OMAC #7

How many times can you copy something before the colors start to fade?

Listen, I love Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen's take on OMAC, he's much closer to the original concept, Kevin Kho is an amusing "blank" guy, very much in line with Jack Kirby's original concept. Watching the finned Hulk smash things is always entertaining, that's why I'm bummed this comic is going away.

That said, I can't take any more Kamandi homages. I know there were some in Countdown. Karl Kesel did it best years ago in Superboy. I loved the concept then, and when I actually read the original stuff, I was blown away. How many times are we going to see these imitations trying re-create the feeling that we already had? I mean, the DCU already HAD the best Kamandi and OMAC and Fourth World stories, and they got wiped out? Why update people's costumes and tell the same story again, marginally changing things (not for the better)?

Taken on its own, I may have enjoyed this more. I love that there is a place called the Evil Factory run by an evil monkey man named Simyan. Talking animals walking around after dark, with politics and corruption totally hidden from the waking world is hilarious. I was also tickled that Kevin just joins up with them no questions asked. Why would he? His life is smashed anyway. But when I read it, I compare it to the older, better originals, and that makes this comic less satisfying.

Keith Giffen's art continues to be bombastic and fun. I'm going to miss his work on this character. The good news is, it seems OMAC is joining the JLI, so the character won't be gone.

Fair

O.M.A.C. #1

I've got to say, I'm darn impressed with the quality of the DC relaunch. I'm not sure why the books couldn't be this solid before a continuity re-start, but no matter how you look at it, most of the DC stable is bringing their A-game now. This might be the most shocking book for me; I never expected I'd like something Dan DiDio is writing! But here I am, picking this up based on reviews and adding it to my sublist.

O.M.A.C. is an interesting comic. We learn the lead is Kevin Kho only at the very close of the book, and before that, while OMAC's presence is on every page, he really doesn't have much personality. He's more an engine of destruction that blasts his way around. The only dialogue he spouts is announcing his identity and repeating Brother Eye's instructions. Brother Eye is interesting enough to carry the book, though. He's got a spoiled child tone to his dialogue that makes him quite fun.

For me, the selling point for this book is seeing Jack Kirby's creations. Dubbilex, Mokkari, and a Build-a-Friend all appear. Keith Giffen does a fantastic job copying the bombastic action from Kirby's original series. Even the designs are an homage (check out the crazy Cadmus security guards).

Unlike a lot of the relaunch that initially tickles my fancy, but quickly leaves me uninterested, I'm going to definitely return for OMAC 2 next month.

Good

Black Panther by Jack Kirby vol 2 TPB

Only Jack Kirby could have a team called the Black Musketeers and make it seem fun rather than racist.

This is a weird trade. Jack Kirby handles most of the issues, but the big showdown with his new villain Kiber is written and drawn by a different creative team. The story is satisfying as a whole, but it is weird seeing Kirby just disappear from the credits.

The trade is very Wakanda-centric, but the main protectors of the Panther Cult are T'Challa's relatives, the aforementioned Black Musketeers. With the real Black Panther missing, Wakanda turns to T'Challa's relatives; a race car driver, a doctor, a large woman, and an elderly financier. They are surprisingly capable, and do a decent job protecting Wakanda in their genericized Panther-suits.

Once the real Panther returns, they stay involved in the Kiber plot. I don't remember seeing them again, but I like the idea of the Black Panther having a large extended family. I know they added his new sister in recent issues, but this feels a lot more realistic and possible. Surely we would have heard about a sister in earlier BP appearances?

Kirby's art is awkward, thrilling, and exciting. The poses (and dialogue) are unnatural and wonderful at the same time. The technology is brilliant and complex. You know what you're getting in a Jack Kirby book, and I love it.

Good

Kid Review: Batman: Brave & the Bold #20

(Written by my 5-year old daughter)

I like it when Big Barda picks up Batman because women are supposed to be littler than men when they are grown-ups. It is funny that she almost can't fit in the batmobile. I think the robot dogs are kinda crazy. I think it is funny when when Batman says "throw me!" aaaah!

I think it is funny that Stompa can shake Batman and Mr. Miracle, but not Big Barda because she's big. I think it is crazy that the Female Furies are coming back to get Big Barda. It is crazy! I think Stompa's stomping powers are neat. I like how Batman beat them with a boom tube.

This comic was good.

(My take: best issue of B&B in awhile!)

Jack Kirby's OMAC HC (1974)

I've been spoiled by Kirby's Fourth World and Captain America material. Those collections were packed with Kirby's patented mad ideas and anchored by fantastic main characters. The OMAC collection has the wonderful ideas (like brain swapping, build-a-friend bombs, and war beasts that are a combination of animal, vegetable, and mineral) but the protagonist is pretty boring. OMAC doesn't have a lot of personality to him, so I don't have much concern or investment in him when he's put in danger. In fact, I'm more intrigued by the faceless Global Peace Agency officers than I am by Buddy Blank. Now with a name like Buddy Blank, I'm certain that our lead was supposed to be a cipher, but it does take away from the story a bit. There is still plenty to love in this, the odd dialogue ticks and quotation marks that I love in Kirby's work are liberally sprinkled through the 8 issues. Brother Eye is a neat character too, I'm sad to see the concept warped into a bad guy after seeing the original take on the eye in the sky.

Kirby's pencils are fantastic as always. This HC has some of Kirby's original pencils reprinted between each of the issues collected. It's fascinating seeing the dynamic action Kirby put into almost every panel. With the inkers changing 6 issues in, it is fun seeing the difference in what each guy brought to the story.

Good

Captain America: Bicentennial Battles TPB

Ahh, Jack Kirby. Who else would have an insane asylum transplanted to a foreign dimension filled with "planetoids" each one inhabited by a fire-spouting demon? And have those inmates brainwash the Falcon into being their personal super-hero? Of course, Cap and a fast shooting Texan show up to help fight off the creatures AND the inmates. That story? Alamo II. I mean, the audacity to do that is just awesome. As always, Kirby's language feels like it has been badly translated, filled with unnecessary quotes, but also filled with the mad ideas and fast-hitting ideas that make his work so incredible. The opening story has Mister Buddha sending Cap on a trip through American history (and the future!) that is kind of difficult to get through, but I started loving the book again by the end. This must have been insane to follow monthly. Cap and Falcon are SHIELD operatives, but other than that, they do very little interacting with the rest of the Marvel U.

The other shocking factor is how much of a shrew Sharon Carter is. She is constantly pestering Cap about retiring and how he needs to rest. I know Kirby didn't do that with all his ladies, so the choice to do it here with Sharon makes her pretty unlikable.

The art is as dynamic and crazy as all of Kirby's work. Strange devices are used all over, and every gun looks like an odd cylinder. Always fun.

Good