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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 10:10:58 GMT -5
Here we are with the FIRST batch of new comics in 2018! Welcome all to the FIRST Off The Racks in 2018! Please share your thoughts about this weeks books: new comics 1/3/18
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 10:25:44 GMT -5
 Captain America #697. Written by Mark Waid. Art and Cover by Chris Samnee. Cap faces off against Kraven the Hunter. I don't remember if Cap ever fought Kraven before. The situation is slightly contrived. Cap has Kraven hunting him to protect an innocent man & save him. And the last page sets up the big story arc that will lead into #700. Waid sets up a nice conflict. Nails Cap's personality. And sets up a horrifying situation for Cap on the last page. Samnee's art sells the story again. You could understand the story from the art alone without dialog. Another enjoyable issue of Capt America. 9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 10:34:22 GMT -5
 Superman #38. Written by Tomasi and Gleason. Art by Davila and Cifuentes. Cover by Ivan Reis. Super Sons of Tomorrow: Part 4. Concludes in Super Sons #12. The first 3 parts were entertaining. Not sure what happened with this chapter. It was a bit confusing with all the time travel. I'm not sure I like the future Tim Drake's new persona "The Savior". LOVED seeing Conner, Cassie & Bart. I'm confused as to what happened during the fight & the last page. Maybe the last part will clear all of this up. The art was OK. 6/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 10:41:06 GMT -5
 Nightwing #36. Written by Sam Humphries. Art and Cover by Bernard Chang. The body count climbs in Bludhaven as the Judge (a new retconned villain) continues to haunt Dick Grayson. This is Humphries & Chang's second issue & they are quickly establishing themselves as a creative team that will make a statement on Nightwing. Gripping story with a threat that is frustrating Dick Grayson. And making him angry. We are seeing a Dick Grayson NOT used to failure. And Chang's art is beautiful. Love his layouts & sense of motion. Nightwing looks like he is in good hands. 9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 10:44:23 GMT -5
 The Jetsons #3 (of 6). Written by Jimmy Palmiotti. Art by Pier Brito. Cover by Amanda Conner. This issue frustrated me. Nothing really happened. I feel like this was a 4 part story padded to make a 6 part trade. 4/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 15:08:05 GMT -5
Superman #38. Written by Tomasi and Gleason. Art by Davila and Cifuentes. Cover by Ivan Reis. Super Sons of Tomorrow: Part 4. Concludes in Super Sons #12. The first 3 parts were entertaining. Not sure what happened with this chapter. It was a bit confusing with all the time travel. I'm not sure I like the future Tim Drake's new persona "The Savior". LOVED seeing Conner, Cassie & Bart. I'm confused as to what happened during the fight & the last page. Maybe the last part will clear all of this up. The art was OK. 6/10. I agree. I was confused as to what was going on with Savior and the Titans in part of the story. I loved seeing Conner, Cassie, and Bart. This really didn't feel like an issue of Superman, but more of a Teen Titans or Super-Sons story. I did like the hyper time scene with the tiny images of moments from DC's past. I wonder what Conner meant when he said he had failed Jon before. I hope Conner, Cassie, and Bart become part of the regular rebirth universe as their pre 52 selves. It would be cool to see Conner as a big brother to Jon. I also thought this was the conclusion but see that it is continued next week. 6/10 from me as well. |
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Post by The Captain on Jan 4, 2018 16:09:53 GMT -5
Captain America #697. Written by Mark Waid. Art and Cover by Chris Samnee. Cap faces off against Kraven the Hunter. I don't remember if Cap ever fought Kraven before. The situation is slightly contrived. Cap has Kraven hunting him to protect an innocent man & save him. And the last page sets up the big story arc that will lead into #700. Waid sets up a nice conflict. Nails Cap's personality. And sets up a horrifying situation for Cap on the last page. Samnee's art sells the story again. You could understand the story from the art alone without dialog. Another enjoyable issue of Capt America. 9/10. I was far less impressed with this than you were. While I agree that Waid nailed Cap's personality and never-say-quit spirit, the main story element is completely nonsensical. If Kraven had a contract to deliver Steve alive to whomever was paying him, why did he kept putting Cap into situations where death was a distinct possibility? As well, the big twist in the story was so obvious, even Ray Charles could have seen it coming. I am interested to see where the last page leads in regard to the upcoming arc, but I expect more out of Waid. He's a better writer than this, giving us a story that seems interesting (the ultimate hunter against the perfect prey) but which turns out to be ultimately meaningless due to later reveals. Also, while I am still not a fan, Samnee's art is growing on me, although there is a very confusing set of panels toward the end of the book:  Cap, who is hanging off the side of a cliff, grabs Kraven's left ankle and flings him overhead. How on earth does Kraven, whose momentum, per the second panel above, would have him twisting over Cap in a clockwise manner, wind up holding onto Cap's left ankle with his own right hand, which would be nowhere near in