So I wanted to review 4 comics that I have downloaded in the last two weeks - using Comixology, which I have found to be a great app on my iPhone.
Green Lantern Corps #0 - Good issue. I enjoy the set up of Guy both on Earth before he gets a ring and as a rookie Lantern. Unlike the #0 issues for Green Lantern and Green Lantern: New Guardians this was a true flashback to what Guy's history in the new 52 universe is. B+.
Batwoman #0 - I got this series for the 1st arc in the New 52 and liked it. The second arc with two different artists (Amy Reeder's great art only lasted one issue) and the non-linear style of story telling with jumping back and forth in weeks between different plots was confusing enough to make the cut list. However, this issue makes me want to give #13 a try. It feels so much that it could slip into the Detective Comics arc by Williams and Rucka (which was amazing). A+.
Birds of Prey #0 - Interesting. I like the set up of Canary's husband at the end and how Canary and Starling met, but Batgirl/Babs shouldn't be there if it was 1 year ago. However, if what the writer meant was a few months before the start of the New 52, then it could work. Anyways, besides that distraction, it was a decently good issue. However, Canary now being connected to Team 7 really doesn't allow BoP to go farther back than 5 years for an origin. B-.
Blue Beetle #0 - I haven't picked up Blue Beetle since the first issue and I really enjoyed this one. It gave us a history of the scarab and the Reach, their interactions with the Green Lanterns and an obvious upcoming subplot with the New 52 version of Lady Styx (who to me seemed to be a character with a lot of potential that was never used properly) B.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Comics Reviewed for 9/19/12
Here are my reviews for comics September 19th:
Marvel:
Daredevil #18 - Another great issue. I love how Waid is weaving great past runs on DD from Brubaker, Bendis and Diggle to craft a great story where Matt must confront his current mentality with his past mistakes. Love Samnee's art and love the developing rift between Matt and Foggy. A.
New Mutants #49 - The end of the Fear the Future story line - which I think would have been really good if not for the very sketchy art. I'm sad to see the series go especially since I'm pretty sure X-Man and Blink the two non-New Mutant members of the team are on the bubble to make it into a book in MarvelNOW. B-.
Avengers #30 - This title continues to disappoint with it's A vs. X tie ins. I get that this is the relationship that Bendis has established, and while I love new couples in comics, I'm so not interested in what feels to me the same conversation we have heard from every couple Bendis has written. C.
DC Comics:
Wonder Woman #0 - Really enjoyed the throw back nature of the book as well as the set up for future interactions between Diana and War. Also one of the few books that flashed back to the main characters childhood/teenage years. One comment I read on twitter remarked that the book basically stated that a male deity was a better teacher than all the female Amazons. However, with the exception of Zeus and Hera, Azzarello's Greek Gods don't feel as 'gendered' to me as other characters do. A.
Justice League #0 - This was the culmination for the the back ups in Justice League recently and was the origin of Shazam in the New52. I like how Johns and Frank has done so many similar things with the Shazam but different enough that makes him more than a magic Superman. A.
Nightwing #0 - Great issue. Fantastic way to modernize Dick's circus origin, making him a little older and giving him a backround that would make sense why Bruce would allow him to be Robin. Also liked the New 52 first Robin costume. Loved the homages to what's come before and the introduction to Lady Shiva. A+.
DC Universe Presents - Here's the thing - I really bought this comic for the Mr. Terrific story by James Robinson. I enjoyed it a lot. The others- OMAC and Blackhawks were interesting, Deadman was ok, Hawk and Dove was boring. C.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #0 - Really the Jason Todd origin story. Really enjoyed the modernization of his origin, the hint of a possible Todd sibling, and the Joker back up which makes us wonder if it's true and what are the Joker's plans for Jason in the upcoming 'Death of the Family' story line. And like Dick, I enjoy Jason's Robin costume in the New 52. B.
Supergirl #0 - Recently, I picked up the first 7 issues of this series. And while slow, I really enjoyed the arc (sure it could probably have been in 4-5 issues). Without reading issues 8-12, I really dug and enjoyed this issue. Thought it gave answers but increased the mystery around Supergirl and her parents and what happened to their home or Argo City after Krypton's destruction. A-.
Green Lantern: New Guardians # 0 - I tried the first few issues of this title, and while I love Kyle Rayner, the art and some of the dialogue pushed this title to my drop list. However, with the upcoming Green Lantern crossover "The Rise of the Third Army" and the promise of a different line up of different colored Lanterns, I figured I give it a try. And I really enjoyed it. Great art and good story. I really enjoy Carol's new and more appropriate Star Sapphire uniform and really enjoy the dynamic between her and Kyle. A.
