ROGER’S COMIC RAMBLINGS: reasons TO BE cheerful

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by Roger Ash

It’s November, month of thankfulness. Well, there’s a day of it at least. There’s been a great deal of pissing as well as moaning just recently about the specify of comics, the specify of the union, as well as the specify of the world, as well as not without reason. However, I believe it’s time to shift our focus. There are so many great things available that are as well commonly overlooked. Taking a cue from the tune referenced in the title of this column, I’m going to compose about three things I’m cheerful about in comics.

Thanos Imperative: Devastation

Marvel’s Cosmic Books

These are the books that truly brought me back to Marvel. Not that I ever completely went away. When I started collecting comics, I was a marvel Zombie as well as still have a fondness for the marvel world as well as the characters who populate it. however I had type of drifted away throughout the years as well as the number of marvel comics I was reading was extremely small. however then I started hearing about exactly how much fun Nova as well as Guardians of the Galaxy were. On a whim, I decided to provide them a try. hot damn, am I happy I did.

I’ve always had an affinity for the cosmic end of marvel with characters like Adam Warlock, Gamora, Thanos, star Lord, as well as others, however they’ve never rather damaged into the exact same stratus as Spider-Man, Dr. Doom, the Hulk, as well as Iron Man. Writers Dan Abnett as well as Andy Lanning obviously like the cosmic character as well as they’re treated with respect. Under their watch, Nova has ended up being one of the most powerful heroes in the marvel Universe. They’ve made a team that has included such characters as star Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Mantis, Groot, Adam Warlock, Bug, Moondragon, as well as Quasar into one of Marvel’s finest fighting forces. They may not have the raw power of the Avengers, however they’ve got smarts as well as they don’t always fight fair.

The only cosmic book at the moment is The Thanos Imperative, with both of the primary titles on hiatus during this event. as well as when the dust clears after The Thanos Imperative, who understand what books will come out of it as nobody is guaranteed to survive. These are fun books with engaging characters as well as they remind me why I like comics so much. There is just no other storytelling style where these stories would work as well. as well as the fun I had reading these led to me trying the new adventures of the Avengers, the amazing Four, as well as others. I’m reading more marvel Comics now than I have in a long time, since they’re just that good, as well as I owe it to Nova as well as Guardians of the Galaxy.

Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo

I very first encountered Usagi in Fantagraphics’ Critters #1 in 1986, which wasn’t his very first appearance (that was in Albedo), however it was close. The adventures of Usagi, a rabbit ronin, quickly grew on me, however that’s no surprise as creator Stan Sakai is a consummate storyteller. as well as the cast of characters continued to grow with such favorites as Tomoe Ame, Gen, Kitsune, as well as the evil Inazuma. It’s likewise been a please to watch Sakai establish over the years. His art as well as storytelling capabilities have improved by leaps as well as bounds over those early days. as well as the stories are such fun! You not only get martial arts action, however mysteries, history, as well as romance as well. Sakai’s similarly adept at telling both short stories as well as long, rambling epics. He is likewise wise sufficient to understand that a new visitor most likely won’t join in during the middle of a long story, so he always complies with a huge story with a number of smaller ones, making for perfect locations for new visitors to join the adventure.

Even more incredible is that Usagi has been published by five different business (currently Dark Horse) as well as is still going strong with a extremely loyal fanbase. I can’t believe of any type of other comic to have done that. For my money, there is no much better comic, month in as well as month out, than Usagi Yojimbo.

Fantastic Four

The composing of Jonathan Hickman

I’ve enjoyed whatever I’ve checked out by Mr. Hickman (not that I’ve checked out it all). As I was getting back into reading more marvel books, I heard a great deal of buzz around Hickman’s work on amazing four as well as decided to provide it a try. What I discovered was a writer who got that the FF are more than just a team, they’re very first as well as foremost a family. You’d be surprised at the number of creators throughout the years who didn’t get that. He might likewise tell interesting multi-part stories as well as single problem tales with equal ease. as well as he has a huge plan for the book that he’s never lost sight of. I’m excited as well assomewhat dreading exactly how this huge photo will play out in the present three story.

SHIELD

From there I moved on to shield (I likewise had the chance to interview him about this). shield is not the simplest book to describe, however I’ll try. envision a story set in the marvel world with all the strong characterization as well as mysteries (and confusion) of the TV show Lost. That provides you a great starting point, however you requirement to checked out it to get the full experience. It likewise features Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, as well as Nostradamus as major players in marvel history. Plus, the art by Dustin Weaver is freaking gorgeous. Recently, I checked out his very first problem of ultimate Comics Thor as well as it provided in spades. It’s a excellent begin to the miniseries.

So, those are three reasons that I’m cheerful about comics. What are yours (not that you requirement three)? comment below as well as let me know.

Now, go checked out a comic!