Infinite Vacation 1 Review

What you need to know: Mark lives in a world where alternate realities are up for sale, and buying and trading your way through unlimited variations of yourself is as commonplace as checking your email or updating your status. But when other "hims" start dying suddenly and he meets a mysterious girl who wants nothing to do with "life-changing," he'll learn the truth about the universe he stumbles through, and what happens when your vacation turns on you.

What you'll love

Fresh High Concept: They say there are no new ideas, and they are probably right. Spencer definitely hits on concepts that have been previously explored, the trick is to take something that's been done and turn it on it's ear and Spencer more than does that here.

The Human Condition: It's been said so often that it's now in danger of becoming a cliche. The best story are ones that explore the human condition. Infinite Vacation holds a mirror to our consumerist culture and forces us to examine ourselves. Spencer finds a way to comment on life which being preachy or sappy.

Pushing the envelope: I'm a huge fan of being creative with comic pages, I love writers and artist that push the bounds of the genre. There's one scene in particular where there is a photo of a real person in the book, it's quite jarring at first, I actually turned back to make sure it wasn't a advertisement.

Modern: The danger in having a book that hits so close to the present is that writers have a tendency to get too cute with the material. Spencer avoids this pitfall masterfully. The book is modern and relevant at the same time. I can see people ten years from now reading this and the book holding similar resonance.

Spencer: I've proclaimed(on more than one occasion) that Nick Spencer is the Kevin Durant of comics. What I mean by this is that Spencer, like Durant is not a household name, but is clearly on his way to being at or near the top of his industry. This must be what people felt like when Bendis burst onto the scene.

What you won't: There's not much dislike, the art is kind of trippy but I think that's the point.

Bottom Line: If Morning Glories didn't exist, this would be the book that would turn Nick Spencer into a star. Get on this one early folks. I think we have a great one on our hands.

Grade: A

Morning Glories 5 Review

What you need to know: It's an explosive confrontation as the Glories attempt to rescue one of their own from the deadly clutches of the Academy. But with their newly formed team already falling apart, they suddenly look like they're in need of rescue themselves


What you'll love

The Cover: This is by far my favorite cover of the series so far, the attention to detail, the acting of the characters all make it stand out. If a cover is supposed to make a reader buy the book Rodin Esquejo more than accomplishes his mission. Anyone walking by could pick up this issue, take a look at the cover and immediately understand what the story is about.

Interior Art: It's not a secret that I'm a big fan of Joe Eisma's art, however I thought he'd taken a small step back last issue. In this issue Eisma is at his best, the characters are so well defined, both in their look and expression. The school itself has become a character in this story as well, which is also to Joe's credit. I feel like I've been in Morning Glories Academy before, one can almost smell the chalk dust.

Coloring: This is the first time I've ever commented on the coloring of a book, but as I review more and more books, I've begun to develop an eye for it. Alex Sollazzo's colors help to make this book what it is, it seem that the perfect color is used in every scene. The color's capture the youth and energy of the school, while at the same time highlight the darkness that lies under the surface. It's superb work.

Opening:I go on and on about opening scenes because they are so crucial. Spencer has an uncanny knack for using dialogue to grab you in an open. Here he uses point of view to add an element of mystery.

Balls to the wall: Last issue my complaint was that it felt like filler. Issue five is the climax of the arc and it feels like it. Spencer pulls out all the stops, paying off plot threads that he'd set up. This issue gives us a bit of everything that a fan of this book can ask for. It's hard to go into to detail without spoiling it, but rest assured that Nick Spencer slams his foot down and the gas and doesn't let up.


What you won't: What's not to love.


Bottom Line: If you've kicked yourself for not jumping on another book earlier, do yourself a favor and jump on this one now. Do not and I repeat DO NOT wait for the trades, it's that good.

Grade: A-

Thunder Agents 2

What you need to know: The team goes out on it's first mission.


