It seems a little churlish to review the comic books published for Free Comic Book Day, but that’s not going to stop me talking about them: they are now out in the world, which is the fate of all creative works. I only got eight of the 27 comics created for Free Comic Book Day this year; even though I arrived relatively late to pick up the books, I don’t think that the UK shops got all the books involved (I can’t see the day when anyone in the UK would pick up an Archie comic), but I didn’t see the Airbender/Star Wars book, the Darkwing Duck book or The Smurfs book, for example. The only book that I would have liked to see was the Kung Fu Panda book, but I don’t begrudge that if a child picked up the last copy.
2000 AD
I used to buy 2000 AD religiously in my teens but lost the habit when I discovered the American superhero market, so this was a nostalgia trip. A free introduction to 2000 AD makes the most sense for the UK comic book market, and there seemed to be a lot of copies of it in both Gosh! and Forbidden Planet. Beneath a suitably moody cover of Judge Dredd by Jock, there is a selection of different stories from the comic. The first story is what looks like a reprint ‘editorial’ strip from the early days as a comic book reader who doesn’t like 2000 AD is given a tour by Tharg and exposed to the mighty thrill power of 2000 AD. It seems an odd choice, if nostalgic, to entice new readers to the book. Next is a 6-page Judge Dredd story written by co-creator John Wagner which is a textbook Dredd short story; a done-in-one tale that takes inspiration from an aspect of reality (‘the Bureau of Creative Bureaucracy’). The next story is a teaser for the upcoming Slaine (by Pat Mills and Angela Kincaid); the painted art looks great. Following this is the first section to something new called Kingdom by Dan Abnett and Richard Elson, which is at least something new (even if the lead character has the pun-tastic name of Gene the Hackman), as is the final story of Shakara, by Robbie Morrison and Henry Flint, which uses a nice bit of misdirection. Apart from the higher quality printing, things seem to be the same at 2000 AD, and I mean that as a good thing: futuristic tales told well and with a British sensibility have always been the raison d’être of 2000 AD, and it’s good that they are still doing exactly the same.
The Amazing Spider-Man
This is a really good example of what a Free Comic Book Day comic should be: an introduction to the character, a complete story but also a teaser for what’s in store in the immediate future. Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos tell a fun little story of Spider-Man fighting a pheromone-controlled Spider-Woman, before getting fighting lessons from Shang-Chi. It’s exciting, funny (the first words from Spider-Man on the inside: ‘Howdy, cheapskates!’), cool and a perfect example of what a good Spider-Man story is. I’m not so sure about the psychic Madame Hydra thing, but the rest of it is great (‘I’m an Avenger!’). There is also a preview of Fear Itself, to give another indication of things at Marvel. A good job all round.
Atomic Robo
I was glad to get my hands on Atomic Robo, a book which the blogosphere reliably informs me is good and does good Free Comic Book Day comics. And the blogosphere is correct: Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener craft a sharp little tale about a robot who is a scientist and a talking dinosaur that attacks the regional 4th grade finals of the National Science Fair. It’s very funny, with jokes about gun control and Doctor Who, and there’s exciting action as well. This made me want to see more Atomic Robo comics. There are also previews of two other comics, Moon Girl and Foster Broussard, but Atomic Robo is the winner here.
Baltimore/Criminal Macabre
A flip book from Dark Horse: Baltimore is by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden and Ben Stenbeck, while Criminal Macabre is by Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten. To quote the advert for the collection, ‘Europe has been flooded with vampires and Lord Henry Baltimore is on the hunt for the creature responsible for the chaos!’, and this is a short story about him in a small town in Germany in 1916, where he does indeed kill some vampires (and giant spiders). It’s a good comic, and gives a good introduction to the character. The Criminal Macabre story is about the central character, Cal McDonald – an occult detective in a Los Angeles overflowing with zombies, vampires and werewolves – meeting Frankenstein’s Monster, who is being chased by descendants of Frankenstein. It’s hard-boiled, funny, smart, and it made me want to read more (there is a 392-page omnibus for $25 coming out later this year that I would be interested at looking at). A good effort from Dark Horse.
Captain America/Thor
This ‘great for all ages’ story of Thor and Captain America by Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee seems to be a cruel twist, when their Thor The Mighty Avenger was cancelled recently. However, this is a fun story that sees a Merlin captured by Loki bring Thor and Captain America back to King Arthur’s time – wonderful comic book silliness – and it leaves you with a smile on your face: when Thor arrives and asks Loki what’s going on, Loki responds ‘Don’t blow this for me, bro’. There is also a preview for The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes graphic novel, drawn in a style similar to the cartoon, but I don’t get why anyone would want to buy a comic book of a cartoon, so it seems an odd choice. However, this is a good book for the all-ages market, even if I don’t think it really exists any more.
Elric
Beneath a beautiful cover from Erik Jones, this is a preview of the new adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s Elric, as written by Chris Roberson and drawn by Francesco Biagini. There is also a potted history of Elric in comic books (I have been trying to find the Walt Simonson Elric book from DC for a long time) and some concept sketches. The story is an excellent introduction to the character and the concept of Elric and the Multiverse, although I have to confess to not enjoying the art style as much.
Green Lantern
DC’s free comic book is a reprint of Green Lantern: Secret Origin issue #2 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. This is a cheat when compared with the original material from the other publishers, but it makes perfect sense for a company that has a big film coming out soon: this is a refined version of the comic book origin of Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern, tying it other concepts that are playing big within the DC universe at the moment, and providing a taste for the movie as well. It is well written and well drawn, and I want to read the whole story because of the nice touches in the story, such as the ‘concealing identity’ line from the ring when Jordan comes in contact with the public, hence the mask. DC does include some original material at the back: there is a preview of Flashpoint by Johns and Andy Kubert, which seems like a basic alternate timeline story, but it is the next big DC crossover, so it has to be in this book to get fabled new readers to pick it up. One of the lesser books in the pile.
Super Dinosaur
Is it because Robert Kirkman is Chief Operating Officer at Image that his book gets the Free Comic Book Day treatment? Whatever the reason, an ‘origin special’ for Super Dinosaur is a fun all-ages story and a good choice. Kirkman and Jason Howard tell a simple origin story and provide an example of what the book is about: a boy and his best friend, who happens to be a talking Tyrannosaurus Rex (altered to be smaller and smarter) with robotic attachments to make him even more awesome. Action-packed and fun, this is a perfect gateway drug for the series, although the story part could have been longer – I don’t know if the fact file pages that fill out the second half of the book were really necessary.
