Hello everyone, and welcome to another installment of Wednesday Shuffle, your weekly source for comic-book rundowns.
Okay, that’s a lie. I blatantly admit to having missed this past week outright (which is a shame, as there were some good books). However, I propose that the facts that I was ill AND my mother was in the hospital last weekend excuse me. So here we go: a little late, but not useless.
Gotham City Sirens #3
Blatant fanservice at its finest
Plot
The story of GCS#3 is a pretty straight-up detective story. The Riddler, who has gone straight apparently, is now a private eye, working to clean up the streets of Gotham City. To that end, he takes on a job which, he believes, to be part of a serial murder case. Each murder has small, subtle clues leading to the next victim, much like Mr. Nigma’s former work.
The entire issue is pretty much a game of wits between the Riddler and Batman (Dick Grayson) as they both try to predict the next murder and prevent it from being carried out. The Riddler discovers that this Batman is not in fact the Batman, but decides to let it go.
So yeah. Noir crime-fighting all around.
Art
The art in this issue of Sirens is quite doable. You’ve got a fairly decent line style, and the colors are very well done. As an issue centered on the Riddler, much of this book has a faint green tint to it, giving it a sense of the underground, as if the majority of the book were being cast in neon light.
Not much to say beyond that. The Batman is dark and shadowy (though his nose is a tad pointy), but well-represented, the Riddler’s facial expressions are quite good, conveying a wide range of emotions, and the admittedly overt fanserice is done in such a way that, though you can be looking down a woman’s shirt every-other page, you certainly don’t have to.
Writing
I really enjoyed the writing of this issue, more than the first two, certainly. The Riddler is handled perfectly: as a villain, he was always a little second-rate, a wannabe standing amongst giants (The Joker, Two-Face, etc) Now that he’s good, Edward Nigma is still the dramatic, eccentric man he always was, but he also stays true to himself as a pretender. But rather than fancying himself a master criminal, he now fancies himself a hard-boiled detective. Which, in fact, he might very well become, if given the chance.
The main feature of this book is the inner monologue of the Riddler, which turns this comic from cheap Batman spin-off into almost a parody of old noir comics and movies. It’s a welcome break, proving both a tribute to, and a stab at, Batman’s previous history. The book is solidly written, and well characterized.
Thoughts
Despite the praise I’ve given this book, I have to say it is still dead wrong. This book should not exist. Why? Because this is a book called Gotham City Sirens, a book about Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy. The female villains of the Batman rogues gallery. The Riddler doesn’t belong in this book.
I counted. Including a brief flash of Harley on a TV screen, the main girls appear in a total of five panels in this book. Five. That’s it!
This book would have made a killer one-shot. I don’t know why they had to hold up the action with Isley and Kyle, but it was a tad misleading to even feature them on the cover.
In short, a great comic, but a pretty awful issue of GCS.
It's $2.99, and you should pick it up. Just don’t expect Harley, Ivy, or Selina.
Legacy #39 – Tatooine, Pt. 3
A somewhat lesser time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Plot
Set roughly 100 years after the “current” events of the Star Wars Galaxy (that’s circa 160 years after A New Hope) Legacy follows the adventures of Jedi-turned-bounty-hunter Cade Skywalker, a descendant of Luke’s through his son, Ben.
There is no real point in explaining why the galaxy is like it is now. It would take more time and pages than anyone in their right mind would care to read (I, of course, have read it all).
Summary:
The Sith rule the galaxy again, and want Cade dead, because he’s one of the handful of people who know that Darth Krayt, former Sith Emperor, has been killed. To that end, Darth Wryylok, currently ruling the Empire as Regent, has hired some Anzati assassins to kill Cade.
However, he is also being pursued by Imperial agent Morrigan Corde, (who is also Nyna Calixte, as well as Cade’s mother) and his (secret) half-sister Gunner Yage.
Blahblahblah, stranded on Tatooine, blahblahblah, lost in the desert with Yage, blahblahblah.
This issue opens with Cade and Yage scrambling for cover from an approaching sandstorm. Where do they end up? Why, the Lars Homestead, of course!
So, while waiting for the storm to pass, Cade and Yage have a brief pissing contest and then debate the politics of the Sith/Imperial War. Elsewhere, their pursuers continue to… pursue.
Eventually, Cade falls asleep and has a Force-vision confrontation with his mighty ancestor, Luke Skywalker. There is some exposition, and then they fight!
However, Luke shows Cade that, should he continue as he has, he will become an agent of evil the likes of which the galaxy has never known. Only for Cade to wake up and find himself and Yage under attack by the assassins! Then there’s more fighting.
Art
Okay. You remember how last week I said that KotOR had awful art, and that it wasn’t how Star Wars should be done? This is how Star Wars should be done.
Jan Duursema is a bloody goddess. But when she’s teamed up with the Parson/Anderson ink/color team? Well, you get Legacy. Really, really, really pretty Legacy.
What makes this art so great, you ask? Well, let’s begin with the characters. Each of them is very distinctive, with unique character design, expressions, and equipment. Colors are simply amazing, with lush shadows and bright colors, but the colors remain muted by their surroundings.
Action scenes feature an organic flow to them, and characters bend realistically while fighting. Events progress logically, making the fight scene both exciting, and simply a pleasure to look at.
The number of panels-per-page vary greatly, meaning that you have a nice balance between splash-art and smaller, intimate shots. It is simply a really, really well-drawn book, the likes of which we rarely see. Now, of the five Star Wars titles currently in print, I’d say Dark Times has the nicest art, but Legacy certainly has the best. This issue is a great example of that: Jan can take something as plain and boring as the Tatooine desert and making it an interesting shot.
Writing
Let’s get something straight. I don’t know many comic-book writers by name. Sure, Alan Moore, Neil Gaimen. But, just below that, comes John Ostrander.
This guy is great. His run on Republic was simply stellar, and since he has been in charge of Legacy since day one, he’s really had a chance to shine.
This issue is a decent example. Ostrander continues to provide organic, immersive dialogue, interjecting the standard Star Wars banter with blips of Hutteese and in-universe terminology. Characters are well done, with believable motivations. In this issue we get Cade’s irritating immaturity, Yage’s military-crispness, and even a taste of ol’ Luke Skywalker: Jedi Master himself.
But what Ostrander really does best here are relationships. Yage and Cade both have their mother’s intelligence and ferocity, but completely different upbringings, and that friction is really well done. At the same time, Corde and Syn (Cade’s co-pilot) get to have some nice flirting (ew, ew, ew!) and even the dynamic between the three assassins (particularly the two Anzati) is really interesting (can anyone say Spike & Dru?).
Thoughts
This is how Star Wars is supposed to be: lush visuals, deep characters, galaxy-changing stories and that perfect hybrid of gunslinger action and lightsaber swordfights.
Now, this by no means makes this issue perfect. Cade can come off a bit whiny (but then again, with his ancestry, who can blame him?) and the fun-with-Force-visions does mean that other characters get a tad left behind.
Mainly, this issue suffers from “New Reader’s Nightmare,” which is both its greatest strength, and greatest flaw. Tatooine, Pt. 3 makes no qualms about being part of a larger story, and if you haven’t been following Legacy for the previous 38 issues, you will likely be in the dark. This issue in particular and this story arc in general trade off accessibility for immersiveness, meaning that we get deeper, more inter-woven stories and characters, but at the risk of leaving newbies in the dust.
John and Jan are always a safe bet. If you have slightly higher than average understanding of the Star Wars galaxy, I recommend them whole-heartedly. If not, it might be a good idea to do a little research first. On its own, Legacy #39 goes for $2.99.
Ms. Marvel #44
She’s kinda like Superman, only people care about her as a character. And she has boobs.
Plot
I have absolutely no idea what is going on in this book. This is the first issue of Ms. Marvel I have ever picked up, so I can only offer my impressions on the greater plot of the comic.
From what I can tell, Carol Danvers, aka Ms. Marvel, is dead, and Norman Osborn has installed Karla Sofen in her place on the Avengers. However, out of the blue, the “real” Ms. Marvel attacks Osborn, his bases, and the pseudo-Marvel.
The book opens with Ms. Marvel having been subdued by Lily Hollister, knocked-up –Goblin wannabe. Osborn thinks the situation is under control, but Karla does not. She points out that a pumpkin-bomb is barely enough to make Spider-Man flinch, and that there’s no way Danvers went down that easily. Nevertheless, Osborn takes “Ms. Marvel” into custody.
Meanwhile, somewhere else entirely, Catherine Donovan, a writer who also happens to be the genetic twin to Danvers, arrives in New York to enquire about the whole Ms. Marvel situation.
Let’s recap, shall we?
Carol Danvers is the original Ms. Marvel.
Karla Sofen is the acting Ms. Marvel
Catherine Donovan is the genetic equivalent of Carol Danvers.
Gah.
So anyway, Osborn tries to imprison Ms. Marvel, but she seems to be getting stronger by the minute. At the same time, Donovan arrives at Avengers Tower, only to be swarmed by guards when scanners ID her as Danvers. Ms. Marvel, who apparently has a psychic link to Donovan now, warns her to flee, which she does, only to be captured by the Dark Avengers, including Venom, Hawkeye, and the Iron Patriot himself, Norman Osborn. In the end, it is Sofen who brings her in.
Sofen believe that the two – Marvel and Donovan – might be connected, becoming stronger the closer they are together. To that end, while Osborn tries to fend off the escaping Ms. Marvel, Sofen attempts to execute Donovan. Suspense!
Art
The artwork here is pretty above-average, actually. Characters are well-drawn, action is conveyed well, and expressions are fairly emotive. All things considered, the art in Ms. Marvel is better than many other books out right now, keeping the brightness of the Marvel Universe without exaggerating it. That’s a hard feat, and for pulling that off, I salute them.
Writing
Okay, this book is a great example of how a long, continuous, and relatively unpopular superhero book should be done. The action is fast, in your face, and plentiful, while at the same time the plot is interesting enough to hold your attention. In many ways, Ms. Marvel harkens back to the earlier days of comics – sure, there’s a large, sweeping plot going on, but it’s perfectly alright to just jump right in without any background knowledge of the character.
Dialogue is good, and characterization better. I really like how Norman Osborn is portrayed as being kind of brash, while Sofen, though a villain, seems to actually have a good head on her shoulders. Donovan is an interesting character – as a normal person, she reacts how anyone in their right mind would to being confronted by the likes of Venom – she hesitates, and then runs like hell.
