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Snapshots for 6/4
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.
B.P.R.D.: THE SOUL OF VENICE
by Miles Gunter, Mike Avon Oeming & Mike Mignola (Dark Horse Comics)
 I know that many lament that we aren't getting much in the way of actual Mike Mignola Hellboy right now, but the stories of the B.P.R.D. certainly make the absence easier to bear. The Soul of Venice is by Gunter and Oeming, who worked on Bastard Samurai, but Mignola's influence is certainly felt. Oeming's artwork carries his distinctive style, but it has a darker shadow tinge and approach that evokes Mignola's work, and the result is some truly spectacular stuff, especially when it comes to the appearance of a big old demon near the end. In addition, the story is a lot of fun, assuming knowledge of the B.P.R.D. cast but providing an enjoyable read for those who know these characters. Goddesses, vampires and demon lords all make their way into the story, and in between the big investigator of the occult thing there's some solid character moments, particularly as it relates to new member Johann or the softer side of Roger, the homonculus/golem who I haven't really seen in a starring role before. 9/10
THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS #3
by Scott Allie, Paul Lee & Brian Horton (Dark Horse Comics)
 Allie's story of generational horror continues, and I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion. The story is a little hard to follow in serial format, because the characters speak to each other as normal people do, meaning that the exposition is very much on the light to non-existent side. The upside of this, however, is that these characters are so real, and the pain and suffering they are undergoing is more effective as a result. In addition, Allie's writing style keeps the magic and creatures of Devil's Footprints horrific and suspenseful, always lurking on the edges, so that even when we're confronted with them in a direct visual, they come across as strange, otherworldly elements. Lee's strange designs are also to be credited here, whether it's the disturbing figure on the cover or the demon that is summoned later on, and I'm glad that Lee and Horton are able to handle not just the spooky stuff but the calmer human moments, such as the awkward conversation between Brandon and Tabitha in the hospital room or the sweet romantic moments between Brandon and his girlfriend. Allie finishes up this issue with a revelation about what is causing the misfortunes to befall the Waite family, and it's a chilling revelation that both took me by surprise and made absolute sense. 8/10
ELEKTRA #24
by Robert Rodi, Sean Chen & Tom Palmer (Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights imprint)
 This issue is the flipside of the previous issue, where Elektra tracked down a man and murdered him, told this time out from Elektra's point-of-view. Given that I didn't find the story interesting enough to fill one issue, I certainly didn't need to see it again, and this pretty much confirms that Rodi's take on Elektra is not for me. She speaks in action-movie cliches and doesn't seem smart enough to be the ninja assassin we're meant to believe she is, and that's really the extent of her personality, making her a less-than-interesting antagonist, much less a protagonist. There are some solid action scenes in the book, and I do think it's nice that Rodi has gone to the trouble of justifying how Elektra was so effective rather than just relying on her ninja reputation, but this take on Elektra, focusing on what she does well and presenting little if any actual conflict or challenge, just bores me to tears. 3/10
HAWKMAN #16
by Geoff Johns, Rags Morales & Michael Bair (DC Comics)
 I was a huge fan of Hawkworld, so you'd think I would be enjoying this story arc, which contains a couple major elements from that series, a lot more. Unfortunately, while Johns has a great characterization lock on Shayera, all this talk of avatars and aliens and history is just reminding me that the current series hasn't really gone anywhere yet, and that the new Hawkman and Hawkgirl aren't anywhere near as well-realized as Katar and Shayera from Hawkworld were. There are some interesting moments here, including a great use of Animal Man, a nice reveal on the villain and of course some spectacular art and aerial combat from Morales and Bair, but at one point Kendra asks Carter "Why is this all so damn confusing?" and she seems to be speaking for all of us. 6/10
JSA: ALL-STARS #2
by Geoff Johns, David Goyer, Phil Winslade, Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale (DC Comics)
 After an issue that was all setup, I expected some of that setup would be used, but instead in this issue we get two stories that flesh out the characters of Hawkgirl and Hawkman. Both characters can use it, but I'm not sure a whole new mini-series (instead of their own series) was the place to get into it, and more to the point, the character definition here isn't all that interesting. A revelation about Kendra's past treads on familiar territory (most recently seen in X-Statix with U-Go Girl) that is fast becoming a cliche of character for troubled young women, and the backup story is fun but really doesn't have room to go anywhere. In terms of artwork, the book is more solid, with Winslade doing some terrific combat sequences and Sale providing his usual great job on art, but even there I have some complaints, as Chiarello's decision to go with a faux-golden age coloring scheme is annoying and distracting rather than cute to my eyes. 4/10
