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 - 8/22 Happy 50 Spider-Man, Controversy, and Uncanny X-Meh! Bonus Liefeld

What's going on 1uppers! Last week wasn't a very big week for me so I only got 3 titles that I picked up, which means next batch of reviews should have a lot more in them!

So lets get to business...

Amazing Spider-Man #692 - $5.99 - Digital Copy - T

This is the 50th anniversary/birthday of out favorite web head.  This is an issue that not only has some fluff pieces it also progresses the current story arch, but those fluff pieces are pretty darn emotional.  The first is a 6 panel, 1 page story that tells you how Spidey became himself and that's it.  The next is a the current continuity story that starts with a narrated story about a kid who is invisible in high school and pretty much runs every parallel to Peter's origin story. Andy Maguire is trying to catch the eye of a girl from his high school, while on a trip to Horizon Laboratories to see Peter Perker's new invention.  So they get there, bad guy cranks the Parker Particle machine to 11 and makes it explode, zapping Andy.  This gives Andy powers that are based on the structure of the universe, making him a Alpha human. This means he is the most powerful hero ever, but every time he uses his powers it zaps parts of the universe so as they have said before 'With great power comes great responsibility.'  There are lawsuits, training, showboating, and the kid saves the day, also re-intros the Jackal. Its nothing ground breaking by either Slott or Ramos.

The next little ditty is by Indy artist and writer Dean Haspiel, which some fans won't know who he is and that's okay but you should go read his stuff now. Dean writes and illustrates a poetic 8 page story of a burglar who finds Spider-Man's costume after Peter trashes it in issue 50.  The man takes the costume and rides the wave of hate of Spider-Man so he robs some stores but he is thwarted in his attempt.  We follow him home where we find out that he is robbing banks in order to get money for his granddaughter, who ironically is a Spider-Man fan. So dressed as Spider-Man he visits his granddaughter and tells her that her Grandfather is doing everything he can to ease her pain.  She says that there are only so many people a superhero can save in the day, which hits the grandfather hard and realizes that it takes more to be a superhero then to dress like one.  This is a great story, cheesy but good.

The last story is one by I,Vampire writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and is hysterical in every way. This story has it all, Peter is having a typical Parker-Luck day. He saves a mannequin from a fire training exercise, he is late for a lecture, and he gets pooped on by a bird.  The best part of the story is when he takes a bullied kid under his wing and gets to know him. He helps change this kids life by talking things out, which is a great change of pace. These are the storied I would have much rather see in an overpriced anniversary book. I don't want a new story, I want a story that touches on 50 years of history and experience and a more mentor-ship to kids who have real world problems, not super ones (see second story.)  The best parts about this whole issue are the ones that are the fluff, so in reality the current story are the second act to the better short stories. Also the non conventional art styles of the latter two stories are a great breath of fresh air.  Read this if your a big Spidey fan.

Story - 3/5
Art - 4/5

Batman Incorperated #3 - $2.99 - T

This was the issue that was delayed out of respect by DC due to the tragedy in Colorado.  I don't think anything was altered with the book, but it was the first page that caused the controversy.

In this issue a cult replaces a school teacher, and she pulls a gun on classroom full of students.  The cult is known as Leviathan which first appeared at its own one-shot before the reboot, and in the one shot we found out it Talia al Ghul was the leader.  They continued with the Leviathan story arch in the New 52 Batman Incorporated series.  In this issue you find that the Leviathan is slowly replacing/brainwashing Gotham's citizens, so they can build their army.  This sets up Matches Malone return to extract info from "Small" Fry about Leviathan and their plot.  While this happens Matches intervenes with a girl who is being hassled by some goons, and then he proceeds to hit on her.  Later it is revealed that "Matches" is being played by Bruce Wayne, and they discover that Professor Pyg has been giving Gotham a mind controlling drug so Leviathan can take over. Then Matches visits a the club again where he finds out that Leviathan has been sacrificing goats, but after he leaves and is changing in Alfred driven cab he gets a call from the singer he saved, saying she was in trouble.  So Bruce puts the Matches outfit back on and heads to the Brother Grim wake, where it was a set-up.  Meanwhile, Damian uses gas to knock out Alfred and sneak out but not as the deceased Robin, but as Redbird. 

