What a strong week for comics! Almost everything last week was at least “pretty good” and that makes us happy at WCBR. Even though we’ll do out duty and tell you when a comic SUCKS, we don’t take any pleasure in doing so and it’s a LOT more fun to talk about what was good. However, even though we review a TON of books in-full, there are always a few stragglers that get lost in the shuffle. Thus, the Quick Hit Reviews….
Scarlet #5 – I can see people having two very different sets of thoughts on this title. If you’re a police officer or otherwise a general believer of the benevolence of the government, you’re going to really hate this comic. On the other hand, if you’re a more of a free will, distrust of the “man” type of person I can’t see how this doesn’t scratch a Libertarian itch. I’m in the latter camp and just love Scarlet. This issue represents the ending of the first story arc that has seen the titular Scarlet go from meting out some justice against dirty cops, to being the sudden leader of a political movements. All of a sudden she’s Che Guevara, but she isn’t sure that’s what she wants to be OR if she even can be the leader her “people” want. Meanwhile we are also introduced to some possibly sympathetic heroes within the power structure and that’s good too. I know some people decry Alex Maleev’s art as “tracing”, but I don’t care. Even if he is tracing (and he swears he isn’t in interviews), I like the way he’s using it. He’s just creating art differently than more traditional artists and it is hard to argue with the stylish results. Grade: A- — Dean Stell
Captain America #616 – Well, here’s a comic that’ll earn your $4.99, with a main feature and no less than five back-ups. Better still, for the most part, it’s all pretty good stuff and there are absolutely no reprints or picture galleries to bulk out the package. This meaty package is all story content and that immediately earns it some points. The main feature, written by Brubaker and featuring Bucky in a nasty Russian prison, is really dark stuff and a surprising component to an anniversary issue. That said, if anything, it functions as an effective teaser for what’s to come. Dark and nasty as it is, it lets Brubaker shine, somehow melding gritty prison drama with giant killer bear deathmatches. It’s desperate, dire stuff but also a lot of fun and it brings the hard-hitting drama and excitement back to Bucky after a couple of fairly ho-hum arcs. I hope the actual Gulag story arc keeps this up. With five back-up features, you know you’re going to get a mixed bag, but Cap #616 actually delivers the goods for the most part. While the stories by Kyle Higgins/Alec Siegel and Mike Benson/Paul Grist are fairly forgettable, they have the decency to at least look good. Meanwhile, the Howard Chaykin and Frank Tieri/Paul Azeceta stories are rock solid, really effectively ruminating upon, and making use of, the sense of “history” that is such a big part of who and what Captain America is. The real barn-burner, however, is the masterpiece delivered by Cullen Bunn and Jason LaTour. Tremendous artwork and writing deliver a story that not only focuses upon the importance of Captain America, but does so in a manner that relates it to contemporary times and issues in a manner that doesn’t feel preachy or forced. Bunn and LaTour paint a picture of a troubled modern America that needs a Captain America more than ever. And it still finds room for AIM spider robots. It’s the kind of story that has me very intrigued regarding Bunn’s future Marvel work. Grade: B+ — Alex Evans
Halcyon #4 – Things start to snap into focus in this issue of Halcyon. We learn why peace has suddenly descended over the entire Earth and who is behind it. Surprise…it wasn’t done with altruistic motives!!! I’ve heard a lot of people call this series Guggenheim’s version of the Justice League and there are enough similarities that one almost wonders if this was a failed JLA pitch. If it is, DC really missed out because it is a cool story that could have starred Bruce Wayne Batman as the Batman analog is really cool in Halcyon, especially how he has a plan for everything. If there is an Eisner award for “Best use of a pet sidekick” Guggenheim will win it. The only thing not really doing it for me is Bodenheim’s art, but I think that’s a personal preference because there are a LOT of comic fans whose opinions on art I really value who like the art a lot. Grade: B+ — Dean Stell
Black Panther #516 – I was initially disappointed when I saw that Francesco Francavilla was not going to be on this issue, but it would be hard to find a better substitute than Jefte Palo who illustrated the outstanding Taskmaster miniseries last fall. His style is noticeably different FF’s as his art is rougher and more vital, but the moody and somber effect is the same (although it is more “gritty” than somber). I’m also taking a serious liking to David Liss’ script. He is wordy in his writing, but it almost reminds me of reading old Marvel issues from the early 80’s when a comic took 40 minutes to read. He’s got a little bit of exposition for newer readers, but the overall tale of Black Panther taking on this sicko, superpowered Eastern European gang leader is pretty cool. All mid-list titles should have such strong art! Grade: B — Dean Stell
