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Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 2/29/12

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That’s two weeks down… catching up!

Astonishing X-Men #47 – A rather complicated ending that doesn’t quite satisfy as it should and if one more storyline with this series involves Ghost Boxes….

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

the Avengers #23 – Osborn and the President negotiate as Osborn tortures the Avengers.  It’s a solid storyline going between the two series.  Well worth the read and the art is pretty cool too.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25

the Bionic Man #7 – Col. Austin deals with the world he left behind while he also learns the truth as to what he’s up against.  I was never a fan of the television series, but the comic has hooked me, so good.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

The Cape #4 – Such a great series.  I want to see more this…. please!

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

FF #15 – We get to see the other side of the fight with the Mad Celestials and the Power Pack is involved… yay!  The dual stories is interesting and the two series work well together.  The art is improved too, but not quite the quality we have seen in the past.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Green Hornet #22 – Some other costumed fighters hit the Green Hornet’s city in a story that focuses nicely on the side kicks.  The series continues it’s quality.  WAY better than the craptastic movie.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Justice League #6 – This was supposed to hook people?  The fight ended too quickly.  The solution too simple.  Like a big budget movie, all flash and little substance.

Story: 6.5 Art: 8 Overall: 6.75

Moon Knight #10 – The series is wrapping up and definitely feels a bit rushed because of that, but that’s some pretty big ripples caused by it.  We’ll see if there’s impact after this series ends.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

The New Avengers #22 – Wait, what!?  Double agents. Triple agents.  Does anyone just play on one team anymore!?  The war with Osborn gets even bigger as all sorts of hell breaks loose.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro-Series Donatello – These one-shots have been great as they flesh out the individual characters more, and also tie into the main series.  I’m loving all the TMNT that IDW delivers.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

The Twelve #10 – Well, things certanly turned weird.  Not sure what to think really, just such a bizarre turn.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Ultimate Comics the Ultimates #7 – The Ultimates face threats on two fronts, but can they take care of both at the same time?  The series is turning into a game of chance as the stakes are raised.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Ultimate Comics X-Men #8 – The huge issues of the last seven issues are shoved to the side as this issue ties into the evens of the Ultimates.  No idea what’s real and what’s fake in this issue and the fact it keeps me on my toes is impressive.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Venom #13.4 – Well, the ending of this issue was original at least and had a semi-cool image.  When did Drum stop being the Sorcerer Supreme!?  The story just doesn’t fit the Venom series… can’t wait for it to be over.

Story:6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

The Walking Dead #94 – Kirman’s series has hit that slow period just before all hell breaks loose.  But it’s still the quality you’d expect.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 2/22/12

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Getting closer to catching up with reviews….

All-Star Western #6 – The mystery of the abducted children is solved as Hex and Arkham’s adventure comes to a close.  Hex is now heading to New Orleans which should be fun and interesting.  The series so far has been decent and I’ve enjoyed it being tied together with the modern DC universe, a nice touch.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

American Vampire #24 – We get more of a background of how events got to where they are.  I’m loving the setting, action and how this arc is plotted out.  Solid stuff and I’d expect no less from Scott Snyder.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Aquaman #6 – Mera goes food shopping, and things progress as you’d expect.  The story is predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Avengers Academy #26 – We find out who and sort of why Reptil was sent back from the future, and it’s not what I expected.  The series hasn’t always been great, but it’s moving in the right direction to get there.  Getting better with each issue.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Batman: The Dark Knight #6 – Bane is back and I can’t say I like this pumped up version compared to what we last saw in Secret Six.  This is just a hulking behemoth with no thought or depth compared to a rather complex character that grew from the 1 dimensional character he sprung from.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7

Captain America & Bucky #627 -The story is cool in a retro sort of way, but that’s how he takes down Captain America?!  With a hug?!

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7

Chew #20 – Olive Chu goes on a mission and learns more about her abilities.  As usual, the story is over the top and so much fun.  This series is a must buy for every.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Fantastic Four #603 – The Fantastic Four and Galactus take on the Mad Celestials as the story continues to come together.  What’s been years in the making is finally coming to a close and the big picture is clearer.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall:8

The Flash #6 – The new Captain Cold?  Really don’t like.  The story though is ok and always great art.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7

Green Lantern: New Guardians #6 – Interesting concepts, but not the best execution.  Lots of potential here that’s not being met yet.

Story: 6.75 Art:7.5 Overall: 6.75

I, Vampire #6 – The story is amazing and just full of holy shit moments.  This is one of the best series to come out of DC’s reboot.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75verall: 8.75

Justice League Dark #6 – Six issues to just get to this point… sigh.  I’m really only reading this for the I, Vampire crossover.  So much potential..

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

The Mighty Thor #11 – The trolls attack as Loki figures out what’s going on and their plan is revealed.  Just in time for the new Asgard to launch too.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

New Mutants #38 – Doug visits the island where he died.  If you’re not a long time fan of the New Mutants, you probably won’t care, just like me.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

Secret Avengers #23 – Venom joins the team which doesn’t go over so well.  Is it just me or is Hawkeye way more dickish in this series?  Still, the series is finally finding a voice of it’s own, took long enough.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Teen Titans #6 – Licking their wounds after the fight with Superboy, there’s a fight that seems to be pointless as others work to help Kid Flash.  Oh yeah, a mystery is thrown out there too.  Not a bad series, but like the rest of the DC reboots, it’s losing my interest.

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 – General Krang needs Splinter and Stockman sends Mousers to go fetch him.  The series continues to be awesome in every way.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 – The fact he’s Spider-Man hits Miles as he heads out to see the extent of his power.  At the same time his uncle is up to something…. The series still has a lot of fun to it, even though the art isn’t quite as solid as it once was.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5

Uncanny X-Force #22 – I thought the Otherworld setting was bad enough, now Weapon III is thrown into the mix.  This great series has dropped in quality quickly.  I can’t wait for this story arc to be over with.

Story: 6 Art: 6 Overall: 6

Venom #13.3 – Wow, is this story bad.  The fact that it’s weekly is just hurting the wallet too.  There was some hope this would be a good event, but can’t say it’s anything knew that hasn’t been seen before.  This great series has gone off the rails.

