A few weeks ago an original piece of Frank Miller art from The Dark Knight Returns sold for $448,125. That's a LOT of money for some comic book art. In my opinion, a lot for some shitty comic book art from a shitty story.
-Gint
May 31, 2011
5-11-11 A Pittance for Justice
A few weeks ago an original piece of Frank Miller art from The Dark Knight Returns sold for $448,125. That's a LOT of money for some comic book art. In my opinion, a lot for some shitty comic book art from a shitty story.
May 29, 2011
Gint's Pull-List Review 5-25-11
Welcome to what I affectionately refer to as Green Week. Parts 7, 8 & 9 of War of the Green Lanterns were all released this week, and they take the top three spots in our Pull-List Review.
Deservedly in Fifth Place:
Green Arrow #12
I liked J.T. Krul's work on the Blacket Night: Titans miniseries. Getting Geoff Johns' approval didn't hurt either so I checked out his Green Arrow series on that merit. It was OK.
The last three issues dragged as Brightest Day wound down. Ultimately having to adhere to the Brightest Day schedule may have hurt how Krul would have wanted this arc to go. Now that its over I expect the next arc to really show me something cool. If not, I may have to drop this book all together.
Green Arrow #12 was nothing but an epilogue to Brightest Day. If you already read Brightest Day's finale, this issue becomes somewhat extraneous.
Here's on to bigger and better things next arc... providing all the Flashpoint mystery doesn't kill off Oliver Queen or his book before then.
I liked J.T. Krul's work on the Blacket Night: Titans miniseries. Getting Geoff Johns' approval didn't hurt either so I checked out his Green Arrow series on that merit. It was OK.
The last three issues dragged as Brightest Day wound down. Ultimately having to adhere to the Brightest Day schedule may have hurt how Krul would have wanted this arc to go. Now that its over I expect the next arc to really show me something cool. If not, I may have to drop this book all together.
Green Arrow #12 was nothing but an epilogue to Brightest Day. If you already read Brightest Day's finale, this issue becomes somewhat extraneous.
Here's on to bigger and better things next arc... providing all the Flashpoint mystery doesn't kill off Oliver Queen or his book before then.
Our Fourth Place Finisher:
Action Comics #901
I've said in this space before that I think Doomsday is dumb. Four Doomsdays are just dumb, four times. So that certainly hasn't been the draw to this issue. What IS is the art of Kenneth Rocafort.
The first time I saw Kenneth Rocafort's art was in Paul Dini's Madame Mirage. And I thought it was amazing. At the time I thought it was some damn fine artwork and that DC needed to get this guy doing some of the world's most famous superheroes. Now I got my wish and I don't seem to like it as much as I remember.
Though I'm not sure that's all Rocafort's fault. I believe its the characters' fault. Doomsday is not an investing character. Just because he killed Superman doesn't mean he's a good character and not just a gimmick.
Paul Cornell's initial run on Action Comics was OK. It wasn't outstanding, but it wasn't terrible either. One issue in to the Reign of the Doomsdays arc looks like we're going to be reading another middle-of-the-road story. But its early, so perhaps I should hold my judgement.
I've said in this space before that I think Doomsday is dumb. Four Doomsdays are just dumb, four times. So that certainly hasn't been the draw to this issue. What IS is the art of Kenneth Rocafort.
The first time I saw Kenneth Rocafort's art was in Paul Dini's Madame Mirage. And I thought it was amazing. At the time I thought it was some damn fine artwork and that DC needed to get this guy doing some of the world's most famous superheroes. Now I got my wish and I don't seem to like it as much as I remember.
Though I'm not sure that's all Rocafort's fault. I believe its the characters' fault. Doomsday is not an investing character. Just because he killed Superman doesn't mean he's a good character and not just a gimmick.
Paul Cornell's initial run on Action Comics was OK. It wasn't outstanding, but it wasn't terrible either. One issue in to the Reign of the Doomsdays arc looks like we're going to be reading another middle-of-the-road story. But its early, so perhaps I should hold my judgement.
An underwhelming Third Place Finish:
Green Lantern Corps #60
I'm beginning to believe that I'm just not going to care about this book like I used to. Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham just aren't getting it done for me. Perhaps Kyle Rayner and John Stewart just aren't interesting characters? I'd believe that if I hadn't loved them when they were written elsewhere. There's something in the creation of this book that keeps falling flat.
You'd think with such a big plot point of War of the Green Lanterns happening in this book that it would be a groundbreaking issue. But its not. SPOILER ALERT: John blows up Mogo. Mogo didn't need to be killed. True, they were in some dire straights, but like Kyle Rayner thought, there could have been another way around it. It felt like this was a contrived way to have John Stewart be responsible for destroying another planet. It could have been more interesting if Kyle or another Lantern had to pull the trigger.
As for the art of Tyler Kirkham, I guess its good, but its not my style. Its too 90s. Kirkham's artwork really took a hit this week as it was sandwiched between issues by Doug Mahnke and Fernando Pasarin. Both of whom (along with their respective colorists and inkers) knocked their books out of the park. Directly compared one after the other with the other two GL books released this week and Kirkham has some things to learn about drawing the world of the Green Lanterns.
So, bottom line? This book is missing the heart of the other two titles that Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi are so good at capturing.
I'm beginning to believe that I'm just not going to care about this book like I used to. Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham just aren't getting it done for me. Perhaps Kyle Rayner and John Stewart just aren't interesting characters? I'd believe that if I hadn't loved them when they were written elsewhere. There's something in the creation of this book that keeps falling flat.
You'd think with such a big plot point of War of the Green Lanterns happening in this book that it would be a groundbreaking issue. But its not. SPOILER ALERT: John blows up Mogo. Mogo didn't need to be killed. True, they were in some dire straights, but like Kyle Rayner thought, there could have been another way around it. It felt like this was a contrived way to have John Stewart be responsible for destroying another planet. It could have been more interesting if Kyle or another Lantern had to pull the trigger.
As for the art of Tyler Kirkham, I guess its good, but its not my style. Its too 90s. Kirkham's artwork really took a hit this week as it was sandwiched between issues by Doug Mahnke and Fernando Pasarin. Both of whom (along with their respective colorists and inkers) knocked their books out of the park. Directly compared one after the other with the other two GL books released this week and Kirkham has some things to learn about drawing the world of the Green Lanterns.
So, bottom line? This book is missing the heart of the other two titles that Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi are so good at capturing.
An intriguing Second Place Finish:
Green Lantern #66
This week Geoff Johns takes a backseat to his partner in crime Pete Tomasi. But we'll get to that next.
As far as Green Lantern #66 is concerned, it doesn't advance the plot very far, but it does give some clues to other things happening in the GLU. For instance, Sinestro really misses being a Green Lantern. There is much more than meets the eye concerning the Indigo Tribe and Abin Sur, and the other New Guardians are alive and kicking the Book of the Black. No sexy Lyssa Drak appearance this issue though.
Doug Mahnke and the art team really give Fernando Pasarin and his team a run for their money. The Panel of the Week decision is going to be a tough one. What's missing from Mahnke's art this week are backgrounds. Most of the action takes place in a darkened corner of Oa with a lot of close fight scenes, so there isn't a huge need for one. But like Kirkham's art in the previous review, Pasarin's art was so good this week, it even made the stellar Mahnke's work take a step back.
This week Geoff Johns takes a backseat to his partner in crime Pete Tomasi. But we'll get to that next.
