Ultimate Avengers #5 — Writer: Mark Millar;  Pencils: Carlos Pacheco;  Inks: Dexter Vines with Thomas Palmer So, how come Millar’s books generally feel successful, while Jeph Loeb’s too often come off as wanna-bes, when both utilize over-the-top plot twists, faux-adult situations, and tic-filled dialog, and often deal with the same characters? Maybe it’s the narrative stance: Loeb’s feel like they’re deliberate talk-down pitches to kids, while Millar is more of an enthusiastic fan himself, roping the readers in and making them co-conspirators in the frequently-awful things that happen to his subjects. Maybe it’s the way the WTF? moments in a … Continue reading →

PunisherMax: Butterfly #1 (of 1) — Writer: Valerie D’Orazio;  Art: Laurence Campbell This is one of those stories where the Punisher just does a walk-on or two; he’s a shadowy force of death, but the story isn’t about him: it’s about a hitwoman who’s written a book about her experiences, and her employers who don’t want it published, and the resulting violence. The hitwoman, who’s called “Butterfly” but not otherwise named, is a well-constructed creation — she’s damaged and disassociative, but determined and compelling, too, and her story arc has a chilly but satisfying logic. Campbell’s art has the requisite … Continue reading →

Usagi Yojimbo #126 — Writer/Artist: Stan Sakai Every so often, it’s good to remind people what a treasure this book is, and here’s a good issue for that — a self-contained tale involving a talkative old woman and an innkeeper who isn’t what he seems, by turns funny, creepy and action-packed, with a precisely-constructed, satisfying plot and gorgeous art, all showing off Sakai’s 25 years of experience chronicling the adventures of his lupine samurai. It’s also one of those rare books that non-comics readers can immediately enjoy; buy one, enjoy it, and then use it to show a child or … Continue reading →