Luke Cage – Genndy-style

The mad genius behind Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Lab and more recently the Star Wars- Clone Wars animated series, Genndy Tartakovsky, has decided to try his hand at comic books.

Marvel Comics just announced Tartakovsky will write and draw a four issue mini series about Luke Cage, Hero for Hire.

Begun by Roy Thomas and George Tuska in 1972 as an attempt to tap into the hip nature of a non-white hero (for once), Luke Cage, Hero for Hire came off as ‘white guys trying to sound black.’ The intentions were good, but the result… awkward.

While still a very fun series that is well worth reading today, the dialog is quirky and full of forced slang as Cage seems to walk through the dirtiest alleys I’ve ever seen in comics.

In all honesty, the oft-ridiculed Luke Cage ‘blaxploitation’ comics are no sillier than Brian Michael Bendis trying to sound young and hip in Avengers or Spider-Man when he’s obviously a middle-aged suburban dork.

While I’m pleased to see that Tartakovsky is working in comics, I gotta admit that I’m disappointed that 1) it’s someone else’s character and 2) it’s a tongue-in-cheek schlocky take on said character.

I mean, haven’t we already gone down this route before?

… I thought so.

More likely than not, this is a continued agenda to bring Luke Cage to the forefront in anticipation of his big screen debut (a technique that has been done with Iron Man and to some extent Black Panther… both fantastic comics which are long overdue for movies). First, he was added to the Avengers, now he’s getting a high-profile mini-series… I just hope it pays homage to the character rather than having a quick laugh.

Suggested reading:

Essential Luke Cage/Power Man Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Essential Luke Cage/Power Man, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout
Cage

John Romita Jr. returns to Amazing Spider-Man

Fan favorite artist John Romita Jr. recently confirmed that he will be returning to Amazing Spider-Man, where his trademark style will re-establish Marvel Comics’ flagship character. I’ve been a huge fan of Romita Jr. ever since his stint on Daredevil in the 90’s. I got to meet the artist at a Convention and awkwardly praise him on his work, comparing his line work to that of the great Frank Miller. He seemed touched, which was very polite of him, but I have to admit that I was distracted by the fact that his girlfriend at the time was the model for Typhoid Mary.

As a teenage boy, I never should have seen that a drawing can be real.

John Romita Jr. of course follows in the footsteps of his father who made the all-important transition from Steve Ditko’s distinctive art on Spider-Man as the first new artist on the title since its inception.

John Romita Senior’s son is no slouch in that department and has brought new life to Uncanny X-Men, Iron Man, Black Panther and The Hulk to name just a few.

While I enjoy J. Michael Straczynski’s writing, I started reading Amazing Spider-Man just to see Romita Jr.’s artwork. Their collaboration was groundbreaking and brought a strong following to the comic book series during an anniversary year with the impressive and touching ‘Happy Birthday’ story.

John can capture both action and emotion with a master’s touch, as was made evident in the special 9/11 issue featuring the reactions of the Marvel Universe characters to the attack on the World Trade Center. It was a truly difficult assignment that John threw himself into body and soul and one that he looked back on long afterwards with a mixture of pride and sorrow.

Today fans are clamoring over his work in World War Hulk where the weight of Romita Jr.’s line is inherent in every panel. While he has the appeal and energy level of a young hot artist, John Romita Jr. has been at this game for quite some time. I was stunned to discover that his first work was actually published in 1977 when he was 21.

Added to this announcement is that fan favorite writer Dan Slott will be joining John Romita Jr. on the Amazing Spider-Man as its writer. Many comic book readers have been following Slott’s successes on She-Hulk, The Thing and more recently the excellent (but rarely read) Avengers Initiative series. A fun writer with a fan following, Slott has been plagued with second or even third tier books until this point. I’m very happy for him that he has finally landed the job that will give him the exposure he deserves.

If you are a fan of Spider-Man, but wary to jump in for fear that you’d be lost in sub-plots, this would be a great time to pick up the series.

The duo will premiere their first issue some time next year.

Suggested Reading:

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1: Coming Home
Wolverine: Enemy of the State
Eternals
Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle
Essential X-Men, Vol. 6 (Marvel Essentials)
Thor: The Dark Gods
Incredible Hulk Volume 1 HC
She-Hulk Vol. 1: Single Green Female
The Thing: Idol of Millions (Fantastic Four)

New Dark Knight image

Photo taken from Batman The Dark Knight filming in Chicago.

Minimate Mayhem

As I have mentioned in the past, I’m an easy mark for almost any collectibles.

It’s true to say that after each post I write, I am assessing what I physically own in reference to the subject I just wrote about. I’m also short on cash right now, so I’m mentally building a ‘to buy’ list in my head.

It’s gotten to be quite the long list at this point.

One of my vices is action figures. More expensive than a drug habit and while quieter than tuning up vintage cars, it takes up more space. Even in this case where the figures are just so tiny and cute.

I’m of course talking about Minimates.

The miniature blockish figures released by Art Asylum, Minimates have been released for every franchise from comics to movies to TV series (including the new Battlestar Galactica).

To me, the secret to the Minimates is that on first glance they look silly and stupid and certainly not worth your time or money. Then you find that one Minimate based on a character that you love… and it’s too late. You’re hooked and your desk space becomes a veritable war zone of tiny block people.

Just this summer DC Comics got in the game with their characters and have been releasing two figure sets. The difference with the DC Comics Minimates has been scale. Brainiac is noticeably larger than Superman, Killer Croc is much bigger than Batman. It’s a minor detail, but one that is appreciated.

In addition, DC Comics has decided to delve into characters that have traditionally gotten less exposure in action figure form, such as Power Girl, Ambush Bug and The Blackhawks.

Marvel Comics has struck back with more detailed designs, including Thor, Dr Strange and the unexpected addition of Valkyrie. Their Minimate line has been going strong for many years now, they even made a movie!

X-Men: Darktide

However, the line has slowed down to a crawl the past few years. Apparently this was to build up momentum for the explosion of new characters I’ve just seen previewed online.

The Marvel Zombie comic book series opened up a whole new vista of commercial possibilities for Marvel. From action figures to T-Shirts and posters… I’m still surprised there isn’t a video-game. It seems like a perfect fit.

I was surprised at the announcement of Zombie Minimates simply because I couldn’t figure out what they would look like. Well… they look very disturbing.

From Captain America’s exposed brains to Spider-Man’s bite-ridden body, these figures are downright creepy… and therefore amazing.

Knowing a good thing when they see it, Marvel Comics continued to develop exclusive releases in the Marvel Zombie Minimate line, including Daredevil, Giant Man and my favorite the ‘light snack’ Black Panther and Iron Man set.

Just in case you think the non-comic book crowd is going to escape so easily, there are Minimates based on characters from Rocky, Lord of the Rings, Speed Racer, Street Fighter, 24, Back to the Future, Star Trek, Classic Battlestar Galactica and modern Battlestar Galactica.

I’m wondering why no one has called George Lucas just yet, but the moment Star Wars Minimates are on the shelves it’s all over and I’ll have to turn to a life of crime.

Minimates are available at most comic book shops, record stores (such as Newbury Comics and FYE) and online at BigBadToyStore.