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Jurassic Park: The Devils in the Desert #2
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes aka PatBorg
The Covers: As with last issue, two to choose.
Cover A has art by John Byrne and colors by Ronda Pattison. The
book's three heroes, unless you're rooting for the dinos, are
each involved in their tasks: getting pictures, getting a bead
on a target, and getting the hell outta there! As with last
issue, this cover scene does occur in the book, but the teaser
element makes it work: If you didn't read last issue (Shame!)
you'd have to look inside to discover which dino is after them.
It's a great cover by Byrne and the coloring by Pattison is just
as excellent. The Cover R(etailer) I(ncentive) is the same as
Cover A without Pattison's work. I always enjoy seeing an
artist's "pure" work, but I really like the colored cover!
Overall grades: Cover A A+ and Cover RI A.
The story: No time to catch your breath, since
issue one came out only two weeks ago! Didn't get last issue? No
worries! You can jump in safely here! A truck driver flips his
rig to avoid hitting a woman who's been attacked. Who is she?
Young Tyler sets out to find out what his mother was hiding from
him. Will he get more than he bargained for? And our leads make
the connection to Jurassic Park. Will they be able to stop the
"genetically engineered theme park monsters"? All questions are
answered, and, wow! If you felt last issue was dinosaur lacking,
you'll get your fill with this issue. You get the
confrontation(s) you wanted two weeks ago, and then some! The
only way you could be more satisfied with this story is if it
took a bite out of you. If you don't like it, just change your
name to Buttercup and see what happens. And that last panel! I
knew what it would be before it was revealed, and I practically
clapped in joy when it was confirmed. What's Byrne going to do
to top this? The story could have been neatly wrapped up with
this issue, but there are two more to come...HOORAY!
Overall grade: A+
The art: I'm continuing to enjoy John Byrne's
widescreen comic art. There's only one double page spread and
it's the most dramatic scene in the book. This could have been a
gorefest on both sides of the food chain, but it's kept in PG
territory, and it's probably more graphic that way: "What you
could imagine..." The characters, creatures, vehicles, and
weapons are top notch, but of particular note are the settings.
I'm one of those guys in Southern California that will seek out
locations where some of my favorite movies/television shows have
been filmed. I so believe the landscapes of this book that I've
become disheartened that I can't visit where this was "filmed"!
I would love to check out and climb about "Tyler Rock" -- it's
just so cool! How could you not love this? Overall
grade: A+
The colors: I am still amazed that Ronda
Pattison can make such stereotypical brown settings so gorgeous.
The skies continue to highlight the dust and dirt. Even our
heroes are wearing "drab" clothing that looks great; except
Tyler and Monica, who are wearing reds. I feel like Lex yelling
at Tim in the original Jurassic Park to turn off the flashlight,
though I'm saying, "Take off the bright colors! You'll attract
the dinosaurs!" Even colors are creating tension! Outstanding!
Overall grade: A+
The lettering: A blasting horn, a cell phone's
BREETs, dialogue, and screams comprise Shawn Lee's work, and
nothing is second rate. I am a sound effects junkie and would
have loved to see more sounds, especially in the last panel on
Page 10, but they're not necessary to emphasize the drama...but
I can't help but wonder what the sounds would have been. Still,
Lee's on the ball. Overall grade: A+
The final line: To ruin, just a little, the
book's final line, "I don't think this party is over yet!"
Please, to all involved, don't let this party ever end!
Overall grade: A+ |
