CBR Review: Thor the Mighty Avenger #3

I recently reviewed Thor the Mighty Avenger #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After the two-issue introduction to this version of Thor and the world he inhabits, Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee open it up with appearances by Loki, Giant-Man, and the Wasp in a wonderfully exciting and entertaining issue. This issue is packed with emotion and passion as Thor tries to come to terms with where he is, why he’s there, and what he’s lost in the process. The issue is packed with enough story to fill two or three other comics, but it doesn’t feel overly dense or sluggish. The storytelling is economical and breezy, making the most of each panel and piece of dialogue."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: The Thanos Imperative #3

I recently reviewed The Thanos Imperative #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Ah, the inevitable exposition issue. Every story arc has one, especially if the story doubles as an event/crossover book. It's the issue where the non-stop action slows down so some key plot points can be explained, hopefully without boring the audience so much that they ‘forget’ to pick up the next issue. Abnett and Lanning don’t bore in this issue, but the exposition is lacking in delivering a believable and comprehensive explanation of how the Cancerverse came to be despite the point of divergence being a smart one."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #2

I recently reviewed Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With James maintaining the Captain America mantle and Steve acting as a supporting cast member in that title, while leading a team in Secret Avengers, a mini-series focuses on him doing something alone is exactly what’s needed after his absence from and return to the Marvel universe. Ed Brubaker packs in the right balance of action and character work to make for a satisfying read. With Rogers returned from his time-skipping, it makes a lot of sense to write a story that involves his origin as Captain America, and Brubaker does so, remarkably, without any major retcons or forcing the issue too much."

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: Hack/Slash: My First Maniac #3

I recently reviewed Hack/Slash: My First Maniac #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The mini-series telling the story of Cassie’s first ‘case’ is more than halfway over, and this issue explains what the rumors about Farmer Fig’s place are all about as Cassie struggles to fit in with the teens in her new home, while more teens are killed. The issue effectively sets up the final issue’s resolution to the plot, while also revealing more about Cassie’s character through her overwrought narration."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Morning Glories #1

I recently reviewed Morning Glories #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The issue kicks off with a bang by showing an escape attempt from the school. No explanation for what’s so wrong is given, but something clearly is if a group of students plot an escape by blowing up part of the school. Instead of teasing the point, Spencer gets it right out there: Morning Glory Academy isn’t what it seems. Though it appears to be a premier prep school that caters to only the best and the brightest, the reality is far different. How the image and reality both manage to exist is, perhaps, the most interesting question, since the school is successful in graduating top students that go on to Ivy League schools. That tension hangs over the issue as we’re introduced to six new students who have no idea what they’re getting themselves into (though we don’t entirely either)."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews (August 11 2010)

Man, today's comics didn't excite me a lot ahead of time, but I enjoyed them. Nice when that happens.

Avengers: The Origin #5: Finally got a copy of this. "Finally" meaning... a week later. Oh how I suffered! I had to wait a week for a conclusion to a story that I... already know. Why my, lord? WHY ME? Anyway, this was... not entirely good. I love Casey's interpretations of the characters, but, by giving them more depth, he also makes the whole 'forming the Avengers' thing seem forced and contrived. When they got to that part, it seemed like he'd written a story where these characters should go off on their own, vowing to never see one another again, because this fiasco was such a pain in the ass -- instead, they decide to form a club. It's meant to be big and awe-inspiring, especially with the flashforwards to big Avengers moments, but it's so disjointed from what came before that it's like they spliced together two different stories. Maybe it will read better as a whole (something I don't plan on finding out until next year's blogathon). Phil Noto draws pretty pictures, but his figures can be very stilted. I think that adds to the disjointed conclusion in a way I can't quite articulate yet. Maybe come July/August 2010. [**1/2]

Daytripper #9: Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa? Love the bulkier/more cartoony style used for young Bras by Moon. I think I understand. Maybe? I do love stories like this. The sort that makes you reflect upon yourself... yeah. I don't know what to say. [****1/2]

Superman #702: Of course, the problem is that there aren't any aliens or Supermen to create new jobs in Detroit... That's the problem with using the real world in your stories of hope, isn't it? They simply wind up reminding you that there isn't any really. There's just a kind of shitty comic that does the exact opposite of its goal. [*]

The Unwritten #16: I don't know about you, but Wilson Taylor's gambit got me jazzed up. You thought it was going one way and BAM! There is a new Tommy Taylor book and it's meant to make his son into Jesus. That's pretty fucked up right there. Interested to see where this series goes from here. Glad I stuck with it. [****]

Later.

