CBR Review: Batman #688

I recently reviewed Batman #688 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The main repetition is a discussion between Alfred and Dick as Dick struggles with his new role as Batman, adjusting to the costume and the attitude. The scene here is more comedic and lighthearted than in Batman and Robin with Alfred amused that one of his duties is now 'pacifying a neurotic Batman.' The different tone allows the scene to be its own, but it reads like a second-rate knockoff of last week’s powerful discussion between the characters -- again, not Winick’s fault, but it’s hard to ignore."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Wednesday Comics #1

I recently reviewed Wednesday Comics #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "But, the format works extremely well, each page gorgeous and unique with a healthy mix of artists known for their superhero work and artists that fall outside the regular DC stable. More than that, each of the 15 pages has its own look and style that isn’t replicated elsewhere, something that’s harder to pull off than you’d think. Chiarello has assembled a diverse and interesting collection of creators."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Greek Street #1

I recently reviewed Greek Street #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "On the basis of the one dollar price tag for 40 pages of story, Greek Street #1 deserves a look. In that regard, I cannot recommend this issue highly enough, because you would be a fool to not check it out. If my review were simply of the format/price, the book would warrant five stars, because Vertigo’s new initiative to provide low-cost first issues is a brilliant move, but this is a review of the content of this excellently priced comic and that’s where things get a little bit murky."

You can read the rest HERE!

I Bought Comics: The Day After Canada Day 2009

[Back to the same old, same old. NOT PROPER REVIEWS AT ALL!]

Batman and Robin #2

I liked this. Not sure what else to say.

The Boys #32

Someone's gonna get fuuuuuuuuuuucked. Wasn't sure that it was Annie here at first, though. The fight is brutal and it's nice to see the group against enemies that require more than brawling. Looking forward to next issue.

Cerebus Archive #2

I haven't actually read this yet. I will, though. I've been busy with various other things.

Strange Adventures #5

So... Manuel Garcia is gone and so is Rafael Alburquerque... but Starlin steps up to do the main story's art... not bad. This series is somewhat entertaining.

Uncanny X-Men #513

Combine this issue and last week's Utopia one-shot and you get a great beginning to this crossover... if you imagine them as one comic. Stupid slow comics. Otherwise, I like this idea and the vague ambiguity about how much Cyclops knows about Emma working for Osborn.

That's it for now.

CBR Review: Captain America: Reborn #1

I recently reviewed Captain America: Reborn #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The dialogue that narrates the opening of the issue is the perfect primer for new readers as it gives the essential plot points to get you up to speed, while a scene where the Falcon and Sharon Carter enlist the help of Hank Pym reveals other pertinent details. Brubaker’s dialogue rarely seems forced in these revelations and adds enough new events or perspectives to keep those already in the know entertained. It’s a hard trick to pull off, Brubaker does it well."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Irredeemable #4

I recently reviewed Irredeemable #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After three issues, we finally get to see how the world is reacting to the Plutonian’s villainous turn, which has included destroying at least one city, and killing millions. While the focus up until now has been the Plutonian’s former allies trying to find out anything they can about him, this issue touches upon the world in a bigger way, with the United Nations preparing a response."

You can read the rest HERE!

The Best of 2009: Halfway Mark Rankings

Since we're halfway through the year, I want to give a look at where my top ten list for this year is. I did the same thing last year and the list changed quite a bit by the end of year, so who knows what will happen with this one. As well, this year, I'm adding an extra short list of books that seem like good contenders to crack the top ten, but haven't yet for whatever reason -- mostly for a lack of issues.

Halfway Mark Top Ten of 2009

1. Young Liars: No surprise here.
2. Scalped: Again, no surprise.
3. Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye: Some damn fine writing by Morrison and damn fine art by Stewart.
4. The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone: I really enjoyed this when I read the advance .pdf. It should be out in the next month or two.
5. Captain Britain and MI:13: "Vampire State" has been extremely strong.
6. Godland: The regular schedule really helps this book.
7. Secret Warriors: Jonathan Hickman is writing the hell out of this book.
8. Captain America: We'll see what Brubaker does with the resurrection of Steve Rogers, but this year has been a bit weaker in general so far.
9. The Boys: Another weaker year with "We Gotta Go Now" dragging out a bit much, but it ended very well and the latest arc kicked off with a bang.
10. Ghost Rider: Basically, the three Tony Moore issues put this series here.

Contenders/Books to Watch

Batman & Robin: Only one issue released as of the end of June, but a very strong one. The most likely book to jump into the top ten -- and in a high spot probably.

Unwritten: Again, a victim of lack of issues. This book shows a lot of promise and may take Young Liars's spot as far as Vertigo love goes.

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance and Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape: Only two issues of each, but both are rather good. Escape needs to show that it can provide a compelling narrative by the end, while Dance may get sunk by shit art.

Gravel: A solid 3.5 stars book that seems poised to take that leap above its current level.

Irredeemable: The first three issues have been strong and Waid's comments suggest that it will only get better.

That's where we are at the halfway mark. Bring on the second half of 2009.

CBR Review: Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #1

I recently reviewed Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Because no one demanded it, another Deadpool ongoing title featuring an artist known primarily for his work on Star Wars comics and a novelist who’s never written comics before that will almost certainly be cancelled within a year! And, if the first issue is any indication, there will be some outrage from the hardcore Deadpool fans, while everyone else simply shrugs and mumble about how they thought the book had been axed three months earlier."

You can read the rest HERE!

glamourpuss #1-3 (almost) for free!

You've all heard me talk on and on about how great Dave Sim's examination of the history of the photorealism art style in comics is in glamourpuss, and now there's a chance for you to check it out for yourself. Sim has put up a .pdf of the first three issues' worth of the historical material one for free and you can download it here! Give it a look.

CBR Review: The Muppet Show #4

I recently reviewed The Muppet Show #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After three issues spotlighting Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo the... uh, what is Gonzo again? Anyway, Roger Langridge turns his attention in this issue to the natural fit for this group of four, Miss Piggy. Having each issue of this series revolve around these four characters has been a great way to structure it and to give each issue a singular focus to base that episode of The Muppet Show around."

You can read the rest HERE!

I Bought Comics: Dark Reign: Zodiac #1 Review plus Two Quick Ones

[Trying something different: doing proper reviews for some books I buy. Not quite proper, but done in the CBR format. If I feel like it. Other books get the quick treatment, I suppose. Only because I don't feel like reviewing them properly. Or at all. That's the way it goes. Yay. Enjoy.

Title: Dark Reign: Zodiac #1
Story by: Joe Casey
Art by: Nathan Fox
Colours by: Jose Villarrubia
Letters by: Albert Deschesne
Cover by: Nathan Fox
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover price: $3.99 (USD)
Release Date: June 24th, 2009
Rating: 4
Blurb: Guess who’s back. Back again. Casey’s back. Back again.

Along with Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance, I think it’s safe to say that Joe Casey’s back. Okay, he wasn’t really gone, but, aside from Gødland, he hadn’t really been writing anything that great for a while now. Charlatan Ball, Youngblood, and The Death-Defying ‘Devil were all... well, they invented words like ‘mediocre’ and ‘lacklustre’ for works like those. But not Dark Reign: Zodiac #1 where Casey places the work clearly within his own little private Marvel continuity that includes his runs on Cable, The Incredible Hulk, Deathlok, and even his Heroes Reborn: Masters of Evil one-shot despite this being a different Whirlwind technically.

Joe Casey does free-wheeling, off-the-wall dialogue better than almost anyone and his Zodiac talks circles around people. There’s an obvious hint of Ledger’s Joker here, but also Nickelhead from Gødland... in a recent interview regarding that supervillain series he’s doing for Dynamite relating to that Project Superpowers thing, Casey discusses how he likes his villains to have a nihilistic feel about them — that they embrace their villainous lifestyle and that’s what this book is about. People like to say that no one sees himself as a villain, but Casey calls that bullshit... because it is. Some people would, but in that glorious rebellious way where it’s less of a genuine evil motivation and more of a cultural identity one. Zodiac declares himself a villain, partly because he’s a bad guy, but more because he likes the idea of being a bad guy, the way that someone likes being a punk or a goth... being a villain is just an identity that this guy has embraced.

He’s joined by various ancillary characters from the Marvel universe to make up his little group, Casey once again showing that he knows his stuff. Remember, Wizard once called Casey the next Kurt Busiek because of his use of old characters no one remembers. I find this third appearance of the Clown in a Casey book an interesting one since he resembles the Clown that appeared in Casey’s Hulk run instead of the one from Deathlok. It’s the same character, but, visually, the two are distinct and I’m kind of surprised that Nathan Fox (perhaps at Casey’s urging, perhaps not) went with this one. This version is small, fat, comedic... whereas the thinner, more punk-ish Clown from Deathlok seems more appropriate for this tone of this book. It’s an interesting choice.

Nathan Fox fits this book perfectly. His frantic energy matches Casey’s so damn well. I love the way Fox draws Johnny Storm — almost the way that Zodiac views the character. The colouring is a bit too dark and muddled for my taste at times, but it’s also appropriate. I dunno. Otherwise, he really brings life to these characters, even Zodiac, who could fall flat given his mask. I love his inclusion of sound effects throughout the issue, too.

The revelation of Zodiac’s real face at the end... is that supposed to be someone we know? He looks familiar, but he’s not ringing any bells. But, yeah, this is a pretty good book and I’m looking forward to the next two issues. Along with The Last Defenders, Casey shows again that he can take the overlying plot of the Marvel universe and give a different perspective on it. In that case, it was a different view of Stark’s Initiative program, here’s it’s Osborn’s ‘Dark Reign.’

Detective Comics #854

What can I say that Jog hasn't already? Gorgeous fucking comic. I got this issue to see if I'd bother with future ones and I think I will. Rucka's writing is in top form here, coupled with Williams's art... AND the bonus of Cully Hamner? Well, how can you say no?

New Avengers #54

Billy Tan is done! Stuart Immonen is coming! Keep on rockin' in the free world!

CBR Review: Secret Warriors #5

I recently reviewed Secret Warriors #5 and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Since this issue is mostly action, artist Stefano Caselli is leaned on heavier than any issue in the past to carry things and he does so well, for the most part. While he shines during the fighting, having no problems depicting humans or machines in battle, there are also panels that call for more subtle looks or body language that he doesn’t always pull off. That’s a slight criticism, though, as he does improve with each issue and you can still understand what he’s getting at."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Berserker #1

I recently reviewed Berserker #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "That said, with a zero issue and a first issue, you would assume that things would be beyond the most basic of stages in characterization and concept, but they’re not. Both Farris and Aaron are barely sketched out with only the barest of hints about what lays behind their abilities available. One scene tries to give some perspective with agents from Midgard and Asgaard fighting, tying into the Norse aspect of the berserker, but not much is actually revealed in that scene."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Dark Avengers #6

I recently reviewed Dark Avengers #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Ever see a sequel to a really great movie that’s basically the same as the first, but just on a bigger scale? Instead of saving the city from doom, the hero now saves the country or the world? It’s really not any different and, while pleasant, it’s nowhere near as good as the first one. Most of the lines are the same, the characters haven’t really changed, and it’s missing the magic that made the first so wonderful. That’s what Dark Avengers is beginning to feel like."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1

