MORIARTY #6
Story DANIEL COREY
Art/Cover ANTHONY DIECIDUE
Diamond Code: SEP110474
Pages: 32
Price: $2.99
On Sale: November 2nd, 2011
“The Lazarus Tree,” Part Two
Description:
THE LAZARUS TREE,’ Part Two Tensions in Kyauktada are reaching a boiling point. Moriarty discovers bizarre facts behind a recent spate of killings, a drug-trafficking ring that is linked to his missing friend, and a mass-murder in the jungle that threatens to expose his endgame.
7 WARRIORS #1
Written by Michaël Le Galli
Drawn by Francis Manapul
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER :Francis Manapul
Diamond Code: SEP110849
From the fan-favorite artist of The Flash and Adventure Comics comes 7 beautiful women, 7 WARRIORS! In 6th century Libya, the capitol of an ancient nation is surrounded by the Persian and Byzantine armies. Seven are chosen to save the heir to the kingdom. Seven Warriors. Seven… sexy, gorgeous women? An exquisitely rendered tale in the vein of 300, written by Michaël Le Galli and drawn by Francis Manapul.
MARKSMEN #4 (of 6)
Diamond Order Code: AUG110529
script DAVID BAXTER
art JAVIER ARANDA, GARRY LEACH & JESSICA KHOLINNE
cover TOMM COKER and DANIEL FREEDMAN
32 PAGES / FC / T
$2.99
ON SALE NOVEMBER 2ND
Drake, Hercules and Athena set out to free Heston, but there are times when great sacrifices must be made, and as war wages mercilessly desperate acts bring dire consequences for the Marksmen.
From www.youtube.com/benaroyapublishing
PEANUTS #0
Written by Charles Schulz, Ron Zorman, Vicki Scott
Drawn by Paige Braddock, Vicki Scott, Ron Zorman, Lisa Moore
SC, 24pgs, FC, SRP: $1.00
Diamond Code: SEP110913
Happiness is a monthly comic book series, Charlie Brown! PEANUTS came to KABOOM! last spring in their first graphic novel HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN. Now Snoopy and the gang are back in monthly comic books! The series kicks off with a special #0 featuring a new original story and supplementary material that will provide a sneak peek at the series launching in January! This is a line drive that’s sure to knock your socks off (along with your shoes, hat, shirt, and mitt)! Don’t miss Charles Schulz’s timeless characters at KABOOM! every month!
A week behind in comics, but I’ll be caught up with reviews this weekend. What stands out? What’s not worth the read? Find out below!
The Avengers #18 – The battle is over and Avengers Tower has fallen, so everyone has gathered in the mansion. There’s also a back story about a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. That’s all that really happens. The cover asks who will be a part of the Avengers, and it’s not answered in this issue.
Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7
Batman #2 – A pretty solid second issue. There’s a nice mystery here and we still don’t quite know who or what the villain is. Unfortunately, an interesting character is done away with and part of the comic stretches belief a bit, but an entertaining comic.
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
The Bionic Man #3 – Steve Austin is a broken man and an offer is made to him that’ll change his life. But, the world thinks he’s dead and he wishes he was. The series isn’t as straight as the original and seems that it will focus a bit on a man whose life is shattered and has to deal with not being the man he once was.
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8
Captain Atom #2 – This second issue gives us a bit of the origin for Captain Atom and we learn a little bit more about his powers. I like how the issue slows it down a bit having the character taking on a very real opponent instead of some grand villain. It’s a quieter issue for the series and I think it actually improves upon the first.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
DC Universe Presents #2 – The second issue sees Deadman attempting to figure out what the hell is going on and what his mission is. Not quite as good as the first issue and I can’t say I was a big fan of the denizens of the club he visits, but I like the overall direction of the comic. An interesting take on the character and fun to see a non-superhero comic be a part of DC’s new 52.
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5
Fables #110 – The debate as to who will be the next North Wind continues as the other three winds plot about how to handle the situation. Meanwhile a revolution is brewing in Oz as more and more allies join the team. The series has a lot going on, and I can’t help but feel what’s going on in Oz isn’t similar to things we’ve seen before. Still, an excellent series.
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8
Fear Itself #7 – The final issue of the main story would work much better as an animated movie with such action, but it’s the numerous endings that steals any emotional impact at all. This isn’t really an ending at all, but the beginning of what comes next. For such an event, it feels hollow in a way as it just leads into an even longer story. No real conclusion steals any impact that might have been had.
Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7
Fear Itself: The Fearless #1 – The first of the series to spin out of Fear Itself picks up right where the event ended with the decision as to what to do with the hammers being made, others would disagree or try to gain them. Interestingly enough, this first issue is better than the series it spun out of.
Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8
Fear Itself: The Homefront #7 – Generally forgettable, the final pages to Speedball’s story is ok, and the last story is actually pretty decent, but overall this miniseries, like so many tied into Fear Itself, wasn’t a must read and added little to the overall storyline.