This issue was a little fun. I had to do some catching up in order to follow the story, but it wasn't that bad. Now the issue its self is setting up some interesting future events (Dick dressed as Batman/ Bruce trapped/ Damian out as Redbird because he was KIA) so I am not sure if these is foreshadowing or if they are just simple allusions too pre-new 52 story arches. I trust Morrison as a fan, so I can only assume something twisted or surprising in the end. As for the art in this book by Chris Burnham, it has been pretty solid and keen to his own style.  The art I feel compliments the dirty and noir-ish feel to the story.  I can't wait to see what happens next in this twisted little story.

Story - 3/5
Art - 4/5

Uncanny X-Men #17 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - +T

Now I am having trouble chronologically putting this into sequence with the Main AVX books, because all 5 of them still have the Phoenix Force.  I assume this happened right after they got the Force and before Namor's downfall. 

So any who, Mr. Sinister has cloned X-Men including Madelyn who possess the Phoenix and uses it to trap the Phoenix Five.  While this happens, Psylocke has a pretty important role in breaking into the castle to rescue them.  Now this is where things get weird.  Psylocke and Danger save Magneto from Madelyn IV, and Emma Frost talks to the Phoenix itself.  Emma convinces it that Mr. Sinister will use it and keep it, and I kid-you-not she says "You're here for a reason...It's surely not prop up a megalomaniac's delusion of grandeur."  How can you write that seriously?  The woman who thinks she is God's gift to everything with her boy toy who thinks he is the Messiah of mutant kind, who is trying to create a perfect world in their image, are talking about Mr. Sinister abusing it's power? WTF So anyway the Phoenix is all F' this and destroys all the Madelyn clones.  Then they apparently kill Mr. Sinister.  Cyclopes then states the Sinister species is gone and the world is safe... and theirs. WTF again so they manipulate the Phoenix force so they can abuse the hell out of it and take of the world. I don't get it and its annoying.  

The art in this book is by Acuna and Del Mundo is very inconsistent too. It is very detailed at times then it's very thick brush strokes and details are all muddled together which can be attributed to the very different art styles by both artists.  Pyslocke looks like her normal self in one panel, then in the next she looks like an emaciated emo chick in the next.  I can't explain why they would have two artists with two very dissimilar styles work like this but they did.  At least it gives me something to write about. lol

Story - 1/5
Art - 1/5

Bonus Round

Rob Liefeld vs Scott Snyder and Tom Brevoort

Looking into this debacle finally, it looks like Rob was flame on and tried to torch anything he could.  He first went on a public rant on Twitter where he bashed DC's Editorial citing constant last minute re-writes that were thrown at him by his editor.  One included Grifter where he was suppose to have Grifter become part of a cross-over with Superman. Then the Superman editors backed out of it causing Liefeld to re-write the whole issue.  This as Liefeld states is becoming the new norm for bother big publishers because of their Parent companies stepping on creativity in order to create profit.  I can see where his frustration is coming from, but wasn't this the case for years? I am pretty sure I remember hearing stories about creators back in the day re-writing everything in order to out due their competitors/complete a 60 page book. 

Then Liefeld goes and throws everyone who has ever did him wrong, under the bus. This prompts someone to ask Brevoort if there is room for him at Marvel. Brevoort replies saying they don't want to add him after what he has done and then Liefled replies back with a childish name calling tweet.  I won't say it here but there is no need to make fun of someones weight because they are commenting on your very public tongue lashing. It's very childish and inhumane.  

Then Scott Snyder steps up and defends DC and gets back at Liefeld. There are some DM's between the two that started this thing off before it got public. Now again Liefeld cites that Batman is the reason Snyder's books sell and not the writing. That maybe true but Snyder's writing has been great since he started writing Detective Comics.  Liefled says that Swamp Thing doesn't do as nearly as well as Batman, but in all fairness, it did better then Hawk and Dove.  Hawk and Dove got cancelled after issue 8, but then Liefeld was put on 3 more books which I don't understand.  So he can barely keep one book afloat so we give him 3 more? Ok sure. Makes sense if you don't think about it.  

