Surprise?

Black History Month is upon us once again and we here at Mc$oss like to do it up right for our less-than-caucasian buddy.

-Gint

Gint's 1-25-12 Pull-List Review

Huge 8-book week this week. I prefer a nice, quick 3-4 book week. Save me a lot of scanning time.

A well deserved Eighth Place:

Superman #5

This is not a good comic book. If Superman wasn't an already established character with almost 75 years of history, and this is what was offered up, his book would have been cancelled already. Even the stunning talents of Nicola Scott make this book look like an attempt to "shine a turd."

I'm ready for a new Superman. Its one of the reasons I like Grant Morrison's Action Comics so much. He's a different character. He's new and exciting. George Pérez trots out all the old same old same old. From dropping names (the Swan-Klein Hospital) and using old worn-out plots (Superman is EVIL?!) there's nothing new and exciting about this book.

When the producers of the upcoming Man of Steel movie said they're not using the old ice planet Krypton or even the John Williams score, the nostalgic kid in me was disappointed. But my love for Superman and my desire for others to love Superman comes first. We NEED a brand new Superman. We need all the old nostalgia retired in order to create a brand new Superman that creates as much interest as Christopher Reeve did in 1978.

George Pérez, you've got nothing left in the tank. Your art and storytelling are the definition of stale. Its time to hang them up, brother. Go quietly into that good night and let someone with a new vision and desire to evolve take over. Its what Superman needs, and more importantly, its what comic fans need.

Seventh Place:

Teen Titans #5

This is a fight book. 20 pages of Superboy kicking the Teen Titans' asses. And its pretty solid.

Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth do a nice job of choreographing the Titans' disorganization in attacking Superboy. There weren't any moments of "that would never happen," and everything flows smoothly. He really shows Superboy's dominance and I think that's the way it should be.

Chronologically, this issue should have come out before Superboy #5 so overall between the two books it leaves some confusion as to what happens when and why Superboy acts one way in Superboy and another way in Teen Titans. I'm going to just sit tight and hope Lobdell has a plan and these books dovetail together nicely.

Sixth Place:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #5

Tony Bedard does a great job writing a HUGE story fitting a book on such a large scale. He's created the Orrery, a galaxy-sized model of a solar system. Imagine your grade school science project, but lifesize. Interesting concept that has a great start.

He's also juggling six different Lanterns plus cameos from Larfleeze and Sayd and giving each character enough room to breathe. He's really handling the large cast well.

Tyler Kirkham's artwork is rolling pretty nicely. He's getting the hang of drawing such a large-scale book with larger than life locations and ideas.

Bedard and Kirkham's run on Green Lantern Corps wasn't very good. It had potential but just fell flat. Their time on Green Lantern: New Guardians has been much different. It seems they needed some time to get comfortable and learn how to write a good Green Lantern story.

Fifth Place:

Justice League #5

Green Lantern gets his ass kicked by Darkseid and Batman unmasks to go after a captured Superman alone.

I'm curious to see if Geoff Johns reveals his thinking in why Batman takes off his cape and cowl to go rescue Superman. If you're going into the stronghold of Darkseid, wouldn't you want the most protection as possible?

Anyhow, besides a quiet moment between Bruce and Hal, this book continues to be straight up superhero adventure. The good guys band together to fight the bad guys. Any real character moments don't exist. This book is entertaining, but could be better still.

Fourth Place:

The Fury of Firestorm #5

I wanted this book to be great. I wanted to love it. And so far I do. Each issue keeps getting better. Not just the story, but the art of Yildiray Cinar. Also the inks of Norm Rapmund which seem to really tighten everything up. Great looking book.

And the ante has been raised in the story. The stakes are higher and this issue really blows you away with the emotion written into Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch.

Gail Simone will be leaving the title at some point and as the writer I'm worried this book will lose some punch. The creative team has really been working like a well oiled machine and created a great issue for #5.

Third Place:

The Flash #5

Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato wrap up the Manuel Lago storyline and leave it incredibly open ended. But while they wrap up one story, they open up two more involving the Speed Force ripping through space and time and Captain Cold.

