Comic reviews 9/5 - Invasion of the Issue Zeros - Now With Less Spoilers

What is going on my fellow Comic Junkies!  Welcome back to another round of comic reviews. This week we got 3 new issue 0s by DC.  If you aren't familiar these are suppose to be the origins/jumping on points for the New 52 DC.  Wasn't that suppose to be the point of restarting the whole Universe? Oh well I digress, now lets get to the comics!!! 

Action Comics #0  -  $3.99 -  T

Sooo on this re-retelling of Superman's first few days in Metropolis, it is wrapped up in a pretty decent parable about Superman becoming a symbol of protection for the people of the city.  Morrison does a good job at weaving subtle pieces of previous stories into this issue. The story isn't anything new though, its Clark making his way while Superman sightings begin.  The most interesting part of the story is when a kid takes Superman's cape and defends his brother with it.  It adds to the lore of Superman's cape, which no one should ever tug because it might break your hand.  The issue was beautifully illustrated by Ben Oliver. I say check out this issue all for this art, because everything is just right about the way he can tell a story and its pretty to boot.  This was a good issue that's worth checking out if you like beautiful art, have been reading the Action Comics story line, or love Grant Morrison.

Story - 3/5
Art - 4/5

Hawkeye #2  -  $2.99  -  T+

PICK OF THE WEEK
I will admit I was not able to read issue #1 because it sold out so fast, but this looks like it will be one great series if they can keep this up.  This was one of my favorite books this week.  Matt Fraction was able to write Clint Barton in a way I wanted to see, and yes it ran parallel to that dreadful Gambit story.  The thing that the Hawkeye story was able to do is bring in part of his past while adding to his future.  The art for it while I know is not everyone's cup of tea, it is the art of David Aja is wonderful. It works for this type of story by adding a human element and being able to tell the story in such a unique way that made it so enjoyable to read.  I enjoyed a tip of the hat to  Jim Steranko during the hypnosis story.  Glad to see Barton is getting his time to shine.

Story - 4/5
Art - 5/5

Green Lantern #0   -  $2.99  -  T

When we last left Hal Jordan, he and Sinestro were getting sucked into a black hole, when their Lantern rings merged to find its new owner.  It finds a new owner in a topical issue.  The writer has been able to give this new character a background that unfortunately is still common today.   The new Lantern owner is Simon Baz who is of Middle Eastern descent. Since 9/11 he has suffered through many hardships like persecution, and jobless while supporting his sister and nephew.  This story is new and different, a good different.  It is something topical that I haven't seen like this in a current DC Comic before and it works.  It gives a modern back story to a new character. I want to learn more about Simon and his past and or future.  They have me hooked.  The art is by Doug Mahnke and it his art has not changed one bit and it works for this story.

Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Amazing Spider-Man #693  -  $3.99  -  Digital Copy  -  T+

In this latest installment of the Peter Parker's life he is struggling to help the newest and most powerful hero on the block, Alpha.  Alpha a high school student, is acting exactly like how Peter wish he could have acted, but Uncle Ben taught him better.  Peter figures that Alpha needs someone in his life to guide him, and Peter unnecessarily takes this role upon himself. Andy or Alpha finds out in this issue why it would be lay low and wear a mask, orrrrr not.  I just don't see why people feels the need to the be the moral compass for this kid.  He is his teacher not his parents, they are the ones who should be teaching him morality, responsibility, and not to be an ass. 
I say read this if your into the Alpha stuff, because I feel like this story line wont matter after a month from now. I love Ramos' art but my only gripe is he can't draw MJ right. She is suppose to be a model and she looks like she couldn't even be a hand model.  Okay gripe over.  Again, don't go out of your way to read this if you haven't been reading the story line.

Story - 3/5
Art - 3/5

Detective Comics #0  -  $2.99  -  T

This is the last issue 0 for this week.  This is origin of Batman and this one is just like Action, where we all know the story but its subtlety different from what we all know.  It deals with Bruce becoming Batman, after his parents have died. I feel it was a good story of the disciplined and the cost of what Bruce went through in order to learn that lesson.  The story was written by Gregg Hurwitz and it was pretty well written with a good twist in the end.  Read this issue if you are digging the Detective Comics and are looking to see how this plays into the return of the Joker.  The art is by Tony S. Daniel and Pere Perez and it works for the story, nothing special but it works.  The back up story to this is about, Alfred and him protecting Wayne Manor.  It seems like it is a little throw away story but it does show Alfred's dedication to the family.  The art on the other hand is over rendered and makes Alfred look like scum not a nobleman.

