Comic Reviews for December 28, 2011

Sorry this is a day late, but with some issues with UPS, I couldn't get all of my pull list until today.

This weeks books were bought at Comic Oasis in Las Vegas

This weeks Pick of the week is a new title called Extinction Seed #1 by GG Studio. Its a very different kind of book but it is so worth taking a look at

DARK HORSE COMICS

The Guild - Zaboo One-Shot

Team

Writers- Felicia Day/Sandeep Parikh

Artist - Becky Cloonan

Colorist - Michelle Madsen

I have read a few of the Guild related books in the past. They would be a guilt pleasure to say the least. I got hooked on the show on Netflix instant streaming last year. Do yourself a favor and watch it if you have not yet seen it. It is a hilarious window into some geek subsets.

Anyways, back to the book. This takes place right before the first episode of the show. It is when Zaboo gets the wild hair up his ass to go meet Codex in real life.

It almost feels like Mad magazine a bit. It is just really a lot of fun.

If you are already into the show, this is definitely recommended to the highest degree. However, if you are a newbie to the Guild universe and you have never heard of the Knights of Good, you nay want to skip this one

The art is fun. In the same ball park as an Archie comic. Lots of humor inside of the art if you just look.

Grade

Story - B

Art - B

GG STUDIO

Extinction Seed #1

Team

Writer - Davide Aicardi

Artist - Livia Pastore

Colorist - Alessia Nocera

This is a comic i decided to pick up on a recommendation from my comic store, based solely on the art. He had read issue #0 (which I will now need to pick up) and he liked it a lot.

This all takes place in the early 1960's, but it still feels modern. It is not trying so hard to be a period piece that it is distracting at all. Other than some dates and a Beatles reference, it doesn't even really matter, although the time period is important to the story.. I hope I have not thoroughly confused you all.

This comic is very very French. The story telling feels very different from American storytelling. It will probably take a read through to get the proper feel for it and just get used to it. Although now I am beginning to love this. This will very quickly be moving up my stack.

The art is a very interesting blend of some CG, non-obnoxious Manga and current Vampirella. It is very beautiful.

I feel like I would definitely like to find more books in this vein. I would highly recommend it. It is not a quick read at all. Take your time with this one

Grade

Story - A

Art - A++

MARVEL COMICS

Deadpool #48

Writer - Daniel Way

Artist - Salva Espin

Colorist -Guru EFX

EVIL DEADPOOL PART 4:

JUST ME BABY

Not my favorite issue but still not too bad. I really like Interpol Bitch(yes, that is the only name that she chose to introduce herself as). Its what would happen if Steven Hawkings was an attractive woman, and a cop, and wasn't a super genius...Ok, maybe not a great comparison, but she is in a wheel chair and talks through a computer.

I like Captain America in his own title and in the Avengers a lot, however all of these guest appearances make him seem like a Douche of Jersey Shore proportions.

It is funny but some of the things that I love about Deadpool, I hate about Evil Deadpool. His laziness mixed with his vindictiveness makes him so much worse.

I think this is a very interesting psychology paper written between the lines in this story arc. Here we have two people that are virtually identical. Same DNA, same powers, same limitations, however, one subject is so much more evil than the other one. Evil Deadpool has no history per se. His entire existence is who Deadpool truly is. Regular Deadpool has become who he is based on his experiences which basically goes to show that morality is conditioned, not in born. I found it interesting anyways.

Grade

Story - B-

Art -B+

Captain America #5

Writer - Ed Brubaker

Artist - Steve McNiven

Colorist - Justin Ponsor

AMERICAN DREAMERS PART 5

Really big improvement on the last few issues. It seems to be better on so many levels. The art feels much better and everything feels much more thought out and entertaining

We had a bit more of the back and fort in an alternate reality but it felt very well executed.

I don't know that I love the way they are shaking the very foundation of Captain Americas belief system. It feels a bit.......uncomfortable.

This is the end of this arc which is probably why there are two Captain America books out this week

Grade

Story - B

Art - A-

Captain America #6

Writer -Ed Brubaker

Artist -Alan Davis

Colorist -Laura Martin

POWERLESS PART 1

WTF? So Steve keeps having nightmares that the Super Soldier serum is reverting him back to his former self...And now his nightmares are coming true.

