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Post by thwhtguardian on May 6, 2021 15:01:26 GMT -5
Read Readers+ Fresh Comics = Real Reviews here at ... OFF THE RACKS!
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Post by majestic on May 6, 2021 15:46:19 GMT -5
IMMORTAL HULK #46. Al Ewing & Joe Bennett.
Finally after the title felt like it was treading water for a few issues it shifts into high gear. We get a Powerful Hulk again who easily dispatches the U-Foes with no mercy. He then visits a bar but his "happy hour" is interrupted by the Avengers...
This issue brought back a cunning, savage, powerful incarnation of the Hulk who is feared by everyone. And it looks like this Hulk will fight the Avengers next issue. I still don't see how Ewing can bring this to satisfying conclusion in 4 issues.
BTW Chip Zdarsky is rumored to be the next Hulk writer.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on May 6, 2021 15:51:57 GMT -5
 The Good Asian #1 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi I got this totally on the strength of the concept because I'd never heard of either of the creators. But no way I was going to pass up supporting a hard-boiled detective book set in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1936. If anything wants to scream "right up Slam's alley" it's that description. Edison Hark (and it seems clear that isn't his real name) is a Chinese-American police officer for the Honolulu P.D. who has come to San Francisco at the behest of a very rich family that appears to have raised him. This is at a time when the Chinese Exclusion Act is still in effect and Hawaii is the only place where a Chinese-American could possibly be a police officer (there wouldn't be one on the mainland until the late 50s). There are layers in this book already in the first issue. Hark came to the mainland to solve a mystery (and was held in detention on Angel Island until it was discovered who his friends are), but it's clear there are also mysteries regarding his background. And there's a lot more going on here than a hard-boiled mystery. There's a lot of history here about anti-Asian racism in the U.S., much of which is largely forgotten today. It's clear that Pichetshote (who is a Thai-American) has done his research. And the art is absolutely appropriate for the time period and the genre. Well recommended. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 6, 2021 19:22:33 GMT -5
The Good Asian #1 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi I got this totally on the strength of the concept because I'd never heard of either of the creators. But no way I was going to pass up supporting a hard-boiled detective book set in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1936. If anything wants to scream "right up Slam's alley" it's that description. Edison Hark (and it seems clear that isn't his real name) is a Chinese-American police officer for the Honolulu P.D. who has come to San Francisco at the behest of a very rich family that appears to have raised him. This is at a time when the Chinese Exclusion Act is still in effect and Hawaii is the only place where a Chinese-American could possibly be a police officer (there wouldn't be one on the mainland until the late 50s). There are layers in this book already in the first issue. Hark came to the mainland to solve a mystery (and was held in detention on Angel Island until it was discovered who his friends are), but it's clear there are also mysteries regarding his background. And there's a lot more going on here than a hard-boiled mystery. There's a lot of history here about anti-Asian racism in the U.S., much of which is largely forgotten today. It's clear that Pichetshote (who is a Thai-American) has done his research. And the art is absolutely appropriate for the time period and the genre. Well recommended. I hope this isn't sold out, I'm definitely going to need to pick this up |
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Post by DubipR on May 6, 2021 21:32:22 GMT -5
The Good Asian #1 Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi I got this totally on the strength of the concept because I'd never heard of either of the creators. But no way I was going to pass up supporting a hard-boiled detective book set in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1936. If anything wants to scream "right up Slam's alley" it's that description. Edison Hark (and it seems clear that isn't his real name) is a Chinese-American police officer for the Honolulu P.D. who has come to San Francisco at the behest of a very rich family that appears to have raised him. This is at a time when the Chinese Exclusion Act is still in effect and Hawaii is the only place where a Chinese-American could possibly be a police officer (there wouldn't be one on the mainland until the late 50s). There are layers in this book already in the first issue. Hark came to the mainland to solve a mystery (and was held in detention on Angel Island until it was discovered who his friends are), but it's clear there are also mysteries regarding his background. And there's a lot more going on here than a hard-boiled mystery. There's a lot of history here about anti-Asian racism in the U.S., much of which is largely forgotten today. It's clear that Pichetshote (who is a Thai-American) has done his research. And the art is absolutely appropriate for the time period and the genre. Well recommended. Agreed. Like you I went in blind knowing the creators are. The results were one of the best reads of the week. I'm excited to see how this plays. Amazingly researched about a period in US history that was swept under the covers. When this is done, I want more Edison Hark; comic or novel. |