I recently reviewed Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "There are two main problems with this issue. The first is that the length of story seems drawn out to accommodate the increased page count that a special of this nature demands. Fraction does try to fill the pages with different aspects of the riot, but even that doesn’t hide the fact that this could have been a regular-sized issue without anything getting lost. Some scenes work nicely, like Cyclops confronting Toad, or when the Avengers arrive on the scene. The way that Spider-Man/Venom sizes up Colossus and leaps in battle with joy is wonderful."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Thor #602

I recently reviewed Thor #602 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "J. Michael Straczynski has been fearless in his Thor run, unafraid to take the characters in new directions and alter the status quo, which he continues in this issue as Thor solves one problem while creating another with a little help from Dr. Strange. Which raises another consistent element to Straczynski’s run: not knowing where it fits in with the rest of the Marvel universe."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Young Liars #16

I recently reviewed Young Liars #16 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The construction of the issue as a two-part song is reflected in the way that Lapham tells the story. The first half of the issue is told all in the same page layout: three stacked panels. There is no variation, aside from the first page where the usual placement of the title precludes using that layout (although the title almost acts as a middle panel). Not only that, but there is no dialogue in these panels, just Ronald’s narration combined with various images that Lapham chooses carefully, often coming back to images of duality."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: The Boys: Herogasm #2

I recently reviewed The Boys: Herogasm #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "This issue is an improvement over the first which, while good, never really progressed beyond the one or two jokes Ennis could tell about superheroes doing drugs and having lots of sex. In this issue, Ennis builds on some of the ideas hinted at towards the end of last issue, like Vic the Veep’s arrival at the Herogasm, and the Boys’ presence."

You can read the rest HERE!

I Bought Comics: The Middle Weeks of June 2009

[I wrote five reviews on Wednesday, so I'm reviewed out until after this weekend where I'm getting out of town with my girlfriend. It's her birthday and she wants to visit her parents, so off we go. The point: as always, these aren't reviews, they're just whatever thoughts pop into my head.]

The Unwritten #2

I really enjoyed the first issue of this book and the second issue continues in the same vein. Not sure if this will get a spot on my pull list since I usually give books 4-6 issues before making that determination, but this has a very good shot.

Captain America #600

As I pointed out over at Comics Should be Good, this is actually the second Marvel comic to centre around the one-year anniversary of Steve Rogers's death. And, as others have said, this is a another good chapter in Ed Brubaker's run, but it's not exactly the sort of comic you base a big media push around. It's based very much on context and a solid knowledge of what came before. It's rather good, but I really am curious how much it would grab a guy off the street. I really loved the inclusion of a Golden Age Cap comic with some art that is weird and wild and just fantastic.

Captain Britain and MI:13 #14

Paul Cornell writes the hell out of this comic, pulling back from the end of last issue with a major twist that makes perfect sense and doesn't feel like a cheat. Everyone else, take notes, and learn. Only one more issue left. Dammit.

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #2

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand ChrisCross is gone already? The comic suffers as a result, because the pair of artists that step in can't quite match him. Comparisons to The Intimates continue as the horrible art that plagued the end of that series happens here in the second issue. Compare this issue to the first and you can see with crystal clear accuracy just how much bad art can hurt an issue. And I don't meant to dump on the artists here, but their work is ugly, cluttered, and pretty bad, and the issue reads bad as a result. Joe Casey's writing is butchered here. We'll see how it reads in the future, but this issue was a disappointment despite Casey hitting all of the right moments, expanding on his character building, and, again, giving us action that dovetails with the vapid nature of the group. But, goddamn.

CBR Review: Madman Atomic Comics #16

I recently reviewed Madman Atomic Comics #16 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "It’s weird, but this issue of Madman Atomic Comics begins with a 12-page story by Jamie S. Rich and Joëlle Jones that is actually stronger than the Mike Allred story that follows it. 'Last Night the Atomics Saved My Life!' follows a teenage girl as she details her obsession with the band the Atomics and, most importantly, its front man, Adam Balm."

You can read the rest HERE!