|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 14:01:01 GMT -5
 Justice League #3. Written by Scott Snyder. Art and Cover by Jorge Jimenez. Well that was interesting... I can't put my finger on it but I am not enjoying this title like I thought I would. I like the concept. I like the members on the team. I like the villains. I like the stakes. I LOVE the art. It just feels... messy. A little jumbled. Too much going on at once. I will finish this first arc but I doubt I will continue beyond that. It's a shame because I also felt that way about the Avengers re-launch. 4/10. Mostly for the art. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 18:04:02 GMT -5
The Man of Steel #6: I am a bit disappointed in this mini-series. I guess I was expecting something that would fill us in on exactly what Superman's past is currently as well as the story we have read. I think Bendis gets Superman--his voice, his motivations, and the goodness that is Clark/Superman. This story to me is more of an extended prologue for the upcoming Superman #1, Action, and Supergirl. I do feel badly for Superman (regarding Lois and Jon) and something seemed off about that to me...not sure what it was but it did not bode well (for Lois and Jon). Minor things aside, I am very much looking forward to seeing what's next for Clark and Superman. And I just might check Supergirl out again.
6/10
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 18:29:02 GMT -5
Astonishing X-Men #13 by Matthew Rosenberg, Greg Land, Jay Leinsten, and Clayton Cowles: I picked this up because I actually recognized and like the characters on the cover (Havok, Dazzler, Beast, Colossus, and Thunderbird(?)I haven't read a X title in years. No idea who is and who isn't a member of the X-Men, who's dead, crazy, or what, but I was able to pick up on enough to enjoy this issue. Havok is back after having his mind tampered with by the Red Skull. The Avengers and X-Men consider him a pariah, so he sets out to form his own X-team (although Kitty tells him he can't as she owns the X-Men trademark). He meets up with the Beast just as the Reavers attack and there is a surprise appearance from a long lost X-man at the end.
Overall, I enjoyed the issue. I liked how Alex was portrayed here as someone genuinely interested in doing good (just getting shut off at every turn). I didn't quite care for how the Avengers, Kitty, and Beast acted towards him.
The art almost made me not buy the book, but Land seems to not be tracing a photo for every panel and actually using good old skill and imagination in some panels. Everyone had a distinct look (which I liked). I would recommend this issue if you like the more traditional members of the X-Men (the focus was on Havok and Beast this issue, but based on the cover, looks like the team will eventually be Thunderbird, Colossus, and Dazzler.
7/10
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 18:45:16 GMT -5
thwhtguardian are you still reading Avengers? I dropped the title and am thinking of dropping Thor also. Justice League is on the chopping block.
|
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 6, 2018 19:08:40 GMT -5
Doctor Strange #3Written by Mark Waid Art by Jesus Saiz Summary: With the help of Kanna, Strange fights off the Super-Skrull to obtain the Time Stone.
Plot: With the first two issues the focus was on establishing Strange's quest and providing characterization for his new partner Kanna but in this third installment Waid put things into high gear with an action packed chapter. While the action was fun(who doesn't like a Super-Skrull slugfest?) it came off feeling a little thin. I like the idea of the good Doctor roaming the galaxy to get his mojo back but by now I was hoping for a sense of purpose to emerge but so far it hasn't which makes for a slightly disappointing read. That said, I may get my wish soon as a shadowy figure was teased confronting Bats the Ghost dog back at the mansion so maybe a focus will be forth coming.
Art: I really loved Saiz' action here, you could just tell he loved drawing the skrulls and their shape changing abilities.
Grade:6/10 |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 6, 2018 19:12:03 GMT -5
thwhtguardian are you still reading Avengers? I dropped the title and am thinking of dropping Thor also. Justice League is on the chopping block. I'm still liking Avengers, but I'm really on the fence with Thor. The art is just a huge turn off for me and after so many "big" stories I'm just a little worn out so the war of the realms just doesn't suit me. |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 6, 2018 19:40:49 GMT -5
Avengers #4Written by Jason Aaron Art by Ed McGuinness Summary: Thor learns that the fate of the Avengers lies with the actions of the Avengers of One Million BC.