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Post by DubipR on May 6, 2021 21:53:19 GMT -5
Read of the Week Hey Kids! Comics! vol 2 #1 Howard Chaykin's continuation of the history of comics, told only Chaykin knows how to. Straightforward, No BS and historically packed. Can't recommend it enough. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 8, 2021 9:08:08 GMT -5
IMMORTAL HULK #46. Al Ewing & Joe Bennett. Finally after the title felt like it was treading water for a few issues it shifts into high gear. We get a Powerful Hulk again who easily dispatches the U-Foes with no mercy. He then visits a bar but his "happy hour" is interrupted by the Avengers... This issue brought back a cunning, savage, powerful incarnation of the Hulk who is feared by everyone. And it looks like this Hulk will fight the Avengers next issue. I still don't see how Ewing can bring this to satisfying conclusion in 4 issues. BTW Chip Zdarsky is rumored to be the next Hulk writer. This was a another fantastic issue, it really had a perfect mix of action and character beats and the set up with the battle with the Avengers looks like it will be amazing. I think my favorite bit of this issue was the extended shout out to Len Wein, not only was the bar named Wein's but the bartender who was serving the Hulk had more than a passing resemblance to Wein himself which was really fun. While Wein gets a lot of kudos for his run on the X-Men( and co-creating Wolverine) his run on the Hulk was a lot of fun too but often gets overlooked so seeing him get referenced here was a great celebration to that. Grade:9/10 |
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Post by wildfire2099 on May 10, 2021 10:12:16 GMT -5
MY stuff this week:
Green Lantern #2 : Ugh... only took them 2 issues to ruin a cool premise, and go back to one that's been done a million times before. I'll probably give them one more issue, but that's about it. Very disappointed.
Strange Academy #10 : Class Trip to Asgard! Fun action, and Volstagg! Some good development with Emily and Doyle, and the Asgard kids' parent is revealed, which should lead to some more good character stuff. I'm not sure if they should just focus on Emily at this point, or step back and try to keep it as an ensemble book... I'm thinking maybe the former, because there's just too many kids in the class to give them all decent time.
Silver Coin #1 : This was my random off the shelf pick up of the week... good done in one story by Chip Zdarsky, but not a book I think I need to continue with... as it seems more a horror anthology than anything. I suspect alot of you guys would like it alot though.
Anyone pick up the last Ms. Marvel book? I'm kinda regretting I skipped it... just on principle, even though I haven't read it for a while. I'm sure she'll have a book again in a few months, but one never knows.
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 11, 2021 9:29:54 GMT -5
MY stuff this week: Green Lantern #2 : Ugh... only took them 2 issues to ruin a cool premise, and go back to one that's been done a million times before. I'll probably give them one more issue, but that's about it. Very disappointed. Strange Academy #10 : Class Trip to Asgard! Fun action, and Volstagg! Some good development with Emily and Doyle, and the Asgard kids' parent is revealed, which should lead to some more good character stuff. I'm not sure if they should just focus on Emily at this point, or step back and try to keep it as an ensemble book... I'm thinking maybe the former, because there's just too many kids in the class to give them all decent time. Silver Coin #1 : This was my random off the shelf pick up of the week... good done in one story by Chip Zdarsky, but not a book I think I need to continue with... as it seems more a horror anthology than anything. I suspect alot of you guys would like it alot though. Anyone pick up the last Ms. Marvel book? I'm kinda regretting I skipped it... just on principle, even though I haven't read it for a while. I'm sure she'll have a book again in a few months, but one never knows. Strange Academy does continue to be fun, though I think you're right in saying that the cast is perhaps a little too large to get properly developed. Silver Coin sounds like something I might need to try, especially as I've been on a big Chip Zdarsky kick lately. |
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Post by Ozymandias on May 30, 2021 6:23:33 GMT -5
Hellions #11 Funny Games Part 3 (of 3): Kill Screen
Writer: Zeb Wells
Pencils & inks: Stephen Segovia
Not my favorite villain, Arcade, but Wells makes him work for me, with his unique blend of humor and drama. In a landscape filled with comics and movies where most pretend to be funny, Hellions actually is, as much as anything published since Superior Foes. It's irreverent, sadistic, what you'd expect of a series with Mr. Sinister as the star. In this Suicide Squad-like team, they're all puppets dancing to Nathaniel's whims. Psylocke is the only one who sees the strings, but grinding her teeth is the only thing se can do, for the moment.
