Action Comics Annual #10
First story: "The Many Deaths of Superman"
A very clever recap of the many ways that have been found to destroy the supposedly invulnerable Man of Steel. Art by Art Adams is beautiful as always. But what's with his rendition of Mr. Mxyzptlk? VERY GOOD.
Second Story: "Who is Clark Kent's Big Brother?"
I had a mixed reaction to this story. On the one hand, it provides a very clean explanation for the origin of the legend of Superboy, the fact that Lar Gand has also been known as Mon-El and as Valor, and the imprisonment of Lar Gand in the phantom zone. It wraps everything up in a nice little bow for current and future writers to take advantage of without the difficulties posed by convoluted backstory. However...it completely eradicates the post-Crisis origin of Lar Gand as following the Invasion! event, and puts the Eclipso: The Darkness Within event into serious continuity limbo as well. Not only that, but Lar Gand's entire legacy, that of his having seeded the worlds which would one day become the United Planets, is nullified as well. So, unless this is to be the new status quo in the NEW DCU, I can't help but find fault with this story. It's well written, and the art by Eric Wight is reminiscent of Stuart Immonen's work on Secret Identity, but that only redeems it so much. OKAY.
And Lar Gand's cries from his sleep translate as "I don't belong here".
Third Story: "Mystery Under the Blue Sun"
Wow! Nearly full art by the incomparable Joe Kubert. My mouth hangs slack-jawed. Once again he draws Hawkmen, and even some Bizarros for good measure. But seriously, is this a joke? God, I hope so. Because I laughed at it. EXCELLENT. But it's a shame the master couldn't spare himself for more than two pages.
First Special Feature: "Secrets of the Fortress of Solitude"
Most notable is the new status quo for the bottle city of Kandor: "Named after the fabled Kryptonian city of Kandor, this diverse metropolis of extra-terrestrial races was shrunken down using Coluan science and kept by the wizard Tolos until Superman rescued it."
It's official: Brainiac did NOT create the bottle city of Kandor in the new DCU. However, it was Coluan science that shrunk it, so it's possible that he may have had something to do with it. The new origin of Kandor was explored in December '95's Superman #107. But it is NOT the original Kandor. So it could have a cork. EH.
Fourth Story: "The Criminals of Krypton"
Notable for lumping the destruction of the original Kryptonian city of Kandor into the tragedy caused by Jax-Ur when he destroyed one of Krypton's moons.
This story is definitely Donner's. It constitutes his official origin for General Zod and his cohorts, which, now, due to the restructuring of the DCU, can be identical with that of the original movies.
Interesting, but not a particularly good story. EH.
Second Special Feature: "Superman's Top 10 Most Wanted"
Toyman is one of Superman's top ten villains? Huh? Whatever. The shoddiness of this piece makes this issue poorer for its inclusion. CRAP.
Fifth Story: "The Deadliest Forms of Kryptonite"
This is a very poor story decision. Poor editorial decision as well. The inclusion of gold kryptonite into the new DCU is stupid. Since gold kryptonite removes Superman's powers permanently, it is not useful as a story device except in imaginary stories. Because once it's used, there's no point to anything else, ever again. Stoooopid. And why would blue kryptonite be useful for Lex to put into John Corben's chest cavity? And how is red kryptonite deadly? ASS.
This annual started out promisingly, but as the pages turned it just got worse and worse. I have to give it two grades overall: VERY GOOD, and ASS.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Friday, February 09, 2007
Supergirl #14
Supergirl #14
Once again, Supergirl is the creepiest book out there. And I don't think they intend it to be such. And that just makes it even more ASS. This, after last month's "please read us, we'll be your bestest friends" entreaty to female readers in DC Nation. You know, if you want girls to read you, you might try writing an actual girl. Or meeting an actual girl. Or even reading up on what actual girls are like. This is NOT how girls act. This is NOT how girls talk. This is, perhaps, some fat slob's dream idea of what a girl is like.
Storywise, this issue is so very badly disjointed that I had a hard time trying to figure out what was happening, and why, for the most part. I still haven't completely deciphered it. On the first pages, there are caption boxes, and it's nearly impossible to tell who's talking. It's quite AWFUL.
Oh yeah, and Kara is apparently the new DCU's Wolverine analogue, with razor sharp spikes which can extrude from her back, of all places. All the more argument to keep her on top of you, eh, comic book guy?
Just a suggestion: if you want chicks to dig this book, try putting an empowering writer on it, such as Peter David, Gail Simone, Devin Grayson, or Will Pfeifer. Joe Kelly has no idea how to write. Neither for girls, nor anyone else for that matter.
Once again, Supergirl is the creepiest book out there. And I don't think they intend it to be such. And that just makes it even more ASS. This, after last month's "please read us, we'll be your bestest friends" entreaty to female readers in DC Nation. You know, if you want girls to read you, you might try writing an actual girl. Or meeting an actual girl. Or even reading up on what actual girls are like. This is NOT how girls act. This is NOT how girls talk. This is, perhaps, some fat slob's dream idea of what a girl is like.
Storywise, this issue is so very badly disjointed that I had a hard time trying to figure out what was happening, and why, for the most part. I still haven't completely deciphered it. On the first pages, there are caption boxes, and it's nearly impossible to tell who's talking. It's quite AWFUL.
Oh yeah, and Kara is apparently the new DCU's Wolverine analogue, with razor sharp spikes which can extrude from her back, of all places. All the more argument to keep her on top of you, eh, comic book guy?
Just a suggestion: if you want chicks to dig this book, try putting an empowering writer on it, such as Peter David, Gail Simone, Devin Grayson, or Will Pfeifer. Joe Kelly has no idea how to write. Neither for girls, nor anyone else for that matter.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong #5
X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong #5
Oh my god, that was so unbelievably AWFUL. Even the front cover, on which Marc Silvestri does an homage to, of all people, Greg Land???? How poor is that decision? If I were in the office when that illustration came in, I'd start laughing hysterically!
Although Top Cow's house art style is okay, for the most part, their artists apparently don't have any concept as to what Cyclops' optic beams are supposed to be or look like. They do NOT have tendrils of red gooey manga stuff emanating from them. Sure, it may make it more interesting, but it also is completely untrue to all previous characterisations of his powers.
They also seem oblivious to how to portray action sequences. Case in point: at one point, Kitty Pryde says "Wait. Listen. It's quiet. They've...stopped." Yet there is no indication that it was noisy before that. Perhaps the artists are so wrapped up in their own little universes, that they don't realize that comics are a visual art form. If it's supposed to be loud, we have no means of knowing, unless you tell us!!! Many artists are dynamic enough to convey sound without blatantly adding onomatopoeia to the page. Kirkham, Regla, and Starr are not. And they obviously think waaay too highly of themselves.
This entire issue makes nearly no sense, from John Sublime's disembodied orating from multiple monitor screens, to Kitty Pryde phasing herself through the cuckoos to disrupt the nanomachines in their bloodstream, to the last three surviving cuckoos imprisoning the Phoenix entity in their hearts, which they turn diamond so that it can't escape! Does any of that make sense? No! Not in the least! And then, get this - they say that since their hearts are permanently diamond, they'll never be able to feel again! Ummm - you feel with your brain! When people say that the heart is the seat of emotion, they're speaking metaphorically, not scientifically! Personally, if their hearts were locked in diamond form, I'd be more concerned about their ability to pump blood to the rest of their body, but perhaps that's just me. An absolutely ridiculously ASS ending to an absolutely godAWFUL series.
The trade should have caution tape strung around it warning purchasers of reading such AWFUL CRAP.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Oh my god, that was so unbelievably AWFUL. Even the front cover, on which Marc Silvestri does an homage to, of all people, Greg Land???? How poor is that decision? If I were in the office when that illustration came in, I'd start laughing hysterically!
Although Top Cow's house art style is okay, for the most part, their artists apparently don't have any concept as to what Cyclops' optic beams are supposed to be or look like. They do NOT have tendrils of red gooey manga stuff emanating from them. Sure, it may make it more interesting, but it also is completely untrue to all previous characterisations of his powers.
They also seem oblivious to how to portray action sequences. Case in point: at one point, Kitty Pryde says "Wait. Listen. It's quiet. They've...stopped." Yet there is no indication that it was noisy before that. Perhaps the artists are so wrapped up in their own little universes, that they don't realize that comics are a visual art form. If it's supposed to be loud, we have no means of knowing, unless you tell us!!! Many artists are dynamic enough to convey sound without blatantly adding onomatopoeia to the page. Kirkham, Regla, and Starr are not. And they obviously think waaay too highly of themselves.
This entire issue makes nearly no sense, from John Sublime's disembodied orating from multiple monitor screens, to Kitty Pryde phasing herself through the cuckoos to disrupt the nanomachines in their bloodstream, to the last three surviving cuckoos imprisoning the Phoenix entity in their hearts, which they turn diamond so that it can't escape! Does any of that make sense? No! Not in the least! And then, get this - they say that since their hearts are permanently diamond, they'll never be able to feel again! Ummm - you feel with your brain! When people say that the heart is the seat of emotion, they're speaking metaphorically, not scientifically! Personally, if their hearts were locked in diamond form, I'd be more concerned about their ability to pump blood to the rest of their body, but perhaps that's just me. An absolutely ridiculously ASS ending to an absolutely godAWFUL series.
The trade should have caution tape strung around it warning purchasers of reading such AWFUL CRAP.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Smallville 6x12 "Labyrinth"
Smallville 6x12 "Labyrinth"
Sorry. I know that I haven't posted in a few weeks, and I apologize for that, but I've been out of town. First I was on vacation in Orlando, and then I was sent out of town on business. I hope to have a regular column soon over at Seqart, so that'll probably get me to post more frequently as well.
Anyways, aside from the first facial appearance of J'onn J'onzz in this episode, we find out the Luthor mansion's address: 100 Sayour Rd. Additionally, Smallville's area code in 66684 - which, although non-existent, would put it immediately outside of Topeka, Kansas, 66683. And the drug that Martha's taking, Adalefline? It doesn't exist either. Nor does the "Fortress of Solitude" book on the shelf, nor does the "Phantom Zone" journal on the table, and of course Jorel soap is a sendup of Curel.
Product placement: "Since your superspeed's out of gas, take my Yaris". Sorry, that's just rude. Showing the car off is one thing, but even Hiro's "Nissan Versa!" on Heroes isn't this obnoxious.
Michael Rosenbaum has some excellent dramatic deliveries in this episode, though. Allison Mack was very good, as well. The rest of the cast were just off, though. Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk really can't act. Even Annette O'Toole wasn't good in this ep.
Every sci-fi show does their "it was all a dream" episode eventually, and mostly, they're pretty annoying. Buffy's was better than most. But this one is more annoying than most.
So, much as I hate to say it, this episode was CRAP.
Sorry. I know that I haven't posted in a few weeks, and I apologize for that, but I've been out of town. First I was on vacation in Orlando, and then I was sent out of town on business. I hope to have a regular column soon over at Seqart, so that'll probably get me to post more frequently as well.
Anyways, aside from the first facial appearance of J'onn J'onzz in this episode, we find out the Luthor mansion's address: 100 Sayour Rd. Additionally, Smallville's area code in 66684 - which, although non-existent, would put it immediately outside of Topeka, Kansas, 66683. And the drug that Martha's taking, Adalefline? It doesn't exist either. Nor does the "Fortress of Solitude" book on the shelf, nor does the "Phantom Zone" journal on the table, and of course Jorel soap is a sendup of Curel.
Product placement: "Since your superspeed's out of gas, take my Yaris". Sorry, that's just rude. Showing the car off is one thing, but even Hiro's "Nissan Versa!" on Heroes isn't this obnoxious.
Michael Rosenbaum has some excellent dramatic deliveries in this episode, though. Allison Mack was very good, as well. The rest of the cast were just off, though. Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk really can't act. Even Annette O'Toole wasn't good in this ep.
Every sci-fi show does their "it was all a dream" episode eventually, and mostly, they're pretty annoying. Buffy's was better than most. But this one is more annoying than most.
So, much as I hate to say it, this episode was CRAP.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Wonder Man #1-#2
Wonder Man #1-#2
In spite of Simon Williams' presence in this book, it's quite GOOD. It's quite unapologetically and self-referentially a superhero retelling of Shaw's Pygmalion. It abounds with Eliza Doolittle references, and even the title of the story is "My Fair Super-Hero". If you don't get the joke, then there's something sorely lacking in either your English Literature background or your pop-culture database.
What makes this title so good though, is exactly what hasn't been advertised overtly in the solicits or even on the covers: it's Peter David's portrayal of Henry McCoy. As one who's so brilliant that he needn't even make an effort - or so he thinks.
The "dark future" scenes are largely throwaway - unless Peter David is hinting at their placement in the 2099 universe populated by his characters from Spider-Man 2099. The main story doesn't seem to have anything to do with these scenes.
The art is also a bit offputting.
But taken as a whole, this is really GOOD stuff, and should, at least for those among us who enjoy the classics, at least be perused.
In spite of Simon Williams' presence in this book, it's quite GOOD. It's quite unapologetically and self-referentially a superhero retelling of Shaw's Pygmalion. It abounds with Eliza Doolittle references, and even the title of the story is "My Fair Super-Hero". If you don't get the joke, then there's something sorely lacking in either your English Literature background or your pop-culture database.
What makes this title so good though, is exactly what hasn't been advertised overtly in the solicits or even on the covers: it's Peter David's portrayal of Henry McCoy. As one who's so brilliant that he needn't even make an effort - or so he thinks.
The "dark future" scenes are largely throwaway - unless Peter David is hinting at their placement in the 2099 universe populated by his characters from Spider-Man 2099. The main story doesn't seem to have anything to do with these scenes.
The art is also a bit offputting.
But taken as a whole, this is really GOOD stuff, and should, at least for those among us who enjoy the classics, at least be perused.
Smallville 6x11 "Justice"
Smallville 6x11 "Justice"
EXCELLENT!! Finally, the episode we've all been waiting for, ever since we were first introduced to Bart Allen. Then we were introduced to Arthur Curry who mentioned the Junior Lifeguard Association. Then Cyborg was introduced. Finally, Oliver Queen came to town to finance the whole operation, which is described in this episode as "J.L. International, a satellite orbiting..." Fanboygasm! So we get the five member Justice L. International, consisting of Green Arrow, Aquaman, Cyborg, Impulse, and Boy Scout (had he been able to pick his own callsign, what would Clark have picked? Farm Boy?), controlled from Queen's headquarters by "Watchtower", a.k.a. Chloe. What an EXCELLENT episode. (Plus, Alan Ritchson reprises his role as A.C. from "Aqua".) I can't wait for J'onn J'onzz to come into focus next week.
EXCELLENT!! Finally, the episode we've all been waiting for, ever since we were first introduced to Bart Allen. Then we were introduced to Arthur Curry who mentioned the Junior Lifeguard Association. Then Cyborg was introduced. Finally, Oliver Queen came to town to finance the whole operation, which is described in this episode as "J.L. International, a satellite orbiting..." Fanboygasm! So we get the five member Justice L. International, consisting of Green Arrow, Aquaman, Cyborg, Impulse, and Boy Scout (had he been able to pick his own callsign, what would Clark have picked? Farm Boy?), controlled from Queen's headquarters by "Watchtower", a.k.a. Chloe. What an EXCELLENT episode. (Plus, Alan Ritchson reprises his role as A.C. from "Aqua".) I can't wait for J'onn J'onzz to come into focus next week.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
52 #37
52 #37
The following are my comments on this issue, as directed towards the readers (and writer) of Douglas Wolk's excellent site "52-pickup".
The Gauntlet: Kara must have delivered it to Bats after her other self kicked the crap out of Luthor.
Good observation last week that Supernova was in a footballer's pose.
JLA Storage: I'm sure that every member keeps extra costumes and utilities in the JLA headquarters, wherever that may be - because you've GOT to replace torn outfits, and have GOT to have backups for equipment which was damaged or used up in fights. We know Ray made at least two belts. Why not more?
Since Supernova utilizes Phantom Zone technology, which has often been used as a means of teleportation, he must have just teleported into the cave.
Hawkgirl's N'th metal: He could take it from "JLA storage (or JSA storage)" or just grab a piece of her GIANT wings when she came back from space.
