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All-Star Superman #1 [Review]

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good!
Title: …Faster…

Superman saves a group of scientists, Luthor puts his plan to kill Superman in motion, and of course, some Daily Planet drama…

allstarsuperman001Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Frank Quitely
Inks: Jamie Grant
Colors: Jamie Grant
Letters: Phil Balsman
Asst. Editor: Brandon Montclare
Editor: Bob Schreck
Cover Art: Frank Quitely
Publisher: DC Comics

I was prepared to be rubbed the wrong way by this title. I’d heard mixed things about it, and Morrison‘s been a bit of hit-or-miss with me. I also wasn’t sure what I’d think of a story going back to basics on the character, especially when it would seem that meant going back to more of a "silver age" sensibility and such, particularly in the Superman/Lois relationship.

But I sat down to read this issue, and my # 1 complaint is that it’s like being allowed to watch just the first 15 minutes of a movie. You get the introduction of the characters, a bit of conflict, the set-up for the main plot, and a bit of a cliff-hanger when you have to turn it off and do something else, and wait another month for another dose.

The story certainly delivers on the back-to-basics, as we have a Superman unencumbered by marriage or other official romantic ties; a bumbling Clark Kent racing in at the last second to everyone’s wonderment at his whereabouts. Lex Luthor is an evil scientist under government watch (apparently he’s been allowed out of prison to use his genius to better mankind (or the government) so long as he doesn’t keep trying to kill Superman).

And in four panels on the first page, the character’s origin is summed up, which is cool as a refresher, and pretty much necessary only to remind readers (such as those who haven’t touched a Superman comic ever, or in the last 20 years or such) of the origin, since it’s arguable that just about everyone knows the basics of the origin: Doomed planet Krypton, parents launch a rocket into space, where the baby is found by a couple and raised on earth.

I don’t know that this is Morrison‘s most novel approach to a character, but something about it definite works. We get a status quo more reminiscent of the pre-Crisis Superman stuff, but the tone is definitely modern, including an interesting take on the nature of Superman’s powers.

This issue has a lot of little details and little moments, and I’d love to talk about them all, but that’s impossible for a review such as this. Suffice to say that if you’ve never really cared for Superman–either he was too powerful, too god-like and un-relatable or to the other extreme, was too human, not powerful enough…this take falls somewhere in the middle.

Quitely‘s art is also very good, conveying a sort of not-quite arrogance about Superman, but a playful, carefree attitude as he goes about doing his business of saving others. The facial expressions of the characters carry a lot of story, and the artist’s style in general works well here.

Other than the opening page, nothing’s said of the origins of the character-we’re plunged right into the midst of the story, everyone knows who Superman is, Clark’s already a reporter for the Planet, and so on–which is rather refreshing. It’s like being a kid again, being given a random Superman comic that just happens to start a multi-part story. (And this one has nothing to do with crises or multiple earths, united villains, countdowns to anything, etc.)

Well-worth checking out!

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

Filed under: All-Star Superman, Classic Reviews, DC, DC Misc. | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

All-Star Superman #3 [Review]

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Great
Title: Sweet Dreams, Superwoman…

Having been given Superman’s powers for a day, Lois makes the most of it–inserting herself firmly into a lifestyle she’s been stuck watching from the outside for far too long…

allstarsuperman003Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Frank Quitely
Digitally Inked & Colored by: Jamie Grant
Letters: Phil Balsman
Asst. Editor: Brandon Montclare
Editor: Bob Schreck
Cover Art: Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant
Publisher: DC Comics

Several days ago, I watched the first new episode of House in three weeks. It’s a show that I enjoy, and so waiting several times the usual time between installments wasn’t my choice, but watching the episode made me realize that sure, had a couple weeks without the show–but that just made it that much better when the new episode came out. And that’s what this title feels like. It’s that show that you enjoy, but there’s quite awhile between issues…but when you get each issue it’s well worth the time in-between…and you can look back and be a bit surprised at how fast that time’s passed. This is already issue 3, and it feels like the series just started a couple months ago.

You don’t really need to know much coming into this issue. Morrison gives you what you need contextually as you go along. Having read the first couple issues, one will pick up a few subtle bits that enhance the story.

The story here–Superman giving Lois a serum that will grant her all of his super-powers for a day (a gift for her birthday, no less)–is at once silly and farfetched. But darned if it doesn’t actually work. This reminds me quite a bit of the type of story found in some of the old silver age Superman books, and yet it’s got a lot more depth and well…story to it.

We’re introduced to Samson and Atlas here–a couple of "rivals" to Superman–and get the feeling that this is by no means the first time they’ve crossed paths. This is only the third issue of this series, of this "take" on the character…and yet this sense of history adds to a feeling this version of Superman very certainly differs from the regular DCU character but has just as rich a background and all that.

Quitely‘s art is impressive, to be sure–there’s just a "feeling" he conveys throughout the issue. The imagery is on the surface a bit simplistic–certainly nothing hyper-detailed. And yet there’s enough detail to see the annoyance in Superman’s face or the excitement or playfulness in Lois’. The style lends itself to the story very well, having a sort of simplicity of older stories in appearance, but an attitude rooted in the present.

