James Harvey
03-07-2002, 01:22 AM
I'll merge with thread with the current Justice League Adventures #4 Talkback thread in a few days, but I want to have it stand out for a few day. I know Dan has been wondering when I'd give a more detailed review of his issue, so here it is!
The Story: Where to begin? Well...from the beginning. I like how Wonder Woman's amazon sisters have been keeping tabs on her. I chuckled when I saw that "By Hera, What A Blow!". If these Amazons are supposed to be so formal all the time, it's abit funny to see them cut loose, I suppose. I found their perspective on "A Man's World" a bit innocent, yet honest. I liked that touch. This is where the story can either get really "Touch By An Angel", or really good - and thankfully it went the latter way. When Athena ops in, we instantly peg her as a villian, but in hindsight, I'm not really sure if she is. She is seeing how badly women are treated, and wants to do something about it. She's a bit mis-directed, but her intents aren't all that evil...yet.
We next jump to the Watchtower where we see that time has passed (which I wish was made a bit more clear - maybe a "A Few Months Later..." box or something) and the Amazons are on Earth making us cruel bastard men pay! I really like the idea of the "Sisterhood Magic". I'm not a real big Wonder WOman fan, so I don't know if this is an established WW thing, or something Dan whipped up. Either way - nice job!
"See? This is why no one like chicks in the military"
Pure gold, Dan. Just pure gold. That joke is timed perfectly.
Next we jump to Wonder Woman trying to talk to her Amazon sisters, and that included the best cameo of the series so far - Supergirl. Ingenius, Dan. I thought that was a great idea! As a big Superman: The Animated Series fan (and a fan of continuity) I really liked this cameo. It was spot on, and works perfectly. As usual with any goodwill attempt, things fall to pieces as Diana is caputred and Martian Manhunter is found out. Naturally the rest of the JL show up to whup some Amazon ass and find them more then what they bargained for.
I do have a question for Dan on Page 9 we see Manhunter grabbed by a fiery hand. In the cartoon I'm still not 100% sure if they've acknowledged his vunverability to fire, as it's very deadly to him. Are you playing up on the mainstream Manhunter's vunerability to fire, or is he in just alotta pain, as anyone would be if they were ever attacked by a huge hand on fire (hey -- it could happen)?
The chemically treated Batarangs? Good move! It seems like something that Batman would prepare for. I mean, honestly - throwing a plain Batarang at an Amazon is like throwing a peice of paper. It's cool to see Batman plan ahead.
I also like how you kept J'onn's psychic flash "ability" from the plot episode intact. Nice to see it acknowledged again. Also, Superman's vunerability to magic is kept intact as well, something I like seeing. I like you acknowledge this stuff, Dan, where a lesser writer may not have thought of this. Although that "Boy, Do I Hate Magic" comment seems sorta weird.
Question: Is Batman's "Bullets & Bracelets" comment a play on the DC/Marvel Amalgam one-shot by the same name, which starred Bruce Wayne and Diana? I know it's an out there question - but maybe I'm not the only who noticed.
And I never knew Batman knew that Vulcan nerve inch. Man..he does know everything....:)
Overall, a great read - probably the best issue of the series so far, rivalling issue #3's tale by ex-X-Men writer Fabian. I really enjoyed the issue, and wish I could see this tale animated. Heck, the characters look so dead on it could be easily translated. Overall, a big ol' thumbs up!
The Art: There aren't too many artists who get better with every issue. Sometimes their style falters and gets stale. Others fall into a rut and just stay there. Min, though, you've gotten better. I can honestly say this as I own every peice of published work you've done, from Spider-Man Unlimited 1/2 to this issue. I can really see the tweaks and improvements as time has passed. For anyone here who read Superman Adventures no doubt saw some of Min's early work (which I thought was influenced by the Dong Yang animated episodes - his Superman looks just like the Dong Yang model sheet SUperman) can agree with me that his style has improved in leaps and bounds. Now, time to get picky and specific...
Page 2, panel 6 - gotta love that Hooters waitress! I reall yliked this panel becuase brought up a dark modd with the Amazon in the dark foreground and then the huge vat with the various images of women across the world. It gave a nice onimous touch to the panel. That, and the guy in thr glasses looks familair - like I've seem him in something else you've drawn.
Page 3, panel 5 - Another dark panel with some great line-work.
