Captain America (2005 Series) #26

May 22, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: The Death of the Dream Part Two (an Initiative tie-in)
Rating: T+

With Cap dead, how will his friends carry on?

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Steve Epting
Inks: Michael Perkins
Colors: Frank D’armata
Cover Art: Steve Epting
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As skeptical as I remain about the whole “Death of Captain America” storyline, the immediate aftermath (immediate? Geez, it feels like years…) of the death is handled pretty well. Just days after Steve Rogers is gunned down, we see how the Marvel Universe is reacting to his death through the eyes of four of his major supporting players – Sharon Carter, Falcon, Bucky and the Red Skull. Each of them, of course, has a unique relationship with Steve, and each of them allows us to peer into different parts of the Marvel Universe to see just how the world is reacting to the horrific events.

All four of the stories have their strong points, with Falcon being the most interesting to me. I’m trying hard not to draw parallels to the Death of Superman lo those many years ago, but it’s not easy to avoid them, especially when you have Sam Wilson pulling his best John Henry Irons impression (in that he’s the only character who really seems, spiritually, to be establishing himself as a true successor to the fallen hero).

Bucky’s story is pretty good as well, but the last page of this issue – which no doubt will have many fans reaching for the champagne – left me really cold. Without getting into spoiler territory, there are two major problems with it. First of all, it feels very similar to another post-Civil War storyline that’s going on at the moment, although at least in this case it feels about a trillion times more in-character than in the other. Second, I simply can’t imagine that anyone believes it will actually happen.

Steve Epting’s art (joined, I assume, by Mike Perkins and Frank D’armata, although I can’t be sure because for some reason the full credits appear to be missing from this issue) is as great as ever. I’m quite impressed at how this art team has crafted a style that melds superhero imagery with a more realistic visual sense.

A good issue, to be certain, that will probably be of more interest if you’re into the other stories currently fitting into this particular mosaic.

Rating: 7/10

Suicide Girls #2

June 1, 2011

Writers: Steve Niles, Missy Suicide, Brea Grant, Zane Grant
Pencils: David Hahn
Inks: Cameron Stewart
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Cover: Cameron Stewart
Editor: Mariah Huehner  
Publisher: IDW Publishing

In a nutshell: in a dystopian near-future, a fascist regime called Way*Of*Life has seized control. A failed attempt at taking out the resistance group called the Suicide Girls gives the girls important information about the whereabouts of Way*Of*Life’s leader, and so a plan is hatched to take him out for good. The problem with this issue is the same as issue one. As far as dystopian sci-fi goes, it’s all well and good, but there’s not really anything particularly original here. The book is riding on the popularity of the Suicide Girls property rather than breaking any new ground. That said, they know what side their bread is buttered on, and they roll with it. David Hahn and Cameron Stewart do a very nice job of blending the unique style of cheesecake the SGs provide with the visual cues of a sci-fi world where things are falling apart. It’s an unorthodox mix, but it’s not unprecedented, and this particular team is well-suited to it. This book isn’t groundbreaking, and it’s not going to change anyone’s life, but there’s some fun here. And let’s face it, if you’re really just getting it to look at the girls, you’ll be perfectly satisfied.

Rating: 6/10

JSA: Strange Adventures #4

November 15, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: All in Color For a Dime

His offer to humanity rejected, Lord Dynamo attacks!

Writer: Kevin J. Anderson
Breakdowns: Barry Kitson
Finishes: Gary Erskine
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Rob Leigh
Editor: Peter J. Tomasi
Cover Art: John Watson
Publisher: DC Comics

Lord Dynamo had a simple offer to mankind – medicine, technology, art, music… enough to advance the human race immeasurably. And all he wanted in return was Green Lantern’s ring and Starman’s cosmic rod. Mankind was ready to give it, too, until Johnny Thunder made an impassioned plea to save his friends. He won. He convinced them.

But Lord Dynamo doesn’t take rejection very well.

I’ve really enjoyed this series. The Justice Society of America in World War II is one of the most fertile storytelling environments in comics and Kevin J. Anderson has done a fine job with these characters. He knows them, he understands them, and he’s doing interesting things with them.

This is clearly Johnny Thunder’s series, with the book focusing on him and his job as the JSA historian and his aspirations to be a writer. If there’s one flaw in this issue, it’s how Anderson sets up a lot of the drama around the fate of a certain character. Look, this story takes place in the past and it’s not an Elseworlds. We know the fate of these characters already. There’s not that much drama to be had there.

Kitson and Erskine do pretty good work on the artwork, although not quite as strong as Kitson does when he does full pencils himself instead of just breakdowns. John Watson’s cover, however, is simply beautiful. He captures all of the characters in a dark moment for them. I’d hang this cover on a wall.

I’m really digging this title. I can’t wait to see where it goes. And I hope Anderson has a few more classic JSA stories in his future.

Rating: 8/10