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PIPELINE COMMENTARY AND REVIEW #49
11 May 1998
by Augie De Blieck Jr.
http://www.nic.com/~augie/pipeline
You ever have writer's block? I don't really believe in it myself. I had
a music professor last year who didn't set deadlines on our homework
because he felt you couldn't be creative on schedule.
I tend to agree with him. Those schedules are what produce so-called
"writer's blocks." It'll pass. Just read something. Look for outside
sources. Sit down and start writing crap. It'll come to you.
So in that vein, I begin to review some comics, hoping something hits me
along the way.
Next week is the 50th Anniversary Spectacular Pipeline Commentary and
Review. I have no idea what will make it so special. I'll let you know
when I get there. Maybe I'll rewrite the web site or somthing.
Karl Kesel is not only a writer respectful and well-versed in his treatment
of classic Kirbian legends, he's also one terrific inker. His inks make
everything look smooth and polished. Look at the original SUICIDE SQUAD
issues, or the first issue of Erik Larsen's FREAK FORCE, or his current
stuff over the pencils of Tom Grummet on SUPERBOY. The 52nd issue of that
title came out a couple of weeks ago. This is good stuff, and more
material for my textbook of comic plotting. (No, I'm not writing a book,
but there are certain books which deserve to be read to show how to do
certain things.) The structure of the story is sound. There's a lot of
foreshadowing and foreboding and planning that is obvious. Heck, some of
this stuff would make an excellent television show. I was reminded of
Babylon 5 in a couple of spots. More than that, it's an interesting story,
even if some of the set-up is painfully obvious. (The human race gets
represented once more by the greedy con man. Sheesh) Read this. It's
good stuff.
Chris Claremont still has it. I know many people have been
less-than-pleased with his current run on FANTASTIC FOUR, but I think it's
great stuff. The 7th issue, out last week, is another fine example.
Putting aside a couple of the excesses of Salvador Larroca's art, this was
a cleverly-executed, well-thought-out issue. Claremont knows how to write
those great fight scenes that I would normally just hem and haw my way
through. And Liquid Colors are the best in the business at what they do. I
may not always agree with the concept of over-rendered computer-aided
coloring, but the stuff they do is marvelous.
I also finally read CAPTAIN AMERICA #6. Why was I reminded of Babylon 5's
Mr. Garibaldi when I read through Cap's scenes?
And a brief follow-up on my rant on comic book magazines from a couple of
weeks ago: Joe Torcivia reminded me of AMAZING HEROES. He's right. After
looking through what I wrote about what a perfect magazine would be and
then flipping through the issue or two of AH in my collection, it may have
been the perfect magazine. ::SIGH:: What a shame...
-Augie, who when next he writes this column will be done with his final
finals
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