Daily Archives: 26 May 2011

Well, Tischman proves me wrong and wraps everything up nicely.

The issue ends with a beautiful page from Bond and Hahn—not extraordinary content, just extraordinary execution—and all is right.

The characters each get their moment, though I suppose Tischman does have some major pacing issues. He inserts a year into the present action at the last minute, then apparently flashes back to resolving the protagonists’ story. That missing year would probably make an entertaining sequel.

Finishing the series, even with its one weaker issue and the logic gaps this one (I didn’t mention the glaring one because it would spoil too much), it’s an impressive little piece of work. The conspiracy genre—the comedy conspiracy genre—is one underrepresented in comic books and Tischman , Bond and Hahn certainly show the medium does well with it.

I do wish there’d been some acknowledgment of the wacky character names though.

CREDITS

There is No Such Thing as a Coincidence; writer, David Tischmann; penciller, Philip Bond; inker, David Hahn; colorist, Guy Major; letterer, Rob Leigh; editors, Kristy Quinn and Scott Peterson; publisher, Wildstorm.

In an apparent attempt to spite my compliments, Tischman turns in his weakest script. It’s not bad, it’s just not as good as it should be. He finished the previous issue with an earth-shattering reveal… this issue he moves along as though it’s not important.

So maybe it isn’t. But by making it unimportant, pretty much everything else is now unimportant too.

He also goes a little crazy with the flashbacks here, layering all the plot twists, making it even more jumbled. It’s no longer clear who the good guys are working with and who they aren’t working with and if they’re working with anyone at all.

Unfortunately, the large cast isn’t working out either. Tischman still has the cast members appear, but their activities are somewhat boring. It’s like he’s building toward something grand… which means next issue has a lot to do.

Still, it’s far from bad.

CREDITS

You’ll Get Your Beak Wet; writer, David Tischmann; pencillers, Philip Bond and David Hahn; inker, Hahn; colorist, Guy Major; letterer, Rob Leigh; editors, Kristy Quinn and Scott Peterson; publisher, Wildstorm.

Oh, look at Tischman go—he totally turns Red Herring on its head at the end of this issue. He might have turned it on its head a few pages earlier too, but it’s too soon to tell.

This issue does make clear the situation with the aliens. He finally goes close third person with the head of the evil corporation and clears it up. Unfortunately, the handling of that aspect has become a weak point. Everything else in this issue is strong, whether it’s the character stuff or the comedy stuff, but the scene with the corporate guy… it’s unimaginative.

It’s like Tischman didn’t want to push too hard (or date the series). So he plays it safe and it comes off weak. I do think he’s been watching “American Dad” though, especially Patrick Stewart on that show.

Still, it’s another solid issue. Easily the best Tischman I’ve read.

CREDITS

We’re On Damorge Control; writer, David Tischmann; pencillers, Philip Bond and David Hahn; inker, Hahn; colorist, Guy Major; letterer, Rob Leigh; editors, Kristy Quinn and Scott Peterson; publisher, Wildstorm.

Okay, Tischman’s starting to confuse me. The problem with Red Herring is the narration. It’s this close third person—with a bit of second mixed in—narration and it’s never clear who it’s talking about.

The problem is clear this issue, as I have no idea if aliens are real or if they’re just a big business ruse. Tischman moves from a guy who believes in them to someone who doesn’t….

Otherwise, the issue is pretty straightforward conspiracy stuff. It’s an action issue. Complications are ensuing, something to get the issue to its six issues. They aren’t bad complications and, actually, it’s maybe the best comics padding I’ve ever read.

The point of a conspiracy thriller is—to some degree—compelling padding. The answer is always at the end (presumably) so it’s the trip. Tischman gets it.

Hahn’s taking on more chores here and does fine with them.

Good stuff.

CREDITS

I’m Too Old For An Anal Probe; writer, David Tischmann; pencillers, Philip Bond and David Hahn; inker, Hahn; colorist, Guy Major; letterer, Rob Leigh; editors, Kristy Quinn and Scott Peterson; publisher, Wildstorm.