup, “Kull” will be written by Arvid Nelson and drawn by Will Conrad.
– Matt Price
Comics vodcast: Nova, Deadpool, Solomon Kane, Captain America
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss Superman #680, Nova #17, Deadpool #2, Solomon Kane #1 and Captain America #42.
Comics vodcast: Buffy 16, Magic of Shazam 1
Matt Price and guest Sterling Gates discuss “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” No. 15 and “Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam!” No. 1 on this week’s comics podcast.
Dark Horse previews “Dr. Horrible”
As Joss Whedon’s “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” nears its launch, fans can check out a preview comic at MySpace Dark Horse Presents. The comic stars Captain Hammer, played by Nathan “Firefly” Fillion in the web-based musical. Zack Whedon talked to CBR about the project.
– Matt Price
Upcoming March titles podcast: Say goodbye to Greg
Nerdage blogger and NewsOK podcaster Greg Elwell makes his final podcast as part of our regular team here.
In this podcast, we look forward to March-shipping titles, including “Serenity” and “New Frontier.” I’ll miss Greg as he moves on to new endeavors, but I also hope he’s able to come back from time to time!
Matt and Greg best of 2007 podcast, part 1
Greg and I discuss the lists you can see below on this week’s podcast!
Listen to Greg and me expound on the qualities of “Captain America” and “Buffy.” Listen to Greg mispronounce “mythos.” There’s not a more fun way to spend about 12 minutes.
– Matt Price
Matt Price’s ten best comic-book titles of the year
Monthly comics remain the backbone of many comic-book stores, and several strong storylines worked their way into fans’ hands in 2007. While some fans suffered from “event fatigue” as last year’s “Civil War” and “Infinite Crisis” were followed by “World War Hulk” and “Countdown,” events done right still drew in fans. While superhero comics remained a mainstay of monthly comic books, slice-of-life tales and science fiction also found a place among the year’s best comics. The following are the ten best comic-book series of 2007.
1. Captain America — All Captain America had to do to have the best comic on the stands was get killed. In “Captain America” No. 25, writer Ed Brubaker drew the attention of the nation by killing Cap. Since the Captain’s death, the story has continued to be compelling, as Captain America’s friends and allies investigate his death. In January, someone new will take the mantle of Captain America.
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 — Joss Whedon continues his critically acclaimed television series “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” in comic-book format. With arcs written by Whedon and Brian K. Vaughan (“Y: The Last Man,” TV’s “Lost”), “Season 8” captures the wit and action of the television series, with a much lower budget.
3. The Sinestro Corps War — Geoff Johns and company showed the world how to do a superhero crossover with “Sinestro Corps War,” which ran through “Green Lantern,” “Green Lantern Corps” and four specials. The Green Lanterns, an intergalactic peacekeeping force, find themselves stretched to their limit when Sinestro, a former Green Lantern, creates his own corps, dedicated to spreading fear throughout the galaxy.
4. Y: The Last Man — Vaughan’s long-running saga about the last male left on earth after a plague remains one of the best science-fiction dramas of recent years. Questions are answered and destinies uncovered as the series, drawn by Pia Guerra, heads toward its finish. (The final issue, No. 60, is set for a January release.)
5. Local — While Brian Wood’s “Local” suffered from some delays, the issues that did hit stores were among the best of the year. With artist Ryan Kelly, Wood explores life across the United States as each issue takes place in a different city. “Local” No. 9, set in Norman, features main character Megan McKeenan dealing with the death of a parent.
6. Strangers in Paradise — Writer-artist Terry Moore, one of the last of the 1990s self-publishers still standing, completed his epic about love and relationships, “Strangers in Paradise,” in 2007.
7. Action Comics — Johns and co-writer Richard Donner (director of “Superman: The Movie”) wrote an epic tale featuring the Kryptonian villains Zod, Ursa, and Non — and introduced a new supporting character to the Superman mythos. With artist Eric Powell (“The Goon”), Donner and Johns reinterpreted the Bizarro World. And, with artist Gary Frank, Johns took Superman to the future to meet up with the Legion of Super-Heroes.