This is a great take on Captain America. I am sure that this will not be a permanent condition but I am wondering how far Brubaker will travel down this road.

Although I really liked this book and am fully on board through the next story arc, it really doesn't feel like too much is happening. It is very much the opposite of what DC seems to be trying to do in their universe

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A

ICON PUBLISHING

Kick-Ass 2 #6(of 7)

Team

Writer - Mark Millar

Artist - John Romita Jr.

Colorist - Dan Brown

This is almost always my pick of the week but the only thing holding back this week is the art. It is still really well done, its just not quite as good as it has been.

The story is moving along very nicely with the conclusion coming next week. There is so much that happens to this kid that it is almost physically exhaustion to read this book.

We are all set up for the grand finally next issue with the showdown between Kick-Ass and the former Red Mist, Mother Fu**er. I just don't know if they will give us a happy ending or not. It could go either way.

Grade

Story - A+

Artist - B

DC COMICS

All-Star Western #4

Writer - Justin Gray/Jimmy Palmiotti

Artist - Moritat/ Phil Winslade

Colorist - Gabriel Bautista/Dominic Regan

IN THE DARK UNDERBELLY OF GOTHAM/

THE BARBARY GHOST PART 1

Ill be breaking this into 2 different sections because this is, once again, 2 different stories.

The Jonah Hex story is once again a great story that is a little bit more Punisher then John Wayne.

Still not a fan of the art but the story is so damn compelling.

This is the begining of a new arc. If you remember last issue, Jonah was about to leave Gotham to search to bigger bounties. He was made an offer he couldn't refuse to find a wealthy mans missing son.

He is stumbling upon a whole circuit of stolen children in some kind of labor camp.

For the next story, I am very glad that they finished up the less than entertaining wanna be Zorro story.

So far it is a very abbreviated story about a Chinese girl in old west San Fransico that is doing the Batman thing with some sort of supernatural abilities.

While I don't love this story, it is leaps and bounds ahead of the last POS secondary story that was being run

Grade

Story -A/C+

Art -C/C

Justice League Dark #4

Writer - Peter Milligan

Artist - Mikel Janin

Colorist -Ulises Arreola

BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOONE

Another great Justice League Dark issue that makes you Question your own sanity if your relate too much with any of the characters.

The art is stunning and really brings the characters to life.

My favorite moment in the comic was a quick homage to the Watchmen when Constantine has broken into Dawns apartment to talk to Deadman and is sitting there eating cold beans out of a can.

It seems like this issue is at the height of the arc and next issue should be the ever important climax. This is a fun book but it is very far away from a quick, light read. You really do need to pay attention and keep re-reading to really get it. I don't know how well this title is doing in sales but it does worry me, because I feel like it may get bumped for something else because I don't know how many people really can get into a title like this. Yes, it is more of a Vertigo title than DC and I kind of wish that was how it was kept.

Grade

Story - A-

Art -A+

Green Lantern New Guardians #4

Writer - Tony Bedard

Artist - Tyler Kirkham

Colorist - Nei Ruffino

THE RING THIEF REVEALED!

Wow, its another really great issue that has built on the previous issues a lot.

It looks like they will not yet tell us why exactly the rings chose Kyle Rayner in the first place, but it is definitly teased. It seems that Ganthet knows the awnsers but because of his new found exorsisim of his emotions, he wont be just giving the awnsers because he likes Kyle and belives in him.

Sayd returns to Oa for the first time since the ending of Blackest Night when she agreed to go with Larfleeze. It does seem that she is the Mastermind to everything that is going on....and hopefully an eventual change of heart for Ganthet eventually.

On a timeline scale, this is happening sometime before the current events of the Red Lantern book because Bleez does not yet have her cognitive thoughts. Its a pity because St. Walker could have saved her the pain of the Blood Ocean.

