CBR Review: Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6

I recently reviewed Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "In the end, Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6 shows some of Mark Millar’s usual tricks: The unstoppable villain brought down by a cheap, stupid stunt, the final letter/narration that sums it all up, and the general sense that things are somehow worse than they began. Except, this time, the luster has worn away and the same tricks the fifth time around don’t wow so much. It isn’t even good spectacle anymore and, without that, what’s left?"

You can read the rest HERE!

Sketch Reviews (June 23 2011)

Batman: Gates of Gotham #2: The first issue left me a little lukewarm, but I really enjoyed this one. Great character work, an interesting backstory, and a pretty awesome end. [****]

Brightest Day Aftermath: The Seach for Swamp Thing #1: When I saw the previews for this comic, I wondered if that was supposed to be Chas with John and, apparently, it was. Good thing someone wised up and said that the art looked nothing like Chas and had it changed. That's about the only good thing about this comic. Just a fucking mess of a comic that doesn't seem to have any sense of any characters. I wonder if Vankin knew which version of Batman he was even writing, because that wasn't Dick despite the costume indicating it's Dick. Ugh. Just not good. But I knew that when I bought it. Just wanted to see how fucking awful this John Constantine story would be... and make reviewing any future issues easier if I wanted. [-**]

The Mighty Thor #3: Colour me surprised, but I really enjoyed this issue. The disparate threads connected up and make for a lively, entertaining read. Fraction manages to write engaging dialogue -- the stuff with the Silver Surfer was great. Probably my favourite Thor comic he's written since that last one-shot he did a few years back. [****]

Secret Avengers #14: What the fuck was that shit? I'm not buying any more of this shit until Ellis arrives. [BAD FUCKING COMIC]

Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #5: You knew Nick Fury would have something up his sleeve... and it's magic Hulk pills... huh. That's... was it ever mentioned that Black the First Hulk took pills to maintain his Hulkness? 'Cause I don't remember any mention of that. There is something comedic about Fury and his Avengers getting Hulked out. They just look like bodybuilders and that's kind of funny. They don't look scary. Hell, Clint Barton just looks a little absurd and weird. Shit, I don't know what to make of this comic. I liked some parts and hated others. On the whole, this is still my favourite Ultimates stuff from Millar, especially of the Ultimate Avengers bunch. Looking forward to the final issue. One final thought: that's all Spider-Tao does? What a fucking waste... [**3/4]

Later

Sketch Reviews (May 19 2011)

[Last Thursday, Blogger decided to crash, so I couldn't do my usual Sketch Reviews. I just folded them into this week's batch, because I'm lazy like that.]

Avengers #13: And the Oral History shows up in the present. I like how it merged into what Bendis is doing and is a clever way to discuss the events of Fear Itself. My only complaint is that it's coming too soon -- we haven't hit the present yet in that telling. Now, if it flowed right out of prose pieces into a story, that would have been much better. Still, a strong character issue. That first panel at the Asgardian banquet was great. And Chris Bachalo on art... hey, he makes it work. A strong issue. [****1/4]

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1: A decent story and inconsistent art. The colours really fluctuate here with some panels just looking like awful backgrounds for an animated series. I'm intrigued. [***]

Batman, Incorporated #6: I've said a lot about this comic between the podcast and Random Thoughts. So, yeah, I dug it, wonder about the tone of the art... [****]

Deadpool MAX #8: Bob's past isn't quite as fucked up/funny as Deadpool's, but still good. Nothing here is that surprising, but I do love how we keep getting a remixed version of the Marvel universe. And this version of Cable is awesome. The way that Baker draws this issue is looser and darker. I love the texture of the art by the end. [****1/4]

Journey into Mystery #623: Pencil crayons! [****]

Punishermax #13: Damn good comics right here. [****1/2]

Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #4: The guy at my shop accidentally put this week's issue of Ultimate Spider-Man in my stack, because they look the goddamn same. I only noticed when he was ringing me up. Designs are cool and all, but if you can't tell what the fucking comic is... Still enjoying this mini, more than any of the previous ones. The Spider-Man stuff just kind of shows up and is dropped, which is odd. Gregory being the man behind it all was obvious and I'm glad Millar didn't even try to drag that out. Where the book goes from here is a bit of a question mark. [***3/4]

