Showing posts with label James Robinson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Robinson. Show all posts

December 14, 2020

Miracleman: Apocrypha # 1 - Gaiman, Buckingham, Robinson, Jones et al.

If we question the authenticity of a widely popular book, does that take merit from the work itself? The word apocrypha carries some negative connotations: false, spurious and even heretical. But when we talk about literature, can anything be defined as heretical? In any case, when Eclipse Comics editor Catherine Yronwode decided to publish Miracleman: Apocrypha, I’m quite certain that she knew exactly what she was in doing in choosing that specific word.
Mark Buckingham

The first issue of this miniseries was released in November, 1991. Shortly after Miracleman # 22, the conclusion of Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham’s Golden Age arc. So this miniseries, in many ways, serves as an intermission between the end of the Golden Age and the beginning of the Silver Age, which in the end never happened. Curiously, when Marvel reprinted Alan Moore’s Miracleman, a promise was made. The Silver Age would finally see the light of day; however, that didn’t happen either. It’d be safe to assume that Marvel will never reprint the Apocrypha miniseries, since it could be even more controversial than Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman’s Miracleman series.

The opening story is “The Library of Olympus”, written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Mark Buckingham. In his search for perfection, Miracleman has long stopped being a superhero and he has fully embraced his divine condition. From the heights of Olympus, he rules mankind, in a relaxed and condescending way that no one could consider as tyrannical. For Miracleman, people have become strange abstractions that he can barely understand, so in an attempt to learn about normal people, he decides to nurture himself with fiction. Instead of novels or short stories, he chooses that unique form of art that we’ve come to know as comic books: “Idly, as if I do not care, I take three of them from the racks. From each garish cover a crude drawing of my face stares up at me”.
Mark Buckingham

“Miracleman and the Magic Pen” is the first comic book read by Miracleman, and it’s the kind of classic story that could have come from the Mick Anglo era. Steve Moore, the writer, combines the sensibilities of yesteryear with the philosophical nature of Miracleman; indeed, the limits between reality and fiction can be easily broken. Stan Woch, who had collaborated with Alan Moore in Swamp Thing, does a magnificent job penciling and inking this story.
Stan Woch

James Robinson writes a very violent story that would be virtually impossible to publish nowadays. “The Rascal Prince” revolves around Johnny Bates, who in Alan Moore’s run was Miracleman’s nemesis. Kelley Jones, an artist often associated with horror and darkness, magnificently captures the sinister side of Johnny Bates, who once had been Miracleman’s sidekick. Johnny has all the power he needs to conquer the world, but he uses that power to rape an innocent girl. This is the beginning of the transformation for Johnny Bates, who would end up becoming the most cruel and depraved man, and certainly the only one powerful enough to defeat Miracleman.
Kelley Jones

Sara Byam writes “The Scrapbook”, with pencils and inks by the legendary Norm Breyfogle. The story takes place in an alternative timeline, in which Miracleman decided to stay with Liz. Together, they embark upon a road trip through the US. The main conflict here is the idea of a superhuman being such as Miracleman trying to adapt to an ordinary life, but no matter how much tries, his romantic relationship with Liz is still doomed. Finally, Matt Wagner’s “Limbo” is a peculiar conversation between Miracleman and the immortal Mort. In this remarkable first issue, we get to see astonishing work from some of the best writers and artists of the time. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Si cuestionamos la autenticidad de un libro ampliamente popular, ¿tiene eso algún mérito en el trabajo mismo? La palabra ‘apócrifo’ tiene algunas connotaciones negativas: falso, espurio e incluso herético. Pero cuando hablamos de literatura, ¿se puede definir algo como herético? En cualquier caso, cuando Catherine Yronwode, la editora de Eclipse Comics, decidió publicar Miracleman: Apocrypha, estoy bastante seguro de que sabía exactamente lo que estaba haciendo al elegir esa palabra específica.
Kelley Jones

El primer número de esta miniserie salió en noviembre de 1991. Poco después de Miracleman # 22, la conclusión del arco argumental de la Edad de Oro de Neil Gaiman y Mark Buckingham. Entonces, esta miniserie, en muchos sentidos, sirve como un intermedio entre el final de la Edad de Oro y el comienzo de la Edad de Plata, que al final nunca sucedió. Curiosamente, cuando Marvel reimprimió Miracleman de Alan Moore, se hizo una promesa. La Edad de Plata finalmente vería la luz del día; sin embargo, esto tampoco sucedió. Sería seguro asumir que Marvel nunca reimprimirá la miniserie Apocrypha, ya que podría ser incluso más controversial que el Miracleman de Alan Moore y Neil Gaiman.

