Aquaman #17: There is so much I could write about this, my Aquaman writer's block that has left my poor website lacking serious updates seems to be going away. But for this blog entry, I'm just going to tell you what DC has done right with this title.
First off, as much as I love the Atlantean back-story, Pfeifer made the right choice in dumping it and concentrating on Aquaman. Only an Aquaman fan could love the whole history of DC's Atlantis, which has gotten genuinely convoluted in the last few years. I wonder how it could be reintroduced in a way that would interest a general audience... but for the moment, leaving it to rest is a good choice. Had you asked me that a few months ago, I would have declared that Aquaman's status with Atlantis is a huge aspect of the character, and shouldn't be ignored. But these first three issues have convinced me that Aquaman needed to be shown away from that backstory. And it isn't like Atlantis has vanished... Veitch left it in a state where just about anything could happen, so any writer who chooses to revisit it in the future has an almost blank slate to work from.
Next we have Gleason's artwork. It's not perfect, but it is edgy and different. And he actually shows "underwater". People come out of the water with wet hair. People react like there is water around them. There are fish in the water. Objects move like they are in the water. He also seems to be well aware of shadows and light, and uses them to great effect in his art.
Alan Freakin' Davis on covers. 'Nuff said.
The promotion of this version has been decent. For awhile there, you couldn't look in any DC comic without seeing the cover to Aquaman #15 as an ad. And, being a very striking cover, it worked well to draw attention to the book. They've also been good about putting Aquaman in the retailer sneak peek package, which reminds the retailers that the book exists and makes them more likely to promote it.
I really enjoyed this issue. The sheer strength of Aquaman is explored, as are his abilities as a monarch. He has been shown to have a calming effect on people in the past, this was one of the better portrayals of that part of him. I like the addition of Lorena, as Aquaman always has worked better with someone to explain things to (it's the Doctor Who effect, you need a companion to represent the audience and to ask the stupid questions that the audience would if they could). I do wonder if the San Diegans could live in Atlantis, and if any of them would want to try? One minor nit with the art, how can Lorena swim with those shoes on? Anyway, this is the issue in which Pfeifer hits his full stride, and it's well worth reading. 
H-E-R-O #15: Ok, so this issue was mostly exposition to get us up to date on what Robby Reed is really up to... but it's really good exposition. This would be an excellent jumping on point for anyone not reading the series, too, as it hits all the major points. You don't have to know the characters to get an idea of what is happening and where this might be leading. As for the cliff-hanger... well, Pfeifer is one sick puppy, but it ties in to the exposition entirely too nicely. 
Available Light by Warren Ellis: Oh well. This didn't break the string. It seems that I just don't connect with Warren Ellis' writing at all. However, my friend Carol is interested in reading it, so I'll loan it to her and maybe she'll get more enjoyment out of it. See, I want to enjoy Ellis' writing. I hear what a great writer he is, and I keep getting interested, then I get a book and find I don't enjoy it at all. For instance, I was told how utterly wonderful and engaging Transmet was. But I had been interested and had bought the first issue, and found I really didn't like it. People told me to try more, so I borrowed and tried, and found it to be the same. Planetary looked good... but didn't work for me. Authority looked good... but didn't work for me. He did a whole bunch of 2099... none of which was stuff I liked even though I was a 2099 junkie. His ideas engage me, but the writing does not. I fully accept that it's my problem, something off with my perceptions. I just keep hoping that whatever it is will change, and one day I'll reread something and say, "Oh, hey, this is good! How did I ever think otherwise?" In any case, should I even give this a rating, as I a) wasn't able to finish it and b) don't think my opinion on it is particularly relevant to other people's likely enjoyment? Nah, I'll skip this one. No rating.
Colonia: Islands and Anomalies by Jeff Nicholson: Yeah, I'm cheating. I'd already read this, but I figure mentioning it again is good, and besides, it was in the AIT/Planet Lar box. I think I've said this before, but Colonia is one of the very few series that I bought cold, just from the Previews decription, during a time when I was buying almost exclusively superhero books. It was actually a single image that convinced me to try the book. That would be the image below.
I couldn't resist. I actually pre-ordered it, with no real idea what is was about. And I loved it. The art is simple but evocative. The storyline has enough mystery to make you wonder, and enough hints to give you a sense of what's really happening (if you read carefully enough). This trade collects the first story-arc, establishing the main characters and the situation, although you have to read carefully to figure out what that situation is. The next three issues, not yet collected, deal with some further adventures in this new world, and this summer the next three issues are due out, starting in July with issue 9 (MAY04 2455 - $2.95). I recommend this series, and this trade is the best place to start.
Still to review: PS238, Age of Bronze, Dodge's Bullets, 1602, Fallen Angel, Green Arrow, JLA, JSA, Common Grounds, and then just for good measure, Smallville and Angel. Whew. That's a whole lotta writing.
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