By Don M. Ventura
Fantastic Four #588
Marvel Comics
«««½
Although not perfect, this was a strong final chapter to one of Marvel’s longest-running titles. Jonathan Hickman has finished the story off with class with an issue that is told almost entirely without words as we explore the fallout after the death of Johnny Storm.
Nick Dragotta is on hand to illustrate the painful last month of Marvel’s first family and the results are quite striking. Dragotta’s art is reminiscent of a contemporary mix of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko; the only misstep is the artist’s version of Sue Richards whose look is somewhat inconsistent.
The book is made up of several two and three page scenes, my favorite being one in which Reed comes face to face with Annihilus, the villain responsible for the Johnny’s death. He smugly holds the fallen hero’s tattered uniform. I love good villain moments and this image stuck with me for days after finishing the issue.
Marvel missed an opportunity with this issue to provide a proper sendoff. Where are the pin-ups? Where are the words of farewell from the legendary writers and artists who have tackled this flagship title? A Spider-Man follow up after the main story was the books nicest moment; Spidey attempts to comfort Franklin Richards with a story about the death of his own uncle.
X-Men #8
Marvel Comics
«««½
Victor Gischler is really on a winning streak with this title. The book is unusually accessible, which is a feat for an X-book (take that Joss Whedon).
The X-Men are confronted with Spider-Man who knocked Wolverine off his feet at the end of the last issue. In true comic book fashion, it appears that there was really no reason other than dramatic effect for the punch to Logan’s kisser. Spider-Man informs the X-Men that his old enemy, the Lizard, is turning normal folks into lizard people and reaches out to his mutant cohorts for a little old-fashioned team-upping.
This is the best work I’ve seen from Chris Bachalo, who work has previously seemed confusing to me. His take on Spidey is more akin to his Ultimate version, but I’m not complaining.
Gischler is presenting a nice little mystery here as we learn that the Lizard is indeed behind the lizard creatures that currently inhabit the sewers of Manhattan. However, there is someone in the background controlling the good Dr. Connors.
If you enjoy the X-Men, but are concerned that you might not recognize the characters or understand the current status quo, you should consider picking up this fun spin on these great characters.
Secret Avengers #10
Marvel Comics
««««
I’m sorry to hear that Ed Brubaker is readying to leave this title because I think this is the strongest Avengers book being published. The second arc ends with this issue and serves to remind us that the writer knows how to write strong fight scenes (as in last week’s Captain America #615).
Mike Deodato is up to the challenge of drawing some fantastic action sequences—my favorite being Steve Rogers being dropped on former ally (and Super Soldier) John Steele. I also thought it was a good move to bring in the entire team when it was time rather than having the whole group standing around during the course of the story (a problem I’ve had with Bendis’ Avengers). The action moves fast and furious with the entire team well-utilized. I’ve also enjoyed Valkyrie on this book, who also has a good fight scene with Steele.
Favorite scene: Moon Knight has gone undercover as one of the Shadow Council soldiers and he tears off his costume (which is skin tight) and he has his Moon Knight costume underneath. Where the hell did he hide the cloak?
The Amazing Spider-Man #655
Marvel Comics
««««
Dan Slott handles death somewhat similarly to Jonathan Hickman, but I found this issue more touching by focusing only on the death of Marla Jameson and how it affects J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man.
Like Fantastic Four #588, the story unfolds with no dialogue for half the issue. To say the illustrations is beautiful would be an understatement. Marcos Martin has presented a very Steve Ditko-esque book that is gorgeous from the striking cover to the last ominous page. Muntsa Vicente keeps the colors simple and bright, which is more sumptuous when we hit the halfway mark and descend into Peter Parker’s dreams of regret.
Peter’s dream sequence—actually nightmare would be more apropos—is quite shocking as Slott explores Peter’s worst fears: failure to protect those he loves. And his friends and family each speak to him in a shockingly honest, albeit unfair, manner. At first thought I was not sure how I felt about seeing Uncle Ben with a blood-soaked shirt or Gwen Stacy with a twisted neck, but then realized that Slott was trying to present a real nightmare for Peter Parker—without pulling punches. Mission accomplished.
Another excellent entry into this fantastic title.
Power Girl #21
Comic Comics
««««
Are you reading this yet?
Judd Winick continues to write one of the best superhero book out right now with this wonderful book. Power Girl, fresh from her appearance in Justice League: Generation Lost #18 (which is recounted quickly in this issue, before you head to the back-issue bin), is on a mission to make people remember Max Lord.
You’ll recall, he’s the villain at the center of Generation Lost, who has made everyone on Earth forget who he is. With the help of Bruce Wayne Batman, she convinces Dick Grayson Batman that she’s not crazy.
The opening page offers up a funny and self-deprecating piece of narration in which Power Girl explains that she has a penchant for getting herself into embarrassing pickles, whether as her hero self or her alter-ego Karen Starr. Winick, as usual, knows how to mine humor out of this character as he has done since his first issue on this book.
Jessica Kholinne has taken over the colors for regular colorist Sonny Gho and her work is quite fine. As usual, there are also not enough kinds words to be said for the pencils of Sami Basri. Even when drawing two Batmen next to one another, from the neck up, he keeps their faces distinct enough to know who is who.
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