X-Men: Prelude to Schism #2: I'm getting Schism and enjoyed the first issue of this lead-in series enough that I figured I'd just stick with it. Oddly, this issue takes place within the first issue, but mostly before it. It would be weird if it actually moves backwards, ending with the reveal of the threat. Otherwise, this was a step down. The Magneto story was more heavy-handed and inorganic than the Xavier one last issue. The art wasn't as good. I'm curious to see what the broad shape of this series will be, though. Whatever, it's half over and the world is ending on Saturday anyway. You can't stop that, Cyclops. You can't stop God. [**3/4]

Later

Sketch Reviews (April 14 2011)

Was talking with Tim the Retailer today about some annoying out of print books. I had mentioned that in reference to Jamie Delano's Hellblazer run where the second trade, The Devil You Know is out of print and I wished DC would get off their asses if they're planning on collecting the whole series/getting trades back into print. Another one that's been bugging me is the fifth volume of the Thor Visionaries: Walt Simonson series. Tim the Retailer mentioned that there's a similar problem with those Jack Kirby Fourth World hardcovers and the second volume. So, I looked online and he's right! That volume is out of print/sold privately for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much money. But, is there hope? Did I miss the announcement of DC republishing those books in paperback? Well, shit, I'll wait for those.

Butcher Baker, the Righteous Maker #2: Michelle laughed at the title of this comic when she passed by my desk since it's on the top of the stack (for this very blog post!). I love Joe Casey's villains. He writes the best pure villains in comics right now. The villains that like being bad, that love that lifestyle. Let others write the complicated villains that think they're the heroes of their own stories. They're not evil, they're misunderstood! Not Casey's villains. They're evil and perfectly understood. Huddleston is wowwing me on art, too. [****]

Casanova: Gula #4: I love the way that Moon draws the reflections of Kubark and David X when they break Xeno out. Always have. Always will. I also love the little changes that happened since this first saw print. Against the Day becomes Inherent Vice. Hell, changing the final panels doesn't bug me. Why not do a little self-editing? It's what the big writers used to do a few hundred years back. Samuel Richardson did how many editions of Pamela? What is the definitive text of Ulysses? I'm surprised that more changes aren't made. I admire Fraction's restraint. Sure, the colouring is a change, but whatever -- I have the original editions, too. Different editions with changes like this are just fun. I do love the cover to this comic. In a big part because of the colouring. Maybe I'll try and talk about the colouring sometime. [*****]

New Avengers #11: I like this storyarc. I don't quite understand the point of it yet other than taking two three-issue stories and putting them into a schedule that works for the artists. I do like the shift in Deodato's line work. Not as slick. A little rougher. Some of his work still makes me cringe, though. And Chaykin is Chaykin is Chaykin. [***1/4]

Punishermax #12: The natural extension of last issue along with Born. Jason Aaron has done a very smart thing by taking Ennis's work on the character and just continuing down the same road into areas that even Ennis didn't hint at. The convicts shitting themselves over attacking Frank was funny. God, I surely do love this comic. [****1/4]

Secret Warriors #26: "Wheels Within Wheels" indeed. Funny how this one ends, eh? Definitely an issue where Hickman may have demanded too much of Vitti, because the LMD stuff did not come through in the art. And the way it was paced out, I'm not sure how it could have entirely. Still, that last page... you can't do much but laugh, eh? [****]

S.H.I.E.L.D. ∞: Some answers. Some fun. Some really good art. Some suggestiveness. I liked it. [***3/4]

Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #3: "Hey, never mind that Stephen Segovia drew most of this comic over Yu's layouts with Yu coming in for only the final three pages, let's not put Segovia's name on the cover! Fuck that guy!" The ending of this was pretty obvious from the cover and it still seems stupidly random. Maybe whatever issue of Ultimate Spider-Man that came out this week explains that. What I'm left wondering is how this will affect this mini-series and the way that it's been working... which is pretty well. This issue brought some things to a head a lot quicker than you'd imagine. And, fuck, even I couldn't help but smile at the mistaking an actor on vacation for Fury line... also, Segovia does good work, very much in Yu's style. So far, I've probably been enjoying this mini more than the previous three. Things are just clicking... [***1/2]

The Unwritten #24: The shot of Pauly yelling "SHUT THE FUCKING DOOOOOOOR!!!" is just so awesone. A little bit of Steadman invades the talking critters world. The idea of them climbing to achieve something more than what they are and never getting there despite the 'corruption' of a 'mature' take on the talking critters genre is an interesting idea. Like the other stand-alone issues of this series, a strong read that had me for the whole thing. [****]

Later

CBR Review: Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #2

I recently reviewed Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After last issue focused on the Ultimates, shifting from Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 to this series, this second issue clues us in on what's going on with Nick Fury and his black ops group. The end of the first issue suggested that Fury had turned traitor, selling Super-Soldier Program secrets to China to fund his attempt to take over SHIELD. Mark Millar doesn't immediately address that insinuation, instead developing an alternate story surrounding the sale of Super-Soldier Program secrets. This creation of a parallel story that shows how the Avengers will be coming after the Ultimates is a smart way to build the story when we’ve already seen why the Ultimates will be coming after the Avengers."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1

I recently reviewed Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Ignore the cover with its big 'Death of Spider-Man' banner and the action shot of Nick Fury’s Avengers fighting against the Ultimates, because neither apply to this comic yet. Picking up where Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 left off, this series could have easily been called 'Ultimate Comics Avengers 4' and looks to be not just a culmination of the plot threads begun in the first Ultimate Comics Avengers series, but also some of the ideas and character bits first seen in The Ultimates. It’s a slow start to the big concluding story/half of a big crossover, but that quiet way of easing into the story is very effective, giving a steady rise as the comic goes on until it hits the cliffhanger finish."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #6

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "When the latest X-Men comic was launched, Millar was annoyed because it involved vampires, too, and would run against his very own vampire story. Except the presence of both stories isn’t what hurts Ultimate Comics Avengers 3, it’s the slow build up to a clever-yet-unsatisfying finish. The payoff in the finale isn’t one that seems worth it. It happens and that’s about it. It seems like Millar anticipated such a reaction when a dying vampire Nerd Hulk accuses Captain America of cheating to defeat the vampires and Cap responds that it was tactics. 'It’s not a cheap, anticlimactic finish, it’s just clever!'"

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #5

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #5 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Well, at least the vampires have finally attacked. 'Blade versus the Avengers' has somehow outmatched previous Ultimate Comics Avengers story arcs for its maddeningly slow pace. This is the penultimate issue in the story and it ends in such a way that the desired 'Oh, no, how ever will Nick Fury and his Avengers defeat the evil vampires?!?' isn’t there so much as 'Alright, now what lame "twist" or "surprise" is going to be pulled out of someone’s butt to get this thing done in one issue?' The tension that this comic leaves has nothing to do with the story; It has everything to do with the storytelling. Namely, if so little has happened in five issues, how can one issue wrap up what appears to be quite a lot?"

You can read the rest HERE!

Sketch Reviews (November 24 2010)

Impressions, first thoughts, whatever...

Batman: Odyssey #5: Okay, what the hell did I just read? I have never been as confused reading a comic before as I was reading this one. And, when I stop to think about it, it actually seems fairly simple, just told in the most insane, baffling way possible. That said, the art is fun and the idea that someone has been using Batman and crazy criminals to keep Bruce Wayne occupied and away from doing good... that's a fantastic idea. [**3/4]

Batwoman #0: A nice teaser for the series. JH Williams art is always worth seeing, though I'm not sold on Amy Reeder as the other artist on the book. She's competent, but nowhere in the same league. The way she draws people and hair reminds me of Howard Porter's art. We'll have to see if the writing of the series is enough to keep me on board for her issues. [***1/2]

Captain America #612: Butch Guice brought his a-game to this issue. Very energetic, dark art that provided mood and some cool action scenes. Brubaker's writing is back in top form, too. This seems like the arc that reminds everyone just how great this book can be. [****]

Scalped #43: The two Jasons deliver a strong done-in-one story about Sheriff Karnow. A sad little man that makes himself feel big by talking a big game and lying like crazy. Where he fits into the larger picture is still somewhat vague (if he does at all). LaTour's art is great. Thick lines, cartoony style that boils every image down to its essence. Very energetic. Great issue. [****1/4]

