Recently, I've found myself purchasing more trades then comics. So I decided to make a review thread for the trades I read! First up...
Nomad:Girl Without a World
Writer: Sean McKeever
Artist: David Baldeon
Covers: Rafael Albuquerque
Remember Rikki Barnes? Of course you don't! Rikki Barnes was Captain America's sidekick in the Heroes Reborn universe. Recently, Rikki was revived, then killed, then revived in our world in Onslaught Reborn. If you don't remember that it's perfectly fine since only Jeph Loeb and his editor read that series. Anyway, Rikki Barnes finds herself in a new world, unsure what to do with herself she looks for the new Captain America and hopes to be his partner. When this idea is shot down she decides to just be a "normal teen" who fights crime on the side (because that always ends well.) She finds her brother from her universe (who in the great irony of the universe develops a crush on her.) And uncovers a plot by the Secret Empire to rig the election at her high school, why? Because this mini needs a villain! All of this adds up to make Nomad's life one crazy whirlwind of super heroics, political undertones, and HORMONES!
In truth, I really enjoyed this trade, more than I was expecting. Sean McKeever sets the tone off from the beginning and like any book dealing with teens, you can expect some melodrama, but when it shows up McKeever handles it pretty well. The main thing that kept me interested in Nomad was the political undertones in the series. McKeever makes a message about voting and not just voting for the charismatic leader but the one who would be best for the country. It's that political message and a few others (Nomad pointing out to Flag-Smasher the futility of terrorism as an anti-war protest.) That kept me interested in the series for most of the ride.
I say most because the last issue, despite everything that came before it, is a mess. Plot points get out of hand and things just happen because "this is the last issue and the story needs to end NOW!" The Young Avengers just kinda SHOW UP and the standard tragic ending happens for no better reason then to give Nomad her "Gwen Stacy." However the ending is so overwhelmingly heart-warming, dopey, and purely cheesy that I can't help but give the issue some credit just for the last couple pages.
On to the art, David Baldeon does some decent work here, getting action scenes and the general super-heroics right, it's the quiet moments that he falters slightly. Facial expressions are either over the top or muted, and some character's faces (Falcon, Patriot, and Black Widow) all look a bit off. Despite that Baldeon's art matches the tone perfectly and fits well.
Overall, this trade earns a
3.5 out 5. Despite the last issue this story is a fun and slightly political ride through the birth of the MU's latest teen superhero, let's hope she fares better than the last Nomad.