LONE WOLF 2100 #8
by Mike Kennedy & Francisco Ruiz Velasco (Dark Horse Comics)
 Lone Wolf 2100 has featured a number of obvious lies since it began, whether it's the truth about Itto's goals or actions or the real desires of Cygnat Owari, and in this issue, Kennedy lets one of his likable villains in on the truth, which I suspect will put him on the path to become Itto's ally instead. That's the plot development in this issue, as the rivalry between Belladonna and Prescott comes to a boil and results in a big status quo change. The rest of the appeal is down to Velasco's gorgeous artwork (the splash of New Kowloon is amazing), a couple of well-executed action sequences (such as the Vapor Fist's attempted takedown of Itto or Prescott's encounter with Bialissimo's guards) and some more quiet confidence from Itto. This is a book built on atmosphere, neat ideas and beautiful art, and it continues to capture my attention. 8/10
LURID #3
by Paul Lee & Adam Huntley (IDW Publishing)
 It's like Stray Bullets, only less depressing and crime-ridden. And with strippers. I dunno, it's hard to describe, but whatever it is, Lurid is always a solid read. Lee and Huntley are tackling exotic subject matter, but at the same time there's a sort of normalcy to the writing. Sure, most of us don't dance topless at clubs or bounce at topless clubs, but we all know what it's like to find out that some jerk has more power than he should, or to deal with the frustrations of a job or people who make your job harder. The balance between the universal (trouble with work and relationships) and the unusual (the specifics of stripper etiquette or the job duties of a bouncer) makes for a compelling read, and the artwork, while unflinching in its portrayal of a culture that has nudity and violence, also comes across as real and down-to-earth. The result, in the case of Lurid #3, is a self-contained issue that reads like a voyeur's glance into a world most of us can't be a part of, and probably wouldn't want to be, but can't help but find fascinating. 8/10
R.A. SALVATORE'S DEMON WARS: EYE FOR AN EYE #2
by R.A. Salvatore, Scott Ciencin, Greg Tocchini & John Holdredge (CG Entertainment)
 While I enjoyed the trade of the first Demon Wars story, I enjoyed the first issue of the second series more, and with another issue under its belt, it sure looks like Eye For An Eye will raise the bar set by Demon Wars: Trial By Fire. Though the hero is the same, and the Powrie (Dwarf) rogue Grave Mungo makes another appearance, the book has a new setting with a more arabian flavor and what seems a more twisted web of alliances and deceit, which draws me in much faster than the story in the first trade. Ciencin is blurring the lines between bad guys and good guys, and though it's certain that Yatol is one of the bad guys, I'm not sure that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is a line that hero Andacanavar should be using with the sexy femme fatale Sagara or the enigmatic warrior-monk-mystic Ketsuo. Also impressive about Eye For An Eye is Tocchini's artwork, which reminds me of the lush and detailed work of Greg Land, and while there's no big explosive splash like there was in the first issue, there are certainly some great fight scenes, a short but exciting chase and a big old demon to catch the readers' eyes. 8/10
STAR WARS: EMPIRE #8
by Paul Chadwick & Doug Wheatley (Dark Horse Comics)
 One of those background characters who has become a major player in Star Wars fandom, Biggs Darklighter has always been a character who had a story to tell. I'm surprised that big names like Paul Chadwick and Doug Wheatley were interested in telling it, but the result is a story that, while a tad on the melodramatic side at times, is gripping and absolutely gorgeous to look at. Chadwick chooses to use a weird third-person narration that seems to be talking directly to the reader, and it comes across as a bit old-fashioned, but his presentation of the friendship between Luke and Biggs rings true, and his insertion of this story in between what we know is pretty clever. The real star of the story, however, is the artwork by Wheatley with colors by Chris Chuckry. It looks painted, with beautiful attention to detail, expressive characters and a lush look that maintains the epic feel that Star Wars tales should often have. 7/10
WOLVERINE: SNIKT! #2
by Tsutomu Nihei (Marvel Comics/Tsunami imprint)
 It is clear after reading two issues of Wolverine: Snikt! that this is about as unpretentious an action comic as you will find. This is a comic about Wolverine fighting big scary monsters, and the plot is there only insofar as it gets him into proximity of big scary monsters. On one level, this doesn't seem enough to sustain a six-issue mini-series, but so far imaginative designs and unusual artwork, as well as the visceral appeal of Wolverine cutting loose, is maintaining my interest. Nihei's art style seems to incorporate elements of Ashley Wood, Ted McKeever and Kia Asamiya... and oddly, though I'm not always a fan of any of those artists, this synthesis seems to work. The strange, alien colors and the amorphous shapes of the foes gives the whole thing an eerie atmosphere, and Nihei's lean, young version of Wolverine reminds me more than anything of a mutant "Man with No Name." This is not the definitive take on the character by any means, or anything other than a fun diversion that reads awfully quickly, but it is nifty eye-candy. 7/10
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