Short Lived Comic Series #10 - First Comics' Meta-4

I picked up this series for several reasons - first, I came to know Stefan Petrucha as a comic book writer when her wrote the Nancy Drew graphic novels for Papercutz and had the pleasure of meeting him when we were both on a panel at New York Comic Con; so, I know he writes some great stories.  Second, I loved quite a few of the comic books that First Comics published back in the day, so I figured if First put it out, there was a good chance it would be good.  Finally, the art on the covers is absolutely fantastic.  With all three of these things going for it, I just couldn't pass it up.

What I didn't realize, though, was that the book was published right as First Comics was getting ready to end its publishing era, and so the series only lasted three issues.  Thus, just as I was getting into the story, getting to know the character - BOOM - that's the end (and although the letter column at the end of the third issue said the series would be back with a mini-series, that never happened, since First Comics closed its doors not too long after that third issue was released).  So, Meta-4 (not to be confused with the Meta-4 comic published by Image Comics in 2010) was yet another short-lived comic that never got to truly come into its own...

It turns out that Meta-4 is somewhat similar to Comico's Elementals (which featured a team of four individuals - two men and two women - who harnessed the powers of the four elements) published back in 1984 and Continuity's Urth-4 (which also featured a team of four individuals - three men and one woman, who harnessed the powers of the four elements) published back in 1989. See a theme here? So, I was curious to see how Petrucha would take this concept in a different direction - - or whether it would simply be another rehash of an already existing idea, since Meta-4 saw publication in 1991, after the two previous comic series about earth elementals.  Perhaps he got his idea from the other two comics, I'm not sure - but I am sure that his story took this concept in an entirely different direction!

Emily Cayce, Allis Krafe, Craig Fallow, and Dirk Penderwhistle (gotta love the names!) are the four individuals who are gifted with the powers of the elements.  Emily, Allis, and Craig are college students, while Dirk is a drug addict and criminal. The powers they discovery they have are alien in nature, and, of course, the government wants to know (i.e., control!) them.  The series opens with all four young adults waking from a coma they have been in for the past three years, to discover that they are being watched by scientists and the government.  Each of them has experienced some weird dreams, but it turns out those dreams were precursors to the powers that they possess!  Emily (water) is able to control the "fluid forces" that exist within crystal; Allis (fire) is able to use energy of any sort; Craig (earth) is able to assume the form of any terrain that he is near; and Dirk (air) is able to manipulate electrical and mechanical paths.

The three-issue series not only provides readers with the origin of the group's powers, it also gives readers a really good lock into the psyche of each of the characters (including the government men and the scientists studying the team).  These characters are more than just typical, cardboard cutout stereotypes.  They are unique, interesting, and quite frankly, fun to read.  And lest you think the series is all cerebral - there are plenty of action sequences as the four elementals learn more about themselves and their newfound powers and fight to escape their captivity by the government. Petrucha inserts plenty of subplots that would have led to a number of great stories (had the series continued), and the third issue ends with a cliffhanger worthy of any nighttime soap of the '80s!  Sadly, because First went defunct, the promised follow-up mini-series never happened, so readers have never been able to learn just what became of the Meta-4...

Gibson's art reminds me a bit of Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel's art from First Comics' Mars series.  It is not refined (such as George Perez or Jerry Ordway), but it has its own style that fits the story.  In some instances, the faces and expressions are exaggerated almost to the point of caricature, but surprisingly enough, it works.  The story is offbeat, and so the characters and art should be as well.  Petrucha's writing and Gibson's art mesh nicely to give readers the constantly off-kilter feel that the four main characters are likely experiencing as they wake up from their coma (so that the readers have the same feelings as the characters).  Nicely done!

Wish there had been more - perhaps one day Petrucha and Gibson will team-up again and complete the tale?

RATING:  8 strangers dressed up in french-fry outfits out of 10 for a quirky, unique, and definitely one-of-a-kind comic series that was well worth the read!

