I’ve been remiss. Reviews a-plenty below …
Remember, the reviews are scored on [writing / art / tercile of the reading stack ] where 3 is fabulous, 2 is decent, and 1 is … gotta be better to keep my interest (and bucks).
- JSA #34 (DC) [2/2/2]
Continuing the “Stealing Thunder” storyline, as we explore the world where the Ultra-Humanite has possession of Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt. Hilarity, and world domination, ensue. The “new” JSA — Hourman, Capt. Marvel, Sandman, Power Girl, Jakeem, a new Crimson Avenger, and … the Icicle? … must face a world where every other metahuman is their enemy. Good stuff, and it’s always nice to see Power Girl, ah, back in action. - JLA #63 (DC) [2/2/1]
Part 2 of “Golden Perfect.” Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth has been broken, and subjective reality is beginning to run rampant. Damn, but this reminds me of the Grant Morrison run, only just not … quite … as good. - New X-Men #123 (MarvPG) [2/2/1]
Speaking of Morrison, his intriguing if uneven X-Men run continues apace. Jean holds a press conference, Emma deals with students …. and the attack by the Imperial Guard begins. Very clean art from Ethan Van Sciver and a host of inkers. The story is a good one, but I always feel like I’m missing 30-40% of the panels that should be there. Sometimes that comes out as fresh and realistic — other times as just obtuse. - Green Arrow #12 (DC) [3/2/2]
One of Kevin Smith’s best issues. Bonding between GA and … Hawkman? And will Ollie and Dinah go slow with the re-exploration of their relationship? What do you think? - Hellblazer #171 (Vertigo) [2/3/3]
It’s only been two issues, and I’m already for Azzarello to resolve (or at least advance) this plot. It’s an interesting idea to have folks, including the darkling Agent Turro, try to figure out the aftermath of one of Constantine’s episodes, but this issue doesn’t add too much more to what we already know, and so merely seems indulgent. Frusin’s art is approriately clean and moody. - Superman #180 (DC) [2/3/1]
Superman vs. … Dracula? Yeah, sounds dumb, but it’s handled by Loeb in a pretty decent fashion, in the context of Clark and Lois trying to figure their marriage out, and with a very nice twist ending. Ian Churchill does some ice art, with Rapmund on inks and the Hories doing some very effective color. - Hawkman #1 (DC) [2/3/2]
Yet another resurrection for this perennial hero. Here the focus seems as much on Hawkwoman as the Man, but that’s been an interesting theme since they both came back in JSA. The story itself is unmemorable, but the encounters make the tale worth reading. Very nice art from Rags Morales. - The Ultimates #2 (Marvel) [2/2/2]
Lots of talking heads as we continue to encounter members of the new super-team being put together in the Ultimate Marvel universe, the local equivalent of the Avengers. Mark Millar has some interesting twists, but Bryan Hitch’s art is underutilized. Still, though I really want to dislike this parallel reboot of the Marvel Universe, I have to admit it keeps me coming back for more. - Lucifer TPB #2 (Vertigo) [3/2/*]
Reprints issues 5-13. “Children and Monsters” continues the slow unfolding of Lucifer’s plans, including regaining his wings from the House of Izanami, setting an interesting trap for the Heavenly Host out to get him, and finally bringing his plot to literal fruition. In the meantime, the usual cast of side characters floats around him, not as interesting as they should be, but interesting foils and observers. - Captain Marvel #29 (Marvel) [3/3/3]
Peter David’s CM has been getting lots of great reviews … and not very good readership. Marvel just announced it was bumping up the price another quarter, to give it at least another year’s life. In response, David has promised that if Marvel gives the book the commitment and ad support it needs, he’ll write it for free. Go, Peter! Continued triffic stuff as the “Time Flies” arc continues, including a reunion at the end that had me picking up my jaw. ChrisCross’ art is a perfect complement, heroic but always just a bit humorous. This really is one of David’s better works, rich with comics cross-refs, action and drama. Read it. - Alias #7 (MAX) [3/2/3]
Speaking of CM, Bendis has Jessica Jones in search of Rick Jones. Or is it? In either case, more interesting “grit of life” for this series. - Promethia #19 (ABC) [3/3/3]
It’s like watching an exhibition of works by Leonardo. Incredible stuff. But after several hours of it, you’re probably ready for things to move on. J.H. William III’s art is marvelous as always, but Alan Moore really needs to give the story a serious goose. - Wonder Woman #178 (DC) [2/3/2]
Diana goes out on a date, which ends like most dates in a comic book universe ends. Entertaining. - The Legion #5 (DC) [2/2/1]
I managed to miss the restart of this series, dagnabbit. Back together, the Legion is off again to where they were exiled, trying to make use of the abilities of some races there to come up with an alternative stargate system. But while there, they learn that the Prodigy are still there … but that they may not be the biggest enemy to be faced. - Exiles #11 (MarvPG) [3/3/2]
This one’s a kin to Captain Marvel — funny, dramatic, and a great place for a talented writer (Judd Winnick, in this case) to chart his own idiosyncratic course across the Marvel universe. This episode represents some downtime between missions, and Mariko gets stuck with Morph. And resolve a lot of aspects of their relationship, such as it is. Where the hell are the TPBs of this series? - Fire TPB (Image) [3/1/*]
Some of Bendis’ earliest work. Yeah, the rough edges show, and the story is hardly ground-breaking, but it’s still good stuff, and it’s amazing how early Bendis’ talent showed up as a writer. His art, on the other hand, is, ah, pedestrian at best, though appropriately moody. - Codename: Knockout #10 (Vertigo) [2/2/1]
Good, bouncy fun. - Young Justice #43 (DC) [3/2/2]
A terrorist act, and a young girl who happens to be of the wrong ethnicity. David’s liberal bent shows through here clearly, but only because he chose the story — anyone should find it worthwhile reading. - Muties #2 (Marvel) [2/2/1]
Another story about a mutant kid growing up in a world that fears and hates him. Hmmm. Nicely done, but what are we trying to say here? - Avengers #51 (MarvPG) [2/2/1]
Kang has taken over the world. Wanda and Simon are in a prison camp, helpless. This would all be somewhat more moving if I didn’t know that Busiek has already figured out why we haven’t heard about this in the other Marvel titles. As it is, it’s a decent, but not very unique story. - Spectre #15 (DC) [2/2/2]
So if the Spectre is the Wrath of God, how come he spends so much time on Earth? Doesn’t God get angry with other worlds? Well, yeah, and we see some of the ramifications of that this issue. - Uncanny X-Men #404 (Marvel) [1/1/1]
Continued X-Force shenanigans. Ho-hum. I’ve decided that Joe Casey is the most over-rated writer in comics today. Neither his work here nor in the Supes title he writes impresses me. Color me cancelled. - Mystic #22 (Crossgen) [2/2/1]
This series has changed from High Fantasy to Mystic Noir, and has suffered in both writing and art in the process. Considering cancellation … - Detective #768 (DC) [2/2/1]
Drugs. The Underworld. And a Batman who has evidently given up on being Bruce Wayne. Not Rucka’s best, but … - Catwoman #4 (DC) [2/2/1]
Cats fights Clayface … kinda. Still, a decently entertaining read. - Citizen V #2 of 4 (MarvPG) [2/2/1]
I really want to like this book. I really do. Questions of obsession, responsibility, politics, and duty, in the context of a decades-old international organization. Nicieza has woven an intricate tapestry … so why does it not engage? - Capt. America: Dead Men Running #2 of 3 (MarvPG) [2/1/1]
Like the world doesn’t have enough cynical takes on patriotism. Yeah, Cap prevails. But it’s still an (unnecessary) bummer. - Nightcrawler #4 of 4 (MarvPG) [1/1/1]
Thank Heaven. Maybe next go-around we can reduce the melodrama and focus on just one element or two in Kurt’s life. - Starman TPB #7 (DC) [2/2/*]
This was the weakest part of the Starman story, IMO. Sure, Robinson had great fun with Jor-El, Adam Strange, and the Legion of Super-Heroes … but it still felt like marking time. These vignettes would have been better as stand-alone adventures in parallel to the main book, and even here it feels like you could leave out this volume and still have the story make a coherent whole. Snejbjerg’s art is always on the line between clean realism and clunky, and he was still in the latter mode here. Only the first story, talking about how Opal is getting along without Jack, is a star.67 view(s)