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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 6, 2019 12:24:07 GMT -5
Agents of Atlas #2Written by Greg Pak Art by Nico Leon Summary: Amadeus Cho and friends battle dragons over the skies of of Pan City as doubts about its founder's intentions grow.
Plot: To start with I think my largest disappointment with this second installment by Pak stem from the lack of the "classic" back up story by Parker which I loved in the prior issue. That criticism aside the story itself was...decent. Like most of Pak's past writing outside of Planet Hulk his work here is readable but lacks anything approaching a real sense of depth. The characters move through the motions, the action is fun but there's little more which is too bad as the concept of a group of asian heroes taking on global issues is great.
Art: The slightly manga style to Leon's art is a great fit for the team and the action scenes are fantastic.
Grade: 6/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 6, 2019 14:16:42 GMT -5
 Conan #9. Script by Jason Aaron. Art by Mahmud A. Asrar. I was bored with the last 2 issues of Conan. Thankfully this issue returned to the greatness of Conan and the weird beasts he has fought. It made for an entertaining story! 8/10.I think the trip down memory lane brought into sharp contrast just how much better the Dark Horse series was for me, I think this was my last issue of Conan. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2019 14:19:46 GMT -5
Conan #9. Script by Jason Aaron. Art by Mahmud A. Asrar. I was bored with the last 2 issues of Conan. Thankfully this issue returned to the greatness of Conan and the weird beasts he has fought. It made for an entertaining story! 8/10. I think the trip down memory lane brought into sharp contrast just how much better the Dark Horse series was for me, I think this was my last issue of Conan. I agree the Busiek/Nord Dark Horse Conan was better. This run has been very uneven. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 9, 2019 20:27:40 GMT -5
I had zero interest in this as I've really disliked Bendis' writing in the DC but I might try this out. I generally hate Bendis’ stuff but hopefully this is the exception. I finally got a hold of this issue this weekend and I thought it was pretty decent, but I say that as someone who has no real attachment to either the Legion or Rose and Thorn so I don't really mind if they end up different. |
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 9, 2019 20:36:16 GMT -5
I'm big on the LSH and like Rose & Thorn.
Looking forward to more.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 5:20:39 GMT -5
Millenium was kind of OK, but didn't really grip me
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 10, 2019 10:47:05 GMT -5
Hickman kind of bit himself with the latest issue. Previously he spent a whole issue showing us how Moira's mutant ability is a form of reincarnation where she relives her own life each time she dies creating a new alternate reality if she makes different life choices; it was a neat sci-fi concept and made for a great issue...but it totally killed his ability to "shock" his readers. In this latest issue he pretty much killed off all the original X-Men...but it's meaningless because Moira will just reset it when she dies making the whole issue pointless. We spent a whole issue telling a story that not only has zero impact in the grand scheme of things but also doesn't advance the story at all so what was the point?
This seems to happen to Hickman a lot.
