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Post by Roquefort Raider on Nov 25, 2016 21:04:13 GMT -5
I see there is the equivalent of Essential Usagi for sale on Amazon... and Christmas is comping up!
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Nov 25, 2016 21:25:56 GMT -5
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Post by wildfire2099 on Nov 26, 2016 12:40:19 GMT -5
Cage #2 Things get trippy... Cage gets kidnapped and left on a tropical island... hallogenic pollen... yeah, you get the idea. Not much story (I just told you the whole thing)... but the art is pretty fabulous, especially if you look at it after smoking/ingesting/injecting/etc your favorite 70s hallogenic drug. Plot: 1/5 Art: 5/5  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 28, 2016 14:08:25 GMT -5
Hellboy and the BPRD 1954:The Unreasoning Beast Written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson Art by Patric Reynolds Colored by Dave Stewart Summary: When a haunting is reported in Baltimore Agent Xiang and Hellboy go out to investigate and find that the haunting is more than meets the eye.
Plot: While I usually enjoy these little peaks into Hellboy's past that Mignola and Roberson have been giving us this story fell a little flat. We've seen the, "Been there, done that" look at Hellboy in the past and this story about a house haunted by a flaming monkey ghost manifesting out of a young boy doesn't give us anything new in that regard and the action all that interesting despite the cool concept of a flaming ghost monkey. Further, although solicited as a two part story I'm not sure where they plan to go with it despite the reintroduction Dr. Sandhu and a cure for the boy in England.
Art: Despite the unusually disappointing story Reynolds really nails it on the art side. As I said, the story features a fiery ghost monkey and Reynolds gives it a great look making the cute little Capuchin monkey look like he was made of gasoline which fits the idea that he is a representation of vengeance from an arson victim.
Conclusion: Despite an interestingly designed adversary the mystery of this haunted house feels too ho-hum to really carry the issue and there is little to go on about what the conclusion in the next story may be.
Grade: 5/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 28, 2016 14:55:15 GMT -5
Detective Comics #945 Written by James Tynion IV Penciled by Al Barrionuevo Inked by Scott Hanna Colored by Adriano Lucas Summary: In the wake of the Victim Syndicate Batman's new team is on the brink of breaking up.
Plot: It's pretty good that this book ships twice a month as in a single dose there isn't a lot to go on here. That isn't to say it's a bad issue as Tynion gives us some great character moments for Spolier and Clayface and the anguish they feel over their pasts but other than that we don't get much forward progress in terms of the Victim Syndicate.
Art: Barrionuevo's soft line work coupled with Lucas' almost oil based painting look to the colors creates a beautiful cinematic look that certainly makes the slow paced plot worth while.
Summary: Though slow moving the strong characterization and the beautiful art makes it worth the cost of having two issues a month.
Grade: 6/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 28, 2016 15:15:35 GMT -5
Action 968: superman battles the Godslayer and his partner who want to murder Lex Luthor in an effort to prevent a catastrophic future. There is a nice opening sequence showing a rip off in Metropolis's tourism industry that made me laugh. The issue is mostly a big fight scene. Jon plays a pivotal role towards the end of the issue and we learn that the mysterious Clark Kent doesn't quite share Superman/clark's values. The art was ok, lots of punching, flying, and sound effects. What is the deal with washed out coloring that is so frequently used today? I was reading a DC collection of Batman by Len Wein stories and the colors were so much more vibrant in the older stories. I know that the colors are computer generated now, but they are so bland. For me, this was a weaker issue of Action, but I'm still enjoying the series. 6/10 The story wasn't the greatest but I really liked how Tyler Kirkham portrayed the action and the coloring by Ulises Arreida was fantastic, especially the explosions. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 28, 2016 15:57:40 GMT -5
The Hellblazer #4 Written by Simon Oliver Art by Moritat Colored by Tony Avina Summary: As John and Chas attempt to escape custody Swamp Thing battles the Rot.
Plot: Oliver delivers another solid chapter that truly feels British, which is definitely key to a good Constantine story. The pacing is still slow and after four issues we're no closer to understanding who the genies are or what they want but the dialogue here was perfect and the strained relationship between John and Chas was fun to see. And although we still don't exactly know what's going on with the direct assault on John and the promise of the full team up between Constantine and Swamp Thing is sure to excite.
Art: The scenes with Swamp Thing battling the Rot were definitely the selling point of the issue, Moritat really gets how weird Swampy's anatomy can be and he puts that to good use in devising visually interesting panels.
