It’s a well known fact that the Internet produces 67 pounds of unadulterated crap daily.
Which, when you think about it, is actually a lot less than you’d expect.
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages….I bring you, six sentence comic book reviews.
Let’s do this.
Trinity #5
Walking Dead #50
Batman #678
Rann\Thanagar: Holy War #3
Astonishing X-Men #25
Dark Tower: The Long Road Home #5
Rann\Thanagar: Holy War #3
Droppity, drop, drop-drop, drop-drop-drop. Sorry but this title just isn’t doing it for me anymore. I only started reading it because it combined many of the more interesting spaced-based series and miniseries (Adam Strange, Mystery in Space, 52) from the past few years. But after realizing it was a chore to have to sit down and actually read this issue I knew it was time to cut the cord. Jim Starlin’s story is so-so and Ron Lim’s art is…passable. But reading the space adventures of DC’s C-list heroes just shouldn’t be this dull.
Batman #678
I’m loving Morrison’s Batman because it’s so against formula. I generally wouldn’t touch a solo Bat-title for love or money. He’s grim, gritty and solves crime, I get it already. But Morrison’s Silver Age labyrinthine mind games and disjointed storytelling techniques are so different from standard spandex superhero stories that they force me to raise my game as a reader and I dig that. In this issue the Club of Villains continue their assault on Bats and company by shooting him up with weapons grade crystal meth and dumping him on the streets. It’s an interesting little story that is regrettably hamstrung by the lack of a big name artist.
Astonishing X-Men #25
Where Morrison tends to enslave characters to the needs of his ‘big story idea’ Ellis takes a different tack, placing the ‘big story idea’ firmly in the background and focusing on how the threat impacts a story’s characters and their relationships. That’s what this issue of CSI: San Francisco is all about. The X-Men are asked to consult on the death of a suspected mutant. But all that really happens is that Ellis spends the entire issue introducing his version of the X-men lineup and (re)establishing their relationships with each other. Simone Bianchi’s art isn’t really my thing. I think he makes an interesting cover artist but his interior work is flat and generally unappealing to me.
Walking Dead #50
A fantastically well written epic character piece set in the background of a zombie apocalypse, what’s not to like? This issue was a fantastic coda, dealing with Carl’s repressed emotions and inner turmoil stemming from recent WD events. For a young boy living in a world where death is an everyday fact of life we’re shown that almost anything can become commonplace, even zombies. Robert Kirkman has done an excellent job giving readers a chance to adjust to the new status quo and allow his characters a similar opportunity to mature and grow. I strongly suspect that with the next issue we’ll see the titles remaining disparate characters, and possibly some new faces, begin to reappear. I can’t wait.
Now go away and leave an old man in peace. You’ve got what you wanted from me you dirty bastards.
Showing posts with label Walking Dead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walking Dead. Show all posts
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
NCD #8: When will Final Crisis get here?
Booster Gold #9
Geoff Johns continues to do what he does best, mine DC’s past for continuity errors to smooth over. This week’s victim of nostalgia is the Justice League International. In Booster Gold #9 Johns makes an attempt to explain away how Maxwell Lord showed up in the pages of Countdown to Infinite Crisis with a flesh body instead of the cyborg chassis we last saw him sporting.
It wasn’t a great explanation, apparently he’s one massive skin graft, but it’s more than anybody else could be bothered to do. John’s time on this title is coming to a close so at this point he’s really not really advancing the plot much, just tying up loose ends. (I suspect the next issue won’t extend much beyond a generic fight scene and a long villain exposition about why they’re doing this)
But the biggest question I have about this issue is; Does Batman wear his entire costume under every disguise, bat ears and all?
Green Lantern Corps #24
Patrick Gleason, you’ve done it again, Oh and kuds to everyone else who helped out with this issue. I’m glad to see that the Green Lanterns have officially swiped Mongul from Superman for their own Rogue’s Gallery. It just makes sense to have an intergalactic dictator match up against the space cops, as opposed to the guy who could be almost anywhere in the blink of an eyelash but rarely leaves downtown Metropolis.
