Marvel has started trying to force me to do a rapid about-face where their offerings are concerned. First, there was "1602", then, "The Eternals", and now, they've released "The Gunslinger Born." I still don't particularly care for superheroes. I'm not saying that there aren't talents out there writing, drawing, pencilling, inking, and coloring that perennial comic staple, just that there's far more available to readers than the "X-men." (Though, I have to concede "X-Men Fairytales" was quite good.)

Robin Furth (who also wrote the Dark Tower Concordance books) and Peter David tackle the daunting task of Roland the Gunslinger's origin story. The Dark Tower series is largely regarded as Stephen King's magnum opus and I'm readily inclined to agree with that particular popular opinion. King had wanted to tell at least part of the Dark Tower saga in a graphic novel format for quite some time, according to the author's notes conveniently included in the comic book. Once Marvel got a team together the author could approve wholeheartedly, they moved ahead with the project. There was a surprising minimum of fanfare. I found out the comic was going to be out because of a lovely glossy card (reminiscent of the lobby cards handed out in the golden age of Hollywood) my local comic dealer had on prominent display. There weren't a lot of trumpets and fanfare, which seems a little sad, as Marvel has produced a top-quality product this time around.

Jae Lee is the artist responsible for creating the look of Roland's world and he pays heavy (and much appreciated, in this reviewer's opinion) homage to the original illustrations that Michael Whelan had done for the novels. The color schemes and character design remain faithful to Whelan's work which gives added consistency and continuity to King's series. I can only see that as a huge relief to fans, especially since there is talk supported by King's notes in the comic that the Gunslinger's comic book journey will not end with this prequel.

The art has a hefty feel, there's weight belied by the uncluttered linework. The color scheme is mostly done in warm colors, rich oranges, reds, and browns which lend a gritty, old West, sepia-toned feel to the entire work. It seems fitting that the Gunslinger's wasteland should be filled with subtle shadings and deep shadows.

As for the writing itself, it would only be better if King had done it himself, though he's chosen very talented writers to handle the story. He says, in the notes, that he felt more comfortable allowing people with experience writing the actual comic, though he admits that he'd very much like to try his hand at them later, since the process is so similar to movie scripts. The story fits smoothly into Roland's epic journey and stops at a very logical point. The cliffhanger is far more bearable with the knowledge that the seven issues will be coming out on a monthly schedule. It's certainly a great tribute to King's pulp sensibilities.

This one is not a comic book for the kids, obviously. Despite being released by Marvel, and despite the comic book format, it's still very much a Stephen King story which includes the sort of imagry King's readers have come to expect no matter what tale he seems to be spinning. It's not recommended reading for the squeamish at all. In fact, I wouldn't recommend eating while reading this comic book (if you are the sort that eats and reads comics at the same time and if you are-shame on you for risking your paper treasures!) as it's not a pretty or peaceful read.

This is a very good introduction to the Dark Tower universe for those who are uninitiated (and shouldn't remain so) and it's a great read for those who want to know more about Roland. Hopefully, Marvel will release the miniseries in a graphic novel collection for those who may have missed that first issue. If you have the opportunity, definitely look into getting yourself a copy.

I keep trying so hard to say that I don't like Marvel because all they ever do is rehash superheroes and create spin-offs to sell more comic books by making mega-plots that involve multiple monthly titles. Marvel keeps trying to convince me that they're okay by doing things like getting Neil Gaiman to write for them. I started out as a comic book fan. After a brief acquaintence with his short fiction, I became a Neil Gaiman fan. Later on, I became a fan of Gaiman's comics, too. The woman who owns my local comic book shop knows that if Gaiman wrote it, I'm going to want to buy it, so she saved back the first two issues of "The Eternals" for me.

This is a six issue mini-series that is supposed to revitalize Jack Kirby's Eternals series that was created 30 years ago. That was before my time, which still probably doesn't give me any excuse to have not read any of the original Eternals series. After all, I know who Jack Kirby is. I've seen other books that he's done, but as far as I'm concerned this is a completely new thing. I'm starting from scratch.

The story opens with Mark Curry, a medical intern with too little sleep, having some weird dreams about evil monsters that rule the world executing humans. He wakes up and goes into the bathroom to splash water on his face, when a tall blonde guy comes in and tells Curry that he's essentially invincible and that he's lost all memories of his true age. The intern, naturally, dismisses the other man as some kind of bizarre religious fanatic. Meanwhile, in a world where superheroes really do exist, the reality television craze has spawned a search for the next superhero on national t.v. There's also a big party planned for a large group of prominent scientists by the ambassador from a small formerly-Soviet bloc nation. Just when it seems that there's going to be an endless supply of plot threads, things start knitting together in the end of comic two and it becomes apparent that all of the things going on in the pages are going to be related.

The first two comics do bear a little patience, as they seem to skip around, very much akin to a movie with fast-cut scene changes. The plot really isn't hard to follow, nor is it particularly difficult to identify the individual characters, and I have faith in Gaiman's skill as a writer to bring everything together into a cohesive whole. At the same time, I'm feeling a few misgivings because the plot seems so expansive. As with 1602, a previous effort from Gaiman, he's probably going to write the first mini-series, then leave it up to others who have the time to dedicate themselves to a big story arc. As a reader, I find that the quality really diminishes without him at the helm. I'm wondering if six issues is really enough for this story to come together and really give a sense of satisfaction and I'm worried that in handing over the reigns to someone else, I'm going to be vastly disappointed with what comes after these initial six comics.

The artwork itself isn't anything to really hold my fascination. The real draw for this comic for me is the writing. There are some beautifully done two page spreads in the first comic, but in the second it rapidly goes to standard smaller panels with a few oversize ones thrown in to show off what the colorist does. This is not to say that their colorist isn't doing a fine job, it's consistent throughout the book and the drawings would be even more two-dimensional without it. The artwork does seem very flat, though, especially compared with the attention lavished on the two page spread that shows Mark Curry's dream. All of it seems less like a sleek, stylized modernization of the old superhero look and more like a rush to meet a deadline and getting the bare minimum of lines in to depict what needs to be shown. The drawing and coloring on this book is nothing that I haven't seen before done better by different teams.

Did I hate these books? No. Did I feel like they were a total waste of money? Of course not. Am I going to buy the rest of the series? Yeah, I will, because I do want to find out what's going to happen and how they finally convince Mark Curry to join their team and whether or not six issues is really going to be enough.
But I'm probably not going to buy any more of them once Neil Gaiman finishes his stint as writer. I can't see this series really taking me anywhere I haven't already been.

The title itself has a simultaneous effect on Marvel fanmen; one that stimulates boundless enthusiasm, an ebullience that can only surround one of a handful of Marvel’s most prominent characters or DC’s Big Two. This reaction must soon be followed by a chronic déjà vu-like sensation, as the terms ‘Wolverine’ and ‘origin’ have been associated with each other much too often over decades for it to still be a mystery. Indeed, I vividly remember reading past promises, a wide-eyed child picking up issue #50 Wolverine - die cut cover and all – and through another mini-series (entitled Origin), and now a new monthly series that finally chronicles a Logan armed anew from recent occurrences gifted to him in Marvel's House of M crossover.

Aldous Huxley said, “Every man’s memory is his private literature”, and with this series we are given the opportunity to read the past as Logan chooses to encounter it. The beginning – and by this I mean the first sentence - is apt. The questioning of Logan’s motto, an axiom in Marvel lore; the first words we see after a promising cover by Joe Queseda (whose work I have enjoyed since he was penciling Colin King), a dark, feral Logan and a wolf staring at their truth revealing reflections belies the motley coloring of the book which may be the single most evident detraction of the first issue. The coloring is atrocious, the contrast from cover to interior presenting a synthetic feel from the beginning that is only bearable due to pleasure of seeing Wolverine donning the Byrne brown and tan again.

The first issue is essentially present-day Wolverine breaking into the White House to apprehend a lead that is a government official, only to cause the appearance of a Shiva to kill the lead. It felt like filler deemed necessary to reintroduce a character in the end to set up a confrontational reunion in the next issue. Origins is written by Daniel Way, and due to not being familiar with his prior work I can’t say whether he is regularly an ineffective writer or not, but this is not an effort that would convince people quantifying the potential value of adding the title to their prospective pull list to do so in my mind. It simply lacks any form of tension, sequences simply occur, leaving no lasting residue, making thoughts lead immediately to the next issue, and not pondering what was just read. The art is by Steve Dillon who collaborated with Garth Ennis on the simply sublime Preacher run at Vertigo, yet even if we somehow overlook the aforementioned coloring debacle, this title seems not to be the proper canvas for Dillon’s unique abilities. It just doesn’t inspire, and in this regard perhaps paralleling the narrative too closely. Regardless of what reason one picks up this issue beyond the beginnings or continuation of completist motivation, I can see perhaps only the basest of expectations being either fulfilled or confronted with an equally stimulating alternative with this issue.