Story: 6 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6

Wolverine & The X-Men #6 – Wolverine is trying to get money for the school, folks are trying to help Kitty out and Kitty is trying to save herself.  So many different stories and all of it pretty damn fun.  It’s not quite as solid as it’s been, but still an entertaining and original story arc.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

X-Men #25 – The X-Men and vampires holding Jubliee meet up and of course fight due to a misunderstanding… how original.  Then something sort of original happens.  Still, not a great plot.  I wish someone would just stake Jubliee and get rid of the character.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

X-Men: Legacy #262 – The battle with Exodus continues and they stop to talk during the middle of it, cause that’s smart.  The story is the typical battle, nothing original really and the art isn’t up to snuff for me.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 2/15/12

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I haven’t been catching up in my reading as much as I’d like… but I’m putting a big effort in this week…

Avengers #22 – Osborn’s actions are noticed by more than just the media.  The President has to get in on the action and decide how he’ll react to Osborn’s rise.  There’s some solid stuff here, but the political end of things falls flat.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7

Avenging Spider-Man #4 – Spidey and Hawkeye team up for a pretty decent story.  It’s a nice self-contained issue, but the art isn’t quite up to snuff.  Not bad, just not great.

Story: 7.25 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Batman #6 – Batman’s battle with Talon and Court of Owls continues.  So freaking good.  Scott Snyder’s writing and Greg Capullo’s art is a team up from heaven.  Amazing stuff.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Captain Atom #6 – A man or a rat?  And does it matter?  Captain Atom fights the being and contemplates how he was experimented on and became what he is.  On top of that we’re flash forwarded twenty years to one hell of an event.  The series is very good, I just wish more people recognized that.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Daredevil #9 – Daredevil is going to take on the Mole Man, for some reason.  The issue is solid, especially because of the art and how it plays with what Daredevil sees with his radar and what really awaits him.  There’s a reason that Waid’s series has gotten so much praise.  This is a perfect example.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

DC Universe Presents: Challengers of the Unknown #6 – There’s something old school about the issue and series, but I really don’t have much interest in the story.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Fables #114 – There’s a lot of stories going on here.  The Northwind training continues, there’s the story of a demented evil toy, folks check out Castle Dark and then there’s the revolution in Oz.  So much going on and some is good and some gets the short shaft.  Still, a solid series that always pays off.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Fear Itself: The Fearless #9 – We get a better sense of Valkyrie is up to, but as a whole, the series is a bit boring and rather long.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Generation Hope #16 – Kenji and others plot against Hope…. I actually hope they kill her.  Such a wasted character.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Green Lantern Corps. #6 – The Lanterns take on an army and Stewart makes a tough choice to save Oa.  There’s some items here that’s likely to have long term impact for the series and Corps.

Story: 7 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7

The Invincible Iron Man #513 – Stark and War Machine fight to protect the Chinese and Stark realises he’s caught in something bigger as it becomes clear to him that Stane and Mandarin have teamed up.  But, it’s that last page that made me smile as we get a hint as to what’s to come.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

The New Avengers #21 – The other part of Osborn’s plan.  We see him take on Cage’s team and I have to say a Wolverine vs. Clor fight is pretty damn cool.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Nightwing #6 – Dick learns who Saiko is as a benefit performance for his parents takes place.  The story is ok, but overall, the story hasn’t hooked me quite as it did in the beginning.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Supergirl #6 – Anyone else feel like this whole Worldkiller thing is a bit too much like Doomsday?  There’s some solid stuff here, but overall the story is so-so.  I really wish the series focused again on Supergirl discovering her new world and figuring things out instead of this distraction.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Thunderbolts #170 – The team escapes and there’s a glimpse of the future.  The story is ok, but I’m not a huge fan of the time travel device.  It’s a bit better of an issue than the last few.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Ultimate Comics X-Men #7 – The issue is ok and I’m sure there’s much more to it for long time readers.  The story plays a lot in what came before this current volume and for new readers, there’s just nothing there to really hook you or make you care about it.  There’s something about Pietro’s actions, but what comes after is meh.

Story: 7 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7

Uncanny X-Men #7 – The fight in Tabula Rasa continues and a lot happens, not much I really care about.  The follow up to the events in Uncanny X-Force has been a big disappointment.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Venom #13.2 – The team takes on the denizens of hell.  The story is drawn out and some of the art is great, but overall, this could have been a two or three part story.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Winter Soldier #2 – The story involving sleeper agents and a gorilla wearing a jet pack and machine gun is fun and entertaining, but the art, while solid, is also a bit hectic, making it difficult to figure out all of the action like a movie with too shaky a camera.  Overall a decent series, but there’s something not quite clicking from the usual quality I’d expect from a Brubaker book.

Story: 8 Art: 7.25 Overall: 8

Wolverine #301 – Wolverine continues to fight the Hand… again… and Sabretooth is there.  The art keeps switching in the issue, which actually hurts the book.  The story is ok, but nothing special.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Wonder Woman #6 – So much going on, just so much.  Something isn’t clicking for me.  The series is interesting but there’s just something I’m not following.  A shame, because the series started so clear and was so good….

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

X-Factor #232 – Madrox’s journey ends, thankfully.  Can’t say I was a fan of that storyline.  But that ending could be interesting, or not….

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 2/8/12

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Getting closer to catching up with reviews.

