Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Does anyone know the difference between a sequel and a remake? Hollywood seems to have forgotten; so many of what they call sequels try to squeeze so many different elements from the earlier movie(s) that the product is effectively a remake of the first one.
Author Reginald Hudlin shows in the graphic novel Black Panther: Little Green Men that he CAN distinguish between the two concepts, and does so very well. Hudlin is obviously a fan of the early Stan Lee / Jack Kirby Fantastic Four tales; in this collection of 4 issues of the Black Panther comic book, he partners the costumed King of Wakanda with the Fantastic Four's Thing and Human Torch, as well as the X-Man Storm. They deal with the mental battles of Psycho-Man, and find themselves trapped on that planet where the shape-shifting Skrulls decided to emulate 1920s/30s American Gangster era Chicago now segued into 1960s New York City. (Toss in the later Kirby deus ex machina of King Solomon's Frogs, since renamed to The Golden Frogs of Solomon, to explain time and dimension shifts.)
This incarnation of the Black Panther reflects all aspects of the character, not just a costumed fighter, but King KING of one of the most technologically advanced countries on Earth. The Psycho-Man interaction never explains the motive behind the villain's actions; but then, neither did Lee and Kirby. And Skrull World there's enough similarities to the earlier story to bring about some nostalgia BUT enough new elements to prevent the I've seen all this before eye roll. And just how do the 1960s Civil Rights leaders fit into all this, anyway?? Their introduction is somewhat shocking, but it effectively fits into the story. (As an aside, during the story, the artists show that a young Pam Grier would have been a great actress to portray Ororo on film. )
RATING: 5 stars. I juggled with this one, as I can't say that this was a perfect story, BUT it was enjoyable and it will stay with me long after I've reached the end of the book. THAT, to me, is a 5 star tale.
Author Reginald Hudlin shows in the graphic novel Black Panther: Little Green Men that he CAN distinguish between the two concepts, and does so very well. Hudlin is obviously a fan of the early Stan Lee / Jack Kirby Fantastic Four tales; in this collection of 4 issues of the Black Panther comic book, he partners the costumed King of Wakanda with the Fantastic Four's Thing and Human Torch, as well as the X-Man Storm. They deal with the mental battles of Psycho-Man, and find themselves trapped on that planet where the shape-shifting Skrulls decided to emulate 1920s/30s American Gangster era Chicago now segued into 1960s New York City. (Toss in the later Kirby deus ex machina of King Solomon's Frogs, since renamed to The Golden Frogs of Solomon, to explain time and dimension shifts.)
This incarnation of the Black Panther reflects all aspects of the character, not just a costumed fighter, but King KING of one of the most technologically advanced countries on Earth. The Psycho-Man interaction never explains the motive behind the villain's actions; but then, neither did Lee and Kirby. And Skrull World there's enough similarities to the earlier story to bring about some nostalgia BUT enough new elements to prevent the I've seen all this before eye roll. And just how do the 1960s Civil Rights leaders fit into all this, anyway?? Their introduction is somewhat shocking, but it effectively fits into the story. (As an aside, during the story, the artists show that a young Pam Grier would have been a great actress to portray Ororo on film. )
RATING: 5 stars. I juggled with this one, as I can't say that this was a perfect story, BUT it was enjoyable and it will stay with me long after I've reached the end of the book. THAT, to me, is a 5 star tale.
