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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 9:09:59 GMT -5
OFF THE RACKS! The CCF's home for comic book reviews! There are no corporate shills here, if it's good you'll hear praise and if it's bad you'll see criticism. Why? Because they are real reviews by real readers...just like You!
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 10:25:35 GMT -5
Detective Comics Annual #3Written by Peter Tomasi Art by Ed Risso and Sumit Kumar Summary: An old friend of Alfred's comes to Wayne Manor for help solving an old cold case from Alfred's spy days.
Plot: Okay, so the whole Alfred is dead plot is still really dumb and I didn't care for Tomasi's Batman when I tried his first Knights of the Light story after gaining some hope from Tynion's Batman I decided to try Detective annual...and it was really fantastic! I don't know why they didn't just go with KGBeast rather than the knock off NKDemon, but other than that the noir/thriller atmosphere and quick action scenes really made for some great reading.I really enjoyed the scenes between Bruce and Alfred's old boss, I don't know if she'd ever show up again but barring Alfred's return she'd make a great modern update on Aunt Harriet, who you'll remember came on to the scene under similar circumstances. I don't know if Tomasi's run got any better after I dropped it, but it might bear checking out because although Tynion's issues have made me hopeful the story itself was only fair...while this story was seriously my favorite Batbook in a good long while.
Art: I loved the realistic, slightly stratchy line work these two employed in their portions of the story, it really served to give it that noir feel that I loved.
Grade:10/10
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,376
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Post by shaxper on Jan 29, 2020 10:32:01 GMT -5
I don't know why they didn't just go with KGBeast rather than the knock off NKDemon I can't believe anyone in 2020 even remembers the NKDemon other than me. Wow. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 10:39:54 GMT -5
I don't know why they didn't just go with KGBeast rather than the knock off NKDemon I can't believe anyone in 2020 even remembers the NKDemon other than me. Wow. Ha, I knew you'd remember him as well. It was pretty weird seeing him on the page, though it sort of made sense as the guy Batman was after was someone the KGB put out to pasture so I guess he'd only have access to lesser muscle. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 11:55:40 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #30Written by A Ewing art by Joe Bennett Summary: The Hulk and his Gamma Army take on the monsters attacking Phoenix.
Plot: While I do enjoy a good super hero smack down as much as the next guy, and I do love giant monsters this felt a lot like treading water yet again. Where as Ewing used to use smaller character focused issues to bridge his larger stories he's relied of big action set pieces to do the same of late and it's starting to be a little tiring as they never go anywhere interesting. I only hope the pay off is worth it.
Art: All that said, Bennett sure knows how to draw a good monster which does stop the issue from being a complete loss.
Grade:6/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 16:59:35 GMT -5
Frankenstein Undone #1Written by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie Art by Ben Stenbeck Summary: Taking place directly after the events of Shelly's classic novel we find that the Monster was saved from immolation by the unconditional love of a polar bear and her cubs.
Plot: I've loved Mignola's previous depictions of the Frankenstein Monster in Hellboy in Mexico and Frankenstein Underground but when I heard he was tying it closer to the novel I was unsure how it would work, but man did he nail it. The book starts right where the novel ends with the Monster showing up just after his maker expires and vowing to end his life on the ice...only here a family of polar bears happens upon him and their love convinces him to try again at life; this time away from the eyes of man. Life is good with the polar bears until the creature awakens one morning to find one of the cubs being eaten by an abominable snow man, who Mignola fans would know is actually a surviving Hyperborian man. It's a great twist that gives a great reason for the creature to exist in the modern world down the line and it ties him into the greater mythology of Mignola's work. I can't wait to see where this mini goes.
Art: Stenbeck's style is just perfect for horror, his line work just drips with mood and yet here he does the tender moments with the Polar bear family just as well as the horror which was a side of him I had never seen before.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 29, 2020 17:35:55 GMT -5
Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #1
 Written and illustrated by Stan Sakai Colored by Ronda Pattison Summary: Our favorite Rabbit Ronan recounts to Gen how he first became a samurai.
Plot/Art: Reprinting Usagi Yojimbo #1 from all the way back in 1987 this colorized edition is a delight for old fans and a great introduction to the character for brand new readers. Although not as complex or refined as latter stories both plotwise and artistically, Samurai none the less remains a favorite of mine to this day. Sure, the story of a young warrior seeking out an unorthodox mentor is hardly new, having been a staple of not only countless samurai stories but also films like Star Wars which were inspired by them, the plucky rabbit going through those same motions have a level of charm to it that just makes you smile.
In addition to the reprint there are two other features, the first was a brief black and white summary of Usagi's adventures up until now(which I believe is new) and the second was a new addition to the the ever popular Chibi Usagi world by Julie Sakai which featured a funhouse mirror that distorted the chibi characters reflections into...their traditional looks by Stan Sakai, which was a great gag.
Coloring: I've grown used to Luth's work in coloring Sakai's world over the years and loved it all along I think I might have a new favorite with this issue. While Pattison sticks to the color scheme Luth chose for the characters outfits giving the story a great sense of visual continuation the colors of the back grounds here are far richer and warmer than what we've seen in the past which give's Stan's line-work an even great sense of beauty. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she brings to the table as the book progresses.
Grade:10/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2020 21:19:10 GMT -5
Detective Comics Annual #3. Written by Peter Tomasi. Art by Sumit Kumar.
One of the better Batman stories since the "death" of Alfred. I am not a fan of removing Alfred from the Batman comics (even though we know it's temporary). I remember when Alfred was gone before and revealed to be the Outsider back in the 60's.
Anyway IMO Alfred is the one constant in Batman that I feel needs to always be there. This Annual goes back to Alfred's past as a British spy and has Bruce "finish" some of his work. Great tribute to Alfred and showed how much he meant to Bruce. I also liked the art.
The back up story with art by Ed Risso was also entertaining.
8/10.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2020 21:23:01 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #30. Written by Al Ewing. Art by Joe Bennett.
I am not a fan of this arc in Hulk. I miss the horror aspect. I understand a change every once in a while is good but I hope this direction is short lived. Having said that Bennett's art is stellar. He draws some impressive monsters.
6/10.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2020 21:32:23 GMT -5
Dr Strange #2. Written by Mark Waid. Art by Kev Walker.
The return of Dr. Druid. Strange fights the Wrecker. Strange does surgery that only he can do.
Yeah. A pretty decent issue that makes Dr Stephen Strange an interesting character both as a surgeon and a sorcerer. It read as a denser read than a lot of modern issues. I like the scenes at the hospital as much the magic battles. It's refreshing to read about heroes lives out of costume since a lot of titles have abandoned that concept.
8/10.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Feb 1, 2020 15:43:33 GMT -5
Dr Strange #2. Written by Mark Waid. Art by Kev Walker. The return of Dr. Druid. Strange fights the Wrecker. Strange does surgery that only he can do. Yeah. A pretty decent issue that makes Dr Stephen Strange an interesting character both as a surgeon and a sorcerer. It read as a denser read than a lot of modern issues. I like the scenes at the hospital as much the magic battles. It's refreshing to read about heroes lives out of costume since a lot of titles have abandoned that concept. 8/10. I really love the episodic feel to this book, sure there's an overarching story in the back ground but there's a feeling that you'll still get something new every issue. |
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