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MERIDIAN #22
Neutral (4/10)
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CrossGen Comics
Writer: Barbara Kesel
Pencils: Andy Smith
Inks: Mark Farmer
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Troy Peteri
Price: $2.95 US/$4.75 CAN |
Interesting... that one of the weakest issues of this series to date is the one that shifted away from the in-house approach to the comic-book creation process for which CrossGen Comics is known. The thin plot continues from the previous issue, but what's really disappointing is the inconsistent art. It's not only inconsistent with the visual tone of the series overall, but it's inconsistent from page to page in this very issue.
Sephie continues to battle Rho Rustane in the Demetrian skies as her friends and allies -- including Jad, the young man she loves -- watch below. Rho reveals his true form and affiliation with the god-like beings known as the First. Based on what she learned of the First from Samandahl Rey, Sephie realizes she can defeat Rho, but he finds his own way to do some serious damage. Meanwhile, Jad remains oblivious to the affections of Feabie.
At times, Smith's work here looks like that of John (Fantastic Four) Byrne's. At others, there's a Darick (Transmetropolian) Robertson riff on the go. Then there are those panels and pages that boast the Bart Sears look. The shifts in style are jarring, and Smith and Farmer never seem to capture the graceful and natural look that has been a visual characteristic of this title from the first issue.
For the most part, this issue was little more than a traditional battle between a super-hero and a super-villain. That's too bad, since this isn't a super-hero title. The battle between Rho and Sephie was rather uninteresting for the most part, and the pivotal nature of information gleaned from another character/title (Sigil) was distracting as well.
It was a treat to see Kesel pick up the Sephie-Jad-Feabie love triangle again, and this time, she runs with the ball. In other words, some real forward momentum is injected into it, though perhaps not in the direction that some readers may have expected. Sephie's decision to deny herself her connection to Jad in order to focus on the greater task at hand says something about her ongoing maturation, which is what this title is really all about.
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