Reviews- Whiteout Vol. 2: Melt; Iron Siege

WHITEOUT- THE DEFINITIVE EDITION VOL. 2: MELT (Oni Press, 2007; Softcover)

Collects Whiteout: Melt Nos. 1-4 (cover dates September, 1999- February, 2000)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artist: Steve Lieber

This is an extremely satisfying follow up to the original Whiteout mini-series. While not as intense as the original, this still has plenty of suspenseful, page-turner elements and bang for the buck. I cannot recommend these two Whiteout books enough. Rucka's writing and Lieber's artwork are perfect. These seem pretty timely, too, since I can look out the window and see plenty of white stuff. While not arctic cold, it's cold enough where you wouldn't want to be outside for very long, either. My dislike of Winter really helps with the psychological aspect of this book. 

IRON SIEGE(IDW, 2011; Softcover)

Collects Iron Siege Nos. 1-3 (cover dates December, 2010- April, 2011)

Writer: Trevor Goring

Artist: Grant Goleash

The gist: The story takes place during World War II, and deals with some kind of chemical/ black magic/ monster/werewolf thing. This is an empty calorie read. I blew through this book in no time flat, and once I finished it, I knew that I would never have want to read it again.

The OCD zone- I remember when the floppies of this series were originally solicited, IDW boasted how this was being published in Golden Age comic book size. I'm not sure why that matters. Sure, this takes place in the '40s, the “Golden Age of comics”, but it has nothing else in common with that era, either in tone or presentation. Likewise, this trade paperback is published in Golden Age comic book size, making it a bit wider than normal trade paperbacks. So what you get is a mediocre read that will look out of place on your bookshelf because it will stick out farther than the rest of your softcovers. It's a real win-win!

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Review: Whiteout- The Definitive Edition Vol. 1

WHITEOUT: THE DEFINITIVE EDITION VOL. 1(Oni Press, 2007; Softcover)

Collects Whiteout Nos. 1-4 (cover dates July- November, 1998)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artist: Steve Lieber

This was one of those 'nick and dent' bookstore market returns that are available at a steep discount at comic conventions. I was blown away by the quality of the artwork and picked it up.

This is top shelf stuff. I often feel embarrassed when I discover something like this, only to find that it has long been celebrated in nerd circles. I can't be everywhere at once, kids. There are only so many hours in a day and so many dollars in my wallet. I guess that the important thing is that I discovered it at all. Seriously great stuff, I recommend this to everyone, comics fan or not. 

Steve Lieber's artwork is stellar. He employs many techniques and gets the most out of the black and white format. A great artist can “paint” color in your mind, and Lieber does just that. I am sorry, but this title deserves some gushing. It is that good.

I have been more adventurous with my reading habits as of late, and it's really paying off. While I am tired of the big two's reboots, ret-cons and crossovers, there are plenty of great comic books being published by countless other publishers. It's not the medium that's tired, it's the traps and conceits of certain genres that are tired.

The OCD zone- This book was published in what is called the 'graphic novel' format size. It's larger than a digest but smaller than a standard trade paperback. The format works for this material. My only gripe is that the original issue's covers are not included in this book, even though there is a blank chapter marker page before each issue.