|
Quick Critiques for 11/2/2005
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.
FIRESTORM #19
by Stuart Moore, Jamal Igle, Rob Stull & Keith Champagne (DC Comics)
 Firestorm, like many other DC characters, is being immersed in the publisher's big crossover event this month, and I would imagine the exposure might provide a boost in this lesser-read title's sales. Moore does a great job of introducing the core Firestorm concept to any potential new readers who pick this comic up for the Infinite Crisis connection, but unfortunately, there's not much in the way of plot to be found here. The artwork from Ajamal Igle is solid; he captures the title character's youth and inexperience quite well. The colors are a bit off, though, appearing too dark and almost... tainted. This is pure super-hero crossover fodder, with a variety of colorful characters turning up. The colors aren't nearly as vibrant and energetic as they should be. 6/10
HOUSE OF M #8
by Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel, John Dell, Scott Hanna & Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics)
 Marvel's major crossover event ends on a high note, as it becomes clear that everything up to this point has really just been a plot device to alter the Marvel Universe dramatically, and the alterations open up the door to some strong character-driven moments. The journey hasn't always been as entertaining as I'd hope, but emotional aftermath of the impossible makes it surprisingly easy for the reader to forget the stilted and convoluted circumstances that brought him to this point. In many ways, the way only a select few heroes remember the events of House of M reminds me of the aftermath of DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths, and I can't help but wonder if it will pose similar continuity problems. Olivier Coipel's art really drives home the scope of the event, and the agonized expressions on the characters' faces get the reader involved in the story. 7/10
POWERS #14
by Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Avon Oeming
(Marvel Comics/Icon imprint)
 Sharp dialogue, strong charcterization, playful line art and a tense, dark atmosphere... this issue of Powers, like many before it, has a lot to offer. Actually, it has a little too much to offer. There are three stories here. One is abruptly abandoned, and the other only turns up in the latter part of the issue. The third is a tirade about anonymous Internet critics through which the writer is clearly venting some frustrations, and that's fine. I just wish it had some sort of connection to the plotlines or other characters. It's apparently unrelated to the main plotlines, and therefore, it comes off as jarring and self-indulgent. Nevertheless, the issue is a good one overall. Walker's calm, sympathetic demeanor when dealing with the miniscule witness at a crime scene was touching and rang true, and Pilgrim's attitude is always watch to take in. Oeming really makes the precinct interrogation room seem thoroughly intimidating, and he handled the scale and perspective of the tiny heroine adeptly. 7/10
VIGILANTE #2
by Bruce Jones & Ben Oliver (DC Comics)
 Writer Bruce Jones was playing his cards close to his chest in the first issue, but the reader gets a pretty clear picture of what he's holding in this second issue. I appreciated the air of mystery that enveloped the first issue, but I'm also pleased to find that Jones doesn't try to string his audience along for too long with an inevitable revelation. The story remains a psychological one, and I enjoyed the twisted characterizations Jones offers up here. There were other developments, though, that didn't sit quite so well with me. The accelerated pace of the sexual relationship makes the characters seem terribly shallow, and the angry cop who interferes is so over-the-top so as to be unbelievable and laughable, as opposed to menacing and pathetic. The art sets the right tone for the story, but there needs to be more variety in design and stronger visual cues to distinguish among the characters 6/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
|