What you'll love

Nick Spencer: I've taken to calling Nick Spencer the Kevin Durant of comics. My reasoning is that much like Durant, Spencer is immensely talented and on the verge of becoming a household name. In my opinion, Spencer is every bit as good as comics' top tier writers, it's just a matter of time before the rest of the world recognizes it.

BKV: It's very silly to compare writers, especially in the context of someone being the "next _____(insert famous writer). However Spencer's work on this book has reminded me of Brian K Vaughan, Spencer's voice in this book speaks to the frailty of the human condition in way that he doesn't in his other works. Another way Spencer reminds me of BKV is in how intelligent, well researched and clever his scripts are.


Art: It's simply beautiful. Seemingly a cast of thousand's worked on this issue, this is usually a bad sign but it worked. Cafu is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists and Cris Cross' work on theLighting's backstory captures the character's emotions brilliantly. It's moving stuff.


Grown up superheroes: I need depth in my comics, Thunder Agents is not a series of senseless action scenes, with men in capes punching each other. It's something much more creative and resonant. It's about life, how short it is and how the choices we make shape who we are.

What you won't

Story development: Realistically, the first two issues have been exposition. I for one enjoy when exposition is done well, it's the foundation of the rest of the story. That being said, these guys still haven't actually finished their mission yet.


Bottom Line: Nick Spencer's meteoric rise continues in this installment. I'm beginning to enjoy this book more than Morning Glories.(Which is saying a LOT)

GRADE: A

Morning Glories 4 Review

What you need to know: The students of Morning Glories hatch a plan to save one of their own.


What you'll love

Art: Joe Eisma does it once again. His art is so consistent at this point that I almost tire of saying it. In this issue I notice how he made every room in Academy look unique. This may sound easy but it's not. Eisma gives Morning Glory Academy the perfect atmosphere. There's a also a subtle effect of Eisma's art. Morning Glories school seems massive.

Deeper Characterization: In this issue Spencer digs deeper into what makes these kids tick. Literally every page is about fleshing these characters out and allowing us to discover who they are.

Nice Twist: The ending of the issue isn't exactly shocking but it catches you off guard though. It's a nice beat they can be taken in several directions and it defintley left me salivating for the next issue.

Reflective: In a past review I mentioned that what separates a good story from a great one is what it has to say about life. The exploration of the human condition, if you will. There's a nice scene where this is on display towards the back of the book.

What you won't

Ensemble cast: It's just the nature of the beast. Spencer's a great juggler, but it's hard to juggle this many characters. I'm interested to see how he does it. It's not really a problem for me personally because my two favorite characters are consistently highlighted. But I can see where some are coming from.

Slowed down: There's a lot of planning in this issue, which is never my favorite. It's very smart planning but people sitting around talking, or plotting as it were, can seem to drag.

In between: I felt like this was a bridge issue to get us towards the end of the arc. Spencer raised the stakes but not in any way that's new. We've seen the children punished before, so that's nothing new.


Bottom Line: Morning Glories has consistently been one of the best books on the shelves since its inception. This is a book you can give to your girlfriend.(or any other non comic reader for that matter)

Grade: B+

Thunder Agents 1

What you need to know: Would you rather burn out or fade away? That's the question at the heart of this bold new series about a group of people who, for one reason or another, are at their wits' end until they're offered a chance to become superheroes. The catch? Their powers will kill them.

Writer Nick Spencer (Morning Glories) and artist CAFU (WAR OF THE SUPERMEN) present a fresh take on the classic comics property, starring a new batch of recruits brought in to take over the original agents' mantles and make some difficult choices of their own - all while dealing with global threats the rest of the DCU doesn't even know exist!


What you'll love

Nick Spencer: is the Kevin Durant of comics.(Hopefully you're basketball fans) It's become trite to say that Spencer is up and coming, mostly because at this point, he's just coming. All of Spencer's books have a unique voice, and Thunder Agents is no different. Agents is a nice contrast to Morning Glories in that it gives Spencer more room to flex his intellectual muscles. Even though this is Spy Fi, Spencer can show more of his hand than he can is a mysterious story like Morning glories. In this issue he shows a cleverness and a voice that reminded me of Brian K Vaughn.

