Review: Rachel Rising #6

Story and Art by Terry Moore

From Abstract Studios

Rachel is dead and she doesn't know why. With her friends, Jet and Aunt Johnny, Rachel deals with the mystery of her death as well as their own questions of mortality. Meanwhile things slowly get creepier and grislier. I've read some early issues of Strangers In Paradise and have Echo waiting for me in trades, but it has been a long time since i've delved into Terry Moore's prolific comic output. When Rachel Rising began, I jumped onboard hoping for something different and unique. Since the first issue I've been treated to a subtle horror/mystery where the supernatural never overwhelms the natural feel of the characters. Shit is crazy, but at the same time it feels much more real than most other comics. In the current chapter of Rachel Rising more things twist and turn in this single issue than most other comics have in a long time. It is very obvious as you read Rachel Rising #6 that you are dealing with a creator that has done this, meticulously, for quite a while. The pacing and storytelling represent experience and a careful intent. Anything can happen in this book. It's also an honest-to-goodness independent comic book. I'm sure trades are around the corner for this series. I would recommend checking them out as Rachel Rising is, quite possibly, the best monthly series on the comic-shelf.

Overall: 10

B.S.

Review: Defenders #4

Written by Matt Fraction

Pencils by Michael Lark

Inks by Stefano Gaudiano and Brian Thies

Colors by Matt Hollingsworth

Letters by VC's Clayton Cowles

Covers by Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Dale Keown, and Edgar Delgado

From Marvel Comics

The Defenders ponder the “magical machine” they took, but it just may be entirely too much to handle. Can Strange control the thing, much less ever figure out what to do with it? Strange is caught between a triangle of new and old passions and in the center of it all is the unpredictable artifact. Matt Fraction just might be the most successful under-rated writer in comics. Perhaps I should use the word “under-rated” more carefully. He has loyal fans who appreciate him, but his rap got soiled by the internet in regard to his cluttered, but very nice looking, event “Fear Itself”. I admit Fear Itself wasn’t great, but it seemed like some exasperated fanboys wanted Fraction’s head on a stick. Don’t they realize that most major comic book events are terrible? Fraction was merely following in the footsteps of many capable creators who drop the ball on overblown hoo-hah. Maybe one good one every ten years comes around. Don’t let that keep you from Defenders is all i’m saying. This issue in particular is a bit more grounded than the previous, but still maintains the elements of fantastical mystery. The character play between  Molly, Strange, and Strange’s returned lost love is very well done. The writing is nicely paced and is not at all tightly wound. In fact it is a very loose book with many lighthearted elements. This issue also featured a Michael Lark fill in. I just read the entirety of Gotham Central, so seeing Lark’s name just makes me giddy. He draws magic elements very well and seems to coincide smoothly with Fraction’s writing style. Let’s hope Lark sticks around for more than one issue. Let's hope Fraction can shake those Fear Itself barnacles so people can appreciate this title for what it really is.

Writing 4.5 out of 5

Art 4.5 out of 5

Overall: 9

B.S.

Review: Scalped #56

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by R.M. Guera

Colors by Giulia Brusco

Letters by Sal Cipriano

Cover by Jock

From Vertigo Comics

The fallout of the last issue commences eight months later, and the Lakota reservation is finally as peaceful as it can get. A lot of characters seem to be getting their lives in order and money is actually going to good causes. Unfortunately sometimes the past can’t stay buried. Nothing ever goes out peacefully on the rez. Scalped, alongside Spaceman, is easily my favorite Vertigo series going and it simply adds another element to Jason Aaron’s versatile repertoire. Guera  pencils like he was born to draw these bleak tales. The features are defined and well researched. The grime of reservation life is bleak with plenty of humanity. While a few artists have contributed here and there, Guera’s work simply owns the tone masterfully. It’s a shame this book is winding down, but all compelling stories must end. Aaron is keeping busy with various Marvel projects. In the meantime I will be chomping at the bit to see what Guera brings us after the end of this series.

Writing 4.5 out of 5

Art 5 out of 5

Overall: 9.5

B.S.

Review: Justice League #6

JUSTICE LEAGUE #6

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Jim Lee

Inked by Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Batt Irwin, and Mark Irwin

Colors by Alex Sinclair, Tony Avina, and Hi-Fi

Letters by Patrick Brosseau

Covers by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Avina Sinclair, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Rod Reis

Published by DC Comics

The finale to DC's top selling flagship title ends as one who has read superhero comics for most of their lives would expect. The good guys win. Every hero gets a piece. Darkseid gets sent back to Apokolips where he belongs. This comic, out of all of the new 52, is the most hearkening to comics of the 1990s and Jim Lee pencils are a big contribution to that. To be quite frank, i'm well past excited about Jim Lee artwork. I don't dislike it really. I reserve disdain for those who insist on emulating Jim Lee artwork. Jim Lee himself, I concede, is an original. Those who pine for his work from the 90s will probably find great comfort in reading Justice League. I would definitely recommend this to those past admirers despite the clutter of inkers and colorists that help make these visuals seem a bit too stiff. Personally, as I get older, I want a lot more expression and fluidity in an action comic. This is as one would expect and it unfortunately does not go to the next level. The writing is also as basic and predictable. The character interactions can be pretty humorous. (Nothing beats Batman pickpocketing Green Lantern's ring in issue 1) I do appreciate Johns making Hal Jordan a giant asshole in this series, as I always thought that character was a giant asshole anyway. Most everyone, except maybe Barry, is a fly-off-the-handle jerk. Even Superman. Batman also spends half of this issue running around without a cowl for some reason. Those moments are all too brief as these characters come together to fight the ultra powerful Darkseid in what might be the weakest Darkseid story ever. Really this issue could have featured any Justice League villain. Starro, Despero, or Shaggy Man (look it up)  could have been just as interchangeable. While I don't usually rag on decompressed storytelling, this story did not seem so intricate as to justify stretching out six issues. (That is a total of $24 spent on this series.) Johns is doing it for me over in Aquaman, but Justice League? I think I may be giving this one the drop.

Writing 2.5 out of 5

Art 2.5 out of 5

Overall: 5

B.S.

Review: FF #15

FF #15

Written by Jonathan Hickman

Art by Nick Dragotta

Colors by Chris Sotomayor

Letters by VC's Clayton Cowles

Covers by Mike Choi, Guru e-FX, June Brigman, Roy Richardson, and Christina Strain

Published by Marvel Comics

The ongoing epic between FF and Fantastic Four comes together in this really, really nice looking issue. Doctor Doom has apparently gotten blasted by the Mad Celestials and the Future Foundation, along with Power Pack, scramble to save time and preserve earth from the clutches of cosmic warfare. The grandiosity is very well balanced with nice human moments. Hickman has cited his children as influential to the characterizations of Franklin and Valeria Richards so the personal connection to these characters is coming from somewhere natural. It works. Nick Dragotta's art is incredibly well rendered. The way he represents the posture and stances of the characters within scenes is very well done and shows a lot of virtuosity. The looming of the Celestials (which you can see fight Galactus over in Fantastic Four) deftly reminds you of the nature of the scene after you've been charmed by the great moments. A wonderful chapter for one of Marvel's more adventurous titles. With Hickman and Dragotta at the helm, it seems like you won't get it any other way.

Writing: 5 out of 5

Art 5 out of 5
Overall: 10

B.S.