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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 1, 2018 18:24:17 GMT -5
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 1, 2018 20:48:54 GMT -5
Adventures of the Super Sons #1Written by Peter Tomasi Art by Carlo Barberi Summary: Superboy and Robin team up to defeat the Puppeteer only to have to face a team much more sinister gang. Plot: I'm really glad this is out, it's only been a bit since the last issue but with Bendis ditching Jon I was pretty bumbed out. As per usual, there's nothing deep going on here...but not every comic has to be a serious work of fiction some times all you want to do is get a little escapism. And when it comes to pure escapism this book has it in spades, Tomasi really nails the younger voices of Damian and Jon making it a fun action romp;it's like Tom Sawyer, only with super powers! I don't know where these tiny tike versions of the legion of doom came from but it looks like the start of something fun. Art: I'm not super familiar with Barberi, but he has a smooth, energetic look that's perfect for this book. Grade:7/10
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Aug 2, 2018 5:15:11 GMT -5
Adventures of the Super Sons #1Written by Peter Tomasi Art by Carlo Barberi Summary: Superboy and Robin team up to defeat the Puppeteer only to have to face a team much more sinister gang. Plot: I'm really glad this is out, it's only been a bit since the last issue but with Bendis ditching Jon I was pretty bumbed out. As per usual, there's nothing deep going on here...but not every comic has to be a serious work of fiction some times all you want to do is get a little escapism. And when it comes to pure escapism this book has it in spades, Tomasi really nails the younger voices of Damian and Jon making it a fun action romp;it's like Tom Sawyer, only with super powers! I don't know where these tiny tike versions of the legion of doom came from but it looks like the start of something fun. Art: I'm not super familiar with Barberi, but he has a smooth, energetic look that's perfect for this book. Grade:7/10 Thanks for the good word. I've been meaning to check that out.
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Aug 2, 2018 8:04:35 GMT -5
I read the newest issue of Go Go Power Rangers. It was #12. There are two main Power Rangers comics going on right now from Boom Studios. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which takes place after Tommy the Green Ranger joins the squad. Also Go Go Power Rangers which is before Tommy joins, and chronicles the days before and after the squad first gets their powers. There was an event between both comics called Shattered Grid that started a few months back, and recently concluded. Both comics are still dealing with the aftermath of the event. In Go Go Power Rangers, a future version of Kimberly the Pink Ranger comes from a dark future to the present. First as brainwashed enemy, then as new ally. Doesn't seem like she'll be around that long though. Her fate remains undetermined. The past two issues have tried to deal with her familiarizing herself with a more pleasant time that she used to know, which was nice to see play out. I especially liked Dan Mora's design for her. At first I wasn't too thrilled with his art, but I've really warmed up to it over these past 12 issues. His style fits this story well. Did I mention I liked his design for the future Kim? Really cool, and maybe the best ranger suit I've ever seen. Her look definitely matches the badassery she displays in the story. The hood design was left on the cutting room floor it seems. Which I thought was a good choice. It would be kind of weird to have a hood over a helmet. Yeah it looks cool, but it's just nonsensical, even for Power Rangers. Also, the black/pink diamond pattern was a nice touch. Even more so the "Bow of Darkness", which looks like two Swords of Darknesses put together.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 8:07:39 GMT -5
Astonishing X-Men 14 by Matthew Rosenberg with art by Greg Land: Finally, a X-Men title I can follow and actually know who the characters are. This team is shaping up to be some folks even the X-Men won't accept. Havok is back trying to redeem himself and getting cut off at every turn. Colossus is drinking himself into oblivion after Kitty calls off their wedding. Dazzler is a joke going on a world tour that no one shows up for. Throw in Beast and Warpath and you have the perfect mix for action, lots of comedy, and a team that is so dysfunctional that they actually work....so far. Rosenberg throws in quick jokes here and there and each character has a distinct tone and voice. Greg Land's art starts to look the same after a while, but so far, it is not too bad. Some panels look like he's traced over a photo though. All this and the return of a classic X-Man makes for a very fun book and well worth the cover price. Not a quick 3 minute read, but one you can dig into (without going to deep). Kind of like the tone of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Glad I added this one to my pull list! 8/10
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 13:57:42 GMT -5
The Immortal Hulk #4.Written by Al Ewing. Art by Joe Bennett. Jackie McGee meets with Walter Langkowski. He was Bruce's college room mate for a short time. Walter became Alpha Fight's Sasquatch. We get Langowski's version of his relationship with Bruce. His "origin" of how he became Sasquatch. Then he & McGee go looking for Bruce. At a bar Walter breaks up a fight & is stabbed. He is rushed to a hospital. McGee wonders why he didn't transform into Sasquatch. While she waits at the hospital Bruce sits down next to her & starts talking to her. Meanwhile in the OR Walter dies from his wounds. When night falls he comes back to life as Sasquatch... Wow. I wonder how Ewing was going to keep the horror going while tying the book into the rest of the MU. And here was my answer. The Hulk never appeared in this issue except as an image on TV. Ewing builds the story with Walter's narration until Walter dies. And then the POV switches and the horror starts. 8/10.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 14:08:19 GMT -5
Captain America #2.Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Art by Leinil Francis Yu. Cap continues to fight the Nuke "clones". He comes up against Thunderbolt Ross (again). And he talks to Sharon about it. Not much happens this issue. Cap fights. Cap is confronted by Ross. Cap admits to Sharon he is tired. Sharon gives him a pep talk. And Cap contacts Black Panther on the last page. I was a bit underwhelmed with this issue after the first issue last month. This issue felt like last issue. Rinse & repeat. I felt like Coates has to really hammer home Cap's doubts & his weariness of "fighting the good fight" for so long. I still like Coates portrayal of all the characters. He even makes Ross not such a jerk. Yu had some really beautiful art this issue. His scenes of Cap in action are just stellar. 7/10.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 14:40:09 GMT -5
Project Superpowers #1.
