Pick of the Week
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Story by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Brent Anderson
Colors by Brian Buccellato
Letters by Spehar & Dennis Heisler
Published by Top Cow/Image Comics | $2.99
“It’s been such a long time, I think I should be goin’, yeah
And time doesn’t wait for me, it keeps on rollin’”
If only J. Michael Straczynski had listened to more Boston, maybe we wouldn’t be in this pickle now. I’ll be honest with you, this perhaps wasn’t the best book of the week. But you’ve got to grant me the following:
- This started out as a great book long ago. It was 23 issues and FIVE YEARS ago. I was just graduating college and Ron said, “hey, read this.” And so I did, and so I was happy.
- None of you want to read another review on Powers or Gotham Central. All three of you understand that these are good books, and I’m almost certain I have nothing left to say on the subject. You didn’t want to read it, and I didn’t want to write it. Win, win.
So back to the book. Yes, this is a reminder of when things were good, and when comics were on the upswing. Life was ahead of me and the road looked sweet. It’s actually a pretty grim parallel to my life when you look at it like that. Things were good until about 10 issues in, then all of a sudden it was as if JMS swung off the tracks and I had no idea what was going on. Then there were delays and internet rumors about feuds and arguments and why the book wasn’t ever coming out again. Now when the book comes out, it’s sporadic, and while it’s vaguely familiar, I’m not sure what I’m reading, but it gives me a dull sense of joy just to try to figure it out. See if you can spot the connections to many of our own lives post-college to the course the publishing of Rising Stars has taken.
I don’t remember anyone’s name, or who they are, or what they do or what they stand for, or what happened. But I will grant that at the end of this issue, I really wanted to read the last one. Was it to find out what happened at the end of this cliffhanger issue, or just to fucking end it finally? You tell me. But it did the trick.
On to the art we go. There was a time when Brent Anderson’s art was a thing of joy to me. It graced the pages of Astro City and made me happy. I’m not sure if he inked himself then, but he seems to do so now, and someone needs to stop him. I’m sorry, but this is some horrendous ink work. There are heavy lines and it’s about as muddy as a comic book should ever be. I thought this was the reason they canned the first guy. Everyone’s cheeks look like they were either just beaten up or had surgical face implants. And for a book that took X number of years to come out, he could have spent some time on the backgrounds every couple of pages. But maybe I’m just upset that he doesn’t do free sketches at conventions.
But despite all this rambling, which is really, after all, just fun to write, it wasn’t so bad. I mean, it could have been worse, which is to say, I’ve suffered more reading a comic. But I will never forget the promise and the epic letdown this title represents, much like my career plans after I got my bachelor’s degree.
Who’s taking bets on if we ever see issue #24?
Did you read Rising Stars #23? Add a comment and tell everyone what you think about this week’s comics!
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I gave up on this book a long time ago.
So you did the smart thing?
I don’t know why I couldn’t. I’ve abandoned much better in my time. But not this.
I checked my Astro City vol. 1 TPB and Anderson inked those pages too, and they’re amazing. It could have to do with the coloring, Rising Stars, I thought always lacked in the art, because either the coloring and inking was too heavy/dark, or I think Anderson rushed through these pages for the entire series.
He did the last Pulse as well, and I thought that looked bad. Maybe I don’t like Brent Anderson? But with Busiek I didn’t notice as much I guess, since he’s Busiek.