Manapul and Buccellato did nothing in this first arc but knock it out of the park. There were certain books launched in the New 52 that were expected to do well. I don't think The Flash was in that group but it is now.

Francis Manapul continues to step up his art game. He does some really interesting panel layout and really uses it as part of the story. Plus, he draws a really sexy Iris West and Patty Spivot. That gets my vote automatically.

More great stuff from the Flash team and it looks like its just gearing up.

Second Place:

Aquaman #5

I got some good reviews going into this issue and wasn't disappointed. It don't think this was the best issue of the series, but it was in some respects. It was a novel, almost one and done issue (even though it sets up the next arc). The story jumps between Aquaman getting stranded in the desert and how he got there. We learn that there was a secret plot to sink Atlantis that somehow involved the Trench.

It was a very well done issue on all levels. It touches the first four issues while moving toward the next arc and really continues to build a world for Aquaman. In a lot of ways this is the "Rebirth" for Aquaman that the Flash's rebirth was supposed to be for him.

Great stuff.

First Place:

I, Vampire #5

Mary, Queen of Blood might be the sexiest character in comics. She only appears once this issue, but that's all it takes.

Andrew and the good guys venture to Gotham City to track down Mary and her new hordes of vampires. While doing so they run into Batman. Its nice seeing Batman make an appearance and its also a nice touch seeing Q-Core (Green Arrow's company) train cars. Its a small thing but it builds the idea of a true shared universe.

This is a turn I'd like to see Wonder Woman start to take. Joshua Fialkov has built the I, Vampire world for 4 issues and tastefully introduces it to the greater DCU. Wonder Woman, while a good story is still marching to the beat of its own drummer. I'd love to see some DCU interaction in this book.

So I, Vampire continues to be the class (if not the big seller) of the New 52. The words and art continue to work perfectly to create a cool, creepy story.

Panel of the Week:

Andrea Sorrentino draws some creepy stuff and keeps it going this month.

-Gint

A Collection of the Classics

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Gint's real life bookself really is this awesome. I actually believe that he has a few real books sprinkled in there as well -$

$oss' Pull-List Reviews 1-26-12

Wonder Woman #5 

I've read on a number of sites that Wonder Woman#5 is an example of a “smart fill-in issue”. I'm not so sure I agree with that. While it's not awful it is certainly rates far below the excellent books that Azzarello and Chiang have delivered so far. The moment I opened this book and realized that Cliff Chiang would be taking it easy this month I felt all the enthusiasm rush out of me. It's not really fair for me to feel this way, Tony Akins is hardly a bad artist. It just isn't the same. 

Another misstep this month is Lord Poseidon. When I hear that name a bunch of different images come to mind none of which are a giant fish with a scaly crown. Sorry Azzerallo I'm not following you on this one. 

Avenging Spider-Man #3

Just when things were looking their bleakest our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man pulls the troll kings pants down, cracks a few jokes and saves the day. After being the butt of every prank this arc Spider-Man has the last laugh handling the bad guys his way. 

I really dig Zeb Well's humor. None of the characters have any faith in ol' Web Head and have no qualms about telling him. It makes it that much more gratifying when Peter Parker comes out on top. 

Moon Knight # 9

Moon Knight wages war on all fronts as he attempts to save a wounded Echo from Count Nefaria while fighting the multiple personalities in his mind. The issue is split between flashbacks of Spector and his handyman Buck assembling his knock off Avengers weapons and his battle with The Count. 

As the fight progresses it's clear that the voices in his head have  conflicting ideas about how to win this fight. The banter between Moon Knight and his alter ego's is fantastic. It's a miracle that this dude can order a burger at the drive-thru much less battle super powered villains.

Batman #5

By far the most clever and enjoyable issue of Batman since the relaunch. Bruce has been captured by the Court of Owls, a clandestine organization that prides itself for assassinating members of the Wayne family since the early days of Gotham. A week has passed since Batman was last seen and Gordon and Batman Inc. are beginning to wonder if The Dark Knight is truly gone. 

The reader is then taken into a cavernous maze where Bruce, clearly drugged and losing his mind, stumbles around in the dark. As his hallucinations grow stronger the panels begin to become as splintered as his mind. Greg Capullo pours all of his talent and creativity into this book. The further into the issue you read the more you have to physically rotate the book in your hands to keep up with the action. As Batman's sanity finally leaves him you find that you are now holding the comic completely upside down. Quite an inventive way to engage the reader. When I was brought back to the police station rooftop with Gordon I was completely disoriented as if I too had just emerged from an underground maze. Kudos Mr. Snyder and Mr. Capullo!-$ 

Panel of the Week: Batman losing his shit.

It's the Thought That Counts

To truly appreciate this strip you have to read Hellboy's line with the voice of Ron Pearlman in mind.  

I sincerely apologize to our loyal Mc$oss following for giving you this Christmas inspired strip a whole month after the holiday. Think of it as a belated holiday treat. -$

Gint's 1-18-12 Pull-List Review

We had a split this week. Two good, two bad and I was honestly surprised at the low quality from our Third and Fourth Place entries.

Fourth Place:

Supergirl #5

This issue, well ... sucked. Supergirl has been a strong book so far, but this has been its weakest issue.

Most of the issue takes place in Kara's inner monologue as she's talking to herself while she's flying to Krypton. The rest is her father telling her what happened to Krypton through a Sunstone. The book ends with a Kryptonian Worldkiller (I guess an alien assassin of some sort) finding Kara and trying to recuit her to her cause. Kara resists, they fight and the alien leaves her on a floating remain of Krypton.

The story was boring, the Worldkiller was an uninspired design and the usually flawless color by Dave McCaig felt dark and muddy.

Overall this was a pretty empty issue.

Third Place:

Wonder Woman #5

Well, perfection is a hard target to hit. Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang have been chasing the dream for four issues, but stumble on issue #5. Partly because Cliff Chiang isn't the artist. Tony Akins fills in and though his style is similar to Chiang, it just isn't the same.

Also, we get a whole lot of talking. Now talking isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't need tons of action in my books. I could read a whole issue of guys talking around a table if its written well. And this isn't written poorly, it just seems to be more exposition and explanation than necessary to lead up to issue six.

So that's that. Better luck next time.

Second Place:

Voltron #2

Brandon Thomas and Ariel Padilla's second outing on the Defender of the Universe was better than the first. We follow Keith Kogane and the team in the year 2124 while following Doctor Zarkon (foreshadowing tells us he's the creator of Voltron) in the year 2014. They balance the story well going back and forth without any confusion as to what year of the story we're in.

The Voltron robot has been stolen. Keith and Co. shoot their way out of trouble to get to a secret military facility for help getting off planet. Meanwhile Doctor Zarkon alludes to his son that something else is afoot with the government program he's been working for.

Its a pretty quick moving story and an easy read. Sometimes it moves so fast that it feels like a panel is missing. That's really the only storytelling problem apparent in this book: you're left to assume a little bit. But its really minor.

The art could also be better, a little sharper, but its serviceable. Like I said, you're never lost or pulled out of the story.

I'm not all that familiar with Dynamite as a publisher. $oss reads The Boys on a regular basis, but this is really my first foray into their world. So far so good.

First Place:

Green Lantern Corps #5

Peter Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin did a great job making this read like a big budget, sci-fi epic. We're in the meat and potatoes of this arc now and the creative team really kicked the story in gear.

Guy Gardner is leading a group of Lanterns against Willpower-weilding aliens. Before they can attack they need to make them feel fear, something the Lanterns themselves do not. So they break two Sinestro Corps members out of the Sciencells and steal a crapton of guns and armaments from some space pirates. Its a big story that really uses the comic medium of being able to do whatever the hell you want.

And Fernando Pasarin has full art duties which is as it should be. A fill-in artist on this book seriously detracts from how good Pasarin draws the world of the Green Lanterns.

Its great to sit down and read a really good issue. Green Lantern Corps #5 succeeds.

Panel of the Week:

You know how I like 'em: creepy and sexy at the same time. Fernando Pasarin's work on Green Lantern Corps this week was clearly the better overall artwork but this panel spoke to me. Good lighting, nice angle, solid work.

