To make up for so little being bought last week it seems I went way overboard this week. What with Action, Brightest Day and Generation Lost having oversized endings, and the rather sporadically released Batman Inc., Xombie, Venom and Morning Glories, a re-issue of the first Butcher Baker issue (I flicked through a mates and fell in love with the art) all coinciding in one week, it ended up being very pricey but OMG I CANT WAIT TO READ ALL OF THESE!!!
This week I picked up: Amazing Spiderman #659, FF #2, Power Man and Iron Fist #4 (of 5), Secret Avengers #12, Venom #2, Action Comics #90, Batman Incorporated #5, Brightest Day #24, Detective Comics #876, Flash #11, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9, Justice League: Generation Lost #24, Xombi #2, Butcher Baker #1 (and #2 although not technically out this week, it'll be a joint review) and Morning Glories #9.
Despite picking up about half of this weeks releases I also intend to pick up Secret Avengers #12.1, Spider-Girl #6 (both of which I forgot to pick up) and the Planet of the Apes #1 as it got good reviews and I have a fair interest in the classic films.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Special Post: Los Campesinos' Heat Rash Zine
My favorite band, Los Campesinos, an indie 8 piece, that I once heard described as "agnsty-twee-scuzz-indie-spazz-pop". Which describes them perfectly. They produce some of the happiest, danciest jingles and are perfect for (attempting) to dance to.
Well they have, all on their own, using only their own contacts and creative writing, art, modeling and photography skills, created a zine called Heat Rash. It features poetry, art, tattoos, tips, recipes, favorite lyrics, new lyrics, explanation of songs from previous albums, articles, sheet music, and a really beautiful comic (done by Robert Campesinos who also provided the amazingly beautiful cover) all by members of the band. I really want to show off more than the cover but everything is so exclusive that I don't want to just throw it out on the internet for everyone. This is just for the fans!
It is released quarterly and each issue is themed, this one is about Romance. It isn't available through normal means though. You have to subscribe for a year on THEIR WEBSITE HERE. Check out all of the bands albums and if you like it I strongly advise you sign up for this. £25 for a year. Each Quarterly installment comes with a 7" that has exclusive songs only available to subscribers! Also with digital downloads of the music too.
Also included are discounts off every other item including gig tickets in the online shop and a chance to get your hands on the new album before it's official release later in the year.
The whole package is really well designed and comes with everything you can imagine from a bunch of young creatives. I've had my hands on my copy for a week or so now and I've been meaning to plug it on my blog for some time. I heartily recommend this product!
Well they have, all on their own, using only their own contacts and creative writing, art, modeling and photography skills, created a zine called Heat Rash. It features poetry, art, tattoos, tips, recipes, favorite lyrics, new lyrics, explanation of songs from previous albums, articles, sheet music, and a really beautiful comic (done by Robert Campesinos who also provided the amazingly beautiful cover) all by members of the band. I really want to show off more than the cover but everything is so exclusive that I don't want to just throw it out on the internet for everyone. This is just for the fans!
It is released quarterly and each issue is themed, this one is about Romance. It isn't available through normal means though. You have to subscribe for a year on THEIR WEBSITE HERE. Check out all of the bands albums and if you like it I strongly advise you sign up for this. £25 for a year. Each Quarterly installment comes with a 7" that has exclusive songs only available to subscribers! Also with digital downloads of the music too.
Also included are discounts off every other item including gig tickets in the online shop and a chance to get your hands on the new album before it's official release later in the year.
The whole package is really well designed and comes with everything you can imagine from a bunch of young creatives. I've had my hands on my copy for a week or so now and I've been meaning to plug it on my blog for some time. I heartily recommend this product!
Dark Horse Presents #1
A whole post to itself because it's the only comic I picked up not by the big two. I was unaware of the history behind this title as I have only encountered it during it's myspace incarnation but it sure is impressive the amount of big names it's debuted. I'll wont be posting scans of any story in the book as they are only 8 pages long so it would be to big a portion of the book to print I guess. Plus it's perfect bound and would be destroyed in my scanner haha! Go buy it if you like any of the names involved or if you enjoy anthology titles.
Concrete fits a lot into a small page count and it's a pretty decent short too. Well scripted, good timing and the art and lettering has a certain retro/ lo-fi feel to it.
Marked Man does a similar job. Starting in a bit too much of a familiar way for a crime comic. It felt too stereotypical and I was bored already but then we get the whole double life of the main character and the arguments with his wife. Those moments MADE this first half almost enjoyable for me.
Blood has detailed art but in an almost scruffy way. The story feels a little forced due to the text heavy nature of the madman's ramblings. Also not getting to see the main character is a bit daft in an opening chapter. The premise of a cop being mixed with super alien blood sounds silly but then again this is only 8 pages and I will give all of the stories a chance. They are only part 1's of course.
Finder; Third World, is a pretty intelligent start to an ongoing. It's open enough to go in several directions now, either multiple jobs through the agency or as a continuos future delivery boy. There is a good amount of humour and great art. Looking forward to reading what's next.
Mr. Monster Vs. Oooak, is a superb clashing of classic Kirby and Lee style story and art with a sort of underground graffiti twist to it. Some funny throwback dialogue to the views in 60's comics about the role of women. It's a shame this isn't ongoing. All the wrong comics are single stories and all the right ones are one offs.
The Xerxes previews looks typically Frank Miller. I never read 300 but it looks identical art to Sin city, although less detailed, as though he is loosing his touch maybe? Still it was only a few preview pages so I'm sure Miller fans will lap it up.
Murky World is a weird one. It feels like it has ended already. There was no real set up for the next chapter or what could happen next. It just stops after a very mild climax.
The teaser for Star Wars Crimson Empire, is odd. I don't know any of the characters, and the weapons, ships and dress sense was unrecognisable, so it really didn't feel Star Wars to me. I was a huge fan of it when I was younger. Including all the extended universe nonsense, I think I had the books of the first two Crimson Empire's and I know that those are going to be hard chapters to follow.
Snow Angel is a colourful indie gem that is self aware, of it's place in the comics world and plays off it gently.
The last two pages are one off funies called AAAAAAAAAAAH and Personality quiz. They use typical repeat panels and simplified characters to pull of well timed jokes. I really want to see more from this!
I'll give the Miller interview and the short prose piece a read later on...
All in all a solid anthology title, the size sort of warrants the price, but I wonder if the price tag will turn people away from picking it up. Perhaps it could have been half the size and come out twice as often? That way people would at least try it. I only picked it up because it was a relatively quiet week for me.
I love the colours and design elements of the cover. Concrete looks great blown up like that, you can see every brush stroke!
Concrete fits a lot into a small page count and it's a pretty decent short too. Well scripted, good timing and the art and lettering has a certain retro/ lo-fi feel to it.
Marked Man does a similar job. Starting in a bit too much of a familiar way for a crime comic. It felt too stereotypical and I was bored already but then we get the whole double life of the main character and the arguments with his wife. Those moments MADE this first half almost enjoyable for me.
Blood has detailed art but in an almost scruffy way. The story feels a little forced due to the text heavy nature of the madman's ramblings. Also not getting to see the main character is a bit daft in an opening chapter. The premise of a cop being mixed with super alien blood sounds silly but then again this is only 8 pages and I will give all of the stories a chance. They are only part 1's of course.
Finder; Third World, is a pretty intelligent start to an ongoing. It's open enough to go in several directions now, either multiple jobs through the agency or as a continuos future delivery boy. There is a good amount of humour and great art. Looking forward to reading what's next.
Mr. Monster Vs. Oooak, is a superb clashing of classic Kirby and Lee style story and art with a sort of underground graffiti twist to it. Some funny throwback dialogue to the views in 60's comics about the role of women. It's a shame this isn't ongoing. All the wrong comics are single stories and all the right ones are one offs.
The Xerxes previews looks typically Frank Miller. I never read 300 but it looks identical art to Sin city, although less detailed, as though he is loosing his touch maybe? Still it was only a few preview pages so I'm sure Miller fans will lap it up.
Murky World is a weird one. It feels like it has ended already. There was no real set up for the next chapter or what could happen next. It just stops after a very mild climax.
The teaser for Star Wars Crimson Empire, is odd. I don't know any of the characters, and the weapons, ships and dress sense was unrecognisable, so it really didn't feel Star Wars to me. I was a huge fan of it when I was younger. Including all the extended universe nonsense, I think I had the books of the first two Crimson Empire's and I know that those are going to be hard chapters to follow.
Snow Angel is a colourful indie gem that is self aware, of it's place in the comics world and plays off it gently.
The last two pages are one off funies called AAAAAAAAAAAH and Personality quiz. They use typical repeat panels and simplified characters to pull of well timed jokes. I really want to see more from this!
I'll give the Miller interview and the short prose piece a read later on...
All in all a solid anthology title, the size sort of warrants the price, but I wonder if the price tag will turn people away from picking it up. Perhaps it could have been half the size and come out twice as often? That way people would at least try it. I only picked it up because it was a relatively quiet week for me.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
DC Comics April 20th 2011
(Affectionately known as War of the Green Lanterns time)
Green Lantern #65
War of the Green Lanterns Part 4. On the Green house, safe planet Guy finds the ship he left just in case, and they fly off to Oa. They manage to meet up with Kyle and Hal. He offers them the rings of all the different corps members that were sucked into the book of the Black.
They just need to pick which colour suits them best. There are some controversial choices to say the least. A very clever twist in events. It would have been even more of a surprise if it wasn't spoiled on the cover of Corps out the same week. Silly DC!
Green Lantern Corps #59
War of the Green Lanterns Part 5. The teams ring choices appear terrible so far. Kyle's blue ring appears to be charging the enemy Green Lanterns rings while the Sapphire ring appears to have trouble channelling the other rings also. None the less they all fly off to save Ganthet who gets angry at what they've done. He put's up a good fight against the enemy but then Mogo the living planet/ Lantern turns up and is also corrupted.