Secret Warriors #22: Nick Fury is a cold-blooded motherfucker. And damned if JT didn't deserve it. Alex was right way back when. "Night" moved the plot along quickly with nothing the same now as it was before the story began. I really enjoyed the little coda at the end. And Vitti with IFS on art? This how this comic is supposed to look. [***3/4]

Thor the Mighty Avenger #6: Finally, the payoff of Thor and Jane with a really great showdown between Thor and Heimdall. I like the different look of Heimdall here and that Chris Samnee didn't feel beholden to the standard version of the character. More than any issue, this one showed just how immature and in need of humility Thor is. Hopefully, from here, he begins to learn it... for two issues. [****]

Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #4: Okay, the opening sequence amused me. The revelation of the vampire in the Iron Man suit was... well, kind of dull, but his fight with Nerd Hulk was fantastic. I still never want to see anyone ink Steve Dillon whose name isn't Steve Dillon, though. Also, dug the bickering between the Stark brothers. An entertaining issue. [***1/4]

Later.

Sketch Reviews (October 27 2010)

Man, working 9-5 is tiring me out... thankfully, it's just until the end of this week plus two days next week and, then, I'm on my regular Sat/Sun shift. I miss my weekdays. Then again, having to go away this past weekend for my sister's wedding didn't really give me a chance to stop and rest much. Ah well. I got comics after work and I'll discuss them briefly per usual.

Batman and Robin #15: A week late for me, but well worth the wait. Not much to say beyond 'I liked this a lot.' [****1/2]

Scalped #42: Wow, some big surprises... and, yet, this issue felt quieter, more contemplative. Aaron and Guera work their asses off and it pays off. Great issue. [****1/4]

Secret Avengers #6: A perfectly fine superhero comic. [***1/4]

Secret Warriors #21: Wow, the art in the first half of the issue just turned me off entirely. Vitti returns with Imaginary Friends Studio for the second half, but the momentum was dead by then. Colak's art wouldn't have looked quite so off if it weren't for the colouring. A disappointing issue. [***]

Ultimate Avengers 3 #3: More of the same. The art is rushed/unfinished, while the story continues at a snail's pace. But, the end of the issue is pretty good. As is the Nick Fury stuff as he continues his powerplay to take over SHIELD. Curious to see how this arc plays out. [**3/4]

I also got CLiNT #2 in the mail from Titan. Read some of it. Looks about the same as the first issue, but with American Jesus thrown in. Maybe Tim and I will discuss it on the podcast. Maybe not. Maybe I'll just yawn a lot, be cranky, and fall asleep mid-sentence. That would be fun.

Later

CBR Review: Nemesis #3

I recently reviewed Nemesis #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Make no mistake about it; Nemesis #3 is Steve McNiven’s show. In the back of the issue, two process pages are given, showing the script, inked art, and final colors. For one of the pages, Millar’s script simply tells McNiven to 'keep this to four panels, each one just being a love-letter [to] violence as [Nemesis] does things to these cops we’ve never seen before.' Millar clearly trusts McNiven to execute the scene with skill, energy, and some pretty screwed up visuals, and the artist does not disappoint with a page of dynamic brutality. Let the man loose and let him do his thing seems to be the approach, and it’s hard to disagree with the results."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #2

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Dillon’s pencils are also an improvement over the first issue, particularly a sequence where Nerd Hulk escapes from the Triskelion and is attacked by vampires. The layouts are simple three- or four-panel pages with bold images made even better by Dillon’s ability to communicate emotions and inner thoughts through facial expressions. The visuals of a vampire in an Iron Man suit pounding on a geeky version of Hulk get the issue off to a good start and set the tone by making the vampires seem like a legitimate threat."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: CLiNT #1

I recently reviewed CLiNT #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The 'WARNING! CONTAINS COMICS!' in the top right corner of the cover is something of an understatement for CLiNT #1; The majority of the 96-page magazine is comprised of comics with the odd, short article here and there to separate them. It’s an interesting package with Mark Millar headlining and editing, while he gets talk show host Jonathan Ross and comedian Frankie Boyle to also contribute."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #1

