One-sentence summary: This Amazonian mini-series leaves too little to the imagination when it comes to story with acceptable art.
I seem to be coming down on all the comics I read lately. I promise, that's not the case, even if it seems so. Maybe it's just because I've been reviewing some mediocre comics.
Wonder Girl is a mini-series that hopefully will accomplish something. I've disliked the character ever since they decided to make her perky and blonde, so maybe this will change that. There are several good directions this series could take; personally, I'd really like to see this series, dealing with the huge personal crisis for Wonder Girl that was Amazons Attack, show our protagonist develop in some major ways, and possibly not in the friendliest, sun-shiniest ways.
However, from the major plot hints, what will happen is that Hercules will end up being against her the whole time after getting her to break against her other friends, she finally seeing the truth or some such stuff like that and fighting back, rejoining the side of good and having her faith in her friends and community restored, all on some large scale so that the public trusts her again. Woo.
This issue was ok. Obviously no big twists yet, and the set-up's not horrible, but just ok. I'd say wait on this to see if it's worth the trade paperback or not. Oh, and the art's just alright. I really don't have strong feelings about the pseudo-animated style that's so popular right now.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Superman #668
One-sentence summary: Following up on a development from over a year ago, a new story arc is introduced in this decent issue.
This issue wasn't too bad. It's always fun to see the various takes writers have on the relationship between Batman and Superman, and this issue was no exception, with those scenes being the highlight for me.
While this served as a good introduction to the story, it wasn't much more than that. It was sort of fun, which is always good. The art was decent, but that's about it. All in all, not too bad, but nothing to feel too strongly about.
This issue wasn't too bad. It's always fun to see the various takes writers have on the relationship between Batman and Superman, and this issue was no exception, with those scenes being the highlight for me.
While this served as a good introduction to the story, it wasn't much more than that. It was sort of fun, which is always good. The art was decent, but that's about it. All in all, not too bad, but nothing to feel too strongly about.
Green Lantern #24
One-sentence summary: Part 8 of the Sinestro Corps War is here, with plenty of action and plot progression.
I've been a big fan of the Sinestro Corps War since it started, so it's no surprise I've continued to enjoy it. I really think the overall plot has been really well paced, with a good presentation of the major battles as well as a series of important plot twists, each one impacting the story in a large way. For that alone I'd like this story-arc in comparison to some of the other major stories going on out there, but in addition to this we have good writing for the characters and just enough small touches to keep the book grounded (I'm, in particular, thinking of the Michigan emblem on Guy's power lantern).
The art continues to be good for the book. It's nothing I'll write fan letters over, but it does a good job of helping tell the story. The lanterns soaring through the air during the battles is always nice.
This story is being keyed up to what should be a pretty incredible conclusion. This is definitely a quality title, and I look forward to each new progression every two weeks.
I've been a big fan of the Sinestro Corps War since it started, so it's no surprise I've continued to enjoy it. I really think the overall plot has been really well paced, with a good presentation of the major battles as well as a series of important plot twists, each one impacting the story in a large way. For that alone I'd like this story-arc in comparison to some of the other major stories going on out there, but in addition to this we have good writing for the characters and just enough small touches to keep the book grounded (I'm, in particular, thinking of the Michigan emblem on Guy's power lantern).
The art continues to be good for the book. It's nothing I'll write fan letters over, but it does a good job of helping tell the story. The lanterns soaring through the air during the battles is always nice.
This story is being keyed up to what should be a pretty incredible conclusion. This is definitely a quality title, and I look forward to each new progression every two weeks.
Green Arrow/Black Canary #1
One-sentence summary: Picking up from where the Wedding Special left off, this series begins with a partial reveal over the cliffhanger delivered with a good conservative art.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of this series, but so far it's delivered fairly well. The dialogue goes along well with Black Canary and Green Arrow's coarse humor, and the story is actually delivering me something interesting using characters I normally don't care so much about.
The story progressed nicely for a first issue, not being over-burdened with introductions or flashbacks but moving along well while explaining what's happened already to the new readers. It leaves us with another bit of a cliffhanger, but not such a major one as last time. There are a few particularly nice scenes, the best (to me) being Dr. Mid-Nite explaining the autopsy he and Batman are about to perform as Batman powers up an electric saw in the background.
