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Quick Critiques for 5/11/2005
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.
ARANA #4
by Fiona Kai Avery, Roger Cruz & Victor Olazaba
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Next imprint)
 When one counts the issues of Amazing Fantasy that served as the character's introductory story arc, this is the 10th issue in the Arana series, and the focal plot event in this issue is long overdue. The title character is peripherally (and visually) tied into the world of Marvel's best-known icon, Spider-Man, and it seems as though the two heroes should have met long before now. The problem is that Spidey's visit into Arana's life is far too fleeting. He drops in, provides some advice and that's about it, really, even though he learns that Arana is involved in the same sort of supernatural conspiracy stuff that he was dragged into a couple of years back. There's no follow-through on Spidey's part, and that doesn't seem in character. The spiritual link between the title character and Miguel is rather cliched and a rather hard pill to swallow. Avery's script is somewhat accessible, but I still don't see why I should care about the conflict between WebCorps and the Wasps. The interior art is pretty solid, but what really stood out for my in terms of visual elements was the cover. It stands out as the best work I've seen from Mark Brooks. I love the image-within-the-image motif, and care with which he's illustrated the characters' hands really breathes life into them. I only wish the connection between the two characters was as strong inside the comic as it appears to be on the outside. 4/10
ASTONISHING X-MEN #10
by Joss Whedon & John Cassaday (Marvel Comics)
 The X-Men take on the artificial entity that once was the Danger Room, and it makes for an action-packed and entertaining issue. Whedon fosters a real sense of menace here; this doesn't come off as another typical X-Men encounter with a generic villain. The Danger Room entity is cold and confident, feeling completely in control. Whedon's script reinforces that there's nothing it can't handle, nothing it can't predict and prepare for, and that's what makes the X-Men's small successes against it in battle so much fun to take in. Whedon's script also manages to make Professor X seem supremely cool and tough, rather than the always benevolent soul he's often portrayed to be. Cassaday's art is meticulous and stunning. I love the detail he pours into the villain of the piece, and even better is how fluid its form is. The pace is frantic and intense, and the action realy draws the reader in for a great ride. Whedon's second story arc on this title has been a real triumph. He embraces the traditions of the genre and the property in particular while still bringing a sense of fresh drama. 9/10
ELSINORE #1
by Kenneth Lillie-Paetz & Brian Denham
(Alias Enterprises)
 This is the third time I take my hat off this week to new publisher Alias Enterprises for its decision to launch several new titles with a cheap 75-cent cover price. Elsinore -- which reminds me of Image's Rex Mundi -- shows a lot of promise. There's clearly a complex supernatural-conspiracy plot unfolding here, and there's a creepy atmosphere and strong sense of style enveloping the book. Unfortunately, the writer aims for such a strong sense of mystery that it's difficult for the reader to follow along. All of Alias's offerings this week can be characterized by a vagueness in the storytelling, and it doesn't help with this book. The art is fairly strong. The image of a lgion of lemurs running around an asylum is appropriately unnerving, and thanks to the art, it doesn't come off as silly at all. The artist seems to be using real people as models for the characters; Sean Connery, for example, is easily recognizable as a key player here. Unfortunately, that approach distracts from the story. The reader soon finds himself or herself looking for other recognizable faces among the cast members. Yes, there's plenty of promise here, but the creators fail to make the most of the promotional cover price. They had a great chance to hook me with a new, unconventional series, but ultimately, I was just confused. 4/10
GOTHAM CENTRAL #31
by Greg Rucka, Stephano Gaudiano & Kano
(DC Comics)
 The "Keystone Kops" story arc comes to a satisfying close in this issue. The super-hero elements tha played so prominently in this story arc resolve in a completely unexpected way; the tragic ending is not one the reader will see coming at all. The underlying plot throughout this story arc, though, is Renee Montoya and her anger. That rage erupts in this issue, and it gets her something she wanted -- or at least something she thought she wanted. What most interested me about Renee's story was her relationship with her father, estranged over her sexuality. That conflict is resolved a bit too easily in this conclusion, to be honest. That aspect of Montoya's life is wrapped up in a neat little package; it's far too tidy. The art is solid throughout the issue. Gaudiano and Kano capture a sese of realism, but a gritty noir layer rests atop it as well. The reader feels he has one fott in the real and one in the surreal, and it works well with the hectic, off-kilter pace of this conclusion. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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