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Posted on Apr 02, 2006 - 12:54 AM by Admin |
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The desk is completely covered with comic books, so it’s time for the biggest Making The Grade column yet with over two dozen reviews! Jack is back in Jack The Lantern: 1942! “One Year Later” lands in the pages of Aquaman, Hawkgirl, Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin and Outsiders! A fan favorite is laid to rest in Daredevil #83! Bomb Queen is da’ bomb! Secrets, origins and tons of Infinite Crisis shockers! And the Marvel Universe faces total Annihilation! Read on for these reviews and tons more, and find out which books are Making The Grade!
Jack The Lantern: 1942 (Castle Rain Entertainment) -
Here’s one I have been waiting on for a long time! Regular visitors to The Comic Fanatic.Com know that I am a huge supporter of this incredible character and story that I discovered a few years ago in the back pages of Previews. After ordering and reading the first three issues of the first Jack The Lantern miniseries, I was hooked for life!
Creator/writer Michael Angelos not only gave Comic Fanatics one of the coolest looking characters to ever grace a comic book panel, he also gave us a character with an incredible story and unlimited potential. Now, Angelos returns to unveil more of that incredible story and shine a spotlight on more of that unlimited potential!
Never read an issue of Jack The Lantern? Shame on you! While I do strongly suggest that you track down the collected miniseries in the Jack The Lantern trade paperback, you don’t necessarily have to read it before diving into this one-shot, since Angelos provides one of the best one-page recaps in the business. A recap that should catch you up and have you ready to go for this issue’s exciting tale.
This time around, Angelos travels back in time - as the title suggests - to spotlight the previous host of the demon Argotakar…the man who trained the current Jack The Lantern - Jack Gordon Corby’s mentor Dr. Frank Casper. We get to see how the good doctor took to hosting Argotakar, and we also discover what happened to the second of the three books of the Yalvo.
Angelos accomplishes a couple of things with this one-shot. In the matter of just a few pages, Angelos delivers a great camaraderie between teacher and student - Dr. Casper and Jack. Angelos delivers a tight, snappy dialogue that just flows naturally.
Angelos also shows us a different Jack The Lantern. With a different host housing Argotakar, it’s interesting to see a character that I thought I knew well act a little different. To put it in perspective, imagine the Daniel Ketch Ghost Rider was the only Ghost Rider you have ever read about, and then suddenly someone hands you an issue introducing you to a previous Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze. Fresh, intriguing and it certainly enriches an already rich character.
However, for purely selfish reasons, one of the best things that Angelos does with this one-shot is leave open the possibilities for not only many future Jack The Lantern tales, but also at least one more untold tale from Argotakar’s past concerning his first host and his quest for the first book of the Yalvo. This is a story that deserves and begs to be completely told, and here’s to hoping Angelos is able to fully explore the past, present and future of this wonderful character.
Props must also be given to artist Jerry Beck, whose work is nothing short of stunning in this issue. When Angelos announced that Tim Vigil would not be working on this one-shot, I was initially worried. After all, when I think of Jack The Lantern, I think of the work of Vigil and artist Scott Lee. Well, rest assured that Beck fits into that elite class quite perfectly.
And while I am handing out props, one more to Angelos for releasing this story as an affordable one-shot. Angelos crams an amazing amount of story into this single issue and could have easily stretched this one out to a two or three issue miniseries.
If you are looking for an incredible fantasy tale with tons of potential, hop aboard the Jack The Lantern bandwagon here! Comics, novels, motion pictures, action figures…the sky’s the limit with Jack The Lantern and I’m just thankful to be along for the amazing ride!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to mild language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Aquaman: Sword Of Atlantis #40 (DC) -
No, you haven’t missed 39 issues. Thanks to “One Year Later” the former “Aquaman” is now “Aquaman: Sword Of Atlantis.” Out of all the DC books getting the “OYL” overhaul, this is the one I was most anticipating. Strangely enough, so far…this is one of the “OYL” revamps that really disappointed me.
I am a huge Aquaman fan from way back. As a kid, it wasn’t considered a weekend unless I was awake early on Saturday morning to watch “The Super Friends.” And it wasn’t a great episode of “The Super Friends” unless Aquaman was featured prominently in the show. But aside from a few issues here and there over the course of several different volumes, Aquaman has failed to stir up that kind of anticipation and excitement in the pages of a comic book.
As one of DC’s “big guys”, Aquaman deserves to be at the forefront and featured prominently each and every month. With incoming writer Kurt Busiek - one of Comicdom’s greatest writers and a true continuity buff - at the helm, I expected greatness immediately. Well…this may be a case of wait and see.
Busiek and artist Butch Guise deliver an Aquaman who isn’t Aquaman. Younger than the “One Year Ago” version, this particular character claims he is Arthur Curry…but not Aquaman. Adding to the confusion, a former villain who was apparently killed by the “OYA” Aquaman turns up in this issue…as an ally!
The art is stunning and Aquaman’s new look is great, but this first issue doesn’t exactly excite me nor does it have me anticipating future issues of this title. However, I have been a fan of Busiek’s work for years now, and I will give this writer the benefit of a doubt…and wait and see.
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = C-
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Sensational Spider-Man #24 (Marvel) -
I can sum up this issue of Sensational Spider-Man in one word…FUN! Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Angel Medina deliver an incredible tale that harkens back to the good ole days of Spider-Man, mixed with a little of that 90s goodness.
