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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 14, 2016 10:20:27 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 23:38:48 GMT -5
Wonder Woman #12: Wonder Woman and friends regroup after last issues terrorist attack. There is an absolutely stunning splash of Steve and WW. They are testing her abilities--classic WW! Lifting tanks, bullets and bracelets, and talking to animals. Dr. Minerva meanwhile has figured out who big bad is behind all the terror attacks and that character appears on the last page. No big surprise who it is.
Lots of character moments and a subtle/not so subtle nod to the sexuality of two of the supporting characters.
There is a beautiful scene between Wonder Woman and Steve as she discusses Paradise Island.
The art is perfect. Nicola Scott does not skimp on details. The art is like something from a fairy tale or children's book. I wanted to keep reading beyond the final page but will have to wait until January for the next year one installment.
10/10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 23:57:15 GMT -5
Supergirl #4: Zor-El and his zombies/cyborgs/whatever they are invade earth while Supergirl is trapped in Argo City pleading with a mockery of Alura to release her. Lots of pleading from Supergirl, some quick scenes of the supporting cast, and scenes of the invasion sum up this issue. The art is detracting from my enjoyment of this book. While I was reading the scenes with Supergirl and Alura, I kept thinking how much more of an impact they would have with a better artist. I did like seeing Cat Grant. and Jeremiah Danvers actually has something to do in this issue. With the success of the Supergirl show and the quality of Superman and Action, I expect more from Supergirl's title. I think the potential is there....but the book isn't quite my cup of tea.
5/10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 23:26:40 GMT -5
Action 969: We learn a bit about the Godslayer and his past. Luthor is in deep trouble with the Godslayer and his friend, leaving Superman to save him.
The art is spectacular and very detailed. There is a scene with the Godslayer that looks like something straight out of a movie. The mysterious Clark Kent, Lois, and Jon all briefly appear. This was a nice piece of the puzzle as far as Godslayer, his past, and his purpose. Also a bit about Zade is revealed.
Overall, this was a nice issue filling in some of the story and the motivations of the Godslayer. Superman is put in a place where he questions whether or not to try to save Luthor, and of course he chooses to do the right thing--despite his misgivings.
7/10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 23:38:34 GMT -5
 Written by Gerry Conway. Art and Cover by Ryan Stegman. The Spider Family battles the Mole Man. In this issue we continue to get glimpses of the differences in this alternate earth from the main MCU. Norman Osborn Jr is shown. We get snapshots of a day in the life of the Parker family. We find out how MJ has spider powers. And that it affects Peter when she uses them. (spoiler below). At the end of this issue Peter & MJ are captives of the Mole Man. Stegman's art is perfect for this version of the Parker family. Score: 9/10.the source of MJ's powers is in her suit. Peter adapted Regent's tech to siphon off some of his powers & allow MJ to use them
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 23:48:18 GMT -5
 Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Davide Gianfelice. Cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico. The conclusion of the Speed of Darkness. Flash & Kid Flash rescue Iris, the Shade & Shade's wife Hope from the Shadowlands. During this issue Barry & Wally continue to bond & build a partnership. The Shade is shown as not evil & is trapped trying to save his wife. At the end Wally goes back to school, Shade & Hope return to Opal City & Barry asks Iris out on a date. I have enjoyed this 3 part story with the Shade & Kid Flash. It felt "old school". Some of that came from the art style. It was similar to Carmine Infantino's art on the Flash decades ago. Score: 7/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 23:58:25 GMT -5
 Written by Charles Soule. Art by Ron Garney. Cover by Dan Panosian. The brutal conclusion of "Dark Art". Wow. Soule finally found his "voice" on DD with this arc. This story line has been disturbing (in a good way). This was a mix of horror, thriller & heroics in one story. The Muse is a sadistic villain. He tortures Blindspot. Going forward I'm not sure where Soule will take Blindspot after what Muse has done to him. Garney's art is on fire! The pages where DD uses his senses to track down Blindspot & Muse are phenomenal. Score: 9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 0:10:27 GMT -5
Quick Reviews:
Superwoman #5: Jimenez returns on art but that can't rescue his confusing script. This book has become a mess. Maybe he can redeem himself somewhat if the ending is great. 4/10.
Wonder Woman #12: Rucka & Scott continue their Year One story. Perfection. 10/10.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 0:29:53 GMT -5
Superwoman #5: a muddled story and less than spectacular art from Jimenez make me wish I'd kept my 2.99. Lena Luthor and her bizarro army lay waste to Metropolis while Lana seems to be going off the deep end. Tons of dialogue and word balloons throughout . Despite the wordy script, I am still not quite sure what is going on.......and really don't care anymore. There is a super quick scene with the mysterious Clark Kent and that was my favorite part of the book. Jimenez does handle the action scenes ok, but his faces and some scenes look murky. Sad that a book I really wanted to enjoy isn't quite what I thought it'd be.
3/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 11:55:28 GMT -5
Shadows on the Grave #1
Written and Illustrated by Richard Corben
Summary: The master of horror, Richard Corben, is back with three new short stories plus a continuation of his Den series....but the best part? This is just the first of eight installments!
Plot: When ever Richard Corben's name appears atop the cover of a book I know it's a must buy so when I heard about this I knew I had to have it. And while it was perhaps not as thrilling as some of his best work it was entertaining none the less. I think what I missed in these shorter pieces in comparison to his past work was the lack of a sense of narrative purpose, these little vignettes aren't complete stories but rather just shocking moments presented without much in the way of set up or catharsis which makes them feel a little unfinished.
Art: While the stories weren't all that memorable Corben's art, as always, was on point. He has a way of creating these stunning facial expressions that are so vivid they feel like they'll haunt your darkest dreams. There's a sick twist to the way he portrays the violence is shocking, gross...and strangely beautiful all at once.
Conclusion:In many ways they hearken back to Corben's earliest work back in the Warren days, there's little rhyme or reason here, just weird little premises, so as a look back they are fun but if you go in expecting more than that you may be a little let down but the art is still solid so it's definitely worth buying if you're a Corben aficionado.
Grade:7/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 13:48:47 GMT -5
Mr. Quinlin: Vampire Hunter #4 Written by David Lapham Art by Edgar Salazar Summary: With half his band infected with dawn an hour away Quilan faces impossible odds in defending what remains of his men and his mission.
Plot: What started out as an interesting look at an enigmatic fan favorite character's origins has quickly become a slog to read. Lapham isn't a normally a terrible writer so I'm not sure what the issue here is with him, but the main issue is that there just hasn't been enough character development here so there isn't a real pull to actually care what happens to these characters, even Quinlan. Rather than offering a rote look at the vampire's back ground I think a more mythical look at the culture of vampires in general would have been much more enjoyable, especially as it was those elements in the first two issues that were truly compelling. Without that however I think I'll be skipping the conclusion.
Art: The story telling is delivered well, and the action easy to follow but like the plot there's nothing to the art that strikes you.
Grade: 5/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 14:41:34 GMT -5
DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1 Summary: It's a DC Universe christmas special brought to you with the hostess with the mostest(mental issues that is) Harley Quinn.
Plot: Although the run has never been consistent from year to year DC has a pretty great track record with holiday specials( especially in the late 80's, the late 90's and then again in the late 2000's) so i was really excited to see them doing a new Holiday special after an absence of a few years. The specials usually featured a mix of the big heroes in christmas adventures and lesser known characters getting a spotlight, and while this new issue does the first other than a single story with Detective Chimp(which was my favorite) it doesn't really attempt the latter, and worse each story is vaguely connected to the others by a framing narrative MC'd by Harley Quinn which in a strangely prophetic turn of events felt just like the boring celebrity holiday specials it mocked at the top of the issue. Of the ten stories featured here only the detective Chimp and Batman story written by Heath Carson and Art by Gus Duarte and the Wonder Woman/ Constantine story by Mariko Tamaki and Martias Bernga with the rest feeling bloated and hollow.
Art: Like the plot to call this a mixed bag artistically would be putting it lightly as all the other artists aside from those in the stories mwntioned above lacked any real character and all felt like a poor attempt at a house style.
Grade:4/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 15:06:10 GMT -5
Gotham Academy #4 Written by Brendan Fletcher Art by Jon Lam Summary: When a carnival visits the Academy you just know the gang is bound for trouble when they inevitably go in to investigate it.
Plot: Fletcher does a great job of creating an eerie mood and setting up a decent mystery with this visit from the carnival. The idea of a carnival stealing the souls of children is hardly novel, and this issue doesn't come within a mile of being as emotionally profound as Ray Bradbury's classic, Something Wicked This Way Comes but the finale where the headmaster holds his past friend as he ages from boy to dust before him was pretty great.
Art: Jon Lam does a great job with the kids and their facial expressions and he created one heck of a mood to the scenes but all in all his larger looks came off as feeling empty and lifeless and the in story mention that the kids were the only ones to know about the carnival at the finale seemed more like a cover for this feeling rather than an original plot element.
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 15:47:03 GMT -5
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #5 Written by Shauna and Julie Benson Art by Roge Antonio Summary: The girls finally find out who the new Oracle is and just as the shock of it wears off another mystery presents itself.
Plot: After the misstep that was last issue's look into the Huntress' origin the sister's Benson go back to what the series so fun to start with; great characterization and snappy dialogue. Listening to talking heads usually is a bore but the explanation read off by the new Oracle was funny and the way both the Huntress and Black Cannary kept interjecting with their own plans to capture or kill him was fantastic. On a more serious side the way Babs confronted her various roles as Barbara Gordon, Batgirl and Oracle was a great moment and it makes me wonder how her role with the team will shake out in the future.
Art: Antonio does a great job at capturing the light, fun feel of the Burnside stories which is my favorite tone for Batgirl.
Grade:8/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 17, 2016 16:29:52 GMT -5
Detective Comics #946 Written by James Tynion IV Art by Eddie Barrows Summary: The Syndicate closes in on the team as Batman reflects on his relationship with Tim.
Plot: While the last few issues of Tynion's latest tale have been a bit of a slog he really makes up some time here as we get a solid look into each character on the team here as they confront their respective opposites. The Syndicate remains more than a little two dimensional the small character moments for all the team members make it worth while. Through the fights we get windows into the emotional drive of the heroes...all except for Batman. While we get a great discussion between Tim and Batman in the opening flashback the end result is to make Batman more damaged and closed off while the other heroes are opening up. While I didn't like all of Snyder's run on Batman I did like that he brought the man back to Batman, to the point that he smiled again but here we go back to the overly crippled man he was at the start of Snyder's run which is a disappointing turn.
Art: Barrow's art is fantastic as usual here, with widely expressive faces and action scenes that really sing on the page.
Grade: 7/10 |
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