Dynamo 5 or why should I give this comic another chance?

So after much pimping by fellow CBRians I finally received my copy of the first trade (comprising issues 1-7) of this new series last night.

For those unfamiliar with the premise of the book, Captain Dynamo was the cities greatest protector (think superman archetype) with 5 powers, Telepathy, Flight, Superstrength, Shapeshifting and Laser vision. He was also a little bit of a dirty dog in the sack.

Upon his death (left as a bit of a dangling plot point), his widow seeks out his 5 illigitimate children and ensures that they can carry on his legacy. Each has one of his powers and it's a typical coming of age saga as the 5 kids struggle to work as a team whilst coming to terms with their own issues.

The pros:

There are some unusual power dynamics here - for example, the telepath in the Parkman from heroes role is a bit stupid. He's also a linebacker for his high school football team and wants to give people a bit of biff - that's quite a clever thought out idea. In addition, the seemingly most creative of the team is the bruiser and female.

The art's good, dynamic, striking and clean.

In 7 issues, we get a good feel for the dynamics of the team and Dynamo's widow in the Professor X meets Nick Fury meets Emma Frost role, whilst looking like Dr Leslie from Batman is pretty complex as characters go.

Each story is kinda self-contained

The book has a nice quasi-silver age vibe to it

It's a lot of FUN.

The cons:

I know Image are publishing shorter books these days at $1.99 but, even legislating for that, the book feels short, yet without feeling decompressed. Whilst a lot seems to happen, it doesn't feel particularly deep and is over far too quickly (I have only read it once, very late last night - I should caveat!)

Robert Kirkman writes the forward - I can't stand Kirkman - at least there aren't any zombies in it yet!

There's no sense of peril at any point. For me, one of the most exciting things about new books in recent years (I'm keeping it fairly Marvel Centric here) such as Avengers: The Initiative, New X-men, The Order, X-Statix, Winnickxiles, New Warriors, is that anyone can die. Well, for a new book, it just doesn't have that peril.

Also, is it an all ages book, as it feels, or is it an adult book. To me it feels like it sits uncomfortably in between at the moment.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and will stick with it for another arc. What it did, it did well, but there's no imagination in it beyond the initial premise and no real sense of peril. I think this book can do well but needs to find its feet a little more.

Verdict: I'll give it another trade to pick up.

Funny - thanks to Becca

Yup it's a slow day

Next time you’re on an elevator and feel a little bored, liven up the moment with some of these insightful ideas. Guaranteed to make heads turn or your money back.
1. When there’s only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn’t you.
2. Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
3. Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor you’re on.
4. Swat at flies that don’t exist.
5. Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, “Shut up, all of you, just shut up!”
6. Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, “Got enough air in there?”
7. Lay down a Twister mat and ask people if they’d like to play.
8. Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they hear something ticking.
9. Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.
10. Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
11. Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
12. Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, and then announce, “I have new socks on.”
13. Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, “This is my personal space!”
14. Fart loudly then exclaim “Was that you. There’s no way I could do that one because infuriately mine don’t come out loud.”
15. Before the elevator door opens shout “DING” and then laugh and say “beat you again Mr. Elevator.”
16. Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.
17. Hire a labrador, wear sunglasses and repeatedly walk into the walls whilst pretending to not hear the other passenger’s direction.
18. Drop a pen and wait until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream, “that’s mine!”
19. Hold the doors open and say you’re waiting for your friend. After a while, let the doors close and say, “Hi Greg. How’s your day been?”
20. Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, “You’re one of THEM!” and back away slowly.

So, 2 weeks after my last update...

And my comics finally arrived. This is after 3 aggressive phone calls to an incompetent on line sci-fi and comics retailer and constant pleads of ignorance by the semi-literate too thick fucktard who probably couldn't get on a YTS scheme to work anywhere else. Heck, he probably reads and enjoys the Punisher and Shanna the She-devil comics.

Anyway, 203 was excellent. Ramos' art worked (in my mind - if no-one elses!) And it showed the two stars (IMO) of Carey's run, Cannonball and Iceman at their very best.

But, Sinister psychic powers. Gah. I hate this idea (although it has happened elsewhere apparently) and makes him seem like a complete deus ex character.

Oh and in other news, we lost the World Cup final. A shame for sure but, what a run we had in this tournament when it completely wasn't expected.

Rugby World Cup - In Jonny we trust.

So, somehow its happened.

We've made another final thanks to the beautiful Jonny Wilkinson.

How, I don't know. I really don't. Having watched every game in this World Cup, we've been at best mediocre and now we're in the final.

In playing South Africa we must be the underdogs. But, ooh that front row.

I've got a bet going with the team that if we win I'm gonna get a Sheridan style fad e and Kimber's gonna shave his head!

Anyway, get yourselves down to the club on Saturday afternoon for what is sure to be an evening to shout about, if nothing else!

Oh and my pirate pubcrawl starts immediately afterwards!

The Last Man - Why oh Y

So I've finally - after incessant pimping by friends discovered this comics gem.

Having found a book token in my wallet yesterday I bought volumes 1 - 3 of this epic, funny, witty, post-modern, brilliant book. One trade in and I'm hooked.

Go buy this today - don't wait for the movie - it'll never do the original justice.

(well it might, but that's not the point).

About my last post.

My excitement has been scuppered by the royal mail going on strike. One week one and my books still haven't arrived. Arseholes.

Comics Today

So I have like the smallest bundle of comics I can ever remember waiting for me at home!

X-men 203 - Can't wait - loving the direction but I do feel the conclusion to the Blinded by the Light arc is going to be weak and Messiah Complex build up.

Uncanny 491 - see above but replace words "Blinded by the Light" with "The Extremists".

Exiles 99 - its gonna be a car crash but Clayton Henry's on art so that should redeem it slightly.

Getting Smashed.

Hoah Boy.

The yawnfest piece of Rumbler Fanwank that has been World War Hulk is almost over.

Here's hoping the Golden Guardian of Good smashes the Hulk in the final issue.

However, given that this has so far been the most predictable comic book story of pretty much all time, I'd be willing to bet that the Void comes along and Hulk ends up smashing him and in fact not being a big green murderous scum bag. BORING.

What I'm reading right now.

For some reason work isn't letting me blog from Imageshack. Help people?

Anyway, as is fairly well known. I hate the concept of Marvel Zombies. Mainly because of that comicbook butcher, Robert Kirkman.

But, this book is harrowing, realistic and a very human tale. It's really not a zombie book, they're a plot device. It's an excellent reportage of the best and worst of humanity told from a compelling eye-witness narrative.

Can't recommend this enough.