|
Quick Critiques for 11/19
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 #61
by Gail Simone, Ed Benes & Alex Lei (DC Comics)
 This stands out as Simone's best issue yet, and the reason is clear. While she's explored a number of interesting ideas and themes so far, it's the relationships among the title characters that stand out as her greatest contribution to the title, and this issue focuses specifically on the Oracle/Canary friendship. I'll be honest... Simone gets a little schmoltzy here, but it's a good kind of schmoltzy. I also enjoyed how the writer turned the usual foreboding approach of the escaped villain schtick on its ear in the latter part of the issue. Benes's art treads a fine line between good storytelling and cheesecake, but he doesn't seem to go over that line. His Jim Lee and manga influence shines through here, and his art is actually quite a bit of fun. 8/10
BONE #53
by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
 As the Bone epic nears its conclusion, the tension and action mounts, and it makes for a riveting read. The humor is toned down significantly in this issue, but one hardly misses it. Smith shifts from loud, chaotic action sequence to quiet but tense moments of surreal danger, and those shifts keep the reader on edge and off balance. The most interesting aspect in the script was Phoney Bone and Gran'Ma Ben's exchange, in which the warrior that lurks within the little guy's soul emerges and eclipses the opportunist that dominates the surface of the character. Smith's artwork is a nicely balanced dichotomy. The characters boast simple designs, but the settings and the crowded action sequences are finely detailed. 8/10
DAREDEVIL #54
by David Mack (Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights)
 I have to admit this... I an thoroughly disappointed that Wolverine has turned up in this story arc. I was hoping for Echo's story to advance and progress, but instead, we get a typical super-hero fight as two powerful figures meet and misunderstand one another. Wolverine's apperance smacks of the forced team-up formula, and his sudden integration into the story pushes suspension of disbelief too far. Mind you, there's a nice, peaceful and wise quality that comes over the character in the latter part of this issue, and Echo's clinging to the notion that the mutant hero is nothing more than one of her vision question hallucinations is interesting. Mack's artwork is as inventive, unconventional and engaging as ever. At one point, the art revolves around an entire two-page spread instead of following the usual left-to-right, top-to-bottom panel progression. Not easy to read, but it's different. Furthermore, it effectively conveys the main character's confusion. 6/10
HUMAN TARGET #4
by Peter Milligan & Javier Pulido
(DC Comics/Vertigo imprint)
 Milligan explores an interesting concept as the basis for this story arc. Fans of his Target stories have come accustomed to the notion that there is no one Christopher Chance can't impersonate perfectly, nothing he can't do flawlessly... or is there? Milligan taps into the notion that identity and skill are two radically different concepts, and I look forward to how he resolves the question. There's a lighter tone to this arc that's welcome, and at times, Pulido's art reminds me of the work of Eduardo (100 Bullets, Batman) Risso. Still, there are moments when his style comes off as somewhat crude rather than boasting its usual charming simplicity. 7/10
RUNAWAYS #8
by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona & Craig Yeung
(Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 Over the brief life of this series, Brian K. Vaughan has managed to get me to care about and cheer for these characters quite readily, but this issue just didn't strike me as strong as previous chapters. The kids go from paranoid and distrustful to taking in a "stray," and despite the supposed bond they feel they share with their new "member," it doesn't make sense. Neither does the spark of a new relationship that we see in this issue. It's just as spontaneous and inexplicable. That being said, the characters remain strong, and Bruiser in particular gets to shine. Her innocence breaks up the angst of the plot quite nicely. Alphona's art continues to impress. The characters actually look like teens, and the colors add an eerie, supernatural tone to the book. 6/10
WOLVERINE #8
by Greg Rucka & Leandro Fernandez (Marvel Comics)
 The main appeal of this title at this point is the Cassie Lathrop plotline. Her obsession with Logan is an understandable one. He's extreme and unlike anyone else in the normal world, so it makes sense that someone from the mundane world would take an interest. I can't decide if her easy shift from a tough-as-nails, independent woman to the damsel in distress waiting for Wolverine to arrive is one that makes me uneasy or serves as one of the most interesting elements of the character's psychological makeup. Though a good read, this story arc really seems to be spinning its wheels, and given this is just the second chapter, it's rather early for that. The core plot isn't advanced at all here, and some of the title character's scenes strike me as a little too familiar. 7/10
WONDER WOMAN #198
by Greg Rucka, Drew Johnson & Ray Snyder
(DC Comics)
 This opening story arc is all about political manipulation, and Rucka approaches that notion from two angles. First of all, there's the politics of public relations, a world of CNN philosophies and turns of phrase. This stands out as my favorite aspect of the book, as it balances the peaceful and innocent message of the title character with the cynicism and opportunistic nature of the modern world. Then there's the other level of manipulation, the otherworldly, mythic level. Rucka has piqued my interest with the Ares storyline; it's fun watching him play Iago to Zeus's Othello. Johnson's realistic, soft linework evokes some of the strongest Wonder Woman of the modern age. It's easy to see George Perez's influence here, as well as that of Adam Hughes. There's a sharp level of detail, and it's so prominent on the final splash page that I was reminded of Travis Charest's meticulous artwork. 8/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
|
