The Long Count #1
I decided to try this new title out. The story is somewhat interesting, what little of it there is. It basically felt like the entire issue consisted of some chica running...probably because that's an extremely accurate description of the story. There were some fights thrown in, but with the exception of the first one that lasted all of one page, the artwork made it much too difficult to understand what was going on in them. Oh, sure, it's extremely pretty, but after the first issue, I'm no more enlightened as to the motivations, backstory, or even the settings, than I was before I read the book. And what does the title even mean? For these reasons, I will (perhaps unfortunately) not be reading any further issues. EH.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Angel: After the Fall #2
Angel: After the Fall #2
This title is pretty good, and the first issue of it was most definitely a welcome surprise. I had no idea that Angel was going to have another season in comics as Buffy was, and was thus thrilled when I read the first issue. With that in mind, though, I present what is likely the major criticism of this series:
Nobody looks like themselves.
I know who all the principles are (except Gwen. Who's Gwen?), and that's the only reason that I'm able to keep the dialogue straight. Because sometimes, it's as if the artist has never seen any of these characters before, and is merely making it up. What with the show having been a pop culture phenomenon, I know that can't be true, but yet, it is. And Tony Harris' covers are much nicer than the interior artist's. Still, this is an OKAY series. Just shy of GOOD, for now, but I'm hoping that it'll ramp up relatively soon.
This title is pretty good, and the first issue of it was most definitely a welcome surprise. I had no idea that Angel was going to have another season in comics as Buffy was, and was thus thrilled when I read the first issue. With that in mind, though, I present what is likely the major criticism of this series:
Nobody looks like themselves.
I know who all the principles are (except Gwen. Who's Gwen?), and that's the only reason that I'm able to keep the dialogue straight. Because sometimes, it's as if the artist has never seen any of these characters before, and is merely making it up. What with the show having been a pop culture phenomenon, I know that can't be true, but yet, it is. And Tony Harris' covers are much nicer than the interior artist's. Still, this is an OKAY series. Just shy of GOOD, for now, but I'm hoping that it'll ramp up relatively soon.
Birds of Prey #113
Birds of Prey #113
That's actually not bad. McKeever's first issue fires on all cylinders and gets right exactly what Bedard kept getting wrong: the team dynamic. That's what makes this book unique. It's not the Justice League where the heavy hitters all go charging in guns blazing, nor is it the Justice Society that trains younger heroes and provides a place for the old fogeys to belong, nor is it the Outsiders who do, well, I'm not quite sure WHAT they do. This is a team (of chicks) run with (usually) surgical precision by Oracle, who coordinates them from her Watchtower. And sometimes they screw up. And sometimes they screw up BIG TIME. My only problem with this issue is that when it's obvious that many people have died, the Birds seem to be taking it too easily. Sure, they're not exactly resting on their laurels, but it takes Superman to come in and lay down the blame. Nevertheless, this is a GOOD issue, and for the first time since Gail left, I'm finally excited to read the book again.
Why do giant robots always need to have giant breasts and hair? Did somebody actually go to the trouble to design them like that?
That's actually not bad. McKeever's first issue fires on all cylinders and gets right exactly what Bedard kept getting wrong: the team dynamic. That's what makes this book unique. It's not the Justice League where the heavy hitters all go charging in guns blazing, nor is it the Justice Society that trains younger heroes and provides a place for the old fogeys to belong, nor is it the Outsiders who do, well, I'm not quite sure WHAT they do. This is a team (of chicks) run with (usually) surgical precision by Oracle, who coordinates them from her Watchtower. And sometimes they screw up. And sometimes they screw up BIG TIME. My only problem with this issue is that when it's obvious that many people have died, the Birds seem to be taking it too easily. Sure, they're not exactly resting on their laurels, but it takes Superman to come in and lay down the blame. Nevertheless, this is a GOOD issue, and for the first time since Gail left, I'm finally excited to read the book again.
Why do giant robots always need to have giant breasts and hair? Did somebody actually go to the trouble to design them like that?
