Spider-Man/Red Sonja #1

July 31, 2007

Quick Rating: Fair
Rating: T+

An ancient foe returns – and Spidey comes face-to-face with the She-Devil with a sword.

Writer: Michael Avon Oeming
Pencils: Mel Rubi
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Letters: Simon Bowland
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Michael Turner
Publisher: Marvel Comics/Dynamite Entertainment

In those happy, pre-Civil War days when Spider-Man’s identity was a secret, Peter Parker is off to try to sell some photos to the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, meanwhile, is meeting with a senator who finds himself fascinated with a museum piece – one that literally has the power to change the world.

This isn’t the first time Spidey has met Red Sonja – it happened before in those days when Marvel had the license to the character and indiscriminately mixed their licensed properties into the Marvel Universe. I’m not entirely certain whether this new crossover considers that old one canon, but seeing as how the villain of this piece has made appearances in both continuities since then, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch of the imagination.

The story is pretty basic – Manhattan turns into a medieval wonderland, there’s a little mistaken identity there, and so on. Mel Rubi and Brian Buccellato’s art is okay, as is the cover by Michael “Going for the Guinness Record for Most Comic Covers Drawn” Turner. It’s an okay book, but just okay. I don’t really see this being of interest to anyone but the hardcore Red Sonja completists.

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