Grade

Story - A+(but only if you have read all 3 of the previous books)

Art - A

Teen Titans #4

Writer - Scott Lobdell

Artist - Brett Booth

Colorist - Andrew Dalhouse

DANGER SQUARED

Awesome. We finally get to see the whole team together...Sort of. All of the teen titans will be taking on Superboy, which is what everything has been setting up for the whole run so far.

We see that Bart and Tim(Kid Flash and Red Robin) will be picking eachother apart on a constant basis. Cassie(powergirl) is in and has even followed a bad lead to try to help Red Robin in New Yorks Time Square.

Celene is a character that I don't know if I will end up liking or not. She seems way too EMO.

Solstice seems like she will be a very likable character. Miguel seems like they are trying to make a fan favorite. I just hope they don't push too much harder.

Grade

Story - A-

Art - A

Aquaman #4

Team

Writer - Geoff Johns

Artist - Ivan Reis

Colorist - Rod Reis

THE TRENCH CONCLUDED

So this was the wrong issue to start out at. This was the conclusion of the first arc. Next issue is starting the new arc, and based just on the art work, I will be buying it through the next arc to give it a chance.

It is npo secret that I have never been an Aquaman fan at all, however, I like to see where Geoff Johns is taking him. It is a completly different feel and if I can get past my preconcived notions about the guy that talks to fish, I think I may be able to get into this book.

The art is so good in this book...Every bit as good as the Justice League stuff. I could possibly go through this book and not read it all and just look at the art and have a good idea of the story. Very good job at telling a story through art.

I didn't love this book, mostly because of where I stepped into it but I see enough there that I will enjoy exploring it for a possible very long time

Grade

Story - C+

Art - A++

DYNAMITE PUBLISHING

A Game Of Thrones #4

Writer -George R. R. Martin

Artist -Tommy Patterson

Colorist -Ivan Nunes

I keep trying to jump off this book and wait for the trades...I really do. I know it will read better. But damnit, I am hooked. It is crack.

The art is again as stellar as I belive could be possible. Just a thing of beauty that should be framed.

The story is beging to feel more and more interesting to me. The exposition can get a little too much in places but all in all it is a good pace for the kind of book that it is.

The violence is so well executed that you can almst feel what is happening at the time.

Grade

Story - B-

Art -A++

Comic Reviews for December 21, 2011

Pick of the week this week goes to Justice League #4. Great book worthy of the acclaim it has been getting

DC COMICS

Catwoman #4

Team

Writer - Judd Winick

Artist - Guillem March

Colorist - Tomeu Morey

YOU...STILL IN THE GAME?

Such a great read. This book is continually on the top of my stack every time it come out.

If you read last issue, you will remember that Selena's friend was murdered and she was about to get picked up by the cops. Well, let's be honest, it wouldn't have made for much of a story if she got picked up. Catwoman of course got away and was able to clear herself from the situation.

We meet her new enemy. She is described as an Amazonian Meta-Human named Reach. Um, if there is a DC's top model competition, Reach is most definitely in the running. Really interesting pacing and just pushing me deeper and deeper into this title. One of the best from all of the Bat Family of books and a top 5 title for me.

We get to deal a lot with Selena's emotions after the death of her friend and her feeling utterly alone.

There was no Batman/Bruce Wayne appearance this issue(Finally).

There was also a seed planted for a new detective that will be hot on her tail in the foreseeable future named Alvarez, who looks like a really good cop that has been put into some wrong time/wrong place scenarios.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

Green Lantern Corps #4

Team

Writer - Peter J. Tomasi

Artist - Fernando Pasarin

Colorist - Gabe Eltaeb

PRISONERS OF WAR

Finally, this series comes together and steps up its game.

Martian Manhunter shows up and helps out the GLC to read the mind of the enemy that they captured last issue. It seems the bad guys want one thing, the Central Battery on Oa.

John and 2 other lanterns are taken as POW and will most likely be used in some sort of weapon that hasn't yet been revealed.

The art is feeling really strong right now, as do all of the DC titles lately.

Grade

Story - B-

Art - A

Justice League #4

Team

Writer - Geoff Johns

Artist - Jim Lee

Colorist - Alex Sinclair

JUSTICE LEAGUE part 4

So we finally see Darkseid, and he looks literally awe inspiring. The epitome of fear and evil and power. Incredible job by Jim Lee on that.