Marvel:
Daredevil #18 - Another great issue. I love how Waid is weaving great past runs on DD from Brubaker, Bendis and Diggle to craft a great story where Matt must confront his current mentality with his past mistakes. Love Samnee's art and love the developing rift between Matt and Foggy. A.
New Mutants #49 - The end of the Fear the Future story line - which I think would have been really good if not for the very sketchy art. I'm sad to see the series go especially since I'm pretty sure X-Man and Blink the two non-New Mutant members of the team are on the bubble to make it into a book in MarvelNOW. B-.
Avengers #30 - This title continues to disappoint with it's A vs. X tie ins. I get that this is the relationship that Bendis has established, and while I love new couples in comics, I'm so not interested in what feels to me the same conversation we have heard from every couple Bendis has written. C.
DC Comics:
Wonder Woman #0 - Really enjoyed the throw back nature of the book as well as the set up for future interactions between Diana and War. Also one of the few books that flashed back to the main characters childhood/teenage years. One comment I read on twitter remarked that the book basically stated that a male deity was a better teacher than all the female Amazons. However, with the exception of Zeus and Hera, Azzarello's Greek Gods don't feel as 'gendered' to me as other characters do. A.
Justice League #0 - This was the culmination for the the back ups in Justice League recently and was the origin of Shazam in the New52. I like how Johns and Frank has done so many similar things with the Shazam but different enough that makes him more than a magic Superman. A.
Nightwing #0 - Great issue. Fantastic way to modernize Dick's circus origin, making him a little older and giving him a backround that would make sense why Bruce would allow him to be Robin. Also liked the New 52 first Robin costume. Loved the homages to what's come before and the introduction to Lady Shiva. A+.
DC Universe Presents - Here's the thing - I really bought this comic for the Mr. Terrific story by James Robinson. I enjoyed it a lot. The others- OMAC and Blackhawks were interesting, Deadman was ok, Hawk and Dove was boring. C.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #0 - Really the Jason Todd origin story. Really enjoyed the modernization of his origin, the hint of a possible Todd sibling, and the Joker back up which makes us wonder if it's true and what are the Joker's plans for Jason in the upcoming 'Death of the Family' story line. And like Dick, I enjoy Jason's Robin costume in the New 52. B.
Supergirl #0 - Recently, I picked up the first 7 issues of this series. And while slow, I really enjoyed the arc (sure it could probably have been in 4-5 issues). Without reading issues 8-12, I really dug and enjoyed this issue. Thought it gave answers but increased the mystery around Supergirl and her parents and what happened to their home or Argo City after Krypton's destruction. A-.
Green Lantern: New Guardians # 0 - I tried the first few issues of this title, and while I love Kyle Rayner, the art and some of the dialogue pushed this title to my drop list. However, with the upcoming Green Lantern crossover "The Rise of the Third Army" and the promise of a different line up of different colored Lanterns, I figured I give it a try. And I really enjoyed it. Great art and good story. I really enjoy Carol's new and more appropriate Star Sapphire uniform and really enjoy the dynamic between her and Kyle. A.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Marvel Now! Wave 2
First off is a new Thunderbolts title. The most recent Thunderbolts was government sponsored team of villains being used on dangerous missions. The idea is to use these villains in situations that could be fatal in exchange for time off their sentence and in hopes of rehabilitation. That title has morphed into Dark Avengers, and with MarvelNow! the team will be lead by USAgent and be comprised by former villains masquerading as heroes who were brought together by Norman Osborn. This title, will feature a team of anti-heroes who seem not to be working in the shadows. Red Hulk (General Ross), the Punisher, Venom (Flash Thompson), Elektra and Deadpool are the openeing roster and more have been promised. Written by Way, and art by Dillon, this an interesting enough concept. I also think that Red Hulk and Venom have been Avengers, but their lethal activities which we would presume in this book, would seem to see a departure from both on being Avengers. The next book is Avengers Arena, which seems to have a large amount of teenage heroes who have been kidnapped and will be fighting for survival. This will star heroes from Runaways, Avengers Academy and other teenage heroes and might work well as a mini-series that sets up a book about the teenage heroes. However, as an ongoing, to me it seems to have no real direction and frankly, I'm not very interested.
The third book is Cable and X-Force. It seems that Cable wakes up after Avengers vs. X-Men and gathers a team. However, this team is caught at a site where people with anti-mutant feelings are massacred. I'm interesting to pick up the first issue based on the team and what the hook might be. It seems that the team will be opposed by the Uncanny Avengers as well. Also, there is a rumors of a second X-Force book too. Just announced today is Uncanny X-Force which was teased with the word Killers. The first line-up is said to Psylocke, Puck, Sprial and Storm. Why or how Storm is on a team that kills seems to be very unlike who she is as character. Weird. I'd like to hear more before I figure out if to pick up the first issue.
My one grip with the books other than Avengers Arena just seeming dumb, is that for both Thunderbolts and Cable & X-Force, the starting roster is not very diverse, which can only hope, will change. I also believe we will see a third round of teasers, most likely before the MarvelNOW! Point 1, and will tease what seems to be Bendis on Guardians of the Galaxy, Loeb on Nova, Gillen and McKelvie on a New Young Avengers book and Nick Spencer, I'm betting, will be writing a Secret Avengers book with Nick Fury Jr (the new African-American Nick Fury) on the team . Thought I'm hoping it might be Bendis on Secret Avengers and Spencer on Guardians....?Sunday, September 16, 2012
Comic Reviews for 9/12
Here are my reviews of this week's comics:
Marvel Comics:
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 - Wow. This was huge. Big comic book death which makes more head lines with casual fans and people who are somewhat familiar with the X-Men. To fans, the character has 'died' before and really hasn't been a huge part of the X Universe for a while. However, the character's death will most likely set the X Universe on a direct course of integration with the rest of the Marvel Universe and the killer will most likely have a huge redemption arc in Marvel Now! Great art and pretty well written, however like many cross overs (especially Marvel) this is a 12 issue series that could have been 5-6 issues. A-.
The New Avengers #30 - I've said before that I have been disappointed with most of the Avengers side AvsX tie ins. This comic, however, was good in that I enjoy this team of Avengers and the action juxtaposed one's characters decision (which frankly has been a sub plot in NA for what feels like the last 5 years). However, the fact that this subplot has taken so long, and that this issue seems to take place after Avengers vs. X-Men is somewhat confusing. B-.
Uncanny X-Men #18 - Pretty good. Great art and shows the behind the scenes action of Cyclops and White Queen during the fight in AvsX #11. It certainly gives a very different view of what seemed to be one of the two big betrayals in AvsX. B.
Wolverine and the X-Men #16 - First, I love this series. However, I am sick to death of the Hellfire club. It is so unbelievable that these kids are like this. I can believe Damian Wayne is deadly cause he was trained since birth, or Val Richards is super-smart cause she is a mutant. But these kids annoy me like that Loeb had Tommy Elliot arrange the death of his parents when he was like 9. If they were teenagers, it might be more believable. I just find them annoying. C.
Uncanny X-Force #31 - I enjoy that Remender is going out with a huge bang, in what feels like the satisfying conclusion of all he has done in this book. I love that it opens with what seems to be the death of one character and the transformation of another. Great issue, glad to see the book is back on track. A.
Winter Soldier #10 - Great issue. The death of a long time Marvel character by an mind controlled reformed villain. I see this as what will become the Winter Soldier being by himself by the end of the arc. Unlike Captain America, Brubaker is going out with a bang and some huge stuff on this title. A+.
Fantastic Four #610 - Great issue. Unlike most of the recent issue, this is the first part of two parter that deals with subplots that Hickman has been setting up, but does a good job of introducing it to new readers. A.
Captain America #17 - Wow. This book has taken such a huge nose-dive its really too bad. It just seems that all the life has been sucked out of the book - trying to close out his run but with no creativity or passion. D-.
DC Comics:
Shade #12 - Amazing. Great writing, great art. Shade's origin. Loved it. A+.
Batman # 0 - I liked this a lot. I felt the main story was cut short and didn't like that is was to be continued in 2013. I did like the revision of Bruce's history away and return to Gotham in the New52. All the classic elements are still there but just revised enough to have a younger Bruce in the present day and also show Bruce operating in a more modern way even when he came back. I loved the back-up and also gives fan a good idea of the ages of major Bat characters. A.
Batgirl #0 - Again, this is a revision of Bab's New 52 history. Again, big changes from before, but I liked it a lot. Benes' art is at times awkward but I did enjoy maintaing the core of who Bab's is and sets up James Jr. as what I expect to be Bab's Moriarty in the 2nd year of the book. B+.
Demon Knights #0 - I really enjoyed this issue. I know it is a retconning of what was established in the #1st issue but done so well I really don't care. I'm very interested to see how the sub plot of Merline, Lucifer, Etrigan and Morgaine plays out. A.
Team 7 #0 - This is a classic introduction story. While I enjoyed the characters and their introduction, I wish that there was a something of a specific threat that sets up where the book is going in the first year. B-.