The Third Goth Girl Novel - Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright

Goth Girl is one of those guilty pleasures that you can't help but enjoy, regardless of the fact it is a children's series intended for young readers.  While it may be over 200 pages in length, with full page illustrations pretty nearly every other page, a few two-page spread illustrations, and other illustrations spattered throughout, the actual story itself is likely only 100 pages or less. Regardless, they are fun tales with a perky little protagonist (Ada Goth) who stumbles onto mysteries within her unusual and weird homestead that she must solve with the help of her friends (the "Attic Club"). But, there is something else that brings a smile to my face with each book that I read:

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne (the Vicarage sisters)
Sir Walter Splott
Plain Austen
William Timepiece Thackeray
Georgie Eliot
Homily Dickinson
Hands Christmas Andersen
Countess Pippi Shortstocking

I'm sure, just by reading those names, you are either (a) grinning, (b) groaning, (c) rolling your eyes, and/or (d) all of the above! For me, though, it is the author's twist on the literary giants that give these books part of their charm. Author Chris Riddell (who also provides all of the illustrations throughout the book) has taken the timeless concept of a young girl with only one parent who loves to solve mysteries and given it a unique spin.  The stories are humorous, poke fun at stereotypes, and manage to weave some pretty intricate little mysteries into such a short amount of story. I'd say that makes for one very talented writer!

This time around, Ada's father, the Lord Goth, has agreed to play host at his estate to the Ghastly-Gorm Hall literary dog show. World-famous authors (whose names have been tampered with to protect the originals!) gather together at Ghastly-Gorm Hall to show off their precious canines in a show to top all dog shows. At the same time, Ada's best friend, Emily Cabbage, and her chameleon brother, William (and yes, he really does have the ability to blend in with his surroundings) come for a visit during their school break, bringing with them some friends of theirs. Before you can say, "Good dog," there's a mystery that Ada and her friends must solve.

Strange howls in the night are scaring Ruby Kipling (the maid), and mysterious prints in the snow that start out human and end in paw prints have Ada and her friends stumped. Plus, the three seemingly trained monkeys that are helping Emily and William's father with his creation of his "Cogwheel Brain" seem to be going in and out of the library quite a bit.  Throw in a cheating butler, a free-spirited bully, and the looming threat of having her friends and their father kicked out of the house, and you've got a fun-filled supernatural tale of ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and things that go bump in the night! What could be more Gothic than that?

Riddell keeps a good pacing with the story, he continues to develop the characters by building on prior books and the experiences therein, but at the same time, any of these books are easily readable o their own.  This is a series I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a break away from the serious and dark mysteries that mirror the state of today's world - and find some escape in a gloomy castle filled with all kinds of stories, creatures, and settings that will make you smile and sometimes even laugh out loud!

RATING:  10 stealthily stolen Christmas baubles out of 10 for keeping it fun, lighthearted, and enjoyable!

The Third Veronica Speedwell Mystery - A Treacherous Curse

I am thoroughly enjoying Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series. Not only is the title character a strong-willed, sarcastic, independent woman in the 19th century, but she is dedicated, loyal, and determined when it comes to solving a mystery. I also enjoy the soap opera elements of the series, with the slowly-budding relationship between Veronica and Stoker, as well as the gradual revelation of secrets about not only Stoker's past, but also Veronica's own royal connections.  Raybourn is creating a very believable world of characters and places, which makes for an enjoyable get-a-way when one sits down with her books.

A Treacherous Curse drops a new mystery in their lap by way of The Daily Harbinger, the local news rag that Veronica enjoys perusing. It seems an Egyptian expedition by the Tivertons has ended early, with the Tivertons returning to London with their finds much earlier than expected, all due to the curse of a long-dead princess.  Of course, neither Stoker nor Veronica believe in curses, but something definitely strange is going on - the excavation director has died, a priceless artifact has gone missing, and the Tivertons' photographer in the expedition has disappeared, leaving his wife in a frantic state. Veronica would have simply moved on after reading the story if it weren't for two small facts - the photographer who disappeared, John de Morgan, was a close friend of Stoker's back in the day, and the wife Mr. de Morgan left behind happens to be Stoker's ex-wife!

