Comic Book Reviews Week of: 07.28.2010
I Have Issues is a comic book review on the week’s new releases. SPOILER WARNING: if you haven’t read your books yet, read no further.
After all the books were read and tucked back into their bags, I had the worst time deciding which I liked more. Which book had the best character defining moment, or the best artwork. Was there a stand out panel? Was there a moment of brilliance that made you wan to keep on reading? Yep. Quite a few of my books had those traits, but in the end I made my decision.
Flash #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by scott kolins
Aby Warburg summed up my favorite comic book this week with the infamous “The kind God is in the details” (c.1925). The Flash is a book that I love, but easily dismiss, and I only really appreciated the book on my second pass. I read it in about 5 minutes, and any flash book that takes longer either failed the prime Flash Comic directive, or delivered a ton of important content. In this case, if I read Flash #4 in five minutes and never looked back, I would miss the details that made it great.
A few weeks ago I awarded Astonishing Spider-man and Wolverine #2 the prize due to the amount of detail that Andy Kubert put into the book. This week Francis Manapul, the colorist, and Geoff Johns pulled out a team effort that helped elevate the Flash from being “good again” to “hot damn”.
Story wise, Flash is still trying to persuade the future rogues that they have the wrong guy. Digger is loose from jail using his Black Lantern boomerangs (the only Brightest Day tie-in we can see) and the old rogues are about to kick off a hell of a crisis. Of all the parts I love are the abilities super-speed can give someone. Being able to read an entire library in hours, build a bridge in minutes, or run across water.
And the details that illustrate those abilities are what sell them to a reader. For instance. In this issue, Flash runs up a building, across a helicopter blade, breaks into the cabin and saves the pilot before the copter crashes, or the Pilot can finish his cry for help. Between May and day the Flash saves a life, and Manapul astounds us with the visuals. The sketchy style an loose pencils are what make Manapul’s art feel energetic, and give us a quickening sense, filling the pages with life.
But the detail that sent this book ahead of the pack was the color drop out on the Flash as he went faster and faster. A couple years ago, DC stopped having a Flash book, and the infamous Neil Gaiman rebooted the Eternals series for Marvel comics. In that series, a god of speed experienced the effects of speed, with the drop in the color spectrum, heat, friction, and sound effects. The detail there was something I never forgot, and always lamented a bit. Why couldn’t the colorists that worked on The Flash do that? Well they did in this issue, and it helped give the reader that feeling that they were along for the ride, and it was fantastic.
Thor #612
WRITER: KIERON GILLEN
PENCILS: Doug Braithwaite
INKS: PASQUAL FERRY
COLORED BY: MATTHEW DALE HOLLINGSWORTH
LETTERED BY: NEUROTIC CARTOONIST, INC
COVER BY: Mico Suayan
Last issue was a great departure from the mis-steps after JMS’ departure, and that lovely little cross-over event. We got to see Loki’s handiwork continue to create mischief even after his death in last issue, and in this one we get to see how Thor will come to Hela’s aide and somehow rescue the fallen Gods. Story-wise, I really like the way Thor is being handled. Many times after a huge event most of the ramifications are glossed over, and the outer ring consequences (collateral damage) are never addressed. Here, Thor is dealing with the fall out, and continues to do so. The dead of Asgard have to be saved from the ravenous cursed women and Thor must save Hel to keep the balance. A magic sword that can turn back the tide s left in another part of hell, and Thor has to go retrieve it.
Concerning the art, the colors complement the summer season. I was stifling the entire time I read this book (in Florida heat) due to the combinations of brown, oranges and reds that create a tepid, humid environment. My only nit pick I would have with Doug Braithwaite’s artwork would be the extra lines around the mouths of all of Hell’s residents make them seem too muscled, or skinned. I get they need to be ghoulish and monstrous, but I find my eyes drawn to that instead of the focal points in the illustrations. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of Thor’s quest through an unholy land play out.
Star Trek Burden of Knowledge #2
ScottTipton, David Tipton, Federica Manfredi, Joe Corroney
I really like this series. I like how it feels like an original episode. I like how Fredrica Manfredi’s artwork is representative of the original cast. I like the way the ink smells. But, like the true spirit of Star Trek, it points a mirror at society around it, for us to self examine, and in this issue it was our embrace of the internet and shrinking privacy. Our faithful crew happens upon planet Waasertla to see f they are ready to join the Federation of Planets, and find that the planet al share thought transmitters. All their thoughts flow together as the whole planet converses and shares knowledge and creative ideas without any privacy. As the crew investigates the planet, they discover a sect of dissidents, who want to think for themselves and have their own voice, and struggle the prime directive to choose what is right.
I really liked the idea behind the story and its resolve. Sure, it ends on the same hokey beats that all the episodes do, but despite the 22 color pages of sci-fi fun we were given, it still provoked thoughts of sharing too much in a digital society, and makes you wonder if the internet is stifling creativity. Again, the art is very well done, but I could have used thinner lines from the inker, and fewer shadow effects from colorist. I get that they want a more dimensional look, but the shadows on this are really heavy. Apparently, Issue 3 will have feature Scotty and Chekov, so I can’t wait to see where the crew’s 5-year mission will take them next.
