Scarlet HC- Graphic Novel Review

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Art by Alex Maleev

Story: Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
–John F. Kennedy 

The Review: Certain names you hear together and you can almost hear an angel get her wings…or a fiery redhead get a sniper rifle. Such names are Bendis and Maleev. When those two work together, you know something special is going to happen (okay, I haven’t read Moon Knight yet, but I have faith). Their Daredevil run is legendary, and shadowed only by Frank Miller’s. They’re like David Cronenberg and Viggo Morteneson—one brings out the best in the other. In Scarlet, the dynamic between these two creators is amazing. And for one of the most ambitious series I’ve seen in years, that is extremely important.

Kick-Ass #6 – Review

By Mark Millar (Writer), John Romita Jr. (Art), Tom Palmer (Inks), and Dean White (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve enjoyed the hell out of Kick-Ass so far. The concept is rock solid, the characters are engaging, and the situations that drive the story forward successfully straddle the line between gloriously over-the-top and uncomfortably realistic. However, and this is a big “however,” that doesn’t mean that I can simply ignore the disappointingly long wait between issues. It’s not only frustrating as a reader (and fan), but also downright irritating as a reviewer because the wait just adds another factor I must consider when writing about and grading each new chapter of the series.

The Story: The origin of Hit-Girl and Big Daddy is revealed in the latest issue of Kick-Ass. In addition, Hit-Girl asks Kick-Ass and the Red Mist to join them on their next night out. Is a new superhero team in the works?

What’s Good: As usual, Kick-Ass delivers in a way that only Kick-Ass can. Though it’s not necessarily in the way that you might expect. That said, the latest issue of the series still has all the nerd-fantasy graphic violence, John Romita Jr. artwork, hip/lewd Mark Millar dialogue, and cool ideas that you pick up the series to experience. Because let’s face it, that’s the stuff that makes you a better person. But it’s the relationship between Hit-Girl and Big Daddy that makes the book linger in the mind. Both disturbing and incredibly sweet, the relationship is able to help the team’s origin story transcend it’s more generic elements.

What’s Not So Good: The sixth chapter of Kick-Ass requires some serious suspension of disbelief. While I have no real problem with that, it is bound to irritate some readers. Couple that with Millar’s (occasionally annoying) idealized dialogue (would Hit-Girl really be ready with a Silver Age quip?) and you have one divisive comic.

Another thing that I must mention is that I can’t really decide on whether Kick-Ass #6 was worth the wait or not, especially considering how fast it reads. The brisk pace does a nice job of moving the plot along and delivering information, but it also makes the ending hit like a brick wall. Sure it’s a pretty solid cliff-hanger, but what good is a cliff hanger if all the momentum is lost while waiting on the next issue?

Conclusion: Kick-Ass #6 isn’t really going to change any minds about the series, but it delivers for the fans. And that’s what matters most sometimes.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Incognito #3 – Review

Ed Brubaker (writer), Sean Phillips (artist), Val Staples (colorist)

Story:

Zack Overkill is in a tight spot. As an unwilling participant in a witness protection program for villains, he’s having a hard time reconciling the liberties and excitement of his old life for the doldrums of his beige, office-filled existence. But since he’s been getting his powers back, things have changed – and not for the better. His so-called friend is mooching off his abilities, his parole officer’s pissed, and worst of all; his old boss, The Black Death, has agents on his trail.

And now, of all times, is when that “friend” wants him to go rob a bank, or else he’ll let everybody know who Zack really is…

The Good:

There’s good, and there’s loads of it. Brubaker’s writing, which has always found the balance between descriptive and evocative, finds a certain strength in combining his two passions – noir and superheroes – into a single project. The characters are amusing, intriguing, and, most of all, relatable, but to a stronger extent; many of us’ve had a fantasy of watching a maligned workplace burn to a cinder, but Zack Overkill could actually do it. And it pains him that he’s forced to work there, to troll around like a regular shmoe in a shit job, when he could be doing so much more.

The art from Phillips is phenomenal. As seen in his run on Criminal with Brubaker, he draws characters with personality and clarity. There’s distinction, perspective, and a certain stylization that makes everything easier to deal with – which makes the story that much more engrossing. His gritty style is a perfect setting for the story, and even with rayguns abounding, these elements come across as cool, rather than trite.

Val Staples brings a strong, savvy style of coloring that plays well with contrast and effect. It’s a great match for Phillips’s pencils, and is that third, truly crucial piece to bringing Brubaker’s words to life – because not only does it bring life, but it also brings personality to the pages. And when coloring can do that, you’ve really hit the nail on the head.

The Bad:

It’s very hard to find anything bad or disappointing about this book. It’s a cool, fast, fun, easy read with multiple layers to it. The colors are spot on, the art is great, and the writing is a perfect fit. If you can find something wrong with it, I’d imagine you’re trying far too hard. But, I do have one complaint – we were kept waiting almost two months between issue two and issue three. Brubaker apologizes profusely in the back of the book, saying that “from here on in, we should be monthly for the rest of the series and then we’re going right into the next run of Criminal, with no break this time.”

…I suppose we can cut you a little slack, because you two really delivered with this issue, and hopefully, the rest of the series.

Grade : A

Incognito #1 – Review

By Ed Brubaker (Writer), Sean Phillips (Art), and Val Staples (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: While I’d really rather not add another series to the old pull list, I couldn’t possibly ignore something new from the Criminal team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. From concept to creative team, Incognito has all the right pieces to be a winner. That said, the series definitely has a bit of baggage to shed considering both the high bar set by Criminal and the hype that surrounds the project in general.

The Story: Serving as both a character introduction and an origin story, Incognito #1 introduces the reader to Zack Andersen, a man that was once known as Zack Overkill, one-half of the super-villain team called the Overkill Brothers. You see, Zack is now taking part in a criminal rehabilitation program set up to help captured super-villains reintegrate into society so that they can function “normally” thanks to a steady job and a side of power muting drugs. Zack doesn’t like his new lot in life all that much and, in the midst of a downward spiral involving drugs and ruminations about the nature of life and society, he decides to do something about it.

What’s Good: I really like the concepts and society on display in Incognito #1 and the overall tone of the book. Villains almost always prove to be compelling when given center stage and Zack Overkill is no exception. And while it’s a bit early to discuss the strength of the story, there are some interesting plot threads developed throughout the book that will definitely keep me around for at least another chapter or two.

On a technical level, the debut of Incognito impresses for the most part. The artwork by Sean Phillips is well-done and complimented almost perfectly by some stylish color work, courtesy of Val Staples. As for the writing, Brubaker effectively captures the personality and mindset of Zack Overkill through just the right mix of dialogue and narration.

What’s Not So Good: For as much as I like Brubaker’s handling of Zack Overkill, the character still comes across as a bit tired and cliché. In all honesty, I found the society being featured far more engaging that any particular aspect of the main character. Also worth noting is that a few scenes seem to lack a final layer of artistic polish, though I’m not entirely sure whether it is a problem with the artwork or the colors.

Conclusion: Incognito #1 is an interesting enough start to what should be a fun, dark series. While not quite as exciting as I had hoped, the issue contains enough hooks to keep me around for the near future. Besides, I expect things to improve quite a bit once Brubaker reveals more of Zack Overkill’s world and the characters that inhabit it.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny