Top Comic Books for the Week of August 6, 2014

Top Comic Books for the Week of August 6, 2014
The best of my pull list by Scott Bachmann

I’ve put to the top the comics that made my week. That doesn’t mean the others were bad, just that these stood out. Note: I get my comics from mail order by a week delay, and by ComiXology, so some titles may be older, especially indy books.

moon knight 6Moon Night #6: Story Warren Ellis, Art Declan Shavey, Colors Jordie Bellaire, Letters Chris Eliopoulos

Another perfect comic, but unfortunately the last, as Warren and Declan only planned a 6 issue run. In this issue we find out what happened to the original side kicks of Moon Night, his love Maurleen, and his driver Frenchee. They were a vital part of the MK story, as much as Lois Lane or Alfred are to Superman and Batman, and they’ve been missing for a long time. MK has had a few series, a stint in the Secret Avengers, and no mention of them. Warren ties the loose ends up nicely and believably.

The main story is a cop that is so jealous of MK, he snaps and decides to become him. He gets the idea from studying MKs archenemies, a sly meta reference that the idea isn’t original, nor intended to be. I won’t spoil what happens, but it’s a teaching moment, and a brilliant examination of the man beneath MK’s white mask.

When this trade comes out, it will be a master class in how to write comics.

Back to the indy bucket, still digging through the 100 issues ComiXology released at SDCC, looking for gems. This time we go WAY out into indy land for some “done in ones” with no capes.

the exampleThe Example: Story by Tom Taylor, Art by Colin Wilson, Cover Color Justin Randal

Two random people waiting for a train and a suitcase left behind. That’s the plot. What it is is a one act play done as a one off comic. Colin’s art does the acting, and keeps the interest with beautiful lines and camera angles while Tom fascinates us with witty dialogue and a meta story about fear in the wake of terrorism. There’s no action, just talk, but plenty of humor and drama. It’s not for everyone, but it is an excellent example of what a comic can be, pun intended.

 

 

 

 

 

the lizard laughedThe Lizard Laughed: All by Noah Van Sciver

When you think of slice of life indy comics, this is the kind of comic you think about. The art is serviceable enough for the story, and the story is very literary and down to earth. It’s about a man living in the desert, living the life of a drifter. The son he left behind, when he walked out on his family, has tracked him down and wants to meet him. They spend a day together, the son getting to know the father he never knew, and the father being the same mess as he always was. It’s quiet and powerful and says a lot by showing, not telling. It’s a story that bleeds off the page with wasted lives and (likely) autobiographical pain. For a comic, it’s way too real.

 

los muertosLos Muertos: Story by Fabian Rangel Jr., Art by Juan Romera, letters by Rachel Deering (Hi Rachel!)

Los Muertos is essentially The Crow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. In fact, this is the best version of the Crow I’ve read since the original O’Barr story from ages ago. This book is about the Mexican folklore that those wrongly murdered can arise to seek revenge. It’s part of the darker side of the Day of the Dead celebration. Here it’s a good cop avenging the love of his life that was killed because he was a good guy in a bad town.

The art is moody and fascinating, and the limited color palette is used to great effect. It’s a ghost story, a horror story, and you know it from page one. The town and setting is as much a character as any of the human characters, and that’s always a good thing in a noir tale. The storytelling for the most part is excellent in tone and pacing. You feel like you’re a part of the story. When the supernatural arises it’s creepy in a good way. Then, like any good ghost story, the end is a twist and the whole tale is haunting.

Scott is a contributing writer for Drunk on Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at ScottABachmann, or at Scottcomics.com.

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