Claire Connell has a bit of situation with a conundrum of chemical cocktails to solve. Of course the sins of the past aren’t going to just sit around and let that happen. Along the way a generational cowboy needs to learn to pay attention!
Matt Fraction has a reputation to think way outside the box. This may not have been a problem had I bought a tickets for the ride from the outset; several issues in however and I am afraid to say I am a little lost. The time shifts don’t help nor are they heavily advertised or prompted within the book. The book seems wordy in places though I feel that nothing is really said. I did enjoy the banter between the grandfather and grandson which was a well observed struggle of patience between the know-it-all elder and the thinks he knows-it-all youngster.
Looking at the book can be equally confusing, which is surprising when you have Terry Dodson on pencils and colors. along with Rachel Dodson on inks. The pair are a formidable duo in anyones book, yet here there seems to be two distinct style in play with the past looking a little scratchy, with heavy inks and the present resembling [Terry] Dodson’s more recognisable Adam Hughes like homage or style. It is the present day art that stands out for me. The color scheme chosen is a little muted in places, with background carrying hues of yellow, blue and green throughout certain segments of the book. Confusion is also caused by the normally excellent Clayton Cowles on letters. Here Cowles mixes up font sizes throughout the book, seemingly randomly. Surely that many people can’t be shouting ar odd times?
I may be a tad harsh; as stated, joining a book already in progress can be difficult and not every series’ have built in jumping in points, but I didn’t enjoy this book one bit. Still Fraction and Dodson have tons of fans who will love this book; for me, I shall wait for the trade.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Matt Fraction
Art by; Terry Dodson
Inks by; Rachel Dodson
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; Image Comics
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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