The Order #9 – Review

By Matt Fraction (writer), Barry Kitson (breakdowns), Javier Salteres (pencils), Stefano Gaudiano & Derek Fridolfs (inks), J. Robers (colors)

The last few issues have been building towards this fight. With one issue to go, it’s The Order versus a plethora of bad guys, lead by Ezekiel Stane (son of Obadiah Stane). What he has in store for our band of west coast heroes ain’t pretty, either. As usual, the beginning of each issue focuses on one of The Order’s team members. This issue gives us Heavy’s backstory, which Matt Fraction writes as a tragic one. It’s also clever how he connects Heavy and Tony Stark’s origins together.

As for the big fight itself, it felt obligatory (honestly, there was no way to avoid it), and just wasn’t very exciting. Even the planning that lead up to it felt “by the numbers”. I realize this issue’s Heavy’s story, but putting him in charge of the team for this mission didn’t seem to make much of a tactical difference. He mentions strength in numbers, and they take an “alternate” route the to bad guy’s base, but other than that, we don’t see any of his battlefield prowess at all.

Remember when Barry Kitson actually drew this book? Me too. It’s a complete bummer we’re at the next to last issue of the series and Kitson’s finished pencils are still sorely missed. Sure, he does the layouts and Javier Saltares does a competent job on finishes, but this is Kitson’s book as far as I’m concerned. Not seeing him ride this book into the sunset is just disheartening. I hate to say it, but this is the first issue of The Order I’ve been disappointed with. The story finishes strong with a sad moment for the team, but everything that happens prior to that is a yawn fest. Please guys, don’t let this book go to the crapper with your last issue. (Grade: C-)

– J. Montes

The Order #8 – Review

By Matt Fraction (writer), Barry Kitson (breakdowns & finishes), Stegano Guadiano, Paul Neary & Jon Sibal (finishes), J. Roberts (colors)

The Order’s left with three issues to go and Matt Fraction is wasting no time tying up loose ends. One again, the story is well written and full of wit. Barry Kitson and company also do a bang up job on art chores. With all these people working on art, you’d think it’d be a mess, but it’s surprisingly consistent. Still, I wonder why it’s becoming harder and harder for Kitson to finish a full issue.

We’re finally shown the outcome of Supernaut and Aralune’s predicament after two issues of suspense. How it’s handled is pretty inventive, but the real kicker is the mastermind behind their attempted apprehension. This revelation gives a lot more relevance to Iron Man’s presence in the book. I’m sure this is all going to build up to issue #10 (just in time for Iron Man’s movie debut), but it’s definitely worth looking forward to.

Meanwhile, Mulholland’s incarceration by the Black Dahlias takes somewhat of a backseat even though it’s prominently featured on the cover.  In fact, the cover is somewhat misleading – The Order does not come to rescue her at all! Perhaps last minute script changes are to blame. Either way, the scenes we’re given of her are shocking (no pun intended), especially near the end of the issue. There is an absence of certain members of the ensemble, but it, in no way, detracts from the story.

It’s gonna be sad seeing this book go. Other than the Runaways, Marvel has no west coast team books and that’s a shame. When you consider the quality of this book, there’s not too many others that have a roster this fleshed out or this likable. (Grade: B)

– J. Montes