Few More Thoughts:
The Plain Janes: I'm a bit mixed on this book, mainly because a reader can do a comparison in style to Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. While readers will realize that SLMJ doesn't really tackle issues that current teens might face, it really doesn't distract from the story very much. After all, most of us remember the innocence of reading Spidey's adventures and to have Mary Jane facing such issues as drugs, teen pregnacy, or school shootings would just feel out of place. To have the title be as innocent to only show kissing as the farthest a gal goes feels true to our feelings for the characters.
With Plain Janes, we are instantly brought into today's world, though. The main character, Jane, is simply walking down a street as she passes a local eatery with a garbage can by the building. In an instant, a bomb placed in that garbage can explodes, sending her reeling. Laying next to her in the body of a boy, who we'd soon learn ends up in a coma. As a reaction to the threat of terrorism, her family flees to the safety of the suburbs. Jane, meanwhile, flees her old life, and changes her appearance (cuts hair, dyes it black) to appear as an outcast among most of those she finds annoying at her new school. She goes in search of a group of like-minded misfits...only they don't really seem to like or accept her. Stubborn as she is, though, she continues to hang out with them, trying to discover a way for them all to bond. (BTW, the three gals in this group are named Jane, Jayne, and Polly Jane.) Later, in an attempt to bond them all, our main character decides to be an artistic terrorist to the town she now lives in, and with her three reluctant friends, they do artistic terrorism in the name of P.L.A.I.N.
The concept is actually pretty good; it's just the little touches in between that are suppose to make the reader get in touch with the teen in the kids that ring false. A boy crush is developed by the main character, but it's all very innocent. Every one is a stereotype, and the supposed intelligent main character is one too. I believe the book is about breaking through those stereotypes; it just fails. The characters aren't really likeable, the main Jane comes across as a bit of a dimbulb, and the ending is possibly one of the least satisfying ones I've read. There are some cute moments and some nice dialogue that will get a chuckle from the reader; but, the sentimental moments fall flat. I never really felt the main character's plight. Even when one of the other Janes discover her past and tries to reach out, it just seems to go against the characterization previously presented and is never brought up again.
This is a quick read. It almost feels like it could have been longer, that some of the characters could have been more developed, and that the ending was quickly brought on in an attempt to wrap everything up. (The problem is that the ending doesn't wrap up anything at all, and only leaves the reader thinking, "What about .....?" Too many questions remain unanswered.) I applaud the writer for trying to bring out some concepts that young readers probably won't catch when reading it. For example, as I mentioned Jane's perception of her parents trying to escape is exactly what she's doing when changing her appearance and social life; that just because you believe you've left your problems behind, that they actually still linger with you (this is badly done, because the book doesn't actually show anyone confronting their problems); or, that Jane's supposed caring for others is still really centered on herself. It's a nobel first effort from Cecil Castellucci, though. 7/10
Ultimate Fantastic Four: The writer of this book is really making some very good stories, much better than the "New" Fantastic Four. Reed's continued quest to make the Ultimate's version of the Cosmic Cube continues, this time bringing about a much better version of the Silver Surfer than what we previously saw in the minis featuring Ultimate Galactus. (It will be interesting if that serie's version will in any way be mentioned or acknowledged.) The writer has started to develop some great stories within the story, all leading to future events. (The Cosmic Cube has been going on since the writer's first storyarc involving Ultimate Thanos.) Plus, we are seeing some interesting supporting characters being developed. My only problem with this issue is one of my pet peeves: Giving away an ending with the cover of your issue. The revelation that the entity that Reed has brought to our world is the Silver Surfer isn't revealed until the final page; but, it's no secret to the reader. After all, the story is called "The Silver Surfer," and the cover shows him, too. (This same thing happened recently with Moon Knight. The cover showed The Punisher, who didn't appear until the very last page of that book.) 9/10
Daredevil #97: It's funny that the title Bendis was best on is the one he drops. And, that his replacement ends up being just as good, if not a bit better. Why better? Because Brubaker seems to realize that element that made Daredevil so special in the past: Hell's Kitchen and the characters within it. Bendis got so stuck on his big plot recently of unmasking DD that the focus changed. Now, we are seeing some of our old favorites, like Turk and Gladiator, return to these pages. Daredevil was never about the flashy villians; it was about Matt Murdock and his quest to make Hell's Kitchen safe for its inhabitants. It's also about the gritty feel of the environment. Brubaker has a feel for all his characters, whether hero or villian. I only hope he doesn't choose to kill off Matt's wife. She has fit in extremely well with the stories and has been much more interesting of a character than the more popular Mary Jane Watson-Parker in the Spidey titles. Bendis was a fool to give up this title; and the reader is now benefiting more because of it. The only thing that would suck is if Brubaker left, Bendis came back, and reconned everything that we've been currently reading. 10/10
New Excalibur #20: This title is improving issue after issue, and this story involving Albion has actually got me interested in it again. It's not the best X-title...but, it's hands down better than X-Men. The problem is it suffers from the same problem as X-Men: The grouping of characters just aren't that interesting. Juggernaut, no matter how you write him, isn't a very interesting good guy; they've reduced him into a bore. Captain Britain and Pete Wisdom have always been just that, too. Dazzler is extremely un-Dazzlerish. Sage has potential; but, has never lived up to her potential. The only character really interesting is Kurt's alternate-reality daughter, Nocturne. So, like I said, the title is getting better; but, it's still not great. 7/10
(BTW, I have to give props to those who fixed the lags with The Hype. I haven't had a single problem logging on or posting anything for the entire week. Thank You BIGTIME for those involved with making it better. The difference is very noticable.)
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I mean, if you're going to judge a book not for what it is, but all these other circumstances, it just seems like you're coming up with excuses to hate on it. There's a clear reason why Bendis hasn't touched upon any of the NA booby trap stuff or Cap's death, it's because he wants to keep it fun and light. Maybe I'm giving Bendis too much credit here but honestly, if you can't just see the book for what it is, then whats the point of reading it?
:meow:
