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Title: Top Ten (Book 2) by Alan Moore, Zander Cannon, Gene Ha ISBN: 1563899663 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: June, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.36
Rating: 5
Summary: Moore from one of the best writers in comics.
Comment: (Excuse the pun.) Alan Moore, author of the excellent "Watchmen", "Miracleman", "Swamp Thing", and (arguably the best graphic novel I ever read), "V for Vendetta"; scores high marks with "Top Ten", part of his "American Best Comics Line" published by Wildstorm Productions, a division of DC Comics.
In terms of plot structure, "Top Ten" has a lot in commmon with television writer/producer Steve Bocho's "ensemble" police dramas, like "Hill Street Blues" and "NYPD Blue", except that it's set in a city populated by superpowered beings, where everyone, from the Mayor on down to the lowliest street bum, has some kind of superpower, special ability, or exceptional skill. A premise that leads to dozens of fun and interesting visual ideas, gags, and subplots, that enrich the storylines while being presented in a rather offhand and humorous fashion; but what really impresses me about this series is the interplay between the characters, the cynical humor of the "cop banter" and the way Moore uses situations and incidents to reveal each character's personality, pecadillos, strengths and weaknesses. Each character is distinct and multi-layered, gradually revealed through the course of the narrative. Given what usually passes for character in most comic books, Moore's writing really is remarkable, and like the same author's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", signals a welcome change of pace from the dense, dark psychological drama one usually associates with Alan Moore. (But then, one could say the same about most of the title's the prolific Moore writes under the DC/WS/ABC imprint.)
In a recent interview, Moore referred (rightly) how DC Comics Vertigo Line of Comics was built on "a mood" that infected his writing back in eighties and nineties, a set of ideas and general tone that along with Frank Miller's (Sin City, Batman: Dark Knight Returns) storytelling style and Howard Chaykin's satirical bent, has had a great impact on (read: been widely copied in) American Comics. May this newer turn, toward more light hearted by equally interesting and dramatic work, have an equal and lasting impact.
Gene Ha and Zander Cannon's art is a revelation: the best work I've seen by either artist. By choosing to avoid the visual hyperbole common to the superhero genre, and playing it "straight", their work actually serves to highlight the exceptional, irrational and wonderful while humanizing the superhuman. Their contribution to the success of this enterprise shouldn't underestimated, nor go unmentioned.
I can't believe I didn't pick this title up when it first came out in comic book form: what was I thinking?
Rating: 3
Summary: Liked the Art, Loved the Concept - Disappointing Overall
Comment: I truly admire Alan Moore for refusing to stay in a one box, no matter how well it works for him, commercially. From erotica (Lost Girls) to horror/conspiracy theory ('From Hell') to futuristic serial killers ('V for Vendetta') to superhero deconstruction ('Watchmen', 'Tom Strong', 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'), Moore continues to grow as an artist, following his muse down some very different paths while remaining in the same genre.
In "Top Ten", Moore mixes "Powers" (graphic novel where everyone has superpowers), an Astro City-esque "Neopolis", and a premise right out of a "Hill Street Blues" episode into a very unique, ensemble, comic book-sitcom. I loved the concept, I liked the art, but something was missing for me that I found in varying degrees in his other works. By no means is it bad, but "Top Ten" left me feeling disappointed. Its hard to pinpoint why, or even if the elements I missed weren't intentionally left out, but for whatever reason this was certainly not one of my 'Top Ten'.
Instead, I recommend "Watchmen", "League..." or "Tom Strong".
Rating: 5
Summary: An entertaining, fun adult comic
Comment: It's funny, when I saw Top Ten in the store, I really wasn't too interested but for two facts: it was recommended by the store I was in, and it was written by Alan Moore. Those being two notable exceptions, I took a chance and bought it. And I guess, given my five star review, you can guess that I didn't regret it. (The only thing I do regret is getting the particular copy I got; I just noticed that the binding is coming loose in the back. But I would guess, unless there are further complaints, that this is just this particular copy, as the book doesn't seem to be cheaply made at all.) Top Ten takes place in an alternate universe city called Neopolis, which is best described as a futuristic version of Fritz Lang's Metropolis. This city, built shortly after World War II, is charged with housing the world's superheroes keeping the rest of the population safe. By 1999, the year the events here take place, Neopolis is quite overcrowded, as you might expect. The story follows Robyn "Toybox" Slinger, who is a rookie at the 10th precinct police station, casually referred to as Top Ten. (Her "power," incidentally, is her box of robotic toys she carries around, which can search and destroy upon command)
What impressed me most about this comic is the character interaction. Each of the characters, and there are quite a few, are well-designed and genuinely interesting. It's very nice that while they all have definite personalities, no one can really be pigeon-holed in a one-word adjective. A lot of characters in other books (and not just comic books) can be described accurately as "the grouchy one" or "the stupid one." Not so here. (The only exception is Smax, Slinger's partner, who is the grouchy one. But it's easy to forgive this, because there are many other qualities to him) One particular standout is the boss, Sergeant Caesar, who is a dog in a robotic suit, sort of a quadripedal version of Earthworm Jim.
The credit for this book really is equally divided between it's artists, Gene Ha and Zander Cannon, and it's writer, Alan Moore. Moore, who at least I had only known to write downbeat stories like V for Vendetta, Watchmen and Swamp Thing, here shows that he can write upbeat, funny stories as well. Of those books, I would say this is sort of comparable to Watchmen. It has a lot of similar observations about superheroes, although using a far less dark storyline to make them. And Ha and Cannon's artwork is simply incredible, showing amazing amount of detail in every panel.
Basically, if you have any interest in comics, you really should read Top Ten. It's probably the most well-drawn, funny and fun comics for adults I've yet read.
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Title: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neill ISBN: 1563898586 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Tom Strong by Alan Moore, Todd Klein, Cam Smith ISBN: 1563896648 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Supreme: The Story of the Year by Alan Moore, Joe Bennett, Rick Veitch ISBN: 0971024952 Publisher: Checker Book Publishing Group Pub. Date: 15 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: Promethea (Book 1) by Alan Moore, Mick Gray, J. H., III Williams ISBN: 1563896672 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: August, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd, Steve Moore ISBN: 0930289528 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: April, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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