Morrison & Robertson Tell You To Get Happy

  

( From the Image Comics Site)

NEW MORRISON & ROBERTSON SERIES WISHES YOU MANY "HAPPY" RETURNS

Posted on July 20, 2012

 HAPPY! debuts in September from Image Comics

Nick Sax isn't what you'd call a "winner." The anti-hero of the newGrant Morrison and Darick Robertson comic mini-series HAPPY!has been fired from the police force, turned on by his own employees in his murder-for-hire business (well, what would you expect?), is constantly drunk, and is waging a hopeless battle against the agonies of eczema. Sax seems beyond redemption, but saviors often take strange forms, and, in his case, it's the form of a tiny blue, feathered pony named Happy.

Oh, did we forget to mention that? Yes, besides being heavy with violence, profanity, and sex, HAPPY! is also a tribute to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

"HAPPY! is a story I’ve wanted to write since hit-man Nick Sax and his ‘partner’ Happy the Horse appeared fully-formed in my head two years ago," said Morrison. In an interview at Newsarama , he described the impetus of its development: "I wanted to do a classic Christmas story – like A Christmas Carol or It’s A Wonderful Life – but with all the junkies, killers and pedophiles which make our modern world so colorful!"

In the same interview, artist Robertson talked a bit about the mysterious, eponymous Happy the Horse, about whom the two creators are being enticingly elusive. 

"Happy had a complete transformation from the initial drawing to what he became and what he became is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever designed to draw," said Robertson. "I hope readers will have as much fun with this as I've been having.

HAPPY! is Morrison and Robertson's first Image Comics series. It was announced at this year's Image Expo in February, which celebrated the independent publisher's 20th anniversary. Recently, Morrison commented on the experience of working on a creator-owned project.

"As much as I enjoy making monthly superhero books, there’s something very exciting and inspiring about creating a complete, original story from whole cloth and I’m grateful to Image Comics for seeing the potential of this project and giving it a home," said Morrison. "After a banner year for creativity at the company, Darick and I hope we can round 2012 out on a high note with the most twisted Christmas crime story you’ll ever read."

HAPPY! #1 will be in stores on September 26 and is available now for pre-order. The four-issue miniseries will culminate with an issue released Christmas week

WEB OF REFLECTION: BEN REILLY

THE MANY SPIDER-MEN PART II:

WEB OF REFLECTION: BEN REILLY

by Hector Ramirez

Hello Clashers, your friendly neighborhood Clasher here. It’s that time of the month where us Clashers become crawlers swingers and slingers, of the wall and web variety that is. It’s time for another 50 year anniversary celebration of the spectacular, sensational, amazing and just recently fantastic, and avenging SPIDERMAN. Now last month  I took you all into the future for a look at how Miguel O’Hara did things as the wall crawler. Well this week we take a look at Ben Reilly and his reign as the web slinger. So follow me through New Yorkas we take a look how Peter’s clone filled in for him.

            Dr. Miles “The Jackal” Warrenbecame obsessed with Peter Parker and his girlfriend Gwen Stacy and decides to clone them….repeatedly. After finally perfecting a Peter clone he convinced him that Peter was in fact the clone. A huge fight ensues which ends with Peter throwing the clone into a smoke stack, leaving him for dead. The clone, who actually survived, climbs out and instead of trying to interfere with Peter decides to start a life of his own. After spending several years traveling the world under the assumed name Ben Reilly (Ben in memory of his late uncle and Reilly Aunt May’s maiden name) keeping tabs on Peter through Aunt May claiming to be a long lost cousin, decided to return to New York. Dying his hair so that people wouldn’t recognize him as Peter, Ben takes on odd jobs around the city and wall crawling as the Scarlet Spider. Eventually Ben and Peter meet and team up keeping up the charade of Ben being a distant cousin. The two became close, (makes sense they’re basically the same person) so when Peter decides he wants to call it quits, Ben, reluctantly at first, takes on the mantle. (Not like many other people could.)

             To feel like his own man, Ben designed a new costume, which was a revamp (and in my opinion an improvement) on the classic red and blue costume. At this time Ben and Peter have been misled to believe that Ben was the real Peter under the orders of Norman Osborn. Because of the different costume the Daily Bugle ran a story claiming New York Had a new Spiderman but later dropped the story when given evidence to the contrary. Only a select few who knew Peter as Spiderman knew the truth. During that time Ben went through quite a bit, like being bonded with the Carnage symbiote for a short time. 


          Ben found a steady job at a restaurant before it was burned down by the Hobgoblin who framed Ben for the arson had his bank account frozen and robbed him of everything. Peter and Mary Jane returned to New Yorkfrom Portland right before many of New York’s Heroes disappeared during the Onslaught incident. During this time Peter dawned his costume to help keep New Yorksafe under the watchful eye of two Spidermen. Eventually this also came to an end when Norman Osborn finally came out of hiding. Mockingly admitting that it was he who had misled them to break Peter’s spirits and revealing was in fact the clone. A battle between the three ensues ending with Ben being impaled by the goblin glider and disintegratingas ben dies Peter leaves him wit the final words "rest easy ....brother". 


    Ben Reilly brings new characters from his travels into the world of Spiderman, making it that much more interesting. When he wore the webs, there was a fresh twist on Spidey while retaining all that made the title what it was. Well, that's all for now. Until next time friends, keep clashing.

THIS WEEK IN AWESOME # 8

Another week ends with CBC's picks for Moments of Awesome this week.


Darryll Carter

I'm gonna go with the latest issues of  The Flash. That two page spread of him rushing to get to Patty was epic as sh**. It made me hold my breath. I could hear the speed force steaming off of him as he reached out for her.



Hector Ramirez

It comes from Ghostbusters; when Venkman is possessed by a ghost that feeds on negative emotions. The ghost tries to use psychology against him. Having a doctorates in psychology, Venkman turns the tables on the ghost; frustrating him enough so he leaves his body. This ends up giving the other three the chance to trap him.


Frankie Rodriguez 

 My epic moment comes from an old skool book. New Warriors #57, the aftermath of the Warriors first match with the Undertow and Nova (Rich Rider) is feeling guilty and frustrated. So much so that he holds Night Thrasher (the original) by the neck from a top of the building, much like Night Thrasher did in New Warriors # 1, Volume 1. Funny thing, this begins a split between the Warriors and Justice taking over as leader but it gets better ... Namor stops by and pretty much blames the Warriors as Namorita was kidnapped by Undertow. And Namor hits Nova. So the Warriors beat him up with Turbo ... who at the time was a rookie with her armor ... giving the blow that actually takes down Namor. THAT WAS AWESOME!!!



Don't forget, CBC's own was a guest in this week's Ikaricast over in Reviewtopia, where they discuss the newest Sentai (aka Power Rangers here in the States is the easiest explanation), Go Buster.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAMAL IGLE

INTERVIEW WITH JAMAL IGLE


by Frankie Rodriguez

Welcome everyone. I recently was about to interview artist Jamal Igle, who had landmark runs on Supergirl (Pre- New 52), Firestorm and most recently, the Ray. Here is what he had to say: 




1.) You recently just ended your 6 year exclusive contract with DC Comics. You mentioned in your blog how it was time for new things. Now it is a little bit of time later, how are you feeling? How have your fans responded? 


JI: Well, the first week felt as bit weird but now I'm getting back into the idea of working for multiple clients and having to hustle a little again to secure work. I'm also doing personal work again for the first time in a very long time and that feels really good.


2.) You have taken commissions (which are listed on your webpage jamaligle.com) and posted Ultimate Spiderman (Peter Parker). How did it feel to draw that after so long with drawing DC characters? 


JI: Pretty cool actually. The commission was from one of my regular customers, so there was a lot of freedom. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and how to approach it, so it went fairly quickly.


3.) An interesting question is, for either fans that do not know cause I could not find it, but what was your first comic book work and how were you introduced into comics? Personally, I was introduced to you during your New Warriors run (which I still own today and will own til I die). 


JI: Well, my first official work in comics never saw print. It was a book called flashpoint that was written by Jim Higgins (who teaches writing at Cal Arts in the Character Animation Department. my first published work was Green Lantern #52, written by Ron Marz. How i was introduced to comics was a bit complicated because my gateway to comics was Superman the movie, starring Christopher Reeve. I fell in love with Superman as a character and that got me into comics.


4.) Looking back, how has your art evolved since you started comics? From when you started your now legendary run on Supergirl till your last issue of Ray? 


JI: The basics of my style were there of course, even the line I use is still present in my early work. My anatomy has improved;I have a much better sense of pacing and page design. I have this obsession with detail in my work now that was non-existent back in the day. I hated backgrounds and now it's one of the things I'm known for.

5.) What have been some of your favorite work from over the years? 

JI: There's been a lot of fun stuff. I once did a "Little Dr. Sivana" story I did for a JSA annual that still cracks me up.


6.) Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? Both character wise and artistically? 


JI:Well artistically I started out as a fan of John Byrne and Arthur Adams. When I was in high School, I started reading independent comics like Nexus and the Rocketeer Adventure Magazine; so I became a fan of both Steve Rude and Dave Stevens. I also became a fan of Jerry Ordway, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez and Brian Bolland 


7.) So now that you have been inspired by others, how does it feel to be an inspiration to 
aspiring artists?


JI:If I think about it that way, I get nervous. I just hope that I continue to lead by example.


8.) Who have been some of your favorite collaborators? Why? Who would you like to work with?



JI: I've been lucky, the writers I've worked with are a literal Who's Who of comics. I've worked with Morrison, Rucka, Waid, McKeever, Dini, Beechen, Sterling Gates,James Robinson, Alex Simmons, Marv Wolfman, Dan Jurgens, Jay Faerber. I've worked with Al Williamson, with Jon Dell, John Sibal, Marc Deering, I've shared page space with Gary Frank, and Pete Wodds. It's been amazing.


9.) What have been favorites or has stood out to you in the world of comics or animation? Which titles?


