Done-In-One Reviews for March 7th, 2007
Done-In-One Reviews are capsule sized reviews of some of the titles we missed covering from this week’s comic book shipment. This thread contains those reviews below.
Done-In One Reviews
The Authority #2 (Wildstorm/DC)
by Grant Morrison, Gene Ha, Art Lyon, and Incredible Delay
It took long enough for this one to come out, didn’t it? All signs on the slow production schedule for this title are pointing towards Grant Morrison this time, as Ha has been given other jobs in the interim period between issues. So, the question becomes, is the comic worth the wait? Well, if you’re interested in some of the best comic book art being produced today, then the answer is yes, but if you’re looking for any kind of story, then… not so much. This issue finally introduces the team, who seem to be trapped on what I am told is “Earth Prime” – or our earth. They read some Authority trades, and wonder how they are going to get “home” – if that’s even possible. And that’s it. While normally, I would be okay with the pace of this comic – as the art and the smaller moments of storytelling are compelling – I simply can’t recommend this book, for the simple fact that it has already been put on hiatus until Morrison’s schedule clears up, a mere two (late) issues into the run. You’d be better off spending your chuck of change on the comic covered just below this one. Rating: 2/5 -B. Schatz
Dynamo 5 #1 (Image)
By Jay Faerber & Mahmud A. Asrar
The sort-of spinoff to Jay Faerber's brilliant Noble Causes kicks off here. When one of Earth's most valiant protectors dies a very ignoble death, his widow uncovers a horrible secret -- rampant infidelity, resulting in no less than five illegitimate children. Upset as she is, Maggie Warner seeks out her husband's children, bringing them together to replace their father as the heroes of Tower City. Although the book is just good as its parent title, it's quite different. First of all, the connection is pretty tenuous -- you could read this book without ever having read Noble Causes and not miss a thing. Second, although there are definitely soap opera elements here, they aren't as prevalent. The book's first issue is more action-oriented than the other usually is, and it seems to focus more on the superheroics and subterfuge than who's in whose bed. (Ironic, considering the set-up.) It's still a lot of fun, though, and Jay Faerber has definitely got my attention. Rating: 4/5 -Blake Petit
Essex County Vol. 1: Tales from the Farm (Top Shelf Comics)
by Jeff Lemire
Sad as it is, I was originally attracted to this book for one reason, and one thing only: the entire thing takes place in Canada, and I love reading about things that I know. And while yes, the references to Hockey Night in Canada, the Esso station, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are pretty awesome, they really played a miniscule part in my enjoyment of this comic. Newcomer Jeff Lemire tells a story about Lester – an orphaned child being raised on a farm by his late mother’s brother. Life being what it is, things aren’t going smoothly in the life of this ten year old boy, so he creates a fantasy world to escape into – complete with tights, flights and alien invaders. Getting mixed into this fantasy world, is a would-be professional hockey player named Jimmy LeBeuf, who used to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, until an injury cut his career short. Jimmy is a little slow (or is he?) because of the injury, and spends a lot of time trying to escape from his own reality by helping Lester with his. The story is a sweet one, rendered in thick, inky images that will stick with you long after the read is over – an early pick for “best read of the year”. Check this out. Rating: 5/5 -B. Schatz
Helmet of Fate: Zauriel #1 (DC)
By Steve Gerber, Peter Snejbjerg & Michael Wm. Kaluta
The final one-shot leading into the new Doctor Fate series is... well, sadly, it's the most disappointing in the bunch. Which is doubly disappointing to me, because I really love Zauriel. The opening sequence, where Zauriel finds himself grilled by the students in a Christian elementary school, is absolutely hysterical and pitch-perfect. After that ends, though, the book slips away into a rather dull sci-fi plot where God sends Zauriel to fight some alien who managed to glom on to the Helmet. It's not a bad story, it just doesn't measure up to the four really good one-shots that preceded it. On the upside, Peter Snejbjerg's artwork is a nice fit for the character and Michael Wm. Kaluta's cover is great. Worth getting if you've been following all the Fate one-shots, but nothing to write home about. Rating: 2.5/5 -Blake Petit
Nightwing #130 (DC/Wildstorm)
By Marv Wolfman, Jamal Igle & Keith Champagne
The new villain duo called the Bride and Groom take center stage this issue, as we see a bit of their origins, watch them on their crime spree, and learn a bit more about exactly how their powers work. The dynamic between the two of them is what drives this issue, and I must say, I rather like the bizarre relationship Marv Wolfman has created. Nightwing himself appears only sporadically here, first in pursuit and then finally in the spiffy battle scene at the end. Wolfman has completely rescued this title from its painfully bad post-One Year Later status, and Jamal Igle's artwork is a perfect fit both for the writing and the character. This is the kind of Nightwing papa likes. Rating: 4/5 -Blake Petit
Phantom #15 (Moonstone)
By Mike Bullock, Carlos Magno & Joe Prado
The two-part "Walker's Line" comes to an end in fine fashion. The Phantom -- this time in an urban jungle instead of an actual one, is holding vigil over the bed of his elderly aunt. As he takes to the streets, he finds himself cleaning up some muggers and would-be rapists, unaware that the fight is going to be brought to Aunt Bessie's room. Mike Bullock has put together a very satisfying, old-school superhero story. The bit with the aunt aside, the whole thing is very Spider-Man-esque, which actually makes for a very interesting setting for the Phantom. Magno's artwork is eally great -- detailed, but still clean, with really sharp panel layouts and choreography. This book looks as good as anything coming out of the Big Two, and it reads better than most of it. Rating: 4/5 -Blake Petit
Welcome to Tranquility #4 (DC/Wildstorm)
By Gail Simone & Neil Googe
This month, as Tranquility reacts to Leona's attempted suicide, Tommy's investigation leads her to a new clue in Mr. Articulate's murder. As always, there's a lot of good stuff in this book -- we find out how the former Maximum Man and Henry Hate spend their downtime, the surprise breakout star Emoticon gets a really nice scene, and the Liberty Snots go to war. In other words -- 22 pages of awesome. Gail Simone packs this mystery with an incredible amount of comedy and an incredible amount of characterization. The book somehow manages to be both plot-driven and character-driven at the same time, and firmly carves out its own place in the Wildstorm universe without divorcing itself from it. Neil Googe is also rapidly rising up my list of favorite artists -- he has an ability to blend different genres of story seamlessly, which is just what this book requires. I'm anxious as anything to reach the reveal on this mystery, and I'm even more anxious to see where the book goes after that. Rating: 4.5/5 -Blake Petit
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March 10th 2007, 02:50 AM
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