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Quick Critiques for 8/27
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 SPIDER-MAN #57
by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr. & Scott Hanna (Marvel Comics)
 The issue opens on a grounded note, as the writer explores the kind of career-related frustration that all of us have encounter or will encounter during the course of our lives. Though the lesson Peter learns seems a rather obvious one, the personal conflict gives the reader more common ground with the fantastic title character. But this issue closes on a much different note. Straczynski shifts from grounded, slice-of-life plotting to a big super-hero crossover, and the two plotlines just don't work well together. In fact, the title character is all but lost in the over-the-top super-hero action in the closing pages. Romita Jr.'s artwork is as strong as ever, of course, and he convincingly portrays the carnage and danger that the mob of mystical creatures create in Manhattan. 6/10
EXILES #32
by Judd Winick, Jim Calafiore & Mark McKenna
(Marvel Comics)
 Judd Winick's writing -- deservedly praised over the years -- has been described as many things, but after reading this issue, I think I've come up with a new one: "derivative." This by-the-numbers super-hero story fails to capitalizes on both the flexibility of the premise and the strong characterization established by the writer during his first run on the book. Calafiore's style suits the darker tone of the plot, and he conveys the action well. But just as the script is lacking in grounded elements, so is the artwork. The visuals never really rise above the level of simply capable. For a while, Exiles was one of my favorite Marvel titles, but that's not the case these days. 4/10
LOVE FIGHTS #3
by Andi Watson (Oni Press)
 There's so much going on in this book that there's bound to be something in it just about every lover of the medium can enjoy. The love story is the strongest element, and Watson wisely ends the issue on that strongest note. There's also an examination of how super-hero comics storytelling has changed from the 1960s to today, and Watson shares some thoughts on pettiness of those in the media and the everyday trials and tribulations of putting together a regular comic book. And then there's the super-power cat with attitude. Watson's simple style is just as charming as the burgeoning romance between Jack and Nora. This package has it all. 9/10
MYSTIQUE #5
by Brian K. Vaughan & Jorge Lucas
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 Vaughan continues to wow his audience with new and unusual applications of the title character's shape-changing powers. I've never found Mystique to be that interesting a character, but Vaughan's edgier but more grounded take here has changed my mind. The cliffhanger is appropriately dramatic for the penultimate chapter of a story arc, though it is the kind of emotional Catch-22 we've seen often in the past. Lucas's artwork tells the story clearly and conveys the bizarre nature of Mystique's powers quite well, but I still can't decide if I completely enjoy his work here. At times, he shifts into Image Artist Clone mode, but at others, he captures the gritty intensity of the action and the "heroine's" personality quite well. 8/10
RED #2
by Warren Ellis & Cully Hamner
(DC Comics/Homage Comics)
 This middle chapter is all about letting the reader know exactly what a feeble-minded intelligence director has brought down on him and his colleagues. Ellis shows the reader just what Paul Moses is capable of, and the coldness with which he carries out his quietly vicious actions is chilling. That makes for an interesting contrast with the scene in which we see his frustration, disappointment, guilt and sadness. Despite what we're led to believe about him, one can't help but like him, sympathize with him, but at the same time, the reader is also convinced of the veracity of his description as a "monster." Hamner's artwork makes the ugliness of the action here seem like the most graceful of dances at times. The harshness of the violence is the visual equal of the harshness we see in the protagonist's eyes and face. 9/10
SWEATSHOP #5
by Peter Bagge (DC Comics)
 Comic-Con International in San Diego was an amazing and overwhelming experience for me last month, and it's through the filtering lens of that experience that I perused this latest issue of Sweatshop. I wasn't really a big fan of previous issues, but this one really succeeds in its vilification of the comic-book industry, or at least a couple of aspects of it: conventions and ego. Readers who haven't attended a big comic-con probably won't fully appreciate just how close to the mark Bagge gets here, but con vets will love it. Bagge's unconventional art style conveys the story well, but the fact that there's little difference to be found between the ugly characters and the supposedly attractive ones hinders his point, but only a little. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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