 
JI: I'm loving Batman right now, but I think I read everything Scott Snyder is writing right now. I love Luther Strode, Invincible, Rachel Rising and Amazing Spider-Man.


10.) Finally, besides commissions, any hints or announcements of upcoming projects?


JI: Not yet but announcements will be made soon.

My TOP 10 COMIC BOOK STORYLINES

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to a Special Comic Book Clash. With 5 Wednesdays in June, I figured that this would be a great time for me to take one week and go over the storylines that I found to be among the best that me, myself and I truly found to be best.  For most people who know me, know I love comic books. I have been collecting for 20 years. And as a writer, I wanted to share the storylines that I found the most enjoyable, well written and just gives you the fun of comics. This does contain SOME SPOILERS.  Here are my top 10 Comic book Storylines are:

10. The Judas Contract - Tales of Teen Titans (volume 1) #42-44 & annual #3 by Marv Wolfman & George Perez 

What Marv Wolfman and George Perez constructed alone with this team was something very magical that made it stand out from other team books at the team. People loved this team as much as the X-Men back in the 80s and that was BIG. This team with all its multifaceted members and personalities became a family. A family that had a TRAITOR! Finding out that Terra, the newest Teen Titan and object of Changeling's affection the traitor in the Titans mist was so very good and shocking that various readers were down right disgusted and hurt. Terra was so convincing that the betrayal really came out of no where as it was all a part of Deathstroke's plan.These will all rendered beautifully by the master George Perez himself. But the fact that Deathstroke was a little Pedo was Disgusting. (eww)

9. Planet Hulk - Incredible Hulk 94-103 by Greg Pak & various artists
For the first time in the near 20 years of me collecting comic books, it made me care about the Hulk and it took some big chances that really paid off but also developed the Hulk from dumb green monster to sinister, crafty super strong war general and king. Pak revitalized the Hulk with many changes, including a new wife and group of supporting characters and made Hulk vulnerable . . . in more ways than one. One of the artists in particular seemed to really shine during his issues of Planet Hulk . . . Carlo Pagulayan. We really got to see what he was made of as we saw the weird alien cultures mixed with gladiator combat, war and union over the course of the storyline and it was wonderful. And I am sorry but if the Hulk, in armor, was out to take over the US . . . I would fall to my knees and say "I surrender" in a hot second.




8. The Sisterhood - Uncanny X-Men #508-511 by Matt Fraction & Greg Land
I know. I know. Out of all the X-Men storylines that I could have picked . . . why this one? Well, I will tell you. In a word, innovation. It's a great twist on the old Brotherhood taken to a whole another level. Honestly, the Sisterhood proved more of a threat then any Brotherhood incarnation has in the last two decades. Fraction built a great team of femme fatales who not only competed with the X-Men on a physical level but mentally too (and on more than one account considering one was Scott's Ex Wife and the other being a former X-Man). Using beauty, cunning, mutant powers and magic, the Sisterhood actually took down a good portion of the stand out X-Men. . . in their OWN house. And like that guy or girl who smiles at you, ignores you then walks away to sit with someone else, the Sisterhood proved to be that annoying tease that makes you frustrated but can't help but love. And with the beautiful art of Greg Land and giving Dazzler some of the best panels I seen in years . . .it is an X-Men story not to be missed.

7. The Dwayne Taylor/Nothing But the Truth Storyline - New Warriors (Vol. 1) #18-25 by Fabian Niceaza & Mark Bagley
Before his Sacred Run with Brian Michael Bendis on Ultimate Spider-man, Mark Bagley drew the New Warriors. And GOD . . . I love him for it. The build up of both the Truth behind the murder of Night Thrasher's parents & the physical abuse Justice (then Marvel Boy) had to endure was definitely worth the pay off. You get to learn SOOOOOOOOOO much about Dwayne, Vance . . . even the other Warriors, in those issues that it makes my head spin to this day. And plus . . . how many super heroes are put on trial for murder . . .and deal with physical and mental abuse from a parent.Let's not forget how Rage began his path to becoming a member of the Warriors during this story line as well as seeing Namorita first take the lead. And while it is some earlier Bagley work . . . it is still very beautiful. And this storyline features probably the most sinister of villains . . . a mystical and murderous . . .  House keeper.

6. Justice League (International) 1 - 24 by Keith Giffen, J.M.DeMatteis & Kevin McGuire.
    Take some of the big guns and iconic heroes such as Batman, Martian Manhunter, Dr. Fate and Captain Marvel. Put in some legacy heroes like Blue Beetle Ted Kord, Guy Gardner, Dr. Light (the female one) & Black Canary. Add some new heroes like Mr. Miracle, Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Fire, Ice and Rocket Red. Take half a pound of a manipulative, god complex man going by Maxwell Lord. Have a mix of serious threats to the planet with sprinkles of comedy in  and you've got one of the most celebrated and icon runs in comics. The whole build of  the Justice League International did not start off right away but was given a slow burn within 7 issue till the Justice League earned that status. All manipulated by Maxwell Lord. He funded not only terrorists to attack the UN and an attack from classic League villains the Royal Flush Gang; he was about to manipulate the recruitment of Dr. Light, for a short time and Booster Gold. And once Black Canary left, Fire and Ice added much female power and innocence to the somewhat hilarious cast that grew within the pages. Dr. Fate and Captain Marvel leaving paved way for Captain Atom and Rocket Red to solidify their places among the Justice League, leaving lasting impressions that are apparent in the recent Justice League:Generation Lost series.  Every laugh was geniuenly funny. Every threat was credible. Bring in the annoying, hyper masculine attitude of Guy Gardner back then with the antics of the now legendary combo of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold and you have a League incarnation that will NEVER be forgotten. Hawkman and Hawkgirl joined the JLI briefly but felt they were too immature for their tastes. And once the books split, it didn't change much but I truly believe it was during these first 2 years that JLI really roped me in. I read these books EVERY year and love it and get something new from it every time I read them. 


5. Amazing Spiderman BIG TIME/Slott's run #648 - Present
     Honestly, Look at my first review. These restored so much hope for the character in his solo book and enhanced what I loved in him with the Avengers books that I was just amazed. Again, FIRST EVER REVIEW. That will tell you why. And Slott continues to astound me with Peter and tales of his life now. 

4. Age of Apocalypse [X-Men] by Various
Take everything you knew about the X-Men. Kill Prof. X. (Yay!!!!!) Have Magneto form the X-Men.(Wow!) Cancel all the X-books, temporarily. (HOLY FRELL!!) And have an immortal mutant take over half the planet in an Post "Apocalytic" World. The X-Men are very different here then they were in the actual Marvel Universe. Some Heroes are villains. Some Villains are heroes. From Magneto to Dazzler to Cyclops to Morph. Expect nothing and this story will tell you about people opressed, people who want, people who are willing to take and people who want to protect the weak from the strong. It is truly the survival of the fittest and get ready for a house of horrors that you will not soon forget. We have writers like Scott Lobdell, Howard Mackie and Fabian Nicieza mixed with artists like Roger Cruz, Joe Madueria, Chris Bacalo, Tony Daniel, Salvador Larocca & Steve Epting. All of them constructed a world where humans were hunted down like cattle. Where the X-Men killed in order to survive. Where Cyclops and Havok were evil. Where Jean Grey was with Weapon X (aka Wolverine).  Plus . . . one of the best death scenes I have ever seen in comics. This storyline is hailed as one of the greatest X-Men story ever and honestly . . . it earned it.





3. The Demon Fox/Kwai Story - Blood Syndicate #5-#10 by Ivan Velez Jr. & Crisscross
Milestone Comics brought many revolutionary changes to the industry. This book particular definitely resonated with me cause a super-powered gang. Not a group of heroes or villains. A gang. The Blood Syndicate had just lost their leader and they needed to get more money. So what would you do . . . what should we do . . . raid a crackhouse, of course. Of course, the drug lords weren't happy with them and the gang barely escape alive (actually, the gang dies . . . over and over . . . and over . . . and over . . .) but they meet up with gang boss. So what do they do . . . piss on him of course. So what does drug lord do . . . call forth the Demon Fox . . . and the world mindfuck gets redefined. Each character is changed. Each character is examined and that is what makes those issues so great.We learn a lot about the Syndicate during these issues as well as it being Wise Son's first issues as the new leader of the Syndicate. The urban landscape gets a very real and frightening character analysis that would put Evangelion to shame. And it is a great union of art and storytelling about characters of all colors, races and creeds by Ivan Velez Jr. & Crisscross.





2. 52 (The Entire Series) by Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen & Various
After jump all their books a year, they decided to fill that gap with a weekly series. And GOD . . . it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. It took a bunch of B, C and D characters and made them our eyes and ears in the DC Universe. Each character, by the end of the series, had become A-List characters. Anyone who read 52 felt emotionally invested in at least one of the characters and it brought us so many new things to the DCU . . .especially Batwoman. Thank god for Batwoman! It was a roller coaster ride that we could not get enough of and didn't know what was going to happen next. And what did happen made your jaw drop. And with a great collection of artists and 5 of the greatest comic book writers EVER . . . you didn't just wait for 52, you were ready to slap your momma and steal from your little brother in order to get 52 each week. So join Booster Gold, Starfire, Adam Strange, Steel, Batwoman, The Question, Renee Montoya, Ralph Digby & Black Adam and see how the current DCU truly came to be.




1. The Watchmen #1-12 by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Anyone who reads must read this maxi-series. It is by far how comic books should be made. Alan Moore takes how superheroes and turns them from goody goody black and white 2D clones to 3 dimension people with faults, lives, desires and some supremely massed up psyches. It changed the way comics were written. Makes you wonder if you can really trust our heroes and how human they really are. Each heroes you will know. Each heroes you will fear. Moore takes our world as it is, add some super powered people in it and makes you pray to God that this is not real. Every character is so well fleshed out you will feel that these are all people you have seen and heard about in the news. Trust me. It is a must read for all.








Honorable Mentions:


Here are some other storylines:


Invincible: The Viltrumite War - again, look at the review as to why.


Icon The Mothership Connection - Icon fulfilling his promise as to finding out what exactly happened during the Big Bang in the Milestone Universe. 


The Chaos Effect - Valiant's major crossover that really changed nearly every character in some way that helped create a wonderous event. 


Grant Morrison's Run on X-Men - Dear God, he changed the X-Men into such a great institution.


Grant Morrison's Run on Batman/Batman Inc. - Honestly, he brought us Damian Wayne, Dr. Hurt & Batman Inc. Please . . . Read them all. 


Justice League of America: The Tornado's Path - Brad Meltzer giving the most personal rebuildings of the League. A great character piece with good action. 


The Shadow War - The first crossover by Milestone which really gave great stories of the warring factions of the Star Chamber and Shadow Cabinet. 


Young Avengers 1 -12  - Marvel Finally having child sidekicks and building the next generation of Avengers . . . and doing it right. 


The Authority Volume 1 - The book that give us the big budget look and grand stories. 


GI JOE: World War 3 - GI Joe at war . . . and Cobra being nastier than its EVER been.


Peter David on X-Factor - Get every last issue of it . . . especially the current run. It is amazing, funny, full of emotion, action, mystery and intrigue.  

#10 - NEW WARRIORS: Starlost (vol. 1, #40 -42)

Welcome to another Comic Book Clash, where characters & comics duke it out for supremacy. And today . . . we continue our COSMIC TRIPLE THREAT with a look to the past. Last week, young Mark Grayson deals with war . . . with a planet being destroyed. Yes. A super hero destroys a planet and helps kill a majority of a race. How lonely.  This week . . . we look back in 1993 to the Heroes of the 90s . . . the New Warriors; Although this is before the reality tv show crap that ended up making them targets by Millar to kill some of my favorite character and watch them start Marvel’s Civil War!

So join us as young Rich Rider, Nova, gets the spotlight as an adventure in space alongside the Warriors as a fate of an almost dead species. Yay! Welcome to our review of  New Warriors #40-#42: Starlost.

TALE OF THE TAPE

            The New Warriors had the (un) fortunate beginnings as being formed under the manipulations of  Night Thrasher, a rich man who decided to get back at criminals since they killed his mommy and daddy to form his own super team with him leading them in some armor. And while Night Thrasher only wanted Nova, Marvel Boy(aka Justice) and Firestar . . . they formed with them plus Namorita and Speedball. The team fight all sorts of threats, including former Galactus Herald, Terrax; the rogue Inhumans called The Force of Nature; the power of the time manipulating Sphinx; the reality altering Proteus and the all powerful sorceress . .. maid, Tai.

            Wait. Why? Why are you laughing?

 Okay. I know it sounds weird but . . . take a small listen to this. This miserable hag decided to use Chord, a soldier who made a deal with her and have a baby with one of her daughters . . .actually had 2 kids with her that were Night Thrasher’s rival, Midnight’s Fire and Night Thrasher’s (then) girlfriend, Silhouette: in order to kill Night Thrasher’s parents and became of Night Thrasher’s guardian. They trained him and watched him grow up into the same psycho who took a then powerless Rich Rider and drop him off the top of an apartment building in Queens. Sure, it gets Rich Rider’s powers back but still . . . Thrasher was NOT sure it would work. But come to find out, Tai decided that she will help push Dwayne (aka Night Thrasher) to form the New Warriors in order to sacrifice them into the Well of Power, aka a mystical well of power over magic in the Marvel Universe. Oh hey . . . why hasn’t it been mentioned again . . .EVER?!

            Since that time, the team has battled all those previous threats mentioned with Nova being cheap among them. After the 25^th issue, Night Thrasher takes times off while Marvel Boy is in jail . . . for killing his secretly homosexual, jewish, physically abusive father. Sure it was self defense. Rage joined the team. Namorita became leader, got drunk after causing an international incident, have a one night stand with an enemy of Night Thrasher, who stole her phone book . . . with the names and address of all the Warriors and their families. That enemy leads a gang and attacks, kidnaps and even kills members of the Warriors families. Night Thrasher, alongside a boy who figures out Speedball’s identity, forces himself onto the team and leads the charge to defeat the gang, aka Poison Memories. Rage comes out and kills Namorita’s one night stand. She leads the team after making out with Nova, Night Thrasher leads again and Nova has been dating this one girl and we are now caught up to where we are.

CLASH FACTS

            First, before I even start on this . . . this was during the 90s. New Warriors #40 had a gimmick cover that is a bit harder with gold color where Nova’s costume has gold or yellow and the logo and everything else is black and white with art by Darick Robertson. I actually love it! Oh wow.  I know, right?

            We see Supernova still lost in the time stream as narrative tells us why and how he got there while he finds out that he thought he had all of the Nova Corps powers but no . . . Rich Rider has part of it left. And Supernova is MAD about it.

