Assorted Crisis Events #8
Reality may be in turmoil, but you still have to clock in. From time displacement to alternate reality incursions, the world of Assorted Crisis Events is chaotic, to say the least. That’s what makes this series so great. In a time where we have access to all the world’s information in the palm of our hands, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Some days it feels like the world is ending in a million different ways. This book puts that feeling on the page in a spectacularly sordid fashion, laying out anthology tales from this cursed timeline and the unfortunate souls stuck living in it.
This month we’re treated to the sad and curious account of a man who’s fallen into the gutter in more ways than one. This story will break your heart as easily as it does the medium of comics. The layout and structure of this issue stand out in a series that’s already toyed with the rules of comics in clever and exciting ways. It feels less like reading a book than it does opening a portal to another dimension (par for the course in this series). The only book I’ve read that might out-meta this one is Monkey Meat by Juni Ba.
Don’t get me wrong — fourth wall breaking is nothing new to comics. From The Sensational She-Hulk to Squirrel Girl, all the way back to Plastic Man in 1941. That said, there are levels to fourth wall breaks. Comedic ones are commonplace enough and charming when done right, but a fourth wall break that ties itself to the story’s theme is something else. This issue doesn’t use the fourth wall for simple goofs, but to ask a pertinent question.
What happens to invisible people?
Because there are invisible folks in our society — the ones we as a collective have made a silent pact to ignore. That’s who our protagonist is in this issue: an invisible man, imperceptible as anything other than a cautionary tale and the occasional punching bag. But our protagonist, Wally, wasn’t always invisible. He was once like you and I. So listen to his tale, and maybe you’ll see that the gutter isn’t so far from you or me.
DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam #1
Lock in, bro! ’Cause it’s a grand slam of multiversal proportions. DC K.O. expands to the cosmos in this astonishing one-shot tie-in. While our heroes on Earth have been battling for the heart of Apocalypse, Green Lantern Kyle Rayner has been keeping Darkseid’s Parademon army off Earth’s doorstep. That is, until he falls into a boom tube.
Transported through space, Rayner finds himself thrust into the multiverse’s premier wrestling federation, WAM (Wrestling Across the Multiverse). Now stranded on the Hub and careening outside of time and space, Green Lantern must find a way off this interdimensional wrestling headquarters and back to Earth before it’s too late.
Luckily for Green Lantern, he’s not alone. Reigning WAM champion Omega Bam-Man is here for the tag-team-up of the ages! This is Omega Bam-Man’s story, and Kyle Rayner is just along for the ride. The two make quite the team, and their dynamic is light and fun. Omega Bam-Man even tells Kyle his epic origin and what inspired him to become the greatest wrestler in the universe.
Writer Jeremy Adams keeps it over the top and lighthearted, imbuing the story with all the camp of a real wrestling match. The jokes are cheesy, and every reveal gets a larger-than-life reaction, making this issue the goofiest entry of DC K.O. yet. It’s complemented by artists Cian Tormey and Pat Boutin’s kinetic, action-packed art. Every wrestler is buff beyond belief, and Omega Bam-Man feels and looks like a character ripped from the ’90s (in a good way). Colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. makes the issue pop with vibrant shades perfect for the loud personalities of Omega Bam-Man and his fellow wrestlers.
This 48-page, action-packed spectacular is perfect for wrestling and Green Lantern fans alike. Full of humor, heart and hope, it’s the perfect addition to DC K.O. Don’t sleep on this one!
X-Force returns in an exciting new series that’s full of surprises!
Cable’s mission in the past (our future, his past, right?) goes awry, and he has to rebuild the only team that can protect the future. He needs X-Force! Boom Boom, Hellverine and Angel round out the ranks of this new incarnation. Their mission, protect the first mutant president from ending up like Abraham Lincoln.
In terms of story, Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Grayson) wastes no time setting up the stakes, with X-Force springing into action. Character motivations make sense, even if the recruiting process is a bit expedited. The characters’ rapport is fun as well. Boom Boom and Hellverine are sure to cause a stir down the line. Angel seems annoyed to be here, but it beats going back to the stuffy corporate boardroom where Cable found him. The story balances comedy with its serious tone well, making for a gritty story that doesn’t come off too grimdark.
Artist Michael Sta. Maria elevates this issue with crisp line work and cross-hatching that adds a layer of grit, perfect for the most ruthless X-team there is.
All in all, this is a great first issue that has me excited to see where the story goes. Expect a lot of surprise appearances from X-Force members old and new, and a mystery that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
I've worked at Dr No's for just less than a year and I've been patronizing them for half my life. I like comics, video games, music and sometimes sports.
I’m a GSU graduate, veteran sandwich artist, and aspiring writer. Ask me about the X-Men or my anime car sometime.
I think all comics are good they're human expression, dreams put to a page through days, months and years of dedication. They're windows into other worlds, aspirations of all we can be, warnings of what we may become and everything in between. Above all I think comics can help us understand the things we often don't consider.
That's what I want these reviews to do, help folks understand maybe even appreciate something they haven't seen before, but yea lemme wrap this up I got books to file. Happy reading!
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