Donist World: November 2018

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Comics Lust 11/24/2018

Welcome back, Donist World Denizens! For those of you new to our site, I’m Donist, and I am joined by Donist World CFO the Reverse Obie* (my friends’ Boston terrier whose fur recently swapped colors) and by our marketing director/administrative assistant/party planner/vacationus maximus Tulip. You did it, Denizens! You survived the first holiday of the season. You somehow made it through Uncle Billy Bob’s eons-long “blessing” about the “deep state,” “witch hunts,” and how “Drumpf just doesn’t go far enough.” Why does Uncle Billy Bob keep getting invited to Thanksgiving dinner? Whose uncle is he anyway? I mean, really? Then there’s Aunt Sally, who loooooooves to bring up the time when you were just a kid and locked yourself outside, in the snow, naked, and…look, I don’t want to talk about Aunt Sally. You get it, though. You know what I’m talking about, right? The holidays are rough—sometimes very rough—for almost all of us. You might wonder why you keep putting yourself through this year after year, why some family members put such monumental importance on a fabricated holiday, and, not to beat a dead horse, why keep inviting gosh darn Uncle Billy Bob when he ruins the holiday for everyone every single year—come to think of it, it wouldn’t surprise me if he actually has beaten a dead horse before. Anyhow, it’s the time of year where my puppy executive team and I retreat to the Donist World corporate “Holiday Bunker,” a refurbished ’80s bomb shelter that comes complete with the following amenities: energy provided by renewable energy sources (climate change IS real, Uncle Billy Bob), backup generators, a refrigerator packed with Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Stone Brewing Xocoveza Imperial Stout, loads of pumpkin pies, loads of tamales, and an early warning system that raises an alert anytime a distant relative with a batshit-crazy belief system comes anywhere near. More importantly, the holiday shelter comes complete with an impressive library of reading material to help pass the time, and judging by this year’s list of holiday events and attendees, the puppies and I are going to be down here for a good long while. Hiding. Waiting for the storm to pass. Anyhow, be kind to each other, mind your health and sanity, eat some tacos, keep your pets safe, cherish the ones you love, hydrate, and read some great comics. Thank you for reading!

*Obie, through his dabbling in arcane magiks mixed with ancient corrupt business practices, has had not just the colors of his fur switched, but a complete overhaul of his work ethic as well…I think I’m kinda okay with the mishap.

Not sure what “Comics Lust” is about? Take a look at the Introduction to “Comics Lust” post or take a look at the static “Comics Lust Table of Contents” page to jump to a topic.

Comics Lust

More Bang for Your Buck: The Omnibus (Part 1)

Alright, Denizens. Time to get off your lazy keisters and limber up. You’re going to need to do some stretches and get those muscles loose. Do some jumping jacks and drop and give me 20 before you mosey on up to your open-air vault of glory, that most exalted bookshelf where you keep your treasures. Bring the forklift up and take out those tons of tomes, the Big Bertha books, the omnipresent Omnibus volumes. These are the books that make a loud “THUD,” not just when you place them on the table, but also when you open them. These books tend to not be cheap. In fact, they can be quite expensive. But, with some searching, some perseverance, and some luck, you can get some serious bang for your buck; just be sure you have a spotter ready in case your muscles give out while attempting to lift one of these beautiful behemoths.

The House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1

(Written and illustrated by many, series originally published beginning in 1969 with this collection published in 2017. Collects The House of Secrets #81–111)

To answer the question at the top of your mind as to why this is considered “Volume 1” when we are picking up at issue #81, it is because this is the point where Abel starts as the host of this horror anthology/vignette series; and what a series it is! I had a smattering of these issues in my collection as a young kid and I absolutely adored them despite not being old enough to completely understand them. What I did understand were the ghosts and aliens and monsters and close-up shots of the story antagonist getting their due. Only now, as I slowly make my way through this fantastic collection, do I recognize the immense talents involved in the writing and art: Marv Wolfman, Bernie Wrightson, Gerry Conway, Jack Kirby, Gray Morrow, Alex Toth, Don Heck, and sooooo many others. I love the horror host angle, and having Abel (yes, that Biblical Abel) as he trembles and stutters and talks to his imaginary friend, Goldie, before introducing and after ending each spooky tale earns this series a place in my heart. I’m not even at the halfway point and I can safely say that 90%+ of the stories have been a hit. I can’t wait for The House of Mystery: Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1 to be released early next year and I’m already anticipating a follow-up volume for each.

Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1

(Primarily written by Len Wein and Martin Pasko; primarily illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, Tom Yeates, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben; series originally published beginning in 1972 with this collection published in 2017. Collects: The House of Secrets #92, Swamp Thing #1–24, The Saga of the Swamp Thing #1–19, and The Saga of the Swamp Thing Annual #1)

You all know the importance Wein and Wrightson’s Swamp Thing has for me. How Wrightson is the first artist to make me realize that not all artists are created equal. What you don’t hear me talk about all that often are the issues that came after Wrightson and Wein left the series. Or the issues that sparked the revival of the character in the ‘80s and which occurred B.A.M. (Before Alan Moore). Well, these (sadly and unfairly ) lesser-known issues are all collected here in 928 pages of muck monster goodness. You have werewolves, vampires, aliens, robots, Anton Arcane, and a heaping helping of horror heavenliness. Here’s to hoping we get a follow-up volume of Moore’s work in Volume 2 someday soon.

The Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus

(Everythinged by Jack Kirby, series originally published beginning in 1972 with this collection published in 2017, which collects: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133–139, 141–148, Forever People #1–11, Mister Miracle #1–18, New Gods #1–11, The Hunger Dogs GN, and a story from New Gods #6)
1536 pages, Denizens?!?! See? You will need a spotter to lug this beast around. Oh, my Granny Goodness gracious. Man, I REALLY need to get a hold of this one. I have read all of the New Gods stuff, but the Jimmy Olsen, Forever People, and most of the Mister Miracle stuff are new to me. Yeah, I don’t see how any comic book lover, New Gods fan, or Kirby aficionado can go without having this sweetness on their most prized bookshelf.

The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu Omnibus Volume 1

(Written by Jim Starlin, Len Wein, Doug Moench, Steve Englehart and others; illustrated by Jim Starlin, Paul Gulacy, Al Milgrom, John Buscema, and others; series originally published beginning in 1972 with this collection published in 2016; collects Master of Kung-Fu #17–37 and so much more!)
Ah, so you want to introduce some Kung-Fu into your life? Here is the first volume of The Master of Kung-Fu which clocks in at an impressive 696 pages. Wait! Where are you going? Here are three more omnibus volumes for you to complete the run which is roughly 2800 pages of material. Remember, lift with your legs, not with your back! Oh, I almost forgot...you might as well take these two additional omnibus volumes of The Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu, which not only features Shang-Chi but also Iron Fist and a whole host of martial arts heroes for a combined additional 2000+ pages. Yup, nearly 5000 pages of Kung-Fu to keep you occupied for a good, long while. I only have the first volume thus far, but I NEED to get the rest.

Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus

(Written by Ed Brubaker; illustrated by Steve Epting, Michael Lark, and others; series originally published beginning in 2004 with this collection published in 2007; collects Captain America #1–25 and much more!)
I had been out of the Captain America scene for about two decades before Brubaker wrote this tremendous run that brought Cap into the real world with secret missions, international intrigue, and spies. He also introduces us to the Winter Soldier in this long out-of-print (sorry to do this to you, Denizens) volume. Definitely on the smaller side as far as Omnibus collections go, but don’t let that dissuade you. The heaviness of the story and the twists and turns Brubaker introduces to this must-read series (upon which a fair portion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe bases its take on Captain America) gives it an emotional gravitas that should not be ignored. This one is definitely moving up on my reread list.

Well, I don’t suppose I will be seeing any of you until later this coming spring, as you have plenty of great comic book reading to do. And to think…I still have a bunch of other omnibus collections to tell you about, but that is for another time.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Comics Lust 11/17/2018

Comics Lust

Excelsior! Cheers to the “The Man”

It was probably at some point in my early teens when I began to gravitate more toward creators than characters. Sure, as a young boy, I could point out that the art I loved on a book was not as good as it had been, or when a story just didn’t have that oomph I had been enjoying previously, but I will say this: I sure as hell knew who Stan Lee was by the time I was learning to read. Stan was everywhere. Caricatures of him appeared in my favorite Marvel comics, he showed up in my Marvel activity/puzzle books (Mighty Marvel Superheroes Fun Book), and as the narrator of some of my favorite cartoons (Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends). Then there were those three wonderful words on most covers while I was growing up: “Stan Lee Presents.” All I knew back in those early days was that Stan Lee made my favorite comic books. All of them. I soon realized that there was this guy, Jack Kirby, who was also involved in so many of my favorite books, and then there were other writers and artists, but the thing that persisted was The Man.