Superstrength: Just because he's being Supernova doesn't mean that Booster will have relinquished all his former powers.
Teleportation via the Phantom Zone:
STEP 1: Enter the Phantom Zone.
STEP 2: Navigate to a point within the Phantom Zone corresponding to the desired destination.
STEP 3: Exit the Phantom Zone.
I can't bring specific citations, but it HAS been used like this before.
I read the Ollie quote as a comment on the fact that part of the greatest part of loving someone is knowing how and when to let them go. Interestingly, remember how Ollie had, at one time, wanted kids, and Dinah nixed that idea (Longbow Hunters #1)? Ollie eventually let her go without a fight, and today it seems that motherhood is Dinah's raison d'etre. Thus, Ollie let Dinah go in order that she could develop emotionally to the point where she is today. They're obviously still close.
Then again, maybe he was really pondering the fact that Dinah seems to have something of a death wish - jumping to a flagpole without a safety line.
Firestorm: Pretty pointless to feature a character whose introduction is recent. Wouldn't it have been more interesting to explore the origins of the Firestorm elemental force?
And no wonder it's been cancelled: since Dan Jolley left the title, it's pretty much sucked.
Is anybody besides Calimike actually reading Ion?
The Jurgens Titans title featuring a regressed teenage Atom has been ignored since it was cancelled. The only holdover from that series is Argent. All else is a big "whoops!" a'la Hawkman.
And on the Multiverse still being around? Well that's just stupid. I mean, I'm happy about it and all, but the fact remains that two massive miniseries with a multitude of crossovers were dedicated to getting rid of it. And none of it succeeded? That's just ridiculous. Not to mention that even following the first Crisis, various writers found different ways to reintroduce worlds and dimensions that they felt they wanted. One of the most recent was Grant Morrison's Earth 2 series, whose characters crossed over into the JLA title two years ago. And even today, after IC, we've seen many hints in the OYL titles of the multiverse still being around, primary amongst them the existence of scads of Monitors. So I really must ask, what in the world did Infinite Crisis accomplish? Why did Conner die? Why is Pantha's head a'rollin? Why is Ted Kord dead? These things were supposed to have meaning, but now that Didio has come out and told us that "yes, kiddies, the secret of 52 is that the multiverse still exists"? Pshaw. That's the big secret? 37 weeks of mediocrity (or worse) for this? Ridiculous. If I actually paid for this title, I'd stop buying it.
ASS
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart]
The following are my comments on this issue, as directed towards the readers (and writer) of Douglas Wolk's excellent site "52-pickup".
The Gauntlet: Kara must have delivered it to Bats after her other self kicked the crap out of Luthor.
Good observation last week that Supernova was in a footballer's pose.
JLA Storage: I'm sure that every member keeps extra costumes and utilities in the JLA headquarters, wherever that may be - because you've GOT to replace torn outfits, and have GOT to have backups for equipment which was damaged or used up in fights. We know Ray made at least two belts. Why not more?
Since Supernova utilizes Phantom Zone technology, which has often been used as a means of teleportation, he must have just teleported into the cave.
Hawkgirl's N'th metal: He could take it from "JLA storage (or JSA storage)" or just grab a piece of her GIANT wings when she came back from space.
Superstrength: Just because he's being Supernova doesn't mean that Booster will have relinquished all his former powers.
Teleportation via the Phantom Zone:
STEP 1: Enter the Phantom Zone.
STEP 2: Navigate to a point within the Phantom Zone corresponding to the desired destination.
STEP 3: Exit the Phantom Zone.
I can't bring specific citations, but it HAS been used like this before.
I read the Ollie quote as a comment on the fact that part of the greatest part of loving someone is knowing how and when to let them go. Interestingly, remember how Ollie had, at one time, wanted kids, and Dinah nixed that idea (Longbow Hunters #1)? Ollie eventually let her go without a fight, and today it seems that motherhood is Dinah's raison d'etre. Thus, Ollie let Dinah go in order that she could develop emotionally to the point where she is today. They're obviously still close.
Then again, maybe he was really pondering the fact that Dinah seems to have something of a death wish - jumping to a flagpole without a safety line.
Firestorm: Pretty pointless to feature a character whose introduction is recent. Wouldn't it have been more interesting to explore the origins of the Firestorm elemental force?
And no wonder it's been cancelled: since Dan Jolley left the title, it's pretty much sucked.
Is anybody besides Calimike actually reading Ion?
The Jurgens Titans title featuring a regressed teenage Atom has been ignored since it was cancelled. The only holdover from that series is Argent. All else is a big "whoops!" a'la Hawkman.
And on the Multiverse still being around? Well that's just stupid. I mean, I'm happy about it and all, but the fact remains that two massive miniseries with a multitude of crossovers were dedicated to getting rid of it. And none of it succeeded? That's just ridiculous. Not to mention that even following the first Crisis, various writers found different ways to reintroduce worlds and dimensions that they felt they wanted. One of the most recent was Grant Morrison's Earth 2 series, whose characters crossed over into the JLA title two years ago. And even today, after IC, we've seen many hints in the OYL titles of the multiverse still being around, primary amongst them the existence of scads of Monitors. So I really must ask, what in the world did Infinite Crisis accomplish? Why did Conner die? Why is Pantha's head a'rollin? Why is Ted Kord dead? These things were supposed to have meaning, but now that Didio has come out and told us that "yes, kiddies, the secret of 52 is that the multiverse still exists"? Pshaw. That's the big secret? 37 weeks of mediocrity (or worse) for this? Ridiculous. If I actually paid for this title, I'd stop buying it.
ASS
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart]
Monday, January 08, 2007
30 Days of Night
30 Days of Night
Well, I promised that I was going to get around to reading this, and I just finished everything up until the current series. I'll go through the series one by one.
30 Days of Night - Wizard Prologue
The major fault here is that this doesn't stand on its own. It can't. Then again, these things rarely do. But for its eight pages, it gives us a chance to become semi familiar with Ben Templesmith's art style, and also warns us that we'll need a magnifying glass to read the vampires' dialogue. Taken together with the rest of the series, it's VERY GOOD, but if I were forced to give it an independent rating, I could only go as high as OKAY.
30 Days of Night #1-#3
This series was GOOD. It took me quite a while to get used to Ben Templesmith's art, and to tell the truth, it took longer than this series. In fact, it seemed that even he didn't come into his own on this series until the next set of books. The third issue in and of itself was EXCELLENT, though, with a very fitting climax, which serves to cement the mythos surrounding Steve Niles' version of vampirism. He views it as something akin to a disease which can be spread through exposure to the saliva or blood of one who's already infected. His vampires burn in the sun, but short of that, nothing less than decapitation will kill them for good. They're certainly tough bastards. He has them sporting claws and a full mouth of razor-sharp teeth, and huge four-foot-long prehensile tongues, which can curl and snake. My major complaint about the art is that every close up of anybody's mouth, even the humans, looks vampiric. Unless that's just Ben Templesmith trying to say that the fundamental difference between humans and vamps is their morals. But I think he just likes drawing people with poor dental hygiene. Also, he draws scenes so dark and sketchy, that at times it's extremely difficult to figure out what's going on. Not Bachalo difficult. Just harder than it should be. Also, he tends to take shortcuts in his art, but which I mean that instead of illustrating something so that we'll know exactly what he's trying to convey, he makes a sort of collage with [words in brackets] to describe what he can't figure out how to convey graphically. It's interesting, but it's still cheating.
30 Days of Night - Dark Days #1-#6
This series is much better. The main plot of this one is that Stella, the Sheriff's wife, has written a book about the attack on Barrow, entitled, you guessed it, "30 Days of Night", and is in L.A. doing publicity for it. The publicity is more for the sake of informing others about the vampire threat so that they can defend themselves against the hitherto unbelievable. She has surrounded herself with mercenaries, and developed specialized weaponry for fighting vampires. It's VERY GOOD, and herein Templesmith shows that he's settled into his groove. Either that, or I just finally figured out how to interpret his art. Probably a bit of both.
30 Days of Night Annual 2004
A collection of short stories by Steve Niles set in the universe that he has created. Read this before the next miniseries, as it contains the introduction to a very central character in that series. It also ties up two loose ends from the previous series. Everything a good annual should be, and not at all what you'd expect from an annual. I know that that may sound cryptic, and so be it. Titlewise ratings, by story: 1) The Book Club - EH. It's completely useless. It doesn't contribute whatsoever to the general mythology of the world Niles has created, except to tell us that Stella published those sections that were removed from her book by the publisher on her website. It's not incompetent storytelling, it's just pointless. It's actually reminiscent of the old Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street". 2) The Hand that Feeds - GOOD. The art by Szymon Kudranski is competent. This is the first story to tie up a loose end from the last series. 3) Agent Norris: MIA - OKAY. This story's art by Brandon Hovet, Bill Williams, and Tom B. Long is extremely out of character for this series. It's almost cartoonish. And waaay too bright. This is the second story tying up loose ends. 4) The Trapper - VERY GOOD. This one has art by Josh Medors which reminds me simultaneously of the illustrations of Arthur Szyk and the covers for those old Isaac Bashevis Singer books. I can't really explain why. Very European. It's quite lovely. It introduces a main character from, and segues into the next series.
30 Days of Night - Return to Barrow #1-#6
A few years later, the vampires decide to mount another attack on Barrow, this time wiping out any and all survivors. But since the first attack, the survivors have prepared themselves, learning the mythology of their adversary, amassing weapons, fencing in what remains of the town, setting up generators at multiple points, and installing UV lights at the periphery of their compound. They believe they'll be prepared. So do you...until the vampires start shooting! EXCELLENT series, with the best ending of any of the books. These issues all contain short prose pieces in the back, which I haven't read, so will not be reviewing just yet.
30 Days of Night - Picking Up the Pieces from IDW's Tales of Terror vol. 1
This story serves as an epilogue to Return to Barrow, and also as a prologue to the 2005 Annual.
It's a VERY GOOD short story (10 pages), but Templesmith cheats a lot.
30 Days of Night - Bloodsucker Tales #1-#8
Alright now, this one is a bit of a mixed bag. Each issue has three stories in it, two graphic and one prose. The prose stories are of varying quality. Mostly they're okay, a couple are good or very good, but there's one which quite obviously doesn't fit anywhere into the Niles mythology. It's just a random story about a vampire. And as such, it has no business being in a 30 Days of Night book. The story itself is good, but its inclusion is quite puzzling. Prose is prose, and some of you may not even bother reading words with no pictures, but as a whole they're worth reading. I'm not going to rate them in this column though. Maybe some other time.
The graphical stories are 1) Dead Billy Dead, written by Niles and illustrated quite excellently by Kody Chamberlain. This story, about a young man who gets turned but manages to keep his thirst under control, is VERY GOOD. 2) The second story, Juarez or Lex Nova & The Case of the 400 Dead Mexican Girls, by Matt Fraction with art by Templesmith, is not. It's hard to follow, and even upon the conclusion I had very little idea of what it had been about. The art is not clear either. In fact, this is Templesmith's shoddiest work throughout the entirety of this series. This one's CRAP.
30 Days of Night Annual 2005
This one directly follows the short story from Tales of Terror mentioned above. It's a GOOD story, but it includes a very unfortunate fate for the hero of an earlier story, and what is decidedly a non-ending. The art, this time provided by Nat Jones, is competent, but is not what we've come to expect. And, for the first time ever, the lettering is sloppy. Words are misspelled, words are left out. It's annoying, especially since it was perfect until now. And for the first time, stakes are used, whereas shotgun shells would be MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.
30 Days of Night - Dead Space #1-#3
Okay, now I really don't understand what could have possessed Steve Niles to write this total piece of excrement. It's really, really, bad. The main premise is that on the night before a shuttle launch, the mission captain hooks up with a vampire prostitute. Even though he's married. It takes him half a day to turn, and he proceeds with the launch even though he's aware that he's turning. And AASA (NASA?) lets the launch proceed even though his vitals are substandard. So, just after launch, he vamps out and turns or kills the entire crew, resulting in the shuttle's exploding. So AASA (read ass-a), sends another crew up, fearing vampires, and they find the captain's floating unprotected in space, with no damage. They take him on board the international space station, where they get sent because AASA doesn't want them bringing the body back to Earth. And he wakes up on the autopsy table and kills or turns everybody on the space station. And then the lone survivor is headed back to Earth with a vampire riding his escape capsule like Slim Pickins on the bomb.
Problems: A space shuttle launch is ALWAYS preceded by the total quarantine of all flight members for at least 24 hours before launch.
Vampires wouldn't do very well in space, as they'd be subjected to more sun then they'd ever get on the planet.
Vampires would still depressurize in a vacuum.
An acetylene torch lit inside a space shuttle would cause the pressurized Oxygen inside to combust. And what use would it really be against vampires anyways? Use something heavy!
A vampire would burn to a crisp upon reentry into the atmosphere.
And those are just the glaring errors.
This series was cowritten with Dan Wickline, and you've got to assume that as it's completely different in tone and quality from ANYTHING else in this series, that he's the guy responsible for this CRAP. The art is done by MILX - whatever that is - and it's just completely wrong for this series. And there are problems, once again, with the lettering. Completely ASS - for trying to sell a bullshit storyline under the 30 Days of Night title.
Overall, this series is very high quality. I'm looking forward to reading the current miniseries.
Well, I promised that I was going to get around to reading this, and I just finished everything up until the current series. I'll go through the series one by one.
30 Days of Night - Wizard Prologue
The major fault here is that this doesn't stand on its own. It can't. Then again, these things rarely do. But for its eight pages, it gives us a chance to become semi familiar with Ben Templesmith's art style, and also warns us that we'll need a magnifying glass to read the vampires' dialogue. Taken together with the rest of the series, it's VERY GOOD, but if I were forced to give it an independent rating, I could only go as high as OKAY.
30 Days of Night #1-#3
This series was GOOD. It took me quite a while to get used to Ben Templesmith's art, and to tell the truth, it took longer than this series. In fact, it seemed that even he didn't come into his own on this series until the next set of books. The third issue in and of itself was EXCELLENT, though, with a very fitting climax, which serves to cement the mythos surrounding Steve Niles' version of vampirism. He views it as something akin to a disease which can be spread through exposure to the saliva or blood of one who's already infected. His vampires burn in the sun, but short of that, nothing less than decapitation will kill them for good. They're certainly tough bastards. He has them sporting claws and a full mouth of razor-sharp teeth, and huge four-foot-long prehensile tongues, which can curl and snake. My major complaint about the art is that every close up of anybody's mouth, even the humans, looks vampiric. Unless that's just Ben Templesmith trying to say that the fundamental difference between humans and vamps is their morals. But I think he just likes drawing people with poor dental hygiene. Also, he draws scenes so dark and sketchy, that at times it's extremely difficult to figure out what's going on. Not Bachalo difficult. Just harder than it should be. Also, he tends to take shortcuts in his art, but which I mean that instead of illustrating something so that we'll know exactly what he's trying to convey, he makes a sort of collage with [words in brackets] to describe what he can't figure out how to convey graphically. It's interesting, but it's still cheating.
30 Days of Night - Dark Days #1-#6
This series is much better. The main plot of this one is that Stella, the Sheriff's wife, has written a book about the attack on Barrow, entitled, you guessed it, "30 Days of Night", and is in L.A. doing publicity for it. The publicity is more for the sake of informing others about the vampire threat so that they can defend themselves against the hitherto unbelievable. She has surrounded herself with mercenaries, and developed specialized weaponry for fighting vampires. It's VERY GOOD, and herein Templesmith shows that he's settled into his groove. Either that, or I just finally figured out how to interpret his art. Probably a bit of both.
