Comic Reviews for March 7, 2012

DC COMICS

RED LANTERNS #7

Team

Writer - Peter Milligan

Artist - Ed Benes/Diego Bernard

Colorist - Nathan Eyring

"REBEL YELL"

I know, I know, everyone hates this book. It is growing on me.

We are seeing a lot of the new earth Red Lantern and getting to see what is going on in his head. This honestly should have been issue #2 or maybe #3.

The Biggest problem in this book is probably the snails pace that it has been moving.

I am actually starting to really like the characters. When Bleez is torturing on of the former yellow lanterns by ripping his skin off, it made me really dig her even more.

I really enjoyed John Moore and Guy Gardners interaction and it showed that there is still a bit of humanity in the Red Lantern still.

I am also digging where they are taking Atrocious. I like him more alone than having to deal with being the leader of the Red Lantern Corps.

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A

HUNTRESS #6 (of 6)

Team

Writer - Paul Levitz

Artist - Marcus To

Colorist - Andrew Dalhouse

"CROSSBOW AT THE CROSSROADS Part 6"

********************

**SPOILER ALERT**

********************

So what we have been looking at this whole time is actually the Earth 2 Huntress we are supposed to be getting in the World's Finest that will be starting in May.

I actually will be going back and reading the whole series with the knowledge that I now have. Suddenly I think I will be ending up getting up adding World's Finest. I will give it a 3 issue trial anyways.

The ending pulled this whole series from just a little bit above average to a very good, re-readable book. It would be worth your time actually buy the Trade Paperback when it comes out, if you have not been buying the single issues as they came out

Grade

Story - A

Art

AVATAR PRESS

FERALS #3

Team

Writer - David Lapham

Artist - Gabriel Andrade

Colorist - Digikore Studios

And the award for the most gory and blood-drenched comic of month goes to..........Once again, Ferals. Seriously, this book is porn for a serial killer.

Its is twisted, but just in the right way.

There is a lot unraveling here and I am really looking forward to next issue for some big reveals. There is a lot going on in this book right under the surface.

I doubt you will be able to just jump on to this book at a random place. I think every issue will take you deeper down the well. Get this book before it is too late

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

MARVEL COMICS

WINTER SOLDIER #3

Team

Writer - Ed Brubaker

Artist - Butch Guice

Colorist - Bettie Breitweiser

"THE LONGEST WINTER Part 3"

There is no such thing as better art than this book.

Robot Dr. Doom? I am in.

I like this book, but I really don't care about the characters yet. I hope that changes soon or I can't justify keeping it.

It is stunning to look at. This is another one being moved to the DCBService pile

Grade

Story - B-

Art - A++

WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN

ALPHA AND OMEGA #3 (of 5)

Team

Writer - Brian Wood

Artist - Roland Boschi

Colorist - Dan Brown

My guess is that this book is a mini-series to turn Quinten Quire from a Weaselly, Arrogant, Self-Absorbed, Misunderstood bad guy, into a Weaselly, Arrogant, Self-Absorbed, Misunderstood good guy.

I did enjoy this issue more than the last, but I still am not sold on reading and X-Men team books after this series ends in two months.

Grade

Story - B

Art - B

IMAGE COMICS

HELL YEAH #1

Team

Writer - Joe Keatinge

Artist - Andre Szmanowicz

Colorist - Jason Lewis

"THE WORLD THEY MADE"

Wow. I am recommending this book to everyone. No really, I am, all over twitter and my friends I know that read comics have gotten texts to go get it.

I just got this feeling that this will end up as my favorite book in a very short time.

It's a superhero book that is based in a closer reality than your average "cape and cowl".

I don't want to spoil anything so please, based purely on my enthusiasm, buy this book!

Grade

Story - A++

Art - A

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

VAMPIRELLA VS DRACULA #2

Team

Writer - Joe Harris

Artist - Ivan Rodriguez

Colorist - Adriano Lucas

This is the last Vampirella issue I will end up buying from my LCS. I will continue to get them from www.DCBService.com. The $3.99 price tag is just too high of a price tag for me to buy on the release day. $2.39 and waiting a week will be just fine.

This particular Vampirella title is a bit hard to follow. It seems a bit all over the place.

The art feels a bit weak.

I am keeping with it, but barely at this point.

Grade

Story - C

Art - C+

Comic Reviews for March 2, 2012

It is a bit late but I hope that you enjoy it.

