A Sense of Doubt blog post #2001 - AdventureMan #1 - COMIC BOOK SUNDAY on Monday FOR 2008.10
SPOILER ALERT
The comic book that stands out the most for me from last month is Adventureman by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson, from Image.
Of course, there were many good reads last month as comic books returned to publication and sale after the pandemic hiatus (the first and only, I hope), such as The Immortal Hulk; Superman, which continues to be very good and slightly better than Action Comics; Avengers, that rose in estimation with a new story involving Moon Knight; and Legion of Superheroes, though this may purely be my personal affection shining through.
But as I thought about doing a review, this is the comic that jumped into my head.
Part of the attraction for me, which is much like the attraction for Fraction, is the affection for Doc Savage and his band of specialist heroes that face all manners of threats to the nation and the planet in the pulps. Like Fraction, I had read Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life by Phillip Jose Farmer.
At first, Adventureman starts as a straight homage to the great pulp tales of the Doc Savage tradition with a modern look by a great artist (Terry Dodson) and smart writing by one the industry's best: Matt Fraction, both of whom live nearby to me in the lovely Portland metro area.
The story start as many of these tales do with the inciting incident, a threat that traditional outfits like police or military cannot handle. The devastating attack that could presage the end of civilization as we know it.
And the mayor calls the super team, much like the "bat phone" of the Sixties and "help is on the way."
The writing is clean and uncluttered. The art is very reminiscent of the art deco style of the time period (1930s and 1940s).
The crew is introduced in a very traditional comic book splash page with character labels:
The characters are clearly based on Doc Savage and his team with upgrades to be a mix of women and men and people of color.
Likewise when Adventureman and his team confront the villains, we readers are treated to another labeled splash:
All is familiar here. Teams introduced, the battle ensues. There's some flirtatious hints and sexy banter between Adventureman and the villainess Baroness Bizarre that hints at a future subplot.
...and...
And as the pulp-action story builds to a climax, our expectations are subverted expertly and yet by another familiar trope that comes from the life experiences of these creators: reading stories to the kids.
Where and when we are is unclear but the situation is not, and as we trust in good story-telling, and we know that the story of Adventureman and the world in which it exists as a story will somehow work together.
The supposed modern world here is interesting and filled with even more intriguing characters, and yet we do not know how these plot paths will intermingle.
And yet Claire and her son Tommy (now our narrator) will encounter an inciting incident in their world (possibly related to Adventureman) and new story will unfold, mainly in the next issue as the rest of issue one is all set up for it.
It's Tommy who finds the first clue of the intersection:
and then finally...
I left a lot out in the summary/review, but those are the very basics.
The reviews were very favorable, though because comic nerds tend to be very reactionary and recalcitrant, the users reviews are lower than those by critics when in other circles (SF and Fantasy, Horror, Romance. Mystery), it's usually the other way around.
Still, these numbers are good and the reviews are positive.
I give it a 10 because I see no reason to quibble, and I am ready for issue #2.
Also, I love books with BACK MATTER (Hi Kieron Gillen!!) and so I have reprinted that material here (don't sue me!!) because it's so good.
AdventureMan #1
CRITICS = 8.4
USERS = 7.2
COMIC BOOK ROUND UP REVIEW - ADVENTURE MAN #1DECADES IN THE MAKING!
In this WILDLY AFFORDABLE TRIPLE-LENGTH FIRST ISSUE, revisit how the legend of the greatest pulp hero of them all, ADVENTUREMAN, ended in a heartbreaking CLIFFHANGER with our hero facing execution at the vile hand of his ultra-nemesis BARON BIZARRE on the eve of the MACABRAPOCALYPSE...or did it?!?
Eighty years after his apparent demise, single mother Claire and her Adventurefan son Tommy seem to be the only two people alive that remember the thrilling ADVENTUREMAN sagas...but from that memory burns THE SPARK OF RESURRECTION! WHERE HIS STORY ENDED...HER STORY BEGINS! This sense-obliterating, earth-shaking, imagination-quaking adventure that spans generations comes to you from MATT FRACTION (SEX CRIMINALS, Hawkeye) and TERRY & RACHEL DODSON (X-Men/Fantastic Four, RED ONE)!!!
ADVENTUREMAN #1
Writer: Matt FractionArtist: Terry Dodson, Rachel DodsonPublisher: Image ComicsRelease Date: June 10, 2020Cover Price: $3.99Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 12
SERIES PREMIERE! A CATACLYSMIC ADVENTURE
REVIEWS
from comic book roundup
- 10But Why Tho? - Charles HartfordJun 1, 2020The art, adventure, character and creative representation of a disability all came together to create a unique, deep, and characterful. I look forward to Adventuremans subsequent issues so I can learn where all this great work is leading to. Read Full Review
- 10The Brazen Bull - Dave RobbinsJun 10, 2020Adventureman is the ultimate tale of the mild mannered getting drawn into immersive tales of derring-do, and then actually become part of one. Thrilling from the first panel to the last. Not to be missed. Read Full Review
- 9.6Forces Of Geek - Lenny SchwartzJun 10, 2020This is an awesome first issue. Consider me an Adventurefan! Read Full Review
- 9.6Chuck's Comic Of The Day - ChuckJun 14, 2020If you like some substance in your raucous, no-holds-barred tales of action and,yes, adventure, you'd be well advised not to miss Adventureman. It's a treasure. Read Full Review
- 9.5SciFiPulse - Ian CullenJun 16, 2020A promising start to what looks like it may be a good pulp-style story. My only criticism is that Claire's meal with her family dragged on a little, but perhaps that was the point. Matt Fraction has something pretty cool brewing here. I'm ready for my second serving. Read Full Review
- 9.5Sequential Planet - Marcus OrchardJun 7, 2020Adventureman #1 is a stellar debut, taking the best elements of pulp stories and modernizing them. Fraction and the Dodsons have created something special, and those who have an appetite for adventure will want to pick this book up. Read Full Review
- 9.4Black Nerd Problems - Mikkel SnyderMay 19, 2020Ultimately, Adventureman #1 is a fantastic introduction to two different worlds, one grounded in cataclysmic ends and earth shattering revelations and one grounded in the day to day life of a single mom and their extended family. The characters on both sides of the coin are endearing and beauitfully drawn, and books like these are why I love comics: the sheer audacity, the genuine warmth, the emphasis on why stories matter. Read Full Review
- 9.4Rogues Portal - Cameron KiefferJun 10, 2020Fraction has created a bevy of fun, pulp-inspired heroes and villains along with a more-than-capable lead in Claire. Read Full Review
- 9.3The Super Powered Fancast - Deron GenerallyJun 10, 2020Terry Dodson delivers some truly breathtaking visuals in this issue. The characters look amazing and the action is fantastic. There is a fluidity to the art and even the quieter moments in the story have an energy and movement to them that catches the eye. A stunning first issue. Read Full Review
- 9.2Monkeys Fighting Robots - Zac OwensJun 6, 2020ADVENTUREMAN #1 is the start of a vibrant new series. Every moment from this creative team is charming. Read Full Review
- 9.0Comics: The Gathering - Olivier RothJun 11, 2020Adventureman! #1 is just the type of fun, adventure laden comic that is very easy to enjoy. It’s also a great bang for your buck at 64 pages for the regular price of $3.99. It’s a definite buy from me! Read Full Review
- 9.0Major Spoilers - Christopher RondeauJun 17, 2020You can purchase this issue via comiXology Read Full Review
- 9.0Outright Geekery - Dandy Don the ValiantJun 8, 2020Matt Fraction has a winning adventure unfolding with this story arc. When you read a giant-sized comic book that seems to end as quickly as a 22-page comic, you know it's a great read. Read Full Review
- 8.6Comic Watch - Ethan ConeyJun 12, 2020I recommend picking this one up, it has my full attention for whats gong to happen in the next issue. Read Full Review
- 8.0Multiversity Comics - Gregory EllnerJun 11, 2020From excitement in the past to mystery in the present, "Adventureman!" #1 leaves readers aching for more! Read Full Review
- 8.0Comics Bookcase - Zack QuaintanceMay 19, 2020A big comic at a great price point, Adventureman serves up two stories within one book, two stories that seem to be interconnected in an interesting way, but time and future issues will tell on that. Read Full Review
- 7.6Graphic Policy - Logan DaltonMay 21, 2020Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson, and Rachel Dodson definitely take an everything but the kitchen sink approach to the form and content of Adventureman #1. It's a fully realized pulp story and family comic held together by metafictional strings. Yes, Grant Morrison fans, there's a sigil. Plus, there's a never-ending flurry of widescreen pages with detailed art. A fan of a type of story finding herself in the middle of one is just good old fashioned comfort food for dark times. Read Full Review
