What I Bought 2/9/2018

I only planned on buying one book from last week, but, in a moment of weakness, I bought another one as well. Like most decisions made in a moment of weakness, it was a mistake.

Rogue and Gambit #2, by Kelly Thompson (writer), Pere Perez (artist), Frank D'Armata (colorist), Joe Caramagna (letterer) - Leave it to Gambit to strategically tear his clothes to create a boob window.

Say hello to the moment of weakness! Our couple hash out some differences, starting with a disagreement over their first meeting. The Shadow King is involved in the confusion, because of course he is. Later, they try sneaking back into the doctor's office to snoop, and are attacked by several mutants. Things explode, but the doctor and her mysterious villain cohort don't seem terribly concerned.

You might be able to tell I'm not super interested in the actual plot. Watching Rogue and Gambit legislate their messy relationship history is kind of hilarious. Seems to be what I'm tuning in for. Not sure why, exactly. Thompson writes good banter, and makes their relationship discussions feel emotional without being too overwrought. Although seeing Rogue use the word "particular" without any sort of accent to it was odd. Most of this is from an era of X-Men comics I have no fondness for, but the melodrama's entertaining. Not entertaining enough for me to try a third issue, mind you.

D'Armata (or maybe it was Perez) cut back on the shadows during the flashbacks, and lightened the colors as well. It gives things a bit of faded look. It's less noticeable in the second flashback, which is relating the time Gambit counts as their first meeting, a day or so earlier than what Rogue counts. Even though it takes place at night, the shadows are still less noticeable than in the present-day break-in scene that's happening concurrently. With the color issue, I think the villain's stealing their memories somehow, so the faded nature is it being drawn out of them? It doesn't happen on the second memory because they aren't in a therapy session. The lack of shadows because time smooths out the contrasts, so we just remember the broad strokes?

Giant Days #35, by John Allison (writer), Max Sarin (penciler), Liz Fleming and Jenna Ayoub (inkers), Whitney Cogar (colorist), Jim Campbell - Who is the mysterious mastermind spying on our heroes?

Ed did not die. He did concuss himself and break both ankles. That's good injury hustle right there, Gemmell. Esther returns home feeling hungover and sad to find her old friend Sarah and her little sister Charlotte there for a visit. Esther passes out, and Sarah takes off to meet a boy, leaving first Daisy and then Susan to try and handle Charlotte. Who is very inquisitive and very opinionated (I love her "J'ACCUSE" sound effect when she points at Esther), and forces Daisy to confront unpleasant truths about her and Ingrid's relationship.

So, there is no big conversation between Ed and Esther about last issue's reveal. Ed didn't remember telling her, Esther didn't mention it, and when Ed saw her pub run checklist made a reference to it, he shredded it. So it's going to fester between both of them now. Fun! On the other hand, Charlotte may have pushed Daisy to lay down the law on Ingrid, and let Susan and McGraw experience being adults. They were not prepared, but why should they be any different from the rest of us?

As usual, there's a lot of small gags and jokes in here that make it a fun read. It's really impressive to me how much I enjoy a comic that's nothing but people talking and having emotions. And being funny. The two-page conversation between Sarah and Esther was a particular favorite. It's funny, and a little touching, and the banter between them feels very real for a pair of friends. And it gives Sarin a chance to show off some facial expressions. In the span of three panels, Esther goes from a sad look cast towards the heavens, a strain face as she pulls on jeans, and then a sly grin as she brushes her hair. It's amazing how quickly Esther shifts between them, but it fits her personality.

There's a bit in here where McGraw brings in groceries and Susan crams them all into a cupboard. Then later in the issue, we see McGraw has returned to the kitchen and is organizing the foodstuffs. A little window into their personalities. There's also a page where Charlotte, revved up on a massive frappucino Daisy bought her in a depressive funk, is asking questions Susan is unprepared to answer. In each panel, Charlotte's spiraling yellow pupils get larger and larger, until Susan hurls the drink into the distance.

I don't know what's going to happen next, but I remain excited to find out.