Post by goldenfist on Sept 28, 2007 23:26:26 GMT -5
From ing.com here's there review of Avengers The Initiative #6.
Avengers: The Initiative #6
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Steve Uy
It's always such a shame when a good book suddenly falls apart. Such is the case for the sixth issue of Avengers: The Intitiative. Make no mistake about it - Initiative is still the best of the Avengers books. However a (temporary) change in artists just wrecks the enjoyment of this one-shot story. What makes this all the more frustrating is that Dan Slott delivers as usual. The Gauntlet, hard-nosed disciplinarian of the Initiative Training Camp, is assaulted by someone. A team is sent by Tony Stark to investigate. The bulk of the issue explores the motivations of the suspects while also developing the Gauntlet into a deeper character. You've no doubt seen plenty of "Whodunnits" or procedural television shows by now, but when they're done well, they're still incredible. Such is the case here.
And then there was Steve Uy. Uy's work is marked departure from Stefano Caselli, whose animated, energetic, cartoon-esque style has been a defining asset since this series began. Uy is so different that it's impossible to enjoy his work. Furthermore he's incredibly lacking as a storyteller and his characters are completely void of decent emotional conviction or even energy. Virtually every panel falls flat, and you'll be hard-pressed to pick up on the proper message that Slott is trying to convey. A lesser writer would not have been able to carry this story through to completion. Despite Uy's damaging work, this issue is still worthwhile as Slott manages to tell a great story. Just have someone read it to you while you close your eyes.
I think Marvel has made a much bigger deal out of this issue of Avengers: The Initiative than was strictly necessary. I was there at Wizard World Philly when they first unveiled the cover image with the New Warriors logo spray painted on an unconscious Gauntlet. At the time it seemed like this would become the next big storyline in Dan Slott's fledgling series, now that the introductory arc and the World War Hulk tie-in have wrapped up. In truth, this is a standalone issue, plain and simple. It's not earth-shaking in any respect, but it does provide for plenty of quieter character moments that help flesh out a cast largely made up of newbies and obscurities. If you've been following the book so far, there's no reason not to pick up this issue. I think you'll like it just fine.
The premise, of course, centers around the attack on Gauntlet and the subsequent investigation. It's no secret that Gauntlet isn't well liked among his trainees, so the prime suspects include many of the book's regular cast. What surprised me most wasn't who did the deed, but the fact they Slott revealed the answer at all. Everything, from the identity of the attacker to the question of whether Guantlet lives or dies, is answered by the end of the issue. Such a quick turnaround is pretty rare in this industry. And no, you don't need to be reading Kevin Grevioux's New Warriors to follow along. It is a bit disappointing that Marvel had to hire a fill-in artist for this issue. Steve Uy isn't bad, but when the best way to describe his style is a less detailed version of regular artist Stefano Caselli's, you know you have a problem. This issue may be a good deal less flashy and exciting than the previous five, but it does nothing to harm the series' reputation as the best Avengers book on the stands.
7.0 Decent (CHECK IT)
Here are the new ratings for the reviews.
0.0 = WTF? (BURN IT)
0.1 - 0.9 = Worthless (BURN IT)
1.0 - 1.9 = Abysmal (BURN IT)
2.0 - 2.9 = Terrible (PASS IT)
3.0 - 3.9 = Awful (PASS IT)
4.0 - 4.9 = Poor (PASS IT)
5.0 = Meh (PASS IT)
5.1 - 5.9 = Mediocre (CHECK IT)
6.0 - 6.9 = Passable (CHECK IT)
7.0 - 7.4 = Decent (CHECK IT)
7.5 - 7.9 = Good (MUST READ)
8.0 - 8.4 = Impressive (MUST READ)
8.5 - 8.9 = Great (MUST READ)
9.0 - 9.4 = Outstanding (MUST HAVE)
9.5 - 9.9 = Incredible (MUST HAVE)
10.0 = Masterful (MUST HAVE)
Just incase no one knows about their rating system when they
review a comic.
