Greg's Comic Reviews for February 3, 2010

Welcome to the new and improved Evolution Comics Blog. (If you'd like an intro to the column, check out this blog entry).

This week the comic haul consisted of a measly 9 titles (DC/Wildstorm: 4, Marvel: 4, Independent: 1). Overall it was a good week, with one really great title (Siege #2). Six of the eight books were worth the read, one was bad and only one was absolutely horrible.

Reading List

February 3, 2010

SIEGE # 2

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN # 23

INDOMITABLE IRON MAN

WOLVERINE WEAPON X # 10

QUESTION # 37

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL # 41

RED ROBIN # 9

BLACKEST NIGHT: WONDER WOMAN #3

INCORRUPTIBLE # 2

Report Card

The Good

Siege # 2 (w: Brian Michael Bendis/ a: Olivier Copiel) is the Marvel comic you’ve been waiting for. Okay, maybe I didn’t (still don’t) believe that Siege was “seven years in the making”… but you wouldn’t know it from Seige #2. Seige #2 is Bendis at his absolute best, drawing in from storylines from all over the current Marvel U and stories going back years without needing to “retcon” what has come before. Kudos. Siege #2 is a page turner that is engaging and is, in one word… outstanding. Grade: A+ (story: A+/art: A+)

The Invincible Iron Man #23 (w: Matt Fraction/ a: Salvador Larroca) is one of those “good news/better news” comics. The good news is that the current Stark: Dissembled storyline is almost over. The better news is, that while the story still drags along, the dialogue and some of the ancillary subplot elements (specifically with Pepper & Maria) are very entertaining and totally in Tony-character. The stuck-in-Tony’s head story doesn’t get any better with the addition of Dr. Strange. The Ghost story is still thin. I still don’t understand why Rhodey isn’t a cyborg (but maybe that’s just my problem). Grade: B+ (story: B/art: A)

Red Robin #9 (w: Chris Yost/a; Ramon Bachs) finds Tim Drake back in Gotham (it’s about time). The League of Assassins story is mostly over or at least the first chapter has wrapped up and Red Robin #9 is a transition story that re-introduces Tim to some old friends in his old stomping grounds. The best part of Red Robin #9 is Tim Drake, whose character (personality) has finally emerged in this series. Of course, Bruce would kill him if he ever caught him on a rooftop without his cowl, but you know “boys will be boys” (at least that’s what Tommy “Hush” Elliot says). Grade: B (story: B/art: B)

Batman Confidential #41 (w/a: Sam Kieth) is not for everyone. In fact, I dare say “die hard” Batman fans may not find the appeal of this very stylized, unconventional storyline. On the other hand, Sam Kieth fans (of which I am an unabashed member) are in for a treat. The villain, the unusual relationship between the two primary protagonists (Batman & Callie) and the connection to Batman’s psyche is definitely “out of the box”. If you trust Kieth you just go with it. If not, this storyline is probably a turnoff. Grade: B (Kieth: B)

The Indomitable Iron Man is a 48-page, black & white one-shot made up of three traditionally paneled and illustrated stories and one mostly prose. Of the three, the first and longest (w: Paul Cornell/a: Will Rosado) is the only one that is really bad. It is so bad that it is the only one of the three stories that actually make you wonder why the book isn’t in color. Figuring at least color might make the art work better. “Multitasking” (story & art: Howard Chaykin) is a fabulous Tony Stark/Iron Man story chock full of guest stars that really hits Tony’s place in the Marvel U right on the head. Leave it to Chaykin. “Brainchild” (w: Duane Swierczynski/a: Manuel Garcia) is an interesting little what-if “futurist” story. And to be perfectly honest, if I wanted to do that much reading, I’d pick up a novel, so “It’s Raining Tony” (the prose in the back, w: Alex Irvine/a: Nelson DeCastro) didn’t even get my attention. Overall, despite the really weak main story, the two shorts acquit themselves well. Grade: B- (w: B-/a: B).

Wolverine: Weapon X #10 (w: Jason Aaron/ a: C.P. Smith) is a romp through Wolverine’s romantic (and mostly tragic) history, just in time for Valentine’s day. Smith’s artwork sets a good mood and tone for the issue and Aaaron’s dialogue and use of the many supporting characters (almost all female) in Wolverine’s life is well managed. The romantic interest is a slightly annoying cross between Lois Lane, Mary Jane Watson and the United Colors of Benetton. Overall, it reads like a transition issue and is clearly a prologue of things to come, but is still a decent read. Grade: C+ (story: C+/art: B)

The Bad

The Question #37 (w: Dennis O’Neil & Greg Rucka/ a: Denys Cowan) is as bad as the Blackest Night Starman comic was good. Aside from the uselessness of Renee Montoya masquerading as The Question, this issue goes beyond that stretch of imagination and adds a pinch of Shiva (who claims she’s never been shot, why do I find that so hard to believe?) and a really, really unbelievable twist that foils the Black Lantern Question. Suspend all the disbelief you want, this “twist” is just ridiculous. Cowan’s art redeems The Question #37 a bit, but isn’t enough to make a really bad idea much better. Grade: D (story: F/art: B)

The Unreadable

Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3 (w: Greg Rucka/a: Nicola Scott) is just not good. The first issue of the Blackest Night Wonder Woman mini-series was okay. The second issue was bad. Now, Diana is a Star Sapphire/Love Lantern. Not even being this close to Valentines’ day can save this effort. Scott’s artwork is the lone bright spot. Unfortunately the bad ancillary (minis and one-shots) Blackest Night titles are, for the most part, getting worse and not better.

Un-read

Incorruptible #2

See you next week! And remember only 61 days until first pitch!