Sorry about not posting this yesterday, I was pretty out of it. I didn't sleep much on Saturday night and was sick Sunday morning. I still went out to play ball hockey Sunday morning though and by the time I got home I was totally gone mentally and physically. I'm feeling much better now though.
First up, David Gallaher of High Moon was named as one of the eight "Breakout Creators" of 2008 by the Comic Foundry Magazine. Congratulations!
Marvel is ramping up its Secret Invasion storyline. I am curious to see who survives (there may have already been a casualty in the online "prequel" book Marvel posted in their digital comics) and who's a Skrull so I'll probably be keeping track via online spoilers. I've convinced myself I have to so that I know what is happening considering Marvel characters share their universe and I am still reading a couple Marvel books.
And the internet nearly broke in half with the latest ruling in the Time Warner/Siegel family dispute. I have to admit, I don't fully understand all the details of it but it seems that doesn't stop others from giving their 2 cents. So here's mine, I'm torn. I do support the Siegel family in that Superman was Siegel and Shuster's creation and DC/ Time Warner/whatever other company name has become very rich on that creation while Siegel and Shuster (and their families) had to continually take them to court to get any real money. I do think the creators of a character deserve some protection and compensation. But I also have to recognize that it was DC and their employees (writers, artists, editors, movies makers, TV show crews, etc) that have also made Superman the character and franchise he is today. Which I guess is somewhat covered in that this ruling only pertains to how Superman and the characters appeared in Action Comics #1.
In the end, I only hope the Siegel family and Time Warner come to an agreement that makes everyone happy (or at least a little less unhappy) because as the selfish jerk I am, I'm also hoping this doesn't have an impact on the planned sequel to Superman Returns. And I'll leave the bickering and arguing to the lawyers.
To end on a happier note, I polished off a few more volumes of Invincible (I just finished volume 6). I'm still really enjoying this series. Though, at the moment it seems to have a lot of stories going on that are getting a little bit tougher to keep track of. I don't know how I'd feel reading it monthly instead of as TPBs, I think I'd be getting more frustrated by the disjoint feel to some of it. I do plan to pick up the remaining TPBs though and then see where I want to go with it. I may continue reading it in TPB form (just as I'm doing with the Walking Dead).
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for March 26th, 2008 -- Spoilers
A whopping 4 books for me this week so let's get to it shall we.
She-Hulk #27 --And here is where I eat crow. I had written off the previous two issues as pretty much a throw away story and I was totally blind-sided here. With this issue, Peter David really hammers it out of the ballpark. I'm getting a little tired of people making the comparison to Dan Slott. Yes, Peter David is putting his own mark on the book and who can blame him? And this issue I felt was Peter David's best yet on this series. I'm also pretty happy with the new artist that's been brought on board. I find the style a bit more suited to the book, slightly better at the storytelling aspect, and a little more consistent. I can't quite say it makes my recommended reading list just yet but it got a lot closer here. I'm more eager for the next issue than I was for this one.
World of Warcraft #5 -- I don't think this book will last much longer for me. I'm sure some people are really enjoying it (some of them may or may not be fans of the game) but for me, it's not really hitting the mark for me. The art is pretty to look at but I find it continues to falter at depicting the events going on and at times, I find myself taken out of the story as I flip back and forth examining the panels to try to figure out what's going on. And to have to do that during fight scenes, it really takes a reader out of the pace that you should be establishing. The story is okay and the characters are somewhat interesting (though I find Lo'Gosh, the human and main character, the least interesting so that's a bit of a problem) but it's really not grabbing me. We're five issues in and I'm actually hoping things just get wrapped up. After reading that this storyline ends with issue 7 that may be a dropping point for me unless something in the next two issues changes my mind. It's not a bad book and in terms of comics based on another commodity it's better than many but I'm somewhat disappointed in it. So it doesn't make my recommended reading list.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #6 (of 6) -- I'm sorry to say that I'm glad this series came to an end. Artistically, I think this issue was the most disappointing for me. You have Jason and Freddy slashing at one another and yet I'm bored by the small panels of straight shots (no dynamic angles, no real movement on either character's part, etc). It looked rushed, not very well thought out, and pretty amateurish to be honest. And the story didn't really feel like it hit a climax. The end didn't hold any surprises or even really that much entertainment (other than the woman using Ash's line of "Gimme some sugar baby"). And am I the only one that hated the "Ch-ch-ch ah-ah-ah" or whatever that they kept doing for Jason's entrances? That works in the movies and I can understand wanting to pay homage in the comic but it got annoying for me as the series went on. So in the end, the series doesn't make my recommended reading list. I'd suggest passing on it. Die hard fans of any of the series might get some enjoyment from it but personally, I got very little and was disappointed for the most part.
Ultimate Human #3 (of 4) -- I knew going into this issue not to expect any Hulk or Iron Man action (or any action whatsoever) so I guess you could say I had prepared myself for it. Though, as someone who read Millar's Ultimates books I've had some experience here. In the end, I actually liked this issue. Not every book can have Hulk and Iron Man action, you need these downtimes to make the action that much more special. And we get the origin of the Ultimate version of the Leader. And as a Hulk fan, I was looking forward to that. And despite having a problem following along with all the acronyms and single letter names/identifiers I actually found myself pretty engaged by the characters. I thought the dialogue was pretty solid and the art was really great. It really brought you into the settings and you felt the characters' emotions. So yeah, prepare yourself for some non-action if you pick it up but in my opinion, it's still a pretty cool story. And I for one, can't wait until the next issue comes out. So far, this series makes my recommended reading list. I just hope the final issue can live up to the hype I've created for myself.
I also got a couple more TPBs of Invincible but I've only read volume 3 so far (I had already read volumes 1 and 2). I'm really enjoying this series so far. It's a great combination of a mature story with some pretty quirky humour (referencing artists using the same panel over and over or the government guy trying to avoid having to explain who their stuff works both got a chuckle out of me). The art is great. It's not the "realistic" style that many books with mature content try to go for. Just like the book itself, it blends well the humour and traditional superhero aspects with the mature elements. And the battles are great and intense when they need to be. I'd definitely recommend checking out what Newsarama has posted online for free and maybe the second TPB so you can decide for yourself. It may not be for everyone but I'm enjoying it.
Woah! I got a serious case of deja vu while writing up that Invincibles paragraph. It was so bad I had to go back and see what I already said about Invincible here. In fact, I still have it while typing this. Weird huh?
She-Hulk #27 --And here is where I eat crow. I had written off the previous two issues as pretty much a throw away story and I was totally blind-sided here. With this issue, Peter David really hammers it out of the ballpark. I'm getting a little tired of people making the comparison to Dan Slott. Yes, Peter David is putting his own mark on the book and who can blame him? And this issue I felt was Peter David's best yet on this series. I'm also pretty happy with the new artist that's been brought on board. I find the style a bit more suited to the book, slightly better at the storytelling aspect, and a little more consistent. I can't quite say it makes my recommended reading list just yet but it got a lot closer here. I'm more eager for the next issue than I was for this one.
World of Warcraft #5 -- I don't think this book will last much longer for me. I'm sure some people are really enjoying it (some of them may or may not be fans of the game) but for me, it's not really hitting the mark for me. The art is pretty to look at but I find it continues to falter at depicting the events going on and at times, I find myself taken out of the story as I flip back and forth examining the panels to try to figure out what's going on. And to have to do that during fight scenes, it really takes a reader out of the pace that you should be establishing. The story is okay and the characters are somewhat interesting (though I find Lo'Gosh, the human and main character, the least interesting so that's a bit of a problem) but it's really not grabbing me. We're five issues in and I'm actually hoping things just get wrapped up. After reading that this storyline ends with issue 7 that may be a dropping point for me unless something in the next two issues changes my mind. It's not a bad book and in terms of comics based on another commodity it's better than many but I'm somewhat disappointed in it. So it doesn't make my recommended reading list.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #6 (of 6) -- I'm sorry to say that I'm glad this series came to an end. Artistically, I think this issue was the most disappointing for me. You have Jason and Freddy slashing at one another and yet I'm bored by the small panels of straight shots (no dynamic angles, no real movement on either character's part, etc). It looked rushed, not very well thought out, and pretty amateurish to be honest. And the story didn't really feel like it hit a climax. The end didn't hold any surprises or even really that much entertainment (other than the woman using Ash's line of "Gimme some sugar baby"). And am I the only one that hated the "Ch-ch-ch ah-ah-ah" or whatever that they kept doing for Jason's entrances? That works in the movies and I can understand wanting to pay homage in the comic but it got annoying for me as the series went on. So in the end, the series doesn't make my recommended reading list. I'd suggest passing on it. Die hard fans of any of the series might get some enjoyment from it but personally, I got very little and was disappointed for the most part.
Ultimate Human #3 (of 4) -- I knew going into this issue not to expect any Hulk or Iron Man action (or any action whatsoever) so I guess you could say I had prepared myself for it. Though, as someone who read Millar's Ultimates books I've had some experience here. In the end, I actually liked this issue. Not every book can have Hulk and Iron Man action, you need these downtimes to make the action that much more special. And we get the origin of the Ultimate version of the Leader. And as a Hulk fan, I was looking forward to that. And despite having a problem following along with all the acronyms and single letter names/identifiers I actually found myself pretty engaged by the characters. I thought the dialogue was pretty solid and the art was really great. It really brought you into the settings and you felt the characters' emotions. So yeah, prepare yourself for some non-action if you pick it up but in my opinion, it's still a pretty cool story. And I for one, can't wait until the next issue comes out. So far, this series makes my recommended reading list. I just hope the final issue can live up to the hype I've created for myself.
I also got a couple more TPBs of Invincible but I've only read volume 3 so far (I had already read volumes 1 and 2). I'm really enjoying this series so far. It's a great combination of a mature story with some pretty quirky humour (referencing artists using the same panel over and over or the government guy trying to avoid having to explain who their stuff works both got a chuckle out of me). The art is great. It's not the "realistic" style that many books with mature content try to go for. Just like the book itself, it blends well the humour and traditional superhero aspects with the mature elements. And the battles are great and intense when they need to be. I'd definitely recommend checking out what Newsarama has posted online for free and maybe the second TPB so you can decide for yourself. It may not be for everyone but I'm enjoying it.
Woah! I got a serious case of deja vu while writing up that Invincibles paragraph. It was so bad I had to go back and see what I already said about Invincible here. In fact, I still have it while typing this. Weird huh?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Here there be Skrulls
Despite the fact that I'll be passing on Secret Invasion I just have to be impressed by the fun that Marvel is having with their promotional material. Their latest photos of Skrulls at the Marvel office put it over for me. So I had to come up with my own list of the top 10 Skrull suspects:
10. Michael Jordan -- C'mon, the guy could fly!
9. Gary Oldman -- I swear this guy shape shifts for every movie he's in. He's not even trying to hide it. And I've also had my eye on Christian Bale ever since watching the Machinist.
8. Shannon Tweed -- Who, other than a Skrull, could look that hot at fif... I mean forty-one. ;) Plus, her sticking with Gene Simmons this long has to be some sort of alien plot that makes use of his money and influence with the KISS army.
7. Sean Combs -- His constant name changing is him compensating for not being allowed to change his appearance.
6. Tinkerbell (Paris Hilton's dog) -- I'm convinced that he's the brains behind her "success".
5. Wayne Gretzky -- Another case of in-human abilities.
4. Ric Flair -- Fifty-nine years old and still working in the wrestling scene? Gotta be a Skrull.
3. Angelina Jolie -- Just look at her.
2. Elvis Presley -- He ain't dead, he just took another form.
1. Jon Stewart -- What better way to infiltrate us than to have us ridicule our leaders and laugh off serious political issues. Plus, the story can end with a Stephen Colbert/Jon Stewart face off because we know Colbert ain't no Skrull.
And to answer the question on a lot of people's minds, no, Tom Cruise is not a Skrull. Though I would put him at the top my list of Skrull sympathizers.
10. Michael Jordan -- C'mon, the guy could fly!
9. Gary Oldman -- I swear this guy shape shifts for every movie he's in. He's not even trying to hide it. And I've also had my eye on Christian Bale ever since watching the Machinist.
8. Shannon Tweed -- Who, other than a Skrull, could look that hot at fif... I mean forty-one. ;) Plus, her sticking with Gene Simmons this long has to be some sort of alien plot that makes use of his money and influence with the KISS army.
7. Sean Combs -- His constant name changing is him compensating for not being allowed to change his appearance.
6. Tinkerbell (Paris Hilton's dog) -- I'm convinced that he's the brains behind her "success".
5. Wayne Gretzky -- Another case of in-human abilities.
4. Ric Flair -- Fifty-nine years old and still working in the wrestling scene? Gotta be a Skrull.
3. Angelina Jolie -- Just look at her.
2. Elvis Presley -- He ain't dead, he just took another form.
1. Jon Stewart -- What better way to infiltrate us than to have us ridicule our leaders and laugh off serious political issues. Plus, the story can end with a Stephen Colbert/Jon Stewart face off because we know Colbert ain't no Skrull.
And to answer the question on a lot of people's minds, no, Tom Cruise is not a Skrull. Though I would put him at the top my list of Skrull sympathizers.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Weekly Recapping
Happy Easter! And to those of other religions, Happy Sunday!
Perhaps it's because work was especially busy this week or perhaps it's that I don't really care to talk about the latest batches of universe spanning "epic" storylines but I don't have all that much to recap. But I will go through what I found interesting this week anyways.
First up, the pictures of Snake Eyes from the upcoming GI Joe film which you can see at SuperHeroHype (among other locations). Well, I was a big GI Joe fan as a kid but I'm not sure I'm really looking forward to a live action film. The first shot doesn't really work for me, I just don't like the rubber muscle suit there. But it could be a lot worse so it does help make me feel a bit better about the film.
Over on Occasional Superheroine Valerie posted an interesting post about online marketing for comic book companies. Yes, I realize there was another post with similar stuff here but I'm not going to get into that dispute as it's irrelevant to the thoughts I want to post about. In the end, I'm not too surprised by DC Comics' poor showing. Just off the top of my head, they don't use movie news to bring in more traffic (they should be showing off a bunch of Dark Knight stuff). No simple character bios. They have origin stories under "Heroes & Villains" yet Superman (of all people) seems to be missing. No big flashy marketing of upcoming stories. They even seem to have pages dedicated to Batman and Superman yet I didn't find these links on their main site but through a google search. Overall, their web presence seems to be pretty sad to me.
