1-22-14 Comic Reviews

Hey everyone!

This week I wasn't in a good condition to record a video comic review so I decided to dust off the old blog for a written review. Now let's get into some comics!

DC Comics

Animal Man #27

This issue is filled with action: Buddy Baker (even stronger now thanks Bridgewalker) is fighting the evil Red Totem, Sheperd is trying to protect Maxine while fighting Brother Blood, and Ellen Baker punching a paparazzi for saying something about Cliff (Buddy and Ellen's dead son). Knowing that Animal Man only has two issues left, this issue definitely felt like the beginning of the end. I get the feeling that once this is over and Buddy returns to the Seed Planet to become the new Bridgewalker that will be the character's lead into Justice League United (starts in April). If you've been reading Animal Man since the first issue (whether issue-by-issue or waiting for the trade) you'll get a sense of satisfaction however new readers may want to read from the beginning to understand the full situation between Buddy Baker and the Red. Overall I'd say this issue was buy for longtime readers and a borrow from a friend for new readers.

Batman #27

One of the great things I like to see in a Batman origin story is how Batman (a vigilante) and Jim Gordon (a by-the-book honest cop) became allies in the war on crime. That's what you get in this issue. After Batman barely escapes a trap set by the GCPD, he winds up being saved by Gordon who tells the Caped Crusader how he learned about the corruption in Gotham's police through his partner. Batman then starts to take an alliance with Jim Gordon under advisement after some wisdom from Alfred. The issue ends with Batman discovering that Doctor Death is actually working for the Riddler. Since this is a re-telling of Bruce Wayne's first year of Batman, it makes sense that we get issues that focus on building relationships between characters rather than plot development (although the end scene reminds us who is the main antagonist of this arc). Batman's relationship with Jim Gordon is one of the important factors of the Batman mythology and it's good that Scott Snyder is taking his time with this. Also Greg Capullo is killing it on the artwork. This issue is definitely a buy.

Justice League #27

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger is the perfect description of Victor Stone in this issue. Knowing that Batman and Catwoman are trying to fight the ever growing Crime Syndicate, Victor asks his father (Silas Stone) and Dr. Morrow to upgrade him with technology available in A.R.G.U.S.'s Red Room. After his upgrade, Cyborg says he's going to find the android Platinum, but Morrow warns him it's a bad idea. The issue ends with Cyborg finding Platinum's creator, Dr. Will Magnus, who says the Metal Men were a failure. Geoff Johns does an amazing job showing Cyborg's strength as a character and his will not to give up in the face of danger. Also we get great scenes showing how Victor's relationship with his father has changed since Victor first became Cyborg. Plus one of the great things about Cyborg's upgrade is that now he looks a little more like his pre-new 52 appearance. Besides I'm curious about how the Metal Men will get involved in the Forever Evil story arc, and what Niles Caulder will do for his next Doom Patrol (since this the recent one was killed off by Johnny Quick and Atomica). Overall if you love Cyborg,Geoff John's writing style, and you've been enjoying Forever Evil, then this issue is a buy.

Marvel Comics

All-New X-Factor #2

The new X-Factor continue their mission to rescue mutants (Fatale, Abyss, and Reaper) captured by AIM. When Dr. Hoffman (head AIM scientist) reveals his plan to alter his energy (through Abyss and Reaper) to give himself near omnipotent powers but he's quickly defeated when Quicksilver moves Gambit fast enough to throw a charged card in Hoffman's ear drum. After Hoffman's defeated, the rescued mutants refuse to thank X-Factor because they were victims of Quicksilver's actions during Son of M. Since this new X-Factor works for a major corporation, I get the feeling they may have to intervene for some of Quicksilver's negative publicity at some point. Overall even though it's only been two issues I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should keep getting this title. Therefore I say this issue is a borrow it from a friend.