I really have a thing for the clean, crisp style here, somewhat similar to the pop-art style of Mike Allred's stuff, but less colorful, more conservative. I particularly like this style when applied to the older characters -- Batman, Dr. Mid-Nite, classic Green Arrow.
Good issue of what looks to be a pretty decent series. I'm definitely looking forward to future issues of this.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of this series, but so far it's delivered fairly well. The dialogue goes along well with Black Canary and Green Arrow's coarse humor, and the story is actually delivering me something interesting using characters I normally don't care so much about.
The story progressed nicely for a first issue, not being over-burdened with introductions or flashbacks but moving along well while explaining what's happened already to the new readers. It leaves us with another bit of a cliffhanger, but not such a major one as last time. There are a few particularly nice scenes, the best (to me) being Dr. Mid-Nite explaining the autopsy he and Batman are about to perform as Batman powers up an electric saw in the background.
I really have a thing for the clean, crisp style here, somewhat similar to the pop-art style of Mike Allred's stuff, but less colorful, more conservative. I particularly like this style when applied to the older characters -- Batman, Dr. Mid-Nite, classic Green Arrow.
Good issue of what looks to be a pretty decent series. I'm definitely looking forward to future issues of this.
Countdown #29
One-sentence summary: While, technically, things happened in this issue, nothing of any importance did, which is a bit irritating.
I've probably given Countdown more patience than the average comic book reader. However, between the three Countdown tie-in titles a week (Captain Carrot? Really now?) that serve no purpose (looking at you, Search for Ray Palmer), and issues like this, which I'll rant about more next paragraph, well, they wear a reader out.
This seemed like some sort of bizarro issue, where the main title did nothing but support the tie-in titles' existences, and even then fairly thinly. It reminds me of watching the Turtles (of the Teenage Mutant Ninja kind) as a kid and them having their annual hour-long special which, I would realize later, served no purpose except to introduce characters which had already been made as a action figures, or had molds in process. That seemed to be the logic behind this issue. We had the exhilirating conclusion to the Jokester's plotline in that, well, he died. We introduced Lord Havokk or whatever his name is in order to to sell that 8 issue mini-series starting next month.
However, it's not all bad. I do like how ridiculously evil Mary Marvel has become so instantly. The Amazon storyline still doesn't interest me, which is pretty impressive considering how easily interested I am. The Karate Kid storyline, however, is pretty great, even if they only gave it a page this week. I'm definitely looking forward to see how badly Batman has managed to eff the world up again through Brother Eye. I'm not particularly interested in this DC-wide subplot of metahumans being captured and stored (I guess Marvel has ripped off of DC enough that turnabout's fair play), although I could have my opinions quickly turned if they actually did something with it (as is, the Suicide Squad series is still pretty unfocused).
The art's improved in this issue, I'd say. I'm sure there are some who'd say otherwise, but from my quick read nothing stood out too badly, and that's a good thing for a weekly title.
All in all, not too bad, really, but DC is doing some marketing things that are done tactlessly enough that they're distracting, and that gets to me.
I've probably given Countdown more patience than the average comic book reader. However, between the three Countdown tie-in titles a week (Captain Carrot? Really now?) that serve no purpose (looking at you, Search for Ray Palmer), and issues like this, which I'll rant about more next paragraph, well, they wear a reader out.
This seemed like some sort of bizarro issue, where the main title did nothing but support the tie-in titles' existences, and even then fairly thinly. It reminds me of watching the Turtles (of the Teenage Mutant Ninja kind) as a kid and them having their annual hour-long special which, I would realize later, served no purpose except to introduce characters which had already been made as a action figures, or had molds in process. That seemed to be the logic behind this issue. We had the exhilirating conclusion to the Jokester's plotline in that, well, he died. We introduced Lord Havokk or whatever his name is in order to to sell that 8 issue mini-series starting next month.