As I mentioned, work has been keeping me pretty busy as of late and family events seem to be taking up a lot of time as well (it seems everyone's birthday is around this time of year). So work on Divine Leap is still going extremely slowly. I had been hoping to get some work done this weekend but I've had to put in some hours with work and of course, the Easter get togethers with family. Hopefully things will start to quiet down in April.
Going back to the Zuda competition, I decided my final vote will go to The Litterbox Chronicles.
Perhaps it's because work was especially busy this week or perhaps it's that I don't really care to talk about the latest batches of universe spanning "epic" storylines but I don't have all that much to recap. But I will go through what I found interesting this week anyways.
First up, the pictures of Snake Eyes from the upcoming GI Joe film which you can see at SuperHeroHype (among other locations). Well, I was a big GI Joe fan as a kid but I'm not sure I'm really looking forward to a live action film. The first shot doesn't really work for me, I just don't like the rubber muscle suit there. But it could be a lot worse so it does help make me feel a bit better about the film.
Over on Occasional Superheroine Valerie posted an interesting post about online marketing for comic book companies. Yes, I realize there was another post with similar stuff here but I'm not going to get into that dispute as it's irrelevant to the thoughts I want to post about. In the end, I'm not too surprised by DC Comics' poor showing. Just off the top of my head, they don't use movie news to bring in more traffic (they should be showing off a bunch of Dark Knight stuff). No simple character bios. They have origin stories under "Heroes & Villains" yet Superman (of all people) seems to be missing. No big flashy marketing of upcoming stories. They even seem to have pages dedicated to Batman and Superman yet I didn't find these links on their main site but through a google search. Overall, their web presence seems to be pretty sad to me.
As I mentioned, work has been keeping me pretty busy as of late and family events seem to be taking up a lot of time as well (it seems everyone's birthday is around this time of year). So work on Divine Leap is still going extremely slowly. I had been hoping to get some work done this weekend but I've had to put in some hours with work and of course, the Easter get togethers with family. Hopefully things will start to quiet down in April.
Going back to the Zuda competition, I decided my final vote will go to The Litterbox Chronicles.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for March 19, 2008 -- SPOILERS
So let's just get down to business shall we:
Angel: After the Fall #5 -- Yet again, I see solid story with less than solid artwork. Though it's not quite so bad here or perhaps I'm just getting used to it. The last page bugged me a bit though. It just looked like an odd pose job. More of a cover shot than a final story page. And as for the Fred issue, I'm a little confused. When Illyria took over they made a point of mentioning over and over again that they weren't able to bring Fred back as her soul was consumed/destroyed when Illyria took over. But here we have Lorne saying she was the lucky one because she was in "heaven" (unless that's just his way of saying she's gone) and the big finale at the end. Now Illyria did say that part of Fred remained in her via Fred's memories but I thought that was just talk. So I'm really curious to see how this plays out. So overall, I'm still digging the story, I'm just not digging the art and some of the storytelling. If you're an Angel fan though I still recommend it.
World War Hulk: Warbound #4 -- I have mixed feelings about this issue. On the one hand, I was actually really liking this story. The Warbound are an interesting mix of characters all of whom I find intriguing. But I just felt this issue was rather weak on several fronts. First up, it took me a little while to figure out what was going on between Hiroim and Korg. I just felt the art could have been slightly better there. Then Hiroim's sacrifice seemed kinda weak in that he just reassembles himself in the next panel. Then really, what was the point? So in the end, the issue answered a bit about the Leader but seemed kinda pointless beyond that. And now we have the last issue coming up and this issue ends off with SHIELD's killer robots appearing. That just seemed out of nowhere and really, I feel the teaser for the last issue should be a standoff between the Leader and the Warbound, not some SHIELD robots that weren't even involved in the story up until this point. So yeah, unfortunately I don't think this issue was strong enough to warrant being on my recommended reading list. I still think the series has some potential though and I hope it ends well. As for the little story in the end, I'm still really enjoying those flashbacks to the Warbound member's backstories. This one was also solid but not really worth the price of the issue on its own.
Incredible Hercules #115 -- We get the showdown between Herc and Aries here. Unfortunately, I didn't care for it. One scene in particular really rubbed me the wrong way, the scene where Herc pulls up the metal flooring and makes a wave in it sending Aries flying. That just seemed silly to me and took me right out of the moment. Also, I didn't think the art conveyed the story well. I had no idea what was going on when they were fighting on the wing as it seemed choppy and out of order in some way. Also, in the last few pages they use the trick of duplicating the exact same panel (once three times and the time twice). I generally don't like seeing the exact same panel with no change used but I didn't think it fit either time here. So overall, yet again I dig the story but the execution I felt was off. For Herc fans though, it's great to see a decent book for the character so they'll most likely want to check it out. For me, this is my jumping off point. With the Hulk not returning to this book and me not being the biggest Herc fan around there's not really much incentive for me to buy this book.
So that's it for this week. On the TPB front, I decided to pick up the first two volumes of Invincible. Great storytelling with a slightly different art style. I'm enjoying it so far and I'm interested to see where they're going with it. I'm not solid on it entirely but it's something you may want to check out. And thanks to Newsarama you can read most (and eventually all) of volume 1 online for free.
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/comics.html
Angel: After the Fall #5 -- Yet again, I see solid story with less than solid artwork. Though it's not quite so bad here or perhaps I'm just getting used to it. The last page bugged me a bit though. It just looked like an odd pose job. More of a cover shot than a final story page. And as for the Fred issue, I'm a little confused. When Illyria took over they made a point of mentioning over and over again that they weren't able to bring Fred back as her soul was consumed/destroyed when Illyria took over. But here we have Lorne saying she was the lucky one because she was in "heaven" (unless that's just his way of saying she's gone) and the big finale at the end. Now Illyria did say that part of Fred remained in her via Fred's memories but I thought that was just talk. So I'm really curious to see how this plays out. So overall, I'm still digging the story, I'm just not digging the art and some of the storytelling. If you're an Angel fan though I still recommend it.
World War Hulk: Warbound #4 -- I have mixed feelings about this issue. On the one hand, I was actually really liking this story. The Warbound are an interesting mix of characters all of whom I find intriguing. But I just felt this issue was rather weak on several fronts. First up, it took me a little while to figure out what was going on between Hiroim and Korg. I just felt the art could have been slightly better there. Then Hiroim's sacrifice seemed kinda weak in that he just reassembles himself in the next panel. Then really, what was the point? So in the end, the issue answered a bit about the Leader but seemed kinda pointless beyond that. And now we have the last issue coming up and this issue ends off with SHIELD's killer robots appearing. That just seemed out of nowhere and really, I feel the teaser for the last issue should be a standoff between the Leader and the Warbound, not some SHIELD robots that weren't even involved in the story up until this point. So yeah, unfortunately I don't think this issue was strong enough to warrant being on my recommended reading list. I still think the series has some potential though and I hope it ends well. As for the little story in the end, I'm still really enjoying those flashbacks to the Warbound member's backstories. This one was also solid but not really worth the price of the issue on its own.
Incredible Hercules #115 -- We get the showdown between Herc and Aries here. Unfortunately, I didn't care for it. One scene in particular really rubbed me the wrong way, the scene where Herc pulls up the metal flooring and makes a wave in it sending Aries flying. That just seemed silly to me and took me right out of the moment. Also, I didn't think the art conveyed the story well. I had no idea what was going on when they were fighting on the wing as it seemed choppy and out of order in some way. Also, in the last few pages they use the trick of duplicating the exact same panel (once three times and the time twice). I generally don't like seeing the exact same panel with no change used but I didn't think it fit either time here. So overall, yet again I dig the story but the execution I felt was off. For Herc fans though, it's great to see a decent book for the character so they'll most likely want to check it out. For me, this is my jumping off point. With the Hulk not returning to this book and me not being the biggest Herc fan around there's not really much incentive for me to buy this book.
So that's it for this week. On the TPB front, I decided to pick up the first two volumes of Invincible. Great storytelling with a slightly different art style. I'm enjoying it so far and I'm interested to see where they're going with it. I'm not solid on it entirely but it's something you may want to check out. And thanks to Newsarama you can read most (and eventually all) of volume 1 online for free.
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/comics.html
Sunday, March 16, 2008
That new feature... My Weekly Wrap Up
So I said I'd be adding something other than comic reviews so here it is, my new weekly (hopefully) wrap up feature where I just give quick blurbs about stuff going on on the web and elsewhere.
Over on Occasional Superheroine there have been a few conversations of interest this week. The ones I took note of are the Secret Invasion posts (she's pretty hyped about it, I'm slightly curious but kinda tired of the big crossover events and will be skipping it), moderating posts (I guess I should consider myself fortunate that so few people read this blog, high profile people and their blogs have a tendency to attract a lot of people looking for anything to pick a fight over. I do wonder if Valerie being a woman makes her more of a target on its own as comic geeks object to her voicing her opinion or if it just makes her higher profile and in turn, a bigger target whether male or female...If that makes any sense. Of course I don't think anyone can answer that for sure), and Reality Comics (which would be about celebrities making comics and not, as I originally thought, comics depicting real life. I guess Harvey Peckar already wrote the book on that one).
High Moon continues to soar. David Gallaher (writer and co-creator) has been gracious enough to check in here every now and then so you may have seen a few of his comments. Not only am I seeing High Moon advertising everywhere but the Honolulu Star Bulletin and Rue Morgue both took the time to cover it. I'm happy for David as he seems like a great guy and they've obviously been working extremely hard on High Moon so it's great to see it taking off. But beyond that, I have to say that I'm happy for web comics and comics in general. That may seem kinda odd to say but I'm a pretty firm believer that North American comics need better coverage of genres outside the superhero realm. It's why sites like Zuda or DrunkDuck are getting a lot of attention from me. They are providing an outlet for comic creators and readers to present or read comics of varying genres. By the way, I'm still really enjoying Bayou as well.
The Buffy/Satsu event still has some people talking. I don't really think I have much more to say and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do find quite a bit of negativity coming from people who didn't watch the show nor read the comics (though the negative thoughts definitely are not restricted to that group of people). Some conversations I've read have been very mature and enlightening. Others consist of "Yay! Lesbians!"
And the big event for me, the Incredible Hulk trailer. As a lifelong Hulk fan I was very eager to see any glimpse of where they might be going with this movie. And for the record, I'm one of "those" people who actually enjoyed Ang Lee's movie (though I wouldn't consider it a perfect movie by any means). Now obviously I'm not going to come to a decision about this movie after only seeing the trailer but I did see a lot I liked. I'm happy to see the concentration on Banner's inner struggle with the monster along with his external struggle with the military. I was actually rather happy with the Abomination's look, despite being different from the comics he at least has the appearance of being a physical threat for the Hulk. And the Hulk is big and green so I'm happy. I'm not the type of person to get too nitpicky about his looks, he's had so many artists give him their own take on the character so really, who's to say what he really should look like. So as long as he's a big and green (or even gray) monster, I'm happy. I'm looking forward to seeing this one when it comes out.
Almost forgot, one other thing about the Hulk trailer. My brother and I were making plenty of jokes about possible endings to the film after watching the trailer and they centered around the Hulk and Abomination deciding to put aside their differences and go into Zanzibar for a drink and some entertainment. Zanzibar is an "Adult Club" on Yonge Street in Toronto where the movie was filmed. Appearantly while they decided to put up fake "Apollo Theatre" and other stuff they decided to leave in Zanzibar. The Big Slice restaurant and Sam the Record Man (also Yonge Street landmarks) are also left in.
Over on Occasional Superheroine there have been a few conversations of interest this week. The ones I took note of are the Secret Invasion posts (she's pretty hyped about it, I'm slightly curious but kinda tired of the big crossover events and will be skipping it), moderating posts (I guess I should consider myself fortunate that so few people read this blog, high profile people and their blogs have a tendency to attract a lot of people looking for anything to pick a fight over. I do wonder if Valerie being a woman makes her more of a target on its own as comic geeks object to her voicing her opinion or if it just makes her higher profile and in turn, a bigger target whether male or female...If that makes any sense. Of course I don't think anyone can answer that for sure), and Reality Comics (which would be about celebrities making comics and not, as I originally thought, comics depicting real life. I guess Harvey Peckar already wrote the book on that one).
High Moon continues to soar. David Gallaher (writer and co-creator) has been gracious enough to check in here every now and then so you may have seen a few of his comments. Not only am I seeing High Moon advertising everywhere but the Honolulu Star Bulletin and Rue Morgue both took the time to cover it. I'm happy for David as he seems like a great guy and they've obviously been working extremely hard on High Moon so it's great to see it taking off. But beyond that, I have to say that I'm happy for web comics and comics in general. That may seem kinda odd to say but I'm a pretty firm believer that North American comics need better coverage of genres outside the superhero realm. It's why sites like Zuda or DrunkDuck are getting a lot of attention from me. They are providing an outlet for comic creators and readers to present or read comics of varying genres. By the way, I'm still really enjoying Bayou as well.
The Buffy/Satsu event still has some people talking. I don't really think I have much more to say and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do find quite a bit of negativity coming from people who didn't watch the show nor read the comics (though the negative thoughts definitely are not restricted to that group of people). Some conversations I've read have been very mature and enlightening. Others consist of "Yay! Lesbians!"
And the big event for me, the Incredible Hulk trailer. As a lifelong Hulk fan I was very eager to see any glimpse of where they might be going with this movie. And for the record, I'm one of "those" people who actually enjoyed Ang Lee's movie (though I wouldn't consider it a perfect movie by any means). Now obviously I'm not going to come to a decision about this movie after only seeing the trailer but I did see a lot I liked. I'm happy to see the concentration on Banner's inner struggle with the monster along with his external struggle with the military. I was actually rather happy with the Abomination's look, despite being different from the comics he at least has the appearance of being a physical threat for the Hulk. And the Hulk is big and green so I'm happy. I'm not the type of person to get too nitpicky about his looks, he's had so many artists give him their own take on the character so really, who's to say what he really should look like. So as long as he's a big and green (or even gray) monster, I'm happy. I'm looking forward to seeing this one when it comes out.
Almost forgot, one other thing about the Hulk trailer. My brother and I were making plenty of jokes about possible endings to the film after watching the trailer and they centered around the Hulk and Abomination deciding to put aside their differences and go into Zanzibar for a drink and some entertainment. Zanzibar is an "Adult Club" on Yonge Street in Toronto where the movie was filmed. Appearantly while they decided to put up fake "Apollo Theatre" and other stuff they decided to leave in Zanzibar. The Big Slice restaurant and Sam the Record Man (also Yonge Street landmarks) are also left in.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for March 12th
So I've been debating as of late about the content of this blog. For the most part my weekly comic reviews have taken over as all I post and I'm not sure if that's all I want this to be. I seem to be debating quite a bit with myself over posting any non-comic stuff (don't worry, I don't plan on ranting about personal issues) or even posting my thoughts on comic beyond just reviews (let's face it, I'm only an outsider here with no real comic industry experience or knowledge of the ins and outs of things). So I'm considering trying a little something different this week. Perhaps after my reviews I'll be make a second post of quick comments and opinions, mostly in regards to other stuff I've seen on the web recently. So keep an eye out for that, either later today or tomorrow.
But first, the reviews. All one of them:
Serenity: Better Days #1 -- As a fan of so much of Whedon's work and a fan of Firefly/Serenity, I was really happy to hear about this series a while back. And now it finally comes out. But I was able to keep myself from getting too hyped about it. Anywho, the book picks up nicely as we're thrown back in time a bit (the story occurs during the run of the show). The characters are all well written, great dialogue, and the story fits with your typical Firefly story (whatever that may be). It's definitely not the "Verse" altering storyline of the movie, more a locally set story of our ragtag team of bandits. So yeah, I was happy with it in those terms. Art wise, the likenesses are solid while at the same time not being overwhelming (sometimes when an artist tries to get the likenesses down so much they suffer as being static looking or out of place, here, it works). But at the same time, there were a few pages/panels where the storytelling (whether it was the art or writing) seemed a bit out of whack. The scene with the "mule" for instance didn't really work for me. But overall, as a fan of the show and movie I enjoyed it and can't wait for more. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading for other fans of the show/movie. For non-fans, you probably won't have too much trouble figuring things out so you won't be lost but it would probably lose a bit of its appeal.
As for other reviews, I know I haven't done the Zuda thing in a while. And to be honest, I stayed away from it last month because I really didn't care for the selection they had in last month's competition. None of them really stood out to me. This month is the opposite. I'm going to have a tough time voting because I see so much I'd be interested in checking out. So quickly:
Among the Silver Stars -- Loved the choice of art style here (though a few times I felt it not really consistent in some areas but solid overall) and it seems to be a great start to a well developed story.
Day of Prey -- Who knew a comic about fishermen could be entertaining? :) A funny start with solid cartoon art. Not sure if I think it has the staying power but not a bad start.
Laura's Bazaar -- Again, good art and decent writing. Looks like it could be a fun story of magic meets real world. The characters seem interesting and entertaining with some snappy dialogue.
Little Inventor -- A slightly different cartoon art style. Decent storytelling but I'm not completely sold on the story unfortunately. The artist definitely has the potential for something great though.
Rojo Fernandez: Son of the Wind -- Could be a decent webcomic but I think the artist needs a bit more development. I also wasn't terribly excited by the story. I guess it just seems a bit too overdone ("Human son of some power" kinda thing).
Sam & Lilah -- Good dialogue, great art that is solid technically and well laid out for great storytelling. I'd like to see more but possibly not in a good way, I just don't know if these 8 pages really sold the story well enough.
Black Cherry Bombshells -- Considering I'm currently reading through the Y: The Last Man TPBs I definitely see connections here. (Yeesh, I suddenly had a weird case of deja vu, did I post reviews on these already or something?) I'm a little surprised that this one currently ranks as number 1 but anywho. The art isn't really my cup of tea but it's solid enough to tell the story and quirky in its own sorta way. So that may appeal to some. The story may feel a bit more unique if I wasn't currently reading Y: The Last Man though turning the men into zombies is a different twist (even if I'm getting a little tired of zombies at the moment). Though I think it's a pretty strong competitor it probably won't be getting my vote.
The Litterbox Chronicles -- I like this one. The character designs and art style may not be something totally new but I really liked the characters for some reason. Though I also like Pooch Cafe so maybe it's just some unknown obsession I have with trouble making cartoon animals. A few of the strips may have missed the mark slightly but overall I liked it.
Tiempo -- Probably the more "out there" of this month's batch but a great piece of graphic storytelling. You really have to take your time to appreciate it (which is something today's readers may not be used to, they'll probably see no dialogue and just whip through it). It's really beautiful stuff and it kinda reminded me of a few of Will Eisner's short stories where he let the pictures speak for themselves. Having said that, I don't know if the 8 pages presented here are enough to get the attention of voters. It's too bad really, I'd like to see more from this artist.
Yuletide -- Decent art that conveys the story well but I don't know if the story is solid enough or maybe it just doesn't appeal to me. I just didn't really feel a connection to it or a desire to see what comes next. But it could definitely build into a decent webcomic.
So overall, a pretty good selection. I'm not quite sure just yet who I'll be voting for.
But first, the reviews. All one of them:
Serenity: Better Days #1 -- As a fan of so much of Whedon's work and a fan of Firefly/Serenity, I was really happy to hear about this series a while back. And now it finally comes out. But I was able to keep myself from getting too hyped about it. Anywho, the book picks up nicely as we're thrown back in time a bit (the story occurs during the run of the show). The characters are all well written, great dialogue, and the story fits with your typical Firefly story (whatever that may be). It's definitely not the "Verse" altering storyline of the movie, more a locally set story of our ragtag team of bandits. So yeah, I was happy with it in those terms. Art wise, the likenesses are solid while at the same time not being overwhelming (sometimes when an artist tries to get the likenesses down so much they suffer as being static looking or out of place, here, it works). But at the same time, there were a few pages/panels where the storytelling (whether it was the art or writing) seemed a bit out of whack. The scene with the "mule" for instance didn't really work for me. But overall, as a fan of the show and movie I enjoyed it and can't wait for more. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading for other fans of the show/movie. For non-fans, you probably won't have too much trouble figuring things out so you won't be lost but it would probably lose a bit of its appeal.
As for other reviews, I know I haven't done the Zuda thing in a while. And to be honest, I stayed away from it last month because I really didn't care for the selection they had in last month's competition. None of them really stood out to me. This month is the opposite. I'm going to have a tough time voting because I see so much I'd be interested in checking out. So quickly:
Among the Silver Stars -- Loved the choice of art style here (though a few times I felt it not really consistent in some areas but solid overall) and it seems to be a great start to a well developed story.
Day of Prey -- Who knew a comic about fishermen could be entertaining? :) A funny start with solid cartoon art. Not sure if I think it has the staying power but not a bad start.
Laura's Bazaar -- Again, good art and decent writing. Looks like it could be a fun story of magic meets real world. The characters seem interesting and entertaining with some snappy dialogue.
Little Inventor -- A slightly different cartoon art style. Decent storytelling but I'm not completely sold on the story unfortunately. The artist definitely has the potential for something great though.
Rojo Fernandez: Son of the Wind -- Could be a decent webcomic but I think the artist needs a bit more development. I also wasn't terribly excited by the story. I guess it just seems a bit too overdone ("Human son of some power" kinda thing).
Sam & Lilah -- Good dialogue, great art that is solid technically and well laid out for great storytelling. I'd like to see more but possibly not in a good way, I just don't know if these 8 pages really sold the story well enough.
Black Cherry Bombshells -- Considering I'm currently reading through the Y: The Last Man TPBs I definitely see connections here. (Yeesh, I suddenly had a weird case of deja vu, did I post reviews on these already or something?) I'm a little surprised that this one currently ranks as number 1 but anywho. The art isn't really my cup of tea but it's solid enough to tell the story and quirky in its own sorta way. So that may appeal to some. The story may feel a bit more unique if I wasn't currently reading Y: The Last Man though turning the men into zombies is a different twist (even if I'm getting a little tired of zombies at the moment). Though I think it's a pretty strong competitor it probably won't be getting my vote.
The Litterbox Chronicles -- I like this one. The character designs and art style may not be something totally new but I really liked the characters for some reason. Though I also like Pooch Cafe so maybe it's just some unknown obsession I have with trouble making cartoon animals. A few of the strips may have missed the mark slightly but overall I liked it.
Tiempo -- Probably the more "out there" of this month's batch but a great piece of graphic storytelling. You really have to take your time to appreciate it (which is something today's readers may not be used to, they'll probably see no dialogue and just whip through it). It's really beautiful stuff and it kinda reminded me of a few of Will Eisner's short stories where he let the pictures speak for themselves. Having said that, I don't know if the 8 pages presented here are enough to get the attention of voters. It's too bad really, I'd like to see more from this artist.
Yuletide -- Decent art that conveys the story well but I don't know if the story is solid enough or maybe it just doesn't appeal to me. I just didn't really feel a connection to it or a desire to see what comes next. But it could definitely build into a decent webcomic.
So overall, a pretty good selection. I'm not quite sure just yet who I'll be voting for.
Monday, March 10, 2008
A Brief Comment on Snow and Colds
After the latest dumping of 50+ centimeters (about 20 inches for my non-metric readers) of snow over the weekend I think I've had my fill of winter. Actually, I think I had my fill a while back but what can you do? And to top it off, I'm still fighting a really nasty head cold. I don't even want to think about how many boxes of facial tissues I've gone through but judging from how raw my nose is it must be a lot. So yeah, I'm glad that my condo fees cover snow removal so I could spend my weekend laying on the couch doing some channel surfing. I only had to go out and shovel once.
But the snow does make for some nice/interesting pictures and a good story to tell.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/photogalleries/template.html?topic=digout
Though they won't beat the "Ice Storm of 1998" stories/pics it's still something.
But the snow does make for some nice/interesting pictures and a good story to tell.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/photogalleries/template.html?topic=digout
Though they won't beat the "Ice Storm of 1998" stories/pics it's still something.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for March 5, 2008 -- HUGE SPOILERS
Well, my cold took a turn for the worse so I decided to stay home from work. My head is swimming, my nose is running, and my throat is ... I don't know an exercise that goes with "sore throat". So after I get through these reviews it's back to the nice warm comfort of my bed.
Buffy #12 -- Uhm... Wow! I did not see that coming at all. So Buffy and Satsu... Very interesting. My first reaction was "This must be a dream, we've had a few of them already in this series, this must be another one." Then "This must be a spell or something." But nope, as the scene progresses (quite comically I might add) it's clear that this is real ... Or at least "real" in Buffy/Comic-land. So now I have to figure out how I feel about this development. And really, I feel okay about it. I don't feel it was done to shock people and sell more comics (as some have suggested). It seemed to be portrayed more as a character moment. You look at the life Buffy's led up to this point and having someone around her who loves her and cares for her as deeply as Satsu, well you can kinda see the potential there. And now they are both left to figure out where do they go from here (yes, I've listened to the Once More With Feeling CD too many times as I almost sang that outloud). But moving on to the comic as a whole, the art remains solid, Drew Goddard does a good job of capturing the characters and setting up a new storyline (one that doesn't even revolve around the Buffy/Satsu "incident"). I'm not entirely stoked about the guest appearance at the end as I didn't really care for that particular episode of Buffy but it makes sense story-wise. So yeah, the series continues to be on the top of my pile as the book I look forward to reading the most and comes highly recommended by yours truly.
Dark Tower: The Long Road Home #1 -- I was debating whether I was going to buy this book or not. But then I realized it was coming out shortly and I hadn't removed it from my subscription list at the store so it was either buy it or stick them with it (which I hate doing). Plus, I read the first series, I might as well keep going. The first series was hit and miss for me. Some issues seemed to flow nicely and had the art match the story. Other issues seemed disjoint and the art was a little tough to follow for me. This issue seemed to work for me. The story provided enough of a flashback to help the story along and the storytelling seemed to flow okay. I'm not entirely sold on the artwork but it seemed to work here. For the die hard Stephen King fans, it's recommended reading. For others, it may just be something you might want to check out to see if it's your cup of tea.
Echo #1 -- I bought this book on a whim. I really enjoyed Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise so I figured why not give this book a shot. The artwork is fairly simple and not over the top (and is black and white) but it works for Moore's work. It tells the story well and doesn't make it over the top with flash and pizzazz. The story is... it's tough to say. In a weird way it feels like you are still in the dark as to what this story will be about yet in a short time you get to feel you know the characters, even the ones who are only there briefly. Moore seems to have a knack for connecting the reader with each and every character. I don't know where it's going but I'm sure it'll be an interesting ride so it makes my recommended reading list.
Logan #1 -- Here's another book I picked up on a whim. I'm still rather tired of Wolverine stories, especially ones that go back to his messed up history, but I've really liked a lot of Brian K Vaughan's work so I thought I'd give it a try. Plus, it's only 3 issues. After reading it, I'm not entirely sold on it. The art has a unique style to it and tells the story well. But so far I wasn't really blown away by the story. Perhaps it's just because I don't really care for the "Wolverine in Japan" stories that flooded the market for a while. So I'm checking out the series but it's one I'm holding off on recommending. Perhaps when it's done I'll suggest the TPB.
So that's it for this week. I've also made a pretty big dent in those Y the Last Man TPBs I got but I'm not sure if I'll be posting reviews of those or not. And so, I'm off to bed to try and sleep my way through this cold. Cheers!
Buffy #12 -- Uhm... Wow! I did not see that coming at all. So Buffy and Satsu... Very interesting. My first reaction was "This must be a dream, we've had a few of them already in this series, this must be another one." Then "This must be a spell or something." But nope, as the scene progresses (quite comically I might add) it's clear that this is real ... Or at least "real" in Buffy/Comic-land. So now I have to figure out how I feel about this development. And really, I feel okay about it. I don't feel it was done to shock people and sell more comics (as some have suggested). It seemed to be portrayed more as a character moment. You look at the life Buffy's led up to this point and having someone around her who loves her and cares for her as deeply as Satsu, well you can kinda see the potential there. And now they are both left to figure out where do they go from here (yes, I've listened to the Once More With Feeling CD too many times as I almost sang that outloud). But moving on to the comic as a whole, the art remains solid, Drew Goddard does a good job of capturing the characters and setting up a new storyline (one that doesn't even revolve around the Buffy/Satsu "incident"). I'm not entirely stoked about the guest appearance at the end as I didn't really care for that particular episode of Buffy but it makes sense story-wise. So yeah, the series continues to be on the top of my pile as the book I look forward to reading the most and comes highly recommended by yours truly.