As far as Green Lantern #66 is concerned, it doesn't advance the plot very far, but it does give some clues to other things happening in the GLU. For instance, Sinestro really misses being a Green Lantern. There is much more than meets the eye concerning the Indigo Tribe and Abin Sur, and the other New Guardians are alive and kicking the Book of the Black. No sexy Lyssa Drak appearance this issue though.
Doug Mahnke and the art team really give Fernando Pasarin and his team a run for their money. The Panel of the Week decision is going to be a tough one. What's missing from Mahnke's art this week are backgrounds. Most of the action takes place in a darkened corner of Oa with a lot of close fight scenes, so there isn't a huge need for one. But like Kirkham's art in the previous review, Pasarin's art was so good this week, it even made the stellar Mahnke's work take a step back.
Hands-Down in First Place:
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10
I want to relate this issue to the way the Original Star Wars Trilogy makes me and most of my generation feel. There's a certain heart and warmth to it. Its hard to explain, but the Star Wars prequels never had it. There's an intangibility the original movies have that makes you feel good. Those movies are "just right." The prequel lovers will tell you, "you just feel that way because of the sentimentality of your youth connected to those movies." Well, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10 wasn't around when I was growing up and it made me feel the same way the Original Trilogy does: good. I can't explain it any better than being able to sit back when its over, completely satisfied, and say, "that was good." The Original Trilogy and this issue of Emerald Warriors has it. The Prequels never will, but that's for another blog.
Lets start with Fernando Pasarin and the entire art team that drew the living fuck out of this book. Every page, panel, ink and color is spot on. And believe me I was looking. This issue is a perfect example of what a comic book should look like.
Peter Tomasi knows these characters. He and Geoff Johns seemingly share a brain when it comes to working in the Green Lantern Universe. Not only does he understand the characters, but he understands the tone. He knows when things should get serious and how serious. He also knows when we need a little comedy and brevity. War of the Green Lanterns is a damn fine Green Lantern story. Its shaping up to be Sinestro War caliber.
I want to relate this issue to the way the Original Star Wars Trilogy makes me and most of my generation feel. There's a certain heart and warmth to it. Its hard to explain, but the Star Wars prequels never had it. There's an intangibility the original movies have that makes you feel good. Those movies are "just right." The prequel lovers will tell you, "you just feel that way because of the sentimentality of your youth connected to those movies." Well, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10 wasn't around when I was growing up and it made me feel the same way the Original Trilogy does: good. I can't explain it any better than being able to sit back when its over, completely satisfied, and say, "that was good." The Original Trilogy and this issue of Emerald Warriors has it. The Prequels never will, but that's for another blog.
Lets start with Fernando Pasarin and the entire art team that drew the living fuck out of this book. Every page, panel, ink and color is spot on. And believe me I was looking. This issue is a perfect example of what a comic book should look like.
Peter Tomasi knows these characters. He and Geoff Johns seemingly share a brain when it comes to working in the Green Lantern Universe. Not only does he understand the characters, but he understands the tone. He knows when things should get serious and how serious. He also knows when we need a little comedy and brevity. War of the Green Lanterns is a damn fine Green Lantern story. Its shaping up to be Sinestro War caliber.
Panel of the Week
This spread is a perfect example of how to draw a Green Lantern book. The scope, the cityscape, the background detail, the individual Green Lantern detail... damn. Tyler Kirkham, take notice.
-Gint
May 27, 2011
5-9-11 Sorry I Asked
C'mon. We've all had this conversation. I'd like to say, "oh, we were drunk," but I'm sure we've discussed this sober too.
-Gint
May 25, 2011
$oss' Pull List 05-25-11
Only got around to reading one title this week. I promise I’ll make it up to you guys next week.
Astonishing X-Men #38
If you are following both Uncanny X-Men and Astonishing X-Men you are in for a confusing read this week. With the exception of Storm, this team of X-Men is the exact same group featured in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. You mean to tell me that out of the hundreds of available X-Men this is the cast they settled on? Why are we recycling mutants? The plot of the story is very similar to Astonishing’s sister title as well. The team travels to a space station orbiting Earth to aid Agent Brand in confronting an alien species. Aren’t they all supposed to be in another space craft dealing with the Breakworlders? How Marvel’s editorial staff let two stories almost identical in plot and cast get to print is beyond me. This major flaw soured most of my reading experience to what could have been a decent book.
Despite the obvious flaws in plot Christos Gage does a good job with the overall story. There is a great moment between Kitty Pryde and Lockheed as they meet for the first time after the revelation years ago that Lockheed is a double agent working for S.W.O.R.D. as well as Kitty’s loving pet dragon.
I enjoyed Juan Bobillo’s manga influenced style, it was fun and carried lots of energy. Colorist Chris Sotomayor really shined in this issue. I can honestly say that it is the wonderful color work that made this weeks Panel of the Week stand out to me.
Astonishing X-Men #38 is an okay book that was ruined by awful editorial control. I hope this doesn’t effect my outlook on the next issue of Uncanny X-Men.
-$
Panel of the Week:
If you are following both Uncanny X-Men and Astonishing X-Men you are in for a confusing read this week. With the exception of Storm, this team of X-Men is the exact same group featured in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. You mean to tell me that out of the hundreds of available X-Men this is the cast they settled on? Why are we recycling mutants? The plot of the story is very similar to Astonishing’s sister title as well. The team travels to a space station orbiting Earth to aid Agent Brand in confronting an alien species. Aren’t they all supposed to be in another space craft dealing with the Breakworlders? How Marvel’s editorial staff let two stories almost identical in plot and cast get to print is beyond me. This major flaw soured most of my reading experience to what could have been a decent book.
Despite the obvious flaws in plot Christos Gage does a good job with the overall story. There is a great moment between Kitty Pryde and Lockheed as they meet for the first time after the revelation years ago that Lockheed is a double agent working for S.W.O.R.D. as well as Kitty’s loving pet dragon.
I enjoyed Juan Bobillo’s manga influenced style, it was fun and carried lots of energy. Colorist Chris Sotomayor really shined in this issue. I can honestly say that it is the wonderful color work that made this weeks Panel of the Week stand out to me.
Astonishing X-Men #38 is an okay book that was ruined by awful editorial control. I hope this doesn’t effect my outlook on the next issue of Uncanny X-Men.
-$
Panel of the Week:
May 24, 2011
5-3-11 Is It Supposed To Be A Comedy?
Much like He-Man's desire to penetrate Attak Traks, the actual nature and tone of Superman III wasn't brought to light until $oss and I were adults and decided to have a Supe-A-Thon. We sat down to watch all four Christopher Reeve Superman movies and were appalled to see the movie we thought was pretty good was actually a vehicle for the at-the-time popular Richard Pryor.
Superman III isn't without merit. Some of the Smallville stuff is very cool and crazy unshaven Superman is pretty creepy. But ultimately, this isn't Superman's movie.
-Gint
May 23, 2011
Gint's Pull-List Review 5-18-11
While I love the weeks that provide a handful of books to pour through over the weekends, there's something to be said for only spending $3.20 at the comic shop. So without further ado, I present the review for our only participant of this week's Pull-List...
Running away with 1st Place:
Supergirl #64
James Peaty and Bernard Chang wrap up the first post-Gates/Igle arc and it was good. It was missing some interaction of Kara in her normal (secret identity) life, but provided ground for continual team-ups with Robin (Damian), Blue Beetle and Miss Martian. We got a nice taste of what Peaty is capable of with these characters and I'd like to see him delve into it a little deeper.
