I'd hope that if we ever exiled Dom to Ceti Alpha V he would be more forgiving than Khan.-Soss
April 30, 2013
The Wrath of Dom
I'd hope that if we ever exiled Dom to Ceti Alpha V he would be more forgiving than Khan.-Soss
April 28, 2013
Gint's 4-24-13 Pull-List Review
Its a satisfying week when none of your books make you groan for one reason or another.
Fourth Place:
Justice League Dark #19
I love Mikel Janin's art. For serious. He draws such distinctive faces. I can't impress how important that is to me. I've seen enough books where that shit doesn't matter. It matters to Janin. He also draws the sweet Craig T. Nelson out of Madame Xanadu. There are few hotter chicks in comic books.
How was the issue? Really good. Despite not really featuring the Flash after his big hype on the cover, this issue sets up the Horror City arc like a champ. It looks like, as the Justice League Dark is getting back on their feet after the Timothy Hunter fiasco, the Cold Flame (some evil magic society) comes a callin'.
Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes write a nice tight story and Janin draws the hell out of it. The only negative is the inks by Vicente Cifuentes. Not as strong as the previous 18 issues, but lets hope he's just getting in a groove.
Third Place:
The Flash #19
Much like Flash's brief appearance in Justice League Dark despite his cover appearance, the Reverse-Flash's cover appearance doesn't tell you he only appears on the last page inside the book.
Marcio Takara is on pencils this issue and would do a fine job if he wasn't compared to the incomparable Francis Manapul. I feel like Manapul hasn't done a full issue in quite a while. Its a shame because he's an amazing artist that makes this book sing. As much as I like Takara and Marcus To, they're no Manapul.
What makes this issue somewhat confusing is that it picks up from a story in Dial H, which I CLEARLY didn't bother getting. So it stumbles over itself a little. Its a shame because had this whole story been covered in The Flash, it would have been pretty great.
That doesn't take away from how enjoyable this book still is though. While a lot of the New 52 has lost steam, The Flash has stayed strong.
Second Place:
I, Vampire #19
Brilliant. Totally underrated and brilliant. It would have been even better if Andrea Sorrentino would have been able to draw the whole series. But I guess the New 52's shitty Green Arrow was more important.
The final issue of Joshua Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino's (with Fernando Blanco at the end) I, Vampire wraps with issue #19. Sorrentino comes back to draw some key pages to end the story of Andrew Bennett and his love Mary. The scenes with them in the past are the best of the issue, though Blanco does a beautiful splash page himself.
While a critical darling, the series undersold and that was enough for DC to cancel it. But they'll keep pumping out trash like Vibe, Talon and Dial H (are you fucking kidding?!!!) not to mention awful stories that have chased me away from the entire Superman franchise.
Fialkov and Sorrentino had a truly unique and captivating book that died too soon. Here's to you I, Vampire.
First Place:
Guardians of the Galaxy #2
There are worse fill-in artists than Sara Pichelli. It looks like Steve McNiven lasted exactly one whole issue before needing help to stay on schedule. Unlike DC and their ballsacky fill-ins, Marvel has put class on top of class with McNiven and Pichelli.
What consistently stands out to me is how McNiven drawns a slim, lean Gamora instead of drawing her as a She-Hulk-type character with muscles on top of muscles. She almost seems more threatening by looking unassuming.
This is your classic Brian Bendis book with zippy dialog that almost pulls you out of the book. Rocket's "Blam! Murdered you!" over and over again was too much. But seeing the way this story is playing out, and including Iron Man and the leaders of the Galactic Empires, Bendis seems to be setting up something that may play out a little cooler than what the initial solicits let on.
Guardians is a hit. I can't fight it.
Panel of the Week:
Fernando Blanco does some of his best work on this page sending I, Vampire out in style.
-Gint
Justice League Dark #19
I love Mikel Janin's art. For serious. He draws such distinctive faces. I can't impress how important that is to me. I've seen enough books where that shit doesn't matter. It matters to Janin. He also draws the sweet Craig T. Nelson out of Madame Xanadu. There are few hotter chicks in comic books.
How was the issue? Really good. Despite not really featuring the Flash after his big hype on the cover, this issue sets up the Horror City arc like a champ. It looks like, as the Justice League Dark is getting back on their feet after the Timothy Hunter fiasco, the Cold Flame (some evil magic society) comes a callin'.
Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes write a nice tight story and Janin draws the hell out of it. The only negative is the inks by Vicente Cifuentes. Not as strong as the previous 18 issues, but lets hope he's just getting in a groove.
The Flash #19
Much like Flash's brief appearance in Justice League Dark despite his cover appearance, the Reverse-Flash's cover appearance doesn't tell you he only appears on the last page inside the book.
Marcio Takara is on pencils this issue and would do a fine job if he wasn't compared to the incomparable Francis Manapul. I feel like Manapul hasn't done a full issue in quite a while. Its a shame because he's an amazing artist that makes this book sing. As much as I like Takara and Marcus To, they're no Manapul.
What makes this issue somewhat confusing is that it picks up from a story in Dial H, which I CLEARLY didn't bother getting. So it stumbles over itself a little. Its a shame because had this whole story been covered in The Flash, it would have been pretty great.
That doesn't take away from how enjoyable this book still is though. While a lot of the New 52 has lost steam, The Flash has stayed strong.
I, Vampire #19
Brilliant. Totally underrated and brilliant. It would have been even better if Andrea Sorrentino would have been able to draw the whole series. But I guess the New 52's shitty Green Arrow was more important.
The final issue of Joshua Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino's (with Fernando Blanco at the end) I, Vampire wraps with issue #19. Sorrentino comes back to draw some key pages to end the story of Andrew Bennett and his love Mary. The scenes with them in the past are the best of the issue, though Blanco does a beautiful splash page himself.
While a critical darling, the series undersold and that was enough for DC to cancel it. But they'll keep pumping out trash like Vibe, Talon and Dial H (are you fucking kidding?!!!) not to mention awful stories that have chased me away from the entire Superman franchise.
Fialkov and Sorrentino had a truly unique and captivating book that died too soon. Here's to you I, Vampire.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2
There are worse fill-in artists than Sara Pichelli. It looks like Steve McNiven lasted exactly one whole issue before needing help to stay on schedule. Unlike DC and their ballsacky fill-ins, Marvel has put class on top of class with McNiven and Pichelli.
What consistently stands out to me is how McNiven drawns a slim, lean Gamora instead of drawing her as a She-Hulk-type character with muscles on top of muscles. She almost seems more threatening by looking unassuming.
This is your classic Brian Bendis book with zippy dialog that almost pulls you out of the book. Rocket's "Blam! Murdered you!" over and over again was too much. But seeing the way this story is playing out, and including Iron Man and the leaders of the Galactic Empires, Bendis seems to be setting up something that may play out a little cooler than what the initial solicits let on.
Guardians is a hit. I can't fight it.
Panel of the Week:
Fernando Blanco does some of his best work on this page sending I, Vampire out in style.
-Gint
April 26, 2013
Rise and Shine
If you listened to this weeks episode of the McSoss Comic Book Podcast you know that I have a vivid imagination. I shared more than one story of myself running to safety after watching horror movies.
One night last week I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd do some prep work for the upcoming show. I fired up Netflix at about 5am and proceeded to do my research. Needless to say I made it about a half an hour before I creeped myself out and had to shut the tv off. -Soss
April 25, 2013
Soss' Pull-List Review 4/25/13
Lot 13 #1
Lot 13 is a horror mini-series written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Glenn Fabry. In the 1600’s you could be put on trial for just about anything including suicide. The townspeople stand in judgment of the Wyatt family, victims of a murder suicide at the hands of their father Richard. Of course they are found guilty and their corpses are taken to the streets and ripped apart. Fast forward to present day where a sweet and innocent family is moving from the city to suburbia. By the end of this first issue they find themselves unknowingly staying at a hotel built on said haunted grounds.
The cast of characters is likable enough that I could see myself getting upset when ghouls inevitably start munching on the children’s heads. Niles’ writing gets a little too cute for my taste at some points. The parents are way too sharp with their snarky responses to the bratty kids. A well place “because I said so” would have been more believable.