Dark Tower: The Long Road Home #1 -- I was debating whether I was going to buy this book or not. But then I realized it was coming out shortly and I hadn't removed it from my subscription list at the store so it was either buy it or stick them with it (which I hate doing). Plus, I read the first series, I might as well keep going. The first series was hit and miss for me. Some issues seemed to flow nicely and had the art match the story. Other issues seemed disjoint and the art was a little tough to follow for me. This issue seemed to work for me. The story provided enough of a flashback to help the story along and the storytelling seemed to flow okay. I'm not entirely sold on the artwork but it seemed to work here. For the die hard Stephen King fans, it's recommended reading. For others, it may just be something you might want to check out to see if it's your cup of tea.
Echo #1 -- I bought this book on a whim. I really enjoyed Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise so I figured why not give this book a shot. The artwork is fairly simple and not over the top (and is black and white) but it works for Moore's work. It tells the story well and doesn't make it over the top with flash and pizzazz. The story is... it's tough to say. In a weird way it feels like you are still in the dark as to what this story will be about yet in a short time you get to feel you know the characters, even the ones who are only there briefly. Moore seems to have a knack for connecting the reader with each and every character. I don't know where it's going but I'm sure it'll be an interesting ride so it makes my recommended reading list.
Logan #1 -- Here's another book I picked up on a whim. I'm still rather tired of Wolverine stories, especially ones that go back to his messed up history, but I've really liked a lot of Brian K Vaughan's work so I thought I'd give it a try. Plus, it's only 3 issues. After reading it, I'm not entirely sold on it. The art has a unique style to it and tells the story well. But so far I wasn't really blown away by the story. Perhaps it's just because I don't really care for the "Wolverine in Japan" stories that flooded the market for a while. So I'm checking out the series but it's one I'm holding off on recommending. Perhaps when it's done I'll suggest the TPB.
So that's it for this week. I've also made a pretty big dent in those Y the Last Man TPBs I got but I'm not sure if I'll be posting reviews of those or not. And so, I'm off to bed to try and sleep my way through this cold. Cheers!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A Non-Comic Review Post
Yep, no reviews in this post. I just felt like babbling for a bit and decided what the heck, my blog doesn't need to be only about comic reviews right? So here's what's new in my life today.
I signed up for summer badminton. Exciting no? :) I wanted to sign up for some uninstructed figure drawing as well but I discovered the place I wanted to sign up at only runs it in the fall and winter. Ever since starting Divine Leap I felt like I should put more of an effort into improving and figure drawing is one area that I think could help. So I'm thinking that if that's not a possibility I might use that time to draw various environments. Maybe tour the city a bit drawing various settings. And perhaps that will help with the whole "backgrounds" issue.
Secondly, my latest shipment of TPBs to read came in yesterday. This batch of TPBs is all "Y the Last Man" stuff. I've heard so much talk about it and with it ending I figured now is the time to read it. So there will be plenty of comic reading in my near future. The downside is that the TPBs also came with another book I ordered. You see, while ordering the TPBs I also decided to pick up another book but it wasn't for me. It was for a woman I went out on a date with a couple weeks back. She was looking at it while we were in Chapters together but she didn't have the money to be buying a bunch of books. So I figured what the heck, things seemed to go well on our date and she expressed interest in going on another so I'd pick it up for her as a gift. But considering she stopped responding to my emails and has seemingly been avoiding me on MSN over the last few days things aren't looking good. Life goes on I suppose.
I also signed a two-year extension to my contract at work (as a software developer). Things have been a little rocky as of late so the 2-year contract is a nice change.
And lastly, I woke up early this morning thanks to an oncoming cold. So it's looking like I might be staying home tomorrow. And with Saturday's snow storm coming I'll probably be locking myself up for that day as well.
Enough babbling, comic reviews will most likely be back tomorrow.
I signed up for summer badminton. Exciting no? :) I wanted to sign up for some uninstructed figure drawing as well but I discovered the place I wanted to sign up at only runs it in the fall and winter. Ever since starting Divine Leap I felt like I should put more of an effort into improving and figure drawing is one area that I think could help. So I'm thinking that if that's not a possibility I might use that time to draw various environments. Maybe tour the city a bit drawing various settings. And perhaps that will help with the whole "backgrounds" issue.
Secondly, my latest shipment of TPBs to read came in yesterday. This batch of TPBs is all "Y the Last Man" stuff. I've heard so much talk about it and with it ending I figured now is the time to read it. So there will be plenty of comic reading in my near future. The downside is that the TPBs also came with another book I ordered. You see, while ordering the TPBs I also decided to pick up another book but it wasn't for me. It was for a woman I went out on a date with a couple weeks back. She was looking at it while we were in Chapters together but she didn't have the money to be buying a bunch of books. So I figured what the heck, things seemed to go well on our date and she expressed interest in going on another so I'd pick it up for her as a gift. But considering she stopped responding to my emails and has seemingly been avoiding me on MSN over the last few days things aren't looking good. Life goes on I suppose.
I also signed a two-year extension to my contract at work (as a software developer). Things have been a little rocky as of late so the 2-year contract is a nice change.
And lastly, I woke up early this morning thanks to an oncoming cold. So it's looking like I might be staying home tomorrow. And with Saturday's snow storm coming I'll probably be locking myself up for that day as well.
Enough babbling, comic reviews will most likely be back tomorrow.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for Feb. 27th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
First up, some of the more observant of you may have noticed some links added to the right. I finally decided that I needed to give credit to a few blogs and other websites I check out on a regular basis. They aren't the only sites I visit as that list would be quite long but they're the ones I check out the most often. You may also notice that the links are, for the most part and especially the newest ones, comic book related. When I first started this blog I didn't plan on it being a comic book blog but as someone who isn't entirely comfortable with posting the details of my life for all to see my comic reviews seemed to be the only thing I would post about on a regular basis. That doesn't mean I won't post a rant or two about other stuff from time to time but for now, the links will center around comics.
But enough chit chat, let's get to the reviews. This week we have 4 to get through with She-Hulk #26, Elephantmen: War Toys #2, Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #5, and Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #3.
She-Hulk #26 -- First off, I like the bigger story that Peter David has going on here. She-Hulk's questioning her hero status and all. I find it engaging and interesting, and it's a good fit for the character. Unfortunately, I didn't like this sub-story quite as much. I can see how it fits into the overall story but it still seemed somewhat disappointing. In this particular book, I found myself connecting more emotionally with the throw away characters as they're the ones who are being hit the hardest in this book (with the guy's wife dying and being brought back only temporarily and all). Sure it hits She-Hulk and her new Skrull friend and ties into their story but somehow I just felt it missed the mark somewhat by being too hard on the throwaways. I also found She-Hulk losing her pants to be a little out of place here. The art seems to be hit or miss with me, with some fairly solid storytelling and action in places and some not so pretty art in others. And only some of this has to do with the fact that we get two pencillers (which I found more noticeable when they drew the throwaway guy as his appearance seemed inconsistent). In the end, I'm still eager to see where She-Hulk is going (and where she's been) but I felt this issue could have been a bit stronger. And I think the art needs a bit more polish to it. So perhaps it slides off my "recommended reading" list and into the something you might want to check out if you're looking for something to read.
Elephantmen: War Toys #2 -- I'm always really happy to find an Elephantmen book (whether it's War Toys or the regular series) waiting for me at my local comic shop. The downside comes the next day when I have to come up with a new way of saying how much I enjoy the book. The artwork has a distinctive style to it and there may have been one or two panels that I thought could have been clearer but overall it's really fantastic work. The story and the writing is where this book continues to excel. You feel a connection with every character as the story and emotions build. I don't really know what else to say. If you aren't reading this book then I think you're missing out on a great comic. It definitely makes my recommended reading list.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #5 -- This series has been hot and cold for me. Sometimes I find the art works, other times (like with this issue) I find it doesn't or at least it's inconsistent. Sometimes I find they nail Ash's character (which I thought was well done in this issue) and other times I find they don't. But perhaps what hurts this issue the most for me is that it falls into the 'penultimate issue curse' for me. It just seemed to be there to tie things up in preparation for the last issue. I found myself not really all that into it as I knew everything was just waiting to happen in the final issue and I found there wasn't really that much to draw me in. Overall, I'd be hard pressed to recommend this book based on this issue but I'm waiting to see how the series finishes off before making my final decision on it.
Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #3 -- The biggest drawback for this book, it's been 6 months between issues coming out. Right off the bat I needed more of a re-fresher to know where we're at in the story. I think that with the 3rd series, I'll be waiting for the TPB or hardcover collected version. The art remains beautiful. The settings and backgrounds are gorgeous. The scene with the bats is really amazing with the dark ominous setting. The story is intriguing and engaging. It really is a great book. I just think that for me, it would be better read as the whole story at once. So I definitely think it's worth checking out but possibly more enjoyable to read when it's done.
That's it for another week. On a personal note, I'm happy to report I have finished "inking" the last page of Divine Leap Chapter 2, Issue 3 and I'm over half way through lettering the issue. Much of the issue is already up on DrunkDuck (check the link to the right). One of these days I'd really like to improve my site on DrunkDuck with links to the chapters and issues as well as to the character page I had started. I just need to find the time. :)
But enough chit chat, let's get to the reviews. This week we have 4 to get through with She-Hulk #26, Elephantmen: War Toys #2, Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #5, and Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #3.
She-Hulk #26 -- First off, I like the bigger story that Peter David has going on here. She-Hulk's questioning her hero status and all. I find it engaging and interesting, and it's a good fit for the character. Unfortunately, I didn't like this sub-story quite as much. I can see how it fits into the overall story but it still seemed somewhat disappointing. In this particular book, I found myself connecting more emotionally with the throw away characters as they're the ones who are being hit the hardest in this book (with the guy's wife dying and being brought back only temporarily and all). Sure it hits She-Hulk and her new Skrull friend and ties into their story but somehow I just felt it missed the mark somewhat by being too hard on the throwaways. I also found She-Hulk losing her pants to be a little out of place here. The art seems to be hit or miss with me, with some fairly solid storytelling and action in places and some not so pretty art in others. And only some of this has to do with the fact that we get two pencillers (which I found more noticeable when they drew the throwaway guy as his appearance seemed inconsistent). In the end, I'm still eager to see where She-Hulk is going (and where she's been) but I felt this issue could have been a bit stronger. And I think the art needs a bit more polish to it. So perhaps it slides off my "recommended reading" list and into the something you might want to check out if you're looking for something to read.
Elephantmen: War Toys #2 -- I'm always really happy to find an Elephantmen book (whether it's War Toys or the regular series) waiting for me at my local comic shop. The downside comes the next day when I have to come up with a new way of saying how much I enjoy the book. The artwork has a distinctive style to it and there may have been one or two panels that I thought could have been clearer but overall it's really fantastic work. The story and the writing is where this book continues to excel. You feel a connection with every character as the story and emotions build. I don't really know what else to say. If you aren't reading this book then I think you're missing out on a great comic. It definitely makes my recommended reading list.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #5 -- This series has been hot and cold for me. Sometimes I find the art works, other times (like with this issue) I find it doesn't or at least it's inconsistent. Sometimes I find they nail Ash's character (which I thought was well done in this issue) and other times I find they don't. But perhaps what hurts this issue the most for me is that it falls into the 'penultimate issue curse' for me. It just seemed to be there to tie things up in preparation for the last issue. I found myself not really all that into it as I knew everything was just waiting to happen in the final issue and I found there wasn't really that much to draw me in. Overall, I'd be hard pressed to recommend this book based on this issue but I'm waiting to see how the series finishes off before making my final decision on it.
Mouse Guard Winter 1152 #3 -- The biggest drawback for this book, it's been 6 months between issues coming out. Right off the bat I needed more of a re-fresher to know where we're at in the story. I think that with the 3rd series, I'll be waiting for the TPB or hardcover collected version. The art remains beautiful. The settings and backgrounds are gorgeous. The scene with the bats is really amazing with the dark ominous setting. The story is intriguing and engaging. It really is a great book. I just think that for me, it would be better read as the whole story at once. So I definitely think it's worth checking out but possibly more enjoyable to read when it's done.
That's it for another week. On a personal note, I'm happy to report I have finished "inking" the last page of Divine Leap Chapter 2, Issue 3 and I'm over half way through lettering the issue. Much of the issue is already up on DrunkDuck (check the link to the right). One of these days I'd really like to improve my site on DrunkDuck with links to the chapters and issues as well as to the character page I had started. I just need to find the time. :)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for Feb. 20th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
I know I'm a little ahead this week as I normally don't post reviews until Friday. But yesterday was my father's birthday and since he decided to go hit golf balls with his buddies we have to get together for dinner tonight. And that pushed my comic run up a day. And if that makes no sense to you, just ignore it and skip to the reviews.
As for the reviews, this week was a really busy week by my standards with 8 books coming out so let's get right to it shall we. And a warning that SPOILERS are throughout (especially in the Hulk review):
Hulk #2 -- If this book was written as some sort of alternate dimension book or just fan fiction I might be mildly okay with it. Yeah, I think it's crappy writing but at least the art is pretty. But as it stands, I think it's just ... very bad (that's not what I want to really say but I'm trying to be nice). There are so many things that just make me cringe in this book. The giant pistol that SHIELD has sitting around that seemingly can kill the Abomination. Iron Man standing around doing absolutely nothing while She-Hulk gets beat all over the SHIELD helicarrier. He even waited until she was knocked unconcious and almost killed before he put his mask back on. Oh, he did bark a couple orders but that's not Iron Man. Iron Man multitasks. He barks orders as he does other stuff (like throw on his mask and confront the monster taking down his ship). And why is he surprised that the Hulk's hands were red? We got the red description from the kid in Russia. And why does he even insist on calling this the Hulk considering Banner is still locked up? And Rick Jones is the new Abomination (or "A-bom" as he calls himself), really??? That makes no sense to me. I actually had to double check that there was some confirmation that this was Rick Jones and not just Blonsky with long hair. I really hope there are some extremely good answers for this because at the moment it makes me wonder if Loeb was just given carte blanche to do whatever he likes whether it made sense for the characters or not. And as for the theory that Samson is the new Hulk, this issue really seems to push that but it's pretty obvious and wouldn't make much sense to me either. But then again, maybe not making sense actually makes sense. So yeah, I'm not recommending this series. Maybe when it's all played out it'll redeem itself but for now I just have too many problems with it.
Ultimates 3 #3 -- Meh. That's pretty much how I felt about this issue. Yeah, we get some flashbacks and more icky talk about Quicksilver and the Scarlett Witch (I really do hope that Loeb turns it around and says that Logan wasn't actually watching them ... you know). The art was good. But overall, I just can't really put this book on my recommended reading list. It seems to be pushing certain things (Clint's obsession with getting someone to kill him and the Pietro/Wanda love connection) just for the sake of seeming "edgy" and more "mature". And I felt quite a bit of the book could have been cut out except they wanted to see more of Maduira draw "sexy" women. Only two more issues to go and I'm hoping they are an improvement over what we've seen so far.
