Quick Comic Reviews

We3 #3

by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely

It is possible at this point to heap more suprelatives on Morrison & Quitely's masterpiece? Probably not. But over the course of 96 pages, they have managed to redefine comic book action, proving that you can be exciting and thought-provoking and innovative all at the same time. Heck, just look at the way Quitely uses foreground shadows to blead into the panel borders, for instance. I predict that this comic is one that will be analyzed and dissected for years to come. I only gave the first two installments of this mini a 4 out of 5, but that was because it was an incomplete at the time. Taken together, these three issues add up to more than the sum of their parts. So a 4.5 for the tale, and I reserve to right to raise that higher at some point.

Rating: 4.5 (of 5)




Termporary #1: "Cubes and Ladders"

by Damon Hurd & Rick Smith

Temporary promises to tell the adventures of Envy Saint-Claire, twenty-seomthing temp worker who likes her life as an itenerant; she enjoys spending a day sitting in someone else's life (sort of a Christopher Chance for the boring office-drone set). This first issue finds Envy in a strange cube farm where the employees all seem to be genuinely crazy. It's a nice commentary on the drudgery of middle-corporate America. As for the art by Smith, it's not his strongest effort: the characters are often stiff and the backgrounds are scant. It gets the story across, but that's about it. His art on his own Baraka and Black Magic in Morocco was much better. But in all this looks to be a promising series.

Rating: 3 (of 5)




Pigtale #1

by Ovi Nedelcu

I've never heard of Nedelcu before, but based on the style and confidence of his art (not to mention the testimonials in lieu of a letters page) I'm assuming that he's the latest animator dipping his toes into comic books. Though it's all set-up so far, this first issue introduces us to Boston Booth, nebbish twenty-seomthing who wants to be a private investigator, and the talking pig who looks to be his partner. As the pig isn't introduced until the last page it's hard to tell how successful the pairing will be, but based on the strong characterizations and storytelling ability that Nedelcu shows (especially in the exciting chase scene) I'm looking forward to seeing how it all develops. It's a good start--I just hope that the origin tale doesn't drag out too long...

Rating: 3 (of 5)