Thoughts
I’ve never read Ms. Marvel before, and I kinda doubt I’m going to start now, but the fact that such an obscure character (as far as the mainstream Marvel universe is concerned) could be so instantly engrossing, so very likeable, is really quite impressive. This seems to be a strong, doable superheroine book, and if you’d like something a little less mainstream that Spider-Man or a little less dark than Captain America, I highly recommend it. Ms. Marvel #44 retails for $2.99
Closing
Once again, I apologize for the late update.
What we have here is actually a very solid, very inexpensive week in comics. With a splash of DC, Marvel, and tie-in, it’s very well-rounded, and since you have issues focusing on mystery, action, and plot-development respectively, you end up feeling satisfied with each issue in completely a different way.
Add to that the fact that you can get the entire line-up for $9, and you’re just sitting pretty. No $4 one-shots, no $5 event comics. Just a great set of issues at a great price.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #28
Invincible Iron Man #17
Tales from Wonderland: Tweel- you know what? Screw it. I’ll just review it when I see it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Din's Geek Reviews - Wednesday Shuffle #3
Hello everyone, and welcome to another installment of Wednesday Shuffle, your weekly source for comic-book rundowns.
Well, due to yet another delay in the publishing schedule over at Zenescope Entertainment, Tales From Wonderland: Tweedledum and Tweedledee is still not out. That means that there is only one comic on my list this week, so I’ll take the time to really rake this one over the coals. And that comic is…
Knights of the Old Republic #44 – The Reaping, Pt. 2
A really, really freaking long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Plot
Set roughly 3,960 years before the A New Hope, KotOR #44 is the second part of a two-issue story arc regarding the infiltration of a slaver ring by our aspiring young hero, Zayne Carrick, and his rag-tag band of adventurers. This story arc was divided pretty evenly between exposition and action, with this issue taking care of the latter. The supermajority of the comic is one big battle in space interjected with background information shouted between characters as their lives fall in and out of certain peril.
Seriously. Here’s the rundown:
Flashback. Heroes fight robots. Other hero rescues them. They get in their ship. The villains talk about how badass their leader is. The heroes talk about how bricked they are. Heroes launch surprise attack. Then they launch another, slightly different surprise attack. They drop off the liberated slaves, have some dialogue, and then the villains have some nice foreshadowing.
Now, go read through that paragraph again, but everywhere there is a period, imagine the sound of an EXPLOSION. You will then have some understanding of the plot of KotOR #44.
Art
Okay, let me make something very clear. This book has bad art. Really, it has quite bad art. This is not typical for this book, however.
If any comic-book can rightly be said to have an art style that is schizophrenic , it is KotOR. This is due in no small part to the continuing rotation of pencillers, inkers, and colorists alike. For example, Brain Ching did truly immense work on stories such as KotOR: Vindication or the Clone Wars-era comic, Obsession.
However, this particular issue fell once more into the hands of artist Bong Dazo, who has repeatedly provided inferior work during his runs on KotOR.
This particular issue is no exception. Though I have seen worse, this book is highly chaotic, too colorful, and even, dare I say it, over the top. The over-all impression is a book that is incredibly busy.
“But wait,” you say, “if this entire issue is, as you have said, one large battle scene, would not a ‘busy’ atmosphere be appropriate?” Well, yes, you might say that, but the better term would in fact be “hectic.” In a battle scene, one needs to know a lot is happening, true, but that doesn’t mean every single panel needs to be filled with random junk. The fact that this book is crawling with unneeded details just makes things worse: there’re so many lines on the page that it becomes remarkably unpleasant to look at, and in such a visual medium as comics that is an immensely bad thing.
Add to that the fact that characters are not always presented properly (Zayne Carrick always seems to age about ten years during Dazo’s issues) and the natural unpleasentness of certain aliens or technologies and suddenly you have paid three bucks for an eyesore.
A good Star Wars comic understands that a lot of sci-fi is hard to look at, and so minimizes it with softer colors and more realistic shading ala Dark Times or Jan Duursema’s work on Legacy. This issue, however, does the exact opposite, drawing your eye to the unpleasant things while at the same time undermining the few aspects that are actually pretty good.
Certain characters aren’t even done all that badly, but you hardly notice in the steaming pile of busy that this comic presents.
Writing
Here’s the weird thing about KotOR. John Jackson Miller is great. Really great.
Most of the time.
His ability to foreshadow and build suspense over dozens of issues is simply amazing. But then, every once in a while, he does crap like this.
This issue isn’t all that poorly written, but it is very poorly plotted. This generally seems to be the case with small arcs like this – too much action is packed into too small a space, and in order to move the story forward, characterization falls by the wayside. In this issue, each of our multitude of heroes seems to be boiled down to their bare essentials, showing little to no complexity. I mean, this is a battle, so that’s okay to some extent, but this issue goes too far with it.
Thoughts
KotOR #44 is not that great. Maybe it’s just me, but this series seems to follow a set pattern: awesome, large-scale stories with great characters, massive events, light and dark fighting it out, that kind of thing, which are in turn countered by the short, poorly-drawn, uninteresting and artistically lacking arcs.
The issue itself is just another example of this continuing problem with the series. It is a pain to look at, bothersome to read, and, though the events contained within are probably essential to understanding the action to come, on their own they are a boring story with little character depth.
Knights of the Old Republic #44 retails for $2.99. Skip it, but read the Trade Paperback when it comes out.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Star Wars: Legacy #39
Gotham City Sirens #3
Tales from Wonderland? Maybe? It has to some out someday…
Well, due to yet another delay in the publishing schedule over at Zenescope Entertainment, Tales From Wonderland: Tweedledum and Tweedledee is still not out. That means that there is only one comic on my list this week, so I’ll take the time to really rake this one over the coals. And that comic is…
Knights of the Old Republic #44 – The Reaping, Pt. 2
A really, really freaking long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Plot
Set roughly 3,960 years before the A New Hope, KotOR #44 is the second part of a two-issue story arc regarding the infiltration of a slaver ring by our aspiring young hero, Zayne Carrick, and his rag-tag band of adventurers. This story arc was divided pretty evenly between exposition and action, with this issue taking care of the latter. The supermajority of the comic is one big battle in space interjected with background information shouted between characters as their lives fall in and out of certain peril.
Seriously. Here’s the rundown:
Flashback. Heroes fight robots. Other hero rescues them. They get in their ship. The villains talk about how badass their leader is. The heroes talk about how bricked they are. Heroes launch surprise attack. Then they launch another, slightly different surprise attack. They drop off the liberated slaves, have some dialogue, and then the villains have some nice foreshadowing.
Now, go read through that paragraph again, but everywhere there is a period, imagine the sound of an EXPLOSION. You will then have some understanding of the plot of KotOR #44.
Art
Okay, let me make something very clear. This book has bad art. Really, it has quite bad art. This is not typical for this book, however.
If any comic-book can rightly be said to have an art style that is schizophrenic , it is KotOR. This is due in no small part to the continuing rotation of pencillers, inkers, and colorists alike. For example, Brain Ching did truly immense work on stories such as KotOR: Vindication or the Clone Wars-era comic, Obsession.
However, this particular issue fell once more into the hands of artist Bong Dazo, who has repeatedly provided inferior work during his runs on KotOR.
This particular issue is no exception. Though I have seen worse, this book is highly chaotic, too colorful, and even, dare I say it, over the top. The over-all impression is a book that is incredibly busy.
“But wait,” you say, “if this entire issue is, as you have said, one large battle scene, would not a ‘busy’ atmosphere be appropriate?” Well, yes, you might say that, but the better term would in fact be “hectic.” In a battle scene, one needs to know a lot is happening, true, but that doesn’t mean every single panel needs to be filled with random junk. The fact that this book is crawling with unneeded details just makes things worse: there’re so many lines on the page that it becomes remarkably unpleasant to look at, and in such a visual medium as comics that is an immensely bad thing.
Add to that the fact that characters are not always presented properly (Zayne Carrick always seems to age about ten years during Dazo’s issues) and the natural unpleasentness of certain aliens or technologies and suddenly you have paid three bucks for an eyesore.
A good Star Wars comic understands that a lot of sci-fi is hard to look at, and so minimizes it with softer colors and more realistic shading ala Dark Times or Jan Duursema’s work on Legacy. This issue, however, does the exact opposite, drawing your eye to the unpleasant things while at the same time undermining the few aspects that are actually pretty good.
Certain characters aren’t even done all that badly, but you hardly notice in the steaming pile of busy that this comic presents.
Writing
Here’s the weird thing about KotOR. John Jackson Miller is great. Really great.
Most of the time.
His ability to foreshadow and build suspense over dozens of issues is simply amazing. But then, every once in a while, he does crap like this.
This issue isn’t all that poorly written, but it is very poorly plotted. This generally seems to be the case with small arcs like this – too much action is packed into too small a space, and in order to move the story forward, characterization falls by the wayside. In this issue, each of our multitude of heroes seems to be boiled down to their bare essentials, showing little to no complexity. I mean, this is a battle, so that’s okay to some extent, but this issue goes too far with it.
Thoughts
KotOR #44 is not that great. Maybe it’s just me, but this series seems to follow a set pattern: awesome, large-scale stories with great characters, massive events, light and dark fighting it out, that kind of thing, which are in turn countered by the short, poorly-drawn, uninteresting and artistically lacking arcs.
The issue itself is just another example of this continuing problem with the series. It is a pain to look at, bothersome to read, and, though the events contained within are probably essential to understanding the action to come, on their own they are a boring story with little character depth.
Knights of the Old Republic #44 retails for $2.99. Skip it, but read the Trade Paperback when it comes out.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Star Wars: Legacy #39
Gotham City Sirens #3
Tales from Wonderland? Maybe? It has to some out someday…
Monday, August 17, 2009
Din's Geek Reviews #2 - District 9
(Minor Spoilers Only)
Wow. Seriously. Wow.
Okay, keep it together. Gotta stay professional.
Plot
District 9 is a 2009 science-fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced (in part) by the Fallen Son of film himself, Peter Jackson.
Set in modern-day South Africa, the film begins with a series of documentary-style clips which give a brief history of the titular “District 9.” Twenty years ago, an alien ship comes to a halt directly over Johannesburg. No activity comes from the ship, and after several days, it is decided to forcibly cut into the vessel. Inside are well over a million starving, diseased alien workers. The government soon sets up a temporary residential camp, which slowly evolves into a detainment camp, which in turn becomes a closed-off slum. The aliens (“prawns,” as they are derogatively called) live in ramshackle, rusty huts, and human crime organizations exploit them, selling food for outrageous profits.
With anti-alien sentiment growing, it is decided to move the entire prawn population to the new District 10, some 20 miles outside of the city.
Enter our… well, I can’t right well say hero, but protagonist, Wikus van der Merwe, and field agent for the organization in charge of alien contact.