La historia inicial es “La biblioteca del Olimpo”, escrita por Neil Gaiman e ilustrado por Mark Buckingham. En su búsqueda de la perfección, Miracleman ha dejado de ser un superhéroe y ha aceptado completamente su condición divina. Desde las alturas del Olimpo, gobierna a la humanidad, de una manera relajada y condescendiente que nadie podría considerar tiránica. Para Miracleman, las personas se han convertido en extrañas abstracciones que apenas puede comprender, por lo que en un intento por aprender sobre la gente normal, decide nutrirse de la ficción. En lugar de novelas o cuentos, elige esa forma de arte única que hemos llegado a conocer como cómics: “Ociosamente, como si no me importara, saco tres de los estantes. Desde cada portada chillona me mira fijamente un tosco dibujo de mi rostro ”.
Norm Breyfogle

"Miracleman y el bolígrafo mágico" es el primer cómic leído por Miracleman, y es el tipo de historia clásica que podría provenir de la era de Mick Anglo. Steve Moore, el escritor, combina la sensibilidad de antaño con la naturaleza filosófica de Miracleman; de hecho, los límites entre la realidad y la ficción pueden romperse fácilmente. Stan Woch, que había colaborado con Alan Moore en Swamp Thing, hace un trabajo magnífico dibujando y entintando esta historia.

James Robinson escribe una historia muy violenta que hoy en día sería prácticamente imposible de publicar. "El príncipe granuja" gira en torno a Johnny Bates, quien en la etapa de Alan Moore fue el némesis de Miracleman. Kelley Jones, un artista asociado a menudo con el horror y la oscuridad, captura magníficamente el lado siniestro de Johnny Bates, quien alguna vez fue el compañero de Miracleman. Johnny tiene todo el poder que necesita para conquistar el mundo, y usa ese poder para violar a una chica inocente. Este es el comienzo de la transformación de Johnny Bates, quien terminaría convirtiéndose en el hombre más cruel y depravado, y ciertamente el único lo suficientemente poderoso como para derrotar a Miracleman.
Matt Wagner

Sara Byam escribe “El libro de recortes”, con lápices y tintas del legendario Norm Breyfogle. La historia se desarrolla en una línea temporal alternativa, en la que Miracleman decidió quedarse con Liz. Juntos se embarcan en un viaje por carretera por Estados Unidos. El principal conflicto aquí es la idea de un ser sobrehumano como Miracleman tratando de adaptarse a una vida ordinaria, pero no importa cuánto lo intente, su relación romántica con Liz todavía está condenada al fracaso. Finalmente, "Limbo" de Matt Wagner es una conversación peculiar entre Miracleman y el inmortal Mort. En este notable primer número, vemos el impactante trabajo de algunos de los mejores escritores y artistas de la época.

January 18, 2016

Airboy - James Robinson & Greg Hinkle

I seem to have a nose for polemical titles. I have pre-ordered many books that proved to be the source of heated debates and, in my opinion, wherever I find controversy, I also find something else: the unaltered and uncensored voice of a creator. Whether you love it or hate it, if a comic book is controversial it means it has had a profound effect on the readers. You don’t participate passionately in a discussion unless you’re talking about something you really care about (doesn’t matter if you’re criticizing it or praising it).

So I’m glad to have been able to fine-tune my instincts towards series that are not received with indifference. And certainly, Airboy is the kind of miniseries that took everyone by surprise. Airboy is “a depraved misappropriation of a delightful Golden Age character” (Gerry Duggan) with “riotous humor” (Joe Keatinge); it’s also “As insanely imaginative as it is cringe-inducingly honest” (Brian K. Vaughan), “inventive, confessional, fun and full of character” (Rick Remender) and “Profane, disgusting and utterly brilliant. The ultimate NSFW comic book” (Jeff Lemire).

If you have a controversial miniseries and at the same time you have earned the compliments of such renowned authors, then you’re probably doing something right. Airboy is the best comic Robinson has written in years, and I think his narrative strength comes from two solid foundations: in the first place, Robinson’s knowledge and understanding of the Golden Age of comics (it’s no coincidence that his most famous works are “The Golden Age”, an Elseworlds project for DC and “Starman” a revitalized version of a classic hero); and in addition to that, the autobiographical and satirical components that define this particular tale of debauchery, redemption and introspection. 
A lot of alcohol and drugs / un montón de alcohol y drogas
The protagonists are James Robinson (the writer), Greg Hinkle (the artist) and Airboy (the old-school superhero). James Robinson is confronting his insecurities as a writer and his marital problems, and although this is a fictional setting, his words still ring true. His complaints about the current state of the industry are very similar to the opinions expressed by many writers that have abandoned DC and/or Marvel Comics in recent years. “I hate being at DC right now […] My career at DC is going nowhere. I’m in my decline. I know it. People reading my books can tell, from the quality of my work slipping, I’m sure. So, I drink and do drugs and pretend it’s glamorous”. As Robinson has explained in an open letter “I intentionally portray myself in the worst light possible and as the worst kind of person”, so obviously in real life the British writer isn’t snorting cocaine or having sex with transvestites 24/7, but despite the hyperbolic façade, Airboy’s content is still shockingly authentic “this series is a semi-autobiographical piece of meta-fiction that shows me at a self-destructive and unhappy time in my life before I sobered up”, admits the author.
The naked truth / la verdad desnuda

