February 11 Reviews

DMZ #39
Vertigo
Writing: Brian Wood
Pencils, Inks: Riccardo Burchielli
Colors: Jeremy Cox
Lettering: Jared K Fletcher
Editing: Mark Doyle, Will Dennis
Cover: JP Leon
4/5

Starting about ten issues ago DMZ has began undergoing a lot of changes. Much of the structure and dynamic of the story has been altered and the transition has felt, at times, awkward. Wood, while exploring the many elements of a media charged politically entrenched guerrilla insurgent civil war, ends up changing the protagonist’s relationship to the environment and essentially the whole feel of the book.

Thankfully the most recent issues, this one included, have seen the title start to get its situation under control. Watching Wood move all the pieces around and into place may not have been all that enthralling, but seeing how he grinds them all together now that they’re settled is a step in that direction. It’s still not as well put together as it’s been in the past but it’s starting to find new footing. Each installment is increasingly easy to recommend.

DMZ continues to be a great series and has very much earned reader's patience through a little rough period. It's nice to see it getting back on track.


The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #3
Marvel
Writing: Eric Shanower
Pencils, Inks: Skottie Young
Colors: Jean Francois Beaulieu
Lettering: Jeff Eckleberry
Production: Anthony Dial
Editing: Nathan Cosby, Ralph Macchio
4.5/5

Skottie Young has more than sealed his future as a high profile mini series artist. Each and every panel of his 'Oz' interpretation is exuberant, captivating, and bursting with life. With both his and Beaulieu's work, this is one of the most attractive books in years. Shower's writing is simple and suits the medium well enough. he doesn't overdo it and lets the beautiful images carry their weight of the story. With art such as this all he needs to do is avoid being terrible, which he does.

This is a fantastic comic adaptation and a must read. It's not some dark moody emo alternative take on, but rather a slightly embellished reimagining of, this classic story. It's still appropriate for youth and adults alike and deals with the same themes as the original. It's hard to imagine many fans of anything not finding something to enjoy here.


The Walking Dead #58
Image
Writing: Robert Kirkman
Pencils, Inks, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Lettering: Rus Wooton
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn
Editing: Audrey Sitterson
5/5

I am a strong supporter of the horrific changes Kirkman has ruptured this series with the last year or so. It feels real. Alive. There's an energy. It's building up steam. The issue before this one was another intense blow in what has become a long long line of such instances. Plain and simple, Walking Dead has jumped back toward the top of the rankings as one of the most impactful comics available.

The psychological state of the title and it's characters is frenetic and unstable. this issue is massively conversational but still manages shocking intensity. Because it's the depth of character that makes this story so good and Kirkman is taking his characters off all kinds of cliffs lately. Things are happening. People have gone crazy. The book is awesome. Read.


Fables #81
Vertigo
Writing: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Mark Buckingham
Inks: Andrew Pepoy
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Lettering: Todd Klein
Covers: James Jean
Editing: Angela Rufino, Shelly Bond
4/5

With the war over, Fables has turned a corner and begun to feel fresh again for the first time in a while. It's as though the second act has commenced. And so it is appropriate in some respects that this be the last issue to be graced with the series-defining cover art of James Jean. His work with this title will long be legend and his departure is a blow to the medium. Yet, Fables presses onward.

So far this 'second act' is off to a very good start. There are new threats and obstacles to endure - and with them a sense of immediacy and weight that accompanies a quickly shattering foundation. There's a renewed energy in these pages. And while it's sad to see Jean go, it's a joy to welcome new liveliness to the story. Don't forget about Fables, it still has plenty of tales to tell.