Yes, readers finally learn all they need to know in this mystery about Caroline, that elusive woman whose name Stoker inadvertently spoke while being intimate with Veronica.  Raybourn has been teasing readers for the past two books about Stoker's past, but in this book, we finally get the payoff, as the truth behind Stoker's relationship with Caroline, his failed marriage, and the real reasons she left him are brought to light - and, as with any good mystery, not everything is what it seems.  For instance, from all appearances, John de Morgan stole the jeweled diadem, ran back home with his wife, but disappeared before they reached London. His wife, Caroline, claims they took separate rooms at an inn, and when she went to find him the next morning, not only was he missing, but his room was decorated completely different, as if he had never been there! The police can no longer question her, as she has become hysterical and out of sorts. 

Surprisingly, Veronica and Stoker are brought into the investigation by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of the Special Branch, who has developed a begrudging respect for the detecting pair. It seems he has word that Stoker's past with de Morgan is about to be brought to light, so it is in his best interest to solve the case quickly.   The investigation seems to be thwarted at every turn, as Veronica and Stoker interrogate Mr. Tiverton, his wife, his daughter Figgy from his first marriage, his assistant Patrick Fairbrother, his former partner Horus Stihl, Horus's son Henry, and ultimately Stoker's ex-wife Caroline de Morgan (which is quite the fun read, for Veronica does not hold back her snippy comments from the woman!). No one is who they truly seem to be (which is not a surprise in a good mystery story), and while I admit that I pegged at least one of the people involved in the whole thing, I was surprised by what really happened to John de Morgan, and the final confrontation was anything but expected!

Raybourn interjects plenty of humor into her books - and let's face it, Veronica's quick wit, biting sarcasm, and unwillingness to be anyone but who she is (no matter what others may think!) is probably the main reasons why I love the character so much. A cross between Nancy Drew and the Vancome Lady - the perfect detective! And, c'mon, let's face it - any author who can open her book with her protagonist from the 19th century going through a crate filled with an array of phalluses definitely knows how to set the tone for her stories.  I am now waiting anxiously for the fourth book to come out in paperback and hope, beyond hope, that there will be a fifth book and more beyond that!

RATING:  10 coiled papier mache snakes out of 10 for humor, danger, mystery, and sarcasm all rolled into one, making this book a perfect read!

Mad Dogs - an Eclipse Comics mini-series

I picked up this three-issue mini-series recently for two reasons: (1) back in the day Eclipse Comics put out some pretty good titles (after all, they were the first ones to publish Ms. Tree); and (2) it is written by Chuck Dixon, who has written some great comics over the years (including Evangeline and the initial Birds of Prey stories for DC). Therefore, I figured this had to have two things going for it right off the bat!  Plus, it was only three issues, at less than $2 per issue, so I figured even if it weren't the greatest comic ever written, I wouldn't be out much money. Now, having read it, I'd have to say I'm on the fence...

Mad Dogs is the tale of former police officers (and one former sheriff) who no longer serve due to their inability to adhere to the rules, their brutality, their fatal tactics, and their refusal to place procedure above justice. They have tried to settle into civilian life as much as possible, but when an Assistant District Attorney comes to Guy Brennan and offers him a chance to create a team of covert operatives that would operate outside the standard police force in an effort to clean up the city, Brennan jumps at the chance – as do the men and one woman that he chooses as a part of his “mad dog” team.

While the covers are full color, the interior pages are black and white, which probably works better for this story of urban violence and corruption.  The art, by Victor Toppi, is in a lot of places a bit rough, and his faces sometimes come across rather cartoonish and comical.  At this point in his career, he was clearly not proficient with facial expressions. I am unfamiliar with Toppi, and don’t believe I have ever seen any work by him before or after this series.  Yet, despite his less-than-stellar faces, he does a pretty good job with the backgrounds and shadows, which set the mood for the story more often than not.