Cable & Deadpool #48
Cable & Deadpool #48
Yay! Deadpool is back and answering letters! Boo hoo. He's leaving us soon. Please don't go, Deadpool, I promise I'll buy multiple copies of your title if you stay. Now that Cable's dead. What? He's not? Gee, I really thought that would stick! Bwahaha! Still, I'd like to see a new volume of Marvel Team-Up starring everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth...drum roll please...T-RAY! Just kidding, Deadpool's my favorite, and always will be (until the real Spider-Man 2099 comes back).
Who do you think Deadpool would really want directing him? I don't think Gavin Hood can do him justice. Goyer says he wants Ryan Reynolds playing him. I'd go with a much more wise-cracking badass: Bruce Campbell!
Well, so long DP, I'll look forward to finding the Wade-ster in my favorite Marvel comics - because as soon as they begin to feature him, they'll definitely be my favorite. I vote that Deadpool gets to lead an X-Team! Who's with me? Anybody? Anybody? Hello?
Plus, Zuvembies!
GOOD fun.
Yay! Deadpool is back and answering letters! Boo hoo. He's leaving us soon. Please don't go, Deadpool, I promise I'll buy multiple copies of your title if you stay. Now that Cable's dead. What? He's not? Gee, I really thought that would stick! Bwahaha! Still, I'd like to see a new volume of Marvel Team-Up starring everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth...drum roll please...T-RAY! Just kidding, Deadpool's my favorite, and always will be (until the real Spider-Man 2099 comes back).
Who do you think Deadpool would really want directing him? I don't think Gavin Hood can do him justice. Goyer says he wants Ryan Reynolds playing him. I'd go with a much more wise-cracking badass: Bruce Campbell!
Well, so long DP, I'll look forward to finding the Wade-ster in my favorite Marvel comics - because as soon as they begin to feature him, they'll definitely be my favorite. I vote that Deadpool gets to lead an X-Team! Who's with me? Anybody? Anybody? Hello?
Plus, Zuvembies!
GOOD fun.
Catwoman #74
Catwoman #74
The ending of this book just SCREAMS editorial mandate. What in the nine hells is Catwoman getting hunted down like a criminal for? She's a hero! Still, Pfeifer always seems to try to make the best of stupid editorial decisions, and I'm sure that he'll have a lot of fun with Catwoman on Murderworld.
But it's not fair to end a story arc with a non-ending. That's just not right. And it busts this issue down to merely OKAY.
The ending of this book just SCREAMS editorial mandate. What in the nine hells is Catwoman getting hunted down like a criminal for? She's a hero! Still, Pfeifer always seems to try to make the best of stupid editorial decisions, and I'm sure that he'll have a lot of fun with Catwoman on Murderworld.
But it's not fair to end a story arc with a non-ending. That's just not right. And it busts this issue down to merely OKAY.
Foolkiller #3
Foolkiller #3
Though not nearly as good as the first pair of issues, this book has still got it. Though I think bringing the Kingpin in on this is a grave error. Marvel has essentially written the Kingpin out of the picture. And anyways, he was never cruel like the assholes in this rigged gambling organization are. He was always somewhat moral - for a corrupt criminal - if you see what I'm saying. Plus, bringing the Kingpin in completely undercuts all the recent developments in Daredevil and New Avengers, which is not a smart move, as those are two of Marvel's highest selling books. The odds are that anyone reading this book is reading one or both of those as well.
Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just some ugly fat guy. God, I hope so.
Still, it's an OKAY issue of this title.
Though not nearly as good as the first pair of issues, this book has still got it. Though I think bringing the Kingpin in on this is a grave error. Marvel has essentially written the Kingpin out of the picture. And anyways, he was never cruel like the assholes in this rigged gambling organization are. He was always somewhat moral - for a corrupt criminal - if you see what I'm saying. Plus, bringing the Kingpin in completely undercuts all the recent developments in Daredevil and New Avengers, which is not a smart move, as those are two of Marvel's highest selling books. The odds are that anyone reading this book is reading one or both of those as well.
Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just some ugly fat guy. God, I hope so.
Still, it's an OKAY issue of this title.
