Why You Should Read: Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D.

Hey, Happy New Year.  Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  Personally my Christmas was so merry I spent most of last week recovering.  You may have noticed I took a week off from posting, and I think I needed the break.  I could have easily given myself THIS week off too.  I don't know about you guys, but taking two weeks off from something you do every week can easily turn into three weeks.  You get the picture right?  If I don't post right here and now I'd probably never post again.  So this is me.  Writing a blog post.

Today I'd like to talk about what I think is THE BEST SILVER AGE SCIENCE FICTION COMIC OF ALL TIME.  Now, I'm not really a comic expert or historian.  I can only compare this to the few other silver age books on my shelf.  I'm talking about the original 'Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D.' series created by Russ Manning in 1963 and published by Gold Key Comics.

Welcome to the year 4000 A.D.  The place is the continent sized city North AM.  Humanity has become soft as benevolent Robots do all the work in the future.  These robots take cues from Isaac Asimov's rules of robotics (never harm humans or allow humans to come to harm, and so on).  Unfortunately some of the robots follow the rules of robotics better than others.  Some have been corrupted and reject their programming.  Humanity has grown too weak to fight against these evil robots.  Enter Magnus, an individual who has been raised separately from the rest of society by one of the first and few remaining GOOD robots.  He has trained all his life and has gained a superhuman strength.  In addition he has a cyborg implant in his brain so he listen in to the telepathic speech of the robots.

Magnus is joined on his crusade by Leeja Clane and her father Senator Clane.  Leeja is very much a product of her time, but I feel like she's a bit less of a cardboard cutout than most comic book heroines of the silver age.

Although each issue is basically in the monster of the week format, the people of North AM are all 'Oh look, there's a new robot threat! Who will save us?' and Magnus is like, 'I will! Watch me punch robots in the face!' there is a greater sense of continuity than most comics that I've read from the same time period.  For example: In the first issue of Magnus and Leeja come across a group of people who have been captured by evil robots.  The captives are put in stasis and their brains are used to power a supercomputer.  These individuals reappear in a later issue, and because their brains were all connected for so long they developed powerful telepathic abilities.

As well as having a loose sense of continuity the world building in 'Magnus Robot Fighter' is pretty well thought out.  For example: As North Am is a continent sized city the book answers questions like 'How do these people grow food?'  Answer: They have underwater farms!

One thing 'Magnus' has going for him over other silver age comics like 'Adam Strange' for example, is that the stories take time to breathe.  The average Adam Strange story is only 10 to 15 pages long.  The Magnus comics are all 27 pages in length.  Magnus, although it's a bit cheesy when viewed through a modern lens, is also a much harder science fiction then other silver age comics I've read.  While Magnus is asking what would happen if machines one day became masters over their creators 'Adam Strange' features aliens who suck people up with Vacuum Cleaners.

I've yammered on about the story so long I haven't even touched on the artwork!  You can forget about the story, Magnus is worth reading for the art alone.  It fluctuates between highly detailed and minimalism in style.  One panel you'll have an incredible futuristic city skyline in the background and the next you'll have flat color.  I think this is done strategically.  Russ Manning is guiding your focus, either to the incredible world he's created in the detailed panels or to the characters and the action of the fight scenes in the minimal panels.  And of course, every issue features a ton of retro robots, flying cars, and wacky retro futuristic fashion design.

Dark Horse comics has collected the classic 'Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. in 3 volumes, in both Hardcover and Trade Paperback.  I recommend that you give it a try if you haven't already.  In a way, the question of 'Do we rely to much on technology?' is just as relevant - if not more so - in this digital age.  'Magnus' may be a little cheesy and a little dated, but I personally think it's a few notches above other comics from the same time period.

-Geekboy.

Why You Should Read: The Tooth

The Tooth is a Graphic Novel written by one of my favorites, Cullen Bunn, working in collaboration with writer Shawn Lee and artist Matt Kindt.  This quirky story is a love letter to Horror and Superhero Comics of  a bygone era.

The titular Tooth is a gigantic beast of great strength that can shrink down to the size of a fang and fit in the mouth of a host.  The Tooth forms a symbiotic relationship with his host, in this case our mere mortal of a protagonist named Graham.  Whenever Graham is threatened - which happens quite often over the course of the story - The Tooth springs from his mouth in a Hulk like rage and rips the threat limb from limb.

This may sound pretty straightforward so far, but The Tooth is a comic within a comic.  There are fictional retro-style advertisements and a letters page that alludes to a massive continuity of the character 'The Tooth,' the many hosts that came before Graham, and a Rouges Gallery of Super Villains that we never get to meet within the pages of the Graphic Novel.

