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Quick Critiques for 12/1/2004
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.
ALPHA FLIGHT #10
by Scott Lobdell, Clayton Henry & Mark Morales (Marvel Comics)
 Alpha Flight's been cancelled? What a shame. And by shame, I mean relief. Though I appreciate the notion of a super-hero comedy title set in the Marvel Universe, the execution here just doesn't work. The good news is that Lobdell's script is accessible, even to those who aren't up on their Alpha Flight history, but that's about where the positive stuff comes to an end. The plotting is all over the map, makes little sense and makes the heroes seem as though they're complete morons. The notion that Nemesis can send people through time by stabbing them is ridiculous and makes her seem far too powerful. This reads ike a Pinky and the Brain plot that fails to be funny. Henry's pencils are appropriately bright, given the goofy tone for which Lobdell is striving here, and there are a couple of strong visuals in this issue, such as Yukon Jack's power explosion and the army of Boxes. Ultimately, Henry's exaggerated style fails to grab me, though. It's capable, but it's not nearly inventive and striking enough to get me interested in this comic book on its own. 2/10
FALLEN ANGEL #18
by Peter David, David Lopez & Fernando Blanco
(DC Comics)
 This is the issue that was almost the conclusion of this series as opposed to just the final chapter of the "Hurlyburly" story arc. Thank God that cancellation never came to pass, because it would have been a bit frustrating had the series ended on such a strong note with so much potential for further stories left untapped. Peter David achieves an excellent balance between the weird and engrossing supernatural overtones of the book and down-to-earth characterization. He connects Shadow Boxer's childhood flashbacks with the critical plot development in the present nicely, and it humanizes Boxer without sacrificing the character's ugliness and brutality. Lopez's simple style still manages to convey the maturity and complexity of the story and characters, and Blanco's inks bathe the book in an appropriate (and much-needed) darkness. I'm pleased this series has found an audience when it needed it the most, because this is probably the best work of Peter David's career in comics. 9/10
THE QUESTION #2
by Rick Veitch & Tommy Lee Edwards (DC Comics)
 The first issue of this limited series really grabbed my attention, boasting a surreal but lyrical script and dazzling artwork. Sadly, only the latter remains in this second issue, as Veitch's script goes from mysterious and psychedelic to overdone and goofy. Maybe there's no change at all, maybe I'm just in a different mood now as compared to how I felt when I read the first issue, I don't know. I just didn't like the script as much this time around. I did appreciate Veitch's comment on the current U.S. administration's proclivity for ducking straightforward and controversial questions from the media, but it was far from the most subtle example. Edwards's richly textured yet airy artwork is mesmerizing. There's a noir quality at play here as well that's striking. Edwards seems to try and combine as diverse array of influences and methods here, from the sci-fi detail of the Science Spire to the simplicity of silhouettes, from the photo-realistic characters at the news conference to the dream-like haze the colors bring to the art. 6/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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