Every week I do a column full of comic book reviews as I’ve done since March 2003 and currently published at Comic Book Resources. Then, after the reviews post, I try to come over to Komplicated and expand on the thoughts and ideas listed there. Why talk about stuff at some other site? Oh, like you’ve never done any private projects when you’re at work! Sometimes things get profound, sometimes it’s gibberish, but it’s always about comics … let’s see what we get this week!
What? This week’s reviews …
AMERICAN PANTHER, STAY AWAY FROM ME: I’m shocked to say that T’Challa almost didn’t make an idiot out of himself this week.
Sure, he’s still the failure that led to the first time Wakanda lost in thousands of years of history, and yes, he’s still the stain on their legacy that lost their birthright, the vibranium mound. That’s all true. However, at least now he’s not also gapingly incompetent and needlessly emotional. This week.
Does that make up for everything else done during the Maberry/Liss period? Hell no. It’s just a way to stop the bleeding for a while. I’m not ready to retire my “Marvel Hates Wakanda” tag just yet.
SYMPATHY FOR MEGATRON: If I had much more time, I’d go through the issues and crop out panels to prove this point, but I’ll just say it: IDW’s Megatron is a Malcolm X analogue. How so?
- He started out born into an oppressive situation
- He recognized the injustice of the class system arrayed against him
- He sought to organize others and peacefully protest through his writings and speeched
- After being attacked by the power structure, he reluctantly took up arms against the enemy
- He grew to become an icon to a generation of the disenfranchised, who’d follow him through the gates of hell
Now, sure, the parallels only work until Malcolm turns … heck, about my age, around 38. After the point mentioned here, Megatron of course became consumed with hatred, power lust and murderous intent. Which didn’t happen to Brother Malcolm, who got much more peaceful and more willing to work with others he’d once denigrated. Still. The idea of Malcolm heading a huge army of “Decepti-fricans” entices me. Yes, I’m still workshopping that name. Shut up.
In any case, the IDW work has done more to make a fully realized character of the toy-based villain than anything I’ve ever seen, and as an added bonus, it makes Optimus and his Autobot do-gooders actually servitors of an oppressive, corrupt status quo that deserved to burn. Reading this week’s issue was like all the days of Kwanzaa, wrapped up into one.
LAME DUCKS: I mostly stopped even trying to read DC books this month. The number of ones I bother with dwindles every week, which opened up time for more indie stuff (which turned out “meh” — sorry, War Goddess #0 and Critter #1). I tried to stay with the Flashpoint stuff, but if every new #1 is a jumping on point, why bother? Either the new books will work or they won’t.
RESCHEDULE: We were supposed to have Mister Terrific writer Eric Wallace on the show this weekend. He had to reschedule due to some changes on the TV show where he works, Eureka. No harm, no foul — we’ll make it work. Look for him in late August.
RELAUNCH: Get ready for a lot of original content coming to Komplicated in September, with seasons starting for Force Galaxia, Freedman, Southside Nefertiti and — if I can close the deal … Blackjack. Wish me luck.
THAT’S THE NEWS, AND I AM OUTTA HERE: I hate Microsoft Word, I’m loving the new albums by Owl City and Ledisi, I didn’t think much of Watch The Throne by Kanye and Jay-Z, and I’m debating recruiting more writers for Komplicated. Off I go …
Playing (Music): “Exhibit B” feat. Mos Def by Jay Electronica
[Source: Comic Book Resources]