Spider-Girl #5 – Boy, am I disappointed that this title is cancelled after issue #8, but it is no fault of writer Paul Tobin and artist Matthew Southworth as they create a great issue of Spider-Girl having a fight with Anna Kravinoff that takes them all over NYC. What is especially compelling is how the two antagonists take turn luring the other into traps. Southworth has been an artist I’ve had an eye on since he did the excellent Stumptown (at Oni Press with Greg Rucka) and he does a great job with the characters and cityscapes. It’s just too bad that the comics market is so soft that titles like this one cannot find any traction. Grade: B — Dean Stell
Man and Elephantman #1 – Creator-owned series like Elephantmen paint themselves into a corner once they get up towards issue #30 (which is where Elephantmen is). Even though lots of people have heard what a fun series it is, they think that it’s too late to “jump on”, so Richard Starkings has wisely created a new jumping on point with this issue. Although it does serve to kick off the next Elephantmen story arc (and thus is not to be missed by existing readers), it has a lot of recap for those new to the series. The only credited artist is Axel Medellin and if that is true, he is one versatile dude because there are about 5 different art styles in this issue and they are all good. Grade: B — Dean Stell
Wolverine #7 – Once again, I’m happy to have Daniel Acuna aboard for this arc. His art lends the issue a dreamy, yet also pulpy feel that suits the whole demon possession story very, very well. It’s highly atmospheric and works particularly well when the story enters Wolverine’s mind. The key strength of this issue, however, is how Aaron once again makes use of Wolverine’s extensive and varied history as a character. Aaron actually points out, and then utilizes, the ridiculous number of iterations and transformations Logan has had and cleverly uses this as a source of power for Wolverine. Then there’s a certain recently dead X-Man that makes a cameo that’ll definitely get a whole mess of fans very, very happy. Even the allies that rush to Logan’s rescue this month reflect that history, composed of a coterie of women important to him, an idea that has been touched upon by Aaron before in his Weapon X series. The only problem with this issue is the demon Wolverine, who just isn’t a very interesting character. There’s nothing compelling or unique to distinguish him. There aren’t any complex, or even concrete, motivations. He’s just evil. He’s so drab, that he ends up putting something of a damper on the rest of the issue. Grade: B – — Alex Evans
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #8 – Both Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps had rock solid openings for the War of the Green Lanterns crossover. Unfortunately, especially by comparison, something about Emerald Warriors feels flat. I think a good chunk of it may be the hefty conversation this month between Hal and Guy. These are solid ideas, but it’s ground that’s been tread far too much already and Tomasi spends a lot of pages and words on the argument between the two Green Lanterns. Worse still, there’s something about it that feels forced, as though Tomasi simply needed to have Hal and Guy at odds with one another. Worse still, the use of mind control to further facilitate this feels very tired. Ultimately, it feels like having Guy and Hal punch each other was the main goal this month above all else. In the end, the best things about Emerald Warriors are strengths that were shared by the recent issues of GL and GLC. When Arisia and company get mind-controlled, or when Kilowog and Guy get stampeded by hypnotized Green Lanterns, there’s a fantastic sense of “few against the many.” Kilowog and Guy instantly feel like vital characters, being “in the know,” giving the story a kind of guerrilla feel. And hey, Pasarin’s art sure is spiffy and at the very least, I think he had the best outing out of the three lantern titles this month. Grade: C+ — Alex Evans
Proof Endangered #4 – The problem with this series is that it was poorly marketed. I had read a few issues of Proof, but not the whole first series and was excited by seeing this “new #1” for Proof Endangered a few months ago. The trouble is that this really should just be numbered Proof #30 (or whatever they’d be up to) because it isn’t very new reader friendly. Sure, you can kinda understand what is going on, but you also feel like you’re missing a lot of significance to the action and the characters. However, if you’re a previous reader of Proof, there is a lot for you in this issue as it looks like we’re headed for a final showdown of sorts between Proof and his brother the Yeti. There’s a seeming death of a major character in this issue too. Love Rossmo’s art, which is raw and vibrant! A dedicated Proof fan would probably rate this higher, but…. Grade: C+ — Dean Stell
Punisher in the Blood #5 – This hasn’t been the best Punisher story and in my mind it lost some major steam by being screwed around from a numbering standpoint. The marketing tease was for this miniseries was to watch Frank Castle get back into action after the events of Frankencastle (even though Remender kinda already did that at the end of Frankencastle). But, what we got was an odd story that is very rooted in the Punisher/Microchip/Jigsaw ongoing mythos. It was a decent Punisher story, but not the best. This finale really focuses on the character of Henry and his real father (Jigsaw) and his kinda-father-figure (Punisher) as they fight over the boy. The ending redeems a lot of the story by making it clear that Frank really does like Henry, but knew that the Punisher lifestyle wasn’t what was best for Frank. Grade: C
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