I will say this for Liefeld. His work ethic and his ability to get things done quick are his greatest attributes, other then that I can't see why he is still able to do comics.  He has helped create some great characters, and some not so great ones.  His are is notoriously bad, and his writing is no good. There are no reason for personal attacks after people comment on your public backlash.  Bash a company on the whole and leave people out of it. Granted their work may not be up to par with where it should be but thats between you, that person, and your company. Not the world.

Maybe he will have look trying to resurrect his old Image titles. Or apparently a movie?

For some fun also search Rob Liefeld Swipes.  A Swipe is a comic term that refers to the intentional copying of a cover, panel, or page from an earlier comic book or graphic novel without crediting the original. Here is an example:

Comic Reviews - July 18th & 25th

Welcome to another installment of my reviews. Lets Go!

Also don't forget to buy your books here!

Captain America #15 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T

A great story written by Ed Brubaker who has Captain America protecting New York from an attack.  We find out it is an elaborate plan by the Hydra Queen to turn the public against Captain America when they clone a TV news talking head and have him twist everything that Cap has done. There is also a power struggle among the supervillians, which I hope leads to a plot device in a later issue. At the end of the issue Cap faces fighting the Discordians. This issue deals much more then a physical attack on Cap but a psychological one by attacking him publicly to turn the people he fights for, against him.  The art by Scot Eaton is solid. It is good at telling the story and good at illustrating the action. I just would like to see a little more flare/personal touch in the art.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Amazing Spider-Man #690 - $3.99 -  Digital Copy - T

"No Turning Back" continues...into nothing. This issue was meh at best. Morbius was caught by Spidey.  Connors makes everyone into Lizards and isn't sure he wants to be turned back.  The best part about this story by Dan Slott was when Connors has to keep cutting off his arm because the serum finally worked and he had to keep up his crippled appearance. This issue can be skipped, unless you were a fan of the art before.


Story - 2/5
Art - 3/5

AVX #8 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T+

Round 8: This has been booooring. Seriously all that happens is the Avengers get Hope to K'un Lun.  They defeat Namor with a joint effort and Scarlet Witch.  Namor losses his powers after he "falls" (lame) and they get transferred to the Phoenix four.  Scott won't listen to Professor X. End.  My theory is Scott or Emma get all the power and it goes straight to their head. The story was written by Bendis and the art was by Adam Kubert, but this is one of the worst outings I have seen by him.  The style isn't consistent the mechanics just aren't all there.  In one panel you can see the out line of Captain America that looks like it was forgotten to be erased then inked.  This is one big let down.


Story - 2/5
Art - 2/5

Deadpool #58 - $2.99 - Parental Advisory

The most entertaining book this week, not because it avant guarde but because it knows what it is, and thats where I take it from. It is a slap stick tongue in cheek book. The writer Daniel Way, doesn't try to make any high concepts from it. Deadpool doesn't have powers, so villains are trying to kill him.  Its a quick read but it has great art work by Salva Espin that matches with the wackiness perfectly. The best part of the story involves an explosive toilet and an anti-ballistic shower curtain. If you wan't some great immature fun, read this.


Story - 4/5
Art - 4/5 

Saga #5 - $2.99 - Not Rated

If you aren't reading this, why aren't you? The story written by Brian K Vaughan. Right at the start Robot IV finds out he will be a father.  Mean while Marko saves Alana and Hazel from IV's men where he breaks his rule not to hurt anyone. The Will saves the 6 year old from Sextillion but gets taken back. While there a contact calls The Will and explains she is on the trail of Marko and Alana. His contact, Stealth, is then shot by Robot IV in a haunting final page. This is a great twist to the beginning of this series. The art by Fiona Staples is good for the story it has it's own style and never deviates from it. The splash pages are great and can illustrate some good action. I can't wait to see the repercussions of the final page.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Green Lantern #11 - $2.99 - T

