Review: Kahlil #11
There’s always that part in every superhero’s story where someone either finds out who they are or comes close to doing so. The number of times the Joker came close to finding out who Batman really is, are too numerous to count. There’s always the example of Superman’s identity being hidden by a pair of glasses. There’s an ambivalence of the story and lack of believability that readers today will see through almost immediately.
The most prominent example that readers and popular culture fanatics alike, usually point to, is the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor. As the bond between these archetypes is often used to as an example to describe problematic relationships and is probably the most realistic of all the relationships within the DC comics universe. They show a real relationship where sometimes your friend can be your worst enemy and sometimes can be the exact opposite as in All-Star Superman. In the 11th issue of Kahlil, our hero finally meets someone who looks to rival him.
In the first few pages, we meet a mysterious figure, Bhai, who is well connected, and is experimenting on animals to create the perfect being. As his plans are bigger than anything anyone in Pakistan, as he gets with some shadowy characters to unleash his plan. We also catch up with Maryam, as she is trying to understand more about Kahlil, by having dinner with his family. BY issue’s end, as Kahlil and Maryam are about to have a family dinner, a monsoon hits the city.
Overall, this is the issue where we meet the classic villain, one both enigmatic and alluring. The story by Kumail Rizvi is action packed, intelligent, and at times funny. The art by Rizvi is beautiful and rich. Altogether, a landmark entry in this superbly told superhero tale.
Story: Kumail Rizvi Art: Kumail Rizvi
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy
Iron Man is one of those comics, you either like because of Tony Stark or like because of Iron Man. The epic story, “Demon in a Bottle”, provided readers of just how complex Tony Shark is. As far Iron Man, any reader who has continuously read his books throughout the years, knows there have been more than one person who has inhabited the armor of Iron Man. His inner struggles as well as his fights with his rogues’ gallery, has defined the character for generations shaped the Iron Man we see in the MCU.
The mythology of Superman is quite dense and has many allusions to the real world. The one thing that has always fascinated me, was the fortress of solitude, as it kept many of his secrets and history in one place. When he needed to get away, he can always come back there, and this place is where he found solace most of the time. The other facet of this place, was how he could see his whole history.
Family is always a complicated matter, even if you have a good relationship with yours. It can be fractured like many are, where you don’t get along because you are so much alike. It can be the type where you lose contact over something frivolous over inheritances. Then there are those who are close no matter what.
Loss of innocence I something that has been examined as long as people wondered about the beauty of youth. The best analogy for the loss of innocence to me, is when I saw the Santa Clause for the first time. There is metaphor for this with in the whole film series, where onl kids who still believe can see Tim Allen as Santa Claus. I was still young enough when I saw the movie, to understand what his son in the movie felt when he saw him.
Grief is such an arduous process that most of us react in different ways to loss. There is no other type of pain which haunts you for days and, months and years on end. Depending on the type of relationship that person had with you, determines the degree of sorrow. It seems at times, like the hurt will never go away, as your heart blubbers with anguish.
Murphy’s law, says “what can happen, will happen,” which leaves one to ponder what does one really have control of? As it seems nothing. There are variables, that you have control of, which mostly means your actions. Then there are independent variables, where you hope things work out, and faith may play a part as in divine providence. Then there are people, like your children, who you hope they listen to you, but ultimately, they will do what they believe is best.
In the realm of comics, it is always nice to see when your protagonist takes you on a tour of the city they live in. I grew up in Queens, New York, rarely did I ever glanced at a Spider-Man comic, and saw any version of Queens that I knew, except for Queens Center, which shows up in just about everything New York related. This is exactly what made the latest run of Doctor Strange, so alluring, as it does give the reader a new look at the character but also of his surroundings, Brooklyn. This is also what makes Ms. Marvel, so exceptional, as the diversity made it shine, but its realistic portrayal of Jersey City, made natives take notice.
The vicious cycle of “making friends”, can be hard for most people. As children, we do this out of necessity, as our need for belonging is incessant and drives most of our actions. As we get older, the need for belonging becomes less substantive, but still exists. As we become adults, we normally find ourselves in the same situation, as when we get new jobs, we again, are finding our place.
Growing up with siblings can be difficult for any child. As most of the time you don’t necessarily get along based on several factors. One of those factors, is the attention of your parents, which each child requires, yet somehow every child feels they don’t get enough of. Another factor, is the age difference, as more likely than not, the gap is significant for all children involved to feel foreign to each other.