Arisverse

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-18-2012

2012-01-22T21:17:00.003-05:00

A new year of review...I am struggling to keep up because I am only getting to the comic shop every two weeks. Thanks for putting up with my now...seemingly...bi-weekly reviews of new(ish) comics.

Batman #5 (DC Comics/Snyder and Capullo/$2.99): Wow this book is great. That's right not good...great. Snyder has done excellent every issue but this one takes the cake. Batman struggling in a drug induced fugue through a maze captured by the council of shadows. Snyder pulls you in to the mania nicely with great narration. Small snippets of dialogue...your not sure what is real and isn't just like Bats. And when the visual device of turning the page hits you in the middle of the book...your just as lost as Batman trying to convince yourself this books couldn't possibly be this awesome...but it is.

You watch Batman struggle through the issue through Capullo's well executed and perfectly paced panels. The are frantic. Well drawn. And pivotal to the experience. This is an excellent Batman comic. And really this team has crafted a nice threat for Bats the deserves a seat among the greats of his rogue's gallery. Tying it all up with a bow for you through the narrative and respectful characterizations. This book is really amazing.

9.5 out of 10

Invincible #87 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.99): Well Allen reveals his plan to Invincible and now we gotta get ready for a brawl. Great pacing and art. Kirkman is running a clinic proving creator owned capes can be as good if not better than the Big Two. The last page "He's got me.". We all saw that coming right. We should have...but we didn't it. Bam. I was like wow that's a great ending. I am shaking in my pants waiting for next issue now!!!

8.5 out of 10

Green Lantern #5 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): It's hard to deny Johns is an awesome writer reading this title. Sinestro puts his plan in motion dismantling his former Corps and saving his home world. Well executed superhero drama. Plus he gives Hal a ring and warns Hal again about the Guardians, who seem to be set on creating their next best Corps led by the ..........First Lantern. The art is second to none. Issue after issue since the DC relaunch Mahnke has been laying the proverbial smack down on art chores. Illustrative, visceral, powerful and awesome in every way. And I have to admit I don't know how he does this monthly The detail and alien diversity of the Sinestro Corps blew my mind. This remains a gem. And proof positive that Johns firing all cylinders is the best super hero writer in comics.

9 out of 10

Legion Lost #5 (DC Comics/Nicieza and Woods/$2.99): another solid action packed romp by the creative team. It certainly isn't a traditional LoSH book...but it certainly nice to see an action oriented comic using Legion characters. I loved the focus on Dawnstar through Tellus' eyes. You get the essence of the character really nicely spelled out. Nicieze has done a good job of that every issue with its focus on a different member without taking you out of the meta-story. Woods art is gorgeous. Especially the page of Wildfire cutting loose. Wow. No one ever did it better.

7.5 out of 1o

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Samnee/$3.99): I am gonna be honest I was going to drop this title and even after buying it, and its really good, I am disappointed Marvel went with Samnee on art chores following Pichelli. Part of what makes this title so exciting is the "modern-ness" of it. Pichelli being the bastard child of today's best artists replaced by Samnee who is the bastard child of comics all time classics is like replacing Japanese Anime with Hanna Barbara.

Even with that crit the art still carries the story wonderfully. Samnee is amazing after all (one of my top 10) and he really does great work with the characters and locations. And no one working today can touch his storytelling. So it works watching Prowler's misadventure in Mexico City, Spider-Man in awkward action, and some nice character driven scenes and plot building. Good stuff. The writing is fresh and fun and the characters believable. You can see Bendis taking him time establishing a tone and putting his lego set together nicely.

8 out of 10

Avengers #21 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Guedes/$3.99): I have no idea why I picked it up. Yes I do. The art. Every page of the action packed issue is beautifully illustrated by Guedes. If it was about the art it would be a 10. But its not. And the problem remains that made me drop the book during Fear Itself. I don't care. The Avengers are fighting generic minions of H.A.M.M.E.R. (Osborn's SHIELD) and getting beat. Didn't these guys just take out an Elder God and villains leveled up by wielding Mjolnir class weapons? Didn't they beat Osborn's Dark Avengers when they had SENTRY? Now we are expected to believe the Avengers are taken out by generic powered video game minions? WTF?

Yeah. Terrible.

3 out of 10

Wonder Woman #5 (DC Comics/Azzarello and Akins/$2.99): This book is fantastic. Wonder Woman traveling the world getting ready for a war of the gods. She meets a new sibling (Zeus gets around you know), and is bracing herself for a serious talk with her uncle Poseidon. The story has a great tone and feels genuinely mythological. The writing is witty and nuanced and the story really nicely paced with dramatic pauses between reveals and really big mythic moments. Like fish-frog-mollusk Poseidon showing up Kraken sized in the Thames. WOW!! This is shaping into the type of Wonder Woman comic I always wanted.

8 out of 10

Arisverse 2011 Comic Book Awards

2011-12-30T09:22:00.002-05:00

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 BEST WRITER: Jeff Lemire. On the strength of Animal Man alone he desrerves the title. Reinvigorating Buddy Baker with pure classic Vertigo sensibilties..combining his place in the DCU as hero with a horror fiction elements that are reminiscent of what made Moore's Swamp Thing great. Smart, surprising, scary. Bravo Lemire. More please.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 BEST COLORIST: FCO Plascencia. Not just his work at Image. Anywhere this guy places his colors it ads something signature and atmospheric to the finished art. He doesn't rely on textures and filters a a much as great color choices and warm tones. I love his work. Kirkman seems to have a knack for colorists.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 Best Inker: Norm Rapmund. A nice guy? Yes. Great inker? Hell yeah. Varied and well crafted he really began to shine this year when his DCnU work hit. Norm can take his place amoung today's inking heavyweights and proves with stroke inking is an art and enhances the pencils 100 fold.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 BEST ARTIST/Penciler Runner Up: Stuart Immonen. He is probably the best artist working in comics. So he could be number 1 any year. He did amazing work wherever he penciled a page. His work on Fear Itself was absolutely beautiful. Well crafted and stylistically flawless.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2012 WORST COMIC/Series of the Year RUNNER UP: Fear Itself. Contrived, pointless, badly paced, conceived and scripted. I couldnt imagine a worse "event". It was utterly meaningless and even taking all the parts at face value it wasn't even fun. Sad. Hey at least the art was good...and we got Tanarus! Wtf?

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 BEST BOOK/Series Runner Up: Animal Man. There are a few VERY good books in the DCnU relaunch this year. But far and away Animal Man was my fave. It in my top two of the year because it perfectly executed everything fans loved from back in the day way Vertigo first launched. It has wonderful pacing and character as well as expanding the Animal Man mythos. And the art by Travel Foremen is pitch perfect tonally. Horrifyingly appropriate. A must read.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 BEST ARTIST/Penciler: Sarah Pichelli. I have no idea what she's drawn before but when I looked at the Ultimate Comics Spider-man preview I was literally blown away. She is like someone took at my favorite Marvel artists and smushed them into the greatest thing I could imagine. Stylistic, perfectly crafted and amazing storytelling. A comic artist trifecta. She really has a bright future...where she goes I will follow.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2011 WORST BOOK/Series: Justice League. Absolutely. Soup to nuts its THAT bad. Johns make the classic line up minus Martion Man-hunter plus Cyborg (meh) caricatures of our favorite heroes. Poorly scripted by the numbers boring. And art is worse. Its like the best Jim Lee imitator...all style no substance. Its worse than the recent JLA comics they were giving away in cereal boxes. And I wont even touch the redesigns or Darkseid. Embarrassing. Every issue gets worse. Dont buy it. Buy THUNDER Agents instead. Its really hard to believe this DC Comics flagship title by the two biggest hitters in the line up. Embarrassing.

Arisverse Comic Book Awards 2012 Best Comic/Series: Ultimate Comics Ultimates. Wow. I wouldn't have believed it but it's better than Millar's first two volumes. Which is saying a lot. Those series pretty much created wide screen comics. Hickman and Ribic are creative innovative, smart, fast paced comics that is essentially why fans like me loved Wolfman/Perez Titans and Claremont/Byrne X-Men only modern and fresh. It is perfect super-heroes for this generation. I highly recommend it. Perfection.

Mini Reviews 12/21 and 12/28/2011

2011-12-27T11:10:00.002-05:00

Didn't have time to do my normal reviews so I put this together quickly. I hope you all had a great X-mas/Holiday.

Justice League #4 (DC Comics): A tragic let down and horrible introduction of a badly designed Darkseid. Everything is hastily being thrown together amid bad characterization and scripting. It is hard to believe Johns is the same writer doing such excellent work on GL. In fact. GL in Justice League is a completely different character. They all are caricatures of themselves. Bad ones. There is also no sense of danger or drama. It just moves along at a forced pace. The art is also tragically unspectacular. Boring. And to be quire honest despite Lee's legendary status outclassed by other people in the industry today doing similar style. All in all a HUGE let down by DC comics. I will be dropping this after the first arc done.

3 out of 10

Green Lantern #4 (DC Comics): We take a break from the action and amp up the personal drama bug time. More great characterization with Sinestro and some information about the plight and his history with his people. I really enjoyed the read. The art is simply Mahnke's best. organic and dramatic. Intense. The visceral portrayal of Sinestro's emotions are awesome. I am curious to see where this goes. Obviously Sinestro will get his Corps back..but they will have to be changed from the chaotic bunch of fear mongers they are currently behaving like without his iron fisted leadership.

8.5 out of 10

Wonder Woman #4 (DC Comics): The book started off slow with me, but this issue was a fun read. Basically we find Apollo making a deal with War(who still seems to have his own agenda regardless agreeing to stay out of the game), some great stuff with Rhea and Hypollita, and Wonder Woman coming home to o little too late for forgiveness over her petulant reaction last issue to her true origin. Great art and scripting. I love the tone of this book. A real treat and surprise.

7.5 out of 10

Ultimate Spider-Man #5 (Marvel Comics): thumbing through the book at first I though I was going to hate it because Pichelli wasn't the artist, but she did the breakdowns and the finishes where fairly well done. The art team really did a good job. Basically SHIELD captures Miles/Spidey and lets him know even after helping take out Electro that he has a lot to live up to filling Peter Parker's boots as Spidey. They reward him after some good ribbing, driving that previous point home and solid character building with his own costume. Great stuff, this book is a refreshing fun read every issue.

8.5 out of 10

Legion Lost #4 (DC Comics): Another well paced, illustrated and executed read by Fabian and Woods. The team catches track down the infected guy from the future and managed to get in trouble with the authorities. Good use of Dawnstar for sure this issues. Lots of fun. I wish Fabien would stick around. This is a non-traditional Legion book. It works because Fabien has a knack for action oriented teams.

7 out of 10

Legion fo Super-Heroes #4 (DC Comics): I am bored to death. Four issues in and theres a big fight with a Daxamite named "Renegade" and Dominator fleet. Could be exciting...maybe...ut's certainly well drawn. But there are two major issues. 1. No gravitas at all. I mean how can it be a threat when most of the Legion sits it out. #2 The book should have opened with big villains. Instead of essentially no name adversaries that amount to generic video game fodder for the Legion. It is a bit of a let down. The saving grace of the book is the classic characterization of the Legionaries..and the art. I hope the book gives us the Fatal Five or Time Trapper soon.

5 out of 10

Invincible #86 (Image Comics): Booyah. The best art ever. I love it. It's a big fight as Omniman confront Allen the alien about his plan to wipe out the Viltrumites on Earth and possibly take Earth out with them. Great dialogue and action and it all comes to a head when Omniboy sides with Allen against his dead deciding that Earthlings are a greedy infantile warlike people and taking out the Viltrumites is a worthy cause to sacrifice Humans for. He even helps Allen beat up his dad. Spectacular work by the art team who really blew me away.

9 out of 10

Batman #4 (DC Comics): Batman tracks down the Council of Owls and Snyder gives a wonderful history lesson in the process. Great art by Capullo, I am so glad he is back on books I like and heroes I care about. I missed his dramatic and action packed art.

8.5 out of 10

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T10:03:00.001-05:00

Comic Book Capsule Review 12-05-2011

2011-12-12T14:42:00.003-05:00

Ultimates #4 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Ribic/$3.99): Thor flies off to face the denizens of the Dome and makes a startling discovery after a great fight, and defeat at the hands of the First Knife. I was surprised. Thor is eventually set free and sent to SHIELD and his teammates with an ultimatum. One at this point the heroes and humanity have no choice but to expect..for now. Great smart exciting scripting with wonderful unexpected reveals and pacing. Hickman really is letting it fly. This is great stuff.

Ribic’s art is beautiful and stunning. Great facial expressions, nice posing and excellent storytelling. There are some wonderful splashes and really cool designs (see: the First knife). This guy is too good for words.

This is without a doubt Marvel’s best book. WITHOUT A DOUBT. Big stories, big stakes and big surprises.

9 out of 10

Animal Man #4 (DC Comics/Lemire and Foreman/$2.99): More “Vertigo” style goodness. Buddy takes a beating by the Hunters deep in the Red to be saved by his daughter who begins her training by the Council of Limbs. They also give Buddy a history lesson and to seek out Alec Holland for help against the Rot. Meanwhile Buddy’s wife and son are being ferried to “safety” by the last Hunter. Who takes the son on a little jaunt into the woods. The excitement and stakes build big time and the tone of the book is downright scary. The Hunters and the Rot are convincing and horrifying adversaries and Lemire’s expanding the Animal Man mythos in fantastic and interesting was makes the book a gem.

As great as the story is the art is the perfect compliment. Foreman’s style and eerie line work add to the Vertigo-esque quality of the book. He draws visceral violence and really alien scary supernature. The Bleed and it’s denizens, including the Rot/Hunters have a unique quality to them that are really fascinating.

This book. Animal Man if you can believe it is the absolute best one of the DC New 52.

9 out of 10

Chew #22 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): As good as this book is consistently I am periodically surprised that Layman finds ways to make it better. The book takes a dark turn with really amazing developments. Savoy has Chu’s daughter and it looks like she is going to be his apprentice. She may be the most powerful Cibiopath of them all. And in the world of Chew you know that is going to be important. The issue is wonderfully written and full of great scripting. The art by Guillory is awesome, and to be honest this issue is one of his best. Another fantastic installment. Made even more amazing by the fact that my name appears on the inside of the front cover.

9 out of 10

Avenging Spider-man #2 (Marvel Comics/Waid and Madeuria/$3.99): If I go off on a rant please forgive me.

Marvel really pulled one over on us. Look I knew going in there was no inker. I am buying it for Joe MAD’s art only. BUT. The crap on the printed page should never have been allowed to see print. If this book wasn’t poly-bagged (I can only guess to keep the contents hidden from prospective buyers) I wound’t buy it. The art was clearly not print ready. I am not saying not good. It’s great. It’s Joe MAD. But it was way too loose and sketchy. WAY TOO. As in no attempt was made to digitally darken the art so the colors could be applied for a vivid publishable finished product. Instead it’s sometimes muddy and to me to distracting. Fortunately for Marvel no one is probably reading the story which is basically a vehicle for Joe MAD to draw big monsters, great action and design warrior Mole-men.

An awful comic book. Marvel Comics should be ashamed.

4 out of 10

Action Comics #4 (DC Comics/Morrison and RAGs Morales /$2.99): Brianiac unleashed as he starts to bottle Metropolis and add it to his collection. Meanwhile Superman tries to stop armies of rampaging robots and Metallo. Fortunately he isn’t the City’s only hero for long. Steel shows up to take Corban out (in a nicely paced and illustrated back up). It’s a solid issue but, I think lacked real punch. I did enjoy Luthor’s pointless flailing and General Lane having to ask Supes to help save his daughter. Should be interesting to see a young Supes take on Morrison’s version of Brainiac. The art was strong, RAGs does some very nice dynamic pages. Overall a well done issue.

7.5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-23-2011

2011-11-25T16:33:00.005-05:00

Batman #3 (DC Comics/Snyder and Capullo/$2.99): More of the mysterious Council of Owls unfolds as Bats discover the secret rulers of Gotham have long been right under the Waynes and deep rooted in the city throughout it's history. Snyder does great work with the pacing and narration as he reveals elements and ties it up nicely with Bats so its seems like it should have always been there. It's spooky in a way and very suspenseful. The art work is really nice by Capullo. He does great work with all the Bat-elements and does a wonderful job of letting the panels speak for themselves. Another bang up job by the Batman creative team.

All that I have to point out a minor crit..maybe it's a major one...can anyone believe Batman who is prepared for everything...gets caught by a simple tripwire? C'mon man.

8 out of 10

Wonder Woman #3 (DC Comics/Azzarello and Chiang/$2.99): Basically Wonder Woman has a hissy fit when she finds out she wasn't really made from clay but the product of a few passionate nights between her mom Queen of the Amazons and the King of Olympus Zeus. I like the tone of the book but all the elements and the scripting seems disjointed or off. Things do not flow from scene to scene or eve from character to character in the dialogue. It's distracting. I like the art a lot. Chiang's straightforward art and some nice appropriately flat coloring are a nice touch. I will stick around through next arc to see what becomes of Wonder Woman's decision to swear off Paradise Island and heads out into Man's World. Hopefully the action will pick up in a big way and she integrates into the super-hero parts of the DCU more. If not I will drop the book.

6 out of 10

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #3 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Ribic/$3.99): Another great issue from Hickman. This book is very different than the snails pace FF book. We are in the middle of the action as Tomorrow's Children sweep over the Earth assimilating cities and there is nothing anyone including SHIELD and all it's super-soldiers to stop them. Even dropping a nuke on them just gives them enough time for Thor to port what's left of the SHIELD fleet out of harms way. Hickman does wonderful work with the scoop of the action and the individual character moments. I love the part between Thor and Iron Man who seem to be the only two with any hope against the enemy. In the end Thor goes back, he must have vengeance. They assimilated Asgard and he is going to make them pay. The art is stunning, subtle and beautifully appropriate. Ribic does magic hitting all the parts and perfectly executing Hickman's script.

This book is very very good, and although tonally different than Millar's perfect first two runs, a great compliment to those books. I highly recommend it. Plus I can't wait to see how Fury and the Ultimates get themselves out of this one.

9 out of 1o

Shade #2 (DC Comics/Robinson and Hamner/$2.99): Shade isn't a character I care about, and to be honest I wouldn't buy this book if Cully Hamner wasn't doing the art. But I have to say Robinson really rocks this issue with great dialogue and character interaction. I like the way the characters speak, I like that some of them seem smart..reading it makes me think I am smart. Not because they talk about quarks and super string...but because there is a nice literary character to it. I love it. So I may stick around if Cully isn't on art chores. We find out Shade faked his death last issue with Deathstroke to go underground and find out who wants him dead and why. along the way we get some nice action, learn a little about Shade's nature and the story moves forward nicely.

The story plays to all Cully's strengths. interesting character nuance, awesome locations and beautifully choreographed action. I love it. There is a whimsical character to it that works well with the charming and sometimes spooky characterizations. And really only Cully even gives props like guns wonderful detail. Lovely. The colors are a particularly nice touch. Well done guys.

8 out of 10

Aquaman #3 (DC Comics/Johns and Reis/$2.99): More fighting with the deep sea piranha men, including revelations to their nature, some character developments with Aquaman, even a teaser about the FIVE-dent and we end the book with Aquaman and Mera entering the dark waters of the Mariana's Trench, into the lion's den so to speak. I really want to like this book, which is why I haven't dropped it, but it's lacking something. He still isn't cool. If he can't take out a the alpha-piranha man I don't really think he is that tough. Maybe the story hasn't hit it's mark yet, whatever it is, I will give the book one more shot. So far it hasn't been worth the admission price. The art is pretty, but much like the story something is missing in Reis portrayal of Aquaman. And the cover is absolutely terrible.

4 out of 10

Captain America and Bucky #624 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker, Andreyko and Samnee/$2.99): Brubaker takes this oppertunity to let Bucky tell the reader his origin and first days as the Winder Soldier. It is well done with great narration and wonderful characterization. All the elements meld perfectly together and make for a wonderful origina issue. Beautifully illustrated by Samnee. He captures the writers vision perfectly and his classic, strong inks style is wonderful. I really like the way he does expression and flawless in the moment action.

A great run so far, but unfortunately I will be dropping the book next issue with the onset of the new art team.

8.5 out of 10

Invincible #85 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Walker/$2.99): A really good issue. Basically we find out Omni-man is a sexaholic and that the Viltrumites are on Earth doesn't sit well with Allen and the Coalition of Planets who have decided to release a toxin to take the aliens out..and it will probably kill all the humans too. Great stuff especially the character stuff with Omni-boy. It will be interesting to see him grow as a character.

The art is off the scales beautiful. Cory Walker is magnificent. Super clean with great expression and gesture and lovely design. Plascenia's colors, muted but beautifully bring out the best in the line art. It is why I love comic art so so much. The issue is full of great panels with wonderful backgrounds and unique aliens.

After several issues of going through the motions this was a real joy to read.

9 out of 10

Justice League #3 (DC Comics/Johns and Lee/$3.99): I am sorry, no matter how you slice it, the book still feels like a dime store version of the Justice League. It has no heart at all. It's like generic superheroes 101. The action is great don't get me wrong, if slightly deflated by Lee's messy looking unfinished art. I wonder what Johns is doing here, it's hard to tell, I get the straightforward action part..but the characters except maybe Batman do not seem like the characters I know and love at all. Superman speaks in slang, GL is a complete dimwit, and Wonder Woman is..well...it's hard to see her as a warrior maiden princess. I mean come on.

In this issue the heroes square off with a barrage of booming in Parademons, meanwhile Cyborg is birthed using alien technology where we get a clue it may somehow be Apokoliptan in nature, and the gangs all here as Wonder Woman and Aquaman both join the party.

The art as I mentioned seems rushed and messy. Everything is off and thin. I actually get distracted by it. It makes the storytelling pointlessly more difficult to enjoy and the costumes look terrible. I mean Cully's style page in the back of the book is completely ignored by Lee. And then there are Parademons themselves. Generic and boring.

I may be dropping this book after the first arc.

5 out of 10

Captain America #4 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and McNiven/$3.99): Bravo explains what's going on to Cap as he and his allies begin their plan to make everything right in the world with the reality altering power of the old dudes' brain. While Cap is forced to listen to Bravo monologue at him in the other place his sidekicks and companions are on the move to get him out. Some good action, but it seems like filler compared to the balls out action that preceded it. The art is beautiful, McNiven is in a class by himself.

7 out of 10

Legion of Super-heroes #3 (DC Comics/Levitz and Portella/$2.99): Renegade faces off with the Legion as a Dominator armada comes into the scene but is sent packing as more Legionaries arrive. Decent characterization, but short on the action when there should be action in spades. There is something missing. Certainly better than recent versions of the book with good art. Portella has a nice Heavy Metal quality that works well with LoSH, it somehow reminds me of the Lightle era. Still I want more. This book should have opened big real big. More than the random alien plot, and a Daxamite (oh my!).

5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-09-2011

2011-11-13T08:28:00.004-05:00

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Marvel Comics/Wells and Madureira/$3.99)

I was seriously anticipating this book. I am a hug fan of Joe Mad and after his lackluster return to comics with Loeb's Ultimate Avengers I really wanted to see a book where he proverbially blows the barn door off of comics. And he does. To be honest the story is secondary, if you notice at all. The Avengers beat a giant robot and then Rulk (Red Hulk) and Spidey are off to NYC where the New York Marathon is interrupted by a wave of mole men who kidnap J. Jonah Jameson. Rulky and Spidey arrive just in time to be swallowed by a giant monster erupting from the ground and we find the Mole-man enslaved by some guys we have never seen before. They look like they walked out of WoW. Generic stuff but definitely fun.

The art on the other hand is mind blowing. Joe Mad simply put is the best artist of his generation. And even after a long stint in the video game world he effortlessly brings back his signature "amerimanga" to comics. Stylized and hyper-kinetic the pages explode with an unmatched dynamism. It's almost like the book is vibrating in your hands. Even static shots and faces have a movement to them.

And if you are one of those morons that think Mad is all style no substance I recommend you think again. The storytelling is flawless, Mad uses great angles and moves the camera all over the place, and finally the amount of work put into the page is stunning. The two page splash of the marathoners smashing against a wave of mole-men is really stunning.

My one crit about the book, and in this case it's a minor one. No inks. The art is still great, but somewhat scratchy. I have never been a "no-inks" comics.

And to those of you out there on the interwebs with your witty comments like "yeah. ill wait until the 2nd issue comes out...never!". Well. STFU. Just STFU. This isn't one of those embedded in continuity if it doesn't come out on time books...it's one where you buy it for the art and if it's late it's late. I generally hate having written this paragraph but today's comics has books being canceled midstream or delayed for any number of reasons...so I just started ignoring it.

A great comic? No. But fun, and it's really a joy to see Mad's unrestrained powerful art. Stunning, beautiful, and powerful.

9 out of 10

Legion Lost #3 (DC Comics/Nicieza and Woods/$2.99): Another fun rock and sock-em issue by the creative team. Our heroes are figuring out how to stop of the hyper-virus which is attacking human DNA and changing people into super-alien hybrids. Wrecking havoc with the past. The team is restless and finally Timber Wolf decides to takes to the streets when he picks up a scent. He steals a cop car and rumbles with a feral tiger wolf thing in a local mall. After defeating it he finds at least one of his members the team thought dead may be trying to make her way back..in a pretty disgusting way..although it makes sense for a Durlan.

This is not a traditional Legion of Super-heroes book. But do not let that stop you from picking it up. Nicieza does great teams. It feels like a fun team book. And the writer is crafting interesting characters and stories. The book is fun. And the art is wonderful. Pete Woods is doing incredible work, lovely props and backgrounds and great figures, action and expression. I love the open line quality and less is more approach he is using. Woods seems to be growing as an artist in front of our eyes..each issue better than the next.

8 out of 10

Avengers Academy #21 (Marvel Comics/Gage and Chen/$2.99): To be honest the only reason I bought this is because it is a light comic week for me. And that is a shame. This is a very well written book. Gage is really doing wonders with the characters and quietly developing a great set of complex and well rounded characters. This book in many ways is the perfect expression of a creators love of the Wolfman era Teen Titans ot Claremont's X-men. Without being derivative. I want to love this book...I was collecting it for a while. But all the fun and good writing is deflated completely by the art. Chen's pages are utilitarian at best. He isn't bad, but it's boring. I really loved Chen's Harbinger. But for this, it isn't working. And it is completely distracting. The book has a great range of emotion as the team is introduced to some new mentors, vent frustration about resent happenings leading to a hissy fit confrontation with Cap and Luke Cage and we find out that the future versions of the characters are up to something.

6 out of 10

Ultimate Spider-man #4 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Pichelli/$3.99): Another home run. Basically Miles comes face to face with his potential role as Spider-man when he witnesses the death and funeral of Spider-man and gets an earful from Gwen Stacy. So his roommate gives him a Spider-man Halloween costume and Miles takes to the streets. Not very gracefully and into the foot of Spider-woman. Who simply asks who do you think you are?

It's a great ride. Full of emotion, great dialogue, quirky moments and fun. You can the gears twisting for the characters and Bendis trying to build Miles into his role as Spider-man. The impact hasn't hit him but he knows it's something he should and must do.

The art is glorious. Pichelli is flawless. FLAWLESS. Unique and varied faces, solid storytelling and wonderfully accurate emotion and gesture. She is an amazing artist and perfect for this book.

9 out of 10

Green Lantern #3 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): This is what I am talking about! Johns has returned to form with the relaunch. Great characterization and pacing. A perfectly balanced book. Johns gives us great dialogue and interaction as Sinestro and Hal join forces to free Sinestro's home planet from the clutches of the entire Sinestro Corps! And Sinestro's plan hits a speed bump when Hal enters the Yellow Power Battery and instead of depowering it gets eaten up by it's power.

Great stuff. And along the way we get a foreboding interlude where it seems the Guardians seeing the Lanterns as their second great failure to restore order to the universe decide to create a third army. ooooohhhhhh.

The art is probably the best art Mahnke has done thus far. great powerful figures, awesome action and battle, visceral power unleashed and wonderful stylish detail. It's stunning stuff. he remains unmatched in his ability to draw powerful scary s#!%.

This was a great return to form for this book and embodies what fans have been saying for years about GL. If you stopped reading it towards the end of the old run I recommend you come back.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-02-2011

2011-11-02T18:09:00.006-04:00

It has been a few weeks. Thanks for sticking with my blog, my rants and my reviews. I have been struggling with whether I will be continuing to do these reviews or just move directly to Facebook status reviews of the books. The conclusion for now is to continue what I am doing here on a weekly to bi-weekly basis. I enjoy talking about the comics I read and the industry I love. And if you take the time to read my posts I thank you.

Anyway.

On to the reviews

Animal Man #3 (DC Comics/Lemire and Foreman/$2.99): Another eerie spooky issue. Buddy and his Daughter enter the Red and meet the Avatars and are warned of a danger to the Source, to the Red and the Green...The Adversary is coming. Meanwhile the Hunters monsters from Clive Barkers darkest most obscene dreams have found them and the battle begins. Mean while Buddy's family is also on the run and confronted by one of the Hunters in a skin bag. The issue is wonderfully scary and full of fun and scary moments and spectacle.

It really does remind me of the start of the Vertigo line to Moore's Swamp Thing. Smart horror, building a universe over time. The great thing Lemire is doing here is pacing. Balancing scary with action and story. Some interesting revelations and the battle for all life begins here.

The art is perfect for the book. Stylized and graphic. The rawness of the lines add something visceral to the experience of reading the book that is really enjoyable.

This book is highly recommended.

9 out of 10

Action Comics #3 (DC Comics/Morrison with HA and RAGs/$3.99): I have to admit as much as I like Gene Ha the art changes were a bit distracting and the RAGs art looked very odd. The ink lines were way to hard and really took a way from the kinetic almost Frazetta quality of the work.

Morrison gives of some of Krypton's last moments, the man harassing Clark and some developments with the military and Luthor. Brainiac made it to Earth, births Metallo and is ready to get Supes!!!

The book did not seem to have the same umph of prior issues. It's full of big stuff, but I didn't get pulled in. Wow, issue #3 was quite the let down.

5 out of 10

Invincible #84 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.99): Invincible has a change of heart and basically chucks his whole existence away in hopes he can use his powers to affect real change and help the world. Punching out villains and stopping super criminals by knocking buildings on them just wont cut it anymore. A new direction. One I will not be remaining around to witness. The art is great Ottley does his amazing cartoony detain and awesome kinetic panels as always.

7 out of 10

Fear Itself 7.1: Captain America (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Guice/$3.99): After the absolutely disappointing and soulless Fear itself why I decided to pick this up I have no idea. Basically on the morn of Bucky's wake...guess what Widow, Fury and Barnes spring on Cap that it was all a necessary rouse so Cap could focus on the God War and Bucky is going to take this opportunity to right wrongs he did as Winter Soldier by going on some deep cover missions instead of coming back to the Avengers. :(

The art was nice. Guice is great. Still I should have put this book down. There was no reason to pick it up, its a pointless money grab that could have been explained in the upcoming Winter Soldier book. Marvel has mastered how to maximize an event with prologues, ancillary minis, interludes, tangents and epilogues. But this was the last one for me.

