DCU Comic Book Reviews

WEDNESDAY COMICS #2

July 15, 2009

Written by Various

Pencils by Various

Inks by Various

Cover by Various

A Brief Introduction by Binkley (e-mail)

When this weekly series was first introduced, I immediately started to brainstorm how I would review these issues.  There were 15 stories per comic, so it seemed to make some sense to write reviews for each of the 15 stories.  I came up with a variety of different ways to present the text, but ultimately I decided to wait until I actually read the first issue before making a decision.  After reading it, what struck me the most is that a single page of a story is not enough to write a review.  There just isn’t enough to critique the plot, structure, or character.  And then it hit me.  I can provide my impression of the stories, my thoughts and ideas of what struck me as I was reading.  So, that is what you’ll get each week.  However, when the weekly series is done, I will go back and review the entire story, much as I do for a single issue of a comic.     

Impressions by Binkley (e-mail)

This week, Hawkman takes the big spot on the cover.  Last week’s cover boy, Superman, switches places with Hawkman.  All of the other circle pictures and logos are in the same spot.  Like last week, the images in the circle are taken directly from the strips that are inside.  It should be noted that there are 15 strips, but only 12 weeks of the comic, which means 3 of the strips won’t get the spotlight.  It will be interesting to see which ones it will (or won’t) be.

Overall, I am noticing that my favorite strips are the ones with a little bit of a humorous bent to them.  Maybe it is the format or the paper or whatever, but the ones with drama are not as interesting or exciting as the funny ones.  They do call it the “funny papers” and perhaps subconsciously that is what I am looking and this enjoying it when I get it.  Either that, or the shortened format works better for comedy than it does for anything else. 

Because they are goofy, delightful fun, the Metamorpho, Metal Men, and Supergirl strips are still easily the best ones.  Both brought a smile to my face as I was reading.  For Supergirl, it was just the sheer fun of the dog and cat wrecking while for Metamorpho, I loved single page layout and the faux letter page, which brings out the feel of the strip that I think they are going for.  I mean, the Elemental Dog?  I doubt the comic actually existed, but I like idea that I can even picture a team-up with Krypto.  I should mention that while I like Metal Men for the same goofy fun, it is not quite as good as the previous two.  Maybe it is because puns and word play (or cheesy dialogue) work less well than the visual comedy of the other strips. 

My two favorites from last week were not as good as this week.  For the Superman strip, I think it is odd that the Man of Steel would confide in the Dark Knight.  Not that they aren’t friends or anything, but does anyone expect Batman to be touch-feely.  The entire thing felt like an excuse to get an cameo into the strip rather than a natural role in the story.  As for the Batman strip, well, it felt oddly devoid of anything as if Azzarello was just marking time until he got to the last panel. 

The strips for Deadman, Strange Adventures and Kamandi are all wonderful, trippy tales with some gorgeous art, bizarre settings, and weird, weird creatures.  Rats and blue gorillas.  I mean, come on, how can you not like it.  The Hawkman strip was awesome, if only for the portrayal of Hawkman as the ultimate bad ass as he tracks down the criminals on plane in the flight and the way he interacts with the little girl.

I like the Flash/Iris West strip mostly for the structure and the way the two parts work together, but the story is not completely pulling me in.  However, I am not quite invested in what is happening to the characters. 

Why is Ertigan not rhyming in Demon and Catwoman?  I don’t quite understand what is going on with Green Lantern.   The Teen Titans strip still confuses me, in terms of the reliance on the older Titans.  I understand now why we had the recap last week of the Teen Titans since the days with Dick Grayson as Robin, but given the Teen Titans role, Berganza better make sure there is a good reason to include the older Titans. 

The Wonder Woman strip is still too cluttered and dense and very difficult to read.  I didn’t finish last week or this week; it should not take that long to read these strips.  Finally, Sgt. Rock just doesn’t have enough in each week’s strip.  I thin if you combine the first two weeks worth, you’d have a good beginning, but stretched out (even only two weeks) and it doesn’t quote work. 

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