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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 26, 2018 19:27:36 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2018 23:13:05 GMT -5
Heroes in Crisis #1 by King, Mann, and Morey:
This series will be a tough sell to me as I absolutely detest Harley Quinn...but I do like Booster Gold. Apparently the two of them are somehow involved in some brutal events at Sanctuary ( a robotic psychiatric hospital/treatment center for Super heroes created by Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.) the issue is sets up the mystery and it’s a doozy. I wasn’t expecting the body count (or some in the count, one I had never heard of so big emotion there). 2 of the victims....a surprise and doesn’t set well with me. No doubt the big three indeed have a crisis on their hands. The art is gorgeous. Clay Mann depicts Smallville in all its rural glory and the colors complement his work. Superman looks very Reeves-esque in a couple of panels. Also I did love the cover of my issue depicting Superman’s death. Not a bad start and I do enjoy a mystery although this reminds me of Identity Crisis.
Art 10/10
Story 6/10
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 27, 2018 10:49:57 GMT -5
I braced myself for the James Robinson writing quirks and read this in the car right after I got it so I could get it out of the way in the late morning and not potentially ruin the afternoon or evening. It's actually not that bad. Certainly not any worse than most of what's been going on in Detective Comics since Rebirth started. Oh, sure, there's some cringeworthy dialogue here and there; this is James Robinson, after all. But nothing as bad as my least favorite scenes in Starman or Squadron Supreme. We'll just have to cross our fingers and see how "Deface the Face" develops in future issues. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 27, 2018 10:59:03 GMT -5
I sometimes pick up the True Believer reprints, even if it's something I have already read. They are only a dollar. I give them to people I know who love the Marvel movies but haven't read the comics. Or sometimes it's nice to have a portable copy of an old favorite story. Or sometimes, they reprint something I've never read. I saw Hero for Hire #1 yesterday and I initially just passed it by because I was thinking I'd read it. But I thought about it for a minute and I wasn't sure I'd read it. I've read a few early issues of Hero for Hire and Power Man, here and there, but I couldn't think of where I'd read the first issue. Maybe I saw his origin somewhere but I never read the first issue? So I looked at the True Believer reprint and I'm pretty sure I never read this. So much blaxploitation fun! Love that George Tuska art! I'm glad I picked this up! Also, it took forever to read it! Bronze Age captions go on and on! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2018 23:09:15 GMT -5
Terrifics #8 by Eagelsham, Lemire, and Atiyeh:
The team find themselves in another dimension along with Tom Strong and in this place, they are cured! Phantom Girl can become tangible/intangible at will and the bond that forces the team together is gone. Tom brings the team up to speed as they split up to help search for his family and associate. Rex, Element Dog, and Phantom Girl end up in an Aztec style dimension (and do I detect a bit of crush with these 2?), Plastic Man and Neuman end up in a hilarious talking animal world straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Mr. Terrific and Tom end up on the main earth in Slaughter Swamp. There is a quick interlude with Java and Sapphire too. The art--detail, backgrounds, all of it--Eaglesham delivers! Lots of nice quick moments between the characters although this issue moves along fairly quickly. This series reminds me why I love comics: excellent creative team, interesting characters that work and play well off each other, and most of all--FUN!
