REVIEW: JSA Liberty Files: The Whistling Skull, #1

[CBR News]

B. Clay Moore and Tony Harris finally shepherd their Whistling Skull creation to the printed page with mixed results in "JSA Liberty Files: The Whistling Skull" #1.


Full review here.

[B Clay Moore]

Yikes!

I suppose for every "One of the best comics of 2012" (Entertainment Weekly), or "Pick of the week" there's a dud review in the pile. :)

Luckily there are a few readers who understand you occasionally have to read more than the first issue to have everything revealed to you. Stay tuned, kids.

-BCM

[csis]

Yikes!

I suppose for every "One of the best comics of 2012" (Entertainment Weekly), or "Pick of the week" there's a dud review in the pile. :)

Luckily there are a few readers who understand you occasionally have to read more than the first issue to have everything revealed to you. Stay tuned, kids.

-BCM

Honestly, CBR reviews tend to miss the mark so badly that I can only imagine a negative review means you must be doing something right. I haven't had a chance to read this yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

[fishbonex]

Honestly, CBR reviews tend to miss the mark so badly that I can only imagine a negative review means you must be doing something right. I haven't had a chance to read this yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

I LOVED the JSA Liberty Files, and was really looking forward to this. The JSA appear in this issue in maybe 2 panels in the first 3 pages, before it veers off into a back story featuring all new characters. And it's fantastic, fun and exciting. I cannot wait for issue 2 of this book, I give it 5 out of 5.

[Drumanespic]

I enjoyed this issue. I'm happy to see the story unfold as per creator's intent.

My only concern is that the JSA will prove to be a framing device around a Whistling Skull story. That will annoy me, as I'd be quite content with a Whistling Skull story from Tony Harris & B. Clay Moore.

However, this series is entitled. 'JSA Liberty Files . . .'. If they're hardly in it, I'll feel justified in throwing my toys out of the pram & looking up the 'trade descriptions' act.

Merry Christmas!

[finfangfool]

Wondering if there isn't some bias because of the recent "whoa, crazy crazy" rant Harris went on. If there was, that's unfortunate. I might not agree with some views my favorite creators hold (think Dixon was pretty right-wing, and I love his Robin and Nightwing), they should let the work speak for itself. Also, these are the same reviewers who were giving AvX 4 and 5 star reviews when they were mind-numbingly awful and contradictory throughout the series. I haven't been coming to the site long and I've learned to ignore their opinions for the sort of in-depth analysis and blind rage I find on the boards.

[Professor Moriarty]

2 stars?


Really?

[The Adventurer]

This was a pretty oddball book, and maybe a little deceptive? I mean I know this series got its start as a standalone story at Wildstorm, and then got repurposed to tie into the Liberty Files framework. And truth be told my gut was telling me going in this book wasn't going to feature our usual WW2 era elseworld JSAers as our lead protagonists, but I can't say I wasn't disappointed that the Whistling Skull got all the real face time and story development.

Also the storytelling was a little sloppy in general, and Harris's new art style is a bit rough compared to what we're used to.

But I'm still on board.

[TONYFINGHARRIS]

This was a pretty oddball book, and maybe a little deceptive? I mean I know this series got its start as a standalone story at Wildstorm, and then got repurposed to tie into the Liberty Files framework. And truth be told my gut was telling me going in this book wasn't going to feature our usual WW2 era elseworld JSAers as our lead protagonists, but I can't say I wasn't disappointed that the Whistling Skull got all the real face time and story development.

Also the storytelling was a little sloppy in general, and Harris's new art style is a bit rough compared to what we're used to.

But I'm still on board.

Glad yer still on board, but I really would like you to show us where my storytelling is , "sloppy?" And if what yer "used to" is total photo ref? That chapter is over in my career. Not ever gonna happen again.