6 out of 10

OMAC #3 (DC Comics/DiDio and Giffen/$2.99): OMAC winds up in prison on terrorism charges where he comes face to face with PSI-FI. Chaos and battle ensues in classic bombast. Even Checkmate comes to play. Lots of fun and pointless yet apt action. I love that this book does remind me of Hulk's wondering, and the reader getting introduced to new characters and concepts. Bravo DC. The art is awesome. You can't beat Giffen channeling Kirby with a twist. I love it.

8 out of 10

the Strange Talent of Luther Strode #2 (Image Comics/Jordan and Moore/$2.99): So Luther beefs up gets a girlfriend (and does it!) and becomes a full blown super hero. Preventing a robbery at a convenience store. Meanwhile unbeknownst to Luther the Librarian has taken the school bully and his family apart. Bloody. Great fun script and I like the touches of character Jordan lays out in the dialogue.

The art is really a joy. Clean yet rough. Stylized yet deliberate. Moore does great action and carnage that rivals Ryan Ottley. That's a huge compliment. Colors are crisp and well chosen without pointless fancy effects and filters. The art is amazing.

This book is an A+ all the way. A more fantastic Kick Ass with horror and super powers.

9 out of 10

Some quickies from the last few weeks...

Shade #1 (DC Comics): Really nicely written and paced. Wonderful character. The art is absolutely beautiful. Right now no one can touch Hamner's stylings, unique and varied faces, props and locations. A great ending as well. Deathstroke shows up and some one ends up in pieces on the floor.

8.5 out of 10

Superman #2 (DC Comics): Busy and lacking any weight. Generic alien villain. And I still hate the costume. Will drop this after the Nicola Scott issue.

3 out of 10

Justice League #2 (DC Comics): A vast improvement over issue one. Basically a nice fun super hero brawl. And then the horribly designed Mother Boxes go boom and all hell breaks loose as Parademons flood into our world. The art by Lee is basically uninspired BAD Jim Lee. Like he is going through the motions just to do it. Still it was fun. I like how Superman is portrayed.

7 out of 10

Fear Itself #7 (Marvel Comics): Absolute crap. If this wasn't drawn by Immonen it might be the absolutely worst comic of the year. Pointless. Meaningless. No heart or soul.

1 out of 10

Aquaman #2 (DC Comics): I am dropping this book. The art is nice, but not Reis' best. And I would like Aquaman to feel more important...Vampire Piranha Men from the DEEEEEEP. Meh.

3 out of 10

Captain America and Bucky #623 (Marvel Comics): Great stuff by Bru, Andreyko and Samnee. Bucky and Toro break the rules in the field and stumble on a Concentration Camp. Nice characterization. All heart.

9 out of 10

Legion of Super-heroes #2 (DC Comics): Fun and well drawn...but I really would have liked a major villain or villains. Two issues in and they should have cracked this bad boy open with the Fatal Five..not generic space villains and a lone Daxamite. The art is awesome.

6.5 out of 10

Kirby:Genesis #4 (Dynamite): Busiek channels everything we love about Kirby creations. This is a fun book, with a lot going on. It reminds me a lot of the early Marvel stuff...every issue throws a virtual kitchen sink of concepts, characters and ideas at you.

8 out of 10

Legion:Secret Origin #1 (DC Comics): Awesome start to the reinvention of the LoSH origin. Great art by Chris Batista and Marc Deering.

8 out of 10

Wonder Woman #2 (DC Comics): I don't like how the issue jumps around, but I like the tone and story. This is a Wonder Woman I can really get into. Great art by Chiang.

7 out of 10

Batman #2 (DC Comics): A fun action packed Bat-book with some interesting twists. Council of Owls. Awesome. Dude give Bruce a run for his money. Great work by Snyder and awesome dynamic art by Capullo.

8 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-12-2011

2011-10-15T07:33:00.007-04:00

I was supposed to be at NYCC alas things didn't work out. To all my friends, pros and guests...have a great time. Exciting weekend in my home town NYC.

What a week of gorgeous comics. Everything I picked up has beautiful art. Please not this weeks reviews includes books from last week.

What happened to JL #2? Late? Whatever. Congrats to DC on the DCnU books. Sales are great, some of the books are awesome.

Action Comics #2 (DC Comics/Morrison and Morales w/Anderson/$3.99): Morrison's return to the raw Superman of the 30s and 40s man of action is pure joy. This isn't the invincible flawless hero of the last several decades or Morrison's previous All-Star incarnation of benevolent deity tending to his flock from on high as a being of super-science. This a brash young bravo who is quick witted and cocky. I love it. Supes is captured by the military and Luthor and escapes outsmarting his future nemesis, discovering his craft and introduced to the language of his alien father. There are great exchanges and pacing in this comic. Morrison is really doing a good job establishing a new Supes without making him unrecognizable. Nice touches throughout of whats to come...Metallo, Irons and a really spooky Brainiac. The art is flawless. RAGs struts his stuff here with great expression and gesture. Perfect storytelling and truly dynamic action. Even with some pages done by Brent Anderson the book never misses a beat and the art is pretty continuous. Terrific stuff.

9 out of 1o

*BOOK OF THE WEEK*

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1 (Image Comics/Jordan and Moore/$2.99): Booyah! This is the kind of high quality book I expect and want from Image. Here's the pitch..Geek gets strange and impossible powers after receiving a mail order "don't be wimp anymore" work out manual with lots of violence and spooky secret bad guys. Simple enough, quirky. What is wonderful about the book is they take an obviously silly premise play it straight and execute a flawless funny comic.

Luther likes a hot chick, has an even nerdier friend and gets bullied at school..not anymore. After exploring the Hercules Method he unlocks powers. And they are reveal in clever and fun ways. Catching falling plates, playing dodge ball and finally with a punch in the face in the high school bathroom. The book is really a nice easy read. It starts with a flashback/forward of ultra violence by the fully realised Strode then eases into the origin and introduction of functional characters and the introduction of secret horrible organization and the Librarian obviously on his why for collision course with Strode.

Tradd Moore's art is amazing. Super clean and stylized. Almost as if Geof Darrow and the guys who design characters for Fairly-odd Parents and Danny Phantom had a child. Moore executes great action with unique style. He executes wonderful bloody violence that is reminiscent of Ryan Ottley on Invincible. And it cartoony with no distraction at all. He is my new favorite artist. The colors are very nicely done and work beautifully over the tight inked(ish) art.

I have to applaud the guys who put this great product out. And I highly recommend it.

9 out of 10

Legion Lost #2 (DC Comics/Nicieza and Woods/$2.99): The Legionaire's lost in time track down the first victim of the Hypervirus and it explodes into Wildfire. A doctor who lost everything turns into a living energy dynamo and doesn't care that he isn't human. Its great action and Nicieza takes the opportunity to give us all the back story about the virus and why the legionaries are lost in time. They need to clean up and contain the virus before every on is infected with a virus that alters the dna of the infected with strains of alien dna muting them into some sort of hypersapien...spelling the end of the human race.

Great action and interplay between the characters. Nicieza has a a natural talent for team dynamics with super heroes This may not work as a normal LoSH book, but since its with an isolated subset of characters you roll with it and its a lot of fun. You get to know a little bit about everyone through great narration by Wildfire. The art is awesome. Woods lines are fluid and bold. I see hints of Cully Hamner and Immonen in there. Especially in the faces and use of line work. Woods ability to display clean crisp superhero action is marvelous to behold. The battle is awesome. Rock solid, action comics.

8 out of 10

Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates #1&2 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Ribic/$3.99): I had given up on all things "Ultimate" until recently and I would never have picked this book if not for the personal recommendation and endless ranting of my friend J.R. LeMar (http://www.facebook.com/jrlemar). Boy oh boy am I glad I did.

Big ideas, large scope, non-stop, awesome. Fury is besieged by doomsday level events around the globe...sure that's a normal day at the office to him and he executes protocols to take care of them all...until. Thor and the EUSS (European supermen) drop down on the Dome. A secret incubator where some humans have evolved beyond understanding into a new humanity Tomorrow's Children. Well They come out to play and explore. And by play collect data on the outside world. Well when they discover Thor it leads them to want to explore the unknowable powers of the gods. Which leads them on a collision course with Asgard which the crack in half.

As Asgard burns, Thor hides his son and weapon in he world tree and turns back to face the Children Odinsword in hand. What hope does humanity have, even with Fury calling in the Ultimates, reserves and an army of Giant-men when the gods have fallen to super science?

Wow. Mind blowing stuff Hickman may be considered the smartest comic writer out there..but with this he cements his place at the head of the pack as Marvel's best as well, he even makes me kinda sorta respect the French. And all of it beautifully rendered by Ribic. It's genius. Great wide art. wonderfully illustrated and executed. The stuff is really amazing.

This is really what the Ultimate universe is about. Thinking bigger, wilder and outside the box. Unexpected. Millar and Hitch would be proud.

9 out of 10

Chew #21 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): Layman and Guillory keep bringing it. Another fun wild issue. Tony is demoted to traffic where he experiences a completely different work environment. He is welcomed as a hero and veteran and even goes out and flawless executes a quick sting bringing some back robber to justice. This is new to Tony Chu and doesn't last if the last page is any indication of things to come. The opening sequence of the joy Tony's old boss experiences firing him is wonderful and funny. The sequence is executed to perfection by Guillory.

8 out of 10

O.M.A.C. #2 (DC Comics/DiDio and Giffen/$2.99): This book is an absolute treat. OMAC wonders into a small town f

or some eats and does the bidding of Brother Eye. Uncovering the Amazing Man who is captured after a spectacular super battle in the streets of small town USA. And it is revealed that Cadmus is connected to Checkmate and Brother Eye is working with....Maxwell Lord ( a jerk in every universe it seems).

The book is great fun, with awesome pacing. DiDio lets Giffen fly evoking the best of Kirby's artist excess and bombast. It's non-stop. Fun. And really wonderful to look at. I love the cover.

8 out of 10

Green Lantern #2 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): Johns is awesome when he is working with Sinestro. This book is returning GL to greatness ever losing it's way somewhat in the event and too many colors era after Blackest Night.

Sinestro kidnaps Hal to get him to help him free his home world from the clutches of the Sinestro corps run amok. He lends Hal some power and ends up giving the hot headed lug lots of sage advise about being a hero and the scope of his power and responsibilities. Until Gorgor of the Sinestro Corps shows up and we get a brief awesomely rendered battle.

Johns does what he does best: character building and setting up stuff with nice pieces of dialogue. The art is off the hizzy! Mahnke at his best. Great action and power. The design and mind blowing execution of the plash revealing Gorgor is mind blowing. And Mahnke does the best Sinestro. He looks pompous,aloof, regal and sinister at the same time.

8.5 out of 10

Ultimate Comics: Spider-man #3 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Pichelli/$3.99): Bendis continues to make me love Miles Morales and his world. Miles and Ganke debate Miles predicament and happen upon an emergency when Miles flows naturally into the role of hero, jumping to the rescue of people in a burning building. Then we follow the kids to school, some new friends and finally the kids get called into the gym on an emergency drill and are informed Spider-man has been shot dead.

Long live Spider-man.

The art is flawless. FLAWLESS. Pichelli executes a great moving script with perfect storytelling, unique and varied people and backgrounds, great action and powerful emotion. The best part is she draws people like the look today. Very timely and accurate.

Buy this book and witness the birth of a hero you will care about and grows to become the heir to all the things you loved about Peter Parker.

9 out of 10.

Animal Man #2 (DC Comics/Lemire and Foreman/$2.99): After dealing with tending to zombie animals at their doorstep, Buddy getting a horrible bloody red tree tattoo map on his body, and the neighbor runs off screaming after having his arm turned into a chicken claw it really gets awesome. Buddy and Maxine are off to find out what is going on in the "Red" and doing wacky things with his powers. Lemire does more great work establishing the Baker family and ties that bind and the scope and foreboding of what is going on. Evil is afoot in the world and nature will be destroyed if Buffy and Maxine can't stop it. Unknown to the duo the hunters have birthed themselves into the world and taking human skin bags. Scary.

The art is stylistic and perfect for the book. Foreman does a great job handling the eerie script and outlandish nature of the book. As well as the all to human family moments. Along with Lemire's scripting you already know all you need to know about all the moving parts and care about what happens next.

9 out of 10

An awesome week for comics.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-28-2011

2011-10-01T16:55:00.009-04:00

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Pichelli/$3.99): The book of the week. No doubt about it. Another fantastic instalment of the origin and developement of Miles Morales aka Spider-man. We follow Miles as he races around the streets of Brooklyn at break neck speeds trying to figure out what is going on. Everything he does revels a new ability and scares miles into thinking he might be a mutant. Finally he finds his best and seemingly only friend Ganke the AWESOME. Who seems is going to be his confidant in the series. Suddenly as they are discussing Miles recent spider bite Miles' dad walks in and father and son have powerful emotive heart to heart. He reveals he wasn't always a straightedge. He used to run the streets and even did a bid with his brother. In there was a great and underlying message of personal responsibility and choice.

In the last few pages Ganke contacts Miles via mobile chat and reveals "dude you arent a mutant...your Spider-man!" Miles takes the cue and the issue ends with him in a very Spidey post walking on the ceiling. Spider-man indeed.

The art is amazing. Pichelli is the next big thing. she is really the heir to Coipel, Immonen and McNiven. I am putting her up there with some of the best doing it these days and I am saying it because its gospel truth. Great expressive faces and gestures. Unique faces. Wonderful backgrounds. Fantastic storytelling. She really is a find. She does a great job with range of faces and ethnicities.

This book is amazing. I real step in the direction I think comics should be going. Great storytelling, fantastic production and flawless execution.

9 out of 10

Mighty Thor #6 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Coipe/$3.99): I absolutely swear this is my last issue of Thor. Wow. This book (and series) was absolutely terrible. Basically the "war" between Galactus and Asgard ends in the most anti-climactic way possible. In fact in ends between panels as disjointed points in the story converge in the worst display of storytelling witnessed in comics in some time. How 4 issues of Thor vs Surfer or Asgard vs Galactus could be so "MEH" is beyond words. Not even having one of the top 3 art teams (with some extra inking help) could help this book. It is absolutely terrible.

So the end result is Loki throws the "cosmic egg" back down into the roots of the world tree lost forever. Surfer depowered (kinda/maybe? unclear like most of the events in the series..things seem to happen arbitrarily) and naked decides to stay and ensure the egg doesn't fall into the wrong hands and Galactus takes Reverend Mike as his Herald. Wow. Its actually worse then it sounds.

The art is gorgeous. If not a little disjointed due to the story. Seriously I had to thumb through it twice after reading it just to make sure the pages are in the correct order. The inking changes are a substantial distraction as well.

2 out of 10

Legion of Super-heroes (DC Comics/Levitz and Portella/$2.99): A solid read. But I have to be honest I hate the new Legionaries thrown in here and I have to admit the book will never be what it could with members split or missing. Legion to be Legion needs everyone. Having characters like Wildfire and Timber Wolf missing is a real editorial mistake.

That being said its a solid and easy to follow introduction. Legion members are sent to fringe world to find that somethings gone wrong at the monitoring station. just in time to get a Daxamite dropped on them. Even with Jo there its gonna be a real problem. Along the way we are introduced to the cast, Mon-El is now chairperson, much to Brainy's chagrin. And there is an air of menace and uncertainty in the book. And it will be fun to see it revealed over time.

The art is nice. Portella does a great job with action and storytelling. And solidly establishing the future universe LoSH is set in. My only issue and its a minor crit is that the art work boarders on being something like you would find in Heavy Metal...not a DC super hero book. I will let you be the judge of whether that is good or not. I am on the fence regarding the costumes too. I really think Mon-El looks great. Dream Girl and Starboy too (and you know why!), Element Lad looks awesome. But else where not so much. Ultraboy's redesign is weird. It kinda the same but its off. And Chemical Kid? Whats up with that? Why is he raiding Matter-eater Lad's wardrobe?

7.5 out of 10

Game of Thrones #1 (Dynamite Entertainment/Abraham and Patterson/$3.99): Ok Thor was horrible. But this was even worse. Basically you take all the wonder, epicness and great production of the books and show and release something that is...well...childish by comparison. The quality in the other two formats are the highest level. the comic not even close. I am really disappointed in Dynamite. Embarrassed for them actually. There should have been serious investment to put out an appropriately produced comic...they did no such thing.

The art is such a distraction, not that it is really bad, but it would be appropriate for an uprofessional webcomic somewhere. Its too bright, not the correct kind of stylization for heroic fantasy set in a real(ish) world setting ( if you watch the show you understand what I mean). Its such a distraction it made me not want to read it. But I did. And it the writing as simple as it was...was boring and lacking substance. Everything was hollow. "Winter is coming" has weight, yet it is flat an meaningless on these pages. You get no emotional connection, no gravitas, just simple barely utilitarian pacing and storytelling to what seems get out a comic based on a great series of books and amazing show.

Stay far way from this comic. It is terrible.

.5 out of 10 (.5 because Dynamite produces Kirby:Genesis which is the absolute opposite of this comic)

Captain America and Bucky #622 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker, Andreyko and Samnee/$2.99): This book is just fun and beautiful. Stories of Bucky's early years in his own words. This issues rising to the occasion as his super powered teammates in the Invaders get taken down. And after realising his own flaws gets some acknowledgement from Namor. The entire book is a fantastic ride. The pacing and action are something like what you get in an Indiana Jones movie. The writing is witty and powerful and the art is stunning and stylistic. Samnee is perfect here. This book is solid gold, much like Thor: the Mightiest Avenger was. A must read.

9 out of 10

FF #9 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Epting/$2.99): Well we see an end (for the time being) of the Richards from other Worlds as the Inhumans bring the whoop ass big time. Unleashing their forces on the Reeds and their ally Mole Man. Once that is done, Black Bolt gives the FF the brush off and send them tumbling through a door that takes them where they "need" to go. A somewhat anti-climactic ending. I keep loving the ideas n the book expecting to be wow'ed and it never happens.

Great. Another storyline that may take too long and is too smart for me to enjoy. Don't get me wrong Hickman has done some great work. But along the way I have become somewhat disinterested. So This is my last issue.

Solid powerful art by the always excellent Epting and Mounts.

5 out of 10.

Captain America #3 (Marvel Comics/Brubacker and McNiven/$3.99): If you ever wondered what a balls out action comics staring Cap would look like? Well this is it. Another tremendous issue. Captain America vs is the Ameribot and Sharon Carter holds her own against Baron Zemo. Almost half the issue is tossing around cars flips off walls action. And when the action stops it's only long enough for Cap to get caught unawares and pulled into Bravo's universe. Where Cap finally comes face to face with the bad guy.

The art is amazing. McNiven continues to cement his place as one of the best there is at comic book action comics. Where I described Samnee's Cap book like Indiana Jones, McNiven choreographs his scenes like the best stuff out of the Transporter franchise. Flawless. With amazing detail and expression and no degradation of quality even when the scenes get quiet. Beautiful stuff.

8 out of 1o

Aquaman #1 (DC Comics/Johns and Reis/$2.99): So let me start this off by saying (although my friends and long time readers of my blog and reviews should know this already!!!!) I am a huge fan of Aquaman. I have always felt he had the most potential . And everyone was missing it. And I am not talking the bearded hook handed incarnation...that dude was written well. But missed the mark. Aquaman should be riding in on a giant pink seahorse and kicking a$$. So I eagerly awaited this book since the announcement. I know Johns would bring his A game and establish Arthur as the badass he is.

I have to admit I would have gone a different way than starting off with bank robbers. Jumping in trading a few quips with some cops and jumping back off. But The book was a solid read. Basically you come to know Aquaman very quickly in the book through a casual sit down in a seafood restaurant where his appearance rather surprises the occupants and the reader. The book ends with him coming to the realization he wants to establish his place in the world..meanwhile unknown to him pirhanna-vampire-monster-creatures from the DEEP have arrived. Just in time to wreck Arthur's plans.

The art is of the highest quality and the best work we have seen from Reis since Blackest Night. Tremendous stuff. He even manages to make me not HATE the collar that seems very out of place on Aquaman's costume. He draws sexy woman and great props and back grounds. The moments of action and drama are similarly tremendous. The "Fivedent" is still stupid. Johns needs to get rid of it ASAP.

8 out of 10

Wonder Woman #1 (DC Comics/Azzarello and Chiang/$2.99): Zeus is missing, the gods are on Earth and some seem to be trying find him or ensure he is missing and a woman pregnant with his child dies. A really well paced introduction and action packed issue. What I can only guess is Apollo births some demonic centaurs to kill some woman (the one pregnant with Zeus' heir). She gets saved by a mortally wounded Hermes who is finally saved by Wonder Woman.

Chiang's art is awesome. And a perfect fit for WW. It was an enjoyable first issue and great introductory salvo.

7.5 out of 10

Superman #1 (DC Comics/Perez and Merino/$2.99): I am really on the fence on this one. First off let me say hats off to Perez for really doing a dense scripting job and firmly establishing figures important to and the status quo of Metropolis. I mean there is a lot of stuff here. So you really have to just applaud Perez for such a Herculean job. And well done too. I get who and what Lois and Perry and Morgan and Clark and Supes are and are doing in the city. In the middle of all the introductory stuff we get some solid writing around the New Bugle and Superman as he fits against what would seem to be an alien fire being. For a first issue that is really impressive.

Where the book falls apart is in the art. I think either it should have been drawn by Perez or NOT drawn by Perez. Merino is a great solid artist by over Perez' volumous panels and unique storytelling Merino's finished art just looked rushed and messy. Even unfinished in places. It was a serious distraction. I have to admit there where places I had to really really look at multiple times to understand when Supes was fighting the fire-thing. To add to the messiness was really bad coloring. Too dark at times or too yellow in the skin tones. It just wasn't a very strong showing for Bucceletto. And I have to comment on the costume too. It sucks. In the end I have to remind myself THAT'S Superman. I hate that. I think simply removing the collar would help a lot.

6.5 out of 10

Batman #1 (DC Comics/Snyder and Capullo/ $2.99): Snyder delivered. A quick romp taking down villains in Arkham to the Batcave, a brief Bat-family gathering, A party and stately Wayne Manor to the inevitable murder/mystery in Gotham. I couldn't imagine a more Bat first issue. Tremendous work establishing a tone and narrative. Solid spots of action, smarts and characterization. I really enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the fluidity of Capulllo's art. I am glad he is back on super heroes. He has been missed. his signature style is awesome to behold and really captures Gotham and its denizens very well. Even with his wonderful unique stylization he does great drama and story telling. The colors of the book by Plascencia are dark and muted and make a perfect match for this book.

8 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-14-2011

2011-09-16T20:53:00.003-04:00

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Pichelli/$3.99): I am calling it. remember you heard it here first. The is the best comic of 2011. Yeah I said it.

I know I know..decompressed story telling, no big fight, boohoo. There hasn't been a big fight in Fear Itself for several issues and Surfer and Thor have been slugging it out at a snails pace the last 3 issues of that book, I think its been a total of 11 panels over three issues.

Anyway. That's comics these days, still, a good comic is a freakin' good comic.

I was one of those people who never cared for the Ultimate Universe. Well except for Millar's Ultimates V1 and v2. And I was never particularly interested in yet another version of Spidey. But all the hoopla over the "Obama-Spiderman", internet fanboy rants and outright racist posts through out the blogosphere I figured I would I wound check it out. Why not. My pull list has dwindled considerably and I am ready to take a few chances.

I am glad I did. First thing that struck me was the art. I don't know who this Pichelli chick is but she must be what happens when McNiven and Coipel have a baby. The art is gorgeous. This girl has star material all over it. Great storytelling, energetic kinetic characters, nice appropriate suggested backgrounds, great gesture. Perfection. The colors by Ponsor (color god) help set a great tone.

There is a lot in here. Osborn has been experimenting with his serum, Spidey's dna and Spiders. And then the Prowler comes and loots an abandoned lab, lots of cash, a mysterious red box, and unknown to Prowler (although we are not told that's who he is, the costume (ultimized) is too familiar to ignore) experiment #42 hijacks a ride in his bag.

Then we follow the Morales family first through a gut wrenching scene from "Waiting for Superman" that has a happy ending, Miles finding a time to steal away to his "bad" uncle's apartment..where we find that red box from the Prowler scene and low and behold the spider which bites Miles. He collapses mouth frothing.

He awakes to his crazed father, pissed at his no-good uncle for obviously doing something to harm his son. unable to deal with the arguing and craziness between those he loves Miles takes off into the streets of Brooklyn. the adults look around to notice Miles gone, and dad goes off chasing his son.

Right out side is Miles. Invisible in plain site. he even calls to dad. He can't see or hear him. What happened to Miles?

A great well paced origin. And Bendis does great job with the dialogue and constructing believable characters and dialogue. You feel real emotion in the family, get a good sense of the over protective relationship and the quiet kid. I love the portrayal of the uncle. Obviously his "prowling" will become an element to watch in the future. As well as the developing powers of Miles and his decision to be a hero. the new Spider-man. Which is odd...he is like 13.

The art compliments the story perfectly. I loved this origin and I literally got goosebumps reading it. something magical. I look forward to a long fun future with Miles.

Peter Parker is dead, long live Spider-man!

9 out of 10

Fear Itself #6 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Immonen/$3.99): Six issues in and I pretty sure something important is going on. I mean Cap is cussing out Odin. Odin takes some time from being a pr!@% ling enough to heal his son and give him some armor and the Odinsword . But before he send his son off to fight the God of Fear. They take some time to infuse some dwarf forged god weapons with Starktech and and the Odinforce. Weapons to be bestowed on Avengers to go forth and battle the Mighty (Fear gods empowered minions). Meanwhile after being shunted back to Earth Cap gets all inspirational borrows some guns from some hicks standing his ground as the all-powerful Fear God and his floating castle bears down on him.

Sounds like a lot, but really the story plods along slowing, uninspired with really bad dialogue and portrayals. At times Fractions seems to be aping Bendis. Badly. Sure it's epic in scope (Maybe?), but 6 issues in nothing matters, next issue is a big fight and I guess epilogue books with the fall out. I don't care, I am pretty sure most people are scratching their head wondering why the Marvel "architects" didn't use Mephisto or Set or had Thor done his armor and mythical power enhancing artifacts instead of getting some new never before seen armor and the Odinsword (also known as Ragnarok!).

The art is flawless. Front to back Immonen is flawless. Von Grawbadger and Martin compliment Immonem perfectly adding atmosphere and epic scale not evident at all in the pace and script.

5 out of 10

Green Lantern #1 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/#2.99): i have to admit i completely tuned out of War of the Green lanterns. Other than Krona showing up, a bunch of Lanterns in conflict and Sinestro ending up a GL again I am not sure if anything happened. It seems to start and end just to get Sinestro in the Green and Hal without his ring.

Either way this issue is pretty darn good. Mahnke's art shines throughout. Great storytelling and powerful drama. And Johns seems back to form concentrating on building a story instead of an event. Nice portrayal of Sinestro who doesn't want to be a Green Lantern and need Hal to help rid himself of it and take back his Sinestro Corps. Currently terrorizing his home world under the leadership of Arkillo.

Hal foul-ups, bleeps and blunders through his normal life when Sinestro drops by for help.

8 out of 10

Legion Lost #1 (DC Comics/Nicieza and Woods/$2.99): A fun fast paced romp. Fans of the Legion should pick this up. If you ask me it is a throwback to adventures in the late Levtiz/Giffen era and into the "baxter" series. Our heroes are traveling through time trying to find an escapee and bring him back to the future. The time bubble malfunctions and after some trials and tribulations and puking, the heroes manage to cannibalize tech to fix their time machine and take the captured villain back. Then time goes crazy and the heroes explode into time ending up lost.

Nice portrayals, dialogue and pacing., This seems like a younger Legion. Nice interplay between characters and use of tech. This was a fine opening and I will stick around.

Woods art is really suited for these characters. They look great. I love his ability to move the camera around and tell a story. My only crit is the design of Tellus. he shouldn't be portrayed as a hulk-like creature, massive sure, but not hulking.

8 out of 10

I missed out on Morrison's Frankenstein. Can't wait to get my hands on that book.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-07-2011

2011-09-10T09:31:00.005-04:00

Action Comics #1 (DC Comics/Morrison and Morales/$3.99): What a great read. I was really looking forward to this and this comic lived up to my expectations. Morrison takes readers back to Superman's early exploits in Metropolis. Raw, masculine, unrefined..Superman sets across the city righting wrong and bringing justice to the people. On the Internet I see some comments about Socialist Superman, but much like Fox News pundits comic fans obviously don't know what Socialist means. Supes is about protecting people.

Morrison is brilliant. The tone of the book recalls my memories of seeing reprints and the Fleischer cartoons. Superman bounding across the city taking out top cats and gun toughs. It works so well. Where we come into the story Supes has been doing this around town for a few months and the cops are hot on his tale and General Lane has contracted Luthor to take him down. Conventional ballistics can't harm Supes, rolling in tanks can't stop him, and Supes either jumps across the city or races away faster then a speeding bullet.

Eventually Luthor's plan bares fruit and the book ends with Superman saving a train full of civilians but is left beaten and bruised..maybe dead (not likely).

A tremendous romp. RAGs Morales is the perfect fit for the visceral action, kinetic pace, and detail of the book. Superman, even in a t-shirt, Dickies and work boots is everything you imagine Superman to be. Heroic, powerful and larger than life. Even when portrayed in this early incarnation. The action is literally amazing to behold. The art is magnificent. What Morrison captures in the tone, plot and dialogue RAGS compliments with inspired visuals.

You may have read the now legendary All-Star Superman. And even great Superman comics. This is different, and actually I believe has the potential to rank up there with them. You should check it out. Bravo DC comics. This what all your DCnU books should aspire to.

9.5 out of 10

Men of War #1 (DC Comics/Brandon and Derenick w. Vankin and Winslade/$3.99): I picked this up on a whim. I don't really enjoy "war" comics or comics about "real" stuff. As readers of my reviews know I love "capes" and by "capes" I mean Marvel and DC comics...preferably with underwears on the outside. But I read some good reviews over at http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?/topic/98792-the-i-got-52-problems-but-the-crisis-aint-one-new-comics-thread/ and I decided to pick it up.

I am glad I did.

The introduction of Joseph Rock in the main story was excellent. A well written and pace insertion story that has some emotional punch. Enough to get you wanting to explore this character. A grizzled, smart and capable soldier who likes it out on the lines and isn't looking for a promotion, but is recognized as being an amazing leader. He is drafted into a unit that witnesses some "super" ordinance in the field and is left the last man standing in the aftermath. I really enjoyed how Brandon cements that this is taking a place in the DCU without explicitly beating the reader over the head we remain focused on the unit and J. Rock. The art is good. Derenick did a good job, but it falls short in the details. Not to pigeon hole an artist, but Derenick is great at guys in costumes, not so much detail on props and backgrounds or accurate depictions of gear and detail. Still he handles the drama, pacing and character aspects perfectly.

The second Navy Seals feature was nicely paced. with a strong cliffhanger. I haven't seen Winslade's art in a while. I always liked his style.

7.5 out of 10

New Avengers Annual 2011 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Del'Otto/$4.99): This book should be shown as an example of what happens when editorial makes a poor publishing decision when it comes to art.

The story is straight forward. Wonderman has been going of the deep end for a while and finally gets a group of "supermen" together to take down the Avengers for not living up to his expectations and enumerates examples on how they are the direct reason for many of the super powered woes that the Marvel U has faced over the decades, Ultorn, Scarlet Witch, Dark Avengers, Civil War and the Hulk. He has a point. Demented and disastrous in its execution, but lets be real the Avengers haven't really STOPPED any bad guys lately..ok...maybe the Hood.

