I recently reviewed Thunderbolts #141 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The Thunderbolts finally enter the fray of Siege in this week’s issue, with a secret mission for Norman Osborn: steal the Spear of Odin from Asgard’s armory. Jeff Parker is clever in using this mission to tie into Siege since it plays to the group’s strengths and doesn’t simply launch them into the huge brawl. Parker also uses this mission as a means to explore the dysfunctional group dynamic of late with the Ghost AWOL and the team’s leader, Scourge, having shot Headsman in the back of the head under mind control."
I recently reviewed Usagi Yojimbo #126 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "I’ve heard a lot of great things about Usagi Yojimbo over the years, but had never read an issue for a variety of reasons, few of them good. The chance to review a self-contained issue seemed like a great way to finally see what the fuss was about and check out Stan Sakai’s critically acclaimed series about a samurai rabbit. And this issue is a solid, clever, kind of cute story about two different hosts that take in Miyamoto Usagi and how each is unpleasant in its own way."
I recently reviewed Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #1 is a case of style beating out substance. The amount of plot in this first issue is the equivalent of the first ten minutes of a movie, but Warren Ellis and Raulo Caceres deliver that small amount of plot with a strong, interesting style. Throughout this first issue are text pages that provide context and background for the series, including the history of police forces in England in the early 19th century where the story takes place."
I recently reviewed Dark Wolverine #83 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Dark Wolverine #82 ended with Daken running Norman Osborn through with his claws during the Siege of Asgard. It was a shocking way to end the issue since no one would expect Osborn to get killed A) by Daken and B) in the pages of Dark Wolverine. Well, he didn’t, but the manner in which he wasn’t makes sense and sets up a pretty interesting story for Daken in his Siege tie-in issues, picking up on a plot point in Michael Avon Oeming’s contribution to Thor wherein he had the character break the cycle of Ragnarok by severing Asgard’s ties with the Three Fates."
I recently reviewed Irredeemable #11 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The first story of this issue, drawn by guest artist Diego Barreto, has Bette Noir revealing the secrets of her relationship with the Plutonian to Orian, an alien hunter enlisted by the US government to kill the Plutonian. For the past six months, Waid has been hinting at a deeper relationship between Bette and the Plutonian despite Bette’s relationship with fellow hero Gilgamos. Bette’s revelations aren’t too surprising as a result, but the manner in which events play contain some solid ideas. Her flirting with the Plutonian, though, doesn’t come across as organic and witty, falling closer to porn flick dialogue. What happens before and after Bette’s coming on to Tony is well-written, but how it happens is cringe-worthy dialogue."
I recently reviewed Spider-Man: The Clone Saga #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The original Spider-Clone Saga lasted just over two years, spread across the four monthly Spider-Man titles, various mini-series, one-shots, and some issues of Spider-Man Unlimited, whereas this ‘proper’ rewriting/retelling only received six issues. While the first one was horribly drawn out and lasted much too long, Spider-Man: The Clone Saga has been very compressed, reading like a comic story on fast forward much of the time. This final issue escapes that trap by playing out as a regular conclusion to a story, though it still has many problems, including a rushed, underexplained final scene."
I recently reviewed The Marvels Project #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The Marvels Project #6 might be the best-looking comic Steve Epting has ever drawn. His work with Ed Brubaker on Captain America was very good, but he’s really outdone himself on The Marvels Project, delivering stunning visuals in each issue, the latest one being his best work to date. Together with colorist Dave Stewart, Epting manages to tread the same visual ground as Alex Ross did in Marvels and not look like a second-class imitator. If anything, the art here stands toe to toe with Ross’s work on the seminal mini-series."
I recently reviewed Superman/Batman #69 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Continuing from last issue, Superman finds himself fighting an assassin named NRG-X who has been hired by someone to kill Clark Kent. The opening pages of the issue flashback to the hiring and we get a few details about the assassin in the process, but, mostly, it’s a pretty good action sequence as Superman does his best to neutralize the assassin while limiting collateral damage. The resolution to the fight is your typical ‘bad guy escapes’ trick, but done with some flair. While NRG-X isn’t as great as the Casey-created Assassin Lad from his Adventures of Superman run, enough is hinted at here for him to develop into an interesting character at some point."
