Some nights I lose sleep. 

I fear that perhaps I’m not really doing enough to solve the problems that face this country (and the world).  I wake up wondering, “did I do enough for the SotS community?”  And “if not, will Craig ever let me use the company restroom?”

I decided that I just can’t live with this kind of fear anymore.  So I’ve taken some new measures these last few weeks.  And I can now say, with certainty that SotS is “new” and “improved”.

The first step was to make this blog at least one safe place in the world.  There’s no question the biggest problem facing the world today is brain-sucking zombies.  It’s so obvious that it really goes without saying.  But here at SotS, we take these things seriously.  So I’m proud to announce several new policies that should improve this situation:

Of course there are other considerations as well.  Namely a total lack of Reece’s Peanut Butter cups in the SotS offices.  But I can only address one crisis at a time. 

So without Craig’s knowledge I’ve taken the liberty of moving the blog to a super secret location, one that should remain secure (and environmentally friendly).  And certainly a place where I can’t foresee any kind of problems developing:

So next time someone tells you that SotS doesn’t take their job seriously, just remember that we’re certifiable.

Still on the Shelf #8 – Savage Dragon

Originally published May 13th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Overview-

Have you ever picked up a new comic book, and felt completely fulfilled after reading a single issue?

This is my eighth installment of Still on the Shelf, and it occurred to me that I have never examined a title that, when it was all said and done, I could not recommend. This disturbed me greatly- after all, not every comic can be good. Somewhere, out there, is a title that is begging me to rip it to pieces, to recommend that you go to your local comic shop, find it gathering dust on the shelf, and mock it mercilessly. A title that I would only recommend if you were interested in shredding some high-quality paper to line your bird-cage with. This week, I made it my mission to go out there, pick up a title I knew nothing about, and destroy it for your amusement.

And this week, I have failed miserably.

Savage Dragon serves to remind me, yet again, that comic fans of today tend to take comics in general far too seriously. I have heard people refer to Savage Dragon as terrible. “The art sucks!” they say, or “the story is stupid!” I think that fans of this opinion are afraid to really enjoy a book that does not focus on characters that exist in an all-to realistic world (If you can consider comics to be realistic). They want heroes who loose their wife/father/sister/uncle/pet, worry about their lover cheating on them, or have to confront the stinging social issues and moral complexities of the real world, not one who has to fill in for Santa Claus in order to save the day, or something equally as ridiculous.

The fact is that Savage Dragon is a fun read, and an easy one at that. Often times, you get the feeling that you are reading a collection of newspaper comic strips, in the sense that every few panels has its own focus, and could easily be broken up and read separately. This is not to say that the entire book is written in this fashion- major plot points are put together in a more traditional comic-book style.

It is true that Savage Dragon has had its ups and downs, but that is to be expected from any title- especially one which is 10 years old. Savage Dragon has been around since the beginning of Image, and each and every issue has been written and drawn by its creator, Erik Larsen. Savage Dragon also boasts an extraordinarily complex cast of characters, and setting for that matter. Larsen has proved more than willing, on several occasions, to completely retool the entire title, changing Dragon’s profession, love life, or even his entire universe on a whim, if the story needs it.

The Story So Far

Way back in 1992, Dragon was found naked in a burning lot in Chicago. He had no memory of his life prior to this point. A nurse dubbed him “Dragon,” because of his green skin, fangs, and the large fin protruding form his head. He soon decides to join the ranks of the police force, in an effort to combat the threat of super-powered villains. Dragon has undergone many paradigm shifts- he has been a police officer, a government agent, and an inter-dimensional traveler. Currently he has left the “Image” universe, and his consciousness was transported to the body of his counterpart in the alternate “Savage Universe,” where he has been since issue #76.

This image of Dragon’s origin has repeated itself several times- it seems that whenever Dragon is down and out, almost killed, or about to undergo a major life change, he is found naked in a burning lot. This humorous gag seems to serve as warning that new stuff is about to happen, so pay attention.

Thoughts-

Savage Dragon brings back the “old-school” feel to comics. When reading this comic, I grew to enjoy what I was reading at that moment, not what may happen in the next issue. When reading this title, you are not analyzing the art, or nitpicking the story for its literary integrity, you are simply having a good time with it. Fights are not always epic battles- in fact; the heroes win handily more often than not. This serves to provide a real sense of danger when the hero actually IS in peril. And yes, heroes die all the time in this book, but in an almost comical fashion, they always end up coming back, in one way or another. And most importantly, each issue is a story unto itself- unlike many titles today which seem to have no difficulty putting out a filler issue, one which pretty much nothing happens. Basically, what amounts to a $3 ad for a future issue. I did not get that feeling from Savage Dragon at all.

Larsen also pretty openly spoofs other comic heroes and concepts from all labels- be it directly by name, or by an oddly similar hero or villain with a strangely familiar name and look (Liberty League? Octopus?), it is apparent who Larsen is spoofing. Even though the characters are meant to be taken seriously, you can’t help but glean some humor from the joke. You also get some seriously ridiculous villains, such as The Candy-Man in issue 105, who can turn anything he touches into delicious milk chocolate. As utterly ridiculous as that may seem, such villains in Savage Dragon are treated with the same sense of caution and care that a menace like Magneto or Two-face might be. To quote Dragon- “Candy-man is a deadly menace, no matter how ludicrous his crimes may seem!”

Bottom Line

While I feel you could pretty much jump into this title at any point, I recommend going back to issue #104, and beginning there. In this issue, Dragon returns to the Savage Universe for good, and gets married. If you start there, you are given a decent introduction to the current major characters, and won’t feel lost at all in the story. If you are really interested in boning up on Savage Dragon‘s long and complex history, you can pick up a copy of The Savage Dragon Companion, which usually prices out at around $3.00.

Long story short- Savage Dragon is a seriously fun read. In fact, I would go so far as to say that most serious comic readers really should take the opportunity to give this book a try. Relax a bit, let go of the notion that a comic needs to have breathtaking art and a Shakespearean storyline, and have fun with this one. You won’t regret it.

Savage Dragon #107, though considerably delayed, is slated to be released tomorrow, May 14th. Issues 104-106 are also readily available: As I said before, Issue 104 is a great place to start. And, in addition to The Savage Dragon Companion, The Brotherhood of the Fin is a fan site with extensive issue recap and character overview sections, and worth checking out.

Still on the Shelf #7 – Promethea

Originally published May 6th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Overview-

Promethea likely one of the strangest “super-hero” comics I have ever encountered. I started picking this title up from the very beginning, and right off the bat I was sucked into the strange world of Promethea. The stunning art perfectly complimented the story, which made each issue that much more appealing. Dropping sales have lead to the announcement of the cancellation of this title at issue #32, but with 7 issues to go, anything can happen in the comic world, as we all know.

Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III created this title, and they have worked on it through its entire 25-issue run to date. Moore has used this title as an outlet for the great wealth of knowledge he possesses in the area of magic and the occult, and Williams’s art is nothing less than stunning, and integral to the tale.

The Story So Far-

The legend of Promethea begins as she, a young girl in 411AD, Alexandria, Egypt, is faced with a crisis. Her father, a Hermetic Scholar, is murdered by a mob of Christian priests. He, before his death, bade his daughter to escape to the desert, where the gods would protect her. Thoth-Hermes (a blending of the similar Greek and Egyptian Gods) appears to Promethea, and whisks her to the realm of Immateria, where she will exist for all eternity as a story.

Sophie Bangs, a college student in “modern day” New York City, attempts to interview Barbara Shelley for a term paper she is doing on a legendary character, “Promethea,” who has appeared in various forms of literature, dating back to the 18th century. Barbara is less than receptive, and warns her that it would be best for her to drop the subject of Promethea before it is too late, and refuses to answer any more of her questions. They are thrown back together again later when a creature called a Smee, who believes Sophie to be the “next Promethea,” attacks Sophie. Barbara, who is revealed to be the current incarnation of Promethea, rescues her.

