The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf |
| Posted: 22 Jul 2011 02:04 AM PDT John Byrne crafts 'period piece' set in Cold War, his first all-new comic series in more than a decade. JOHN Byrne, one of comics' acclaimed writers and artists, is launching a new ongoing series called Cold War, that explores the nature of espionage during that era and is his first all-new comic series in more than a decade. The new series from IDW Publishing begins with the four-part story The Damocles Contract and introduces secret agent Michael Swann, formerly of Britain's MI6 and now doing freelance work for the government on jobs with which it doesn't want to be associated. Byrne, who wrote and illustrated critically lauded runs on Marvel's The Fantastic Four, X-Men and Alpha Flight, along with DC Comics' Superman, is writing and illustrating the new series with Ronda Pattison coloring the art for each 32-page issue. "After years of working with John on licensed properties like Star Trek, as well as seeing him complete John Byrne's Next Men, I'm happy as can be to have something all-new from JB," Chris Ryall, Byrne's editor and IDW's chief creative officer, said last week. "Of all the stories John's told over the years, he hasn't really done anything with this level of period detail, spy-story intrigue and sexiness, so I'm happy to have him tell tales in a time period so rife with that kind of storytelling potential." In the first issue, Swann is asked to stop a British scientist from defecting to the Soviet Union and, in the process, helping them expand their nuclear weapons program. "He operates on a freelance basis, and occasionally his former bosses call upon him to handle something that is perhaps a bit too messy for Her Majesty's Government to be involved" with, Byrne told AP in an e-mail. "So he knows that when he is called upon, things have reached some dire straits. His response to this is usually very straightforward and brutal." Byrne said that he's been fascinated by what he called "period pieces," and had been looking to the Cold War as a possible avenue. "And I'd been thinking for quite a long time that it would be fun to play in those dark and dangerous days of the Cold War," he said. "Skulk around some of those dark alleys visited by the likes of Ian Fleming and John Le Carre. With maybe a little John Steed around the edges." – AP Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Posted: 22 Jul 2011 02:02 AM PDT Moon Knight #3 (Marvel/US$3.99) What started off as a major question mark has now become one of my monthly "must reads". Initially, I had this biased impression that this revamp was a poor Doug Moench-Bill Sienkiewicz imitation despite the presence of a proven creative team in Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (their Daredevil stint is a classic). A friend of mine (Azhar @ Pekomik Prez) did get Maleev to "admit" that he traces during last year's Singapore Toys & Games Comics Convention, but we can look past that fact. Hence, when the first issue was released, my expectations were zilch. However, it took just one page to change my mind and that was the premiere issue's last page – as the sight of Marc Spector @ Moon Knight talking to his "imaginary heroes" left me awestruck! Having followed Spector from B-grade Batman to Khonshu-devotee, the idea of him being a delusional anti-hero is indeed a refreshing change from the saving the world gigs that most comics offer today. While Marc Spector is used to holding multiple characters in addition to Moon Knight, the Bendis-Maleev model replaces the cab driver and soldier of fortune personas with a 4-in-1 hero facade. Apart from being a retired soldier of fortune who thinks he's a big time movie star, Spector's also the Moon Knight, Spidey, Captain America and Wolverine (?). In case you just blurted "What gives?", well it appears that Spector's mind has been hit by a delusional fog. He now believes that he has the backing of the "Big Three", with the exception that he is also them. We are certainly into looney tunes territory but those familiar with the last Charlie Huston-David Finch run can already attest to Spector's sanity. How does this make Moon Knight's revamp a worthy read? Since Spector's debut in the pages of Werewolf By Night, he has undergone many changes – concept, powers and spirituality. Being typecast in a Bruce Wayne mould, Spector has splattered more than flattered – making this (free) fall from grace a befitting play towards the character's actual strengths. Similar to how Matt Murdock @ Daredevil sizzles everytime his life fizzles, Spector is one of those hard luck heroes who thrives on sentimental votes, and