Anyway. Wonderman's poor judgement leads to him and his team dropping atomic bomb style on the New Avengers. His powerhouse team pretty much brutalizes the Avengers. Unfortunately the writing after the first several pages ends up being banter for banters sake with no emotional punch at all. Some witty one liners amid the action and that it. In the end the book has no heart.

In the end the "anti-Avenger" victorious look across the city at their next target, Avengers Tower. To be continued.

The story and pacing is ok. And actually the book could have been an awesome slugfest...but...the art is terrible. Not the actual drawing, although the unconventional angled layouts are really bad and distracting, but the finished pages. It looks like art team went with color/paints over pencils. Which can work although I do not prefer it. the book is a muddy mess. And way too dark. The Anti-Avengers designs are terrible to begin with, but worse you really cant tell what anyone really looks like all detail is lost in the mud. This isn't a style thing...it's bad art product.

My last comment is the brutalization of the Thing. He doesn't even really get a good shot off before he gets what we assume (the art doesn't really depict it as) is an epic beat down ala the Master of Evil on drunk Herc. That's just wrong. Even in a room full of alpha's Ben is no push over. No one "it's clobberin' time!". Bad form Bendis.

Still it's a fun romp if you don't spend too much time thinking about it.

7 out of 10

Kirby:Genesis #3 (Dynamite/Busiek w. Herbert and Ross/$3.99): I really enjoy this book. It is oozing with Kirby love. Essentially Busiek moves the story forward the bad guys awaken an ancient powerhouse and explore an ancient land. Heroes form a shaky alliance not trusting each other in a game of one-upmanship on who should be leaders, and or protagonist explores a prehistoric lost continent with a yeti in underpants, a giant dinosaur, mysterious u-boat captains and two kids from the Herculoids (lol). Is all fun. the art is great. I love Ross's painting inserted amid Herbert's powerful (yet at times dark) artwork.

This book has been a consistent joy to read. Busiek really does a great job with dense dialogue and strong pacing. Well worth the price of admission.

8 out of 10

O.M.A.C. #1 (DC Comics/DiDio and Giffen/$2.99): Ok. This is where I would go on a rant about redesigning a Kirby creation. Either bring your A-game or go home. And to be honest the new OMAC design is bad. Way to bus, and effect heavy. BUT the book is FUN FUN FUN. Essentially Cadmus is under attack by a Hulk-like OMAC lead telepathically/cyber linked by Brother Eye. Cadmus goes on lockdown sending wave after wave at OMAC trying to ptrotect information stored in the mainframe. The Gobblers are the best (gobble, gobble, gobble). Eventually OMAC gets what he came for and is ported to safety to fight another day. The action is bombastic. Giffen channels Kirby in his style and it works. The pace is dazzling and the art is kinetic. I really enjoyed the colors.

A strong opening, my hopes is future issues give us more character and development intermittent in the rampages and Kirbykrackle.

8 out of 10

Animal Man #1 (DC Comics/Lemire and Foreman/$2.99): I used to read Vertigo before it became a place for vapid creator vanity projects instead of good well written adult(ish) comics. This issue is a throw back to the feeling I got reading the first Vertigo outings a few decades ago. Adult comics, with a touch of drama, emotion, characterization, big ideas that won't be clear for issues to come and a pinch of horror. Bravo Lemire. Didn't like your Superboy. But this was perfection.

Buddy Baker is back in front of the screen AND the darling of the liberal/progressive movement. His wife wants him happy, his daughter wants a dog, and his son reminds him he's a superhero. Animal Man ends up saving a cancer unit from a deranged man when he discovers something amiss with his powers when his eyes start to bleed. Some reflections reveals he never felt more connected to his powers and the morphegenic field.

Then he goes to sleep where he has a dream of great menace and foreboding. Three hunters are on their way and it doesn't seem like its a good thing for Animal Man, his family or the blood.

Startled awake Buddy runs out and finds his daughter in the yard with zombie animals. "I wanted a pet." Wow what a great issue,

The art was terrific. some of the layouts are awkward but it really fits the story. I loved the dream sequence. The terrible otherworldly hunters are downright horrifying. And the human moments are very nicely done.

This book is terrific. If you are look for a smart, interesting well produced adult horrorish book. Pick this up.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-31-2011

2011-09-03T09:53:00.005-04:00

Captain America and Bucky #621(Marvel Comics/Brubaker, Andreyko and Samnee) : Great fun reading. Bru, Andreyko and Samnee really pull you into the era with 40s/50s era serial type action. I am really in awe of Samnee's art. Its fun, refreshing but has a quality of the great Marvel masters of the early days.

9 out of 10

Mighty Thor #5 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Coipel/$3.99): Odin epic headbutts Galactus. That's pretty awesome. Other then that it plods along with poorly executed cuts from scene to scene with really bad dialogue. Its really bad. Coipels art is great...unfortunately Khoi Pham fills in some pages...he does well actually...but its different enough to be an additional distraction. I just realised 5 issues in and it really hasn't focused on Thor. Its more like an Asgardians book. Fraction is pretty bad...there should have been an issue long slugfest with Surfer. Not 10 panels across 3 issues.

3 out 10

Invincible (Image Comic/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.00): more chess play from Kirkman. As he sets up pieces for the new status quo in the book. Robot returns and Invincible solves another problem with brains instead of brawn. Ottley's art is amazing...I'm still getting used to the new colorist. Hes good but different enough for me to notice the change. I'm sure Robot returning and Invincible's new attitude should be interesting once things go south or the next big reveal occurs.

6 out of 10

FF #8 (Marvel C0mics/Hickman and Epting/$2.99): This story is taking too long. I was hoping Hickman would send the Future Foundation on exploration and nice arcs...none of the story lines have borne any fruit. I may drop title. if the Reeds from many worlds story doesn't wrap up next issue I'm gone. I'm glad the Inhumans are back and they took the god awful metal off Black Bolts perfect costume. The art was great...even if its a little muddy.

5 out of 10

Chew #20 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): Consistently high quality comics. A lot happens this issue. I am not even certain what life is gonna look like for Tony Chu in a few issues/ One thing you can say about Layman he really knows how to keep his book vibrant, and moving. The open sequence of Savoy is stunningly paced and beautiful. Hats off to Rob.

8 out 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews Special Edition: Justice league #1

2011-08-31T23:12:00.001-04:00

It is finally here. DC and various media, news and comics outlets have been buzzing in anticipation of he New 52 and this book especially. The flagship Justice League #1. I have to admit I had guessed that Johns and Lee would be doing a JLA book long before the announcement. It was a no-brainer. And even amid the news of the line wide relaunch I was just as excited about the prospect of these two titanic creators on one of my all time favorites. Even if the redesigns are absolute dreck and these are really only versions of the JLA I have followed for 35 years.

I mean really Johns and Lee the Big 7 (sorta)? This book is gonna be great!

Yeah well. Not really.

I picked up the book today and have to say. It is good at best. And that's pretty sad. Not only because I expect more of the creators involved but also because
of all the hype and fanfare. And the investment DC Comics has seem to have made with the relaunch. At the very least, this version of the JL and as a comic should be as good as the best JLA stories ever. It isn't.

Basically it is your garden variety superhero comic story.It is in the past five years. This is the big origin story. Batman is tracking a weird creature through the rooftops of Gotham, and Green Lantern shows up because his ring lead him there due to some extra-terrestrial readings. The two quip and banter. We get some insights into who the characters are, what MAY be going on when the heroes stumble upon the creature activating a Mother Box and disintegrating in a flash of fire while yelling "Darkseid". The two decide this is alien in origin and head out to Metropolis to talk to the alien in residence there Superman. GL gets cocky as he has been the entire issue, dismisses Batman and gets knocked-the-f@#$ out in flash of blue and red. Smoke clears and we have Supes staring down Batman.

The thing about the issue is that it decompressed and Johns is telegraphing every beat and plot point. The characters dialogue come of as caricatures of the characters we know and love. And not because they are new and this is some new version of them. They lack all that makes them iconic. They lumber along to service the pace and story Johns and Lee are telling. The story is decompressed but things move so fast you really do not connect with the characters. No depth its all service. Even the cut to Cyborg, the jock who's parent is too busy studying superheroes to come to his kids game lacks emotional resonance. And the interplay between heroes seems silly. Small. Weak. It is hard to believe these are the icons i have always loved. Even the Superman reveal at the end. I don't read those few lines and think "yeah! that's the hero all others look to!". He seems like some silly Superman clone/wannabe. Only Batman seems like Batman. And even his dialogue is cliche and almost silly. Its like all the characters need to announce/telegraph what they do.

The art is good. Jim Lee is a legend. No doubt. But this is hardly his best work. Dynamic sure..but messy and inconsistent. Solid storytelling but you really get generic blockbuster style action. No depth or nuance in the characters. Batman, Superman and Gl all have the same body. Same jaw. Three or four stock expressions. And often I am wondering if Jim Lee is just making it up as he goes along. The costumes are terrible. I won't go into further then that. You know it. I know it. the pros at DC know it. But you would expect the costumes to not be different from panel to panel. Batman's neck ridges change, sometimes he doesn't have them. Sure its a small thing..but its a distraction. I was also pretty disgusted that more thought didn't go into the design of the Mother Box. Kirby stuff has a signature look. Sure you can change it. Relaunching the universe you can do it...but damn it do a good job please. I expected more. Still Lee services the story in his energetic style.

My BIG problem, besides the above. Is Superman. I have to say looking at that last page...it doesn't look like Supes. There is nothing ICONIC about that last splash. GL and Bats. Even if you don't like the pointless patching, stitching and armor they look like Bats and GL. Superman looks like Ultraman. OR Like some alternate version of Superman. It is very hard to look at this and believe he is the First, best, biggest, most important hero ever. For all intents and purposes...he looks like some other companies version of Superman..not the DC Superman.

In fact that's the best way to describe the book. A good comic...if it wasn't the big relaunch flagship DC Justice League title. I expected better. Sure I was pretty certain it wasn't going to be JLA #200. (my favorite comic of all time)

But I expected DC's investment to ensure it would be one of the best. It isn't even close.

I am going to stick around in hopes the story pulls together nicely in a complete arc. Although I am fearful of what Johns and Lee might do with the Kirby creations. Please don't redesign Darkseid.

Justice League #1/DC Comics/Johns and Lee/$3.99

5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-17-2011

2011-08-20T08:57:00.001-04:00

Wow..back from a real hiatus. I have really been dropping books like flies. It is odd for such an avid longtime (35 years) reader, collector, and fan to be going to the shop over the last several weeks and coming home with one or two books.

I will admit I have not been picking up DC books since the news of the line wide relaunch. There doesn't seem to be a point. The only book I am buying until the end is GL. Because my friend draws that book. And Marvel isn't doing much better. Fear Itself is fun I guess...but so much is going on its seems there are elements going on elsewhere that would probably be better served in the book.I feel like its missing something, its not the art for sure, its in the story and characters no heart.

That being said...on to the reviews
Captain America #2 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and McNiven/$3.99)

I enjoyed the book, Brubaker gives us some back story as Fury, Dum Dum, Sharon and Cap try to track down a former friend turned bad guy from the WWII era. It is well paced, with nice dialogue and reveals. The problem is the events from issue #1 seem distant. I think there should have been some follow up to the Baron Zemo reveal at the end of last issue. The disconnect is a little distracting and makes the story seem a little decompressed even though there is still a lot of meat and action in it. The real let down is in the art. Not really the pencils. McNiven puts it all in there. Great cinematic action and substantial weight and detail. The issue suffers in the inking. You can see the difference from issue #1 to this. Mark Morales is sorely missed. The weights and lines are off.

7 out of 10

Avengers #16 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and JRJr/$3.99): I think Marvel's so-called "architects" need to take Fear Itself as a lesson. Sure it sold, but wouldn't any Marvel "event" where this seems to be failing is in the cross over books. There is no excusing this issue. It is...no matter how you slice it...a fill in issue. A waste of time filler waiting for Fear Itself to go through its motions and major changes. It follows Cap on a solo mission to find and face Sin only to walk into a trap. I looking at the book at a high level you could argue it is throw back to 40's/50's era Cap comics. It almost has that feel. Although I enjoyed some of the dialogue in the beginning about Cap...it seems disconnected from the major story piece. The art is ok I guess. Rushed and messy even for JRJr who ca usually make it work with his legendary style. But the entire issue looks a mess.

5 out of 10

Go to Kickstarter check out Jerwa's Untold Tales of the Comic Industry documentary

2011-08-16T14:31:00.000-04:00

Need something cool to support and you LOVE comics. Could be very interesting.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461601684/untold-tales-of-the-comic-industry

-aris

Gomm-Universal Darkness the RPG check it out

2011-07-26T09:46:00.001-04:00

Several years back some friends and I formed a little games studio called Armageddon Studios. We produced a table top RPG called GOLM:Universal Darkness. A hardcore, horror, sci-fi epic.

We had a successful run at cons for a few years, people loved it, produced some beta versions of the book. Eventually we produced the core rules and setting and even finished of the main book.

Anyway...if yuor interested in checking it. Play it, review it, enjoy it.
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41569_167838606975_1547723_n.jpg
We scrubbed and edited it a few times, removed some art, added some, and we are doing some tweaking and will eventually release it.
http://www.golmrpg.com/golm/golm-universal-darkness.pdf
We are very proud of it. I think it stands up.

Let me know your thought.

-aris

On Hiatus?

2011-06-13T14:34:00.000-04:00

No. The reviews will be back this week.

Thanks for coming by.

See you soon!!

-aris

It's hard to get excited about the NEW NEW DCU news.

2011-06-03T21:33:00.000-04:00

Let be known this is a rant. :)

Here are some links for those of you who haven't already heard the news.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-31-dc-comics-reinvents_n.htm

http://www.bleedingcool.com/category/comics/page/4/

Bleedingcool.com is a great place to start because they are pretty much spitting out a thread a minute about every conceivable piece of news, rumor or opinion as they hear about it.

Anyway. Let me start with a summary. Essentially in September (actually the last week of August with a Johns/Jim lee JLA) DC comics is relaunching the line with brand spanking new #1s. Characters and books will be tweaked to be in tune with some new aesthetic no one was asking for but DC seems to think long time fans and potential readers who see the video games and movies are dying the flock to (they aren't). Some characters will be redsigned, continuity will be in tact in some places, tweaked-changed-molded-reinvented elsewhere. But the long and short of it is BOOM. Coming out of Flashpoint here you go boys and girls a bright shiny DCU.

Ok. Let me start by saying I am the long time fan. 35 years of reading, collecting, and waxing metaphysical about all things comics. So normally this kind of thing would turn me off outright. But over the years I have come to understand the nature of today's comics. Everything changes based on whatever whim can be gimmicked into an event, news worthy happening, or the thing that changes everything thing! I got it. So I don't really care about the changes...

...except..

...nothing I have read or seen about the NEW DCU sounds particularly interesting OR as in the case of the promo/teaser image of the Johns/LEE JLA are particularly well designed. It seems to me when I look at all the news that this is just a ploy, an event centered around DC's push of the digital format. I am gonna get this out of the way. No one was waiting for a restructuring of the DCU to jump into the digital pool. They want digital to be cheaper then hard copy comic. So announcing the $2.99/$3.99 price point for NEW digital comics really isn't an incentive to take off your shirt put on your floaties and jump into the pool.

I think on face value, using the JLA image alone as a gauge it's hard to take the change seriously. I mean they took the most iconic DCU characters and pretty much deflated them to the point they look like a 1990's parody of themselves. I can't image the superficial and down right poorly executed designs will last. Look I love Jim lee too. But the designs suck. Gospel fact. So that alone getting past editorial pretty much tells me DC is not taking the change seriously.

Here are a few points on why this NEW DCU isn't right.

1. The JLA designs are uninspired and uninteresting deflating the iconic nature of the characters.

2. This is a change that smells like a gimmick. Emotionally void.

3. DC digital is doomed to mediocrity due to the price point. Go to $1.49 and the sheeple will flock.

4. You don't change the book when the movies and video games are successful. Don't change the comics.

5. People bought Superman:Earth One because of JMS. Not because it was NEW take on Supes.

6. No one is asking for THESE changes. I am pretty sure of it.

7. Flashpoint sucks. Anything comic out of it is doomed to fail. There is a reason there isn't a Deadman ongoing.

8. Comic sales are what they are because of how comics are delivered. Not because Batman isn't wearing his costume from Arkham City and kids don't recognize him.

You know I really don't mind change. Change everything. But do it well. Jeezus. Superficial costume, thematic , and casting changes do not engage readers. Sure theres an initial bump in sales. But that will never keep readers coming after the 3rd issue or when the hot creative team leaves the book. Building over time and emotional connections and reactions. That's what you need. Not visceral changes. Which is essential what DC will have to do to get sales back or make their books relevant when the wax washes off their shiny NEW NEW DCU.

I will likely pick up the books I currently read. Whatever versions of them exist in the NEW NEW DCU. Unfortunately other then the Johns JLA and Aquaman I probably won't experiment too much. I wish DC luck. And hope this is successful and that stories are much stronger then the art. It needs to be when you upturn the universe. It worked for Crisis on Infinite Earth's it COULD work here. Lets hope I am wrong.

I doubt I am.

Rant over.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 05-11-2011 no spell check edition

2011-05-13T20:32:00.000-04:00

Another light week for me. Sad. I really dropped a lot of books lately. New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Heroes for Hire, Superman, Supergirl, Amazing Spiderman, Legion of Super-heroes, Guarding the Globe, Thunderbolts, And Flash. Wow. That's like $30. WOOT!

Being a light week I was tempted to pick up DC's new event outing Flashpoint. But when I picked it up off the shelf and flipped through it I was smacked in the face with absolute badness. I know the previews looked horrible and really the concept is kinda lame. Elseworlds THE EVENT! But the book was worse then expectations. By all accounts the content is crap and from what I gleened in the few moments flipping through it THAT is an understatement.

As for the art? I don't know what DC editorial and publishing leadship is thinking. Sure the event is gonna sell. It's an event. But Andy Kubert? This Andy Kupert. Rushed, messy, incoherent. The story telling is a mess and the figure wonky and off far beyond the excesses of style.

The whole thing is a mess.

Those of you on Facebook may have noticed Greg Capullo posting a lot of Batman stuff. And really it's jawdropping. Can some one let me know if he was offered a Batman book? Please say yes. I have to admit I haven't followed his work for years. I don't care for Spawn and missed the boat on Haunt. But I loved his Marvel work from years ago. Especially Quasar. I look forward to seeing him on Marvel or DC characters.

On to the reviews.

Chew #27 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): Yeah that's right 27. Crazy right. But that's what you love about this book. Never know what to expect. Layman takes you on a jaunt 8 issues into the future. Tony is laid up in the hospital and his sister Toni is off on adventure looking into a case of psychodelic Chogs! OMG! this book is great fun. John is such a wonderful fun and well thoughout writer. The entire book is issues ahead but you don't need any catch beyond whats on the page. You aren't lost. You are left scratching your head trying to figure our where John is taking this book. The art is amazing. Rob Guillory is teh only artist for this book capturing great character, action and humor wiith his unique style. What really blew me away this issue was the use of color in the trippy scense of hallucination. One look at the cover with the blues to pinks and crazy energy you can see what I mean.

Another great and surprising issue from the Chew team.

8.5 out of 10

FF#3 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Epting/$2.99): Hickman reveals Valeria and Doom's agreement to the FF and set out inviting some of Marvel's smartest and craftiest villains to help them with the problem of the Councils of Reed Richards from infinite dimensions. The premise is interesting. These brainiacs get together for the metaphysical exerise of figuring out "how to defeat Reed Richards?". Wow. Meanwhile The remaining members of the infinite Reeds have set their own plan in motion to have Reed totally destroyed so they can sacrifice the world in an effort to defeat the ultimate enemy. Great stuff. Well paced with fun character moments and dialogue. The art is perfect. What Hickman has done for the book, Epting has done with the art set the tone, captured the essence of the characters and expression and made it his own. This book is tremendous. So much going on at once it is a joy to read.

8 out of 10

Batman, Incorporated #6 (DC Comics/Morrison and Burnham/$2.99): What a great cover. I love it Hats off to Burnham. He really captures the spirit and line of Quitely. And is a good artist to have on the book. He does very straightfoward storytelling, but captures nuance and expression and gesture very well. Without skimping on backgrounds or props. Even though his faces can get cartoony, he captures different features for different characters and a nice range of emotion. As for the story. Simple. Batman sets out informing his closest allies of the looming threat of Leviathan and sets out to swell the global Bat-ranks. My favorute soe far is the design and roughness of Nightrunner from France. Really cool outfit. The book has a natural pacing and great fun, even smart writing. It's Morrison so you get that from the first word balloon or caption. This is great stuff. The concept and tone is really working. This is a book everyone should be reading even guys who normally never enjoyed solo Batman stories, great stuff.

9 out of 10

Red Robin #23 (DC Comics/Niciez and To/$2.99): I really am so impressed with this creative team. This book is good EVERY issue. Nicieza is really doing wonderful work, keeping great pace and throwing balls out action at the reader ever issue. This issue Red Robin calls in some help and sets up a sting to lure out assassins bent on destroying Wayne Corp, going out on a limb he exposes Lucian Fox and almost ends calamitously. The Scarab assassin escapes the clutches of the dynamic sidekicks. And launches Red Robin to the pyramids and in a trap..ambushed by a cadre of fierce armored powerhouses. It really is great how Nicieza finds time to throw so mcuh action and characterization at the reader. With excellent uses of narration. To's art is really amazing. Talk about impressive. The first two page splash of Lynx and Red Robin in battle falling through a breaking window towards the streets blew my mind. This guy can draw. the action sequences are very impressive and kinetic. I think alot of so called "A" listers should give this book a look and see what comics should look like. Wow. Great storytelling and wonderful style. A+ all the way. Fun comics.

8 out of 10

Thanks for putting up with my poor spelling while I figure out why my spellcheck aint working.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 05-04-2011

2011-05-10T19:10:00.002-04:00

Well I hope every one had a great Free Comic Book Day 2011. I had an awesome one and thank the guys and gals at Docking Bay 94 in Broward County FL for having me. I did a lot of sketches and drawing for folks and made some new friends. I was glad to see that comic shops all over the place active and alive and fans and pros alike out there doing and talking about what they love.

Speaking of Facebook...friend me and follow my comic rants, musings and art here
http://www.facebook.com/aristides.iliopoulos

Also, if you are in Miami July 4th weekend and are looking to scratch your comic itch, please come see me at Supercon. A great local convention. I'll be there to talk comics and do sketches and possibly sell a few prints.

Ok...on to the reviews.

Secret Six #33 (DC Comics/Simone and Calafiore/$2.99): I was really trying to not like this arc but Simone dragged me in kicking and screaming anyway. The group goes to hell to retrieve Scandel's love and find there is a price to be paid..very soon. After a brief bit of infighting and rebellion against the hordes of hell the group gets it's act together long enough for Lady Blaze to have heartedly let the team leave knowing full well they will all be back...eventually. Great character stuff. I really love the work with Catman. I am really loving that character. The art is serviceable. What I expect from Calafiore. Good story telling but not very exciting and a little flat at times. Still he does his job and there is a certain charm and whimsy he brings the book that fits even when its deviant and gruesome.

8 out of 10

Fear Itself # 2 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Immonen/$3.99): Didn't review #1. But I will tell you it surprised and impressed me. I thought this series was gonna be on the shoulders of the art team and vapid and forced...but Fraction created a worthy dramatic epic. Issue two is strong. But slows the pace down way too much. Odin recreates Asgard and decides the final battle will be fought and Earth will have to be sacrificed to stop the Serpent. Thor is placed in chains for speak for man. Mean while the Serpent gathers his forces and sends for the Worthy. Hammers possessing Hulk, Juggernaut, Titania and Attuma. Chose to spread fear and destruction across the Earth. I believe all this should have been handled in issue one. And took too much space and left us a book without any meaningful action...I mean no Avengers action anywhere. Heck with all the destruction and chaos they should have at least had single panels with heroes throughout the world saving people. I also have a problem with the Worthy. Hulk? Really. Come on guys do something with the character don't make him a stooge to be used by the bad guy. He is one the Marvel pillars. Also Juggernaut? Come now. Even diminished, the avatar of an entity from elsewhere with infinite fuel for destruction the slave of another power? I liked the bit with Titania. Attuma was just in one panel.

All this and the issue still rocked, had umph and epic written all over it, and certainly set the stage for major action to come. The art was next level. I mean you cannot easily find a better art team anywhere. These guys are the best. Immonen creates such majesty it blows the mind. And the inks and color are perfect compliments.

This is a hit folks. Go buy it. You won't be disappointed. Heck you may even be surprised. Its that good and fun.

9 out of 10

Deadpool Annual #1 (Marvel Comics/Layman with Doe and D'auria/$3.99) :Wow. What fun. This book was so good its scary. Proof positive that Layman needs to go exclussive with Marvel. DC needs to scoop him up if they don't do it soon...I mean really can you imagine him writing Pastic Man? Any way. Spidey and Deadpool are pulled to an alternate universe where Deadpool is having fun with his clone...killing, maiming, etc...Until they run afoul of Deathmask. The REAL Wilson variant from this universe. More hijinks ensue and he eventually kills that guy off...he wouldn't say it if you asked, partially for killing Deathwish, and taking over Deathmasks empire. Until Spidey comes and spoils the fun and reminds him they have to get back to their universe. But of course they have to go collect the Hulk first. Banner actually likes it here and he ain't going back...but as you know...nothing ever works out well for Banner.

This is pure fun stuff a nice well written little mini-event by John Layman. Great art too, The art team services the story perfectly capturing the humor, the action and the nuance perfectly. They should do more work together.

I highly recommend this to the casual read who isn't a usual Deadpool fan, I can't stand the character. the name of the event tying the annuals together (Spidey, Deadpool, Hulk) is called Identity Wars. Go get it.

8.5 out of 10

I picked up two Free Comic Book Day Books. Let me review them.

Green Lantern: A pointless reprint of part of the Secret Origin arc from the series. I am pretty certain DC could have put together a better original product for fans to capture the essence of GL for fans and neophytes prior to the movies release. I was let down.

I was more let down by the Flashpoint preview in it. I won't even touch the art. Sloppy and wonky..not sure why they got Andy Kubert to do this. Seems like the perfect job to call in the Flash A-team...well he's only one guy Van Sciver. Be that as it may it was a terrible uninteresting preview. I am skipping it entirely. After Brightest Day DC should really put some thought into this stuff. A-caliber talent on events only. Don't farm out books to pad the event with issue ones and titles and ancillary content. Just write a good story and get some one good to draw it.

3 out of 10

Captain America/Thor:the Mighty Fighting Avengers : Hell to the YEAH! First of all some one should send a big check to the guy who titled this story. How awesome is that? Secondly: Langridge and Samnee!!!! OMG this story rocks! These guys capture the heart and soul of Lee and Kirby. I have no idea why these guys aren't putting out books for Marvel anymore but I am glad they gave us this.

Loki steals Merlin's power yet isn't clever enough to prevent Merlin from casting and enchantment that manages to bring Captain America from the 40's and Thor from the present to his aid. I love the writing and the pacing. Great dialogue and pure fun.Samnee's art is such a joy. Perfectly telling the story and portraying character, action and drama. I really love Cloud Merlin yelling at Loki a beautiful visual.

I want more. This is a real Free Comic Book Day Treasure.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 04-27-2011

2011-04-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

Comic Book News of the Week: Not sure what to pick you have the Brightest Day finale which was a let down of epic proportions and even if you look at the issue without the baggage of the previous issues it was a hot mess and of course the return of Swamp Thing and Hellblazer and on the other hand there was the nonstop coverage of Goyer's story in the Action Comic 900th issue anniversary which not only set forums on fire about Superman's renouncing his American citizenship but also made it to such "credible" and "stalwart" news agencies like CNN and FOX News.

I guess I will go with the Superman news. All I really have to say it doesn't matter how you read the politics in it the story was badly conceived and executed. It didn't read like a Superman story and the art was dark and muddy. Superman should be fighting bad guys and saving the world NOT engaging in performance art disguised as activism for 24 hours while aliens, monsters, cyborg assassins, and mutant psychopaths are plaguing the DCU. Explore this type of stuff with the Authority not with Supes.

Action Comics #900 (DC Comics/Cornell and Woods with various/$5.99): The price seems high but what you get in terms of pages is well worth it. Twice the price 3 times the pages. I think Cornell wrapped up the story highlighting Luthor's mania about Superman and their relationship. His hatred for Superman is all consuming to a fault. To such an extent he will not even do good if Superman does not suffer. It was great stuff. Too bad it was intermitent with distracting jaunts to the "Reign of Doomsday" storyline. It was sloppy and jarring. And not particularly good. But the stuff by Cornell and Woods. Supes and Luthor. Wonderful. I will be sad to see Woods go.

As for the back-ups. Meh. The only one I can say I liked was the Johns/Frank one with LoSH. All heart in three pages. I discussed Superman's trip to Tehran above and the others really didn't do anything for me. I will say the "evolution of the Man of Steal" pin-up by Brian Stelfreeze was a treat.

8 out of 10 (Would have been a 9 but the distracting breaks in the main story were annoying)

Brightest Day #24 (DC Comics/Johns, Tomasi and various/$4.99): Lol. I just realized this was $5. Man DC really robbed me on this series. I will start by saying the entire series was a chaotic mess of events, excursions and trips that only relate to the end point because Johns and Tomasi say so. They forced a suare peg in a round hole to get to the results they wanted which every one knows is not only getting Swampy and Constantine into DCU proper. But also reset characters in the DCU like Firestorm, Aquaman, Hawk and Dove and Hawkman.

In the end we found out the White Entity was playing a existential game of chess to battle Nekron who has usurped Swamp Thing and the Green with his power and was going destroy the cradle of life that is Earth. But the revived heroes did their thing just in time and using the power of the elements to invigorate Alec Holland with the power of Life to take on Dark Swampy. And he wins. And then lurches off to do the work of protecting the world from bad business men and people who don't recycle.

I big heaping pile of meh.

And it doesn't end there. To really enjoy the story in all it's glory we probably have to read "Brightest Day: Aftermath - the search for Swamp Thing". More meh. Do yourself a favor and don't buy it. Tune in hear and i'll tell you everything you need to know here.

The art was pretty bad. You would expect more from a book with Reis in it. But they issue must have been rushed. Its the only reason to explain pages of poorly designed and crafted splashes. Like two big pages of the Swamp Things fighting each other in the middle of nothing except from some poorly illustrated cracked earth beneath them and one wrecked car. Not epic.

I am very glad this is "almost" over.

3 out of 10

Avengers #12.1 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Hitch/$2.99): What fun. Basically this sets the stage for upcoming stories involving Ultron. Basically a cabal of Marvel's smartest villains are experimenting on a fallen Spaceknight. They capture Spiderwoman and that means the Avengers come a knocking. Just in time for Ultron to materialize from the Spaceknight. After a brief battle that leaves the Intelligencia's base destroyed. Ultron ports away and the team is wondering when he will strike next? All they know is it won't be pretty when he does.

It was fun well scripted and paced story. I loved all the elements even Hitch's wonky anatomy which works some how in the spectacular detail and action he crafts. I really enjoy Bendis' Avengers I think this was a great jumping on point.

