Red 5 Comics
Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures #1: After taking months to catch up, I'm ready to read the series while it comes out. Hooray!
Brian Clevinger writes the five short stories, and all of them will be good for fans of Atomic Robo. They are evenly spread out, with none of them over staying their welcome. As you might guess, the Dr. Dinosaur short is easily the funniest. Spam as a way of attacking Robo? Genius. But the stories aren't integral to reading the next volume or rediscovering some personal detail of Robo. It's more there for fans who can't wait for the next volume of Atomic Robo. Since I'm one of those persons, I loved them. As usual, Clevinger makes Robo very interesting a relatable, giving a lot of emotion in the few lines that Robo gets throughout this anthology.
The art isn't as on par as the other volumes, but it's serviceable. A few of the artists change the way Robo looks to a degree, which isn't good. But they work. The "To Kill a Sparrow" short story looks the most like the ongoing, with Ryan Cody providing the art there. Yuko Oda brings "Revenge of Dr. Dinosaur" the comedic timing needed for such a funny character. In "Rocket Science is a Two-Edged Sword," I really like the choice of black and white. Not a lot of comics can pull this off, but it works in this story.
Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures #1 gets 4/5
DC Comics
Batgirl #7: Batgirl continues to have some uneven issues, so sadly it's getting demoted to being read a month late (to save money).
Gail Simone seems to be a little preoccupied with Batgirl's past. Using a big moment like The Killing Joke is fine, but it seems to be a constant variable in this story. It's detracting from what Barbara is now though. Instead of moving forward with the character, it seems like she is just spinning her wheels. It's clear she is working some stuff out as a character. The fight scene with Black Canary was a good read, but I'm still unsure what Simone wants to do with Barbara's mom. For now, it seems like she is there for the sake of just being there. Another thing from Barbara's past that is still plaguing this book. Grotesque is an interesting villain, but again, tied to the past. Nothing is new. I shouldn't hate on this book so much, as it is still enjoyable, but not enough to read right away. It will be in the Old Comics section at the bottom from now on, unless the quality improves.
Ardian Syaf is helped out by Alitha Martinez this month. Syaf is perfect this month, with the fight sequence in the sewer looking great. The sequence has a cramped feeling to it, making every blow feel like it's hitting that much harder. Alitha Martinez's art is serviceable, but there are some problems with head shapes. Some of the shots tend to...ehem.."accentuate" some features of the women. Yeah, I'm use to it by now with comics, but when their body changes from page to page, it's a little OH HAI THERE BOOBIES.
Batgirl #7 gets 3/5.
Dark Horse Comics
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #7: Seriously, what the fuck is with that ending?
Andrew Chambliss continues to balance character moments and big action very well. The small moments between Spike and Buffy are great to read, and hit home things fans wish these two had said about each other for a while. He also fills the book with classic Joss Whedon style humor with such degree that I had to double check that Joss didn't write the book in his free time. And let's talk the ending. SPOILER WARNING Buffy seems to be a Buffybot. After rereading it, it seems that Buffy was switched out for a bot. It's a huge false herring, and in a time when Buffy is pregnant, it seems to discredit that story to a degree. Not much, but enough that it left a bad taste in my mouth. We know Buffy with be back next month and everything will be explained the next issue or very soon. That said, these seven issues have been better than all of Season 8.
George Jeanty does a good job on art. He finally captures the actor's likeness, but it seems like he traced a close up from the show. The action scene looks great, with all the vampire dustings look fantastic. It helps that Michelle Madsen colored them in a great way. Characters are expressive and have some great reactions when the Joss Whedon humor comes into play. He's still not as good as Rebeka Issacs over on Angel & Faith, but still good.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #7 gets 4/5
Marvel Comics
Captain America #9: Ed Brubaker continues his silver age style arc in dramatic fashion.
Much of the issue focuses on Sharon Carter's fight with the Machinesmith. It's a very interesting fight. Not for the shear fact that Carter has a lot to do instead of being a damsel in distress, but for the way she counteracts a smart villain like this. Every thing she throws at him makes the fight that much more interesting. It's a battle of the wits. Cap actually takes a back seat this month. Having Falcon fall victim to a ruse seemed a little below him, but it sets up the final issue of the arc well. Brubaker also ties Codename: Bravo into the story as well, without his entrance feeling forced at all. I originally gave this issue a 3.5 for spinning it's wheels a bit when it comes to plot, but it's very enjoyable, so it will get a better grade.