Everyone is talking about Medina’s art, so let me get to that first. Medina has always been one of my favorite artists, and his work has always reminded me a lot of Todd McFarlane’s work. And this issue is no exception! If you were around when McFarlane worked on Amazing Spider-Man or if you have since picked up those prized back issues, Medina’s work in this issue is very reminiscent of that particular Spider-Man era. Incredibly detailed, highly kinetic and always a joy to look at!
As amazing as the art is, don’t let it overshadow Aguirre-Sacasa’s equally amazing story.
Aguirre-Sacasa delivers a good ole fashioned villain-packed tale that should thrill Spider-Man fans of all ages. In this issue alone, we have TWO Lizards, Vermin and John Jameson…and where John Jameson is, you know Man-Wolf can’t be far behind! And while the villains may shine in this issue, Spider-Man’s ally steals the show - Black Cat! Wait until you see the stunning battle between the Lizard and the Black Cat! Some of Medina’s best work ever!
While this storyline hasn’t reflected the current goings-on in Spider-Man’s life - a.k.a. the new armored suit - this arc has me very excited to be a Spider-Man fan. Something is making not only Spider-Man’s animalistic villains more violent…something also seems to be affecting the Black Cat…and maybe Spider-Man himself!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Thunderbird #1 & #2 (Atlantis Studios) -
Combo Review!
Here’s one that took me awhile to get my comic-book-loving hands on…but this is one well worth the wait!
Several months ago, this book practically leaped out at me from those glorious back pages of Previews. A great superhero name coupled with an incredible costume lured me in enough to read the solicitation, where I discovered the promise of an old-fashioned, old-school comic book. Friends and neighbors, this book delivered on that promise…and a whole lot more!
Creator/artist Bill Galvan and writer Nathan Shumate give us a classic superhero set in the modern world. Take the tech of Iron Man, combine it with Spider-Man’s sense of responsibility and wrap it all up in one incredibly cool costume and you have Thunderbird, a retro breath of fresh air that I want to see more of!
Eric Siegel is the unlikely hero who takes on the Thunderbird flight suit by horrible accident, when his mentor is killed and his gal pal/boss is kidnapped by evil forces set on capturing the flight suit for themselves. With a life in the balance, Eric has no choice but to learn the superhero ropes on the go.
Galvan and Shumate give us an all new superhero which reads and looks a lot like those superheroes I loved so much as a child, all set in an all new universe that is just begging to be thoroughly explored. If you’re a fan of superhero comic books, this one is well worth looking for and well worth waiting for future issues!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to mild language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Batman Annual #25 (DC) -
Well, this is the book that promised to reveal the truth about the resurrection of Jason Todd once and for all. The big question is…does this annual live up to the hype? The short answer is…an emphatic yes!
I was initially hesitant to pick up this book. In fact, I have been hesitant to pick up any of the Batman books dealing with the no-longer-dead Jason Todd. But as a lifelong Batman fan, I continued to pick up each issue…and with each new issue, I was surprised…in a very good way.
Jason’s death holds a special place in my comic-book-loving heart. You see, it was Jason’s death in the now-classic “A Death In The Family” storyline that brought me back to comic books after a few years away, when I discovered a more expensive hobby…girls. So, if Jason was going to be brought back, it had to be done just right in my eyes, without tarnishing that story and the stories that followed in Batman’s comic books. Writer Judd Winick has done that in the pages of Batman…and in this book, Winick offers up a satisfactory explanation that not only explains the rage of this character and why he became the new Red Hood…it also ties in very heavily to Infinite Crisis!
Without spoiling too much, let me just say if you have been following the Infinite Crisis miniseries, you probably have a good idea of who is responsible for Jason’s return.
If you want a spoiler…here it is in two words:
Superboy-Prime.
But Winick doesn’t just reveal the culprit. Winick also shows HOW Jason escaped from the grave, a truly gruesome sight made even more gruesome by Shane Davis’ artwork. Winick goes one step further and shows us what Jason did from the moment he crawled from his own grave up until the moment he took part in the “Hush” storyline and the moment he decided to become the Red Hood.
Winick fleshes out an enigmatic, rich character, making this longtime Comic Fanatic long to see more of Jason in the DC Universe, as a villain or a hero.
Artistically, this is an incredible comic book. Davis’ best work to date. And sharp-eyed Comic Fanatics will be thrilled by the one page illustrated by one of my all time favorite Bat-artists, the great Jim Aparo!
I normally don’t like spending more than three bucks for a comic book, but coming from someone who was pulled back into this incredible industry by Jason’s death…this issue was worth every penny and then some! Without a doubt, one of the best things to come out of Infinite Crisis…so far!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and language.
Overall grade = A+
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Mouse Guard: Belly Of The Beast (Archaia Studios Press) -
My first question when this book landed on my desk was…is it a comic book or is it a book? After reading Mouse Guard: Belly Of The Beast, I came to the conclusion that this little gem is an instant literary classic!
Comic book or book, Mouse Guard: Belly Of The Beast is definitely one you shouldn’t miss. Call it “Lord Of The Rings” for the tiny rodent set! Writer/artist David Petersen has created a imaginative tale filled with lovable characters that readers of all ages will fall head over heels for!
First off…what exactly is a “Mouse Guard”? Well, it seems that for centuries there has been a secret guard of mice keeping other mice safe from such worldly threats as weasel warlords. These days, the Mouse Guard doesn’t operate as soldiers, but rather as escorts, pathfinders, weather watchers, scouts and bodyguards. But that changes when a mouse grain trader mysteriously disappears enroute to his destination.
Three of the Guard’s finest are discharged to find the missing trader. What the tiny trio of rodents discovers is a gigantic adventure…and a new mystery at the end of their quest. And a fair warning…this is a tale that will bring you back for more!
It’s a rare occurrence when I find I comic book that not only thrills me, but is also thrilling - and suitable - for my 7-year-old son. Mouse Guard: Belly Of The Beast is one such rare book. A book for the ages…and a book for all ages!
Overall grade = A+
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Infinite Crisis #5 (DC) -
Not to spoil this book’s review, but this round of “Making The Grade” may very well set the record for “A+” ratings. But…DANG! So many great books landed on my desk all at once…and this one is one of the best of the bunch!
DC’s epic event continues to build and become even more epic with each passing week, and that buildup and epic nature is no better illustrated than within the pages of this very book. As it stands right now, this is the biggest Infinite Crisis book to date!
For Comic Fanatics, this issue has a little bit of everything! A new hero makes his debut! There’s a stunning death of a much-loved character! A couple of long-lost faces make shocking, but all-too-brief returns! The Multi-verse returns! There’s a titanic battle between TWO Supermen! And one of the villains responsible for the whole shebang gets an upgrade! And those are just the major highlights! Trust me…there’s much, much more in this issue!
Writer Geoff Johns delivers some of his strongest writing to date in this very issue. The action comes fast and furious, like a big-screen Hollywood blockbuster. Johns doesn’t give you the chance to catch your breathe before delivering another jaw-dropping moment.
Many questions are answered in this issue…many questions that have been plaguing DCU fans for a year or more. In this issue, we discover who was responsible for Brother Eye and the entire OMAC fiasco, plus we discover the source of the mysterious large hands that have been showing up in the cosmos in recent Infinite Crisis tie-ins. Most importantly, we discover the reasons behind it all!
However, one of the biggest shockers in this issue comes in an almost throwaway moment, when the true destinies of superheroes like Kyle Rayner, Breach and the current versions of the Huntress and Firestorm are revealed. This is a revelation that might make you glad to see the return of the Multi-verse.
So far, each issue of Infinite Crisis has been an exciting page-turner, but none more so than this issue. This is the one comic book that has me anticipating the next issue more than any other!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Outsiders #34 (DC) -
Here’s the second “One Year Later” title out of a large bunch that I have read. And to be honest, this one disappointed me more than the aforementioned Aquaman.
With no big changeover in creative teams, I foolishly assumed that this meant that Outsiders would continue along at a steady pace. Not so. Now, this isn’t a completely bad issue. If you can get through the first 14 pages of this issue, the final 8 pages do provide a nice turnaround. But for nearly 2/3rds of this book, this issue was a struggle to get through.
The saving grace of this book lies with a surprising addition to the team. The Outsiders now count a member of the Flash’s rogues’ gallery as one of their members. Another slight surprise lies with a new member, who actually resembles a former member.
The art by Matthew Clark and Art Thibert is simply stunning, but it’s still not enough to make this “OYL” title a hit. The new team roster is enough to bring me back for the next issue, but the story in this issue certainly isn’t. Hopefully, this one gets better “One Issue Later”…
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = D
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Purgatori #5 (Devil’s Due Publishing/Chaos! Comics) -
This is the one comic book that has surprised me like no other. From the moment that Purgatori’s return was announced, I anticipated nothing more than a bad-girl/eye-candy book. While artist Cliff Richards has delivered the eye-candy goods, writer Robert Rodi has delivered a whole lot more.
Calling Purgatori “epic” would be one of the biggest understatements ever. On a monthly basis, Rodi has delivered a comic book epic steeped in historical fiction, that not only fleshes out this bad girl, but it also brings readers back for more month in and month out!
Over the course of the first four issues, Rodi has revealed the dark history of Purgatori. Rodi gave this revelation in such a way that the reader couldn’t help but feel real sympathy for Purgatori and care for this character immensely. That’s right. Care deeply for a vampiric demoness!
In this issue, readers will rejoice as Purgatori gets revenge on those who have caused her pain! Furthermore, readers will cheer that Purgatori’s story doesn’t end here!
This issue would have been a great place to end a story, but it appears that Rodi is just getting started…and I couldn’t be happier! I’ll admit that it slipped my notice as to whether this was an ongoing series or a miniseries, so it was with great relief that I discovered at the end of this issue that Purgatori’s story was just beginning…and you can bet that I will be along for the ride, for as long as it lasts!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and suggestive scenes.
Overall grade = A+
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Daredevil #83 (Marvel) -
I can sum up Daredevil in three words - comic book perfection! For those who were worried that this title would tank following the departure of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev, rest assured that this title is in more-than-capable hands and…dare I say it…maybe better than ever under the guidance of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Michael Lark!
If you haven’t read Brubaker’s debut on this title, don’t read any further and don’t look at the cover of this issue for fear of one tremendous spoiler…
Still with me?
Brubaker began his stint on Daredevil with a colossal bang…by killing off one of Comicdom’s best supporting characters, Matt Murdock’s best friend and partner, Foggy Nelson! Now, if had your doubts that Brubaker wouldn’t do THAT…don’t kid yourself! After all, this IS the guy who did the unthinkable and found a way to bring Captain America’s dead partner Bucky back from the grave!
