Ambush Bug: Year None #4 (0f 6) — Plot/Pencils: Keith Giffen; Dialogue: Robert Loren Fleming; Inks: Al Milgrom
Read it for the in-jokes; keep it for Giffen’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Archie parodies, the whole Mitsu Bishi manga thing, the fanboy argument about the relevance of trivia, and, definitely, any of the parts with the sock guy (especially “woggita-woggita-woggita” and “Oh, si! You are muy macho sock!”).
The Goon #30 — Creator: Eric Powell
Powell sometimes descends into self-parody (i.e., Satan’s Sodomy Baby), but when he’s on, as he’s been the last few issues, he delivers a smooth blend of action, drama and humor. The last few pages with the woky are as disquietly chilling as anything by Mike Mignola.
Punisher War Journal #25 — Writers: Matt Fraction and Rick Remender; Artist: Howard Chaykin
I’m buying this for as long as Chaykin stays on it; he pays off here with some big action panels, and a grim “time to go to work” full splash that’d make a great movie poster. Fraction and Remender know how to keep the twists coming, although not all of them work (a Hammerhead Skrull? Really? I bet he was thrilled with that assignment… and, hey, does the Punisher really need another horribly-scarred nemesis? Because…?). Anyway: Chaykin.
Conan the Commerian #5 — Writer: Timothy Truman; Artists: Tomas Giorello and Richard Corben
Similarly, Conan’s adventures as scripted by Truman are dependable and businesslike, with occasional flashes of tough-guy humor; it’s the art that makes the sale, though: seven pages of Richard Corben, right in the middle of the last few books, is enough for me (his three-issue “Crooked Man” Hellboy mini-series this fall was one of the best stories of the year).
Uncanny X-Men #504 — Writer: Matt Fraction; Penciler: Terry Dodson; Inker: Rachel Dodson
Fraction doesn’t quite have a handle on this book yet, plot-wise (much like in Punisher War Journal, although here it’s even closer; the various subplots just never seem to come together to make one satisfying single issue), but once again is rescued by the art: the Dodsons offer style and expressive faces (especially on the women; they’re like a looser Greg Land, minus the stiff photo references), and more than enough reason to keep following this well-appointed mutant soap opera.
Amazing Spider-Man #578 — Writer: Mark Waid; Artist: Marcos Martin
You know what you’re getting with Waid: old-school plotting and characterization, with deft manipulation of the story elements, and one or two high-concept twists. That makes him a perfect fill-in writer — and perfect for the current Spidey universe, since his fanboy roots and affectionate treatment of the characters make him today’s version of Marv Wolfman and Len Wein (now, if they could just find today’s version of Ross Andru…).
Stuff I read and liked enough to buy, but don’t have much to say about, so read previous reviews in the archives if you’re interested:
Fantastic Four #561 — Writer: Mark Millar; Artist: Bryan Hitch
X-Men #218 — Writer: Mike Cary; Penciler: Scot Eaton; Inker: Andrew Hennessy
Phil Mateer