Marvel Comics:
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 - Wow. This was huge. Big comic book death which makes more head lines with casual fans and people who are somewhat familiar with the X-Men. To fans, the character has 'died' before and really hasn't been a huge part of the X Universe for a while. However, the character's death will most likely set the X Universe on a direct course of integration with the rest of the Marvel Universe and the killer will most likely have a huge redemption arc in Marvel Now! Great art and pretty well written, however like many cross overs (especially Marvel) this is a 12 issue series that could have been 5-6 issues. A-.
The New Avengers #30 - I've said before that I have been disappointed with most of the Avengers side AvsX tie ins. This comic, however, was good in that I enjoy this team of Avengers and the action juxtaposed one's characters decision (which frankly has been a sub plot in NA for what feels like the last 5 years). However, the fact that this subplot has taken so long, and that this issue seems to take place after Avengers vs. X-Men is somewhat confusing. B-.
Uncanny X-Men #18 - Pretty good. Great art and shows the behind the scenes action of Cyclops and White Queen during the fight in AvsX #11. It certainly gives a very different view of what seemed to be one of the two big betrayals in AvsX. B.
Wolverine and the X-Men #16 - First, I love this series. However, I am sick to death of the Hellfire club. It is so unbelievable that these kids are like this. I can believe Damian Wayne is deadly cause he was trained since birth, or Val Richards is super-smart cause she is a mutant. But these kids annoy me like that Loeb had Tommy Elliot arrange the death of his parents when he was like 9. If they were teenagers, it might be more believable. I just find them annoying. C.
Uncanny X-Force #31 - I enjoy that Remender is going out with a huge bang, in what feels like the satisfying conclusion of all he has done in this book. I love that it opens with what seems to be the death of one character and the transformation of another. Great issue, glad to see the book is back on track. A.
Winter Soldier #10 - Great issue. The death of a long time Marvel character by an mind controlled reformed villain. I see this as what will become the Winter Soldier being by himself by the end of the arc. Unlike Captain America, Brubaker is going out with a bang and some huge stuff on this title. A+.
Fantastic Four #610 - Great issue. Unlike most of the recent issue, this is the first part of two parter that deals with subplots that Hickman has been setting up, but does a good job of introducing it to new readers. A.
Captain America #17 - Wow. This book has taken such a huge nose-dive its really too bad. It just seems that all the life has been sucked out of the book - trying to close out his run but with no creativity or passion. D-.
DC Comics:
Shade #12 - Amazing. Great writing, great art. Shade's origin. Loved it. A+.
Batman # 0 - I liked this a lot. I felt the main story was cut short and didn't like that is was to be continued in 2013. I did like the revision of Bruce's history away and return to Gotham in the New52. All the classic elements are still there but just revised enough to have a younger Bruce in the present day and also show Bruce operating in a more modern way even when he came back. I loved the back-up and also gives fan a good idea of the ages of major Bat characters. A.
Batgirl #0 - Again, this is a revision of Bab's New 52 history. Again, big changes from before, but I liked it a lot. Benes' art is at times awkward but I did enjoy maintaing the core of who Bab's is and sets up James Jr. as what I expect to be Bab's Moriarty in the 2nd year of the book. B+.
Demon Knights #0 - I really enjoyed this issue. I know it is a retconning of what was established in the #1st issue but done so well I really don't care. I'm very interested to see how the sub plot of Merline, Lucifer, Etrigan and Morgaine plays out. A.
Team 7 #0 - This is a classic introduction story. While I enjoyed the characters and their introduction, I wish that there was a something of a specific threat that sets up where the book is going in the first year. B-.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
MarvelNOW! & New52 - Diversity
So recently Comic Book Resources posted an article written by Brett White that talked about the lack of women in the promo images of Hickman's upcoming Avengers run. It is a great article and I encourage that if you have not read it, do so here: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=40849
In fact, between the Avengers promo image and the Uncanny Avengers promo image, the lack of the women in Avengers teams as part of MarvelNOW! seems very lacking. And yes, Marvel has not revealed the lineup of New Avengers or if Secret Avengers exists in MarvelNOW!, and both Hickman and Rick Remender have stated that the teams revealed in both of these images are not the final roster, one has not only wonder about the disproportionate amount of women, but also the disproportionate amount of racial diversity on these teams. The article remarked that in the Avengers promo there was 3 women to 11 men ratio, and in U.A. there is a 2 to 4 ratio. As far as racial diversity, there is a 2 to 12 ratio in the Avengers promo and a 0 to 6 ratio in U.A. Avengers Assemble, while written by a woman, promises at first, a 2 to 4 ratio as it comes to gender.
It seems, that unfortunately that diversity when it comes to gender and race are a large problem for both Marvel and DC. Recently, DC has announced a new Justice League title, Justice League of America, that 'takes the place' of Justice League International. Now, of the 3 original Justice League titles, and even with JLA, DC worst JL title when it comes to diversity is their flagship book: Justice League( of a roster of 7, one woman and one African American male). When it started, Justice League International was 4 to 4 ratio when it came to gender and was, as it's name implied, internationally diverse in nature. Justice League Dark also was pretty even gender wise, and recently has become more racially diverse. Even the new Justice League of America has a roster of 9, with three women(one of whom is Japanese), Hispanic and Arab American members, and a Martian ;) Justice League seems to be becoming more diverse in their second year, with Mera and Element Woman as well as the Korean American Ryan Choi scheduled - but we will see.
What boggles my mind is why writers today do not tap more into the diversity of both the Marvel and DC Universes. I feel, that DC is doing a better job, but they need to do so in their flagship titles, not just their off shoot titles. And Marvel....why Black Panther is not on that Avengers promo is beyond me. Hickman has pretty much guaranteed from his work on Fantastic Four that T'Challa will be in the Avengers. That along with great Avengers that are not white males: Monica Rambeau, She-Hulk, Mockingbird, Daisy Johnson, Storm, Jocasta, Valkyrie, Jewel, Mantis, Moondragon, Silverclaw, 3-D Man, Living Lightning, Firebird, Firestar, Lionheart, War Machine, Tigra, Sersi, Crystal, Rage, Marrina, Hellcat to name a few. So again, there are plenty of Avengers characters, as well as X-Men and Fantastic Four characters that could be on this Avengers team and frankly that they aren't is a shame and waste of an opportunity.
Marvel Now! Part 2 - Creative Teams & Read List
I've discussed a lot about MarvelNow! and what new books I'm going to pick up the 1st arc or the 1st issue of, and what books I'll be dropping. As of now, my pull list will look something like this:
Books I'm Keeping:
Wolverine and the X-Men
Daredevil
Hawkeye
1st Arcs of New Books:
Avengers
New Avengers
Uncanny Avengers
1st Issues of New Books:
Fantastic Four
FF
Indestructible Hulk
Captain America
However, what I'm also excited about is books that have either a creative team change or change of characters in already established books. Two such books are Red She-Hulk and Avengers Assemble. I've heard great things about Jeff Parker's run on Hulk, but the Red Hulk and his alter ego of Gen. 'Thunderbolt' Ross never really drew me in. However, changing the shift from the Red Hulk to the Red She-Hulk (Ross's daughter, Betty Ross, who is the green Hulk's 'ex'-wife) interests me. Also it seems like she is on the run from the heroes of the Marvel Universe (most likely avenging the death of her father in the last two issues of Avengers vs. X-Men - my prediction) - which, again, is very enticing to me. The 2nd title, Avengers Assemble is by a writer I like, De Connick and with art by Stefano Caselli -whose art I love. I'm hoping that this title soon looses most of the movie roster and rotates in more classic Avengers.
I'm also looking forward to the end of the first arc of certain books as well. Sometimes, writers feel the need to at least have the first arc or two focus on the character on an adventure by themselves in some new locale or situation. However, usually after this first arc, the writer feels that they have given their character enough time to be introduced to the readers to start to bring in other characters and situations from the larger universe it resides in. Tow such books are Captain Marvel and World's Finest. Captain Marvel is a book I picked up the first issue of and had a lot of problems with it's art. I've heard good things about it's 2nd and 3rd issues, and am going to pick the issue where former Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, shows up, and give it another chance. I have had similar issues with World's Finest: I enjoy the concept of the book and most of the flashback sequences I have read, but am not taken by a.) Power Girl's current duds and b.) the first villain and plot of the 1st arc. I really enjoyed the #0, and am planning on picking up the arc which has Huntress (Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle's daughter from an alternate earth) interact with main DCU Gotham characters such as the current Robin (Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul's son).
Books I'm Keeping:
Wolverine and the X-Men
Daredevil
Hawkeye
1st Arcs of New Books:
Avengers
New Avengers
Uncanny Avengers
1st Issues of New Books:
Fantastic Four
FF
Indestructible Hulk
Captain America
However, what I'm also excited about is books that have either a creative team change or change of characters in already established books. Two such books are Red She-Hulk and Avengers Assemble. I've heard great things about Jeff Parker's run on Hulk, but the Red Hulk and his alter ego of Gen. 'Thunderbolt' Ross never really drew me in. However, changing the shift from the Red Hulk to the Red She-Hulk (Ross's daughter, Betty Ross, who is the green Hulk's 'ex'-wife) interests me. Also it seems like she is on the run from the heroes of the Marvel Universe (most likely avenging the death of her father in the last two issues of Avengers vs. X-Men - my prediction) - which, again, is very enticing to me. The 2nd title, Avengers Assemble is by a writer I like, De Connick and with art by Stefano Caselli -whose art I love. I'm hoping that this title soon looses most of the movie roster and rotates in more classic Avengers.
I'm also looking forward to the end of the first arc of certain books as well. Sometimes, writers feel the need to at least have the first arc or two focus on the character on an adventure by themselves in some new locale or situation. However, usually after this first arc, the writer feels that they have given their character enough time to be introduced to the readers to start to bring in other characters and situations from the larger universe it resides in. Tow such books are Captain Marvel and World's Finest. Captain Marvel is a book I picked up the first issue of and had a lot of problems with it's art. I've heard good things about it's 2nd and 3rd issues, and am going to pick the issue where former Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, shows up, and give it another chance. I have had similar issues with World's Finest: I enjoy the concept of the book and most of the flashback sequences I have read, but am not taken by a.) Power Girl's current duds and b.) the first villain and plot of the 1st arc. I really enjoyed the #0, and am planning on picking up the arc which has Huntress (Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle's daughter from an alternate earth) interact with main DCU Gotham characters such as the current Robin (Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul's son).
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Marvel NOW! Wave 2 Teases - Part 1
So this week Marvel released it's second wave of teasers for Marvel Now! books coming out in January. When Marvel Now! was first announced so were new #1's for Avengers and New Avengers, as well announcing new titles All-New X-Men and Uncanny Avengers. The 1st round of teasers were pretty easy to decipher, for the new #1's for Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four, FF and Deadpool. This round of teasers, however are not as easy. First, what's interesting really interesting is that these four titles are being written by relatively new writers to Marvel. Second, these teasers could go a couple of ways. The easy money would be that these are Avengers or X-Men books being relaunched within MarvelNow! We know New Mutants and Avengers Academy is ending, and rumors of Remender leaving Uncanny X-Force and Secret Avengers abound, as well as tweets by Brian Wood (the current writer of X-Men) seem to indicate that his run on X-Men is coming to a close. I'd be surprised to see a change on X-Treme or Astonishing X-Men, as well as Venom or Scarlet Spider since either the books just started or new creative teams just started on those books (However, while not announced X-Men and Secret Avengers recently had new creative teams on those books too -so not sure if that logic holds). Based on the teasers, I'm predicting some sort of X-team maybe going under the name of Exiles that are on the run, possibly a Thunderbolts squad that is US gov. Black Ops team that kills villains and led by the Punisher, and the other two teasers are possibly for X-Force and Secret Avengers, or maybe even a SHIELD book. My two other theories is that the teasers might be about books that deal with different physical locales of the Marvel Universe (such as the Savage Land or Wakanda) or books that deal with different genres of the Marvel Universe (such as Cosmic or Magic/Horror). I think the possibility of that these could be teases for a Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy, and maybe two Magic/Horror books - Dr. Strange, Blade, Nightstalkers, ect. is one that could certainly be possible and would be a nice curve ball from Marvel.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Comic Reviews for the Last Two Weeks
So last weekend was my 1st anniversary and my wife and I went back to the hotel we has our reception at, and this week is the first start of school for me so I've been busy and thus why the slow crawl of posts to my blog. I'm going to start this week by posting my last two weeks of comic reviews to start and hope to write some posts over the weekend.
So here are my reviews for the comics I either purchased or read from August 29th.
DC Comics:
Aquaman #12 - Good issue- not great. A big criticism is that much of what happened is predictable including the dialogue. B-.
Green Lantern Annual #1 - Wow. Great art. Major developments. Fantastic issue and great prologue to the logical next step to what's been going on with the Guardians and the Lantern Corps. A+.
Justice League #12 - The issue. I honestly felt that the kiss was not as forced as it could have been. In some ways this romance makes sense, which might be why it may work for a while but not forever. Graves was really an ok villain but Johns uses him to show that in the New 52, the Justice League isn't the team it should be, and the challenge of year 2, it would seem, is to make it the team it should be. B+
Justice League International #1 - Wow. Well if, this is what JLI has been from the start, I think we all would have liked it. Lots of mysteries of the 2nd year of the New 52 set up and one wonders how familiar will it be to stories that has happened in the old universe. The other question is what role will Booster Gold and Rip Hunter play in the DCU's future and past. A.
Flash Annual #1 - I liked it. I enjoyed the artists - it's great to see Kollins work on the New 52 Rogues in their past incarnations. And I feel Wes Craig's art fits well into the current Flash art. In some ways, this issue was more about Captain Cold than Flash, and also it's a big departure from the pre New 52 iteration of the Rogues, not just in powers but also motivation. B.
Superman Annual #1 - Wow. Well, I'm still going to give Lobdell an issue (or even two) with his run on Superman but this issue was allllll over the place. I liked some stuff, confused by others, and the art was not what was needed for this issue. At one point, Superman's arms looked to be about 3/4 the size of his total body. C-.
Marvel Comics:
FF #21 - FF and Fantastic Four has been a book that really seems to be wrapping up Hickman's loose ends. In some ways, for long time readers its great, however, if you're new, I'm sure it's annoying. This issue, flashes back and forth from present to a few weeks ago, which is cool but also kind of annoying. Also annoying is that Hickman seems to forget that Crystal has a child. Weird. B-.
Winter Soldier # 9 - Great. This title consistently makes the reader think the story is going in one direction, and then pulls the rug out from under you. A.
Wolverine and the X-Men #15 - I have to say that I have enjoyed this title's A vs. X tie-ins and this issue is not different. It's a breath of fresh air, the last gasp before the remaining X-Men join up with the Avengers. I look forward to seeing how this title reacts to the final events of A vs. X. A-.
Uncanny X-Force #30 - Just like the two previous issues, this is another issue that builds what seems to be Remender's final arc on Uncanny X-Force. Here we have that while X-Force is in the future, the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, led by Wolverine's sociopathic son Daken, try to corrupt the young mutant Genesis, a clone of the evil mutant Apocalypse. Good issue and I'm interested to see where it goes. B+.
New Mutants #48 - Here's the thing: I love DnA. I've loved their take on the New Mutants - especially including characters like Blink and X-Man. And I love their take on time-travel, other dimensions and sci-fi concepts of the sort. And this is one of their final arcs on the book before it is canceled. However, the art in this issue is really, really distracting. I hope the final few issues becomes improved. B-.
And reviews for September 5th:
DC Comics: First Week of #0 Month
Action Comics #0 - I liked this issue. Morrison's run on Action has not been the fantastic one issues of All-Star Superman or the planned opus of his Batman run. However, while some of weird Golden/Silver Age re-imagined villains are annoying, I really like Morrison's take on young Superman/Clark Kent who still does not have all his powers and trying to find his place in the world. B+.
Green Lantern #0 - After the events of the GL Annual - it seems that Sinestro's ring has merged with Hal's ring and has found a new replacement - an Arab-American car thief who steals the wrong car (it has a bomb) and then is taken by the US Government. It'll be interesting to see how long this new GL stays around and what role he will have on the DC Universe. A.
Earth 2 #0 - I liked this issue. However, two things bothered me. 1st, the art was slightly off - so not what we've come to expect from Earth 2 and 2nd, this issue feels that it should be before an arc where Sloan is the main villain. However, I really enjoyed the story. B.
World's Finest #0 - This was a great issue. I really love the costumes of Earth 2's Superman, Batman, Robin, Supergirl and Catwoman. And this issue, that tells the death of Catwoman and the meeting of Robin and Supergirl was really well done. Also, great to see Wes Craig helping out on this issue. A+.
Phantom Stranger #0 - Well...that's interesting. I'm assuming Spectre's origin in this issue is in modern times, but I think that the Phantom Stranger is Judas Iscariot is pretty big. I'm interested to see how the next issue is to really judge this series. B-.
Green Arrow #0 - I liked the central idea of this issue. It sets up Ollie in a modern setting to why he gets on the island and it sets up the villain Merlyn to be much closely tied to Ollie. However, the villain and some of the dialogue are very dated and seems to be ancillary to what the New 52 is about. C+.
Marvel Comics:
Hawkeye #2 - Wow. Really great issue. I'm hooked. Love the idea of Kate Bishop being Clint's partner and not sidekick. And I enjoy what seems to be a larger conspiracy issue that Fraction is building at the end, and so different than from what Hawkeye usually deals with. A+.
The Invincible Iron Man - Another great issue in the war between Tony Stark and the Mandarin. It's an issue that people who have been following the current run will enjoy, and if you haven't been, I encourage you to jump on board. A.
So here are my reviews for the comics I either purchased or read from August 29th.
DC Comics:
Aquaman #12 - Good issue- not great. A big criticism is that much of what happened is predictable including the dialogue. B-.
Green Lantern Annual #1 - Wow. Great art. Major developments. Fantastic issue and great prologue to the logical next step to what's been going on with the Guardians and the Lantern Corps. A+.
Justice League #12 - The issue. I honestly felt that the kiss was not as forced as it could have been. In some ways this romance makes sense, which might be why it may work for a while but not forever. Graves was really an ok villain but Johns uses him to show that in the New 52, the Justice League isn't the team it should be, and the challenge of year 2, it would seem, is to make it the team it should be. B+
Justice League International #1 - Wow. Well if, this is what JLI has been from the start, I think we all would have liked it. Lots of mysteries of the 2nd year of the New 52 set up and one wonders how familiar will it be to stories that has happened in the old universe. The other question is what role will Booster Gold and Rip Hunter play in the DCU's future and past. A.
Flash Annual #1 - I liked it. I enjoyed the artists - it's great to see Kollins work on the New 52 Rogues in their past incarnations. And I feel Wes Craig's art fits well into the current Flash art. In some ways, this issue was more about Captain Cold than Flash, and also it's a big departure from the pre New 52 iteration of the Rogues, not just in powers but also motivation. B.
Superman Annual #1 - Wow. Well, I'm still going to give Lobdell an issue (or even two) with his run on Superman but this issue was allllll over the place. I liked some stuff, confused by others, and the art was not what was needed for this issue. At one point, Superman's arms looked to be about 3/4 the size of his total body. C-.
Marvel Comics:
FF #21 - FF and Fantastic Four has been a book that really seems to be wrapping up Hickman's loose ends. In some ways, for long time readers its great, however, if you're new, I'm sure it's annoying. This issue, flashes back and forth from present to a few weeks ago, which is cool but also kind of annoying. Also annoying is that Hickman seems to forget that Crystal has a child. Weird. B-.
Winter Soldier # 9 - Great. This title consistently makes the reader think the story is going in one direction, and then pulls the rug out from under you. A.
Wolverine and the X-Men #15 - I have to say that I have enjoyed this title's A vs. X tie-ins and this issue is not different. It's a breath of fresh air, the last gasp before the remaining X-Men join up with the Avengers. I look forward to seeing how this title reacts to the final events of A vs. X. A-.
Uncanny X-Force #30 - Just like the two previous issues, this is another issue that builds what seems to be Remender's final arc on Uncanny X-Force. Here we have that while X-Force is in the future, the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, led by Wolverine's sociopathic son Daken, try to corrupt the young mutant Genesis, a clone of the evil mutant Apocalypse. Good issue and I'm interested to see where it goes. B+.
New Mutants #48 - Here's the thing: I love DnA. I've loved their take on the New Mutants - especially including characters like Blink and X-Man. And I love their take on time-travel, other dimensions and sci-fi concepts of the sort. And this is one of their final arcs on the book before it is canceled. However, the art in this issue is really, really distracting. I hope the final few issues becomes improved. B-.
And reviews for September 5th:
DC Comics: First Week of #0 Month
Action Comics #0 - I liked this issue. Morrison's run on Action has not been the fantastic one issues of All-Star Superman or the planned opus of his Batman run. However, while some of weird Golden/Silver Age re-imagined villains are annoying, I really like Morrison's take on young Superman/Clark Kent who still does not have all his powers and trying to find his place in the world. B+.
Green Lantern #0 - After the events of the GL Annual - it seems that Sinestro's ring has merged with Hal's ring and has found a new replacement - an Arab-American car thief who steals the wrong car (it has a bomb) and then is taken by the US Government. It'll be interesting to see how long this new GL stays around and what role he will have on the DC Universe. A.
Earth 2 #0 - I liked this issue. However, two things bothered me. 1st, the art was slightly off - so not what we've come to expect from Earth 2 and 2nd, this issue feels that it should be before an arc where Sloan is the main villain. However, I really enjoyed the story. B.
World's Finest #0 - This was a great issue. I really love the costumes of Earth 2's Superman, Batman, Robin, Supergirl and Catwoman. And this issue, that tells the death of Catwoman and the meeting of Robin and Supergirl was really well done. Also, great to see Wes Craig helping out on this issue. A+.
Phantom Stranger #0 - Well...that's interesting. I'm assuming Spectre's origin in this issue is in modern times, but I think that the Phantom Stranger is Judas Iscariot is pretty big. I'm interested to see how the next issue is to really judge this series. B-.
Green Arrow #0 - I liked the central idea of this issue. It sets up Ollie in a modern setting to why he gets on the island and it sets up the villain Merlyn to be much closely tied to Ollie. However, the villain and some of the dialogue are very dated and seems to be ancillary to what the New 52 is about. C+.
Marvel Comics:
Hawkeye #2 - Wow. Really great issue. I'm hooked. Love the idea of Kate Bishop being Clint's partner and not sidekick. And I enjoy what seems to be a larger conspiracy issue that Fraction is building at the end, and so different than from what Hawkeye usually deals with. A+.
The Invincible Iron Man - Another great issue in the war between Tony Stark and the Mandarin. It's an issue that people who have been following the current run will enjoy, and if you haven't been, I encourage you to jump on board. A.
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