30 Days of Night Annual 2004
A collection of short stories by Steve Niles set in the universe that he has created. Read this before the next miniseries, as it contains the introduction to a very central character in that series. It also ties up two loose ends from the previous series. Everything a good annual should be, and not at all what you'd expect from an annual. I know that that may sound cryptic, and so be it. Titlewise ratings, by story: 1) The Book Club - EH. It's completely useless. It doesn't contribute whatsoever to the general mythology of the world Niles has created, except to tell us that Stella published those sections that were removed from her book by the publisher on her website. It's not incompetent storytelling, it's just pointless. It's actually reminiscent of the old Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street". 2) The Hand that Feeds - GOOD. The art by Szymon Kudranski is competent. This is the first story to tie up a loose end from the last series. 3) Agent Norris: MIA - OKAY. This story's art by Brandon Hovet, Bill Williams, and Tom B. Long is extremely out of character for this series. It's almost cartoonish. And waaay too bright. This is the second story tying up loose ends. 4) The Trapper - VERY GOOD. This one has art by Josh Medors which reminds me simultaneously of the illustrations of Arthur Szyk and the covers for those old Isaac Bashevis Singer books. I can't really explain why. Very European. It's quite lovely. It introduces a main character from, and segues into the next series.
30 Days of Night - Return to Barrow #1-#6
A few years later, the vampires decide to mount another attack on Barrow, this time wiping out any and all survivors. But since the first attack, the survivors have prepared themselves, learning the mythology of their adversary, amassing weapons, fencing in what remains of the town, setting up generators at multiple points, and installing UV lights at the periphery of their compound. They believe they'll be prepared. So do you...until the vampires start shooting! EXCELLENT series, with the best ending of any of the books. These issues all contain short prose pieces in the back, which I haven't read, so will not be reviewing just yet.
30 Days of Night - Picking Up the Pieces from IDW's Tales of Terror vol. 1
This story serves as an epilogue to Return to Barrow, and also as a prologue to the 2005 Annual.
It's a VERY GOOD short story (10 pages), but Templesmith cheats a lot.
30 Days of Night - Bloodsucker Tales #1-#8
Alright now, this one is a bit of a mixed bag. Each issue has three stories in it, two graphic and one prose. The prose stories are of varying quality. Mostly they're okay, a couple are good or very good, but there's one which quite obviously doesn't fit anywhere into the Niles mythology. It's just a random story about a vampire. And as such, it has no business being in a 30 Days of Night book. The story itself is good, but its inclusion is quite puzzling. Prose is prose, and some of you may not even bother reading words with no pictures, but as a whole they're worth reading. I'm not going to rate them in this column though. Maybe some other time.
The graphical stories are 1) Dead Billy Dead, written by Niles and illustrated quite excellently by Kody Chamberlain. This story, about a young man who gets turned but manages to keep his thirst under control, is VERY GOOD. 2) The second story, Juarez or Lex Nova & The Case of the 400 Dead Mexican Girls, by Matt Fraction with art by Templesmith, is not. It's hard to follow, and even upon the conclusion I had very little idea of what it had been about. The art is not clear either. In fact, this is Templesmith's shoddiest work throughout the entirety of this series. This one's CRAP.
30 Days of Night Annual 2005
This one directly follows the short story from Tales of Terror mentioned above. It's a GOOD story, but it includes a very unfortunate fate for the hero of an earlier story, and what is decidedly a non-ending. The art, this time provided by Nat Jones, is competent, but is not what we've come to expect. And, for the first time ever, the lettering is sloppy. Words are misspelled, words are left out. It's annoying, especially since it was perfect until now. And for the first time, stakes are used, whereas shotgun shells would be MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.
30 Days of Night - Dead Space #1-#3
Okay, now I really don't understand what could have possessed Steve Niles to write this total piece of excrement. It's really, really, bad. The main premise is that on the night before a shuttle launch, the mission captain hooks up with a vampire prostitute. Even though he's married. It takes him half a day to turn, and he proceeds with the launch even though he's aware that he's turning. And AASA (NASA?) lets the launch proceed even though his vitals are substandard. So, just after launch, he vamps out and turns or kills the entire crew, resulting in the shuttle's exploding. So AASA (read ass-a), sends another crew up, fearing vampires, and they find the captain's floating unprotected in space, with no damage. They take him on board the international space station, where they get sent because AASA doesn't want them bringing the body back to Earth. And he wakes up on the autopsy table and kills or turns everybody on the space station. And then the lone survivor is headed back to Earth with a vampire riding his escape capsule like Slim Pickins on the bomb.
Problems: A space shuttle launch is ALWAYS preceded by the total quarantine of all flight members for at least 24 hours before launch.
Vampires wouldn't do very well in space, as they'd be subjected to more sun then they'd ever get on the planet.
Vampires would still depressurize in a vacuum.
An acetylene torch lit inside a space shuttle would cause the pressurized Oxygen inside to combust. And what use would it really be against vampires anyways? Use something heavy!
A vampire would burn to a crisp upon reentry into the atmosphere.
And those are just the glaring errors.
This series was cowritten with Dan Wickline, and you've got to assume that as it's completely different in tone and quality from ANYTHING else in this series, that he's the guy responsible for this CRAP. The art is done by MILX - whatever that is - and it's just completely wrong for this series. And there are problems, once again, with the lettering. Completely ASS - for trying to sell a bullshit storyline under the 30 Days of Night title.
Overall, this series is very high quality. I'm looking forward to reading the current miniseries.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Manhunter #27
Manhunter #27
You gotta love that cover. Seriously! If you were even the slightest bit pissed about Countdown, you've really got to love that cover. And it does such a great job of lampooning current comics with their not-so-secret big reveals on the last page: Spider-Man unmasks? Wait, didn't I read that he was going to in the New York Times? Supergirl joins the Legion of Superheroes? Gee, it's not like the title gave it away or anything! The other Nightwing is Jason Todd? Nice of the next issue box to tell us! So this issue ends with the return(?!!) of Blue Beetle Ted Kord and sets up a new story, while furthering the main story of Kate's defense of Wonder Woman. One of the reporters outside the Grand Jury courthouse asks a question which still hasn't really been made clear in any of the books: what happened to Diana's diplomatic immunity? I suppose we'll find out, but I'm guessing that she's surrendered it voluntarily in the hopes of restoring her name.
Also, Cameron Chase's father was a superhero, and she's got meta powers [Edit: apparently she's been portrayed in the past as having the subconcious ability to negate meta powers when under stress]; Mark Shaw may become the new Azrael (interesting, since Kate uses Az-Bat's gauntlets); Sasha Bordeaux thinks that the video of Wonder Woman snapping Max Lord's neck is a doctored phony - which leads one to wonder what she believes the truth to be.
Another EXCELLENT issue of a truly EXCELLENT title. If you aren't reading Manhunter yet, then shame on you. It's because of you that quality comics get cancelled while piss poor periodicals proliferate. Read Manhunter!
Edit: [Okay, so I did some research since writing this. Apparently, it was revealed that Cameron Chase's father was the hero named Acro-Bat in Chase #6, which was supposed to be a peripheral Bat-title. Yeah, I didn't read it either. Apparently nobody did, and it was cancelled without any fanfare after ten issues, the tenth of which was #1,000,000. What a way to go. Anyways, it's interesting to note that one of the members of Walter Chase's team was the Bronze Wraith, later to be known as the Martian Manhunter! This was revealed in the likewise short-lived Martian Manhunter series, though several more people actually read that one. Cameron's father appeared in flashbacks in two issues of that series. And that's it. He hasn't been mentioned anywhere else, before or since, in the entirety of the DCU, and neither has any other member of the Justice Experience (except for its Bronze Wraith, of course). The only member besides Wraith in the JE with any apparent superpowers was Song Bird, who had wings and could fly. They were to be a continuity implant meant to fill the void in the 60's and 70's when there were few or no other active superheroes. Had the book which introduced them not been speedily cancelled, and their name not sucked ass, we might have seen more of them over the years. I'm impressed that Andreyko was familiar with this forgotten piece of DCU lore. Even the usual sources don't have very much more than I was able to present herein, so, kudos.]
You gotta love that cover. Seriously! If you were even the slightest bit pissed about Countdown, you've really got to love that cover. And it does such a great job of lampooning current comics with their not-so-secret big reveals on the last page: Spider-Man unmasks? Wait, didn't I read that he was going to in the New York Times? Supergirl joins the Legion of Superheroes? Gee, it's not like the title gave it away or anything! The other Nightwing is Jason Todd? Nice of the next issue box to tell us! So this issue ends with the return(?!!) of Blue Beetle Ted Kord and sets up a new story, while furthering the main story of Kate's defense of Wonder Woman. One of the reporters outside the Grand Jury courthouse asks a question which still hasn't really been made clear in any of the books: what happened to Diana's diplomatic immunity? I suppose we'll find out, but I'm guessing that she's surrendered it voluntarily in the hopes of restoring her name.
Also, Cameron Chase's father was a superhero, and she's got meta powers [Edit: apparently she's been portrayed in the past as having the subconcious ability to negate meta powers when under stress]; Mark Shaw may become the new Azrael (interesting, since Kate uses Az-Bat's gauntlets); Sasha Bordeaux thinks that the video of Wonder Woman snapping Max Lord's neck is a doctored phony - which leads one to wonder what she believes the truth to be.
Another EXCELLENT issue of a truly EXCELLENT title. If you aren't reading Manhunter yet, then shame on you. It's because of you that quality comics get cancelled while piss poor periodicals proliferate. Read Manhunter!
Edit: [Okay, so I did some research since writing this. Apparently, it was revealed that Cameron Chase's father was the hero named Acro-Bat in Chase #6, which was supposed to be a peripheral Bat-title. Yeah, I didn't read it either. Apparently nobody did, and it was cancelled without any fanfare after ten issues, the tenth of which was #1,000,000. What a way to go. Anyways, it's interesting to note that one of the members of Walter Chase's team was the Bronze Wraith, later to be known as the Martian Manhunter! This was revealed in the likewise short-lived Martian Manhunter series, though several more people actually read that one. Cameron's father appeared in flashbacks in two issues of that series. And that's it. He hasn't been mentioned anywhere else, before or since, in the entirety of the DCU, and neither has any other member of the Justice Experience (except for its Bronze Wraith, of course). The only member besides Wraith in the JE with any apparent superpowers was Song Bird, who had wings and could fly. They were to be a continuity implant meant to fill the void in the 60's and 70's when there were few or no other active superheroes. Had the book which introduced them not been speedily cancelled, and their name not sucked ass, we might have seen more of them over the years. I'm impressed that Andreyko was familiar with this forgotten piece of DCU lore. Even the usual sources don't have very much more than I was able to present herein, so, kudos.]
Friday, January 05, 2007
Nightwing #128
Nightwing #128
Well, Marv Wolfman's first arc comes to a close. I would have much preferred a more cosmic, Monitor related story, especially to tie up the plot thread wherein Nightwing heard a voice saying "you should have died". Instead, he's been fighting guys in armor suits for the past four issues, getting buried alive (which is pretty stupid - seriously, kill him first), hunting someone who was killing scientists, and getting his own tech guy. Until this issue, we actually had no idea why any of this was happening! Expository dialogue in the issue explains that when Luthorcorp went bankrupt, the project heads of the Raptor project took it, along with some other projects, to set themselves up privately. But one of the heads is very morally corrupt, so he hired a contract killer to murder all the scientists who knew that he was the project head, and added Nightwing to the list for some unexplained reason. And then, as field testing, he has the man in the armor go on a rampage in New York. Yeah, that's a good idea! And there's apparently a radiation core leak in the suit, so anyone using it gets cooked. And then, it turns out that this project's "client" was none other than Luthor himself, who says "nobody steals from Lex Luthor" and explodes the floors they're on, killing everyone. I was thinking okay, but now that I've written it out, it's really more of an EH. I expected more from Wolfman, although, I was recently reading some Titans issues from the 80's and 90's, and they really weren't very good at all! So I suppose that I should have known better. I hope it gets better, but judging from the next issue solicitations, it appears that it will get worse first. Whatever, it certainly can't be as bad as Bruce Jones' stuff, can it? Can it? Gee, the more I think of it, the more I wan't to say that this issue was crap...
Well, Marv Wolfman's first arc comes to a close. I would have much preferred a more cosmic, Monitor related story, especially to tie up the plot thread wherein Nightwing heard a voice saying "you should have died". Instead, he's been fighting guys in armor suits for the past four issues, getting buried alive (which is pretty stupid - seriously, kill him first), hunting someone who was killing scientists, and getting his own tech guy. Until this issue, we actually had no idea why any of this was happening! Expository dialogue in the issue explains that when Luthorcorp went bankrupt, the project heads of the Raptor project took it, along with some other projects, to set themselves up privately. But one of the heads is very morally corrupt, so he hired a contract killer to murder all the scientists who knew that he was the project head, and added Nightwing to the list for some unexplained reason. And then, as field testing, he has the man in the armor go on a rampage in New York. Yeah, that's a good idea! And there's apparently a radiation core leak in the suit, so anyone using it gets cooked. And then, it turns out that this project's "client" was none other than Luthor himself, who says "nobody steals from Lex Luthor" and explodes the floors they're on, killing everyone. I was thinking okay, but now that I've written it out, it's really more of an EH. I expected more from Wolfman, although, I was recently reading some Titans issues from the 80's and 90's, and they really weren't very good at all! So I suppose that I should have known better. I hope it gets better, but judging from the next issue solicitations, it appears that it will get worse first. Whatever, it certainly can't be as bad as Bruce Jones' stuff, can it? Can it? Gee, the more I think of it, the more I wan't to say that this issue was crap...
Quote of the Week #9
Quote of the Week #9
As I promised, it comes from Incredible Hulk #102. But since it's just one page, and worth seeing, I'll reproduce it in its entirety. It's funny!
The line that earns it this week's QotW is Iron Man's: "I just did."
The strip can also be found on Chris Giarrusso's site, and was also printed in this Joe Fridays column.
As I promised, it comes from Incredible Hulk #102. But since it's just one page, and worth seeing, I'll reproduce it in its entirety. It's funny!
The line that earns it this week's QotW is Iron Man's: "I just did."
The strip can also be found on Chris Giarrusso's site, and was also printed in this Joe Fridays column.
X-23: Target X #2
X-23: Target X #2
VERY GOOD. I don't often read minis until they're finished, or close to it, but the art drew me in on this one, and the wit has kept me reading. Very VERY GOOD. I actually even laughed at the scene where X-23 gives a dissertation to her French teacher about the best methods for information retrieval. (Also, I REALLY like her outfit.)
VERY GOOD. I don't often read minis until they're finished, or close to it, but the art drew me in on this one, and the wit has kept me reading. Very VERY GOOD. I actually even laughed at the scene where X-23 gives a dissertation to her French teacher about the best methods for information retrieval. (Also, I REALLY like her outfit.)
Superman/Batman #31
Superman/Batman #31
I'm not even going to bother reading this. Maybe if I hear really good things. **** you Verheiden. You suck. And this title has arcs that go on waaaay too long.
I'm not even going to bother reading this. Maybe if I hear really good things. **** you Verheiden. You suck. And this title has arcs that go on waaaay too long.
Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #25
Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #25
Well, the beginning of this issue seemed pretty messed up, as if Glorith were about to undo continuity the way she did prior to Zero Hour, but by the end of the issue, Valor was back (following the events of Superboy #13, I'd imagine), and trading blows with Kara. Brainy made the antidote, as we all knew he would. But that's tangential to the main plot, which still remains something of a mystery. It's not all a rehash, only the details are similar. Oh, and the shadowy hooded figure turned out to be Mekt Ranzz. And the Dreamgirl plot continues in Brainy's brain. At least we get a few pages of exposition explaining what's been going on with the anti-Legionnaires, herein dubbed The Wanderers. I still don't understand it very well, but I can still enjoy it. OKAY.
Well, the beginning of this issue seemed pretty messed up, as if Glorith were about to undo continuity the way she did prior to Zero Hour, but by the end of the issue, Valor was back (following the events of Superboy #13, I'd imagine), and trading blows with Kara. Brainy made the antidote, as we all knew he would. But that's tangential to the main plot, which still remains something of a mystery. It's not all a rehash, only the details are similar. Oh, and the shadowy hooded figure turned out to be Mekt Ranzz. And the Dreamgirl plot continues in Brainy's brain. At least we get a few pages of exposition explaining what's been going on with the anti-Legionnaires, herein dubbed The Wanderers. I still don't understand it very well, but I can still enjoy it. OKAY.