Angel: After the Fall #4 -- I really think the art is holding this book back. Not only are likenesses and issue but the art in general was just lacking. Characters looked weird, not just in their likeness. And it's too bad because I'm really enjoying the story. The dialogue may be somewhat lacking at times but the overall story is really good. Yeah, it makes my recommended reading list but I wish it could be a bit better.
Incredible Hercules #114 -- I keep thinking that this book could show a turning point in the character of Ares back to being a villain. I mean, he's trying to kill Hercules, he's turning Avengers against Herc to try and get them to kill him, and he's beating up his teammates. But since he's in the Mighty Avengers and this is just a Hercules book I'm sure he'll remain the good guy. You would think that the Black Widow would eventually say something about him though. Anywho, I'm surprised to say I'm still rather enjoying this series. I didn't think a Hercules series could keep my attention. I don't know how long it'll last though and I'm eager to see the Hulk back (with Pak writing him). The art was pretty solid and you got a good sense of Hercules' insanity from the Hydra blood. Things don't look good at the end though with Amadeus seemingly being pushed over the edge with the injuries his little pup sustained. It's too bad, as I liked Amadeus as a good guy but I guess we'll have to wait and see where it goes. So yeah, this series is on my recommended reading list.
Runaways #29 -- This book's biggest problem continues to be the amount of time between issues and with this particular storyline, that's a bigger problem. With the Runaways having travelled back in time and meeting a number of characters (I think someone counted it to be 25 characters including the Runaways themselves in this particular issue) and all those characters being part of groups and subgroups and such a 4 month wait between issues can be problematic. Not only do I not remember where the Runaways left off after the last issue I don't remember all these extra characters. Yeah, the page at the beginning helps a bit but it can't cover everything. And maybe the problem would be solved if I just wait until all the issues are out or read the TPB but this is supposed to be a monthly comic, I shouldn't have to do that to enjoy it for what it's supposed to be. Having said that, after the initial headaches of figuring things out the issue was a solid continuation of the story and the characters. You get a lot of poignant moments (Molly is such a scene stealer) and some depth to what's going on. And the art is solid and reflects the story's setting well. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading list but perhaps you should wait for the TPB, there's no telling when the last issue will come out.
Ultimate Human #2 -- After some Hulk action we're treated to a brief Iron Man versus Hulk. And then some talky-talky between Bruce and Tony, and the Leader and his men. Then it's time for the main storyline to take over with the Leader's plan being executed. Overall, I enjoyed this issue. It had some cool moments in the fight and the "talky-talky" parts were really interesting for someone who wants to really get in to the characters' heads and see what makes them tick. This take on the Hulk (in his Ultimate form) is a very interesting one and a departure from the 616 Hulk. That's not a bad thing, I kinda like seeing other takes on the character. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading list.
World of Warcraft #4 -- What I liked about this issue: The art didn't bother me quite as much as usual though there were a few panels where I had to spend a bit more time figuring out what was going on. And it was interesting to add depth to one of the main characters. But on the other hand, it felt a little odd. The two main characters just happen to show up just as the elves and humans are about to be ambushed and come up with the plan to ambush the orcs back. And the other elf just happens to show up in time to start following that guy who's chasing the main human character. It just seemed rather convenient how things fell into place. And now they have a new mission to go on. It almost seems to be playing out like a game, finish one mission, get the next. Overall I thought the issue was okay but it didn't blow me away or anything. I don't think it makes my recommended reading list but it may be worth checking out.
World War Hulk Aftersmash Warbound #3 -- I'm actually enjoying this series. I know it's not hugely successful or popular but I kinda liked the characters from Planet Hulk and it's great to see them being developed further as now they can be explored more fully in their own book. The art isn't overwhelmingly great but it tells the story well. And it's an interesting story at that. I'm not quite sure what the Leader's full story here, why he's dying and such, so I'm hoping that gets cleared up at some point. I know it's not for everyone as it mostly deals with second or third tier characters from the Incredible Hulk (characters that most people would barely know if at all) but I really do think it's well done. So it makes my recommended reading list.
Whew! That's it for this week and what a week it was.
As for the reviews, this week was a really busy week by my standards with 8 books coming out so let's get right to it shall we. And a warning that SPOILERS are throughout (especially in the Hulk review):
Hulk #2 -- If this book was written as some sort of alternate dimension book or just fan fiction I might be mildly okay with it. Yeah, I think it's crappy writing but at least the art is pretty. But as it stands, I think it's just ... very bad (that's not what I want to really say but I'm trying to be nice). There are so many things that just make me cringe in this book. The giant pistol that SHIELD has sitting around that seemingly can kill the Abomination. Iron Man standing around doing absolutely nothing while She-Hulk gets beat all over the SHIELD helicarrier. He even waited until she was knocked unconcious and almost killed before he put his mask back on. Oh, he did bark a couple orders but that's not Iron Man. Iron Man multitasks. He barks orders as he does other stuff (like throw on his mask and confront the monster taking down his ship). And why is he surprised that the Hulk's hands were red? We got the red description from the kid in Russia. And why does he even insist on calling this the Hulk considering Banner is still locked up? And Rick Jones is the new Abomination (or "A-bom" as he calls himself), really??? That makes no sense to me. I actually had to double check that there was some confirmation that this was Rick Jones and not just Blonsky with long hair. I really hope there are some extremely good answers for this because at the moment it makes me wonder if Loeb was just given carte blanche to do whatever he likes whether it made sense for the characters or not. And as for the theory that Samson is the new Hulk, this issue really seems to push that but it's pretty obvious and wouldn't make much sense to me either. But then again, maybe not making sense actually makes sense. So yeah, I'm not recommending this series. Maybe when it's all played out it'll redeem itself but for now I just have too many problems with it.
Ultimates 3 #3 -- Meh. That's pretty much how I felt about this issue. Yeah, we get some flashbacks and more icky talk about Quicksilver and the Scarlett Witch (I really do hope that Loeb turns it around and says that Logan wasn't actually watching them ... you know). The art was good. But overall, I just can't really put this book on my recommended reading list. It seems to be pushing certain things (Clint's obsession with getting someone to kill him and the Pietro/Wanda love connection) just for the sake of seeming "edgy" and more "mature". And I felt quite a bit of the book could have been cut out except they wanted to see more of Maduira draw "sexy" women. Only two more issues to go and I'm hoping they are an improvement over what we've seen so far.
Angel: After the Fall #4 -- I really think the art is holding this book back. Not only are likenesses and issue but the art in general was just lacking. Characters looked weird, not just in their likeness. And it's too bad because I'm really enjoying the story. The dialogue may be somewhat lacking at times but the overall story is really good. Yeah, it makes my recommended reading list but I wish it could be a bit better.
Incredible Hercules #114 -- I keep thinking that this book could show a turning point in the character of Ares back to being a villain. I mean, he's trying to kill Hercules, he's turning Avengers against Herc to try and get them to kill him, and he's beating up his teammates. But since he's in the Mighty Avengers and this is just a Hercules book I'm sure he'll remain the good guy. You would think that the Black Widow would eventually say something about him though. Anywho, I'm surprised to say I'm still rather enjoying this series. I didn't think a Hercules series could keep my attention. I don't know how long it'll last though and I'm eager to see the Hulk back (with Pak writing him). The art was pretty solid and you got a good sense of Hercules' insanity from the Hydra blood. Things don't look good at the end though with Amadeus seemingly being pushed over the edge with the injuries his little pup sustained. It's too bad, as I liked Amadeus as a good guy but I guess we'll have to wait and see where it goes. So yeah, this series is on my recommended reading list.
Runaways #29 -- This book's biggest problem continues to be the amount of time between issues and with this particular storyline, that's a bigger problem. With the Runaways having travelled back in time and meeting a number of characters (I think someone counted it to be 25 characters including the Runaways themselves in this particular issue) and all those characters being part of groups and subgroups and such a 4 month wait between issues can be problematic. Not only do I not remember where the Runaways left off after the last issue I don't remember all these extra characters. Yeah, the page at the beginning helps a bit but it can't cover everything. And maybe the problem would be solved if I just wait until all the issues are out or read the TPB but this is supposed to be a monthly comic, I shouldn't have to do that to enjoy it for what it's supposed to be. Having said that, after the initial headaches of figuring things out the issue was a solid continuation of the story and the characters. You get a lot of poignant moments (Molly is such a scene stealer) and some depth to what's going on. And the art is solid and reflects the story's setting well. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading list but perhaps you should wait for the TPB, there's no telling when the last issue will come out.
Ultimate Human #2 -- After some Hulk action we're treated to a brief Iron Man versus Hulk. And then some talky-talky between Bruce and Tony, and the Leader and his men. Then it's time for the main storyline to take over with the Leader's plan being executed. Overall, I enjoyed this issue. It had some cool moments in the fight and the "talky-talky" parts were really interesting for someone who wants to really get in to the characters' heads and see what makes them tick. This take on the Hulk (in his Ultimate form) is a very interesting one and a departure from the 616 Hulk. That's not a bad thing, I kinda like seeing other takes on the character. So yeah, it makes my recommended reading list.
World of Warcraft #4 -- What I liked about this issue: The art didn't bother me quite as much as usual though there were a few panels where I had to spend a bit more time figuring out what was going on. And it was interesting to add depth to one of the main characters. But on the other hand, it felt a little odd. The two main characters just happen to show up just as the elves and humans are about to be ambushed and come up with the plan to ambush the orcs back. And the other elf just happens to show up in time to start following that guy who's chasing the main human character. It just seemed rather convenient how things fell into place. And now they have a new mission to go on. It almost seems to be playing out like a game, finish one mission, get the next. Overall I thought the issue was okay but it didn't blow me away or anything. I don't think it makes my recommended reading list but it may be worth checking out.
World War Hulk Aftersmash Warbound #3 -- I'm actually enjoying this series. I know it's not hugely successful or popular but I kinda liked the characters from Planet Hulk and it's great to see them being developed further as now they can be explored more fully in their own book. The art isn't overwhelmingly great but it tells the story well. And it's an interesting story at that. I'm not quite sure what the Leader's full story here, why he's dying and such, so I'm hoping that gets cleared up at some point. I know it's not for everyone as it mostly deals with second or third tier characters from the Incredible Hulk (characters that most people would barely know if at all) but I really do think it's well done. So it makes my recommended reading list.
Whew! That's it for this week and what a week it was.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for February 13th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
Only two books this week and only one was a regular one. So let's get down to reviewing Marvel Adventures Hulk #8 and The Spirit #13 (which actually came out at least a week ago).
Marvel Adventures Hulk #8 -- I'm still enjoying this series for what it is, a lighter take on the character that makes him available to a younger audience. And with the Hulk out of commission in the regular universe and the Jeph Loeb book delayed it's all I have of the character for the moment. So yeah, the book continues to succeed in just being a fun book to read and not take too seriously. Ignore continuity, don't worry about making the character or story mature, and throw in a lesson to the kiddies. Yet it still holds true to the characters. The art continues to be okay and match the target audience. Sure, there are some panels where the Hulk's hands tend to look too small or the panel of Namor with a squinty face, it took me a while before it dawned on me who he reminded me of but now I remember, it's Jeff Dunham's puppet Walter (feel free to look him up on google or youtube). Anyhow, it's still a fun read so it makes my recommended reading list. Though I know the more "mature" readers out there might not get much out of it.
The Spirit #13 -- I know I tried this series out a while back and gave it up but when I heard the writer was leaving with issue 12 and issue 13 was going to be an assortment of creators doing short stories I decided to pick them up. Unfortunately I missed issue 12 though. :) Issue 13 was a fun enough read and harkens back to the classic Eisner short stories. They're simple stories that just flow instead of looking to bombard the reader with over the top muscles/action/whatever else. So it was a fun book to read. Overall it actually makes my recommended reading list.
So that's it for another week of not many comics. I also "finished" Strangers in Paradise. I say "finished" because I skipped over the Molly and Poo stuff. I do plan on going back to reading it but I heard it wasn't important for the Katchoo/Francine story and it felt like it was just getting in the way of the story I wanted to read. I also polished off another volume of Ex Machina (volume 5 to be exact). Both, Strangers in Paradise and Ex Machina, also make my recommended reading list. This weekend is going to be a busy one with my aunt and uncle coming for a visit and me wanting to finish off issue 3 of Divine Leap (somewhat unlikely but I have high hopes).
See ya next week all!
Marvel Adventures Hulk #8 -- I'm still enjoying this series for what it is, a lighter take on the character that makes him available to a younger audience. And with the Hulk out of commission in the regular universe and the Jeph Loeb book delayed it's all I have of the character for the moment. So yeah, the book continues to succeed in just being a fun book to read and not take too seriously. Ignore continuity, don't worry about making the character or story mature, and throw in a lesson to the kiddies. Yet it still holds true to the characters. The art continues to be okay and match the target audience. Sure, there are some panels where the Hulk's hands tend to look too small or the panel of Namor with a squinty face, it took me a while before it dawned on me who he reminded me of but now I remember, it's Jeff Dunham's puppet Walter (feel free to look him up on google or youtube). Anyhow, it's still a fun read so it makes my recommended reading list. Though I know the more "mature" readers out there might not get much out of it.
The Spirit #13 -- I know I tried this series out a while back and gave it up but when I heard the writer was leaving with issue 12 and issue 13 was going to be an assortment of creators doing short stories I decided to pick them up. Unfortunately I missed issue 12 though. :) Issue 13 was a fun enough read and harkens back to the classic Eisner short stories. They're simple stories that just flow instead of looking to bombard the reader with over the top muscles/action/whatever else. So it was a fun book to read. Overall it actually makes my recommended reading list.
So that's it for another week of not many comics. I also "finished" Strangers in Paradise. I say "finished" because I skipped over the Molly and Poo stuff. I do plan on going back to reading it but I heard it wasn't important for the Katchoo/Francine story and it felt like it was just getting in the way of the story I wanted to read. I also polished off another volume of Ex Machina (volume 5 to be exact). Both, Strangers in Paradise and Ex Machina, also make my recommended reading list. This weekend is going to be a busy one with my aunt and uncle coming for a visit and me wanting to finish off issue 3 of Divine Leap (somewhat unlikely but I have high hopes).
