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Quick Critiques for 2/9/2005
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.
ALPHA FLIGHT #12
by Scott Lobdell, Clayton Henry & Mark Morales
(Marvel Comics)
 Scott Lobdell and Clayton Henry bring this latest Alpha Flight experiment to a much-needed end. This was the super-hero comedy series that took itself seriously far too often, but even if it didn't, it probably wouldn't have been much help, if this issue is any indication. Lobdell seems to equate a complete lack of logic and credibility in the plotting with humor, and it just doesn't work. By connecting this bizarre time-travel story with established continuity, the pure satire is lost in the details and minutae. There's a dizzying array of characters turning up here, and it's never completely clear how Nemesis's (try saying that five times fast) time-travel powers work. The point of the green Marrina-like boy hero is never explained -- probably something Lobdell had hoped to explore in future issues -- and the entire point of this exercise isn't clear either. Henry's art is appropriate for a comic book with a lighter, goofier tone, but again, the visuals don't exactly make the mechanics of the time-travel stuff clear either.
So, shall we start a pool on how long it'll take Marvel to revive this property for another go 'round? 2/10
BREACH #2
by Bob Harras, Marcos Martin & Alvaro Lopez
(DC Comics)
 Bob Harras proves the strength of his first issue was no fluke with a great followup. He doesn't advance the plot quite so much, but he creates some real tension and chilling action with the introduction of a horrific new antagonist. The Herdsman is completely chilling, and the reason is that the reader subconsciously compares the callous, violent creature with the innocent sacrificed in his creation early on the issue. His look is enticingly exotic yet disturbingly unnatural, thanks to Martin's exaggerated design, surreal panel transitions and the odd color palette for the character. I like how Harras takes an initially understatd approach to the strength of Paul and Campbell's relationship here as well. Ultimately, the plotting is somewhat conventional sci-fi fare, as we see a transformed human evolving into a hero who can deflect an other-dimensional alien invasion. The mysterious stranger introduced at the end of the book as a means to manipulate the hero's family brings complexity to that conventional tone, though. 8/10
GOTHAM CENTRAL #28
by Greg Rucka & Stefano Gaudiano (DC Comics)
 Ed Brubaker's headed for Marvel with an exclusive contract, but as much as I'll miss him on this title, at least Greg Rucka is still on board. So that's a relief. But I didn't think the book would weather the loss of original artist Michael Lark (also working for Marvel now) all that well. My concerns were unfounded, as Stefano Gaudiano clearly learned some great storytelling lessons by working with Lark on this book before his departure. Gaudiano captures the same gritty feel here, the same sort of realism. Rucka includes a subplot here that follows up on the events of the "Half a Life" story arc quite well, but what's really interesting about this issue is how is breaks rank from previous ones. This series has been about shunting super-hero elements to the periphery to make way for a more grounded police procedural story, but here, Rucka focuses a bit more on those genre elements, as super-villain chemicals transform a beat cop into something different altogether. I also like that the Gotham cops find themselves dealing with a bad guy who's not associated with the Batman, but with another member of the Justice League. Even though the super-hero genre has more of an impact here, the cop drama remains as strong as ever, as does the characterization. This is a great jumping-on point for new readers as well. 9/10
JSA #70
by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer & Keith Champagne
(DC Comics)
 The new Mr. Terrific contends with a kind of racism he's never known while the man who inspired him deals with a different kind of family crisis, one he could have never expected. A guilt-ridden Atom-Smasher discovers the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, while two men dedicated healing despite physical impairments of their own enjoy a nice conversation. This is an interesting character-building exercise... there's just one problem: none of it really makes a difference. The new JSA's recruitment of their predecessors in the past is taking way too long; the plot hasn't advanced an inch from the beginning of the previous issue to the conclusion of this one. And it's not just that the plotting is slow, but it's awkward as well. The black Mr. Terrific just happens to stumble upon a Klan rally? Meanwhile, Jakeem Thunder fails to feel the same sort of 1950s prejudice? Kramer's art is clear and capable, and he brings the settings to life with some strong background detail. But the real strength in the art is in the inks and the colors, which establish a dark, mature and foreboding mood throughout the book, one that makes me want to keep reading. 5/10
ULTIMATES 2 #3
by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch & Paul Neary
(Marvel Comics)
 The storyline featuring the trial of Bruce Banner for crimes committed as the Hulk wraps up much sooner than I expected. The tone of this issue is highly conversational, and though a dialogue-focused chapter isn't unusual for this title, this is a lot more than we've seen before. There's a wonderfully realistic tone to how Millar approaches the resolution of the Hulk issue. His continued exploration of the super-hero genre via real-world lenses of media and politics continues to impress. I like the more comfortable, conversation tone that's arisen among the title characters; they've gotten to one another a lot better, and they've become friends because a wider social circle just isn't feasible, given their powers and the lives they head. Hitch and Neary's work reinforces that sense of reality nicely. What works against it is the incorporation of unnecessary super-hero elements. Case in point: Matt Murdock acts as defence counsel for a super-hero... again. I know this is new for the Ultimate incarnation of the character, but it's far too familiar. I did, however, enjoy the ending immensely, given the strong sense of tradition it elicits. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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