Got Darna Redux (Spoilers inside)
I spent the after work hours with Mike at Comic Quest, and we talked about stuff. One of the things we discussed was the recent Darna release. I have to admit, while I really would like them to succeed and meant everything I said in the earlier post, even this latest and probably greatest interpretation of the Darna character has its glaring flaws. After reading and re-reading the issue, I have to give some more in-depth comments.
For one, the script, while having no grammatical errors or anything that made me laugh for a wrong reason, was pretty unspectacular. It broke no new ground, explored no new avenues or plots twists for the character. Almost everything in the story is expected and pretty much 'been there, done that', from an opening sequence of a terrorist attack and Darna's entrance and subsequent pummelling of the baddies, to the eventual cliffhanger ending with a familiar villain making an appearance. Generally there's a lack of any feeling of tension or dramatic pacing/timing; there's a scene of carnage which is supposed to communicate terror or something sinister, but all I can recall is an overly-sexy mayor fainting.
In terms of the art, I'm all for fan service but I think the art went overboard with Narda and her friends' wardrobes. No wonder they got targetted by some rich kid maniacs for kidnapping. Anyway, said-abduction was apparently just a way of flashing back to Darna's origin, which I am told is the original version (though I do not recall earlier Darna incarnations appearing). Anyway, Ryan Orosco's and Gilbert Monsanto's work is clean and well done, but again, like the writing, surprisingly unspectacular. Expressions are vacant and lack personality and character. Overall, sexy but we've seen it before, but better, in comics like Fathom and Witchblade. A little more dynamic panelling, action scenes and angles could have done wonders. As it is, the fight scenes are through-the-motion ordinary; a kick here, a punch there. Nothing special.
Also, IMO they should have used the art for their cool poster (one of which apparently got stolen from Comic Quest today) for the cover, to evoke a 'new' feel and the coming of the new take for the heroine. The present cover image is adequate, but doesn't blow me away as it should. It just doesn't. Oh well.
For me though, I am most disappointed with the fact that this newest Darna once again fails to give me a humanized, unique, personable character in Darna/Narda. Who is Darna? Who is Narda? We don't see any personality in her, nothing to latch onto or like. Once again, she's just an archetype. If that's really the way it is, then so be it. But I had wanted to see something new. Oh well. That's why I prefer manga in my comics, and in how I DO my comics.
Mars Ravelo's Darna is an okay novelty purchase for fans of the character or just for those feeling nostalgic. The art is indeed nice and the colors will no doubt impress those who aren't too sophisticated or picky. However, I don't know if masa readers can stomach a 120-peso purchase for a 32-page comic that isn't 'sulit' in my opinion since it's not a finished story. I wish Mango Comics all the luck and despite all my gripes, I hope that Darna finishes it's whole 3-issue run.
Colored pages, sexy but empty art, plain story and bland writing. Is this the best Darna can be? All I need is to look at Carlo Vergara's Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah to see that this doesn't necessarily have to be so.
Mars Ravelo's Darna # 1 is available now at Comic Quest and leading comic and bookstores, Php120.00, full color, 32 pages.
I spent the after work hours with Mike at Comic Quest, and we talked about stuff. One of the things we discussed was the recent Darna release. I have to admit, while I really would like them to succeed and meant everything I said in the earlier post, even this latest and probably greatest interpretation of the Darna character has its glaring flaws. After reading and re-reading the issue, I have to give some more in-depth comments.
For one, the script, while having no grammatical errors or anything that made me laugh for a wrong reason, was pretty unspectacular. It broke no new ground, explored no new avenues or plots twists for the character. Almost everything in the story is expected and pretty much 'been there, done that', from an opening sequence of a terrorist attack and Darna's entrance and subsequent pummelling of the baddies, to the eventual cliffhanger ending with a familiar villain making an appearance. Generally there's a lack of any feeling of tension or dramatic pacing/timing; there's a scene of carnage which is supposed to communicate terror or something sinister, but all I can recall is an overly-sexy mayor fainting.
In terms of the art, I'm all for fan service but I think the art went overboard with Narda and her friends' wardrobes. No wonder they got targetted by some rich kid maniacs for kidnapping. Anyway, said-abduction was apparently just a way of flashing back to Darna's origin, which I am told is the original version (though I do not recall earlier Darna incarnations appearing). Anyway, Ryan Orosco's and Gilbert Monsanto's work is clean and well done, but again, like the writing, surprisingly unspectacular. Expressions are vacant and lack personality and character. Overall, sexy but we've seen it before, but better, in comics like Fathom and Witchblade. A little more dynamic panelling, action scenes and angles could have done wonders. As it is, the fight scenes are through-the-motion ordinary; a kick here, a punch there. Nothing special.
Also, IMO they should have used the art for their cool poster (one of which apparently got stolen from Comic Quest today) for the cover, to evoke a 'new' feel and the coming of the new take for the heroine. The present cover image is adequate, but doesn't blow me away as it should. It just doesn't. Oh well.
For me though, I am most disappointed with the fact that this newest Darna once again fails to give me a humanized, unique, personable character in Darna/Narda. Who is Darna? Who is Narda? We don't see any personality in her, nothing to latch onto or like. Once again, she's just an archetype. If that's really the way it is, then so be it. But I had wanted to see something new. Oh well. That's why I prefer manga in my comics, and in how I DO my comics.
Mars Ravelo's Darna is an okay novelty purchase for fans of the character or just for those feeling nostalgic. The art is indeed nice and the colors will no doubt impress those who aren't too sophisticated or picky. However, I don't know if masa readers can stomach a 120-peso purchase for a 32-page comic that isn't 'sulit' in my opinion since it's not a finished story. I wish Mango Comics all the luck and despite all my gripes, I hope that Darna finishes it's whole 3-issue run.
Colored pages, sexy but empty art, plain story and bland writing. Is this the best Darna can be? All I need is to look at Carlo Vergara's Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah to see that this doesn't necessarily have to be so.
Mars Ravelo's Darna # 1 is available now at Comic Quest and leading comic and bookstores, Php120.00, full color, 32 pages.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home