The Joe Rice Imaginary Media Review

So, here in New York, we have a thing called a "transit strike." That's when one group of people want one thing and another group of people want another so they decide that they're not adults anymore and a tantrum is thrown. Due to this situation, I can't actually go to a real comic book store. So, instead, I imagined that I went to an imaginary comic book store. Here I will tell you what I got and what I imagine I thought of them.

Let me tell you, the new Eightball? Even better than Ice Haven and the Ray combined! It's a sprawling story taking place over several decades, with a detective in the thirties, a knight in medieval times, and some ninjas in the future all trying to deal with their lots in life. It's difficult to explain properly, but the way the story is told, the format of the drawings, actually starts to twist time and space around in a very unique way. The guest page by Chris Ware was something to behold, as well.

Steve Martin's new DC superhero book The Jester is also holding up pretty well. Phillip Bond really handles both the every-day sequences and the wild super action with aplomb. I don't want to ruin any of the jokes, but the sequence with the typewriter is frickin comedy GOLD!

Captain Comet/Adam Strange: Attack of the Galaxy Leeches isn't quite as good as I hoped, but it still kicks plenty of ass. Andy Diggle seems less restrained by editorial mandate here, and Cameron Stewart really gets the feel of pulp science down. Lasers, ships, quips, and intelligent bravado abound in this penultimate issue of the buddy book from space.

Eric Powell hits another issue of The Incredible Hulk out of the park. Just the right combination of action, humor, and spectacle. I know I never say much specific or new about this one, but what else can I say? It's damn awesome.

Quentin Quire: Kid Omega continues to surprise. This "mission of learning and peace" thing really seems to be going somewhere. The conversation with the waitress seemed very authentic. It still feels weird seeing Tomine working on a Marvel book, a mutant book at that. But it's only four issues in. The phone call? Jesus, I felt that.

OK, JLA had some pretty insane stuff this month. Zatanna and Plastic Man's encounter with the Incorrection Board was amazing and spooky at the same time. Cliff's disdain for Red Tornado's dorkiness still cracks me up. And you know I'm not making up that moment that Batgirl and Captain Marvel shared. That was cuter than a bag of puppies. When they turned around and whipped up the house New World's Finest style, I called out a big FUKYEA!

Speaking of which, the new Marvel Family Giant simply cannot be stopped. Oh, man. From the lead story by Morrison and Quitely to Mahfood's goofy bit to Pope's Cap Jr. solo story to Horrocks and Xaime's kickASS Mary story . . .was there a bad story in this? The Vaughn piece was a little weak, and Maggin wasn't at his best, but still . . .this was the best issue yet. Really, really blew me away.

The Amazing Joy Buzzards/Adventures in Rock and Roll/Grammar Police Megabook was a delight unseen by mortal eyes until now. In fact, I'm not sure if I can see it anyway. I can not talk about it further, I'm jizzing too hard and too much to type. Must think of a bad comic.

Oh, yeah. Kurt Busiek's Thor was boring.

Anyway, that's what I got this week. Pretty great, overall. I had to pass up the Absolute Flex Mentallo with all the extras. A little birdy told me it was going to be a Christmas gift.

What did you all think?

More Good Reading

As time goes on, the sheer joy and elation brought about almost universally by All Star Superman will undoubtedly turn to more thoughtful, still appreciative, criticism. Jim Roeg over at Double Articulation has started us off on a HELL of a good note.

ADD and Chris Allen have put up the Comic Book Galaxy's "Best of 2005" and it's definitely worth a read.

Even more important, I plan on blogging actual content soon!