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