monthly writer Mark Waid, penciller Mike Wieringo, inks Jose Marzan, Jr.
Mike Wieringo, Flash's "local connection," started working on this DC superhero book about eight months ago and it has been very solid ever since. The title character, for those who don't remember The Superfriends, is a guy who can move at supersonic spe eds. Flash's main role is as protector of a small city, but there's more than just beating on super-villains involved: his public and private roles have collided (he's "come out"). A very careful balance of action fluff and personal, real-life issues are maintained throughout, both textually and visually. Most of the DC superhero books have been drifting towards open, almost Japanimation visuals with heavy inks, highly stylized (but not distorted or dramatically exaggerated) people, and a relatively actio n-oriented layout. Wieringo's pencils fit well into this context. Some of the faces (and other details) tend towards stylization, but there is an internal consistency which allows a sort of naturalism to seep in.
MICKEY DEATH (Trash, free)
by EFF and Eric Knisley
Just because Mickey Death doesn't come out in its own book doesn't mean its not the same art as these other comics (For the straight dope on this or other technical questions, see Scott McCloud's brilliant Understanding Comics). EFF and Knisley put out a consistently funny and insightful strip that holds together from episode to episode, working for the casual reader as well. Plenty of background detail opens up even more levels of meaning for the audience with the correct "cultural currency." Most aspects of American culture are fair game for plot fodder; in fact, the focal character is a parody of Mickey Mouse. Mickey Death is not, however, a samplefest of cultural icons so much as a storyline that just happens to be fleshed out referentially.
(ARCANA) THE BOOKS OF MAGIC (DC/Vertigo) Annual and monthly writer John Ney Rieber, artist Peter Gross
The first issue of local author John Rieber's continuation of the Timothy Hunter saga was released as part of the first Vertigo crossover, The Children's Crusade. Unfortunately, that means Rieber wasn't completely in control of the storyline for his first issue. But even under narrative constraints, the story was enticing. Like Rieber's other work (Wolverine: Killing), Arcana is a study in allowing the narrative to wrap up the reader in its subjective reality.
Timothy Hunter was created by Sandman writer Neil Gaiman in a DC miniseries called The Books of Magic. Rieber's take on the character is more subtle and open than Gaiman's, while still fitting the storyline. Tim is a nascent image of incredible potential . The pursuit of his magic power by others is a common theme that both writers have used. Tim's natural adolescent "otherness" is further exacerbated by the strange attention paid him by interested parties. What makes the story special, though, is the sup porting characters, as they fill out the picture of what the world holds.
Peter Gross' art is, like the story, simple and sparse. Overall a very strong first glimpse at what promises to be an even stronger series (issue #1 should arrive late February/early March.
Look for an overview of the Triangle's lively comics "scene" in the next issue of Stay Free!