Toy Story #5 Review
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 03 August 2010 17:20
- Written by Rokk
I know that The Revolution does not give much attention to some of the great all-ages titles out there. Well, outside of Brandon selecting Darkwing Duck #2 as his read of the week. But, the fact we are experiencing a real boom in all-ages titles. And that is definitely a good thing.
The average age of a comic book reader has trended older and older. It is crucial that the comic book industry market itself to younger readers as well as the thirty-something fanboy who has been reading comic books forever. So, I figured that since I have two little boys that I would start spotlighting some of the all-ages titles out there so the Followers of The Revolution would know what to get for their kids, nephews, nieces, little cousins, etc.
Creative Team
Writers: Jesse Blaze Snyder
Artist: Tanya Roberts
Colors: Mike Cossin
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Comments
The Good: First, when I grade an all-ages title, the scores are not meant to compare with scores that I give to regular titles. I do grade them pursuant to different grade scales since they are so radically different in terms of the type of story that they are trying to deliver. Now, with that out of the way, I found Toy Story #5 to be another good all-ages read. Jesse Blaze Snyder has done a nice job on this title and continues to deliver issues that most children will find to be entertaining reads.
Boom has done a remarkable job with their all-ages titles. Out of all the comic book companies that publish all-ages titles, Boom has impressed me the most. While I am sure that Disney wishes their own comic book company had the license to their properties; they have to at least be pleased with the wonderful effort that Boom has put forth with these comic books. For a long time the all-ages title was a lost art. However, recently, there has been resurgence in all-ages titles. And that resurgence had been lead by Boom.
Toy Story #5 presents a fun story that concludes a two issues story arc. The basic premise is that Andy’s toys have engaged in a contest of who is the strongest toy. The winner gets a kiss from Bo Peep.
During this issue, Woody frantically attempts to show that he is the strongest, fastest and toughest toy. Of course, Woody isn’t. Blaze manages to show how physical prowess does not define the person, or toy in this case.
Now, we all know that a good all-ages title should have a moral to the story. Blaze does just that as he ends this issue with Woody learning that it is not his ability to always win the day that makes Bo Peep like him.
Blaze keeps the pace moving quickly in order to retain a child’s short attention span. The reader never goes more than one page without getting some action. The story has a pleasant flow as we zip from event to event in this contest of champions. Toy Story #5 is an example of good condensed story telling without rushing the plot.
The dialogue is light and has an enjoyable flow. The characters all act appropriately. The personalities that you see in the movie are exactly what you get in this issue. Blaze peppers this issue full of funny one-liners guaranteed to get children giggling. In fact, Blaze even got me chuckling with some of the one-liners.
Tanya Roberts does a good job with the artwork. The characters all have extremely expressive faces. The cartoonish expressions are sure to connect with children. Roberts is able to boost Blaze’s story with panels that play up the various emotions of the characters whether it is excitement, surprise or dejection. Mike Cossin brings plenty of bright primary colors to this issue. The colors in Toy Story #5 make the art leap off the page.
The Bad: I have no complaints with this issue.
Overall: Toy Story is due out tomorrow, August 4. Toy Story #5 does trend to younger readers than some of the other all-ages titles. I would recommend this issue for readers between the ages of 5-8. The good thing is that Toy Story #5 is an issue you can read to your kid without being entirely bored in the process.
Toy Story