Gen 13 1-3
This starts out great, with a bunch of teens being experimented on by an evil organisation, but blows all the good work in issue 3 with some of the most ridiculous villains ever to appear in a comic. I’m not a huge fan of Gail Simone but she managed to get me interested in this dysfunctional group of kids as they get to know each other and make a break for freedom. Talent Caldwell’s heavily stylised art was also a pleasure, part mainstream superhero comic part manga it gives the book a unique look. Then the villains arrive and all the good work goes out the window. Even Caldwell’s pencils take a downward turn, it’s like he knows he’s created something awful and would rather be somewhere else. I know how he feels, I’d rather be reading something else. Grade: C+
The Immortal Iron Fist 1&2
It may be a little early to call this the best martial arts comic since the Paul Gulacy/Doug Moench run on Shang Chi: Master of Kung Fu but what the hell, I’m going to do it anyway. Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction have crafted a tale that encompasses the history of Iron Fist, not just the current Danny Rand incarnation but right back to the beginning with the opening pages of issue 1 set in 1227 A.D. As well as two writers the book also has more than one artist with each working on the Iron Fist of a different era. Travel Foreman and Derek Fridolfs depict the ancient Iron Fist’s (1227 A.D. in No1 and 1545 A.D. in No2) and there work fits the period perfectly. Issue 2 also has the World War One Iron Fist as drawn by the legendary John Severin. But it’s David Aja whose work dominates. Dark, moody with some jaw dropping kinetic action scenes Aja is a legend in the making. This is so good I can even forgive it the cheesy Mechagorgon villain. Grade: A-
Impaler 1&2
This is another title with some exceptional dark atmospheric artwork, this time from Nick Postic and Nick Marinkovich. As you might guess from the title this features Dracula, the surprise here though is that he’s on the side of the angels. Vampires arrive in New York via ship in a scene reminiscent of Stoker’s Dracula but these aren’t your regular vampires, they can turn into shadows and the usual weapons won’t work on them. This is William Harms brainchild and it’s clearly something he’s passionate about, with each issue featuring added content much like the extra features on a DVD. Image seems to be the home of good vampire stories at the moment with this and last months Drain and I’m looking forward to more bloody action from both titles in the future. Grade: B+
Article comments
1 - Wotan
Concerning DOCTOR FATE, the following article on his 1960's revival may be of interest:
2 - Aku
Thanks. I have been looking or a comic to pick up of late (It has been a looong time). I might give one or two on your list a try.