Heroes For Hire (2006 Series) #8

March 26, 2007

Quick Rating: Average
Rating: T+

The team faces off with the Headsmen – and Paladin ponders a new offer.

Writer: Zeb Wells
Pencils: Al Rio
Inks: Scott Koblish
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Cover Art: Billy Tucci, Mark Sparaccio, A. Crossley
Publisher: Marvel Comics

This issue the Heroes For Hire face off against some of the goofiest villains in Marvel Comics’ history (and for a company that produced the Hypno Hustler, that’s saying something). The trouble is, I’m not sure anyone told writer Zeb Wells that these villains aren’t exactly menacing, and he plays them far too heavily. The Headsmen are four villains with a single gimmick – wacky heads – and one of them has decided to transfer his head onto Humbug’s body. Shang-Chi and Orka are trying to stop the plot, but the headsmen have a convenient Doombot on their side.

The resulting scene is played entirely too heavily for a group with a member who has a mad scientist’s head grafted to a gorilla’s body and another member named “Ruby Thursday.” Shang-Chi loses it, the rest of the team pops in just a little too late and we’re drenched in schmaltz as one character professes his deep feelings for another. To a degree, I can appreciate the idea of using this title as a sort of nostalgia book for some of Marvel’s forgotten characters from the 70s – the concept is straight from that time period and many of the characters involved have an inherent goofiness to them — but in matters of tone and mood, the book is played completely, consistently wrong, and falls totally flat.

The artwork is a step up. Al Rio is quite competent in his storytelling and skilled with his fight scenes. Visually, the only real issue I have with this title is Misty’s costume and hairstyle, which go beyond the ugly right into the stereotypical, but I don’t think he’s to blame for that.

In a nutshell, uninteresting characters and poor execution – I blame no one who passes on this issue.

Rating: 5/10

Hero By Night (2007 Series) #3

May 17, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good

With Roz in the clutches of the Iron Talon, Jack has to make his stand.

Writer: DJ Coffman
Art: DC Coffman
Colors: Jason Embury
Letters: DJ Coffman
Editor: Paul Cibis & Adam Rosenblum
Cover Art: DJ Coffman & Mark Sparacio
Publisher: Platinum Studios/Top Cow

The Iron Talon has Roz, and Jack has to find some way to save her. He delves into the late Hero By Night’s journals, hoping for a clue to help him save her, but the real answer may lie within himself.

Coffman has done two important things this issue – he’s presented us with the origins of the Iron Talon and Hero By Night, and he’s given us a near-flawless development to show how an average Joe like Jack can find it in himself to at least try to be a hero… and the determination Coffman packs into the last page is enough to make you believe he might actually succeed.

The artwork is still impressive – I really enjoy Coffman’s style applied to this sort of timeless superhero story. As good as the interior art is, though, the cover just plain blows me away. Click on the image here for a bigger version so you can see how great a piece of art this is, with a painted quality that gives it a feeling of realism while still being true to the world that Coffman has created.

I’m really sorry that there’s only one issue left in this series. Yes, I know there’s a webcomic I can visit, but I want an ongoing. Are you listening, Platinum? This book is great. Give us more.

Rating: 8/10