Omega the Unknown #5 (of 10) — Writer: Jonathan Lethem; Artist: Farel Dalrymple
Now at the halfway point, this has evolved from its ’70s origins into a completely new book (although some kind of title-page credits to Gerber, Skrenes and Mooney would still be nice). Its anything-goes, deadpan surreality and indy-flavored storytelling make it seem like a project from the Bill Jemas era, with that experimental, almost-desperate pizzazz from almost… geez, a decade ago? Now I feel older….
True Story, Swear to God #10 — Writer/Artist: Tom Beland
The main character of this autobiographical book is a Californian comic artist who fell in love with a Puerto Rican woman and moved to that island to be with her. In this issue, the narrative makes it up to September 11, 2001, and his reactions to that day, living in a partially-foreign and partially-Americanized country, help to propel the story and drive him to some life-changing conclusions. The simple style is surprisingly effective at communicating emotion and information, and makes it surprisingly easy to care about these people and their lives.
Doktor Sleepless #5 — Writer: Warren Ellis; Artwork: Ivan Rodriguez
The Doktor toys with the authorities, and delivers a lecture about what “reality” means when everyone’s able to constantly reinvent themselves and modify their images — but it turns out that he doesn’t know as much as he thinks (although you’d have to have read the previous issue to understand why). Good, although it suffers from not yet being the compelling roller-coaster ride that Transmetropolitan, which mined a similar vein of near-future technological dystopia, was.
Uncanny X-Men #495 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Artist: Mike Choi
One of those stand-alone, take-a-deep-breath issues, where we see everyone relaxing now that the big crossover’s finished. Scott and Emma vacation in the Savage Land, giving Choi an excuse to draw some nice dinosaurs, and an Emma-Shanna conversation is refreshing in its lack of bitchiness (from either character). I’m not sure the setup for the next issue is going anywhere good (’60s flashbacks in San Francisco? Dude…), but it’s pleasant to just watch these people interact, and not have to worry about earth-shattering cosmic events for a change.
Amazing Spider-Man #549 — Writer: Marc Guggenheim; Art: Salvador Larroca
Beginning the next arc, by the next creative team. OK so far, although it’s mostly setup — and the whole bit about whether the new superheroine is really MJ is just stupid (Peter can’t tell? Why? It’s not like the mask covers much of the character’s face, or changes her voice, and he’s right up next to her. Between the red hair and the “tiger” stuff, it’s either overly coincidental or he’s an idiot, and either way it’s annoying storytelling). In its combination of personal-life subplots, webslinging and new-villain intros, it reads a lot like one of Len Wein’s or Marv Wolfman’s ’70s Spidey scripts (although the art, more painterly-looking than inked, gives it a modern feel), and, like those long-ago stories, it’s lightweight but surprisingly entertaining.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight #11 — Writer: Joss Whedon; Pencils: Georges Jeanty; Inks: Andy Owens
Another stand-alone story from Whedon (who looks to be making a play for one of next year’s GLAAD awards). The regular sympathetic characterization, snarky-but-affectionate dialogue and incremental movement of the uber-plot, as we see the Big Villain and get teased about his identity. It’s another competent, fun issue of one of the better current comics.
Detective Comics #841 — Writer: Paul Dini; Penciller: Dustin Nguyen; Inker: Derek Fridolfs
The Mad Hatter, with special guest stars Tweedledum and Tweedledee, or whatever they’re calling themselves now. The lameness of their Wonderland Gang (The Walrus? the Carpenter? Eeeshhh…) is a plot point, so OK, and it’s the kind of pleasant, stand-alone Batman-beats-the-villians story that Dini’s always good for.
Fables #69 — Writer: Bill Willingham; Pencils: Mark Buckingham; Inks: Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy
Still excellent, and worth noting only because it’s the end of the “Good Prince” arc. Willingham’s not afraid to have Big Things happen, and he, Leialoha and Pepoy have a lot of experience by now at carving out satisfying self-contained tales within the larger Battle-Against-the-Adversary story they’ve been telling for over five years (there’s that flapping-wing sound of time passing again…).
Stuff I liked enough to buy, but don’t have anything new to say about, so go look up previous reviews in the archives if you want to know why I liked it:
Jonah Hex #28 — Writers: Palmiotti and Gray; Art: John Higgins and SJ Hurst
The Boys #15 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Art: Darick Robertson
Phil Mateer
