Green Arrow #69
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Scott McDaniel
This mont’s Green Arrow returns readers to the present. The newly elected Mayor Queen is trying to pull Star City out of the abyss by any and all political means, including blackmailing the largest corporation interested in its corpse as well as involving an old ally who isn’t the most friendly. Meanwhile, Green Arrow tries to put out the hotspots of crime inevitable to urban decay. Simultaneously, those thugs who have survived the near destruction of their urban oasis try to further feather their nests. The hometown heroes get a silent assist from that other guy on the cover, creating a funny moment. The thugs in jail subplot inches forward a bit, making this a full issue. The characterization seems apt, with a bit more insight to the Ollie-Bruce dynamic than one might expect from Winick. The art is still almost unbeatable. Overall, this was a treat of an issue, not incredibly innovative, but fun and hiccup free.
Score: B
Green Lantern Corps #7
DC Comics
Writer: Keith Champagne
Artist: Patrick Gleason
This is almost exactly what this series ought to be. The science fiction hook is meaty and interesting. The characters pop off the page through fun dialogue and excellent art. The story moves along while raising reader expectations for the next chapter. My one complaint is that Guy is a bit too horn dog this issue; it’s just a bit overdone. But even that complaint is mediated by his excellent fight with the Durlan (where he cheats just a little). If all the previous issues of GLC were this focused and stylish, it’d be the top selling title of its ilk.
Score: A
OMAC #6
DC Comics
Writer: Bruce Jones
Artist: Renato Guedes
The newest installment in DC’s unwilling monster mini-series has a lot going for it. The conflict between Mike and the satellite progresses along its natural track. With a new host, one that doesn’t need to be on smack for Brother Eye to control it, Mike’s sitting on the sidelines as the doomsday scenario unfolds. Combine that with the much more grounded two-kids-on-the-lam subplot and this series’ blend of noir and science fiction is percolating nicely. The reveal four pages before the close of the book was a bit tawdry and out of left field, but the plot still perseveres. The art continues to strike a balance between realism and technology run amuck, with the occasional lapse. Who ever heard of a stripper in tighty-whities?
Score: B
52 Week Thirty-Two
DC Comics
Writers: Morrison, Rucka, Johns, Waid
Artists: Giffen & Olliffe
Another week brings readers another segment of the serial that is 52. This book was very Dibny-centric with a side of space opera and a bit of Titans/Marvel goodness. This title is starting to feel less like a complex melding of intriguing plots and more like a bogged down mess. Week thirty-two was involving and interesting and all that, but trying to get excited about the next issue (which may contain none of this week’s plotlines) is getting tougher the more diffuse the series becomes. The art by Giffen and Olliffe rates well above average and hopefully that standard won’t dip as it has at random in weeks past. The close of the book, an origin of the Blue Beetle, gives DC’s newest kid-friendly hero a bit more publicity and page time, which is a great thing.
Score: C
The Trials of Shazam #4
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Howard Porter
This installment wastes the momentum of the three prior issues through incomplete development of the premise and this write’s still occasional desire to be more topical than the tale needs. While it makes sense that Achilles would still be a soldier, even in modern times, he didn’t need to be an American deployed in the Middle East whose men are murdered by a road mine on the second page of the book. Combine that sort of blatant parallel with the odd menaces faced by our heroes this issue (pigs with machine guns?!) and the story falls pretty flat here. The quest of Freddy Freeman has taken second priority to the incursion of the hate empath and that’s bad news for the readers. The art still soars though, as Howard Porter does a great job while looking nothing like Howard Porter. Here’s hoping he gets more fantastic things to render next issue.
Score: C
X-Factor #14
Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Pablo Raimondi
Peter David can write. He can do humor, pathos, ensemble, solo, action, drama, whatnot. This issue, the first after the sort-of retread downtime one, is another winner. Nothing works out for Maddrox, M and Theresa come to terms, Guido owns up, and then a killer Girl Scout makes things even worse. This book is so refreshing and solid compared to most of its imprint’s rampant cross-promotion and lack of focus. Raimondi’s art is great, but could still use a bit more color now and again.
Score: A
Martian Manhunter #5
DC Comics
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artist: Al Barrioneuvo
This thriller is drawing to a climax. The motives of the evil organization have been made clear. The mysteries are close to being resolved. The cast is united in their desire to thwart their antagonists. But that last page reveal shows that there’s still a curve or two ahead in the next three issues. All in all not as much depth as a story involving race, government control, and identity issues could’ve had, but still involving for all that. And the art still drives the mood well enough to almost excuse J’onn’s new look. Almost.
Score: B