Alan Davis absolutely owns on this book. The action looks great, even the outdated hair that everyone has. Sharon Carter's fight with the Machinesmith looks fantastic. Pages are kinetic and pop off the page. Even the talking head panels benefit from his master storytelling. Falcon's conversation with Viper has the tense feeling that Falcon would bring to a meeting like this. While Patrick Zircher is going to be taking over the book with #11, I dearly wish Davis was staying on.
Captain America #9 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four #604: I can't believe that Jonathan Hickman's run is ending soon. It's starting to hit home with this issue.
Hickman puts a real emotional cap on his entire run. He has almost seven more issues, but if it ended today, I'd say it was one hell of an ending. A good chunk of it is explained, but not without a lot of action. Hickman also explains the true extent of Franklin's powers, and that is one insanely powerful kid. I'm glad Hickman is going to be helping Avengers vs X-Men, as this arc has shown that he can handle the event style comic while not losing scope of what really matters in these comics, the characters. The ending is especially touching, as it mirror #570, the issue that started this insane and fun run that Hickman has given us. His run will go down in history as one of the best runs in the history of the Fantastic Four. The next writer has big shoes to fill.
Steve Epting joins to finish the story off. Everything looks great, but a few facial problems come up on a few pages. Nothing serious, but worth noting. The final scene hits every emotional note that Hickman wrote, making the scene that much better. Part of me wishes Dale Eaglesham had penciled this scene, to really pay tribute to #570. But Epting does a good job, with that final panel giving the reader a great sense of hope and show that this series has nowhere to go but up.
Fantastic Four #604 gets 4.5/5.
DC Comics
Green Lantern #7: After a weak first arc, Geoff Johns seems to be stepping up his game with the Indigo tribe.
It's nice to see Johns finally discuss this tribe to a degree. They are very mysterious and Johns teases us in a way that makes you want to come back next month. Not without the character moments though, Johns inserts those in quite often. The opening scene is filled with them, and brings Carole to an interesting place after it. Fans of Blackest Night will like what Johns shows up here. While I doubt we will ever get any resolve for that, as it's been way to long, it'd be nice to see what happened to Black Hand finally. Seriously, what the hell does Nok mean already? Besides the secrecy of the Indigo tribe, this has been the biggest riddle in this part of the DC universe.
Dough Mahnke is finally back. His pencils are much like his pre nuDC work on Green Lantern. Every page is oozing with emotion and feeling. Carol's face during the opening fight were fantastic. As usual, he draws goulish figures perfectly, giving the Indigo tribe that creepy look. I'm fine with him taking a month off every now and then if only to help him make his pencils look this great. One thing I was hoping for was Carol to get a costume change, considering her costume is rather stupid. It easily could have been changed. Maybe something will in the future.
Green Lantern #7 gets 4/5.
It's nice to see Johns finally discuss this tribe to a degree. They are very mysterious and Johns teases us in a way that makes you want to come back next month. Not without the character moments though, Johns inserts those in quite often. The opening scene is filled with them, and brings Carole to an interesting place after it. Fans of Blackest Night will like what Johns shows up here. While I doubt we will ever get any resolve for that, as it's been way to long, it'd be nice to see what happened to Black Hand finally. Seriously, what the hell does Nok mean already? Besides the secrecy of the Indigo tribe, this has been the biggest riddle in this part of the DC universe.
Dough Mahnke is finally back. His pencils are much like his pre nuDC work on Green Lantern. Every page is oozing with emotion and feeling. Carol's face during the opening fight were fantastic. As usual, he draws goulish figures perfectly, giving the Indigo tribe that creepy look. I'm fine with him taking a month off every now and then if only to help him make his pencils look this great. One thing I was hoping for was Carol to get a costume change, considering her costume is rather stupid. It easily could have been changed. Maybe something will in the future.
Green Lantern #7 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
The Incredible Hulk #6: While the series has it's problems, at least everything is consistent.
Jason Aaron's writing has been the only reason that I have been keeping this book in my pull list. The Hulk vs Banner fight is still interesting, even if the Von Doom and Igor story line isn't that interesting. Most of the issue is really a fight, but Aaron gives us some back story as well. He also ties the origin of their split in with the Fear Itself #7 epilogue. It's a little forced, but not enough to take away from the story that in front of us. The Von Doom back story is predictable though, and Aaron's attempt to fool us doesn't work that well. I think it would have been more interesting if she had been honest forthright and hates her father. That would have made how the Hulk and Banner split that more interesting.
