Star Wars: The Last Jedi #3

The Kiddo picked this one out over the summer. I don't recall which store we got it at.

Title: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Issue: 3
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Date: August 2018
Writer: Gary Whitta
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham
Cover: Phil Noto
Editor: Mark Paniccia, Tom Groneman

I love Phil Noto's cover featuring Finn, Rose, and DJ.

This chapter of the film adaptation is focused primarily on Rey's interactions with Kylo Ren, and Finn and Rose's mission to Cantonica. This includes my some of my favorite Rose scenes.

As with the first issue (reviewed here), the adaptation looks good and gets the visuals right on the important moments. It helps that the scenes in this issue are very character-focused.

Rating: 6/10

Star Wars: The Last Jedi #1

Another Star Wars comic the Kiddo picked out at Merrymac Games and Comics in Merrimack NH. Star Wars books are the Kiddo's go-to comics of choice these days.

Title: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Issue: 1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Date: July 2018
Writer: Gary Whitta
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham
Cover: Mike Del Mundo
Editor: Heather Antos, Tom Groneman, Emily Newcomen

First part of Marvel's film adaptation for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The book captures the pacing of the film well, and there is a nice bit of internal monologue from Luke Skywalker that adds a bit of perspective. But of course, an adaptation is somewhat limited by its own nature. I liked the film, and the comic does a good job retelling that story.

It does leave out one of the more memorable comedic moments from early in the movie, and the space battle scenes fall a bit flat in terms of the actual action between spaceships. Paige Tico's scene is handled really well, though.

This generally works, but does not add a whole lot if you've seen the film.

Rating: 5.5/10

Static Shock #5

I had a bed feeling that this was going to happen sooner or later.

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 5
Date: March 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez

I know there were some issues with the creative team on this book, and I also know the book has been canceled. That's what happens when you're a few months behind on reading. John Rozum is no longer credited on the writing starting with this issue, and the writing took a serious nose dive. Probably not a coincidence, although this may have simply been the natural result of trying to incorporate too many plot elements without enough character development.

This issue is almost entirely taken up by squabbles and intrigues between a whole array of third-rate villains, and we're never given any reason to care.

The use of Virgil's sister as a generic damsel-in-distress doesn't help matters either, nor does the extended dream/flashback to Virgil's gang days, complete with stilted gangbanger jargon.

This issue seems to be the result of taking all of the weak elements that existed on the fringes of a pretty engaging story centered on Virgil Hawkins, and suddenly making those weak elements the main focus.

The only two redeeming points in this mess are that the opening fight scene still manages to be fun in the way that all of Static's fight scenes have been fun, and a brief glimmer of interesting personality from Guillotina (of all people).

Everything else is a convoluted mess.

Rating: 4.5/10

Swamp Thing #4

Had to take a hiatus for a few days due to crunch time at the day job. Back to the comics! I'm continuing through the DC New 52 #4's.

Title: Swamp Thing
Issue: 4
Date: February 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott Snyder
Penciler: Marco Rudy
Inker: Marco Rudy, Sean Parsons, Michael Lacombe
Colorist: David Baron
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Matt Idelson, Chris Conroy
Cover: Yanick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn

William Arcane murders the patrons at a diner for no real reason, and Alec has a conversation with the Parlaiment of Trees.

New art team on this issue, and the result was gorgeous. The issue is loaded with full-page spreads (and even one two-pager). There are creative layouts and truly captivating visuals throughout this issue. The visual of Alec and Abigail sleeping side-by-side surrounded by the forces of the Rot and the Green is the most beautiful single page that I've seen so far in the New 52.

As far as plot goes, this was primarily a chance to set up future conflicts, but it was all handled with such dazzling visuals that it definitely managed to have a "big issue" feel to it.

Rating: 8.5/10

Deathstroke #1

Still more New 52.

Title: Deathstroke
Issue: 1
Date: November 2011
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Penciler: Joe Bennett
Inker: Art Thibert
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Rickey Purdin, Rachel Gluckstern
Cover: Simon Bisley

The problem with having a guy who's supposed to be the "world's greatest tactician" is that it holds the writing to a certain standard. The reader expects to see, well, good tactics.

Not bringing a sword to a gunfight (first scene). Not failing to get proper intel on your enemies (fourth scene). And definitely not letting your emotions goad you into killing your teammates for stupid reasons (last scene). And that applies even if the writer happens to let the supposed "world's greatest tactician" get away with all of the above. It even applies if the aforementioned teammates are annoying.

I know good tactics. This isn't it.

This is bad tactics being covered by even worse writing.

Rating: 3/10

Countdown 51

From the backlog. This was a 2007 freebie that introduced Countdown, which was the lead-in series for Final Crisis. If only it really had been final.

Title: Countdown
Issue: 51
Date: 2007
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Paul Dini
Penciler: Jesus Saiz
Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti
Colorist: Tom Chu
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Jeanine Schaefer, Mike Marts

The Countdown series starts at #51 and counts backwards. Get it? This is the freebie version of the first issue (#51) and boy am I glad I didn't pay money for this.

We get things started with some impaled bodies right off the bat. Once the reader's attention has been gotten, it's revealed that Darkseid is the villain of the moment. He proceeds to use several sentences to say nothing.

But we quickly segue to... Duela (Dent), the Joker's Daughter? REALLY? Okay, awesomeness points for the writers being quite possibly the only people besides me who even remember this character. She attempts to kidnap a pop star and has the attempt thwarted by the Red Hood. She throws a slinky at him. That proves to be about as effective as one might imagine, but they exchange some (un)pleasantries and she makes her escape via the rooftops. I guess that would be called a draw.

Next up is Mary Batson, who has lost her powers. Moving on.

Trickster and Heat Wave are... I wasn't really sure what the point of that scene was. They're either planning to attack the Flash or not. Pied Piper eavesdrops. Still nothing happening. This is becoming a theme.

Back to Duela, who is killed off in short order by a dude in Monitor gear (I think) who is out to wipe out dimensional anomalies. And when he reports back to base, it looks like Ray Palmer may be next on the list.

Wow, this was supposed to get people to want to read a year-long weekly series? Really? Besides the return of Duela, there was nothing in here to care about. And I only care about Duela because I remember the obscure Batgirl story that introduced her ("I'm Duela Dent. I'm Two-Face's daughter. I was always a disappointment to him. I'm just trying to win his approval." "Disappointment? He was hoping for a boy?" "No, he was hoping for twins." :) ).

Oh, and then they killed her.

But hey, keep in mind that back in 2007, this was the lead-in to a HUGE crossover event that would change the DC Universe FOREVER.

Oh, wait.

Rating: 3.5/10