Brubaker’s second Daredevil outing is an emotional roller coaster ride guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings and to bring to life rage not unlike the rage felt by the imprisoned Matt Murdock! Told mostly from the point of view of reporter Ben Urich, this issue takes us from Foggy’s funeral on through to Matt’s courtroom and prison troubles.
It’s in this issue that the reader gets a good idea of where Brubaker is taking Daredevil. Foggy’s death doesn’t send Matt plummeting into the throes of despair…instead, Foggy’s death ignites a meaner, more ruthless side of Matt that hasn’t been seen yet. As a lifelong Daredevil fan, the possibilities of a driven, sadistic Daredevil is both exciting…and a little frightening!
Oh, and let’s not forget about a mystery that Brubaker drags into the light in this issue. If Matt is locked up in prison…then who is violently fighting crime in the streets dressed as Daredevil?!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and language.
Overall grade = A+
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Detective Comics #817/Batman #651 (DC) -
Combo Review!
Now we come to the first of the “One Year Later” reboots that I really enjoyed. Writer James Robinson begins an 8-part storyline called “Face The Face” with two chapters that work on so many levels.
I have made it no secret that it’s been a long while since Detective Comics has been an enjoyable title for me. Well, I can’t gripe about that now. In the “OYL” reboot, Robinson puts a familiar face back in the Police Commissioner’s office…James Gordon! And right off the bat, Gordon has his work cut out for him.
For reasons we don’t know because of “OYL”, Batman and Robin have been missing from Gotham City for a year. Now, some of Batman’s villains are turning up dead at the hands of a mysterious, self-proclaimed protector of Gotham. When the KGBeast turns up dead and the somehow-back-from-the-dead Poison Ivy shows up in Gotham, Gordon pulls the Bat-Signal out of mothballs, hoping for the return of the missing Dynamic Duo.
Business picks up in Batman #651, as Batman and Robin take the fight to Ivy. With the Bat-Jet destroyed at the hands of Ivy’s plants, Batman and Robin must fight their way to Ivy without the aid of even a weedeater! Meanwhile, another one of Batman’s villains bites the dust!
I can’t quite put a finger on it, but Robinson’s Batman is a little different than the “One Year Ago” version. Robinson’s Batman has a different demeanor, if you will. Not exactly the light-hearted, campy Adam West Batman, but this Batman seems a little less dark, which makes the Dynamic Duo somewhat more dynamic.
If Robinson’s take on the Dark Knight doesn’t bring you back for more, the mystery of Gotham’s deadly protector will. And if that doesn’t do it, wondering which Batman villain will kick the bucket next should hook you on this “OYL” revamp!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade for Detective Comics #817 - A-
Overall grade for Batman #651 - A
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Robin #148 (DC) -
While not as good as the previously mentioned “OYL” Bat-titles, this issue of Robin is quite good…and a definite step up from previous Robin issues.
Incoming writer Adam Beechen begins things with a bang. As this issue opens, we find the Boy Wonder engaged in a fight where he is blinded and can’t see his mysterious attacker or attackers. Although the blinded fight doesn’t flow very well and thus seems to go on for too long, when the proverbial smoke clears, the real action begins! In a truly shocking scene, we find Robin standing over the lifeless body of Batgirl!
Minor spoiler time…
While this isn’t the real Batgirl, this corpse is that of a somewhat well known character in a Batgirl costume. This brings up several questions: Who killed this character? Why place her in a Batgirl costume? And why try to pin her death on Robin? And for that matter, is the real Batgirl even alive after the events in her now-cancelled series? If so, where is Cassandra Cain?
Now, most of these questions are not answered in this issue. However, Beechen delivers the goods by showing us a more independent Robin and a Batman who is willing to let his junior partner fly on his own.
Another plus? The smooth artwork of Karl Kerschl.
The only real problem I had with this issue was the fact that the events in this issue weren’t really reflected over in the pages of Batman or Detective Comics.
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and language.
Overall grade = B+
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Super Real #2 (Super Real Graphics) -
This is a title that couldn’t come out enough to suit me! I’m first and foremost a Comic Fanatic, and I am also a HUGE reality TV junkie. Writer/artist Jason Martin combines the best of both worlds and wraps the package up in some of the most incredible artwork to ever grace a comic book page!
The premise of the Super Real reality show is to take a handful of eclectic personalities, throw them together and give them super powers, all under the watchful eye of anyone with a TV! However, after reading this issue, it seems that there is more to this premise than just a simple reality show!
It seems that there are sinister forces working on the Super Real project behind the scenes. Could that be President Geor-…no, couldn’t be him. Is that quail-hunting VP Dic-…no, couldn’t be him. And is that comic book writer extraordinaire Brian Mich-…no, couldn’t be him!
Super Real #2 is quite simply a lot of fun, and this issue sets the stage for even more fun. Go ahead and let Martin’s amazing artwork reel you in. (After all, it is some of the most original art to hit the scene since Josh Howard stunned the world with Dead@17!) The art will hook you, but Martin’s characterizations and story will bring you back for more Super Real fun!
Bring on Super Real #3!
Suggested for mature readers due to strong language and drug use.
Overall grade = A+
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Infinite Crisis Secret Files & Origins 2006 (DC) -
I have made no bones about the fact that these Secret Files books often leave me disappointed and furious at myself for dropping a large chunk of change for such letdowns. However, after forgoing many recent Secret Files books - having finally learned my lesson - I gave this one a chance, simply because it was supposed to shed some much needed life on one of the biggest comic book events in decades.