Where this issue really falters is the art. Whilce Portacio still sucks the big one. Characters look like shit, and they look almost like stick figures at some points. Von Doom gets the worst of the bad art, with there character shape differing wildly than previous shown. Banner's fight looks pathetic. It makes everything ugly to look at. The big Hulked out things look good. His time on Journey Into Mystery was better than this. I still don't understand how he still gets jobs in comics when his art looks like this.
The Incredible Hulk #6 gets 2.5/5.
Where this issue really falters is the art. Whilce Portacio still sucks the big one. Characters look like shit, and they look almost like stick figures at some points. Von Doom gets the worst of the bad art, with there character shape differing wildly than previous shown. Banner's fight looks pathetic. It makes everything ugly to look at. The big Hulked out things look good. His time on Journey Into Mystery was better than this. I still don't understand how he still gets jobs in comics when his art looks like this.
The Incredible Hulk #6 gets 2.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Journey Into Mystery #635: Cadaver Thor just want's some love. I'll hold you big guy.
Kieron Gillen writes the book in a very interesting way. It shows how much this new version of Loki has changed than the old Loki. Gillen's script gives the read a great deal of insight into Loki's love for his brother Thor. Ikol's words make everything that Loki does that more heroic, and slightly tragic. We know that something will eventually happen to Loki that will send him on his traitorous ways, but when? Gillen also adds some depth to Leah, who has been a little one sided as of late. The story doesn't spend to much time on the victims, quickly getting us acquainted without over doing the exposition. Loki's remark about energy drinks was by far the best line in the story. And folks, now is the time to start a petition for a Cadaver Thor ongoing.
Richard Elson has been a perfect fit with Journey Into Mystery. The characters are expressive, and his pencils fit the mystic atmosphere of this book. Jessica Kholinne's colors are also on display here, with Elson's moody pencils looking that much better. Cadaver Thor also looks great on the recap page. Never thought he'd be back.
Journey Into Mystery #635 gets 4/5
Richard Elson has been a perfect fit with Journey Into Mystery. The characters are expressive, and his pencils fit the mystic atmosphere of this book. Jessica Kholinne's colors are also on display here, with Elson's moody pencils looking that much better. Cadaver Thor also looks great on the recap page. Never thought he'd be back.
Journey Into Mystery #635 gets 4/5
Marvel Comics
The Punisher #9: With the Omega Effect coming next month, time to lead into that.
Greg Rucka continues his great Punisher epic, having Frank and Rachel finally team up. It's natural, and Frank humanizes his "tour de force" version of Frank. The technology that Rucka comes up with had my head thinking a blaze with possibilities. Rucka also shows how much Rachel and Frank are a great team. The benefit of Frank being an up close and personal type while she takes back seat to snipe is great strategy. It's a small touch, but went a long way to show how Rachel might be the best side kick that Frank has ever had. It's clear the Omega Effect is coming, as it's shoehorned into the plot. I have full faith in Rucka to make it work, but when the rest of this series has a been a slow burn, having this is very jarring. It ruins the entire momentum of the issue.
Mirko Colak pencils a good issue. His work on Red Skull: Incarnate was great, and that continues here. Faces are expressive, and the action looks great. I noticed that the Punisher skull looks a little odd compared to how it's been penciled recently. His pencils aren't on the level of Marko Checchetto, but they are good.
The Punisher #9 gets 3.5/5.
Image Comics
Saga #1: If you were wondering if Saga could ever live up to the hype that has bee bestowed upon it, don't worry, it has.
Brian K. Vaughn has always done better with his own stuff. Y: the Last Man, to me, is the best series in the history of comic books. And it looks like he has another great run in him here. He sets up the world well, especially the characters. We get a hold of who Marko and Alana are and their relationship with in minutes of reading the first sentence. Their struggle, and why it should matter, is explained and given plenty of weight. While some is left unexplained, it's easy to look past it considering we know we will learn it in time. Much like Star Wars, the universe feels lived in, and a few catchphrases are thrown about. No doubt a few of these are going to be coined by comic book fans. So much potential oozes from every page. The stories that Vaughn could tell with these characters. It makes the wait for next month that much harder.
I'm not familiar with Fiona Staples pencil work, but it's great here. Characters are expressive and you can read their personality from their face. If I can understand a character without reading a line, the penciler has done their job and then some. The action looks great, and I want a giant turtle of my own. And yes, there are naked robots having sex in this issue. The writing, done by Staples, is done in an interesting way. It leads the eyes where they need to go without being obvious that they are doing that.
