Category Archives: Reviews

Review: Black Panther World of Wakanda #5

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It’s going down! Roxane Gay brings pure fire in yet another amazing issue of Black Panther: World of Wakanda. There are Midnight Angels gone rogue, Dora Milaje taking it to the streets and cleaning house all Wakanda and, Folami acting most foul in her attempt to quench her blood lust. Everything about this issue from cover to cover is amazing and I can’t wait until the next issue. There’s so much richness, culture, and purity in this story that you feel attached to the characters. Even the villainess Folami is relatable, you still want her caught and dealt with but, you feel for her. Gay’s amazing writing gives an emotional depth and a realism to every character that she brings to life on the pages of this issue and I am here for it.

Alitha E. Martinez lays down some beautiful, dimensional lines and Roberto Poggi follows up with amazing color that brings the characters and Wakanda to life. There are beautiful and distinctive facial features for all of the variety of shades of color that the story showcases. People look like real people of color and it is wonderful, Martinez even shows different body types and characteristics making this issue even more gripping and making each character even more a part of the story.

This issue tackles so many great issues like rage, sexual assault, exploitation of the weak, and sexuality. What’s great about it is that Gay makes sure to show the ugly and beautiful sides of life in a way that makes everything seem real, human and relatable. The care she takes with the lesbian love story of two of my favorite Midnight Angels is pure magic, instead of exploiting it she makes it a part of the story because the characters are a part of the story not because they are lesbians. The way she shows the Dora dispensing justice throughout the city and keeping its bad guys in check is engaging and, the way she shows Folami’s rage and vengeance makes her relatable even though we all know she’s wrong. This issue highlights all of the amazing things that any sensible reader would love about the series and makes it accessible enough to draw in new readers. Dawn of the Midnight Angels concludes in an amazing way and I’m looking forward to the next story arc and seeing all of the great things that I am sure this stellar team has in store for us.

Story: Roxane Gay Art: Alitha E. Martinez and Roberto Poggi
Story: 9.9 Art: 9.7 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Supergirl S2E16 “Star-Crossed” Gets Sidetracked by Quirky Subplots

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StarcrossedFI

At times, this week’s episode of Supergirl  “Star-Crossed” feels like a hybrid of the worst parts of two great genre shows. It’s the episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 or so where Spike is trying to be a “good person” to win Buffy’s love combined with the early episodes of Angel that spent an entire episode on some monster of the week gimmick, like hip hop themed demon gangs or elaborate games of demon poker. In this case, writers Katie Rose Rogers and Jessica Kardos spend most of the episode’s running time on a B-plot featuring Winn’s girlfriend Lyra and an intergalactic art smuggling ring while putting the reveal of Mon-El as the prince of Daxam on the backburner. We do find out that his parents, Rhea (Teri Hatcher) and Lar Gand (Kevin Sorbo) definitely would have voted for Trump as they espouse the motto “Make Daxam great again.” and say that slavery helped other alien races “improve their station”.

Rogers and Kardos should be applauded for finding some way to connect the Mon-El reveal and alien art thief through the shared theme of lying in a relationship. The makeouts and “divine museum sex” that Winn and Lyra shared were just a cover for her being a con woman and trying to steal priceless works of art like Van Gogh’s Starry Night (So cliched.) to buy her brother back from a trailer park dwelling group of gangster aliens. Roger and Kardos invent a whole backstory for her from whole cloth and set up Lyra as a terrible person, who has been using Winn the whole time, but he stills likes her for kissing reasons, I guess. If the Mon-El/Kara romance is any barometer, people do terrible things for attractive people or aliens.

Winnyo

However, the fights between the alien art ring members and Winn’s friends lets first time director and veteran stunt coordinator John Medlen Jr. shoot some brutal close quarters action as Alex Danvers continues to fight dirty while still breaking off after beating the bad guys to kiss her girlfriend Maggie. Rogers and Kardos also reunites the “superfriends” of Guardian, Winn, and Supergirl as they get to the bottom of these alien art shenanigans even if Lyra gets off a little too easy.

But, for the most part, this plot feels like a cheesy diversion from the important reveal that Mon-El has been lying all along and is the spoiled prince of a country, who kept their subjects drunk and lazy to exploit them all the more. Medlen’s red tinged flashbacks are shot in stark, yet stylized documentary style with Mon-El’s selfishness on full display as he leaves his one night stand behind to flee Daxam in his pod. And to get to his pod, his bodyguard kills its Kryptonian diplomat owner and sacrifices himself while Mon-El jets off to safety. Yeah, Mon-El isn’t just a frat boy, but a murderer too in a neat deconstruction of the white male Chosen One trope. And his excuses for his behavior ring hollow even though Chris Wood uses his pretty face to wring every last bit of charm out of them.

Finally, Katie Rogers and Jessica Kardos realize that Kara and Mon-El aren’t a good match. Her motivation for being a superhero is her implicit goodness while his is to put it frankly, to get in her pants or spend time with her. The opening scene of “Star-Crossed” shows Mon-El’s selfishness as he enjoys “Netflix and chill” with Kara rather than teaming up with her to help people or listen about the articles and investigations she used to do for Catco. He’s at his happiest when Kara is at her weakest and most inactive and sits out during the action scenes except for the end when he declares his love for her in front of his disapproving parents, who spend most of the time extolling the virtues of Daxam and decrying the Kryptonians. They’re like your racist in-laws only played by Kevin Sorbo and Teri Hatcher with regal speaking patterns.

SupergirlRhea

The ending of “Star-Crossed” seems to fall into a pattern of Mon-El being terrible and Kara forgiving him and taking him back, but Rogers and Kardos finally break with convention. Melissa Benoist puts on her tough, serious face and calls him out on lying about his entire past and personality and pretending to be another so she would like him. Ir’s a real moment of power for Supergirl in an episode that seems overly concerned with alien gang politics, and Jeremy Jordan’s shout-y dialogue delivery as he proves that he’s better at quick-witted comic relief than melodrama. She is single and free to be a hero, and so is Mon-El as he tells his parents to leave Earth. But their departure is a little too easy, and they’re sure to be back. Rhea is a master of a passive aggressive manipulation and uses Kara’s misgivings about Mon-El to break them up, and it would be a lot of fun to see her and Lillian Luthor match wits.

“Star-Crossed” meanders into a side character’s backstory a little too much kind of wastes Daxamites as potential antagonists. However, Kara finally sees the light about Mon-El, which means Melissa Benoist gets to exhibit some intense post-breakup emotions, and John Medlen is one hell of a fight choreographer for the Guardian vs. Trailer Park Alien Boys scenes so it’s not a half bad episode. Plus there’s a tease of Darren Criss’ Music Meister (and a Glee reunion) complete with CGI contact lens hypnosis at the very end.

Overall: 7.5

Review: The Punisher #10

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Becky Cloonan knows good Punisher style carnage and she isn’t afraid to write it. The Punisher #10 has Agent Ortiz on the hunt for Condor with a bloodied Face still getting the crap kicked out of him in the back seat while Ortiz pumps him for information on Condors location. We also see a really hostile takeover of Condor and Frank saving the wrong hostage leaving him in a world of trouble. This issue was non-stop awesome with a side of two levels of female badassery that had me begging for the next page like an EMC addict. This issue was one of the best-written issues I’ve read in a while and I’m so beyond here for it that I literally scrolled up a few times after it was all over hoping to discover a page that I missed just so that I could have more of it.

The artwork provided by Matt Horak was a perfect addition to an already amazing issue, it was simple yet well defined and felt reminiscent of 80s Marvel darkness and despair. Not to be outdone Frank Martin with some help from Guru-EFX turned up the color palette to glib making Frank of all people the brightest spot in the story. The way they made him stand out in the madness and chaos was killer and pulled focus to title character of the comic perfectly. Every bruise, blood trail and violent action feels real and is so well drawn with the color to match that it causes a real reaction. The shadows even speak to the omnipresent feeling that something sinister this way comes and the art really does become an extra character in an already amazing story.

This issue does a lot of things well, chief among them telling an amazing, believable and followable story. This arc is full of crosses, double crosses and mayhem so much so that it would have been easy for the writer to fall into a trap and leave Frank swimming in a convoluted story line that only served the purpose of raising the carnage count. Lucky for us that Cloonan is on point and giving us a focused Frank Castle doing what he does best and supporting characters that not only make sense but, are relatable and have their own agency. Double kudos to Cloonan for giving us not one but TWO kick ass ladies who are autonomous as part of a bigger story and can not only hold their own but, make you pity the poor person who crosses them because you know their vengeance will be swift and painful.

This issue is so well written that it can stand alone and even though it’s not the beginning of an arc, it’s easy enough to follow that it would make a nice entry point into the character and the story as a whole. There’s so much to love about this issue, from it’s easy to follow along with plot to its easily identifiable Gillian’s, to its characters with clear motives and personal agendas who don’t come off as one-dimensional, cookie-cutter bad guys. The only I didn’t like about this issue is that there wasn’t more of it and now I have to wait to see what happens next to Frank, Agent Ortiz and Condor as a whole. But, I know with Cloonan at the helm it’ll be well worth the wait.

Story: Becky Cloonan Art: Matt Horak, Frank Martin, Guru-EFX
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel comics provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review 

The Walking Dead S7E14 The Other Side

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walking-dead-5 photoThe Saviors visit the Hilltop unexpectedly, surprising everyone, with plans of taking more than supplies.

The Walking Dead‘ continues to build the tension as the episode focuses on Sasha and Rosita going after Negan and Negan’s crew heading to Hilltop to get a new doctor now that theirs is dead.

The episode falls into the slow and plodding but full of tension type of show with things building throughout and everything presented being rather subtle. You never know what will set off an explosion and lead to greater escalation. This is an episode full of subtle things.

An example is early on with Jesus talking the Maggie where he officially comes out on the show. It’s something fans have wondered since his comic counterpart is gay and its been confirmed that he is, but this is the first official nod to it. The interaction with Maggie is excellent and his movement and look to see Maggie’s reaction says more than words could. The same goes with Maggie’s reaction. It’s a touching moment.

There’s the Hilltop issue with Daryl and Maggie having to hide. The tension there isn’t the will they be found question. The tension is if Gregory will turn them over. The dude is a snake and it’s a question of when he’ll turn them in, not if. That’s the build up here. But, it gives Maggie and Daryl a moment to talk where Daryl has an emotional moment that you can tell he feels guilty over Glenn’s death. It’s great acting and as a viewer I felt the pain being presented on screen.

The bigger part of the episode is Sasha and Rosita’s plan to assassinate Negan. But, that goes sideways as they come across Eugene. Now, it’s left to the viewers to decide. Has Eugene really been brainwashed and going along with Negan? Does he have a plan? The show plays it really well so viewers are unsure of where things are going with him. Sasha and Rosita’s plan is busted though which leads to Sasha to take matters into her own hand. We know things are probably not going to go well for her since the actress who plays her is going to another show, but you never know!

The episode is good in the subtle things it does, but is another episode setting up the war to come. Not the best, but there’s a lot of small things to keep viewers engaged and looking to dissect. The episode is full of tension, but never quite delivers in that department.

Overall rating: 7.65

Review: Neil Gaiman’s American Gods: Shadows #1

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The comic book adaptation of Neil Gaiman‘s award-winning American Gods is everything you need to hold you over until the STARZ tv version premieres and then some. P. Craig Russell does an amazing job at adapting the story into a readable and enjoyable comic book, he trims the “fat” nicely without compromising the story or the material that we all fell in love with. For those who haven’t read the book yet, the comic book is a nice entry and primer to it and I hope you feel compelled to read the book as well and watch the show.

Scott Hampton gives us low-fi pulp status visuals that bring the story to life in a way that seems more (sur)real than fans of the book could have imagined and he doesn’t skimp on the parts that you thought you’d never see.

There’s always a danger in adaptations of popular material that you’ll screw up the source material, take to many liberties and tick off the fans but, that’s not a problem that this comic book has. In fact having it come out before the TV show might have put some pressure on STARZ to make sure they get it right. There’s a lot of detail in the comic book that holds true to the book but, doesn’t come off as vulgar or exploitive. There’s no shock value or gore just a well-adapted story, with simple yet creative visuals that paint a beautiful picture into the world that our hero Shadow is about to enter.

