Echo #2 — Writer/Artist: Terry Moore
Strangers in Paradise was a tale of human interaction that gradually revealed fantasy and adventure elements; Echo is starting out as the opposite: an upfront sf/adventure story that’s gradually revealing its characters’ human connections and foibles. I’m not sure the vast-badguy-conspiracy stuff is working, at least not yet; it’s the same old hard-to-believe crap that we get in 24, Lost, etc., and seems like lazy storytelling. On the other hand, the fragmented-battlesuit pellets, their spooky attempts to reintegrate, and the idea that their original owner is somehow still “in” there somewhere (as the titular echo?), are intriguing, and as always the art is smooth, clear and comfortable in its intermingling of cartoony caricature and realistic drama. Bottom line: I’m looking forward to the next issues, and glad to get in on the ground floor of Moore’s new world.
Young Liars #2 — Wrier/Artist: David Lapham
Lapham seems to be using the jigsaw-puzzle narrative of Stray Bullets here; each story is self-contained, but a piece of the larger picture, and they aren’t being told in chronological order, so it’s up to the reader to fit everything together. They sure are pretty pieces, funny and sexy and startlingly violent. He’s sometimes too quick to default into pulp-fiction territory (like the violent Goons from Daddy here), but his narrative drive, ear for dialogue and knack with unpredictable, dangerous-but-likeable characters carry the story along entertainingly.
Criminal Vol. 2 #2 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Artist: Sean Phillips
This is an impressive package — for $3.50, you get 30 pages of story, uninterrupted by ads, plus a double-page title spread, plus a few pages of editorial content — and it’s a satisfying, stand-alone crime tale with a number of subtle connections to previous episodes, for readers familiar with them. And, as always, it’s extremely well-told — the technique with the blackout panels, for example, is perfect, and shows just how confident and imaginative Brubaker and Phillips are with the comics medium. Any readers who’ve been bitching about comics being all the same, or about nothing good being out there — hey, genius, maybe that’s because all you read are superhero books. You ought to pick up this comic, and get a taste of what you’re missing.
Doktor Sleepless #6 — Writer: Warren Ellis; Art: Ivan Rodriguez
In which it’s revealed that the Doktor is more of a villain than a hero (not in his own mind, of course, but I think in ours, and Ellis’s), with plans to disintegrate society for its own good that wouldn’t be out of place in a Dr. Doom or Ra’s Al Ghul playbook. Mostly talking and revelations, with the promise of an accelerating storyline over the next few issues as Ellis plays with his notions of high-tech cyber-revolution. This still feels like minor-key Ellis, but it’s brainy, nasty fun nevertheless.
Amazing Spider-Man #556 — Writer: Zeb Wells; Pencils: Chris Bachalo; Inks: Tim Townsend
A good JJJ bit, nice art throughout — with an especially cool monster — and some satisfying twists: a good middle episode for this arc. Focusing mostly on Spidey helps to emphasize what’s still the same about him, and the result’s a story that, with minor tweaks, could fit comfortably into any continuity, and is the stronger for it.
Fantastic Four #556 — Writer: Mark Millar; Penciler: Bryan Hitch; Inkers: Hitch and Andrew Currie
This has degenerated into lots of punching and fighting, with a standard unbeatable foe. Nice art, and many good story bits, but they don’t quite disguise the creaky plot. I liked Dwayne MacDuffie’s arcs better.
Stuff I bought and liked, but have nothing new to say about, so read past reviews in the archives if you want to know….
Punisher #56 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Artist: Goran Parlov
The Goon #23 — Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
Gold Digger #94 — Writer/Artist: Fred Perry
Groo: Hell on Earth #4 (of 4) — Writers: Sergio Aragones with Mark Evanier; Art: Sergio Aragones
B.P.R.D.: 1946 #4 (of 5) — Writers: Mike Mignola and Joshua Dysart; Art: Paul Azaceta
Phil Mateer
