moriarty@fluke.UUCP (The Napoleon of Crime) (08/01/85)
CAPSULE REVIEWS IN THIS ARTICLE:
THE ONE #2 POWER PACK #16 THE OUTSIDERS #1
THE SISTERHOOD OF STEEL #5 STAR WARS #100 BLUE DEVIL #17
CEREBUS #75 THOR #360 GREEN LANTERN #193
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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: Byrne/Claremont's Starlord |
|==>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< Rather boring, or a few good spots mixed with more bad ones. Ex:Mars|
|==>F< Boring AND stupid or childish. Example: Secret Wars. |
|==>Z< Actually offensive. Example: Several of Haney's UNKNOWN SOLDIERs |
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THE ONE #2 [B-]: I can't figure out if this is a satire, a science
fiction idea, or something so original I can't compartmentalize it.
But it's good -- the interview technique with the characters is one
of the nicest storytelling devices I've seen in dog's years. Epic
Comics really is shaping up nicely; either Goodwin or (gasp) Shooter
deserves credit...
POWER PACK #16 [C+]: A bit of a revitalization, after a few mudane
issues. Energizer and Franklin's antics are hilarious and realistic,
right up to one of the best vocal climaxes in ages. Good stuff.
THE OUTSIDERS #1 [C]: I heartily approve the lighthearted nature
of this new title -- a quality that is difficult to have with The
Batman lurking around. But before we give too much credit to
Barr, remember Aparo's history in this kind of story -- anyone
remember that wonderful old Charlton series, Wander? The last
Halo page reminds that of me quite a bit (in fact, Halo's origin
reminds me no little bit of E-Man...).
SISTERHOOD OF STEEL #5 [C]: Reminds me of good historical drama
-- no demons, no magic, just an extremely healthy plot and good
storytelling. I admit that I seem to like these "Foreign Legion" type
books (SS along with The Alien Legion), but I dislike Sword &
Sorcery quite a bit, so it evens out (OK, OK, I'll go look at Red
Sonja...).
STAR WARS #100 [D+]: A big disappointment. Duffy and Martin
have done very good stories in the past, but much of this issue
seemed bloated. Basically, the Alliance is at war again, but the
subplots which are resolved were only started an issue or two ago,
so there is no big surprise here. The characters seem rushed (along
with the art), everything is pretty lightweight (Duffy can do good,
funny lightweight better than almost anyone, but it drags here).
Other than the very short ending with Han and Leia (how come
they don't show affection for each other any more?), it lost in the
characterization category -- and THAT was a surprise, because
Duffy almost always does well there.
BLUE DEVIL #17 [C-]: Perhaps the first issue of Blue Devil that I've
found a bit too much -- some of the Fisherman's puns are just too
Old DC for my tastes. But if they have a weak issue once every 17
issues, I think I can deal with it...
CEREBUS #75 [B]: Wow. And, yes, Your Holiness, my sentiments
exactly...
THOR #360 [C-]: Walt! Keep the humor in here! Your epics need
the light touch!
GREEN LANTERN #193 [C+]: Frankly, with the way Englehart is
scripting John and Katma, I don't care if Hal ever comes back. And
Stanton's art seems to be improving visibly every issue.
"`Where the hell's my cookie?!' WHAM!"
He's hard as rock, tough as nails, dense as concrete.
He's...
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
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