Savant Garde #1 (March, 1997)
Writer - Barbara Kesel
Pencils - Ryan Odagawa
Inks - Chuck Gibson
Colors - Wendy Fouts
Letters - Amie Grenier w/Rob Robbins
Editor - Rachelle Brissenden
Cover Price: $2.50
I've mentioned it before, but during the "heyday" of WildStorm, I was kinda in-and-out. Would pick up WildC.A.T.S or Grifter or Gen¹³ every now and again... but never endeavored to be "all in".
I remember being especially intrigued though... around the post-boom period, where the WildStorm "house style" kind of shifted away from the heavily-lined and overly-posed Jim Lee look, to the more cartoony, almost manga-inspired, J. Scott Campbell look. To me, it felt sort of like a concession that the line was trying to adapt with the times. The boom period was in the rear-view, and the industry was (relatively speaking) struggling to keep its head above water. I liked this new look a lot... it felt like, and this is definitely me projecting, but it felt like the creators were having fun.
Thing of it is, no matter how much this era of WildStorm "spoke" to me... I didn't actually explore it. Which brings me to today's book... Savant Garde. What the hell is Savant Garde? Well, ya got me... all's I can tell from the cover is that I recognize... I dunno, one and a half-to-two of the characters on it? Hell, if not for Majestic (which tipped me off that this is a WildStorm/eventual-DC property) on the cover, this would probably still be sitting in whatever cheap-o bin I found it in!
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We open with Savant and "Pancho" (Mabel Bligh) climbing up the side of a steep cliff. Mabel is providing the narration, during which it's quite plainly stated that Savant hasn't been having the best of times of late... and might be in need of "adventure". After some sassy back-n-forth, they reach the top, where they find Majestic waiting for them. According to him, he'd been waiting for twelve hours... which seems, I dunno, like some poor time management from the Majestic One. Oh well. Savant and Majestic share a sorta-kinda contentious greeting (I think Savant is his daughter... only she doesn't know it yet), while Mabel finds herself instantly smitten.
We learn that they're here to explore some temple ruins and find... something (we'll eventually find out that they're looking for a mask). Turns out though, they aren't the first ones here. Indeed, there appears to be a group of builders erecting some sort of structure around the ruins. This wrankles Savant's (very tight) shorts.
We shift scenes into the construction site, where we learn that this makeshift building is set to become a "base" of some sort. A woman wearing a beret (who I'm not sure if we're supposed to recognize) directs traffic. Among the "stuff" being moved about is a big ol' tank of biohazard.
Jumping behind the construction, we meet a giant robot called Met-L, and an... oh boy... a "Nympho-Droid" named Katrina. And, yeah... a Nympho-Droid is exactly what you think it is (more on that in a bit). Anyhoo, they're headed to Lima for some repairs... but are in need of some materials to barter with. Oddly enough, as they talk to each other, we get the distinct impression that there are two different voices coming from the robot. More on that later too.
The bot and the droid then attack (and kill) the beret-wearing woman. Met-L (or one of the voices coming from the robot) asks if it was necessary to actually kill 'em... to which the Nympho asserts that nobody there was an innocent.
Next... something completely different. Enter Now: the Dank Lair of Lord Defile (ugh). He's chatting up an assassin named... Innuendo (double ugh). They discuss taking out a pair of former WildC.A.T.S (Savant and Majestic). These are some goofy-looking fools.
Back to the temple ruins, where Mabel is still looking quite "thirsty" for Majestic (that's a thing that "the kids" say, right?). Savant is pretty annoyed and suggests they continue on their way to find the bounty.
Little do they know that they've been beaten there too! Katrina and Met-L are already up there salvaging. Well, Met-L is anyway. Savant and the Gang arrive as this is going down, and as you might imagine... Savant isn't pleased (is she ever?).
They fight... Katrina gets involved... it's a whole big thing for a hot minute. Savant shames the Nympho-Droid for being... well, the sentient sex-toy that she is, and gets socked in the mush for it...
... then, just one page later, Katrina uses the fact that she's a sentient sex-toy to attempt and shame Majestic for... "quivering" in her presence. Though, I feel like she might have mistook "cringing" with "quivering". Probably needs her firmware updated (uh, no pun intended).
The whole skirmish wraps up when Mabel holds a gun up to Met-L's head. Katrina stands down... and, get this, Savant decides to keep them around for the "unveiling". Why in the world would you do this? Probably to facilitate a subsequent scene where Katrina steals the mask, right?
Well, yeah... more or less that. But, first... let's check back in with our man, Innuendo. He lands in Lima, and refuses to check his bag at Customs. He is followed into the Men's Room by an Officer... who he kills. He isn't exactly secretive about it either!
