Hello, and welcome once again to Comixtreme.com’s
Done-In-One review thread, in which our reviewers give you the skinny on several comics that didn’t make it to a full review this week. Thanks as always to our contributors, and without further ado, let’s get to the reviews!
Atomic Robo #1 (Red 5 Comics)
by Brian Clevinger, Scott Wegener, Ronda Pattison and Jeff Powell
Sometimes when I sleep, I have nightmares about dying before I've had the chance to stick it to the Nazis with a well placed knuckle sandwich to the jaw. When that happens, I turn to my comics for comfort - specifically ones like Atomic Robo. The book takes place in 1938, in a world where Nikola Tesla has created a near-unstoppable machine in the twilight of his awesome years. As a consequence, Nazis are punched in the jaw with style. Brian Clevinger has crafted a book that is not only fun to read, but is well on its way to including everything I like to see in a pulp-fisted adventure book. The only things that are missing are mind controlled bears/hobos (I'll take one or the other) and jet packs. But even without these two things, the story is phenomenal - and lucky us - the great writing has high quality art to accompany it. Scott Wegener's images are kinetic and just a little cartoony, matching the tone set by the story perfectly - and for an independent book, the coloring and lettering are fantastic. The book itself too has great production value to it as well, printed on quality paper with nice cover stock. If Atomic Robo is any indication of what can be expected from Red 5 Comics in the coming months, the world of comics is in for a treat. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5/5 --B. Schatz
Black Adam: The Dark Age #3 (DC Comics)
By Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke
Black Adam's borderline adult mini-series continues as he gets closer to reviving his dead wife, Isis. In an issue that finds itself with less action and and more talking, this title still manages not to lose a beat. Tomasi works the series' inevitable "exposition issue" well by changing stories before interest wanes, and uses realistic character emotions in pretty believable ways. He shows Black Adam's quest isn't going be a simple "find this and find that" voyage and touches quite a few corners of the DCU where Black Adam has been involved in the process. Black Adam's obsession with Isis' return never feels forced and his genuine desire for her works very well in the story. Tomasi also manages to take the end of the issue in another direction it didn't it seem to be going again. If one thing's for sure, this will not be a straightline adventure.
Rating: 4/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Conan #44 (Dark Horse Comics)
By Timothy Truman, Cary Nord, Richard Isanove, and Richard Starkings
"Rogues in the House" is one of those few Robert E. Howard Conan stories that I never managed to read in its original text, so I'm at a bit of a loss in what to make of this adaptation. All the Howardian elements seem to be there, which lend credibility to its faithfulness, but it's also been drawn out over these last four issues, which has sapped away any of Howard's inherent pulpiness. I suppose that's always been the danger of Dark Horse's approach to Conan though, their single epic narrative blurs the lines of immediacy between stories. Sometimes I wish it were otherwise, like back in the old Savage Sword days, but what can one do? This issue also bids farewell to Cary Nord as the series artist, and he makes pretty good impression with his final tale. The fight between Thak and Conan plays to all of his strengths as a storyteller, and is only enhanced by Isanove's expert colors. I wouldn't say that Nord leaves with a bang, maybe a loud pop, but this is another good, solid issue with a history of good, solid issues behind it. Hopefully, the new series artist will be able to continue that tradition.
Rating: 3.5/5 --S.A. Parvaze
Crossing Midnight #11 (DC Comics/Vertigo)
By Mike Carey and Eric Nyugen
This comic just gets creepier and creepier, and I don't just mean the part about the date girls this time. A kami is on the loose in Tokyo, killing off all of Kitty-Ki's enjokosai friends. Kai, by proxy, finds himself inexorably drawn into the mystery - maybe this kami can lead him to his sister, maybe not, besides which, a cute girl is in trouble. Carey really brings Kitty and Kai's relationship to life here, he the lowly country bumpkin, she the streetwise seductress. It's a story as old as time itself, and yet with a fresh perspective in a different culture, it makes it all feel new. Add a killer spirit on the loose - brought eerily to life by Nyugen - and you have all the ingredients for a compelling and emotionally rich story. And it is made, along with all its juxtapositions. Innocence and horror. Magic and reality. Past and present. All tucked away between night and day in Japan. This is one hell of a comic. And it's fast becoming one of my favorites.
