The Walking Dead #45

The Walking Dead #45 (Image Comics)
By Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard

Having just barely repulsed an attempted invasion by the Governor and his people, the heroes of this comic turn their attention to their own wounded, including Rick, who’s taken a potentially fatal wound. Some of the crew want to go on teh offensive, others want to run and hide. The only thing they can seem to agree on is that Hell is coming. As usual, Kirkman has really invested a sense of realism in these characters, in their fear for the situation, and a true chilling doubt about their chances of survival. In fact, if the last page is to be believed, we’ve suffered the first casuality in the bloodbath Kirkman has promised. He’s working very hard to convince us that no one is safe in this book, and he’s succeeding. It’s hard to imagine this comic getting any better, but Kirkman seems to raise the bar here all the time.

Rating: 8/10

The Walking Dead #43

The Walking Dead #43 (Image Comics)
By Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard

It’s pretty rare that I walk into my local comic shop only to hear the shopkeep tell each regular customer, as they enter, “Walking Dead is gonna tick you off.” So when that’s what happened Wednesday, I knew this would be an issue worth reading. And he was right, this is a comic that will frustrate many people, but not because it’s bad. Last issue ended with the Governor — last seen after being butchered by Michonne some months ago — and his army beginning an attack on the prison occupied by our heroes. This issue plays fill-in-the-blanks, telling us what happened to the governor from the moment Michonne left him and the moment he charged the prison, ending on the same page as last issue. It’s an interesting issue, and I have no doubt that some of the information we get here will prove vital in the future, but my comic shop guy was right. After being so jazzed up at the end of last issue, I just wanted a little bit more. A good issue, to be certain, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt a teeny little letdown.
Rating: 8/10

Ultimate X-Men #93

April 28, 2008

Quick Rating: Below Average
Title: Apocalypse Conclusion
Rating: T+

Phoenix versus Apocalypse!

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Harvey Tolibao
Colors: Jay David Ramos
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Salvador Larroca
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The X-Men, complete with Phoenix-enhanced Jean Grey, face off against the menace of Apocalypse. Actually, to be more accurate, it’s like Phoenix faces Apocalypse while the X-Men stand around and ponder about how weird it is to see Jean with that much power.

The story here is totally bland. It’s not good, it’s not bad, it’s just something we’ve seen a dozen times before. The artwork, however, is even weaker. The characters all look the same, and that’s not a compliment. And why can’t these kids afford t-shirts in a large? Every one of them is wearing a shirt not only tight enough to show off every muscle, but tight enough to show off the veins.

On his own comics, Invincible and The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman is nothing short of brilliant. Even most of his other Marvel work, like Marvel Team-Up and Ant-Man has at least had a charm to it. But with this book, I really can’t find anything to like. The change of creative teams next issue can only be a good thing.

Rating: 4/10

The Astounding Wolf-Man #1

Astounding Wolf-Man #1 (Image Comics)
By Robert Kirkman, Jason Howard

Not a reprint, not a preview — this is the official first issue of the newest comic from the creator of Invincible and The Walking Dead. Kirkman‘s work at Marvel comics has been okay, but I find his original creations much more entertaining, and this is no exception. Our hero is attacked by what everyone thinks is a bear, only to wake up from his coma exactly one month later, roused by his transformation into a werewolf. Kirkman is defying a lot of superhero conventions with this story. Gary is a millionaire, but also a family man, and also a tortured Jeckyll-and-Hyde. He’s Batman, Animal Man and the Hulk all rolled into one. Jason Howard artwork is hit-and-miss. His monsters are good, but I’m not entirely sold on his human figures. He’s going for a more cartoony style, which I have no problem with, but some of his poses are sort of awkward. Still, this was a fun debut, and a great way to get more people interested in a new title.

Rating: 8/10