Kevin Sutton
Jan 24, 2008, 06:55 pm
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/orderlrg.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/ordersm.JPG" align="left" hspace=10 alt="The Order #7"></A> Reviewer: Kevin Sutton kevinsutton@cheerful.com
Story Title: 7: Namor, or The Desperate Hour
The tempest in a teapot
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Barry Kitson
Inks: John Sibal and Barry Kitson
Colors: Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, Studio F’s Antonio Fabela, and Soto
Letters: Artmonkeys Studios
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Warren Simons
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (http://www.marvel.com)
This seventh installment of the Order features Namor in a familiar yet subversive role as he threatens to bury San Francisco under a mighty wave. Standing between the city and Namor’s wrath is none other than the Order. With even Namor asking for the Fantastic Four, our intrepid heroes must show that they are up to the task of meeting a challenge so great, just about every hero in the Marvel universe has had to face it down previously. It’s like a superhero initiation I suppose.
This issue is a break from the slowly developing mystery as seen in the last issue, but it does a good job of being self-contained, and the interruption is a great way to make this comic more unpredictable. The comic starts off on the right foot, by poking fun at its’ own story device and deflating the cliffhanger in a manner as surprising as the cliffhanger had been. It also plays well with the direction of Namor’s plan as well. A giant superfight wouldn’t have been at all appropriate. That is part of what makes a comic like this one so interesting; it’s a battle of wills and wits instead of fish and superpowers. I also enjoy how the issue plays off of the cliché of Namor attacking in a variety of different ways. Space is devoted in the issue to honoring Namor’s long history of fighting with heroes and with heroes, something which Namor himself holds over Hellrung’s head to some effect. Additionally, even Namor’s plot is kind of post modern and not to be taken seriously for what it is… although the story has some serious implications anyway.
Namor and Hellrung provide a thrilling counterpoint; the former an old and cynical anti-hero and the latter a rookie hero who actually has to ask Namor for clarification while reading from his file right in front of him. There are clear references made to the Katrina disaster as the remaining members of the Order try to organize an evacuation of the threatened area, and find themselves in another unique hero situation that doesn’t involve hitting supervillains. Tension are high, and the Order isn’t really comfortable with this kind of non-violent work.
The story ends on a note that’s a little too pat, with Hellrung pulling out another overused cliché, but not ironically this time. Still, I thought that Namor’s parting words were interesting in that he raised the stakes for the Order while praising them. While the story was greatly paced and an excellent self contained story, I would’ve liked to see more of Namor’s story. Atlantis’ troubles motivate his actions and his maudlin character, but the elephant in the room remains ignored by save Namor. His desperation paints such a grim picture that it’s almost a shame that it may not come up again. (Though the story stands very well on its’ own)
The art in this issue is in keeping with the standards set previously. There are large panoramic scenes of classic battles, contrasting with heavy talking head usage. Kitson does an able job on this, but every now and then someone’s head seems to get thick or thinner than normal. Overall though, the art is consistent and detailed, and the colors and inks are likewise good. There’s just not much memorable about the visuals though, allowing for the aforementioned use of talking heads and panoramic contrasting shots.
This issue is not like most superhero comics, and the plot is both clever and intriguing. Namor makes a really good guest, (for a comic, not for a city) and Hellrung’s character really comes through here. This is a really good story which is more in keeping with the quasi-subversive superhero team that’s been assembled here. I really liked this issue.
RATING:
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FIND this issue at X-WORLD and SAVE! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=25715)
Story Title: 7: Namor, or The Desperate Hour
The tempest in a teapot
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Barry Kitson
Inks: John Sibal and Barry Kitson
Colors: Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, Studio F’s Antonio Fabela, and Soto
Letters: Artmonkeys Studios
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Warren Simons
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (http://www.marvel.com)
This seventh installment of the Order features Namor in a familiar yet subversive role as he threatens to bury San Francisco under a mighty wave. Standing between the city and Namor’s wrath is none other than the Order. With even Namor asking for the Fantastic Four, our intrepid heroes must show that they are up to the task of meeting a challenge so great, just about every hero in the Marvel universe has had to face it down previously. It’s like a superhero initiation I suppose.
This issue is a break from the slowly developing mystery as seen in the last issue, but it does a good job of being self-contained, and the interruption is a great way to make this comic more unpredictable. The comic starts off on the right foot, by poking fun at its’ own story device and deflating the cliffhanger in a manner as surprising as the cliffhanger had been. It also plays well with the direction of Namor’s plan as well. A giant superfight wouldn’t have been at all appropriate. That is part of what makes a comic like this one so interesting; it’s a battle of wills and wits instead of fish and superpowers. I also enjoy how the issue plays off of the cliché of Namor attacking in a variety of different ways. Space is devoted in the issue to honoring Namor’s long history of fighting with heroes and with heroes, something which Namor himself holds over Hellrung’s head to some effect. Additionally, even Namor’s plot is kind of post modern and not to be taken seriously for what it is… although the story has some serious implications anyway.
Namor and Hellrung provide a thrilling counterpoint; the former an old and cynical anti-hero and the latter a rookie hero who actually has to ask Namor for clarification while reading from his file right in front of him. There are clear references made to the Katrina disaster as the remaining members of the Order try to organize an evacuation of the threatened area, and find themselves in another unique hero situation that doesn’t involve hitting supervillains. Tension are high, and the Order isn’t really comfortable with this kind of non-violent work.
The story ends on a note that’s a little too pat, with Hellrung pulling out another overused cliché, but not ironically this time. Still, I thought that Namor’s parting words were interesting in that he raised the stakes for the Order while praising them. While the story was greatly paced and an excellent self contained story, I would’ve liked to see more of Namor’s story. Atlantis’ troubles motivate his actions and his maudlin character, but the elephant in the room remains ignored by save Namor. His desperation paints such a grim picture that it’s almost a shame that it may not come up again. (Though the story stands very well on its’ own)
The art in this issue is in keeping with the standards set previously. There are large panoramic scenes of classic battles, contrasting with heavy talking head usage. Kitson does an able job on this, but every now and then someone’s head seems to get thick or thinner than normal. Overall though, the art is consistent and detailed, and the colors and inks are likewise good. There’s just not much memorable about the visuals though, allowing for the aforementioned use of talking heads and panoramic contrasting shots.
This issue is not like most superhero comics, and the plot is both clever and intriguing. Namor makes a really good guest, (for a comic, not for a city) and Hellrung’s character really comes through here. This is a really good story which is more in keeping with the quasi-subversive superhero team that’s been assembled here. I really liked this issue.
RATING:
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FIND this issue at X-WORLD and SAVE! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=25715)