February
8
Young Love on the Streets
The Couriers 03: The Ballad of Johnny Funwrecker
Creators: Brian Wood, writer; Rob G, artist
AiT-PlanetLar, 88 pages, black and white, $12.95
So? While “Couriers 02: Dirtbike Manifesto” was long on action and short on story, this entertaining entry in Wood’s urban mercenaries mythos strikes a much better balance. This time, Wood goes back to 1993 to show the origins of street players Special and Moustafa, both of whom got their start working for an appropriately outrageous NYC Chinatown crime lord named Johnny Funwrecker. And it’s that — forgive the term — origin story that makes this the best in this "Grand Theft Auto"-style series. The action is cool and well choreographed by Rob G, artist of “Teenagers From Mars.” The graytone art has a kind of sexy, slick manga sheen that occasionally has its moments of clumsiness that Rob G turns to his advantage as they more firmly establish the story as a convincing urban action fantasy. Grade: A-
Love Fights, Vol. 2
Creator: Andi Watson
Oni Press, 160 pages, black and white, $14.95
So? Watson finishes off his romantic comedy set against the world of superheroes. Estranged journo Nora and comicbook penciler Jack work in their own ways on the mystery of The Flamer’s love child — as well as their own issues with each other. Watson does a great job blending the romantic comedy and superhero genres and comes up with a plot that borrows from each to reach that hardest of goal in either one — a satisfying ending. The simple art is as beautiful as it was in Vol. 1 and, despite the title, Watson has given comics fans (and their loved ones) a truly touching Valentine. Grade: A-
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Didn't Brian Wood work on "Grand Theft Auto"?
Posted by: Tom Owen | February 08, 2005 at 05:36 PM