Rating: 4.5/5 --S.A. Parvaze
Faker #4 (DC Comics/Vertigo)
by Mike Carey, Jock, and Lee Loughridge
In this issue, the illicit substances really hit the fan, as the unholy corporate-government synergy that led to the Angel's Kiss project has taken the kids into custody, although Nick, who isn't exactly human, has it worst of all. We get a little more information on what Angel's Kiss actually is, how it got to the university, and what it was being developed for, but some of this exposition feels like a reiteration of information we got last issue. The art by Jock and Loughridge is really sharp and clean this issue, the colors bright and vivid, so it's a good looking issue regardless. But a too convenient escape at least leads to a good cliffhanger. Is there any weapon worse than a tortured person's psyche given form?
Rating: 3.5/5 --Andrea Speed
Friday the 13th: How I Spent My Summer Vacation #2 (DC Comics/Wildstorm)
By Jason Aaron & Adam Archer
In the first issue of this miniseries, Jason Voorhees stumbled upon a group of campers (go figure), but he left one survivor -- a small, deformed boy who seemed to remind him of himself. This issue picks up nine days later. Jason has continued his patrol of the area, slaughtering anyone he comes into contact with (why people still go to the Crystal Lake area is beyond me), but the boy has not only been spared, but is having the time of his life. The authorities, such as they are, are tracking the legendary monster, with predictable results. It's not easy to find a new angle to take with these classic slashers, particularly with ones as single-minded as Jason Voorhees, but Jason Aaron has done a good job. This is a different take on the Friday franchise without sacrificing any of the elements fans love. What more can you want?
Rating: 4/5 --Blake M. Petit
Heroes for Hire #14 (Marvel Comics)
By Zeb Wells, Alvin Lee, and Clay Mann
I must admit I find it fitting that this book was born out of one event, Civil War, and it is seemingly being killed by another, World War Hulk. I'm not leading anyone to believe this book was all that good in between, but I believe we're nearing the end of this title. The fact that it’s even attached to World War Hulk with a "nothing to do with the story"-story screams that it is a final attempt to boost sales before the axe. While I'll admit this issue was just a bit better than the last issue, mostly due to where Humbug is going as a character and his true motivations, there's a lot wrong with the issue. The shameless T&A, the lack of forward characterization of Black Cat and Colleen, and the lackluster plot are just the beginning of it. With a team with this particular cast, a book like this needed to be over-the-top and stick out, and this title falls much too short.
Rating: 1.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Justice League Unlimited #38 (DC Comics/Johnny DC)
By Matt Wayne & Dario Brizuela
Giganta, the size-changing mistress of mayhem, has come to Central City -- but she hasn't come looking for a fight with the Flash... instead, she's looking for a date. The Flash mistakes her affection for a desire to go straight. He takes her on as his partner, trying to train her in what it takes to be a superhero, unaware of her bubbling jealousy as he flirts with reporter Linda Park. The story is really somewhat Silver Age, and not necessarily in a good way. It comes across as a little sexist, as Giganta's only real motivation here is to snag her man, but on the other hand, Linda comes across as a pretty strong female character to help balance it out. Dario Brizuela's interpretation of the animated DC Universe is a good one as well. This isn't the best JLU issue, but it's not the worst either.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Living With the Dead #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
By Mike Richardson & Ben Stenbeck
Whew, this book came out just in time. We were really running low on zombie comics. In this slightly askew take on the zombie genre, we join a world that's long been consumed by a zombie plague. Our heroes are two average New Yorkers just trying to survive by wearing skeletal masks and getting into character when the zombies are around, including the odd moaning of, "Braaaaaains..." The guys are used to the fact that they may well be the last two living souls in the city, until a routine supply run lets them know there may be someone else out there after all. This is a deft little blend of zombie horror and comedy. Richardson shows a nice flair for funny dialogue, providing us with characters that are fairly easy to relate to and break a few stereotypes in the process. Stenbeck's art is nice too -- he really does a good job with the swarms of the undead. The zombie market may be a little overcrowded at the moment, but there's always room for a good entry, and this qualifies.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Necessary Evil #1 (Desperado Publishing)
by Joshua Williamson, Marcus L. Harris, Vincente Narrete, Megan Spence and Dan Morrow
While several comic book series have covered the School for Superheroes, not many have touched upon a similar one for supervillains - and then came Necessary Evil. After their mom dies, twin brothers Miller and Jake learn about her supervillain past - and in turn, get recruited for the Necessary Evil Acedemy. Most of the issue is spent getting all of the pieces into place and for the most part, all of the plot points and character introductions are done smoothly (minus one moment where a couple of students spontaneously introduce themselves). Williamson has done well in creating the situation and the characters that inhabit it - each feel like they have their own temperament and motivations, and all will make the read an enjoyable one down the line. The art by Harris is also very solid, if not just a touch static. The story is very easy to follow, and emotions are conveyed very well, so the fact that it doesn't "jump" is really nothing more than a tick that went 'ping' in my head. Overall, a neat concept, and a good beginning.
Rating: 3.5/5 --B. Schatz
Omega the Unknown #1 (Marvel Comics)
by Jonathan Lethem, Karl Rusnak, Farel Dalrymple and Paul Hornshemeier
Huh? Someone has gotten indie in my superheroes. Or so Marvel would have me believe. The story is an odd one - a child, raised by surrogate parents, has some strange dreams about a superhero on the run. Then, his parents die, and things start going a bit pear-shaped. Along the way, there are robots, bouts of heightened vocabulary, and a brief, yet moving love affair with the intricacies of circuitry, all culminating in an ending that confirms all of my suspicions of home-schooled children. For a first crack at comics, Letham has done very well - not once does he fall into the trap of describing scenes or emotions with words when the artist is perfectly capable of showing such things with his visuals. Dalrymple, in turn, does not let anybody down, giving some nice, well constructed visuals, and enough emotion to carry off the intended message. A solid start, even if it falls short of being spectacular. Here's hoping only good things come from this.
Rating: 3.5/5 --B. Schatz
Simon Dark #1 (DC Comics)
By Steve Niles and Scott Hampton
So we begin the adventures of Simon Dark, "Gotham City's other protector", as he's referred to on the cover. In a debut issue that doesn't "debut" much, we find ourselves knowing little more than than we did going in, and next to nothing until the very end of the issue. We see that Simon Dark protects a part of Gotham. I, for one, don't like this choice of locale. Batman and countless others roam these streets and this doesn't seem to be the kind of book that guest stars would work in. Why can't we just put him in some other fictional dark town? Something good about this issue though are Simon Dark's inspirations. He seems to have made his look after various slasher/horror icons such as Freddy (the shirt), Leatherface (the mask), and so forth. Couple this with his choice of weapon, and his affinity for Poe's writings, and we have a living horror inspiration. Scott Hampton's art makes this book work, despite the overly high level of mystery, and really fits the type of story Steve Niles is trying to tell. Hampton also puts together pretty energetic fight scene, something I didn't think he did well.
Rating: 3/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Strange Girl #18 (Image Comics)
By Rick Remender and Peter Bergting
Final issue. Reading over these last few issues, I get the feeling that Remender got a little bored with the Strange Girl concept, which would explain the abrupt, double-sized, exposition-laden ending we have here. To a certain extent I can sympathize with his predicament. Strange Girl has never really had the same kind of critical success as his other work. Couple that with a virtual revolving door of artists since Eric Nguyen scampered off and you start thinking about cutting your losses. Still, this is a poor way to end a comic series. Finishing things off with the kind of gushing exposition Bethany gives this issue is just plain sloppy storytelling. It feels as if Remender is quitting. And that's a shame, because I expected better out of him.
Rating: 2/5 --S.A. Parvaze
Wonder Girl #2 (DC Comics)
By J. Torres & Sanford Greene
Last month I put forth the notion that it will be hard to judge this series' quality until we have more of an idea of how important it will ultimately be. This issue, we got a taste of how it could be important, as Hercules tries desperately to recruit his half-sister, Wonder Girl, to join him in helping the gods of Olympus regain their lost power. Cassie, wisely, is skeptical of his sincerity, but he begins making inroads. This series is linked very closely with events in Teen Titans and Wonder Woman (particularly this week's issue, which was also written by Torres), and those close ties give me hope that the series will turn out to hold significance. Cassie is a good character who has been through an awful lot lately. Hopefully, this series will sort of streamline her, allow her to get back to herself again. I definitely think Torres has the right sensibility, and Greene's artwork is pretty strong too. But still, it remains a waiting game.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
World War Hulk: Frontline #5 (Marvel Comics)
By Paul Jenkins, Ramon Bachs, Shawn Martinbrough, and Chris Moreno
As the fight starts to come to a conclusion in New York City, Sally Floyd walks around town drunk. That's right, drunk. I don't think I've seen a character turn so uninteresting so quickly since, well, Sally Floyd in the Civil War: Frontline. Jenkins has just about beaten this character in the ground and I can't see her going back up from here. The android story in the middle works pretty well with a more interesting Danny Granville, even if you do see the twist before it's revealed and is a rehashed idea. This story was absolutely stretched, though. The final comic bit, "10 Reasons to to Hate Sally Floyd", is really as unfunny as can be and is odd in an issue where people will genuinely hate her for her actions in the first story.
Rating: 0.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
October 13th 2007, 08:31 PM
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