This series I enjoyed before the reboot, and this issue is more of the same from Geoff Johns.  This issue was a stepping stone into revealing the New 52 Green Lantern mythos.  Indigos made a strong construct ring for Hal Jordan, so he can use it on Sinestro. Foreshadowing?  While they were preoccupied, Black hand escaped and resurrects his family and in a great scene of him sitting around a table with zombies.  While retrieving the Book of the Black, they open it reveling some characters and are transported to the Black Hand and his family. TBC! The art was done by Doug Mahnke who has always had great art style that demonstrates a consistent art style through most of DC. It's great but just lacks a definitive uniqueness that other artists have today.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Ramblings:

One thing that i noticed about the DC New 52, is that it was suppose to be a place for the casual fan/new fan to pick up and understand whats going on. We are almost a year on and I feel like I am going to look up characters and have to refer to previous issues or Wikipedia.


Let me know what you guys think of the titles I reviewed!

Previews August 2012

Hello everyone, 


Just was flipping through the latest copy of Previews that is available at 1up Collectibles this past Wednesday.


For those of the unaware of what Previews is, it is a monthly Magazine oh what is going to be available in the near future.  It is usually a look at 3 months into the future, so don't expect to see any of the products in the store right away.(common misconception)  Anything that is in the magazine is available for pre-order through the order form located in the book. You must then take the form to 1up where they will place the order for you and then you are guaranteed the item unless it is canceled. In that case any money deposited towards it can be transferred or refunded.


So now that the long drawn out explanation is out of the way lets get to the goods.

Marvel

A+X # 1 - $3.99 - Digital Copy Included - T

So this is part of the Marvel Now series and it looks like will include some pretty writers Like Jeff Loeb and Warren Ellis.  The series is going to entail two stories per issue, with team-ups featuring members of the X-Men and Avengers. This looks like it might be another way for writers to tell funny one-off stories.  The thing that caught me eye about the art work was DOOP! I am hoping for a Doop / Spider-Man team up. So this should just be a fun guilty pleasure for most.

Thanos: Son of Titan # 1 (of 5) - $2.99 - T+

This looks like it will be giving more history to Thanos, everyones favorite cameo from the Avengers. From the bullet points it sounds like it will tie into the Marvel Movie universe or maybe it will more likely be able to wet peoples appetite while answering, who is Thanos? Series is going to be written by Joe Keatinge of Glory and Hell Yeah comics, so if you like those stories check out his first work for Marvel.

According to IGN this series was canceled

Punisher: War Zone #1 (of 5)

This is a series written by current Punisher writer Greg Rucka, who is writing a pretty well consistently.  It looks like it will be everyones favorite Anti-Hero vs the Avengers. And no it has nothing to do with the last movie. I wonder if this has t do with the End of an Era (see below) story arch.

Dexter #1 (of 5)

This is a limited series based on forensic scientist, Dexter Morgan, who is also a vigilante serieal killer. Written by the New York Times Best Selling author Jeff Lindsay (Dexter book series.) This looks like all new material of Dexter at his High School Reunion. Sounds like it should be fun if your a fan of the series or the macabre.

FINAL ISSUE WARNING!!!

These issues are listed as their last issues under the heading of End of An Era. There are special Variants being offered for all final issues except for New Mutants, if that's you kind of thing. Curious to see why this is happening.

Incredible Hulk #15
Uncanny X-Men #20X-Men Legacy #275
Captain America #19
Mighty Thor #22
Invincible Iron Man #527
Fantastic Four #611
FF #23
New Mutants #50
You have been warned.

Quick Shots!

Marvel Universe Vs. The Avengers #1 (of 4)

Minimum Carnage: Alpha #1 

Red She-Hulk #58

Daredevil: End of Days #1 (of 8)

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE VARIENT COVERS

While flipping through Marvel Previews, I saw this pink page which made me stop to read it. Marvel Entrainment is going Pink this October in a month long campaign to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This is during breast cancer awareness month and select titles will come with variant Pink covers to purches. Each cover will have special redesigned costumes and all issues this month will feature special 1 page inserts to inform readers about breast cancer. For more info please visit Komen.org

DC

DC Universe Presents #13 - $2.99 - T

This is the first New 52 introduction of Black Lightning and Blue Devil and they are teaming up.  Written by Marc Andreyko (Manhunter) this should be an interesting story arch just because its two C maybe even D list characters for DC and with the reboot there should be nothing held back.

