eveninghour

So I’ve been reading up on ye olde CrossGen comics. You know how it is when you get nostalgic. If you’re a continental comic buff, you might recall that CrossGen Entertainment declared itself bankrupt a few years ago, owing to poor sales and financial management.

I loved Meridian, Sojourn, and a bit more recently, Ruse (arguably my favourite of all now) and was crushed when news of the falling out came about. Disney has taken over some of the remaining work, but I just discovered that Checker Book Publishing Group are releasing collected works of some series as well, including Sojourn and Ruse. However, what’s perplexed me is that they’re not entirely “collected” per se, but rather, “selected”. Sojourn is known to have 34 issues, while Ruse has 26. I don’t know why. I’m hoping this will be rectified with a follow up second volume, but nothing’s been said about that just yet. So I’m banking on another book, but I’m not going to be buying a copy any time soon until I know for sure that I am going to fully get what’s “left” or when I’ve read enough of other people’s reviews, hah (and since the Aussie dollar is faring very poorly against the US currency, I’m not buying much online overseas any time soon)! Unless by some bizarre miracle the Wonder Team will reunite to finish their series.

Coming Soon

Sojourn Omnibus (issues 1–24)

The artwork is mind-bogglingly beautiful and glossy. Of course, I used to get piqued that Greg Land would somehow always objectify the heroine with raunchy poses (that was later confirmed by other readers’ reports that he “quotes” the poses from porn films and miscellaneous film stills and celebrity shots *sighs*).

Ruse Omnibus (issues 1–17)

I love this series so much. It’s nearly up there with Batman. The fact that it reminds me of the Dark Knight says something, anyhow: a handsome, somewhat stand-offish, elusive detective, but this time in a grisly Victorian setting, complete with old magicks and gargoyles (and Gotham being what it is, a cold, rainy, foggy, gothic city?). It’s been described as an X-Files meets Sherlock Holmes, which isn’t entirely unflattering. The artwork is superlative, the locales and costumes authentic with a touch of the modern sensibility, but above all the characters are just so dishy and smexy. The two protagonists are sardonic and quick-witted, and are equally beautiful to boot (especially in Butch Guice’s pencilling), with an occasional simmering of sexual chemistry. I’m still so upset this series has been cut off so soon; it has super potential. The only thing that annoyed me throughout the earlier issues at least was the writer’s sloppy “British” dialogue. The turn of the 20th century did not have British people saying “Mommy”! Nor today for that matter. Minor issue, but niggling nonetheless. Anyway, I’m lamenting the loss of a brilliant comic series cut too, too short.

Next up I’ll have a compilation of funny videos I’ve found, hopefully to make up for the 10 or so Video of the Week segments I’ve missed. Whoopsies! Also will be reviewing Detective Comics #850, which I LOVED SO MUCH (I forgot to mention this earlier :D)!