Post by jugglingman on Oct 2, 2008 8:09:22 GMT -4
Batman #680
I've been mostly harsh on R.I.P. Well, I guess I'm gonna have to eat my words. Well, some of them at least. I'm one of those who feels mainly indifferent to this event. Things started off rough and I didn't go in for the "In Grant We Trust" philosphy. My opinion is that if you're going to do something outlandish and unconventional it is doubly important to give the reader a very clear and solid center to which he/she can anchor. Otherwise you risk confusing or worse still, boring the reader. Both the former but moreso the latter in my case. I digress this is not a review of the event, it's a review of this issue and this one, in a nutshell, is great but late.
In a brilliant scene featuring an engrossing monologue by M. Le Bossu we learn the motivation of the protagonist's henchmen. Also, fascinating was Batman's awareness of and reaction to the events happening to him. For instance Batman asks who I now know is Bat-Mite (no thanks to the author but rather on-line forums) "Are you really an alien (...) or just a figment of my imagination?" echoing the readers sentiment. It's reassuring. Another strong point is pacing. This reads swiftly and rhythmically lending the more surreal elements some much needed grounding. The book has several of these clever devices since alo found in #679. But... It's not quite enough too late.
My problem with R.I.P is that Grant had not, up until the last issue made me "feel" anything. To me this story was not an event happening to a person but a retooling happening to a brand. I know many of you will argue that this is Morrison and it's all coming together as faithfully predicted. Not for me it isn't. Though this issue was strong and does an excellent job of bringing it down to earth and making this an actual story, I get the sense that at this point no amount of "coming together" can mend my bored little heart.
But hey, I'm buying it. That counts for something.
Manhunter #35
Manhunter is a crime story book. Manhunter is a superhero book. Manhunter is a book about relationships. Manhunter is about social issues. Manhunter is badass! Manunter is all of those but none of those. I think Marc Andreyko got his hands on that mysterious kitchen appliance that only a secret society of elite authors is allowed to buy. The Genre Blender!
While most of this arc has had one foot mostly in "crime" and the other mostly in "superhero" with a stray toe dipped in other waters as well, this issue is a straight up romp! Action is the word of the day and Marc doesn't hold back! From innocent civilians using cacti as clubs against super powered thugs to Kate Spencer slashing villainous shin flesh while quipping innuendo, this book is all fun through and through. But you know what's great? The story continues to be propelled forward despite all the punching and kicking and the blowing the head off of a Doomsday knock off. The undercover Suicide Squad gets found out. Ramsey gets his character progression moment (incidentally it's extremely refreshing to read a kid who acts like a kid) and the Joker subplot is goaded a little further still.
The art is handled by two different artists (why?). I compared the pages that each artist drew and can notice a slight difference in the line work. Magno's lines are a little more erratic and Gaydos is a tad cleaner. But stylistically it is seemless. And we've seen from the previous issue that Michael is very capable of handling more than one style. The busy super villain mobs feel kinetic but are easy to read. The colors are vivid and moody and the Brids of Prey look sexy without being objectified.
If you're not reading this title, please give it a shot. If this title is not carried by your LCS let them know that Marc has a standing money back guarantee on Manhunter.
If you like no-nonsense, fun, smart superhero comics, get this!
I've been mostly harsh on R.I.P. Well, I guess I'm gonna have to eat my words. Well, some of them at least. I'm one of those who feels mainly indifferent to this event. Things started off rough and I didn't go in for the "In Grant We Trust" philosphy. My opinion is that if you're going to do something outlandish and unconventional it is doubly important to give the reader a very clear and solid center to which he/she can anchor. Otherwise you risk confusing or worse still, boring the reader. Both the former but moreso the latter in my case. I digress this is not a review of the event, it's a review of this issue and this one, in a nutshell, is great but late.
In a brilliant scene featuring an engrossing monologue by M. Le Bossu we learn the motivation of the protagonist's henchmen. Also, fascinating was Batman's awareness of and reaction to the events happening to him. For instance Batman asks who I now know is Bat-Mite (no thanks to the author but rather on-line forums) "Are you really an alien (...) or just a figment of my imagination?" echoing the readers sentiment. It's reassuring. Another strong point is pacing. This reads swiftly and rhythmically lending the more surreal elements some much needed grounding. The book has several of these clever devices since alo found in #679. But... It's not quite enough too late.
My problem with R.I.P is that Grant had not, up until the last issue made me "feel" anything. To me this story was not an event happening to a person but a retooling happening to a brand. I know many of you will argue that this is Morrison and it's all coming together as faithfully predicted. Not for me it isn't. Though this issue was strong and does an excellent job of bringing it down to earth and making this an actual story, I get the sense that at this point no amount of "coming together" can mend my bored little heart.
But hey, I'm buying it. That counts for something.
Manhunter #35
Manhunter is a crime story book. Manhunter is a superhero book. Manhunter is a book about relationships. Manhunter is about social issues. Manhunter is badass! Manunter is all of those but none of those. I think Marc Andreyko got his hands on that mysterious kitchen appliance that only a secret society of elite authors is allowed to buy. The Genre Blender!
While most of this arc has had one foot mostly in "crime" and the other mostly in "superhero" with a stray toe dipped in other waters as well, this issue is a straight up romp! Action is the word of the day and Marc doesn't hold back! From innocent civilians using cacti as clubs against super powered thugs to Kate Spencer slashing villainous shin flesh while quipping innuendo, this book is all fun through and through. But you know what's great? The story continues to be propelled forward despite all the punching and kicking and the blowing the head off of a Doomsday knock off. The undercover Suicide Squad gets found out. Ramsey gets his character progression moment (incidentally it's extremely refreshing to read a kid who acts like a kid) and the Joker subplot is goaded a little further still.
The art is handled by two different artists (why?). I compared the pages that each artist drew and can notice a slight difference in the line work. Magno's lines are a little more erratic and Gaydos is a tad cleaner. But stylistically it is seemless. And we've seen from the previous issue that Michael is very capable of handling more than one style. The busy super villain mobs feel kinetic but are easy to read. The colors are vivid and moody and the Brids of Prey look sexy without being objectified.
If you're not reading this title, please give it a shot. If this title is not carried by your LCS let them know that Marc has a standing money back guarantee on Manhunter.
If you like no-nonsense, fun, smart superhero comics, get this!
