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Quick Critiques for 7/30
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.
EMPIRE #1
by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson & James Pascoe
(DC Comics)
 I'm thrilled that after so long, Waid and company are bringing us new Empire stories. This dark tale of a world held in the grip of terror is one of the most original takes on the super-villain in comics. Though who have not read the stories found in Empire #0 might feel a little lost here, though, but both issues are well worth picking up. Kitson's fine linework maintains a nice balance between a surprisingly gritty tone and the antiseptic illusion of paradise that Golgoth has created. Waid sets a number of subplots in motion here that are quite interesting, but I find I'm more excited about the potential for political commentary provided by the premise (say that five times fast). 8/10
GREEN LANTERN #167
by Benjamin Raab, Rick Burchett & Rodney Ramos
(DC Comics)
 Ben Raab does a good job to maintaining an accessible tone in this issue... too good, really. The script in the first half of the issue is almost entirely dedicated to exposition, and the plot and villain are rather generic. Raab tries to connect with the Hal Jordan legacy here, but does so with an over-the-top cosmic threat that's not all that interesting and pushes credibility. The Jon Stewart subplot is a strong one, though, and it's too bad that it's resolved so quickly. Burchett's art tells the story clearly, but it just doesn't grab my attention like his work in the darker corners of the DC Universe did in the past. Moose Baumann's colors are brilliant, though, conveying the wonder and energy of the title character's powers quite well. 4/10
JLA #83
by Joe Kelly, Chris Cross & Tom Nguyen (DC Comics)
 The ending's disappointing and the writing is about as subtle as the current administration in the United States is forthright. But the politics of this story are brash and unforgiving, and the artwork full of energy. Joe Kelly takes aim at the Bush presidency and its recent incursion into Iraq, and while hard-core Republicans won't be pleased, those who share Kelly's point of view will be. Chris Cross handles the "widescreen" action of the Justice League incredibly well, and I hope this isn't the last we see of his artwork on DC's flagship team title. Some odd blips in the script are explained away by the big reveal at the end, but it's not a satisfying resolution to an important debate. 6/10
KORE #3
by Josh Blaylock, Tim Seeley & Cory Hamscher
(Image Comics/Devil's Due Publishing)
 Kore has proven to be a much different title than I expected after reading the first issue. Instead of a supernatural Hulk riff, the storytelling reminds of a weird cross between Lord of the Rings and a Tarantino flick. The title character takes a trip into the sleazier side of magic, and it makes for an entertaining and funny read. I'm also intrigued by the various factions that are out to gain control over him, but I was also a little lost. This book is begging for a "story so far" blurb at the beginning in order to fill the reader in on the multiple antagonists and allies that revolve around the title character. 6/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
SPAWN #126
by Brian Holguin, Todd McFarlane, Angel Medina & various inkers
(Image Comics/Todd McFarlane Productions)
 Brian Holguin throws some war stories in with horror tale here, and it makes for an entertaining read. The uber-plot isn't entirely accessible, but the title character's attempt to rescue his one-time commanding officer is. It makes for a compelling story, and the ending is quite fitting for a script that delves into the war genre. Medina's artwork is appropriately dark, and Brian Haberlin's colors convey an atmosphere that's both gritty and supernatural. The art gets a little too inky at the beginning of the hallucination scene, making it difficult to piece together the action at first. 6/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
WEAPON X #11
by Frank Tieri, Georges Jeanty, Dexter Vines & Scott Elmer (Marvel Comics)
 Tieri provides a thoroughly accessible issue, filling the reader in on who the players are and what they hope to accomplish. The problem is that little happens here. This issue is billed as the fifth chapter of the "Underground" story arc, but it's more of an interlude in which the characters spin their wheels. Jeanty tells the story clearly, but his soft linework lacks the dark edge that this story calls for. The political and racial analogies that made the concept interesting at first aren't to be found here either. Though Tieri has found novel new roles for obscure characters, I'm losing interest quickly. 4/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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