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Quick Critiques for 6/4
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.
ELEKTRA #24
by Robert Rodi, Sean Chen & Tom Palmer
(Marvel Comics)
 Rodi impresses once again with an unexpected companion piece to last month's "The Mark." Here, Rodi tells the same story, but from Elektra's perspective. This issue holds up well on its own; one need not have read "The Mark" to follow this story. Rodi takes some of the mystery -- only some, mind you -- out of Elektra's seemingly supernatural abilities, and he brings a new tone to the character in the process. This version of Elektra is far more playful than the character we've seen before in this series. The shift may be jarring for regular readers, but there's no denying the entertainment value. Palmer's inks continue to bring an appropriately gritty quality to Chen's clean linework. 8/10
EXILES #28
by Chuck Austen, Clayton Henry & Mark Morales (Marvel Comics)
 I can't imagine who thought that exploring an important Uncanny X-Men subplot in a title other than Uncanny X-Men was a good idea. Austen provides an exposition-heavy issue in order to bring Exiles up to speed on what's been going on in Uncanny, but it's not enough to prevent confusion. Furthermore, Austen provides no direct that this story arc is significant because it crosses over into the mainstream Marvel Universe, not one of the myriad of alternate dimensions we've seen up to this point. Furthermore, while Henry tells the story fairly clearly, the lighter tone of his style doesn't suit the more urgent atmosphere that's fostered throughout the script. I don't know if Judd Winick is coming back to this title or not, but I pray he does. 2/10
HALO AND SPROCKET #4
by Kerry Callen (Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics)
 Once again, Callen explores people's foibles, quirks and some of the oddities of everyday language through the eyes of two unusual innocents, an angel and a robot. The jokes aren't laugh-out-loud funny, but they're thought-provoking. Callen doesn't invite the reader to examine the mix of the mundane and the odd in Katie's life, but to look at ourselves instead. Callen's simple style maintains a nice balance among the goofy, wondrous and down-to-earth qualities of the oddball title characters. I was also particularly taken with some of the detail he brings to bear in the art exhibit scenes. My only complaint about this series is the rarity with which it's published. Now that four issues have made their way to comic-shop shelves, with any luck, a trade paperback will be released. Hopefully, that will get this delightful and unique series into more readers' hands. 8/10
NEW X-MEN #142
by Grant Morrison, Chris Bachalo & Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics)
 Though the Emma Frost murder plotline is left behind suddenly, Morrison provides a fascinating examination of Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops. The writer examines the conflicting sides of the man, the straight-laced hero and a man with appetites. The story is about expectations and perception, how we all are forced to hide parts of ourselves from the world around us because we tend to fill the roles that are set out for us. The sexuality of the Hellfire dancer is laid on a little thick, though, and Cyclops's depression is laughable at first, given his attempt to drown it in a drink that's hardly even a drink. The Sabretooth appearance simply spotlight the more cliche side of the character and his heroic counterpart, Wolverine. Bachalo's art captures the edgier tone of the script quite well, and I enjoyed the red hue in which practically the entire story is bathed. 8/10
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #42
by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley & Art Thibert (Marvel Comics)
 Bendis surprises me here by transforming the seemingly generic villain introduced in the previous issue into a well-developed and thoroughly believable character. Despite the fact that this issue focuses on two teens discussing their super-powers and their special place in the world, the dialogue comes off are remarkably genuine, and I love that for once, Peter Parker is actually is far more savvy and experienced than the antagonist. I'm surprised at how consistently Mark Bagley is able to render the awkward, oversized pseudo-costume that the title character sports in this issue, and he captures the emotional intensity of the dialogue-drivens quite well. 8/10
WOLVERINE: SNIKT! #2
by Tsutomu Nihei (Marvel Comics)
 The first issue of this limited series was a visual stunner, but there really wasn't much in the way of plot. Well, the story gets underway here, and there's still an abundance of awe-inspiring imagery. Nihei's dark imagination is overwhelming, and I hope this limited series won't be his only foray into mainstream western comics. He brings creepy new designs to bear in this issue, and I love how the unnaturally white color of the characters' skin contrasts against the rust and grey settings, making for a ghostly, unsettling effect. I'm also pleased to see that in this horrible future, one of the protagonists is far from human. The Colonel is a welcome addition to this small cast. 8/10
X-MEN UNLIMITED #48
by Bruce Jones & Richard Isanove/Chuck Austen, Chris Cross & Mark Morales (Marvel Comics)
 My god, but Marvel put out a lot of mutant books this week. This one is the only anthology in the bunch, and this issue's greatest strength is artwork. Richard Isanove impresses with painted artwork on the opening Wolverine/Shanna the She-Devil story. His style reminds me of the richly detailed European artistry on such books as Heavy Metal and Metal Hurlant, mixed with the occasional Sam Kieth-esque exaggeration. Chris Cross's kinetic and speedy style suits the action-packed world of espionage in which Mystique is so comfortable as well. Austen's script is strong as well. He captures Mystique's intensity and deviousness quite well. Jones's script for the Logan/Shanna tale isn't nearly as well. The tension between the two characters isn't convincing at all, and the explanation of the unusual threat at the end of the story just didn't make much sense. 6/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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