8. Booster Gold — Spinning out of the year-long DC hit “52,” “Booster Gold” brings depth and adventure to a hero created in the 1980s that many would have assumed was played out. Booster Gold was known in his initial incarnation for seeking fast fame and corporate sponsors, but after the events of “52,” Booster is now the only hero who can prevent certain calamities from happening to the timeline. However, he has to continue to most to seem the same cocky jerk he was prior to the events of “52.” The book is co-written by Jeff Katz and Johns, with art by the creator of Booster Gold, Dan Jurgens. Sort of a superhero “Quantum Leap,” Booster is motivated to try to save his best friend from death — but must first work with time-traveler Rip Hunter in his quest to stop disastrous events throughout time.
9. The Brave and the Bold — Writer Mark Waid and artist George Perez create the retro blast of fun that is “Brave and Bold,” teaming up DC heroes to solve mysteries and fight crime.
10. The Immortal Iron Fist — Brubaker and Matt Fraction, with artist David Aja, revamp Marvel’s 1970s martial arts hero Iron Fist. The first storyline examines the history of the power known as the Iron Fist, and how it fell to hero Danny Rand, the latest in a line of warriors to wield it.
– Matt Price
Ten Best Titles of the Year – Elwell Edition
Matt and I have been working on our lists for the best of 2007 and with the New Year rapidly approaching, here’s a look at my uninformed opinions on the matter.
Note: I cheated, as you can clearly see, by grouping a few titles together. But this ain’t rocket surgery, folks. I can do what I want. You’re not the boss of me!
1. Trials of Shazam!
Judd Winick breathes life into a character (Captain Marvel Jr.) that most people couldn’t care less about, making his three-dimensional and captivating.
2. DMZ
In the midst of the Iraq War, this comic book brings war home literally, and the adventures of Matty Roth have as much to do with the world we live in as the fictional world of a New York split apart by civil war.
3. Blue Beetle/ Booster Gold/ Checkmate
Spinning out of Infinite Crisis are three exceptional relaunches of three previously canceled series. These are the little engines that could and desperately must if only to prove that books without Superman or Batman can deliver big on story.
4. Stormwatch PHD
In the WildStorm Universe, heroes aren’t really heroes, so it’s up to normal folks like the Stormwatch Post Human Division to put them in their place. A spiritual successor to “Stormwatch: Team Achilles,” this book is entertaining from whole cloth, creating true characters out of a poorly defined world.
5. X-Factor
While the rest of the X-universe is mired in awful, dreadful continuity, only Peter David’s “X-Factor” enjoys the mutant community. Centered around Jamie Madrox’s detective agency, this book is consistently a source of big laughs and shocking twists.
6. Captain America
Captain America is dead! Long live Captain America! What could have been an unmitigated disaster (a book in which the lead character is dead) was given wings by Ed Brubaker. Add in a character many thought was a huge mistake (Bucky aka The Winter Soldier) and you’ve got a bona fide miracle.
7. Fables/ Jack of Fables
All bow down to Bill Willingham, who took one of the most simple ideas ever (What if storybook characters were real and living in New York?) and created a giant world from it. This year in “Fables” we’ve seen Flycatcher, a joke character, turned into a warrior king. Meanwhile, with Matt Sturges, “Jack of Fables” has become one of the funniest books on the shelves while adding a new layer to an already rich world.
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Holy God, do I love this series. Picking up where the TV show left off with creator Joss Whedon at the helm, “Buffy: Season 8″ is a wild ride that goes far beyond the budget of any movie. Dawn is a giant! The army hates Buffy! Next issue right now please!
9. Incredible Hulk
The genius of “Planet Hulk” and the follow-up “World War Hulk” is how much sense it makes. Of course The Illuminati would try to send Hulk somewhere that he would kill anybody. Of course something would go wrong and he’d end up a gladiator. Of course he’d come back, madder than ever before. The results by Greg Pak were astounding.
10. Nova
Much like Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, if you’d told me a couple years back that I’d be reading and loving Nova comics, I’d have called you a moron and questioned your human lineage. Now I have the luxury of reading Abnett and Lanning’s monthly space opera, starring a character who has really come into his own.
