CBR Review: Daredevil #504

I recently reviewed Daredevil #504 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The conflict between Murdock’s Hand and Osborn’s H.A.M.M.E.R. could be interesting, but isn’t presented as such here. The direct confrontations are barely shown; Andy Diggle relies on Murdock and Osborn talking about how they’re going to take the other down; there’s far too much telling and not nearly enough showing here. Osborn’s conversation with Bullseye is very good, though, as Osborn raises Bullseye’s continued inability to defeat Murdock. Osborn likens it to Murdock simply being that one opponent that has Bullseye’s number, an interesting way to reconcile Bullseye’s past failures and maintain his ‘badass killer’ status."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Secret Warriors #12

I recently reviewed Secret Warriors #12 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The origins of Leviathan most likely extend further back than post-World War II as Nick Fury suggests here since it seems all of the organization spotlighted in Secret Warriors have their roots in groups from centuries ago, but the idea that Leviathan comes out of the Soviet Union’s covert ops/spying arm fills a gap in the battle between these forces. With S.H.I.E.L.D. coming out of the United States and Hydra springing from the ashes of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, the omission of a Soviet-based group is glaring in retrospect."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: The Unknown: The Devil Made Flesh #4

I recently reviewed The Unknown: The Devil Made Flesh #4 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The second The Unknown mini-series concludes with this week’s issue four. It’s an entertaining finish, but doesn’t quite have the boldness of the mini’s beginning issues. The Devil Made Flesh started off so surprising and fearless that creating a conclusion that matches it was a tall order. Mark Waid and Minck Oosterveer come close but fall short just barely; this issue comes off as more a set-up for the next mini-series rather than a conclusion for this one."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: New Avengers #61

I recently reviewed New Avengers #61 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Those looking to purchase New Avengers #61 to make their collection of Siege related comics complete may feel a little cheated since there’s not a lot of Norman-Osborn-invading-Asgard action going on these pages. In fact, the events of Siege are only hinted at in a vague way, but that doesn’t stop this from being a pretty good issue of New Avengers with not just Stuart Immonen on art, but Daniel Acuña also coming on board to handle some scenes between Spider-Man and Spider-Woman."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1

I recently reviewed Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Despite being aimed at kids, many elements of Transformers have always struck me as more mature and adult than normal children’s fare. Take, for instance, the animated Transformers: The Movie, which features the wholesale slaughter of various Transformers, gunned down, beaten to death, or run over, since their robot nature meant harsher forms of violence weren’t out of bounds. With a violent conflict at the core of the concept, Transformers has always flirted with very dark subject matter and no group of characters in its universe seems ripe for dark, disturbing stories than the Wreckers, a commando group of Autobots — the sort sent in to do suicide missions and eliminate the enemy any way possible."

You can read the rest HERE!

Quickie Reviews: January 27, 2010

Four non-CBR-review books this week...

Batman and Robin #7: A quick-paced enjoyable issue. Cameron Stewart does some very impressive work, handling the action stuff with a lot of energy and fluidity. Those opening pages really flow nicely. His shadow work on Pearly is also very good. Some great Morrison lines in there and the plot is interesting. I'm not so sure about Dick's ease with using the Lazurus Pit to bring back Bruce -- it's a little certain, but, fuck me if those teasers at the end of the issue don't give excite me a bit. [****]

Captain America: Reborn #6: A lot of fun, exciting action. The good guys get a big win for once that doesn't feel like a tie or a loss. The flash-forward stuff at the end that Steve experienced is interesting and will have people speculating no doubt. I don't recognise those aliens (or whatever they are) and is that someone using Thor's hammer? (And why is James back in his Winter Soldier gear?) The injury to Sin is also a nice touch. The art is a little rough in places and I think there was just too much expected of this story... it didn't fully deliver that... I don't know... big moment. Good, not great. [***1/2]

Detective Comics #861: I never noticed before how much Jock's work reminds me of an early Sean Phillips... a pretty standard issue with a boring criminal and the standard 'look away and the guy you just beat up somehow escapes without making a sound' scene. I think I was buying this book mostly for JH Williams III's art without realising that was my primary motivation. The back-up feature was good for the end where Renee and Helena do what's necessary to do their job and Tot looks... unrealistic and antiquated somehow. I may come back to that at some point to examine it in more depth. [***]

Spider-Man: The Clone Saga #5: I actually liked this issue despite it being so horribly predictable. Unlike other issues, the quick pacing didn't feel out of place. Peter and MJ's baby being taken by the woman doctor was obvious, but that end with the Green Goblin was surprising. From what I've read, this isn't actually the true plan for the Clone Saga, but this was an enjoyable issue. Todd Nauck's art still does little for me, but he handled the fight between Kaine and the Spider-Men better than previous issues. I'm curious to see how this ends. [**1/2]

Also, I dropped The Authority: The Lost Year today. My retailer was not surprised. I believe Tim's exact words when I said I was dropping it were, "Yeah, you and everyone else..."

