This is our 250th edition, and I think it's also closing in on
my 5th anniversary, but no particular fanfare here except for
the mere fact that we're still here, even if we did just go two
weeks without any comics. Three books to review, two from this
week and one from last. I'm also running pretty late, so they're
going to be brief.
This week we have...
Runaways #29 - 3.25 Stars
Ultimate X-Men #91 - 3.25 Stars
X-Factor #28 - 3.25 Stars
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Runaways #29 - "Dead-End Kids, Part 5" (Written by: Joss Whedon,
Penciled by: Michael Ryan, Inker: Rick Ketcham,
Colorist: Christina Strain)
Nico endures torture and the rest of the Runaways get caught up in a
1907 style gangwar.
The delays are really hurting the book, but at least there is only
one issue left before Whedon's run finishes. I found myself having
forgotten enough of the plot that the issue read a little scattered.
I was also particularly disappointed not to get any development on
what's happened to Chase. That was the best part of last issue,
and now it seems what happens next is going to be just one of many
things that need to get wrapped up.
It's a decent issue, the menace of the various groups are well played
and I'm interested in seeing where Nico's plot is going. I'm still a
little iffy on Victor's sudden love interest, and right now I'm a
little worried about whether things are going to wrap up in a
satisfactory way in the last issue.
Review: 3.25 stars
-
Ultimate X-Men #91 - "Apocalypse Part 2 of 4" (Writer: Robert
Kirkman,
Pencils: Salvadore Larroca, Colors: Stephane
Peru)
Now that Apocalypse has risen, the X-Men try to stop him... but that
plan is not as easy to accomplish as they might hope.
Well, there is one thing you can say for the Ultimate version of
Apocalypse. Kirkman's managed to, in one issue, make him more of a
threat than the original version. So much so, in fact, that it
becomes difficult to imagine how the X-Men are going to defeat him.
Other heroes might have a chance, but one would hope in an X-Men book
that the X-Men play a major role.
In any event, Kirkman makes Apocalypse's attack on New York a
convincing event, that reaches outside the world of the Ultimate
X-Men. As such, it's almost a story on a scale of the Ultimates (the
first two volumes), although he isn't able to evoke quite that same
sense of energy.
It should also be noted that colorist Stephane Peru died recently,
and
it's a shame, because he was talented at it.
Review: 3.25 stars
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X-Factor #28- "Messiah Complex, Chapter Three" (Writer: Peter David,
Penciler: Scot Eaton, Inker: John Dell, Colorist:
Frank
D'Armata)
In the aftermath of Messiah Complex, Rahne has decided to leave, Layla
is still missing, and the rest of the team are trying to decide what
to
do to pick up the pieces.
This book came out last week, but I didn't feel up to the trip to the
comic store given the weather, so I'm reviewing it now. Most people
have already read it if they were planning to, so I'll simply say
this.
David does manage to set up some interesting dynamics to the mutant
situation, and his usual strong character work. So I'm willing to
stick with it for a while. However, I'm not terribly pleased with
the changes in the X-line, and this is the only review I can complain
about it. Making Madrox more angsty isn't a great move considering
how angsty the whole X-Universe remains, and shuffling Rahne off to
another book where she can turn into a killer for the cause is
probably an even worse one.
The X-Universe is rapidly becoming one I don't care to read about
anymore. Peter David's writing helps, but only so much. Currently
this is my only X-Book. I'll probably check out the first few issues
of Young X-Men but I'm not planning to go into it for the long haul
unless it seriously impresses me.
Review: 3.25 stars
-
Well, that's it for this week folks. Next week, according to the
****pping list, there's just one book I'm planning on getting. New
Warriors #9 is that book. On the maybe list is Young Avengers
Presents #2.
See you next time...
Peter Dimitriadis
http://www.unreachablestar.net
The Unreachable Star - Comics & SF News/Reviews/Opinion
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