Jurassic Park: The Devils in the Desert
#3
Reviewed by Patrick Hayes aka PatBorg
The covers: A new character
finds his weapon just out of reach on this
issue's covers. Cover A has John Byrne on art
and Ronda Pattison on colors, both continuing
the streak of excellence. The layout of the
page lets you know that some type of dino is
about to chow down on Mister mustachioed
militia. Why am I thinking the bright orange
jacket wasn't the smartest choice to wear while
shooting dinosaurs? Cover R(etailer) I(ncentive)
is Cover A without the colors. Both are good,
but I'm biased toward the colored version.
Overall grade: Cover A A and RI A-.
The story: This issue has the
most explicit action yet, but the highlight for
me was the introduction of InGen into
the story. In the first page Byrne has a basic
plot recap, introduces InGen, and shows them to
be the most vile of businesses. By Page 4 we're
reunited with our heroes, brought up to speed
with each, and then watch as InGen stirs the
pot. I like how the story has the books'/films'
tone of technology will beat nature, because you
know this won't happen. I also really liked
the yellow jeep's occupants, which made me
remember a scene in Jaws. Their
dialogue and actions were priceless! And the
action in this book is frightening and fun. I
felt bad for the dinos, just trying to survive.
As with last issue, Byrne could have wrapped
this series up with this issue, but there's more
to come. Bring it on! Overall grade:
A+
The art: I have always loved
John Byrne's art, and this comic shows why. His
art is so good you can get a solid sense of
what's going on by just looking at the art;
check out the first three pages for proof. The
characters are always consistently drawn and
they convey wonderful emotion: the top of Page 7
is great -- and I love the sneer! Not into
characters? You like hardware? Well do you get
a nice couple of gadgets this issue! The look
of the red "device" felt completely believable
and I could see InGen using such a "device". Oh
yeah, dinosaurs? You say you want your
dinosaurs well drawn? They are. Not only in
motion, but under attack, attacking, and being
captured. Everything works. Overall
grade: A+
The colors: Ronda Pattison gets
out of the desert and starts in the big city at
InGen. Neutral grays, blues, and greens portray
a calm and cool company that's about to go to
pieces, again. An antiseptic green
appropriately comprises a hospital room, while
calming olives make up the interior of the
sheriff's office. The colors of technology
provide a stark contrast with the brown desert
and its blue sky. And orange jackets just
scream "Come eat me!" to the dinosaurs. Every
color enhances the art and reinforces the
story's mood. Overall grade: A+
The letters: Dialogue and two
sound effects make up Shawn Lee's work. It's
well done, and I'm always indebted to dialogue
that has words italicized so I know where the
stress falls to "hear" the speech of the
characters better. Overall grade: A
The final line: I feel like
Sawyer from Lost looking at the preview
of the next and final cover. How in the heck is
this event going to fit into the story and how's
it all going to wrap up? I have no idea. All I
know is that all comics wish they were as fun as
this. Overall grade: A+
