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Quick Critiques for 1/15
Randy and I are starting the new year with a new review feature: capsules. There's no way for us to 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.
BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #37
by Scott Beatty, Roger Robinson & John Floyd
and by Mike Carey & Steve Mannion (DC Comics)
 Beatty addresses a dangling plotline from the core Batman titles that's popped up in Robin and Birds of Prey as well: what about the Spoiler? The story's somewhat satisfying and will appeal to die-hard fans of DC continuity. But ultimately, nothing is resolved. And as for the backup story, Carey and Mannion offer up a fairly ordinary Scarecrow story that capitalizes on the current wide fascination with the sword-and-sorcery, sparked by the success of the The Lord of the Rings movie franchise. 6/10
THE INVINCIBLE ED #2
by Ryan Woodward (Summertime Comics)
 Animator Ryan Woodward's second issue is out, and his story of an unwitting teen super-hero really starts to stand out as something beyond the norm. Woodward bucks cliche by making the title character's powers public, and it leads to some interesting storytelling possibilities. The art strikes me as a cross between the styles of Mike (Herobear and the Kid) Kunkel and Courtney (Decoy) Huddleston, and Mike Garcia's brilliant colors bring out the characters' powers and the lighter tone of the script. Most impressive, though, is the dark turn the story takes by the end of the issue. Fans of Ultimate Spider-Man should take note of this small-press title. 8/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
IRON MAN #64
by Mike Grell, Alan Davis & Robin Riggs
(Marvel Comics)
 The second chapter of the three-part "Standoff" crossover arrives, but unfortunately, it degenerates into what is basically a big Thor/Iron Man fight. The greater ethical, spiritual and political issues are still in play, but the for the most part, they're eclipsed by an emphasis on super-hero action. One plot point that proves irksome is how Tony Stark is able to design a suit of armor capable to dealing with Thor's power, and why he's so willing to embrace magic as a weapon. Fortunately, the art is stunning. Bright colors bring Davis's grand linework to crisp, brilliant life. 6/10
NEW X-MEN #136
by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely (Marvel Comics)
 "Riot at Xavier's" continues with a three-pronged plotline that keeping the book hopping along at a hectic and riveting pace. Quitely's art seems quite at home when rendering the weirder students from the Xavier School, and he manages to capture the young mutants' naivete and impulse nature nicely. The story requires the reader to think of Xavier and the other more experienced X-Men as a bit clueless and unprepared, but it's paved the way for some strong characterization. 8/10
NIGHTWING #77
by Devin Grayson, Patrick Zircher & Jesse Delperdang (DC Comics)
 Grayson delivers a fairly standard super-hero story here, as Nightwing encounters a new vigilante whose inexperience and intensity could prove to be dangerous. Yep, he's got his very own Huntress. Though Grayson takes too long to identity the new figure for those readers who haven't been on board for every issue, she does grab the reader's attention with a strong, character-driven scene that shows just how deep the connection between the title character and Oracle has become. Zircher is clearly trying to elicit memories of Greg (Sojourn) Land's run on the title as penciller, and he's successful. 7/10
POWERS #27
by Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Avon Oeming (Image Comics)
 Bendis starts things off on an interesting note, delivering an unsettling sequence that combines the innocence of super-hero storytelling of yesteryear and some of the bluest language to hit this title to date. The decision to color the opening sequence to look as it would have 20 years ago or more was a smart choice. The real highlights of the issue, though, come when Walker is taken aback... once by a minor bit of commercialism that trivializes his life and those of his friends, and another that dumbfounds an entire planet. 8/10
Note: This comic book was note among this week's new releases.
SOLDIER X #7
by Darko Macan & Igor Kordey (Marvel Comics)
 The themes of spirituality and war continue to collide in thought-provoking ways in this series. It's a shame it hasn't garnered a larger following. the relevance, creativity, darkness and sense of humor -- yes, sense of humor -- are thoroughly engaging. The creators tell the story of a man so powerful he is like a god, and in doing so, touch upon some surprisingly and deeply human notions. Kordey's gritty art really suits the gritty nature of some of the characters as well. 8/10
SPIDER-GIRL #56
by Tom DeFalco, Pat Olliffe & Al Williamson
(Marvel Comics)
 DeFalco takes the ultimate super-hero genre cliche -- the death-trap from which the hero can't escape but always does -- and actually delivers a suspenseful script around it in the opening half of the book. This is a delightful super-hero title. As I've said before, it's a great (and accessible) introduction to comics for younger readers, and since it's steeped in Marvel continuity, it's a treat for longtime fans as well. Olliffe and Williamson's collaboration boasts a somewhat dark look that's pleasing, but it never works against the lighter tones to be found in the script. 7/10
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #35
by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley & Art Thibert (Marvel Comics)
 And then, all of a sudden, Venom is cool again. Bendis and Bagley breathe new life into a concept that Marvel taxed to its limit and rendered uninteresting. Bagley reminds us of the strength of the simple black-and-white design that turned heads in the mid-1980s, and shows off the extent of his strong grasp on the nature of the character's physicality. Spidey's never looked more agile or creepy, and the black-suit "webs" look great. Bendis fills this issue with the sense of humor we've come to love in the character over the past four decades, but includes a dark side as well. Another great issue. 8/10
VIOLENT MESSIAHS: LAMENTING PAIN #2
by Joshua D.M. Dysart & Tone Rodriguez
(Image Comics)
 Dysart impresses with the intensity of this urban crime/horror story, not to mention its accessible script as well. The dark sexual edge he brings to bear here is disturbing but riveting, but the real fascination lies with the character of Cheri Major. It's clear that she's not far from her blade-wielding prey when it comes to the issue of unresolved rage and an unhealty inclination to express it. Rodriguez's realistic artwork brings the extreme nature of the story and underground characters to life quite well. 9/10
Note: This comic book was note among this week's new releases.
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
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