Ptolus: City By the Spire #1
Ptolus: City By the Spire #1
AWFUL. I can't figure out what's going on. It seems to me that the only people who will enjoy these books are those who are already familiar with the world and characters within. This new venture should be good as a jumping on point if Marvel or Dabel Brothers want to attract new readers, and if the last few books I've read are any indication, they're not. Even the Alvin Maker books aren't very good. They're okay, but that's because they're a direct adaptation of the second book in Orson Scott Card's brilliant American fantasy series, The Tales of Alvin Maker. That book might also be better if it came out with any sort of regularity. But it's been released only once in each of the last two years, which is completely unacceptable if they desire to draw in new readers. If there's any series that deserves more readers, it's the Alvin Maker series. But to my mind this entire Dabel/Marvel project has been an utter failure so far.
AWFUL. I can't figure out what's going on. It seems to me that the only people who will enjoy these books are those who are already familiar with the world and characters within. This new venture should be good as a jumping on point if Marvel or Dabel Brothers want to attract new readers, and if the last few books I've read are any indication, they're not. Even the Alvin Maker books aren't very good. They're okay, but that's because they're a direct adaptation of the second book in Orson Scott Card's brilliant American fantasy series, The Tales of Alvin Maker. That book might also be better if it came out with any sort of regularity. But it's been released only once in each of the last two years, which is completely unacceptable if they desire to draw in new readers. If there's any series that deserves more readers, it's the Alvin Maker series. But to my mind this entire Dabel/Marvel project has been an utter failure so far.
Justice League of America #5
Justice League of America #5
Well, I gave it a shot, but truly, this series is shaping up to be quite AWFUL. In this issue alone, Mari loses her mind, Roy sees Hawkgirl and starts blubbering, the entire league act like the densest asshats the world has ever seen, and Kathy exhibits precognition. Among other things. This is really...quite...bad. The only good part is where the new Amazo uses old panels of reddy in action to reboot himself. But even that doesn't really make much sense. This whole arc is turning into a huge incoherent mess. Besides which, does Meltzer expect this arc to be 12 issues long? And the art is merely competent.
Why can't anybody consider the possibility that Grundy isn't evil? Doesn't anybody remember that he was friends with Jack Knight? Why does Roy Harper wear a mask if his identity is publicly known, then wonder why people know his name? If Mari's talisman is so essential to her, then why wouldn't she wear it inside her costume where nobody could grab it? Ridiculously AWFUL.
Well, I gave it a shot, but truly, this series is shaping up to be quite AWFUL. In this issue alone, Mari loses her mind, Roy sees Hawkgirl and starts blubbering, the entire league act like the densest asshats the world has ever seen, and Kathy exhibits precognition. Among other things. This is really...quite...bad. The only good part is where the new Amazo uses old panels of reddy in action to reboot himself. But even that doesn't really make much sense. This whole arc is turning into a huge incoherent mess. Besides which, does Meltzer expect this arc to be 12 issues long? And the art is merely competent.
Why can't anybody consider the possibility that Grundy isn't evil? Doesn't anybody remember that he was friends with Jack Knight? Why does Roy Harper wear a mask if his identity is publicly known, then wonder why people know his name? If Mari's talisman is so essential to her, then why wouldn't she wear it inside her costume where nobody could grab it? Ridiculously AWFUL.
Jack of Fables #6
Jack of Fables #6
EXCELLENT. A bit of tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation by Willingham and Sturges breaks up this tale told by Jack to his new companions Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Alice, on how he was once Jack Frost. So not only was he Jack Horner, Jack the Giant Killer, Jack of the Beanstalk, Jack-Be-Nimble, Jack of the Lantern, and the Jack from Jack and Jill, but now also Jack Frost, apparently. Anyways, what good would an issue of this title be without a hot babe? And here we have the coolest of all hotties: Lumi the Snow Queen. And of course, Jack got with her. I was wondering whether Willingham could produce monthly with this title, but so far, it seems to be living up to the standards he's set for himself in Fables.
EXCELLENT. A bit of tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation by Willingham and Sturges breaks up this tale told by Jack to his new companions Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Alice, on how he was once Jack Frost. So not only was he Jack Horner, Jack the Giant Killer, Jack of the Beanstalk, Jack-Be-Nimble, Jack of the Lantern, and the Jack from Jack and Jill, but now also Jack Frost, apparently. Anyways, what good would an issue of this title be without a hot babe? And here we have the coolest of all hotties: Lumi the Snow Queen. And of course, Jack got with her. I was wondering whether Willingham could produce monthly with this title, but so far, it seems to be living up to the standards he's set for himself in Fables.
Incredible Hulk #102
Incredible Hulk #102
VERY GOOD. I haven't been paying very close attention to this book, because I'm not much of a fantasy/warrior fan, but I've still been scanning the book monthly. And it's GOOD. it's a clever direction to have taken the Hulk, and I wonder how much longer it can last. Hopefully, for a good while longer. Long live King Hulk!
The Mini Marvels backup strip is hilarious. Heck, I'll give it quote of the week.
VERY GOOD. I haven't been paying very close attention to this book, because I'm not much of a fantasy/warrior fan, but I've still been scanning the book monthly. And it's GOOD. it's a clever direction to have taken the Hulk, and I wonder how much longer it can last. Hopefully, for a good while longer. Long live King Hulk!
The Mini Marvels backup strip is hilarious. Heck, I'll give it quote of the week.
Exiles #89
Exiles #89
GOOD. For a one-shot fill-in issue, which is basically what Bedard's run has been since Claremont fell ill. Personally, I prefer him. He started this title, and he deserves to stay on it as long as possible. In this issue, the Exiles hop to twenty worlds in three weeks (we don't see them all), Blink gets incapacitated by the Sinister Six, Miggy gets clobbered by the Serpent Society, Sabretooth fights an alternate reality son (Graydon Creed), and Emma Frost almost undoes Morph's behavior modification. Also, apparently someone must have pointed out to Bedard that way back when he may have goofed, by having Proteus lay claim to a "metal" crown. So a quick expository scene explains that Proteus may have overcome his weakness to metal. And in Thunderbird's dreamstate within the walls of the crystal palace, he manufactures a happy ending for himself where he's married to TJ and having a baby...one from which it's foreshadowed that he may soon be released to find that TJ is now with New Excalibur (perhaps Bedard is actually setting up a Claremont storyline? One can only hope.) - poor T-Bird. Like I said, pretty GOOD. I'll continue subscribing to this title as long as Miggy remains, but I worry about what may happen once Claremont returns.
GOOD. For a one-shot fill-in issue, which is basically what Bedard's run has been since Claremont fell ill. Personally, I prefer him. He started this title, and he deserves to stay on it as long as possible. In this issue, the Exiles hop to twenty worlds in three weeks (we don't see them all), Blink gets incapacitated by the Sinister Six, Miggy gets clobbered by the Serpent Society, Sabretooth fights an alternate reality son (Graydon Creed), and Emma Frost almost undoes Morph's behavior modification. Also, apparently someone must have pointed out to Bedard that way back when he may have goofed, by having Proteus lay claim to a "metal" crown. So a quick expository scene explains that Proteus may have overcome his weakness to metal. And in Thunderbird's dreamstate within the walls of the crystal palace, he manufactures a happy ending for himself where he's married to TJ and having a baby...one from which it's foreshadowed that he may soon be released to find that TJ is now with New Excalibur (perhaps Bedard is actually setting up a Claremont storyline? One can only hope.) - poor T-Bird. Like I said, pretty GOOD. I'll continue subscribing to this title as long as Miggy remains, but I worry about what may happen once Claremont returns.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #212
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #212
I don't often read this title, and have avoided it like the plague since the conclusion of Justin Grey's AWFUL arc, as Bruce Jones - that hack - was doing an arc, but when I saw that this issue was a one-shot being written by Adam Beechen whose Robin issues I've enjoyed so much, I decided to give this issue a look. And I wasn't disappointed. A done in one story about a nerdy guy who hooks up with a shallow girl on the merit of having saved her life when he and she get caught in the middle of a fight between Batman and some random mercenaries. It's cute, if basically shallow, but it's done in one, and nowadays very few writers are able to pull that off. Paul Dini has been doing an EXCELLENT job of it on Detective Comics. So, I'd have to say that this issue is a very solid GOOD. And if more issues were like this, focusing on people whose lives have been affected by the Bat instead of just more stories about the Bat, I think that I'd read this title more regularly. Sort of like a Tangled Web for Batman. Once upon a time, the Gotham Nights mini did the same thing. It'd be nice to see this become a regular theme in this title. But of course, that's not going to happen, and of course, nobody listens to me, so why even bother reading the next issue? But this issue is a very solid read, if you're bored.
I don't often read this title, and have avoided it like the plague since the conclusion of Justin Grey's AWFUL arc, as Bruce Jones - that hack - was doing an arc, but when I saw that this issue was a one-shot being written by Adam Beechen whose Robin issues I've enjoyed so much, I decided to give this issue a look. And I wasn't disappointed. A done in one story about a nerdy guy who hooks up with a shallow girl on the merit of having saved her life when he and she get caught in the middle of a fight between Batman and some random mercenaries. It's cute, if basically shallow, but it's done in one, and nowadays very few writers are able to pull that off. Paul Dini has been doing an EXCELLENT job of it on Detective Comics. So, I'd have to say that this issue is a very solid GOOD. And if more issues were like this, focusing on people whose lives have been affected by the Bat instead of just more stories about the Bat, I think that I'd read this title more regularly. Sort of like a Tangled Web for Batman. Once upon a time, the Gotham Nights mini did the same thing. It'd be nice to see this become a regular theme in this title. But of course, that's not going to happen, and of course, nobody listens to me, so why even bother reading the next issue? But this issue is a very solid read, if you're bored.
The Helmet of Fate
The Helmet of Fate is beginning in two weeks. This five issue miniseries will lead into the new Doctor Fate series, written by Steve Gerber, who has already confirmed on his blog that Ralph Dibny will not be in it. What a shame. I'd love to read Dibny's diary every month based on issues of the new Dr. Fate series.
The five issues have been advertised as being the following:
Detective Chimp is being written by Bill Willingham who's done a great job with Bobo ("Don't call me Bobo!") starting with Day of Vengeance and continuing into Shadowpact, so I'm pretty sure that'll be a good issue. It's being illustrated by Shawn McManus who illustrated the VERY GOOD Thessaly miniseries with Willingham, so that should be a pretty good fit.
Ibis the Invincible is being written by Tad Williams, who wrote The Next miniseries, which was OKAY, although really pretty throwaway, and is scheduled to replace Busiek on Aquaman with issue #50, which I'm already dreading. Busiek will thereafter only be writing Superman, but at least he's scheduled to be around until at least issue #662. It's being illustrated by Phil Winslade who did the "Blitz" storyline culminating in Flash #200, which I haven't yet read, but the covers are nice, if a bit cartoonish. I'm not sure that he'll be the best fit for this, but we'll see.
Sargon the Sorceror is being written by Steve Niles of 30 Days of Night fame, and illustrated by Scott Hampton. I must confess that I haven't gotten around to reading 30 Days yet, but it's in my pile, but I've heard good things about it. However, Niles was also the author of Batman: Gotham County Line, which was left waaay too convoluted at its resolution, and as he's only got one issue here, I truly hope that he doesn't do the same thing. In B:GCL, Niles came up with a strange, nigh-insane, nearly nonsensical mystical afterlife type plot, with curses, alternate realities, time loops, and other ridiculousnesses, and although he managed to pull a competent story out of it, it just wasn't very good (EH). He did that one with Hampton too. Hampton won a Harvey Award in 1993 for his EXCELLENT work on the Batman: Night Cries graphic novel written by the late, great, Archie Goodwin, so I'm sure that his style will be equal to the task on this book.
Zauriel is being written by Steve Gerber and being illustrated by the excellent Peter Snejbjerg. You may (or perhaps not) remember that Gerber was the creator of Howard the Duck, and Snejbjerg, of course, worked on many issues of James Robinson's Starman, among other projects. As I mentioned above, Gerber is also going to be continuing as the writer of the ongoing Doctor Fate title, so this may be one of the best of these five issues.
Black Alice, which concludes this series, is written by the incomparable Gail Simone, and is illustrated by Duncan Rouleau. I personally hated Rouleau's work on Blue Beetle, but his New X-Men issues have been nicely done (for a slaughterfest), so this may go either way. Judging from the cover photo, it may be okay, but I'm holding my breath (well, not really - this book is coming out in March, and I really don't think that I can hold my breath that long).
Overall, I'm looking forward to at least three, if not four, of these books, so I'm hoping that my expectations will not prove to be unfounded. In other words, this had better be good...
The five issues have been advertised as being the following:
Detective Chimp is being written by Bill Willingham who's done a great job with Bobo ("Don't call me Bobo!") starting with Day of Vengeance and continuing into Shadowpact, so I'm pretty sure that'll be a good issue. It's being illustrated by Shawn McManus who illustrated the VERY GOOD Thessaly miniseries with Willingham, so that should be a pretty good fit.
Ibis the Invincible is being written by Tad Williams, who wrote The Next miniseries, which was OKAY, although really pretty throwaway, and is scheduled to replace Busiek on Aquaman with issue #50, which I'm already dreading. Busiek will thereafter only be writing Superman, but at least he's scheduled to be around until at least issue #662. It's being illustrated by Phil Winslade who did the "Blitz" storyline culminating in Flash #200, which I haven't yet read, but the covers are nice, if a bit cartoonish. I'm not sure that he'll be the best fit for this, but we'll see.
Sargon the Sorceror is being written by Steve Niles of 30 Days of Night fame, and illustrated by Scott Hampton. I must confess that I haven't gotten around to reading 30 Days yet, but it's in my pile, but I've heard good things about it. However, Niles was also the author of Batman: Gotham County Line, which was left waaay too convoluted at its resolution, and as he's only got one issue here, I truly hope that he doesn't do the same thing. In B:GCL, Niles came up with a strange, nigh-insane, nearly nonsensical mystical afterlife type plot, with curses, alternate realities, time loops, and other ridiculousnesses, and although he managed to pull a competent story out of it, it just wasn't very good (EH). He did that one with Hampton too. Hampton won a Harvey Award in 1993 for his EXCELLENT work on the Batman: Night Cries graphic novel written by the late, great, Archie Goodwin, so I'm sure that his style will be equal to the task on this book.
Zauriel is being written by Steve Gerber and being illustrated by the excellent Peter Snejbjerg. You may (or perhaps not) remember that Gerber was the creator of Howard the Duck, and Snejbjerg, of course, worked on many issues of James Robinson's Starman, among other projects. As I mentioned above, Gerber is also going to be continuing as the writer of the ongoing Doctor Fate title, so this may be one of the best of these five issues.
Black Alice, which concludes this series, is written by the incomparable Gail Simone, and is illustrated by Duncan Rouleau. I personally hated Rouleau's work on Blue Beetle, but his New X-Men issues have been nicely done (for a slaughterfest), so this may go either way. Judging from the cover photo, it may be okay, but I'm holding my breath (well, not really - this book is coming out in March, and I really don't think that I can hold my breath that long).
Overall, I'm looking forward to at least three, if not four, of these books, so I'm hoping that my expectations will not prove to be unfounded. In other words, this had better be good...
Monday, January 01, 2007
Ultimate Power #3
Ultimate Power #3
Well, unlike Hibbs, I've got to give credit where credit is due, this issue was finally interesting. The last two were nothing but completely gratuitous fight scenes. This one at least has a plot. Whereas I agree that this should have been told chronologically, logistically, the way this asinine story was constructed, that became impossible. And the Supreme Power universe also gets short shrift herein, but I'm hoping that next issue will be devoted mainly to its exploration. At this point I'd like to say this issue on its own is okay, but Greg Land's lightboxed stolen images really ruin everything this issue had going for it. Seriously, someone whose world is being attacked by an unknown biological entity is expressing her fear to a teammate, yet she has a model's smile plastered on her face as if it belonged there. Uh, what? Yet, in a very slight few panels, it seems that Land is actually doing new drawings. But he might just be copying from himself, something that he has been known to do. EH.