Bernard Chang throws down some nice art. Chang is never outstanding, but he's always solid. To me that's a pretty good quality to have. And he draws girls pretty. You'll probably get my vote if you can draw girls pretty.
Peaty and Chang made a solid Supergirl story. I'm not sure who's lined up next for the book especially with all this post-Flashpoint nonsense looming, but if Peaty and Chang get more work on Supergirl, I'll be a happy camper.
To our Panel of the Week:
You may say, "But, Gint, there's nothing special about that panel," but I disagree. What struck me about this panel that made it worthy of being Panel of the Week wasn't just its lack of competition, but the way Bernard Chang drew Supergirl in the background. He was able to convey her center of gravity and balance in the air as well as her movement. You can almost see her subtle motion as she's floating there.
-Gint
May 19, 2011
4-26-11 An All-Seeing, Nutritious Breakfast
Trix Rabbit, Tony the Tiger, watch your backs. There's a new sheriff of breakfast cereal in town and its Dr. Steven Strange slinging spells and throwing down Agamott-O's, the all-seeing nutritional breakfast.
Why hasn't Marvel licensed this yet? For real!
-Gint
Soss' Pull List 05-11-11
While I’m aware that the comic and film X-Men: First Class are too totally different concepts the trailer for the upcoming movie sparked my interest to check out the comic of the same name. While the film deals with a mixed batch of heroes and villains from different eras of X-Men lore, the comic focuses on the authentic line up from the 1960s.
Written by Jeff Parker and pencilled by Roger Cruz, First Class is an enjoyable trip back to the good old days before the Shi’ar Empire, The Breakworld, and even (gasp) Wolverine. It’s Chuck Xavier teaching students, the foundation of what the X-Men are about.
While the story is a little lighthearted for my taste it has a certain charm about it. The cartoony pencils fit the tale of a living rosebush to a tee. If you are looking for blood, guts and adamantium, this may not be the book for you. However, if you are looking for a simple, fun story about teenagers with astonishing gifts, then give First Class a read.
Last months cliffhanger left readers reeling. How could Valeria Richards and Dr. Doom team up to destroy Mr. Fantastic? Of course the answer is more complex then the question. As various members of the FF travel to far off locations to recruit powerful members of the Marvel Universe you are left wondering, “Whatever happened to that whole 'kill Mr. Fantastic' thing from last month?" Not to worry. By the middle of the issue you are up to speed as per which version or versions of Reed Richards are the threat the Future Foundation intends to stop.
Overall a slow paced issue but the reveal of the army of Reed’s from multiple dimensions makes this issue worthwhile. FF continues to be a solid read each month.
Thor #600
-$
I was inspired by the wonderful Thor movie to give his comic book counterpart another try. While this is not a new release, this issue seemed like a good jumping on point for potential new fans.
The book opens to find a misplaced god stranded on Earth who claims to be the father of Odin. Confused and suffering from hallucinations that make everyone in site appear as demons, Bor lashes out in a destructive rampage thru New York. This of course draws the attention of Dr. Donald Blake and an all-out brawl ensues. This is all much to the delight of the new, female Loki who of course is behind these shenanigans.
Oliver Coipel’s art has never looked better. Coipel’s expert handling of Asgard as well as the landscapes of New York City really made this an extremely fun read. Marko Djurdjevic also makes a guest appearance here, illustrating Bor’s twisted view of the world. This is a nice touch to an already great artistic effort. J. Michael Straczynski must have used a little Asgardian magic of his own on me in the way he fully drew me into the universe of Thor.
Maybe it is my new found interest in this character, maybe it was the excellent work of Coipel and JMS or maybe it was both. Either way this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to catching up on this title.
May 18, 2011
The Next Generation
What we here at Mc$oss would like to share with you today is some art from a couple young, aspiring comic fans. Xander (8 years old) and Xion (5 years old) are the sons of a some friends of ours (Hello, Wayne and Mandi).
Knowing I'm a big comic nerd, Wayne sends me frequent pics via phone of Xander and Xion's work. A Spider-Man here, a Wolverine there. But this time I got a personal call from Xander asking if we could showcase his work on Mc$oss since it was his first foray into sequential storytelling.
Why this is important to $oss and I is that at least a couple times a year we read about how the comics industry is losing readers and the average age of fans is just getting older and eventually the medium will die out. So for us its nice to see a younger generation start to gain that interest at an early age. I'm pretty sure if you like superheroes when you're 8, you're going to find them again when you're 28 and up.
So without further ado, I present "Atchoo" by Xander Wilson and a Spider-Man pin-up by his younger brother Xion. Nice work, boys.
May 17, 2011
04-22-11 Can I See Your ID
The casting of Idris Elba as Heimdall in the new Thor feature flim sure lit the internet on fire! Opinions ranged from white supremacists urging moviegoers to boycot the film to fan boys just wanting the director to stick closer to the source material. All I could think of was all the trouble he is going to run into at the Airport and DMV.
-$
May 15, 2011
Gint's Pull-List Review 5-11-11
5-11-11 was a solid week for comic books. Every book would be graded a B at the worst.
With a solid fourth place effort:
Superman #711
Blech, blurch, huyaghhh. That's the sound of me vomiting at the cornball cheesiness of the last page of this issue. It's Superman telling Jimmy Olsen why America is so great and it give second changes to people like him, "and Livewire, too." Blach.
The previous 19 pages were actually pretty good. Chris Roberson took J. Michael Straczynski's outline and wrote a pretty cool Superman story. It wasn't the apex of what a Superman story can be, but it was fun. Eddie Barrows' art also seems to have found a nice groove compared to earlier issues in the Grounded arc which were baaaaad.
The only negative is that someone needs to update Jimmy Olsen. Its a small, but I can't handle him in sweaters and bowties anymore. Can someone at DC please update this character? Maybe I just don't like Jimmy Olsen.
Superman #711
Blech, blurch, huyaghhh. That's the sound of me vomiting at the cornball cheesiness of the last page of this issue. It's Superman telling Jimmy Olsen why America is so great and it give second changes to people like him, "and Livewire, too." Blach.
The previous 19 pages were actually pretty good. Chris Roberson took J. Michael Straczynski's outline and wrote a pretty cool Superman story. It wasn't the apex of what a Superman story can be, but it was fun. Eddie Barrows' art also seems to have found a nice groove compared to earlier issues in the Grounded arc which were baaaaad.
The only negative is that someone needs to update Jimmy Olsen. Its a small, but I can't handle him in sweaters and bowties anymore. Can someone at DC please update this character? Maybe I just don't like Jimmy Olsen.
Finishing third despite Scott Kolins' art:
The Flash #12
This issue raises the question, "Does Geoff Johns love the Flash universe too much or am I just not interested in those characters." There are times I see Sinestro or the Joker and I think, "man what a great character." But I see Reverse-Flash and I'm like, "meh." Maybe Flashpoint will change that.
This issue is the last issue that leads us right into Flashpoint. My favorite pages of this issue are pages 14 through 18... the pages Scott Kolins DIDN'T draw. Its such a breath of fresh air coming out of the messy, dark, weird-pupiled, pencil-shaded pages of Kolins and into the bright, clean, stylized art of Francis Manapul. Can somebody tell me why Manapul hasn't just finished up the Road to Flashpoint?