Okay, back to the temple, where... Katrina steals the booty. Duh.
Savant, gives chase, and even offers to trade cold hard cash (and we're not talking Grifter) in exchange for the loot. But then... something happens. Katrina stops running and assures... someone that everything is going to be okay.
Savant snags the mask... and we wrap up with the reveal of Katrina's other friend... that other voice from inside Met-L, Sheba that Cat-Girl!
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Well... I know that the concept of "every issue being somebody's first" is long out the window... and has been for much of my comics collecting "career". But, ya know... part of me still believes, sweet summer child that I am, that if your book has a bright, shiny #1 on its cover... it has the duty and responsibility to be at least moderately accessible to people who might not be steeped in the lore of an entire comics universe to follow along and (fully) appreciate.
This book... was not.
I think, and pardon the tangent, it's taken for granted that comics fans are, for the most part, a "closed system"... ya know, like oil for your car. It's the same bunch of people circulating through the hobby... and if you manage to pull one of 'em off the latest X-Book and onto yours, than good on ya.
Yet, at the same time, there's always been this push to expand the readership into the "mainstream"... the more casual reader, who might have seen a movie or TV show... or hell, just thought the cover to an issue (or the bright, shiny #1 on the cover) was pretty cool. Now, if I know a thing-or-two about the WildStorm Universe and still felt lost here, what hope in hell does a new reader have?
The issue, I really can't judge it for quality, because if you were more steeped in the WildStorm/WildC.A.T.S universe, this might've been the best thing ever (he says hyperbolically)... though, if you're not, it really won't do much for ya. You might get a giggle or two out of the sentient sex-toy... but, at the end of the day, I'm not sure you'd be so inclined to come back for a second helping.
I know I'm not.
Overall... a book you need to have a working knowledge of the WildStorm U to fully appreciate, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself... I always appreciate reader loyalty being paid off... it's just that, while you're "paying off" that loyalty, you should also be telling a story that's easy to follow for potential newcomers... especially if yours is a book with a bright, shiny #1 on its cover. I will say, however, that I really dug the art!
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(Not the) Letters Page:
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Guy Gardner #11 (August, 1993)
"Yesterday's Sins, Part 1 of 4: Back in the Days"
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Joe Staton
Inks - Terry Beatty
Letters - Albert DeGuzman
Colors - Anthony Tollin
Assistant Editor - Eddie Berganza
Editor - Kevin Dooley
Cover Price: $1.25
Wouldja lookit that, Guy Gardner: Year One!
We're about to find out everything that made Guy... Guy. Let's just hope they don't do the cliche thing of having him grow up in an abusive household. Err, I'm sure that dude beating him with a belt isn't his father or anything... right?
Okay, let's just get into it.
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We open with an introduction to a Lantern called Graf Toren... looks like kind of a bruiser with a fu manchu. He happens across a large craft... and finds himself overwhelmed by a whole lotta yellow inside. The crew of the ship nabs him up quickly, and even snatches his Power Ring... as they are attending to him, we can see what appears to be Graf Toren laying in a mechanical-looking bed in the foreground.
We then shift scenes down to Earth, where Guy Gardner and General Glory are fighting a bunch of Kobras. They make relatively short work of 'em... but that's really not the important part. Ya see, those same aliens who kidnapped Graf are watching this fight unfold. They are doing some "Lantern collecting", and headed to Earth in hopes of snagging one Hal Jordan. After seeing the way Guy fights, however, they realize that maybe he'd be of more use to them... no matter what color ring he has on his finger (Remember, Guy's is yellow).
After the dust settles, Guy and the General begin explaining the situation to the police... when Guy... suddenly vanishes! He reappears on that alien craft several million miles away.
Guy, being Guy, doesn't waste any time talking... and instead lunges into battle with the red buggers on board. Unfortunately for him, it seems like these geeks were following Bloodlines, because they appear to know exactly how and where to attack a human.
Guy wakes up in a weird holding cell... without walls, but also without escape. He is surrounded by four Green Lantern Corps members (including Graf) who had been taken captive by the creeps. As you might expect, Guy ain't all that happy.
He's not exactly worried though... he knows that his "friends in high places" will be scouring the galaxies looking for him before long. Well, uh, Guy... looks like your pals are kinda busy.
What's worse, is that Guy learns that they're just going to send a Guy Gardner "double" back to Earth, so no one will know he's even missing. You remember that Graf-laying-in-a-mechanical-bed from earlier? That's what that was all about. Guy himself even mentions seeing "Hal Jordan laying on a tanning couch" when he arrived, which, unfortunately didn't get drawn. If you recall, the aliens were originally planning on nyoinking Hal... so, that explains that.
