X-Factor (2006 Series) #17

March 19, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Rating: T+

Jamie hunts down another rogue dupe… but someone is hunting his teammates.

Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Khoi Pham
Inks: Sandu Florea
Colors: Brian Reber
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Pablo Raimondi
Publisher: Marvel Comics

After a truly phenomenal issue 16, X-Factor #17 is just a tad lackluster. This reads mostly as a prologue to the next story arc, “X-Cell” (beginning next issue), and as such, it’s strong enough. Jamie is still on his quest to hunt down all of his missing dupes, but the one he stumbles across in Detroit is heavily burdened with knowledge he just doesn’t want Jamie to have. Fortunately, he’s got a plan to keep it away and do a little himself in the process.

Rictor and Rahne, meanwhile, have a little heart-to-heart. She isn’t necessarily approving of his current association with Pietro, and she’s not shy about mentioning it. Meanwhile, Layla and Guido are just sorta hanging out, but none of the X-Factor members are aware of just how closely they’re being watched.

Like I said, this issue is mostly set-up. The things Jamie’s dupe says are clearly intended to be seeds for the next story, and the offer laid on the table for him is the same. What’s going on with the rest of the team? More set-up. Still, there are good bits in here. For his purposes, the plan the dupe comes up with is ingenious. The scene with Rictor and Rahne is nice too – as an old-school New Mutants fan, it’s nice to see that David remembers the relationship the two of them shared (or at least almost shared) back in the 90s.

Khoi Pham and Sandu Florea’s artwork fits pretty well into the style this book has enjoyed since the first issue. It’s dark, it’s grim, but it still tells the story without getting messed up or muddy. More importantly, it fits the quasi-noir feeling Peter David has established with the script.

X-Factor is still one of the best – heck, it’s probably the best – book in the X-Men family. This issue was just a little weaker than usual.

Rating: 8/10

X-Factor (2005 Series) #14

December 9, 2006

Quick Rating: Great
Title: Multiple Issues Part One
Rating: T+

Jamie tries to pull his team – and himself – back together.

Writer: Peter David
Art: Pablo Raimondi
Colors: Brian Reber
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Pablo Raimondi
Publisher: Marvel Comics

With his entire team pretty well screwed up, Jamie Madrox is trying to find a way to pull X-Factor, and himself, back together again. It’s not going to be easy to do – both Syrin and Monet are refusing to speak with him since he (via a dupe) accidentally slept with both of them on the same night. Guido, meanwhile, is broken up over the deaths he caused while brainwashed, and Rictor doesn’t seem to know what he wants. Following up on last issue’s psychoanalysis special, Jamie talks again to Doc Samson, who helps point him in a personal direction if nothing else. Of course, things for Jamie never go as simply as he plans.

Peter David treads a very fine line with this issue, going from some scenes that are outright to comedic to others that are pretty emotional and heartfelt, and he handles both with aplomb. What’s more, a great many of the characters are pointed in a definite direction this issue. There’s nothing superfluous here – storylines, character arcs, either begin, develop or resolve on every page. There’s no padding, no fat. This is about as well-structured as a comic book script can get. This is the Peter David I’m a fan of, when he manages to give a comic his unique blend of humor and humanity. That’s when he’s at his best, and that’s why this is currently the best title in the entire X-Men family.

Pablo Raimondi’s artwork is almost as impressive as the writing. He handles the emotional scenes very well and does a good job on most of the comedic bits. Only one page, where Jamie and Rictor are throwing back drinks together, comes across as a little awkward in the posing, and that’s not nearly enough to hurt the book as a whole.

Simply put, this is a great issue of a great comic book.

Rating: 9/10

X-Men (1991 Series) #194

December 26, 2006

Quick Rating: Fair
Title: Primary Infection Part 1
Rating: A

A plague is about to be unleashed.

Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Humberto Ramos
Inks: Carlos Cuevas
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As Rogue’s team searches for the truth about the mysterious Pan, the Beast continues his examination of a stranger who dropped dead outside of the gates of Xavier’s. Meanwhile, a plague is in the works that could threaten all mutantkind.

Mike Carey still seems like an odd choice for the X-Men, but he’s definitely brought his own flavor to the title. The opening scene in the bar includes some dialogue that’s incredibly Carey-esque, and he’s culled some very unusual characters to join the team (and I don’t just mean Sabertooth and Mystique). Sometimes the weirdness works, sometimes it doesn’t. There’s a character, for example, who calls himself a “reverse Typhoid Mary,” but as far as I can tell, he’s exactly like Typhoid Mary.

