The Vicar wrote:Leckomaniac wrote:Hey folks. After a brief absence...I am back to the Zone full time. I fell awful about neglecting the Comic Book Forum for so long so consider me down for the 2008 thread...and I will hopefully be a regular contributor.
Didn't expect this for Christmas.
Damned glad news.
How about some reviews to start off the new year??!!?!
Reviews for December 28th, 2007
DC
Action Comics #860 - Geoff Johns is the perfect writer for the DC Universe. I have no doubt that one day he will be EIC of DC Comics. The man has such an insane understanding of the entire DC Universe that it isn't a stretch to think that he could write EVERY single DC book and make them all interesting and accesible. This new arc involving the Legion of Super Heroes has been quite a fun ride. Gary Frank is a solid artist and he will hopefully bring the consistency that this title has lacked. Bottom line is this: if it has Geoff Johns' name on the cover you should be buying it. End of story. 4/5
Batman #672 - I avoided the Ra's Al Ghul storyline that ran throughout the Bat titles recently. I just wasn't interested and frankly I resented the story for interrupting the ongoing stories in Morrison's Batman. This issue picks up on the story threads that started on the first few panels of Morrison's Batman run. As a result, it is kind of hard to follow considering those issues were released a year ago. Still, I found myself able to follow the story well enough to enjoy myself. And it honestly isn't hard to enjoy yourself with this book considering all the Morrison crazyness that exists throughout the whole book. And that last page reveal? Made me fricken laugh out loud and got me excited for the next issue all at the same time. It is stuff like this, the Ninja Man Bats and the International Batmen that should remain the focus of Morrison's Batman run. 4/5
Green Lantern #26 - With each new issue of Green Lantern it becomes increasingly apparent that Geoff Johns wants the title of "Greatest Lantern Writer Ever" and honestly...he might get it. Ever since Rebirth (a story I liked a lot) Johns has been crafting some of the greatest Lantern stories ever told. He has shown an uncanny grasp of every single character in the Lantern Universe and utilizing this understanding he has painting a clear picture of each character making each issue as accessible as humanly possible. He is truly a man at the top of his craft handling a character he was born to shape. The new developments in this issue prove to be extremely interesting and make me eager for what is to come next. My only complaint is that part of this story feels like it belongs in GL Corps and not Hal Jordan's Green Lantern title, but I honestly didn't mind that much because it is all just so awesome. And don't let anyone fool you...Mike McKone's art is good too even if he isn't one of the big two GL artists. 4.5/5
Hellblazer #239 - Andy Diggle has returned Hellblazer to a level of quality it has not seen in some time. This issue is almost completely without the title character, but it is still a very solid and GRAPHIC story. I love reading Hellblazer each month and that makes me happy. 3.5/5
Marvel
Avengers: The Initiative #8 - This series has been really up and down since its inception. I love Dan Slott, but sometimes this book can seem like a bit of a mess. When Slott does manage to get the focus right the book proves to be something really unique in the Marvel U. Between this issue and the recent annual it appears that the focus issues have been somewhat solved. I think a lot of it has to do with Christos Gage coming onboard to co-write. I love Gage and his presence here is quite the welcome one. 4/5
Captain America #33 - With each new issue of this series I am fascinated at how Ed Brubaker has continued to write interesting stories about a character who has been dead for 8 issues. This issue was mainly setup for the next issue where Bucky is poised to become the next Captain America. There is also a brief fight between Bucky and Iron man. What makes this title work so well is more than just Brubaker's writing it is also Epting's cinematic artwork. At this point in time it is fairly obvious that Brubaker's run thus far has been something special, but it remains to be seen what will happen once a new Cap will emerge. Regardless, Brubakers and Epting have earned my trust and I am eager to find out what 2008 has in store for "Captain America". 3.5/5
Daredevil #103 - Matt Murdock is beginning to unspool and frankly that is when the character is at his best. His woman is being messed with (again!) and he is getting desperate. I really hope the next issue takes it to the level that the last page promises. Imagine if Murdock has to come to grips with torturing someone in order to get the information he needs to save his wife? Ultimately, this storyline is only slightly above average. For most that would be fine, but for someone as talented as Brubaker the bar is set explicitly higher...especially given his outstanding first arc. Regardless, I am still psyched for the next issue. 3/5
Iron Man #24 - Iron Man, it seems, is in EVERY book that Marvel publishes. The guy is more prevelant than Wolverine and THAT is saying something. I fear that this oversaturation is having an adverse effect on the phenomenal work the Knauf brothers are doing in Iron Man's proper series. This series has been rock solid as of late and has gone a long way to undoing the bad will Iron Man generated in Civil War. The characterization is spot on and the art is solid. Also, the Mandarin has become so sinister and creepy it just rocks. And I also love how a lot of the art in the Marvel U has become kind of similar looking. Maybe it is just me, but Captain America, Daredevil, Iron Man, Iron Fist and Thunderbolts all FEEL and LOOK like they exist in the same universe. I love it. 3.5/5
Thor #5 - Man has this relaunch been rocky. I mean we are five issues in and the series just feels like it is struggling to gain any forward momentum. I constantly ask myself "is this GOING anywhere?" and I am genuinely uncertain. Not to mention the series has been decidedly weak on any sort of characterization. I mean I was a bit fuzzy on Thor history going in and nothing this series has done has helped me to further understand the main characters. And what is with Thor and his alter ego watching from afar? Did I miss something here? Was that scene inside his head of something? And Loki is a girl now? What?!?!?! That isn't to say the issue is without its merits though. The art is just outstanding and makes some of the more mediocre moments stand out a bit more. 3/5
Ultimate Spider-Man #117 - I always find it ironic when a decompressed story ends up feeling rushed. It just seems so odd. I couldn't believe what I was reading as I went from page to page. Is this the same guy who has delivered solid story after solid story for the past two years? I don't know. Every page feels so hurried and the emotional moment at the end just feels so forced. It is so frustrating when you consider that BMB has delivered emotional moments so well in past issues of Ultimate Spidey. Well, lets just hope the next arc rights the ship. 2.5/5
Image
Pax Romana #1 - I loved Nightly News. I really, really loved it. This new series by Nightly News writer/artist Jonathon Hickman put to rest any fear i had that he was a one hit wonder. The premise is so outlandish and I absolutely love it. Hickman has stated he wants to tell multiple stories within this universe and based on the first issue alone I can already tell you that I desperately want that to happen. In just one issue it is apparent that the universe he has built up is so rich and just begging to be mined for years to come. If you enjoyed Nightly News at all or you enjoy smart Science Fiction, check out Pax Romana. 4.5/5
The Verdict: What an outstanding week of comics. Boy did 2007 go out with a bang.