However, it's not all bad. I do like how ridiculously evil Mary Marvel has become so instantly. The Amazon storyline still doesn't interest me, which is pretty impressive considering how easily interested I am. The Karate Kid storyline, however, is pretty great, even if they only gave it a page this week. I'm definitely looking forward to see how badly Batman has managed to eff the world up again through Brother Eye. I'm not particularly interested in this DC-wide subplot of metahumans being captured and stored (I guess Marvel has ripped off of DC enough that turnabout's fair play), although I could have my opinions quickly turned if they actually did something with it (as is, the Suicide Squad series is still pretty unfocused).
The art's improved in this issue, I'd say. I'm sure there are some who'd say otherwise, but from my quick read nothing stood out too badly, and that's a good thing for a weekly title.
All in all, not too bad, really, but DC is doing some marketing things that are done tactlessly enough that they're distracting, and that gets to me.
Black Adam: The Dark Age #3 (of 8)
One-sentence summary: Black Adam's series detailing his quest for his power and for Isis' resurrection continues here with a battle with Hawkman and a gathering of power against Adam.
I was pretty excited for the Black Adam mini-series, and while it hasn't quite lived up to my expectations, it certainly hasn't been too bad. This issue delivered with a mild amount of story, but mostly served to set up for what I imagine will be the rest of the series. We see the first open confrontation between Black Adam and another metahuman, thus revealing his return to the metahuman community, as well as his attempted use of the Lazarus Pit last issue not going unnoticed.
What I like about this story is that Black Adam is really being considered a major-level threat by many sides -- it really will end up being him against the world. It's an ambitious set-up for a mini-series, but I have faith that it can be lead to a good conclusion.
The art for this series is always just fine. I'm never blown away by it, but it does a better than average job of detailing the characters in a realistic fashion.
Overall, this was a pretty good issue, definitely leading me to look forward to the future issues of this series.
I was pretty excited for the Black Adam mini-series, and while it hasn't quite lived up to my expectations, it certainly hasn't been too bad. This issue delivered with a mild amount of story, but mostly served to set up for what I imagine will be the rest of the series. We see the first open confrontation between Black Adam and another metahuman, thus revealing his return to the metahuman community, as well as his attempted use of the Lazarus Pit last issue not going unnoticed.
What I like about this story is that Black Adam is really being considered a major-level threat by many sides -- it really will end up being him against the world. It's an ambitious set-up for a mini-series, but I have faith that it can be lead to a good conclusion.
The art for this series is always just fine. I'm never blown away by it, but it does a better than average job of detailing the characters in a realistic fashion.
Overall, this was a pretty good issue, definitely leading me to look forward to the future issues of this series.
Batman Confidential #10
One-sentence summary: The newest edition of the Joker's origin nears its conclusion in this darkly drawn tale from early in Batman's life.
Now, I'm not entirely certain that I support a new origin to the Joker, but at least I can lay back safe in the knowledge they'll never give him an absolute origin, just a variety of possible origins. However, this one's not been bad, though with some elements that are a bit off (Batman ordering a death?).
The story is fittingly dark and does a good job of establishing the Joker's physical abilities, as well as setting up the irony of Batman creating his own worst enemy, and, for that matter, the presence of superheroes creating the supervillain in general. For that, this is a pretty interesting comic.
The story is generally good, but the dialogue simply serves to get the job done. Nothing strikingly bad, but I can't imagine these lines being quoted. I actually like the art; heavily penciled, it manages to give a dark feel to the story without diminishing the brightness or contrast used with the colors.
Not too bad. I see that this story has several more issues left, which seems like a bit much, but this issue wraps up the first half of it very well and, including the last two issues, could serve as a good self-contained 3-part story.
Now, I'm not entirely certain that I support a new origin to the Joker, but at least I can lay back safe in the knowledge they'll never give him an absolute origin, just a variety of possible origins. However, this one's not been bad, though with some elements that are a bit off (Batman ordering a death?).
The story is fittingly dark and does a good job of establishing the Joker's physical abilities, as well as setting up the irony of Batman creating his own worst enemy, and, for that matter, the presence of superheroes creating the supervillain in general. For that, this is a pretty interesting comic.
