STORMWATCH #17

Must a member of Stormwatch truly die? And if so, why-oh-why? It's a smashing little book. And is always' worth a look. Especially if you do enjoy a good old fashioned sigh. Oh! That reminds me. I best call the intergalactic creative team of Writer: Peter Milligan; Artist: Will Conrad; and Publisher: DC Comics in March 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'The Men Who Fell To Earth'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Whilst floating around in their flying fortress, The Engineer and Harry Tanner do their utmost to track down and kill the individual team members of Stormwatch.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. Not really. Both Apollo and Midnighter manage to get away from their old colleagues; and recruit the bounty-hunter, Zealot, in the process. Where as Jack Hawksmore and the Projectionist does the same thing; just without the recruiting.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Jenny Quantum dribbles a lot.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With the Engineer waking up OMAC from his coma for some 'kick ass' duty.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I'm sad to say that again with this series, I wasn't too thrilled with the way certain characters feel the need to explain what they're doing -- or what they've done -- during or after the event. It's like me going to the kitchen to make some coffee, and saying out loud 'I am going to the kitchen now to make some coffee'. And then, once I've done the deed, I come back and say 'I just went to the kitchen and made myself some coffee'.

Sound's pretty dreary and 'cardboard', doesn't it? And very 'plastic' too.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

In my own opinion the three stand-out aspects about this book were: (1) The Zealot cameo -- because it was very nice to see her meet-up with her old Wildstorm brethren once again. (2) The OMAC cameo -- same as above, just without the familiar ties. And (3) The overall hunter / hunted vibe this tale conformed to -- making it come across like a seventies adventure movie plus an episode of 'Star Trek' mixed into one.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

If I had to pick something about this story I wasn't too keen on, it would have to be the blatantly obvious manner that the Engineer is currently behaving, due to her previous encounter with the malevolent 'Devolver'. Heck, just to hit this point home more than usual; Midnighter even alludes to this fact as well!

Nah! This type of thing is very overt for my own tastes; and just makes this book appear like a 'family friendly' adventure -- which it shouldn't be.

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?

One of the most creative things relayed in this yarn, would be how the Engineer now has the ability to blow up a whole island within a blink of an eye.

Wow! That does amp up her evil stakes to warp factor 11, doesn't it? Let's just hope that the gang can knock some sense into her before someone dies.

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and compare them individually to a HONG KONG ACTION STAR.

ANGELA MAO AS ZEALOT: Come on, folks. Do I have to explain this one to you? Angela is the blue-print for Zealot; right down to her hairstyle and sullen posture. Say no more. Hai-YAH!!!

CARTER WONG AS HARRY TANNER: Now I've seen Carter play 'devious' in the Kurt Russell flick 'Big Trouble in Little China'. So I can't see why he shouldn't do the same thing for this pain the ass swordsman.

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?

'Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night' -- Edgar Allan Poe

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'RUN RABBIT RUN' BY CHAZZ AND DAVE: Whilst searching the net for an appropriate music video to compare this comic book to, I came across this Cockney ditty that really says it all.

Cor, Blimey.

ANYTHING Else?

Apart from a few small gripes here and there -- mainly with the blatant manner how book conveys it tales -- by in large 'Stormwatch' is getting better and better all of the time. In many ways it's starting to remind me of a seventy's 'Justice League of America' comic book, just with a slightly warped casting call, and a much more bolder premise to contend with. Furthermore, another thing I dig about this current incarnation; is how the existing creative team seem to know what they are doing with this title, steering it in the appropriate direction.

Yeah. No kidding. This book is blast to read. Each month I grip it within the palm of my hands and just dissolve into it like a sponge in the sink. Never do I worry if I'm going to be enjoyed or not. Nah! I just worry that I don't start speaking out load and saying what I am going to do whilst I am doing it, hint-hint!

Anyway, what do you think about 'Stormwatch', folks? Drop us a spam, and I'll drop you a wink.

Wink-Wink!

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If Steven Spielberg Did Comic Books, This One Should Defiantly Be On The Top Of His Pile.