The Corps members tell Guy that over the next little while, the aliens are going to "probe" him... not that way, ya pervert... we're talkin' mental probes here. The aliens return to the "cell" and once again perform the Bloodlines blitz on poor Guy's nape.
Next thing we know, Guy is strapped into some contraption, with a Facehugger from Aliens sitting on his chest. It begins probing into Guy's mind... which hurts at first, before becoming enjoyable. Sounds like we're seeing the start of a pretty horrifying fetish right here. Anyhoo, we're now transported back to Guy Gardner's childhood... and he still had that "Ernie" haircut! I'm not sure this can be a proper origin without actually seeing him get that haircut. Ehh, whattayagonnado?
His mother calls him downstairs for breakfast, and informs him to be on his best behavior as his father is in one of his "moods" again. You see where this is headed, right? Guy sits down for breakfast where his dad mocks his terrible haircut, and lambastes him for not being a winner like his brother, Mace. When Guy spills his OJ, all bets are off... Papa Gardner beats the holy hell out of the bowl-headed boy, while his mother turns her back.
We follow young Guy to school, where a teacher yells at him for lingering too long in the hallway. She also compares him to his brother, Mace... who we learn is quite the local legend when it comes to football.
Guy then... wakes up, back on board that alien craft... surrounded by his new "friends". They explain that the alien take multiple sessions to probe a mind... ya know, like maybe... and I'm spitballin' here... four (these days, it'd be six).
We wrap up with more'a Guy kickin' butt. He won't take this laying down, and offers the "Candybutt" Corps members the chance to join him in taking down the alien bozos!
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So... yeah, looks like we took the cliche route here, didn't we? Guy's a jerk because his father always liked his brother best. Oh, and also, beat the hell out of him on a regular basis.
I mean, it's okay if that's the direction you want to go with it... but, I'm not sure there's anyone who didn't see this coming a mile away. Oh well, Occam's Razor of comics and all that. I will say that they're delivering the origin in a fun and interesting way!
Gotta mention the art... because, I will admit, it's what kept me away from (re)visiting these early issues of Guy Gardner. Joe Staton was never my favorite artist, but at this point... and I hate to say it, but it borders on the downright unpleasant. Right now, Staton is doing the daily Dick Tracy syndicated strip... which, I feel his style is more suited for. Having that style in a long-form comic though? Not my cuppa tea.
Overall, if you ever wondered why Guy was such a jerk (and didn't already assume that he was dealing with some issues from his childhood), you might get something out of this. It was fun seeing Guy as a bowl-headed brat... and I dug his attempts at "rallying the troops" of the loser Corps members. There's definitely bits and pieces to dig here, even if the complete package is somewhat underwhelming. This issue is available digitally.
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Letters Page:
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Where's my Cool-O-Meter?!
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Green Lantern (vol.5) #1 (November, 2011)
"Sinestro, Part One"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Pencils - Doug Mahnke
Inks - Christian Alamy w/Tom Nguyen
Colors - David Baron
Letters - Sal Cipriano
Assistant Editor - Darren Shan
Editor - Brian Cunningham
Cover Price: $2.99
Here's a little secret... I've never read the book we're about to cover today. Ya see, where DC planned for The New-52! to be a jumping-on point, I viewed it more as an opportunity to leave certain books (and families of books) behind.
When I saw the title announcements and solicits, and saw that there were going to be four Lantern books as part of this reboot (Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps., Green Lantern: The New Guardians, and Red Lanterns), with the edict that everything is starting "fresh", I didn't see any reason to pursue a family-of-four (books)... and if you know me, I'm kind of an "all or nothing" sorta comics guy. If I wasn't going to commit to all four... I was going to commit to zero.
It wasn't until a couple of years later, (oddly) after Geoff Johns left the book, that I decided to dip my toe back into the Lanternverse. Me, being me, had to madly dash through town to fill in the issues I missed... but, that really wasn't ever in question. In fact, if you're familiar with cover variances, you'd see (above) that my copy of Green Lantern (vol.5) #1... is actually the second-printing! I don't even own a first-printing of this one!
Anyhoo... let's see how they rebooted Hal. That's what happens in this one, right? Right? Right...?
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We open this... Brand-New Era for Green Lantern, by... picking up from the end of the previous issue? Waitasec... I thought The New-52! was for new readers?! Anyhoo... Sinestro is now Green Lantern, having been chosen by Hal Jordan's ring following the events of the War of the Green Lanterns. He says the thing, charges the ring... and gets a stern talking to by the Guardians of the Universe. They look at this opportunity as a chance for redemption... but Sin just ain't feeling it. He's not sure he wants this in his life again. Either way, he takes the battery and heads off, leaving a quarreling bunch of little blue fellers in his wake.
