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)

There is a god! Ares mini-series news

I recently read the new Thor one-shot The Trial of Thor, and while I found the story fairly straightforward and generally uninteresting, the issue was saved by the magnificent artwork by one Cary Nord. It is just too bad the plot and some of the characterizations are just not that good, beacuse I can't say enough how beautiful that book is. The action sequences are exceptionally brutal, as a Thor comic is wont to be.

So, imagine my delight when I see that a new Ares mini-series is in the works, with art by Cary Nord, and written by Kieron Gillen! If you have been to this blog in the past few weeks, you may have noticed that I was supremely impressed with Gillen's work on Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1, so I think this project is in very capable hands.

Newsarama has an interview with Gillen, as well as some preview art. This looks amazing. It will be done as a tie in to Dark Reign, and I cannot wait for this series.



In other news, co-worker of mine Eric Maruscak was at Wizard World East this year and made an awesome chalk rendering of the cover for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man #600. Courtesy of Kibbles n' Bitch.
Check out more of his work at Pepperink.com.

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.

Two Similar and Equally Awesome Things

First Awesome Thing:
Secret Invasion: Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill: Green of Eden

Yes, the title contains many awesome colons, and once you get past the cover, one finds the insides to contain even more awesomeness. Very good story by Keiron Gillen that moves Beta Ray Bill's story forward and gives him something to think about on the way to his upcoming showdown with Galactus. Plus, a simple equation for you: The Warriors Three + Super-Skrull Technology = ?

If you answered "Awesome," congrats, you are paying attention.

Second Awesome Thing:



This may be the greatest movie ever made. Once it comes out on DVD, this hypothesis will be confirmed.

Now consider the similarities of The Two Awesome Things:

Beta Ray Bill is an alien who gets his power from an ancient Norse god.

Outlander is about an alien that lands in ancient Norse times and fights other aliens that look like Dragons.

They are practically identitical!