The Bum’s Rush #22

Street Angel

I read a lot of comics. A lot.  I love comics unapologetically and I love to read so there are literally dozens of books on my pull list at the store where I shop. However there’s only a handful that I absolutely cannot do without. Those rare, perfect books that show just how much potential the medium has. The ones that make me proud to be a comics fan. The comics that fill me with pure joy. Books like Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, Alan Moore’s Top Ten and James Robinson’s Starman. Books by guys like Darwyn Cooke, Craig Thompson, Paul Pope and Corey Lewis. All the other stuff I read simply helps to pass the time while I wait for fantastic comics like these to hit the shelves. Well there’s a new book on my list of must-reads. It’s called Street Angel.

Orphaned by the world and raised by the streets, Jesse Sanchez is a dangerous martial artist and the world’s greatest homeless skateboarder. In Wilkesborough, Angel City’s worst ghetto, she fights ninjas, drugs, nepotism and pre-algebra as Street Angel.

That’s how the book’s young heroine, Jesse is described at the opening of just about every issue of Street Angel, and no more fitting a description could be given about the girl and the book itself. It’s a beautiful mix of independent, small-press, black and white style and high-flying, double-page spread, superheroic action. How else can you explain a book that’s trade paperback collection has an introduction by one of the small press’ biggest names, Evan Dorkin, followed immediately on the next page by a quote from the mainstream’s most popular character, Wolverine?

The first five issues of Street Angel feature stories that range from the absurd and fantastic to the truly sad and heartbreaking. Probably my second favorite issue, number four, has none of the evil geologist, pirate-y, ninja basketball, Irish spaceman, demonic gang-leader goodness of the previous issues. It’s a simple, tragic story about a little 12-year old homeless girl who just wants to find something to eat and avoid the embarrassment of being seen rooting through the trash by the kids she goes to school with. But the absolute best issue of the series so far, at least for me, is number five, the first appearance of retired ass-kicking superhero Afrodisiac. It’s by far the best-illustrated issue of the series and features one hell of an action packed, not to mention moving, story.

I’m simply amazed that this is the first regular book that the creators, Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca, have ever worked on. Jim Rugg is one of the most unique and innovative comic artists I’ve seen in years. He has an uncanny ability to switch styles and techniques, not only from issue-to-issue but also page-to-page and cover-to-cover. The writing is just as impressive. Never too much information given or ten words used when three will do. The stories are uncomplicated, engaging and full of amazingly mad ideas that will make you laugh out loud in delight.

The book was not published monthly. Understandably so, being a small-press book, the creators had to make a living in between putting out the book. But the wait between each issue was an agonizing one and I would grip each new chapter in hand like a starving homeless girl clutching a box of only slightly damaged donuts. At least I knew there would always be another. Or so I thought. Rugg is taking a break from the book to pursue new projects and while I can’t wait to see what he does next it seems that we won’t be seeing the Street Angel kicking ninja ass again any time soon.

Still, there’s stuff to tide me over for the time being. SLG Publishing, the company that put out the Street Angel series, has recently released a trade paperback collecting the first five issues. It’s a beautiful package featuring not only the original issues and all ten front and back covers but also all sorts of wonderful extras. There are brand new chapter illustrations, hilarious character profiles, a sketchbook, and a huge pinup section with tons of amazing artists, not to mention three stories from 2004 and 2005’s Free Comic Book Day and a brand new Street Angel tale. Such a gorgeous, visually stimulating collection full of all kinds of goodies, it’s what good comics are supposed to look like. So do yourself a favor and pick up the Street Angel Vol. 1: The Princess of Poverty. It might just become one of your favorite books too.  Click image to see full size in a new window.

Quick Bits

1. Last week it was a rumor but it’s been confirmed that Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof is definitely going to be writing Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine.
2. Speaking of Lost, the second season premiere is Wednesday. All I know is they better explain what the hell is inside the friggin’ hatch.
3. Also last week I mentioned the possibility of Adam Hughes drawing All-Star Wonder Woman. Well apparently he’s not. I figured it was too good to be true. Sometimes a rumor is just that.
4. The following Quick Bit was translated into Frank Miller-ese:
   Read Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #2. Second issue. Such a shame. Second issue. A goddamn shame. Such a shame. It’s a pretty book. So pretty. There’s no denying it. So pretty. But inside it’s rotten. Rotten to the core. Rotten. Core. Every last damn moment of it. Such a bad book. It’s so important that you understand that it’s such a bad book. Core. Flying Batmobile? It flew. So brutal. Brutal. It was brutal. Flying. Batman said cool. Frank Miller is a monster. A crazy monster. Crazy. Crazy monster. Crazy. Crazy. Go on Bats. Hit the kid again. Bats. Hit him. Again. Hit. Now multiply that by 22 pages. You can multiply? Punk kid. Little bastard. Multiply.
5. Billy Dallas Patton is replacing Pascal Ferry on the Seven Soldiers mini-series Mister Miracle after just one issue. This is one of those good news/bad news situations. The good news is I’ve been a fan of Billy for years. I’ve been visiting his website and enjoying his art for a long time, so it’s brilliant to see him finally get a big project. The bad news is I also love Pascal Ferry and was really looking forward to seeing his art on this book. The shift in style will be a bit weird I imagine. And I hate seeing more than one artist on a single mini-series, especially one that’s only four issues long. My gut tells me that Ferry got an offer he couldn’t refuse from another company. Don’t be surprised if his next assignment has an “X” in it.
6. DC Solicitations for December have been released.
7. Adam Kubert’s Hawkman covers are awesome.  Click image to see full size in a new window.
   

NEXT WEEK: Wouldn’t you like to know? Wouldn’t you? Know? Kid. Punk kid. Flying Batmobile. Goddamn.

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