Sky Doll #1
I wanna start with this one, both because I enjoyed it so much, and because it’s so, so unusual.
I tend to think of the guys at Marvel as being much like the guys that hang-out too much at my local comic shop – under-sexed, over-stimulated cretins. Marvel makes so damned many cash-grabs per month that’s it’s difficult to believe that they occasionally artists.
How did it come to pass that Marvel is publishing a bunch of French comics? And comics with nudity and mature thought at that?
I may never know the answer, but for the moment I’m grateful.
As it’s creators note in the helpful comments near the back of this 54-page, almost adless monster, the art is a combo of manga, European, and American comics. Let’s put it this way: The faces are manga, the pizzazz is American, and the colors are European. But let me tell you – the grace is all French. As is the fact that this cute, cartoony book, full of bouncing boobs and bare bottoms is actually trying to get to deep philosophical territory by talking about religion, of all things.
This first issue is a hefty 44 pages of solid story, but it’s a page-turner. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters, figuring out the dilemmas the series is meant to explore, and I’m happy to report that the sky doll herself is a likeable figure capable of well-earned joy but providing glimpses of real loneliness and frustration as well.
We know Marvel couldn’t possibly be doing this for the money, but it can’t hurt if this book turns out to be a minor hit. So, support the cause and pick-up your copy today.
War is Hell #1, 2
The first issue of this book just the right combination of action, mystery, unique characters, and witty banter to get me really excited. And it doesn’t hurt that the names Ennis and Chykin or on the book. (Hey, don’t those American Flagg reprints start soon?)
The story so far involves an American pilot in a British squadron. He’s not exactly well-liked by anyone in his group, and it doesn’t help that he won’t tell anyone anything about his real life.
For some reason though, they allow him to stay on (I guess they just really need good pilots) and so adventure and hilarity ensue. He can fly really, well, but his lack of attention to detail is going to cost someone their life. It’s only a 5-issue series, so no doubt all the secrets will be revealed just in time for us to realize we’re witnessing the awe-inspiring “First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.”
Zorro #1-3
So, it’s taken me three issues to get excited about this series again. Not really a good sign, eh?
Well, I love me some Zorro. Old-school, Antonio Banderas, even the Gay Blade. So, I was pretty excited to see this series coming out, and with Matt Wagner’s name attached, it couldn’t be too bad, could it?
It’s been a slow start, which was used to great – and similar – effect in Ultimate Spider-Man. Stretch the well-known origin story out over a few issues, giving just a glimpse of what’s to come. And I admit that it has worked in the long run. For whatever reason, I stuck with the book until issue 3, and when El Zorro appears in all his glory at the end of issue 3, it’s a pretty big thrill. I got a little bit of a chill and felt inspired to get my whip back out and ride my horse around town searching for bad guys. (Luckily, I never owned a horse, the whip broke in 7th grade, and my plum-colored Zorro mask is much to small to fit anymore. What you’ve never seen Zorro the Gay Blade?)