Batgirl #6 – The best part of the issue is the quiet moments where Barbara reflects on her being Batgirl and her relationship with Batman.  Other than that, the bad guy isn’t as fleshed out as she should be, but hopefully we’ll get some of that in the future.  The best moments really are when the characters are shown their humanity to the point we can relate.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Batman and Robin #6 – The twist is predictable, but Bruce’s emotion when it comes to Damian is something that’s nice to see.  The series is interesting and has it’s place in the rather large amount of Batman books on the market.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Battle Scars #4 – We’re all buying this comic for the same reason.  Doesn’t mean it’s all that good.  Sigh.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Batwoman #6 – The art is solid as usual, but the story is still off.  Something just isn’t clicking for me when it comes to the plot.  It’s really a comic that survives for the art alone and that’s sad with such amazing characters.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

The Bionic Man #6 – Lots of fighting, sadly not much more.  But, somehow the comic is still very fun.  This is a great first arc for the series and makes me interested in a character I’ve never been interested in.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #529 – That’s a wrap for the series that to few people checked out.  The art bounced around a bit towards the end, but the series played out like an entertaining chess game.  It’s a shame a solid series such as this didn’t find an audience.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Captain America #8 – Yet another story where Cap loses his powers.  It’s cool to see the Reborn mini-series matter, the story itself is just not the quality we’ve seen in the past.  Something is off from the previous magic.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Daken: Dark Wolverine #21 – Daken is dying and he’s decided to go out with a bang.  Another series that was pretty solid at times and there’s times it showed brilliance.  Sadly it also never quite caught on with the audience it should of.  Daken was more than a Wolverine knock-off, more people just never found out how much of an individual he was.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Green Hornet Annual #2 – The Green Hornet takes on slave traders.  I really wish more was shown, but there’s some great stuff in this annual just the same quality of the series.  Usually annuals mean crap, this is the exception to that.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Green Lantern #6 – Sinestro is on a mission and Hal is trying to have a normal life.  Sadly Hal trying to live his life doesn’t get a chance to really explore that before he’s pulled back into being Green Lantern.  Not as solid as it was pre-52 relaunch, but still an entertaining series.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Journey Into Mystery #634 – We now know who the baddie is and what he’s up to.  There’s so much that’s solid here and this is a series that’s growing on me more and more.  There’s a lot of text and the writing is so good, it’s well worth the lengthy (compared to most comics) read.  Just beyond entertaining.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Mega Man #10 – Mega Man takes on a few more robot masters as he gets pulled into the dark side and let the power go to his head again.  On top of that, he’s taking a beating.  You can feel the pressure building in what is a great adaptation of the video game and the perfect comic for the entire family.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

New Mutants #37 – Amara has her date with the devil and a story I went into rolling my eyes at I came out of with a smile on my face.  It was very cute and well done.  There’s some great humor, writing and entertaining logic throughout.  This version of the devil is pretty fun and entertaining.  I’m actually hoping to see more of him in the series.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Resurrection Man #6 – Wow, so good.  Resurrection Man is in Arkham and no one believes him when he says he has to die.  But, he also stands in the way of a break out and the inmates making it back into Gotham.  So much is so good in this issue.  When of the best to come out of the DC relaunch.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Scarlet Spider #2 – I’ve never been a huge fan of Spider-Man, but there’s something about this series that draws me in.  Maybe it’s the conflicted person at the center, the solid art of entertaining writing.  The combo of the three is great and this is a series that has me interested in what it’ll bring in the future.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Secret Avengers #22 – Huh, an interesting bad guy and can’t say I’ve seen them before, but that ending has me wanting to see more of them.  The new squad has a better focus and a more interesting dynamic.  Here’s hoping Remender’s run is as solid as some of his others.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Suicide Squad #6 – Harley Quinn is on the run and the Suicide Squad is after her.  There’s some I like here, but a lot I didn’t.  Quinn’s origin is fleshed out a bit, but not enough yet to give her motivation or much as far as character.  We’ll see how this goes, but it’s no Secret Six.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Superboy #6 – Superboy meets Supergirl and there’s the expected fighting.  Lots of questions are raised too.  The art is off a bit and something about the story isn’t clicking for me.  But I’ll stick with it to see the growth of the character I expect and you just know he’ll become a Teen Titan at some point.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Thief of Thieves #1 – There’s a lot of series this year so far that have had a lot of hype around them and this series is one of the few that’s lived up to it all.  A thief has to juggle his career and personal life in a series that’s just fantastic on all levels.  That ending is fantastic and the build up and character interaction is just solid.  Can’t wait to see where the series goes.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Venom #13.1 – Some I liked with this issue but a bunch I didn’t.  The usual result of having some event or crossover derailing a solid issue continues.  The idea of Venom being caught up in a battle with Hell just doesn’t fit the character and there’s some much better material to mine.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Wolverine and the X-Men #5 – The art seems to be off a bit with this issue, but it’s really entertaining mixing some great concepts together.  The series has thrown out the serious tone that’s plagued the X-Men for quite some time, replacing them with fantastical concepts and a great amount of humor.  One of the best “X” books on the market.

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega #2 – Wolverine stuck in the virtual reality thing is entertaining up to a point, but just not quite sure the point or need of the mini-series.  It hasn’t added much to the overall dynamics and we’re not seeing anything new or shocking.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.75

X-Men #24 – Jubilee deals with her vampire side, while the X-Men search for her.  What’s up with the art?!

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.5

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 2/1/12

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The goal is to get two more weeks reviewed by Sunday….

Animal Man #6 – A very impressive issue that slows the weirdness down a bit and instead focuses on a movie staring a super hero and his family.  The story is so good and really reflects well on Animal Man and his superheroing with this family.  Words just can’t reflect how good this is, but it’s up there as one of the best issues of the year.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Avengers Academy #25 – The kids battle Hybrid and there’s enough here to make me interested.  But the series still feels like it’s a bit “B” level compared to the regulars Avengers “A” game.  Still, entertaining in it’s own ways.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25

Avengers X-Sanction #3 – Bits I’ve liked, others not so much.  It’s a prelude, but a prelude that could have been done in a one shot oversized comic instead of being dragged out over four issues.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Batman: Detective Comics #6 – So there’s a lot of Batman comics it seems, and that’s getting me a bit confused as to what’s going on in which.  That’s also hurting my enjoyment a bit, particularly of this series which I think is the weakest of the bunch.  Overall, a mess due to too much monthly Batman.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 6.75

Batwing #6 – We get a hint as to Massacre might be, though that’s too simple really.  It also looks like the story is shifting back to Gotham.  It’s six issues in and it kind of feels like this story should of wrapped up already.  I do like the filling in of history, but the main story has dragged on for quite a bit and not a lot of resolution.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.25

the Defenders #3 – Um, entertaining, but rather abrupt ending.  With such build up a bad guy really shouldn’t be defeated so easily.  Overall, I don’t expect this series to last very long.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

the Punisher #8 – Not the strongest issue in a while, it’s a bit jumbled and choppy for me.  The series generally has been great and the art is fantastic.  I’m not letting one issue get me down, and maybe as a slice of the bigger story it’s better than it stands as a solo issue.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7