Action Comics #13 - $3.99 - T

Grant Morrison is bringing Krypto back, but not without a major change to Action Comics. I can't wait to see what happens, but hopefully nothing to the Kryptonian pooch.  The art is going to be by Travel Foreman (Animal Man.)

Batman #13 - $3.99 - T

The Joker is back in a story arch entitled "Death of the Family."  Written by perennial home run hitter Scott Snyder, this is the first time since before the reboot that the Snyder has gotten to use such a demented character, so this should be brutal and delightful. Come for the Joker, stay for the anarchy!

Detective Comics #13 - $3.99 - T

This is something I have been looking forward to, the issue where John Layman takes over!  Layman is best known for his creation Chew, if you haven't heard of it go pick up the first trade for $10. Why are you still here? Go! ... Okay now that your back this new story has Emperor Penguin and guest stars Nightwing.

Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The DC Universe Omnibus HC - $75.00

The series is back in print! I know this maybe a lot of money for some people but if you enjoyed it the first time around but didn't have all of them here is your chance to buy them all in one shot.  Its a set of stories from 2001 that what if Stan Lee made the DC characters. So Batman may resemble Man Bat and Green Lantern would look more like Dr. Manhattan. Its in interesting concept written and illustrated by some of DC's top talent.

Quick Shots!

Green Lantern #13

Flash #13

Animal Man #13

Joe Kubert Presents #1

INDY's (Independents)

IDW

Gil Kane's Amazing Spider-Man Artist's Edition - TBD

This is an artist's edition, that means these are the comic art pages from the comics with no color. It's inks and texts. It is as close to the original art as possible. The book is the size of the art panels 12" x 17" so its a nice piece for an art aficionado.  This encompasses art from issues 96 - 102 & 121, which includes the non Comics Code approved issue and the six armed Spidey. Others were around the $125 price range so look for this to be no exception.

IMAGE

Bedlam #1 - $3.50 - Mature

This is by Nick Spencer (Morning Glories) about a homicidal maniac who used to terrorize the town of Bedlam, but now is better. Now this is what happens next. My assumption is either its going to be a reason to show chaos and carnage or its going to be a decent psychologic character study. 

The Walking Dead #103

Another issue into the tale of the survivors and Rick Grimes. The description was a little lack lust and made it sound like its just trudging along. Hopefully its because they don;t want to ruin the story.

The Walking Dead: Michonne Special

If you have been watching the TV show and wondered who the lady is with the two zombies on chains well this is her and her story. This features a reprint of issue #19 and whats was originally published in Playboy about her backstory. So if you like me and don't buy smut or download comics illegally then pick this up. This should be out around the time of the show so buy it to show all your friends, who watch the show and don't read comics, where she came from.

Saga Vol. 1 TPB

If you haven't read Saga yet or couldn't find the issues because you were late to the party then pick this up. The story of saga has been described as Lord of the Rings meets Star Wars. It is written by Brian K Vaughan( Lost, Y the Last Man, Ex Machina) and drawn by Fiona Staples whose artwork is pretty phenomenal.

Quick Shots

The Walking Dead Compendium Vol. 2 TP - IMAGE (Finally!!!)

Happy #2(of 4) - IMAGE (Grant Morrison)

Ex Sanguine #1 - Dark Horse (Tim Seeley)
Ghost #1

Action Figures

Justice League New 52 7-Pack - DC Direct - $99.99

This box set is going to include Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Flash. 10% of the every set bought goes to Save the Children International to help feed kids in need all around the world.

Statues

Batman Black and White: Batman Beyond - DC Direct - $79.99

This is one I know fans have been waiting for so its good to see it finally being made. It will be about 8" x 4.5" x 4.5" and designed byDustin Nguyen.

Deadpool Mini-Bust - Gentle Giant - $89.00

This statue features the Merc with a Mouth with gun drawn. The bust is 1/6th scale so it should be about 6 - 8" tall.

Hawkeye Mini-Bust - Gentle Giant - $89.00

This bust feature Clint Barton with arrow at the ready. This bust is also 1/6th scale as well so it should be around 6-8" tall.