Terror, Inc. #4
Terror, Inc. #4
As I feared, this issue is nothing but filler. It's still a lot of fun, but I can't give it much more than an EH, for the sole reason that, were this chapter omitted, I believe that the story would not suffer at all.
As I feared, this issue is nothing but filler. It's still a lot of fun, but I can't give it much more than an EH, for the sole reason that, were this chapter omitted, I believe that the story would not suffer at all.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
This week's books (as yet unread)
The thing about the Sinestro Corps war is that it’s in a holding pattern now, just killing time. It was supposed to have been over by now, but DC saw the initial success it had and prevailed upon Johns to stretch it out over a few more months than was originally intended. So, the story remains the same, but we get such wasteful issues as last month’s Green Lantern Corps which featured an issue-long fight between Ion Mark II and Emoboy Prime. And not even a resolution. And we get scattered GLC vs SC battles in nowheresville America before suddenly relocating to New York City. You just KNOW that these elements got no more than a page or two in the original script, but now they’ve been blown out of proportion and the event has begun suffering because of it.
Simon Dark is certainly interesting, but it’s not that good. For one thing, it’s set in a Gotham city unlike any that we’ve ever seen before. What’s the point of setting this book in a shared universe if you’re not even going to take advantage of said universe’s preexisting elements? I’ll read it, because I’m mildly curious, but I’m not excited about it or anything, nor would I strongly recommend it to anyone as anything more than a curiosity.
Astounding Wolf-Man has been moving v e r y s l o w l y. So slowly that I can’t really recommend it to anyone looking to pick up a new book. I love the K-Man, don’t get me wrong, and am therefore reading this book. But it’s more out of loyalty and anticipation than anything else. I’m really just waiting for K-Man to bring the AWM into his shared Invincible Universe. As an agent of The Pentagon (parking in rear).
As for the resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul, there’s one huge problem that keeps coming back to me, and that’s that the ONLY functioning Lazarus pit in THE ENTIRE DCU is SUPPOSED to be IN THE BATCAVE! Recall a few years ago (Ra’s Al Ghul: Year One) when Bats destroyed every single one, only to be confronted with the reanimation of the dead and the refusal of the dying to actually die? And he realized that by destroying all the pits he had disrupted the universal balance? At that point, he figured that the safest place to create a new pit would be in the Batcave, so that’s what he did. Yet, others apparently have sprung into existence since that time, with absolutely no explanation! Continuity IS important, regardless of what others may say, otherwise, each story must need to stand alone in its own microcosm.
Booster Gold is GREAT FUN, but it's not for everyone.
Battlestar Galctica: Origins has nowhere to go. The show is so tightly plotted, with such a tight continuity, that no matter what happens in the series, there’s no possibility of jeopardy, surprise, or, therefore, fun.
Salvation Run has MAJOR PLOT HOLES THAT YOU COULD DRIVE A TRUCK THROUGH. Primarily, if the point was to exile criminals to another planet, WHY send them there in their COSTUMES WITH THEIR WEAPONS??? Makes no sense. Might be fun, but ultimately isn’t worth the read.
Gen13 #14 was AWFUL, so bad that it was tough to read through. Gail ripped the heart out of the series in her last issue, and #14 had the characters acting completely against their previous 13 issues of characterization. I’m NOT going to be continuing to read this series.
The rest of the Wildstorm Armageddon books have been really, really BAD, and I see no reason to believe that the Stormwatch book will be any different.
Captain Carrot has just NOT BEEN FUN.
The problem with Ultimate Iron Man II is that the original series was supposed to tell a complete story, but Orson Scott Card just couldn’t stick to his monthly deadlines and it ended up getting cancelled after FIVE issues! I see no reason to expect any differently THIS time around. This reader is STILL waiting for the long promised conclusion to the Alvin Maker series. Long delays like this make me start to worry that a writer will actually DIE before finishing the story. The Crystal City was published in 2003!!! And no word from Alvin Maker since.
