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Quick Critiques for 1/12/2005
There's no way that Randy and I can cover all of the material we have for review in full reviews, so these capsule reviews will offer some brief comments on other recent releases.
GREEN ARROW #46
by Judd Winick, Tom Fowler & Rodney Ramos
(DC Comics)
 One of the appealing aspects of this title since its launch four years ago is the fact that it seemed to remain on the fringes of the DC Universe. The title character was an outsider in the super-hero clubhouse, and there's something interesting about that. That tone has remained that way throughout the title's run, even when other characters from the shared universe would turn up here. That quality is shattered here, with Green Arrow casting aside his protective attitude and throwing his new sidekick in the deep end of the world of super-heroes: joining a team. Nothing about this plot really works with what we've seen of these characters in previous issues. Still, I understand why Winick has opted to tell such a story; I just think he didn't need more super-heroes to talk about Mia's need for friends her own age. What's really disappointing about this comic book is the art. Fowler's standard super-hero art pales in comparison with the dark, angular style of Phil Hester. Furthermore, Fowler's characters often seem to feature a sinister smile on their faces. It's distracting and makes the teen heroes look like cartoony villains. 3/10
JSA #69
by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer & Keith Champagne
(DC Comics)
 Welcome to Fillertown, population: Geoff Johns and his JSA readers. This second chapter of the time-travelling, JSA team-up story arc is all about the newer heroes recruiting the aid of their predecessors 50 years in the past. This really didn't require a full issue, but to his credit, Johns offers up a number of small but strong moments that speak more to the characters than to the super-hero action to come. Mr. Terrific's surprise at having to deal with a form of racism from before his time was a nice one, as was the friendship between Johnny Thunder and Jakeem. Ted Knight's fragile state makes for an uncomfortable moment for those readers familiar with James Robinson's Starman, and for those who aren't, Johns makes it accessible by placing Stargirl in the role of the awestruck hero worshipper. Kramer's art is detailed and tells the story capably, but the characters come off as a bit stiff and there's no splashy visuals or viewpoints that really knock the reader's socks off. I would imagine this decompressed storytelling won't seem like such a distraction once this arc collected in one edition. 6/10
NEW THUNDERBOLTS #4
by Fabian Nicieza, Tom Grummett & Gary Erskine
(Marvel Comics)
 Nicieza is doing a great job with this relaunch, but things go awry, not surprisingly, when another title's storyline crosses over into one of the subplots here. Wolverine's appearance is not only unnecessary, but it confuses and distracts from the action, suspense and drama of this title. The only aspect that's really revealed for New T-Bolts readers is Baron Stucker's resistance to injury and the danger that his death poses to the world as a whole. The new Swordsman's The interplay among the title characters remains strong, though. The Radioactive Man stands out as a surprisingly fascinating character. He comes off as a remarkably strong, logical and confident figure, but his assurance that instability lurks within him adds a creepiness to the mix that's deliciously dichotomous. Grummett's art boasts a traditional look overall that's in keeping with the diverse array of classic characters who turn up here, but he and Erskine also pour a rich level of detail into the visuals, reinforcing a realistic feel. Basically, my misgivings about this issue stem almost entirely from the invading storyline 6/10
NEW X-MEN #8
by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, Michael Ryan & Rick Ketcham (Marvel Comics)
 This title has a lot of things going for it. The characters are well realized, and the interplay among the young mutants is strong. I like the romantic subplots, and David's sister, Kim, is quite charming as the excited little fish out of water. The problem is that the characters and subplot trip over the main plotline, about a supposed mutant ghost lurking about Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. The most irksome thing about it is how the script goes over and over and over whether or not the ghost is real and whether or not someone else is responsible. It gets redundant, and it's tedious for the reader, since s/he knows about the ghost child. Michael Ryan's art captures the younger ages of the main characters nicely, but he portrays the adults as being a bit too young. Even Cyclops looks a bit wet behind the ears here. Furthermore, Ryan's work takes on too cute a look here. It reminds me of Jeffrey Moy's work on Legionnaires from a few years ago, but without the same diversity in character design and visuals as a whole. Randy Green's cover art, an homage to The Exorcist, was a nice bit of fun, though. 5/10
NIGHTWING #101
by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty, Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens (DC Comics)
 When Dick Grayson gave up being Robin in the 1980s, he did so in part to pass the torch to Jason Todd. It was a happy moment, and his adoption of the Nightwing name was to honor two men whom he admired. Here, the shift from being Robin to Nightwing is written as being the result of a father/son conflict, of a rift between the Batman and the young man he raised and mentored. I rather liked the 1980s stories and the more upbeat tone they represent, but I can't deny that this familial split is also a compelling story. I find Dixon and Beatty's take on Clayface's powers to be inconsistent with what we've seen in the past (he's an African American wielding a pistol under all that muck?), but the fight with the villain really isn't the focus of the story. McDaniel handles the action incredibly well, and captures a similar look and feel for Clayface as what was developed for Batman: The Animated Series by Bruce Timm. But again, the action isn't the point here. The emotional story is what matters, and a more realistic, softer style would really have brought out that drama more effectively. 7/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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