East of West #3 – Review

By: Jonathan Hickman (Writer), Nick Dragotta (Artist), Frank Martin (Colorist)

The Story: Turns out Death fell in love with a woman, one that is still alive and that he wants to see again. However, the Chinese might have something to say about that…

The Review: There are several types of reading experiences. There are some that are direct in their approach to things, giving uncomplicated, yet inventive and exciting concepts that fuels the imagination in ways that are stimulating, like many superheroes comics (though not all). There are also some that are much more complicated and intricate in their revelation of information, giving us a few hints and letting their world and characters slowly suck you in as you get invested in the bigger questions that the book leaves for the reader to figure out.

East of West, in many ways, is close to the very definition of the latter type. While there are many more ways to interpret a reading experience, this book is one that rewards those that pay attention and allow for speculation for the readers. How did things turn out this way? Why is Death in love with this woman? What kind of powers does he actually possess? What his is agenda and for the matter what is the agenda of his siblings? Those are but a few questions that Hickman leaves for us readers to ponder on as we read and discover this world he has created and fleshed out with three issues so far.

Invincible #68 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooton (letters)

The Story: Dinosaurus attacks, Mark meets Eve’s parents, and several old foes of Invincible’s consolidate for their next big attack.

What’s Good: Well, you certainly can’t get on this issue for lack of plot progression.  This is a very brisk read literally jam-packed with action, humor, and happenings.  After last month’s dry affair, it’s also a breath of fresh air.

The issue’s generally strong because it hinges on the chemistry between Mark and Eve, which has been one of the bedrocks of the series for some time now.  Their affection, compatibility, and mutual understanding have always been well done, and this month is no different.  The two fit together as well as ever and their conversations are always a smooth, comfortable read.

Kirkman expands that dynamic outward this month, as Mark meets Eve’s parents.  What ensues is well-executed comedy that’ll definitely bring a smile to your face.  This comes largely thanks to Kirkman’s portrayal of Eve’s father.  The guy’s just the right combination of antiquated patriarchy and unnerving masculine perversion.  Kirkman essentially takes the “man’s home is his castle” complex to its most appalling heights, and it’s hard not to laugh, particularly when it comes to Ottley’s illustration of Mark’s reaction.

Of course, like any of Kirkman’s more dense issues, this book plants a number of very large seeds that impact the comic as a whole.  Mark hints at his more murderous Viltrumite side in a way that’ll have you wondering “what if” and the issue ends with a MASSIVE bombshell that’ll change the landscape of this series for the foreseeable future, if not forever.  Meanwhile, the plots with Conquest and those damned sequids also see substantial developments.

Ryan Ottley delivers the exact same quality we’ve come to expect out of Invincible.  That said, what takes this book over his average affair is the battle with Dinosaurus.  While Plascencia’s colors are clearly a boon, the giant red dino just looks absolutely awesome.  Having a fight with a giant dinosaur always rates high on the awesome scale, and Ottley makes the most of it.

What’s Not So Good: With so much stuff packed into 22 pages, the pacing of this issue was just all over the map.  The last portion of the issue was simply a string of unrelated major developments with absolutely no real attempt to segue between them.  It was more or less a series of completely isolated and detached two page scenes.

The mood of the book also suffers due to this hectic structuring.  With most of the issue being written in a light, comic tone, Kirkman’s failing to segue to his major developments makes the experience feel fairly jarring and off-putting.  For instance, the massive shocker at the end of the book is of a massively different tone from the pages before it, and it’s hard not to feel like you’ve been pitched a ball from left field.

Also, while I liked Oliver’s new costume this month, what the hell happened to him?  While it’s good to see Oliver finally grow older, I feel like we’ve experienced a sudden five-year leap between issues.  I’m sure Kirkman will use Oliver’s heritage as an out, but that doesn’t stop this from feeling lazy and off-putting.

Conclusion: The book’s pacing is a bit of a mess, but the strength of its characters and the sheer number of developments in its pages more than makes up for that.

