Author Archives: Phil

Amazing Spider-Man #544 — Writer: J. Michael Straczynski; Penciler: Joe Quesada; Inker: Danny Miki Actually pretty good, thank God — the last few issues have felt like molasses, with everyone marking time and waiting for this Big Event to kick off. Now that it finally has, Peter can start doing logical things like going to Iron Man, having a fight, and asking for help for his aunt; then, he can start thinking about how to save her. Here’s my guess on the big resolution: we know he’s going to see Dr. Strange, right? Dr. Strange owes Pete a big favor … Continue reading →

She-Hulk #21 — Writers: Dan Slott and Ty Templeton;  Penciler: Rick Burchett;  Inker: Cliff Rathburn Slott and Templeton end their run with a clever get-out-of-continuity-free card (one that other creators can use to explain away stupid or inconsistent previous plots involving their characters, too), and finish giving Jen her powers back and putting all the toys back in the box for Peter David (who gets his own shout-out here). I’m not sure why I never warmed to this series — it’s been funny, with its heart in the right place and a gleeful use of obscure Marvel continuity — except … Continue reading →

The Last Fantastic Four Story — Writer: Stan Lee; Artist: John Romita Jr. The first time through this, I just kind of rolled my eyes — oh, great, late-period Stan again — and felt like the rhythm was off, and the story was too basic. The second time through, though, I began to appreciate it more; he’s really keeping his finger off the Irony Button this time, unlike with all those Stan Lee Meets… books, and the third-act twist, where Reed makes the impossibly-moral decision to save the race that’s been trying to kill them, is presented straight, as simply … Continue reading →

Silver Surfer: Requiem #4 (of 4) — Writer: J. Michael Straczynski; Artist: Esad Ribic Who’s buying this book? Younger readers certainly won’t like it, since it’s all static, talky scenes in washed-out colors, with everyone talking about how noble Norrin Radd is as he lies dying on Zenn-La. Older readers will roll their eyes at the portentious tone, since they know that “deaths” like this never stick, and wonder why Galactus, who’s about as near-omnipotent as the Marvel Universe gets, can’t just redip the whiny bastard in the silvery-skin stuff, slap on an extra coat of rustproofing, and fix him … Continue reading →

Batman #668 — Writer: Grant Morrison; Artist: J. H. Williams III The script is serviceable, with the typical Morrison quirks, but the real star here is Williams, from the hypnotically surreal cover to the variety of artistic styles he employs inside. I was going to complain that some of his layouts are confusing, but then I realized that they all occur at chaotic points in the narrative, so Williams probably wanted them to seem fragmented; he’s just, simply, that brainy and careful as an artist, and his work here is a pleasure. Amelia Rules #18 — Story & Art: Jimmy … Continue reading →