Dixon’s story focuses on the team trying to take down a drug dealer who is working overtime to take over the entire trade in the area, creating turf wars and fights with the local mobsters. The entire first issue is devoted to Brennan assembling his team, with each member getting a flashback “origin” story as to what they did that resulted in their removal from the force.  In each instance, they sought justice, but the means they utilized were definitely not within the confines of the law.  Dixon’s use of flashbacks and action sequences to introduce the characters, rather than extensive dialogue, draws the reader in and gives you a sense of who these people are – they aren’t necessarily bad cops, and in nearly all of the cases, their action appears justified.  But it is rather surprising (for the time) that Dixon would devote the entire first issue to introducing the characters, with very little space given to the actual story that will encompass the next two issues.  (Of course, that one issue is nothing compared to today’s stories – if this same comic were published today, it would likely be a 12-issue series, with one entire issue devoted to each of the character’s backstory…)

Once we get into the meat of the story with the second issue, Dixon doesn’t hold anything back.  Brennan and his mad dogs will stop at nothing to bring down the drug dealer – and from this point forward, it is a standard tough-cops-versus-bad-guys story, with plenty of shooting, fighting, roughing-up, and even a couple of deaths – without giving away too much, not every member of the mad dog team makes it out of this mini-series alive.  Dixon uses a number of storytelling clichés, as well as some typical stereotypes (this was the early ‘90s, so the whole politically correct phase hadn’t even begun yet), but they don’t overpower the story, and ultimately, the 3-issues are a fairly interesting read.  Definitely not your standard superhero fare that was being vomited out by everyone and their kid brother back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, so in that aspect, it offers a somewhat fresh read.

Whether I would recommend this to other comic book fans, well, let’s say that if you love movies with the hard-nosed ex-cop who’s trying to redeem himself, then you’ll no doubt like this comic; otherwise, I’d probably say this one is a pass…

RATING:  5 two-bedroom condos on Locust out of 10 for experimenting with a different type of comic at a time when superheroes were all the rage!

Chicken Girls Mystery 1 - Rhyme and the Runaway Twins

Chicken Girls. That is definitely an unusual name for a mystery series, and I likely would have never picked up the book had the cover not paid homage to the classic Nancy Drew mysteries, with the yellow border across the top of the front cover, the yellow spine, the stylistic font, and the image of a young girl holding a flashlight in what appears to be an attic. Any book or series that honors the timeless Nancy Drew series in such a fashion has to be picked up and read. So I did.

Rhyme and the Runaway Twins turned out to be a really great mystery! I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with the story, particularly when I discovered that the Chicken Girls is a web-series that can be watched on YouTube – a soap opera of sorts about these young, just-turned-teenage girls in a dance troupe at school. However, this book was far from sappy, nor was it over-the-top drama. Instead, it was a classic mystery of a missing relative, a hidden inheritance, a greedy uncle, and a young detective determined to help her new friends.  Sound like a true-to-heart Nancy Drew mystery? Well, it’s clear the author was a big fan, as the story and writing follow the standard formula of the classic Nancy Drews.  (More on the author a bit later…)

The story focuses on only one of the Chicken Girls, Rhyme McAdams, who remains behind in the summer of 2018 due to her need to re-take the “Test Test” (which appears to be a standardized test given in most schools before passing a student on to the next grade). Stuck at home while the rest of her friends are away at summer dance camp and the boy she likes is off in California, Rhyme anticipates a long and boring summer. But then her parents have to leave town with her younger sister, who is cast in a new television series, leaving Rhyme to stay with their neighbor. Then two strangers show up in town – twins, a boy and a girl (Conrad and Meg) – and with them comes an unexpected mystery that draws Rhyme, as well as Matilda Higgins (more on her later…), into a search for an old Vietnam war hero and a possible secret inheritance that could be hidden somewhere in the house where Rhyme is staying for the summer.

The characterization in this book is absolutely beautiful – the reader gets a full grasp on each of the various characters, their personalities, their eccentricities, and other aspects, such that the deeper you get into the book, the more you begin rooting for Rhyme to be able to help Conrad and Meg (and the more you keep hoping that Meg will lose that chip on her shoulder and Matilda will lose the attitude she sports). Rhyme is a normal thirteen year old, with normal problems, anxieties, and drama for a girl of that age; but once she gets involved with the twins’ search for their grandfather and their possible inheritance, she shows a determination and mindset that would make Nancy Drew proud.  The author also knows how to keep the reader hooked with chapter endings that make you want to turn the page right away and find out what happens next!  I can honestly say it did not take me long at all to read this book, as I could not put it down until the mystery was solved.