All-New X-Men #22.NOW

The trial of Jean Grey begins with Shi'ar soldiers showing up to the New Charles Xavier School for the Gifted and kidnapping young Jean Grey. A few seconds after Jean is abducted, the Guardians of the Galaxy show up and introduce themselves to the X-Men. Well this issue is very fast paced with Brian Michael Bendis quickly establishing the plot of the story involving Jean being captured by the Shi'ar and the X-Men have to team up with the Guardians in order to save her. I would say this issue is a good jumping on point for people who have been reading All-New X-Men but have not been reading Guardians of the Galaxy especially since Bendis is currently writing both series. Also this is a great crossover for two Marvel franchises that both have movies coming out this summer. Overall this story arc has the potential to be a buy, particularly if you're an All New X-Men reader interested in the Guardians of the Galaxy (or vice versa). However this particular issue is just a borrow from a friend because it's just a quick Jean Grey abduction sequence.

Captain America #15

Captain America and Nick Fury Jr. bring Nuke to the S.H.I.E.L.D. hub station for questioning. After Falcon drops Cap back to his apartment, Falcon returns to the hub station just as the Iron Nail pulls the old self-destruct my pawn (Nuke) just to free a more powerful captured ally (Dr. Mindbubble). Falcon saves Fury Jr. just as Nuke destroys the hub station. We also learn through the Iron Nail's monologue that Dr. Mindbubble experimented on the super soldier serum by lacing it with LSD and injecting it into himself. I'm interested to see how a psychedelic super soldier fits into the Iron Nail's master plan however I'm worried that this may take a while because of Rick Remender's slow and steady pace. Overall I would say this is a borrow from a friend.

Well that concludes this week's comic reviews. Sorry that this review not my usual style but I hope to get better and start making more videos real soon. If you like my blog entries please let me know if you'd like to see more of them. See you later!

Summer 2011 Reading List

Well, it's that time of year again, summer. To me, summer is a time of vacations, BBQ's, and superhero movies. This summer comic book fans are in for a treat with a film about one of DC's big heroes, Green Lantern, and three movies from Marvel (two of which tie into the Avengers movie coming out in 2012 and a prequel to the X-Men films that focuses on Professor X and Magneto). After re-watching the available trailers online, I'm pretty excited for all four movies. While comic book readers are know some of these characters, most moviegoers are not familiar with the characters beyond their names and powers. Luckily, I've made a list of graphic novels that people can read before they see the movies if they want to know more about the characters.

Thor (May 6th):

Since it reprints Thor's first appearances in the Marvel universe during the Silver Age, Marvel Masterworks: Thor is a great companion if you're going to see the movie. This book tells the tale of how Odin sent Thor to Earth to learn humility in the guise of Dr. Donald Blake. During an alien invasion Don Blake finds the mystic hammer Mjolnir which transforms him into the thunder god Thor. This book also features the first appearances of Thor's first love interest, Jane Foster. Other than some differences in detail, this Marvel Masterwork is a perfect frame for the Thor movie coming out in May.

J. Michael Straczynski helped re-introduce Thor and the other Asgardians into the Marvel Universe. The story has Thor re-establishing Asgard in Oklahoma and dealing with Tony Stark after Tony made a clone of Thor during Civil War. Many first time Thor readers said that this was a great introduction to the character and it would help people get to know the God of Thunder before the movie comes out in May.

X-Men: First Class (June 3rd):

Another Marvel Masterwork that features the first appearances of the original team of Charles Xavier's X-Men and the first formation of Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. Before their backgrounds were explored, it was clear that Charles was the hero and Magneto was the villain.

One of the main storylines of X-Men: First Class is how Eric Lehnsherr became Magneto. Eric's time in a concentration camp during the German invasion of Poland is one of the factors that influenced Eric's decision to take the fight to the humans before they attack mutants.

