June
11
Secrets and Farewells
Identity Crisis #1
Creators: Brad Meltzer, writer; Rags Morales and Mike Bair, artists; Michael Turner, cover artist.
DC Comics, 48 pages, $3.95
So? This kickoff to DC's summer event has been shrouded in mystery, as a long-standing character dies in this issue. Having written thriller novels and co-creating this fall's "Jack & Bobby" TV skein for the WB, Meltzer manages to bring tension and a sense of forboding to this story. A long-running character does indeed die (we won't say who here, though) and the choice will certainly spark some debate among fans, many of whom will be shocked while others will just shrug. What really makes the story interesting are the emotional funeral scenes, the mystery over the killer's identity and the (heavily implied) sense that there will be more deaths and secrets revealed before the end of this seven-issue run. Morales has been around the block in the comics biz and, with this being his most high-profile work to date, shows he can tell a story well in a style that should please most readers. While not a complete knock-out, it's a solid first chapter that could blossom into something really special, and therefore deserves a look. Grade: B+
Identity Disc #1
Creators: Robert Rodi, writer; John Higgins and Sandu Florea, artists
Marvel, 32 pages, $2.99
So? The similarity in title between this series and DC's Identity Crisis had a lot of people puzzled. Marvel editor in chief Joe Quesada said at Wizard World L.A. this spring that the idea came first and the similar titles and identical release dates are coincidence. Now that the book is out, it turns out to be a likeable story that bears little resemblance to DC's series. In this book, a mysterious woman blackmails on behalf of a mystery crime lord a group of Marvel villains (and Deadpool) into retreiving a disc with the secret identities of every superhuman in the U.S. The villains, their own loved ones threatened, agree to do this so they can have first shot at their archenemies and protect their own identities. Not much more than that happens this issue, but the villains get some rare characterization and sympathetic protrayals, especially classic Spidey foes Sandman and Vulture. Higgins' art is appropriately gritty for the New York underworld scene, though sometimes uses awkward camera angles and odd facial expressions. What will keep this one interesting is whether the human interest in the villains can be maintained; if it degenerates into a typical slugfest, it'll be a disappointment. Grade: B-
One last thing ...
Lastly, we'd like to bid a fond farewell to Jevon Phillips, who's the man responsible for this blog existing in the first place. As he says, he's off to new pastures, though not necessarily greener ones, at another publication. We'll miss him.
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