There are some surprises along the way, along with some red herrings; plus, there is a great mix of old-fashioned sleuthing, along with the use of modern technology (cell phones, computers, etc.), that adds a measure of realism to the book. The big revelation at the end, however, does come as a bit of a curve ball; but the final confrontation with the villainous uncle is definitely well worth the wait and read.  With some ingenuity and some determination, Rhyme, Matilda, Meg, and Conrad manage to outwit their devious uncle and find the answers they were seeking when they first came to town.

Now, about that author … the book is written by Matilda Higgins (or so the cover and inside title page say). Yet, reading the book (which is a book of fiction, mind you), Matilda Higgins is a major character in the story. In fact, at one point, Rhyme tells Matilda that she should write about their adventures solving this mystery. Which begs the question – who, exactly, is the real author of the book?  The copyright page reveals nothing, and the author bio at the end of the book provides information about the fictitious Matilda Higgins, leading me to believe that the producers of the show are utilizing ghostwriters for the books (and I do say books, plural, as this is advertised as a series, and this first mystery is labeled as book 1 on the cover, so I can only hope more will be forthcoming!).

I would most definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves Nancy Drew, who enjoys mysteries, and who wants a fun, easy read.

RATING:  9 slow-turning ferris wheels out of 10 for offering an enjoyable new mystery series in the classic tradition of everyone’s favorite teenage sleuths!

The Mystery of the Curiosities - Snow & Winter, Book Two

I love a good mystery, there’s no doubt about it – and author C.S. Poe knows how to write a really good mystery! Her first Snow & Winter mystery was so well-written and plotted, and so engaging and fun, that I figured it would be pretty difficult for her to beat that in the second book. But, I was wrong. Antique dealer Sebastian Snow and his partner, police detective Calvin Winter, are back in action, solving another series of murders that once again pull Snow right into the midst of them in an intricately-crafted scavenger hunt of sorts centering around P.T. Barnum and his love of curiosities.

The Mystery of the Curiosities is set just months after the events of the first book. Snow has settled back into life, now with Winter at his side – but the peace doesn’t last long. An antique brick thrown through the front window of his store gets the ball rolling, and in true Nancy Drew fashion, there is a note attached to the brick.  I know you like mysteries is all the note says, but it is clear that the message is meant for Snow.  The next day, Snow finds another brick outside of his store, along with a floor inside covered with the antique bricks.  When the surveillance cameras are checked, it seems someone used spray paint to black them out. And, of course, there is another note.  Curious?

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but that isn’t going to deter Snow from figuring out what is going on. Then he finds a body in his apartment. Then his apartment explodes, bringing down the entire building, nearly catching him and his neighbor inside. Oh, and there was yet another note, which leads Snow to one of his favorite museums – and another body.  Winter nearly has a breakdown as Snow gets deeper and deeper into this game of cat and mouse, with Snow following the clues from the notes, only to discover that each one eventually leads him to another body. The only connecting factor seems to be the curiosities associated with each location … curiosities specifically associated with P.T. Barnum and the fire that nearly destroyed his collection many years ago.

Poe keeps the reader guessing on the identity of the killer – twice I thought I had it figured out, but I was wrong in both cases.  The ending definitely creates some tension (and excitement!), and it ultimately provides resolution for not only the mystery itself, but also a couple of underlying subplots that were started in the first book.  Snow and Winter’s relationship develops more throughout the story, and it is nice seeing some of the supporting cast continue to be a part of their lives (such as Snow’s father, the owner of the neighboring book store, and Winter’s partner on the force).  Those kind of small continuing details help flesh out the characters and make their world all that more real.

I thoroughly enjoyed the treasure hunt (so to speak) as Snow is forced to follow up not only on each clue provided in the notes, but also in attempting to solve the cold cases that are connected to the murder victims found at the solution of each clue.  I also absolutely love Snow’s interaction with his assistant, Max, as the sarcasm and barbs that they throw at one another come across as natural and remind me very much of myself and my boss when we are at work!