Guess what!?! This Secret Files book not only lived up to expectations…it surpassed them big time!
DC does a couple of brilliant things with this book. First and foremost, DC forgoes the format of 5 or 6 unrelated short stories, and goes with one long tale featuring the four time-lost characters of Infinite Crisis: Crisis On Infinite Earths holdovers - Alex Luthor, Superboy-Prime, Earth 2 Superman and his wife Lois Lane. Technically, we still get four short stories, because each chapter is told from the point of view of each character, revealing what these characters have been up to between the two Crisis events. Not only will these differing points of view make you care for these characters, it also fleshes out and explains each character’s role in the latest Crisis.
However, the most brilliant move by DC here was bringing in the one writer who knows a Crisis better than any other - the legendary Marv Wolfman! With Wolfman at the helm, this Secret Files reads like a lost issue of Crisis On Infinite Earths. This fact is further driven home by the fact that Wolfman is joined by the incredible artistry of legends Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway and Art Thibert.
The only non-brilliant move is the still-steep price tag for these Secret Files specials. $5.99 is a lot to pay for a comic book, but in this case, I don’t feel cheated. This special not only brought back some great memories of that first Crisis, it also enhanced the current Crisis. Miss this one at your own peril!
Suggested for readers ages 9 and up due to mild language and mild violence.
Overall grade = A
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Annihilation: Prologue (Marvel) -
While we are on the topic of grand superhero epics, here’s one that you may have overlooked. Here’s your warning not to! If you haven’t already, rush back to the comic book store and nab a copy of Annihilation: Prologue! Go ahead…I’ll be here when you get back.
Since Captain Kirk and the starship Enterprise boldly went where no man had gone before, I have been hooked on science-fiction. So it only made sense that when I first discovered comic books some 30 odd years ago, that my tastes would gravitate toward sci-fi/cosmic comic books. Then and now, I was of the belief that no one did cosmic comic books better than Marvel. While I may have forgotten that over the past several years, Annihilation: Prologue has served as a very pleasant reminder!
Marvel has such a rich cast of cosmic characters, from one of my all time favorite villains - Thanos - to one of my all time favorite superheroes – Nova – and one of my all time favorite superteams – the Guardians Of The Galaxy. And two of those characters make appearances in this very book. (Still holding out for the return of the Guardians…Marvel, bring this team back in an ongoing…and soon!)
When it comes to cosmic and sci-fi comic books, there are two masters who write these books better than anyone else, and Marvel has one such master in tow, the great Keith Giffen. Giffen weaves a masterful tale that picks up the pieces of previous tales – most notably the cancelled Thanos series and the recent Drax miniseries.
Giffen also does a couple of other things that truly made this prologue a winner with me. First, Giffen really pulled one over on me. These days, it’s hard to do much in a mainstream comic book that honestly surprises me, but Giffen does it here…and the whole time the truth was right under my nose! I should’ve guessed the identity of the powerful mystery villain behind the destructive Annihilation Wave simply from the title of this event…but I didn’t! Thus, that last page was a real jaw-dropper…and prompted me to do my best Homer Simpson…”D’oh!”
However, the big hook here is what Giffen does with Nova. Now, I have been a Nova fan from the very beginning. Proud owner of the original Nova series and every Nova comic book since. And I have always felt that this was a character destined for so much more in the Marvel Universe. Well, at long last that wish may very well be granted. After this issue, Nova is no longer a hapless teenaged superhero. Nova becomes a man…and quite possibly the last of his kind, in one of the most shocking scenes in a Marvel comic in ages!
I’m still not sure how characters like Ronan and the Super Skrull will be able to carry their own Annihilation miniseries, but I intend to find out. Giffen has me hooked. I love the path Giffen has set Nova on, and I can’t wait to see what happens to the Cosmic Marvel Universe next!
Suggested for teen readers and up.
Overall grade = A+
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Eternal Day #1 (The Naked Experiment, Inc.) -
In my 30 plus years of reading comic books, I don’t think I have ever come across a comic book that has left me completely speechless. Eternal Day turned the trick! Now, consider for a moment how hard it is to actually render me speechless…my “real” job is radio. I make my living talking all day!
I wish that I could describe Eternal Day for you, but I can’t. Here’s why…Eternal Day is a little H.P. Lovecraft mixed with a little Clive Barker, and odds are that each person who reads this debut issue will get something different out of it.
Eternal Day is steeped in bizarre symbolism, but this works in a surprising way. This symbolism pulls the reader in and actually makes you part of the story. Heck, I read this book three times, and came up with a different meaning each time I did! This is a book that is wide open to individual interpretation. J. Gerick and Mark A. Derrick have created a different type of comic book here…one that I want to see more of.
While Gerick’s black and white interior art is superb and quite eerie, after checking out the color cover by Tim Vigil and Jay Fotos, I now want to see this entire story in all of its brightly colored, bizarre glory.
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and disturbing images.
Overall grade = A
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Nightwing #118 (DC) -
I have been a Nightwing fan from the moment the former Robin took on his adult identity. As such, I have been collecting and reading Nightwing’s series from the very beginning. So the following statement carries a lot of weight…this single issue was almost enough to make me drop this book from my monthly pull list.
