Carol&Tony

So I'm really invested in the (largely imagined) epic semi-platonic friendship of Carol and Tony. Despite there being only two eras in which their friendship was given attention and weight, it clicks for me. There's plenty to hate about Brian Reed's run on Ms. Marvel, but I love the incorporation of Tony into Carol's origin. By all rights these characters should have crossed paths many times over the years. Pilot and engineer. Spy and government contractor. Ass-kicking superheroes. Washington movers and shakers. They're from different backgrounds and they have different skill sets, but they're incredibly complimentary.

Anyway, I'm thinking about doing Carol&Tony fanmixes, if only because I already have several playlists dedicated to them. I'm also thinking about using these linked drabbles (below) as a jumping off point for something biggger. I don't know, there's just something about the relationship that grabs me and I can't quite articulate it. Have to work on that.

In the meantime, the drabbles:

Shelter
Tony is Carol's sponsor, but there are miles to go before they're really friends.
500 words, Carol & Tony

I also finished the extremis story, which I previously posted here in draft form.

After H(+)spital
Tony's friends bring him home from the hospital after the events of Execute Program. They have questions.
5422 words, Steve, Tony, Happy & Pepper

comics, comics, comics

Daughters of the Dragon
Palmiotti & Gray, Khari Evans

I finally got around to reading Daughters of the Dragon. As predicted, I ship Misty/Colleen like BURNING. MY GOD. However, while Khari Evans' art is pretty and interesting, it lacks something in the movement department. Some panels feel static and overly posed, and occasionally find myself reading and re-reading pages to figure out the sequence of events. Still, the sheer, deliciously over the top style of the book is a delight. The story-- the story. Misty and Colleen are immensely likable and I got more than involved in their personal drama, but the bulk of the mini's plot is built on a rocky fucking foundation, my friends. The central conceit - supervillain by night, publisher by day! apocavirus hijinks! - is fun but strangely lacking in commitment. Ricadona has less charm than a Bond villain, and is about as original in conception. I've come out of this book with endless love for Colleen and Misty, but not all that much affection for the story itself.

Incognito
Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

I'm uncomfortably ambivalent about our protagonist, but not at all ambivalent about Incognito, which I loved. Incognito is a bit Wanted, and a bit Sleeper, with all of the moral bankruptcy and none of the amateur shock tactics. A skillful fusion of noir and pulp, Incognito takes place in a dirty world of mean cops, science villains, and a moral grayscale that goes from dark to darker gray. The mini starts out reprehensible, with violent, midnight vigilantism and rape, and then just gets weird. Evil twins, mad scientists, and flying cars weird. The mix of pulpy fun and noir despicability makes for an interesting and worthwhile read. [Triggering like whoa, though].

Criminal: vol 5
Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips

FUCK YEAH TRACY LAWLESS! It could be a Tumblr. Only the lack of material keeps me from setting up an account this very instant. I've written adoringly of Criminal before (oh god, how many times now?) so I'll keep this one brief: This volume is everything you've come to expect from Criminal. All the noir. All the sex and violence. All the misplaced heroism. All the muddily expressive, gorgeous art. Plus, you know, it's got more Tracy Lawless (FUCK YEAH).