So, the story just sets up all the questions of Flashpoint: how'd Reverse-Flash change time, where'd Barry and Bart go, what's Reverse-Flash's ultimate goal and so on. Flashpoint has potential and I'm looking forward to digging into the first issue. Especially since I know I won't have to look at Scott Kolins' art while I'm reading it.
In the meantime, DC, PLEASE get Manapul on a regular book! This guy's pages are beautiful. Use him to take one of your books from good to exceptional.
This issue raises the question, "Does Geoff Johns love the Flash universe too much or am I just not interested in those characters." There are times I see Sinestro or the Joker and I think, "man what a great character." But I see Reverse-Flash and I'm like, "meh." Maybe Flashpoint will change that.
This issue is the last issue that leads us right into Flashpoint. My favorite pages of this issue are pages 14 through 18... the pages Scott Kolins DIDN'T draw. Its such a breath of fresh air coming out of the messy, dark, weird-pupiled, pencil-shaded pages of Kolins and into the bright, clean, stylized art of Francis Manapul. Can somebody tell me why Manapul hasn't just finished up the Road to Flashpoint?
So, the story just sets up all the questions of Flashpoint: how'd Reverse-Flash change time, where'd Barry and Bart go, what's Reverse-Flash's ultimate goal and so on. Flashpoint has potential and I'm looking forward to digging into the first issue. Especially since I know I won't have to look at Scott Kolins' art while I'm reading it.
In the meantime, DC, PLEASE get Manapul on a regular book! This guy's pages are beautiful. Use him to take one of your books from good to exceptional.
Finishing a REALLY close second (because saying 1a and 1b is a cop out):
Red Robin #23
There isn't much to say about this book other than its a really solid book. Fabian Nicieza has really planned out this book well. If it wasn't planned, he's done a great job making things up as he goes. He's planted a lot of characters and interweaving story beats in the beginning of his run that are still playing out. He's created a wide, rich world for Tim Drake that's able to exist on its own as well as inside the idea of Batman, Incorporated... whatever the hell that is.
Marcus To's art always looks very comfortable with itself. I never get the idea that he's working out of his range. He knows his style and uses it well.
Red Robin has to fall in with Secret Six and Doom Patrol as three books that are good examples of what a steady writer and creative team can accomplish on a book when given the freedom to really develop their own story.
There isn't much to say about this book other than its a really solid book. Fabian Nicieza has really planned out this book well. If it wasn't planned, he's done a great job making things up as he goes. He's planted a lot of characters and interweaving story beats in the beginning of his run that are still playing out. He's created a wide, rich world for Tim Drake that's able to exist on its own as well as inside the idea of Batman, Incorporated... whatever the hell that is.
Marcus To's art always looks very comfortable with itself. I never get the idea that he's working out of his range. He knows his style and uses it well.
Red Robin has to fall in with Secret Six and Doom Patrol as three books that are good examples of what a steady writer and creative team can accomplish on a book when given the freedom to really develop their own story.
And in first place:
Flashpoint #1
The big event's first issue kicks things off right. This was a good book. So was the twist at the end. Nice take on the mythos.
Dystopian futures are $oss' specialty. So my excitement for Flashpoint has been cautiously optimistic. Issue #1 really kicks things off in the right way. While I'm not particularly interested in any of the "heroes" Cyborg was trying to put together, I AM excited about our main 3 heroes (Flash, Batman & Cyborg). Its the right entrance point you need to become emotionally invested in this story. For maybe only the second time since his return, I feel for Barry Allen. Someone get this guy some help.
The art and colors were fantastic. Andy Kubert (my favorite of the Kuberts) and the art team didn't miss a beat. The splash pages are beautiful and the intimate panels were just as sharp.
Flashpoint will be offering a shit-ton of ancillary 3-part stories to augment the main title. You'll see a handful of them reviewed here when they're released, but I learned from Blackest Night that you don't need to pick up every issue. Some will be good, some will be bad. Here's hoping I picked the right ones.
Flashpoint #1
The big event's first issue kicks things off right. This was a good book. So was the twist at the end. Nice take on the mythos.
Dystopian futures are $oss' specialty. So my excitement for Flashpoint has been cautiously optimistic. Issue #1 really kicks things off in the right way. While I'm not particularly interested in any of the "heroes" Cyborg was trying to put together, I AM excited about our main 3 heroes (Flash, Batman & Cyborg). Its the right entrance point you need to become emotionally invested in this story. For maybe only the second time since his return, I feel for Barry Allen. Someone get this guy some help.
The art and colors were fantastic. Andy Kubert (my favorite of the Kuberts) and the art team didn't miss a beat. The splash pages are beautiful and the intimate panels were just as sharp.
Flashpoint will be offering a shit-ton of ancillary 3-part stories to augment the main title. You'll see a handful of them reviewed here when they're released, but I learned from Blackest Night that you don't need to pick up every issue. Some will be good, some will be bad. Here's hoping I picked the right ones.
And now to our Panel of the Week:
I've read a lot of Green Lantern comics in my day. I've seen alot of Abin Sur from a lot of different artists. What I wonder is if he looks this way because of Temuera Morrison's Abin Sur in the upcoming Green Lantern movie, or is this just the way Andy Kubert wanted to draw him? Or am I just a jaded comic fan that fears comics feel like they have to mold themselves around their big budget movies?
This is the kind of insane crap that keeps me up at night. Fuck.
-Gint
May 13, 2011
04-17-11 Over Saturation
To my delight AMC's The Walking Dead was a run away success. Robert Kirkman's tale of the zombie apocalypse has long been a favorite of mine and to see it brought to life (or un-life) was a big positive for the comic book community.
Unfortunately this led to an influx of writers scrambling to shoehorn some kind of zombie angle into their shows. For better or worse it appears that the undead will be wandering around prime time for the time being.
-$
May 11, 2011
$oss' Pull List 5-11-11
Last week was an excellent week in comics, this week...not so much. After reading Gint's reviews it seems like he didn't have much more luck with his pull list.
Fear Itself #2:
The slow build to the battle for Asgard is nothing if not...slow. This issue features various heroes and villains discovering the 7 magical hammers that fell to Earth thus transforming them into an army of evil gods. I'm assuming they are headed to Oklahoma to tear some shit up.
The art is great and the designs for the new characters are kind of cool but I honestly just don't care about this story. The entire issue was used as set up for the eventual big battle but without any explanation of what these evil gods hope to achieve I'm left dreading the thought of reading more of this book. Matt Fraction is a fine writer, but I'm lost with this title.
Moon Knight #1
Another year another attempt to feature Marvel's Batman in a ongoing title. Let me be clear, I'm a Moon Knight fan! I think the character serves a purpose in the grand scheme of things. It just seems that without an A-list creative team constantly on the book this character doesn't have enough in the tank to last for extended period of time. Marvel has once again given Marc Spector a fighting chance with Bendis and Maleev handling the creative duties this time out.
The story introduces us to Mr. Spector as a successful Hollywood producer and the Avenger charged with keeping all the villains on the West Coast on their best behavior. This brings up an interesting question, why are all the villains in the Marvel U based in New York? Don't they know that there are probably twenty heroes to each city block? Won't it be easier to rob banks in say, Sacramento?
It appears that someone got the message that California was there for the taking and rumors of a "Kingpin of the West Coast" beginning to surface. This is the perfect formula for Moon Knight and who better to execute this storyline then a team that made their bones on Daredevil. With an excited opening chapter this book looks to have a lot in store for the white knight, and I'll be along for the ride.
