BLOODSTONE #2
"Mummy's Girl"
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Michael Lopez
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Color Dojo
Letters: Jon Babcock
Editor: Mike Marts
Price: $2.99 US/$4.50 CAN |
The Buffy-esque adventures of Elsa Bloodstone continue. Though the title character continues to boast a level of personality I find amusing and thoroughly pleasant, it's not enough to overcome the obvious nature of the plot and the T&A quotient that's unfortunately a core part of the concept. On top of that, Lopez's art just doesn't click as well for me this month.
Elsa manages to escape her Bosnian encounter with Count Dracula and learn a couple of new tricks along the way, when she's magically transported back to her late father's Boston manor. Adam, the servant who's been lurking in the depths of the mansion and looks like the Frankenstein Monster, promises to teach her more about the lamp that spirited her away and about her heritage. Meanwhile, Elsa's mother decides that sticking around Boston and caring for the artifacts her late husband gathered is a good idea... as long as Elsa is kept in the dark about her father's unusual life. Whoops.
You know when the characters complain about an element of the comic book, you're in trouble. Elsa herself points out how "pervy" her adventurer's outfit is, so why does she continue to wear it? The whole point is to tantalize, and it's not only gratuitous, but it kicks the reader out of the story. This easily stands out as the biggest problem with the book. The sex-appeal factor is jacked up way too much. I mean, even Buffy the Vampire Slayer wears sweaters from time to time.
Lopez's art strikes me as a mite more... ordinary than his work on the first issue. Though the cover design is eye-catching, the interior art seems somewhat rushed. Background detail is lacking, and the book lacks the darker mood that's called for by the supernatural elements of the plot.
Though her attire makes no sense, Elsa's attitude makes it difficult not to like her. My favorite scene was her mockery of a giant club sandwich. The British/American culture clash makes for some sharp dialogue and funny sequences as well. Elsa's exchanges with Adam, with her mix of disbelief and surprising adaptability, are also a lot of fun as well. And I remain pleased that Elsa's mother doesn't have to yield the spotlight in its entirety to her daughter.
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