Everlost_MI
07-16-2006, 07:48 AM
Welcome to week twenty-nine of Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Reviews.
BCBComics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering a ongoing code of “EVERLOST” to be used give an extra 10% off to Evil Avatar readers. In addition a special page ( https://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=340) has been set up by BCBComics to save money on various comics, TPBs, games and toys related to the comics that are reviewed each week.
If you’re already a BCB subscriber you can add any of these items to your pull list and/or the code to save on shipping.
For those who are in need of a friendly, reliable, discounted source for comics, gaming and toys then look no further than BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). They offer comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 30-35% off of cover price (depending on the publisher), all issues are bagged, boarded and offer cheap* shipping on all orders (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details). In addition, the comics featured on BCBcomics home page are 50% off or just $1 if you’re a subscriber.
Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.
Week Twenty-nine:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews – Year 2 - Week 29
Batgirl: Silent Running
Reviewed by: KefkaTaran (Philip Kollar), Associate Editor / Podcast Host
Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Scott Peterson and Kelley Puckett
Penciller: Damion Scott
Inker: Robert Campanella
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: John Costanza
Editors: Darren Vincenzo and Dennis O’Neil
Price: Out of print (available on Amazon Marketplace for as low as $15)
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/batgirl_tpb.jpg
While Batgirl definitely has a very vocal fan base, for a lot of people the character is a hard sell. The character, from the outside at least, seems redundant and uninspired, and indeed she was originally introduced as nothing more than an even younger female Batman, a cousin of the already-introduced Batwoman. Any writer introducing trying to write Batgirl has a hefty load of work in front of them. Of all her various iterations (four as of now), the most recent Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, is probably the most-loved, and Batgirl: Silent Running does a fair job showing why. This trade paperback collects issues 1-6 of the just-ended volume of Batgirl’s first ongoing series.
Even though it begins at issue #1, the book picks up with Cain already under the mask as Batgirl, having taken the position during the “No Man’s Land” event that (literally) shook up the Batman books during the late ‘90s. Nevertheless, writers Peterson and Puckett do a good job of filling in enough of Cain’s back-story to satisfy new readers. Daughter of master assassin David Cain, she is one of the best fighters in the DC universe but also, at first, almost completely mute. This isn’t a medical condition, but rather an after-effect of learning the language of body movements instead of anything vocal. That little bit of comic book genius also explains why she’s such a kick-ass fighter. The unique idea of a mute superhero also lends itself to a couple of really interesting artistic pages where they attempt to show how Cassie “interprets” movement as language.
Unfortunately, this intriguing idea is removed about halfway through the book by way of a ridiculous deus ex machina, the kind that could only occur in a comic book. It’s truly unfortunate that they didn’t try to keep Cain mute for longer and play around with how a character like that could operate in a medium built largely on dialogue. The writers still do a completely serviceable job, and when the character finally gains language (and thus an inner monologue), she’s surprisingly likeable. Confident and cool while remaining mysterious and deadly, she successfully mixes together elements of Batman -- as Oracle says when Batman asks, “Who does she seem most like?”: “actually… YOU” -- and the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl.
Of course the “female Batman” label is exactly the problem Batgirl needs to buck in order to be interesting, as I pointed out at the beginning. Once the lack of language is no longer an issue, the difference between the two becomes slightly harder to notice. With hints that Batgirl could have killed someone as a child, Batman struggles with whether or not to trust her. Despite his insane moral standards, though, there’s never any question whether or not she’s a good guy to the reader getting her inner monologue. In fact, Batman’s questions drives him quite out of character, as he acts awkward, confused, and amazingly sloppy, deciding to simply leave Gotham completely on a silly goose chase. The ease with which he accepts what he finds on that trip does not feel like Batman at all. The story is still interesting and a lot of fun, but these writers obviously weren’t too interested in making a believable Bruce Wayne. The upside is that Batgirl comes out as a far more alluring character. Her assurance contrasts well with Batman’s fumbling hi-jinks in this arc to bring her out on top.