I recently reviewed Deadpool #19 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Deadpool arrives in New York, hoping to find Spider-Man and learn to be a hero, because he’s back doing that again. The issue begins with the two crossing paths with only Spidey aware of who the other truly is before a room full of dead bodies makes an official meeting unavoidable. There is some initial humor in Deadpool welcoming Spider-Man with open arms only to receive various punches and kicks, and Way uses a running hot dog-related gag to good effect in places. Largely, though, it’s pretty standard fare as Deadpool protests his innocence, Spider-Man doesn’t believe him, Deadpool proves his innocence and wants to help, and Spider-Man reluctantly agrees."
I recently reviewed Spider-Man 1602 #5 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It’s easy to look at a book like Spider-Man 1602 and wonder why it exists. What’s the point of telling stories involving 17th century versions of characters that we’re familiar with and can read about now? The finale to this series provides a pretty easy answer: it allows for Marvel to publish a pretty entertaining, light-hearted action comic written by Jeff Parker and drawn by Ramon Rosanas where the two of them can just go out and have fun with these ideas. Spider-Man 1602 isn’t going to win an Eisner for best limited series, but it is an amusing and enjoyable read."
I recently reviewed Power Girl #9 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It’s not many four-star comics that begin with a woman sitting on the toilet and her cat sticking its butt in her face, but Power Girl #9 is definitely one of them (or the only one of them). Beginning with the morning after last issue, this one creates a sense of business by cramming a lot of information and events into the first six pages before transitioning to a fight between Power Girl and Satanna and her animal army that’s slightly more relaxed, but not by much."
I recently reviewed Spider-Woman #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "For years now, Brian Michael Bendis has been telling us how cool the Jessica Drew version of Spider-Woman is and, honestly, most of us scoffed at him, wondering if he was thinking of the same Jessica Drew Spider-Woman that we were. Well, in this week’s issue of her ongoing, Bendis and Alex Maleev do a pretty convincing job of demonstrating the appeal of Jessica Drew as she takes on the Thunderbolts in the streets of Madripoor."
I recently reviewed Joe the Barbarian #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Based on Sean Murphy’s art alone, Joe the Barbarian is worth a look, but Grant Morrison’s writing is average fantasy fare and doesn’t rise beyond the novelty of the book’s premise. Joe is a young teenager suffering diabetes and is having some sort of odd side-effect from a lack of insulin that’s resulting him shifting between the real world and a perceived fantasy world. In this issue, he manages to make it from his attic bedroom to the bathroom, while stumbling his way through the other world where his pet mouse is a warrior and he learns of his quest to save that world from dark forces."
I recently reviewed The Anchor #5 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "In many ways, this issue follows the pattern of previous issues: Clem fights a monster, kills the monster, eats its heart, and gains some lost memories in the process. Throw in a few scenes in Hell and an appearance from the mysterious bandaged man that has a speech impediment of some sort and it’s a pretty typical issue of The Anchor. While the story advances, especially at the end, the series feels like it’s treading water for the most part. Hopefully, the plot twist at the end of the issue will shake things up a little."
I recently reviewed Chocolate Cheeks for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The simplest way to determine if you’ll enjoy Steven Weissman’s Chocolate Cheeks is to read the fifth strip in the book. 'Sweet' Chubby Cheeks and Pullapart Boy are on the bus and the latter boy gives up his seat to a lumpy-faced man with a cane, causing the man to say 'A seat on the 217 bus? Thank you, sir. This brain tumor is the gift that just keeps on giving.' When reading, I laughed quite hard, causing my girlfriend to inquire about what was so funny and, upon learning, gave me a 'I’m in love with a really weird guy' look. Obviously, Chocolate Cheeks isn’t for Michelle, but is definitely for me and anyone who likes this sort of twisted, somewhat sick humor."
I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The Ultimate Spider-Man status quo is very different in the post-Ultimatum world with Aunt May taking in both Iceman and the Human Torch in addition to Gwen Stacey. In the preview pages, Bendis recaps that by cleverly putting it into a conversation between Peter and Mary Jane while they’re on break at their mall food court jobs. Peter’s wonderment at how much May is loving the new arrangement no doubt mirrors that of readers, as Bendis takes almost an opposite approach to the character that was taken in the regular Spider-Man books. However, when we see May with the kids later, it reads smoothly and naturally, although truncated by the Rick Jones plot."
