DONE-IN-ONE REVIEWS: MARCH 22, 2008

[S.A. Parvaze]

Welcome to Done-in-One Reviews, where we - your ever-reviewing cX staff - give the week's odds and ends the capsule-sized review treatment. Because even odds and ends need lovin' too.

Batman and the Outsiders #5 (DC Comics)
Chuck Dixon and Julian Lopez

I can safely say that in just five issues, Batman and the Outsiders is one of the most, if not the most dynamic action titles DC puts out. Dixon has a penchant for amping up the energy level of a book, and bringing action from the front page to the back. This issue was no exception with Batman and his team running a tactical strike against a rogue nuclear weapons facility. The writer shows the lethal efficiency of Batgirl, the useful versatility of Metamorpho, an interesting appearance of a certain dead couple, and makes Geo-Force an absolute tank against foes that have given teams trouble. But, here's the thing, the action is about all you're going to get. There's no depth or substance to the evil corporation angle, and this team needs a real challenge in the form of a legitimate villain rather than mowing through anonymous henchman and a couple D-listers. The plot is pretty straightline and lacks any sort of layering needed to maintain interest. The art, however, is in excellent shape. Lopez blew me away with the level of emotion and kinetic movement from panel to panel, and is well on his way to become one of the most dynamic artists around. Each of his issues has improved, and works very well with an action-packed writer like Dixon. In short, this book is full of stylish, well done action sequences and eye-catching art, but that's about it. The book still needs to figure out exactly what it is as far as how relevant it wants to be and its identity, but it definitely scratches the action itch.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr

The Brave and the Bold #11 (DC Comics)
By Mark Waid and Jerry Ordway

Megistus has stolen the power of Metamorpho and used it to gain Hal Jordan’s Lantern and the Challengers of the Unknown are powerless to stop him. In the meantime, Superman finds himself allied with an unlikely person, that of his multiverse counterpart, Ultraman. They are both given the task of defeating Megistus before he can enact his nefarious plans. But they may be too late to stop him. Okay this is about as old-school as you can get. Crazed villain, two enemies working together and more guest stars than you can shake a stick at. I have to admit that the last few issues of this series have been dragging a bit, but this issue was great. As for the art, well an old-school story deserves and old-school artist and that certainly fits Jerry Ordway to a T.
Rating: 4/5 --Terry Verticchio

Death of the New Gods #7 (DC Comics)
By Jim Starlin and Art Thibert

The Universe as we know it has ceased to exist. There is a New Universal Order and it no longer includes the New Gods. The identity of the assassin that has been killing the citizens of New Genesis has been revealed. Scott Free tries to bring a measure of justice to his fallen friends and family but is found wanting. In truth his actions bring about the very destruction of everything he has come to believe. Now only two people stand in the way of complete victory for the Source—Superman and Darkseid. Finally we get an old-school cosmic battle royal. It’s all or nothing time for the Universe and it’s not clear who will be victorious. I’m looking forward to the conclusion and hope it will be as action packed.
Rating: 4/5 --Terry Verticchio

Ghost Rider #21 (Marvel Comics)
By Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi

Wow, that didn't take very long. Ghost Rider is a good book now, and it only took Aaron two issues to do it. I thought it was take longer considering he was following Way's lackluster take on the character and had to pick up from there, but he steps right in and makes Blaze an absolute bad ***, and gives him an intriguing, gritty landscape to work with. Despite my reservations about Way's run, his "revelation" of Ghost Rider's nature could end up serving the character better for it and it will have been because of what Aaron wants to do with it and where he takes it. Last issue was a good start, and this issue continues the trend with angelically powered killer nurses, a cannibalistic history of a town, and a couple of other genuine shockers. Ronald Boschi’s art is what held back last issue more than anything, but that changed a bit this issue. There were no major flaws with it, and Johnny has a more defined visual, though it could still be a bit cleaner in parts without losing its bite. He does have the task of measuring up to excellent past Ghost Rider artists, but is taking a grittier approach. All in all, I'm very excited that Aaron and Boschi having made Ghost Rider worth reading again. Its looks like its gonna be a great ride.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr

Marvel Comics Presents #7 (Marvel Comics)
By Marc Guggenheim, Christos Gage, Rober Venditti, Rich Koslowski, Dave Wilkins, Joyce Chin, Jeremy Haun, and Andrea DiVito.

This is a hard point to jump on to this book. We have two of the four stories are in parts seven of twelve, one is wrapping up a three issue Ka-Zar story, and the last is a one-shot featuring Namor. We'll start with the "Vanguard" story, where the story is picking up and getting somewhere after having some ups and downs. This issue has the story picking up a head of steam has revelations show us the actual Vanguard team members and their base, plus the name of the John Doe as well answering some other questions. This one's getting good. The "Savage Land" story ended nicely. Ka-Zar and his crew pull a few tricks of their own to win back their domain in this issue, and it was both fun and an impressive continuity showoff. It also leaves the Savage Land in an interesting place with the outside world, especially Wakanda. Next is the "Paying Respects" story, which was a beautiful one-shot story focusing on Namor grieving Namorita's death alone. This well-done tale was the best story in this issue, being well drawn and very touching. Last, we have the "Weapon Omega" story, which has picked up as well. The plot is a little clearer and more focused, but this story still manages to be the weakest of the month despite an excellent effort on art by DiVito. Like I said, despite the jump in quality storytelling from last month, this is a hard jumping on point. In the future, Marvel Comic Presents could do better by shorting the types of stories, and using more one-shots and three-parters, since those have been the best kinds of stories in this title. A couple tweaks to this good title could make this anthology formatted book great.
Rating: 3.5/5 --Ben Lehnsherr

