There is a part of me that wishes I had more time to devote
to writing these mini-reviews/impressions of each book. That is because
regardless of whether I think it is trash, entertainment or genius I know that
a lot of hard work goes into creating each book. Often I think that that the
goal of the effort is missed. If I had more time I could play editor and try
and offer more constructive criticism as opposed to the brief comments I make.
I need to hit the lottery.
New Avengers #6
by Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting was its usually maddening
self. On one hand many people will say it is a great book and heap praise upon
it. I often feel like many of Hickman’s books are praised for fear that if you
say it is not understandable people will think you are not cool or maybe just
too stupid to understand his brilliance. I feel it is the Emperor’s new clothes
syndrome with some writers. No one wants to say it is crap or should be written
with more explanation. As with Azzarello, Hickman’s work is often a challenge
to understand. That can be a good thing; it can also be a bad thing, especially
when I’m reading over 100 books a month. Epting’s artwork as always is clean
and concise. He is a top flight artist, but not a top artist. I don’t think I
have ever disliked Epting’s work, but he is somewhere between great and good.
As for the story itself we are six issues in and can someone tell me what the
hell is going on. I know the Black Swan (wonderful name and reference) is
captured by the Marvel Illuminati. I know they are trying to save the world
from other worlds coming into our world and killing everyone. Of course I was confused
that this issue another planet is next to ours but there is no impact of the
gravities. The Black Swan spouts stuff that sounds like a fortune cookie on
crack/cocaine. The heroes stand around and talk to each other, concepts are
introduced and they destroy a world. They are all emo about it, but a page
before it was barren with no life, then when it is destroyed the caption reads
“It was an avengers world.” I’m obviously missing a lot of what Hickman is
trying to convey. I don’t have the time to re-read his current epic.
Wait for the trade, it should read better.
The Deep Sea one
shot by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Tony Akins was a lot of fun, but ultimately a disappointment. This
was obviously the zero issue to an ongoing mini-series. I kept looking to see
if the three eight page chapters were in Dark Horse Presents, but I could not
find any indication that was the case. So a great start to a cool story,
excellent art by Akins and I guess we have to see (pun unintended) if the full
story can find a home. Hey Jimmy run a Kickstarter to do the whole series!
Read it on the stands.
Sex #3 by Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalski was a solid issue in this series. If anything it
suffered from middle chapteritis. The plot was moved forward, characterization
was deepen, but outside of the Catwoman character pleasuring herself while
dreaming about her and the Batman character nothing earth shattering happened.
That is not a condemnation it is just a factual statement that in the course of
a long form story sometimes a chapter has to advance each character but we lose
any climaxes occurring (except for the Catwoman character). I crack myself up
sometimes.
Buy it.
Avengers #12 is
by Jonathan Hickman and Mike Deodato. See my above review of
New Avengers. It is the same issue with this story, just better art.
Buy the trade or wait
till I put the issues on Ebay.
As I write these posts I run out of steam, but I have two
more books I want to mention.
Captain America
Buy it – or pay me when
it goes on Ebay
Earth 2 Annual #1
by James Robinson and Cafu. The thrill is gone. I liked the
issue, hated that we get no reveal on who the new Earth-2 Batman is, liked the
origin of Al Pratt’s powers (actually still left it a mystery) and enjoyed most
of it. No matter as Robinson has quit. Now the next guy may do well, but it
just feels like another time that DC us pissing off the creator.
Buy it.
Come back next week for more rants, reviews and commentary.
No comments:
Post a Comment