8.5 out of 10

the MIGHTY Thor #1 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Coipel/$3.99): Well the art was great. Of course it was the core of the art team from Siege, Fraction, Morales and Martin. You don't get much better then that. You really don't. Coipel's Thor is great, I love the scenes with Surfer..but the story lack umph. Thor and Sif travel to the roots of the World Tree to find a seed that the gods believe will reconnect the 9 worlds and put Asgard in it's proper place. While retrieving the seed they fight some generic centipede monsters. Meanwhile Surfer monologues and ends up by Earth.

I hope it gets better. But truth is I probably buy it no matter what as long as Coipel is on art duties. I have to remember not compare this to the classic Thor/Surfer match up in SS#4.

6 out of 10

Captain America #617 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Guice with Various/$3.99): Bucky's incarceration and forced gladiator battles in the Siberian gulag continues. I am enjoying it and the developing events. I am really liking the dialogue and the history Brubaker is creating for Winter Soldier. It is adding great color to the character. The storyline is fun and moody. The art compliments the story perfectly. The back ups were enjoyable. I even liked the Super Soldier story starring Steve Rogers drawn by Samnee (YAY!) more then the main story. Yeah. I am ok with Steve taking up the shield again.

8 out of 10

FF #2 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Epting/$2.99): Hickman is doing great work with these characters. Doom's addition to the Future Foundation sends Ben into a rage. But we come to find out the the reason he agreed to join was because Valeria made a deal to restore his intellect so he can help defeat Reed. Hickman has been setting this up for some time and he really has a handle for the characters, including the foundation kids and Spidey. My favorite scene by far was Ben, Dragon Man and Sue at the bar. By the end of the issue Doom is restored and ready to live up to his part of the bargain. The art is great. Hickman couldn't have asked for a better artists to convey the tone and mood of the story.

9 out of 10

Justice Society of America #50 (DC Comics/Guggenheim and Dernick with various/$4.99): Guggenheim is quietly building the JSA brand back up. He gets the characters and the scope of the team. The opening vingette drawn by Perez tells you all you need to know about the influence and place of the JSA in the DCU, the uses of the Kents was brilliant. From there you jump into the main story, Per Degaton yanking versions of himself out of time and absorbing them into one infinite version of himself. Meanwhile the team is about it's business and Guggenheim gives you a good idea of story elements will matters as the year goes on. Like Dr. Fate scarred and beaten, Garrick as mayor and Per Degaton's warning to team. I though it was interesting that the infinite version of himself didn't recocognize members of the JSA. Curious. The art was great. Obviously Perez does what the legend does best, but I was really impressed with the painter colors over Derenick. It worked well, he could easily fill in for Kolin's. A great ride and worthy anniversary issue.

8.5 out of 10

Embarrassing Comic Book Item of the Week: War of the Green Lanterns John Stewart. What the heck is DC thinking. Losing their Green Rings Earth's Lantern's chose rings from the other colors of the spectrum and get credible and even cool versions of their costumes....but not John Stewart. He looks as my friend Karl said..I am paraphrasing here.."a homeless Vietnam vet with a squeegee".He looks silly. he has purplish camo army fatigues with a bandana and a color splash across his face. Wow. Horrible. I think many of my friends are right...it's tough to be black in comics.

-aris

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-23 and 3-30-2011

2011-03-31T10:48:00.000-04:00

Comic Book News of the Week: American Panther - I just do not understand Marvel Comics. Black Panther sovereign ruler of an African Nation of untold millions and cradle to more scientific and technological genius then almost anywhere except maybe the Baxter Building is slumming it Hell's Kitchen doing rounds as "the cat without fear" and possibly changing is outfit for one with the American symbol on it. First of all I am not sure why an African King would ever do that, but more importantly I do not understand why Marvel writers wouldn't do stories with BP that focus on his OWN iconic status. Why would an African king leave his subjects to clean up crime in New York City, I am sure theres a rationalization. Maybe the Son's of the Tiger and White Tiger and the 100,000 other NY heroes are busy. Either way...do something with Black Panther that is more interesting then having Kraven hunt him. That's a story that will probably start more race related flame wars than Marvel expected.

Green Lantern #64 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): More good stuff as Hal and his cadre of rainbow Lanterns succumb to the Book of Black and Krona enslaves the Guardians, binding them to the Emotional Avatars. By the end Johns puts the War of the Green Lanterns into full swing by wedging Parallax back in the Green Battery restoring the impurity and weakness to all the rings and setting the Green Lanterns on a collision course with Hal. Great stuff, Johns does great work expanding the GL universe. The art is flawless. Mahnke and his army of inkers to great work through out especially on the glorious splash pages.

8.5 out of 10

Invincible #78 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.99): Another great issue as Invincible catches up with his family on Earth. Kirkman does great character work in-between the action, taking a pause to catch the reader up and set up new plot points. I really enjoyed the slow down and the potential tension that Kirkman establishes in the last few pages. Ottley does a fantastic job throughout. And the colors are great too.

8 out of 10

Justice League of America #55 (DC Comics/Robinson and Bennett/$2.99): What a mess. The entire book is a chaotic unreadable mess. I picked this up because I love the idea of the "Reign of Doomsday" event. But when I thumbed through the issue on the stand and it was impossible to keep up with the frantic are and jumping around I knew I should have just put it down. The story is hard to follow. Basically Doomsday shows up and starts smashing stuff while something goes on on the Moon with Eclipso. It's hard to believe this mess was written by Robinson.The banter and character narration are terrible. The art, even if you like the style (which I do not) is really just too much. 90's excess without ant really storytelling. Or at least very poor storytelling. I read that Reis is coming to the book..hopefully with Johns writing. I won't pick up another issue until then...neither should you.

2.5 out of 10

Batman Inc. #4 (DC Comics/Morrison and Burnham/$2.99): What fun. Morrison is wonderful. Using history and weaving into a great Batman tapestry. He has two seemingly different stories going on one with Batwoman (both of them) and one of Batman in Mexico..and the link together as you read on. Fun and witty and well paced. This is the type of Batman book I like. The art is really well suited for Morrison. And works well with the character and tone of the story.

8 out of 10

Captain America #615.1 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Breitweiser): Steve confronts a newly manufactured Captain America who almost gets turned into a MODOK by aim. After saving the new Cap, they discuss the importance of there being a Cap. Some one has to be Cap. America needs Cap. Brubaker does a good job of setting up what may be the next several arcs as Steve struggles with having to take up the shield again. I love the touch that Fury orchestrated the entire thing. The art is really well suited and fits in with the great moody work for this action espionage book.

7.5 out of 10

Superman/Batman 82 (DC Comics/Bunn and ChrisCross/$2.99): *Applause* *More Applause* *Even more applause* I am really enjoying this storyline. Fun and fantastic. Basically Batman and Supers art thrust in to conflict when in the future magic has run amok and evil is *Charlie Sheen voice* winning */Charlie Sheen voice*. Great action and unfolding events. Superman has to replace the Superman from magicverse who has been slain, because only he can wield the powers of the magic sword. Batman meanwhile is trying to uncover the culprit responsible fir letting this arcane freakshow unfold on his Earth. There is a great cast with great version of the DC characters. The Creeper from magicverse is scary. This is really how I love my comics, fun and fast paced. Not just with great balls out action, but developing plot and twists. Great job. Give this Bunn guy more work.

Chriscross is know for his kinetic and expressive art. And it explodes off the pages. With Marc Deering on inks DC may have discovered the next great art team. I love this creative team, I hope DC editorial keeps them intact and on more projects.

9 out of 10

FF #1 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Epting/$3.99): Well. Here we have it. Hickman takes the FF in a new, yet familiar direction. With the death of Johnny Storm Spidey joins the team. We get a tour of the Foundation and the musing/happenings of the team and extended family. Hickman peppers the issue with great moments and establishes a good tone for the book. And really twists things up by throwing Doom into the mix. I am very curious to see how this book turns out. I like the new costumes. At least for awhile. The art is great. Epting's take on the first family and tone are perfect for the book.

8 out of 10

Action Comics #899 (DC Comics/Cronell and Merino/$2.99): Wtf? I read this comic twice and really as reveals go it was pretty lame. Basically after Luthor whoops Braniac's butt you find out that the being manipulating everything has been some uber-entity from the Phantom Zone going mad by all the emotions spilling into the Zone from the DCU. And after a spectacular entrance gets defeated by Luthor who absorbs omnipotent power. Wow. This issue is a blaze of rationalizations and finishing up a storyline. Almost like Cornell had to quickly tie up his run. After a glorious ride and fun comics this was a real let down. I found myself not caring at all about anything going on. The art also bothered me. This book needs Woods. Merino is fine but I got completely distracted throughout the issue by the detail. A hot mess.

4 out of 10

Avengers #11 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and JRJr/$3.99): Bendis Bendis Bendis. An entire issue of splash pages? Really? Most of them unspectacular at best. Not just because of the art..but because of the content. This should have been a kick-a$$ action issue. Instead it was deflated with poorly realized splashes and narration. Not just that the book jumped all over the place. It was easy to get lost in the writing and big pictures. What could of been an epic battle ended up a heaping pile of MEH. Parker Robbins vs the combined might of the Avengers, escapes and finds himself in the clutches of Thanos. Now THIS can get interesting. The art was fine, but a little messy. And the barrage of splash pages didn't help the disjointed storytelling. I think a more conventional take would have worked much better. Plus what with all the red? This is by far the lowest score I ever gave a Bendis book.

4 out of 10

the Amazing Spider-man #657 (Marvel Comics/Slott w/various/$3.99): Spidey joins the FF and they share stories about Johnny together. Ok. I am not sure there needed to be an entire issue of Spider-man dedicated to this, I would have preferred a more organic way of characters dealing with Johnny's death in the moments of a story then vignettes strung together this way. Felt forced. Still the stories were nice and well executed by Slott and the artists. Still I think it's time to drop Spidey again, sorry Marvel this is your franchise book. Turn the action up to 11 already.

5 out of 10

Teen Titans #93 (DC Comics/Krul and Scott/$2.99): I blame DC editorial. Have they forgotten Teen Titans is a book about teen super-heroes.? They must have. How else do you explain 5 issues in and there are no super fights with costumed villains. Doesn't have to be Dr. Light or the Brotherhood of Evil. But it should be some high octane villains of some sort. This is not a Buffy the vampire comic or Smallville. It should be simple. Throw in demons and science fueled zombies AFTER Superboy punches out Mammoth. Maybe Krul doesn't like super-heroes. *shrug*

Other then that it's a good read. Nicely paced as the TTs travel to India to help a new character find her parents only to get thrown into a battle with demons. Really tough ones. Nicola Scott's art and storytelling is great and she establishes the characters as teens (not adults in mini-sized bodies). The book has great action and once the fight with the demon starts it explodes off the pages.

Still. I am so over super-hero comics that do not have super villains.

7 out of 10

Captain America #616 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and various/$4.99): Gulag begins. Steve struggles with his role at SHIELD and having to hand Bucky over to the Russians for crimes he "may: have committed against civilians as Winter Soldier. Well paces with action and great characterization. I like the unfolding history of Winter Soldier. I find it odd the Russians would even covertly try to harm Bucky while in their care when he is a friend of sooooo many heroes, an Avenger and with the world watching them. Even in a comic it doesn't feel right but I will roll with it. Brubaker has long ago earned that. The art is nice as are the stories by other creative teams. Fun stuff.

7.5 out of 10

Scarlet #5 (ICON/Bendis and Maleev/$3.95): What a let down.I am not sure I can review this other then by saying it's like having watched a long, very interesting movie and the last 15 minutes ruin it entirely. By the end I have completely lost all interest in the characters motivations and her future. I won't be sticking around for the next installment. The art is pitch perfect again. Maleev was the perfect artist for this series. I love the colors.

3 out of 10

Justice Society of America #49 (DC Comics/Guggenheim and Kolins/$2.99): A satisfying ending. It is all hands on deck as the team unites to end the threat of Dr. Chaos and Extinction (? forgot the bad guys name..the red one). Guggenheim does fun work with all the dialogue and cleaning up loose ends. Bringing Scott back and setting up the clean up of the city and new home for the expanded team. Even making Jay mayor. It's well paced with great characterization I hope Guggenheim stays on board for a while. I really love the developments with Mr. Terrific and can't wait to see how it plays out. Kolins art is great. I really enjoyed the action throughout the book. It's energetic and moody and fits the devastating toll that was taken on the city. I am very happy with the direction of the book.

8 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-16-2011 (no spell check!)

2011-03-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Annihilators #1 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Huat/$4.99): I picked this up as a curiosity. Thanos Imperative was so bad it turned me off of the cosmic stuff, but it was a light week for me. So there's a ROM reference. And the new greatest Spaceknight makes the most powerful characters in the Marvel universe look like a bunch of inefficient morons in what becomes an example of how having a group of powerful Alphas may not as good as its cracked up to be. She basically deconstructs Ronan and embarrasses Surfer. WTF? I was completely uninterested. And bored. I have no interest in the Spaceknights or the impending menace of the Dire-wraiths without ROM. Dr. Dredd is completely uninteresting too. What's up with Maelstrom? The art is servicable. But I have to say with so many artists tooling around Facebook I would expect better. The co-feature with art by the awesome Timothy Green was fun. Get him to draw this book.

If you were thinking of picking this book up. Think again. Marvel needs to step it's game up. Thor doesn't need 10 titles. Get some quality talent on some other books. Are there any Disney animators available?

4 out of 10

Avengers Academy #11 (Marvel Comics/Gage and Raney/$2.99): Even with McKone missing this book remains the consistent gold standard in today's event driven, Marvel architect era. Gage has built this book into a signature brand quietly effectively developing the characters and the team. And even bringing in Korvac with out huge fanfare like comics have done...for ever..up until the last decade or so.It's a fun ride with a great twist as the youngsters get a power-up and after the Avengers are defeated are sent to take on Korvac. The art is good. Not great. Raney is a solid fill in artist. Dynamic, but wonky. Still he sells the action and does good work with the expression. But I can't wait to get McKone back. If you are looking for s super-hero book worth reading..you loved the Wolfman/Perez Titans or Claremont/Byrne/Smith/JRJr X-men this is the book for you.

8.5 out of 10

Fear Itself Prologue:Book of the Skull (Marvel Comics/Brubaker, Eaton and Morales/$3.99): I know. I was taking a stand against the Fear Itself tie-ins..but I saw the preview art and was blown away. Then I flipped through the book at the shop and saw Mark Morales inked it and out come the cash.

It's a fun ride, but really nothing essential in terms of story that couldn't be explained in the event itself. It's a check for some creators and Marvel thats it. Basically Sin goes to one of his father's old hideouts to unlock the potential of weapon daddy discovered during WWII that will shake the foundations of the Marvel Universe (doesn't everything?). We are treated to some great flashbacks in the meantime of Red Skull uncovering the Hammer and conflict with WWII era Cap, Bucky and Namor. Well done action. The story is a bit of cliche and sets up Sin basically getting the Donald Black/Thor treatment which I guess frees the Asgardian God(dess) of Fear and the greatest threat to the Marvel Universe (as opposed to whatever is going on in any number of Marvel books at the moment or the last event. :(). The art is great. And although not essential it was worth picking up on it's own creative and production merits. Good art, fun ride.

7.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #656 (Marvel Comics/Slott and Martin/$2.99): Slott does good work with Spidey and his cast. And plays up the smarts part that is generally missing in the face paced slick talking Spidey we always get. So it was nice to see him take a hit go to the lab and out think the bad guy. Good work developing JJJ as well. My only problem is why would Spidey put away the Spider-armor? It looks like there are no drawbacks to wearing it. I mean correct me if I am wrong, it did not diminish his speed. So why go back to the cloth or FF version of the costume? The art is great, wonderful story telling and expression and nice action. Stylistically though I am getting tired of this style. I would prefer something slicker now. Get Jason Pearson or Cully Hamner here and blow the doors off the Spidery-action.

7 out of 10

Red Robin #21 (DC Comics/Nicieza and To/$2.99): This book is pure fun. Tim spends the entire issues dodging and remaining on the ropes barely ahead of the Mad Med while trying to put the Unternet (an Anti-life powered internet that the villains use and thew is seeking to corrupt all of reality) out of commission. Great action and dialogue and pacing. And a great ending. Anarchy is back...did he absorb some Anti-life? great stuff. The art is beautiful and so perfect for a book where the lead character is flipping and jumping and doing karate kicks. Its young and fresh. I swear I look at it sometimes and wonder if To is actually Kerry Gammil. The creative team is amazing. I love to see these guys take on the Teen Titans or one of the Legion books or even GLC. Buy this comic. It's quietly the consistently best book in the Bat-verse.

8 out of 10

Brightest Day #22 (DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi with Clark, Reis and Prado/$2.99): I hate to dis my editor friends. But it is hard to believe any one looked at this book..or really the entire runs Firestorm parts. The digital enhancement of the line art and backgrounds is downright ugly and distraction. And on top of it stylistically the line art isn't very good. Dark and angular and messy the book is a complete waste. Worse Firestorm holds off a cadre of Black Lanterns and the Anti-Monitor in the Anti-matter universe. WTF? I have loved Firestorm since he first appeared. He is supremely powerful. But come on..the Anti-monitor on his home turf? There has been nothing to make me care about anything going on in this series. It is worse then Countdown ever was by leagues. And the last few issues the are frantically trying to tie up story lines no one cares about. What a mess. This series could have used a process map or something before people started producing it.

2 out of 10

Thunderbolts #155 (Marvel Comics/Parker and Walker/$2.99): A fun romp to recruit a mystic for the Team. This is another book that is consistently well produced and fun to read. Parker is good at developing the characters and taking us fun action packed adventures. This issue find Strange and Cage travelling to recruit is Satanna for team. Never easy getting the daughter of devil to do something she don't wanna. But with some illusionary trickery they get their girl. Meanwhile at the Raft a new team is being recruited. Good stuff. The art is fun and stylistically a treat to read. This book is tons of fun.I really hope it survives Fear Itself.

7.5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-09-2011

2011-03-12T19:48:00.000-05:00

Been about a month since my last reviews...sorry...but you know how life is. Crazy.

Between then and now I had the good fortune to do Wizard World Miami and made lots of friends and met some really amazing artists and did lots of new art to sell as prints at Megacon March 25th through 27th. Come see me, let me draw something for you or just talk comics.

Before I begin with the reviews I wanted to admit I am seriously concerned with the quality of Marvel's Fear Itself event. Of course the art is going to be amazing. Its by Immonen and the inker and colorist are the industry best as well. So production wise theres no doubt it will be spectacular. But as for a concept...the Asgardian God of Fear is back and he is gonna really do a number on the Marvel U!!! Really? Maybe Fraction missed the part where Marvel is full of Malevolent concept beings and super gods and worst of all that the heroes of the Marvel U just laid some whoop ass on the Chaos King. A primordial beings beyond conception who absorbed the combined might of mythical beings, concept avatars and space gods.

WTF?

I don't understand Marvel one bit. Fraction really? Sometimes I just shake my head...well at least it will be better then Age of X. Because that was really bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.

I am bet Marvel could hire a random comic book shop patron have them write the next event and get Coipel or Immonen or Cho or Cheung or McGuinness to draw it and it would sell as well as any thing the Marvel "architects" can come up with...

And then theres Flashpoint. The Elseworlds event. *snore*

Fortunately there are some really good books out there that makes it easy to ignore crap concepts and pointless storyline and cosmetic changes and the next BIG THING.

I would recommend every one go buy Takio. Great format. Easy to read and fun as heck. Some other books I recommend: Chew, Invincible, FF, Avengers Academy, Action Comics, Superior, Secret Six, Thunderbolts, Captain America, Superman/Batman....

Rant done. On to the reviews. Oh...wow...I didn't buy one Marvel title this week.

Guarding the Globe #4 (Image Comics/Cereno and Getty/$3.50): I really want to like this book. Every thing I like is there. Big team of heroes, lots of villains, government agencies, developing characterization and plot, some darn good art...so why am I going to drop it?

Possibly because it's not pulling me in. I am interested about the the evil team called the Order but I am 4 issues in and they are striking at the good guys who are trying to establish their global super squad and already killed one of the good guys.Already. Meh. I have developed no emotional connection with the book or story. There may be too much going on. The art is very good, but quirky at time with awkward angles, poses, anatomy and storytelling. Getty is great with the action I see big things in the future. But right now I have to walk away.

4 out of 10

the Outsider #37 (DC Comics/Di Dio and Tan/$2.99): I like this book. I don't like the art. Tan no matter what style he uses is too messy for the straight forward in your face classic style comic this book is. But this version of himself...digital paints/colors works better then his ink work. The story is fun. The 2nd instalment of Reign of the Superman brings Doomsday crashing on the Markovian Outsiders. Its a fun all fight issue with fun character moments and super action. After smashing through the combined might of the team, Doomsday kills Kryptonian and moves on. Leaving the team, and Geo-force's country exposed and ripe for the picking...which seems the perfect time for Waller to send in the other Outsiders to take their troublesome butts out. Good stuff. Di Dio has done a good job quietly developing this book over time. Too bad its going bye-bye.

8 out of 10

Booster Gold (DC Comics/Giffen, DeMatties and Batista/$2.99): Always an enjoyable read. Booster is thrown into prison for Chronal crimes and comes face to face with the Perforated Man. A future version of himself going crazy from all the jaunts through timespace (I made that word up!). This book has been good since the creative team took over from Jurgens, and this is more good stuff. A shame it ends next issue. The art is rock solid, Batista is a real gem. Solid storytelling, great action and expression. And a wonderful design, probably hell to draw with Perforated man. I have been recommending this book for awhile. Always fun.

7.5 out of 10

Batman, inc. #3 (DC Comics/Morrison and Paquette/$2.99): I don't think anyone can deny Morrison is the best smartest writer in comics. The guy just lays out an entire feel for a book that grounds it in whatever emotion or place or genre he wants. I love the Batman, inc. concept. Batman (Bruce) jet setting around the word expanding the Bat-brand into a crime fighting international network. Brilliant. This stop Mexico. Fun, smart, well paced and executed to perfection. Morrison balances every part of what makes storytelling in comics perfectly. Paquette's art is beyond amazing. Great expression, caught in the moment action. wonderful women and storytelling. This book is what all DC and Marvel books should be like. Great ideas executed at the highest level by the best talent. I love the cliff-hanger endings in this books and really am enjoying the colorful characterizations and adventure.

8.5 out of 10

Batman and Robin #21 (DC Comics/Tomasi and Gleason/$2.99): Remember what I said about great ides and best talent...this book is more of that. Tomasi and Gleason have instantly made this book their own. It is great. Tomasi is tonally perfect for this book, his writing has such great personality and atmosphere it a perfect compliment to what Morrison established without trying to ape what Morrison made great about this book. I love the dialogue between Dick and Damien, especially when Alfred is thrown in. Brilliant characterization. I love the use of Gotham's rich tapestry to establish a new threat with its own motivation and flavor. All of Gotham's crazy have a theme. The art is a perfect match for Tomasi's gritty, dark, visceral...and he is perfect for this iteration of the Dynamic Duo and Gotham. I love that Gleason has grown to be such an amazing storyteller and has awesome command of expression and gesture. This book is pure joy to this comic fan.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 02-07-2011

2011-02-16T20:25:00.000-05:00

Power Man and Iron Fist #1 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente and Alves/$2.99): Unfortunately it is impossible to get past the amateur league art to get at any enjoyment that might exist in the story. I am not sure there should even be a Power Man and Iron Fist comic but putting that aside I decided to pick it up because I have really enjoyed Van Lente's writing across a wide range of Marvel series. The book starts with the introduction of some new villains and then we jump into the story with some pointless action to get the ball moving then we get to the meat of what will be the first arc. Basically some one from Fist's past makes some poor choices and gets framed for the death of her associate. She used to work with the Heroes for Hire. Van Lente also peppers the book with some nice flashbacks. I am pretty certain every thing would have been interesting if I weren't distracted by really bad art that deteriorated even further as the issue progressed. It lacked any emotional or dramatic umph to it. The action could hardly be called action. How Marvel let Asrar get away some one should tell me. There is no reason Marvel shouldn't have invested in the appropriate art for this book. There are any number of artists out there who could have done a great job on selling the character, dramatic and action portions of this book. I will add this to books I would have bought had there been professional art on the book. The only book I could compare this to was a poorly drawn (the colors were way too dark too!) Batman and Robin. Not certain how this got past editorial.

3 out of 10

Heroes for Hire #3 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Walker/$2.99): This book is the artistic polar opposite of PM&IF. Brad Walker explodes off every page. Action, drama, stylistic panel arrangements and layouts, excellent powerful character work and expression. I really enjoy is long and close shots in action scenes and his ability to use extreme foreshortening to add a kineticism to his pages. Teh fight between Paladin and Iron Fist is awesome and Moon Knight versus a raptor done in-between panel;s was great. A&L do a great job with the suspense building as Paladin dodges Misty's questions while he tries to find out if his hunch about her is right. You get some really fun dialogue especially from Moon Knight. This book is surprisingly good. I hope it gets a chance to build an audience.

8 out of 10

Batman and Robin #20 (DC Comics/Tomasi and Gleason *applause*/$2.99): This week's proof that decisions at DC and Marvel can be made to get the absolute right creators on the right title. From the opening sequence Tomasi and Gleason pay homage to Morrison's run on the book and then quickly establish their own voice. Tomasi masterfully establishes a relationship between the Bat-family at stately Wayne Manor. From there we jump into a suicide mystery and great moments throughout with Dick and Damien and the extended cast. Tomasi is pitch perfect with the pacing and tone of the script and quickly owns the book...you forget the Morrison run like a find dream and move on to Tomasi's flawless iteration. The art too is pitch perfect. Moody dark and thick...with surprising level of nuance and detail I don't remember in Gleason's previous works. This is a great pairing and feel comfortable recommending this book to every one.

9 out of 10

Red Robin #20 (DC Comics/Nicieza and To/$2.99): This book is really kicking butt. Nicieza seamlessly brings the Teen Titans into the book and part of Unternet storyline after a briefly having Red Robin scuffle with Catman and setting up the plot for the rest of the arc. Calculator has replicated himself and is all over the place ready for his takeover of the Unternet and the corruption of all through its use and deep rooted connection to the Anti-life equation. Great fun, nice action, and wonderful pure characterization throughout. Especially the work done between Tim and Damien and when the Titans naturally defer to Tim for leadership. The art is equally great. To has a nice fluid open style well suited for Red Robin, the action focused adventures and the guest star Teen Titans. I really love this issue. And this should be a memorable two-parter can't wait to see how this plays out in the Teen Titans.

8 out of 10

the Flash #9 (DC Comics/Johns and Manapul/$2.99): Don't get me wrong the writing is rock solid, even if the pacing is a little off and long and the art is terrific although I most of the time the stylistic choices made deflate the dynamism and movement.. it looks pretty. This is the prologue to Flashpoint (which I will not be picking up) and it introduces a new character speeding his way from the future like everyone else in Flash's life it seems to stop something terrible from happening. They meet by the end and guess what the new speedster on a motorcycle is some version or futuristic relative from the future and a cop!!! No way!!! Not particularly interesting, but well written. And oh guess what another EVENT! YEAH! The art is well handled throughout but the motorcycle design for the new character is lame and Manapul seems to purposely not draw from different angles. Side, front, from on top. I feel comfortable dropping this book. The only bright spot to me as a long time reader was seeing Wally.

5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #654 (Marvel Comics/Slott and Caselli/$3.99): Was the co-feature an extended ad for the Venom comic or what? Bad form Marvel comics. And some one tell the artist of the second part of the co-feature he should deviate a little from the art and artists he swipes from. Embarrassing.

Other then that you have a fun conclusion to the Spider-slayer arc. Lots of action and fun dialogue and the look and feel and pace of what built Spider-man up over the last several decades. Fun stories, good scripting, great cast of characters, drama and twists and turns and building over time. AND a hell of an ending. Man JJJ has got no luck at all. I can't wait to see the fallout from the death of his wife. Powerful stuff without beating us over the head with a flashy splash page telling us how important the moment is. In this case we know it is. Subtle and powerful. Great issue, with great guests, action and developments. About the art Aris? All i can say is Caselli should be the regular Spider-man artists. It is fresh and dynamic while still paying homage to the best Spider-artists of the past even if it is not done purposely. Reminds me of the great past work in the 80's by Frenz and JRJr with some Larsen and McFarland with some animation and anime..all Caselli. Bueatiful and fluid.

8.5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 02-02-2011

2011-02-06T18:28:00.000-05:00

Comic Book News of the Week: Comic book sales suck. I am not going to say monthly sales at 25% or so from last month or last year heralds the end of comics. I am just going to say whatever Marvel and DC are doing in terms of strategy is not working. Unless monthly sales just aren't that important any more. Personally I could careless at this point. I will keep buying comics. The only change I have recently went through is I decided since continuity is totally irrelevant I can drop books for the simplest of reasons. Bad writing. Dropped. Stupid ideas. Dropped. Inconsistent or unprofessional art. Dropped. There is no point of even being critical of the medium any more. Sales are no indicator of success...because really who couldn't write an X-book that sells 67k? My two year old could sell that many writing scribbles. So just buy the stuff you like...enjoy it and move on. I wish comic sales were higher so the creators especially artists could get paid a little more. Other then that....whatever.

Invincible #77 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.99): Another great issue. The Viltrumite war ends with a truce. And a new status quo. After a mad dash to get to Earth to stop the last of Viltrumites from laying waste to Invincible's home world and friends...The heroes come to find out that the Viltrumites have scattered among humanity and seek to find their own home and replenish themselves. And offer Invincible and Omniman a truce or...a fight that would likely lay waste to the planet. Great stuff. I really enjoyed the issue but it ends very very abruptly. The art is amazing. Ottley is one of the best there is today. I really enjoyed the fantastic display of devastation that are what Invincible is imagining is happening while he tries to get to Earth. I don't think many people could do what Ottley does every month.

8.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #653 (Marvel Comics/Slott and Caselli/$3.99): Another Marvel book with an irrelevant pointless co-feature. Thank god Marvel will scale back its books like DC to the drawing the line at $2.99. We may have finally seen the end of 8 pages of crap at the end of comics and pointless increase in price.

The meat of the issue is fun. Lots of fun. Spidey vs the Spider-slayers calls in the New Avengers for some back up and we get a big issue with loads of laughs, action and cool moments. Great job on the banter and dialogue from Slott. And he did a great job of handling multiple heroes and jumping around from scene to scene. I think we may have found the new Spider-artist. Caselli is no joke. Doing a very dynamic and appropriate Spidey. He does great action. Very bit of the issue is full of energy. Even characters facial expressions are pushed to the limit. Making the entire issue a blast to experience. I really love his Spidey. Sinewy and fast. And he gets a lot of emotion in the gesture and expression. This issue was dynamite. Let hope he stays on this book a long time...or get him on New Avengers he would kill that book. Everyone knows Deodato is the wrong artist for that book.

8 out of 10

Secret Six #30 (DC Comics/Simone and Calafiore/$2.99): To tell the truth I was think of dropping this book. The last issue was really really bad. DC has to make sure the art can carry Simone's rich, fun, sometimes naughty scripts. So it was great to see Calafiore back. He has done a great job making this book his own. Maybe he isn't Nicola Scott but he captures the exact right tone, nuanced characters and absurd violence with a touch of deviancy. He delivers another fantastic job on another fantastic script by Simone. Who has us following the Doom Patrol who get attacked by the Six while on a mission trying to capture mutant fish. Man what a fun frantic issue. Especially when the action hits. Simone also give us some great Bane moments. Solidifying him as a fantastic nuanced and fun character to read. So I wont be dropping this book. Make sure you pick it up.

