Comic of the Day 13/4: "Hawkeye" #5

The current Hawkeye series is just so wonderfully consistent and coherent in what it delivers, I admit it's hard to add anything new here that I haven't already pointed out in earlier reviews. But why not just repeat praise where it's due?

You probably won't find a comic that's better looking than this one, where Ramon Perez art is so amazingly in concert with Jeff Lemire's narrative (and if you do, please let me know, OK?). Clint's and Kate' relationship is so extraordinarily humane and honest, without ever being kitsch or stereotypical. And Lemire never makes the mistake of taking sides in the still underlying conflict of responsibility and guilt between the two Hawkeyes, letting the reader decide who's right and who's wrong (if there even is such a thing here).

Some of the comic's twist come a bit too easy, and little Kate is too wisecracking for her age at times, but these are only minor flaws in a series that never takes a step back, maintaining its superb quality throughout. Absolutely essential.

Comic of the Day 2/4: "Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin" #3

This is the strongest issue in the series so far, particularly shining when showing Palpatine's masterful manipulation of young Anakin. The dialogue in these scenes is meticulously crafted, with the Sith Lord in disguise precisely appealing to Anakin's interpretation of right and wrong, while never revealing his broader agenda.

Marco Checchetto's art presents an interesting angle on the Star Wars universe, creating an ice world that strays away from common conventions, while also feeling considerably distinct from Hoth. Only the Fishers seem unimaginative and too much like your usual Marvel space-alien-villain.

With only two issues to go in this series, Obi-Wan & Anakin still leaves much in the dark when it comes to what exactly is happening on Carnelion IV. The relationship between the Open and the Closed remains unclear, and it's hard to make any sense about what happens to the two Jedi at the end. One can only hope Soule starts to tie up some loose ends in #4 already, not risking a final issue that feels too rushed and confused. 

  

Comic of the Day 31/3: "Star Wars" #17

It's very much black and white in this one, as one cannot shake the feeling that recent "Star Wars" comics favour style over substance. The art still amazes, with great set pieces that are a delight for every Star Wars fan, but the story seems to unnecessarily drag without any essential developments.

While Leia's and Sana Starros' involvement in the prison assault features some awesome moments of suspense and action, the story seems to skip forward all the time, leaving out important information in the meantime. And then there's the comic's conclusion, with an obviously doubtful and unlogic decision and a team-up really no one needs.

And yes, there's also Han's and Luke's story arc, featuring either never seen before scenes as tie-fighters chasing the Millennium Falcon (wow!) or subtle comical masterpieces as poo jokes (poo jokes? poo jokes!!!). Cut the few pages of that, extend the prison break story line and you would have had a really good comic... It wasn't to be this time.