Supergirl (2005 Series) #55

September 6, 2010

Title: Fakeouts
Writer: Sterling Gates
Pencils: Jamal Igle
Inks: John Dell, Marc Deering & Richard Friend
Colorist: Jamie Grant & Jim Devlin
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Amy Reeder, Richard Friend & Guy Major
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics

With Jimmy Olsen, Gangbuster and Dr. Light among Bizarrogirl’s captives, Supergirl descended into the sewers to try to save them, only to fall victim herself to Bizarrogirl’s reverse X-Ray vision, a power that apparently can encase people in stone. I’m still not sold on that being the opposite of seeing through things, but it’s certainly original, and Gates doesn’t dwell on it too long to really get in a bunch over it.

What does work, as we approach it from the “opposite” angle, is the characterization of the two girls. Bizarrogirl, as Supergirl’s opposite, is a cruel and unfeeling creature, which makes Supergirl’s actions at the end of this issue far more understandable and easy to accept. She takes a pretty big risk here, one that I didn’t see coming, but one that fits into her story perfectly. Using the villain to characterize the hero? A dandy little stroke of brilliance that pays off.

Jamal Igle’s artwork is beautiful. His women are soft but strong, his Gangbuster really looks like a guy who’s taken a beating, and the man does rubble very well. Even the double-page spread that opens this issue is choreographed and posed flawlessly. The man is one of the finest Supergirl artists I’ve ever seen.

This is the creative team we’ve always wanted on this title, and they’re finally getting the freedom to do some really cool stuff.

Rating: 8/10

Fantastic Four (1961 Series) #546

May 22, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Reconstruction Chapter Three: Aw, That’s Just Crude (an Initiative tie-in)
Rating: A

The Fantastic Four and Gravity face the Heralds of Galactus!

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Inks: Rick Magyar & Scott Hanna
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Rus Wooton
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover Art: Michael Turner
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In deep space, the Fantastic Four stands poised to save the cosmic being called Epoch from the hunger of Galactus. But the FF is a man down – the Black Panther has bolted! Not to fear, though, they have a fourth – the newly-resurrected Protector of the Universe… Gravity!

This fourth issue of Dwayne McDuffie’s run is actually the first one I feel is a little bit of a letdown. I’ve very much enjoyed everything he’s done so far, and enjoyed most of this issue as well. He uses the Black Panther’s connections very logically, very well (c’mon, you guys didn’t actually think he was just running away last issue, did you?), and the banter between Ben and Johnny is spot-on. I also really like what he’s doing with Reed and Sue, who – even while on an extended vacation to rebuild their marriage—can’t seem to get away from danger. Much of what we’re reading here seems to be a distant tie-in to Annihilation, which is just fine with me. I’ve enjoyed most of Annihilation so far, and I think crossing it over into books like this one that already have clear links with Marvel’s cosmic corners is a smart move.

The only thing that kind of disappoints me is the ending. I thought McDuffie was setting up a big status quo shift (not for this title, but for the Marvel Universe in general), but at the end, he seemed to hit a reset button. Again, I’m forced to wonder if this wasn’t something that was done with Annihilation in mind, but taken on its own, I wish he had gone in another direction.

Paul Pelletier is one of my favorite sci-fi superhero artists, and he proves why this issue. He does fantastic outer space scenes and his weird tech is second to none. There’s an apparatus used by one of the characters in this book that looks like it leapt right off Jack Kirby’s sketchboard.

I’m still enjoying this book and I think McDuffie was the right choice to take over. I’m going to assume the things that bummed me here were just a bump in the road.

Rating: 7/10

The Mighty #1

February 7, 2009

The Mighty #1 (DC Comics)
By Peter Tomasi, Keith Champagne & Peter Snejbjerg

In the 1950s, a freak accident transformed an ordinary serviceman into the world’s only superhero. In the years since then, Alpha One has been a constant force for justice. His support team, Section Omega, hasn’t been quite as lucky. When the latest chief is found murdered, his replacement’s first order of business is to begin the investigation into his death. Tomasi and Snejbjerg did a magnificent job a few years ago on the underappreciated Light Brigade miniseries, and Champagne has really made a name for himself as a writer lately too. The three collaborators make a solid story, although I did feel like there was something missing — I kept waiting for some sort of twist, some sort of reveal to put the story in perspective, and there really wasn’t one. It was solid, but it didn’t blow me away. Still, I liked the first issue and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series — I’m confidant in this team to give us a satisfying story before we reach its end.
Rating: 8/10