Reviewing AF Vol 1 Issues 61-70

Volume 1, Issue 61
August 1988
Art by Jim Lee
Story by Bill Mantlo
Title: ...Inquisition!

Art - 10
Story - 10
Intangibles - 10

30/30


Volume 1, Issue 62
September 1988
Art by Jim Lee
Story by Bill Mantlo
Title: A Real Gone Daddy!

Art - 10
Story - 9
Intangibles - 9

28/30


Volume 1, Issue 63
October 1988
Art by Hugh Haynes
Story by James D. Hudnall
Title: Technomancer

Art - 6
Story - 7
Intangibles - 10

23/30


Volume 1, Issue 64
November 1988
Art by Jim Lee
Story by Bill Mantlo
Title: Where There's A Will There's A Way

Art - 9
Story - 9
Intangibles - 9

27/30


Volume 1, Issue 65
December 1988
Art by Hugh Haynes
Story by Bill Mantlo
Title: When Robots Dream!

Art - 7
Story - 4
Intangibles - 8

19/30


Volume 1, Issue 66
January 1989
Art by Hugh Haynes
Story by Bill Mantlo
Title: Killing Me softly With His Word Processor!

Art - 8
Story - 4
Intangibles - 2

14/30


Volume 1, Issue 67
February 1989
Art by Hugh Haynes
Story by James D. Hudnall
Title: The Ties THat Bind

Art - 8
Story - 10
Intangibles - 10

28/30


Volume 1, Issue 68
March 1989
Art by John Calimee
Story by James D. Hudnall
Title: All That We Are...

Art - 5
Story - 10
Intangibles - 10

25/30


Volume 1, Issue 69
April 1989
Art by John Calimee
Story by James D. Hudnall
Title: And All That We Seem...

Art - 6
Story - 9
Intangibles - 9

24/30


Volume 1, Issue 70
May 1989
Art by John Calimee
Story by James D. Hudnall
Title: ...Is But A Dream Within A Dream.

Art - 6
Story - 9
Intangibles - 10

25/30


In my opinion, these ten issues of Volume 1 of Alpha Flight were...awash with change, and suffered somewhat for it. Alpha Flight seemingly disbands after quitting because of government interference. A bunch of "somewhat lame" solo stories appear, including the (lamest of all) one where Manikin has conversations with the writer of the comic book that he realizes he is a part of! The Dreamqueen takes over Edmonton, the Jade Dragon returns home to China, Elizabeth becomes the Talisman again, and Alpha Flight re-forms (minus Manikin). Bill Mantlo leaves (eventually), and James D. Hudnall steps in to try to create order from Bill's mess, crafting a great 4-part series with the Dreamqueen; unfortunately, this is ruined by the piss-terrible artwork of John Calimee, who takes over from the almost-equally-bad Hugh Haynes. The issue where Wanda Langkowski becomes Walter Langkowski again should be a pivotal and stunning moment, but all I can think of while reading it is "Gosh this art looks like shit!" John Calimee, in particular, looks like he has been drawing pictures for three-year-olds - in a word, Horrible! Is this series turning a corner, or not? The writing is, yes, but the artwork is suffering mightily!

Particularly strong comics overall are issues 61 and 67 - 70.

All in all, on a scale of 300, these ten issues scored 243.
This is an average of 24.3/30 for each of these ten comics.
Percentage score is 81.0%.
Letter grade for these ten comics = B-

I hope you enjoyed my review of these comics.





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