In this issue writer Peter Tomasi tries a different take on the Black Mercy by making it show victims their greatest fear rather than deepest desire. Considering Mongul is now the leader of the Sinestro Corps it’s a neat little twist that pays homage to Mongul the first’s most recognizable story while acknowledging his son’s new role in the GL mythos.
I approve.
Batman #676
This is the first part of Batman R.I.P. which promises to change everything in Batman’s life…again. Here we’re introduced to the Black Glove group who may, or may not, know Batman’s secret identity. Tony Daniels art and layout is much more palatable this time out than it was in the previous issue. Unfortunately readers are still getting stuck with serviceable art when they should be getting someone a little more A-list. I understand if Kubert is off that list for perpetually blowing deadlines but surely there is someone a step up from Daniels.
I’m a little bitter because I was hoping for something really visually different for the new batmobile and what I got was a generic re-tread of the first bat-car, only with red headlights. I wonder if Batman’s throwaway line about the car ‘not being what he expected’ is part of the story or Morrison’s opinion on the limitations of the artist he’s been saddled with.
Green Arrow \ Black Canary #8
I read this title because I like the character of Green Arrow.
I’m clearly not reading it because I enjoy the writing or the art.
I hate myself.
Walking Dead #49
However, I am reading this title because I enjoy both the art and the writing. Robert Kirkman has significantly pared down the group of survivors who were previously residing at ye olde prison complex. And despite the perception the reader is left with after the bloodbath of the last issue, the original group of survivors isn’t quite as decimated as they seem, especially when you take into account those who left in the RV with Dale and Andrea.
In this issue, with the exception of a brief cameo by Michonne, we follow Rick and Carl as they attempt to find food and shelter after escaping from the Governor’s deathsquad. It’s a nice simple break from the all out action this title usually provides. It feels like everyone, writer and readers alike, are taking a nice deep breath before plunging into the next chapter of a post-apocalyptic zombie world.
I can’t wait.
Geoff Johns continues to do what he does best, mine DC’s past for continuity errors to smooth over. This week’s victim of nostalgia is the Justice League International. In Booster Gold #9 Johns makes an attempt to explain away how Maxwell Lord showed up in the pages of Countdown to Infinite Crisis with a flesh body instead of the cyborg chassis we last saw him sporting.
It wasn’t a great explanation, apparently he’s one massive skin graft, but it’s more than anybody else could be bothered to do. John’s time on this title is coming to a close so at this point he’s really not really advancing the plot much, just tying up loose ends. (I suspect the next issue won’t extend much beyond a generic fight scene and a long villain exposition about why they’re doing this)
But the biggest question I have about this issue is; Does Batman wear his entire costume under every disguise, bat ears and all?
Green Lantern Corps #24
Patrick Gleason, you’ve done it again, Oh and kuds to everyone else who helped out with this issue. I’m glad to see that the Green Lanterns have officially swiped Mongul from Superman for their own Rogue’s Gallery. It just makes sense to have an intergalactic dictator match up against the space cops, as opposed to the guy who could be almost anywhere in the blink of an eyelash but rarely leaves downtown Metropolis.
In this issue writer Peter Tomasi tries a different take on the Black Mercy by making it show victims their greatest fear rather than deepest desire. Considering Mongul is now the leader of the Sinestro Corps it’s a neat little twist that pays homage to Mongul the first’s most recognizable story while acknowledging his son’s new role in the GL mythos.
I approve.
Batman #676
This is the first part of Batman R.I.P. which promises to change everything in Batman’s life…again. Here we’re introduced to the Black Glove group who may, or may not, know Batman’s secret identity. Tony Daniels art and layout is much more palatable this time out than it was in the previous issue. Unfortunately readers are still getting stuck with serviceable art when they should be getting someone a little more A-list. I understand if Kubert is off that list for perpetually blowing deadlines but surely there is someone a step up from Daniels.
I’m a little bitter because I was hoping for something really visually different for the new batmobile and what I got was a generic re-tread of the first bat-car, only with red headlights. I wonder if Batman’s throwaway line about the car ‘not being what he expected’ is part of the story or Morrison’s opinion on the limitations of the artist he’s been saddled with.
Green Arrow \ Black Canary #8
I read this title because I like the character of Green Arrow.
I’m clearly not reading it because I enjoy the writing or the art.
I hate myself.
Walking Dead #49
However, I am reading this title because I enjoy both the art and the writing. Robert Kirkman has significantly pared down the group of survivors who were previously residing at ye olde prison complex. And despite the perception the reader is left with after the bloodbath of the last issue, the original group of survivors isn’t quite as decimated as they seem, especially when you take into account those who left in the RV with Dale and Andrea.
In this issue, with the exception of a brief cameo by Michonne, we follow Rick and Carl as they attempt to find food and shelter after escaping from the Governor’s deathsquad. It’s a nice simple break from the all out action this title usually provides. It feels like everyone, writer and readers alike, are taking a nice deep breath before plunging into the next chapter of a post-apocalyptic zombie world.
I can’t wait.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
NCD #1: What I dun read...
ACTION COMICS #863
The story thus far. Superman’s friends from the future, The Legion of Super-heroes, need his help in stopping a xeno-phobic 31st century Justice League. The only problem is, Earth’s sun has mysteriously turned red, meaning Superman is far less super than he normally is.
This issue wraps up the whole arc and the whole thing wasn’t too shabby. On the whole, I’m fairly clueless as to who\what the Legion are. Although with all their exposure recently in the DCU I’ve picked up enough by osmosis to follow a conversation, even if I can’t chip in intelligently.
Geoff Johns is a capable writer, so he’s able to keep things moving at a fairly decent clip, despite the burgeoning amount of heroes on the page that he needs to make time for.
Gary Franks’ art was solid and I enjoyed seeing him sneak in a DCU version of Doctor Zoidberg, a la Futurama, strappy sandals and all.
Only one thing bothered me in this issue. Johns split up the first act of the story, having the Legion attempt to ‘fix’ the sun, while Superman and Earth man duke it out in orbit. Even though it doesn’t say so explicitly it’s strongly implied that these two events are taking place simultaneously. The problem is that when they fix the sun Superman is instantly re-powered, despite the fact that it takes 8 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth.
This may not have bothered me as much if I hadn’t watched Sunshine recently and had that little fact re-inserted into my brain. It’s an easy fix, with a text box to label the Legion story has happening “Eight minutes ago” and the Superman one as taking place “Now.” I’m pretty sure I’m just quibbling over details.
On the whole, I approve.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #4
I stopped reading this series about a month after it first started and I only picked it up again recently because I want to know how they’re setting things up for Morrison’s upcoming Final Crisis.
It says nothing good about me as a fan that I’m reading a terrible comic book only so I can understand what else is happening in an entirely fictional universe.
In all fairness the art wasn’t as bad this week, as it has been in this title’s recent history. But the writing and dialogue is just atrocious. I won’t bother with repeating any of it here, mostly because I don’t hate myself enough to read this issue again.
Suffice to say if you don’t like making your brain bleed, don’t read this comic.
THE WALKING DEAD #48
I read this and you should too.
I love this comic. I love it enough that I employ passive-aggressive techniques, and flat out begging, to get my girlfriend to read it, and she really doesn’t care for comic books.
I expend a massive amount of relationship capital every month just so I’ll have someone else to talk to about it. I love it that much.
I probably shouldn’t gush this much, it destroys my objectivity.
But an open ended zombie story that refuses to let itself get drawn into making all the safe choices, yes, I’ll have some of that please.
This month? A lot of people die. A lot. Many of them who’ve been around for a very long time.