The story is generally good, but the dialogue simply serves to get the job done. Nothing strikingly bad, but I can't imagine these lines being quoted. I actually like the art; heavily penciled, it manages to give a dark feel to the story without diminishing the brightness or contrast used with the colors.
Not too bad. I see that this story has several more issues left, which seems like a bit much, but this issue wraps up the first half of it very well and, including the last two issues, could serve as a good self-contained 3-part story.
The All-New Booster Gold #3
One-sentence summary: The new Booster Gold series continues to be entertaining with plenty of time-travel fun.
After a couple of start-up issues, the new Booster Gold title is really starting to get rolling. In this issue, Johns gives us a rather fun, if somewhat unnecessary, scene with Jonah Hex. The writing in this series has done a good job of bouncing between the more serious story of Rip Hunter and Booster trying to stop the time criminals and the relaxed, almost silly, dialogue between Booster, his ancestor, and anyone they encounter.
The art in this series works very well. Bright, colorful, and generally solid, it doesn't try to push the series to be anything it's not.
This is a pretty nice series. I've been enjoying its mix of some humor with a strong superhero story. Hopefully it doesn't delve too far one way or another, but so far it's been good.
After a couple of start-up issues, the new Booster Gold title is really starting to get rolling. In this issue, Johns gives us a rather fun, if somewhat unnecessary, scene with Jonah Hex. The writing in this series has done a good job of bouncing between the more serious story of Rip Hunter and Booster trying to stop the time criminals and the relaxed, almost silly, dialogue between Booster, his ancestor, and anyone they encounter.
The art in this series works very well. Bright, colorful, and generally solid, it doesn't try to push the series to be anything it's not.
This is a pretty nice series. I've been enjoying its mix of some humor with a strong superhero story. Hopefully it doesn't delve too far one way or another, but so far it's been good.
I'm back -- sorta
Alright, so, here's a quick return post:
Between school and the rest of life, things have been hectic enough lately that I've barely had enough time to read comics, let alone write about them. However, I'm going to try to start a little bit. At least intermittently.
Between school and the rest of life, things have been hectic enough lately that I've barely had enough time to read comics, let alone write about them. However, I'm going to try to start a little bit. At least intermittently.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A Quick Explanation
I hate to do this before I've written a full month of reviews, but the next two weeks are going to be pretty shaky as far as updates go. Work ended last week, I just moved, I don't have any internet from my apartment, my laptop's on the fritz, and I'll be about 500 miles from my hard drives, comics, laptop, and internet connection for all of next week. Things will be back on track in...two weeks.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Countdown #38
One-sentence summary: Quite a bit more action in this issue, a little bit of plot development, and (hurray) absolutely nothing about Amazons Attack.
Honestly, this was one of the best issues of Countdown yet. If I were to make a single complaint with it, I'd say that there wasn't a ton of plot to it, just scenes and action, but it still had more plot than the usual issue of Countdown. I really liked this issue; maybe it was just me, but the artwork even seemed to be a bit better.
First off, all the action with Zatanna and Mary Marvel was interesting and definitely was a cool way to show Zatanna how Mary's changed, as well as developing the Apokolips plot some (I had just been reading the Forever People, so seeing an Omega or Alpha bullet, whatever it was called, was cool). While it would be a disappointing end if that's all they did with the Question and Batwoman, the scene with them and Piper/Trickster was absolutely fantastic. The puppets, man, the puppets! The Karate Kid development was, at least for me, a bit surprising. Maybe I should've seen this coming, but I didn't.
Nothing really happened with Jimmy Olsen, despite the fact that he was on the cover of the issue. He got rejected from Titans, that was all. Woo. While I do like the cover, I think a better one probably would've been Trickster doing a puppet show for an irritated Question and Batwoman, but, hey, that's just my two cents.
No Amazons Attack plot! Woo! I hate that plot so much.
Also, however, no Ray Palmer plot. I guess this might be because The All-New Atom #14 had a fair amount of development on this storyline, so they figured people got their Atom fix last week, they can take a break on that. I accept this, particularly since they write Ryan Choi so poorly.