The hero of this comic is the art. Glenn Fabry is most well known for his covers on Preacher and I’ve never seen him on interiors. He has a wonderful oil painting style coupled with very distinctive faces and body types. I think he was a great choice for this book. I’m excited to read the rest of this series and see what the ghosts of Lot 13 have in store for this family. -Soss
Panel of the Week:
April 23, 2013
McSoss Comic Book Podcast Episode 6: A Pound of Twizzlers
BEWARE McSosscasters for this episode is HAUNTED! Join us as
we review some of our favorite horror tv shows and movies including Evil Dead,
Hostel, Supernatural, Hellraiser, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and
Smallville.
We get catty about
Anne Hatthaway’s role in The Dark Knight Rises, drink beer through Twizzler straws
and review some spooky comic books. Give us a listen….if you dare! -Soss
April 22, 2013
A Game of Focaccia
Its really hard not to be a Game of Thrones fan. I'm balls-deep into the show and I've listened to the first book on audio. Both are really excellent. I'm eager to dig into the other books, but oddly enough, I don't want to spoil the show. Since I started watching the show first, I feel loyal to it even though the books have been around since 1996. A LONG time ago. Creator George R. R. Martin was certainly ahead of his time crafting such a detailed fantasy world.
At least once during every episode I think, "what would I do in that situation? What would I do if I was Samwell Tarly or Tyrion Lannister?" But the truth is, there's a good chance I'd just be drawing funny pictures in the local King's Landing news paper... which relative to that world, is a step up from what I'm doing now... except for no electronics or proper showers.
-Gint
April 21, 2013
Gint's 4-17-13 Pull-List Review
All in all this was a pretty solid week of books. Even the fifth and sixth place books were pretty solid reads.
Sixth Place:
Wonder Woman #19
This book is stuck in a rut. Its been stuck in a rut for quite a while but its good enough to keep buying.
Its an interesting book. Brian Azzarello has done a good job with the characters, but while things happen from issue to issue, it feel like nothing is happening. Strange, huh? Wonder Woman squeezes Orion's balls this issue and makes him change into some Highfather/Darkseid hybrid. Lennox (one of the best parts of the book) quits and Poseidon and the king of hell are plotting against the guy with the furry collar who I'm still not sure who he is.
The biggest problem with Wonder Woman? It stands totally separate from the DC Universe. For all DC's talk about the "shared universe" they've given Azzarello all the freedom to tell whatever story he wants without being hampered by anything else. I'm sure its great for him, but it sucks for the reader.
Also, we get a new artist, Goran Sudžuka, to help out Tony Akins. More rotating artist carousel from the "distinguished competition."
Fifth Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1
The last mini series that was started by James Robinson and Philip Tan and finished by Keith Giffen and Pop Mhan was a bit of a let down. So my expectations for this new on-going were pretty low. Those low expectations worked out because this was a pretty good issue.
Everything about it was better than the mini. Better story, less corny writing, better art. Mhan did most of the mini, but he stepped up his game here. Its a much more mature look for a book that I think needs it. I imagine the only people buying this are guys in their 30s that grew up with the cartoon. The art and story should reflect that we're not 8 any more.
Spinning out of the mini, Skeletor has been deposed, the Sorceress is dead and King Randor is back on the throne... just in time for Hordak's forces to mount a cross-dimensional attack.
A very well put together issue by Giffen and Co. Lets hope they can keep up with themselves.
Fourth Place:
Justice League #19
This book could have been ranked higher based on Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Shazam! backup alone. THAT is a damn fine story they're telling. The Justice League main title however, falls short.
Lets start with the fact that the Justice League should be 7 members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, a Green Lantern, a Flash and Martian Manhunter. I will allow Hawkgirl as a substitute. That's it. The fact that Cyborg is on the team immediately diminishes they're wow-factor. Not to mention the "additions" of Firestorm and the new Atom. Now, I like Firestorm and Ivan Reis draws the new female Atom easy on the eyes, but they're NOT JL caliber characters. The Justice League are supposed to be the best of the best! Why can't we have a long run on this book with the Main 7 without needing a "recruitment drive" to bolster the ranks?!