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7
Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #6 – That last little bit with Prodigy was awesome, really funny. The rest of the comic, especially Thor Girl’s bit, what the hell!? Especially Thor Girl’s part! I’m just totally confused.
Story: 6 Art: 7.75 Overall: 6.25
Green Lantern Corps. #2 – Looks like Guy and his team have bumped up against a bunch of other folks who use willpower. The story is pretty crazy and entertaining and that ending was really solid. It seems quite a few of the DC revamp second issues haven’t lived up to the first, but this one remains solid.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Invincible Iron Man #509 – The back story of how the heroes got their weapons from Odin ends here and that part is forgettable. What’s great is Tony struggling with his drinking and what happens to Pepper. Not as solid as past issues, but the story works, even if it’s tied into Fear Itself and that’s primarily due to it’s focus on the human aspect of it all.
Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Journey Into Mystery #629 – The first half of the story I wasn’t the biggest fan of but the end where Loki discusses what he’s done and what the reaction might be is fantastic. I can’t say I’ve gushed over the series, but I’ve really appreciated it’s style and what it’s doing. Now that it no longer has to deal with Fear Itself, I’m expecting some big things.
Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75
Justice League #2 – The team is still coming together and I can’t say the character portrayals is all that good. Superman is still a dick and Batman like a dad, but Green Lantern and The Flash have a nice thing going and hints there’s been interaction before. The story slowly is revealed and it’s ok. If this is the lynchpin of the new DCU, it still needs some help.
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75
Nightwing #2 – Nightwing/Dick Grayson seems to be getting back to his roots with the circus in this series. It’s nice to see him getting pulled back to that and that makes him unique from Batman. I’m not quite totally sure where the series is going, but so far so good. I really like Dick being the playboy he should be, there’s something fun about his version of it, like you get a sense he’s having fun versus Bruce’s brooding. Not great, but an entertaining second issue.
Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8
Superboy #2 – An interesting second issue, what might keep me going with the series is it’s tie in with the Teen Titans. I really like Superboy’s attitude and what they’re setting the character up as, but the rest is meh. I feel like I’ve seen it before. It’s all interesting, and the question of where it’s going may keep me around, but none of it is totally original or stands out.
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25
Supergirl #2 – We learn Kara/Supergirl’s connection to Superman, but not the why she’s now on Earth. I’m digging the story. Her reaction seems natural and there’s a slow progression I dig. This is a series I’ll be sticking with for a bit I think, cause I really like what I’ve read so far.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Superior #7 – Become a super hero at the cost of your soul, that’s all one handicapped kid has to do to become god-like. This second to last issue is utterly fantastic in the type of series Mark Millar should constantly be writing. There’s a few holy shit moments and some great personal ones as well. Beyond top notch.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.5
Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #3 – Hawkeye and his team assault the two cities. There’s some cool moments, but this third issue isn’t quite as tight as the first two. Still, entertaining.
Story: 7.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5
Uncanny X-Men #544 – A pretty solid look back at the X-Men with some great interaction and discussions between various folks. There’s also a lot of hints as to what’s to come as we see the next villain the X-Men will face. A bitter sweet end.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Wolverine #17 – Ok, now this is the type of Wolverine story I like. Before heading back East, there’s still some things Wolverine needs to take care of in Chinatown. A great mix of humor, action and a touch of heart. After a few arcs of Wolvie I haven’t enjoyed, it seems we’re getting something I can finally get behind.
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25
Wonder Woman #2 – We’re given a story about Wonder Woman’s origin, but I’m not convinced that’s the whole story. Overall, a really entertaining second issue that has this series standing out as one of the best of the DC relaunch. Great art and a solid story.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
X-Factor #226 – The team is back in all of their entertaining form. Great banter and interaction and some things I wasn’t expecting. After a few issues that seemed very off in tone the team is back on track it’d seem.
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5
Science #1
RP Comic’s latest entry into their anthologies, the comic lives up to its name and focuses on science fiction. Five stories all too varying quality but overall a solid collection.
Surefire Means follows a crashed spaceship’s two remaining members and the one way to escape. The story telling is great and the ending just caught me off guard.
Yours, Mine and Ours is the second entry and follows a squabbling couple on a remote base in space. There’s some great humor here and has a nice Twilight Zone feel to it.
A Place in History, two explorers are caught underground in a cave. The story is ok, and the twist is somewhat M. Night Shamalan. I’m not quite sure it fits into the theme, but is a decent short story.
R-Net is another good Twilight Zone type story following a man who wants to take down a corporation. He has a device that’ll allow him to do it over and over if he fails. So what happens when he confronts the evil corporate head?
Lateral Murder is a murder mystery with detectives trying to figure out how someone was killed in a society that doesn’t allow murders.
All of the stories are good, some are in fact great. RP Comics is a company that should definitely get your attention, as this issue shows, they do quality.
Writer: Brandon Barrows, Ted Woods, Jay Townsend, Martin Brandt II Art: Joel Cotejar, Ted Woods, Rowel Roque, Jay Townsend, Ionic Publisher: Reasonably Priced Comics
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
Jack Hammer: Political Science #3
The third in a four part limited series. The protagonist Jack Hammer is still on the trail of the murder and winds up going against a villain from his past. The series is good. It’s an entertaining mix of super heroes and a crime story and the dialogue of the characters, action of the story are all great. There’s great flow to the story.
There’s also been a lot of growth over the three issues as far as the look and style of the characters. It’s grown into its own and the style has grown on me. Hair stands out a bit more which adds a bit of depth to the characters (this was a problem in earlier issues). The angles and use of panels is solid as well.
But with one more issue to go, we’ll see how the overall story holds up. The third is just one chapter, but, it’s a pretty decent one.
Writer: Brandon Barrows Art: Ionic Publisher: Reasonably Priced Comics
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy
Reasonably Priced Comics #2 and #3
The original anthology from Reasonably Priced Comics shows off some of what it does best. Each issue has three stories in it, all by some talented folks. This is a good group of folks coming together to put out some fun reads.
Voyaga continues in both issues following our stranded NASA pilot and the future world he’s wound up on. It’s very Planet of the Apes but stands up on its own. It’s a very entertaining story that’s almost worth picking up the three issues on its own.
My Way an extraterrestrial Rat Packer has to ditch the mob. It’s a funny story that has its moments.
The Communicators, two individuals sit across from each other working for their entire lives. Then the ending just comes up and hits you in the gut.
In the third issue along with Voyaga we have two more entries.
Kidthulhu has a following and you can see why. A really funny comic that involves Kidthulhu playing fetch with his dog. It got me to laugh a few times throughout it.
Western Addition – “Dinner Guests” is a western shoot out that just comes out of nowhere. Lots of bullets fly around and then it just kind of wraps up. I’m not the biggest western fan but this was decent with a feel that fits the genre.
These two issues are just solid examples of what this company does. All of those involved are talented writers and artists and I have them on my radar to expect some solid work in the future, because what they’re doing now is pretty damn good.
Writer: Brandon Barrows, Alex De-Gruchy, Michael Nichols, Martin Brandt II Artist: Ionic, Robert Durham, Joshua Calloway, Jason Stephens, Leandro Panganiban Publisher: Reasonably Priced Comics
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
Reasonably Priced Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
It’s Halloween weekend! What fun is everyone getting into? Hope you’re dressing up as your favorite comic book character when you head out. Make sure to head to our Facebook page to post photos of your costumes. The news you missed is light, but here you go.
Around the Blogs:
Bleeding Cool – When Your Comic Book Dealer… Is Also Your Dealer – While there’s a couple of shops I used to go to that I suspected of this, it’s definitely a step up from the one shop that turned out to be a kiddie toucher they busted years ago….
Around the Tubes Reviews:
IGN – Dead Man’s Run #0
CBR – Spaceman #1
Your First Look At DEFENDERS #1
When the impossible is everywhere and the very fabric of reality is threatened by insanity, the world needs more than super heroes…they need Defenders! Enter Defenders #1, from the top-selling creative team of Matt Fraction (Fear Itself, Invincible Iron Man, Mighty Thor) and Terry Dodson (Uncanny X-Men), as Doctor Strange assembles a new team of heroes to face a new kind of threat that will leave readers shocked. Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Namor, Red She-Hulk, Silver Surfer and more of your favorite Marvel Heroes will band together exploring corners of the Marvel Universe you never knew existed for missions so deadly they have to be kept secret. Once a Defender, always a Defender – no matter the cost or sacrifice.
To support the launch of this major new series, Marvel is promoting Defenders through the following retailer support program:
This December, all-new era in Marvel history begins with Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson’s Defenders #1.
DEFENDERS #1 (OCT110587)
DEFENDERS #1 IMMONEN VARIANT (OCT110588)
DEFENDERS #1 ADAMS VARIANT (OCT110589)
DEFENDERS #1 ADAMS INKED VARIANT (SEP118111)
DEFENDERS #1 BLANK VARIANT (OCT110590)
DEFENDERS #1 I AM A DEFENDER VARIANT (OCT110591)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by TERRY DODSON
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
Sketch Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
Blank Variant available
I Am A Defender Variant also Available
FOC—11/7/11, On-Sale—12/7/11
The Walking Dead #90
story ROBERT KIRKMAN, art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
Price: $2.99
Glenn will soon regret his decision.
The Darkness #94
By: Phil Hester, Sheldon Mitchell, Bane
Price: $3.99
The Darkness declares all out war against its most rebellious bearer, Jackie Estacado! With a small group of loyal allies, Jackie must face down an army of doppelgangers, a scorned woman from his past, and the very source of his own power.
