boyajian@akov68.DEC (Jerry Boyajian) (09/04/84)
These are all from the past few weeks. Because of the number of them, I'm doing all the Marvels first, then the others will follow in a separate message. They will be (except for the last three Marvels, for reasons which will be somewhat apparent) in alphabetical order. I'm using, with his permission, Jeff (Moriarty) Meyer's rating system. **************************************************************************** |==>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 | **************************************************************************** THE ALIEN LEGION #4 C- A lot of people dismiss this as just a "Foreign Legion in space", as if that somehow makes it inherently bad. I find it to be a perfectly readable comic with very good artwork. The main story in this one isn't quite up to previous efforts, but I really liked the back-up story. ALPHA FLIGHT #17 C Well, it was kind of neat to see the reprise of Jamie's first fight with the X-Men, if for no other reason than to see the slight difference in Byrne's art between then and now. I have to agree with whoever it was (Laurie?) that we need a Wolverine/Puck mini-series about that Maracaibo affair. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #18 C- Stan Lee returns to writing Spidey! Be still my beating heart?? No, more like be still my beating bowels! Actually, just when I was convinced old Stan the Man was way past his writing prime (can I ever forgive him for SHE-HULK #1?) he turns out a very readable, even enjoyable script. CRASH RYAN #1 C- This is only the first of four issues, and it serves mainly to set up the situation and characters, and it does that fairly well. The story is quite reminiscent of the old somewhat-fantastic "air-war" pulp magazines of the '30s, like BILL BARNES, DUSTY AYRES AND HIS BATTLE BIRDS, and G-8'S BATTLE ACES. The art is competent, though unexciting, and not enough real plot development hap- pens in this issue to give a fair assessment of the series. Based on this first issue, though, I will certainly keep reading. DR. STRANGE #68 A- Not too long ago, I mentioned that I thought MACHINE MAN was the best thing Marvel was currently doing. I lied. This is. While MM's *Barry* Smith art is superior to DS's *Paul* Smith art, MM is far outclassed by DS in the script department. DS has always been an uneven book, what with the constant changes in personnel, but this is definitely one of the peak periods in the book's run, if not *the* best. Stern seems to be the only writer on DS that has ever truly un- derstood the structure of Strange's sorcery. And Strange finally makes a spell in rhyme without it sounding terribly corny. If you've been avoiding DS lately, you might want to give it a try again. EPIC ILLUSTRATED October 1984 (#26) D For those of you who don't normally follow EI because you prefer the "normal" mainstream type of comic, there are two stories of interest in this is- sue, though to be honest, both were disappointing, more or less. The less was a story of Cerebus the Aardvark when he was a wee lad, called "His First Fifth". Where most Cerebus stories are laugh-out-loud funny, this was more of a smile funny. It's nice to see a Cerebus story in color, but it's too bad that it's not on a better story. The more disappointing was part one (of two?) of "The Last Galactus Story" by John Byrne (inked by Terry Austin). The art is fine, but in the six pages of story, practically nothing happens. In fact, Galactus isn't even in the story! Nova (Frankie Raye) scouts out the ruins of a devastated world and that's it. I wonder what Byrne could possibly be trying to cram into the next part. ICEMAN #1 D+ Silly, corny, and cliches crawling out of the woodwork, but not a bad read. I'm surprised by the fact that's it's a *bi*-monthly mini-series, though. Seems to me like they're going to drag it out too long. If it were a regular series, I'd probably forget the rest of the issues, but since there are only 4 issues, I won't mind. THE NEW MUTANTS #22 C- Compared to Kitty's (#153) and Illyana's (Annual #8), Rahne's Fairy Tale doesn't quite make it, but the concept shows a side of Rahne that we never saw before, and I'm glad that Claremont did this. As far as the rest goes, I'm glad to see (as also evidenced by the latest X-MEN and its Annual) yet more crossover between the books. It only seems natural that members of one group would happen to be around in the mansion during the events of the other book. Especially with the X-Men helping the Newties with their training. I only wish the rivalry would take a hike (it didn't strike me that Colossus said anything to make Roberto think that he was pompous). SECRET WARS #8 F First of all, Shooter can't seriously expect me to believe that Cap can withstand Torch's nova-heat simply by crouching down behind his shield. But even more aggravating was the cover blurb: "Amid the chaos, there comes a costume--!" Not only did Spidey not get his costume until the last two pages, long after all the chaos, but all that happens is that it drops out of some machine. Maybe I've been unknowingly taking some 'ludes in the past few weeks, but I somehow can't see this as being very exciting. MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #12: DAZZLER-- THE MOVIE Z I picked this one up for two reasons. First, I happen to have picked up all the graphic novels and didn't want to break my streak (stupid reason). Most- ly though, it was because of it's initialization of the "Mutant Fear" storyline that'll run rampant through the various Marvel titles in the forthcoming months. I was leary of the creative team, but I could take the Springer/Coletta art if the story was good, and SECRET BORES notwithstanding, Shooter actually *has* written some decent stories in the past. When I started reading this G.N., I really didn't think it was too bad, surprisingly, but by the time I got to the end, I swear I came closer than I ever have before to throwing a comic against the wall across the room. I've never thought much of the Dazzler comic, but I knew that, handled decently (as in her intro in X-MEN #130), she could be a worthwhile character. And I also have always thought of her as a "nice" person. As such, I couldn't believe that she could be so easily led down the path of moral corruption. I'm not specifically talking about the sex, though that's part of it. What really did it for me was the cigarettes. Believe me, *no one* can just casually start smoking; you have to *want* to smoke to ever be able to physically handle it. And I couldn't understand how she could possibly be manip- ulated by such a sleazy phony like Roman Nekoboh ("Hoboken Manor" spelled back- wards? Give me a break!). Still further, I couldn't believe that she'd go along with that stupid plan in revealing her powers to the public. If it wasn't for Bill Sienkiewicz's *stunning* cover, this book would have absolutely *no* re- deeming features whatsoever, and I'm not sure I could have given it as high a rating as a "Z". I don't think I've ever read a single comic that I despised more. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST #1 C- I picked up this for much the same reasons as the Dazzler G.N. Strangely enough, though, I rather liked this one. After the Springer/Coletta art on the G.N., it was almost a pleasure to see Perlin & DeMulder, and Ann Nocenti does actually have a reasonably good handle on the characters of both Alison Blaire and Hank McCoy. this certainly won't go down in comics history, but I found it both readable and halfway enjoyable. --- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Maynard, MA) UUCP: {decvax|ihnp4|allegra|ucbvax|...}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-akov68!boyajian ARPA: boyajian%akov68.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
