Pinky and Stinky
The first longform non-diary graphic novel we've gotten from James Kochalka for quite some time (since Monkey vs. Robot, I think), Pinky and Stinky introduces two new characters, astronaut pigs whose journey to Pluto is interrupted when their ship crashes on the moon. Along the way the two face the prejudice of humans, and an unexpected race living in secret in the moon. An all-ages work in the vein of Peanut Butter and Jeremy, this parable is ideal for curling up on the couch and reading to a young child. Adult fans will also be pleased to have a lengthy new work from Kochalka. There are no page numbers, but this thick book (Kochalka says it took nearly a year to complete) seems to be well over 100 pages, and is probably his longest single story ever. I was a little disappointed that Pinky and Stinky's characters don't seem to have the bite or insight that Kochalka's characters usually have. They're not exactly ciphers, but in this debut appearance, they don't grab me as much as Magic Boy, Peanut Butter or Jeremy did on first exposure. Again, though, this seems to be primarily aimed at younger readers, who may not be as demanding, and who may be enchanted by the idea of pigs in a rocketship and the adventures they experience here. Grade: 4/5
Powers #21
The "Anarchy" storyline begins, many months after the end of last month's issue, with Walker nowhere in sight. Deena Pilgrim breaks in a new partner (including a nice nod to the first issue of the series) as the city's heroes are being targeted for violent death. I keep saying that this title keeps getting better with each passing issue, and damn if I don't feel the same way about this one, with its new status quo, compelling script from Brian Michael Bendis and the continually awe-inspiring design and linework of Mike Avon Oeming. Since I do tend to gush about Powers, it bears mentioning that new readers could jump in with this issue with no difficulty at all. So if you've been thinking of giving this title a try, now would be a very, very good time. Grade: 5/5
The Filth #2
Grant Morrison paradoxically makes the story more comprehensible even as he introduces more bizarre and fantastic concepts. Pretty much every element thats ome readers found confusing in the first issue is explained here, but in a natural way that doesn't feel forced. By the end of the issue we know who Slade is (or is being told he is) and what it is that his organization does. This is fascinating stuff, The Invisibles taken to another level, and this issue includes one of the most striking images I've ever seen in a mainstream comic -- but I won't spoil it for you. You'll know it when you see it. Grade: 4.5/5
Ruse #9
The thrill of seeing the Lightbourne storyline move ahead is obviously attenuated a bit by knowing that writer Mark Waid, whose mind gave us these delightful characters and the world in which they live, will be moving along in just a few issues. A Galaxy reader wrote recently to assure me that the title's quality won't drop when Waid leaves, but, I've been reading comic for thirty years. So forgive me if I'm just a bit skeptical on that point. To the issue at hand, we have a pretty tradional Holmesian mystery here, a whodunnit involving a rich dead guy and various acquaintances and family members. Butch Guice is given a chance to really show off his skills depicting the castle the family lives in, and gets in some nice Gene Colan-like effects in a scene set in a rainstorm. For any number of reasons -- the plots, language, art, and colours among them -- this is CrossGen's best, most vital title. Read it while it's in the hands of its creator, and then let's hold our breath and see how things go after he leaves. Because Waid's made me love this book enough to want to keep reading it after he goes. The rest is out of our hands. Grade: 4/5
Tom Strong #17
Maybe it's the squeaky-clean (and utterly gorgeous) artwork of Chris Sprouse, or maybe it's the deceptively simple stories that recall -- and far exceed -- the qualities of the Silver Age of comics. Whatever the reason, Tom Strong always seems to get stuck near the bottom of the list of favourite ABC titles among readers, outshone by League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Top 10 and Promethea. While I like all those titles, I love Tom Strong for the subtle moments of character (watch Tesla and her boyfriend carefully, here) and for the heroic determination of her father, the title character Tom Strong. This issue is a continuation of the alien invasion story, and it's filled to bursting with action, character and sardonic plot developments. It also has Moore's enormous gift for playing with language, and Sprouse's sharp, sure artwork. Tom Strong is one of the best regular comics being published today, and one that's severely under-rated by readers. If you haven't been following it, you're cheating yourself of some vastly entertaining, visually striking comics. Grade: 5/5
Mortal Souls #3
Steven Grant's horrific police procedural wraps up its first story-arc with grisly gore and unexpected heroism. Avatar is clearly a publisher in transition, morphing into a writer-friendly house that specializes in fast, dirty stories that often contain surprising depths of horror and evil. I do think this story would have worked better in colour -- the super-detailed art tends to lose impact in black and white -- but these three issues have been an entertaining ride, and I hope to see Grant and colleagues turn out some more in the near future. Grade: 4/5
Ultimate Spider-Man #24
Wow, 24 issues, plus Team-Up and that Super-Special. Say what you will about the Ultimates line, Brian Michael Bendis sticks to his commitments like nobody's business. And on this title, he's kept up the quality from page one of issue #1, providing younger readers with an excellent, high-quality entry-level Spidey book, and giving old farts like me a fond look at a favourite childhood character. This issue sees Peter Parker getting an earful about how life works from Nick Fury, and getting manipulated by Norman Osborn. As is usual with Bendis, this is an issue of conversations, and as is also usual, it works wonderfully well. I don't feel the need to check in with this every issue, but I'll probably be buying the second hardcover as I did the first, because these are stories that will survive well into the future, and delight generations yet to come. Grade: 4.5/5