Friday December 28, 2007
Devastating year
STICKING to tradition, here is the A to Z round up of the year’s biggest events in comics.
Amazons attack!
In the DC Universe, Wonder Woman’s mum launches an all-out war against Man’s World!
Bye Bye Bart
For generations, Flash(es) and Rogues have engaged in a cat-and-mouse game of good v evil with no major casualties. Well the rules have changed, with the newest Flash (Bart Allen) falling prey to an Inertia-led Rogues in Flash # 13.
Catwoman
My pick for 2007’s tear-jerker is Catwoman # 72, where an over-protective Selina Kyle @ Catwoman places her child up for adoption, and to remove the emotions she seeks Zatanna’s help to make her forget everything about her.
Death of Steve Rogers @ Captain America
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Elektra exposed!
Daredevil’s ex-beau and present leader of the Hand turned out to be a Skrull. Questions: What happened to the real Elektra Natchios or was there ever a human Elektra in the place? Since the Fantastic Four’s early days, the Skrulls have tried conquering our planet but ended up as hamburger patty! However, things have changed and next year’s Marvel main-event, Secret Invasion, may just turn the tide for this race of alien shape-shifters. Then again, biggest cop-out would be to reveal Steve Rogers as a Skrull.
First Borns
Marvel’s X-Men mega event Messiah Complex meets Top Cow’s First Born saga. While Mutant-kind celebrates its first birth since the dreaded M Day, Sara Pezinni @ Witchblade goes into labour.
Groo turns 25
Reading a comic book with poetry is already a scarce act but even more obsolete would be to see an independent comic character in circulation for more than a year. Here is where a cheese dip-loving dim-witted barbarian comes to mind, as Groo proves that nothing beats a trail of destruction complemented by a sense of humour. Happy 25th birthday Groo!
Honeymoon Interrupted
For decades they lived as a couple and when the “formalised” moment came (in Black Canary Green Arrow Wedding Special), the bride speared an arrow through the groom’s neck. A month later, it was revealed that a shape-shifter (yes, they exist in the DC universe as well) named Everyman assumed Oliver Queen’s identity as part of a ploy to lure the Black Canary to Paradise Island.
Initiative
Post Civil War, Tony Stark’s (S.H.I.E.L.D’s new head honcho) Initiatives have what it takes to “unite” America and the superhero fraternity. With the Superheroes Registration Act still under scrutiny, Stark’s plans of putting in place “Stark-branded” heroes should help him regain his popularity ... that is, if the Norman Osborne-led Thunderbolts don’t tarnish things.
Justice is finally served
After what seemed like eternity, Alex Ross’ Justice, a 12-part modern-day take on Super-friends finally hits the shelves. Now it’s time to dig up the first 11 issues to recap the fun.
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With Alex Ross’ inevitable return to Marvel for an Avengers/Invaders project, his legacy continues at DC with an abrupt homecoming of the Kingdom Come-version of Superman in the pages of Justice Society of America # 10.
Leonidas (of 300 fame)
“Ready your breakfast and eat hearty ... For tonight, we dine in hell!” Just when you thought that Sin City is how comic book movies should be made, Zack Snyder and Frank Miller raise the benchmark. This tale about King Leonidas and 300 men going against all odds by fighting the Persians at Thermopylae in 480BC gets my vote as best comic book movie of 2007.
More than meets the eye
While the comics world would like to take full credit for the Transformers’ blockbusting performance, it is sad that its paper-form adventures failed to live up to the Dreamwave benchmark. Now if only IDW would rope in Michael Bay and get those “bankrupt” Dreamwave founders to generate some readable Transformers comics.
Nic-ked Cage
When actor and self-proclaimed comic fan Nicholas Cage professed that he was a big Ghost rider fan, there was a degree of optimism. But boy, were we mistaken! Want a cure for insomnia? Try watching Ghost Rider minus the Eva Mendes scenes.
One More Day (Amazing Spider-Man and Sensational Spider-Man)
The four-parter that promises to re-establish Spidey’s web-swinging days minus the baggage. Will it be May-less or MJ-less? Amazing Spider-Man # 545 (due in January 2008) promises to answer all questions on the Parkers’ household. Or will Mephisto have the final say?
Power Play
On the local comic scene, there was an abundance of comic-related activities – Comic Fiesta, Play-Ex and the inaugural 24 Hour Comic Book Day. Kudos to the main drivers at Pekomik, CEDKO, MDeC and welcome to Komikoo, PTS Millenia and KLP.
Quantum Leap
Taking a cue from Sam Beckett’s time travelling adventures is Booster Gold – DC’s “greatest hero the world will never know”. Fuelled by his desire to “resurrect” his pal Blue Beetle, Booster agrees to be Rip Hunter’s “Time Cop” to rectify errors in the DC Universe’s time stream.
Rest In Peace
RIP Mike Weiringo, Johnny Hart, Steve Rogers and Big Barda.
Sinestro Corps
If you can’t beat ‘em or even join ‘em, then it’s time to start forming your own Corps. Eternal renegade ring welder Sinestro spearheads a new movement that is backed by heavy-hitters such as the Anti Monitor, Superboy-Prime and the Cyborg-Superman.
Thor-turous Return
After the Donald Blake teaser in Fantastic Four # 536 and months of patience-testing Thor-clone through the pages of Civil War, the real deal, Thunder God, returns with an electrifying, spanking brand new series. Issue # 3 in which Thor smashes Iron Man is indeed a sight to behold.
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Ultimates III
If there is one man who can make comic books disappear from the shelves – that person is not David Blaine but Joe Madureira. Jeph Loeb and him are now set to start a new chapter for the Ultimates.
Venom-ous Debut
As Eric Foreman on That 70’s Show, Topher Grace got the babe but not in Spider-Man 3, as Grace’s Eddie Brock role marks him as a loser and a symbiote-possessed maniac. Courtesy of the wondrous world of CGI, Spidey’s anti-persona and arch nemesis finally makes his on-screen debut.
World War Hulk
Marvel’s biggest event of the year sports a trail of destruction stretching from the Big Apple to the blue area of the moon. What can you expect when an angry Green Goliath takes on the Illuminati and the bulk of the Marvel Universe. Making the Hulk v Sentry bout as the main event was highly questionable, but John Romita Jr’s pulsating illustrations save the day and entire series.
X – ed
Forget about searching for Buffy Season 8 at your regular DVD store as creator Josh Whedon opts for a comic book version. Armed with variant covers, Dark Horse’s regular Buffy series is slicing the Big Two’s market share.
Young and Dangerous
Kids grow up differently on the planet Sakaar ... as in savage and brutal, especially when dad happens to be the Hulk. Introducing the green goliath’s offspring, Skaar – who is set on reigniting World War Hulk.
Zombies
Hooked on zombies? In 2007, the living dead were high in demand (Army of Darkness v Marvel Zombies, Marvel Zombies 2, Marvel Zombies Spotlight, Marvel Zombies Handbook and Dark Horse’s Living with Zombies). Just when you thought that no one stays dead in comics. Now, add the “living dead” to the list.
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