February 18 Reviews

Four Eyes #2
Image
Writing: Joe Kelly
Pencils, Inks: Max Fiumara
Coloring: Nestor Pereyra
Lettering, Production: Drew Gill
5/5

Four Eyes was without a doubt the best floppy of the week and it continues to cement itself as one of the best series around. There's so much atmosphere in this title that it's impossible to not be utterly captivated. The story is set against a depression-era backdrop filled with mythology and dragons and focuses on the struggles and growth of Enrico, the young son of Italian immigrants. His attempts to comprehend, survive and react-to a world of abject poverty and the death of his father are presented with such skill that his every emotion is laid uncomfortable bare and rings with a legitimacy uncommon in comics. This is a work of rare psychological depth.

The rest of the package is equally deserving of praise. The art is perfectly suited for the tone of the tale and gives it a life beyond what any mere words could achieve on their own. The images are rich and imaginative - full of grandeur and power. It's fantastic to behold.

If this is the type of quality of creator owned works we can start expecting to more consistently see from Image then, well, count them as the new standard setter.


Invincible #59
Image
Writing: Robert Kirkman
Pencils: Ryan Ottley
Inks: Cliff Rathburn
Colors: FCO Placencia
Lettering: Rus Wooton
Editing: Aubrey Sitterson
4/5

It's strange that Kirkman can do what he does in Walking Dead and yet his use of violence can still manage to shock and surprise when it rears it's head in his other books. This issue felt playful throughout. It seemed an unweighty aside until it ended with a startling moment of mood devastation. Perhaps this reference is a spoiler of sorts, but the effectiveness of the issue is unquestionably tied to this incident and it bears mentioning. It's this type of line-crossing amidst a very relateable very human landscape that makes Kirkman have the impact he does.

Anyway, it's Invincible. It's a must read top-o'-the-line title. It's always good and often great. There should be no need to be telling you this.


X-Factor #40
Marvel
Writing: Peter David
Pencils: Valentine De Landro
Inks: Pat Davidson, Valentine De Landro
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Lettering: Cory Petit
Editing: Jody Letteup, John Barber
Cover: David Yardin
4.5/5

Peter David's X-Factor has long been one of the best X books available. Its cast is very well developed and sympathetic and their struggles are highly absorbing. It's the interpersonal drama of the mutant titles and very easy to fall for.

So it was a particularly notable bummer when the series started to miss the mark in the aftermath of Messiah Complex. For a small handful of issues it quite simply didn't have the impact its readers had come to expect. Thankfully, with the last several installments, this is now very far from the case.

X-Factor is back, with force, and is awesome. This issue and the one it follows are almost completely devoid of action, yet still they get your heart racing. Events are dramatic, emotional and in some cases very surprising. David takes his story into very sticky places and handles them with a deft tongue and the respect and intelligence many of these subjects require. At times it's easy to forget that this is a superhero title that inhabits the main Marvel Universe. In many ways it has nothing in common with its peers. In many ways - it stands above them.

The story is great, the art is fantastic, and the outlook is definitely intriguing. If you left or were never on the X-Factor bandwagon, now is definitely the time.


Dynamo 5 #0
Image
Writing: Jay Faerber
Pencils, Inks: Mahmud A. Asrar
Coloring: Ron Riley
Lettering: Charles Pritchett
Cover: Asrar, Riley
3.5/5

Dynamo 5 is a very fun title with plenty of character that fits well alongside other Image hero titles like Invincible, Wolf-Man and Noble Causes. And while this quick little 10 page issue doesn't necessarily capture all the charm and effectiveness of the title, it does serve as a good jumping on point for people interested in following it. The conversational style of the book is represented, the characters get small moments to establish themselves a bit, and their what-the-hell-are-we-doing battle style gets some stage time.

This quickie isn't a fantastic read, but at the 99 cent price tag it's a good introduction to a series that deserves your attention.


Dark Avengers #2
Marvel
Writing: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils, Inks: Mike Deodato
Colors: Rain Beredo
Lettering: Cory Petit
Cover: Deodato, Berendo
Editing: Jeanine Schaefer, Tom Brevoort
Production: Joe Sabino
3/5

Bendis and Deodato have set this title up to be a sort of continuation of Ellis' largely acclaimed Thunderbolts run. Though while they've captured some of the dark excitement of that title it does feel a bit like the neutered version. Not to mention how ridiculous the series is as a concept in the first place. Can we honestly say that a few years from now comic fans won't roll their eyes in shame when recalling the time Tommy Lee Jones was Norman Osborn and led the Avengers, all of whom were B/C-grade characters masquerading as more popular ones, and it was expected that readers accept his role as most powerful guy ever because of one fluke moment at the end of a disappointing event series and all with an increased cover price? No. No we can't.

And yet, as much as there is to be annoyed about in Dark Avengers, at least it's more fun than Mighty ever was. You don't hate yourself for reading it. Dark Bendis isn't nearly as diabolically exciting as Ellis, but it's more entertaining than slugging through a read of some of his pre-darkness Avengers work. There is a slightly rejuvenated feeling. There are a couple of standout moments. And there's definitely an entire issue of Deodato art - and that's always a good thing.

Dark Avengers, let's face it, is kind of dumb. The idea is silly. But it's also kind of fun. It's very 'kind of.' Hopefully Bendis really pushes the sadism envelope and lets the series run wild. It's the only way this will have any staying power.


Guardians of the Galaxy #10
Marvel
Writing: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Pencils: Brad Walker
Inks: Victor Olazaba
Colors: Wil Quintana
Lettering: Joe Caramagna
Cover: Clint Langley
Editing: Michael Horwitz, Bill Rosemann
3.5/5

While this issue was certainly action packed it unfortunately failed to reach the bar set by the preceeding nine installments. It didn't have the liveliness, charm, creativity or charisma that followers of the book have come to expect. This isn't to say that it was poor - it wasn't - it just didn't leave you feeling you'd spent ten minutes back as an over-caffeinated nine year old imagining grand adventures.

Abnett & Lanning are gearing up for War of Kings and this issue felt a bit like necessary house cleaning. It's a bit disappointing but understandable. Lets hope things bounce back on the whole jovial-enjoyment-meter next month.


Uncanny X-Men #506
Marvel
Writing: Matt Fraction
Pencils: Terry Dodson
Inks: Rachel Dodson
Coloring: Justin Ponsor
Lettering: Joe Caramagna
Production: Tom Van Cise
Editing: Nick Lowe, Daniel Ketchum
3/5

This book is slowly collecting itself and making little improvements each time it checks in. Fraction has some plots going that make sense and are decently easy for newcomers to jump into. There's a growing sense of direction that the series has long been lacking. On the other hand, there are still some dangling threads out there that will have to resurface at some point. It's going to take some time to guide the title into must-read territory but with every issue Fraction breaths a little more life into the situation. The art, while being good, is slightly generic and does little to distinguish itself.

Fraction is near the right track but hasn't quite yet found his voice for the book. His hold on the characters is evident, but lacking is the energy and charisma of a work such as Casanova. In time perhaps.