8 out of 10

Brightest Day #19 (DC Comics/Johns, Tomasi with Reis/$2.99): It is hard to review this. I have absolutely no interest in anything going on in this book. I am just riding it out hoping I will be surprised by the ending. Aquawar? Really? Come on guys. There has been no emotional or dramatic build up. I am telling you right now. There isn't a reader who cares. I am an Aquaman fan and I don't care. This issue focuses on Aqualad and Aquaman as the AQUAWAR (man that could have been a great name for a great event) kicks off with Siren and her crew attacking overweight beach goers in Miami (?) (should have started with the Jersey Shore (fist pump!!!!)). Mean while the Light of Life give Boston Brand an explanation of sorts, but didn't answer any real questions. And then it ends with Black Manta hacking off Aquaman's hand....again. Not that he did it again...but rather he loses his hand again. MEH. What are we gonna get this time water hand or harpoon power hook? Either way instead of super dramatic cool moment it ends with all fans going..."please just kill Aquaman off again...I would rather he been left riding a giant pink seahorse like he was doing in that brief panel appearance in Final Crisis.

The art was very good. It's Ivan Reis so you know its the best art.

4 out of 10 ( I probably should give a 6 in all fairness...but the series flat out sucks...so 'm taking a few points away just because.)

Legion of Super-heroes Annual #1 (DC Comics/Levitz abd Giffen/$4.99): The LoSH books are pretty bad. But I saw the cover and was really blown away. No one bu Giffen can do that. No one. Being a huge fan of Legion of Super-heroes I couldn't pass up a comic of one of my favorite teams by the best who ever did them even at $4.99. The issue was loads of fun. The Emerald Eye corrupts a young lady who had been used and abused on Orando. Some Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet get pulled out of the sky and the action begins. We get an origin of sorts for the Eye, great character moments and action reminiscent of the creators days on the book 2 decades ago. And really they run a clinic on how to do a Legion comic. Straightforward and relentless. With good characterization. Nice. And Giffen's art is perfect. He has his own visual vocabulary that should be used for any artist on Legion. Play with Tech, horizon and landscapes. These are other worlds in the far-flung future...Giffen never ever lets you forget that. Look at the cover you will understand what I mean. Even if you aren't a fan of the style..there is no denying the man has vision.

A really fun read. Wish the LoSH comic and Adventure Comics would be something like this instead of the absolute crap they are. Sorry but they are. You can understand why comics sales are what they are.

8 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-26-2011

2011-02-02T19:21:00.001-05:00

Better late then never. Rough week for me..but here we are. Enjoy the reviews. Feel free to let me know your thoughts. Comment here or on Facebook.

Comic Book News of the Week: New Hercules series from Marvel. This is not good news. Chaos War wasn't very good. It just wasn't executed well. Good idea. But it did not end up a powerful story. So it ends and Herc is now a human,...no longer the God of Heroes. Which was kinda of stupid thing to do with Herc anyway. He is a great character because he is a bit of a misbehaving good natured heroic misanthrope hedonist who likes to fight. A lot. Any way. The teaser images are kind of lame. It is particularly distressing that we have to waste time getting to the inevitable point where he is once again the Prince of Power we all know and love, bestowing the GIFT on friend and foe alike. Its a shame he was given such a poor design and weapons. He deserves better. I will be passing on this completely.

But as bad as this is it isn't as close to DC continuing to force Freddy as Captain Marvel on fans...

Which brings us to...

Shazam #1 (DC Comics/Wallace and Richards/$2.99): Against my better judgement I picked this up. Nothing in comics has been as stupid as making Freddy Captain Marvel. The whole "trail" thing was horrible. It just doesn't work. But I picked up this comic anyway. It is absolutely terrible. Childish...not in a good way and not intentionally. I can't believe we waited a year or so for a Captain Marvel appearance to get this. First of all Captain Marvel needs to be handled by an artist who is immersed and designing the architecture of the DCU. Second if DC editorial is going to let some one strike out there with the Marvels it should be executed at the highest level of the comic book game. Not end executed like a forgettable fill in issue you wish you never read.

After being out of sight for a while Freddy returns and seems like a trap is set on him by Mary Marvel who is jealous at being left powerless..she wants her power back so she makes a deal with BLAZE,or so we think. AH-HA!! Fooled yah! The female devil herself is fooled by Freddy pretending he drank some poison! Wham! Then a fight with a brief history lesson of recent Marvelesque events and Freddy, Captain Marvel impales Blaze. After getting some help from his powerless siblings Mary and Billy. From Hell Blaze vows vengeance and will get Osiris to help and Freddy vows to restore his families powers. Meh. The dialogue is so bad it may as well have been written by 2nd graders.

The art is actually pretty good. But some one made the poor decision to color/paint over raw pencils. As good this cat may be he isn't Pasqual Ferry. I am pretty certain there was time to ink this. The art style does nothing to enhance the story. And to me was a little distracting.

Please DC don't make comics like this anymore. Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the Marvel Family. This was just plain insulting.

2 out of 10

Fantastic Four #587 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Epting/$3.99): You may have hated the "black polybag". But I really appreciate the nostalgia/throw back to the Death of Superman promotion. It just worked. And I am gonna cut to the chase. Yes death is a gimmick too widely used and promoted. But I have to say when you get a well written well executed comic it isn't a gimmick. As much as it is what we want from comics. An element in a good story. And really all the elements of this issue we handled well, with reverence for the characters and fun. I really enjoyed the expanded family aspect at the Baxter Building as students and heroes alike work how the sacrifice needed to seal off the dimension from the Annihilation wave. Really great stuff. My favorite part wasn't the big money death of Johnny Storm but the stuff in the ocean with Namor and Sue. And Ben Grimm. How great was that his last reference to his longtime friend "John". That is good writing. And the art by Epting is tonally perfect for the book. As far as last pages go. Ben on the floor against wall head in hand alone with the Richards kids in the dim light from the Negative Zone was seriously powerful stuff.

This was a supremely well executed comic. Bravo to Hickman and Epting.

9 out of 10

Avengers #9 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and John Romita, Jr/$3.99: I think it is time for Marvel to cut the price back to $2.99 and get rid "Oral History" pages. I am certain important stuff is being written...but I have no interest in reading about it. I need pictures.

The issue itself is pretty good. I still think JRJr isnt the right artist. He is a legend and I love him, but I think this book would be better suited for the Coipels, Cheungs and CHOs out there. But it services the story well enough, straightforward and to the point. I like the dialogue between the heroes as the Illuminati is revealed in all its clandestine glory. I thought the baggage between Cap and Stark was over but it looks they still have some things to work out. The back and forth between the heroes and the flashback to how the Hood found out about the Infinity Gems was nicely done. And I can't be the only one beginning to soften up to having RULK around.

7 out of 10

Action Comics #897 (DC Comics/Cornell and Woods/$2.99): The search for the power of Death orbs takes Luthor to Gotham to a little discussion on their nature with the Clown Prince of Crime himself the Joker. Wonderful if not somewhat difficult to understand explanation of the spheres from Joker and great back and forth between the two villain icons. Cornell is a smart writer who also makes the dialogue fun and interesting at the same time. Luthor is really become a complex character. I also enjoyed the art. Woods is one of my top five artists and he really did a great job with tone of the story, Gotham and the overall expression of the characters. I love his Joker. Although there were times where the scarring of the lips were a little too stylized into what looked like a mustache curl. Great job by the creative team. this book continues to get better and better. And with that last page splash its only gonna get better, LARFLEEZ!!!

8 out of 10

Teen Titans #91 (DC Comics/Krul and Scott/$2.99): A strong finale to the creative teams first arc of the book. Krul has done a good job in connecting characters to readers and establishing them as individuals as well as as part of team. It was a great move to add Robin (Damien) to the team. Its a great dynamic and the banter with Ravager is great. I also liked the over all arc theme and villain. Although I do believe the Teen Titans should have costumed villains. The High School setting was great. But despite all the developments it felt more like a Buffy episode tonally then a superhero adventure. The art is great. Nicola Scott knocks the characters and story out of the park. This is a book worth taking a chance on and looks to have a promising future.

8 out of 10

JSA #47 (DC Comics/Guggenheim and Kolins/$2.99):Not sure how impressed I am with Dr. Chaos. The design is really bad. If you are gonna have a name like that have the balls to have a costume to match...go all the way or not at all. Either way the story and developments are rather good. Dr. Chaos puts Mr. terrifc in a spot that has him releasing a major threat on the team already in crisis for not averting a major disaster in a major city and having lost the teams resident powerhouse Green lantern in the process. Guggenheim as a good grasp of the characters, placing them in interesting situations, some at odds with each other and inventing history to use in a way that serves the story without retconning major continuity. The art is very good. Very moody. Kolins is an expert storyteller and his style services the tone and words very well. I really like his rendition of all the team members.

7.5 out of 10

Captain America #614 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Guice/$3.99): Ok. The Nomad co-feature is absolutely unreadable. Please end it ASAP. Bru's story the main event is flawless. Bucky is on trail as an enemy of the State for crimes and assassinations committed as Winder Soldier and has to weigh saving people from a savage terrorist act the new Red Skull will commit if Bucky is not sent to confront her with abiding by the law of the land and his mentor Steve Rogers and remain in custody while others attempt to stop her. Great drama, characterization and plot. The art is great. Guice and the inker are perfect for the adventurous tone of the book. Guice really does great dramatic posing and the inker adds great darks and style that is suited well for all the elements of the story and characters involved. This book is a consistent work of art.

9 out of 10

Guarding the Globe #3 (Image Comics/Cereno and Getty.$3.50): This is how a superhero team book should be. New characters getting to know each other and adventuring while the big bad is setting up something big in the background and is on a collision course with the heroes. Its a fun book. I like all the characters, heroes and villains. And it is fun to read the interplay between them and developing plot unfold. The art is really good. But this issue was inked by too many inkers with varying styles. Some completely overpowered the line art and distracted me from my enjoyment of the book. If it continues this way I may have to drop despite being a solid read along the line of Invincible. I am really not invested to a point in the book and characters to want to deal with art I don't like. Especially if as simple a fix as finding a quality inker.

6 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-19-2011

2011-01-22T09:22:00.000-05:00

News of the Week: Dan DiDio broke my heart and basically deep six my joy from last week's News of the Week...no Wednesday Comics II yet. :( Now I wonder where Bleeding Cool's article about a Steve Rude New Gods comes from?

Comic Book Pet Peeve of the Week: Nothing makes me want to put a comic book down faster then picking up a book reading the credits and seeing some dope who decides they are the Madonna of comics and has a one name name. Every one else has a normal name..John Hughes, Anthony Michael Hall, Kim Smith..but this cat is Deathspike, MUDD, or Blond. It's just stupid. Please stop. Your mom and dad gave you a name use it.

Supergirl #60 (DC Comics. Spencer and Peaty with Bernard Chang, $2.99): I essentially picked this up because Bernard Chang is on art duties. He did not disappoint. He has a clean slick style. He really does nice women and nailed Supergirl. I love the backgrounds and all the art elements. Especially his version of the villains in the issue. I am not sure its the real Parasite, Silver Banshee and Metallo..but they looked gorgeous. I am not sure why DC is persisting with the cover artist..just let Bernard Chang do the covers too please. I was surprised by the story too. A cabal of University types lead by a sinister young neo-nerd who believes super-heroes are preventing humanity from advancing due to universal natural selection. The writers do a good job of jumping around from story element to story element without missing a beat.

7.5 out of 10

Scarlet #4 (Icon/Bendis and Maleev/$3.95): Not sure why this book is $3.95. Page count? Either way the book is great. Not normally a book for me. It is too hipsterish. A revenge anti-establishment tale done with today's hipster sensibilities. It's quite good. Scarlet has called out the police force in her down for using their corrupt power to shake down, use and even kill citizens. She has had enough. Using social networking and the flash mob to get her message out there and the powers that be in city don't know what to do. Scarlet is an interesting read and I love the storytelling tricks Bendis uses instead of thought balloons. The script is great. The art is pitch perfect for the book too. Maleev's style is not my fave. But it works perfectly for the tone tone and feel of the book.

8.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #652 (Marvel Comics/Slott and Caselli/$3.99): I am going to start with the co-feature. i love Van Lente and would love to see him do more Spider-man or Power Man. But this was pointless. The art was terrible. Just cut the page count and make the book $3.99 please. The main story was fun. I dropped the book recently but my friend told me the art was great. So I gave it a shot. And the art is great. Caselli has been floating around for a few year and he rocks every book he does. He is a great Spider-man artist. Slott's story is surprisingly fun. I really like the character interplay, developments with Mary Jane and all the action. The story feels like old 80's books. Not heavy with narrative and high concept stuff. Just villains out do bad things. I really think JJJ's son is going to be the new Venom.

7 out of 10

Brightest Day #18 (DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi with Reis and Syaf/$2.99): More of the same. It is almost pointless to review this book. Its plodding along at a snails pace focusing essentially whole arcs to a few or one character at a time and not really keeping readers interested involved with the meta elements. All I know is the White Entity is looking for his Lantern. How it all fits together is not evident at all. 18 issues in it should be. Not to mention the individual character focus on the Hawks was terrible. I don't care. I care more about the first page with the Rogues then the last several issues of Hawks and the Love entity. The art varied. I loved Reis' pages and hated Syaf's. He is to derivative of Adam Kubert. Its distracting.

And I have to say even having one panel of Deathstorm (Black Lantern Firestorm) produce with a horrible blend of digital elements makes me want to burn this comic.

I am going to say it. Countdown was better.

2 out of 10

Avengers Academy #8 (Marvel Comics/Gage and McKone/$2.99): Well written indeed. The kids find video of Tigra getting brutalized by the Hood released on the web and make it their mission to show villains things like this will not go unavenged. At the same time Tigra deals with her emotions about it in a very thoughtful and well executed way. Taking it head on with positivity which leads to a rift in the team and an expulsion when they publish their video of their veng-fest on the Hood. Really great drama. Strong scripting too. McKone's art is the best of the run so far. Doing strong work on the expression and tone of the story. This book is really good and I recommend it. A vast improvement from last issues suck fest which was an anomaly. I hate Hank Pym. Scientist Supreme. Meh. But issues like this are the way comics should be produced. Reminds me of the Wolfman/Perez era Titans. Care and character development, interesting stories, and great art.

9 out of 10

Superior #4 (Icon/Millar and Yu/$2.99): Oh man this book is good. Every 12 months Millar does a book that is really better then the rest. Ultimates, Civil War (I liked it!), 1985, Old Man Logan, and now you can add Superior to that list. Bringing a fresh modern spin yet holding to many of the classic elements of the Superman archetype. Even giving him a "Lois Lane". Superior is out there preventing all crime and averting disasters and in the issue decides to go work for Obama (yeah that's Obama). Great elements. And there is even time in the story for a personal decision that leads to an interesting ending where that nasty little space monkey may be granting that kid bully who has bouncing around since the fist pages of issue one his own wish...if he declares is allegiance to SATAN!!! This book is fun and great. And beautiful. Yu's art is so perfect. Doing nice detail and establishing shots as well as really strong character work. The coloring is stylized but works well over Yu's lines.

This book is a joy to read. You love Millar, you hate him..there is no denying the quality of this book.

9.5 out of 10

I picked up several issues of Marvel Two-in-One, I have them all in storage but wanted to read them. I love them so much. I picked up the classic issue #50 and the Serpent Crown saga. Man the comics I grew up on where really amazing. I remember how awesome I thought Stingray was as a kid. That costume still rocks.

See you next week. Go buy some comics.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-13-2011

2011-01-17T15:34:00.000-05:00

Wow. I have to admit I was surprised I only picked up 4 books this week. You read that right 4.

I guess its a New Year's Resolution a few years in the making. I decided to drop books with widely inconsistent quality, skip arc by creators who do not interest and let books I generally like but really bad editorially decisions such as using unprofessional art go. As an example. I will be dropping New Avengers. I love Bendis writing...but Deodato can't sell the banter and character nuanced scripts. If you want dark dramatic super action he is your guy. But he isn't the write cat to handle New Avengers in Immonen's absence. Or as an other example the entire Thanos Imperative series (not Ignition). Bad editorial decision to start with paints over raw pencils and poor usage of filters and fills for textures made the entire book a mess.

So I may have some extra comics cash in my pockets for exploration and purchasing some much needed back issues to complete my runs. So I started with FF #25 and #26. Two of my all time favorite comics I own as reprints or in different collected formats. I think the first time I actually saw the issues were as part of a Greek black and white reprint. Either way they are easily two of the best super-hero comics of all time;. I will be glad to have them in my collection which is a complete FF run from issue #75.

Comic Book News of the Week: It could have been the new Venom. But I really can't understand the design. So it's news I haven't confirmed yet from Bleeding Cool.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/01/14/sequel-to-wednesday-comics-from-dc-coming-steve-rude-contributing-new-gods-story/
Wednesday Comics II. Those that have read my blog or follow me on the Internets know I really loved Wednesday Comics. It was a risky experiment with wonderful execution. It was fun to unfold and read and feel the newsprint. I eagerly await the second installment, Steve Rude New Gods? It doesn't get much better then that.

I love Dan DiDio.

Secret Six #29 (DC Comics/Simone and Marcos Marz/$2.99): I really feel let down by DC editorial on this one. There is absolutely no reason to have run this book with the art it did. I should have put it down on the spot, but I really love the characters and Simone turns in flawless fun scripts every issue. I even got past my initial dislike of Caliafore who has come to claim the book as his own art wise after the impossible predicament of having to fill Nicola Scott's shoes on art chores. At minimum a herculean task. But he managed to do a good job especially with the absurd moments of violence or action.

Unfortunately Marcos Marz isn't on a level necessary to even attempt this book. His art is flat, lacking any umph or punch at all, weak and the layouts are quite boring. Not the quality expected in a DC book at all. The characteristic charm of this book is how the characters interact and moments of absurd violence. Marz's interpretation of this is nonexistent. Sadly even something as potentially exciting of the daddy issues between Scandal and and her Dad, having Luther around and all out action is diminished to having to imagine Simone's script drawn by some one else.

The language and dialogue is great and really enjoyed the interplay one-up-manship between Vandal and Luther. Simone is wonderful to read.

FYI DC Comics. I have a lot of friends in animation, comics and the fringes of comics who would love to work for you. And would blow your mind and the fans as well. My email is arisargh@aol.com.

3 out of 10

Heroes for Hire #2 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Walker/$2.99): This book a lot of fun. Abnett and Lanning have a knack for pulling you into a story and making it accessible really quickly. No fuss no fuss, delivering nice character development and plot. I am generally not interested in any of the these characters. Actually except for Misty Knight I couldn't care less. But this comic is like an action movie. Full of dynamic movement, gun shots and explosions. And Brad Walker really makes all the stuff explode off the page. Every page is dynamism squared. I don't know how he keeps things moving so fluidly with so much detail and style. Crazy angles and super foreshortening. Incredibly unique and moving layouts. It blows the mind.

All in all this is fun straight forward book action packed and balls out fun. Nice to see use of characters like Baron Brimstone. And I am liking that Puppet Master is there in the background pulling strings.

7.5 out of 10

Red Robin #19 (DC Comics/Nicieza and To/$2.99): More Red Robbin goodness. This issue was a fun romp following Tim's consciousness into the Unternet (a virtual world/Internet saturated with pure anti-life used by DC's bad guys) to put the kibosh on the bad guy's plans. It was fun to witness Tim's incarnations of heroes and villains to take on each other. I really had fun reading this book. And it was nice that Redstar is on the side of the white shirts in the end. Marcus To's art is clean and fresh. I love his storytelling and line work. The entire art team really blend perfectly together.

If your looking for a fun book fresh book this is the book to try.

7.5 out of 10

Thor the Mighty Avengers #8 (Marvel Comics/Langridge and Samnee/$2.99): Thus ends the best comic book series Marvel has produced in probably a decade. I think Langridge a great job ending his book...it is a forced kind of non-ending..especially for those of us who have been with the series from the beginning. There was certainly going to be more to it. But given the abrupt announcement of its cancellation its as good as can be expected and certainly better then most comics could even attempt.

This is another fun joyous comic. Thor is captured and Jane reaches out to Antman for help and gets Tony Stark/Iron Man instead. After a brief well scripted battle and action with the baddies that captured Thor. Thor screams at the skies and lets his power be known giving a gift to man and is left to enjoy the day with Jane.

The art is simply beautiful Samnee designed a great version of Thor and did great work with Iron Man. Its full of character and wonder. And he also sells the nice cute character stuff.

This book will be missed. I know there is one more Thor book coming out for FCBD I believe by this creative team. I will pick that up and ask that you do too. If you want a comic that has all the wonder and magic you remember when you first picked up a book this will always be a book for you and will have a place in fanboy heart forever.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-05-2011

2011-01-08T19:55:00.001-05:00

First reviews of the new year. Woot!

Big news of the week: DC's "Drawing the Line" at $2.99 news. Not sure how really big it is. 2 less pages of story content. the return of the letters page. Maybe some breathing room for the art team? But less cash?

I think its a good thing. I hope has the desired effect of helping fans struggling in today's economy to afford their books. I believe Marvel should follow suit.

Verdict: Thumbs Up! Especially for the ad art for this of the characters of the DCU by Ivan Reis.

Thanos Imperative: Devastation (Marvel Comics/Abnett an Lanning with Sepulveda/$3.99): This may be the worst comic I have purchased in years. I am not sure how this got past Marvel editorial. Sepulveda can draw. But the book is just messy. Poor choices of filters over and in the line art and really bad layout. I think I went blind temporarily from viewing the texture used fot Silver Surfer. Absolutely terrible. Abnett and Lanning can generally do no wrong. But the mess of Thanos Imperative continues in this finale/prologue. Using Cosmo as the narrative voice of the story may have seemed like a good idea in theory but after 2 pages I want to shoot some one. I really didn't enjoy the interplay between characters or the scripting. It was a generic get heroes into a team story. This issue was so bad you find flaws in everything. Is Gamora a member? if not why is she on the cover? Blastaar the living bomb burst is carrying a blaster but ditches it in his fight with Medusa. and finally Ikon the Space-Knight. WTF? I don't mind Marvel using the Dire-wraiths. That's cool. Heck why the dopes killing the X-men books dont use Hybrid is beyond me. The X-books are terrible. But that's for another day. But don't tease me. Either use ROM or don't use the Space-knights. Its just dumb.

2 out of 10

Brightest Day #17 ( DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi with various/$2.99): I generally do not drop books in midstream. But this "event" is begging me to do it. I really hate the entire Hawkman/girl/Love storyline. It lacks emotional punch. I guess the art is good. But it doesnt help that you really are not engaged in the events or the characters. The Boston Brand/Deadman portion was a little better, but honestly I really want to get to the meat of the story. Whats going on is not interesting enough. We need the big bad front and center already. I ignore the Firestorm portion completely.

4 out of 10

the Flash #8 (DC Comics/Johns and Kolins/$2.99): I will start by saying I like Kolins a lot. But wish Johns has drafted Van Sciver to do the origin of Reverse Flash. I mean this is an important issue. That would have made this issue truly special and a nice addition/epilogue of sorts to Flash:Rebirth. Johns really shines establishing reasons for villains. He has made it an art. Thwane is obsessed with time and the Flash. And uses powers to run through his past to erase anything he doesn't like or is in his way. He is a nasty evil bastard who strikes from out of the Reverse Speed Force like a ghost. I really enjoyed the periodic resets in the story as Reverse Flash changes the events in his life to his benefit. I was going to drop the book, but now I am interested again. Great job by Johns.

Kolins does great jobs with the storytelling but the colored pencil style coloring is too muddy and dirty throughout the book. It really hurts the overall experience of reading this comic. A story about super speed mostly set in the future presented here should be clean and slick and maybe even a little technical. I did enjoy the evil expression and presence Kolins presented when ever he drew Professor Zoom.

7 out of 10

Avengers: Children's Crusade #4 (Marvel Comics/Heinberg and Cheung/$3.99): Is it me or does this series continue to grow every issue? I could have sworn it was originally 5 or 6 issues?

This is a really well done story. Heiberg nicely sets up the pieces. The Young Avengers following their friend Wiccan to save his mom (Wanda/Scarlet Witch) from DR. Doom. Aided by Quicksilver and Magneto as the Avengers head their way following a somewhat pissed of Wonderman. Its done in classic capes style. But you get a nice fun personal story as well.

Wiccan tells Scarlet Witch about herself perhaps waking her from her memory fugue as all hell breaks loose at Doom's castle as the forces hit each other head on. Pure super-hero fun.

The art is beautiful by an amazing team of pros. Cheung does amazing work with all the characters and moving the story forward. As well as adding nice detail and texture everywhere. I really enjoy his two pages splashes. great job handling a two page big Wolvie jumping Wanda. Beautiful. Morales is the best inker in the business adding a great slickness to the book. And finally wonderful colors and effects by Ponsor.

What I like most about this mini. I don't have to buy other books to enjoy it.

8.5 out of 10

Avengers: Prime #5 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Davis/$3.99): Bendis is such a fun writer. This is a great straight forward book. Great high stakes action as the trio faces off against Hela. Making a last stand for the 9 worlds and against the Twilight Sword. Which if Hela got her way would have revised the universe with her as the supreme goddess. They do her in with some help from Fafnir.

I really loved Bendis' diologue esepcially at the end between Cap and Tony Stark. I even liked the relationships and use of Enchantress. A perfect ending to Civil War.

The art is beautiful. This is the legendary Alan Davis. The guy really kills big fantasy battles and godly danger. he needs to do more superhero work.

8 out of 10

Superior #3 (Icon/Millar and Yu/$3.99): The best of the bunch. I really am enjoying how Millar is unfolding his version of the Superman/Captain Marvel archetype. In this issue the newly minted hero struggles and succeeds preventing disaster after disaster in spectacular fashion. Millar paces and spaces the story beats and reveals so well. There should be no doubt. whether you like his work or not that he knows how to write a comic book. You really get pulled in emotionally and get vested in the characters. the ending between the young friends is touching and fresh and the last page reveal was amusing and frightening at the same time. As well as surprising,

I keep repeating I have not been a fan of Yu's art. But that has changed. The guy is a machine the stylistic detail and commitment is stunning. The guy pulls no punches. The scenes of the space station are mind blowing, especially after witnessing the penciled pages provided in the back of the issue. Its really jaw dropping. And the above mentioned last page is particularly frightening because how simply and straightforward it is presented.

This book is great. I highly recommend it.

9 out of 10

CLiNT mag #4 (Clintmag/Millar and various/$6.99): I am not really enjoying the comics that much. I collected Nemesis which was amazing, but I really am not a fan of the others. The magazine content is fun. I enjoyed the Kevin Smith interview and sophomore potty humor throughout this magazine. But I really wish they had more comic creator interviews, some artists, previews and stronger original content (comics). My son on the other hand loves this magazine.

5 out of 10

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards

2010-12-31T19:17:00.000-05:00

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Writer: Fred Van Lente.The guy was a machine in 2010. I was really impressed with the humor and commitment to story. And he worked on several minis I would initially have dismissed like Powerman and Taskmaster and turned them into gold. This guy has a bright future. Get him on an X-book pronto.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Colorist: Laura Martin. Her work on the Avengers, Marvel events and elsewhere are perfection. Instead of dazzling us with filters and gradients and burns its great effective color selections. She turns in amazing work every time and adds subtle elements that always enhance my enjoyment of the books she works on.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Inker: Christian Alamy. This was a really tough category, it has Morales and Von Grawbadger. But I feel confident this was the right choice. Alamy has been quietly been setting GL on fire. His inks over Mahnke are the perfect. He really adds a slick quality and pulls the detail and power out.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Artist: Doug Mahnke. This was tough too. Especially with some good art out there. But what really set Mahnke apart was the out put and commitment to the monthly grind. Not to mention his adrenaline fueled power bristling off the pages of GL. I give accolades to pros where they are due and no one does visceral conflict and power like Mahnke. No one.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Worst news of 2010: The cancellation of Langridge and Samnee's Thor:the Mighty Avenger. This book has been a gem and fans everywhere should be ashamed for not supporting it. Quality art and a really nice all ages book with a great nod and wink to the Lee/Kirby era but remaining fresh, current and fun. I want to cry.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best news of 2010: All the DC news was a mixed bag. But for me the best news was DC's Earth One: Batman by Johns and Frank. DiDio has done a great job with DC. And this line of OGNs is a great risky opportunity to get new readers and twist of the DCverse with out messing up the line. I really cant wait to get my hands on this book.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best limited/finite/mini Series: Superior. I have to admit aside from the second act of Ultimates this has been a banner year for Mark Millar. Superior was the best offering of them all. Basically a modern Millarian (I made that word up) telling of the Shazam story. Really nicely executed and drawn beautifully by Yu. Bravo.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Worst Single Issue of 2010: Batman #705. It is not simply because its probably the newest and it isn't that Daniels isn't a good writer and artist. He has come a long way. But the issue is too much. Way too busy. And it lacks intensity. Not to mention ninja overload and cliches (bad ones). Did the Riddler need a daughter/sidekick? Meh. But I highly recommend Batman, Inc.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Worst Character 2010: Hank Pym (Wasp/Giant Man). The whole Scientist Supreme thing is just dumb. And he really isn't a great superhero. Despite writers I like trying to reinvent him as a leader and hero it just isn't working. At all. I do like the new costume tho'. But overall he is just a walking epic fail.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Comic Based TV series or Movie: Walking Dead. I am a fan of the comic. I was really looking forward to the show but did not think even a network like AMC could pull it off. But they sure as heck did. Great scripting, pace and drama. And the appropriate amount of Zombie carnage. The execution and production is perfect and keeps the tone of the comic.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Character 2010: Damien/Robin (Batman and Robin, Red Robin, Teen Titans and every where he appears). I wanted to hate this character. I brushed him off as contrived. But over the year he really has grown. Love the attitude and arrogance. I am certainly excited to see what happens with him as part of the Teen Titans. He is a little snot I love to hate. Especially when he teams up with Tim Drake.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best New Series of 2010: Batman, Inc. Have to go with Morrison on this one. He really pulled me in to a family of books I never cared for before with his Batman. Smart, sometimes absurd but always fun. I didn't think I would like the idea but executed at the level it is, with amazing art by Paquette this is not only a series I recommend but am excited about.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Comic Creator Facebook Personality: Ethan Van Sciver. No one comes close. While a lot of creators are awesome and interact with fans in meaningful. colorful and interesting ways. No one updates their status like Ethan.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Comic Book Series Runner-up: CHEW. This was my choice for best series last year. A year later its still kicking but, exciting, fun, never predictable, and really well written by John Layman, with perfect art by Rob Guillory. Knowing whats in store it fans won't be disappointed in 2011. If you aren't reading this book. You should be...

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Comic Book Fantasy Project/Wish 2011: All-Star Captain Marvel by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. I would love to see this. Morrison would take all the fun absurd stuff from the history and mash it in such and interesting way. And only Mahnke could convey the epic mythological power of the Marvels. I would die to see this. DIE!!! It would blow my mind.

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Comic Book Series: Thor:the Mighty Avenger. This book is pure comic book perfection. Scripting, story, characterization and art coming together in a way few books ever do. Perfectly. The stories are full of wonderful character and tone. My favorite thing about the book is that it has the wonderful feel of the Lee/Kirby era while being fresh and new.

