Mr. Comic Book, After School

Another year, another Boston Comic Con. This year the promoters went all fucking out and it was a blast. I went on Sunday, May 1st, the second day of the Con.

There were plenty of vendors, all who wanted to give you the best experience. Almost every vendor was having a 50% off sale on comics. I jumped at this and got Invincible Iron Man #5-7 of the current volume. Even better, many of the vendors had deals on the blank cover variants. While a great price (many were around $1.00), many of the artists were charging WAY to much for sketches. There were also a great selection of t-shirts. And not just comic book t-shirts, but t-shirts for almost any type of nerd. A friend of mine bought a shirt with Angel as a puppet, and I was rather tempted to get a Mutant Enemy shirt. Midtown Comics had some great shirts, with their exclusive Iron Fist and Future Foundation shirts. I caved and got the Iron Fist shirt.

Unlike last year, I never felt cramped in the vendors area. Last year suffered from a small convention area, so it was impossible at some points to walk through the vendors area. With this year's being in the Hynes Convention Center, the area was spread out, and the people running the Con smartly put the headliners in a different section. This kept the eventually long lines free from interfering with people trying to shop through the vendors

The list of writers and artists were great. The legendary Joe Kubert made an appearance, and was kind as ever. J. Scott Campbell showed rather late, but apologized to everyone and stopped to chat with everyone giving autographs. Frank Quietly surprisingly never had a line, which I took advantage of. Art Adams couldn't resist telling a joke with anyone around. Other included Frank Cho, Khoi Pham, Christos Gage, Neal Adams, Tim Sale, Adam Hughes, J.G. Jones, and Ryan Ottley to name a few.

There were a couple of panels on the day I went, but no news was announced. Joe Kubert answered questions in one panel. While it didn't bring the event down by any means, some announcements would be welcomed at next years.

As I said before, some of the artists were charging WAY TO FUCKING MUCH for sketches. J. Scott Campbell, who is a great artist, was charging $200 for a blank cover sketch. Are you serious? He would do a small square sketch, but was charging $50. Still to much. All the other artist were charging around $50 for a blank cover sketch, or even less. Ok, that I can understand, as their time is valuable. Sketches were going for $20, which I think is completely reasonable.

Overall though, Boston Comic Con 2011 is a huge success and it's a step in the right direction for making Comic Cons in Boston a major event.

Hello all. Another week, another set of reviews. Was a good week overall, with only one book being a slight disappointment. And with that, we are off!

The Amazing Spider-Man #657: There has been a lot of death in Peter Parker's life. The usual peppy hero hasn't been given a break recently, so ASM #657 takes death and celebrates life.

Peter goes over to the Future Foundation to talk to Reed, Sue, and Ben about how he misses Johnny. This starts them on a story telling session, recanting past memories. None of them sad, all happy and funny. The first is told by Ben and involves a big monster and Johnny and Spidery playing pranks on each other. Sue's has to due with her inadvertently being arrested for making some criminal's pants invisible. And Reed's has to do with a space adventure.

I'm all for a sentimental issue about the death of a character, but this is a nice change of pace. It celebrates the Human Torch's career in a way that makes his death even more meaningful. Yes, we know he will be back eventually, but if he never does come back, I feel like he was done justice. Dan Slott continues to show how he knows Peter Parker better than any writer out there, and he also has a nice hold on the FF. The upcoming FF storyline should be lots of fun.

The art works well for each story. Templeton, Palati, Caselli make each story come to life in a way that has an upbeat feel. I'm soaking up Marcos Martin on Spider-Man as much as I can before he goes over to Daredevil. It's still amazing to see him to get the small details, like the lines under Peter's eyes. It shows how strung out he is after everything that has been happening to him.

The Amazing Spider-Man #657 gets 5/5

Avengers #11: Unlike most of the reviewers on major websites, I'm actually a fan of Bendis and his tendencies to have a lot of dialogue. But sadly, this issue doesn't use that well.

Uatu is watching the fight between Thor, Namor, and Rulk against the Hood. Rulk gets the red Infinity Gem and has little success. Xavier and the band of Avengers that joined him aren't having much success against the Danger like program at the old Mansion. While all this is going on, Uatu is describing what is going on and how little the Hood knows what he is doing. And at the ending, a big villain is revealed. Good luck Hood.

The whole Uatu angle just didn't need to be included in this issue. A little at the beginning would have been cool, but his constant dialogue gets annoying very fast. We see what is going on, so it doesn't need to be reexplained. I reread the issue without Uatu and enjoyed it a lot more. I'm not sure why the Secret Avengers needed to be included in this adventure, as they have little to nothing to say. Other than that, the plot moves a long at a nice pace and the ending leaves me excited for issue #12.