Even though Stan created/co-created and wrote/co-wrote many comics before my time, I was still exposed to much of his works through many form factors other than comics. I had comic books reprinted in novel-sized format, regular reprints, massive treasury editions, and so much more. I also had many well-loved and tattered actual comics that had somehow ended up in my collection and that would be worth a pretty penny had I known preserving comics was the way to go. Regardless of the degree, Stan “The Man” Lee was instrumental in bringing about many of the characters I have loved and cherished for 90% of my life. Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Daredevil, Black Panther, Iron Man, Thor, Doctor Strange, The X-Men, and so many others were in the comics I read, on my clothes, on my bed sheets, on my puzzles, and featured in my favorite cartoons. His characters made up the bulk of my toys and informed the way I wanted to portray myself to the world. I wanted to be a good guy. I wanted to be like Spidey. This hasn’t changed.

I’m fairly certain my first Stan Lee read was Marvel Treasury Edition #10: The Mighty Thor. This 10” x 14” beast was one of my most prized possessions and I read it often. The book was published in 1975 and reprints Thor #154–157 and featured Stan as the writer and Jack Kirby on art and was pure comics glory. I would build my blanket and TV tray fort, spread out the book, and marvel at the sequentials with my Thor Mego doll “reading” alongside me. I worshipped Thor and my eyes widened at the sight of the Asgardians as they fought the menace of Ulik the troll and my favorite monster for many years, Mangog. Even if the 1,434,572 rereads hadn’t savaged the physical integrity of this book, my dogs made sure its time was nigh after I came home from school to find they had eaten most of my precious oversized comic. I’m pretty sure I cried that day. You can read this story today in Thor Epic Collection: To Wake the Mangog.

Thankfully, The Fantastic Four Pocket Book #1 (published in 1977, and reprinting The Fantastic Four #1–6) arrived at the Acme store and I was able to plead with my mom to buy it for me. Again, this was a brain-melting experience as here was The Fantastic Four I knew and loved, but in a paperback-sized volume and again with the Kirby art I knew so well and the all-too-familiar “Stan Lee Presents” emblazoned on the cover and with him scripting the story. This book had it all: the group’s origin, the Mole Man, monsters, the Sub-Mariner (I called him the Submareener for years), sea monsters, Dr. Doom, and by golly it had my gosh darn heart and soul. I read this with my Fantastic Four Mego dolls and would come to rue the day the book suffered near destruction after I somehow found it soaked with water. I don’t know if I dropped it in the bathtub, or if melted snow got to it. All I know is that when I found the saturated thing, I had the bright idea of placing it atop the heater vent to help dry it out. Yeah, this caused all of the pages to ruffle and warp, making the paper extra brittle and causing the book to be perpetually fanned out. Dang. I loved that book. Today, an easier-on-the-eyes collection called The Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine is the way to go.

What I DO have is Marvel Treasury Edition #21: The Fantastic Four (published in 1979, written by Stan Lee, illustrated by John Buscema), which reprints The Fantastic Four #120–123. This is the way you drive a young Donist to madness, a joyful madness, but madness nonetheless. If you mix The Fantastic Four, Galactus, and Silver Surfer into one book and then add a new herald named Air-Walker, who looked like an armored knight with a flaming cape, into the mix, you get a child who could barely contain himself. At least this book survived the move from Ohio to California and decades of reading. It’s beat to hell, but at least I still have it. It’s also signed by Stan Lee from back in 1986…more on that in a sec. Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 12 collects these issues, but it might be hard to find.

I’m sure I had other Stan Lee penned books—plenty of them, in fact—but the next one to really stand out to me arrived almost a decade later in 1988 when Stan and Moebius released the two-issue miniseries Silver Surfer: Parable. Now, of course, I knew who Stan was but I also knew of Moebius as I had been titillated by his art in Heavy Metal, with his masterful linework and designs leaving an even longer lasting impression than that of his depictions of lovely women. But here we have the Surfer as written by Stan and art by Moebius. What is there not to love? It doesn’t look like there are any collections in print, so you might have to hunt these down.

