MISTER X STORY WINS RUNNER-UP AWARD AT DUNDEE COLLEGE

Artist A. Kaviraj and writer Darrin O'Tolole have won runner up in the Dundee College sequential art contest with their Mister X story, judged by Frank Quitely.

FRANK QUITELY & GRANT MORRISON WITH TALES FROM THE VOID, ANOTHER COMIC BOOK PROJECT BY KAVIRAJ & O'TOOLE

What is the contest? In 1944 The Dandy introduced the first home-grown British superhero – The Amazing Mr X, who appeared in 14 installments between 1944 and 1945. These stories were drawn by DC Thomson staff artist Jack Glass. When The Amazing Mr X made a brief reappearance in The Dandy annual in 1962 he was drawn by Dudley D. Watkins. Since then he has been all but forgotten... but now you have the opportunity to bring the character back to life, re-interpreting the character for the 21st century!

The University of Dundee, in partnership with DC Thomson, is pleased to announce the Second Annual Dundee Comics Prize - a competition to re-create The Amazing Mr X. Entries should consist of a two - three page origin story and a cover image featuring your interpretation of this classic British superhero.

The first prize is £500, plus publication of the story in The Sunday Post and in the Dundee University publication Anthology, which showcases new work by up-and-coming comics creators. There will also be two runner-up prizes of £250 each.

WRITER DARRIN O'TOOLE

Kaviraj and O'Toole won the contest, which specified a three page story, but after they won runner up were asked if they could come up with two extra pages to more complete the story which they quickly did. The Mister X story has been posted below for your reading enjoyment.

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The Amazing Mister x

ACTION COMICS #3 REVIEW

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Rags Morales, Gene Ha, and Rick Bryant

Action Comics #3 is, well for the sake of redundancy, the third installment of the Action Comics series following Superman's early adventures. In the past two issues, I have been very reluctant to jump on board with this Superman, but let's just say I'm working on it, and my psychiatrist says it's because I suffer from Assholiosis. This is a condition that makes me resent any drastic changes to my life that I consider balanced.  

That being said, this issue felt much better to me.  Here we have a some back-story that all of us suffering from Assholiosis are familiar with; the taking of Kandor by the incredibly advanced Terminator, Brainiac.  I loved the art and the aristocratic society shown in this back-story, however I felt a little disappointed by Rags attempt to make Jor-El look like a cross between Superman and Ultimate Captain Mar-Vell, and a very Prehistoric Krypto, if in fact that is who it is supposed to be.

Not only will the Kree Empire be pissed, but so is the Covenant!

           

My superior puns aside, the art was really well received by my neural networks allowing my condition to be bypassed.  This history has not varied much from the Geoff Johns Superman run where we have Braniac as a archivist of civilizations lost throughout the galaxy, an idea I am quite fond of!

Back to reality in the sense that we are still in the past where Superman is not so super, but is an aspiring superhero/reporter living in a ridiculously small one-room apartment that does not even have a kitchen.  We see at this point that the entire Kandor sequence was a dream that Clark was having and it gets interrupted by his landlord and some cops clearly on the take from Mr. Glenmorgan.  It appears that they are searching his room, with no warrant, in order to find some dirt on Kent for his reports on Mr. Glenmorgans “dishonest” business practices.

For reasons yet to be explored, Clark's identity is revealed after the cops leave and his landlord hands him back his costume.  I'm not sure the point of this sequence other than to not let us forget that Clark has a run-in coming with Glenmorgan that stretches into the Superman title.  I was lukewarm to the idea that cops, even on that take would just barge in, no warrant, and clearly without discretion. Curse you, assholiosis! 

We also discover that Clark's hard-ass attempt at coercing Glenmorgan into a confession not only alienated him, but the people are completely against Clark because Glenmorgan blasts him publicly for his bullying tactics.  If you didn't see that coming in issue one, then I praise you for having virgin, unblemished eyes that can still see the wonder in the rampant minor fails that are going on throughout this title.  I so want to go into this but I'll bite my tongue and perhaps write another review about why this title tickles my medulla oblongata in the wrong ways.

The ending is just as bad because it shows Lex being a completely oblivious, miscalculating mastermind he is known to be. However, Brainiac sends a part of his conscious into Sargent Corbin, who is currently in a suit for the “Steel Soldier” program that looks entirely to much like Apocalypse.

