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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 22, 2020 15:56:37 GMT -5
OFF THE RACKSReal reviews from real readers  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 22, 2020 17:06:31 GMT -5
Batman #86Written by James Tynion IV Art by Guillem March Summary: As Bruce Wayne starts to rebuild Gotham a mysterious villain is gathering Batman's most dangerous foes to take him down.
Plot: Hello, my name is Bill and I'm a lapsed Batman reader. It's been eight years since I regularly picked up the continuing adventures of Bruce Wayne and although I've tried to get back on the wagon a few times now but it just never stuck.
Okay, so my "addiction" isn't that bad but I did have an uninterrupted collection of Batman comics stretching back until the early 90's right up until Snyder's Death of the Family arc killed my interest with unending and over the top events. Sure, I've picked up arcs since then, I actually liked the bit where Jim Gordon was briefly Batman, and I tried King as well with Rebirth but my my interest just never came back like it once did. I don't know if Tynion will be any different, as his story so far has echos of Hush with a mysterious enemy bringing together Batman's greatest foes to take him on but the characterization was strong and I liked the focus on Penguin and how he was evidently the one who originally came up with the plan to beat Batman so I'm hoping the story turns out well.
Art: While March's facial figures occasionally and inexplicably look like those of heavily wrinkled octogenarians, he has a great handle on the dark and foreboding feel of Gotham and his Batman is imposing without looking like a muscle bound freak.
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by Hoosier X on Jan 23, 2020 0:24:08 GMT -5
I was really glad that the "Year of the Villain" cross-over was over because Batgirl had to fight a villainess called the Oracle who was really terrible and I really wanted to see Batgirl back on track. But Batgirl #43 was way worse than the Oracle storyline! Ugh!
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Post by profholt82 on Jan 23, 2020 12:11:51 GMT -5
Batman 87
Writer: James Tynion IV
Art: Guillem March
I actually found the set up established in the last issue (Tynion's first) more intriguing than what we got this issue. 86 focused on Bruce's burdegeoning working relationship with Lucius Fox, and his grand plan for Gotham while some of Batman's enemies consolidated in the background. This issue all but scrapped the Lucius and grand plan plotlines, save for a line or two, and gave us a bit more detail regarding the antagonist players. The Penguin appearance was nothing short of fabulous while everything else ran sort of flat for me. I wish there had been a smoother transition from the last issue to this one, and as it is, this issue is still almost pure exposition anyhow with little in the way of action. And the execution of this exposition (try saying that 3 times), leaves much to be desired, as we're still very much in the dark about what is going on. So this issue doesn't exactly stand on its own so much as it feels like a chapter in a larger graphic novel.
The art is brilliant throughout this book. March has a real feel for the dark, grittiness, yet somewhat surreal fantastical setting of Gotham. And his characters are full of detail, you can see his passion in his work.
All in all, I'm still on board for this new run for the time being, but I was rather disappointed by this issue, particularly after how much I enjoyed 86.
High 5/Low 6 outta 10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 23, 2020 16:13:44 GMT -5
Batman 87Writer: James Tynion IV Art: Guillem March I actually found the set up established in the last issue (Tynion's first) more intriguing than what we got this issue. 86 focused on Bruce's burdegeoning working relationship with Lucius Fox, and his grand plan for Gotham while some of Batman's enemies consolidated in the background. This issue all but scrapped the Lucius and grand plan plotlines, save for a line or two, and gave us a bit more detail regarding the antagonist players. The Penguin appearance was nothing short of fabulous while everything else ran sort of flat for me. I wish there had been a smoother transition from the last issue to this one, and as it is, this issue is still almost pure exposition anyhow with little in the way of action. And the execution of this exposition (try saying that 3 times), leaves much to be desired, as we're still very much in the dark about what is going on. So this issue doesn't exactly stand on its own so much as it feels like a chapter in a larger graphic novel. The art is brilliant throughout this book. March has a real feel for the dark, grittiness, yet somewhat surreal fantastical setting of Gotham. And his characters are full of detail, you can see his passion in his work. All in all, I'm still on board for this new run for the time being, but I was rather disappointed by this issue, particularly after how much I enjoyed 86. High 5/Low 6 outta 10 86 was definitely the stronger of the two, but I read both back to back as I wasn't aware there was a change in the creative team until you reviewed it the other week. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 23, 2020 17:49:13 GMT -5
Hellblazer #3Written by Simon Spurrier Art by Aaron Campbell Summary: Constantine defeats the mad William Blake obsessed demon in order to free Noah from his gang affiliation.
