|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 26, 2019 11:21:03 GMT -5
Ghost Tree #1
 Written by Bobby Curnow Art by Simon Gane Summary: When Brant returns to Japan he learns at the foot of a haunted tree that he must confront both his past and present to find peace.
Plot: Drawn in solely by that interesting spectre on the cover this was a definitely an impulse buy for me, and one that I'm glad I made. As a reader of IDW's TMNT line Curnow's name certainly isn't unknown to me but it's definitely not a name that immediately draw me to a book but if the rest of this four issue mini series is as good as this first entry that opinion just might change. Just about anyone can write an entertaining enough issue based on the Ninja Turtles, but a good, thought provoking yarn is a much harder thing to land and that's just what we got here. Though ghosts do appear to be in the offering the story isn't your typical scream-fest but rather a much more sedate reflection on the inherent conflict that arises when we dwell on the past; sure reflection on one's history can grant wisdom but too much of that and you become trapped, unable to move forward. That conflict is something I think we can all connect with but for me, right now, is one that resonates deeply with me as I start the next chapter of my life in starting a family with my wife. Regrets, hopes, dreams and promises all come together in complex webs in this story, as in our lives, and I'm really looking forward to where that all goes here in the Ghost Tree.
Art: Going along with Curnow here is another name, Gane, that should be no stranger to anyone that's read a fair share of IDW's output over the years but is again not someone who'd probably make many's list of favorite artists. But, like the plot itself, the clear, simplistic line work that Gane gives us here really surprised me in that it felt perfect. The depiction of nature in particular was incredibly striking; it was just so alluring and peaceful that it made you want linger on just a little bit longer than you really needed to get the story.
Grade:10/10 |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 26, 2019 12:22:05 GMT -5
Wolverine: The Long Night #4Written by Benjamin Percy Art by Marcio Takara Summary: Burns, Alaska welcomes another murder and the mysteries surrounding the cult of darkness and the Langrock family deepens.
Plot: There's a lot of exposition here as the FBI agents begin to put the pieces together and as they clearly point away from Logan being the killer and show him to instead be the hero it's a little less fun but still enjoyable. I mean, from the start you knew Logan wasn't going to be the bad guy here but the teases that made it plausible why someone might see him that way in the previous issues created some great tension but now that it's been laid bare that he is not in such a straight forward, almost rushed manner the story feels a little flat. The over all mystery it still interesting and I have high hopes that the curse of the woods won't be plaid out in such a straightforward way to explain the horrors committed by the Langrocks but only time will tell.
Art: Although the pacing of the plot was very linear and more than a little boring here Takara gave his all to retain the air of mystery with very atmospheric art. It wasn't enough to save the book from feeling like a total information dump in order to move on to the next action bit but it was still well done.
Grade:7/10
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 16:18:21 GMT -5
 The Terrifics #15. Written by Gene Luen Yang. Art by Stephen Segovia. The first issue with the new creative team. Yang takes over for Lemire as writer and overall it is seamless. Yang takes the plot threads from Lemire and continues them in a similar fashion. I really love how he explores the relationship between Michael Holt and another Earth's version of his deceased wife Paula. This title looks like it is in good hands and will continue to be one of my favorite DC titles. 8/10. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2019 16:27:06 GMT -5
 Fantastic Four #9. Written by Dan Slott. Art by Aaron Kuder, Paco Medina, Stefano Caselli. Slott's Doom arc concludes. And it was a bit uneven in quality. Yes the 3 different artists hurt the flow of the story but Slott's script was also uneven. The FF defeat Doom by embarrassing him? Slott does write the different personalities of the FF well. His portrayal of them shows promise but he needs to give them some worthwhile challenges. 6/10. |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 26, 2019 18:13:05 GMT -5
Detective Comics #1002 This is so bad, I can hardly stand it. We've got yet another Batman villain who wants to take down Batman because of the very concept of Batman. He makes the people of Gotham weak because they depend too much on Batman. He has surrounded himself with acolytes and they put themselves in danger. He attracts the violent elements to Gotham. If Gotham is a hell hole of violence and misery, it's Batman's fault. This has been done badly so many times lately that I can't even remember if it ever seemed like a fresh, new idea. And I wouldn't mind so much if they weren't so obviously writing for the trade so it has to be four or six or more issues long. FIND A NEW IDEA, BAT WRITERS! IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE SOMEBODY ELSE'S IDEA, TRY TO FIND A GOOD ONE! Oh well. At least it's not James Robinson! I tried this after 'Tec #1000 but I just can't bear it. To me what the prior story and this Gotham Knight story seem to say is that perhaps Gleason was the better part of this duo. |
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 26, 2019 18:24:00 GMT -5
Action Comics #1010: Clark and Lois go undercover in this spy/espionage heavy issue. I enjoyed seeing the Kents’ spy identities and it was fun to see Lois in the field with her husband. Also cool to see elements from the old Grayson title such as Tiger And Spyral. Big mistake here though as Kate Kane is identified as the Spyral leader when it’s actually 50s Batwoman, Kathy Kane...unless something’s changed. Mr Bones appears as well as Amanda Waller who’s holed up at the Fortress with Jimmy Olsen. Still, parts of the issue are confusing. The art is good, especially the colors. Not your usual Action Comics issue. 6/10 Yeah it was weird that they let that snafu through, Kate's definitely not the head of Spyral; all said and done though it was a decent issue. |
|
|
|
Post by Hoosier X on Apr 26, 2019 20:18:51 GMT -5
Black Widow #4
The new Black Widow series has been fun, and also a bit disturbing because of the live torture Web site in Madripoor, but this issue and the previous issue ended with some very exciting cliffhangers! I find myself enjoying the new series a lot, despite the vast change in tone from the previous Black Widow series, which is a modern comic classic!