I'd like to take a minute to talk about Matt Kindt's art style.  At first glance it seems rather simplistic, almost childlike, but if you take a closer look you can tell Mr. Kindt knows what he's doing.  There are some really strong panel compositions here.  Matt Kindt's loose style really adds to the charm of this book.

As well as paying homage to comics as a storytelling medium, there are several visual nods to Ray Harryhausen (such as a guest appearance of the Mechanical Owl form Clash of the Titans, and Graham mentioning that the Dragon of Ares 'Sounds like something from a Harryhausen movie' the very next page) Which is appropriate as Harryhausen is the one who helped popularized stories about two monsters punching each other in the face.  It's also appropriate since The Tooth's origin is rooted in Greek Mythology.

There's a moment towards the end of the graphic novel that I really like: The Tooth Graham, and his ally Sheriff Turnbull are attacked by a hoard of Vampire women (who are wearing skimpy red dresses and black knee-high boots as a nod to 70's horror comic icon Vampirella) and Graham tries to ward them off by putting two sticks together to form a cross.  He is informed that he doesn't have enough faith to repel a Vampire.  So the Sheriff whips out his badge and drives off the Vampire using his faith in the law.  This is exactly the sort of thing I mentioned before on this blog about symbolism getting lost in modern day Vampire fiction.  It's not the cross that drives away a Vampire, but Faith in what the cross represents.

This book is a ton of fun, and comes from a creative team that clearly loves comics.  I consider The Tooth one of the gems of my collection, and I encourage you to give it a read if you have the chance.  It's quirky and fun and has big monsters punching each other.  You won't regret it.

-Geekboy.

Why You Should Read: Pinocchio Vampire Slayer

Welcome to 'Why you should read...' Monster Month edition.

'Pinocchio Vampire Slayer' is a series of all age graphic novels by Dusty Higgins and Van Jensen.  Originally printed in 4 volumes 'Pinocchio Vampire Slayer' 'The Great Puppet Theater' and 'Of Wood and Blood' Part 1 and 2, the series has since been collected as a single volume.

Taking cues from the original fairy tale rather then the Disney adaption, 'Pinocchio Vampire Slayer' is a brilliant mashup.  You can't help but wish you'd come up with the idea of a wisecracking puppet who can mass produce wooden stakes just by lying.  If you HAD come up with it, you'd probably dismiss it as a terrible middle-of-the-night idea and you'd realize it'd never work the next morning.  Dusty Higgins and Van Jensen take this middle-of-the-night idea and run with it, crafting a miniature dark fantasy epic epic.

I called this an all ages story, and that's pretty much true.  It's a little dark, but it's a dark comedy, and there's always a good dose of humor to balance the tension.  The art style is also dark, but it's a quirky dark with a fun energy to it.  Your average 10 - 12 year old should definitely be fine with this book.  There is a high body count however, and this story deals with some pretty heavy themes including loss and coming face to face with - and excepting - your own mortality.  It's the best kind of all ages: kid friendly and entertaining with enough sustenance for adults to enjoy as well.

There are also a ton of literary and historical references in this series.  As well as all of the references to the original Pinocchio, The Great Puppet Theater performs both 'Hamlet' and 'The Merchant of Venice' and Shakespeare buffs should find these bits hilarious.

--- Spoilers ahead ---

As for historical references, Vlad the Impaler - inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula - plays a role in the series.  Higgins and Jensen masterfully intertwine the bloodthirsty actions of Vlad Tepes and the origin of Pinocchio.

This book also mashes up several genres.  As well as being a fun horror comedy, 'Pinocchio Vampire Slayer' has plenty of swashbuckling action - such as the ship battle in volume two - and some light steampunk elements, like the hot air balloon and Bird Man in volume three.

There are also some pretty creative and gripping cliffhangers between volumes.  For example, at the worse possible time Pinocchio is turned into a very mortal real boy.

'Pinocchio Vampire Slayer' is a fun comic that I think everyone can enjoy, and it deals with some pretty important themes.  That might not win you a ton of awards like a dark and edgy adult graphic novel, but in my opinion it's the best kind of comic.  I definitely recommend you check this one out.

-Geekboy.

Why You Should Read: The Tick

The Tick.  A character created by a by young Ben Edlund, a fan of superhero comics during the 1980s, which was one of the most influential decades for superhero comics.

