A few graphic novels that have been stacking up ... and up to forty words each about them.
Review code format: [writing (5-1, faboo to mediocre) / art (5-1) / suitability for jumping on as a new reader (5-1) / suitability for hooking a non-comics reader (5-1). ]
Mystique Vol. 2: Tinker, Tailor, Mutant, Spy (Marvel) [3/3/3/2] (collects #7-13)
w. Brian Vaughan; a. Michael Ryan/Manuel Garcia
Xavier's coerced covert operative, shape-shifter Mystique, plots her freedom (and deal with a past flame), even as other parties plot to slave her to them. Decent villain-as-protagonist action, a reasonable way to while away an hour or two.
Invincible Vol. 3: Perfect Strangers (Image) [4/4/2/3] (collects #9-12)
w. Robert Kirkman; a. Ryan Ottley
An ostensibly simply-crafted tale of a teen hero coming-of-age takes an appropriately shattering lurch, as Invincible learns who really killed the Global Guardians, why, and what it means to his loyalties and his future. A great read.
Outsiders Vol. 2: Sum of All Evil (DC) [4/4/3/2] (collects #8-15)
w. Judd Winick; a. Tom Raney et al.
Demonic Mafia threats, electric parental conflict, and the Fearsome Five—Winick makes even goofy villains (and heroes—Black Lightning? Captain Marvel Junior?) feel gritty and menacing. Nice, edgy heroic action.
Essential Iron Fist: Vol. 1 (Marvel) [3/5/5/3] (collects pretty much everything to PM/IF #50)
w. Chris Claremont, et al.; a. John Byrne, et al.
The most super-heroic of the Kung Fu comic era, and arguably the most successful. Claremont/Byrne were a key to that success, after some rocky and fusty backstory and establishing eps from Thomas, Wein, Moench, and Isabella. Things begin to drift, then the unexpected Power Man shows up, and the classic (and stereotyped) odd couple is established.
(Since the book's three times as thick as the rest, I gave myself twice the words. Deal.)
Common Grounds: Vol. 1 (Top Cow) [4/3/5/4] (collects #1-6)
w. Troy Hickman; a. Various
Astro City meets Starbucks, as various short stories, centered around the neutral ground of a super-hero coffee shop, examine what life is really like for capes (heroes and villains) between bouts of fisticuffs. Edgy, hip, good writing, varied (decent) art.
(Originally posted to my blog.)
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