The Week in Revue (June 5-11, 2013)

------- Spotlight
Green Lantern #21
(w) Robert Vendetti
(a) Billy Tan

------- DC Reviews
Earth 2 #13
(w) James Robinson
(a) Yildiray Cinar

The Movement #2
(w) Gail Simone
(a) Freddy Williams II

------- Marvel Reviews
Age of Ultron #9 of 10
(w) Brian Michael Bendis
(a) Brandon Peterson and Carlos Pacheco

Hawkeye #11
(w) Matt Fraction
(a) David Aja

Spotlight: The Movement #1

(w) Gail Simone     (a) Freddy Williams II

Unformed.

That's the main descriptor of Gail Simone and Freddy Williams II's The Movement #1. While there are moments of real and gritty excitement, a lot of what Simone is attempting to convey gets lost in the chaotic nature of this debut issue. There are so many plot elements and so many new characters all being introduced in 22 pages that it's difficult to process what exactly you just read by the time you're done.


** SPOILERS AHEAD **


The opening sequence focuses on the ethically challenged police force that exists in Coral City and their meeting with the Movement. It's really weird -- and out of character for her style -- but Simone's dialogue is rather clunky throughout these pages. It feels like the offhanded style is supposed to reflect a more natural conversation, but it mostly sounds unclear. I found myself reading the first page three times over before moving on because I wasn't sure who was saying what to whom. 

But the real flaw of The Movement #1 is how forced everything feels. The dirty cops, the neighborhood grassroots campaign, the heroes being young -- it's all supposed to be a cohesive concept wherein all the parts play off each other to create a thematic mood. Unfortunately, the jumpy writing style and distractingly messy art style cause this concept to fall flat. I have no idea why the rat-controlling kid, Mouse, popped up in the church while the possessed kid was raging out.

I want to stress that I'm going to stick with The Movement. Per my interest in Young Avengers on the Marvel side of things, I enjoy teenaged superheroes sticking it to the man, and that's basically what's going on in this series. It's just unfortunate that The Movement #1 is so frazzled. I feel like it's going to be an excellent series going forward because Gail Simone writes incredible team books, and her experience on Batgirl gives The Movement a darkness that's befitting to the theme.

GRADE

6.5/10

The Week in Revue (May 1-7, 2013)

Tempering down the workload this week (and going forward) in an effort to bring better quality reviews instead of a high quantity. 

This week, I'll be Spotlight-ing Gail Simone's The Movement, a 'New 52' series that introduces a whole slew of new characters into the DC universe. Along with The Movement from DC, I'll cover James Robinson's Earth 2 #12, which continues the "Tower of Fate" arc, as well as Swamp Thing #20, the second issue from rising star Charles Soule.

On the Marvel front, I'll take a look at Age of Ultron #7, the issue with the alternate heroes gracing the cover! AoU is shaping up to have huge ramifications for the entire Marvel universe. Also, I'll be covering Iron Man #9, the first issue of Kieron Gillen's fantastic series illustrated by Dale Eaglesham. Really, Greg Land's artwork has been the only truly bad thing about the 'Marvel NOW!' Iron Man, so I'm excited to see how Eaglesham interprets "The Secret Origin of Tony Stark".

------- Spotlight
The Movement #1
(w) Gail Simone     (a) Freddy Williams II

------- DC Reviews

Earth 2 #12
(w) James Robinson     (a) Nicola and Trevor Scott

Swamp Thing #20
(w) Charles Soule     (a) Kano

------- Marvel Reviews

Age of Ultron #7 of 10
(w) Brian Michael Bendis     (a) Carlos Pacheco and Brandon Peterson

Iron Man #9
(w) Kieron Gillen     (a) Dale Eaglesham