Well, unlike Hibbs, I've got to give credit where credit is due, this issue was finally interesting. The last two were nothing but completely gratuitous fight scenes. This one at least has a plot. Whereas I agree that this should have been told chronologically, logistically, the way this asinine story was constructed, that became impossible. And the Supreme Power universe also gets short shrift herein, but I'm hoping that next issue will be devoted mainly to its exploration. At this point I'd like to say this issue on its own is okay, but Greg Land's lightboxed stolen images really ruin everything this issue had going for it. Seriously, someone whose world is being attacked by an unknown biological entity is expressing her fear to a teammate, yet she has a model's smile plastered on her face as if it belonged there. Uh, what? Yet, in a very slight few panels, it seems that Land is actually doing new drawings. But he might just be copying from himself, something that he has been known to do. EH.
Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #3
Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #3
I've read the first three issues of this series, because I like vampires, and I like vampire slayers. But each issue has left me hoping even more for a coherency of plot in the next issue. And each issue has disappointed me more than the one previous. This is nothing more than a trashy romance novel dressed up in supernatural clothing and illustrated. The concept itself is very rich, which is why I'm so disappointed: Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies and the like having become integrated into American society and its legal system is a fascinating concept. But instead of exploring that (for those of us who've never read any of the AB books), we just get creepy, trashy monologuing about glorified mind rape and forbidden attraction in page after page, and pictures of perfect body vamps with open shirts, and gratuitous shots of our heroine having her clothes torn off and being mentally dominated. This is not a good series by any stretch of the imagination. This is not even an okay series. This series is completely and utterly ASS. Is anyone actually buying this? What is the logic behind it? Even that title is so preposterous and pretentious that it's insulting.
I've read the first three issues of this series, because I like vampires, and I like vampire slayers. But each issue has left me hoping even more for a coherency of plot in the next issue. And each issue has disappointed me more than the one previous. This is nothing more than a trashy romance novel dressed up in supernatural clothing and illustrated. The concept itself is very rich, which is why I'm so disappointed: Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies and the like having become integrated into American society and its legal system is a fascinating concept. But instead of exploring that (for those of us who've never read any of the AB books), we just get creepy, trashy monologuing about glorified mind rape and forbidden attraction in page after page, and pictures of perfect body vamps with open shirts, and gratuitous shots of our heroine having her clothes torn off and being mentally dominated. This is not a good series by any stretch of the imagination. This is not even an okay series. This series is completely and utterly ASS. Is anyone actually buying this? What is the logic behind it? Even that title is so preposterous and pretentious that it's insulting.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men
Well, apparently, #20 has been rescheduled to be released on February 7th, so I guess we're back to it being bimonthly. I hope Whedon can get the story finished so that we won't lose track of the tale between issues, but one never knows these days.
Well, apparently, #20 has been rescheduled to be released on February 7th, so I guess we're back to it being bimonthly. I hope Whedon can get the story finished so that we won't lose track of the tale between issues, but one never knows these days.
Supergirl #13
Supergirl #13
Just in case you were wondering, this is not a continuation from last issue. Last issue was actually good. This is a continuation from issue #11. That issue was CRAP too. There are so very many gaffes in this issue, it's truly shocking. But I'll just name two.
1) Wonder Girl's lasso does not have truth power - it has lightning/electricity power granted her by Ares.
2) I just reread issue #11 and saw nothing therein to indicate that Grace had broken her arm. Especially not to the extent that not only does she need a cast, but she needs a huge honking piece of machinery to immobilize it!
3) I know, but seriously, I couldn't ignore this one: Grace is pissed off at Supergirl because she refused to kill! What???
CRAP CRAP CRAPPITY CRAP CRAP CRAP.
Just in case you were wondering, this is not a continuation from last issue. Last issue was actually good. This is a continuation from issue #11. That issue was CRAP too. There are so very many gaffes in this issue, it's truly shocking. But I'll just name two.
1) Wonder Girl's lasso does not have truth power - it has lightning/electricity power granted her by Ares.
2) I just reread issue #11 and saw nothing therein to indicate that Grace had broken her arm. Especially not to the extent that not only does she need a cast, but she needs a huge honking piece of machinery to immobilize it!
3) I know, but seriously, I couldn't ignore this one: Grace is pissed off at Supergirl because she refused to kill! What???
CRAP CRAP CRAPPITY CRAP CRAP CRAP.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Deadman #5
Deadman #5
This is truly the epitome of CRAP. At least Bruce Jones bases this issue entirely in one dimension, whatever the hell that means. But what in the world does "remote viewing" have to do with anything? And does BJ even know what the phrase means? Because there certainly haven't been any obvious examples of it in the series so far. This book couldn't be any more unclear, and I've got a very strong feeling that even the artist hasn't got a clue what's going on. Because sometimes panels that come in sequence don't seem to be immediately sequential. What's that all about? This title is AWFUL, and I'm officially stopping reading it. In fact, unless I hear great things about it, I'm never going to read another Bruce Jones comic ever again.
This is truly the epitome of CRAP. At least Bruce Jones bases this issue entirely in one dimension, whatever the hell that means. But what in the world does "remote viewing" have to do with anything? And does BJ even know what the phrase means? Because there certainly haven't been any obvious examples of it in the series so far. This book couldn't be any more unclear, and I've got a very strong feeling that even the artist hasn't got a clue what's going on. Because sometimes panels that come in sequence don't seem to be immediately sequential. What's that all about? This title is AWFUL, and I'm officially stopping reading it. In fact, unless I hear great things about it, I'm never going to read another Bruce Jones comic ever again.
The Immortal Iron Fist #2
The Immortal Iron Fist #2
Brubaker's obviously got some big plans for expanding Iron Fist's mythology. In this issue he introduces the concept that only one individual can use the Iron Fist technique at any given time. When Danny's father uses it, Danny experiences intense pain in his hand.
Brubaker also gives us a nice cameo by the Night Nurse (who comes out against Registration), and a nice guest appearance by Luke Cage, who hasn't really hung out with Danny much lately, what with all the New Avengers crap, and it's nice to see two best friends reconnect. GOOD.
Brubaker's obviously got some big plans for expanding Iron Fist's mythology. In this issue he introduces the concept that only one individual can use the Iron Fist technique at any given time. When Danny's father uses it, Danny experiences intense pain in his hand.
Brubaker also gives us a nice cameo by the Night Nurse (who comes out against Registration), and a nice guest appearance by Luke Cage, who hasn't really hung out with Danny much lately, what with all the New Avengers crap, and it's nice to see two best friends reconnect. GOOD.
Quote of the Week #8
Quote of the Week #8
This week's comes from Astonishing X-Men #19. In typical Whedon fashion, it requires a bit of a setup, so I'm going to reproduce the entire page here for your benefit.
This week's comes from Astonishing X-Men #19. In typical Whedon fashion, it requires a bit of a setup, so I'm going to reproduce the entire page here for your benefit.
Astonishing X-Men #19
Astonishing X-Men #19
Joss puts us back on track here. Doesn't it seem like everyone is doing outer space stories nowadays? Anyways, it's has become clear why Astonishing was bimonthly for so long: Whedon was trying to get enough completed issues in the pipeline, so that when the action ramped up we wouldn't be waiting two months between issues and lose track of the story. And the story here seems to be a very good one. I'm still not clear on Danger's role in all of this, but it's clear that Whedon had a plan in mind for Ord from the moment he first introduced him. And finally, the dialogue in this issue is what I expect from Whedon - something that he hasn't really delivered on in the last few issues. In fact, if you'll check out the post above, I'm awarding him with this week's Quote of the Week! A VERY GOOD issue. The last couple of pages are classic Whedon.
Joss puts us back on track here. Doesn't it seem like everyone is doing outer space stories nowadays? Anyways, it's has become clear why Astonishing was bimonthly for so long: Whedon was trying to get enough completed issues in the pipeline, so that when the action ramped up we wouldn't be waiting two months between issues and lose track of the story. And the story here seems to be a very good one. I'm still not clear on Danger's role in all of this, but it's clear that Whedon had a plan in mind for Ord from the moment he first introduced him. And finally, the dialogue in this issue is what I expect from Whedon - something that he hasn't really delivered on in the last few issues. In fact, if you'll check out the post above, I'm awarding him with this week's Quote of the Week! A VERY GOOD issue. The last couple of pages are classic Whedon.
Wolverine: Origins #9
Wolverine: Origins #9
Finally, Way gives us a good issue. And it's very, VERY GOOD. This issue deals mostly with Wolverine's early history with the Black Widow. Where and how they met, and how their relationship developed to the point of quasi-family. That's what this series should be about. Wolverine's history! I hate issues where we might get maybe four pages of flashbacks with no continuity reference. Here is what we've been waiting for. And Dillon's Widow is excellent. If Way can make every issue just like this one, then I will definitely look forward to this title on a monthly basis.
Finally, Way gives us a good issue. And it's very, VERY GOOD. This issue deals mostly with Wolverine's early history with the Black Widow. Where and how they met, and how their relationship developed to the point of quasi-family. That's what this series should be about. Wolverine's history! I hate issues where we might get maybe four pages of flashbacks with no continuity reference. Here is what we've been waiting for. And Dillon's Widow is excellent. If Way can make every issue just like this one, then I will definitely look forward to this title on a monthly basis.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Catwoman #62
Catwoman #62
This issue finally puts to rest all the controversy surrounding the OYL break. Did Selina kill Black Mask? Yes. Was it justified? Absolutely. Who is the father? Sam. Oh, and by the way, he died taking out Black Mask's #1 man. Did Slam know? Yes. How? Come on, he's a detective, for christ's sake. He's the original reason Detective Comics was named "Detective Comics"! Did Holly know? No. Did anyone else? Nobody living. How did the connection happen? Answered. Finally, now that we're done with Film Freak, (aka Grant Morrison) we can finally get back to Will P. telling GOOD emotional stories.
This issue finally puts to rest all the controversy surrounding the OYL break. Did Selina kill Black Mask? Yes. Was it justified? Absolutely. Who is the father? Sam. Oh, and by the way, he died taking out Black Mask's #1 man. Did Slam know? Yes. How? Come on, he's a detective, for christ's sake. He's the original reason Detective Comics was named "Detective Comics"! Did Holly know? No. Did anyone else? Nobody living. How did the connection happen? Answered. Finally, now that we're done with Film Freak, (aka Grant Morrison) we can finally get back to Will P. telling GOOD emotional stories.
Y The Last Man #51
Y The Last Man #51
"What the hell? Jesus christ!" That was my exact reaction to reading the last page of this book. I wanted to use some other choice words, but my wife is in the next room. Needless to say, I am NOT going to spoil this one for you. Another VERY GOOD issue, with lots of exposition from the Manns, wherein another possible cause for the eradication of males is revealed, and a fight between Toyota and 355. If you don't read this monthly, you should at least be reading it in the trades, (as I was, until it got to be too long since my last fix and I just read all the most recent issues).
"What the hell? Jesus christ!" That was my exact reaction to reading the last page of this book. I wanted to use some other choice words, but my wife is in the next room. Needless to say, I am NOT going to spoil this one for you. Another VERY GOOD issue, with lots of exposition from the Manns, wherein another possible cause for the eradication of males is revealed, and a fight between Toyota and 355. If you don't read this monthly, you should at least be reading it in the trades, (as I was, until it got to be too long since my last fix and I just read all the most recent issues).
Friday, December 22, 2006
Ms. Marvel #10
Ms. Marvel #10
EH. Carol Danvers from our reality fights Carol Danvers from another reality. Woo hoo. We've seen this so many many times over the years it's gotten tired. Oh, and Adrian Watts gets letters published in three different books in the same week. (The others are She Hulk #14 and FNSM#15.) WTG Adrian!
EH. Carol Danvers from our reality fights Carol Danvers from another reality. Woo hoo. We've seen this so many many times over the years it's gotten tired. Oh, and Adrian Watts gets letters published in three different books in the same week. (The others are She Hulk #14 and FNSM#15.) WTG Adrian!
Teen Titans #42
Teen Titans #42
The origin story for Kid Devil. Johns kind of works him in to the original stories on the sidelines. Like, he joined up with Young Justice, but they disbanded a few weeks later. Whatever. It's sort of contrived. Still, it's one of the better Neron stories I've ever read - which of course, isn't saying much. Still, it's OKAY. Time to move on, though.
The origin story for Kid Devil. Johns kind of works him in to the original stories on the sidelines. Like, he joined up with Young Justice, but they disbanded a few weeks later. Whatever. It's sort of contrived. Still, it's one of the better Neron stories I've ever read - which of course, isn't saying much. Still, it's OKAY. Time to move on, though.
New Avengers #26
New Avengers #26
Well, we all knew it was coming, right? Only a matter of time. It was only a question of how they did it - or undid it as the case may be. But here you have it, fanboys and girls, your good old friend Clint is back! And while we're at it, let's bring the Scarlet Witch back as well. And heck, even Agatha Harkness for good measure - why not?
Too cynical? Sorry.
At least amidst all the justified griping about Millar and Straczynski raping the Marvel Universe, this little nugget of information caught me unawares. Sure, the next issue caption, front cover, and first page gave away most of the secret, but not all of it. So kudos to those in the know for keeping it under wraps as long as they did.
And since we all knew they were going to do this eventually, it might as well be done well, no? And to make it work properly, Bendis jettisons the entire cast of this book, and replaces them all with Doctor Strange. Well characterized too. Not only that, but he gets all Daredevil on us, and brings Alex Maleev back to work with him. I missed his work.
So, cynicism aside, this is a VERY GOOD story. Sure, it adds another few entries to the wikipedia article on comic book death, but at least it does it well. Perhaps even better than Joss Whedon did with Colossus. I look forward to the next issue of this title once again - for the first time in several months.
Well, we all knew it was coming, right? Only a matter of time. It was only a question of how they did it - or undid it as the case may be. But here you have it, fanboys and girls, your good old friend Clint is back! And while we're at it, let's bring the Scarlet Witch back as well. And heck, even Agatha Harkness for good measure - why not?
Too cynical? Sorry.
At least amidst all the justified griping about Millar and Straczynski raping the Marvel Universe, this little nugget of information caught me unawares. Sure, the next issue caption, front cover, and first page gave away most of the secret, but not all of it. So kudos to those in the know for keeping it under wraps as long as they did.
And since we all knew they were going to do this eventually, it might as well be done well, no? And to make it work properly, Bendis jettisons the entire cast of this book, and replaces them all with Doctor Strange. Well characterized too. Not only that, but he gets all Daredevil on us, and brings Alex Maleev back to work with him. I missed his work.
So, cynicism aside, this is a VERY GOOD story. Sure, it adds another few entries to the wikipedia article on comic book death, but at least it does it well. Perhaps even better than Joss Whedon did with Colossus. I look forward to the next issue of this title once again - for the first time in several months.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thunderbolts #109
Thunderbolts #109
And while we're on the subject of titles I don't read, here's another one! I'm upset that I never read this title before (except for the odd crossover issues - which really weren't very good). Now I've got 100+ issues to make up. I should've known, seeing as how I usually enjoy Fabian Nicieza's writing. So, again, I read this issue by itself - without having read anything before it, and, while it's not nearly as good as Busiek's Aquaman, it's OKAY. Even though I know nearly nothing about any of the cast members. And that should just show how good the writing actually is - to be able to take obscure characters, and craft a story with them...my only complaint is that there's too little background given on any of the characters, even on the recap page. But that's my fault, for not having given this series a shot earlier. Now that Nicieza's leaving, and Warren Ellis is coming on, I suppose it's time to start reading this title. I really like Ellis' other work, like Fell, Nextwave, etc., so I'll probably like his stint on Thunderbolts as well.
Now to get Nicieza back together with Busiek...
And while we're on the subject of titles I don't read, here's another one! I'm upset that I never read this title before (except for the odd crossover issues - which really weren't very good). Now I've got 100+ issues to make up. I should've known, seeing as how I usually enjoy Fabian Nicieza's writing. So, again, I read this issue by itself - without having read anything before it, and, while it's not nearly as good as Busiek's Aquaman, it's OKAY. Even though I know nearly nothing about any of the cast members. And that should just show how good the writing actually is - to be able to take obscure characters, and craft a story with them...my only complaint is that there's too little background given on any of the characters, even on the recap page. But that's my fault, for not having given this series a shot earlier. Now that Nicieza's leaving, and Warren Ellis is coming on, I suppose it's time to start reading this title. I really like Ellis' other work, like Fell, Nextwave, etc., so I'll probably like his stint on Thunderbolts as well.
