Showing posts with label STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE. Show all posts

March 19, 2012

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 5 - Jordan, Moore & Sobreiro

I have to be completely honest about The Strange Talent of Luther Strode. When I first saw it solicited I felt allured by the presence of a male teenager as a protagonist. Add to that the notion of the Charles Atlas method giving you superpowers and, suddenly, the fact that the writer and the artist were completely unknown to me became irrelevant. I wasn’t really planning on preordering the second issue, I mean, most of the time I only get the first issue through DCBS and after reading it I decide if I want to get the rest of the series, which means that instead of preorders I just put these titles in a list for future purchases in MidtownComics or MyComicShop.

But then, since I had already preordered the second issue based solely on its awesome cover I decided to remain a faithful reader until the end. And so, today, I finished reading the fifth installment of this astonishing miniseries. And let me tell you, I’m so glad that I stayed on board.

If I had to use one word to define this issue it would be violence. But it’s not violence without purpose. Quite the contrary, all the dismemberment and disembowelment is there to confront us, the readers, to make us analyze about the way in which we approach graphic violence.

Violence is concomitant to the human nature. It existed before the Middle Age and the French Revolution, during the Holocaust and the Stalinist repression, and well after the Iraq war or the horrifying events at Abu Ghraib. Philosopher Slavoj Žižek dissects several instantiations of violence that we see on the TV news every day. According to Žižek, we should try to circumvent fetishizing violence; we ought to emphasize that “graphic descriptions and gory horror stories sometimes end up appealing to us out of shock and fascination - leading to a preoccupation with the gruesome details of each instantiation of violence. Hence [we] try to resist the allure of its horror and achieve a more dispassionate engagement that may help us to see the underlying causes more clearly”.

As Justin Jordan shares with the readers in the last pages of Luther Strode, violence is here for a reason. It’s never gratuitous. We either care for these characters or we don’t, and when we see them brutally attacked by their enemies, we can no longer remain as dispassionate readers. Here the shock and fascination of blood and gore moments are the one and true sympathetic device used by the writer to makes us suffer as much as the protagonists do. I’d say it’s never easy to accomplish something like this, but then again Justin manages to do just that.

Tradd Moore has really knocked the ball out of the park here. There are some really unique sequences. Felipe Sobreiro once again reminds us of the importance of color, and surprises us with his vibrant chromatic choices. Let’s just pay attention to the struggle between the Librarian and Pete (Luther’s best friend), and also the magnificent double page spread, violence reaches its peak and it’s intensified by Petra’s reaction in 12 small frames. Top notch stuff.

For more, click here:

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 1, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 2, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 3, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 4
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Tengo que ser completamente honesto sobre “The Strange Talent of Luther Strode” (“El extraño talento de Luther Strode”). Antes de que saliera el primer número me sentí interesado por la premisa: un adolescente que, al utilizar el método de Charles Atlas ganaba súper poderes, así que a pesar de no conocer ni al guionista ni al dibujante compré por adelantado el primer número.

El asunto pudo haber quedado allí (como sucede con otros títulos que pruebo y abandono), pero cuando vi cuál sería la asombrosa portada del # 2, decidí nuevamente comprarlo por adelantado, y al final decidí permanecer como un fiel lector. Hoy terminé de leer el quinto capítulo de esta extraordinaria miniserie. Y déjenme decirles que me alegra haber seguido comprándola.

Si tuviera que usar una palabra para definir el # 5, sería violencia. Pero no es violencia sin propósito. Por el contrario, todas las mutilaciones y destripamientos están allí para confrontarnos, a nosotros los lectores, para hacernos analizar de qué forma nos aproximamos a la violencia gráfica.

La violencia es análoga a la naturaleza humana. Existía antes de la Edad Media y de la revolución francesa, durante el Holocausto y la represión estalinista, y mucho después de la guerra de Irak y los terribles eventos en Abu Ghraib. El filósofo Slavoj Žižek estudia varias instancias de la violencia, esa que vemos en las noticias de televisión a diario. De acuerdo con Žižek, deberíamos eludir el hecho de fetichizar la violencia; deberíamos enfatizar que "las historias de descripciones gráficas y terror sangriento a veces nos llaman la atención a causa del shock y la fascinación - que llevan a una preocupación por los detalles truculentos de cada una de las instancias de violencia. Por ello, intentamos resistir el atractivo de este horror y alcanzamos un distanciamiento desapasionado que puede ayudarnos a ver las causas subyacentes más claramente".