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Post by The Captain on Sept 10, 2019 15:22:35 GMT -5
Hickman kind of bit himself with the latest issue. Previously he spent a whole issue showing us how Moira's mutant ability is a form of reincarnation where she relives her own life each time she dies creating a new alternate reality if she makes different life choices; it was a neat sci-fi concept and made for a great issue...but it totally killed his ability to "shock" his readers. In this latest issue he pretty much killed off all the original X-Men...but it's meaningless because Moira will just reset it when she dies making the whole issue pointless. We spent a whole issue telling a story that not only has zero impact in the grand scheme of things but also doesn't advance the story at all so what was the point? This seems to happen to Hickman a lot. Sidetracking a bit, I have worked with a number of people like this, both in my professional as well as my personal life serving at my church. They have grand ideas that they are able to sell to everyone, but there is always that niggling little detail they either didn't consider or recognized but ignored, yet everyone else saw it coming a mile away, that throws a monkey wrench into the plans down the road. For Hickman, having Moira act like a "reset" button is a great concept, until one recognizes that will render a lot of drama moot because it will just be undone next time she dies, making this, and any other storylines that follow it, great "What If" stories but nothing with lasting impact. |
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Post by String on Sept 10, 2019 15:51:29 GMT -5
Hickman kind of bit himself with the latest issue. Previously he spent a whole issue showing us how Moira's mutant ability is a form of reincarnation where she relives her own life each time she dies creating a new alternate reality if she makes different life choices; it was a neat sci-fi concept and made for a great issue...but it totally killed his ability to "shock" his readers. In this latest issue he pretty much killed off all the original X-Men...but it's meaningless because Moira will just reset it when she dies making the whole issue pointless. We spent a whole issue telling a story that not only has zero impact in the grand scheme of things but also doesn't advance the story at all so what was the point? This seems to happen to Hickman a lot. 1) There's still some debate among X-fans as to whether House of X is actually the current 616 timeline of the X-Men or another alternate timeline of Moira's. Plus, if I recall, Moira has a finite amount of lives to reincarnate so it's not as if she can do this eternally. Along with this new ability twist, I love how Hickman has shown it's effect on Moira over her lifespans on her changing goals towards mutant co-existence or mutant dominance or even mutant survival. He's added new layers of characterization to a character without altering anything previously established and/or shown for that character, a mark of a talented writer. 2) And what wrong's with 'What If?' stories again? The glimpses and info provided on the alternate timelines of Moira's lives have opened new story possibilities and huge potential. (Isn't that what the Silver Age of Imaginary stories was built upon?) I would love to read more of any and all of those alternate timelines. 3) Death in comics hasn't meant anything for over 25 years now so no, it's no big spoiler here if any of these deaths in this issue have any lasting effect. HOWEVER, I will say, how a writer handles such a death regardless is important and here, Hickman did an excellent job. From Scott to Jean, it was heartfelt and terrifying. The best scene though was the last scene between Kurt and Logan, their dialogue felt real between old friends and left me both choked up and smiling. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
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Post by shaxper on Sept 10, 2019 16:49:34 GMT -5
Okay, this one is actually a few weeks late. Sorry! This is the closest to "caught up" as I tend to get  Event Leviathan #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Alex Maleev
Summary: Someone named Leviathan is dismantling all super secret government agencies in the DCU, and it's up to Batman and Lois Lane to stand around, talking about it for 20 pages! As most of you know, I swore off mainstream superhero books years ago, DC's 2011 nu52 providing the final nail in the coffin as it left me with no reason to continue reading. I pulled Event Leviathan as I have a special interest in the upcoming Gotham City Monsters title, and it spins out from this event. I have to say though, this issue is decompression at its worst, as the entire issue is literally ONE SCENE long, and it's essentially just talking heads discussing events that transpired in another title. In the Bronze Age, this would have taken four panels at most. These days, it's a hyped $4.99 first issue. Bendis' dialogue is often clunky as well and forces an edge to the characters that doesn't always fully click. Batman and Lois Lane can only throw so much shade at each other before it starts to get old. Fortunately, Maleev's art makes the whole thing palatable.
Art: I'm not a fan of overly digital, photoshop-rendered splash pages, but otherwise the art is moody, eye-catching, and extremely effective. Maleev really makes an entire issue of folks standing around, talking, visually captivating.
Overall: One issue in, and literally nothing has happened yet. Wherever this story is going, it will doubtless take far too long to get there, but will it be worth the journey? Guess we'll find out next time around.
Grade: 6/10 |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,868
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Post by shaxper on Sept 10, 2019 17:00:26 GMT -5
Another extremely late one. Hope you folks don't mind! Disney Comics and Stories #5
Written and illustrated by Andrea Castellan, Marco Gervasio, Alessio Coppola
Summary: The only modern Disney books I continue to buy are ones containing stories by Andrea "Casty" Castellan, as I find his sense of imagination breath-taking. However, his "The Thirsty Monsters" in this issue is thoroughly underwhelming in its scope and predictability. Instead, Coppola's "Shhhhh" stole the show for me, in which Black Pete and accomplice attempt a burglary that goes terribly wrong, the story chronicled entirely through noises and interjections, as one might expect during a robbery. No other dialogue is provided until the final panel. It's fresh, creative, and outrageously entertaining.
