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 - 8/2: Bad art and Booty calls.

Hey all you 1uppers!

Here is another round of reviews by me Chris Z. Lets get to work! 

Avenging Spider-Man #11 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T+

So this is an ode to the 50th Anniversary of Peter Parker/Spider-Man.  It's a touching story between Aunt May and Peter rehashing the importance of Uncle Ben to the both of them.  The story by Zeb Wells is a decent for the touching tribute type, but nothing ground breaking.  The art which is done by Steve Dillion,  is really bad. Now I am not going to blame Steve, no not because I have a framed sketch by him up on my wall, but because he is consistent in everything he has done. I set the blame squarely on the Frank Martin Jr.  Now Dillions work is still and not very stylish but it has a certain charm that Martin has seem to hinder in this issue.  Every panel looks pixelated and out of focus, and the color pallet is meh at best. Read this story for the Uncle Ben tribute and by all means avoid the art.  If you are looking for good Dillion art work try The Punisher: Welcome Back Frank or any of the Garth Ennis line.

Story - 3/5
Art - 1/5

Justice League #12 - $3.99 - T

Superman and Wonder Woman, sitting on a roof. K-I-S-S-I-N-G....I'm just messing with you. So this is the issue that caused all the hoopla. The League was forced to confront the deceased loved ones.  Then we find out it was all a disillusions created by David Graves to get revenge on the League for losing his family.  This causes a rift in the League. The Green Lantern leaves, Superman and Wonder Woman make out and commiserate, and the League is falling apart.  This issue was a good setup for what's to come and I can't wait to see what comes next. But WTF is TMZ in there for? No other creditable sources available?  The collaborative art is great by Jim Lee, Ivan Reis, and Joe Prado.  The three compliment one another's art so well that it isn't that noticeable when the art shifts in style.

Story - 3/5
Art - 3/5

AVX: VS #5 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T+

Again this is one of my guilty pleasure, because there is no purpose for the book other than see heroes knock the crap out of each other.  The first pits a fight between Hawkeye and Angel. This was a very good fight that shows the strengths and weaknesses of each character which was good to use against one another. Hawkeye wins by being his cunning self and knowing he is out manned and out numbered, her shoots Angel with an arrow after they beat the ever loving crap out of one another.  The second fight is a nice marital fight between Storm and Black Panther.  Now your saying why would they fight? Because according to the book they had a weak marriage, which is crap we really know it's because they both bought into what their superiors are saying.  That being said Storm is giving up on her husband because of Cyclops? WTF? So Storm attacks Black Panther the entire time and all he does is defend himself, which were also pretty lame cop outs.  In the end Storm blindsides Black Panther then takes her ring off and that's the end.  The entire fight was meh the first fight by Jason Aaron was pretty good but not enough to save it.  The art was good, better then most of the regular AVX art.

Story - 2/5
Art - 3/5

Detective Comics Annual #1 - $4.99 - T

PICK OF THE WEEK
The best comic I read this week.  This issue deals with Black Mask escaping from Arkham and trying to locate all the masks from the False Face Society.  Its a great crime drama that plays out like every other cop drama, but it is done well. Criminal escapes, they extort a cohort, and main character chases down bad and solves mystery.  In the end they discover that this was an elaborate set up by Jarvis Tetch to collect all the masks in order to have hypnotics and mind control of the masks to take over the world!  It's also a great testament to the Black Mask's dependency for his mask and the power it has over others. In the end Batman kicks Black Mask square in the jaw which cracks the mask rendering it useless. They put both guys in prison and were able to recover the Masks which are being held, and Mr. Sionis is locked up again.   The art is amazing in this issue it fits the Dective Comics perfectly.  My favorite panel is when Batman, who is on fire, has his palmed by False Face Society strongman. It is great.  I highly recommend giving it a read, even if it is the N-teenth time the story has been told.

Story - 3/5
Art - 4/5

Green Lantern Annual #1 - $4.99 - T

First off, best cover of the week! Second, this was another great issue that dealt with The Guardians and their questionable ethics to remove chaos from the universe. Hal and Sinestro were both buried by Black Hand, and while they both escape and battle Black Hand.  The Guardians don't know any other way to stop to chaos other then create a Third Army lead by the first lantern, which remains a mystery as to who that is. There is a great scene that switches between Hal / Sinster and the Guradians fighting one another as  Hal and Sinestro are reciting the Green Lantern oath.  This angle where the Guardians are pulling out all the stops is an interesting one, because they charge up Black Hand so it will destroy Hal and Sinestro. As they are getting sucked into a vortex their rings merge into one and left to find the next Green Lantern. There are so many questions to answer as the Third Army rises.

This is just like the Green Lantern for me, multiple storylines intertwining and finally coming to a head and leading to a new story.  This is something Geoff Johns is great at and it works to lead to issue #0 of the Green Lanten. The art is by Ethan Van Sciver who is still in full stried and hasn't missed a beat.  It's a great issue, but I feel Batman edges it out in entertainment value for me and it was a complete story. Both are great reads so please pick them up or flip through them at least.

Story - 3/5
Art - 4/5


That's all folks. Until next week. Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Blog.

Also if you wanna Tweet at me hit me up @Zennie87

Doubleshots With Johnny Worthless

Hello People of the Internets...


Just a quickie tonight, two on the docket.  Double-barrel, Twinkiss, Dual-bladed love. 

Let's begin. 

Phantom Lady and Doll Man #1 is 1 of 2 tonight.  I say to myself, "Self, what is this?  I've never heard of Phantom Lady!"  So we read...  The book starts out in the ever-so-popular realm of 'five years ago' the series is set to run four issues.  For those of you not familiar with our heroine here, do not lose heart!  (Yea Captain Planet!)  She has "shadow powers" and gadgets, which she gives you a play-by-play on at the beginning of the story.  Some chicks order drinks wrong at one point, which leaves me wondering if it was a mis-print or it was written that way.  We find out why Phantom Lady wants to 'Fight the Good Fight".  We also meet Doll Man.  First issue equals questions...  I have a feeling these characters are going to matter 'down the road' check them out for yourself.  This book is not for kids, don't let the cover or name fool you. 


For Fans Of:  Loose Morals, Nightclubs, Silly Heroes

Detective Comics Annual #1, this is way cool because it's a number one.  I'm still bothered by red-haired Gordon.  So without giving anything away, the rising action in this book is very blah.  (Is blah a word?)  There are some cool panels, but most of it feels like filler.  Tony S. Daniel does make up for it in the end.  The story picks up and I felt that it wasn't a waste of time when I was done reading.  I love this cover, TSD rocks it.  The main thing this book has going for it is that it's a self contained story.  One and done.  I think a better title for this one would have been, 'What I did on My Summer Vacation:  By Black Mask'.  It's a good book, pick it up because it's a #1 Annual, or buy it digitally if your just a reader.  And Tony, I'll miss you on a Bat-Book, but I know you'll have something special for us sometime next year.  Thanks for a great run. 

For Fans Of:  New 52 BatWorld, Jeremiah Arkham, Roman Sionis

Sidebar:  Nice work DC on the 'Rise of the Third Army' solicits.  Also on the promos for the other New 52 Annuals.  Very Nicely done. 

That's it for tonight.  Oh! I forgot I've got a Facebook page, I'll see if I can get R&D to put a link on here. 

Thanks for Reading, and Thanks for stopping by. 

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?