By Daniel Cole
Daniel Cole brings you episode #009 of the Six Shooter!
Welcome to the Six Shooter! This is a weekly column that will review six specific comics. Big new releases, small interesting titles and random curiosities. All will be looked at. The way it works is that there will be a brief review of the comics followed by our rating system. Our ratings are:
Headshot (Best of the week)
Hit (Read)
Miss (Don’t Read)
Misfire (Worst of the week)
This week is all about variety. From futuristic law enforcers to Oz, the selection is nothing less than eclectic. So how did they do?
TRILLIUM #1 – VERTIGO (DC COMICS)
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Jeff Lemire & José Villarrubia
Jeff Lemire marks his return to original stories with this new Vertigo title. Trillium is a science fiction tale that is intended to be an emotional roller-coaster. But does this highly publicised title live up to all the hype?
Well it is halfway there. Lemire has definitely crafted a tale that engages the reader and there is a lot here that makes you want to return for the next issue. However over-familiar ideas, inconsistent pacing and heavy-handed exposition burden it.
The general idea of having two characters from different time periods that are destined to fall in love is not an original concept, but Lemire will hopefully overcome this in coming issues. The first issue’s split narrative at least shows that Lemire is attempting to give some depth to the concept.
But the problem is that there are elements to the narrative that seem predictable due to their familiar nature. Giving the scientist from the future a storyline that ties into the survival of humanity will inevitably lead to complications between the two characters. Also having the soldier suffering mental anguish due to the events of WWI doesn’t exactly scream original characterisation.
But at least Lemire’s art gives the book a very unique look. Even though the art is often rough there is a charm inherit in the visuals. The world building from the pencils is strong and the characters are distinct and emotive. The art is easily the books greatest selling point.
So, Trillium has little in the way of originality as Lemire borrows heavily from a plethora of sources. But this doesn’t mean that the book isn’t a solid read. The art gives the title an edge that enhances the story. It clearly needs time to grow, but for now it is a perfectly fine issue one that will entertain most readers.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – HIT
THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ #2 – MARVEL COMICS
Written by Eric Shanower
Art by Skottie Young & Jean-François Beaulieu
Marvel continue adapting L. Frank Baum’s Oz books and in doing so they are giving Skottie Young a playground for his talents.
Make no mistake this comic is all about Young’s art. With the aid of Jean-François Beaulieu’s colours, the art of this book is something to behold. A true cartoon vision of the whacky world of Oz. Young’s character designs are perfect for the source material, as we get to see even more of Oz’s populace this issue. Even something as simple as a chicken has an animated charm to it in Young’s hands. The book is vibrant, colourful and eye catching. Baum’s world has never looked this good.
Eric Shanower’s script isn’t bad either as he continues to build on the plot. He uses Dorothy’s aunt and uncle as a means to explore the Emerald City. He actually delves into the society of the city, even if it is simplistic.
This comic is perfect for children of all ages as the fantastical world Baum’s created is brought to vivid life thanks to a great creative team. It maybe a little simplistic for the mature reader, but there is a lot to get out of Young’s artwork.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – HEADSHOT
MEGA MAN #28 – ARCHIE COMICS
Written by Ian Flynn
Art by Ryan Jampole, Gary Martin & Matt Herms
The popular videogame character’s adventures are given the comic book treatment. And he really suits the medium.
This title is literally a Saturday morning cartoon show in comic book form. This is mainly due to the colourful cartoony art. Ryan Jampole is faithful to the videogame’s style, but still manages to do a lot of characterisation with these ridiculous looking creations. It is clearly aimed at a younger audience and the art directly engages with that audience.
The story continues some plot developments from last issue, but it’s the perfect jumping on point for new readers. A new villain is revealed, Mega Man fights his brother and the world goes dark.
The only downside is that there isn’t anything for older readers, unlike The Emerald City Of Oz, which could be appreciated for its artistic merits. Fans of Mega Man might approve, however it isn’t exactly sophisticated reading. But it is a bright and fun comic that will entertain its target audience.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – HIT
SHELTERED #2 – IMAGE COMICS
Written by Ed Brisson
Art by Johnnie Christmas & Shari Chankhamma
With a twist cliff-hanger last issue, we find out what is in store for our characters now that the kids are in charge.
Sheltered is a book with a solid concept as its foundation. What Brisson, Christmas and Chankhamma have done is created a scenario that has tension, action, characterisation and thematic strands. Sheltered is quite simply a compelling read.
