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Post by thwhtguardian on Feb 7, 2017 14:56:05 GMT -5
Welcome back to another week of Off the Racks, the place where you'll find reviews from regular comic readers just like you...because they are by you! So if you read it, talk about it here. As the reviews come in I'll link them her for easy browsing. Archie:World of Archie Winter Annual #66Boom:Death Be Damned #1 Jim Henson's Giants #3Jonesey #10 Namesake #4 Sons of Anarchy #7 Steven Universe #1
Dark Horse:Empowered and the Soldier of Love #1 DC:Action Comics #973All Star Batman #7 Birds of Prey #7 Deadman #3Deathstroke #12 Detective Comics #950 Flash #16Gotham Academy #6 Hal Jordan #14 JLA #1 New Super-Man #8 Redhood #7 Supergirl #6Superwoman #7Titans #8 and more thoughts by MD62Wonder Woman #16Dynamite:Army of Darkness/Xena #5 Great Divide #5 Felix Lieter #2 John Carter: The End #1IDW:Duck Avenger #3 Mickey Mouse #17 ROM Annual 2017 Transformers #7 Image:Birthright #22 Black Science #28 East of West #31 Green Valley #5 Moon Shine #5 Savage Dragon #220 Southern Cross #11 Wicked + Divine #26 Spawn #270 Marvel:Wolverine #17 Renew Your Vows #4Black Widow #11 Dark Tower #5 Sorcerers Supreme #5 Doctor Strange/ Punisher #3 GotG #17 Jessica Jones #5 Inhumans Vs. X-Men #4Kingpin #1Ms. Marvel #15 Powerman and Ironfist #13 Doctor Aphra #4 Totally Awesome Hulk #16 Unworthy Thor #4 thoughts by thwhtguardianVenom #2 |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 16:22:31 GMT -5
Supergirl #6: Reign of the Cyborg Superman reaches it finale in this action-filled issue. Supergirl, the DEO, and Catco unite to stop the invasion of Earth by Argo City, led by Supergirl's father. Very nice to see Supergirl inspiring everyone to work together and defying her father to defend her adopted home. Cat Grant has some nice moments in the story and there is an interesting line or 2 about some secret weapon the DEO has (that is referred to as 'him'). The art is still not my cup of tea, although the backgrounds and panel lay out are good. Hoping for a new artist as this is a really good book about Supergirl and the optimism she inspires.
7/10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 16:52:57 GMT -5
Superwoman #7: the first story comes to its conclusion in this muddled, confusing issue. I have to give it to Jimenez for aiming so high, however the execution, plotting, and overall direction of this arc gets an F from me. He provides the art as well as the story in this issue and there are 2 artists providing inks. Basically this story had something to do with Luthor trying to be Superman, something about a virus his sister unleashes, a bunch of Bizarro women, Lois dying and appearing to Lana as a ghost, Lana getting powers and Steel, Traci 13, and Natasha all thrown in.
The panel layout is confusing, word balloons all over the place, and the book is a chore to get through. I found my self skipping over the overly long word balloons as at this point, I don't care.
The last page offers a minor point of interest for Lois Lane that I am guessing will tie in to the upcoming Superman event.
2/10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 17:11:48 GMT -5
Titans #8: Mal and Karen Duncan visit Meta Solutions, a company that assists people with newfound super powers. They either help the person adjust to having powers or are able to remove powers if the client wishes. Long-time fans will recognize who is running Meta Solutions--and know Mal and Karen are in trouble!
There are some very nice moments with the Titans in this issue. We see Roy and Donna chatting about her being a photographer and her unknown past. Dick and Wally discuss Linda. Garth and Lilith train. All these interactions happen at the new Titans Tower. Nice moments like this help cement that these characters are friends and the relationships seem natural, not forced.
This series is shaping up very nicely after the lengthy Flash centered story.
8/10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 17:35:08 GMT -5
 Written by Jason Aaron. Art and Cover by Olivier Coipel. Flashback art by Frazer Irving, Esad Ribic, Russell Dauterman. The issue starts with a flashback of Thor as a teen trying to lift Mjolnir (Irving). Switch to now as he fights armies to get to Ultimate Thor's hammer. Then a flashback with Thor & Jane Foster (Ribic). Then more fighting in the present. Then another flashback with Jane a few months ago (Dauterman). Then we return to today as Odinson finally reaches the Ultimate version of Mjolnir & places his hand on the handle...to be concluded next issue. All the art is beautiful. The story is necessary & told well. However this mini series suffers from the same problem a lot of modern stories have: it is overpadded. This issue & last issue could have been told in one issue & it probably would have been a much better story. So we have a 4 issue story stretched out to 5. Hopefully next issue we will see Thor lift the hammer & finally find out what was whispered to him that made him feel unworthy. 6/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 17:43:21 GMT -5
 Godwatch: Part 1 - Written by Greg Rucka. Art and Cover by Bilquis Evely. The aftermath of the Year One story. This story takes place 6 months after Year One. Basically this story is the origin of Veronica Cale (WW's Lex Luthor). It involves the gods Phobos & Deimos, the creation of Dr Cyber, & Diana fighting a Chimera. Compared to YO this arc is a little bit of a let down but on it's own it is a good WW story. I like the story & art & the updated version of Veronica Cale. This is still one of the best WW series. 8/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 17:57:15 GMT -5
Rogues Reloaded: Part 3. Written by Joshua Williamson. Art and Cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
Flash goes up against Heat Wave & he leads Barry back to the Rogues. Just when it looks like Flash has won Capt Cold stops him...cold! (pun intended).