Plot: Spurrier continues to expand on the new world of Constantine and it's new supporting cast and I'm falling more in love with each successive issue. I wasn't sure how I'd like a world with out Chas but Noah is proving to be an interesting friend and foil for Constantine and the cop and the bouncer are great too. It's not all a rosey world tough as John still lies and cheats to get what he wants, and the cunning he showed here by manipulating the homeless guy was a classic dick move. All in all it retains the spirit of the old Hellblazer book while at the same time feeling fresh and new.
Art: Campbell handles both the superatural aspects like the angels and the real world aspects equally well, which only serves to heighten the other worldliness of the supernatural all the more which is a great trick.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 23, 2020 20:59:34 GMT -5
Guardians of the Galaxy #1Written by Al Ewing Art by Juan Cabal Summary: The Olympian gods have gone mad and only Nova, Rocket and Star Lord seem willing to take them on.
Plot: Ever since they we reinvented by Abnett and Laning I've loved the concept of the Guardians of the Galaxy if not always the book itself. I say that because although I absolutely love the eclectic cast characters the book employs and the cosmic world they inhabit, I almost always get burnt out on the book itself rather quickly because it's almost always one big cosmic event crossover book after another after another and I just can't make myself get invested in that kind of story anymore. I jumped onto this book due to Ewing's take on the Hulk, but at first glance he isn't doing anything new or exciting with the concept; it's yet another cosmic event with world weary heroes who keep saying they're sick of universe ending events but still end up fighting them anyway. What's more, although it's a new start it relies heavily on past events and since I hate events I had no idea what they were referring to...but it didn't seem to matter as it didn't really seem to actually impact anything, it just seemed to be pointless continuity porn which was disappointing. I'm giving it one more issue based on Ewing's ability to subvert expectations with the Hulk, but no more than that. I like the guy's writing, but not so much so that he gets a lot of slack.
Art: On the bright side I really liked Cabal's art, it was angular and great at action which fit the fast paced, action movie feel t the story perfectly.
Grade:6/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2020 21:27:44 GMT -5
 Wonder Woman #750.A 96 page (with no ads) celebration of Wonder Woman. 8 stories by a variety of creators that vary in quality showcasing WW in different settings. Some are by previous creators like Greg Rucka & Gail Simone & Nicola Scott. Some are by "new" creators on WW like Mariko Tamaki & Phil Hester. The book starts with the creative team of Steve Orlando & Jesus Merino wrapping up the recent arc with Cheetah. The last story is by Scott Snyder and Bryan Hitch telling the "new" history of the DCU set in 1939 establishing Wonder Woman as the first super hero. Time will tell whether this change will be embraced by fans or quickly discarded. As I said the rest of the stories varied in quality. This book was similar in style to Action #1000 and Detective #1000. Overall it was a nice thick book that was great to spend some time reading. 7/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2020 21:41:16 GMT -5
 Superman #19. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Ivan Reis. One day after Superman reveals his ID as Clark Kent. This issue shows what happens at the Daily Planet. Do I think the reactions are realistic? No but I don't read comics expecting realism. It fits Superman and his eternal optimism. So it is pretty upbeat. And I felt Bendis did a great job avoiding the downside of the ID reveal (at least for now). Then Mongul crashes the meeting of the new United Planets and Superman gets a beat down. Nice uplifting story. Nice fight scene. Great looking art. 8/10. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Jan 23, 2020 23:40:19 GMT -5
Wonder Woman #750.A 96 page (with no ads) celebration of Wonder Woman. 8 stories by a variety of creators that vary in quality showcasing WW in different settings. Some are by previous creators like Greg Rucka & Gail Simone. Some are by "new" creators on WW like Mariko Tamaki. The book starts with the creative team of Steve Orlando & Jesus Merino wrapping up the recent arc with Cheetah. The last story is by Scott Snyder and Bryan Hitch telling the "new" history of the DCU set in 1939 establishing Wonder Woman as the first super hero. As I said the rest of the stories varied in quality. This book was similar in style to Action #1000 and Detective #1000. Overall it was a nice thick book that was great to spend some time reading. 7/10. I got this yesterday but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I got the mod Wonder Woman cover because it was the only one left at the comic shop. I looked at the other covers online and the mod WW cover is one of the better ones! |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jan 24, 2020 15:48:44 GMT -5
Hellblazer #3Written by Simon Spurrier Art by Aaron Campbell Summary: Constantine defeats the mad William Blake obsessed demon in order to free Noah from his gang affiliation.
Plot: Spurrier continues to expand on the new world of Constantine and it's new supporting cast and I'm falling more in love with each successive issue. I wasn't sure how I'd like a world with out Chas but Noah is proving to be an interesting friend and foil for Constantine and the cop and the bouncer are great too. It's not all a rosey world tough as John still lies and cheats to get what he wants, and the cunning he showed here by manipulating the homeless guy was a classic dick move. All in all it retains the spirit of the old Hellblazer book while at the same time feeling fresh and new.
Art: Campbell handles both the superatural aspects like the angels and the real world aspects equally well, which only serves to heighten the other worldliness of the supernatural all the more which is a great trick.
Grade:10/10 No Chas? Has someone decided so send him down the "sidekick used as cannon fodder" road? That would be a bummer. Chas is a great character. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 25, 2020 6:54:07 GMT -5
Hellblazer #3Written by Simon Spurrier Art by Aaron Campbell Summary: Constantine defeats the mad William Blake obsessed demon in order to free Noah from his gang affiliation.
Plot: Spurrier continues to expand on the new world of Constantine and it's new supporting cast and I'm falling more in love with each successive issue. I wasn't sure how I'd like a world with out Chas but Noah is proving to be an interesting friend and foil for Constantine and the cop and the bouncer are great too. It's not all a rosey world tough as John still lies and cheats to get what he wants, and the cunning he showed here by manipulating the homeless guy was a classic dick move. All in all it retains the spirit of the old Hellblazer book while at the same time feeling fresh and new.
Art: Campbell handles both the superatural aspects like the angels and the real world aspects equally well, which only serves to heighten the other worldliness of the supernatural all the more which is a great trick.
Grade:10/10 No Chas? Has someone decided so send him down the "sidekick used as cannon fodder" road? That would be a bummer. Chas is a great character. He just doesn't exist in the new continuity. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2020 1:58:57 GMT -5
No Chas? Has someone decided so send him down the "sidekick used as cannon fodder" road? That would be a bummer. Chas is a great character. He just doesn't exist in the new continuity. Did I miss something? I thought he died in the Sandman Presents: Hellblazer #1. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 26, 2020 9:42:22 GMT -5
He just doesn't exist in the new continuity. Did I miss something? I thought he died in the Sandman Presents: Hellblazer #1. True enough, he died twice really but neither one was really the Chas we knew |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 26, 2020 10:16:36 GMT -5
Far Sector #3Written by N.K. Jemisin Art by Jamal Campbell Summary: Tensions come to a boil between groups with emotions and those with out as Jo desperately tries for peace.
Plot: Jemisin has done some amazing world building in the past two issues but she really blew the roof off with this one. While I would say the previous issues have hinted at current event topics, it did so in an almost subdued, apolitical tone...one that Far Sector #3 forgoes completely as it dives headfirst into the topic of police brutality and the modern debate on the very notion of law and order. There’s a real, concentrated effort here to show how groups of people are victimized and oppressed in the name of Law and Order, highlighted clearly by images of the Manzanar Relocation Center, a Richard Nixon campaign button and depiction of the famous “Bring Back The Death Penalty” advertisement that Donald Trump put in the NY Times. However, what I found really impressive though was that while these issues aren’t tiptoed around, they are also not presented as obtrusive to the overall story Jo's investigation in the City Enduring. It's a commentary on real life to be sure, as good sci-fi often is, but it isn't a shadow play aping a moralization; it has purpose, intense characterization and a great sense of action and adventure that really keeps you engrossed.
Art: Jamal Campbell's art continues to be as breathtaking as it always has been through out the first two issues. Not only do the characters look remarkable on every page, but the art and colors are dynamic throughout and filled with beautiful details. On top of all that we finally get to see Jo do some interesting ring constructs here, while her big walls of energy at first seem nondiscript they subtly grow more detailed with each panel, becoming gradually adorned with peace symbols, flowers, olive branches and other calming slogans of peace as she tries to calm the two warring factions. That minimalist take isn't just beautiful, it also serves to tell us about Jo's personality in a great visual way.
Grade:10/10 |
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