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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 26, 2021 7:07:24 GMT -5
You've found it weary traveler, the place where the newest comics get reviewed each week fresh... OFF THE RACKS! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 26, 2021 8:39:33 GMT -5
Batman: The Long Halloween SpecialWritten by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Art by Tim Sale Colored by Brennan Wagner Summary: It's almost Halloween in Gotham and Julian Day is out for revenge against the Dents.
Plot: I was pretty skeptical about Loeb and Sale returning to Batman after all these years, I didn't think it was possible to capture that magic yet again...but they really managed to pull it off. The roof top conversations between Gordon and Batman are dramatic and moody, the villains colorful and energetic and the scene with Commissioner Gordon chaperoning Robin and Barbra Gordon going trick or treating was absolutely perfect. Some people still may not have forgiven Loeb for the perceived wishy-washy answer about who Holiday was but I've always loved the relationship between Gilda and Harvey so seeing more of it here was fantastic and with the way the issue ended with Gilda and Two Face escaping into the night I'm hoping we get even more in the not so distant future.
Art: Sale hasn't lost a step in how he depicts Gotham and all of its inhabitants but I think the coloring here steals the show in a few places. Brennan Wagner(yes, son of THAT Wagner) has a fantastic grip on the bold primary colors that have always made the art of the Long Halloween so iconic, and his deft mix of warm and cool colors creates a stunning mood all its own. If there's more to come I surely hope that Wagner comes along as well as I can't wait to see more from him.
Grade:10/10
I'm almost all digital these days, but this book was really that good and the art was fantastic so I'll be double dipping here and tracking down a physical copy sooner rather than latter and you should too! |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,866
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Post by shaxper on Oct 27, 2021 9:33:08 GMT -5
Batman: The Long Halloween SpecialWritten by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Art by Tim Sale Colored by Brennan Wagner Summary: It's almost Halloween in Gotham and Julian Day is out for revenge against the Dents.
Plot: I was pretty skeptical about Loeb and Sale returning to Batman after all these years, I didn't think it was possible to capture that magic yet again...but they really managed to pull it off. The roof top conversations between Gordon and Batman are dramatic and moody, the villains colorful and energetic and the scene with Commissioner Gordon chaperoning Robin and Barbra Gordon going trick or treating was absolutely perfect. Some people still may not have forgiven Loeb for the perceived wishy-washy answer about who Holiday was but I've always loved the relationship between Gilda and Harvey so seeing more of it here was fantastic and with the way the issue ended with Gilda and Two Face escaping into the night I'm hoping we get even more in the not so distant future.
Art: Sale hasn't lost a step in how he depicts Gotham and all of its inhabitants but I think the coloring here steals the show in a few places. Brennan Wagner(yes, son of THAT Wagner) has a fantastic grip on the bold primary colors that have always made the art of the Long Halloween so iconic, and his deft mix of warm and cool colors creates a stunning mood all its own. If there's more to come I surely hope that Wagner comes along as well as I can't wait to see more from him.
Grade:10/10
I'm almost all digital these days, but this book was really that good and the art was fantastic so I'll be double dipping here and tracking down a physical copy sooner rather than latter and you should too! On the one hand, it's extremely regrettable that comics are a niche market these days. On the other, that allows for projects like this, that are clearly targeted towards us classic comics dorks who go crazy when we see classic creative teams reunite. God I'd love to see a few ongoing titles do this. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 9:53:55 GMT -5
Batman: The Long Halloween SpecialWritten by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Art by Tim Sale Colored by Brennan Wagner Summary: It's almost Halloween in Gotham and Julian Day is out for revenge against the Dents.
Plot: I was pretty skeptical about Loeb and Sale returning to Batman after all these years, I didn't think it was possible to capture that magic yet again...but they really managed to pull it off. The roof top conversations between Gordon and Batman are dramatic and moody, the villains colorful and energetic and the scene with Commissioner Gordon chaperoning Robin and Barbra Gordon going trick or treating was absolutely perfect. Some people still may not have forgiven Loeb for the perceived wishy-washy answer about who Holiday was but I've always loved the relationship between Gilda and Harvey so seeing more of it here was fantastic and with the way the issue ended with Gilda and Two Face escaping into the night I'm hoping we get even more in the not so distant future.
Art: Sale hasn't lost a step in how he depicts Gotham and all of its inhabitants but I think the coloring here steals the show in a few places. Brennan Wagner(yes, son of THAT Wagner) has a fantastic grip on the bold primary colors that have always made the art of the Long Halloween so iconic, and his deft mix of warm and cool colors creates a stunning mood all its own. If there's more to come I surely hope that Wagner comes along as well as I can't wait to see more from him.
