Quick Comic Book Reviews - Nov 2nd, 2010

A pretty darned good crop from last week and there was more goodness out there as well that I didn't review at all.  Sad, but there's just so much good stuff going on out there.  Just gotta taste it all!   But here's a good selection for you to check out!

Teen Titans #88 - Written by J.T. Krul and Penciled by Nicola Scott.  This issue was promised as a bit of a refresh on the Teen Titans that have suffered much neglect and inconsistent writing, mixed with storylines that they never did anything with.  Krul mixes a story together and gives the characters a driving focus in this issue.  We actually see some team dynamics form for a change and it seems to work very well.  What worked for me in particular?  Well, the interaction with Wonder Girl and Superboy was great and had some excellent moments.  Bart or Kid Flash being written just like he should be, some really great stuff with him.  Feels like how Peter David would have liked him being written.  Even Ravager has some really strong moments in here.  Despite all of this character development we see, what Krul does best is balance in action and an underlying story through it all.  So instead of making it just a character driven issue, we also have some bad stuff going on in the background that in the upcoming issues the characters will try to solve.  The artwork is pretty decent.  I really liked it and I thought it really brought out the characters well.  I particularly like how Nicola draws Kid Flash and Ravager.  Ravager, drawn in the wrong hands, looks very boring.  Not so this issue.  I enjoyed this issue a lot and I definitely recommend you checking it out this week!

Thunderbolts #149 - Written by Jeff Parker and Art by Declan Shalvey.  The Thunderbolts disobey the direct orders of Songbird as she takes Fixer to the hospital.  They view it as a chance to prove themselves so the whole operation doesn't go belly up.  So off they go to find the Undead Hand horde of ninjas.  In this issue we learn a few VERY interesting things about Crossbones, one of which will forever change the character.  Another thing with Crossbones is the "oh no, he didn't just do that, did he?" moment we won't soon forget.  Also worth looking out for is Man-Thing being absolutely sliced and diced into a sad salad.  So there are plenty of excellent moments in this issue.  To categorize it as awesome would be an understatement.  Parker definitely has the pulse of this new team, he's got some great humor and plenty of huge moments that make this an issue that you can't afford to miss.  Plus Declan's art is very well done in here and seems to fit the whole Shadowland storyline very well.  So just in case you missed it, BUY THIS ISSUE!  It is just that amazing and awesome that if you don't, well, that will make you a sad panda.  Bet on it!

Time Masters: Vanishing Point #4 - Written and Layouts by Dan Jurgens and Art by Norm Rapmund.  Why does this series get a bad rap?  I'm just not understanding what people don't like about it.  Sure, they're supposed to be looking for Batman, but that ISN'T what the story is really about.  I don't think that people get what this is all about and I think the story is at the point that they may just finally get it.  Anyway, this issue is about fighting some evil sorcerer who wants to manipulate the time stream and use it for his own good.  More importantly, the gathering of evil with Black Beetle at the Vanishing Point is building as he manipulates the last two of the Linear Men.  So a grand plot is unfolding there as well.  I like that we get a bit more of Supernova, as I think his character still has a lot of life if DC chooses to utilize it.  I like getting the bits and pieces of Rip Hunter's background as well.  I think that is some of the best parts.  What I didn't like it Hal Jordan once again ripping unnecessarily on Booster.  Yes Dan, we know the image that Booster Gold has conveyed, but let's not make it this over the top anymore.  We get it!  But besides that, a pretty solid issue and some great art.  I love issues that Jurgens does any layout or art for.  But is this a must buy?  Not at all, merely a borderline issue that is not nearly as bad a series as people will make it out to be.  You can skip it and not miss a beat, but there's still a good comic underneath it all.

Zatanna #6 - Written by Paul Dini and Art by Jesus Saiz.  Zatanna is about to get married?  Well, not really, but mind control is a hell of a thing.  So it's up to Zach to come running to the rescue?  Yup.  So we have a face-off with a really angry demon in this issue.  But it's all good fun and the final solution will make you think a couple of times about it and the implication thereof.  I like how they really play on Zach's jealousy, but more importantly, his need for approval from Zatanna.  They've fleshed out his character a bit and really made Zatanna interesting relevant.  I actually look forward to reading each issue as I know there will be plenty of clever moments and a truly fun story involved.  So far, Paul Dini has not let me down at all.  And boy, does Jesus Saiz draw a truly grotesque demon of greed.  There were a few off spots, but there were a few panels I mistook Benjamin Raymod for Zach.  But overall he does a good job of storytelling with his art.  Maybe I'll blame it on my bad eye for details some days.  Yep, I'll just blame it on that.  So do you need to buy this issue?  Well, I really like it every month.  But is that enough for you?  On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this as a 7.5, very enjoyable and you might enjoy this title, but it isn't an absolute must.

Fantastic Four #584 - Written by Jonathan Hickman and Art by Steve Epting.  So we're selling simply off the fact that a member of the Fantastic Four is about to die.  I'm just not buying it though.  It's going to be one of the Reed Richards from an alternate timeline or something like that dying.  Blech.  Anyway, this issue focuses on the Thing.  Ben can take a special formula that he can take once per year to spend a week as a normal human again.  So Ben tries it out and we get a somewhat heartwarming, but ultimately fun, issue.  We get to see Ben go out and do things he normally doesn't get to do.  So while that was fun, I'm wondering what the hell any of this has to do with last issue.  Or even the issue before that.  The problem seems to be that Jonathan Hickman only exists to confuse the hell out of us!  Seriously, I don't know what the hell if going on half the time.  I hate all the alternate timeline Reed Richards crap that's been going on.  Now there's an alternate timeline/dimension Galactus?  And our Galactus is mad that he's dead?  I'm sorry, not OUR Galactus, I mean he's really everybody's Galactus.  But seriously, how does any of this make sense?  Hickman, you confound me!  This is a pretty good issue overall, but only if you view it as a one-shot because this series has made sense in ages.  Hickman is wildly inconsistent with what he's doing and there are some more gaps in logic in this issue as well.  Just a borderline issue with some good Ben Grimm stuff if that might interest you any.

The Incredible Hulks #615 - Written by Greg Pak and Penciled by Barry Kitson.  This issue is basically the prep and invasion of planet K'ai.  So we see them prepared and they get ready to fight and then start fighting.  That's the issue in a nutshell.  However, it is pretty well told and the interaction of the characters is decent enough.  Kitson's art is very well done.  So this was just a solid issue as far as the Dark Son storyline goes.  I'm still not totally pulled into this storyline, but hey, I really love A-Bomb as a superhero.  He's just happy when he gets something right, it's just fun to see him.  Nothing too spectacular here, just ok to decent.  Then we get a back-up feature that focuses on Red She-Hulk and the Punisher.  Written by Ben McCool and Penciled by Tom Raney.  This just tries to give us a glimpse into Betty's personality and motivation now that she's the Red She-Hulk.  We get to see how she's viewed by the Punisher and they use him as kind of a way for us to see how much she's changed.  Not a big fan of the artwork and the story was just mediocre.  We know that Bruce isn't going to give up on her, but really, they're wasting paper on this story when we could have just had more of the Dark Son story instead.  So an average issue, nothing terrible, but nothing great.

Quick Comic Book Reviews - Nov 2nd, 2010

Quick Comic Book Reviews–August 19th, 2010

Huge set of reviews here folks!  I’ve got plenty more stuff I’m reading, but boy, having a third kid under the age of 4 really takes away most of your time.  I’m struggling to read all this stuff, let alone write about it.  Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Batman #703 – Written by Fabian Nicieza and Artwork by Cliff Richards.  A Fabian Nicieza issue of Batman! Boy, does that have me stoked, but Fabian has always been one of my favorite writers.  He doesn’t do anything that takes your breath away, but just tells good, solid, interesting stories.  This is the story of Batman losing track of a new Getaway Genius and trying to track this one down.  Of course, Batman doesn’t know it isn’t the original (or does he?) and trying to figure out how to do so.  Well, it also appears that Vicki Vale is getting inside info on where the Genius will strike next.  So Dick Grayson confronts her about the Batman insinuations she has been making recently, trying to expose who Batman and Robin really are.  So there’s some build-up for another big plot down the road.  This is one of those self-contained issues where you read the whole story and you’re pretty much done.  But it’s a really fun story and these are the kind of stories I really enjoy as well.  The artwork doesn’t do much for me.  The facials are pretty good, but Cliff Richards’ style just leaves me cold.  But the story made up for it and the art wasn’t terrible, just not my cup of tea.  This is worth picking up if you’re looking for a comic that you can pick-up and read just to test it out this month.

