Okay this time I bought Amazing Spider-man #661, Avengers Fear Itself #13, Deadpool Max #8, Thunderbolts #157, Uncanny X-force #10, Batman and Robin #23, Booster Gold #44 and Li'l Depressed Boy #4. More Marvel than DC again, going back to my Marvel Zombie past maybe? Or maybe it's just till the Flashpoint tie-ins start churning out!
Also I saw the Flashpoint pins behind the counter in my comic shop and I feel the urge to buy the tie ins even more now...
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Indie Comics May 11th 2011
Farscape #18
I enjoy the book each time but anyone who didn't watch Farscape when it was on tv would struggle to understand the cast of characters which is growing exponentially each issue. There is no pay off to all the build up this issue, leaving it feeling a little weak we do learn that Noranti is dying as her younger body is now reverting to it's old one yet again. Also Scorpius and Rygel reach Delvia and deliver the news that the Kkore have returned. They are granted an audience out of the shock of their leader and also because Stark, one of my favorite characters from the show is on the planet with the leader. Cant wait for more action with him.
Apart from checking in with each of the main cast there is just more build up to the greater fight at the end, a lot of rallying the troops with people that can barely hold a gun.
I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of War for the Uncharted Territories and how it will leave the Scaper universe afterwards.
I enjoy the book each time but anyone who didn't watch Farscape when it was on tv would struggle to understand the cast of characters which is growing exponentially each issue. There is no pay off to all the build up this issue, leaving it feeling a little weak we do learn that Noranti is dying as her younger body is now reverting to it's old one yet again. Also Scorpius and Rygel reach Delvia and deliver the news that the Kkore have returned. They are granted an audience out of the shock of their leader and also because Stark, one of my favorite characters from the show is on the planet with the leader. Cant wait for more action with him.
Apart from checking in with each of the main cast there is just more build up to the greater fight at the end, a lot of rallying the troops with people that can barely hold a gun.
I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of War for the Uncharted Territories and how it will leave the Scaper universe afterwards.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
DC Comics May 11th 2011
Batman Incorporated #6
What again? There are a fair few books that come out far too erratically nowadays. Sometimes it feels like Grant Morrison is going out of the way to write a "weird" story and it looses all structure and doesn't read well. This isn't one of those times but this book can sometimes be his stomping ground for trying to be odd for no reason. As a matter of fact however this has to be one of his better structured issues. The cover says it all really, lots of Batmen all working together. It's a global effort of how Batman and his corporation of worldwide players is gathering intel on the child captures that are to do with the Leviathan baddy. With the majority told from the perspective of a small crime gang that is working with Leviathan and think they hired a P.I. to solve the worldwide Batmen rumors, only for him to turn out to be one.
The story is well written and has a lot of humour for a bat book. The art is a tad hit and miss at times, with some head shots turning a bit too manga looking.
The Flash #12
The Prelude to Flashpoint is a tad unnecessary. It is only implied at the end that the whole thing is the Reverse Flash/ Zoom's doing and that doesn't really give any clues as to how they would go about fixing the Flashpoint universe. Zoom kills Hot Pursuit. Barry is still whining about his mothers case even though he knows it was Zoom that killed her. Then Barry visits his mums grave as he gets struck by a flash lightning bolt. There's just an air of complete unnecessariness for this prelude, it reveals nothing.
It's the same artist as usual but for most of the book it just descends into unreadable red and yellow lightning scribbles. The medium used by the artist really isn't suited to depicting the speed force!
FlashPoint #1 (SPOILERS)
Both of the big two's events this summer have started differently to the usual stories. We are seeing quiet starts rather than running in all guns a blazin' with epic first issues. We seem to be heading for larger build ups and hopefully better pay offs.
Starting immediately after the Flash prelude, as he awakes at his desk to find employees who were long gone are working there again. He runs off to try to investigate and realises he isn't wearing his ring with his costume in, also more notable if this is even true but people are looking at him running down the corridor, maybe implying he doesn't have his speed powers anymore. He gets distracted and falls down the stairs only to be found by his mother. His long dead mother he spent most of his adult life trying to solve the murder of. He tells her he's the Flash and she asks, who? A member of the Justice league he replies and after reeling off a number of the members she doesn't know, it turns out this altered universe is home to a Batman.
A casino owning billionaire Batman, who we then see chase yo-yo (I'm guessing a Harley Quinn type of this universe) off the top of his Casino and fall to her death down crime alley. Seems his origin isn't so far away from the normal Batman. Cyborg catches her and then tries to get him to join an alliance with a number of this story lines altered heroes. Who show that the world is at war, Wonder Woman took over the UK and Aquaman took over most of Europe and they are fighting each other.
Barry goes to find his wife Iris only to find she is married to Wally West. Barry then drives off to Wayne Manor hoping to meet Bruce and figure it all out. He makes his way down into the cave, Batman pounces and is ready to kill him but Barry yells at Bruce for him to stop, he is told bruce is dead and he watched him die. Yes in this altered timeline it seems that Thomas Wayne became Batman instead.
Well that's definitely the kind of cliff hanger that brings you back for more, also the amount of introductions of other characters have left me wanting to read nearly all the tie in's which would be ridiculous. But even the ones I wasn't going to be picking up like Wonder Woman and Aquaman seem like they would give away more of the story about the war. Well here's the ones I'm tempted by Booster Gold (as I've wanted a jumping on point for a while now), Batman, Citizen Cold, Deadman and the Flying Graysons, Lois Lane, Kid Flash, Reverse Flash (both of which should be more relevant seen as it's a Flash book for godsake) and Superman. As much as Alternate Timeline stories put people off with the thought of returning to normal after- I really hope at least a few of these characters or retcons follow through after the event. Just to throw a spanner in the works.
Superman #711
So Livewire's acting up in Las Vegas, because she had a power overload. It's an overused premise that in this case makes very little sense.
But Jimmy Olsen and Superman stop her anyway and after Jimmy Grounded (Ha! that's the title of the book) her electrically, Supes gets her in one of his old containment suits and it has a big S on the front. I thought this was the start of Superman Inc. which really should be done. Not to copy Batman, just because this book seems to be hinting and teasing about the legacy of the character. Then as the story finishes Superman Lectures us on the bullshit about why America is so much better than the rest of the world. It really makes you feel sick to be honest. I suppose that was to counter all the uproar about his national identity.
This book really needs to find a direction, and I've stuck with it way longer than I should! Honest to God Grounded better finish on a high or it's really just the biggest time waste in comics history.
What again? There are a fair few books that come out far too erratically nowadays. Sometimes it feels like Grant Morrison is going out of the way to write a "weird" story and it looses all structure and doesn't read well. This isn't one of those times but this book can sometimes be his stomping ground for trying to be odd for no reason. As a matter of fact however this has to be one of his better structured issues. The cover says it all really, lots of Batmen all working together. It's a global effort of how Batman and his corporation of worldwide players is gathering intel on the child captures that are to do with the Leviathan baddy. With the majority told from the perspective of a small crime gang that is working with Leviathan and think they hired a P.I. to solve the worldwide Batmen rumors, only for him to turn out to be one.
The story is well written and has a lot of humour for a bat book. The art is a tad hit and miss at times, with some head shots turning a bit too manga looking.
The Flash #12
The Prelude to Flashpoint is a tad unnecessary. It is only implied at the end that the whole thing is the Reverse Flash/ Zoom's doing and that doesn't really give any clues as to how they would go about fixing the Flashpoint universe. Zoom kills Hot Pursuit. Barry is still whining about his mothers case even though he knows it was Zoom that killed her. Then Barry visits his mums grave as he gets struck by a flash lightning bolt. There's just an air of complete unnecessariness for this prelude, it reveals nothing.
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what this panel is trying to show. Other than the colour red lightning.
It's the same artist as usual but for most of the book it just descends into unreadable red and yellow lightning scribbles. The medium used by the artist really isn't suited to depicting the speed force!
FlashPoint #1 (SPOILERS)
Both of the big two's events this summer have started differently to the usual stories. We are seeing quiet starts rather than running in all guns a blazin' with epic first issues. We seem to be heading for larger build ups and hopefully better pay offs.
Starting immediately after the Flash prelude, as he awakes at his desk to find employees who were long gone are working there again. He runs off to try to investigate and realises he isn't wearing his ring with his costume in, also more notable if this is even true but people are looking at him running down the corridor, maybe implying he doesn't have his speed powers anymore. He gets distracted and falls down the stairs only to be found by his mother. His long dead mother he spent most of his adult life trying to solve the murder of. He tells her he's the Flash and she asks, who? A member of the Justice league he replies and after reeling off a number of the members she doesn't know, it turns out this altered universe is home to a Batman.
HA! Wayne's World!
A casino owning billionaire Batman, who we then see chase yo-yo (I'm guessing a Harley Quinn type of this universe) off the top of his Casino and fall to her death down crime alley. Seems his origin isn't so far away from the normal Batman. Cyborg catches her and then tries to get him to join an alliance with a number of this story lines altered heroes. Who show that the world is at war, Wonder Woman took over the UK and Aquaman took over most of Europe and they are fighting each other.
Barry goes to find his wife Iris only to find she is married to Wally West. Barry then drives off to Wayne Manor hoping to meet Bruce and figure it all out. He makes his way down into the cave, Batman pounces and is ready to kill him but Barry yells at Bruce for him to stop, he is told bruce is dead and he watched him die. Yes in this altered timeline it seems that Thomas Wayne became Batman instead.
Well that's definitely the kind of cliff hanger that brings you back for more, also the amount of introductions of other characters have left me wanting to read nearly all the tie in's which would be ridiculous. But even the ones I wasn't going to be picking up like Wonder Woman and Aquaman seem like they would give away more of the story about the war. Well here's the ones I'm tempted by Booster Gold (as I've wanted a jumping on point for a while now), Batman, Citizen Cold, Deadman and the Flying Graysons, Lois Lane, Kid Flash, Reverse Flash (both of which should be more relevant seen as it's a Flash book for godsake) and Superman. As much as Alternate Timeline stories put people off with the thought of returning to normal after- I really hope at least a few of these characters or retcons follow through after the event. Just to throw a spanner in the works.
Superman #711
So Livewire's acting up in Las Vegas, because she had a power overload. It's an overused premise that in this case makes very little sense.
Ow the puns hurt worse than Kryptonite!
But Jimmy Olsen and Superman stop her anyway and after Jimmy Grounded (Ha! that's the title of the book) her electrically, Supes gets her in one of his old containment suits and it has a big S on the front. I thought this was the start of Superman Inc. which really should be done. Not to copy Batman, just because this book seems to be hinting and teasing about the legacy of the character. Then as the story finishes Superman Lectures us on the bullshit about why America is so much better than the rest of the world. It really makes you feel sick to be honest. I suppose that was to counter all the uproar about his national identity.
This book really needs to find a direction, and I've stuck with it way longer than I should! Honest to God Grounded better finish on a high or it's really just the biggest time waste in comics history.
Marvel Comics May 11th 2011
Amazing Spider-man #660
The Sinister Six attack isn't what it seemed as four of the six of them turned out to be robots rather than members. This was because they were breaking into the Baxter building while Mysterio and Chameleon were springing the trap on the FF. Spidey then has to get used to the positivity of the FF which is quite funny...
Carlie Cooper later reveals to Pete that she got a tattoo and it's not a Goblin one. It's a Spider-man one. She thought it would be awkward for him still as she thinks Spidey and Pete are friends. Nice and funny twist.
Not the best art on the title but it works well with the large group fight scenes and stuff and the incorporating of the Sinister Six into a Spidey/ FF story is really good. At least the numbers are a bit more even. Followed up by another 2 page infested prequel and also the end to the Ghost Rider back up- which started out rather funny but descended into boring and typical beat 'em up comics.
FF#3
It get's better each issue. I like the relaunching and messing around with the status quo of characters and teams, especially when great writers are on board for the long run. This goes for both Spider-man Big Time and the Future Foundation of which Spider-man fits in with perfectly.
The FF are gathering some of the greatest minds on the planet and some of their biggest foes. To attend...
...which is finally revealed by Valeria to have been put in place to stop the council of Reed Richards' from destroying our earth. There is also plenty of Reed action from the council as their plan is put in place along with alliances with the Mole man, the Forever city, Annihilus and a failed alliance with the Inhumans. This is going to be a really huge first story arc. Like, EPIC HUGE!
Same writer artist team that does a great job each time. Lots of build up and I'm hoping a decent pay off. Also with a return to the Negative zone will we get a taste of what happened to Johnny Storm? I hope so.
New Mutants #25
I'm back reading again after taking a break for the Age of X story (not that I don't want to read it, just that I'll get the trade and save buying multiple issues again). New creative team and new direction- the search for X-man. Awesome wraparound cover by Djurdevic.
As for story the premise of having the New Mutants clear up unfinished X-men business before it comes back to bite them on the ass is quite clever. It's like a tame X-force. Plus finding X-man is a great first case. Only problem I have with this book is it has the exact first cliff hanger that Heroes for Hire has. I mean what the hell. Retro villain that doesn't like right when drawn with modern techniques and styles (Sugarman/Puppet master) has tied up a fan favorite (X-man/Misty Knight) to an augmented reality machine that rips off the Matrix films and is making them think they are fighting a super team (Avengers/Heroes for Hire). Come on DnA?! Far too many pages are spent on Cyclops telling Illyana off, which may have been relevant to the previous story but not to the current one.
The art isn't great but does the job and the colouring brings the art back from being too bad. Not impressed so far but I'm going to read the X-man story to the end.
The Sinister Six attack isn't what it seemed as four of the six of them turned out to be robots rather than members. This was because they were breaking into the Baxter building while Mysterio and Chameleon were springing the trap on the FF. Spidey then has to get used to the positivity of the FF which is quite funny...
Carlie Cooper later reveals to Pete that she got a tattoo and it's not a Goblin one. It's a Spider-man one. She thought it would be awkward for him still as she thinks Spidey and Pete are friends. Nice and funny twist.
Not the best art on the title but it works well with the large group fight scenes and stuff and the incorporating of the Sinister Six into a Spidey/ FF story is really good. At least the numbers are a bit more even. Followed up by another 2 page infested prequel and also the end to the Ghost Rider back up- which started out rather funny but descended into boring and typical beat 'em up comics.
FF#3
It get's better each issue. I like the relaunching and messing around with the status quo of characters and teams, especially when great writers are on board for the long run. This goes for both Spider-man Big Time and the Future Foundation of which Spider-man fits in with perfectly.
The FF are gathering some of the greatest minds on the planet and some of their biggest foes. To attend...
...which is finally revealed by Valeria to have been put in place to stop the council of Reed Richards' from destroying our earth. There is also plenty of Reed action from the council as their plan is put in place along with alliances with the Mole man, the Forever city, Annihilus and a failed alliance with the Inhumans. This is going to be a really huge first story arc. Like, EPIC HUGE!
Same writer artist team that does a great job each time. Lots of build up and I'm hoping a decent pay off. Also with a return to the Negative zone will we get a taste of what happened to Johnny Storm? I hope so.
New Mutants #25
I'm back reading again after taking a break for the Age of X story (not that I don't want to read it, just that I'll get the trade and save buying multiple issues again). New creative team and new direction- the search for X-man. Awesome wraparound cover by Djurdevic.
As for story the premise of having the New Mutants clear up unfinished X-men business before it comes back to bite them on the ass is quite clever. It's like a tame X-force. Plus finding X-man is a great first case. Only problem I have with this book is it has the exact first cliff hanger that Heroes for Hire has. I mean what the hell. Retro villain that doesn't like right when drawn with modern techniques and styles (Sugarman/Puppet master) has tied up a fan favorite (X-man/Misty Knight) to an augmented reality machine that rips off the Matrix films and is making them think they are fighting a super team (Avengers/Heroes for Hire). Come on DnA?! Far too many pages are spent on Cyclops telling Illyana off, which may have been relevant to the previous story but not to the current one.
The art isn't great but does the job and the colouring brings the art back from being too bad. Not impressed so far but I'm going to read the X-man story to the end.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
May 11th 2011
Hi this is what's going on this week: Amazing Spider-man #660, FF #3, New Mutants #25 (Yeah I'm buying it again now that Age of X is over- I'd rather get that in trade), Batman Incorporated #6, The Flash #12, Flashpoint #1, Superman #711 and Farscape #19. Eek Flashpoint's here finally! Wonder if Abnett and Lanning will get New Mutants right or if it will go bad like Heroes for Hire?
Saturday, 14 May 2011
7th May 2011 Free Comic Book Day!
Well this is really late but it was a good one. Lots of stuff out, and all of the pics from comic shops in the US looked like it was a fun one. I'm in the UK however and there is no where near enough hype around it. Other than a small circle of people that like comics enough to go weekly to get new releases. Where I am from, Hull in the North East of England, we only have the one comic shop that gets new release weekly (there's a couple more but they are just second hand or antique things), so there was only the one shop to go too. Only two spinner racks at the front of the shop for people to grab from. Not even that many people making the effort to get free things, but it was a bit busier than normal. So that's something. I also got handed a goody bag by the owner of the store with the whole set of his FCBD books in. 12 in total. Which was really nice as there were signs up saying only four per customer.
