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Lucid Comics December 2nd

Written by Adam A. Donaldson Wednesday, 02 December 2009 11:48

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A look at the ninth season of Smallville, plus a sneak peak at Jonathan Hickman’s top secret new project for Marvel as well as the usual reviews and new releases A look at the ninth season of Smallville, plus a sneak peak at Jonathan Hickman’s top secret new project for Marvel as well as the usual reviews and new releases

TV Review – Smallville Season 9

By the time TV shows reach their ninth season, they often suffer an inevitable decline in quality. I mean really, how long can the same characters in the same place face the same obstacles before the series starts to get stale? Bizarrely, Smallville is defying that logic as its ninth year is shaping up to be its strongest yet. Bolstered by strong acting and solid storytelling, it has been the ongoing integration of DC Universe characters which has breathed new life into the Superman mythology. What’s more, the show exhibits no sign of decline. In fact, the studios have stated that a 10th season is not only possible, but most likely inevitable.

After years of geek-teasing, the writers will finally deliver on their long held pledge to depict the moment that Clark Kent (Tom Welling) accepts his Superman destiny. True, the proto-Matrix, all black outfit and accompanying trench coat is extremely disconcerting. But hey, it’s just refreshing to see Clark actually assume the role of a secret identity. Speaking of which, we finally see Clark wear his trademark glasses. Now, CW Marketing Department, in case you’re listening: I realize that putting horn-rimmed glasses on your leading man heartthrob is hardly the direction you want to go in, but this is what you signed up for. Clark Kent wears glasses. They act as his mask so that Superman doesn’t have to wear one. Deal with it.

The main storyline for this coming season involves the arrival of several Kryptonians, led by Major Zod (series newcomer Callum Blue). The word from the future is that Clark and Zod are on a collision course that could ultimately lead to the Earth’s destruction. In reaction to the Kryptonian invasion, Clark decides to befriend his father’s old nemesis in the fall finale “Pandora”. From the outset, Zod appears to be welcoming, but one wonders where the storyline is headed. Will the other Kryptonians rebel? Will the perceive Clark’s values as human weakness? Will they follow Clark’s example and integrate into human society?

The other major development of the season so far is the furthering of romantic notions between Lois and Clark. Things wrapped up in both a sensual and sweet fashion for the pair in “Pandora” with the highlight of Lois’ jaunt to the dystopia future being a tryst with Clark while back in the present the two go off for coffee holding hands. I honestly don’t think that Erica Durance gets enough credit for her portrayal of Lois Lane. She manages to perfectly convey those two-sides to Lois: the hard-hitting, acerbic reporter and the romantic that can still find herself fall for the knight in shining armour. If they ever get around to doing another Superman movie, they should send the actress they hire to play Lois to get pointers from Durance.

Of course this being Smallville, which has always walked a fine line between campy and compelling, the news isn’t all good. The zombie threat in “Rabid” seemed a little too ripped-from-what’s-popular to have been taken seriously, the self-wallowing of Green Arrow Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) carried on for five or six too many episodes, and Chloe’s (Allison Mack) moral compromises seem awkwardly out of character for someone that spent her formative years hanging out with Superman. All of these touches were decent attempts at injecting heavy drama into the show’s super-heroics, but they didn’t always work.

On the bright side though, there’s the ongoing integration of other DC Universe characters into the world of Smallville. The introduction of the Wonder Twins in “Idol” as groupies of Clark’s alter ego “the Red-Blue Blur” wasn’t as painful as it could have been. At least there was no Gleek the Space Monkey, aside from a stray Easter Egg. The introduction of Green Arrow sidekick Speedy in “Crossfire” was interesting, but the writers choice to go with the newer Mia Dearden over the traditional Roy Harper seemed strange. Plus Mia’s in-show background as a street-fighting prostitute seemed a little clichéd. “Crossfire” also featured the sneaky introduction of Catherine Grant, future Daily Planet gossip columnist.

In the near future, we have to look forward to the developing camaraderie (or will that be indemnity) between Clark and Zod. Also look for more voodoo mind games between Zod and the is-she-or-isn’t-she-evil of Luthorcorps boss, Tess Mercer. The sorceress Zatanna returns in the comic con themed “Warrior”, Green Arrow nemesis the Dark Archer will cause trouble for Oliver in “Disciple” and there will be a special two-hour episode featuring an appearance by members of the Justice Society including Hawkman (Stargate’s Michael Shanks), and Dr. Fate (Andromeda’s Brent Stait). The two-parter was written by Geoff Johns who penned last season’s episode featuring the Legion of Superheroes. Best Season Ever? It may be too soon to tell, but all indications point to yes. So far.




Marvel offers sneak peak at SHIELD’s past

Apparently, Marvel’s pretty stoked about their upcoming miniseries SHIELD. There was a preview of the miniseries on the Fresh Ink segment on last week’s Attack of the Show on G4. SHIELD is the work of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Dustin Weaver and will tell the secret origins of the world peacekeeping force SHIELD, from Ancient Egypt through to the 1950s. Look for appearances by Galactis, the Celestials and several well-known historical figures who were part of SHIELD long before there was ever a Nick Fury.

Game Trailers - E3 2010 - Fresh Ink

 

Reviews

Jericho Season 3 #1
Dan Shotz & Robert Levine and Alejandro F. Giraldo
Devil’s Due Publishing

Good shows get cancelled. But luckily, some cancelled shows have been enjoying new life in the medium of comic books. Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s done it the most successfully, but Firefly, Farscape, Star Trek and Babylon 5 have also made the jump to sequential art. Now Jericho, the family drama/post-apocalyptic thriller, is being translated into four-colour glory. What’s more, the TV series’ own writing staff are the ones calling the shots. It’s tough to say how the TV show’s devoted fans will feel about the comic, especially since the emphasis has shifted from interpersonal dynamics to action and conspiracies. But nothing is set in stone. That might change though as the series gets going and new storylines are established. If the JerichoDVDs left you wanting more, then you’ll definitely want to start adding this to your pull list.

Image United #1 of 6
Robert Kirkman and Various Artists
Image Comics

After 17 virtually crossover-less years, Image Comics celebrates its second universe-wide get-together of the year. If Invincible #60, was apparently just an appetizer, prepare to get the full course. What makes the six-issue Image United so interesting is that all but one of the original Image founders drew their own characters in this series. For example, one page in this issue features members of Youngblood with Savage Dragon battling the cyborg Overt-Kill. Youngblood is drawn by Rob Liefeld, the Dragon is done by Erik Larson and Overt-Kill is courtesy of his creator Todd McFarlane. Marc Silvestri (Cyberforce), Whilce Portacio and Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk) also contribute. Jim Lee of course sold his stake (and his characters) to DC Comics in 1998, but he’s still contributing alternative covers to the series. As for the story, I wasn’t exactly bowled over. And you’ve got to love a crossover where even one of the books own characters, in this case Savage Dragon, sounds resentful about his involvement. For Spawn fans though we get the return of Al Simmons as The Omega Spawn, whatever that is. I fear like a lot of Image’s output in their 90s heyday, this could be more style than substance.

Dark Reign: The List – Amazing Spider-Man
Dan Slott and Adam Kubert
Marvel Comics

Saving the best of last is an almost tired cliché. But this final entry in The List series of one-shots actual does turns out to be the last and the best. Number eight on Norman Osborn’s list of irritants is everybody’s favourite Wall-Crawler, but the story here is about how Spider-Man turns the tables on the self-proclaimed Iron Patriot, and how plain, old Peter Parker gets some of the glory. A simple snatch and grab of unflattering Osborn videotape at Oscorp leads to a cross-town clash between Spider-Man and Norman in his Patriot get-up. The video, which features human experimentation, puts a serious chink in Norman’s once flawless armour, which will obviously have implications in the upcoming Siege miniseries. But what I liked about this comic was the little moments. Like when Norman catches Spider-Man in his supposed top secret vault, or when costume-less Peter puts a twist on the same trick when Norman corners him later on, or when that same tights-less Peter Parker practically dares Norman to fry him in front of an internet cafe full of witnesses. Slott’s magnificent script with Kubert’s vital and expressive art work combine to make this a can’t miss Spidey-story in or out-of the Dark Reign storyline.