Airboy, however, isn’t simply a fascinating introspective exercise. As I have mentioned, it also gravitates around the notion of a man redeeming himself. For Robinson, everything begins when he meets artist Greg Hinkle. They have received a very generous offer to reboot / revamp Airboy, a superhero created in the 40s that stopped being relevant in the 50s… a character no one has heard about in more than half a century. And before they can even wrap their heads around the idea, suddenly Airboy is there. A noble adventurer of the Golden Age, a savior, a clean-cut do-gooder who, at first, thinks Robinson and Hinkle are either supervillains or evil stooges. The classic hero is completely befuddled, unable to recognize or understand the world as it is now. And slowly but surely, the writer and artist start corrupting the innocence of yesteryear’s champion. After making Airboy try drugs, they persuade him to have sex with a transvestite. Naïve as ever, the young man enjoys getting a blowjob from an expert mouth, but is completely disgusted when he finds out the “lady” he’s about to fuck actually has a penis. 

Sick and tired of our reality, Airboy decides to use his powers to take Robinson and Hinkle to 1945, to a world of honor and valor, to the final battle against Hitler’s army. Evidently Robinson and Hinkle cause more than a few problems (of a sordid nature, I might add). But even in the middle of a warzone, they come up with ideas not only to survive but also to change the course of their professional lives. 

I wasn’t familiar with Greg Hinkle as an artist, but I must say I absolutely loved his style. It really fits the tone of the story, and his use of colors is just spot on. His drawings are very expressive and full of life. And his covers are absolutely amazing. I hope to see Robinson and Hinkle working together again, they sure are an extraordinary creative team. After all, Airboy was one of the finest miniseries of 2015.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parece que tengo buen olfato para los títulos polémicos. A menudo me he anticipado y comprado cómics que resultaron ser el origen de acalorados debates y, en mi opinión, allí donde hay controversia, también hay algo más: la voz sin alteraciones y sin censuras de un creador. Ya sea que te encante o que lo detestes, si un cómic es controversial eso significa que ha causado un profundo impacto en los lectores. La gente no participaría apasionadamente en una discusión a menos que esté hablando de algo que realmente le importa (al margen de estar haciendo críticas o alabanzas).
Airboy

Así que me alegra haber sido capaz de afinar mi radar y descubrir así series que han causado revuelo. Y ciertamente, “Airboy” es el tipo de miniserie que nos agarró a todos por sorpresa. Airboy es “una apropiación indebida y depravada de un encantador personaje de la Edad de Oro” (Gerry Duggan) con “humor desenfrenado” (Joe Keatinge); también es “demencialmente imaginativa y tan honesta que nos sacude” (Brian K. Vaughan), “inventiva, confesional, divertida y con mucho carácter” (Rick Remender) y “profana, repugnante y absolutamente brillante. El cómic para adultos definitivo” (Jeff Lemire).

Si se trata de una miniserie controversial y, al mismo tiempo, se ha ganado los elogios de autores tan renombrados, entonces muy probablemente vamos por buen camino. Airboy es el mejor cómic que Robinson ha escrito en años, y creo que su fuerza narrativa proviene de dos bases sólidas: en primer lugar, Robinson comprende y conoce muy bien la Edad de Oro de los cómics (no es ninguna coincidencia que sus obras más famosas sean “The Golden Age”, un proyecto Elseworlds para DC y “Starman” una versión revitalizada de un héroe clásico); en segundo lugar, los componentes autobiográficos y satíricos que definen este particular relato de libertinaje, redención e introspección.

Los protagonistas son James Robinson (el escritor), Greg Hinkle (el artista) y Airboy (el superhéroe tradicional). James Robinson se enfrenta a sus inseguridades como escritor y a sus problemas maritales, y aunque se trata de un escenario ficticio, sus palabras transmiten verdad. Sus quejas sobre el estado actual de la industria son muy similares a las opiniones expresadas por muchos escritores que han abandonado DC y/o Marvel Comics en los últimos años. “Odio estar en DC actualmente [...] Mi carrera en DC no va a ningún lado. Estoy en declive. Lo sé. Estoy seguro que la gente que lee mis cómics se da cuenta que la calidad de mi trabajo va cuesta abajo. Por eso me emborracho y me drogo y finjo que eso es glamoroso”. Como Robinson ha explicado en una carta abierta “intencionalmente me retrato a mí mismo de la peor manera posible y como el peor tipo de persona”, así que, obviamente, en la vida real el escritor británico no está inhalando cocaína o follando con travestis las 24 horas del día, pero a pesar de esta fachada hiperbólica, el contenido de Airboy sigue siendo sorprendentemente auténtico “esta serie es una pieza semi-autobiográfica de meta-ficción que me muestra en una etapa autodestructiva e infeliz de mi vida, antes de lograr estar sobrio”, admite el autor.
Even a superhero has needs... / incluso un superhéroe tiene necesidades...

