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Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 6/1/11

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It’s a thick stack of books this week as the two “main events” of the summer go head to head as Fear Itself and Flashpoint both see the release of their main titles in the same week.  Which is worth it, and which can you skip?  Find out below.

Astonishing X-Men #39 – The team on Japan continues to fight Mentallo and his brigade of monsters.  The story is ok, but I don’t see how it’s “astonishing” in any way or stands apart from the other “X” comics.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Avengers Academy #14.1 – There continues to be a lot of buzz about how this is the best Avengers comic book, but honestly I just don’t get it.  This point one issue doesn’t make the case at all as to why I should pick up the series or stand out in anyway other than being about the “next” generation of Avengers.  It’s an ok series, but nothing special.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #1 – When it comes to the modern crime comic, there’s one series that stands heads and shoulders about the rest and that’s Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ Criminal.  This is the first time I’ve decided to not wait for the trade, and I’m so happy I made that decision.  Utter perfection.

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

Fear Itself #3 – The big Marvel event of the year hasn’t quite delivered as I’d hope it would.  Instead the story has been a bit convoluted and not really explain what’s going on.  What should be amazing moments haven’t had the impact one would hope.  Overall, pretty dissapointing.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Fear Itself: The Deep #1 – While everyone else is dealing with the disaster on the land, someone has to defend the sea and that team is headed up by Namor and Dr. Strange in another underwhelming Fear Itself tie-in.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

Flashpoint #2 – DC’s entry into the big summer event lives up to that event moniker and brings the awesome.  The world is warped and Barry Allen is on a mission to correct things.  But who could see what’s being delivered here coming.  Such a fantastic event that it’s making me a DC fanboy.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Flashpoint: Abin Sur – The Green Lantern #1 – In a world where Hal Jordan never received the ring, Abin Sur still protects Earth and Sinestro is still a Green Lantern.  So much is different but it’s all cool.  This limited series shows how to pull off the event tie-in.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance #1 – Another solid entry when it comes to Flashpoint.  In this world Bruce died and his father lived.  What would that do to a man, a husband, a father?  With a different world comes different rules, and this one seems pretty damn interesting.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Flashpoint: Secret Seven #1 – The first miss of Flashpoint.  If you don’t know these characters or their background at all, it’s hard to understand exactly what’s going on.  Maybe the next issues will give a better idea, but just reading the first, it’s a jumbled mess.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #1 – Though not quite up to snuff as other issues, this comic puts more of a face on the people that aren’t really meta dealing with the way the world is.  It’s an entertaining comic, and not quite sure what I’d do different, but it didn’t leave me with that “holy shit” feeling other comics have.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

G.I. Joe #2 – Such a solid entry into the G.I. Joe world.  Cobra is throwing spasms as it attempts to find it’s next leader and that means everything is on the table and all hell is breaking loose.  Such a great concept, that it’s got me looking forward to all three series and wanting to go back and see what I’ve missed.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Heroes for Hire #8 – Some times you need a series that’s just tons of fun and this one fits that bill nicely.  The banter is great, stories entertaining, and art solid.  There’s so much the series reminds me of, and all of it is fun.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Irredeemable #26 – Plutonian is gathering an army as he battles to the center of the insane asylum and I have no clue as to what to what Mark Waid has planned for this series.  It’s seems the villain is being sought out to stop a bigger threat, but that’s a guess at this point.  I’m sure whatever happens, it’ll be out of left field.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Moon Knight #2 – The second issue is just as solid as the first as Moon Knight has to deal with his personalities and at the same time figure out who’s trying to buy an Ultron.  Such a solid series.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Secret Six #34 – It’s the aftermath of their unfortunate trip to hell and Bane goes on a date.  I can see this not being a book that survives the DC relaunch/reboot which is a shame, because when it shines, it’s some of the best they have to offer.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

S.H.I.E.L.D. Vol 2 #1 – Much like the first volume, this second one makes sense, and doesn’t at the same time.  It attempts to mix the feels of Watchmen and Earth X and doesn’t quite live up to either.  It’s an interesting story, just not quite the blockbuster I was hoping for.

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7.25

Thunderbolts #158 – It’s a break out on the raft and this Fear Itself tie-in might hold up better than others due to the fact it’s focus is the raft and containing a jail break.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Uncanny X-Force #11 – The return to the Age of Apocalypse by X-Force might be the most entertaining thing Marvel does this summer.  Just beyond solid and entertaining, this is easily the best “X” book on the market.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

X-Factor #220 – Rahne and Shatterstar spend the day together to get to know each other and there’s an ending I wasn’t expecting at all.  Not the best story, but there’s some good parts.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

X-Men #12 – An interesting concept, but inconsistent art and some retconning has me a bit iffy on the storyline.

