Comic Couch Presents #77

COMIC COUCH PRESENTS #77
Written reviews for our weekly obsession.
Special advanced review!

Other Lives
Vertigo comics
Peter Bagge- writer/artist

Peter Bagge is famous in the underground comic scene for his critically acclaimed series, Hate. He has also been in several high profile magazines like MAD and Hustler. Have I read any of these things? Sadly, no, but we can’t read everything. That’s okay. Now I can take this work on its own merits rather than succumbing to the subconscious infiltration of past experience. Bagge gives us an in depth character study of the “other lives” we create for ourselves through our on-line or other publicly exposed experiences. The four main characters have other identities, that is, they act differently, when in a different venue. To an extent, we all do this. No one acts the same at work as they do at home or at a friend’s house. Bagge shows us how the internet and even the written word allow us to take our other personalities to the extreme. Is this because there is less consequences when we ‘act out’ on-line? Maybe, maybe not. Bagge doesn’tpreach answers to us. He lays out the question like a nail and bangs like a hammer as he tries to get the reader to answer this for themselves. Some of the characters are able to separate reality from fantasy and move on with their lives, while others aren’t. For example, Ivy and Woodrow have a virtual sexual encounter on-line. When they meet again in real life, Woodrow gets a little frisky with Ivy to which she replies quite negatively. Ivy quite easily separated the encounter from real life. Woodrow can’t let go, though, which leads to the tragic consequences that occur later. Bagge exploration of character is superb. His artwork, while it took me some getting used to, is expertly done and consistent. The only problem I had with the book are the characters themselves. I didn’t like them. Any of them. They weren’t people I would want to know, so I couldn’t really relate to them. Maybe I’m a little more well-adjusted than these people, but Ithink sometimes when trying to make a point, a writer can make his characters a little too flawed. Barring the minor quibbles, this is a good read and nice piece of art.
3 out of 5 couch geeks.

Incorruptible #2
Boom Studios
Mark Waid- writer
Jean Diaz- artist
This second issue was far more informative and interesting than the first. It gives more characterization into Max Damage and a better handle on what’s happening in his world. As another plus, we get a different look at the world that the Plutonian has devastated. Irredeemable has only given us the battles between the various heroes. In this series, we start to see what the effects of those battles are. It’s a fascinating picture that Waid is creating and I can’t wait to see more.
4 out of 5 couch geeks.

Rasl #6- Jeff Smith rocks! 4 out of 5 couch geeks.
Project Superpowers Chapter Two #6- this one was a bit convoluted but still good. 3 out of 5 couch geeks.
Joe the Barbarian #1- a new Vertigo book for one dollar. Let me repeat: ONE DOLLAR! 4 out of 5 couch geeks.
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #3- slowly losing interest, but still good. 3 out of 5 couch geeks.
Dark Avengers #13- what is the Sentry????? 4 out of 5 couch geeks.
Captain America #602- We finally get to see what the fate of the insane 50s Cap is going to be. 3 out of 5 couch geeks.

I am a Mind, and I am Beside myself with comics.
H. Jarrod Courtemanche