Daily Archives: 28 November 2010

The Sixth Gun 2 (July 2010)

Posted on 28 November 2010 | Leave a comment

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The Sixth Gun is really unpleasantly creepy this issue. I’m not talking about the undead Old West guys, they’re creepy and all, but undead Old West guys aren’t new.

I’m talking about the villain, Mrs. Hume (her husband being the undead bad guys’ leader). She’s really cruel to the girl (whose name isn’t repeated this issue and I didn’t note it the first so she’s just the girl for now) and it’s a disquieting scene.

Luckily, the protagonist, Drake, shows up and rescues her….

I found that move interesting, since the first issue sets Drake up as less than a hero. Again, there are some pacing issues (the present action of the issue is mostly continuous), but Bunn does some really nice work here.

As usual, Hurtt’s just fantastic. It’s amazing how much detail he fits into the pages, since he’s got a lot of panels per page.

Strong stuff.

CREDITS

Writer, Cullen Bunn; artist, colorist and letterer, Brian Hurtt; editor, James Lucas Jones; publisher, Oni Press.

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The Sixth Gun 1 (July 2010)

Posted on 28 November 2010 | Leave a comment

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I’d heard the colors are amazing in The Sixth Gun and whoever does them deserves as much credit as Hurtt. Turns out Hurtt does the colors.

It’s an interesting setup. Bunn fills the first three-quarters of the issue with information, whether about the titular artifact (it seems to be a pistol giving its user flawless aim and some kind of telepathy) or just dialogue. He takes his time, using full scenes to introduce the guy and the girl protagonists… assuming they’re the eventual protagonists.

But then he rushes through the finish. It’s a big elaborate action sequence with a bunch of monks using artillery against the undead. It looks great thanks to Hurtt but Bunn is padding it out. There’s no reason for the storytelling to slow down so much, not after the previous, rather full action sequences.

It’s a good first issue, but needed a little more story.

CREDITS

Writer, Cullen Bunn; artist, colorist and letterer, Brian Hurtt; editors, Jill Beaton,
Charlie Chu and James Lucas Jones; publisher, Oni Press.

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The Amazing Spider-Man 259 (December 1984)

Posted on 28 November 2010 | Leave a comment

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Lot of Ditko homage on the last pages, even with the filmic–especially for the eighties–pacing of Peter suiting up in the red and blue.

It’s sort of a weak finish to a great issue. Most of the issue–except some ill-advised attention on Hobgoblin (providing the action)–is Mary Jane telling Peter all about her life.

DeFalco does an amazing job with the Mary Jane stuff. It’s this heart-wrenching confession–as Mary Jane assesses herself and her past actions–mixed with Peter’s internal reaction. It might be one of the most touching comics I’ve read about a major property, just because it’s so delicate. It doesn’t even with Peter and Mary Jane heading off to the altar–far from it. DeFalco seems to be aware if he went that route, it’d flush the story’s value.

Frenz does an excellent job (albeit within his abilities) here too.

CREDITS

All My Pasts Remembered!; writer, Tom DeFalco; penciller, Ron Frenz; inker, Joe Rubinstein; colorist, Bob Sharen; letterer, Joe Rosen; editors, Bob DeNataleh and Danny Fingeroth; publisher, Marvel Comics.

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Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 4 (November 1984)

Posted on 28 November 2010 | Leave a comment

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Well, I’ve finally found something Bill Mantlo can write–little old ladies.

This issue is mostly about Aunt May and her mysterious behavior. Turns out her pre-Ben Parker boyfriend is back and sending her love letters and causing these very distracting walks down memory lane. Of course, New York’s in different shape than it used to be, so Peter and Nathan are freaking out. Spidey follows her, things get resolved.

It’s funny how well Mantlo writes May’s stuff, given how he overwrites the rest of the issue (and inexplicably retells Spider-Man’s origin). He doesn’t take any time to make Nathan sympathetic–he seems like a nasty old man–and Peter’s barely present.

The art’s fine, with some nice detail on the thirties New York panels.

Oddly, there’s the implication May never truly loved Ben Parker.

The Black Cat backup is moronic and infantile, though Randall’s art is decent.

CREDITS

Memory Lane!; writer, Bill Mantlo; pencillers, Kerry Gammill and Sal Buscema; inker, Carlos Garzon. Cat and Mouse; writer, Bob DeNatale; artist, Ron Randall. Colorist, George Roussos; letterer, Janice Chiang; editor, Danny Fingeroth; publisher, Marvel Comics.

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Marvel Team-Up 146 (October 1984)

Posted on 28 November 2010 | Leave a comment

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Oh, those young toughs, how dare they break up a date between Peter Parker and… Jack Monroe (Nomad). Seriously, they’re on a date. They meet in an alley, beat up some threatening toughs, then head to see Rio Bravo together. All while Nomad is supposed to be delivering art to Steve Rogers.

Unfortunately, it’s a star crossed romance, with Taskmasker showing up to train a bunch of gangs to fight superheroes. So Spidey and Nomad have to break it up.

The writing is occasionally weak, but it’s some of the better stuff I’ve read from Burkett. While it’s a complete waste of time, it’s not terrible. Even LaRocque is stronger than usual–it’s mostly action this issue, so no heavy lifting.

There’s some funny forced continuity to the other Spider-Man books here. Peter’s taking a break from the alien costume trying to kill him for his date with Nomad.

CREDITS

Hero Worship!; writer, Cary Burkett; penciller, Greg LaRocque; inker, Mike Esposito; colorist, George Roussos; letterer, Diana Albers; editors, Bob DeNataleh and Danny Fingeroth; publisher, Marvel Comics.

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