Comic Reviews for June 19, 2002
Somewhat short week this week, although a lot of good books this week. Let's begin.
All New Tenchi Muyo! Part 1 No. 2
Chapter 2: Idle Hands, Chapter 3: The Big Date - By Hitishi Okuda and Fred Burke; Published by Viz Comics
It's always good to laugh. Fourty-eight pages of it makes me smile. In 'Idle Hands', Ryoko, the space pirate, goes out to find work after being called 'a do-nothing freeloader' by Ayeka. Mayhem insues. Everything is written smartly - and humorously. In 'The Big Date', Ayeka goes on a date with Tenchi. Mayhem insues. Again, all smartly written. It all works in a sense that gives the characters in it a sembelance of personality (at least the women each chapter focuses on). Tenchi, of course, is given the 'shy, hard working' role; the affection of all the women at the farm. The art is splendid to behold, though I still have some issues in figuring out all the characters. Given that this issue plays on just two characters, it helps out. Definitely a keeper.
Score: 8/10
The Hood 2 (of 6)
Blood From Stones Chapter 2 - By Brian K. Vaughan, Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell; Published by Marvel
Two issues in, and surprisingly good. Parker discovers some new powers that come with the cape - namely invisibility. As a character, Parker works, giving a human quality to an everyday Marvel villain. Elsewhere, a mob-type boss is in search of this nice plot device called Blood Stones to help tie everything together. This guy is ruthless, and should be good to see where this goes. Also, there's an FBI subplot going right now. It's too early to tell where that'll go though. The art is good to look at. There's nothing really wrong with it at all. Overall, I'm enjoying the book a heck of a lot.
Score: 8/10
Midnight, Mass. 3
The Edge of Civilization Part 2 - By John Rozum, Jesús Saiz and Jimmy Palmiotti; Published by DC/Vertigo
Another good book, as whatever I said last month means squat. Apparently, the whole focus of the flashback was to get a new assistant. That aside, my interest in this has returned. The story remains just as good as last month. The bickering that occurs between the Kadmon's is fun to read. Art remains solid as always. My complaint now stands as the length it took to get the basic point across. People probably stopped collecting this after the first issue, but I'm not really sure. For now, it's back on the good side of the pull list.
Score: 7/10
New X-Men 128 (POTW)
New Worlds - By Grant Morrison and Igor Kordey; Published by Marvel
A lot of things this issue, all good. Morrison takes the X-Corps from Casey, expands the name to the X-Corporation, and sets it up as a public relations spot for mutants. This is a really great idea out of something that went so awry in Uncanny X-Men. The setup of the Weapon XII looks incredibly promising, and I'm really excited to see where this goes to. I really like the concept of the return of the Phoenix. Morrison plays the scene perfectly, as I am quite intrigued with the actual Phoenix, something, if memory serves right, never existed within Jean Grey, but just as a manesfistation of her body. Nothing, though, beats Scott's problems. Just the last two pages in the issue set a tone which may have major implications for the future of this title. Art wise, Kordey kicks ass this issue. Albiet some of the scenes are rush, in all, the majority of the issue is good, and that last splash page - contrary to what my sister may say - is down right scary and awesome. Overall, top notch. The pick of the week.
Score: 10/10
Peter Parker, Spider-Man 45
A Death in the Family Part Two - By Paul Jenkins, Humberto Ramos and Wayne Faucher; Published by Marvel
Osborn is back, and he is badder than ever. I think I read this somewhere...that's right. Ultimate Spider-Man. Actually, it's different from that. Osborn here is affectly Parker indirectly, giving little spots here and there, like telling the world (or maybe the citizens of New York) that it was Spider-Man instead of the Goblin killing Gwen Stacey. Or that little unfortunate accident with Flash Thompson at the end of the issue. Either way, this conflict looks to be spilling over in the next issue. Art remains the same as last month. No need to cover that again, other than Ramos is good with the slightly exaggerated style. Good issue.
Score: 7/10
Resident Evil, Code: Veronica
Book One - By Lee Chung Hung, Hui King Sum, Ted Adams and Kris Oprisko; Published by DC/Wildstorm
Ah, kung fu action flick. That's what this book looks like. Made by two Hong Kong folks and translated by two American blokes, the story follows the trail of Claire Redfield on the search of her brother through an island infested by zombies. First off, the art is wonderful. Hui King Sum does an excellent job with the non-stop action sequences. It flows endlessly throughout the entire book, and is incredibly easy on the eyes. The occational painted panels are beautiful as well. The plot is rather simple. Hell, it's incredibly simple. Figuring that this is based off of the hit game, it follows it's basic format. Namely, run around, shoot zombies, find clues, etc. The dialogue is incredibly cheesy as well. Sure, you can get into the action with it, but there were some lines that made me want to chew my tongue off. Damn English translation. Oh well. I'll pick up the next book though, see how this story continues. (Note: Book not included with this weeks reviews)
Score: 7/10
Ultimate X-Men 19
World Tour Part 4 - By Mark Millar and Chris Bachalo; Published by Marvel
Well, if there was one book this week that wasn't real good, it was this. The story wasn't that bad, just the final battle between the X-Men and Proteus. It was your classic melee in which the bad guy dies and the good guys make it away with one or two injuries. The art is what made me cringe. Some of Bachalo's art this month is really bad and uninspired. The whole Proteus look this issue isn't good, and the fight scene at moments is somewhat hard to get through. Mix in some rather dark and unnessary colors and altogether we get a rather mixed boat here. The ending could prove real interesting however. Like I said though, mixed bag this time round.
Score: 6/10
Well, that was probably one of the best weeks on average in recent memory. Next week is also somewhat light, six books on this. Green Arrow finally shows. Last time I reviewed it was when I started this review thing. Lone Wolf 2100 also ships, as well as some Marvel books that I can't seem to remember right now. Oh, wait. Kevin Smith's Spider-Man/Black Cat mini starts. Now that should be good. Until then, peace.