NIGHTCRAWLER #4 REVIEW

[T.C. Johnson]

Reviewer: T.C.Johnson tjohnson127@cox.com
Quick Rating: Very Disappointing
Title: The Devil Inside Conclusion: Exorcism

The dashing and daring Nightcrawler watches as others defeat the 14 Demons!

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/758/nightcrawler4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/758/nightcrawler4.jpg" align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Pencils: Darick Robertson
Inks: Wayne Faucher
Colors: Avalon’s Matt Milla
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit
Editor: Mike Marts
Cover Art: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel


Review: How disappointing. When a Nightcrawler series was first announced I nearly bamfed with joy. Now that the first arc is over, I couldn’t be more disappointed. The problems that I have been having with previous issues are not only present in this issue, they are celebrated. Normally some care would be taken in writing these reviews without spoilers, but I am not sure I can explain my disappointment without them. So, if you must, go out and read this comic and then come back. We will cry into our beers together.

I probably would not be so harsh if this was not a Nightcrawler comic. This story, however, seems to be a story that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had to work to fit Nightcrawler in. The plot itself is not that bad, although there is nothing great about it either. The problem is that Nightcrawler is not the hero of the story. He is a bystander that, at times, makes sure the players are in the right place. He is not the one who saves Seth. That is Kitty Pryde. He is not the one who defeats Child’s coven. The rest of the X-men do. Kurt doesn’t defeat the demons either. That honor belongs to his ex-girlfriend/step sister Amanda Stepson and Christine the night nurse. Yes, that is right, even Christine gets in on the action. So what does our favorite blue, fuzzy elf do in this comic? Not much! He gets to tell Storm what happened. Good job there, your mutant story telling powers were put to wonderful use!

Throughout this story arc, I hoped that not everything was as it seemed. Well, everything was exactly as it seemed. There are no surprises save that the source of all this evil was a Barnes and Noble. Is that really a surprise to anybody? You knew from the beginning that Dr. Childs was the bad guy, and that the Dakota building was the center of all the satanic activity. This was supposed to be a horror comic, and genre that relies on shock and mystery for its entertainment value. This story arc had neither.

Aguirre-Sacasa just does not have a good grasp of the character. He spends too much time with Nightcrawler’s thoughts when he is supposed to be talkative character. He cracks one joke, and that is to himself. He has none of the energy or life that makes Nightcrawler the lovable character he is, and it is sorely missed.

The art, while technically good, could use a lot of work. Darick Robertson seems to have a lot of trouble keeping characters consistent. In one panel, Storm looks like she is about 12 years old. In the two panels that Emma Frost appears in she looks like two completely different people. Robertson is a talented artist but he has to keep his characters more consistent. On the bright side, I really do like his Nightcrawler. In this issue he manages to capture the essence of the character. He also must have had a blast drawing those demons, and let his imagination run wild. Unfortunately you only get to see them for a few panels.

I will be picking up the next issue with the fading hope that they will do justice for my favorite character. The first arc, however, was such a let down.

Story:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Art:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Overall:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg

Are you now scared of Barnes and Noble? Why don’t you check out X-World Comics (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=13838) for your literary entertainment?

[Andrea Speed]

I'm going to argue with you vehemently about Darick, because I love him, but you know that. :D

Still, I mentioned the points you brought up in my advance review - Kurt doesn't do much of anything. His ex-girlfriend solved the case, basically, and saved the day. This should almost be her comic, not his, at this point.

[T.C. Johnson]

Each panel is pretty. But look at the 4th panel on the second to last page. How old does Storm look in that panel? Take away the coloring, could you even tell that is storm? And also take a look at the top right panel on the last page. Then take a look at the panel where the X-men are standing in front of the door. Could you even tell that is the same person?

[mousee]

this guy is so predictable
boring stuff...i dunno if im goin 2 get more issues...

[Michael Haller]

*Plays Taps for Nightcrawler*


Seems like it's only a matter of time.

[T.C. Johnson]

I am not sure, how are sales?

By the way, I am the biggest nightcrawler fan, if I haven't said so already. I really want there to be a Nightcrawler series...as long as they do the blue guy right!