DC COMICS

JUSTICE LEAGUE #6

Team

Writer - Geoff Johns

Artist - Jim Lee

Colorist - Alex Sinclair

"JUSTICE LEAGUE PART 6"

As always with this book, it is its own art gallery. Completely beautiful to look at. It is the end of the first major story arc and it seems to have wrapped up nicely. The ending felt a bit cheesy, but with the overall tone of the arc, it felt forgivable.

The second ending left me a little confused. We got to meet the mysterious "Pandora". Sadly, it felt like a "back-door" written in months ago before DC knew if the new 52 was going to work out as well as it did or not.

The star of the book was a toss up between Superman, because, well, he's Superman, and Cyborg. What I liked about cyborg, especially in this issue is that he was the only reason they saved the day, but it wasn't jammed down your throat like certain writers seem to like to do with some other characters (ahem, your guess here, ahem)

Grade

Story - A

Art - A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MARVEL COMICS

VENOM 13.4

Team

Writer - Rick Remender

Artist - Lan Medina

Colorist - Marte Gracia

"VENOM GOES TO HELL"

So I went through this book, enjoyed the journey it took me on, appreciated the art, really got sucked into the book.......and then closed the book and said "HUH?

Maybe I am just a but under the IQ bar but I have no idea what just happened

I am a bit grateful that this even ends next week so I can go back and read it all in a long graphic novel fashion.

Grade

Story - B-

Art - A-

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #680

Team

Writer - Dan Slott & Chris Yost

Artist - Guiseppe Camuncoli

Colorist - Frank D'Armata

So when I first started reading this issue, I thought is was to be yet another retelling of the famous Symbiote story when John brings it back from space, but this is something.....well, different.

I really am enjoying Spidey's exchanges with the Human Torch. It's a battle of the Smart-Ass. (where is Deadpool when you need him?)

Dr. Octopus is just damn scary looking. They are doing a great job of modernizing the villains. It is great to the visual end of things.

This is going to be a fun arc.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

IDW COMICS

ROAD RAGE #1

Team

Writer - Joe Hill & Stephen King

Artist - Nelson Daniel

It was written by Pop Culture Horror Writing god Stephen King and his son, who is blazing his own trail in the world of Graphic Novels, Joe Hill. It shows. With a pedigree like that plotting this out, anything less than exceptional would not be acceptable. This was ridiculously fantastic.

I know it is a bad idea to judge a book by a first issue so heavily, but this feels like the new bar of Graphic Novel storytelling.

I am a huge fan of the show Sons of Anarchy. I am a huge fan of getting on my own V-Twin and cruising a few hundred miles down the highway. Even if you are not a fan of those things, you will still get it when you read this book, but the interest may help

Grade

Story - A+++++

Art - A

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

THE BIONIC MAN #7

Team

Writer - Kevin Smith & Phil Hester

Artist - Jonathan Lau

Colorist - Ivan Nunes

"BODY AND SOUL"

Again a great story. Not a whole lot about it that I can say that I haven't said about all of the previous books so far. It is still great and I would still highly recommend it to anyone.

There was a moral to the story....The Govt is evil and should never be trusted no matter what

Grade

Story - A+

Art - A

Comic Reviews for February 22, 2012

Book of the week will go to No Place Like Home #1 by Image. It is worth checking out

MARVEL COMICS

Deadpool #51

Team

Writer - Daniel Way

Artist - Ale Garza

Colorist - Dommo Sanchez Amara

"DEAD PART TWO"

While this was a good read and good story arc so far, this book was missing something, mostly just the fun feel I usually get after reading Deadpool.

We learn that the culprit that actually has the serum is Tombstone.

Is it wrong that I liked seeing Wolverine getting stabbed in the throat by Typhoid Mary?

There is still so much going on, and I do like that

I have no idea how many issues this arc will be, but it will take a while to get them all to that climax at the end. Lots of players involved.

I hope Hydra Bob dies at the end. He is really a bitch

Grade

Story - B

Art - A-

Venom #13.3

Team

Writer - Jeff Parker

Artist - Julian Tedesco

Colorist - Dommo Sanchez Amara

"CIRCLE OF FOUR Part 3"

I know that no one can stay dead in comics, but usually there is at least one issue between death and coming back....or so we are lead to believe. This is honestly the coolest take on hell that I have ever seen.

