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Snapshots for 3/3
There's no way that Don 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.
100 BULLETS #42
by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso (DC Comics/Vertigo imprint)
 100 Bullets is currently in the midst of several self-contained issues exploring single characters, but you couldn't tell it from this issue. The same style and atmosphere, not to mention gorgeous artwork, that defines every issue of 100 Bullets, is to be found, but self-contained is not a word I'd use to describe this issue. I've read it several times, I've read the previous story arc with Wylie, and I'm still not entirely sure what's going on. I thought at first it was a flashback to before "Contrabandalero," but the ending throws that into doubt, and while the story of Wylie, down-on-his-luck gas station attendant, certainly is interesting to read in this issue, I suspect it's going to make a lot more sense in the larger context of the trade paperback reprinting it. 7/10
CHIAROSCURO #6
by Troy Little (Meanwhile... Studios)
 It is my firm belief that at some point in the future (quite possibly the far future), the Chiaroscuro trade paperback will be regarded as one of the best pieces of graphic novel fiction to have on your shelf... if enough people support the series to make this hypothetical trade a reality. I say that because the art style, the writing and indeed everything about this book is so much fun, standing out as unique and strange and yet real all at the same time. The pacing is a little slow, reminiscent of Bendis's work on Daredevil and Ultimate Spider-Man, but it's not because Little is wasting space or just showing off. Instead, he's taking his time developing the characters and the mystery, building a fairly normal plot of an artist without ambition and with more than a little self-loathing alongside the idea of some kind of weird conspiracy. Oh, and the backup strip "Angora Napkin" has zombies and plenty of laughs. This is a great book, and not enough of you even know about it yet, let alone read it. Trust me, you really ought to remedy that. 9/10
COURTNEY CRUMRIN & THE COVEN OF MYSTICS #3
by Ted Naifeh (Oni Press)
 The second series of Courtney Crumrin is structured quite differently from the first, less of a series of standalone issues and more of one story told in several parts. While there's not necessarily a complete story in this issue, building more off previous issues and toward the next, Naifeh still manages to make it plenty entertaining as a serial installment and not just a part of a larger whole. Courtney and Aloysius are both delightful characters with good hearts despite their rough exteriors, and this issue has several terrific moments that show that off, including Aloysius's protection of Skarrow and Courtney's interaction with Ms. Crisp. Naifeh does some imaginative and beautiful design work on Madame Harken's home, inside and out, not to mention the creepy crawly of this issue, and this continues to be one of my favorite series from Oni. 9/10
DETECTIVE COMICS #780
by Ed Brubaker, Tommy Castillo, Wade Von Grawbadger & Michel Gagne (DC Comics)
 There are some interesting parallels between Detective and Batman right now... both are involved in a mystery involving a new villain's identity, and both are featuring a lot of Batman's well-known rogues gallery. However, Detective is focused much more on the villain and on Batman's detective abilities, and Batman has greatly superior artwork. Castillo's work has slid considerably since his first appearance, turning into an overly cartoony and very inconsistent style that doesn't fit Brubaker's darker script. Mind you, the script has also lost a fair bit of my interest, as the Charlatan, the man behind the mystery, starts to come into focus and doesn't turn out to be all that interesting after all. Brubaker serves up some big guest stars this issue, including the Riddler, Jim Gordon and Catwoman, but most of the conversations don't really have a lot of zing to them, and it all feels a little by-the-numbers. The exception is the backup story, which has a very different story, but different in this case also means near incomprehensible, and while I love Gagne's art, I couldn't figure out what that ending was supposed to mean. 6/10
EXILES #23
by Judd Winick & Kev Walker (Marvel Comics)
