August 1 Reviews

Scalped #8
Vertigo
Written by: Jason Aaron
Art by: R.M. Guera
4/5

Yesterday I re-read the several issues previous to this, and was reminded that this series is a one worth getting excited about. Aaron is up and moving and really settling into his tone and approach. Everyone wants to compare this to the Sopranos, but I think they're a little off-base. What the Sopranos and Scalped have in common is the depth of moral ambiguity in the characters. Aside from that though, if making comparisons, I'm more inclined to reference The Wire which, if you haven't seen, is probably the best show on television. It is some of the most complex shit you'll ever watch, balancing literally dozens of characters in a monstrous web of a plot. Scalped isn't quite there yet, but I can see where it's aiming and I couldn't be more pleased. I appreciate Aaron taking his time to set up these characters and giving us more than whose side they're on. In fact, many of them are playing for multiple teams and have yet to be committed to any concrete convictions. I'm excited to see development of further characters throughout the remainder of this arc, and then see where things go from there.

There were, however, several nagging nags that I experienced. I'll have to go back and check, but I don't recall Diesel looking quite so 'roided out nor his face resembling some Gentle-Giant Axel Rose. Also, some of the big action sequence took me a bit by surprise with its extremity. I could stay with it into the final scene and may have even accepted the presence of the bull. The fairground stadium full of people and an army of rodeo clowns however, was a bit much. Granted I enjoyed the scene and it played out well, particularly the last line, but I'd prefer it toned down a bit. The final, and most important, part of what makes The Wire so good is it's astounding realism. You believe absolutely everything you're seeing. To me the finale of the action scene of this issue surrendered some of that realism, and I popped out of that universe until it managed to pull me back in.

Don't let my naysaying about one scene turn you away from this series though. I only go into such detailed criticism because my utter enjoyment of the book has me looking at it with such scrutiny. Scalped is here to stay.
-Tom



Awakening #1
Archaia Studio Press
Written by: Nick Tapalansky
Art by: Alex Eckman-Lawn
4.5/5

This is the first of two series debuts from Archaia this week, both of which are as much graphic design and art endeavors as they are traditional comics. Exkman-Lawn uses a combination of block printing, photography, painting, and various other techniques to give each panel its own exciting design characteristics. I would love to see more of this experimental mixed media type stuff. Not necessarily the unintelligible faces, though they do actually work here, but I'd love for more of the overall approach.

The story itself is well done, particularly the closing acts which imply there's more at play than another "zombie" tale, which much of the press and solicitations around this book would have you believe it is. The Secretary of Defense is making phone calls on behalf of a clean-up man representing some pharmaceutical company? Sounds good. Hopefully this type of intrigue is the center of this story, not the threatening presence of zombies. I trust Archaia though, and I trust what I've seen so far. The cover-art for the next issue also suggests that Tapalansky knows what I'm saying, and has got my back. Jump on board with this while it's still in its early stages.
-Tom



Faker #2
Vertigo
Written by: Mike Carey
Art by: Jock
4/5

I enjoyed this second issue of Faker far more than the first. It's hard to know exactly what Carey is playing at quite yet, but with this issue it's obvious he's got a broader plan than to simply throw a bunch of good looking young folks together for sex, drugs, and lies and trying to call it a statement about culture and the way we relate. The supernatural elements are working well, and everyone is surprisingly developed for only having appeared in two issues. There are also some larger metaphors and themes running throughout that I haven't nailed down yet, but that's the type of depth that keeps me coming back to read more. I'm far more enthusiastic about this series now than I was last month.
-Tom



Killing Pickman #1
Archaia Studio Press
Written by: Jason Becker
Art by: Jon Rea |Blog|
5/5

Like Awakening, the art in Killing Pickman is quite experimental and combines a medley of styles. It is, however, easier to follow in a cinematic sense. I spent forever reading this, combing through the art and considering each little flourish and random bit of subtle text. Rea employs just about every page layout conceivable in telling his portion of the story, which is ample. On my second and third readings I realized just how little conversation or text there is in general, yet I felt an incredible depth in the story and its characters. Becker says a great deal with what little he does say, but Rea's art is what truly delivers this story. The opening scenes in particular put me immediately in the head of Detective Zhu, more through what he was looking at and the mood of the art than through the actual dialogue. Read this one slowly. Pay attention to and process what you're looking at. I loved it.
-Tom




Uncanny X-Men #489 (Endangered Species#6)
Marvel
Written by: Ed Brubaker (Mike Carey)
Art by: Salvador Larroca (Mike Perkins)
4/5 (3.5/5)

Things continue along here at a pace similar to last time, developing the various story threads without rushing forward toward the next action scene. Uncanny is starting to feel like a Brubaker book. Larroca is killer with the art too, his pencils are smooth and concise and look incredible. Jason Keith, colorist, does some spectacular work as well.

Endangered Species is moving along fine enough, and has a great moment or two. Carey does his thing with some fluid dialogue that I always appreciate. The weird personality paradox this series has gone into has the potential to be pretty interesting.
-Grady



Spider-Man / Red Sonja #1
Marvel & Dynamite
Written by: Michael Avon Oeming
Art by: Mel Rubi
2/5

There's not a great deal about this that is making me want to come back for more. The art is decent except that it's clear Rubi is either new to Spider-Man or simply has decided to draw the character in his own way. Sonja, the transition of New York into a medieval town, and even Spidey's battle-banter are all slightly awkward and feel forced. I'm not holding out much hope for this one.
-Grady



Detective Comics #835
DC
Written by: John Rozum
Art by: Tom Mandrake
2.5/5

Rozum put together a relatively interesting plot here. Unfortunately, he also managed to destroy it with some horribly heavy-handed writting, particularly in the latter half of the book and any narrative involving Robin.

Dini did a good job with his two issues, though tainted them with some stupid twist. Rozum doesn't impress too much here, and gets to conclude his arc next issue. Why is it so hard to get some kick ass stories of Batman detecting shit?
-Grady



World War Hulk #3
Marvel
Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: John Romita Jr.
3/5

This issue is still fun, but not nearly as cinematic and exciting as the first two. It's still an enjoyable read and even puts aside some time for conversation this go-round, but more than anything I'm starting to dread where I feel this event is ultimately headed. Gladiator type arena-fights in Madison Square Garden? The Sentry to the rescue? I hope we see more from the threads running in Iron Man, than what is being implied in this core title. Events aren't supposed to get less exciting as they progress.
-Grady