Wonder Woman #601
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and cover by DON KRAMER & MICHAEL BABINSKI
I enjoyed this book. It was a #1-styled beginning issue, it got us caught up on back story necessary to move forward while still entertaining, and it was beautifully illustrated. This was up in my top tier for the week. Now I know many fanboys out there are ready to burn JMS at the stake for Spider-man, and are certainly upset over the way Superman has been grounded. But if you think about it, he has been giving readers what they wanted: Some thing new to read. Okay, Supes taking a vacation from the rest of the DCU isn’t exactly new, but a flying super being choosing to walk the earth (insert Forest Gump joke) is something new. Putting Asgard in Oklahoma was something new. And rebooting Spider-man with a guilt-laden deal with the devil was new. Stupid, but new.
Wonder Woman is getting something new too. Not new duds, we did that last month, and that’s DC editorial and Jim Lee (nice pants). What we get here is a new idea that there is no secret island retreat for Diana, and she is now on a revenge and protect mission instead of a messenger of peace mission. JMS gives us something new by giving reader what they probably wanted deep down, a woman who doesn’t have to apologize for the “peace through force” mentality anymore. We get a woman on a mission, and her fantastic powers have been downgraded with a better than average explanation. Does JMS still have something to prove to fanboys? Why don’t you ask him? This comic reader believes that every writer has something to say, and a story to tell, and the good ones know not to rest on their laurels.
Art-wise, I love this. It was beautiful, the demonstration of her abilities like when she lands on the ground, or jumps was great, and he’s certainly selling us on those pants. Aside from great ass shots, and heroic poses, we also get a few panels of Diana’s emotions, and good storytelling. I’m going to keep on this book until the wheels fall off, probably for the same reason I enjoyed Thor so much. I don’t have years of reading invested in this character that may be tread upon due to a new direction, and of many of the great writers out there, I think JMS can deliver on the weighty God-like issues while keeping Diana’s feet on the ground.
The Hit List – Short comic book reviews of the week
Green Lantern #56
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE & CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Variant cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
If feel like this book is winding down, or being mired in a plot that is dependant on so many ideas, that it cannot be streamlined. Sometimes a book needs to slow down and catch its breath for the sake of pacing, and it feels like this storyline is beginning to loose its rapid pace. Larfleeze makes another comical and classic appearance. Why else would the Greed Lantern stay, if not to find Santa Claus? But it is his knowledge on how to trap an avatar that makes him intriguing, and unfortunately, that now belongs to Hector Hammond. I know the book needs to breath for a moment while it comes down from the Blackest Night excitement, but with months in between issues, it’s hard to wait for the next issue and keep my energy up. At least this run will explain more about the other rings, and deepen the mythos behind the Green Lanterns.
Green Lantern Corps #50
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF & VICENTE CIFUENTES
Variant cover by PATRICK GLEASON
Speaking of, I wasn’t all that thrilled with this book. It was exciting, but how many more times do they have to deal with Cyborg Superman? This universe is beginning to feel as small as George Lucas’. Are they all going to be confined to Tatooine soon? I usually applaud the art and coloring, but I think the inker on this issue went a bit thick, and darkened the book more than necessary. I am curious to see what happens to Ganthet, and how this will all play out, so I’m still in, but let’s move this along, and in more interesting directions.
Justice League of America #47
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY, ROB HUNTER & NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
Funny, I was just bagging and filing the previous issues of this cross over event, and I drew a line in the sand. “If this doesn’t get any better by #47, I’m out”. So, I’m out. I have typed how much I can’t get into this new line-up, and how this cross over concerning the Starheart doesn’t even concern me, but this is just underwhelming. I’m not even sure if I will check this out in trade. The last cross over of this magnitude brought back a Flash, but this one is just….silly.
It feels like it wants to be good, it feel like Robinson is trying to build something, but the train never reaches the station. The artwork feels rushed and unfocused. You can look to one side of a panel, and see great detail, while on the other side, whole characters are lop-sided, and awkward. Mark Bagley normally does a splendid job, but this issue illustrates Georg Perez’s ability to draw crowds of characters, and not sacrifice quality. I’ll keep my eye on this, but I won’t keep it on my pull.
Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #4
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by GEORGES JEANTY
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover by CAMERON STEWART
Rounding out the last bit of comics was Grant Morrison’s time-odyssey to reinstate Bruce Wayne as the Batman. This issue features Bruce in the old west, with Jonah Hex hired to kill him. At he end of the day, it’s Randal Savage who is trying to get a leg up, and Batman spoils everything. Jonah Hex, hoever, was hired to dispose of the nuisance that wears black and foils perfectly good villainy, and our favorite damned bounty hunter never misses. A mysterious box with the bat-symbol is passed about, and the mysterious cave people are dropped here and there.
I enjoyed this read, but I missed having the JLA/time-hunting team hot on Bruce’s heels. It sis too bad DC comics made that a spin-off comic, because the element is missed in this book. The action was fantastic, and you can tell Mr. Morrison has soaked in quite a few westerns since the archetypes were present, and playing good parts. It looks like Batman’s next stop in time is the 1900s.