The 80s gave us creators like Frank Miller and Allan Moore, who pushed the envelope of what was and wasn't acceptable to depict in comics.  These individuals thumbed their noses at the Comics Code Authority and all the regulations that made sure comics stayed squeaky clean and kid friendly.  So much of what is going on in comics and superhero movies now is a result of the 80s.

Early issues of Ben Edlund's original run of 'The Tick' walk a line between affectionate parody that outright mockery of the darker and edgier comics of the time.  At one point the Tick declares: "I'm a SUPERHERO!  I don't want to STOP crime!  I just want to FIGHT it!"  These were funny and relevant when they were written, and in a post Christopher Nolan society where people are still throwing around buzzwords like 'Grounded' and 'Gritty' in relation to superheroes 'The Tick' is still as funny and relevant as ever.

The increase of violence and the brooding nature of heroes in superhero comics is parodied.  The Tick spends a lot of time standing on rooftops and narrating his own adventures in third person Film Noir dialog.

"He stands...like some sort of pagan god or deposed tyrant.  Staring out over over the city he's sworn to...to stare out over..."

"Blood covers the city like a big red afghan..."

As a Daredevil fan I particularly enjoy issues #3 through #5:  'Night of a Million Zillion Ninja,' 'A Big Fight' and 'Early Morning of a Million Zillion Ninjas'.  This story arc introduces Oedipus, a thinly veiled Elektra parody.  The Tick joins Oedipus, her old guy mentor Shing, and Paul the Samurai in their battle against the incompetent Ninja forces of darkness.  "Ninjas aren't dangerous.  They're more afraid of you than you are of them..."  This story arc also introduces the Tick's sidekick Arthur.

Superman and transparent Superhero disguises are also mocked.  The Tick dons a hypnotic tie over his costume in order to convince the general public that he to is an ordinary citizen rather than a nigh-invincible superhero.

One thing about The Tick, the original issues do have a bit of salty language, so it's not as kid friendly as it may seem.  I picked up a reprint of the first issue on Free Comic Book Day a few years back, and they altered a lot of the dialog to make it appropriate for all ages.  It must have been a little shocking for parents who went out and bought the comic for their kids afterwords.  It's mostly just PG-13 language though, no F-words or anything, but I do feel like it's something you should be warned about.

Probably my favorite thing about The Tick is how quotable it is.  "Speak up Amigo, I can barely hear you over the roar of this yawning abyss!"  It's a bit like 'The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra' or 'Galaxy Quest' for me that way.  There is no wrong time to quote The Tick.

"Spooooooon!"

Why You Should Read: Harrow County

I've been a fan of Cullen Bunn  for a couple of years now.  If that name rings a bell, you may have heard it from the fantastic ongoing title "The Sixth Gun" from ONI press.  Earlier this year I picked up volume one of "Harrow County" from my local comic shop, and I was just gifted volume two for my Birthday.  Harrow County is published by Dark Horse Comics, written by Cullen Bunn, and illustrated by Sixth Gun guest artist Tyler Crook.

If I had to describe Harrow County, I would say that it's a bit like artist Norman Rockwell tried his hand at writing Lovecraftian horror, or perhaps H.P Lovecraft was attempting to paint Americana.  This is a tale of horror that takes place in a quaint backwoods American town.

Brief disclaimer: If horror isn't your cup of tea, you may not want to read this.  It does have some freaky gross stuff, including disembodied human skin, the owner of afore mentioned skin, and a individual who is shown consuming raw maggot infested meat.  If that ISN'T a turn off, however, this may be the book for you.

I'm not really sure how to give a synopsis of the story so far without delving into some mild spoilers, but I also can't do the book justice without delving into the story.  So, if you really really hate spoilers, just take my word for it that this book is awesome and stop reading now.

Still here?

Okay.

Our heroine is Emmy, a young woman coming of age and developing strange otherworldly powers.  She soon discovers that she is the direct descendant of Hester Beck, a very evil woman dabbling in witchcraft, who had been lynched by the townsfolk years before.  The townspeople aren't too keen on the prospect of another witch in town, so naturally Emmy's life is in danger when her abilities are discovered.

After a time the townsfolk grow a fear and respect for Emmy, even though she tries to make it clear that she is nothing like Hester Beck.  She is uncomfortable with gifts and peace offerings, and flat out refuses to use her powers for evil, as shown when one of the villagers asks her to place a hex on somebody he doesn't like.

And that's what I love about the story so far.  The first two volumes are a great picture of how we don't have to be defined by our past, our roots, or the evil we may be born into.  It's so encouraging to see an upright individual who chooses good when everyone expects them to be bad.  And we can all make that choice.  Let's all be an Emmy.