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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 7:50:00 GMT -5
Welcome back to another thrilling week of OFF THE RACKSWhere Real Readers + Fresh Comics = Honest Reviews  There are no corporately owned shills here( my check must have been lost in the mail  ) just real readers speaking their minds. What did you read this week? |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 12:29:06 GMT -5
Hellblazer #7Written by Simon Spurrier Art by Aaron Campbell Summary: When a mermaid is held captive in a British fish market it's up to Constantine to make things right.
Plot: It's only been seven issues but the depth that Spurrier has imbued his stories with so far have made it feel much longer, but in a good way. On top of that although heavily episodic there's a definite over arching exploration of hatred being woven together in the back ground that ties each arc together perfectly. From a hate that literally blinds you, to self loathing to the facets of an abusive relationship that we saw in this issue we are witness to how hatred forms, how it scars those doing the hating and the people and objects they hate. I was a little turned off by the narration at first, to say it was purple prose would be a vast understatement and it clashed horribly with the everyday, working class feel of the narrative but once it was revealed who the narrator is it all made perfect sense. And just like the way the last issue's ending, the final scene of this issue left my jaw on the floor. This book just never ceases to amaze.
Art: I've loved Campbell's art ever since I saw him on the Shadow and the moodiness he brings to his art is perfect here.
Grade:10/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 12:50:19 GMT -5
Superman: Man of Tomorrow #8Written by Van Jensen Art by Nick Robles and Andie Tong Summary: In the first segment Clark is tasked with writing Superman's obituary and in the second Clark foils a corrupt politician
Plot: After stumbling with last issues creative team the book rebounded here under Van Jensen with two stories that focused heavily on Clark Kent instead of Superman which was a nice breath of fresh air. Outside of retelling of Superman's origins I find that too often writers struggle to showcase Clark's everyday life, if they even attempt to show it at all but in both of these stories Jensen really nailed it with deep, character focused plots that wonderfully showcased not only where Superman's humanity comes from and why its essential but also allowed room to see Clark's intelligence as a reporter. Yet again this was a great back to basics Superman book which is what I've loved about this title since its start.
Art: I loved the styles of both these artists as they both brought that down home, farm fed look to Superman; he's obviously strong but he doesn't have that crazy over defined muscle tone look that some artists use with Superman. Superman in my mind should definitely be fit, but his strength isn't from working out...it comes from his alien heritage so I think is physique should reflect that and it seems both Tong and Robles agree.
Grade:8/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 15:51:38 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #34Written by Al Ewing Art by Butch Guice Summary: The Leader reflects on his history of failures and makes a new ally beyond the Green Door.
Plot: Unfortunately, for Immortal Hulk the song really does remain the same; there have been some stunning highs, some great concepts and fantastic character moments...but there have also been some lows with too much of a focus on pointless punch em' up scenes and filler...and with this issue it's sadly more of the latter than the former. That summery above? Spoiler alert: that really all that happens in this issue. It's a series of vignettes from the Leader's history narrated by his journal entries...and they give us no real deeper understanding of the Leader, do nothing to expose the mystery of the Green Door or advance the plot. It's just filler, plain and simple.
Art: I'm kind of glad we had a guest artist here as with this hopeless wheel spinning plot Bennett's art would have been utterly wasted. That said, the alternative wasn't much better, it's not that Guice was bad per say, his art was serviceable and clearly portrayed what was in the narrative but it lacked a sense of style. If they were going to make this trip down memory lane with the Leader they needed an artist who could have mimicked the styles of the artists who originally drew the stories the leader was remembering. It still would have been filler, don't get me wrong, but if they had done that it at least would have been fun to look at.
Grade:5/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 16:53:54 GMT -5
Marvel Snapshots: Captain AmericaWritten by Mark Russell Art by Ramon Perez Summary: Spinning out of Jack Kirby's Madbomb story from Cap #193-200 we see the human side from Felix Waterhouse POV.
Plot: If you're a fan of Russel's ability to infuse current events, social commentary and political allegory into a standard superhero comic like I am then you're going to love this, though if you're not a fan of his point of view I can definitely see where your mileage would vary. Like I said though, I'm definitely a fan of his particular narrative formulae so this crazily well timed book looking at the disenfranchisement of Black community was more than worth the cost of admission. It's a powerful story all around exploring why someone might fall in with the wrong crowd despite having the best intentions, and the character moments between Felix and his father were just so perfect. That said, despite springing from an excellent Cap story written and illustrated by Jack Kirby there is a distinct lack of Cap in this story. I mean, I know that like Marvels this line is meant to focus on the "real world" reactions to heroes in the Marvel Universe but I think the conversation with Cap at the end though well written would have been more powerful if there was a larger insight into Captain America...or for that matter perhaps it would have been even greater if it were with the Falcon instead. I imagine it has to do with Cap selling more issues than Falcon, but still thematically it would have been a much better fit.