Cliff hanging till next weeks Emerald Warriors now. Each issue now drip feeds one really clever and interesting development. A moment of 'wouldn't it be cool if..?' is answered in each installment. The pace isn't what it started at but these developments more than make up for it.
Green Lantern #65
War of the Green Lanterns Part 4. On the Green house, safe planet Guy finds the ship he left just in case, and they fly off to Oa. They manage to meet up with Kyle and Hal. He offers them the rings of all the different corps members that were sucked into the book of the Black.
They just need to pick which colour suits them best. There are some controversial choices to say the least. A very clever twist in events. It would have been even more of a surprise if it wasn't spoiled on the cover of Corps out the same week. Silly DC!
Green Lantern Corps #59
War of the Green Lanterns Part 5. The teams ring choices appear terrible so far. Kyle's blue ring appears to be charging the enemy Green Lanterns rings while the Sapphire ring appears to have trouble channelling the other rings also. None the less they all fly off to save Ganthet who gets angry at what they've done. He put's up a good fight against the enemy but then Mogo the living planet/ Lantern turns up and is also corrupted.
One of few times when DC comics actually warrant a double page spread! Also I wish I had a bigger scanner. Ah who cares GO BUY IT! I rant about it enough...
Cliff hanging till next weeks Emerald Warriors now. Each issue now drip feeds one really clever and interesting development. A moment of 'wouldn't it be cool if..?' is answered in each installment. The pace isn't what it started at but these developments more than make up for it.
Marvel Comics April 20th 2011
Deadpool Max #7
Bloody hell, I just realised I missed the last issue. I was looking forward to it as well. It had Domino and Baby Deadpool jumping out of a window on the cover. While all the previous issues in this series have been a tad off and even though they have been risque enough, they never really felt like proper deadpool to me. Whereas this issue the risque world of the Max Deadpool finally hits all the right notes and gives a story and dialogue that is as mentally insane as Deadpool should be. He is married to Domino/ Black Widow/ Inez, whoever she is, and she faked a pregnancy and so fakes giving birth to a plastic doll. Which Deadpool names Wolfie. He imagines all the fun things he can do with his child, in what is as close to a comedy montage as comics can get.
Comedically Deadpool comics are aware of the cliches of characters being insane and play off every single character being wrong in the head. Deadpool gives his wife an intervention about killing people then has her locked up anyway while he goes back to being himself in time for next issue.
Perfect artwork all the ways through. A loose but graphic style with brilliant textures and tonal qualities. Consistent art but this is the first time I've thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Thunderbolts #156
The main team our out on a magic based assignment with new team member Satana while Songbird is picking the new beta team. There are some interesting choices of who seems to be being picked. Troll, Shockwave, Boomerang, Centurius and Mr. Hyde. Whom shortly after taking his serum starts to get very angry. Meanwhile the main team is getting into a lot of trouble and Satana isn't really helping them. Plenty of villains are doing everything they can to get onto the beta team.
I really enjoy this title each month. There is never a dull issue. The short missions and two teams to bounce back and forth with mean there is never a dull moment. With each new addition to the team there is always the uncertainty of whom is going to last.
Uncanny X-Force #8
How is this out again already?! Never the less this book stays as interesting as ever. Deathlok is staying in X-Force HQ to guard the World as a compromise for not destroying it. After Deadpool investigates...
Betsy and the team go to an old Soviet base that houses the Shadow King (another great choice for a return from X-men comics past), Betsy's mind defenses in Warrens brain to keep the Archangel's murderous side at bay are undone during a battle with the Shadow king and he makes Betsy forget about it. Leading for a very enticing ending as the bases missile crisis is averted and Archangel looms out of the base with his full powers unleashed unbeknownst to the rest of his team. This book is getting to be as consistently good as X-Factor is (I read it in trades before you go searching the blog for those reviews). There aren't that many X-men titles that are that gripping week in week out.
Bloody hell, I just realised I missed the last issue. I was looking forward to it as well. It had Domino and Baby Deadpool jumping out of a window on the cover. While all the previous issues in this series have been a tad off and even though they have been risque enough, they never really felt like proper deadpool to me. Whereas this issue the risque world of the Max Deadpool finally hits all the right notes and gives a story and dialogue that is as mentally insane as Deadpool should be. He is married to Domino/ Black Widow/ Inez, whoever she is, and she faked a pregnancy and so fakes giving birth to a plastic doll. Which Deadpool names Wolfie. He imagines all the fun things he can do with his child, in what is as close to a comedy montage as comics can get.
Comedically Deadpool comics are aware of the cliches of characters being insane and play off every single character being wrong in the head. Deadpool gives his wife an intervention about killing people then has her locked up anyway while he goes back to being himself in time for next issue.
Perfect artwork all the ways through. A loose but graphic style with brilliant textures and tonal qualities. Consistent art but this is the first time I've thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Thunderbolts #156
The main team our out on a magic based assignment with new team member Satana while Songbird is picking the new beta team. There are some interesting choices of who seems to be being picked. Troll, Shockwave, Boomerang, Centurius and Mr. Hyde. Whom shortly after taking his serum starts to get very angry. Meanwhile the main team is getting into a lot of trouble and Satana isn't really helping them. Plenty of villains are doing everything they can to get onto the beta team.
I really enjoy this title each month. There is never a dull issue. The short missions and two teams to bounce back and forth with mean there is never a dull moment. With each new addition to the team there is always the uncertainty of whom is going to last.
Uncanny X-Force #8
How is this out again already?! Never the less this book stays as interesting as ever. Deathlok is staying in X-Force HQ to guard the World as a compromise for not destroying it. After Deadpool investigates...
Betsy and the team go to an old Soviet base that houses the Shadow King (another great choice for a return from X-men comics past), Betsy's mind defenses in Warrens brain to keep the Archangel's murderous side at bay are undone during a battle with the Shadow king and he makes Betsy forget about it. Leading for a very enticing ending as the bases missile crisis is averted and Archangel looms out of the base with his full powers unleashed unbeknownst to the rest of his team. This book is getting to be as consistently good as X-Factor is (I read it in trades before you go searching the blog for those reviews). There aren't that many X-men titles that are that gripping week in week out.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
20th April 2011
This feels like such a small pile this week. Maybe it's because I went over board last week. I even went back to my comic store to make sure I didn't miss anything! This week I got; Deadpool Max #7 (and realised I missed last issues), Thunderbolts #156, Uncanny X-Force #8 (it's out again already?), Green Lantern #65, Green Lantern Corps #59 and Dark Horse Presents #1.
I actually finished last weeks reviews but didn't get around to adding the scans until now. So I'm nearly back on time haha!
Monday, 18 April 2011
Indie Comics April 13th 2011
Well I say "Indie" I had enough Image Comics to warrant their own post but then Boom Comics Farscape would be on it's own...
Farscape #18
So much is going on in this book right now. We build up towards the end of the War of the Uncharted Territories story. A lot of anticipation now as several major plots are set to end in rather spectacular ways in upcoming issues.
This issue Commandant Aeryn stops a mutiny and attack on the remaining weapons supply and gets several more, slightly unwilling, additions to their growing resistance. Roiin and Chiana join a motley crew on the way to meet up with the resistance and Chiana seems shocked that Aeryn is in charge of the peacekeepers, clearly getting the wrong end of the stick, but also not knowing Roiin's reasons for going along. Is he going to finish his bounty on Deke?!
Meanwhile Deke's weird ass super powers look like they have saved Moya and Pilot from several Kkore ships attacking them. I wonder if they can save him from Roiin or what role the will serve as he grows older. Plus for the big finish, the Kkore find out the location of the resistance and plan to attack immediately!
I have major love for this book. The look and motives of such a large cast (hell make that universe) handled so brilliantly, by both writer and artist. Speaking of which Will Sliney commented a thanks on one of my old raves about how much I love this book which proper made my day!
Infinite Vacation #2
The guy who was going to kill him at the end of last issue was in fact Mark again. He is then kidnapped by a whole gang of himself of which the introductions had me wetting myself with laughter.
Turns out he is wanted for his own multiple murders so the gang of hacker Mark had found him and swapped him for Pedophile Mark just before the police got there. After some brilliant small talk they realise that whoever is after him through the actual killings is only after one Mark out of the trillions they killed and the 3 they nearly killed, they are only after him! So they hide him with the dead enders, that group of protestors who are against the infinite vacation. When in this deadender universe he is in, he bumps into the same purple haired Claire from last issue, the chances of this are off the scale never going to happen so he is mega surprised. He goes with her to the Singularist/ dead ender meeting and we learn her heartbreaking backstory and why she doesn't believe in the Infinite Vacation. He decides he'd rather not leave his own fate in the hands of a bunch of himself and asks her for help.
It is at this point that the art changes into a photo comic as we are shown an interview in the style of a news report with a representative of the Infinite Vacation company. It's bits like this that make the worlds in this book seem more believable. During the interview it crops up that there are allegations about Mr Vernon, his boss at the Infinite Vacation company having insanity and anger issues. We then cut back to the regular art and see a Detective Mark being punished by Mr Vernon for not finding the Mark they are after, and he is punished by being killed by some ultraviolet ultra violent killer Mark. Presumably the one whom is killing the other trillions of Marks also.
This is such a complex idea and story yet it is completely accessible and really enjoyable. You would have though to get this much story into two issues would have been impossible, and this is going to end up being one EPIC limited series! It's almost a shame when Nick Spencer is restrained by normal story telling on superhero books because I could read this kind of stuff all day. Let him loose more often!