Good issue, all in all. They moved things along at a decent pace, that damnable "History of the Multiverse" section is finally over, and they had a good mix of action and comedy in it. For this, I'm pretty satisfied.
Honestly, this was one of the best issues of Countdown yet. If I were to make a single complaint with it, I'd say that there wasn't a ton of plot to it, just scenes and action, but it still had more plot than the usual issue of Countdown. I really liked this issue; maybe it was just me, but the artwork even seemed to be a bit better.
First off, all the action with Zatanna and Mary Marvel was interesting and definitely was a cool way to show Zatanna how Mary's changed, as well as developing the Apokolips plot some (I had just been reading the Forever People, so seeing an Omega or Alpha bullet, whatever it was called, was cool). While it would be a disappointing end if that's all they did with the Question and Batwoman, the scene with them and Piper/Trickster was absolutely fantastic. The puppets, man, the puppets! The Karate Kid development was, at least for me, a bit surprising. Maybe I should've seen this coming, but I didn't.
Nothing really happened with Jimmy Olsen, despite the fact that he was on the cover of the issue. He got rejected from Titans, that was all. Woo. While I do like the cover, I think a better one probably would've been Trickster doing a puppet show for an irritated Question and Batwoman, but, hey, that's just my two cents.
No Amazons Attack plot! Woo! I hate that plot so much.
Also, however, no Ray Palmer plot. I guess this might be because The All-New Atom #14 had a fair amount of development on this storyline, so they figured people got their Atom fix last week, they can take a break on that. I accept this, particularly since they write Ryan Choi so poorly.
Good issue, all in all. They moved things along at a decent pace, that damnable "History of the Multiverse" section is finally over, and they had a good mix of action and comedy in it. For this, I'm pretty satisfied.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Crécy
One-sentence summary: This unusual one-shot from Warren Ellis presents the battle of Crécy in a realistic, period-based narrative with stunning art.
I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, which turned out to be good as I never would have expected what I got. Crécy is a graphic novel written following one soldier as he tells us (directly speaking to us, a modern-day audience) the background, motivation, and effects of the battle of Crécy. Not only was it historically accurate, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that this was educational. Now, don't get me wrong, it, being about a battle, has action in it as well, and as it tries to be true to the voice of a soldier, it's definitely explicit, so this isn't a kid's book; at the same time, though, I'd probably give this to a high schooler who's in world history.
I would have enjoyed just reading this book -- I'm a bit of a nerd, so simply reading about history's fun for me -- but what really set this apart for me as a quality read was the beautiful pencil/ink work of Raulo Caceres. Simply fantastic.
I went into this not knowing what to expect; what I got was a fantastic historical graphic novel that I'd recommend to both comic and history buffs, or those just wanting a good read.
I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, which turned out to be good as I never would have expected what I got. Crécy is a graphic novel written following one soldier as he tells us (directly speaking to us, a modern-day audience) the background, motivation, and effects of the battle of Crécy. Not only was it historically accurate, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that this was educational. Now, don't get me wrong, it, being about a battle, has action in it as well, and as it tries to be true to the voice of a soldier, it's definitely explicit, so this isn't a kid's book; at the same time, though, I'd probably give this to a high schooler who's in world history.
I would have enjoyed just reading this book -- I'm a bit of a nerd, so simply reading about history's fun for me -- but what really set this apart for me as a quality read was the beautiful pencil/ink work of Raulo Caceres. Simply fantastic.
I went into this not knowing what to expect; what I got was a fantastic historical graphic novel that I'd recommend to both comic and history buffs, or those just wanting a good read.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Doktor Sleepless #1
One-sentence summary: Warren Ellis' new Sci-Fi series delivers a promising start, replete with interesting characters and a plain-spoken version of Ellis' futurism.
While a series can't really be judged well by a first issue, Doktor Sleepless certainly seems like it will be an interesting read. Its gritty art matches the story well. The designs on the various futuristic elements of the story grounds them in such a way that this future seems not just realistic, but near.
This is a well-done start to what hopefully will be an interesting new Ellis story. Hopefully a more complete review can be given for future issues, but, for now, things are looking very interesting.
