NIGHTCRAWLER vol.2 #1
"Passion Play, Part One: Rising Dark"
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
|
Marvel Comics
Writer: Chris Kipiniak
Pencils: Matthew Smith
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Hi-Fi Design
Letters: Jon Babcock
Editor: Pete Franco
Price: $2.50 US/$3.75 CAN |
This limited series had all of the elements to make for a fascinating read. The title character -- with his carefree, life-affirming attitude and his recent devotion to the church -- combined with the gothic and delightfully dark art of Matthew Smith should have had little trouble drawing me in. Instead, what we get reads more like an episode of some generic private-eye show.
A young Thai woman bursts into a New York restaurant, desperately looking for help, and she finds it in the form of Kurt Wagner, whose holographic disguise hides the fact he is the mutant teleporter known as Nightcrawler. Though the priest under whom he's studying warns it is futile to fight a slavery ring, Nightcrawler presses on, following a lead to Queens.
I've always been a fan of Matt Smith's artwork, be it in mainstream fare like Day of Judgment and Starman or Larry Young's Astronauts in Trouble. There's a far more conventional tone to Smith's artwork in this book, though. The more gothic, shadowy look he usually employs is toned down considerably, and I would imagine that it's due to Mark Morales's inks. I like the final result, though; Smith's Mignola-influenced style still breaks through. I would imagine this comic book will help Smith reach a new group of fans.
Giving Nightcrawler a down-to-earth, real-life crime to combat was a smart idea, and it makes the rather fantastic figure seem more believable. The problem is that the pacing and plot just don't draw me in that much. This comes off as a rather mediocre episode of Magnum, P.I. or Simon & Simon. This comic book provides a candy-coated view of modern slavery. Kipiniak needs to show us the reality of such crimes, to offer a more unflinching view.
I found the cynicism of the title character's mentor to be a refreshing change of pace for a clergy character, and his apparently defeatist attitude serves to spotlight Nightcrawler's more upbeat tone. Still, I'm surprised to find that unlike the other "Icons" limited series featuring the solo adventures of various X-Men, this book doesn't seem as focused on the title character himself. I hope Kipiniak delves into Kurt's faith and the vows he's taken in future issues, as I would like to know a lot more about them.
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
|