“Airboy”, sin embargo, es más que un fascinante ejercicio de introspección. Como ya he mencionado, también gravita en torno a la noción de redención. Para Robinson, todo comienza cuando conoce al artista Greg Hinkle. Ellos reciben una oferta muy generosa para relanzar/renovar a Airboy, un superhéroe creado en los 40s que dejó de ser relevante en los 50s... un personaje del que nadie ha oído hablar en más de medio siglo. Y antes de que puedan planear cómo sería ese cómic, repentinamente Airboy está allí. Un noble aventurero de la Edad de Oro, un salvador, un bienhechor de fuerte fibra moral quien, al principio, piensa que Robinson y Hinkle son supervillanos o secuaces del mal. El héroe clásico está completamente aturdido, incapaz de reconocer o entender el mundo tal como es ahora. Y poco a poco, el escritor y el artista comienzan a corromper la inocencia de este campeón de antaño. Después de hacer que Airboy pruebe drogas, lo convencen para que tenga sexo con un travesti. Ingenuo como siempre, el joven disfruta la mamada de una boca experta, pero se siente completamente asqueado cuando descubre que la “señorita” que está a punto de follar en realidad tiene un pene.

Hastiado de nuestra realidad, Airboy decide utilizar sus poderes para llevar a Robinson y Hinkle a 1945, a un mundo de honor y valor, a la batalla final contra el ejército de Hitler. Evidentemente, Robinson y Hinkle causan más de un problema (de naturaleza sórdida, debo añadir). Pero incluso en medio de una zona de guerra, encuentran la inspiración no sólo para sobrevivir sino también para cambiar el curso de sus vidas profesionales.

No estaba familiarizado con Greg Hinkle como artista, pero tengo que decir que me encantó su estilo. Realmente se acopla al tono de la historia, y su uso de colores es simplemente estupendo. Sus dibujos son muy expresivos y llenos de vida. Y sus portadas son absolutamente asombrosas. Espero ver a Robinson y Hinkle trabajando juntos nuevamente, son un equipo creativo extraordinario. Después de todo, Airboy fue una de las mejores miniseries del 2015.

September 15, 2014

August comic books / cómics de agosto

Kick-Ass begun 8 years ago. I never imagined I would come to love this title so much; the end of the third volume is truly the end of an era. I will definitely miss the adventures of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl. Also, Kick-Ass # 8 wins as the best issue of the month! If not for Kick-Ass, I would have given this award to Sandman Overture # 3; it was so impressive! I really enjoyed the first issue of Milligan’s Terminal Hero, and I had fun with The Wicked + The Divine, Outcast and Starlight. Unwritten continues to amaze me as it gets close to the end. I was pleasantly surprised by James Robinson’s Fantastic Four. Finally, Miracleman # 9 deserves its own review. And now, without further ado, here are August comics as per solicitations:

FANTASTIC FOUR #3 
(W) James Robinson (A/CA) Leonard Kirk 'THE FALL OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR' PART 3 • The FANTASTIC FOUR were victorious defending Manhattan from inter-dimensional invasion but at a terrible cost!!! • Is this 'Flame Off' forever for the HUMAN TORCH? • Introducing a new stronger, deadlier version of the WRECKING CREW!!! 

KICK-ASS 3 #8 (OF 8) (MR) 
(W) Mark Millar (A/CA) John Romita. The epic series finale is here! Kick-Ass 3 dons the costume one last time…will he be going to his death or a triumphant ride into the sunset? And has months in lock-up dulled Hit-Girl's death-dealing reflexes just when she needs them the most? This milestone double-sized issue marks the end of one era and the start of a new Millarworld universe. Must not miss! 

MIRACLEMAN #9 
(W)  Various (A) Chuck Austen (CA) John Romita • The battle with Gargunza has ended. • The birth of Miracleman and Liz Moran's baby! • And a shocking surprise ending in this groundbreaking issue! • Including material originally presented in MIRACLEMAN (1985) #9, plus bonus content.  NOTE: This issue will be polybagged 

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #2 
(W) Robert Kirkman (A) Paul Azaceta, Elizabeth Breitweiser (CA) Paul Azaceta. 'IT WATCHES FROM THE DARKNESS' In the second issue of KIRKMAN & AZACETA's horror epic, Kyle Barnes is still reeling from the revelations about demonic possession last issue and what they may mean about the time his mother was possessed. 

SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 (OF 6) (MR) 
(W) Neil Gaiman (A/CA) J. H. Williams. The armies of the night are gathering. The universe is beginning its final dance. Morpheus, far from home, walks the path of madness, accompanied only by himself. 

STARLIGHT #5
Mark Millar & Goran Parlov

TERMINAL HERO #1 (MR) 
(W) Peter Milligan (A) Piotr Kowalski (CA) Jae Lee. With Shade: The Changing Man, X-Statix, Doop and of course Hellblazer under his belt, Peter Milligan is now taking on Terminal Hero! Rory Fletcher is a good man. The problem is, he's dying of an inoperable brain tumor. And then his best friend introduces him to the mysterious Treatment Q. This strange and forbidden therapy might just save Rory's life. But its nightmarish side effects could make him question just how good he really is, and just how much he really does want to live. 

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7 (MR) 
(W) Mike Carey (A) Peter Gross (CA) Yuko Shimizu
In a dark land ruled by a crippled king, Tom Taylor searches for the one thing that can save the world - but only the pure of heart can even see it. And it probably never existed in the first place. And maybe the whole quest is a trap that's just been waiting for him to arrive... 

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #8 (MR) 
(W) Mike Carey (A) Peter Gross (CA) Yuko Shimizu. In 'Sang' part three, to find the maanim, Sir Thomas must succeed where all other knights have failed. Which isn't going to be easy when his own identity keeps shifting, and when the story itself seems  determined to create a very different hero. 

WICKED & DIVINE #3 (MR) 
(W) Kieron Gillen (A) Jamie McKelvie, Matthew Wilson (CA) Matthew Wilson, Jamie McKelvie. Laura has no choice. She has to go underground to find the goth-goth-gothity-goth of the Morrigan. Is this the most ill-advised underworld-related decision since Orpheus decided to see how Eurydice was doing in the back seat? To find out, read the comic that people are literally calling 'The one by GILLEN/McKELVIE/WILSON with the very long title.' 

WINTER SOLDIER BITTER MARCH #1 
(W) Rick Remender (A) Roland Boschi (CA) Andrew Robinson. 1966: With Nick Fury missing, and presumed dead, global espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. sends secret agent Ran Shen to collect two Nazi scientists with the key to defining who wins the Cold War. But the Americans are not the only ones who want the high value scientists. The Soviets have opened the Red Room, releasing their most dangerous operative --The Winter Soldier, who unbeknownst to the world, is the presumed-dead partner of Captain America-Bucky Barnes! The brainwashed soldier's mission: to acquire the scientists by any means or to kill them should they fall into American hands. This classic 60's style, high-octane, spy pulp told at Cold War's peak follows Ran Shen and his terrified scientists as they creep out of the shadow of East Berlin. Intrigue, adventure, romance and murder abound with ramifications that will shatter relationships in the modern-day Marvel Universe-including one with the Star Spangled Avenger himself! 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kick-Ass empezó hace 8 años. Nunca imaginé que me llegaría a encantar tanto este título; el final del tercer volumen es realmente el fin de una era. Definitivamente extrañaré las aventuras de Kick-Ass y Hit-Girl. ¡Kick-Ass # 8 también gana como el mejor número del mes! Si no fuera por Kick-Ass le habría dado este premio a Sandman Overture # 3, ¡estuvo impresionante! Realmente disfruté con el primer número de Terminal Hero de Milligan, y me divertí con The Wicked + The Divine, Outcast y Starlight. Unwritten continúa asombrándome mientras se acerca a su final. Fantastic Four de James Robinson me sorprendió favorablemente. Finalmente, Miracleman # 9 merece su propia reseña. Y ahora, sin mayores preámbulos, aquí están los cómics de agosto:

FANTASTIC FOUR #3 
(W) James Robinson (A/CA) Leonard Kirk

KICK-ASS 3 #8 (OF 8) (MR)
El épico final está aquí. KICK-ASS viste el traje una última vez… ¿se dirigirá a su muerte o caminará triunfantemente en el atardecer? ¿Los meses de encierro de HIT-GIRL han adormecido sus reflejos justo cuando más los necesita? Es el fin de una era y el comienzo de otra.

MIRACLEMAN #9
El nacimiento.

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #2 (MR)
Kyle aún está procesando las revelaciones sobre posesión demoníaca y la relación que tiene con su madre, poseída en el pasado.

SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 (OF 6) (MR)
Los ejércitos de la noche se reúnen. El universo ha empezado su última danza. Morfeo, lejos de casa, camina por la senda de la locura, acompañado únicamente de sí mismo. 