CBR Review: Thor #606

I recently reviewed Thor #606 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Part of the conclusion to Kieron Gillen and Billy Tan’s first three-issue Thor arc is known since, in Siege #1, the Asgardians have been seen inhabiting the floating city of Asgard in Broxton, Oklahoma. But the journey of how they get from Latveria and fighting against Doom’s undead cyborg army of butchered and vivisected Asgardians is pretty good. Not only that, but various questions are answered, like the status of Kelda, how Loki ingratiates himself back in Balder’s good graces, and just how a fight between Thor and Doom-inhabited Destroyer plays out."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Rasl #6

I recently reviewed Rasl #6 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The Nikola Tesla parts of the issue help to further provide background details on the dimensional-hopping technology Rasl uses to steal paintings from alternate Earths for profit. The version of Tesla’s biography we get here is narrated by Rasl, who focuses on Tesla’s feud with Edison over AC and DC electricity delivery systems and how that led Tesla to experiment with wireless communication and electromagnetic currents as they relate to the Earth. Since Tesla’s experiments and theories connect with Rasl’s technology, these portions of the story aren’t simply there because Smith finds Tesla fascinating. Exactly what it means is still unclear, but the information given is engaging."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: The Darkness: Shadows & Flame #1

I recently reviewed The Darkness: Shadows & Flame #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "For fans of short horror stories, The Darkness: Shadows & Flame #1 is the book you possibly overlooked this week that warrants some attention, as Rob Levin crafts a creepy story about a man, Salvador Gomes, tortured by the deaths of his wife and child in 1897 New England. He now seeks the Shadow God to send him back in time to repair his failure to save them. A man named Teo tries to warn him off his insane quest, urging him to accept what has happened and move on as best he can."

You can read the rest HERE!

The Splash Page Podcast 001

On Friday night, Tim and I recorded the first ever Splash Page podcast. It was our first time speaking and I think it went quite well. We had some recording problems on Tim's end, so we wound up doing it in small chunks, some of which didn't make it, so I don't know what's here and what isn't. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. Anyway, we discuss some of this week's comics and many other things. Maybe.

Again, check it out HERE!

Quickie Reviews: January 20, 2010

Because I don't feel like saying much sometimes... (And apologies if anything I say here winds up being said on the Splash Page podcast that will go online later this week probably. We had various recording issues, so I don't know what parts of mine and Tim's discussion actually got recorded and saved. But, whatever, if there's some crossover, just play that part while reading this blog and it's like you've got a transcript or some shit. Also, you'll see that, yes, I do write how I talk. Or, at least, I try to... what that says about my writing or how I speak is something I don't know...)

Anna Mercury 2 #3: High-concept action series keeps on a'truckin' boy oh boy. The whole space vikings thing is funny, but I'm more interested in seeing what Anna Mercury's fellow agents are like. The introduction of Max Jupiter -- wait, sorry, "THAT'S MAX FUCKING JUPITER, DEAR" -- at the end of the issue prompted a laugh, partly because of Facundo Percio's art. He's got a slick-yet-rough style. The wild, bug-eyed, freaked out look Mercury has a lot of the time really sells just how fucking insane her job is. Not a reveolutionary work, but I always enjoy it when an issue comes out. [***]

The Authority: The Lost Year #5: Ever wondered what would happen if you found an artist that was influenced by manga-influenced artists and Sam Kieth? Well, wonder no more thanks to Jonathan Wayshak. I'm very close to dropping this book as Keith Giffen's writing is... not good... I have no idea if this was Morrison's original plot or if Giffen is deviating, but it's lacking. Maybe Morrison would have made it work, but Giffen's dialogue lacks nuance and... reads like someone who understands only the most superficial characteristics of the Authority. At least I don't have to see Darick Robertson's art butchered by hack inking... [*1/2]

