Final Crisis #7 (of 7) — Writer: Grant Morrison; Pencils: Doug Mahnke; Inks: Tom Nguyen, Drew Geraci, Christian Alamy, Norm Rapmund, Rodney Ramos, Doug Mahnke and Walden Wong
No big insights at the end here (at some point, I’ve got to read the whole thing in sequence), but a few small observations: (1) Mahnke turned out to be the perfect sub, and in retrospect should have been on this thing from the beginning; maybe now he’ll get the respect he deserves (and should have had after Action #775). (2) The two issues of Superman Beyond 3D are the only “extra” parts essential to the story; let’s hope they’re included in the inevitable trade collection. (3) At base, this is a JLA story: Morrison gives Superman, Batman, the Flashes, the Green Lanterns and even Green Arrow/Black Canary essential bits, and they all come through in this last issue, too (Wonder Woman seems to have less to do than the others, though). Giving everyone a piece also helps to make Superman’s use of a literal deus ex machina feel like less of a cheat. (4) The deep themes: heroism, mortality, the importance of stories, the metatextuality of the DC Universe — aren’t as annoying as they could be; they’re made subtle by all the slam-bang action that precedes them. (5) This really was a fun roller-coaster ride, and I’m glad they did it: but, DC braintrust, no more now for a few years, OK? You aren’t going to top it, and we’re sick of them. Oh, fine: do the Black Lantern thing, but then it’s smaller, one-book continuity stuff from here on out. Please?
Captain America #46 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Artist: Steve Epting
Daredevil #115 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Artists: Michael Lark, Tonci Zonjic and Stefano Gaudiano
I usually just list these titles in the “other stuff I bought” section at the end, because there isn’t that much new to say about them, but let’s emphasize that that doesn’t mean they’re sliding or anything: they’re both very well-constructed, compelling super-hero soap operas, with well-drawn casts, better-than-average art, and a quiet, confident literacy (look! Actual themes! Dialogue that sounds like grownups might actually say it!) that sets them apart from almost any other ongoing series out there right now. Follow them in the monthly pamphlets or in the trade collections, but don’t ignore them; you’ll be missing solid entertainment.
The New Avengers #49 — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Pencils: Billy Tan; Inks: Matt Banning
Ultimate Spider-Man #130 — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Penciler: Stuart Immonen; Inker: Wade von Grawbadger
Here’s another writer who provides a steady hand and a competent narrative flow. Bendis is seen as much more the backbone of the current Marvel Universe than Brubaker, since he’s got the higher-profile books, the ones that tie into all the big crossover events (I’d have to check to make sure, but both Cap and DD completely ignored the Secret Invasion events, didn’t they? Neither one threw a banner up on the cover to try to goose sales.). When Bendis goes wrong, though, it seems to grate more (i.e., any time he tries to write Dr. Doom’s dialogue), and those endless New Avengers Secret Invasion backstories got old, but here he’s back on track, and I can’t help but feel a fanboy thrill at developments like Luke Cage with the Wrecker’s crowbar. Ultimate Spidey, on the other hand, is his signature title — like Cap for Brubaker, it’s the one that demonstrated just how pitch-perfect he could be with the Marvel myths and rhythms — and after 130 issues he’s still bringing his A-game to it; it’s always a pleasure to read.
Runaways #6 — Writer: Terry Moore; Penciler: Humberto Ramos; Inks: Dave Meikis
Echo #9 — Writer/Artist: Terry Moore
Two by Moore — Runaways gives him corporate toys to play with, and the benefit of Ramos’s exuberant, uniquely fun art, but of course he’s limited to the kinds of stories he can tell, and what he can do with the players; at least with an out-of-the-way title like this, he has a lot of leeway, but it’s still familiar, if well-done, superhero soap opera tropes. Echo is his very own baby, with no collaborators and the indy advantage of being able to do whatever he wants — note here, where most of the issue is an extended dream sequence, and the overall plot doesn’t move forward that much. So what? It’s all part of the larger story, and the freedom to try different techniques is a big part of what jazzes the narrative along and makes the book worth coming back to.
Amazing Spider-Man: Extra! #2 — (Main Story): Writer: Dan Slott; Pencils: Chris Bachalo; Inks: Tim Townsend, Jon Sibal, Jaime Mendoza and Chris Bachalo; (Second Story): Writer: Zeb Wells; Art: Paolo Rivera
Bachalo’s the main attraction, illustrating a Slott story involving both Anti-Venom and Mr. Negative. The backup is a “Spidey and Wolverine walk into a bar” tale, and here the writing’s probably stronger than the art (Rivera’s Spider-Man is considerably more simplified than Bachalo’s, but then part of the story’s point is to contrast Parker’s innocence with Logan’s cynicism, so it’s appropriate). Almost 40 pages of story for #3.99 isn’t a bad deal, either, considering Marvel’s imminent move to that price for a regular-sized book.
Legion of Super-Heroes #50 (of 50) — Writer: “Justin Thyme”; Penciller: Ramon Bachs; Inker: Livesay
I’m assuming that “Justin Thyme” is Jim Shooter’s “Cordwainer Bird,” a pseudonym for stories he wants to disown, and that that’s happening here because editorial fiat required that so much had to get crammed into this final issue to finish the story. Too bad; I liked his run, and remain puzzled that sales didn’t justify continuing it: a fan-favorite series, with a sophisticated writer with a long history with it, and who knew how to press all the right narrative buttons? What was missing? Better art might have helped — here, Bachs is just OK: he sometimes has trouble with so many different characters (his Invisible Kid looks like he’s 8 years old), and in some panels I think I’m detecting some Amanda Connor swipes. Too, maybe after so many incarnations/reboots over the last few years fan fatigue with the concept has set in, and the book just needs to go away and rest for a while.
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 #563 — Writer: Mark Millar; Pencils: Bryan Hitch; Inks: Cam Smith, Andrew Currie and Karl Kesel
Punisher War Zone #6 (of 6) — Writer: Garth Ennis; Artist: Steve Dillon
Glamourpuss #5 — Writer/Artist: Dave Sim
Crossed #3 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Art: Jacen Burrows
Usagi Yojimbo #117 — Writer/Artist: Stan Sakai
Batman: Gotham After Midnight #9 (of 12) — Writer: Steve Niles; Art: Kelley Jones
Jack of Fables #30 — Writers: Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges; Pencillers: Tony Akins and Russ Braun; Inks: Jose Marzan Jr.
Phil Mateer