Green Lantern (June 17th):

Emerald Dawn is the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths version of Hal Jordan's origin. It provides some more detail into Hal's early days in the Green Lantern Corps and the story provides information about his father's death. The plot is how Hal Jordan changes from a depressed former air force pilot into one of earth's greatest heroes.

Secret Origin is another re-telling of Hal Jordan's early ring slinging days. Like Emerald Dawn, it does draw some focus to Hal's relationship to his father and how he becomes a pilot again. However, like most of Geoff Johns's work on GL, it does foreshadow Blackest Night with the additions of Atrocitus and William Hand (a.k.a. Black Hand). This is version of Hal's origin does explain how Hector Hammond's brain grew at least three times its normal size, so that might help people know this villain before his debut in the GL movie this summer.

Captain America: the First Avenger (July 22nd):

Why is an Avengers book featured on a list of Captain America graphic novels? Well that's because Captain America was found and revived by the Avengers in the fourth issue of the series. After his revival, the Avengers series started to show Cap's adjustment to the world after he was frozen for many years.





When Captain America regained his popularity in the Avengers series, Marvel decided to put out some solo stories for the Star Spangled Avenger which were featured in Tales of Suspense. The stories featured were flashbacks about Cap's adventures during World War II. Since the Captain America movie will primarily be set during World War II, this book is a great way to get an understanding about what Captain America was like during the war.

So those are all my graphic novel recommendations for people going to see the movies this summer. There are many other graphic novels for these characters available and if you have any recommendations please feel free to comment on this post. I hope everyone has an awesome summer and that none of these movies suck.

Happy 75th Anniversary DC Comics

This year DC comics is celebrating its 75th anniversary by releasing variant covers based on classic issues. Some of these new covers are making me consider waiting for them instead of the standard cover.

Detective Comics #866

Once again the Joker captures the reader's attention with a more sinister appearance and larger guns than his appearance on the original cover. However, the length and unruliness of Joker's hair is a bit ridiculous. While there is no change in Robin's appearance, Batman has shoulder spikes on his cape for unknown reasons. This cover does make me consider buying the issue because it looks like the story will be a classic Batman and Robin story.

 

Superman #700

Both of these Superman covers have something in common, they both begin new eras in the Man of Steel mythos. While the original cover was the first part in the classic Kryptonite Nevermore story arc (where Kryptonite no longer has any effect on Superman), Superman #700 is the first part of Superman's life after New Krypton. Also the image of Superman breaking from a kryptonite chain proves why he's one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Universe.

Justice Society of America #41

There really isn't much of a difference between the covers. The only thing difference is Doctor Fate and the Atom are included in the increased spotlight. Also its good to see some Golden Age heroes on some recent covers.

Batman #700

The Red Hood Identity is a prominent element in the Batman mythology. It was the identity used by the Joker before his skin was bleached and is currently used by Jason Todd (the second Robin) since his resurrection. Batman #700 features stories about Batmen from different eras (Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne). Since the 700th issue will feature different Batmen, maybe different versions of Red Hood will appear as the antagonists for the stories.

Adventure Comics #12 (#515)

This issue of Adventure Comics celebrates the return of  fan-favorite writer, Paul Levitz. What better way to celebrate Levitz's return to the Thirtieth Century than with an reinterpretation of the final chapter in The Great Darkness Saga. Also Levitz's stories on Adventure will focus on the Legion when they were kids and Superman was Superboy.

Green Lantern #60

The original story involved Sinestro stealing energy from Hal Jordan's power ring to increase his own ring. Now this new redesign shows the two with fully charged rings and ready to fight each other. While Sinestro and Hal have a temporary truce, this cover really captures how the two were once at odds and ready to knock each other out.

Superman #701

What better way for DC to celebrate its anniversary than with a new redesign of the first issue of Superman. Superman flying over Metropolis in this iconic image is just another great way of saying the Man of Steel has returned to Earth.

Overall these anniversary covers look awesome and I'm definitely looking for most of them when they come out later in the year.