Rachel Rising #5 – The series is creepy, beyond creepy.  A dead girl and another with a demon friend.  Some great horror right here and two female leads.  This is a definite recommend for the horror fans as I imagine not too many of you are picking it up and missing out on a great series.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Red Lanterns #6 – So many issues with this series.  The issue focuses on the new human Red Lantern and like that Corps., it’s all rage and little depth.  The issue suffers from the concept, but the series is shifting to give us more, it’s just taking a while.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Stormwatch #6 – The series has a lot going for it and it’s been six issues and it’s just getting going it feels like.  I really feel like a lot of this could have been settled in the first arc, instead the series has tried to be too smart and instead continues to be a jumbled mess.  It’s getting better though.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Swamp Thing #6 – Scott Snyder is one of the best writers out there right now and combined  with art from Marco Rudy, this series continues to show why it’s one of the best in DC’s relaunch and best on the market.  It’s creepy, gross, haunting and just fantastic.  The build up has been coming, and the story is about to explode.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

The Twelve #9 – The limited series WAS fantastic, but too much time has passed and I can’t say I remember enough to care.  I still want to see how it all ends, but that’s more because the delay makes me fascinated to see what might have been.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7

Uncanny X-Force #21 – The art is off, story a bit jumbled and big reveal at the end had no impact on me.  Wow did this issue slip in quality.  Oh well, hopefully it’ll bounce back.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Uncanny X-Men #6 – Great to see some issues from Uncanny X-Force dealt with, but boy is this bad.  Something isn’t clicking for me.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Venom #13 – The Circle of Four kicks off here with the heroes gathering to fight demons.  The art isn’t as solid as it usually is and the story is meh.  Not a good story to a pretty high profile story arc.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Villains for Hire #3 – It’s Misty Knight in control, so the villains turn on her, but is there more to this all.  The end I paused and said, wtf!?  The limited series has been great four three issues, lets hope the fourth doesn’t disappoint.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Winter Soldier #1 – The first issue of the series is interesting and to a point it tries to be smarter than it really needs to be.  The series follows the Winter Soldier/Bucky and Black Widow as they deal with other sleeper agents.  A great premise that could lead to some great spy/noir storytelling, but too much is crammed in and the series instead feels like a cheap action comic.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.25

X-Factor #231 – We find out more about the world Madrox wound up in and it’s pretty interesting.  I imagine we’ll see it again the future.  Madrox hops to another world.  It’s all supposedly concluded next issue.  Thankfully.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 1/18/12

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Getting closer to being caught up with reviews….

Avenging Spider-Man #3 – So much fun and entertaining.  The art is fantastic and the story got me laughing.  If this is what all Spider-Man comics are like I definitely am missing something.  Everything clicks here.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

the Avengers #21 – Norman Osborn takes on this team as well and kicks the crap out of them.  Not a stand alone issue, it’s just a small sliver of the bigger story.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Batman #5 –  The story has Batman captured by the Court of Owls and he’s being broken down mentally.  The story is interesting, but mix it with the presentation and you have the best single issue so far this year.  Absolutely amazing in it’s presentation and package.

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

Captain Atom #5 – Captain Atom is struggling with who he is and what he can do.  He flies around and fights a thing.  The art is still solid, but the story is not quite as good as previous issues.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Chew #23 – As usual, the comic had me roaring with laughter.  So twisted and so entertaining at the same time.  There’s so much win in this one issue.  One of the most unique comics on the market and a must read for everyone every month.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Daredevil #8 –

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

DC Universe Presents: Deadman #5 – Deadman stands up for himself and holds all the cards.  Will he be able to get out of the quests he must live through?  The story is a decent ending, but overall, not sure what I think of the series as a whole.  I think I’d rather have an anthology with shorter stories.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.75

Fables #113 – Speaking of short stories…. this one has a bunch of lessons to be learned with various short stories acting as the entertainment.  It’s a break from the usual plot line, but that takes away from a rather complicated story.  It’s a not needed distraction from the usual story.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Generation Hope #15 – Hope is standing up for Sebastian Shaw as others on the island don’t really like that there’s some mutants who are treated better than others.  Overall, an ok issue.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Fear Itself: The Fearless #7 – A lot of fighting and a big twist I didn’t see coming.  Now I’m interested in seeing where this goes.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25

Green Lantern Corps. #5 – We get the story behind the Keepers as Guy puts together a team to take them on.  Lots going on in the Green Lantern world and a lot of history being revealed.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

The Invincible Iron Man #512 – Tony is dealing with his issues as so many people are out to get him.  On top of that a war is breaking out he needs to help stop.  The series isn’t quite as good as it was pre-Fear Itself, but it’s still damn good.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Moon Knight #9 – Moon Knight takes on a big baddie as his mind continues to shatter.  It’s awesome cutting back and forth between the fight and his preparation and that ending is awesome.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

New Mutants #36 – The team fights a being from another world and I yawn.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Nightwing #5 – Um, what the hell did I read.  There’s some ok stuff, but the story with a demon falls flat.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 6.75

Supergirl #5 – Supergirl heads to Krypton to get answers.  The story is ok, and doesn’t have quite the emotional impact it should, but there’s some great art at points.  There’s definite quality here, it’s a series that’s trying to find it’s role right now.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Superior #7 – And that’s the end.  With one hell of a fight scene and a rather touching post fight wrap up, Mark Millar shows he doesn’t have to dip to the lowest level to tell a good story.  The series is great and I can’t wait to see this on the big screen, should be one hell of a movie because it’s one hell of a comic.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Thunderbolts #169 – The team is now in Camelot times.  The story is ok, but there’s something about the time travel arc that just doesn’t click with me.  The story is good, I’d imagine many will like it, but I’d rather have them in the present and move on with the story of the team dealing with their being on the run.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 – I still dig this series as Miles Morales deals with being the new Spider-Man.  His uncle heads to Mexico and there’s a lot of foreshadowing.  The art takes a dip, but the story and the enthusiasm that oozes from it is so much fun.

Story: 8.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 8.25

Uncanny X-Force #20 – Hmmm, so much I want to praise and so much wrong.  The series is very much deep in “X” continuity with a concept only hardcore fans will enjoy.  The story has Fantomex put on trial and the team needing to go save him in Otherworld.  There’s a lot that’s good, the team interaction and ideas, and lots that’s wrong, the story is a bit muddled.  Not a good start for the next story arc.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Uncanny X-Men #5 – The fallout from Archangel’s decent into madness is being investigated and there’s a lot that’s interesting here.  The art doesn’t fit at times, nor does some of the characters’ statements.  It’s good though, better than what’s come before.  That ending was interesting, not sure what to expect.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

Venom #12 – We find out what Venom is supposed to steal and he loses his shit when it becomes clear.  Lots of fighting all to get him to a different spot and in Vegas.  We’ll see where the next arc takes him, this one started out solid, but ended a bit flat.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

Wonder Woman #5 – What the hell did I just read?  The story is off, the art is off.  Something just didn’t sit right with me this issue.  Not the best it’s been in the past.  I know this creative team can do better, we’ve seen it in the four previous issues.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 1/11/12

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Catching up on reviews….

Batgirl #5 – There’s a new villain for Batgirl called Gretel and some weirdness with the number 338.  It’s all ok, but not the quality we know Gail Simone can do.  The best parts of the series are the quiet moments when Barbara is reflecting on her life in and out of the cape.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Batman and Robin #5 – Damian has thrown his lot in with Ducard as we get the background between Ducard and Wayne.  The story is ok and somewhat predictable.  The art is changed up a bit too.  Overall, the read is good, but not necessarily great.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Battle Scars #3 – The issue is a lot of fighting as Marcus Johnson continues to try to figure out who is trying to kill him.  This six issue limited series just feels like one long origin story.  Hopefully it pays off.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Batwoman #5 – The series relaunch isn’t as quality as the previous with a supernatural bent to it all.  The story is so-so, but the art is amazing.  It’s a buy just for that reason alone.  Hopefully the story quality ramps up a bit as the series progresses.

Story: 7 Art: 8.75 Overall: 7.5

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #528 –  The Panther is playing a game of chess with Fisk for the fate of Wakanda.  The story is entertaining enough and this issue has a very different artistic look.  I loved the art and would dig seeing a pulp/noir comic that looks like this.  This is the second to last issue and it’ll be interesting to see how it ends.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Brilliant #2 – The second issue of this Kick-Ass wannabe is ok and there’s a lot of interesting stuff in it.  But, the series feels tired and not fresh enough since so many other stories have walked this territory.  It’s not bad, it’s just not great.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Captain America #7 – Captain America keeps reverting and madbombs are being set off.  The story has a camp feel about it, but the art I think is just not as quality as it’s been in the past.  It’s a classic feel of a story, with art that also feels like it’s from the past.  Overall, not as strong as the past story arcs.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Daken: Dark Wolverine #19 – Wow is that a bad ending.  The art is sup-par, the story is a let down.  Overall, not the quality that we’ve seen.  It’s a shame because the character has so much potential.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Green Lantern #5 – What is the Chamber of Shadows and who is the first Lantern?  So many questions are raised here after Jordan and Sinestro’s battle against the Sinestro Corps.  The story is intriguing and I want to see what else is in store that hasn’t been done before.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Journey Into Mystery #633 – A transition issue with some fantastic writing, but the story itself is slow.  The individual words are fantastic though.  Very odd.  There’s a slow fantasy build to it all as Loki has nightmares and the Son of Satan is looking for a demon.  This is just the beginning but really it’s for the hardcore Thor fans.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Mega Man #9 – Much like the video games, this latest ark feels rather similar to what’s come before.  That’s not a bad thing as just with the games, it was all quality.  Hopefully the story arc switches it up just enough, but it’s nostalgic fun for the whole family.  Perfect for kids and their parents who grew up playing the video games.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

The New Avengers #20 – The team takes on Osborn and his crew.  Overall there’s some very interesting stuff here and the usual solid and entertaining writing.  I feel like we’ve seen this story before, but it’s still good.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Resurrection Man #5 – We finally get a sense of Resurrection Man’s origin and it’s actually pretty cool.  The story got very interesting with the latest revelations and that ending.  I’m digging the series which is one of a few that are bringing Vertigo quality and horror to the DCU.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Scarlet Spider #1 – Kaine is in Houston and the story is very fun having a bit of an edgier tone from the Spider-Man comics I’ve read in the past.  The issue is the history of Kaine is so convoluted.  There’s clearly torment there that adds depth to the character, but unless you know it all, there’s a bit lost in the entertainment.  There is a bit at the end about Kaine, sort of, but even that just shows how overly complicated the Spider-Man history is.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Secret Avengers #21 – A mission to take on some weird beings and all I could think of was when Warren Ellis would be off of the series.  It’s not bad, but there’s just not a reason for the series.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Suicide Squad #5 – It’s a jailbreak and the squad is kicking ass.  The series is fun and there’s a lot of solid moments in it.  It’s definitely not Secret Six and is taking a bit to find it’s footing, but the series is entertaining.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.5

Superboy #5 – Superboy is having some issue with Nowhere and Gen-13 is looking like it’s coming more and more to the DC universe.  There’s a lot of hints being dropped in the series which is a slow, but decent build up to…. something.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.5

Ultimate Comics X-Men #6 – Wow is all I can say.  So much going on and so solid.  Is Rogue a traitor?  Was there some plan?  And who is getting her to do everything she’s doing?  That answer is a shocker.  I really need to go back and get caught up on everything.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Wolverine #300 – The situation with the Silver Samurai is finally being taken care of.  Also, what the hell is up with Sabretooth coming back?  So much I liked and so much I didn’t.  But Wolverine is getting back to the decent read it used to be.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Wolverine & the X-Men #4 – Logan is dealing with the fact that he’s now as much of a teacher as he is a murderer.  The issue is great with so many fantastic moments, especially for what it hints might be coming.  This is one of the best “X” books out there right now.

