moriarty@fluke.UUCP (The Napoleon of Crime) (11/05/85)
REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE:
X-Men/Alpha-Flight #2 SWAMP THING POWER PLAYS DALGODA
PUNISHER 'MAZING MAN STAR TREK THE BADGER
CODENAME: DANGER THOR
I KNOW I'm late when Jerry's "Catchup" reviews are more recent than my
current ones...
Before getting into this set of reviews, I'd like to go over why
these reviews are so late and so short. Stupid People's Court, my
other articles, Macintosh work I'm doing at home and for a Mac
User's Group in Seattle, not to mention my job and (ha) social life
have been keeping me (just like Don Thompson) from writing these
as often as I'd like to. Things are not going to get any better,
either, from the look of things, so while I hope to have Moriarty
Reviews out on time from now on, they will probably be somewhat
abbreviated. I tend to agree with Jerry about what constitutes a
comic worth reviewing: either a new issue, or a comic that has
made a marked downward or (especially) upward move in quality of
art and writing, or just an extremely good issue with something
noteworthy to say about it. That's why you don't always see a
comment on MAGE in every one of my reviews -- the comic is one
of the best out there, but I feel I better say something in my
column besides "Another great issue".
Now, on with the Show...
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"There *are* standards. If you can't see one, you *make* one and stick to
it come Hell or high water -- until you see a BETTER one."
-John Gaunt
"Well, if you can't believe what you read in a comic book, what *can*
you believe?!"
-Bullwinkle J. Moose
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|==>A< One of the best of the year. Example: ZOT #8 |
|==>B< A very good issue, one of the best of the month (usually 6/month) |
|==>C< A well done, entertaining issue. Satisfying. Example: Jon Sable |
|==>D< Boring, but with a few good points. Example: SQUADRON SUPREME |
|==>F< Boring AND stupid or childish. Example: Secret Wars. |
|==>Z< Actually offensive. Example: Several of Haney's UNKNOWN SOLDIERs |
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X-Men/Alpha-Flight #2 [B+]:
One of the best things Claremont has ever done, bar none. My
respect for the man's writing has almost completely been restored
(as long as I don't read New Muties, that is). Great plot, great
dialogue, well-characterized (especially the
passengers-turned-demigods -- when totally new characters
become this well-developed so quickly, the writer is due some
applause) -- especially Loki, who may never have been done so
well (except by Simonsin). Perfect combination of a god who is
capable of lies, mischief, pure evil, humor and (even) good. Paul
Smith's art is excellent, and is only diminished by that d*mn
bright white paper.
Jean's ressurection:
Two things: 1) Shooter will get SPC, at which time I'll address a
few grievances.
2) John did, I think, about as well as anyone could given the Edict
From On Low.
General Comments: This sucks.
SWAMP THING #44 [C+]:
Great entrance into Abby's house -- made me wonder What If
Swamp Thing was handled like Superman ("Into a nearby
manhole..."). I like the fact that the Serial Killer is considered as
much a monster as the Vampires or other creatures found so far;
with the Green River killer still loose up here in Washington, it
tends to become a little less fantastic.
POWER PLAYS #2 [B]:
Oh, Joy! They published the second issue! Not easy to read, and not
as much fun as the first issue, but this is great!
DALGODA [C+]:
Now, don't get me wrong. I really *like* Dalgoda. I find it funny,
with an interesting plot, unique art and very good dialogue. The
thing is, you might as well through out this comic as dramatic
material. I kept being distracted throughout the book by the
non-chalant attitude of the crew as they approached Canida --
you'd think they were test-driving a Mazda in the hills of
Conneticut, not taking a ship into an area devestated by another
form of aliens, who were probably waiting there for them.
Everybody seems very -- mellow, and while that makes for good
humor and has not been a distraction over the last few issues, in
this one (because, I think, a serious plot event was trying to be
introduced) I found it to be very disconcerting.
PUNISHER #1 [D+]:
Can't really see what the fuss is about. The plot and dialogue are
standard, and the art, while being interesting, is very cartoonish
-- black people in particular tend to look like something out of a
Looney Tunes with muscles (though everybody looks exagerated).
'MAZING MAN #1 [C]:
Well, I like it, but I can see how this could not be for everybody.
How about a blurb over the heading saying: "The Comic for
Eccentrics!"
STAR TREK #22 [B]:
Tony Isabella proves once again (he's been doing it for over 12
years) that he is one of the finest fill-in writers around. I can't
count the number of comics I've regretted seeing him leave...
THE BADGER #9 [C]:
This is gettiting to remind me more and more of the earlier
Flaming Carrots, but that is (for me) a compliment.
CODENAME: DANGER #2 [C+]:
No, Don Thompson, I don't like the editor on this title, either, or
his snide comments; but the book is very well scripted, and as long
as Robert Loring Fleming can keep up the snappy patter, I'll read it.
I'd like to find something to ditch this comic for, after the
editorial in this one, but I can't. It IS amazing how the terrorist
attempt here matches what happened with the Italian cruise ship
(however, this book was on the stands before the whole thing
happened. Coincidence...).
THOR #363 [B-]:
The Beyonder theme is crap, but the ending.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!
That Loki! What a kidder!
"If you are beginning to doubt what I am saying, you are
probably hallucinating."
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
ARPA: fluke!moriarty@uw-beaver.ARPA
UUCP: {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!moriarty
<*> DISCLAIMER: Do what you want with me, but leave my employers alone! <*>