Without giving too much away, Merwe is place in charge of “evicting” the prawns, forcing them to sign wavers so that they me be relocated “legally.” However, a series of events leads to his becoming a fugitive, forcing him to hide amongst the people he once persecuted.
District 9 is a really, really good film. What was good in particular? Allow me to itemize:
Pictography
This movie is (unlike many past attempts at a “realistic camera”) quite visually pleasing. The transition from documentary to action film is almost seamless, and the shaking of the camera (the bane of films like Cloverfield or the Borne movies) is kept reasonable. The scenery is presented in a raw, unapologetic way, and really conveys the harsh, disturbing nature of both the fictional slum of the film, and the real-life places it is based upon.
Acting
It takes a lot to pull off this kind of movie. A fair number of people can act well enough to be film stars, but it takes real talent to take on the role of someone who cannot act at all. The cast really shines in that regard.
For any film, you need to suspend your disbelief. You need to be able to get into the universe of the movie, believe anything: men dressing up like bats to fight crime, planet-destroying lasers, or even that romances begin at random in bookstores (if they did, I’d be married). But the cast of District 9 is so earnest, so believable, so realistic, that within five minutes you forget that we are watching a world full of sapient insects and that there’s a giant spaceship floating over South Africa. Which segways well into…
Special Effects
Okay, this is probably the shakiest aspect of the film. Though the aforementioned giant spaceship is presented with a level of photo-realism I had thought impossible in the realms of current CGI, the aliens themselves are (at least initially) pretty fake-looking. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are quite an amazing effect on their own, but couple them with the insanely high-quality of the live action, and they don’t quite measure up. Oh, they come very, very close, but it takes a minute to adjust to their extended presence.
The aliens are easy enough to adapt to, but the other special effects will require that same movie-going disbelief you’ve been training all these years. You’ve got a couple lasers, that kind of thing. Over-all, the SEs are very, very good, there’s just a few frames that might make you go “huh?”
Oh, and that ship is simply amazing.
Writing/Direction
This is the best part of the film.
Okay, so you’re setting a film in South Africa. You are making it, in addition to an action film, a clear reference to apartheid. How do you have villains without offending anyone?
Very simple – make them the two most universally hated groups of people in the world: Nigerian criminals and private military contractors.
The only thing better would be Nazis. But then the movie would be too awesome.
Okay, so you’ve got some villains. How about a protagonist? He would need to be very believable. After all, this story is bookended by a fictional documentary – no super-soldiers where. He’d need to be a normal guy, and his dialogue must sound like a real person. He’ll need believable character flaws. Perhaps make him a coward. Or racist. Or something like that.
Oh. You have that as well?
Um, okay, well, you’ve got aliens. You’ve got to make them realistic, I mean the language barrier alone- oh, you have subtitles. Alright, fine. But they’ll also need-
…
Okay, reasonable physical characteristics. Halfway plausible technology.
Well, your premise will need to be-
Perfectly reasonable considering the inherent setting of the story and current geopolitical conditions.
Brilliant. Fine, movie. You beat me. You are incredibly well-penned.
Seriously though, District 9 really is well-written. Characters sound real, the premise is awesome, the settings are stark, and the metaphors are amazing. This movie has provided me with more sympathy for the plight of the African people than any number of real-life documentaries, and really did leave me breathless at times.
Closing Thoughts
There is very, very little to complain about with this movie. Due to my own laziness, I was unable to get to a matinee, and you know what? I’m glad. If I was going to pay $8.50 to see a movie this month, I’m glad it was this one.
District 9 is a great story, told in a great way, played by great actors, with great special effects. I will point out a few minute flaws, however:
1) Early shots of the aliens look out of place in the otherwise photo-realistic setting of the film
2) How on earth did they manage to teach every single one of these thing English in only 20 years? There’re two million of them!
3) Iif the aliens have what is essentially Metal Gear, why don’t they just steal the cat-food?
4) I don’t think splicing works that way
5) Where the hell are the rest of the world governments?
Shy of these minor, geekish flaws, I can’t really complain. Any other qualms I might have are in regard to the unbelievablity of some minor plot points, but they are only unbelievable in hindsight. During the movie, you totally buy it.
To conclude, District 9 kicks ass, and a lot of it. It is quite easily the best movie I’ve seen all year, and will probably be the same for you. in fact, I will give this film, right now, the honor of entering Din's DVD List - those select few films that, after only one showing in the theater, I know i must have on tap someday.
District 9 is now showing.
Wow. Seriously. Wow.
Okay, keep it together. Gotta stay professional.
Plot
District 9 is a 2009 science-fiction film directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced (in part) by the Fallen Son of film himself, Peter Jackson.
Set in modern-day South Africa, the film begins with a series of documentary-style clips which give a brief history of the titular “District 9.” Twenty years ago, an alien ship comes to a halt directly over Johannesburg. No activity comes from the ship, and after several days, it is decided to forcibly cut into the vessel. Inside are well over a million starving, diseased alien workers. The government soon sets up a temporary residential camp, which slowly evolves into a detainment camp, which in turn becomes a closed-off slum. The aliens (“prawns,” as they are derogatively called) live in ramshackle, rusty huts, and human crime organizations exploit them, selling food for outrageous profits.
With anti-alien sentiment growing, it is decided to move the entire prawn population to the new District 10, some 20 miles outside of the city.
Enter our… well, I can’t right well say hero, but protagonist, Wikus van der Merwe, and field agent for the organization in charge of alien contact.
Without giving too much away, Merwe is place in charge of “evicting” the prawns, forcing them to sign wavers so that they me be relocated “legally.” However, a series of events leads to his becoming a fugitive, forcing him to hide amongst the people he once persecuted.
District 9 is a really, really good film. What was good in particular? Allow me to itemize:
Pictography
This movie is (unlike many past attempts at a “realistic camera”) quite visually pleasing. The transition from documentary to action film is almost seamless, and the shaking of the camera (the bane of films like Cloverfield or the Borne movies) is kept reasonable. The scenery is presented in a raw, unapologetic way, and really conveys the harsh, disturbing nature of both the fictional slum of the film, and the real-life places it is based upon.
Acting
It takes a lot to pull off this kind of movie. A fair number of people can act well enough to be film stars, but it takes real talent to take on the role of someone who cannot act at all. The cast really shines in that regard.
For any film, you need to suspend your disbelief. You need to be able to get into the universe of the movie, believe anything: men dressing up like bats to fight crime, planet-destroying lasers, or even that romances begin at random in bookstores (if they did, I’d be married). But the cast of District 9 is so earnest, so believable, so realistic, that within five minutes you forget that we are watching a world full of sapient insects and that there’s a giant spaceship floating over South Africa. Which segways well into…
Special Effects
Okay, this is probably the shakiest aspect of the film. Though the aforementioned giant spaceship is presented with a level of photo-realism I had thought impossible in the realms of current CGI, the aliens themselves are (at least initially) pretty fake-looking. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are quite an amazing effect on their own, but couple them with the insanely high-quality of the live action, and they don’t quite measure up. Oh, they come very, very close, but it takes a minute to adjust to their extended presence.
The aliens are easy enough to adapt to, but the other special effects will require that same movie-going disbelief you’ve been training all these years. You’ve got a couple lasers, that kind of thing. Over-all, the SEs are very, very good, there’s just a few frames that might make you go “huh?”
Oh, and that ship is simply amazing.
Writing/Direction
This is the best part of the film.
Okay, so you’re setting a film in South Africa. You are making it, in addition to an action film, a clear reference to apartheid. How do you have villains without offending anyone?
Very simple – make them the two most universally hated groups of people in the world: Nigerian criminals and private military contractors.
The only thing better would be Nazis. But then the movie would be too awesome.
Okay, so you’ve got some villains. How about a protagonist? He would need to be very believable. After all, this story is bookended by a fictional documentary – no super-soldiers where. He’d need to be a normal guy, and his dialogue must sound like a real person. He’ll need believable character flaws. Perhaps make him a coward. Or racist. Or something like that.
Oh. You have that as well?
Um, okay, well, you’ve got aliens. You’ve got to make them realistic, I mean the language barrier alone- oh, you have subtitles. Alright, fine. But they’ll also need-
…
Okay, reasonable physical characteristics. Halfway plausible technology.
Well, your premise will need to be-
Perfectly reasonable considering the inherent setting of the story and current geopolitical conditions.
Brilliant. Fine, movie. You beat me. You are incredibly well-penned.
Seriously though, District 9 really is well-written. Characters sound real, the premise is awesome, the settings are stark, and the metaphors are amazing. This movie has provided me with more sympathy for the plight of the African people than any number of real-life documentaries, and really did leave me breathless at times.
Closing Thoughts
There is very, very little to complain about with this movie. Due to my own laziness, I was unable to get to a matinee, and you know what? I’m glad. If I was going to pay $8.50 to see a movie this month, I’m glad it was this one.
District 9 is a great story, told in a great way, played by great actors, with great special effects. I will point out a few minute flaws, however:
1) Early shots of the aliens look out of place in the otherwise photo-realistic setting of the film
2) How on earth did they manage to teach every single one of these thing English in only 20 years? There’re two million of them!
3) Iif the aliens have what is essentially Metal Gear, why don’t they just steal the cat-food?
4) I don’t think splicing works that way
5) Where the hell are the rest of the world governments?
Shy of these minor, geekish flaws, I can’t really complain. Any other qualms I might have are in regard to the unbelievablity of some minor plot points, but they are only unbelievable in hindsight. During the movie, you totally buy it.
To conclude, District 9 kicks ass, and a lot of it. It is quite easily the best movie I’ve seen all year, and will probably be the same for you. in fact, I will give this film, right now, the honor of entering Din's DVD List - those select few films that, after only one showing in the theater, I know i must have on tap someday.
District 9 is now showing.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Din's Geek Reviews: Wednesday Shuffle #2
Hello everyone, and welcome to another installment of Wednesday Shuffle, your weekly source for comic-book rundowns.
This week was an odd mix, to be sure. Though 75% Marvel, not a one of the books this week felt remotely like the others. In fact, today was a great example of the various types of comics published by the big companies these days: the Ongoing Series, the Event Comic, and the One-Shot. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Escape from Wonderland #1
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, did split a dude’s head open with an axe
Plot
The Wonderland mythos established by Zenescope Entertainment is a complex, often confusing ordeal. Much like the books that inspired them, these comics don’t always make a ton of sense, and are intertwined to the point of convolution.
