Xombi #3 ? Review ? Weekly Comic Book Review

By: John Rozum (writer), Frazer Irving (artist)

The Story: I?m not crazy?you?re crazy if you think this skull in my hand isn?t also a laser gun!

The Review: The burden of most mainstream superhero comics comes from their constant need to deliver action to the readers?not necessarily physical fights between heroes and villains, but something obvious always has to be going on.? This trend doesn?t allow for much tackling of profound subjects except by chance, and then it often gets clumsy or superficial treatment.? But the best crafted comics revolve their plot around the message they want to get across.

Small wonder Rozum places right in the thick of this issue?s action a monologue from a ghost to a character who can?t tell himself if he?s dead or alive.? The ghost (the doomed James Church?) states it?s not just David?s Xombi status; it?s the tragic fact that most of the living don?t truly take advantage of life, the natural evolution of that old adage, ?Youth is wasted on the young.?

Though slightly long-winded, the speech is nonetheless important not only in the context of the story, but for the series.? Besides the undeniable poignancy of the scene (?I wish I could smell the dew on the grass before I go,? the ghost says sadly in his last moments), it also gives our hero a deeply personal mission beyond whatever supernatural case he latches onto next.? The ghost?s farewell advice to David?and to us, essentially?is to stop regretting what he doesn?t have and cherish the overlooked treasures already before him.

Rozum smartly bookends the scene with the tense showdown between the freed Marantha and the supporting cast of Julian Parker, our Catholic ladies, and Rabbi Sinnowitz, who carry out their duties with experienced efficiency.? With everyone getting plenty to do, the issue feels rich and lively, especially since we also get to see David?s abilities in fairly gruesome action as he gets repeatedly mauled, only to run back into the fray seconds later.

Marantha, for whom ?the very mountains shuddered at my approach,? turns out a mere pawn for Roland Finch, the big bad of choice for the foreseeable future.? Rozum gives us some key points about Finch: he?s a greedy, egomaniacal jag; he?s irritatingly clever and foresighted, if nothing else; and his life has been indefinitely prolonged.? Rozum avoids giving away too much of Finch?s history, but the tidbits he offers already tell us a lot about who we?re dealing with here.

It just goes to show Rozum has a clear vision for where this title?s going.? Our heroes never get a breather, as once one foe?s taken care of, they have a new wrinkle to deal with in the form of Annie Palmer, whose ?home? is a floating?something?in the sky and whose chart has been stolen by Finch, a circumstance that makes her react, ?Oh my God, what have I done??? Clearly, things are about to get even bigger and weirder for this series.

Irving?s shading never obscures the actions or characters, but adds an almost tangible layer of mystery and otherness which can be dazzling or emotional as needed.? He goes big where it counts, like depicting David?s sickening injuries, but he also puts in small touches that are no less moving, like the slight downward slant projecting sorrow in the ghosts? pupil-less eyes.

Conclusion: This issue has it all: touching moments and humor, high-paced action and low-key drama, and with skillful writing and incredibly suitable art to bring it all to life.? DC?make that all comics publishers need more titles like this.

Grade: A

- Minhquan Nguyen

Some Musings: - David?s seriously channeling Claire Bennett from Heroes this issue, as he keeps ticking despite losing vital organs.? But does it beat arising after having a wooden stake go through your head?

- Love Rabbi Sinnowitz and Julian getting all judgmental about the CD collection (it would make me so happy if the Twiddles were a real band) they find in the car?that they hijacked.

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Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews Tagged: | Annie Palmer, Catholic Girl, David Kim, DC, DC Comics, Frazer Irving, John Rozum, Julian Parker, Marantha, Nun of the Above, Nun the Less, Rabbi Sinnowitz, Roland Finch, Xombi, Xombi #3, Xombi #3 review

Source: http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/05/29/xombi-3-review/

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