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Quick Critiques for 6/7/2006
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.
52 WEEK FIVE
by Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, Keith Giffen, Chris Bastista & Jimmy Palmiotti/Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund (DC Comics)
 The shroud of mystery covering the various plotlines remains in place as more and more characters are incorporated into the unfolding drama. Again, the diversity of characters (and absence of DC's biggest icons) remains interesting. I suspect the evasive nature of the storylines will be frustrating to some readers, and if DC is to avoid a significant dropoff in readership, they'll need to punch things up soon. Still, I found I enjoyed the script, and especially some of the weirder ideas that pop up here. Heroes missing eyes and fallen comrades being physically intertwined are elements that really grabbed my attention, plus we're seeing some "One Year Later" payoffs as well. Batista's art is much sharper and more detailed than what we saw from Joe Bennett in the first month of the series, and I do like it more... save for one respect. Bennett shifted from light to darker atmospheres when the plot and characters called for it, but Batista (and colorist Alex Sinclair) plays things much more evenly. I rather enjoyed the shifts, and it made sense, given the strong differences in the various plotlines. Dan Jurgens's "History" backup continues to be hindered by the four-page format. 6/10
HARD TIME: SEASON TWO #7
by Mary Skrenes, Steve Gerber & Brian Hurtt
(DC Comics)
 Steve Gerber provides a thoroughly satisfying ending to this unusual prison epic that continues its commentary on "justice" in America while providing some happy endings for some of the characters (while others don't quite get to the happily ever after). Given the timeframe of the story, science-fiction elements are understandable. They alter the overall tone of the book radically, but they do make sense in the context of the mid-21st century. If anything, Gerber and his creative colleagues show us the rich potential in the Hard Time concepts and characters, and I'm pleased the effort was made to cram as much story about as many characters as possible into this final issue. Hurtt's art remains quite strong, and I thought his vision of a 66-year-old Ethan Harrow rang true. I'm sorry to see this series go, but I'm pleased efforts were made by the creators and the publisher to provide a suitable denouement and not just leave the readership hanging. 9/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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