Sequential Tart Reviews: Lisa Webster
Lisa Webster
reviews at www.sequentialtart.com/reviews.shtml
Tart Lisa Webster reviewed:
Spirit of the Tao #15, Kin #3, Rising Stars #0, Rising Stars #7, Daredevil
#12, Kabuki Agents: Scarab #4, Tomb Raider #5, Blood Legacy #1, Geisha: Out
of Tune, The Wicked #4, Crimson #18, Warlands #6, Darkminds vol. 2 #3, The
Darkness #31, Titan A.E. #1
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Spirit of the Tao (Top Cow/Image) ended with a double sized #15. I'm very
saddened, but there's hope among the- quite literally- ashes. Series creator
D-Tron had mentioned on the Spirit of the Tao message boards that his next
series with co-creator Billy Tan would likely be entitled "Chloe." Mystified
about the relevance of "Chloe," it all becomes clear in the finale of Tao.
This issue of Tao took a long time to get to press. The art for it was
redone a few times to make it as perfect a final issue as possible.
Ironically, the Menicus dragon we were so worried was going to ruin
everything in issue 14 ends up being the ultimate manifestation of the Tao's
protective powers. The apocalypse which was imminent turns out to have
benefits we caught a glimmering of issues ago. I don't want to ruin the
story for anyone who hasn't read it, but this issue of Tao was everything I
could've asked the creators for. I wish that it had run its course and ended
naturally at #22 as planned, but Tan & Tron did an excellent job in winding
up this series. Fans of the series should be heartened at word of a Tao
Hunters one shot and the possibility of the series starring Chloe.
The third issue of Kin (Top Cow/Image) is as perfect as can be. Packed with
both info and action, the issue ends in a very surprising way. We learn more
about our "kin" as our heroine Elspeth takes a tour of Bob's home. From here
on our heroes will be leaving Alaska for the desert of Nevada. Area 51,
anyone? The story and art on this book are so concise and well done I
recommend it to everyone. If you liked Whiteout or if you're an X-Files fan,
you should be reading Kin.
The Rising Stars #0 (Top Cow/Image) which was released to stores is a
reprint of material that was a Wizard giveaway with a new story by JMS and
Gary Frank. Given that the new story was entirely throwaway, I question the
reason for reprinting the #0 for the direct market. It seems like an excuse
to reprint material and charge the fans for something they already have-
because it has a new story! (Sarcasm alert.) Even if that's the case, it was
nice to see how much Gary Frank can do with such a dull story from JMS.
There's not much to work with when there's a clown in every panel, but
Gary's art conveys much with the clown's facial expressions. If you're
already reading Rising Stars, don't bother with this book. If you're curious
about Rising Stars then start here. That, after all, was the original intent
behind the Wizard #0- promotion.
Rising Stars #7's (Top Cow/Image) cover actually goes very well with the new
story in the #0. The cover depicts either a Special mother facing guns, or a
Special child being ripped from his mother at gunpoint- and I think this
cover was done before the Elian Gonzalez AP photo. The theme of the Special
children being taken from their parents to the concentration camp like
government laboratory is echoed in this issue because the now adult Specials
are being hunted down by government forces- including traitor Specials- and
rounded up as a threat- again. This time 'round Doc Welles isn't on the
government's side. Poet, our narrator, has a clash with Matthew Bright- to
whom he referred in the #0 as "the best and brightest of us." The readers
learn the true nature and extent of Poet's power, and which Specials are the
strongest and smartest. This is the first issue where Zanier's godawful art
hasn't made me cringe. The layouts aren't spectacular, but at least the art
is getting better.
I'd heard good things about the fill-in issue, Daredevil #12 (Marvel
Knights). Even knowing that this was an interlude in the Mack story- and
being less than thrilled- I was shocked by how amazingly awful the art is.
Oh, I suppose there's nothing technically wrong with it other than being
drab and so simple that it looks like coloring book art. That could even be
taken as a compliment- if it weren't supposed to flow within a story created
by David Mack whose rich stories and art clash so hideously with this
fill-in there are no words to articulate it. Instead of the organic nature
of Mack art, we're treated to someone who seemingly draws with a ruler and a
French curve. The story itself- written by Quesada and Palmiotti- was so
awful that it makes the art look good. Supposedly taking place during the
battle royale which ended #11 and which we'll see in #13 when we return to
our regularly scheduled story, it's less a story and more a set of
disjointed vignettes about residents of Hell's Kitchen whom we've never seen
before and will never see again. The notion that we're actually supposed to
feel an emotional tie to these people we see for the span of three pages
baffles me. The loosely related story comes off as overly moralistic and
preachy. It's only point seems to be "Yay Daredevil! Woohoo! And, uh, don't
kill yourself, 'cause, you know, stuff works out in the end no matter how
shitty your life seems." The minimalist art and simplistic story are
completely unworthy of something with a cover painted by Mack. I'd like to
forget this issue ever happened.
Unforgettable like usual, is this installment in the Kabuki Agents (Image)
series. Part 4 of Scarab's story has gorgeous art from Rick Mays and a
fascinating story from Mack. Mack's been known to play with time in his
stories, and this is the case in Scarab #4. We see the teen Scarab, the
present Scarab, and the in-between Scarab in flashbacks. Scarab's boyfriend
has gotten them into trouble with his Mafia ties, and the two have to go on
the run. Before they leave, they stop to collect some cash- double crossing
the mob in the process which is always a good idea- from a porno director
named Shunga. Our limited knowledge of Scarab's future- that she ends up a
Noh operative somehow- clues us in to the unhappy life she led, but it's
wonderful to see behind her mask. With hints from Mack that the Scarab
series will answer questions raised in the recent Kabuki series,
Metamorphosis, it's nice to get a whiff of the answers to come in this well
crafted series.
Beginning a new two-part story, Tomb Raider #5 (Top Cow/Image) has gorgeous
art and a sort of Land of the Lost story. Lara continues to sound like any
other cardboard heroine. She's missing that ineffable something that makes
her special. I hate to say it, but I'm ready to see someone who's actually
played the game write Lara. Nothing against Jurgens, but this isn't Tomb
Raider. This is some American chick who has some nifty gadgets. Still, the
characters were more believable here than in #4. Lara's awfully stupid
though. Did I say cardboard? Basically, Lara's old college roommate who is
an archaeologist has found some remains of dinosaurs- that aren't very old.
Lara and her friend stumble into a valley dinosaurs- hidden or a time portal
we're not quite sure- and are menaced by a T. Rex. Not quite Jurassic Park,
but not anything completely astounding either.
More creative by far is Blood Legacy #1 (Image/Top Cow) created by Kerri
Hawkins who is the sister of Matt "Lady Pendragon" Hawkins. In the
afterword, Kerri says that Blood Legacy is actually the comic version of a
novel which she hopes will be out later this year. Suffice to say, Kerri has
thought about her characters and her world and that makes for a good story.
The art in #1 is excellent, but I think that someone else will be doing the
art for the rest of the mini. Half of the story is in the present, set in a
morgue. As one of the main characters- apparently a vampire- lays in torpor
in the morgue being observed by a doctor, she has a flashback to her youth
in 14th century England. It's a very different feel from Crimson, and the
Magdalena, the only two mainstream series I'm aware of that are dealing with
vampires right now. This is a story with strong female protagonists, so it
should be a hit with Top Cow's legion of fangirls.
Geisha: Out of Tune (Oni) was disappointing. I loved the original Geisha
series, so I was looking forward to this one-shot- evidently a bit too much.
There's not anything overtly wrong with the story, and it's still the same
great Andi Watson art. Unlike the original series, the cast here seems to be
wandering through the story. The layers of story and identity present in the
original series are lacking here as well. Jomi, our main character, the
android who creates paintings, has a commission, and her brother Cherry
wants to start writing his own music. Ho, hum. Cherry wants to break up with
his girlfriend, Jomi gets inspired and does a great painting which in turn
inspires Cherry to write a song that salvages the relationship with his
girlfriend. It seems too simple. Maybe I'm missing something? Please email
me if I am.
