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Jurassic Park #2
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes aka PatBorg
The covers: Three covers for you to choose
from, and all tough choices. Cover A, I'm guessing, spoils
action from a forthcoming issue as Lex is encountering a water
hazard at the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant. It's another
really nice action shot by Tom Yeates with colors by Jamie
Grant. The Cover B is a by Arthur Adams with "digital inks and
colors" by Grant. This cover, too, has nothing to do with the
story within, as a small car's passage is blocked by a herd of
road hazards. I've always considered Art's work to be the
Second Coming, so I'm really biased, and I bought this cover.
Cover R(etailer) I(ncentive) is also by Adams; it's his pencils
for Cover B. I didn't see this cover "in the flesh" but inside
the front cover of this comic (thank you, IDW). What I see, I
like. On the editorial side, I'm happy to see the logo centered
on these covers, but I'd really like to see "Redemption" under
it. Overall grades: A A, B A+, and RI A-
The story: Again, thanks to IDW for a "Story so
far" summary on the inside cover to remind previous readers and
introduce new ones to Bob Schreck's story. Last issue laid the
foundation for this series and I felt if was rote. This issue
is still setting up things, but it feels so much more smoother.
There's a wonderful cinematic splash page that begins the book.
There's a transition to Tim having second thoughts about the way
he's handling the island, and you know this, or something else,
is going to bite him in the butt eventually. In Texas the
search for the loose Carnosaur continues, while the local law is
hoping no one is going to suggest alien mutilation. A big
surprise/introduction occurs on Page 4 at a nuclear power plant,
just north of Glen Rose. I didn't expect it, and I would love
to see what circumstances led to this situation. The location
alone, as well as this issue's Cover A, tell me this could get
Federal fast. Lex learns something's going on with some crops.
Another new setting is revealed with some Carno-action, which
leads to a sad ending on Page 9. Tim learns something about
fish and the "mystery man" in the U.K. is heading for the
states. The three big players of the book are all heading to
Texas. There are six more pages that include betrayal, dino
action, and death. The story is really tightening up! Overall
grade: A
The art: This issue looks just as good as last
issue. Nate Van Dyke's menagerie has grown: in addition to the
Carnosaur and Triceratops, you can add deer, "something" on Page
4, rhinos, a chimp, a Dimetrodon, and a "something" with a claw
on Page 20. I like Dyke's characters, instantly recognizable,
and his vehicles and settings are also nice detailed. Nice job
by Chris Moreno on Page 15, but where was Bat Boy? Overall
grade: A
The colors: I also like the coloring in this
issue. It's dynamic, vibrant,...I've run out of adjectives to
express my pleasure. My favorite example is the top of Page 9:
perfect! Overall grade: A+
The letters: Growls, screams, helicopters,
swimming, crashing, cars, steps, electricity, stampedes, sniffs,
applause, laugher, munching, banging, text messages, and, oh
yeah, dialogue. Chris Mowry does is all well. Overall grade:
A+
The final line: The plot continues to grow,
but it shouldn't put off anyone beginning here. I loved the
films because of the unbelievable amount of chaos. This issue
is kicking up the mayhem a notch, and heaven help us where Page
4 takes us! Overall grade: A
Editorial concern: How come this series doesn't
get a warning on the cover (Not suggested for under 13), because
it's fairly graphic, yet Star Trek comics do? Just wondering? |
