This Week's Suspended Animation - Essential Man-Thing Volume 1

Essential Man-Thing Volume 1, published by Marvel Publishing, Inc., 544 pages, $16.99.

Chalk up another reason to favor the Marvel Essentials line: Man-Thing. Never a big fan of Marvel's denizen of the swamps in my 30+ years as a comics reader, I've formed the opinion that it's because I never read more than an appearance here or there. Having 32 consecutive stories in a row, beginning with Man-Thing's origin, changes the landscape, a bit. Now, after all these years, I tip my hat to the creators of such compelling fare.

Steve Gerber (creator of Howard the Duck) is the primary writer of these tales, with Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Tony Isabella lending a hand. While not necessarily breaking any new ground in the field, the writers did present some interesting situational dramas, wonderfully morose settings, and even a few tales with an almost classic "B" movie atmosphere. Often, the muck-monster was little more than a bystander, as the theater of other people's lives unfolded before him and the reader, alike. This produced a vibe not unlike many past E.C. horror yarns; the stories were quite engaging. I'll also add my opinion that, from a story-telling perspective, when the Man-Thing DOES play a significant role in a story, he becomes one of the best "unlikely heroes" in comics.

Additionally, a fan could hardly ask for more accomplished art work to adorn these pages. With a roll call boasting the likes of John Buscema, Mike Ploog, Gray Morrow, Neal Adams, Val Mayerik (co-creator of Howard the Duck) and more, there is precious little not to admire about this 500+ page tome. The pages fairly spring to life with a sense of realism (and sometimes SURrealism) that only serves to heighten the intensity and sense of macabre.

Essential Man-Thing Volume 1 is recommended for older readers, due to some horrific content. Find it at comics shops, bookstores, and online retailers and auctions.

Do you have a comics work that you would like reviewed in the Suspended Animation column? Contact me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com.

Review by Mark Allen

This Week's Suspended Animation - Bone: Rose

Bone: Rose, published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 142 pages, $10.99.

I was thrilled to discover that Scholastic, the company which is reprinting every volume of Jeff Smith's Bone series, also reproduced the prequel, Rose.

Suspended AnimationThe back story of a pivotal character in Bone, Rose is the tale of two sisters, both seeking to grow into the possible role of ruler of their people. However, while Rose seeks to develop her "dreaming eye", and becomes the defender of her land against the Lord of Locusts, her sister, Briar, takes a different path.

While much well-deserved praise has gone up for Bone, I can't imagine a more intriguing, entertaining and captivating addition than this coming-of-age story. Distinguished by the same elements of fantasy, horror and whimsy, Rose bears all of the earmarks that make Jeff Smith a heavyweight in the arena of comics and graphic novels.

Describing the artwork of Charles Vess has never been easy for me. His is not a style based on realism, but neither is it "cartoony". Perhaps the most suitable phrase I can apply to it is fantasy-based. Under Vess' hand, Rose appears and reads exactly as I believe it should; like a classic storybook, only tinged with a sense of surrealism. His locales are thick with atmosphere, his characters are highly communicative, and his sense of storytelling is powerful and dramatic. And, in the midst of it all is the sensation that, even without the dragon, rat-creatures and mysterious cloaked figures, one would still be assured that they are most certainly somewhere….else. In the world of comics, no other artist can surpass Vess' sense of ambiance.

Rose is recommended to all but the youngest of readers. Most fans of fantasy books, comics and movies, including works by C.S. Lewis and J.R. Tolkein, are likely to find it worth their while. Look for it in bookstores, comics shops, libraries, and online auctions and retailers.

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed by Suspended Animation? Email me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com.
Review by Mark Allen

This Week's Suspended Animation - Strange Space Stories #1

Strange Space Stories #1, published by Main Enterprises, 36 pages, $3.25. Available through mail order.

Small press offerings are often “iffy”. What you get can range from highly entertaining to barely passable comics material. However, any time you are dealing with creators who possess the desire, ingenuity, and good ol’ fashioned “pluck” it requires to produce and distribute a series, or even a single issue, I consider it a worthwhile gamble. That being the case, fans of the science fiction fare of the 50’s should roll the dice on Strange Space Stories #1, from Main Enterprises.

Containing material which serves as an artistic “salute” to the late Wally Wood, Strange Space Stories opens with the tale of a futuristic space ark, and closes with a yarn about a young boy who sees Martians. In between the two is a prose work dealing with a renegade android, on the run with blood on her hands.

In “The Ark”, written and illustrated by John Lambert, with embellishments by Robert Sumner, the inhabitants of Baylushia are gratified by the appearance of a strange asteroid, believing it a sign of good tidings from the gods. They are never aware, however, of the dramatic tableau which takes place to right the course of this “asteroid”, saving their planet.

“Strange Frequencies”, by Robert Sumner, finds young Thomas Milton’s passion with sci-fi and adventure programs on the radio seemingly affecting his outlook on real life. But, is little Thomas only imagining things, or…?

Sam Gafford’s prose tale, “A Bucket of Nerves”, with illustrations by Dan Taylor, is a futuristic “gumshoe” tale containing mystery, action, political/corporate intrigue, and a beautiful dame, to boot; all with a decidedly science fiction twist. It is engaging and well-paced.

Pin-ups are provided throughout by Marc Haines, Miguel Guerra, Rene Blansette, Jason Gillespie, Jim Pack, and Tim Tobolski.

An entertaining distraction, Strange Space Stories #1 is recommended for older readers. For ordering information, contact Jim Main at jmain44@aol.com.

Review by Mark Allen.

This Week's Suspended Animation - Starscape Presents

Starscape Presents, #’s 1 and 2, published by Starscape and Starscape Online, 24 pages, $2.99. Available at www.spitfirecomics.co.uk .

Zombies are big in comics, today, which is probably one reason for the story entitled “Dead” in Starscape Presents #1. The premise is simple: an Old West town is the last “safe” place in a world overrun by the necrotic, cannibalistic legions.

Writer Gary Simpson crafts a straightforward tale that, while primarily an action/horror yarn, does provide a twist or two. Sheriff Flint is a highly sympathetic character, despite her “crusty” persona; no doubt, a result of years of dealing with “the dead”.

Artist Lee O’Conner provides pencils and inks that are, at times, wonderfully detailed and realistic. However, his extreme use of black in some panels doesn’t always seem to serve an obvious creative purpose. His is a style which, after further polishing, could develop a following. For what it’s worth, his cover for this comic book is superb.

A word of warning: This comic is not for children, or the squeamish (such as myself), as violence, gore and profanity abound.

Issue number two of Starscape Presents: “Ouija: Heartstrings”, involves the interesting concept of a man who does favors for dead people. Think “The Sixth Sense” meets “The Equalizer”. In this tale, he involves himself in a deceased woman’s case concerning her vampiric boyfriend.

Gary Simpson’s hero comes across effectively as a hard man with a soft heart. Unfortunately, Simpson’s unique idea cannot save the story from an art style which may be fine after more seasoning, but is, as it stands, crude enough as to actually detract from the story itself.

At the least, a comics artist should be able to always distinguish each character, and maintain things like size and perspective. To artist Tim Youlden I say keep working on your technique; one review does not a career make, OR break.

Like the issue which proceeds it, “Heartstrings” is a bloody tale, and not for the youngsters.

Reviews by Mark Allen

This Week's Suspended Animation - Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1, Published by Marvel Publishing, Inc, 96 pages, $6.99

Part of me still can't believe I'm saying it, though I've been saying it for at least four years, now: What's needed more than anything in superhero comics today is FUN. The stands are dominated by Marvel and DC, whose products seem to primarily be dark, angst-driven, delighted with death, and generally "mature" to some degree. I use the "m" word loosely.

This is why the Marvel Adventures line was/is such a breath of fresh air. In this case, M.A. Iron Man Volume 1: Heart of Steel takes Tony Stark and his iron-clad alter ego "back to formula" so to speak. Thanks to writer Fred Van Lente and artists James Cordeiro and Ronan Cliquet, this is my favorite version of the character since the run of Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen, which began in 1998.

The story puts a slightly different spin on the origin of the character, while preserving the essence of Tony Stark; a once arrogant man, seeking to improve himself on the inside, not just the outside.

Van Lente does a wonderful job of crafting stories and setting a pace which is reminiscent of Marvel in its' glory days. Action a-plenty, sufficient oratory and interesting characters abound. And, happily, these stories are not weighted down with whatever else may be going on in the Marvel Adventures universe.

Cordeiro and Cliquet have artistic styles that are wonderfully expressive, and don't clash with one another. Detailed and intricate, they are well-suited to the high-tech nature of Iron Man stories, without giving an inch on the action necessary for a slam-bang superhero yarn! And, for the record, they both turn in two of the best designs for Marvel villains in decades: Cliquet's Plantman and Cordeiro's Spymaster are aces!

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1 is ecstatically recommended for all ages.

Review by Mark Allen

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed? Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.