The first issue of this series focuses on Shadow, his back story, time in prison, motivation to that pivotal moment where he meets and interacts with the “man” who will change his life. As a nice “epilogue” to this issue, we get to meet Bilquis in action in LA which should excite fans of the Gaiman original and, engage newcomers to the story to what kind of story they should expect. This is a solid first issue for a well-loved novel and I’m happy to see it come to fruition. I’m sure the hardcover collected edition will be something that coffee tables will beg for, especially if they get a David Mack cover like Fight Club 2 had. I recommend buying the issue, especially if you can get one of the sweet Mack covers even if you’re tempted to wait for the collected edition because it’s a work of art.

Dark Horse has another hit on its hands with this one, not just because of the story’s original fans but, because it this strong first issue is any indication, they’re going to have whole bunch of new readers falling in love with the story for the first time as well as OG fans finding a new way to love the story in a new and exciting way.

Story: Neil Gaiman Adaptation: P. Craig Russell Art: Scott Hampton
Story: 9.1 Art: 8.9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Review: Batwoman #1

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Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV weave an interesting and diverse tale in Batwoman #1 the return of the character to her own ongoing series. This isn’t just a Rebirth, it is an awakening of a compelling and interesting story where a fluff line used to reside. There’s real emotion and a real story being told and I’m more than happy to allow myself to get engaged in it and take this arc up on its offer for what seems to be a very compelling ride. The women in this story are strong, vulnerable, relatable and human. There are layers to everything that peek through the surface and pull you in deeper. The beginning of the “Many Arms of Death” storyline has Kate’s chickens coming home to roost as she finds herself living on her yacht and hunting down the surge of a lethal drug that has hit the streets of Cortana. We not only get to see Batwoman in action, without the brooding caped crusader stealing her thunder but, we get to learn a little bit more about her lost years which it turns out weren’t all parties and passion.

Steve Epting and Jeromy Cox provide some really cool, muted and realistic art for the panels in this issue. The colors only pop when that red hair is in the middle of kicking some ass, keeping the focus on our somber hero. The rest of the time the art stays muted and dark which matches the tone of the story of a killer street drug on an island of criminals. There’s a sense of danger, foreboding and death that lingers in the edges of the panels that makes the story feel real and dark but, also engaging.

There isn’t a useless panel, word, or action in any of the pages of this story. Each conversation, fight, intel gathering computer screen flash is meaningful and important. Everything moves the story forward and engages the reader giving off flashes of insight to air of mystery that surrounds Batwoman. You can’t help but be drawn in and fascinated by everything about the character and the writers put the focus squarely on her, literally and figuratively. There is also not a trace of Batman which means that we are treated to a Batwoman story and arc that is, gasp, all about Batwoman as it should be.

Bennett and Tynion give her character some much-needed urgency and fire. Having established Kate’s sexuality in the previous start-up issue, Bennett doesn’t revisit it outside of a flashback showing that there may have been something going on between Kate and someone from the island. The way Bennett chose to have this play out is brilliant, she isn’t washing over her sexuality nor is she exploiting it. Having established it already it allows the story to continue, like in real life because no one goes about their daily business professing their sexuality.  This choice normalizes something that is normal and allows us to get to know the character better and, doesn’t use her being a lesbian as a gimmick or as a diversity red herring. There’s something to be said about being able to tell a compelling story without the use of cheap tricks AND still having diversity and inclusion in the story.

Overall, I found this issue a fast, compelling, well-written read and I can’t wait until the next installment in, if this opening issue is any indication, what I am sure will be a very interesting arc and a wonderful upgrade to the Batwoman legacy and series.

