Dracula World Order 1 (May 2012)

Didn’t some other publisher just try Dracula again? I guess in the vampire craze, everyone things Dracula is just the natural thing to do. To be fair, Ian Brill’s comic doesn’t seem Twilight-influenced based the vampire biology–he’s got to be able to give Dracula a rebellious son right off the bat.

So to speak.

Brill’s Dracula World Order tries to combine a monster team origin, political commentary, dystopian future and probably a couple other things. He’s got four artists on the book–Tonci Zonjic’s opening chapter is the weakest, art-wise, but still okay–but his chapters don’t make any sense. They’re artificial constructions to enable multiple artists.

The final one, with the Gabriel Hardman art, is the best. Though there’s something precious about Rahsan Ekedal’s one.

But no artist could make up for Brill’s weak dialogue or the lousy pacing. It’s not amateurish, it’s just not good.

The Immortal Iron Fist (2007) #23

Iff23

I think I’ll start with Foreman. He usually does an all right job, but he ends this issue on a terrible full-page panel of the (supposedly) first Iron Fist. He’s got this old guy warped to fit in the panel, his body proportions and perspective a complete mess. It’s terrible finish to the issue because it’s supposed to be scary. Instead it’s weak.

The issue opens with the revelation Davos is untrustworthy. It’s not clear if it’s just him or if it’s the Thunderer too. Swierczynski has a very strange storytelling method for Iron Fist. He contracts things Brubaker and Fraction introduced. For the most part, he sucks the potential out of them. He’s not predictable, he’s simply unoriginal. His Immortal Iron Fist feels like a copy of a copy of a copy. It’s dulled.

Every time Swierczynski seems to be getting better, he drops even further than before.

The Immortal Iron Fist 23 (April 2009)

Every time Swierczynski seems to be getting better, he drops even further than before.

CREDITS

Escape from the Eighth City, Chapter Two; writer, Duane Swierczynski; pencillers, Travel Foreman, Tonci Zonjic and Timothy Green; inkers, Tom Palmer, Mark Pennington, Zonjic and Green; colorist, Matt Milla; letterer, Nate Piekos; editors, Alejandro Arbona and Warren Simons; publisher, Marvel Comics.

The Immortal Iron Fist (2007) #14

Iif14

This issue basically brings Brubaker and Fraction’s story to its finish (Brubaker leaves after this one, Fraction hangs around for a little coda then is off). It’s an outstanding issue, both fantastic on its own and as a conclusion to the story arc. Brubaker and Fraction have more pages here and the issue shows they probably should have had this kind of room the entire time.

Aja is gone at this point, so it’s up to Kano and Zonjic (I didn’t even notice Mann’s pages) and they do a great job. As Wendell Rand’s story comes to an end quietly with him finding Orson, Danny gets to do these awesome stunts. It’s all very Star Wars, something Fraction hasn’t been able to do in a while and it’s fantastic. There’s just tons of spectacle and humor.

The writing makes this issue mainstream perfection.

Even Davos’s redemption works.

It’s simply fantastic.

The Immortal Iron Fist (2007) #13

Iif13

It’s not the deepest issue, it’s probably not the best written, but it’s completely awesome. Everything comes together here (with the promise of a big fight next issue).

Unfortunately, Aja’s not along for the ride. Instead, it’s Zonjic doing most of the art. He’s a lot like Javier Pulido. He’s fine, but I was used to Aja on the title.

Brubaker and Fraction get in a lot more about K’un-L’un here, stuff they probably should have made clear a lot earlier. The book moves real fast–this issue’s fight sequence is between Davos and the Thunderer, but otherwise it’s mostly talking heads as everyone prepares for next issue.

It’s interesting how this story arc has had an annual and a special published alongside it, both essential reading to keep up. It suggests something big. I wish there’d been more specials, actually, for the supporting cast.

It’s a great issue.

The Immortal Iron Fist 14 (June 2008)

The writing makes this issue mainstream perfection.

Even Davos’s redemption works.

It’s simply fantastic.

CREDITS

The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, Conclusion; writers, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction; pencillers, Kano, Tonci Zonjic and Clay Mann; inkers, Kano and Stefano Gaudiano; colorist, Matt Hollingsworth; letterer, Artmonkeys Studios; editors, Alejandro Arbona and Warren Simons; publisher, Marvel Comics.

The Immortal Iron Fist 13 (May 2008)

It’s not the deepest issue, it’s probably not the best written, but it’s completely awesome. Everything comes together here (with the promise of a big fight next issue).

Unfortunately, Aja’s not along for the ride. Instead, it’s Zonjic doing most of the art. He’s a lot like Javier Pulido. He’s fine, but I was used to Aja on the title.

It’s a great issue.

CREDITS

The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, Part 6; writers, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction; artists, Kano, Tonci Zonjic and David Aja; colorist, Matt Hollingsworth; letterer, Artmonkeys Studios; editors, Alejandro Arbona and Warren Simons; publisher, Marvel Comics.