Comic reviews for May 8, 2002
Amazing Spider-Man 40
Sensitive Issues - By J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., and Scott Hanna; Published by Marvel
This is Spider-Man. This is Spider-Man stopping kids from doing drugs. Well, not really. I'm liking was JMS is doing, putting Parker in the real world (as a teacher, though that started at the beginning of his run ten issues before) and helping some kids deal with drug users. Not sure if I'm going to like this new villain, looks kinda like...I don't know. Romita, as always, looks great and with Hanna supporting him, makes it even better. This is the first Spider-Man book that I've ever regularly collected, and I'm enjoying it.
Score: 7/10
Cable 105
The Sound of the Arena - By Darko Macan and Igor Kordey; Published by Marvel
You know, I wouldn't be lying if I were to say that this was the best issue of Cable since the end of Weinberg's run. It really doesn't matter whether or not this is a self contained issue (which it is), but Macan really touches home with this. Basically, Cable meets a boy who is a telekinetic and ends up going to an arena, where mutant kids face off against each other to the death. A simple, human tale. Oh, Kordey still kicks ass too. My pick of the week.
Score: 9/10
Captain America 2
Enemy, Chapter Two: One Nation - By John Ney Rieber and John Cassaday; Publish by Marvel
Well, apparently it's a terrorist story, albeit a really good one. The plot is handily developed some, with a rather large terrorist group taking an entire town hostage. A question comes to mind as how the friggin hell did all those terrorists come from? Still, what's there to hate? At least the Cap isn't a flaming dork anymore. The art is looking rather impressive as well. Two issues in and no complaints. This may end up being like the Ultimates in how I'm liking things.
Score: 8/10
Defiance 2
The Messenger Part 2 - By Kanno Kang, Zack Suh and Douglass D. Barre; Published by Image
If I were to review a book based on art and art alone, this would be the perfect ten. But I don't. This is where the equally good story comes in. Basically, dead guy comes back from Hell to Earth with a top secret mission...but all he wants is scrambled eggs. Add two agents to the mix and BAM!, a rather impressive book. This should be a book that people have to get. It's that damn good.
Score: 9/10
Marvel Magnaverse 2
The Galactus Syndrome - By Kevin Gunstone and Ben Dunn; Published by Marvel
I'm puzzled. Seriously, it's Galactus done as a big virus. The Inhumans are living on Galactus with some variation to the originals, but I really don't know that much about them to care. It's all an issue of 'too many characters, too little development'. And I seriously don't give a rats ass when a snotty kid is the world's only hope. This being a magna comic, I guess I could be a little easier on it, but I can't. Even the art isn't that good. I really don't know though.
Score: 4/10
Robo Dojo 4
By Marv Wolfman, Greg Lane and Vince Russell
Nanobotz 4
Fight the Mite - By Conor Libby, J. Torres, Dario Brizuela, and Vince Russell; Publish by DC/Wildstorm
Now, if there were a better magna this week, then you're looking at it. Basically, the students begin to strike back against their captors. But it's done the way anime/magna should be done. The art is fantastic, and the story just keeps on going. The backup is going nicely as well. It's me again, I know.
Score: 9/10
Spider-Man: Blue 1
My Funny Valentine - By Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale; Published by Marvel
Okay, I think I know where this is going. From the original release, this is Spider-Man, circa year three, with the introduction of Gwen Stacey (so you know what's going to happen at the end of this series). But I digress. Taking this issue by itself...it's okay, nothing spectacular to run home about. It's pretty much Daredevil: Yellow done with Spider-Man, which isn't entirely bad, but not entirely good either.
Score: 6/10
Transformers: Generation One 2
By Chris Sarracini, Pat Lee and Rob Armstrong; Published by Dreamwave Productions
Ah, good old Transformers. Gotta love them. I wonder if Cartoon Network will bring the cartoon back on. Back to the comic, however, as we see Megatron going whacko and Optimus Prime coming back with a few of he buddies. This looks to be a good old slobber knocker in the end. For now though, you got to love it.
Score: 8/10
X-Treme X-Men 13
Strikeback! - By Chris Claremont, Salvador Larroca and Liquid!; Published by Marvel
You know, I really enjoy this time of month when I have to bash the same comic over and over again. I'm serious. The X-Men have finally gotten off their collective asses and begun to move forward with a rather ho-hum plan of 'kill Gambit, save the world', which I really think will happen, given the recent solicitations. I personally have already had enough of this arc, figuring it took four months to get off its ass. The art is iffy again, as always. Only Sage's motivations make this even the slightly bit worthwhile. I need a new job.
Score: 2/10
Next week, more sanity to the list, as only four appear to be coming, all from Marvel. Thank God. And one of them is New X-Men. It's always good when you have New X-Men on the list of comics. Until then, just be safe I guess. Oh, that serial Marvel is running at the end of their comics this month, I'll be reviewing both of them in whole at the end of the month.