Weekly Comic Reviews 06.15.2020

Welcome back, y’all! We’re back with a super-sized edition of the reviews. It’s a pretty mixed bunch. An important note is there are two issues each of The Flash and Go Go Power Rangers reviewed here. The older ones were written right when they were released while the newer ones were written a few days ago. I don’t wanna hold y’all any longer, enjoy the reviews.

From Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16

Spoilers for: The Flash #754-755, Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers 31-32, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #17, Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Death of Nancy Drew #1

 The Flash #754

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Ink: Jordi Tarragona

Color: Arif Prianto (pg. 1-10) and Hi-Fi (pg. 11-20)

Letters: Steve Wands

Cover: Sandoval, Tarragona, and Hi-Fi

 

Paradox is such a cool idea for a villain. Sure, his design is some generic Doomsday-looking monster, but he has an interesting backstory and an understandable motivation. It’s too bad we’ve now spent five issues stripping all that away until Paradox is a generic Doomsday-looking monster that wants to destroy the timestream. Wasn’t the entire point of the character that Flash messes with the timestream too much, so someone has to stop him? Not anymore.

 What is a paradox? And how does that fit into the existing rules of Flash’s time travel? Joshua Williamson seems either unsure or to be changing his mind from page to page. Paradox is time traveling, slowly killing Barry’s from different points in his timeline but it’s creating paradoxes instead of changing the timeline so that our Barry can still save the day. What a great premise and an excellent idea for a story arc titled ‘The Flash Age’.

 

What a strange retcon

Here is Reverse-Flash’s plan to defeat Paradox: Kill him before he was Paradox. Makes perfect sense if we’re playing by normal Flash time travel rules, but why does Reverse-Flash not consider that it will create a paradox instead? He (And Barry) is one of the smartest scientists on the planet at any given moment. Or did he consider it and decide it wouldn’t happen? Clearly it did because Paradox shows up, kills himself, and absorbs the energy of the paradox he created.

 Now that makes sense. Paradox couldn’t murder pre-Paradox Paradox if Paradox was murdered pre-Paradox, so it creates a paradox. Wouldn’t it have also created a paradox if Reverse-Flash killed pre-Paradox Paradox? He would have no reason to kill pre-Paradox Paradox if there was no Paradox he needed to stop so he never would have come here and killed pre-Paradox Paradox, thus creating a paradox, the very thing that powers Paradox.

Also, why is Godspeed just doing wat Paradox tells him to do? Isn’t he a hero now; shouldn’t he resist at least a little?

At least the art is gorgeous. Rafa Sandoval returns to deliver his usual fantastic action and storytelling. His faces are not as expressive as the other regular Flash artists but everything else is exceptional. The other aspects of the art are also very good (Except the panel above) and help keep the art consistent with previous issues despite being a different team.

 

Verdict: Pass

The Flash #755

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Ink: Jordi Tarragona

Color: Arif Prianto

Letters: Steve Wands

Cover: Sandoval, Tarragona, and Prianto

 

I’m so glad Paradox is gone. The story became increasing worse each issue until hitting rock bottom here. But at least it’s over after this completely nonsensical ending. And the comic looks as good as ever.

 Sandoval, Prianto, and Tarragona have somehow managed to stop this story arc from being a complete waste. Their work has been very good at keeping the pacing fast, but not too fast, and showing all the nonsense at beautifully. Everything is clear and detailed. The faces, in particular, look fantastic in this issue. Reverse-Flash is the clear standout as the most expressive of the group. It is hard to tell what he is thinking most the time, purposefully not because it looks bad, but when he reveals his intentions at any point, it is clear that he delights in everything he does and wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t enjoying himself.

 Unfortunately, the story the art is conveying is completely nonsensical. Joshua Williamson seems to not understand or care for the time travel rules he has established in the past. You can scroll back up to get a better understanding of that. It remains here, even is Williamson does try to sneak in that it takes some time for a new timeline to crystallize but that isn’t true with Paradox’s timeline.

 

What?

The Paradox conflict takes most of the issue with the characters standing around, talking. There’s a weird thing where the Speed Force combines with the Negative Speed Force and that allows the speedsters to escape the collapsing Paradox dimension (The existence of which is never explained). They make it back to the timeline they left several issues ago just after Paradox made Godspeed drag him through time.  But how? The way to defeat Paradox was prevent him from being created (Despite this same paradox empowering Paradox). So how did they get here if it didn’t happen? It doesn’t make any sense.

