Marvel Reads & Reviews: May 23rd, 2007 Edition

Reviews

Opinions on the Work of People Far More Talented Than I

Captain America #26

This is an excellent survey of the lay of the land in Cap’s neck of the Marvel U following his death. Brubaker is truly invested in the characters and it shows as he delves into their grief and how they each handle it. Sharon is racked by guilt that occasionally curdle into rage, Tony is deflecting responsibility to avoid feeling guilt, Falcon is running this way and that, trying to be all things to all people, Spider-Man clings to his belief that Cap went down a hero, Cage succumbs to cynicism a bit, and Winter Soldier makes a plan to distract him from the pain. It is all revealed rapid fire, but each scene feels real and lived in, not rushed to get to the next one in line. Nothing here betrays checklist storytelling.

It’s tempting to say that if it had come out on time, we really wouldn’t need that Loeb miniseries at all (although I did give the latest issue a strong review, see below). This is how you delve into how people deal with Captain America’s death.

A-

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America: Captain America

This is one from last week that I picked this time out because of good buzz. I am thankful for that. It is a much better reintroduction to the Marvel U. issue for the resurrected Hawkeye (or Ronin…whatever) than his appearance in New Avengers (which I still enjoyed).

It is also, more importantly, the first of these books that nailed it. Up until now they felt a little bit…cash grabby. Which, of course, they are. But a good story will make you forget that and the first two issues failed in that regard. This one, however, delivers.

It is not flawless, though. Loeb’s ear for dialogue continues in this mini to problematically tinny. I wouldn’t same he’s a great dialogue writer in general, but he rarely is poor either. For some though, with this mini, there are so pretty big moments where you just have to cringe at what the characters are saying.

I am a huge John Romita Jr. fan so it hurts me to say this, but…I don’t like his Iron Man. At all. It is very static, almost always appearing as it was frozen in frame while the world moved around it. Also, from a more nerdy/nitpicky perspective, I don’t like the overall armor design. But that, of course, is not really JR Jr’s fault.

However, even while acknowledging these flaws, I have to say that I really liked the issue. I liked the sentiments it evoked, the way the characters behaved, and what it had to say about everyone it touched on. Very, very good stuff.

B+

Heroes for Hire #10

This issue is better than last issue. It does not feel nearly as messy or distracted. The problem is that it still isn’t that much more interesting. It is a fast read that immediately fades when you close the back cover and, unlike many other disposable but still recommendable reads, it does not leave you with a pleasant feeling. In fact, it won’t make you feel much of anything.

Between this disappointing arc and the upcoming tentacles-a-go-go cover, it is time to jump ship. It was a fun little bit of pop for 8 issues, but the fun has, seemingly, gone gone gone.

C-