Humberto Ramos, likewise, is an odd choice, but I think he’s a better match all-around. He has a good feel for basic superhero storytelling and most of his character designs work as well. I particularly like his version of the Beast, right down to the bow tie.

I give Carey credit for trying something a little different with the X-Men – not enough writers are willing to do that. In execution, it’s a mixed bag of stuff that fits and stuff that doesn’t.

Rating: 6/10

Omega Flight #3

June 5, 2007

Quick Rating: Disappointing
Title: Alpha to Omega Part Three
Rating: T+

As the government tries to force a new Guardian onto the team, the Wrecking Crew goes on a tear.

Writer: Michael Avon Oeming
Art: Scott Kolins
Colors: Brian Reber
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Scott Kolins
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As the Wrecking Crew continues their rampage, Talisman makes her stand against the new Guardian… Michael Pointer, the man who destroyed Alpha Flight. The first half of this issue is heavy on the Tailsman/Guardian storyline, and it’s not really one that grabs me. The basic problem is one of credulity – Pointer has apparently been appointed the new Guardian by virtue of the fact that he’s already wearing the costume, which has to be the worst justification ever. Talisman’s rage is quite understandable, but doesn’t necessarily make for a good story. There’s even a line where one of the characters points out how ridiculous it is to have an American wearing the costume of Canada’s greatest hero, which is actually a good metaphor for this entire series (and more in an “emperor has no clothes” way than a self-aware meta-joke way).

The second half of the book, featuring Beta Ray Bill’s throwdown with the Wrecking Crew, is a much better scene. The fight works well, and Oeming does a good job of making the Crew seem like a legitimate threat for someone with the power of Thor. Kolins and Reber’s artwork really gets a chance to shine here. Reber’s colors really help to make this book stand out from Kolins’s usual work, giving it a painted look that really makes it unique.

Much as I loved Oeming’s work on Thor and Ares, this book feels like a letdown, mainly because at least half the team feels like it’s there by editorial mandate rather than the fact that they actually belong there… which is actually a good metaphor for the issue itself.

Rating: 4/10

Annihilation #5

December 26, 2006

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Ascension
Rating: T+

With Thanos dead, can anyone free Galactus?

Writer: Keith Giffen
Art: Andrea DiVito
Colors: Laura Villari
Letters:Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Gabrielle Dell’otto
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Drax has killed Thanos, supposedly the one being with the power to free Galactus – and only Galactus has the power to stop Annihilus on his path of destruction through the universe. As Drax and Moondragon seek a new way to free the devourer of worlds, Nova’s team plans a last stand and Ronan and the Super-Skrull go to war with the Kree Empire.

Keith Giffen really has done a masterful job with this storyline, weaving the sort of war story combined with action combined with an air of last-stand desperation that really makes for an exciting cosmic event. What’s more, in the process he’s refined characters like Ronan the Accuser, who in the past have been little more than plot devices to make things a little more difficult on the Avengers, and turned them into people to root for. The same goes for the likes of the Super-Skrull and Blastaar. Meanwhile, we see a real evolution of Nova – he’s become much more than the teen superhero he used to be – now he’s a genuine general, and it’s a role that suits him in this book.

Mixed in with a strong story is some truly wonderful artwork. Andrea DiVito has long been one of the best traditional artists in Marvel’s stable, but his style is particularly well suited for this sort of space opera. There’s a lot of superhero style in here, but he mixes it with the sort of aliens and sci-fi energy effects (no doubt aided by Laura Villari’s fantastic colors) to give the book just the right look.

Ronan’s final scene is perhaps what puts this book over the top for me. It’s one of those final moments that really tugs at you, which is something that a character like Ronan never would have been able to pull off prior to this story. That’s a pretty good summation, in fact, as to what makes this issue good.

Rating: 8/10

(2010 Note: I later went back and got the hardcover Annihilation collections. They were well worth the money.)

X-Men: Phoenix-Warsong #4

December 9, 2006

Quick Rating: Fair
Rating: T+

The Phoenix takes Celeste!

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Sal Regla & Jay Leisten
Colors: John Starr
Letters: Troy Peteri
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Marvel Comics

While not quite as good as the first X-Men: Phoenix miniseries by Greg Pak, this title has shown some interesting ideas. As the X-Men try to chase down the remaining Stepford Cuckoos, Celeste becomes engulfed in the power of the Phoenix, and only Emma Frost may hold the key to stopping her.

If there’s one thing about this comic that I’m particularly not fond of, it’s the idea that the Cuckoos are all, in essence, Emma clones. (Come on, Marvel, is more clones ever a good idea?) Once I manage to get past that little caveat, though, this is a pretty solid action issue. The mindscape battle of words between Emma, Celeste and the Phoenix itself works pretty well, and the Beast (my personal favorite X-character) gets a few chances to show off, which makes me happy. The last page is a nice setup to lead into the final issue as well.

Tyler Kirkham’s artwork is okay, but it still feels very much like he’s trying to mimic Marc Silvestri rather than trying to find a style of his own. I am happy to note, though, that he manages to give the Cuckoos relatively realistic bodies for girls their age. They aren’t bulging out like Playboy Playmates anywhere, and although some of their costuming is a little revealing, its not so much that it seems preposterous.

Overall, this has been an okay series that’s given a much-needed new direction to the whole Phoenix concept. The last issue, though, is what will determine how concretely that new direction sticks.

Rating: 6/10

Ms. Marvel (2006 Series) #10

December 19, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Your Own Worst Enemy
Rating: A

Ms. Marvel and Rogue versus Warbird?

Writer: Brian Reed
Pencils: Mike Wieringo
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Mike Wieringo
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Last issue Ms. Marvel had to join forced with Rogue, the woman who once ruined her life, to combat a mutual enemy – another Carol Danvers from another universe who’s set her sights on getting revenge for what her Rogue did to her. Ms. Marvel and the alternate Warbird wound up collapsing on the campus of the Xavier institute, where they wound up in the care of Carol’s old friend Hank McCoy, the Beast.

This issue is mostly fight scene – Warbird versus Rogue and Ms. Marvel, with the Beast jumping in for a fight or two. The “hero fighting herself” gimmick is pretty tried and true, and there’s not really anything too original thrown into the mix. The strength comes in the slight twists to Warbird’s motivations. Once you find out a little bit about her, she’s better than just your average evil duplicate from another universe – she’s actually a lot nastier than you’d expect, which is a good angle to take. “Our” Carol’s reaction is also different from the norm, much more realistic, much more human. The way things end up is strong too – Reed caps off the issue with the possible introduction of a new rogue for Ms. Marvel’s gallery (no pun intended) and a really strong character moment to close off the storyline.

Mike Wieringo’s artwork, as always, is impeccable. He’s one of the greatest pure superhero artists out there, doing a wonderful job on all of the characters (although I’m not sure when the Beast grew a ponytail). This book has surprised me from day one. For a comic starring a b-list character without a superstar writer and an unstable art team, this title is much better than it has any right to be. Brian Reed knows Carol is a b-lister, and he uses that to his advantage, and that makes this a really unique book in any universe.

Rating: 7/10

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #156

July 30, 2010

Writer: Larry Hama
Art: Agustin Padilla
Colorist: J. Brown
Letterer: Robbie Robbins
Cover: Agustin Padilla & J. Brown
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Creator Larry Hama wrote G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero for Marvel Comics for over 10 years. He created most of the characters that became staples of the 80s toy line and cartoon series, most of the characters that were recently bastardized in the live-action film, and while several writers have done fine work with the characters in the years since, Hama is the man that people seem to keep coming back to. Now he’s back, and while it would have been very easy to give him a new #1 to start his new story, IDW Publishing has decided to pick up right where he left off with issue #156 of the series that made G.I. Joe what it is today.

Although we’re picking up the numbering, that doesn’t mean some time hasn’t passed. In the years since we last saw the Joes (in this continuity, at least) the Joe team has been disbanded and discredited, and worst of all, Cobra has managed to mask itself as an independent contractor, hiring itself out to the government to help maintain order during a period of martial law.

Launching this series this way is pretty gutsy on IDW’s part. For one thing, they’re kind of going into competition with themselves. This will be the third G.I. Joe continuity the publisher is running at once (including their own continuity and that of the – shudder – movie), and while I don’t think the die-hard fans will have any trouble keeping them separate from one another, I do think that many will feel inclined to choose one or the other rather than reading all of them. Making it a bit harder is the fact that this return to the original continuity also comes with a return to form for Larry Hama. He’s cast the Joes in a situation they’ve never been in before, on the run from a “legal,” government-sanctioned enemy, which really throws things into a loop. It’s a great direction, and a chance to do something with G.I. Joe that hasn’t been done before, and that’s a very good thing.

As impressed as I was with the writing, the artwork by Agustin Padilla was a little less so. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as sharp or clean as some of the work we’ve seen on the other G.I. Joe titles (although, it should be mentioned, it is better than some of the other titles).

I do like this book, and I’m very glad that it exists. But at $3.99, like all of IDW’s books, I think there’s a very good chance that we’re going to see one or the other G.I. Joe continuities begin to suffer as a result of there being too many.

Rating: 7/10