See ya next week all!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for Feb. 6th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
It's rather sad that I almost forgot to do my reviews for this week. What's really sad is that I only have one review to do but it's for Buffy #11.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #11 -- Okay, so here are the spoilers. Buffy has a heart to heart with Xander, Buffy has a heart to heart with Satsu, and Buffy has a fist to fist with the new "Big Bad". It's a fairly dialogue heavy book to start with but if you're as in to Buffy dialogue as I am you'll be okay with that. A little bit of it feels like re-hashing some of Buffy's insecurities and depression from season 7 but considering what she's going through, it's still solid character building stuff. But the new bad guy on the scene, he really makes his presence felt. Some people on other forums have wondered what could be a threat to Buffy, her army of slayers, and Willow (and throw in Xander as well) but this guy seems to be building something. He's obviously a physical threat to Buffy herself but it's his planning on top of that and his teaming up of various factions that could be his biggest threat to Buffy and her army... And Willow... And Xander. And that tease as to the big reveal of who it is was just so perfect for me. Yeah, it's kinda corny I guess but in some way perhaps that's what made me think the reveal may actually happen. Artistically, I'm not sure it was the strongest issue so far but it was solid. Overall, although they label this as a standalone issue I don't really see it as such. It seems to me to be an important moving forward point in a bigger story and I can't wait to see more of it. It definitely makes my recommended reading list. One thing I did kinda wonder about was the cover. Maybe it's just me but the cover seemed to be a cheaper quality (paper quality I mean, not artistic quality because even though I prefer Jo Chen's covers I thought Jon Foster's cover was pretty good here) but again, it could just be me.
So yeah, that's all I have for this week. But in case you were wondering, I still have plenty of comic reading on the go. I'm currently working my way through the fifth digest of Strangers in Paradise and the 3rd Buffy Omnibus. I also finished off volume 4 of Ex Machina. And I have some more Ex Machina volumes coming in shortly (hopefully today) along with the first volume of Y: The Last Man which I decided to pick up after all the talk about it's recent conclusion (I don't actually know how it ended and don't spoil it for me). So that's enough to keep me busy for now, not to mention the webcomics scene and such.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #11 -- Okay, so here are the spoilers. Buffy has a heart to heart with Xander, Buffy has a heart to heart with Satsu, and Buffy has a fist to fist with the new "Big Bad". It's a fairly dialogue heavy book to start with but if you're as in to Buffy dialogue as I am you'll be okay with that. A little bit of it feels like re-hashing some of Buffy's insecurities and depression from season 7 but considering what she's going through, it's still solid character building stuff. But the new bad guy on the scene, he really makes his presence felt. Some people on other forums have wondered what could be a threat to Buffy, her army of slayers, and Willow (and throw in Xander as well) but this guy seems to be building something. He's obviously a physical threat to Buffy herself but it's his planning on top of that and his teaming up of various factions that could be his biggest threat to Buffy and her army... And Willow... And Xander. And that tease as to the big reveal of who it is was just so perfect for me. Yeah, it's kinda corny I guess but in some way perhaps that's what made me think the reveal may actually happen. Artistically, I'm not sure it was the strongest issue so far but it was solid. Overall, although they label this as a standalone issue I don't really see it as such. It seems to me to be an important moving forward point in a bigger story and I can't wait to see more of it. It definitely makes my recommended reading list. One thing I did kinda wonder about was the cover. Maybe it's just me but the cover seemed to be a cheaper quality (paper quality I mean, not artistic quality because even though I prefer Jo Chen's covers I thought Jon Foster's cover was pretty good here) but again, it could just be me.
So yeah, that's all I have for this week. But in case you were wondering, I still have plenty of comic reading on the go. I'm currently working my way through the fifth digest of Strangers in Paradise and the 3rd Buffy Omnibus. I also finished off volume 4 of Ex Machina. And I have some more Ex Machina volumes coming in shortly (hopefully today) along with the first volume of Y: The Last Man which I decided to pick up after all the talk about it's recent conclusion (I don't actually know how it ended and don't spoil it for me). So that's enough to keep me busy for now, not to mention the webcomics scene and such.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for Jan 30th, 2008 -- spoiler and REVIEW free!
Yep, this week's reviews will not only be spoiler free but also review free. What do I mean by that? Well, I actually had no books come out for me this week. Kinda sad really. But I do have some reading material so don't feel bad for me. I have the latest Wizard Magazine as well as my Strangers in Paradise pocket books and Ex Machina TPBs. Not to mention a few webcomics.
Which brings me to the point of this posting. Since I have no printed comics to review I figured I might as well take this opportunity to list off a few webcomics I check out. No lengthy reviews or anything, just a quick list in case you're looking for something to read. Unfortunately I pretty much stick to two locations for webcomics at the moment so you'll notice they're all either DrunkDuck or Zuda comics. So here goes (in alphabetical order):
Araknid Kid -- Originally appearing on Zuda Comics, the story of the "mysterious stranger" who talks in pictures continues on SugarySerials: http://araknidkid.sugaryserials.com/
Basketcase -- A fun daily comic though it's not always politically correct or "opinion free". http://www.drunkduck.com/basketcase/
Battlefield Babysitter -- Another comic originally appearing on Zuda, the adventures of the superhero babysitter continue (albeit slowly) at http://battlefieldbabysitter.blogspot.com/
Bayou -- The first winner (without going through a competition) on Zuda and a very engaging story. http://www.zudacomics.com/bayou
Blip -- An entertaining story about K and the forces that suround her.
http://www.drunkduck.com/Blip/
High Moon -- Another Zuda winner dealing with Werewolves in the Old West. Interesting premise and beautifully drawn. http://www.zudacomics.com/high_moon
Locoma -- Living toys battle Mr Advertising. Fun stuff and pretty (various mediums are explored for the art). http://www.drunkduck.com/Locoma/
Nuclear Neal -- Just caught this one today when I saw it featured on the DrunkDuck main page. Seems like an interesting idea and distinct art. http://www.drunkduck.com/NUCLEAR_NEAL/
ZomBen -- Ben gets the powers of a Zombie and decides to become a superhero. How can an idea like that miss? And it's got cool art. http://www.drunkduck.com/ZomBen/
So yeah, just because I didn't have any comics to pick up this week I still have plenty of reading material. Plus, having a bit more extra time could mean more time for me to write/draw... Or just goof off. :)
Which brings me to the point of this posting. Since I have no printed comics to review I figured I might as well take this opportunity to list off a few webcomics I check out. No lengthy reviews or anything, just a quick list in case you're looking for something to read. Unfortunately I pretty much stick to two locations for webcomics at the moment so you'll notice they're all either DrunkDuck or Zuda comics. So here goes (in alphabetical order):
Araknid Kid -- Originally appearing on Zuda Comics, the story of the "mysterious stranger" who talks in pictures continues on SugarySerials: http://araknidkid.sugaryserials.com/
Basketcase -- A fun daily comic though it's not always politically correct or "opinion free". http://www.drunkduck.com/basketcase/
Battlefield Babysitter -- Another comic originally appearing on Zuda, the adventures of the superhero babysitter continue (albeit slowly) at http://battlefieldbabysitter.blogspot.com/
Bayou -- The first winner (without going through a competition) on Zuda and a very engaging story. http://www.zudacomics.com/bayou
Blip -- An entertaining story about K and the forces that suround her.
http://www.drunkduck.com/Blip/
High Moon -- Another Zuda winner dealing with Werewolves in the Old West. Interesting premise and beautifully drawn. http://www.zudacomics.com/high_moon
Locoma -- Living toys battle Mr Advertising. Fun stuff and pretty (various mediums are explored for the art). http://www.drunkduck.com/Locoma/
Nuclear Neal -- Just caught this one today when I saw it featured on the DrunkDuck main page. Seems like an interesting idea and distinct art. http://www.drunkduck.com/NUCLEAR_NEAL/
ZomBen -- Ben gets the powers of a Zombie and decides to become a superhero. How can an idea like that miss? And it's got cool art. http://www.drunkduck.com/ZomBen/
So yeah, just because I didn't have any comics to pick up this week I still have plenty of reading material. Plus, having a bit more extra time could mean more time for me to write/draw... Or just goof off. :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for January 23rd, 2008 -- SPOILERS
It was definitely a busy week for me comics-wise... At least by my standards. Not only did I have 5 comics waiting for me this week (Astonishing X-Men, She-Hulk, Mice Templar, Freddy VS Jason VS Ash, and Ultimates) I also decided to pick up the third Buffy Omnibus. Then, to top things off, I find 3 Strangers in Paradise pocket books and an Ex Machina TPB waiting for me in my mailbox when I get home. So I have quite a bit of reading to do.
Astonishing X-Men #24 -- The last regular issue for Whedon and Cassaday before the Giant Sized issue hits. My biggest complaint about this book remains the delay between issues. After devouring each issue I'm left waiting for however long for the next part of the story. And yet again, we get some amazing work by both Whedon and Cassaday. I've been turned off by the X-Men for quite a while but this book is what I've been looking for all this time. Great characterization with depth, amazing dialogue, phenomenal art, and a cool story with twists and turns. And most importantly, a core X-Men story with every character getting the chance to shine. Honestly, I don't know what else I can say about this book. I've already gushed over it with each issue. So yes, obviously this issue makes my recommended reading list.
Ultimates 3 #2 -- After my less than positive review of the last issue I wasn't expecting much here but I was actually pleasantly surprised to a degree. First up, I didn't find the colours as washed out or at least they weren't as noticeable this time. I also didn't find the story as cluttered and messy as the previous issue. I thought the Hawkeye/Spider-Man thing was "meh" and my first thought was "why didn't Spidey's senses go haywire when Hawkeye shot him in the back?" but it didn't ruin the issue or anything. Thor's explanation of his speach change was a bit of a low point and I didn't really feel it felt right but again, it's not a big issue for me. Overall, I'm actually a little more interested in where the story is going though I groaned when Wolverine made his appearance on the last page. Yay! Another Wolverine appearance. So yeah, the books slides up a bit into "possible recommended reading" range but I'm still taking a wait and see approach to it. We have 3 more issues of this story to either keep the upward climb going or stumble badly.
She-Hulk #25 -- Peter David continues to put his stamp on this book. And as Shulkie is hell bent on staying out of the hero business (while at the same time tracking down a terrorist bomber) she gets pulled in to an intergalactic powder-keg (thanks in some part to her new Skrull friend). Though I probably should have seen the big twist coming I didn't and I have to applaud Peter for that. And I have to admit, I laughed at the intergalactic bounty-hunter's remarks about women. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for me. It wasn't a break out issue or anything but I'm sure Peter David fans as well as She-Hulk fans would enjoy it. Plus, it's just good reading. Then came the first mini-story. I was pretty surprised to see the main story end so quickly and get thrown into this. At first I wondered what the heck it was (having no knowledge of "Man-Elephant" prior to this). It's not an exceptional story yet it does seem to make a very forgettable character a little more interesting with slightly more depth to him. I'm actually looking forward to seeing more of him all of a sudden. The last story now, a totally tongue in cheek She-Hulk story. This one I could have done without. I'm sure some people will get a laugh from it but it seemed more like a "What the..???" sorta cartoon strip. I wonder what was going through Peter's head when he knew he had to bring up John Byrne's She-Hulk. So in the end, this book does edge onto my recommended reading list. I know fans of Dan Slott's She-Hulk may feel they are missing out but I think Peter David's done a great job of continuing the character with his own style.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #4 -- I keep forgetting the order of names here and I'm sure I've mixed them up in previous reviews. Anywho, I kinda liked some parts of this issue. Ash being attacked by lots of little Freddy hands fits in so well with both of their stories. That seemed to be a nice touch. But overall, I just don't think they've really nailed the character of Ash. And artistically I felt this book was a bit of a letdown. Some of it may have been the inking. Some shots of Freddy seemed a little flat with thin inking lines. And Ash just didn't seem to be very consistent. It wasn't a huge disappointment but I don't find I'm enjoying this series as a whole as much as I think I should. It doesn't make my recommended reading list but I'm sure that doesn't matter to the fans that are already reading this series. Though I should point out I'm not saying it's that bad, I just think it has potential that it's not living up to and could be better in some parts.
Mice Templar #3 -- It took me a little while to remind myself of the back story here. And some of that back story (the mythological stuff) I still don't remember. But this was a pretty solid issue. The art was good, the story is building, the characters are interesting, and it has all the pieces of something great. I'm intrigued by it though I still find it slightly confusing trying to distinguish which mouse is which (I'm glad they have a tendency to repeat each others' names when talking). But it's an interesting story so far and makes my recommended reading list.
So that's it for this week. How about a story of my own now. No, not a comic story but a real events story. After picking up my comics I was waiting to cross the street when a woman pulling a cart of her belongings asked me for money. I said "No sorry, I don't have any money." Okay, it was a lie as I did have some money but I can't afford to give money to everyone that asks. Since I was stuck at the light she decided to persist asking for money for a hotel room. I thought that was rather odd, I've been asked for money for coffee or food but a hotel room? I said again "No sorry, I don't have any money." She replies "F**k you! I hate you too a**h**e!" and begins crossing the street (in front of traffic). I get a little upset so I replied "I'm sorry, I just don't have any money." She yells back "Yes you do! Go to the bank and get me some a**h**e!" I'm ashamed to say I found the event somewhat comical despite the sadness of knowing that there are people living on the street.
Astonishing X-Men #24 -- The last regular issue for Whedon and Cassaday before the Giant Sized issue hits. My biggest complaint about this book remains the delay between issues. After devouring each issue I'm left waiting for however long for the next part of the story. And yet again, we get some amazing work by both Whedon and Cassaday. I've been turned off by the X-Men for quite a while but this book is what I've been looking for all this time. Great characterization with depth, amazing dialogue, phenomenal art, and a cool story with twists and turns. And most importantly, a core X-Men story with every character getting the chance to shine. Honestly, I don't know what else I can say about this book. I've already gushed over it with each issue. So yes, obviously this issue makes my recommended reading list.
Ultimates 3 #2 -- After my less than positive review of the last issue I wasn't expecting much here but I was actually pleasantly surprised to a degree. First up, I didn't find the colours as washed out or at least they weren't as noticeable this time. I also didn't find the story as cluttered and messy as the previous issue. I thought the Hawkeye/Spider-Man thing was "meh" and my first thought was "why didn't Spidey's senses go haywire when Hawkeye shot him in the back?" but it didn't ruin the issue or anything. Thor's explanation of his speach change was a bit of a low point and I didn't really feel it felt right but again, it's not a big issue for me. Overall, I'm actually a little more interested in where the story is going though I groaned when Wolverine made his appearance on the last page. Yay! Another Wolverine appearance. So yeah, the books slides up a bit into "possible recommended reading" range but I'm still taking a wait and see approach to it. We have 3 more issues of this story to either keep the upward climb going or stumble badly.