Art: I wasn't really sold on Perez's style at the top of the issue, his stylized art and slightly distorted faces just didn't sell the action of retelling Kirby's story but as the book progressed and got smaller his look fit incredibly well with the story. The scenes with Felix and his family were so well done, and so utterly relatable that you just wanted to linger there.
Grade:9/10 |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jun 24, 2020 17:07:21 GMT -5
Marvel Snapshots: Captain AmericaWritten by Mark Russell Art by Ramon Perez Summary: Spinning out of Jack Kirby's Madbomb story from Cap #193-200 we see the human side from Felix Waterhouse POV.
Plot: If you're a fan of Russel's ability to infuse current events, social commentary and political allegory into a standard superhero comic like I am then you're going to love this, though if you're not a fan of his point of view I can definitely see where your mileage would vary. Like I said though, I'm definitely a fan of his particular narrative formulae so this crazily well timed book looking at the disenfranchisement of Black community was more than worth the cost of admission. It's a powerful story all around exploring why someone might fall in with the wrong crowd despite having the best intentions, and the character moments between Felix and his father were just so perfect. That said, despite springing from an excellent Cap story written and illustrated by Jack Kirby there is a distinct lack of Cap in this story. I mean, I know that like Marvels this line is meant to focus on the "real world" reactions to heroes in the Marvel Universe but I think the conversation with Cap at the end though well written would have been more powerful if there was a larger insight into Captain America...or for that matter perhaps it would have been even greater if it were with the Falcon instead. I imagine it has to do with Cap selling more issues than Falcon, but still thematically it would have been a much better fit.
Art: I wasn't really sold on Perez's style at the top of the issue, his stylized art and slightly distorted faces just didn't sell the action of retelling Kirby's story but as the book progressed and got smaller his look fit incredibly well with the story. The scenes with Felix and his family were so well done, and so utterly relatable that you just wanted to linger there.
Grade:9/10 I agree with pretty much everything you said here. I'm a big fan of Russell and thought this was great work. This does something that's been rarely done by Marvel or DC, but was a mainstay of Busiek's Astro City, showing the human fallout of super-hero/villainy. I'll even agree with your assessment of the art. Perez wasn't up to the challenge of the big Kirby scenes but excelled at the more human scenes, which is ultimately what the story was about. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 17:46:19 GMT -5
Marvel Snapshots: Captain AmericaWritten by Mark Russell Art by Ramon Perez Summary: Spinning out of Jack Kirby's Madbomb story from Cap #193-200 we see the human side from Felix Waterhouse POV.
Plot: If you're a fan of Russel's ability to infuse current events, social commentary and political allegory into a standard superhero comic like I am then you're going to love this, though if you're not a fan of his point of view I can definitely see where your mileage would vary. Like I said though, I'm definitely a fan of his particular narrative formulae so this crazily well timed book looking at the disenfranchisement of Black community was more than worth the cost of admission. It's a powerful story all around exploring why someone might fall in with the wrong crowd despite having the best intentions, and the character moments between Felix and his father were just so perfect. That said, despite springing from an excellent Cap story written and illustrated by Jack Kirby there is a distinct lack of Cap in this story. I mean, I know that like Marvels this line is meant to focus on the "real world" reactions to heroes in the Marvel Universe but I think the conversation with Cap at the end though well written would have been more powerful if there was a larger insight into Captain America...or for that matter perhaps it would have been even greater if it were with the Falcon instead. I imagine it has to do with Cap selling more issues than Falcon, but still thematically it would have been a much better fit.
Art: I wasn't really sold on Perez's style at the top of the issue, his stylized art and slightly distorted faces just didn't sell the action of retelling Kirby's story but as the book progressed and got smaller his look fit incredibly well with the story. The scenes with Felix and his family were so well done, and so utterly relatable that you just wanted to linger there.
