CBR Review: First Wave #3

I recently reviewed First Wave #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "I’m not entirely sure what Brian Azzarello is up to in First Wave. The mini-series is halfway over and it’s not completely clear what the plot is. There are lots of smaller plots involving the various pulp and pulpy superhero characters, but what they add up to and have in common is still a mystery for the most part. Yet, that doesn’t concern me, because Azzarello is clearly weaving a web of plots that show signs of converging soon, possibly in Hidalgo. But, why and what exactly is going on haven’t been explained. It’s an interesting slow build as it works against expectations and how these stories are usually structured. The pacing and build feel more organic and smooth here, lacking the usual ham-fisted manner of throwing a bunch of characters together."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Thor #612

I recently reviewed Thor #612 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "At the end of Thor #611, it seemed as if big things were happening. Thor and his fellow Asgardians learned of the Disir, former Valkyries that were cursed to eat Asgardian souls but never on Asgardian land, attacking the new Hel within Mephisto’s realm. The issue ended with Thor yelling 'To Hell' and the next issue seemed poised to deliver 22 pages of brutal fighting as the Asgardians journeyed to Hell to protect the souls of their departed brothers and sisters. Instead, this issue is a slow grind as the intricacies of the Disir, Hela’s bargain with Loki, and the fears of the Asgardians are all explored in great detail."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Puinishermax #9

I recently reviewed Punishermax #9 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Jason Aaron’s construction of this Bullseye character is unexpected and goes further than you would think. As he’s spent the last couple of issues trying to understand how Frank Castle thinks in order to kill him, he’s shown himself to be utterly psychotic. He’s killed four families in an attempt to recreate the Central Park gunfight where Castle lost his family. He sacrifices a bunch of the Kingpin’s men just to see Castle at work. He’s so casual about it that it’s scary. What makes his insanity stand out is that he doesn’t hesitate, ever. This is all natural to him; this is his logic."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Secret Avengers #3

I recently reviewed Secret Avengers #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It’s amazing how good Mike Deodato is at drawing cosmic. When Secret Avengers was first announced, it seemed like it would be the spiritual successor to Dark Avengers (which was a successor of sorts to Deodato’s run on Thunderbolts with Warren Ellis) with darker stories that take place in the shadows of the Marvel Universe. And, honestly, the book has been just that so far, but who knew that the dark shadows of the Marvel Universe would involve the team going to Mars? Who knew that it would involve the Serpent Crown possessing Nova? And Deodato has done an absolutely fantastic job with those unexpected elements."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: After Dark #1

I recently reviewed After Dark #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "This may seem odd, but the biggest surprise in reading this comic created by Training Day director Antoine Fuqua and actor Wesley Snipes comes from the lack of a character that is obviously Snipes in disguise. When it comes to comics created by an actor, there’s usually a character that is drawn in the actor’s likeness and is obviously the role he would be playing if this got made as a movie. After Dark #1 doesn’t have the Snipes stand-in, thankfully, but that doesn’t stop it from reading somewhat like a movie pitch instead of a proper comic. The plot is a standard quest with the ensemble group that doesn’t quite get along. Even the dark edges Peter Milligan puts on the dialogue at certain points can’t raise the issue above mediocrity."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Wonder Woman #601

I recently reviewed Wonder Woman #601 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "While all of your questions about the new Wonder Woman status quo aren’t answered in the first full issue of J. Michael Straczynski and Don Kramer’s run on the book, a number of them are, including what exactly happened to Paradise Island. In fact, that question is answered in so much detail that this issue isn’t much more than a big pile of exposition that had me wondering where the other half of the issue, the part with the actual story, was. The exposition actually only takes up the first half of the issue, but the second half that follows doesn’t feel fully developed or anything but more exposition, only presented indirectly rather than told straight to us."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews (July 28 2010)

Hey, comics! YEAH! (And even shorter thoughts on them...)

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4: Is that proof that Hurt is Thomas Wayne? The art wasn't as bad as I feared, but the depiction of Savage didn't actually look like him -- the shape of the head and face was off. Whatever. A fine issue. [***]

Rasl #8: I really need to reread the previous issues at some point. But, enjoyable for the background info provided. Not much else there besides that, though. [***]

Thor the Mighty Avenger #2: The other half of the 'pilot episode' of the book. Thor is lost and uncertain, but he can still kick some ass. Chris Samnee fucking brings it to this book. Definitely worth picking up if you weren't sure. [****]

That's it for this week.

The Splash Page Podcast Special Guest Episode 1

With Tim on vacation, I found a replacement for a special episode of the show: Sean Witzke of supervillain. fame. He's a great writer and a really nice guy and we wound up talking for around two-and-a-half hours. We jump from topic to topic quite a bit, but it's a fun conversation with us talking about: King City, Joe Casey, fun comics and Frank Miller, Grant Morrison's Batman, Armond White and criticism, Twitter, action movies, non-comics readers, Alan Moore and other comics writers and ideas, past their prime creators, some movie talk, action in comics, and other random comics stuff. And, as always, it all begins with "We're Hardcore" by Gord Downie. So, enjoy this special episode; Tim and I should be back sometime next week.

You can download and listen to the Splash Page Podcast Special Guest episode 1 HERE!

CBR Review: Darkwing Duck #2

I recently reviewed Darkwing Duck #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "First issues of series like this tend to get all of the notice, but there’s something more interesting about the second issue where you get insight into how the book will really play out when there isn’t all of the first issue pressure and effort. The good news for fans of Darkwing Duck is that things are looking great. After a strong first issue, the debut arc of BOOM!’s new Darkwing Duck ongoing series continues with an equally strong and entertaining second issue. The first issue established the premise of Drake Mallard retired from his vigilante life and struggling with regular life, ending with him considering putting on the costume while, elsewhere, the Fearsome Five has become the Fearsome Four and are making a comeback."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: DV8: Gods and Monsters #4

I recently reviewed DV8: Gods and Monsters #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "If I had one big complaint about DV8: Gods and Monsters it's that, despite strong character work, it lacks a central focus, something that suggests that the story is moving forward instead of being a series of spotlight issues on the members of the group as they live on a primitive alien planet. This issue doesn’t entirely address my concerns, but it does move in the right direction with its focus on Matthew Callahan, the most violent and sociopathic member of the group."