Batman: Arkham City - Batarang Full Size Replica - TriForce - TBD

This is a full size scale replica of Batman's forearm and hand holding a batarang. This is from one of the best selling comic video games of all time.  It will be 22" in height and 20 pounds heavy with full working LEDs on the base. The batarang itself is fully detachable. only 750 are going to be produced. This could very well fetch a $300-400 $750 price tag. Shipping December 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!

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

In this my inaugural review post I am going to be giving reviews on a smattering of comics that I read while on vacation in OCNJ. These comics are a week to two weeks old. If any of them strike your fancy please check them out at 1up Collectibles. 

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 

Avenging Spider-Man #9  -  $3.99  -   Includes Digital Copy  -  T+

This series has been a bit of fun. For anyone who hasn’t picked it up this is a series where Spider-Man individually teams up with members of the Avengers. In this one he teams up with the new Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers (f.k.a. Ms. Marvel.) Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick (the new Captain Marvel writer), the story is full of decent banter you expect from a Spider-Man story, but nothing ground breaking. It is the first part of an arch that sets up Spider-Man and Capt. Marvel vs. Robyn Hood vs. The Police and Hired Security team. Everything in this story is decent except for this new character Robyn Hood, which is weak. The name tells you her story, but she also absorbs then uses the damage dealt to her. It should be interesting to see where this little tiff goes.

Read it for the banter and the great artwork from Terry and Rachel Dodson. If you haven’t seen much of their work, look them up, it’s a unique comic book style. Terry who does the pencils does a great job of storytelling with great figures andgestures, while Rachel inks his work perfectly. Edgar Delgado does a great job of coloring this work and makes it all seem to come together just right.

Story – 2/5

Art – 4/5

Animal Man #11  -  $2.99  -  T+

This series has been well written and the art at times has been disturbing.  Jeff Lamire, known for his writing on Sweet Tooth, has written a long interwoven interesting story so far. This issue is no disappointment. It starts off where Buddy Baker is meeting Totems of the Hire Flesh to form a new body for him.  Since it has been taken over by a hunter of the Rot. There is a great sequence that is really well written and illustrated, it is where Buddy forms his way from a speck of consciousness to a nanobe and from there he reaches out to different animals until he finds his body and can go find his son.

Buddy finds his son who was being protected by Sox from the hunter with Buddy's body. After a warning that the Rot is coming, the hunter looses his head in a gruesome fight with Buddy. To see what I mean go pick it up, this is a great couple of pages.  After that there is also a pretty awesome visual nod to John Carpenter's The Thing. Finally Cliff passes out while spouting on about the avatar of the Rot, Anton Arcane. Leading to a cross over with Swamp Thing. The art in this book is great the style fits the tone and mood of the story perfectly. There are a few visual miscues that do hinder some of the story telling but Alberto Ponticelli does a great job, and I can’t wait to see this crossover.

Story – 4/5

Art – 3/5

Swamp Thing #11  -  $2.99  -  T+

Lets pick up where the Animal Man #11 led us to, Swamp Thing. This has been written by current Batman writer Scott Snyder (got to meet him at my past job and is a good guy btw.)  This issue picks up right where the last one left off. Arcane, the avatar of the Rot is here to get his daughter Abigail. In a kinda hokey and cheesy way the Green has saved Alec because he saved them and supplanted them. Just thinking aloud, I am wondering if this was an intentional parallel between this and Animal Man. So after that Arcane tries to take Abigail with him into the Rot, but Swamp Thing comes out of nowhere and punches Arcane straight in the jaw. In a decent fight they learn things have changed with one another and Abigail intervenes sending Arcane back into the Rot portal by himself.  Abigail then tries to get him to run away, but Animal Man shows up with his family. Animal Man informs Swamp Thing that they both need to team up to take down the Rot.

This was a good back story building issue that was illustrated by Marco Rudy. Marco’s art is hit and miss in this issue. Certain panels are beautifully illustrated then they get bland and not detailed like when the Arcane is shown. The panels and story telling of the art is great where the action and other visual elements break up the normal panel structure. The color is something to be desired by Val Staples. It’s the same five colors used again and the colors are muted nothing is overly bright and bold just a little better contrast would be nice. Overall a good build up to an interesting team up.

