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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2019 8:41:21 GMT -5
OFF THE RACKS For those who came in late this is the spot for real reviews by real readers. How do you know they're real? Because you get to post them! House of X #1 by MRP History of the Marvel Universe #1 by Thwhtguardian Ascender #4 by Thwhtguardian |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2019 9:47:50 GMT -5
History of the Marvel Universe #1Written by Mark Waid Art by Javier Rodriguez Summary: As the Universe draws near to total entropy Galactus tells Franklin Richards the story of all life to prepare him to start the next reality.
Plot: I'm not really sure what I expected out of this, and I'm still not sure how I feel about Waid's story here but the concept is interesting enough that I'll give it time to grow. As of now there isn't really much of a story present, just small illustrated, unconnected encyclopedia-like vignettes vaguely framed as a story told by Galactus to Franklin Richards at the end of the Universe. It's that last bit that's the only real interest to me, I love that in the end, after all the trouble his hunger has caused, we see that the reason Galactus needed to consume so much energy was so that he could restart life in the Universe when this one was all used up. I don't know if that had been revealed before this but it was a great sci-fi concept that I just loved here so I'm hoping we learn more about Richards and Galactus as the book progresses... but even that wouldn't keep me reading for too long; this book needs something to interconnect the vignettes, something that makes reading them seem important because with out that it'll be too hollow to hold me as a reader.
Art: While the meandering plot, if you can call a story with out a real central thrust, is a tad disappointing on the whole Rodriguez's art is simply stunning. Give me a book of him drawing weird stuff in space(it wouldn't even need any words!) and I'd buy it month after month.
Grade:6/10 |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jul 24, 2019 12:14:40 GMT -5
History of the Marvel Universe #1Written by Mark Waid Art by Javier Rodriguez Summary: As the Universe draws near to total entropy Galactus tells Franklin Richards the story of all life to prepare him to start the next reality.
Plot: I'm not really sure what I expected out of this, and I'm still not sure how I feel about Waid's story here but the concept is interesting enough that I'll give it time to grow. As of now there isn't really much of a story present, just small illustrated, unconnected encyclopedia-like vignettes vaguely framed as a story told by Galactus to Franklin Richards at the end of the Universe. It's that last bit that's the only real interest to me, I love that in the end, after all the trouble his hunger has caused, we see that the reason Galactus needed to consume so much energy was so that he could restart life in the Universe when this one was all used up. I don't know if that had been revealed before this but it was a great sci-fi concept that I just loved here so I'm hoping we learn more about Richards and Galactus as the book progresses... but even that wouldn't keep me reading for too long; this book needs something to interconnect the vignettes, something that makes reading them seem important because with out that it'll be too hollow to hold me as a reader.
Art: While the meandering plot, if you can call a story with out a real central thrust, is a tad disappointing on the whole Rodriguez's art is simply stunning. Give me a book of him drawing weird stuff in space(it wouldn't even need any words!) and I'd buy it month after month.
Grade:6/10 My gut tells me you're not going to get much more of an over-arching story than what you're seeing here. This is the Cliff's Notes History of the MU. And for that, I'm fine with what it is. I'm the farthest there is from a continuity wonk. But I find this kind of thing fun. To me this reads like a Wiki/Listicle history...all breadth and no depth. And that's fine for what it is. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2019 13:21:07 GMT -5
History of the Marvel Universe #1Written by Mark Waid Art by Javier Rodriguez Summary: As the Universe draws near to total entropy Galactus tells Franklin Richards the story of all life to prepare him to start the next reality.
Plot: I'm not really sure what I expected out of this, and I'm still not sure how I feel about Waid's story here but the concept is interesting enough that I'll give it time to grow. As of now there isn't really much of a story present, just small illustrated, unconnected encyclopedia-like vignettes vaguely framed as a story told by Galactus to Franklin Richards at the end of the Universe. It's that last bit that's the only real interest to me, I love that in the end, after all the trouble his hunger has caused, we see that the reason Galactus needed to consume so much energy was so that he could restart life in the Universe when this one was all used up. I don't know if that had been revealed before this but it was a great sci-fi concept that I just loved here so I'm hoping we learn more about Richards and Galactus as the book progresses... but even that wouldn't keep me reading for too long; this book needs something to interconnect the vignettes, something that makes reading them seem important because with out that it'll be too hollow to hold me as a reader.
Art: While the meandering plot, if you can call a story with out a real central thrust, is a tad disappointing on the whole Rodriguez's art is simply stunning. Give me a book of him drawing weird stuff in space(it wouldn't even need any words!) and I'd buy it month after month.