Tal como Justin Jordan comparte con sus lectores en las páginas finales, la violencia está aquí por una razón. Nunca es gratuita. Sí nos importa lo que ocurre con estos personajes, y cuando los vemos brutalmente atacados por sus enemigos, ya no podemos permanecer como lectores desapasionados. Aquí, el shock y la fascinación por la sangre son el recurso utilizado por el escritor para generar empatía, y para hacernos sufrir tanto como los personajes. Diría que nunca es fácil conseguir algo así, pero Justin lo logra.

Tradd Moore ha hecho un gran trabajo. Hay algunas secuencias realmente únicas. Felipe Sobreiro nuevamente nos recuerda la importancia del color, y nos sorprende con sus vibrantes elecciones cromáticas. Prestemos atención a la pelea entre el Bibliotecario y Pete (el mejor amigo de Luther) y también a la magnífica página doble, en la que la violencia máxima se intensifica con la reacción de Petra en 12 pequeñas viñetas. Espectacular.

Y aquí hay más:


The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 1, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 2, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 3, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 4

December 19, 2011

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode # 2 - Jordan & Moore


Ah, to be a teenager and fantasize about women or power… how could we not relate to that? When I reviewed the first issue of Strange Talent of Luther Strode I made a special emphasis on teenage fantasies versus adult fantasies, and now in the second issue, Justin Jordan shares his opinions about power fantasies (which means I either did a good job on my review or we planned this together).

Luther Strode is no longer a vulnerable nerd. He is no longer afraid of bullies, but his greatest fear now is to become as abusive as the kids that used to belittle him and harass him. Might makes right, goes an old saying, and as the school respects (and fears) Luther, he starts noticing the downside of power.

However, not all is bleak in high school life, and when Petra, arguably the hottest girl in town, starts seducing the shy teenager, we’re confronted with a different kind of female character. As Justin Jordan reminds us, in the old Atlas advertising, women were pretty vain and flimsy creatures that would only pay attention to guys with big muscles. That’s why the protagonist of those ads had to practice the Atlas method in order to be as muscled as a Greek titan.

Times have changed of course, and women can no longer be portrayed in such inconsequential fashion. Petra is a very strong and determined girl, and she’s completely the opposite of a damsel in distress. Luther’s clumsiness with girls doesn’t prevent her from taking the initiative. And that’s why she pays him a visit. Now, this is one of the funniest sequences I’ve read in a long time. Not only does she find Luther wearing nothing but (unconventional) underwear, but also teases him with a couple of really great jokes: “Well, I’m more a backdoor kind of girl”, Luther’s reaction to this witty anal sex reference is simply hilarious.

Strange Talent of Luther Strode magnificently recreates the awkwardness of high school, while maintaining a brilliant analysis on male fantasies and the dynamics of (super) powers. This original concept shines even more thanks to the fantastic work of Tradd Moore and Felipe Sobreiro, Moore’s pages are delightful and charming, combining a certain cartoonish vibe with highly detailed backgrounds and references to pop culture (check out Luther’s bedroom, it’s full of Superman posters, Star Wars memorabilia, etc.), and the dismemberment scenes are truly awesome… only a clever artist can make blood and guts look so gorgeous. Seems to me like the cover is a great homage to Byrne’s Superman # 10 (a story in which Superman loses control over his powers, starting with his x-ray visions and as a result he can’t stop seeing everyone in different levels of nakedness… why don’t they write stories like that anymore?). Once again, I’m thrilled to read such a wonderful miniseries. You should all give it a try. You really, really should. 

First issue: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/11/strange-talent-of-luther-strode-1.html
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Adolescentes que fantasean con conseguir mujeres o poderes... ¿Cómo no sentirnos identificados con algo así? Cuando comenté el primer número de “Strange Talent of Luther Strode” hice énfasis en las fantasías adolescentes versus las fantasías adultas, y ahora, Justin Jordan comparte sus opiniones sobre las fantasías de poder (eso quiere decir que, o bien hice un óptimo trabajo con mi reseña, o él y yo nos pusimos de acuerdo).

Luther Strode ya no es un nerd vulnerable. Tampoco lo asustan los abusivos, ahora su miedo es convertirse en alguien tan agresivo como los chicos que solían despreciarlo y humillarlo. El poder te permite hacer lo que te da la gana, y ese es justamente uno de los problemas más serios.

