Herc #10

December 11, 2011

Title: Storybook Ending

Writers: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Pencils: David Hahn
Inks: Roy Richardson & Rebecca Buchman
Colorist: Jesus Aburtov & Antonio Fabela
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publisher: Marvel Comics

With his father on Earth and powerless, Hercules decides to teach him a lesson in humanity – something that becomes a bit more difficult after a confrontation with the Kingpin leads them into battle with the ancient witch Baba Yaga and the assassin Elektra. Once again, I’m watching as a book I’ve really enjoyed comes to a premature end, although considering that these two writers did have a pretty substantial run with the character before this title, it’s not quite as premature as it seems. Still, the adventures of the non-powered Hercules have been really entertaining. Which makes it even sadder that this last issue is so weak. It feels rushed (and probably was) and ends in a way that ties up some of the outstanding plot threads, but doesn’t really satisfy in the way you would hope. The artwork is, sadly, even weaker. I really like David Hahn in general, and I’ve been a fan of his on many projects, so I have to wonder if this issue’s visual problems aren’t the result of weak inks. The characters aren’t often defined very well, and the expressions on their faces aren’t… well… expressive enough. The Baba Yaga house looks nice, but not spectacular, and Zeus doesn’t carry a powerful look to him at all – which, even on-powered, you’d expect to see in his frame and his attitude. As much as I’ve loved the run of these writers on Hercules ever since they took him into the fold during World War Hulk, and as sorry as I am to see their tenure with him end, this isn’t the way I wanted them to go out.

Rating: 6/10

Brightest Day #8

September 6, 2010

Title: Defiance

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils: Patrick Gleason, Ivan Reis & Ardian Syaf
Inks: Vicente Cifuentes, Rebecca Buchman, Mark Irwin & Ivan Reis
Colorist: Peter Steigerwald & John Starr
Letterer: Rob Clark, Jr.
Cover: David Finch
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics

J’onn J’onzz delves into Miss Martian’s mind, seeing through her eyes her recent encounter with the new Green Martian who is loose on Earth somewhere. Back on Hawkworld, Hawkman and Hawkgirl find themselves almost in a state of worship following their recent burst of White Lantern energy, and the healing properties that came with them.

I hate saying it, but the Hawks’ story still isn’t grabbing me the way the rest of this title is, and spending most of the issue on it lessens my enjoyment of the tale considerably. It feels as if Johns and Tomasi are trying for a sort of “John Carter of Mars” story, having them take on the roles of Earth heroes fighting the cosmic barbarians on a far-off planet. While there’s plenty of potential in that idea, somehow the execution is just falling short for me. I’m finding it hard to keep track of the other players in their story, and I’m not particularly concerned about what happens to the main cast as the tale moves forward.

The Martian Manhunter stuff this issue is considerably more entertaining. It’s easy to forget that the shapeshifting Miss Martian is actually a White Martian that’s fighting off her own worst instincts, and that makes the character herself seem more heroic for the ability. J’onn’s search seems to finally be gaining a focus, as he takes off for one of the DC Universe’s most recently changed cities.

The artwork is back and forth – none of it bad, but the different artists on each section definitely have different styles than one another, and that weakens the book, just a little.

Any time the Hawks take center stage, my appreciation for this book dips. Here’s hoping their story gets better, and some of the more interesting characters move into the forefront soon.

Rating: 7/10