|
Short Shrift
Week of 08-09-06
Posted 11 August 2006
|
|
The Short Shrift!
Short and to-the-point reviews of new comics!
Ms. Marvel #6
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Roberto de la Torre
Publisher: Marvel Comics
When I first reviewed Ms. Marvel, I stated that it
“could easily be a five star series if it remains consistent” and brings Carol Danvers into her own as a
character — not only have Reed and de la Torre done that but they have made Ms. Marvel one of Marvel’s
most consistently solid books every month. Reed has perfected Carol Danvers and given her that new lease on life she
deserves, making her one of the only female superheroes in the medium to have a solo series worth reading (the other is
She-Hulk). Reed packs every issue with character development, action, and fun, and he never loses sight of the bigger
picture at any point. Reed deftly handles the transition into Civil War for Carol, validating her decisions and actions
while still allowing me to enjoy the series thoroughly despite my vehement opposition to her side in the war. Reed is coming
into his own as a comicbook writer and I truly hope he gets his hands on at least one more series soon.
Roberto de la Torre has performed the artistic equivalent of Reed’s writing feat; he gets better with every
issue and has made Carol Danvers a superstar. The best part about de la Torre’s Carol Danvers is that she actually
looks her age; de la Torre draws her as a beautiful woman, one that has seen her share of combat, and doesn’t
needlessly reduce her age as many other artists would likely have done in his position. Every page of Ms. Marvel
looks great, and I hope de la Torre stays on the series for the long run. Also, a special thanks to both Reed and de la
Torre for getting six issues into the series so far on time and without fill-ins — it’s sad how few books can
make that claim. (Adam White)
Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2
3.00 out of 5 Stars
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mark Brooks
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Bendis has been trucking along on Ultimate Spider-Man for ninety-eight issues and counting, plus two annuals now,
and I have been with the series since #1 hit stands. That in itself should be a testament to the quality of Bendis’s
work on the series, and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2 is no exception. Plenty of surprises in store here, as Bendis
plays fast and loose with Spider-Man mythology and reworks it in new and interesting ways for the Ultimate Universe. Bendis
packs this second annual with guest stars galore, and introduces a promising prospect at the end of the issue, one that I
hope he follows up on in the series.
The art, however, is where Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2 falls short. While the regular series features the
stylish stylings of Mark Bagley in every issue, the annual only rates Mark Brooks, whose work leaves much to be desired. All
Brooks’s characters look exactly the same in the face, and not very well-done faces at that. His pseudo-half-manga
approach to art really sticks in my craw and I would just as soon not have to force myself through his work again. Brooks’s Punisher is truly godawful, and I hate that such a good role for Frank was ruined by substandard art. So while
the story is great, and necessary to read in the larger scheme of things, the art sucks and brings down what would otherwise
been another 5-Star book this week. (Adam White)
Annihilation #1
5.00 out of 5 Stars
***BOOK OF THE WEEK***
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Andrea DiVito
Publisher: Marvel Comics
To top off this week’s Marvel trifecta, Giffen and DiVito hit me over the head with a hammer — the hammer
being the quality of Annihilation #1. I cannot stress enough that if you have not picked up this book yet that I pity
you, because you are missing out on the biggest science fiction/space opera series of the decade. While I had mixed feelings
on the lead-up miniseries when they debuted, they all got better
with each issue (especially Nova — man that was a great mini). Giffen outdoes himself again
(doesn’t that get old, Keith?), with Nova leading the forces of our universe against a threat that makes the stakes in
Civil War seem as inconsequential as squabbling toddlers. Giffen makes use of every Marvel space character (still
alive) and makes sure everyone has something useful to do in the issue. Y’know what? Giffen is the man. Deal with
it.
Although I lamented his exit from The Thing (and its cancellation, for that matter), Andrea DiVito steps up his
game again, making him a perfect match for Giffen on Annihilation. DiVito is a powerhouse behind the pencil,
putting virtually any of Marvel’s “Young Guns” to shame. Giffen has packed the script with a multitude of
characters, alien swarms, and fantastic situations that would bring a lesser artist to his/her knees, yet DiVito laughs in
the face of the challenge and makes this book a masterpiece.
You really need to read this book. (Adam White)
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
|