this story practically places him at rock bottom. Personal problems aside, there's enough action and mystery to occupy the panels and the presence of a decapitated Ultron head should arouse enough suspicions for half-a-dozen issues. Similar to how Garth Ennis and Geoff Johns have brought out the characters in their respective works, Bendis is portraying how Spector should have been from day one – a flawed hero. The characterisation injected into Spector is certainly unlike his past incarnations, particularly his sense of paranoia – the moment with his assistant in this issue gets my vote for funniest event of the year! If anti-heroes used to be your cup of tea, reading this might fast track a reunion into familiar territory. Marvel Universe v Wolverine #1 of 4 (Marvel/US$3.99) THE title says it all. This against all odds plot pits the ol' canuckle head against foes ... and friends! In case you are having that deja vu feeling, especially after Old Man Logan and countless What Ifs of a similar kind, the only different ingredient here is cannibalism. In the mould of last year's Marvel Universe v Punisher, this four-parter reenacts the apocalyptic scenario with Wolverine as judge, jury and executioner. Along the same lines as Marvel Zombies, a mysterious plague gradually transforms heroes, villains and your average Joes and Janes into cannibals (instead of zombies). While the cause(s) remains a mystery even to Reed Richards, the first notable casualty shocks the whole world – as a Cannibalised Spidey makes the Rhino his Happy Meal on live TV! While Reed and Hank Pym struggle to whip up a cure, Wolverine loses another friend as Psylocke ends up as someone's "main dish". The situation worsens when an X-men entourage from Utopia falls off the radar, requiring Wolverine to make a visit to Central Park to investigate. Here's where the culling begins! While it took me a while to "digest" the Marvel Zombies concept (and I totally detest Marvel Apes), this Marvel Cannibals franchise requires a dose of gastrointestinal medicine to swallow. Bad as it sounds, the concept of Wolverine in two minds over killing and saving the world is nothing new and smacks of "x-ploitation". Jonathan Maberry is certainly no Jonathan Hickman (a real hotshot writer/artist) and it would take a lot more depth in terms of plot and concept to make cannibalism the new fad in the Marvel Universe. Hence, it's certainly no surprise as to why their "Direct Competitor" is raking in the popularity votes. Snikt-less! Fear Itself #4 of 7 (Marvel/US$3.99) It's official – Bucky Barnes @ Captain America/Winter Soldier is dead. Unless Odin or some time travelling excuse changes this fact, Steve Rogers has every reason now to reclaim his Star Spangled mantle (and just in time for the movie too!). In case you missed last issue, Sin/Skadi (daughter of the Red Skull and now empowered by dark Asgardian mystics) delivered the death blow on Bucky, which certainly added some "oomph" to this (initially) lacklustre mega-crossover. Fear Itself is the Marvel Universe's main event for 2011, banking on the premise of an ancient Asgardian prophecy relating to the Serpent (who happens to be Odin's brother). When Sin revitalises one of her father's old "leads", she unleashes the Serpent on Midgard/Earth and becomes the Serpent's herald. Accompanying her are seven other "hammer wielders", boosted by the Serpent's sorcery. While the usual combined might of Earth's mightiest heroes would prove adequate to fend off such threats, the situation is different with the Asgardian's exodus from Earth. As we arrive midway in this seven-parter, the good thing is things are becoming clearer. Apart from clarity on Bucky's status, Odin's rationale for leaving Midgard is explained (a ruse to "trap" the Serpent en route to burning Earth). There's also a prophecy stating that Thor shall perish during his battle with the Serpent – adding another "excuse" for Odin's brutal behaviour towards his son. For Thor, his defiance towards his father finally pays dividends as he returns to Earth just in time for the crunch with the Serpent and his crew. As two "major deaths" in consecutive issues is not Marvel's style, Thor's inevitable demise takes a backseat ... for now. Amidst all the violence in the backdrop, it is disappointing to see the heroes without a proper game plan against the Serpent's forces. The head on confrontations may be nice as visuals but the tactical absence is a bummer, especially when you have "strategists" such as Nick Fury, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark together. > Comics courtesy of Earth638 (No.31J-2, Kelana Mall, Jalan SS 6/12, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Selangor /Hotline: 03-78048380 / E-mail: earth638@yahoo.com). Trading post komiktiam@gmail.com wants to buy: Green Lantern (Geoff Johns) #19, 20, Green Lantern Corps #23, 33, Thunderbolts #119 and Captain America (Ed Brubaker) #9 maxteo@hotmail.com has for sale/exchange: Fantastic Four #587 (bagged), Fear Itself #1 (variant) and FF#1-4 Wants to buy: Blackest Night 3,4 and 6 Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Posted: 21 Jul 2011 11:57 PM PDT A Tiny Bit Marvellous I CONFESS: I am a Dawn French fan. I have seen and adore all of her television work. I found Dear Fatty, French's 2008 autobiography, clever, poignant and funny – I laughed out of sheer amusement rather than obligation. However, I was sceptical when I heard that French had signed a two-novel deal just before the release of her autobiography. Writing autobiographies is rehashing one's life in print with a sense of psychodrama and humour as well as juicy gossip thrown in to get tongues wagging and pages turning (not to mention, huge quantities shifted). But when comediennes start adding novelist to their curriculum vitae, it could either mean their careers are waning or they really do have a talent for the written word. Thus, I was very curious to see what French's debut novel would be like. Luckily, with A Tiny Bit Marvellous, French does demonstrate plenty of talent for the written word and ensures that her readers are hooked from the start: "My mother is, like, a totally confirmed A-list bloody minging cretin of the highest order. Fact. In fact, I, of this moment, officially declare my entire doubt of the fact that she is in fact my actual mother." Thus begins A Tiny Bit Marvellous. The opening passage with the colourful language is from the mind of Dora Battle, the 17 (soon to be 18)-year-old protagonist at loggerheads with her mother, Mo, a child psychologist who is about to turn 50. The two are balanced with 16-year-old Peter Battle, a precocious boy who is so fixated on Oscar Wilde that he calls himself Oscar, much to his parents' amusement and Dora's irritation. And then there is Dad, who remains a shadowy but vital presence throughout the novel. We aren't told his name and he only has one chapter/diary entry dedicated to him. Similar to Dear Fatty, which French wrote in the form of letters to those closest and dearest to her, the chapters in A Tiny Bit Marvellous are set out in diary format, with Mo, Dora and Peter getting their turn in telling their bit of the story of a family breaking down. The plot is simple: The Battles are far from the perfect, fully functional, happy family. In fact, the Battles, like their name, are at war with each other and with their own selves, and are heading for a breakdown. In short, the Battles are your average 21st century family, more at ease chatting with strangers on the computer than they are with each other. Mo is both annoyed and dismayed by Dora's shut-down behaviour towards her, and is amused and worried by Peter's obsession with Oscar Wilde. She also thinks that her marriage is slowly but surely dying, as both Mo and her husband (whose name readers only find out at the end of the novel) have been spending too much time at work. Dora's 18th birthday is coming up and she wants a grand party to celebrate her first step into adulthood. She also does not want her mother to be involved in the planning of her party, and certainly does not want her parents to know that she is smitten and chatting with (and planning to meet) an older man who she only knows as "X-Man". Peter, with hormones jumping all over the place, is working through the changes in his body, his guilt of humiliating a fellow schoolmate who is effeminate, and his crush on his mother's colleague, Noel. So, is A Tiny Bit Marvellous any good? The answer is an unrestrained yes. French did herself a great service by keeping the plot simple, and by giving a chapter/diary entry each to her three main protagonists, she keeps the story flowing and prevents the chapters from being too long and draggy. The language is kept simple; French uses the simplicity to great effect, reminding her reader that A Tiny Bit Marvellous is based on the minutiae of the everyday and it does not pretend to be anything deeper than a story of a (fictional) family. And French being French, there is humour in the novel, but it is treated very subtly – I wouldn't bill it as an out-and-out humorous novel. For those who fancy having a light, easy read that has nothing to do with world politics, A Tiny Bit Marvellous is wholly recommended. It is, just as it says in its title, quite marvellous. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan