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Quick Critiques for 5/26
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.
ALEISTER ARCANE #2
by Steve Niles & Breehn Burns (IDW Publishing)
 This second issue isn't quite as compelling as the first, but the reason is clear: the title character, given his death at the end of the previous issue, is no longer an active participant in the plot, at least as a character. Though not as emotionally touching as the first issue, this one is still a good bit of fun. The transformation of the adults of a small-minded town is wonderfully campy, and I love how the kids react not with terror, but concerns and quips. The script is quite playful, never taking things too seriously. Burns's art is just as playful. The kids are rendered in a style that reminds me of a cross between the work of Phil (Beautiful Killer) Noto and Sam (Zero Girl) Kieth, and the monsters romaing about the place put me in mind of the styles of Simon (Lobo) Bisley and John (User) Bolton. What's really great about this book is its celebration of the horror genre, especially in film. There are numerous visual references to classic horror flicks to be found here. 8/10
AVENGERS #83
by Chuck Austen & Scott Kolins (Marvel Comics)
 I thought I'd never be able to get used to Scott Kolinson any other book than The Flash, but he's doing an amazing job on this title as well. He brings a dark and intense quality to the new Invaders that grants them a sense of menace and brings suspense to the story. Some of Austen's plotlines are strong as well. I love the edge he's brought to the Blazing Skull, and the Hawkeye/Wasp subplot is surprisingly convincing, given that I don't care for how suddenly the Hank/Wasp rift developed. The main plot, though, leaves something to be desired. Austen shows the continued recruitment effort for the Invaders, and the effort to replicate the wartime team lineup comes off as a little forced. The new Torch-like member is a bit too much to accept as well. I can't deny, though, that Austen has really piqued my curiosity as to the overall direction of this Invaders storyline, and I appreciate the small political bits he's thrown into the mix. 6/10
GREEN LANTERN #177
by Ron Marz, Luke Ross & Rodney Ramos (DC Comics)
 Marz manages to sell the Jade/Kyle breakup much more convincingly in this issue as compared to the previous one. The two characters actually speak here, and it provides some decent closure. Looking at this issue and #176, though, I get the feeling they're a bit too padded; they could have easily combined into one issue, as the Sonar fight scene lifts out of the story easily. The Fatality and Sonar scenes are much too stereotypical for my tastes. We've seen these moments before, with these characters in this series. Ross's art tells the story clearly here, and there's a softness to it during the non-super-hero scenes that suits the characterization-oriented plot. Ultimately, though, Ross's work here is simply standard fare. A unique style doesn't jump out at me here. DC's PR message that they're bringing back Hal Jordan as Green Lantern detracts from my interest in this storyline as well. Kyle's about to be eclipsed, and that threatens to eliminate the audience's interest in this incarnation of Green Lantern. 6/10
KINETIC #3
by Kelley Puckett & Warren Pleece
(DC Comics/DC Focus)
 This stands out as the strongest issue of the series thus far, and the reason is clear: the character's spectrum of emotion -- desperation, curiosity, hope, happiness, confusion and more -- shine through clearly. The lengths those emotions drive him to explore is disturbing but somehow plausible and convincing. It seems to me most of the second issue was completely superfluous, adding nothing to the overall story; Puckett covers all the ground necessary in the first and third issues, really. I'm a big fan of Warren Pleece's art, and he's doing an incredible job here. His unusually simple yet realistic approach suits the melancholy atmosphere of the story quite well, and the unconventional coloring motif -- a defining characteristic of the DC Focus line -- jibes with his style perfectly. The greytones bring an important depth and texture to the art as well. 7/10
LEGION #33
by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Chris Batista & Jay Leisten (DC Comics)
 Abnett and Lanning bring the Credo/Singularity story to a quick, even sudden close, but as jarring as it is, there's just no way around the fact that this incredibly action-packed issue is exciting and fun. The writers manage to give each and every member of the Legion of Super-Heroes a moment in the spotlight, and they portray them as heroes but also as a squadron of well-trained and organized soldiers. The tactics here are as much fun as the diverse array of super-powers the characters possess. Batista does an incredible job of juggling the extensive cast of heroes and villains alike, but that comes as no surprise. His ability to include plenty of characters without skimping on the detail is apparent on the cover, and it's comparable here to the sort of thing we normally expect only of George (JLA/Avengers) Perez. Surprisingly, this story arc serves as a good introduction to the Legionnaires and their future. This accessible script is a great deal of fun and a wonderful celebration of the Legion, its history and traditions. 8/10
MYSTIQUE #15
by Sean McKeever, Manuel Garcia & Raul Fernandez
(Marvel Comics)
 There's only one aspect of this story that doesn't sit well with me, and that's the incredible coincidence that apparently lies at the center of the plot. Once one gets past that, though, one finds an entertaining tale, full of action, attitude and personality. McKeever has granted the title character some real humanity here, and he continues to make excellent use of Shortpack, a character created by Brian K. Vaughan earlier in this series. Shortpack is a charming sidekick who really gets to shine in this issue. Garcia's artwork reminds one of the style of Terry (Marvel Knights Spider-Man) Dodson, and he handles the action throughout this issue quite well. The only problem with the art is that it needs just a little more polish. It gets a shade sketchy at times, but for the most part, it's quite solid and effective. 7/10
PROMETHEA #30
by Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III & Mick Gray
(DC Comics/America's Best Comics)
 I won't pretend to understand everything that's going on in this issue. I won't even pretend to understand anything that's going on here, but I do know that Moore and the artists challenge the reader. Part of the fun here is trying to divine meaning in this story that's about the lines blurring between fiction and fact, between magic and the mundane. The dichotomous tones of panic and peace enhance the intriguing quality of this vague narrative. Instead of an outsider looking in, the reader becomes an active participant in the story. Williams and Gray's realistic linework is granted a hazy yet somehow more grounded quality by the unusual color effects contributed by colorists Jose Villarrubbia and Jeromy Cox. There's a delightful panl later on in the book that serves as an infinite look at itself. Infinite covers were a phenomenon of comics of yesteryear, and it was a treat to see the notion return in another way here. 9/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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