As with so many gay mysteries, the only drawback for me are the explicit scenes with Snow and Winter.  For me, this type of explicitness is unnecessary to the story, as it does not add anything to the mystery, nor does it do anything for the character development.  To me, it is superfluous and unnecessary.  Thankfully, the rest of the story is so great, that I can overlook it here.

Now to pick up the third book in this series and read it!

RATING:  8 pairs of aviator shades out of 10 for piquing my curiosity enough to plow through this book to find out who was behind the murders!

Fashion in Action - the Collected Edition

Back in the 1980s, a number of independent comic book companies hit the market, flooding the direct market with hundreds of titles. Going to The Great Escape in Louisville, I found myself enamored by a number of indy titles: Ms. Tree, DNAgents, Evangeline, Grim Jack, Whisper, and quite a few others. One title I can remember seeing on the shelf, but not picking up, was the Fashion in Action Summer Special. The art looked kind of cool, and I have always been a fan of female-led titles. But, at the time, I was more focused on on-going series, so a one-issue special just wasn’t on my radar, and I passed it up.

Now, here it is, some thirty-plus years later, and I come across the collected Fashion in Action, featuring all of the back-up stories along with the two specials in one trade paperback. Nostalgia instantly set in, so I ordered it. This was a title I never read back in the day, and to be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. But as the introduction by John Ostrander states, this book was unlike any other of its time, and even today, it stands out as not only unique, but well-written, beautifully drawn, and just plain good to read!

The comic tells the story of Frances Knight, a patch-wearing woman who specializes, along with her all-female team, in providing bodyguard services for celebrities of all kind in the not-so-distant future. The first issue opens with the New Year’s celebration of 2087, and the FIA team is on the job when a pulp character suddenly comes to live as Dr. Cruel kidnaps the man they are supposed to be protecting from right under their noses! The case becomes personal when Frances learns that Dr. Cruel’s cohort, known only as Roxanne, has a personal score to settle with her.  Plenty of action, plenty of fashion, and plenty of twists abound in the first seven-part story that was originally published as a back-up in Eclipse Comics’ Scout title.

Snyder followed-up his initial back-up run with two one-shot specials – the Fashion in Action Summer Special and the Fashion in Action Winter Special. Each special was a done-in-one story, the first focused on the girls’ hunt for a designer who has been stealing and profiting from other designers’ creations, while the second provided a flashback story that gave readers some insight into Frances Knight and why she is who she is (side-by-side with a present day story involving Dr. Cruel and Roxanne once again).

The series clearly focused on its main protagonist, but readers did get a glimpse into the other women who made up FIA. They were varied in size, color, and nationality, as well as skills – ranging from psychics to demolition experts.  Plus, Snyder gives them a base of operations in the Statue of Liberty!  How cool is that?!?!

It is interesting that back in the mid-to-late ‘80s that a male creator wrote and drew a comic dedicated to an all-female team that showcased strong, independent women in stories that would normally be written for male heroes. Perhaps the female readership just wasn’t large enough back then, or perhaps the male readers simply didn’t appreciate the appeal of this female team, but after the Winter Special, the FIA team disappeared from the comic scene.  Reading these stories now, I can see a bit a similarity between FIA and Dakota North, a fashion-centered character who held her own five-issue series at Marvel around the same time.  (Coincidentally, Martha Thomases, who created and wrote the Dakota North Investigations series, also writes an Afterward in the FIA trade paperback!)

Another interesting tidbit of which I was unaware was that Snyder created paper dolls of the characters, with fashions and a bit of character info that was placed on the back of each issue of Scout, as well as the two Specials. The paper doll pages are also reprinted in this collected edition, along with in-house ads from Eclipse Comics, original concept sketches for the characters, and even a "runway gallery," featuring various artists' interpretations of the characters from the series.

I wish Snyder was in a position to revive the series and give fans a continuation of Frances Knight’s saga.  I have a feeling he had plenty more stories waiting to be told, and in today’s independent market, a series of Fashion in Action mini-series would certainly be a hit!

RATING:  9 mystical life-giving gasses out of 10 for giving the comic world an all-female team of fashion-conscious bodyguards that are well worth the read!