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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 14, 2021 19:36:11 GMT -5
OFF THE RACKSFresh Comics Reviewed By Real Readers( YOU!)  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 14, 2021 20:15:05 GMT -5
Batgirls #1Written by Becky Cloonan Art by Jorge Corona Summary: In the wake of Fear State Babs, Steph and Cass (the Batgirls) have started over in a new loft but trouble isn't far away.
Plot: -Sigh- I really, really wanted to like this. I love Becky Cloonan and I love the concept of the Batgirls teaming up that's been teased again and again ever since Batman Inc over ten years ago...but now that it's hear and in my hands I just don't think I'll be picking up more. The character moments were decent, and the action scenes were fun...but the plot is so tied to the horrendous Fear State event that I just can't muster the desire to read more. This was a perfect time for Cloonan to just break away and do her own thing that it boggles my mind that she'd wish to tie her story to an event that was critically panned and disliked by a lot of readers. It just kills it for me.
Art: Another strike for me was Jorge Corona's art. It's not that it's objectively terrible by any stretch, infact the angular style worked really well in the poses for the action scenes but for everything else it was just so flat and static which just bored me to tears. Basically, it's a one-two punch that makes this a one and done book for me; a dead end plot and art that doesn't keep my interest.
Grade:4/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 14, 2021 20:50:56 GMT -5
Robin and Batman #2Written by Jeff Lemire Art by Dustin Nguyen Summary: After a rough first mission Batman tries to patch things up with Robin by taking him to the Justice League satellite.
Plot: This second issue of Jeff Lemire's look at the origins of the caped crusaders is even more stunning than the last. While the first issue was definitely Robin centric Bruce takes even more of a back seat than before which allows for a not only a real fun look at Dick's introduction to the Justice League and the first meeting of the Teen Titans but also a truly emotionally powerful look at the the relationship between Dick and Alfred and Alfred and Bruce. Emotionally, it's a great play on duality within both parts of the story, on the home front we that Alfred clearly loves Bruce and is proud of how he took Dick in but that he also loaths the mission of Robin as he chastises Bruce making what should have been a fun meeting with other teen heroes into a mission detailing their weakness, and on the Justice League front the duality of Dick as a kid having fun and then a dutiful soldier resonates just as well. And in the back ground of all that Killer Croc is using his resources to find Dick Grayson and unmask the dynamic duo which shows a level of cunning and intelligence that Croc is often lacking these days. All in all this is a dense but fast paced story that I just love from start to finish, the only down fall is that it's only got one issue left! In a world full of twelve issue "epics" that are mostly fluff how is it that a book as perfect as this is so short? It ain't fair I tell ya!
Art: Dustin Nguyen is as amazing as always, he just really excels in all facets of graphic storytelling; delivering a clear mood, clear displays of emotion, characterization, settings and action all at once. It's just stunning how perfect each and every image is in this book; usually an artist is only good at a few elements so to have a guy that can really do it all just blows me away...and he has an unerring eye for color too! He's seriously the most talented artist in comics working today.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by majestic on Dec 15, 2021 16:50:19 GMT -5
Hulk #2. Donny Cates & Ryan Ottley.
What just happened? This new direction of Hulk is so vastly different than any previous versions that it is a bit confusing. Cates has an unique concept here as Banner is using the Hulk as a spaceship... I know it sounds bonkers.
This second issue provides no answers just more questions. Cates needs to provide a bit more "meat" to the story other than crazy ideas and violent Hulk fights. Hopefully with the last page twist next issue we get some clarity where this story is going.
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Post by Hoosier X on Dec 16, 2021 11:34:20 GMT -5
Robin and Batman #2Written by Jeff Lemire Art by Dustin Nguyen Summary: After a rough first mission Batman tries to patch things up with Robin by taking him to the Justice League satellite.
Plot: This second issue of Jeff Lemire's look at the origins of the caped crusaders is even more stunning than the last. While the first issue was definitely Robin centric Bruce takes even more of a back seat than before which allows for a not only a real fun look at Dick's introduction to the Justice League and the first meeting of the Teen Titans but also a truly emotionally powerful look at the the relationship between Dick and Alfred and Alfred and Bruce. Emotionally, it's a great play on duality within both parts of the story, on the home front we that Alfred clearly loves Bruce and is proud of how he took Dick in but that he also loaths the mission of Robin as he chastises Bruce making what should have been a fun meeting with other teen heroes into a mission detailing their weakness, and on the Justice League front the duality of Dick as a kid having fun and then a dutiful soldier resonates just as well. And in the back ground of all that Killer Croc is using his resources to find Dick Grayson and unmask the dynamic duo which shows a level of cunning and intelligence that Croc is often lacking these days. All in all this is a dense but fast paced story that I just love from start to finish, the only down fall is that it's only got one issue left! In a world full of twelve issue "epics" that are mostly fluff how is it that a book as perfect as this is so short? It ain't fair I tell ya!
