Ghost Riders: Heaven’s on Fire #5 review
Uber-talent Jason Aaron had an incredible run on Ghost Rider. Injecting new life into this often-floundering title, Aaron brought spunk and great stories to this franchise. With the series end, a six part miniseries Heaven’s on Fire hoped to tie up the story begun by Jason Aaron, but hopes (even of great writers) don’t guarantee great comics.
With only one issue left, I must say I am very disappointed. It seems like the series just ran out of gas. The brothers Ghost Riders are on a mission to take down the evil angel Zadkiel, who they recently learned us behind their curse. Both sides have some nutty persons: Satan’s son, the teenage antichrist, nuns with guns, a giant eyeball guy on a chopper, and many other freaks. I like the over-the-top characters that Aaron has created, but they just fail to fit together. This series has lots of great ingredients, but they don’t make a good finished product. Jason Aaron had a great concept, but dragged out through five comics it has lost all steam. And there is still one issue to go!
Artist Roland Boschi’s rough, unfinished style works well with the supernatural genre. His quick, thin lines effectively craft the spiritual world. There are weak points where human bodies and faces are distorted and disproportionate.
Ghost Riders’ run is almost at an end for now. I hope Jason Aaron returns with his literal guns blazing for the last tissue. It will take a miracle to pull this one out of the gutter.
1.5 out of 5
Punisher MAX #2 review
The Punisher hasn’t been the most consistent franchise in the Marvel Universe. Still reeling from the recent Franken-Castle debacle in his self-titled series, Punisher fans deserve a good read. Author Jason Aaron delivers a fistful of Punisher delights and starts this series off with a frickin’ bang. Aaron’s Kingpin is pure genius; he gives the iconic Wilson Fisk a new origin story that establishes his sadistic nature very clearly. Sometimes, too clearly, but hey this is a MAX title. The scene with his father is particularly disturbing to read… and the prison shower…and, well you get the point.
Under the direction of his mobster employer, Fisk is luring Frank Castle into a trap by creating a phantom “kingpin” of the underworld. The issue beautifully parallels the steps of Fisk and Castle as the play cat and mouse. It’s nice silent commentary on the subjective use of violence to achieve a goal, be it virtuous or evil. How thin is the line between vigilante and crime lord? Aaron’s storytelling is crisp and commanding without any filler or wandering.
Veteran artist Steve Dillon is a good fit for this book. He depicts the violence well, nuanced with a ‘less is more’ approach. We certainly see a sufficient share of point blank range mobster executions to last a month, but he captures the horror of what we don’t see. Through facial expressions and smart paneling, Dillion matches the talents of Aaron in conveying story. His lines are too heavy in some faces which drives me nuts, but overall it’s a sharp book.
The last pages are masterfully crafted. This is a polished work that I think is only going to get better.
4.5 out of 5
Scalped #33 review
Author Jason Arron has been spreading his comic writing wings, taking on many new projects. While I’ve enjoyed many of his new endeavors, i.e. Punisher MAX and Wolverine Weapon X, his masterpiece is Scalped. It’s the grittiest plot, colored with deeply flawed, yet sympatric, characters, on comic stands today. Each issue layers more emotional investment by the reader as we watch the players more toward their fatal destinations. Its like being strapped into a rollercoaster that you know is going to fly off the tracks at some point – its scary, but the ride is a blast.
One issue away from concluding the arc called The Gnawing, Aaron perfectly paces these pages. Dash is walking a tightrope between Red Horse and his FBI loyalties. Flycatcher is lurking in the shadows as he is pursued by a law dog. Diesel is getting out of jail. Red Horse is preparing for a showdown with a rival gang determined to have his scalp. Dash is forced to make some tough choices that will forever alter his life. Many authors would get lost juggling so many plot threads, but Aaron weaves each element together to make a tightly crafted read.
R.M. Guera’s art is Scalped’s heartbeat. His frantic, dusty, and tense pages radiate the tension and despair of Jason Aaron’s script. It’s a thing of beauty to see a writer and artist work seamlessly with a common and penetrating vision. You can smell the nastiness of prison, cheap hotels and sun-baked land through Guera’s pencils.
Scalped is Vertigo’s best comic, hands down.
4.5 out of 5
From the pages of the Immortal Iron Fist, the six other Immortal Weapons of the mystical cities finally get a chance to shine in their own spotlight. This first issue chronicles the life and times of Fat Cobra.
Jason Aaron writes one hell of a good read. Its narrative is smartly framed; a young man he commissioned to find out about his past reads Fat Cobra his recently completed official biography. Cobra’s a fun character: he’s fat, but can move like a cheetah; eats like a cow, but gets all the girls. Aaron shows his skill, combining hilarious and heartbreaking moments throughout this issue. From tragedy to so-called triumph, Fat Cobra’s tale is interesting and just a blast to read.
With a gallery of artists lending their talents, the different styles seamlessly blend together into one gorgeous book. Fat Cobra is fleshed with more detail than before and given a wide range of emotions and expressions, bringing him to life.
The last few pages begin an ongoing story starring the Immortal Iron Fist. It looks promising, but all we get right now is setup.
I hope the other Immortal Weapons stories are this good, because Fat Cobra rocks!
4.5 out of 5
I continue to be amazed at the quality of this incredible comic. Scalped is the unsung hero of Vertigo comics. Jason Arron and R.M. Guera have struck gold with this remarkable series. Featuring a powerful ensemble cast, Scalped creates a dramatic world that is rare in comics. Akin to The Sopranos or Deadwood, Scalped is a masterful slice of the gritty world of drugs, gambling, dark secrets, cops, and villains.