Plot: With the bombastic, end of the world, popcorn muncher blockbuster movie feel of the threat I really was expecting a much faster pace, but Aaron's really taking his time to build the various layers involved here. While the final host still remains rather nebulous, they aren't very talkative so we know nothing about them or what they're doing on Earth and although Loki got a few scenes teasing Captain America he hasn't revealed much either so despite the promise of threat there isn't really a compelling feeling of danger to get you too excited about where the story is going next. However, although the threat is underwhelming the world building that Aaron has given us here with Odin and the cave-avengers still has me interested; it adds a lush, lived in feel to the story that makes you think that the actions here will have real consequence which is a nice illusion in a super hero comic. On top of that I really love the different characters he's using here especially the Ghost Rider, the ping pong nature of the various character moments could lead to a jumbled, disconnected feel but Aaron makes it feel cohesive and although the moments are small they still make the characters feel whole.
Art: The more I see of McGuinness the more I feel I've really missed his style; he was huge back in the early 2000's but he faded away and I realize how much I really missed his cartoony style. Realism is all well and fine, but for big super hero action set pieces a lighter touch just gives it a great sense of fun that's often missing in Superhero affairs these days.
Grade:7/10 |
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Jul 7, 2018 5:49:41 GMT -5
thwhtguardian are you still reading Avengers? I dropped the title and am thinking of dropping Thor also. Justice League is on the chopping block. I got the first 4 issues of the new Avengers title just because I love the big 3, but boy, is that book scattered. I think the Ghost Rider is a crappy character. |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Jul 7, 2018 6:34:21 GMT -5
thwhtguardian are you still reading Avengers? I dropped the title and am thinking of dropping Thor also. Justice League is on the chopping block. I got the first 4 issues of the new Avengers title just because I love the big 3, but boy, is that book scattered. I think the Ghost Rider is a crappy character. See, for me I'm really liking the new ghost rider and how out of place he feels with these big name heroes. That fish out of water feel adds a fun energy for me. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 11:35:16 GMT -5
thwhtguardian are you still reading Avengers? I dropped the title and am thinking of dropping Thor also. Justice League is on the chopping block. I got the first 4 issues of the new Avengers title just because I love the big 3, but boy, is that book scattered. I think the Ghost Rider is a crappy character. I feel the same way. I think both Justice League & Avengers are trying too hard to please every fan by throwing in every idea they can into the books. And both are incoherent as a result IMO. |
|
|
|
Post by String on Jul 10, 2018 21:01:13 GMT -5
I got the first 4 issues of the new Avengers title just because I love the big 3, but boy, is that book scattered. I think the Ghost Rider is a crappy character. See, for me I'm really liking the new ghost rider and how out of place he feels with these big name heroes. That fish out of water feel adds a fun energy for me. I admit, Robbie Reyes is growing on me the more I read of him (in various appearances). The fact that he really doesn't want to be or consider himself to be a hero and yet he's continually drawn into these conflicts is slightly refreshing. Batman #50 was a must-buy anyway, well worth the price of admission simply for the gorgeous full page spread shots of the pair (featuring different eras and settings) by a veritable who's who of talented artists. While I've been keeping up (mostly) with the overall storyline these past few months, the ending here felt true for the most part. 9/10
Catwoman #1 - sure, why not, first time that I've really checked out a Selina solo title (though yes, read Batman #50 before you read this). A powerful political figure seems to come into conflict with Selina when she chases after a copycat whose committed crimes in her name which turns the law hard onto her heels. I'm not all that familiar with Joelle Jones but she starts off decent with this new set-up for Selina and her art is quite good. I'm enticed enough to follow for the moment. 8/10 |
|
|
|
Post by Jeddak on Jul 17, 2018 12:02:56 GMT -5
