Reviews

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 →

Sensational Spider-Man #40 — Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; Art: Clayton Crain Peter meets God (one of those Joan of Arcadia or Saving Grace Everyman manifestations of Him, anyway), and God kind of shrugs and says, “Hey, Quesada’s going to make them screw up your life, and I’m sorry, but what can I do?” Good last page, with a melancholic reverie on the corporate stupidity that’s apparently about to envelope this franchise. Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious #1 (of 2) — Story & Art: Sam Kieth If Sam Kieth pinups of various women in ripped clothing who are aiming guns at Batman and Lobo … Continue reading →

Booster Gold #1 — Writers: Geoff Johns & Jeff Katz; Layouts: Dan Jurgens; Finishes: Norm Rapmund It’s interesting how the “feel” of this book is a lot like the early issues of the ’80s version — that’s definitely the influence of Jurgens, who was both writer and artist of that first incarnation. The concept itself, though, has been flipped — instead of the flashy newcomer who uses modern marketing techniques to make himself famous, Booster now works in the shadows; he’s a time cop, charged with protecting the multiverse from evil forces trying to manipulate history. It’s a solid concept … Continue reading →