A lot of things can change in a year…and not always for the better. “One Year Later” is here, like it or not…and in this case, I ain’t liking it. There are now TWO Nightwings running around New York, and – in one of DC’s worst kept secrets in years – one of those Nightwings is another former Robin, the resurrected Jason Todd.
Sure, incoming writer Bruce Jones raises a lot of questions with his first issue of Nightwing. Why is Dick Grayson – and Jason Todd, for that matter – in New York? Why has Jason ditched his Red Hood persona in favor of the already-taken Nightwing persona? And why is Dick suddenly less likable than Jason?!
If you remember the last pre-“OYL” issue of Nightwing, Dick decided to fix his life and he popped the question to longtime-girlfriend Barbara Gordon. In this issue? Dick is whoring around New York with a woman who he doesn’t even know and who is already “spoken for”! Meanwhile, Nightwing - and we can only assume that this is the Jason-Nightwing - is killing criminals all over town.
I’m sure all will be explained in due time, but this “OYL” reboot was perhaps the most jarring – and not in a good way. Jones has me hooked to find out why Jason is calling himself Nightwing, and judging from the last page…sticking around for at least one more issue might be in my best interests.
And, if you are like me and read Outsiders #34 before reading this issue, you might even be tempted to believe that there is a THIRD Nightwing, since the Nightwing in that book contradicts the two Nightwings in this book!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language, a sexual situation and violence.
Overall grade = D+
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Jeremiah Harm #2 (BOOM! Studios) -
Here’s that Keith Giffen fellow again…This time the sci-fi master is joined by Alan Grant and the finely detailed, edgy art of Rael Lyra to bring us one of the best sci-fi comics on the shelves today and one of the best heroes/anti-heroes to ever grace a comic book page!
Three intergalactic criminals have escaped and traveled to Earth in search of a mystical object known as the Basal Shard…an object that could very well destroy the entire universe, something these slightly insane criminals are more than willing to do! The only thing standing between these vilest of villains and utter oblivion is another criminal - the cocky, cigar-smoking Jeremiah Harm.
Giffen and Grant deliver three incredible alien villains in Aymoa, Dak Moira and – my personal favorite – the walking noxious gasbag known as Brune S’Maze. While Harm won me over in the first issue, his antagonists hooked me here!
The dialogue is snappy, tight and filled with cool alien wordplay. Even the supporting characters are cool. But nothing and no one is cooler than Harm. This is a character and a story that I want to see on the big screen and soon!
Jeremiah Harm #1 was sheer sci-fi comic book perfection. How do you perfect perfection? Well if you are Giffen, Grant, Lyra and BOOM!, you simply release Jeremiah Harm #2! Now, bring on Jeremiah Harm #3!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and mild language.
Overall grade = A+
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Red Sonja #8 (Dynamite Entertainment) -
Sure, I picked up this new ongoing series based on my love for the original Marvel Red Sonja series. But I never expected this new series to match that classic Sonja series…much less surpass it. With the first epic storyline wrapped up, I fully expected this title to fall into the realm of mediocrity. Once again, writer Michael Avon Oeming proves me wrong. If you thought this series was good before…you ain’t seen nothing yet! This issue of Red Sonja may very well be the best one…yet!
Oeming further solidifies my belief that he is one of the greatest epic writers of our day and time as he kicks off the “Arrowsmith” storyline. And it’s not exactly where Oeming takes Sonja that makes this story such a success, but rather where Oeming takes Sonja back to.
If Sonja’s past has been explored in detail before, it has by now been lost to my addled memory. But in this issue, Sonja’s adventures take her the town of Arrowhead, which bring back memories of Sonja’s childhood with her parents and siblings. Yeah…Sonja was once a lovable kid who wore clothes…and lots of them! And Oeming is pulling back the curtain on that childhood, showing us what turned a normal girl into a swashbuckling sword-mistress who is feared by man and beast alike! So far, the story is both heartwarming and terribly shocking!
If you are or ever have been a Red Sonja fan, DO NOT miss this book or this storyline!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Dorothy : Chapter V (Illusive Arts Entertainment) -
From a comic book that I picked up because of a red-haired warrior who won me over as a child to a masterful comic book starring a multi-color-haired modern day tough girl warrior who won me over from the first time she appeared on panel!
Yeah, I will admit that one of the reasons I initially gave this series a try was the promise of a new take on the old “Wizard Of Oz” tale. Writer Mark Masterson has more than delivered on that promise, and he and the talented Illusive Arts crew of Ray Boersig, Christopher Dunklee, Theo Panousopoulos, Greg Mannino, Karen Keller, Ethan Colchamiro and Anna Warren Boersig top themselves with this latest chapter.
Oh, and let’s not forget the star of this book…the scene-grabbing Catie Fisher as Dorothy. From the beginning, Fisher has brought true life to this book with an incredible sense of determination and cockiness while lost in a strange land. In this issue, Fisher owns this book more than ever before. The amount of emotion that Fisher pours into each frame will make you feel like you are there in this bizarre Oz, or at least watching this blockbuster play out on the big screen…where this tale needs to be some day soon!
Think you know Oz? Think again! Masterson brings a new character into the picture in this issue. Commander Stern is a cross between Grand Moff Tarkin from “Star Wars: A New Hope” and WWE wrestler Kane! And if you think this tough guy is frightening, wait until you see what Masterson and the Illusive Crew cook up in this issue’s opening sequence!
