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Quick Critiques for 12/17
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.
GREEN ARROW #33
by Scott Beatty, Shawn Martinbrough & Mark McKenna (DC Comics)
 Writer Scott Beatty offers up a fun fill-in story that's in keeping with the overall themes and tone of the series as a whole, but it goes astray in that it tries to be poignant even though the bulk of the script is rather farcical. The opening and closing scenes attempt to delve into the relationship between the title character and his onetime protege, and it distracts from the satire of the super-hero genre at the core of the plot. Martinbrough was an excellent choice as fill-in penciller, as his style is rather consistent with that of regular penciller Phil Hester. Overall, this was a fun story, but ultimately, it's an inconsequential one that even completists can feel comfortable passing up. 6/10
LOVE FIGHTS #6
by Andi Watson (Oni Press)
 Watching the development and progress of Jack and Nora's relationship is something I look forward to every month, and this issue is no exception. Furthermore, Watson's use of the super-hero as a way to tackle our society's fascination with celebrities and a hunger for their downfalls adds an intellectual layer to the emotional core of the story. Unfortunately, some of the pacing in this issue was a bit confusing. I have no idea why a small-time pimp would merit the attention it does here, for example, and Jack's jealousy just doesn't make much sense to me. The depth that Watson manages to bring to the artwork with his simple linework remains impressive; he makes excellent use of grey tones to flesh out this vision of New York City and the private little corners he and his characters live in and visit. 7/10
LUCIFER #45
by Mike Carey & Ted Naifeh
(DC Comics/Vertigo imprint)
 Forty-five issues... DC has been publishing the adventures of Lucifer for almost four years, and no one in America has gotten all bent out of shate about it. Of course, no one freaked out over Preacher, so I guess in some ways, it's good to fly in under the mainstream's radar. Carey's script is the greatest strength. The casual, matter-of-fact voice he instills in the demonic host of an infernal meeting within a human soul really makes it easy for the reader to enter this gruesome world of pain and pity. Tapping Ted Naifeh to provide fill-in artwork is a logical move. His dark style suits the eerie tone of this story, and I love the design of the demon-host. Mind you, I've found Naifeh's past work -- in his Courtney Crumrin and How Loathsome comics -- to be much stronger. Perhaps his style just works better in black-and-white. 8/10
NEW X-MEN #150
by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez & Andy Lanning (Marvel Comics)
 I had my misgivings about this story arc from the start, but I have to admit that Morrison delivers an exciting conclusion that achieves a nice balance between traditional super-hero storytelling and the writer's brainier and wonderfully descriptive science fiction sensibilities. There's a brutality at play in the action that reinforces the climactic tone of the script. Morrison makes it clear that this is a major turning point for these characters, and given the number of such moments in the X-Men's history, that's no small feat. Jimenez's detailed artwork reinforces the intensity in the plot and script, and Chris Chuckry's colors are key in conveying the energy and wondrous power that are integral to the story. 8/10
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #51
by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley & Art Thibert (Marvel Comics)
 I was a bit torn after reading this issue. On the one hand, there's a surprisingly conventional tone to the evolution of the Spider-Man/Black Cat storyline, even if Bendis's dialogue brings a little credibility back into the mix. But there's a fantastic, completely unconventional and thoroughly believable exchange between two minor characters early on in the issue that really draws the reader into a dark corner of the world in which Peter Parker occasionally ventures. Bagley's art is as strong as usual, though his depiction of the Black Cat and the other recognizable Marvel femme fatale is far too gratuitous, especially for the overall grounded tone of this series. 7/10
WOLVERINE #9
by Greg Rucka & Leandro Fernandez (Marvel Comics)
 We're three chapters into the "Coyote Crossing" story arc, and so far, it seems to be about how much of a badass the title character is and how that enables him to influence the criminal element in ways that Captain America or Spider-Man can't. One could argue that it's getting a bit repetitive, but there's no denying that Rucka's ake on the intense character is eminently readable. Furthermore, the last couple of pages really get the plot moving forward, and I remain intrigued by the Cassie Lathrop subplot. Fernandez's slick style offers up a lithe but intimidating vision of Marvel's most popular mutant hero, and he manages to cast the protagonist in a scary light. 7/10
X-TREME X-MEN #37
by Chris Claremont, Igor Kordey & Scott Hanna (Marvel Comics)
 Those interested in what I have to think about this new issue of X-Treme X-Men need only consult my review of the previous issue from last week. Claremont's characterization of Storm continues to place the heroine on a pedestal that no reader can reach. Her haughty tone makes it impossible to relate to her, let alone like her. The saddest thing about this script is that the most interesting character seems to be the automated, sentient home where Storm, Yukio and a former member of X-Factor find themselves. The plot continues to disinterest me, especially after glimpsing the all-too convenient appearance of one of Storm's old enemies. Kordey's art has its moments, but again, Scott Hanna's inks rob it of its more unique qualities. And Salvador Larroca's cover would seem to have us believe that it's Storm butt that serves as her sidekick in this storyline, not Yukio. 3/10
Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.
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