moriarty@fluke.UUCP (The Napoleon of Crime) (09/30/85)
Before any more reviews, a personal remark: Frankly, I don't care
if Spider-Man EVER finds Captain Crunch. He's probably under one
of the New York piers, sleeping off a hard night at Rosie's bar...
Reviewed in This Issue:
SQUADRON SUPREME THE FOOZLE THOR ANNUAL LONGSHOT
MR. MONSTER VISION AND THE SCARLET WITCH THE OUTSIDERS
FIRST ADVENTURES GRIMJACK DAREDEVIL FUTURIANS
SUPERMAN DOCTOR STRANGE POWER PACK
FLAMING CARROT
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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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SQUADRON SUPREME #5 [C-]:
Still interesting enough to buy, due to Mark Gruenwald's plotting
ideas.
THE FOOZLE #3 [C]:
I have this from another book, but in color, it's OK. However, I
must assume this indicates that Marshall Rogers is once again late
with his stories. There are a few independent artists who need to
find out how much of an audience they can loose due to stunts like
this, no matter HOW good they are (and I take a back seat to nobody
in my appreciation of Roger's art).
THOR ANNUAL #13 [C]:
Actually, I liked this quite a bit. Simonsin only did the cover, and
Zelenetz's writing is flat (but for Norse legends, it should be
semi-flat), but John Buscema's art reminds me of old Hal Foster
PRINCE VALIANT panels at time (no, not THAT good -- but the style
is similar). He also has always had a thing about drawing
Mephisto, and he has improved it to a point that I think no one can
draw the character without consulting his work. Lousy ending, but
Mephisto rarely looses...
LONGSHOT #4 [C]:
Hey, wasn't I the guy who said he principally read comics for the
writing, and not the art? Well, between Arthur Adams and Alan
Davis and John Buscema, I'm afraid this is my month for lauding
art over writing. It's certainly apparent here; Ann Nocenti's
writing is as convoluted as ever, but with art like Adam's, I'd buy
it if it were written by Bill Mantlo (well, maybe not...). I suspect
Adams may turn out to be Marvel's next Pre-FF Byrne.
MR. MONSTER #2 [C+]:
Actually, I liked this issue better than the previous one. Gilbert
has always had a weird style (both in writing and art), and while
this isn't the Wraith, I contest the appraisal that this is wearing
thin. The comedic touches, because they're not blatant, are
particularly funny -- the lightning blasts between plot
revelations, reference made to him trashing "The Living Colossus"
(apparently Marvel is out another supporting character), and the
kids ("'Ey, lookit those guns!") all made for a very good issue.
Pretty gross, but that's the kind of thing you need MR. MONSTER
for...
VISION AND THE SCARLET WITCH #3 [C]:
This'd be a C-, except I like Englehart's writing style; and I enjoy
the Vision's loosening up lately. Works very well to have him be
understated instead of mechanical. Also, probably the first
conception ever witnessed in comics (and, or course, it's not the
normal kind...).
THE OUTSIDERS #2 [C+]:
The dialogue for the nuclear family is absolutely hysterical, and
Aparo's art really helps this along. I wouldn't mind, once they've
got the stories between BATMAN & OUTSIDERS and OUTSIDERS #1
finished, having Alan Davis and Aparo trade off (especially as
Aparo is so often late for these things...).
FIRST ADVENTURES #1 [D+]:
Actually, I didn't find *any* of these to be particularly
interesting, even BLAZE BARLOW; however, obviously strips like
these need a little time to grow, and I'll give them that...
GRIMJACK #17 [C+]:
It's takes a good issue like this to make me realize how much I'll
miss Truman when he leaves this book. If it's due to First not
paying them, then a curse on their house. By the way, there is
obviously a multi-part series just starting up here.
DAREDEVIL #226 [C-]:
Miller's back, the comic has a dark tone to it which is bloody
depressing, and I will stick with it for a while; however, it looks
like more of what we had in the post-Elektra croaks issues, none
of which I found particularly interesting, i.e. let's watch Matt
crack up, kids!
FUTURIANS #1 [F]:
Cripes, this is worse than the graphic novel. Old-style Marvel
"heroes hit each other before hitting villains", needless
glorification of violence (i.e. it doesn't take the plot anywhere),
and a swear word every 4th balloon. If fact, violence seems to
dictate the plot, and not vica-versa. I did like something in it,
though: the add for THE HARRIS GIRLS comic.
SUPERMAN #414 [D-]:
One of Elliot S! Maggin's most confused plotlines, and I've seen
quite a few of them. Also, the sound effect in the last panel sucks
rocks -- so much for tender sentiments. Sounds like someone's
being murdered, not mourning.
DOCTOR STRANGE #74 [D]:
Beyonder tie-in, but my major complaint is: where are Stern and
Smith? Stern has made this book what it is, and while Smith isn't
essential to the book, Mark Badger will not due as a replacement,
not under present conditions. Amazingly undetailed work.
POWER PACK #17 [B-]:
Well, don't take my word for it! This is great!
FLAMING CARROT #8 [D-]:
Ohhhhh-Kay, this is my comic for dumping sheckles into, even
though it's a lost cause. I'm hoping, fervently, that Burden will
return to his old style comics lampoons that we saw in the early
issues, instead of this drivel which he insists on thrusting onto us
now. But I stick with it, every month, because his sense of humor
in those early books hit a bulls-eye with me each & every time.
Flaming Carrot used to be the funniest thing around, but these days
it's a pretty limp excuse for a comic (well, what do you expect
from a poet? :-) ).
"While not a master of intellect, the blatantly
obvious things WE often take for granted never
escape HIS keen eye!"
"Horse."
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! <*>