She-Hulk #25 -- Peter David continues to put his stamp on this book. And as Shulkie is hell bent on staying out of the hero business (while at the same time tracking down a terrorist bomber) she gets pulled in to an intergalactic powder-keg (thanks in some part to her new Skrull friend). Though I probably should have seen the big twist coming I didn't and I have to applaud Peter for that. And I have to admit, I laughed at the intergalactic bounty-hunter's remarks about women. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for me. It wasn't a break out issue or anything but I'm sure Peter David fans as well as She-Hulk fans would enjoy it. Plus, it's just good reading. Then came the first mini-story. I was pretty surprised to see the main story end so quickly and get thrown into this. At first I wondered what the heck it was (having no knowledge of "Man-Elephant" prior to this). It's not an exceptional story yet it does seem to make a very forgettable character a little more interesting with slightly more depth to him. I'm actually looking forward to seeing more of him all of a sudden. The last story now, a totally tongue in cheek She-Hulk story. This one I could have done without. I'm sure some people will get a laugh from it but it seemed more like a "What the..???" sorta cartoon strip. I wonder what was going through Peter's head when he knew he had to bring up John Byrne's She-Hulk. So in the end, this book does edge onto my recommended reading list. I know fans of Dan Slott's She-Hulk may feel they are missing out but I think Peter David's done a great job of continuing the character with his own style.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #4 -- I keep forgetting the order of names here and I'm sure I've mixed them up in previous reviews. Anywho, I kinda liked some parts of this issue. Ash being attacked by lots of little Freddy hands fits in so well with both of their stories. That seemed to be a nice touch. But overall, I just don't think they've really nailed the character of Ash. And artistically I felt this book was a bit of a letdown. Some of it may have been the inking. Some shots of Freddy seemed a little flat with thin inking lines. And Ash just didn't seem to be very consistent. It wasn't a huge disappointment but I don't find I'm enjoying this series as a whole as much as I think I should. It doesn't make my recommended reading list but I'm sure that doesn't matter to the fans that are already reading this series. Though I should point out I'm not saying it's that bad, I just think it has potential that it's not living up to and could be better in some parts.
Mice Templar #3 -- It took me a little while to remind myself of the back story here. And some of that back story (the mythological stuff) I still don't remember. But this was a pretty solid issue. The art was good, the story is building, the characters are interesting, and it has all the pieces of something great. I'm intrigued by it though I still find it slightly confusing trying to distinguish which mouse is which (I'm glad they have a tendency to repeat each others' names when talking). But it's an interesting story so far and makes my recommended reading list.
So that's it for this week. How about a story of my own now. No, not a comic story but a real events story. After picking up my comics I was waiting to cross the street when a woman pulling a cart of her belongings asked me for money. I said "No sorry, I don't have any money." Okay, it was a lie as I did have some money but I can't afford to give money to everyone that asks. Since I was stuck at the light she decided to persist asking for money for a hotel room. I thought that was rather odd, I've been asked for money for coffee or food but a hotel room? I said again "No sorry, I don't have any money." She replies "F**k you! I hate you too a**h**e!" and begins crossing the street (in front of traffic). I get a little upset so I replied "I'm sorry, I just don't have any money." She yells back "Yes you do! Go to the bank and get me some a**h**e!" I'm ashamed to say I found the event somewhat comical despite the sadness of knowing that there are people living on the street.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for January 18th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
I picked up a whopping 4 books this week so let's just get to it...
Angel: After the Fall #3 -- The biggest detractor for this book is still the art. Not only do I find the character likenesses off but sometimes the overall story telling just isn't there. The panel with the dragon spitting out Illyria had me confused for a bit, my first thought was that she somehow popped out of its chest/stomach. The writing is pretty solid though as this issue seems to answer a few things and take a couple twists and turns along the way. I was a little confused as to the time jumping and why Angel wouldn't say that he saw Illyria (it's not like it would be something new for Wes unless something else is going on). But I have to admit, I did not see that ending coming and I just though "Wow!" Suddenly I can't wait to read the next issue and the book inches it's way back up to my recommended reading list. Though obviously it's only really for Angel fans and even they may get turned away by the art.
World War Hulk: The Warbound #2 -- The main portion of this book was okay. The art was pretty solid for the most part (though I do have a complaint or two that I won't go into) and the writing was okay. But the overall story seemed somewhat lacking. The Leader quickly disappears and we're left with giant mutant bugs. Kinda cool I guess. And then a huge mutation of townspeople at the end. Meh. Hiroim shines in this book as his character is given the meaty parts. He shines even more in the second part of the book, a flashback to why he is "Hiroim the Shamed". I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this guy. Overall, although it's a pretty solid book I can't really see recommending it. For the most part because I really only see it appealing to Hulk fans and more importantly, Hulk fans who are fans of the Planet Hulk storyline. And even for them, it's not required reading. So perhaps it's something to check out to see if it's your cup of tea or if you're just looking for something to read.
The Incredible Hercules #113 -- Wow! Does Ares ever come off as a b*****d in this issue. I've found that generally, I still can't get a grasp of this character. In some stuff I've read he's a moron. Here, he's actually pretty smart but hellbent on killing Hercules which doesn't seem to fit for me either. They don't see eye to eye but this seemed somewhat extreme. But that confusion aside, the book is pretty well done with some nice moments and cool Hercules action (with the tease of a lot more to come). The art isn't the greatest and I barely recognized Ares on the first few pages but it gets the job done for the most part. I'm still disappointed that they decided to make this book Hercules' book with Banner (and another Hulk) running around in the other series but I guess life goes on. Overall, I'd put this in my marginally recommended reading list. Definitely not a must read but a good Herc story for fans of the character.
World of Warcraft #4 -- I have to say that I think this issue was an improvement and possibly a turning point in the series for me. The first 3 issues didn't impress me too much but now that the story seems to be growing it's finally starting to catch my interest. I'm still not the biggest fan of the art or anything but I suppose it could be a lot worse and for the most part, it gets the job done here. It's too early for this series to make it's way on to my recommended reading list but this issue helps it along. Plus, it had an advertisement for the new Dragonlance DVD which I didn't know about until now. :)
So that's it for my weekly comics. I did read through the new crop of Zuda Comics but I don't have time for the reviews at the moment. Though at the moment, I'm not feeling particularly great about this batch. Hopefully as I let them sink in something will come up.
Speaking of Webcomics I figure I should pass along a few links. This first one is a collection of resources to help you get started on your webcomic by Laura Milligan, it was pointed out to me on David Gallaher's High Moon Blog. The second contains some tips to marketing your comic now that you made it. Perhaps one day when I have something I feel is worthy of marketing I'll make use of those tips. :)
Which leads me to talk about Divine Leap. I haven't mentioned it in a while so maybe I should. Yes, I'm still trudging along on it. I'm currently working on issue 3 of chapter 2 with the entire issue being a test to see if I can get used to using a Tablet. I'm still not 100% happy with the result but then again, I never am. But I did get added to the Favorites List of two more DrunkDuckers which brings me up to a whopping 13. The reason I bring this up is because I was falling into another one of those "why do I bother?" periods where I question whether I should keep it going or not. At the moment, I'm pushing myself along because I just don't want to give up. But who knows, when I get to the end of chapter 2 I might feel that that's enough or at least that I need a break from it.
Enough babbling, I need to get back to work. See ya next week!
Angel: After the Fall #3 -- The biggest detractor for this book is still the art. Not only do I find the character likenesses off but sometimes the overall story telling just isn't there. The panel with the dragon spitting out Illyria had me confused for a bit, my first thought was that she somehow popped out of its chest/stomach. The writing is pretty solid though as this issue seems to answer a few things and take a couple twists and turns along the way. I was a little confused as to the time jumping and why Angel wouldn't say that he saw Illyria (it's not like it would be something new for Wes unless something else is going on). But I have to admit, I did not see that ending coming and I just though "Wow!" Suddenly I can't wait to read the next issue and the book inches it's way back up to my recommended reading list. Though obviously it's only really for Angel fans and even they may get turned away by the art.
World War Hulk: The Warbound #2 -- The main portion of this book was okay. The art was pretty solid for the most part (though I do have a complaint or two that I won't go into) and the writing was okay. But the overall story seemed somewhat lacking. The Leader quickly disappears and we're left with giant mutant bugs. Kinda cool I guess. And then a huge mutation of townspeople at the end. Meh. Hiroim shines in this book as his character is given the meaty parts. He shines even more in the second part of the book, a flashback to why he is "Hiroim the Shamed". I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this guy. Overall, although it's a pretty solid book I can't really see recommending it. For the most part because I really only see it appealing to Hulk fans and more importantly, Hulk fans who are fans of the Planet Hulk storyline. And even for them, it's not required reading. So perhaps it's something to check out to see if it's your cup of tea or if you're just looking for something to read.
The Incredible Hercules #113 -- Wow! Does Ares ever come off as a b*****d in this issue. I've found that generally, I still can't get a grasp of this character. In some stuff I've read he's a moron. Here, he's actually pretty smart but hellbent on killing Hercules which doesn't seem to fit for me either. They don't see eye to eye but this seemed somewhat extreme. But that confusion aside, the book is pretty well done with some nice moments and cool Hercules action (with the tease of a lot more to come). The art isn't the greatest and I barely recognized Ares on the first few pages but it gets the job done for the most part. I'm still disappointed that they decided to make this book Hercules' book with Banner (and another Hulk) running around in the other series but I guess life goes on. Overall, I'd put this in my marginally recommended reading list. Definitely not a must read but a good Herc story for fans of the character.
World of Warcraft #4 -- I have to say that I think this issue was an improvement and possibly a turning point in the series for me. The first 3 issues didn't impress me too much but now that the story seems to be growing it's finally starting to catch my interest. I'm still not the biggest fan of the art or anything but I suppose it could be a lot worse and for the most part, it gets the job done here. It's too early for this series to make it's way on to my recommended reading list but this issue helps it along. Plus, it had an advertisement for the new Dragonlance DVD which I didn't know about until now. :)
So that's it for my weekly comics. I did read through the new crop of Zuda Comics but I don't have time for the reviews at the moment. Though at the moment, I'm not feeling particularly great about this batch. Hopefully as I let them sink in something will come up.
Speaking of Webcomics I figure I should pass along a few links. This first one is a collection of resources to help you get started on your webcomic by Laura Milligan, it was pointed out to me on David Gallaher's High Moon Blog. The second contains some tips to marketing your comic now that you made it. Perhaps one day when I have something I feel is worthy of marketing I'll make use of those tips. :)
Which leads me to talk about Divine Leap. I haven't mentioned it in a while so maybe I should. Yes, I'm still trudging along on it. I'm currently working on issue 3 of chapter 2 with the entire issue being a test to see if I can get used to using a Tablet. I'm still not 100% happy with the result but then again, I never am. But I did get added to the Favorites List of two more DrunkDuckers which brings me up to a whopping 13. The reason I bring this up is because I was falling into another one of those "why do I bother?" periods where I question whether I should keep it going or not. At the moment, I'm pushing myself along because I just don't want to give up. But who knows, when I get to the end of chapter 2 I might feel that that's enough or at least that I need a break from it.
Enough babbling, I need to get back to work. See ya next week!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for January 9th, 2008 -- SPOILERS
Only two books this week and they're both Hulk books. Go figure...
Hulk #1 -- I've actually been reading a few reviews after reading the book myself and most seem pretty positive. My take on the book, poop. Yep, I didn't like it. In fact, I just wanted to toss it when I was done. Now first off, I know you don't want to answer everything in the first issue but this book raises so many questions. And they aren't even questions that should be pivotal to the story. I predict not all will be answered by the end of the series but even still, it's just too messed up. Why is She-Hulk working with Tony et al now? Why does she lecture Ross about the whole World War Hulk thing when Tony (the real mastermind behind it and the one she decked because of it) is standing right there? What's with Samson's haircut and why does he snap and deck the Red Guardian? Speaking of which, given the Red Guardian hasn't had powers in the past nor is his shield isn't Cap's so why wouldn't a punch from someone the strength of Samson pretty much KO him or send him flying? Why isn't She-Hulk making mention of the last time we saw Blonsky he was "permanently" de-powered by Tony and SHIELD and in their custody, now he's supposedly walking around Russia? I could go on but it just seems that so much of this book makes no sense. One thing I found absolutely hilarious was the huge gears showing out of the "soldier"'s back, they can do life model decoys and use scans from every part of your body for security yet the guard has some huge gears showing like he's a robot from some Ed Wood movie? And their rationale that SHIELD might be involved because nobody has guns that would fit in the Hulk's hands? Really? Nobody in the world would have guns that big? Heck, the Pantheon seemed to have a buttload. The Rick Jones scene is obviously set up to make you think Rick is the new Hulk, whether that's the case or not is the question I guess. And then we get to the big payoff in the end, Ross and Samson visitting Banner in his cell. I pretty much flipped it into the trash at that point. For me, it's way WAY too soon and the wrong way to bring him back. World War Hulk was a huge monumentous event for the character where he reached a level of anger and power where the earth itself shook beneath his feet when he walked. Suddenly Banner's back all snug and cozy in a glass cell. For me, it diminishes where the character was at the last we saw him and makes little sense story-wise. It seems to me that everyone involved would be more intent on keeping Banner in a suspended state for the time being and they wouldn't go to him so quickly with news of another Hulk running around or whatever else they're going to tell him. And through all this all I can think is why the heck I'm picking up the Incredible Herc with Hercules replacing the Hulk in that title when the Hulk's story seems to be continuing in this series. If Banner wasn't involved I could see it, now I just shake my head. Now I know I'm just being a wet blanket and considering the reviews I've seen it seems that this book is being well received but personally, I think it's horrible story telling. It wouldn't make my recommended reading list... Maybe I'd say it's something you should check out for yourself because opinions will obviously differ. And yes, I will finish out the series... I'm just stupid that way.
Marvel Adventures Hulk #7 -- I'm actually enjoying this series. Fun, non-continuity based stories of the big green guy. Yes, it's aimed for children but I don't care, I just like the fluff. The art seems to be improving as the series moves along and so long as you don't over-analyze it (funny I would say that after that last review) it's an enjoyable story. You even have a moment of depth when the Hulk considers that he may actually be able to live out his dream of being along (though I doubt it) if he keeps the Surfer's powers and just stays in space. Though this kind of thing is not for everyone, yet again, it makes my recommended reading list.
