Skip to main content

This Comic Kicks!!!


OK, OK. So I bought into all the internet hype regarding this comic. Really, it sounded like one of those tales that's just too good to pass up. I suppose having Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s names on the title was also a deciding factor in my decision to buy this comic series. By now I figure everyone on the planet knows the name of the book I'm talking about. Just take a look at the pictures in this blog entry. Still need me to mention the name? I, um, don't remember it. The name escapes me. Rhymes with lass. Alright I lied. Truth is I'm one of those old-fashioned types that prefers not to use curse words. Sue me! This is what I'm talking about. Now all six people who didn't know what I was talking about are up to speed.

When I wanted to pick up the first issue of this comic, my shop didn't have any copies left. That sucker was sold out. So I came back a few weeks later and Icon had released a second printing. By that time, issue 2 was already out. Would you believe I still didn't buy the issues at the time? 'Tis true. Well this past Saturday when I was looking through the bins for Spider-Man comics, a good friend of mine was picking up some books and I talked him into buying issues 1 and 2. I figured I may as well practice what I preached and get them the first two issues right then and there.

Dave Lizeski is like many of us. He plays video games and he loves himself some comic books. He also wants to be a super hero. Why? He didn't watch his parents get murdered by some punk looking for some quick dough. He wasn't sent to Earth in a rocket ship to be spared the fate of a doomed planet. He wasn't a social outcast that got bitten by a radioactive spider and then failed his family by letting a crook get away. If none of that happened to him then why would he want to be a super hero? The same reason the thought of being one occurred to many of us: it would be cool.

Be honest, if you've read a comic book, you've entertained the idea of being a super hero at one point in your life. I know I have. When I was 14 years old, I actually was in the process of making myself a generic Spider-Man costume. I even went outside around my house at night. Yeah, never made it too rooftop levels like Dave here, but were no tall buildings where I lived so that part was completely out of my hands. But I digress.

Right off the bat, Dave is a very likable character. He's into Buffy, X-Men, Spider-Man, etc. In fact, the references to all of these things helped suck me into this comic all the more. Like the rest of us, Dave has no super powers and while Batman may have years of experience behind him, he's still just a human being and so is Dave. When Dave decides to stop some vandals, he gets the blood beaten out of him. Adding to his injuries is a hit and run by some heartless broads. In all likely hood, this could happen to any of us, which could be the reason why we don't put on the tights.

The image to the right would probably scare quiet a few folks from ever doing anything so foolish. A foolish as it was, I can't help but have some admiration for Dave's actions. The kid did follow his dreams even if they led to some nasty injuries and a six month long recovery.

Dave decided to give up being a super hero when he was well again. He even burned all of his comics. Too bad for Dave, there's a bit of Spider-Man in him because he was quickly back in costume, patrolling the streets, and wouldn't you know it, he finds trouble again. A man was getting a thrashing until he stepped in and did something about it, of course he didn't come out of it unscathed. His exploits were even caught on video, which will be uploaded on YouTube. Dave is undoubtedly in for more trouble but I was proud of him for his victory at the end of issue 2.

Needless to say, I love this comic. It is quickly turning out to be one of the best mini-series I've ever read. I have never seen John Romita Jr.'s artwork look this astounding, and that is saying a lot. The third issue can't get here soon enough.

Comments

Tommy said…
Ouch!

I wonder if this mini-series takes place during the Registration Act, as the last thing Dave needs to deal with is both learning the ropes and cape-killers.
April 10, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Reggie White Jr. said…
This comic is set in the real world, like our real world so he doesn't have to worry about any of that stuff. =)
April 11, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Tommy said…
*Slaps self!*

Ahh! I should pay more attention.
April 11, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Super Hero Secret IDs & Their Friends

I've always felt Clark Kent has had one of the poorest disguises of all time for a secret Identity. All he does is straight up his "S" curl so it isn't visible and put on some glasses. Well, also depending on the era, Clark is either goes out of his way to be a bumbling idiot so people don't suspect he's an alien from another world, or here's the non-clumsy modern version. Personally, I like both, but if Lois is indeed a star reporter then she'd have to see through that disguise. Let's be realistic here. No one is that clumsy unless they are trying to be. I actually read a post on a message board that Lois finding out that Clark was Superman takes away from the whole dynamic. Seriously? The dynamic of making Lois look like a complete idiot who is unable to see what is right in front of her? I didn't miss that one bit. In fact, one of the few problems I had with Superman The Animated Series is that Warner Brothers didn't allow the creators t
2 comments
Read more

Hooray for Reprints!

The Green Goblin has often been touted as Spider-Man's deadliest foe. He is what the Joker is to Batman. I wonder if Stan knew back when Gobby first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #14 that the Goblin would become the menace that he is to Spidey today. What makes the Goblin such an interesting foe isn't the costume. No. Much like Spider-Man, Gobby is such a great villain because the man underneath the suit is fascinating. Norman Osborn is one effed up dude to say the least. He was so annoyed with Spider Man getting in his way that he the battle between the two of them personal. He discovered Spidey's secret ID, revealed his own identity to the wall-crawler and would later go on to make Spidey's life a living nightmare. Gobby not only screws up Spidey's life, he screws up the lives of those Spidey cares about like Flash Thompson or if your name is Gwen Stacy, thinks ain't lookin' too good for you. I've read every early Spidey/Gobby story except one and it
8 comments
Read more

Marvel Wants to Hear From YOU!

In the letter page of Amazing Spider-Man #565, Spidey editor Steve Wacker filled the page with nothing but negative letters from readers that hate Brand New Day. Who says Marvel doesn't listen to the fans? And what's more, Mr. Wacker has even asked us to write in and tell them how we feel. Can you believe that? It takes class to run nothing but angry letters and a couple of those to the right are pretty nasty. My mother actually suggested I write to the editor and state my feelings on the molestation of Spider-Man in ASM. I'd been meaning to write them, but I just never sat down to do so. With the editor of the Spidey books kindly saying that the letter's page is "the place to vent," I think the time has finally come for me to express myself. I don't know if it will get printed since I've stopped reading ASM, but if they take my letter and many others that are outraged by BND to heart, then that's all that matters. Dear ASM Staff, Do you know what
6 comments
Read more