|
Quick Critiques for 8/25
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.
AMAZING FANTASY #3
by Fiona Avery, Roger Cruz & Olazaba (Marvel Comics)
 Three issues in, and we're already faced with fill-in art? Or a new art team? Not a good omen, and the script here bears out the theory that this series is cursed. It's clear now that Avery is building on her mentor's Ezekiel/spider-spirit plotlines from Amazing Spider-Man, and it's just too over to the top to accept. Even more ridiculous is how the main character goes from being typical teen to heroine and tactician extraordinaire in this issue. When this series was first announced, people wondered if this new Spider-Girl-like character would lead to the permanent cancellation of Tom DeFalco's Spider-Girl. Well, there's no reason for it, since DeFalco's series is definitely the stronger of the two. Cruz's art here maintains a somewhat consistent tone with what Mark Brooks did before him, but Cruz seems to have a hard time portraying Anya as a teenage girl. She just looks like a woman of smaller stature throughout this issue. 2/10
THE FLASH #213
by Geoff Johns, Howard Porter & Livesay (DC Comics)
 Johns reintroduces a Flash villain here, and it makes for a fun, if inconsequential, chapter in the life of the Scarlet Speedster. Johns has transformed the Turtle into a credible threat in the world of the Flash, and Howard Porter's art depicts the villain as a thoroughly creepy, alien thing that the reader is dying to see smacked down. The real plotline here, though, is the police investigation into Wally West's possible role in the attempted murder of Ashley Zolomon. At first, I was intrigued by the mystery, but the revelation at the end of the issue was, unfortunately, a letdown. It makes the hero seem like a clod. Furthermore, the return of another Flash villain, one dealt with only a year ago, detracts from the special status that surrounds the antagonist's prior appearances. I remain a Flash fan, but since the magical secret-identity storyline, the title has meandered. There doesn't seem to be a strong sense of direction here. 6/10
INCREDIBLE HULK #76
by Bruce Jones, Dougie Braithwaite & Bill Reinhold
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 Bruce Jones wraps up his long-running, secret-conspiracy plotline to an end in this issue, and it's quite unsatisfying. As I noted in my review of the previous issue, the darker, more mysterious qualities are cast aside for a more traditional super-hero/villain plot. Fortunately, the Silver Age look of the villain is abandoned for a creepier look here, but the plot remains just as rudimentary. It also ignores it set in the previous issue by bringing in Doc Samson and Iron Man just to up the action content. One character is killed simply because she's the least known of the cast of characters. The ending is irksome as well, as the status quo reigns supreme while another character ignores everything she knows about Bruce Banner and Hulk for the sake of drama. The greatest strength of this issue is the art from the Paradise X team of Dougie Braithwaite and Bill Reinhold. Their darker leanings suit the tone of the story, and Braithwaite captures the power and larger-than-life look of the title character incredibly well. 5/10
SLEEPER: SEASON TWO #3
by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips
(DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions)
 Phillips's art in this issue demonstrates a wide variety of influences. I'm reminded of Jill Thompson's work on Sandman and Black Orchid from the 190s. I'm reminded of Guy Davis's Sandman Mystery Theatre linework and Tom Mandrake's style as well. The art defines noir; Phillips uses black space to great effect, but it allow allows Carrie Strachan's colors to really explode, violently tearing into the darkness of the main character's world. This issue's plot makes it clear that Carver's really not on anyone's side anymore. He looks out for his own interests here, opting to ignore what his bosses want and exact a little payback for the death of a friend. Holden's not a hero or a villain. He's just trying to survive, and ethics are thrown out the window as a result. Sleeper remains a compelling series, and I'm pleased DC's thrown its support behind it. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
|