I also polished off two more volumes of Ex Machina (loved them, great story telling) and am working my way through volume 2 of Strangers in Paradise (a lot of fun and interesting stuff so far).
Hulk #1 -- I've actually been reading a few reviews after reading the book myself and most seem pretty positive. My take on the book, poop. Yep, I didn't like it. In fact, I just wanted to toss it when I was done. Now first off, I know you don't want to answer everything in the first issue but this book raises so many questions. And they aren't even questions that should be pivotal to the story. I predict not all will be answered by the end of the series but even still, it's just too messed up. Why is She-Hulk working with Tony et al now? Why does she lecture Ross about the whole World War Hulk thing when Tony (the real mastermind behind it and the one she decked because of it) is standing right there? What's with Samson's haircut and why does he snap and deck the Red Guardian? Speaking of which, given the Red Guardian hasn't had powers in the past nor is his shield isn't Cap's so why wouldn't a punch from someone the strength of Samson pretty much KO him or send him flying? Why isn't She-Hulk making mention of the last time we saw Blonsky he was "permanently" de-powered by Tony and SHIELD and in their custody, now he's supposedly walking around Russia? I could go on but it just seems that so much of this book makes no sense. One thing I found absolutely hilarious was the huge gears showing out of the "soldier"'s back, they can do life model decoys and use scans from every part of your body for security yet the guard has some huge gears showing like he's a robot from some Ed Wood movie? And their rationale that SHIELD might be involved because nobody has guns that would fit in the Hulk's hands? Really? Nobody in the world would have guns that big? Heck, the Pantheon seemed to have a buttload. The Rick Jones scene is obviously set up to make you think Rick is the new Hulk, whether that's the case or not is the question I guess. And then we get to the big payoff in the end, Ross and Samson visitting Banner in his cell. I pretty much flipped it into the trash at that point. For me, it's way WAY too soon and the wrong way to bring him back. World War Hulk was a huge monumentous event for the character where he reached a level of anger and power where the earth itself shook beneath his feet when he walked. Suddenly Banner's back all snug and cozy in a glass cell. For me, it diminishes where the character was at the last we saw him and makes little sense story-wise. It seems to me that everyone involved would be more intent on keeping Banner in a suspended state for the time being and they wouldn't go to him so quickly with news of another Hulk running around or whatever else they're going to tell him. And through all this all I can think is why the heck I'm picking up the Incredible Herc with Hercules replacing the Hulk in that title when the Hulk's story seems to be continuing in this series. If Banner wasn't involved I could see it, now I just shake my head. Now I know I'm just being a wet blanket and considering the reviews I've seen it seems that this book is being well received but personally, I think it's horrible story telling. It wouldn't make my recommended reading list... Maybe I'd say it's something you should check out for yourself because opinions will obviously differ. And yes, I will finish out the series... I'm just stupid that way.
Marvel Adventures Hulk #7 -- I'm actually enjoying this series. Fun, non-continuity based stories of the big green guy. Yes, it's aimed for children but I don't care, I just like the fluff. The art seems to be improving as the series moves along and so long as you don't over-analyze it (funny I would say that after that last review) it's an enjoyable story. You even have a moment of depth when the Hulk considers that he may actually be able to live out his dream of being along (though I doubt it) if he keeps the Surfer's powers and just stays in space. Though this kind of thing is not for everyone, yet again, it makes my recommended reading list.
I also polished off two more volumes of Ex Machina (loved them, great story telling) and am working my way through volume 2 of Strangers in Paradise (a lot of fun and interesting stuff so far).
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Weekly Comic Reviews for January 2nd, 2007 -- SPOILERS
Only two books this week, Buffy #10 and Ultimate Human #1. So let's get down to it shall we...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #10 -- Uhm... Wow! Some pretty big twists come up in this book. Buffy leading the slayers to steal? Willow keeping Kennedy (and herself) away from Buffy because of Tara's death making Willow the prime suspect for betraying Buffy... Well, plus if Buffy does get rid of all magic from the world then where does that leave Willow? Dawn reveals her "little" lie to Xander. Like so many Whedon/Buffy stories, it kinda takes a little while to digest and fully consider it. I know there will be a bit of a backlash (I've seen some) to these twists but personally, even though I obviously don't approve of their actions, it's not beyond the realm of possibilities. But enough about that, what about the nitty-gritty details. Well, to start, I actually found the first few pages a little weird to read. I had a bit of an issue following parts of the dialogue and such. I don't know if it's just me or what but sometimes I feel Joss's dialogue needs to be heard to fully get it, not just read. As the book went on I felt it got a bit better. I felt the art was fairly solid even if the likenesses were maybe not spot on for some characters (which is weird given that Richards is probably best known for drawing the Buffy comic). Though the demon design seemed somewhat weak to me. So overall, this book continues to make my recommended reading list. This issue may not be the strongest in technical aspects but is a pivotal turning point in the story I believe.
Ultimate Human #1 -- I've actually been staying away from most Ultimate universe books (other than the Ultimates) but I figured this might be an interesting story. First off, this is definitely not the 616 universe Hulk. In fact, you might argue it's not even the Ultimates Hulk or the Hulk we saw (briefly) in the Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine series (hey, Lost writers are on strike so why can't he finally finish off that comic!). The character and the dialogue just seems different. Having said that, it's a very interesting take on the character. Peter David recently introduced the notion of the 616 Hulk adapting (breathing under water) and Ellis seems to be taking it even further. And given that this Hulk was brought about by the super soldier serum and not just gamma radiation, it almost makes sense. The super soldier serum may work to adapt the soldier to any environment. So let's get down to the details, the writing is good and the dialogue between Banner and Stark is great. It's really interesting to here them talk, not only about the science stuff but the personal stuff. The art has a very unique look to it but the dark mood set in the military bases is pretty impressive. And to be a total geek, the Hulk just looks really cool to me. I was a little disappointed at first that the Ultimate Leader is not Sam Sterns but I think this take on two 616 characters is pretty interesting and could lead to some good stuff. So yeah, this books my recommended reading list. I think it's worth checking out for Ultimate universe fans and people just looking for a story to read (as prior knowledge of both characters isn't really necessary I found).
I've also polished off a few more volumes of the Manga series "Monster", I'm done volume 12. I like how things are coming together here. I've been a little hesitant for a while now but it's picking up steam as we head in to the last 5 volumes.
And of course, there's "One More Day". I had been keeping my thoughts to myself until after Carl read it as I didn't want to spoil it for him but even now I find myself somewhat torn by it. On the one hand, I think it's a horrible story that was poorly executed. And in my mind, it's left the character and the story in a very messy, confusing state. On the other hand, I can understand how some characters are just becoming too bogged down with their back stories or not being accessible to new readers. So I can see some promise for the new creative teams but I also mourn the loss of the character as I knew him. To make a long story short, I have a lot of emotions going on right now and I may never really be able to properly express them. Overall though, I'm greatly disappointed with this story and this approach and I feel it's just another example of Marvel no longer having people like me as their target audience.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #10 -- Uhm... Wow! Some pretty big twists come up in this book. Buffy leading the slayers to steal? Willow keeping Kennedy (and herself) away from Buffy because of Tara's death making Willow the prime suspect for betraying Buffy... Well, plus if Buffy does get rid of all magic from the world then where does that leave Willow? Dawn reveals her "little" lie to Xander. Like so many Whedon/Buffy stories, it kinda takes a little while to digest and fully consider it. I know there will be a bit of a backlash (I've seen some) to these twists but personally, even though I obviously don't approve of their actions, it's not beyond the realm of possibilities. But enough about that, what about the nitty-gritty details. Well, to start, I actually found the first few pages a little weird to read. I had a bit of an issue following parts of the dialogue and such. I don't know if it's just me or what but sometimes I feel Joss's dialogue needs to be heard to fully get it, not just read. As the book went on I felt it got a bit better. I felt the art was fairly solid even if the likenesses were maybe not spot on for some characters (which is weird given that Richards is probably best known for drawing the Buffy comic). Though the demon design seemed somewhat weak to me. So overall, this book continues to make my recommended reading list. This issue may not be the strongest in technical aspects but is a pivotal turning point in the story I believe.
Ultimate Human #1 -- I've actually been staying away from most Ultimate universe books (other than the Ultimates) but I figured this might be an interesting story. First off, this is definitely not the 616 universe Hulk. In fact, you might argue it's not even the Ultimates Hulk or the Hulk we saw (briefly) in the Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine series (hey, Lost writers are on strike so why can't he finally finish off that comic!). The character and the dialogue just seems different. Having said that, it's a very interesting take on the character. Peter David recently introduced the notion of the 616 Hulk adapting (breathing under water) and Ellis seems to be taking it even further. And given that this Hulk was brought about by the super soldier serum and not just gamma radiation, it almost makes sense. The super soldier serum may work to adapt the soldier to any environment. So let's get down to the details, the writing is good and the dialogue between Banner and Stark is great. It's really interesting to here them talk, not only about the science stuff but the personal stuff. The art has a very unique look to it but the dark mood set in the military bases is pretty impressive. And to be a total geek, the Hulk just looks really cool to me. I was a little disappointed at first that the Ultimate Leader is not Sam Sterns but I think this take on two 616 characters is pretty interesting and could lead to some good stuff. So yeah, this books my recommended reading list. I think it's worth checking out for Ultimate universe fans and people just looking for a story to read (as prior knowledge of both characters isn't really necessary I found).
I've also polished off a few more volumes of the Manga series "Monster", I'm done volume 12. I like how things are coming together here. I've been a little hesitant for a while now but it's picking up steam as we head in to the last 5 volumes.
And of course, there's "One More Day". I had been keeping my thoughts to myself until after Carl read it as I didn't want to spoil it for him but even now I find myself somewhat torn by it. On the one hand, I think it's a horrible story that was poorly executed. And in my mind, it's left the character and the story in a very messy, confusing state. On the other hand, I can understand how some characters are just becoming too bogged down with their back stories or not being accessible to new readers. So I can see some promise for the new creative teams but I also mourn the loss of the character as I knew him. To make a long story short, I have a lot of emotions going on right now and I may never really be able to properly express them. Overall though, I'm greatly disappointed with this story and this approach and I feel it's just another example of Marvel no longer having people like me as their target audience.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Weekly Comic Reviews for December 26th, 2007 -- SPOILERS... BUT NOT SPIDEY SPOILERS
I know, I'm really late with these reviews. I only got my books on Saturday and it's been a busy couple of days. Only two books this week and neither one of them is Amazing Spidey so if you're looking for that, click the next blog on your search. Instead we have Hulk VS Fin Fang Foom and Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #3.
Hulk VS Fin Fang Foom One Shot -- This book really seems to capture the old style Marvel comics. A quick story in 22 pages with a big simple fight. Even the art seems to be Kirby-esque almost. So in that sense, it was a nice throwback to when I was young. And there were a few cute little jokes and one liners (the purple tights comment made me smile) that are typical of Peter David's work. Yet despite all this and my desire to like Peter David's work, I still felt pretty let down by this book. First up, it's advertised as a bigger special book that you pay extra for but the main story is still the standard 22 pages (with Fin's first appearance being reprinted to add pages). And really, the 22 pages aren't really all that special. You get a bit of a cool build up to the fight and then a pretty quick battle that's actually pretty disappointing. Though the Hulk keeps up the humour throughout. I hate to say it but despite the positives, I just can't recommend this book.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #3 -- Well, after I felt some disappointment with the last issue I'm happy to say I enjoyed this one. I still don't know if they are really using the Ash character to his potential but he has his moments. Maybe it's just that he has to share top billing here that's bothering me. Anyway, we get lots of cool hack and slashing, some story progression (yes, there is a story here), and a fairly cool cliff-hanger ending. The art was pretty good but seemed somewhat inconsistent at times, especially with Ash. This issue would make my recommended reading list but I guess the big question is whether the whole series will, and for that we'll have to wait and see. So far I think there's a little something for fans of all three and maybe something for non-fans who still know a little something about them.
So I guess that's it for this week. I did get some TPBs read though. Quickly...
Strangers in Paradise Volume 1 -- Loved it. Thought it was a great book.
Ex Machina Volume 1 -- Thought the writing was amazing and a great story, found the art somewhat distracting at times though. It was great for the most part but every once in a while it seemed as though the people he got to model for him were over-acting their parts and it came through in the characters' body language. Still an amazing book though.
Ghost World -- Fun and interesting. I'm glad I read it but I wouldn't push it on anyone else though. It's definitely for a certain type of reader.
Hulk VS Fin Fang Foom One Shot -- This book really seems to capture the old style Marvel comics. A quick story in 22 pages with a big simple fight. Even the art seems to be Kirby-esque almost. So in that sense, it was a nice throwback to when I was young. And there were a few cute little jokes and one liners (the purple tights comment made me smile) that are typical of Peter David's work. Yet despite all this and my desire to like Peter David's work, I still felt pretty let down by this book. First up, it's advertised as a bigger special book that you pay extra for but the main story is still the standard 22 pages (with Fin's first appearance being reprinted to add pages). And really, the 22 pages aren't really all that special. You get a bit of a cool build up to the fight and then a pretty quick battle that's actually pretty disappointing. Though the Hulk keeps up the humour throughout. I hate to say it but despite the positives, I just can't recommend this book.
Freddy VS Jason VS Ash #3 -- Well, after I felt some disappointment with the last issue I'm happy to say I enjoyed this one. I still don't know if they are really using the Ash character to his potential but he has his moments. Maybe it's just that he has to share top billing here that's bothering me. Anyway, we get lots of cool hack and slashing, some story progression (yes, there is a story here), and a fairly cool cliff-hanger ending. The art was pretty good but seemed somewhat inconsistent at times, especially with Ash. This issue would make my recommended reading list but I guess the big question is whether the whole series will, and for that we'll have to wait and see. So far I think there's a little something for fans of all three and maybe something for non-fans who still know a little something about them.
So I guess that's it for this week. I did get some TPBs read though. Quickly...
Strangers in Paradise Volume 1 -- Loved it. Thought it was a great book.
Ex Machina Volume 1 -- Thought the writing was amazing and a great story, found the art somewhat distracting at times though. It was great for the most part but every once in a while it seemed as though the people he got to model for him were over-acting their parts and it came through in the characters' body language. Still an amazing book though.
Ghost World -- Fun and interesting. I'm glad I read it but I wouldn't push it on anyone else though. It's definitely for a certain type of reader.
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