Art: Dustin Nguyen is as amazing as always, he just really excels in all facets of graphic storytelling; delivering a clear mood, clear displays of emotion, characterization, settings and action all at once. It's just stunning how perfect each and every image is in this book; usually an artist is only good at a few elements so to have a guy that can really do it all just blows me away...and he has an unerring eye for color too! He's seriously the most talented artist in comics working today.
Grade:10/10 I almost passed this series by, but I gave it a chance because I saw it was drawn by Dustin Nguyen, and I’m glad I did! I’m mostly finding it very enjoyable. The scene with Alfred was pretty dumb though. There was no reason for Alfred to be present at the JLA satellite debriefing. If he’s not fully on board with all aspects of the mission, I don’t see why Batman wanted Robin’s analysis where Alfred could overhear. And I don’t think Alfred would be so inarticulate to just say “bastard.” And I also don’t think Alfred would just turn and walk away. Very passive-aggressive. Very little in that scene showed any appreciation of Alfred’s character or his role. I guess I should be thankful that Alfred didn’t use “literally” wrong just because the writer doesn’t know any better. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 16, 2021 19:23:15 GMT -5
The Thing #2Written by Walter Mosley Art by Tom Reilly Summary: Thing follows Brusque underground to New Manhattan a veritable home for misfit toys.
Plot: After absolutely loving the campy silver age adventure that was the initial issue by Mosley( O, he of Easy Rawlins fame) I really find myself scratching my head with the follow up...I really have no idea what the heck I just read. After the bad guy Brusque steals away with the Thing's new lady love the Thing follows him into an underground city built by the Rockefellers and populated by homeless people...which is kind of interesting but then we find during the battle that Brusque was given a vial of weird light that gave him his power and when the Thing takes it away Brusque dies...and then the Thing just buries him and he and his girl go to leave only to be stopped by the army of homeless ... and the leader inexplicably dies and they move on nonchalantly with no stated destination in mind.
I just don't understand why any of this happened...or where the story is going. It's so weird for a story to go so utterly off the rails so quickly, reading this you'd never guess it was the same author in both issues.
Art: As utterly bewildering as the plot was Reilly's art continues to be stunning. The action is big and bold and I love the warmth of the color choices, they're just beautiful to behold...I just wish the story matched the art's quality.
Grade:6/10, I'm locked in for the art this point and only hope the story can get back on track as quickly as it fell off. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2021 14:46:51 GMT -5
Hulk #2. Donny Cates & Ryan Ottley. What just happened? This new direction of Hulk is so vastly different than any previous versions that it is a bit confusing. Cates has an unique concept here as Banner is using the Hulk as a spaceship... I know it sounds bonkers. This second issue provides no answers just more questions. Cates needs to provide a bit more "meat" to the story other than crazy ideas and violent Hulk fights. Hopefully with the last page twist next issue we get some clarity where this story is going. Yeah, this one was perhaps a little more straight forward than Thing but no better for it. I don't think this will be getting another sale out of me. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2021 20:09:46 GMT -5
did anyone read that $10 Holiday freeze special?
how awful was it?
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2021 20:16:28 GMT -5
did anyone read that $10 Holiday freeze special? how awful was it? I leafed through it at the shop(I know, shame on me) and other than the opening story by Paul Dini set in Batman The Animated Series the rest were unreadable so I didn't end up buying it. It's a shame, DC used to do some really good holiday books but the last few have been terrible. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Dec 19, 2021 11:23:15 GMT -5
The Rush #2 : I think Si Spurrier is 2nd only to Mark Russell in the current writer crop for me... really digging this It's a bit on the slow side, but very cool. Got some character bits in this one.. it'll be interesting to see if there's REALLY supernatural things happening or not.
He who Fights with Monsters #4 : I like that THIS version of 'hunted Jewish community in WWII Europe makes a Golem to fight the Nazis' has a GOlem that actually is a thinking creature with a brain and a personality. It's definitely a better than usual take on this premise
Demon Days: Rising Storm : Mostly we get more mysteries, and more amazing Peach Momoko art.. this time she does Thor and Storm as the Marvel-ish characters. Hoping the plot makes sense in the end.
Gun Honey #4 : Didn't love the ending.... too predictable. Not terrible though... worth the trade if you're a Hard Case Crime person
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