Comic Book Reviews - Week of 2/28/07

Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.

X-Factor #16
Writer: Peter David
Penciler: Pablo Raimondi

Jamie Maddrox continues to track down his missing duplicates. This issue he finds one that has become a priest in an Episcopal Church. What further complicates the matter is the fact that “John Maddox” has a wife and young son. This sets up a wonderfully scripted dilemma where Jamie and John both have legitimate arguments for what they individually want/need. Peter David continues to expand and develop Madrox with each issue in complex and entertaining ways.

The b-story is a continuation of last issues’ “Terry and Monet in France” subplot. It shows what lengths Monet is willing to go help her people. It’s a strange mix of extremes. She’s willing to crucify a man that fire bombed, thereby killing, a building full of mutants, then takes in a girl orphaned as a result of this atrocity. Terry pretty much plays the role of counterpoint here, pointing out the possible consequences of Monet’s actions.

Also, a mystery figure in the shadows appears to be stalking the young women. He even goes as far as disappears the police that are pursuing them, as they are about to fly out of France. Due to the red, glowing eyes, my money is on Gambit or Sinister. I also have the sneaking suspicion that this will be resolved in this summer’s crossover with Uncanny, New, and Adjectiveless.
Overall: A

Speaking of Adjectiveless…

X-Men #196
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Humberto Ramos

This is the third and final part of the “Primary Infection” story arc. Thankfully, Mike Carey’s arcs bleed into each other more naturally than most current Marvel titles, giving the title a more old school feel, though not going as far as X-Factor. Unfortunately, this is probably the weakest issue of Carey’s run. It’s by no means horrible and most of the fault does not lie with Carey. My biggest grievances are with penciler Humberto Ramos… again.

The big boobs and exaggerated figures are still here. In addition, the storytelling quality of the art has really dropped off from the last two issues. What makes this even more infuriating is that this is the “big battle issue” and it’s really heard sometimes to tell what’s going on. Well, Ramos is gone next issue and the more visually pleasing, yet equally difficult to follow, Chris Bachelo returns. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Humberto Ramos on Adjectiveless X-Men; I have feeling he’ll be back for issue #200.

As for the story, it was okay. The way the Pan was defeated was kind of neat and it looks like Rogue is going to have a hard way to go for a little bit. Part of me fears another reboot of her powers, but if it ends in her returning to the high-flying, super strong, invulnerable, sassy Rogue we haven’t seen in about six years, I will be extremely happy.
Overall: C

Green Lantern #17
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciler: Ivan Reis

Ever since the DC superhero titles made the “One Year Later” jump, this book has been a thousand times better than before. Geoff Johns set up several plot threads in issue #10, the first issue after the great leap forward, and has been paying them off over the following seven issues. Unfortunately, this title is pretty much on a bi-monthly schedule even though it’s labeled as a monthly. On the bright side, Ivan Reis has been able to draw all eight issues and he gets better with each one. He is very much in the vain of Alan Davis and Bryan Hitch. I guess DC is finally convinced of his ability, because they actually let him draw the cover for once.

The “Wanted: Hal Jordan” story arc comes to a close with this issue. The resolution of the Amon Sur portion of the story is wonderful and it set’s up a future arc that I’m really chomping at the bit to read. I can’t wait for the Sinestro Corps to make their appearance. Apparently, that storyline will crossover into Green Lantern Corps, as well. The idea of the yellow Sinestro ring choosing Batman as this sectors representative was great. The reasoning for his being able to reject it was set up nicely a while back, too.
Overall: A-

Runaways #24
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Penciler: Adrian Alphona

For eighteen issues of the first volume of Runaways and twenty-four of the present one, Brian K. Vaughn has been providing a fun, original and exciting batch of stories. After this issue, he is leaving the series, and apparently Adrian Alphona with him. But, Marvel has found a great replacement, at least for the next six issues, in Joss Whedon. All is not lost, but thanks anyway, Brian and Alphona; it’s been a hell of fun ride for forty-two issues and this last one is no exception.
Issue #24: A- The Entire Forty-Two Issue Run: A