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Snapshots for 3/24
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.
CAPER #6
by Judd Winick & John Severin (DC Comics)
 At the halfway point of both the series as a whole and the second arc, I'm prepared to declare Caper one of Winick's finest works in comics. I was a little worried this issue that the insane behavior of the accused was going to be hard for Winick to write his way out of later, but he actually gives a pretty good rationale for it by the end of the issue, and sets the story of murder spinning off in a very different direction. Suddenly we're in the midst of two mysteries, not one, and each one is fascinating. Winick's story is as much a part of the Hollywood of the '70s as the previous story was of San Francisco in the turn of the century, but other than that it's a whole different animal, yet linked by blood relation and the theme of crime. Then there's the artwork, and anyone who knows John Severin's work knows that even if the script stinks, the book is worth a look for Severin's realistic and masterful artwork. When that art is paired with a winning script like the one that Winick has turned in here, you've got comic-book gold. 10/10
COMMON GROUNDS #3
by Troy Hickman, Dan Jurgens, Al Vey & Chris Bachalo (Image Comics/Top Cow Productions)
 I like Common Grounds. It's a fun read. However, after only three issues, it has become a bit formulaic, and it often seems that Hickman is more interested in coming up with new pun-related names and concepts than breaking any new ground in terms of the stories. Mind you, the names and characters are a lot of fun ("Acidic Jew" is a particular favorite), it's just that I'm not sure how many "heroes chat over coffee" stories I can really enjoy before it becomes a bit old. Common Grounds is building up quite the interesting cast, with nice art by regular artist Dan Jurgens and guest artists (this issue's work by Chris Bachalo is great), but the stories just need to do something more with them, or at the very least aim for something a little more overtly funny or otherwise affecting. 6/10
INVINCIBLE #9
by Robert Kirkman & Ryan Ottley (Image Comics)
 This issue of Invincible is the very definition of mid-story. While new readers will certainly find plenty to like in Kirkman's always energetic and funny script or Ottley's artwork, those who have been reading Invincible already are the ones who will really enjoy issue nine. But boy, those of us who have been reading have a bunch to chew on with this issue. Kirkman is doing a comic that has an old school feel with some truly fresh plot twists. The alien in the opening pages hints at what might have happened to Mark's real dad, even as the "impostor" acts in a way that indicates he is more than he appears as well. The dissolution of the Guardians of the Globe (to put it mildly) also spurs any number of other entertaining moments, including the entertaining tryout session, the tense and strange relationship between Mark, Rex and Eve and one of Kirkman's best new characters, Monster Girl. Ottley's artwork also continues to impress, maintaining a feel similar to the original artist but with an added level of detail and a growing sense that he is adding his own stylistic touches as well. 8/10
SMAX #5
by Alan Moore, Zander Cannon & Andrew Currie (DC Comics/America's Best Comics imprint)
 Well, you've got to hand it to Alan Moore: he does have a way with the unexpected. Smax started out as a fusion of superheroes and fantasy, but by the end it's a fantasy quest with scientific theory and very strange romance mixed in. The sense of danger that Morningbright presented is somewhat dimmed this issue by his almost clownish behavior and also by the long delay between issues that made me lose all but the rudimentary aspects of the plot, but it's still quite the satisfactory conclusion for the brawl between the big blue and the big bad. The real joy to be found in Smax, though, is in the characterization. Robyn's "relationship" comes to a wickedly funny end, and the relationship between Jeff and Rexa comes to a surprising but pleasing finale. Cannon's artwork was also worth the wait, a little too goofy in its depiction of Jeff perhaps but otherwise a perfect blend of high fantasy and high comedy, and the final appearance of Morningbright was a terrific visual. Smax has been a fun ride, winning me over even though I would rather have had more Top 10. Only problem is, now that I've seen Moore tackling these characters again, I really want Top 10 to return, and it seems unlikely that it's going to. 9/10
WILDGUARD: CASTING CALL #6
by Todd Nauck (Image Comics)
 The first Wildguard comic series concludes with an enormous brawl, courtesy of an unexpected and delightfully unusual master villain. Nauck had done a pretty good job up until this point of making the enormous cast feel big without being overwhelming, and he slides a little in that regard this issue, such that a few of the characters felt like generic space fillers for me. That said, while the crowd scene was maybe a little overcrowded, the final villain was a neat idea with an unusual motivation, and Nauck clearly had fun playing around not just with those who would become the Wildguard final five but with a few who didn't make the cut. Nauck switches to inking his own work, and the result is impressive, actually the best art of the series for my taste, and certainly not lacking in the insane amount of detail required for such a super brouhaha. Mind you, though much of the issue is taken up by superbattle, what had me really turning pages was finding out who would make the final team. I was disappointed that a couple of my favorites didn't make the cut, and the online voting favorite wasn't the one I voted for either, but Nauck has a solid roster for a follow-up miniseries. And besides, the anticipation of that final announcement indicates that Nauck captured the feel of a reality show, the addictive questioning of what's going to happen next. 8/10
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