We also finally get to see Cyborg in action. I feel like his transformation and assimilation to his programing is way too quick. He will be an interesting character though. I have really not paid any attention to him as a character since I was a kid and watched him on a few episodes of Superfriends. So I am getting a new introduction to a character I could grow to really enjoy.

I am loving the interplay between all of the heroes. In my recollection, the Flash has always been the smart ass with all of the wisecracks, but now that role is going to Hal Jordan(Green Lantern)

They are attempting to make Aquaman a bad ass. Yes, he totally looks like one, talks like one and has the attitude of one....But his power is still that he talks to fish. He wouldn't be too much help in Vegas.

This title is still getting better with every issue

Grade

Story - A

Art - A+

Nightwing #4

Team

Writer - Kyle Higgins

Artist - Trevor McCarthy

Colorist - Guy Major

SOUTH BEACH CONNECTION

So this is the weakest art I have seen so far in the Nightwing series. I don't know what it is, but I am not loving it.

And suddenly I am not liking the direction of this book. I am not a fan of the traveling around and have meet ups and different mysteries thing with this book.

It is officially on the bubble for the next few issues. If I still don't like the direction, it will be making the cut list.

The Batgirl team up felt a bit too forced in my opinion.

Grade

Story - C-

Art - C

Red Hood And The Outlaws #4

Team

Writer - Scott Lobdell

Artist - Kenneth Rocafort

Colorist - Blond

COME FLY WITH ME--

--COME DIE, JUST DIE AWAY!

Wow, this is one of those great issues that makes you forget that I almost dropped this book more than once.

Two great stories going on right now. Starfire is facing someone that is hellbent on revenge that knows how to use alien DNA to his advantage. Then Jason and Roy are facing one of the untitled that looks like she will digest them in some horribly medieval way that I don't have the imagination to come up with.

This book seems like it is finally hitting its stride

Grade

Story B+

Art - A-

Young Justice #11

Team

Writer - Greg Weisman

Artist - Christopher A. Jones

Colorist - Zac Atkinson

THE PIT....

One of the best issues I have read yet from the Young Justice title. This was mostly a Batman and Robin issue with a lot going on.

For some reason that was not yet explained, Batman and Green Arrow place Artemis under arrest. I am very curious where this will end up.

Also, at the end, some kind of mud demon crawls out of the pit that Ra's Al Ghul resuscitates himself in as the cliff hanger for the next issue

Grade

Story B+

Art - B

DYNAMITE COMICS

The Bionic Man #5

Team

Writer - Kevin Smith/Phil Hester

Artist - Jonathan Lau

Colorist - Ivan Nunes

MASQUERADE BALL

So we finally see Steve Austin and the first Bionic Man named Hull start to square off. So far so good. No real big surprises in this issue but it was still a great read.

I love the evolution that Steve has made since issue one. He is now willing to go play the part that he was so fortunate/unfortunate to have placed upon him.

Saw a very cool ability that he has. He can make his face become anyone which he can get a download from. Really cool.

I would like to see this eventually at least on TV if Kevin Smith would want to shop it around.

Grade

Story - B

Art - B

Vampirella #12

Team

Writer - Eric Trautmann

Artist - Jose Malaga

Colorist - Stephani Rennee

I honestly wasn't really digging this issue until the very end. This is yet another new story arc setup this week.

The beginning has some great plot points. Vampirella and Sophia are called in to Russia to investigate a suspected terrorist act aboard a commercial plane. What they found was a whole lot of chopped up bodies in the overhead compartments (careful as contents may have shifted during flight) and a message written to her in blood in the cockpit.

After that, the whole book got really slow. However, at the end, you see that she will be fighting Lycans brought straight from hell by a demon. Yep, I am in for next issue

Grade

Story - C+

Art - A-

MARVEL COMICS

Daredevil #7

Team

Writer - Mark Waid

Artist - Paolo Rivera

Colorist - Javier Rodriguez

This was a Fantastic one off Christmas story. Honestly there is not enough good stuff I can say about this book. There have not been nearly enough Christmas books this year.

