Sam Christopher's Quick Hits

The Comics Column read by Thousands!

(That’s Sam Thousands, the guy that runs the corner deli.) {If you’re going to steal, steal from the Master, Stan Lee.}

First up this week is a title I have anticipated. Haunted Tank #1 is the first in a five-issue mini from DC’s Vertigo imprint and written by Frank Marrafinno and drawn by Henry Flint. For those not familiar with the story, General JEB Stuart was the greatest cavalry commander of the Civil War, or, as the general himself would call it, “The Northern War of Aggression”. Even in death, his devotion to duty and family leads him to return to aid any of his bloodline sent into harm’s way for God and Country, in this case a young tank commander named Jamal Stuart. Who’s also black. Ghost of a Confederate war hero helping his black descendents in a Middle Eastern desert. Cool, huh? Like I said, I really looked forward to this, but after the first installment I just have a headache. I will check out the second ish, though, if only to see if Jamal will be brought face to face with the petty bigotries he projects so readily onto others. That actually may be the point of the story, we’ll see.

In New Avengers #47 we have a Secret Invasion crossover that is very much worth reading. Mmmm... I love Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. Not necessarily in that order, of course. In this flashback story, bringing home even further the tragedy of Jessica handing her and Luke’s baby to the Avengers’ butler, Jarvis, who then turned out to be a Skrull, we’re shown a happier time for the couple, in their home, the behemoth Cage bonding with their daughter by telling her of the first time he ever hired Jessica—she was a private eye after ending her superhero career, as detailed in the wonderful series Alias (no relation to the tv show of the same name)—to find his father for him. A touching story which really makes me long for not only Alias but even its offspring, The Pulse.

Dark Horse brings us two marvelous Robert E. Howard creations this week. Kull #2 is just excellent, continuing the first issue’s palace intrigues as the newly crowned King of Valusia deals with matters of State, treachery, and vague warnings from an unlikely ally. Then we have Solomon Kane #3, and, yeah, I’m going to slobber all over this like I do every month. Feudal intrigue and Knights Templar, pagan rituals and mail-order brides, human sacrifices for power. And a laconic Christian to set things right with his sword. What’s not to like?

Other comics:
Justice Society of America #21- The penultimate chapter in the “One World under Gog” storyline. I wonder if it’s even possible that Alex Ross doesn’t see the irony in his co-plotting this story. I doubt he does, with his purported ego (although I don’t know him so I can’t say first-hand), but it is funny. Great story, as I’ve said—repeatedly—just ironic coming from him.

Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Shadow: Battleschool #1 (of 5)- A Mike Carey-Sebastian Fiumara adaptation of the Card novel of the same name, telling the story of Ender’s most trusted lieutenant at Battleschool. Very well adapted, really made me think of the novel, which should also be read.

Marvel Zombies 3 #3 (of 4)- Almost there. This ish lays out the MZ plan for their invasion of the accepted Marvel Universe and gives a “sort of” explanation for the stealth-mode operation I complained about in issue #1. Looks like the plan has hit a snag, though—never trust a voracious appetite to procure your lunch.

Secret Invasion #8- The end of this story is dumber than I thought possible for this title. It is “Lex Luthor as President” dumb, Spidey “Clone Saga” dumb. Not quite Marvel Apes dumb, but I think that’s a once a generation thing.

Xena: Warrior Princess-Army of Darkness #2 (of 4)- “What—Again!?” moves along, not quite as engaging at this point as it’s predecessor “Why Not!?” Still a fun read that I have high hopes for.