John Romita Jr. has a so-so issue this time around. Some pages loot brilliant, then the next looks mediocre. I do realize he is doing break downs for Kick-Ass 2, but I kind of wish he would choose one or the other. Why stretch yourself thin when you could focus on one book and have your talent shine. The inking still needs to change. JRJR's lines need thick lines to make his art pop.

Avengers #11 gets 2.5/5

Carnage #4: When this series was first announced all those months ago, I was genuinely excited. Zeb Wells is a very talented writer, and Clayton Crain has always been the go to guy for making symbiotic villains from space look great. While my first hope has been fulfilled far and beyond, the second hasn't even come close to being true.

We finally find out what happened to Carnage after the Sentry ripped him in half way back at the launch of New Avengers. The three Power Ranger type suits attack the newly formed Carnage. Stupidly, the company put parts of the symbiote in the suits, so Carnage easily sucks them in. This turns Carnage into a massive blob. Spidey and Iron Man try their best, but the villain is to strong. Screech appears on the final page, and looks quite different.

Like my past issues, the writing is great, but the art is terrible. Zeb Wells clearly has a hold on why Cletus is a menacing villain and why he lasting appeal. Having Peter and Tony team up again is always a welcomed angle, and it's nice to see the relationship grow from the JMS days. Peter has grown a lot from those days and it shows with how he presents himself around him. Iron Man is no longer the all knowing father, but the big brother who has a lot of life experience. The suits having part of the symbiote in them is kind of a weak angle and seems stupid on the company's part. But the end does justify the means in this situation. Zeb Wells also helps us see the angry side of Spider-Man. Spidey often screams and gets mad at villains, but he doesn't truly hate them like we see hear. You can feel the hatred Peter has for him as he beats the crap out of Carnage.

Clayton Crain has had a history of drawing Venom and Carnage, and drawing them well. I reread a lot of past issues that Crain was on art and one of the previously mentioned characters was involved. And it just prodded my excitement that this series would be awesome. But on every page, there is a black mist around everything that makes things hard to understand. The massive fight near the end should have looked epic, but seemed meh. The big Carnage blob looked like a Hulked out Venom than Carnage. I had to go back and reread to make sure that Venom didn't make an appearance.

While I can't wait to read #5, I could care less if I see the visuals. Dialogue only issue anyone?

Carnage #4 gets 3/5

The Flash #10: It saddens me to hear that The Flash will be cancelled after issue #12 (or is it #13? I'm reading conflicting reports). Thankfully, these last few issues have been a blast and #10 continues that.

Hot Pursuit is Barry Allen from the future, and gives us a big exposition dump. All of this leads up Flashpoint. Most of the issue focuses on Barry and Bart's relationship. The issue then transitions over to a murder, another one seemingly perpetrated by Hot Pursuit.

Not to much happens in this issue, but the slow downed pace is nice considering that an event is coming. No doubt this issue will need to be reread after the event is over to see plot threads being made. and While Geoff Johns does a great job on script this month, the real star is Francis Manapul. Every panel is beautiful, not just the ones where the speedsters are running. Even the talking head panels feel so real, mostly due to the eyes. So much emotion is conveyed through those.

The big exposition dump is ok, and will no doubt be reexplained at some point. I'm not the biggest fan of DC and their multiverse, as it can be hard to understand for newbies. I have done a lot of research and still don't completely understand it. But the explanation by Hot Pursuit is something that I could like. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I personally think it's a great idea.

The Flash #10 gets 4/5.

Hawkeye: Blind Spot #3: Faithful readers will know how much I have loved Jim McCann's work on Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Widowmaker, and now Hawkeye: Blind Spot. As you might guess, my love of his work continues in this stellar issue.

While Baron Zemo hasn't been in this book much, his thread is revealed. Most of the issue revolves around Clint fighting his brother Barry, the new Trickshot. Barry describes what has happened to him all these years and why we haven't seen him, and his team up with Zemo. Their fight takes them to Coney Island, and a massive fight ensues. Clint even saves a ferris wheel by turning into Giant Man again. But the future doesn't look good for Clint.....

Baron Zemo is a criminally unused villain in the Marvel U. And his motivation doesn't seem out of place, even if some would consider it petty. McCann really makes us feel for Barton and what is happening, and decides to take a very real take on Barton with a tumor. Many would kind of forget it, but everything Clint does has an affect on the tumor. It's refreshing for a veteran comic book reader. And what makes the script better is how comic book-y Barry's story feels. A lesser writer would have had trouble blending real life and comic book style stories, but McCann weaves everything perfectly.

Diaz had gone above and beyond on this book each month. All the panels have a natural flow and look almost lifelike. Some of his characters can look borderline bulky, but it's only in a panel or two, nothing to scoff at. Many do a lot worse every month in other books.

