Author Archives: Phil

Strangers In Paradise #90 — Writer/Artist: Terry Moore Final issue, as Moore brings everything to a satisfying conclusion (now it’s clear why David had to die a few issues ago: so that everyone else could get a happy ending without it seeming too sappy). Francine’s and Katchoo’s relationship has had so many bumps, twists and delayed gratification that it’s especially nice to see them end the run together; there’s a final, “after the credits” throwaway scene that did the almost-impossible by making me choke up, a testament to Moore’s skill as a storyteller, and a reminder of why this entire … Continue reading →

Tank Girl: The Gifting #1 — Writer: Alan Martin; Artist: Ashley Wood It’s a cliche because, too often, it’s true: you can’t go home again. For those of you coming in late: Tank Girl was created by Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin, and appeared in the British comic Deadline in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The title character, along with her boyfriend (a mutated kangaroo, although for years I thought he was a dog; go figure…) and various girlfriends and others, lived in a post-Apocalyptian Australia, ala Mad Max, and ran around shooting things and generally causing chaos. Somehow, … Continue reading →

I’m going to be in Las Vegas from tomorrow morning through next Monday (my daughter’s playing in a chess tournament — the US Open at the Riviera, if you care), so I’m hustling to get these done early this week. Don’t get used to it…. Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4 — Writer: Joss Whedon; Pencils: Georges Jeanty; Inks: Andy Owens. The rhythm with this title so far seems to be that four issues equal one TV episode, with each comic corresponding to a 15-minute act (well, 12 minutes, not counting commercials). That means that this concludes the first show of … Continue reading →

Supergirl #18 — Writer: Joe Kelly; Pencillers: Adam Archer and Ale Garza; Inker: Sandra Hope Supergirl vs. an idealized, Silver-Ageish version of herself, which lets Kelly make his case against all the people who’ve been agitating for that version of the character to come back. That part’s good — he gets in some good arguments, after all — but the art is sometimes distracting. The faces, especially, are often distorted, and even ugly, and the ending is a “Hey — what th–?” affair that feels like Kelly is rushing to wrap things up before the next creative team takes over … Continue reading →

Hellboy: Darkness Calls #2 (of 6) — Writer: Mike Mignola; Art: Duncan Fegredo Best book of the week. Fegredo continues to do a great, spooky job on the art (one assumes Mignola is looking obsessively over his shoulder, especially because the end product is so close to Mignola’s own style, and that can’t be fun for Fegredo, but the result is one nice-looking book). The plot looks back to lots of previous Hellboy continuity, too, so it’s a treat for longtime fans, and it really seems as though this storyline will move the character forward; when an independent creator promises … Continue reading →