Story: Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV Art: Steve Epting and Jeromy Cox
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 3/18

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Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

 

Alex

All-Star Batman #9 (DC) Written with an almost prose style, this comic is easily the better of the two Batman books this week, giving us an interesting look at the Mad Hatter as Snyder continues his out-of-Gotham tour of Batman’s Rogues Gallery. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

american gods 1.jpgAmerican Gods #1 (Dark Horse) I have never read the prose version of this story before, although I have a vague idea as to what the basic premise is from conversations with a friend, but I wasn’t prepared for how quickly the story went from hinting at something just beneath the surface to throwing it into your face. I liked it, however. Quite a lot. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Batman #19 (DC) ….. it took me four minutes to read this, and that was four minutes I could have spent watching paint dry instead. Overall: 3 Recommendation: Pass

Deadpool The Duck #5 (Marvel) Stupid, yet fun. Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

Venom #5 (Marvel) Despite the fast pace it feels like there’s not been too much happening yet in this series, and yet I’ve been enjoying it nonetheless. There’s some great art sequences here that more than make up for the comparative lack  of substance. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Elana

BW_Cv1_dsBatwoman #1 (DC)– The Rucka / J.H. Williams III run of this character is the stuff of legends. I’ve eagerly awaiting the new creative team and this first issue is a promising start that should excite fans of the modern classic. Marguerite Bennett is the first queer woman to write Batwoman (and her cowriter for this, James Tynion IV is bi too). I’m relieved to have their perspectives on DC’s premiere lesbian heroine. The art from Steve Epting and Ben Oliver shares the striking noir glamor of of J.H. Williams’ original figures though their layouts are more traditional. Seeing a comic cover with 3 mysterious women of color on it is just what I needed. Recommendation: Buy

Patrick

I Hate Fairyland #11 (Image)** – Welcome back, muffin fluffers! Now that Skottie Young
has liberated himself from the useless encumbrance of things like “story arcs” and “plot”, he can get on with what this series does best: pure mayhem. In this issue, Gert goes fangirl on Gwag the Barbarian and in return is subjected to the fannish attentions of Gert cosplayer Maddie. The usual fun. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: buy

Casanova: Acedia #8 (Image)** – And into flashback, with art this time by Gabriel Bà. This is an absolutely paint-by-numbers assassin’s-daughter story, you know the one: assassin tries to shield daughter from The Life but she embraces it anyway. Nary a note of the originality and twist I expect and deserve from a Matt Fraction story. This story is stuck in neutral and needs a swift kick. Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Skip

Sex Criminals #17 (Image)** – In this issue, Fraction & Zdarsky do their best Brubaker & Island_15-1Phillips… and really made me wish that Brubaker & Phillips had in fact done this issue. In fact, “The Skell” would be a great start to a series where we really dig into the m.o.’s of the various other sex criminals that are being hunted by Myrtle Spurge and her sex cops. In short, this would have been great if Fraction would just have run with it instead of backing off. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Kill of Be Killed #7 (Image)** – And speaking of Brubaker and Phillips and Breitweiser, and issues that deviate from the main plot to focus on a secondary character… Now this is how it’s done. “What Kira Sees” takes us into the world of vigilante Dylan’s ex in a series of
family photos and therapy sessions, which leads her into Dylan’s closet and a very good, totally sensible, and really terrible decision. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Island #15 (Image)** – Sadly, this is the final issue of Brandon Graham and Emma Rios’ anthology series. We open with Grim Wilkins’ wordless “Mirenda”, a very nice fantasy piece with animation-like drawing. Not really my thing, but well done. Farel Dalrymple follows with a new installment of “Pop Gun War,” which is really my thing: freewheeling rock n’ roll urban crime whmsy. Where can I get more of this? Oh, here: http://fareldalrymple.com/ (trade collection in June!) Next up: this issue’s stunning highlight, Dilraj Mann’s “January”, a starkly-drawn meditation on young fame and the lies we tell to be pop. And then the series peaces out with Brandon Graham hisself in a delightfully surreal installment of “Multiple Warheads”. All I can do is quote the closing lines: “Good dream.” “… Hope so…” I have really loved this series and would happily take more of this sort of thing. Thanks, Brandon and Emma, you guys are the best. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

 

