{REVIEW} POBB: JLA/Titans, Titans, Generations
Rayctate
A weekly review
by
Ray Tate
January 13, 1999
Welcome to the Pick of the Brown Bag. In this column, I pick from my
current batch, the most enjoyable and the most disappointing comic books.
E-mailed compliments and criticism are welcome. You may also post your
complaints and kudos to rec.arts.comics.misc. Argument is encouraged. Flamers
will have their buttocks exposed in a metaphorical sense by defender of the
Constitution, Larry Flynt. By the cosmos, I love America.
Contenders
Amazing Spider-man 3
Animaniacs 46
Avengers 13
Avengers Forever 4
Batman & Superman: Generations 3*
Buffy: Origin 1*
Chassis 3*
Far West 2*
Green Lantern 110
JLA/Titans 3*
Iron Man 14
Legends of the DCU 14*
Legionnaires 69
Nobody 3
Scooby-doo 20
Spider-girl 6
Titans 1*
For the real deal, you can't do better than JLA/TITANS and/or TITANS.
First, Devin Grayson regroups the sidekick brigade with light, characteristic
dialogue and a meticulously plotted world threat, but the latter isn't what
this is really about. The book centers on the Titan's relationship with each
other and their peers. These bonds Ms. Grayson effortlessly reinforces because
she recognizes that no one really believed that those links were shattered.
Batman will always be the father of Robin. Aqualad will always be the adopted
son of Aquaman. There's simply no ham-fisted writer, no matter how hard he
tries, capable of severing these ties, and when you're treated to a writer of
Ms. Grayson's caliber who wants even more links, you can expect magic. Thus,
you cheer at the banter between Troia and Green Lantern. You smile at scenes
between Catwoman and Batman--portrayed in a grimly delightful Ketonesque
fashion by Phil Jiminez and Andy Lanning. You snicker at the fish-slapping
dance, and you nod at the beautifully captured split between Keith Giffin's
jackass and the surprisingly selfless proprietor of Warrior's.
Opening the page gives the reader a superb rendition of Superman--the one
character who I thought more off-model than most during this mini-series. A
sort of miniature homage to the Crisis surrounds him, and it is great to see
Power Girl again. Since Supergirl is sporting those stupid flaming wings and
acting New Age Christian, we need a no-nonsense powerhouse of feminine
pulchritude to balance Superman's might. Who better than Superman's "niece"
Kara? An eye-catching portrait of Donna Douglas, the Harlequin from "Batman
Family" whets the appetite for more of this underrated character. Combining
with Ms. Grayson's words and the letterer's emphasis, the art team establish
Argent's determination and show why she deserves a place on the new team. On
page thirty-two the art team produce convincing looks of characteristic worry
on the Leaguer's faces as they witness what may be the deaths of their sons and
daughters. When the smoke clears, their individual relief issues from the
pages, and the epilogue with Mark Buckingham and Wade von Grawbadger is
perfect.
Another score for Ms. Grayson comes in the form of the team's own book.
The compliments I paid to the team-up--bouncy dialogue, realistic group
interaction, acts of heroism, the close-knit elements of a family formed by
choice--apply to TITANS, and Ms. Grayson adds a damn cute guest star as well as
an interesting nonlinear method of unfolding the story. New Titans artists Mr.
Buckingham and Wade von Grawbadger recapture the group's innocence with lots of
smiles--so rare on super-heroes not from the thirtieth century--and friendly
tomfoolery emphasizing their long relationship. When the action begins the art
team aren't shy about giving the reader proportionate anatomy in motion,
without shedding the team's playful quality of character.
An attention to character in John Byrne's BATMAN & SUPERMAN: GENERATIONS
causes your stomach to feel empty when you spy a moment of the purest villainy.
The impact affects you because you care about these characters.
Past Picks from January 6, 1999
Batman: Gotham Adventures 10*
Ghost Special 3 (Dark Horse)
Superman Adventures 29
Talismen 3 (Blink)
Thor 9
Tube Review
Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane
Network: The WB 9pm Sunday
A talented, likable young cast delivers cunning jokes that also establish
their characters. Bizarre additions--the pilot with one eyebrow, the meanest
"handicapped" girl on earth, "enchanted shoes"--sets the sitcom ninety degrees
from "Friends" and makes any resemblance superficial. This new series provides
the best excuse to buy a new VCR or a reason to have your old one fixed.
"My point is. Some kids don't know how to play with others."
--Mr. Chapel: "Vendetta"--Vengeance Unlimited
The Pick of the Brown Bag is Copyright 1998 Raymond Tate. You
may of course copy the POBB for your own amusement or to share
with your friends as it is intended as a public service. You may
quote from it if you find some of my ramblings accidentally praise
your comic book project. Plagiarists will face the Curse of Kharis!
All hail Kharis!
"I'm half-human, on my mother's side."--The eighth Doctor