By Martijn Form  Hi Vertigolovers, A new Vertigo month is under way, and I feel a strong urge to reorganize my Vertigo Spotlight column so readers will know what to expect from me every week. I would love to get your input, to see what you like to read in a Vertigo column, because the consumer is still king in my book, even though I don't have $700 billion to back that up with. So here is the new plan for the Vertigo Spotlight column, but again feel free to let me know what you want:
The curtain has fallen for two series: The Un-Men and The Vinyl Underground. Both series only lasted a year, and I feel sad to see them go. But as we all know the comic business is still a business, and when sales are disappointing… But what I like about Vertigo is that they let their creators work out a good or great ending and don't just cancel a book in the middle of a story line. Bravo.  The Un-Men grew on me more and more. The freakish world writer John Whalen created with the tremendous help of artist Mike Hawthorne should not be forgotten that easily. Whalen created a unique, dramatic, suspenseful mystery involving a band of mutants and misfits. The story of albino agent Kilcrop falling in love with Niko--a freakish girl with a heart of gold as well as one arm and angel wings--ends in great sadness. Poor Kilcrop. This series showcased some memorable characters that I won't lightly forget, such as Doctor Cranius, a swollen brain with no body, just a hand where his neck should be. Crawling around his evil laboratory, using his middle finger to point to things. Classic! And then there's Mr. Janus, who is very close to his son. So close that Junior grows out of his back. The problems involved in this arrangement are solved extremely well by the creative team. Highly imaginative. Whalen shocks us with men getting pregnant in a very disgusting way. Again, classic stuff.My favorite chapter was issue #11, where the drama between Kilcrop and his father demonstrates great writing, and outstanding art by Hawthorne. Colorists Tanya and Richard Horie produce some great moods for the flashback scenes. The Vinyl Underground really went out with a bang. It's the series' best issue and in my humble opinion Si Spencer should have introduced Morrison's sister earlier in the story because it's the best plot twist of this entire series. I think Morrison's story about what happened to his mother and who his father is lingers too much without giving us real clues or a solid mystery. Maybe that hampered this book too much, I don’t know. Overall, I liked the characters and the strange cases they tried to solve. The strongest aspect of Vinyl Undergound is its setting in London. We get to know a great deal about the mysterious history of this metropolis. Next time I'm in London I will look with different eyes at some of the historic attractions this great city has to offer. September brought a new Vertigo series' first issue, namely Greatest Hits, a six part miniseries about a group of superheroes called The Mates. The best thing about this comic is the return of Glenn Fabry, who provides the interior art, instead of only doing some marvelous covers. I don't know if I will stick with this series because the whole setup of the story by David Tischman felt quite chaotic, without providing a strong plot or anything new to the vast superhero mythos. You can read my review of the first issue HERE.  In Fables #75 the battle is won by our beloved Fables, but at what cost? This is what Fables has been building up to from its first issues, and it doesn't disappoints at all. Well, maybe the structure of the panels--which run vertically over the pages--isn't quite the best experiment ever. It leaves hardly any room for the scenes to breathe, but then again it does make the story very condense with a fear's pace. Prince Charming is doing his best work in his acting career yet. But what now? What aces has writer Bill Willingham up his sleeve? This reader hasn't got a clue, especially since Fables #76 is a bit of a weak issue after the bombardment of issue #75. Guest artist Michael Allred doesn't help either. I didn't like his take on Pinocchio at all, I'm sorry to say. Furthermore, I feel for the Fables that the greatest mass murder, Gepetto, gets amnesty in Fabletown. This guy should be hanged, don't you think?I double dare anyone to make heads or tails out of Young Liars #7. So far Young Liars has been a fun ride, but what this issue is all about, you got me. The love angle in Madame Xanadu #4 is as sweet and warm as maple syrup, and Matt Wagner did a good job that leaped from the pages right into my soft spot. Penciller Amy Reeder Hadley, inker Richard Friend and colorist Guy Major make a great team. Their cover is amazing, and their interior art totally fits this fantasy story. I'm really falling in love with the character of Xanadu, and the way Wagner lets her travel through time and history. Northlanders #10 concludes the two part story "Lindisfarne." I really have to tip my hat to artist Dean Ormston, who did all the art and colors for this story. What a wonderful piece of storytelling he creates. Brian Wood and Ormston shine throughout this cruel and heart rending story of a little boy who decides to become a Viking. Now that I've finished with the September highlights of the monthlies, let's look at some great trades that came out in September. Brian Azzarello has been working his ass off, delivering us 224 pages with Loveless Vol. 3: Blackwater Falls and then 128 pages of the greatest crime saga ever, 100 Bullets Vol. 12: Dirty. I haven't read volume three of Loveless just yet, but I like the first two trades, even though the western isn't a genre I'm fond of. But Azzarello's writings are always full of drama and conspiracy with a good plot. And his use of language is unrivaled to say the least. It's Danijel Zezelj's crude art that makes this story harder to follow than should be necessary. Luckily, Werhter Dell'Edera--whose work better fits the overall story--steps up to the plate for six chapters. Unknown Soldier #1 will be on sale October 22nd, and I'm really looking forward to it. You can find some preview art in House of Mystery #6.    I discovered artist Alberto Ponticelli when he drew Image's Sam and Twitch, and I fell in love with the way he uses his panels in a very dynamic way.  I'm also going to check out Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition Book to see what this hardcover has to offer. I wish DC opted for the Absolute Edition format because I would have bought that without any hesitation.If you are a "trade-waiter", then Northlanders Vol. 1: Sven the Returned most definitely should be in your shopping cart. Eight issues of mayhem, over 200 pages of brutal story, for the price tag of only $9.95. That's called a winner, folks. Pick it up. You won’t regret it. I already got in the hardcover version of Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm , but now the softcover edition is out this month. It's the best comic book about rap music there is, but it's also a great autobiography of a man that--despite his deep and dark valleys--keeps his chin up. Artist Ronald Wimberly worked hard to give this story meaning and emotional depth, and he succeeded on every level. I can see some hints of Eduardo Risso in his art style, which can only count as a big bonus. Well, there you have it. The world of Vertigo is thriving and pumping 24/7. See you next week for yet another episode of your favorite column, the Vertigo Spotlight. |
