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City of Heroes #18: As with a Stormwatch: PHD
issue I read and reviewed a while ago (#4), this issue of City of Heroes, my
first attempt at a review for this title, is also one of the gals out and about
on the town. The similarities between the two start at the title of the story,
‘Ladies’ Night’ and well, that’s just about it. While that one had the
ladies learning more about each other and possibly even taking a step or two
towards friendship, CoH #18’s ladies night out was for quite a different reason.
Although there were other characters (Mynx, Luminary, Swan and a few bad-chicks)
the limelight of attention is on the ‘twins’, Mr. Liberty and Dominatrix. For
more on how the two doppelgangers ended up in the same city, let alone the same
planet, please refer to past issues. Nevertheless, this night is organized to
show the Dominatrix a different side of life. Suffice to say things don’t quite
turn out as expected. At the end the visiting ‘hero’ returns back to her
hometown.
Conclusion: I am not a regular reader of this series and as such a
few things did leave me confused. Still, on the whole, an enjoyable n’ time pass
read.
RATING: 7.5/10
Ninja Scroll #8: As much as I enjoy his work on Teen
Titans Go! I admit that out of the two writers so far on Ninja Scroll
I haven’t enjoyed J. Torres’s stories as much as that of his counterpart, Kelly
Puckett. Think of him as the fill-in or better yet, the standalone writer, the
two Puckett written issues till date (#4 and this one, #8) are easily the two
liveliest one of the series, with #4 being my personal Top-Favorite. Then again
maybe it is just Jonboy Meyers’ semi-cartoonish fast paced artwork that makes
the all important difference. His style (in certain areas) reminds me of that of
Todd Nauck. Also, kudos to colorist Darlene Royer for the bright and full of
life colors. As for the story it is deals with the last few days/hours of a
village. Through some unexpected developments the residents of ‘Kamiyama’
village find themselves about to be run over by the governor’s forces, the same
governor who tried to rape a young woman of the village, and who they killed
because of that. That they didn’t know that it was the governor doesn’t help
them one bit. The ending of the issue, as expected, is a sad one.
Conclusion: With Torres continuing his excellent run on TTG! and
about to take over a mainline DC title, I wouldn’t mind Ninja Scroll having more
contributions from Puckett and equally importantly from Jonboy Meyers and
Darlene Royer.
RATING: 7.5/10
Shadowpact #12: It seems every few issues
or so Shadowpact is going to have an issue focus on a
specific member of the team. In #4 it was Blue Devil, #8 had
Ragman and now four issues later, (just like clockwork), it the
turn of the Nightmaster. Taking off from the recently ended arc
(last ish.) this month’s issue, told from the first person
perspective of Jim Rook, recounts his life right from his youth
to the present day including his death…and return. What? Did you
think that this was the end of Ol’ Jim, or maybe I should say
young Jimmy? Not at all. This retelling of the Jim Rook story is
for the benefit of new readers, both to this character and/or to
Shadowpact. As revealed it Jim Rook is also (unknowingly)
a bearer of the family legacy, though in his case it is not to
the extent of Ragman and his rag-suit. Even if the ending is a
bit clichéd it is a happy one with all the ‘pacters (and just
the team) hanging out in the Oblivion Bar toasting to the return
of Jim ‘Nightmaster’ Rook. The artwork, courtesy of Tom Derenick,
Wayne Faucher and Mike Atiyeh is as excellent as evil.
Conclusion: It might not be selling great numbers
but Shadowpact is one of DC’s better and (in today’s
comic situation) regular titles.
RATING: 8/10
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