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Quick Critiques for 3/31
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.
AVENGERS/JLA #4
by Kurt Busiek & George Perez
(DC Comics/Marvel Comics)
 This issue clinches it... Avengers/JLA is the Crisis on Infinite Earths for the 21st century, at least in terms of fun. Busiek includes a delightful array of colorful characters in the mix here, bringing anyone with the barest connection to the title teams into the fray as well as a legion of bad guys. I'm sure osmeone out there is having fun right now pouring over every panel, identifying each character. Newer readers won't be lost by the storytelling either and if younger readers today are like I was 20 years ago, their curiosity will just be piqued and imaginations sparked by the vast array of superhuman combatants. This issue is just one extended fight scene, and it's far from the most emotional story one is going to find on the comic-shop shelves this week. But it doesn't purport to be anything more than it is, and it excels in what it sets out to do. Perez is to be aplauded for the meticulous nature of the detail in each and every panel and the incorporation of an impossibly large cast of characters. 7/10
BATMAN #625
by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso (DC Comics)
 There's no denying it... somewhere in this story arc, the plot lost its way, or it lost me, anyway. The intricacies of the murder mysteries and the enjoyably noir blanket of misdirection and vagueness made things difficult to follow. The ultimate resolution here has nothing to do with the main plotline, and the Joker's appearance comes from out of nowhere as well. Mind you, Azzarello offers up an excellent Batman/Joker scene, and the unusual conclusion offers strong potential for characterization. Essentially, this reads as though there were a couple of Batman stories Azzarello wanted to tell and a couple of powerful scenes he wanted to include. They work well on their own, but not quite as well as incorporated elements in this story arc. Risso's artwork is as strong as ever. I love his lithe depiction of the Joker and how small he looks when juxtaposed against the title character. Risso presents the Batman as physical force incarnate while the Joker is intellect. There's also a strong Jack Nicholson influence in Risso's take on the character. 6/10
HUMAN TORCH #11
by Karl Kesel, Howard Porter & Norm Rapmund
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 This standalone issue revisits one of the title character's past relationships, examining what made it good and what made it oh so bad. There's actually some strong characterization at the heart of this script, but the problem is that it's a lot to take in all at once. This loose thread from the Torch's life comes from out of nowhere, and that -- combined with the lack of subtlety in an effort to mirror the main story -- stretches the credibility of the character-focused subplot. What I like about it, though, is the guest-starring heroine's deconstruction of the Torch's life and his seeming lack of independence. The main plot is some light, fun super-hero fare that hinges on imossible coincidence and embraces cliche. Porter's art tells the story effectively, but the linework is really loose here as compared to other recent efforts (notably his contributions to Fantastic Four). 5/10
LEGION #31
by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Keith Giffen & Al Milgrom (DC Comics)
 This issue has a lot going for it. Not only does it bring artist Keith Giffen, who carved out his reputation early in his career on Legion of Super-Heroes, back into the world of super-heroes from the future, but it offers a refreshing break from the drama and super-heroics that usually dominate the book. In other words, the writers have a bit of fun by presenting a farcical story. The problem is clarity. Giffen's art in the opening act isn't at all easy to follow, and the script doesn't really allow for the possibility that new readers -- or fans of Giffen's work on Legion comics from yesteryear -- might want to check this out. This is far from the most accessible issues. There are some great moments, though, the best of which is the effect Cosmic Boy's out-of-control magnetic powers have on an unsuspecting teammate. 6/10
THE PULSE #2
by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley & Scott Hanna (Marvel Comics)
 Bendis approaches the murder mystery from a different angle. At the end of the previous issue, readers were left wondering who the victim was and how she died. The writer provides those answers here, and more. Bendis tells us who killed her and why. Mystery solved, right? Wrong. This isn't a whodunnit, but more of a "howdtheyfindout" kind of story. Bendis tells us the truth of the story, and now we're left to discover not only how the other characters learn of that truth but how they'll perceive it. Bendis really puts a great deal of thought into the murder victim's character. Terri Kidder seems real, and the writer has given the reader an emotional involvement in her. Bagley's art is surprisingly effective in this non-super-hero story set in a super-hero world. He captures Kidder's insecurity and excitement quite clearly. 9/10
ULTIMATES #13
by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch & Paul Neary
(Marvel Comics)
 In the past week or so, a mention of Marvel's The Ultimates online was quick to bring criticism of the publisher's move to prematurely solicit then cancel the second volume of this title. This final issue of the first volume is going to put salt in that wound for many readers, as Millar and Hitch wrap up their alien invasion storyline with a bang. Several of them, actually. The concept of the Hulk as an enraged, overprotective, homophobic boyfriend is genius. You'd think no other character would be able to steal the show from Millar's Hulk, but his take on the Wasp here, showing a different kind of strength, is just as powerful, only in a much quieter fashion. Hitch captures the impossibly grand scope of the action with ease as well as the Hulk's ferocity and hatred. The revelations about Thor's background come a bit suddenly and I wish Millar had explored it in a separate story. But overall, this was yet another satisfying issue. 9/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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