Now to get Nicieza back together with Busiek...
Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis #46
Aquaman - Sword of Atlantis #46
Well, if you were wondering why I've never reviewed an issue of this title post OYL, there's a very good reason...I haven't read any. Not that I don't want to, mind you, it's just that I'm trying to catch up with the series first. Right now I'm at the beginning of Pfifer's run. But just for kicks, I opened this issue up, just to see what it was like - and I couldn't put it down. It's not that anything much happens in it, it's just that the writing is just flat out excellent. Which makes for a VERY GOOD story. Even when said story isn't intended to be a standalone issue, it works well as such. That's good writing. I am now looking forward to getting to these OYL issues so very much more.
Well, if you were wondering why I've never reviewed an issue of this title post OYL, there's a very good reason...I haven't read any. Not that I don't want to, mind you, it's just that I'm trying to catch up with the series first. Right now I'm at the beginning of Pfifer's run. But just for kicks, I opened this issue up, just to see what it was like - and I couldn't put it down. It's not that anything much happens in it, it's just that the writing is just flat out excellent. Which makes for a VERY GOOD story. Even when said story isn't intended to be a standalone issue, it works well as such. That's good writing. I am now looking forward to getting to these OYL issues so very much more.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Fallen Angel #11
Fallen Angel #11
Damn, that's it? And who knows when the next issue will be out! This one was dated November 2006...does that mean that it's one month late, or three months late? I have no way of knowing. Suffice it to say, it's late. Now, I tend to give Ryall a bit of slack when it comes to his books, because god knows he's got a lot on his plate, and deservedly so. So I'll late the lateness slide. But come on, if a book is going to be released this infrequently, at least give it a few additional pages.
Anyways, we have here an auspiciously GOOD start to what seems to be another good story from Peter David. I really do like his books. He is such a consistently good writer, that even his crap smells like roses, compared to most other writers at least.
However, the title of this arc is "The Long, Slow Seduction of Jude", so I really hope that the title isn't implying a six or twelve issue story, because if so, who knows how long it'll take to finish?
Damn, that's it? And who knows when the next issue will be out! This one was dated November 2006...does that mean that it's one month late, or three months late? I have no way of knowing. Suffice it to say, it's late. Now, I tend to give Ryall a bit of slack when it comes to his books, because god knows he's got a lot on his plate, and deservedly so. So I'll late the lateness slide. But come on, if a book is going to be released this infrequently, at least give it a few additional pages.
Anyways, we have here an auspiciously GOOD start to what seems to be another good story from Peter David. I really do like his books. He is such a consistently good writer, that even his crap smells like roses, compared to most other writers at least.
However, the title of this arc is "The Long, Slow Seduction of Jude", so I really hope that the title isn't implying a six or twelve issue story, because if so, who knows how long it'll take to finish?
Sunday, December 17, 2006
52 #32
52 #32
An OKAY issue. Not up to the standards I expect, yet compared to most issues of this title, OKAY is saying a lot.
I found it odd for most of this issue that the Perfect Accomplished Physician, who's obviously in tight with the Tibetans, should work for the Chinese. It's not so much explained as such, rather the dialogue alludes to him having made some sort of compromise regarding his ideals, for the sake of the greater good. But a little more exposition would have been nice - blame Morrison for its lack.
Also, I found it interesting that the PAP did not view Ralph's presence in Nanda Parbat as a violation of the superhuman whatever treaty, as the GL's presence in Russia were several months ago. Perhaps this comes to show us that although the PAP works for the Chinese, he still views Tibet as a separate entity, regardless of the politics of the region.
And on page 19, it says "Hey a Neal Adams Effect", in reference to Neal Adams "Hey a Jim Steranko Effect" from Strange Adventures #216. Thanks to Douglas Wolk for the reference.
An OKAY issue. Not up to the standards I expect, yet compared to most issues of this title, OKAY is saying a lot.
I found it odd for most of this issue that the Perfect Accomplished Physician, who's obviously in tight with the Tibetans, should work for the Chinese. It's not so much explained as such, rather the dialogue alludes to him having made some sort of compromise regarding his ideals, for the sake of the greater good. But a little more exposition would have been nice - blame Morrison for its lack.
Also, I found it interesting that the PAP did not view Ralph's presence in Nanda Parbat as a violation of the superhuman whatever treaty, as the GL's presence in Russia were several months ago. Perhaps this comes to show us that although the PAP works for the Chinese, he still views Tibet as a separate entity, regardless of the politics of the region.
And on page 19, it says "Hey a Neal Adams Effect", in reference to Neal Adams "Hey a Jim Steranko Effect" from Strange Adventures #216. Thanks to Douglas Wolk for the reference.
Welcome to Tranquility #1
Welcome to Tranquility #1
I'm a fan of Gail Simone. How could I not be? She started out as a blogger! Competent posting requires a deft touch with dialogue and vocabulary, and, at least here, Gail shows that she's definitely got it. I already read Birds of Prey excitedly every month, and I can assure you all that I will definitely be adding Welcome to Tranquility to my pull list.
Think Top 10, but without the grit. That's this most EXCELLENT book. I look forward to it next month, as Gail is known, for, among other things, always getting her books out on time. Let's hope that tradition continues with this cute little title.
I'm a fan of Gail Simone. How could I not be? She started out as a blogger! Competent posting requires a deft touch with dialogue and vocabulary, and, at least here, Gail shows that she's definitely got it. I already read Birds of Prey excitedly every month, and I can assure you all that I will definitely be adding Welcome to Tranquility to my pull list.
Think Top 10, but without the grit. That's this most EXCELLENT book. I look forward to it next month, as Gail is known, for, among other things, always getting her books out on time. Let's hope that tradition continues with this cute little title.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Robin #157
Robin #157
Wherein Robin rescues Teekl from a tree, takes him home, tries to find his home, and protects him from a giant Chimera type beast known (according to the next issue box) as the Judgement Beast. Oh, and Klarion turns up on the last page, which is really the point of this posting.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't Robin and Klarion met before? Specifically when Klarion turned the Justice Leaguers into kids, and Young Justice into adults? I was willing to overlook the fact that Morrison's Klarion story was basically an origin story, as none of the Seven Soldiers books seemed to really make any definitive chronological references. But this? This is ridiculous. Is Beechen just not aware that Klarion had a history before Seven Soldiers? Or does he just not care?
Klarion aside, this issue was OKAY. Robin has to deal with not telling his tutor that he was okay following the "kidnapping", and has to deal with Teekl as well. Mostly, he has to deal with Teekl - who actually seems to take a liking to him. I'll read the next issue to find out how the story develops.
Wherein Robin rescues Teekl from a tree, takes him home, tries to find his home, and protects him from a giant Chimera type beast known (according to the next issue box) as the Judgement Beast. Oh, and Klarion turns up on the last page, which is really the point of this posting.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't Robin and Klarion met before? Specifically when Klarion turned the Justice Leaguers into kids, and Young Justice into adults? I was willing to overlook the fact that Morrison's Klarion story was basically an origin story, as none of the Seven Soldiers books seemed to really make any definitive chronological references. But this? This is ridiculous. Is Beechen just not aware that Klarion had a history before Seven Soldiers? Or does he just not care?
Klarion aside, this issue was OKAY. Robin has to deal with not telling his tutor that he was okay following the "kidnapping", and has to deal with Teekl as well. Mostly, he has to deal with Teekl - who actually seems to take a liking to him. I'll read the next issue to find out how the story develops.
Blade #3
Blade #3
I haven't really been enjoying this series much, mostly because it seems very poorly thought out. This issue is no exception. In this issue, Guggenheim presents us with some very intriguing questions (and their respective answers), questions that we may have never thought to ask, but intriguing nonetheless. Unfortunately, so much time is wasted "obsessing the details", that Marc forgets to concentrate on the largest detail of all - giving us a proper story.
It's interesting to learn how Blade supports himself. However, if said support comes from what would otherwise be referred to as burglary, wouldn't he have the sense to cover his tracks? Wear gloves, or some such detail? Not much obsession to detail there, eh, Marc?
Likewise, it's interesting to note that many of the vampires that Blade dispatches have actual identities, and are missed (though by whom, I couldn't say), when they're dusted. So, again, wouldn't it just be prudent to wear gloves?!!! And perhaps to check for the presence of witnesses first?
Still, this could have been an okay story, if the ending hadn't been such a cop out. I realize that it can't extend longer than 22 pages, primarily since Guggenheim seems to be focused on keeping each issue independent of those previous. Still, this independance, while commendable, should not have to come at the expense of what might otherwise have been a good story.
Still, I enjoyed it somewhat, which rescues this issue from the domain of CRAP, but only barely, so I would have to rate it at sub-EH.
I haven't really been enjoying this series much, mostly because it seems very poorly thought out. This issue is no exception. In this issue, Guggenheim presents us with some very intriguing questions (and their respective answers), questions that we may have never thought to ask, but intriguing nonetheless. Unfortunately, so much time is wasted "obsessing the details", that Marc forgets to concentrate on the largest detail of all - giving us a proper story.
It's interesting to learn how Blade supports himself. However, if said support comes from what would otherwise be referred to as burglary, wouldn't he have the sense to cover his tracks? Wear gloves, or some such detail? Not much obsession to detail there, eh, Marc?
Likewise, it's interesting to note that many of the vampires that Blade dispatches have actual identities, and are missed (though by whom, I couldn't say), when they're dusted. So, again, wouldn't it just be prudent to wear gloves?!!! And perhaps to check for the presence of witnesses first?
Still, this could have been an okay story, if the ending hadn't been such a cop out. I realize that it can't extend longer than 22 pages, primarily since Guggenheim seems to be focused on keeping each issue independent of those previous. Still, this independance, while commendable, should not have to come at the expense of what might otherwise have been a good story.
Still, I enjoyed it somewhat, which rescues this issue from the domain of CRAP, but only barely, so I would have to rate it at sub-EH.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Outsiders #43
Outsiders #43
So everything the Outsiders did since the beginning of the series was planned by Dr. Sivana? If you say so, Mr. Winick. Nearly four years of this series, which at times has been good, yet at other times, very, very bad, and this is all we get? Sivana monologues to the Outsiders, then cures them, so Katana unleashes Sabbac from her sword to destroy his plans, and all Sivana can say is that he's "proud of them"? Really? That's it? That is so unbelievably ASS. Sorry, there's just no way around it: ASS, ASS, ASS, ASS, ASS.
Remember James Robinson's Starman? How at the end, it was obvious that the entire series sixty plus issues and several crossovers had been scripted from day one towards a single goal? How on rereading it, everything made sense? And it was sastisfying! Well, sorry, but going back to the beginning of this series, I really, really, don't see that Winick planned for this...or at least he definitely didn't have the decency to drop us the occasional hint. And if we couldn't figure it out, and now he tries to say, "ha, I fooled you all!", well, then his sentiment is truly a hollow one, isn't it. Had we been given the clues and still not tumbled to his plan that would have been another matter entirely. But as it is, ASS. Not to mention that the timeline for all of this is off: since Villains United happened following Countdown (or so we've been led to believe), how is it possible that Sivana had joined the society before this series even started? It truly seems like an afterthought on Winick's part. God, why do I keep torturing myself by reading this, even when it sucks?
So everything the Outsiders did since the beginning of the series was planned by Dr. Sivana? If you say so, Mr. Winick. Nearly four years of this series, which at times has been good, yet at other times, very, very bad, and this is all we get? Sivana monologues to the Outsiders, then cures them, so Katana unleashes Sabbac from her sword to destroy his plans, and all Sivana can say is that he's "proud of them"? Really? That's it? That is so unbelievably ASS. Sorry, there's just no way around it: ASS, ASS, ASS, ASS, ASS.
Remember James Robinson's Starman? How at the end, it was obvious that the entire series sixty plus issues and several crossovers had been scripted from day one towards a single goal? How on rereading it, everything made sense? And it was sastisfying! Well, sorry, but going back to the beginning of this series, I really, really, don't see that Winick planned for this...or at least he definitely didn't have the decency to drop us the occasional hint. And if we couldn't figure it out, and now he tries to say, "ha, I fooled you all!", well, then his sentiment is truly a hollow one, isn't it. Had we been given the clues and still not tumbled to his plan that would have been another matter entirely. But as it is, ASS. Not to mention that the timeline for all of this is off: since Villains United happened following Countdown (or so we've been led to believe), how is it possible that Sivana had joined the society before this series even started? It truly seems like an afterthought on Winick's part. God, why do I keep torturing myself by reading this, even when it sucks?
Monday, December 11, 2006
Spider-Man: Reign #1
Spider-Man: Reign #1
Um...so, haven't I read this before? It's almost exactly like Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns", except with Spider-Man. Even the internal monologue sounds like Frank Miller. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you, DKR was some of the most excellent writing ever to appear in comic book format. And Peter Parker does seem to be in his eighties here. It's just, well, it seems like a rerun...watched many years later - when you remember the basic plot, but the details have since slipped your mind. That's exactly how this seems.
Not to be picky, but I haven't seen anywhere - except in the pages of Transmetropolitan - where an elected official has the right to postpone elections specifically because "he's working on something". Not in this country, at least - in some African and Middle Eastern regimes, it happens all the time. So, um, yeah.
Also, since it's obvious that Peter is the main character here, why try to hide that fact from us? Why doesn't his spider-sense go off when he's in danger? And seriously, how crappy a florist must he be to get the order wrong when his job depends on it? And is Mary Jane alive? Or is she preserved there like Norman Bates' mother?
I was going to say this is OKAY, but it just keeps getting worse on further reflection. I'm still somewhat intrigued, so I guess I'll at least read the next issue, but this one gets an EH.
Um...so, haven't I read this before? It's almost exactly like Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns", except with Spider-Man. Even the internal monologue sounds like Frank Miller. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you, DKR was some of the most excellent writing ever to appear in comic book format. And Peter Parker does seem to be in his eighties here. It's just, well, it seems like a rerun...watched many years later - when you remember the basic plot, but the details have since slipped your mind. That's exactly how this seems.
Not to be picky, but I haven't seen anywhere - except in the pages of Transmetropolitan - where an elected official has the right to postpone elections specifically because "he's working on something". Not in this country, at least - in some African and Middle Eastern regimes, it happens all the time. So, um, yeah.
Also, since it's obvious that Peter is the main character here, why try to hide that fact from us? Why doesn't his spider-sense go off when he's in danger? And seriously, how crappy a florist must he be to get the order wrong when his job depends on it? And is Mary Jane alive? Or is she preserved there like Norman Bates' mother?
I was going to say this is OKAY, but it just keeps getting worse on further reflection. I'm still somewhat intrigued, so I guess I'll at least read the next issue, but this one gets an EH.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Quote of the Week #7
Quote of the Week #7
As I've neglected to update this site regularly in the past few months, this feature has fallen by the wayside. Either that, or nothing really stood out. Well, this week, we've got two standouts! The first comes from Supergirl #12:
Sure, it's a bit out of context, but it's still funny.
Next we have Dwayne McDuffie's dialogue from Beyond! #6, which, so far, has proven to be the most welcome surprise of the week. But in this case, there's just too much good stuff to go posting all of it. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.
As I've neglected to update this site regularly in the past few months, this feature has fallen by the wayside. Either that, or nothing really stood out. Well, this week, we've got two standouts! The first comes from Supergirl #12:
Sure, it's a bit out of context, but it's still funny.
Next we have Dwayne McDuffie's dialogue from Beyond! #6, which, so far, has proven to be the most welcome surprise of the week. But in this case, there's just too much good stuff to go posting all of it. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.
The Irredeemable Ant-Man #3
The Irredeemable Ant-Man #3
Say what you will, I really like this series. The "protagonist" is just such...an...@$$HOLE! It's kind of refreshing. This book makes no pretentions whatsoever. It announces on the cover that he's the "world's most UNLIKABLE super hero", and he certainly is...
In this issue, Eric mooches off his dead best friend's parents for all he can, tries to come on to the girlfriend of his dead best friend, tries to have sex with said girlfriend on her dead lover's fresh grave (then wonders why he couldn't score), tries to have sex with a girl he just met, invades the apartment of this girl he just met, sits on top of the shower to watch her naked...he's such a little creep! Oh, and while using this stolen suit he punches through an artery in some guy's neck...and only cares that he got drenched in blood.