In this first issue we are thrown with little explanation directly back into the fray that has become Wonderland’s signature. Callie Liddle, our heroine from the previous books, has re-entered Wonderland on a mission to rescue her newborn daughter, who has been kidnapped by her brother Johnny. Callie meets with the Red Queen (ruler of Wonderland in the Queen of Hearts’ absence) who, in turn, directs her to the lair of the Jabberwocky [sic]. Along the way, she confronts the Carpenter (of the “Walrus & the” variety) and then a bunch of sexual-harassment road-signs.
Go figure.
Meanwhile, the Johnny brings Callie’s daughter to the Jabberwocky [sic], because apparently she is the “solution to all [their] problems.”
Also meanwhile, in the real world, Charles Dodgson, the source of all this trouble, watches as the Queen of Hearts invites small children into her “fun house” (because axe-wielding crazy-ladies aren’t scary enough, they should also be carnies)
Art
Okay, the art in the Wonderland books has always been stellar, but it is very hard to call this book “nice to look at.” If Zenescope is good at two things, they are sex and violence, and gosh darn if this book isn’t dripping with both (sometimes literally). What’s nice about Wonderland is that everything is always very clear. Characters are creative, colors are vibrant, and the backgrounds are well-designed and detailed. This actually aids the sense of un-reality in the books, providing intense violence, exaggerated breasts, and implausible outfits and weapons, all in a crystal-clear, unapologetic style that screams “lucid dream.”
This particular book, however, was much stronger than most in terms of characters. Old ones are re-created perfectly, and new designs are integrated well. Whatever the hell that worm thing guarding the Jabberwocky’s [sic] lair was, it was pretty awesome (Though the Jabberwock itself was a little too over-the-top)
Writing
The writing in this issue is a mixed bag. The narration, provided by Callie, Johnny, and Dodgson in turn, was quite good, and gave an aura of mystique and foreshadowing. Each voice conveys the same message – “shit just got real” – but in totally different ways. Callie has been pushed too far, Johnny’s plans have all begun to come together, and Dodgson has known this day would come, but is willing to watch the world burn in exchange for his own life.
On the other hand, the dialogue is lacking. Not only is it kept fairly minimal (which can work) but it’s also a tad… off, somehow. After two books we’ve gotten pretty used to Wonderland’s denizens speaking in contradictions and riddles. Suddenly, everyone and their mother is using good old-fashioned plainspeak, which is a bit off-putting. Personally, it is my opinion that all Jabberwocks should speak at least partly in pentameter.
Thoughts
This issue a decent beginning to the series. I mean, I love this stuff, but I can see how some others wouldn’t. This issue is typical Wonderland – sexy, violent, and intense.
However, when I say this book is “typical Wonderland” I really mean that. If you haven’t read the other books, you are going to feel alienated. Characters are not explained, and you’ll be struggling through the whole thing to make sense of it all. Also, the violence is completely no-limits. Splattered brains, swords to the head, horses without skin – it’s got everything.
Oh, and the reason I kept inserting “[sic]” after the word “Jabberwocky” is because of the common misconception this book falls into: “Jabberwocky” is the name of the poem, not the monster itself. That would be a “Jabberwock.” As in
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch”
Escape from Wonderland #1 is priced at $3.75 of all things, and I recommend it provided you’ve read Wonderland books before. This is not a jumping-on point.
The Invincible Iron Man #16: World’s Most Wanted, Pt. 9
Not a new issue, but I just got it today. Why not drop a word in?
Plot
I’m a bit out of the loop when it comes to Iron Man, though Wikipedia has helped fill the gap.
This issue is pretty much the culmination of events that have been going on for a while in this book (I guess). Iron Man and Pepper Potts (who also has armor now) are being held captive by Madam Masque, who, for whatever backstory-related reason, is in love with Tony Stark (and also completely insane).
So there’s some talking, Madam Masque think she and Tony should run away together, Pepper manages to get free by remote-controlling her armor, and tells Tony to flee while she takes care of Masque.
Also, in a side-plot I don’t fully understand as yet, former-Director of SHIELD Maria Hill is now unstable and needs to contact Captain America (Bucky Barnes) to give him some weird computer equipment. Black Widow, her contact, is reluctant, and snoops around, trying to figure out what the equipment is. Her contact is shady, btw. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn whines about how Tony’s armor suit is so much cooler than his and how he wants one.
Ugh. Dark Reign is so stupid sometimes…
Art
The art in this issue is above average, but nothing particularly special. A little grainier than some books, the effect is still pretty good. I don’t like Tony’s current character design, (he needs a beard, damnit) but shy of that, no real complaints.
Writing
The writing in the issue is pretty run of the mill… if your mill is Marvel and the flour they pour out is made from imported organic wheat.
What the strained metaphor was trying to convey is that this book is well-written, but that from Marvel, that’s no surprise. Dialogue is decent. However, I do object to the characterization Tony is going through right now. I mean, I get the whole role-reversal thing with Pepper, but do you have to make him completely sniveling for this many issues?
Thoughts
Invincible Iron Man is in keeping with the Marvel standard of quality, but that’s about all. If you like the character, like action, or just want to know what Gwyneth Paltrow got wrong, you can check it out. $2.99
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On
Captain America… in Iraq? Okaaay…
Plot
Not much to be said of this one, sadly. It’s not really a Captain America book, more of a book with Captain America in it. The story follows a young soldier in the U.S. Army as he fights in Iraq. On his second tour, he is assigned to Captain America, driving him around on peace talks. When a particular order from Cap leads to the man getting both legs and an arm blown off, we see the ordeal that he goes through, learning how to walk again, and dealing with his anger towards Cap. That’s about it, really.
Art
The art in this issue is, much like Iron Man, pretty standard. Not exceptional, but not bad by any stretch. The colors are nice, the characters well-drawn, and the environments are atmospheric. Nothing bad, nothing special.
Writing
Okay. I never thought an issue of Captain America could be this disappointing, but then again, without Brubaker, I shouldn’t be surprised.
This issue is all wrong. Now, I’m not going to get all fanboy on you, but I don’t think that Mr. Jenkins knew what he was writing.
I’ll accept that this is a book about a soldier who served with Cap, rather than Cap himself. I’ll accept that war is ugly, and that Iraq is one of the uglier wars we’ve ever had. I'll even accept that you want to do a comic-book as a tribute. It seems like a good idea, even.
But what I won’t accept is the mischaracterization of Steve Rogers. I will not.
This book, while a beautiful, fitting tribute to our men and women overseas, (and I do not want to trivialize that, it’s a very good book in that regard) is a complete insult to Captain America.
Firstly, Captain America should not be in Iraq. Now, I understand the appeal, I understand him as a symbol of America, and the military in particular, but Captain America is the embodiment of all that is profoundly right with America. To put him in such a morally ambiguous situation, to try, through proxy, to characterize America as truly right in this war, is not fair – not to America, not to our soldiers, not to Cap, and not to Iraq. It is tasteless. This is not 1942, these are not the Nazis. This comic insults everyone by implying that they are.
Secondly, this book characterizes Captain America as, well, a captain. Here’s the problem with that, everyone: Captain America is a soldier, yes, but he’s also a supersoldier. A hero. A symbol. A man who always showed profound affection for his men, and would not lead them into danger for a “show of force.” He doesn’t always win the day, but he’s not stupid. He’s not afraid of emotions, as we’ve seen time and time again with characters like Bucky, Agent 13, and the Falcon. He’s a profoundly good man, in that 1940’s small-town America kind of way. This book attempts to modernize him, make him the kind of cold, man-of-few-words military commander that we have today. That is simply incorrect.
Thoughts
This book is just wrong. It is wrong on so many levels.
The main issue is that it could have been a great book, if only Captain America wasn’t in it. As a tribute to the hardships of war, the bravery of our sons and daughters, and the traumas that come from battle, it works very well. But once you add Captain America, a man who, much like Superman, is a symbol of justice and right, who is strong through his emotions, not in spite of them, and try to make him the tough-on-the-outside, caring-on-the-inside kind of military man of today, you cheapen both the tribute, and the hero.
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On sells for 3.99. I’d advise you not to bother.
The Marvels Project #1
How it all began, how it shall begin again
Plot
It is 1938, and the world is about to change forever.
Acting as a re-introduction to the golden Age of Comics, The Marvels Project #1 begins with a Doctor, one Thomas Halloway, as he muses on the stories of a (seemingly) senile old man who claims he has been to the future. The old man tells stories of gods and heroes, of things incredible, amazing, invincible, and uncanny.
Fast-forward to 1939, where President Roosevelt discusses the advancing threat of the Nazi regime with a pair of U.S… people. Maybe they’re historical figures, maybe they’re fictional, I dunno.
Anyway, it is revealed that the government has been funding the work of Prof. Phineas Horton, creator of the world’s first “synthetic man,” who will soon become the first Human Torch.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Nazis are bombing the area around Atlantis, scavenging the dead denizens of the sea for dissection. Namor, the soon-to-be Sub-Mariner, is a tad pissed about that, and proceeds to blow them to hell.
At the same time, somewhere else, Steve Rogers is turned away by the military, and young Nick Fury is recruited for a secret mission.
Art
The art of this book is very, very nice. “Camera angles” differ and provide new, interesting images, colors are subdued but well-executed, and the few moments of brightness (the flames of the human Torch, Nazi flags, etc) contrast nicely with the rest of the book. A great deal of detail is in this book, from the splintering of wood to the dead eyes of bombed merpeople, and this book can honestly be said to be both well-drwan and, unlike Wonderland, pleasant to look at. However, FDR didn’t really look much like FDR. Other than that, everything’s fine, though.
Writing
Typical Brubaker. What can I say, the man is good.
This issue serves simply to set the characters up, so characterization isn’t a big issue as yet. What’s there is good, though, and the dialogue flows well. The book is narrated by Halloway, giving us a normal man’s perspective on these new, world-changing events. It’s hard to say if the writing was particularly good in this one – good writing means emotion, and emotion means context. Since this is really more of a prologue than anything else, there’s not much to be emotional about.
Thoughts
A solid comic, with keen visuals and good writing. Not much happens in this issue, but shit is about to hit the fan pretty quick, so, while this issue is rather non-descript, I have a very good feeling about the series over-all. I have a keen suspicion that this could very well be one of those “must read” series someday.
The Marvels Project # 1 runs at $3.99. Jump on now, before the ball gets rolling.
Conclusion
This week was not unpleasant. Though Theater of War was a big disappointment and Iron Man was pretty average, both The Marvels Project and Escape from Wonderland lived up to expectations. It is a bit weird that the two #1s today were much stronger than their One-Shot and Ongoing-Series comrades, but I suppose that’s the way things go sometimes. Over-all, this week was above-average, leaving you sad it was so expensive, but not disappointed with the content itself per se.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Tales From Wonderland: Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
Knights of the Old Republic #44
This week was an odd mix, to be sure. Though 75% Marvel, not a one of the books this week felt remotely like the others. In fact, today was a great example of the various types of comics published by the big companies these days: the Ongoing Series, the Event Comic, and the One-Shot. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Escape from Wonderland #1
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, did split a dude’s head open with an axe
Plot
The Wonderland mythos established by Zenescope Entertainment is a complex, often confusing ordeal. Much like the books that inspired them, these comics don’t always make a ton of sense, and are intertwined to the point of convolution.
In this first issue we are thrown with little explanation directly back into the fray that has become Wonderland’s signature. Callie Liddle, our heroine from the previous books, has re-entered Wonderland on a mission to rescue her newborn daughter, who has been kidnapped by her brother Johnny. Callie meets with the Red Queen (ruler of Wonderland in the Queen of Hearts’ absence) who, in turn, directs her to the lair of the Jabberwocky [sic]. Along the way, she confronts the Carpenter (of the “Walrus & the” variety) and then a bunch of sexual-harassment road-signs.
Go figure.
Meanwhile, the Johnny brings Callie’s daughter to the Jabberwocky [sic], because apparently she is the “solution to all [their] problems.”
Also meanwhile, in the real world, Charles Dodgson, the source of all this trouble, watches as the Queen of Hearts invites small children into her “fun house” (because axe-wielding crazy-ladies aren’t scary enough, they should also be carnies)
Art
Okay, the art in the Wonderland books has always been stellar, but it is very hard to call this book “nice to look at.” If Zenescope is good at two things, they are sex and violence, and gosh darn if this book isn’t dripping with both (sometimes literally). What’s nice about Wonderland is that everything is always very clear. Characters are creative, colors are vibrant, and the backgrounds are well-designed and detailed. This actually aids the sense of un-reality in the books, providing intense violence, exaggerated breasts, and implausible outfits and weapons, all in a crystal-clear, unapologetic style that screams “lucid dream.”
This particular book, however, was much stronger than most in terms of characters. Old ones are re-created perfectly, and new designs are integrated well. Whatever the hell that worm thing guarding the Jabberwocky’s [sic] lair was, it was pretty awesome (Though the Jabberwock itself was a little too over-the-top)
Writing
The writing in this issue is a mixed bag. The narration, provided by Callie, Johnny, and Dodgson in turn, was quite good, and gave an aura of mystique and foreshadowing. Each voice conveys the same message – “shit just got real” – but in totally different ways. Callie has been pushed too far, Johnny’s plans have all begun to come together, and Dodgson has known this day would come, but is willing to watch the world burn in exchange for his own life.
On the other hand, the dialogue is lacking. Not only is it kept fairly minimal (which can work) but it’s also a tad… off, somehow. After two books we’ve gotten pretty used to Wonderland’s denizens speaking in contradictions and riddles. Suddenly, everyone and their mother is using good old-fashioned plainspeak, which is a bit off-putting. Personally, it is my opinion that all Jabberwocks should speak at least partly in pentameter.
Thoughts
This issue a decent beginning to the series. I mean, I love this stuff, but I can see how some others wouldn’t. This issue is typical Wonderland – sexy, violent, and intense.
However, when I say this book is “typical Wonderland” I really mean that. If you haven’t read the other books, you are going to feel alienated. Characters are not explained, and you’ll be struggling through the whole thing to make sense of it all. Also, the violence is completely no-limits. Splattered brains, swords to the head, horses without skin – it’s got everything.
Oh, and the reason I kept inserting “[sic]” after the word “Jabberwocky” is because of the common misconception this book falls into: “Jabberwocky” is the name of the poem, not the monster itself. That would be a “Jabberwock.” As in
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch”
Escape from Wonderland #1 is priced at $3.75 of all things, and I recommend it provided you’ve read Wonderland books before. This is not a jumping-on point.
The Invincible Iron Man #16: World’s Most Wanted, Pt. 9
Not a new issue, but I just got it today. Why not drop a word in?
Plot
I’m a bit out of the loop when it comes to Iron Man, though Wikipedia has helped fill the gap.
This issue is pretty much the culmination of events that have been going on for a while in this book (I guess). Iron Man and Pepper Potts (who also has armor now) are being held captive by Madam Masque, who, for whatever backstory-related reason, is in love with Tony Stark (and also completely insane).
So there’s some talking, Madam Masque think she and Tony should run away together, Pepper manages to get free by remote-controlling her armor, and tells Tony to flee while she takes care of Masque.
Also, in a side-plot I don’t fully understand as yet, former-Director of SHIELD Maria Hill is now unstable and needs to contact Captain America (Bucky Barnes) to give him some weird computer equipment. Black Widow, her contact, is reluctant, and snoops around, trying to figure out what the equipment is. Her contact is shady, btw. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn whines about how Tony’s armor suit is so much cooler than his and how he wants one.
Ugh. Dark Reign is so stupid sometimes…
Art
The art in this issue is above average, but nothing particularly special. A little grainier than some books, the effect is still pretty good. I don’t like Tony’s current character design, (he needs a beard, damnit) but shy of that, no real complaints.
Writing
The writing in the issue is pretty run of the mill… if your mill is Marvel and the flour they pour out is made from imported organic wheat.
What the strained metaphor was trying to convey is that this book is well-written, but that from Marvel, that’s no surprise. Dialogue is decent. However, I do object to the characterization Tony is going through right now. I mean, I get the whole role-reversal thing with Pepper, but do you have to make him completely sniveling for this many issues?
Thoughts
Invincible Iron Man is in keeping with the Marvel standard of quality, but that’s about all. If you like the character, like action, or just want to know what Gwyneth Paltrow got wrong, you can check it out. $2.99
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On
Captain America… in Iraq? Okaaay…
Plot
Not much to be said of this one, sadly. It’s not really a Captain America book, more of a book with Captain America in it. The story follows a young soldier in the U.S. Army as he fights in Iraq. On his second tour, he is assigned to Captain America, driving him around on peace talks. When a particular order from Cap leads to the man getting both legs and an arm blown off, we see the ordeal that he goes through, learning how to walk again, and dealing with his anger towards Cap. That’s about it, really.
Art
The art in this issue is, much like Iron Man, pretty standard. Not exceptional, but not bad by any stretch. The colors are nice, the characters well-drawn, and the environments are atmospheric. Nothing bad, nothing special.
Writing
Okay. I never thought an issue of Captain America could be this disappointing, but then again, without Brubaker, I shouldn’t be surprised.
This issue is all wrong. Now, I’m not going to get all fanboy on you, but I don’t think that Mr. Jenkins knew what he was writing.
I’ll accept that this is a book about a soldier who served with Cap, rather than Cap himself. I’ll accept that war is ugly, and that Iraq is one of the uglier wars we’ve ever had. I'll even accept that you want to do a comic-book as a tribute. It seems like a good idea, even.
But what I won’t accept is the mischaracterization of Steve Rogers. I will not.
This book, while a beautiful, fitting tribute to our men and women overseas, (and I do not want to trivialize that, it’s a very good book in that regard) is a complete insult to Captain America.
Firstly, Captain America should not be in Iraq. Now, I understand the appeal, I understand him as a symbol of America, and the military in particular, but Captain America is the embodiment of all that is profoundly right with America. To put him in such a morally ambiguous situation, to try, through proxy, to characterize America as truly right in this war, is not fair – not to America, not to our soldiers, not to Cap, and not to Iraq. It is tasteless. This is not 1942, these are not the Nazis. This comic insults everyone by implying that they are.
Secondly, this book characterizes Captain America as, well, a captain. Here’s the problem with that, everyone: Captain America is a soldier, yes, but he’s also a supersoldier. A hero. A symbol. A man who always showed profound affection for his men, and would not lead them into danger for a “show of force.” He doesn’t always win the day, but he’s not stupid. He’s not afraid of emotions, as we’ve seen time and time again with characters like Bucky, Agent 13, and the Falcon. He’s a profoundly good man, in that 1940’s small-town America kind of way. This book attempts to modernize him, make him the kind of cold, man-of-few-words military commander that we have today. That is simply incorrect.
Thoughts
This book is just wrong. It is wrong on so many levels.
The main issue is that it could have been a great book, if only Captain America wasn’t in it. As a tribute to the hardships of war, the bravery of our sons and daughters, and the traumas that come from battle, it works very well. But once you add Captain America, a man who, much like Superman, is a symbol of justice and right, who is strong through his emotions, not in spite of them, and try to make him the tough-on-the-outside, caring-on-the-inside kind of military man of today, you cheapen both the tribute, and the hero.
Captain America: Theater of War – To Soldier On sells for 3.99. I’d advise you not to bother.
The Marvels Project #1
How it all began, how it shall begin again
Plot
It is 1938, and the world is about to change forever.
Acting as a re-introduction to the golden Age of Comics, The Marvels Project #1 begins with a Doctor, one Thomas Halloway, as he muses on the stories of a (seemingly) senile old man who claims he has been to the future. The old man tells stories of gods and heroes, of things incredible, amazing, invincible, and uncanny.
Fast-forward to 1939, where President Roosevelt discusses the advancing threat of the Nazi regime with a pair of U.S… people. Maybe they’re historical figures, maybe they’re fictional, I dunno.
Anyway, it is revealed that the government has been funding the work of Prof. Phineas Horton, creator of the world’s first “synthetic man,” who will soon become the first Human Torch.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Nazis are bombing the area around Atlantis, scavenging the dead denizens of the sea for dissection. Namor, the soon-to-be Sub-Mariner, is a tad pissed about that, and proceeds to blow them to hell.
At the same time, somewhere else, Steve Rogers is turned away by the military, and young Nick Fury is recruited for a secret mission.
Art
The art of this book is very, very nice. “Camera angles” differ and provide new, interesting images, colors are subdued but well-executed, and the few moments of brightness (the flames of the human Torch, Nazi flags, etc) contrast nicely with the rest of the book. A great deal of detail is in this book, from the splintering of wood to the dead eyes of bombed merpeople, and this book can honestly be said to be both well-drwan and, unlike Wonderland, pleasant to look at. However, FDR didn’t really look much like FDR. Other than that, everything’s fine, though.
Writing
Typical Brubaker. What can I say, the man is good.
This issue serves simply to set the characters up, so characterization isn’t a big issue as yet. What’s there is good, though, and the dialogue flows well. The book is narrated by Halloway, giving us a normal man’s perspective on these new, world-changing events. It’s hard to say if the writing was particularly good in this one – good writing means emotion, and emotion means context. Since this is really more of a prologue than anything else, there’s not much to be emotional about.
