Guest raptor Report post Posted July 26, 2002 This week’s soundtrack: Barenaked Ladies, Stunt. Proof positive that the Canadians are taking over the world through music. Uncanny X-Men #409 (Rocktopia: Part VIII of V) Creators : Joe Casey, Sean Philips Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: Joe Casey’s last issue Plot: The Vanisher has taken his mutant designer drug to the streets of New York. The X-Men are the only ones willing to stop him, but internal conflict between Wolverine and Archangel jeopardizes the mission. Comments: If Joe Casey would have kept the entire course of his run in the Poptopia genre, it may have lasted longer. Everything he has written that has involved the designer genes has been fantastic, and his allegory on fame in the form of the original Poptopia was very good. It seems that he falters when he tries to do too much, and cannot pull the trigger on any long term changes. This issue was a fitting, if rushed, send-off to Casey, and set the stage quite well for Chuck Austen next issue. ***1/2 Ultimate X-Men #20 (Resignation) Creators : Mark Millar and Andy Kubert Publisher: Ultimate Marvel Comics Auxiliary Facts: 1st: Acolytes of Magneto; Tie-In to The Ultimates Plot: With Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch negotiating a treaty with the United Nations (setting up their Ultimates membership), a splinter of the Brotherhood called the Acolytes of Magneto attack the X-Men. As his students struggle for their lives, Professor X plans his resignation. Comments: This is a very good stand alone issue, but little more. It is very much in the vein of the Newsweek issue, where it ends the previous act, and begins the next one. Nothing much is accomplished, but it’s good for a light read. ** Alias #12 (Rebecca, Please Come Home Part II) Creators : Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos Publisher: Marvel Comics Max, Mature Auxiliary Facts: N/A Plot: Jessica continues to search for the missing Rebecca. We see some more of Jessica’s self-destructive side, as was shown in issue one. Comments: Alias continues to impress, but Bendis’ workload may be catching up with him. After a spectacular first issue to the arc, this seems like it is doing little more than treading water to increase the length of the storyline. Bendis’ problems with pacing seems to be getting more prevalent, with only Powers being free of the lazy approach this month. ** Spider-Man: Quality of Life #3 (of 4) Creators : Greg Rucka, Scott Sava Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: N/A Plot: The digital art experiment continues as Spider-Man desperately tries to bring down Monnano Enterprises while being forced into the Lizard’s battle with the enigmatic Yith. Comments: As each issue of this miniseries hits the shelves, Scott Sava’s art becomes less appealing. The first two issues were fun reads, but this issue just lands in the dumper. The story is flat, the attempts at being sincere come across as the complete opposite, and the art is messy. Let’s hope the last issue can redeem the series. * Spider-Man: Blue (Book Three: Anything Goes) Creators : Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: A: Lizard Plot: Peter Parker’s goes on his first date with Mary Jane, which ends up in a brawl between Spider-Man and the Lizard. Comments: This is the perfect example of art totally redeeming a series. I have a great affinity for this period in Spider-Man’s life, but Loeb isn’t saying anything about that seems worth the time. I continue to pick it up because it’s a beautiful presentation, and I am becoming a fan of Tim Sale’s art, but little more. ** Daredevil #35 Creators: Brian Michael Bendis Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: A: Spider-Man, Mr. Hyde Plot: While Daredevil plans to confront the press, he is forced to protect Foggy from the threat of Mr. Hyde, with the help of the Amazing Spider-Man! Comments: As seems to be the theme this week, this issue marks a downturn in quality from previous efforts. Spidey’s guest appearance is fun, but really does nothing to advance the storyline. Bendis needs to pull the trigger on this story and launch the title into something new, or it’s just going to get stale. ** New X-Men #129 (Fantomex) Creators: Grant Morrison, Igor Kordey Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: N/A Plot: After forcing to give the mutant killer Fantomex asylum, he agrees to give them all the information he has stolen on Weapon XII: for ONE BILLION DOLLARS! Comments: This issue only serves one purpose, and that is to introduce the fans to Fantomex. His character is kind of fun, if not derivative of some other characters. I’ve found that he reminds me of Gambit without the heart. Morrison is doing a great job with the Weapon XII scenes, so good in fact that the characters first appearance will most likely be a dissapointment. No character can really deliver after such a chilling intro. *** Morlocks #4 (of 4, Last Stop) Creators: Geoff Johns, Sean Martinbrough Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: N/A Plot: The Chicago Morlocks launch their last assault on the mutant hunting Sentinels! Comments: Finally, a mini-series ends in a satisfying manner. With Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Tigra all ending in a somewhat weak fashion, it seemed as if the unimpressive minis would outnumber the good (Howard the Duck, Wolverine/Hulk). Johns does a great job of ending the saga of the Morlocks, and the action issue he has built up to the whole series worked really well. I was expecting a suitably melodramatic climax, but the one offered seemed to be filled with hope, and the sacrifice at the end tied up all the themes presented in an impactful way. **** Fables #3 (Blood Tells) Uber-Book of the Week Creators: Bill Willingham, Lan Medina Publisher: DC Comics Vertigo, Mature Readers Auxiliary Facts: 1st: Flyeater, Boy Blue, King Cole, Black Forest Witch Plot: Bigby Wolf and Snow White aren’t any closer to finding Rose Red’s killer, and it seems as if her luck has run out. Comments: Man, I am really digging this series. The fantastic thing about Willingham’s plot is that it manages to playfully introduce to the Fables’ world with the backdrop of an intriguing murder mystery. He also has an incredible lead in Bigby Wolf, and Snow White is equally fun, though she suffers from her role in the story. ***** X-Treme X-Men #16 (As Long As I Live, You Won’t Die) Uber-Book of the Week Creators: Chris Claremont Publisher: Marvel Comics, PG Auxiliary Facts: Conclusion to “The Invasion From Dimension X” Plot: Storm and the X-Treme team finally defeat Kahn and his army, but what price victory? Comments: This is why I started reading comics in the first place. It seems as if Claremont is finally back to form, as this issue reads like it could have come from his heyday. His script, along with Sal Larroca’s always stellar pencils, puts all the qualities that make the X-Men the premiere superhero team into the spotlight. They have little chance of winning, yet they still labor to save a world that would be happier if they were dead. The title of the issue is great as well, as it accentuates Rogue’s feelings for Gambit. That prophecy comes true, but in a unexpected manner that blew me away.***** Green Arrow #15 (The Sound of Violence Part III of III, Modulation) Creators: Kevin Smith, Phil Hester Publisher: DC Comics Auxiliary Facts:Kevin Smith’s last issue Plot:Ollie Queen and Onomatopoeia engage in a chilling standoff (and subsequent battle) as the doctors struggle to save Connor Hawke’s life. Comments: Kevin Smith ends his tenure as Green Arrow on a very high not in this issue. It’s also quite the departure for Smith, as it represents the oft-overlooked dramatic side of his ability. Their is humor, but the bulk of the issue is a very well paced standoff and an excellent summer blockbuster like fight scene. I’m only going to give Brad Metzer three issues to hold my interest, as Kevn Smith drew me to the series, not the character.****1/2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
