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Underground > Comic Books >

Paul Cornell's Wisdom // Captain Britain & MI-13.

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Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

22:09 / 20.03.07

Der Falke mentioned the new Marvel MAX series Wisdom over in the Captain Britain thread and I was given pause to wonder - is anyone else reading this?

One in a long series of Warren Ellis grumpybastards, Pete Wisdom showed up during his run on Excalibur to get on people's nerves, fight with Lockheed, and act as Kitty Pryde's bit o' man-candy in a way that was about three hundred times less creepy than her thing with Colossus.

That run's regrettable, obviously, but recently Wisdom was picked up by Paul Cornell for this six-issue mini, with art by Trevor "I'm not Bryan Hitch!" Hairsine. Pete's back as the head of a sekrit British governmental organization called MI-13, which handles the stuff MI-6 and company aren't too touch, specifically open conflict with alien intelligences, fairy realms, and mutants. Typical bit of, yeah? Classic set up with an interesting cast of characters - there's Wisdom, a fairy dissident named Tink, an exiled Skrull who was a part of an infiltration team impersonating the Beatles (he was the John), an old Captain America satire called Captain Midlands, and a "clairsentient" by the name of Maureen Raven.

It's pretty jaunty with relatively self-contained episodes hung off an overarching plot line -- the omnipresent threat of some typical apocalypse centred around Maureen or her young son. At times, I felt like the story is resolved more quickly than it should, although I like the recurring idea of the group dealing with gigantic personifications of British real estate (a giant living under a village, then a dragon representing Wales), and Shang-Chi the Master of Kung-Fu shows up. Sometimes the solutions are a little ridiculous. It has a similar approach to Nextwave, although moving in a completely different direction, and I'm not sure why it's Wisdom instead of, say, MI-13; sure, Pete's the most well known character here but he's hardly Superman or Batman. John the Skrull is the break-out star, clearly and the brief stop over in his head in #2 is beautiful ("This is Captain Boko of the Free Kree Liberation Army." / "I'm going on a pilgrammage with the Dread Dormmamu.")

Has anyone else been reading this? It's fun popcorn and worth a look, at least.

Essential Dazzler

22:40 / 20.03.07

Was Captain Midlands around before this series?

I picked up the first two issues of this on a whim and had really mixed feelings about it. I loved the art, Hairsine is so much better than the last time I saw him, on Ultimate Six I believe. He is Bryan Hitch, obvs. I really hated the writing though. The dialogue was awful, and it quite often felt like I'd missed a few pages.

Of course, expecting Hairsine to stick around for a whole series these days is obviously quite an unreasonable thing for us to demand of him, so after a brief skim, I didn't bother picking up ish 3.

Essential Dazzler

22:42 / 20.03.07

Thinking back, all the problems I had with the writing were technical issues, some of the ideas really rocked. Hmmm, maybe I should have carried on with it.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

23:02 / 20.03.07

It's deeply flawed writing, sure, in terms of the pacing and plot structuring (the first issue, in particular, seems like it should have taken long to get from the big showdown to the resolution) but yeah - the ideas are enticing. It's slower development and unfortunate that this only a mini -- I would have liked a longer series or an ongoing to give it a bit of time to build itself up.

23:34 / 20.03.07

If you look at Hairsine when not inked by Neary, though, he's not really Hitch except in terms of, well, delivering timely comics. Beefier.

I kinda disagree w/ Pacific State's criticisms, if only because they're the same I've seen of Garth Marenghi, for one. It's certainly a frenetic comic, probs the most concept-heavy about beside maybe Casanova, and yes, the character arcs are buried pretty deep or, in the case of Midlands and John the Skrull largely nonexistent. I mean, initially, I read #2 and was i) exhausted and ii) confused.

I like the information-heaviness, though, that forces you to reread and it's about the only thing that justifies the pricepoint, really, because it's not a MAX comic, there's no swearing or nudity and probably less gore than whatever geeeeooofffjohnssss is writing this week; it's a continuity (for anyone who really cares about these things, which I must - however moderately - to mention it) Marvel comic, as you can tell when Pete phones the X-mansion and is informed about Kitty by, I think, Emma Frost. In that way she does.

Nextwave's an interesting comparative, really, and one that may have skittered through this addled brane at some point, though I found it much emptier and more spectacle-oriented and this is obviously going to be (my favourite) a tragedy compared with the other's, er, farce.

23:37 / 20.03.07

It's very British, obviously, but - huh, yeah - no I don't think the dialogue's even remotely bad. It scans pretty well to my 'ear'. There was one kinda non-sequitur that I'll look up later, in #1 or #2, that really didn't work for me because I. still. don't. understand. Can't recall what, though.

23:40 / 20.03.07

Oh, bollocks, post-snarfing - I meant to say, yeah it's very British and is apparently, I imagine because of this, selling really badly; not even in terms of X-books, but in terms of MAX books, which seems an awful shame to me.

Marvel does seem to trade pretty much everything these days, and the phenomenal Livewires got a digest after posting similar numbers, but there's a small possibility this won't get collected, so, you know, you should maybe check it while the going's good. Or not, I could be wrong.

Essential Dazzler

23:41 / 20.03.07

The Casanova comparison is an interesting one, and one I hadn't thought of. I must admit initially feeling the same about that book as I do Wisdom, maybe a few more re-reads and it'll click into place for me as well as Casanova did.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

00:00 / 21.03.07

Falke:because it's not a MAX comic, there's no swearing or nudity and probably less gore than whatever geeeeooofffjohnssss is writing this week;

There are a few slightly gory bits - I'm thinking of Maureen's dream sequence with a hole through her head - and more seems to deserve the MAX label for referencing the fact that the characters actually do *have* sex lives (well, dunno about John the Skrull or Midlands) and occasionally you're forced to look at Pete pulling an Adam with a fig leaf betwixt his legs and a punk fairy princess in his arms. And actually having an interesting relationship dynamic/set-up between Pete, Maureen, and Tink.

I'm not entirely sure that Cornell -- or the comic itself -- knows what it wants to be. It definitely feels like it's the opening story of an ongoing, simply because the overall arc for it isn't very clear beyond a few vague references to an apocalypse which has...three issues to come up out of the ground and resolve itself. Not a lot of room to move.

it's a continuity (for anyone who really cares about these things, which I must - however moderately - to mention it) Marvel comic, as you can tell when Pete phones the X-mansion and is informed about Kitty by, I think, Emma Frost. In that way she does.

Interestingly, it's a continuity comic that tries to avoid depending on that continuity but rather uses it as offhanded references that don't dominate the narrative. I'm thinking of that bit in #1 about "Braddock" running Otherworld previously, but not anymore. Acknowledging previous uses of fairyland but not depending on them. That's part of the reason it sometimes feels like Nextwave to me - they both make allusions to prior continuity without BIG EXPOSITION, it feels more natural.

Dan Fish - @Fish1k

11:02 / 21.03.07

I'm really enjoying it. I think there have been a couple of maybe awkward moments, where the storytelling wasn't quite clear, or the dialogue seemed a bit off compared with the voice in my head*, but overall, it's a great series.

The latest issue had a soundtrack too, I believe you can download the tracks from Itunes through writer Paul Cornells website.

*(i'm not mad)

Phex: Dorset Doom

11:49 / 21.03.07

Also really, really enjoying it. For me the problems with the narrative mentioned above serve to make it feel unlike anything else on the stands atm- much like Nextwave, which is just about the only other comic out there that feels remotely similar (I never knew Ellis created Pete Wisdom, I'd kind of assumed it was Chris Claremont for some odd reason).

Also, #3 is the only place I can see the great nation of Wales insulted and the Lostprophets mentioned without wanting to feed a bag of kittens into a wood chipper.

Phex: Dorset Doom

13:48 / 21.03.07

Also, best quote in issue #3:

"We've made an enemy here."
"Yeah. But only a Welsh one."

Cymru am byth indeed.