Sin embargo, no todo es sombrío en la secundaria, y es así como Petra, quizá la chica más atractiva de la ciudad, empieza a seducir al tímido adolescente. Justin Jordan nos recuerda que en los viejos avisos publicitarios de Atlas, las mujeres eran criaturas vanas y antojadizas que sólo prestaban atención a los hombres grandes y musculosos. Por ello, el protagonista de estos avisos debía practicar el método Atlas hasta ser tan musculoso como un titán griego.

Los tiempos han cambiado, por supuesto, y las mujeres ya no son retratadas de manera tan inconsecuente. Petra es una chica muy fuerte y segura, y es completamente lo opuesto a una damisela que debe ser rescatada. La torpeza de Luther con las chicas no la desanima. Y ella decide aparecerse en su casa. Por cierto, esta es una de las secuencias más divertidas que he leído en mucho tiempo. Luther está semidesnudo, usando apenas una ropa interior poco convencional, además, Petra le hace un par de bromas de primera: "Bueno, soy más una chica de puertas traseras", la reacción de Luther a esta ingeniosa referencia al sexo anal es simplemente hilarante.

"Strange Talent of Luther Strode" recrea magníficamente la inseguridad juvenil, mientras que analiza brillantemente las fantasías masculinas y las dinámicas de los (súper) poderes. Este concepto original brilla aún más gracias al fantástico trabajo de Tradd Moore y Felipe Sobreiro, las páginas de Moore son deliciosas y encantadoras, con un cierto aire caricaturesco pero con fondos sumamente detallados y referencias a la cultura pop (fíjense en la habitación de Luther, está llena de afiches de Superman, objetos de Star Wars, etc.), y las escenas de desmembramientos son asombrosas... sólo un artista astuto puede lograr que la sangre y los intestinos sean tan llamativos. Me parece que la portada es un homenaje al Superman # 10 de Byrne (una historia en la que Superman pierde el control sobre sus poderes, empezando por su visión de rayos x, y como resultado ve a todo el mundo en distintos grados de desnudez... ¿por qué ya no escriben historias así?). Me entusiasma esta nueva miniserie. Deberían leerla. Realmente deberían leerla.

Primer número: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/11/strange-talent-of-luther-strode-1.html

November 15, 2011

October comic books / cómics de octubre

Rodin Esquejo
October comic books are finally here! First of all I wanted to thank Mr. Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead for publishing my letter (and replying to it) in issue 89. Besides The Walking Dead, I also read two first issues from Image (Last of the Greats and The Strange Talent of Luther Strode) and I’m absolutely thrilled (so much that I’ll write a review on them). Same goes for The Theater, Severed and Caligula. I’m also glad to see two issues of Superior in the same month, and I’m impatient to see how the series ends in the seventh and final installment of Millar’s creation. And now, without further ado, October comics as per solicitations: 

BOYS #37 (MR)
High in the French Pyrenees lies the little mountain village of Franglais, as quiet and peaceful a place as you could imagine... until her favorite son comes home. The Frenchman's origin is finally revealed, in a pulse-bounding tale of seething passion, vile betrayal and classic Gallic melancholy. Who is Black Pierre? Why is the lovely Marie not there to welcome her beloved Frenchie home? And how can one croissant change everything? Find out in The Boys #37!


CALIGULA #4 (OF 6) (MR)
Cover: Jacen Burrows Writer: David Lapham Art: German Nobile  David (Crossed) Lapham unveils a new tale of  ancient Rome and the most feared emperor of all time.  The one name that still speaks volumes of how absolute power can corrupt - Caligula.   Assassination attempts against him have failed and Caligula now demands blood vengeance.  Can Felix keep his focus and sanity in the face of so much misery and horror® A modern master of horror, Lapham digs deep into the world of Rome 37 AD and offers a unique epic of sin.  Joined by new talent German Nobile who promises to serve up fully-painted pages dripping with blood, this all-new, full-color series will be six issues of evil that will make any Crossed fan smile with glee.  For in the age of Caligula, all roads lead to Hell.  Caligula #4 is available with a Regular cover by Jacen Burrows, a Wraparound cover by series artist German Nobile, and a special rare Golden retailer incentive.


