JSA Classified #33

December 30, 2007

JSA Classified #33 (DC Comics)
By Junior Thomas, Staz Johnson, Mike Norton, Scott Kolins

This two-part Green Lantern story wraps up pretty well this issue. Vandal Savage’s attack on Thanksgiving has led to the immortal stealing much of the Starheart power from Alan Scott, using the life-essense of a nearby child to create a “puppet” for his attack — a duplicate of Alan’s deceased daughter, Jade. Alan is forced to face his own child while Savage makes his play. This was a decent enough story, if not a great one. Alan Scott is still one of the best characters in DC’s old guard, but Vandal Savage is a bit played out as an enemy. While Jade’s story packs some nice emotion, the reader doesn’t really believe there’s a chance she’ll return here. I liked this issue, and the Christmas Eve epilogue is nice enough, but I’m really more looking forward to next issue’s Hourman/Liberty Belle story.
Rating: 7/10

Doctor Who (2008 Series) #2

March 15, 2008

Doctor Who #2 (IDW Publishing)
By Gary Russell & Jose Maria Berdy

Deciding to educate Martha on some of the intricacies of Earth’s music scene goes wrong for the Doctor when creatures (and musicians) made of sand begin appearing. As they investigate this strange alien infestation, in space several aliens are suddenly finding themselves the last of their species, which could add up to bad news for the Doctor. Considering that Doctor Who was doing multi-part storytelling long before it was fashionable, it’s kind of odd that the new series (while containing at least one ongoing subplot) has been pretty self-contained so far. That does fit more into the modern context, though, and it’s working pretty well. Russell is telling stories that fit very well with the flavor of the TV series, but may not work as well on the screen. It’s not a classic, but it’s fun, which is good enough.
Rating: 6/10

Fantastic Four #547

June 26, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Never Ask Her If She’s Wearing Colored Contact Lenses (Reconstruction Chapter Four)
Rating: A

A discovery in deep space brings Reed Richards back to Earth.

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

Reed and Sue’s time away from the Fantastic Four is interrupted when Reed finds a bizarre organic satellite drifting through space. He turns to one of the few people whose knowledge of biochemistry matches his, and with the New Fantastic Four, begins to formulate a plan. Still in space, though, Sue finds herself stumbling across some old foes.

This book is great on all levels. McDuffie is showing a real rapport developing between the members of the new team, while not discarding everything that makes the classic team work so well. At the same time, the way Reed and Sue are rebuilding their relationship is coming across beautifully. It’s Sue, not Reed, who suggests he takes time from their Honeymoon to examine the satellite, and when is the last time you actually saw Reed get distracted from his research by thinking about Sue? This is better than just understanding the relationships between these heroes, this is actually developing them.

Paul Pelletier has long been a favorite artist of mine, and his work on Fantastic Four is reminding me of why. He blends together science fiction and superheroics in a way few other artists can match. I love his interpretation of the Thing, and the strong ink and color work by Magyar and Mounts comes together to make a good package all around.

It seems like McDuffie is going to blend all six members of the Fantastic Four for this arc, which is just fine by me. It’s all coming together really well.

Rating: 8/10