The issue ends with Reverse-Flash snapping Godspeed’s neck and racing off to recruit the Legion of Zoom. That is a fantastic name for a villain group and an intriguing premise for Williamson’s finale. I’m looking forward to it, but this issue? This issue is bad.

Verdict: Pass

 Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers #31

Writers: Ryan Parrott and Sina Grace

Artist: Francesco Mortarino

Ink Assistance: Simona Di Gianfelice

Colors: Raul Angulo

Letters: Ed Dukeshire

Cover: Eleonora Carlini and Angulo

 

I think it’s time for this story to wrap up. Not because it is not good, it’s quite good. It has just been going for a bit longer than I think it was realistically capable of sustaining. Next issue is the end of this story (and series) and this issue moves all the pieces into place for an exciting finale.

 The story of this comic is split into roughly three parts: The future Omega Rangers’ first mission in space, the way they handle preparing to leave long-term, and finishing the fight from the previous issue, all told asynchronously. The first story is nothing exceptional, but it has a few nice character moments. There is a well-illustrated fight with no real tension or intrigue. Kiya shows up to save Zack, Trini, and Jason before they get killed. It looks fantastic but does not stand out much.

The three departing rangers saying goodbye is the best part of the issue as it provides some moments that provide real insight into the characters. Kim admits to Trini that she was mad they went on a scuba trip without her, Billy, or Tommy. She even wonders aloud if it might have something to do with trauma from her parents’ divorce. It’s a very sweet moment.

Billy and Zack hang out and watch some kaiju movies, which Zack finds exceptionally weird because all they do is fight kaiju. For Billy, this is a way to decompress and explore how the events of the day (Again, usually fighting Kaiju) affect him in a completely safe environment. I’ve never identified with Billy so much in my life.

Then, there’s Jason and his dad. They don’t get along well and Jason’s reactions to his father seem to imply it’s an emotionally abusive relationship. The conversation comes to a head after Jason tells his dad that there won’t be any out of town trips for a while. His dad tells Jason he’s a big disappointment because he is too scared to become the man he is capable of and that’s all he wants from his son. This talk is what finally convinces Jason that he needs to commit to helping the Blue Emissary save the Empowered.

 Finally, the recap of the big fight has Tommy do some cool stuff with his Zord, but the attack was a cover for Goldar and Squatt to retrieve the saber for that other green dragon Zord, Serpentera. The dagger is destroyed but that won’t stop Zedd from using the Zord anyway.

As mentioned above, this issue is gorgeous as always. The characters all look exactly as they did on television while never attempting to copy the actors’ faces. The action is always clear and exciting staged. Maybe most importantly, everyone’s outfits are always perfect for the characters. That’s a big strength of both Power Rangers comics but this series is a particular highlight.

 

Verdict: Buy

Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers #32

Writers: Ryan Parrott and Sina Grace

Artist: Francesco Mortarino

Ink Assistance: Simona Di Gianfelice

Colors: Raul Angulo

Letters: Ed Dukeshire

Cover: Eleonora Carlini and Angulo

 

As far as finales go, this was pretty disappointing. It is by no means a bad issue, but it is content to simply wrap up any lingering threads that haven’t been addressed in Might Morphin Power Rangers and call it a day. I suppose that was bound to happen, to some degree. The origin of the Omega was the goal of the story and it accomplished that excellently. I just wish there was a bit more pizazz here at the end.

 The issue opens with the Rangers retrieving the Sword of Light so that they can transfer Jason, Trini, and Zack’s powers to Rocky, Aisha, and Adam before they head to space (Or Switzerland for those not in the know). Back home, the new kids talk about how excited they are to be Power Rangers. There is also some concern that they aren’t actually up to the challenge. This feeling only intensifies after they receive their powers and are berated despite being excellent during a training session.

 Jason and Tommy have a fight over whether Jason is being a coward and running away from the Power Rangers. Of course, Jason can’t tell Tommy what’s going on so he just has to tell him he wouldn’t understand. This dispute is something that’s carried into the other series and it still feels off to me. I don’t think Tommy would be this upset about the rangers, and especially Jason, leaving. That’s not the character as I understand him. He is a very understanding person and never showed any signs of these hard feelings in the past. I’m sure some of it is born out of the fact that Tommy doesn’t feel he is a good enough leader yet and wants someone there he believes can keep him in check. Feelings like that often make people do stupid things. I just think Tommy would tell Jason that, straight up.

 

After the powers are transferred, Jason, Trini, and Zack board a spaceship and wonder if they’ll survive without their powers. Luckily, Blue Emissary has some dope new Ranger powers for them (And Kiya). And thus, the Omega Rangers are born. The ceremony is incredibly low key and doesn’t have the energy I would expect, as with this entire issue. That goes for the one panel appearance of Serpentera too! Did the previous issue have a whole subplot to set up this single panel? Seems like a waste.

 At least the art remains excellent.  I don’t know what Mortarino or anyone else is doing going forward, but I am going to keep an eye out. The artwork remains fantastic here, especially when recreating the team’s trip to the Deserted Planet from the television show. The Omega Rangers and their Zords have withstood the transition to another art team so you know 100% that the designs are incredible, and it wasn’t just the art making them appear to be.

 

Verdict: Borrow

 Miles Morales: Spider-Man #17

Writer: Saladin Ahmed

Artist: Carmen Carnero

Colors: David Curiel

Letters: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover: Javier Garron and Curiel

 

Miles is back! In the span of 48 hours, the Miles Morales comic returned from covid break and he was announced to be starring in the next Spider-Man video game (yes I know, it’s a side game, but its still exciting). This was a good week for my boy.

It helps when the comic is this good. Big props to Carnero, who is the new regular artist, for sliding right in and making a fun, expressive comic. I’m sure Curiel helped with the cohesion between Carnero and the previous artists. The colors are as vibrant as ever and really accentuate the linework. I’m very excited to see this team continue creating Miles’ story.

 Miles is on his way to school when he spies a kid that has recently bullied so they hang out for a while and Miles finds out he is a clothes designer (In middle school!) which is both why his fit is dope and why he gets bullied. So, Miles takes him on a swing and records a video letting bullies know not to mess with his dude. After dropping him off, Miles gets back on track to his own school but is sidetracked when he is attacked by C.R.A.D.L.E., who want to arrest him for illegally being a teen superhero. Miles embarrasses them and make his way to school, where more C.R.A.D.L.E. agents are searching for Spider-Man after Ultimate Green Goblin came looking for him here. Luckily, the agents are called away when Spider-Man is seen somewhere else in town.

 

The Outlawed story is just beginning but this issue really makes it interesting by putting Miles at odds with law enforcement which is both very of this moment and something he has not had to deal with it in a very long time. That could create some fun complications for our hero.

 Later, Miles meets his parents for dinner where his mom lets him know that she hates that he’s Spider-Man. She is unbelievably proud of him, but the constant fear of him being injured or killed is a lot. I love how real Miles’ parents always feel. These are real concerns that many parents have when their children are in dangerous professions. Ahmed gives this scene a lot of time to shine and it does, both with the dialogue and with the facial expressions and body language of the characters. They work so well together.

 

Verdict: Buy

Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Death of Nancy Drew #1

Writer: Anthony Del Col

Artist: Joe Eisma

Colors: Salvatore Aiala

Letters: Crank!

Cover: Eisma

 

I haven’t read a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys comic in my life. I didn’t even know they existed, even if I probably should have assumed it. Because of that, I have no idea if this series is related to any preexisting stories, but it seems like it based on how much of the first third of this comic is exposition.

The comic does attempt to mimic the tone of a noir film, especially in the narration and coloring. It is moderately successful. The rhythm of the dialogue is completely off but the layouts of pages create a pacing and look that feels much more in line with noirs.

A hero

The issue is fairly light on story. There is some exposition to introduce all the characters and why Joe doesn’t think Nancy is actually dead. This belief brings him into conflict with his brother Frank, who just wants Joe to focus on college and growing up. After a series of clues lead Joe to a coroner, we get the big, predictable cliffhanger: Nancy’s alive! While the reveal is well done, it is in no way surprising and I hope the story can gain a head of steam now.

Moving back to the art, I love the composition of shots and the layouts of pages, but the art itself? Not a huge fan. I think it’s the coloring, I don’t like the way it makes Eisma’s art look, even if the tone it creates is perfect. I hope the team adjusted for future issues, or that I acclimate because I’m excited to keep reading.

 

Verdict: Borrow

 

 

As always, feel free to give your thoughts on these comics or others you think I should be reading in the comments below or on Twitter at @alexraysnyder. And if you like what you read here, consider throwing a couple bucks my way on Patreon to help cover costs.