Matt takes some blind kids up to the Mountains and get into a wreck. This story is all about them surviving and turning the tables when the kids get to turn around and help Matt out when he gets hurt.

Simple story but very well executed. Bravo!

Grade

Story A+

Art - B

Wolverine #20

Team

Writer - Jason Aaron

Artist - Renato Guedes

Colorist - Matthew Wilson

AND THEN THERE WAS WAR part 1

This was a set up issue. After the great momentum of the last story arc(which I loved BTW) it is always a little bit difficult kind of switching gears to a new start. This definitely has the markings for a really good arc, but I am having a bit of trouble following who all of the people are. Several of the people are from the past and I will have to either research through back issues or just figure it out as it goes.

From what I have heard, this will be the set up for a HUGE arc that will be taking place throughout the marvel universe, but it won't be an "event".

Anyways I really like to see the Kingpin and Sabertooth in action. They are both very fun bad guys to me.The homeless, cannibal, redneck superpowered freaks that shoot teeth out of bone guns called the Buzzard Brothers are also cracking me up.

I am interested to see where this is going to go.

Grade

Story - B

Art - B-

Venom #11

Team

Writer - Rick Remender

Artist - Lan Medina

Colorist - Marte Gracia

ROAD TRIP part two

So Venom is still on the run and Red Hulk will be the next one to try to stop him.

Flash also has a new "road trip buddy" the Jack O Lantern. Now this is one seriously messed up dude. No good can come from him bonding with anyone. He is evil

I am still enjoying this title a lot and it is getting better and better to me.

One small issue that I am having is that when the book started, Flash couldn't wear the suit more than 72 hours without it taking him completely over, now it hasn't take over and he has been wearing it for weeks.

Grade

Story - A-

Art - B

Comic Reviews for December 14, 2011

This weeks pick of the week is Ghost Rider #7. Yes, the story made that much of a turn around. On a week that had Green Lantern, Suicide Squad and Batman and Robin, Ghost Rider pulled out a shockingly good book that everyone really should go buy right now.

Zenescope Comics

The Theatre #3

Team

Writer - Raven Gregory

Art - Robert Gill/Novo Malgapo

Color - Michael Garcia/Mark Roberts

THE HOLE

Yeah, the hole is a metaphor about anger and leaving your past before it sucks you into you own oblivion...And the other moral of this issue is to not have sex in theatres that are closed or you might explode.

I know you may not be able to tell from my sarcastic tone, but I do really enjoy these books. I know I explain every time I get one of the issues so here is to tradition... The books are all one offs like Grimms Fairytales. Still Enjoyable and fun

Grade

Story - B-

Art -B+

Boundless Comics

War Goddess

Team

Writer - Mike Wolfer

Art - Pow Rodix

Color - Digikore Studios

Although this entire book was just action, it felt slower than the previous issues.

Still fun and enjoyable, but I find it is best to go back and read at least two back issues before you start on the new one.

As always, I love the art on these books. It is my favorite way for a comic to look.

It is getting harder and harder to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Everyone seems to have changed sides a half dozen times.

Grade

Story - C

Art - A+

DC Comics

Green Lantern #4

Team

Writer- Geoff Johns

Art - Doug Mahnke

Colors - Alex Sinclair

SINESTRO PART FOUR

This run of Green Lantern is so good. I don't know how many new readers it has kept since the relaunch, but I hope they have figured out the universe enough to stick with it.

Last issue we left off with Hal Jordan "dying" which I think everyone knew wasn't going to happen.

Both Hal Jordan and Sinestro have been captured and imprisoned by the Sinestro Corps. On a quick side note, it looks like Sinestro is going to stay in the Green for the foreseeable future, so are they going to change the name from the Sinestro Corps to the Yellow Lantern Corps perhaps? or maybe the Fear Corps? Just some ideas, I don't have to get paid for that, just draw me as a Lantern, even if you kill me in one issue.

We see some great character development with Hal. He is stuck in a room and uses ever construct he can fathom, and he runs out of power in his ring. He thinks that he will soon die and asks himself what one last construct he would want to see before he dies, as the last thing he would ever see....He made Carol. It was a great moment for Hal I think.