10/10
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2018 12:10:46 GMT -5
Terrifics #8 by Eagelsham, Lemire, and Atiyeh: The team find themselves in another dimension along with Tom Strong and in this place, they are cured! Phantom Girl can become tangible/intangible at will and the bond that forces the team together is gone. Tom brings the team up to speed as they split up to help search for his family and associate. Rex, Element Dog, and Phantom Girl end up in an Aztec style dimension (and do I detect a bit of crush with these 2?), Plastic Man and Neuman end up in a hilarious talking animal world straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Mr. Terrific and Tom end up on the main earth in Slaughter Swamp. There is a quick interlude with Java and Sapphire too. The art--detail, backgrounds, all of it--Eaglesham delivers! Lots of nice quick moments between the characters although this issue moves along fairly quickly. This series reminds me why I love comics: excellent creative team, interesting characters that work and play well off each other, and most of all--FUN! 10/10 I need to step up and start attacking this series. Up to 8 issues ... I should be ashamed of myself here. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 19:12:00 GMT -5
 Action Comics #1003. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Yanick Paquette. Cover by Patrick Gleason. The Good: While Bendis has been underwhelming on the Superman title he has been outstanding here in Action Comics. The story of the Red Mist continues. One of the new Planet reporters gets a hold of some Kryptonite and Clark becomes "ill" at work worrying everyone. However when the reporter leaves the Planet Batman is waiting for her and takes the Kryptonite away from her. We also get some other scenes at the Planet, more Red Mist and Lois Lane has a visitor... Lex Luthor! Bendis is just superb on the this title. The pacing. The "voices" of all the characters. Building the story about the Red Mist. Paquette turns in some nice art that complements the story well which leads me to... The Bad: After only 2 issues of the best art Gleason has ever done he is gone from this title for an undisclosed upcoming project. At least we are still getting some high quality art by Paquette this issue & Ryan Sook starting next month. 9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 19:21:56 GMT -5
 The Terrifics #8. Written by Jeff Lemire. Art and Cover by Dale Eaglesham. As @mrjupiter said in his review this was another excellent issue. The group rescues Tom Strong then splits up to save Strong's allies in other dimensions leading to a fun Silver Age styled story. Lemire has made this title one of DC's best right now. I only have one complaint: we get a different artist every 2 issues. Eaglesham did an amazing job but after last issue and this one he is off to draw Shazam! With #9 we get Viktor Bogdanovic... the 5th artist since this series started!
9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 19:32:27 GMT -5
 Amazing Spider-Man #6.Written by Nick Spencer. Art and Cover by Humberto Ramos. I'm not sure how Boomerang ended up being one of Peter's room mates but this issue focuses on him. At first he interrupts Peter & MJ time together. Then later he drags Peter to the Bar With No Name (a super villain hangout where no fighting is allowed). Why? Because Boomerang figures Peter can win a Spider-Man trivia game (since Peter used to "take pictures of Spider-Man" & "Spidey was Peter's bodyguard" at Parker Industries). Of course Peter wins but Boomerang has another hidden agenda.... After the weak ending to the last arc I started this issue with some trepidation but I really enjoyed it. Fun issue! 8/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 29, 2018 19:38:14 GMT -5
Action Comics #1003 Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Yanick Paquette Summary: Ms. Goode goes out and gets herself some grade-A Krytonite...but is it really for a story or is there more going on?
Plot: Despite my distaste for his work on Superman I've really been enjoying Bendis' mystery here in Action Comics, and while this particular issue felt a little like filler it had its moments and over all the story is still a lot of fun. Superman is a character that is a lot of fun when involved in big, over the top, world saving adventures but he also works well in small, street level stories as well and that's what Bendis has been focusing on here and he's been doing a great job. I've loved the look he's given us of what the under world is like in Metropolis and the strategies they take to avoid Big Blue's detection and the mystery over the new villain has been played really tightly...but that was all missing in this issue and what we got in this issue: Goode getting Kryptonite, Clark then getting sick at the planet and then Batman stealing the Kryptonite back , didn't really move anything forward or give any insight into Clark or his struggles. That said, the actual scene where Batman mugs Goode was fun.
Art: Paquette wasn't given a whole lot to work with here but I love the way he draws the characters, especially Batman, they just look suitably larger than life which is just perfect for a superhero book.
Grade: 6/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 19:41:03 GMT -5
 X-O Manowar #19. Written by Matt Kindt. Art by Juan Jose Ryp. Cover by Kenneth Rocafort. The 75th issue of X-O MANOWAR since 2012. Finally the story returns to present day earth. Basically alien invaders arrive on Earth and the government tries to convince Aric to protect humanity as X-O. A nice set up for a new direction for the title. Good story, art and concept. My only complaint was the story was a little light and a really quick read.
7/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 30, 2018 11:10:44 GMT -5
Justice League Dark #3Written by James Tynion IV Art by Alvaro Bueno Summary: Dr. Fate's betrayal bears fruit as the path to the Otherplace opens wide and out steps...the Upside-Down Man.
Plot: While I'm still enjoying the team Tynion has assembled, and the character work he gave us with Zatana this issue was fantastic the deus ex machinca style conclusion he provided to the threat of the Upside-Down Man was a major let down. I get that giving Diana some hitherto unknown magic power gives the book something further to explore but the way it was unpacked so casually here made it feel like something tacked on at the last second rather than a natural development. Hopefully this is just a minor hick up and things smooth out in the future.
Art: Bueno is as fantastic as always here, his characters and action are just perfect. I think my favorite bit though was how he portrayed the reality altering powers of the Upside-Down Man, the way he portrayed him as literally pulling reality as if it were a fabric with all the wrinkles that would entail was totally fun and very inventive.
Grade:6/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 30, 2018 12:24:24 GMT -5
Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men #2Written by Evan Dorkin Art by Benjamin Dewey Summary: After suffering serious injuries to their team the dogs none the less continue the trail to a farm where they finder a greater darkness...
Plot: The issue(and the series in general) is simple in its plot but don't let that fool you as Dorkin uses the extra room that the stripped down plot allows him to deliver an entirely effective yarn with real emotional impact, thoughtful dialogue and a touch of that trademark animal-based humor that cuts through all but the darkest bits and makes this book a real pleasure to read.
Speaking of those dark moments...they are here in full force. The first issue was shocking in the peripheral, with jumps just out of sight but here in this issue Dorkin brings those shadows to the forefront as the world that's been so artfully created over all these years is set to be torn asunder by a still unseen force that leaves us hanging, intrigued and eager for more rather than confused or lacking. Dorkin has us wrapped around his finger by the issue’s end not because he exaggerates unnecessary elements to catch our attention, or revels in stringing us along, but because everything here feels deserved and worthwhile.
Art: What's great about Dewey's style is that it's equally well suited for the light as it is the dark; there's a fantastic balance to his work that fits so well here as he handles the expressions of the characters in their tender moments as well as when the heat is on. More over, the coloring is just astounding and equally balanced as the peaceful greens, oranges and blues of the calmer moments contrast perfectly with the deeper blacks, reds, and grays of the horrific set pieces...and all with out feeling jarring, it's all so natural and that's just stunning.
Grade: 10/10 |
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 30, 2018 14:14:06 GMT -5
Heroes in Crisis #1 by King, Mann, and Morey: This series will be a tough sell to me as I absolutely detest Harley Quinn...but I do like Booster Gold. Apparently the two of them are somehow involved in some brutal events at Sanctuary ( a robotic psychiatric hospital/treatment center for Super heroes created by Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.) the issue is sets up the mystery and it’s a doozy. I wasn’t expecting the body count (or some in the count, one I had never heard of so big emotion there). 2 of the victims....a surprise and doesn’t set well with me. No doubt the big three indeed have a crisis on their hands. The art is gorgeous. Clay Mann depicts Smallville in all its rural glory and the colors complement his work. Superman looks very Reeves-esque in a couple of panels. Also I did love the cover of my issue depicting Superman’s death. Not a bad start and I do enjoy a mystery although this reminds me of Identity Crisis. Art 10/10 Story 6/10 I had to look at the book a few times to really see what was going on. It's intriguing and I have too confess, I wanted BG to snap Quinns neck. |
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 30, 2018 14:15:10 GMT -5
Action Comics #1003Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Yanick Paquette Summary: Ms. Goode goes out and gets herself some grade-A Krytonite...but is it really for a story or is there more going on?
Plot: Despite my distaste for his work on Superman I've really been enjoying Bendis' mystery here in Action Comics, and while this particular issue felt a little like filler it had its moments and over all the story is still a lot of fun. Superman is a character that is a lot of fun when involved in big, over the top, world saving adventures but he also works well in small, street level stories as well and that's what Bendis has been focusing on here and he's been doing a great job. I've loved the look he's given us of what the under world is like in Metropolis and the strategies they take to avoid Big Blue's detection and the mystery over the new villain has been played really tightly...but that was all missing in this issue and what we got in this issue: Goode getting Kryptonite, Clark then getting sick at the planet and then Batman stealing the Kryptonite back , didn't really move anything forward or give any insight into Clark or his struggles. That said, the actual scene where Batman mugs Goode was fun.
Art: Paquette wasn't given a whole lot to work with here but I love the way he draws the characters, especially Batman, they just look suitably larger than life which is just perfect for a superhero book.
Grade: 6/10 Bendis is hitting it out of the park with his Superman and Action books. The Batman cameo was brilliant. |
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