Barbara is wounded, and unable to defend Sophie from the recovering Smee, so she explains that a select few people have the ability to channel Promethea by writing about her. She tells Sophie to write, something, anything, about Promethea, in hopes that she can become the new Promethea, and defeat the Smee when it returns. It works, and the rest is history.

Thoughts-

One of the most interesting things about this title is the fact that very little seems to actually go on in New York, and most of the main plot is focused on Sophie’s inner journey as Promethea. While the actual events in New York take the form of a narrative by a futuristic television program called “TEXTure,” the real meat of the story usually takes place outside of New York.

While many may have found it interesting, Promethea may have suffered most from a rather long story arc (lasted 12 issues!), where Promethea was traveling through the realm of Immateria on what amounted to a quest of self-discovery. Even though there was a bit of action back on Earth (by way of Stacia Vanderveer, Sophie’s friend who had taken up the mantle of Promethea in her absence), it seemed that the very rich, imaginary world of this New York city had been abandoned by Moore in favor of a detailed lesson in the occult. Moore had it all- eccentric characters (including a mayor with dozens of personalities), wacky resident “science heroes” in the form of the Five Swell Guys, ready made opponents for Promethea to encounter, and an overall rich setting for any number of stories to play out. And while I personally thought that the entire arc was a masterful lesson in the world of Magic, it went on far too long for a great number of readers, and even I myself grew impatient with it. With so much potential for a great story with this new heroine, it seemed to be a waste to ignore all of that so soon after going through the pains of establishing the intricate world Sophie lives in.

Bottom Line-

Alan Moore has either gotten the hint from fans, or he is about to embark on what he had planned all along. That long, strange, story was tied up over the last two issues, Sophie has regained the mantle of Promethea on Earth (see the latest issue), and she is finally back in New York, where she belongs, for the time being.

I won’t spoil the story for those of you who are interested in checking this title out, but I must say that though this is an ideal place to give the title a try. I would recommend picking up issues #24 and #25, the two latest issues, to get you up to speed before launching into issue #26, due out in stores May 14th. Though very little real action has taken place in the “Earthly” realm throughout the entire run of the comic, minor noteworthy events have peppered each issue, making the world that Sophie has been thrust back into very intricate and unusual. This is, by no means, Spider-man’s New York, and it will take some effort to really understand what is going on, but it is worth the effort.

This book is brilliant, and even if an increase in sales would not save it, I would like to see Promethea go out with a bang, rather than fade away. If you like what you see after sampling an issue, all of the past issues are available in trade-paperback and hardback, with a new compilation taking you through issue #25 set to be released. I know that many collectors are on a tight budget, but I firmly believe this title is worth the effort.

I highly recommend Promethea to any reader looking for something different, but magnificent in both art and storytelling.

Still on the Shelf #6 – Usagi Yojimbo

Originally published April 29nd, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Overview-

If you like samurai rodentia, Usagi Yojimbo is the book for you.

My first exposure to this character, as I am sure it was for many of you, was in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon during the late 80′s. However, the character of Miyamoto Usagi (initially based on the 17th century samurai Miyamoto Musashi) has been around since the early Eighties. Granted, this version of Usagi is very much out of time, but it does give you a good idea of who this character is.

Usagi is a rabbit ronin (a samurai without a master) who roams the land of Feudal Japan at the time of the Shogunate. With the land under a single ruler, the importance of the samurai has been diminished. With no wars to fight or masters to serve, Usagi wanders Japan on a quest of enlightenment. Often, he is seen with his nephew Jotaro, who he serves as mentor and teacher. The comic is currently drawn in black and white, and put out by Dark Horse Comics. Stan Sakai, who created the character, has written and illustrated the title since the beginning.

Thoughts-

One of the most impressive things about this title is the coherent story. Sakai is obviously well versed in Japanese culture and history, and his wealth of knowledge and research is plain by reading the story. In addition, he shows great skill in sacrificing authenticity in favor of artistic license, when it serves the purpose of the tale. Anyone who has read and enjoyed James Clavell’s Shogun will love what this comic has to offer.

The art is not spectacular, nor is it meant to be. And while there are some light elements of humor, it is certainly not the focus of the title. Fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might expect similar comedic content (after all, what is funnier than animals that can use martial arts?), but Usagi Yojimbo does not, in any way, rely on laughs.

I picked up a copy of #64 and #65, and enjoyed both of them. Each of these issues stood alone, and both would be excellent points for a new reader to jump into the story.

Bottom Line-

This title is a reader’s comic. Stan Sakai storytelling style sucks you right in, and his art does nothing more than enhance the tale.

I have nothing but praise for Usagi Yojimbo. The only drawback to this title may be the $2.99 cover price, since the art is in black and white. However, with 24 pages, and absolutely zero ads, you will get your money’s worth.

Usagi Yojimbo #66 is due out May 28th, and #67 will be out June 25th. This title comes out 9 times a year, so if you get hooked, keep that in mind. There are also several Trade Paperbacks of past issues available. If you are looking to add a new issue to your subscriptions, this is a good place to start. Usagiyojimbo.com, the official Usagi Yojimbo website, is a great place to start if you want more information about this great comic.

Still on the Shelf #5 – Betty and Veronica

Originally published April 22nd, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Betty and Veronica, mainstay characters of the Archie Comics line, first appeared in the 1940s, where their eternal battle over Archie began. They got their own title, Archie’s Girls: Betty and Veronica, which was re-launched in 1987 as simply Betty and Veronica. Largely ignored by comic collectors and fanboys everywhere, Betty and Veronica, either tucked away in the corner of your favorite comic book retailer with the rest of the kiddy titles, or in the aisles of the local grocery store.

Like your favorite Sunday comic strips, Betty and Veronica has changed very little over the decades. The art is simplistic and reminiscent of Blondie, and the stories are typically short and sweet. If you are looking for a story heavy on situational humor and ultra-light on character development, this title is for you.

The Story so Far?

Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are your arch-typical high school girls at Riverdale High. Veronica is rich and vain, and very much on the egotistical side. Betty, on the other hand, is less sophisticated, but more good-natured. While both are boy-crazy to an extent, they very often end up fighting over Archie. The stories tend to revolve around superficial matters, as most strip-style comics tend to. Appearances by Riverdale’s other notable students, Jughead, Reggie, and the renowned Archie, commonly factor into the humor. Be it petty bickering over boys, clothes, shopping, or one-upsmanship, Betty and Veronica’s escapades always unfold in a formulaic, often humorous manner.

Issue #187 features six short strips, all of which are light in humor and substance. The stories range from Betty’s troubles in her responsibility of selecting a prom king, to a bird-watching trip, to outfit coordination. All of the stories are well suited to your average newspaper strip, short, sweet, and to the point.

Thoughts Betty and Veronica is like a crocodile- a living relic of an ancient time in comics. The art is not meant to stun the eye, and the story does not aspire to literary proportions. Regardless, it is fun, in a simple way, and suitable for all ages. And even though the very first issue of Archie’s Girls: Betty and Veronica boasts a value of nearly $2000, never will you see a current issue create a buzz amongst collectors for a potential increase in value. The title remains true to what comics were always supposed to be about- good natured and fun reading, without having to worry about fingerprints or bent corners.

Bottom Line-

Betty and Veronica is certainly not a title many of you will have pulled for you each Wednesday, but it is one of the last books on the market that are suitable for all ages. This, and the other Archie titles, are just the kind of book you would buy your child, to pique their interest in the hobby you so much enjoy. That aside, Betty and Veronica represents something that many collectors agree is missing from comics today- humor. And I can not stress enough one aspect of this book that I find most appealing- its utter lack of collectibility.

