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Quick Critiques for 2/5
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.
30 DAYS OF NIGHT trade paperback
by Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith (IDW Publishing)
 Some have complained that the $17.99 US price for a trade paperback collecting only three issues is far too steep... but those folks haven't seen this package. IDW has put together a trade paperback with the qualities of a hardcover collection. The bonus material -- chiefly the script of the first issue, which spotlights the cinematic approach with which Niles crafted the story -- will be of interest to those with an eye to the creative process. The story is a chilling, interesting take on vampires, and those who missed out on the limited series last year would be well advised to pick up a copy of the collection... and if you're lucky, you'll get one of the early autographed copies. And for those who read the original series... do what I did: sell the originals on eBay for a tidy sum and place this volume on your bookshelf, where it belongs. 9/10
ALIAS #19
by Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Gaydoes
(Marvel Comics/MAX Comics)
 This is a private-eye series, a look at the dark, urban corners of the Marvel Universe without the benefit of the tights. But this issue offers up a vision of horror, and though it's connected to a super-hero, the premise draws its chilling quality from the reader's realization that there really are people in the world who use and abuse others as violently as some characters do in this issue. Gaydos's inky artwork is well suited to exploring the ugly side of humanity, and Matt Hollingsworth's muted colors and computer effects reinforce the creepy mood and mind-bending moments perfectly. 9/10
BATMAN/ALIENS II #2
by Ian Edginton, Staz Johnson & James Hodgkins
(DC Comics/Dark Horse Comics)
 Edginton captures both the dark super-hero overtones of the Dark Knight here and the conspiracy-theory riff and extreme action of the Aliens franchise... which comes as no surprise, given the track record of such DC and Dark Horse crossovers. I think what I enjoyed most about the script was the notion that facing these Aliens weighs so heavily on the hero's mind that they make their way into his nightmares. Johnson's simpler style seems a little bright, given the matter, but there's no denying that he tells the story clearly. The colors bring a bloodier, edgier tone that's in keeping with the movie monsters the Batman faces here as well. 7/10
DETECTIVE COMICS #779
by Ed Brubaker, Tommy Castillo & Wade Von Grawbadger, and Nancy & Michel Gagne (DC Comics)
 Brubaker's murder mystery remains entertaining. I love the idea of someone returning from the past to exact revenge against the Batman's Rogues Gallery. The return of Mark Merlin was unexpected but entertaining, and the reader's familiarity with this obscure character was not necessary at all. The villain of the piece seems to come from out of nowhere, but I look forward to learning more about him. Castillo's artwork is clearly inspired by the works of such artists as David Mazzucchelli and Tim Sale, but overall, it's pretty inconsistent. The backup feature is bizarre and the story really doesn't suit the Batman character, but it's a pleasure to see Michel Gagne's organic, twisted style. He really lets loose here. 7/10
EXILES #22
by Judd Winick, Jim Calafiore, Jon Holdredge & Eric Cannon (Marvel Comics)
 It's true that several story arcs in this title have followed a certain formula -- Exiles visit a world overrun by aliens/machines/monsters -- but Winick's tinkering with familiar Marvel characters and strong characterization make for a consistently enjoyable read. The writer also reminds us here of the the greatest strength of the premise: its unpredictability. Winick is able to break the rules on this book, and he does so again with a powerful ending. Calafiore's artwork captures the creepy quality of the Warlock technology quite well, but his figures seems a bit rushed at times. 8/10
PUBO #2
by Leland Purvis (Dark Horse Comics)
 The Fugitive meets fairy tales in this bizarre but entertaining romp through the forest. The title character runs through the forest, fleeing from men in black and black bears in a book with a great deal of personality. Purvis's dialogue for Pubo and the talking woodland creatures captures a sense of the magical combined with a strong, sarcastic sense of humor. The property crosses genres, and while there's a strong sense of action and suspense, the story never loses a playful quality that makes it a unique and engaging read. 8/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
MY MONKEY'S NAME IS JENNIFER #6
by Ken Knudsten (Slave Labor Graphics)
 The guys who live in the apartment above me drive me crazy. They're loud and insensitive. Sometimes I tell them to shut up. Sometimes I complain to my super. Most times, I lie in bed and grumble to myself as they keep me up. The world can piss one off so easily, and most days, we just have to sit and take it. That's what Jennifer goes through here, yanked around and irritated by the world in which she's trapped, only rarely lashing out and grabbing a small victory for himself from time to time. More twisted entertaining anger and cynicism from Ken Knudsten. 8/10
THE PUNISHER #21
by Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 Ennis's story of police corruption is proving to be one of his finest efforts with this title character to date. Somehow, he's managed to turn two men -- who have done ugly, ugly things even though they're meant to serve and protect -- into somewhat sympathetic characters. He delves into the notion that cops are as screwed up as the rest of us... perhaps moreso, thanks to the unique nature of their job and how society scorns them. Also interesting is how the Punisher seems to hold back and simply observes the two cops. It's as though he's seeing something new, and the novelty of the scenario has given him pause. Dillon's artwork, of course, is as effective as ever. 9/10
QUEEN & COUNTRY: DECLASSIFIED #3
by Greg Rucka & Brian Hurtt (Oni Press)
 I just rented The Bourne Identity on the weekend, and I can't help but see similarities between that story and Rucka's tale from Paul Crocker's past. Declassified is easily and by far the superior of the two spy stories, though, as Rucka delves into the notion of the vulnerability and fallibility of the agent(s) involved, rather than the near-precognitive character that Matt Damon portrayed on the big screen. Hurtt's softer style plays up Crocker's humanity as well, and captures a sense of realism with some detailed backgorunds. If you didn't check this entertaining and accessible limited series out in episodic format, be sure to order yourself a copy of the inevitable collected edition. 8/10
THOR #59
by Priest & Trent Kaniuga (Marvel Comics)
 Priest delivers a great fill-in story, set in the future. One need not be up-to-date on the current uber-plotlines that are running through this ongoing title in order to appreciate this tale, set in the not-too distant future. Priest plays with a familiar plot, but offers an interesting twist as the story progresses. This is also the best work I've seen from Trent Kaniuga. His work here is far from grounded than what we've seen from him in the past, but at the same time, he hasn't lost his own unique, exaggerated approach. His color scheme -- which seems almost mono-chromatic -- reinforces the stark nature of the setting as well. This was a surprising and welcome change of pace. 8/10
X-MEN UNLIMITED #41
by various (Marvel Comics)
 Marvel's mutant anthology boasts a couple of misses this month, but also can lay claim to a hit as well. There seems to be no point to Chuck Austen and Skottie Young's Exiles story, save to pit a bloodthirsty Wolverine against a pre-pubescent Peter Parker. Young's exaggerated artwork is distracting, while Nick Derington's visuals on his and Mike Allred's X-Statix story is capable but fails to grab the reader's attention. The same can be said of the script. The one shining light in the book is the story that doesn't service any trademark. Jamie Delano's story of a mutant teen who makes his dreams come true -- but at terrible costs -- is easy to relate to, and Neil Googe's effectively captures the dream-like atmosphere that's in keeping with the premise. 5/10
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
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