Stormwatch #3

And it's time for month #3 of the DCnU. It's amusing to me that three months in, I can't even really decide if I'm enjoying most of the new books or not. Some are hits, some are not, and some are in the middle. Stormwatch is definitely a title I was really excited about, but now that it has arrived, it is only OK.

My biggest problem is this: can my affection for the Martian Manhunter make me pick up a book I probably wouldn't buy otherwise? Paul Cornell does a good job with J'onn; he's powerful and smart, and actually should be in the hunt to lead the team. But there are a whole lot of pages dedicated to the rest of this pretty large cast, and not many of them strike my fancy. As long as Midnighter is rocking that ridiculous spike-beard, I can't take him seriously. T-shirt-wearing Apollo feels too much like Action Comics Superman. I like Harry Tanner, but only if he's going to be a villain (that sure seems to be the way he's acting). Hawksmoor, Jenny Quantum and the rest are suffering the same as J'onn, sort of shunted to smaller appearances. (I did find the whole idea of city-avatars intriguing. That's certainly new!)

So three issues in, I'm more excited to read this comic hoping for more Manhunter pages that I probably just need to admit won't be coming. It's not a bad comic, but it's not what I hoped for, either.

Miguel Sepulveda's art is starting to look more and more photo-referenced. There were numerous backgrounds in this one that looked like they were drawn over a digital picture to give the panels background. It's not bad, but again, not exactly my style.

Average

Stormwatch #2

I should have had more faith in Paul Cornell!

I was overwhelmed by the volume of plot and details in the premiere issue of this book, but issue 2 ratchets things down to a level I can understand. A few of the elements introduced in issue one fall to the wayside (like that giant horn) and some of the characters that were crowding the book spend the issue unconscious. Of course, the moment that REALLY sells this issue for me is the Martian Manhunter reveal. Sure, Midnighter, you're tough, just don't think you can take down J'onn that easy!

I'm unclear on the Eminence of Blades, is he a good guy or not? He's definitely a hero walking that fine line, and it seems he'll be joining Midnighter and Apollo on the rough side of super-heroics. I do hope that someone on this team is a bit more positive; it seems Jenny Quantum might be the best hope of that. I also really like the Engineer making her not-so-subtle power play to take over the team. We've had two whole issues, why wouldn't it be time to upset the apple cart!

Miguel Sepulveda's art is a bit more polished this month. There is still some weird tracing element on some pages, and Midnighter's costume is ridiculous (that awful chin-spike, ugh!) His Adam One, J'onn, and monsters all look great though, Sepulveda's quick glimpses of Booster Gold are impressive too, I hope he gets to draw more mainstream heroes.

Good

Stormwatch #1

Let me lay it out simply. This book needs more Martian Manhunter.

J’onn is one of my favorite characters. Probably my favorite in the DCU, so seeing him get so small a part in what is clearly an ensemble books is going to be tough to take. Paul Cornell is trying his best to give enough screen time to his large cast, but I’m afraid the Manhunter suffers for it. (I will say I love the reveal with J’onn on both the League and Stormwatch.)

Cornell packs this book full of ideas. We’ve got new characters like Adam, the Projectionist, and the Eminence of Blades. The Moon attacking the Earth. Tons of returning Wildstorm folks like Apollo, Midnighter, Hawksmoor, and the Engineer. Cornell even pulls in old concepts like the Century Babies. I mean, this thing is chock full of mad concepts and ideas. I’m intrigued to see what happens with the insane horn in the mountains. I want to know why Projectionist is so keen to impress the Manhunter. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this book is almost TOO compressed!

Miguel Sepulveda’s art is ok. I don’t like the Manhunter’s design, but he does a better job with Apollo and Midnighter. I like the addition of the tire treads on Hawksmoor’s hands too. The Eminence of Blades has potential, he’s got to be Cornell’s favorite on the team.

Verdict: I’m in for the next few issues at least.

Good

Comics on the Bubble: Backlash

How crazy is it that a series like Backlash had 32 issues, but stuff like Agents of Atlas and Captain Britain can't get close to that? What a world!

In any case, as I consolidate my many longboxes into one continuous run (rather than splitting by publisher), Backlash popped up on my radar. Let's see if I need to keep any of them...

Backlash #4 - I must have picked this up because of the Wetworks guest-appearance. Well, Wetworks already got cut, so I don't think this is going to make it! SELL

Backlash #16 - Grabbed because Grifter was on the cover, no doubt. This was terrible, most of the issue has the heroes fighting a giant green guy they met randomly at a bar. SELL

Backlash #17 & 18 - Stormwatch! But Stormwatch plays the heavies here, and they are pretty moronic too. These are some great examples of mid-90's Image, filled with tough-guy talk and ladies with no clothes. SELL

Backlash #19 & 20 - I'm going to hold off and read these when I re-read the Fire from Heaven crossover. KEEP (for now)

Backlash & Spider-Man #2 - I don't think there is a background drawn in this whole comic. I'm not a big Brett Booth fan, so even though his Spidey looks decent, this has got to go. SELL

Backlash & Taboo: African Holiday - Booth draws some decent dinosaurs, but he also enjoys tiny swimsuits. I can't make myself care about this one... SELL

KEEP: Fire from Heaven crossover
SELL: Everything else