Written by Rob Williams. Art by Sergio Davila.
After the events of Chapter Two... the heroes have disbanded and moved on. They feel disillusioned with the modern world and are trying to adjust. However a flash in the sky knocks out power globally and planes start to fall from the sky. Green Lama manages to keep them suspended until he is attacked by the 'Devil. Meanwhile the other heroes spring into action to help as this new threat reunites them.
I am glad to see this series again. I liked the concept of the forgotten Golden Age heroes banded together. It was a neat idea to take heroes from different publishers that were in the public domain & put them together in one title. I liked the original PSP Vols I & II. I liked the solo series. However I skipped the recent series by Ellis.
This series continues a few years after the end of Chapter Two. So far it looks like a good premise to bring the team back together. As a writer Williams is hit or miss for me. Hopefully this will be one of his "hits". The art is decent but not outstanding.
7/10.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 14:44:54 GMT -5
Adventures of the Super Sons #1.Written by Peter J. Tomasi. Art by Carlo Barberi and Art Thibert. "Action Detectives". The story starts with the boys taking down the Puppeteer. Then summer vacation starts. They repair their HQ. Then they go up against the Gang. The Gang is a Jr version of the Injustice League. Rex Luthor has Gold K that he uses on Superboy... Tomasi is a master at writing fun action packed stories. Barberi is a good choice for artist. The Boys are Back! 8/10.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 2, 2018 19:28:09 GMT -5
Captain America #2.Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Art by Leinil Francis Yu. Cap continues to fight the Nuke "clones". He comes up against Thunderbolt Ross (again). And he talks to Sharon about it. Not much happens this issue. Cap fights. Cap is confronted by Ross. Cap admits to Sharon he is tired. Sharon gives him a pep talk. And Cap contacts Black Panther on the last page. I was a bit underwhelmed with this issue after the first issue last month. This issue felt like last issue. Rinse & repeat. I felt like Coates has to really hammer home Cap's doubts & his weariness of "fighting the good fight" for so long. I still like Coates portrayal of all the characters. He even makes Ross not such a jerk. Yu had some really beautiful art this issue. His scenes of Cap in action are just stellar. 7/10. There is definitely a bit of a repetition from what we saw in the first issue, but I felt the emotional resonance of Steve confronting his feelings about the Nukes to be really well done. In a lot of ways I feel like this was less issue #2 and more #1.5, it doesn't add much on its own but it reinforces the message of the first issue. On the art front, I'm absolutely loving Yu's work. Between the deeply emotional close ups and the action scenes he's really the perfect fit.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 2, 2018 20:01:15 GMT -5
The Immortal Hulk #4.Written by Al Ewing. Art by Joe Bennett. Jackie McGee meets with Walter Langkowski. He was Bruce's college room mate for a short time. Walter became Alpha Fight's Sasquatch. We get Langowski's version of his relationship with Bruce. His "origin" of how he became Sasquatch. Then he & McGee go looking for Bruce. At a bar Walter breaks up a fight & is stabbed. He is rushed to a hospital. McGee wonders why he didn't transform into Sasquatch. While she waits at the hospital Bruce sits down next to her & starts talking to her. Meanwhile in the OR Walter dies from his wounds. When night falls he comes back to life as Sasquatch... Wow. I wonder how Ewing was going to keep the horror going while tying the book into the rest of the MU. And here was my answer. The Hulk never appeared in this issue except as an image on TV. Ewing builds the story with Walter's narration until Walter dies. And then the POV switches and the horror starts. 8/10. This book just keeps getting better and better. I really love the pacing and I'm excited to learn about the correlation between the gamma radation and the night and what it means for Sasquatch and Bruce.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 2, 2018 20:57:35 GMT -5
The Highest House #6Written by Mike Carey Art by Peter Gross Summary: Moth strikes out on his own to track down a woman printing money and to finally find his long lost sister. Plot: Well, the good news here is that issue #6 isn't the end of the line for Carey's fantasy world as I feared it might be...it's just the end of part one. There's no mention of when part two will begin, but I'll gladly wait for more sojourns into this magical world. As for the issue itself, and as an ending for the first part it felt a little rushed, reading this issue made you almost feel like you had missed an issue between the last issue and this one. On top of that while the introduction of the idea of script money and how it could change the power dynamics of the world was interesting the way it was used as the climax here when it's clear it'll be more important later than now seemed odd the magic was good but it seemed wasted as it was set up. Still I'm pumped to see more.