Art: The Disney house style doesn't allow for a lot of stand-out moments in terms of art. Sometimes, Castellan will steal the show with a breath-taking visual or two, but not this time around.
Overall: Certainly not a need-to-own issue, especially not for the Casty story, but "Shhhhh" is an installment I'll enjoy returning to again.
Grade: 8/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 10, 2019 20:26:52 GMT -5
Hickman kind of bit himself with the latest issue. Previously he spent a whole issue showing us how Moira's mutant ability is a form of reincarnation where she relives her own life each time she dies creating a new alternate reality if she makes different life choices; it was a neat sci-fi concept and made for a great issue...but it totally killed his ability to "shock" his readers. In this latest issue he pretty much killed off all the original X-Men...but it's meaningless because Moira will just reset it when she dies making the whole issue pointless. We spent a whole issue telling a story that not only has zero impact in the grand scheme of things but also doesn't advance the story at all so what was the point? This seems to happen to Hickman a lot. 1) There's still some debate among X-fans as to whether House of X is actually the current 616 timeline of the X-Men or another alternate timeline of Moira's. Plus, if I recall, Moira has a finite amount of lives to reincarnate so it's not as if she can do this eternally. Along with this new ability twist, I love how Hickman has shown it's effect on Moira over her lifespans on her changing goals towards mutant co-existence or mutant dominance or even mutant survival. He's added new layers of characterization to a character without altering anything previously established and/or shown for that character, a mark of a talented writer. 2) And what wrong's with 'What If?' stories again? The glimpses and info provided on the alternate timelines of Moira's lives have opened new story possibilities and huge potential. (Isn't that what the Silver Age of Imaginary stories was built upon?) I would love to read more of any and all of those alternate timelines. 3) Death in comics hasn't meant anything for over 25 years now so no, it's no big spoiler here if any of these deaths in this issue have any lasting effect. HOWEVER, I will say, how a writer handles such a death regardless is important and here, Hickman did an excellent job. From Scott to Jean, it was heartfelt and terrifying. The best scene though was the last scene between Kurt and Logan, their dialogue felt real between old friends and left me both choked up and smiling. See, I don't think Hickman handled the deaths or the reaction from Professor X well at all specifically because we know there will just be a reset in the next issue. I love the concept of Moira's powers, and the story that detailed them was one of the best main stream books I've read in a while...but I think the time to tell that story would be after the issue we just read, not before it as knowing that it'll just be reset saps the moments of any emotional response and with out that then what's the point of the deaths? They're sold by the art as these big, poignant moments ... but they're robbed of that entirely, and with out that resonance it makes them absolutely pointless. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 10, 2019 20:30:00 GMT -5
Okay, this one is actually a few weeks late. Sorry! This is the closest to "caught up" as I tend to get Event Leviathan #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Alex Maleev
Summary: Someone named Leviathan is dismantling all super secret government agencies in the DCU, and it's up to Batman and Lois Lane to stand around, talking about it for 20 pages! As most of you know, I swore off mainstream superhero books years ago, DC's 2011 nu52 providing the final nail in the coffin as it left me with no reason to continue reading. I pulled Event Leviathan as I have a special interest in the upcoming Gotham City Monsters title, and it spins out from this event. I have to say though, this issue is decompression at its worst, as the entire issue is literally ONE SCENE long, and it's essentially just talking heads discussing events that transpired in another title. In the Bronze Age, this would have taken four panels at most. These days, it's a hyped $4.99 first issue. Bendis' dialogue is often clunky as well and forces an edge to the characters that doesn't always fully click. Batman and Lois Lane can only throw so much shade at each other before it starts to get old. Fortunately, Maleev's art makes the whole thing palatable.
Art: I'm not a fan of overly digital, photoshop-rendered splash pages, but otherwise the art is moody, eye-catching, and extremely effective. Maleev really makes an entire issue of folks standing around, talking, visually captivating.
Overall: One issue in, and literally nothing has happened yet. Wherever this story is going, it will doubtless take far too long to get there, but will it be worth the journey? Guess we'll find out next time around.
Grade: 6/10 I skipped this as I hated Bendis on Superman which was the lead up to this event but I'm looking forward to Monsters as well so I'll just live vicariously through you on this series for any background needed to enjoy Monsters. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 10, 2019 20:33:04 GMT -5
Hickman kind of bit himself with the latest issue. Previously he spent a whole issue showing us how Moira's mutant ability is a form of reincarnation where she relives her own life each time she dies creating a new alternate reality if she makes different life choices; it was a neat sci-fi concept and made for a great issue...but it totally killed his ability to "shock" his readers. In this latest issue he pretty much killed off all the original X-Men...but it's meaningless because Moira will just reset it when she dies making the whole issue pointless. We spent a whole issue telling a story that not only has zero impact in the grand scheme of things but also doesn't advance the story at all so what was the point? This seems to happen to Hickman a lot. Sidetracking a bit, I have worked with a number of people like this, both in my professional as well as my personal life serving at my church. They have grand ideas that they are able to sell to everyone, but there is always that niggling little detail they either didn't consider or recognized but ignored, yet everyone else saw it coming a mile away, that throws a monkey wrench into the plans down the road. For Hickman, having Moira act like a "reset" button is a great concept, until one recognizes that will render a lot of drama moot because it will just be undone next time she dies, making this, and any other storylines that follow it, great "What If" stories but nothing with lasting impact. I love a good What If story, but the reason they work is that they are self contained and have their own finite beginnings and endings making their divergent twists have worthwhile meaning in and of themselves, but in a book like this told through a traditional comic delivery system where each chapter builds on the next there isn't that finite feeling so I just can't get myself to care about the twists. |
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Sept 11, 2019 4:14:46 GMT -5
1) There's still some debate among X-fans as to whether House of X is actually the current 616 timeline of the X-Men or another alternate timeline of Moira's. Plus, if I recall, Moira has a finite amount of lives to reincarnate so it's not as if she can do this eternally. Along with this new ability twist, I love how Hickman has shown it's effect on Moira over her lifespans on her changing goals towards mutant co-existence or mutant dominance or even mutant survival. He's added new layers of characterization to a character without altering anything previously established and/or shown for that character, a mark of a talented writer. 2) And what wrong's with 'What If?' stories again? The glimpses and info provided on the alternate timelines of Moira's lives have opened new story possibilities and huge potential. (Isn't that what the Silver Age of Imaginary stories was built upon?) I would love to read more of any and all of those alternate timelines. 3) Death in comics hasn't meant anything for over 25 years now so no, it's no big spoiler here if any of these deaths in this issue have any lasting effect. HOWEVER, I will say, how a writer handles such a death regardless is important and here, Hickman did an excellent job. From Scott to Jean, it was heartfelt and terrifying. The best scene though was the last scene between Kurt and Logan, their dialogue felt real between old friends and left me both choked up and smiling. See, I don't think Hickman handled the deaths or the reaction from Professor X well at all specifically because we know there will just be a reset in the next issue. I love the concept of Moira's powers, and the story that detailed them was one of the best main stream books I've read in a while...but I think the time to tell that story would be after the issue we just read, not before it as knowing that it'll just be reset saps the moments of any emotional response and with out that then what's the point of the deaths? They're sold by the art as these big, poignant moments ... but they're robbed of that entirely, and with out that resonance it makes them absolutely pointless. The events in the this issue may be the timeline where Moira is on her 10th and final life though as pointed out by Destiny. I don't think the X-Men will come back because of Moira. They'll come back because of those pods or whatever they were in the first issue with Jean and Cyclops coming out naked. So maybe they were all clones. |
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