MFR Newsletter 7/24/20 - "You can observe a lot by just watching."
I would buy a book of Yogi Berra quotes.
Happy Friday, comics fans! EIC Anthony here once again, which means that we have collectively made it through yet another week.
Opening Day is this week, and since myself, MFR publisher Matt Sardo, and Spider-Man himself are all massive Mets fans, let me start off this newsletter by saying LET’S GO METS! And of course, everyone please be safe while enjoying the games, practice social distancing, wear a mask, etc. #LFGM
Spider-Man has such a cool relationship with the Mets, too. He’s obviously canonically a fan in the comics and the movies — he’s a Queens boy, after all — but in real life, Stan Lee officiated Spidey’s wedding at Shea Stadium in 1987. Seriously, look it up if this is news to you. Marvel actually held a live performance at Shea Stadium to promote the upcoming wedding issue of Amazing Spider-Man. How wild is that? I don’t think we’ll ever see that kind of promotion for a comic book again.
If I can switch gears real quick, before moving on to this week’s articles, I just want to acknowledge that Monkeys Fighting Robots is putting a hold on all coverage of Dynamite Comics. You can read our full statement here, but in short, Dynamite aligned itself with Comicsgate, and we won’t support publishers that enable a hate group. We’ll focus our energy on helping grow Comics in a positive direction, one that is inclusive and open for all. And thank you to all of the creators and retailers who have taken a stand and called out CG for what it is. I’m reminded of Jon Stewart’s closing words from his final episode of THE DAILY SHOW, so if I may, I’ll leave you with them:
“The best defense against the bullsh*t is vigilance. So if you smell something, say something.”
REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN: False Supermen and Jesus Christ
Really cool editorial this week from Zac Owens on the biblical influences in REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN. Everyone talks about Superman as a Christ figure, but I love how Zac opted to take a look at the four Supermen instead.
Review: Prehistoric Tribal Intrigue In THE WOLF AND THE CROW #1
Reviewer Gabe Hernandez covers a new Action Lab: Danger Zone series written by Dan Gordon and illustrated by Ismáel Hernandez.
In a brutal, unforgiving environment, the Lotari tribe face a daily struggle just to survive. Now, weakened by savage predators, hunger, and threats of mutiny, the Lotari tribe face their biggest threat yet: a supernatural evil that has been stalking them, hungry for blood. The tribe must now fight together or die alone!
Review: BIG GIRLS #1 Is A Colossal Good Time
Jason Howard is one of the best action artists I’ve come across. His work is so visceral and fast-paced. The way his stuff flows from panel to panel is insane. In fact, I need to amend what I said. Howard isn’t just one of the best action artists I’ve come across; he’s one of the best visual storytellers I’ve come across, period. I’m hyped to see him working on his own thing as both writer and artist. Reviewer Justin Munday takes an early look at BIG GIRLS #1, out next month.
THE SENTRY: REBORN and Perfecting Surprise Reveals
David Weber looks back at THE SENTRY: REBORN from 2005 and the tactics Paul Jenkins and John Romita Jr. used to surprise and impact their readers.
Review: MIDDLEWEST #18 Wraps Up A Beautiful Fantasy Series
MIDDLEWEST came to an end this week, so I just want to say a big congratulations to Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos. I’ve loved every issue of this adventure. Corey Patterson reviews the final issue.
What I’m Currently Reading
I feel like this section has gotten away from me a bit. I originally added it here to talk about works that might have flown under your radar, and to highlight small press or self-published books. Somehow last week I ended up talking about BOB’S BURGERS and Grant Morrison & Richard Case’s iconic DOOM PATROL. So I’m going to try and refocus this part of the newsletter to fulfill my original mission, and maybe occasionally I'll briefly mention older or more popular comics/movies/TV that I’m only just discovering. So, with that said…
CANOPUS is a new 4-issue miniseries by writer/artist Dave Chisholm and published by Scout Comics. The story opens as Dr. Helen Sterling wakes up on a desolate planet orbiting the star Canopus, 309.8 light years from Earth. She can’t remember who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that the lives of every living thing back home depend on her return.
This series never goes the way you think it will. The story is full of twists and turns, and every time you start to think you know what’s going on, you quickly realize that you truly have no idea. If you dig high-concept, trippy, introspective science fiction à la 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, then CANOPUS needs to be in your read pile. I hesitate to give away any additional plot details, because I knew nothing going into the first issue, and I think that’s how you should experience it too.
But I can talk all day about Chisholm’s cartooning without spoiling a thing. It’s something to behold. There are elements of Declan Shalvey in the character designs, and elements of Ryan Browne in the action, but it all combines into something fresh and beautiful. Chisholm’s sense of movement and perspective is masterful, and the whole comic has this texture thanks to the detailed inking and soft colors. If Scout wasn’t putting this out, I could easily see this as something Fantagraphics would publish.
So yea, pick up CANOPUS. I believe the fourth and final issue came out this week.
On the movie front, I watched PALM SPRINGS on Hulu off the recommendation of comics writer and fellow reviewer-of-things David Pepose. It’s a spin on the GROUNDHOG DAY “reliving the same day over and over” formula, and I found it delightful. Good characters, good laughs, lots of feels. Check it out if you have Hulu.
COMIC STRIP • TALES OF MFR #63
More of Dr. Sarah Delaney in this week’s TALES OF MFR #63! I’m a little obsessed with Jamie’s coloring in this strip.
Catch up on the series here: TALES OF MFR
The war between monkeys and robots has raged on for eons; these are the stories that have survived. With art by Jamie Jones and the occasional words by Matt Sardo, Tales of MFR hits the web every Sunday.
For more reviews, interviews, and “Legends of the Longbox”, head over to the website to see what the team’s been working on this week:
That’s all for now! Remember: Darkseid is… but so are we.
Until next week,
Anthony Composto
@The_Great_Ace
@monkeys_robots
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