-Gint

Brothers From Another Mother

Martian Manhunter's tale is heartbreaking. He is the last of his kind, stranded on an alien world. Protecting Earth from evil should be the last thing on his mind yet he constantly puts himself in harms way for the good of his adopted home. Too bad Superman has the same story and is a handsome son of a bitch. -$ 

$oss' Pull-List Reviews 1-18-12

Uncanny X-Men #4

This issue details the story of how Mr. Sinister acquired his new powers from the point of view of The Phalanx. The Phalanx is an alien race that intends to absorb humanity into their hivemind. I guess it was a good thing that Sinister captured one of them, torture it for information and destroyed their entire alien race. 

Brandon Peterson fills-in on pencils and he doesn't miss a beat. I wouldn't mind seeing him on this title for a months. He draws a nice smooth line and Justin Ponsor handles the color work nicely. 

Batman and Robin #5

I agree with Gint and his feeling's on Morgan Ducard. Nobody is a much scarier villain if he isn't anyone in particular. I do like his spider eye mask, creepy.

While I do see Damian returning to his role as Robin it's interesting to see him explore his moral boundaries. It does feel like this arc is dragging on. But I guess the standard six issue story is in place for all the relaunched titles. Next month should be exciting with alot of loose ends being tied up throughout the DCU.

Swamp Thing #5

Alec begins to accept his role as Swamp Thing in this issue. While I appreciate the slower pace I'm beginning to get impatient. I'd guess that this is the only book since the relaunch to not feature the title character yet. Even the absence of a proper Swamp Thing can not dull my enthusiasm for this book. I'm excited at the prospect that Alec could finally accept his role as the champion of The Green, but it looks as if I'll haver to wait at least one more month.-$

Panel of the Week: Cyclops and Storm sharing a moment.

Pop Quiz, Bitch

Now, I know that ultimately, anytime someone wears a character or logo from my youth it should be a good thing. I should be happy that whether the interest is genuine or not its getting the property that I love out there and getting it in the public's consciousness. Or more likely subconsciousness.

But I still feel the need for validation. For someone to have watched, lets say Silverhawks, and feel the deep resonance that I do for said characters and property. Not to just pick up a shirt in the Hot Topic because its retro.

So I say, kids, at least Wiki the damn shit your wearing unless you'd prefer to feel my wrath next time I see you at the mall.

-Gint

Gint's 1-11-12 Pull-List Review

A nice, quick three-book week. And all solid comics.

Third Place:

Superboy #5

I wonder if I'd like this book as much if R.B. Silva and Rob Lean weren't doing the art. The penciler/artist combo does a great job making this book sing. The pages and panels are always competent, stong and well-put together.

That's not meant to take anything away from Scott Lobdell's writing. He's telling a fine story leaving us just enough each issue to come back for more.

Superboy agreed to come back to N.O.W.H.E.R.E., but just to rescue Caitlin (Gen 13) and place her in the care of a shady stranger who is yet to be introduced.

Lobdell has managed to do for Superboy what George Pérez couldn't do for Superman: make him a badass without harming the integrity of the character.

In the next Teen Titans Superboy throws down with the Titans. I'd be way more exciting about this if the combo of Silva and Lean were drawing it and not the hack job of Brett Booth. So again, a job well done by the Superboy art team.

Second Place:

Batman and Robin #5

Tomasi and Co. certainly aren't fucking around with cliffhangers. On the last page Damian is forced to make the decision of his life... and roll credits!

Despite the flashback to who Morgan Ducard is in the middle of the book, it was still pretty solid. While it might be fun for a writer to come up with a backstory, or in this instance, be important to make Morgan Ducard the son of Bruce's trainer Henri Ducard, I think I'd like NoBody a lot more if he was just nobody. My favorite Joker isn't the one in The Killing Joke. My favorite Boba Fett isn't the one who vowed to get vengance on his clone Australian dad. Sometimes less, and a little mystery, is more.

Patrick Gleason's pencils go a little sideways this issue and some panels feel a little rushed. But a little sideways for Patrick Gleason is absolutely fantastic for some artists.

I'm ready for this arc to wrap. I want to see where else Tomasi and Gleason go with Bruce and Damian. Lets hear it for arc #2!

First Place:

Green Lantern #5

Sinestro and Hal get out of the Sinestro Corps' prison on Korugar by using some interesting tricks. This arc has been all about Sinestro. Its also been about all the things Sinestro knows how to do with a ring and lantern that no one else does. Including Hal.

Part of it is cool seeing all this new stuff the rings are used for. Like seeing Qui-Gon Jinn burn through a door in The Phantom Menace with a lightsaber. You just didn't see that in the Original Trilogy due to limited effects strength. But the other part kind of pisses me off because the whole arc makes Hal look like an idiot and a pussy. I'd like to think Hal Jordan is more than a junkie needing his GL ring, but that's not the way Geoff Johns is pulling it off. He's making Sinestro the hero of everything and I just don't like it. Petulant of me? Sure. But its also honest.

Other than that its a very well written story and it does open up Sinestro a little bit. You want him to emote a little. Just break down and show us the softer side. But he doesn't. Johns does a brilliant job of straddling that line and keeping Sinestro cold as winter.

A strong showing, but I'm ready for Green Lantern to get back to a more natural status quo.

Panel of the Week:

Kudos to Richard and Tanya Horie for really hooking up the lighting on this issue and this panel in particular.

-Gint

Masters of the Mustache

My Masters of the Universe action figures had countless adventures in my basement when I was growing up. However, there was always something missing from those battles with Skeletor,  Man-At-Arm's mustache.-$

$oss' Pull-List Reviews 1-11-12

The Defenders #2

Yuck. All the promise of the first book has vanished. The Defenders could have been something unique in the Marvel universe but this issue was bland as could be. I'm thinking that I don't like Matt Fraction as much as I previously thought. Between this uninspired mess and the summer long snooze feast that was Fear Itself Fraction has used up any goodwill with his great work on...on.....now that I think of it he has never written anything I like!

It's a shame because Terry Dodson throws down some pretty awesome pencils. Great characters, nice panel layout and a smoking hot She -Hulk all wasted on this boring story. 

Voodoo #4

Great art, uninteresting characters, cookie cutter alien-shape shifter plot. That's the story of Voodoo through four issues. Voodoo breaks into a top secret government facility to gather information on the Justice League and more specifically Superman. Is Voodoo an alien bounty hunter charged with the task of tracking down Kal-El? I might be getting too far ahead of myself. Up to this point writer Ron Marz has rolled out one of the most generic tales of The New 52. I really don't see this book getting much better. 

Captain America #5

Ed Brubaker and Steve McNiven wrap up their run together in this brief read. It appears that McNiven was having difficulty meeting deadlines as Giuseppe Camuncoli pencils the last half of the book. Their styles are similar so it isn't the worst thing in the world. 

While trapped in the Jimmy Jupiter's dream world Captain America must confront losing his Super Solider strength as well as questions about his blind patriotism. The last time Cap lost his faith he ended up running around calling himself Nomad. Thankfully it appears Brubaker won't be taking us down that path.

FF #13

This was a curve ball. For the past year FF has been penciled by Steve Epting who has photo-realistic style but this issue features the cartoonish stylings of Juan Bobillo. I have been losing interest in this book and it's sister title Fantastic Four over these past few months but thanks to this new artist I've been reenergized. This style was a perfect fit as The Future Foundation traveled into space to intercept The Mad Celestials. Bobillo's pencils have a strangeness to them that is a welcome compliment to this cast of aliens and robots. 

I was shocked at the new perspective a different penciler could bring. I always thought a good artist could pencil any book, but I guess it's just as important to match style with subject matter.

Batman: The Dark Knight #4

The mastermind behind the Arkham prison break is revealed. If you follow the narrative as well as the clues in the past two books it's not such a big surprise. This is a weird title. While I hate the pseudo Venom fueled steroid looking villains however I really think that artist/writer David Finch has a great handle on the rest of the cast. The interaction between Bruce and Alfred is very heart felt. This title has come a long way but still is far behind Batman and Robin and Batman.

Animal Man #5

Oh those dirty Rot monsters! Tricking poor little Maxine into infecting the forest animals with The Rot, shame on them. 

In most cases fill-in artists drive me crazy but Steve Pugh is solid in helping Travel Forman on the last few pages. While not the strange and exotic pencils usually found in this book Pugh maintains the general feel and keeps the action moving. 

The payoff I've been waiting for will finally arrive in the next arc as the much awaited cross over with Swamp Thing is right on the horizon. I absolutely can't wait for the best two books of the New 52 to cross twisted paths.-$

Panel of the Week: It's really hard not to award PotW to that mad scientist Travel Foreman when he does work like this. Creepfest!

Mc$oss - The Blue Album

 

$oss and I can disagree on quite a bit. Marvel or DC? Morrison or Bendis? Mary Kate or Ashley? But one thing we can always agree on is Weezer. Weezer has been enhancing our lives since 1994 and continues to do so, if in an inconsistent way: 2009's Raditude was amazing, 2010's Hurley was garbage. But regardless of that, the music of Weezer will always be at the heart and soul of Mc$oss. So I present to you our own homage to one of the best albums of all time.

-Gint

Gint's 1-4-11 Pull-List Review

A nice 4-book week. Just the way I like it.

In Fourth Place:

Action Comics #5

Boooo! This was boring. Its an entire issue mostly surrounding the trip of Clark's ship to earth. Turns out it runs on something called Brainiac A.I. I'm sure that'll come in hand later, but for now, this issue was boring. Andy Kubert (the better Kubert in my humble opinion) does a great job drawing everything and it LOOKS like Grant Morrison introduces us to General Zod and Co., but I guess I just don't give a shit about Krypton or where Superman came from. Get him to Earth, grow him up and get to the Superman.

Also we get a cameo from the Legion of Superheroes. Zzzzzzzz.

Here's to better luck next issue.

In Third Place:

Red Lanterns #5

Click for larger asses.

As our story slowly creeps along the body of Krona goes missing creating a mystery on Ysmault. Our three new Red Lanterns given advanced intellect emerge from the Blood Ocean each with different outlooks on what rage means to them. And the British guy we've been following finally spills over and becomes Earth's first Red Lantern. Fine. That's all well and good but I think we could have gotten to this point in about 3 issues. You'd think a story about a bunch of rageaholics would be a little faster moving?

The funny, if not redeeming quality of this issue is that Ed Benes' Ass Parade is back with six (including the cover) unnecessary layouts showcasing Bleez's hindquarters.

Red Lanterns plods on. Peter Milligan, I give you full permission to pick up the pace and get this story really rolling.

In Second Place:

Supernatural: Caledonia #4 

Easily the best issue of this series so far. Either writer Brian Wood is finally getting a grasp on who Sam Winchester is or the story is kicking into gear. Regardless it was a good issue.

Grant Bond's artwork continues to be intriguing. Some panels are super cool, other are misproportioned and awkward. What's he's good at is finding a tone for the story. His grey color palette is perfect for the setting (Ireland).

Sam finds himself sleeping in a trailer next to the ocean with Emma waiting for him to wake up. She tells him about a colony of seal-people, the Selkies who's females can take the form of beautiful human women to lure guys to their death. Foreshadowing tells us Emma is one of these Selkies. But on the side of the good guys.

The issue ends with Sam calling Dean to get his ass to Ireland to help him out. Looks like my wishes have come true and we get some Dean Winchester next issue. 

I'd also like to give an overall thumbs up to Brian Wood, Grant Bond and really all the people who have worked on the Supernatural comics since the show got popular enough to have comics. Usually comic book tie-ins of TV shows are garbage. But through all of Supernatural's time as a comic, its stayed pretty solid. Well done, DC. 

And First Place:

Animal Man #5

I sincerely hope Jeff Lemire has something awesome planned for his second arc of Animal Man. This first story has been so good I'm afraid it'll be impossible for him to top it.

Maxine fucks up and accidentally infects the whole world with the Rot. Oops. But it sets up one hell of an issue #6.

Travel Foreman gets some help on art duties from Steve Pugh and neither really skip a beat. The story stays as strong as ever without a glitch.

The cover of this issue terrifies me. I've been keeping it face down until I can get it safely stored away in a long box.

Panel of the Week:

You want horror? We got horror.

-Gint