And one death that still has me on the fence.
Yah, you know the one I’m talking about.
ANNA MERCURY #1 (new pull)
I’m almost always willing to try out a new Warren Ellis comic, considering that he’s told some of my favourite stories over the last four years.
If you subscribe to Bad Signal or visit his website at all then you’ll quickly discover that Mercury is visually just the kind of protagonist that Warren would design. Smart, smart-mouthed and wearing skin light leather.
This one is pretty much Warren doing his thing.
We jump into a story already in progress, throw in some clipped techno-babble, a graphic beatdown (or two) and give readers just enough of the bigger picture to draw them in.
So yes, I’ll be reading this.
The story thus far. Superman’s friends from the future, The Legion of Super-heroes, need his help in stopping a xeno-phobic 31st century Justice League. The only problem is, Earth’s sun has mysteriously turned red, meaning Superman is far less super than he normally is.
This issue wraps up the whole arc and the whole thing wasn’t too shabby. On the whole, I’m fairly clueless as to who\what the Legion are. Although with all their exposure recently in the DCU I’ve picked up enough by osmosis to follow a conversation, even if I can’t chip in intelligently.
Geoff Johns is a capable writer, so he’s able to keep things moving at a fairly decent clip, despite the burgeoning amount of heroes on the page that he needs to make time for.
Gary Franks’ art was solid and I enjoyed seeing him sneak in a DCU version of Doctor Zoidberg, a la Futurama, strappy sandals and all.
Only one thing bothered me in this issue. Johns split up the first act of the story, having the Legion attempt to ‘fix’ the sun, while Superman and Earth man duke it out in orbit. Even though it doesn’t say so explicitly it’s strongly implied that these two events are taking place simultaneously. The problem is that when they fix the sun Superman is instantly re-powered, despite the fact that it takes 8 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth.
This may not have bothered me as much if I hadn’t watched Sunshine recently and had that little fact re-inserted into my brain. It’s an easy fix, with a text box to label the Legion story has happening “Eight minutes ago” and the Superman one as taking place “Now.” I’m pretty sure I’m just quibbling over details.
On the whole, I approve.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #4
I stopped reading this series about a month after it first started and I only picked it up again recently because I want to know how they’re setting things up for Morrison’s upcoming Final Crisis.
It says nothing good about me as a fan that I’m reading a terrible comic book only so I can understand what else is happening in an entirely fictional universe.
In all fairness the art wasn’t as bad this week, as it has been in this title’s recent history. But the writing and dialogue is just atrocious. I won’t bother with repeating any of it here, mostly because I don’t hate myself enough to read this issue again.
Suffice to say if you don’t like making your brain bleed, don’t read this comic.
THE WALKING DEAD #48
I read this and you should too.
I love this comic. I love it enough that I employ passive-aggressive techniques, and flat out begging, to get my girlfriend to read it, and she really doesn’t care for comic books.
I expend a massive amount of relationship capital every month just so I’ll have someone else to talk to about it. I love it that much.
I probably shouldn’t gush this much, it destroys my objectivity.
But an open ended zombie story that refuses to let itself get drawn into making all the safe choices, yes, I’ll have some of that please.
This month? A lot of people die. A lot. Many of them who’ve been around for a very long time.
And one death that still has me on the fence.
Yah, you know the one I’m talking about.
ANNA MERCURY #1 (new pull)
I’m almost always willing to try out a new Warren Ellis comic, considering that he’s told some of my favourite stories over the last four years.
If you subscribe to Bad Signal or visit his website at all then you’ll quickly discover that Mercury is visually just the kind of protagonist that Warren would design. Smart, smart-mouthed and wearing skin light leather.
This one is pretty much Warren doing his thing.
We jump into a story already in progress, throw in some clipped techno-babble, a graphic beatdown (or two) and give readers just enough of the bigger picture to draw them in.
So yes, I’ll be reading this.
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