Comic Book Review: Snake Plisskin, Incredible Hulk, Smallville and Star Wars
THE SLUSH PILE (I had to endure on to several other newsstands)
John Carpenter’s Snake Plisskin’s Chronicles #1: To the delight of Carpenter fans, the Snake hits comics running in an action-packed first issue. Even if you’re not familiar with the “Escape from…” movies, you can enjoy the fun ride. The art of Tone Rodriguez brings a realistic look to the characters (after all, we want to see Kurt Russell) and drives the action with great attention to detail.
Incredible Hulk #51-54: The Abomination versus the Hulk: it is not only intense but interwoven into an “X-Files”-esque story with writer Bruce Jones injecting sexual energy into a book full of intrigue, paranoia, and drama. Artist Mike Deodato does a fantastic job on portraying the savage power of the Hulk (especially facing Nadia in issue #52). Secret Conspiracy has me guessing from issue to issue attempting to figure out Mr. Blue and surprised along the way. Jones also begins a new title Kingpin #1, Marvel’s Tony Soprano. I want to see how Jones will attack the issue of loyalty in the mob as series unfolds. The art is gritty and the Kingpin is more than just a brute and his intellectual superiority shines through.
Spider-Man & Wolverine #1: Crap! Run, be afraid. This is a story for Marvel’s Ultimate Universe – a real mess here. Decent art, but not worth your time.
Shaak Ti one-shot, Star Wars: Empire #7: Just two more sub-par SW comics to avoid. Predictability compounds that of caring for most of these characters. Boba Fett features the cover of Empire, but is in the backseat again.
Smallville 1 & 2: I’m a big fan of the TV series, so I enjoyed the interviews with the cast and information about the show. The comics lack the subplots and depth of the show, but act as a “good” supplement. It’s still early in the series, so it will be interesting to see if the comic will stand on its own.
