Broken Trinity: Aftermath – Review

“Paying Debts” – By Ron Marz (Writer), Jorge Lucas (Art), and Felix Serrano (Colors)

“Lessons” – By Bryan Edward Hill (Writer), Tyler Kirkham (Pencils), Sal Regla (Inks), and John Starr (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Broken Trinity, the action-packed event that promised to shake things up the Top Cow universe, proved to be a very solid piece of entertainment. While the storyline ultimately did little more than introduce two new characters and set the stage for an epic fight, the spectacular visuals by Stjepan Sejic made the event worth investing in. In addition, the new characters were interesting enough to be considered worthy additions to the Witchblade/Darkness mythos. I looked forward to seeing more of them. That’s where Broken Trinity: Aftermath comes in…

The Story: “Paying Debts” tells the story of Finn’s rescue of/ reunion with Jackie Estacado (The Darkness). It also sets Finn’s story truly in motion as he talks with Jackie about his newfound power and the information he’s learned. “Lessons” is about Glorianna’s situation following the Broken Trinity battle and what the future may hold for her and her power.

The Good and The Not So Good: As a whole, Broken Trinity: Aftermath works quite well. Short, but sweet, both stories in Aftermath do a nice job of better establishing the characters in charge of the recently introduced ice and fire artifacts. And really, that’s all they need to do. I really look forward to seeing more of the characters in the future (though I’m not sure how much more of Glorianna there is to show…I’ll get to that in a moment). Now, onto the technical stuff…

“Paying Debts” is the more enjoyable read of the two thanks to the way Ron Marz handles Finn. As he did during Broken Trinity, Finn comes across as an extremely likable guy who knows he’s in over his head but is more than willing to make the best of it. Heck, even when killing people as a ice giant, Finn’s personality manages to make an impact. If Finn’s story has a low point, it’s that the visual’s don’t really sync up all that well to the character. While the dark, gritty style works initially, it’s mostly unfit for handling Finn’s ice giant form. With the exception of a striking panel or two, the visuals of the ice giant disappoint.

“Lessons” is told almost entirely through the attractive visuals, but the dialogue that is there proves to be rather compelling in regards to Glorianna’s place in the Top Cow universe. Now as for those visuals…well they mostly involve Glorianna being naked. Before you roll your eyes, the nakedness does fit the story and contributes to one extremely impressive full page shot of her naked body in the center of a giant dragon outline in the melted snow to kick things off. That said, it still comes across as rather gratuitous.

Conclusion: Broken Trinity: Aftermath is a worthy addition to any Top Cow fan’s collection. While the stories included in the one-shot are short, they are each worth a look. Especially considering that Finn and Glorianna may be major players in the universe sooner rather than later.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Kick-Ass #3 – Review

By Mark Millar (writer), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Dean White (colors)

Just when I thought this book might be falling a bit too comfortable with itself, Mark Millar (and John Romita Jr.) shock the hell out of me. The first half of this book covers the worldly reaction to Dave’s last costumed outing where he dispatched a thuggish group of Puerto Ricans. He revels in the spotlight in secret while trying to keep his normal persona as grounded as possible.

Because there’s no real way to hide the damage his body takes, Dave takes the impression that his schoolmates think he’s the kind of hardened soul who refuses to ever go down in a mugging. Even the girl he’s fond of, Katie, seems to have taken a liking to him. But when word reaches Dave’s ear that everyone thinks he’s a poor gay boy who’s beaten for sex every other night, he uses it to his advantage, playing upon Katie’s sympathies.

The first half of this book feels like it’s going through the motions of the previous issue. We know it’s eventually going to build to something, but we, like Dave, have to keep things real by day before we can go play at night. And it’s not that these “out of costume” scenes are boring, we’re just dying to see what happens to our hero next. This build up and anticipation once again serve the book in spades as we are eventually presented with one of the most shocking moments we may ever see in a comic book. I mean, really – I knew that coming into this series we’d get some hard-edged violence, but what happens in the last five pages of this book will make you gasp, wince, and drop your jaw to the floor. It affected me so much that I grabbed Daniel (the other WCBR editor) out of his room and made him see these pages for himself (to which he ran away screaming about spoilers)! I’m an evil bastard.

I remember listing to an interview with John Romita Jr. saying how he had to be careful with what he did with this series because of his relationship with Marvel. I’m guessing he threw that all out the window with this issue, because not only is this (most likely) the first time I’ve ever seen nudity from Romita Jr., but the scale of violence on display here is off the charts. I honestly never knew he had it in him, and it’s great to see him break out of his standard mold.

Just when I thought I’d be safe and happily entertained with this book, Mr. Millar throws a huge monkey wrench into the story. And yet, what happens to Dave seems so obvious, as if we should have seen it coming. This one really pushes the envelope. It’s also one of the few comics that have made me yell, “Oh shit!” out loud. Kick-Ass is, dare I say it, treading into Garth Ennis territory now. (Grade: A)

A Second Opinion

Let me just say that I am not against something featuring a bit of the old fashioned ultra-violence. In fact, if put in the right context, I believe some graphic violence can serve a story well by creating a special kind of emotional or gut-level response to the action taking place. I say this because the final pages of Kick-Ass #3 shock in a way that both serves and elevates an already compelling story. Simply put, Millar and Romita Jr. have taken Kick-Ass, and, dare I say, comics in general, to an entirely new level with their brutal, controversial, and uncompromising vision.

