Young Justice (2011 Series) #4

June 23, 2011

Title: By Hook Or By Web

Writers: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Mike Norton
Colorist: Zac Atkinson
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Mike Norton & Alex Sinclair
Editors: Jim Chadwick & Michael McCalister       
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

The Black Spider and Hook have captured three of our heroes, but Robin’s got something special up his sleeve. Once he, Kid Flash, and Aqualad bust out, we get what amounts to a slam-bang action issue, as our three heroes tussle with the two villains. The action works very well, with the writers giving each hero a bit of a spotlight, showing off their powers and what sets them apart from their teammates. The villains are somewhat generic, but in truth, they mostly amount to living MacGuffins anyway – important only in that they give the heroes someone to fight and a way to show off what they can do. This is, sadly, Mike Norton’s last issue on this series. It’s a real shame, too – he’s got a perfect style and sensibility for these heroes. He’s long proven himself one of the most dependable and underrated superhero artists in the industry, and while I’m sure he’ll be happy to move on to more high-profile projects, this series is going to miss him.

Rating: 7/10

She-Hulk (2004 Series) #8

October 16, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Engagement Ring

It’s She-Hulk versus Champion in the title bout for Skaroon!

Writer: Dan Slott
Pencils: Juan Bobillo
Inks: Marcelo Sosa
Colors: Dave Kemp
Letters: Dave Sharp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover Art: Mike Mayhew
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Last issue the She-Hulk got a new position – a magistrate in the employ of the Living Tribunal. Part of that gig means she has to work within the justice system of each planet she presides over – and on the planet Skaroon, where supremacy is decided by combat, that means trouble. The elder of the universe known as Champion has taken over that world and is running it into the ground, spending all his time in the boxing ring. It’s up to She-Hulk to take him down.

I get more impressed with Dan Slott’s writing each and every issue. There are several things about this title that have made me into the fan I am, and you get them all this month. Slott delves into some Marvel Universe history to help the story play out, nut works it in without making it an obstacle for new readers. We get a few surprise (but satisfying) cameos, and we get a lot of humor. There’s a sequence in here that especially cracked me up, reminding me of the episode of “South Park” where they make fun of the “sports training montage.”

The storyline is constructed very well – all the circumstances that lead to the conclusion were set up last issue. Nothing comes out as an utter surprise, but you’re enjoying the ride too much to really overthink it. It’ll be interesting to see if the changes that come about in this issue last in this series – and if they’ll be reflected in other comics that Shulkie appears in.

Juan Bobillo is on his way out as penciller of this series, but he manages a decent job on this issue. His strengths and weaknesses remain the same as always, though – he does well on She-Hulk herself and most of the human characters, but his “monsters” don’t work. They’re too soft and silly-looking in a way that doesn’t really mesh with the humor of the script. (There’s a flashback panel with the Thing that reminded me of how dissatisfied I was with his rendition of the character several issues ago.) Mike Mayhew again serves up a great cover, a funny cover, that taps into a couple of obscure and wacky Marvel characters, but it’s a cover that, as so many Marvel covers are these days, is utterly irrelevant to the story.

This is a really good title, a really fun title, and with Paul Pelletier taking over the pencils soon, I expect it to get even better. The book has been picked up by Marvel at least through issue 15, so you’ve got time now to get on board, start enjoying this series, and help it get the long life it deserves.

Rating: 8/10

Amelia Rules #17

April 13, 2007

Amelia Rules! #17 (Renaissance Press)
By Jimmy Gownley, cover by Terry Moore

Have I mentioned lately how great this comic book is? Jimmy Gownley‘s Amelia Rules! is one of the smartest, most intelligent young readers’ comics on the stands, and this double-sized issue is the best yet. A long summer over, Amelia and her friends prepare for the first day of school, and the walk from home stirs up a lot of memories. Gownley uses the “walk to school” framing sequence to tell a lot of stories, including one about Amelia and a friend running away from home, her aunt’s disappointment at her failed musical career, and just how Amelia and Kyle can relate to each other. While the book does depend on a lot of information from previous stories, but it’s never in an inaccessible fashion. New readers will be able to get right in. As usual, Gownley deals with some relatively serious topics in a fun, entertaining way that will appeal to young readers and help them understand some of the harder truths about life (divorce, for example) without depressing or frightening them. His artwork, as usual, is great, and this issue the book comes with a great cover by Strangers in Paradise creator Terry Moore. It’s double-sized, so it’s more expensive than a usual issue, but Amelia Rules! #17 is worth each and every penny.

Rating: 9/10