My medical condition aside, I enjoyed the issue, it gave some depth to Clark and inserted some plots that a new reader will enjoy, even if to me, overdone.  Ever since Geoff Johns rewrote Brainiac I've been a fan, and it appears Grant Morrison is sticking to this theme, which considering all the other blunders, is a blessing.

3.0 out of 5.0 but I'll keep reading only because I'm a glutton for punishment.

Bret Kinsey is a contributing writer at Champion City Comics. 

ACTION COMICS #2 REVIEW

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Rags Morales

Welcome to the second issue of Action Comics!  I didn't give the first issue a great rating and my reasoning was based on me being a long time Superman fan. I'm still on the ropes about his new “edgier” persona.  The first thing I noticed, like anyone who checks out comics, is the cover.  Rags Morales does not disappoint.  I mean it is Superman on an electric chair, guns pointed at him, and a very angry look on his face.  Rags cover art is done very well and I really enjoy his shading effects, and the coloring gives it a duller, more down to earth look, versus the bright colors we are used to with just about every superhero. (See Variant Cover)

Let talk more about the cover.  There's a variant cover out there for all you Ethan Van Sciver fans.  Most of you may remember him as the co-creator for Sinestro's new more evil look, and the flashing strobe effect of the Green Lanterns logos which are pretty cool if I do say so myself.  This variant issue is a picture of Superman with a really cheesy look on his face breaking chains off of himself.  I'm not sure, but I'm assuming the issue may be some sort of homage to an earlier Action Comics cover.  It is not the best artwork I have seen from Van Sciver, but that's just me.  There is also a variant issue of Rag's pencils inked, which for all of you aspiring colorists, is a great piece to scan in, and get to work on.

If you read issue #1 then you know that this Superman is new to the superhero business. He is seen bleeding in what I still consider the worst railway save in comic history, and is unable to fly.  But hang tight superhero maniacs, this issue is about to kick into overdrive.

Superman has been captured.  Lex Luthor is torturing him in an effort to gauge his powers and to find any weakness he would be able to exploit.  I'm not sure I like where this Lex Luther is going.  It seems Grant Morrison wants us all to know that Lex is an amazing geneticist and scientist. Not the smart, corporate savvy egomaniac we are all accustomed too.  I think I like the latter better than the former, but we shall see.

In this charade of imprisonment we discover Superman has some form of invulnerability because a scientist breaks a drill bit on him while trying to take a skin sample.  We also learn that he has an incredible amount of resistance to electrical current, and his hair cannot be cut. 

Making a brief appearance is John Henry Irons.  Irons storms in during Lex's investigation where we find Lex referencing Irons “Steel Soldier” program to be obsolete but mentions “augmented humans.”   Is this a reference to the “everyman” project from 52?  Have I abused my right to use quotations?

Let’s move on to the cape which is the bane of my existence.  I said in my review of Action Comics #1 how much I hated this cape.  Now I have even more reason to hate it.  Apparently his cape is bulletproof as well as fireproof because it's Kyrptonian.  I'm having involuntary spasms about this because why in the hell would his cape be bulletproof.  Please don't tell me it's because of a yellow sun. 

After a very odd reference to a six-legged goat we find ourselves top side where Lois Lane has used her debunking skills and knows that Superman is being held at this “undisclosed” location, demanding to see her father, General Lane.

Superman then reveals to us that his eyes do not just absorb radiation, but they in fact radiate all kinds as well.  This worries me, because the Superman I know has heat vision and x-ray vision.  What more types of vision is Grant planning on giving him?  *Sigh*  Superman then short circuits the security systems and begins his escape.  During this process we see a threat given by Superman similar to that of Action Comics #1.  He has Lex in a choke hold and threatens to snap his neck if he doesn't tell him where his cape is.  He get's no response, drops Lex to the ground, and says, “Ill find it.” 

           

Seriously?!  This guy has super speed, x-ray vision, invulnerability, and he's going to play this neck snapping card?  Anyway, he retrieves his cape and in the process discovers the ship that brought him to Earth.  This clearly takes him off guard, then his ship begins to speak to him, saying what we know is his name Kal-El, his father Jor-El, and his mother Lor-El, and some other El's and La Va do de do's.  Once he analyzes what is happening he tells the ship to protect itself because he'll come back for it.  Do I need to reference his super strength again?  For the sake of humanity, I will continue.  Superman escapes, and we are left to wonder where he's going.  My guess is to find Sportsmaster, but that's a whole new revelation I just don't have the time to get into.  We find ourselves towards the end and Lex is on the phone with someone.  We find out that Lex is talking to someone who has specific intelligence on Superman.  Lex asks the question, “What are you?” and we pan out to the image of a spacecraft orbiting the moon, with odd tentacles.  My first impulse was Brainiac. The ship is too small to be Mongul and Warworld, Darksied is coming in JLA, and this better not be Zod. 

Over all, I have to give it a 3.5 out of 5.  I really did have to take off my seasoned Superman glasses and take this comic on the adventure that Grant is trying to take us on.  I thought it was a good read, it did a nice job of explaining what Superman has in the scope of his powers, and I'd really like to see what the heck the six-legged goat was all about. But let us be honest. DC is saying this is not a reboot, but we all know it is, so if you take this issue with that in mind, it goes together really well.

Bret Kinsey is a contributing writer to Champion City Comics, in his spare time he masquerades as a giraffe.

SUPERMAN #1 REVIEW

Written by George Perez

Pencil and Inks by Jesus Merino

            Superman #1 does not hesitate in the action/character development that we are all looking forward to, but there's just something about it that was lacking.  The art is gripping and crisp, and the back story is compelling, but overall it felt rushed.

            The first thing I thought about after looking at the cover was, “Oh no, there's an earthquake in Metropolis and the only help Superman can give is to save the Daily Planet's infamous golden globe!”  Luckily this is not the case, but it does do well in grabbing your attention.

            After reading the first page I thought, “Great, more decompression for the future trades....”  But that's only because I've been a Superman fan for a very long time, and really didn't care for a rerun of the back story of the Daily Planet.  There's really a lot of focus here, and honestly, it made my old ass sleepy!  To the new reader, it's a necessity, and being a creature accepting of change, I did my best to roll with it.  The Daily Planet has been bought out by Mr. Morgan Edge, the infamous owner of the WGBS Broadcasting system.  This is DC's effort to bring their pantheon of comics to the new age.  Under this new ownership there is now a “print” version of the Daily Planet, as well as a streaming version of the Planet.  The direction this is heading gives Perry White all the power of the printing side, while ascending Lois Lane to the hot shot position of the streaming, techno savvy, aspect of the new Daily Planet.

            With this new ownership has come a new change.  The old Daily Planet has been demolished, and in its place is a new, more up to date broadcasting firm.  As we read further we realize that Superman is not fond of the new face of the Daily Planet.  Ever the devoted and faithful boy scout, he is hesitant to accept the new ownership of the globe, and has some very serious reservations the new owner.  If you read Action Comics #1 you know that there is a series of years difference between then, and now.  However, the comic keeps you snagged, by letting you know that this new owner has ties to the “villain” of Action Comics #1, because the same Glenmorgan that we see in this issue, is the same Glenmorgan referenced as the former owner of WGBS Broadcasting.  This is an obvious ploy to keep the reader interested in what happens in Action Comics #1 and does a great job in doing so, though I regret the lack of highlighting what is happening now.

            This issue also catches us up in the scenario of Superman now working for the Daily Planet, and he is none too pleased with the new ownership.  They solidify this with commentary about his disdain, and friction with Lois, about accepting the new change on the basis that WGBS is in fact, not up to standards of what the Daily Globe was known for. 

            As I read this, I found the “villain” to be a non-factor, and in reality I wasn't really interested in where they were going with this angle.  The first part of the story was so strongly focused on the new ownership that I forgot that Superman was a Man of Steel with near limitless possibilities in power, strength, and intelligence.  This issue of perceived “decompression” was still viable and full of action that I kept reading, but I found myself with more questions than answers, which, from a long time fan, is considered OK for a new reader aspect.

            Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5. I just felt like they tried to throw too much into this issue.  The artist had a lot of things to jump into as well as the writer who seemed distracted with so much “fill ins” that it was hard to decide what was more important in this issue:  Superman's resentment towards change or his “man of tomorrow” facade that we have all come to know and love?  Superman comes across as an antiquated machine hesitant of progress for reasons he keeps only to himself.  Which I would suppose to be fine in a real world aspect, but in a comic, character driven stance, I just had a difficulty combining.  The initial aspect of the flame villain seemed so miniscule that I felt like Superman was completely beneath this type of villain.  The threat just wasn't there.  Superman has been, in my mind, the impeccable boy scout that has served as the measuring point for all hero's to live up too.  It is definitely a “What would Superman do?” adjective. 

            This Superman seemed to be distracted in all the wrong places, and fodder for the villainous likes of a Lex Luthor.  I guess this shows a “rookie” version of the Man of Steel, but I just had a hard time “feeling” it.  The art was great, and I felt the author made a great attempt at trying to snag a new readers attention, but as someone who's followed Superman for a while, I just didn't really get captured into the story, nor did I feel inclined to read the next issue.  It was like this was just cannon fodder for Grant Morrison's Action Comics #2 which I find incredibly ridiculous.  Why bother writing a Superman title set in a present day sense if you're only concerned with his origin?  I want to know where Superman stands now, not how he gets there!  The history has always served as great filler, not as a primary story.  If we are going to focus on his origin, then lets focus on his origin, not a less important period of putting down a second rate villain with no history or threat.  This Superman just felt rushed, and quixotic.  While I felt that Action Comics #1 was not great, I didn't need another issue trying to convince me it actually was, just for the sake of continuity.  This issue didn't stand alone and just seemed to stroke the “ego” of Action Comics #1.

           

Bret Kinsey is a contributing writer to Champion City Comics and resides in a undisclosed location for Grant Morrison fans and lovers.

ACTION COMICS #1 REVIEW

 Writer: Grant Morrison

Art: Rags Morales

Action Comics #1, possibly THE most iconic comic in history, certainly the most influential, returns. Under the pen of Grant Morrison (Batman Inc, 52, Final Crisis), Superman is reborn. With art by Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps) DC’s golden child comes out of the gates strong. I feel like full disclosure is necessary. Grant Morrison and I haven’t been getting along recently. I had some issues (no pun intended) that I’ve worked through. I tell you this so that when I say that Action Comics #1 is so far my favorite of the New 52 you’ll understand the importance of that.

Morrison wastes no time jumping right into the action (pun intended that time) with Supes sweeping into a shady deal and holding the main villain, one Mr. Glenmorgan, up in the air with one hand over the veranda until he admits to his crimes. In the next few pages we learn that the government has hired who else but Lex Luthor to help bring down Superman and that everything that has happened and several of the things in the next pages are all part of some plan of his to capture The Man of Steel. We are also treated, at one point, to a quick view of Clark Kent. This Clark Kent plays the same farmboy character that we’re used to seeing, but THIS Clark, while still a reporter, doesn’t work for the Daily Planet yet.

Some people might find this newer, brasher Superman a startling thing. Superman would never pull, for lack of a better term, Batman tactics to get a confession. But I find it exhilarating. Fun fact, in the FIRST Action Comics #1 Superman held a corrupt government official on a row of powerlines and threatened to electrocute him if he didn’t come clean. Morrison updates The Man of Tomorrow, while keeping him in his depression era roots. That feel ties directly into my two favorite panels from this issue that come at the tail end of the first page. Superman speeds into the middle of the group of ne’er do wells and says “Rats. Rats with money. And Rats with guns. I’m your worst nightmare.”

Another thing I found myself surprisingly fond of was the new costume. I was skeptical of the new t-shirt and jeans look but it was accessible. It wasn’t hokey like I’d feared and actually worked in context. There was one panel where it looked like his cape was just a red towel he’d tucked into his shirt, but that’s a minor thing compared to how disastrous this new costume could have been.

The art by Rags Morales was good. I don’t say great because I’ve seen better art work, but for this book it was a fantastic fit. There are panels that reflect the art style of the original #1 with a modern twist, while others make me nostalgic for the 90’s cartoon of my youth.

5 out of 5

Michael Knoll is a contributing writer at Champion City Comics. In his spare time, he wrestles naked with bears.