The Monitor Tapes for Monday, March 23^rd, 2009

THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 2

James Robinson (W)

Tony Harris, John Watkiss, Guy Davis, J.H. Williams III, Chris Sprouse, Craig Hamilton, and others (A)

Tony Harris (Cover, New)

This actually came out about a month ago, but I only recently picked it up and finished reading (well, I’ve a few pages at the end of Shade’s Journal and Afterward).

Starman is a beautiful series, from art to writing to execution. James Robinson not only makes you fall in love with Jack Knight (the son of original Starman Ted Knight), but also the entire cast of Starmen, O’Dare’s, the Shade and all the wonderful characters inhabiting Opal City. This volume starts the unfortunate exit of Tony Harris, but the artists who pitch in make perfect fits when the stories range to times past, even including Guy Davis (of Sandman Mystery Theater fame) to illustrate flashbacks of the Golden Age Sandman Wesley Dodds in perfect synergy. Though the art changes towards the end of the second volume, it still fits the stories like a glove.

If you’ve not read Starman the first or second time around, the third time is the charm in these beautiful (again with the beautiful!) new volumes. Plus, they’re cheaper than buying the individual issues, even if they were new and not back issues priced at premiums (roughly 15 issues for $49.99 in a slightly oversized format). This is by far my favorite volume as it starts introducing some great characters, DCU history/ mythology, and fantastic character-centric stories. Pick up both volumes of this magical series and fall in love.

AZRAEL: DEATH’S DARK KNIGHT #1 (OF 3)

Fabian Nicieza (W)

Frazer Irving (A)

Guillem March (C)

It was a slow week for my DC comic habit this week so I ended up picking this book up as a kind of filler read. Nicieza is a fairly consistent Bat-Writer and usually an OK read though he might not get the same press as some of his other peers. That said I’ve not been overly “wowed” by the “Suit of Sorrows” sub-plot or even the concept of Azrael (I’m still to this day not going to read “Knightquest” or the Az-Bats books, cause I’m pig-headed about it).

Not bad, I’m not blown away and it’s a bit confusing in parts, but as a whole as most series it will probably read better in the long run (or short since it’s a three issue mini). I love Irving’s art so it’s defiantly easy on the eyes and I dig the style he brings to the table. Needless to say, I’m intrigued enough with the plot-threads spinning out of recent Bat-books to continue this series.

And in brief-

MYSTERIUS: THE UNFATHOMABLE #3 (OF 6)

Jeff Parker (W)

Tom Fowler (A)

Dr. Seuss-esque demons, damaged debutants, magic, murder, and satanic cults from the 70’s! Parker is gold on anything and Fowler’s art brings the whole thing alive. Read it, damnit!

DC COMICS AVAILABLE WENDSDAY, MARCH 25^TH, 2009

DC

* BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – COMMISSIONER GORDON

* BATMAN: GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT #11 (OF 12)

* THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD VOL. 3: DEMONS AND DRAGONS

* CHECKMATE: CHIMERA

* THE FLASH ARCHIVES VOL. 5

* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31

* ORACLE #1 (OF 3)

* SHOWCASE PRESENTS: AMBUSH BUG VOL. 1

* SUPERMAN #686

* SUPERMAN/BATMAN: ENEMIES AMONG US

* TRINITY #43

* THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT #11 (OF 12)

* WONDER WOMAN #30

JOHNNY DC

* BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #3

* CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #55

VERTIGO

* JACK OF FABLES #32

* MADAME XANADU #9

* UNKNOWN SOLDIER #6

WILDSTORM

* GEARS OF WAR #5

* RESISTANCE #4 (OF 6)

* SECRET HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY: HAWKSMOOR

* TOP 10 SPECIAL #1

* WILDCATS #9

Check out DC Comics website, dccomics.com for previews on Wednesday for DCU and Johnny DC titles, in addition to Vertigo and Wildstorm.

Plus, don’t forget that tomorrow’s the day to finish the Watchmen film experience by picking up the DVD or Blue-Ray and watching “Tales of the Black Freighter” also featuring “Under the Hood” documentary on the Minutemen!

And as always, thanks for reading!