Ok, after reading issue six a couple times, I think I can say that this is one of the best things on the shelf. Not just for long time comics fans, but almost more importantly, for those that are not comics fans. I do not feel the plots are decompressed, but move at a cinematic pace, where things happen but there is also character development. The penultimate page of issue six, with four consecutive shots of Mitchell? In a decompressed comic, that would have been the entire book. But in Ex Machina, it is used near the end, for the dramatic (but unsurprising ending based on previous characterization). I like the past-present narrative, where character is built along with current storyline. For instance, in this issue we have insights to Mitchell's character after the mishigas he goes through in the past which is building upon what we know. It is also relevant to what is already in the issue.
You don't need to know a particular Kirby-era Fantastic Four issue to understand a particular reference in this comic, nor do you need to know that it was Amazing 121 where Gwen Stacy died. It feels relevant and personal, while not feeling "relevant." Top notch stuff this is. |
I don't even read his column that frequently, but just wanted to point out that one point he made - but I think you're right that it's to emphasize Mitchell's lack of a sex life, plus just some playful NYC realism.