boyajian@akov68.DEC (Jerry Boyajian) (09/04/84)
Since I have less non-Marvel comics to review than Marvels, they are all lumped together here, but separated by publisher. Again, I'm using Jeff Meyer's rating system. **************************************************************************** |==>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 | **************************************************************************** JEMM, SON OF SATURN #4 D Well, I can't say that I didn't give JEMM a decent try. Here we are 1/3 of the way through the series, and I still find nothing intriguing about it. The Colan/Janson art is rather mundane, and there is nothing particularly original to the story. This is it for me on this title. STAR TREK #9 D OK, I confess that I got this one because I was interested in seeing how they'd pick up from the end of THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK. I also happened to know what it was setting up for the next issue, too (more on that later). I haven't been buying this title, since I don't care for the writing or the art (I read my girl friend's copies of #1-3 and didn't like them). As it turns out, this issue isn't much more than a space-filler until the last few pages, where we get set up for the next issue. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to pick up the next issue, too, since it's a "sequel" to my very favorite ST episode, "Mirror, Mirror". What's annoying is that I can see exactly what just might happen. My crystal ball says that Kirk & Co. are going to defeat para-Kirk & Co., and until the time comes for the adaptation of STAR TREK IV, our guys will flit about the galaxy in the para-*Enterprise*. At that time, the para-*Enterprise* will be destroyed or re- captured by the para-crew (who escape back to their own dimension), so that ev- erything is back to status quo. somehow, I don't think I could take that. TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #49 B- Of course, the big thing here is the revelation about Kid Flash. I'm not particularly pleased with this, feeling that it's kind of gratuitous (though I can't pin down why). I agree with whomever it was that said that this is probab- ly going to be dragged on for a year or more (after all, KF *does* appear in the Baxter TITANS). I also get the feeling that all this is going to solved by hav- ing KF get killed in the CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS series, so that he won't have to suffer a prolonged death. But what I really liked about this issue were the little snickers in the opening sequence. "Dickie, you're Donna's friend. You think she maybe has a sis- ter?" "Certainly does, Barry. But I think she's going with someone." (heh heh) or "That answers it, Jer -- Bowser City!" (heh heh heh). I wonder, though, if I am supposed to recognize this Sharon character who claims to be Donna's ex-room- ie. Does anyone remember her from the old Titans series? MS. TREE #10 A- This comic made the transition from Eclipse to Aardvark-Vanaheim beauti- fully. I'm constantly being impressed at not only how good a comic it is, but at how good a *mystery* story it is, too. Of course, the biggest question that this issue brings up is how successful the duo-tone printing is. Personally, I think it just fits the mood of the comic, giving it (as Max Collins says in the letter column) more of a *film noir* feel than a four-color or black & white comic would. I hope they do this on a permanent basis. GRIMJACK #5 B This is the best issue so far. Jericho Noleski is quite a character, and a perfect partner for Grimjack. One of the things I like about the series though is the little things. For this issue: (1) "Yeah, but they are *law-abidin'* jack rabbits." (2) "Rule of Thumb #34: never never *never* shoot a gas pump!" and (3) the "Miller-Kennedy Truckin', Ltd." on the cab of the truck ("Kennedy Miller" is the name of the production company that produced the Mad Max films --- Byron KENNEDY and George MILLER). ZOT! #5 A- As with GRIMJACK, this is the best issue so far. Aside from the zany hu- mor and complex machinations, I think what I like most about this series is the growing friendship between Zot and Jenny. One can see it slowly, and completely innocently, develop from an initial attraction/crush to a strong, true love. At this point, I think Jenny realizes that she is actually in love with Zot, though he's still a bit dense in that respect. This has to be one of the most realistic (proto-)romances in comics. This comic is a must read; if you aren't reading it yet, shame on you! PATHWAYS TO FANTASY #1 C+ Here goes another Bruce Jones Associates anthology comic, said I, when this one appeared. surprisingly, though, I rather liked this on the whole. I can't really say much for the scripts (except for Christina Rosetti's "Goblin Market", which despite the forced rhyme scheme, is a very nicely done story). The art, however, is another thing altogether. John Bolton's art for "Goblin Market" is beautiful, follow closely be Barry Windsor-Smith's for "Stalking". Lela Dowling did a nice job on "Hunger", and Jeffrey Jones' on "A Night to Re- member" fit the mood of the story very well. The only art job I didn't care for was Scott Hampton's for "Oh What a Lovely Estate Have We" (which also is the least story in the book). I think what impressed me most about this comic, how- ever, was the breadth of fantasy that it presented, from the Grimm-style fairy tale of "Goblin Market" to the traditional ghost story of "A Night to Remember". Worth picking up. --- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Maynard, MA) UUCP: {decvax|ihnp4|allegra|ucbvax|...}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-akov68!boyajian ARPA: boyajian%akov68.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA