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Review: Super-Secret Crisis War #5

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Delivering the same kind of ridiculous action of past issues, the crossover of Cartoon Network heroes and villains continues in Super-Secret Crisis War #5, from writer Louise Simonson and artist Derek Charm. At his point, the plot is finishing up, this being the penultimate issue of this limited series. It’s a good comic with lots of little touches in characterization and art, but unfortunately it’s starting to lose some steam. The latest issue of this series is still cute, funny and nice to look at, but it’s starting to thin with monotony.

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The plot seems to have barely moved forward in any substantial way by the end of this issue. The villains are still threatening the heroes with the same stakes, and the heroes are still reacting in more or less the same fashion. There are bits of new developments here, like in the progression of a twist with Mojo Jojo’s character, but it’s nothing all that exciting. Despite this, there are still some fun and clever bits of character interaction and dialogue that provokes a smile and reminds why this series is worth reading. The plot is just a bit stagnant at this point.

The art is still great to look at, even though there aren’t really any new tricks at play. Aku still snakes around panels in very cool page layouts. Spreads and splashes across two pages are still used liberally and to great effect, offering creative as well as wildly colorful and popping environment designs. Little touches impress, like Ed’s delightfully doofy expression in the background of a large image, or Mandark’s hyperbolic expression of shock or success. The comic’s visuals are exactly what one would want for a series like this.

There is joy to be had in Super-Secret Crisis War #5’s colorful cartoon exploits. It’s a fun book that manages to really impress in certain respects. It just can’t manage to escape the impression that its plot is much more than mildly interesting filler.

Story: Louise Simonson Art: Derek Charm
Story: 6.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Buy

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IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Super-Secret Crisis War #4

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The mere concept of Super-Secret Crisis War is enough to drive not just kids crazy with giddy excitement but the kids within the rest of us as well, no matter how buried. IDW should be applauded for deciding not to take the easy way out, instead deciding to put great talent on the book in writer Louise Simonson and artist Derek Charm to make this something worth celebrating beyond the elevator pitch. This crossover of various Cartoon Network properties, pitting heroes against villains in a battle that puts multiple universes in grave danger, has been tons of fun. The latest issue, #4, keeps this up, delivering the most exciting art and action the series has seen thus far.

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Similar to the current Samurai Jack comic series, this fourth issue is very visual, depending heavily on the downright awesome art from Charm. This issue is filled with two page splashes and spreads; in fact, only four of the 20 pages in this comic are standard one-page layouts. This would be tiresome if it wasn’t nice to look at, but that isn’t a problem here at all. Particular sequences, like Dexter ripping off and hacking the head of a robot, using it as a weapon, as well as Aku slivering all around a certain spread, prove themselves to be very satisfying. The coloring is done immensely well, offering some surprisingly dynamic shading and bursting variety in its palette, both improving upon past issues.

The plot is creeping towards its climax in this issue, with the heroes finally confronting their villains head on. The solid characterization of past issues is still here, Dexter’s arrogance, Samurai Jack’s nobility and all. Ed, Edd and Eddy find themselves in a more pivotal position than expectations would allow, providing some funny, interesting story-telling. The plot is also becoming a little more multi-faceted than a simple heroes vs. villains structure, but not so complex that it ever feels tedious.

Delivering the highest quantity and quality of action so far, Super-Secret Crisis War #4 is great. No chapter of this story has managed to fall flat, and I doubt that trend will be bucked.

Story: Louise Simonson Art: Derek Charm
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

To check out Matt’s about.me, click here. 

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Super-Secret Crisis War: Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends One-Shot

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In between each issue of IDW Publishing’s Super-Secret Crisis War, a miniseries telling the action-packed tale of a myriad of Cartoon Network characters altogether in the same story together, is a one-shot crossover issue that spotlights properties that didn’t quite make the cut. The respective Johnny Bravo and Bill and Mandy issues were good fun, but the latest one-shot from writer iVan Cohen and artist Paulina Ganucheau, devoted to Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, is by far the best. It’s not just cute fun, but also heartwarming and filled with joy. It’s a fantastic comic book that entertains through not just nostalgia-mining the psyches of Foster’s fans, but also through wonderful story-telling.

cn_sscw-fosters_cvrSomething this issue does demonstrably better than the previous one-shots is incorporate more characters into the plot, simultaneously making things more interesting and supplying more fan service. A great deal of effort was put into this issue to assure that no major character was cut, and to make sure each of those characters fit their likeness in the television show. This feels like a complete look into the world of Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, rather than a quick tread. The characterization is spot-on and the look is spot-on and the tone is spot-on.

It’s a genuinely funny and emotionally-resonate little story, done with just the right colorful, cheerful art and just the right gags and just the right light-hearted tugs at the heartstrings. Bloo’s constant self-centered, ethically-oblivious actions and the poor Frankie’s horrible struggles with her work at the foster home are palpable, making the laughs certainly come easy.  Still, those who need to be criticized are criticized, and those who deserved to be rewarded are rewarded, so the comedy isn’t mean.

The comic itself is light-years away from mean; by the end, it tells a story that gracefully manages to be just happy and heartwarming enough to still be enjoyable rather than forced and sappy. There isn’t really a direct moral lesson, and it isn’t even expecting the reader to take it all that seriously. It’s a silly, convivial little story that raises spirits and makes the case for being a friend to those in need and having a good ol’ goofy time, and for that, it’s remarkable.

Story: iVan Cohen Art: Paulina
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

To check out Matt’s about.me, click here. 

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review