Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 Fluke 8/7/84; site fluke.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!moriarty 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. UUCP: {cornell,decvax,ihnp4,sdcsvax,tektronix,utcsrgv}!uw-beaver \ {allegra,gatech!sb1,hplabs!lbl-csam,decwrl!sun,ssc-vax} -- !fluke!moriarty ARPA: fluke!moriarty@uw-beaver.ARPA