Loners #1 (of 6) - "Fear of Flying" (Writer: C.B. Cebulski, Artist: Karl
Moline, Colorist: Christina Strain)
A group of former superheroes meet to discuss the problems they have adjusting to normal life, after having decided to give up the masks. Except, the life of a superhero is tempting, and several characters fall off the wagon.
'Falling off the wagon' is used regularly in the issue, because they push the comparison to addiction pretty hard. I'm not entirely sure it works, but Cebulski does do a good job of quickly introducing the characters through Julie Powers, where she talks about how much her powers are a part of her, compared to everyone else who either chose them or developed them late in life. The fact that she's one of the first comic characters (along with her siblings) I ever developed a particular liking for when I started reading comics probably plays into my enjoyment of the scene (although something still rankles me at the idea that Julie regrets her life as a superhero, that's more a problem with the original introduction of the team in the pages of Runaways).
The art's not bad for the talking scenes, but feels a little stiff on action.
I'm making this issue my Pick of the Week, not because it's a standout among the other issues this week, but rather because my nostalgia and like for the characters edges it out of a very even week. It's worth a look, at least, and although I'm still not sold on the concept as an ongoing series, I'm willing to give it a chance.
Review: 3.25 stars
Emmett Proudhawk undergoes a vision quest to learn about the White
Event and what it means. Meanwhile, Nightmask tries to save Ken
Connell, while others resort to extreme measures to try and destroy
him.
This issue introduces Emmett Proudhawk, who was a character in the
original New Universe known more for his death than for his life. He's
actually fairly close to his original conception (save that he already
survives more issues than the original), although I was worried at first
that Ellis had removed one of the more interesting aspects of the
character and just made him a generic, almost stereotypical 'medicine
man'
My biggest problem with the issue though? Once again, very little
happens. There's some action, but a lot of it feels like a retread
of what happened last issue.
I'd like to get some actual movement.
Review: 3.25 stars
Blindfold tells a story to some of the New Mutants about the young woman
formerly known as Magik.
I gave up the series back with #28. While there were certainly many
ways to get me to take another look at it, one of the surest was leaking
the idea that Magik might be returning. She was one of my favorite
characters from the original New Mutant days.
Unfortunately, this issue isn't all that exciting on its own. Really,
as the title says, it's a prelude. More exactly, it's a recap. It
introduces the character of Magik to those who've never heard of her,
and sets up a bit of a justification for the rest of the plot. There's
some interaction with the characters, but it feels a little thin. I'm
willing to go along with that, as there probably are a lot of people
who've never heard of the character and could really use the extended
recap.
Most of the art is by Skottie Young. I'm not really a big fan of his
in general... his style is a little too cartoony for my tastes. This
issue also doesn't play to his strengths. His characters work best
in bright colors, whereas almost every page he drew in this book is
set in a dark room. Thus, you get a lot of (distorted) human figures
with some limited lighting. I'm hoping the rest of the arc is at least a
little brighter. Niko Henrichon's contributions however are quite
lovely and make up for that.
Review: 3.25 stars
The Titans continue to battle against the Titans East and Deathstroke,
now with Batgirl on their side.
I find myself with very little to say on the issue. It's okay, but
it's still a big fight with characters I care little about. Save for
the restoration of Batgirl last issue (who got very little play this
time around), and one memorable moment with the Joker's Daughter, there
really wasn't a whole lot that I was especially interested in. There
was nothing specifically wrong with it, but I couldn't get invested
in it either.
It's okay. Some nice art.
Review: 3.25 stars
Well, that's it for this week folks. Next week, according to the
shipping list, there's four books again. There's X-Factor #18,
Ultimate X-Men #81, Cable & Deadpool #39, and Birds of Prey #105.
See you next week...
Peter Dimitriadis
Discuss these reviews in the forum
Jump to last week (Avengers: The Initiative #1, Runaways #25)
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newuniversal #5 - "Mystery" (Writer: Warren Ellis, Artist: Salvador
Larroca, Colorist: Jason Keith)
(jump to last issue)
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New X-Men #37 - "The Quest for Magik, Prelude" (Story: Craig Kyle &
Chris Yost, Script: Chris Yost, Pencils: Skottie Young,
Inks: Sean Parsons, Colors: Skottie Young with Jean
Francois-Beaulieu, Painted Cover and Storybook Pages:
Niko Henrichon)
(jump to last issue reviewed, #28)
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Teen Titans #45 - "Titans East, Part 3" (Story: Geoff Johns & Adam
Beechen, Script: Adam Beechen, Pencils: Al Barrionuevo,
Inks: Bit, Colors: Marta Martinez)
(jump to last issue)
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