Everything else in this book is pretty similar to the writing: efficient and durable but not fantastic. Those few really great by artist Damion Scott stand out, but there simply was not enough. Scott’s recent issue of Solo shows how impressive he can be, but his art here sticks much closer to a safe comic book style. The colors stand out if only because they are a bit brighter than you usually find in a Batman/Gotham book. Given the more light-hearted tone of the story, though, it isn’t surprising and works well. Jason Wright deserves some props for that, although if his style is normally this bright it’s probably much more suited to his recent Superman Prequel work.
Bottom Line:
Batgirl: Silent Running contains some weak characterization of a popular character and some missed opportunities with Batgirl’s muteness, but overall this is a much more interesting and fun story than it could have been. If you want a nice bit of quick, comic book fun, this is great. But if you’re looking for something that’s deep, drawn or written above average, or necessary to Batman lore, best to keep moving and check somewhere else.
Rating: Decent, but leaf through it before buying it. (3 1/2 out of 5 EvilEyes)
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e3_5.jpg
Ghost Rider #1(An ongoing series)
Reviewed by: Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Daniel Way
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares
Finishes: Mark Texeira
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ghostrider1.jpg
The Spirit of Vengeance with the Johnny Blaze as the host once again takes a fiery ride out of Hell back to Earth. Except this time around it appears that Ghost Rider has become an agent for Satan after being duped into making yet another deal with the Prince of Darkness.
Daniel Way has taken over the reins where Garth Ennis’ mini series, Ghost Rider: Road To Damnation, left off. The storyline of this initial issue isn’t groundbreaking as it presents a predictable situation for the Spirit of Vengeance by the end of the issue. The characterizations and dialogue are nothing special but the artwork by Javier Saltares and Mark Texeria is enjoyable as these two artists were part of the 1990’s Ghost Rider series.
Bottom Line:
The enjoyable artwork couldn’t save the flaccid writing in this initial issue. The story is a bland variation of Ennis’ previous mini series as well as some of the previous Ghost Rider stories. So unless you’re a huge Ghost Rider fan I would stay away from this issue and possibly the series as a whole.
Rating: Only if you're a collector of the series/character. (2 out of 5 EvilEyes).
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e2.jpg
BCBComics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering a ongoing code of “EVERLOST” to be used give an extra 10% off to Evil Avatar readers. In addition a special page ( https://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=340) has been set up by BCBComics to save money on various comics, TPBs, games and toys related to the comics that are reviewed each week.
If you’re already a BCB subscriber you can add any of these items to your pull list and/or the code to save on shipping.
For those who are in need of a friendly, reliable, discounted source for comics, gaming and toys then look no further than BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). They offer comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 30-35% off of cover price (depending on the publisher), all issues are bagged, boarded and offer cheap* shipping on all orders (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details). In addition, the comics featured on BCBcomics home page are 50% off or just $1 if you’re a subscriber.
Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.
Week Twenty-nine:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews – Year 2 - Week 29
Batgirl: Silent Running
Reviewed by: KefkaTaran (Philip Kollar), Associate Editor / Podcast Host
Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Scott Peterson and Kelley Puckett
Penciller: Damion Scott
Inker: Robert Campanella
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: John Costanza
Editors: Darren Vincenzo and Dennis O’Neil
Price: Out of print (available on Amazon Marketplace for as low as $15)
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/batgirl_tpb.jpg
While Batgirl definitely has a very vocal fan base, for a lot of people the character is a hard sell. The character, from the outside at least, seems redundant and uninspired, and indeed she was originally introduced as nothing more than an even younger female Batman, a cousin of the already-introduced Batwoman. Any writer introducing trying to write Batgirl has a hefty load of work in front of them. Of all her various iterations (four as of now), the most recent Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, is probably the most-loved, and Batgirl: Silent Running does a fair job showing why. This trade paperback collects issues 1-6 of the just-ended volume of Batgirl’s first ongoing series.
Even though it begins at issue #1, the book picks up with Cain already under the mask as Batgirl, having taken the position during the “No Man’s Land” event that (literally) shook up the Batman books during the late ‘90s. Nevertheless, writers Peterson and Puckett do a good job of filling in enough of Cain’s back-story to satisfy new readers. Daughter of master assassin David Cain, she is one of the best fighters in the DC universe but also, at first, almost completely mute. This isn’t a medical condition, but rather an after-effect of learning the language of body movements instead of anything vocal. That little bit of comic book genius also explains why she’s such a kick-ass fighter. The unique idea of a mute superhero also lends itself to a couple of really interesting artistic pages where they attempt to show how Cassie “interprets” movement as language.
Unfortunately, this intriguing idea is removed about halfway through the book by way of a ridiculous deus ex machina, the kind that could only occur in a comic book. It’s truly unfortunate that they didn’t try to keep Cain mute for longer and play around with how a character like that could operate in a medium built largely on dialogue. The writers still do a completely serviceable job, and when the character finally gains language (and thus an inner monologue), she’s surprisingly likeable. Confident and cool while remaining mysterious and deadly, she successfully mixes together elements of Batman -- as Oracle says when Batman asks, “Who does she seem most like?”: “actually… YOU” -- and the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl.
Of course the “female Batman” label is exactly the problem Batgirl needs to buck in order to be interesting, as I pointed out at the beginning. Once the lack of language is no longer an issue, the difference between the two becomes slightly harder to notice. With hints that Batgirl could have killed someone as a child, Batman struggles with whether or not to trust her. Despite his insane moral standards, though, there’s never any question whether or not she’s a good guy to the reader getting her inner monologue. In fact, Batman’s questions drives him quite out of character, as he acts awkward, confused, and amazingly sloppy, deciding to simply leave Gotham completely on a silly goose chase. The ease with which he accepts what he finds on that trip does not feel like Batman at all. The story is still interesting and a lot of fun, but these writers obviously weren’t too interested in making a believable Bruce Wayne. The upside is that Batgirl comes out as a far more alluring character. Her assurance contrasts well with Batman’s fumbling hi-jinks in this arc to bring her out on top.
Everything else in this book is pretty similar to the writing: efficient and durable but not fantastic. Those few really great by artist Damion Scott stand out, but there simply was not enough. Scott’s recent issue of Solo shows how impressive he can be, but his art here sticks much closer to a safe comic book style. The colors stand out if only because they are a bit brighter than you usually find in a Batman/Gotham book. Given the more light-hearted tone of the story, though, it isn’t surprising and works well. Jason Wright deserves some props for that, although if his style is normally this bright it’s probably much more suited to his recent Superman Prequel work.
Bottom Line:
Batgirl: Silent Running contains some weak characterization of a popular character and some missed opportunities with Batgirl’s muteness, but overall this is a much more interesting and fun story than it could have been. If you want a nice bit of quick, comic book fun, this is great. But if you’re looking for something that’s deep, drawn or written above average, or necessary to Batman lore, best to keep moving and check somewhere else.
Rating: Decent, but leaf through it before buying it. (3 1/2 out of 5 EvilEyes)
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e3_5.jpg
Ghost Rider #1(An ongoing series)
Reviewed by: Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Daniel Way
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares
Finishes: Mark Texeira
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/ghostrider1.jpg
The Spirit of Vengeance with the Johnny Blaze as the host once again takes a fiery ride out of Hell back to Earth. Except this time around it appears that Ghost Rider has become an agent for Satan after being duped into making yet another deal with the Prince of Darkness.
Daniel Way has taken over the reins where Garth Ennis’ mini series, Ghost Rider: Road To Damnation, left off. The storyline of this initial issue isn’t groundbreaking as it presents a predictable situation for the Spirit of Vengeance by the end of the issue. The characterizations and dialogue are nothing special but the artwork by Javier Saltares and Mark Texeria is enjoyable as these two artists were part of the 1990’s Ghost Rider series.
Bottom Line:
The enjoyable artwork couldn’t save the flaccid writing in this initial issue. The story is a bland variation of Ennis’ previous mini series as well as some of the previous Ghost Rider stories. So unless you’re a huge Ghost Rider fan I would stay away from this issue and possibly the series as a whole.
Rating: Only if you're a collector of the series/character. (2 out of 5 EvilEyes).
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e2.jpg