the_mighty_monarch's Stormwatch #7 - Supercritical, Part One review

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    All She Wanted Was a Puppy

    Sigh. Look, it's better than the Green Lantern banner because I get the point of this one. It's not hyping a movie that didn't need extra hype, and its for a good cause. But it doesn't change the fact that the "We Can Be Heroes" banner is a huge detriment to the covers its on.

    Farewell Paul Cornell.... Hello Paul Jenkins? It might just be me, but things didn't feel as smooth as when Cornell was writing. I could just be biased, I really like Paul Cornell, and I know very little of Paul Jenkins. It just feels like a near 180 of the previous issue. Before the team was in chaos, just got contained, and had a threat right in front to lead their stories. Suddenly they seem to be running mush smoother, doing what they normally do, with no real concern for Harry Tanner aside from some throwaway worrying by Engineer. Who also seems to be struggling with her role as the leader, trying way too hard, but that actually isn't that different from before, just kind of annoying. I had no strong opinion of her before, but now I don't really like her.

    This issue addresses something that had struck me a few issues ago. See, I was really excited about this series because it was now the only place to get my Martian Manhunter fix. Then a few issues in I realized I was loving this series, but barely noticed J'onn's presence. This issue he, and the other most ignored character Jenny Quantum, get put front and center. Their interactions are certainly odd, but interesting. I'm really starting to see some of the Martian Manhunter I know, so I'm really glad about that. Jack Hawksmoor gets a great scene in this issue that really made me love the character. The idea of how he communicates with cities intrigues me, but the 'hospital' scene with the surprise nurses was fantastic. I can't wait to see what other cities he talks too.

    The story is certainly odd, there's a lot of quantum physics mumbo jumbo or whatever or something, and the threat seems to defy that or something; but despite the confusion, I was never not entertained. Although despite the interesting plot, the pacing was messed up because the cover and solicit spoil the exposition at the end. See, the cover mentions 'The Gravity Thieves' but I wouldn't have had any idea what's what they were doing if the cover hadn't told me. I would've spent most of the issue in ignorant anticipation for the reveal of what these physics breaking worm things were actually doing. Instead I spent most of the issue wonder what the crazy colors and whatever had to do with stealing gravity, because that's not really what it looked like. And Engineer's frustrated questioning of J'onn doesn't really resonate with the reader because you already know essentially what they are.

    Oh, and the artwork is different. But it's not really jarring, nor is it bad. Well, there's a few panels where things get a little odd, so I think some people might be more critical of the artwork than others like myself. I enjoyed it, but I also hope its only here for this arc. Things don't feel as 'epic' as before, there's less panels that make things feel big, and a lot more claustrophobic close ups.

    And finally, what's with Stormwatch referencing events that take place before the issue, but are shown in a comic released AFTER the issue?

    In Conclusion: 3.5/5

    I enjoyed it. I felt like something was missing though. Martian Manhunter got into the spotlight and reminded me why I was interested to see him in the series. Jenny Quantum went from seeming background character to interesting one. But the team isn't going to hold together well, Engineer really does have things together, but she thinks she doesn't. She's gotten way too stressed out over making sure people KNOW she's the leader, which really isn't necessary. I can't tell if this will be a good thing or not, and I'm waiting to see them get back to chasing Harry Tanner and the map things. But hopefully this arc will shine more light on the new history of Martian Manhunter...... but he'll always be a League founder in my mind. I want to be able to pretend he just left the League for Stormwatch as long as I can.

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    MonkeyToe

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    Edited By MonkeyToe

    Another great review Monarch. Two thumbs up. I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I liked the featuring of MM and Jenny, though I wish their dialogue had been a little more organic. My one other problem with MM in this series is that I don't feel like they are showing off his abilities. I feel I have seen him do more stuff in comics that he has crossed over with than he has in this very book. Jack is my favorite character too.

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    The Mighty Monarch

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    Why do I keep mixing up Harry Tanner and Jack Hawksmoor?

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