Masterson also uses this issue to not only move the story forward into an exciting new direction - check out the last page - but also to flesh out the tale. Let’s admit it, this new version of Oz is a character unto itself. And after this issue, the reader will begin to gain a lot of insight into this mysterious, barbaric land.
Without a doubt, this is the best issue of an already incredible series…so far. Sheer perfection!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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Bomb Queen #1 & #2 (Image) -
Combo Review!
While I am on a “comic book chicks kick”, let me rave about one of the best comic books I have read in years! Bomb Queen totally disproved that whole “you can’t judge a book by its cover” theory. I saw the cover to Bomb Queen #1 and was blown away…no pun intended. What I found between the covers was even more impressive!
I’m not ashamed to admit it…as long as the wife doesn’t find out…but the thing that initially drew me to Bomb Queen was quite simply one of the greatest…and skimpiest super heroine/villain costumes in the history of Comicdom! Bomb Queen gives a whole new meaning to “low riders”! Writer/artist Jimmie Robinson would be considered a genius in my eyes for the costume design alone…were it not for an even more amazing story to back up the stunning art!
How best to describe Bomb Queen? Let’s see…The last time a comic book excited me this much was when I took a chance and picked up Image’s Invincible. This book is THAT good! What Robert Kirkman’s Invincible did for superhero comic books, Robinson’s Bomb Queen is doing for anti-hero books!
Now, it’s not really fair to compare Bomb Queen to Invincible, or any other comic book for that matter…because there is nothing on the shelves quite like this. The star of this book is a murderous, cold-hearted villain…but dang it, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Bomb Queen is cool, cocky, funny and very easy on the eyes!
The story is set in New Port City, a town with absolutely no superheroes left in it. Bomb Queen has either ran the heroes off or killed them, and now the villain rules the city with her explosive ways. Even the mayor is in Bomb Queen’s oh-so-tiny back pocket! But with election season rolling around, a would-be-mayoral candidate is determined to clean up the city and gain the mayor’s office over Bomb Queen’s dead body! This is where the real fireworks begin!
I have always been one who has found myself rooting for the bad guys…Darth Vader, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees…but never before have I so pulled for a comic book super villain like I do with Bomb Queen. Thank you, Mr. Robinson. Thank you for bringing us something fresh and exciting! Now, if this was only an ongoing series…
Suggested for mature readers due to nudity, violence, strong language, a super-skimpy costume and a superhero who is “packing.”
Overall grade = A+
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G.I. Joe vs. Transformers: The Art Of War (Devil’s Due Publishing) -
It’s been a long time since I have actively followed either G.I. Joe or the Transformers. The reasons vary…too many cast members to keep up with, I got burned out on all the variant covers, my son kept taking my Joe and Transformers comics. Pick one or all. However, when the folks at Devil’s Due decided to put these two 80s icons together again, the raging 80s child in me simply couldn’t pass this one up!
Writer Tim Seeley delivers a tale that’s not too complicated nor too crowded for any Joe or Transformer fan to jump into. The big names are all here, good guys and bad guys. However, one of the big bad guys isn’t exactly what you expect at the beginning of this issue, and especially not what you expect by issue’s end.
Since I haven’t kept up with either team in the current titles - although I have a stack of G.I. Joe: America’s Elite books that I will be digging into at my first free moment - I am not sure how or even if this tale fits into continuity. All I do know for sure is that this is a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed for the sake of just being that…a great story. And the ending? Guaranteed to bring you back for the next issue!
Suggested for readers ages 9 and up due to mild language.
Overall grade = A
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Hawkgirl #50 (DC) -
Okay…I’m getting back on the “comic book chicks kick” again. “One Year Later” lands squarely in the book formerly known as Hawkman. Now Kendra Saunders is the star of this book and Carter Hall is nowhere to be seen, aside from in one of Kendra’s dreams!
This is the one “OYL” title that I was really torn over. On the one hand, I loved Hawkman just as it was and thought that the team of writers Justin Grey and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Joe Bennett was perfect and that they were creating the perfect superhero comic book month in and month out. Short and sweet…why fix it, if it ain’t broken?!
However, on the other hand, I have always been a huge Hawkgirl fan…then there was the fact that the new creative team was comprised of two living legends - writer Walter Simonson and artist Howard Chaykin!
I have been a fan of Simonson’s writing and art for years now, and to this day I firmly believe that Simonson is a living legend and one of the greatest talents of our day and time. And Simonson doesn’t disappoint with his first issue of Hawkgirl.
Simonson delivers a fast paced tale, filled with plenty of action and - as you can tell by the cover - a few creepy moments. And Simonson doesn’t hesitate to establish that Hawkgirl is the star of this book from the get go. Sure, there are a few questions that stand out in this “OYL” reboot - the biggest of which is where is Hawkman - but not enough to take away from the exciting new direction for this title.
I was actually surprised to discover that despite the fact that Simonson nails this one on the first try, the art of Chaykin steals the show! This is one of the best looking superhero comics that I have seen in a long time. Chaykin has that definitive dark and detailed style that fits this book perfectly. So detailed in fact, that we discover that it must be cold…a little nippy, if you will…in St. Roch, Louisiana…
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and language.
Overall grade = A
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Wolverine #40 (Marvel) -
Okay…let’s get to the good things in this issue first. Best thing? The incredible artwork of Mark Texeira and Javier Saltares! My two all time favorite Ghost Rider artists once again show that they can illustrate more than ole Flamehead in this dark, gritty chapter in Wolverine’s life.