Brisson uses this second issue to play up the grief and confusion of the main characters, with the exception of Lucas. As the books antagonist Lucas comes across as a calm and charismatic psychopath, which makes him quite the terrifying adversary for our hero Victoria. However she is also well defined as a genuinely strong and determined character.
Brisson’s script is very layered and well paced. It moves forward quickly and keeps the reader engaged throughout. He moves the main plot along and sets up a lot of subplots. The cracks are starting to form as Lucas’ plan has a hiccup and the last page “fight back” moment is well stage, getting the reader rooting for Victoria without milking the scene.
Johnnie Christmas does some great work here. His pencils do as much characterisation as Brisson’s script. Christmas really highlights Lucas’ character with his pencils, showing his dead eyes. Also framing him with the fire creates some of the books best images. In fact any scene with the fire is drawn in such a way to make it utterly unnerving. This is also helped by Shari Chankhamma’s colour work. The stark contrast between the warm fire and the cool surroundings allows Chankhamma to give the book a distinct visual tone to the art and shows the reader how bleak a world the characters live in.
Sheltered has it all. A compelling narrative that is exciting to watch unfold. A layered protagonist you can get behind and a villain that has depth. With perfectly executed art, that adds to the overall experience. This title is the complete package and should be on everyone’s pull list.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – HEADSHOT
LORDS OF MARS #1 – DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Roberto Castro & Alex Guimaraes
What do you get when you team Tarzan up with John Carter?
This dismal first issue of a crossover that doesn’t even have the decency to actually have the main characters cross paths. Instead we are given a look at how moralistically superior the man from the jungle is compared to the “civilised” upper class of England. If that doesn’t quite signal that this issue has problems, then writer Arvid Nelson only briefly visits John Carter for a mundane scene that is clearly setting up plot elements.
The problem is that the script is a dud and the characters are almost cartoonish in their depictions. Tarzan is a bland protagonist in Nelson’s script and he dominates most of the title. It is fair that Nelson wants to take his time with his script, but this is treading water and it is only issue one.
Roberto Castro’s art doesn’t fair any better. The bulging eyes that a lot of characters have are distracting and in general the facial work is inconsistent (just how big is Tarzan’s forehead?). The action is well choreographed though and there is a glimmer of creativity once the book moves to Mars. But on the whole the art is mediocre.
With a script that fails to even deliver an interesting narrative and lacklustre art, Lords Of Mars is off to a terrible start. There is literally nothing in this comic that will make readers want to come back for issue 2.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – MISFIRE
ROBOCOP: LAST STAND – BOOM! STUDIOS
Written by Steve Grant (Story by Frank Miller)
Art by Korkut Öztekin & Michael Garland
Bringing Frank Miller’s famously unproduced script to life is in itself a good idea. Fans of the series will be intrigued and its good publicity for Boom! However the actual product is a tired formulaic piece that doesn’t have the same cult sparkle that the original film had.
It would be unfair to compare issue one to the original film, but it doesn’t exactly sell itself on its own merits. The violence, foul language, satirical adverts and grim future of Robocop’s world are all accounted for. But it all feels too forced, too manufactured. Steven Grant’s adaptation suffers from Miller’s brand of storytelling. To say the book feels dated is an understatement. It isn’t a nice homage to the past; it is in fact a tired relic that shows up how unsophisticated this type of material can be. Its all flash and gore, with no substance.
It doesn’t help that Korkut Öztekin’s art is ugly. It is so bad that the book would read better if it were just a script, so the hideous pencils wouldn’t constantly distract the reader. There is no sense of proportion to the characters, the layouts are pedestrian and the thick inking makes the art look rushed. The fact that it wants to be visually dark and gritty is in conflict with the bright white guttering that frames the whole book.
This is a comic that is a mess both narratively and visually. Fans of the series may want to check this out, but it is a title best avoided.
SIX SHOOTER RATING – MISFIRE
VERDICT
So two headshots are cancelled out by two misfires. But with two hits we can declare this week another success.
Do you agree with the reviews? Did we get them wrong or right? Have any suggestions on what we should review next week? Get in touch in the comments below.
For more comic views and reviews follow Dan on Twitter at @gizmo151183
Posted on August 9th, 2013
Category: REVIEWS, SIX SHOOTER
Tags: Comic Reviews, Daniel Cole, Emerald City Of Oz #2 review, Frank Millar, Image Comics, Lord of Mars #1 review, Mega Man #28 review, Robocop Last Stand #1 Review, Sheltered #2 review, Trillium #1 review