Li'l Depressed Boy #3
As adorable as ever. LDB lost the bet at the bowling alley and now has to go to a thrift store, which I'm guessing is some kind of charity or second hand store, to try on dead people clothes. Then they check out the music section and Jazz gets a record but goes back to LDB's to play it. He finds out it's her Birthday today and she is having a party later. A party he is told that trolls wont be attending.
He comes along only to be swamped by more hipster kids. As if visiting the thrift store wasn't enough. He gives her his old record player as a gift and then a band starts playing and cops turn up (probably just about the noise) but hey ho that's the cliff hanger! A really sweet Little LDB where he realises he cant play any instrument and a record player is the best way to make music. This is an absolute geek and pop culture gem.
Madman All-New Giant-Size Super Ginchy Special
I've had to wait a long time for a new Madman and the Atomics comic. It's also half a massive hallucination of Franks after touching poisoned tipped spikes. Another short story now, done by a blogging favorite of mine called Emi Lenox. She draws an adorable Joe and Madman. Really dig the style.
Matt Kindt's offering is pretty fun as it explores a minor background vilain from one of the original Madman comics who is given this huge inter stellar story only to come back to Snap city and write a book about it. Tozo's story sees Joe and the Prof. use a magnet to get a microscopic bullet out of Madman's brain. Then a huge amount of different artists do pin up pages at the back.
I must admit when I was looking for this I actually had in my head something a lot bigger, about wednesday comics size, and hard back. Turns out that that 20th anniversary monster is still to come, and not only having some of the biggest names in comics doing strips for it, it will also re print EVERY SINGLE PIN UP! Hell to the yes. I just hope it's affordable else I will seriously cry.
Farscape #18
So much is going on in this book right now. We build up towards the end of the War of the Uncharted Territories story. A lot of anticipation now as several major plots are set to end in rather spectacular ways in upcoming issues.
This issue Commandant Aeryn stops a mutiny and attack on the remaining weapons supply and gets several more, slightly unwilling, additions to their growing resistance. Roiin and Chiana join a motley crew on the way to meet up with the resistance and Chiana seems shocked that Aeryn is in charge of the peacekeepers, clearly getting the wrong end of the stick, but also not knowing Roiin's reasons for going along. Is he going to finish his bounty on Deke?!
Meanwhile Deke's weird ass super powers look like they have saved Moya and Pilot from several Kkore ships attacking them. I wonder if they can save him from Roiin or what role the will serve as he grows older. Plus for the big finish, the Kkore find out the location of the resistance and plan to attack immediately!
I have major love for this book. The look and motives of such a large cast (hell make that universe) handled so brilliantly, by both writer and artist. Speaking of which Will Sliney commented a thanks on one of my old raves about how much I love this book which proper made my day!
Infinite Vacation #2
The guy who was going to kill him at the end of last issue was in fact Mark again. He is then kidnapped by a whole gang of himself of which the introductions had me wetting myself with laughter.
I feel really cheeky posting a whole page, but you need it for the full effect. Plus it doesn't matter too much, because you are all going to go pick this up anyway, aren't you. AREN'T YOU!
It is at this point that the art changes into a photo comic as we are shown an interview in the style of a news report with a representative of the Infinite Vacation company. It's bits like this that make the worlds in this book seem more believable. During the interview it crops up that there are allegations about Mr Vernon, his boss at the Infinite Vacation company having insanity and anger issues. We then cut back to the regular art and see a Detective Mark being punished by Mr Vernon for not finding the Mark they are after, and he is punished by being killed by some ultraviolet ultra violent killer Mark. Presumably the one whom is killing the other trillions of Marks also.
This is such a complex idea and story yet it is completely accessible and really enjoyable. You would have though to get this much story into two issues would have been impossible, and this is going to end up being one EPIC limited series! It's almost a shame when Nick Spencer is restrained by normal story telling on superhero books because I could read this kind of stuff all day. Let him loose more often!
Li'l Depressed Boy #3
As adorable as ever. LDB lost the bet at the bowling alley and now has to go to a thrift store, which I'm guessing is some kind of charity or second hand store, to try on dead people clothes. Then they check out the music section and Jazz gets a record but goes back to LDB's to play it. He finds out it's her Birthday today and she is having a party later. A party he is told that trolls wont be attending.
He comes along only to be swamped by more hipster kids. As if visiting the thrift store wasn't enough. He gives her his old record player as a gift and then a band starts playing and cops turn up (probably just about the noise) but hey ho that's the cliff hanger! A really sweet Little LDB where he realises he cant play any instrument and a record player is the best way to make music. This is an absolute geek and pop culture gem.
Madman All-New Giant-Size Super Ginchy Special
I've had to wait a long time for a new Madman and the Atomics comic. It's also half a massive hallucination of Franks after touching poisoned tipped spikes. Another short story now, done by a blogging favorite of mine called Emi Lenox. She draws an adorable Joe and Madman. Really dig the style.
Matt Kindt's offering is pretty fun as it explores a minor background vilain from one of the original Madman comics who is given this huge inter stellar story only to come back to Snap city and write a book about it. Tozo's story sees Joe and the Prof. use a magnet to get a microscopic bullet out of Madman's brain. Then a huge amount of different artists do pin up pages at the back.
I must admit when I was looking for this I actually had in my head something a lot bigger, about wednesday comics size, and hard back. Turns out that that 20th anniversary monster is still to come, and not only having some of the biggest names in comics doing strips for it, it will also re print EVERY SINGLE PIN UP! Hell to the yes. I just hope it's affordable else I will seriously cry.
DC Comics April 13th 2011 The Super Part 2
Superboy #6
Strange issue. From teen angst to actually story to Doomsday handing it to Superboy. Continued in the Action Comics #900 huge book. Firstly I don't think that Superboy is someone who should be worrying about finding a home city. He's Smallville's resident hero while Superman is in either Metropolis or doing his daft walkabout. Secondly I really enjoy Simon's boy genius character, it feels right that he should be going to an interview at Dr. Palmer (the Atom)'s university.
He should either grow up into a super mind and build some kind of power suit or end up being a super villain. The journey to either would make a great read especially as Superboy's pal. That new little kid from the future that they took in was following them around the lab so I want to see why.
Also I haven't being reading any of the other Doomsday tie in's so I have no idea why a powered up version of Doomsday is tearing through the Super character cast line up, all I know is that he is a character that should not be taken lightly so I hope the story they are telling or intending to tell is worth it. He once killed Superman for godsake he should not be over used!
Superman #710
So the book finally just admitted it was a full story about angst. Not teen but grown up angst. Which isn't really that different. This issue features Brucey Batman not Dick Batman who has already featured earlier I think. Supes gets some advice from yet another hero about how to be a hero and how to grow out in the hero business. We have a rather large section of the book devoted to a really early as yet unseen (and thus making it really implausible and completely unrealistic even for superhero continuity). However it has some nice nods of how the pair used to be and how they've grown. I power and training in Bruce's case, going to the city of Nanda Parbat and learning to not work alone. Plus Bruce offers words of wisdom- Superman was an infant when he lost his parents and couldn't deal with it and didn't learn about his home planet's destruction until he was fully grown. He never knew his birth parents and only had to handle a personal loss when his Pa Kent died, which is why he flew off to New Krypton and when that was destroyed it broke him as a person. Which when you summarise an entire characters development would pretty much lead him to be wandering and lost. So I'm actually kind of warming up to this side of the Grounded storyline. It makes sense to ask the question who is Superman? and also where does he go next?
Bruce Batman's costume actually looks great whoever draws it. Fact. Also I like this little summary in these few panels, it kinda makes me want the Supermen in the fortress of solidarity to become a regular part of Superman comics.
Strange issue. From teen angst to actually story to Doomsday handing it to Superboy. Continued in the Action Comics #900 huge book. Firstly I don't think that Superboy is someone who should be worrying about finding a home city. He's Smallville's resident hero while Superman is in either Metropolis or doing his daft walkabout. Secondly I really enjoy Simon's boy genius character, it feels right that he should be going to an interview at Dr. Palmer (the Atom)'s university.
He should either grow up into a super mind and build some kind of power suit or end up being a super villain. The journey to either would make a great read especially as Superboy's pal. That new little kid from the future that they took in was following them around the lab so I want to see why.
Also I haven't being reading any of the other Doomsday tie in's so I have no idea why a powered up version of Doomsday is tearing through the Super character cast line up, all I know is that he is a character that should not be taken lightly so I hope the story they are telling or intending to tell is worth it. He once killed Superman for godsake he should not be over used!
Superman #710
So the book finally just admitted it was a full story about angst. Not teen but grown up angst. Which isn't really that different. This issue features Brucey Batman not Dick Batman who has already featured earlier I think. Supes gets some advice from yet another hero about how to be a hero and how to grow out in the hero business. We have a rather large section of the book devoted to a really early as yet unseen (and thus making it really implausible and completely unrealistic even for superhero continuity). However it has some nice nods of how the pair used to be and how they've grown. I power and training in Bruce's case, going to the city of Nanda Parbat and learning to not work alone. Plus Bruce offers words of wisdom- Superman was an infant when he lost his parents and couldn't deal with it and didn't learn about his home planet's destruction until he was fully grown. He never knew his birth parents and only had to handle a personal loss when his Pa Kent died, which is why he flew off to New Krypton and when that was destroyed it broke him as a person. Which when you summarise an entire characters development would pretty much lead him to be wandering and lost. So I'm actually kind of warming up to this side of the Grounded storyline. It makes sense to ask the question who is Superman? and also where does he go next?
Bruce Batman's costume actually looks great whoever draws it. Fact. Also I like this little summary in these few panels, it kinda makes me want the Supermen in the fortress of solidarity to become a regular part of Superman comics.