Sinestro gets put into a cell with his old countrymen who all hate him.

I won't spoil the end, but it is yet another great twist.

No mention of the Guardians and their sick minds in this issue, but it was packed so there was no room for that.

Art as always is great, with one exception, I really don't like the way that Doug Mahnke draws Hal Jordan without his mask and other GL gear. No Complaints other than that

Grade

Story A

Art - B-

Suicide Squad #4

Team

Writer - Adam Glass

Art - Frederico Dallocchio

Color - Val Staples

BAD COMPANY

Love, love love this book. If this title was a person, I would want to have sex with it.

Harley Quinn is very quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in all of comics. She is so much fun. There was a very nice seed planted for next issue, because her fail safe bomb has been deactivated.

We have gotten rid of the douche that we call Captain Boomerang. It turns out that he never had a trigger to detonate the team after all. Just a toy so that he would feel like he was in control.

I will actually be making a very bold statement about this book....I went back last night and read Secret Six #24-36 and as much as I loved that run, , I like Suicide Squad even better. I want to see if they will take this as deep as they took the Secret Six.

Grade

Story - A+

Art - B+

Batman And Robin #4

Team

Writer -Peter J Tomasi

Art - Patrick Gleason

Color - John Kaliz

MATTER OF TRUST

Yep, still my favorite Batman book out there.

This is such a different side of Bruce to see. It is weird to see him a father, not just a mentor. If he can't figure out how to get this all straightened out, the consequences will be dire to Damian.

At first glance, Damian my seem like nothing more than a Jason Todd knock off, but I think there is something much more. The writers could end up making him one of the most evil characters in the DCU, or he could be the greatest leader and force for good since Bruce himself. There will be a lot more twists in his path until we have an answer of where he will end up

Grade

Story - B

Art - B

Batgirl #4

Team

Writer -Gail Simone

Art -Ardian Syaf

Color - Ulises Arreola

THE END OF DREAMS

Ah, the first of the Christmas issues in the new 52. Something tells me this may be pretty much it.

This was a very fitting end to the Mirror Arc. I do hope we get to see him again, and he has been saved so we may eventually.

The two best parts of this was the cliffhanger at the end that will be bringing us into the next story arc and the beginning where Barbra and Batgirl are talking to each other in a dream.

What do you think the "big secret" her roommate was about to share before Barbra flipped out? I think it will be a big deal eventually

Grade

Story - A

Art - A-

Marvel Comics

Ghost Rider #7

Team

Writer -Rob Williams

Art - Lee Garbett

Color - Rob Schwager

Wow, seven issues into this run and finally an issue that I absolutely love. Still waiting for the ax to fall on this title, which I thought last issue was the last one. If every issue was as good as this one, it would be outsell the DC new 52......or at least both of the Deadpool titles and maybe even Wolverine.

This was absolutely hilarious. The art was great, the guest appearances were well thought out and fun, the story was engaging and it had a great cliffhanger(please Marvel, if you are cancelling this, let me make it through this arc)

Johnny Blaze is playing a very important part of the story, and you even start to care a bit more about the new Ghost Rider, Alejandra. I even liked the role that Hawkeye played

Grade

Story - A+

Art -A

Dark Horse Comics

Orchid #3

Team

Writer -Tom Morello

Art - Scott Hepburn

Color - Dan Jackson

To start with, I am not a big fan of the free music download to listen to, however, it does make for a great background noise when you are reading.

At last this book is beginning to get exciting and is growing into the potential that I initially saw in this title when I first picked it up.

This issue goes into the history of the mask that there has been so much mention of in the last two issues.

Still am not in love with any of the characters, however, several of them are starting to grow on me a lot. I think I will end up reading all 3 first issues the day before the next issue comes out. I feel like that may be what this title really needs.

The art felt a bit weaker in this issues in a lot of the panels than the last few issues. I hope they are not just trading good art for better storytelling

Grade

Story -B

Art - C+

The Child Thief

So I wanted to diversify my blogs a bit so I thought I would start doing some books from time to time. Here is my first one.

