This is “Point/Counterpoint in the Blogosphere…” where we take a look at what has YOU talking. Today, I’ll be showcasing two related discussion points about a particular topic, to help you keep up with some of the hot topics in comic fandom.
The first issue of Howard Chaykin’s prestige mini-series Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage came out this week. As with most #1 issues, the reviews are mixed. (Do be warned, the linked entries will likely have spoilers)
Point:
Jog of Jog – The Blog gives the issue a positive review recommending it as a good fit for Howard Chaykin:
Excerpt:
The plot darts around from location to location at almost the furious clip of Time2, characters crack odd jokes and strut through heavily decorated rooms. Images, images, textures, textures. Chaykin’s still an odd duck among superhero artists, but this is pretty easily the most satisfying of his genre works of recent vintage. Suggesting, therefore, that the trick is not for he to come to the genre, but to force the genre to come to him.
Counterpoint:
Long time Green Lantern fan SallyP is less satisfied about the results.
Excerpt:
It is as though he read through Beau Smith’s “Warrior”, and cherry-picked out the parts that he liked, while ignoring completely the character developments that Mr. Smith gave to Guy. He has Guy acting like a complete jerk of course, as bad as he ever was in the old Justice League, when he was a brain-dead 10-year old, but he hasn’t been that way in quite some time, due to the aforesaid developments of Beau Smith and Geoff Johns.
Both reviews seem to indicate that big fans of Howard Chaykin will enjoy the series, while Green Lantern fans very likely will not. What’s your take?
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:22 am
From the previews, this story looked too padded – it looked like it would take 3 minutes to read, so I passed.
December 2nd, 2006 at 4:06 pm
I think it’s a Howard Chaykin comic that happens to feature a Green Lantern. I read for creators, not characters most of the time, so I was fine with it, even if it felt a bit off.
December 3rd, 2006 at 10:00 am
I think Kevin’s comments is potentially what DC or Marvel banks on when they assign Chaykin on a project. I’ve always enjoyed Chaykin’s work (except for his and Gulacy’s odd preoccupation with erect nipples) for years.
December 3rd, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Wait…There was a Guy Gardner book out this week?
Ray