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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 11:55:32 GMT -5
OFF THE RACKS!! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 15:48:06 GMT -5
Endless Winter Parts #4-5(Aquaman #66 and Justice League #58) Written by Andy Lanning and Ron Marz Art by Mendel Mendoca and Xermanco Summary: Mera and Aquaman liberate Atlantis and gain new allies while the Justice League regroups their forces at the Hall.
Plot: The Aquaman chapter is another like last week's Flash and Superman chapters that give us a snap shot of how the blizzard is affecting them and their loved ones and even the first half of Justice League is the same; ceding the pages to focus on John Stewart. While these each contain solid character moments which are necessary to make the plot feel like it holds real treats for the heroes they really should have been condensed into one special because the plot just isn't moving forward fast enough. On top of that, while I enjoy the flashbacks to the ancient Proto-Justice League it kind of comes off as an info dump about the Frost King's origin rather than a proper story and there's no connective tissue to the main story making them feel pretty hollow. This event had a tenuous grasp on me to start but it's quickly lost even that. I think I'll take a wait and see approach to the next installment.
Art: Both artists are serviceable but both lack any real sense of omph to make them really interesting.
Grade:6/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 16:23:19 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #41Written by Al Ewing Art by Joe Bennett Summary: As the Thing and Joe Fixit catch up over hotdogs on Coney Island the Leader escapes through the Green Door.
Plot: Though both the introduction and conclusion of the issue were solid Ewing's latest chapter strangely fizzles out in the middle. While the whole concept of the Hulk and the Thing sitting down and talking about the nature of suffering over hotdogs is a fantastic idea and it started out amazingly well Ewing showed a fatal flaw in his writing: he just doesn't have the needed life experiences to answer the questions he raises. It's all well and fine to parallel the biblical story of Job to the trials and tribulations both the Thing and the Hulk have been put through over the years but if you can't finish the metaphor with a real philosophical answer to what the Hulk should get out of the story the Thing tells him it all falls terribly flat and feels like the writer is reaching too far to make his story seem deeper and more intelligent than it actually is. The sad part is, with the death and rebirth that both the Hulk and the Thing have experienced and the idea of the green door that Ewing has been working on through his whole run there is the definite opportunity for Job's story to connect with these two heroes in a meaningful way and while Ewing sets it up he just didn't deliver it on the page. The story will no doubt recover, but this was a strange and glaring misstep to be sure.
Art: While I usually look forward to the gross out moments that Bennett regularly delivers with his art( and his design for the Leader definitely delvers that!) I really loved the quiet moments between the Thing and the Hulk in this issue. Bennett's depiction of the Thing in particular was absolutely amazing, a lot of artists struggle with giving the ever loving, blue eyed Thing a real range of emotions but Bennett was able to not only let you see what the Thing was thinking and feeling visually but he was able to do it with out sacrificing any of the Thing's signature craggy look. If ever there was a new Thing ongoing, I'd want Bennett to be on art for sure.
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 18:09:04 GMT -5
Iron Man #4Written by Christopher Cantwell Art by Cafu Summary: Tony and Patsy are hiding out licking their wounds while Korvac sets his sight on attaining supreme power again
Plot: I had been really digging Cantwell's take on a more grounded Iron Man for the last three issues but with this latest issue the wheels totally fell off the wagon as Cantwell delivered a nearly unreadable issue. The down fall started on the very first page as we learn that Rhodey has been abducted and Tony is on the news saying he's letting the authorities handle it. I mean, what the heck is that? But the really dumb emotionally devoid reasoning for Tony not looking for his longtime friend aside Cantwell compounds that mistake by not only having the abduction take place off page thus sapping it of any drama but when we finally catch up with Rhodey as Korvac's prisoner we're given a really weak reason for his motivation for capturing Rhodey...to draw Stark out. Normally that wouldn't be terrible as far as villain plans go but if the news media can ind Stark and ask him about Rhodey...why does Korvac need to draw him out? It makes zero sense, and sadly the rest doesn't get any better as we learn that Korvac has done all this brainwashing of D-List Iron Man villains so he can go to Galactus' world ship for some reason. And on top of all that Patsy goes from Tony's conscience which was a legitimately interesting development to hollow conquest with out any build up.
