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From: moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer)
Newsgroups: net.comics
Subject: Comics Reviews (Spoilers, as you should expect from ME, children...)
Message-ID: <1267@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 25-Aug-84 01:29:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax2.1267
Posted: Sat Aug 25 01:29:51 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 21-Aug-84 00:30:18 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: The Little Horror of Shops
Lines: 116

Actually, I read these about two weeks ago, but I haven't had a chance yet
to review 'em.... sorry for the delay!
------
****************************************************************************
|==>A< One of the best of the year. Example: Byrne/Claremont's Starlord    |
|==>B< A very good issue, one of the best of the month (usually 6/month)   |
|==>C< A well done, entertaining issue.  Satisfying.  Example: Jon Sable   |
|==>D< Rather boring, or a few good spots mixed with more bad ones. Ex:Mars|
|==>E< Boring AND stupid or childish.  Example: Secret Wars.               |
|==>F< Actually offensive.  Example: Several of Haney's UNKNOWN SOLDIERs   |
****************************************************************************

First, an oldie but Goodie...

DC PRESENTS #59 (Ambush Bug & Legion of Subs) [C]:

	Very pleasant, but not up to the fast-paced humor exhibited in the
present mini-series.  Giffen's portrayal of the 1930s - 40s Man of Steel is
excellent.  Kept expecting him to say "Lois is in trouble" :-).

"Maybe a crane?"
"His head would snap off!  Keep thinking!"

AMERICAN FLAGG #14 [C+]:

	Still has that fill-in flavor.  Not a trilogy; just tying up (and
starting) some subplots.  Standard excellent writing.  I'm sure when Chaykin
returns to art duties that this will go back to 'B' status.

TEEN TITANS #3 [B-]:

	The reason for the 'B' grade is the art... Perez lifts it into an
"art of despair" -- I'd like to see him attempt Dante sometime.  But the art
really gives you a depressed, hopeless feeling.  Who's the cavalry here?  I
don't think they've got a chance (unless, of course, we fall back on the old
plotline about how demons are not really that powerful, they just look that
way).  Good dialogue, and the "worst fears" bit is carried out well.
Actually, I wouldn't have noticed the "bedroom scene" if it hadn't been
mentioned on the net.

TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #48 [B-]:

	Well, I LIKED Rude's version; though I almost thought the first two
pages had been done by Gulacy.  Fill-in in the back a better story,
methinks... you can see that Perez contributes much more than just the art.
Some of the lines in the RECOMbatants story were out-of-character; Korey
saying "kiss your boo-boo" to Vic seems very poorly scripted.

JON SABLE #18 [C]:

	Art always makes this worthwhile, but the terrorist seemed rather
boring (I figured out the plot twist last issue); however, I enjoyed the
characters he meets in Idaho, including "Pappy" Boyantin (Sp?  Does he
really look like Robert Conrad?  "Knock this missile off my shoulder,
Jon...").

BLUE DEVIL #? (Ah Forgot) [B-]:

	Lots of fun at beginning and end (no, I'm NOT referring to the
MATCHBOX atrocity), but the middle tended to slow some.  Norm is great fun.
The Blue Devil and Cameraman, indeed.  Holy Dynammic Duo!

ZOT #4 [B+, maybe A-]:
	Interesting, engrossing origin.  This looks like the best new comics
series of the year, folks, hands down (SWAMP THING is a revitalized old
series :-) ).  The scene at the end is excellent (I suggest playing the
theme to "A Little Romance" in the background).  Also good is the scene with
Max leading Jenny out of the room Deco has collapsed in... "Someday, my
dear.. you're going to make a fine actress."  It's really unusual to see a
talent for humor and humanity in one artist/writer.

NORMALMAN #4 [D]:

	This is getting tres obvious tres quick.  Satire should be pointed
and current, and this is neither.  I think I'll stick to old FANDOM
CONFIDENTIALS.

CEREBUS #64 [C-]:

	Better (as The Big C is in it), but still, everyone is always
yelling... funny ending; weird back up; great letters page, as usual (I
rather look forward to AV's "SWORDS of MIKE BANNON" ).

JOURNEY #12 [B+]:

	No stereotypes here, folks... just a lot of interesting characters
done with love.  This is DANIEL BOONE done for adults, but evoking the same
feelings I got as a kid.  I give it a "+" just because I'm delighted with it
in all respects.

SWAMP THING #? [A-]:

	Can you say HORROR, kiddies?  GRRRRRRAHHHHHG!  WOW!  Stephen King
looks like Judy Bloom next to Moore & Bisset... the scenes with the people
and animals were very frightening.  The characters are very human.  THIS is
*better* than most EC horror comics I've read; it has HEART (all over the
floor :-) :-| :-( ).  Wonder if Abby is really dead.

KITTY  & WOLVERINE #1 [C]:

	Well, *I* liked it... no great shakes, but give it some time.

DNAgents #13 [C]:

	Good solid entertainment, just what the 'C' grade was set up for...

		"BABA LOO'S GETTING MARRIED -- WHAT YOU SAY --"
		"Raul!!"

					Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
					John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
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