Grade:10/10
I'm almost all digital these days, but this book was really that good and the art was fantastic so I'll be double dipping here and tracking down a physical copy sooner rather than latter and you should too! On the one hand, it's extremely regrettable that comics are a niche market these days. On the other, that allows for projects like this, that are clearly targeted towards us classic comics dorks who go crazy when we see classic creative teams reunite. God I'd love to see a few ongoing titles do this. Yeah, it's definitely something that's more exciting for us long time fans although The Long Halloween is one of those titles that does have a lot of mainstream crossover as well so I imagine it might be of interest to others as well. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2021 10:42:33 GMT -5
On the one hand, it's extremely regrettable that comics are a niche market these days. On the other, that allows for projects like this, that are clearly targeted towards us classic comics dorks who go crazy when we see classic creative teams reunite. God I'd love to see a few ongoing titles do this. Yeah, it's definitely something that's more exciting for us long time fans although The Long Halloween is one of those titles that does have a lot of mainstream crossover as well so I imagine it might be of interest to others as well. Well they did recently release a 2 part Long Halloween animated feature, and the release of this was timed to come not too long after the arrival of the second part in stores, so it's not like Long Halloween had to be taken out of some dank dusty vault of forgotten properties to make this. It is also one of the handful of evergreen sellers among the Batman properties in trade. -M |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 10:44:00 GMT -5
DC Vs. Vampires #1Written by James Tynion IV Art by Otto Schmidt Summary: The Queen of the Vampires is dead and now Andrew Bennett(I, Vampire) is racing to reach those who can save the world.
Plot: I initially wrote this book off completely because I've really soured on Tynion after his abysmal run on Batman, and on top of that it just looked like an obvious rip off of Marvel's Marvel Zombies books (which indecently I never enjoyed)...but I let my eyes do the buying so I picked it up just because I liked the design of the logo...and for once buying based on the cover worked out. I may not enjoy Tynion's superhero work but he knows horror and suspense and uses tropes from both here really well, using the letter from Bennett as the narration to the his travels and capture by the vampiric Green Lantern Hal Jordon was a fantastic way to build tension and the reveal that it was Batman reading the letter was a great twist at the end. However much I did enjoy the book it does include some of Tynion's usual annoying excesses, the worst being the casual and senseless murder of Zann of the Wonder Twins. Zann's a character that's barely used in current continuity, and yeah he's a little lame, but killing him for a gag? What does that accomplish? If he's a joke it doesn't help build up Hal as a villain, and because he's so seldom used his death isn't an emotional punch...so it just comes across as pointless. Still, even with that negative it was a pretty decent read and I'll be picking up the next issue for sure.
Art: I'm not super familiar with Schmidt's work but his sharp, angular and sketchy style really worked well with this horror themed book. What I loved was that because of the angular nature of his style he could give a real sense of energy to his characters while still creating a sense of brooding danger which is rare as often times you either get mood or action so it's great to see an artist who so effortlessly does both in the same story.
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 10:51:29 GMT -5
Yeah, it's definitely something that's more exciting for us long time fans although The Long Halloween is one of those titles that does have a lot of mainstream crossover as well so I imagine it might be of interest to others as well. Well they did recently release a 2 part Long Halloween animated feature, and the release of this was timed to come not too long after the arrival of the second part in stores, so it's not like Long Halloween had to be taken out of some dank dusty vault of forgotten properties to make this. It is also one of the handful of evergreen sellers among the Batman properties in trade. -M That's exactly what I meant when I said this is a story with mainstream appeal, I don't know if a single issue will capture any interest from that audience but when they come out with the follow up and put it in a collection I'm sure it'll sell. On another note, I'm pretty sure Loeb must have consulted fairly heavily on the animated adaptation as in the movie the scene about Babs' trick or treating was a much larger plot point than it was in the original comic...and then here in this special it's brought up that getting Robin to go trick or treating would get him out the dog house with his daughter which feels like its building off the scene in the film rather than anything in the comic. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 13:16:08 GMT -5
Hellboy: The Silver Lantern Club #1Written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson Art by Ben Stenbeck and Christopher Mitten Summary: In 1953 after teaming up with Harry Middleton, Professor Bruttenholm introduces Hellboy to his uncle Simon.