Conclusion: Though slow moving the action was top notch and the art beautiful
Grade:7/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 28, 2016 16:35:35 GMT -5
Star Wars #25 Written by Jason Aaron Art by Jorge Molina Colored by Matt Milla Summary: Interrupted by a crack troop of Storm Troopers the mission of the captured Imperial Star Destroyer seems imperiled.
Plot: Aaron's action packed take on Star Wars continues to thrill in this issue, and unlike the other Star Wars titles being put out now it doesn't look like this book isn't over yet. While most of the issue was devoted to big action set pieces whether it be between Luke and the Sarge, Vader and the Star Destroyer or Chewie and the big trooper there was time for some humor as well as we saw the frustration of the troopers as they unknowingly combated a mere astromech droid(R2) for control of the ship's system. There isn't a lot of depth here but it's fun and fast paced.
Art: Molina continues to be spot on in his depictions of the characters from the movies, and even better they don't come off as looking wooden even though they are photorealistic.
Conclusion: Light on story but full of fun, fast paced action.
Grade: 8/10 |
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Post by Dizzy D on Dec 11, 2016 16:21:21 GMT -5
Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #2 Written by Robbie Thompson
Pencils by Javier Rodriguez
Inks by Alvaro Lopez
Colours by Jordie Bellaire
What went before: Merlin has gathered a group of Sorcerers from various time periods to defeat the Forgotten, a foe Merlin had banished before but has escaped and is threatening Camelot. The sorcerers fight the Forgotten, but it easily kills one of them. Summary: The Forgotten is not alone and the Sorcerers quickly decide that they are at a disadvantage, so Wiccan teleports them away. We get some scenes from Wiccan's own future. Finally the heroes make their way to Camelot, but Wiccan takes another path. Plot: A bit more focus on Wiccan this time, but we also get a bit of info on some of the other new characters. The Forgotten also has an interesting scene where it talks to itself and its face keeps changing with every voice, so I'm getting the idea that this is a combination of the various beings that Merlin imprisoned underground. Also interesting to see that it calls its minions friends, this together with the scenes from the first issue, makes me think that it not might be evil as such. So overall, a lot of new characters that I'm still interested in. Art: The art is pretty good as well, Rodriguez and also Bellaire get the opportunity to do some interestings things with the magical traps and mystical characters (see the scene with the Forgotten above for instance). Grade: 8/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 11, 2016 21:21:53 GMT -5
Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #2 Written by Robbie Thompson
Pencils by Javier Rodriguez
Inks by Alvaro Lopez
Colours by Jordie Bellaire
What went before: Merlin has gathered a group of Sorcerers from various time periods to defeat the Forgotten, a foe Merlin had banished before but has escaped and is threatening Camelot. The sorcerers fight the Forgotten, but it easily kills one of them. Summary: The Forgotten is not alone and the Sorcerers quickly decide that they are at a disadvantage, so Wiccan teleports them away. We get some scenes from Wiccan's own future. Finally the heroes make their way to Camelot, but Wiccan takes another path. Plot: A bit more focus on Wiccan this time, but we also get a bit of info on some of the other new characters. The Forgotten also has an interesting scene where it talks to itself and its face keeps changing with every voice, so I'm getting the idea that this is a combination of the various beings that Merlin imprisoned underground. Also interesting to see that it calls its minions friends, this together with the scenes from the first issue, makes me think that it not might be evil as such. So overall, a lot of new characters that I'm still interested in. Art: The art is pretty good as well, Rodriguez and also Bellaire get the opportunity to do some interestings things with the magical traps and mystical characters (see the scene with the Forgotten above for instance). Grade: 8/10I really need to get into this series, I'll have to try and find it on Wednesday. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Dec 14, 2016 20:50:14 GMT -5
Titans #5: unfortunately I'm losing patience with this story. Basically this entire issue takes place in the span of a few seconds while Wally runs to save his friends. He talks to himself the entire time while Kadabra taunts him. The art is not grabbing me, although the style does suit Wally. The art is more like something you'd see in a Flash comic. Hoping this story wraps up soon. For 5 issues in, this story could have probably been told in 3 issues....or better yet, in the pages of the Flash. 2/10 Agreed on all counts but the rating. This was the first time I really felt like it was really Wally, not a cardboard cut out of Wally 'because YOU demanded it'. Of course, they've completely dropped all pretense of this being a Titans book.. the Titans are just the damsels/Gentlemen in distress. The last page makes me think we will get some actual Titans action next issue, though. |
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