The Boys #54
Part 2 of Barbary Coast reveals the origins of the US government's involvement in forming the super group Payback and what lead to the creation of the HomeLander and The Seven. I like the premise but this issue is very wordy and doesn't further explore the actual missions Payback was involved in.
It appears that next issue we will get to see the first incarnation of The Boys and a young Mothers Milk and Butcher, so that is definitely something to look forward to.
The slow build to the battle for Asgard is nothing if not...slow. This issue features various heroes and villains discovering the 7 magical hammers that fell to Earth thus transforming them into an army of evil gods. I'm assuming they are headed to Oklahoma to tear some shit up.
The art is great and the designs for the new characters are kind of cool but I honestly just don't care about this story. The entire issue was used as set up for the eventual big battle but without any explanation of what these evil gods hope to achieve I'm left dreading the thought of reading more of this book. Matt Fraction is a fine writer, but I'm lost with this title.
Another year another attempt to feature Marvel's Batman in a ongoing title. Let me be clear, I'm a Moon Knight fan! I think the character serves a purpose in the grand scheme of things. It just seems that without an A-list creative team constantly on the book this character doesn't have enough in the tank to last for extended period of time. Marvel has once again given Marc Spector a fighting chance with Bendis and Maleev handling the creative duties this time out.
The story introduces us to Mr. Spector as a successful Hollywood producer and the Avenger charged with keeping all the villains on the West Coast on their best behavior. This brings up an interesting question, why are all the villains in the Marvel U based in New York? Don't they know that there are probably twenty heroes to each city block? Won't it be easier to rob banks in say, Sacramento?
It appears that someone got the message that California was there for the taking and rumors of a "Kingpin of the West Coast" beginning to surface. This is the perfect formula for Moon Knight and who better to execute this storyline then a team that made their bones on Daredevil. With an excited opening chapter this book looks to have a lot in store for the white knight, and I'll be along for the ride.
Part 2 of Barbary Coast reveals the origins of the US government's involvement in forming the super group Payback and what lead to the creation of the HomeLander and The Seven. I like the premise but this issue is very wordy and doesn't further explore the actual missions Payback was involved in.
It appears that next issue we will get to see the first incarnation of The Boys and a young Mothers Milk and Butcher, so that is definitely something to look forward to.
May 9, 2011
4-16-11 That's Not a Sword
Its not until you're an adult, or a reasonable facsimile of an adult that you gain a different perspective on your childhood cartoons/movies. For instance, in an episode of the 80s cartoon, He-Man was simply trying to pry open the roof of an Attak Trak. Watch that scene today and he's obviously trying to stick his wiener in it.
The cartoons/movies that we grew up with were littered with allusion to erect penises. He-Man, the Mad Attak Trak Fucker, would have made this strip had the Sword of Power made the trek from flaccid to erect like these three inappropriate examples.
May 8, 2011
Gint's Pull-List Review 5-4-11
If I were to sum up this week's take in a word, that word would be unsatisfying. Three of the four books left me wanting something more substantial. I guess you can't win them all in the weekly world of comics.
Landing hard in fifth place:
Green Lantern: Free Comic Book Day Issue
To say I'm thoroughly disappointed with DC's Free Comic Book Day submission would be the honest truth.
In Matt Idleson's introduction to the issue he says, "here's a sneak peek at the first part of Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis next blockbuster." What I saw in that issue wasn't a sneak peek at anything, but a reprint of an issue of Green Lantern: Secret Origin.
I was under the impression that Free Comic Book Day wasn't just to lure new fans to read new books, but to give us loyal fans a treat for being loyal fans.
Maybe I've been misinformed about Free Comic Book Day.
Green Lantern: Free Comic Book Day Issue
To say I'm thoroughly disappointed with DC's Free Comic Book Day submission would be the honest truth.
In Matt Idleson's introduction to the issue he says, "here's a sneak peek at the first part of Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis next blockbuster." What I saw in that issue wasn't a sneak peek at anything, but a reprint of an issue of Green Lantern: Secret Origin.
I was under the impression that Free Comic Book Day wasn't just to lure new fans to read new books, but to give us loyal fans a treat for being loyal fans.
Maybe I've been misinformed about Free Comic Book Day.
A surprising fourth place:
Superboy #7
I really wanted this book to finish higher. And it was a solid story, but the art was so horrendous, fourth is the best it can do.
One of my favorite things about comics is continuity. Continuity gets a bad wrap in most cases. Writers don't like it because they have to conform to it. New readers don't like it because there's too much to learn. But if you've been a loyal comic book reader for quite a while, and you've been paying attention, continuity is able to give you some worthwhile payback.
Example: Jeff Lemire's work in Superboy #7. Superboy has somehow been transported to an alternate timeline where he and Simon have killed all the heroes. We're in the dark as to how this happened until we see a familiar plant: the Black Mercy. The plant gets explained for any new readers, but us comic nerds don't need explaination.
This is how continuity pays off. At least for me. Knowing what a character has done before is one thing. But being able to recognize a plant and signs and sayings and all other small things that cross through a shared universe goes a long way to making it real.
Lemire does a great job using the Black Mercy to affect Superboy in a different way than most characters. Clever. And while I'm not sure Lemire's run on Superboy has been good enough to merit an Eisner nomination, this issue goes a long way to really kicking off a new story that pulls together everything Lemire has created so far.
The art was terrible though. Some panels are sketchy watercolors, some are inked, there are crazy panels all over the place. Its just not very good. Sorry Marco Rudy. Better luck next time, bud.
Superboy #7
I really wanted this book to finish higher. And it was a solid story, but the art was so horrendous, fourth is the best it can do.
One of my favorite things about comics is continuity. Continuity gets a bad wrap in most cases. Writers don't like it because they have to conform to it. New readers don't like it because there's too much to learn. But if you've been a loyal comic book reader for quite a while, and you've been paying attention, continuity is able to give you some worthwhile payback.
Example: Jeff Lemire's work in Superboy #7. Superboy has somehow been transported to an alternate timeline where he and Simon have killed all the heroes. We're in the dark as to how this happened until we see a familiar plant: the Black Mercy. The plant gets explained for any new readers, but us comic nerds don't need explaination.
This is how continuity pays off. At least for me. Knowing what a character has done before is one thing. But being able to recognize a plant and signs and sayings and all other small things that cross through a shared universe goes a long way to making it real.
Lemire does a great job using the Black Mercy to affect Superboy in a different way than most characters. Clever. And while I'm not sure Lemire's run on Superboy has been good enough to merit an Eisner nomination, this issue goes a long way to really kicking off a new story that pulls together everything Lemire has created so far.
The art was terrible though. Some panels are sketchy watercolors, some are inked, there are crazy panels all over the place. Its just not very good. Sorry Marco Rudy. Better luck next time, bud.
Ps - I thought the cover was pretty sweet. Karl Kerschl - two thumbs up.
Giving us a nice plot turn in third place:
Annihilators #3
Its been quite a while since I've seen a Skrull poking around comics books, but my lone Marvel representative in my pull-list delivers.
Annihilators #2 was disappointing. The direction the issue took felt like something that's been done before, and not at all like the solid storytelling Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning can bring. Issue #3 is a return to form. A twist here and a big idea there and Annihilators is back on solid ground.
Now, if only we can get some nod to when we're going to rescue Nova and Star Lord...
Rocket Raccoon & Groot
This is a cool little story. In the absence of Nova, Star Lord and the Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket and Groot are all we have keeping the light on. Abnett and Lanning don't need a hook or a gimmick, they just write good characters and in turn, good stories.
A couple random thoughts:
1. Even being a veteran of nerd-culture, I still had to read, "the Halfworld is, in reality, a Matrioshka Brain, a bio-organic ecosystem of world spheres that maximize the power output of the sun at its center," a couple times.
2. For a nano-second I found myself wondering who the Green Lantern of the Keystone Quadrant was before I reminded myself I was reading a Marvel book.
Annihilators #3
Its been quite a while since I've seen a Skrull poking around comics books, but my lone Marvel representative in my pull-list delivers.
Annihilators #2 was disappointing. The direction the issue took felt like something that's been done before, and not at all like the solid storytelling Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning can bring. Issue #3 is a return to form. A twist here and a big idea there and Annihilators is back on solid ground.
Now, if only we can get some nod to when we're going to rescue Nova and Star Lord...
Rocket Raccoon & Groot
This is a cool little story. In the absence of Nova, Star Lord and the Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket and Groot are all we have keeping the light on. Abnett and Lanning don't need a hook or a gimmick, they just write good characters and in turn, good stories.
A couple random thoughts:
1. Even being a veteran of nerd-culture, I still had to read, "the Halfworld is, in reality, a Matrioshka Brain, a bio-organic ecosystem of world spheres that maximize the power output of the sun at its center," a couple times.
2. For a nano-second I found myself wondering who the Green Lantern of the Keystone Quadrant was before I reminded myself I was reading a Marvel book.
Breaking the fourth wall and landing in second place:
Doom Patrol #22
Well... this one was entertaining. But somewhat open-ended. The in-story acknowledgement of the upcoming Flashpoint event and something called, "Didio," was funny in its own breaking-the-fourth-wall kind of way, but doesn't allude one way or the other to what's going to happen with this series post-Flashpoint. Being a huge fan of this book, I'm somewhat concerned.
MSE pulls out of Oolong Island without much fanfare. They just leave. And while it has a Doom Patrol quality to it, knowing that it happened because of Flashpoint takes away from the general wackiness that could have made it real Doom Patrol quality.
In the meantime, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that there's a Doom Patrol after Flashpoint. And its still Giffen and Co. And that it doesn't go in a totally different direction. C'mon, DC. Don't let me down.
Doom Patrol #22
Well... this one was entertaining. But somewhat open-ended. The in-story acknowledgement of the upcoming Flashpoint event and something called, "Didio," was funny in its own breaking-the-fourth-wall kind of way, but doesn't allude one way or the other to what's going to happen with this series post-Flashpoint. Being a huge fan of this book, I'm somewhat concerned.
MSE pulls out of Oolong Island without much fanfare. They just leave. And while it has a Doom Patrol quality to it, knowing that it happened because of Flashpoint takes away from the general wackiness that could have made it real Doom Patrol quality.
In the meantime, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that there's a Doom Patrol after Flashpoint. And its still Giffen and Co. And that it doesn't go in a totally different direction. C'mon, DC. Don't let me down.
And first place:
Secret Six #33
Secret Six strikes again. The Darkest House storyline wraps up in grand fashion, but just like Doom Patrol this week, the ending is more of, "that's it? They get out of hell just like that?"
I guess its not just like that. Scandal Savage has to decide who to use the Get Out Of Hell Free card on: her first love Knockout, or Liana the redheaded stripper. Tough choice as both are equally sexy.
The journey to the end is as touching and heartfelt, with enough limb ripping and bloodshed to satisfy the most fucked up reader. Gail Simone does a great job finding the "likeableness" in each of these awful human beings. And goddamn if King Shark isn't a great addition to the team. I was hesitant when I saw he'd be sticking around, but he's been a great addition.
I'd like to give a nod to the Daniel Luvisi who has been absolutely fantastic on these covers. A nice little touch was seeing the hell-version of each of the Secret Six in the covers to this arc as a little preview before we see them actually revealed as such in this last issue. A cool little addition.
Secret Six #33
Secret Six strikes again. The Darkest House storyline wraps up in grand fashion, but just like Doom Patrol this week, the ending is more of, "that's it? They get out of hell just like that?"
I guess its not just like that. Scandal Savage has to decide who to use the Get Out Of Hell Free card on: her first love Knockout, or Liana the redheaded stripper. Tough choice as both are equally sexy.
The journey to the end is as touching and heartfelt, with enough limb ripping and bloodshed to satisfy the most fucked up reader. Gail Simone does a great job finding the "likeableness" in each of these awful human beings. And goddamn if King Shark isn't a great addition to the team. I was hesitant when I saw he'd be sticking around, but he's been a great addition.
I'd like to give a nod to the Daniel Luvisi who has been absolutely fantastic on these covers. A nice little touch was seeing the hell-version of each of the Secret Six in the covers to this arc as a little preview before we see them actually revealed as such in this last issue. A cool little addition.
The Panel of the Week!
And oldie but a goodie coming from the deceiving Free Comic Book Day issue today. Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert and Randy Mayor's sweet two-page spread. They really nailed the weight and speed of that plane. Well done, good sirs.
-Gint
May 5, 2011
4-10-11 He's Not That Awesome
I am an unabashed DC fan. This could simply be due to having more DC action figures than Marvel ones when I was a kid. But I think the real reason is, I like my heroes to be heroes. Too many of Marvel's characters live in a "gray area" of morality. Over the last decade, how many Marvel characters can you trust to always do the right thing, every time? I say Spider-Man and maybe Captain America. Other than those two characters there's a lot of anti-heroes running around the 616 Universe.
Superman has come under fire from some of my colleagues lately for being "too good." A classic knock on the Man of Steel. "Superman's boring, he's not exciting." I firmly believe that its not the character of Superman that's boring, but its the revolving door of writers on Superman books that prevent him from finding a cohesive voice and narrative through his character to make him just as exciting as Wolverine or even Batman (who's a huge douche).
Superman is the greatest hero of our time. DC should start treating his book as such.
May 4, 2011
$oss' Pull-List Review 4-27-11
This is my first crack at Weekly Reviews. Hope you guys enjoy it.
In fourth place:
Fear Itself #1
This summer's event title features the forces of good and evil's struggle over the legendary Hammer of Skadi, a mighty weapon buried deep in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica. What, you've never heard of this weapon? Don't give a crap about it? This story sounds like a waste of a perfectly good summer's worth of comic reading? Yeah, I think so too.
Fear Itself #1
This summer's event title features the forces of good and evil's struggle over the legendary Hammer of Skadi, a mighty weapon buried deep in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica. What, you've never heard of this weapon? Don't give a crap about it? This story sounds like a waste of a perfectly good summer's worth of comic reading? Yeah, I think so too.
A lot has changed in the Marvel Universe since I last regularly read weeklys, so you can imagine my confusion when the Red Skull's goons started calling him "Ma'am". When the hell did Johann Schmidt have a sex change? It also appears that Asgard has fallen out of the sky and landed somewhere in Oklahoma. What a subtle way to place Thor in the spotlight in time for his motion picture debut!
My main complaint is the focus of the story, that being Thor and his surrounding cast. Thor doesn't work well with the street level style of superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America. These characters feel completely out of place when contrasted with the all-powerful beings of Asgard. Don't get me wrong, the upcoming movie looks great, but creating an entire event around a character for the sake of synergy feels forced.