DC Comics April 13th 2011 Part 1
Batman and Robin #22
A really clever story exploring the nature versus nurture argument, as a killer targets every single blood relative to every single Arkham Asylum inmate. At times I feel this book slips into the duller darker Batman of before rather than using the much more exciting and interesting characters of Dick and Damian to the fullest. The White Knight's end game is to kill all of the Arkham inmates and making a spectacle of the whole thing. There are some funny comments from the various drowning inmates but apart from that it's a pretty sombre issue. With an explosion causing the White Knights own wings to become fused to his body and he's caught and stuck in a cell himself.
Also Batman's cowl ears can be fired at people. Who'd have thunk it?!
The Flash #10
So Hot Pursuit is from an alternate world and it's his bike that gives him speed, he's come here to get fuel for it from the generator of the Speed force- Barry Allen himself! Ok this is feeling like a major story now.
Other than that there is another aged body that has shown up and this time there was a witness AND tyre tracks from a motor bike. Is Hot Pursuit really a good guy?
I do like the stylised sketchy look to the art. It feels weird on a major DC title, that would normally be done by some hyper realistic super detailed artist, which explains why it isn't to the usual Flash fans taste. But Manapul's art suits the book a lot more and I feel like it would be more beneficial to open the book up to wider audience especially as this book is the lead in to the major event Flash Point. Geoff Johns knows exactly where he is going with this and although the story moves slowly there is definitely some good plotting going on here.
Justice league: Generation Lost #23
I know that Wonder Woman Killed Max the last time but other than Max taking control of several government departments already, what does he hope to gain by just killing Wonder Woman?! I just noticed this not-really- a-plot-hole, but more a minor worry. I hope there is something larger at stake if he does get her and that he wasn't just being a deluded villain. This issue Max Lord tricked the Justice League International into giving him the location of Wonder Woman and then stopped his OMAC attack to release the OMAC prime, which is now replicating the remainder of the teams abilities.
The Global OMAC search for Wonder Woman felt a bit more epic than the finale of brightest day in which the reborn heroes and villains are fighting a dark tree in a forest they are stuck in. It's just a shame the two books didn't crossover as it would have helped sales on what is clearly the better book.
A really clever story exploring the nature versus nurture argument, as a killer targets every single blood relative to every single Arkham Asylum inmate. At times I feel this book slips into the duller darker Batman of before rather than using the much more exciting and interesting characters of Dick and Damian to the fullest. The White Knight's end game is to kill all of the Arkham inmates and making a spectacle of the whole thing. There are some funny comments from the various drowning inmates but apart from that it's a pretty sombre issue. With an explosion causing the White Knights own wings to become fused to his body and he's caught and stuck in a cell himself.
Also Batman's cowl ears can be fired at people. Who'd have thunk it?!
The Flash #10
So Hot Pursuit is from an alternate world and it's his bike that gives him speed, he's come here to get fuel for it from the generator of the Speed force- Barry Allen himself! Ok this is feeling like a major story now.
Other than that there is another aged body that has shown up and this time there was a witness AND tyre tracks from a motor bike. Is Hot Pursuit really a good guy?
I do like the stylised sketchy look to the art. It feels weird on a major DC title, that would normally be done by some hyper realistic super detailed artist, which explains why it isn't to the usual Flash fans taste. But Manapul's art suits the book a lot more and I feel like it would be more beneficial to open the book up to wider audience especially as this book is the lead in to the major event Flash Point. Geoff Johns knows exactly where he is going with this and although the story moves slowly there is definitely some good plotting going on here.
Justice league: Generation Lost #23
I know that Wonder Woman Killed Max the last time but other than Max taking control of several government departments already, what does he hope to gain by just killing Wonder Woman?! I just noticed this not-really- a-plot-hole, but more a minor worry. I hope there is something larger at stake if he does get her and that he wasn't just being a deluded villain. This issue Max Lord tricked the Justice League International into giving him the location of Wonder Woman and then stopped his OMAC attack to release the OMAC prime, which is now replicating the remainder of the teams abilities.
The Global OMAC search for Wonder Woman felt a bit more epic than the finale of brightest day in which the reborn heroes and villains are fighting a dark tree in a forest they are stuck in. It's just a shame the two books didn't crossover as it would have helped sales on what is clearly the better book.
Marvel Comics April 13th 2011
The Amazing Spider-man #658
Absolute delight as usual. This is the first FF issue of Spider-man. The team is on the trail of space time anomalies, they follow one to France, one in the Micro verse on the surface of the living atom and one in the future. This book is brimming with creativity and jokes. The FF flare a nod to the old 4 flare signal, Spidey thinking he will be mistaken for Anti-Venom in the new FF colours...
... the Invisible Woman putting a mime in an actual box force field to freak him out, Super Ego the living Atom (which may not be new tbh), the way that this all seems to be heading towards the Doom castle in the Caribbean were the team first time travelled, the Palindromical Architecture of the Future Future Foundation, and even right into the details of this book when the kids at the Baxter building are playing up and they are riding HERBIE's around and blowing pyramid shaped bubbles. The ingenuity and creative playfulness on this book really suits the retro vibes of recreating the original Fantastic Four feel but with the modern twist.
Then Carlie Cooper finds out that Pete lied about going on a business trip so I wonder if she'll work out he's in the FF now? It would be kinda cool if he could just tell her and she knew about the super heroics. That's the only thing I miss about Mary Jane's character, the fact that she knew about his duel identity.
Plus if Spidey has been a bit more nerd then wise-cracker lately the back up story sure makes up for it. It's brimming with comedy moments and one liners. Spidey bumps into Ghost Rider in a bar when someone from Hell comes to renew his contract because the Hellcycle or whatever the hell it's called, isn't been used to collect souls anymore. Ghostrider is absorbed into the bad guy and Spidey rides of with the bike yelling with with great Horse power comes great responsibility. You know you're reading a good book when the back up story is better than most main stories in other titles!
Shield #∞
I really like the idea of this series. Marvel has always been set in the real world, there are no made up cities here. This is all set in places you can visit. So it seems only natural to push the Marvel history back through the ages and give it some roots with the great figures in history. They make full use of the short story/ anthology format by having numerous artists do each chapter. The stories fit between what has been told already, and some serve as mere moments where it just feels good to see what you suspected had happened, unfold in front of you anyway. A sort of filling in the gap of the main stories so far. It feels as though these stories could have been told during the main book and didn't really warrant a one shot however.
My favorite moment has to be Isaac Newton leaving his calling card- an apple, at the scene of each killing.
Uncanny X-Force #7
A pretty satisfying conclusion to the Deathlok arc. Deadpool after his inner monologue decides he is the most dissliked person on the team gives himself a big boost by saving the day. I do enjoy this kind of writing for Deadpool. You can either write him really funny- but that can often fall flat depending on the humour, or you can give him twinges of a more human side peering through which just makes him a bit more believable and in my opinion, more likable. This book always seems to allow for a couple of weird Deadpool moments as is. Masturbation and creepy Uncle jokes this issue.
Plus a really juicy teaser at the end. So we see En Sabah Nur's body growing in a tube at the end. In a lab that Fantomex keeps telling weapon XV to guard. So does this mean that Fantomex didn't kill the child Apocalypse and has instead decided to grow him to adulthood inside the world? I bloody hope so. It will either go terribly wrong or we could see a "good guy" Apocolypse running around with X-Force in the not to distant future. Both would make great stories. It's about time we get some character development/ changes for this big bad villain. Besides don't we have an upcoming return to the Age of Apocalypse world in this very book.
Very exciting stuff to come.
Absolute delight as usual. This is the first FF issue of Spider-man. The team is on the trail of space time anomalies, they follow one to France, one in the Micro verse on the surface of the living atom and one in the future. This book is brimming with creativity and jokes. The FF flare a nod to the old 4 flare signal, Spidey thinking he will be mistaken for Anti-Venom in the new FF colours...
To be fair he does have a point...
Then Carlie Cooper finds out that Pete lied about going on a business trip so I wonder if she'll work out he's in the FF now? It would be kinda cool if he could just tell her and she knew about the super heroics. That's the only thing I miss about Mary Jane's character, the fact that she knew about his duel identity.
Plus if Spidey has been a bit more nerd then wise-cracker lately the back up story sure makes up for it. It's brimming with comedy moments and one liners. Spidey bumps into Ghost Rider in a bar when someone from Hell comes to renew his contract because the Hellcycle or whatever the hell it's called, isn't been used to collect souls anymore. Ghostrider is absorbed into the bad guy and Spidey rides of with the bike yelling with with great Horse power comes great responsibility. You know you're reading a good book when the back up story is better than most main stories in other titles!
Shield #∞
I really like the idea of this series. Marvel has always been set in the real world, there are no made up cities here. This is all set in places you can visit. So it seems only natural to push the Marvel history back through the ages and give it some roots with the great figures in history. They make full use of the short story/ anthology format by having numerous artists do each chapter. The stories fit between what has been told already, and some serve as mere moments where it just feels good to see what you suspected had happened, unfold in front of you anyway. A sort of filling in the gap of the main stories so far. It feels as though these stories could have been told during the main book and didn't really warrant a one shot however.
My favorite moment has to be Isaac Newton leaving his calling card- an apple, at the scene of each killing.
Uncanny X-Force #7
A pretty satisfying conclusion to the Deathlok arc. Deadpool after his inner monologue decides he is the most dissliked person on the team gives himself a big boost by saving the day. I do enjoy this kind of writing for Deadpool. You can either write him really funny- but that can often fall flat depending on the humour, or you can give him twinges of a more human side peering through which just makes him a bit more believable and in my opinion, more likable. This book always seems to allow for a couple of weird Deadpool moments as is. Masturbation and creepy Uncle jokes this issue.
Plus a really juicy teaser at the end. So we see En Sabah Nur's body growing in a tube at the end. In a lab that Fantomex keeps telling weapon XV to guard. So does this mean that Fantomex didn't kill the child Apocalypse and has instead decided to grow him to adulthood inside the world? I bloody hope so. It will either go terribly wrong or we could see a "good guy" Apocolypse running around with X-Force in the not to distant future. Both would make great stories. It's about time we get some character development/ changes for this big bad villain. Besides don't we have an upcoming return to the Age of Apocalypse world in this very book.