This is my favorite book of this arc. It was really easy to figure out where they were going with this, so I know there is really no spoiler that they are all dead and in hell.

I am looking forward to the next 2 issues as this wraps up. I think the whole AWOL thing will be going away once we get to issue 15.

Grade

Story - A

Art - B

DC COMICS

Green Lantern New Guardians #6

Team

Writer - Tony Bedard

Artist - Tyler Kirkham

Colorist - Batt

"RAGE OF ANGELS"

This issue is great. We are really starting to get to know the Rainbow Corps members. When you do read this on, take your time. There is a lot going on and subtleties if you pay attention.

The Archangel Invictus is a great character. Kind of belongs in the book Avengelyne from Image.

We get the return of Bleez at the end of the book.

I think that Invictus may possibly be the leader of the third army that we have been hearing about. He is powered by white light. Just a guess on my part.

This title just keeps getting better and better. All of the Lantern books keep upping the bar and I don't think I can even place them in a best to worst ranking anymore. Thank you DC.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

Teen Titans #6

Team

Writer - Scott Lobdell

Artist - Brett Booth

Colorist - Andrew Dalhouse

"BY THE LIGHT.."

I may be alone on this, but I would love it if they put a quick who's who and all the team books in DC like they used to do. Especially considering that this book is a jumping on point. It would help with new readers I think.

Static Shock makes an appearance in this issue. With his book being cancelled, maybe we will get a future with him in the Teen Titans.

They really need to do something about Kid Flash's costume, He looks like Zorro. Oh, yeah, they do. Much better.

They are setting up to spend a lot of time making Kid Flash into a main focal point.

I love that Tim Drake is wearing a Green Lantern T Shirt.

I like this Villain Grymm. Glad to see the team moving on from Superboy and onto a real bad guy.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

Aquaman #6

Team

Writer - Geoff Johns

Artist - Joe Prado

Colorist - Rod Reis

"DESERTED"

The opening scene in this book felt so far-fetched that it took me out of the book. The sleazy manager felt so contrived that it was a bit too much. However it was fun watching Mera kick ass.

This is a really quick read.

I do kind of like this book, my wife loves it so I shall continue to buy this one forever.

There is a lot of talk about finding out how Atlantis was sunk. It is supposed to be answered next issue.

Grade

Story - B

Art - B-

Justice League Dark #6

Team

Writer -Peter Milligan

Artist - Mikel Janin

Colorist - Ulises Arreola

"THE BLOODY REUNION"

I am still trying to figure out every ones individual powers. It can still be very convoluted with the Magic world. I keep with this book in spite of it because I really do enjoy the characters themselves.

So it looks like we will be having a crossover with I Vampire while we wait for Jeff Lemire to take over. I am really excited to see where he will take this title. It will be a good fit I think.

6 issues in and they are finally coming together as a team. That is a bit too long to stretch out in my opinion

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A+

Batman #6

Team

Writer - Scott Snyder

Artist - Greg Capullo

Colorist - FCO

"BENEATH THE GLASS"

The Court of Owls is the creepiest bad guys in the history of comics...maybe.

I am not complaining but it does feel like this arc will never end.

This book does deserve all of the praise that it has been getting.

This book does leave me speechless

Grade

Story - A+

Art - B

IMAGE COMICS

No Place Like Home #1

Team

Writer - Angelo Tirotto

Artist - Richard Jordan

Colorist - Paul Little

"HOME AGAIN"

There are a ton of similarities between this and the Wizard of Oz. I can't figure out if they are just drawing from the classic tale or if it will be a retelling of the story with a twist.

So far this is fun. This has that really good mix of a mystery, slasher and possibly supernatural. When done right, you can get an unforgettable story, if done wrong it would be a steaming pile of shit. So far, it seems like they are doing it right.

I am sticking with this one for a while and adding to my pull list, which list is another story.

Grade

Story - A+

Art - A

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT

Alice In Wonderland #2

Team

Writer - Raven Gregory

Artist - Robert Gill

Colorist - Jason Embury

This book is beyond twisted. It is gory, sexy, mind-bending and fun all at the same time.

And with that being said, I am done with it. I have been cutting my pull list a lot and this is not a monthly comic. This should just be read as a collected novel. That seems to be the case with a lot of the Zenescope titles.

