Kamen America, vol. 3
Writer: Mark Pellegrini
Artist: Timothy Lim
(Iconic Comics, Superhero)
The young ladies who make up the Kamen Corps are just as adorable - and layered! - as ever in this, the third entry in the crowdfunded Kamen America series. Once again, Pellegrini and Lim demonstrate that they are consummate pros when it comes to delivering a product that is both entertaining and of high quality. I didn’t feel quite the same emotional punch with this book as I did with volume 2 (see my first column for Tightbeam), but there is still much here to inspire my happy recommendation, including a twist in the final pages that will make you want to read the first three volumes again — and an on-point-yet-subtle commentary on the chaos envy can wreak in many female relationships. PS: My own prediction regarding Carly’s rival turned out to be 100% accurate. Go me! ★★★★
Flying Sparks, vol. 1
Writer: Jon Del Arroz
Artist: Jethro Morales
(Amazon, Superhero)
Yes, I know: I’m incredibly late on this one — and I regret that because the concept that animates this book is a super fun spin on a classic trope. I’ve always been a big fan of what some on the net term “identity porn.” I love, for example, all those scenes in my classic Marvel comics in which some other Avenger openly praises or longs for Tony Stark’s engineering expertise while Iron Man is standing right there. Well, in Flying Sparks, Del Arroz takes the identity porn to a whole new - and delicious - level. You see, in their ordinary lives, Johnny and Chloe are boyfriend and girlfriend — but in their secret lives, they are, respectively, a budding supervillain and a budding superhero. The irony this sets up as we jump between competing narratives definitely makes for an excellent read. ★★★★
Stillwater, vol. 1
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Ramon Perez
(Image Comics, Fantasy — Real World Setting)
As you may have noticed, Zdarsky is a writer I trust and like, so when I saw this series up for sale, I didn’t hesitate to pick it up. The eponymous town in this book is one in which, thanks to a mysterious event years ago, no one ever ages and no one ever dies. To protect the secret of Stillwater, the town judge has locked the place down and barred any of its residents from leaving — or communicating with outside friends and family. But not everyone is happy with this state of affairs; some are chafing under the judge’s tyrannical rule and are assembling to challenge his authority so that they may live ordinary lives. It’s an interesting premise - particularly in this day and age - because it highlights the tension that always exists between a population’s security and its liberty. The first issues here haven’t really gotten to the meat of the story just yet, but I absolutely see its potential and will be following this series in the future. ★★★ 1/2
Wrath, #1-2
Writer: Scott Kysh
Artists: Emi Utrera & Drew Smith
(Wikid Publishing, Fantasy — Real World Setting)
The main character of this new crowdfunded comic is a survivor of childhood abuse who learns that his anger at his biological father can escape his body and take physical form in the real world. The story has only just begun, so I don’t know yet where the author intends to take this idea. However, I’m intrigued already that the protagonist does not have perfect control over his spirit monster — and that he seems to get a possibly corrupting rush from using his new ability. This could be a really strong exploration of the negative impacts of unprocessed trauma depending on what happens next. As with Stillwater above, there is potential here, and I’m genuinely eager to buy the next issue. I just hope I don’t have too long to wait! ★★★ 1/2 .
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