Story – 3/5

Art – 3/5

Avengers Vs. X-Men #7  -  $3.99  -  Includes Digital Copy  -  T+

On this weeks AVX….More of the same. Okay sorry for being facetious. Seriously though the series is boring and lack lust for me. Hope flinches and doesn’t get the Phoenix Force instead some of the more agitating X-Men do. The only things that change in this issue is that Vision is gone, Hawkeye is burnt badly, Avengers go to Wakanda , Cyclops gets more aggressive, and Emma Frost tells Namor (behind Cyclops’s back) where they are and he shows up. Boom end of issue. I would have been more interested if they explained more about Iron Fist’s role in all this and if Scarlet Witch hurt Magik more for presumably killing Vision. Instead Cyclops becomes a hypocrite wanting to end the Avengers and the Avengers have to get Hope to K’un Lun to learn how to fight the Phoenix force.

The art by Oliver Coipel is great. I am glad to see they put him on this book. It made this story bearable enough to finish. Well I am not saying it wasn’t bad just boring, nothing big happens so when this happens I tend to focus on the art of the figures, gestures, and the artists ability to move the story along. Coipel does this wonderfully. Some of his actual characters don’t look right like after the Blank Panther smacks the crazy out of Stark, Starks face doesn’t appear even. I wish this issue was better, maybe I missed something somewhere. What do you guys think?

Story – 2/5

Art – 4/5

The Avengers VS The X-Men #4 of 6  -  $3.99  -  Includes Digital Copy  T+

This is a guilty pleasure of mine. For those who don’t know this is a book where one member from each side wallops on one another created by two different creative teams.  This issue is Daredevil vs. Psylocke and Thor vs. Phoenix’ed out Emma Frost.  The Daredevil vs. Psylocke was the better of the two fights. The story was written by Rick Remender who seemed to get the characters right. In this fight both characters had a moment in the fight that played to their strengths.  The art by Brandon Peterson was well done it made the action and their powers work.  The best part of the first fight was when Daredevil reminded Psylocke that with all their power now the Avengers will soon be on their own island, leaving Psylocke speechless.

In the next fight, which seems more odd, Thor takes on Emma Frost in a knock down drag-out fight. The story was written and illustrated by Kaare Andrews, who while wearing both hats manages to make this work.  Thor and Emma go shot for shot. One of the best scenes is when Thor upper cuts Emma with Mjolnir while she is in her diamond form and shatters her in to tiny pieces. Shutting her smug face up, but of course that’s not the end of her. I won’t spoil how it ends but it was a disappointment to me, but given the situation I guess that’s how these things go. Check it out and let me know what you guys think.

Story – 3/5

Art – 3/5

Punisher #13  -  $2.99  -  Parental Advisory

This issue of the Punisher by Greg Rucka is one of the better issues I have read this week. It is written in such way that it feels like a spy thriller. The Punisher and Marine Sergeant Rachel Cole – Alves are sneaking onto a black market weapons auction on a yacht. Frank gets caught which was his plan, and Alves seduces the boats owner. This gets her into the engine room, where she plants charges and stops the yacht. While all the guests are trying to leave Alves tries to exact revenge on the Exchange’s leader Stefanie Gerard, but Frank stops her to keep her on task.

This story reads and feels like an secret agent film. It was highly entertaining and was done right. Granted, this type of story has been done before but it is done so well that it works. The pacing of the story helps it move along and makes me want to find out what piece of tech they took that belong to Doc Ock. The art by Mico Suayan works for the tone of the story. It looks a little rough at times, but it adds to the Pulp-ishness of the story and the storytelling ability of the art helps solidify this as a solid issue.

Story – 4/5

Art – 3/5

BONUS ROUND

Have you seen this? Thoughts?

!!! WARNING MATURE AUDIENCE ONLY!!! 

You have been warned

That’s it for now. I wanna hear your thoughts on any of these issues and video so please feel free to comment.  If you anyone wants to talk shop please stop by 1up Collectibles on Wednesday for new releases I’ll more than likely be there!

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