GENERATION HOPE #10
Written by KIERON GILLEN Penciled by SALVADOR ESPIN Cover by RODIN ESQUETO SCHISM TIE-IN! Generation Hope take part in the X-Men event of 2011! The mutants of the future finally come to understand the real sad meaning of mutantkind's past as a day trip from Utopia takes a tragic, bloody turn. In the wake of SCHISM's first casualties, can Generation Hope even exist anymore? 32 PGS./Rated T+ $2.99


KIRBY GENESIS #4
(W) Kurt Busiek (A) Jack Herbert, Alex Ross (C) Alex Ross (main), Ryan Sook (1-in-10) Who - or what - are The Primals? As Kirby - trapped on the Phantom Continent with Reptar and Thunderfoot - battles the Life-Eaters to understand, alliances are made back in the United States: Alliances of heroes, as Silver Star, Captain Victory, the Glory Knights and Galaxy Green come together. And alliances of villains, as Roag, the Lightning Lady, Sundance and Darius Drumm make a devil's bargain. And if the wrong side reaches the Proto-Seed first - it may spell the end, for all of us.


LAST OF THE GREATS #1  
There were seven, possessing the power of gods, and representing all that could be right with the world. But now... he is the Last.  As humanity stands on the brink of annihilation, he is our only hope.  And he hates us for what we've done. From the Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated writer of ECHOES, Tumor and Elk’s Run comes a dynamic new take on how far mankind will stoop to survive.


MORNING GLORIES #13 (MR)
story NICK SPENCER art JOE EISMA cover RODIN ESQUEJO  P.E.  'MORNING GLORIES is a miraculous title?, Nick Spencer has found the perfect balance between mystery and character and delivers a riveting comic that also has believable characters with realistic motivations.' - Benjamin Birdie, CBR.com

   
SEVERED #3 (OF 7) (MR)
“IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE" Things heat up as our cannibalistic salesman meets the kids and invites them over for dinner.


STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1 (OF 6)
Chris Roberson (w) o Jeffrey Moy (a) o Phil Jimenez, Keith Giffen (c) The pairing you never thought could happen! IDW Publishing and DC Comics are proud to present the greatest tale of the 23rd century! Or is that the 31st century? As you'll see here, it's both. Eisner-nominated writer Chris Roberson and Star Trek and Legionnaires veteran artist Jeffrey Moy partner up to bring you the most bizarre partnership of any century! In this first issue, a group of Legionnaires end up lost in the 23rd century, but it's a universe that isn't familiar to either the Legion or the crew of the USS Enterprise!


STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #1 (OF 6)
Luther Strode is just your average nerd until he sends away for a bodybuilding course from an old comic book, one that works a whole lot better than he ever imagined. His newfound strength and strange talents make school a lot easier, but they’ve also caused some very, very bad people to take a very, very keen interest in him. Things will never be the same for Luther Strode…if he survives.


SUPERIOR # 5
The President has asked him to win the war in Afghanistan, the UN has asked him to feed the starving and the world needs saving 24/7. But Superior doesn't even break a sweat. He can handle all this in stride until his past comes catching up with him and he finds out why a 12-year-old boy with special needs was given these powers in the first place. This is a must-read issue where the mystery that has been plaguing fandom for the past twelve months is finally revealed in a shocking twist.


SUPERIOR # 6
The fall-out from last issue continues as Superior discovers the secret behind his powers. Does he remain a superhero and meet his terrible destiny? Does he give up his amazing powers and go back to life in his wheel-chair? A word to the wise: This issue contains so many shocks that more gentle readers might be unable take the pace. It also contains art which writer Mark Millar fears will make other artists go impotent. But as the story of America's number one new hero builds toward a conclusion, one guarantee is that you won't be disappointed.


THEATER #1 C CVR RODIN (MR)
(W) Raven Gregory (A) Martin Montiel, Michael Garcia (C) Artgerm [a], Tyler Kirkham [b], Rodin [c] In a quiet New Jersey town there sits a small, old-fashioned movie theater. But this unassuming theater holds a deep dark secret, one that threatens the lives of anyone who dares enter it. An when an unsuspecting couple decides to visit the old movie house to watch some horror films, they soon will find that something full of horror is also watching them. From the writer of the Wonderland trilogy and The Waking comes a whole new world of fear unlike any that has been seen before! Featuring 29 pages of content and covers by superstar artists Artgerm and Tyler Kirkham. Don't miss the brand new horror series unlike any you have read before.


WALKING DEAD #89 (MR)
Story: Robert Kirkman Art/Cover: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn  He has gone too far.


WALKING DEAD #90 (MR)
Glenn will soon regret his decision.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #40
The BEGINNING is near…


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #41
Death surrounds them.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #42
The time has come.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #43
Living safely among the dead for so long can make you let your guard down. You forget how dangerous they truly are. Mistakes are made... lives are lost.

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¡Los cómics de octubre están finalmente aquí! Pero antes que nada quería agradecer a Robert Kirkman, creador de The Walking Dead por publicar mi carta (y responderme) en el número 89. Además de The Walking Dead también leí dos primeros números de Image (Last of the Greats and The Strange Talent of Luther Strode) y he quedado encantado (tanto que escribiré una reseña sobre los dos). Lo mismo se aplica a The Theater, Severed and Caligula. Por cierto, me alegra ver dos números de Superior el mismo mes, y estoy impaciente por leer el desenlace de esta serie de Millar. Y ahora, sin más preámbulos, aquí están los cómics de octubre:

BOYS #37 (MR) 
En los Pirineos franceses hay una villa, pacífica y tranquila. ¿Pero qué es lo que oculta esta melancolía gálica?


CALIGULA #4 (OF 6) (MR) 
Los intentos de asesinato en contra de Calígula han fallado, y ahora él demanda venganza. ¿Podrá Félix mantener la cordura en medio de la miseria y el horror? Se ha dicho que en la era de Calígula todos los caminos llevan al averno, y este relato de corrupción así lo demostrará. 


KIRBY GENESIS #4 
¿Qué o quiénes son los PRIMALS? Mientras Kirby, atrapado en el continente fantasma, combate contra los Devoradores de la Vida, Estados Unidos se alía con SILVER STAR, CAPTAIN VICTORY y GLORY KNIGHTS.


LAST OF THE GREATS #1
Hubo siete, y poseían el poder de los dioses. Representaban todo lo que podía estar bien en el mundo. Pero ahora… él es el último. La humanidad se encuentra al borde de la aniquilación, y él es nuestra última esperanza. Pero nos odia por lo que hemos hecho.


MORNING GLORIES #13 (MR)
El balance perfecto entre el misterio y los personajes.


SEVERED #3 (OF 7) (MR)
 “Hay una jungla allí fuera”. Las cosas se salen de control cuando el viajante caníbal se encuentro con un grupo de niños y los invita a cenar.


STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1 (OF 6)
El encuentro que nadie había imaginado será el más grandioso relato del siglo XXIII ¿o del siglo XXXI? ¿O ambos? Un grupo de legionarios terminan perdidos en el siglo XXIII, pero es un universo que no resulta familiar ni para ellos ni para la tripulación del USS Enterprise.


STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #1 (OF 6)
LUTHER STRODE es el típico nerd hasta que decide hacer un curso de fisicoculturismo que encuentra en un viejo cómic. Y funciona mucho mejor de lo esperado. Con una nueva fuerza y extraños talentos, el colegio se hace más fácil, pero hay gente que de pronto está muy interesada en él.


SUPERIOR # 5
El presidente le ha pedido que gane la guerra de Afganistán, las Naciones Unidas que alimente a los que se mueren de hambre. El mundo necesita ser salvado las 24 horas del día. Y Superior ni siquiera tiene que sudar para conseguirlo. Hasta que su pasado lo alcanza y descubre por qué estos poderes fueron concedidos a un chico de doce años.


SUPERIOR # 6
Superior descubre el secreto detrás de sus poderes. ¿Seguirá siendo un súper-héroe para enfrentar su terrible destino? ¿O entregará sus asombrosos poderes para regresar a su vida en una silla de ruedas?


THEATER #1 C CVR RODIN (MR)
En un tranquilo pueblo de New Jersey hay un viejo y destartalado cine. Pero en su interior habita un oscuro secreto, que amenazará las vidas de todos los que se atrevan a entrar. Cuando una ingenua pareja decide ir al cine para ver una película de terror, pronto descubrirán que el horror los observa. 

my final version / mi versión final

WALKING DEAD #89
Él ha ido demasiado lejos.


WALKING DEAD #90 (MR)
Pronto, Glenn se arrepentirá de su decisión.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #40
El comienzo está cerca.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #41
La muerte los rodea.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #42
La hora ha llegado.


WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #43
Vivir a salvo entre los muertos por tanto tiempo puede hacerte bajar la guardia. Olvidar lo peligrosos que son. Así empieza… la tragedia.