stillanerd
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Okay, here are my more in-depth thoughts about the first part of Roger Stern and Lee Weeks second Post-Brand New Day story:
All in all, this was a pretty nice, old school issue. So far, its shaping up to be a slightly better-than-average tale. Not sure if it will be at the same caliber as a "sequel" to "Nothing Stops the Juggernaut," but we still have two more parts to go.
*First of, Lee Weeks penciling is terrific. After so many issues of indy artists is nice to have artwork thats a little more traditional. Its incredibly detailed without cluttering up the panels, proving plenty of visual information without overwhelming the senses. Theres also some great sense of perspective and depth in the panels, providing Spidey with some dynamic and realistic looking poses and giving a sense of movement. Based on the artwork alone, this is terrific visual storytelling.
*Of course, part of this traditional feel to the issue also has to do with Roger Sterns writing, using the stylistic approach used in older comics that every issue is somebodys first. Through combination of a flashback segments highlighting Spideys past encounters with the unstoppable Juggernaut and usage of interior monologue, Stern brings the readers up-to-speed without making it feel too expository. Likewise, by getting into the heart of the mystery as to who couldve defeated the Juggernaut, it allows for Stern to have Peter reflect and discern possible suspects while hes going through his typical routine as a superhero and his day-to-day life as Peter. Sure, there are times where is old school approach can be a bit clunky, like when Spidey yells out the title of the arc after finding the unconscious Juggernaut in Central Park, but it one cant argue Stern at least tries to get the most out of the opportunity comics present as a storytelling medium.
*Stern also has very good understanding of who Peter Parker is, as he comes off very well and in-character, and touches upon all the familiar tropes of the character from having to break off a date, being a photographer, his wisecracks, his leading an ordinary life as Peter, to his knack for utilizing his mind. This felt exactly how Peter should be, especially compared to the whiney, immature, self-centered, loser that past issues have tended to portray him as post-Brand New Day. And I must say, the identity of Juggernauts attacker, who is revealed in a climatic splash-page at the end of this issue, was certainly someone I didnt expect. And yet, hes a character who also harkens back to another classic period of Spider-Man, of sorts, and is certainly an inspired choice. Although, given recent developments with this particular character, I do have some concerns with how Stern will handle this.
*This leads me to say that this issue, as nicely plotted and well presented in terms of Peter/Spidey as a character are, is not without its problems. For one thing, after the Juggernaut is literally carted away by the police and between the time in which Spidey goes to where hes being held, I couldnt help but feel as though the issue may have been a little padded. Yeah, its nice to see Spidey save a woman from a mugger or go to the local Laundromat, but it slowed the pace of the story down when all you wanted was to get to the heart of the matter, which was who beat-up the Juggernaut, although to be fair, as I said before, Spidey is actively trying to figure it out through mostly interior monologue during these scenes. Also, while I get that hes worried that he might have to fight whoever stopped the Juggernaut and how dangerous that could be, I never really got the sense that it was something Peter was obligated to investigate. After all, the fact that the Juggernaut, who I think is still a villain, was defeated and incarcerated would probably be one less bad guy for him to worry about, shouldnt it?
*Another big weakness is Sterns treatment of Carlie Cooper. Dont get me wrong, shes a nice character her occupation as a forensic pathologist makes her a unique informant for Spidey, but character-wise, I find her to be incredibly bland, and this issue doesnt help sway my opinion. Rather than being depicted as unique character in this issue, Carlie comes of more like some generic girlfriend of the week, and given how past issues weve seen her become increasingly annoyed with Peter flaking out on her (as even the recap page reminds us) her being okay with Peter having to leave her in the lurch actually seems contrary to this development. Also, Stern commits a big no-no in fiction writing when he attempts via Peters interior monologue to convince us how special and ideal Carlie is for him without offering any real evidence in the story to back up these assertions. The only real contribution Carlie has in this story (other than unknowingly providing him with a convenient excuse for Peter to delay their date and making googley-eyes at him behind her literally rose-colored glasses) is to inform Peter where the Juggernaut is being held prisoner. If you have to tell your readers how great a character is instead of showing them, then something is really wrong.
*Finally, this issue really didnt seem to be connected to the overall storyline of the Gauntlet whatsoever, except for a few throwaway lines about Peters unemployment situation and truce with his roommate, Michelle. Given that the date on Lee Weeks cover for this issue is dated 2008, its safe to say that this story was supposed to have been published much earlier and that Stern had to make a few tweaks to keep it current. How else to explain Spidey calling Wong for Doctor Strange despite the fact Brother Voodoo is now the Sorcerer Supreme? Or that Peter, despite publicly blacklisted and out of work, is still allowed to take pictures and get away with saying he works for Frontline?