I recently reviewed Human Target #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It makes sense for DC to release a Human Target series a month after the TV series debuted on Fox, and even more sense to have it take place within the world of the show instead of the DCU or the Vertigo series’ world. Why alienate potential new readers who want more stories that fall in line with the TV show? Unfortunately, what makes the TV series work, like Mark Valley’s charm or the funny interplay between Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley, isn’t present in the comic. All that’s left is the bare bones of the show with serviceable art."
I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Warren Ellis’ take on Ultimate Tony Stark has been one of the best, beginning with Ultimate Human and continuing in this series, this issue giving Ellis a chance to show another side of the character as he faces the man behind the theft of his Iron Man technology. The identity is somewhat shocking and is someone close to Stark that no one, not even he, would have guessed responsible for this. Ellis crafts the man responsible in the mould of many other Ellis-penned characters, but that cranky charm of his always works -— for this reviewer, at least."
I recently reviewed Batman and Robin #8 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "As Batman & Robin hits the halfway of its biweekly third storyarc, Dick Grayson, the Knight, the Squire, and Batwoman have all converged on a Lazarus Pit in England and are, apparently, going to resurrect Bruce Wayne using the corpse Superman found after his death in Final Crisis. In a twisted recall to Final Crisis, Grant Morrison reveals that the corpse in their possession isn’t Bruce Wayne’s, but one of the clones that were meant to be an army in service of Darkseid. It’s a clever twist that spurs on the second part of 'Blackest Knight,' 'Batman versus Batman.'"
I recently reviewed Scalped #34 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The finale to 'The Gnawing' is an example of when winning can feel a lot like losing. Red Crow and Dash Bad Horse both walk out of this comic in one piece, their respective problems solved for now, but the solutions were ones that brought both characters down to lower depths than we’ve seen before. And, if you’re a regular reader of Scalped, you’ll know just how low that is. For those unaware, both men have killed before, both men have shown an ability for cruelty to those they love, and, to make matter worse, both men are in desperate situations here. Like no other issue, Scalped #34 pairs the two, having each reflect the other, and hitting that point home in the final two pages in a stunning revelation."
I recently reviewed The Question #37 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The final issue of DC’s resurrected title’s month may have spilled into February, but it’s worth the wait. The Question returns for a thirty-seventh issue and the creative team from that series, Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan, team with current Question writer Greg Rucka to resurrect Vic Sage/Charlie as a Black Lantern. This issue acts as a good meeting of the two different Questions’ worlds as the legacy of Vic Sage is touched upon, while Renee Montoya proves herself a worthy successor."
I recently reviewed Demo vol. 2 #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The first volume of Demo, a 12-issue mini-series published by AiT/Planet Lar, was one of the best comics to come out in 2003-04, as Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan crafted fantastic stories about people who powers of some sort (sometimes only in the most ancillary sense of the word.) Every issue was self-contained and the subject matter ranged from a young boy who is picked on whose powers manifest in a frightening way, to the dissolution of a relationship. Word that Wood and Cloonan would be doing a six-issue second volume brought about mixed feelings of wondering why they would want to return when the first series was so great and the desire to see more stellar work from the pair."
I recently reviewed Zorro: Matanzas #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Zorro: Matanzas is a comic that’s been in the works for over a decade, originally intended for publication by Topps when they had the license to the character, but never released for various behind-the-scenes reasons. This week, the first issue of this mini-series finally hits shops courtesy of Dynamite, the current license holder, and it stands out as a different book than their regular “Zorro” series, but should still appeal to fans of the character and act as an introduction for those new to it."
I recently reviewed Indomitable Iron Man #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The use of the other characters allows Chaykin to draw both the Iron Man/Titanium Man fight and those other characters in their respective activities, plus a sarcastic, flirtatious Pepper Potts who seems both annoyed at her boss and amused by his hectic day. Chaykin’s art allows for a little bit of gray, but is mostly heavy blacks and whites, and dynamic, energetic poses. He seems to love using the circular energy effect of Iron Man’s repulsor rays and it gives a lot of pages an interesting look; mostly, Chaykin favors big pictures with characters in the midst of the action. This is a fun story that rests on a simple concept, but presents it effectively and entertainingly."
