The Fates: They Laugh at Me

In a maddening twist of fate, the Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter TPB hits today and I STILL HAVEN'T READ ISSUE #3! Moving 2000 miles the month it comes out to a state with zero comic book stores will do that to you, as I am about 3 months behind on my comics. As you may guess, it is pretty difficult to maintain a comics blog with no new comics to read. I am currently taking steps to rectify this multitude of problems. So, if you haven't read Godhunter (like myself, to some extent) go get this trade and let the awesome wash over you.

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2

Kieron Gillen better be careful. If issue #3 of this series gets as exponentially more awesome as #2 did from the first issue, it will collapse in on itself and comic book shops around the globe will be consumed in the blinding flash of an awesomeness-singularity. But enough hyperbole.

In all seriousness, this story is pushing the character of Beta Ray Bill into new territory. It is a very welcome development to have an arguably second (or even third) string character, who for many years sat on the sidelines and was only included as a back-up to Thor or to add flair to a cosmic story, become fleshed out in such shocking and awe-inspiring ways. This story is more than just pushing the cosmic peices around the board, it is adding layers of personality to them. Stardust is a zealot. Silver Surfer seems to be resigned to the fact that he is a pawn of Galactus. And Bill himself may be losing his grip on reality.

I found the events of this issue to be shocking, but in a good way. Gillen is taking a big risk with this story, and so far it is paying off. Also, some of Bill's comments throw into question the events of the end of the Stormbreaker saga. I think these are important story elements that need to be addressed and have been igored for a long time. I know I am being extremely vague on the details, but I do not want to spoil this issue. Go read it yourself and be amazed.

I also really liked the reappearance of the I'than aliens that Bill saved last issue. They provided a very interesting twist, and I would like to see more of them in the future.

Kano's art has improved in this installment as well, the copious amounts of action depicted in a very dynamic way, and the serious parts represented with the visual weight they deserved. Not to mention a two page spread of Galactus in full beat-down mode!

All in all, another great issue. I can't wait to see how this ends. And I hope Marvel taps Gillen's talents again for further adventures of everyone's favorite horse-faced Norse god-like Scion of the Korbanites. (a.k.a. Beta Ray Bill)

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1 - Bringing The Awesome!

Obviously, the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now, I may be a little biased in my opinion of Beta Ray Bill, Marvel's horse-faced Scion of the Korbanites. The Thunder-god powered, Odin-enchanted-hammer wielding alien is one of my favorites. (See the title of this very blog) But what Kieron Gillen has done with Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1 is challenge the very art form of comics itself in the realm of balls out awesome. This is what a comic should be: pure entertainment on a ridiculous level. Stopping tidal waves with brute force? Done. Bisection by the use of two black holes? Happens. (Well, almost happens.) Our title hero pounding the snot out of a Herald of Galactus like it ain't no thing? Of course, just a normal day at the office.
The story itself is a pretty good idea, though I'm sure the concept has been covered before. Galactus is a force of nature, not an evil entity. But Beta Ray Bill disagrees, and so do all the Korbanites that were allegedly killed in the Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill mini. So Bill sets off to get some revenge and put an end to Galactus' planet eating ways once and for all. Despite warnings from Thor that going after Galactus is a bad idea, Bill will not be swayed, and sets off with Scuttlebutt. After doing Agent Brand of S.W.O.R.D. a favor and taking out Voidian, Bill apparently takes all his planet destroying equipment, and instead of destroying it, uses it to his own ends.

The art in this book by Kano is pretty good, and though his style is not my favorite, it is servicable. One of my favorite panels is the full page arrival of Galactus which shockingly puts his sheer size into perspective.

This story arc is moving Bill along a path that may take him into uncharted territory: mainly, will his need for revenge push him over the edge, and if it does, who could stop him? I am very interested in seeing where this story goes, and so far it looks like we are in for a heck of a ride.

Bonus: Mjolnir Update!
Mjolnir is still in a state of disrepair, and Thor mentions he is not 100%. Though apparently he is still able to switch places with Dr. Don Blake. I haven't been keeping up with Thor on a monthly basis, so I'm guessing this has been covered in that book already.