Plot: With this first issue in a new series by Mignola and Roberson exploring the past of the Hellboy Universe I think the pair have really bottled lightning. Instead of just stories set in the past(which have been good) here we get an anthology series like set up with Hellboy, the Professor and retired ghost hunter Simon Bruttenholm drinking in a pub and swapping stories which I just love. It's a plot device that serves not only to give characterization to Hellboy, the professor and his uncle but it also serves to connect the stories they're telling to the wider world which gives it a greater feeling of inter-connectivity than they would have had any other way. As for the story itself? It was a fun little ghost story featuring Simon, Sarah Jewell and Sir Edward Grey exorcising a demon from a prototype phone...ultimately doing it in by unplugging the machine. It had action, horror and comedy which was a fantastic mix. I think the only way this book could be better was if they fully embraced the anthology series structure and allowed exciting new creative teams to tell these stories from the past...still that's a very minor quibble and who knows maybe Mike is listening and we'll get that in the future!
Art: Both Stenbeck and Mitten knock this out of the park and while their styles are very different the transitions weren't jarring at all. Usually I'd say Stenbeck was wasted because he didn't get to do anything exciting but he excels so well at the quite moments in the framing sequences and Mitten did such a great job with the demon that I didn't feel like I was missing out at all.
Grade:10/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 15:26:53 GMT -5
Usagi Yojimbo #23Story and Art by Stan Sakai Summary:Boss Hasegawa has kidnapped Kiyoko and unless Usagi, his cousin Yukichi and Kitsune return his book Kiyoko will die!
Plot/Art: I love Stan Sakai and the whole world he's lovingly created around Usagi through all these years...so it really does pain me when I have to be negative about his work...but this latest issue is just painfully generic. While it's not a plot that has actually been used in Usagi before, the set up of femme fatale steals something but the side kick/sister pays the consequences and the heroes rush in to save the day is just way over done at this point and unfortunately Stan didn't add any nuance here that would set his version apart from the rest. The result is a story that is while not horrible by any stretch is just plain forgettable which is something that pains me to say about Sakai as an artist. On top of that there wasn't anything visually interesting to elevate the story art wise either, as even the one action scene where Usagi and his cousin Yukichi chase the snitch through the streets didn't yield any interesting visuals. With one issue left there's not a lot of ground left to cover, but Sakai does have a fantastically creative mind so perhaps he can stick the landing and make the rest worth while.
Grade: 6/10
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Post by DubipR on Oct 27, 2021 17:39:26 GMT -5
On my digital downloads today:
- Amazing Spider-Man 77
- Daredevil 35
- Moon Knight 4
- That Texas Blood 11
- Hellcop 1
- Hellboy: Silver Lantern Club 1
- Invincible Red Sonja 5
- Batman: Long Halloween Special 1
- Robin 7
Big week for me. I'll narrow it down to my Read of the Week
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Post by thwhtguardian on Oct 27, 2021 18:56:52 GMT -5
Robin #7Written by Joshua Williams Art by Gleb Melnikov Summary: Damian finally finds out the secret of Lazarus Island...it's soaked in Lazarus juices powering some ancient menace...run by his great grandmother!
Plot: After seven issues we finally get some big reveals in this installment and thank the gods for that! While I love the characters brought together by Williams in this series, and the character work and dialogue he brings to the table is great... the tournament angle is wearing thin at this point and despite the focus on it there is actually a distinct lack of action with most of it happening in a flurry of montages making the tournament the focus and yet wholly unimportant which is just really odd. I'm also not really sure how I feel about the reveal that the island is run by the mother of Ra's Al Ghul...I mean I get it, he's immortal...but how does that make his family immortal too? Those two elements aside though this is still a really fun, fast paced book that I continue to look forward to each month.
Art: The art continues to be a weak point for me, I can't put my finger on it but 's style just doesn't work for me. His look is too stylized to be realistic, but in places too photo-realistic to feel cartoony leaving his art in a middle ground that just doesn't satisfy.
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by majestic on Oct 29, 2021 13:10:01 GMT -5
Aquaman/Green Arrow: Deep Target #1. Written by Brandon Thomas. Art by Ronan Cliquet.
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Aquaman and Green Arrow!
The organization known as Scorpio has been looting the past for treasure and somehow disturbed the timeline. Aquaman and Green Arrow are aware that something has changed since Oliver is now Aquaman & Arthur is Green Arrow.
Both heroes debuted in More Fun Comics #73. They survived as back up features in Adventure Comics and World's Finest throughout the 50's. So in some fashion their histories are intertwined.
This special 7 issue series starts off a bit confusing. Thomas dives (pun intended) right into the action without an explanation on how things are all turned around. I guess all will be revealed but it does cause the beginning to stumble IMO. I do like the switch in powers. It reminds me of a favorite story from the 50's when Aquaman & Green Arrow had to switch roles for an issue.
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Post by wildfire2099 on Oct 30, 2021 15:10:48 GMT -5
I don't have too much different to say about Robin and Usagi , so I'll leave those off
X-O Manowar #7 : I really liked the set up this, with Aric being helped by a Elon Musk type character as a handler/teammate, but it's really in neutral with this 2nd story line... it seems like there's alot going on, but nothing is actually happening in a weird way. Not sure if I'll keep getting it.. maybe one more month.
Pop Star Assassin #1 : Apparently this is filling a need for 70s comics that I didn't know I had now that Abbott is completed. It's got some cool art, but no idea what's going on in this first issue... there's an Elvis Impersonator and a Marilyn Monroe impersonator doing a show in Vegas, and federal agents try to arrest them, and no one seems to know why... hopefully the next one will make a bit more sense.
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Post by Dizzy D on Nov 1, 2021 8:29:50 GMT -5
Inferno #2
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Stefano Caselli and David Curiel
What Happened Before: Mutants have organized and live together now on the living island of Krakoa. Through a process of combining the powers of 5 different specific mutants, dead mutants are resurrected back on Krakoa whenever they die. The main threat to Krakoa is the organisation called Orchis, who have developed the advanced Sentinel named Nimrod. Despite various attempts, the mutants have been unable to destroy Nimrod.
Plot: A flashback shows how Mystique masquerading as Magneto and as Xavier arranging for the resurrection of Destiny. Return to the present where the Council votes for including Destiny as the new member, replacing Apocalypse. To counter Mystique and Destiny, Xavier wants to include Emma in his own inner circle by revealing to her the truth about Moira MacTaggert. Emma is furious and feels manipulated, but she does see the importance of what they are doing. As she leaves, it is unclear whose side she will be on. Moira advises Xavier to bring in somebody else they can trust and so the Council votes and appoints the final member of the Council: Colossus.
The Good: Low on action and high on intrigue, which is exactly how I prefer most of my titles. We get flashbacks where Mystique convinces multiple Council members to vote for Destiny as a member and she approaches each member in a different; Sinister and Shaw vote her way for petty reasons (because they expect their votes will annoy either Xavier or Emma Frost), Emma is bribed (with an unknown object that seems to be very valuable to her), Raven appeals to Exodus' faith and Kurt votes for her without convincing, because he wants to be kind to his mother.
As with Sword of X initial chapter, we have many characters running around and each of them have motivations that are understandable and true to their character; I like that I can see reasons to side with both Mystique and Destiny or with Xavier and Magneto (or even with Emma who is frustrated with both sides once she has seen the truth). Unlike Sword of X we won't get multiple titles interrupted with a lot of filler chapters, do that is a plus to me as well.
The Bad: We have some "camera cuts away before reveal scenes" including the motivations of Karima Shapandar (Omega Sentinel). Frustrating as she was a friend of the X-Men until recently, so a bit of clarity on her motivations here would be appreciated. I also wonder if we ever going to see what Emma was given to vote in favour of Destiny.
Not exactly bad, but Colossus is a weird choice for a mutant to sit on the Council. All the others have been leaders or at least people of influence, Colossus does not really fit that profile. We know he's there because Xavier wants somebody he can trust, but it's unclear to me why Exodus for instance would vote for him. Then again I do wonder who else they could pick.
So far no reason to call this mini-series Inferno BTW. (except as a nod to the old event. Then again Orchis is experimenting with a solar based weapon in this issue, so that could play a bigger role in the next few issues).
8/10: As an X-Men fan I appreciate the various characters, each having their own distinct motivations and methods and I think the pacing has been pretty good on this series so far.
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Post by Dizzy D on Nov 1, 2021 12:55:55 GMT -5
Marauders #25
Written by Gerry Dugan
Art by Phil Noto
What Happened Before: Mutants have organized and live together now on the living island of Krakoa. Through a process of combining the powers of 5 different specific mutants, dead mutants are resurrected back on Krakoa whenever they die.
Plot: Emma Frost has stolen a spaceship from a Xandarian smuggler, Eden Rixio, who has returned to reclaim his ship and revenge. Sebastian Shaw paid off the smuggler, but Eden decided that he wanted both the money and the ship and thrown the Marauders and Shaw out of his ship into space. But not all hope is lost, Iceman creates a protective bubble of ice around them and by combining their powers, the Marauders manage to catch up to Eden and Kate boards his ship.
The Good: Phil Noto is a good artist, though I don't think this is the right title for him. I do appreciate Rixio's body language changing completely the moment Emma takes telepathic control over him.
The Bad: Like I said last time, this side-adventure felt like the title spinning its wheels. We had just before this last storyline, that Shaw found out that Emma helped fake the death of his lover Lourdes Chantel, but he has been pretty civilized with Emma and the Marauders these last two issues.
The mutants combining their powers to survive getting thrown out of the airlock and then catching up to the spaceship had some workable ideas, but most of it is very bad science.
4/10: Bit of a nothing story with decent art and some very bad science.
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