Comic Book Review - Week of 01/24/07

X-Factor #15

Writer: Peter David
Artist: Pablo Raimondi

It seems that with the second year of X-Factor, the title has lost most of its noir feel and gone into more comedy/action/tragedy territory. In other words, all the pathos of a good X-Men book, but with plenty of room for laughs. It's also a plus that the funny comes from smart dialogue and creative resolution, rather than shtick (see classic Excalibur).

Take the most recent issue #15 for example. Jamie is brainwashed by use of some rather creepy dream imagery. His guilt over his parents' death is manifested in them tying him to a fence, beating him and telling him that he's a bad boy. How Jamie overcomes this brainwashing process is hilarious and makes sense.

The other plotline in this issue involves Monet and Terry dealing with anti-mutant protesters in France. I liked the fact that Terry decides not to resist arrest from the police because it would send a message that super powered being think that they are above the law. This also reflects the recent events in the Marvel Universe, as a result of Civil War. By the end of the issue Monet makes her own political statement with great comedic effect.

X-Factor has recaptured the comic book reading joy of my youth. There are over arcing story threads but plenty of "in issue" subplots. More than most titles, this one seems not to be overly concerned with "writing for the trade". Also, all the characters are very realized with distinct and complex personalities. Kudos to writer Peter David and artist Pablo Raimondi for delivering a great product every month, on time.

Overall: A

Captain America: Winter Soldier - Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Steve Epting & Michael Lark

Volume One collects issues 1 – 7 of the current series.
Volume Two collects issues 8 – 9 & 11 – 14 of the current series.

I’ve read Captain America titles (as well as his appearances in the Avengers) on and off for the last twenty years, but this has to be the best Cap story I’ve ever read. Ed Brubaker has crafted a tale that honors Cap’s WWII past and at the same time delivers a modern day tale of action and emotion. Steve Rogers is presented as good man that is proud of the work he does, but still feels responsible for the loss of his best friend back during the war. Though most regular comic book fans know the big reveal of this storyline, I don’t want to go into much detail in case anyone who isn’t informed wants to read it. Let’s just say that if they made a Captain America movie that establishes the character’s origin, this would have to be the sequel.

I must mention the artwork by Steve Epting and Michael Lark. Epting has a photo realistic style that still lends itself to artistic creativity. He has a great balance of reality and dynamic line work. Also, his environments are not blank walls; the bodies are physically in the rooms he draws. Over the thirteen issues collected in the volume, the layout of Cap’s apartment remains the same. Epting apparently has it all laid out; this allows us to become familiar with it when Cap returns to it, lending even more to a sense of reality. Michael Lark provides pencils for few issues and is smartly utilized during the flashbacks. This lets the reader know that we are witnessing a different place and time, without taking us out of the story.

Don’t be afraid of the name Captain America. This is not a flag-waving nationalistic propaganda piece. It is a story of a very strong person that still has his emotional vulnerabilities. These two volumes are great reads and can be appreciated by both longtime fans, as well as those new to the character.

Overall: A+