CBR Review: Sparta, U.S.A. #6

I recently reviewed Sparta, U.S.A. #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With Sparta under Nazi occupation on the orders of its founder/figurehead, the Maestro, former football hero Godfrey McLaine has created an underground resistance with the two forces engaging fully in this issue. Lapham plays upon the Sparta name to allude to the 300 Spartans that stood against the Persians (most comics fans will be familiar with Frank Miller’s rendition of that story), while also combining that with football and how the town’s obsession with the sport gives its citizens a stronger understanding of teamwork and strategy. The football element doesn’t land as strongly as it could, while the Spartan allusion seems more cute than anything else."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Greek Street #14

I recently reviewed Greek Street #14 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The news of Greek Street ending with issue 16 was met as being part of the larger story of various Vertigo books being cancelled lately. A few have lamented that this series will be ending so soon, but, for most, it makes sense. I’ve bought every issue and I’m not too surprised that this book isn’t lighting up the sales charts, because its quality varies on an issue-to-issue basis. Things seemed to be in an upswing with the end of the second story arc as characters and ideas began to cohere. Even the first issue of the three-part 'Ajax' showed that Greek Street just needed some time to get into a good groove. The end of 'Ajax,' though, is a disappointment, lacking a strong payoff to the story."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Supergod #4

I recently reviewed Supergod #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "I never understood other people’s reactions to Supergod. Sure, it was an oral history, a lecture in comics form, but it was interesting. It struck me that Warren Ellis was mapping out another way to approach superhumans that had only been hinted at previously: the superhuman as a completely different species. Something alien. For all of the talk of superhumans or mutants or whatever being different from humanity, they rarely act like it for the sake of making them interesting to read about month in and month out. In Supergod, Ellis explores that idea with superhumans created to be gods, created to solve all our problems, created to be alien and inhuman. In Supergod #4, the supergods created finally clash and the results are apocalyptic."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Spitfire #1

I recently reviewed Spitfire #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Over a year since Captain Britain and MI:13 ended, Paul Cornell returns to one of the book’s members with a Spitfire one-shot that’s part of Marvel’s 'Women of Marvel' initiative. With Cornell now a DC exclusive, this could be the last chance for fans of the title to see him handling some of the characters for a few years, at least, and Cornell does not disappoint. While the comic stars and focuses on Spitfire, Blade also features prominently as Cornell continues to build on their relationship with one another as they go vampire hunting in New York City."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Thor: The Rage of Thor #1

I recently reviewed Thor: The Rage of Thor #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The unstated irony of this story is that Odin continually refers to Thor’s need for humility and, in the process, puts Thor into a position where he is Asgard’s only hope. Milligan taps into the competition between father and son, using that as the driving point for their conflict. Odin sees that his son is his rival in strength and power, so he pushes him down needlessly, driving Thor away until it’s essential that he return. It’s a pattern that we’ve seen numerous times before, but Milligan does well. By also showing us Thor’s life as Tor, a regular human, we see him happy and content in a way that he rarely is in Asgard. Thor even critiques Asgardian life harshly late in the issue in a way that hasn’t been done before, giving the character an unseen dimension."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Batman: Odyssey #2

I recently reviewed Batman: Odyssey #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After all, this is an issue where an early Batman adventure is shown where he prevents people from being killed in a train explosion by shooting at them with guns before making nice with a little old lady. People think he’s a vampire out to suck their blood! There’s a level of goofy camp to Adams’ writing where everything is treated with the utmost seriousness despite what’s happening being utterly silly. Even his over-the-top narration when Batman is shot continuously by a couple of criminals feeds that disconnect with the art looking comedic as copious amounts of blood spill out of the hero and his body contorts into a variety of mind-boggling positions, never falling."

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!

CBR Review: Avengers Prime #2

I recently reviewed Avengers Prime 32 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Brian Michael Bendis is taking an interesting approach to Avengers Prime, the series meant to bridge the gap between Siege and 'The Heroic Age,' at least when it comes to the relationships of Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Thor. After the trio was transported to one of the Nine Realms last issue, they’ve stayed separated to face their own different problems, presumably so that when they reunite, they’ll learn the value of sticking together and not bickering all of the time. It’s an effective way to settle the differences the characters have, while also providing a broad view of the problems facing the Nine Realms as Bendis picks up on an untouched consequence of Asgard being on Earth."

You can read the rest HERE!

The Splash Page Podcast Episode 26

Tim and I have returned to talk about comic books in podcast form once again. There are some technical problems with Tim's side of the conversation, but it's either that or no podcast. I chose that. In this week's episode we discuss: our vacations, last week's podcast, Return of Bruce Wayne #4, how we buy the comics we review, Tim's iPad, Jason Latour, "One Moment in Time," computer lettering and colours, the thing about Tim and soccer, other sports, Batman: Odyssey #2, DC teaser images, this week's comics, Jeff Parker comics, and The Great Gatsby and modernist writers. Plus, there's "We're Hardcore" by Gord Downie, which I did a new intro version of that should sound better.

You can download and listen to the Splash Page Podcast episode 26 HERE!

CBR Review: Amazing Spider-Man #639

I recently reviewed Amazing Spider-Man #639 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "While the first part of 'One Moment in Time' mixed Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 with new material by Quesada and Paolo Rivera, this issue is those two artists (aside from some flashback panels from other comics) with a more coherent feel. With Peter prevented from making the wedding thanks to a cinderblock to the head, this issue picks up immediately after and has Peter trying to explain what happened to Mary Jane. To her credit, she doesn’t need an explanation and sees that Spider-Man will always be the third person in their relationship and, sadly, someone that will always come before her. That leaves the two broken up with the second half of the issue needing to put them back together again."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews (August 4 2010)

Another big week of comics for me, but that means lots of CBR reviews to write (the most I've ever done in one week, I believe). But, that comes off a month where I had my most reviews published on the site: thirty-three. That's more than one per day. It was also apparently a bunch of comics I liked since it was my highest star-average month ever, too. There were three five-star books... all deserving, but that was unusual and helped to skew things. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age. Anyway, here are the books I'm not reviewing for CBR...

The Boys #45: Weird thing: on the 'letter column' page of Dynamite books (more just a hype/bullpen page... whatever you want to call it), there's always a section where they quote short snippets of reviews. My review of The Boys #43 for CBR is quoted... twice... in a row... I've never seen that happen before. I did really like the issue. This issue is strong as we get some fall-out of Annie's big revelation last issue. As she tries to explain, the flashbacks of what's happened with the Boys going on in Hughie's head is great. Russ Braun fits into this book so well. If we can't have Robertson, Braun is a fantastic second choice. I'm starting to find reading this book monthly frustrating, because Ennis is really making it compelling and has me thinking the issues are too short and why isn't it next month already...? Fuck. Plus, the Female in a blonde wig? [****]

Captain America #608: Things fall apart more. Zemo is just taking James's life apart, barely appearing in this issue. It's methodical and effective. The art isn't as strong in places, falling really flat. A pretty typical issue of the series... [***3/4]

Casanova #2: Part of me wishes that Fabio Moon was doing the covers for that great contrast of the Twins on art. Issues 2 and 3 of Casanova are represented here and... I just love this book. The feel of it -- the tone -- the execution... yeah, just what my brain craves. This issue, I really picked up on the new lettering and have fallen in love with it. The colouring is still doing its thing while the different, more Criminal-esque backmatter is pretty great, too. If this keeps up its schedule, then the first Wednesday of the month will be Boys/Casanova Day and... that just makes me happy. [*****]

Secret Warriors #18: I'm assuming Fury lost the use of his left eye during the Zodiac Event... that was the only detail that really jumped out at me in this issue. Not a bad issue, just not one that stands out on its down as much. As well, Vitti's art looked a little sloppy/rushed/unfinished. [***1/4]

S.H.I.E.L.D. #3: Yeah, that was really, really, really fucking good. I still find Weaver's art somewhat inconsistent. Some pages/panels are stunning, while others show some really sloppy elements around the edges. His faces, for example, are weak usually. Hickman is writing with such confidence... this is the closest thing to his Image work that he's done for Marvel. I love the joke of the two text pages. Definitely sold on this series. [****1/2]

Now, to the pile of books that need proper reviews... dammit...

"Minutes to Midnight: Twelve Essays on Watchmen" in October

In October, Sequart will be publishing Minutes to Midnight: Twelve Essays on Watchmen, which features an essay I contributed titled "Mr. Moore, Meet Mr. Chandler: Watchmen and 'Twelve Notes on the Mystery Story'" based upon my blog post where I applied Raymond Chandler's "Twelve Notes on the Mystery Story" to Watchmen. I expanded that fragmentary post into a larger essay that reads (I hope) a bit more coherently. You can find more details on the collection here. It will be available online through the likes of Amazon and Lulu, but also in comic shops via Diamond (it's in the August issue of Previews). You'll note that Tim Callahan has an essay in the book as well and I like how they stuck our names together on the cover. Personally, I think they should have stuck our names first and capitalised on our celebrity, but that's just me...

Anyway, order yourself a copy, because it's sure to be the comics criticism darling of the season and you wouldn't want to miss out on that, would you?

CBR Review: Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #2

I recently reviewed Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Coupled with the main plot, we’re also shown who this zombie is and how he came to be guarding the crate holding the Burgonet. Some of his story was shown in the first issue, but a more complete version is shown here. It doesn’t quite tug at the heartstrings, but I don’t think that is the point really. It seems more a demonstration that weird stuff happens to random people sometimes, especially, apparently, in post-World War II Soviet Union. The assignment of the soldier to the submarine is a weird scene and is played straight enough to make it even weirder."

You can read the rest HERE!