Xombi (2011 Series) #3

June 1, 2011

Title: Exit Strategies (The Ninth Stronghold Part Three)

Writer: John Rozum
Art: Frazer Irving
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Frazer Irving
Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Publisher: DC Comics

David Kim, aka Xombi, has run into a bit of a problem. Marantha, a particularly nasty entity, has been cut loose, and David is cut off from his more effective allies in the heat of battle. When Marantha pulls off a strike that would be fatal to anybody else, the question rises – can even David’s nanites pull him back together? It seems likely that this book is on its way out, with the massive restructuring of the DC Universe announced on May 31, but it’ll be a real shame if there’s no home for David Kim at all. He’s an intriguing character in his own right, and in three issues this has easily turned into one of the most innovative, bizarre titles in the DC Universe. Although Xombi himself is a sci-fi based character, the story and world he inhabits falls more in the realm of the supernatural, even horror. John Rozum easily melds the elements together, making for an engaging story and characters that are just plain fun to read about. Frazer Irving brings his decidedly bizarre style to the character and his world, and even manages to make characters like Nun the Less and Nun of the Above – very similar visually –distinct. And tough broads at that. Although the cancellation of this book has not been announced, it’s hard not to see writing on the wall. After just three issues, I’ll miss it. It fills a very distinct, unusual place in the DC Universe that nobody else is touching on these days.

[Update: Since this review was written, the full 52-title DCU roster was announced and, sadly, Xombi isn’t part of it. Writer John Rozum will stick with the Milestone heroes, though, taking over a new Static Shock series.]

Rating: 8/10

New X-Men (2004 Series) #36

March 13, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Mercury Falling Part Four
Rating: T+

Hellion and X-23 are out to save Cessily – but Kimura stands in their way.

Writer: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost
Pencils: Paco Medina
Inks: Juan Vlasco
Colors: Brian Reber
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Sean Ryan
Cover Art: Paco Medina
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Hellion and X-23 finally reach the facility where Cessily is being held (took ‘em long enough) to find that she’s not exactly unprotected. Laura’s former handler, Kimura, is standing guard, along with some of the monsters made from Cessily’s skin.

This issue is mostly action sequence and cavalry, and as such, it works pretty well. The fights are good, and Paco Medina’s artwork is very well-suited to the style. There are several questions left open at the end, many of the character nation, and that’s a good thing. I just hope that Cessily doesn’t become dark and brooding.

After a good set-up, though, the last few pages get quite stale. One of the big problems with having a telepath in your cast is resisting the urge to have pages of expository dialogue as they pick another character’s history apart. In most cases, this is pretty boring to read, and this definitely qualities as “most cases.” The last page, however, brings back a long-lost character and an interesting (if someone overdone) portent of things to come.

All in all, better than this first few arcs with this writing team, but still not a knockout.

Rating: 7/10

The Walking Dead #59

March 14, 2009

The Walking Dead #59 (Image Comics)
By Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard

Rick’s old friend Morgan has gone a little mad with the transformation of his son into a zombie, but they take him with them anyway. After raiding Rick’s former police station for supplies, the men begin the trek back to the rest of their group — but the obstacles in their way may prove to be too much to handle. This series really is like reading a novel. Some issues are full of action. Others, like this one, are usually pretty quiet. If it weren’t for the final sequence, it would almost feel like filler. Not to say it isn’t good stuff — the bulk of this issue is about character development, particularly for Morgan and, to a lesser degree, the others. For a lot of books, it would feel like a wasted issue, but Kirkman has done an excellent job of making us invest in these characters. There’s nothing wasted here, not really. As always, the book works on every level.
Rating: 8/10