My ongoing problem with New Avengers is that Bendis has been writing The Hood COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY than he was originally envisioned by BKV. I’d have preferred that he just create a new character, as opposed to butchering the characterization of an already extant one.
Top Cow managed to alienate me completely with its last Marvel crossover issue. That was teh SUCK, and following it I have absolutely NO INTEREST in reading any of their established properties AGAIN.
And is anybody STILL reading Countdown? Why torture yourself? A couple of times since dropping the series I’ve come back for an issue because of somebody else’s online review, and every time, without fail, I’ve found myself hearkening back to the “good old days” of Bruce Jones on Nightwing. That’s how bad it is.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Infinity Inc. #3
Infinity Inc. #3
I usually write my reviews in Notepad before transferring them to this site. This one got overlooked. Sorry about that.
Perhaps I was a bit hasty with my first review of this title. After reading positive reviws of it from some of my respected colleagues, I decided to give it another shot. And, while some of my original complaints still hold true - that I don't really know exactly who each of these characters are, nor do I see why I should care - I find the story itself to be weirdly engrossing. Sure, there are some fairly major problems with it. For instance, every other page, it seems as if an entire page or so has been omitted. Very Grant Morisson JLA, if you ask me - often, when I was reading that book, I'd have to check to make sure that two pages weren't glued together or something. Another annoying bit is the scene jumping. There are no captions to give us a location reference, and in some instances it seems as if certain scenes are being presented out of order - yet again, there are no captions to tell us so. Both of these factors make for a slightly jarring reading experience. Yet, things do happen in this book, and the story itself is just interesting enough to convince me to come back for successive issues (including the one that was just published this week). Solidly OKAY.
I usually write my reviews in Notepad before transferring them to this site. This one got overlooked. Sorry about that.
Perhaps I was a bit hasty with my first review of this title. After reading positive reviws of it from some of my respected colleagues, I decided to give it another shot. And, while some of my original complaints still hold true - that I don't really know exactly who each of these characters are, nor do I see why I should care - I find the story itself to be weirdly engrossing. Sure, there are some fairly major problems with it. For instance, every other page, it seems as if an entire page or so has been omitted. Very Grant Morisson JLA, if you ask me - often, when I was reading that book, I'd have to check to make sure that two pages weren't glued together or something. Another annoying bit is the scene jumping. There are no captions to give us a location reference, and in some instances it seems as if certain scenes are being presented out of order - yet again, there are no captions to tell us so. Both of these factors make for a slightly jarring reading experience. Yet, things do happen in this book, and the story itself is just interesting enough to convince me to come back for successive issues (including the one that was just published this week). Solidly OKAY.
JSA Classifed #32
JSA Classifed #32
Magical mystical mumbo-jumbo and a lacklustre fight with Grundy make this issue extremely EH. But then, I expect nothing more from this series. I'll tune in again after the current arc.
Magical mystical mumbo-jumbo and a lacklustre fight with Grundy make this issue extremely EH. But then, I expect nothing more from this series. I'll tune in again after the current arc.
Ultimate Spider-Man #116
Ultimate Spider-Man #116
Another GOOD issue, as usual. Only one thing bothers me. Too many double-page spreads. They make it difficult to read the book. Otherwise, it's a good story with logical character progression, and interesting character moments. Lots of fun.
Another GOOD issue, as usual. Only one thing bothers me. Too many double-page spreads. They make it difficult to read the book. Otherwise, it's a good story with logical character progression, and interesting character moments. Lots of fun.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Trials of Shazam! #10
Trials of Shazam! #10
AWFUL. This series shouldn't have been much more than 7 issues, and definitely never should have been this late. As it is, the timing really doesn't matter, because this is one of the worst books I've read in a long time. Sure, it's cool that Tawky Tawny turns into a real magical tiger, but then he gets killed? This entire issue is basically Freddy and company trying to prevent a series of murders and always getting there just a bit too late. It's really dumb. This evil Shazam is one of the dumbest ideas ever, especially since she hasn't shown up in the rest of the DCU, which has already moved on, which means that whatever the ultimate outcome of this book will be, its events will remain entirely inconsequential. So, if the writing's not good, the story's not good, and it has zero impact on the rest of the DCU, then why, pray tell, should you read it? Exactly. You shouldn't.
