This Week's Suspended Animation

Hal Foster Prince Of Illustrators, published by Vanguard Productions, $24.95

I was in my late twenties before I took a good look at Hal Foster's Prince Valiant, despite being a fan of comic books and strips since childhood. Maybe it came with the passage of time, and further education in the art form of comics, but a deep appreciation for his work eventually materialized. And then solidified. Then, marked me for life. That's why I'm so thankful for Brian M. Kane, and his book Hal Foster: Prince of Illustrators, Father of the Adventure Strip.

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Instead of a review, this week's column contains an interview with artist Doug Wheatley by Mark Allen.

As a fan of comic books and strips for over 35 years, I actively refer to Doug Wheatley as "an artist's artist". All that really means is that, in my eyes, he is one of the most accomplished artisans in the comics industry, today. While I can only speak for myself, however, I suspect that his refined, realistic style has convinced many other fans of the same. It was a pleasure to conduct this short interview with him, and I appreciate his patient, enthusiastic manner.

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Suspended Animation Review

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5, published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc., 568 pages, $16.99.

The last four installments of Suspended Animation have dealt heavily with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's breathtaking 1960s run on Marvel's Fantastic Four. And, while the remarkable quality of the legendary duo's work was monumentally maintained in the fifth volume, a subject which cannot escape inspection is the passing of the artistic baton, first to stand-in artist John Romita, then to the second ongoing penciler in the book's history, the renowned John Buscema.

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Suspended Animation Review

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 4, Published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc., 536 pages, $16.99.

The Fantastic Four was, for some time, Marvel Comics' flagship book. And for good reason. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's historic work on the mag remains a measuring rod for comic book stories, even today. And the inspiration gained by fans during the Silver Age is mirrored by their modern day counterparts who are fortunate enough to uncover this sequential gem.

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Suspended Animation Review

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 3, Published by Marvel Comics, 520 pages, $16.99.

Simon and Garfunkel. Burns and Allen. Conway and Knotts. Sonny and Cher. Abbot and Costello. What do these duos have in common? They produced a lot of entertainment, for a lot of people, which will be remembered for a long time. Of course, we can add many more to such a list, but the duo this column is concerned with is Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, as the look back on their classic work on comics' premiere family continues.

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Suspended Animation Review

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 2, published by Marvel Comics, 528 pages, $19.99.

Some transformations are entertaining to watch. Some are not. A loud, funny comedian (or comedienne), morphing into a loud, obnoxious politician or political commentator? Not fun. Jack Kirby in the early '60's, developing his drawing style into one of the biggest, boldest and most daring the world of comic books and strips has ever seen? Like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory for the eyes. Add Stan Lee's increasingly enjoyable writing, combined with his illustrative alliterations, and you have the treasure that is Marvel's Essential Fantastic Four Volume 2.

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Suspended Animation Review

Essential Fantastic Four Volume 1, published by Marvel Comics, 544 pages, $16.99.

Marvel Masterworks, or Marvel Essentials? Whichever a person chooses to consume the first 20 issues (and Annual #1) of The Fantastic Four is, for all intents and purposes, inconsequential. That is, unless you judge a great comics experience by whether or not the strip is in color. If so, you will be depriving yourself of some of the great works of the medium.

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Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

X-Men Legacy #240
Marvel Comics
Carey, Mann, Leisten & Reber

The penultimate chapter of the Children of the Vault arc (for lack of a better name) hits its stride quite nicely to accelerate things for the finale. The issue sparkles in a couple of key areas that help elevate the issue. It's not a perfect issue by any means but it does provide an enjoyable and solid read.

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