            Next, Speedball, Firestar and our hero in the cover, Nova, face off against Psionex member, Asylum. Asylum is mostly ghostly made of black clouds and if you are caught in it and it touches you, you will be faced with your worst fear. And Nova gets the trip this time around. We get to see in some interesting paneling that shows Rich’s fears of his family being killed by his enemies and him losing his powers. Firestar tosses Speedball in there and Speedball uses his kinetic bubbles to break Asylum . . . to the point that she . . . well, all that is left of her was her mask. Speedball asks if he killed her and Firestar reassured him that she didn’t. LOL. No Speedball . . . you are not responsible for being blood thirsty or a killer . . . yet. They check on Nova who yells at Speedball but quickly apologizes and files off. Firestar and Speedball watch him fly off as they see through their friend’s arrogance as Firestar points out:

            “. . . None of his arrogance can cover up the amount of responsibility he puts on his own shoulders.

            Speedball: Imagine if We expected as much out of him as he expects out of himself? Aneurysm time.

            Nova flies in his skies as he is upset at yelling at Speedball and all the recent events of his brother losing a finger to Poison Memories and Namorita kissing him then flying away. He keeps thinking of what to do til he ended up go to see his date, Laura Durham. They meet up and start making out . . . Namorita who right?

            They go for a walk . . . from where I am not sure . . . to a restaurant? Okay. Rich tells Laura about Namorita . . . without saying he’s Nova and she’s Namorita. Til Supernova arrives to be that ultimate douche. Nova gives Laura a business card with a number to call and tells her to say that “Rich needs help.” Laura asks why and what is going on and Rich says he can’t. And the number . . . 212 – MANHATTAN?! Wow. Good one. After a chuckle happy look at Rich changing into his Nova uniform, he confronts Supernova.

            Over in the space remains of what was once Xandar, machines start to work . . . one of them saying Cloning. Oh wow. And over in another star system, Air Walker is in pain . . . all cause Supernova is back in reality. Firelord checks on Air Walker and tells him that Xandar’s computer is up They decide to go to earth, sensing the Nova Corp energies are all back in this universe.

            Supernova talks very loudly and argues with Nova, starting a battle. They talk and Nova gets angry enough to throw a Nova Burst . . . his first since my very first comic book storyline I collected, New Warriors’ Forever Yesterday. After that, Nova is exhausted and Supernova stated that either he give his powers to him or Supernova will destroy the planets.

            Meanwhile, the Warriors are running out to their helicopter, with Warriors’ pilot Spocket yelling at Rage when Firelord and Air Walker arrive. Night Thrasher orders the Warriors to get ready to attack. Firelord says that they are not a threat and are here as Xandarians, which they were before they became Galactus’s waiters. They tell of Supernova and tell the Warriors that Nova is DEAD.

            Next issue opens with Nova laying in Laura’s arms with him having nothing on but some kinda of ripped shorts that were pants. Okay . . . Bit of a continuity era. Last we saw Nova . . . he was in his NOVA UNIFORM. *sigh*

            Next we open to a splash page of the Warriors with Firelord and Air Walker standing over Laura and the . . .dead Rich Rider. Air Walker then walks over with ease stating that all he has to do is give Rich a little of his power cosmic to revive him. Air Walker was about to reveal that Rich was Nova, although the whole Xandar energies seems to have went over Laura’s head. Rich revives and gets up. Laura asks what is going on and who are these people. Rich says he can’t. Honestly, I don’t blame Rich for this is just after the whole Poison Memories deal. The Warriors leave with the heralds leaving Laura alone to cry.

            Out in Shi’ar space, Supernova, now containing all the power of the Nova Corps, goes all kinds of crazy and starts . . . destroying starships. Supernova is corrupted by the power and states that since Shi’ar didn’t help Xandar when it was attacked by Nebula, he will make them pay; by killing them. Yes . . . restore Xandar’s honor . . .BY KILLING OTHER RACES. Yes, you are such a wonderful son of Xandar, Supernova.

            Speaking of Xandar . . . we see one of the computers working haiving a baby  . . . in a box. WHAT?!

            Back on Earth, Hindsight Lad, aka the guy who blackmailed Speedball onto the team, goes over all the data they have on Xandar. Speedball reminds him that they already know it cause it came from Rich. Hindsight Lad asks when do they leave but Night Thrasher quickly dashes that and begins to say that he’s not even a part of the team. Rich tells the heralds to excuse the verbal battling when Firelord assume him that they have seen such stuff with the Avengers and Fantastic Four. They look after the data and realize that they could get the Xandarian World Mine, the master computer that can help make Xandar live again if they can get Supernova give off all his energy to the worldmind. Yet Nova asks what about getting his powers back. Air Walker stated that Xandar’s resurrection may depend that Rich never gets his powers back.

            Small little interlude as Namorita goes to Atlantis to see Namor. Yet she is barred from the city. When she angrily protests, the Grand Vizer comes out to say that she is a clone and is sick. Before she yells, she collapses, the Grand Vizer stating that she is sick.

