Comic reviews for July 10, 2002
Ah, back again for another batch of reviews. How nice. Let's get this ride started, and I promise to you that this will be something of an extented column this week, unlike last weeks quicky.
Battle of the Planets 1 *New*
Trial By Fire Part 1 of 3 - By Munier Sharrieff, Wilson Tortosa, Shane Law, Robin Spehar, Dennis Heisler and Alex Ross; Published by Image/Top Cow
G-Force is back, and better than ever? That's the question I ask at this moment. The plot is rather simple at this time: evil bad guy comes and attacks big city while G-Force and government in squabble. It seems that the heroes have been out of it for a time, as noted by their lack of appreciation from the general dude. Art's very nice to behold, definitely looks like some guys from UDON having fun. Problem at the moment is this: I'm a first time reader/watcher of Battle of the Planets. Hell, I never remember watching this thing. There are some decent characterization moments in it, but it doesn't work when half of the main characters don't get properly introduced. Minor quibbles including what happened during that simulation scene. It's a solid product overall, but it doesn't done terribly well for new readers, and I'm going to go with that stance for the moment.
Score: 6/10
Cable 107
Out With the Old - By Darko Macan and Igor Kordey; Published by Marvel
Two cents bet that Soldier X 1's title will be 'In With the New'. I got a nagging feeling with this one. Mr. Singapore brings Nathan to, well...Singapore, and talked to him about bringing in some type of new idea to the world, with Nathan as his 'virus'. Cable gets mad, and doesn't actually kill the guy, just does enough to him to go and try and kill himself. Oddity, yes. Check the oddity for the first seven or eight pages of this issue. It is kind of a strange way to end a series, especially when it's done by a guy who only wrote three issues of it. It's done as a setup for the new series, all perfectly acceptable. It's a good issue, trust me. I got a nagging feeling about something. Something I can't put my finger on. Kordey's on as usual, by the way.
Score: 7/10
Call of Duty: The Precinct 1 *New*
Another Day in Paradise - By Bruce Jones and Tom Mandrake; Published by Marvel
Now this is good. Jones brings a tale about a cop going through it's many troubles. The gritty realism, the pain, it's all there. The main character is interesting to look at. Gunz, as he is called, goes through the trouble of having a brother as a ex-cop turned priest and a father who is mentally ill. Characterization for this cast is nice. Unlike the first issue of Brotherhood, the Precinct has multiple people fleshed out already. Definitely much better. That main plot point with the girl is here as well, but not as much so as it was in the other book. She shows up in a dream and then with the priest. Hopefully that'll get explained. Art is serviceable. I have no prior knowledge of Mandrake's art, but it works in setting a grim mood. I got to laugh at the priest's hair cut though. Not much though.
Score: 8/10
Deadpool 69
Healing Factor Chapter Three: Finale - By Gail Simone and UDON; Published by Marvel
And all good things come to an end. Well, at least thus far for Gail Simone and the crew at UDON. For now, we have Deadpool in a final showdown with the Black Swan, with some rather nice twists. Of course, the one question remains: is Wilson dead? I'll decided in two weeks. Really good issue though. Sure, it's got that more serious tone in it with the final battle, but who cares? There are decent one-liners to keep the humor going (that crank calling page was a sweet joke), and the overall writing is top notch overall. The bloopers page was nice as well. UDON remains in top form with the art, but you know the usual quibbles, which is Wilson doesn't look ugly enough. Splendid though.
Score: 8/10
Robo Dojo 6
By Marv Wolfman, Greg Lane and Vince Russell; Published by DC/Wildstorm
Not a terribly strong ending here. Characterization works pretty good here, but the story could have used a few extra pages. The final battle overall was rushed, and at times it seemed that the action happening on screen was really confusing. The good guys win the battle in the end though, as shown at the end with the rebuilding of the school. Art is a bit rushed here as well. Backup strip continues to provide mild amusement. I'll decline it if it becomes a regular series or another backup though.
Score: 6/10
Sabretooth: Mary Shelly Overdrive 2
By Dan Jolley and Greg Scott; Published by Marvel
More of the same this month. Sabretooth gets up and kicks ass left and right. There's more of a defining plot this month involving that chick he's banging. Still, not the best thing happening in the world. Art remains uneven a bit. This will end up being completed though, since I am a completist type person. Well, not really.
Score: 6/10
Ultimates 5 *POTW*
Hulk Does Manhattan - By Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie; Published by Marvel
Just read the title, the friggin title! An excellent issue throughout. Story continues from last, as Banner turns himself into the Hulk and wrecks extreme havok on New York. The Ultimates do their best to slow down the monster, who is apparently after Betty Ross and Freddie Prinze, Jr. (who decided to remain off screen during his cameo in this issue). I really like Captain America in this book. He's a true badass, and he is more likeable than his MU counterpart. Thor was a pleasent surprise. Not much to complain about here. I don't understand why people bitch about no fighting. Hope this pleases them. Art's great as always. Bit of a problem with the coloring though. It's a little too dark, but figuring that this chapter takes place at night, it's hard to complain about that either. Topnotch. Pick of the week here.
Score: 10/10
X-Treme X-Men 15
Final Gambit - By Chris Claremont, Salvador Larroca and Liquid!; Published by Marvel
Thank God this arc is almost over. Personally, I had enough of it by the third part. And if Claremont thinks that changing the numbers of the chapters would make it any better, the he's wrong. First off, this is the third straight issue I think where it has started off with a splash page, followed with a double splash. And low and behold - a recap page! More like an ad page to the conclusion. But I digress. More of the same this issue, as the plot finally makes a leap forward (it had to someday). Heather continues to prance around like a royal pain in the ass, Sage discovers through her advance person that the Shaitan Storm is a fraud and saves the real one, and Vargas slices Davis in the back. Storm, in a quaint reversal from last issue, saves herself after getting slashed. Along with that, Claremont still goes about in letting the narration describe the action. The art is good enough to allow for him to cut back on that damn narration. But it's Claremont. It's your decision. Mine, I'll pass anyday.
Score: 3/10
Hmm, maybe I should just create a quote and whenever X-Treme pisses me off I'll just post it and give it a '3'. Oh well. Next week is a slight doozy. Three new books next week I think. Transformers G1 continues. Hey, you don't see Armada here. I forget what else is showing up. Like I said, a slight doozy. Bring it on. Until then, peace.