The Child Thief

By Brom

Harper Collins Publishing

2009

481 pages

Fantasy

I bought this a few years ago when it was first released(oooo, I got a first edition). I bought it strictly on the cover because I thought that it looked very cool. I have been into retelling of fairy tales since I read Wicked by Gregory MaGuire. This is a retelling of Peter Pan.

To start with, you may have heard of the author , Brom, before. He has written a few smaller illustrated novels, done illustrations for D&D, World of Warcraft, done some Batman, along with a lot of other stuff that I am skipping over. He was a also the inspiration for the character named Brom in the Inheritance Cycle books by Christopher Paolini.

This is not a Graphic novel by any stretch of the imagination, however, there are some awe-

inspiring illustrations drawn by the author of his visions of most of the main characters.

With the way that the book is written, you get such a clear vision of the nightmarish world that you are dropped into the middle of.

As I said earlier, this is a completely twisted tale of Peter Pan. At the end of the book, you will either love or hate Peter, or maybe a little bit of both.

All of the characters are very well defined and interesting.

Nothing about this book could be though of as 2 dimensional. Everything has several layers and everyone is a different shade of Grey.

I almost did feel like I was reading a comic the whole time because of his very quick rate that he paces everything, and the very clear yet surreal visuals that he plants in your mind

I have loaned out this book to 4 different people and they have all really enjoyed it, and I have suggested it to another 6 people that ended up buying it. You do need to have a bit of a twisted sense of humor to really enjoy this book, but I would gamble on buying it if I were you.

Comic Reviews for December 7, 2011

Dynamite Comics

Vampirella Annual #1

Team

Writer - Brandon Jerwa

Art - Eman Casalos

Colorist - Ivan Nunes

This 100 page book actually had 2 different stories. The second one was kind of lightharted with no words and had Vampirella protecting a baby while priests and nuns fight Vampires around them... Yeah, that was just a filler story.

The first story was actually really good. No Sophia this time but that is ok. It was a standard Vampirella story with standard Vampirella art, which means that it is far better than 95% of everything else that is usually put out.

It was a $4.99 book, but seeing the length of the book and the quality of it was completely worth it.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

Image Comics

Spawn #214

Team

Writer - Will Carlton

Art - Szymon Kudranski

Colorist - Fco Plascencia

So I know a lot of people love this book....but it is time for me to call it quits. I recently got my hands on some of the older TPs of Spawn and I think that is the best way to read this book. I will be going all the way back to the beginning so maybe, by next year, I will be caught up completely.

It's not that it is a bad book by any means, I just would rather read this in long form

Grade

Story NA

Art - B

DC Comics

Red Lanterns #4

Team

Writer - Peter Milligan

Art - Ed Benes

Colorist - Nathan Eyring

"THE DEPARTED"

This series has been making a steady climb up in interest to me. While it may have moved a lot slower than I initially wanted, it is starting to pay off a bit to me.

This issue marries some origin stories for some of the Red Lanterns into the main story. From the looks of it, we will be getting out first Red Lantern from Earth coming very soon. I think that a human to sympathise with is exactly what this series may be missing.

I am also liking that Atrocitus is making more of his Corps sentient. It may be rough on the history but it will make for a much better read and more characters to follow.

I am not positive where they are going with the missing corpse of Krona but I will save speculation till after next issue

Grade

Story - B+

Art - B+

Batman Detective Comics #4

Team

Writer/Art - Tony Daniel

Colorist - Sandu Morey

" THE MAIN EVENT"

I have been considering dropping this book and switching to the other Batman book, which I have heard great things about. Mostly because I refuse to have more than 2 Batbooks and Batman & Robin is not leaving my stack because of my fondness for it......Long story short, I will most likely end up buying the other BatMan book in trades.

It was a sort of wrap up of the first arc in this issue, but it was fascinating. I really love the action in it, and that they leave so many unanswered questions in every page. I love that the face of the Joker is still in play. I love the relationship between Batman and Gordon. I love the way that the batman is drawn in this book as well. He is somewhat......Different in this book. I can't quite put it into a reason yet, but I am trying to put my finger on it.

