The Main Event Comic Book Reviews 9.27.08: New Avengers #42, Fables #76

Posted by Dennis Twigg on 09.27.2008

Revisiting House of M and a trip to Fabletown!

New Avengers #42
General: Brian Michael Bendis continues his tour through the periphery of the Secret Invasion in his Avengers title. This issue takes us back to the House of M, Bendis' last crossover, and what the Skrulls were up during it. Is following the Skrulls of M a fun ride or a boring trip?
Writing: I was never very partial to House of M, so I was a bit hesitant to pick this book up. Maybe because of this bias, this book just comes across as superfluous. Essentially, the Skrulls were worried about the massive number of mutants on Earth and the power of the Scarlet Witch. We all know House of M really ends these problems, and all this does is create a minor flashback of what the Skrulls were thinking about during this whole reality warping escapade. Its not awful, but its hardly compelling.
Art: The art is crisp and helps tell the story effectively. Queen Skrull Spiderwoman is well-depicted, but there's no real scene that stands out. Its hard to deal with the series of flashes that try to depict the entirety of the House of M, but the art is up to the task.
Overall Score: C. If you're a Secret Invasion fanatic, buy it. If you're at all iffy, it's nothing special.

Fables #76
General: In the aftermath of issue #75 the newest resident of Fabletown is taken around his new home. It's a bit of a pause issue, as the characters settle into a radically different status quo, but it's hardly a waste.
Writing: Watching Fabletown citizen's reactions to their new neighbor is amusing. Watching his disdain for them is even funnier. The seeds of bubbling conflicts are planted, but there is no obvious direction to take in these next few issues. Change is in the air and this quiet calm actually has me even more interested than ever in what Willingham has in store next.
Art: Mike Allred substitutes for Buckingham this issue. He's filled in before and his style works for this book. His deceptively simple pencils are clean and effective and work well with the in the cityscape of Fabletown. Illustrating all of the cubs is an unforgiving task, but Allred is up to it.
Overall Score: B+. A great transition issue, everyone owes it to themselves to give this comic a shot either by trade or its new issues.