Quick Reviews #49
Late Comings Are New Opportunities
Guess I wasn’t on top of things last week as I thought. A couple of things slipped my notice that I only found out on Wednesday. Plus there was Heroes Con this weekend. But that doesn’t have to be so bad.
Mad Cave
Should’ve known something looked off when the advance copies showed up on Thursday instead of Friday. Maybe there were so much it had to be broken up in two. And I didn’t bother to look close enough. So anyway:
Flash Gordon #17 - Pretty decent way to present the setting. Big empty space to fill with intrigue as much as clashing dynamics. Just enough to make an impressive show on the blank canvas. Plus the strip at the end is a cohesive piece. 8.5/10
Miraculous Chibi 3-in-1 Vol. 2 - I can’t stress enough how important the pace of all of these strips are. The emoticons don’t aren’t just shorthand, they’re great juxtaposition for the more detailed thoughts. Better than that, they help emphasize fun scenarios that are each compelling in stakes, dramatic irony, and execution. 8.5/10
Dog Tag #2 - So it goes in these war stories. It’s like the most intense theatre performances where one mistake can cost characters everything. Especially with how everyone tries to survive the politics of wars and its effects. 9/10
War Wolf #6 - Thrilling experience! Surreal moments of wondering what is and isn’t real, callbacks to earlier days, and shifting dynamics that bring out the best characterizations. 9/10
Archipelago - Hmm…Basque? Sounds familiar. Some community between Spain and France? This is from a…television audio fiction series? Is that like a podcast? Whatever! Let’s see what it’s got. Whoa…now that’s how you translate from audio to comics. Just the opening says everything about the setting. While the atmosphere from the artwork and the emotion in the dialogue makes the best world building. But what makes it even more enthralling is how the characters reflect the effects of such a world. 9.5/10
The Loud House 10th Anniversary Special - Nothing to say other than it collects the best strips from the last decade. Everything that keeps pace with inspired jokes and great character dynamics. 9/10
Diablomachia Vol. 1 - Not bad with the art, actions, and impacts. But the pace and translations feel a bit off. Might be why the dialogue feels so awkward. Plus the characterizations are scattered. 6/10
Aperture - Interesting time travel plot especially when it comes to dreading a future. It’s like a theatrical performance on a big, lively stage. But it feels like a lot of micro plots, arcs, and characterizations aren’t meshing well. 7/10
Bad Idea
Tankers vs. Ancient Aliens #1 - Looks like Bad Idea’s got another regular series. I loved how bombastic the first series was; it felt like the best kind of on-rails shooter game. The over-the-top setting and cast, kinetic visuals juxtaposed with the pace, and a few suspenseful thrills to get a sense of the scale. 8.8/10