MUD

If I had to sum up Paul Grist’s superhero comics in one word, it would probably be, “fun.” Both “Mudman” and his previous series “Jack Staff” have managed to balance drama, adventure, and a sense of wonder in a manner that few can handle. With a brief hiatus now over, “Mudman” #6 dives back into the action and once again manages to deliver on all counts. One of the things I appreciate about “Mudman” #6 (and the series in general) is how even though it’s picked up where “Mudman” #5 left off, it’s just as easily someone’s first issue. As Captain Gull trains Craig in using his mud powers, even though they’ve met before, there’s nothing you need to know that isn’t given to you within the context of the issue. In just a few panels, Grist is able to sum up their relationship and what’s going on, all without ever making it feel like an exposition dump. That’s a rare feat. Perhaps more important, though, is that previous mentioned fun aspect. A training sequence has been done to death, but

With “Mudman” #5, Paul Grist closes out his first storyline (or at least the first group of issues scheduled to be reprinted in a collected edition). It’s a relief see that even with the slightly longer-than-expected gap in the publishing schedule, it’s easy to jump right into story both as a continuing reader, or even if I had been brand new to the series. Grist is good at re-introducing characters; he’s always been a poster child for the old adage that every issue is someone’s first for the series. So while we’re either told or reminded who each character is in reference to our lead Owen Craig, it’s done in a natural and conversational way. As a returning reader I didn’t feel like I was being slowed down or bored, though; Grist fits it into the overall story and it works quite well. What’s nice is that even as we meet all the characters again, Grist is both following archetypes of comic book supporting cast and also subverting them. Characters that might otherwise be long-term ene

“Mudman” by writer/artist Paul Grist is a welcome addition to the crowded superhero comics field, and what it’s getting right easily makes up for what’s not quite working yet. On the whole, Grist has a great little superhero story in “Mudman” — an unconventional teenage hero whose trials and tribulations hit all the well-worn beats of any good superhero tale. The execution is not particularly inventive or new, but it’s solid and almost refreshing in its simplicity. At the same time, I worry that its simplicity is its undoing. There’s nothing as yet that makes “Mudman” a book you absolutely must get the next issue of the second it hits stands. The story is nice, the art is lovely, the writing is strong, it’s a good comic; but there’s nothing that demands I read the next issue and its future feels uncertain. The stakes are not high enough three issues in for a reader to feel fully connected and compelled by the book. All that said, this issue improves the series dramatically by Craig

Owen Craig is a normal teenage boy, depressed that summer is ending and the new term at school is ramping up. On one last night of mischief, Owen discovers that things up in that creepy old house on the hill aren’t exactly what they appear to be. Owen sees things, hears things, and decides to let it all go as the imaginings of an overworked teenage brain. Naturally, that leads to Owen taking the star turn as Mudman in this debut issue of Paul Grist’s new comic from Image. Equal parts (early) Spider-Man, Sandman (Flint Marko), Clayface (your choice), Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), and Invincible, with delusions of grandeur and daydreams aplenty, this story is a breezy, fast-paced tale that does a nice job of balancing the mystery of Mudman with the everyday goings-on of Owen Craig’s mischievous evening and unfortunate first day back to school. Grist writes Owen as an everyman. It’s not hard to relate to Owen, as the young man — in paying more attention to the new girl at school than to

As vezes,Só as vezes..Eu queria ser muda.Eu queria ser muda,Não por achar belo,Não por zombar..Eu, apenas,Não uso minha voz para nada.."Produtivo".Tudo que falo,Tudo que canto,Tida voz que sai dessa boca minha,Soa errada.A voz sai e, Quando puxo o ar de volta,Ele traz coisas ruins,Coisas despertas pela voz.Ah..Bela voz,A linda voz de uma jovem,Feminina?..Tudo que essa voz diz,Não só soa, mas,Está errado.Eu não consigo cantar,Tanto não falar muito,Não leio em voz alta,Não faço ligações, Tenho vergonha.. Sabe?Essa voz presa,Precisa continuar presa,Por que?Oras,Ela é má,Ela fala com o órgão errado.A voz não pensa,A voz expressa.E, em um mundo sem expressões de verdade.A voz que saí de minha boca,A boca de uma jovem transbordando,É quase um crime.Um total erro.Mas...Não sei,As vezes, eu só queria ser muda.