Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Comic Reviews - July 11th & 18th part duex.

Back to Part two! So much time and so little to do...Strike that. Reverse it.

Action Comics #11  -  $3.99  -  T


This is a series written by one of my favorite writers, Grant Morrison. In this issue Superman changes his disguise after a bomb went off in the last issue. His new identity as Johnny Clark, a fire fighter in Metropolis on engine 1938. Which was nice visual nod to the year Superman joined DC Comics. Superman chose this new identity so he can save people while being both people, which I feel was a good and smart enough explanation for the new identity to justify it. It's an amusing side note seeing him getting life advise from Batman. In an interesting twist Superman hypothesis that Braniac may have been saving these 204 galaxies from the Multitude. In climax of the issue, Clark Kent Johnny Clark's fire truck turns into a Metalek that hits Lois. The space man the Susie has been seeing in her dreams takes her by hand and flys off with her while he makes citizens turn on Superman.

This is a solid story by Morrison. Its a good start to a new era for the new 52 Superman.  It has a few story lines that are intertwined that Morrison is good at doing. The Art of the story is done by Rags Morales, Rick Bryant, and Brad Walker. It was interesting seeing three artists working on the book all of which are great and they get the story told with great action and pacing. The interesting fact is that all the art looks similar and it works. Only if you scrutinize the work will you be able to see the differences in figures, gestures, and layouts. It is a good issue and I will continue to read this book.

Story - 4/5
Art - 4/5




Amazing Spider-Man #689  -  $3.99  -  Includes Digital Copy  -  T 



When we last saw Dan Slott's Spider-Man he was able to turn Lizard back into Curt Connors with the help of New Horizons and Morbius.  Connors is genetically back to normal, but sets off Spider-Man's spider sense but he blames it on Morbius. Connors wants to see his son er... what's left of him anyway, and makes a scene so everyone leaves them alone. This allows Connors to grab blood and sets it in the vents which makes Morbius go all kookoo-for-cocoa-puffs. Morbius gets all bitey on Sanjani from Horizon. This sends Spider-Man after Morbius in a good fight. Meanwhile, the new Madame web gets a vision of the great web being torn, and she has to warn Peter. Finally alone at Horizon Labs, Connors plugs himself with the lizard formula, which only makes him grow his own arm back, but then injects Max with the formula which changes him into a Lizard.


This story line has had its fair share of cool moments, like Morbius stealing Billy's body and Conners using the serum on Max. It feels like it's leading to a big amalgamation of events. I hope this is worth payoff. The story isn't as deep as the latter comic but for me the history of these characters make it interesting enough to stay to see what comes next. Also the banter isn't where it use to be, which reflects the tonality of the story. The art in this issue is by Guseppe Camuncoli, which again is pretty good, but his figures look a little stiff. He is really good at drawing these high-on-bath-salt esque faces for Dr. Connor symbolizing his inner struggle. The colors by Klaus Janson need to be a little darker to add better contrast and depth to Camuncoli's art. Hopefully we see where all this is going next issue.


Story - 3/5
Art - 3/5










Batman #11  -  $3.99  -  T



In this the conclusion of the Court of the Owls, Batman found out that he had a brother he never knew about.  Lincoln March, our villain, who was born with birth defects, was left in a hospital as sickly mute who was visited by Martha Wayne on several occasions. Then the Court of Owls visited him while he was in the hospital telling him he is Thomas Wayne Jr.  While these two fight, March explains to Batman how lucky Batman is to have this city and now needs to share with his brother. In the end of the fight, the building collapsed from an explosion that trapped March but no body was found. This leaves Bruce Wayne questioning his parents and if they would really hid this from them. There are records of a John Doe but without DNA Bruce won't know for sure.  The story ends with Bruce not giving up on the city he loves both as Bruce and as Batman.


This was a good ending to the story, by Scott Snyder, that leaves this little inkling of doubt in Bruce's head.  There are some parallels that run in the end of the story that Snyder does well, like Batman giving up because of this life changing news of a brother, but then Batman vows to fight for the city while Bruce vows to rebuild the destroyed tower as a sign of hope for the city.  The art in book is by Greg Capullo who knows how to add mood and tension very well to his art.  He fits the tone and mood of this book really well. After this story arch I am very intrigued to see what comes next for Bats.


Story - 4/5
Art - 4/5










Captain America #14  -  $3.99  -  Includes Digital Copy  -  T



Ed Brubaker has another story on his hands here. We first Captain America protecting Porcupine from a new Scourge, a brain washed henchmen working for the New Hydra. It is revealed in the fight that the Scourage he is fighting is Demolition Man, Dennis Dunphy. Sharon Carter tries to make it to Cap in time to tell him who is really fighting, but when she arrives she has to do something that Cap will never forgive her for. With Steve Rogers dealing with these events, while trying to unearth who is behind a Super Villain Witness Protection Program. The worst part about it, Bravo just made this all public.


Brubaker does a great job of adding emotion and including some history involved with Cap and his villain.  It seems to make this whole thing cannon fodder for the Bravo to use against him, so he is not only attacking Cap physically and emotionally but as well as politically.  This Single story has several different layers to it that Brubaker does well.  The art Patch Zircher with Mike Deodato are good with drawing the figures and gestures along with story telling. The place where the ball is dropped in the art is the background, most of which are basic or just bland. I guess that to keep the reader more focusing in on the gravity of the story. All-in-all it is a good issue. I say pick it up if your into your comics history from the 80's.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5




That's it for now guys. Look out for new reviews from this weeks comics coming soon!

No comments:

Post a Comment