Grade: B

-Alex Evans

 

Invincible #65 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors)

The Story: An epilogue to the Conquest arc sees relationships solidified and a preview of threats to come.

What’s Good: This issues serves as something of a breather after the back to back hell-rides that were the Invincible War and the Conquest arc.  Given the non-stop emotional and physical destruction that has been wreaking havoc both on our characters and their world, I suppose an issue like this really was a necessity, as things needed to be slowed down a bit.

As always, Kirkman shows that Invincible’s greatest strength has always been its infectious characters and their decidedly human relationships.  The increased tenderness, comfort, and intimacy between Mark and Eve is enjoyable, as is the heated revelation of the guilt Mark’s mother Debbie feels regarding his injuries.  Both dynamics feel very real.

Kirkman does a good job in this issue, sewing things up.  Rex’s funeral was oddly touching and humorous, with Robot both giving a eulogy and tearfully listening to his own speech from the audience.  It was nice to see Rex’s growth recognized; as Kirkman does a good job of demonstrating the value of the character.

On art, the all-star team of Ottley, Rathburn, and Plascencia continues to be one of the best in comics today, with each man shining in his own right as always.  Several frames are memorable here, particularly the interrupted kiss between Eve and Mark (flying spittle included) and the positively geriatric-looking Invincible at the funeral.

What’s Not So Good: Unfortunately, while this issue is necessary pace-wise, as a single-issue there’s only so high a grade that I can give a purely transitional issue.  In fact, while the little character moments are solid, a good chunk of this issue reads like a Geoff Johns-like preview of things to come over the next year.  All look interesting, particularly the idea that Eve may not have done a perfect reconstruction job, but that doesn’t change the fact that this book serves only as a preview.  Aside from reminding us of still-active elements or informing us of new issues now in play, there isn’t really any forward movement on any of these strands.

Indeed, there are so many future storylines being hinted at here that it would be impossible for any of us to see development this month, so as a result, you get an issue that at times feels scattered, or at least thinly-spread.  Two strands that will probably come to carry entire arcs are only given a single page each.  It seems that this month, Kirkman was more content to reassure that he has a lot left for the series than actually putting out a fully satisfying comic book.

Conclusion: Some solid character moments in what is otherwise a 22-page preview. Nevertheless, it still manages to tantalize.

Grade: B –

-Alex Evans

Invincible #64 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooten (letters)

The Story: The fight with Conquest comes to its bloody end while a certain character makes his/her shocking return.

What’s Good: Once again, Kirkman brings the brutality. While it’s actually not as hard to read as last month’s issue, Kirkman still shows no mercy, delivering possibly the most vicious headbutting I have ever seen in a comic. He also writes a fantastically vengeful Mark, as it becomes all the more apparent that the angrier Mark gets, the more he sounds like the Viltrumites he opposes.

Kirkman also does a fantastic job of further developing Conquest, who almost shows a kind of vulnerability as he is forced to begin to take Mark seriously. His last line of the issue was brilliant, fully encapsulating what the character is all about: live or die, it doesn’t really matter; it’s all about enjoying the violence.

Ottley, Rathburn, and Plascencia may very well be the best overall art team in comics today, with every man enhancing the work of the others while also shining in his own right. Beautiful, glorious splashes meet dynamic panel layouts with violence that makes you feel every hit. The real achievement on art this month, however, is Ottley’s work depicting facial expressions. He hits every note absolutely perfectly in displaying each character’s respective emotions. Indeed, often times Ottley’s drawings of his characters faces actually do a better job of telling the story than Kirkman’s writing. From the tearful, bloodied Mark, to Conquest’s expression as Mark surprises/ impresses him, this is a masterclass by Ottley, who is the real star this month.

Of course, one can’t discuss this issue without a quick word on the huge swerve Kirkman drops on us this month.  It works especially well given Kirkman’s track record, which would not at all lead you to expect this (and perhaps  makes it more acceptable).  Most fans should be happy with it as it creates a touching moment at the end of the book that almost made my eyes water.