Story: 8.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.5

X-Factor #230 – The team is debating Guido having no soul and Jamie is in his weird world.  Wolverine makes a social call and offers up the team to join his side of the split.  This is the beginning of some great things I think.

Story: 8.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 8.25

X-Men: Legacy #260.1 – The series shifts to the new school with some humor mixed into the issue.  The art is ok, but there’s potential here.  I’m interested in seeing how this series stands out.  A bit of an improvement.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5

Comic Book (not so) Weekly Reviews – 1/4/12

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Catching up slowly with reviews….

Animal Man #5 – The rot is spreading and Animal Man and his family must fight it.  The series art has dipped a little, but story is Vertigo meets mainstream DC.  Solid work and I can’t wait to see where it goes….

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

The Avengers Annual #1 – Remember when Wonder Man and a team attacked the Avengers mansion?  Yeah… so if you wondered whatever happened to that story, it gets wrapped up in this issue.  It’s interesting and sets up a lot of potential, but it’s been so long since that first part you have to wonder why it’s taken so damn long.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Avengers Academy #24 – Hmm, kind of torn on this issue.  The art is just ok, and the time travel/traitor story has been done, but there’s something interesting about it all.  It’s not “A” level, but getting better than it’s been.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Avengers: X-Sanction #2 – Cable continues to fight the Avengers as more hints towards the why are given.  Cable slips between the present and future in decent story telling, the art I’m iffy on over it.  The story is intriguing, just not totally sold.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5

Batman: Detective Comics #5 – The main story is ok, Batman chases some guy as people protest Batman.  The back-up story is a jumble of a mess.  I’d rather have a longer main story or something else, cause the quality is just not good.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Batwing #5 – Anyone else think it’s odd that Batwing has to call in the white Batman to help?  No message there?  The issue is decent and has some character depth added for Batwing and the art is fantastic.  The series is one of the bright spots for the DC relaunch.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

The Defenders #2 – The series second issue is a bit better than the first.  There’s a tone and pacing that’s different and entertaining to it.  The blurbs at the bottom are interesting too.  I can’t say this is a huge hit and must read series, but it’s getting better in my opinion.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Fatale #1 – So much hype surrounding the series and while it’s interesting, it’s not as good as Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ previous work.  The noir meets Lovecraft series is not as good as what they’ve done, but that makes it better than most everything else.  My gut says the series will be a better read in one sitting instead of individual issues.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Fear Itself: The Fearless #6 – What happened to Crossbone’s new ability?  That seemed to go away… The event spin-off hasn’t gotten much better and I’m not seeing the point.  I’m reading it in hopes it leads to something.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

The Punisher #7 – I really liked this issue.  On the way to the massacre from the last issue, two detectives talk about the Punisher and what he does and how that differs from what the police and law do.  I solid issue that really gets you to think about justice and who decides and dispenses it.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Rachel Rising #4 – The state of Rachel is starting to be noticed as more bodies are dumped.  The series is weird and a very slow creepy burn to it.  It’s so good though showing why horror was my pick of genre of the year last year.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Red Lanterns #5 – A bunch of the Lanterns get smarter as they look for Krona.  Earth gets it’s own Red Lantern.  Overall an ok story that’s getting somewhere, just not sure where.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Stormwatch #5 – Um, what the hell did I read?  I am so confused by this series.  There’s a bunch I like and then again, this is just not a friendly series for new readers. What. The. Hell?

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Swamp Thing #5 – The rot continues to get stronger while the green attempts to fight back.  The series is colliding with Animal Man and damn it’s good.  There’s just this great horror feel to it all and it’s easy to get into, even with such material that’s come before.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Thunderbolts #168 – Luke Cage is going after escaped convicts from the Raft as Mockingbird and Mach V deal with the committe that oversees the program.  At the same time the other Thunderbolts are on the run still and did Ghost reach them?  Lots going on here in an interesting issue that’s pretty solid.  Not bade, but not great either.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Uncanny X-Force #19.1 – We get a preview of what to expect when the Age of Apocalypse comes back as an ongoing series.  The preview is crazy and entertaining, but I wonder what the big game plan it is for the series.  There has to be something.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Uncanny X-Men #4 – A story of the Phalanx and it’s interesting.  There’s a slight tie-in with Sinister which seems a bit stretched.  A lot I like and some I don’t.  Pretty decent read though.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Villains for Hire #2 – Purple Man is on the move to find his rival and it’s a shocker as to who it is, but that ending just made my jaw drop.  I have no idea what is happening next, but this series is very entertaining.  I can’t wait to see what it leads to.

Story: 8 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.75

X-Men #23 – Yay, we get a semi-mission/point for this team, other than leaving weapons of mass destruction lying around.  What an anti-climatic ending to the story…

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Wolverine & the X-Men: Alpha & Omega #1 – Quentin Quire decides to get his revenge on Wolverine for sending him to Westchester.  Sadly, the story isn’t needed and really adds nothing so far.  The art is just ok and doesn’t live up to the cool cover.  Overall, no idea why this is being done.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

X-23 #20 – Laura and Jubilee have a night out and Laura gets an offer as to where she should go next.  The story is ok, but really could have had a much more emotional impact.  The sub-par art didn’t help at all as well.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.5

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 12/21/11

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It’s the second last week of comics for the year.  What was worth it?  Find out below!  A bit late, but better than never.

Avengers #20 – Osborn and his band have come out of the woodwork and get the Avengers off their game.  As they attempt to kick up some leads, Osborn has some other plans.  The story is really just a sliver of what’s going on as there’s more in the other Avengers title.  Overall though, it feels like a solid threat for them to face and it’s pretty entertaining so far.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Batman #4 – Bruce and Dick have a conversation and we learn some earlier detective work Bruce did concerning the Court of Owls.  Overall, these first four issues are a solid start and mystery that seems worthy of Batman and it’s a nice beginning for new and old fans alike.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

The Bionic Man #5 – It’s a new Bionic Man for a new century and Steve Austin has a whole new bag of tricks.  Austin also meets his nemesis.  It’s Bionic Man 1.0 versus Bionic Man 2.0, fight!  The action is great, tech is cool, story and art top notch.  I was never a big fan of the television show, but Kevin Smith and Phil Hester have done here like they’ve done for the Green Hornet, got me interested in an updated and fun property.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Captain Atom #4 – Captain Atom still attempts to figure out his role and tries on a military one for a bit.  There’s also a bad guy moving around, looks like we have the first villain, whatever it is.  The series is unique and I think amazing to look at.  The art and coloring is so cool.  Definitely a series I’m happy came out of DC’s shake up.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Daken: Dark Wolverine #18 – Daken seeks out the Runaways for help as the series begins to wind down.  Daken’s battle with Roston continues, but the art seems to have dropped a bit.  Sad this series never really took off, because when it was firing on all cylinders it was quite good.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Daredevil #7 – It’s a Christmas issue as Daredevil takes some kids out on a field trip, but of course that can’t go right.  The art is fantastic and story pretty good.  It’s a good single issue to check out to see what the buzz is all about.  Mark Waid has made this one of the top series that Marvel is putting out.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

DC Universe Presents: Deadman #4 – Boston Brand wants to know the point of it all and to figure that out he has a chat with the Son of the Morningstar.  This issue is one long philosophical debate about the meaning of life, death and our relationship to God.  If you’re interested in those things, it’s a top notch issue that leaves you with more questions.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Fables #112 – In this Christmas theme issue, Rose Red must decide what type of avatar of hope she’s to become as she travels around A Christmas Carol style.  There’s a lot set up here in an issue that for most would just seem like a holiday tie-in.  The series is a slow build, and the latest arc is just getting under way.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Fantastic Four #601 – Wow, this issue puts the epic in galactic.  The Kree decide to annihilate Earth, the Inhumans are pissed and Johnny Storm is in control of the Annihilation Wave.  Jonathan Hickman has been leading up to this for what seems to be like years and it’s been completely worth it.  Absolutely jaw dropping and exciting.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Fear Itself: The Fearless #5 – Um, that was a bit easy.  Crossbones gets yet another hammer, this one was ridiculously easy to get.  The follow up to Marvel’s stinker even Fear Itself, is turning out not much better.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

Generation Hope #14 – The team finds Sebastian Shaw and fight some really random enemy that’s not fleshed out at all.  It might have been just better to have them find the “new light” and deal with Pakastani military, especially with what’s going on.  Overall, just ok.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Green Lanterns Corps. #4 – The Corps. has had to retreat and try to figure out what they’re up against when a being decides to help them out.  Looks like this enemy might be part of a much bigger storyline.  Can’t say I dig the eventual reveal as to what they sort of are, but it’s all pretty interesting.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

the Invincible Iron Man #511 – All hell is breaking loose for Stark.  It’s gotten out about his drinking, he’s dealing with getting the crap beat out of him and Stark Resilient is under assault as well.  Matt Fraction keeps up the heat and the series is running strong after it’s slight distraction from Marvel’s summer event.  He’s used that to make Stark’s life even crazier and set up more obstacles for him.  Just excellent.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Justice League #4 – The team continues to get together as Cyborg gets rolling.  It’s just a slice of the bigger story and doesn’t stand on it’s own, but there’s a lot here to enjoy.  Darkseid makes his appearance and we learn their goal (but can’t say I generally like it).  The team dynamic is getting there though.  As a single issue, it’s a skip if you haven’t read the previous three but it’s good as part of the bigger storyline.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.5

New Mutants #35 – It’s the New Mutants versus a band with powers.  Um yeah… can’t say the series is getting me really pumped.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Nightwing #4 – Barbara Gordon pays a visit to Dick and they take on a bad guy trying to sell some microchips.  The story is ok, but it’s really about the interaction with Babs and Dick.  The rest you can skip.

Story: 7 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7

Supergirl #4 – Supergirl is captured and is still figuring out her new world and powers.  The story is pretty good to start off the series and the fish out of water aspect is a nice twist.  She doesn’t know who Superman is, what happened to her world or why she’s on Earth, all of it creates a mystery that’s entertaining and makes me want to stick around.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 – An interesting story that flashes back and forth between the modern day and feudal Japan.  The stories I guess are tied together, but I don’t quite pick it up.  There’s also a nice Christmas theme about it all as well, with the Turtles finally getting something we’ve been waiting to see.  A perfect jumping on point for new folks.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Thunderbolts #167 – The Thunderbolts, through time!  I’m just not feeling this storyline, though their arc dealing with Jack the Ripper is done with.  There’s nothing bad about the comic, but can’t say I’m really enjoying it either.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5 – Miles is wearing Peter’s costume and some folks think that’s a bit disrespectful.  It’s Miles Morales versus Nick Fury, Spider-Woman, Hawkeye and Iron Man… sort of.  The group has to decide what to do with the new Spider-Man and Fury has a bit of a chat.  I’ll admit by the end I had a smile on my face.  Instead of disrespecting what’s come before Miles and writer Brian Michael Bendis are honoring what’s come before.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Uncanny X-Force #19 – With the epic story closed, where does X-Force go from here.  There’s Genesis to deal with and that leads to Logan and Hank having a tense conversation.  There’s also now a goal for X-Force.  It’s going to be the fighting force to make sure the kids don’t have to.  Through evil deeds, good may come.  There’s also the question as to why Fantomex did what he did.  That’s discussed and turns pretty interesting as well.  Rick Remender has given us the best “X” series hands down.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Venom #11 – Hmm, that was certainly interesting.  Jack O’Lantern and Venom are doing the comic book version of a buddy road trip and a good chunk of the comic has the two of them in a diner.  That’s the part that just blew me away.  Discussion of Jack O’Lantern’s origin is just twisted and that ending made my jaw drop.  This is a solid issue when it slows down and focuses on the characters and what makes them.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Wolverine #20 – Wait, what the hell just happened?  How is HE back!?