Here's what I got: The Captain America/ Thor book, The Amazing Spiderman, Green Lantern Special Edition (what the hell, a reprint DC?! Come on you have plenty of new stuff you could have sampled!!!), Young Justice/ Brave and the Bold Sampler, Baltimore/ Criminal Macabre flip book, Atomic Robo, Locke and Key, Spontaneous, Witch and Wizard (AAH MANGA!!!), Jake the Dreaming (it's free comic day not free illustrated novel day, Ugh!), Elric and the Mouse Guard/ Dark Crystal flipbook. Not that bad- a nice variety, not all to my tastes but that's what FCBD is about, getting books in your hands you don't normally pick up.
For the full list of stuff that came out got HERE. I also wish I could have got my hands on the Super Dinosaur origin book, 2000AD, Bongo Comics, Ice, Adam West, Top Shelf sampler and the Tick books. But that's just me being greedy.
I shan't review all of them as I am behind enough and aren't that insane. I was really wowed by both Marvel books, great art and fun stories. The DC all ages one was nice to get my hands on as I don't normally go there. Same with Baltimore and Atomic Robo, great art and not what I normally go for. Haven't got round to reading the rest. I should probably read Locke and Key though to see what all the hype is about.
Here's what I got: The Captain America/ Thor book, The Amazing Spiderman, Green Lantern Special Edition (what the hell, a reprint DC?! Come on you have plenty of new stuff you could have sampled!!!), Young Justice/ Brave and the Bold Sampler, Baltimore/ Criminal Macabre flip book, Atomic Robo, Locke and Key, Spontaneous, Witch and Wizard (AAH MANGA!!!), Jake the Dreaming (it's free comic day not free illustrated novel day, Ugh!), Elric and the Mouse Guard/ Dark Crystal flipbook. Not that bad- a nice variety, not all to my tastes but that's what FCBD is about, getting books in your hands you don't normally pick up.
For the full list of stuff that came out got HERE. I also wish I could have got my hands on the Super Dinosaur origin book, 2000AD, Bongo Comics, Ice, Adam West, Top Shelf sampler and the Tick books. But that's just me being greedy.
I shan't review all of them as I am behind enough and aren't that insane. I was really wowed by both Marvel books, great art and fun stories. The DC all ages one was nice to get my hands on as I don't normally go there. Same with Baltimore and Atomic Robo, great art and not what I normally go for. Haven't got round to reading the rest. I should probably read Locke and Key though to see what all the hype is about.
Indie Comics May 4th 2011
Gladstone's School for World Conquerors #1
I knew little about this when I saw it on the shelf. I know image have great taste in the books that they publish and also that they don't normally publish Super hero books, so this must have some kind of catch to it. Something different to make it more than the typical super book. I picked it up and flicked through it to see some brilliant cartoon art. Sort of stylised yet childish in a way that reminded me of the Gorillaz band characters, the Umbrella Academy and Saturday morning kids cartoons. It was a style I really loved and the colouring is perfect, massive gradients and garish basic colours splashed all over. It really is a nice sight. Well don the creatives involved.
There is a ten page intro teaching you the history of the school as though you were attending the classes, then introductions to a spoilt brat of a kid from a line of heritage, his alien mate, the mummy girl that has a crush on the brat and her ghost friend, as well as a couple of rival gangs in the school. After breaking up a fight the caretaker, whom has plant based powers, lets slip that he didn't die but instead retired his character to one of the young school kids. which is soon followed by this...
...a strange revelation that the heroes and villains are orchestrating their own battles together. Maybe for money? Maybe for fame. Still it was a nice twist on a classic genre, with a great cast of characters. I think I'm hooked already!
iZombie #13
Back to it's usual full cast and with reminders that everything is at stake here. A brilliant Scooby Doo reference at the start, followed by Amon, Ellie and Spot celebrate Gwen's birthday, that she forgot about. It seems like Amon made the cake out of brains though as the second Gwen leaves she starts getting somebodies memories. He tells Gwen that she's the only person to stop Galetia (now revealed to be a Frankenstein's monster type deal), from opening that space thing up and letting that big creature through. Gwen's childhood friend becomes one of the vampire group. Diogenes tells Horatio he has been called away on business to the UK and that he should stay behind to finish the zombie problem in the town. That Zombie problem including his girlfriend Gwen and also including the ones Spot just got cornered by!
As for the dead presidents back up. It's more relevant than you'd think. It's three agents one a Zombie like gwen, a male ghost and a female were wolf. A professional and much more badass version of the main gang. They are investigating a Russian radio tower that has been converted by some doctor and Galetia to be the start of the Xitalu project. Xitalu being the big monster thing from space. I found the parallels between this group and the main three to be really interesting. Is this what Gwen could be doing some day? Amon seems to think that she is the only onen to save the world.
Great stuff, story moving full speed again and the entire cast is featured in a well balanced story with even more new and intriguing ideas thrown into the mix with the presidents back up. How long till they clash with the main characters? Not that it needs to be said but Mike Allred is one of my favorite artists and his work is just great for the retro characters and popular B-movie spoofs. This is a good jumping on point but I would recommend getting the first two trades as there is a lot to catch up on.
I knew little about this when I saw it on the shelf. I know image have great taste in the books that they publish and also that they don't normally publish Super hero books, so this must have some kind of catch to it. Something different to make it more than the typical super book. I picked it up and flicked through it to see some brilliant cartoon art. Sort of stylised yet childish in a way that reminded me of the Gorillaz band characters, the Umbrella Academy and Saturday morning kids cartoons. It was a style I really loved and the colouring is perfect, massive gradients and garish basic colours splashed all over. It really is a nice sight. Well don the creatives involved.
There is a ten page intro teaching you the history of the school as though you were attending the classes, then introductions to a spoilt brat of a kid from a line of heritage, his alien mate, the mummy girl that has a crush on the brat and her ghost friend, as well as a couple of rival gangs in the school. After breaking up a fight the caretaker, whom has plant based powers, lets slip that he didn't die but instead retired his character to one of the young school kids. which is soon followed by this...
...a strange revelation that the heroes and villains are orchestrating their own battles together. Maybe for money? Maybe for fame. Still it was a nice twist on a classic genre, with a great cast of characters. I think I'm hooked already!
iZombie #13
Back to it's usual full cast and with reminders that everything is at stake here. A brilliant Scooby Doo reference at the start, followed by Amon, Ellie and Spot celebrate Gwen's birthday, that she forgot about. It seems like Amon made the cake out of brains though as the second Gwen leaves she starts getting somebodies memories. He tells Gwen that she's the only person to stop Galetia (now revealed to be a Frankenstein's monster type deal), from opening that space thing up and letting that big creature through. Gwen's childhood friend becomes one of the vampire group. Diogenes tells Horatio he has been called away on business to the UK and that he should stay behind to finish the zombie problem in the town. That Zombie problem including his girlfriend Gwen and also including the ones Spot just got cornered by!
As for the dead presidents back up. It's more relevant than you'd think. It's three agents one a Zombie like gwen, a male ghost and a female were wolf. A professional and much more badass version of the main gang. They are investigating a Russian radio tower that has been converted by some doctor and Galetia to be the start of the Xitalu project. Xitalu being the big monster thing from space. I found the parallels between this group and the main three to be really interesting. Is this what Gwen could be doing some day? Amon seems to think that she is the only onen to save the world.
Great stuff, story moving full speed again and the entire cast is featured in a well balanced story with even more new and intriguing ideas thrown into the mix with the presidents back up. How long till they clash with the main characters? Not that it needs to be said but Mike Allred is one of my favorite artists and his work is just great for the retro characters and popular B-movie spoofs. This is a good jumping on point but I would recommend getting the first two trades as there is a lot to catch up on.
DC Comics May 4th 2011
Secret Six #33
After all experiencing their own little piece of Hell...
...Ragdoll gives up the card and they escape Hell virtually without any coincidences. Except that Lady Blaze, the ruler of Hell, knows what is happening to Scandal Savages other current girlfriend up on Earth. If they leave and use the get out of Hell card on her ex then there is a very good chance that her current girl will be down in Hell very soon. A nice little touch. The trip to Hell hasn't been as eventful as it felt it would be. The storytelling favors the more bonkers missions and great funny dialogue of random missions and not a series trip to Hell. It feels like the wrong tone for the book in my opinion. You can't take Catman's visit to check his father is rotting in hell for the murder of his mother seriously when its got undertones of humour. Art sets the tone a lot better but this just feels like an odd story to me. Not one I can get into as well as the last few.
Superboy #7
Superboy touches some alien plant on an abandoned spaceship that was headed for Earth and Smallville, which makes him get lost in his own mind and imagine all the evil things he could do with his powers.
Rather oddly Psionic boy saves him, even though it was hinted at that he was from the future to destroy him and could have just left him there to die. Does this mean he's changed his mind? This series is full of one or two part stories and although it doesn't quite capture the magic of the golden age comics it definitely has a lot of the ideals and almost cliches of a one part story telling device and an eccentric cast of characters.
After all experiencing their own little piece of Hell...
