Invincible #94 Review

It's a sign of how large the Invincible universe has grown that the book can feature both Mark Grayson and his replacement, Zandale, and yet both characters are little more than guest stars in this issue. And it's a testament to how well Robert Kirkman has fleshed out some of these secondary characters that the relative absence of the Invincible family is barely felt.

More than ever, this has really become Robot and Monster Girl's story. With so many other heroes busy or out of commission, it's these two that are leading the fight against the resurgent Flaxans. Issue #94 also relies even more heavily on flashback sequences to their extended time exiled in the Flaxan dimension. Kirkman focuses a great deal on the evolution of their romance over the course of hundreds of years. Readers have known for a while where the two characters end up, but it's nice to finally see the journey that brought them to this point. This material generally works very well and adds an extra layer of emotional resonance to what would otherwise be another big, bloody battle for the fate of Earth. The problem comes at the end of the issue, where Kirkman drops a twist that is just a little too soap opera-y for my tastes.

Both Ryan Ottley and Cory Walker handle their respective sections well. Ottley has never been a slouch when it comes to epic action, and his various battle scenes are a feast of visual delights. Walker is arguably the standout artist this month, however, as he tackles most of the key emotional moments in his flashback scenes. It helps that colorist John Rauch is able to add more depth and richness to Walker's pencils than we've seen in his previous work. I'll probably never be happy with the odd, shimmery quality to Rauch's skin tones, but he does plenty right with this series as well.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Nightwing #12 Review

Between the Dick Grayson-related revelations that came out of Night of the Owls and various other elements Kyle Higgins has seeded over the past year, Nightwing has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the series too rarely seems to nail the execution. Issue #12 is another frustratingly uneven installment that nonetheless suggests some pretty cool things are coming on the horizon.

It's mainly the final clash with Paragon that disappoints in this issue. I'm rarely a fan of the types of hero/villain showdowns where the characters embark on long-winded conversations even as they trade blows. There's a lot of exposition flying about during the extended fight scene. But to his credit, Higgins successfully ties some threads together and showcases just how far back he was planning Paragon's rise. But ultimately, like so many of the new villains that have debuted in the Bat books with the New 52, Paragon lacks that special punch needed to stand alongside the classic rogues.

One area where Higgins succeeds relative to a series like Catwoman is in building up an effective supporting cast that actually feels vital to the book's success. The relationship between Dick and Detective Nie takes an interesting new turn, as does Dick's civilian relationship to Sonia. I'm also very keen on some of the later plot twists Higgins introduces after the Paragon battle wraps. I would be amazed if the series doesn't immediately start to improve as  this new material comes into play.

Sadly, the ongoing art woes continue to plague the series. Andres Guinaldo is back again. His work shines best during the fight scenes, and he shows a particularly deft grasp of Nightwing's fighting style and acrobatics. It's more the facial work that drags down the issue. The expressions run from being merely bland to downright weird and silly. The facial work really works against the tone of the script in the final encounter between Dick and Sonia. What should be a serious, dramatic moment reads almost like a comedy instead.

Nightwing needs a more suitable and consistent artist if it's going to live up to its potential. Luckily, Higgins seems to be maneuvering the book into a more compelling place in the coming months, so the visual woes aren't an insurmountable problem.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com