On the other hand, I'm pleasantly surprised every time I buy a new issue of
The Wicked (Avalon/Image). It's a modern tale of horror that's so well
written and accompanied by thoroughly appropriate art that I can't stop
buying it. The central characters have all been introduced and we're making
our way to our big conflict just swimmingly. Our hero is fully realized and
likable and his sidekick isn't an idiot. I can't find any faults with this
comic book. Pick it up if you're looking for some semi-horror stuff. In
issue #4 Nate and Wendy track down a nasty Wicked with an affinity for rats
and spiders. Ick. It ends on a cliffhanger, so I'll be sure to pick up #5.
Did I mention this book has also been on time? Wonders will cease, kids.
Speaking of on time, the only Cliffhanger! book which has made it out of
single digits, Crimson, appeared with #18. That's only, what, ten more
issues than Danger Girl? 11? There are two important plot points in this
issue: The guy who thought he was a Messiah, isn't, and Ekimus does
something he thinks is smart but isn't. My only complaint with Crimson is
that I'd like a little more down time. It seems like it's been a while since
the world wasn't ending. Too much tension gets stale. Since it looks like
the next issue will be one of those "We screwed everything up let's fix it"
issues, maybe #20 will have some resolution.
Warlands #6 (Dreamwave/Image) is the calm before the storm. Since this book
has turned into a quest story, it makes sense that at least one issue is
that pre-resolution tension. Our various factions- vampires, elves/human,
and demons- are making their way to the Darklyte armor. There aren't many
twists along the way. Fairly straightforward. Continuing the way the book
has looked from #1 the pages are either a wash of blue or a wash of brown.
Pat Lee's pencilling is solid, but I'm a little glad that this story will
wrap up at #8. More stories in the world are fine, but I hope they
re-evaluate the oversaturated colors. That's saying something since I'm a
big fan of colorists.
Speaking of Dreamwave and their excellent colorists, Darkminds vol. 2 #3 is
also half way through it's story. It was action packed, but very light on
the meaning and drive. We see a bit of Neon, which is good. It's nice to
know that Neon & co. are still important to the overall Darkminds story. The
art is on a par with what's come before in this volume, but the story isn't
as promising as it was back at #1. The hope I have for this series now rests
with Mai, Nagawa's new partner, since there's a promised Mai origin in the
works. I worry that the Pat Lee covers are misleading since Pat Lee isn't
doing this book's interior art. With #1 I had no problems since it's a
variant to launch, and remind people about the first series etc. By #3 those
should be going away and we should only get Dogan covers. The book also felt
a little long on ads, but I suppose they have to put an ad for every house
book in. Quite a series of titles.
I've lost what little passion I had for The Darkness (Top Cow/Image) when
Joe Benitez was on the book. Clarence Lansang has never won me over, and
though Scott Lobdell started out with promise, his stories don't stick with
me until I read the next issue. Thank goodness for the summary on the
interior cover. With #31, Jackie (wielder of the Darkness power) has turned
state's evidence against his "uncle" Don Franchetti. While on the plane to
his new home, he meets a lovely stewardess. In the airport terminal the
stewardess' son mentions the Darklings to a surprised Jackie just before
he's kidnapped by his drug lord father's goons. So, in this issue, Jackie
goes to get the boy from his father. It's actually a fairly creative issue.
I'm not reading The Darkness for thought provoking metaphysics but as
disposable entertainment it works.
I can't wait for Titan A.E. When I saw that Dark Horse (king of licensing
these days) was soliciting a prequel comic series to the Titan A.E. movie, I
knew I'd try it. I'm a sucker for prequel stories. The art by Al Rio isn't
too bad although I wish everybody used nice Image glossy paper. The setup
for the movie Titan A.E. helps to understand what's going on in Titan A.E.
#1. A.E. stands for After Earth. The humans get Earth wiped out by aliens
known as Drej. One boy holds the key to a lost starship, which is the hope
of the human race- the Titan. In this prequel series, the Earth hasn't been
wiped out yet, and the humans aren't cognizant of the menace posed by the
Drej. We see a bit of both sides of the impending conflict before there's a
conflict. So far it's working. I like the story and I like the art. Not much
more I can ask of it.