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #2 of 4 – Written by Allan Heinberg and Penciled by Jim Cheung.  The supposed spiritual heirs of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are a part of the Young Avengers.  Wiccan and Speed.  They are on a quest to try and find the Scarlet Witch to help Wiccan maintain control of his powers.  However, Magneto also has the same idea.  In this issue, we have a run-in with the New Avengers who believe Magneto is up to no good.  Throw in a guest appearance of Quicksilver and this issue is really pretty interesting.  I managed to completely miss the first issue and I’m kind of sorry I did.  I really like Jim Cheung’s artwork and the big Avengers fight scene is great.  So the art really adds to this issue.  I think, overall, this is an outstanding issue with a purpose.  I’m actually very interested to see what happens next.  This could be a great mini-series!  Check it out!

The Amazing Spider-Man #641 – Written by Joe Quesada and art by Paolo Rivera and also Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, and Richard Isanove.  So we reach the final installment of “One Moment In Time” storyline.  We see what finally happened to drive the relationship apart in this alternate reality.  Well, let me just say this.  This is the most piss poor excuse for a Spider-Man story ever.  Joe hinted that it was a story to bring Mary Jane and Peter back together, but instead, it’s to drive the final wedge into their relationship so that it’s finally over and he can probably get rid of MJ.  The only good thing from this run is that Paolo Rivera is a pretty decent artist.  Quesada’s artwork has been terrible and he’s really just become a hack.  I’m so glad he’s done with the series now so that we can get back to some real stories.  I was excited about this story at first, but man, he took it in a different direction than anyone expected and gave us a very forgettable story.  It wasn’t interesting at all.  The drama was pretty non-existent.  I guess when you’re the Editor in Chief you can push crap out the door and people will tell you it is good.  Hear that Didio and your terrible Outsiders issues?  But anyway, don’t pick this up, don’t waste your time, Quesada shows that he doesn’t connect with the Spider-Man audience.

Batman and Robin #14 – Written by Grant Morrison and Artwork by Frazier Irving.  This is part two of “Batman and Robin Must Die!” and as bizarre and macabre as it is, a wild and fascinating romp.  Robin attempts to take out the Joker, but alas, it was a set-up by the Joker the whole time.  Commissioner Gordon is kidnapped by Pyg’s piglike perps of putridness.  I don’t want to give too much away, but darn is it a wild one folks.  The story flows very fast and reaches a heart pounding pace as the good guys try to outwit the bad guys who are all but stepping on each other.  The artwork in this issue grew on me a bit.  Once again, not a style I liked, but it does portray the rather nightmarish images in a realistic sort of way.  At times, it’s like an insane hallucination frame-by-frame.  As much as I didn’t like it last issue, to me, with Grant Morrison’s crazy writing style, yeah, the art fits.  I’m not crazy about it, but it has a noir feel which I think is really some of the stylization that we’re going for here.  Overall, this issue a roaring romp of a good time, so pick it up!

Secret Six #25 – Written by Gail Simone and Art by J. Calafiore.  So we throw out the storyline from the last issue because apparently it was just a weird thing they decided to do.  So we have our two Secret Six teams out there on their own missions and their paths are about to cross.  Bane and Jeanette are leading up a team that now includes King Shark, Giganta, Lady Vic and Dwarfstar.  Catman’s team consists of Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, Deadshot and Black Alice.  What’s this?  You didn’t know there were two teams either?  Well join the club, because apparently they don’t like each other.  I guess there was something that went on awhile back that happened but it didn’t, but now it did, or… ok… this issue has some great moments, but it is a giant WTF moment.  I have no idea what missions these teams are on, why they’re on them or anything.  I’m completely lost for a second issue in a row.  At least the previous issue some things made sense if we’re just playing pretend in that one.  This however… just ugh!  I love Calafiore’s artwork and he has some key facial expressions that he hits dead on in here.  It is as twisted as always, but also a chaotic mess that leaves you tapping out waiting for some sort of logical explanation.  Poor storytelling and mass confusion makes this a must miss.