AWFUL. This series shouldn't have been much more than 7 issues, and definitely never should have been this late. As it is, the timing really doesn't matter, because this is one of the worst books I've read in a long time. Sure, it's cool that Tawky Tawny turns into a real magical tiger, but then he gets killed? This entire issue is basically Freddy and company trying to prevent a series of murders and always getting there just a bit too late. It's really dumb. This evil Shazam is one of the dumbest ideas ever, especially since she hasn't shown up in the rest of the DCU, which has already moved on, which means that whatever the ultimate outcome of this book will be, its events will remain entirely inconsequential. So, if the writing's not good, the story's not good, and it has zero impact on the rest of the DCU, then why, pray tell, should you read it? Exactly. You shouldn't.
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #36
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #36
Oh my god, is this unbelievably AWFUL. In an effort to get Supergirl out of the way for Shooter, they contrive the lamest way to send her back to the present, and for the stupidest reason: Supergirl belongs in the past. Well, duh, but being in the future doesn't preclude her from returning to the past eventually, able to arrive at any point in time, so why is it so imperative to get rid of her now? It's not like anything in the 31st century is truly a threat to her. Plus, the whole "Search for Cosmic Boy" storyline was a bluff. It was never about looking for Cos. And they never find him. Instead, it's all about Brainy manipulating events in his favor. What unbelievable stupidity. I'm so fucking glad there's a new creative team next issue. Because if the current creative team were staying, I certainly wouldn't be.
Oh my god, is this unbelievably AWFUL. In an effort to get Supergirl out of the way for Shooter, they contrive the lamest way to send her back to the present, and for the stupidest reason: Supergirl belongs in the past. Well, duh, but being in the future doesn't preclude her from returning to the past eventually, able to arrive at any point in time, so why is it so imperative to get rid of her now? It's not like anything in the 31st century is truly a threat to her. Plus, the whole "Search for Cosmic Boy" storyline was a bluff. It was never about looking for Cos. And they never find him. Instead, it's all about Brainy manipulating events in his favor. What unbelievable stupidity. I'm so fucking glad there's a new creative team next issue. Because if the current creative team were staying, I certainly wouldn't be.
Green Lantern Corps #18
Green Lantern Corps #18
Wait a minute...haven't I read this book already? Yes! I did! I was called World War Hulk #5! And at least that book, even though it was such a dumb ending, was beautiful to look at.
This entire issue is wasted on a long, drawn out fight between Ion Mark II and Emoboy Prime. They bash each other around, through the country, through the world, through NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, and still there's not even a resolution by the end of the issue. What a waste. AWFUL.
Wait a minute...haven't I read this book already? Yes! I did! I was called World War Hulk #5! And at least that book, even though it was such a dumb ending, was beautiful to look at.
This entire issue is wasted on a long, drawn out fight between Ion Mark II and Emoboy Prime. They bash each other around, through the country, through the world, through NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, and still there's not even a resolution by the end of the issue. What a waste. AWFUL.
Wetworks Armageddon #1
Wetworks Armageddon #1
This is just CRAP. If I didn't know that the book were about fighting vampires, I'd have no idea what was going on. That said, I still don't have much of an idea what's going on. The art is poor, and the story sucks. This entire ARMAGEDDON event is entirely pointless, so far.
This is just CRAP. If I didn't know that the book were about fighting vampires, I'd have no idea what was going on. That said, I still don't have much of an idea what's going on. The art is poor, and the story sucks. This entire ARMAGEDDON event is entirely pointless, so far.
All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #8
All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #8
Oh my god, I'm starting to actually like this title. How implausible is that? This book is just so GODDAMNED over-the-top it's hysterical, and geez, what can I say? It's definitely becoming OKAY. Partially due to getting back on a monthly schedule, but really, it's growing on me.
