"Shrouded, Part One" by Gareth David-Lloyd and Pia Guerra; "Broken, Part 3 of 5" by Nick Abadzis and Paul Grist; and "Stakes On A Plane, Part 1" by James Moran with art by Ben Willsher. Edited by Martin Eden.
Rating: Worth multiple reads - read once or twice, now, and again when each story is complete for a "gestalt" view.
The Torchwood comics magazine has proven itself, over the first three issues, to be a good and interesting read. The first two issues had a story by John Barrowman, who plays Jack Harkness is the television show. This issue starts a story by Gareth David-Lloyd, the actor who plays Ianto Jones. I find it interesting that the show (one of my favorites) has at least two actors with that kind of creativity.
"Shrouded, Part 1," is a time-travel story featuring Ianto, Captain John Hart (James Marsters's character from the show), and Rhys. Ianto meets a girl, who later turns out to be a time-traveling murderer. Fun story, nice choice of characters used, and good potential.
"Broken, Part 3 of 5," continues the title story, with Gwen, Jack, and Ianto exploring a rift-endangered hotel. This story is really kind of complex; I feel like I need to re-read the first couple of parts in order to really understand what's going on. Basically, the rift is messing with their minds, putting a childlike bent on their inner fears and doubts. The art is very cartoony, which can cause a little bit of confusion at times.
"Stakes on a Plane" is a good, ol'-fashioned vampires-on-a-plane story. It's the prose part of the magazine, and it's a lot of fun. Kind of a murder-mystery, but I'm sure it'll turn into something violent and cool.
In short, this is a cool comic and worth the $4 cover price. I've always liked this sort of serial-type comic. Remember the old Marvel Age comics? I had all of those.
Showing posts with label Torchwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torchwood. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Torchwood #2
"Broken," by Paul Grist (story & art); "Fated to Pretend," by Brian Minchin (s) and Steve Yeowell (a); "The Man Who Dreamed of Stars," by Brian Minchin (s) and Ben Wilsher (a)
Rating: worth multiple reads, but not necessarily for the normal reason.
Here's why I like this and will get at least two or three more: this is not your normal comic. This is more your old-school "comics magazine," with a short, self-contained story, a longer, serialized feature, and some prose writing at the end. Isn't that cool?
"Fated to Pretend," although I was effusive with praise, just doesn't hold up well as a story. The characterizations of the Torchwood folks is inconsistent and indistinct: the dialogue doesn't have any personality difference. The "zombies" have abilities or weaknesses that are inconsistent with what the story shows: Jack states that their skin is like rice paper, yet they can roughhouse around and are designed as soldiers. Their joints will only hold up for "five minutes' walking per day" yet have no issues with the events of the story, which seem to last longer than five minutes. "One good rain, and you'll be little puddles of bones" yet they live "hiding in a big, damp pit."
Moral of the story: nice concept, flawed execution.
The art in "Broken," part 2 of 5, is a cartoony and almost caricature-esque style. It is consistent and easy to follow, although it does dull some of the intense and scary moments that follow. Then again, much of the fear is of the "grab you suddenly" type, which is hard to do in a comic. The story is interesting and obviously a middle part: Jack dies again, but gets better. Ianto and Gwen face some demonic bad guy types, and Bilis, the protagonist's spirit guide, is arcane and scary and confusing. I'm excited to get the whole story and to read it all in a row.
Full disclosure: I haven't read the prose story yet, although the incidental art is really quite cool. I love short stories, and will eventually come back and read it, probably in the same sitting that I read "Scarlet"'s letters page.
All in all, this is a magazine that actually gives you enough material for several sittings. I like this variety, even with a flawed first story. This comic is hanging close to earning a permanent part of my pull box, although the jury is still out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Rating: worth multiple reads, but not necessarily for the normal reason.
Here's why I like this and will get at least two or three more: this is not your normal comic. This is more your old-school "comics magazine," with a short, self-contained story, a longer, serialized feature, and some prose writing at the end. Isn't that cool?
"Fated to Pretend," although I was effusive with praise, just doesn't hold up well as a story. The characterizations of the Torchwood folks is inconsistent and indistinct: the dialogue doesn't have any personality difference. The "zombies" have abilities or weaknesses that are inconsistent with what the story shows: Jack states that their skin is like rice paper, yet they can roughhouse around and are designed as soldiers. Their joints will only hold up for "five minutes' walking per day" yet have no issues with the events of the story, which seem to last longer than five minutes. "One good rain, and you'll be little puddles of bones" yet they live "hiding in a big, damp pit."
Moral of the story: nice concept, flawed execution.
The art in "Broken," part 2 of 5, is a cartoony and almost caricature-esque style. It is consistent and easy to follow, although it does dull some of the intense and scary moments that follow. Then again, much of the fear is of the "grab you suddenly" type, which is hard to do in a comic. The story is interesting and obviously a middle part: Jack dies again, but gets better. Ianto and Gwen face some demonic bad guy types, and Bilis, the protagonist's spirit guide, is arcane and scary and confusing. I'm excited to get the whole story and to read it all in a row.
Full disclosure: I haven't read the prose story yet, although the incidental art is really quite cool. I love short stories, and will eventually come back and read it, probably in the same sitting that I read "Scarlet"'s letters page.
All in all, this is a magazine that actually gives you enough material for several sittings. I like this variety, even with a flawed first story. This comic is hanging close to earning a permanent part of my pull box, although the jury is still out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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