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Amazing Fantasy #15 (Vol 2) Review posted: 05 Dec 2005 Writer: Various Artist: Various Publisher: Marvel Comics  3.00 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by Adam White

I generally like anthology series, especially in cases like Amazing Fantasy where Marvel tries out new characters (since they generally don’t do that in ongoing books). The Arana story was so-so, and the Scorpion arc wasn’t too bad (the character has potential), and Vegas was pretty cool, but I was really excited about the milestone issue #15, where Marvel was touting they would try out six new potential series created by the best up-and-coming creators. I liked the looks of the previews, and was generally excited about it; upon finishing reading it, however, I have mixed emotions.

“Mastermind Excello,” by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, started out interestingly enough but then it lost me when the title character started using an incomprehensible ability to apparently label items, of all things. Pak has a knack for the incomprehensible,

Marvel has some worthwhile new characters to explore… I especially applaud the attempt to do something new, and I hope Marvel continues to support this series.

especially in his Warlock miniseries, and he stays true to form here. Miyazawa’s art is all right, if you like the Americanized-Manga hybrid style (which I don’t). The character and basic plot have potential if put under new management, but as it currently stands I could pass on any future installments.

Daniel Way and Nick Dragotta’s “The Great Video” was much better, and my second favorite piece overall. Their video clerk gains strange abilities after botching an arson, and ends up embroiled in the aftermath. The story seemed way too short, which translates into wanting to see more. Dragotta’s art was solid, and right for the story. I would definitely be interested in seeing what these guys have in mind for this potentially interesting villain.

Robert Kirkman and Khary Randolph’s “Monstro” was a middle-of-the-road piece, with its plusses and minuses. The Monstro character was interesting but underdeveloped, and I didn’t get the sense that Kirkman had plans for him beyond this short story. Randolph was inconsistent in Monstro’s form, sometimes making him appear appropriately unnaturally large and other times fairly normal. The art was also too much of a riff on the Batman Animated style, and it didn’t really fit the mood of the story. With a different atmosphere and some direction, Monstro could be something worth reading, but as it stands it’s kind of a misfire.

“The Heartbreak Kid” by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jeff Parker was just boring and sappy. It reminded me why I don’t ever buy the MK 4 title by Aguirre-Sacasa — because it sucks. Parker did what he could with the script he was given, but I just felt sorry for him. The only “Heartbreak Kid” I know of is Shawn Michaels; this stillborn creation should just go away.

Sean McKeever and Kristian Donaldson’s “Positron” had a lot of promise, and seemed entirely too short (translation: it deserves a miniseries). While I do tire easily of too much teenage angst/drama (which others of McKeever’s titles often showcase), the concept was original and had the good makings of a tragic origin story. Donaldson’s characters were a little angular, but he has a style all his own and it would likely grow on me as time goes by. “Positron” deserves a longer life, and I hope to see the character turn up in the future.

The best of the bunch, though, is “Blackjack” by Dan Slott (She-Hulk!) and Pete Woods. Their short, two-page tales of Ace and One-Eyed Jacquie, agents of G.R.A.M.P.A., were worth the cost of the issue. Slott did more in two-page segments than the others did with four or more times that length, and each one was hilarious. Woods’s art complimented the stories nicely, fitting in tons of action and fun in a short amount of space. Of any of these new creations, I think “Blackjack” was far and away the best one and I sincerely hope to see these characters get at least a mini series sometime in the near future.

While Amazing Fantasy #15 was not all I was hoping for, I think Marvel has some worthwhile new characters to explore that have come out of it. I especially applaud the attempt to do something new, and I hope Marvel continues to support this series. I will buy every issue for as long as it lasts, just for the sake of trying new things, and I would love to see shorter arcs to allow a wider diversity of characters a chance to pick up an audience. In the final analysis, Amazing Fantasy is an honorable effort, and I strongly encourage Marvel to stand behind it for a long, healthy run.