Done-In-One Reviews for May 2nd, 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
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #3 (Dark Horse)
by Joss Whedon, Georges Jeanty, Andy Owens and Dave Stewart
Sometimes you can’t tell something is missing until something or someone reminds you that it is. That said, whatever happened to really great television? The kind that had reveals that made you feel like someone took a sledgehammer to your retina, and characters that you genuinely cared about? For the most part, it’s gone from the television landscape – and I only realized it after I started to read this series. Whedon has definitely picked up the ball from right where he left it, and is running with it. And this time, he’s got an unlimited budget. He can do crazy ‘splody action, just like he always wanted, and he doesn’t have any network censors delaying key episodes due to potential content issues. Really, this read is just phenomenal. The only draw back I can see, is the fact that it might be a little hard for someone who doesn’t read Buffy to really get into this – but there are enough Buffy fans out there that it shouldn’t harm the numbers too badly. Rating: 4/5 -B. Schatz
The Exterminators #17 (Vertigo/DC)
by Simon Oliver and Ty Templeton
(New Story Arc) The camera swoops away from the main “epic” storyline and goes on a little trip with a pair of side characters for a couple of issues, and the results are – once again – pretty crazy. Then again, everything about this title has to be seen to be believed. For instance, there mouse that has been bred to produce milk like a cow, and one that has been crossed with a spider – very odd, but… completely at home in the pages of this book. However, the main story doesn’t deal with much of that sideshow, as a few old friends show up from Slim’s past and play a bit of catch-up. The results, as they say, are quite disastrous and again, slightly disturbing, but it makes for an incredible read. Artist Ty Templeton pinch-hits for this arc, as regular artist Tony Moore takes an extended leave of absence while he works on his arc of Fear Agent over at Dark Horse – and he does incredibly well. Templeton is actually quite the chameleon, and matches the style Moore has brought to the table so well, you almost can’t tell he’s missing. It’s a great read, and it’s the perfect time to jump on. Rating: 4/5 -B. Schatz
Justice League Unlimited #33 (DC)
By Jason Hall, Carlo Barberi, Ty Templeton
(Single Issue Story) You wouldn't have thought it, but I believe this title has gotten even better since the cartoon show it's based on ended. The writers are taking advantage of the freedom it represents to bring in even more characters, exploring even deeper the already-rich cast. This issue is a nice little twist on the old "Freaky Friday" formula, swapping the youngest League member -- Stargirl -- and the oldest -- the Crimson Avenger -- into each other's bodies. It's an old trick, and it's mostly played for laughs here. The story, fortunately, is funny enough to carry it. In the end, there's a taste of the "moral of the story is..." formula, but you tend to expect that with this series, so there's no harm done. This title remains good, old-fashioned superhero fun, and one of the best books to share with your younger readers. Rating: 4/5 -Blake Petit
The Phantom #16 (Moonstone)
By Mike Bullock, Silvestre Szilagyi, Bret Blevins
(New Story Arc) Mike Bullock takes his first journey into the jungle since taking over this title full-time. The Phantom encounters a woman who works for an animal conservation organization, a woman who has come under fire by a group of trappers who feel she's encroaching on their business. What they don't know, though, is that for the past 150 years, her family has been marked by the rarely-used Goodmark of the Phantom's left ring, the stamp that indicates they are under the protection of the Ghost Who Walks. As I've come to expect from Bullock, the book gives us a lot of strong action and stronger characterization. Angela Carlyle is a bit of a sterotype as a character -- the activist who rebels against her family -- but she works nonetheless. Silvestre Szilagyi's artwork is just great -- clean and effective. Moonstone is really treating this classic character right. Rating: 4/5 -Blake Petit
Welcome to Tranquility #6 (DC/Wildstorm)
By Gail Simone, Neil Googe, Billy Dallas Patton
The inaugural storyline of Welcome to Tranquility ends in spectacular fashion. The truth about Mr. Articulate's murder works very well -- the culprit isn't exactly a shocker, but the motivation behind the killing is the sort of off-the wall thing that could only work in a comic book. The issue also gives us plenty of action, probably the most in an issue yet, and it comes across very well. Gail Simone, in her first story arc, has gone a long way towards establishing a really rich, inventive corner of the Wildstorm universe, and it's a corner I look very forward to exploring in the future. Neil Googe and Billy Dallas Patton tag team on the art, but I never even noticed the change-up, their styles mesh perfectly. This has been a wonderful first story arc, and I've got my fingers crossed for a long, prosperous run on this title. Rating: 4.5/5 -Blake Petit
Stay tuned for an update to this thread, as well as a special Done-In-One review thread for this year's Free Comic Book Day offerings!
May 5th 2007, 04:57 AM
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