In essence, Mr. Sinister gets his way again trough deception and betrayal. All with a smile on his face, even if he's missing a tooth or two.
The art is still a bonus, one of the few titles where you don't get fill-ins from inferior replacements. If anything, someone should take over the covers, as this doesn't seem to be a strong suit for Segovia. This one wasn't the worst one, but still, the series would benefit from the eye-candy a real specialist could bring. |
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Post by Ozymandias on May 30, 2021 6:24:06 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #46 You and Me Against the World
Writer: Al Ewing
Pencils: Joe Bennett
Inks: Belardino Brabo & Ruy Jose
Cover: Alex Ross
As we reach the end of the series, the players get into position. Everyone's here now: Harpy, McGowan, Samson, Jackie, Puck, Rick Jones, Gyrich & The Avengers ("together" were they belong). The Leader and Langkowski don't appear this issue, but they're around.
So, how much of the envisioned future will be kept on track by the time Ewing is done? That's the question I want to see him answer. So far The Leader's plan and how it ties to the information he gleaned from that moth, has been kept on the back-burner, but I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm also sure The One Below All will have his say, he's been conspicuously absent recently. I really hope he ends with a bang, because lately, the series hasn't been up to its previous highs.
Except for issue 42, the regular artists have been in charge for almost a year now, so you know what to expect. Meanwhile, Ross keeps giving the title a coherent look with his covers, even if he's not what he used to be. |
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Post by Dizzy D on May 30, 2021 11:45:34 GMT -5
Marauders #20
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Stefano Caselli, Edgar Delgado and Chris Sotomayor
What Happened Before:Mutants have united and live nearly all on the island of Krakoa. The Hellfire Trading Company controls the export of Krakoa's revolutionary medicine to the rest of the world, ensuring the mutants have political influence in the outside world. The Marauders are the part of the Hellfire Company that works outside the law; smuggling medicine to the people that need it and extracting mutants from countries that are not on friendly terms with Krakoa.
Plot: Storm will be leaving the Marauders, so the group takes a moment to aay their goodbyes while preparing for the Hellfire Gala, where the mutants will welcome guests (both friends and enemies) from the outside world to Krakoa.
The Good: It's basically a collection of short stories from each Marauder (and some of their allies) about their relationship and best memories of Storm.
We do get a bit that's not related to Storm; Emma and Shaw have a conversation and while they had their recent differences, Shaw wants to propose to the Council a method to get his dead lover, Lourdes Chantel*, back and this looks to be a plan that Emma will fully support.
The Bad: I've really liked Storm's portrayal in this series and it's never made quite clear why she had to leave (probably because another writer wants to use her, but if Wolverine and Batman can be in a billion different titles at once, why can't she?).
7/10: A downtime issue, but it sets up some future plots, the artwork is good and the "we love Storm"-stories are short and entertaining.
*= I think even many of the hardcore X-men fans have never heard of her, as she only appeared in a backup story by Claremont and Bolton in the 80s. Basically Shaw was an idealist, until the then-leader of the Hellfire Club, Ned Buckman, tried to kill Shaw and his mutant faction within the Hellfire Club. Lourdes died during the battle and Shaw's faction killed Buckman's and took over the Club.
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