Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Chee
Publisher: IDW
Plot:
The creature awakes, and guess what? Bad stuff happens!
Comments:
I really like IDW. I really do. The books cost a little more (okay, a lot more!), but they eliminate ads and have heavy duty covers and excellent paper. In fact, the actual physical experience of reading an IDW book is a very satisfying one. Unfortunately, with Wake The Dead, there’s not really anything other than nice paper and no ads to praise.
This story is so woefully uninspired that I have to think that Niles really might have taken on one project too many with this one. In three issues there haven’t been any elements of the story that aren’t obvious and hackneyed. About the only thing that stands out is that the characters are so clichéd and unlikeable that there really isn’t anything redeeming about any of them. That’s kind of surprising, right? You’d think there’d be some attempt to make them interesting, or have them speak to each other like real people, or at least surprise us with just one single plot thread. But there’s not. There’s nothing.
The art by Chee is serviceable and clearly illustrates the action. It’s just too bad that his American debut is on this waste of time. This expensive waste of time. I wish him luck in his further endeavors, and I suggest that Niles reign himself in, since his editor sure isn’t. Actually, after checking the credits, there’s not an actual editor listed for the book; just the editor-in-chief and an editorial assistant. That explains a lot.
Final Word:
Not every idea is a good idea. Not every story needs to be told. This is a good example of this. It’s just not worth the money or the time it takes to read. Niles is better than this, and Chee should shine on another project.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!