moriarty@fluke.UUCP (The Napoleon of Crime) (12/07/85)
Or, "Moriarty Reviews II: The Close-up". Or "Back to the Past". Frankly, I just like "BLAST FROM THE PAST", and I think I'll stick with that... What I dribbling about is that I now have my 4000+ comics collection in order, an in easily-accessible indexes; and often net.comics seems to be concerned with only the latest comics on the market. I thought it would be nice to occasionally head back into the vault, pull out a few of my favorite series, and start a discussion about them. Or look back and talk about a certain trend in comics history. Or point the finger at particularly good or bad examples of comics, period. In short, a break from Current Events and a sharp left into History. Or [large "THWA-WHOOM" sound effect in evidence]: <<BLAST>> From The <<PAST>> However, don't worry -- the first two series I'm planning to review aren't going back more than a year. I've been reading (for the first time) Aztec Ace from issue one onto the present, and I hope to have a rigamarole about that sometime in the next few weeks. However, I've promised Henry Vogel for the very longest time that I was going to do a review of his series, The Southern Knights, and I am a Napoleon of my word. Heck, even Don Thompson takes requests... SUMMARY: "The Southern Knights" is an independent title about a rather informal group of superheroes working out of Atlanta. The group came together (originally called The Crusaders) to prevent a kidnapping in one of those co-incidences that occur only in bus stations, airports and comic book origin issues. They discovered they liked one another's company, and have fought crime in the southern clime ever since. The group is made up of David Shenk, an enthusiastic and somewhat naive electronics genius and comics collector who had given himself electrical and magnetic powers and called himself Electrode (though everyone in Atlanta seems to know who he really is); Connie Ronnin (*ahem* -- I think we get the point), who has the ability to produce (out of thin air) a "psychic sword" which makes the person struck by it *feel* like they 've been sliced without being cut (nice touch -- if Barr had used something like that on Katana, he wouldn't have had to make her so bloodthirsty); Kristin Austin, a "petite" blond who has superhuman strength and limited invulnerbility; and Mark Dagon, a dragon, and apparently the last of his race. He has the ability to appear in human form (looking somewhat like Tom Selleck), and has bummed around for the last couple thousand years until joining up with the Knights. Oh, and he also writes science fiction. REACTION: I suspect that part of the summary above explains the appeal of SK for me -- this is a low-key superhero team that gathers its appeal from quirky (but "normal") characters and events. No end-of-the-world threats, no aliens from outer space. The major nemesis of the Knights in the latter issues has been a criminal cartel called Serpent, which reminds you more of AT&T than Hydra. No fanatics running around in jumpsuits -- these criminals have a great medical and dental plan, and a continuing education program. The Knights themselves are provided housing by Kristen's father, who is using it as a tax write-off (superheroes are tax-deductible, you see...). Basically what the Knights have provided is a pretty consistent 'C' grade for the majority run (from issue three on to the present); it seems to have the same effect on me as when Micheline took over the Avengers -- things kind of loosened up, and the characters had some fun. This grade might be lower if I was picky about art -- the pencilling roster has changed quite often, and several of the first issues (issue #4 & #6 in particular) are very plain -- this is much more noticable in B&W art. However, things have evened out lately, and the art has been smoother (but still not up to the level you find in the Big Two or the major independents). Besides, this is not what I read it for; ever since issue #3 Henry and Audrey Vogel have kept the situations fresh and the touch light. Lawn parties, an Atlanta magazine interview with a dragon, doctors with a sadistic sense of humor, a Univ. of Georgia horticulturist playing Jarvis, superheroes trashing 7-Elevens, a couple of hit men who sound just like "Simon & Simon", and a the head of a criminal organization who -- eats -- failures (well, at least *something's* normal!). The only time the stories falter is when the tone becomes melodramatic -- characters (especially Connie) flashing back on her rotten childhood or Aramis Merrow's memories tend to ring of Classic Marvel bathos, or weak Claremont. However, the interview with Dagon the Dragon was tolerable, and the dialogue is getting better and better ("Kristan Peanut Butter!"). The backup feature about a futuristic detective, "Missing Beings", has an unusual B&W art style, but neither the dialogue nor the characters are strong enough to support a story -- the jokes are weak, the plot dull (and far too much wink-wink-nudge-nudge in its humor); I'd prefer more pages of the Knights. Basically, a fun book to read; if you enjoy a standard superhero team with nice twists and laid-back characters, I think you'll like this (it seems to work much better than the West Coast Avengers). If you're going to start, I'd begin with issue #3 -- #1 sounds like your standard comic (I only have a photocopy of it, and the Butch Guice art isn't all that hot), and #2 only hints at the fun to come. Besides, much of #1,2 and 3 are reprinted in #8, though in a neat framing sequence. "This looks like a job for BICYCLE REPAIRMAN!" Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer ARPA: fluke!moriarty@uw-beaver.ARPA UUCP: {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!moriarty <*> DISCLAIMER: Do what you want with me, but leave my employers alone! <*>