[Andrea Speed]

To be quite honest, I'm not sure how the sales are on this series. The fact that it hasn't been downgraded to limited series or miniseries (like Jubilee was) suggests it's not that bad ...

[T.C. Johnson]

Actually....#7 is not in the March solicits.

[Kire]

I actually enjoyed the first storyline. I don't think that Nightcrawler is a good character to have starring in his own series, and the writer made the best story he could starring Nightcrawler. I thought it was good that Kurt did all the investigating, then enlisted those he needed to get the job done.

[WhereIsTony]

"nearly bamfed with Joy"

Must...not...make...horrible...joke....all...ages, ,,forum....argh....

(passes out)

[Michael Haller]

Originally posted by WhereisTony
"nearly bamfed with Joy"

Must...not...make...horrible...joke....all...ages, ,,forum....argh....

(passes out)


This man needs medical attention everybody please stand back, I'm a trained professional. There's nothing to see here please disperse there's nothing to see here.

[Andrea Speed]

:LOL:

Oh, it's not in the solicits, is it? I'll check and see if it's been renamed a "limited" series ...

[T.C. Johnson]

Originally posted by Kire
I actually enjoyed the first storyline. I don't think that Nightcrawler is a good character to have starring in his own series, and the writer made the best story he could starring Nightcrawler. I thought it was good that Kurt did all the investigating, then enlisted those he needed to get the job done.

I am the exact opposite. I do think Nightcrawler can make a good character to have in his own series.

[soopanova666]

Seeing as this post is getting more hits - I'll repost my comments I made to Andrea's review. Darick has been cryptic about what is going on in March but he has said "not to worry". Anyway - on to my post. . .

Cool

I dig Nightcrawler also !

Heya Andrea - I've seen you in The Forsaken forums and I too share your grief with its cancelation. Anyway, on to Nightcrawler.

I fully understand that Nightcrawler doesn't seem very active in this arc - but I don't think this was unintentional. Nightcrawler seems intimidated by this case and doesn't seem at all comfortable with going out alone - hence the scene where he awkwardly tells Storm that he isn't procrastinating. In the last few pages Storm tries to convince Nightcrawler of his importance to the case, knowing that he is going through a hard transition of working with a team to doing solo missions which, although may be suited for him, also have the potential of revealing things about himself he would rather keep suppressed. Hence on the last panel he just wants to "stay in the light" for a while longer. If the author just "mistakenly" overlooked the main character then I would agree - this series sucks. However, this series starts off with the main character being intimidated, detracted and rather solemn. A completely different side of Nightcrawler which definitely has the potential of pissing off some fans.

Moreover, I think that a slow transition of Nightcrawler "finding himself" and becoming more secure with his identity and not hiding it with panels upon panels of levity and humor will make for a more interesting series. I want to see a gradual build - I want to see him stumble and make mistakes - I want to see different aspects of his personality SLOWLY come out as he becomes more comfortable with them. For me, it makes for a more interesting character development than him just swashbuckling of the gates, kicking ***, hitting on the ladies and telling bad jokes. We've seen that Nightcrawler already. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasar simply chose to go in a different direction and over time we'll see how this pans out.

That all being said - maybe it is just a crap comic and I'm just mesmerized by Darick's master artwork. Either way, I won't be canceling my subscription any time soon.

And Andrea - I dig your reviews a lot and always find them insightful. You don't chuck your personality and biases out the door when you offer up your two cents. Great job!

[T.C. Johnson]

Just in case anybody is wondering, I found Darick Robertson's boards. People asked him about the fact there is no Nightcrawler in March. This is what he had to say about it:

"There's a reason, everybody relax. News will be forthcoming, from Marvel."

"All I can say is don't worry, we're not canceled."

"There's going to be some shake up and confusion, but I got really good news this past month and it all looks good for Nightcrawler fans."

"It has nothing to do with Wolverine."

http://www.darickr.com/speak/index.php

[Bigby Wolf]

For the most part this first arc was OK. yes it was pretty predictable but Darrick Robertson draws a great looking Nightcrawler. Also I could really see Nightcrawler being a Paranormal investigator sort of like Hellboy. All we need is a good mystery.