15:09 / 21.03.07

Despite being a long term fan of that ever so nice Mister Cornell (and owing him at least one unspecified favour) I've somehow managed to miss each issue. From what I've read above I'll look out for back issues though.

His comics career has so far been hit and miss (XTNCT was a hit but then it was drawn by D'israeli and his other Megazine work unmemorable) but I've liked his prose work and his recent Who audio Circular Time managed to tell four engaging short stories whilst also telling a thematically rewarding larger tale. His telly Who has been better than his Robin Hood and I'm agog (agog I tells you) about the upcoming adaption of his seminal Human Nature.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

15:30 / 21.03.07

I read through it in a coffee shop on the way to work this morning and was more impressed than the first time. As said above, by Falke, these comics improve significantly on the reread. For me this is very much a character/moment comic -- the history of John the Skrull (and all his duplicate / doppleganger / copy puns - "Anybody who's anybody will be there," for the alien duplicates gathering at a pub) stand out particularly well.

Noticed in the latest issue an oddly familiar scenario, a sexy super-agent man giving oral satisfaction (tauntingly just off panel) to a redheaded psychic. This may be why there's the MAX label.

Maureen needs a bit of development - not so much in personality, but in backstory, and I'm concerned that she'll be left unfleshed in the short space why have left. Like Captain Midlands, who is mostly a cypher at this point. Tink and John are really the selling points of the series for me.

ONLY NICE THINGS

15:33 / 21.03.07

Noticed in the latest issue an oddly familiar scenario, a sexy super-agent man giving oral satisfaction (tauntingly just off panel) to a redheaded psychic.

ONMG!!! 23!!!! 11!!!!

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

15:48 / 21.03.07

I was more thinking, "What is it about Gary-Sueing oral sex scenes with redhead telepaths that makes it so popular?" rather than "OMG! It's, like, the Invisibles using Ellis castoffs!"

A beautiful tunnel of ghosts

17:20 / 21.03.07

Paul Cornell interviewed at Bullpen Bulletins.

23:00 / 21.03.07

I'm pretty sure I was the only one buying this at my shop, and I don't think they ordered any copies of #3. It's no big loss-- I was basically buying it 'cause Cornell wrote for Who and I wanted to see what he'd do in comics, and some of the ideas-- John the Skrull in particular-- sounded great in theory. The execution of the writing wasn't the best. I don't know if I'll miss it. Maybe if I stumble upon a copy I'll pick it up.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

18:04 / 22.03.07

Coincidentally, #4's out this week - "Too Many Jacks," or the Crisis of Infinite Rippers. Manuel Garcia's pencils aren't doing it for me and I miss the Hairsine. For some reason, Excalibur alumnus & former head of W.H.O. Alistaire Stuart appears to have aged about forty years since Kitty Pryde was winsomely following him around so I'm wondering if I missed a "rapid aging" storyline somewhere.

Like the idea - a Rippermania tour guide accidentally conjuring up parallel universe Rippers based on popular urban legend theories - but the execution was awkward this time 'round and the issue felt a degree or two lighter than the others, even with the plunge toward Maureen's apocalypse starting up (which felt a little pat). I dunno.

04:37 / 23.03.07

Yes, Hairsine was the pants and I'm sad that he moved on/quit/etc. New guy is OK, but I thought the script was slightly wonky. Still, a fun read and I'll stick with it.

Essential Dazzler

12:34 / 24.03.07

Read #1 through #4 yesterday, and suprised myself by really enjoying them. It's refreshing to read a mini that's so episodic.

Mysterious Transfer Student

15:42 / 24.03.07

Cornello's Cambriophobic tendencies should perhaps be understood in the light of the following very much unverified tale told to me by my proudly Welsh comic book supplier:-

Scene: a convention in Bristol, 1995. Mr Cornell is on stage, answering audience members' questions.
Comic Book Supplier: Hey, I have a question...
Paul Cornell: Are you Welsh?
CBS: [thrown] Yes, what of it?
PC: [mocking laughter, followed by whipping of the rest of the audience into an anti-Welsh questioners frenzy]
CBS: ...!!!

Afterwards, when Mr Cornell has left the stage, our questioner approaches him...

CBS: Excuse me...
PC: [regally] I'm sorry, I don't have time for you. [swans off]
CBS: ...!!!

If true, not that funny when it comes down to it. Shame he's a pretty good writer and as CBS admits today, he can't bring himself either not to stock his comics or to boycott his episodes of Doctor Who.

20:40 / 27.03.07

That story just doesn't ring true for me at all. I've only met Paul a time or two in the flesh but know people who know him a lot better (to the point that they were geusts at his wedding) and from his writing elsewhere. He's only ever been friendly and polite to me, and gone out of his way to help when he can. I think the fact that he's publicly associated with the very Welsh New Who implies that he'd be dogged by that story every where he turns if it had actually happened.

Mysterious Transfer Student

21:13 / 27.03.07

Well, I have no particular investment in the story being either true or false; it was just told to me a few days ago (admittedly with no independent corroboration of any kind) and it appeared to be congruent with the content of #3, so seemed worth reporting here. Please disregard it if, as you say, it doesn't seem plausible.

00:22 / 28.03.07

Even losing Hairsine on the art, I actually think Wisdom is the best thing coming out from Marvel these days. It's got just the right tone and just the right amount of stuff actually happening per issue. And it's fucking funny.

Am I wrong?

20:22 / 11.04.07

Not wrong at all.

This recent crop of fun, relatively continuity-independent minis (BEYOND, AGENTS OF ATLAS, NEXTWAVE, etc) have been the most Marvel product I've purchased since I was littler.

Also, MI-13 (like S.W.O.R.D.) is a concept so stunningly self-evident I'm surprised it never appeared before.

More, please.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

15:46 / 21.05.07

#6 is out on Wednesday (or, possibly, Thursday -- sometimes long weekends affect shipping and sometimes they don't), and apparently includes Captain Britain, though they may have meant Captain Midlands.

I'm hoping that this potentially leads to an MI-13 series so we can start to get some full-blown character development for these people -- as it stands, Captain Midlands wouldn't even make a good action figure.

Essential Dazzler

15:55 / 21.05.07

Really looking forward to this. I've done a complete turn-around on this series.

The identity of the big bad, the malevolent beings ingrained in the British collective unconcious as a racial enemy was amazing.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

23:27 / 24.05.07

Number Six with a bullet out this week, Our Final Issue with Our Worlds at War.

I'm left wishing there had been another issue of build up to this, and I'm almost swear that it feels as though Cornell changed his mind halfway through the series about what the overarching plot was going to be and what certain characters' places in it were.

[+] [-] Spoiler

Still processing of course and it needs another read-through, but other people's thoughts?

23:36 / 24.05.07

Having hunted down and read the whole thing now, I did quite enjoy it. It was everything I wish Torchwood had been and then some.

18:12 / 01.06.07

Paul Cornell... ...is the new writer on Marvel Comics' "Excalibur".

Got a greenlight at LiTG

Extreme excellence

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

18:57 / 01.06.07

Ooo. I wonder if he's going to bring over some of the MI-13 stuff.

03:36 / 02.06.07

I agree that the series seems to change its mind mid-way through. I thought the first 2/3 issues were astonishingly great, then the following issues were "merely" good. Was I just hypnotized by Hairsine's lovely art, or did the story alter focus or become less coll/inventive. Only another read will suffice.

Good news about Excaliber and Cornell. The book is one of my guilty pleasures: it's a tad naff, but oi loiks the karactahs, y'see?

08:57 / 02.06.07

One of mine too. I own lots of the Claremont/Davis stuff.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

15:53 / 12.05.08

For anyone who might be curious, the Skrull Invasion stuff bleeds over to Britain this week with Captain Britain and MI-13 #1, written by Cornell with art by Leonard Kirk. Which makes sense, what with the Skrull John and all. Here's hoping for the room needed to make character development happen.

Link

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