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Quick Critiques for 11/9/2005
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.
DIVISION SHADOW, CHAPTER ONE
by Patrick Meany, Nicholas Colacitti, Carlos Devizia, Marcelo Carmona & Shawn Decker (self-published)
 It's clear from reading this mini-comic that its creators have a lot of energy and ambition, and it's almost enough to draw the reader in. Unfortunately, I think the writer has bitten off more than he can chew, asking too much of the reader too early in the storytelling process. There are also derivative elements to be found, the most blatant of which is an elderly man's near-death experience that so clearly mirrors a scene from The Matrix that all that's missing are the red and blue pills. Still, there's an edge to the storytelling in one key scene that's shocking, blunt and even a bit disturbing, and more importantly, it's effective. Writer/creator Patrick Meany proclaims that different artists/styles are employed for three different storylines and sets of characters, and it's an interesting way to incorporate the need for shifting stytles. Nevertheless, we're led to believe these characters will cross over into one another's worlds, and the inconsistency in style makes for too much of a separation between them. The action doesn't always flow so smoothly in the art either, making for some confusing moments. Some of the art also needs to account for the reduced size of the mini-comic format and the low production values. 3/10
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #2
by Reginald Hudlin, Mike Wieringo & Karl Kesel
(Marvel Comics)
 This issue offers artist Mike Wieringo to bring most of the big names of the Marvel Universe to life, and he demonstrates just how talented he is. There's a bright, crisp quality to the super-hero artwork here, one that puts one in mind of the Silver Age heyday of John Romita Sr. His style is certainly in keeping with the "friendly" tone suggested by the series's title. The more sombre tone of the plot itself doesn't, though. It turns out the Tracer plotline from the first three chapters of the "Other" crossover storyline didn't have much to do with anything, which seems like a waste of time. Hudlin doesn't advance the terminal illness plot here at all, instead spending the full issue having Marvel hero after hero tell Spidey he's out of luck. This entire issue could have been boiled down to a one- or two-page sequence. So the traditional padding out the story continues. 4/10
GOTHAM CENTRAL #37
by Greg Rucka & Steve Lieber (DC Comics)
 This issue of Gotham Central will be something of a disappointment to those of us who have followed the series for a while, as Rucka abandons the more grounded tone and immerses the characters in a crazy, cosmic crisis. Magic abounds in this plot, and it gets away from the usual police procedural approach. Still, I have to admit that this issue could be good for Gotham Central, in that the writer offers an accessible introduction to two of the core characters for readers may just check this crossover tie-in out. Rucka offers plenty of character-driven amid the weirdness, and I love how the characters acknowledge the insanity of the circumstances. Lieber's work, usually more at home outside the super-hero genre, is strong here, walking a fine line between a more down-to-earth tone and the more surreal qualities of the mystical elements. In the end, this is more of a promotional tool for the series than the latest chapter, and I expect we'll be getting back to business as usual soon. 6/10
TEEN TITANS #29
by Geoff Johns, Tony Daniel & Marlo Alquiza
(DC Comics)
 I understand why this issue was crafted the way it was. There have been developments in the DC Universe that were bound to impact these characters. Having Robin face a villain who used to fill the role of the Boy Wonder makes sense. Showing us how the Spectre's Day of Vengeance rampage would affect Raven makes sense. There's just one problem: there's no real plot to be found here. At the end of the issue, I was left with one prevalent thought: "What was the point?" The conflict between Tim Drake and Jason Todd is a natural one, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. It's not at all clear why the Red Hood feels this encounter is important enough to halt his operations in Gotham, and the explanation of how he gained access to the tower is a bit hard to swallow. After pencilling stints on this title by Mike McKone and Tom Grummett, Tony Daniel's style is a bit too much of a jarring shift. There are inconsistencies in the way he portrays the characters, and their youth really doesn't come through all that well. 5/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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