Orc Stain #4 – Review

By: James Stokoe (writer, artists, colorist & letters)

The Story: The forces of the Orctzar close in on our hero, One-Eye.

What’s Good: Orc Stain is such a clever book and I always find myself having a little trouble explaining its awesomeness.  It is NOT a book that exists on the strength of its narrative a la Criminal or The Walking Dead.  It is not a book that exists by building up to epic crossovers as do most superhero comics.  With this title, the excellence comes from the little things that are present in every issue.  The really impressive thing is that when you have a book written and drawn by one guy, you would expect excellence in one area and weakness in another, but Stokoe hits a lot of high notes in many different areas and the excellence is not wearing off now that we’re 4 issues in.

The design of the orc world is very cool.  All of their technology is based on using weird animals designed for the purpose or mechanical means.  So, in this issue the orcs show us wires being strung for the “talky” device so that regional chiefs can check in with the Orctzar.  “What could that be?  How could it operate?” I asked.  Well, it is a network of telephone-looking wires strung around the country side, but at each end is an orc who has wires tied to his arms, legs, fingers, toes, knees and he flails around in some sort of full body sign language which is transmitted to the orc at the other end of the line where a specially trained orc interprets the “dance”.  Very clever!

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: X-Force #28 – This is drawing from a smaller than normal sample due to some vacation time, but I really enjoyed this penultimate chapter of what has been a really good X-Men event.  I especially liked that “they” let Wolverine kill Bastion and even though it’s old hat now, isn’t it nice that Wolverine can kill a bad dude without all this “heroes don’t kill” moralizing we get in some other places (see Shadowland #1).

Most Anticipated: X-Men: Second Coming #2 – This is a really big week of non-Marvel/DC books for me, but I am most looking forward to the finale of this comic event.  For me, the world is just a nicer place when the X-Men family of books are good.

Other Top Picks: Orc Stain #4, Bulletproof Coffin #2, Sweets #1, Daytripper #8, Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Shadowland #1 -Shadowland gets my pick of the week if only because it was the first issue of an event that actually got me excited for said event, and it’s been a while since I could honestly say that.  Everything about this book was a pleasant surprise, including the artwork.

Most Anticipated: Daredevil #508 -It’s my most anticipated issue for most of the reasons that Shadowland was my pick of the week; I really want to see where this goes and, hopefully, this issue will give a heavier focus to Matt Murdock than Shadowland #1 did.  Either way, Shadowland has my fullest attention right now.

Other Picks: Birds of Prey #3, DMZ #55, Invincible Iron Man #28, Superman #701, The Unwritten #15

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Scarlet #1 – I would’ve thought X-Force #28 would’ve had a lock on this position, but the fact that I wanted to go out and buy this comic right after reading a friend’s copy sort of sealed the deal for me.  Bendis and Maleev delivered a surprisingly engaging comic considering the politics at the heart of the plot and the fact that it’s lots of pages filled with the lead character talking and talking.  Despite all of that, I closed this issue eager to read more, and that’s all I can ask of  my funnybooks.

Most Anticipated: X-Force: Sex and Violence #1 – Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!  X-Force returns (one week after it’s last issue) for this three issue miniseries with art from Gabrielle Del’Otto.  I’ve been waiting for this mini for a long time now, and I’m hoping it’ll be a worthy swan song to Kyle’s and Yost’s X-tales.

Other Top Picks: Birds of Prey #3, X-Files/30 Days of Night#1, Absolute Planetary 2 HC, Hack/Slash My First Maniac #2, Amazing Spider-Man #637, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, Avengers Academy #2, Daredevil #508, Invincible Iron Man #28, Thanos Imperative #2, Ultimate Spider-Man #12, X-MEN: SECOND COMING #2, X-MEN: REVELATIONS – HELLBOUND #3