T

[finfangfool]

Art style changes usually aren't popular, even if they're for the better. People get used to a certain look, and it's jarring when they see the name and the art doesn't jibe with what's in their minds. Some guys like Jim Lee, Alan Davis, JRJr, tend to look like they did 20 years ago and that's comforting to a lot of fans. Others (some of my favorites actually), like Chris Bachalo, Art Adams, and Paul Smith have changed it up from what they did 15-20 years ago. As long as it's good I don't care, but I get the gripe. Also get the no photo realism thing, some artists end up with so much detail they can't handle a monthly title and we end up not seeing them as much (Cassady, Charest, Bolland). I'd rather have less detail and more of my favorite artists than the reverse.

[maxpower00044]

I enjoyed it. Solid writing and Harris' artwork is beautiful (also been reading all the Starman Omnibuses so I'm on Harris overload). The story has me interested and I'm looking forward to issue 2.

[celticguy]

Wondering if there isn't some bias because of the recent "whoa, crazy crazy" rant Harris went on. If there was, that's unfortunate. I might not agree with some views my favorite creators hold (think Dixon was pretty right-wing, and I love his Robin and Nightwing), they should let the work speak for itself. Also, these are the same reviewers who were giving AvX 4 and 5 star reviews when they were mind-numbingly awful and contradictory throughout the series. I haven't been coming to the site long and I've learned to ignore their opinions for the sort of in-depth analysis and blind rage I find on the boards.

"Whoa Crazy Crazy" made me laugh. You are a company man.

[smokeysabear]

Glad yer still on board, but I really would like you to show us where my storytelling is , "sloppy?" And if what yer "used to" is total photo ref? That chapter is over in my career. Not ever gonna happen again.

T

Yea, I'm not sure I'd agree with sloppy story-telling, I think that's more than a little harsh.

As far as the photo-referencing, I'm quite pleased to hear you're done with it. I'm a huuuge fan of Ex Machina, but I think this is a big stylistic improvement. Keep up the great work Tony, can't wait to see what else you bring to the table!

[The Adventurer]

Glad yer still on board, but I really would like you to show us where my storytelling is , "sloppy?" And if what yer "used to" is total photo ref? That chapter is over in my career. Not ever gonna happen again.

T

Just to be more specific. As I was reading the first issue my general feeling was panel-to-panel and scene-to-scene transitions felt a bit awkward. Like it was hard to keep some of the continuity of a scene straight. As some dialog usage also felt awkwardly placed.

As for the art, I didn't mean to imply I want the photo-ref stuff back, just that as you're transitioning styles things have gotten a bit wonky. Like you can't decide if you still want photo realism or a more animated exaggerated style. As it seems to change from panel to panel.

As so there were more then a few panels that felt like you were cramming too many characters into too small a panel. Specifically as an example the panel with William and Nigel coming down the stairs, it seemed like Nigel was ducking under the panel border just to put his face in the panel.

[TONYFINGHARRIS]

Just to be more specific. As I was reading the first issue my general feeling was panel-to-panel and scene-to-scene transitions felt a bit awkward. Like it was hard to keep some of the continuity of a scene straight. As some dialog usage also felt awkwardly placed.

As for the art, I didn't mean to imply I want the photo-ref stuff back, just that as you're transitioning styles things have gotten a bit wonky. Like you can't decide if you still want photo realism or a more animated exaggerated style. As it seems to change from panel to panel.

As so there were more then a few panels that felt like you were cramming too many characters into too small a panel. Specifically as an example the panel with William and Nigel coming down the stairs, it seemed like Nigel was ducking under the panel border just to put his face in the panel.

Wow! I have no Idea what you just said. And I have been working, and sharpening my skills as a storyteller for 23 years. But I fail to see how the use, or not the use of Photoref could possibly affect my storytelling. You are literally the first person in 23 years who has told me that I cant tell a clear story. Damn, you need a prize or something. Talk to folk, and really look around, and youll find, that STRONG storytelling ( albeit sometimes, NON traditional ) is what Im known for. Photo ref or not.

T