Let's Get Literate! Amateur Art Critic Edition

[renay]

I'm starting to discover I may have gotten a little over-excited when making my reading challenge this year given all the other projects I have in the fire.

No, saying "in the fire" alone is not a good metaphor because that suggests a controlled fire, in a nice circle of rocks that you could roast marshmallows in. In fact, I do not have a fire like that. The number of projects I have right now is like a continental forest fire which you can see with the naked eye from space.

Well, if I have nothing else, at least I have ambition.

CHALLENGE: 100 Unique Women Writers

Week 7: now I am reading Downbelow Station and Radiant at the same time, so it's safe to say I'm behind. BUT I'M GONNA MAKE A COMEBACK.

As if the universe recognized my need for a break, for Week 8, the next title selected from The Jar and presented by Doreen, is Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa. Manga. Thank you, universe, for finding me worthy of this reprieve so I can catch up.



My reading was book light. There are no books. It was comics city as I played catch up with the stack of comics sitting on my shelf.

• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #3-4 by Ryan North, Erica Henderson, & Rico Renzi
• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #2-3 by Brandon Montclare, Amy Reeder, Natacha Bustos, & Tamra Bonvillain
• Captain Marvel #2 by Michelle Fazekas, Tara Butters, Kris Anka, & Matthew Wilson
• Invincible Iron Man #6 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Deodato, & Frank Martin
• A-Force #2 by Kelly Thompson, G. Willow Wilson, Jorge Molina, & Laura Martin
• Avengers Standoff: Welcome To Pleasant Hill #1 by Nick Spencer, Mark Bagley, Scott Hanna, & Paul Mounts

• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #3-4 by Ryan North, Erica Henderson, & Rico Renzi — The art in this comic still manages to make me crack up, no words required. Please never leave this comic, Erica Henderson. >.> Doctor Doom (not the newly improved handsome version who Tony Stark is crushing on but one from the past), has come and screwed up the future! and the past! and the present! ALL THE TIMES ARE FRIGGED, as Doreen might say. Luckily, Nancy is on the case and a fast talker, and convinces Doctor Doom he would be served by taking Nancy back in time. This, predictably, goes horribly wrong immediately. There's an incident with Wikipedia, some Doombots, and the future is dark and full of doom (literally and figuratively in this case). Plus side: Waldo survives, so WALDO FANS REJOICE. I guess he's hard to find, even for Doctor Doom. HOWEVER. Just when Doreen seems to be beat you'll find that you've underestimated her. The end of the fourth issue was amazing and I want the next one immediately.


• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #2-3 by Brandon Montclare, Amy Reeder, Natacha Bustos, & Tamra Bonvillain — This comic has had a slow start, but in the third issue things finally start shaping up. Lunella's problems and fears about her future should her Inhumane genes ever get triggered are haunting her, and a rampaging dinosaur from her past got her in trouble with some evil baddies also from the past as well as with her parents, who want her to put aside her work (oh, parents, you never understand). Of course, that's when the Hulk shows up and Lunella starts sassing. Oh my god I hope this comic features Lunella sassing the Hulk at every opportunity. I need this in my life. This comic remains adorable. ♥


• Captain Marvel #2 by Michelle Fazekas, Tara Butters, Kris Anka, & Matthew Wilson — This iteration of Captain Marvel jams you into immediate action. The first issue was packed with drama. This time, Alpha Flight and Carol are exploring a mysterious vessel that attacked them. I'm not sure if I expect this to feel a little like a television show, with calls to cinema, because of the writers, but it reminds me a lot of how early episodes of a TV series can be very full of scenes that operate almost like jump scares and shocking events. I'm way into finding out the mystery at the center of this arc for sure. And the art is beautiful, too!


• Invincible Iron Man #6 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Deodato, & Frank Martin — I opened this book and was immediately like, "where is David Marquez? why did he leave? *sob*" because I really, really really dislike the art in this one. I'm not sure if it's the line art or the coloring or both, but all the verve seems gone from the art now. It's all very generic and samey. I wasn't impressed. :( It didn't help that the woman Tony is dating shows up objectified first thing as "that person Tony is fucking" and that she remains the only recurring woman in the comic. I assume Mary Jane will come back next issue, but I don't hold out hope they'll interact or have any relationship independent of Tony. It seems like women in this comic are destined to be things and not people (Tony Stark's girlfriend, Tony Stark's assistant, Tony Stark's villainous former love interest, blah blah blah). :( I did love seeing Rhodey terrify a cleaning woman, though. I love how over the top his suit is, it's ridiculous.


• A-Force #2 by Kelly Thompson, G. Willow Wilson, Jorge Molina, & Laura Martin — Slowly but surely, Singularity is bringing her former team together again. This issue is so good, dramatic and comedic all at the same time. There's a giant monster after Singularity, and there's a series of panels that were so funny I cracked up out loud when I saw them. Nico's back, and I love the way she uses her magic and how it's drawn. This issue teased yet another addition to the team, which issue #3 will explore. I love the art style, the way the characters interact, and the fact that there's so many ladies. This is the Marvel ensemble film that I want. Why can't I have it, Marvel? :(


• Avengers Standoff: Welcome To Pleasant Hill #1 by Nick Spencer, Mark Bagley, Scott Hanna, & Paul Mounts — My comic guy gave me this, as part of the upcoming crossover drama they're doing as Civil War 2. I was not really into any of it. I thought it was about Bucky, as he shows up in the first few pages, but it's not. It's a deliberate bait and switch and I was annoyed, and then extra annoyed when Maria Hill was the villain and the main character I was asked to empathize with was revealed. I don't like crossover events. I am Not a Fan. Stop it, Marvel! JUST STOP.