position to grab Cap? Also, how does Cap get his shield safely secured on his left arm? The angle and position of his shield in the second panel does not make that a likely scenario, as he would have a split-second to release his hold on Kraven's leg, lunge forward with his left arm extended in a very awkward position, and perfectly slide his arm under the straps. This doesn't even take into consideration the velocity of the shield (which is heading away from him), any wind (and above a coast line, there is probably some decent swirling and gusting), and the fact that Kraven, who he just let go of, is falling and has just grabbed Cap's leg, putting his entire weight (200 lbs or so, give or take) onto Cap at a decent rate of speed, who is holding onto a small rocky ledge while trying to maintain his balance. It's not a good sequence from a storytelling perspective. 6.5/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 17:24:55 GMT -5
Captain America #697. Written by Mark Waid. Art and Cover by Chris Samnee. Cap faces off against Kraven the Hunter. I don't remember if Cap ever fought Kraven before. The situation is slightly contrived. Cap has Kraven hunting him to protect an innocent man & save him. And the last page sets up the big story arc that will lead into #700. Waid sets up a nice conflict. Nails Cap's personality. And sets up a horrifying situation for Cap on the last page. Samnee's art sells the story again. You could understand the story from the art alone without dialog. Another enjoyable issue of Capt America. 9/10. I was far less impressed with this than you were. While I agree that Waid nailed Cap's personality and never-say-quit spirit, the main story element is completely nonsensical. If Kraven had a contract to deliver Steve alive to whomever was paying him, why did he kept putting Cap into situations where death was a distinct possibility? As well, the big twist in the story was so obvious, even Ray Charles could have seen it coming. I am interested to see where the last page leads in regard to the upcoming arc, but I expect more out of Waid. He's a better writer than this, giving us a story that seems interesting (the ultimate hunter against the perfect prey) but which turns out to be ultimately meaningless due to later reveals. 6.5/10 Yeah I am probably too enthused right now... post Christmas plus I just want to wipe away the Hydra Cap stuff from my head that I am overlooking stuff. Remember I said the situation was contrived? For the reasons you mentioned.... It really didn't make sense that Kraven was hunting Cap, etc. However the story still entertained me. Was I being too generous with my score? Yes. In hindsight I would probably have given it a 7/10. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jan 4, 2018 23:47:07 GMT -5
 Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1 The first wave of DC's Hanna-Barbara books was generally strong with Flintstones being the standout and Future Quest being close behind. The second wave has been kind of disappointing overall with Future Quest Presents being pretty much the lone exception (Dastardly & Muttley, Ruff & Reddy and The Jetsons all being fairly weak). Until today. Mark Russell picks up where he left off with The Flintstones with what could be a book that's just as strong. Set in the 1950s in a world where humans and cartoonish animals co-exist Snagglepuss is a Tennessee Williams-like playwright with a dark secret (for the time). Both the script and the art are spot-on. And the cameo by Huckleberry Hound as a Southern writer is excellent. The first issue promises this could be the book of the year for me. 10/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 11:14:37 GMT -5
Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1 10/10. This was a pretty fantastic read for me as well. The character work here was just fantastic, just about everyone on page came across as incredibly well rounded and realistic. I also liked the beginnings of the world building here and I'm excited to see how the politics play out. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 12:17:11 GMT -5
Koshchei the Deatless #1Written by Mike Mignola Art by Ben Stenbeck Summary: In a deserted bar in Hell Koschchei relates to Hellboy the tale of how he became deathless.
Plot: I've been excited for this one since it was announced last spring, a tale focusing on one of my favorite Hellboy adversaries is just a must buy. Mignola's prequels have been something of a mixed bag of late with the Hellboy and the BPRD stories ranging from average to fun at best and the Visitor was pretty terrible so although there was never a question of me picking this up based on the focus I was a little worried. The outcome is much better than the Visitor but with it's heavy exposition and the fact that much of this was already covered in Darkness Calls the issue fell well short of greatness. That said, I loved the framing sequence in the bar with Koshchei apologizing to Hellboy for attacking him in Darkness Calls; the characterizations were spot on and the out come was hilarious. And allthough there wasn't much more than a review here the promise of what is to come with Koshchei tracking down dragons at the behest of the Babayaga is fascinating and has me wondering how this will tie into the greater mythology of the Hellboy universe.
Art: Stenbeck is always a joy to see, in particular I loved his take om Hellboy and the scene in the Dragon's castle with all the demons was just beautiful. I can't wait to see what he's allowed to do in the coming chapters when the plot really gets going.
