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Quick Critiques for 10/8
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.
BATMAN: DEATH AND THE MAIDENS #3
by Greg Rucka & Klaus Janson (DC Comics)
 We get to know the new wild card in Ra's Al Ghul's world -- Nyssa -- much better in this issue, and I love that she seems to flip back and forth between protagonist and antagonist roles. Rucka's script seems to require the reader to be rather familiar with Al Ghul, but the drama here is undeniable. I find the betrayal that serves as the foundation of this issue's climax to be the strongest element in the book, but I also love the quiet, reflective tension that permeates the encounter at the issue's outset as well. Janson's gritty artwork works quite well, but he also captures a strong, seductive tone in the female characters as well. 7/10
DEMON: DRIVEN OUT #2
by Joshua Dysart, Pop Mahn & Art Thibert
(DC Comics)
 I really do like the notion of passing the Etrigan curse onto a new host, but the storytelling here is rather unclear and difficult to follow. There are a lot of unnecessary characters running about the book, and it doesn't help that a good number of them are dressed the same. Dysart seems far more focused on the Japanese mob elements than the supernatural ones, but neither really gives me a reason to care about Ame, the new host. Despite the reference in the title, the underground racing element doesn't seem to play a significant role in the story either. I give the creators a lot of credit for trying to do something new with this classic Jack Kirby creation, but I'm not drawn in by these characters or circumstances. 5/10
FABLES #18
by Bill Willingham & Linda Medley
(DC Comics/Vertigo imprint)
 This issue reminded me a great deal of the recent one-shot, Fables: The Last Castle. Willingham tells the story from the Fables' past and answers some questions about what brought these storybook characters into the real world. It's a fun story, but like The Last Castle, it lacks the modern elements, the scenes featuring a more modern, edgier tone and an exploration of how these magical figures fit into the real world. Medley's art suits the lighter tone of the script quite well, and it's not surprising that the creator behind Castle Waiting has little trouble capturing a legendary, storybook quality in the artwork. 7/10
H-E-R-O #9
by Will Pfeiffer & Kano (DC Comics)
 A new storyline, set in Gotham, gets underway this month, and with it comes a surprisingly conventional tone. The H-Dial has fallen into the hands of a small-time, unlucky crook who's decided to use it to become one of the freaks who plague Gotham. His plan doesn't entirely make sense, but Pfeiffer explores Gotham City from a different perspective here. What's really piqued my interest is the major screw-up that follows the main character wherever he goes. That, not the effect of the H-Dial on his life, is the most interesting aspect of the plot here, and I can't wait to learn more about his secret. Kano's art is rather light in tone, but J.D. Mettler's colors do an excellent job of bringing a darker, grittier tone that's more in keeping with the setting. The buzz on this book seems to have abated a bit, but it's still a solid read. 7/10
JLA #88
by Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke & Tom Nguyen (DC Comics)
 This story arc has been steeped in DC continuity. Knowledge of the Martian Manhunter, the Guardians of the Universe and one or two obscure characters has been an important factor here, but I have to admit it's fun watching the Justice League take on one of its own (even if he's not really who he seems to be, even though he is... whatever). Kelly has done an excellent job of capturing the larger-than-life, impossible quality of the threat, and his use of Plastic Man here is the best I've seen in this title as a whole. Manhke captures the intensity and cosmic level of the power behind the plot, and his work reminds me of the styles of such artists as Joe (Daredevil) Quesada and Frank (New X-Men) Quitely. 7/10
MARVEL 1602 #3
by Neil Gaiman & Andy Kubert
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 Is Neil Gaiman bringing something new, exciting and edgy to the Marvel Universe. Lord, no. This is no Marvels or Kingdom Come, by any means. But it is a fun "re-imagination" (to steal from Tim Burton's vocabulary) of familiar characters. Peter, despite his lack of powers, has proven to be a strong character, and not surprisingly Gaiman, who's demonstrated a flair for the supernatural in his writing, handles Dr. Strange incredibly well. Kubert's depiction of Strange's home is one of the highlights of this issue as well, and Richard Isanove's digital inks/colors bring an appropriate gritty and eerie look to the book. Overall, this super-hero crossover story with an "Elseworlds" quality is somewhat ordinary and transparent, but it's thoroughly entertaining. A typical super-hero story but a good one nonetheless. 8/10
PARADISE X: X #1
by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross, Dougie Braithwaite & Bill Reinhold (Marvel Comics)
 I suppose it's somewhat fitting that this critical chapter in the Earth/Paradise X saga is one of the most difficult to follow in the run. This story is almost completely impenetrable, though I suspect the story will prove to be a bit more cohesive in a collected edition. There's no denying the ambition behind the storytelling. Despite my confusion and distance from the plot and characters, I have to admit to being intrigued by Krueger's combination of Judeo-Christian afterlife beliefs and science-fiction elements. Braithewaite captures the epic nature of the story quite well. Inventive panel layouts convey the broad scope of the plot, and Reinhold's reinforce the mature atmosphere at play. Pete Pantazis's colors do so as well while they reinforce the energy and cosmic quality at play in the story. 5/10
THE PUNISHER #33
by Garth Ennis, John McCrea & Crimelab Studios (Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 There are rumors flying around that some new talent will take on the title character here before long, and I'm glad to hear it. Don't get me wrong... Ennis breathed new life into the property with his over-the-top villains, violence and humor, but lately, I get the feeling that the character is spinning his wheels. This story -- featuring Daredevil, Spider-Man and Wolverine teaming up to take down the gun-toting vigilante -- seems rather familiar. It feels as though Ennis has said all he has to say about the character. I'm surprised at how much the inks transformers McCrea's exaggerated style into something resembling the tighter, cleaner style of Steve Dillon, who illustrated the first 18 or so issues in Ennis's run on the character. McCrea's style isn't completely submerged, though, and his dark approach suits the title character quite well. 6/10
SENTINEL #7
by Sean McKeever & Udon Studio
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 McKeever picks up on the seeds he planted in the previous issue -- the final chapter of the first story arc -- here, and to great effect. This is a smart story about a teenager making a selfish move and struggling to deal with the consequences. One could argue that the theme of this story is "with great power comes great opportunity... to screw up." The cartoony look of the characters reinforces the innocence of the teen characters, and the detail to be found in the title character and the computer coloring brings a more dramatic and powerful tone to the book. The metallic ink cover works really well with the book. 9/10
ULTIMATE SIX #3
by Brian Michael Bendis, Trevor Hairsine & Danny Miki (Marvel Comics)
 Bendis's tale of the gathering of the "Ultimate" verison of Spider-Man's most powerful enemies continues, and this issue -- the strongest one so far -- captures the grounded strength of the writer's work Ultimate Spider-Man. This issue isn't about a villainous rampage. It isn't about S.H.I.E.L.D. covering up its secret program involving the genetically enhanced criminals. It's about one boy's worst nightmare. Despite the extreme circumstances, it's surprisingly easy to relate to Peter Parker's terror, confusion and concern here. Bendis also does a good job of getting the Ultimates and Nick Fury vested in the crisis as well. Hairsine's artwork is appropriately dark and gritty here, and it's far more detailed and consistent than what we saw in the first two issues. I'm still not completely taken with his style, but the storytelling here is solid. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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