Last week was big…this week is bigger. The lows are lower this time out though, sadly. Still, all in all, a good week. Come see why.
Batman #652
“Face the Face” Part 4 of 8
Published by: DC
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Don Kramer
Inkers: Michael Bair & Wayne Faucher
Colorist: John Kalisz
ORCA’S BACK, BABY! BOOYAH!
Okay, no one could ever, I mean EVER, get excited about the return of Orca and I’m no exception. Still, I appreciate that Robinson dipped back into the vaults of obscurity to bring her out of the Larry Hama Batman run. Now why she’s alive (maybe) while the Ventriloquist and KGBeast are dead? That I have no answer to. But since we do not need see her on panel all book, maybe she is already dead. Wouldn’t that be something?
But Orca is not the only villain who makes their triumphant return here. Oh no, ladies and gentlemen, there is another to add to the mix. A all-new Killer Moth (I’m assuming here that Charaxes has not merely been converted back)! And Kramer actually makes him look cool! Robinson, you are too kind to us villainophiles.
Part Four of “Face the Face” is most noteworthy to me, however, because it is the only part so far that has not made a blunder significant enough to incite an angry reaction from me. I can recommend this issue without adding, “but, there is this one part that when you read…” That’s a nice feeling.
Best two moments? Bullock and Batman resetting the clock on their relationship and Harvey Dent explaining how Batman would treat him if he was really a friend, easily. I am still not 100% sure about this “sure, I talk about my feelings now, but I’m still real dark” version of Batman, but if it means more conversations like these, then I’m sold.
A random thought just occurred to me. Between her girth and her need for water, is Orca really suited for late night clandestine villain meet and greets? Eh, I suppose it hardly matters. Either way, this issue earns an…
Grade: A
Battle for Bludhaven #2
Published by: DC
Writer: Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti
Artists: Dan Jurgens & Jimmy Palmiotti
Colorist: Javi Montes
I found this chapter considerably better than last chapter. Of course, that probably does not say much since I think I gave #1 a “D” and declared it the worst book of that month, but still, bravo for bringing a (slightly) better game to the table.
After last issue’s lots of characters/lots of action all at once approach, the team slows it down a bit here. Sadly, it seems things are either feast or famine. In place of action and new characters, we have lots and lots of talking. Sometimes it works, as in the conversation between Monolith, Firebrand, Tilt, and Alice, which does little to advance the story but actually ends up being interesting. Sometimes, it does not, like the Freedom Fighters in-fighting which makes the lot of them so unlikeable it is as if they are trying to torpedo the upcoming ongoing series before issue #1 even hits shelves.
Overall, I can’t help but think that if the creative team could have somehow smooshed the good parts of #1 and #2 together, they might have ended up with a pretty decent start. However, that’s fantasy land. In the real world, issue #1 remains awful and this one skates in at a firm, mediocre.
Grade: C
Checkmate #1
“Game of Kings” Part #1
Published by: DC
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
You ever read a comic that is almost exactly like you expected it to be and why you bought, but still leaves you a bit disappointed? That’s this issue for me.
What’s worst is that I can’t exactly tell you why.
I mean, yes, the chess speak got a little annoying. But, much like in OMAC with the binary code, I found that I could skip over it with relative ease and still follow the story.
And yes, they did kill a character we barely knew in the first issue. But, that’s a pretty standard spy story technique so I didn’t much mind.
It was just a…feeling. Like I said, I’m having a hard time putting it in words. The best way I can summarize it is that it felt like Rucka was just going through the motions. All the pieces (please, forgive this pun) were on the board and moving in the direction they should, but the whole thing lacked spark.
One area that I did not find wanting, even in a vague, indescribable way, was Saiz’s art. I like him before, but he’s used his (small bit of) time off well as his art is distinctly his without some of the missteps that I’ve come to associate with him. He’s as polished here as we have ever seen him.
It’s just too bad art alone can’t shake this book’s malaise.
Grade: C
Ion #1
“Torchbearer” Part 1
Published by: DC
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Gregg Tocchini
Inker (pg 14-15): Jay Leisten
Colorist: Jeromy Cox
My fears are confirmed. The art for this book that I had not yet seen was as bad as the art for the book that I already had. For the most part, it looks oddly unfinished. Faces lack definition, physiques detailing, and backgrounds a sense of shadowing or depth. It is not that it is awful, per se, it is just flat and/or rushed.
Except when it is awful. Like Kyle’s face on the last page of this issue. I understand that the starfield that kicks in whenever Kyle is Ion is supposed to be overtaking his face, but instead it looks more like Kyle’s face is melting.
The starfield effect in general proves problematic for Tocchini as it seems to disappears, shift, and reappear seemingly at random. Unless that’s the point. In which case…eh.
Alright then, enough about the art. What about the story?
The story is…fine. There’s not a lot to sink your teeth into. There’s the mystery of Kyle’s nightmares and if they reflect reality. There’s the mystery of what the heck the Guardians are talking about (and why they suddenly became like Marvel’s Watchers with their “no interference” clause). There’s the mystery of the mute woman who moves into the artistic community next to Kyle. There’s the mystery of Kyle’s covered canvases. There’s the…well, I think you get the idea. Lots of mysteries are set up, but they are just drapings at this point. There is no heft or substance to them. Marz’s is painting wide stripes of plot and hoping that his grasp of Kyle’s personality is enough to hold it all together. It’s not. Not yet anyway.
Grade: C
Seven Soldiers Frankenstein #4
“Frankenstein in Fairyland”
Published by: DC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Colorist: Nathan Eyring
The most pure fun of the Seven Soldiers minis stumbles a bit on dismount here, but it is so entertaining while it is going that you are unlikely to notice while you are actually reading it. It is only upon reflection that you might realize, “Wow…that was bit convoluted.”