While a series can't really be judged well by a first issue, Doktor Sleepless certainly seems like it will be an interesting read. Its gritty art matches the story well. The designs on the various futuristic elements of the story grounds them in such a way that this future seems not just realistic, but near.
This is a well-done start to what hopefully will be an interesting new Ellis story. Hopefully a more complete review can be given for future issues, but, for now, things are looking very interesting.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Justice League Unlimited #36
One-sentence summary: I post a review for this all-ages kid's comic because, well, it's good.
I have a soft spot in my heart for the fun comics. I think we all should, really, because as much as some things might make a person think otherwise, that is the source of the entire industry and generally remains a large portion of its income. To deny the place in the modern age of fun comics would be pretty ridiculous, as I think it's bad enough most of them are sold as more or less kids' only books. I may start posting reviews here of at least the really excellent titles that are coming out under this, and one of those is definitely JLU.
Based off the cartoon show, the art in this book maintains the cartoon's feel, which was something I grew up on and thus can appreciate, even if it doesn't fully work in a comic. The writers rotate on this, a new one writing about a new character every month who has the spotlight, while other characters are also involved in the story. In this month's issue, we get a Question who's much more Rorschach than he is any form of the Question, filled with paranoia and going days and days without sleep while solving the case, every sentence chopped off. His dialogue is absolutely perfect for a character; I would buy a comic starring him, certainly.
So, in this kids book, we get fun references to more or less every major conspiracy theory and monster in urban legend in a handful of pages, all the while being convinced of the Question's growing insanity until the last couple of pages where the reveal occurs.
This is a comic I would buy to make a kid fall in love with comics. You get them introduced to all sorts of characters every month, you have fun and accessible stories, and they've got good writing. If Dan Didio kills this title off due to his hatred of the DCAU, I'll lose one of my favorite titles and the industry will lose one of the most underappreciated titles out there.
I have a soft spot in my heart for the fun comics. I think we all should, really, because as much as some things might make a person think otherwise, that is the source of the entire industry and generally remains a large portion of its income. To deny the place in the modern age of fun comics would be pretty ridiculous, as I think it's bad enough most of them are sold as more or less kids' only books. I may start posting reviews here of at least the really excellent titles that are coming out under this, and one of those is definitely JLU.
Based off the cartoon show, the art in this book maintains the cartoon's feel, which was something I grew up on and thus can appreciate, even if it doesn't fully work in a comic. The writers rotate on this, a new one writing about a new character every month who has the spotlight, while other characters are also involved in the story. In this month's issue, we get a Question who's much more Rorschach than he is any form of the Question, filled with paranoia and going days and days without sleep while solving the case, every sentence chopped off. His dialogue is absolutely perfect for a character; I would buy a comic starring him, certainly.
So, in this kids book, we get fun references to more or less every major conspiracy theory and monster in urban legend in a handful of pages, all the while being convinced of the Question's growing insanity until the last couple of pages where the reveal occurs.
This is a comic I would buy to make a kid fall in love with comics. You get them introduced to all sorts of characters every month, you have fun and accessible stories, and they've got good writing. If Dan Didio kills this title off due to his hatred of the DCAU, I'll lose one of my favorite titles and the industry will lose one of the most underappreciated titles out there.
Jonah Hex #22
One-sentence summary: While usually a good title, I felt this issue of Jonah Hex was a bit off of the latest run, steering away from the gritty realism of the last several issues and going with a steampunk adventure starring Edison and Tesla from the sidelines.
I've been liking Jonah Hex, but part of the reason I've been liking it is because, as a friend put it, it's a Clint Eastwood movie put into comic form. Clint Eastwood movies do not revolve around automatons/robots (two very different things usually considered the same in any steampunk story).
I guess that's my real grief with this. It was just such a departure from the Jonah Hex that I've gotten used to, now I don't know if I should expect renegade cowboys or time travelers in the next issue. Hopefully the former. As its own story, it's not horrible. It exaggerates, obviously, the feud between Edison and Tesla, but I can deal with that. I didn't think it was as high of quality of story as you normally find with Jonah Hex, though. The art was still great, though, and the cover is pretty fantastic, even if I didn't like the subject matter of the story.