Thoughts
A solid comic, with keen visuals and good writing. Not much happens in this issue, but shit is about to hit the fan pretty quick, so, while this issue is rather non-descript, I have a very good feeling about the series over-all. I have a keen suspicion that this could very well be one of those “must read” series someday.
The Marvels Project # 1 runs at $3.99. Jump on now, before the ball gets rolling.
Conclusion
This week was not unpleasant. Though Theater of War was a big disappointment and Iron Man was pretty average, both The Marvels Project and Escape from Wonderland lived up to expectations. It is a bit weird that the two #1s today were much stronger than their One-Shot and Ongoing-Series comrades, but I suppose that’s the way things go sometimes. Over-all, this week was above-average, leaving you sad it was so expensive, but not disappointed with the content itself per se.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Tales From Wonderland: Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
Knights of the Old Republic #44
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Din's Geek Reviews #1 - Halo: Combat Evolved
The Covenant, Cortana, the Flood, the Master Chief.
The universe of Halo is simply massive, spanning four games, six novels, two comics, tons of source material, and commanding one of the most loyal fanbases in modern gaming. Both Halo 2 and Halo 3 broke numerous sales records upon release, and, collectively, established the Xbox in the modern world of gaming.
But let’s take a look back, to the very beginning of this phenomena, to one lone super-solider in the depths of space, and a ringworld full of secrets.
Halo: Combat Evolved premiered on the Xbox in 2001, as a console exclusive. From there, it went on to become one of the best-selling games on the system, surpassed only by its own sequel. Eventually it was ported to the PC, where it received its first taste of the online multiplayer community that has now become Halo’s legacy.
Halo begins as the United Nations’ Space Command vessel Pillar of Autumn is shot down by the alien Covenant over a strange, uncharted construct simply titled “Halo.” The player takes on the role of Spartan John-117, more commonly known as the Master Chief, who must repel the boarding crews and safely escape the Autumn. Along the way, the Chief is charged by the Autumn’s captain, Jacob Keyes, with protecting the artificial intelligence named Cortana, and getting her off the ship in one piece.
The missions span a number of different objectives – finding other survivors, rescuing the Captain, locating Halo’s control center, and so on – eventually culminating in the accidental release of the Flood, a parasitic lifeform bent on consuming and assimilating all life in the galaxy.
The Chief soon runs into 343 Guilty Spark, a small, floating robot who leads him to activate Halo’s “containment protocols.” However, Cortana reveals that Halo is not designed to kill Flood, but their food, namely humans and Covenant. Together, the Chief and Cortana stop Guilty Spark, and cause the crashed Pillar of Autumn’s engines to explode with enough force to destroy Halo.
The plot has always been what Halo was about for me. I played Halo 2 before getting my hands on Halo: CE, so I was already familiar with the characters. For such a small cast list, the game really gets you attached to the characters involved. Cortana, with her smarmy advice and cutting wit; Sergeant Johnson, with his comedic one-liners and seemingly miraculous survival; Keyes, the ever-wily military man; and of course the Master Chief himself, your silent, practical window into the world of Halo.
Now, good story-telling aside, this is a video game, and that means gameplay and mechanics. Halo was remarkable in its day largely due to the fact that it revolutionized the First-Person Shooter genre. Rather than “slaughter everything” your missions actually felt like they had significance, and were part of a liner story. Rather than the tight, winding hallways of say, Doom, Duke Nukem, or Dark Forces, Halo takes place in a very grand, very large setting, allowing you to dodge from cover to cover. Which is good, because you die with remarkable ease. On any setting higher than “Easy” enemy weapons rip you to shreds. However, unlike similar games, you don’t actually have much of a health meter. Though it is present, your health is pretty much useless at absorbing bullets and plasma, leaving such heavy lifting to your energy shields, which, if knocked out, come back on-line in a matter of seconds. This means that you essentially have a recharging health bar, making it perfectly acceptable to get yourself struck by fire, hide behind a rock, wait a few seconds, and repeat the process.
The trouble is, some of your enemies also have shields, which can take a long time to bring down. To aid you in this quest, you get to use a number of weapons, both alien and human in origin.
Human weapons haven’t changed much by the year 2552 it seems, as you still have the basic rifle/pistol/shotgun/sniper/rocket-launcher line-up. However, the Covenant apparently don’t believe in such versatile weaponry, leaving you to choose between a plasma rifle, a plasma pistol, and the “Needler,” a sort of automatic purple dart-launcher that fills your foes with exploding crystal shards.
Human weapons are certainly the most versatile, and sticking to the standard rifle/pistol combo can get you through most things, but the Covenant weapons remain much better at taking down individual, higher-grade enemies, particularly those with shields. The Flood, however, seem only mildly annoyed by hot-as-the-sun firebolts, so you generally have to keep switching your weapons around, as you can only carry two at once.
Fortunately, the game seems prepared for this. Rather than allowing you to stock-pile ammo for your favorite guns, Halo simply provides you with a massive number of chances to swap out for different ones. In fact, the plasma weapons can’t reload at all, meaning you must constantly be on the lookout for replacements. This works largely in Halo’s favor – since ammo isn’t hard to come by, you don’t feel pressured to save it all for a theoretical end boss. Likewise, since ammo for individual weapons is generally scarce, you can't get away with using your favorites all the time. Certain enemies are more resistant to different weapons, so swapping on the fly is both natural and necessary.
Oh, and there’s also grenades, both fragmentation- and plasma-based. You can also hit people with your gun.
So, let’s look at our Hit-Game checklist thus far, shall we?
Epic story? ✓
Memorable characters? ✓
Revolutionary gameplay? ✓
Fast-paced action? ✓
Kick-ass weapons? ✓
Je ne se qua? ✓
The fact is, Halo is simply immersive. It throws you into a new world, and doesn’t even pause to explain itself. Within minutes, you know about AI and MAC-guns and powered-battle-armor. The brief tutorial is all you need to get set in the action, and before long you’re blasting the brains out of Covenant baddies with ease. The four difficulty settings (Easy, Normal, Heroic, and Legendary) even ensure that there’s a ton of replay value. Some levels that you thought were frustrating on Normal become intensely more evil on Heroic, finally becoming downright malevolent on Legendary (I’m looking at you “Two Betrayals”!).
Halo was also one of the first games to offer extensive vehicle-based sections. Your selection is pretty limited – essentially car, hovercraft, tank, and aircraft – but each vehicle has its advantages, and are a must for navigating Halo’s immense environments.
The only major drawback to Halo is that a lot of the levels are very repetitive. In fact, certain levels later in the game are simply the earlier ones in reverse, but with harder enemies. Believe me, if you thought fighting your way to the top of the giant alien pyramid was hard, fighting your way back down is a nightmare.
With the exclusion of different ranks/designs, you also only have four types of Covenant enemies, and three types of Flood. Although realistic, this can get a little boring after a while. You begin to fall into patterns: bullets for Flood, grenades for Jackals, Needler for Elites, etc. However, unit placement goes a fair way at smoothing this over – you might know how to fight a Hunter, but how do you deal with one being attacked by Flood? – and the fact that not all weapons are available on all stages means you have to learn to cope.
Over-all, Halo is a strong, playable, and (most importantly) immersive game that really gets you pulled into the mythos. The weapons are varied, the environments are interesting, and, though it has one of the weirdest learning curves I’ve ever seen (“Two Betrayaaaaaals!!!!”) it can be enjoyed by n00b and veteran gamer alike. Each level is pretty long, and can easily run you over an hour or more, but checkpoints are pretty common, so there’re plenty of places to drop out for a while.
I’m not going to address the multiplayer functionality here, (mostly because I’m not that big of a fan of MP in general) but suffice it to say the series is now famous for this function.
In conclusion, Halo has a strong, if somewhat repetitive, single-player campaign, and makes up for its shortcomings with its strengths. Over-all, I would say it is the strongest of the Halo Trilogy, and my personal favorite of the FPS genre. It’s no wonder this game is so popular – it really does deserve it.
The universe of Halo is simply massive, spanning four games, six novels, two comics, tons of source material, and commanding one of the most loyal fanbases in modern gaming. Both Halo 2 and Halo 3 broke numerous sales records upon release, and, collectively, established the Xbox in the modern world of gaming.
But let’s take a look back, to the very beginning of this phenomena, to one lone super-solider in the depths of space, and a ringworld full of secrets.
Halo: Combat Evolved premiered on the Xbox in 2001, as a console exclusive. From there, it went on to become one of the best-selling games on the system, surpassed only by its own sequel. Eventually it was ported to the PC, where it received its first taste of the online multiplayer community that has now become Halo’s legacy.
Halo begins as the United Nations’ Space Command vessel Pillar of Autumn is shot down by the alien Covenant over a strange, uncharted construct simply titled “Halo.” The player takes on the role of Spartan John-117, more commonly known as the Master Chief, who must repel the boarding crews and safely escape the Autumn. Along the way, the Chief is charged by the Autumn’s captain, Jacob Keyes, with protecting the artificial intelligence named Cortana, and getting her off the ship in one piece.
The missions span a number of different objectives – finding other survivors, rescuing the Captain, locating Halo’s control center, and so on – eventually culminating in the accidental release of the Flood, a parasitic lifeform bent on consuming and assimilating all life in the galaxy.
The Chief soon runs into 343 Guilty Spark, a small, floating robot who leads him to activate Halo’s “containment protocols.” However, Cortana reveals that Halo is not designed to kill Flood, but their food, namely humans and Covenant. Together, the Chief and Cortana stop Guilty Spark, and cause the crashed Pillar of Autumn’s engines to explode with enough force to destroy Halo.
The plot has always been what Halo was about for me. I played Halo 2 before getting my hands on Halo: CE, so I was already familiar with the characters. For such a small cast list, the game really gets you attached to the characters involved. Cortana, with her smarmy advice and cutting wit; Sergeant Johnson, with his comedic one-liners and seemingly miraculous survival; Keyes, the ever-wily military man; and of course the Master Chief himself, your silent, practical window into the world of Halo.
Now, good story-telling aside, this is a video game, and that means gameplay and mechanics. Halo was remarkable in its day largely due to the fact that it revolutionized the First-Person Shooter genre. Rather than “slaughter everything” your missions actually felt like they had significance, and were part of a liner story. Rather than the tight, winding hallways of say, Doom, Duke Nukem, or Dark Forces, Halo takes place in a very grand, very large setting, allowing you to dodge from cover to cover. Which is good, because you die with remarkable ease. On any setting higher than “Easy” enemy weapons rip you to shreds. However, unlike similar games, you don’t actually have much of a health meter. Though it is present, your health is pretty much useless at absorbing bullets and plasma, leaving such heavy lifting to your energy shields, which, if knocked out, come back on-line in a matter of seconds. This means that you essentially have a recharging health bar, making it perfectly acceptable to get yourself struck by fire, hide behind a rock, wait a few seconds, and repeat the process.
The trouble is, some of your enemies also have shields, which can take a long time to bring down. To aid you in this quest, you get to use a number of weapons, both alien and human in origin.
Human weapons haven’t changed much by the year 2552 it seems, as you still have the basic rifle/pistol/shotgun/sniper/rocket-launcher line-up. However, the Covenant apparently don’t believe in such versatile weaponry, leaving you to choose between a plasma rifle, a plasma pistol, and the “Needler,” a sort of automatic purple dart-launcher that fills your foes with exploding crystal shards.
Human weapons are certainly the most versatile, and sticking to the standard rifle/pistol combo can get you through most things, but the Covenant weapons remain much better at taking down individual, higher-grade enemies, particularly those with shields. The Flood, however, seem only mildly annoyed by hot-as-the-sun firebolts, so you generally have to keep switching your weapons around, as you can only carry two at once.
Fortunately, the game seems prepared for this. Rather than allowing you to stock-pile ammo for your favorite guns, Halo simply provides you with a massive number of chances to swap out for different ones. In fact, the plasma weapons can’t reload at all, meaning you must constantly be on the lookout for replacements. This works largely in Halo’s favor – since ammo isn’t hard to come by, you don’t feel pressured to save it all for a theoretical end boss. Likewise, since ammo for individual weapons is generally scarce, you can't get away with using your favorites all the time. Certain enemies are more resistant to different weapons, so swapping on the fly is both natural and necessary.
Oh, and there’s also grenades, both fragmentation- and plasma-based. You can also hit people with your gun.
So, let’s look at our Hit-Game checklist thus far, shall we?
Epic story? ✓
Memorable characters? ✓
Revolutionary gameplay? ✓
Fast-paced action? ✓
Kick-ass weapons? ✓
Je ne se qua? ✓
The fact is, Halo is simply immersive. It throws you into a new world, and doesn’t even pause to explain itself. Within minutes, you know about AI and MAC-guns and powered-battle-armor. The brief tutorial is all you need to get set in the action, and before long you’re blasting the brains out of Covenant baddies with ease. The four difficulty settings (Easy, Normal, Heroic, and Legendary) even ensure that there’s a ton of replay value. Some levels that you thought were frustrating on Normal become intensely more evil on Heroic, finally becoming downright malevolent on Legendary (I’m looking at you “Two Betrayals”!).
Halo was also one of the first games to offer extensive vehicle-based sections. Your selection is pretty limited – essentially car, hovercraft, tank, and aircraft – but each vehicle has its advantages, and are a must for navigating Halo’s immense environments.
The only major drawback to Halo is that a lot of the levels are very repetitive. In fact, certain levels later in the game are simply the earlier ones in reverse, but with harder enemies. Believe me, if you thought fighting your way to the top of the giant alien pyramid was hard, fighting your way back down is a nightmare.
With the exclusion of different ranks/designs, you also only have four types of Covenant enemies, and three types of Flood. Although realistic, this can get a little boring after a while. You begin to fall into patterns: bullets for Flood, grenades for Jackals, Needler for Elites, etc. However, unit placement goes a fair way at smoothing this over – you might know how to fight a Hunter, but how do you deal with one being attacked by Flood? – and the fact that not all weapons are available on all stages means you have to learn to cope.
Over-all, Halo is a strong, playable, and (most importantly) immersive game that really gets you pulled into the mythos. The weapons are varied, the environments are interesting, and, though it has one of the weirdest learning curves I’ve ever seen (“Two Betrayaaaaaals!!!!”) it can be enjoyed by n00b and veteran gamer alike. Each level is pretty long, and can easily run you over an hour or more, but checkpoints are pretty common, so there’re plenty of places to drop out for a while.
I’m not going to address the multiplayer functionality here, (mostly because I’m not that big of a fan of MP in general) but suffice it to say the series is now famous for this function.
In conclusion, Halo has a strong, if somewhat repetitive, single-player campaign, and makes up for its shortcomings with its strengths. Over-all, I would say it is the strongest of the Halo Trilogy, and my personal favorite of the FPS genre. It’s no wonder this game is so popular – it really does deserve it.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Din's Geek Reviews: Wednesday Shuffle #1
Hello, and welcome to Wednesday Shuffle where I take a few minutes to give my opinion of some recent comic book releases.
Alright, people. This is my first review, and frankly, I couldn't have picked a worse week to begin on. Why? Because all three books I picked up this week were pretty darn good, and positive reviews just don't sell.
However, before getting into that, I feel a little disclaimer is required: I am not a huge comic-book fan. I mean, I love the genre, and will defend to the death Batman's infinite superiority to Superman, but I'm just not the kind of guy who buys ten or more books a week. A heavy week for me includes four books, so let's not get too excited, shall we? Agreed? Then on to the issues.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #27
Ah, the continuing misadventures of Sunnydale's pint-sized powerhouse.
Plot
Continuing directly from Issue #26, Buffy and company are on the run from a pro-vampire society, and secret military plot, and the looming threat of "Twilight." Having landed a submarine in Tibet, (don't ask) the team has now met up with Oz, and are in desperate need of hiding their magics. The issue is mostly background and exposition, framed as Oz explaining how he got to be here, and what happened to him after leaving Sunnydale (the second time, in Season 4). The flashbacks are quality, and provide a nice bridge for the character.
Meanwhile, Warren, Amie, and Reilly continue their work for Twilight, who is growing more and more impatient with their failures. Eventually, the Baddies begin to close in on Team Slayer.
Artwork
The artwork in the issue is pretty mediocre. For some reason, the second page is wildly different from the rest of the book, (being much worse, in fact) which puts one in the wrong mood for the rest of the issue. In general however, the colors are bright and fetching, and the brown overtones in the flashbacks are subtle enough to provide ambiance without drowning us in it.
The only major artistic qualm I have with this book is the continuing lack of definition with the characters. Though it's pretty easy to spot characters like Giles, Xander, or Willow (who all have defining physical traits) characters like Dawn, Faith, and even Oz can sometimes look a little samey.
Writing
The writing of this issue is, by and large, the same stuff we've gotten used it in BuffyS8. Sometimes there'll be an issue that makes you feel like you're watching the show, other times... Well, there isn't. This issue is one of them. Due to the generally serious and plot-driven nature of this issue, the characteristic banter of the Scooby Gang is kept pretty minimal. That being said, the issue is still engaging, and the characters are presented fairly accurately.
Thoughts
This issue of Buffy was a nice, plot-heavy issue. The artwork was decent, the writing was decent, and the over-all feel was one of above-average good-times. As always, Buffy is a tad hard to jump into, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. Buffy #27 retails for $2.99
Angel #24 - Drusilla Pt. 1
♪Run and catch, run and catch...♪
Since this issue is so heavily focused on Drusilla, I have largely reviewed it in its role as the "first Drusilla comic," rather than as an issue of Angel.
Plot
Taking place "Just Before" the fall of Los Angles, (see Angel: Season 5) this two-part story begins by revealing that Drusilla (Juliet Landau) was recovered from her encounter with Angel by seemingly normal police officers. She is currently committed to a mental hospital, and the issue largely follows her and her doctors, as they discuss, treat, and cover-up-the-murders-of the vampiress. This issue seems to be more of a set-up for the second part of the story, establishing Dru's position, and hinting that someone, somewhere, is willing to cover for her.
Art
Alright, this is something I can honestly complain about. Angel has never had the strongest art since arriving at IDW, and that's a very large part of why I haven't been reading it until now. This issue is no real exception. Although the art over-all is not bad, the fact is that tie-in books must be held to a different standard than your average comic, and that's where this issue fails. For a book centered on a character so stunningly distinctive as Drusilla, the artist sure didn't seem to know what she looked like. In fact, the only time the character in the book looks like Landau is after she "vamps out," and only then for a handful of panels. At least the cover art is good enough (I have the type-C variant) and the back-up photo gallery was a nice, if unneeded, addition. In short, a tie-in comic needs to be true to its source material. By and large, this book fails that duty.
That being said, the action scenes were well done, and Drusilla's dance-like movements were captured quite well.
Writing
The writing for this issue is pretty standard Angel, in the sense that it is stronger than Buffy, while only mildy above-average in its own right. Dialogue is strong and seems natural, and, in a book with no narration, that's really all you can ask for. Drusilla's character in particular is well written (it ought to be - this issue was co-written by Juliet Landau herself) and her eerie, whimsical nature is not lost in the jump to comics.
Thoughts
This book is very, very solid. I enjoyed it quite a lot, and am glad I jumped on to Angel for this story. Unlike past comics such as Dark Horse's Spike & Dru books, this issue has really captured the Drusilla's dark flare, that insane childishness that made us love her in the first place. Now we can only pray for a spin-off. Angel #24 retails for 3.99, and is worth the price tag, if you already like Drusilla.
Captain America Reborn #2
The continuing adventures of some people who aren't Captain America.
Plot
Trying to make sense of this plot is like trying to explain the sexual implications of Lady Macbeth’s "out damn spot" speech to an autistic capybara.
Okay, strained metaphors aside, it goes something like this:
Steve Rogers (Captain America) was shot last year (or two years ago, I dunno) by a merc at the end of Marvel's Civil War cross-over. Now Bucky Barnes (aka Winter Soldier) is the new Captain America. However, it turns out that Steve Rogers isn't actually dead, he's just an unstable point in time and space (it's... it's just what Marvel does. Let it go), so while his body remains fixed, his mind floats all round the history of his life. So now Bucky and Black Widow (a super heroine I've never really followed) are trying to rescue Rogers' remains, while Agent 13, (Rogers' love interest) is undergoing tests by Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) because she actually shot the bullet that "killed" Rogers, but was under some kind of mind control-
Damn.
Screw that. Get the background yourself, why don't ya.
So this issue begins with my favorite part of any Cap book - Flashbacks! Yes, that's right; we get to see WWII through Cap's eyes once again. This is where Brubaker really shines, but more on that later.
So there's some fighting in the past, some fighting in the present, Norman Osborn let's Crossbones and Sin out of jail, and then captures Barnes and Widow. Osborn reveals that he's now leaked that 13 shot Cap, and that he will kill Bucky if she doesn't turn herself in. I guess he's trying to solidify his power base by having his own honest-to-goodness Captain America? Hell, I don't follow Dark Reign...
That's pretty much it. Its issue #2 of a 5-issue series, composed significantly of flashbacks. What did you expect?
