Catch-Up Reviews

With Thanksgiving impacting shipping and comics coming a day late this week, Wednesday has arrived with a noticeably empty feeling. In an effort to fill the void we've whipped up some quick thoughts on a few of the titles we missed last week while enjoying the holidays. Check back tomorrow for a full line-up of reactions to this week's titles.


Ex Machina #32
Wildstorm
Writing: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencils: Tony Harris
Inks: Jim Clark
Colors: JD Mettler
4/5

As Y: The Last Man moves through its final stages, Ex Machina is soon to be the only BKV-created title remaining on the market. And while the end of a landmark book like Y can seem a major loss, what we've still got is definitely still worth being excited about. Ex Machina's examinations of politics, race, sexuality, art, law, drugs, and currently religion are some of the most insightful and thought-provoking looks into our culture in this or any medium.

Saying Vaughan is 'currently' discussing religion misrepresents the book a bit as any given issue can touch on a bevy of subjects. However, with Mayor Hundred in Vatican City engaging men of the cloth in debate covering topics from abortion to stem cells - it's hard to deny the theological discussion BKV is trying to raise in this narrative. As with any heated topic he attempts to handle he does so with intelligence and respect, illustrating yet again his true gift for objectively breaking down the fundamental questions and issues driving our society.

This was a decent issue that does a great deal to continue setting up the grand overarching mystery that seems to be lurking behind-the-scenes throughout the entirety of the series. Though I'm always concerned it may happen, Vaughan hasn't reduced his cast to a bunch of talking heads. Hundred gets several great character moments showing the shortcomings of not only his powers but also of his world-views. Yet even with all his unique characteristics and development, Hundred has in many respects still been set up to represent the moderate status-quo of this nation. He, like many well-to-do urban Americans: isn't stupid, has a decent amount of wisdom, and 'gets it' for the most part. That doesn't mean though, that he isn't saddled with splotches of naivety and various character flaws. Seeing what Vaughan does with Hundred, and what he feels the character needs to learn before the end has the potential to be the most insightful work of his career. It's one thing to skillfully put life's greatest debates on display. To follow them through to a conclusion - is something else entirely.
-Tom



The Walking Dead #44
Image
Writing: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard
4.5/5

Now this is the Walking Dead I remember. After several months of toying around, Kirkman is ready to rumble and suddenly this book is right back into its old rhythm. This was the first issue in the big 'turning point' of the series and if there's one thing we're supposed to be taking away so far it's that no-one-is-safe. Kirkman sets up several instances where we're left to wonder if a character is dead or not, really driving home the air of uncertainty and feeling that anything can happen. It wasn't perfect. There were a few moments I felt may have had too much conversation for such high-octane scenes. I found myself wanting to skim through half-panel speeches to advance the action, but this complaint is trivial and if anything, speaks to the level of excitement in the issue and my fervor for reading more. It's pathetic this book isn't selling in higher volume and if you haven't been reading it jump on board now so you're privy to the establishment of the new status-quo. The Walking Dead is easily one of our time's most essential reads and is currently moving into its most exciting period yet.
-Grady



Umbrella Academy #3
Dark Horse
Writing: Gerard Way
Pencils/Inks: Gabriel Ba
Colors: Dave Stewart
4.5/5

Gerard Way's interviews and comments about this series before it launched may have sold some on whether he'd have any success as a comic writer, but did anyone really think Umbrella Academy would be this gosh damn fantacularious? I sure as shit didn't, yet here we are three issues in and already I'd be hard pressed to name more than a few titles I look forward to more than this. The story is deep, complicated and totally whacky. The conversation and action are poignant and hilarious. The cast is rich and unique, and the accompanying talents of Gabriel Ba and James Jean are about as disposable as lungs.

I do, however, have some beef to sling here. Dark Horse is showing some colors this month, and I'm not liking them. One of the most charming elements of the first two installments of this book was its beautiful production. Every page was a collection of meticulous detail and it was one of the more impressive showings I've seen on that front in some time. Not so this month. This issue has 12 pages of advertisements (opposed to last month's 5), and instead of a fantastic wraparound cover with entertaining content on the back there's now a god awful hideous ad for some gruesome horror game. I was sickened by this garbage. Dark Horse should show some respect to Way, Ba, and the comic public for making this (by far) the highest selling non-DC/Marvel comic out right now by continuing to deliver the same gorgeous professionalism they did the before the sales numbers started coming in. I'm annoyed, and it's not even my creative work they're doing this to. Very uncool and sadly, very noted.
-Tom
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