 F#@! Fairyland #20, Story and Art by Skottie Young (a.k.a. I Hate Fairyland, but I like the title on the variant covers better) Wow. Okay, some context might be good here. This book involves Gertrude, who was pulled into Fairyland as a little girl (as happens), and was given a quest to perform before she went home. The quest should've taken her a day or two. 30+ years later, Gert is still in Fairyland, and pretty damned sick of it. Still in the body of a little girl, she is now a bitter, pissed-off middle-aged muffin fluffer (you can't swear in Fairyland) who doesn't care anymore about the fluffing quest and who is just taking her anger out on everyone around her. In the first story arc, Fairyland Queen Cloudia tried to get rid of Gert; it didn't go well. The last arc ended with Gert dead and in Hell, fittingly. But now Cloudia is back, more powerful than ever and out for revenge. So the Council decide their only hope of defeating Dark Cloudia (because of course that's what they call her, eh?) is to bring back Gert. This issue is the big confrontation. It starts as a big pyrotechnic display, but quickly gets more one-on-one brutal. Gert wins (no surprise). The Council try to weasel out of their promise to send Gert home (no surprise). Gert responds with logic and rules-lawyering (okay, that one's a surprise). And then. . . Gert gets home, at her right age, at a crappy job. And she makes a big decision. I read those last few pages with a growing sense of confusion and apprehension. Where was Young going? How could he pull the book back on track after this? And then I read the text piece, and it made sense. Cause this is the last issue of the series. Young has other projects he wants to work on, and Gert's story is done. Which, fine, I wish him well in his future endeavors and all that, but damn. This is one of only a couple of current comics I actually care about, and I am really gonna miss it. Would I buy the next issue? Let me put it this way - I'll buy anything Fairyland Young wants to put out. Hell, I already bought the damned coloring book. I'd get trading cards, oven mitts. I'd kill for a Gert action figure. |
|
|
|
Post by The Captain on Jul 17, 2018 12:48:47 GMT -5
F#@! Fairyland #20, Story and Art by Skottie Young (a.k.a. I Hate Fairyland, but I like the title on the variant covers better) Wow. Okay, some context might be good here. This book involves Gertrude, who was pulled into Fairyland as a little girl (as happens), and was given a quest to perform before she went home. The quest should've taken her a day or two. 30+ years later, Gert is still in Fairyland, and pretty damned sick of it. Still in the body of a little girl, she is now a bitter, pissed-off middle-aged muffin fluffer (you can't swear in Fairyland) who doesn't care anymore about the fluffing quest and who is just taking her anger out on everyone around her. In the first story arc, Fairyland Queen Cloudia tried to get rid of Gert; it didn't go well. The last arc ended with Gert dead and in Hell, fittingly. But now Cloudia is back, more powerful than ever and out for revenge. So the Council decide their only hope of defeating Dark Cloudia (because of course that's what they call her, eh?) is to bring back Gert. This issue is the big confrontation. It starts as a big pyrotechnic display, but quickly gets more one-on-one brutal. Gert wins (no surprise). The Council try to weasel out of their promise to send Gert home (no surprise). Gert responds with logic and rules-lawyering (okay, that one's a surprise). And then. . . Gert gets home, at her right age, at a crappy job. And she makes a big decision. I read those last few pages with a growing sense of confusion and apprehension. Where was Young going? How could he pull the book back on track after this? And then I read the text piece, and it made sense. Cause this is the last issue of the series. Young has other projects he wants to work on, and Gert's story is done. Which, fine, I wish him well in his future endeavors and all that, but damn. This is one of only a couple of current comics I actually care about, and I am really gonna miss it. Would I buy the next issue? Let me put it this way - I'll buy anything Fairyland Young wants to put out. Hell, I already bought the damned coloring book. I'd get trading cards, oven mitts. I'd kill for a Gert action figure. I bought the first TPB of this for $3 at a small indie comic book convention, then bought the next two at Half-Price Books for $15 total. Absolutely LOVE this muffin-fluffing book! Can't wait until volume #4 comes out in August. This is like Alice In Wonderland meets The Wizard of Oz meets South Park on acid. |
|