Very exciting stuff to come.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
13th April 2011
Okay so this weeks rather large pile of comics is; Amazing Spiderman #658, Shield ∞, Uncanny X-Force #7, Batman and Robin #22, The Flash #10, Justice League Generation Lost #23, Superboy #6, Superman #710, Farscape #18, Infinite Vacation #2, Li'l Depressed Boy #3 and Madman All-New Giant-Size Super Ginchy Special! Oh Golly I've been looking forward to that for ages and it's sat at the bottom of my read pile!
DC Comics April 6th 2011
Batman Beyond #4
Dick comes clean about being Nightwing to the press, just as Terry has being starting to impersonate him to stop the rumors.
Whilst his friend and class mate is approached by an internet hacking super criminal/ organisation called Undercloud. Firstly I hate this new art direction and i think that due to this being a continuation of the cartoon in comic form, that we needed the certain amount of cartoon style in the artwork. I don't like the typical comic art look. The story is still pretty good. I was sooo tempted to drop this title as well. Now I don't know! It's only 3 part stories so I may give it the benefit of the doubt depending on how much I'm picking up when it next comes out. There was after all a pretty cool tease from some of the Clown gangs as to a massive clown uprising soon. This book just need to have a big kick up the arse to get it into a higher gear. It's promising stuff it's just not consistently good.
Brightest Day #23
Even before reading this I'm getting the feeling that all I need to know is on the cover. Now there's a sense of epic global effects kicking in in the second to last issue. Why not all the way through this series? Generation Lost had only one returned deceased character and they have used Max so well, globe trotting stories and epic build up all the way through, so why oh why has the book that had free reign over the other eleven characters been such a drag? Typical over use of splash pages in this issue.
I did read some stuff online about DC trying to push the elemental side of things for years, since some Alan Moore ideas back on Swamp thing ages ago. Sure enough Earths ultimate saviour, Alec Holland, Swamp Thing emerges from the bottom of the white tree in the Star City forest. Yet another move to bring the DC and Vertigo publishing universes together into one world. There will be a lot of ramifications in the last and final issue of this. Although I find myself caring more about what this means for the stories set in each publishing division than what it means for any character in the Brightest day story, and only very mildly about how the elemental thing could be furthered in the DC universe stories. It seems to be changing a lot about the overall stories but not effecting individual characters.
As for lasting effects I would like to see Martian, Firestorm, Aquaman and the Hawks remain in these forms from now on. As usual though I know that things will just go back to the way they were when this ends.
iZombie #12
Not technically a DC book but I cba to do a separate post for a single issue. Plus who knows, if Vertigo becomes mainstream DC then she will be!
The Love and Rockets indie legend is doing this fill in issue and they make full use of him. We see a different style of art for each story that Ellie and the ghosts are telling each other, a retro comic, a zombie story ( which sounds like it had our very same modern day monster hunters in it!), an aboriginal tale and even her own past told through photo's. It's quite upsetting to find out why El the ghost can't leave this town. She was never allowed anywhere by her overprotective father. So now that she's died she can't go anywhere new as she doesn't remember it. We also get treated to seeing Gwen climb out of her grave as we realise this whole issue is a flash back and we are shown why Gwen is so important to El.
This issue, although not furthering the story, was an absolute delight to read.
Secret Six #32
The Secret Six Hundred and Sixty Six, very clever there! There's quite a lot of so so dialogue. Everyone seems to have their own reason to be in hell and those who don't are pretty shocked that their actions on earth will lead them there in the future anyway. Catman has ran off to find his father and Ragdoll has become some kind of prophet in his short time down there. He's gotten an arranged marriage to become part of Hell's royal family. The Princess he's marrying is, yep the very person they came to hell to save:
It seems like Simone has a great love for all of the characters and wants each of them to develop individually. She seems to have a lot of fun writing this book. Can't wait for the finale of this arc. I literally have no idea with this book which way the story will go. That's what sets it apart from other books on the stands each month.
Dick comes clean about being Nightwing to the press, just as Terry has being starting to impersonate him to stop the rumors.
Whilst his friend and class mate is approached by an internet hacking super criminal/ organisation called Undercloud. Firstly I hate this new art direction and i think that due to this being a continuation of the cartoon in comic form, that we needed the certain amount of cartoon style in the artwork. I don't like the typical comic art look. The story is still pretty good. I was sooo tempted to drop this title as well. Now I don't know! It's only 3 part stories so I may give it the benefit of the doubt depending on how much I'm picking up when it next comes out. There was after all a pretty cool tease from some of the Clown gangs as to a massive clown uprising soon. This book just need to have a big kick up the arse to get it into a higher gear. It's promising stuff it's just not consistently good.
Brightest Day #23
Even before reading this I'm getting the feeling that all I need to know is on the cover. Now there's a sense of epic global effects kicking in in the second to last issue. Why not all the way through this series? Generation Lost had only one returned deceased character and they have used Max so well, globe trotting stories and epic build up all the way through, so why oh why has the book that had free reign over the other eleven characters been such a drag? Typical over use of splash pages in this issue.
I did read some stuff online about DC trying to push the elemental side of things for years, since some Alan Moore ideas back on Swamp thing ages ago. Sure enough Earths ultimate saviour, Alec Holland, Swamp Thing emerges from the bottom of the white tree in the Star City forest. Yet another move to bring the DC and Vertigo publishing universes together into one world. There will be a lot of ramifications in the last and final issue of this. Although I find myself caring more about what this means for the stories set in each publishing division than what it means for any character in the Brightest day story, and only very mildly about how the elemental thing could be furthered in the DC universe stories. It seems to be changing a lot about the overall stories but not effecting individual characters.
As for lasting effects I would like to see Martian, Firestorm, Aquaman and the Hawks remain in these forms from now on. As usual though I know that things will just go back to the way they were when this ends.
iZombie #12
Not technically a DC book but I cba to do a separate post for a single issue. Plus who knows, if Vertigo becomes mainstream DC then she will be!
The Love and Rockets indie legend is doing this fill in issue and they make full use of him. We see a different style of art for each story that Ellie and the ghosts are telling each other, a retro comic, a zombie story ( which sounds like it had our very same modern day monster hunters in it!), an aboriginal tale and even her own past told through photo's. It's quite upsetting to find out why El the ghost can't leave this town. She was never allowed anywhere by her overprotective father. So now that she's died she can't go anywhere new as she doesn't remember it. We also get treated to seeing Gwen climb out of her grave as we realise this whole issue is a flash back and we are shown why Gwen is so important to El.
This issue, although not furthering the story, was an absolute delight to read.
Secret Six #32
The Secret Six Hundred and Sixty Six, very clever there! There's quite a lot of so so dialogue. Everyone seems to have their own reason to be in hell and those who don't are pretty shocked that their actions on earth will lead them there in the future anyway. Catman has ran off to find his father and Ragdoll has become some kind of prophet in his short time down there. He's gotten an arranged marriage to become part of Hell's royal family. The Princess he's marrying is, yep the very person they came to hell to save:
It seems like Simone has a great love for all of the characters and wants each of them to develop individually. She seems to have a lot of fun writing this book. Can't wait for the finale of this arc. I literally have no idea with this book which way the story will go. That's what sets it apart from other books on the stands each month.
Marvel Comics April 6th 2011
Annihilators #2
The heroes go onto the planet and start dealing with the black sun problem, Dredd is defeated, and the real reason for the problem arises as the leader Brandy Clark is found responsible. Filled with guilt and wishing to bring her husband home she set this situation up as a trap and was manipulated by the Wraith Queen. Now I don't know that character either as I'm relatively new to the cosmic books, but I get the feeling that this book is reading like a who's who of the cosmic big bads. A nice read and filled with skillfully orchestrated action, that is rightfully over the top. I do question the way the characters converse as the dialogue feels like it's between a bunch of wise cracking teens not between the top "alpha class" powered universe protectors. Still it makes it a fun book to read none the less.
The Rocket Raccoon half of the book continues to be my favorite though. Everything about it from the look of the animals and the stylised pencils to the high joke count just makes it amazing. Raccoon rescues Groot and meets an underground resistance, quite literally underground consisting of woodland creatures etc.
Raccoon offers to liberate them from their oppressive lives but they only want a few more days off a year and some more crap to eat! They then find that the clowns wanted Raccoon to go to the groot world as to set a trap. After defeating them we travel to Halfworld, Rocket's home and find that it is actually a mental asylum. That explains the clowns then, and also his repressed memories of the place.
Fear Itself Book One
I'm sure you've all read or heard enough online for me to not have to recap the story instead I'll go right in with my likes and dislikes. It was a bold move to have Immonen do art on a massive event book. His stylised, graphic visuals may not have the typical comics feel about them, yet in the same way I feel that look will open the book to a wider audience. I am a fan of his work so I couldn't be happier. He has just the right amount of detail for the pages to look crisp and not over crowded. I found it nice for a change that the first issue of a major event didn't go in all guns-a-blazin' and instead looks to be building up some suspense first. The characterisation of everyone seems spot on and if anything you don't see enough of some fan favorite characters and we focused on others too much. But as with all Marvel crossovers we are expected to follow the main characters into their own side-books to keep up with the stories we wish. I would argue that Odin is being too much of a dick, but that may just be his anger and desperation that the Fear all father is loose. Only he knows the ramifications of such an event.
I really love the way that the human side of the story is shown through the book as well. Dotted throughout are short drips of story about a man forced to leave his home thanks to relatable happenings such as job and money loss. He is forced to move away and warns his friend whom is staying in Broxton- joint home of the Norse Gods and the crash landing of Asgard on it's land. As he leaves he gives an ominous warning to his neighbor to start locking his door and later the same character is seen watching the falling lights in the sky- the coming battle hammers of the worthy- and he walks inside his house with his son and the locks it behind him. It's subtle moments like this that seem to be shaping up to be a great build up to a satisfying end game.
I feel like, despite all the tie ins and other spin-off series this Event will have a much more satisfying main story than previous ones.
Fear Itself The Home Front #1
I didn't put a label for each Writer and Artist in this post as there are four short stories in this book and it would have been ridiculous! Needless to say- there are no huge names working on this book. I'm terrible at remembering creator names but I do recognise a few styles.
Wow the Speedball story is a tad heartbreaking. It just shows how realistic it is that people get missinformed and angry and how only what people want to hear gets stuck in the media. I really feel sorry for this guy. The art is beautifully painted, doesn't really suit the action scenes but everything else is great. The tensions built up so high in the first section of story I just want to read more.
The Agents of Atlas are hunting down Neo-Nazi's and it's leading them to the Thule society that was in Fear Itself Prologue, in a hunt for answers. I'm glad that this story is tying together already.
A single page story to show that the riot from Fear Itself Book One, In J. Jonah Jameson's eyes was inspired by Super Heroes.
Then one final story where the art choice is a bit too much of a clash to what was going on at the start of the book. Don't get me wrong I like the anthology books during the events but this one could have done with more consistent art considering the unifying story and the serious nature of it. Another actual front line story featuring just plain old humans and their side of the story. A WWII veteran has had to get a job in a diner as his pension doesn't cut it anymore. Only the diner is filled with tourists come looking for the Norse Gods. Very interesting and I hope there's more human stories in each issue of this maxi series tie in to the main book.
Heroes For Hire #5
Compared to the first few issues all the ingenious ideas seem to have gone and the pace of the story has slowed. I miss the clever crimes that were being solved. It's a shame there was the Puppet master stuff really because if it had kept up that pace then this would be unmissable. This was the last in the first arc I guess but the tables have now turned and the Puppet master is now in a coma after being shot by the punisher. Misty is free and it looks like Paladin has feelings for her. They now have the task of finding out who supplied the Puppet Master with all of the advanced tech.
While a part of my is kinda wanting to follow the rest of it and see where it goes, I honestly give up and I'm dropping this title. Sorry but it was good while it lasted. Shame it couldn't keep the pace that it hit the ground running with. Also that art is still really ugly.
The heroes go onto the planet and start dealing with the black sun problem, Dredd is defeated, and the real reason for the problem arises as the leader Brandy Clark is found responsible. Filled with guilt and wishing to bring her husband home she set this situation up as a trap and was manipulated by the Wraith Queen. Now I don't know that character either as I'm relatively new to the cosmic books, but I get the feeling that this book is reading like a who's who of the cosmic big bads. A nice read and filled with skillfully orchestrated action, that is rightfully over the top. I do question the way the characters converse as the dialogue feels like it's between a bunch of wise cracking teens not between the top "alpha class" powered universe protectors. Still it makes it a fun book to read none the less.
The Rocket Raccoon half of the book continues to be my favorite though. Everything about it from the look of the animals and the stylised pencils to the high joke count just makes it amazing. Raccoon rescues Groot and meets an underground resistance, quite literally underground consisting of woodland creatures etc.
Raccoon offers to liberate them from their oppressive lives but they only want a few more days off a year and some more crap to eat! They then find that the clowns wanted Raccoon to go to the groot world as to set a trap. After defeating them we travel to Halfworld, Rocket's home and find that it is actually a mental asylum. That explains the clowns then, and also his repressed memories of the place.
Fear Itself Book One
I'm sure you've all read or heard enough online for me to not have to recap the story instead I'll go right in with my likes and dislikes. It was a bold move to have Immonen do art on a massive event book. His stylised, graphic visuals may not have the typical comics feel about them, yet in the same way I feel that look will open the book to a wider audience. I am a fan of his work so I couldn't be happier. He has just the right amount of detail for the pages to look crisp and not over crowded. I found it nice for a change that the first issue of a major event didn't go in all guns-a-blazin' and instead looks to be building up some suspense first. The characterisation of everyone seems spot on and if anything you don't see enough of some fan favorite characters and we focused on others too much. But as with all Marvel crossovers we are expected to follow the main characters into their own side-books to keep up with the stories we wish. I would argue that Odin is being too much of a dick, but that may just be his anger and desperation that the Fear all father is loose. Only he knows the ramifications of such an event.
I really love the way that the human side of the story is shown through the book as well. Dotted throughout are short drips of story about a man forced to leave his home thanks to relatable happenings such as job and money loss. He is forced to move away and warns his friend whom is staying in Broxton- joint home of the Norse Gods and the crash landing of Asgard on it's land. As he leaves he gives an ominous warning to his neighbor to start locking his door and later the same character is seen watching the falling lights in the sky- the coming battle hammers of the worthy- and he walks inside his house with his son and the locks it behind him. It's subtle moments like this that seem to be shaping up to be a great build up to a satisfying end game.
I feel like, despite all the tie ins and other spin-off series this Event will have a much more satisfying main story than previous ones.
Fear Itself The Home Front #1
I didn't put a label for each Writer and Artist in this post as there are four short stories in this book and it would have been ridiculous! Needless to say- there are no huge names working on this book. I'm terrible at remembering creator names but I do recognise a few styles.
Wow the Speedball story is a tad heartbreaking. It just shows how realistic it is that people get missinformed and angry and how only what people want to hear gets stuck in the media. I really feel sorry for this guy. The art is beautifully painted, doesn't really suit the action scenes but everything else is great. The tensions built up so high in the first section of story I just want to read more.
The Agents of Atlas are hunting down Neo-Nazi's and it's leading them to the Thule society that was in Fear Itself Prologue, in a hunt for answers. I'm glad that this story is tying together already.
A single page story to show that the riot from Fear Itself Book One, In J. Jonah Jameson's eyes was inspired by Super Heroes.
Then one final story where the art choice is a bit too much of a clash to what was going on at the start of the book. Don't get me wrong I like the anthology books during the events but this one could have done with more consistent art considering the unifying story and the serious nature of it. Another actual front line story featuring just plain old humans and their side of the story. A WWII veteran has had to get a job in a diner as his pension doesn't cut it anymore. Only the diner is filled with tourists come looking for the Norse Gods. Very interesting and I hope there's more human stories in each issue of this maxi series tie in to the main book.
Heroes For Hire #5
Compared to the first few issues all the ingenious ideas seem to have gone and the pace of the story has slowed. I miss the clever crimes that were being solved. It's a shame there was the Puppet master stuff really because if it had kept up that pace then this would be unmissable. This was the last in the first arc I guess but the tables have now turned and the Puppet master is now in a coma after being shot by the punisher. Misty is free and it looks like Paladin has feelings for her. They now have the task of finding out who supplied the Puppet Master with all of the advanced tech.
While a part of my is kinda wanting to follow the rest of it and see where it goes, I honestly give up and I'm dropping this title. Sorry but it was good while it lasted. Shame it couldn't keep the pace that it hit the ground running with. Also that art is still really ugly.
April 6th 2011
Sorry about the week delay in these now. I have quite a pile of this previous and current weeks comics, but I intend to plow through as many as I can today. So April 6th comic purchases are; Annihilators #2, Fear Itself #1, Fear Itself Home Front #1, Heroes for Hire #5, iZombie #12, Batman Beyond #4, Brightest Day #23 and Secret Six #32. Okies now onto reading...
Thursday, 7 April 2011
March Awards
Okay so now I'm keeping up with things, all be it a little behind, but I am managing my time better and I think I could do this blog long term. Some of my choices might seem a little odd but I'm trying not to pick the same book for the same categories each month, and also not for multiple awards. So although I'd like to give every award to Jimmy Olsen, despite it being the last book I read this month, I did in fact make notes all month long as to which categories stuff would be good in. So now we know, and knowing is half the battle.
So in celebration of all things March and Comics, lets get this pope on the wheels!
Character of the month: Rocket Raccoon in the Annihilators back up story! He looks better than ever and the strange direction at the start of the story is so mental it just works.
Team of the month: Secret Six as they are finally addressing the Get out of hell free card story from the start of the run. As well as being a really fun read thats as bonkers as ever.
Cover of the month: Okay this'll be a little controversial but Batman Beyond for the same reason as last months cover of the month. The colour green and the half tone dots!
Character of the month: Rocket Raccoon in the Annihilators back up story! He looks better than ever and the strange direction at the start of the story is so mental it just works.
Team of the month: Secret Six as they are finally addressing the Get out of hell free card story from the start of the run. As well as being a really fun read thats as bonkers as ever.
Cover of the month: Okay this'll be a little controversial but Batman Beyond for the same reason as last months cover of the month. The colour green and the half tone dots!
Story of the month: The Green Lantern War as it is such a better thing then I was imagining. I've read a lot of X-men crossovers that just don't blend well between titles but this does so and has such a faster tempo and it's just left me wanting more. Spoilt for choice this year with big summer events!
Art of the month: Detective Comics such a massive change at first to the Jock issues that came before it but now I'm sure I like them more.
Surprise of the month: Blue Beetle died but then he didn't. Thank God. Don't worry, I still love you Justice League: Generation Lost.
Single issue of the month: It has to be Jimmy Olsen. Seriously just go buy it. Everything is so great about this book. They should stick a copy next to the bible in every hotel room drawer.
Best over all book of the month: iZombie as it has to be the most consistently good read out of my regular comics. Gutted that my favorite artist is having an issue off the title next week but super excited as it's indie creator and Love and Rockets' artist Hernandez doing the fill in issue!