Shadowland #3 – Written by Andy Diggle and Pencils by Billy Tan.  The third issue of the soon to be epic.  We get a better glimpse at what Daredevil is truly becoming in this issue as we see things spiraling out of control.  The heroes are turned back and have to make decisions on what to do.  The Punisher returns in his normal form again and Ghost Rider is fully back in business.  The return of the Punisher to his normal form isn’t even recognized or mentioned by the other heroes.  Not even a “I thought you were dead!”  Nope, just, “hey Pun, how you doing.  Shoot anyone lately?”  Tarantula shows deepening concern for affairs here.  Moon Knight is taking on a more active role.  There’s some good spots, but I just don’t get the Punisher part.  Maybe they’ll retcon his death.  This IS Marvel after all and they can do that.  The artwork is pretty decent and is really matching moodiness, but it was a tad brighter overall this issue.  Another really solid issue with one huge gap in logic, but still a good series to read as Matt Murdock’s decent into madness continues.

Batgirl #14 – Written by Bryan Q. Miller and Penciled by Lee Garbett.  In this issue, Supergirl drops in for a guest appearance and wants to hang with our Batgirl, Stephanie Brown, for a day of fun.  What starts as a day of fun quickly goes awry due to a messed up science experiment (do science experiments ever go right in comics?) and we have carnage on our hands.  The experiment manages to create 24 vampires that the girls have to kill.  It’s a crazy and fun romp with some witty zingers and just hilarious dialogue.  Whoever Bryan Q. Miller is, he does some darned good work.  Yeah, the story itself is kind of weak, but it’s made up for by the characters cutting loose and having fun.  It doesn’t take itself seriously, so that helps.  I’ve liked this Batgirl the best so far, plus her costume is probably the best designed one I’ve seen.  Overall, she’s been a great character and her series has been pretty decent.  The artwork by Garbett is great.  He even captures great eye-rolling moments, and captures a great image of a vampire riding a Segue scooter that made me about die laughing.  Awesome job, pick up this campy but fun issue of Batgirl and have some great laughs.

Teen Titans #86 – Written by Felicia D. Henderson and Penciled by Jose Luis.  Well, we continue from last issue and the Wyld creature or whatever it is.  It possesses Miss Martian and is attempting to kill off Raven.  So we see the whole Titans team trying to take care of business and rescue her.  I’m not exactly sure what all is going on in this issue, but it has some moments.  Garth’s overzealousness to rescue Raven shines through as we know about his feelings for her.  Wonder Girl and Superboy continue their romance (yawn already) and the only character that I really like, Kid Flash has like one line I think.  But anyway, this story does show that this comic can and may be turning around.  We then have the Coven of Three back-up feature.  Written by Rex Ogle and Art by Ted Naifeh.  I’m not big on this whole Coven of Three, but I was a tad surprised with this one.  Enchantress isn’t quite like I remember her either, but that’s ok.  So our heroes (?) are trying to find their three avatars to supposedly fend off impending doom.  So the search begins to find them, but just when everything looks good, things go awry.  But it has an interesting surprise at the end that got a chuckle out of me.  A mostly “meh” issue, but nothing deplorable, just slightly below average, certainly not worth rushing out to get.

Daredevil #510 – Written by Andy Diggle and Anthony Johnston and Art by Marco Checchetto.  Foggy Nelson and Dakota North try to play it safe and fail miserably.  Meanwhile the city is going crazy and insane things are happening.  Tarantula falls even further from grace and questions the unhinged and possessed Murdock.  The artwork here is fantastic and really captures the essence of everything going on.  It’s kept dark enough, but it isn’t quite the sketchy art in the last few issues and that’s ok, because this works.  I love this story as Daredevil is one bad brother who is hell-bent on his style of justice and nothing else will do.  However, I just feel like we all know how this one ends.  He’ll be exorcised and then run off for a year or something because he feels bad for all that he’s done, yadda yadda.  But they could surprise me and Diggle would be just the kind of guy who would throw you a curveball and set you down swinging.  But this issue is excellent.  One of the best issues yet!  If you haven’t been reading the Shadowland stuff, this is the issue to buy and buy now!

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Quick Comic Book Reviews–August 19th, 2010