From: Richard Johnston <[t--i--t] at [ketchup.cts-group.co.uk]> Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info Subject: Reviews Date: Thu, 04 Jan 96 21:33:01 GMT Rich's Reviews DC Comics DC Versus Marvel Comics 1 Marz & Jurgens/Castellini + Rubenstein/Neary Uninspiringly anti-climatic. This should be the big one, the clash of the colossi. The merging of two universes was explored far better in Ultraforce/Avengers. The only rewarding conflict is Batman and Bullseye and that is fleeting. The art styles are equally unimpressive. Perhaps the companies are relying on the title of the book selling, and nothing else. (RJJ) 2 Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances Marz & Banks + Austin DC and Marvel continuity collide in this prequel to the DC vs. Marvel crossover. Two Green Lanterns, Silver Surfer and Thanos, fight with and against each other in this cosmic story, reflected well in art full of stars and lights, before finding which side they should be on. There is some complexity of character's motives, but the entire story is build upon the classic "mistaken identity", adding little. (RJJ) 2 The Invisibles 17 Morrison & Jiminez + Stokes Torture techniques described and displayed in graphic detail combine with the sixties/seventies tales of Gideon Stargrave, as King Mob's mind becomes ever more surreal. Spiralling sub plots with a delicious art style that is both fully detailed and yet iconic sum up a perfect Vertigo comic. (RJJ) 10 Image Groo 12 Aragones + Evanier (+ -) This is how Groo ends, not with a bang, but with the same old jokes. Groo's persecution by one army involved in war leads to diplomatic disaster, death and misery to all who pass by while Groo and Rufferto remain unscathed. Again. Always funny, always detailed, we are promised more soon.(RJJ) 8 Kurt Busiek's Astro City 6 Busiek & Anderson (+) A view of the Astro City from an literal outsider. Superheroes here are human, but not psychotic or twisted, just full of human weaknesses, as we see one minor superhero strive for acceptance. The trick of this book is taking what we have all read before, and packaging it afresh. And it works. Well. (RJJ) 8 Neil Gaiman's Teknophage 9; Tekno Comix Jenkins & Davison (-) A religious cartel of opposition to the Teknophage is flawed even before it begins. Everything they set out to achieve through the book is viewed by him, and he steps in at the end to frustrate them. Despair runs through this book, reflected in the depressing artwork, showing life's gross imperfections. (RJJ) 7 Marvel Archangel Milligan + Manco Graphic black and white art does little to pull this bland story from its X-Men links. The angst of Archangel is too familiar and has been overdone, as he is captured by a psychotic lassie. Saved from mediocrity by the last line, this territory has been well mapped and more should have been expected of the writer. (RJJ) 4 Askani'son 1 Lobdell/Loeb & Ha + Pepoy A classical art style displays emotions and actions with solidity. The speckled shading is reminiscent of woodcutting styles, which ironically, gives a historical look to this futuristic story, as the young Cable deals with the birthright of destiny and those that seek to use him. Like most X-books. it just seems like its going through the motions. (RJJ) 5 Punisher Kills The Marvel Universe Ennis & Braithwaite + Riggs/Halbleib/Hardy/Griffith/Hudson/Livesay This tragicomedy sees the Punisher waging war on superheroes, following his tactics to take each and every one out, leading to a superpower free world. The art also adds levels of realism, and despite annoying continuity errors and some questions unanswered (did Punisher really blow away eight year old Katie Power in his quest?) this book is the perfect antidote to the majority of Marvel's fare. (RJJ) 9 Independents: Armed and Dangerous 1; Armada/Acclaim Comics Bob Hall Aimed at Sin City and Stray Bullet readers, art wise as well as content wise, this is nothing more than a crime pot boiler without the aspirations of the mentioned comics. Nonetheless, it does entertain as a young man follows in his fathers bloody footsteps into the world of gangsters. A brave step by the company, but many other comics have been here first with better results. (RJJ) 6 Kiss & Tell 1; Kiss & Tell Comics Breen & Wertz This anthology of short stories is imaginative as it is absorbing, drawing on life, both faithfully and in an exaggerated manner. The writer/artist conflict is playfully used to advance the story and give insider knowledge to the motivations of both creators. (RJJ) 9 Powers That Be 2; Broadway Comics Shooter/Jackson/James/Weiss & Wendel + Nichols A subtle art style that follows Shooter around is at home here. More super powers in the real world, filled with cliches, stereotypes and just about all the mistakes most new superhero universes make. There is some charm here, influenced by both Grapes Of Wrath and The New Universe but there is little to sustain interest. (RJJ) 5 The Phoenix Resurrection Genesis; Malibu Comics Edgington/Abnett & Robertson/Pacella/Luzniak/Hayes + Wegrzyn/Thibert/Stucker/Wiacek/Moy The book is full of sound and fury, showing the mythic history, preparing an almighty cataclysm with that most famous of adversaries, the Phoenix and X-Men fight Ultraforce and realise they are on the same side. Again. Phoenix possesses Prime, but put off by his cellulite leaves for fresher fields. (RJJ) 4 The Phoenix Resurrection Revelations 1; Malibu Comics Edgington/Abnett & West, Royle, Green, Leonardi + Wegrzyn/Moy/Ketcham/Whiting (--) This annoying comic plunges from fight to fight with very little thought. This new Phoenix story ignores the themes associated with past Phoenix tales and goes straight for the action adventure vein. The combination of Marvel and Malibu heroes in a fight against this old enemy lacks the power of the original. (RJJ) 2 Terminator 2 Judgement Day: Future Twilight 2; Malibu Comics Paniccia & Erskine This book captures the true horror of the Terminators and the hopeless plight of those who try to stop them. Gary Erskine's art is on top form, combining his newly-discovered slick style with the gritty dark and destructive style he is better known for, driving this conspiracy-ridden hopeless quest for humanity's freedom. (RJJ) 8 WildCATS 25; Image Moore & Nolan/Charest + Nyberg/Hubbs (+)From the start Alan Moore knows which buttons to press, filling the book with in-jokes, clever asides, the best Irish accent outside of Garth Ennis' head, and stompingly good action. This double sized book tells a full sized story here on Earth and in space with the Kherabim. Again, its the details that make this book outstanding and the Travis Charest's grasp on design is breathtaking. (RJJ) 10 Small Press: Cat Quarterly 4; £1.50 Annie Lawson, PO Box 910 London SE14 6DD A compilation of cartoons mostly based around alcohol. Funny, incisive dialogue with the sketchiest of art styles. With plenty of prices and references to other work, this is the most commercial small press book I've read for ages. A free catalogue of more work with every issue too! 7 Eddy Champion 1; £1.25 Little People Books, Ground Floor, Number Six, 4th Av., Birmingham, B29 7EU This professionally designed booklet sees the launch of a new super-powered grub and his mission to save a falling snail. Gorgeous dark artwork is incredibly out of place in this simple story of insect adventures. Its simplicity is its failing and its environmental message overpowering. (RJJ) 4 Hothead Paisan Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist 19; $3.50 Diane DiMassa, Giant Ass Publishing, PO Box 214 New Haven CT 06502 USA (+) Angry and excitable as ever, Hothead finds love. And what a mellowing out it causes. She only shrioeks at 90 decibels and a couple of pages go by without one exclamation point, and Hothead deconstructs the comic page around her. Still frightfully good fun. (RJJ) 8 Richard Johnston Advertising copywriter for Buckfield Lord and Co. Creator and Publisher of Dirtbag and X-Flies as Twist and Shout Comics Networks Columnist for Comics International, and writer for Indy.