So yeah, just a mess from start to finish. Consider this officially dropped.
Art: It's really a crying shame that Cafu is tied to this book, his art is absolutely amazing but Cantwell just can't deliver a story worthy of it.
Grade:4/10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2020 18:40:05 GMT -5
 Superman #28. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado. Bendis' run on Superman concludes with this issue. And it ends with a whimper. Another new Bendis creation the Synmar "capture" Superman and his allies end up coming to his aid. Also a sub plot with Lana Lang and Lois Lane. Bendis' run started with some promise but with uninspired villains like Rogol Zaar, aging Jon and having him join the Legion, the United Planets, Superman revealing his Clark ID... all ideas with promise but just stopped short of fulfilling their potential. At least Ivan Reis provided his excellent art plus hopefully new creators can realize the potential in some of Bendis' ideas. 5/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 18:43:52 GMT -5
Superman #28. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado. Bendis' run on Superman concludes with this issue. And it ends with a whimper. Another new Bendis creation the Synmar "capture" Superman and his allies end up coming to his aid. Also a sub plot with Lana Lang and Lois Lane. Bendis' run started with some promise but with uninspired villains like Rogol Zaar, aging Jon and having him join the Legion, the United Planets, Superman revealing his Clark ID... all ideas with promise but just stopped short of fulfilling their potential. At least Ivan Reis provided his excellent art plus hopefully new creators can realize the potential in some of Bendis' ideas. 5/10. I'm hoping the next writer just ignores everything Bendis did and goes about like it never happened. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2020 18:47:04 GMT -5
 Iron Man #4. Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by CAFU. I agree with thwhtguardian review. The first 3 issues of this series were great and with this issue things went off the rails. It was confusing at times and Cantwell fell back into old clichés. Why couldn't Tony have had a friendship relationship with a woman (Hellcat) without it becoming another one of his sexual relationships. Korvac is a boring villain. Rhodey's kidnapping was just dumb. CAFU's art is awesome. Ugh. 4/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 18:52:09 GMT -5
Iron Man #4. Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by CAFU. I agree with thwhtguardian review. The first 3 issues of this series were great and with this issue things went off the rails. It was confusing at times and Cantwell fell back into old clichés. Why couldn't Tony have had a friendship relationship with a woman (Hellcat) without it becoming another one of his sexual relationships. Korvac is a boring villain. Rhodey's kidnapping was just dumb. CAFU's art is awesome. Ugh. 4/10. This is one of those issues that is just so, so bad on multiple levels that I can't believe the editor let it pass. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2020 18:53:31 GMT -5
 Immortal Hulk #41. Written by Al Ewing. Art by Joe Bennett. I liked this issue. It was such an atypical Thing vs Hulk match up. I liked the discussion between Ben & Hulk. I liked the whole interaction. Ewing can write the Thing well and Bennett just nailed the art as thwhtguardian stated. Just beautiful work on the Thing. Maybe after Ewing & Bennett conclude their 50 issue run on Hulk they can do a Thing series. 8/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 19:33:34 GMT -5
Barbalien: Red Planet #2Written by Tate Brombal and Jeff Lemire Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta Summary: LGBT activist Miguel, who Markz rescued earlier, leads Markz through the gay underground. Plot: In this second issue Brombal and Lemire lose some of the mojo they brought to the page in their introductory issue last month. While the characterization of Markz and the new supporting cast continues to be extremely strong and the concept of Barbalien exploring his sexuality against the rise of the AIDS pandemic is definitely a great plot device...but the execution here was just lacking. It was really weird reading this issue after discussing my feelings on the short comings of comics in the Golden Age over on the Third Day of CCF Christmas earlier today with Slam_Bradley and driver1980 only to see that same flaw of over bearing writing rear its ugly head in this issue. There are just so many scenes in this issue where subtle, emotional moments are so thoroughly trampled on by having the characters