            Two days pas as the Warriors are on the Firelord and Air Walker’s ship. As they follow the trail of Supernova’s destructive path. They meet up with Supernova and the battle begins. Well, kinda. Rich suits up to start fighting but Thrasher states they need to get their most powerful member to get Supernova down to a planet so everyone else can fight.  Firelord says he is ready when Thrasher says it is not him. Air Walker states that Firelord is stronger than him and Thrasher says not him either. Suddenly we see Firestar out in space with a suit cause the space having electromagnetic currents feeds her microwave powers and she can cut loose. Supernova laughs at Firestar . . . only to be blasted by  her onto a planet. The Warriors and the two Heralds join Firestar on an assault against Supernova. While they fight, Firelord explains to Supernova while he may have the power of Xandar, their late Queen, Queen Adora had placed the Nova prime energies and soul within Rich.

            WAIT . . .Queen Adora . . . whoa, She-Ra has come up in the universe. She went from Princess to Queen. YAY!!!

            Since Firelord gives Supernova that pearl of wisdom, Supernova grabs rich and disappears to Xandar. Back in Xandar, the cloned baby is all grown up and Queen Adora lives again . . .WHAT?! And she says that in order for Xander to live again, Rich is gonna have to die. Wow . . . second time told that.

            Supernova holds Rich in his grasp as they arrive in Xandar. Supernova boasts about how they will bring Xandar back to its rightful glory. Rich asks how to bring back the dead and what they are doing is just crap. Rich says that Supernova will kill them both. Firestar uses her powers to help generate a new star gate to go after Supernova with the rest of the Warriors. Back to Supernova, Supernova gives all the Nova Powers to Rich . . . and . . . merge together . . .not merge together . . . merge together . . . not merge together . . .

            Rich, now completely engulfed in the Nova Corps energies and . .. well, starts to go a little crazy. Not Supernova crazy but a bit dialed down. Rich states on how much the power is tearing him apart. Back on earth, the former Marvel Boy is given early release and Namorita is seemingly mutating according to Atlantean scientists. Nova explodes with power . . . destroying the ship. The Warriors walk up on one of Xandar’s sphere with Queen Adora saying that she brought them in and that their space suit saved them. Queen Adora then proclaims that if Xandar is to live . . . Rich has to die.

            Firelord and Air Walker are fighting Rich, trying to get him to discharge the energies of the Nova Force into the Xandarian Worldmind in order for it to be resurrected. Yet, Rich wants to hold on to the power and knocks back Firelord and Air Walker: stating that he is too powerful. The Shi’ar arrive with an armada and the Imperial Guard. Rich takes on the Shi’ar as the Warriors get a new ship with Queen Adora, whose color scheme has changed since last issue’s appearance. The Warriors and Queen Adora disembarks . . . with the Queen being the only one . . . WITHOUT A SPACE SUIT. HUH?

            Okay, Adora appears and Rich is shocked. But who can blame him, since she died YEARS AGO. Adora tells Rich that she was brought back to life cause of a failsafe. And we then got Rich asking how do you expect him to do that . . .WHAT? Do what? Then Adora says he must relinquish the Nova Force while Thrasher reassures him that they will try to get Rich into a space suit as quickly as possible. Rich starts on that he needs the powers to live but then decides that he won’t be defined by his powers and releases all the energy into the Xandar Worldmind, reliving the once dead world’s computers and Worldmind. Rich wakes up 3 days later, with the Warriors welcoming him. Rich asks how he is alive and the World mind and Queen Adora explain that they gave him enough of the Nova Force to revive him. So . . .Rich has died . .. 3 times in this 3 issue story arc. WOW, Marvel, WOW. Adora and World Mind have given Rich the rank of First Centrion Prime , basically the leader of the Nova Corps which they will rebuild in time and Rich is one again Nova, ending the comic with a new version of his costume and standing proudly.

CLASH TACTICS

            Okay. Before we get into this, I’d like to clear something up. First, I started collecting comics because of the New Warriors. 20 years ago, I had picked up New Warriors # 11 and X-Factor #67 and collected all of Forever Yesterday storyline in New Warriors, then collected the entire first volume with happiness. I grew up with the members of the original run of Warriors: Nova, Justice (then Marvel Boy), Namorita, Firestar, Night Thrasher, Speedball, Silouette, Rage, Darkhawk, Dagger, Cloak, Bandit, Turbo, Powerpax, Hindsight Lad, Scarlet Spider, Helix, Timeslip . . . these characters were all a part of a great group of heroes that I respected and loved. Volume 2 happened and I collected. Volumes 3 and 4 happened and the group was sooooo different. But I always loved this original group of characters. With that said,  there may be cause for alarm cause I may be biased of the work.

            Allow me to make you feel better in saying that my love for the characters will NOT stop me from putting a hole in this or any other comic if there are things wrong. And let me tell you . . . there are some issues with Starlost.

            First the good. And honestly, the only real good here for Starlost is the Art. Darick Robertson, Brandon McKinney and Larry Mahlstedt did a great job with the art within the 3 part story. Darick’s pencils and breakdowns are so very well done, conveying the emotions and epic proportions of the story with ease. You can tell that Darick has a great amount of ease that he feels with this characters back then. Rich’s stubble. Firestar’s . . .  Speed Demon like costume. Speedball’s hair. Darick makes each character stand out and show emotion easily without words.

