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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 22, 2020 8:22:38 GMT -5
It's Wednesday so that means new comics and new reviews here at... OFF THE RACKS |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 22, 2020 12:34:31 GMT -5
Usagi Yojimbo #10Written and Illustrated by Stan Sakai Summary: Usagi runs into trouble when he learns that his loyalty to his former Lord literally marks him as a wanted man.
Plot: This is the kind of story I've been waiting for ever since Stan brought Usagi back from its hiatus under the IDW banner. Sure, the brief adventures that preceded this issue were fun, and we did see one of my favorite supporting characters but it all sort of felt a little like treading water but with the start of this story we saw the makings of some real character progression for our favorite rabbit ronin. There were hints of his journey home early on with a retelling of the Goblin of Adachigahara in issue six and since then there have been multiple mentions of Lord Mifune and Usagi's home village leading to Usagi getting into a fierce duel with a group of bounty hunters who see an old Mifune loyalist as an easy mark. With his injuries leading Usagi into a trance like state at the end of the issue I'm looking forward to seeing how Usagi's reflections on his past and his visit to his home will effect his journey afterwards.
Art: As always Sakai's art is fantastic in the latest issue. I loved the fluid action and the contrast with the scenic riverside made it seem incredibly cinematic, leading one to buy into the feeling that big things are on their way.
Grade:10/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 22, 2020 17:09:49 GMT -5
Doctor Aphra #2Written by Alyssa Wong Art by Marika Cresta Summary: Dr. Aphra and her crew are off on a quest to locate the mysterious Rings of Vaale but find only trouble instead.
Plot: As much as I like the concept of Doctor Aphra and her Indiana Jones in space like adventures this comic is more than a little disappointing. At first I thought my feelings about the pacing of this issue were due to the long gap between the first issue and today but after reading the two books back to back it didn't improve anything. The plot itself goes from moving at a snails pace to light speed in the course of a page at the end but without any feeling of why, other than a few cave paintings about the rings here we don't have a feeling of what they are or why our characters are after them...and although I just finished reading it a few short moments ago I couldn't tell you the names of any of the new supporting characters or even a one or two word description of their personalities; they're beyond bland. It's a real shame, the character was fantastic in the past, easily the best part of Marvel's relaunch of Star Wars so to see it fall so far is disheartening.
Art: Cresta doesn't really improve my feelings on the book, nothing she does is terrible but it's just kind of there which doesn't do anything to enliven the already bland plot.
Grade:4/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2020 10:18:02 GMT -5
 Shazam! #13. Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Dale Eaglesham. This issue we find out the truth of Billy's father. And Billy finally confronts Mr Mind... Plus a lot of other villains appear. This issue was pretty good. If other issues had been this good the series would have been great. It's too bad delays killed this title. Also Johns' pacing was "off" in this series. 8/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2020 10:24:05 GMT -5
 Daredevil #21. Written by Chip Zdarsky. Art by Marco Checchetto. Matt finally suits up in his red costume. But not to go back into action as DD but to be arrested by the police. Foggy helps him but DD still ends up in jail. Nice work by the creative team. This has a long time getting there but the journey has been great. I can't wait to see how DD gets his name cleared and returns to the streets to fight crime. 8/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2020 15:51:37 GMT -5
Shazam! #13. Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Dale Eaglesham. This issue we find out the truth of Billy's father. And Billy finally confronts Mr Mind... Plus a lot of other villains appear. This issue was pretty good. If other issues had been this good the series would have been great. It's too bad delays killed this title. Also Johns' pacing was "off" in this series. 8/10. I'm hoping this gets a new creative team, I'd jump on for sure then. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 16:33:30 GMT -5
Shazam! #13. Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Dale Eaglesham. This issue we find out the truth of Billy's father. And Billy finally confronts Mr Mind... Plus a lot of other villains appear. This issue was pretty good. If other issues had been this good the series would have been great. It's too bad delays killed this title. Also Johns' pacing was "off" in this series. 8/10. I'm hoping this gets a new creative team, I'd jump on for sure then. #15 is the last issue. Delays killed sales. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jul 24, 2020 16:35:01 GMT -5
 Billionaire Island #3. Mark Russell and Steven Pugh. After issue number 2 being seriously delayed by COVID, number 3 comes out super quick. This is Russell at his best and most acerbic. He is definitely the current king of satire comics. This is aimed straight at the heart of the 1% and the capitalist system. And the last page is a dagger to the heart of the system. If you loved Snagglepuss or The Flintstones you do not want to miss this one. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2020 17:41:12 GMT -5
I'm hoping this gets a new creative team, I'd jump on for sure then. #15 is the last issue. Delays killed sales. Aw man that stinks, it's a great concept this run just wasn't executed right. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2020 17:41:57 GMT -5
Billionaire Island #3. Mark Russell and Steven Pugh. After issue number 2 being seriously delayed by COVID, number 3 comes out super quick. This is Russell at his best and most acerbic. He is definitely the current king of satire comics. This is aimed straight at the heart of the 1% and the capitalist system. And the last page is a dagger to the heart of the system. If you loved Snagglepuss or The Flintstones you do not want to miss this one. I had no idea this existed, I may have to go back and start from the start. |
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Post by sabongero on Jul 24, 2020 21:21:10 GMT -5
Billionaire Island #3. Mark Russell and Steven Pugh. After issue number 2 being seriously delayed by COVID, number 3 comes out super quick. This is Russell at his best and most acerbic. He is definitely the current king of satire comics. This is aimed straight at the heart of the 1% and the capitalist system. And the last page is a dagger to the heart of the system. If you loved Snagglepuss or The Flintstones you do not want to miss this one. I accidentally came across this series after reading a Flintstones comic book that was totally different than what I expected given my familiarity with the iconic cartoon versions. I will agree that the three issues so far has been a "Russell-icious" read. It is thought-provoking and fantastic satire at its best. I look forward to reading more issues in the future, and hopefully it continues for a very long time. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Jul 26, 2020 19:52:57 GMT -5
BATGIRL #47 By Cecil Castellucci, Robbi Rodriguez and Giuseppe Camuncoli Ugh. Another Bat-Family cross-over. Again with the Joker. Again Batgirl has to be victimized by the Clown Prince of Crime, who used to be able to muster up a little variety. Again, she's caught flat-footed in her own home! This story is so depressing for its lack of imagination. Yes, she manages to fight back a little more effectively than in The Killing Joke, so … good for Babs? I also got Detective Comics #1024 and I guess I'll have to give it a few points for not being as bad as Batgirl #47. But I don't much feel like writing a separate review. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2020 21:25:57 GMT -5
 Green Lantern: 80 Years of the Emerald Knight.Stories starring the various Green Lanterns. Starting with Alan Scott in 1940 and test pilot Hal Jordan in 1959. John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz and other Green Lantern Corps members plus Green Arrow. I have been really enjoying these HC's DC has been publishing. They all highlight stories over their 80+ year history of some of their biggest characters. This one was the first that I had not read all the stories in the past. GL has not been a hero I picked up consistently (unlike Superman, Batman and Flash). I hope to get the rest as they come out. I am hoping Marvel does something similar in 2022 to celebrate 60 years of their biggest heroes. 9/10. |
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