Putting the story and art together, we have yet another very strong issue of this new title.

You don’t need to have read #s 1 or 2 to "get" and enjoy this issue. Though elements are beginning to build a bit, you get an entire story here in this one issue. You get a timeless episode in the life of a Superman that isn’t silver age, isn’t modern-day mainstream DCU, but that takes the best of both and shows him in this title.

If you’ve never cared for the character or didn’t "get" the character, or just felt put off by the continuity and other such…this is the title for you. Superman doesn’t get much better than this.

Ratings:

Story: 4.5/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

Filed under: All-Star Superman, Classic Reviews, DC, DC Misc. | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

All-Star Superman #2 [Review]

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Superman’s Forbidden Room

Wondering what the punchline is, Lois plays along with Superman’s sudden claim to being Clark Kent, as he takes her for a visit to his Fortress of Solitude.

allstarsuperman002Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Frank Quitely
Digitally Inked & Colored by: Jamie Grant
Letters: Phil Balsman
Asst. Editor: Brandon Montclare
Editor: Bob Schreck
Cover Art: Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant
Publisher: DC Comics

Some time has passed since the end of the previous issue, where we left Superman telling Lois that he had something to tell her. This issue opens with her taking the revelation of Superman and Clark being one-and-the-same in stride. In fact, after spending years trying to prove that fact, and constantly being proven wrong, Lois assumes there’s some punch line she’s not quite getting–that Superman’s playing some trick on her, so she determines to cautiously play along. When he gives her free reign over his fortress except for one specific room, she grows suspicious, and wonders at what other changes Superman’s visit to the sun (last issue) may have had on him.

Quitely‘s art here is top-notch. Certainly a change in style from other interpretations of Superman recently–this is no Jim Lee, Dan Jurgens, or John Byrne art. This Superman is not all rippling/bulging muscles, nor is he some scrawny guy in a costume. He’s just a normal, average-looking man in a costume with super-powers. For lack of better phrasing, I’d describe it as a "simpler" tone. The art is focused on serving the story, conveying the visual imagery to go along with the story, rather than trying to be so detailed as to speak for the text. The only sequence that I’d take issue with is a rather graphic–"PG-13" level, perhaps–sequence as Lois reflects on things as she showers and changes.

Morrison again leaves us with a quality Superman story that combines a bit of the "silver age" feel of the characters with contemporary sensibilities. The new key to the Fortress is just one randomly amusing part to the issue. The opening page re-casts the feel of a movie, and the issue’s credits are given in movie style layout, further lending the feel of this being some Superman movie (or at the least, tv show).

While I would not be thrilled with this being the only available ongoing interpretation of Superman, this second issue certainly continues the quality of the first issue, and leaves no doubt that this is truly an "All-Star" book. If you don’t care about–or are actively avoiding–Infinite Crisis; if you have never read Superman before this series; if you don’t care about years-deep continuity, and so on…this is certainly the book for you.

This is only the second issue–the first should still be fairly easy to track down. I’d highly recommend checking this series out. You can even get away with just reading this issue without the previous–a subplot carries over, but this issue stands well by itself. Definitely recommended-reading!

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

Filed under: All-Star Superman, Classic Reviews, DC, DC Misc. | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

DC Universe Online Legends #1 [Review]

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Walt


Full review posted to cxPulp.com.

 

Story: 3/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Misc., DC Universe Online Legends | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

The Mighty #3 [Review]

Posted on April 11, 2009 by Walt

Dirge

Story & Words: Peter J. Tomasi & Keith Champagne
Art: Peter Snejbjerg
Colors: John Kalisz
Lettering: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Cover: Dave Johnson
Publisher: DC Comics

This issue sees Cole move fully into his new leadership position, accepting the “signal-brand” of Alpha One, and learning more about his hero and ally. After being able to relate to a child who Alpha saved but whose parents weren’t, Cole helps Alpha to relate to the kid, and Alpha reveals his own need for Cole’s presence on the job. The two spend some time in Alpha’s home/headquarters (male bonding and all that), and we see a new “normal” settle in for all.

The art for this book works really well, and fits with the characters. I’m not all that familiar with the artist, though, so don’t come in with any expectations…I almost like it better that way, as it contributes to letting the art be the art, with no other expectations of quality or style heaped upon it. There’s a certain feel to it that does not make me think of super-hero comics, and I think that adds to a nice realistic tone to this book, putting my mind in more of a place to see the characters as entities that “could” exist in a real world somewhere that isn’t full of the usual super-hero figures.

The story is surprisingly good. On the one hand, I’d expected this series to be much more generic and like any other comic with a “realistic” super-hero in a world NOT chock full of super-heroes. However, while there is a bit of a generic feel, it seems to be because the title is still so young, and virtually anything new dealing with any kind of super-hero is going to feel like something we’ve seen before. There’s a lot of potential–at least for my own experience–for this to move away from anything I’ve read in super-hero comics in the past.

That the creative team co-created the character and are the ones setting things up–this isn’t just a new team on an established character/series–is a definite bonus. This is only the 3rd issue–if you can find the first couple of issues, this is well worth checking out, and a very good read so far.

Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Misc., The Mighty | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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