Happy Memorial Day Brother

This is my older brother:

Currently he is serving in the United States Army as a JAG in the 8th Military Police Brigade known as the "Watchdogs". Sadly he ships out from Hawaii to Iraq this November, and so it is with great pleasure that I dedicate this blog post to my brother Josh. The man who introduced me to comics.

While my family was visiting my brother on the beautiful island of Oahu, we of course hit the gym at the Barracks. This was one of my favorite gym experiences ever. LIKE EVER. Just training with all these Army guys in a gym that had not been updated since at least 1981. Classic. I love 'em old.

Afterwards, the Kessler men posed for this quality photo:


NICE.

So we proceed to leave the facility, but on the way out something catches my eye:

Yeah, needless to say I was stunned. But inspiration comes from everywhere and there is no one else I would rather be inspired by than Captain America. Go Army.

So thanks brudda. I owe a lot to you and today, more so than ever, I am proud of you.

The Fantom... Takes A Look

As you may recall (or may not) I mentioned in my review of the Young Avengers HC that artist Jimmy Cheung is incapable of drawing different faces. Here is the proof.

Now, I love his art, and this cover is great. I think he draws with great bravado, in a style that everyone can enjoy. But he really has to work on this face thing. Not the faces they make, because I think those are spot on, just the construction of the faces needs to be better. Because eventually, the big guys and fans are going to begin to notice his limited range. Check this out:

Same face. VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

Now really, who am I to take shots at Jim Cheung? But don't you WANT to see him do something a little different with his art. Experiment a little. I mean, it would look absolutely amazing I think. He has mastered the basics better than anyone in my opinion and I would love to see that evolution.

BONUS CONTENT!

God, isn't Cap just adorable.

*ATTN: Jordan Kessler

So a package arrived for me at the store yesterday. It looked like this:

It said it was from this guy:

So I opened it:

OH...

MY...

STARS!

TOTALLY RAD!

And just so you dont think Ryan Kelly is just some sort of art fairy, I did in fact purchase these from Mr. Kelly. And let me tell you something. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. We emailed back and forth, settled on the prices and within days I recieved my first pieces of original art*. So thanks Ryan! And a big thanks to The Devon Sanders, who even informed me that Ryan would do this.

* Art from Local #11, Published by Oni Press

A Fantom Preivew

Here's a sneak peek at the battle that will rage in the heart of New York City in Secret Invasion #3.

Man, Vision cannot catch a break.

The Fantom... REVIEWS!

Reviews For The Week Of 5/21/2008

Justice League Of America #21:
IGN just says it better:

"Justice League of America is without a doubt, hands down the most frustrating title on the stands to read month in and month out. Following the departure of writer Brad Meltzer from the title, DC announced that Dwayne McDuffie, himself a seasoned Justice League writer after four fantastic seasons helming the animated television show, would be taking over the book. They then proceeded to cripple any creative impulse McDuffie might have had by forcing one crossover after another onto the title, making Justice League of America the company's premier marketing device rather than its most entertaining and bombastic book."

It really is time for this book to take off. I love the League, and after filling virtually everybody's subscription box with this title, so does everyone else . Now I blame the animated series for this. It built an unbelievable following that carried over to the comic, but really, DC is absolutely trashing their greatest property. And that's really the problem I guess. They see it as property.


Amazing Spider-Man #559 & #560:

WARNING: POTENTIALLY GOOD AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ARC

I thought I would throw that out there since, from the beginning of Brand New Day, most of these stories have been... well... bad . This arc is one of the exceptions (and its precursor ASM #555-557), and once again restores my faith in the fun pulpiness that a Spider-Man comic should be (Be it, this is direction Marvel wants to take the character). Dan Slott admirably handles the scribing of Peter's duologue, while simultaneously introducing us to a few new "villains"; who I only put in quotes because they really are nowhere near SPIDER-MANS ROGUES GALLERY, material. But watching their confrontations, and anticipating their future ones sure is fun.


Mighty Avengers #14:
I like the Sentry.

Now hopefully I'll start to get more hits. FLAME ME. BRING IT ON.

But seriously I enjoy the trials and trivals of Bob Reynolds. I however did NOT particularly care for the Sentry mini-series, but Marvel and Bendis have done a good job directing the character into a direction where he somewhat entertaining, and dare I say...enjoyable. This issue continues to follow the excellent success of the previous Secret Invasion tie-ins, helping to fill out the panels of Secret Invasion #2 where the Sentry just up and leaves the fight screaming nonsense. And really, this is a very obvious story to tell. The Skrulls have no idea how to defeat the Sentry in a physical sense. But mentally, bingo. And who is the only one who can mentally screw with Bob. The Void.

All in all, a pretty great issue. BUT, I can understand that if you have not read the Sentry mini, you will most likely hate this.


Brothers In Arms #1:
Great game. An absolutely awesome game. The comic. Its alright.

This comic pretty much brings the characters from the game to the page, in what is, perhaps the most trampled over part of a licencing/history text book ever. There really is zero need for this book. Sure it looks alright artistically. Very accurate to WW II in both look and feeling. But we just don't need this. I just don't need a book about the greatest Airborne squad in the history of combat... again.

But I'll read on. Because Captain America would want me to. He would want me to remember and blah, blah, blah.


The End League #3:
I could not finish this. I read about 6 pages, got bored, put it down and put it back on the rack. Its just not doing it for me any more. I was initially pretty excited about this book, but between the delays and the super wordiness of the characters its just a bore.

THE FANTOM'S PICK OF THE WEEK

CAPTAIN AMERICA #38

This issue predominately features Bucky and Sam Wilson kicking the crap out of Arnim Zola-bot and his goons. In fact there is a page where Falcon drops from the sky, kicks an AIM guy in the back the head, and then flys away. All the while Bucky is tossing his shield, yelling vigorously and looking tough.

It made me want to cry.

We also get a very logical explanation of this "New Cap" and what his purpose is, which is something most of us already knew.

Yes, all of this is in what I have labeled as, THE GREATEST COMIC BOOK RUN OF MY GENERATION. And I mean that. I have never enjoyed reading a comic more than this. The pacing, the cliff hangers, the characters, the action, the romance. This book has it all and I couldn't be any more happy about it.

A Word On This Week's Comics

READ THIS...

More reviews coming on Thursday!

The Fantom Reviews: Young Avengers HC, Planet Hulk HC

As I mentioned earlier in the reviews for this week, I've been blazing a trail through some graphic novels and now its time talk about 'em. EN GARDE!

YOUNG AVENGERS HC

Written by ALLAN HEINBERG

Penciled by JIM CHEUNG & ANDREA DIVITO

Price: $29.99

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Marvel Comics (February 13, 2008)
Dimensions: 11 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches

This, is surprisingly, one of my favorite graphic novels of the year. I purchased this a while ago when it came out because I had heard good things about this series. But man, it blew away any expectations I had. Like, wow. Awesome.

The story introduces us to a group of gifted kids, who after the disassembling of the Avengers (see Avengers Disassembled), take up the guises of their hero role models and hit the streets to fight crime. A pretty simple idea. But what makes this story take off is Allan Heinbergs (Of Sex & The City, Party of Five, Gilmore Girls, and OC fame) AMAZING characterization of each of these individuals. A task which should prove to be difficult when dealing with main characters who are in the age ranges of 14-18. But he does it, and he creates to date, some of the most enduring and endearing characters in the Marvel U. I don't want to give away to0 much about the characters, but let me assure you, their relationships to the Avengers, and their interactions with the Avengers (This book will make you miss Steve Rogers terribly) are extremely well done. Also of mention is, from what I have seen, this is the best rendering of homosexuality in any superhero comic to date. I don't think I'm spoiling anything, when telling you that two of the characters on this team are boyfriend and boyfriend, but their relationship is an amazing piece of fiction. Before them, most homosexual relationships in superhero comics were bizarre, publicity stunts, but what we see in Young Avengers is extremely well done; especially compared to other gay relationships in the Marvel Universe (I'm looking at you Quasar and Moondragon).

Oh, and lets not forget the absolutely terrific art. Jimmy Cheung is an amazing talent and really shines in this book, giving life to a team with powers that work dynamically on the page. Although I will debate that he needs to stretch out of his abilities with faces. There is absolutely zero change in anyone's face besides, sideburns, piercings, facial hair, and a haircut. Actually let me sum it up really nicely with this. Captain America Has Never Looked Cuter. But regardless, his work is terrific and I have found myself going back to look at his detailed splash pages time and time again.

It was a joy to read this, and I can now proudly state that my girlfriend is reading it as well!

INCREDIBLE HULK: PLANET HULK HC

Written by GREG PAK

Penciled by CARLO PAGULAYAN, AARON LOPRESTI, GRAY FRANK & TAKESHI MIYAZAWA

Price: $34.99

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Marvel Comics (June 13, 2007)

Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.5 x 1 inches

This is the best Hulk story ever written. Period.

I don't want Bruce Banner talking it out with Hulk on the inside. I don't want Hulk evading the Army once again. And I sure as hell don't want any more talk about Betty. This story here, this is a masterpiece work for a character that has largely been an irrelevant mess since its inception. I mean, the Hulk is great and all. But after his initial creation, there really are not a lot of stories left to tell. Hulk mad, Hulk smash, Hulk sorry. HULK MAD AGAIN! See. Its a vicious cycle.

So here we are now. The Hulk has been messing things up in the Marvel Universe for a long time. So what do the Marvel U's best and brightest think up, lets shoot the poor guy through space. Target him to land on a peaceful planet, and pray that he lives out a peaceful existence. Unfortunately for the Hulk, he lands on a Planet similar to a futuristic Roman Empire, and immediately becomes enslaved (he is of coursed initially weakened by his journey, helping lead to his capture). From here what we get is HulkmeetsGladiatormeetsStar WarsmeetsLordOfTheRingsmeetsJosephCambell and then the fun begins. A great amount of smashing ensues. Hulk makes friends, Hulk makes enemies. Hulk makes love. Yes, love. Its all here folks, in what is surely the most entertaining Hulk story to date.

Altogether, Greg Pak and his team of artists deliver a great story that I feel ends with an ending that didn't need to happen... YET. Its something I think we all wanted to see. But, I mean come on did they have to do that. Well, your just going to have to see for yourselves.

Macho Man, what do you give it?

4 OUT OF 5 ELBOW DROPS, OOOH YEEEEEEAH!!

The Fantom... REVIEWS!

For Books The Week Of Wednesday, April 14th, 2008

Since I didn't spend all that much on comics this week (I only purchased two titles) and actually had a fair amount of work to do at the store (yes, work), I'll also be reviewing a few trades that I have recently read. AND HERE WE GO!

Guardians Of The Galaxy #1:
This was pretty slick.
I became a big fan of the Marvel Cosmic stuff during the awesome Annihilation event, and with this book, Marvel continues to build upon the strong foundations that Danny Abnett and Andy Lanning have laid down with their raw, bloody, knuckles. I mean seriously, these two are now taking the whole Marvel galaxy on their backs and are achieving with astounding success. This issue of course follows the events of Annihilation Conquest, which finds the galaxy in need of some sort of police-force-team-thing, WHICH SHOULD BE THE NOVA CORPS, but its not. Instead we get a team made up of a glut of heroes that came from the two mega cosmic events of which none of them could carry their own book.

Fortunately this all works out for the best. Paul Pelletier wonderfully illustrates the chaos this team causes as their tear through space, arguing about nothing. Its almost like Seinfeld in space. Yeah, I just said that. But to be honest, not a lot happens here. I already know all these characters, and I understand that they are dysfunctional together, I'm just going to need something more to keep this all going. But for now this is a good looking, well written, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

THE FANTOM'S PICK OF THE WEEK

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #1

I have not enjoyed a comic like this in quite a while. Keep in mind I have very little exposure to the people in this comic and bought it solely because I always thought Captain Britain had a snazzy costume. But man am I happy I bought this.

Pretty much this series is giving us a look at how those wankers across the pond are doing during Secret Invasion. The answer, PRETTY BLOODY GOOD. Well not really. They are encountering all the problem we are having. Their highest positions in office have been infiltrated, there are giant robots trampling London, and there are some scary ass Skrulls flying around with the powers of Thor, Iron Man, and the Wasp. Thank god England has some amazing heroes to fight back with. Like this guy:

Or as I choose to see it.

And then joining him is the Black Knight who is straight up stabbing Skrulls. While Spitfire, who I only know from Captain America: Red Menace, is doing things like this:

OH MY GOD, SHE JUST RIPPED OUT HIS THROAT.

Now after I read this, I discovered that Spitfire is a vampire, being bitten once by someone called Baron Blood. But while this was happening I had no idea what to think. I mean, I thought it was awesome, but damn, that's some visceral stuff. Anyways this book is amazing, and I really hope to see the rest of Secret Invasion go this way in the action department.

I also wanted to show this, perhaps my favorite panel of all time...

WELCOME TO EARTH!

The Fantom... Talks It Out Chapter 1

In "The Fantom... Talks It Out," I like to take a time-out to discuss something I've been thinking about. Now, I know what you're thinking.

"Here comes Jordan, whining about the Darfur, or obsessing over Global Warming, or absolutely boring me with facts about the Mongol Empire."

WELL.

Its not going to be about that nonsense. But Genghis is a pretty interesting figure in the history of our world. Did you know that when Genghis was in his teenage years he once... sorry. Comics. Stay on target. Think Comics.

Okay, here is what I wanted to say.

Has anyone else begun to feel like when they read Marvel Comics, they are reading THE NEWS. While, when reading DC Comics, you're reading some sort of STORYBOOK.


Its just that Marvel, as of Civil War, has been mired in this "real world" view, where the events that happen to their heroes are covered by every media outlet available. And true, if they did exist, they would be the absolute center of attention. What they did and who they were fighting would dominate papers, T.V., and the Internet. But, quite frankly its beginning to bore me.

Don't get me wrong, I really loved Civil War, Civil War: Front Line, World War Hulk and the current Avengers: Initiative, as well as most of what Marvel publishes, but its all becoming a bit TO REAL for me. So much so, that after reviewing my purchases, the titles I enjoy the most revolve around entirely mortal men, with powers they do not understand, fighting in completely sci-fi/fantasy settings (The Immortal Iron Fist, Nova, Green Lantern). These titles feature very little "fictional media attention" and they pretty much just tell amazing stories, advancing characters who have been stagnant for perhaps decades.

This brings me to DC Comics.

This company is telling you stories. I mean, that sounds wrong. Marvel is also telling you stories. But one is telling you stories like a fairy tale, and the other is telling you stories like you have to understand this, because these are issues that effect you, and the planet you live on.

Stop me if I'm not making any sense. Its just that, recently I have really begun to like DC for some unexplainable reason and then this just kind of hit me. Infinite Crisis of course had major implications for the DCU, but it was kinda of whimsical. It was big, operatic even. And then 52 followed with all these other cool stories. But then Green Lantern just kicked my ass. Man do I love that book.

Well, I think I'm starting to rant. This is just food for thought. Please, talk amongst yourselves.

Oh Captain, My Captain...

It has come to my attention, that as of this date, there are now 4 people claiming to be Captain America in the Marvel Universe. Those would of course be:

1. Secret Invasion Captain America
2. Avengers/Invaders Captain America
3. James "Bucky" Barnes
4. Ed Brubaker's Captain America, (Red Skull) Captain America

My prediction. We get one of these men as Captain America. Perhaps Avengers/Invaders Cap doesn't want to go back, decides "his place is here". Or maybe Secret Invasion Cap is the only survivor or non-skrull entity to make it from wherever they came from. Thinks he has nothing else to live for, and he stays.

Ladies and gentlemen. This is how we get Steve Rogers back.

The Fantom... REVIEWS!

So Marvel pretty much dominated my wallet this week especially since there were variant covers done by two of my favorite artists: Marko Djurdjevic and that bastard, Steve Mcniven. I mean look at that Iron Man Cover. HE IS OBLITERATING THAT MANS FACE!

Now that we got the ole' adrenaline running, its time for this weeks reviews.

AVENGERS INVADERS #1 (OF 12) -

Wow. I was really either surprised that I really liked this or AMAZED that this creative team did not screw this up. And when I say this creative team, I mean the peoples responsible for Project Superpowers, which I regard largely as a disaster. But this, this was good. I mean, I'm a total sucker for nostalgia, and Captain America, but come on folks, I AM A RED BLOODED AMERICAN. In fact if you don't like this comic, a comic which features the return of the brave men who saved the world from Hitler during World War II, then, well, you must hate America and must kindly ask you to leave my blog.

Well that just got me banned in China.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 -

Matt Fraction is the man. I remember reading an interview with him a while back and he said, "Iron Man being made out to be a villain is bull-shit." I agree with the man, but he has been darn near unlikeable up until recently. The film has won over many (including myself), but in comics, he has become the most detested man in the medium. Forget Maxwell Lord, Lex Luthor, Sinestro, Cloned Spider-Man(s), Ultimate Hank Pym, Gambit, or Onslaught. People hate Tony Stark. A recovering alcoholic, war-profiteer, who has slept with more woman than there are comics in existence. Which I think is millions. Which is close. I think.

Okay, more than Kareem Abdul-Jabar. Yeah, that's right.

But Fraction makes you love this man. In the span of one issue, we fall in love all over again with Stark, while simultaneously becoming revolted by the men who perpetrate evil which Iron Man is destined to stop. There is something very pulpy about it. Iron Man is good. The villain (which I'll save for you to read yourself) bad. One will win, one will lose. You know the outcome. But its the execution that makes it so good.

IRON MAN VIVA LAS VEGAS #1 (OF 4) -

I rarely feel like I waste my money on comics. But this is one of them. As Chris of ISB observed, you can finish this in 2 1/2 minutes. Sigh. Also its $3.99. Double sigh.

BUT! It does feature the art of Adi Granov, who I feel does indeed do those online commercials that feature 3-D models. You know the ones I'm talking about. They look human, but they were obviously constructed with some kind of program. Outside of the armor, everything is relatively boring to look at.

LOGAN #3 (OF 3) -

Holy shit, the art in this is AMAZING. The story was good, but Marvel Knights, and I'm a firm believer in this, needs to go directly to trade with all their stories. I'm tired of paying $3.99 for what are often drawn out stories over 3 or 4 issues. Brian K. Vaughn does a better than most job with Wolverine, but Eduardo Risso carries this book to a spectacular looking conclusion.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #13 -

NICK FURY IS TOTALLY BACK. THIS IS HEAVY SHIT EVERYONE. But seriously, this issue re-introduces a character from Secret War as well as establishes Nick Fury's new team. Yes. Fury's new team. A team which features a family member related to the ORIGINAL FUCKING GHOST RIDER. Awesome.

NOVA #13 -

Still my favorite comic every month. Action packed, hi-flying, sci-fi adventure, never read or looked so good to me.

SECRET INVASION #2 (OF 8) -

Ahhh yes. Secret Invasion. After issue #1 how would its follow up be?

Ehhhh. Just ehhhh.

Yu's art is terrific but once again, issues like this show and teach the reader a lot about the story but don't really reveal anything. Particularly who the heck is skrull! That's really all I want. But the last page makes up for some of it. At least for me, I got to see Yu draw Thor in a classic Kirby costume. Which unfortunately makes this great for me, but not for everyone else. So I guess this issue is a necessary evil to advance everything.

WAR THAT TIME FORGOT #1 (OF 12) -

Yes. This is what I'm talking about. I understand that Bruce Jones apparently is the assassin of many a comic book, but this was pretty fun. FUN, in capitals. That's it. Fun. You may not fully understand whats happening, and there are a lot of characters from the DC's war years in 50's and 60's but this was fun. I always enjoyed the original Bob Kanigher title, and this carries on his proud tradition of soldiers fighting dinosaurs, a tradition almost forgotten by many. I can now only PRAY TO GOD that the Haunted Tank shows up.

With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility

I've always wanted to do a blog about comics, but never quite felt ready to do so. I mean, really. What do I have to provide to the comic book community? Another smart ass dissing on something they shell out money for every week, every month, for years? Or perhaps a guy who makes a couple of GREAT posts, and than takes off to blog for some corporate machine, breaking hearts all along the way!?

I SAY THEE NAY. I will be none of these.

But here is what I will be.

I love comics. Since I was ten years old and my brother handed me Spawn #1, I loved comics. And what I am going to do here is talk about my love of comics, as well as others love for comics. Because really, where is the love. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED.

What was I talking about again?

...

Oh, right. Comics.

So I work in a comic book store. Perhaps youve heard of us. Were kind of a big deal in Washington D.C. and I love my job. I never thought that getting a BA in History could help me land such a sweet gig. Otherwise I'd probably be a Park Ranger or coaching community hockey (which, now that I think of it, wouldnt be sooo bad). But I digress. Here is what I will give you or if you like better, provide for you:

-Reviews: I'll review what I read and buy. I'm mostly a Marvel man, but lately I've been spreding the wealth into DC and especially Oni Press.

-News and other amusing minutia.

-Posts on my, somewhat, keen observations in the comic book community.

-Steve Mcniven

-Thor

Yeah, prepare for a lot of non-sense about the God of thunder.