Happy New Year everyone. See you in 2011.

-aris

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 12-28-2010

2010-12-29T21:42:00.002-05:00

I haven't done reviews in several weeks. I am thinking of walking away from them officially. Gonna make that decision early in the new year.

Avengers #8: a satisfying read, but a good story was not really serviced by the art. I like the idea of the Cape getting the Infinity Gems. And I enjoyed the banter and the characters. But JRjr as awesome as he is isn't the right person for this book. It needs Coipel or Cho or Chueng (Leave Immonen on New Avengers).

6 out of 10

Captain America #613: Always good. This book is great and consistant. Love the way Bru paces his stories and uses characters. I feel like She-Red Skull is a credilble crazy threat and love that she is coupled with a powerhouse like Master Man. And I like the use of Falcon. Except for the urbanspeak. Not sure he uses popular terms like "son". Guice is a master storyteller the pages inked by Gaudiano are really strong. Adds an element to the tone of the book that meshes perfectly with the writing.

8 out of 10

Justice Society of America #46: Glad this book survived the Struges/Willmingham mess. Its back on its feet and moving along well. Nice build up and suspence. I wonder where all this bad luck for the team is leading. Great cover by Shane Davis. Unfortunately the cover credits are wrong. Kolins is doing Flash. Norton did a utilitarian job. But the colors dark as they are muted the book somewhat.

7 out of 10

Teen Titans #90: Seems like all the Titans needed for a comeback was Nicola Scott. I like the direction and characterization. Damien (Robin) is a great addition to the book. The story is interesting, super experiments centralized in a highschool. Very Buffy. My only issue is that this book needs super villains. Costumed ones. Otherwise it will nose dive. Other then that fantastic. the art is amazing.

7.5 out fo 10

Nemesis #4: Great ending to the series. Lots of fun and absurd twists. Pure Millar. Eccentric action packed bombast in comic form. I really enjoyed the last few pages. The letter and the beach sunset. Perfect. This is gonna make a great film. The art is second to none. This is McNiven just at his best. Detained and nuanced. Great touches of quick violence. Bravo.

9 out of 10

Green Lantern #61: I am not sure why Gary Frank is doing covers when you have Mahnke as the artist. Mahnke trumps Frank (who I like alot by the way). But other then that GL continues to build and explode. The action is great. And I love the use of Spectre as he subdues the Rage Entity and has a nice epiphany with Atrocitus. Great story and beautiful art by Mahnke. Great is an understatement. It bristles with power. An element needed in abundance when drawing an issue focusing on the Lantern of Rage and the Spirit of Vengeance.

9 out of 10

RED:Eyes Only #1: Cully Hamner is a god to me. TO tell the truth I was a skeptic. Cully writing? But I was wrong. It is really good and straightforward. And the violence once it gets going keeps the tone of the original mini. I really liked Cully being timely and current politically..it was a nice element especially knowing the guy a little. The art is tremendous. Along with Mahnke and Woods he is one of my favorite artists. And this book is the reason why. No one can capture angles like Cully, and do the amazing stylized character, background and prop work he does. Its clean and slick. Not to mention Cully draws magnificent varied faces and body types as well as amazingly fluid choreographed fights. Beautiful.

9 out of 10

Action Comics #896: I am enjoying this Luthor-centric book a lot. Its fun,smart and well paced. This issue is full of action and character. Luthor places Vandall well pitting him against his daughter and the Secret Six. I loved the issue. Cornell does good work with the anti-heroes. Woods does too. Great work actually. His like work is exceptionally clean and detailed. And he did wonderful work handling the characterization and chaotic action which takes place in a boardroom!.

8 out of 10

Happy New Year. Make 2011 a great one.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-17-2010

2010-11-21T10:14:00.001-05:00

Legion of Super-heroes #7 (DC Comics/Levitz with Cinar and Portela/$3.99): Not sure why I am still picking this title up. 7 issues in and it continues to bore the crap out of me on every level. Half the issue is spend with some of my favorite Legionaries squaring off against the Science Police then some Durlans (shape-shifters) who are trying to assassinate a VIP. It is tragically boring. Could be the art. The layouts for the fight positively unimpressive and the creatures the Durlans change into are generic and uninteresting at best. And something is bothering me. When did Timber Wolf become Wolverine? The second half is better and more in line with the character building and style I am used to with Legion. Unfortunately after a decent scene with Cham and Brainy and then Mon launching Earth-man off planet that stupid poorly conceived and designed Green Lantern thing appears. I need to drop this book. It is bad. But The LoSH-fan in me can't seem to do it. I have to at least praise Portela he could be a signature Legion artist. He has a clean style, does interesting version of the characters and excellent technology.

4 out of 10

Superior #2 (Icon Comics/Millar and Yu/$2.99): I really am liking this book. When I reviewed #1 I went on a diatribe. So I wont do it here. Suffice to say Millar continues exploring what happens when a good kid in the city gets his wish and becomes a super-hero. In this is issue Simon explores his powers and personal limits with his friend. There is great dialogue and fun scenes throughout the issue.The scene where Superior learns to fly was tremendous especially the splash of the mess of satellites. The dialogue is great. The art is equally enjoyable. Not a fan of Yu's. In my eyes he brutalized Secret Invasion. But this is absolutely wonderful. He really does a really nice job exploring the powers and relationship between the friends. And I have to say the colors are absolutely perfect for the art. This book is all heart. And fun.

9 out of 10

Brightest Day #14 (DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi with Reis and Prado/$2.99): Probably the best issue by far of the series. Probably because it was pretty much all Johns and Reis (or so I think). We are treated to Deadman's After he experiences another death in Gotham getting shot while trying to pawn off the white ring on the Batman. It is a great storytelling life lesson for Brand who has to learn to appreciate life and others. There is good action and drama in the well written well drawn instalment of the Brightest Day. I really love the portrayal of Batman and developments with Brand and Dove. The art is fantastic. This issue is what the entire run should have been like. Unfortunately this level of execution has been missing almost the entire run and left readers like me wondering what DC was thinking.

8 out of 10

Green Lantern #59 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): Johns and Mahnke do it again. I really love the building of this book. Basically Hal and some Lanterns debate their next moves as Flash shows up to give Hal a warning. The Lanterns of Compassion show up just in time to start a fight and then teh mysterious Guardian hording the Emotional Entities and unleashes Parallax on the them. In the end possessing Barry Allen Flash. Hell of an issue. Great dialogue, characterization, action and drama. Bananas. The art is amazing. Completely blazing across the pages with pure energy. Mahnke is an artistic powerhouse. Like many readers I would love for GL to start super heroing again but with Johns executing his mythos-building at this level. The books continues to be exciting, surprising and awesome.

9 out of 10

Avengers: the Children's Crusade (Marvel Comics/Heinberg and Cheung/$3.99): I really enjoy Heinberg's writing. He really gets you into the characters head and this mostly dialogue issue of the YA and Mags trying to figure out how to get into Doom's lands and free the Scarlet Witch from his clutches. Mean while the Avengers decide to take action as well. With a great moment of Wolverine saying he is going to kill the Witch if he finds her and take a punch in the face from Simon Williams (Wonderman). Some really great dialogue and character interactions and a great cliffhanger after Wiccan goes solo into Doom's castle and gets caught with by the man himself. And looks like Wiccan interrupted Scarlet Witch on the night before her marriage to the good Doctor. The only scene I had a problem with was Hulkling threatening Quicksilver. I mean it was a nice scene. Great emotion and characterization but its Quicksilver. The art is beautiful you couldn't ask for a better team. Cheung is obviously flawless in his execution. And Morales inks really add a nice slickness to it. Ponsor is just a great colorist and adds a great atmosphere that really adds layers to the book.

8.5 out of 10

Batman, Inc #1 (DC Comics/Morrison and Paquette/$3.99): I know I said I was going to drop the Bat-books. But this was absolutely too good to pass up. I saw the preview and was wowed. I had to read it. It is comic book perfection. I think it sets the tone for a new type of Batman. One that has Batman teaming with people to get the job done of stopping crime and setting up network of a "Batmen" around the globe. First stop Japan where Batman arrives too late to save Mr. Unknown from death by acid at the hands of Lord Death Man. And so the adventure begins. Batman has to find Mr. Unknown's sidekick Body Double. Except he and Catwoman arrive too late again as Lord Death Man has unleashed a fiendish death by water on BD's girl pal. The writing is great. It has a great tone and purposeful quality. Very deliberate. I love it. This book is great. The art is tremendous. Paquette executes everything perfectly. He draws a great Batman, wonderful characters, great action, nice props and great backgrounds. I really was floored by the storytelling and pitch perfect tone for the script. The entire art team floored me. The colors are perfect for the book. I am really impressed by the initial offering, this shouldn't Morrison's work on Batman has been perfect. But this is a tonal shift, but equally well executed. I advise every one to pick this book up.

9 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-10-2010

2010-11-14T15:50:00.002-05:00

Hey thanks for checking out the blog-reviews. I appreciate it. This week I decided to drop Amazing Spider-man and the Bat-books.

For Spider-man it wasn't a hard decision. It has pretty much followed the X-men in a super hero book that stopped being about super heroes. Its so wrapped up in plotting and re-envisioning it really lacks everything a good capes book needs. Bold costumed heroes and villains duking it out... The books haven't been bad. I over all enjoyed the BND journey. But given the opportunity I can say good bye to the Spider-verse for a while. One thing that stands out that has bothered me..especially since Gauntlet is the pointless re-tooling of Spidey's villains. Especially Doc Ock.

The Bat-books was a hard one. I was never a fan of Batman per se. Well let me clarify. The Batman COMIC. I loved the Alan West TV version..the Superfriends, the Animated Series, movie and love Bats in singular stories. But not so much his comics on an ongoing basis. For most of my 30 so or so years collecting I have never really bought Batman comics. That being said I have enjoyed the last few years of the Morrison run. It has been dramatic absurd roller coaster ride.But with Batman Inc I am getting off. I will continue reading Red Robin. I love that book. Its a gem.

Thanks for putting up with my rants enjoy the reviews...

Thanos Imperative #6 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Sepulveda/$3.99): I am very glad to see this end. Not that it was horribly written.It isn't. It wasn't well executed. Not one bit. And worse at the very end I am not sure you care that much. I certainly didn't care about Thanos playing the anti-Avengers like a fiddle, offering up the entirety of the Cancer-verse to Death and the sacrifice **yeah right** of Starlord and Nova staying behind in the Fault to prevent Thanos from coming back to kill the Marvel Universe.

Sounds epic right. Unfortunately due to the execution it isn't and probably because you never get to caring much for the villains or really "feeling" the threat you end up just getting pulled along through the story in jerks. So ends another "cosmic" tale and each one ultimately is inferior then the last.

The art was also completely from for the book. Not that Sepulveda is terrible..it is because the end product is muddy and ugly. It was a poor choice to go without inks...and for there to be a dark painterly style applied to it. It hardly helped the cosmic feel of the book. Finally please stop drawing Galactus in action poses. He is a Cosmic Aspect. He isn't Spider-man.

5 out of 10 (discounting the art 7)

Chew #15 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): Best read of the week. First things first...lets all appreciate this book...extra pages...pull ou at both ends poster cover is STILL only $2.99!!! AWESOME! More importantly the book ends Taster's Choice and opens a whole freaking universe of possibilities for the future. I really enjoyed Layman introducing us to the Chu family. Quite a dysfunctional bunch. Funny and distributing. In the middle of the drama Layman masterfully introduces a wtf double pager that knocked me out and then a last page reveal that equally blew the mind. I think the introduction of Olive was an awesome unexpected twist to a book you have know idea where is gonna go next.That's saying a lot.

Guillory's art is better then usual. The gate fold cover and interior cover/splash are things of beauty. Through out the issue his quirky cartoony style does wonders with the characters, humor, drama and twists. And the opening sequence of Savoy savoring through a meal including Tony's ear looking for something to use was storytelling genius. Bravo!!!

This series gets better and better. And this issue is easily the best yet. For the uninitiated this is a great jumping on point.

If not for Layman's freakish cat fetish he would be the biggest brightest star in comics. :)

9 out of 10

Thor #617 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Ferry/$3.99): I am officially dropping this book. Not because it is terrible. But it is absolutely the book I read and nothing happens at all. Nothing pulls you. No urgency or sense of simonsonesque DOOM. Not at all. Instead the story plods at a snail pace giving the reader time and inclination to look for flaws everywhere in what is essentially flawless art. Like sometime muddiness over the pencilled line art or losing integrity of line when frames/panels are reused to zoom in for effect.So far we have had the slow pace invasion of what was formerly the Asgard dimension by paper thin acme no-frills bargain basement throw away video game bad guy demon alien things. If I wasn't being told how dangerous this all is I wouldn't notice.

Thank god this issues focus. Bring back Loki was handled fairly well although the dialogue is completely foreign (not in a good way) and off. The art is amazing. Ferry is elegant and beautiful in every character depiction and is a wonderful storyteller.

I think one fight with Ulik could have saved this run for me. Too much to ask for.

4 out of 10 (mostly because it bores me to death.)

Booster Gold #38 (DC Comics/Giffen, Demaittes and Batista/$2.99): I have to admit I am not sure this books writing style is for everyone. But if you loved the Giffen/Demaittes Justice League like I did you will enjoy it. Booster goes on a World War II adventure along side (not to his benefit) General Glory to save a girl and stop the Nazis from getting Time Bubble technology. The issue is a lot of fun. Funny an fun. Usually it's Booster causing the hand to head buffoonary...but this issue the tables are turned dealing with the partriotuc oblivious, star spangled singing Glory. The story is fun and full of heart with great art by Batista. Batista and the rest of the art team really did a great job with the antics and action. I would love to see Batista on a New Gods book.

The book is a lot of fun.

7 out of 10

Red Robin #17 (DC Comics/.Nicieza and To/$2.99): This book is golden. Consistently awesome in its execution of story and art. This was a tremendous read. Following Tim from Hong Kong to Gotham trying to come to terms with a decision to trust and free Lynx and add another parallel to him and Bruce. Lynx to Red Robin as is Cat Woman is to Batman. This was very well handled by Nicieza. With some great character soul searching and introspection. The art and writing comes together in the two big moments of the book. One a two page sequence of Lynx and Tim engaging in a tender moment and then Bruce. The Batman embracing his ward was a truly well handled emotional moment. Executed perfectly. I really love the direction, scripting and art on this book. I never cared for Robin as a solo character but ever since Red Robin started its a been stand out Bat-book. And its better then ever now.

I really love this book and recommend it highly.

9 out of 10

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 (DC Comics/Spencer and Cafu/$3.99): Let me get this out of the way. What is it with the one word names for comic book creators especially inkers these days. I hate it. And most of the time it is 2nd or 3rd tier talent. I mean if your like the Madonna of comics go ahead. Until then do us all a favor and use your real name.

Ok. Got that off my chest. I have eagerly been awaiting this book since its announcement many moons ago. And it lived up to expectations. It isn't great. But its certainly good. Especially considering that the launch is coming with out big names attached to it. I would have liked to see Morrison and Quitely launch these faves of mine. But what Spencer and Cafu delivered was quite nice.

Basically the safety of the world is in the hands of an organization (T.H.U.N.D.E.R.) who power agents with abilities to do the job...the twist..unfortunately the power could and often will kill them. We are introduced to this concept, how the agency sells it and recruits and the big bad evil agency SPIDER. Its a fun read and certainly leaves you understanding the concepts and characters. I will certainly stick around as the new recruits and training begin next issue.

The art is solid but not impressive. It lacks punch. It is utilitarian at best. The inks and colors work well with his style. And overall Cafu does a good job with the action and storytelling.

7 out of 10

Thunderbolts #149 (Marvel Comics/Parker and Shalvey/$2.99) I am not sure what to think. Good writing great art but certainly the Shadowland inclusion of these characters didn't work at all. Teh group fighting ninja. Even mystically enhanced Ninja under Shadowland (which is a stupid idea in and of its self" is just dumb. Come on its the Juggernaut for crissakes!!! That being said the antics of the characters even the racist Crossbones is fun to behold as they slash and bash through endless ninja hordes.

****Edit****
I dont know what happened but at this point data was lost in the middle of this review and New Avengers #6. So I am re-doing it. What you see. Is me re-remembering what I wrote.

DAMN!!!!********

Parker delivers on the characters but unfortunately the story is doomed because it's park of the Shadowland clusterf@#$. The art by Shalvey is really moody and well done. He does well on a book like this. I hope Marvel gives a regular gig. He would kill on Punisher. Pun intended.

This book has the chance of being a gem in line with Simone and Scott's Secret Six. But involving it craptastic events isn't the way to impress and keep readers.

5 out of 10 (3 points deducted because of Shadowland)

New Avengers #6 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Immonen/$3.99): This what I want my comics to be like all the time. Executed perfectly, all cylinders firing and exciting. The Avengers unit their spirits and powers in Wolverine who is sent into teh breach to fight the Mystic powerhouse Agamotto who wants his Eye back and will destroy the Earth to get it. Tis arc has been full of action and drama but this issue nails it.

Wolverine gets beat and Doctor Voodoo sacrifices himself to save the Earth, his teamates and his brother. Taking out Agamotto in dramatic mystic spectacle. Bendis handles the characters and drama better them any one. great dialogue and characterization throughout. I really loved the ending monologue as Damien Hellstorm cautions on lookers and lets them know it was the Avengers at great cost saved the world again.

The art is amazing. I can't even describe the incomprable ability to handle expression and library of poses Immonen seems to use with ease. Its really impressive. I am also floored by the complimenting inks and colors probided by Von Grawbdger and Martin. This is flawless art execution fellas.

everything about this books rocks. I can't wait to see what the new team looks like and whjo the Nanny will be?

9 out of 10

See you next week.

-aris

"Doomsday will Reign"?

2010-11-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/11/11/anyone-marvel-can-kill-dc-can-kill-better/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/11/11/doomsday-will-reign/

mmm...it was only a matter of time. Clever title. Wonder if its a real teaser or not.

Maybe the speculators are coming back too?

-aris

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-03-2010

2010-11-06T19:16:00.001-04:00

Secret Six #27 (DC Comics/Simone and Calafiore/$2.99): All in all this arc is not interesting me. I was never a fan of Warlord but that isn't the problem I just haven't been drawn in by the characters. There is some good dialogue and plenty of action as the two "squads" go head to head and Bane is saved from death at the hands of Savage. It was kinda neat having Waller get the upper hand back and seeing Catman symbolically dressed in Warlord's old duds. The art is good. Calafiore found a good home and now owns the tone of the book. He handles the gruesome violence and intense drama very well.

6 out of 10

Invincible #75 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$5.99): Talk about mother load of anniversary issues. In the defining issues of the Viltrmite War, years of plotting and character building, the heroes push the last of the Viltrumites to their home planet in an intense, visceral last ditch atttempt to end their threat forever. In a battle full of surprises Invincible and co. destroy the Viltrumite home world but end up staring down their leader in the best calm before the storm after a storm moment in recent comics memory. Its the Emperor of the Viltrumites vs Invincible and Omniman! I can't wait for next issue. Kirkman hasn't skipped a beat and really knows how to put together an actionstravaganza like no one else. It doesn't hurt that he has the best most consistent art team on his book. Ottley gives us the battle to end all battles in all it's planet smashing grandeur. Flawlessly executed soup to nuts by Ottley, Rathburn and Plascencia.

And you get some nice back ups too Science Dog and Tech Jacket. Booyah!!!

9 out of 10

Scarlet #3 (Icon/Bendis and Maleev/$3.95): As much as I like this book. The writing is just that good. I don't think I would have picked up the series if I realised it was $3.95. I am not sure how it's justified. Anyway. I won't beat a dead horse..everyone has gripes about comic prices...I don't really care I paid $5.99 for Invincible #75 and didn't bat an eye.

The issue is excellent. Bendis writing is really enjoyable. I love the lettering trick he devised to have Scarlet break the forth wall and speak directly to the viewer.reader. I also love the storytelling trick using panels with a simple caption to give us a history lesson used when Scarlet pulls her ex's best friend into her mission to pull down the corrupt underbelly of Portland, Oregon. The issue is really well paced and I love the developments as Scarlet pulls more if the corrupt police force in. The art is beautiful and perfect for this book. I am not a fan of Maleev but he really owns this book. The style works really nicely for the type of book Bendis has crafted.

8 out of 10

Brightest Day #13 (DC Comics/Johns, Tomasi with Reis, Syaf and Prado/$3.99): This is down right terrible. I was very excited at the start of this "event", but really at this point I just want it to end. It is probably worse then Countdown. Considering the talent involved that's saying a lot. The issue focuses on the Hawks. And it is poorly executed. Sloppy muddy art with a thoroughly uninteresting story. I sincerely do not care about anything going on in this issue. Including the portal to Zamoran and the introduction of the Batman to the storyline. This was very disappointing.

3 out of 10 and that may be too generous.

Avengers Academy #6 (Marvel Comics/Gage and McKone/$2.99): Another solid read by Gage. Continuing the character driven spotlights this time focusing on Reptil. We follow him this issue conflicted over his roll as team leader, his dream of being an Avenger and what he sees unfolding around him with his teammates and also him struggling to understand the limits and nature of his power. A solid read. The art is very good. McKone handles every aspect like the pro he is. My only issue is the design or Reptil. Why does he have pants that rip but a shirt made of unstable particles? That is just silly. Also his Were-dino states look absolutely silly. The head of his raptor form on the cover is really bad. I think McKone and co need to work on this.

This issue gets a +1 for a Devil Dinosaur appearance. I would kill for Devil Dinosaur mini. Get Layman and Art Adams to do it.

7 out of 10

Batman and Robin #16 (DC Comics/Morrison with Stewart, Irving and Burnham/$3.99): I stood for a solid three minutes applauding after I finished reading this. And then 2 additional minutes before writing this review. This was an absolute joy to read. The entire run has been a ride. But this issues was the roller coaster. Morrison takes you on a great romp as THE Batman returns through the fireplace to defeat Black Hand with help from the Joker who also loses some teeth by the end and finally unites the Bat-family on a new exciting venture, Batman Incorporated. I want to explain it, the book is so well written and fun. I love every scene. From the opening with Bruce and Barbatos, to the return, to two pages of the Bat united with Dick and Damien giving the 99 henchmen the business, to an excellently executed remarkable scene of the Joker taking down Black Mask and finally Bruce, Alfred, Dick and Damien announcing the new venture.

The book is wonderfully illustrated. I was blown away by Stewart's (I love his Batman and that opening with Barbatos was awesome) masterful pages, loved Burnhams intepretation of the character and the eerie moody art provided by Frazier Irving.

This was perfect. I loved it.

9.5 out of 10 (this was really close to being one of my all time favorite comics...but I am reserving the "10" for the absolute best and so far it's a really short list....Superman Beyond, Silver Surfer #4, Justice League of America #200...and that's about it)

Chaos War #3 (Marvel Comics/Pak and Van Lente with Pham/$3.99): I am sorry to say this event has lost it's steam. I was really excited about Herc coming back in a major way and attaching him to an event. I loved the Pak/Van Lente series for all intents and purposes it was flawless. This not so much. Hercules back with the power of a Sky-god, uniting a team of epic level powerhouses to take on the emissary of the void and slayer of his father the Chaos King who is trying to return universe to a state of nothingness should be the epic to end all epics. Unfortunately it feels small and unimportant. The universe is about to be extinguished and I don't really care. It could be the art. I like Pham but it seems sloppy and lacks the granduer that should be evident in every stroke of this work. This could have been Marvel's Sinestro Corps War in a war. A sense shattering battle of Gods and Universals with life the universe and every thing at stake. Lacking any umph! what-so-ever I just want it to be over and the Lion of Olympus to return to his role of bumbling lovable misogynistic powerhouse of the Marvel universe.

4 out of 10

Taskmaster #3 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente and Palo/$3.99): With "the Town that was Hitler!" on the cover how could this not be awesome? It is awesome. In a town of Hitler's we learn Taskmaster's origin. Given a version of the Nazi super-soldier serum he gained his powers but lost aspects of his memory. He was actually a SHIELD agent and Cap finds that out from the mouth of Nick Fury himself. Van Lente is a fun and well executed writer. I really enjoy the pacing and reveals trhoughout the story especially the ending. The art is great. A little flat during the action but really works with humor in the book. I highly recommend this book.

Sadly there are preview pages for the upcoming Black Panther: Man Without Fear bool which are horrible. Shadowland may suck. But this will be absolutely worse. What is Marvel thinking?

8 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #647 (Marvel Comics/Various/$4.99): :( This was an absolutely waste of money. As much as I enjoyed much of Brand New Day. I really did. Lets get some super hero action back into Spidey in a big way and keep the soap opera stuff in the background. And get rid of 90% of the new designs. Doc Ock looks like an idiot, old guy perv Vulture is much cooler then the idiot in red and Lizard never needed any help to be dangerous and menacing. The series of vignettes and shorts this issue was not essential to get readers up to speed or ready for whats to come. All you really got was MJ letting Parker go find opportunity and showing us Harry has problems.

That being said the main story was well done. And ended well and was really well drawn. I love the style..slick...unique..fun. With the right inks (Mark Morales!) and colors (Laura Martin) this could be the Spidey artist for a generation.

Nice cover, some really good interior art ( get this Fiumara kid on the X-men ASAP!)

5 out of 10

The Arisverse Superman Earth One Review

2010-10-30T08:19:00.001-04:00

SUPERMAN: Earth One (DC Comics/JMS and Shane Davis/$19.99)

Those that know me know I have been very excited about this book since it was first announced. I love the idea done in one OGNs featuring DC's brightest stars doing their own spin on characters unrestricted by continuity and previous characterization. That being said I figured creators like JMS would wander too from the heart of the character. I have been pimping the concept ever since telling my readers and friends to give it shot.

When Superman Earth One was announced I was excited to hear JMS involved as writer, not so much that Shane Davis was on art chores. Not because I did not think he was particularly good, but because my vision of this book involved artists of Doug Mahnke or Ivan Reis caliber. Some one with the chops to blow our proverbial minds. Shane Davis to me was largely untested and unrefined in his craft to carry a product I was seeing as prestigious as a whole new envisioning of the Superman origin. And I said as much on message boards and felt I was justified when the preview art starting being revealed on the internets. Especially when the costume was revealed. But. I knew the kid could draw and I had faith in JMS and waited.

So here we are and now to the review.

Overall I was not blown away with the tweaking and modernizing of the Superman origin. It is essentially the same up until young Clark fresh from community college ventures to make his own way in the big city. In some really well written scenes we follow Clark blowing minds using his abilities to get employment as a scientist/engineer and an athlete, even taking a detour interview with Perry White at the Daily Planet. Both Scenes are great. Then we are treated to a wonderful dialogue between him and his mother where the real heart of the story resides. What makes one Superman. The dialogue throughout is excellent. JMS shines with his ability to take us on that personal journey to sacrifice oneself for whats right. He does this in a more brooding young Clark then we have seen before, and wonderful flash back scenes of a younger Clark in Smallville in great emotional discussion with his mom and pa now deceased.

It is masterful how JMS jumps from these personal character driven scenes to pushing the plot forward. We discover the Military has the Kryptonian birth ship that safely transported Kal from Krypton as it was destroyed and we find as an alien invasion is unleashed in spectacular fashion that Krypton's destruction was not an accident. In this universe Krypton was in a struggle with another planet in its solar system called Dheron and eventually their stalemate was overturned when mysterious visitors (I'm guessing Darkseid or Brainiac) tip that balance. The villain who leads the invasion to Earth has one soul purpose kill the last son of Krypton. The nuance in the story as it unfolds is really well done. And the interplay between the villain Tyrell and Superman are excellent.

In the middle of the battle Superman witnesses the bravery of the human spirit in Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane while flashing back to the words of his father. Eventually turns the tide. And defeats Tyrell. After some clean up we get treated to some refreshing strong character work as Clark joins the Daily Planet staff and embraces the mantle of Superman.

The art. Let me start by saying my initial reaction to Shane Davis is justified. I beleive he still has to work out the quirky over done anatomy and reliance on cross hatching to cross hatch and work on designs. The costume design tweaks are terrible and pointless. The villain Tyrell is gaudy to a fault and you can see that the technology in the shocktroop armor is derivative and uninteresting and the Kryptonian birth ship was just ugly.

Glad to get that out of the way.

That being said I applaud Shane Davis. He more then he makes up for what I perceive as an untested artists quirkiness with outstanding bigger then life excitement and ability to put it all on the line for the story. There is no page where Shane simply phones it in. Every page explodes with kineticism and energy. he especially shines in the mundane character scenes. He captures a really nice nuanced quality and it makes the story work even better. The Super action too is great with gorgeous backgrounds. And he really does well designed splash pages. Overall he put my fears to bed big time and despite some design and anatomical wonkiness I can see this kid is going to explode into a major art star in comics. Dan DiDio was right. Give the kid a chance. I am glad DC did.

The inks are...over powered by washed out colors. Normally I would rip the colors apart but some how it works with the tone of the story. Metropolis isn't as technologically marvelous and pristine so it adds a nice element in an inexplicable way.

I think I ranted all the way through this...so let me give you the Arisverse Digest version.
Not a mind blowing re-telling but definitely a tremendous character study with nice nuance and tweaks to Superman origin with strong art, great action and drama. If you pick this up you will be impressed with the story and the art. I am.

8 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-13-2010

2010-10-17T10:42:00.001-04:00

**Sorry my spell check went down in my editor...so please excuse all the typos!!!**

A good week for capes. High marks for Green Lantern and New Avengers and the highly anticipated Millar book Superior. So check out the reviews and let me know what you think...

Thanos Imperative #5 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and LAnning with Spulveda/$3.99): Glad this is winding down. My major problem with this series and the individual issues including this one are two fold. 1. Despite very good characterizations of the Guardians and ancillary heroes and overall execution of the writing the whole "event" lacks gravitas. The motivation of the villainous analogs of the Avengers from the Cancerverse including Mar-Vell lack any resonance. they have their mission and that is it. In comics unlike movies you want to be pulled in. And I have not been pulled in. Its all one level superficial motivation and villainy. If the contrive relationship between out Thanos and the Cancerverses Mar-Vell is hollow. 2. The art is so murky and muddy it is hard to enjoy the action and drama. To be honest I can't tell if it's Sepulveda's fault since I really can't see his lines \. The decision editorial to go to print with this style was a poor one.

As for the issue itself. the Guardians in the Cancerverse make it to Sanctuary and are interrupted by the Cancer Avengers before they can begin the ritual. Good amount of action and fun. In the Marval U the stakes are high as the Universal aspects can barely halt the incursion from the Many Angled Ones and their Galactus Engine. And finally we get a surprise at the end as Thanos stops fighting his opposite number in an rather unexpected move, He is Thanos after all. I think this would have been a much stronger issue if the art could have served the story better. Still it was enjoyable.

7 out of 10

Amazing Spider-Man #645 (Marvel Comics/Waid and various/$2.99): this story line needs to end. I am not sure what Waid is thinking.Setting the baby thing aside. By baby thing I mean Spidey and villains playing hot potato with a new born over the streets of NYC and a woman having to bare the emotional impact having her baby ripped from her by Doc Ock. But are we supposed to believe a cadre of Spidey's greatest villains just get brutalized by him because he is mad? Seriously. Come on. Waid singled handedly marginalized his entire rogues gallery. Gotcha Spidey is mad now so all bets are off. But it is rather silly no matter what the comic book cliche rationalization.