Captain America #602: Didn't make it through the Nomad story. Don't care. The main story is back into the regular sort of Captain America comic we all know and love. But with Dean White doing the colours. It looks better and why not take the break that Reborn provided as a chance to change the visual tone of the comic? [***1/2]

glamourpuss #11: The car story was a funny gag that didn't work in execution. The rest of the comic with Sim focusing on Stan Drake's facial expressions was great. Really wonderful stuff. [***]

Gravel #16: Both a 'done-in-one' issue and tying into the larger idea of Gravel as the new king of magicians in England. A pretty basic ghost story that's worthwhile as it brings up the friction between Gravel and those that really control England... which follows up on last issue's bit about that. The weakness of the main story hurts this issue a bit, but I do like seeing Gravel in a story that takes up just a single issue. Everything he's been involved in so far has been part of a larger story when, like John Constantine, the character lends itself to short horror stories. I'm kind of surprised that Ellis hasn't tapped that part of the character more yet. [**1/2]

Joe the Barbarian #1: Honestly, if I didn't know what the concept of this series was, I would have liked this issue less. The art is gorgeous in its sketchy, angular detail. But, the writing is weak and relies heavily on the idea that this will work much better when read as part of the whole. I would completely understand someone who had no idea where the story is heading reading this issue and not wanting to buy number two. It would be their loss, but I do understand. (One thing that our recording issues for the podcast does mean is that you won't hear Tim and I discuss this issue. Or how Vertigo's preview pages tend to be the final pages of the comic... good insights there... ah well...) [***]

Power Girl #8: A funny issue that had me more than last issue. I checked out this series partly to review #7 for CBR and partly because I really dug Palmiotti and Conner's "Supergirl" strip in Wednesday Comics. Last issue was fine, but didn't wow me -- or make me laugh much. This issue really brought the funny and did so in an interesting way plot-wise. Power Girl getting drunk and goofy was rather amusing as was the stuff with the bad guys -- and so much of the humour is executed in the visuals. That's a place where a lot of comics fall flat since doing funny comics requires an artist that can sell jokes visually and not a lot of people can do that (mostly because that's not a skill they develop when working on most superhero comics). I think this book may be getting a spot on my pull list. [***1/2]

Spider-Woman #5: I don't really have many thoughts on this book. I enjoy it, but not that much. I don't dislike it. It's like one of those TV shows that you watch because it's on, because you sometimes get one line or scene that makes you want to watch more. Alex Maleev's photoreferenced art is hit-or-miss as most photoreferenced art is. The drop-in at the end by the Thunderbolts comes out of nowhere -- in that bad way. Curious to see where this book is after next issue. I'm on the fence about it really. [**1/2]

And that was this week's non-CBR-reviewed books that I bought.

Alone at the End of the World with the Bell Bottom Blues

I normally don't post any fiction or anything like that here, but I'm listening to Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs Derek and the Dominos and was reminded of this short story that I wrote in the fall of 2006 for my creative class. It's a superhero story, so it does relate to comics. It's been sitting on my computer for a while collecting dust (or whatever files on a computer collect), so I figured I'd share. It's just a quick throwaway story for a laugh or two. Enjoy.

CBR Review: Superman/Batman #68

I recently reviewed Superman/Batman #68 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Despite the prologue issue from October, not much actually happens in this issue as it mostly sets up the story where Superman and Batman begin to investigate what escaped the Kryptonian craft and whatever has happened to Gaines encounters Clark Kent and senses something different about him. Casey, thankfully, peppers the issue with interesting ideas or scenes, like Batman’s fight against his latest costumed villain: Death-Man, the criminal that dies every time he’s captured and comes back to life at a later date. Okay, his skull-painted helmet and name are lame, but the character works for the three pages he appears on, particularly Superman’s amused reaction to him and Batman’s embarrassment."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Outsiders #26

I recently reviewed Outsiders #26 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Ever since its relaunch just over two years ago, Outsiders has had a hard time finding its place, with numerous creative team changes and a largely muted reaction from the critical community. The only exceptions have been those times when a new team came on board or the status quo changed. Well, it’s that time again, as DC ‘shakes things up’ with executive editor Dan DiDio coming on as writer, popular artist Philip Tan taking over the art, and a shift from a Batman-focused team to a Superman-focused one. Unfortunately, this is not a change for the better as the results range from dull to just plain bad."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Incorruptible #2

I recently reviewed Incorruptible #2 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Irredeemable is Mark Waid’s spin on the Superman mythos, turning it upside down. It’s only fitting that the spin-off book, Incorruptible, bases itself on the Batman mythos. While Max Damage/Danger isn’t exactly Bruce Wayne, his relationships with a teenage sidekick and a cop who may or may not be on his side, and his hidden cave-like lair all scream Batman. But, those superficial similarities are merely a wink at the reader as Waid goes beyond that for an interesting look at what a post-Plutonian world is like."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Nova #33

I recently reviewed Nova #33 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "With Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning almost single handedly (or double handedly in this case, I suppose) writing and defining the current Marvel cosmic line, it’s only natural for the work to suffer a little as the pair get overextended. Nova #33 looks like it could be the first sign in a decline in quality from the writing team, which is almost an accomplishment in itself, going this long before deliver a merely adequate, mediocre comic, but it’s also a sharp disappointment since the standards have been so high for nearly three years."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Dark Avengers #13

I recently reviewed Dark Avengers #13 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "Ultimately, Deodato's success can't cover up Bendis' failure to provide strong new insights into the Sentry or his past. The technique of structuring stories so that one or two issues are devoted to filling in the blanks from previous stories is one that Bendis has used several times in the past and it has one big weakness: by the time you reveal the solution to the big mystery, expectations are high and the payoff better be great. It's not here, as most of the time is spent recounting known parts of the Sentry's past and the new revelation is the sort that will make many wonder exactly what Bendis is thinking."

You can read the rest HERE!

One Week Late Quickies

Very quick thoughts on books from last Wednesday. Need to get back into the habit of this, yes? To make it easier, I'll add star ratings as well.

Daytripper #2: I like it, but don't love it. The first issue was a little better, but who can argue with the gorgeous Fabio Moon art? Not I, good sir, not I. [***1/2]

The Marvels Project #5: I honestly wonder why I'm buying this. It's a technically solid comic, but the story leaves me cold. I hope Brubaker pulls it together, because, right now, it feels like everything is going through the motions. But, Steve Epting is doing great work as always. [**1/2]

Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1: The shop has a box full of recent releases that they ordered too many of that they're selling off at a dollar each. Looking through it, a lot of these Marvel 70th anniversary books were in there and I remembered that David Lapham had written and drawn this one (I'd debated buying it a few times in the weeks after its release). It's a fun little story, nothing too special, just solid entertainment. Lapham's style suits the oddness of the Golden Age Vision property. The reprint stories were rather... bad. Are any of the other 70th anniversary specials worth picking up? [***]

Punishermax #3: Not sure about the introduction of the Mennonite, but the rest of the issue is very good. The first confrontation of Fisk and Castle works well. Maybe it's Steve Dillon's art, but I can't shake the shadow of Ennis. Maybe the Mennonite seems like a very Ennis concept, but, yeah, reads like Aaron doing a really good Ennis impression partly. Still, I'm digging this. [***1/2]

The Unwritten #9: I haven't really enjoyed this storyarc as much as the first one. I don't know why, but I've found it tedious and not all that engaging. The death of the kids was surprising, but their dad turning into the villain was... lame. Very lame. This book began very strongly and has been somewhat of a disappointment lately. It's on the bubble of being dropped. [**1/2]

More timely quickies for today's books I promise.

CBR Review: The Muppet Show Comic Book #1

I recently reviewed The Muppet Show Comic Book #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "After two four-issue minis, Roger Langridge and BOOM! are finally taking the limits off and allowing everyone’s favorite ‘not quite mops and not quite puppets’ to hit the shelves every month without limit and we are all richer for it. Langridge’s work on the first two Muppets minis was impeccable and one of the most pleasant surprises of 2009. While known as an obviously talented cartoonist, no one quite expected the pairing of him and the Muppets to work out so well. Kicking off the ongoing series with the Muppets going on the road is an appropriate story to begin the new book of no limits and no end in sight."

You can read the rest HERE!

CBR Review: Weekly World News #1

I recently reviewed Weekly World News #1 for CBR and, in the process, wrote the following sentences: "The comic adaptation of the defunct tabloid newspaper has finally arrived and it’s as irreverent and insane as the paper that inspired it, but it also doesn’t hold together as a comic. Chris Ryall does his best to pull together the disparate threads of various recurring elements of the paper into a cohesive, compelling story, but it never happens. Instead, what we get is an odd jumbling of not-quite-funny satire and a central story that is lacking because the main character isn’t anything more than an easy stereotype of the angry conservative paranoid."

You can read the rest HERE!