I will buy the Trade Paperback but I am done with the single issues

Grade

Story - B-

Art - A+

Comic Reviews for February 15, 2012

This weeks books were bought at Comic Oasis in Las Vegas.

Pick of the week goes out to Catwoman #6, and is closely followed by Ferals #2

I usually don't talk about Podcasts on my reviews, but check out the Incompetent Cabal Cast(@comiccabalcast on twitter) They shouted me out about 50 times last podcast and it made my day...and made me laugh so hard I peed a little. Check them out.. You will enjoy it

AVATAR PRESS

FERALS #2

Team

Writer - David Lapham

Artist - Gabriel Andrade

Colorist - Digikore Studios

I know, I am a week late on this title, but I forgot to grab it last week so my LCS(Comic Oasis) was kind enough to put one aside for me in my box for this week...

I am really liking this gory little book. It is different from anything else that I am reading.

This kind of reminds me of the old Howling movies from the 80's, without the smiley face stickers following everyone around.

And the transformation has begun. I am wondering what direction they will be taking this book.. Will the books protagonist keep his conscience? Or will his soul be forever lost? Tune in next time for more... Same were time, Same were channel.

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

DC COMICS

GREEN LANTERN COMICS #6

Team

Writer - Peter J. Tomasi

Artist - Fernando Pasarin

Colorist - Gabe Eltab

"FEARSOME"

Holy Shit. I now see why John Stewart is some peoples favorite Lantern. He can make the tough choices, as he has shown time and time again. To break the neck of his own teammate at a split second decision took huge amounts of balls.

This was a very good end of this story arc. Although I have not been in love with the whole story, I liked it and the way it wrapped up. In fact, I would say this was the best issue of this book since the reboot.

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A

CATWOMAN #6

Team

Writer - Judd Winick

Artist - Guillem March

Colorist - Tomeu Morey

"WELCOME TO THE HARD WAY"

I have been a huge fan of this book since the relaunch, and this is the best one yet.

We got to see all of the elements starting to finally come together. We see the good cop in the middle of all of the dirty cops helping Selena out, Reach makes a return and gets her ear bitten off(Mike Tyson anyone?), Batman makes a great appearance and really insightful between the two of them, and the character we met a few issues ago, Gwen Altamont, will be taking Lola's place as Selena's new fence and keeper of the secret of her identity.

Some very creative panel layouts this issue.

Grade

Story - A+

Art - A+

YOUNG JUSTICE #13

Team

Writer - Greg Weisman

Artist -Christopher Jones

Colorist - Zac Atkinson

"...AND THE PENALTY"

This is probably the weakest issue of the series so far. It is not horrible, but it does not give me the warm fuzzy feeling I usually get from this book.

I am finding Aqualad less and less appealing. And the Artemis payoff was very anti-climatic.

I am sure they will pull it out next month, especially considering the show restarts next month

Grade

Story - C+

Art - B+

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

VAMPIRELLA #14

Team

Writer - Eric Trautmann

Artist - Jose Malaga/Patrick Berkenkotter

Colorist - Steffani Rennee.

The art felt very Sketchy this time. Not a huge fan at all.

The story is coming together a lot more clearly now.

Kind of a typical Vampirella story......but that is, of course, why I keep coming back after all

Grade

Story - B

Art - C+

MARVEL COMICS

AMAZING SPIDERMAN 679.1

Team

Writer - Dan Slott/Chris Yost

Artist - Matthew Clark

Colorist - Rob Schwager

I think Spider-Man is now my favorite character in the Marvel universe. In theory, I really prefer Wolverine, Punisher, Venom...You know, the Bad-Asses, but every issue that I get my hands on, I seem to enjoy the Spidey titles more, hands down. It is a rather strange realization.. I didn't even think I liked him at all.

This is the scariest version of Michael Morbius that I have ever seen.

They look to be bringing back the Lizard, mostly because he will be the main bad guy in the upcoming Spider-Man movie

Grade

Story - A

Art - A

AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #4

Team

Writer - Zeb Wells

Artist - Greg Land

Colorist - Wil Quintana

Have I ever mentioned how completely useless the Marvel Digital App is? It is a complete work of shit. This will be the second Avenging Spider-Man book that has failed to download, and their assistance is worthless. I am glad I don't buy comics digitally on a regular basis. Beyond disappointing.

With that being said, as soon as I opened the book, I noticed that the art looks great.