Opening Scene: Screenwriters say that the first ten pages are the most important in a script. In comics the same is true, but the time frame is more condensed. Starting with a bang is always nice, but equally nice is for a writer to present an intriguing premise and draw the reader in. I especially love the camera angle that the story starts with. Very unique, it's a credit to Cafu and Spencer.

Art: Speaking of up and coming, Cafu's art in this issues is spectacular, this issue alone announces his arrival onto the big stage. Though Cafu's action scenes are heart stopping, it's the quiet emotional scenes that truly resonate. He actually did something I'v never seen done in a comic. On page 18 he perfectly conveys the coyish, response of a woman that doesn't want to like a guy but still does. Rarely do comic artist do well with complex and/or conflicting emotions, Cafu knocks it out of the park.

Spy Fi: Fans bitch and moan about the lack of crime comics, but in reality there's been a resurgence. Truthfully one of the most neglected sub-genres is espionage. As a huge Spy-Fi fan it's great to see a well thought out tale of subterfuge and skulduggery.

Cliffhanger: Nothing Spencer does is cliche, it would have been very easy to end this issue on a literal cliffhanger, with the heroes facing impending physical doom. Instead Nick unleashes the hook of the series, and believe me it's a doozy.


What you won't

Confusing: I was very sleepy when I started reading this issue, and frankly my brain hurt, in a good way. I found myself having to go back and make sure I understood what was going on, which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing. I think there should be a level of convulsion in any good spy tale. If you like Spy fiction the word triple agent simply rolls off the tongue. However if' you're looking for knock em sock em action(and only that) then this probably isn't the book for you.

Bottom Line: Spencer continues his breakout year with another strong offering. Thunder Agents is everything I hoped Secret Avengers would be.

Grade: A

Morning Glories 3

Morning Glories

What you need to know: Morning Glories is a private school full of danger, mystery and deceit, in this issue the plot thickens as students continue their first day of classes.

What you'll love you

Art: My view of artist is similar to way sports referees are viewed, if you've noticed them they haven't done their job. (Sorry, I'm a writer so sue me) Joe Eisma defies this rule, his art is spectacular, not only is it beautiful and eye catching, but it masterfully conveys the emotion and mystery of Morning Glories.

Catchy slogan: With these kinds of stories it's critical that the foundational slogans and catch phrases work. Spencer knocks it out of the park with "the hour of our release draws near" It's catchy and appropriately cryptic and most of all it makes me want to know more(which is the point)

Cinematic: Morning Glories reads like a movie or TV show. It's an appealing approach that serves this book well. When I'm reading Morning Glories I'm completely ensconced in the world that Spencer and Eisma have created. Their cinematic approach is a big reason why.

Characterization: The ensemble cast format has its pitfalls,(I'll hit that later) but one thing it has the potential to do is create favorites among the audiences. So far for me it's the head strong Casey and the pathological Ike. It'd be very easy for these characters to become cliched but Spencer breathes life into each archetype.

What you won't

Ensemble cast: Done well the ensemble format can be better than any other story telling vehicle, done poorly and you have New Avengers(I'm joking,lol) Large casts are a juggling act and its impossible to please everyone. I enjoy Casey and Ike, but what if I didn't? I'd be stuck with them for an entire issue.

Depth: So far this the only true weakness I can find. The difference between a story that's very good and great is in it's emotional resonance, is it's ability to connect with to connect with its audience. It's still very early but Morning Glories isn't strong on big themes, or exploration of the human condition. Maybe it won't be that kind of book, maybe it will, but depth is the trait that creates greatness and this book definitely has the potential to be great.

Bottom Line: Nick Spencer is well on his way to becoming comics next superstar and Morning Glories could be the vehicle that takes him there. It's a must read every month.

Grade: A