WEEKLY COGWHEELS #4

Fourth installation of Weekly Cogwheels, our regular column about… wait what… regular? We did not write anything for the previous week, and also screwing up our Monday deadlines. Whoops. This Wednesday we are going to talk about comics, published week before. The Wicked + The Divine #4, Daredevil #8, All-New X-Factor #14, Copperhead #1 (this one dates two weeks before), Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Witches #1. Trying to make it up to you!

As always, this issue is brought to you by Andrew Stroke and Victor Ark.

The Wicked + The Divine #4

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Artist: Jamie McKelvie

Color: Matthew Wilson

Each new issue feels more and more pompous, than actually being cool. I find it a bit disappointing, that aiming to publish more than 30 issues in a series, made Gillen to reduce the amount of information per issue. This time we only get two settings with so much idle talk, that issue feels unmemorable.

The bar of pomposity was raised with the introduction of “modern age” Valhalla, and especially Baal, who obviously has an enormous self-conceit of Kanye West. On the other hand, I finally started to like Laura, as she starts to position herself as main character, and not Luci’s boring courier. She shows her grin, and starts to speak in a reasonable way. At least, comparing with other characters of the issue, whom are a bunch of dorks. A thought crossed my mind that Laura’s wish of becoming a god will eventually vanish, when she’ll get fed up with this society. But I doubt she’ll go that way, she’s too stubborn.

Jamie McKelvie’s designs are flawless, as usual. “Daft Punk”-inspired Wōden and his techno-Valkyries  look great, it already gives us an understanding what his music sounds like. I guess, using TRON-style interiors for Valhalla is a bit unoriginal, but justifiable for “Daft Punk”-inspired music artist. I don’t recognize, who Minerva is based on, but she looks stylish. She did not hit the puberty, unlike others, and has mechanical owl sitting by her side - obvious nods to Romanian “Virgin Goddess” characteristics.

Yes, a bit, “The Wicked + The Divine”, a bit. Everything is moving too slowly - whether its story, worldbuilding, or characters’ development. The TPB readers would not notice it, though.

Daredevil #8

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Chris Samnee

Color: Matthew Wilson

“Daredevil” proved to be a hit long time ago. After the years of constant dark and violent stories of Matt Murdock’s life, Mark Waid’s handling of the character seems refreshing and fun. Matt smiles most of the time, jokes and enjoys his life both as lawyer and as superhero.

One aspect that I always found enjoyable in Waid’s run, is how he balances between light and dark tones of every issue. One scene could be filled with fun action, humor and positive emotions, and another scene would feature drama, thrill and even horror. This writing method highlights how important it is for Matt to keep smiling. World is still a dangerous place, but at least Murdock keeps his nose up.

Last issue was great. The Purple Man is back with a horrifying idee fixe - he hypnotizes children, and turns them into his puppets. These Purple Children develop mind-control abilities and a hive mind… but who know, how they think after the transformation. This issue raises the “dark component” of “Daredevil” up to an absolute. Even though series had taken shocking turns before (such as “Jack Murdock’s bones in your drawer”-scene), this issue will give you creeps. Like “Stephen King”-kind of creeps.

I would not suggest to start reading with this issue, though, I definitely recommend to check it out later. And this series in particular, if you did not have time to read it.

All-New X-Factor #14

Writer: Peter David

Artists: Pop Mhan, Scott Hanna

Color: Lee Loughridge

It's hard to believe but this is Peter David's third X-Factor run. I was going to review it after the third 'X-aminations' - an issue where Doc Samson interviews members of the team - are out. Though we won't see it at least until January, so I'm just going to review the most recent issue.

This is yet another take on Girls Night Out plot though with walking Danger Room. Girls are going to medieval fest to know each other better but Lorna and Wanda get drunk, the latter interferes in a play and saves an actress named Bree whose ex Paul wanted to kill. Danger keeps to act strange and ask embarrassing questions.

You know what's funny? One issue was enough for me to sympathize Wanda: David knows how to stick to the quick and still have fun. And this is funny 'cause in Uncanny Avengers Scarlet Witch was only irritating me. That's because Uncanny Avengers with all its pathos and importance leaves no place for simple and plain stories while Peter David's been doing for two issues straight.

Yes, the Bree part of the story was a bit common but it had a good moral, and it's normal for Girls Night Out kind of stories.

Copperhead #1

Writer: Jay Faerber

Artist: Scott Godlewski

Color: Ron Riley

A new "strong female character" is introduced in this comic! Sheriff Bronson from “Copperhead” is a single mother with problems and shady past.

It's strange that there is so much going on but there's nothing to tell about. We see Bronson and her son come to a mining town of Copperhead and meet the deputy sheriff Boo, then we see Bronson at her work, then we see her meeting the big bad of this town who is the owner of the mines, and so on. It seems to me that this story actually doesn't need to be part sci-fi, and it would've been better if this was just a western. We even have the Indians, who are common for westerns.

But this book has some really great art. I liked designs of townsfolk, especially the Boo's design.

Will Copperhead be a hit? I doubt that. Should you read it? You can try if you like westerns.

Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Witches #1

Writer: S. M. Vidaurri

Artist: S. M. Vidaurri

Color: S. M. Vidaurri

Everyone knows “Muppets” and “Sesame Street” but the “Storyteller” is lesser known tv-show. Those shows were produced by Jim Henson and they also used muppets. Witches is spiritual heir to tv-series. Muppets may be gone, but John Hurt's character, the Storyteller, is still there, along with the whole premise: authors give readers a new look at famous European fairytales.

I should add that Witches is an anthology and each issue has it's own finished story. Each issue is about a witch. In this issue we meet a witch who can transform into swan. The second will have a snow witch and so on.

 "The Magic Swan Goose & the Lord of the Forest" - is a story about a curse on the royal family, and the princess who's gonna save everyone. There are a poisoned apple, a spindle, and animals that help the princess. They're easy to find, but the process is entertaining. S.M. Vidaurri draws beautifully and the colors are great too.