Crap of the month: Heroes for Hire. How did this go from one of the best starts of recent new comics to one of the crappiest rags ever. Well the art for one. I could have done better, left handed.
Random award of the month... Best bowling moves of the month: Li'l Depressed Boy #2! This adorable little indie print knows exactly where it's nerd credentials lie.
Crap of the month: Heroes for Hire. How did this go from one of the best starts of recent new comics to one of the crappiest rags ever. Well the art for one. I could have done better, left handed.
Random award of the month... Best bowling moves of the month: Li'l Depressed Boy #2! This adorable little indie print knows exactly where it's nerd credentials lie.
Well that's it for another month! I've already bought this weeks books and there's some amazing things already as the big events start as well as some right stinkers too. So stay tuned for those reviews!
DC Comics March 30th 2011
Action Comics #899
The penultimate issue of Paul Cornell's black ring maxi-story. Again I feel I have trouble with the naming of the story as he doesnt get a black lantern ring, nor was that what he was intending to get all along.
Braniac was manipulating Luthor, but he anticipated it and is ready for it. Somehow he over powers him and snaps his neck. They then gather all the white spheres together, which releases tis big powerful monster that Mr. Mind was working for, so naturally he turns up in space to explain what and why. Luthor then turns robot Lois's nanites, that were once used to sway him onto going on this mission in the first place into a weapon to control the all powerful big bad from the other side of the white sphere dimension thing. Luthor then fuses with the big bad and it's in his control. So whatever happens in the giant size #900 sure is going to be epic!
Also I really love the regular artist and hate it when they have fill in artists. It just spoils it for me.
Detective Comics #875
Beautiful artwork and an amazing look to the story. The writing is great as we delve into a past case that Commissioner Gorden wants to end, that simultaneously helps him solve an old missing persons puzzle that his recently returned son was framed for. The noir feel with the characters works really great. There is so much detail and emotion that gives it an extra level of depth, that doesn't feel forced, as can often happen with too heavy a narration. The is a real feel of urgency and desperation with Gordon's effort to tie up the "Peter Pan killings" as well as wanting to believe his son is cured.
The artwork gets even better than last issue as we get treated to some amazing double splash pages with an unusual panel layout. I have to give this and end of month award, I just have to!
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #8
Part three of War of the Green Lanterns. The Parallax flash reaches the centric characters of this book as Arisa is taken over and flies off to Oa. Kilowog and Guy fight it off only to have Kilowog captured by other returning Lanterns. Guy sets off and Rendezvous with Hal Jordan. After discussing options the same anger that got to John Stewart and Kyle Rayner gets to them too and a fight ensues.
They end up removing the rings and stopping it. Only to now be stranded in the middle of no-where on a remote ice planet. This book and indeed the whole War of the Green Lanterns epic has a very high tempo and has only taken a single issue of each book it crosses over into, to start the story rolling and set up each player and where they are driving towards. At this pace I honestly have no idea how much story will be fitted in over the following months.
Jimmy Olsen's Big Week: One Shot
This book is bound do do better than the similar Giant Size Atom one shot, that tied up the other main back up story. As this issue re-prints all of the previous installments making this a full story. The designer in me wishes that this huge issue should have been perfect bound (surely it's big enough to be?) so that it would be great for shelving.
Day one: A fabulous way of introducing the eccentricity of the Jimmy Olsen stories, have him rescued from a Genie bottle by Superman. Instantly every thing you need to know about him. Also an interesting premise as Chloe Sullivan makes her way into the DCU proper from the Smallville TV series (anyone protesting that move should know that Jimmy Olsen himself, made a similar introduction from the original Superman Radio series). Chloe is a web reporter who does a week with different celebrities. Currently after dumping Jimmy she is on weeks assignment with Jimmy's rival from Lexcorp. Thus starts a challenge as to who can have a more interesting week. Cue alien invasion.
Day 2:The Aliens turn out to not be invading, instead they have come here to party. After a little investigating by Jimmy and Chloe they find out that the aliens get drunk on oxygen. The party they plan to throw on Earth however, will not include keeping the planet in one piece. Hence why they pick a different planet each year. Genius and bonkers at the same time. I do like original ideas like this. So Jimmy starts a plan in motion, to convince the aliens that earth and Metropolis is boring and to go elsewhere.
Day 3: The plan works and Jimmy is stumped as to why Chloe doesn't like him again, now that he is back to his more interesting self. So Lois plans to get him a new girl friend.
Day 4:Cue bad sitcom trope of the charity date auction. Of course Chloe is bought by Jimmy's rival from Lexcorp and he isn't bid on at all, until a girl runs in and bids a million dollars. She turns out to be great until he asks her last name. Yep it's Maggie Mxyzptlk. She's from a dimension of chaos and wouldn't you know it, it's now somehow Jimmy and Maggie's wedding day. I actually wet myself at this point (and it wasn't urine). I do so love this book.
Day 5: In this world she created around him, he is Co-Superman
An ace reporter and god knows what else. He has an awesome life but she decides not to marry him and to show how that Chloe just wants him to fight for her. So she let's him free to leave and go back to his old life.
Day 6: He plans a big romantic gesture, so he has Steele's daughter convert the old Daily Planet news copter into a space ship so he can crash his rivals, space date with Chloe. She however is there to get some info on any kooky schemes he is up to while working for Luthor. He's bought Superman the game and put a massive virus in it! He sees Jimmy's ship coming and fires missiles at it.
Day 7: Left floating in space he uses the drunk aliens keys from before to call a second space ship and gets inside the space station, beats the game and Chloe has already beaten the bad guy by overpowering him. They agree to be pals and take things slow.
Good God I loved this book. I pics all the right parts out of Superman comics and uses them to advantage, in a deliberately cheesy but genius way. The art is amazing too, gives it the right feel and humour, yet with as much detail as required. I think I found my book of the month too. SERIOUSLY GO AND READ THIS NOW! I may have stuck the basic plot up but it is so rich with dialogue and brilliant moments it just needs to be read to soak it all in. Seriously hotels should put a copy of this next to the bible in those bedside draws!
The penultimate issue of Paul Cornell's black ring maxi-story. Again I feel I have trouble with the naming of the story as he doesnt get a black lantern ring, nor was that what he was intending to get all along.
Braniac was manipulating Luthor, but he anticipated it and is ready for it. Somehow he over powers him and snaps his neck. They then gather all the white spheres together, which releases tis big powerful monster that Mr. Mind was working for, so naturally he turns up in space to explain what and why. Luthor then turns robot Lois's nanites, that were once used to sway him onto going on this mission in the first place into a weapon to control the all powerful big bad from the other side of the white sphere dimension thing. Luthor then fuses with the big bad and it's in his control. So whatever happens in the giant size #900 sure is going to be epic!
Seriously make sure you pick it up!
Detective Comics #875
Beautiful artwork and an amazing look to the story. The writing is great as we delve into a past case that Commissioner Gorden wants to end, that simultaneously helps him solve an old missing persons puzzle that his recently returned son was framed for. The noir feel with the characters works really great. There is so much detail and emotion that gives it an extra level of depth, that doesn't feel forced, as can often happen with too heavy a narration. The is a real feel of urgency and desperation with Gordon's effort to tie up the "Peter Pan killings" as well as wanting to believe his son is cured.
As much of a double page spread as I could scan, but rest assured it looks amazing and the art alone is wort the cover price.
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #8
Part three of War of the Green Lanterns. The Parallax flash reaches the centric characters of this book as Arisa is taken over and flies off to Oa. Kilowog and Guy fight it off only to have Kilowog captured by other returning Lanterns. Guy sets off and Rendezvous with Hal Jordan. After discussing options the same anger that got to John Stewart and Kyle Rayner gets to them too and a fight ensues.
The Second bizarre use of Lantern powers in two weeks. Who'd think to do this mid fight?
They end up removing the rings and stopping it. Only to now be stranded in the middle of no-where on a remote ice planet. This book and indeed the whole War of the Green Lanterns epic has a very high tempo and has only taken a single issue of each book it crosses over into, to start the story rolling and set up each player and where they are driving towards. At this pace I honestly have no idea how much story will be fitted in over the following months.
Jimmy Olsen's Big Week: One Shot
This book is bound do do better than the similar Giant Size Atom one shot, that tied up the other main back up story. As this issue re-prints all of the previous installments making this a full story. The designer in me wishes that this huge issue should have been perfect bound (surely it's big enough to be?) so that it would be great for shelving.
Day one: A fabulous way of introducing the eccentricity of the Jimmy Olsen stories, have him rescued from a Genie bottle by Superman. Instantly every thing you need to know about him. Also an interesting premise as Chloe Sullivan makes her way into the DCU proper from the Smallville TV series (anyone protesting that move should know that Jimmy Olsen himself, made a similar introduction from the original Superman Radio series). Chloe is a web reporter who does a week with different celebrities. Currently after dumping Jimmy she is on weeks assignment with Jimmy's rival from Lexcorp. Thus starts a challenge as to who can have a more interesting week. Cue alien invasion.
Day 2:The Aliens turn out to not be invading, instead they have come here to party. After a little investigating by Jimmy and Chloe they find out that the aliens get drunk on oxygen. The party they plan to throw on Earth however, will not include keeping the planet in one piece. Hence why they pick a different planet each year. Genius and bonkers at the same time. I do like original ideas like this. So Jimmy starts a plan in motion, to convince the aliens that earth and Metropolis is boring and to go elsewhere.
Day 3: The plan works and Jimmy is stumped as to why Chloe doesn't like him again, now that he is back to his more interesting self. So Lois plans to get him a new girl friend.
Day 4:Cue bad sitcom trope of the charity date auction. Of course Chloe is bought by Jimmy's rival from Lexcorp and he isn't bid on at all, until a girl runs in and bids a million dollars. She turns out to be great until he asks her last name. Yep it's Maggie Mxyzptlk. She's from a dimension of chaos and wouldn't you know it, it's now somehow Jimmy and Maggie's wedding day. I actually wet myself at this point (and it wasn't urine). I do so love this book.
