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Quick Critiques for 8/10/2005
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.
ACTION COMICS #830
by Gail Simone, John Byrne & Nelson (DC Comics)
 The previous issue of this series tied into the popular The OMAC Project, a "Countdown to Infinite Crisis" limited series. Now the title is linking to another "Countdown" title, Villains United. It makes sense, though, as Gail Simone is writing both that title and this one. Simone's script really brings the cruelty and evil of Dr. Psycho to life, and it's great fun to root against him. Still, the overall tone of the plot seems rather without direction. The Villains United plot certainly isn't going to resolve here, and the conflict feels a bit artificial. John Byrne illustrates the story clearly, but his style isn't really the best match for the horrific tone Simone is trying to foster with Dr. Psycho's sadism. It's not that Byrne does a poor job, it's that the story and art seem to be a poor fit in this case. The colors are far too bright for the more dire nature of the antagonist and the plot developments. Still, this is an accessible script, given that the seeds for the story were planted in another title. 6/10
GRAVITY #3
by Sean McKeever, Mike Norton & Jonathan Glapion
(Marvel Comics)
 McKeever continues to impress with one of the strongest traditional super-hero books on the market today. I think the scene that stood out the most for me was the one in which we learn Greg has cut himself off from his family and friends as he wallows in disappointment and pain over the fact that his life hasn't turned out as he'd hoped. I don't know what it's like to get my ass kicked in a fight, and I don't know what it's like to have impossible power. But I do know that depressed feeling and that need to shut oneself off from everyone around oneself. It rang incredibly true, and it made Greg Willis breathe. Norton's art is impressive as well. He handles the action quite well, but more importantly, he brings out the characters' human, everyday vulnerabilities. And I have to admit... his brief dalliance in depicting Spider-Man is one of the strongest I've seen in a while. Norton's Spidey reminds me of Mike Wieringo's, and Marvel would be well advised to sit up and take notice of it. 8/10
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #22
by Mark Millar, Greg Land & Matt Ryan
(Marvel Comics)
 Boy, the Western pop consciousness is really in love with zombies lately, and the comic-book medium is showing it as much as the movies. Millar delves into the genre with Super-hero Zombies From Another Dimension in this storyline, and while it's not the Mainstream Marvel/Ultimate Marvel crossover it was billed to be, it's a whole lot of fun anyway. Millar and Land play the concept straight despite its B-movie inspirations, and while there's a horror atmosphere at play, there's still a lot of energy to it. The story is cheesy and cool and creepy all at once. Land's zombie-fied designs for a slew of the publisher's better-known characters are fun to behold. It's clear from the art that Land is taking a strong cue from the late Jack Kirby in his depiction of the Thing. I like to see that, but it doesn't fit with the rest of his figures. All of the other characters are rendered with a strong eye for photo-realism, but the Thing is a surreal figure that stands out as though he doesn't belong as a result. Land's work overall on this issue reminds me a bit of Jae Lee's dark style, and that darkness is fitting given the monstrous plot premise. 8/10
ULTIMATES 2 ANNUAL #1
by Mark Millar & Steve Dillon (Marvel Comics)
 This annual really reads more like a self-contained issue of the regular series, as it continues some of the main subplots. The focus simply shifts from the title team to some new recruits as well as Nick Fury himself. Millar's script allows the reader to get inside the head of the master manipulator, to show he's capable of anything and to demonstrate that he behaves unethically with the best of intentions. He's a bastard, but that doesn't mean he can't be a good guy. The subplot involving Lieberman, the latest recipient of the Super-Soldier formula, follows a somewhat predictable path, and it's not nearly as captivating as the Fury plot. Dressing up those stories are further snippets of the Ultimates' personal lives but more importantly, there's further exploration of the political, social and cultural implications of super-heroes. Dillon's artwork is perfect for bringing such intense and harsh characters to life. It's radically different in tone from Bryan Hitch's more realistic and meticulously detailed art style, but the edge is maintained. 7/10
VILLAINS UNITED #4
by Gail Simone, Dale Eaglesham & Wade von Grawbadger (DC Comics)
 What maks this title so enjoyable every month is its strong foundation in characterization. Yes, there are a couple of mysteries that draw the reader in and the conflicts among the protagonists (not heroes, but the protagonists) maintain a tension that's entertaining as well. But it's things like Cheshire's psychological deconstruction of Cat-Man and the revelation of why Parademon is so protective of Ragdoll that stand out as the book's greatest strengths. I also thoroughly enjoyed the opening scene featuring the Royal Flush Gang's new Jack, which spotlight's his drive and his cold soul. Unfortunately, I did not care for the new street-gang look for the Royal Flush Gang, and I hope that doesn't end up being a permanent change. Eaglesham's art tells the story well, but it doesn't come off as detailed as it usually does. There's a slightly more cartoony look at play on several pages of this issue, and I can't help but wonder if the artist was a bit rushed when it came to illustration this chapter in the series. 7/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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