It’s Wednesday! (April 3, 2013)

GLORY #34

Story by: Joe Keatinge, Art By: Ross Campbell

“THE END” 
100 Years Later. Goodbye.
FINAL ISSUE

There is the only one book I really want to read this week, and it’s this one. There isn’t really much more I can say about the rebooted series that I haven’t already.

I’m sad it’s ending but happy at the same time.

Read also: Glory #33 – my 3 favourite pages

That said, this week’s pull list is nevertheless healthy. It’s a bit heavier on capes & tights than usual, but I’ve been digging Age of Ultron, and I’m curious about Thanos.

In my hunt for a good Western genre book, I’ve been reading The Lone Ranger for just over a year now.

I also like my comics with a dash of ‘strange’, and Dial H does the job for the most part. I do kind of wish China Mieville would let loose a bit more Vertigo territory. I miss the days of Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol and John Rozum’s Xombi.

AGE OF ULTRON #4 (of 10)
BLACKACRE #5
DIAL H #11
GLORY #34
GREAT PACIFIC #6
HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4)
SNAPSHOT #3 (of 4)
THANOS RISING #1 (of 5)
THE LONE RANGER #14

Glory #33 – my favourite three pages

I never thought I’d say this, but Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Studios is putting out two of the best books on the market at the moment: Prophet and Glory. Unfortunately, one of them is about to end.

On Glory are Joe Keatinge writing and Ross Campbell on art. Later this month, the series wraps up marking the end of their 11-issue run.

Just reread all of GLORY before making the final edits on #34 as we prepare it for press. Such an odd feeling. I’m going to miss this book.

— Joe Keatinge (@joekeatinge) March 11, 2013

Apparently the end is as bittersweet a moment for Joe as for readers.

At risk of sounding like an overeager comic blogger trying to get a quote printed in an ad or on the back of a trade, if you aren’t reading this series, you’re missing out.

There, I said it. Let’s move on.

If you aren’t following this series, I apologize I couldn’t find a synopsis for you. But here is an interview with the co-creators about their decision to end the book at issue #34.

In this penultimate issue (#33), we’re treated to a visually stunning cover, some touching moments, an explosion of art and action, and truly riveting scenes.

Here is the big page for me:

We know what Riley has told us so far: the dreams that first led her to Glory, in hiding and recovering from severe injuries, are also telling her devastation is coming and Glory is the source. Once Glory loses herself to her berserker rage in the upcoming battle, she’ll be gone forever. This takes place in the first few pages of the book, the moment before they enter battle with the Knight of Thule. It’s a touching scene and that’s before we even find out what Riley has planned at the issue’s end, which makes this scene all the more moving. It’s Riley’s sacrifice that gives this entire story the emotional resonance helping make it such a great series.

@Like_car_Keys tweeted at me that he’s sad the series is ending. I am as well, but it wouldn’t as amazing a story if it wasn’t coming to an end. I felt the same way about Sweet Tooth. Not enough books are allowed to come to a close. Many are cancelled, but few are let to come to a natural conclusion like a good piece of literature.

Alright, next up we have this:

Into the mouth of the beast. Deadly.

In our coming to know Henry we understood he was capable of becoming this “monster”, but we hadn’t really seen it. Here he is in his fullest awesome fury.

Lots to like on this page. And the look on Henry’s face in the last panel, is that surprise the beast is about to explode from the damage he’s inflicted and he’s going to get caught in the blast?

Finally, this one:

Here is Glory beating the shit out of the Knight. The layout of the page has such nice pacing to it between the art and the character dialogue. I love the foreground image over the panels. I don’t know if the page has the same impact for people who haven’t read the issue and don’t have the context.

So that’s it. Thank you Joe and Ross. You’ve given us an incredible ride. I’m glad I bought a ticket.

You can read also:
The last time I mentioned Glory in this blog

It’s Wednesday! (January 30, 2013)

Finally a week to catch my breath, and catch up on the read pile. Still, a few books that require immediate attention…

SILVER SURFER: PARABLE
Artist: Moebius

Galactus has converted humanity into his followers, and he’s leading them to their doom! His only challenger is the hero he himself trapped on Earth: the Silver Surfer! It’s a war for Earth’s worship, but how much will be left when it’s over? Collecting SILVER SURFER: PARABLE #1-2.

We’re kicking things off with a reprint. What? That’s right, you heard me. Originally published in 1988 and ’89. This one was done by my man Moebius (rest in peace) so inclusion in this list is a must.

It won an Eisner. Chew on that as you debate whether or not to pick up a copy. I think Marvel is calling this reprint something different to boost sales. I don’t give a crap. I’m calling it the original name – Parable.

GLORY #32
Story by: Joe Keatinge; Art By: Ross Campbell, Owen Genie, Emi Lenox, Greg Winkle, Sloane Leona, Jed Dougherty; Cover By: Ricken

“WAR TORN,” Part Two
The dawn before war. Glory and her allies face inevitable death. With only hours left to live, everyone’s final moments are revealed in short stories illustrated by some of the greatest new talents in comics, including OWEN GIENI, GREG HINKLE, SLOANE LEONG, JED DOUGHERTY and a very special crossover with EMI LENOX’s EMITOWN!

That’s a whole lotta people on art for this issue. I’m not gonna pretend I understand what’s going on until I’ve taken a look at the issue.

Needless to say, the countdown to the end is on. There are only 3 issues left (including this one) until the grand finale. And I for one cannot wait to see how Keatinge plans to wrap this one up.

MARA #2
Story by: Brian Wood, Art By: Ming Doyle & Jordie Bellaire, Cover By: Ming Doyle

As superstar athlete Mara Prince’s superpower manifestation is caught on live TV, her life rapidly starts to spiral out of control. The media descends like vultures. Her handlers go into spin mode. The footage is seen around the world, and this young woman, who only hours ago was the darling of pop culture, is now being slammed and ridiculed for being a fraud and a liar. But the more she tries to fight back, the only thing she’s doing is escalating the problem.

A sci-fi take on real world superheroes by the powerhouse team of BRIAN WOOD, MING DOYLE and JORDIE BELLAIRE!

It’s so difficult to have a proper opinion of a comic that’s only had two issues. But, you know, it’s Brian Wood so here I am. Issue #1 was alright – an interesting setup. Ming Doyle’s art has a cool look. I’ll stick through this one to the end given it’s a mini.

ADVENTURE TIME #12
Writer: Nat Jones, Art: Nat Jones

THE HOTTEST ALL-AGES COMIC CELEBRATES ITS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! BMO’s sick, but it’s not just any virus…it’s a magical virus! And now, Finn and Jake have to seek out a sorta-no-good-very-bad wizard to set things right! Don’t miss the latest issue of what critics called “the best series of 2012!”

Because I don’t want it to be all doom and gloom, I’m including one of the books I turn to each month for a laugh.

Something you need to know: Everything I know about this franchise is rooted in the comic.

I haven’t ever seen an episode of Adventure Time – not before picking up issue #1 or even now. Sounds crazy, right? The TV series is a bit too mature for my young kids and when I have time to turn on the TV, I prefer to watch something my wife will also enjoy so I’ve never bothered to seek this out.

But something about the concept and characters and tone in the book appealed to me, so I picked it up on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. The stories are solid and funny. I like the art. The backup tales are gold.