STARLIGHT #5
Mark Millar & Goran Parlov. En un mundo extraterrestre, la lucha por la libertad se recrudece.

TERMINAL HERO #1
Ser un hombre bueno no es el problema, el problema es morir a causa de un tumor en el cerebro inoperable. Hasta que su mejor amigo le sugiere el misterioso tratamiento Q. Esta extraña y prohibida terapia podría salvar la vida de este hombre. Pero los terribles efectos secundarios podrían obligarlo a cuestionarlo todo, incluso su deseo de seguir viviendo.

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7
En una tierra oscura gobernada por un rey minusválido, Tom Taylor busca el único objeto que puede salvar al mundo, pero sólo aquellos que son puros de corazón podrán verlo. ¿Existe el objeto o todo es una trampa?

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #8
Sir Thomas deberá tener éxito allí donde todos los caballeros han fracasado. Algo que no será nada fácil mientras su identidad continúe cambiando, y cuando el relato determine crear a un héroe muy diferente.

WICKED & DIVINE #3
Laura no tiene opción. Tiene que ir de incógnito para encontrar al gótico-gótico-gótico MORRIGAN. ¿Es esta la peor decisión sobre el inframundo desde que Orfeo decidió ver cómo le iba a Eurídice en el asiento trasero?  
my drawing (final version) / mi dibujo (versión final)

WINTER SOLDIER BITTER MARCH #1
(W) Rick Remender (A) Roland Boschi (CA) Andrew Robinson

March 10, 2014

February Comic Books / Cómics de febrero

What a fantastic month for comic books! I loved the Bojeffries Saga GN, I had been wanting to read it for years and now that I did, I must say it lived up to my expectations and in fact surpassed them. I’m quite satisfied with the first issues of All New Invaders and New Warriors (part, as you may have guessed, of All New Marvel Now). Since I no longer buy The Walking Dead I was very relieved to get my fix of zombie thrills in George A. Romero’s Empire of the Dead. Image’s Deadly Class #1 was quite an interesting first chapter and with great art. Miracleman continues to surprise me not only because it’s one of the best Alan Moore runs but also due to the high quality of Marvel’s edition. And this month I have a tie for best single issues (printed in 2014): Unwritten Apocalypse #1 and Thor God of Thunder #18 (Das Pastoras is the best!). Truly extraordinary issues. And now, without further ado, here are February comics as per solicitations. 

ALL NEW INVADERS #1 
(W) James Robinson (A) Steve Pugh (CA) Mukesh Singh 'GODS AND SOLDIERS' PART ONE • Eisner Award winner James Robinson (STARMAN, EARTH 2) returns to MARVEL, uniting with Steve Pugh (ANIMAL MAN, HOTWIRE, GEN-X) to create a unique, modern day take on the INVADERS. • The KREE EMPIRE intends to conquer the universe using a weapon that will grant them an army of NORSE GODS. • It falls to four heroes united by their past-CAPTAIN AMERICA, NAMOR, THE ORIGINAL HUMAN TORCH and the WINTER SOLDIER-who must now face the future and wage war against the Kree to save Earth. 

ALL NEW X-FACTOR #2 
(W) Peter David (A) Carmine Di Giandomenico (CA) Jared K. Fletcher. 'NOT BRAND X' Part 2 X-FACTOR IS BACK…LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Serval Industries, one of the world's most trusted names in electronics and leader in cutting-edge internet and weapons technology, has just unveiled their newest contribution to society…the All-New X-Factor. Led by mutant mistress of magnetism, Polaris, the team uses its corporate backing for the betterment of society. With her half-brother Quicksilver, notorious thief, Gambit, and more by her side, can Polaris trust that her corporate masters really have good intentions? 

BOJEFFRIES SAGA GN (MR) (C: 1-0-2) 
(W) Alan Moore (A/CA) Steve Parkhouse. Jobremus Bojeffries is like any other father - trying to keep the peace in a house stuffed with two kids (Ginda and Reth), uncles Raoul and Festus, a baby and old Grandpa Podlasp. Never mind that one's a werewolf, one's a vampire, Grandpa is in the last stages of organic matter, and the baby puts off enough thermonuclear energy to power England and Wales. All right, they're no ordinary family. And this is no ordinary book, with stories spanning decades, a whole chapter written as light opera, a Christmas episode, and an all-new 24-page comic bringing the Bojeffries up to the present day. On every page, the wry and anarchic creativity of the creators shines through: Alan Moore's affectionate and penetrating grasp of human nature (and British culture) creates a kind of desperate poignancy in the characters, brought to memorable life by Steve Parkhouse's deft and articulate line work. It's all there, untutored, unpolished, ramshackle and always on the edge of collapse. 

