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Quick Critiques for 5/21
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.
THE CROSSOVERS #5
by Robert Rodi, Mauricet & Ernie Colon
(CG Entertainment/Code 6 Comics)
 This is the best this series has been, and the newfound strength can be attributed to one main development: the "crossing over" of the peripheral characters into the radically different lives/genres of the title characters. Seeing a super-powered canine sidekick turn up in a sword-and-sorcery realm, just in time to take on an alien, sci-fi bad guy was a hoot. The lighter tone of Mauricet's artwork suits the property quite well, and while the plot isn't played entirely for laughs, Rodi is careful not to cross the line into angst-ridden melodrama. The first couple of issues of this series elicited a lukewarm reaction from me, but now, things have really picked up. And despite all the criss-crossing of genre elements and plotlines, the story is remarkably easy to follow. 7/10
DAREDEVIL #47
by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 Forget about the title character; this issue is the Kingpin's show. Bendis crafts a strong and effective character in the FBI agent who faces off against the Kingpin in a war of words, and the resulting dialogue is fascinating. The G-man's arguments are well reasoned, and it's easy to see his passion for his job and his skill in those words. But the Kingpin shines as a different creature altogether, a man so brilliant and determined that regular folks like his federal sparring partner -- and us, the readers -- just aren't playing on the same level. Maleev's dark, gritty artwork suits the crime-genre tone of the book perfectly, but I have to admit that the choreography of the opening action sequence was a bit confusing (and if what I think happens happens, a bit implausible) perhaps due to the darkness that permeates the scene. 8/10
FREEMIND #4
by David Michelinie, Mike Leeke & Bob McLeod
(Future Comics)
 Michelinie includes some intriguing new plot points in this latest issue, and it seems like the book is getting smarter and smarter as it progresses. I love the notion of Mac Flint's desperate and selfish quest for normalcy at the expense of his professional responsibilities. What didn't sit well with me, though, was the all-too convenient powers that his android form possesses. It's not enough that he's a mechanical superman, he's got to have apparently limitless psionic powers as well? There don't seem to be any real rules in the world of Freemind, and that robs the story of credibility. Leeke's clean artwork tells the story clearly, but it never really grabs the reader's attention either. 6/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
GREEN ARROW #26
by Judd Winick, Phil Hester & Ande Parks (DC Comics)
 Judd Winick begins his tenure on the Emerald Archer's title, and he's off to a strong start. He takes some liberties with established DC continuity, but it makes for an interesting story that promises to explore the title character's more rebellious, left-wing leanings. The plot is pretty simple at this early point, but the dialogue really shines. Hester and Parks return after a three-issue break, and once again, they establish a dark atmosphere and balance it nicely with the lighter, super-hero elements. For a title that was launched to great fanfare as a result of being written by Kevin Smith, it's almost surprising that the book has been of consistent high quality despite the comings and goings of writers. Some of that credit is due to the art team, but one must also give a nod to the personality and storytelling potential in the title character as well. 8/10
RUNAWAYS #2
by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona & David Newbold
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 Though the characters deal with the traumatic revelation a little too well, the children of a secret cadre of super-villains continue to offer wonderful avenues for Brian K. Vaughan's characterization skills. The dialogue boasts a thoroughly genuine tone, and I love that each of the six kids has a unique voice. The plot too me by surprise; I figured, given the book's title, that we'd see these kids on the lam right away, but Vaughan is taking things a little more slowly than I expected, but in a plausible way. Alphona's unique, sleek style continues to impress, and Brian Reber's colors establish an appropriate dark and foreboding mood. Runaways is in a dead heat with Sean McKeever's Sentinel as the best of Marvel's Tsunami line. 8/10
SCION #36
by Ron Marz, Jim Cheung & Don Hillsman II
(CG Entertainment)
 Cheung continues to capture the majesty of not one but two monarchies in this inventive fantasy series. The stunning detail of the medieval settings is matched only by the power that Cheung and colorist Jason Keith bring to life in the action-oriented segments. Despite their alien origins and haughty overtones, Marz has managed to craft characters I've really come to care about. Ethan's anger and conflict with his father is something the reader can relate to, and Queen Mariella's role as peacemaker is something many will recognize in the matriarch's of their own personal "dynasties." Marz offers up a twist in the story that makes a lot of sense, and it provides for a climactic and suspense-filled ending. 8/10
WONDER WOMAN #192
by Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway & P. Craig Russell (DC Comics)
 OK, the haircut turned out to be an easy way to attract some (fleeting) mainstream media attention for the Amazon Princess, but in practice, it just doesn't work. I'm a sucker for short hair, honestly, but the character has lost something. She just doesn't look good here. And unfortunately, the plot doesn't do much to offset it. Though I did enjoy meeting Trevor Barnes's family, the developing plotline about some kind of crisis among the world's heavenly pantheons continues to fail to hold my interest. In order to appreciate the role of this issue's antagonist, one needs to be up on past DC continuity involving gods, and the exposition that is provided is rather awkward. Simonson has written some amazing comics in his time, but this isn't one of them. 3/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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