You can read the rest HERE!

Blogathon Wrap-Up

Well, after an extra few days for donations, the final tally raised for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is $155! Thank you to Michelle Farwell, Tim Callahan, Greg Burgas, Patrick Watson, Raymond Conlon, and Tim Meakins for their generous donations. And thanks to everyone else who supported me during the event. Hopefully, I'll do it again next year. I have an idea of what I would like to do and it's a little different, so we'll see if that can happen. Thanks!

CBR Review: Red Mass for Mars #4

I recently reviewed Red Mass for Mars #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The first three issues of the series have been the set-up for this final confrontation as Mars, the Superman-esque hero that landed on Earth in the 9th century, has decided to stand beside the rest of the heroes after some, including his son, have already fallen in a failed attempt to destroy the Hun-Du fleet as it makes its way to Earth. The final battle is bloody and brutal with both sides taking heavy casualties, but the stakes are high with the Hun-Du being parasites that feed upon and control their hosts, reveling in the destruction and control that comes with the conquest."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: X-Factor #207

I recently reviewed X-Factor #207 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With 'Second Coming' out of the way, X-Factor can return to its regularly scheduled plots and style without worrying about what’s going on in the rest of the X-universe. That means, of course, a new case for Madrox: a woman named Halja (who we all recognize with a different name) comes walking through the door, wanting a necklace to be retrieved from a man named Gofern. That seems simple enough, but, in this busy comic, it’s almost forgotten after the other ongoing plots of the title are addressed."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Atlas #3

I recently reviewed Atlas #3 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Parker, though, is paired with a couple of great art teams in the Gabriel Hardman/Elizabeth Breitweiser duo and Ramon Rosanas flying solo. Hardman’s drawing style is sketchy and bold, using extreme contrasts of light often. He does dynamic action well, especially towards the end of the issue. Where he’s most impressive is in his presentation of the events that befell the Chandlers with a much more impressionistic style that stands out from the rest of his art. Breitweiser’s colors reflect the extremes in Hardman’s art, using simple colors for the most part. Together, they produce page after page of interesting, bold, compelling art. It’s the sort of art that you can spend a lot of time poring over."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Amazing Spider-Man #638

I recently reviewed Amazing Spider-Man #638 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Two-and-a-half years and nearly 100 issues later, Amazing Spider-Man returns to 'One More Day' to answer the lingering questions raised by that story and the deal made between Mephisto and Peter Parker and his then-wife Mary Jane. Reactions to 'One More Day' were decidedly on the negative sign, but the 'Brand New Day' status quo that followed has won over many, especially in recent months with a series of solid stories with great art on the title, so, if there were ever a time for Marvel to play off the good will of Spider-fans and return to the subject matter that pissed so many of them off, now is it. And, the first part of 'One Moment in Time,' the story that will show how it happened that Peter and Mary Jane never married is a solid, interesting read."

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: Daytripper #8

I recently reviewed Daytripper #8 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Brás de Oliva Domingos, the protagonist of Daytripper, doesn’t appear in this issue and it’s the best so far. Instead of focusing on an event in Brás’ life, Moon and Bá focus on events where he’s absent. His lack of presence being his presence. While he’s never shown on panel, he’s felt throughout the entire issue as his wife, Ana, and son, Miguel, miss him while he’s doing a book tour. It’s a heartfelt issue and, if you’ve read Daytripper so far, you know how it’s going to end, but that doesn’t stop you from getting sucked in and feeling the hurt and heartbreak on that final page. That Moon and Bá can elicit such a strong reaction is an amazing and wondrous thing."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: The Man with the Getaway Face

I recently reviewed The Man with the Getaway Face for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Last year, Darwyn Cooke’s graphic novel adaptation Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter was one of the best-loved and critically acclaimed comics released, and the anticipation is high for this year’s adaptation of The Outfit. High enough that the release of the prelude/preview, adapting The Man with the Getaway Face was a huge hit at this year’s WonderCon -- so much so that many of us who didn’t attend were a little bit jealous of those who did. Thankfully, IDW recognized the demand for the book and released it through Diamond. And, honestly, you’re not likely to find a better way to spend two dollars any time soon."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Officer Downe #1

I recently reviewed Officer Downe #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Remember Tackleberry from the Police Academy films? Played by the late David Graf, he was the semi-psycho member the gang, obsessed with the law and not afraid to bust some heads to get the job done. He was the sort of guy who, when asked by a frustrated mom to help get her son to leave the car and go to school, responded by shooting a smoke grenade through the back window. Terrence Downe is a bit like that if you turned the volume up to 11 and also made him basically immortal in the wonderfully over-the-top and ultraviolent Office Downe by the “Nixon’s Pals” creative team of Joe Casey and Chris Burnham."

You can read the rest HERE!

The Splash Page Podcast Episode 25

This week's episode is up. In it, we talk about Tim's comics workshop that he ran this week, various comics from this week including Superman #701, Batman #701, Daytripper #8, two Joe Casey books, and loads of other random stuff before, during, and after. It all begins with "We're Hardcore" by Gord Downie and I'm off to finish reading books for tomorrow's blogathon.

You can download and listen to the Splash Page Podcast episode 25 HERE!

(Edit: I bumped this up in case some people didn't see it.)