I know the sword wielding Wolverine will most likely be the subject of most questioning quips, and admittedly Wolverine carrying a sword is a lot like Megatron carrying a sawed–off, but the far eastern aspect of Logan, always represented a spiritual dynamic to the character I enjoyed, and the sword is symbolic of the warrior, and what is Wolverine if not Marvel’s ultimate every-man warrior?

Luckily there is time, and continued covers by Joe Q and the popularity of Wolverine will give the series a long line to dangle out to fans, but issue one is simply more of the continuation of a seemingly inexhaustive reel - void of hook or meat at the end of it.

Jay Tomio
The Bodhisattva

"Marvel Romance Redux" issue 1, Guys & Dolls. Published by Marvel Comics. $2.99. Various writers and artists.

This comic series takes aim at the easy target of romance comics that were published in the 50s and 60s. Often the stories were fueled by the stereotypes of the day involving the need to find and catch a man. Marvel makes no apologies for that early fare, but has given the old stories over to new artists and writers to be reworked. The results are unexpected and highly entertaining.

I would like to say, for starters, that this isn't typically what I read. I'm a fan of comics such as "Poison Elves," "Cerebus," and "The Sandman" but I read a news item on Frank Cho's Website that he's doing some artwork for the second issue of the comic. I was at my local comic book retailer, whom I love dearly because they're good to me, and noticed that first issue with its silly pin-up style one-shot joke cover, which, incidentally has absolutely nothing to do with any of the stories in the book. (This is often the case with those early romance comics, I have discovered,
through articles read and long forgotten and through experience with other early comics that I have purchased in junkbins when I find them)

I had to search a little for the cover price ($2.99) since the only place it's available is on the back cover or in the fine print on the 1st page of the comic. After a quick flip through, I decided that I would buy the comic. Frank Cho has never led me astray before, certainly he wasn't going to start now.

I got the book home and promptly read the first story "The Diner Demon." Suddenly, that 3 dollars I'd spent for a random comic book, seemed like a pretty good deal. The first story is about a practicing witch whose boyfriend dumps her after she has sacrificed several of his pets. She decides to summon a new, better boyfriend who will understand and accept her witchcraft. Naturally, she gets something she doesn't expect. Rather than completely give away the ending, it's much safer to say that the story gives way to campy farce, setting the tone for the rest of the stories in the comic.

Other stories include "Love Ain't Cheap" in which a shopaholic must cope with her mother's sudden case of Chekitivitis, a disease which ends the shopaholic's spending sprees, "Formula for Love" which comically explores the notion of only wanting what one can't have, "I Love Him But He's Hers" a story about a twisted relationship involving a pair of siblings, the brother who loves his sister's roommate and the sister who's utterly determined to keep them apart (there's a scene involving the roommate's trying to marry a hamburger that sets up some great single-gag panels later on), and "A (Former child) Star is Born" detailing the romance of a lonely female cardshop owner and a former child star determined to make a comeback. While "The Diner Demon" is unquestionably the best and my favorite story in the comic, the other stories were very amusing send-ups of the culture surrounding hyped-up, unattainable,completely unbelievable romances with funny, often glaringly anachronistic references to pop culture.

The artwork and pencilling stay very true to the look and feel of their predecessors, with very 50s and 60s-ish hairstyles and fashions, which is what makes references to such things as Paypal really stand out in the context of the story. All of the
artwork and lettering remains consistent throughout the issue, something I appreciate, since it really ties the book together when it doesn't have a real central theme. Each of the stories is credited to its original writers and the original title is listed,though there is not an original publication date listed. I would give the comic a solid PG rating, simply due to the situations involved in most of it and some of the hilariously dopey double-entendres. The bottom line is: it's cheap, satisfying entertainment with some great laughs and a healthy dollop of nostolgia-cheese.