So he did possibly save Nick Fury's life...if in fact it was actually Nick Fury, and not an LMD. Was it Nick Fury? Or was it an LMD?
Still, what a little creep. That should be the title of the letter column..."little creep"...or something like that. Ugh.
Yet I like it. Why? Probably because of Hester and Parks. Without them, it'd be just another title. A good title, but I probably wouldn't have really taken notice the way I have. They make it something special.
They should experiment with changing the cover's tagline every issue, much like Eclipso once did.
VERY GOOD. I hope this lasts.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Beyond! #1-#6
Beyond! #1-#6
Wow, that was actually VERY GOOD. I really didn't expect that at all. Since Secret Wars I was too complex for me in all of its ramifications (I was a little kid at the time), and Secret Wars II: Beyonder the disco god was crap, I really had very low expectations for this. But, wow. I read it all in one shot, starting last night, and have got to tell you, it's a great story, very well done. Featuring a similar concept to Secret Wars I - supertypes get kidnapped from Earth, transported to Battleworld, forced to fight each other in order to return home - yet at the same time completely unique. I'm not going to spoil it by, well, spoiling it. Suffice it to say, leave questions as to the exact point in continuity or the exact universe in which this might have occurred aside, and just enjoy it for what it is: Good Solid Storytelling.
Wow, that was actually VERY GOOD. I really didn't expect that at all. Since Secret Wars I was too complex for me in all of its ramifications (I was a little kid at the time), and Secret Wars II: Beyonder the disco god was crap, I really had very low expectations for this. But, wow. I read it all in one shot, starting last night, and have got to tell you, it's a great story, very well done. Featuring a similar concept to Secret Wars I - supertypes get kidnapped from Earth, transported to Battleworld, forced to fight each other in order to return home - yet at the same time completely unique. I'm not going to spoil it by, well, spoiling it. Suffice it to say, leave questions as to the exact point in continuity or the exact universe in which this might have occurred aside, and just enjoy it for what it is: Good Solid Storytelling.
Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1
Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1
Well, this one's all over the map. About par for the course considering Chaykin's recent work. Sentences leave off or continue from nowhere, the narrative seems to have very little logical flow, Chaykin's art is Liefeld-like sketchy, and all characters motivations are very obscure.
However, for all its flaws, I enjoyed this, for a few very simple reasons:
1) Warrior's
2) Guy Gardner being Guy Gardner
3) G'NORT!!!
Although G'nort is written much more competently than Giffen ever portrayed him elsewhere, it actually works, because in the opening pages of the book we are "treated" to scenes of his entire planet being slaughtered in the crossfire of the ever continuing Rann-Thanagar war. Gratuitous as it may be, such things will serve to make one grow up really fast. And G'nort has grown a pair as well...just take a look at the way he talks to Guy.
Guy Gardner is a womanizing, Guardian-hating boor, but his heart is always in the right place, and his skills as a Warrior are unparalleled.
And I always love the occasional scene set in his restaurant...but it seems to have gotten a major facelift since last we saw it.
So, I've got to say, I did like this, sloppy art and storytelling aside. In fact, Chaykin's sloppy line work actually contributes a great deal towards selling the new and improved G'nort. So I'll rate this a low GOOD.
Well, this one's all over the map. About par for the course considering Chaykin's recent work. Sentences leave off or continue from nowhere, the narrative seems to have very little logical flow, Chaykin's art is Liefeld-like sketchy, and all characters motivations are very obscure.
However, for all its flaws, I enjoyed this, for a few very simple reasons:
1) Warrior's
2) Guy Gardner being Guy Gardner
3) G'NORT!!!
Although G'nort is written much more competently than Giffen ever portrayed him elsewhere, it actually works, because in the opening pages of the book we are "treated" to scenes of his entire planet being slaughtered in the crossfire of the ever continuing Rann-Thanagar war. Gratuitous as it may be, such things will serve to make one grow up really fast. And G'nort has grown a pair as well...just take a look at the way he talks to Guy.
Guy Gardner is a womanizing, Guardian-hating boor, but his heart is always in the right place, and his skills as a Warrior are unparalleled.
And I always love the occasional scene set in his restaurant...but it seems to have gotten a major facelift since last we saw it.
So, I've got to say, I did like this, sloppy art and storytelling aside. In fact, Chaykin's sloppy line work actually contributes a great deal towards selling the new and improved G'nort. So I'll rate this a low GOOD.
Supergirl #12
Supergirl #12
Wow, completely not what I would expect from this book at all, although with new names Palmiotti and Gray on the cover, I'm not surprised. What does surprise me is Amanda Conner's pencils actually toning down the cheesecake level...in fact, there's even a scene where she pokes fun at her own renderings of Power Girl! This issue was a standalone issue, and it made sense. That has been so rare throughout this series - things making sense. It's like, maybe I'm dense or something, but I never realized that this "Boomer" she was living with was actually Captain Boomerang's son...I thought she was doing him or something, or that perhaps this was a new character along the lines of the last Supergirl's Buzz. Now it finally makes sense. The art is even nicer, in a cartoony way. VERY GOOD. I'd love to see more issues like this one, and if I do, then I will definitely resume reading this series.
Wow, completely not what I would expect from this book at all, although with new names Palmiotti and Gray on the cover, I'm not surprised. What does surprise me is Amanda Conner's pencils actually toning down the cheesecake level...in fact, there's even a scene where she pokes fun at her own renderings of Power Girl! This issue was a standalone issue, and it made sense. That has been so rare throughout this series - things making sense. It's like, maybe I'm dense or something, but I never realized that this "Boomer" she was living with was actually Captain Boomerang's son...I thought she was doing him or something, or that perhaps this was a new character along the lines of the last Supergirl's Buzz. Now it finally makes sense. The art is even nicer, in a cartoony way. VERY GOOD. I'd love to see more issues like this one, and if I do, then I will definitely resume reading this series.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Gren Lantern #14, #15
Green Lantern #14, #15
Well, as good as last issue was, and it was VERY GOOD, this one is bad - so bad it's AWFUL. How does that happen? Last issue we finally got the exposition we needed to explain what happened to Hal during the lost year, because God knows we weren't going to get it anywhere else, and it was actually a pretty good story. Stupid, sure, but very good nonetheless.
Now this issue, on the other hand, is just one huge extended fight scene between Hal and the apprently brainwashed Global Guardians. And there's something unrelated going on with Hank Henshaw's skull. And something happening on Qward too - which seems to be aimed at inducting Abin Sur's son into the newly formed "Sinestro Corps", somewhat of a hackneyed concept, but if done well, one that I could certainly get behind. However, the other upcoming plot development alluded to in this issue is just retarded. Turning Cowgirl into the New Star Sapphire? That's got to be the stupidest plot development since making Hal crazy in the space of three issues. Please, I hope that's not going to stick. For once, it'd be nice for Hal to have some sort of normal home life. What is it with DC's fascination with messing with the private lives of their Green Lanterns? It seems like every one of Earth's Green Lanterns has suffered horribly in their personal lives, from the original to Kyle. At least this issue came out one month following the previous one, but note that it still has a cover date of 2006. That's just stupid. It's as if, by dating late titles by the month in which they were supposed to be released, the comic companies can retroactively change recent history and claim that they were released on time! Whatever, I'm just about done with this series.
Well, as good as last issue was, and it was VERY GOOD, this one is bad - so bad it's AWFUL. How does that happen? Last issue we finally got the exposition we needed to explain what happened to Hal during the lost year, because God knows we weren't going to get it anywhere else, and it was actually a pretty good story. Stupid, sure, but very good nonetheless.
Now this issue, on the other hand, is just one huge extended fight scene between Hal and the apprently brainwashed Global Guardians. And there's something unrelated going on with Hank Henshaw's skull. And something happening on Qward too - which seems to be aimed at inducting Abin Sur's son into the newly formed "Sinestro Corps", somewhat of a hackneyed concept, but if done well, one that I could certainly get behind. However, the other upcoming plot development alluded to in this issue is just retarded. Turning Cowgirl into the New Star Sapphire? That's got to be the stupidest plot development since making Hal crazy in the space of three issues. Please, I hope that's not going to stick. For once, it'd be nice for Hal to have some sort of normal home life. What is it with DC's fascination with messing with the private lives of their Green Lanterns? It seems like every one of Earth's Green Lanterns has suffered horribly in their personal lives, from the original to Kyle. At least this issue came out one month following the previous one, but note that it still has a cover date of 2006. That's just stupid. It's as if, by dating late titles by the month in which they were supposed to be released, the comic companies can retroactively change recent history and claim that they were released on time! Whatever, I'm just about done with this series.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Narcissism alert
If you haven't noticed yet, I track visitors to this blog. Most hits here are people who arrived by mistake, but I've noticed some web addresses that keep popping up again and again. I'd like to know that (if) I'm actually making a difference out there, so if you are a frequent visitor, drop me a line and tell me.
Obviously, blogging is a highly narcissistic pursuit, however altruistic one's motives may be. That said, it encourages me to write more often when people let me know how I'm doing.
So let me know!
Obviously, blogging is a highly narcissistic pursuit, however altruistic one's motives may be. That said, it encourages me to write more often when people let me know how I'm doing.
So let me know!
Batman/The Spirit #1
Batman/The Spirit #1
Can Darwyn Cooke ever do any bad work? I swear, everything of his I've ever read has been EXCELLENT. And this is no exception. Being too young, or mainstream, to have had much experience with The Spirit, I can't say how accurately he fills out Will Eisner's shoes. However, having read many golden and silver age Batman tales, I can say with certainty that Cooke captures the Spirit of those golden (and silver) comics perfectly. Likewise Jeph Loeb, who, more recent misfires aside, has always done a superb job at telling tales set in the past. This book is truly a treat, and serves as a fitting entree into Cooke's upcoming Spirit monthly. Like I said, this is EXCELLENT, and I've truly gotten to the point where I'd expect no less.
Can Darwyn Cooke ever do any bad work? I swear, everything of his I've ever read has been EXCELLENT. And this is no exception. Being too young, or mainstream, to have had much experience with The Spirit, I can't say how accurately he fills out Will Eisner's shoes. However, having read many golden and silver age Batman tales, I can say with certainty that Cooke captures the Spirit of those golden (and silver) comics perfectly. Likewise Jeph Loeb, who, more recent misfires aside, has always done a superb job at telling tales set in the past. This book is truly a treat, and serves as a fitting entree into Cooke's upcoming Spirit monthly. Like I said, this is EXCELLENT, and I've truly gotten to the point where I'd expect no less.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Ultimate Power #2
Ultimate Power #2
After the first issue, which basically had nothing to do, whatsoever, with the Supreme Power universe, until the very last page, I can't stress enough how unimpressed I was. And then there's this issue. Oh boy, I didn't think that I could be let down any further. I was completely wrong. This issue is nothing more than one giant fight scene, featuring the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The X-Men, and The Ultimates - basically, everybody in the Ultimate universe who has a regular series - fighting the Supreme Power heroes. Until the goddamn last page. Again! Nothing f'ing happens in this issue, until the last page! Who writes this CRAP? Okay, so just like everything else in the Ultimate universe, it's written by Bendis...but seriously? A chimp could do better.
After the first issue, which basically had nothing to do, whatsoever, with the Supreme Power universe, until the very last page, I can't stress enough how unimpressed I was. And then there's this issue. Oh boy, I didn't think that I could be let down any further. I was completely wrong. This issue is nothing more than one giant fight scene, featuring the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The X-Men, and The Ultimates - basically, everybody in the Ultimate universe who has a regular series - fighting the Supreme Power heroes. Until the goddamn last page. Again! Nothing f'ing happens in this issue, until the last page! Who writes this CRAP? Okay, so just like everything else in the Ultimate universe, it's written by Bendis...but seriously? A chimp could do better.
The Immortal Iron Fist #1
The Immortal Iron Fist #1
For the first 16 pages, this book was a lot of fun. Well written, intriguing concept, competent execution...and then it took a turn towards WTF-land. This series gets back to the long forgotten concept of Danny Rand being just the latest in a series of mystical warriors gifted with the Iron Fist, which herein is portrayed more as a mystical ability than as a martial arts technique which anyone could learn - as Bendis hinted at during his run on Daredevil. That's not a problem for me. What is a problem, however, is the conflicting origin stories told herein by Brubaker...one which has Danny's father dying, and one which has him disappearing...within the pages of the selfsame book. To me, that's just sloppy, but perhaps he's going somewhere with this. I'll have to keep reading the series to find out, I guess. It would be interesting to me to find out exactly where this falls in the DaredevilFist chronology.
A very solidly GOOD first issue.
(Is it just me, or is Danny's Iron Fist costume really gay?)
For the first 16 pages, this book was a lot of fun. Well written, intriguing concept, competent execution...and then it took a turn towards WTF-land. This series gets back to the long forgotten concept of Danny Rand being just the latest in a series of mystical warriors gifted with the Iron Fist, which herein is portrayed more as a mystical ability than as a martial arts technique which anyone could learn - as Bendis hinted at during his run on Daredevil. That's not a problem for me. What is a problem, however, is the conflicting origin stories told herein by Brubaker...one which has Danny's father dying, and one which has him disappearing...within the pages of the selfsame book. To me, that's just sloppy, but perhaps he's going somewhere with this. I'll have to keep reading the series to find out, I guess. It would be interesting to me to find out exactly where this falls in the DaredevilFist chronology.
A very solidly GOOD first issue.
(Is it just me, or is Danny's Iron Fist costume really gay?)
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Daredevil #91
Daredevil #91
Happy Turkey Day.
Well, after the extreme confusion of the last two issues, we're finally back on track, and even though nothing is revealed (to us at least) in the issue, everything previous is clarified. I was really let down by the last couple of issues, here I was expecting great things, and then, nothing. Seriously, if I wanted to have no clue what was going on, I'd read Deadman (which, by the way, is utter CRAP).
So now that we know what's going on, Lily was hired to wear a pheromone perfume and confuse Daredevil. How they figured out Karen Page's scent is unknowable, but at least Daredevil is wise to them now, and his internal monologue tells us that he's wise to it. So he lets a mock kidnapping and attempted murder scene play itself out, obviously a trap, while he waits to make his move.
When he does, he dispatches Tombstone.
And then, things get weird. Matador apparently has been ordered to kill Lily, though he agonizes over attempting to do so, claiming that he loves her, but it's probably just the pheromones. So Matt puts him out of his misery. He then gets Lily's part of the story from her...the honest truth, apparently, though as he says earlier in the issue, she's such a good actor, how would he know?
That's it. Not much happens, but at least we understand what does happen. VERY GOOD.
Happy Turkey Day.
Well, after the extreme confusion of the last two issues, we're finally back on track, and even though nothing is revealed (to us at least) in the issue, everything previous is clarified. I was really let down by the last couple of issues, here I was expecting great things, and then, nothing. Seriously, if I wanted to have no clue what was going on, I'd read Deadman (which, by the way, is utter CRAP).
So now that we know what's going on, Lily was hired to wear a pheromone perfume and confuse Daredevil. How they figured out Karen Page's scent is unknowable, but at least Daredevil is wise to them now, and his internal monologue tells us that he's wise to it. So he lets a mock kidnapping and attempted murder scene play itself out, obviously a trap, while he waits to make his move.
When he does, he dispatches Tombstone.
And then, things get weird. Matador apparently has been ordered to kill Lily, though he agonizes over attempting to do so, claiming that he loves her, but it's probably just the pheromones. So Matt puts him out of his misery. He then gets Lily's part of the story from her...the honest truth, apparently, though as he says earlier in the issue, she's such a good actor, how would he know?
