JLA #107

November 8, 2004

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Maintenance Day (Syndicate Rules Part One)

The Justice League is taking a day for general maintenance, unaware of a growing threat from another world.

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Ron Garney
Inks: Dan Green
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Mike Carlin
Cover Art: Ron Garney
Publisher: DC Comics

I’m a little biased here, I’ll admit that up front. New writer Kurt Busiek is one of my favorite scribes working in comics today, and moreso, this is a title in serious need of improvement. The book hasn’t been good on a consistent basis since Mark Waid’s all-too-short tenure ended nearly 40 issues ago.

As the issue opens, the JLA is basically spending the day doing preventative maintenance. Several of them are keeping their eyes on the Cosmic Egg that contains a new universe ready to hatch. (This egg, of course, was a leftover from Busiek’s JLA/Avengers crossover, although he has to be careful never to mention any copyrighted properties of that other publisher by name.) As they do that, Martian Manhunter and The Flash do their regular sweep of various contacts around the globe, making sure no crisis demand their attention, and pay a visit to an old menace they have in containment.

Right off the bat Busiek is doing one of the things I think he, along with writers like Waid and Geoff Johns, do incredibly well. He picks up on the history of the League, tapping into old stories to create the new. Some readers may find things a bit daunting, but the particular threat that occupies our two heroes this issue (although not the main threat of this story arc) is one even I was unfamiliar with, but Busiek gives us everything we need to know to comprehend the story.

Ron Garney’s art is usually very good, but it appears somewhat unfinished here. Just as the last six issues, released biweekly, looked as though he rather raced through them, so did this first issue with his new writer. There’s nothing really bad about the artwork, but it’s not as strong as anyone who has seen his Captain America run knows he’s capable of. It’s possible he just needs time to rest and then get back onto a normal monthly schedule.

After a truly abysmal last story arc (which, admittedly, started with a strong first issue then spiraled into cliché and tedium), this issue is a breath of fresh air. Busiek has said he wants to join the small club of writers who has had long tenures writing both the Justice League and the Avengers. Hopefully this issue is just the start of great things to come.

Rating: 7/10

JLA #103

August 7, 2004

Quick Rating: Below Average
Title: Emerald Warrior (Pain of the Gods Part Three)

Green Lantern’s failure threatens to send him over the edge… again!

Writer: Chuck Austen
Pencils: Ron Garney
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Jared Fletcher
Editor: Mike Carlin
Cover Art: Ron Garney
Publisher: DC Comics

In case you’ve missed JLA #101-103, allow me to sum them up for you: Hero fails to save somebody. Hero overreacts as though this has never happened before. Hero’s teammates remind him that he can’t save everyone. Repeat. Same thing three times in a row, it’s just a different member of the Justice League each time.

This time it’s Green Lantern’s turn. When he hears cries for help from two different directions and can only go in one, he has to live with the consequences of what happens to the situation he had to turn away from. The problem is… it’s all been done before. Last issue. And the issue before. And hundreds of times before that. John Stewart is someone who has had to deal with the guilt of an entire planet being destroyed because he was too cocky to take his job seriously. Are we really supposed to accept he’s going to go off the deep end because he’s forced to choose who to save while being as responsible as any hero possibly could?

And he doesn’t just go off the deep end, he goes nuts, and almost causes another tragedy in the process. He’s been in the superhero game too long to behave like this. One could almost accept this storyline with a brand-new character (it would still be a cliché, but at least it would be more in-character), but not with someone who’s been fighting the good fight and dealt with as much as John.

Even Ron Garney, who is a fine artist in his own right, isn’t quite up to speed in this issue. His pencils took a bit rushed, and I’m forced to wonder how long he had to put out the six parts of this bi-weekly storyline. (Apparently, waiting an entire month for each issue would have been a disaster because we may have forgotten we’ve already read that story.)

Considering how surprisingly good the first issue of this story arc was, this has rapidly become a major disappointment, and next issue’s installment, featuring the Martian Manhunter, doesn’t give me a lot of reason to believe it will be much better.

But at least there was no burning building in this one.

Rating: 4/10

JLA #102

July 25, 2004

Quick Rating: Average
Title: Scarlet Speedster (Pain of the Gods Part Two)

When the Flash isn’t fast enough, will he be able to go back and outrace his mistakes?

Writer: Chuck Austen
Art: Ron Garney
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Mike Carlin
Cover Art: Ron Garney
Publisher: DC Comics

As surprised as I was to enjoy the first chapter of Austen’s “Pain of the Gods” storyline, I was equally disappointed in this second installment. Is it because it’s bad? No. In fact, I rather liked this issue the first time I read it. When it was called JLA #101.

Let’s recap. Last issue, Superman failed to save a would-be superhero from a burning building, had a personal crisis of conscience and then, with the help of his fellow Justice Leaguers, came to a state of resolution. This issue, the Flash fails to save some children from a burning build – oh, but I don’t want to spoil it.

It seems that this will be the pattern of this storyline. The hero will suffer some sort of failure (if there are any more burning buildings I’m officially going to give up), have an overdramatic reaction to it, and then find some sort of closure. I could be wrong, I suppose. Could be next issue, with Green Lantern, will be completely different. I hope it is, in fact.

This issue didn’t work as well as the last either. Superman may not be used to watching hero wannabes die on their first mission, but Flash was been doing this way too long to be this broken up by not saving people, even children. Would he take it hard? Sure. But would he go off the deep end like he does in this issue? He’s been doing it too long.

Ron Garney fortunately, continues to impress on the artwork. He draws a really great Flash, with nice speed effects. David Baron does a really good job with the fire scene, as well. I’m glad to know that Garney will be staying on when Kurt Busiek takes over as the regular writer in a few months.

It could be worse, I’ll admit, but this issue’s big sin isn’t poor quality, it’s repetition. Which is a pretty big problem in its own right.

Rating: 5/10

JLA #101

July 13, 2004

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Man of Steel (Pain of the Gods Part One)

A new hero arrives on the scene… but are good intentions enough?

Writer: Chuck Austen
Art: Ron Garney
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Bat Brosseau
Editor: Mike Carlin
Cover Art: Ron Garney & David Baron
Publisher: DC Comics

No, your eyes do not deceive you, I’ve actually given this book a good rating, because frankly, it actually deserves it. Chuck Austen is the next writer to tackle the “rotating creative team challenge” of JLA with his “Pain of the Gods” story arc, six issues, each focusing on a different member of the Justice League, and Superman is up first.

Responding to a routine call at a burning building, Superman zips into the inferno to find a new superhero trying to help. But sometimes, superpowers and a good heart simply aren’t enough.

This Superman is bold and compassionate, not displaying any of the bravado or cockiness that has characterized Austen’s Action Comics run this far. This is Superman, simply put, the way he should be written. If I didn’t know better I’d never believe the two titles were done by the same writer. Except for an overly-dramatic temper tantrum at the end, this book handles big blue very well. If Austen wrote Superman this way in Action Comics, I would be far more charitable towards the title. He even ends with a nice little hint of where the story is going, which is actually a pretty good idea.

Ron Garney is at the top of his game this issue. I’ve been a fan of his since his Captain America days, and while he’s had his ups and downs since then, this is definitely an up. He nails Superman, which isn’t easy to do since so much of the issue takes place at night, in the dark. Superman is an inherently bright character, and it takes a skilled hand to make him look right while he’s in the shadows. Garney does it.

It seems a little superfluous to do a series of spotlight stories in the team book of a bunch of characters who have their own solo titles already, but for a start, this wasn’t bad. I may go so far as to say it’s the best Chuck Austen comic I’ve ever read. It’s certainly a step up from the mess of Joe Kelly’s last year on the title or the abysmal Peppy the Alien arc, although it hasn’t quite matched the very good run that other former X-Men creative team did for six issues. (Some people didn’t like the Claremont/Byrne run. I did.)

But overall, it was a solid issue. Trust me, friends, no one is more surprised than I am that I’m going to give this issue of JLA a thumbs up.

Rating: 7/10

Superman: Our Worlds at War-The Complete Collection TPB

April 17, 2011

Title: Our Worlds at War

Writers: Jeph Loeb, Joe Casey, Mark Schultz, Joe Kelly, Peter David, Phil Jimenez, Todd DeZago
Pencils: Phil Jimenez, Mike Wieringo, Doug Mahnke, Ed McGuinness, Pascual Ferry, Carlo Barberi, Kano, Todd Nauck, Mark Buckingham, Duncan Rouleau, Yvel Guichet, Bill Sienkiewicz, Ron Garney, Leonard Kirk
Inks: Marlo Alquiza, Andy Lanning, Jose Marzan Jr., Cam Smith, Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, Juan Vlasco, Wayne Faucher, Walden Wong, Duncan Rouleau, Mark Morales, Lary Stucker, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dexter Vines, Robin Riggs
Colorist: Wildstorm FX, Patricia Mulvihill, Jason Wright, Zylonol Studios, Tanya Horie, Richard Horie, Tom McCraw, Rob Schwager, Gene D’Angelo
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Comicraft, Ken Lopez, Janice Chiang, Bill Oakley
Cover: Ed McGuinness
Editors: Eddie Berganza, Mike McAvennie, Bob Joy       
Publisher: DC Comics

Comic book crossovers have been a staple of the form since the 1980s, and there have been more misses than hits. Sometimes, though, time passes and you forget how good a particular storyline was. That’s the case for me with the 2001 crossover Our Worlds at War.

In this storyline Imperiex, an alien Superman had fought some months before, was making Earth the target of his latest assault. It turns out Superman hadn’t fought the real Imperiex, but rather a “probe” sent out by a much more powerful biend, who had the intention of destroying Earth in part of an ongoing quest to wipe out… well… the universe. Superman, the Justice League, and pretty much every other hero on the planet assembled to go to war against the forces of Imperiex, and to do so they had to make some strange allies… Lex Luthor, then-President of the United States, and the dark god himself, Darkseid.

Although this book is labeled The Complete Collection, that isn’t strictly true. There are several crossover chapters and specials that were released in 2001 that aren’t part of this already-hefty omnibus. This book does collect all of the pieces vital to the main story, including the chapters of the assorted Superman titles, Wonder Woman’s book, those starring the members of Young Justice, and a few more for good measure. Not every chapter is that great, but a lot of them are. The story packs a surprising emotional punch, as we see Superman and his allies run ragged fighting a foe more powerful than they’ve ever fought before. Granted, that’s the tagline for virtually every crossover that’s published, but this time we really feel the stress, the strain they have to go under. We see heroes brought to the breaking point and several significant, meaningful deaths. (Unfortunately, virtually all of those deaths have been reversed in the decade since this story first saw publication, but it’s unfair to hold that against this volume, I think.)

The book does lean heavily on characters that were important to the Superman mythos at the time, such as Strange Visitor, who more recent readers won’t recognize at all. The changes that Steel goes through, as well, make for a strange little time capsule, and Supergirl is virtually unrecognizable from the current version. But the story as a whole is still engaging, exciting, and powerful. I’m really glad I picked up this monster omnibus and read this story again.

Rating: 8/10

For the record, this book collects the following individual issues: Action Comics #780-782, Adventures of Superman #593-595, Impulse #77, JLA: Our Worlds at War #1, Superboy (1994 Series) #91, Supergirl (1996 Series) #59, Superman (1987 Series) #171-173, Superman: The Man of Steel #115-117, Wonder Woman (1987 Series) #172-173, World’s Finest: Our Worlds at War #1, and Young Justice (1998 Series) #36.

Amazing Spider-Man #539

March 19, 2007

Quick Rating: A Qualified Good
Title: Back in Black Part 1
Rating: A

As May Parker clings to death’s door, Spider-Man goes on a rampage.

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils: Ron Garney
Inks: Bob Reinhold
Colors: Mat Milla
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover Art: Ron Garney
Publisher: Marvel Comics

So “Back in Black” finally begins (nearly two months after it started in the other titles) right on the heels of last issue. May Parker has been shot, and Peter understandably goes a little nuts. After tearing through the city to get her to a hospital, he goes on another tear – sans any costume at all – on a bloody path to find out who shot her.

This book is hard to gauge. On a surface scan, it’s done quite well. This all takes place within the hour or so after May is shot, and Peter’s reactions of panic and rage are perfectly understandable and even in character. The reason this book gets a “qualified” good from me is really a matter of nerves about where the storyline in general is going. The return of the black costume is handled quite well, but the issue ends with a proclamation that has me quite nervous. A few years ago, I would have thought it pure bluster that would ultimately leave the character surrendering to his better nature, but the way Marvel’s stories have played out lately, I’m genuinely afraid that the story may be heading towards a real betrayal of the character’s values, and that frightens me. As for May herself – well, you don’t want to get too spoileriffic, but it seems that this won’t be quick, whatever happens… and that, at least, is as it should be.

