Comics: Once More, With Feeling
by Dee. 2/10/2023
Heyo, it's Dee here with more comics for your consideration: from DC Comics, GCPD: The Blue Wall, from Marvel Comics, Wasp, and from Image Comics, 3Keys.GCPD: The Blue Wall (DC Comics): This is a six-part miniseries about the Gotham City Police and Renee Montoya specifically looking to overhaul the precinct and restore faith in the police. This isn't easy, as Batman's shadow looms large though he and the Bat-Family are not directly involved. There's a brief cameo of Two-Face, but that's about it.
I like stories about non-supers even in the environment built for superheroes. This book introduces some new faces to the force, which is a breath of fresh air. The characters are relatable and sympathetic, and as a novelty, this series starts off with a content warning. The censorship on swear words seems a little strange, if they are going to use incendiary language to begin with. Maybe that's just a DC thing.
The artwork is gorgeous, with scenes toned differently, whatever the story beat: sepia, dark blue and red dominate this book. This is a book that pulls no punches as far as how it is portraying the human vulnerability without becoming preachy. The script sounds natural rather than overdramatic, like it could be considering the subjects they are juggling. I enjoyed the first issue, and I hope this series continues to be this good. . .
Wasp (Marvel Comics): If you are familiar with the Wasp aka Janet Van Dyne and love her, this is the book for you. It references roughly sixty years worth of material, so it's kinda like a digest or Cliff's Notes for new fans. For those not in the know, or only familiar with her through the Ant-Man movies/ comics, this 4 issue miniseries might just be the place to start. It looks like Ewing will have a new Wasp series upcoming, and it will fill Ant-Man's shoes. His tiny little shoes.
The art is very nice, well up to Marvel standards, with a slightly subdued color scheme, so that the saturation kind of looks like a watercolor image. The art style feels like a throwback in certain scenes, classic Marvel speech bubbles intact.
In short, it was an entertaining read, and well worth picking up some back issues while your at it.
3Keys (Image Comics): Dimensional travel is always an interesting subject, especially when you invoke the Great Old Ones as a looming threat. Our main character, Noah Carter, is one of three Silver Keys and has an awesome tiger as a spirit guide. David Messina definitely had fun writing this one, as the tone of the comic is very tongue in cheek, even if there's a bunch of Lovecraftian lore hidden in the depths of space ready to attack.
The art style actually changes based on the narrator / POV, and I find that really neat. The people look realistic, and it is very smooth, polished looking art versus the photo-realistic, which actually creeps me out (they always draw the laugh lines, and it looks bad).
Did I mention that Noah works in a comic book store? Expect some meta style humor, as this book pokes fun at the industry in oh so many ways. Otherwise, it is very funny, has a good plot hook and is seamless in its execution. I will be coming back to this series to finish off the story.
And that's it for this month, folks.
Fare thee well,
Dee