My favorite comic book series is Ultimate Spiderman. It always has great artwork, battles, and guest appearances. It doesn’t always have the best story, but it’s consistent and no other book incites more laughs than this. Example: Black Cat was on spideys jock for a while, (stalker) when she gets him alone and makes a move, he’s so hor… Um yea, that he lets her take his mask off. When Black Cat sees that Peter is just a kid, she’s so horrified that she throws up right on his feet then runs away (priceless).

So Spidey is out battling some goon calling himself The Ringer, when his girlfriend Kitty Pride (X-men) drops in to give him a hand. After the ensuing battle, and a make out session, Kitty heads home to find the Mansion empty. (Spoiler Warning) Kitty is soon attacked by who she thinks is Wolverine and Storm and in her distress sends the X-Jet back to Peter for help(Spoiler Ended).

This month’s story was okay. It continues Peter’s relationship with Kitty, and leads into next month’s introduction of a new Deadpool. [Always Recommended]

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[Backdrop-Events taking place in issues 88-91. Peace In Our Time 1-4] Old green skin has gotten himself into it this time. By agreeing to help Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. dismantle an out of control space station, he learns upon completion that he's been tricked. Instead of bringing him home, Colonel Fury, along with the help of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), and Tony Stark (Iron Man), have taken the opportunity to rid Earth of the threat of The Hulk forever. Sending him instead to what they believe to be a planet devoid of any intelligent life forms, where he can finally be at peace. Thus leading into the Planet Hulk Series.

[Current Issue]
Neither The Hulk or his alter ego are happy about being shipped off to some distant rock by people he considered friends. Not only does the planet contain intelligent life forms, but he is immediately attacked by it's warlike inhabitants. Attempting to fight them off, he learns that this new races weaponry has a great affect him. Leading to him being subdued and sold as a slave to battle in the imperial arena like a gladiator (Russell Crowe style).

Conclusion: I have to recommend this one for casual readers and collectors. It's very different than anything we have seen from the Hulk in a long time. If you missed out on the Peace In Our Time issues, don’t fret, you didn't miss much. I think the Planet Hulk series in itself will be an entertaining read. But for collectors, this is a must have. Issue 100 is right around the corner, and this series is the spring-board to something big. Because eventually "Hulk will smash puny planet" and find his way back to earth where he's got some choice words and a few round houses waiting for some of earth's mightiest heroes.

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This month the Fantastic Four are more like the Fantastic 2+2. While Reed and Sue are still dealing with the government trying to take their children from them, Ben is trying to reach out to The Hulk who’s gone on a rampage. This whole child protective case with the Richards’s, should have been wrapped up fast, not stretched across a few issues. While the Thing Vs. The Hulk is always something to look forward to. This wasn’t even a fight. Ben just takes a few licks and tries to Help his old friend through a crisis, while Torch plays backup. If the story were better it may have not been so bad. The only cool thing about this months issue is that Ben reveals that he (while joking to Reed) came up with the idea to put the hulk in a rocket and ship him off to another planet. Which is exactly what happened to him.
Casual readers pass on this one. Wait until next issue and hopefully things will have stepped up.

Collectors, just put it in your box and step away. You won’t miss anything.

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Date Night-part two. The X-men are taking a break from the institute and have gotten themselves dates for the night. Cyclops is out with Jean, Rouge (after absorbing gambits powers and can now touch people without harming them) spends some quality time with ice-man, Colossus who just recently revealed that he is gay, is kicking it with Nightcrawler (just friends), and Kitty is out with Spider-Man. That’s right, my man Peter Parker is hooking up with an X-Chick (giggety giggety giggety goo). Woverine and Storm are out looking for adventure, and even Professor Xavier is out possibly wooing a new financier. The big story’s here are the connection between Xavier’s date and the Phoenix, and the big problem that Storm and Wolverine run into in the form of Sabertooth. Now it’s pretty well known that whenever you throw Logan and his large friend together you get an absolute blood bath, but this time things are a little different. Sabertooth hit’s Wolverine with a staggering Revelation. I can’t give it away, but I will say what it is in next issues review.

Highly recommended reading. With Colossus out of the closet, the new Phoenix situation, and Sabertooth’s big news, this is a direction that even the long running X-men have never taken before. Kudos to the writers for being bold enough to try new things.

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