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Snapshots for 1/15
Don and I are starting the new year with a new review feature: capsules. There's no way for us to 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.
A FINE MESS #1
by Matt Madden (Alternative Comics)
 A Fine Mess falls into a category that I like to think of as the "one man anthology." Madden experiments with a variety of styles and stories throughout the issue, using the book almost as something of a developmental sketchbook rather than a traditional narrative. The result is a bunch of stories that are interesting to look at, and fascinating from a stylistic point-of-view, but which really don't have much meat to them in terms of plot. Probably my favorite of the bunch are the "Exercises in Style" which examine a simple event through a variety of approaches and which result in an interesting examination of Madden's versatility and talent, but I also really enjoyed "Aranda's Coat," a slice-of-life tale with a humorous ending that reminds me of the work of Jessica Abel and "Night of the Grossinator" due to its unusual two-tone color scheme and strange, meandering plot style that reminds me of James Kochalka. Basically, this is my first exposure to Madden's talent, but I certainly hope it won't be my last. 7/10
FADE FROM BLUE #4
by Myatt Murphy & Scott Dalrymple (Second 2 Some Studios)
 It wasn't until I read this issue that I realized just how much story Murphy and Dalrymple have packed into Fade From Blue. In just four issues, they've introduced a ton of subplots, more than one for each main character, as well as an intriguing mystery that ties all four characters together. At times it veers into the almost too complex realm, except that for $1.50 an issue, it's pretty easy to catch up on all the installments pretty cheaply. While the plot functions are interesting, though, what really keeps me reading is Murphy's strength in characterization. There are so many great moments in the conversations between the characters, so many nifty observations or comedic touches, that the book sticks with me long after I've read it. And Dalrymple's artwork really gives a feel for the city and realistic setting, while allowing for funny exaggeration. With its low price and high level of talent, Fade From Blue is one of the best deals in comics, and it happens to be one of the few books that my wife looks forward to as much as I do. 8/10
GREEN LANTERN #158
by Judd Winick, Dale Eaglesham & Rodney Ramos (DC Comics)
Kyle and Jade explore an alien planet in their first mission as extraplanetary Green Lanterns, and while it's all done professionally enough, I find myself unable to work up much enthusiasm about it. However, the artwork is terrific, as Eaglesham and Ramos do a fantastic job of envisioning the alien world and a simply amazing job on Kyle's imaginative energy creations. But while I'm glad that Jade at least questions the inherent goodness of the people that they've come to save, it seems like the hoary old "the bad guys are misunderstood" cliche is driving the plot. The presentation here is solid enough, but it doesn't really strike a chord with me. 5/10
MEK #3
by Warren Ellis, Steve Rolston & Al Gordon (DC Comics/Homage imprint)
Mek has seemed from the beginning to be a bunch of ideas in search of a plot, and that's pretty much what it seems like at the end as well. Sarissa's rampage through the streets of Sky Road, pumped up like a third-rate version of the Terminator, reminds me too much of Spider Jerusalem's rampages in Transmetropolitan, where he was transformed from an interesting outlaw journalist into a generic action hero, and Sarissa's similar transformation from political activist to cyber-badass left me sad at the wasted potential. Steve Rolston's artwork is terrific, especially his imaginative designs for the "Bad Mek" that Sarissa sports, but I was never really convinced to care about the characters, and mostly we're left with some pretty visuals, some neat idea and a story that never really came together. 4/10
NEW X-MEN #136
by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely (Marvel Comics)
Once again, Morrison's New X-Men stands out as one of the most interesting and unusual super-hero comics going, incorporating themes of teenage rebellion and maturation without resorting to fake and overdramatic angst and continuing to push the boundaries of what super-powers can mean in small and large ways. Leaving aside the unusual powers and looks that have developed for the various characters, there's the continuing subplot of Cyclops and Emma Frost conducting what might or might not be considered an affair given its telepathic nature and the rebellious Quentin Quire and his "New X-Men" acting out in ways that make them a more morally gray and interesting version of the X-Men's former arch-foes The Brotherhood. There are also neat moments, including Beak's unusual use of a condom, the running gag (is she there or not?) of No-Girl and a few more panels with the always entertaining Stepford Cuckoos, all delivered in fine artistic form by Frank Quitely, who is at the top of his game for this issue. 9/10
THUNDERBOLTS #75
by Fabian Nicieza, Manuel Garcia & Scott Hanna (Marvel Comics)
 I sort of fell off the Thunderbolts shortly after the announcement of the new direction, but it seems that a lot has happened in the few issues that I missed. Nicieza brings the book to a close in a fashion that is very much in keeping with the style of the book, focusing on strong characterization, moral quandaries and surprises, not to mention more than a little continuity. There are a lot of characters and a lot of backstory in the book, but whether it's due to having read most of the book up to this point or Nicieza's skills at imparting information (I expect it's more the latter), I never really found myself lost. There's a certain sense of "what does it matter?" in this last issue, as I expect we won't see any of these characters again, at least not without a revamp, but for those who have been following the book, it's a terrific send-off, and as a long-time fan of this book, these characters and Nicieza's writing, I was very pleased by this finale. 7/10
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