What’s Not So Good: Some fans, however, may find the swerve a bit irritating.  Kirkman has always been treading a thin line with his plot developments, occasionally being guilty of throwing twists out there purely for their shock value. Some may accuse him of that this month, and while I ultimately find this issue satisfying, they may not be entirely wrong. I also can’t help but lament a little over this development, which basically stops the book from going down the darker path that I thought it would. It does provide a heartfelt moment, but one can’t help but ponder the lost opportunities.

Perhaps most criminal, however, is how fast a read this book is. Ottley’s work is incredible, but I can’t emphasize how quickly this book flies by. If you thought last month was lightning, this month is even faster. It really is over before you know it.

Conclusion: About as fast a read as you can get, but definitely a good one.

Grade: B+

-Alex Evans

Invincible #63 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inker), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooton (letters)

The Story: Invincible’s battle with Conquest continues with devastating consequences.

What’s Good:  This is a brutal, brutal issue; it’s actually difficult to read at points.  This is clearly the “Walking Dead” Kirkman at work here.  Everything is just so damned visceral as Kirkman holds nothing back on the violence front.  This is one of the nastiest superpowered beatdowns that I have ever read, with every hit Mark sustains being cringe-worthy.  Of course, this brutality isn’t limited to Invincible; Oliver’s beating is very hard to watch.  Bones break, teeth fly, and faces are turned into hamburger.

That said, let’s cut to the chase: someone dies in this issue.  It comes almost out of nowhere and again, regardless of the character and his/her popularity, Kirkman has no mercy.  The character dies in blood-splattered, crushing fashion.  Again, it’s not only hard to watch, but frankly hard to believe that Kirkman would actually have the balls to have one of his characters go out like that, face destroyed beyond recognition, Conquest’s fist bursting through his/her torso.  It’s a shocker.

I can’t overemphasize how much of a gut-punch this death was.  Not only is it a shocker strong enough to make even the most cynical reader’s jaw drop, but it also is a kick to the emotional stomach.  It is such a surprise and the manner in which it happens is unbelievable.  This is the closest thing Invincible has ever had to the infamous “prison massacre” issue of Walking Dead-fame.

The end result legitimizes Conquest as a scary, scary dude.  Comics often try for the “can anyone stop him?!” reaction that it has become so clichéd, so impossible to achieve, and yet through the gut-punch mentioned above (pun unfortunately intended), Kirkman manages to pull it off.  Conquest is just an utter psychopath, perhaps the most intimidating figure to ever inhabit a Kirkman comic.  He’s a  hard-nosed, almost instructive Viltrumite elder and yet he’s also a homicidal sadist.   The double page spread of Conquest, covered in blood, speaking to Mark after killing the above mentioned character will forever haunt me.

The art for this comic is unreal.  The gore is amazing, the level of destruction awe-inspiring, and the emotion present in the characters’ faces well-done.  This issue was clearly a real challenge to draw, and Ottley was definitely up to it.  I also can’t get over what an asset colorist FCO Plascencia has been to Invincible.  Since joining the team, it’s as though Invincible has “gone HD.”  Plascencia manages to make this issue feel like a high-budget blockbuster.

What’s Not So Good: The death in this issue was so indescribably devastating, that I almost wish it didn’t happen.  Do I think Kirkman made the wrong decision?  No, I don’t, but I’m definitely not without regret.  As you can probably tell, this isn’t really criticism on my part.  Really, it just shows how effective the death really was.  It wasn’t a misstep by Kirkman, but it was just so heart-rending.

Conclusion: One of the best single issues of Invincible, this is without a doubt the biggest shocker/development since Omni-Man revealed his true nature.  The series seems to be ready to take a darker turn, and I’m all for it.  I’m just not sure if I’m emotionally prepared for what’s to come.

Grade: A

-Alex Evans