This Week's Suspended Animation - Starscape Presents

Starscape Presents, #’s 1 and 2, published by Starscape and Starscape Online, 24 pages, $2.99. Available at www.spitfirecomics.co.uk .

Zombies are big in comics, today, which is probably one reason for the story entitled “Dead” in Starscape Presents #1. The premise is simple: an Old West town is the last “safe” place in a world overrun by the necrotic, cannibalistic legions.

Writer Gary Simpson crafts a straightforward tale that, while primarily an action/horror yarn, does provide a twist or two. Sheriff Flint is a highly sympathetic character, despite her “crusty” persona; no doubt, a result of years of dealing with “the dead”.

Artist Lee O’Conner provides pencils and inks that are, at times, wonderfully detailed and realistic. However, his extreme use of black in some panels doesn’t always seem to serve an obvious creative purpose. His is a style which, after further polishing, could develop a following. For what it’s worth, his cover for this comic book is superb.

A word of warning: This comic is not for children, or the squeamish (such as myself), as violence, gore and profanity abound.

Issue number two of Starscape Presents: “Ouija: Heartstrings”, involves the interesting concept of a man who does favors for dead people. Think “The Sixth Sense” meets “The Equalizer”. In this tale, he involves himself in a deceased woman’s case concerning her vampiric boyfriend.

Gary Simpson’s hero comes across effectively as a hard man with a soft heart. Unfortunately, Simpson’s unique idea cannot save the story from an art style which may be fine after more seasoning, but is, as it stands, crude enough as to actually detract from the story itself.

At the least, a comics artist should be able to always distinguish each character, and maintain things like size and perspective. To artist Tim Youlden I say keep working on your technique; one review does not a career make, OR break.

Like the issue which proceeds it, “Heartstrings” is a bloody tale, and not for the youngsters.

Reviews by Mark Allen

This Week's Suspended Animation - Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1, Published by Marvel Publishing, Inc, 96 pages, $6.99

Part of me still can't believe I'm saying it, though I've been saying it for at least four years, now: What's needed more than anything in superhero comics today is FUN. The stands are dominated by Marvel and DC, whose products seem to primarily be dark, angst-driven, delighted with death, and generally "mature" to some degree. I use the "m" word loosely.

This is why the Marvel Adventures line was/is such a breath of fresh air. In this case, M.A. Iron Man Volume 1: Heart of Steel takes Tony Stark and his iron-clad alter ego "back to formula" so to speak. Thanks to writer Fred Van Lente and artists James Cordeiro and Ronan Cliquet, this is my favorite version of the character since the run of Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen, which began in 1998.

The story puts a slightly different spin on the origin of the character, while preserving the essence of Tony Stark; a once arrogant man, seeking to improve himself on the inside, not just the outside.

Van Lente does a wonderful job of crafting stories and setting a pace which is reminiscent of Marvel in its' glory days. Action a-plenty, sufficient oratory and interesting characters abound. And, happily, these stories are not weighted down with whatever else may be going on in the Marvel Adventures universe.

Cordeiro and Cliquet have artistic styles that are wonderfully expressive, and don't clash with one another. Detailed and intricate, they are well-suited to the high-tech nature of Iron Man stories, without giving an inch on the action necessary for a slam-bang superhero yarn! And, for the record, they both turn in two of the best designs for Marvel villains in decades: Cliquet's Plantman and Cordeiro's Spymaster are aces!

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1 is ecstatically recommended for all ages.

Review by Mark Allen

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed? Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.

This Week's Suspended Animation - Unique

Unique, published in 2007 by Platinum Studios Comics, 48 pages, $2.99.

Jon Geoffries has a problem with nightmares. Sometimes, he thinks he may be going insane. His doctor reassures him, however, that it is simply a “matter of brain chemistry.” However, the meds which Dr. Maxwell prescribes not only exacerbate the problem, they are the means by which a whole new world is opened up to Jon. Literally. What’s more, Jon doesn’t want to be there. However, as a “unique”, with no counterpart in this other world, individuals of both realms have nefarious designs on him.

Writer Dean Motter and artist Dennis Calero put together a sequential tale that is not “unique” in name only. Though tales of two worlds are fairly common, this one manages to pull off an air of originality, as the main character visits a world where night is day, and vice-versa. Instead of “Good day”, people say “Good night” as a greeting. Jon also gets arrested for breaking curfew…, at four in the afternoon. Strangely enough, small bits of that nature help to give this yarn an authentic feel.

Motter successfully makes Jon a sympathetic character, as he eludes those who would enthrall him, all the while fearing for his own sanity. He also creates a fine sense of tension and urgency, helping to propel the story along nicely. The only complaint on my part is that the “love scene” between Jon and Amanda/Liona seems forced and out of place, serving no clear purpose.

Calero’s art work is realistic and dynamic, and his characters are expressive. However, while successfully portraying a “dark” world, the art is sometimes exceedingly murky. Additionally, the switch from world to world is not always clearly delineated. Thankfully, however, the artist “marks” each earth for readers; one has clearly defined word balloons, the other, free-floating text. This method keeps the reader “in the know.”

As a whole, Unique is a worthwhile comics endeavor, and is recommended for older readers. Find it as comics shops, conventions, and online retailers and auctions.

Review by Mark Allen

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed? Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.

This Week's Suspended Animation - Essential Daredevil Volume 1

Essential Daredevil Volume 1, published by Marvel Comics, 544 pages, $16.99.

As a general rule, I find it bad form to have a revolving door of artists on an ongoing title featuring a continuing storyline. There are two exceptions to this, the first being an obvious one: anthologies. The other exception is not as obvious. It is any book in which the artists are some of the best the business has ever seen. A good example of this is Marvel’s Essential Daredevil Volume 1.

Collecting issues 1 through 25 of the first Daredevil series, this ample tome features the work of no less than Bill Everett, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, Jack Kirby, John Romita, Sr. and Gene Colan. Amazingly, there is only one instance in the whole book in which the artistic “changing of the guard” is immediately, glaringly obvious, and that is the switch from Romita to Colan.

In this volume, fans will find Daredevil as he was originally envisioned: the carefree, devil-may-care swashbuckler, whose quips and one-liners could give even a certain wall-crawling hero a run for his money. Younger readers who have never seen anything other than the grim, morose, more Batman-like Daredevil ought to give these Stan Lee tales a shot.

A word about the Marvel Essentials collections: I was not an immediate fan, since I enjoyed the color in these stories, being at least familiar with them from my childhood. However, I have been won over, as some who are fans of original comics art have led me to the realization that these presentations are much like seeing the art work in its raw form, right off the penciler’s drawing board. Approached in this light, I have grown to appreciate these works that much more.

Essential Daredevil Volume 1 is recommended for all readers, and can be found at comics shops, conventions and online auctions and retailers.

Review by Mark Allen

(Have any comics work you would like reviewed in Suspended Animation? Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.)

This Week's Suspended Animation - The Dome: Ground Zero

The Dome: Ground Zero, Published by DC Comics, copyright 1998, 64 pages, cover price $7.95.

As in any entertainment medium, experimentation within the field of comics is important. And, while a handful of computer-generated comics were produced in the 80’s and 90’s, for my money, DC’s graphic novel entitled The Dome was one of the most worthwhile.

When the U.S. military detonates its’ latest experimental bomb…,the Quantum Bomb…, the after-effects are wholly unexpected. An ancient alien spaceship is activated, and an age-old plan is re-activated. Is the Dome of evil origin? Does the plan threaten humanity? And how will the story’s protagonists find the answers before the military destroys the Dome entirely? These questions are the linchpins of an entertaining plot by long-time comic book professional Dave Gibbons. His characters, if not terribly original, have convincing motivations and believable dialogue. The story hits an intriguing pace early on, and holds it nearly all the way through, creating a fun ride for readers.

A combination of painted art and computer-generated graphics, much of Angus McKie’s work is quite striking, even beautiful. However, as computer technology improves on pretty much an annual basis these days, the 1998 graphics will likely seem stiff, and even antiquated to some. Still, the art never distracts from the story. And who knows? It may even be a draw for older readers who were more into video games during the 90’s.

Adding to the total experience is a short interview with McKie concerning the challenge of producing a computer generated graphic novel. I can see this appealing to other artists, and even fans of comics history.

All in all, The Dome is a solid sci-fi thriller that fulfills the promise on the back cover of “a new kind of graphic experience with all the punch of a blockbuster action movie.”

It’s recommended for older readers, and fans of science fiction and thrillers. Find it at comics shops, conventions, and online auctions and retailers.

Review by Mark Allen

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