Avengers: The Initiative #6
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Steve Uy
It's always such a shame when a good book suddenly falls apart. Such is the case for the sixth issue of Avengers: The Intitiative. Make no mistake about it - Initiative is still the best of the Avengers books. However a (temporary) change in artists just wrecks the enjoyment of this one-shot story. What makes this all the more frustrating is that Dan Slott delivers as usual. The Gauntlet, hard-nosed disciplinarian of the Initiative Training Camp, is assaulted by someone. A team is sent by Tony Stark to investigate. The bulk of the issue explores the motivations of the suspects while also developing the Gauntlet into a deeper character. You've no doubt seen plenty of "Whodunnits" or procedural television shows by now, but when they're done well, they're still incredible. Such is the case here.
And then there was Steve Uy. Uy's work is marked departure from Stefano Caselli, whose animated, energetic, cartoon-esque style has been a defining asset since this series began. Uy is so different that it's impossible to enjoy his work. Furthermore he's incredibly lacking as a storyteller and his characters are completely void of decent emotional conviction or even energy. Virtually every panel falls flat, and you'll be hard-pressed to pick up on the proper message that Slott is trying to convey. A lesser writer would not have been able to carry this story through to completion. Despite Uy's damaging work, this issue is still worthwhile as Slott manages to tell a great story. Just have someone read it to you while you close your eyes.
I think Marvel has made a much bigger deal out of this issue of Avengers: The Initiative than was strictly necessary. I was there at Wizard World Philly when they first unveiled the cover image with the New Warriors logo spray painted on an unconscious Gauntlet. At the time it seemed like this would become the next big storyline in Dan Slott's fledgling series, now that the introductory arc and the World War Hulk tie-in have wrapped up. In truth, this is a standalone issue, plain and simple. It's not earth-shaking in any respect, but it does provide for plenty of quieter character moments that help flesh out a cast largely made up of newbies and obscurities. If you've been following the book so far, there's no reason not to pick up this issue. I think you'll like it just fine.
The premise, of course, centers around the attack on Gauntlet and the subsequent investigation. It's no secret that Gauntlet isn't well liked among his trainees, so the prime suspects include many of the book's regular cast. What surprised me most wasn't who did the deed, but the fact they Slott revealed the answer at all. Everything, from the identity of the attacker to the question of whether Guantlet lives or dies, is answered by the end of the issue. Such a quick turnaround is pretty rare in this industry. And no, you don't need to be reading Kevin Grevioux's New Warriors to follow along. It is a bit disappointing that Marvel had to hire a fill-in artist for this issue. Steve Uy isn't bad, but when the best way to describe his style is a less detailed version of regular artist Stefano Caselli's, you know you have a problem. This issue may be a good deal less flashy and exciting than the previous five, but it does nothing to harm the series' reputation as the best Avengers book on the stands.
7.0 Decent (CHECK IT)
Here are the new ratings for the reviews.
0.0 = WTF? (BURN IT)
0.1 - 0.9 = Worthless (BURN IT)
1.0 - 1.9 = Abysmal (BURN IT)
2.0 - 2.9 = Terrible (PASS IT)
3.0 - 3.9 = Awful (PASS IT)
4.0 - 4.9 = Poor (PASS IT)
5.0 = Meh (PASS IT)
5.1 - 5.9 = Mediocre (CHECK IT)
6.0 - 6.9 = Passable (CHECK IT)
7.0 - 7.4 = Decent (CHECK IT)
7.5 - 7.9 = Good (MUST READ)
8.0 - 8.4 = Impressive (MUST READ)
8.5 - 8.9 = Great (MUST READ)
9.0 - 9.4 = Outstanding (MUST HAVE)
9.5 - 9.9 = Incredible (MUST HAVE)
10.0 = Masterful (MUST HAVE)
Just incase no one knows about their rating system when they
review a comic.
