Comic Reviews for June 26, 2002
Ah, another week, another batch of comics. I'm starting to over indulge in this, as my wallet is getting a bit worn thin. More on that at the bottom.
One more thing, I read the comics today listening to Nonpoint's new album. Nice cover art by the way. Maybe that'll become a tattoo piece someday. Okay, on with the reviews.
Amazing Spider-Man 42
A Strange Turn of Events - By J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., and Scott Hana; Published by Marvel
In the concluding chapter to the current story, Spider-Man goes to Dr. Strange for help against Shade. They talk, Spidey sits, goes astral plane on Shade. The end. More indepth, you ask? Very well. Straczynski has got a major strangle hold on Spidey. His dialogue and narrative is top notch with every passing issue. The banter isn't excessive, either. It all flows smoothly and evenly. Romita's art continues to impress. He is the Spider-Man artist. One last thing before I tie this up, and it's with the running subplot with Parker and Mary Jane. Apparently, times passes differently in the astral plane, and all the mumbo jumbo. I'll buy all of that, especially with the ending of this issue. It's all very good, and remains an excellent title throughout.
Score: 8/10
Captain America 3
Enemy, Chapter Three: Soft Target - By John Ney Rieber and John Cassaday; Published by Marvel
People have said that Captain America's speeches are the worst thing about him. Given the right moment, he goes into a banter about morals and outright cheesiness. I'm not sure how to explain the last three pages of solioquy from the Cap, but you can make your opinions. Me, I found it to be a rather decent speech, where he goes and blames himself for killing Al-Tariq. Splendid issue with some powerful scenes (the hand in the rubble, nice touch). Rieber is keeping it low on the dialogue, which isn't too bad, though it leaves us with a lunatic, with a bunch of lower class lunatics running around talking lunatic stuff. That was a minor rant by the way. The action was very intense this issue, very nicely played out. The art is the strongest point of this book, however. Cassaday does some real gritty and realistic stuff here. Nice solid product overall.
Score: 7/10
Deadpool 68
Healing Factor Chapter Three: Headbanger's Ball - By Gail Simone and UDON; Published by Marvel
I've never read Joe Kelly's (is that the guy?) version of Deadpool, which started this current series. I've read in other reviews about this being compared to his run, and how it brings back whatever it was back then. Whatever the case, it sure is damn good. Deadpool goes for a talk with the Taskmaster about the Black Swan. UDON seems to like this guy a lot. Back on task here (bad pun), as Deadpool goes for one more job before going after the big guy himself. Simone is really kicking ass with Deadpool. What else can I say? She goes and makes Deadpool lose his head, then let him run loose. It's simply brilliant. The scene where Deadpool wants the guys to kill him was spectacular, especially with what he does to the head guy. I let out a big laugh at that one. And what's this about 'nut porn'? Beats me. UDON continues to rock on this. The only quibble with their run is that Wilson doesn't look ugly enough. It looks like someone puked on him and forgot to wipe the spots off. Not that that's ugly, but you catch my drift. Next month is the last issue of Deadpool, and I can't wait for that.
Score: 9/10
Green Arrow 14
The Sound of Violence Part Two: Pitch - By Kevin Smith, Phil Hester and Ande Parks; Published by DC
Second to last issue of Kevin Smith's run on this comic, as Oliver rushes his son Connor to the hospital after getting shot by Onomotopeia (can't spell by the way). The bad guy isn't done yet as he goes to the hospital to make sure the jobs finished. I'm really impressed by this guy, with his sound effect talk. It adds a creepy effect to the character. Next issue should be satisfying. I'm really starting to lose a bit of interest with the art. The faces, especially the girls, are somewhat disfigured from time to time. The bold lines sometimes doesnt go well with the colors, especially with the hair. It'll take the next writer to make something good to keep me with the title, as it seems Hester and Parks will be staying on this title for a long while.
