Randy's Reviews for 11/26/2003 - SPOILERS

Amazing Spider-Man #501
Batman #621
Fantastic Four #507
Flash #204
Green Lantern #171
JLA/Avengers #3(of 4)













Amazing Spider-Man #501

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, Art by John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Synopsis: May has a conversation in the park about how she feels about 
Peter, and we see Spider-Man taking on-and defeating-a new super villain 
called the shaker. We eventually discover that May is actually at the 
gravesite of Peter's parents and Ben.

Good Stuff: It was really nice to see Peter using his brain and science 
background to defeat the Shaker. The fight was quite reminiscent of many 
of his old fights with Dr. Octopus, the Shocker, and others. There are 
also some nice moments as we follow May around town, in particular her 
efforts to get a new cell phone.

Not so Good Stuff: I don't know that the last splash page was required. 
Otherwise, this was pretty good.

I give this book 9/10. 











Batman #621

Written by Brian Azzarello, Art by Eduardo Risso
Publisher: DC Comics

Synopsis: Batman works with Detective Allen in an attempt to locate the 
killer. While he's interrogating an associate of Angel Lupo, he is 
attacked by an unknown female.

Good Stuff: I always like seeing Batman working as a detective.

Not so Good Stuff: I have to question the reasons that Batman is working 
with Detective Allen-or for that matter of fact, any member of the Gotham 
police force now that Gordon has retired. He has Oracle to gather 
information for him, Nightwing and Robin to bounce ideas off of, and he 
could even track down Gordon in a pinch. He also has Alfred to cook his 
steaks for him as well.

While I don't have a problem with Batman cooking as a diversion, 
considering that I've never seen this side of him in some sixty-odd years 
of publication, it just seems to ring false, like Azzarello just forced 
this scene into the comic.

I give this book 6/10. 











Fantastic Four #507

Written by Mark Waid, Art by Howard Porter, Norm Rapmund
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Synopsis: Reed traps Doom in a Mobius universe in an attempt to keep him 
from ever returning to the real world. Meanwhile, the rest of the four 
chase after Reed, while Nick Fury and the rest of the American forces 
invade Latveria. 

Reed's plans are upset when the other three find their way into the 
dimension in an attempt to rescue Reed. The four of them escape as 
Hungarian forces invade Doom's Castle. However, the soldiers are killed 
by Sue, who Doom managed to exchange minds with. 

Good Stuff: I liked Reed's idea of sacrificing himself to rid the 
universe of Doom, and I also enjoyed the reaction of the Latverians as 
the American forces invaded. Unlike other recent attempts to examine 
American foreign policy in comics, I'd say that so far this has been very 
fair-minded. Also, I have to say I'm really looking forward to the 
upcoming throw-down, as Sue is likely the most powerful member of the 
Fantastic Four.

Not so Good Stuff: I really can't think of much, other than the story 
doesn't wow me. Yet.

I give this book 9/10. 











Flash #204

Written by Geoff Johns, Art by Alberto Dose
Publisher: DC Comics

Synopsis: Flash is rescued by Captain Cold, who wants some information on 
who is trying to frame him. Cold manages to escape before Wally can 
capture him.

Wally goes to work the next day and discovers that Ashley Zoloman was 
looking for him. He goes to see her and discovers that she was the wife 
of Professor Zoom, and he tells her to leave him and Linda alone. He does 
suggest to her that Mr. Element might be the culprit, but she casts 
doubts on that conclusion.

He returns home to try to figure things out, but he's interrupted by the 
mysterious figure who gave him the ring and costume back-Batman.

Good Stuff: I liked seeing the interaction between Cold and Wally, as 
it's quite interesting to see that Cold has the upper hand due to his 
memories. 

Not so Good Stuff: I'm not particularly enjoying Alberto Dose's artwork 
on this title, as-like many of today's artists-his style seems overly 
detailed and more concerned with style than telling a story. Maybe I'm an 
old coot, but I miss the days when I didn't have to look at a fight scene 
twice to figure out what the combatants are doing.

I give this book 7/10. 











Green Lantern #171

Written by Ben Raab, Art by James Bosch, Rodney Ramos
Publisher: DC Comics

Synopsis: Kyle, along with two of the other Green Lanterns, raid a ship 
that has kidnapped several of Abin Sur's whores. Meanwhile, David makes 
plans to move to Los Angeles, and Jade goes on a date.

Good Stuff: Surprisingly, the best moments of this issue were Jade's 
date. Surprising because Raab's strength is generally not the quiet 
moments, but the moments of action.

Not so Good Stuff: It's also possible that Jade's date seemed so 
interesting because the rest of the issue wasn't. The raid was pretty 
much a foregone conclusion, and the fact that Kyle is operating 
undercover doesn't make things any more interesting. 

Also, I was not taken with James Bosch's pencil work, as I felt it was a 
little overly detailed and difficult to follow. Also, all of the faces of 
his aliens looked the same, and it was difficult to tell them apart.

I give this book 4/10. 











JLA/Avengers #3 (of 4)

Written by Kurt Busiek, Art by George Perez
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Synopsis: The heroes of the two universes find themselves being bounced 
back and forward between the two universes; ultimately, they realize that 
a temporal rift is causing them-and the regular citizens of their worlds-
to bounce back and forth, and they discover that the two universes are 
merging. 

Through the combined efforts of the Scarlet Witch and Green Lantern, they 
manage to delay the merge, then with guidance from the Phantom Stranger, 
they go to visit the Grandmaster, who tells them that it's up to them to 
defeat Krona and set things straight and the combined teams head into 
battle.

Good Stuff: This is decidedly not a series for readers unfamiliar with 
the histories of the two comic book universes, but given that this 
particular series is for the unrepentant fan boys out there, this is not 
a bad thing. There were some nice nods at the beginning to the Pre-Crisis 
DC universe, as well as old Marvel history as well. Fans of Barry Allen 
and Hal Jordan will also be happy with this comic as both return to take 
up their old mantles, at least for this series.

Not so Good Stuff: Things do get a little confusing with the heroes 
bouncing back and forth, and I wish a tad more time had been given to the 
idea that the merging of the universes is what was causing some of the 
friction between the teams.

I give this book 8/10.




-- 
Randy Jackson
http://fourcolorexplosion.com