2005-01-27
Capsule Comic Reviews - 1/26
By: Harold Bloomfield
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Writer: Judd Winick | ||
Slowly but surely things are looking up for the Batman titles. Over on ‘Tec David Lapham has begun a year long arc that has the makings of a classic while on this, the main title, Judd Winick is two issues into a story that’s miles ahead of his previous Scarecrow/Penguin-centered tale. He makes very good use of Nightwing and his rapport with Batman both in dialogue and in action. And while one must wonder why Batman isn’t out of his nut with desire to avenge the death of Spoiler, Winick does incorporate elements of War Games into this. This is a lively issue what with the Batman-Nightwing interplay, the Black Mask overseeing the refitting of Mr. Freeze, and the mystery of the Red Hood. Let’s hope there’s a better resolution to who is under the Red Hood than there was to who was underneath Hush’s bandages. Doug Mahnke handles the art well and the glossy paper never hurts in that department. Oh and the appearance of the DC version of the Super Skrull makes for an engaging cliffhanger. Or is the Super Skrull the Marvel version of Amazo?
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Writer: Kurt Busiek | ||
Busiek and Company get back on track after two very pedestrian issues. Conan wakes up hung over, in prison, with a bump on his head. He manages to talk his way out based on his experience from the God in the Bowl story (a development which is the best thing associated with that story) and into the employ of the mystical priest Kalanthes. To complete the deal he must prove his skill in battle with the priest’s bodyguard, Janissa. This leads to a classic throw down between the two and eventually to Janissa reciting the story as to how she gained her fighting prowess. Throw in some tidbits about the feud between Kalanthes and Toth-amon and you’re close to sword and sorcery heaven. Cary Nord is given plenty of chances to shine whether it’s a two page splash of a town, a snow capped mountain, the aforementioned battle, a fire lit camp or Janissa’s gripping tale and he doesn’t disappoint. The cliffhanger is a little on the mild side but otherwise this represents a very welcome return to form.
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Writer: Mark Waid | ||
For old timers like me and anyone else who is vaguely familiar with the origin of Galactus the first five pages here are a waste. Not only that they totally negate last issue’s ending which implied Johnny discovered something new about the Planet Devourer’s background. So, origin summary, a quick page, page and half but five, no way. As usual with Waid he still manages to come up with some things of note like Johnny’s ability to see, in the sense of understanding things, allowing him deeper insight into his partners. His plan to stop Galactus deftly incorporates what started this whole thing in the first place but more explanation of Quasar’s ability to conjure up a complicated piece of machinery out of thin air is needed to make its execution read smoothly. This may be holding things up to an impossible standard but since Jack Kirby I’ve always thought Galactus stories should be imbued with grandeur and an epic nature that few if any have been able to duplicate since and is missing here.
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(click here for preview pages)
Writer: Samm Barnes | ||
I guess it was ridiculous to think that this story could progress without the presence of Norman Osborn but such is my disdain for his continued presence in seemingly every other Spider-Man story I still cringed when he appeared in two flashback sequences. Adding insult to injury, the rest of this story is just one big yawn. Sarah has a couple of Willem Dafoe moments in front of the mirror, tangles with drug dealers and plots with an unknown co-conspirator but it’s all terribly flat. Who cares? This showed some promise last issue but really doesn’t go anywhere that I’d like to follow. To top if off, if it wasn’t enough that on a school teacher’s salary Peter jumped on a plane to Paris on a moments notice, MJ turns around and does the same thing here. Shame on anyone who can’t guess what she’s going to walk in on when she gets there.
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Writer: Warren Ellis | ||
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Warren Ellis’ time on this book has been plagued by the snail-like pace of the stories that seemed padded by at least a third. That’s not a problem here as this is a great example of the strengths of the Ultimate line. Ellis captures the sense of exploration and unbridled imagination that’s always infused the best FF stories. He also takes advantage of this series tweaking of the characters and their relationships with some dynamite dialogue. The Thing, in particular, gets some long overdue face time. Of course he handles the science and pseudo-science with an ease that makes it pleasurable, not cumbersome or silly and the N-Zone appears to be just as dangerous a place as its Marvel Universe counterpart, though different enough to make this a reimagining as opposed to a retelling. Adam Kubert shines with full page and double page spreads are warranted and spectacular and don’t seem like filler as they have in previous issues.
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