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Quick Critiques for 10/22
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.
BIRDS OF PREY #60
by Gail Simone, Ed Benes, Rob Lea & Alex Lei
(DC Comics)
 Gail Simone continues to impress with her smart but fun take on a small group female super-heroes. The writer pulls off some nice misdirection in the tense opening scene, but the real strength here stems from the two levels at which the Oracle/Canary relationship operates. There's the friendship and then there's the professional, and only one of them perceives the separation. I'm pleased to see that Savant isn't just some throwaway, generic super-villain. Simone demonstrates that she has a much more complex story structure in mind. Benes's art suits the playful tone of Simone's scripts nicely, and it's bound to appeal to Joe (Battle Chasers) Madureira fans out there, as the influence shines through. But I'm not sure that Benes's stuff works as well for the darker, more mature qualities of the story. 7/10
CAPTAIN AMERICA #19
by Dave Gibbons, Lee Weeks & Tom Palmer
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 I recently described the third issue of Marvel 1602 as "ordinary," but overall, I still enjoyed the alternate Marvel Universe storytelling. Similarly, this alternate reality story is rather ordinary and predictable, but unlike 1602, this book doesn't have an unusual historical setting or Neil Gaiman's flowing scripting to bolster its appeal. Gibbons's script spends too much time making its obvious nods to mainstream Marve continuity. Furthermore, for a Marvel Knights story, this is a rather candy-coated nightmare story. Weeks tells the story clearly and the backgrounds are impressive, but the action never really grabs me here. Mind you, that might be more due to the obvious nature of the plot than the linework. 5/10
EMMA FROST #4
by Karl Bollers, Randy Green & Rick Hetcham
(Marvel Comics)
 Emma Frost may be a part of Marvel's family of mutant titles, but you really don't hear readers talking about it much. The thing is that it's one of Marvel's best-kept little secrets. It's an edgy coming-of-age story, and this issue stands out as the bets one yet. We're really getting to see how a timid little girl could possibly blossom into the hardened, callous and confident woman known in the Marvel Universe as the White Queen. Ultimately, this is about a family that runs on manipulation, not love, about children who take their cues from their cold and shallow parents. There's a touch of a soap opera at play here as well, and even Green's artwork, which usually focuses unnecessarily on feminine sexuality, works well here, unhindered by gratuitous distractions in the visuals. 7/10
LOSERS #5
by Andy Diggle & Jock (DC Comics/Vertigo imprint)
 Diggle and Jock's action movie on paper continues, and it's just as exciting as ever. A not-so subtle reference to The A-Team pops up in this issue, and it's a fitting one. Mind you, this take on the concept of soldiers forced to live their lives as outlaws is nowhere near as corny or implausible. This is an action-oriented issue, and that's fine. Jock makes it all comes to life quite clearly and with power, somehow employing his dark and sketchy style to render the flash and energy of the "stunts." Lee Loughridge's dark, muted colors maintain a mature atmosphere throughout the book as well. Diggle also provides a wonderful cliffhanger that's sure to get readers coming back for more. Since the series is five issues in now, I would imagine there are plenty of readers out there who are -- given DC's penchant for readily available collected reprints -- waiting for the trade paperback. Trust me... the wait will be worth it. 8/10
OUTSIDERS #5
by Judd Winick, ChrisCross & Sean Parsons
(DC Comics)
 Winick's scripts in recent issues of Exiles have been disappointing, as they don't deliver the strong characterization and snappy dialogue I came to expect from the series early on. Fortunately, Winick is delivering those qualities in his DC Universe team book. The interplay among the protagonists is strong, notably among the newer players: Grace, Thunder and Indigo. There's a playfulness among the female members of this team that really gets the reader on board with these characters. ChrisCross's sleek style suits the modern, more hip tone of this super-hero book. I have to admit, though, that I like Tom Raney's take on Metamorpho better than his, but Cross's take on the other characters is striking and effective. 7/10
PLANETARY #17
by Warren Ellis & John Cassaday
(DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions)
 Ellis turns his attention to his take on Tarzan. Actually, it reminds me more of Marvel's Ka-Zar character, but Ka-Zar was just following in Tarzan's footprints, after all. There's a serene and wondrous tone at play here. Though there's a serious and mature atmosphere, the cynicism and paranoia that has characterized much of this title's run isn't as prominent here, but that makes sense, given this is a flashback, set earlier on in Elijah Snow's life. Not surprisingly, as inventive and intelligent as the script is, it's the artwork that really steals the show here. Cassaday's detailed and dramatic linework is absolutely fascinating, his skill awe-inspiring, and it's a relief and a treat to see his interior comic art appearing on a more regular basis again. 9/10
THE PUNISHER #34
by Garth Ennis, John McCrea & Danny Miki
(Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 This story arc is entitled "Confederacy of Dunces," and it's a fitting title. The problem is that the "dunces" in question are familiar figures from the Marvel Universe that have to behave out of character in order for this story to work. I understand that Ennis is satirizing super-heroes here, that he's pointing out that there's no good reason that someone like Daredevil or Spider-Man hasn't put a stop to him. But the heroes' idiocy just isn't that entertaining. That being said, the Punisher's keen mind and appreciation of his luck and challenges are. McCrea's exaggerated style suits the over-the-top nature of the story, as does the inherent darkness in his artwork. I think Ennis goes too far in telegraphing the surprise twist to come next issue, though. 6/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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