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I saw The Dark Knight Rises last night, and though I will probably do a proper review in a couple of weeks that will contain spoilers, I thought I would share my non-spoiler quick review with you. The movie was everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved it.
RACHEL RISING #9
Abstract Studio
Written & Illustrated by Terry Moore
This is one of the most surprising and enjoyable books I have read in a long time. As with the excellent Echo series, Terry Moore is taking his time with the story, and sometimes this means we get a plot-filled issue, a character-filled issue, or a bridge between the two. This time we get a little of both, and finally get some indication of what is really going on.
The plot twist is fantastic. I really feel sorry for Zoe, and learning about her predicament made me as a reader feel even more empathy for her. Lilith is one character that comes across as someone who wants to help, but we learn her true colors here. Malus was an interesting new addition to the cast. And what these new revelations mean for Rachel or Jet is anyone’s guess at this moment, though I am now forming some theories.
Quite a few characters decide to have conversations together. Rachel and Lewis’ opening conversation really says everything you need to know about who these characters are without telling us much at all. Malus and Lilith’s dialogue tells us so much about the plot without giving us specific details about what this means over all. It is a huge shift in the story here, yet matches everything that has happened since issue #1.
Moore is a master storyteller. He makes good dialogue look easy to write. I appreciated the way he dropped so much information into one issue and still left me with almost as many questions as I had when I began. And his art is gorgeous as always. If you like well written comics, excellent characters, and have a genuine love of horror stories you really should be reading this book.
FINAL WORD: Without a doubt, the best book of the week!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art by Dexter Soy
I thought this was a very strong first issue, and I liked it very much. Carol Danvers has teamed with Captain America to take down the Absorbing Man, but the crux of the story is not the opening action. Instead the story is about understand who Carol is as a person, what makes her tick, and seeing her take the next step in her life as the new Captain Marvel.
I was surprised that the first issue of a new series like this did not introduce a huge menace for the character to face. Sure there is action here, but the important aspects of the book was the story. It was setting the stage for our heroine and seeing her take on her new role. It reminded me, oddly, of the Amazing Spider-Man stories I read growing up where sometimes the story was just about Peter Parker figuring his life out. It is a personal story and in the hands of a lesser writer it might have fallen flat. Kelly Sue DeConnick not only succeeds here, but she also gives Carol a voice I love. I could really see myself coming back to this character because the writer has given it a personal touch that goes a long way with me. I also think I am shipping a Spider-Man/Captain Marvel romance. They play so well off of each other.
Probably the weakest part of the issue was the art for me. It is not bad, however, Dexter Soy is extremely stylized and it takes a handful of pages to get into the story as a result. The art does get cleaner and works better after the first five pages or so, but you may have to push through it. By the end of the issue I really did like Soy’s art. In fact I hope he stays on the title. But it is a little jarring at the beginning.
This book was one of the surprises of the week. I did not know what to expect and I could easily see this title making its way to Daredevil or Journey Into Mystery status. The character is written that well. We’ll see what the future holds, but the creators offered a wonderful first issue and I will be back for more.
FINAL WORD: An excellent first issue where the writer makes the lead so appealing I will have to come back.
X-FACTOR #240
Marvel Comics
Written by Peter David
Pencils by Neil Edward
Inks by Craig Yeung & Rick Ketcham
I do not think I give this series enough credit. Peter David has been killing it on this book for years, and I know at the store we have a dedicated and loyal fanbase for this series. It has been awhile since I picked up an issue, and I am happy to say it was a bit like coming home.
This issue is primarily about Layla Miller. We get inside her head (which is good because she knows stuff) and we get a really good idea of how she knows stuff. We see how she tries to manage multiple realities based on the choices she makes, and we understand why this splinters her when she makes her choices. It is a quintessential character spotlight issue and for fans of the series and Layla in particular I think you will love it.
I really enjoyed the way the book shows the reader the multiple outcomes to various stories. I love the narration by Layla. And I thought the art kept the readers’ attention and that was good considering it would have been easy to get lost in a comic if the storytelling was not as clear. For a story like this we need clean, concise, storytelling.
One of the best X-Factor issues I have read in awhile and something I genuinely think longtime fans will appreciate. There was a time when X-Factor was the best X-book on the stands. I would like to see that again I think. Hopefully they will bring Madrox back soon.
FINAL WORD: A great character story for Layla Miller. X-Factor fans will love it!
-SJD