            Brandon McKinney helps finish the pencils that Darick started for the final part of Starlost and does a great job. Larry Mahstedt is one of the most underrated inkers in the business. His inks are what helped get Mark Bagley up to the superstar status he earned. His ink help really bring out the best of any artists he works with. Letting the shadows be right for something emotional or something sinister with very obvious differences. Supernova was as epic as he needed to be. And Darick and Larry certainly made sure of it.

            Another thing that I do not mention often but I really loved about the book was the panel work. The panels for most of the storyline were very much different in order to really give the story its outer space feel. Just in New Warriors # 40, part 1 of Starlost, we got some great panel work with the art to show that Supernova was indeed lost in the time stream. The panels really showed us the beauty of  Darick’s artwork while showing the character’s emotion. This was done again when Nova was dealing with his fears inside Asylum. Excellent and visually appealing panel work that was set the book apart from many others in Marvel at that time. Kudos to Darick, Brandon and Larry for their wonderful work.

            Which gets to my gripes. The coloring was exquisite for Joe Rosas . . . with a few continunity hiccups that editing missed. First, Supernova’s out . . . is it navy blue or purple. This happened a few times during the arc. Queen Adora is another. At the end of Starlost part 2, her color scheme changed between that and the last part of Starlost . . . with no explanation. And a few times, it seemed he wasn’t as inspired to color as vividly as he did in Starlost part one but over all, Joe Rosas did a great job.

            Finally, my biggest gripe about this would have to be the story. Well not necessarily the story as a whole but the mistakes and continuity foul ups during Starlost. Fabian Nicieza is a good writer . . .even a great writer. But Starlost has some mistakes that holds it down. First, was during the transition between Starlost part 1 to Starlost part 2. Why was Nova dressed in full uniform at the end of part 1 but then in nothing but ripped jeans at the beginning of part 2. Did Laura strip him? Did Rich’s clothes burn up when Supernova took his powers? Did Rich get attacked by fangirls on the way down? WE DON’T KNOW! And it makes NO Sense. And while the whole cloning thing is kinda crazy  . . . how does a clone know everything that the original Adora did? Can someone tell me that? Okay. I can dismiss that one. Then there is the constant fact that we keep hearing that Rich has to die. During the course of Starlost, we hear that at least five times during the story. We get it . . . Rich has to die in order for Xandar to live. Well, at least the comic did not disappoint . . . killing Rich at least twice during Starlost. The first time at the end of Starlost part 1 and the second after Rich gave up all of the Nova Force to the World mind. You might want to count him being reborn with the Nova force too but that was a confusing sequence. Honestly, at first I thought Supernova and Rich had merged into one being but in honesty, Rich had been filled with all of the Nova Force while we learned that Supernova survived . . . off screen.

            Come on Nicieza. You can do better than that. For God’s sake, you just came off a great pay off from the whole Poison Memories storyline that had a hero’s family attacked unlike any other I had seen at the time. There were elements of Starlost that just seemed rushed. The bad transition between parts 1 & 2. Then the whole  Adora thing when Rich asks how she is alive then she explains then goes right to him talking about something else completely and finally, the whole quick ending of Rich releasing the powers and World mind is up again. It just seemed like Nicieza had more to tell with Starlost but it was cut.

            Nicieza is by no means a bad writer. Especially when it came to these characters who he had spent nearly 5 years with. He knows them well and Starlost was the vehicle that set up the new Nova ongoing (volume 2) back in 1993. The character development of the cast of the book was very solid over all. No one did seem to act differently. And Rich, being the main star of this tale, was given such good development and advancement of himself as a person and as a hero. The rest of the Warriors seemingly had bit parts but at the same time, they were not overshadowed by Firelord or Air Walker. The story itself was good if you look at the over picture of where it wanted to go.

            The fact that Nicieza gave a legitimate reason for Rich not to give Laura his identity and talking about him having feelings for someone else was refreshing. Whatever dialogue we got from the Warriors, we got a good grasp of their personalities. The scope of the story matched well to Rich’s history and how the group dealt with being in space was interesting.

            Overall, I had picked this story cause of the fact that last week was a war and the destruction of a planet. This was a story about the resurrection of a planet and a civilation. And since both Nova and Invincible are both around the same age during time of stories, it seemed to work very well for comparison.

   Yet, looking at both stories, Starlost had so much potential that was taken down thanks to continuity mistakes and not enough time to tell the story as it was meant to be. Nicieza does great with characterization but transitions were lousy during the story. Yet, the art was spectacular with great panel work and wonderful visuals. The coloring was inconsistent but still enjoyable.

So Comic Book Clash is gonna give New Warriors: Starlost, an X Division Contendship ranking. It was a good story and had lots of potential but had too many small continunity gaps and missing parts of story that could very well make this a World Heavyweight Contender.

Next Week: Our Cosmic Triple Threat ends with a trip to DC and . . . nah, that would be telling.