Grade:8/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 4, 2018 9:54:43 GMT -5
Xerxes #5Written and illustrated by Frank Miller Summary: Alexander finally arrives, and he topples the mighty Persian Empire. Plot: I really can't fathom why I forced myself to slog trough to the end of this series, I like Frank Miller well enough but I'm no die hard fan. But still, I choked it down till the end hoping, for what ever unknown reason, that it would pull together in the end and rise above the abysmal middle to meet the promise of the first issue. And while there were moving scenes that proved that Miller still has it in there some where...they weren't connected enough with anything else to create a real narrative and there was no build up to them so although there was the glimmer of an emotional resonance they ultimately fell flat. I think that's what's so frustrating about this issue, it illustrates that Miller could have given us a great look at the Alexander's rise through a rivalry with Darius III, and the soliloquy Alexander gave at Darius' funeral would have been the perfect capstone to that story...but instead we get the end without the beginning or middle which is far from satisfying. I was concerned from the start over just how long before the birth of Alexander the story began, I wondered how Miller would tie all those broad stroke views on that history into the narrative...and the answer is he never did. We don't get a narrative reason for the bullet point view of the various battles leading up to Alexander sacking Persia and in the end we have no reason to care about him or the house of Darius. We could have seen a creative parallel between the two houses, the kernel for that idea was certainly there but Miller just never took the time to nurture it so it never grew into anything worth exploring, which is terribly sad. Art: The art is as meandering in quality as the plot, there are panels here and there that are truly great but the rest is so slap shod you can barely discern what's going on. Strangely those odd good panels line up precisely with the scenes that have any narrative wait, it's almost as if in the bullet point scenes he can't find the strength to care enough to provide the art but when there's a scene that actually has a focus his artistic skills arise again. Over all that kind of dissonance makes you feel like you're looking at a draft of an unfinished work found after an artist's death, the finished scenes are great but the parts in-between are clearly unfinished and unfocused. I don't know if that morbid observation is any reflection of Miller's actual cognitive state, and I hope it doesn't, but it would certainly explain a lot. Grade:2/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 4, 2018 10:00:46 GMT -5
Adventures of the Super Sons #1Written by Peter Tomasi Art by Carlo Barberi Summary: Superboy and Robin team up to defeat the Puppeteer only to have to face a team much more sinister gang. Plot: I'm really glad this is out, it's only been a bit since the last issue but with Bendis ditching Jon I was pretty bumbed out. As per usual, there's nothing deep going on here...but not every comic has to be a serious work of fiction some times all you want to do is get a little escapism. And when it comes to pure escapism this book has it in spades, Tomasi really nails the younger voices of Damian and Jon making it a fun action romp;it's like Tom Sawyer, only with super powers! I don't know where these tiny tike versions of the legion of doom came from but it looks like the start of something fun. Art: I'm not super familiar with Barberi, but he has a smooth, energetic look that's perfect for this book. Grade:7/10 Thanks for the good word. I've been meaning to check that out. It's a fun book, and what's great is that it's really new reader friendly. While having read the previous series will give you some small insights, like knowing where their base came from or why they'r e rebuilding it, but really all you need to know to get into this book is that these are the sons of Batman and Superman...and that information is pretty obvious so there are zero barriers to hurdle over in order for new readers to jump right in and enjoy the ride.
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Aug 4, 2018 10:19:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the good word. I've been meaning to check that out. It's a fun book, and what's great is that it's really new reader friendly. While having read the previous series will give you some small insights, like knowing where their base came from or why they'r e rebuilding it, but really all you need to know to get into this book is that these are the sons of Batman and Superman...and that information is pretty obvious so there are zero barriers to hurdle over in order for new readers to jump right in and enjoy the ride. Cool. Looks like Dan Mora and Jorge Jimenez both did great covers for the issue too.
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