Day 5: In this world she created around him, he is Co-Superman
WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK!
An ace reporter and god knows what else. He has an awesome life but she decides not to marry him and to show how that Chloe just wants him to fight for her. So she let's him free to leave and go back to his old life.
Day 6: He plans a big romantic gesture, so he has Steele's daughter convert the old Daily Planet news copter into a space ship so he can crash his rivals, space date with Chloe. She however is there to get some info on any kooky schemes he is up to while working for Luthor. He's bought Superman the game and put a massive virus in it! He sees Jimmy's ship coming and fires missiles at it.
Day 7: Left floating in space he uses the drunk aliens keys from before to call a second space ship and gets inside the space station, beats the game and Chloe has already beaten the bad guy by overpowering him. They agree to be pals and take things slow.
Good God I loved this book. I pics all the right parts out of Superman comics and uses them to advantage, in a deliberately cheesy but genius way. The art is amazing too, gives it the right feel and humour, yet with as much detail as required. I think I found my book of the month too. SERIOUSLY GO AND READ THIS NOW! I may have stuck the basic plot up but it is so rich with dialogue and brilliant moments it just needs to be read to soak it all in. Seriously hotels should put a copy of this next to the bible in those bedside draws!
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Marvel Comics March 30th 2011 Part 2
Spider-Girl #5
Nice dialogue amidst what is mostly a huge issue long fight sequence. They keep trying to one up each other in typical narrating your own moves and smack talking each other during the fight. Like Spider-Girls brilliant teasing about Kraven.
Spider-Girl then uses the city to her advantage as it's her home turf and because Kraven's daughter is better at hand to hand combat. She gets the better of her on the freeway and the cops arrest her. Her room mate and a friend have watched the entire thing via live webcam feed and it is shown that it is Ben Urich's camera work, while wondering how he keeps up with him we are treated to a teaser of Hobgoblin following the fight. Yep it's time for the main Spidey book to crossover into it's sister title. A fun read, that's quite text heavy considering the amount of action.
Scarlet #5
(Technically not a Marvel comic as it's not the same universe but it's printed by Icon which is owned by Marvel. Plus I'll be dammed if I'm making another post for this!)
This book has impeccable writing and it's a right turn around as we focus nearly wholly on the police detectives working on the Scarlet task force, trying to stop her. A couple of the detectives we've seen before actually believe she is right in her views but not her actions. As a full scale riot erupts after a cop throws a grenade into her peaceful gathering. It's almost haunting to see images like this as it's currently splashed all over the news in the UK with violent actions been used at nearly every rally in London, these days. It's nice to see the Detectives team up, as well as Scarlet's life as the head of this revolution start simultaneously at the end of this first chapter of the book.
I'm not a fan of Maleev's art on this book. He can do such good work but- and correct me if I'm wrong- but this looks like it is all photos that have had filters and thicker line work slapped over them. It just looks like such an easy way out. Still though he get the colouring spot on as well as framing dynamic images well so I don't know what to make of it!
Nice dialogue amidst what is mostly a huge issue long fight sequence. They keep trying to one up each other in typical narrating your own moves and smack talking each other during the fight. Like Spider-Girls brilliant teasing about Kraven.
Spider-Girl then uses the city to her advantage as it's her home turf and because Kraven's daughter is better at hand to hand combat. She gets the better of her on the freeway and the cops arrest her. Her room mate and a friend have watched the entire thing via live webcam feed and it is shown that it is Ben Urich's camera work, while wondering how he keeps up with him we are treated to a teaser of Hobgoblin following the fight. Yep it's time for the main Spidey book to crossover into it's sister title. A fun read, that's quite text heavy considering the amount of action.
Scarlet #5
(Technically not a Marvel comic as it's not the same universe but it's printed by Icon which is owned by Marvel. Plus I'll be dammed if I'm making another post for this!)
This book has impeccable writing and it's a right turn around as we focus nearly wholly on the police detectives working on the Scarlet task force, trying to stop her. A couple of the detectives we've seen before actually believe she is right in her views but not her actions. As a full scale riot erupts after a cop throws a grenade into her peaceful gathering. It's almost haunting to see images like this as it's currently splashed all over the news in the UK with violent actions been used at nearly every rally in London, these days. It's nice to see the Detectives team up, as well as Scarlet's life as the head of this revolution start simultaneously at the end of this first chapter of the book.
I'm not a fan of Maleev's art on this book. He can do such good work but- and correct me if I'm wrong- but this looks like it is all photos that have had filters and thicker line work slapped over them. It just looks like such an easy way out. Still though he get the colouring spot on as well as framing dynamic images well so I don't know what to make of it!
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Marvel Comics March 30th 2011
The Amazing Spiderman #657:
A homage issue to every Spidey and Fantastic Four crossover. Starting with Spidey getting caught in the same trap as he did when they first met. A really funny story about how Spidey joined them on a camping trip and spent the whole time pranking each other with the Torch. Until they did one big prank on the Thing. It's odd how great the feeling of family is between Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. In the past the majority of team ups are between the two of them, and the Avengers always feel better teamed up with the X-men. Maybe it's just my opinion, but Spider-Man makes a great replacement on the team without changing the status quo one bit. Then a short story about Sue Storm "pantsing" the Frightful Four to distract them.
Only to end up with criminal charges and having to have Johnny and Spidey bail her out. Then a final short of the Torch, Reed and Spidey going to space together, and fid that he isn't as dumb as he lets on. After all the reminiscing Spidey gets to see the hologram that we've already seen in FF #1, and accepts the invite to the team. Very touching and a nice set of flashbacks that do their job perfectly, each one with pitch perfect colouring and art. A really beautiful looking book.
Captain America and the Secret Avengers One Shot:
This has a rather lovely cover. Not perfect faces but nice mark making and textures. It's a shame the logo takes up a third of it! Same can be said for the interior work, it's not perfect but it suits the story and has a kind of fun playfulness to it. There is no Captain America in this book though. Apart from the short phone call at the start to explain why it's only the two of the Secret Avengers in it.
Its Agent 13 and Black Widow attending a charity event that was orchestrated by a terrorist group to kill all of the corrupt world leaders attending. The only reason they are there is because one of Black Widow's acquaintances has been captured and put into the terrorist group. It's a nice short story if a bit stunted by plot and dialogue.
Secret Avengers #11
This issue in an attempt to find out what made Steele one of the bad guys, Beast wires Cap up to a matrix/ eternal sunshine style machine to go in his head and find the missing memory. I normally hate the old war stories with Cap, like I said while reviewing the Fear Itself Prologue, but this one had a point to it and was also a current story in a sense. The plan didn't work as Steele wakes up half way through but not before giving a massive teaser as to some Nazi plot in his memories.
Not a very exciting issue to be honest. I'd rather the full team where on a mission again. I suppose it's all just filler before the Fear Itself tie in's, and also after those Marvel have announced that Jamie McKelvie will be doing the art for the title. He's one of my favorite indie artists so I am super excited for that.
A homage issue to every Spidey and Fantastic Four crossover. Starting with Spidey getting caught in the same trap as he did when they first met. A really funny story about how Spidey joined them on a camping trip and spent the whole time pranking each other with the Torch. Until they did one big prank on the Thing. It's odd how great the feeling of family is between Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. In the past the majority of team ups are between the two of them, and the Avengers always feel better teamed up with the X-men. Maybe it's just my opinion, but Spider-Man makes a great replacement on the team without changing the status quo one bit. Then a short story about Sue Storm "pantsing" the Frightful Four to distract them.
Only to end up with criminal charges and having to have Johnny and Spidey bail her out. Then a final short of the Torch, Reed and Spidey going to space together, and fid that he isn't as dumb as he lets on. After all the reminiscing Spidey gets to see the hologram that we've already seen in FF #1, and accepts the invite to the team. Very touching and a nice set of flashbacks that do their job perfectly, each one with pitch perfect colouring and art. A really beautiful looking book.
Captain America and the Secret Avengers One Shot:
This has a rather lovely cover. Not perfect faces but nice mark making and textures. It's a shame the logo takes up a third of it! Same can be said for the interior work, it's not perfect but it suits the story and has a kind of fun playfulness to it. There is no Captain America in this book though. Apart from the short phone call at the start to explain why it's only the two of the Secret Avengers in it.
Its Agent 13 and Black Widow attending a charity event that was orchestrated by a terrorist group to kill all of the corrupt world leaders attending. The only reason they are there is because one of Black Widow's acquaintances has been captured and put into the terrorist group. It's a nice short story if a bit stunted by plot and dialogue.
Secret Avengers #11
This issue in an attempt to find out what made Steele one of the bad guys, Beast wires Cap up to a matrix/ eternal sunshine style machine to go in his head and find the missing memory. I normally hate the old war stories with Cap, like I said while reviewing the Fear Itself Prologue, but this one had a point to it and was also a current story in a sense. The plan didn't work as Steele wakes up half way through but not before giving a massive teaser as to some Nazi plot in his memories.
Seriously, how many aliens were the Nazi's collaborating with? Also, isn't history fun!
Not a very exciting issue to be honest. I'd rather the full team where on a mission again. I suppose it's all just filler before the Fear Itself tie in's, and also after those Marvel have announced that Jamie McKelvie will be doing the art for the title. He's one of my favorite indie artists so I am super excited for that.
March 30th 2011
Hiya chums lets see what I have to read and whine about this week. Amazing Spiderman #657, Captain America and the Secret Avengers One shot, Secret Avengers #11, Spider-Girl #5, Scarlet #5, Action Comics #899, Detective Comics #875, Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #8 and Jimmy Olsen's Big Week One Shot. Lots that I'm looking forward to.