DEADLY CLASS #1 (MR) 
(W) Rick Remender (A/CA) Wesley Craig, Lee Loughridge. It's 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grades suck. He has no money. The jocks are hassling his friends. He can't focus in class, thanks to his mind constantly drifting to the stunning girl in the front row and the Dag Nasty show he has tickets to. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is 'Dismemberment 101,' and his crush, a member of the most notorious crime syndicate in Japan, has a double-digit body count. Welcome to the most brutal high school on Earth, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At King's Dominion High School for the Deadly Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical, nor is your fellow classmates' poison. Join writer RICK REMENDER with rising star WESLEY CRAIG (Batman) and legendary colorist LEE LOUGHRIDGE (Fear Agent) to reminisce about the mid-1980s underground through the eyes of the most damaged and dangerous teenagers on Earth. 

DEADPOOL GAUNTLET #1 
Deadpool has tangled with vampires before, but is he ready…to work for them?! • Dracula has a very important package he needs delivered safely, so he hires the Merc with the Mouth to get the job done! 

GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT ONE #1 (OF 5) 
(W) George A. Romero (A/CA) Alex Maleev ZOMBIE GODFATHER GEORGE ROMERO UNLEASHES HIS NEXT UNDEAD EPIC-AS AN ALL-NEW MARVEL COMIC! • Welcome to New York City years after the undead plague has erupted-but just because Manhattan has been quarantined, don't think that everyone inside is safe! • Not only do flesh-eaters roam within Manhattan, but there's another ancient predator about to take a bite out of the Big Apple! • Plus: It's a terrorizing team-up in variant cover form when the Zombie Godfather unites with the Zombie King - Arthur Suydam! 

KICK-ASS 3 #6 (OF 8) (MR) 
(W) Mark Millar (A/CA) John Romita. It's the flashback issue you've all been waiting for: The secret origin of Hit-Girl! Training, first blood, and of course, lots of hugs and positive reinforcement from Big Daddy. Exactly how does little Mindy McCready earn her assassin stripes? Hint: It ain't by collecting stickers. This issue will be extra-sized for extra awesome! 

MIRACLEMAN #2 
(W) TBD, Mick Anglo (A) Various (CA) Alan Davis • KIMOTA! With one magic word, a long-forgotten legend lives again! • Freelance reporter Michael Moran always knew he was meant for something more -- now, a strange series of events leads him to reclaim his destiny! • Relive the ground-breaking eighties adventures that captured lightning in a bottle -- or experience them for the first time -- in these digitally restored, fully relettered editions! • Issue #2 includes material originally presented in WARRIOR #1-5, plus bonus material. 

NEW WARRIORS #1 
(W) Christopher Yost (A) Marcus To (CA) Ramon K. Perez. WARRIORS REBORN! Adventurers SPEEDBALL and JUSTICE have come together with a group of young heroes including NOVA, SUN GIRL, and HUMMINGBIRD (and even a couple of new faces) to stop the latest threat to the Marvel Universe-the Atlanteans, Inhumans, clones and hundreds of other so-called 'superior' beings are living among the humans of the Marvel Universe, but not everyone is pleased about it. THE HIGH EVOLUTIONARY has raised an army to combat the evolution of humanity - and the New Warriors are locked in his sights! 

SIDEKICK #5 CVR A MANDRAKE & HIFI (MR) 
(W) J. Michael Straczynski (A/CA) Tom Mandrake,  HiFi
For weeks, super-villain Julia Moonglow has been feeding off the body and energy of Barry 'Flyboy' Chase while keeping him from remembering this. Now she's ready to let him remember, and reveals why she's been stalking him and the fate of her late twin sister. But that's just the warm-up for the big reveal, as Barry learns for the first time that the Red Cowl may be alive, a discovery that shatters him down to his very core. 
Thor (Das Pastoras)

THOR GOD OF THUNDER #18 
(W) Jason Aaron (A) Das Pastoras (CA) Esad Ribic • A tale of Young Thor, in the age of the Vikings. Here be a dragon. 'Nuff said. 

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #1 
(W) Mike Carey (A) Peter Gross (CA) Yuko Shimizu It's the perfect jumping on point, as Tom Taylor is stranded at the beginning of all creation! Lost in the unwritten scenes of all the world's stories, Tom Taylor is headed back to reality - and all the gods and beasts and monsters ever imagined can't stop him. But there's a toll on the road that may be too high for him or anyone to pay… 

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #2 (MR) 
(W) Mike Carey (A) Peter Gross (CA) Yuko Shimizu. In the ruins of a post-literary world, Richie and Lizzie go in search of their lost friend Tom Taylor. But to find him, they'll have to venture into the most dangerous place on Earth: London. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