Story: 7.25 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

X-23 #11 – X-23, Gambit, Wolverine and Jubilee continue their Paris adventure as they track down an “evil scent.”

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 5/18/11

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It’s a thick stack of books dominated by “X” comics, events and some comics making their debut.  Before you head to the shop to pick up your new releases, here’s what I think of this week’s batch of comics.

Monthly Comics

Alpha Flight #0.1 – In a reflection of the real world, the first prequel issue of the new Alpha Flight series starts with a Canadian election which is clearly more than it seems.  The issue as a whole is a decent read, and there’s a lot of potential but it doesn’t quite blow me away.  The art is a bit inconsistent and as a whole, if you have read Chaos War, you just have to accept these characters are returned from the dead.  Again, the series has potential, so I’ll be very interested in seeing where it goes from here.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Astonishing X-Men #38 – Two issues in two weeks and I can’t say either was really needed.  This issue decides to veer from last issue’s battle in Japan and instead sends a team into space to deal with the Brood.  The story is blah and there’s some dialogue that’s bizarre (why is Beast rambling about a “secret” team!?) and the art is very inconsistent.  This is one “X” series that’s not needed and definitely not astonishing.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Avengers #13 – Generally I would have really liked how this story was told, but it’s yet another lead up to Fear Itself, which has been told numerous times before.  Instead of dropping the team right into the action and furthering the story, we instead get a retread that adds little other than a different perspective.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Avengers Academy #14 – The junior team also feels like a junior comic.  There’s just something that’s missing from what should be a solid series.  Instead we get stories and characters that just don’t quite click, especially after such a promising start.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

DMZ #65 – I keep saying this series is some of the best political commentary out there.  This issue is a perfect example why.  What horrors and lies are ignored every day for this nation to continue?  How many of the founding qualities are trampled upon so that we can wake up the next day as a free nation?  In this simple story, all of that is addressed, but not at the same time.  Brian Wood’s work here deserves greater recognition, because through a comic book, he’s asking the questions too few are.

Story: 10 Art: 8 Overall: 9.5

Fables #105 – Just when the series hits a lull in storytelling (but an interesting concept) an issue like this comes before you and knocks it out of the park.  The majority of the story revolves in a father and son talk.  Simple in concept, damn near perfect in execution.  The series’ quality shines in this issue.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Generation Hope #7 – I really think it’s between this series and Astonishing as to which is the worst “X” series running right now.

Story: 6 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.25

Heroes for Hire #7 – Fun, fun, fun, that’s what comics are all about and this series is a perfect example of that.  Spider-Man and Paladin are sort of working together as plot points from the first story arc come back.  The series might focus on B and C list characters, but the comic itself is an A.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Invincible Iron Man #504 – Fear Itself has been a disappointment so far, but Matt Fraction brings the quality for this tie in.  Iron Man has to deal with the Grey Gargoyle who has grabbed one of the hammers that have crashed down to Earth.  It’s a twisted story, and really enjoyable.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Namor: The First Mutant Annual #1 – It’s the final part in a three part story that finds Namor, Cyclops, Hope, Steve Rogers and Dr. Nemesis in the Negative Zone.  There’s some awesome parts here and some parts that made me as wtf.  Overall, the story is lacking and if I had noticed it was an annual, I would have skipped it.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Power Girl #24 – I’ve never read an issue of this series before, but when I heard it’d have to deal with a Muslim with meta-powers I felt I needed to check it out.  The story is just amazing with a great voice and perspective.  Are all the issues this good?

Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5

Rocketeer Adventures #1 – I’ve never read a Rocketeer comic before (but have a trade sitting waiting to be read), and I have to say this first issue has a great pulp feeling to it.  The stories are entertaining and have an innocent throwback feel to them.  A great first issue, here’s hoping the rest take flight like this.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Thunderbolts #157 – The team continues their so-so battle but there’s need for the Thunderbolts team in another location at the same time.  Will the B team get called up?  It’ll be interesting to see how these teams meld or clash is the more likely.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Uncanny X-Force #10 – Archangel has fully taken over and a very interesting event forces him to completely lose his shit.  This is a pretty big moment as the team needs to head to the Age of Apocalypse to save their friend.  This series continues to be the best “X” book the market.  Plus as a bonus you get Iron Man 2.0 #3 to read too.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

