Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather.

The end of my summer happened during the last days of August, but the end of my summer reading ends with this graphic novel, Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather. Now, I’ve heard controversial reviews about this graphic novel as it takes an old character from the 1950s and update him to make him completely gay. Gay must have been taboo back in 2003 because it’s labeled under Marvel’s MAX imprint with explicit content. Now, I have no qualms with any of its background, but after reading it and finding absolutely nothing risqué about the comic, then I’m just puzzled. I can’t say that I liked this novel because the humor is in bad taste. Ron Zimmerman (a writer for the Howard Stern Show) wrote tremendously bad scenes as everyone calls the sheriff a pussy after being shot and appearances of George Bush and his acts of terrorism. What’s more appalling is that Rawhide Kid speaks like a typical gay stereotype with no personality depth. He insults women into picking a better dress, he yells out “booorrrinng” and “honey,” and he speaks gay innuendos that nobody realizes. If Marvel was trying to make a good three-dimensional gay character, then they failed. Luckily, they’re redeemed with other better characters like Northstar, Hulking, Wicca, Rictor, and Shatterstar. The only validation this series has was that the artist drew the character way back in the 1950s. That helps only a little.

My Rating: D+

Side By Side.

So I’ve found one of my favorite graphic novels in the form of Mioki’s Side by Side: The Journal of a Smalltown Boy. It’s definitely up there with Apollo’s Song, Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, and The Dark Phoenix Saga, but this special tale is more personal as it involves a simple love between two dear friends.  A rarity in storytelling as 90 percent of the book exhibits really graphic gay sex. Is it porn? Many will undoubtedly call it that, but the loving passionate connection that the two characters share elevates the book to just mere fluff. Evan (the hetero, at first) and Rick (the gay)  have been best friends since they were 8 and progresses with Rick confessing his feelings to Evan. He shrugs it off as nothing with witty humor, but after high school, their relationship deepens. Their banter and their situations flow naturally while the sex scenes amalgamate between real-life and porn settings. Side by Side never loses its charm as it‘s an engaging 120-page story. I read the book three times the first time I bought it. I hope Mioki continues Rick’s and Evan’s love story.

Marvel’s Gigantic 600 Landmarks.

Thor #600 apparently started a trend, because we now have the drastic renumbering of three titles: Captain America, Spiderman, and the Hulk. And with all anniversary specials, these three issues have some big events happening.

Captain America #600

This issue made headline news, for some strange reason. The main story itself is broken down into small vignettes as we find out what the supporting cast (Sharon, Bucky, The Avengers, The Red Skull) is doing for the one year anniversary of Captain America’s death. They’re fairly average as it leads to the assumption that Captain America might have a chance of surviving. It’s a basically a teaser to the Reborn miniseries, but it doesn’t merit to make news like Captain America #25 did. There’s a nice reprint of Captain America and Bucky fighting the Red Skull while Alex Ross provides a gorgeous introduction for the Sentinel of Liberty. Mixed, but good to pick up.

Hulk #600

I did not buy this issue because, apparently, it’s a waste of time and money. The main reason to avoid? Jeph Loeb has gone the deep end by promising nothing to this anniversary issue even though the solicitations said it will. Mindless actions with really rough transitions with no intentions of revealing the identity of the Red Hulk? No thank you. Oh yeah, my lack of interest in the writer and the actual character led me to ultimately not check out this lackluster anniversary issue.. Jeph Loeb did not improve in television (Heroes), and he did not improve in comics (preview this comic). But the Alex Ross cover looks stunning.

Spiderman #600

Out of the three anniversary issues, this is by far the best of the bunch. The issue is a whopping 102 pages with the main story illustrated by John Romita Jr. So much plot is revealed from Doctor Octopus’ illness, Aunt May’s wedding, Mary Jane’s return, and guest appearances from some of Marvel’s heroes. It was a very funny issue, but it doesn’t stop because we get short stories from Stan Lee and a great sentimental story about Uncle Ben. Plus, hilarious unused covers like Spiderman fighting hippies.