The Comic Bloke’s Review Block #10 – May 12, 2006
By: Chris Delloiacono
I’m sure some of you were wondering where the Block was last week, and probably many more could care less. Suffice to say, I needed a week to catch up on things, but I’m back in business.
It was a strong week, which makes me happy to not have to bash creators and companies. You may not have guessed it by the tone of recent columns, but I’m really fed up with being annoyed at comics. I don’t get off on bitching and moaning, so I’ll just choose to ignore as much as possible from this point on.
Thankfully, my pull list is down to less than fifteen titles and there’s just not much to be ticked off about. There are still plenty of comics that I love. I’ll focus there.
As for DC and Marvel’s big events, I just don’t even care to comment on ‘em anymore. Silence is golden and it makes for less annoyance.
Spider-Girl #98
“Sacrifices Must Be Made”
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciller: Ron Frenz
Inker: Sal Buscema
Colorist: Gotham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The plotline is hurtling along at light speed, so too is the end of one of the best and only true comic books still on the shelves.
The Hobgoblin’s mad spree of mayhem (and seemingly murder) makes me wistful of the days in the 1980s when Amazing Spider-Man centered on the hunt for the villain’s identity. More so, it reminds me of a time when comics were fun.
I don’t know what the future holds for Mayday Parker, but if a relaunch is planned after the demise of the series with issue #100, I don’t know if I’ll care. This series has an enchanting air around it. Tinkering with the formula to drum up some extra sales is probably going to prove disastrous.
I’ll always have these books and those other classics, though. Even with the event driven madness on comic shelves, Marvel and DC can’t take that away!
Score: B
Jonah Hex #7
“One Wedding & Fifty Funerals”
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Artist: Luke Ross
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Publisher: DC Comics
The last issue slipped a bit, as Palmiotti and Gray attempted to slip a bit too much into the issue without enough development. This issue, on the other hand, is brimming with characters and set pieces, yet it all comes off, complete with fiery conclusion, in only twenty-two pages.
A story can be told in one comic, complete with action, characterization, and heart wrenching moments. It’s possible, there just aren’t many writers willing or capable of doing it. This series is built on on-offs. Thankfully, Palmiotti and Gray get it right more times than not.
I’m shocked that Luke Ross is heading out Hexville after this issue. Not cool! Hopefully it doesn’t signal a downward spiral for Jonah.
Score: A
American Virgin #3
“Head” Part 3
Writer: Steven T. Seagle
Penciller: Becky Cloonan
Inker: Jim Rugg
Colorist: Brian Miller
Publisher: Vertigo
Adam Chamberlain’s life get worse again this month, and his crisis (I’ve come to despise that wordâ€â€Thanks, DC!) of faith worsens. Seagle’s plot makes for stunning character moments and foreshadows an interesting path yet to travel.
I wasn’t sold on American Virgin after the first issue, but thankfully I stuck with it. I’m warming to Cloonan’s artwork and Seagle is hitting interesting notes.
Still, I wonder how long Adam’s story can remain fresh. This doesn’t seem like a book that can go on ad infinitum. I was proven wrong already by these creators, so we shall just give it time.
Score: B
Fables #49
“Wolves” Part 2
Writer: Bill Willingham
Penciller: Mark Buckingham
Inker: Steve Leialoha
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Publisher: Vertigo
Mowgli’s hunt for Bigby finally draws to a close. Bill Willingham has kept Fables fresh and exciting for more than four years, and with the anniversary approaching next month, it appears that this will remain one of the best for a long time to come.
This two-parter was the grittiest Fables story yet, and I must heap major praise on Buckingham and Leialoha for capturing the hard edged back-to-nature story magnificently.
Score: B
Ex Machina #20
“March to War” Conclusion
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciller: Tony Harris
Inker: Tom Feister
Colorist: JD Mettler
Publisher: Wildstorm
Unlike so many other “top-tier” writers, Brian K. Vaughan can start a story and finish it in grand fashion. Vaughan uses cliffhangers effectively, but he also builds on those endings to produce effective beginnings.
Know what I mean?
Once again we’ve reached the end of another storyline that merges the real with the surreal of Mayor Hundred’s time as NYC mayor. Everything interlocks perfectly at the arc’s conclusion and we get a jumpstart towards the next big story.
Not too many comics are absolutely worth $3 every month! Ex Machina is priceless!
Score: A
Revolution on the Planet of the Apes #4
Story: Joe O’Brien & Ty Templeton
Script: Joe O’Brien
Artist: Tom Fowler
Colorist: Bernie Mireault
Publisher: Mr. Comics
Gaining strength as it moves along. What a breath of fresh air to read a comic that integrates quite well into the canon of the original movie series and serves as an almost seamless bridge between the fourth and fifth POTA films.
Now that it’s 2/3 of the way done, the pieces are beginning to come together. For any fan of the film series, the end point is pretty clear, but O’Brien and Templeton continue sprinkling enough secondary elements to offer oodles of surprises.
Here’s hoping that sales warrant a continuation.
Score: A
Zoom Suit #1
Writer: John Taddeo
Penciller: Billy Dallas Patton
Inker: Kris Justice
Colorist: Wilson Ramos, Tom Chu, Jung Choi,
Publisher: Superverse
I am thrilled to see that my colleague Paul Sebert dedicated an entire column to the stunning Zoom Suit #1. Paul made some excellent points in that piece and I mirror most of the sentiments he presented within. I’m doubly thrilled that one of the other Nexus writers found this comic. Hopefully many of our readers will do the same.
This is a look at what the future of the printed comic book can be, and all for $3.
Zoom Suit is one of the best looking comics ever produced. Using MetalFX and Datachrome techniques the story is lent a depth and metallic glow. The technology enhances Billy Dallas Patton’s artwork and takes a comic book to the next level.
Taddeo fashions a fine “origin” tale that feels like a classic comic book, while still keeping with modern writing sensibilities. It’s a perfect combination of old and new.
This is a case where a pretty package and endless promotion begets a beautiful product, with a heart of gold.
Score: A
Bloke’s done. See ya next Friday!
