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CONAN #27
"The Blood-Stained Crown"
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Art: Timothy Truman
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
$2.99 U.S.
"Yeah, the world would swing if I
were king"
This is a rather predictable reading
experience as it becomes fairly obvious that the young prince isn’t buying the
revised version of Conan’s adventure that he’s been handed, and as such his
efforts to discover the truth are hardly surprising. The issue also lacks the dramatic
suspense that it needed to sell this hunt for the truth, as the prince’s efforts to
discover the true story don’t really run up against any real resistance, and when he
confronts Wazir with the unaltered version of Conan’s adventure has the villain
quickly backing away from his efforts to push this young man into an unjust war. Now there
are some enjoyable moments as we see a possible ancestor of Conan’s displays that the
ability to take on an entire army of attackers has been pass down the bloodline. The issue
also manages to nicely sell the moment of surprise as we see the prince resists the
urgings of his advisors to execute the man who is brought before him, and the alternate
plan that he comes up with nicely displays his leadership skills. I also rather enjoyed
the fact that even when we see the revised version of Conan’s adventure, Conan
doesn’t suddenly become all sweetness and light, as the manner that he deals with the
underling who tried to trick him into a conflict is nicely abrupt. The ever cheerful
manner that the young prince interacts with Wazir after knowing he tried to trick him was
also a lot of fun. Still, the Rashomon style plot didn’t really offer up any
surprising moments, and the final version of the story is downright strange as I really
didn’t understand why we’re supposed to be surprised that Conan’s new
partnership was so short-lived, as Conan is a well established loner. As for the art
I’m a big fan of Tim Truman’s work, and the only quibble that I’d make
about his art is that I so rarely cross paths with it. Still, he’s a masterful
storyteller, and more importantly when the art is called upon to deliver the big attack,
how can one not be impressed by the sheer power behind Conan’s attacks. I do have to
say I’m not quite sold on this issue’s cover though as Conan looks like
he’s about to cry.
3.5 out of 5 Stars
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EX MACHINA
SPECIAL #1
"Life and Death - Part 1 of 2"
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Chris Sprouse
Inks: Karl Story
Colors: JD Mettler
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Publisher: Wildtorm Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.25 CAN
"If we could talk to the
animals"
Brian K. Vaughan takes Ex Machina out of the
political arena, and offers up a story that should feel quite familiar to most comic book
readers as this opening issue takes place back when Mitch Hundred was running around as
the Great Machine and finding the life of a super-hero is full of unwelcome surprises. Now
this issue offers up the creation of a big baddie for the Great Machine to square off
against, and Brian K. Vaughen certainly doesn’t wander too far off the beaten path
when it comes the abilities that this villain brings to the table, as in response to the
Great Machine’s ability to control machines, his opponent gains the ability to
control animals. Now since most of the action plays out within the confines of New York
City the animals that are employed as weapons don’t exactly evoke a sense of real
danger, but I suspect the next chapter will play out in an environment that’ll
increase the sense of danger (e.g. the City Zoo, the sewer system). The book also benefits
from the opening conversation set in the present day, as we find Mayor Hundred being
questioned about the death penalty, and the big question that sparks the flashback to this
Great Machine adventure casts an ominous pall over the story. Brian K. Vaughan also
continues to do a lovely job of selling the reality of the Great Machine’s
adventures, as the problems he encounters can’t help but make you smile, from the
ungrateful reactions of the people he saves certain death, to fun conversation where we
see the Great Machine almost bought the farm thanks to a lucky shot from a paintball gun.
The issue also does an effective job of selling the idea that the Great Machine and
Pherson, his newly created enemy can’t help but be at odds with each other. As for
the art I haven’t seen Chris Sprouse’s work since I stopped picking up Tom
Strong, but he looks to be a very solid fit for this book, as this two-part project looks
to be a bit more action intensive than the monthly title, and Chris Sprouse is right at
home when it comes to comic book action. The art also does a very effective job of selling
the sense of danger when Pherson discovers his powers.
3.5 out of 5 Stars
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