A book by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis should be EASILY one of my favorite reads every month. This book hasn't been. As our buddy "Image" Matt Casale said, "it feels like Johns doesn't have a story to tell, they just put their biggest name on their biggest book." I agree.
Third Place:
Green Lantern: New Guardians #19
I read this book first this week expecting it to be the weak sister of the Pull-List. Turns out I was wrong and it was really goddamn good.
New artist (cause it wouldn't be 2013 DC without new creators every month) Andres Guinaldo does a fantastic job. Aaron Kuder's work was pretty great and Guinaldo does a great job stepping up to the plate. Tony Bedard writes some really heart-wrenching stuff, fully getting across the emotional core of the loss of an entire planet. We've seen planets destroyed before (Mogo, Krypton, Xanshi, Alderaan) but Bedard really makes you feel the loss of Korugar.
Soss is usually the guy to credit a good colorist, but this issue Wil Quintana did an amazing job handling a handful of color Corps.
I believe this is the last issue for Tony Bedard and its a shame. I think over the second half of his run he really found his stride and his voice for these characters. Fare ye well, Tony. Its been great having you in the Corps.
Second Place:
Nova #3
Remember when the movies were based on the comics and not the other way around? When the comics didn't have to cater to what their onscreen brethren did? When comics did their OWN thing? Well, with the success of The Avengers in theaters, those days are apparently over.
Now, it didn't ruin this issue. Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness still tell a hell of a story, and even give me a little closure on the Richard Rider situation, but the introduction of the Chitauri (looking just like they did in the movie I might add) pulled me right out of what was an excellent issue. I'm not even sure why its a thing. I mean, don't we want some kind of unity through our brand media? Just seems like the comics may be losing a bit of their autonomy.
I've been thinking it all week and I'll commit it to the etherwebs here, its hard to admit being such an ardent DC fan that Nova was the book I was most looking forward to this week. Well done, Marvel. You win this round.
First Place:
Sword of Sorcery #7
For starters, I didn't even read the back up story. Its been that bad I'm not bothering myself. Secondly, Christy Marx and Aaron Lopresti's Amethyst story is goddamn good.
If I'm not mistaken, next issue will be the last before DC cancels the title. DC is making a lot of decisions lately that I'm really not happy with, but that's for another time. The world that Marx and Lopresti have built surrounding these characters feels so real and unique, I think a lot of fantasy fans should really have given it a chance. Plus, everyone love diversity and this book is full of it. But that's okay DC, cancel this one, but give us a new cracker-ass-centric Constantine book.
I'm just writing angrily now. I may pick this up in hardback if it gets released. That's how much I like it. If you want to find the back issues and read through them, I highly recommend it. Its only gonna be eight issues long.
Panel of the Week:
Props to the art team of penciller Andres Guinaldo, inker Raul Fernandez and colorist Wil Quintana. this was really a good looking book.
-Gint
Wonder Woman #19
This book is stuck in a rut. Its been stuck in a rut for quite a while but its good enough to keep buying.
Its an interesting book. Brian Azzarello has done a good job with the characters, but while things happen from issue to issue, it feel like nothing is happening. Strange, huh? Wonder Woman squeezes Orion's balls this issue and makes him change into some Highfather/Darkseid hybrid. Lennox (one of the best parts of the book) quits and Poseidon and the king of hell are plotting against the guy with the furry collar who I'm still not sure who he is.
The biggest problem with Wonder Woman? It stands totally separate from the DC Universe. For all DC's talk about the "shared universe" they've given Azzarello all the freedom to tell whatever story he wants without being hampered by anything else. I'm sure its great for him, but it sucks for the reader.
Also, we get a new artist, Goran Sudžuka, to help out Tony Akins. More rotating artist carousel from the "distinguished competition."
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1
The last mini series that was started by James Robinson and Philip Tan and finished by Keith Giffen and Pop Mhan was a bit of a let down. So my expectations for this new on-going were pretty low. Those low expectations worked out because this was a pretty good issue.