Another plus? We are treated to the untold story of Wolverine’s late wife - possibly his first wife - Itsu. We find out how Wolverine met Itsu and fell in love with her. And sadly, we also find out how Itsu died. That’s where another plus comes in…this issue’s guest star, the Winter Soldier! But the Winter Soldier’s appearance also brings up the disappointment that I had with this issue.
I had a sneaking suspicion coming in to this issue that I might be disappointed. After all, this issue was the last chapter of the “Origins & Endings” storyline, and I figured that unless this book was a super-sized edition, then a lot of questions wouldn’t be answered. True enough, there are a lot of dangling plotlines left over, no doubt to be continued in the pages of the new Wolverine: Origins series.
I’m still a little fuzzy over the Winter Soldier/Bucky’s role in the death of Wolverine’s wife. But I guess my biggest gripe was the end of this issue. After the Winter Soldier tells Logan what he remembers, Logan decides to return the favor and tell Bucky something that he doesn’t know. What big secret does Wolverine spill? Who knows?! It is never revealed. And we are left to wonder if it will ever be revealed, either in these pages, or in the pages of Captain America.
Then there’s that cover. This issue has one of the best Wolverine covers that I have seen since the classic Incredible Hulk #340, with the Hulk’s reflection showing up in Logan’s claws. When I saw this cover, I was excited by the possibility that Wolverine’s New Avengers teammates would have something to do with this issue. Not so. No New Avengers here at all. The cover has absolutely nothing to do with this issue at all…it’s just a cool cover guaranteed to lure you in.
This issue could have been tons better. I got the impression while reading this issue that maybe it was initially intended to be more. The story felt rushed and incomplete, kind of like it was decided late in the game that the full contents of this issue would be better served in the pages of Wolverine: Origins.
Suggested for teen readers and up due to violence and language.
Overall grade = C+
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Zombie Tales: The Dead #1 (BOOM! Studios) -
Regular visitors to The Comic Fanatic.Com know that I am a devout zombie fanatic, and zombie tales don’t come much better than those produced in these Zombie Tales books by Boom! Studios and their host of talented creators. And this latest outing is no exception!
We are treated to six zombie gems in this book, and it’s hard to pick a favorite. The first tale by writer Michael Alan Nelson and artist Lee Moder is called “The Miracle Of Bethany.” This brilliant tale stands out because of an incredible twist that explains the whole zombie phenomena with a stunning biblical explanation!
While I am on the topic of brilliance, check out “Four Out Of Five” by writer John Rogers and artist Ed Tadem. This little beauty reveals that throughout history a zombie plague has broken out once every 100 years, but the current plague is the only one that has stuck around and spread. The why of it all is a brilliant hook that the title of this story should alert you to.
If you are looking for creepy, look no further than “Zoombies” by writer Johanna Stokes and artist Cynthia Martin. In what begins as an almost comical tale, “Zoombies” takes a turn for the eerie when we are shown what happens when a zombie plague strikes the animal kingdom!
If you’re in the mood for something even creepier, take in “Game Called Zombie” by writer Jim Pascoe and artists Don Simpson and Chris Moreno. What starts out as a good ole fashioned family fun day at the carnival ends up as a psychological thriller straight from the mind of John Carpenter! The only thing missing here is that haunting “Halloween” theme music!
For those who have been following along since the first Zombie Tales book, we are treated to the continuations of two great stories. The first of these is the Keith Giffen-written/Ron Lim-illustrated “Deadest Meat”, which offers a disturbing insight to a human mind deteriorating as it becomes a zombie. Then there’s “I, Zombie - Remains Of The Day” by writer Andrew Cosby and artist Fabio Moon, a disturbing tale that ends up as…dare I say it…the first zombie love story that I have read!
Zombies Tales is an anthology done right, and a book that cannot be published enough to suit me!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language, violence and gore.
Overall grade = A+
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X-Factor #5 (Marvel) -
This book just blows me away! Right out of the gate, this new X-Factor was comic book perfection. Writer Peter David is delivering his strongest work in a career filled with incredibly strong work. And after finishing each issue of X-Factor, I wonder how in the world can David top himself…and he continues to do so! I know there is a ceiling somewhere and David has to top out…but it hasn’t happened yet! This issue? The best of the bunch…so far!
While previous issues of X-Factor have been fun romps filled with pulp and superheroics, this issue is something a little different. No humor here. Very little superheroics. Only two members of X-Factor. And it works…big time!
David delivers a nail-biting chiller that reads like “Silence Of The Lambs” meets X-Factor! And the results will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Siryn has been beaten and kidnapped by a mysterious character with a mad-on for mutants following the events of “House Of M.” Now, Siryn finds herself bound, gagged and at the mercy of a maniac who has every intention of killing the Scottish hottie! And Siryn’s only hope of rescue lies with the now-non-powered Rictor!
David does an incredible job of pulling the reader into the head of not only Siryn’s sadistic kidnapper, but David also makes the reader truly feel Siryn’s fear and helplessness. And this dark, tense story is made even more so by the amazing tone-setting art of Dennis Calero and Jose Villarrubia.
David’s X-Factor just keeps getting better and better with each new issue…and I’m thrilled to just be along for the ride, to see just how much better each new issue will be!
Suggested for teen readers and up due to language and violence.
Overall grade = A+
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