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Solo: Tim Sale A great idea from one of the Big Two companies. A series that devotes an entire issue to one artist and gives him the opportunity to play at will with DC characters. Sale is an excellent artist and he shows off a variety of styles here and even writes a couple of his own stories with non-DC characters. The stories are all light fare, just a few pages long, but it's a great showcase of Sale's talent.
A

Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 I don't really keep up with the current Green Lantern title but this is a big event for old school fans of Hal Jordan. It's his return from a convoluted and confusing downfall. Geoff Johns does a pretty commendable job of filling in novices like myself on Jordan's recent past and the interesting ensemble of friends, villains, and acquaintences of the former Green Lantern. The story sets up an intriguing scenario of the past returning to the present, manifesting itself in a town returning from the dead. Who knows where it's going from here or in what state Jordan eventually returns in. It's all drawn beautifully by Ethan Van Sciver so even if it eventually turns out to be nonsense it will at least look stunning.
B+

We3 #2 This story of a dog, cat, and rabbit that have been turned into living weapons by the U.S. government and go on the run after their experiment has been terminated is probably one of the most violent comics I've ever read. But like everything Grant Morrisson writes it also has more heart than most comics could ever dream of having. With very minimal dialogue and some expressive and cinematic artwork from Frank Quitely, the characters of the three animals come through very clearly and you feel for their situation. Through all the destruction, "1" just wants to be recognized as a "gud dog", "2" wants to be alone like most cats do, and "3" wants someone to fix his tail.
Quitely is doing the best work of his career here. Each page is an experiment in composition and storytelling and through all the craziness the reader never gets lost.
A+

Avengers #503 I almost didn't buy this final issue of "Disassembled" because it's just been a mess the whole way through and despite some big name Avengers getting offed, I just don't care. I decided to stick it out to see how they ruin the character of the Scarlet Witch who very obviously has been behind this whole thing since she's been on every cover but hasn't been in any issue yet.
Actually, the reasoning behind this whole mess turns out to be pretty interesting. I just don't understand how Wanda finding out that she once had children that she conjured up through magic and then were erased from existance led her to killing half her team. Though the way she found out about her kids was pretty crass and stupid so maybe you can't blame her.
Some interesting things are done using old artwork from Avenger's history to act as flashbacks. But the new art, from David Finch, is as confusing as it's been the last four issues. This whole thing would have worked better if they developed the Wanda stuff throughout the four issue story rather than cramming it all into this issue. Poor Dr. Strange gets stuck with trying to explain it all to us and the other Avengers and it takes him a good 10 or 12 panels. And I still don't really get it.
C -

Catwoman: When in Rome #2 I admit I've only been buying these for the beautifully designed covers. I think I need to quit after this issue though. Tim Sale is doing some nice stuff here but really not as good as what he did in Solo. It's a sexy story but I prefer Darwyn Cook and Cameron Stewarts version of this character as opposed to the long haired, buxom version that Sale draws. And I find myself a little annoyed by the exaggerations of some of the other characters.
C+

BPRD: The Dead #1 Not sure why they don't treat this as an ongoing series since, if you didn't read the 5 issue Plague of Frogs series you'll be a little lost with this first issue. Even if you are though you'll probably be entertained. Comics may not be abel to scare you like a movie can but it can make you uneasy with horrifying imagery and it can outdo CGI anytime. Guy Davis does this here. This book has great horror atmosphere and there's a couple of scenes in just this one issue that are as good as horror comics get.
A promising new character is introduced here that brings some good comic interplay with Roger the Homonucleus. And the Abe Sapien subplot continues to be interesting.
A

Sleeper #5 This book always finds ways to make the "Spy who came in from the cold" plot more interesting. Here through flashbacks we delve into the early encounters between T.A.O. and Lynch and unearth a complicated relationship between the two.
My only complaint is that Sean Philips' art seems rushed here and not up to par with his usual work.
B+

JLA: Classified #1 Grant Morrisson returns to the JLA and chaos ensues. This issue is fast-paced madness. As usual, Morrisson through ideas around at a frenetic pace. The artist and the reader can barely catch up. It's quite fun, and Batman has some pretty funny lines as he shows a sci-fi side to himself. We'll see where this all goes.
B+

Posted at November 7, 2004 1:53 PM