In this arc, writer Jason Aaron moves Dash back to the foreground. Dashiel, undercover Fed and struggling drug addict, is working at Red Crow’s casino. Red Crow has problems of his own, knowing that a traitor is in his organization and dealing with an impending war with Jonny Tongue. The plot is equally as compelling as the characters, each receiving deep exposition and layering. R.M. Guera’s art is earthy and raw. Admiring his panels, I can taste the dust of the dessert, smell the warm beer and overflowing ashtrays, and feel the blistering sun.
Scalped is one of the best non-super heroes comics on the market. If you’re a fan of gritty crime dramas, you must read this!
4.5 out of 5
Scalped has never disappointed me. Each issue is a pleasant supise and a reliable read. This issue concludes the “High Lonesome” story arc with a showdown between the strung-out Dashiell Bad Horse and the mysterious stranger who threatens to reveal him as an undercover FBI agent.
Jason Aaron is kicking ass and taking names with this perpetually winning series. Each issue is constructed with confidence, never settling into a predictable mold. Aaron has given life to a colorful cast as they weave into each other’s lives in unique and imaginative ways. This issue is told through a series of flashbacks, the ending splashed on the opening page. Dash is a strung out mess and now he needs to make a decision that will change his life forever. The conman who blackmails Dash into robbing the casino is a great character that I’d love to see stay around, but life on the res’ can be deadly. Co-creator R.M. Guera’s art is stellar as usual. His gritty realism is a pitch-perfect fit for Aaron’s writing. It’s dirty, dusty, violent and dark. Most importantly, it’s a great story with fantastic art.
A nice little tease for the future is dropped in the last page. If you are not reading this, get the trades and catch up!
4 out of 5
Jason Aaron, the acclaimed writer of Scalped, is taking on Wolverine in this new monthly series. This book is off to a great start.
Often Wolverine is presented one dimensionally, but Aaron weaves together a multi-layered, interesting Logan. Wolverine is a lethal killing machine; Aaron conveys this with authority. Logan has a rich, compelling history that is handled tightly by a good author. Wolverine is a tortured man who has depth; Aaron shows us this side of Logan without it turning into a soap opera.
We see the return of Maverick, a fellow soldier of the Weapon X project. Wolverine gets drawn back into the darkness of his past and the powers behind his transformation into an indestructible weapon. It’s not a recycled journey of self-discovery for Logan, but a good story that pulls Wolverine and the reader along.
Ron Garney’s art, which he both pencils and inks, is as tight as the story. His panel progression moves the action along well. He’s gifted at balancing light and shadow to create a dark tone for the title.
This issue is really just a tease of things to come. All I can say is “I want more.” That’s always a good thing for a first issue.
4 out of 5
Scalped continues to surprise and deliver the best ensemble cast in ongoing monthly comics. Last issue began a new arc “High Lonesome” and introduced an intriguing character. I couldn’t wait to learn more about him. However, he’s not in this issue. None of the cast is in this issue, except Diesel.
Who’s Diesel? He was put in prison in earlier issues and I hardly remembered him. I never thought he’d be important, maybe just a nasty bad guy to give Dash some trouble. The seemingly peripheral Diesel takes center stage this issue for an incredible solo performance. This is part of Scalped’s genius. Each month Jason Aaron unconventionally delivers a brave story revolving around deep characters in a completely formula free presentation.
Diesel reflects on his childhood behind bars. Both Aaron and artist Davide Furno create an incredible exposition of this troubled man. Diesel had a tough childhood from his abusive alcoholic father to being shunned from the Indian culture he admires. It’s a heartbreaking narrative that Furno’s art captures perfectly. His ability to draw this child’s range of emotions is breathtaking. Young Diesel journeys from wide-eyed and wondering, to mischievous, to crushed by the few people he trusted, and finally transformed into a resolute killer.
Art and dialogue capture a moment that almost brought a tear to my eye. Diesel confronts some teenage Indians that he hoped would accept him, only to be lied to, stolen from and then brutally beaten. Still nursing fresh wounds from his father’s lashing, Diesel is face first in the dirt with a man twice his size hammering away to him. The pain on his face made me want to turn away as he whimpers, “… please just nobody hit me no more, please…” This is only one of the consistent examples of art and story merging perfectly. This happens throughout the entire issue. At one point, young and old Diesel are depicted in side by side panels as the past and present create a seamless story. Not only can Furno draw a realistic young boy, but the older Diesel actually resembles his younger self!
Aaron’s ability to craft a stand-alone story while not disrupting the ongoing story should be a must study for all comic book writers. Trusting that Diesel will play a more prominent role in the future only added to my enjoyment. Jason Aaron and Davide Furno just set the bar for all other writer/artist teams in the industry.
5 out of 5
“High Lonesome,” the newest Scalped arc, introduces a new character who is a veteran conman and card counter. He targets casinos and he’s now forced to hit small operations since Vegas and Atlantic City have his number.
I was trying to figure out how this would fit with other stories and characters. I was ready to be disappointed if we were just getting a great character profile on someone Red Crow was going to catch cheating and have to kill. End of conman, end of issue.
Writer Jason Aaron, however, is much too bright for such a cheap trick. He develops an interesting character and reveals his connection to Dash. This man of many names and faces has the potential to ignite an exciting story. I’m glad Dash is back in the main story. As always, R. M. Guera’s realistic and emotive art sets the tone and mood for the world of Scalped. From the first issue of this new arc, I’d say this is a safe bet.
3.5 out of 5
