Review Month - Master of Kung Fu. Issue 1 (2002).

Some comics are like old friends that you miss. No seriously. There are three books from Marvel's Bronze Age that need the reprint treatment but are so tied up in legal shennanigans that it is unlikely that we will ever see that done. Imagine a double release of a big colour Omnibus and a black and white Essential (at the same time, because I would buy both!)? It's not like I don't have the single issues though as these three titles were as good then as they are now.

These titles are in reverse order:

3. The Micronauts.

2. ROM.

1. The Hands of Shang-Chi. Master of Kung Fu.

Anyone who knows me will have been bored stupid by my rattling on about Master of Kung Fu (MOKF). It was a title that spoke on so many levels and if you can find a reasonably priced run and have never read it you should throw yourself in now as those reprints still seem like a bridge too far. Ask me what my favourite title ever is and I will flat out tell you without hesitation that it's MOKF.

The book sprung out of a need to have a title that could take advantage of the boom in imported cinema kung fu movies and the tv series of the same name with David Carradine (the first series , not that strange new one that they show all the time on UK TV).

The book itself was a contradiction. The central character was full of existential angst. Although a master of his martial art he didn't want to use it. A man who was pulled into MI6 and was a super spy but just wanted focus and inner peace. Shang was as much a victim as he was a hero. He was a victim of being the son of Fu Manchu (a fact that is where much of the legal problems stem from regarding the reprint). He was a victim of manipulation by his friends and his family. He fought a stream of kung fu villaims. He was also a victim of his emotions, his face would often twist into Bruce Lee rage or he would be caught up as the naive fly in a femme fatale's web.

All books that have Shang as a central character are narrated by him. That is why I think the character is so beloved of many comics readers. He speaks to the reader directly in first person narration in caption boxes. You really get to the heart of his emotions and motivations. You also get to see his vulnerability. Many of his guest starring roles in books much later (Moon Knight immediately springs to mind) they still stick to this rule. We have seen him quite a few times recently. He has had pretty good appearances in Wisdom, secret Avengers, Heroes for Hire, X-Men: First Class and the Spider Island storyline.

'Games of deceit and death.'

The series had at it's heart the writer Doug Moench and much of it's quality is clearly down to his vision. There are at least four iconic art runs on this book as well. Firstly Jim Starlin, next Paul Gulacy (who we will get to later), Mike Zeck and Gene Day. All were equally great in my mind. As styles moved on Shang still kept the flaired trousers and the hippyish outlook. And the title was cancelled at the incredibly poetic issue 125. So incredible in fact I have a page framed and hung from this issue on the wall in front of me. This issue had Shang walk away from everything. His father was dead and he wanted to taste the world afresh and find inner peace finally.

A good MOKF book is missing from the shelves today. Who wouldn't want to see Moench back on this book, or maybe someone like Greg Rucka with Marc Laming or Gabriel Hardman on the art?  Shang was that single solitary voice of truth. Always on the outside of the party looking in. Commentating on what his naive eyes saw around him. The cynical part of me says that we need this sort of character more than ever. At the time he had many copy cats (see my recent Richard Dragon review for a good example) but nobody did kung fu as well as Moench and co did this.

In 2002 as part of the Marvel Max line we got a mini series. Here is the review of the first issue. I thought this was a fitting last review in my Month of Reviews.

Master of Kung Fu (November 2002).

'Part 1: Mortal Spirit.'

Writer - Doug Moench.

Art - Paul Gulacy.

Inks - Jimmy Palmiotti.

Colours - Paul Mounts.

Editor - Alex Alonso.

Published by Marvel Comics (Max Line).

I remember not hearing that this book was coming out (I have never been a big reader of Previews - only muttering at my LCS that it should be called 'Spoilers') so I was over the moon when I saw this cover on the shelf. It looks great and is an iconic image of Shang returning to the flames of battle.

The book opens with Leiko Wu (the love interest throughout most of the original run) being lured into a trap in an old castle. She is captured by a mysterious hooded figure and his bodyguard. Taken away and tortured with scorpions for information. Meanwhile we get a brighter different world and Shang is apparently a tutor for a young girl in China. He is clearly still troubled and tries to meditate but dreams of Leiko in danger trouble his peaceful solitude. He is then surprised by  a shadowy stranger who he attacks only to find out that it is his old pal (and love rival for the emotions of the aforementioned Leiko Wu) Clive Reston from MI6.

Reston attempts to talk Shang out of retirement and tells him that Leiko has been kidnapped. He also informs  Shang that he and Leiko are now married. He needs his friend to help combat a terrorist called 'The Comte de Saint Germain' aka 'The Ghost' who is believed to be an Immortal (ring anyFu Manchu shaped bells Sax Rohmer fans?) The story then jumps nineteen hours into the future and Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston are caught by Dacoit assassins in an MI6 safe house. A full firefight erupts (beautifully realised by Gulacy and Palmiotti) and as they run out of ammunition Shang appears to help them escape.

This sequnce looks incredible. Shang looks dramatic and a force to be reckoned with. He has that frown again, the one that tells us that he does what he must, not what he wants to do. As they escape he speaks to his old friend Tarr and in doing so links the present with the past.

'And don't call me Chinaman.'

This book does so much in a first issue. We get the familiar faces and themes. But we also get a reflection of how the world has moved on. As always Shang is a mirror for society. We see his defence of his friends using a couple of flaming sticks. He is faced by techno kung fu assassins but doesn't flinch to use familiar weapons. He is still the old Shang, the man out of place but now we see the seriousness in his face and that his clothes reflect stylistically the post Matrix era. I loved this issue.

Moench has not skipped a beat and these are the people I remember. That nod to Shang's and Tarr's old friendship at the end was a really cool little twist. They shouldn't be friends, from their size difference (Tarr is a hulk of a man - a kind of cross between the Rock and Nick Fury physically), to their politics and motivations. Tarr is a life long spy, he is at home with these games. But somehow they are brothers.

Gulacy is a master. Every turn has beauty. His figures are cool and funky kung fu spies of style and his back grounds speak to a tone of menace. I really loved the candle light on the stairs as Shang meditates. Awesome. Everyone is dealt with the intricacy and flair they deserve after all these years. I am a huge fan of this guys work and he needs more Marvel work as he fits that street level noir so well.

Man! I miss this book.

NIA.

Review Month - All Star Western issue 19.

All Star Western - issue 19.

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray.

Art by Moritat.

Colours by Andre Szymanowicz.

Published by DC Comics as part of the New 52.

What can you say about this title that hasn't been said already (and mostly by myself). Palmiotti and Gray have such a great grip on this character. Forget Lobo, Jonah Hex is pretty much DC's Wolverine analogue. (Yes, I know Hex came first!) We also get this surprise guest star of Booster Gold. A great left field decision to introduce such a 'regular' DC hero into this dirty and violent environment. I reviewed an old Booster Gold comic just last week and this put a big smile on my face.

The book opens with Hex and Booster talking and Booster trying to impress him about how tough he really is and the fact that he is now a Sheriff of a local town.. Hex isn't having any of it. The pair examine three bodies of men working a claim who seem to have been killed without putting up a fight.

The story then switches to a small town as the Clem Hootkins Gang ride in. They are lead by a real nasty Klaus Kinski lookalike. They have a chat with a local drunk, kill him, reveal a big Wild Bunch machine gun. Rob the bank and destroy the town. Hex and Booster appear and (kind of) agree to track the gang down. We get a flashback sequence that shows how Booster became the sheriff. Booster then wakes up drunk / hungover on the floor of the tavern and the two ride off to find the gang.

I got a little confused at this point as the story seemingly flows into the Stormwatch back up piece. Some more end / start credits were needed possibly?

The book is full on funny and full on violent. A mean feat. The art by Moritat is the best of his I have seen for a while and is also (as usual) some of the best out there. The colour palette has that washed out, almost sepia look to it that works as well in the old west setting as it did in the turn of the century Gotham. The gold and blue of the Booster Gold costume works really well as a clean cut counterpoint to the old dirty west. Loved it!

The weaving of Booster Gold into this setting makes for some interesting possibilities for this arc and I can't wait to read the next issue! Hex never misses a beat in his speech and his movements into action. At this point in the DC Universe I would rather read him than any other character (yes even Batman!).I just wish that we got a full issue. I shall be buying this book in trade as well. This is a future classic, trust me.

Buy it.

NIA.

Cover of the day (extra).

From December 1976.

Paperback Weekend.

Some great Phoenix Force paperback covers.

Cover of the day.

Panel of the day.

Fuck. This book is amazing!

Review Month - Police Action featuring Lomax NYPD and Luke Malone: Manhunter.

I thought for today's review we could jump in the time machine and head back to Apri; 1976 and take a look at a book from the short lived Atlas Comics (aka Seaboard / Atlas). It was a company that threw itself wholesale into comics publishing and for a few short months (no title lasted for more than four issues) could have been a contender. Created to be full on competition to Marvel and DC Comics of the time it produced some interesting (and odd) books. 

Who could forget titles like 'Tales of Evil: The Bog Beast', 'Morlock 2001', 'John Targitt: Man-Stalker' (no not a slightly suspect name for a website) and my personal favourite 'Tiger Man.' They poached some great talent as well, Howard Chaykin, Steve Ditko, Mike Ploog, Rich Buckler and others. I remember when I heard about the New 52 as being a possibility and how they were going to address different genres other than Superheroics. It did for an instant sting my negativity with 'Oh, for fucks sake, hope it ain't gonna be like Atlas.' But recently I have revisited a few of the books and really enjoyed their non cynical, Bronze age approaches to the medium.

Some of the characters survive (kind of) to this day. 'The Scorpion' by Chaykin was introduced into the Marvel 616 as 'Domonic Fortune' and 'Demon Hunter' by Rich Buckler became 'Devil Slayer' and a regular in one of my favourite runs of volume 1 of the Defenders comic in the 1980s.

So today I thought I would have a look at one of the lesser known titles (actually two titles).

Police Action featuring Lomax NYPD and Luke Malone: Manhunter issue 2.

Lomax NYPD - Written by Gary Friedrich, Art by Mike Sekowsky, Inks by Al McWilliams and Letters by Alan Kupperberg.

'....Taxi 2147 is Missing!'

Luke Malone: Manhunter - Written by Gary Friedrich, Art by Mike Ploog and Frank Springer.

Editor - Larry Lieber.

'Whatever Happened to Luke Malone.'

Published by Atlas Comics.

The Lomax story is I think fair to say the maion story of the issue (although both are roughly the same in length) and features in the main on the cover. It treads all the 1970s hardboiled pavements like Starsky and Hutch did often. It has a pulpy detective feel to it and follows the adventoures of Lomax who they are at pains to make us realise is a maverick cop.

The hero and his partner get called to a kidnapping at the airport. A 'hippy' wearing a red beret has taken hostage at gunpoint a sexy 70s chick and two men who all seem to be cab sharing without knowing each other. Said hippy drives them onto a runway at Laguardia (airport security was a bit shit back then evidently) and asks for cash and a flight out of the country.  

Lomax and his partner (McBride) take the call and straightaway witness an unconnected mugging of an old lady. They intervene and Lomax gets a kick in the 'gut' (probably couldn't say 'balls' back then). Lomax leaves his partner to secure the prisoner and makes for the airport on his own (maverick cop style).

Of course he solves the kidnapping in his own way and afterwards takes the sexy 70s chick for a 'nice quiet drink'. Rockford eat your heart out!

The book is light weight sure and doesn't involve any deep thought but it looks great and tells a story that is fun and held my interest. It also tells a story over ten pages that a lot of current writers would take six issues to tell. The dialogue is a blast and is full of people digging this and digging that.

'You better dig me, and dig me good.'

Sekowsky's line looks great. It is as usual quite thick and deliberate but it still reads well today. His costumes look like they were pulled straight out of 'Kolchak The Night Stalker.'! the dialogue is era specific and over predictable in a cool way. But there isn't much else to say about this story other than that. It's just great fun.

The second story in the issue has a more serious tone and is also told in a very succinct style.

'Stow is rookie.'

Luke Malone is also (initially a cop) who has to go to another hostage situation (lots of them about). He is a bit of a hot head and barges in too early, kills most of the criminals but one of them manages to kill Malone's wife who coincidentally is present.

Malone hits the bottle and goes to the seaside to try and get over what has happened. He gets refused service in a local bar. Gets beaten up in a fight. The man who had just fought him hires him for some sculduggery. they drive off, a sniper / hitman shoots at them. The car crashes. Malone kills the sniper, throws a bottle away (deciding not to be an alcoholic) and decides to be Luke Malone: Private Investigator.

Just like that. Yeah. Forget my earlier gripe about modern comics, this one was a little too packed in.

The art however by Ploog and Springer looks excellent and reminds me of Ploog at the height of his Bronze Age powers when he was on Man-Thing and Werewolf By Night.

Both stories read like they should have been TV scripts and are by no means intellectual. However I had real fun reading them and for 50 pence cost from a back issue sale they are fine by me.

NIA.