Page 4, panel 2 - I'm mpressed on how you're able to peg the characeristics of the characters just by an establishing shot. I bored Flash. A heroic looking Superman. Batman front and center giving us the facts. Nicely done.
Page 6, panel 1 - Your rendition of Flash here makes his "Chick" joke work. A great example of the writer and artist coming togethor and playing off each other.
Panel 7, panel 1 - Kara. Need I say more?
Panel 9, panel 1 - A nice establishing shot of the Amazons. Although I'm a bit curious as to why the breast plate of the Amazon in the foreront has two different patterns on it. Maybe I should stop staring...
Page 10, panel 1 - A nice active panel. Not too busy and showing the Leaguers, sans Hawkgirl, coming in for the rescue. There's a great sens eof movement in the panel, not really stiff. I like your Flash blur, and how we see him taking out 3 Amazons in quick succession (sp?).
Page 10, panel 4 - Awesome Batman shot!
Page 11, panel 3 - Great Superman shot. His hands do look a bit weird and a tad bit small, but overall a nice panel.
Page 13, panel 2 - GREAT action shot. This looks familair, like I've seen it in a previous bit of work you've done, but you do a great job on this.
Page 13, panel 3 - I've stated before that KOKO seems to have a hard time animated Superman's face - well look here! I know it's not animated, but this is how Superman's face should look in the series.
Page 16, panel 3 - Just a cool "Bring It On" Superman pose.
Page 19, panel 2 - A nice Batman action shot. I always see alot of 'Batman running' poses, but this one is pretty cool. A smal panel worthy of a splash page.
Page 20, panel 1 - Great Wonder Woman action shot. Nicely nicely done!
Page 20, panel 5 - I like the shading in this panel. Brings some nice atmosphere and great lighting. I always find it a bit comical how the stars on Wonder Woman's costume always stay bright, no matter what the situation!
Overall, I really liked the art in this issue. What I really, really like is Min's ability to stay on model, and he does an astounding job. I can almost envision these episodes being animated, or see the pictrues moving. And without a doubt, he's given us the best animated 'JL Superman' that even the series can't seem to match. Overall, a really great issue!
Rating: A
...And I think that's it for this keyboard typo littered post. If I think of anything else, I'll put it in this post or in a reply, but that's all. Enjoy Dan & Min!
The Story: Where to begin? Well...from the beginning. I like how Wonder Woman's amazon sisters have been keeping tabs on her. I chuckled when I saw that "By Hera, What A Blow!". If these Amazons are supposed to be so formal all the time, it's abit funny to see them cut loose, I suppose. I found their perspective on "A Man's World" a bit innocent, yet honest. I liked that touch. This is where the story can either get really "Touch By An Angel", or really good - and thankfully it went the latter way. When Athena ops in, we instantly peg her as a villian, but in hindsight, I'm not really sure if she is. She is seeing how badly women are treated, and wants to do something about it. She's a bit mis-directed, but her intents aren't all that evil...yet.
We next jump to the Watchtower where we see that time has passed (which I wish was made a bit more clear - maybe a "A Few Months Later..." box or something) and the Amazons are on Earth making us cruel bastard men pay! I really like the idea of the "Sisterhood Magic". I'm not a real big Wonder WOman fan, so I don't know if this is an established WW thing, or something Dan whipped up. Either way - nice job!
"See? This is why no one like chicks in the military"
Pure gold, Dan. Just pure gold. That joke is timed perfectly.
Next we jump to Wonder Woman trying to talk to her Amazon sisters, and that included the best cameo of the series so far - Supergirl. Ingenius, Dan. I thought that was a great idea! As a big Superman: The Animated Series fan (and a fan of continuity) I really liked this cameo. It was spot on, and works perfectly. As usual with any goodwill attempt, things fall to pieces as Diana is caputred and Martian Manhunter is found out. Naturally the rest of the JL show up to whup some Amazon ass and find them more then what they bargained for.
I do have a question for Dan on Page 9 we see Manhunter grabbed by a fiery hand. In the cartoon I'm still not 100% sure if they've acknowledged his vunverability to fire, as it's very deadly to him. Are you playing up on the mainstream Manhunter's vunerability to fire, or is he in just alotta pain, as anyone would be if they were ever attacked by a huge hand on fire (hey -- it could happen)?