Poor Mr. Shark.
...Ragdoll gives up the card and they escape Hell virtually without any coincidences. Except that Lady Blaze, the ruler of Hell, knows what is happening to Scandal Savages other current girlfriend up on Earth. If they leave and use the get out of Hell card on her ex then there is a very good chance that her current girl will be down in Hell very soon. A nice little touch. The trip to Hell hasn't been as eventful as it felt it would be. The storytelling favors the more bonkers missions and great funny dialogue of random missions and not a series trip to Hell. It feels like the wrong tone for the book in my opinion. You can't take Catman's visit to check his father is rotting in hell for the murder of his mother seriously when its got undertones of humour. Art sets the tone a lot better but this just feels like an odd story to me. Not one I can get into as well as the last few.
Superboy #7
Superboy touches some alien plant on an abandoned spaceship that was headed for Earth and Smallville, which makes him get lost in his own mind and imagine all the evil things he could do with his powers.
Rather oddly Psionic boy saves him, even though it was hinted at that he was from the future to destroy him and could have just left him there to die. Does this mean he's changed his mind? This series is full of one or two part stories and although it doesn't quite capture the magic of the golden age comics it definitely has a lot of the ideals and almost cliches of a one part story telling device and an eccentric cast of characters.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Marvel Comics May 4th 2011 Part 2
Fear Itself Book Two
There is always a danger of this book becoming too formulaic, with the 8 hammers landing, and finding who gets which,but a large number of them were claimed this issue so I am glad that isn't the root that was taken. There was also the danger that too much action would take place in tie-in books but it seems that most of the stories start in this and you can follow them elsewhere if you wish. Like Titania going to fin the Absorbing Man's hammer with him. Looks like that isn't worthy (pun not intended) of making the main story as it's advertised as being in the Ironman book.
The tension and fear is actual being portrayed rather well through a large amount of scattered news reports and coverage throughout the book, and from the speed of everything, the cut scenes are literally every other panel or page. A lot is fitted into this, lots to get your head around and anticipate or guess as to what could be coming next. Surely the Yancy street hammer must be for the Thing? Where is the Absorbing Man's hammer? Who else is going to be getting one? Is that why Odin wants Thor away from Earth? Is he likely to be targeted? Decent stuff all round.
Fear Itself: The Home Front #2
I find the idea of Miriam Sharpe being intelligent enough to stop and help Speedball really quite an good step forward for her. I also find the anger of the citizens of Stamford truly haunting. Rain Beredo's art is beautiful for such a dark subject it ads to the creepiness of it. Also turns out Speedball's semi-invulnerability doesn't work against being suffocated by a plastic bag.
The Agents of Atlas find the room in the castle where the cursed book was made from the skin of tortured Atlanteans. If they can use the pages that didn't make the final cut then this could be quite a major point for the Fear Itself story. I hope what they find makes it into Cap's hands in the main book. I want every little story I read to be for a reason when it comes to tie-ins.
Unlike the Purple man one pager which really is pointless. It's just him swimming to shore from the raft saying he wants to be known by his birth name from now on. Then a short about Liz Allen and her son Normie getting stuck between train stations on a train that's got people clambering all over it to get on board. People are wounded and it's from all the escaped convicts from the raft running riot in the city. It's this kind of story that has a sense of panic a realism that helps fuel the fear of the main book. I'm actually pretty glad I'm picking up this tie-in book.
Uncanny X-Force #9
Such an odd issue. A stand alone story that felt like it should have been the point one hop on point. The pacing is all off and is shown almost cinematically using a bizarre wide panel format all the way through, and far too much time depicting trivial moments unessential to the story. In the same way thumb nails would be used to plan what angle the camera should shoot from while shooting a movie. I have trouble with the art this issue also, there is a bizarre white highlight scribbled over much of the main art throughout and it really distracts from the story. The story could have been forced into half the pages here and still have the same impact.
It's all about Magneto breaking into X-force...
... and getting X-Force to kill some Nazi guy from during the war. Wolverine goes and does it alone to keep everyone else's hands a bit cleaner, I guess. Just not the X-Force I've grown accustomed to since the series started.
There is always a danger of this book becoming too formulaic, with the 8 hammers landing, and finding who gets which,but a large number of them were claimed this issue so I am glad that isn't the root that was taken. There was also the danger that too much action would take place in tie-in books but it seems that most of the stories start in this and you can follow them elsewhere if you wish. Like Titania going to fin the Absorbing Man's hammer with him. Looks like that isn't worthy (pun not intended) of making the main story as it's advertised as being in the Ironman book.
The tension and fear is actual being portrayed rather well through a large amount of scattered news reports and coverage throughout the book, and from the speed of everything, the cut scenes are literally every other panel or page. A lot is fitted into this, lots to get your head around and anticipate or guess as to what could be coming next. Surely the Yancy street hammer must be for the Thing? Where is the Absorbing Man's hammer? Who else is going to be getting one? Is that why Odin wants Thor away from Earth? Is he likely to be targeted? Decent stuff all round.
Fear Itself: The Home Front #2
I find the idea of Miriam Sharpe being intelligent enough to stop and help Speedball really quite an good step forward for her. I also find the anger of the citizens of Stamford truly haunting. Rain Beredo's art is beautiful for such a dark subject it ads to the creepiness of it. Also turns out Speedball's semi-invulnerability doesn't work against being suffocated by a plastic bag.
The Agents of Atlas find the room in the castle where the cursed book was made from the skin of tortured Atlanteans. If they can use the pages that didn't make the final cut then this could be quite a major point for the Fear Itself story. I hope what they find makes it into Cap's hands in the main book. I want every little story I read to be for a reason when it comes to tie-ins.
Unlike the Purple man one pager which really is pointless. It's just him swimming to shore from the raft saying he wants to be known by his birth name from now on. Then a short about Liz Allen and her son Normie getting stuck between train stations on a train that's got people clambering all over it to get on board. People are wounded and it's from all the escaped convicts from the raft running riot in the city. It's this kind of story that has a sense of panic a realism that helps fuel the fear of the main book. I'm actually pretty glad I'm picking up this tie-in book.
Uncanny X-Force #9
Such an odd issue. A stand alone story that felt like it should have been the point one hop on point. The pacing is all off and is shown almost cinematically using a bizarre wide panel format all the way through, and far too much time depicting trivial moments unessential to the story. In the same way thumb nails would be used to plan what angle the camera should shoot from while shooting a movie. I have trouble with the art this issue also, there is a bizarre white highlight scribbled over much of the main art throughout and it really distracts from the story. The story could have been forced into half the pages here and still have the same impact.
It's all about Magneto breaking into X-force...
Deathlok is made of metal and Magneto controls metal. It was a one sided fight.
... and getting X-Force to kill some Nazi guy from during the war. Wolverine goes and does it alone to keep everyone else's hands a bit cleaner, I guess. Just not the X-Force I've grown accustomed to since the series started.
Marvel Comics May 4th 2011
Amazing Spider-man Sunday Spectacular
The main 12 double page parts of this were originally printed in American Sunday papers, I guess. They are pretty good for what you get. The story makes little sense in Marvel continuity. Two real world villains enter a comic book and try to steal the first time machine from Spidey. Wasn't the first one Doctor Dooms? (or I guess the more recent ret-con with all the SHIELD history stuff would be way earlier). Still it's pretty humourous and the double page spread art is amazing. Some better than others but always making full use of the space. It's reminiscent of what Mike Allred did with his strip in Wednesday comics. Examples being a Spidey and Doc Ock fight where the tentacles divide the page up, a helicopter and blades diving up the panels and an ariel view of Spidey's apartment as he walks around. Full to the brim with jokes about actors being cast in Marvel movies and in comic jokes.
Really beautiful stuff and exactly the kind of nonsense filled story you'd expect from Stan "the man" Lee.
The other half of the book was a short about Spidey seeking help from a psychiatrist about all of his different identities and then the punch line is, the psychiatrist needs help himself at the end of all of it. Not as much magic as the main story and perhaps missing out far too many of Spidey's costume and power changes, which is where I though the story was going at first. I wanted to see the Slingers, Cosmic Spidey, Iron Spidey, Ben Reilly and all the most recent Big Time ones. That would have been neato!
Annihilators #3
They beat that evil magic queen thing then take her to Limbo to try to free her people. They disown her and then things get worse as Immortus the time traveling ruler of limbo has sent a time army after the Annihilators. Meanwhile the Queen of that planet is in a cell next to Dr. Dredd or whatever he was called who gets himself free because he is working with the Skrulls who have infiltrated the place. I find myself caring very little about the first story. It's never characters I know or references to stories I have read, so I tend to zone out while reading it. Abnett and Lanning would have done better if they paid more time and attention to the team and less on the villains.
The Raccoon and Groot story is where it's at yet again. Really innovative as well. Halfworld is a mental asylum where the wardens are all animals to keep the patients calm. Raccoon was once head of security. The highest level threats in here are guarded by the clowns to keep them happy. The highest threat in here is Star Thief. So much so that all of the wardens make up a living key to lock him in place and to make sure it stayed locked, Raccoon had his memories erased and left for good. Thus throwing away the key. Only the living nervous system of the world made a great way for the psychic Star Thief's mind to escape into. Plus now that Rocket is back, he can free himself! I've said this before about other series (ahem–– Brightest Day), but how can a story with two heroes in be so much better written than the main one with some of the biggest cosmic names in its ranks. It boggles my mind even more when It's by the same writers! But then again Heroes for Hire by the same team went from hit to miss in 3 issues.. so it must just be their nature to not always hit the nail on the head. This half is so fun and different and feels genuinely original. Only one more issue left, and I will genuinely miss the Rocket Raccoon story.
The main 12 double page parts of this were originally printed in American Sunday papers, I guess. They are pretty good for what you get. The story makes little sense in Marvel continuity. Two real world villains enter a comic book and try to steal the first time machine from Spidey. Wasn't the first one Doctor Dooms? (or I guess the more recent ret-con with all the SHIELD history stuff would be way earlier). Still it's pretty humourous and the double page spread art is amazing. Some better than others but always making full use of the space. It's reminiscent of what Mike Allred did with his strip in Wednesday comics. Examples being a Spidey and Doc Ock fight where the tentacles divide the page up, a helicopter and blades diving up the panels and an ariel view of Spidey's apartment as he walks around. Full to the brim with jokes about actors being cast in Marvel movies and in comic jokes.
Really beautiful stuff and exactly the kind of nonsense filled story you'd expect from Stan "the man" Lee.
The other half of the book was a short about Spidey seeking help from a psychiatrist about all of his different identities and then the punch line is, the psychiatrist needs help himself at the end of all of it. Not as much magic as the main story and perhaps missing out far too many of Spidey's costume and power changes, which is where I though the story was going at first. I wanted to see the Slingers, Cosmic Spidey, Iron Spidey, Ben Reilly and all the most recent Big Time ones. That would have been neato!
Annihilators #3
They beat that evil magic queen thing then take her to Limbo to try to free her people. They disown her and then things get worse as Immortus the time traveling ruler of limbo has sent a time army after the Annihilators. Meanwhile the Queen of that planet is in a cell next to Dr. Dredd or whatever he was called who gets himself free because he is working with the Skrulls who have infiltrated the place. I find myself caring very little about the first story. It's never characters I know or references to stories I have read, so I tend to zone out while reading it. Abnett and Lanning would have done better if they paid more time and attention to the team and less on the villains.
The Raccoon and Groot story is where it's at yet again. Really innovative as well. Halfworld is a mental asylum where the wardens are all animals to keep the patients calm. Raccoon was once head of security. The highest level threats in here are guarded by the clowns to keep them happy. The highest threat in here is Star Thief. So much so that all of the wardens make up a living key to lock him in place and to make sure it stayed locked, Raccoon had his memories erased and left for good. Thus throwing away the key. Only the living nervous system of the world made a great way for the psychic Star Thief's mind to escape into. Plus now that Rocket is back, he can free himself! I've said this before about other series (ahem–– Brightest Day), but how can a story with two heroes in be so much better written than the main one with some of the biggest cosmic names in its ranks. It boggles my mind even more when It's by the same writers! But then again Heroes for Hire by the same team went from hit to miss in 3 issues.. so it must just be their nature to not always hit the nail on the head. This half is so fun and different and feels genuinely original. Only one more issue left, and I will genuinely miss the Rocket Raccoon story.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
May 4th 2011
Quite a week to follow from, but I'm glad it's a little quieter for my wallets sake. This week I got The Amazing Spider-man Spidey Sunday Spectacular, Annihilators #3 of 4, Fear Itself Book 2, Fear Itself: The Home Front #2 of 7, Uncanny X-Force #9, Secret Six #33, Superboy #7, Gladstone's School for World Conquerors and iZombie #13.
Not a lot, but still a lot of what I like. Which made me think recently- Why don't I give many bad reviews? and then I thought of course I dont, I only buy the comics I like and enjoy. So if there's one I go off it will only get a few bad reviews before I just stop getting it altogether. Duh! I can be a tad simple at times. Anyway reviews...
Not a lot, but still a lot of what I like. Which made me think recently- Why don't I give many bad reviews? and then I thought of course I dont, I only buy the comics I like and enjoy. So if there's one I go off it will only get a few bad reviews before I just stop getting it altogether. Duh! I can be a tad simple at times. Anyway reviews...
April Awards
At the end of a very good week I'm going to find this very hard to not give all the awards to stuff I've literally just put down after reading. Seriously what a good week and moth for stories.
Character of the month: This one is pretty easy for me and I know it's a bit of a cop out but Mark from Infinite Vacation as there are so many alternate versions of him! It's just so funny the variety and humour coming through the book.
Team of the month: Seen as their finale beat the crap out of their sister title, and this is the last week (for some time) that I will be able to give them this award, the Justice League International!
Cover of the month: Infinite Vacation #2 as the girl on it is drawn amazingly well. The colour use, textures and patterns is just perfect.
Story of the month: The Uncanny X-Force for doing the first ever interesting Deathlok story, and kinda making him part of the same "World" program that spawned weapon X etc.
Art of the month: Jock on Detective Comics for that killer whale start to the story. Fabulous art and a great mood setter for a fun, enjoyable mystery.
Surprise of the month: The Thunderbolts that made the Beta team. Just such strange choices. I hope they can balance the two teams in one book well though, they've managed so far.
Best single issue of the month: iZombie #12 with Hernandez's art in. I hate to see this title drawn by anyone but Allred but this I can live with, and also thoroughly geek out over.
Best over all title of the month: I would have gone with Detective but I already gave that an award, so I go with a title which has been consistently good for a long while now. Since Big Time started in fact. Yep I went with The Amazing Spider-man. Great writing for a large cast and I love all of the rotating artists.
Crap of the month: Dark Horse presents #1 as it had a lot to live up to and I really didn't think it was worth the huge cover price. There was a couple of decent reads but it was swamped with so-so stories and nothing really jumped out as having longevity to the ongoing stories.
Random award of the month: Biggest over use of splash pages of the month: Brightest Day #24, The last page was warranted, John Constantine in mainstream DC is a HUGE thing. 3 splash pages in quick succession for the fight between Giant Swamp thing and evil Swamp thing really was pathetic. Plus turning the comic sideways hasn't been cool since the 90's so please just don't ever do that again, some poor sod that buys that in a trade hardcover isn't going to be able to see all that image anyway. It's over used them during it's entire run and made me feel like it could have been about an 8 issue series if it didn't prat around with them and the pointless sub plots.
And that's our 3 month-aversary. I'm going to buy the blog a bouquet of flowers and take it away for a romantic weekend. Sorry for getting behind again. You know they make it online eventually... I already have next weeks books sat here and a pile of Free Comic Book Day books ready for reading plus it's release day again tomorrow. Eep best get a move on.
Character of the month: This one is pretty easy for me and I know it's a bit of a cop out but Mark from Infinite Vacation as there are so many alternate versions of him! It's just so funny the variety and humour coming through the book.
Team of the month: Seen as their finale beat the crap out of their sister title, and this is the last week (for some time) that I will be able to give them this award, the Justice League International!
Cover of the month: Infinite Vacation #2 as the girl on it is drawn amazingly well. The colour use, textures and patterns is just perfect.
Story of the month: The Uncanny X-Force for doing the first ever interesting Deathlok story, and kinda making him part of the same "World" program that spawned weapon X etc.
Art of the month: Jock on Detective Comics for that killer whale start to the story. Fabulous art and a great mood setter for a fun, enjoyable mystery.
Surprise of the month: The Thunderbolts that made the Beta team. Just such strange choices. I hope they can balance the two teams in one book well though, they've managed so far.
Best single issue of the month: iZombie #12 with Hernandez's art in. I hate to see this title drawn by anyone but Allred but this I can live with, and also thoroughly geek out over.
Best over all title of the month: I would have gone with Detective but I already gave that an award, so I go with a title which has been consistently good for a long while now. Since Big Time started in fact. Yep I went with The Amazing Spider-man. Great writing for a large cast and I love all of the rotating artists.
Crap of the month: Dark Horse presents #1 as it had a lot to live up to and I really didn't think it was worth the huge cover price. There was a couple of decent reads but it was swamped with so-so stories and nothing really jumped out as having longevity to the ongoing stories.
Random award of the month: Biggest over use of splash pages of the month: Brightest Day #24, The last page was warranted, John Constantine in mainstream DC is a HUGE thing. 3 splash pages in quick succession for the fight between Giant Swamp thing and evil Swamp thing really was pathetic. Plus turning the comic sideways hasn't been cool since the 90's so please just don't ever do that again, some poor sod that buys that in a trade hardcover isn't going to be able to see all that image anyway. It's over used them during it's entire run and made me feel like it could have been about an 8 issue series if it didn't prat around with them and the pointless sub plots.
And that's our 3 month-aversary. I'm going to buy the blog a bouquet of flowers and take it away for a romantic weekend. Sorry for getting behind again. You know they make it online eventually... I already have next weeks books sat here and a pile of Free Comic Book Day books ready for reading plus it's release day again tomorrow. Eep best get a move on.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Indie Comics April 27th 2011
Butcher Baker #1 (reprint out this week) and #2
Joint review, I saw some rather great art when I was flicking through a mates copy of #1 and it had sold out before I got a copy. But it got a re-print this week so I picked up two issues in a row. Let's see if the story is worth the art.
The variety of pencil, ink, halftoned, coloured, gradiented, textured and painted work here is astounding, not to mention the amazing look of the stylised imagery that ties it all together. The basic premise is two government agents that look oddly like Jay Leno and David Letterman go to pull Butcher Baker out of super hero retirement. He's now a drug abusing sex addict so they have to bribe him with girls. He agrees and destroys a prison of super criminals because the tax payers are sick to death of paying to keep them alive. So much controversial stuff in here and yet it all feels so natural and normal when you read the damn book. It's so odd it's a kinda hypnotic state you go into where it just becomes acceptable due to the nature of the story. It feels harmless due to the cartoon-ness of the art. Smart choice there.
Issue two is a direct continuation as Butcher Baker bumps into the cop who's car he mangled last issue whilst racing to the crazy keep for super criminals. Also it seems he didn't quite kill everyone as well as he thought and a number of survivors including Jihad Jones, White Lightning, Angerhead, Sushi, The Abominable Snowman and some other big all powerful named The Abolutely. The issue ends with a repeat of the car chase with the same cop only this time White Lightning appears in her own Lightning mobile thing to take revenge on Butcher. Pretty decent second book, more of the same which is great. A lot of great back matter sketches and the writer rambling away to himself which is really funny to read.
Morning Glories #9
This series has consistently great cover art, I hope it lasts the entire run of it as it would make a great collected book.
Okay so this is a bit more of a revelation issue than others have been lately. This is another issue with one of the Glories as a centric. This one is all about Jun and his twin Hisao. How one of them should be at the academy and the other not, because he was born after midnight and doesn't qualify by having the same matching birthday as everyone else does. When they were younger the switched places as the headteachers were coming to pick them up and take them to the academy. Now someone saved the twin who was meant to be taken instead of Jun, and it was the same guy who gave the other time troubled one that watch. He reveals his name to be Abraham.
Now when religious names are brought into the mix, this DOES feel a tad too much like Lost did. You cant help but make comparisons when there aren't that many mainstream uber-mysteries. This issue has the same consistent art styles. This feels like a book that must be re-read to be fully appreciated. I can't wait for the individual character based issues to end and for a larger story to start again, it's nice to know more about the characters and shine more lights onto why they are chosen for the academy but I'd rather this started driving towards something and found a direction to point towards.
Joint review, I saw some rather great art when I was flicking through a mates copy of #1 and it had sold out before I got a copy. But it got a re-print this week so I picked up two issues in a row. Let's see if the story is worth the art.
The variety of pencil, ink, halftoned, coloured, gradiented, textured and painted work here is astounding, not to mention the amazing look of the stylised imagery that ties it all together. The basic premise is two government agents that look oddly like Jay Leno and David Letterman go to pull Butcher Baker out of super hero retirement. He's now a drug abusing sex addict so they have to bribe him with girls. He agrees and destroys a prison of super criminals because the tax payers are sick to death of paying to keep them alive. So much controversial stuff in here and yet it all feels so natural and normal when you read the damn book. It's so odd it's a kinda hypnotic state you go into where it just becomes acceptable due to the nature of the story. It feels harmless due to the cartoon-ness of the art. Smart choice there.
Caution: Naked Ladies, Drugs and Jay Leno's chin.
I feel cheeky posting a full page but you can see the diverse art styles and how well they work together. Looks Fab!
Morning Glories #9
This series has consistently great cover art, I hope it lasts the entire run of it as it would make a great collected book.
Okay so this is a bit more of a revelation issue than others have been lately. This is another issue with one of the Glories as a centric. This one is all about Jun and his twin Hisao. How one of them should be at the academy and the other not, because he was born after midnight and doesn't qualify by having the same matching birthday as everyone else does. When they were younger the switched places as the headteachers were coming to pick them up and take them to the academy. Now someone saved the twin who was meant to be taken instead of Jun, and it was the same guy who gave the other time troubled one that watch. He reveals his name to be Abraham.
DC Comics April 27th 2011 Part 2
The Flash #11
The road to Flashpoint part 3. It's another great read. I really don't see the point of the intervention, other than Bart getting annoyed and trying to get Barry into trouble via shit-stirring.
Hot pursuit later tells Barry that Bart has to go back to his own time, and zaps him away. The young kid who was the only eye witness at the last crime scene, the one that Patty is tasked with looking after this time around turns out to be the Reverse Flash gathering energy by stealing peoples time. He is cooking up something big, and I'm willing to bet it's the Flashpoint itself. Elsewhere we also discover that Patty has come back because she has feelings for Barry.
Really getting me excited for Flashpoint now. A lot of premises being set up already. Kid Flash is in his own "Lost in Time" mini series I think? Great story telling and rather intense build up for an event I know very little about but am really excited for.
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #9
War of the Green Lanterns Part Six. Still learning how to use the different coloured rings...
...the four Lanterns make their way to the power battery to remove the evil yellow crap and get there by going underground only to pass by the actual forging furnace for the green rings and pick up a souvenir of the first ever green ring (Krona's gauntlet) that was kept in a display case along with other relics from early Green Lantern pre-history. John and Kyle split off and go to stop Mogo shooting out mass produced rings to every sector, while Hal and Guy head on to the Power battery only to walk into a trap.
Nice artwork, everyones ring characteristics beginning to shine through their behavior and dialogue, really well written and delving into the corps past in intriguing ways. Not as cool a cliff hanger as previous weeks but still pretty awesome stuff to look forward to. After the four of them have spent a few issues together again it's good to see them split up, it'll give a few stories to bounce between again.
Justice League Generation Lost #24
The last of the three over sized books this week. Now whereas Brightest Day had a rather stunted everything is back to normal ending, bar a few small moments of interest, this story is all action and definitely a great climax. We are reminded of everything in the series so far that has led to the building of Omac Prime, we get plenty of action in the fist fights both on the ground and up above with Booster and Max fist fighting without powers. These aren't just mere brawls though, there is ingenuity and smart writing going on here as to why and how they are fighting such differing strong opponents. Not to mention great moments for each character especially Red Rockets comedy and just all round fan favorite Blue Beetle who outsmarts the OMAC in the end.
Atom's issues with his humanity are finalised by him making the realisation himself that he is a real human and proving it by making Max reveal himself to the world before being shot through time by his over use of power.
Despite saving the day, stopping the OMAC, saving Wonder Woman and revealing Max there is a sense that they have lost as he still has control of Checkmate and essentially got away scott free- even going so far as to clear the teams names and publicly condone there actions as super heroes. Batman and Booster decide it isn't over and it looks like we have gained a Justice League International ongoing series out of this great maxi series. I really hope it is the same writer and artist team. There is a sure story to continue out of this and not just a bunch of slight changes that fell lack luster, out of the main Brightest Day title.
As a finale this book made full use of the higher page count, it had a high pace and felt like the final moments of a rather epic action film. Great scope for dramatic framing and timing from both writer and artist. This is going to make a great trade and I'm so glad I have all the single issues of this book, cant wait for the start of the ongoing.
Xombi #2
Xombi, Catholic Girl, Nun the Less and Nun of the Above fight off the hallowe'en kids...
...then Xombi and The Rustling Husk follow the broken out prisoner and the person who released him to a nearby garden centre via a portal. It was a woman who freed the Mr. Hyde and she was doing it as she was being blackmailed and wanted something in return. Only she may have stolen the wrong person. When asked to change out of his Mr. Hyde form he it turns out the beast he was was nothing compared to what he would turn into.
For a story with roots in religion and folklore not to give any offense in doing so is rare but I do enjoy this one. I aren't too invested in the story so far. It's a fun read but there's no character or story that's fully pulled me in yet.
The road to Flashpoint part 3. It's another great read. I really don't see the point of the intervention, other than Bart getting annoyed and trying to get Barry into trouble via shit-stirring.
Probably.
Really getting me excited for Flashpoint now. A lot of premises being set up already. Kid Flash is in his own "Lost in Time" mini series I think? Great story telling and rather intense build up for an event I know very little about but am really excited for.
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #9
War of the Green Lanterns Part Six. Still learning how to use the different coloured rings...
Why would you choose the ring of compassion to go to war with..?
Nice artwork, everyones ring characteristics beginning to shine through their behavior and dialogue, really well written and delving into the corps past in intriguing ways. Not as cool a cliff hanger as previous weeks but still pretty awesome stuff to look forward to. After the four of them have spent a few issues together again it's good to see them split up, it'll give a few stories to bounce between again.
Justice League Generation Lost #24
The last of the three over sized books this week. Now whereas Brightest Day had a rather stunted everything is back to normal ending, bar a few small moments of interest, this story is all action and definitely a great climax. We are reminded of everything in the series so far that has led to the building of Omac Prime, we get plenty of action in the fist fights both on the ground and up above with Booster and Max fist fighting without powers. These aren't just mere brawls though, there is ingenuity and smart writing going on here as to why and how they are fighting such differing strong opponents. Not to mention great moments for each character especially Red Rockets comedy and just all round fan favorite Blue Beetle who outsmarts the OMAC in the end.
Another favorite character of mine.
Despite saving the day, stopping the OMAC, saving Wonder Woman and revealing Max there is a sense that they have lost as he still has control of Checkmate and essentially got away scott free- even going so far as to clear the teams names and publicly condone there actions as super heroes. Batman and Booster decide it isn't over and it looks like we have gained a Justice League International ongoing series out of this great maxi series. I really hope it is the same writer and artist team. There is a sure story to continue out of this and not just a bunch of slight changes that fell lack luster, out of the main Brightest Day title.
As a finale this book made full use of the higher page count, it had a high pace and felt like the final moments of a rather epic action film. Great scope for dramatic framing and timing from both writer and artist. This is going to make a great trade and I'm so glad I have all the single issues of this book, cant wait for the start of the ongoing.
Xombi #2
Xombi, Catholic Girl, Nun the Less and Nun of the Above fight off the hallowe'en kids...
Kicking kids is cool!
For a story with roots in religion and folklore not to give any offense in doing so is rare but I do enjoy this one. I aren't too invested in the story so far. It's a fun read but there's no character or story that's fully pulled me in yet.
DC Comics April 27th 2011
Action Comics #900
Congratulations on the biggest number I've seen on a comics cover (other than 2000AD).
The main story is a bit odd. It's a great conclusion to the infinite powered Lex, even though the title "the black ring" was wrong. I think it was wrong to combine the Reign of Doomsday story with the main Lex one. It doesn't read well and the two art styles aren't similar enough to cut between. So what I'm saying is I enjoyed the Lex half but feel the Doomsday half is a bit shoddy. The character had so much weight to him for killing Superman but now he is just an over used lackey. Plus the cliff hanger of Reign of the Doomsdays is just a cheesy comic cliche (World War Hulks anyone). Making it plural still means its the same story.
I enjoyed the Damon Lindelof story a lot. A rather ominous account of Jor El making the ship to carry Kal to safety. The incident by David S. Goyer also reached mainstream news headlines as it features Superman (note: not Clark Kent) renouncing his US citizenship as he is tired of his actions being misconstrued as US military actions or the view of the President.
He's thinking bigger now and he is now publicly proving he belongs to the whole world by renouncing his citizenship to the US. To Clark it's life as normal with Lois. A lot of controversy but I feel like this makes sense and I cant believe he was a US citizen anyway. Makes him more acceptable to the world wide audience of readers. I also love the idea of the Superman "screenplay" with storyboards being printed. A great pin up by Brian Stelfreeze.
Batman Incorporated #5
A confusing a story as there ever was. I guess this is one of those books you have to re read to get the whole thing to make sense. The Hood, El Gaucho, Batwoman and Batman are searching for Her Netz and the one they find is a decoy. The real one was freed from the island prison years ago by leviathan, the same person or group name we heard a lot about in those two Batman annuals not too long ago. Nice to see a number of Batman Inc. members working together.
The story is pretty decent I guess, even if it does require a lot of re reading and such, because the amount of plotting and planning involved in a mystery story like this must be insane! I respect Morrison's writing even if I don't always understand the plots. Great art as always.
Brightest Day #24
The second of three giant sized conclusions for DC this week (which really hurt my wallet). Also note, there are way too many artists involved than I can make labels on the post for!
Literally no consequences for the characters I couldn't care less about. Deadman had to die again. Which is a bit crap to be honest. Hawkgirl has also died, I guess as part of the Hawks curse even though I was pretty sure they ended that in this series earlier on. Plus I always wondered why the Hawks always seem to come back fully grown or whatnot when there are so many more creative ways like to have them born as children and grow up from there, as part of their many lives. They could eventually join the Titans etc. Firestorm has an internal count down to his actually destruction. Aquaman is still boring.
Also Swamp Thing is back and actually is Alec Holland inside him this time. Plus there is the cliff hanger of John Constantine investigating one of his killings at the end. So this truly is the merging of The DC U proper and the Vertigo Universe. So very strange.
A pretty decent ending to a so so series. Also the fights between the corrupted green and the actual swamp thing really didn't warrant three double page splash pages, one of which was a sideways turn the book one. UGH! Over used again. I can't help but think this series could have been done in about 6 to 8 issues if it had just cut the crap and splash pages.
Detective Comics #876
Detective Comics is my favorite Batman book. It's consistently good even when changing artists and centric stories. This new three parter sees Dick and Commissioner Gorden investigating the murder of a young banking entrepreneur's assistant and the killer whale her body was found in... that was left in the middle of the banks lobby over night.
That is quite a brilliant start to a mystery if ever I've heard one. Also she is the daughter of Dick's parent's killer, so it's got a personal touch. The trail is followed to a high end car dealer who appears to be black mailing the entrepreneur. Dick soon finds himself in a massive car crusher in a cliff hanger that will lead into next months.
Intriguing idea that Bruce Wayne is funding Batman Inc. and allows Gotham Police Dept. to reluctantly use his lab equipment.
Great premise with a lot of promise, plus the crispest stylised art and beautiful mood enhancing colouring. I would highly recommend this above all the other bat books. Yes even Batman Inc. Plus this is the first issue in a new arc so go make the most of it and hop on now.
Congratulations on the biggest number I've seen on a comics cover (other than 2000AD).
The main story is a bit odd. It's a great conclusion to the infinite powered Lex, even though the title "the black ring" was wrong. I think it was wrong to combine the Reign of Doomsday story with the main Lex one. It doesn't read well and the two art styles aren't similar enough to cut between. So what I'm saying is I enjoyed the Lex half but feel the Doomsday half is a bit shoddy. The character had so much weight to him for killing Superman but now he is just an over used lackey. Plus the cliff hanger of Reign of the Doomsdays is just a cheesy comic cliche (World War Hulks anyone). Making it plural still means its the same story.
I enjoyed the Damon Lindelof story a lot. A rather ominous account of Jor El making the ship to carry Kal to safety. The incident by David S. Goyer also reached mainstream news headlines as it features Superman (note: not Clark Kent) renouncing his US citizenship as he is tired of his actions being misconstrued as US military actions or the view of the President.
He's thinking bigger now and he is now publicly proving he belongs to the whole world by renouncing his citizenship to the US. To Clark it's life as normal with Lois. A lot of controversy but I feel like this makes sense and I cant believe he was a US citizen anyway. Makes him more acceptable to the world wide audience of readers. I also love the idea of the Superman "screenplay" with storyboards being printed. A great pin up by Brian Stelfreeze.
Batman Incorporated #5
A confusing a story as there ever was. I guess this is one of those books you have to re read to get the whole thing to make sense. The Hood, El Gaucho, Batwoman and Batman are searching for Her Netz and the one they find is a decoy. The real one was freed from the island prison years ago by leviathan, the same person or group name we heard a lot about in those two Batman annuals not too long ago. Nice to see a number of Batman Inc. members working together.
Batman World Tour!
Brightest Day #24
The second of three giant sized conclusions for DC this week (which really hurt my wallet). Also note, there are way too many artists involved than I can make labels on the post for!
Literally no consequences for the characters I couldn't care less about. Deadman had to die again. Which is a bit crap to be honest. Hawkgirl has also died, I guess as part of the Hawks curse even though I was pretty sure they ended that in this series earlier on. Plus I always wondered why the Hawks always seem to come back fully grown or whatnot when there are so many more creative ways like to have them born as children and grow up from there, as part of their many lives. They could eventually join the Titans etc. Firestorm has an internal count down to his actually destruction. Aquaman is still boring.
Also Swamp Thing is back and actually is Alec Holland inside him this time. Plus there is the cliff hanger of John Constantine investigating one of his killings at the end. So this truly is the merging of The DC U proper and the Vertigo Universe. So very strange.
The only splash page that isn't a waste of paper.
Detective Comics #876
Detective Comics is my favorite Batman book. It's consistently good even when changing artists and centric stories. This new three parter sees Dick and Commissioner Gorden investigating the murder of a young banking entrepreneur's assistant and the killer whale her body was found in... that was left in the middle of the banks lobby over night.
Really love the line work, mark making and colouring.
Intriguing idea that Bruce Wayne is funding Batman Inc. and allows Gotham Police Dept. to reluctantly use his lab equipment.
Great premise with a lot of promise, plus the crispest stylised art and beautiful mood enhancing colouring. I would highly recommend this above all the other bat books. Yes even Batman Inc. Plus this is the first issue in a new arc so go make the most of it and hop on now.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Marvel Comics April 27th 2011 Part 2
Powerman and Iron Fist #4 (of 5)
The whole underwater auction stuff gets wrapped up pretty quickly, Joy and the mask are no where to be found and Pokerface has his poker removed.
Hilarious. Shortly after Power man and Iron Fist have a falling out after Luke Cage turns up to help them both, and Iron Fists temper gets the better of him. The story has amped up a gear again. Power man and lady friend whom he suspects to be Noir are arrested for a crime they didn't commit by the strange organisation known as the Penance Corporation. All is left hanging for next months conclusion. I had my doubts that this book would just be more of the same as it drove along, but it has proved me wrong. The pace is fast enough and plenty is happening with all of the characters in the cast to make it a really well plotted, if slightly eccentric story.
Secret Avengers #12
The John Steele stuff is finished in this story in the second half of this convoluted two parter about them regaining his memories. After he rampaged through the Beast's lab he is strapped back in...
...and forced to regain them. There is a bit too much attention paid to Steve Rogers and some fight with a giant wyrm which does nothing but detract from the main story which is what happened to Steele. After he does get them back Steve Rogers propositions him into getting payback. Presumably by joining the team?
A pretty dull story that they could probably have done in one issue. I really hate re-living the old Captain America war stories. It's just dull these days.
Secret Avengers #12.1
After just ranting about the waste of pages on a two page classic Steve and John story this full team effort feals like a breath of fresh air. There was a leak of government data about people who have given leads on all the baddies from the Marvel U and that premise in itself could have fueled a massive Marvel story but no. It's a single stand alone issue. I do love Nick Spencers writing. Plus there are plenty of Ant man funnies, which was my main reason for starting reading this book.
In fact I would say that every character in this is written well. Great art too. This is the first point one issue of anything that I've been reading thus far, that I would honestly say introduces every character well, and gives a taste of how the book is week in week out. Seriously if you like other Avengers books and are tempted by this then go for it!
The whole underwater auction stuff gets wrapped up pretty quickly, Joy and the mask are no where to be found and Pokerface has his poker removed.
HA!
Secret Avengers #12
The John Steele stuff is finished in this story in the second half of this convoluted two parter about them regaining his memories. After he rampaged through the Beast's lab he is strapped back in...
"Remember when I said you weren't real?"
"Yeah?"
"Well you are really."
"Oh okay."
A pretty dull story that they could probably have done in one issue. I really hate re-living the old Captain America war stories. It's just dull these days.
Secret Avengers #12.1
After just ranting about the waste of pages on a two page classic Steve and John story this full team effort feals like a breath of fresh air. There was a leak of government data about people who have given leads on all the baddies from the Marvel U and that premise in itself could have fueled a massive Marvel story but no. It's a single stand alone issue. I do love Nick Spencers writing. Plus there are plenty of Ant man funnies, which was my main reason for starting reading this book.
I do love Eric O'Grady Antman.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Marvel Comics April 27th 2011 Part 1 (The All Spidey Post)
Amazing Spiderman #659
Wow I really loved this. First the FF find the source of the disturbance from last issue inside a giant skull shaped cave and then they get attacked by Zombie Pirates in a direct throwback to the F4 issue that was referenced last time...
...in which The Thing turned out to be Blackbeard. Then just as the whole gang of FF kids turn up to warn them, it turns out to be a Scooby Doo joke as the Pirates are all the Sinister 6 in disguise. There is also the fall out of Carlie Cooper finding out about Peter sneaking away on "business trips" which are actually with the FF. She has a reason to not trust anyone and she gets drunk with her roller derby team only to wind up getting a Goblin tattoo to spite Peter. A really intriguing direction to go down.
The scripting is perfect Slott and Van Lente sure can imitate a perfect FF issue while giving Spider-man a prominent role and having a surprise Spidey villain too. It's complimented with great art. I can't find a single fault with this issue or it's two back-up's. One as the lead in to Spider Island, and the other, the second part of the Ghostrider team up.
FF #2
The Thing and The Invisible Woman take the news of Dr Doom joining the FF pretty badly. While the brains of the team decide to give Doom his dark power and memories back by restoring his brain to full power. Only to end up revealing that doing so was Valeria's part of the deal, and now Doom must uphold his end of the bargain by helping her defeat her father, Reed.
Ooh tingles! Nice twist, so this must have been why she was spending a lot of time visiting Doom in the Hickman run on the F4 comic.
Typical artwork for the book now, starting to feel a little dull and samey, so it's a good job I hear there are other artists doing upcoming issues too. The speed isn't as fast as the story in the FF Spider-man book that I just reviewed, and as such a story that should have had a much more epic feel about it, felt like it was plodding along compared to the energy of the Spidey title.
Spider-Girl #6
Paul Tobin handles a complex story and a large cast of characters just as well as Dan Slott does with the main Spidey book, I think that's why this book feels so right and similar to the main book.
This issue Red Hulk gives her some papers on her father's killers, she visits the FF, stops a bank robbery (I notice now the twitter dialogue boxes are actually becoming more part of the plot, people finding her on twitter like Speedball etc.), almost beats the new Hobgoblin in a fight due to some crafty moves and sticking gum in her ears to counter the sonic scream and also asks for Spidey's help to track down her fathers killers.
So much happens each issue to really drive home the story. Really impressed. Love the art too, and the only real problem I've had with this book was when the art changed but now it's back to the original artist. Really love this book.
Venom #2
Not a particularly startling story, but I am really hoping that the Symbiote is trying to be a hero for good now. I remember the original Venom wanting to be a hero with Spider-man back when he first got introduced. Probably as it was fused with Peter Parker before finding other hosts.
Other than the Symbiote leaving and then returning due to needing Flash Thompson, there's only a so so fight with Kraven and the cliff hanger of Jack-o-lantern's revenge.
Wow I really loved this. First the FF find the source of the disturbance from last issue inside a giant skull shaped cave and then they get attacked by Zombie Pirates in a direct throwback to the F4 issue that was referenced last time...
Dirty bugger!
The scripting is perfect Slott and Van Lente sure can imitate a perfect FF issue while giving Spider-man a prominent role and having a surprise Spidey villain too. It's complimented with great art. I can't find a single fault with this issue or it's two back-up's. One as the lead in to Spider Island, and the other, the second part of the Ghostrider team up.
FF #2
The Thing and The Invisible Woman take the news of Dr Doom joining the FF pretty badly. While the brains of the team decide to give Doom his dark power and memories back by restoring his brain to full power. Only to end up revealing that doing so was Valeria's part of the deal, and now Doom must uphold his end of the bargain by helping her defeat her father, Reed.
Ooh tingles! Nice twist, so this must have been why she was spending a lot of time visiting Doom in the Hickman run on the F4 comic.
Typical artwork for the book now, starting to feel a little dull and samey, so it's a good job I hear there are other artists doing upcoming issues too. The speed isn't as fast as the story in the FF Spider-man book that I just reviewed, and as such a story that should have had a much more epic feel about it, felt like it was plodding along compared to the energy of the Spidey title.
Spider-Girl #6
Paul Tobin handles a complex story and a large cast of characters just as well as Dan Slott does with the main Spidey book, I think that's why this book feels so right and similar to the main book.
This issue Red Hulk gives her some papers on her father's killers, she visits the FF, stops a bank robbery (I notice now the twitter dialogue boxes are actually becoming more part of the plot, people finding her on twitter like Speedball etc.), almost beats the new Hobgoblin in a fight due to some crafty moves and sticking gum in her ears to counter the sonic scream and also asks for Spidey's help to track down her fathers killers.
So much happens each issue to really drive home the story. Really impressed. Love the art too, and the only real problem I've had with this book was when the art changed but now it's back to the original artist. Really love this book.
Venom #2
Not a particularly startling story, but I am really hoping that the Symbiote is trying to be a hero for good now. I remember the original Venom wanting to be a hero with Spider-man back when he first got introduced. Probably as it was fused with Peter Parker before finding other hosts.
Other than the Symbiote leaving and then returning due to needing Flash Thompson, there's only a so so fight with Kraven and the cliff hanger of Jack-o-lantern's revenge.