Rand Bellavia takes a look at his growing longbox, and reflects on comics released in January 2017.
The Flintstones 7: Another Day on Earth
writer: Mark Russell
artists: Rick Leonardi and Scott Hanna
colorist: Chris Chuckry
letterer: Dave Sharpe
Vintage Flintstone fans note: That’s The Great Gazoo on the cover.
This issue deals with religion and ethics. We open at the Church of Gerald:
After realizing that it’s a lot easier to sell the notion of a just God by convincing everyone that bad people will be punished (and good people rewarded) in the afterlife, Reverend Tom discovers a new problem:
Just then, a parishioner shows up concerned about the state of her soul.
Predictably:
Meanwhile, The Great Gazoo is filling out a report on the people of earth. (Warning: Social Satire Dead Ahead!)
Fred’s boss Mr. Slate comes to Rev. Tom for counsel.
Before long, it’s time for the prehistoric Martin Luther to nail his 95 theses to a cave wall.
Amidst all this moral compromise, Fred takes a stand.
Gazoo’s report is interspersed between all of these scenes, providing interesting commentary on what he thinks the problem with humanity might be.
This is reminiscent of Grant Morrison’s image (from The Invisibles) of humanity as a caterpillar so hungry for metamorphoses that it will devour the very leaves that are keeping it in the tree.
A pretty grim assessment. But then there’s Fred. Good ol’ Fred.
God Country 1
words: Donny Cates
art: Geoff Shaw
color: Jason Wordie
letters and design: John J. Hill
This was my first exposure to Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw, and what a great introduction it was! You’ve got solid world building, emotional family dynamics, engaging theological discussions, and a preposterously large talking sword.
We begin grounded in reality, meeting our main characters in the midst of a real world crisis moment:
Emmett’s dementia is such that he no longer recognizes his own son, and — practically speaking — he has never met his granddaughter.
Then the normal lives of our characters are changed by the aforementioned giant talking sword:
Someone’s about to meet their granddaughter.
Nova: Resurrection 2
writer: Jeff Loveness
artist: Ramon Perez
color artist: Ian Herring
Before Jeff Loveness became a powerhouse writer for Rick and Morty, he wrote a lot of really great, funny comics that very few people appear to have read. This Nova series began with Sam Alexander (the “current” Nova) meeting Richard Rider (the “original” Nova). This issue picks up with Richard meeting Alex’s friends.
After Amadeus Cho (AKA the Totally Awesome Hulk) convinces Sam Nova that Richard Nova is the Real Deal, Kamala Khan (AKA Ms. Marvel, no not that one) and Miles Morales (AKA Spider-Man, the other one) arrive, and we get my three favorite Marvel panels of 2017:
After a few pages of this, Richard Rider begins to wonder if coming back to life was a good idea after all.
Other Comics I Read from January 2017
- Aliens: Defiance 9
- All-New Wolverine 16
- All-Star Batman 6
- Amazing Spider-Man 23
- Archie 16
- Avengers 3, 3.1
- Batman 14, 15
- Black Hammer Giant-Sized Annual 1
- Black Road 6
- Black Widow 10
- Bloodshot USA 4
- Briggs Land 6
- Cage 4
- The Champions 4
- Civil War II 8
- Clone Conspiracy 4
- Daredevil 15, 16
- Descender 18
- Detective Comics 948, 949
- Divinity III: Stalinverse 2
- Doctor Strange 16
- Faith 7
- Foolkiller 3
- Generation Zero 6
- Guardians of the Galaxy 16
- Hawkeye 2
- Hellblazer 6
- Infamous Iron Man 4
- Invincible Iron Man 3
- Invisible Republic 14
- Jessica Jones 4
- Justice League/Power Rangers 1
- Kill or Be Killed 5
- Midnighter and Apollo 4
- Mighty Thor 15
- Moon Knight 10
- Moonshine 4
- Ninjak 23
- No Mercy 13
- Occupy Avengers 3
- Old Man Logan 15, 16
- Postal 17
- Power Man and Iron Fist 12
- Reborn 4
- Revival 46
- Rocket Raccoon 2
- Saga 42
- Southern Bastards 16
- Spider-Man 12
- Spider-Woman 15
- Spread 18
- Star-Lord 2
- Super Powers 3
- Superman 14, 15
- Thanos 3
- They’re Not Like Us 13
- Totally Awesome Hulk 14, 15
- Unworthy Thor 3
- Walking Dead 162
- Wonder Woman 14, 15
- World of Tanks 4