Ron Garney’s artwork is still quite impressive to me. I know a lot of fans haven’t been happy with his work on Amazing Spider-Man, but I’ve been a fan of his since his magnificent Captain America run, and his work here is just as solid. His storytelling skills are good, and the emotion on the characters’ faces (Peter and Mary Jane, predominantly) is quite compelling.

So basically, this is a good issue. I just hope that by the time we get to the end of the story, opinions haven’t changed retroactively.

Rating: 7/10

Somebody’s First Comic Book: Nightstalkers #7

Wondering what Somebody’s First Comic Book is all about? The explanation is on this page!

TITLE: Ghosts in the Machine

CREDITS:
Writer: D.G. Chichester
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colorist: John Kalisz
Letterer: Lois Buhalis & Co.
Editor: Hildy Mesnik
Publisher: Marvel Comics

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: The name isn’t familiar, but it’s got Ghost Rider on the cover. Awful Nicolas Cage movie, right?

IMPRESSIONS: The comic kicks off with a guy who’s been turned into a demon and apparently has been promised he’ll be turned back if he feeds enough people into some sort of hellacious perpetual motion machine. From there we cut away to the guys I assume are the “Nightstalkers” – Hannibal King, Frank Drake and… is that Blade the same one from the Wesley Snipes movies? They’re calling him a vampire hunter, so… anyway, Ghost Rider shows up for no apparent reason and they start fighting for no apparent reason. I’m getting confused here, now, aren’t these all the good guys?

Evidently the characters are just as confused as I am – after they fight for a few pages they mention some other group of people (the “Darkhold Redeemers”) and figure out that together they all add up to nine, which means they’re on the same side. (The hell?) So they team up and go to fight they demon from the beginning of the book, which they know about because… I have no freaking clue. It’s not like the guy is advertising his presence or anything, and if there’s any reason the Nightstalkers have to suspect him of being a – y’know – demon, it’s never made explicit in the book. Blade seems to have some sort of funky “occult sense,” which makes him hate everybody, so maybe it works like some sort of Satanic GPS or something. I dunno. Seems to me that if I have to work this hard to come up with an explanation that makes a modicum of sense, the writer wasn’t quite doing his job.

GRADE: D

Skaar, Son of Hulk #1

May 10, 2008

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Cradle of Fire
Rating: Parental Advisory

The son of the Hulk stalks the remains of Sakaar!

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Ron Garney
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Cover Art: Ron Garney; Carlo Pagulayan & Julie Bell (Variants)
Publisher: Marvel Comics

When the planet Sakaar was destroyed in the tragic ending of Planet Hulk, the Hulk’s bride Caiera was pregnant with the son of the rampaging man-monster. The Hulk left Sakaar to seek vengeance on the Earth, unaware that his child – against all odds – survived.

The explanation for Skaar’s survival here is a little iffy, but that’s not really important. It’s good enough for a John Carter-style planetary romance, which is what this book quickly reveals itself to be. Picking up a year after the explosion devastated the planet, a new tribe of barbaric aliens is trying to hunt down the legendary son of the Hulk, the only obstacle to their domination of the planet.

Although it’s set on a distant planet, with plenty of sci-fi trappings, the book reads more like a sword-and-sorcery fantasy series like Conan or Red Sonja than anything else. Skaar isn’t really much of a character at this point, but he does exhibit the same sort of disparity between his savage nature and a protective tendency that’s so indicative of his father. He needs more time to develop, but there’s a seed of something interesting here.

Ron Garney is a good match for this book. I’m more used to seeing his style on action-oriented human heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man, but he shows a real skill here for monsters and beasties, and that’s just what this book needs.

Right now, Skaar doesn’t really serve much more of a purpose than to stand-in for the Hulk’s savage incarnation in a barbarian setting, but Pak has more than earned enough currency as a writer to wait out the first story arc and see what this is going. This issue didn’t blow me away, but as introductions go, it isn’t bad.

Rating: 7/10