Darkwing Duck (2010 Series) #12

May 31, 2011

Title: FOWL Disposition Part Four

Writer: Ian Brill
Art: James Silvani
Colorist: Lisa Moore
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Cover: James Silvani & Amy Mebberson
Editor: Christopher Burns           
Publisher: Boom! Studios/Kaboom!

With Duckthulhu rising, Darkwing Duck and his family must join forces with a mysterious double agent to save the world from F.O.W.L.’s most dastardly scheme of all time. This issue really delivers – lots of action and gags, yes, but some serious depth here as well. The scenes where DW sees a different world, a different possible world for himself and his family picks into the psyche of the characters in a way that lesser writers never attempt. What’s more, this issue brings us the fulfillment of a bit of dark foreshadowing from the last story arc, when it was hinted that Darkwing was going to lose somebody close to him. The way it happens, there were really only two candidates all along, and throughout the issue we feel like one or the other could fall at any time. Of course, this is still a Disney book – there’s a very good chance that the character in question will eventually return. That doesn’t diminish the real hopelessness and agony we see in Darkwing as he realizes just what his insistence on going it alone this time has cost him. He’s made a terrible mistake and it’s cost him dearly, and that’s way more than we expect from a book of this nature. And that, friends, is all to the good. Darkwing Duck is smart, funny, and action-packed. It’s the best book being published for young readers right now, and it’s one of the best superhero comics period.

Rating: 8/10

Nova (2007 Series) #4

July 10, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Alone (An Annihilation: Conquest crossover)
Rating: T+

As Nova heads into battle against the Phalanx, survivors of the Annihilation war make a startling discovery.

Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Sean Chen, Scott Hanna & Brian Denham
Colors: Guru EFX
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The latest distress call from Kree territory isn’t part of the Annihilation aftermath after all, but comes from an all-new threat. The techno-organic plague called the Phalanx has taken over the Kree Empire, and Nova is determined to rescue his allies from the plague. It may not be as easy as all that, though.

As I’ve come to expect from Abnett and Lanning, this story is put together really well. Nova’s desperation is palpable, and the threat not to himself, but to the Worldmind, is quite evident. The other Annihilation crossover from this week, Wraith, feels like a story using the Phalanx invasion as a backdrop. This issue feels much more like an actual continuation of the story that began in the prologue, and it’s all the stronger for it.

The B-plot this issue involves a few Kree survivors stranded on a dead world. The discovery here was probably inevitable, and actually works quite well, as it should help to progress Nova’s story in the next logical direction. (Although it doesn’t do much to help dispel perception of the Nova concept as being somewhat derivative of Green Lantern.)

Chen and Hanna handle most of the art this issue, with Brian Denham stepping in for a few pages. The transition is seamless – if the credits didn’t tell us which pages were Denahm’s, I never would have known the difference.

This series continues to impress the heck out of me. Abnett and Lanning are telling the best Nova stories ever.

Rating: 8/10

Shadowpact #4

August 16, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Blue Devil: A Night in the Life

Blue Devil rides solo for the night — and Hell’s a-lookin’ for him.

Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Steve Scott
Inks: Wayne Faucher
Colors: Mike Atiyeh
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Cover Art: Steve Scott
Publisher: DC Comics

This is, strictly speaking, a pretty good issue of Shadowpact. The only real problem comes in scheduling – it seems a bit counterproductive to end the arc that kept Shadowpact out of commission for a year, then follow it with a one-off story that takes place before that year.

That said, this spotlight on Blue Devil is a fun issue. Hanging out in his home neighborhood in Metropolis, Dan Cassidy – alias Blue Devil – runs afoul of several obstacles (demonic and otherwise) on his way to a Shadowpact meeting. A few throwdowns later, Danny finds a novel solution to his predicament.

As in his best stories, Bill Willingham finds an unconventional way to end what looks like a pretty conventional superhero story. What’s more, he has a great track record of using seemingly one-shot stories to subtly set up major plot points that pay off down the line, and there’s definitely a taste of that here. It’s also nice to see the Shadowpact characters, most of whom haven’t had a spotlight in years, if ever, get a chance to shine on their own, and the way he writes Blue Devil in particular is sure to please longtime fans of the character. The only real problem with this issue is that I think the title needed a few more issues to stand on its own before taking a chance on an issue like this one.

It’s a shame that Willingham’s art stint didn’t last longer – I don’t know if he has any plans to pencil future issues of this title – but Steve Scott does a good job on his own. He’s basically dealing with Blue Devil’s world here, and that means big monsters in a surprisingly normal urban setting. The pieces come together here very well.

A nice issue for Shadowpact fans. A real treat for Blue Devil fans. An okay issue overall.

Rating: 7/10