*Of course, part of this traditional feel to the issue also has to do with Roger Sterns writing, using the stylistic approach used in older comics that every issue is somebodys first. Through combination of a flashback segments highlighting Spideys past encounters with the unstoppable Juggernaut and usage of interior monologue, Stern brings the readers up-to-speed without making it feel too expository. Likewise, by getting into the heart of the mystery as to who couldve defeated the Juggernaut, it allows for Stern to have Peter reflect and discern possible suspects while hes going through his typical routine as a superhero and his day-to-day life as Peter. Sure, there are times where is old school approach can be a bit clunky, like when Spidey yells out the title of the arc after finding the unconscious Juggernaut in Central Park, but it one cant argue Stern at least tries to get the most out of the opportunity comics present as a storytelling medium.
*Stern also has very good understanding of who Peter Parker is, as he comes off very well and in-character, and touches upon all the familiar tropes of the character from having to break off a date, being a photographer, his wisecracks, his leading an ordinary life as Peter, to his knack for utilizing his mind. This felt exactly how Peter should be, especially compared to the whiney, immature, self-centered, loser that past issues have tended to portray him as post-Brand New Day. And I must say, the identity of Juggernauts attacker, who is revealed in a climatic splash-page at the end of this issue, was certainly someone I didnt expect. And yet, hes a character who also harkens back to another classic period of Spider-Man, of sorts, and is certainly an inspired choice. Although, given recent developments with this particular character, I do have some concerns with how Stern will handle this.
*This leads me to say that this issue, as nicely plotted and well presented in terms of Peter/Spidey as a character are, is not without its problems. For one thing, after the Juggernaut is literally carted away by the police and between the time in which Spidey goes to where hes being held, I couldnt help but feel as though the issue may have been a little padded. Yeah, its nice to see Spidey save a woman from a mugger or go to the local Laundromat, but it slowed the pace of the story down when all you wanted was to get to the heart of the matter, which was who beat-up the Juggernaut, although to be fair, as I said before, Spidey is actively trying to figure it out through mostly interior monologue during these scenes. Also, while I get that hes worried that he might have to fight whoever stopped the Juggernaut and how dangerous that could be, I never really got the sense that it was something Peter was obligated to investigate. After all, the fact that the Juggernaut, who I think is still a villain, was defeated and incarcerated would probably be one less bad guy for him to worry about, shouldnt it?
*Another big weakness is Sterns treatment of Carlie Cooper. Dont get me wrong, shes a nice character her occupation as a forensic pathologist makes her a unique informant for Spidey, but character-wise, I find her to be incredibly bland, and this issue doesnt help sway my opinion. Rather than being depicted as unique character in this issue, Carlie comes of more like some generic girlfriend of the week, and given how past issues weve seen her become increasingly annoyed with Peter flaking out on her (as even the recap page reminds us) her being okay with Peter having to leave her in the lurch actually seems contrary to this development. Also, Stern commits a big no-no in fiction writing when he attempts via Peters interior monologue to convince us how special and ideal Carlie is for him without offering any real evidence in the story to back up these assertions. The only real contribution Carlie has in this story (other than unknowingly providing him with a convenient excuse for Peter to delay their date and making googley-eyes at him behind her literally rose-colored glasses) is to inform Peter where the Juggernaut is being held prisoner. If you have to tell your readers how great a character is instead of showing them, then something is really wrong.
*Finally, this issue really didnt seem to be connected to the overall storyline of the Gauntlet whatsoever, except for a few throwaway lines about Peters unemployment situation and truce with his roommate, Michelle. Given that the date on Lee Weeks cover for this issue is dated 2008, its safe to say that this story was supposed to have been published much earlier and that Stern had to make a few tweaks to keep it current. How else to explain Spidey calling Wong for Doctor Strange despite the fact Brother Voodoo is now the Sorcerer Supreme? Or that Peter, despite publicly blacklisted and out of work, is still allowed to take pictures and get away with saying he works for Frontline?
All in all, this was a pretty nice, old school issue. So far, its shaping up to be a slightly better-than-average tale. Not sure if it will be at the same caliber as a "sequel" to "Nothing Stops the Juggernaut," but we still have two more parts to go.