Pick up a copy of Betty and Veronica or Archie, roll it up and stick it in your back pocket. Enjoy a comic without detesting what the latest artist has done to your favorite character, or enduring the annoyance of a gaping hole in continuity when the writer forgets a fact from a character’s history.

In short- go out and enjoy a comic for what it is. A story, not a museum piece

Still on the Shelf #4 – Meridian

Originally published April 15th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

With Crossgen gaining in popularity, how does Meridian hold up to scrutiny?

Meridian is one of the first books to come out of CrossGen Comics. Admittedly, to this point, the last CrossGen book I read prior to preparing for this column was the CrossGen Primer, and based upon their phenomenal success, I thought this would be an ideal time to take a close look at one of their original titles.

The world of Demetria is the setting for this story- a planet where the surface is uninhabitable. The populace lives on floating islands held aloft by the effects of a mysterious ore, which they travel between using ships made of wood also affected by this ore. Meridian is the first of these islands, and the focus of the story. Sephie, the main character, currently holds the title of Minister of Meridian. Sephie is also a Sigil-bearer of this world. The Sigil is a mark found upon a select group throughout the CrossGen Universe, it indicates those who have been selected to weild certain powers. Sephie posseses “The Power of Renewal.” Ilahn, the major villain of this book, also bears a Sigil, which signifies he too holds a power, “the Power of Destruction.”

Last Issue-

Meridian #34 is a Key Issue, which is a place where CrossGen recommends that new readers interested in investigating the title jump in. CrossGen’s use of these “Key Issues” is a great concept- basically you are treated to something of a recap of the major events that occurred in previous issues that have relevance to the story at hand, without giving a long, boring, and detailed recap of the entire history of the comic. On this concept I commend CrossGen. Though for the regular reader, these issues seem to offer very little that is new, it certainly is a great way of pausing, orienting the reader into the direction the writer wants to take the story, and then taking off from there. Most comics jump from story to story with little or no direction, and that certainly results in some confusion when pieces of a story a reader might find important are dropped with no fanfare. Issues like this one tell you up-front what is important, so there is no confusion. It is a bit much to take in all at once, so I would recommend anyone interested in taking a look at this title begin with this issue, and read it twice.

I also took a look at issue #33, which basically tells the story of Jad, a major character thought dead by everyone. There is no doubt that he is going to resurface in a later issue. As you might imagine, he is alive and well, stranded on another island. Issue #33 chronicles exactly what he does to get a ship from the island’s inhabitants, and escape.

Thoughts-

If you are into art- this is the book for you. The entire book is beautifully drawn, and work is simply stunning. I am also highly impressed with the color- it is vibrant and deep- I really feel that there are few better examples out there of art in comics today. Steve McNiven and the rest of the team definitely deserve a great deal of credit for their work. Unfortunately, the art really seems to be the best thing about this title.

Meridian is supposed to be geared towards female readers. However, though I am not a young female, I still like to think that I can recognize a good story, regardless of whether or not the story is directed at me. While the general premise of Barbara Kesel‘s story does lend itself to a deep and complex fantasy tale, I found it to be lacking. The ideas are good, but things progress at a fairly slow pace. While I am all in favor of patient and well thought-out storytelling, I do feel that there is a lack of substance: much of the major happenings in the story are glossed over, in favor of some pretty seemingly inconsequential dialogue and narration. When something major does occur, it just seems to point towards something even MORE major, that will happen sometime in the distant, undefineable future. I find it to be pretty off-putting. Perhaps the story does flush itself out in the long term, but that is something that is very difficult for a new reader to wait out, especially at $2.95 an issue.