Grade:9/10 I agree with pretty much everything you said here. I'm a big fan of Russell and thought this was great work. This does something that's been rarely done by Marvel or DC, but was a mainstay of Busiek's Astro City, showing the human fallout of super-hero/villainy. I'll even agree with your assessment of the art. Perez wasn't up to the challenge of the big Kirby scenes but excelled at the more human scenes, which is ultimately what the story was about. It definitely feels more akin to Astro City than your typical super hero comic. I was initially disappointed that Busiek was just curating these rather than writing them out right but if the creative teams he picks are as good as here and the Sub-Mariner book( I never picked up the FF book so I can't speak to its quality) this is going to be a great ride. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jun 24, 2020 17:53:49 GMT -5
I agree with pretty much everything you said here. I'm a big fan of Russell and thought this was great work. This does something that's been rarely done by Marvel or DC, but was a mainstay of Busiek's Astro City, showing the human fallout of super-hero/villainy. I'll even agree with your assessment of the art. Perez wasn't up to the challenge of the big Kirby scenes but excelled at the more human scenes, which is ultimately what the story was about. It definitely feels more akin to Astro City than your typical super hero comic. I was initially disappointed that Busiek was just curating these rather than writing them out right but if the creative teams he picks are as good as here and the Sub-Mariner book( I never picked up the FF book so I can't speak to its quality) this is going to be a great ride. The story on the FF book was really good. I mean Evan Dorkin was co-writer, so that makes all the sense. The art I didn't love, but whatcha gonna do? It was really kind of a misnomer to call it an FF book though because it centered on Doris Evans and, as I recall, the only member of the FF that showed up was Johnny Storm. It was in the same vein though...the effect of super-heroes on the normal citizens of Glenville, New York. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 24, 2020 17:57:52 GMT -5
It definitely feels more akin to Astro City than your typical super hero comic. I was initially disappointed that Busiek was just curating these rather than writing them out right but if the creative teams he picks are as good as here and the Sub-Mariner book( I never picked up the FF book so I can't speak to its quality) this is going to be a great ride. The story on the FF book was really good. I mean Evan Dorkin was co-writer, so that makes all the sense. The art I didn't love, but whatcha gonna do? It was really kind of a misnomer to call it an FF book though because it centered on Doris Evans and, as I recall, the only member of the FF that showed up was Johnny Storm. It was in the same vein though...the effect of super-heroes on the normal citizens of Glenville, New York. I've seldom been a FF fan, but I might have to check this out as I've been really enjoying some slice of life comics lately. I just finished an excellent collection of early Mark Trail strips that really has me digging a slower pace. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 12:29:10 GMT -5
Immortal Hulk #34. Written by Al Ewing. Art by Butch Guice.
OK I get why these issues exist. I like Guice's art but these "interlude" issues really break up the flow of the ongoing story. They really stick out as a big drop in quality. I like the Leader as a villain but I am tired of the recent spotlight issues on villains in DC & Marvel comics. This issue could have been skipped and after the long absence of this title due to covid... it was very disappointing.
2/10.
However....
Marvel Snapshots: Captain America. Written by Mark Russell. Art by Ramon Perez.
This one was awesome. Told from the POV of Felix Waterhouse whose life was affected by the Jack Kirby Capt America & Falcon Mad Bomb story from Cap #193-200. Relevant today. I like how Russell takes a classic Kirby Cap story from the 70's and adds his own touches and entertains the reader as well as making the reader think. And he does it so well. Just a great issue.
9/10.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 13:05:36 GMT -5
Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular. Alan Scott by James Tynion IV & Gary Frank. A brief retelling of his origin with additional details. Nice modern updating of a 1940's story with great art. Hal Jordan by Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis. Hal thinks he is stranded on another planet and running out of energy. With the last of his ring's power he sends out a distress call, a message to Batman and a message to Carol Ferris. Nice snapshot into Hal's thoughts & feelings. Sinestro by Cullen Bunn & Doug Mahnke. I could have done without this story. GL/GA by Denny O'Neil & Mike Grell. No surprises here. Felt like I was home again just for a few minutes... good stuff. Kyle Rayner by Ron Marz & Darryl Banks. Wow. Nice surprise to see the original creative team on this story. It wasn't awesome but it was decent. Guy Gardner & Kilowog by Peter Tomasi & Fernando Pasarin. Tomasi knows how to tug at the old heartstrings. Great story. John Stewart by Charlotte McDuffie & Chris Cross. Written by Dwayne's wife it was OK. I was a bit underwhelmed by this story although it was nice to see Hawkgirl with John. Hal, John, Guy & Kyle by Robert Venditti & Rafa Sandoval. Best one of the issue. Set many years in the future the GL's reunite to tell stories and enjoy their friendship. And even though the ending isn't a surprise it still hits you emotionally. Jessica Cruz by Mariko Tamaki & Mirka Andolfo. I have not read any GL stories with her in them so I really had no emotional ties to the character. I did enjoy the story. Simon Baz by Sina Grace & Ramon Villalobos. Another GL who I have never read any stories with him in it. It was OK I really don't like his costume. So like the other DC Anniversary issues this one was a mixed bag. I think if you have emotional investment in the characters you would enjoy the story more. I could have done without the 2 newest GL (Jessica & Simon) but I realize they have their fans. The Sinestro story could have been swapped out for another Hal or John story IMO. The best stories gave you insight into how the characters thought & felt. So for me the stories with Alan, Hal & John I liked best. 7/10.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 13:27:28 GMT -5
