Concrete: The Human Dilema #2by Paul Chadwick
While the first issue of this new Concrete was a welcome return to the series, this second issue is a welcome move forward. Chadwick crafts an emotional look at life, death, sex and desire in compelling and thought-provoking ways. While Larry and Astra discuss find that they may not be on the same page when it comes to a future life together, a traumatic event provokes Maurene and Concrete to attempt to move their relationship forward. The real kicker comes near the end, as Concrete's sublimation of the pleasures of the flesh find him tempted by the pleasures of the mind. Chadwick's art matches his story perfectly, full of detail, emotion and desire. This, kids, is how you do comics.
Rating: 4 (of 5)
A Strange Dayby Damon Hurd & Tatiana Gill
While playing hooky in order to be the first to get the new Cure album, teenagers Miles and Anna meet and fall in love. That's pretty much the whole plot. It's a sweet little story I suppose, but there's no conflict, no dramatic tension, and no payoff. It's not bad, just not really necessary. I suppose if you're in the mood for a sweet little romance you'll enjoy this, but otherwise there's little reason to seek it out.
Rating: 2.5 (of 5)
Savage Henry: Puppet Trapby Matt Howarth
Henry and Boche are touring through the dimensions on their way to an electronic music festival in the weird reality of Lysurgia. Hot on their tails are the humorless WHACOs (We Hate All Creative Organisms), but first they have to deal with an evil female vampire and the Lysurgian residents she has transformed into puppets. Yeah, that's right, puppets--like in that very funny episode of Angel. It's madcap fun in the Howarth tradition, and even ends with a three page review of recent music releases by Henry and Caroline.
Rating: 3.5 (of 5)