The current Black Widow series hasn't quite risen to "modern classic" status yet! But it just needs to keep getting better and better, and to stay away from the "Black Widow betrays S.H.I.E.L.D." storylines for a while.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 7:29:48 GMT -5
Detective Comics I don't get it. I loved Tomasi's run on Nightwing years ago. I loved his Superman stuff. I liked his Batman & Robin series. But his run here has been lackluster.
|
|
|
|
Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 27, 2019 9:45:04 GMT -5
Detective Comics I don't get it. I loved Tomasi's run on Nightwing years ago. I loved his Superman stuff. I liked his Batman & Robin series. But his run here has been lackluster. It's probably not fair to say but I'm nearly convinced what made his prior outings so good were the contributions by Patrick Gleason, as I haven't enjoyed Tomasi's solo work on Super Son's either. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 9:54:56 GMT -5
Detective Comics I don't get it. I loved Tomasi's run on Nightwing years ago. I loved his Superman stuff. I liked his Batman & Robin series. But his run here has been lackluster. It's probably not fair to say but I'm nearly convinced what made his prior outings so good were the contributions by Patrick Gleason, as I haven't enjoyed Tomasi's solo work on Super Son's either. Good point. His best work was with Gleason. However I thought his Nightwing run and his first volume on Super Sons (w/o Gleason) were good. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 22:53:23 GMT -5
The Terrifics #15: excellent issue as usual and I loved the Bendis inspired cover. Ms. Terrific is quickly becoming one of my favorites.i love how she is pursuing a relationship with Mr Terrific and how she’s such a spiritual woman—I mean by being so open about her faith in God. The rest of the gang get ample screen time as well and the banter and action is superb. One minor thing...I thought Rex and Sapphire were on the outs? Can’t really recall, but good seeing her and Simon back. Loved the VR game they were showing and how it went all awry. Loved the Biblical inspired plagues too. As I’ve been reading this series and am now familiar with the DC Universe streaming shows, The Terrifics would make a perfect addition to their show line up.
8/10
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2019 11:08:17 GMT -5
A note about Heroes in Crisis: Tom King is receiving death threats over the reveal of the alleged murderer in the comic. Gee whiz--as much as I dislike this comic, I certainly wouldn't wish any ill will on any of the creators! I guess some folks take this stuff very seriously.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Apr 29, 2019 13:33:02 GMT -5
A note about Heroes in Crisis: Tom King is receiving death threats over the reveal of the alleged murderer in the comic. Gee whiz--as much as I dislike this comic, I certainly wouldn't wish any ill will on any of the creators! I guess some folks take this stuff very seriously. The idea of death threats over funnybooks is inherently ridiculous. But death threats against a former CIA agent is a whole new level. |
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 30, 2019 0:27:00 GMT -5
The Terrifics #15. Written by Gene Luen Yang. Art by Stephen Segovia. The first issue with the new creative team. Yang takes over for Lemire as writer and overall it is seamless. Yang takes the plot threads from Lemire and continues them in a similar fashion. I really love how he explores the relationship between Michael Holt and another Earth's version of his deceased wife Paula. This title looks like it is in good hands and will continue to be one of my favorite DC titles. 8/10. Is he the one that was writing New Super-Man? I really liked that book... Terrifics didn't grab me when I read the first trade, but if they work in the Justice League of China I could be convinced. |
|
|
|
Post by hondobrode on Apr 30, 2019 19:27:36 GMT -5
Yep that's the same guy.
Fantastic Four needs to come up or I'm going to drop it.
Not bad, but not worth $ 4 either.
I'm way pickier than I was as a kid, and they were only a quarter then.
|
|