Saga #1 gets 5/5
Vertigo Comics
Saucer Country #1: Paul Cornell has always been a good writer, so it pains me to say that this is just mediocre.
Cornell sets up the very simple premise well. Aliens are invading, and the main character, Governor Alvarado is the only one who knows. It's all good, but so much time is spent on who Alvarado is that the premise is somewhat forgotten. There is also a crazy Harvard teacher, who is actually more interesting then Alvarado. It's only the first issue, so all of these things can be forgiven can be forgiven. The characters are interesting and relatable, I just wish that a tiny more was hinted at with the aliens. Even if it's just hints about something coming up. The premise is very interesting, and I'll be back for the foreseeable future to see where Cornell wants to go with this series.
Ryan Kelly's art is great. I love the choice to have the aliens look like classic B-movie aliens. You can see the crazy in Professor Kid's (the Harvard professor) eyes. Character faces are very detailed. He makes the shower scene very creepy, even though we know Alvarado is seeing something. It makes me hopeful for the series. Having that creepy atmosphere will only enhance Cornell's scrip when the time comes for the invasion.
Saucer Country #1 gets 3.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Scarlet Spider #3: Scarlet Spider continues to be a strong series, with Chris Yost rounding out the cast.
The cast isn't a reinvention of the Coffee Bean gang, but they are still a very interesting bunch. Yost gives us a good read on these people fast. Surprisingly fast actually. It stunned me how fast he gave us a good amount of depth on these characters. One has to wonder if Yost is setting up one particular character to be the love interest, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Kaine's inner thoughts are a little to dramatic for me, but they never last long, with Yost adding a good amount of humor this issue. He also makes good use of the city of Houston. Yost also brings up a villain from Kaine's past. I wish that he could have explained this better, as I was completely lost on the reference. It's not a big complaint, but it's worth noting.
Ryan Stegman's art is perfect for a Spider-Man book. The action looks great, and the cloaking ability that Kaine's suit has is a nice effect. Kaine still takes off his mask way to fucking much. Be it the fault of Chris Yost or Stegman, this really needs to stop. Kaine is smarter than that. Otherwise, everything is great.
Scarlet Spider #3 gets 4/5.
Image Comics
Thief of Thieves #2: While Robert Kirkman thought up this story, Nick Spencer is the real star with this book.
Spencer gives us some back story to Conrad. It's very interesting, and since it involves a lot of action, it doesn't slow down the momentum of the series. Some will be bugged by this, but I actually find it a good thing. It's interesting to peel back the layers of our main character. The reason for quitting the thieving business is quite simple, but Spencer makes it interesting and compelling. It's a fairly quick read, and feels like filler for the overall arc, but it's hard to be upset about it when it's this good. Spencer's script is sharp as ever, filled with plenty of wit and character. Celia is sadly absent, but we have some backstory for her, so it's logical that she wouldn't appear in this issue. And next issue seems to focus on police instead of Conrad and Celia.
Shawn Martinbrough's pencils are great. His lines are thick, which makes the characters look more lifelike. The action looks great, and his characters don't lose any detail when the panels zoom out away from them. I'm guessing that his pencils take so long he is going to need some time off eventually, which is sad, as they are such treat to look at.
Thief of Thieves #2 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Wolverine & the X-Men #7: This book is still the best X-book, even though this issue's ending is a little weak.
Jason Aaron fills this issue with some great dialogue. He also fills it with some perfect character moments. Quire gets some special attention, and Wolverine evolves a little. I liked the ending, as Iceman is officially a player. It's amazing how he juggles these scenes and characters with everyone getting character time and enough time to evolve too. But the ending. It's very anticlimactic. While it leaves Wolverine in a very funny place, it just makes everything we have read before a little unnecessary. Yeah, the ending is funny, but as a story point, it's not that good. I will say this, I love the idea of Bobby and Kitty being a thing. Even adding in Kid Gladiator's bodyguard, Warbird, as a jealous third is hilarious addition.
Nick Bradshaw's art keeps one upping itself. As usual, characters are expressive, detailed, and overall great looking. The backgrounds have been very detailed, but for some reason, they just look even more detailed this time around. I'm going to miss him while Chris Bachalo pencils the next few issues.
Wolverine & the X-Men #7 gets 4/5.
Old Comics
Amazing Spider-Man #680 gets 4/5
Amazing Spider-Man #681 gets 4.5/5
FF #15 gets 3.5/5
New Avengers #22 gets 3/5
Ultimate Spider-Man #8 gets 5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment