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Quick Critiques for 8/9/2006
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.
BEYOND #2
by Dwayne McDuffie & Scott Kolins (Marvel Comics)
 It's better than Civil War and Annihilation, as it doesn't call on the reader to follow more than one title. Like Infinite Crisis, it sets out to capitalize on the popularity of a crossover event from 20 years ago, but it's better at it as well because it's simpler in concept. But most of all, Beyond is just fun. The lineup of obscure and second-tier characters from Marvel Universe as major players in this impossible drama is surprisingly entertaining and effective. Now, it's clear that those more familiar with past Marvel stories will get more out of the story, especially when it comes to the return of the character revealed on the final splash page (one McDuffie created/updated for the publisher years ago). I was also thrilled to see the writer expand the cast of characters in this issue, leaving the reader with the promise of more to come. Kolins's art is playful and dynamic, and it brings a hint of harshness that brings added tension and grit to this incredible scenario. Paul Mounts's colors bring a lot of energy to bear and bolsters the sense of wonder at play. 8/10
GARGOYLES #1
by Greg Weisman & David Hedgecock (Slave Labor Graphics)
 This resurrection of the popular Disney cartoon TV series certainly has the right pedigree. Writer Greg Weisman was an integral part of the creative team on the show, and on top of that, he knows comics, having written for DC in the 1980s (anyone remember Captain Atom?). Weisman clearly makes some effort to allow for an accessible introduction to the Gaygoyles concepts and characters, but ultimately, one really needs to be familiar with the cartoon to fully appreciate the story. Of course, this book is bound to appeal almost exclusively to fans of the show, and it's logical to assume the readership with have some familiarity with the players. The story follows an unfortunately predictable path, but it nevertheless captures the tone of the source material with great success. The art is a little rough around the edges, not nearly as slick and polished as the cartoon, but Hedgecock follows the style guide for the property pretty well. For those who really loved this cartoon, this comic book will be a delight, something worth waiting for. For the rest of us, it's a mildly diverting curiosity. 6/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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