Adam Chapman
January 7th 2005, 04:37 AM
Reviewer: Adam Chapman adam.chapman@sympatico.ca
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Spider-Man India Part 2 of 4
Pavitr struggles with his destiny, as Nalin Oberoi comes to realize his.
<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/13/spideyindia2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/13/spideyindia2.jpg"align="left" border="0"> </a>Plot: Jeevan J. Kang, Suresh Seetharaman & Sharad Devarajan
Script & Art: Jeevan J. Kang & Gotham Studios Asia
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Dave Sharpe
Editor: John Barber
Consulting Editors: Nick Lowe & Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics and Gotham Studios
Review: Before I write this review, I should admit to being one of many people who, when they first heard about this mini-series, thought it sounded like just a cheap marketing ploy. However, as it was later revealed that the title was being published in conjunction with a smaller studio in India, and would be written and illustrated by their own talent, I warmed to the concept, and shook off the resentment I'd immediately felt because of over-exposure to blatant commercialization. And I'm glad I did.
The second issue of Spider-Man India isn't quite as fun or enjoyable as the first issue, but it's still a fairly solid outing from Gotham Studios. At first glance, it seems like a standard Spider-Man story, dealing with bullies, girls, and responsibility. But what makes this story different and unique is the infusion of mysticism, and its done in an effortless manner, supplanting the science of Spider-Man's traditional origin with mysticism. Pavitr's coming to grips with his destiny is much more literal here, as he really does have a specific destiny which he is being pushed and molded towards, and the hints we get about his destiny are very interesting. Pavitr's loneliness is palpable in this issue, as his entire home village is wiped out, leaving him and his Aunt all alone, and without a support system.
The issue takes a page from early issues of Ultimate Spider-Man when it comes to Pavitr injuring the star athlete and having to sub in, but here the sport is modified for the setting, a nice little cosmetic touch which has some good pieces of comedy as well. In this version of Spider-Man, his powers aren't as easy to control as they seem to be in the 616 universe, and it provides some good comedy relief. The rest of the issue is about Nalin Oberoi (Norman Osborn), and goes heavy on the mysticism and destiny angle, and to great effect. The foreshadowing for the rest of the series is pretty good, and the cliffhanger sets up the next issue's fight sequence, which will be Pavitr's first with a real villain.
The art in this series is pretty solid and enjoyable, the Spider-Man action sequences are fluid and nice to look at, and Nalin Oberoi's scenes are beautiful to look at, as the story of his power is told. The villain on the last page looks a trifle silly, and his presence and power isn't well explained, but it promises an interesting fight scene to come, as both Pavitr and Nalin Oberoi struggle with their inner selves, and their destinies, which will inexorably become intertwined.
Review:
Story: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Art: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Overall: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World and Save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1552&cat=SPIDER%2DMAN%3A+INDIA+)
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Spider-Man India Part 2 of 4
Pavitr struggles with his destiny, as Nalin Oberoi comes to realize his.
<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/13/spideyindia2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/13/spideyindia2.jpg"align="left" border="0"> </a>Plot: Jeevan J. Kang, Suresh Seetharaman & Sharad Devarajan
Script & Art: Jeevan J. Kang & Gotham Studios Asia
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Dave Sharpe
Editor: John Barber
Consulting Editors: Nick Lowe & Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics and Gotham Studios
Review: Before I write this review, I should admit to being one of many people who, when they first heard about this mini-series, thought it sounded like just a cheap marketing ploy. However, as it was later revealed that the title was being published in conjunction with a smaller studio in India, and would be written and illustrated by their own talent, I warmed to the concept, and shook off the resentment I'd immediately felt because of over-exposure to blatant commercialization. And I'm glad I did.
The second issue of Spider-Man India isn't quite as fun or enjoyable as the first issue, but it's still a fairly solid outing from Gotham Studios. At first glance, it seems like a standard Spider-Man story, dealing with bullies, girls, and responsibility. But what makes this story different and unique is the infusion of mysticism, and its done in an effortless manner, supplanting the science of Spider-Man's traditional origin with mysticism. Pavitr's coming to grips with his destiny is much more literal here, as he really does have a specific destiny which he is being pushed and molded towards, and the hints we get about his destiny are very interesting. Pavitr's loneliness is palpable in this issue, as his entire home village is wiped out, leaving him and his Aunt all alone, and without a support system.
The issue takes a page from early issues of Ultimate Spider-Man when it comes to Pavitr injuring the star athlete and having to sub in, but here the sport is modified for the setting, a nice little cosmetic touch which has some good pieces of comedy as well. In this version of Spider-Man, his powers aren't as easy to control as they seem to be in the 616 universe, and it provides some good comedy relief. The rest of the issue is about Nalin Oberoi (Norman Osborn), and goes heavy on the mysticism and destiny angle, and to great effect. The foreshadowing for the rest of the series is pretty good, and the cliffhanger sets up the next issue's fight sequence, which will be Pavitr's first with a real villain.
The art in this series is pretty solid and enjoyable, the Spider-Man action sequences are fluid and nice to look at, and Nalin Oberoi's scenes are beautiful to look at, as the story of his power is told. The villain on the last page looks a trifle silly, and his presence and power isn't well explained, but it promises an interesting fight scene to come, as both Pavitr and Nalin Oberoi struggle with their inner selves, and their destinies, which will inexorably become intertwined.
Review:
Story: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Art: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Overall: http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World and Save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1552&cat=SPIDER%2DMAN%3A+INDIA+)