And maybe that’s okay.
I know that it was for me. Between the art, the continuing awesomeness of the narration captions, and Frank’s general disposition, I’d have to work hard to dislike this issue.
It’s not perfect, but much like the titular hero, it is a patchwork abomination that still manages to make you love it.
Grade: B
Villains United Infinite Crisis Special
“A Hero Dies But One”
Published by: DC
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: Dale Eaglesham
Inkers: Art Thibert with Drew Geraci
Colorists: Rob Schwager with Guy Major
DC saved their best Infinite Crisis Special for last it seems. After three issues worth of disappointing or barely connected double length issues, Villains United successfully manages to succeed on its own and nicely connect to the events of Infinite Crisis, specifically setting up what should be an important part of next week’s conclusion.
In addition to providing a bridge between issues #6 and 7, this book is a treat for those who like to play “Spot the Obscure”. Look, it’s Argus! Oh my gosh, there’s El Diablo! Whoa…is that Odd Man? And so on.
The best part of it all, however, is Oracle stepping up to the plate and during her best to save the day, yet again. Without a plan and down several of the most powerful or smartest heroes in the DCU, she’s works quick and smart to stop the Society’s plan with what she’s got. It’s inspiring.
J’onn also gets some of the spotlight as he gathers heroes and proclaims them all to be the Justice League. If anyone does not get J’onn’s appeal beyond being the green guy in the League, this issue offers some answers (and he never even eats an Oreo).
Grade: B
Astonishing X-Men #14
Published by: Marvel
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
Colorist: Laura Martin
I’ve never been much of an X-Men fan, but I always had affection for two characters, Cyclops and Colossus. Colossus because I’ve always liked the strong but generally noble character type (like Thing or Hulk when he was childlike) and Cyclops because well…no one else seemed to. He was the leader of the X-Men and yet everyone always preferred Wolverine. It drove me a bit nuts and so I threw my support behind Scott, generally sight unseen.
Sadly, “Slim” Summers has rarely proved worthy of this support over the years. I knew there was a way to write him well, but no one seemed to be able to tap into that. He was always either boring or indecisive or, (in Morrison’s run), wildly self involved.
Here, Whedon makes all that is disappointing about Scott work for the story. Emma, finally making her move, peels back layer after layer of Scott’s psyche looking for what makes him the way he is. She finds it and then, shockingly, grants him his greatest wish. And as the old axiom goes…well, let’s just say it ain’t good.
As for my other aforementioned favorite…he actually gets to be funny this time out. He and Kitty’s umm…escapades give birth to a great sight gag and follow up conversation between the duo and a bone dry Wolverine crack the next morning. It’s funny stuff.
As a lifelong non-X-Men fan, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but this book forces me to give it an…
Grade: A
New Avengers Annual #1
Published by: Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Olivier Coipel
Inkers: Drew Geraci, Drew Hennessy, Livesay, Rick Magyar, Danny Miki, Mark Morales, Mike Perkins, and Tim Townsend
Colorist: June Chung, Richard Isanove, and Jose Villarrubia
This issue is strange. The event on the cover, the event that was the focus of all the solicitation information ends up serving as merely bookends for this Annual. It ends up taking a backseat to the superhero slapfest that is the New Avengers versus the new Super Adaptoid. Yes, you read that right; a big fight was front and center while the emotional event took a backseat in a Bendis book. Like I said, weird.
And a bit disappointing. The Super Adaptoid fight is good, allowing Spider-Man’s intellect to shine and spotlighting the madness that is Sentry’s day-to-day life. However, the Adaptoid’s fate is sad since a.) it took a character that I had really enjoyed in the past off the board and b.) after the tracks Bendis laid for this villain to get here, it seems a waste to have her go down this way. Overall though, I enjoyed it.
What I didn’t enjoy was how it rendered the whole point of this issue an after thought. This was not even a super villain attack because of a wedding; it just happened to occur around the same time.
I feel like both stories would have been better served if they could have been divided into two separate issues so both events had room to breathe. But, we must judge the book we get not the book we feel we should get. Thus…
Grade: B
Runaways #15
“Parental Guidance” Chapter Two
Published by: Marvel
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Adrian Alphona
Inker: Craig Yeung
Colorist: Christina Strain
I don’t want to short shift you on this review, but the best, most accurate feedback I can give you is this:
There is not a single thing I would change here. Not one.
Grade: A
Sentry #8
Published by: Marvel
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Mark Morales
Colorist: Dean White with Richard Isanove
So…what was the point of all this? To leave us off exactly where we started? If so, congratulations, that we did. We know no more about the Sentry or the Void or their relationship then when we started. After this and the storyline in New Avengers, I’m pretty convinced that there is no more. Which is fine. I just don’t think we need an 8 issue miniseries to prove that.
Grade: D
The Thing 6
…There Goes the Neighborhood
Published by: Marvel
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Kieron Dwyer
Colorist: Laura Villari
It is too bad this book does not sell better because it is all sorts of lighthearted good. It takes an unapologetically throw back approach to storytelling that has jokes, tragedies of the everyday variety, fisticuffs, and friendship. It features a hero that is a noble monstrosity who cannot seem to catch a break. In other words, it has everything that classic Marvel tales have. And if Slott editorializes a bit about current Marvel frontrunners (the New Avengers and Spider-Man’s current costume get a ribbing this time out), well, that’s okay too.
Di Vito is missed this issue as Dwyer turns in a good job that simply cannot compete with Di Vito’s previous efforts on the title.
Grade: B