War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1 (Marvel Comics/MAX)
By Garth Ennis, Howard Chaykin, and Brian Reber

Okay, stop me if you've heard this one before. An American soldier comes late to a war, where he's taken in by a dashing band of wise British veterans, who though skeptical of the American's ability to fight, decide to teach him the ways of war anyway. Ringing a few bells, is it? It could be that there's some vague history lesson buried in there, or it could be that Garth Ennis has used the same skeleton plot in half a dozen stories already. We are not amused. For it is a dual indignity to both suffer Howard Chaykin's artwork (the man needs an inker stat), and to realize that this is going to be one of those stories. Not amused at all. Still, this is an engaging enough tale in its debut issue – there being enough here for an Ennis war story neophyte to enjoy, and whatever you say about Chaykin, he can effectively move a story. This could have been so much more though, but Marvel just doesn't seem to have the gumption to pursue those kinds of things when operating beyond their superhero line.
Rating: 3/5 --S.A. Parvaze

Witchblade #116 (Image Comics/Top Cow Productions)
By Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic

“Them Top Cow'uns shure do make a purty book.” Thanks, inner hillbilly, they do indeed. And that's, of course, the first thing you notice about this book, Stjepan Sejic's gorgeous digital artwork. It's amazing just how detailed he can get, and he renders some handsome characters on both sides of the gender line – 'course that's nothing new to Top Cow, it's been a part of their ethic since Day One. This issue serves as sort of a primer and a tease. Marz gives us half the story to meet all the major players and to catch up on the goings-on of the Witchblade universe. Me picking this up on a whim, it's an appreciated effort, though I doubt that Witchblade veterans would feel the same way. The second half of the story delves a little into what's in store for the rest of the arc. Pezzini, back on the job after maternity leave, gets herself landed with a gruesome case involving murders patterned after the deaths of martyred apostles – hey, just in time for Easter! As for Dani, she knows how to pick 'em, because it looks like her new boyfriend is more than what he seems. A little bit of this, and a little bit of that to this issue. It's by no means a standout, but it serves as a great jumping on point for new readers. “The Start of a New Era” indeed.
Rating: 3.5/5 --S.A. Parvaze

Got comments about Done-in-One Reviews? Want a review that you don't see? The "Post Reply" button is there for you! Because we're always looking for your comments. See you next week for another fine edition of Done-in-One Reviews!

[Wolverace]

Do you guys consider doing a review on Marvel Spotlight?

[S.A. Parvaze]

We typically do DiOs for comics this released this week (in the US and Canada) and those released the previous two weeks, so the last Marvel Spotlight (on GRRM and Laurell K. Hamilton) will be out of our window by the time next week rolls around. I can certainly ask if anyone's willing to do any upcoming ones though (it looks like Spotlights for Iron Man and Hulk are coming in April and May respectively).

[WhereIsTony]

The new gods review is overly spoilerific IMO, not that i care i had already read it.

[S.A. Parvaze]

I haven't read the series, but there's nothing in there that I wouldn't assume to be in a series titled "Death of the New Gods". *shrug*

[B. Schatz]

Tried out Ghost Rider on the strength of Jason Aaron's Scalped, and have not been let down. And I hate Ghost Rider. Great, great book!!!

[Mark Blicharz]

Batman and the Outsiders is a solid read every month with fantastic art. Death of the New Gods just is clicking on every level. Brave and the Bold, yeah it's good, I know, shocking.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by B. Schatz

Tried out Ghost Rider on the strength of Jason Aaron's Scalped, and have not been let down. And I hate Ghost Rider. Great, great book!!!

Well, I'm a big Ghost Rider fan as a character but I wouldn't touch Way's run....but as you can tell in my reviews, I've loved what Aaron's doing. My knee-jerk reaction to whole angel thing was bad, but I'm starting to see promise in the idea...but I credit that to Aaron. Way would have screwed it up and probably just did it as a departing shocker, but this could potentially open things up for the character.

Originally Posted by Mark Blicharz

Batman and the Outsiders is a solid read every month with fantastic art..

Yeah, I was determined to cancel it after this week, but the action and art just keep getting better and I can't pull the trigger just yet. I was really impressed with the way Dixon treated Geo-Force..... he was nasty! If you're an action guy, and don't need much depth or character, this book works.

[Wolverace]

Originally Posted by S.A. Parvaze

We typically do DiOs for comics this released this week (in the US and Canada) and those released the previous two weeks, so the last Marvel Spotlight (on GRRM and Laurell K. Hamilton) will be out of our window by the time next week rolls around. I can certainly ask if anyone's willing to do any upcoming ones though (it looks like Spotlights for Iron Man and Hulk are coming in April and May respectively).

Cool thanks.
I want to pick up the Spotlight sometimes, and have, but I'ld like a heads up.

[virtuadept]

Ghost Rider would have to be getting 5/5 reviews for me to attempt that book again. Although if it consistantly gets good reviews for a full arc I may pick it up in trade later.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by virtuadept

Ghost Rider would have to be getting 5/5 reviews for me to attempt that book again. Although if it consistantly gets good reviews for a full arc I may pick it up in trade later.

Its getting there. The art is good not great, but Aaron's writing has been excellent.