That's it. Not much happens, but at least we understand what does happen. VERY GOOD.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Civil War
As we saw in White Tiger #1, DaredevilFist uses a voice box. Why none of the other costumes even question it, when it was a big deal to White Tiger? Just another example of a CRAP story by a CRAP writer, which is why lately I've become so much more Johnny DC. When Marvel has this godawful series crossing over into so many unrelated books, it does nothing but weaken the entire Marvel line. I won't even touch this series - it's like poison - and the closest I'll get to it is the NON-JMS Iron Spider books, and Wolverine. I haven't even READ any of the other books with CW bottoms, and I really don't plan on it - except for Cable/Deadpool...eventually. What a mess.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Smallville 6x07 "Rage"
Smallville 6x07 "Rage"
I love the Green Arrow outfit, especially since they decided to go with a hood. I like the trick arrows, like the taser crossbow bolt. There are a lot of good ideas here. Unfortunately, there's one really bad idea as well. Since Oliver Queen is one of the richest men in Metropolis, if not the world, rich enough to finance pharmaceutical experiments, why couldn't he invest in some light Kevlar for his costume? That would save him a ton of pain and grief, be much safer, and would really negate this entire episode's point. It's not as if he's going to be doing any acrobatics - he's just running around and shooting people. One of the newer Kevlar blends, such as they've been using in the armed forces, would not weigh a strong guy like him down very much.
There's a lot of other things to like about this episode. The whole "Ollie's on drugs" subplot is definitely meant to evoke memories of Roy Harper being addicted to smack. There's a cute line towards the end of the episode where Ollie tells Clark "I'm not even in your league," to which Clark replies "just because you're not indestructible doesn't mean you can't be a hero". Kind of like the "Junior Lifeguards Association" line from last year's episode "Aqua".
It's a fun episode. But this one gaffe is just too bizarre to allow me to rate this episode any higher than GOOD.
I love the Green Arrow outfit, especially since they decided to go with a hood. I like the trick arrows, like the taser crossbow bolt. There are a lot of good ideas here. Unfortunately, there's one really bad idea as well. Since Oliver Queen is one of the richest men in Metropolis, if not the world, rich enough to finance pharmaceutical experiments, why couldn't he invest in some light Kevlar for his costume? That would save him a ton of pain and grief, be much safer, and would really negate this entire episode's point. It's not as if he's going to be doing any acrobatics - he's just running around and shooting people. One of the newer Kevlar blends, such as they've been using in the armed forces, would not weigh a strong guy like him down very much.
There's a lot of other things to like about this episode. The whole "Ollie's on drugs" subplot is definitely meant to evoke memories of Roy Harper being addicted to smack. There's a cute line towards the end of the episode where Ollie tells Clark "I'm not even in your league," to which Clark replies "just because you're not indestructible doesn't mean you can't be a hero". Kind of like the "Junior Lifeguards Association" line from last year's episode "Aqua".
It's a fun episode. But this one gaffe is just too bizarre to allow me to rate this episode any higher than GOOD.
Justice League Unlimited #27
Justice League Unlimited #27
It's OKAY. This issue deals with Black Lightning finding a way to put the Parasite out of comission when he's been sucked dry of his powers.
The tragedy is that this issue could have been so much better. It could have been an in depth exploration of what happens to various superheroes when their powers have crapped out on them. It could have dealt with their struggle to define themselves in the face of losing that which makes them the most unique.
It doesn't do any of that. Instead, it buries its potential with a moral about not ever quitting. I understand that this book is geared towards kids, unlike most comics nowadays, but is that really any excuse for missing one's potential so sorely?
The execution of the story itself is OKAY, but no better.
It's OKAY. This issue deals with Black Lightning finding a way to put the Parasite out of comission when he's been sucked dry of his powers.
The tragedy is that this issue could have been so much better. It could have been an in depth exploration of what happens to various superheroes when their powers have crapped out on them. It could have dealt with their struggle to define themselves in the face of losing that which makes them the most unique.
It doesn't do any of that. Instead, it buries its potential with a moral about not ever quitting. I understand that this book is geared towards kids, unlike most comics nowadays, but is that really any excuse for missing one's potential so sorely?
The execution of the story itself is OKAY, but no better.
JLA Classified #29
JLA Classified #29
This gets my second-ever HUH? rating. I don't understand what the hell's going on in this book. I even read last issue, and I still don't get it. You know what? Scratch that - this book is AWFUL. And I can't even identify every character! Very sloppy. Skip this. The only positive part of the entire mess is Batman dressing up like the Midnighter and breaking into an office building. Otherwise, this is not a good issue.
This gets my second-ever HUH? rating. I don't understand what the hell's going on in this book. I even read last issue, and I still don't get it. You know what? Scratch that - this book is AWFUL. And I can't even identify every character! Very sloppy. Skip this. The only positive part of the entire mess is Batman dressing up like the Midnighter and breaking into an office building. Otherwise, this is not a good issue.
Batman #658
Batman #658
I've gotta say, I was seriously underwhelmed by this arc. Morrison can do so much better. Of course, he's done worse. But he made some decisions in telling this story that I really don't understand. For example, at first I was all excited about "Son of the Demon" being brought back into continuity, but then Grant went ahead and crafted a different story around Batman and Talia's child. Completely unnecessary, and not a good decision at all. Then he goes ahead and makes this child a whiny little brat who is so annoying that it's nearly impossibly to empathize with him. Seriously, if he'd truly been raised by the League of Assassins, he'd have been beaten bloody for being such an incorrigible brat. Repeatedly.
And Talia...to have orchestrated this entire scheme merely to get Batman to join her as her husband seems, well, maybe just the slightest bit needy? Codependent? Talia is a strong woman, and I don't see her acting like this. And if all she wants is to be by Bruce's side, then why not join him in crimefighting? Why insist on remaining the head of an inactive assassins' guild? Ridiculous, implausible, and, oh yeah, "Hh" is not a word, nor is it a sound. With each successive use of the pseudo-onomatopeia-like word, I become more and more annoyed.
EH. I miss Dini on Detective. But at least his replacement is keeping stories to single issues.
I've gotta say, I was seriously underwhelmed by this arc. Morrison can do so much better. Of course, he's done worse. But he made some decisions in telling this story that I really don't understand. For example, at first I was all excited about "Son of the Demon" being brought back into continuity, but then Grant went ahead and crafted a different story around Batman and Talia's child. Completely unnecessary, and not a good decision at all. Then he goes ahead and makes this child a whiny little brat who is so annoying that it's nearly impossibly to empathize with him. Seriously, if he'd truly been raised by the League of Assassins, he'd have been beaten bloody for being such an incorrigible brat. Repeatedly.
And Talia...to have orchestrated this entire scheme merely to get Batman to join her as her husband seems, well, maybe just the slightest bit needy? Codependent? Talia is a strong woman, and I don't see her acting like this. And if all she wants is to be by Bruce's side, then why not join him in crimefighting? Why insist on remaining the head of an inactive assassins' guild? Ridiculous, implausible, and, oh yeah, "Hh" is not a word, nor is it a sound. With each successive use of the pseudo-onomatopeia-like word, I become more and more annoyed.
EH. I miss Dini on Detective. But at least his replacement is keeping stories to single issues.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Robin #156
Robin #156
I was really looking forward to getting this book, and was very happy once I read it. For once, a superhero book with absolutely no fighting whatsoever - just Robin going through an average day. You know there can't always be crazies running around. And just by swinging around randomly, there's no way that Robin could hope to run across a mugging or burglary every single night. So in this issue, we see how Tim spends his downtime. And it's an EXCELLENT glimpse. He visits Dodge in the hospital, he talks to some people he's obviously made connections with, but that we haven't ever seen before - something I'd definitely like to see more of. These interpersonal relationships are important, because they are a large part of what define us as individuals.
At the end of the issue, Robin notices a jumper, so he swings by to talk with him. But mostly to listen. And after the jumper decides not to go through with it, they head out to get breakfast. I'd actually like to see more interactions like this...people being friends with Robin, as opposed to people being friends with Tim.
And it's a one-off story, to boot. EXCELLENT reading.
I was really looking forward to getting this book, and was very happy once I read it. For once, a superhero book with absolutely no fighting whatsoever - just Robin going through an average day. You know there can't always be crazies running around. And just by swinging around randomly, there's no way that Robin could hope to run across a mugging or burglary every single night. So in this issue, we see how Tim spends his downtime. And it's an EXCELLENT glimpse. He visits Dodge in the hospital, he talks to some people he's obviously made connections with, but that we haven't ever seen before - something I'd definitely like to see more of. These interpersonal relationships are important, because they are a large part of what define us as individuals.
At the end of the issue, Robin notices a jumper, so he swings by to talk with him. But mostly to listen. And after the jumper decides not to go through with it, they head out to get breakfast. I'd actually like to see more interactions like this...people being friends with Robin, as opposed to people being friends with Tim.
And it's a one-off story, to boot. EXCELLENT reading.
Birds of Prey #100
Birds of Prey #100
I've been looking forward to this issue for several months now. Although it isn't as good as I had expected it would be, it's still quite EXCELLENT, all the more so since it did not neglect the interaction between Canary and her new sister/daughter Sin. That's the one thing which I may miss most about her departure from the team. The Birds of Prey have always been about the chicks of the DCU, although never exclusively, recalling Beetle's tenure with them, as well as their attempted recruitment of the new Blue Beetle. I agree with Paul's comment as to breasts being, apparently, the only qualification for inclusion on this new team. That said, it surprises me that Babs would have sent out so many invites before whittling the selection down to her top picks, especially when some of those she invited were certain to refuse, as did Power Girl. And since Babs is now going on a recruitment drive, I find that it calls even further into question the decision that she made regarding her treatment of the new Batgirl. I would think that that would have been a perfect place to start beefing up the roster, especially since one of her goals used to be the training of superheroines. With a teacher of Helena's caliber on the permanent roster, her group would be an excellent place to accomplish that. Sort of like a school for metas. Some of her choices seem extremely obscure - I've been reading this series since the days of Gorf, and I still can't figure out who many of the invitees are. I love the inclusion of Kate Spencer on the team, especially since she functions entirely within her civilian identity on it. Barda mystifies me - is that "Big" Barda or the "Little" Barda that was introduced in Teen Titans? It's never made clear. I would assume it to be Big Barda, since she acquits herself competently, but I may be wrong. Anyways, like I said, this issue is quite EXCELLENT. I do hope that the Canary and Sin story is not allowed to fall by the wayside. Even without any sort of superheroing, it's still an interesting relationship.
I've been looking forward to this issue for several months now. Although it isn't as good as I had expected it would be, it's still quite EXCELLENT, all the more so since it did not neglect the interaction between Canary and her new sister/daughter Sin. That's the one thing which I may miss most about her departure from the team. The Birds of Prey have always been about the chicks of the DCU, although never exclusively, recalling Beetle's tenure with them, as well as their attempted recruitment of the new Blue Beetle. I agree with Paul's comment as to breasts being, apparently, the only qualification for inclusion on this new team. That said, it surprises me that Babs would have sent out so many invites before whittling the selection down to her top picks, especially when some of those she invited were certain to refuse, as did Power Girl. And since Babs is now going on a recruitment drive, I find that it calls even further into question the decision that she made regarding her treatment of the new Batgirl. I would think that that would have been a perfect place to start beefing up the roster, especially since one of her goals used to be the training of superheroines. With a teacher of Helena's caliber on the permanent roster, her group would be an excellent place to accomplish that. Sort of like a school for metas. Some of her choices seem extremely obscure - I've been reading this series since the days of Gorf, and I still can't figure out who many of the invitees are. I love the inclusion of Kate Spencer on the team, especially since she functions entirely within her civilian identity on it. Barda mystifies me - is that "Big" Barda or the "Little" Barda that was introduced in Teen Titans? It's never made clear. I would assume it to be Big Barda, since she acquits herself competently, but I may be wrong. Anyways, like I said, this issue is quite EXCELLENT. I do hope that the Canary and Sin story is not allowed to fall by the wayside. Even without any sort of superheroing, it's still an interesting relationship.
White Tiger #1
White Tiger #1
It's perfectly readable, and I enjoyed it, but I felt that its most interesting moments revolved around Tiger's interactions with the Black Widow. Also, although it was chucklesome, where, when, and how did Spidey enter into the costume scene? It felt as if a page had been inadvertently omitted. I don't find it to be a smart idea, though, to secure her amulet in a location where it could be snatched by a lucky bad guy. Better to stash it under the suit, and create a facsimile for show. But hey, I'm not a superhero, so what do I know? Just OKAY, but give this book time to create its own identity and it might turn out to be pretty good.
It's perfectly readable, and I enjoyed it, but I felt that its most interesting moments revolved around Tiger's interactions with the Black Widow. Also, although it was chucklesome, where, when, and how did Spidey enter into the costume scene? It felt as if a page had been inadvertently omitted. I don't find it to be a smart idea, though, to secure her amulet in a location where it could be snatched by a lucky bad guy. Better to stash it under the suit, and create a facsimile for show. But hey, I'm not a superhero, so what do I know? Just OKAY, but give this book time to create its own identity and it might turn out to be pretty good.
Astonishing X-Men #18
Astonishing X-Men #18
I've been reading other reviewers regularly, even though my own posting has taken a dive as of late. I hope to rectify that situation this week, and I hope that somebody actually noticed. But I've felt like shit for not posting all this time, and the more I've neglected it, the worse I feel.
Regarding Joss Whedon's last arc of Astonishing. Looking back at his limited comics portfolio, it's obvious that his work can be much, much better - just look to his opening arc from way back when on Astonishing. However, even when read together in one shot, these last six issues make very little sense. Sure, there's an underlying advancement of plot, but the details themselves are completely bewildering, to a fault. Often, I hadn't the slightest clue as to what was supposed to be happening - except in the broadest of strokes. Many details made no sense to me whatsoever - even though the art is absolutely beautiful, I still couldn't figure out what was going on. If Buffy had been like this, it would have been cancelled before the start of its second season. And the pacing. Many people, including myself occasionally, have criticized Bendis for his laconic pacing, but this is just ridiculous. If any of Whedon's television programs had been paced like this, they would never have acquired the fanbase which they now yet hold. And, taken as a whole, this story isn't even a good one - in fact, it's considerably weaker than "Danger", which was not very good at all. The only notable parts of this arc were the introduction of the kids in the mansion (which really seems to be quite empty otherwise), and the transformations of Wolverine, Beast, and Cyclops...each of which could still have been focused on for a single issue, while still maintaining the forward momentum of an accelerated story. For instance, each episode could have been presented from the altered viewpoint of one of those main characters. That would have been interesting. I've been seriously considering letting my mail subscription to this title lapse...the next arc will determine my decision. (I need to subscribe to at least two books to retain my current pricing, so I've got to figure out another book to take its place - either Daredevil or Cable/Deadpool - any suggestions?) Regarding this arc, each issue has been more AWFUL than that which preceded it.
I've been reading other reviewers regularly, even though my own posting has taken a dive as of late. I hope to rectify that situation this week, and I hope that somebody actually noticed. But I've felt like shit for not posting all this time, and the more I've neglected it, the worse I feel.
Regarding Joss Whedon's last arc of Astonishing. Looking back at his limited comics portfolio, it's obvious that his work can be much, much better - just look to his opening arc from way back when on Astonishing. However, even when read together in one shot, these last six issues make very little sense. Sure, there's an underlying advancement of plot, but the details themselves are completely bewildering, to a fault. Often, I hadn't the slightest clue as to what was supposed to be happening - except in the broadest of strokes. Many details made no sense to me whatsoever - even though the art is absolutely beautiful, I still couldn't figure out what was going on. If Buffy had been like this, it would have been cancelled before the start of its second season. And the pacing. Many people, including myself occasionally, have criticized Bendis for his laconic pacing, but this is just ridiculous. If any of Whedon's television programs had been paced like this, they would never have acquired the fanbase which they now yet hold. And, taken as a whole, this story isn't even a good one - in fact, it's considerably weaker than "Danger", which was not very good at all. The only notable parts of this arc were the introduction of the kids in the mansion (which really seems to be quite empty otherwise), and the transformations of Wolverine, Beast, and Cyclops...each of which could still have been focused on for a single issue, while still maintaining the forward momentum of an accelerated story. For instance, each episode could have been presented from the altered viewpoint of one of those main characters. That would have been interesting. I've been seriously considering letting my mail subscription to this title lapse...the next arc will determine my decision. (I need to subscribe to at least two books to retain my current pricing, so I've got to figure out another book to take its place - either Daredevil or Cable/Deadpool - any suggestions?) Regarding this arc, each issue has been more AWFUL than that which preceded it.
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