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Snapshots for 4/30
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.
BATMAN #614
by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee & Scott Williams (DC Comics)
 Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee struggle mightily to give us a story that explains why Batman hasn't killed the Joker, and it's not a bad story, but it falls into the same trap that stories in this vein have before: the reason that Batman hasn't killed the Joker comes down to marketing. He's an arch-villain, and you can't just off him, and every rationale about why Batman lets him live, especially with the various indignities writers have let him get away with throughout the years, makes Batman look more impotent and ineffectual. If you're not as put off by the Joker's continued existence as I am at this point, however, this is a pretty strong read, as Loeb examines the Joker's crimes through the ages with the help of Jim Lee shifting from his standard style to the painted look very effectively, and the person who finally stops Batman is really about the only person I can buy in that role, providing a memorable moment... although the whole thing does sort of feel like it has expanded a 3-page scene from The Killing Joke into a 22-page comic, without much new to say. 6/10
CATWOMAN #18
by Ed Brubaker & Javier Pulido (DC Comics)
 Catwoman has turned into a pretty dark relationship book for this latest arc, and it has me riveted. Every one of the protagonists is hurting thanks to the events of the previous story, and Brubaker is not letting them off the hook. Whether it's Holly coping with her actions and dangerously close to backsliding into drug addiction, Selina burying her psychological difficulties in a physical love affair or Slam dealing with the consequences of that love affair, the solid foundation of characterization from the first year of the book and the dark plot of the previous arc are paying off in this current story. I wasn't so sure about Pulido's artwork on the first chapter of this arc, but this issue it reminds me a great deal of the work of Andi Watson, which is never a bad thing, and Hollingsworth's colors are as effective as ever. 9/10
THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS #2
by Scott Allie, Paul Lee & Brian Horton (Dark Horse Comics)
 In the first issue of Devil's Footprints, what stood out for me was the family legacy feel of the whole thing, but it is becoming clear that Allie has a wider net to cast, expanding the cast out into various members of the small town where the Waite brothers have lived and showing their place in the greater scheme of this small town with an occult element buried beneath it. The letter column reveals that Allie is influenced by HP Lovecraft, but I'm actually reminded just as much of the stronger work of Stephen King, as Allie puts a lot of effort into developing real people and real routines and then throwing the magic and horror stuff into the mix to make it creepier. Forget about the alien presence that confronts Brandon in the alley... the vulnerability of Brandon's girlfriend and her mother, or the fractured psychological state of his brother, are what really works on the scary level. And the artwork, by Lee, Horton and colorist Dave Stewart, is terrific, like a blend of Charlie Adlard, Michael Gaydos and Michael Lark. 8/10
FRAY #7
by Joss Whedon, Karl Moline & Andy Owens (Dark Horse Comics)
 It's not easy to be a Joss Whedon fan sometimes. Buffy is currently suffering through an inane "one new episode, six reruns or pre-emptions" scheduling and Fray, Whedon's contribution to comics, has been running about as late as the last issue of Camelot 3000. Too dated a reference? At any rate, it's late. Way late. But it's well worth the wait, and while I've never been happier about a decision to wait for the trade as I have been with Fray, that doesn't make the single issues a bad read. The break in pacing as a result of the long delay is notable this issue, as it features the heroes gather to fight the villain story that is the key to the big epic story, and I had a little trouble remembering who all the characters were and how they fit in, which robbed it of some of its power. But not all of it, and there's still some great scenes here, including the nifty use of a flying car as a weapon, plenty of that choice Whedon dialogue and a big ol' battle scene that makes use of Moline's artwork and the unlimited special effects comics can provide. If you've been reading Fray, don't let the lateness of this issue put you off from completing the story, and if you haven't been, it's definitely worth checking out when the trade hits. 9/10
GRENDEL: GOD AND THE DEVIL #3
by Matt Wagner, Jay Geldhof & John K. Snyder III (Dark Horse Comics)
 In the third issue of God and the Devil, there are three stories and two narrators (both of whom are bug-f*ck crazy in different ways), and Wagner draws the reader deeper into the disturbing insanity of his future world and the characters that populate it. By far the most compelling part of the story for me is the one centered on Eppy Thatcher, one of the most compelling characters in the Grendel saga, a thoroughly dangerous lunatic who wound up being one of the heroes of the piece because he was crazy enough to stand up to the all-powerful and corrupt papacy, never mind that the reasons he did so were drug addiction and a warped psyche. Warped on the opposite side of the coin is tough C.O.P. Pellon Cross, as structured in his mindset as Thatcher is scattered in his and a perfect foil for Grendel and for protagonist Orion Assante. Cross is structured but smart and effective, and it's hard not to root for him, even though he's working for the wrong side. And then there's the artwork by Geldhof and Snyder, which looked very nice when it was originally published and is just jaw-dropping with the new colors by Jeromy Cox. 9/10
GRRL SCOUTS: WORK SUCKS #3
by Jim Mahfood (Image Comics)
 It's taken me a little time, but I've fallen in love with Daphne, Gwen and Rita. They've got a sort of optimistic, free-spirited nature that contrasts strangely but believably with their cynical knowledge of the street, and their friendship provides a solid grounding for the story. It's enjoyable to watch them bust on one another as only true friends can, knowing that underneath the banter there's a strong relationship, and I love that though they all have a lot in common, each girl has a different personality and approach to life. Mahfood is also really working the "work sucks" angle in this issue, because even the relatively good jobs that the girls thought they wanted like painting or bartending come with some strings, and the overwhelming need of customers (be they barflies or little kids) is presented in hilarious fashion. Since I've warmed up to the story, all that's left in the art, and I've loved that since the start. I don't know what more to say about Mahfood's style other than that I love it, that it's one of those styles distinctive enough that you can can spot it a mile away, and that it's perfect for the story he's telling. 8/10
VIOLENT MESSIAHS: LAMENTING PAIN #3
by Joshua Dysart & Tone Rodriguez (Image Comics)
 To be honest, I got a little lost in this issue, as it seems the creators are trying to cram a lot of story into a four-issue mini-series, and I once again felt like I'd missed out on some characters from the first mini-series. However, the atmosphere of the book, the uncertain madness and fetish flavor, is certainly as strong as ever, and I remain curious about the true nature of Scalpel and whether she is in fact Ling Kawaguchi or if there's more going on there. In addition, Rodriguez's art, with Guy Major's colors, is fantastic, particularly when it comes to depicting the sheer size of Citizen Pain, the deadly and enigmatic nature of Scalpel or the brutality that occupies the world of Violent Messiahs. This is a twisted tale of conspiracy, sex and death, and while I think I can only fully judge it when the whole thing is over and I know if we got answers or just more questions, I'm enjoying the story so far. 7/10
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