 The previous issue of Exiles was the last Winick story for a while, but before the Chuck Austen issues begin, he's got a two-parter featuring Weapon X, the opposite side of the coin from the generally heroic Exiles. Or at least, the second part might feature them, because this first part is largely devoted to the development of the world they'll be "fixing" and the history of its powerful and evil leader, Iron Man. While I'm all for Iron Man as evil dictator, I was hoping for something more along the lines of "power corrupts" rather than the "look how eeeeevil Iron Man is in this reality" that we get in this issue. As per usual, most of this issue is devoted to establishing the reality, and I found the events that lead to Iron Man's reign overly contrived and largely uninteresting. Art is by Kev Walker, who impressed me on Legion but who just looks somewhat rushed and sketchy here. There are some nice moments, notably a confrontation between legions of Iron Men and an army of Inhumans in midair, but in general, the art is disappointing. 6/10
MONKEY VS. ROBOT
by James Kochalka (Top Shelf Productions)
 With the sequel story on its way in April, now seemed as good a time as any to take a look back at the original Monkey vs. Robot. It's kind of hard to put my finger on why I like this book. To be sure, the central concept and the title brings a smile to the face, and Kochalka's general weirdness and unusual art style is always fun to look at. And the message of the book, that an all-out war without compromise between technology and nature can only end in destruction for both, is a worthwhile message for our times. But really, I think the appeal of the book comes from the way Kochalka takes a seeming non-sequitur and turns it into a strong narrative. Or it could be because it's fun to watch monkeys bonk robots on the heads with coconuts. Too close to call, really. 9/10
MOONSTONE NOIR: JACK HAGEE, PRIVATE EYE
by C.J. Henderson & Richard Clark (Moonstone Books)
 Jack Hagee would make one hell of a novel, as Henderson has a real way with hard-boiled naration. The first person point-of-view narration from Jack Hagee in this issue is full of clever quips, imaginative phrasing and the patois of pulp detectives. Unfortunately, that style lends itself to a lot of text, and this felt more like an illustrated novel than a comic-book. That may have been a blessing, as Clark's art didn't really impress me. It's hard to fairly judge him given that most of the story is told in text, but some confusion in the action sequences and a general lack of detail in the characters and the backgrounds didn't give me a strong impression. Henderson's story doesn't really give him a lot to work with, and it seemed like he could use either some brutal editing or a strong lesson in showing and not telling. Despite my feeling that this didn't utilize the medium well, however, I did enjoy a lot of the writing, and would recommend it to those looking for great Chandler-esque narration and dialogue in a modern setting. 6/10
THE NEVERMEN: STREETS OF BLOOD #2
by Phil Amara & Guy Davis from Dark Horse
 The Nevermen is like a cocktail of the best elements of pulp fiction, mixing all of the wonder and mystery of pulp-era heroes with a modern storytelling style. Guy Davis has made quite a reputation for himself working in this genre, notably on Sandman Mystery Theatre, but Nevermen allows him to open up a bit more, designing an entire city and playing with some extreme visuals from the villains of the piece. I love the villains that Amara has cooked up in this issue, from the gorilla-body-wearing Cadaver who gets the spotlight to the other characters who simply get a one-panel appearance in their jail cells. And while I do feel like I missed a little backstory when I missed the first story, Amara and Davis do a great job of giving the various characters development and exploration in this issue, playing with some of the super-hero/pulp adventurer conventions like the secret identity, the loner ally and the benefactor with a secret. 8/10
RAWHIDE KID #2
by Ron Zimmerman & John Severin (Marvel Comics/MAX imprint)
 See, now that's more what I was expecting from Rawhide Kid. Zimmerman abandons all subtlety in this issue for an offensively over-the-top gay stereotype that brings to mind a 1970s sitcom and throws in all manner of anachronistic attempts at humor and unnecessary pop culture references. I will admit that I got one chuckle out of Zimmerman's banter ("I mean, they beat you like there was a prize for it") and I see potential in his dialogue if he would just tone it down about ten notches and stop trying too hard. And of course, the artwork by Severin is gorgeous, which is what I've come to expect from him. Overall, though, this reads more like what I went in expecting, which in this case is no good thing. 2/10
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