It’s time once again for the Comixtreme.com
Done-In-One review thread, an eclectic mix of titles, publishers, genres and reviewers bringing you quick reviews of comics we didn’t have time to give the full treatment over the last few weeks.
Batman and the Outsiders #1 (DC Comics)
By Chuck Dixon and Julian Lopez
I must say I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. Coming off the axe of the old title and the various one-shots, I was worried where this was headed and I didn't like the direction Tony Bedard was going to have this book going, but with his last minute pull and Chuck Dixon being put in as the new guy, it looks like that was a great decision. Upon finishing this issue, I found myself in love with the fast-paced superhero spy action that reminded me of the great formula that worked in the "Check/Out" crossover. The characterization was really strong and the dialogue was sharp. To top all that off, Julian Lopez's artwork was super smooth, well laid out, and a treat to look at. There were a few problems like Thunder and Batman's continued bickering that feels a little much and some predictability in the plot progression, but it seems like a pretty sure lock that Dixon and Lopez have themselves the start of a very entertaining book on their hands.
Rating: 4/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Betty and Veronica #231 (Archie Comics)
By George Gladir, Mike Pellowski, Kathleen Webb, and Jeff Shultz
The Archie gang gives us a quartet of Christmas-themed stories this month, all with fine art by Jeff Shultz, with different writers passing the stories back and forth. George Gladir takes the lead with "The Shoppers," in which the girls have finished their online Christmas shopping only to discover at the last minute that they've forgotten to get a present for Jughead's sister, Jellybean. With no time left to log on, the girls risk life and limb at the mall. Mike Pellowski's "Santa Shortage" is a really cute story featuring the girls trying to find a last-minute replacement Santa Claus for a charity event, and wind up with more than they bargained for. Kathleen Webb's "Are You Sure?" is the only non-Christmas story in the book, and also the weakest. Veronica announces Betty that she and Archie have gotten married, sending Betty into a panic with a sort of clichéd ending. Webb redeems herself with "Pretty is as Pretty Does," though in which Veronica tries to explain her overboard makeup style to her best friend, and lets a big secret slip to the readers. This is a nice issue, fun for people who like to overload on Christmas comics. Y'know, people like me.
Rating: 4/5 --Blake M. Petit
Betty and Veronica Spectacular #80 (Archie Comics)
By Dan Parent and Rich Koslowski
As usual, Archie Comics has started rolling out its Christmas offerings in early November, including this special issue of Betty and Veronica Spectacular. In the main story, Dan Parent weaves a tale of the girls getting into a heated battle with one another over Riverdale's Extreme Decorating Competition. Veronica, as usual, is certain her money will give her the edge, but she'll have to learn that bigger isn't always necessarily better. It's a cute enough little story, and it's nice to see the girls compete without going through an unnecessary period of hating each other. The rest of the book is full of assorted features -- "Holiday Gifts You Can Make Cheap!", "Eco-Friendly Christmas Tips" and so forth -- that will give kids some nice activities. It's a nice little book, and just what you'd expect from Archie and company.
Rating: 3/5 --Blake M. Petit
Black Adam: The Dark Age #4 (DC Comics)
By Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke
Wow, has this book been great or what? Tomasi continues his stellar work and makes me wonder why he didn't switch from editing to writing sooner. His portrayal of Black Adam's demeanor and personality has been nearly flawless in this series and it continues to show here. While the revelations are lighter and the reading faster in this issue, I find myself hanging on every page. You can feel the book leaning toward a great conclusion, and the book ends on quite the ominous note. Once again, Doug Mahnke has a field day with the art. His detailed use of expressions look second to none, and makes great use of shadowing for the mood of this title. What these two have done on this title is nothing short of remarkable in my eyes. If I do have one complaint, its that Mahnke's choice of some panel sizes make this a really quick read. Nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate how this series will end and can't wait for the next issue.
Rating: 4.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Grimm Fairy Tales: Return to Wonderland #4 (Zenescope)
By Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, Joe Tyler, Daniel Leister, and Al Rio
Carroll's journey through Wonderland gets even darker as she encounters a group of card-men painting the Queen of Heart's roses red. Of course, in a book of this nature, it isn't exactly paint that they're using. Back home, her father gets an unexpected visitor, and poor Alice's wife gets even worse. If anything, this comic has somehow grown even darker than its parent book. It's bloodier, and the stories are perhaps even more all-around messed up. Plot-wise, though, the real problem here is one of purpose. Carroll seems to be wandering Wonderland with no direction, no reason. There's not really a sense of plot here, just a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes in which Carroll meets one increasingly twisted denizen of Wonderland after another. This book, not unlike its parent comic, really needs to tighten up.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
House of M: Avengers #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Christos N. Gage and Mike Perkins
I know a lot of people are thrown off by this limited series because of its title, or at least part of its title. That would be a mistake. There's enough story here in this introductory issue to show me this title will shine. Gage used the House of M backdrop masterfully without falling into any trappings of said event's perceived failure amongst fans. He gives us a nice tight piece of continuity that's woven in like it was there the whole time. This issue mostly deals with who will be these "Avengers" leader, Luke Cage. Gage gives us excellent characterization for the HoM Cage, making him very much his own man, while not betraying all the great parts what we like about him in normal continuity. Perkins, as to be excepted, pencils at his normal exceptional level. Keep your eye on this book, it just may end up being the sleeper hit of this winter.
