Anyway, I used to do a blog where every week I'd talk about comics specifically. I abandoned it because it wasn't feasible for me to do on a weekly basis (read: I'm lazy). However, I've decided to do something similar to that with MOMENTS OF THE WEEK!, wherein I look at the comics I've bought this week and talk about the parts of them I liked and felt like highlighting. Will this be a regular thing? Probably not, but we'll see. Without further adieu, here's this weeks best moments!
Meet the Parents
Saga #7
Saga's back and still the best comic on the stands. Issue seven picks up where the last one left off: Marko, Alana, and baby Hazel are on a rocketship that's also a tree and their ghost babysitter has been banished by the sudden arrival of Marko's mystical parents. Writing that sentence alone makes me love this series even more. In this issue, Marko teleports to the nearest planet that Isabel was banished to, with his mother in pursuit, leaving his wife, his daughter, and his father alone in one same place. That's a conversation that did not disappoint, with Alana's bitter snark bouncing off Barr's legitimate concern for his granddaughter. It's awkward, it's grounded, it has a sudden surprising twist ending; it's Saga. And I'm glad it's back.
Demon Knights #14
When we last left our heroes, they were in Hell, in their own individual torments, so really there was no place to go but up. And although Vandal Savage got the best line in the book again ("These are my children. Would please kill them?"), the real big moment went to Shining Knight.
In the pre-New 52 continuity, in the before time, in the long long ago, Shining Knight was a survivor from the Celtic version of Camelot, a woman who posed as a man to squire for Sir Galahad and became an accomplished knight in her own right. In Demon Knights, the gender thing is toyed with; Sir Ystin identifies herself as a man, the other characters see through her claim, but humor her ("The Celts have odd ways. Nod and smile.") The matter is settled when Exoristos, the exiled Amazon warrior, asks Sir Ystin to live with her. Shining Knight responds with this:
"I think you like one...aspect of who I am. But I'm the other, too. I was born this way. I've kept saying whenever anyone asks. I'm not just a man or a woman. I'm both. Is that alright with you?"
So...yeah...that's a trait of a lead character in a mainstream American comic book, published by one of (if not the) most prolific company in the industry. Then again, I suppose we should expect as much from writer Paul Cornell, who earlier in the same series depicted the greatest kingdom in the land as ruled by two princesses (yes, in that way). Still, I never thought I'd see that kind of character in a comic book AND see it done well, so kudos to Cornell for writing and kudos to DC for having the guts to publish it.
Creepy Clown Time
Batman #14
After showing everyone how it's done in the Court of Owls story arc, Batman's creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo tackle the Dark Knight's most prolific foe: the Joker. How do they do it? By writing the scariest Clown Prince of Crime in Batman history. They may just end up succeeding by journey's end.
This is a Joker that is truly capable of anything; not just in the sense of he's insane enough to come up with any plan, but smart enough to make it work and driven enough to see it through. In his first faceoff with Batman (heh heh, it's funny cause he had his face cut off), the Joker explains his plan: he believes Batman's gone soft, and blames this on his supporting cast, so he's gonna kill them, after making this bone-chilling statement:
"So let's cue the music and the lights and -- ahem, ahem -- I'll clear my throat and speak as loudly as I can. I'm even going to say it so your little Bat-family can hear it, too -- over the police wire. So are you there? Are you listening, little Bat-kiddies? Good...
...BECAUSE I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!"
The Joker is about to make it personal. He's already hit Commissioner Gordon and captured and tortured Alfred, and the rest of the Gotham Knights are next on his list. Oh yes, there will be blood, and I, for one, am looking forward to it.
So what did you think about this weeks comics? Did you read any comics this week? Post your thoughts and comments here, or anywhere really, just so long as you're engaged. Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!