Everything about it was better than the mini. Better story, less corny writing, better art. Mhan did most of the mini, but he stepped up his game here. Its a much more mature look for a book that I think needs it. I imagine the only people buying this are guys in their 30s that grew up with the cartoon. The art and story should reflect that we're not 8 any more.
Spinning out of the mini, Skeletor has been deposed, the Sorceress is dead and King Randor is back on the throne... just in time for Hordak's forces to mount a cross-dimensional attack.
A very well put together issue by Giffen and Co. Lets hope they can keep up with themselves.
Justice League #19
This book could have been ranked higher based on Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Shazam! backup alone. THAT is a damn fine story they're telling. The Justice League main title however, falls short.
Lets start with the fact that the Justice League should be 7 members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, a Green Lantern, a Flash and Martian Manhunter. I will allow Hawkgirl as a substitute. That's it. The fact that Cyborg is on the team immediately diminishes they're wow-factor. Not to mention the "additions" of Firestorm and the new Atom. Now, I like Firestorm and Ivan Reis draws the new female Atom easy on the eyes, but they're NOT JL caliber characters. The Justice League are supposed to be the best of the best! Why can't we have a long run on this book with the Main 7 without needing a "recruitment drive" to bolster the ranks?!
A book by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis should be EASILY one of my favorite reads every month. This book hasn't been. As our buddy "Image" Matt Casale said, "it feels like Johns doesn't have a story to tell, they just put their biggest name on their biggest book." I agree.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #19
I read this book first this week expecting it to be the weak sister of the Pull-List. Turns out I was wrong and it was really goddamn good.
New artist (cause it wouldn't be 2013 DC without new creators every month) Andres Guinaldo does a fantastic job. Aaron Kuder's work was pretty great and Guinaldo does a great job stepping up to the plate. Tony Bedard writes some really heart-wrenching stuff, fully getting across the emotional core of the loss of an entire planet. We've seen planets destroyed before (Mogo, Krypton, Xanshi, Alderaan) but Bedard really makes you feel the loss of Korugar.
Soss is usually the guy to credit a good colorist, but this issue Wil Quintana did an amazing job handling a handful of color Corps.
I believe this is the last issue for Tony Bedard and its a shame. I think over the second half of his run he really found his stride and his voice for these characters. Fare ye well, Tony. Its been great having you in the Corps.
Nova #3
Remember when the movies were based on the comics and not the other way around? When the comics didn't have to cater to what their onscreen brethren did? When comics did their OWN thing? Well, with the success of The Avengers in theaters, those days are apparently over.
Now, it didn't ruin this issue. Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness still tell a hell of a story, and even give me a little closure on the Richard Rider situation, but the introduction of the Chitauri (looking just like they did in the movie I might add) pulled me right out of what was an excellent issue. I'm not even sure why its a thing. I mean, don't we want some kind of unity through our brand media? Just seems like the comics may be losing a bit of their autonomy.
I've been thinking it all week and I'll commit it to the etherwebs here, its hard to admit being such an ardent DC fan that Nova was the book I was most looking forward to this week. Well done, Marvel. You win this round.
Sword of Sorcery #7
For starters, I didn't even read the back up story. Its been that bad I'm not bothering myself. Secondly, Christy Marx and Aaron Lopresti's Amethyst story is goddamn good.
If I'm not mistaken, next issue will be the last before DC cancels the title. DC is making a lot of decisions lately that I'm really not happy with, but that's for another time. The world that Marx and Lopresti have built surrounding these characters feels so real and unique, I think a lot of fantasy fans should really have given it a chance. Plus, everyone love diversity and this book is full of it. But that's okay DC, cancel this one, but give us a new cracker-ass-centric Constantine book.
I'm just writing angrily now. I may pick this up in hardback if it gets released. That's how much I like it. If you want to find the back issues and read through them, I highly recommend it. Its only gonna be eight issues long.
Panel of the Week:
Props to the art team of penciller Andres Guinaldo, inker Raul Fernandez and colorist Wil Quintana. this was really a good looking book.
-Gint
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