Tales of the Unexpected #8 - DC

This one ended up pretty much the way I thought it would. Crispus finds out that pretty much everyone who lives in the tenement had something to do with Krieger's death. In some way or another. Of course that doesn't mean that he didn't have it coming. The guy didn't some pretty awful things to his tenants. Extortion, blackmail, rape . . . . just to read off the top of the list. But Spectre's job isn't to hold judgement over him. His job is to find out who killed the man, and deliver cosmic retribution. Which he does in spades. But there's still the ying & yang between what Crispus and the Spectre consider to be justice. Crispus wants to try to temper his retribution, but the Spectre doesn't want anything to do with that. That part of the story doesn't fully play out in these pages. So, my guess, is that'll be the focus and crust of future stories. They wrap up this tenement thing, but they still leave an awful lot just hanging out there. It'll be interesting to see where we go from here. But overall, I thought it was a fantastic story by David Lapham and Eric Battle. I also liked the Dr. 13 backup story. I thought it was a little confusing . . . but . . . I think that was the whole point. I liked the way they ended it . . . but at the same time . . . I didn't. If that makes sense. It probably was the only way they could wrap it up . . . but . . . it just doesn't sit well. I suppose that's so they can carry on the story in the future. But it was still kinda' cheesy. But still, as with the main story, overall . . . I liked it. It was different. Which is really what the whole thing was about. And I think that Azzarello and Chiang delivered on their end of the deal. So again . . . we'll see where we go from here.

Tales of the Unexpected #7 - DC

Another book that I really have to give props to the creative talent. David Lapham is doing a fantastic job with this story. And it can't be easy. I mean the Spectre has been around for about 60 years. He has such a rich and established history. He's trying to play around with the relationship, and co-existence he has with Crispus, but there's probably only so much he can do. But he does seem to be trying to expand on it a little, without causing any damage to the rich history that the character already has. And I really think he's doing a great job of accomplishing that. In the beginning of the book especially, when we see a glimpse of all the creative, and poetic justice ways that he punishes a bunch of criminals. And of course Eric Battles pencils just add to the eeriness and feel of the book. I've always liked Eric's stuff, but I really like what he's doing with this book. And they're finally starting to bring the story together, from issue #1, about the slumlord who was killed in the basement. It should be a nice wrap up issue next time. And the back-up story is just as good. Brian Azzarello is putting together a really compelling and neat story about Dr. 13. But really it's about a lot of other obscure DC characters also. Dr. 13 just seems to be leading the pack. And again, another artist perfect for the story, is Cliff Chiang. I wasn't sure at first, but I don't think it could've been done, or felt the same way, by anyone else. Overall, a great book, with only 1 issue left.

Tales of the Unexpected #6 - DC

First of all, Bill Sienkiewicz has reared his head again. It's only a cover, but still, it's better than nothing. And I haven't seen his work in so long, it's a nice surprise. The unfortunate part about this book, is that Tom Mandrake fills in as artist this issue. It's not that I dislike Tom, it's just that his style doesn't really thrill me. I could take it or leave it, and most of the time I'd rather leave it. The Phantom Stranger shows up this issue. He's trying to educate Crispus. He's trying to show his that he doesn't have to relinquish complete control every time the Spectre takes over. Now that he's the host, he's just as much a part of the equation as the Spectre is. But I think Crispus is just overwhelmed by the lack of compassion and remorse that he's seen in the people he's been watching. But while he's obsessed with this child killer, there's some detectives back at the station doing some real detective work. They've continued to look in to the killing of the landlord at the Granville Apartments. And they've come up with some pretty interesting leads. Meanwhile, in the backup story about Dr. 13, things a getting a little weird. Or should I say weirder. I would really have a hard time explaining to you the things that go on this issue. Just suffice it to say, that things are all coming to a head, and we should shortly find out who's behind all this. Or, who the Architects are. Cool series. There's 2 issues left. Hopefully the regular artist comes back for those 2, and we can wrap it up in style.

Tales of the Unexpected #5 - DC

This has turned out to be a pretty cool book. Crispus Allen is the Spectre, and he's still hanging around the apartment building where the Slumlord was killed. He thinks he knows who did it, but he doesn't have the whole picture yet. Meanwhile there's a guy going on a rampage killing people. He was part of a test for a new drug to cure Parkinson's. The problem is, he was using recreational drugs on the side. Or, at least that's what the guy from the pharmaceutical company wants everyone to believe. It seems that he rushed the testing on humans, after some not so very good results on animals, and this guy was a borderline test subject at best. You know those ads where they say, " . . . . although rare, you may experience the following side effects . . .", well apparently this guy was one of those rare cases. So whether it's just the drugs, or the story about him using is true, either way he's turned in to a psychotic, schizophrenic, rampaging murderer. Which seems pretty cut and dry to Crispus, but when he tries to pass judgement, the Spectre says " . . . the detective has made me over zealous. You are not within my purview." So they punish the pharmaceutical guy instead. One of the cops ends up taking out the lunatic. Good story by David Lapham and Eric Battle. The back-up, Dr. 13, by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang is pretty cool to. All these characters are in the same place because, they come to find out, they are not needed or don't exist. And this is being mandated by the "Architects". I may be taking a leap here, but I think the "Architects" are really . . . the comic book creators. It's not impossible. And with the hints they're giving us, it seems to make sense. But, we have 3 more issues to go, so we'll have to wait to find out. But, it's a fun story.