Not much happens in the story other then the villains continue to play hot potato with the baby and it ends up in the Lizard's hands. What is Doc Ock to do? He just wants the little bud to experiment on his unique Goblin DNA.

The art is good. But I am ready for a more classic capes style then the retro stuff that has been prevalent in Spidey for ages now. It isn't explosive or bombastic. It's kinda like the Spidey comic book strip given 22 comic sized pages. Why Chechetto or Siquerua aren't on this book is beyond me. It's time to up the energy on the Spidey books a little you think?

5 out of 10

Superior #1 (Icon/Millar and Yu/$2.99): I really am sick of the Millar bashing. The kids with bad Darwyn Cooke tattoos in printed tees who listen to 4th generation teen punk can all shut the heck up already. Get over yourselves and your idea of what art IS. Millar knocked this one out the park.

Admittedly I may be biased. I am part of the community over at his Message Boards for years now. I am even in the running for the position of Mod over there. So lets get that out of the way. But I am not carrying his ball sack. he writes stuff I love and things I think weren't so great...like his Spidey and Ultimate FF. I even pretty much hated Kick-Ass. But when he hits he hits hard. Ultimates (Vol 1 and 2), Old Man Logan, 1985, Superman:RED, and Nemesis are all certified grade A comics fun. So I come into Superior with a level head. I didn;t know what to expect. Superman with curses. Yeah I am just like you.

But. That isn't what Superior it is. Sure its got all the Millarisms. Cussing and innuendo. Absurd hyper stylized writing. But it's a love letter. To the classic absurd origins of superman like characters. A very well written and paced one. Basically we find out that this is a world without heroes just as cynical and wrong minded as our own where a physically challenged kid in a wheel chair can't escape bullying..and finds himself winning the cosmic lottery when a monkey in a space suit gives him one wish. He becomes Superior.

Time and space unravel and it's a week later his mom thinks he ran away when he explodes back in his room. Not knowing what to do, only that he has changed he smashes away in a emotional knee jerk, leaving his mother and authorities wondering what has become of the boy.

Where does he go? Knocking on the window of his best and only friend. Wonderfully played. Great job of Millar writing through the Captain Marvel origin, updating it with same absurdity of an orphan wondering down a train station in the city to the Rock of Eternity. I really loved it. And Yu did a rock solid job making it beautiful and powerful. Get over the Millar bashing. You know what to expect. When I get a rare burger with chili cheese fries I know I'm getting a heart attack.

I highly recommend this comic.

9.5 out of 10

Booster Gold #37 (DC Comics/Giffen and DeMatteis and Batista/$2.99): I have been enjoying this book since the new creative team. If you loved the Giffen/DeMatteis JLA era this is must read for you. Pure slapstick fun with comic book adventure thrown in. I mean what could be more fun then a Blue and Gold team up where Blue Beetle is turned into a squirrel (in costume) swallowed by a sex crazed amazon with an eye for Booster and thrown up in human form. The story is fun and funny and welcome respite from event comics and forced drama. The art by Batista is amazing even if the inking is somewhat uneven. The guy has been a journeyman in comics since I met him at SVA. But he is the real deal. Great action, characterization and storytelling. This book may be flying under the radar but it is definitely worth looking for.

7.5 out of 10

Thor #616 (Marvel Comics/Fraction and Ferry with Hollingsworth/$3.99): As beautiful as this book is I am not enjoying it. This book only two issues in is already TOO decompressed. Last issue was spent explaining Fraction's concept and all this issue does is do more of that including more of the invading aliens invading the space of another universe having spent the energies of the one the left. And despite some decent characterization of Thor and others...it lacks the punch of the JMS stuff. The art is simple beautiful. Gorgeous. This is next level art folks. And I had to add Hollingsworth to the credits he offers something essential, intangible and amazing to the smooth elegant line Ferry is displaying. This is the exact opposite of the art from Thanos Imperative both are not using inks. But here you get clear a clear stylistic rendering instead of Imperative's muddy mess. The story telling and designs are beautiful. Ferry owns this book.

Still. Artwork aside. I am not very interested. Its an alien invasion story with generic alien archetypes.

5 out of 10 (artwork alone 10 out of 10)

Thor: the Mighty Avenger (Marvel Comics/Langridge and Samnee/$2.99): This is really one of the best reads I have every month. What I love about it is the creative team's a ability to capture classic Marvel comics style while making it their own. There is something familiar and fun in this and it takes me to a different time with out being silly or contrived. It is great.

In this issue we are treated to a great guest appearance by Namor trying to subdue Monstro! The two heroes bumble into helping each other out...Thor helps with his hammer and Namor with surprising wisdom to a fellow royal and non-human. Really nice interpretation of the normally "imperious" quick to violence King of the Deep. All this while Jane tosses her cookies. Teh art is flawless and fun. I really enjoy the inks and appreciate the economy of effects in the coloring. The art team real have a great style and thing going.

This is a great fun book. Essential reading for any comic fan.

9 out of 10

Superman #703 (DC Comics/Straczynski and Barrows/$2.99): I am going to start this with my two crits of the comic. 1. It was a very bad idea to use the Dick Grayson Batman for this confrontation/discussion. As much as I think Dick is his own man and whould be respected for the man and hero he is...the interation between he and Supes did not feel right. JMS should have waited for Bruce. DC should never have let this fly. w. Barrow's version of Batman's cape. I can understand why he is using the line work in the draping of the cape. But it looks horrible.

Otherwise it's a good issue. I will pretend Batman is Bruce and ignore my initial reaction otherwise I would be ripping the comic apart. The discourse gives you a good undertsanding of where this is going and what is going on in Supes head. JMS throws in a potential new threat and her useful idiot in a cool action scene. Although I must admit I hate when superheroes fight people without costumes. The art is really nice Barrow's is a really good artists and really explodes doing action. I am curious to see where this all goes.

7.5 out of 10

Outsiders #33 (DC Comics/DiDio and Tan/$2.99): I am really enjoying what DiDio is doing with this book. It's been a slow build..splitting the team, establishing tone, and now introducing a threat...but the artwork is killing me YO. In this issue we are treated to teh introduction of new menace coming to Markovia with it's Herald and some nice character work by DiDio shown in short spurts between the action. And then it looks like Markovia is getting invaded by the Myrmidons..led by Achilles as the newly minted Olympian. Which caught me off guard. The Olympian is a favorite of mine and I may not mind Achilles taking that spot..but at least give the kid teh Golden Fleece. The Olympian is the Greek/Mythic version of Superman and should be used as such to fight the legendary monsters and titans of myth.

The art is frighteningly inappropriate for the capes action and drama in the book. This is superheroes. Maybe a little on the violent extreme side but Tan's hyper stylization does not serve the tone, story or style of the book. That being said this may be his best issue yet. Certainly the most straightforward in terms of storytelling.

8 out of 10

Green Lantern #58 (DC Comics/Johns and Mahnke/$2.99): Green Lantern is the standard barer for how to build your comic book by adding plenty of new stuff and never for a moment skimping on pure characterization and action. In this issue we see Atrocitus and Sinestro trying to track down the "Butcher" (the Red/Rage entity) and kill a bunch of canned murders and rapists in the process while Green Lantern and Larfleez find Adara who has chosen the Earth Blue Lantern. Great stuff some action and even some adult themes without making it too racy for readers or over the top. All the while moving all the set pieces closer to the inevitable confronation with whomever is trying to collect these entities for their own nefarious purposes. I am very glad this all going on independent of Brightest Day and the other GL books which are not produced and executed at this level. This series continues to be Johns masterwork. And Mahnke's as well. I love his representations of the characters and the aspects and his ability to handle the more visceral aspects of Johns story and maintain a classic capes quality to it. It is amazing. And beautiful. And of course he draws the best Larfleez..you hear that Doug? That's me asking for a sketch.

This is how you do it folks.

9 out fo 10

New Avengers #5 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Immonen/$3.99): I think Bendis may have a different style then Johns but they are probably mirror eachother in that Benids is doing his thing expanding the Avengers franchise and always writing great characterization and managing to capture a classic capes feel. He is doing superheroes. Sure. They are little more witty then before. But this issue just a classic comics story. Done well. Basically we find that Agamotto wants his eye back. The Vishanti seem to have fallen on hard times and the stakes are high. The heroes get together, settle their differences and concact a plan to stop teh chaos unleashed on the Earth plane by the nearly infinite power of Agamotto. And even the newly minted Sorceror Supreme Doctor Voodoo comes into his own here. Bendis does his thing with the great scripting and pace. And the art team does their thing too. The book is the highest quality in terms of art. Immomen's lines caprturing great drama and characterization and is very kinetic. Von Grawbadger's inks are the perfect compliment and Martin lays down a grear palette that doesn't over use effects and filters for a perfrct end product.

9 out of 10

Again sorry about the spelling and typos!!!

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-06-2010

2010-10-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

Back after a hiatus do to a crazy schedule. I think in the future I will at least post mini-capsule reviews instead of missing a few weeks.

Good news is that my sketchbook is available email me at arisargh@aol.com if you want one. $10 and you get a free drawing on page 28!! :)

Shameless plug out of the way....

...on to the reviews.

Secret Six #26 (DC Comics/Simone and Calafiore/$2.99): A solid read. I enjoy the banter of the groups as they explore a prehistoric world on collision course with each other. The art is solid, Calafiore has made this his book and does some nice work characters and storytelling. He does an excellent job with the gore and violence without taking it over the top. The book ends in a surprising way for me,with some intense characterization by Simone as Catman continues to run headlong to self destruction and Bane and Savage have at it. What the heck is going on? The book remains fun and surprising.

7.5 out of 10

Chaos War #1 (Marvel Comics/Pak and Van Lente with Koi Pham/$3.99): Before I tell you how much I liked it, I have to say I am a little disappointed by two things. 1. Koi Pham's art. Not that it is bad. It is not. I like the messy elemental quality it has. The problem is it lacks the grandeur to sell the story. This is a story of God level drama and conflict..unfortunately it looks haphazard and messy. 2. Wasted pages on a back up. I am sure the story fills the gap between the Amadeus Cho mini and this tale. But it looks and feels out of place. The main story could have worked with some more action instead.

No I really enjoyed the writing and idea. The issue is filled with fun clever moments and characterization. I love that the heroes essentially ignore the call from Hercules and we see their intitial reactions in a series of panels dismissing him. Pak and Van Lente do a wonderful job of giving us the essentials to understand who the villain is and how we have gotten to this point. Great set up to a big story of cosmic all-or-nothing scale. The art by Pham is good, but doesn't seem stylistically right for the scale and tone of the book. There are nice moments when he captures some nice textures and action but overall the unfinished rough quality is more a distraction then complimentary element to the story. Even the cover. Again. I love McGuinness. But the decision to color over pencils was a mistake. It looks muddy and lacks the "POP"associated with power McGuinness' art usually conveys.

Make no mistake. You should pick up this book. It is well written and fun. Just without the correct art to sell the story the way it should.

8 out of 10

Brightest Day #11 (DC Comics/Tomasi and Johns with Various/$2.99): I have to be honest I have checked out. I am only interesting in the end result now. Reading this book is like riding the bus with headphones on through familiar territory. You start to ignore the scenery and only notice getting on and getting off. Which is sad considering the talent involved. The issue mostly focuses on Aquaman and Fire/Deathstorm. Aquaman and Aqualad escape Black Manta after a visceral melee and Deathstorm grabs the White Lantern corrupts it with Black energy and it recreates undead Black Lantern versions of the 12 resurrected heroes. The art is a mixed bag. I have to say the digital elements and effects used in the Deathstorm pages is distracting and lazy. The Aquaman pages are stunning by comparison in both their craft and classic comic style.

I want this to be over.

4 out of 10

Taskmaster #2 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente and Palo/$3.99): This book has the best scripting I have read in ages. You can't beat "Ju face the Don of the Dead in final combat. What ju say to that, hanh?". Van Lenta is currently my favorite writer, everything he touches is fun and action packed. This book and the Shadowland:Power Man book are booth excellent examples of good writing and you should check them out. By the end of the book Van Lente has led us on an absurd action packed romp in search of WHO IS TASKMASTER to his first job training in Mexico. I love it. The art style works surprisingly well and really does well with Van Lente's script. I like the angled panels and use of earth tones. I

8 out of 10

Avengers Academy #5 (Marvel Comics/Gage and Molina/$2.99): This book in a lot of ways reminds me of New Mutants and Teen Titans from back in the day. Gage does great character development, plot development, throws in action that is meaningful to the story and has great dialogue. I said in the review on top of this on, Van Lente is my favorite writer. Well..he may be second. Gage is Greek. So obviously he gotta be #1!!!!. I love the journey through Striker's origin. It touches on some controversial elements without making it the focus. I loved the characterization of Veil. Terrific work all the way around with all the characters. As for the art? mmmmm..I missed McKone. But. Molina does a good job aping the style while adding his own stamp to it. Keeping up McKone's classic thickness which gives the book it's signature quality like Perez did with the Titans. You almost don't want any one else to draw it.

8 out of 10

Toy Story #7 (Boom Studios/Black and Jourdan/$2.99): Nikolas loves it thats all that matters.

ClInt mag #1: A fun read. Glad my shop had it for me. Read it with breakfast.

Hey check out my sexy guns and body guards

2010-10-02T09:49:00.002-04:00

The Arisverse 2011 Sketchbook is here!!!

2010-10-02T09:17:00.000-04:00

I am excited. I finally put together a sketchbook. Place your orders by emailing me @ arisargh@aol.com and we can work out the particulars. It's $10 and you get a free sketch of the character of your choice with each order.

Thanks for all the support

Also check out http://www.arghstudios.blogspot.com/

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-01-2010

2010-09-05T16:08:00.005-04:00

Good news the ARISVERSE sketchbook is currently in production and along with some of my ARGH Studio mates we will be ready for the 2011 con season. So keep your eye open for some preview/production images and how to get one!!

I will let you know one thing in advance. Come see me at Megacon!!!

Secret Six #25 (DC Comics/Simone and Calafiore/$2.99): I have to admit Calafiore has come a long way. With big shoes to fill he really is owning the book in terms of art. The clean coloring with his straight forward style makes the book easy to follow and read. It compliments the fun quality of Simone's writing well. That being said I am going to crit two things regarding the art.

1. The cover. Absolutely horrible. Great idea. But executed poorly. If you are going to do a video game fighter homage if should look like one stylistically. And I would think with all the manga/video game/anime styled artists out there you could have found a host of artists to sell the idea better then what we got. Even the font is wrong. Not to mention the artist should have used a style sheet or reference for Deadshot.

2. There are too many panels in the interior art bleeding to the edge of the page. May seem like a minor crit for it is distracting. And to be honest it doesn't enhance the storytelling at all.

The story is fine setting the two Sixes on a collision course. Should be fun.

6.5 out of 10

Batman #702 (DC Comics/Morrison and Daniel/$2.99): Morrison may have made Batman one of the most fun must read books for me in pull list. A character I never really gravitated to outside of team books (JLA and Outsiders) or TV/Film (the 60's Adam West show, the various animated incarnations and the movies). But he writes the book with such love for all the various incarnations including the pre-modern age absurdity that what you get on the page is so compelling and interesting its a joy to read.

This conclusion to the "RIP:Missing Chapter" was all of that. You follow Bruce in the last moments of Final Crisis as he lays out his plan to be rediscovered after being blasted by Darkseid's Omega Sanction. It is a great time line, with wonderful language and pacing.Tony Daniel has grown into being the perfect artist for this story. Using strong design and excellent panel layout he really compliments Morrison's script.

Morrison has great plans for the Batverse. And the Bat Family of titles are at an all time high as far as I am concerned.

9 out of 10

Avengers: Children's Crusade #2 (Marvel Comics/Heinerg and Cheung with Morales and Ponsor/$3.99): I would pay any price for all comics to be executed at this level. It is the best of everything. Great idea, excellent scripting, flawless art, steeped in character, heart and fun.

The Young Avengers join Magneto as they head to the steps of Wundagore mountain in Markovia to seek out and redeem the Scarlet Witch. Along the way they get into a scuffle with the Avengers, escape and detour into some action with Quicksilver. Wonderfully and colorfully written. You get great interaction between the characters, some well done history lessons and wonderful ploy building. Finally they discover Doom had the Witch. It doesn't get much better and bigger then this.

The art is as stated above flawless. Cheung in next level talent. His style is perfect for super heroes and this kind of action. The art is powerful, youthful, fresh and dynamic. Cheung is complimented perfectly by Morales' clean slick inks and Ponsor's light ethereal colors.

9.5 out of 10

TaskMaster #1 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente and Palo/$3.99): I recommend that if you are at your comic shop and see Van Lente's name on a book you buy it. Doesn't matter what it is or who draws it. Buy it. You will never be disappointed.

The book starts out with Tasky in a diner trying to recount memories of his past and is quickly attacked by graduates of his elite mercenary training. They come in all sizes and colors. And as you would expect they all end up dead. What makes this book good is Van Lente's dialogue and building. It is funny without being idiotic and by idiotic I mean like Deadpool (of which there is a joke or two in here!). This book is fun and well paced with plenty of action and witty jokes. I am sure it will be a terrific ride to find out who put a bounty on the TaskMaster's head and why.

The art is good but may be a little too stylistic. I would a preferred a more actiony (is that a word) artist to handle all the gun-fu "KI-YA!" stuff that goes along with anything Tasky is involved in. The cover art is gorgeous. More of that guy please!!!

8 out of 10

Scarlet #2 (Icon/Bendis and Maleev/$3.95): On face value books like this hold no interest for me. If it ain't capes I usually won't buy it. But on the strength of my love for Bendis' Avengers I picked this up last issue and loved it. The story continues as we follow Scarlet as she confronts and gets revenge on the man that destroyed her life and Bendis cleverly leads you along using nice narrative styles and graphic style to do it.If you like Bendis use of character interaction and banter you will enjoy this. I love that the main character doesn't start off wanting to kill but to get justice. But most of us would end up doing the same I think. Killing in the name of justice...vengeance. It really is a great read with pitch perfect pacing. Now knowing it's all corrupt how far down the rabbit hole will she go?

I am not a fan of Maleev's art. It isn't a style I like but have to admit the choice of shots and color palette are perfect. And it is a great marriage of story and style to the degree I am not sure I could imagine it illustrated by anyone else.

8 out of 10

S.H.I.E.L.D. #3 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Weaver/$2.99): Not bad. I have to say that this also is not the kind of book I like reading either. So I had to compartmentalize it to enjoy it. Why? Because Galactus never came to Earth before the Stan and Jack classic. That's all there is to it. So as far as I am concerned this is just well executed fanfic published under the Marvel banner. And it is well written. Hickman is brilliant in crafting the unkown history of the Marvel universe and incorporating it into real history, conspiracy and myth. Brilliant. And engaging. Not only how the great institution of Western culture along with S.H.I.E.L.D. conspired to hide Galactus from all history, but also the brilliant building to the last words on the last page.

"Some men call me brother..You will call me Master.". Brilliant. And worth reading. I probably won't like I said this book isn't for me. Not enough guys in capes punching eachother.

The art is gorgeous. This Weaver guy is damn good. He does wonders with the script and incorporating the right amount of history to pull you in.

8 out of 10

Brightest Day #9 (Johns, Tomasi and Reis and Gleason/$2.99): I am sorry to say this because I really love Johns and Tomasi. But this book has very little heart in it. It is an event for event's sake. As much as I love the characters... not the new Aqualad. He can die already. The story hasn't blossomed for me. I do not feel engaged. Even with an issue primarily driven by two of my all time faves Martian Manhunter and Aquaman I am left flat. Can we get to the end already to whatever the status-quo is gonna be. As bad as I think the series is, the issue isn't that bad.

Martian Manhunter goes to the Star City Forrest and figures out I think he has to burn down the green he created on Mars and into conflict with the "other" Green Martian. And Aquaman and Mera head off to find the new Aqualad who is actually the son of Arthur's arch enemy Black Manta.

The issue is beautifully illustrated by Reis and Gleason two of the best artist on the scene today.

7 out of 10

Comic Capsule Reviews 08-25-2010

2010-08-28T10:33:00.005-04:00

Welcome back.

Thanks for tuning from time to time my little blog on the edge of comic fandom. I appreciate it. I love comics. Have since I was a kid riding in my mom's big Lincoln in the mid-70's from Manhattan to Queens to see family..making pit stops at smoke shops or a magazine stand. My mom would oblige me a few bucks every time and I would stalk a spinning rack or magazine rack and leave with a stash. Now a Sunday at Nana's wouldn't be so bad. I could escape into other worlds, the world of comics was my favorite. Although I have to admit Famous Monsters and Star-log were up there too. As were the endless pads of scrap paper I would waste drawing stick figure in capes on buildings or mountains shouting laser beams and lightning bolts at each other.

Almost 40. Comics still take me a way to that special place.

I miss you mom. Thanks.

Enough of the flashback...on to the reviews.

Namor:the First Mutant #1 (Marvel Comics/Moore and Olivetti/$3.99): I pretty much think the X-books are as bad as they have ever been right now, and I really dislike that they tethered Namor to the X-franchise the way they have, but my fondness for the character led me to pick up the first issue as a curiosity. But any glimmer of hope was dashed away a few pages into the issue. Not that isn't a well produced product. It certainly is. But it lacks the power and majesty I would have expected in the launch of a comic featuring Marvel's first mutant. Even the color, beautifully drawn as it is, is muted. I am certain it that way to capture the tone of the book and murky depths Namor calls home. Except I would like to see Namor turning over buildings and ripping up bridges or riding a giant two legged whale with dinosaur teeth.

But it doesn't work. This book should be exploding with big action and drama. Instead it moves along at a slow deliberate place continuing the meta-story that is simple a piece in from the other X-books. It is buy the numbers, well done by the number story telling. No engaging characters or dialogue. No immense jaw dropping action or drama. No intensity. Well scripted? Sure. Beautifully illustrated? Yes. Works as a cog in the X-wheel story wise? Certainly. Interesting? Engaging? Spectacular? Powerful? Worthy of "Imperius Rex"? No.

Now, if you like the current direction of the X-books you may like this. You get some decent history and major set pieces are put into play. And Olivetti is an amazing artist. The pages are very pretty.

5 out of 10

the Outsiders #32 (DC Comics/DiDio and Tan/$2.99): This series would be really fun if the art were done by some one else. Harsh? Maybe. Tan has a very unique and powerful style. It doesn't really work for capes. It would probably work on Spectre or Sandman but on Outsiders all the capes is sucked out in the dark, heavily stylistic lines. Some times it is hard to tell what is going on at all and there are hardly any backgrounds to speak of. This book would be better served with a more traditional artistic approach. Igle, Scott, Batista would all work. Even with the Creeper portion of the story taking place in hell Tan does not pull off the horrible terrible menace of it. That gets lost in the dark impenetrably line and solids blacks. DiDio also has a sense of humor in his characterizations that is only evident in the dialogue. Tan in incapable of getting character nuance and expression across. He definitely can set a tone. But it doesn't work for Outsiders.

Putting all that aside it's a good read, and I like the mystery unfolding surrounding Metamorpho, the interaction between Owl and Freight Train and building up of the Creeper. Good stuff. I really want to see what DiDio does with the competing Outsider teams.

7 out of 10

Fantastic Four #582 (Marvel Comics/Hickman and Edwards/$2.99): We get a conclusion to the two parter. This book is kinda fun. Not amazing. But fun. Hickman is doing a great job trying to craft smart twisting stories. And they are. The Richards kids saving time/space with Reed's father going back in team to team up with a college age Reed, Ben and Doom? yeah I said Doom to take on Reed's dad. There are two left in a cosmic struggle against each other set up by Immortus. My problem is that the book is too busy. Edwards does great art. But pages can get overrun with word bubbles explaining Hickman's story and panels full of action and detail. Comic book overload.

Still a solid read and worth giving a chance. I am sad to see Edwards go, but can't complain that Epting will be taking over art duties.

7 out of 10

Legion of Super-heroes #4 (DC Comics/Levitz and Various/$3.99): I am sorry to say I have to drop this book. I am a long time Legion fan going back to Levitz original work on the series. I have followed them through various incarnations through the years. After Legion of 3 Worlds I though I was gonna get my Legion back. I haven't. The book lacks the thing that makes it Legion. That unquantifiable quality or soul the book has had that made me love it. And made it my favorite section of the DCU (along with All-Star Squadron).

The art is a distracting sequence of changes from one style to the next, with panel arrangement that is all over the place. This book could use Giffen doing his 9 panel grid for a while. And it doesn't really future at all. Also the characters are poorly designed. The acolytes of the Great Darkness (which the book probably shouldn't be touching yet, they have yet to bring the team together in a meaningful may and establishing the book) look like throw away characters, and Dyogene who is tasked with finding the standard barer for the GL corps is so badly designed it looks down right silly. There is no excusing it.

And there is certainly no excusing Levitz not pulling the Legion together better. New readers are getting no clear idea of the direction or tone of the book. Its a generic super hero team in the future doing generic super hero stuff. Not sure why DC editorial decided to go this route.

So what happens. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl save the twins from Acolytes of the Great Darkness in a series of silly moments, Shadow Lass is trailing behind Earth Man for some reason, and Sodom-Yat is going all Shakespeare forcing Dyogene to go restart the Corps, the mission it was created to fulfill.

Nice cover.

5 out of 10

Wonder Woman #602 (DC Comics/JMS and Kramer with Pansica/$2.99): Not sure why into the second issue we are already seeing art assists. Not that you can tell really. Pansica (who is a good artist) works well side by side with Kramer. Both do a decent job with the tone of the book, and kudos to some decent work with the action. My only crit is Kramer is still raw in many ways. His utility of line is not done at a level where it works, especially in the faces sometimes, I think it shows when you look at straight on face around the nose. There is too little detail or structure. But it isn't bad.

The story is great. Diana goes to a temple of Aphrodite where her sister Amazons are holed in by armed forces and about to be killed. She goes to them and we are treated to an epiphany through the observances of her Amazonian sisters and the words of Aphrodite herself. It's an interesting take on Wonder Woman. Who is she? Why is she? Does she believe? What do the god mean to her and her people? Straczynski really is doing wonders. Getting us to think along with Diana about those questions. And we get a healthy dose of big explosive action as well.

8.5 out of 10

Captain America #609 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Guice/$3.99): The Zemo/Bucky adventure continues. I have to admit this isn't the strongest issue. The art works and Brubaker moves his story along, and there is certainly an adventurous tone to the story. All the characters working well together with good dialogue. But not sure I get a sense of urgency or danger. Three issues in and I am wondering when I am going to get pulled into the big idea. Zemo is going to corrupt Bucky back into Winter Soldier mode? Cool. And set him off against Steve, Falcon and Widow? Awesome. I would just like to get there already.

7 out of 10

Guarding the Globe #1 (Image Comics/Cereno and Getty/$3.50): Heh. I just noticed the price. Mmm...not sure it matters. What ever. I was really looking forward to this book. Why? two reasons. I love Kirkman's take on super heroes and I love big teams. A solid read. I like all the characters, and really enjoy the work with Brit and the introduction of so many ideas, characters, and the clandestine villainous organization known as the Order. Good to see Mr. Immortal there too. I love that guy. Good writing, really compliments Kirkman well. There is a legitimate crit in that this is a book with too many words. I guess that can be good in a way. You HAVE to read it. And you don't just blow through it. But I appreciate economy some times. Especially when not every nuance needs explanation.

The art is beautiful. A little raw and wonky sometimes. But absolutely full of energy and power. It is kinetic. This Getty guy is going to be a star. The designs and story telling are good, his technology and backgrounds are of superior quality and is action is amazing. I am going to stick around. You should check it out.

8 out of 10

Invincible #74 (Image Comics/Kirkman and Ottley/$2.99): This comic is so good. BIG ACTION. BIG. The Viltrumites assault the CoP home world and all hell breaks loose. Smashing it to pieces and taking their defenses apart. Until. Yeah. Invincible is back and stop on the Viltrumites sending them packing. Fun characterization and probably the best pacing of a storyline in a while. Next Invincible, Omni-man, et al.. have to face off against the doomsday plan of the Viltrumites and probably ends the first major arc of the Invincible franchise. Makes you wonder where Kirkman is going to take it.

Ottley is amazing. He throws it all in there and the proverbial kitchen sink. The guy is the BEST artist not drawing for Marvel or DC doing a monthly book hands down, and one of my current top 10 artsists. He has a scene of Invincible smashing through an enemy capital ship that is amazing. Wow. I hope Ottley is gonna stick around past the anniversary issue #75.

9 out of 10

Avengers #4 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and JRJr/$3.99): If you read my reviews you know I love Bendis. Love what he has done to the Avengers franchise. Love it. But there is something lacking here. And it may be JRJr's art. Something isn't clicking and I am not enjoying what I would think should be great comics to me. The Avengers going through time to face down an unknown powerful menace as the time stream melts down around them. But something isn't clicking in the execution. Even Bendis dialogue, which steals the show here, gets lost in the stylistic presentation of JRJr. Don't get me wrong I fell in love with Romita Jr way back during his ORIGINAL Amazing Spider-man tour of duty. He is a living Legend. Heck, the cover of grandpa Stark taking off his helmet is amazing. But something isn't working in the creative execution or synergy of the writer and artist here. Now. Flipping through the book again, Perez...Perez would have been perfect for this. Aliens, dinosaurs, a two page splash super battle, Maestro...

Alas. It doesn't work here. Still it's a good enough read. And I genuinely need to know how the Avengers in the future are going to outwit future Stark, overpower Maestro and figure out how to defeat their Children.

6.5 out of 10

Action Comics #892 (DC Comics/Cornell and Woods/$3.99): Oh this is a really good book. Luthor hires Deathstroke and they head out to the Arctic to retrieve a source of the Black Ring power. As they approach it corrupts people setting them at each other and then as Luthor finally begins to study it the power source changes and vanishes. Luthor must have it. Great characterization. I like this Luthor. He seems smart, arrogant, yet interesting and engaging. I want to see where Cornell goes with this book. Especially now that he has brought Grodd into play.

Great art by Woods. Clean and crisp. I really love Wood's lines, expressive characters and really easy to follow storytelling.

The Superboy co-feature...It's like DC hired high schoolers to do some pages.

8.5 out of 10 for AC, 2 out of 10 for the Superboy co-feature.

Superman: Secret Origin #6 (DC Comics/Johns and Frank/$3.99): A wonderful ending to a really well done look at Superman's origin. Great characterization and love for the characters is evident on every page. I love Johns portrayal of Lois, Olsen and even the nuanced unsure Kal. I really like how you instantly know the characters with great dialogue and narrative pulling you into the story. Even in the middle of a show down in the streets of Metropolis with Metallo you get wonderful moving character moments. This series has been full of them. Johns has pulled in the best of everything that makes Superman Superman.

The art is perfect. Everything screams authentic and matches Johns tone and words perfectly. Great action too. Gary Frank may have drawn the best pic of Superman since Curt Swan on that last page splash. THAT IS SUPERMAN.

9.5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-18-2010

2010-08-21T17:29:00.005-04:00

A week of ups and downs and nothings ever easy realizations this week for me. So I will get into the reviews quickly here folks.