In regards to the actual nuts and bots of the title, Stuart Immonen's art is a bright spot and looks to be something to look forward to. Matt Fraction moves the story along, but there's nothing special about this first issue.
In regards to the actual nuts and bots of the title, Stuart Immonen's art is a bright spot and looks to be something to look forward to. Matt Fraction moves the story along, but there's nothing special about this first issue.
Uncanny X-Men #536
I'm loving the return of the Breakworld storyline. These characters are refreshing while staying inline with the X-Men's tradition of aliens and space travel. It's interesting to watch Powerlord Kruun and the Breakworlders struggle with concepts like forgiveness and apologizing. Terry Dodson draws some of the most beautiful women in all of comics and his work is on full display in this issue. Kieron Gillen does a good job of invoking the overall feel of Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men. If the rest of Gillen's run is anything like these first two issues, my two year X-Men hiatus may be over. This book has tons of promise.
Second:
Avengers #12.1
Avengers #12.1
Marvel, just when I thought you couldn't possibly produce quality books anymore, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself! First, a great run by John Romita Jr. to launch this new title and now Bryan Hitch will take over the art duties. Marvel is putting top level talent on their main titles, just the way it should be. I'm a huge fan of Hitch's work. My favorite being his run on The Ultimates. Teamed with Brian Bendis I have little doubt the Avengers could be my #1 book each month. Oh... but I do have my doubts. Along with the breathtaking artwork of The Ultimates I ALSO remember the chronic lateness of the book. It took one whole year in between issues #12 and #13. These books look great as collected series, but it was painful to live through waiting for each issue to arrive in stores. With all the promise this book had it still was a bit underwhealming. The featured villains, The Intelligencia, never seemed like a match for the multiple teams of Avengers. The reintroduction of Ultron at the end of the book was a nice touch. I'm very excited about the prospects of this creative team's run on Avengers.
May 2, 2011
03-25-11 About Last Night
Wonder Woman's weapons always struck me as odd. Bulletproof bracelets, a boomerang tiara and an invisible plane are all awful goofy for an iconic member of DC's "Big 3". The Lasso of Truth, however, still puts the fear of Hippolyta in me.
-$
May 1, 2011
Gint's Pull-List Review 4-27-11
Big 'ol review this week. Six books and two of them were oversized. Lets get right to it.
With a booooring 6th place finish:
Green Arrow #10
Man, this one was kind of a snoozefest. And that's somewhat surprising being the issue is pretty much non-stop fighting. For all the action that takes place, there's really very little that happens. I feel like this fight has been going on for decades real-time.
We reach the cool conclusion with the White Tree enclosing the Star City Forest in some kind of shield, and I'm sure it ties into Brightest Day #24, but the road to getting there has really worn me out.
Man, this one was kind of a snoozefest. And that's somewhat surprising being the issue is pretty much non-stop fighting. For all the action that takes place, there's really very little that happens. I feel like this fight has been going on for decades real-time.
We reach the cool conclusion with the White Tree enclosing the Star City Forest in some kind of shield, and I'm sure it ties into Brightest Day #24, but the road to getting there has really worn me out.
This book started out with some real promise and the last 3 issues have just progressed downhill.
Finishing in its usual 5th place:
Wonder Woman #610
Phil Hester certainly wasn't concerned with brevity in this issue. There are words and words and yet more words. And while I don't expect my comics to be all pictures, this one felt really effing long. Like that Etrigan fight in Green Arrow. Lots of explaining going on in this one.
Was it a bad issue? No. It moves the story closer to the end and the resolution which is good, but its still a fairly standard issue. What does get some negative points is the artwork.
Phil Hester certainly wasn't concerned with brevity in this issue. There are words and words and yet more words. And while I don't expect my comics to be all pictures, this one felt really effing long. Like that Etrigan fight in Green Arrow. Lots of explaining going on in this one.
Was it a bad issue? No. It moves the story closer to the end and the resolution which is good, but its still a fairly standard issue. What does get some negative points is the artwork.
 |
| I love this panel. Artemis is fucking JACKED! |
We're treated to more Eduardo Pansica pencils which are solid. The giant stone head of Mercury on page 1 is pretty damn cool. But his likeness of Wonder Woman is all over the place in this issue. Only a handful of times does she look like the same person from panel to panel. But I don't want to complain too much. As far as fill-in artists go, Pansica has been pretty solid and similar enough to Don Kramer's style that when this book gets collected the art change won't be a shock to the reader.
Speaking of Don Kramer, I think he hooked up a pretty damn cool cover for this issue.
A supersized 4th place finish: Action Comics #900
This is the grand, celebratory issue for Action Comics signaling 100 issues until the astounding marker of 1000. And I guess it was pretty good.
The main story is Paul Cornell and Pete Woods wrapping up The Black Ring storyline from Cornell's run. While I disagree with Pete Woods' casting of Zooey Deschanel as Lois Lane, his art has really grown on me since first seeing him on Amazons Attack! This story jumps between Woods' art on the main story, and Jesus Marino's art on the interspersing pages of the Reign of Doomsday storyline. The jump back and forth between artists isn't to shocking since, up until the end, they're really telling two separate stories.
We also get treated to pages drawn by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, Rags Morales, Ardian Syaf, Jamal Igle and Jon Sibal, and the great Gary Frank. Some pages are more treats than others. Franks, in my humble opinion, being the most well put-together.
With The Black Ring wrapped up, we'll see where this book goes. Since I personally think Doomsday is stupid, I'm not looking forward to what looks like a Reign of the Doomsdays storyline.
This special anniversary book also contains five mini stories by a handful of writers and artists. Here's a quick rundown:
Life Support: by Damon Lindelof and Ryan Sook - Easily the best story and art in the entire oversized issue. And if it stood on its own I would give it 2nd place this week. Sook's gorgeous colors and realistic style make every panel a work of art in themselves. And Lindelof's story highlights a part of Superman lore we've never seen before. I would love to see these guys get together for a mini.
Autobiography: by Paul Dini and RB Silva - Boring. I'm sure there's some deeper meaning about how Clark's (who Silva draws like a teenager though I'm not sure he's supposed to be) life could be could follow the path of this giant blue hippo, but there was no real punch in it. The hippo does look really cool though.
Friday Night In the 21st Century: by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank - Anytime I see those names together, I know I'm going to love it. Unfortunately my love for this 4-page story is tempered by my apathy toward the Legion of Superheroes. Frank's art looks great, and I'd marry his Lois Lane in a heartbeat, but I just don't care about the Legion.
The Incident: by David S. Goyer and Miguel Sepulveda - Meh. This one gets a little preachy for me. Its made some national headlines because Superman renounces his U.S. Citizenship. I think its a strong position by the Man of Steel, but if its going to help him protect the world better, I guess its alright. We all know Supes is Americana at heart. I don't expect that to change.
Only Human: by Richard Donner and Derek Hoffman - This is just a classic, fun Superman story. The storyboard layout is interesting, though I'd like to see this story fully realized in real-comic form. It doesn't blow the doors of anything, but its a cool story.
Here's to at least 100 more issues or 8.3333 more years of Action Comics.
This is the grand, celebratory issue for Action Comics signaling 100 issues until the astounding marker of 1000. And I guess it was pretty good.