Bottom Line-

I can’t recommend that this book remain on the shelf, as there certainly is an audience out there for it. If you appreciate amazing art, and look to that over story when deciding what books to purchase, I highly recommend this one. In addition, this one really is something I feel would be good for young women. Sephie is an intelligent woman with a good sense of responsibility who is not just another example of half-dressed, unrealistically sexy, ditzy comic heroines that are all-too common in an industry that is undeniably dominated by a male customer base.

Meridian #34 is available now, with #35 due on shelves on April 30th. In addition, CrossGen’s website does offer comics for view online- Meridian #1 is available in the free section, with most of the others available there for view with a paid subscription.

Still on the Shelf #3 – Sleeper

Originally published April 8th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Overview-

Sleeper is a relatively new title from DC’s Wildstorm label. Right on the cover of each issue, you can find the words “Suggested for Mature Readers.” I would heed this advice- it is certainly not for the kiddies. The story takes place in a pretty brutal world of criminals- not the “secret layer,” or invincible fortess type of supervillian hang-outs, rather a more modern, more dirty world of sleaze bars and criminal subculture that seems a lot more realistic. You have drugs, sex (of many flavors), murder, and of course, super powers. And not a drop of it is gratuitous.

Holden Carver, otherwise known as (only once, as a matter of fact) as the Conductor, is a member of an underground criminal association of “post-humans” (mutants, superhumans, whatever you want to call them). Mind control seems to be among the most common of powers up to this point, but Holden is a bit unique in that he is completely immune to mind control. His power derives from an alien artifact that was absorbed into his body, acting as a parasite. This parasite absorbs all of the pain and trauma that Holden is exposed to, and allows him to redirect it at other people. There is a pretty telling scene in the second issue where Holden asks to be shot, so that he could then direct that pain to an out-of-control colleague, to snap him out of a killing frenzy. On the more personal side, it seems this parasite also prevents Holden from feeling pleasure, or any other emotions for that matter. This leaves Holden despondant, and he often experiments with different things (sexually and otherwise) to simply feel SOMETHING. Far from a superhero story, this title is all about espionage and the criminal underworld. It just happens to take place in a world where super-powers are a very real thing.

The Story So Far

Tao, the leader of the International Association, the criminal organization which Holden belongs to, starts off the first issue explaining to Holden that he believes that a fellow agent is a spy for the government, and he sends Holden out to asses the situation. A series of events and flashbacks inform the reader that Holden himself is indeed the double agent, imbedded by a man named Lynch and the International Orginization, a security agency described as more top secret than the CIA. It seems that while Tao is highly successful in his endeavors, the government, when it comes down to it, has no idea what Tao is trying to accomplish. Holden is placed in the organization in hopes that he will be able to work his way up the ranks, and try and discover the method behind Tao’s seeming randomness. So, for the last several years, Holden has been operating as a criminal, waiting for the time when he can be of use to the I.O.. Only, as the story pregresses, it becomes clear that he has become less-than-fond of the “Good-guys.”

Thoughts

Personally, I am a story guy when it comes to comics. And while I really feel that Sean Phillips did a superb job with the art (this is a classic example of when the art matches up to the comic perfectly), it was really the story here that grabbed me. Ed Brubaker weaves a very intricate story here, and having heard absolutly nothing about this title before reading the first issue, i was sucked right in. As Andrea Speed mentioned in her Advance Review of Sleeper #1 (this was also posted on comixtreme.com), Brubaker offered a personal, money-back guarantee on the quality of the story in this book. I can see now why he was so confident about that- and it is pretty clear that he will not be paying out too much money to unhappy readers.

While the tale is filled with sex and violence, it is only appropriate considering the nature of the story. And rather than using it gratuitously, Brubaker uses it tastefully, for depth. The most graphic of sex scenes are used to depict Holden’s desire for feeling of some kind, the violence serves the purpose of advancing a major stoy idea, or adding further depth to character’s like Genocide, Holden’s sometime “partner” in the organization who he has become friends with.

Each character thus far has had his or her own brand of sickness and depravity- they are villians, after all, but Brubaker allows that to exist while still putting the focus on the character’s themselves.