 Batman The Adventures Continue #1 (of 6).Written by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. Art by Ty Templeton. Cover by Dan Mora. Based on Batman: The Animated Series. Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City is attacked by a giant robot. Lex Luthor is involved. Great to revisit the universe of BTAS. Just amazing. If you liked the TV show or the comics BUY THIS!! Not sure when this was supposed to ship since it took my LCS a month to get all their books back to normal orders with some shipping delays for a few weeks. 10/10. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jun 25, 2020 19:01:18 GMT -5
Batman The Adventures Continue #1 (of 6).Written by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. Art by Ty Templeton. Cover by Dan Mora. Based on Batman: The Animated Series. Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City is attacked by a giant robot. Lex Luthor is involved. Great to revisit the universe of BTAS. Just amazing. If you liked the TV show or the comics BUY THIS!! Not sure when this was supposed to ship since it took my LCS a month to get all their books back to normal orders with some shipping delays for a few weeks. 10/10. Though the digital chapters of this are further ahead I think you're pretty recent with this print issue as I think it only came out last week. Did it have the whole Lex story or was it just half? I'm getting it digitally, and I'm not sure if they're short features or not as they read really well so I've never counted the pages. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2020 19:27:57 GMT -5
Batman The Adventures Continue #1 (of 6).Written by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. Art by Ty Templeton. Cover by Dan Mora. Based on Batman: The Animated Series. Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City is attacked by a giant robot. Lex Luthor is involved. Great to revisit the universe of BTAS. Just amazing. If you liked the TV show or the comics BUY THIS!! Not sure when this was supposed to ship since it took my LCS a month to get all their books back to normal orders with some shipping delays for a few weeks. 10/10. Though the digital chapters of this are further ahead I think you're pretty recent with this print issue as I think it only came out last week. Did it have the whole Lex story or was it just half? I'm getting it digitally, and I'm not sure if they're short features or not as they read really well so I've never counted the pages. Each print issue collects 2 of the digital issues. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 29, 2020 16:02:41 GMT -5
Marvel Snapshots: Captain AmericaWritten by Mark Russell Art by Ramon Perez Summary: Spinning out of Jack Kirby's Madbomb story from Cap #193-200 we see the human side from Felix Waterhouse POV.
Plot: If you're a fan of Russel's ability to infuse current events, social commentary and political allegory into a standard superhero comic like I am then you're going to love this, though if you're not a fan of his point of view I can definitely see where your mileage would vary. Like I said though, I'm definitely a fan of his particular narrative formulae so this crazily well timed book looking at the disenfranchisement of Black community was more than worth the cost of admission. It's a powerful story all around exploring why someone might fall in with the wrong crowd despite having the best intentions, and the character moments between Felix and his father were just so perfect. That said, despite springing from an excellent Cap story written and illustrated by Jack Kirby there is a distinct lack of Cap in this story. I mean, I know that like Marvels this line is meant to focus on the "real world" reactions to heroes in the Marvel Universe but I think the conversation with Cap at the end though well written would have been more powerful if there was a larger insight into Captain America...or for that matter perhaps it would have been even greater if it were with the Falcon instead. I imagine it has to do with Cap selling more issues than Falcon, but still thematically it would have been a much better fit.
Art: I wasn't really sold on Perez's style at the top of the issue, his stylized art and slightly distorted faces just didn't sell the action of retelling Kirby's story but as the book progressed and got smaller his look fit incredibly well with the story. The scenes with Felix and his family were so well done, and so utterly relatable that you just wanted to linger there.
Grade:9/10 I really enjoyed the two Snapshots I've read thus far - Namor and the Human Torch - but I somehow missed this in the confusion of the COVID reality. If my comic shop still has it, I'll pick up Snapshots: Captain America next time I'm at the shop. My first issue of Captain America was #191, so Kirby's return was my third issue! I was rather underwhelmed. I bought it, but distribution was kind of spotty and I missed a few issues of the Madbomb story arc. I liked the Kirby issues much better a little later on with the Tiger and the Swine, Arnim Zola and the return of the Red Skull! Two or three years ago, I was finally able to read the entire Madbomb series from start to finish … and I like it a hell of a lot better now than I did then! (Which happens to me a lot with 1970s Kirby Marvel.) I'm really looking forward to reading Snapshots: Captain America! |
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) just real readers speaking their minds.