Anyhow, one great thing is that my brother and I got to meet Stan back in the 80s when he visited the sadly short-lived Andromeda Books in Goleta. I remember a fair amount of people there waiting to meet The Man, and I remember feeling starstruck for the first time in my life. Here was the person responsible (to varying degrees) for most of my favorite Marvel characters. I had been reading and collecting his work for most of my teenage life, I had seen his face countless times, I knew his voice, and here he was signing our stuff. He was kind, gracious, and seemed every bit as thrilled to be there as we were. Let’s just say it was a good day.

Stan Lee and his (co-)creations impacted my life tremendously. He deepened my love of comics and made me want to be a better person and to expect the same of others (which, sadly, causes me no end of grief in today’s political climate, but whatchagonnado). He lived to the age of 95 and was up until recently having cameo appearances in the movies about many of his characters that continue to thrill untold millions of viewers. He left a massive mark and will continue to leave a mark for ages to come. Rest In Peace, Stan Lee. Excelsior!

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Comics Lust 11/10/2018

Comics Lust

It Ain’t Over ’til This Comic Book Sings - Space Operas (Part 1)

Space Operas are my jam, my jelly, my peanuts, and my peanut butter. I love ’em, by golly, and I thank my stars and garters there’s no lack of material out there to keep me drawn in with happy reading for a good long while. Now, for those thinking, uh oh, here he goes again on that master of the space opera Jim Starlin, I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m not going to go into Starlin’s work here. Nope. The guy already has his own section of adoration (see this post here), not to mention tons of mentions throughout “Comics Lust”, so we’re going to instead take a look at some other creators and their lovely, expansive worlds, galaxies, and universes, as well as the characters who traverse them.

Descender

(Written by Jeff Lemire, illustrated by Dustin Nguyen, lettered and designed by Steve Wands, originally published in 2015 by Image Comics)

Yes. I know. I have a tendency to extol the brilliance that is Lemire and Nguyen’s phenomenal Descender, and it is safe to say I’m not shy about my love of this series. The story begins on the day the nine planets of the United Galactic Council are devastated by massive robots called Harvesters that vanish as quickly as they arrived with no reason for the deaths they caused. This leads to any and all robots being hunted and destroyed by fierce Scrappers, but when a lone robot boy named TIM-21 awakens after being offline for ten years on a dead mining colony, everyone in the galaxy sets their sites on capturing him. TIM-21 might hold the key to learning the mystery of the Harvesters, but all TIM-21 wants is to survive and find his human brother Andy. There’s no shortage of robots, aliens, spaceships, or monsters in this compelling odyssey that will both thrill and at times break your heart as many secrets are slowly revealed in this 32-issue first chapter. Lemire’s writing alone breathes such life into the characters that you feel you know them by the end of the first issue, but when coupled with Nguyen’s lush, lovely, watercolored character designs and expansive backgrounds, you can’t help but have one of the best books on the stands. The series is currently on hiatus until early 2019 when the second—and very different—second chapter starts, so you have some time to pick up either the hardcover (another on the way?) or the six trades and get caught up on this stellar series.

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War

(Written by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons; illustrated by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Angel Unzeta, and Ethan Van Sciver, originally published in 2007 by DC Comics)

I can’t claim to have ever been a Green Lantern superfan. Don’t get me wrong, I always liked the guy and his goofy green creations as a kid, but I never really sought out comics about him. This changed the day I flipped through an issue of Green Lantern after seeing Sinestro’s striking new costume and the eye-catching “Sinestro Corps War” title on the cover. I totally knew who Sinestro was and always thought it was a cool idea to have an antagonist whose yellow ring countered Hal’s, but here he was on this cover, no longer the big-headed cornball I knew as a kid. No. Sinestro was now in his intimidating new outfit with his own fear-based army of monstrous evildoers; Green Lantern was now very much on my radar. But true to me being me, I couldn’t just dive in. I needed to know everything, so I picked up the first four Green Lantern trades and then bought the two Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War trades and was hooked by the promise of the new ring spectrums and the stakes of this monstrous new threat facing the galaxy. Johns made this series can’t-put-it-down great, and I stayed along for the ride through Blackest Night. With the mountain of spacefaring destruction and chaos out there in the Green Lanternverse—most of it tremendous, btw—“The Sinestro Corps War” stands strongest of them all. Dang, now I HAVE to reread them. If you’re a fan of space operas, you need to start this impressive journey from a decade ago ASAP. You can go my route by starting with Johns’s first issue on the character all the way through to the end of “The Sinestro Corps War” with the lovely Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1 or skip to the main course with the Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War all-in-one trade.