The only bad thing about this book? It ends next month

Hawkeye: Blind Spot #3 gets 5/5

Iron Man 2.0 #3: Nick Spencer can all but get a tattoo saying, "Hello, I'm Nick. I am awesome and write shit real good." While Iron Man 2.0 had some trouble getting going (Barry Kitson had pneumonia), the series looks to be on a good track.

Rhody somehow survived the blast that all but destroyed his armor. While Tony and Rhody go over what the new suit should look like and what type of functions it should have, the conspiracy about Palmer Addley is getting deeper and deeper. Pepper Pots does some digging and finds out some new things about the dead Palmer. Tony reveals what the new War Machine armor can do and what it looks like (hint: I'm a fan of the new look).

Spencer's ability to weave a plot is on high display here, and it really works. I like that the whole Iron Man team is making appearances, although I hope Rhody will be able to step out on his own a little bit. Rhody is a character that needs to establish himself away from Tony Stark. Other than that, the writing is great. The conversation between Tony and Rhody is hilarious and really keeps with how much work Matt Fraction has been doing with Tony. Spencer deciding to change Rhody's armor is a welcomed change, as his armor hasn't changed in the longest time.

Spencer is doing something that Greg Pak's War Machine series never did, made me care for Rhody. He has always seemed like the Punisher meets Iron Man, as he isn't afraid to kill. But Spencer is showing that there is a lot more to Rhody than meets the eye, and this is one of the major reasons that Iron Man 2.0 will be staying in my pull list for some time.

The art is the only weak point of the issue. The three artists put out a great issue, but their styles doesn't blend well at all. I'm happy that #4 will only have one artist. And that issue comes out next week. A treat for us.

Iron Man 2.0 #3 gets 4/5

Journey Into Mystery #622: If you had told me a couple of weeks ago that a Loki ongoing would be the highlight of the week, I would have called you insane. And thankfully you are insane.

The issue begins with Loki being taught a few lessons about the internet ("He called me a troll! But I told him I'm a half-giant!"), and why no one around him seems to like him that much. Thor tries to make him feel better, but then flies off. Much of the issue thought, discusses why Loki died at the end of Siege. And Loki has a nice conversation with.....Loki. A hologram-y thing of Loki talks to the now younger Loki and describes why old Loki killed himself. Then we move over to the events of Fear Itself #1.

A lot happens in this issue, but Kieron Gillen never lets it feel rushed or cramped. It clearly states its direction as a book and why it needs to be around. Young Loki is very interesting, and it's awesome to see him be the younger brother to Thor. It's fun to see Thor be in an almost paternal situation. The Norse language works great, especially in the long story at the beginning. The story feels like a natural continuation of Gillen's tenure before Fraction came on.

Doug Braithwaithe does a great job this month. He occasionally did issues during Gillen's run, and it looks like he picked up where he left off. The coloring by Arreola helps his character look big and god-like.

Journey Into Mystery #622 gets 5/5

S.H.I.E.L.D. Infinity: This anthology issue delves deeper into the history of S.H.I.E.L.D. and it's members. While a great issue, it doesn't answer any questions and just brings up more.

I'm not going to give a plot summary, as it really needs to be read. Giving a summary won't do the stories justice. Johnathan Hickman sets up a lot here, and I'm sure the payoff will come in volume two in June. But as a reader from day one of this series, I'm kinda getting itchy for at least ONE answer. It's starting to develop the problem LOST did, in that it never answered crap. Yeah, a convoluted history can be fun for speculation, but after a while it just gets really annoying. It isn't to the annoying part yet, but it very well could in volume two.

The art is good for the most part. Occasionally the artist try to channel Alex Maleev to much and it doesn't look as good. For a $4.99 book, I was hoping we would see regular artist Dustin Weaver, but nope.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Infinity gets 4/5

Steve Rogers: Super Soldier Annual #1: Funny how this is an annual for a mini-series. That's new.

Steve Rogers goes into the Negative Zone to face Blastaar and hopefully get Cyclops and Hope back. As you can guess, this doesn't go so well and Steve has to resort to violence. Meanwhile, Namor is going berserk because he can't find water, and Nemesis is trying to find a way back to the real world.

The books has a very Silver Age feel to it, and it's great. It doesn't take itself to seriously and has fun with what is going on. It's nice to see the X-Men cracking jokes. It is also very nice to see Steve Rogers being something other than 100% serious. James Asmus makes the most out of the X-Men as a team and every seems to get some attention.

