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Quick Critiques for 4/14
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.
H-E-R-O #15
by Will Pfeifer, Dale Eaglesham & Wade Von Grawbadger (DC Comics)
 Writer Will Pfeifer reveals the larger plot that's been waiting in the wings since the series began, it would seem. Robby Reed, the DC Universe's first H-Dial owner, reveals himself to one of the newer ones, and he provides a glimpse of what he's been up to. Turns out he went crazy because he glimpsed an Apocalyptic future, and he's recruiting other H-Dialers to help him prevent disaster... a disaster linked to the H-Dial, of course. The plot boasts potential, but I'm surprised that a good deal of the creepiness that made Pfeifer's take on Reed so interesting is lost here. Tension is replaced with exposition here. It's a necessary issue, but it's not the most exciting one either. Eaglesham's work here is fairly standard super-hero fare. He tells the story clearly, but the darkness fostered by J.D. Mettler's colors comes off as artificial. There's not a foreboding feel at play here, which is unfortunate, as it added a lot to previous issues in which Reed appeared. 6/10
SHE-HULK #2
by Dan Slott, Juan Bobillo & Marcelo Sosa
(Marvel Comics)
 The inner conflict the title character experiences is a strong one, and there's still plenty of potential in it for future issues. But here, Slott also focuses on introducing the fun of the "superhuman law" premise. To be honest, it's quite comparable to what Batton Lash has been up to in Supernatural Law for years, but it's fun to see the same sort of sensibility applied to the world of super-heroes. Slott's sense of humor and love for the genre shines through clearly, but I'm also impressed with how he's filtered super-hero elements through the real-world filter of the law. Bobillo's art is nicely detailed, but there's a lightness to it that's in keeping with the overall feel of this humor book. The super-hero elements allows Bobillo to spruce up the hum-drum setting of a law office with surreal and silly visuals. Comedy, characterization and credibility converge perfectly in what is probably the most pleasant surprise in mainstream comics so far this year. 8/10
TOUCH #1
by John Francis Moore, Wes Craig & Prentis Rollins
(DC Comics/DC Focus)
 The realistic take on people with powers that serves as the connecting theme of the DC Focus line heads in an understandable direction here, as writer John Francis Moore examines fame and fortune as the goal, not altruism or nihilism. This is the story of John Belushi or Kurt Cobain, blessed with powers as opposed to art but still tortured by their demons and their addictions. The problem with the story here, though, is that Moore tears down his hero incredibly early on. There's no gradual self-destruction. It's far too sudden and rushed. The art tells the story clearly, but it's rather inconsistent at times. I found I never really got a strong sense of what the main characters looked like; they're identified by words rather than visuals, for the most part. Also, Avalon Studios strives to achieve the same sort of simple color scheme as what's found on other DC Focus titles, but the effort fails. 5/10
ULTIMATE X-MEN #44
by Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch & Danny Miki (Marvel Comics)
 As the "New Mutants" story arc reaches its penultimate chapter, Bendis brings together a wide variety of elements to deliver a rich and well-balanced read. The moments between Wolverine and the Angel are fantastic; the latter character is incredibly easy to relate to, given his fear, confusion and hesitation. By the end of the issue, the plot embraces larger-than-life super-heroics, delivering moments worthy of The Authority in its earlier heyday. The conversation between Professor X and Nick Fury, in which Fury lays out what's really been going on, is not only helpful to the reader in terms of exposition, but the notion of Xavier being surprised by developments within his realm of expertise packs a significant punch as well. Finch and Miki's two-page spread of the Capitol Building in Washington is stunning, as are the subsequent action scenes. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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