The Omega Men

(Written by Tom King, illustrated by Barnaby Bagenda and others, originally published in 2015 by DC Comics)

The Omega Men was the second book written by Tom King that I was exposed to. Or rather it was the first book of his I read that was written solely by him; Grayson, co-written with Tim Seeley, was my first. After that I hammered through his other work, especially loving both of his critically acclaimed, must-read The Vision and Mister Miracle series. The Omega Men, however, is equally deserving of praise as this planet-hopping statement on extremism, propaganda, terrorism, media optics, and so much more is one of the favorites of my collection. Here, the terrorists known as The Omega Men, have captured the White Lantern Kyle Raynor (formerly a Green Lantern) and on live television seemingly execute him. Never fear, Denizens, Kyle’s fine…sort of. Rather he is the Omega Men’s prisoner and they mean to bring him over to their cause of destroying the totalitarian Citadel and its tyrannical ruler Viceroy. The White Lantern will have to decide not only if the horrors committed by the Citadel are worth breaking his oath of non-interference, but if adopting the Omega Men’s methods will destroy the man he believes himself to be. I always wanted to read the original The Omega Men from way back in the day, but never got around to it. That said, you don’t need to know what happened in that series to completely lose yourself in this intense, political, space opera that must be part of your collection. The all-in-one trade is what you want to get, and let’s hope we someday get a hardcover of this impressive masterpiece.

Saga

(Written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples, originally published in 2012 by Image Comics)

The title alone lets you know you’re in for something truly epic. The original solicits gave the logline of “Romeo and Juliet in space,” which is spot on as far as descriptions go. Mario and Alana are of differing, warring races: one whose people has horns and possess great magic abilities, and another whose people are winged and have access to deadly technologies. Despite their people’s intense hatred for one another, the two fall in love, go on the run, and have a baby girl, Hazel, who has both horns and wings. The fact that peace and love can exist together must never get out to the warring masses and the new family must evade assassins and bounty hunters, and all sorts of malcontents as they travel the galaxy in search of somewhere, anywhere, to live without fear or war or being discovered. Unfortunately, family, robots with TVs for heads, angry ex-girlfriends, and money woes pose just as much of a threat of tearing them apart as the war. I must warn you, Denizens, that you will fall in love with these characters. You will love them and get pissed off at them when they screw up. You will laugh out loud, you will be disgusted and shocked in the best of ways, you will cheer at the various characters’ victories, and sympathize with their setbacks. You will also have your heart and soul crushed by various events throughout the 54-issue first season. Vaughan’s story and characterization are enchanting, and Staples’s unique art style gives an almost painterly quality that has always confounded me as to how she does what she does and she makes every page worth lingering over. Saga is a beautiful thing, Denizens, and I can honestly say no comic has elicited so many emotions in me as I accompanied Marco, Alana, and Hazel on this wonderful journey. The book looks to be on hiatus until probably late 2019, so now is the time to get caught up with the two hardcovers (third on the way?) or the nine readily-available trades. Saga is a phenomenal story on all fronts and very much deserving of your time, just be ready for one hell of an emotionally tumultuous ride.

Dang, I love this genre, and can’t wait to (re)introduce you to even more of these fantastic space opera comic books. I’m excited to dig into some more, but that’s for next time.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Comics Lust 11/3/2018

Comics Lust

Five Furious and Fast: Jim Starlin (Part 1)

It’s no secret that Jim Starlin is one of my heroes. His space opera work for Marvel is high up on my top-five list of comics that would need to accompany me on a long stint on a deserted island. Heck, if I had Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection and Captain Marvel by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection, I think I would be good to go for a good, long while—provided I was stranded with a crate of assorted IPAs as well, of course. But I’m not going to go into the man’s work with Marvel. Nope. I’ve done that a hundred times. My love of everything Warlock, Thanos, and Captain Marvel should be something firmly felt in the bones of all Denizens. Instead, we are going to look at some of his other amazing work—yes, there is much goodness to go around as you will see in…

Dreadstar

(Everythinged by Jim Starlin, originally published in 1980 by Marvel Comics)