The main story is Paul Cornell and Pete Woods wrapping up The Black Ring storyline from Cornell's run. While I disagree with Pete Woods' casting of Zooey Deschanel as Lois Lane, his art has really grown on me since first seeing him on Amazons Attack! This story jumps between Woods' art on the main story, and Jesus Marino's art on the interspersing pages of the Reign of Doomsday storyline. The jump back and forth between artists isn't to shocking since, up until the end, they're really telling two separate stories.
We also get treated to pages drawn by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, Rags Morales, Ardian Syaf, Jamal Igle and Jon Sibal, and the great Gary Frank. Some pages are more treats than others. Franks, in my humble opinion, being the most well put-together.
With The Black Ring wrapped up, we'll see where this book goes. Since I personally think Doomsday is stupid, I'm not looking forward to what looks like a Reign of the Doomsdays storyline.
This special anniversary book also contains five mini stories by a handful of writers and artists. Here's a quick rundown:
Life Support: by Damon Lindelof and Ryan Sook - Easily the best story and art in the entire oversized issue. And if it stood on its own I would give it 2nd place this week. Sook's gorgeous colors and realistic style make every panel a work of art in themselves. And Lindelof's story highlights a part of Superman lore we've never seen before. I would love to see these guys get together for a mini.
Autobiography: by Paul Dini and RB Silva - Boring. I'm sure there's some deeper meaning about how Clark's (who Silva draws like a teenager though I'm not sure he's supposed to be) life could be could follow the path of this giant blue hippo, but there was no real punch in it. The hippo does look really cool though.
Friday Night In the 21st Century: by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank - Anytime I see those names together, I know I'm going to love it. Unfortunately my love for this 4-page story is tempered by my apathy toward the Legion of Superheroes. Frank's art looks great, and I'd marry his Lois Lane in a heartbeat, but I just don't care about the Legion.
The Incident: by David S. Goyer and Miguel Sepulveda - Meh. This one gets a little preachy for me. Its made some national headlines because Superman renounces his U.S. Citizenship. I think its a strong position by the Man of Steel, but if its going to help him protect the world better, I guess its alright. We all know Supes is Americana at heart. I don't expect that to change.
Only Human: by Richard Donner and Derek Hoffman - This is just a classic, fun Superman story. The storyboard layout is interesting, though I'd like to see this story fully realized in real-comic form. It doesn't blow the doors of anything, but its a cool story.
Here's to at least 100 more issues or 8.3333 more years of Action Comics.
Finishing in 3rd place:
The Flash #11
First, I don't want to take anything away from this comic, which was a very well written comic. But I just don't like Scott Kolins' art. I don't understand the love-fest between him and Geoff Johns. Maybe its a mutual love for those wacky rogues? I was expecting some sweet Francis Manapul artwork art and was let down to see Scott Kolins name on the cover. Sorry, Scott. You're just not my style buddy.
But aside from all that it was an intriguing book. What was aggravating is that it raised some questions that I want answered now! I'm interested, so I don't want to wait until Flashpoint is over. I guess that's the excitement that's supposed to be generated by a good story.
I also hope Patty Spivot is OK. I'd like to see some Barry/Iris/Patty love triangle play out.
A strong 2nd place finish: Brightest Day #24
Our second oversized issue of the week and we reach the big finale. For being 24 issues, I guess the every-other-week release of this story made it feel pretty quick.
We get a nice resolution to the story, though I feel like its more of a treat for Vertigo fans than your everyday DC reader (me). Its also a good looking book. Ivan Reis and Patrick Gleason are two of DC's premiere artists at the moment. I'll definitely be picking up the Geoff Johns/Ivan Reis Aquaman series when that gets going.
Some cliffhangers are set up as not everyone's story is wrapped up in a neat little bow. Firestorm and Hawkman seem to be in for a shitstorm. And Aquaman's story sets up the on-going nicely.
If there's a knock on this story, its that it gets a little soapbox-ey. What we've learned from this 24-issue epic is that we need to take care of the planet. While I willingly recycle, and even roll across the room to recycle at work, I'd prefer my comics don't bombard me with this inescapable message. You can't watch an hour of TV these days without some commercial directly promoting saving the planet or some company telling you how if you buy their product, you'll save the planet.
In any case, the murderous Swamp Thing seems to have everything under control on the DC Earth. Go get 'em, big guy. Maybe we can get a Swamp Think/Captain Planet crossover?
Thanks to Johns, Tomasi and Co. for bringing us a very cool follow up to Blackest Night. I guess its time to officially dive head-first into Flashpoint.
Our second oversized issue of the week and we reach the big finale. For being 24 issues, I guess the every-other-week release of this story made it feel pretty quick.
We get a nice resolution to the story, though I feel like its more of a treat for Vertigo fans than your everyday DC reader (me). Its also a good looking book. Ivan Reis and Patrick Gleason are two of DC's premiere artists at the moment. I'll definitely be picking up the Geoff Johns/Ivan Reis Aquaman series when that gets going.
Some cliffhangers are set up as not everyone's story is wrapped up in a neat little bow. Firestorm and Hawkman seem to be in for a shitstorm. And Aquaman's story sets up the on-going nicely.
If there's a knock on this story, its that it gets a little soapbox-ey. What we've learned from this 24-issue epic is that we need to take care of the planet. While I willingly recycle, and even roll across the room to recycle at work, I'd prefer my comics don't bombard me with this inescapable message. You can't watch an hour of TV these days without some commercial directly promoting saving the planet or some company telling you how if you buy their product, you'll save the planet.
In any case, the murderous Swamp Thing seems to have everything under control on the DC Earth. Go get 'em, big guy. Maybe we can get a Swamp Think/Captain Planet crossover?
Thanks to Johns, Tomasi and Co. for bringing us a very cool follow up to Blackest Night. I guess its time to officially dive head-first into Flashpoint.
And a rock-solid 1st place:
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9
If there were any worries after Part 5 of War of the Green Lanterns, Part 6 has exorcised them.
This is turning into a great Green Lantern story. We're really getting to focus on the Earth GL's and see how they work together and what makes them tick as a foursome. Johns and Tomasi know how to write each individual and Fernando Pasarin is doing a fantastic job on pencils. Very Patrick Gleason, circa Sinestro Corps War.
I didn't think the Green Lantern mythos needed another book when Emerald Warriors was announced, but its delivered in every issue. Its been a real backbone for War of the Green Lanterns and it breaks my heart that there are only four more parts left to the story.
Emerald Warriors and Green Lantern continue to raise the bar on how to write a comic book franchise.
If there were any worries after Part 5 of War of the Green Lanterns, Part 6 has exorcised them.
This is turning into a great Green Lantern story. We're really getting to focus on the Earth GL's and see how they work together and what makes them tick as a foursome. Johns and Tomasi know how to write each individual and Fernando Pasarin is doing a fantastic job on pencils. Very Patrick Gleason, circa Sinestro Corps War.
I didn't think the Green Lantern mythos needed another book when Emerald Warriors was announced, but its delivered in every issue. Its been a real backbone for War of the Green Lanterns and it breaks my heart that there are only four more parts left to the story.
Emerald Warriors and Green Lantern continue to raise the bar on how to write a comic book franchise.
And finally our Panel of the Week!
Ivan Reis really outdid himself with this one. Can you imagine sitting down and drawing all of those vines and leaves? Fuck that. Kudos to the inkers and colorists as well.
-Gint
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)