February 9, 2017
This one will prove to be a tough nut to crack. When I first started reading, I immediately missed Ditko's art. When I got to the end of his run on the original Amazing Spider-Man, I knew I was ready for him to be done. For a multitude of reasons - pprobably the fact that a few of the villains were just getting too pedantic, his run was ready for its end. But here, I wanted more. I immediately noted that he was still given credits at the front end of the comic as a creator, and that the letters page tipped its hat, and honestly revealed his departure, as well. Although the philosophical reasons might have been out there.
But around the third page - other than the all-too frequent McDonald's references (did they have some sort of an endorsement deal or something?) I fell on board with the art within. Even started switching over to the more multi-faceted approaches and stances within many of the pages. I found myself being extra-ordinarily critical of pencils - especially the Dark Dominion 0 cover from Ditko. It was great to see the marriage of what I felt were the first and last moment of classic comics - but moved quickly over.
I did find the story to be far less compelling under the switched hands. It felt frequently that the creators were working hard to re-create the story and magic instead of letting the story flow. I am still enjoying it much more than I did enjoy most of the first Plasm/Warriors arc - but it has laid down groundwork, and felt like it didn't advance much beyond that - other than getting me comfortable with the change. Most of the story was a re-iteration - with his depth increased in the story.
As for the story - sometimes pushing the envelope too far is too much. I sincerely doubt that we'd lose our main character at the end of the story by having him burn up in the steam - but it was good to see the increasing scope of the control in the world - even if it felt like the expansion may have been too much.
I also love the fact that the story is told through the perspective of a mostly kind, unremarkable, past his prime kind of old man. He absolutely is the opposite of nearly everything a character could be in a superhero comic - except perhaps to make him a little fat - or even a bit more ethnically diverse.
The concept and comic are compelling. I can see why so many people looked back on the universe with particular fondness for this title. Perhaps I will try to hunt down some of the other versions - like the signed one of this.
But around the third page - other than the all-too frequent McDonald's references (did they have some sort of an endorsement deal or something?) I fell on board with the art within. Even started switching over to the more multi-faceted approaches and stances within many of the pages. I found myself being extra-ordinarily critical of pencils - especially the Dark Dominion 0 cover from Ditko. It was great to see the marriage of what I felt were the first and last moment of classic comics - but moved quickly over.
I did find the story to be far less compelling under the switched hands. It felt frequently that the creators were working hard to re-create the story and magic instead of letting the story flow. I am still enjoying it much more than I did enjoy most of the first Plasm/Warriors arc - but it has laid down groundwork, and felt like it didn't advance much beyond that - other than getting me comfortable with the change. Most of the story was a re-iteration - with his depth increased in the story.
As for the story - sometimes pushing the envelope too far is too much. I sincerely doubt that we'd lose our main character at the end of the story by having him burn up in the steam - but it was good to see the increasing scope of the control in the world - even if it felt like the expansion may have been too much.
I also love the fact that the story is told through the perspective of a mostly kind, unremarkable, past his prime kind of old man. He absolutely is the opposite of nearly everything a character could be in a superhero comic - except perhaps to make him a little fat - or even a bit more ethnically diverse.
The concept and comic are compelling. I can see why so many people looked back on the universe with particular fondness for this title. Perhaps I will try to hunt down some of the other versions - like the signed one of this.