I am extremely pleased with Millar’s writing for this issue, as main character Dave finally feels like a sympathetic character worth rooting for. While I had been enjoying this series, especially the concept, I never really had any emotional attachment to Dave. Millar has finally given me a reason to care for Dave as he is given some much needed complexity and depth that adds a lot to the story. If I have one small complaint, and it is indeed very small, it is that occasionally it feels as though some of the edginess is a bit forced.

As for the art, there really isn’t a whole lot I can add to what was already said in the main review. John Romita Jr. knocks this one out of the park. The violence actually brought to mind The Walking Dead, which is always a good thing. I always wondered what that series would look like in color and now I have a pretty good idea. As for the characters, expressions are spot on and, as weird as this sounds, I never realized how much well drawn eyes can bring to a story. The level of emotion Romita Jr. conveys through the eyes alone is pretty incredible. As for pacing, the action from panel to panel is spot on, whether things are slow or hectic. In short, this is some pretty great stuff.

What more can I say? Kick-Ass #3 steps things up in every possible way and I really couldn’t be much happier with the result. Pick this one up. (Grade A)

-Kyle Posluszny

Titans #1 – Review

By Judd Winick (writer), Ian Churchill (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks), Edgar Delgado (colors)

I’m not the most well-versed person when it comes to DC lore, so it’s always been intimidating for me to jump on a book. Thankfully, Judd Winick has made Titans #1 an accessible book for just about anyone who’s never picked up a Teen Titans book (like me). Not only is the book easy to follow, its roster and supporting cast are the kind you’ll find yourself soon acquainted with. It also helps that there are staples like Batman, Nightwing, and Starfire around to bring some familiarity to those completely in the dark (like me).

With this first issue, we’re treated to the roster (including past members), one at a time. We get narratives from each character as they carry on with their daily lives. They’re all scattered throughout the country, but instead of someone going door to door to bring the team together, each one of them suffers a series of assaults by (some incredibly drawn) monstrous creatures. This chain of events forces the Titans to band together and solve the mystery of who is behind the attacks. My only question is why is this Part 2 of “The Fickle Hand” storyline? Am I missing something? Where’s Part 1? And why would anyway make a first issue the second part of a storyline?!

As simple as the story sounds, it’s really the way it’s put together that makes it so polished. Winick has done a sound job of keeping me entertained throughout, and Ian Churchill’s art is excellent. Now, I’m not Churchill’s biggest fan, but the way he conveys action – more notably a scene in the beginning with Robin escaping from an exploding building and sliding down an adjacent skyscraper – is just brilliant. And did I mention that this guy can draw monsters! Holy cow, someone bring back the pre-hero Tales of Suspense and put Churchill on the book! Colorist Edgar Delgado also deserves a lot of credit for making this book pop. The colors he lays down on the fish creature that attacks Starfire are utterly amazing.

Anyway, if I haven’t convinced you to pick up this book on the art alone, give it a shot regardless. This is a good debut book that keeps the estranging of new readers to a minimum, and it’s a lot of fun to boot. This is how Marvel should have done Young X-Men #1… but anyway…(Grade: B+)

– J. Montes

Northlanders #3 – Review

By Brian Wood (writer), Davide Gianfelce (art), Dave McCaig (colors)

The third time’s a charm is what some say. Sometimes you just strike out, is what I say. After reading through the first two issues of Northlanders, I was ready to give up on the series. It’s full of unlikeable characters, awful dialogue, and a plot that’ll make you yawn. Yet, I decided to give this series one last chance before passing it off. After all, Brian Wood is just too talented to not give a benefit of a doubt.

I was wrong. Northlanders #3, while not as dreadful as the previous two issues, just doesn’t contain enough substance for me to spend my money on. Perhaps this 8-part story will be better served as a trade paperback, but on a monthly scale, it’s a waste of money. Like last issue, nothing happens. We see Sven hunt, have more sex, and kill some of his uncle’s men. The plot doesn’t advance and we don’t learn much more about Sven or his motivation for staying in this wasteland. This story is just too decompressed. Perhaps the only notable things worth mentioning are his uncle’s a bit more spooked now and he has somewhat of an unlikely ally. He also likes to wear stag heads (aren’t those heavy?!), while murdering soldiers who’re doing nothing more than hunting.

There’s not much writing in this issue – most of it is a showcase for Davide Gianfelice’s excellent storytelling skills. He does a phenominal job with the script he’s given, but to be honest, he deserves to be working on a better title. Northlanders is just a waste. If you love Brian Wood, support him by picking up DMZ. It’s okay not to like everything he does. No one’s perfect. (Grade: D)

– J. Montes

Northlanders #2 – Review

By: Brian Wood (Writer), David Gianfelice (Pencils)

Northlanders is everything DMZ is not. Where as DMZ issues are, for the most part, self-contained stories, Northlanders stories are decompressed and pointless. DMZ’s art is jam-packed with with attention to details while Northlanders’ is a barren wasteland. However, David Gianfelice’s art in Northlanders isn’t bad. It’s very good. One could easily follow the book without ever reading a single line of dialogue. The problem with this particular issue is nothing happens. Sven, who is still the unlikeable protagonist, spends his days running from an archer, trying to rally oppressed villagers to his cause (uncharismatically), and has meaningless sex with a woman who has had the hots for him since he was a kid. I just can’t read this anymore.

Brian Wood may be trying to show diversity in his work by taking on this title, but it just shows how weak he can be as a storyteller. I can’t, in good faith, put any more money into this title. Maybe I’ll read someone else’s copy or wait for a trade, but there’s no way this book is worth $2.99. (Grade: D)

-J. Montes