Rating: 4/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Iron Man and Power Pack #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Marc Sumerak, Marcelo DiChiara, Chris Giarussso, and Gurihiru
The newest Power Pack miniseries (I know it's a marketing thing, but it kinda galls me that they never get top billing in these) kicks off with Iron Man's old enemy the Ghost breaking into Stark Industries and setting free the giant robot called Ultimo. He suits up and heads out, only to find that the Power Pack kids are already on the case. Although these mini-series are essentially self-contained, people who read them all can feel bits of loose continuity here. Iron Man has encountered the kids before (in the Avengers and Hulk minis) and therefore doesn't have to go through the stereotypical, "I'm an adult, you're kids, stay back and let me handle it" nonsense that so often happens in books like these. Instead, he sees the kids and not only automatically recognizes them as being capable, but jumps right into a leadership role with them. It makes the book seem smarter than a lot of kid comics. There's also a new Mini-Marvels back-up by Chris Giarrusso, and as always, it's fantastically funny. May I say that I'd like to hereby plead with Marvel to fast-track the inevitable Elephant Steve miniseries? Right away, please?
Rating: 4/5 --Blake M. Petit
Legion (IDW Publishing)
By Salvador Sanz
Here's an apocalyptic tale for the adventurous horror fan. A new color has been born into to the world, some say it's yellow, some say it's blue, some say it's ultrabad. A young artist discovered it while painting an ancient design across her canvas. In another part of the city, a sculptor molds that same design in clay, and a young man strums a lamenting tune on his guitar. Day Two. The sky rains blood. This one-shot brings Salvador Sanz's Legion to English audiences for the first time. It's a moody piece with moody artwork, presented in a cinematic European style, and paced to match. It's a story that's almost Lovecraftian in nature, more creep than shock, and delivers that kind of deep, engaging horror that's often missing in today's markets. To be sure it has it's translation problems, producing some canny dialogue, but beyond that this is a perfect little apocalypse that Sanz brings to life.
Rating: 4/5 --S.A. Parvaze
Living With the Dead #2 (Dark Horse Comics)
By Mike Richardson, Ben Stenbeck, and Richard Corben
What happens when the last two men on Earth find the last living girl? Exactly what you'd think. As Living With the Dead continues, the two slackers called Straw and Whip have encountered a living woman amidst an entire planet of the walking dead. With hormones running high, a rivalry begins to grow, and Betty doesn't seem to have any compunctions about coming between the two friends. After a mostly lighthearted first issue, this month we take quite a turn towards the dark. There's still plenty of funny stuff here, but the soap opera aspects really draw out the darkness in the human spirit, which I suppose is what great zombie fiction always aims to do anyway. Not bad.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Marvel Comics Presents #3 (Marvel Comics)
By Marc Guggenheim, Dave Wilkins, Kathryn and Stuart Immonen, David Von Allmen, Mico Suayan, Rich Koslowski, and Andrea DiVito
The overall quality of this anthology book continues to work for me. There's another one shot with Magneto in the mix, and three stories running since the beginning of #1. The "Vanguard" storyline continues to add layers and layers of mystery, but revealing enough of past mystery to keep it from becoming tedious or too confusing. The art here was good, but didn't seem to have the pop it had last issue. The "Hellcat" story continues its zany, little game but this part felt more meddling than it did last issue. I'm sure the Immonens have quite a finish in store, though. The "Weapon Omega" storyline continues to tread water, though we see more of Omega Flight, this one still needs work as it has been the worst title each month. Finally, the one shot was a nice piece on Magneto in his Brotherhood assembly days and tackles the issue of just how much the Holocaust affected him. Not to spoil, but it's shown Magneto had a way to get the inside track on both Xavier and world domination...but seemingly had a hard line on what sacrifices he's willing to make or not and where his level of forgiveness was. This was surprisingly short, but had great art and was the best of the bunch this week. Though the quality of this overall book seemed to drop a bit, its still a good read and I'm very glad to see this kind of book working, and working very well.
Rating: 3/5 --Ben Lehnsherr
Salvation Run #1 (DC Comics)
By Bill Willingham and Sean Chen
For some months now, villains across the DC Universe have been abducted by the Suicide Squad. Rumor had it that Checkmate was blasting them through a Boom Tube to an uninhabited planet chosen to be their prison for the rest of their lives. This issue we find the rogues who killed Bart Allen, the Flash, fighting for their lives against monsters, robots and all sorts of threats, despite having been assured by Rick Flagg that the planet was free from indigenous dangers. When the second wave of "inmates" arrives, a power struggle begins. Willingham is clearly having a blast writing this -- he's playing with villains in a way that doesn't force them to become heroes (or anti-heroes), and where their natural nastiness will make things all the more exciting. This is the kind of book that's really exciting once in a while, and Sean Chen does his usual stellar job on both ther characters and the alien landscape. The last-panel twist really helps add a layer of unpredictability and ambiguity to the comic. Looks like Willingham has nailed it again.
Rating: 4/5 --Blake M. Petit
Simon Dark #2 (DC Comics)
By Steve Niles and Scott Hampton
The mysterious avenger of Gotham City called Simon Dark leaps into action against a serial killer, only to find himself taken into police custody - in the most extreme way possible. We get a few more clues about Simon here, and hints that whatever bizarre Frankenstein experiment created him may have birthed more than one such creature. The basic idea here is still fairly strong - Steve Niles has found an interesting new twist on the old Frankenstein archetype and Scott Hampton manages to play up the horror angle without completely forgetting that this does take place in what is, primarily, a superhero universe. The big problem here becomes evident in this issue - setting. While I understand why they wanted to place Simon in the established world of Gotham City, it presents us with a credibility problem. Simon is facing a serial killer that's been slashing his way through Gotham for over a year, and Batman hasn't gotten involved? Is that even possible? Still, if you can get past that minor blip, this is a strong start to a promising superhero/horror comic.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Star Wars: Legacy #17 (Dark Horse Comics)
By John Ostrander and Jan Duursema
In "Claws of the Dragon Part Four," Cade Skywalker's mother and friends begin to catch an intricate scheme to rescue him from the clutches of Darth Krayt. At the home of the Sith, however, Cade is learning to use the dark side and to enhance his healing powers, and finds himself growing particularly close to one of the Sith. We also learn just how A'Sharad Hett began his own journey to the Dark Side, even as he plans to use the Skywalker legacy for his own ends. This comic continues to be one of the strongest books Dark Horse is putting out, and perhaps one of the strongest Star Wars titles of all time.
Rating: 4/5 --Blake M. Petit
Tales From the Crypt #3 (NBM/Papercutz)
By Jim Salicrup, Rick Parker, Mort Todd, Steve Mannion, Stefan Petrucha, and Don Hudson
Two more creepy little tales from the Crypt of Terror this issue. In "A Murderin' Idol," Mort Todd and Steve Mannion share with us the story of a wannabe rocker who's willing to do anything to win America's most popular reality show, including making a deal with some seriously dark forces. The story is a nice little satire of pop culture, very much in the classic EC Comics vein. Stefan Petrucha and Don Hudson's "Slabbin'" is next - another solid story about a teenager who steals his younger stepbrother's most prized comic book in the hopes of selling it for some quick cash. Like the bad guys always do in these tales, though, he's forced to learn the error of his ways. Both stories are well-done and fit in wonderfully with this legendary title. As has become common, though, the artwork still doesn't quite mesh. It's not bad, but it's not dark enough. These are scary stories. They need to look scarier.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Welcome to Tranquility #12 (DC Comics/Wildstorm)
By Gail Simone and Neil Googe
The epic battle between the good (and bad) people of Tranquility and the Devil himself comes to an epic conclusion this issue. As the zombies overrun the town, the Coyote begs his spirit friends the Sidewinders for once last chance to avenge his long-dead family, Tommy gets a special gift, and her grandfather lets her in on a little secret. It takes a talent to work so many fantastic character moments into a comic book that's mostly action-packed, but the stuff with the Coyote here is fantastic. Presley has a beautiful moment of his own, and the last two panels were genuinely moving. Neil Googe's artwork compliments Gail Simone's writing perfectly - high-octane, action packed and with a level of flow and readability that demonstrates the work of a real pro. This book is the most fantastic blending of genre, action, and character on the market today.
Rating: 5/5 --Blake M. Petit
Zombie Highway: Back in Blue #1 (Digital Webbing)
By Jason Pell, Roberto Viacava, and T.J. Kirsch
This pit stop in Digitial Webbing's Zombie Highway series is kind of a mixed bag. Although the series is being released through mini-series and one-shots, writer Jason Pell is clearly treating the stories as if it were an ongoing series, as evidenced by this issue. As a standalone issue of an ongoing series, this would be great -- the four guys responsible for unleashing the zombie plague on Earth stop at a rest stop to get their bearings. That's pretty much it. And when it's well-written (as this is), it's the kind of thing that can make for a necessary breather in an ongoing comic. As a one-shot, though, it lacks something of a punch. That #1 on the cover may make this book more enticing to prospective new readers, but the story is something that will leave them cold if they don't have the foundation built already by having read the previous two miniseries. (The one-shot Directionless special isn't really required reading here.) This is a good issue, but a heck of a lot better if you've read the earlier ones.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Blake M. Petit
November 17th 2007, 12:32 PM
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