I know, I know, I’m leading with a book that I have only partially read, but you will see in a moment why I have this gap given the convoluted publishing history. Dreadstar is a grand space opera that surrounds the character of Vance Dreadstar, the sole survivor of the destroyed Milky Way galaxy, and his crew: Sysygy Darklock, a sorcerer of great power; Willow, a telepath; Skeevo Phlatus, a mercenary; Oed, a cat person; and Rainbow, Willow’s pet. The team finds themselves caught between the two less-than-savory forces of the Monarchy and the Instrumetality (a theocracy), but they end up forming a tenuous relationship with the Monarchy. Thereabout ends my experience with Dreadstar with issues 1–12 of the Epic Comics series. However, the epic story and the oh-so-gorgeous Starlin art has always left me wanting more more more, as his all-too-brief introduction to this expansive world touches on the familiar themes of corrupt and oppressive religions and regimes found in books like Warlock. But where Starlin’s run on that series ran far too short for my liking, Dreadstar delves so much deeper. A couple years before the particular issues I read, Starlin began this universe in the pages of Epic Illustrated #1 with what is known as part one of “The Metamorphosis Odyssey,” and which only featured Vanth Dreadstar briefly in issue #3. Instead, this chapter follows the Orsirosian named Ahknaton, who had a decidedly Egyptian deity look about him…and I distinctly remember a very beautiful and very naked woman with an Afro gracing the pages, but no big surprise as to what sticks in the mind of a kid. Anyhow, if you want the full Starlin Dreadstar experience, here is the chronology of material; best hold onto your hats:

Epic Illustrated #1–9 (Published in 1980 by Marvel Comics) These stories comprise the first part of “The Metamorphosis Odyssey” storyline and was painted with grays but eventually shifted to colors.
The Price (Published in 1981 by Eclipse Comics) Part two of “The Metamorphosis Odyssey” and is a black and white graphic novel that follows the sorcerer known as Sysygy Darklock and is meant to be read alongside…
Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar: The Metamorphosis Odyssey Part 3 (Published in 1982 by Marvel Comics). A beautifully painted story that I remember flipping through many times, yet never had enough allowance to buy.
Epic Illustrated #15 (Published in 1982 by Marvel Comics) Features an untitled Dreadstar story that is a lead-in to the character’s own series…
Dreadstar #1–26 (Published in 1982 by Epic Comics) All stories written and illustrated by Jim Starlin.
Dreadstar Annual #1 (Published in 1983 by Epic Comics) A colored reprinting of The Price and an all around cheaper way to experience the story...if you can find a copy.
Dreadstar #27–40 (Published in 1986 by First Publishing) A jump to a new publisher with Starlin as writer/artist on 27–32, and as writer only from 33–40.
Dreadstar #41–64 (Published in 1989 by First Publishing) Peter David picks up as writer.

Boy howdy is this publication history a mess, but you can avoid hunting down a good chunk of the material by first reading Dreadstar: The Beginning (published by Dynamite Entertainment and which contains all three parts of “The Metamorphosis Odyssey”) and then reading Dreadstar Omnibus (published by Dynamite Entertainment and which reprints issues 1–12 of the Epic Comics run). After that, you’ll be in the same boat as I as we scramble for the rest of the individual issues.

Cosmic Odyssey

(Written by Jim Starlin, illustrated by Mike Mignola, originally published in 1988 by DC Comics)

Originally published as four, prestige-format, 48-page issues, Cosmic Odyssey brought DC Comics a Starlin space opera that intermixed their impressive stable of superheroes with that of Jack Kirby’s New Gods as illustrated by a pre-Hellboy Mignola. In this tale, Darkseid finds a nearly-dead Metron and with the help of New Genesis’s Highfather discovers that the Anti-Life Equation has come to life and split into four aspects that have gone to four worlds to destroy them. These aspects are enough to cause Darkseid and Highfather concern and they reach out to some of Earth’s mightiest heroes to aid in stopping each aspect before all succumb to the power of the Anti-Life Equation. The road will not be easy. And neither was my road to reading this series, as I did not pick it up back in the day and rather first read the comics roughly six years ago. The story is thrilling with a real sense of stakes and although I would have preferred to see Starlin also illustrate the series, Mignola’s take is a great precursor to his style on his creator-owned Hellboy. With shocks and surprise characters and alliances abound, Cosmic Odyssey is a series worth checking out, which is easy enough to do with the latest Cosmic Odyssey: Deluxe Edition hardcover collection.

Mystery in Space

(Written by Jim Starlin; illustrated by Jim Starlin, Shane Davis, Ron Lim, and later by Bernie Wrightson; originally published in 1988 and 2006)

Okay, this one might seem a little…weird…get it? No, okay, you will in a sec. Anyhow, Mystery in Space is an eight-issue limited series from 2006 that that focuses on two characters: Captain Comet and The Weird. Each issue is 48-pages long with the first part covering Captain Comet and written by Jim Starlin with Shane Davis illustrating. The second part is everythinged by Starlin and covers his weird character, The Weird, who looks somewhat like a misshapen ninja with a sash, thus earning his name. If you are wondering who The Weird is, then you will need to go back to 1988 to read Starlin and Bernie Wrightson’s four-issue limited series titled—you guessed it—The Weird which introduces the immensely powerful character to both the Justice League and comicdom at large. With this setup, Mystery in Space follows the return of both Captain Comet (after the events of 52, which you don’t have to have read to follow this story) and The Weird as they both try to uncover the mystery of why they are alive. Davis’s art is somewhat reminiscent of Jim Lee’s style and he does a fantastic job of covering the cosmos and its myriad aliens (as well as a super-cute bulldog!), while Starlin brings the gorgeous, expansive, mind-bending, cosmic greatness that reignites my love for his work again and again. It’s been years since I read either series, and I honestly couldn’t tell you anything at all other than I loved them at the time. I guess this one gets shuffled up near the top of the reread stack. Lucky for you though, if you pick up the two trades (if you can find them) you get the first five issues of Mystery in Space in volume one and the final three issues plus The Weird #1–4 in volume two. That there’s the whole enchilada, Denizens!

Gilgamesh II

(Everythinged by Jim Starlin, originally published in 1989 by DC Comics)

Gilgamesh II is what you get when you allow Starlin to tell his own story outside of the confines of superheroes and licensed characters. Written and illustrated by Starlin, this four-issue, prestige-format miniseries tells the story of an alien baby whose ship crashes on Earth to be found by a hippie couple—whose pot farm burns down in the process— and the child eventually becomes the most powerful being in the world. Sound kind of familiar? Yes, but the twist is that this baby, Gilgamesh, believes himself to be unique. He is not. What he fails to realize is that another baby, Otto, crash landed in South America and grew up having all of the same abilities as Gilgamesh, but where one uses his vast strength for personal gain, Otto grows up to become the protector of the rainforest. The two eventually meet in combat, cause massive destruction, but instead of killing one another, they realize they are brothers and become friends. Thus, the adventure begins in this reimagining of both Superman and the myth of Enkidu and Gilgamesh. This series is a heck of a ride, but unfortunately, there are no trades available as of this writing and you are going to have to hunt down the issues to get this great story.

Batman: The Cult

(Written by Jim Starlin, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, originally published in by DC Comics)

Hot off the heels of The Weird, Starlin and Wrightson joined forces once again for the four-issue, prestige-format miniseries. (Dang, he loves those prestige books!) The Bat takes on the mysterious Deacon Joseph Blackfire and his cult of axe-wielding, homeless maniacs…and loses. Captured by Blackfire, the Dark Knight is starved, drugged, and brainwashed to the point of becoming one of Blackfire’s minions. But has Batman truly been broken, or will he break free of Blackfire’s influence and discover what the cult leader is truly up to? I bought this one as it came out back in the day and loved it as much then as I do now. Starlin weaves a dang-creepy story that Wrightson’s art brings to life in a satisfying Batman tale for the ages. There was a collection not too long ago, but it looks to have gone out of print; hopefully, it comes back soon so everyone can enjoy this outstanding standalone series.

That’s it for this installment, but we’ll return to my hero Starlin later—come in close as I whisper this, Denizens, as I’m going to floor you by admitting this—after I finally read Batman: A Death in the Family. I know. I know. I’m ashamed to admit it myself, but I’m getting to it. There are a few other gaping holes in my Starlin reading, which I fully intend to fix over the next year as well. See you next time.

Pages

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Comics Lust

More Bang for Your Buck: The Omnibus (Part 1)

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Comics Lust

Excelsior! Cheers to the “The Man”

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Comics Lust

It Ain’t Over ’til This Comic Book Sings - Space Operas (Part 1)

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Comics Lust

Five Furious and Fast: Jim Starlin (Part 1)