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Quick Critiques for 5/17/2006
There's no way I can cover all of the material I have for review in full reviews, so these capsule reviews will offer some brief comments on other recent releases.
ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER #4
by Frank Miller & Jim Lee (DC Comics)
 I have no idea what Frank Miller is trying to accomplish with this title, but the end result is certainly not entertaining. I get that he's presenting the Batman as a necessarily malicious, rotten figure, as that's the kind of personality it would take to transform a pre-teen boy's life into one of perpetual violence. But Miller's characterization of the Dark Knight is inconsistent, shifting from low-brow jock mode to thoughtful strategist for no apparent reason. Dick Grayson's calm in the face of his parents' murders and his kidnapping at the hands of an apparent madman makes no sense either. The multiple-page gatefold in the middle of the book seems like an impressive visual display, but it ultimately takes the reader out of the book, interrupting the flow. Not that there's much of a story here yet to interrupt. Jim Lee seems far too willing to abandon his own distinctive style to mirror Miller's at key moments, and that makes for inconsistency in the visual side of the book as well. 2/10
ANNIHILATION: NOVA #2
by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Kev Walker & Rick Magyar (Marvel Comics)
 The spirit of the Keith Giffen/J.M. DeMatteis approach to humorous super-hero storytelling is alive in well, not just in those writers' recent efforts but in Nova writers Abnett and Lanning. The first issue offered some delightfully entertaining banter between the title character and the Xandarian Worldmind, and now we've got Drax and teen sidekick Cammi thrown into the mix. The result is even more laughs. At the same time, the writers are careful not to sacrifice the gravity of the plot and the corrupt nature of the Annihilation Wave creatures. Walker's rough-around-the-edges approach drives home the desolate tone of the decimated landscape and the dire nature of the characters' circumstances. The influence of such artists as Mike (Hellboy) Mignola and Howard (Flash) Porter are apparent in his efforts on this story. Nova, and Marvel's entire Annihilation line, continues to offer solid entertainment. 8/10
AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #42
by Kurt Busiek & Butch Guice (DC Comics)
 I remain intrigued and entertained by what writer Kurt Busiek and artist Butch Guice are accomplishing with this new spin on DC's iconic undersea super-hero. The first half of this issue is more than a little repetitive, though, and it's main purpose seems to be to explain how food-service and regular physics might be simulated in an underwater environment. Guice's art continues to convey the savagery and darkness of the watery realm, but it seems to me that he's depicting the title character as a bit older than he should appear. The main focus of this issue is to reintroduce the Sea Devils and the wondrous think-tank that roams the world's oceans. I was reminded of Howl's Moving Castle when Windward Home was revealed in the latter part of the book, and the notion of an ideological and intellectual organization that also includes mysticism among its areas of expertise is a logical concept for the DC Universe. 6/10
JACK STAFF #10
by Paul Grist (Image Comics)
 I really like Jack Staff, Paul Grist's pop-culture-influenced storytelling and concepts and his minimalist line art style. But this title lacks a key element, and that's cohesiveness. Grist seemingly introduces characters at random, leaving himself little room to tell ongoing stories or even to allow the title character to spend much time in the limelight. I love the new characters we meet in this issue, though. The Claw is ever the charming rogue, and Grist's vision of a mysterious, supernatural adviser, inspired by comics legend Alan Moore, is a real hoot. the simplicity with which he approaches the artwork and figures is surprisingly effective at fostering a mature, thoughtful mood, while Craig Conlan's bright colors reinforce a more playful, traditional tone. Ultimately, what holds this book back is its approach of presenting little vignettes without really linking them together. In other words, it's lacking a story. 4/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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