SCC's Comics Talk
Weekly Comic Reviews - 6 Jan 2016
Shipment was delayed by a day. Ratings out of 5 stars. Marvel and Vertigo Comics courtesy of Absolute Comics (Plaza Singapura).
Match Point
Story: Adrian Teo
Art: Ken Foo
Self-published
The political culture of Singapore is as such that we find it hard to laugh at ourselves, much less making fun of our political leaders which is a no-no since independence. Political cartoonists would satirize other countries' leaders but not our own. That is why the 'I don't give a flying xxxx' attitude of Adrian Teo and Ken Foo is refreshing in this stifling environment. They will make fun of any social situations, from the dating scene (Date King) to the competitive school sports environment in Match Point. This new book by the politically incorrect duo is a mix of high school romance, sports comic and shojo manga. Think Slam Dunk but it's female tennis players in super short skirts. It's filled with stereotypes, sick jokes and social satire that we have not seen in Singapore for a long time. Email
(4.5 stars)
Darth Vader #15
Story: Kieron Gillen
Art: Salvador Larroca
Marvel Comics
The first major Star Wars cross-over ends with this issue – part 6 of 6 of Vader Down. It will fulfil the expectations of fans who have been following this story – the showdown between Darth and the Mon Calamari cyborg, Commander Karbin. The latter looks just like a sotong and no one is in doubt of the conclusion of the lightsaber fight. Lots of widescreen moments and an evil Wookiee to boot. Reference is being made to The Empire Strikes Back with an all broken up C3-PO who saves the day. It will be interesting to see how the new characters would be developed in the Disney Star Wars universe after this.
(3.5 stars)
Lychee Queen
Story/Art: Benjamin Chee
www.charsiewspace.com
Launched at December’s Comic Fiesta in KL, this is the second book in Benjamin Chee’s unified universe of char siew space. More halal this time, the Lychee Queen is a vivacious character who takes out her husband’s enemies and shares his love for lychees. This short story is charming and a sequel should be in the works. More fan art and variant covers!
(3.5 stars)
Dreaming Eagles #1
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Simon Coleby
Aftershock Comics
Aftershock Comics continues to be on a roll. Garth Ennis has joined the team to write another fighter pilots story. He is currently the best war writer in comics and has written many dogfights. In Dreaming Eagles, he gave the genre a twist by telling the story of black pilots in the fight against racial discrimination in the US Air Force during WWII. The story starts in the 1960s with the civil rights movement and it unfolds with a father telling his angry young son because the cost of fighting for changes. Expect a touching story filled aerial action. Simon Coleby (The Royals: Masters of War) is back to draw the violent skies. This was released last week.
(3.5 stars)
Unfollow #3
Story: Rob Williams
Art: Mike Dowling
Vertigo Comics
140 persons are summoned to a private island owned by billionaire Larry Ferrell, whose net worth is $18.42 billion. Either all 140 get an equal share of this sum or if some people are eliminated, the individual share gets increased. Sounds like Lord of the Flies, Battle Royale, The Hunger Games and Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians. Some people were worried about the direction of Vertigo when Karen Berger left. I’m still worried.
((3 stars)
A-Force #1
Story: G. Willow Wilson
Art: Jorge Molina
Marvel Comics
Diversity is the name of the game these days. Female characters, female writers and artists, and female-friendly books. A-Force started out as a Women of Marvel kind of book, an all-female team of superheroes. The new #1 (post-Secret Wars and Battleworld) is geared towards the teen market ala Ms Marvel, The Unbeatable Squirrel, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Batgirl. You will like this if you like the above sassy titles.
(3 stars)