Wow. I feel like I am repeating myself but Williamson & DiGiandomenico are creating a new Rogues story that will be a classic. I really am enjoying the Flash since the first arc concluded. I have said this before: this should have been the arc to lead off the Flash Rebirth series.
PS - this issue & last issue's covers were switched by accident by DC. Last issue focused on Mirror Master & this issue was Heat Wave (who was on last issue's cover).
8/10.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 18:04:26 GMT -5
 Written by Gerry Conway. Art and Cover by Ryan Stegman. The conclusion of the Spider Family vs the Mole Man. Another fun issue. Peter, MJ & Annie fight & win against the Mole Man. We also see Betty Brant, JJJ & Normie Osborn. We also get more references to other heroes in this universe. The story concludes with Annie wanting to be called Spider Girl... I love this variation on a married Peter with a family. I really hope Annie ends up as the "new" Spider Girl. And MJ has to get a decent code name...Spinneret stinks as a hero name. I hope we get to see other heroes in this universe. I think Annie teams up with the X-Men in a future issue. Stegman's art is great for this title. Next: Sandman! 8/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 18:21:22 GMT -5
 Story and Art by Phil Jimenez, Matt Santorelli & Jack Herbert. Cover by Andy Kubert. What a mess this title rapidly became. I had hoped Jimenez could redeem the story somewhat with the conclusion. However this did this not happen. This wasn't even the finale! Next issue is the epilog that "explains everything". Ugh! You know a story is a bad when they have to do that.
2/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 18:28:38 GMT -5
Best Of The Week
Written by Dan Abnett. Art and Cover by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund.
Mal & Karen Duncan. Herald. Bumble Bee. The Fearsome Five.
Man this title is great. We get some great team dynamics both in past flashbacks & present day. We see the return of Mal & Karen & some great villains return. This really feels more & more like the original Titans before they were updated by Wolfman/Perez. I think this was the way to go instead of trying to capture the Wolfman/Perez Titans magic again.
Abnett nails the friends aspect of this team. I love the flashback scenes. I love the interaction between individual team members. Booth has the art skills to show action & has a good look for the Titans in the past & now. I really like Garth's new look.
9/10.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 23:25:50 GMT -5
Action 973: Lois begins solving the mystery of Clark Kent in this awesome issue! Lois is front and center (and seeming more and more like the Lois of times gone by). While I love seeing Lois as a wife and mother, I really enjoyed seeing her in her element this issue. Superwoman and Steel appear in the Superman sequences. Not sure if this is directly after the events of this week's issue of Superwoman or what, but I'm not letting the mess that is going on in Superwoman deter my enjoyment here. We see the daily Planet crew as well as learning that some bad folks are tracking Superman.
The art is great. 2 artists divide the Superman and Lois/Clark sequences. The opening page showcasing both Clarks sets the tone for this story. When I got to the last page I was disappointed as I can't wait to read more!!
10/10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 21:56:53 GMT -5
Wonder Woman #16: my thoughts-- a nice set up story continuing with Wonder Woman's first year in mans' world.
I enjoyed Veronica Cale and the woman who becomes Dr. Cyber's story and we learn a bit about Veronica's family.
The art was a bit jarring as i was used to Nichola Scott's work, but with dark tone of the story, the art worked. It reminded me of Harry G. Peter in some panels (not a bad thing). The splash page was cool showing Wonder Woman in action.
7/10
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Post by The Captain on Feb 10, 2017 11:41:05 GMT -5
This week was a complete blank for me on the pull list, but I'm enjoying reading everyone else's opinions on the new books this week.
I had strongly thought about picking up the new Flash series when it started last year, but I couldn't get over the art. Might have to just accept it, as the praise for this book, and the current story, make it seem like a need-to-have.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 12:46:39 GMT -5
This week was a complete blank for me on the pull list, but I'm enjoying reading everyone else's opinions on the new books this week. I had strongly thought about picking up the new Flash series when it started last year, but I couldn't get over the art. Might have to just accept it, as the praise for this book, and the current story, make it seem like a need-to-have. I understand your reluctance about the art. I see it as having strong influences from Infantino & Kolins with a modern twist. It's a stylistic preference. You either like it or you don't. Some of the fill in art was a bit lackluster. As far as the script I was underwhelmed by the first story arc & was almost ready to drop the book until I read he was going to do a Rogue's story. I'm glad I stuck with the book because I liked Williamson's Capt Midnight series at Dark Horse. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Feb 11, 2017 12:55:45 GMT -5
Giants #3 Story and Art by Jared Cullum Summary: When Pru's little brother goes missing, she'll need the help of a spirit to save him from the lair of the Fomorian Giants.
Plot: When I read that this issue was going to tell a tale about the Fomorian giants I was incredibly excited as I have a huge passion for Irish folktales...but instead of a compelling look at that culture's myths and legends what was provided was just a name drop of the giants without any explanation or world building. Now, I could deal with a watered down look at these myths if they were being used to tell an interesting story in its own right but we didn't get that either. It's a fairly bland story of a bunch of giants who attack a nondescript village and a pair of children escape and grow up in the woods by themselves and survive adversity to become a closer family on their own. There's no characterization, no interesting moral thrust and because the giants had no buildup there wasn't even a real sense of threat so the action felt hollow as well.
Art: Although disappointing plot wise the rich water colored art was beautiful to behold. Strangely enough, although I was initially excited for the plot I was less excited by the art; from a quick look at the cover I was put off by the big eyed anime look and although I still don't care for that style the beautiful storybook colors and lush landscapes enthralled me, forcing me to linger on each page despite the fact that the narrative itself was completely completely hollow.
Grade:4/10 |
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