Tommy Gun Wizards (changed to Machine Gun Wizards for the final issue, not sure why) #1-4 by Christian Ward and Sami Kivela, from Dark Horse Books



so Prohibition era story featuring the Untouchables led by Elliot Ness against Capone, but the contraband substance isn't alcohol, but a substance called Lick that grants the user magical abilities. Sounds crazy, but it was a fun read, almost like a crazy tabletop rpg come to life. This was Ward's debut as a writer (he's an amazing artist and does the art on G. Willow Wilson's Invisible Kingdom which is one of my favorite current books), and it' a solid effort. He tells a fast moving well paced action story with fun characters (none of them get much depth or development in the four short issues, but it is an action story not a character drama so that's not necessarily a criticism), but there is a lot of rich world building and the conceit behind the source of magic (further developed in a short back up feature in the first 3 issues that dovetails into the conclusion in issue 4) is unique and for me sheer ballsy genius (the name Lick gives a huge clue to it). I also really like the way magic is used and depicted artistically in the story, there are some really clever uses/ideas of/about magic in here as well (and some easter egg nods to other comics such as a fire using wizard gangster named Matches Malone) I don't think this one will make any future favorites list, but it was one hella fun read, and if they do a follow up series, I would be on board.

-M

Discovered this book through Goodreads recommendations based on other stuff I read and borrowed a copy of the trade through Hoopla...



Elena Abbott is a crusading reporter in Detroit circa 1972, but her investigations draw her into a series of occult murders which have ties to her past and destiny. Written by Saldin Ahmed, who has been nominated for both an Eisner and a Hugo, with gorgeous art by Sami Kivela, who is a superb visual storyteller.

Here's a couple of sample pages from Kivela...








The story starts out as a hardnosed tales of investigative journalism set in '72 Detroit replete with racial tensions and Abbot taking flack for a story she published spotlighting police brutality and the beating death of a 14 year old black boy by the police, but we slowly learn of her past and her deceased husband who was an African mystic as she gets assigned to cover/investigate a series of brutal murders, which have occult overtones that she discovers. It transforms into an occult detective story of sorts, as Elena discovers her destiny and what her former husband was trying to teach her and protect her from. There are plenty of plot twists and lots of likable characters in the supporting cast as well as Elena Abbott herself, and it does capture the zeitgeist of the early 70s fairly well, but as will most goof genre literature still has something to say about the world around us as well.

-M

From the Marvel side:

Doctor Strange: Surgeon Supreme - Not terrible, but nothing special... I liked the book, I think 2 volumes ago, that focused on Strange bringing magic back, with Zelda as his new sidekick. I think the 'surgeon' parts will get old and boring fast, there's only so many jokes to use there. Not something I'd pay full price for again.

Strange Academy - It's too bad the industry can't really sustain anything new, and this is surely destined to end in a few issues, it's really good. I do like Zelda alot, so having her back was a pleasant surprise.. this feels like what they were trying to do a few years back with Wolverine and the X-Men, only with magic users, and it totally works. Ramos' art isn't always the right choice, but it is here for sure. Not sure I'll see future issues, (or if they'll even happen.. the release date for #3 is 9/30) but if I do, I'll get'em.

Thor - I really just haven't read anything by Cates somehow (I know he's been with Marvel a while now)...this was fine, but nothing that got me excited. I feel like Aaron's run should have put the character away for a while... even a story with Galactus and the end of the universe (which I don't really need Thor part of, by the way) isn't going to out-epic it. At least it sorta builds on that. Pass.

I remember seeing that.. I think one of the Alterna comics creators did a cover for an issue or something... sounds like it could be interesting, or it could be a political essay in comic form... something I might check out on Hoopla if it turns up there.


Going into the DC grab back I got... mostly Bendis Superman (which I'm excited to check out because I'm a glutton for punishment).

Also got 4 issues of 'The Immortal Men' 6 issue mini.    Read the 1st 2 last night, perhaps it would be better if I had any idea about the event that preceded it, but to me if feels like a bad 90s image comic... very little character development, very standard plot, and pretty uninspired character designed.    I'm not sure I'll even bother with the other 2, they may just go into the donation pile.

Finishing my grab bag:

Action Comics 1001 - 1003 : This was a good story, but it felt more like a Spider-Man story that got re-purposed. Bendis did I nice job of mixing in his own Daily Planet people with the regulars. I'm mildly interested to see what happens next, even if I miss Lois and Jon alot.

Superman 2- 3 : Meh... I get it... trying to do a BIG story to contrast the more character centered stuff in Action, but seems like just another generic bad guy.

Tried to pick up Billionaire Island at my LCBS the other day put couldn’t find it under M, thinking it was millionaire. Doh!