Score: 7/10
Hulk: The End *New*
The Last Titan - By Peter David and Dale Keown; Published by Marvel
Random selection of the week. Why it's random? Well, that six dollar price tag could be a good indication. On with the story though. In the first of several one shots marking what would be the last days of several Marvel super heroes, Bruce Banner and the Hulk are the last people...and thing on Earth, next to cockroaches of course. That's right, nuclear war and radiation. Banner walks the world contemplating things about human evolution, and in the end, decides to join his comrades. The Hulk doesn't like the idea very much, and he remains on Earth alone. Simple as that. Of course, forty-eight pages is needed to tell a story, in bookshelf format. Note that six dollars. That's my only gripe with it though, cause this book is wonderful. Banner basically contemplates life itself, and at one point goes on about Prometheus and him being the last titan. Okay, so I'm having difficulty writing about this. It's good though. David's a great writer, and I'm sure with him on this it will be bound to sell a lot of copies. Hell, it was random for me. The art is very nice as well. No complaints for that. Marvel knew what to do with this and does it right.
Score: 9/10
Lone Wolf 2100 2
Shadows on Saplings 2 of 4 - By Mike Kennedy and Francisco Ruiz Velasco; Published by Dark Horse
Itto and Daisy run into a new threat while on the run from the soldiers and now tracker that are after them. Pure and solid action. I finally figured out that Itto doesn't use his sword but rather his hands to slice people up. Interesting to say the least. Looks wonderful too. I like this art over, say Deadpool's magna-ish style, cause it looks more real and indepth. It's the colors that do it. Incredibly gritty, to say the least. Looking to be the best mini of the year if things continue like this.
Score: 7/10
Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do 1 *New*
What's New Pussycat? - By Kevin Smith, Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson; Published by Marvel
This could also be one of the best mini's this year, depends on how it goes. Essentially a team up book, reuniting Spider-Man with the Black Cat. It seems that Hardy looks to be the main draw, with Spider-Man along for the sales. The main draw comes from Kevin Smith, who does a marvelous Spidey. The book itself seems really mature in it's writing, even though it's MarvelPG rated. The plot is rather simple: Spider-Man is on the trail of a herion dealer who sold to a honor roll student who O'Ded on it. Black Cat is on the lookout for someone who is already dead (page one does it for ya). It really is something for Smith to kick back on, and it works. It's fun. I like it. You should like it too. The art's great, though the Dodson's seem to like the T&A aspects of Ms. Hardy a lot. Besides that, I'll be glad to see where this goes off to.
Score: 8/10
X-Force 129 *POTW*
X-Storm! - By Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo; Published by Marvel
And my favorite series comes to an end. Will it remain that way next month under X-Statix? Time will tell. For now, I have this in front of me, and all I can say is Milligan is a great writer. He takes a team and nearly rips them apart at the seams. He got Phat and Vivisector together only to have them come apart at the end, and Anarchist and Dead Girl come together only to have them come apart. Guy doesn't (or looks past, hard to tell) even notice the bad blood brewing between his teammates. Milligan is having fun. That's all I can say. Fegredo was a nice choice for this. I've never seen his work anywhere else I think, but his work is good. I got no complaints there. If you want a good laugh, read the letter's page. I enjoyed them a lot. Here's to you, X-Force, the pick of the week.
Score: 9/10
I'm not going to bother with X-Men: Evolution this week. To put it nicely, the book stunk. The art wasn't good, and the story was all over the place. I'll care when I see something good from it.
In regards to my earlier comment at top, my budget is starting to wear thin. I've decided to stop collecting Hawkman (as evident of recent reviews), and Blade may soon follow, depending on next issue. I'm at odds right now of wanting to pick up the new Transformers series that starts next month. Probably not, since they're redesigning and making new autobots and decepticons. There's this new series from Image/Top Cow, Battle of the Planets, that I'll be looking at. If the readers (all three of you) haven't heard, it's based on a 1970's cartoon series. Nostalgia baby. I'll be taking a look at Automatic Kafka next month as well. Joe Casey and Ashley Wood are doing that. The Call of Duty has another mini starting next month. The Precinct I think.
Onward to next week, with nothing new. Ultimates 5 finally ships. There's a Alias HC that the Evil Half is getting (if she can afford it) and also an Incredible Hulk TPB coming as well. I think it's the first 5 or 6 issues of Bruce Jones run, which has gotten nothing but great reviews. Romita Jr. is on those books as well. Until then, peace.