Grade:6/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 17:10:00 GMT -5
Superman #38. Written by Tomasi and Gleason. Art by Davila and Cifuentes. Cover by Ivan Reis. Super Sons of Tomorrow: Part 4. Concludes in Super Sons #12. The first 3 parts were entertaining. Not sure what happened with this chapter. It was a bit confusing with all the time travel. I'm not sure I like the future Tim Drake's new persona "The Savior". LOVED seeing Conner, Cassie & Bart. I'm confused as to what happened during the fight & the last page. Maybe the last part will clear all of this up. The art was OK. 6/10. Yeah this issue, along with the last chapter, felt a little lack luster. I think my main issue is that the threat from Tim's world has never been fully realized on page, I get that in the beginning it was meant to be a mystery but that only works for so long. Eventually you have to unravel the mystery for the threat to make sense and so far that hasn't happened and if it continues to be vague the quality will continue to drop. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 18:16:03 GMT -5
Giants #2Written and Illustrated by Carlos and Miguel Valderrama Summary: When a giant monster attacks Gogi and Zedo are separated with each thinking the other has perished.
Plot: I love the slow burn of this series progression; it easily could have become just another giant monster brawl and while that can be fun the smaller scale here is much more rewarding. While the last issue was more focused on characterization here we saw more of a focus on world building as we were shown that there exists more topside than we were originally led to believe. I love the pace the Valderrama brothers are developing here, it's like a flower slowly unfolding with just a little bit more shown each issue; it's rich and layered and I'm excited to see what comes next.
Art: I love how expressive the style of the Valderrama's art; the anime look doesn't work for every story but it certainly fits here.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 20:31:01 GMT -5
Star Wars Forces of Destiny: Princess LeiaWritten and Illustrated by Elsa Charretier  Summary: The winter winds of Hoth have knocked out the shields of the Rebel's new home Echo Base and it's up to Leia to save the day.
Plot: I think I might like this all ages story by Charretier better than just about every issue of Star Wars that Marvel has put out since acquiring the property. Sure, it's pretty simplistic and straight forward; the weather of Hoth has damaged the shields so Han, Leia and Hera(from the Rebels cartoon!) head out in search of a crashed ship that may have the part they need...and in the end Leia does get her hands on it almost by accident but the characters were dead on and the pace of the action was light and fun just like Star Wars should be. Too often writers try to get too "real" and gritty with Star Wars but when you focus on that tone too much you lose sight of the simple Saturday matinee action serial feel that made the originals as fun as they were. Charretier doesn't fall into that trap and really delivers a fun romp that really just made me smile.
Art: As awesome as her storytelling was what really made this book so much fun was Charretier's art. I wasn't very familiar with her work before this but now that I've seen it I'm definitely going to be tracking down more by her. Basically, if you ever wanted to see Darwyn Cooke do a Star Wars book you need to pick this up as her style is squarely in that school.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 5, 2018 20:37:03 GMT -5
Captain America #697. Written by Mark Waid. Art and Cover by Chris Samnee. Cap faces off against Kraven the Hunter. I don't remember if Cap ever fought Kraven before. The situation is slightly contrived. Cap has Kraven hunting him to protect an innocent man & save him. And the last page sets up the big story arc that will lead into #700. Waid sets up a nice conflict. Nails Cap's personality. And sets up a horrifying situation for Cap on the last page. Samnee's art sells the story again. You could understand the story from the art alone without dialog. Another enjoyable issue of Capt America. 9/10. I was far less impressed with this than you were. While I agree that Waid nailed Cap's personality and never-say-quit spirit, the main story element is completely nonsensical. If Kraven had a contract to deliver Steve alive to whomever was paying him, why did he kept putting Cap into situations where death was a distinct possibility? As well, the big twist in the story was so obvious, even Ray Charles could have seen it coming. I am interested to see where the last page leads in regard to the upcoming arc, but I expect more out of Waid. He's a better writer than this, giving us a story that seems interesting (the ultimate hunter against the perfect prey) but which turns out to be ultimately meaningless due to later reveals. Also, while I am still not a fan, Samnee's art is growing on me, although there is a very confusing set of panels toward the end of the book: Cap, who is hanging off the side of a cliff, grabs Kraven's left ankle and flings him overhead. How on earth does Kraven, whose momentum, per the second panel above, would have him twisting over Cap in a clockwise manner, wind up holding onto Cap's left ankle with his own right hand, which would be nowhere near in position to grab Cap? Also, how does Cap get his shield safely secured on his left arm? The angle and position of his shield in the second panel does not make that a likely scenario, as he would have a split-second to release his hold on Kraven's leg, lunge forward with his left arm extended in a very awkward position, and perfectly slide his arm under the straps. This doesn't even take into consideration the velocity of the shield (which is heading away from him), any wind (and above a coast line, there is probably some decent swirling and gusting), and the fact that Kraven, who he just let go of, is falling and has just grabbed Cap's leg, putting his entire weight (200 lbs or so, give or take) onto Cap at a decent rate of speed, who is holding onto a small rocky ledge while trying to maintain his balance. It's not a good sequence from a storytelling perspective. 6.5/10 Yeah, I agree with your assessment here. The whole thing just felt too contrived for my tastes; not only is the Most Dangerous Game plot pretty tired to begin with but this isn't even a very good play on it which is baffling considering the talent behind it. That nonsensical climax you posted aside though I still really loved Samnee's art though, so the book wasn't a complete loss for me. |
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