Nathan Stout Comic Reviews

Doyle and Tynion used this issue to flesh out Constantine's character as much as they could. They show him as a manipulator, a flirt, a con man, and a bastard. They make a point of showing that Constantine is bisexual (an aspect of his character that has been around for a long time, but never talked about much). But most importantly, they showed Constantine as a haunted man, haunted by his past and the friends he's damned along the way.

This was a very enjoyable issue that had a lot to offer, even if it wasn't perfect, and was definitely worth the read.

Wolfman slides back into writing the Titans as if he never left. The dialogue perfectly reflected the characters that he developed and highlighted the relationships built up within his series. The character dynamics really stick out in this book. The team supported each other, and argued with each other. They questioned the relationships they had built. These team dynamics were a trademark of the old series, and it is nice to see that Wolfman still has a perfect understanding of these characters.

Simone's writing is superb here. Her dialogue feels very natural. She managed to write romantic dialogue that didn't feel cheesy, which is an impressive feat. Simone's use of internal dialogue, which came from both Babs and Dick, really helped to bring out the characters and didn't bog down the story at all. This is mostly because it wasn't telling the story, but more commenting on it. Overall, Simone has crafted a phenomenal story in these two issues, giving long time fans of the couple some much needed closure.

Oliver's wrting is very strong here. The pacing was consistant and the dialogue felt natural. There is a great deal of narration in this issue, but that narration works to add to the story, equally telling what happens and developing Plastic Man's voice. His characterization of Plastic Man is great, placing emphasis on his desire to put his criminal past behind him. The other characters on the team really didn't get enough screen time to develop at all. It's clear that this book is the Plastic Man show.

Wein's portrayal of Swampy and Abigail are spot on, particularly in their dynamic with each other, a great friendship with a slight romantic undercurrent. The dialogue felt classic, yet modern, and very natural. His opening sequence of backstory was very helpful and makes this book accessible for newer readers unfamiliar with those early runs. Wein's most impressive feat is his ability to make the reader genuinely concerned for Swampy's well-being, despite the fact that he is the main character of this book.

Jeff Lemire is crafting a story that is looking to be deep and interesting, asking questions about morality as well as the nature of man. TIM-21 is an intriguing main character that in which the reader easily sympathizes and is beginning to bring into question what is known about artificial life. Supporting casts are a strength of Lemire's and this cast is no different. We can see Quon's love for robotics, even while his unsure of their consequences. Captain Telsa intensity comes through clearly, as does her mysterious nature. We are forced to question her motives for this mission. These characters are developed through clean dialogue that is constantly pushing the story forward. I for one, cannot what to see where Descender ends up.

Go buy this issue. It's a great start to a very promising run.