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Wolverine & the X-Men #3 – The team continues to fight Krakoa and Sauron and Wendigo as the Hellfire Club watches.  The issue is kinetic fun and just over the top.  I found myself laughing and enjoying the action.  The characters are fun and entertaining.  Out of the two factions now the “X” series has split, Wolverine’s has the edge.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

Wonder Woman #4 – Wonder Woman gets away and Hera pays a visit to Paradise Island.  It’s all very interesting backed up with some fantastic artwork.  Wonder Woman has become one of the best series of DC’s new 52.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

X-Factor #229 – Um, what the hell is going on?  Looks like Madrox is being pulled to different worlds as other versions of himself dies.  It could be interesting or it could make no sense, like it does right now.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

X-23 #19 – The art is absolutely fantastic, story… not so much.

Story: 6.5 Art: 9 Overall: 7

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 12/14/11

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It’s a good mix of comics this week including a bunch I’ve been waiting to read.  What’s worth it?  Find out below!

American Vampire #21 – We get some insight into who Skinner is, but still not how he became what he is.  That’s the story I thought was being told, but it’s clear that this story arc was just one small piece of the larger puzzle that Scott Snyder will eventually reveal.  Much like his general writing style, even with the bigger story telling, Snyder takes his time, laying it out in a slow, but enjoyable reveal.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Avengers Academy #23 – The plot of future Reptil coming back to make sure his timeline happens is rather interesting, but there’s something that’s missing to me as far as the writing.  The art too isn’t as top notch as I’d expect from an important title like this.  As with the characters, there’s something that just seems junior to me.  It’s an improvement in the series, but still not enough for me to consider it an “A” title.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Avengers: X-Sanction #1 – This is the first step in the big Avengers vs. X-Men fight that reaches it’s full blown madness in a few months.  Cable is back to prevent a disaster in the future and to do that he has to take on the Avengers.  It all revolves around Hope too, and with all the mystery surrounding her, this event has the potential to reveal a hell of a lot.  The first issue is interesting and pretty solid, but quite of a few of Marvel’s recent events have started out strong too only to stumble.  We’ll see if this one can buck that trend.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Batgirl #4 – We finally find out how Barbara is walking, even if it’s just a few panels and her battle with Mirror comes to an end in this holiday themed issue.  Overall the comic is pretty good as expected with Gail Simone behind the wheel, but it still nags me about Barbara Gordon now walking.  That’s not Simone’s fault, but it’s still the elephant in the room as it feels insulting to those who are in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities.  The comic is good though, even with the rather lame villain.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Batman and Robin #4 – We learn a bit as to who Nobody is as the villain and Batman fight for Damian’s loyalty.  It’s interesting these two so easily represent the dual sides of Damian, but it’s also so obvious this is the intent.  The comic doesn’t have subtlety, but the story is entertaining and art very solid.  Overall a good addition to the Bat family of comics.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Batwoman #4 – Flamebird gets her butt whooped as Batwoman continues to search for the missing children and attempts to have a social life.  The story as usual isn’t the draw here, it’s all about the art which continues to be amazing.  Hopefully the storytelling will get to the level of the art and layout and at that point, this’ll be one of the best comics out there.  Until then, it’s only for people looking for something beautiful to look at.

Story: 7.25 Art: 9 Overall: 7.5

Battle Scars #2 – The mystery of Marcus Johnson isn’t revealed in this second issue…. maybe the next one?  The comic is ok, but nothing that’s gotten me too excited.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #526 – In a plot that’s rather appropriate in today’s anti-corporate fervor, we find out exactly what Wilson Fisk wants with the Bank of Wakanda.  The story is pretty solid in it’s chess like plot and the art is always great.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Green Lantern #4 – Jordan and Sinestro versus the entire Sinestro Corps.  But, what happens when they fail?  Captured and surrounded by people that hate them, Sinestro and Jordan have to figure out how to escape and free an enslaved world that despises them.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Iron Man 2.0 #11 – Just one more issue to go with Warmachine taking on a nano tech villain.  It’s been an interesting story, but nothing quite amazing.  The art in this issue though takes a dip as a few different folks hop in to put it all together.  The usual interesting and unique look changes a bunch and often in a jarring way.

Story: 7.25 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Magneto: Not a Hero #2 – What the hell is going on?  Unless you’re a die-hard “X” fan and care about Joseph/Erik/Magneto, this comic just makes little sense for the folks who haven’t been reading for decades.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

the New Avengers #19 – It’s Norman Osborn’s new Dark Avengers and a lot of discussion of what worked, what didn’t and why this team is better.  At the same time the new Avengers discuss Norman being loose and it looks like they have a traitor in their midst.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Resurrection Man #4 – A bunch of crazy in this issue as various forces merge to get Shelley back.  There’s heaven and hell and two women sporting big guns and a guy calling himself Transhuman.  The series is pretty crazy, but something very entertaining and interesting about it all.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 – Is this in continuity?  There’s some things shown here that are pretty huge if this is happening in the 616 world.  As usual, a lot I like in the series but also a lot that’s a bit dense and hard to get in to.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

Suicide Squad #4 – The cover lays it out there “betrayed by one of their own,” but who it is and why definitely caught me off guard.  The second arc comes to a close and leads directly into the third.  The series isn’t the tops out there and needs a bit more fine tuning to turn it into a solid Dirty Dozen type comic, but it’s still entertaining to read.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Superboy #4 – Superboy is given a choice after it’s clear who and what Red is.  But, in his wandering to figure it all out, Superboy comes off as a dick.  It’s interesting to follow this series, just because of it’s tie into Teen Titans, but without that, there’s not a whole lot that’s enjoyable about this Superboy.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Ultimate Comics X-Men #4 – Well, hell, I totally didn’t expect that and see that coming.  Stryker attacks New York while the US government and the remaining X-Men have to figure out how to respond.  The story is very familiar, but just different enough to keep me on my toes.  The Ultimate universe is one where anything can happen and it does.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Uncanny X-Force #18 – Well that was one hell of an ending and I have to say I got a bit emotional for part of it, but still not sure why there was a bag.  Rick Remender’s epic story of the rise of the new Apocalypse goes out with a bang and deserves to be put up there as one of the best “X” stories ever.  Solid on every level.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

The Walking Dead #92 – Just when you think writer Robert Kirkman is going to go in one direction, he throws something at you that you weren’t expecting.  This issue really shakes up the series and I’m sure you’re jaw dropped at the ending like mine.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

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