While I do miss Nicolas Bradshaw on art from last months Uncanny X-Men Annual #3, Ibraim Roberson does a fantastic job on art. The characters can look a little extreme (look at Steve Rogers abs), but look great for the most part. The one thing I'm not a fan (and this isn't a fault of Roberson in this issue, it's for pencilers in general) is making Hope stand in normally sexual positions. She is a teenager after all. This doesn't pop up much in books, but it happens once this month. Thankfully she isn't taken to the extreme with massive boobs.

Steve Rogers: Super Soldier Annual #1 gets 4/5

Thor #621: The final issue of Thor is here, and while a great issue, it doesn't live up to the past six issues.

While the World Eaters try to stop Thor, hell on Earth is coming in Broxton. Thor thankfully stops them though, by sending them to the empty spot where Asgard formally was in the Nine Realms. Thor mourns the loss of Tyr and Balder, while Kelda hears some voices who say she can get Bill back from the dead.

Quick note: I reread all the issues of this arc before reading #621, as the plot is kind of heavy, and I wanted to give you guys the best review possible. Saying that, the plot feels kind of like a cop out. Yes, it does make sense, but it doesn't have the impact that the ending to this arc needed. Fraction is a stellar writer, so not all his arcs can be 100% amazing. This one is just 99% amazing.

Pasqual Ferry makes the world of Thor look beautiful. It just saddens me to see that Salvador Larroca had to fill in as artist this month. It's painfully obvious when Larroca fills in. Not to say that he doesn't do a good job on this issue, but their styles don't mesh well together. It seems like Larroca trys to copy Ferry in some points, and while commendable, it doesn't come out well.

Thor #621 gets 3.5/5

Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates #3: Well, we finally have it. The reason that the Death of Spider-Man banner is appearing on the top of these issues. And it's forced like a mother fucker.

This month's issue goes back to the Ultimates side and what they know about Fury. It's getting more obvious that Carol Danvers is the real culprit here, but S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't know that yet. Captain Britain (I thought Captain Britain was dead in the Ultimate Universe?) is in Iran trying to calm down the locals after the Triskilion was moved. Fury appears next to Danvers and a massive brawl ensues. Fury successfully kidnaps Danvers and his Avengers help him along the way. War Machine, Hawkeye, Blade, and the Punisher are on his team this time. The fight ends up on the Brooklyn Bridge, with the Punisher aiming a sniper rifle at Captain America as Cap stands over Nick Fury's body. The Punisher shoots....and read the damn book to find out.

The ending is forced like hell. There isn't a reason that this book needed to tie into the Death of Spider-Man. That should have been left to Bendis. This issue isn't bad though. It's has a lot of fun and reads like a big action movie. Mark Millar subtly hints that Danvers is the real culprit, and it's nice for the book to not shove the answer down our throats. Continuity wise though, I have a question. Who is that girl in the beginning with Thor? I thought he was dating Valkyrie. Or did something happen in Ultimate Comics New Ultimates that I don't know about because I didn't waste my money on any issue besides #1.

The art is a tad lacking this month. Leinil Yu did the breakdowns while Stephen Segovia finished them off. Their styles are very very similar, so this doesn't matter to much. But a lot of the characters have a weird shininess to them that they didn't have in past issues.

Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates #3 gets 4/5.

Uncanny X-Men #535: It's time for Kieron Gillen to take over Uncanny X-Men as the only writer. And wow, what a debut.

It's time for the X-Men to head back to the Breakworld. S.W.O.R.D. needs help trying to keep their battle cruiser from coming to Earth. And since the X-Men have had the most contact with them, Agent Brand decides to place a call to them.

This feels like Kieron Gillen just started writing S.W.O.R.D. again. And I love that. The book also picks up on a lot of threads that Joss Whedon used when he was on Astonishing X-Men. Gillen has a lot of players in this book, but they all get enough time and not have them be there for a plot device. As I said in my review of Steve Rogers: Super Soldier Annual #1, it's nice to have the X-Men be funny occasionally. And Gillen does that with great success here. The big fight with the shrimp robot (yeah, I said shrimp robot) is hilarious and is a nice moment for Kitty and Colossus.

The Dodson's bring their A-game this month. The characters don't have that weird shininess that they have had in recent issues of Uncanny X-Men. Terry Dodson also doesn't go overboard with giving every woman double D's this month, as he has done in the past with books. It's issues like this that make me want to have the Dodson's on art every month.

Uncanny X-Men #535 gets 5/5

And that's it for the week folks! This coming week is a small week, but looks to be good

Mr. Comic Book, After School

Monday, May 2, 2011

Comic Books Board

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Boston Comic Con 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

TV Shows in Comics

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Reviews for Journey Into Mystery #622, Hawkeye: Blind Spot #3 and more

Monday, April 11, 2011

All My Columns

Friday, April 8, 2011

New column is up

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