Comic Reviews for April 16, 2003

Well, Core is getting the Runaways simply because she needs something to read. I might do that later on in the week if I add a second part to this. If not, look for it next week. Meanwhile, I didn't realize that I had a third book to get this week, but I had just noticed it in the store. Oh well. Let's get started with a random pickup.

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Beware the Creeper 1
By Jason Hall and Cliff Chang; published by DC Comics/Vertigo imprint

First part of a five part mini-series set in 1920 Paris about twin sisters, a detective, a rather spoiled brat of a man, a rapist and a haunting vigilante. Just to get this out of the way, Chang's art is great. His simple lines set the mood nicely, bringing out the Parisian nightlife as well as other vocal features.

The story is slow to develop now, but it looks to be a nice little mystery. The twin sisters, Maddy and Judith, are nicely developed characters, each having their own characteristics. Most of the other major players have nice development to them as well, and that's what I like. The only thing I feel forced right now is the whole 'creeper' subplot. It's there to address the opening and closing moments of the book, which is a pair of implied rape scenes from some sort of dark, dangerous fellow. For now though, it doesn't entirely work as a whole.

Still, enough is there to have me come back for more. A thoroughly pleasing start.

Score: A

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Captain Marvel 8
Monsters and Gods Part 2 of 2 - By Peter David, Kyle Hotz and Chris Sotomayor; published by Marvel Comics

Captain Marvel shows Thor the history of the Storm Giants and why they've come to pick a fight. Works, in a sense, though the whole 'being a god' talk has lost me. Genus is still a rather flat character, but it helps to know that he has some sort of goal to work for. Hotz's art is fine this issue. No complaints there. An okay issue overall.

Score: B+

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Dragon Arms 5
Blood and Steel - By David Hutchinson; published by Antarctic Press

Holy shit, it's been five issues already and we still haven't had a lick of characterization? Someone please teach this guy the basics of writing before turning this into some sort of all encompassing quest. Hell, this was billed in the beginning as something like The Lord of the Rings, but the reason that worked was because it had character development. As it stands, this issue really doesn't help much: half is devoted to advancing the meandering 'take over Middle Earth' plot while the other half was a desperate attempt to establish some character traits into a female with a long as metal whip.

See how bad it is when I can't remember most of their names? As usual, the art is the only redeemable feature.

Score: C-

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Green Lantern 162
Black Circle: Urban Knights Part 2 of 6: You're Not the Boss of Me - By Judd Winick and Charlie Adlard; published by DC Comics

Part two of Obligatory Crossover Month, this time with Green Lantern being the book. You see why I don't like collecting mainstream DC books? Anyway, this week, Ollie and Kyle continue to bicker, the main plot advances some and Ollie meets up with some obscure character from Green Lantern that I can't be bothered with. Passable.

Score: B-

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Like I said earlier, Runaways might get reviewed here later on. New X-Men is also out this week, so I might get to that.

Next week is the first real big week of the year. Lo and behold, all the books are on time too. I'll pick and choose which ones I'll end up reviewing when the time comes.