Suvudu Universe

Lumberjanes #5

written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis; illustrated by Brooke Allen
Boom! Box, $3.99 US

There’s some weirdness going on here, since this issue was delayed twice in print, but the digital copy went out to subscribers. The print version will be out on Wednesday. Anyway, I’m surprised I’m still having things to say about this fantasy girl camper series, but it’s because of the creativity that goes into every issue. And a new crazy imagination monster in each outing. Here, it’s dinosaurs.

The girls’ friendship is so realistic and admirable. That’s a help, since there’s a mystical glowing disc artifact that’s causing nightmares and summoning monsters to the camp. There’s hilarious overacting and a surprise revelation about Molly and a were-bear-woman and dinosaur wrangling. Jen steps up to protect her campers, with some amusing exclamations. Plus, this issue teaches you to make friendship bracelets. How can you not love this series?

Princess Ugg #3

by Ted Naifeh
Oni Press, $3.99 US

Another series about a fighting female that improves with every issue. This chapter takes a meaningful turn, as Ülga explains what brought her to the school for princesses in the lowlands.

She remembers her departed mother, who’s drawn in great glory, a truly admirable leader to attempt to live up to. The battle scenes are impressive, conveying just how different Ülga’s life is now in contrast. Yet her mother was also wise, disliking the cost of battle to all those involved, whether won or lost.

Ülga also enlists an ally, someone to value her for her own skills while helping her gain those she needs to live up to her mother’s last wishes. An important first step is learning to get along with her roommate Julifer, complicated by her new acquisition, a unicorn who isn’t yet broken to steed. All of this makes for gorgeous imagery with real heart and story behind it.

The Fade Out #1

by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
Image Comics, $3.50 US

The best-known comic noir team returns with a new project, a series set in post-war Hollywood, full of the usual expectations: a beautiful dead blonde, cover-ups and secrets, and powerful bullies.

Events are narrated by a writer who had too much to drink the night before, so he’s as confused as the reader to start. He doesn’t remember what happened, but as he gradually recalls — and reveals events to us — things turn darker and more convoluted. In between, there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes of the old-time movie biz.

It’s lovely work, full of atmosphere transporting the reader to another time and place, one that’s a lot more deadly. The text article in the back provides, to set the mood, a brief history of Peg Entwistle, the young actress who killed herself by jumping off the Hollywood sign in 1932. I’ve seen the movie mentioned, Thirteen Women, and I’m surprised the author didn’t mention the other reason (beyond being Peg’s only film) the movie is known today — it stars a young Myrna Loy in horrible Asian makeup.

Wayward #1

written by Jim Zub; art by Steve Cummings
Image Comics, $3.50 US

I’ve been turned off, a bit, from this series launch because of how hard they’re pushing it as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a new generation”. I feared that we’d be getting a watered-down version of someone else’s property — and there are better ways to say “monster-fighting girls”. Or just tell the story without having to catchphrase it (see Lumberjanes above).

I was relieved to see that this wasn’t as much of a copy as I feared it might be. It’s the story of Rori, daughter of a divorced Japanese mother and Irish father who’s just moved in with mom. She starts seeing directions, an odd but useful little ability, particularly in a new place. And visual, well-suited to comics.

The art, particularly in establishing the foreign city setting, is terrific. And I admire Rori’s initiative in exploring Tokyo on her own, even if it does lead her into a scary situation. Then a crazy blue-haired fighter jumps into the fray, and the bad guys turn out to be turtle demons. That’s the Buffy part, I guess. I’m curious to see where this goes, and if we get as much of the characterization in future, which I like, as of the monster-fighting, which I could take or leave.

The Wicked + the Divine #3

written by Kieron Gillen; art by Jamie McKelvie
Image Comics, $3.50 US

OK, three issues in and I no longer know exactly what’s going on. Absolutely wonderful to look at, though, and it feels like a puzzle that I don’t know enough about world mythology to work out (Wikipedia helps), or maybe it’s just that I’m too old and I’ve outgrown the absolute passion raised by just the right band or idol. (The letter column, with missives from those deeply affected by the book, suggests the latter.) It’s all terribly meaningful, in some other language, about fate and death and passion.

Well worth reading and rereading, so next issue I’ll have more figured out.

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