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Quick Critiques for 5/28
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.
AVENGERS #67
by Geoff Johns, Olivier Coipel & Andy Lanning
(Marvel Comics)
 Conspiracy theories meet super-heroes in this riveting story arc. Coipel's artwork has brought a gritty and intense edge to these familiar characters, but it's Johns's script that really kicks the Avengers' world up a notch into a more mature and chilling tone. Johns taps into the world's lingering tensions over the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the distrust of the establishment that arose so fiercely as a result of the recent war in Iraq. The result is a riveting drama. Furthermore, the more extreme yet real nature of the threat allows the writer to explore these characters in new ways, and the overall package is one of the best Avengers stories I've had the pleasure of reading. 9/10
THE BLACKBURNE COVENANT #2
by Fabian Nicieza & Stefano Raffaele
(Dark Horse Comics)
 Anyone reading this series who's familiar with Nicieza's past work is bound to be amazed. This is a radical departure for a man whose name was synonymous with mainstream super-hero comics for years, and this stands out as some of his finest work... if not the pinnacle of his career to date. This story of secret conspiracies and a spiritual connection with nature is difficult to describe, but easy to enjoy. I love that the protagonist is a thoroughly flawed figure. Raffaele's dark artwork suits the forboding atmosphere that looms over every panel. I'm reminded of the styles of such artists as Sean (Sleeper) Phillips, Mike (Hellboy) Mignola and Scott (Soulwind) Morse. This is just another piece of evidence that this new horror line is one of the best things to come out of the Dark Horse offices in some time. 9/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
THE FLASH #198
by Geoff Johns, Scott Kolins & Doug Hazlewood
(DC Comics)
 I loved last month's reintroduction of Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash, and I continue to look forward to the rest of the "Blitz" story arc. Unfortunately, this second chapter didn't quite click for me as well as I expected. Johns seems to try and establish contrasting notions of hope (in the pregnancy announcement) and foreboding (Zoom's rampage), but it doesn't really work. Impulse's sudden appearance is a bit jarring as well, and Jesse Quick's woes are an entirely new element that comes from out of nowhere. Still, the action is exciting, and Kolins's artwork -- with its stark depiction of Keystone City and success at conveying intense motion -- remains a shining strength of the series... one that will be missed when he finishes his run in a couple of months. His cover puts me in mind of Carmine Infantino's work on the previous Flash series in the 1970s and '80s. 6/10
GLOBAL FREQUENCY #8
by Warren Ellis, Chris Sprouse & Karl Story
(DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions)
 I'm not a fan of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and now matter how much my brother begs me to watch and get into the two shows, it just doesn't appeal to me. That being said, Ellis scores another hit with a story that reminds me of CSI on coke. The characters gather evidence and information in a mad scramble that will lead to the location of their kidnapped leader. The methods they use are clever and inventive, but it's the galloping pace of the story that makes it so fascinating and entertaining. Sprouse's clean, crisp style does a surprisingly good job of conveying that pace along with the script... surprising, because, while I love his work, his style usually boasts a somewhat stiff quality. 9/10
GREEN LANTERN #165
by Ben Raab, Rick Burchett & Rodney Ramos
(DC Comics)
 Raab kicks off his stint as the new regular writer on Green Lantern on the wrong foot, as he fails to tell much of a story at all here. The cover and opening scene proclaim this to be the beginning (yes, another one) of a new Green Lantern Corps, but it soon degenerates into some generic super-hero storytelling that really say nothing about the character. I was curious to see how Rick Burchett -- whose style I associated with urban vigilante super-heroes -- would fare with science-fiction fare, and while the storytelling is clear and capable, it isn't as striking as Burchett's noir efforts on such books as Batman/Huntress and Detective Comics. 4/10
JLA #81
by Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau & Aaron Sowd
(DC Comics)
 The foundation of this story is a political and social conflict that mirrors real-world woes of militias and corrupt governments, but the potential of those ideas are lost here. Kelly's story degenerates into a stereotypical super-hero story in which the heroes are framed by over-the-top villains. The story is lacking in suspense, and Rouleau's exaggerated linework makes the plot difficult to follow. Nevertheless, there are moments that really shine here, not the least of which is Kelly's description of Superman's intense guilt and despair over the perceived tragedy at the Safe Haven compound. 4/10
JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS: INCUBUS #2
by John Wagner, Andy Diggle & Henry Flint
(Dark Horse Comics/2000 AD)
 Wagner and Diggle's story focuses more on the world of Judge Dredd than the silver screen's insect-like, extraterrestrial monsters, and that's fine, as the former deserves more time in the spotlight with North American audiences. The story is surprisingly accessible despite its use of a fairly large supporting cast for Dredd. Flint's artwork continues to remind me of Carlos (Just a Pilgrim) Ezquerra's gritty style. The colors really reinforce the dark, creepy atmosphere that goes hand-in-ugly hand with the Aliens, and the linework brings a remarkably detailed and textured quality to the darkness. Score another win for Dark Horse crossovers. 7/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
LEGION #20
by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Chris Batista & Mark Farmer (DC Comics)
 "Dream Crime" continues here, and the writers offer up inventive dreamscapes into which Saturn Girl is lured and lost. The script refers to past stories repeatedly, but it does so in a manner that's plausible and fairly easy to follow. The real strength of this issue is Chris Batista's art, though. His alternate designs for the Legionnaires in the opening diner scene are plenty of fun, incorporating their slick super-hero looks with a 1950s/60s hipster sensibility. The reveal of a mastermind villain on the final page is deliciously creepy. Abnett and Lanning are to be commended for keeping up the same level of fun yet mature storytelling that made this title a buzz book right from the start. 8/10
MYSTIQUE #2
by Brian K. Vaughan & Jorge Lucas
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 Vaughan's novel exploration of Mystique's powers stands out as this issue's greatest strength, and it's piqued my interest in this title even more. He not only plays around with the physical and combat applications of her shapechanging powers, but the psychological edge they can provide as well. The T&A quotient is mercifully lower in this issue, and Lucas's work, to my relief, reminds me much less of Ian Churchill's style than it did in the first issue. Another enjoyable aspect of this issue is that it portrays Professor X is a far less idealistic light. He comes off as someone who's willing to manipulate perception and the truth to advance his own agenda, and those grey ethics make him much more interesting. 8/10
SWEATSHOP #2
by Peter Bagge, Stephen DeStefano & Bill Wray
(DC Comics)
 This second issue is much stronger than last month's debut, and the strength stems from Bagge's vicious lampooning of the land of TV and film trying to capitalize on comics... and the exploitation of those who create them. Bagge is critical of the comics creators as well, though, as they shoot themselves in the foot while chasing after some elusive mainstream money and acceptance. The first story isn't nearly as clever, though, and it even strains credibility. My main qualm with the book, though, is Bagge's exaggerated, squat and rather ugly designs. His characters are completely removed from human appearance as possible, it seems, and their twisted appearances make it hard to relate to them and their world. 6/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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