Ryan C

Dead Inside #4 (Dark Horse)** – In the best crime/mystery story fashion, John Arcudi ramps up the unanswered questions just prior to wrapping things up next month, while continuing the strong characterization that’s been a hallmark of this series from the outset., and Toni Fejzula’s Wrightson-esque art drives home the dark atmospherics in a dead inside 4 coverway that can only be described as “pitch perfect.” Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Batman #19 (DC)** – Is this story actually going anywhere? We get it, Batman and Bane are gonna fight, but this is the second straight installment comprised more or less entirely of build-up, and it leaves us off, bizarrely, further back than we were last issue, when at least the fisticuffs had already gotten underway. I wouldn’t mind at all if the characterization and backstory were enlightening or shed something new on the proceedings, but Tom King so far hasn’t managed to do that. Oh, and David Finch’s art is still lousy. Overall: 3 Recommendation: Pass

Batwoman #1 (DC)** – Writers Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV deliver a reasonably intriguing spy/noir thriller that suits artist Steve Epting’s considerable talents to a “T,” but it’s also fair to say it’s not exactly earth-shattering stuff and covers ground that’s very well-trod indeed. I liked it fine, but it was certainly predictable in the extreme. Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Read

Black Panther: World Of Wakanda #5 (Marvel)** – Roxane Gay and Alitha E. Martinez put the wraps on their five-part story arc, which I loved at the beginning, with an issue that continues the sad trend of each installment getting progressively worse than the last. Granted, this is essentially a prequel and, as such, is hamstrung by the same problem all prequels are — namely, you know how it’s going to end — but Gay, who is a very skilled author, never really fleshed out her two intriguing lead characters beyond their very broadly-defined internal struggles, and the art is bog-standard stuff. All in all, a woefully wasted opportunity. Overall: 2.5 Recommendation: Pass

 

Shean

Black Panther: World Of Wakanda #5 (Marvel) The cliffhanger on the last issue, had hankering for what will happen next, and the creative team somewhat . We find Wakanda dead inside 4 coverin the throes of an awakening amongst the country’s women, as everyone has heard by this point what Aneka has done , and want retribution as well. What the Dora Milaje doesn’t see coming is one of their own seeking revenge. By issue’s end, you do realize it’s a prequel, one much like a recent show, leaves you an unsatisfactory ending. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Odyssey Of The Amazons #3 (DC)– We catch-up with the Amazons as they meet the Valkyries. Their resolve tested and possibly new allies by their side, they are still searching for their lost sisters. Trolls and Jojins continue to battle them at every front , Tgemyra’s leadership continues to wane and the ship’s crew unity begins to dissipate.By issue’s end, it seems the Amazons have been dealt a fatal blow. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Batwoman#1 (DC)– Definitely one of the better reboots from The Big Two, as this spy thriller felt a little Iron Man/ James Bond -Ish as this has all the workings that one would expect of either character but as this gender switch deftly proves, it is even more interesting with a woman in this position. One should buy if you are enjoying Brubaker and Phillips “Velvet”, as Kate Kane is one smooth operator to be watched.
Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

 

 

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Review: U.S.Avengers #4

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471323._SX1280_QL80_TTD_Do you HATE tie-ins with a fiery passion, True Believer? Well, this isn’t one! It’s a compete epic event – in 20 pulse-pounding pages! In the wake of Monsters Unleashed – even more monsters!! Because you probably will have demanded it! RED HULK! AMERICAN KAIJU! VANDOOM, the man who made a creature! And wouldja believe – DEDD-PUUL, THE MERCENARY THAT WALKS LIKE A MAN?!?

That was a lot of build up for a so-so issue. Al Ewing and Paco Medina bring us a stand-alone issue featuring Red Hulk (the new one, General Robert L. Maverick; not General Ross.. there seems to be so many Hulks these days..) being sent in to handle a situation quietly for the American government. He runs into Deadpool, and things don’t exactly go as planned. Deadpool does give us some funny moments through this story, but it doesn’t do much to save this issue from just being ‘ok’. I was rather bored and found the villain to be a little cheesy. Maybe that was what they wanted from this issue, and with Deadpool in it you know it isn’t going to be gravely serious. But it just didn’t do anything for me.  Also, having the book break into what looks like different covers for a tie in didn’t really add anything to the story, I just found it distracting.

I do really like Medina’s art on this book. His pages have a great flow and the action moves well with the story. I may not have been caught up with the story, but I really did take a moment on each page to take in the art, which really is the winner in this issue.

Overall, not a very exciting issue. It does have some humorous moments and as I said, the art is very good. But it isn’t just this issue, I’m just not really enjoying this book as a whole. When it was New Avengers and Roberto had taken A.I.M and turned it into something good, that was an interesting concept. Yes, that title had it’s problems too, but it was a new idea that could have been taken a lot further. Instead, the organization got rolled in with SHIELD and is now just a cog in that machine. And I’m sure with Secret Empire coming up this title is going to get a shake up with the direction Steve Rogers wants to go in, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this team reacts. I’m hoping Roberto doesn’t jump into formation with his new fuhrer, and maybe this team can go back to being something new and exciting rather than following its current course.

Story: Al Ewing Art: Paco Medina
Story: 4.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 6.25 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE issue for review

TV Review: Iron Fist S1E13 Dragon Plays with Fire

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In a desperate search to clear his name, Danny learns a terrible truth that places him on a new path.

We find out the truth about who killed Danny’s parents and caused the plane crash as Danny attempts to get the tablet that has the information that’ll clear his name.

This episode features every issue I have of the series. The dialogue is cheesy and spells things out (For example a gun shot goes off and someone exclaims “they’re on the roof”). There’s glaring plot issues (Said tablet is in a vault which is left open when a gun is retrieved. And why are you keeping the evidence of your evil plan!?). The action is silly. A martial arts master runs after knocking the gun from a hand and the villain walks away after he knocks down Danny. We’re continuously reminded that Danny isn’t bullet proof (he’s not Luke Cage after all!). The episode is littered with bad dialogue and too many moments where I found myself yelling at the television.

The episode wraps things up as far as the story for this season, but the ending leaves things wide open as to where it all goes from here. But even that ending! Really, no head gear while walking around on a snowy mountain?

The finale is a flawed mess that’s good in a turn your brain off and try not to think sort of way. It says nothing, is completely forgettable, and screams mediocrity in a series of shows that have all excelled in some way. The one thing the series has going for it is that it improves as it goes along and does suffer from the late season slump that other Marvel Netflix endeavors have, but then again, it starts from a much lower quality point. Then again, all of the Marvel series have had a letdown of a final episode.

The end sets a lot up, but with such a poor first outing, does it deserve a second? Will fans want one?

Overall Rating: 5.05

TV Review: Iron Fist S1E12 Bar the Big Boss

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Ward receives an offer with strings attached. Davos advocates for an extreme solution and a deadly duel gets personal.

In the penultimate episode, Bakuto makes a move and takes the Meachums hostage in hope of bringing Danny out into the open. Weirdly the Meachums plan is to screw with Bakuto by taking away his money and lure him out. It’s all rather goofy in some ways and doesn’t quite work. If the Meachum/Rand plan was smart, Danny would have intercepted Bakuto and his team beforehand. But, it seems like not too many people here are smart. It’s like a lot of the season where the small details don’t quite work and add up into issues, like the backpack in the first episode.

The episode feels like it telegraphs every major thing. Bakuto carries a sword which sets up his fighting Colleen. Davos’ actions were obvious as to what he’d do to the Hand compared to Danny and Colleen, which he of course does. And that sets up conflict between him and Danny. It’s like nothing can be subtle in this series and everything beats the viewer over the head.

And speaking of plot points…. whatever happened to the whole poisoning neighborhoods plot? That seems to be forgotten.

What’s interesting and stands out in this episode is that music is used to shock the viewer again. The music for the series is very underused and in the first episode and here we get hip-hop used to wake up the viewer in same ways. It’s an interesting tidbit especially when Luke Cage used music some prominently.

there’s a twist at the end of the episode which is…. interesting, and in the bigger scheme of things again makes little sense. Like a lot of the season it’s a bit blunt and feels forced in, especially since the series made sure to say multiple times that the drugs being moved around weren’t illegal.

With one episode to go, this is a wrinkle that feels like a plot point added in WAY too late.

Overall Rating: 5.20

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