Deathblow

Deathblow 1-12

Aged well: The plot.  It seems odd for the creators to throw a down-to-earth Navy SEAL into an adventure involving the Holy Grail, Sword of Heaven, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for his introductory story, but it somehow works.  

Aged poorly: The writing.  Brandon Choi subscribes to the “tell, don’t show” school of dialogue.  Even worse, he also had a degree in “tell, even if the art is showing.”  There’s also a formal quality to the way his characters talk, creating a stilted atmosphere that feels like the comic book equivalent of bad acting.  

Nothing natural about this conversation.

Aged well: The Jim Lee art.  Perhaps it started out as a homage to Frank Miller, but Lee’s art immediately became something all its own.  The level of detail he brought to every panel was truly stunning, and different from anything he did before or since.  I’m sad, but hardly surprised that he was unable to sustain it for more than three (very very short) issues. At least he kept doing the covers, each of which is a true work of art.

Aged poorly: Tim Sale’s art.  Deathblow was my first exposure to Sale.  It’s impossible to overstate just how much of a letdown he was coming on the heels of Jim Lee.  To my high school eye, he sucked.  I’ve obviously since come to appreciate him for the all-star artist that he is, but I still maintain that he wasn’t the best choice for this title.  

Maybe it's the exaggerated expressions.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice