crd55611@ihuxk.UUCP (12/13/83)
Due to the lack of regular submissions to this newsgroup, I'm taking it
upon myself to stimulate conversation/observations by submitting sort of
a mini-review/commentary of the numerous titles that I've become attached
to. Keep in mind that this is entirely from memory just in case I make
any gross mistakes or inaccuracies.
Avengers I'm about to cancel this title, mainly because Milgrom's
pencilling and Sinnott's inking just don't thrill me. It
saddens me too, because Roger Stern's writing is more than
adequate. I suppose though, that given the fact that this is
a "team book" along with the presence of what I consider
better artists (with unique and stylish flairs characterizing
their work) out there somewhere, that I just expect too much
from this title.
Daredevil I think the character is great, but ever since Miller left,
the thrill is gone. Denny O'Neil's writing is OK and William
Johnson seems like a good penciller....now if they could just
get Terry Austin or Joe Rubinstein to ink, I might change my
mind.
Fantastic Four The title says it all! John Byrne is the best thing that
ever happened to this book. His characterizations of
the members of this book are nearly flawless and his apparent
infatuation with Sue Storm-Richards is at the very worst--
amusing. His attention to the smallest detail when drawing
machinery or the slightest wrinkle of exasperation when doing
faces is simply inspired! 'Nuff said!
Alpha Flight See above.....Truly original stuff--and talk about laying
groundwork for the characters! I feel like I know 'em all
already--not that I wouldn't mind getting to know Aurora a
little better.....There seems to be no end in sight to the
wellspring of Byrne's imagination!
The Thing Might as well finish up the Byrne titles....JB's writing is
solid on this one, although off to a somewhat depressing start.
Ben Grimm should stop preoccupying himself with his rocky
exterior and feelings of inadequacy in his relationship with
Alicia. I wish he'd just get his ass in gear and start taking
on some major league bad guys. The artwork is just adequate.
I suppose I could be spoiled by Byrne's artwork, but Ron Wilson
is pretty good....now if they would just give Armando Gil the
inking chores (see Superboxers graphic novel).....
X-Men I have a loyalty to this title which transcends most writer/
artist gripes, but I will say this--Chris Claremont seems to be
substituting complicated plots for downright entertaining plots
more and more lately. It's kind of hard to describe--loyal,
long time readers may get my drift while recent fans and even
loyal collectors may say I'm nuts, but something's wrong here
I think and it's not getting better. The artwork seems stable
but I was pretty annoyed to see Bob Wiacek absent while Marvel
employed his services on the entertaining but quick-buckish
X-Men/Micronauts mini-series. John Romita Jr. seems to have
good potential as penciller but only in combination with the
familiar and recognized talents of Wiacek.
New Mutants Hmmm. Perhaps what we have here is one of the reasons for
what I perceive to be a decline in Claremont's storytelling.
If he's trying to duplicate the popularity of the X-Men with
this title, it certainly isn't working. Mutants are really
coming out of the woodwork in the ol' Marvel universe and while
the book does have it's good points (the artwork is above
average but not as good as Bob McCleod's work in the graphic
novel), it lacks the appeal and mystique of the original X-Men.
---Not that that is something to be easily duplicated, but a
better effort would have been feasible. Look at the first
several issues of The Micronauts--now THAT was an exciting
beginning!
Doctor Strange Lately and just recently, a great book! The issues
48-53 of which Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin put in
the art for are simply beautiful. Roger Stern's
writing really shines here, too. At the moment, Stern is still
the writer and the book seems to be going through an artist
change--but I haven't been disappointed yet. Y'know, they
actually killed of all the vampires in the Marvel universe in
issue 62. Talk about getting rid of a good antagonist!
Those of you interested in exceptional back issues might want
to pick up a copy of issue 55 which features art by Michael
Golden and Terry Austin and a story that defies comparison.
Issue 46 also has a 5-pager by Stern, Golden, and P. Craig
Russell which ain't too shabby either....
Amazing Spiderman, Peter Parker the Spectacular
Spiderman, & Marvel Team-up
Spiderman's always been my favorite character so this'll
be slanted in his favor.....Some of the early team-ups were
pretty good but lately it's been formula stories with
different characters. Nothing too exciting. Stern seems to
be doing a good job writing ASM and Bill Mantlo is turning
in an equally respectable performance on PPTSS. It's hard
to keep track of the artwork from month to month, but it
seems OK with one or two exceptions. Lately the covers have
been pretty good but it's always frustrating when the cover
art excels beyond the interior art. My biggest gripe with
Spidey is the gross lack of recognition he suffers as a
hero. I suppose it's gotten to be kind of a trademark by
now, but I'm really sick of MY HERO getting so much abuse!
And as for the Black Cat--you can have her. I started out
liking her but the powers-that-be at Marvel seem to be turning
her into a superficial bitch with little other than physical
appeal for our hero.
Kazar Started out a little slow, really picked up speed with Bruce
Jones writing and Ron Frenz & Armando Gil turning in some
great art, and has begun an apparent decline with loss of
the above mentioned talents. Especially with Bruce Jones.
Oh well, Marvel's loss and Pacific Comics' gain...
This is too big a job for one sitting! Unless I get a lot of negative mail,
I'll finish this set of descriptions/submissions in the near future. 'Till
then, I'd love to hear from you!
Charles R. Dobrovolny
ihuxk!crd55611
(Bell Laboratories--Naperville Ill.
(312) 979-1612