explain it out right in black in white through wildly unneeded dialogue that I wanted to just pull my hair out. Trust the reader to understand what going on, or failing that at least trust your artist to do their job! Art: Whatever Brombal and Lemire might think of the reading comprehension of us unwashed mass of readers on that second point they really should not have a single worry on their minds as Walta does his job and then some. There's so much beautiful subtly to his art from the facial expressions of the characters to the way Markz stairs silently at his badge that conveys his internal angst and turmoil so much more efficiently and powerfully than any words could ever hope to match...which just makes you frustrated when the dialogue persists in trying here when it has no business getting in the way. Still and all it's a fantastic book and a worthy addition to the Black Hammer Universe. Grade:7/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2020 20:03:25 GMT -5
Superman #28. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado. One run might be ending(thankfully) but another is just beginning in... Challenge of the Super Sons #1Written by Peter J. Tomasi Art by Max Raynor Summary: Damian Wayne and Jon Kent, he sons of Batman and Superman, are back for another action packed adventure.
Plot: As the immortal lyrics of Thin Lizzy state, "Guess who just got back today?Them wild-eyed boys that'd been away...The Boys are Back. The Boys are back in town!" and it's not a moment too late. Bendis' greatest sin at DC was to age up Jon and the ship him off and away from Damian, Superboy and Robin is just such a great concept that it's just madness to squander the potential so it' s great to see Tomasi back to show everyone why these two characters need to stick around. Taking place shortly after the amazing 2018 mini-series Adventures of the Super Sons and ignoring the bumbling convolutions of current DC continuity Tomasi gives us a light hearted romp as Damian and Jon thwart a cheating scam at their school and then while on patrol after school help a nurse get her groceries home before meeting a mysterious flaming woman with proclamations of doom. Where the story goes from here is anyone's guess but its sure to be a great ride.
Art: Unlike the previous iterations of the book this new run is digital only, but Raynor really took advantage of that medium with beautiful wide screen images that are perfect for your screen.
Grade: 8/10
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Post by Dizzy D on Dec 17, 2020 7:59:02 GMT -5
I was looking forward to the new writer on New Mutants and how the series would develop, but we are currently in complete Covid lockdown for the next five weeks, so I will have to develop some patience.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2020 8:42:25 GMT -5
I was looking forward to the new writer on New Mutants and how the series would develop, but we are currently in complete Covid lockdown for the next five weeks, so I will have to develop some patience. Stay safe ! |
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Post by Dizzy D on Dec 17, 2020 11:04:26 GMT -5
I was looking forward to the new writer on New Mutants and how the series would develop, but we are currently in complete Covid lockdown for the next five weeks, so I will have to develop some patience. Stay safe ! On the upside, Humble Bundle has their new yearly Image Comics Bundle with over 80 trades in digital form for ~$20 total so I can have something to spend the time till then. |
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Post by The Captain on Dec 18, 2020 20:46:42 GMT -5
Iron Man #4. Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art by CAFU. I agree with thwhtguardian review. The first 3 issues of this series were great and with this issue things went off the rails. It was confusing at times and Cantwell fell back into old clichés. Why couldn't Tony have had a friendship relationship with a woman (Hellcat) without it becoming another one of his sexual relationships. Korvac is a boring villain. Rhodey's kidnapping was just dumb. CAFU's art is awesome. Ugh. 4/10. Agree with the both of you. I was hoping for something great from this new Iron Man book, but it really is a tale of two artforms. The art is gorgeous, while the writing is horrible. Not sure why Cantwell went with Korvac and the Z-Listers out of the gate, but it is really struggling to hold my interest. May finish this arc and see what is next, but if Cantwell stays on the title, it's going to be a real easy decision whether to keep it or drop it from the pull list. |
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