Artwork
The monthly Captain America books have always had stellar art, and this issue continues this proud tradition. The dark, gritty colors of WWII provide a wonderful atmosphere, contrasting quite well with the more color-heavy tones of the modern world. The browns of the battlefield, the blues of the helicarrier, the greens of Richards' lab, and the sick washed-out lemon-lime of Crossbones'/Sin's prison cell all culminate in the flashback to the creation of Captain America, ending the scene in a full-page splash of death and flame.
The characters are well represented, and even non-costumed characters are easily told apart. Special kudos to the F.D.R. cameo - they even got his smile down.
Also of note, this issue has a full, wrap-around cover, showing Cap and Bucky fighting the Nazis in WWII. Captain America with Hitler in a strangle-hold? Hell Yes.
Writing
This issue of Reborn is above average, even for the already high-standard Captain America books. Particularly, Rogers' internal monologue is very well-done, and quite touching near the end of the book. Norman Osborn is well-voiced, and I could even hear Willam Dafoe's voice in my head at times. The flashbacks were touching, and the suspense is beginning to mount in the present.
However, I can't help but think that this book is not just well suited for, but actually designed for the hardcover/trade-paperback market. Each issue so far has been solid, but the actual plot points are few in number. It will probably read much better as a collected edition.
Thoughts
This book is very good, probably the best of today's three (although Drusilla has different up-sides).
Stellar art is usually a good starting point for any book, and this one has it down pat. Likewise, the writing continues Brubaker's narrative, and keeps the characters true to both their roots, and their developments. The flashbacks continue to be the book's strong-suit, but the modern stuff works well too. If the entire series continues at this level of quality, it will be a welcome (if convoluted) chapter to the Captain America mythos. Captain America Reborn #2 retails for $3.99 and is worth every penny.
Conclusion
This week was one of the better ones I've seen in quite a while. Though a little tie-in heavy, the differences between Buffy and Angel are pretty vast, so it didn't come off crowded. Each book provided a different feel, and each was strong in its own way. Buffy was plot heavy and colorful, Angel was dark and foreshadowing, and Captain America was exciting and beautiful. This was a very solid week.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Tales from Wonderland #6 & 7
Escape from Wonderland #1
The Marvels Project #1
Captain America: Theater of War
Alright, people. This is my first review, and frankly, I couldn't have picked a worse week to begin on. Why? Because all three books I picked up this week were pretty darn good, and positive reviews just don't sell.
However, before getting into that, I feel a little disclaimer is required: I am not a huge comic-book fan. I mean, I love the genre, and will defend to the death Batman's infinite superiority to Superman, but I'm just not the kind of guy who buys ten or more books a week. A heavy week for me includes four books, so let's not get too excited, shall we? Agreed? Then on to the issues.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #27
Ah, the continuing misadventures of Sunnydale's pint-sized powerhouse.
Plot
Continuing directly from Issue #26, Buffy and company are on the run from a pro-vampire society, and secret military plot, and the looming threat of "Twilight." Having landed a submarine in Tibet, (don't ask) the team has now met up with Oz, and are in desperate need of hiding their magics. The issue is mostly background and exposition, framed as Oz explaining how he got to be here, and what happened to him after leaving Sunnydale (the second time, in Season 4). The flashbacks are quality, and provide a nice bridge for the character.
Meanwhile, Warren, Amie, and Reilly continue their work for Twilight, who is growing more and more impatient with their failures. Eventually, the Baddies begin to close in on Team Slayer.
Artwork
The artwork in the issue is pretty mediocre. For some reason, the second page is wildly different from the rest of the book, (being much worse, in fact) which puts one in the wrong mood for the rest of the issue. In general however, the colors are bright and fetching, and the brown overtones in the flashbacks are subtle enough to provide ambiance without drowning us in it.
The only major artistic qualm I have with this book is the continuing lack of definition with the characters. Though it's pretty easy to spot characters like Giles, Xander, or Willow (who all have defining physical traits) characters like Dawn, Faith, and even Oz can sometimes look a little samey.
Writing
The writing of this issue is, by and large, the same stuff we've gotten used it in BuffyS8. Sometimes there'll be an issue that makes you feel like you're watching the show, other times... Well, there isn't. This issue is one of them. Due to the generally serious and plot-driven nature of this issue, the characteristic banter of the Scooby Gang is kept pretty minimal. That being said, the issue is still engaging, and the characters are presented fairly accurately.
Thoughts
This issue of Buffy was a nice, plot-heavy issue. The artwork was decent, the writing was decent, and the over-all feel was one of above-average good-times. As always, Buffy is a tad hard to jump into, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. Buffy #27 retails for $2.99
Angel #24 - Drusilla Pt. 1
♪Run and catch, run and catch...♪
Since this issue is so heavily focused on Drusilla, I have largely reviewed it in its role as the "first Drusilla comic," rather than as an issue of Angel.
Plot
Taking place "Just Before" the fall of Los Angles, (see Angel: Season 5) this two-part story begins by revealing that Drusilla (Juliet Landau) was recovered from her encounter with Angel by seemingly normal police officers. She is currently committed to a mental hospital, and the issue largely follows her and her doctors, as they discuss, treat, and cover-up-the-murders-of the vampiress. This issue seems to be more of a set-up for the second part of the story, establishing Dru's position, and hinting that someone, somewhere, is willing to cover for her.
Art
Alright, this is something I can honestly complain about. Angel has never had the strongest art since arriving at IDW, and that's a very large part of why I haven't been reading it until now. This issue is no real exception. Although the art over-all is not bad, the fact is that tie-in books must be held to a different standard than your average comic, and that's where this issue fails. For a book centered on a character so stunningly distinctive as Drusilla, the artist sure didn't seem to know what she looked like. In fact, the only time the character in the book looks like Landau is after she "vamps out," and only then for a handful of panels. At least the cover art is good enough (I have the type-C variant) and the back-up photo gallery was a nice, if unneeded, addition. In short, a tie-in comic needs to be true to its source material. By and large, this book fails that duty.
That being said, the action scenes were well done, and Drusilla's dance-like movements were captured quite well.
Writing
The writing for this issue is pretty standard Angel, in the sense that it is stronger than Buffy, while only mildy above-average in its own right. Dialogue is strong and seems natural, and, in a book with no narration, that's really all you can ask for. Drusilla's character in particular is well written (it ought to be - this issue was co-written by Juliet Landau herself) and her eerie, whimsical nature is not lost in the jump to comics.
Thoughts
This book is very, very solid. I enjoyed it quite a lot, and am glad I jumped on to Angel for this story. Unlike past comics such as Dark Horse's Spike & Dru books, this issue has really captured the Drusilla's dark flare, that insane childishness that made us love her in the first place. Now we can only pray for a spin-off. Angel #24 retails for 3.99, and is worth the price tag, if you already like Drusilla.
Captain America Reborn #2
The continuing adventures of some people who aren't Captain America.
Plot
Trying to make sense of this plot is like trying to explain the sexual implications of Lady Macbeth’s "out damn spot" speech to an autistic capybara.
Okay, strained metaphors aside, it goes something like this:
Steve Rogers (Captain America) was shot last year (or two years ago, I dunno) by a merc at the end of Marvel's Civil War cross-over. Now Bucky Barnes (aka Winter Soldier) is the new Captain America. However, it turns out that Steve Rogers isn't actually dead, he's just an unstable point in time and space (it's... it's just what Marvel does. Let it go), so while his body remains fixed, his mind floats all round the history of his life. So now Bucky and Black Widow (a super heroine I've never really followed) are trying to rescue Rogers' remains, while Agent 13, (Rogers' love interest) is undergoing tests by Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) because she actually shot the bullet that "killed" Rogers, but was under some kind of mind control-
Damn.
Screw that. Get the background yourself, why don't ya.
So this issue begins with my favorite part of any Cap book - Flashbacks! Yes, that's right; we get to see WWII through Cap's eyes once again. This is where Brubaker really shines, but more on that later.
So there's some fighting in the past, some fighting in the present, Norman Osborn let's Crossbones and Sin out of jail, and then captures Barnes and Widow. Osborn reveals that he's now leaked that 13 shot Cap, and that he will kill Bucky if she doesn't turn herself in. I guess he's trying to solidify his power base by having his own honest-to-goodness Captain America? Hell, I don't follow Dark Reign...
That's pretty much it. Its issue #2 of a 5-issue series, composed significantly of flashbacks. What did you expect?
Artwork
The monthly Captain America books have always had stellar art, and this issue continues this proud tradition. The dark, gritty colors of WWII provide a wonderful atmosphere, contrasting quite well with the more color-heavy tones of the modern world. The browns of the battlefield, the blues of the helicarrier, the greens of Richards' lab, and the sick washed-out lemon-lime of Crossbones'/Sin's prison cell all culminate in the flashback to the creation of Captain America, ending the scene in a full-page splash of death and flame.
The characters are well represented, and even non-costumed characters are easily told apart. Special kudos to the F.D.R. cameo - they even got his smile down.
Also of note, this issue has a full, wrap-around cover, showing Cap and Bucky fighting the Nazis in WWII. Captain America with Hitler in a strangle-hold? Hell Yes.
Writing
This issue of Reborn is above average, even for the already high-standard Captain America books. Particularly, Rogers' internal monologue is very well-done, and quite touching near the end of the book. Norman Osborn is well-voiced, and I could even hear Willam Dafoe's voice in my head at times. The flashbacks were touching, and the suspense is beginning to mount in the present.
However, I can't help but think that this book is not just well suited for, but actually designed for the hardcover/trade-paperback market. Each issue so far has been solid, but the actual plot points are few in number. It will probably read much better as a collected edition.
Thoughts
This book is very good, probably the best of today's three (although Drusilla has different up-sides).
Stellar art is usually a good starting point for any book, and this one has it down pat. Likewise, the writing continues Brubaker's narrative, and keeps the characters true to both their roots, and their developments. The flashbacks continue to be the book's strong-suit, but the modern stuff works well too. If the entire series continues at this level of quality, it will be a welcome (if convoluted) chapter to the Captain America mythos. Captain America Reborn #2 retails for $3.99 and is worth every penny.
Conclusion
This week was one of the better ones I've seen in quite a while. Though a little tie-in heavy, the differences between Buffy and Angel are pretty vast, so it didn't come off crowded. Each book provided a different feel, and each was strong in its own way. Buffy was plot heavy and colorful, Angel was dark and foreshadowing, and Captain America was exciting and beautiful. This was a very solid week.
Coming Soon to Wednesday Shuffle:
Tales from Wonderland #6 & 7
Escape from Wonderland #1
The Marvels Project #1
Captain America: Theater of War
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