Superheroes 77 - World Comic Book Review

Vote Loki #1 (Review)

October 21, 2016June 18, 2016 by Neil Raymundo

Vote Loki #1
Marvel Comics, May 31, 2016
Writer: Christopher Hastings

It is not a surprise that Marvel would come out with an election-themed miniseries right around the time when the United States is getting ready for its election, and neither is the decision to craft it around the Marvel supervillain and trickster god Loki. Politics, particularly the United States’, is now more than ever a very easy target for satire. There are numerous real world examples that the publisher can satirize using their version of the Norse god of lies and mischief.

The premise is simple. Loki wants to become the next U.S. president. But the way it is handled is surprisingly nuanced in balancing the protagonist’s character foibles against politics. We discuss that in some detail below.

Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad #1 April Fool’s Day Special (review)

October 21, 2016June 14, 2016 by DG Stewart

Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad #1 April Fool’s Day Special (review)
(DC Comics, May 2016)
Writer: Rob Williams

The publication, “Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad #1 April Fool’s Day Special” is a story which skims thematic tones and mise-en-scenes like a hockey puck on ice. American comic book publisher DC Comics has issued this, no doubt, to tie in with the forthcoming motion picture, “Suicide Squad”.

In trailers for the film, Australian actress Margot Robbie steals the show in her role as the psychotic character Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn, an adversary.of DC Comics iconic hero Batman, is a brawler with no super powers, and as such the character property’s status as a fan favourite is a little unique. Harley Quinn has as a foundation an almost Japanese combination of madness, violence, and raw coquettishness, triggered and perpetuated by an “amae” relationship with one of the most vile and murderous of all comic book villains, The Joker (“Amae” is a Japanese word meaning a subconscious sense of reliance, a desire to be loved, and submissive desire).

This issue, as the title suggests, focusses on Harley Quinn, with other Japanese manga elements. For most of this issue the story is light-hearted and effervescent. The beginning of the story involves Harley Quinn in a state of “hikikomori”, hiding from society in a room eating junk food, with poor hygiene, and suffering delusions.

Marvel Vehicles: Owner’s Workshop Manual (review)

June 10, 2016 by DG Stewart

Marvel Vehicles
Owner’s Workshop Manual (review)
(Haynes Publishing, 2014)
Writer: Alex Irvine

Haynes manuals are well-known to car and motorcycle enthusiasts as an eminent resource for the maintenance and repair of certain types of vehicles. The series of manuals covers approximately 300 cars and 150 motorcycles.

Occasionally however Haynes branches out into areas outside of motor vehicles. This manual, on the vehicles appearing in US comic book publisher Marvel Comics, is one such example.

Extraordinary X-Men #10: Hiding the dust of time under the rug

October 21, 2016June 7, 2016 by DG Stewart

Extraordinary X-Men #10 (review)
(Marvel Comics, July 2016)
Writer: Jeff Lemire

“Uncanny X-men” is the title of a long-running comic book series published by US comic book publisher Marvel Comics. The extraordinary success of the title can be laid squarely at the feet of meticulous character writer Chris Claremont, who penned the first series of the title for a phenomenal sixteen years (from 1975 to 1991). During this period Mr Claremont introduced innovative staple elements to the title and its many spin-offs. Some of these are very esoteric but popular with readers: a multiplicity of new and complex characters, nasty mutant xenophobia, the Shi’ar alien empire, the rehabilitation of arch villain Magneto, the poignant death(s) of mainstay character and telepath Jean Grey, and, significantly here, time travel as a vehicle for demonstrating how far down the protagonists of the title and the world can descend into dystopia should the X-Men fail.