- 7.0Comics Bulletin - Daniel GehenJun 15, 2020While it does struggle at times to find its footing,Adventureman #1is a solid debut issue that gets stronger with each turn to the page. The story is initially buoyed by fantastic art, and the extra pages give the writing time to match the quality, which it does. By the time the last page is reached, the thought of waiting for a second issue becomes unbearable. Read Full Review
- 6.0ComicBook.com - Chase MagnettJun 10, 2020It's easy to imagine Adventureman becoming a hit when collected, but as a single issue reading experience it doesn't offer much to satisfy or hook readers"providing something that feels more like a lengthy sample than a rousing first chapter. Read Full Review
- 5.0Newsarama - Kat CalamiaJun 15, 2020Adventureman #1 may not be the strongest premiere, but it has the building blocks to become a better series. Read Full Review
- 4.5AIPT - Alex CurtisJun 9, 2020'Adventureman' really wants you to think it's pulp, despite the writer admitting he doesn't know much about the style. As a toothless retro pastiche, 'Adventureman' is inoffensive and bland. But those looking for more challenging or in-depth material will have to read elsewhere. Read Full Review
And now moving on to read the next one, Adventureman #2!!
THE YEAR IN NUMBER: 2001
This year is both the actual start of the new millennium and the new century. We always start counting with one and not with zero, right? Why can't people understand math?
And, taking off on yesterday's post, Mom began to acclimate to being back home, though as she recovered, in those first two years, she was often over-whelmed by anxiety, which makes sense. Given that she almost died, her heart did stop and she stopped breathing, she knew in her core that her health was fragile, though she fought like Hell to get back.
MY estimate on these photos may be off as she is without her halo collar and I am not remembering when she got that removed. Seems to me that she came home with it in 2000 and had it on for some time. I will have to fact check this data point.
Of course, everyone knows that on SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks rocked the U.S., most notably the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.
2001 al-Qaeda Terrorists attack the United States using hijacked passenger aircraft to bring down the Twin Towers in New York and crashing an aircraft into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia leaving nearly 3,000 people dead. the attacks become known simply as 911 due to the date of the attack September 11th. Due to the attacks a number of things happen, America Declares War on Terrorism and invades Afghanistan where the leader of al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden was believed to be hiding , Security increases for all aspects of American life including Airline Security.
Cost Of Living 2001
How Much things cost in 2001 Average Cost of new house $136,150.00Average Median Income $42,350.00
Average Monthly Rent $715.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.46
Average cost of new car $25,850.00
US Postage Stamp 34 cents
1 LB of Bacon $3.22
Ground Coffee per IB $3.06
Loaf of Bread $1.82
Dozen Eggs 90 cents
http://en.people.cn/200112/28/eng20011228_87645.shtml
https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/What-the-year-2001-looked-like-5746530.php
https://www.futuretimeline.net/21stcentury/2001.htm
I remember the moment I learned of the attacks. I had played a video tape early that morning. I was switching back to live TV, which was showing the footage from the former attack on the World Trade Center in 1993.
I didn't understand what was happening, and then, I did. Wild theories abounded until we had some idea of what was going on. All while George W. Bush held a children's book and couldn't over react for fear of scaring the children, and yet, didn't take immediate action.
But does any of that matter? compared to this:
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ME AND A TEAM - HUCKFEST 2001 (second Huckfest)
That's me kneeling first at left in front.
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2008.09 - 10:10
- Days ago = 1865 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
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