Oh my god, I'm starting to actually like this title. How implausible is that? This book is just so GODDAMNED over-the-top it's hysterical, and geez, what can I say? It's definitely becoming OKAY. Partially due to getting back on a monthly schedule, but really, it's growing on me.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #3
Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #3
Another book that's lots of fun. Being written by the lead singer of My Chemical Romance initially scared me off of this title conceptually, but after giving these last three (plus extras) issues a shot, it's time to admit that I was wrong. Lots of fun. Even when I've got little or no idea what's going on, it's still lots of fun. And that's primary among the traits which make this book EXCELLENT. I look forward to each issue of this title.
Another book that's lots of fun. Being written by the lead singer of My Chemical Romance initially scared me off of this title conceptually, but after giving these last three (plus extras) issues a shot, it's time to admit that I was wrong. Lots of fun. Even when I've got little or no idea what's going on, it's still lots of fun. And that's primary among the traits which make this book EXCELLENT. I look forward to each issue of this title.
Spirit #11
Spirit #11
Still a ton of fun, even as Darwyn Cooke wraps up his stint on this revival by bringing the El Morte story to a close. And yet, it's still a done-in-one. This issue showcases Denny Colt's girlfriend more than it does him, which is similar to what Eisner often did in some of the best Spirit stories - relegating the Spirit to a bit player in his own title. It's done well, and it works very well. I'll miss Darwyn Cooke when he's gone. He's an EXCELLENT storyteller, and has done an EXCELLENT job of making this book EXCELLENT.
Still a ton of fun, even as Darwyn Cooke wraps up his stint on this revival by bringing the El Morte story to a close. And yet, it's still a done-in-one. This issue showcases Denny Colt's girlfriend more than it does him, which is similar to what Eisner often did in some of the best Spirit stories - relegating the Spirit to a bit player in his own title. It's done well, and it works very well. I'll miss Darwyn Cooke when he's gone. He's an EXCELLENT storyteller, and has done an EXCELLENT job of making this book EXCELLENT.
Marvel Adventures: Avengers #18
Marvel Adventures: Avengers #18
Fun fun fun! Comics are still fun! Not as much fun as Ego the living planet hitting on Earth, but quite close! If only the mainstream Marvel Universe's Avengers titles were as competently executed and well written as this one, I'd like them a whole lot more.
EXCELLENT!
Fun fun fun! Comics are still fun! Not as much fun as Ego the living planet hitting on Earth, but quite close! If only the mainstream Marvel Universe's Avengers titles were as competently executed and well written as this one, I'd like them a whole lot more.
EXCELLENT!
Invincible #46
Invincible #46
Until the beginning of this issue, I'd never really realized just how unbelievably decompressed this series is. And then I had to go back three issues to understand what was going on on the first page of this one. Not a good sign. Come on, K-man, I know you can do better! OKAY, nonetheless.
Until the beginning of this issue, I'd never really realized just how unbelievably decompressed this series is. And then I had to go back three issues to understand what was going on on the first page of this one. Not a good sign. Come on, K-man, I know you can do better! OKAY, nonetheless.
Dark Sector #0
Dark Sector #0
Bill Sinkiewicz is an interesting artist. When you know what he's drawing ahead of time. But this book, which is a prequel to a series which in itself is a prequel to a video game, as far as I can tell, is not the kind of book that he should be on. I still have no idea what was going on in this story. There's some sort of virus that does something to people and there's a rogue agent trying to stop it? Is this a werewolf story? Or is it something else, entirely? The text doesn't make this clear, and the art certainly doesn't. It's just too abstract. I can't grade this book any higher than CRAP. I'm completely disinterested in reading any further issues.
Bill Sinkiewicz is an interesting artist. When you know what he's drawing ahead of time. But this book, which is a prequel to a series which in itself is a prequel to a video game, as far as I can tell, is not the kind of book that he should be on. I still have no idea what was going on in this story. There's some sort of virus that does something to people and there's a rogue agent trying to stop it? Is this a werewolf story? Or is it something else, entirely? The text doesn't make this clear, and the art certainly doesn't. It's just too abstract. I can't grade this book any higher than CRAP. I'm completely disinterested in reading any further issues.
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