moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer) (08/01/84)
As I mentioned earlier, Brad Balfour (formerly bradb@maryland) no longer has
access to the net, but does have mail contact; from now on, I'll be posting
his reviews, and mailing him the week's worth on net.comics. You can reply
to him via the address at the bottom of his note (if you reply here, I'll
just forward it); expect responses to followup articles to be slow (at least
a week's delay). And now, on wit' da show!
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Tales of the Teen Titans 48:
VS the RECOMbatants. This one was ok. The art was good in some places, and
bad in others. I don't read DNAgents, so I don't know how much of a tribute/
take-off this was, or how well it was done. I'll soon see when I get DNAgents
number 14. Cute scenes included Proteus changing to look like Joe and then
telling Robi.. er Nightwing to "get the imposter!", and Proteus complaning that
shape changing was a terrible power. (Wish Changling had been there) Also,
I thought that it was interesting that Nightwing told the director of the LV
Daton Labs that he used to be Robin. Also, Cyborgs decision (pg 1&2) will
have a large impact in future issues. I liked the epilogues as hooks into
the next couple of issues and I'm looking forward to Wally's return next
issue.
X-Men 187:
The art here is good, I like JR JR as much as Paul what's-his-name (hmmm, I
used to know it :-) ). This was an average story of an X-men issue. (That
still put's it about 50-70% of the issues, but it was short on characterization
I am intregued by Forge. Let's see more of him and his past.
Kitty and Wolverine 1:
This has potential. The plot is so far very standard, but I expect Claremont
to throw in a couple of twists. The art was ok, but I wish Kitty had lost
that damn hat about 10 pages earlier.
Star Trek 8:
I don't know what to make of this one. Probably the weakest of all the issues
so far. But, considering that all the issues so far were 9-10's, that's not
bad. I think this one bears a second re-reading. It also suffers from being
presented after the release of STIII and of having a weak ending. So, why did
Saavik's just seeing Xon end up curing her Pon Farr?
I'm really waiting for number 9 so that I can see what happens after STIII.
Alpha Flight 16: (***spoiler?***)
In interesting resolution. I want to know the future of Marina. We know
that the master doesn't die, he'll be back in 10 issues or so. It was really
great to see Logan, I've been waiting for this. And Puck is still the most
interesting character of the series. Hmm, maybe Heather won't lead the group,
maybe Logan will... Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Swamp Thing 30: (***big spoiler***)
This gets my award for best revitalized comic of the year. So, Arcane isn't
dead, and Abby is? This is getting interesting. It takes a lot to scare me,
(I'm a big horror movie fan) and this is the first comic book that I would
really classify as a horror comic. Except, that it isn't. It's scary,
occasionally gory, but it's a people comic (and one plant). I really like the
moody art and the writing. This issue goes highly recommended, with one
caveat, go buy the back issues. This is one comic that really relies on
continued stories.
Jon Sable 18: (slight spoler)
So, Jon doesn't die. Well, I'm glad I found that out. Still, it was an
interesting issue w/ a great plot twist at the end. My only question is
who was Colonel Greg .... (Pappy)? I'm sure I'm supposed to recognize him.
Batman 377
Another good issue. This series is consistant. Some addition to the
characteriszation of Bruce Wayne and his relationship with The Batman.
Batman & the Outsiders 15
Plotwise, this was a fair issue. Art wise, ftzzzzzzzzzzp! Trevor Von Eden is
the only artist this side of Ditko who's art get's consistently worse. The
characters were hardly recognizable. I do like the development of a
relationship between Geo-Force and Halo.
FF 272:
This has come potential. I'm sure that Reeds's father will be the
sterotypical benevolent ruler with the maniacal assistant who is causing
all the grief. Still, it is good to find out something about Reed's past.
Action 560:
I only bought this one for the Ambush Bug backup. Moriarty, go buy it!
This is pure fun and sillyness. I'm still not thrilled by Giffen's
Alex Toth imitation, but...
West Coast Avengers 3:
This was good only for the characterization added to Tigra and Wonder Man.
If you have an extra $0.75, then buy it, otherwise forget it.
Blue Devil 6:
This is pure fun. A silly issue. The art was muddy and confused in some
places, but it's not fatal. I'm not sure whether to continue this or not...
Warlord 87:
I continued this one just to finish "Paradox" (which I liked), but I'm
not sure if I want to keep this one either. But then again, they may
finally resolve Tinder's sub-plot some day so I may keep it.
New Talent Showcase 11:
This was the worst of the 11 issues. Not a good story of the bunch.
In what has been a very entertaining comic, this was a dissapointment.
normalman 4:
This was terrific. I loved the cameos and the Smelts. I also liked norm's
4 fingered hand. This is a great series!
I also bought Elementals 1. This is better than I thought. I had seen the
preview in the Justice Machine Annual. Bill Willingham's art has improved.
I like this comic and I think that I'll continue getting it. This one has
got lot's of potential.
Well, that's all for now. I'll comment more when I get the next series of
articles from Moriarty.
b**2
brad%umdb.bitnet@berkeley.arpa