Story - 3/5
Art - 3/5

Comic Reviews - August 1st

Howdy ya'll! It's that time again! Get your books here!

Let's do this!

Avengers vs X-Men #9  -  Digital Copy  -  $3.99  - T+

Finally, an issue I could enjoy a little.  Jason Aaron writes Spider-man very well. It starts off with a great first person narration, then we "Tarantino" it and go to how we got to the point. The first person narration and Spider-Man talking to Hope about that time where every Avenger has their moment to be needed.  Spider-Man has his time to shine, and he does his Uncle Ben proud.  But with that being said, that was a pretty weak ending.  Without spoiling anything, it was a great build up to disappointment. I feel like this part of the story was out of Aaron's hands. The art by Adam Kubert, this time around it was great, leaps and bounds better then issue #7.

Story - 3/5 - Only because of the ending
Art - 4/5 

Animal Man #12  - $2.99  -  T+

Rot World Part 1, this is the first part of a cross over with Swamp Thing written by both Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire.  This issue picks up right were #11 left off, leaving Buddy Baker and his family to find Swamp Thing and Abby. Each used their respective Green and Red to find one another. While this is happening, a possessed Cliff pulls a Carl and runs off from his grandmother.  Ellen for most of the issue is a Debby Downer talking about being able to see Buddy again and how there aren't any safe places in the world anymore.  So Animal Man and Swamp thing go in and fight the rot leaving a vine from Swamp thing to the connected world, so they can find their way back. Then they enter the rot, which I have high hopes for. This seems like a great idea of the Red and Green teaming up. It's interesting to see how this continues...

Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Swamp Thing #12  -  $2.99  -  T+

In part 2! After Buddy and Alec enter the Rot, only Alec can use his powers because of his connection/tether to the outside world. This tether is cut fairly quickly by Anton Arcane. Abby closes the portal but after the tether is cut the it spells out Abby a sign that she needs to act. In what I feel it was a great way to bring Anton back which was by explaining that Alec broke the rules that when a Avatar dies they don't come back but he did, so the Rot brought back Anton. Since Maxine is the new Red avatar, she will have to be careful but also protect her brother and mom. In an interesting and graphic twist Anton sends to what we believe is the real world, in ruins. The art on this book is great and unique especially with the way the comic panels have been used as artistic touch.

Story  -  4/5
Art  -  4/5

Action Comics #12  -  $2.99  -  T

I love Grant Morrison, and this issue is why it's a mix of great story telling and the super absurd.  We learn Captain Comet's back story and how his life was the opposite that of Superman's.  As Lois is dying from her wounds Superman gets thrown into a building, and in great symbolism Superman rises from the rubble as the firefighters declare John Clark dead.  Then hysterically Captain Comet threatens Superman with I kid you not Psychic Bullets, but Susie blocks his vision.  Then Captain Comet fades away as warning that he was there to save them.  Another funny moment was when Superman learns 8 years worth of medical knowledge from books in seconds, then preforms surgery on Lois to save her life.  Kind of a cop out but also really funny.  In the end Clark Kent comes back and the first person to find out is his landlord, who turns out be Nyxlygsptlnz the girlfriend of Mxyzptlk, who is seen on the last page of the comic.  Rags Morales also gives another consistent out with his art work.

Story  -  3/5
Art  -  3/5

Detective Comics #12  -  $2.99  - T

In Tony Daniel's final issue for the series, he reveals that Mr. Toxic and Hugh Marder were going to be joined in one as they use the particle collider.  They wan't to do this in hopes of becoming immortal, but Batman averts a crisis when he throws a special Batarang into the mutation that Mr. Toxic caused himself.  Batman at the beginning of the issue came into contact with the same chemicals, so he came to the conclusion that heat will stop the mutation from spreading and saving Mr. Toxic's life. I feel like this is a good way to go out for Daniel, not a to heavy or light storyline open and closed. The art is some of the better I have seen from him. I hope the best for ya Tony, but now with that being said I am very excited for John Layman to start writing a Batman story!

Story  -  3/5
Art - 4/5

Quickshots

These are some issues that I just go the chance to read from previous weeks.

Uncanny X-Men #16 

This was fun, the art wasn't good, but it has exploding X-Men clones and exploding cows. Its worth a flip through.

Justice League #11

Big fight among each other but then at the end they see their dead loved ones, guess that's whats so new about the New 52 is everyone has an Uncle Ben. Good story, great art.

BONUS ROUND

I was just watching the Batman & Robin movie on TV, so here's Seal...

I know its from Batman Forever but deal with it and embrace it.


Till Next time. Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Blog?

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!