We shift scenes to Earth, and check in on now-former-Green Lantern, Hal Jordan... who is three months behind on his rent, probably plenty of other bills too. He's told his checks are no longer going to be accepted, which sounds pretty fair considering they never clear anyway.
As he's being harangued by his landlord, Hal overhears a struggle going on in the next apartment building over. Without even thinking, he leaps from his patio (which is seven stories up) across to the next building to save a woman from her attacker...
... only, it turns out they were just filming a movie. Wonk wonk?
We jump ahead a couple of hours, and Hal is in jail waiting to be picked up by Carol Ferris, who doesn't really get what I'd consider to be a proper "New Reader friendly" introduction. Actually... nobody really does!
As Carol and Hal leave the clink, Hal asks her if he can have his old job back. She'd love to have him, but if she were to take him back, their insurance company would drop them due to his recklessness. Then they talk about the recent Sinestro-happenings, which Hal doesn't know the complete results of. Carol suggests that might be a good thing, and comments that she hasn't put her Star Sapphire ring on since the War either. Hal then asks her out to dinner.
We rejoin Sinestro at his homeworld of Korugar, where he sees that his own Sinestro Corps have gotten a bit out of control. He finds himself attacked by one of them, mistaking him for a "real" Green Lantern, before realizing who he really is. Sinestro kinda flips the script on them by acting like a "real" Green Lantern... annnd then sawing through one of their necks with a construct-garrote.
Jumping ahead to the next night, Hal and Carol are out at a swanky joint for dinner... when Hal pops the question. "Carol Ferris, will you... co-sign on the lease for my car?" Just what every woman wants to hear, am I right?
Wellll... Carol thought he was going to ask a different question, surely, as she tosses her drink in his face and storms out of the restaurant. It takes Hal a minute or two to realize what she was expecting... which, I mean, these two are so "on-again/off-again" why in the world would he ever ask her to marry him?! They'd likely break all sorts of records for "most divorces and remarries for a single couple".
Hal then walks back to his place (Carol left him behind... and she was his ride). He is greeted by an... eviction notice.
But that's not all! He's also greeted by... Sinestro, who has a whopper of a proposition for him... and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with co-signing on his Ford Focus.
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This kinda goes against type, but... I loved this! It just goes to show that if you're a writer with the right amount of pull and "cache", and your book was pulling in the sort of numbers DC was happy with... you could beat The New-52!
This issue could just as easily been the next issue of Green Lantern (vol.4)... and for all I know, was exactly the direction that book was going before that "other shoe" dropped, and the toilet was announced as being about to be flushed.
I mean, we literally pick up right where we left off in the pre-Flashpoint series... which, is good news for someone like me... but, what about the new readers, maaaaaaan?! How could someone wandering in off the streets pick up this issue... with Sinestro on the cover and in the green duds, and not instantly feel like they'd missed something (because they had!)?
This is just another check mark in the "DC didn't know what the hell they were doing with The New-52!" column... and also, fuels my own speculation that the entire endeavor was some sort of a last-minute decision, with precious little more in the way of planning than "Hey, New #1's"... and little more in the way of goals than "Maybe we'll beat Marvel for a month or two". Such short-sighted dunderheadedness... that they're still paying for nearly a decade later.
Now, for this issue... Hal's no longer a Lantern, which... if you read the War of the Green Lanterns crossover in the closing months of the pre-Flashpoint continuity, you'd already know. Sinestro was chosen... and Hal's back to being a bum.
We get mention here that Carol is a Star Sapphire... which, I mean, a "new" reader is probably going to glaze over without realizing just what that means... or they'll have to go to Wikipedia until they get bored... or even more confused. Really... the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that... regardless of how much I personally enjoyed this one, since it didn't go tabula rasa... or half-ass tabula rasa, I don't think this one is anywhere near "new reader friendly".
I mean, even if you're a "new reader" who prefers to read your comics in trade collections... you'd still be pretty lost with this opening "chapter". You'd almost have to read War of the Green Lanterns... and in order to fully appreciate that, you'd have to read Blackest Night... and in order to full appreciate that, you'd have to read the entirety of the Geoff Johns run... and in order to fully appreciate that, you're reading Green Lantern: Rebirth. I could go on... but I'm sure you've got the point. This isn't a "fresh start", which sort of undermines the entire New-52! endeavor... in my opinion.
So, as a "welcome" to new readers, who may or may not exist, this isn't that great a jumping-on/jumping-in point, in my opinion. If you're a seasoned reader, and want more of what came before... this is as good as a lot of it. Art is solid-to-great, and it's a fun (though breezy) little chapter. Worth a look, and as with anything post-Flashpoint, is available digitally... this one for only 99-cents!
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