By: Nick Spencer (writer), Emma Rios (artist), Javier Rodriguez (colorist), Joe Caramagna (letterer), Alejandro Arbona (associate editor) & Stephen Wacker (senior editor)
The Story: The Spider-Island spotlight turns onto Cloak and Dagger.
What’s Good: Well, the Spider-Island “event” has 28 items on its checklist. So, that means we’re getting some serious tie-in miniseries action. Although we all love to bitch about event tie-ins, this one makes a lot of sense: Cloak and Dagger are characters with a definite cult following, but they’ve never been able to sustain an ongoing series and in this decrepit comic marketplace, if a new C&D ongoing were announced, we’d be lucky get to get 5 issues. But, a few fans still care, so why not release a 3-issue miniseries in conjunction with an event wherein everyone in NYC get’s spider-powers? Makes sense, right?
And, it seems like that is the essence of the miniseries. I worried a little bit when I saw the solicit that this story would be about Dagger turning into some 8-legged spiderhorror, but it’s not that at all. In this first issue, the linkage to SI is pretty minimal as the events of Amazing Spider-Man #667 are merely a backdrop for us to see what’s going one with our favorite anti-drug heroes. Spencer does a really nice job of pacing the issue and working some humor into things as well (Cloak scolding Hawkeye for laziness when they want to be transported a mere two blocks).
But, for me, the reason to buy this comic is Emma Rios. She has got some serious chops and is getting into that “must buy” artist territory because it is really hard to have a mediocre comic issue when the art is this solid. Her trademark is becoming these brushy and flowing panels where everything just comes alive, but she can also hunker down and draw detailed things like architecture where you see the individual bricks. I’d love to know a little more about her process. She’s really one to keep an eye on at Marvel!
What’s Not So Good: Not much… An issue like this is going to be held back a little bit just because it is an event tie-in featuring C-list characters. Some of that is personal, I’ve never been much of a C&D fan and I don’t really read superhero comics for outstanding storytelling (silly rabbit, that’s what creator-owned properties are for), so it’s hard to blow my socks off with a story like this no matter how great it is.
I also groaned a little bit when Mr. Negative showed up. I’ve never read a single Mr. Negative story that was enjoyable and I find him to be a very drab villain. Clearly someone at Marvel likes him because he keeps showing up everywhere even if I can’t find any fans of his online. I guess, C&D have to fight against someone and given his drug background he makes some sense, but I’d prefer a wholly new villain with unknown motives to a mediocre, stale and predictable villain like Negative.
Conclusion: If you’re into Cloak & Dagger, this will be an enjoyable read that is pretty true to the characters and has wonderful art. Not too bogged down in Spider-Island, so you can enjoy this alone if you wish.
Grade: B+
-Dean Stell
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