From: ejs16@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Eric Jaron Stieglitz)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
Subject: Reviews: Marvel and Valiant
Date: 7 Jan 93 05:26:27 GMT
Reply-To: ejs16@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Eric Jaron Stieglitz)
Organization: Me, Myself, and I

I thought that I'd try my hand at reviewing some of the new series put out
by Marvel and Valiant. Keep in mind that the following is IMHO. 

_BLOODSHOT_ (Valiant)

Written by Kevin Vanhook
Art by Don Perlin

     Up until now, I had been pleased by the majority of Valiant material on themarket. Unfortunately, Bloodshot does not compare well to the other 
Valiants. From the very start of issue #1, I had the feeling that I was reading
another Wolverine/Punisher clone. 
     Bloodshot is a character who has apparently been turned into an 
unbeatable killing machine by something called "Project Rising Sun." His 
blood contains tiny computers capable of healing his body and controlling
other machines. When the story begins, Bloodshot does not know who he is.
     Out of all the Valiant comics that I have read so far, Bloodshot definitely
contains the most senseless violence. Much of issues #1 and #2 centered 
around fight scenes. Throughout the book, I felt like I had read the story
1000 times before in other comics. 
     The art does not add much to the book either. It seemed like a rushed 
job. Bloodshot seems like the clunker among Valiant's comics.

Grade: C-

_ETERNAL WARRIOR_ (Valiant)

Written by Barry Windsor-Smith
Art by Barry Windsor-Smith

     Once again, Windsor-Smith proves that he is quite capable of writing and
drawing a masterpiece. The plot makes sense, and the storyline with Master
Darque has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The flashback scenes in issues 
#6 and #7 create an interesting effect, and Windsor-Smith ties these scenes 
into the story quite effectively. 
     While the art is not the best that I have seen from him, Windsor-Smith 
still draws _Eternal Warrior_ beautifully. Overall, _Eternal Warrior_ is one of
the better books that Valiant puts out.

Grade: A-

_GHOST RIDER AND BLAZE: SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE_ (Marvel)

Written by Howard Mackie
Art by Adam Kubert

     How can you tell when a movie, book, or comic has a shallow plot? When
you can sum up that plot in one sentence: Ghost Rider, Blaze, Venom, and
Spider-Man take on Hag and Troll in issues #5 and #6. In issue #7, there
is even less to cheer about: Ghost Rider and Blaze fight Steel Wind and Steel
Vengeance. Believe it or not, I used to _like_ Mackie's writing on Ghost Rider.
I have seen very little resembling a story during the first seven issues of 
this comic.
     Thankfully, Adam Kubert's pencils make the story visually interesting, 
though they can't possibly save the plot. Note that issue #7 has a back up 
story with art by Joe Kubert, who (according to John LaRoque, I believe)
will take over the art chores with issue #8. It's too bad that the Kuberts'
talents have been wasted on Mackie's horrid writing.

Grade: C- (without the art, D-)

_HARBINGER_ (Valiant)

Written by Maurice Fontenot
Art by Howard Simpson

     I must say that I enjoy reading Fontenot's writing on this book. (Has he
anything before Harbinger?) Issue #14, in which Kris deals with the loss of 
her baby, was one of the better comic stories that I have read recently. 
Unlike _Spirits of Vengeance_, Harbinger does not dwell on battle scenes.
Notice how issues #13 to #15 contained few pointless fights. The writing 
explores the characters rather than showing one ridiculous fight after
another.
     The art on this book is pretty decent, though it isn't some of the best that
I've seen. Simpson adequately tells the story that Fontenot has written.

Grade: B+

_MORBIUS_ (Marvel)

Written by Len Kaminski
Art by Ron Wagner

     Of all the _Midnight Sons_ titles, this one has the most promise. 
Kaminski's writing gives the character a rather sick twist. There's also a bit
of humor in the book, if you know where to look. While _Morbius_ 
contains the obligatory Marvel fight scene (tm), Kaminski makes the book
fun to read. Wagner's art adds to the mood of the book with his creative 
layouts.

Grade: B

Please note that this is my first attempt at writing reviews. Any comments/
criticisms would be appreciated.

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Eric Jaron Stieglitz aka ejs16@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu
"With great power comes great responsibility"
We have been given the power of free speech.
Let's make sure that we use it wisely... 
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc