The OMAC Project #2

May 22, 2005

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: There is No I in Team

The truth about Brother comes out – and Max makes his next move.

Writer: Greg Rucka
Art: Jesus Saiz
Colors: Hi-Fi Design
Letters: Phil Balsman
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Ladronn
Publisher: DC Comics

This is going to be one of those issues that’s particularly difficult to review, because virtually everything falls under spoiler territory. Here’s what I suppose I can tell you – still reeling from the events of Identity Crisis, we learn in this issue that Batman knew what the Justice League did to his memory much earlier than we suspected. He confronts Superman, Wonder Woman and Booster Gold, but besides this knowledge he knows something else they don’t – that Blue Beetle is dead.

And the reason he knows is because Sasha Bordeaux defied Max Lord and sent him a pair of shattered goggles. This issue, Max grows to suspect a leak in the organization, and takes some drastic measures to deal with it. Meanwhile, the OMAC robots continue their mission of destruction.

Out of the four Infinite Crisis series, this seems to be the one most directly connected to what’s done before, drawing on both Identity Crisis and DC Countdown to create drama, as well as creating cracks between the “big three” heroes of the DCU. People who were unhappy with the focus on Sasha last issue will be more satisfied with this book – the focus shifts more towards the heroes, and when Sasha does show up, we get to learn a bit more about her, including a rather surprising last sequence.

The writing on this issue is top-notch. The artwork, not so much. I’m not really a fan of Jesus Saiz – while the layout and designs are fine, the pages are inked a bit too heavily, and as a result, the book has a very flat look. The artwork is helped considerably by the colors – Hi-Fi manages to generate a lot of depth and clarity that the linework doesn’t lend itself to.

All of the Crisis spinoffs have been enjoyable so far, but this one definitely feels like the most relevant. This issue only intensifies that gut feeling.

Rating: 8/10

Incredible Hulk (2000 Series) #101

December 3, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Planet Hulk: Allegiance Part II
Rating: A

The sides are chosen and the battle lines drawn.

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan & Gary Frank
Inks: Jeffrey Huet & Jon Sibal
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Randy Gentile
Editor: Marc Paniccia
Cover Art: Ladronn
Publisher: Marvel Comics

I’ve never really been a huge Hulk fan. For me, he’s a character I’ve only gotten into when I was particularly fond of the writer at the time. I’ve heard a lot of buzz about how good this whole “Planet Hulk” storyline has been, but after sampling a few issues, I’m just finding it okay.

The Hulk and his allies are seeking out the Elders of the planet Sakaar in the hopes of enlisting them in their battle against the Emperor. He is taken away to relieve his history with this world and finds himself being tested. As he moves on, another battle lays in wait. The story is okay, and the continual question of whether the Hulk is or isn’t the prophesied “Sakaarson” is certainly reason to keep reading if you’re really into the story. The last battle scene works very well.

The shifting art teams aren’t too jarring, but the change-up from one artist to another is obvious in most cases. Both Pagulayan and Frank have a good handle on the character, as well as the varied, often bizarre aliens they encounter along the way.

It’s an okay issue, one you’ll enjoy more if you’re a true fan of the Hulk.

Rating: 7/10