Dark Horse
Angel & Faith #4: Like the recent split in X-Men books, the new Buffyverse book is surprisingly a lot better than the original book.
Christos Gage keeps upping the ante every month, and writing these character in a way that rivals Joss Whedon. When reading this book, or Buffy, I always hear the actors saying the dialogue in my head. In the Buffy books, I sometimes question the dialogue (not in issues written by Joss), but I have never done that here. It's pitch perfect to the characters. Pearl and Nash could go for some deeper characterization, but I'll let it go with the rest of the issue so great. Gage even captures the essence of the old show in the hard decisions that Angel is willing to to make, something that Buffy doesn't necessarily want to do sometimes. The tease near the end is great and long time Buffy watchers/readers will get a kick out of it. And the more I think about the tease, it makes a lot of sense for Angel. Makes me that much more excited for next month.
Rebekah Isaacs is another reason this books is firing on all cylinders. The fights look great, even at their most hectic. But the real treasure is that nothing looks photo referenced. She seems to have figured out how to draw these characters perfectly like their actor counterparts. Even grimaces look exactly like their actors, which I just find stunning. I love Phil Noto's work (who is penciling a fill in issue next month), but I'll be missing Isaacs' work.
Angel & Faith #4 gets 4.5/5
Marvel Comics
Daredevil #6: Daredevil continues to be Marvel's best book, and proof that a book doesn't have to be gloomy to be good.
Mark Waid continues to find new ways to use Daredevil's powers. As a long time Daredevil reader, it's amazing to see and read. He uses Matt's past without even referencing it, showing Matt as a man who has nothing left to lose so is living life to the fullest by helping people. It's sometimes fallen by the wayside that Matt's dad was a boxer and Matt has boxed himself, so Waid's use of that is great to see again. The overall issue is a tribute to the past of Matt Murdock and Waid expertly using it to change the way we see Daredevil. Matt is continually rising up the power rankings with Marvel superheroes. The real question is though, how has no one thought of these new uses for his powers? I read them and think that they seem fairly obvious (which to me makes them that much more great). A book like this is killer for a reviewer. Because month in and month out we need to keep thinking up new ways to say "this book is awesome and you should read it."
The same can be said for Marcos Martin's artwork. Month in and month out, his artwork is so far ahead of the rest of the books Marvel puts out, I'm at a loss for new ways to say that his artwork is great. Going to need a new thesaurus soon. His radar vision isn't as pretty to look at as Paolo Rivera's, but it's still pretty to look at. The scene with Bruiser having his knee cracked really hits the reader with the pain this guy is feeling.
Daredevil #6 gets 4.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Herc #10: Another Hercules book ends well before it should have. This doesn't look good for the future of the character, but hopefully he will appear in another book soon.
Much like in the Incredible Hercules, Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente use mythology very well. They explain the character and their motivations fast without sacrificing the books momentum. Zeus and Hercules have some great give and take, and would have liked to see Zeus stay around a while if the book had lived longer. The book ends on a sweet note, and leaves long time fans (like myself) with a smile on their face. Hopefully Pak and Van Lente will find some way to continue writing this character. He has been one of the best up and coming characters at Marvel. Sadly no one bought either of his two ongoings. The sudden death of Herc surprises me considering Incredible Hercules lasted for almost three years.
David Hahn's art doesn't live up to the great story presented to him. His art is acceptable, but doesn't come close to the cinematic pencils of Neal Edwards when the book was first launched last April. The fight scenes look good though, and are entertaining to look at. Zeus and Hercules look a little to much like each other for my tastes, even with Zeus being Herc's dad.
Herc #10 gets 4/5.
Much like in the Incredible Hercules, Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente use mythology very well. They explain the character and their motivations fast without sacrificing the books momentum. Zeus and Hercules have some great give and take, and would have liked to see Zeus stay around a while if the book had lived longer. The book ends on a sweet note, and leaves long time fans (like myself) with a smile on their face. Hopefully Pak and Van Lente will find some way to continue writing this character. He has been one of the best up and coming characters at Marvel. Sadly no one bought either of his two ongoings. The sudden death of Herc surprises me considering Incredible Hercules lasted for almost three years.
David Hahn's art doesn't live up to the great story presented to him. His art is acceptable, but doesn't come close to the cinematic pencils of Neal Edwards when the book was first launched last April. The fight scenes look good though, and are entertaining to look at. Zeus and Hercules look a little to much like each other for my tastes, even with Zeus being Herc's dad.
Herc #10 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Red Skull: Incarnate #5: Greg Pak writes another legendary story for one of Marvel's most vile villains. He did it again and I can't believe it.
When finished with this issue, Pak's choice to not have Schmidt turn into the Red Skull in the book really worked. The book works as a premise for how Schmidt became the evil son of a bitch that we know and hate today. The magnificent thing that Pak does with Schmidt is make us feel for him. By the end of the issue, we as a reader are sad and feel sorry for Schmidt, even though we know who he is and the atrocities that is about to commit. Schmidt is a character who could have been a nice person, if not for a few things that happened in his life. Pak's use of historical events works better this issue, focusing on the story instead of the events. This was a problem in a couple of the issues, where framing stories around the events took precedent over the story being told. I'd love to see Pak tackle another villain in the Marvel Universe.
Mirko Colak's art isn't up to the standard of past issues. The painted affect used when violence is committed is never used during this issue, which was a great technique. It should have been used this time around. Faces look a tad off this time around, and I did have a little trouble differentiating characters this time around.
Red Skull: Incarnate #5 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Uncanny X-Men #2: I love Kieron Gillen writing the X-Men, but sadly Uncanny hasn't been the big change that was promised.
To Gillen's credit, the way Mr. Sinister rants on about his plan is fun to read, and he makes us hate Sinister, but also somewhat relate to him. And those are the best villains in super hero books like this. The problem is that it eats up almost the entire issue. Any momentum brought on from the last issue is gone. With Sinister being this powerful, I'm not sure how the X-Men are going to wrap this fight up in one issue. Unless the Celestials have something to say about it. Like I said in my #1 review, nothing much as changed. This is just a continuation of Gillen's last volume work. Not say that it's a bad thing. The issue is still a good read and I'll be back next month. But in terms of big change, it's not on the same level of Wolverine & the X-Men.
Carlos Pacheo seems to be having a lot of trouble keeping up, and is helped out by Jorge Molina and Rooney Buchemi. Good job by them, as I didn't really notice until I read it on a website. I just thought Pacheo did a sub par job on a few pages. The fights look good, and Sinister has great smug look on his face the entire issue.
Uncanny X-Men #2 gets 3.5/5.
DC Comics
Uncharted #1: Much like the movies, when games are turned into comics, things don't usually end well. Surprisingly, Uncharted seems to have made the transition well.
Uncharted keeps up with the trademark wit and cocky attitude for Nathan Drake that we have come to know and love. Joshua Williamson has a great hold on his and Sully's voice. I can hear Nolan North (the voice artist for Nathan Drake in the games) saying the lines in my head. He sets up the plot much like the games, and that's a good thing. Uncharted fans will have a lot to love here, but no one else will. Anyone who hasn't played a game won't understand who is who or what the hell is going on. As a fan of the games, I even have a question. Why is Flynn, the douche from the second game, working with Drake at the beginning of the issue? This comic does take place in between Uncharted 2 and 3, so there needs to be a little explanation there. Otherwise it looks to be another great story for Drake and company.
Sergio Sandoval's art is really good. The characters look like they do in the game, and not photo referenced either. The big gun fight near the beginning looks great and the characters have some very life like grimaces. I had a smirk on my face the entire time looking at this book. As much as the Uncharted games have great writing, some of the real beauty resides in the great acting and facial expressions. Sandoval captures that perfectly.
Uncharted #1 gets 3/5.
Uncharted keeps up with the trademark wit and cocky attitude for Nathan Drake that we have come to know and love. Joshua Williamson has a great hold on his and Sully's voice. I can hear Nolan North (the voice artist for Nathan Drake in the games) saying the lines in my head. He sets up the plot much like the games, and that's a good thing. Uncharted fans will have a lot to love here, but no one else will. Anyone who hasn't played a game won't understand who is who or what the hell is going on. As a fan of the games, I even have a question. Why is Flynn, the douche from the second game, working with Drake at the beginning of the issue? This comic does take place in between Uncharted 2 and 3, so there needs to be a little explanation there. Otherwise it looks to be another great story for Drake and company.
Sergio Sandoval's art is really good. The characters look like they do in the game, and not photo referenced either. The big gun fight near the beginning looks great and the characters have some very life like grimaces. I had a smirk on my face the entire time looking at this book. As much as the Uncharted games have great writing, some of the real beauty resides in the great acting and facial expressions. Sandoval captures that perfectly.
Uncharted #1 gets 3/5.
Marvel Comics
Wolverine #19: While the ol' Canuckle head can be a great character for moody stories, sometimes it's fun to just have an insane Wolverine story.
Jason Aaron is clearly having a lot of fun writing this beyond nuts story. The only grip I have with the issue is that it's a very fast read. I'd love to have this issue be slow and read more hilarious quips between Gorilla Man and Wolverine. That's nitpicking sir. Aaron ends the story fast in a good manner and more importantly, in a fun manner. The entire issue is filled to the brim with quips, mostly from Gorilla Man and Wolverine. Although Fat Cobra gets a few good lines in. Team book anyone? These three take on threats? I'd read it each month. Aaron even gets some character development in by giving Melita a reason to be in Westchester with Wolverine. I'm a little curious why Peter Parker makes a quick appearance, but maybe that will lead to something down the road.
Ron Garney has always worked well with Aaron. Look no further than the Get Mystique arc or their work on Wolverine: Weapon X. He goes from soul punching to dragons throwing up without missing a beat. The bar scenes near the end look a tad rushed, but look for what they are. I'd rather his pencils be inked a little heavier like they are on the cover, and they were in Wolverine: Weapon X, but that's my style choice.
Wolverine #19 gets 4.5/5.
Old Comics
The Mighty Thor #7 gets 2.5/5.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #4 gets 5/5.
Uncanny X-Force #17 gets 5/5.
Marvel Comics (Uncanny X-Force #17)
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