In my last comic round up, I started with a series of comics based on a video game, so I figure I will do the same here. The four issue World of Warcraft Legion series is apparently a set up for the video game (or part of the video game). The series isn’t as good as Overwatch, in part because it relies a bit more on reader familiarity, but it isn’t bad. Part of the series focuses on the relationship between fathers and daughters, in one case, a father upset that his daughter isn’t a son. Each issue is more of a character study with some action. The first and last issues being the best.
To be fair to World of Warcraft, the female characters are actually drawn in ways that make sense and not as objectified as many other comic books would have done them. Take for instance, Tellos, which has had all good markings of a good fantasy story – exciting chases, a tiger man, magic, a female pirate with intelligence – until you realize that said female pirate with the triple DDD bust size constantly spans her own waist with one of her hands. Every Time She Puts Said Hand On Her Hip.
I’m done.
There are exceptions to this trend. Marvel’s Ms. Marvel being an example. She is nicely geeky, she tries to be a good daughter, she is nice and insecure. She’s a Muslim. In other words, she is everything Donald Trump would hate. The fact that she is a normal teen and minority is a huge step forward. She isn’t perfect. It’s good that Marvel is finally doing something like this. I wish they would go back and rescue some of their less known woman heroes as well. I really want Firestar done well.
Ms. Marvel, however, does give me hope. Not only in terms of the future of comics, but also that hype can be correct.
And she is drawn realistically, and the issue passes the Bechdel test.
Tiny Titans doesn’t, at least not entirely. There is jokes about who has a crush on Robin, and while this might be a reference to Nightwing’s butt, it is rather annoying. Still, the comic is a little cute, though the DC Super Hero Girls was better.
Tales of Honor (#1 and FCBD issue) is a series based on the Honor Harrington novels by David Weber. #1 is basically a start of Honor’s story, starting around book 6 or 7. The FCBD issue is a standalone story. Both have the info dumps that do tend to populate Weber’s books. Interesting, Nimitz, Honor’s treecat is drawn differently in each, at one point so large that he would not be a shoulder perching cat, which is what he is supposed to be. Issue #1 sexualizes Honor a bit, though not as much as some comics would have. I have to give the edge to FCBD issue, though, the story was complete and straight forward. It showed Honor at her best. However, if you like Honor, you might want to check out this series.
Murena is a graphic novel series that in some ways is the sequel to Claudius the God. The story focuses on Nero and the bastard son of Claudius, Murena, who are friend despite being, whether they know it or no, on opposite sides. The art work is fine, the history good, and the storytelling well done. If you want a I Claudius again, this is the one for you. What is interesting is the use of Nero, in particular making him an almost sympathetic character. The first volume seems to be an indication that part of what the series is going to look is the corruptive nature of power.
A few years ago, I was in DC and saw the Diaghilev and Ballet Russe exhibit at the National Gallery. It included footage from a performance of Rite of Spring. Now, I am of the generation who knows that music thanks to Disney’s Fantasia, which means I hear it and think dinosaurs.
There were no dinosaurs.
Thankfully, there is Age of Reptiles, which is about dinosaurs. In fact, it is nothing but dinosaurs. There is no dialogue, just dinosaurs being dinosaurs. It is absolutely cool and enthralling. Be warned, there is blood so if you are a parent, you might want to check it out before kiddo reads it.
Closing note- American McGee’s Grimm #1 is a hilarious take down of the super hero comic book.
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