Shout out to Doug Mahnke for the personal favor. I appreciate it big guy. Have fun in Canada.

the Authority:the Lost Year #12 (Wildstorm/Morrison, Giffen with Ordway and Nowlan/$2.99): As sad as I am to see this series end. The issue was a little weak. Especially compared to the fun, interesting and often clever journey the team has taken through the Bleed to find their way home to their Earth. The team settles in to some personal moments and characterization that mostly falls flat and the ending of the issue itself was self satisfying and way to easy. Killing the bad guy and usurping Authority? Ok. I guess I should have seen it coming. The art was very nice.Two legends Ordway pencils are really taken in an interesting direction with Nowlan's inks. I like it. Funny, normally when Nowlan inks he can often over power the penciler, but here it enhances the line art nicely.

6.5 out of 10

Supergirl #55 (DC Comics/Gates and Igle/$2.99): Once this BizarroGirl story finishes up I will be dropping this book. Gates work is by no means bad. But it is inconsistant. In many ways I am left not caring. Especially with this Bizarro. Bizarro should be an absurd character or a monster. This one is an oddity. Tragic? Her being sent to Earth from Bizarro Earth was well, I have no idea. I read the issue and feel like things are happening for no reason. I also do not understand why Igle isn't getting cover duties. He is an awesome artists. Is the cover artist generating sales. She is a good artist but I do not see her bringing a distinct graphic or nuanced vision or style to the covers. The interior which I am certain is rendered beautifully by Igle (it is, he is amazing) suffers from poor coloring. Which has plagued the series from the beginning. On the plus side the inks are strong. Much slicker and bolder then Sibal's.

5 out of 10

Chew #13 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): A fun issues that introduces us to Savoy's partner and deep cover FDA agent Valenzano. The issue is action packed, funny and full of quirky interesting character dialogue. I love the clever history lessons pulling you into the Chewiverse and really enjoyed the whole "fricken/chog" thing. John is really doing a great job keeping the book fresh. Great last page, Savoy is back. Things are gonna get crazy for sure. The art is simply pitch perfect for the book. Cartoony, off-beat, hyper stylized yet matches the tone of the script to the Ts. Also we get treated to an excellent "Pulp Fiction" homage cover.

8.5 out of 10 (I am not sure if John Layman could shove more cats into his letters page if he tried!)

Shadowland:Powerman #1 (Marvel Comics/Van Lente and Asrar/$3.99): I wasn't going to buy any Shadowland stuff. I hate the premise. Daredevil is a villain now. I don't care how screwed in the head he is it's not a direction I like...but here I am buying something because it looked and sounded so good. Van Lente is comic book gold as far as I am concerned. And this is a clear example of why. Easy to follow, fun, well written, the complete package. Inner city kid sets himself up as a hero for hire. Runs into the Hand and eventually gets the attention of the original Heroes for Hire Iron Fist and Luke Cage. really well done bit of writing and making it all work come together. No element of the story suffers and you get a good bit of action to boot. The art is tremendous. Asrar is really amazing. And Hanna's inks work really well over him. Asrar is a very strong dynamic storyteller. I can't wait for the next issue and to tell the truth I think Van Lente and Asrar need to do more work together, they are an awesome team.

8.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #640 (Marvel Comics/Quesada and Rivera/ $3.99): Quesada is bringing us back to the OMD and its actually pretty interesting. Well not half as bad as I thought it would be. I have to say the ending has may very curious. Stranger, Reed and Stark? How did and what did they do? I am gonna stick around to find out. The art is strong and appropriate. And the difference between Rivera and Quesada are drastically different but hardly distracted used for the purposes they are.

7 out of 10

New Avengers #3 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Immonen/$3.99) This is high quality comics at their best and consistant. New Avengers has been very good for very long. But this relaunch has been particularly strong. The Eye of Agamatto and Iron Fist has been hijacked by none other then the Ancient One it seems (and an unseen ally) who is intent on making the Earth realm pay for his pupil's (Dr. Strange) failure as Sorcerer Supreme. Mean while the NA is having a hard time keeping up with hell falling from the sky and demon things popping up all over the city. Some fun characterizations, great plot and more witty Bendis banter throughout. Immonen just runs a clinic on how to draw super hero comics. Every page is perfect in tone, storytelling and dynamism. FLAWLESS. The man is a modern comic book art GOD. Teamed with Von Grawbadger and Martin you are treated to the most awesome comic art imaginable.

9 out of 10

Brightest Day #8 (DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi w/various/$2.99): I think this is DC event I could have skipped completely now. I was hopping the pace would pick up given the revelations of the last issues and various missions or events the newly reborn heroes would have to take part in as part of their resurrection. And most of all find the chosen one to bear the mantle of White Lantern. too bad the entire issue is spent on the Hawk storyline, which is...for lack of a better world executed poorly and not interesting. I think by and large this "event" seems forced. I did enjoyed the portion of the book dedicated to the Martian Manhunter. But would have preferred if DC killed off Miss Martian. The art...well...Gleason's pages were nice.

4 out of 10

Avengers Academy #3 (Marvel Comics/Gage and McKone/$2.99): The kids are taken to meet the Thunderbolts to learn about redemption but take the chnace to plot revenge on Osborn if they can sneak away in between scared straight sessions. Gage treats us to Hazmat's origin and motivations as well as the well crafted dialogue and characterizations as the group plots and eventually meets Luke Cage and his Thunderbolts. I really loved the scene with Juggernaut. At the end Hazmat and a group of the kids have confronted Osborn. This will not end well. Especially with Juggy running them over for the cover of the next issue. Gage really is doing nice work with these characters. The art is great. McKone does really nice expression and strong panel layouts. Nice thick lines and great detail.

8.5 out of 10

Green Lantern Corps #51 (DC Comics/Bedard and Syaf/$2.99): I have to say it. This comic seems like fan fiction. There is something lacking in every thing about this book. The story is presented in a weak unspectacular fashion. The characterizations are flat and unspirited. I read this issue twice hoping to find something and what I got was the realization that the motivational speech the GLs use in the story and Hannu showing up to batter the Alpha Lantern and the whole scene between Ganthet and the Cyborg (Henshaw) were absolutely terrible. I have to say. This whole series has been silly,but this doesn't even seem like a threat. Except we are told the Cyborg is dangerous. Worst of all I don't like the characterizations of any of the Lanterns. Even my favorite Lantern of all John Stewart. The art is similarly weak. Lacking any pop or power or sense of scale. At times it is either messy or flat. The colors don't help at all. I am dropping this book. I would have already, but I wanted to see the use of Henshaw.

3 out of 10

Secret Avengers #4 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Deodato/$3.99): I think I figured out why this book has deteriorated in my opinion issue after issue. I am not sure I like the scope. The team is on Mars where Nova has been taken over by the ancient unknowable power of a Serpent Crown and the team is trying to figure out who came up to Mars to unearth it and why and now save their friend (and the universe). Steve Rogers has no choice but put on the Nova Prime helmet and wield it's total power and go toe-to-toe with the force of evil. he wins of course and unveil a plot by a secret organization led by Nick Fury?

None of it made sense to me. I didn't like it. The team should be on Earth sneaking into places and beating up bad guys. The book doesn't work for me. I never felt like there was any threat. And Aside from some clever dialogue the whole thing was hollow. The art is ok. Deodato has grown on me. Strong powerful work. But overall I think I am dropping this book too. It isn't what I expected.

5 out of 10

Aris Answers the Image Third Degree Questions!!!

2010-08-18T23:16:00.005-04:00

Aris is currently working on his comic Jurassic with his partner Keith Conroy (Check out Facebook for pics and info),a sketchbook and some movie scripts with his long time collaborator Sheldon Allen and trying to retool some old ideas Porn and Zeroes for TV. By day I beat up big insurance companies so they stay contract compliant!!!

What are you working on right now?
Getting a sketchbook together for 2011 and scheduling which Comic Conventions to go get a table at for me and my Argh Studios buddies. Probably mostly East Coast Cons. But you never know.

What is the best part of your job?
Traveling on business. Oh you mean the drawing comics thing? I was fortunate to do a show and in store art and it was fun to do sketches for people and help kids with their art and stay motivated.

What is the worst part of your job?
Being responsible for big $. Means your always in the line of fire. Regarding art, not being able to commit to long term sequential projects. So I just do the design and layouts mostly.

How did you first discover comics?
Going to smoke shops with my mom in the early 70's while cruising around Queens, NY in the back of my mom's Lincoln Mark V. I was in heaven, my mom would indulge my obsession that started with the era's magazine sized comics...then the Micronauts. Once I got the Micronauts it was game over. It was all comics all the time in Arisville.

If you weren't working in comics, what would you be doing?
What I am doing probably. Working for a big corporation and trying to move up the corporate ladder.

What is the strangest thing a fan ever said to you?
"What are you doing tonight?" believe it or not in the early 90's I actually had fans. Those were the Armageddon Factory Games Studio days. Now I don't have fans. Mostly people ask me "why aren't you drawing comics?"

What are you most likely to complain to an editor about?
Giving me a job.

Who is the biggest influence on your work?
Early on it was John Byrne, then the great Michael Golden. But later I was really influenced by guys like Chris Sprouse, Jason Pearson, Dave Johnson, Joe Mad, and anime. I hate anime, I love anime art and design but hate the movies. In recent years I find myself looking at video game mags and rediscovering the brilliance of Kirby design.

I also have to admit Keith Conroy my friend has probably been the most important influence on my art. Of course, since college I have really been trying to draw like him more then any body. :)

What is the single work of which you are most proud of?
A two page splash I did of Tiamat protecting the gates of hell in an Indi comic I did in the early 90's for Troica Press called the Divine.

Own up to one of your guilty pleasures?
Yo Gabba Gabba. OMG!!! I love that show. I know all the Dancey Dances.

What was the last comic book you bought?
Chew #13. You should go buy it too.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I would say Zach Efron but he isn't nearly hairy enough. Maybe Will Smith? In all honestly it couldn't be any one but Jason Alexander.

Pick 3 things you can't live without.
My kids, Netflix and Iced Coffee.

What is the strangest thing you have in your house?
Me?

When was the last time you laughed out loud?
Watching Seinfeld tonight. Sometimes the spastic physical comedy of Kramer done at the right moment is hard to resist. Plus George is an idiot.

What Music are you listening to these days?
I have a Billy Joel radio station set on Pandora. I get a good rotation of rock classics and b-sides.

What is your favorite film of all time?
That is a tough one. But if I was forced to chose it has to be Star Wars. The original. Episode IV. I can't believe I had to explain.

Who is your best friend?
Vlad Raniets, Lori Lavrigata, Pete Hernandez, Chris Papavasiliou (there are a few others you know who you are!)

When was the last time you were truly frightened?
This morning when I looked at my checking account.

Name someone you admire and explain why?
John Layman. Took a chance striking out on his own with a vision. And did pretty damn good.

What would you like to see happen in comics in the next 12 months?
See a moratorium on comics with traditional line art going to print without inks. And. See an alternative to $4 comics pricing books out of the hands of kids.

What the world needs now is...
More Tinto Brass. Big Tinto Brass productions on the BIG screen

Comic Capsule Reviews 08-11-2010

2010-08-15T11:15:00.004-04:00

Booster Gold #35 (DC Comics/Giffen and Dematties w/Batista and Olliffe/$2.99): The Darkstars are pulled into teh dramedy that is a Booster Gold Adventure when they discover a "Planet Pounder" goes missing and by the end of the issue straight into conflict with our band of heroes. I really enjoy the tone of the book and comedy Giffen and Dematties deliberately put into the book. I In fact I love the opening gag as Booster, Blue Beetle and Mr. Miracle observe Barda dismantling an army of adversaries. This is a fun light book. I hoping in the coming issues book turns a little heavier. The art by Batista is really beautiful. I love the way he draws Barda. He was made to draw Kirby characters. Batista also handles the scripting and tone of the book very well with great facial expressions and poses.

7 out of 10

Superman #702 (DC Comics/JMS and Barrows/$2.99): I am not sure what to think of this issue. Over all it was good. But not certain I expected the book to go this way. It would have been nice to see Supes on his walkabout interacting with more people, dealing more mundane issues before coming into contact with aliens. Certainly the writing is good and into an interesting ending as Supes makes a great impression on the new "alien immigrants" that leads them to help a community in distress due to the loss of manufacturing. Detroit, Flint have a have been hit hard over the last decade due to the economy and has a wealth of social issues that could have been used. But this is a superhero book, so you have to find a way to get aliens or monsters involved in the solution. JMS has a good handle on Supes and the last page certainly make me want to see what comes next.

Barrows art..well it wasn;t as strong this issue. Especially Supes. Something about this issue had Superman looking young and at times inconsistent. Also I think Barrows was taking cues from the old Green Lantern/Green Arrow issues. It seems too deliberate and derivative.

6 out of 10

Emerald Warriors #1 (DC Comics/Tomasi and Pasarin/$3.99): I have been reading people complaining about the price. Didn't faze me. Aren't all comics $4 now? Any way. I was a little let down. Don't get me wrong it isn't bad. It just didn't do naything for me. I love Tomasi's writing, but really would have simply preferred he continue GLC. I feel like this book is a deliberate way to get more cash out of the GL franchise. There is no reason this could not have and should not be part of GLC. Also the Guardians are really dumb it seems. I mean dumb. Should they be portrayed as morons? The tone and writing and characterization are fine, but this story is a little too decompressed and I am not interested in the mystery the formed the unholy alliance of Green and Red Lanterns and whats going on "unknown sectors". I don't have the patience to wait. Pasarin's art is very good, the guy can draw, but over all despite the detail and craft, lacks pop. I won't be sticking around, and will be dropping GLC as well. And I really hope that's not Despero at the end?

6 out 10

Steve Rogers:Super Soldier #2 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Eaglesham/$3.99): This is another book I can drop. I am seriously not interested at all in what's going on and really by the end of issue #2 am wondering why this couldn't have been run in the main Cap book. Don't get me wrong as with Emerald Warriors above. This isn't badly written, I just am not being pulled into it, and nothing THAT interesting is happening. The art is good. Steve Rogers is the right character for Eaglesham. He does some nice action and angles. The cover is a bit odd.First off the colors are very bad and too airbrushed, but there is something off in Pacheco's art. The lines are too tight and the head is way too small.

5 out of 10

Thanos Imperative #3 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Sepulveda/$3.99): Aside from the cool moment of the Galactic Avengers strike force Armegeddon walk-off, this issue was absolutely terrible. I don't know what happened from last issue to this, but the story and art went south. The art, which was terrible to begin with looks even worse with wonky too thick lines and absolutely ugly characters. Not that any of these folks are pageant winners, but the quality of the art is ugly, not in a deliberate good graphic way, as in I don't like the art ugly. That being said, aside from the super dramatic cinematic moment I mentioned above the issue hits the breaks on the great pace the book was going at and then we see Drax disintergrate Thanos. Really? Already? Its only issue #3. I really did not enjoy this issue at all.

3 out of 10

Ultimate Avengers 3 #1 (Marvel Comics/Millar and Dillon/$3.99): I really like Steve Dillon. Always have. But this is the absolutely wrong book for Steve. Stylistically it is so wrong it almost makes the book unreadable. The art is not consistent with dynamic new Marvel super star style that we expect in Ultimates. And completely wrong for Millar's 80's action move era scripting. It just doesn't work. Every page looks like there is something missing. I want to also comment on the coloring which is also wrong. The burnt edges on characters and objects makes the art more dirty then it should be. There is no power, energy or punch to any of the art. This makes it hard for me to enjoy the story. Because I am sure there is a gem in there. Vampires deciding to recruit supers. How cool is that? I want to read that. It even has classic scripting and one liners which we love about Millar. But in the end it's all in the delivery. Which isn't working.

4 out of 10

Thor: the Mighty Avenger #3 (Marvel Comics/Landgridge and Samnee/$2.99): This is a magically book. I love it. I think the creative team is capturing a genuine Lee/Kirby vibe here. Sure it's not the revolutionary creative spark, but it's that fun storytelling and interesting art and way that characters interact that capture that quality. Like characters meeting and coming into a conflict in the early Marvel days. That is what it feels like. The book has this wonderful heart. And the writing is cute and fun and interesting. I really enjoyed how Landgridge pulled Antman and Wasp into the story and then into conflict with Thor. Great stuff. The art is also wonderfully crafted. A nice graphic classic yet fresh quality full of nuance and character. I love Samnee's simple yet effective costumes changes...great stuff. This book should be on every ones pull list!!!

8.5 out of 10

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-04-2010

2010-08-05T19:09:00.003-04:00

Sorry, had to take a view weeks off. I happy to announce I will be putting out a sketchbook, it will be called Arisverse: Sketch-O-rama vol One-Point-oh. Probably for $5 or $10 and will do head shots for any one who buys one. Also, looks like after talking through some stuff with my long time collaborator Keith Conroy we are going to put something out. I am going to start writing up the first arc and based on the designs Keith is gonna start teaser image. Keep a look out here for updates to that project. JURASSIC! I promise it will be awesome!

On to the reviews

Captain America #608 (Marvel Comics/Brubaker and Guice/$3.99): Another excellent issue by Bru. I love how he builds even when he gives a good amount of action. Baron Zemo's plot unfolds as the world finds out Bucky Barnes, Cap's WWII sidekick and enemy of American pie (Winter Soldier) is back and people want to know whats what. Great build up and more of Bru's awesome consistent storytelling. I love the bit with the Fixer. Interesting. The art is masterfully executed by Guice, great action. It's a little rough, but still brilliantly executed.

8 out of 10

Red Robin #15 (DC Comics/Nicieza and To/$2.99): This may be the sleeper book of the year and possibly my personal choice of 2010. Fabian Nicieza is really building this book up nicely. I love that it's for all intents an purposes a really well done super hero comic. Smart, but not trying to be hamstrung by living up to some big high concept. It's Red Robin well written, with fun and strong characterization and doesn't slow down the pace with over analyzing or narrative. Red Robin takes to the streets to keep the Bat-family secret IDs safe and take out an assassin. Fun stuff. And the art is really amazing. Marcus To gets better, cleaner, more powerful every issue. I love his work. It reminds so much of Sprouse with some 90's energy, clean and refreshing.

8 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #639 (Marvel Comics/Quesada w/ various/$3.99): I find myself enjoying O.M.I.T. quite a bit. There seems to be genuine emotion resonating from it. Maybe it is due to Quesada's personal involvement, either way its a sweet and sad look at the BND history of Pete and Mary Jane. Great characterization and good solid scripting. I wonder where this is going? Will BND unravel? The art is a great mix of styles and doesn't distract from the emotive punch of the issue at all.

7.5 out of 10

Avengers:Prime #2 (Marvel Comics/Bendis and Davis/$3.99): I am really enjoying this little side romp between Siege and Heroic Age. I thought it would feel like a fill in. But the story is genuinely interesting and really well executed. Bendis does great work with the scripting and characterization and pacing out the reveals nicely. Death is revealed as the heroes scattered throughout the 9 worlds facing down villains and romance!!! This feels epic. The art is done by a living legend and I cannot stress enough the perfection and beauty on every page. Flawless.

8.5 out of 10

Brightest Day #7 (DC Comics/Johns and Tomasi w/Various/$2.99): I am still a little let down by the overall execution and pace of this event/series. But. This was better then the previous several issues. Things actually happen and we see the Power of the White Light tease the revived heroes into action. Although we don't know what any of it means but we certainly know that Boston Brand is tasked with finding the White Lantern and I am not certain every one involved in this story is going to see a Bright Days end. Now we need to see some action and things happen in a major way. The art is consistent and appropriate I was not blown away or distracted in any way. It served the story well enough.

7 out of 10

Shadowland:Bullseye (Marvel Comics/Layman and Chen/$3.99): While I am being honest Shadowland is still one of the stupidest ideas out there. And by and large from what I have seen executed poorly. I only bought this because John Layman wrote it. Chew is so good, I feel I am assured at least a solidly written and unique story when his name is on a book. So here I am.

The writing is rock solid. Ben Urich is hijacked and forced to bare witness to the burial, eulogy and the inevitable s#!% hitting the fan of Bullseye. Its a solid read. Full of interesting characterization, storytelling and believe it or not humor. Even in death Bullseye seems capable of bring out the best in people, even if in this case it's a crazy nut job fanboy. I am glad all I needed to know was on the recap page. The book reads very well. Hopefully Marvel is smart enough to draft Layman to bigger projects. He has a quirky unique vision that is definitely not only well conceived but fun to read.

The art. Mmmm...I can't be to harsh. Chen's a solid storyteller. Unfortunately I am not sure he was the right fit for John Layman's nuanced story. It's too hard and straight forward. And I think it's not the right creative team. Some one with a more expressive palette of poses and faces would have sold the script a lot better. I like Chen's work. He drew Harbinger, and I loved that book.

8 out of 10

Secret Six #24 (DC Comics/Simone and Califore/ $2.99): Ok Califore is growing on me. It's a quirky style for sure, but it seems to work on this book. Some really strong action, and scary a$$ characters. Simone takes to the Wild West where the characters are in some sort of story. This isn't the team we know and love, but individual characters thrown together in the gun-slinger model to take on Slade who comes riding into town for Alexandra (Ragdolls sister) and it doesn't end well for the Six. It's a nice story and really fun, with interesting takes on the characters that keep to their core.

8 out of 10

A lot of 8s. I am trying to score harder. So you probably won't see a lot of 9s or 10s. And it looks like I didn't buy any books I ended up not liking this week.

See you next week..

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 07-14-2010

2010-07-16T20:08:00.011-04:00

Before I begin my reviews I wanted to thank my buddy John Layman for indulging me and publishing a pin-up of the one and only Poyo in the new issue of Chew(#12). Pick up the book and flood Image with letters letting them know I am the greatest artist of all time. ;)

Shameless plug aside. If you aren't reading Chew..shame on you. It is fun, absurd, well written and full of great unexpected characterization and plotting it never disappoints. Plus Rob Guillory's unique art really compliments the quirky sometimes dark story John Layman is penning.

Ok on to the reviews....

Booster Gold #34 (DC Comics/Giffen, Dematties and Batista/$2.99): This book is a gem. In classic Dematties/Giffen style Booster bundles into an adventure to an alien dimension with Blue Beetle (yes, Blue and Gold baby!!!), Scott Free (Mr. Miracle) and Big Barda. The fun irrevenrent dialogue is still fresh and great to see as the heroes foul up, bleep and blunder against dragons, and themselves. The art is really nice. Good to see the art team really hit their stride. Chris Batista has a classic, clean yet detailed style. And he real goes to great lengths to capture the DeMatties/Giffen/Maguire era JLA. Great expressive characterization and wonderful anatomy. He puts it all in, including some nice backgrounds and fun action.

8 out of 10

Batman #701 (DC Comics/Morrison and Daniel/$2.99): Morrison and Daniel are back to cover the ground between R.I.P. and Final Crisis. It is great to see these two together. Morrison is THE Bat-scribe of the new millennium. Weaving smart, witty and absurd stories and intense moments. Great, efficient dialogue and characterization. Bruce's narration through out is very interesting. And there is a great scene where after having pulled himself out of the river in Gotham, Bats gets the call from Supes that he is needed. It is a great scene. With some essential character stuff. A great read. Daniel really impresses here. Having tweaked his style substantially since his previous work with Morrison. A nice blend of his modern Image-esque sensibilities with some Sale-like stylization. He really does some nice spreads and splashes as well as great use of layouts. The scene I mentioned earlier with Supes, is really nicely handled. All in all a tremendous work, and great ride to a wonderful last page. "The Hole in Things", get it?

9 out of 10

Superman #701 (DC Comics/JMS and Eddy Barrows/$2.99): If you were concerned with the direction of this book, don't be. In the first installment of "Grounded" JMS puts all doubt to rest. Superman walking on his own quest to find out who and what he is and represents after 2 years plus of having seen his dream of a New Krypton dashed and smashed. I think in some way this story is essential. Not only has Supes forgotten what he is, but so has the DCU and the reader. For a very long time he has been Clark, or Kal. Replaced by another with similar powers. Focusing on his Kryptonian heritage or at war with those who would pervert it or try to bottle it up again. So seeing Supes walk across a city interacting with people in a personal way was a nice touch by JMS. And shows a lot of chops in an industry at a frantic pace to follow one event with another.

There are some nice character moments for Supes. Who takes time to stop some drug dealin in Philly, does some chores to earn a cheese steak and makes a surprising promise to a woman intent on ending her life. Surprising characterization really. All I can say is bravo to JMS. And I want more.

The art by Eddy Barrows is really impressive, this is the dynamic artist's best work yet. Superman looks super. I think Barrows is the exact right artist to capture the power of Supes, even when he is just walking or talking to people. And he really does great work with the storytelling and characters.

If you didn't pick this book up for any reason, I recommend you go back to your LCS and give it a shot.

9 out of 10

Chew #12 (Image Comics/Layman and Guillory/$2.99): All you need to know about this book is Poyo. POYO!!! More great story, character and pacing work by john Layman. Tony Chu's love life gets interrupted so he can go on a mission with D-bear to take done an illegal poultry operation. And when things go south...POYO IS UNLEASHED!!! That page alone illustrated wonderfully by Rob Guillory capturing the savage nobility of the deadly bird makes this issue worth it's weight in illegal chicken products!!! By the end Chu makes it up to Amelia the love of his life...by ignoring a call from work...leading to a surprising cliffhanger of an ending. Rob's art is perfect. Not sure I could imagine this book done by anyone else, or if any one could capture the tone exactly right anyway. Which Rob does.

8.5 out of 10 (did I mention I have a pin-up in this issue too?)

the Authority: the Lost Year #10 (Wildstorm Comics/Morrison and Giffen with Badeaux/$2.99): This book is probably the best Wildstorm title I ever read. It has to be. Every month it gives us something different as the Authority try to find their way through the Bleed and infinite Earth's to find their home dimension. This time they come to a world wonderfully brought to life by Giffen's scripting and Badeaux's art where the Authority take over and impost their authority on the world. Including killing or jailing their worlds Heroes, and possibly doing worse to variations of themselves having the bad fortune of crossing their path.

Our Authority is captured and thanks to the efficiency of any universe Midnighter manager to break loose, and will soon come into direct conflict, if they can't steel away first with this world's gestapo Authority. Great action and nice character quirks and twists throughout the issue with some well executed painterly art.

8 out of 10

Adventure Comics #516 (DC Comics/Levitz and Sharpe/$3.99): I am dropping this book. Every thing is wrong about it. And lacks any excitement or heart, which is essential to LoSH. Levitz pens a tale of the early days of Superboy and the Legion of Super-heroes as Brande tells his origin to the original members. Unfortunately it lacks any pop or spark of emotion. And in fact, I have been Legion for a very long time and never know Brande to not speak properly or broken interlac? It's just bad. The art is also passionless. Maybe not purposely, but it seems deliberately stiff. No attempts to modernize the future at all or the LoSH itself. Of course Legion fans want the should and feel of the classic Levitz/Giffen era..or even further back..but tweaks of some sort from this generation of artists should be essential. There is no reason this book should be like this. This is a time for the Legion of any era to excite new readers and invigorate the old ones. Not bore us to death.

The best part of this book is the co-feature of the Atom with very strong art by Asrar.

3 out of 10

Avengers Academy #2 (Marvel Comics/Gage and McKone/$2.99): I really like Finesse. Gage really moves her character and motivation along nicely in this issue. Showing her interactions and attempts and success manipulating those around her including her teachers. Strong narration and pacing. I really enjoyed Finesse's attempt to seduce Henry Pym and then blackmail Quicksilver. I am certain that won't end well. And it sets her up to be a very interesting player in a cast of mostly insecure and mistakenly pompous characters. I am very curious to see where this book takes these characters. McKone's art is...good. But at times the figures are awkward or wonky which is uncharacteristic of this fine artist. I will say he does some nice action in the opening of the book though.

8 out of 10

the Brave and the Bold #35 (DC Comics/JMS and Saiz/$2.99): I love this book. the tag line is perfect "lost stories of yesterday, today and tomorrow". Gives you the sense that not only is JMS enjoying writing this, but also the freedom he has with the stories. I mean he can lay new ground her, or go completely apes#!% with it. This was another unusual pairing the Inferior Five and Legion of Substitute-heroes. OUTRAGEOUS! We follow the LoSUBS as they go back in time to get the glory of saving the Earth before the real Legion does and bumble their way into Limbo and a team up with the I5. And it's quite a cute fun funny ride. They manage to save the universe and the I5 make it back into the DCU, and on their way to see Dan DiDio. I love the character interactions and Dumb Bunny!!!. Saiz' art is fantastic, beautiful. Every issue he just wows me with his character and story work.

8.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-man #637 (Marvel Comics/Joe Kelly with various/$3.99): Grim Hunt ends. This arc was dynamite. It does not redeeming the Gauntlet which for the most part was very bad. But this, this was a great story of the Kraven Family seeking vengeance, misunderstanding the nature of the Hunter/Spyder relationship, executing poorly thought out magics and failing on all counts to win the love of their patriarch, Kraven reborn. Great work as Spider-man saves the spiders and the balance of nature and defeats the Kravens as the family unit turns on itself. Until escaping to the Savage Land where they can reclaim their good name. the Spider family also has a new status quo. This arc wowed me with terrific story, character and art execution through out. Great job.

8 out of 10

Thanos Imperative #2 (Marvel Comics/Abnett and Lanning with Sepulveda/$3.99): I know I know. I said I was not going to buy this. But I am really enjoying the story. The art I maintain is poorly executed. A bad editorial/creative choice to have pencil art painted on with muddy poor colors. very bad. Fortunately the story telling is good. One last note on the art. I think there's a swipe of Pacheco in here. I can swear I saw that shot of other-Namor punching Drax before. I know it. if so. That's terrible and the art team should be ashamed of themselves. The story is great. the Guardians with Thanos take the war to cancerous invaders along side the Universal Abstracts. A&L do terrific plot building and character work. Really setting this threat up well. I love the interplay between the action between characters. And there is an intense sense of urgency throughout.

8 out of 10

See you next week. And if I put out a sketchbook...I hope the art looks fun and interesting enough for you to check it out.

Arisverse

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-18-2012

Arisverse 2011 Comic Book Awards

Mini Reviews 12/21 and 12/28/2011

Merry Christmas!!!

Comic Book Capsule Review 12-05-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-23-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-09-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-02-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-12-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-28-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-14-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-07-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-31-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews Special Edition: Justice league #1

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-17-2011

Go to Kickstarter check out Jerwa's Untold Tales of the Comic Industry documentary

Gomm-Universal Darkness the RPG check it out

On Hiatus?

It's hard to get excited about the NEW NEW DCU news.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 05-11-2011 *no spell check edition*

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 05-04-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 04-27-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-23 and 3-30-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-16-2011 (no spell check!)

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 03-09-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 02-07-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 02-02-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-26-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-19-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-13-2011

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 01-05-2011

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards

Arisverse 2010 Comic Book Awards: Best Comic Creator Facebook Personality: Ethan Van Sciver. No one comes close. While a lot of creators are awesome and interact with fans in meaningful. colorful and interesting ways. No one updates their status like Ethan.

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 12-28-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-17-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-10-2010

"Doomsday will Reign"?

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 11-03-2010

The Arisverse Superman Earth One Review

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-13-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 10-06-2010

Hey check out my sexy guns and body guards

The Arisverse 2011 Sketchbook is here!!!

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 09-01-2010

Comic Capsule Reviews 08-25-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-18-2010

Aris Answers the Image Third Degree Questions!!!

Comic Capsule Reviews 08-11-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 08-04-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 07-14-2010

Comic Book Capsule Reviews 05-11-2011 no spell check edition