Checkmate #7
DC Comics
Writers: Rucka, Defilippis, Weir
Artist: Cliff Richards
Checkmate is quickly becoming the double-dealing center of the DCU. Political intrigue, con jobs, double-crosses, and lies abound. This book isn’t afraid to handle mature themes, and this issue isn’t an exception. The skill with which this comic handles both child labor and battle ethics certainly puts its writing above most of the standard comics fare. The art however continues to be spotty; this issue did manage to juggle a ton of characters and the layout was simple enough to follow the melee, but it wasn’t anywhere near as majestic or gripping as past issues.
Score: B
52 Week Twenty-Four
DC Comics
Writers: Johns, Rucka, Waid, Morrison
Artists: Giffen, Jiminez
This is as off an issue of this title as could be, especially considering how excellent the previous week’s installment was. The art is less dynamic, the story concerned only with losers not central to any of the ongoing plots, and it’s all wrapped up with the origin of one of the book’s early casualties. It does explain how Checkmate became a UN agency, but it’s a large waste of potential regardless.
Score: D
X-Factor #12
Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Renato Arlem
Well, that’s certainly a crescendo. The first round of the Singularity/X-Factor Investigation conflict comes to a close with casualties on both sides. A secret gets out. There are explosions, car wrecks, and even a quip or two. It’s more action than ensemble this time out, but it’s done well enough not to matter. The art continues to waver a bit between stylishly dark and just too gritty for its own good, but it’s not an advanced case this month. A great story, told well, illustrated with a bit of flair, this is probably the book of the week. Can’t wait for the uber-hyped decompression issue next month!
Score: A
The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #5
DC Comics
Writers: Danny Bilson and Paul Demeo
Penciller: Ron Adrian
Want to read about this book instead of reading it? Click here to go to my spotlight review. Better brace yourself first!
The Creeper #3
DC Comics
Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Justiniano
This issue of the miniseries continues the battle with the brute from the previous issue, has plenty of dual personality/single body dialogue, and a bit of oddball humor with a guest appearance by Batman. The story hasn’t even begun to explain the continuity headaches involved with rebooting the Creeper, but his interactions with Ryder are just as much fun regardless. The art is manic, but never to the point of making it too tough to make out any item or sequence of events, which is a great plus. If more were going on in this extended origin tale, it’d get a higher grade, but sometimes simplicity leaves the reader feeling a bit empty.
Score: B
