Some comics you just have to read. These are some of them. 2015 wouldn't be complete without them.
The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 (DC)
Frank Miller is back, this time aided by co-writer Brian Azzarello and Andy Kubert. I have a feeling that Azzarello will be given all the credit for the results, but Miller's influence is powerful, not only in Kubert's efforts to evoke his art (at least as seen in The Dark Knight Strikes Again), but in the storytelling, perhaps best in the Atom backup tale. Most surprising, perhaps, is how Master Race reads almost like a sequel to someone else's Dark Knight entirely, Christopher Nolan's. Remember how Batman was being hounded by police at the end of the 2008 film? That's where DK3 picks up. With a few twists, of course. I think it's brilliant. Atom, meanwhile, reads like Miller voicing his own thoughts on this last great adventure, his frustration and, yes, gratitude.
Klaus #1 (Boom!)
This is Grant Morrison's Santa Claus origin story. As of this issue, infinitely more amusing than Nameless, for which I'm very grateful to report. A Wildman returns to a town he's frequented in the past, only to discover that it's changed under the auspices of a new regime. Ironically, the main problem is a spoiled child who is ruining Yuletime and being disappointed by it at the same time. Morrison slips in his magic, and quickly sends Klaus toward his destiny. It'll be interesting to see how the story continues to unfold, but this is certainly a promising start.
Legend of Wonder Woman Chapters 1-3 (DC)
Superman: American Alien #1 (DC)
Both of these are origin stories that revisit the children at the start of iconic journeys. Renae De Liz, and her lush art, are perfect for the girl who would be Wonder Woman, as she struggles against the confines of a life meant to shield her from harsh truths. It's a story the Amazon Warrior has badly needed, and in recent years has been working toward, ever since Ben Caldwell's serialized Wednesday Comics adventure. American Alien, meanwhile, revisits Smallville, and fruitfully. Max Landis and Nick Dragotta bring a far more inclusive version of the young Clark (and family) discovering his powers than I've ever seen (except maybe in the pages of Tom De Haven's It's Superman!).
Certainly the comics featuring DC's Big Three are entirely welcome additions to their respective mythologies. Hopefully Morrison will be doing the same for Santa. They're all very much worth a look.
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Santa, now there's a Justice League.
ReplyDelete