Hawkeye is an ass. Green Arrow is better

I did really enjoy this issue. It is a one-shot, which I have stated before that I really do enjoy.

In the end, we do get to see what a stand up guy that Peter is.

Grade

Story - B

Art - A

VENOM #13.2

Team

Writer - Rob Williams

Artist - Sana Takeda

Art looks a lot better than the last issue.

Wow, I have no idea what they will do with this book. Ghost Rider is dead (please use this as the excuse to bring back Johnny Blaze) Red Hulk is dead.

I'm just kind of holding on for the ride. 3 more issues to go

Story isn't quite as exciting as last week

Grade

Story - B

Art - A

WINTER SOLDIER #2

Team

Writer - Ed Brubaker

Artist - Butch Guice

Colorist - Bettie Breitweiser

I want the America Hating Gorilla to do a lot more

There is a lot going on here. I will be going back to the first issue and slow down a little on this next time.

This is another one of those books, like Fatale, that will probably read a lot better in a collected form.

The art is absolutely beautiful

Grade

Story - B

Art - A+

WOLVERINE #301

Team

Writer - Jason Aaron

Artist - Billy Tan/Jason Keith/Steve Sanders

"BACK IN JAPAN Part 2"

So this book is taking a turn for the weird.

This book does not benefit from multiple artists, as most books would not.

Logan is still in Japan fighting against Samurai and Ninjas. He is trying to protect his daughter.

I do know that this book will be getting better. A lot of groundwork is getting laid down so I will be expecting a better payoff starting in the next issue. I am sure if I was a little more well versed in Wolverine history, I would be enjoying this a lot more.

I really enjoyed seeing Logan punch Sabertooth in the face, with his claws fully extended

Grade

Story - B

Art - C

DAREDEVIL #9

Team

Writer - Mark Waid

Artist - Paolo Rivera

Colorist - Javier Rodriguez

WTF is with the recent Marvel obsession with the Mole Man?

The Moloids are stealing coffins from the graveyards and shuttling them down into the earth. Matt's dad is in one of those coffins.

Necrophilia....its not just fun and games... ick

Black cat has turned on Matt and is, of course stealing from him. Gold digger

Grade

Story - B+

Art - A-

Archives: Spider-Man's Tangled Web Vol.3

Spider-Man's Tangled Web Vol.3

Writers - Zeb Wells/Ron Zimmerman/Brian Azzarello/Scott Levy(Raven)/Paul Pope/Daniel Way

Artists - Duncan Fregredo/ Sean Phillips/ Guiseppe Camuncoli/Paul Pope/Leandro Fernandez

Publisher Marvel

issues #12-17

2002

So I have been on a little Spider-Man kick for the last little while and my comic store I go to has been having a huge sale of trade paperbacks for $5 each. This was one of the gems that I found while rummaging around in the sale box's.

This is 5 different one shot issues that are put together in this book. 5 different artists, and 5 different artists. After reading this, I would like to see them re-release this title.

There is a surprisingly small amount Spidey that even appears in any of this book. When, or if, he actually shows in these stories, it is more of a cameo. Instead, they usually center around what is usually a Spider-Man villain and it is told through their prospective. You develop a lot of empathy for these characters and how Spidey contributed to destroying their lives.

The first story is about a failed super-villain wanna-be called the frogman. He is freshly out of jail and trying to rebuild his life. His teenage son is going through hell every day at school because of it.

The next story is called Double Shots. It made me think of the first issue of the Knight and Squire comic. It had a bunch of Spideys enemies just sitting around drinking and telling stories about how they almost beat spider man. In a very classic move, at the end of the book, Osborne had been patiently listening to everyone bragging, stands up, puts on his hat and after being asked what he did, he calmly says, "I kidnapped his Girlfriend, and killed her, in front of him. See you next week Gent's." And with that he walks out the door.

Next story is a character that isn't a villain but spider man ruined his life...Crusher Hogan. He was the wrestler that Peter took out on his quest to make some money the night that Uncle Ben died. You never would have realized how much was at stake for this poor guy. It is co-written by former WWF/WWE/ECW/TNA/WCW wrestler Raven.

Next is about the daughter of a fledgling super villain that has an obsession with the web-slinger,. This does not end well.

The final story is about Tombstone. It has a great art style to it. Very cartoony and over exaggerated and lots of fun. Its about Tombstone in jail and his subsequent escape.

This is definitely worth checking out