The chemically treated Batarangs? Good move! It seems like something that Batman would prepare for. I mean, honestly - throwing a plain Batarang at an Amazon is like throwing a peice of paper. It's cool to see Batman plan ahead.
I also like how you kept J'onn's psychic flash "ability" from the plot episode intact. Nice to see it acknowledged again. Also, Superman's vunerability to magic is kept intact as well, something I like seeing. I like you acknowledge this stuff, Dan, where a lesser writer may not have thought of this. Although that "Boy, Do I Hate Magic" comment seems sorta weird.
Question: Is Batman's "Bullets & Bracelets" comment a play on the DC/Marvel Amalgam one-shot by the same name, which starred Bruce Wayne and Diana? I know it's an out there question - but maybe I'm not the only who noticed.
And I never knew Batman knew that Vulcan nerve inch. Man..he does know everything....:)
Overall, a great read - probably the best issue of the series so far, rivalling issue #3's tale by ex-X-Men writer Fabian. I really enjoyed the issue, and wish I could see this tale animated. Heck, the characters look so dead on it could be easily translated. Overall, a big ol' thumbs up!
The Art: There aren't too many artists who get better with every issue. Sometimes their style falters and gets stale. Others fall into a rut and just stay there. Min, though, you've gotten better. I can honestly say this as I own every peice of published work you've done, from Spider-Man Unlimited 1/2 to this issue. I can really see the tweaks and improvements as time has passed. For anyone here who read Superman Adventures no doubt saw some of Min's early work (which I thought was influenced by the Dong Yang animated episodes - his Superman looks just like the Dong Yang model sheet SUperman) can agree with me that his style has improved in leaps and bounds. Now, time to get picky and specific...
Page 2, panel 6 - gotta love that Hooters waitress! I reall yliked this panel becuase brought up a dark modd with the Amazon in the dark foreground and then the huge vat with the various images of women across the world. It gave a nice onimous touch to the panel. That, and the guy in thr glasses looks familair - like I've seem him in something else you've drawn.
Page 3, panel 5 - Another dark panel with some great line-work.
Page 4, panel 2 - I'm mpressed on how you're able to peg the characeristics of the characters just by an establishing shot. I bored Flash. A heroic looking Superman. Batman front and center giving us the facts. Nicely done.
Page 6, panel 1 - Your rendition of Flash here makes his "Chick" joke work. A great example of the writer and artist coming togethor and playing off each other.
Panel 7, panel 1 - Kara. Need I say more?
Panel 9, panel 1 - A nice establishing shot of the Amazons. Although I'm a bit curious as to why the breast plate of the Amazon in the foreront has two different patterns on it. Maybe I should stop staring...
Page 10, panel 1 - A nice active panel. Not too busy and showing the Leaguers, sans Hawkgirl, coming in for the rescue. There's a great sens eof movement in the panel, not really stiff. I like your Flash blur, and how we see him taking out 3 Amazons in quick succession (sp?).
Page 10, panel 4 - Awesome Batman shot!
Page 11, panel 3 - Great Superman shot. His hands do look a bit weird and a tad bit small, but overall a nice panel.
Page 13, panel 2 - GREAT action shot. This looks familair, like I've seen it in a previous bit of work you've done, but you do a great job on this.
Page 13, panel 3 - I've stated before that KOKO seems to have a hard time animated Superman's face - well look here! I know it's not animated, but this is how Superman's face should look in the series.
Page 16, panel 3 - Just a cool "Bring It On" Superman pose.
Page 19, panel 2 - A nice Batman action shot. I always see alot of 'Batman running' poses, but this one is pretty cool. A smal panel worthy of a splash page.
Page 20, panel 1 - Great Wonder Woman action shot. Nicely nicely done!
Page 20, panel 5 - I like the shading in this panel. Brings some nice atmosphere and great lighting. I always find it a bit comical how the stars on Wonder Woman's costume always stay bright, no matter what the situation!
Overall, I really liked the art in this issue. What I really, really like is Min's ability to stay on model, and he does an astounding job. I can almost envision these episodes being animated, or see the pictrues moving. And without a doubt, he's given us the best animated 'JL Superman' that even the series can't seem to match. Overall, a really great issue!
Rating: A
...And I think that's it for this keyboard typo littered post. If I think of anything else, I'll put it in this post or in a reply, but that's all. Enjoy Dan & Min!