Batman and Robin Annual #1
Bor-ring! Maybe it wasn't THAT boring. Alright, lets be honest. It was a cute book, but ultimately it was boring.
I
wasn't going to buy it, but then my conscious said, "Gint, DC said
their Annuals will now tie directly into the regular issues, PLUS Peter
Tomasi is writing this one!" Well, this had nothing to do with the
regular title. Besides starring the same characters, it could have been a
Tales of the Dark Knight issue.
The art by
Ardian Syaf was good and Tomasi's story was cute (that's really the best
way to describe it), but ultimately it wasn't worth the $4.99 I dropped
on it.
I, Vampire #16
The artwork really hampered this issue. Three different artists, one of them using a TOTALLY different style than the other two. Its distracting and is helping this book go out with more of a whimper than a bang.
There are only two more issues of I, Vampire left before it gets cancelled. The series' regular artist for 14 issues, Andrea Sorrentino is gone, replaced by Scott Clark with help by Fernando Blanco and Szymon Kudranski. I don't know which one is responsible for the jarring art, but DC really dropped the ball. Joshua Hale Fialkov is going out on his own terms writing a great story, but the art is sinking this book.
DC, you really failed in giving this book a chance to go out in style.
The artwork really hampered this issue. Three different artists, one of them using a TOTALLY different style than the other two. Its distracting and is helping this book go out with more of a whimper than a bang.
There are only two more issues of I, Vampire left before it gets cancelled. The series' regular artist for 14 issues, Andrea Sorrentino is gone, replaced by Scott Clark with help by Fernando Blanco and Szymon Kudranski. I don't know which one is responsible for the jarring art, but DC really dropped the ball. Joshua Hale Fialkov is going out on his own terms writing a great story, but the art is sinking this book.
DC, you really failed in giving this book a chance to go out in style.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #6
This book could be much better (see the Origin of He-Man review below). But Keith Giffen set up some cool stuff.
I won't spoil anything, I'll just say Giffen turns a few things about the He-Man mythology on its head. I approve. The plot of this whole story was pretty cool. But its flawed at is base: if Skeletor has He-Man powerless and unaware he's He-Man, shouldn't Skeletor just kill him? I would have. But then what kind of comic would that be? Instead Adam realizes he's He-Man and gets the power back and overthrows Skeletor. You kind of feel bad for him at the end.
Its not my ideal He-Man (again, see the review below) but since its apparently all the He-Man I'm gonna get, I'm gonna keep getting it providing it continues. And it should because the end REALLY sets up a second arc.
This book could be much better (see the Origin of He-Man review below). But Keith Giffen set up some cool stuff.
I won't spoil anything, I'll just say Giffen turns a few things about the He-Man mythology on its head. I approve. The plot of this whole story was pretty cool. But its flawed at is base: if Skeletor has He-Man powerless and unaware he's He-Man, shouldn't Skeletor just kill him? I would have. But then what kind of comic would that be? Instead Adam realizes he's He-Man and gets the power back and overthrows Skeletor. You kind of feel bad for him at the end.
Its not my ideal He-Man (again, see the review below) but since its apparently all the He-Man I'm gonna get, I'm gonna keep getting it providing it continues. And it should because the end REALLY sets up a second arc.
Justice League Dark #16
There's a lot going on in this particular story arc and I'm not sure I'm particularly interested.
The Dark team has been transported to a magical world called Epoch to save Zatanna and Tim Hunter. None of their powers work there and they get captured. Tim Hunter is supposed to lead a magical rebellion against science. There are some cool aspects like how Constantine can't lie in Epoch but overall I'm not overly impressed.
Mikel Janin's work makes this one of the better books on the shelves, but I'm expecting more from this title.
There's a lot going on in this particular story arc and I'm not sure I'm particularly interested.
The Dark team has been transported to a magical world called Epoch to save Zatanna and Tim Hunter. None of their powers work there and they get captured. Tim Hunter is supposed to lead a magical rebellion against science. There are some cool aspects like how Constantine can't lie in Epoch but overall I'm not overly impressed.
Mikel Janin's work makes this one of the better books on the shelves, but I'm expecting more from this title.
Green Lantern Corps Annual #1
A pleasant surprise this issue by art that I REALLY didn't expect to be good.
The artist Chriscross (yep, all one word) was tasked with drawing the GLC Annual. A big task I think considering its really a huge part of the Third Army crossover. He does a great job. Much better than I remember from previous issues of Supergirl that he's done pre-New 52.
All three armies run into each other and there's tons of fighting once Guy Gardner and his team of familiar Lanterns uncover the Guardians' nefarious plans. Its nice seeing Princess Iolande, if just breifly. She's so sexy. The Atrocitus-repurposed Manhunters, the Green Lanterns, Kyle's New Guardians, the Third Army and the Guardians all throw down. Its a big expansive book that would cause a movie studio to go bankrupt, but that's the bonus of comic books.
The action continues in Green Lantern #17 and I can't wait.
A pleasant surprise this issue by art that I REALLY didn't expect to be good.
The artist Chriscross (yep, all one word) was tasked with drawing the GLC Annual. A big task I think considering its really a huge part of the Third Army crossover. He does a great job. Much better than I remember from previous issues of Supergirl that he's done pre-New 52.
All three armies run into each other and there's tons of fighting once Guy Gardner and his team of familiar Lanterns uncover the Guardians' nefarious plans. Its nice seeing Princess Iolande, if just breifly. She's so sexy. The Atrocitus-repurposed Manhunters, the Green Lanterns, Kyle's New Guardians, the Third Army and the Guardians all throw down. Its a big expansive book that would cause a movie studio to go bankrupt, but that's the bonus of comic books.
The action continues in Green Lantern #17 and I can't wait.
I
bought this book on a whim. I didn't even know it was coming out until I
saw a Comic Book Resources preview. I'd say the whim paid off.
In
a lot of ways, this is the book I wanted when the 6-part
Robinson/Giffen/Tan/Mhan book was annouced. A grim and gritty Eternia
that has more mood than color. We can thank artist Ben Oliver for that
who's unique photo-realistic/painted style was the perfect foil to
Joshua Hale Fialkov's writing. They worked hand in hand to give me the
tone I wanted from a He-Man book.
While I like
Giffen's work, his book is a little too light hearted (along with Pop
Mhan's cartoony style) for what a Masters of the Universe book should
be. Masters of the Universe should be kind of scary. Maybe a little
horror-ish? The entire cast of villains are monsters for christsake.
Fialkov and Oliver brought those sensibilities to the table.
If I were DC, I'd ignore the 6 Robinson/Giffen issues and have these guys reboot it from scratch.
Second Place:
Aquaman #16
I enjoyed Paul Pelletier's work on Guardians of the Galaxy/Nova and I'm loving it on Aquaman. He's similar to Ivan Reis, but a little more angular. He's got a style to his work that I really like.
And Geoff Johns knows how to write a story. You find out who the culprit is that spurred Atlantis to attack the surface, and its kind of sad. Sad that the character in question would do this, not a poor choice.
This really is a crossover with Justice League since it really FELT like a Justice League issue. Cyborg and Batman had just as much dialog as the title hero of the book.
Throne of Atlantis wraps in the next issue of Justice League and unless Geoff Johns and company really drop the ball, this'll go down as a classic Justice League story.
First Place:
The Flash #16
Since the launch of the New 52, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have essentially been writing the same arc in The Flash. Its been one continuous story. Brian Azzarello has been doing this in Wonder Woman too, only Manapul and Buccellato know how to keep it interesting like things are changing and the story is moving forward.
They've done such a good job placing seeds for things early on that it makes me want to write. I've always appreciated that about the Harry Potter books and I appreciate it here.
The introduction of the Barry/Patty/Iris love triangle is a great one. I'm a sucker for romance. The addition of Daniel West, Iris' brother is also intriguing. Makes you wonder if we're going to see Wally some time soon. Though Scott Lobdell has fucked up the Teen Titans so bad maybe Wally should stay gone and be spared being written poorly.
The Flash, 16 issues in, is still the book to beat from the New 52.
Cover of the Week:
Dave Wilkins drew the hell out of this fold out cover. The entire cover isn't on the issue (the ends get cut off), but here's the full version for your viewing pleasure.
-Gint
Aquaman #16
I enjoyed Paul Pelletier's work on Guardians of the Galaxy/Nova and I'm loving it on Aquaman. He's similar to Ivan Reis, but a little more angular. He's got a style to his work that I really like.
And Geoff Johns knows how to write a story. You find out who the culprit is that spurred Atlantis to attack the surface, and its kind of sad. Sad that the character in question would do this, not a poor choice.
This really is a crossover with Justice League since it really FELT like a Justice League issue. Cyborg and Batman had just as much dialog as the title hero of the book.
Throne of Atlantis wraps in the next issue of Justice League and unless Geoff Johns and company really drop the ball, this'll go down as a classic Justice League story.
The Flash #16
Since the launch of the New 52, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have essentially been writing the same arc in The Flash. Its been one continuous story. Brian Azzarello has been doing this in Wonder Woman too, only Manapul and Buccellato know how to keep it interesting like things are changing and the story is moving forward.
They've done such a good job placing seeds for things early on that it makes me want to write. I've always appreciated that about the Harry Potter books and I appreciate it here.
The introduction of the Barry/Patty/Iris love triangle is a great one. I'm a sucker for romance. The addition of Daniel West, Iris' brother is also intriguing. Makes you wonder if we're going to see Wally some time soon. Though Scott Lobdell has fucked up the Teen Titans so bad maybe Wally should stay gone and be spared being written poorly.
The Flash, 16 issues in, is still the book to beat from the New 52.
Cover of the Week:
Dave Wilkins drew the hell out of this fold out cover. The entire cover isn't on the issue (the ends get cut off), but here's the full version for your viewing pleasure.
-Gint
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