I've been liking Jonah Hex, but part of the reason I've been liking it is because, as a friend put it, it's a Clint Eastwood movie put into comic form. Clint Eastwood movies do not revolve around automatons/robots (two very different things usually considered the same in any steampunk story).
I guess that's my real grief with this. It was just such a departure from the Jonah Hex that I've gotten used to, now I don't know if I should expect renegade cowboys or time travelers in the next issue. Hopefully the former. As its own story, it's not horrible. It exaggerates, obviously, the feud between Edison and Tesla, but I can deal with that. I didn't think it was as high of quality of story as you normally find with Jonah Hex, though. The art was still great, though, and the cover is pretty fantastic, even if I didn't like the subject matter of the story.
Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock #3 (of 4)
One-sentence summary: A fairly unnecessary mini-series, this issue doesn't deliver anything unexpected.
I don't really get the point of this series. They're giving us background on Daredevil's dad, which is nice, but I have no idea why it's four issues long. This very well could've been a one-shot, as far as I'm concerned, and just been paced more tightly. As it is, we have a pretty basic story -- old fighter gets back into ring only to learn that mob is fixing the fights so that he can take a big-time fall, thus disappointing his family and friends -- that's been stretched to ridiculous lengths. The art's gritty and bloody and begins to wear on you after an issue or two.
This isn't a bad idea for an issue, but it's a bad idea for a mini-series. Also, I have to question its timing -- is there any reason to push out a poorly conceived Daredevil mini-series right now? I think this book is just missing it in every way.
I don't really get the point of this series. They're giving us background on Daredevil's dad, which is nice, but I have no idea why it's four issues long. This very well could've been a one-shot, as far as I'm concerned, and just been paced more tightly. As it is, we have a pretty basic story -- old fighter gets back into ring only to learn that mob is fixing the fights so that he can take a big-time fall, thus disappointing his family and friends -- that's been stretched to ridiculous lengths. The art's gritty and bloody and begins to wear on you after an issue or two.
This isn't a bad idea for an issue, but it's a bad idea for a mini-series. Also, I have to question its timing -- is there any reason to push out a poorly conceived Daredevil mini-series right now? I think this book is just missing it in every way.
Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #4 (of 4)
One-sentence summary: This short, light mini-series comes to an end, with happy endings all around.
This was a pretty light series to review. I mean, it was fun, but it wasn't ground-breaking or anything, though that wasn't its intention, I'm sure. It did what it was trying to do, which was just give a bit of a nice story for all ages without it being a bad book. In regards to that, it did it well, with a line here or there that was good and an acceptable resolution to the plot. Not too bad, really.
This was a pretty light series to review. I mean, it was fun, but it wasn't ground-breaking or anything, though that wasn't its intention, I'm sure. It did what it was trying to do, which was just give a bit of a nice story for all ages without it being a bad book. In regards to that, it did it well, with a line here or there that was good and an acceptable resolution to the plot. Not too bad, really.
Irredeemable Ant-Man #11
One-sentence summary: In this almost wrap-up issue, Kirkman wonderfully delivers Eric O'Grady as he should be: a truly unlikable jerk of a character.
I've loved this comic. I've loved the fact that, yeah, Eric's a jerk. A huge jerk, for that matter, willing to do just about anything to save his own skin and come out ahead. That's why last issue, Obligatory Hulk Tie-In #10, didn't make any sense to me, but, eh, whatever.
I'll miss this comic. The art's bright and is soley responsible for this comic being fun; if the art were at all dark, we'd realize more fully what a plain out ass Eric is. The writing keeps things going, the dialogue crisp and the plot well-done, each revelation of Eric's shallowness more shocking than the last, whether it be breaking up with a woman loudly and painfully because she has a kid, playing with his dead friend's girlfriend's emotions so that she'll make out with him on the friend's still-fresh grave, or selling out a friend who just invaded a SHIELD Helicarrier for him in order to get his crappy old job back.
Ant-Man did what it did well, and that was a comic about a truly awful protagonist, accidentally thrust into the world of superheroes and doing anything he can to make some money and get some tail from it. For that, this was good. I think Kirkman wanted this comic to go on longer, as twelve issues is a pretty measly run for a monthly, but he's done a great job with it.
I've loved this comic. I've loved the fact that, yeah, Eric's a jerk. A huge jerk, for that matter, willing to do just about anything to save his own skin and come out ahead. That's why last issue, Obligatory Hulk Tie-In #10, didn't make any sense to me, but, eh, whatever.
I'll miss this comic. The art's bright and is soley responsible for this comic being fun; if the art were at all dark, we'd realize more fully what a plain out ass Eric is. The writing keeps things going, the dialogue crisp and the plot well-done, each revelation of Eric's shallowness more shocking than the last, whether it be breaking up with a woman loudly and painfully because she has a kid, playing with his dead friend's girlfriend's emotions so that she'll make out with him on the friend's still-fresh grave, or selling out a friend who just invaded a SHIELD Helicarrier for him in order to get his crappy old job back.
Ant-Man did what it did well, and that was a comic about a truly awful protagonist, accidentally thrust into the world of superheroes and doing anything he can to make some money and get some tail from it. For that, this was good. I think Kirkman wanted this comic to go on longer, as twelve issues is a pretty measly run for a monthly, but he's done a great job with it.
Outsiders: Five of a Kind #1 Nightwing/Boomerang
One-sentence summary: This just seemed like a poorly plotted story with decent writing.
Honestly, the writing behind this seemed decently thought out and certain points were made very well. If the rest of the story hadn't stunk, I think it would've been a pretty eloquent way to illustrate the relationship between Nightwing and Boomerang. However, it lost me from the get-go. The entire idea of sending two more or less normal people, in comparison to most the supehero world, off to fight a gigantic sentient batch of radioactive, deadly acid is so ridiculous that, even in comic book form, it comes off as unlikely. That's a challenge.
The art was varied in this, although was never really bad. I'm generally not as much an art guy as some folks (I've got the select few I really like, but mostly I don't notice) so I won't comment on art that neither impresses me nor horrifies me.
I want the new Outsiders to be good, I do. This was a sort of blah start to things, but hopefully things will pick up in the next few weeks with this title, but we'll see.
Honestly, the writing behind this seemed decently thought out and certain points were made very well. If the rest of the story hadn't stunk, I think it would've been a pretty eloquent way to illustrate the relationship between Nightwing and Boomerang. However, it lost me from the get-go. The entire idea of sending two more or less normal people, in comparison to most the supehero world, off to fight a gigantic sentient batch of radioactive, deadly acid is so ridiculous that, even in comic book form, it comes off as unlikely. That's a challenge.
The art was varied in this, although was never really bad. I'm generally not as much an art guy as some folks (I've got the select few I really like, but mostly I don't notice) so I won't comment on art that neither impresses me nor horrifies me.
I want the new Outsiders to be good, I do. This was a sort of blah start to things, but hopefully things will pick up in the next few weeks with this title, but we'll see.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Nightwing #135
One-sentence summary: A pretty superfluous issue, this spends an entire issue covering things from the last couple of issues while more or less not moving the plot at all.
This seemed pretty unnecessary to me. The entire issue focuses on Vigilante's interrogation of Dick Grayson after last issue's capture, but we don't really learn anything new. In fact, the entire issue has about as much plot as, say, 2 or 3 pages could have. In trade paperback form, I'm moderately certain that you could not even include this issue and the story would seem uninterrupted.
Top that off with the fact that the story that this issue is a part of is only barely more interesting than the last several Nightwing arcs (and that's far from a compliment), you really have a book that's not worth looking at. F--.
This seemed pretty unnecessary to me. The entire issue focuses on Vigilante's interrogation of Dick Grayson after last issue's capture, but we don't really learn anything new. In fact, the entire issue has about as much plot as, say, 2 or 3 pages could have. In trade paperback form, I'm moderately certain that you could not even include this issue and the story would seem uninterrupted.
Top that off with the fact that the story that this issue is a part of is only barely more interesting than the last several Nightwing arcs (and that's far from a compliment), you really have a book that's not worth looking at. F--.
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