Beyond The Panels #21: Three Books You Should Read
So, this week's edition is probably going to be a bit short. Basically, it's a rather simple little thing where I talk about three books, one from each of the three publishers I read (Marvel, DC, and Image), and try to get you to read them. As the year gets closer to ending, I'll be doing a best of the year thing. Two of these books will definitely be on that list.
Let's start with Marvel.
So, as you regular readers know, I'm a big X-Men fan. As far as it goes, if the rest of Marvel stopped publishing books but X-Men books went on, I would be perfectly okay with that. I was a huge fan of Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo's Generation X back in the 90s. It was a fun book- new. young mutants with some old favorites learning to use their powers and go on cool adventures. It was a fun book and a nice departure from the regular madness of the X-Men books- it wasn't as steeped in continuity as the other X books and Bachalo's singular art style kept it from falling into the trap of looking like every other 90s X-Men comic out there. It was also easily Scott Lobdell's best work.
I was quite excited when they announced the book was coming back and it hasn't let me down yet. Generation X is still the X-book for people who like the concept of mutants, but don't want to get bogged down by a million intersecting relationships and years of continuity. So far, the series has done a great job of walking the line between giving us an authentic X-Men experience without drowning us with years of X-Men continuity. Sure, sometimes things come up that it helps to have knowledge, but the book makes sure to give you a bit of a rundown.
The concept of the book is also slightly different than other, similar X-books- instead of being about the next generation of front line X-Men, this iteration stars the mutants who are never going to headline the main team,being taught by Jubilee, the patron saint of not being ready for prime time. It's a neat little twist on the young mutants learning to use their powers book that we've never gotten before and it makes the whole thing novel and more fun. Plus, the character interactions and art are great.
Christina Strain and Amilcar Pinna are killing it with this book and you should check it out. it's easily one of my favorite Marvel books every month. Give it a go, even if you don't like mutants. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Next, we'll go to DC with....
Super Sons is one of the most fun books coming out on a monthly basis. Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent play off each other perfectly. They're the Odd Couple, re-conceptualized as pre-pubescent superheroes. Do you really more?
Well, how about the art,which is kinetic and cartoony, but still well detailed? Jorge Jimenez keeps turning in amazing work, wowing readers. Whether it's a hyper aged Damian to a sentient planet to robotic minions, every panel delivers. Plus, his facial expressions are great, which helps in this book a lot, because it depends so much on the interplay between characters.
Speaking of that interplay, Peter Tomasi keeps the whole thing, balancing the humor with the superheroic stakes. The book never suffers from tonal problems, even as funny and light as it can be. Tomasi is an expert at ratcheting up the danger while also throwing in moments of levity that don't detract from the sense of danger. It can be a delicate balancing act, but he pulls it off better than most writers working today.
Finally, what makes it the most fun is just the characters of Damian and Jonathan. A lot of readers don't like Damian and if you don't, it's fun to see Jonathan take him down a peg or two. If you don't like Jonathan, Damian's constant ribbing of him will make you chuckle. However, what really shines through is how their relationship grows and how you can see their friendship develop, even though they are rather openly antagonistic towards each other.
If you want fun superhero action, you can't go wrong with Super Sons.
Finally, our Image book...
So, Deadly Class takes place in the 80s at a high school for assassins and is full of all the stuff you'd expect from such a setting-sex, drugs, rock n roll, violence, teenage power struggles heightened by the fact that everyone in the school knows how to kill. If you're not on board just from that description, then I don't know if we can be friends- if you tell me a comic takes place in an assassin high school in the 80s, I'm fucking there, dude.
Unlike the other two books I highlighted Deadly Class has been going to 31 issues now, while the first two have only been around for about a year. However, because it's an Image comic, getting the trades is rather affordable.
The book is a wild ride. Characters live and die-a lot of the people you're introduced to in the beginning aren't around right now. I was introduced to the writer of the book, Rick Remender, from his work on Uncanny X-Force, where besides being a solid sci-fi/superhero writer (I highlighted his Tokyo Ghost in a previous entry), he proved to be a master of character and drama. He puts those abilities to perfect use here. Seeing as how all the characters are teenagers, there is a lot drama going on and much of it is over the top (these teenagers being the children of criminals and other lawbreakers), but it all feels... I guess authentic is the best word. Plus, his knowledge of 80s youth culture adds to the air of authenticity the books has.
Wes Craig's art is great for it- his style is simple and uncluttered and it works well in the more dramatic scenes and the action scenes, but what really jumps out for me is the way is it's colored. Jordan Boyd uses a lot of neons in the background and in overlays over the foreground, heightening the 80s feel of the whole thing. While it's not always there, it's a nice touch. Usually, I'm not one for noticing things like that, but Boyd's use of color makes Craig's pencils and the whole book pop just a little harder.
So, if teenage angst, the 80s, and a bit of the old ultra violence (there are some amazing action sequences in this books, like the rat hunt or when Maria's family comes calling), Deadly Class just might be for you.
Next Issue- We all have our favorite heroes who are strictly C or D listers, so I'm going to tell you some of mine and why. Want to find out who they are? Join us next time at.....
Beyond The Panels!!!!!!!!!!
Let's start with Marvel.
So, as you regular readers know, I'm a big X-Men fan. As far as it goes, if the rest of Marvel stopped publishing books but X-Men books went on, I would be perfectly okay with that. I was a huge fan of Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo's Generation X back in the 90s. It was a fun book- new. young mutants with some old favorites learning to use their powers and go on cool adventures. It was a fun book and a nice departure from the regular madness of the X-Men books- it wasn't as steeped in continuity as the other X books and Bachalo's singular art style kept it from falling into the trap of looking like every other 90s X-Men comic out there. It was also easily Scott Lobdell's best work.
I was quite excited when they announced the book was coming back and it hasn't let me down yet. Generation X is still the X-book for people who like the concept of mutants, but don't want to get bogged down by a million intersecting relationships and years of continuity. So far, the series has done a great job of walking the line between giving us an authentic X-Men experience without drowning us with years of X-Men continuity. Sure, sometimes things come up that it helps to have knowledge, but the book makes sure to give you a bit of a rundown.
The concept of the book is also slightly different than other, similar X-books- instead of being about the next generation of front line X-Men, this iteration stars the mutants who are never going to headline the main team,being taught by Jubilee, the patron saint of not being ready for prime time. It's a neat little twist on the young mutants learning to use their powers book that we've never gotten before and it makes the whole thing novel and more fun. Plus, the character interactions and art are great.
Christina Strain and Amilcar Pinna are killing it with this book and you should check it out. it's easily one of my favorite Marvel books every month. Give it a go, even if you don't like mutants. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Next, we'll go to DC with....
Well, how about the art,which is kinetic and cartoony, but still well detailed? Jorge Jimenez keeps turning in amazing work, wowing readers. Whether it's a hyper aged Damian to a sentient planet to robotic minions, every panel delivers. Plus, his facial expressions are great, which helps in this book a lot, because it depends so much on the interplay between characters.
Speaking of that interplay, Peter Tomasi keeps the whole thing, balancing the humor with the superheroic stakes. The book never suffers from tonal problems, even as funny and light as it can be. Tomasi is an expert at ratcheting up the danger while also throwing in moments of levity that don't detract from the sense of danger. It can be a delicate balancing act, but he pulls it off better than most writers working today.
Finally, what makes it the most fun is just the characters of Damian and Jonathan. A lot of readers don't like Damian and if you don't, it's fun to see Jonathan take him down a peg or two. If you don't like Jonathan, Damian's constant ribbing of him will make you chuckle. However, what really shines through is how their relationship grows and how you can see their friendship develop, even though they are rather openly antagonistic towards each other.
If you want fun superhero action, you can't go wrong with Super Sons.
Finally, our Image book...
Unlike the other two books I highlighted Deadly Class has been going to 31 issues now, while the first two have only been around for about a year. However, because it's an Image comic, getting the trades is rather affordable.
The book is a wild ride. Characters live and die-a lot of the people you're introduced to in the beginning aren't around right now. I was introduced to the writer of the book, Rick Remender, from his work on Uncanny X-Force, where besides being a solid sci-fi/superhero writer (I highlighted his Tokyo Ghost in a previous entry), he proved to be a master of character and drama. He puts those abilities to perfect use here. Seeing as how all the characters are teenagers, there is a lot drama going on and much of it is over the top (these teenagers being the children of criminals and other lawbreakers), but it all feels... I guess authentic is the best word. Plus, his knowledge of 80s youth culture adds to the air of authenticity the books has.
Wes Craig's art is great for it- his style is simple and uncluttered and it works well in the more dramatic scenes and the action scenes, but what really jumps out for me is the way is it's colored. Jordan Boyd uses a lot of neons in the background and in overlays over the foreground, heightening the 80s feel of the whole thing. While it's not always there, it's a nice touch. Usually, I'm not one for noticing things like that, but Boyd's use of color makes Craig's pencils and the whole book pop just a little harder.
So, if teenage angst, the 80s, and a bit of the old ultra violence (there are some amazing action sequences in this books, like the rat hunt or when Maria's family comes calling), Deadly Class just might be for you.
Next Issue- We all have our favorite heroes who are strictly C or D listers, so I'm going to tell you some of mine and why. Want to find out who they are? Join us next time at.....
Beyond The Panels!!!!!!!!!!
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