Bottom Line-

Get this book. Now. Sleeper #1, #2, and #3 are available for sale now. Sleeper #4 is due out April 27th. Right now, this book has it all. I am not so sure about the long-term, however, since the whole focus of the story seems to revolve around taking Tao down from the inside. Once this occurs, it is tough to see where Holden will go, so the book could really suffer at that point. But, that is a long way away (and any number of twists could occur by then), and by all accounts, this is the best new book I have read in a while.

Originally published March 31st, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

Birds of Prey is one of the lesser of DC’s Batman-related books. Oracle and the Black Canary are the focus of this title, but it is not uncommon for characters like Huntress, Nightwing, Spoiler, Blue Beetle, and others to be injected into story arcs, due to Oracles well-known “network of connections,” and other personal relationships. One of the best things about this title is a trait that many of the other of these lesser Bat-titles share: the motivations and experiences of Batman’s chosen circle, without the big guy himself around. It helps to establish a solid, independent foundation for these characters that makes their interactions with Batman himself that much more interesting. For that reason alone, this title is worth an occasional read.

Last issue-

Not a lot of action occurs in Birds of Prey #53, but they did lay a lot of groundwork for the continuation of this story-arc. Dinah and Barbara take a much needed vacation (smell the literary cliché), and while about, Dinah meets a gentleman by the name of Tom, who sweeps both Dinah and Barbara off of their feet over the course of the issue. This leads to the both of them analyzing their current, respective relationships. Dinah seemingly emerges from this crisis of the heart more firmly entreanched in the notion that she is making the right choice by remaining with Oliver Quinn, while Barbara is left much more confused about the state of her relationship with Dick Grayson. And, as all tales of this nature go, no matter how ideal Tom seemed, we are given a hint at the end of the issue that he may have some very shady connections indeed, which will no doubt pop up to cause trouble in the next issue.

Thoughts-

This is a title that I feel suffered a great deal when the “Birds of Prey” television show was introduced on the WB. As anyone who gave the show a shot already knows, the premise of that show was a hodgepodge of concepts from throughout the history of the “DC Universe,” some of which quite blatantly contradicted the current state of affairs in the comic book realm. While this is not unusual, it did lead to some changes in the Birds of Prey title that I found to be pretty distasteful. A lot of the depth in the story was tossed out in favor of some much more shallow, “Hot Chicks fighting crime”-type action, and the whole book was given a feel that would be of much greater appeal to fans of the TV show. This proved pretty disastrous to the quality of the title itself, and it has seen a pretty steady drop in sales over the last few months.

With the cancellation of the television show, the creators of Birds of Prey seem to be very actively engaging in damage control, as pretty evident by the last issue, #53. Some pretty wide gaps in logic were filled in (like how could someone break into the Clocktower so easily?), and stronger ties were reestablished to important characters to both Dinah and Barbara, namely Nightwing and the Green Arrow.

Bottom Line-

Birds of Prey #54 comes out on April 23rd- this is a pretty good time to jump in, since it is the second issue of the new story arc. If this title returns to its focus from a few months ago, it should return to being a very solid book. The art is great, and so long as the story catches up with that, again, all should be well with the title. At this point, I would say that Birds of Prey is definitely worth a look- judging by issue #53, they are laying the groundwork for a solid upswing. Gail Simone and Ed Benes are set to take over the title beginning with issue #56, which should be a real boost to the recovery of Birds of Prey. Gail Simone most recently worked on Agent X (and Deadpool prior it its cancellation). I really enjoyed the work she did on that title and have very high hopes for what her addition to Birds of Prey will mean for the quality of the story.

Next week, I will be taking a look at Sleeper. As always- I appreciate any suggestions you might have for titles you would like to see covered here. See you next week!

Still on the Shelf #1 – Spider-Girl

Originally published March 25th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.

I (and I know many of you) have seen many of my pet favorite comics get cancelled with no ceremony. We all know that most X-titles, the major Batman books, and all other titles of that nature are relatively safe from cancellation no matter how bad things get. Their sales are typically to high to worry about getting the axe. However, books like some of my favorites, Slingers, for instance, will get cancelled no matter how much promise they show due to low sales, corperate re-invention, or any other excuse you can possibly imagine. We have all had this happen to us at one time or another.This column is going to focus on the titles that are not in the limelight. You may have heard of it- heck, you may have even read it once or twice, but these titles are not nearly selling as many copies as mainstays like Spider-man and Batman. On occasion, I will focus on a title that comes from one of the smaller, independant companies that I feel warrant some attention. This week, Still on the Shelf highlight’s Marvel’s Spider-Girl.Spider-Girl was the flagship title of the ill-fated MC2 branch of Marvel Comics. MC2 promised to be a “lighter and happier” vision of the future, quite the opposite of “possible future” title attempts like the Marvel 2099 Universe. The vision was simple- a story of the next generation of Marvel superheroes that would not take place in the gloom and doom of a post-apocalyptic future. In addition, the creators attempted to capture some of the magic of comic stories from decades past. In that task, they certainly succeeded.

Spider-Girl started with the same concept that Ultimate Spider-man is trying now- attempting to capture an audience with a new story revolving around familiar themes (with up-to-date dilemmas), where the reader is not encumbered by lack of information from decades of back issues. May Parker deals with many of the same issues that her father, Peter did at the beginning of the Amazing Spider-man run- balancing the busy social life and school obligations with the responsibilities od someone with “Great Power.” Added to that is the pressue of somewhat cynical parents who know of her powers and “superhero identity,” and do not feel she is ready to pursue it.

The strongest secondary characters in the title, as with the original Amazing Spider-man, are fellow student’s at May’s high school. She interacts with these characters constantly and works to conceal her identity as Spider-girl from them. All of them have become quite deep and complex over time, and chances are, you can identify with at least one of them in some way. Peter and Mary-Jane also have important roles, as well as the heroes from the other ill-fated MC2 titles. May also has a unique Rogue’s Gallery all her own, not relying solely on tired retreads of old Spider-man villains.

The current story-arc puts Spider-girl up against the “Soldiers of the Serpent.” As with most of the best stories this book has offered up in the past, May is completely outclassed by the leader of the group, Seth, in terms of power. May is faced with the choice of walking away (her father’s preference), or facing an unwinable situation head-on. As often happens in comic books, the choice is made for her. That, of course, is where the story gets good!

I have to admit that I have been a fan of this title since it’s very first issue. Tom DeFalco created Spider-girl, and has been writing the character ever since. Because of that, there has been real consistency in May Parker’s development and the evolution of the title itself. Much like Mutant X was, this title is self-reliant, and outside the normal Marvel Universe. As such, major plot developments happen in this title alone- no need to worry about a major event happening to May in another title that you don’t read (like the Syrin/Deadpool issue in Wolverine 155). It is generally a light, fun read that I can recommend to anyone. It is kid-safe too: there are no over-sexed heroes and half naked heroines in erotic situations. This is really a rarity in this day and age. You’ll have no trouble showing this book to your kids, or future kids. The writing has been great, and the art has been consistent and good. It is currently in serious danger of cancellation, as it has been many times in the past, so be sure to give this book one last look. You never know- a sudden spike in sales may save this title.

Spider-Girl #58 is out now. Spider-girl #59, due out in stores April 3rd, will be the final part of the Season of the Serpent storyline. A new arch will begin with issue #60, due out May 8th. If you are looking to try something new, now is a good time to give Spider-Girl a shot.

If you have a comic that you do not think is getting enough attention, and want me to take a look, feel free to email me or send me a PM, and I may cover it in a future Still on the Shelf. Just remember to please avoid recommending any titles in the top 25 in sales. Thanks for reading, catch you next week!

Ironically, Spider-girl WAS saved from cancellation, and is still being published today.