Tales of the Unexpected #4 - DC

In this issue, Batman is starting to get aggravated because another being with a vengeance has taken up residency in his town. In the last 3 weeks there have been 14 gruesome murders. They all have an ironic twist to them. Batman suspects, I think, the Spectre, but I don't think he knows for sure. He's talking to one of the GCPD detectives, Driver, since he's the one that's seen him. Even though no one else believes him. The murder they're at currently is a man whose been eaten from the inside out by 10,000 spiders. And since there were 3 other men on the robbery he recently committed, that is who Batman thinks will be the next victims. Meanwhile, Crispus has been hanging out at the "Project" where the slum-lord got killed. He believes there's more involved in it, but he hasn't figured it out yet. We, however, do find out who did it. It's the old couple that he's been hanging out with. But, it appears, that he's been blinded by compassion. He doesn't even suspect them. One of the final surviving members of the foursome we talked about earlier, comes to the building looking for someone to get him safely out of Gotham. Crispus senses him and goes to exact retribution. Batman tries to intervene, but cannot. On his way out, he senses that the old man is up to something and follows him to the dumpster. He's trying to throw away the weapon that killed the slumlord. When Batman sees it, the old man immediately starts confessing. I think he's just trying to cover up for his wife. When Batman, and Driver, and now the old man, get to the police station, Spectre is there trying to take out the final member of the group. Spectre and Batman start screaming at each other. Batman's final words are, "Leave my city . . . . or I will find a way to make you leave." Spectre backs off and disappears. And all the cops are left wondering how they could possibly fall in to the middle of all this. Fantastic story, and great art. The Dr. 13 story in the back is also good. A little odd. But in a good way. Oh, and did you check out that Berni Wrightson cover. Bet it's been a while since you saw one of those.

Tales of the Unexpected #3 - DC

I really like this book. Too bad it's only around for 8 issues. Hopefully, they have something planned for after that. David Laphma and Eric Battle are just doing a fantastic job with the Spectre lead story. And they get better at it every issue. Crispus, aka Spectre, takes out 2 psycho brothers, a guy who strangled his business partner and a poor guy who got stuck trying to cover for his brother in laws infidelity, and stepped over the line in the process. All the while he keeps hovering about the Granville Tower Apartments, because he still doesn't know what really happened there when the slumlord was killed. He also makes a visit to his old house to check in on his wife and kids. He's not very happy about what he finds, or what he doesn't find. The complete lack of wanting to live or carry on. The back up story, Dr. 13, is also pretty cool. You already should know that I think Brian Azzarello is one of the best authors out there. Well, he lives up to that with this story also. With Cliff Chiang as the artist, they have a pretty cool story rolling out here. First there's I Vampire, a ghost Pirate, a encampment of primate Nazi's in a jungle in the French Alps, a caveman frozen in a block of ice they've been carrying around, and now with this issue the Haunted Tank and Jeb Stuart. That's a lot for a back up story. You should definitely check out this book.

Tales of the Unexpected #2 - DC

I can't believe that they would only run this title for 8 issues. They have to have some kind of plan in mind for these characters after that. This book is way to good to let it fall by the wayside after that. I'm going to start with the backup story, "Dr. 13", by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. It's a great story, and really deserving of it's own title. My only concern is that it should be a Vertigo title so it can be done right. It's not a dark story, but, if it was to continue, it could certainly lead down that path, given the history and disposition of the participating characters. Something to think about. And of course you all know that I think Brian Azzarello is brilliant. So that's another plus. Now, on to the main story, the Spectre. David Lapham is writing a very intriguing take on the Spectre. I really like the dynamic between Crispus and our god of vengeance. And the art team of Eric Battle and Prentis Rollins is fantastic. I am a true believer that an inker can make or break an artist, and with that in mind, I think these 2 should work together forever. They compliment each other very well. Anyways, Spectre took out the killer of the slumlord last issue. However, he's still being draw to stay with the tenement for some reason. Apparently there's other stories going on here that he doesn't know about yet. One is a tragic love story that, in the end, Crispus uses his influence to get the Spectre to help. He feels really good about this. Which of course means everythings going to hit the fan next issue. Fantastic book. I really hope they have plans for it in the future.

Tales of the Unexpected #1 - DC

Another old DC book brought back from the "Crypt". Oh wait, that was somebody else. This one was just, "Unexpected". But, I guess, where else would we expect Crispus Allen, the new Spectre to show up. First of all, a beautiful Mike Mignola cover. The story, picks up, I assume, almost immediately after the mini series. But, I guess, when you're the Spectre, time and space is relative. However, I don't think Crispus has gotten that far into his lessons yet. Right now he's still having trouble separating himself from his old life as a homicide detective. He still wants to get down in the dirt and play with the clues, like the real, I mean living, detectives. He's trying to avenge the death of a slum lord. A bad man that, thanks to karma, was held captive in the basement of one of his own rotting tenements. It's obvious, that the crime was done in retribution for how he made his tenents live. It was an exacting revenge. However, it's not our duty to be judge or jury. After all, if it was, why would we need the Spectre. So, now that the crime has been done, Crispus has to decide who he's going to hold responsible. The problem with this crime though, is that with so many possible people with culpability, it's more like how he's going to measure the degrees of responsibility. After all, if someone witnessed what happened, but did nothing to help or stop it, aren't they in fact just as responsible? I think Crispus could have bitten off more than he can chew with this "gig". Justice is exacted on one tenant, but Crispus is just getting started. David Lapham, and Eric Battle, put together a nice first installment or this story. Very well crafted and visually appealing. We also get a backup story, about another obscure DC "hero", Dr Thirteen. Again very well crafted. But with Brian Azzarello writing, and Cliff Chiang on the pencils, I would expect nothing less. And we also get a glimpse of "I. . . .Vampire!" Nice! This is the first in a six issue series. Should be a nice ride.