Comments on: 31 Days of Seven Soldiers, Day 4 – The Manhattan Guardian #1 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:27:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lynxara http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-32914 Lynxara Fri, 05 Jan 2007 00:12:29 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-32914 Checking in again! This is another issue where we really differed in our opinions, Greg. For me, this has been the first issue of Seven Soldiers where I've really felt like it was firing on all cylinders and telling a great story... probably because this isn't isn't nearly as compressed as what's come before it. Instead the story has room to breathe and plays out at a reasonable, enjoyable pace. Also, I really enjoyed Cameron Stewart's art, which seems to be recalling the sorts of styles Tom Grummett used during his tenure in DC during the 90's (and Grummett, as I recall, spent a lot of time drawing the 90's version of the Guardian and Newsboys). Stewart is more realistic, which only makes his insane subway pirate designs all the more unsettling, and his action sequences more resonant with intensity. The concept behind the new Guardian and Newsboy Legion are just mind-blowingly good ideas, and Jake is a fantastic main character. I connected with his world instantly, and I really enjoyed the subway pirates as villains. They seem to embody that slightly skeeved-out, helpless feeling you get when you're just getting on a subway and realizing just how many of the things and people around you _could_ be dangerous. Most of the time they aren't, but what if they were? The flamboyancy is just comic book exaggeration, the same rationale behind costumes and Guardianmobiles and "Newsboy Legions", and it works very well in immediately placing the action of Manhattan Guardian in a feverishly heightened reality where melodrama is simply how the universe works. I wonder if it's using the same "New York that never was" from the Whip's appearance in 7S 0, or if it's the "real" New York? There doesn't seem to be a way of telling just yet, but either way I expect the answer to be interesting. You mention the issue of race, Greg, but I think in Manhattan Guardian there isn't one. Jake is black because, well, there are many black people in New York. Why shouldn't we see a black man become the Guardian, when probability is in favor of the idea? Why must a superhero from New York being black be any more exceptional than Justin being Welsh? The fact that it _is_ says some somewhat sad things about the comic book status quo. Granted, I guess we would rather talk about what a great character Jake than "why" he's black.... Checking in again! This is another issue where we really differed in our opinions, Greg. For me, this has been the first issue of Seven Soldiers where I’ve really felt like it was firing on all cylinders and telling a great story… probably because this isn’t isn’t nearly as compressed as what’s come before it. Instead the story has room to breathe and plays out at a reasonable, enjoyable pace.

Also, I really enjoyed Cameron Stewart’s art, which seems to be recalling the sorts of styles Tom Grummett used during his tenure in DC during the 90′s (and Grummett, as I recall, spent a lot of time drawing the 90′s version of the Guardian and Newsboys). Stewart is more realistic, which only makes his insane subway pirate designs all the more unsettling, and his action sequences more resonant with intensity.

The concept behind the new Guardian and Newsboy Legion are just mind-blowingly good ideas, and Jake is a fantastic main character. I connected with his world instantly, and I really enjoyed the subway pirates as villains. They seem to embody that slightly skeeved-out, helpless feeling you get when you’re just getting on a subway and realizing just how many of the things and people around you _could_ be dangerous.

Most of the time they aren’t, but what if they were? The flamboyancy is just comic book exaggeration, the same rationale behind costumes and Guardianmobiles and “Newsboy Legions”, and it works very well in immediately placing the action of Manhattan Guardian in a feverishly heightened reality where melodrama is simply how the universe works. I wonder if it’s using the same “New York that never was” from the Whip’s appearance in 7S 0, or if it’s the “real” New York? There doesn’t seem to be a way of telling just yet, but either way I expect the answer to be interesting.

You mention the issue of race, Greg, but I think in Manhattan Guardian there isn’t one. Jake is black because, well, there are many black people in New York. Why shouldn’t we see a black man become the Guardian, when probability is in favor of the idea? Why must a superhero from New York being black be any more exceptional than Justin being Welsh? The fact that it _is_ says some somewhat sad things about the comic book status quo. Granted, I guess we would rather talk about what a great character Jake than “why” he’s black….

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18842 Greg Burgas Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:13:46 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18842 I'm not going to change the way I'm doing these; I'm just going to make the spoiler warnings clearer! I’m not going to change the way I’m doing these; I’m just going to make the spoiler warnings clearer!

]]> By: veghead http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18831 veghead Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:10:33 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18831 Please don't stop spoiling the rest of the series. Some of the most interesting parts of these essays are when you point out the foreshadowing and clues and trace the themes through the series. Please don’t stop spoiling the rest of the series. Some of the most interesting parts of these essays are when you point out the foreshadowing and clues and trace the themes through the series.

]]> By: Matt Brady http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18828 Matt Brady Tue, 05 Dec 2006 22:35:22 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18828 Wow, I didn't realize Larry was in the Newsboy Legion. Was he the football player? Sorry, I don't remember the characters' names (except Chop Suzie!). That's another connection I didn't even realize existed. Wow. Someday I'll reread the whole series, but this is a great examination for now. Keep up the good work, Greg! Wow, I didn’t realize Larry was in the Newsboy Legion. Was he the football player? Sorry, I don’t remember the characters’ names (except Chop Suzie!). That’s another connection I didn’t even realize existed. Wow. Someday I’ll reread the whole series, but this is a great examination for now. Keep up the good work, Greg!

]]> By: Graeme Burk http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18789 Graeme Burk Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:57:28 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18789 The Guardian from the 70s Jimmy Olsen (and later used in 90s Ordway/Stern-era Superman) is a clone of the 1940s version (just as the Newsboy Legion from JO are all clones of the '40s version). And people think that Grant Morrison was king of high concept loopiness. Kirby was already been there done that... The Guardian from the 70s Jimmy Olsen (and later used in 90s Ordway/Stern-era Superman) is a clone of the 1940s version (just as the Newsboy Legion from JO are all clones of the ’40s version).

And people think that Grant Morrison was king of high concept loopiness. Kirby was already been there done that…

]]> By: Jaap http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18777 Jaap Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:26:54 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18777 Dammit! Can't you do it after I get book four then? :( Dammit! Can’t you do it after I get book four then? :(

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18764 Greg Burgas Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:27:49 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18764 Good point, Jaap. I'll have to expand it to mention the entire series. And I'm calling it The Manhattan Guardian because that's what's on the cover. I don't have time to read the indicia! Good point, Jaap. I’ll have to expand it to mention the entire series.

And I’m calling it The Manhattan Guardian because that’s what’s on the cover. I don’t have time to read the indicia!

]]> By: Jaap http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18710 Jaap Tue, 05 Dec 2006 09:13:49 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18710 These spoilers, be they for the issue itself (duh), or for the end and rest of the serie? These spoilers, be they for the issue itself (duh), or for the end and rest of the serie?

]]> By: Jason http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18690 Jason Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:02:30 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18690 Shouldn't the title be <i>Guardian</i>? That's what it says in the indicia, but "Manhattan Guardian" appears on all four issues, so I can understand the confusion. I think this was the only 7S series that I got off from my shop, as opposed to finding a good deal at a convention. I met Cameron Stewart at the Toronto Con last year, and I got <a href="http://new.photos.yahoo.com/lantern75/album/576460762331846035/photo/294928803465775966/86" rel="nofollow">this sketch</a> from him. Great concept from Morrison. Shouldn’t the title be Guardian? That’s what it says in the indicia, but “Manhattan Guardian” appears on all four issues, so I can understand the confusion.

I think this was the only 7S series that I got off from my shop, as opposed to finding a good deal at a convention. I met Cameron Stewart at the Toronto Con last year, and I got this sketch from him. Great concept from Morrison.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18663 Greg Burgas Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:48:20 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18663 Zach - yes, but "tabloid" these days has little to do with the size of the paper anymore and much more to do with the content of the paper. Originally, the format mattered, but not anymore. That's really an excellent point about the pirates. I'll have to remember it as we move on in the series. Zach – yes, but “tabloid” these days has little to do with the size of the paper anymore and much more to do with the content of the paper. Originally, the format mattered, but not anymore.

That’s really an excellent point about the pirates. I’ll have to remember it as we move on in the series.

]]> By: Zach Adams http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18653 Zach Adams Tue, 05 Dec 2006 02:41:21 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18653 1) My inner pedant demands that I mention 'tabloid' has nothing to do with the headlines; it's a publishing format, a matter of the size and shape of the sheets of paper. The fact that most of America's remaining tabloids are sensationalist aside, I just had to jump on that--like I said, I have pedantic tendencies. 2) I think the absurdity of the subway pirates is part of the point, even to the pirates themselves. They're homeless persons and mental hospital escapees reaching for something insane and larger-than-life because it's all they can do. In their own way, given Western culture's romanticization of sea piracy, you could argue they're making a grasp at heroism like Dan and Shelly. 1) My inner pedant demands that I mention ‘tabloid’ has nothing to do with the headlines; it’s a publishing format, a matter of the size and shape of the sheets of paper. The fact that most of America’s remaining tabloids are sensationalist aside, I just had to jump on that–like I said, I have pedantic tendencies.

2) I think the absurdity of the subway pirates is part of the point, even to the pirates themselves. They’re homeless persons and mental hospital escapees reaching for something insane and larger-than-life because it’s all they can do. In their own way, given Western culture’s romanticization of sea piracy, you could argue they’re making a grasp at heroism like Dan and Shelly.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18652 Greg Burgas Tue, 05 Dec 2006 02:28:05 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18652 I don't know much about the Guardian, and I must have mis-read the info. I thought the original Guardian from the 1940s was a different guy from the Kirby guy in the 1970s. My bad. I don’t know much about the Guardian, and I must have mis-read the info. I thought the original Guardian from the 1940s was a different guy from the Kirby guy in the 1970s. My bad.

]]> By: Patrick Joseph http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/comment-page-1/#comment-18633 Patrick Joseph Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:33:03 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/04/31-days-of-seven-soldiers-day-4-the-manhattan-guardian-1/#comment-18633 I'm loving these reviews. However, the Guardian and the Newsboy Legion are a creation of Kirby's from the 40's. They debuted in Star Spangled Comics #7 in 1942. I’m loving these reviews. However, the Guardian and the Newsboy Legion are a creation of Kirby’s from the 40′s. They debuted in Star Spangled Comics #7 in 1942.

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