It is a very interesting feel when the same person is the writer and artist of the same story. It is not something that I usually see much

Grade

Story - A+

Art - A

Superman Action Comics #4

Team

Writer - Grant Morrison

Art - Rags Morales

Colorist - Brad Anderson

"SUPERMAN AND THE MEN OF STEEL"

So I feel like the art has changed a lot for the worse. I finished this book and really had no desire to reopen it, and that is a bad sign for me.

This had 2 stories in it. The main ongoing Superman story and a side story that is intertwined about Steel, John Henry.

This book now has 2 issues to win me back or I will be dropping it.

I really didn't like that story. It did have one high point, that the US government is actually asking Superman for help so this may turn everything around

Grade

Story - C+

Art - C

Huntress #3(of 6)

Team

Writer - Paul Levitz

Art - Marcus To

Colorist - Andrew Dalhouse

"CROSSBOW AT THE CROSSROADS"

I do enjoy this book, but I enjoy the art the most. It is really great.

I am having a lot of fun reading this book. I hope they end up giving the Huntress her own book after this mini-series, or at least giving her a team or something to be on

She really is a interesting character

Grade

Story B+

Art - A+

Asylum Press

Chopper #2 of 5

Team

Writer - Martin Shapiro

Art - Juan Ferreyra

Colorist - Chandran Ponnusamy

I don't really have a reason why, but I really like this book. I mean really like it a lot. I know it is preachy, just say no, type propaganda, but at least it is well done.

We are getting to see more of the effects of this super drug that our characters are experimenting with. They are starting to have full blown conversations with ghosts, and the ghosts think that they are dead as well. I know, it sounds weird, you need to read it for yourself to really get the gist of what I am saying.

Another killing by the Headless Hells Angel biker as well.

Grade

Writing - A

Art - A

Marvel Comics

Deadpool #47

Team

Writer - Daniel Way

Art - Salva Espin

Colorist - Guru EFX

"'POOL VS. CAP'"

There is nothing in the whole comic book universe that is more fun than these Deadpool books.

This book picks up where last month left off, with Captain America and Deadpool fighting. Deadpool does get the best of Cap this round.

Evil Deadpool is still pulling all the strings. Being that Deadpool and Evil deadpool are the exact same person, it leads us to ponder that the biggest weakness a hero can have is a conscience.

I love that every plan Wade comes up with is easily manipulated by his evil counterpart. Although that may be a slight problem with the writing. I may be over thinking it, but if they are the same, shouldn't Wade win exactly half of the time?

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A-

Avenging Spiderman #2

Team

Writer - Zeb Wells

Art - Joe Madureira

Colorist - Ferran Daniel

This is still a fun little title. It seems to be such a good introduction to a lot of marvel characters and inside jokes. I understand just enough to get it.

I liked the first issue a bit more but I still liked it quite a bit.

I really don't know if I love Red Hulk or not. He is more interesting than my last experience with the regular (green) Hulk.

I like Spider-Man a lot. Not enough to buy multiple Spider titles but enough that I do want to keep buying this one.

Grade

Story B-

Art - B

The Punisher #6

Team

Writer - Greg Rucka

Art - Matthew Southworth/Matthew Clark

Colorist - Matt Hollingsworth

"THE EXCHANGE"

I finally figured out why you really have to think with this comic...Between all of the killings i mean. Frank Castle shows NO internal Monologue. With how rarely Frank seems to speak, you really do need to kind of guess what is going on with him.

Dear Marvel, Please fix Franks eye already...It must be very infected by now.

There is a bit more of a cliff hanger on this issue. I hope they start doing that a bit more.

Grade

Story - B-

Art - B-

Venom #10

Team

Writer - Rick Remender

Art - Lan Medina

Inker - Nelson Decastro

Colorist - Marte Gracia

"ROAD TRIP PART ONE"

Another issue that renews my faith in the Venom franchise. So glad we are getting past all of the Spider Island nonsense.

Dear Marvel, I love Captain Americas Harley Vrod. It is beyond cool and I want one so bad. Can Marvel Santa bring me one for Christmas?

I am not really in love with Cap in this book. I did prefer him in Deadpool quite a bit more.

Grade

Story - A-

Art - B