Polite Dissent

I’ve been catching up on my trades and archives recently.

Scurvy Dogs: Rags to Riches
I wasn’t sure what to make of this book when I started it, and when I finished it, I still wasn’t sure. One thing I know for certain: it’s funny. The humor is over the top without making the mistake of trying too hard. Any book that can combine pirates, Buck Rogers, Happy Days, Hummel figurines, Menudo and monkeys piques my interest. The commentary (and photos) from creators Andrew Boyd and Ryan Yount are an added bonus. Is this a book worth having in your collection? The cow says true.

The Legend of Grimjack: Volume One
This book collects the first appearances of Grimjack from when he was a back-up strip in First Comic’s Starslayer. This may be some of the earliest work by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman, but you’d be hard pressed to notice. John Gaunt is a fully developed character from page one, and Truman’s art fits the stories perfectly. I don’t think Ostrander’s ever done a story that I haven’t liked (except maybe this — but I blame the crossover, not him). These stories are far better than most of what’s on the market today, and I look forward to the next volume in the collection. (Ironically, the weakest story in the volume is the Starslayer crossover, but then I’ve never particularly cared for that comic, so your mileage may vary.)

Hawkworld
Speaking of Timothy Truman, I recently acquired his Hawkworld trade paperback which collects the mini-series of the same name. This is the story which introduces the third incarnation of Hawkman as an aristocrat-turned-policeman named Katar Hol. It also showcases a much darker Thanagar. It is a well done story with a well developed protagonist, though it does spend a little too much time sertting up the subsequent regular Hawkworld series.

Superman Archives, Volume 1 and 2
Superman was a significantly different character back in those days. His powers weren’t nearly as great as they are now (though they did increase by the end of the second volume) and his ethics were definitely different. He never killed a villain, but he sure didn’t go out of his way to save them. A common scene: Superman looking down at a wrecked getaway car and thinking, “They got what they deserved.” The art was enjoyable, with definite Alex Raymond influences. I think I actually prefer this Superman.