House of Frankenstein
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #7
The Humanids — artificial life forms that run S.H.A.D.E.’s headquarters — have revolted, thanks to rogue programming from Brother Eye, and they’ve set free the monstrous prisoners in the brig. By the time Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos bust in, they’re threatening to kill Lady Frankenstein, Dr. Mazursky, Ray Palmer, and Father Time. Of course, at that point, there’s fightin’ galore. Velcoro and Griffith pay a visit to the Armory, Dr. Palmer shows off some shrinking abilities (but says wearing a costume is “not my style”), and one of the monsters manages to hack off Khalis’ head. But there was one prisoner who managed to escape the HQ, and that’s bad news for everyone.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Excellent action — and best of all, Frankenstein’s dialogue is finally starting to sound like the dialogue Grant Morrison used for the character in the “Seven Soldiers” miniseries. If Jeff Lemire can keep that style of poetic rage going — wait, what’s that? Lemire is leaving this book soon? Dagnabbit.
Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #3
The Black Flame, a magical fiend able to burn anything with mystical black fire, is running wild in the city at the behest of gangster Arnie Wald. Fire crews can’t put out the fires, and Lobster Johnson and his friends can’t kill him. Even worse, he’s got sorcerers on his side, and they’re going to try to find out all of the Lobster’s secrets — including where to find reporter Cindy Tynan.
Verdict: Thumbs up. Beautiful art by Tonci Zonjic, and excellent storytelling from Mike Mignola and John Arcudi. Wonderfully tense stuff, with the right kind of hopeless outlook you need for the middle chapter of a miniseries.
Today’s Cool Links:
- I think you really need to see the Super Best Friends Forever cartoon, created by the brains behind the new “My Little Pony” show.
- Comics that teach and entertain? I’m all for that.
- If you’re into “The Hunger Games,” here’s a contest for you. Hurry and enter now — the deadline’s coming up fast!
Comic Bob Said,
March 21, 2012 @ 11:28 am
Why should I care about the Hunger Games? Serious question.
scottslemmons Said,
March 21, 2012 @ 11:36 am
No reason anyone has to. It has nothing to do with comics — at least until they make a graphic novel version of it — but it’s a bit of sci-fi/fantasy geekery, so it seems link-worthy to me…
Maxo Said,
March 21, 2012 @ 12:30 pm
I’ve been reading reviews for “The Hunger Games,” and I’ve gone from blowing it off to genuinely interested. I’m especially glad to see that it’s different enough from “Battle Royale” to be similar but not a rip-off. And apparently there is a distinct “majority poor suffering to benefit the minority rich” and reality-TV commentary vibe to it I appreciate. Like I said, I’m interested.
And how good is Frankenstein?!? It’s one of my favorites to come out of the relaunch. Lemire’s leaving? Noooooooo!!!!
scottslemmons Said,
March 21, 2012 @ 4:11 pm
I kinda go back and forth on Frankenstein. It seems like it’s taken some time for Lemire to get into the groove on the characters, and even then, the book suffers from the “Everything is a Secret Conspiracy” that plagues so many other DC books. That and the art is… unique.