Monday has come around again and with it is this weeks edition of COMPACT. Here at Comic Impact, each of our weird and wonderful writers bring you two reviews each of comics ranging from the challenging to the essential! We keep it bite-size for you as well so you can browse whilst you eat your breakfast! Who knows, you might see some good write-ups of a comic you weren’t planning on buying and fall in love with it.
So get the run down of what stood out to each of us here on the site this week and be sure to come back every Monday for the brief, weekly round up.
Sheldon Lee:
Sheldon@ComicImpact.com
Hulk #49 – Jeff Parker, Elena Casagrande
Swamp Thing #7 – Scott Snyder, Yanick Paquette
Rob Andrews:
Rob@comicimpact.com
The Manhattan Projects #1 – Jonathon Hickman, Nick Pitarra
Having had some time to think about this comic and what it felt like as a first issue, I’ve got to say I enjoyed it hugely. If you’re familiar with Jonathon Hickman’s less mainstream comic work then this ambitious story shouldn’t shock you. It’s a big time, big concept comic.
Hickman writes well, and you couldn’t tell me otherwise. This proves he can simultaneously write good dialogue, set up some fantastic backstory, and along with artist Nick Pitarra, can tease you with sub-plots. The plot is something I won’t spoil, but I will mention that I am particularly intrigued by the man I assume to be Albert Einstein in the locked room.
Bad points: Nick Pitarra’s artwork takes a bit of getting used to. But all in all, this should be a great series.
If I were to describe this comic as being a weird mixture of the Kurt Vonnegut novel ‘Cat’s Cradle‘ and Grant Morrison’s ‘All-Star Superman‘, would you go and buy it?
Night Force #1 (of 7) – Marv Wolfman, Tom Mandrake
Someone who has read Night Force before could probably give you a much more critical review of how this comic felt to them, but as a new reader to the series I can only give you my perspective.
It came so close to being just another one of those badly written, badly drawn comics that DC churn out on a regular basis that no one under the retirement age appreciates. But when it comes to DC I’ve always found there is a thin space of greatness between the realms of something being ‘bad’ and ‘extremely bad’ which Night Force #1 falls comfortably into. The fast-pased, incomprehensible suspence and the mish-mash horror came together like a bull let loose in a china shop; and all I could do was watch the chaos with a wide grin. What I know about Marv Wolfman allows my next point to fall perfectly into place too, which is that this read like a comic from the 1970s.
Something about this wacky supernatural story made me think of Morgan le Fay from DC’s old, weekly Trinity series a few years back. I enjoyed this, but I doubt many other people did.
Simon Daoudi:
Simon@ComicImpact.com
O.M.A.C #7 – Dan Didio and Keith Giffen
One of my favourite books to come out from the New 52 was O.M.A.C. I say it was one of my favourites because we know this book has been cancelled. There are only two issues left of this amazing Jack Kirby love letter.
The issue opens up with an epic fight with Superman, The Man Of Steel. After that, Kevin (O.M.A.C.) finds himself in a zoo with talking animals. I know you’re probably thinking this sounds ridiculous, but don’t let that stop you reading this review! As we find out more about each of the animals you see their past and why they’re afraid of their evil taskmaser; Warden Gaym.
O.M.A.C. is a book that is full of not stop the action and it’s sad that we’re down to one more issue after this one. It will be something I will definitely miss reading and seeing on my pull list.
Infestation 2 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 – Tristan Jones and Mark Torres
When I was a kid I was in love with both the TMNT’s comic by Eastman and Laird and the television series. Last year when IDW started publishing new Turtle’s stories I was more than happy. I did not read IDW’s Infestation which was their major crossover from last year. Now that Infestation 2 is here I thought to myself why not try this new story.
When you open the comic it feels like Mike Mignola’s artwork from Hellboy. Mark Torres does an amazing job and I would love to see more of his work.
The storyline is everything old school Turtles fans like myself could want from a TMNTs story. It takes place underground with some amazing looking creatures and Tristian Jones does a great job at introducing us to the main characters.
The last page makes you count down the days until the next issue. Do yourself a favor and pick up with book.
Swamp Thing #7 – Scott Snyder, Yanick Paquette
This is it. After seven issues Alec Holland finally confronts the Parliament of Trees and embraces the monster within. It was very exciting; seriously the last two pages brought me to my feet. Scott Snyder delivers a fantastic issue with some beautifully detailed artwork by Yanick Paquette. Now as much as I loved the artwork I did think the floral layouts occasionally got a little hard to follow at times, and required a second and third read through, but the line work was so good I didn’t mind.
Swamp Thing is definitely one of the best books to come out of the New 52. This just continues the trend and if anything takes the book to even higher heights.
Fatale #3-Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips
I’ve enjoyed the previous issues of Fatale immensely but this is the one that locked me in for the long haul. Fatale continues to be some of Ed Brubaker’s smartest writing to date. The pacing feels more like a prose novel than normal serialized graphic literature. Brubaker continues planting several story seeds with no rush to explain anything. When done improperly it annoys me but the writing and art are so sharp I don’t mind it here. I trust the creative team. Brubaker’s collaboration with artist Sean Phillips is firing on all cylinders and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Phillips art is fantastic there’s no other way to say it. Also this was my favorite essay to date Dan J. Marlowe seems like an incredibly fascinating writer whose books I really want to read. If you haven’t given it a try be sure to pick this book up.