X-Factor #219 – David continues to play in his little corner of the “X” world and as many answers there are in this issue, there’s also a hell of a lot hinted at.  Overall a decent story, but I’m really intrigued to see what comes next.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

X-Men: Giant Size #1 – Well that was certainly an interesting issue.  It’s the first chapter of First to Last and mutants must deal with their place in the world and decide if their species will continue or fade out.  I’m not sure I’m a fan of the pseudo retcon, but the concept has me hooked.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

X-Men: Prelude to Schism #2 – Still not quite sure what the big danger is, but Cyclops turns to Magneto for advice as to how to move forward against this unseen threat.  It’s a decent story, but there’s been past stories of Magneto’s time in Germany that was much more effective and moving.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

X-23 #10 – Laura is hurting and Gambit has decided to call in reinforcements to try to help ground her.  This is the comic we should be getting, a killer attempting to reform.  Something that’d be a great companion for Daken which is the killer who embraces what he is.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Pick of the Week – DMZ #65

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It’s pretty apparent how much I enjoy Brian Wood‘s DMZ.  The series mixes action and heart with great commentary about modern day politics and world events.  The series is timely and reflective making you the reader think.  It’s never preachy, instead laying out an allegory for you to decide the lesson.  It’s sad to see this series wrapping up this year, but I know I’ll treasure each issue that much more as we barrel towards it’s end.

  1. DMZ #65 – See above.
  2. Heroes for Hire #7 – Comics should be entertaining and fun and this series epitomizes that.  It feels like a throwback to “B” movie exploitation movies, the ones I loved to watch when I was growing up.  Here’s hoping the series continues on and gets the audience it deserves.
  3. Zombie vs. Robots: Undercity #2 – Zombies and robots, do I really need to say more?
  4. Invincible Iron Man #504 – The fact this is a Fear Itself tie-in has me a bit worried, but if anyone can make this lackluster event work it’s Matt Fraction with this series.
  5. “X” Books – Oh, there’s a butt load this week.  Alpha Flight, Astonishing X-Men, Generation Hope, Uncanny X-Force, X-23, X-Factor, X-Men: Giant Size and X-Men: Prelude to Schism.  There’s a big build up this year when it comes to the “X” books that hopefully puts them square, front and center where they should be.

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 5/4/11

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Free Comic Book Day was yesterday and for some reason it was a light weak for comic book releases.  Not like there was going to be heavy traffic or anything.  Here’s the regular comic releases for the week.  Expect a special edition of reviews for Free Comic Book Day!

Weekly Comics

Annihilators #3 – The main story featuring the Annihilators hits a bit of a lull until that last page where everything changes and makes you rethink what you know.  There’s only one issue left, and I have no idea how they’re wrapping it all in one issue.  The Rocket Raccoon and Groot story is somewhat entertaining if not goofy, filled with tons of retcon history that attempts to flesh out Rocket Raccoon.  I could of done without that part.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Avengers Academy #13 – The kids have a prom and work through a lot of their issues.  The story is boring and really not needed.  There’s so many other ways for everyone to start to work through the personality issues than this rather unexciting “prom” issue.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75

Avengers Academy Giant-Size #1 – Wow was this pointless.  Save the $7.99, trust me.  Some of the Avengers and the Young Allies take on Arcade in a comic that has little point to it other than to suck $8 from your wallet.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Deadpool Annual #1 – Another annual I wasn’t paying close enough attention to and bought.  This is part two of a three part story that started in the Amazing Spider-Man Annual.  The problem is, if you didn’t read that issue, you won’t get this one.  So unless you’re buying all three parts, just skip this.  It’s not funny or entertaining.

Story: 6 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6

Fear Itself #2 – The story’s choppy, the art inconsistent and overall, I can’t say I’m blown away by the first two issues of the series.  The concept is interesting enough, but I haven’t had the “holy crap” moments like other Marvel events.  There’s five more issues to go, hopefully things will pick up.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Fear Itself: The Home Front #2 – A few short stories surrounding the goings on surrounding Fear Itself.  The story of Speedball’s return to Stamford, CT is the best of the bunch filled with a decent amount of emotion and the final story which feature’s average people also stands out.  It’s actually better than the main series but still nothing that blows me away.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1 – The best of the bunch this week when it comes to Fear Itself, we not only get the chaos through Spider-Man’s eyes, but also some other short scenes featuring others.  It all adds up together to paint a solid picture and setting.  If only the other series featured this quality of work.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Heroes for Hire #6 – The reputation of Heroes for Hire is a bit tarnished but Misty and Paladin aren’t giving up on it.  The issue of narcotics still lingers and they’re going to do their best to put a stop to the drug trade, with a little help from Spider-Man.  This is one of those series that’s tons of fun and definitely should be picked up and read.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Irredeemable #25 – We learn the basis on Plutonian’s powers while things on Earth continue to not go too well.  Plutonian’s past also is shown a bit with a nice twist that’s expected.  I have no idea where Mark Waid is going with some of these plot points, but it’s sure interesting.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Moon Knight #1 – Bendis and Maleev put together a relaunch of Moon Knight and the story starts off decent, but it’s that last page that hits you.  Hopefully the series picks up on the pretty brutal events in Shadowland, but it comes off as a fresh, but interesting re-start.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Secret Six #33 – The team continues to battle hell, and I continue to want this story arc to end.  Thankfully it sort of does with not much of a resolution.  Pretty bad in my opinion.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75

Uncanny X-Force #9 – A hell of a line is crossed when Magneto has a favor to ask of the team.  This one I think will have some repercussions, much like many of their missions.  Such a solid, yet simple story.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

X-Men: Prelude to Schism #1 – Something is coming for the X-Men and Cyclops has to make a decision.  Do they stand and fight and possibly die?  Or do they run and fight another day?  This first issue is a reflection on the past that is leading to a rocky future.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Pick of the Week – Moon Knight #1

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I’ve grown into a Moon Knight fan over the years, but with Bendis and Maleev on this new series I have a feeling I’m about to become a die-hard one.  I enjoy Bendis’s writing and Maleev’s art is amazing.  Moon Knight #1 is an easy top pick this week.

  1. Moon Knight #1 – See above
  2. Abyss: Family Values #3 and Heroes for Hire #6 – I put these two books in the #2 spot for the same reason, they’re fun.  These are prime examples of comics you pick up, read and enjoy.  Abyss has so many small jokes you wind up dragging your eyes over the page to catch them all.  Heroes for Hire has a great feel of a 70’s exploitation movie.  Both are comics I know when I’m done, I have a smile on my face.
  3. Jennifer Blood #3 – While the above two comics are examples of fun, this one is that great revenge flick done comic book style.  You could easily see this being an early Segal movie like Marked for Death.  Fun for all the wrong reasons.
  4. Mouse Guard: Black Axe #2 – A beautiful all ages kids book.  I’m still relatively new to the Mouse Guard world but David Peterson’s work is amazing.
  5. “X” Books – Uncanny X-Force and Schism this week.  There’s some big shake ups on the horizon for the “X” line and I can’t wait.

Get Heroes For Hire #1 FREE in February’s Avengers #10!

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Official Press Release

Get Heroes For Hire #1 FREE in February’s Avengers #10!

Marvel is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed first issue of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s Heroes For Hire will be reprinted in full and at no additional cost within Avengers #10, on sale February 23. Starring fan favorite heroes such as Ghost Rider, The Punisher, Moon Knight, Iron Fist and more, Heroes For Hire, can’t stay on the shelves! It’s the book that ComicBookResources.com calls “the type of read that comic books were invented for,” and now fans have an opportunity to see what everyone is clamoring about!  With the Heroes for Hire #2 Second Printing Variant arriving in stores the week before, Marvel wants as many fans as possible to get in on one of the year’s hottest new series.

“We want to give our fans the most Marvel value for their comic buying dollar in 2011.” said Senior Vice President of Sales, David Gabriel. “Adding the first issue of Heroes for Hire to one of our top titles, for free, is the best opportunity for fans and retailers to spread the word about a book that we just can’t seem to keep in stores for people to try.”

It’s high-octane, street-level action and intrigue featuring some of the heaviest hitters of the Marvel Universe! Why wouldn’t you want to read it? Be the first to pick up this comics double feature in January, as Heroes For Hire returns for an encore presentation in Avengers #10!

AVENGERS #10 (DEC100551)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Pencils and Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.

Rated A…..$3.99

FOC – 1/31/11, On-Sale 2/23/11

HEROES FOR HIRE #2 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC108015)

Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING

Pencils and Cover by BRAD WALKER

Rated T+…$2.99

FOC – 1/24/11, On-Sale 2/16/11

HEROES FOR HIRE #2 SECOND PRINTAVENGERS #10

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