Comic Conventions
Having returned from the Canadian National Comic Book Expo, it's been a cool experience and I got to see lots of neat art and managed to grab lots of stuff. A lot of it is just comic book store setting up booths, but I did manage to see the artist from the Rising Stars comic, Christian Zanier and Ken Lashley, and also the huge Asian crew at Pat Lee's Dreamwave studios. =)

Rising Stars
I just read the first storyarc in TPB version of Rising Stars by writer/creator JMS (currently also writing for Amazing Spider-man).... Wow! Lots of great artwork and the story is fantastic. The story seems so huge and epic-like. It's a story of 113 kids in utero who are subjected to extraordinary powers.

In 1969 in the sleepy midwestern town of Pederson, Illinois, a flash of light in the heavens heralds the coming of the "Specials", 113 individuals who are blessed with powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men. Master storyteller, J. Michael Straczynski, creator of the mold-breaking television series, Babylon 5, chronicles the arrival, lives, and deaths of these characters in a world that has never dealt with superpowers before. How does this eclectic breed of individuals affect their world? Is a hero defined by a special power or ability, or is it something deeper? And just because you can fly, does that mean you have to wear a special costume?

The answers to these questions and more will be explored in the world of the Rising Stars.

On first look, you'll think... I've seen people with these kinds of powers before. But JMS puts a whole new spin on everything. Even the Captain America, Batman and Human Torch look alikes have a bit more to them. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Powers
I'm also into the new book written by Brian Michael Bendis called Powers. It's about two homicide detectives who have to deal with deaths of those with "powers". The first arc started off with "Who Killed Retro Girl?", in which a superwoman-like heroine is mysteriously murdered. How does one even do an autopsy when her skin is impentrable? The art style is similar to the Batman Animated series style... but somehow it expresses more information and emotion than your typical comic. The next arc was also pretty good.

One thing about reading this series is how depressing it is, seeing how every issue revolves around people getting killed. I guess JMS was right when he said that comics are messed up today because they only touch the darkness aspect without equally touching on joy and happiness. Oh well... it's still a good read.





Tuesday, August 28, 2001