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!!!
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
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
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
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
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
Hey all you 1uppers!
Here is another round of reviews by me Chris Z. Lets get to work!
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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!
Action Comics #0 - $3.99 - T
Hawkeye #2 - $2.99 - T+
Green Lantern #0 - $2.99 - T
Amazing Spider-Man #693 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T+
Detective Comics #0 - $2.99 - T
