Review – Comic Critique

Review: The Wrong Earth #1

Although most of my reading pile goes back 10 years or so, I do often pull books “forward” if I’m sufficiently interested. This review is for such a book, especially because I wanted to alert you to it before it disappears off the shelves.

Today’s book, The Wrong Earth #1, comes from a new company called Ahoy Comics. If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “Another new publisher in today’s crowded market?”, but maybe we should give these guys a chance, as they’ve set sail with a number of quality creators we don’t see often enough.

The Wrong Earth is written by Tom Peyer, co-creator of one of my very favorite series, DC’s Hourman (Trust me, if you haven’t read it, do so!). Tom used to do a lot of work with fellow writers like Mark Waid and Grant Morrison; he never quite ascended to their level of popularity, but he always delivered solid stories. Admittedly, I’m predisposed to like his work – and I do here as well. The art is by Jamal Igle (from DC’s Firestorm), another somewhat unsung but excellent penciller. Here he does a very nice job of world(s)-building.

The story centers around a parallel Earth premise where 2 superbeings – one a hero, and his doppleganger, a villain – trade places. Obviously this isn’t a new scenario, but the fun is in how it’s handled and how it diverts from what you might expect. I don’t want to spoil it, so let’s just say it’s very well done, different enough to be interesting, and I definitely want to see what’s going to happen next.

The book also contains some back-up features:

A Golden Age style story featuring “Stinger” (the main hero’s sidekick). Perhaps inconsequential, but fun.
A prose story – or more aptly stated, a segment of a prose story – by Grant Morrison. I love much of his work, but sometimes – often in his creator-owned output – he is too far out even for me. This is one of those cases so far. I have no idea what this story is about or where it’s going. Perhaps it will become clearer in the future.
A one-page “Too Much Coffee Man” cartoon by Shannon Wheeler. Strange as it may seem, this was my introduction to his work. Okay, I guess, but I’m not sure why this was (is?) so popular.
Bios / articles about Ahoy, Peyer and fellow Ahoy writer (and former fellow Vertigo editor and writer) Stuart Moore. Informative and entertaining.

The Wrong Earth #1 is a very well done package, with quality work by talented creators. In an era where the last thing I’m looking for is an addition to my pull list, I do plan to buy the next issue. I suggest you give it a try!

Rating: 4

Review: Salvation Run #s 1-7: Run, Reader, Run!

DC never fails to amaze me with the way they milk their major events with a plethora of meaningless, related mini-series. Salvation Run is one such series, but in this case the cow is dry.

It’s painfully obvious that the setup for this book was: “We need to put out more books. Let’s send all the villains to another planet, let ’em fight, and then have them all return back to Earth at the end. 7 issues, $21. Bang!”

In other words, Salvation Run is a pointless cash grab with virtually no impact on the characters or the DC Universe.

I approached this series with some optimism due to it being written by Bill Willingham, creator of the inspired Vertigo series Fables. However, the premise here is much too pedestrian to leverage his talents. Bill wisely departed this dog after the second issue, turning the reins over to his protege, Matthew Sturges (these days known as Lila Sturges). Hey, it’s a paycheck, right?

The pencils are by Mike Chen. Let’s be polite: I am very much not a fan of his style. I find his work to be very stiff, and his character poses lack dynamism. Dare I say it? I find his work boring. See example (right)!

The only thing that distinguishes this series is the occasional brutality these villains exhibit. The beat the HELL out of each other, to the point of killing their own (don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be resurrected, they always are). The villains seem to have a dislike of anyone with a visible brain. Witness the Joker’s smashing of Psimon’s cranial containment unit, and the way Grodd uses The Brain to pummel and kill his adversary Monsieur Moolah!

I have to admit I did love seeing DC return to the days of putting a gorilla on a cover to boost sales. I can just hear the editorial conference: “If one gorilla is good, TWO is even better!” Then again, look at the art – yuck!

To add insult to injury, the last issue costs more than the rest and features not one but TWO terrible covers (see carousel): The first, by Chen, features a wretched, bloody Luthor – I mean look at that face! You could live on his thick upper lip – and the variant features an equally bloody, disgusting Joker. It’s truly cringe worthy, but when you realize it’s by the once genius Neal Adams, I just wanted this thing to be over.

Rating: 1 Star!

Review: Robin / Spoiler Special #1

As mentioned on my “About Me” page, I am basically 10 years behind in my reading. I do bring books I’m very interested in forward, but by and large I am presently reading books from August 2008 in September 2018. That means I am 3 years away from the launch of DC’s “New 52”! Good Lord!

Still, I press on. Today’s book is:

Robin / Spoiler Special #1, DC Comics, August 2008.

The first story, “Puddles”, was written by Chuck Dixon, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, colored by Cris Peter, lettered by Sal Cipriano, and edited by Jeanine Schaffer.

Going back this far in time, Tim Drake is still Robin. I’ve always thought he was a decent Robin and overall character – much better than that why-didn’t-he-stay-dead? reprobate Jason Todd. He’s (obviously) joined by Stephanie Brown, aka Spoiler, another juvenile acrobat trained by Batman, who has recently reappeared in Gotham after a long absence. She is a perennial “fan favorite”, as they say, and often requested to return to today’s DC continuity. Though for the life of me, I can’t remember her back story at all! Based upon this story, however, I was not impressed enough to join their ranks.

This story basically has the two protagonists on the hunt for a missing

little girl. They save her from the bad guys and all is well. Dixon’s story is coherent and professional, but doesn’t really distinguish itself. Albuquerque’s art is similarly competent but not spectacular. I was annoyed by his habit of delineating Robin’s teeth in long shots that make it look like he is a bucktoothed goon (see image)!

The second story, “Katavi”, was also written by Dixon, lettered by Cipriano, and edited by Schaffer, but with full color art by Victor Ibanez.

This is a Spoiler solo story. Apparently it precedes the first story, in that Stephanie is in Africa assisting Dr. Leslie Thompkins on a vaccination mission. For some reason I am unaware of, she is on a mission of personal redemption. She adopts the guise of Katavi, the local devil, to fight the ignorance of militant tribesmen resisting Dr. Thompkin’s efforts – thus saving the village. She then decides to embrace her Spoilerhood and return to Gotham.

Once again, this is all “okay, but not spectacular”.

Overall rating? 3 Stars (Good, but ultimately forgettable)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: