DCU Comic Book Reviews

WEDNESDAY COMICS #7

August 19th, 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, Metal Men takes the big spot on the cover, while Strange Adventures (last week’s big circle) and Hawkman (the rotating circle) move around.   

Another brilliant strip of Batman on the strength of Risso’s artwork and storytelling.  I love the long vertical panel and how it mimics the fall of the broken glass and I love how it goes dark as the light of the cigarette gets closer and then falls.  I also like the layout for Deadman, which is essentially a single panel featuring a demon throne with the use of the dialogue balloons to guide the reader downward.  Both are brilliantly done. 

Maybe I missed it form last week, but in Green Lantern how does Hal know that creature is his friend.  He comes crashing through the wall, screaming for Dill to drop that security guard. 

It took me a little bit to realize there were tow creatures attacking the Main of Steel in Superman.  Were there always two of them, or did they just show up here for the first time?

This week features perhaps the most understandable strip for Teen Titans, with a straight forward narrative.  But it doesn’t make up for the previous installments.  I don’t have much interest in what happens.  However, I will be curious to see what happens to the Dr. Light/Trident relationship and see if this actually makes it to the DC universe.  They do reference Final Crisis:  Revelations so who the hell knows what is going on. 

Both Kamandi and Adam Strange maintain their excellent quality, both in terms of the writing and the art.  I love the redness of Strange’s dream, which fades away when he awakens.  Nice look for Dr. Fate, as well.  Usually these two strips get the weirdest creature award, but I think Hawkman gets the nod this week.  For the little girl with those huge eyeglasses.  The little dinosaur was cute. 

I didn’t think they could do it, but they manage to top last week’s appearance of Aquaman with a better appearance of Aquaman in Supergirl.  As usual Conner’s art is full of great facial expressions and acting from the characters, plus some wonderful humorous moments.  I love the squid putting the shellphone back in Aquaman’s pants. 

For the first time, the Flash strip isn’t broken into pieces.  I am still not sure what is going on, but I think the picture is starting to become a little bit clearer.  In contrast, the Sgt. Rock is understandable, but the two different stories are hurting the pace a little bit.  How many weeks will it take for Rock to escape?

Hey, look!  Catwoman is back. Is this the first time both The Demon and Catwoman are actually in the same strip since the first one?  Or does it not count since it was Jason Blood? 

I have been critical of the some of the elements of Metal Men, but I think the use of Chemo works well, combining a little bit of danger with a little bit of humor, which is how I envision Metal Men should be like. 

That certainly was a very talky installment of Metamorpho.  I don’t know what else to make of it.  It is okay, I am just not sure if all of the elements are coming together cohesively.  I am not quite sure why, but it reads very … bumpy… which may not make sense but is the best word I can come up with,  Maybe choppy, like Gaiman has bits and pieces he wants to use but can’t quite make it come together smoothly. 

And, once again, I didn’t bother to read Wonder Woman.  Yeah, I know.  I stare at it for a few moments and think maybe I should give it a chance, but then my old-man eyes can’t quite make out the lettering and I give up.