Grade:6/10 My gut tells me you're not going to get much more of an over-arching story than what you're seeing here. This is the Cliff's Notes History of the MU. And for that, I'm fine with what it is. I'm the farthest there is from a continuity wonk. But I find this kind of thing fun. To me this reads like a Wiki/Listicle history...all breadth and no depth. And that's fine for what it is. Yeah, I think I was expecting something like Marvels only on a larger scale so I think that disappointed me, but viewed for what it is it was definitely cool and like I said I loved the art. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 24, 2019 14:34:14 GMT -5
Ascender #4Written by Jeff Lemire Art by Dustin Nguyen Summary: Andy,Mila and Bandit continue their exodus while the witch queen, Mother, falls into a deadly trap.
Plot: This issue doesn’t pack the emotional punch of the previous issue, but it does a great job of setting things up for later. Andy and Mila make it to the port, but will Telsa be any good to them? She’s passed out drunk and could be as much of a liability as a help. Mother goes to interrogate the former UGC leader and is caught in a trap. Said trap is powered by magic, which the UGC is now using. All of these plot points are open-ended, giving readers the incentive to stay with the book to get the answers to each one. It's a complex web full of tiny details and I, for one, can't wait to see how they play out.
Art:What can be said about Dustin Nguyen’s art that hasn’t been said before? As usual, it’s perfect. The best part is the two-page spread with the flying turtles. The level of detail he puts into them is insane. The entire spread, from the majestic turtle in the foreground to the beautifully colored background is breathtaking and gives readers time to breathe after the suspense of the dragon chase.
Grade:8/10
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 15:03:17 GMT -5
Big fan of Hickman, and liked #1 of HoX very much. You can criticise the guy for some things, but there's no-one better in mainstream comics for coming up with refreshing big new ideas.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jul 25, 2019 15:55:34 GMT -5
Big fan of Hickman, and liked #1 of HoX very much. You can criticise the guy for some things, but there's no-one better in mainstream comics for coming up with refreshing big new ideas. And there is nobody worse at actually following through and wrapping up those new ideas. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 26, 2019 8:17:35 GMT -5
Big fan of Hickman, and liked #1 of HoX very much. You can criticise the guy for some things, but there's no-one better in mainstream comics for coming up with refreshing big new ideas. And there is nobody worse at actually following through and wrapping up those new ideas. That's been my experience as well, he has these fantastic ideas...but then sputters out half way through. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 21:09:32 GMT -5
 Archie #706. Written by Nick Spencer & Mariko Tamaki. Art by Jenn St-Onge. Flashback to the beginning of summer and how the Archie/Sabrina romance started. Spencer gets a co-writer and the series gets a new artist. And things felt "off" to me. Part of it is the rest of the supporting characters aren't featured, part of it the focus of the current storyline has shifted and part of it is the change in art style. First issue in a long time I wasn't thrilled with.
5/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 21:15:30 GMT -5
 The Terrifics #18. Written by Gene Luen Yang. Art by Stephen Segovia. The conclusion of Yang's first arc. The creative team of Yang and Segovia have done a great job continuing the concepts that Lemire created. This title has been a treat since it launched with a modern Silver Age feel. This issue had a lot going on but didn't feel chaotic. 7/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2019 21:22:57 GMT -5
 Flash #75. Written by Williamson. Art by Porter/Kolins/Duce. 3 stories. The first the conclusion of Year One featuring Barry's battle vs the Turtle. Nice ending. Nice art by Porter. The second story sets up the next arc of the Flash. Nice to see Kolins art again. The third story focuses on Capt Cold as Lex Luthor makes him an offer... Nice sized Anniversary issue that felt really extra sized and full of story. 7/10. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Jul 26, 2019 23:12:00 GMT -5
Big fan of Hickman, and liked #1 of HoX very much. You can criticise the guy for some things, but there's no-one better in mainstream comics for coming up with refreshing big new ideas. I'm not sure it's a new idea he's got so much as taking a previous idea and amping it up... we'll see. I was glad to see lots of groundwork... If they stick with it, I agree Hickman does good set up at first.. if he gets bored and wanders off before it gets too out of control (like Avengers did) and gets handed off to a better writer I could be very happy indeed  |
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Jul 27, 2019 18:37:29 GMT -5
Everyone is over the moon about House of X. I don't have much experience reading Hickman, if any. I did like the first issue though decently enough. I knew most of the major players in the story, so I felt comfortable enough jumping on. I read it twice, and it was much more fluid for me the second time through after hearing other people's thoughts.
I also picked up the latest issue of Justice League Dark. It's the 13th issue, and it was definitely a fallback issue after the events of the last arc seemed to have wrapped up. At least the major magic conflict. Still enjoying it, even with this story seeming like everyone just needed to gather their thoughts before the next big setup happens. Of course at the end Luthor appears to Circe like he has appeared to a few characters on most titles this month making some kind of offer. Tying into the "Year of the Villain" setup on the front of books as of now. It's a reminder that I really need to get up to speed on Justice League.
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