¡Un mes lleno de cómics fantásticos! Me encantó Bojeffries Saga, había estado esperando leer esto por años y debo decir que sí estuvo a la altura de mis expectativas y que de hecho las superó. Estoy bastante satisfecho con los primeros números de All New Invaders y New Warriors (parte, como habrán adivinado, de All New Marvel Now). Como ya no compro The Walking Dead me sentí muy aliviado de recibir mi dosis de zombis en Empire of the Dead de George A. Romero. Deadly Class #1 de Image fue un primer capítulo bastante interesante y con un muy buen arte. Miracleman continúa sorprendiéndome no sólo porque es una de las mejores etapas de Alan Moore sino también por la óptima calidad de la edición de Marvel. Y este mes hay un empate para el mejor número único (impreso en el 2014): Unwritten Apocalypse #1 y Thor God of Thunder #18 (¡Das Pastoras es lo máximo!). Números realmente extraordinarios. Y ahora, sin más preámbulos, aquí están los cómics de febrero.

ALL NEW INVADERS #1
Comentario: El imperio KREE intenta conquistar el universo usando un arma que les garantizará un ejército de dioses nórdicos. Ahora, los héroes del pasado (CAPTAIN AMERICA, NAMOR, la Antorcha Humana original y WINTER SOLDIER) deben reunirse y luchar para salvar al mundo.

ALL NEW X-FACTOR #2
Comentario: ¿Podrá POLARIS confiar en las buenas intenciones de su medio hermano QUICKSILVER y en GAMBIT, el notorio ladrón?

BOJEFFRIES SAGA GN (MR)
Comentario: JOBREMUS BOJEFFRIES es como cualquier otro padre, intentando mantener la paz en una casa atiborrada de dos chicos, dos tíos, un bebé y un abuelo. Sin contar con que uno de ellos es un hombre lobo, el otro es un vampiro, el abuelo está en las últimas fases de la materia orgánica, y el bebé tiene suficiente energía termonuclear como para darle electricidad a toda Inglaterra y Gales. Está bien, no son una familia ordinaria. 

DEADLY CLASS #1 (MR)
Comentario: Es 1987. Marcus odia el colegio. Tiene malas notas. No tiene plata. Los deportistas fastidian a sus amigos. No puede concentrarse en clase gracias a la preciosa chica que se sienta en primera fila. Pero los deportistas son los hijos del asesino principal de Stalin, los profesores son miembros de una antigua liga de asesinos, la clase que está a punto de desaprobar es ‘Desmembramiento’, y la chica es parte del sindicato del crimen de Japón. Bienvenidos a la secundaria más brutal de la Tierra, donde las principales familias del crimen del mundo envían a la próxima generación de asesinos para que sean entrenados. Aquí el asesinato es un arte, y la matanza una ciencia.

GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT ONE #1 (OF 5)
Comentario: Bienvenidos a New York años después de que la plaga de los muertos vivientes ha empezado. Pero aunque Manhattan ha sido puesta en cuarentena, eso no significa que la gente se haya salvado.
my drawing / mi dibujo

KICK-ASS 3 #6 (OF 8) (MR)
Comentario: ¡El origen secreto de HIT-GIRL! Entrenamiento, sangre y por supuesto un montón de abrazos y buenos deseos de parte de BIG DADDY. ¿Qué exactamente hace una niña para ganarse el título de asesina? 

MIRACLEMAN #2
Moran siempre supo que estaba destinado a algo más… ahora, una extraña serie de eventos lo llevan a reclamar su destino.

NEW WARRIORS #1
Comentario: Los aventureros SPEEDBALL y JUSTICE reúnen a un grupo de jóvenes héroes, incluyendo a NOVA, SUN GIRL y HUMMINGBIRD (y un par de caras nuevas) para detener la más reciente amenaza… el Alto Evolucionario ha formado un ejército para combatir la evolución de la humanidad.

SIDEKICK #5 CVR A MANDRAKE & HIFI (MR)
Comentario: Durante semanas, una villana se ha estado alimentando del cuerpo y la energía de Barry Chase (FLYBOY) y borrando sus recuerdos. Ahora está lista para devolverle su memoria y revelar por qué lo ha estado acosando. Pero la mayor revelación será descubrir que RED COWL sigue vivo.

THOR GOD OF THUNDER #18
Comentario: Un relato de un joven Thor, en la era de los vikingos.

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #1
Comentario: Tom Taylor está perdido en el principio de la creación. Perdido en las escenas no escritas de todas las historias del mundo, hasta que se dirige a la realidad. Y ni todas las bestias ni monstruos imaginados lo podrán detener.

UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #2 (MR)
Comentario: En las ruinas de un mundo post-literario, ellos darán inicio a la búsqueda de Tom Taylor. Pero para encontrarlo tendrán que aventurarse en el lugar más peligroso de la Tierra: Londres.