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Only one week after the conclusion of the second volume of Ultimate Comics Avengers, the beginning of the third ships. Unlike the second volume where Mark Millar spent the first two issues introducing the new characters of the story arc, the Punisher and the first Hulk, he divides this issue in two to introduce us to Blade and Ray Connor, the new Daredevil, ending the issue with an obvious indication of what the plot of this volume is. It’s a stronger way of beginning the story and definitely makes for a denser and more interesting first issue of an arc."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #6

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The conclusion to 'Crime and Punishment,' the second Ultimate Comics Avengers story arc, manages to wrap things up nicely and retroactively make some of the previous, weaker issues look better. While the payoffs here don’t give the overall story a structure that seems to require six issues when four would have done nicely, Mark Millar touches on a lot of small character moments shown in previous issues that deliver here or set the stage for future issues. Plus, there’s two Ghost Riders fighting and call me a sucker, but that’s always pretty cool to me."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews (July 21 2010)

Most of the books I got this week are for reviewing purposes (or books I normally buy and am reviewing). But, there are a trio of Avengers titles that aren't getting reviewed, so I guess I can share a few words on them here...

Avengers #3: Goddamn, I am enjoying the hell out of this book. This is like the anti-Bendis comic, but with the same Bendis dialogue. Lots going on, lots of action, lots of fun with great art by John Romita, Jr. This story isn't going off in any direction that I expected and... yeah, just very, very satisfied with this comic right now. [****]

New Avengers #2: This one less so. It's not bad, but it doesn't blow me away the same way. It follows a similar pattern of tons of action with Bendis's dialogue thrown in and great art, but the story is just less compelling and surprising. Some very nice bits of dialogue, like the Thing's comment about the answer to who would win in a fight between himself and Luke Cage. Just a small step down from Avengers. [***3/4] (Yes, I used three-quarters! It's my blog, I can rate how I want...)

Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #5: This series hasn't impressed me as much as the first one, which didn't really impress me as much as either Ultimates series by Millar and Hitch. This second series has felt like stalling and padding and never getting to the point, this issue no exception. It's like Millar had two issues of story here and just dragged it out. But, hey, that means six issues of Leinil Francis Yu working his magic, which I can live with. Also, there are the odd cool moments like the conversation between Hawkeye and Punisher, or Cash's reaction to War Machine worrying that he may kill him. We'll see how this ends in two weeks. [***]

And that does it for this week. Later.

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #4

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Despite the tease of last issue’s confrontation between the Avengers and Ghost Rider, this issue scales things back a bit to give the origin of Ultimate Ghost Rider and provide some behind-the-scenes stuff with the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. While the issue begins with the Punisher and Ghost Rider mixing it up a little, the rest of the issue indulges in some of the pedestrian attempts at maturity that sometimes afflict Mark Millar’s writing that are really nothing than scenes stolen from movies or laughable attempts at making characters 'edgy.'"

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #3

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With the team in place, Millar dives into how they interact with one another, including the Punisher refusing to go after the Ghost Rider, saying 'Why should I protect the government’s rich friends? These punks probably just got what they deserved,' setting this Punisher apart from the regular one somewhat. Despite using some existing code names and back stories, Millar seems intent on making the Ultimate Avengers its own group that only uses the regular characters as jumping off points. That gives the book a fresher feeling than it might otherwise have."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #2

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Here, War Machine confronts Leonard Williams, now going by Tyrone Cash, in South America, near the house of a criminal that Williams has killed and taken over from. Williams was once a professor at Cambridge, physically limited by disease, and mentor to Banner. Upon turning himself into his own version of the Hulk, he disappeared, becoming a violent mercenary only out for money, women, and slaughter. It’s easy to see why Nick Fury would want him for his black ops group."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1

I recently reviewed Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Only one week after the conclusion of the first volume of Ultimate Comics Avengers, the beginning of the second ships. Unlike the first volume where the threat was readily apparent with the team of Nick Fury’s Avengers already in place, this story begins with a focus on teambuilding without a known enemy -- or, at least, not one that we’re told about. The first new recruit of Fury’s Avengers: Frank Castle, the Punisher."

You can read the rest HERE!