fear itself: the deep Archives

Tag Archives: fear itself: the deep

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 9/28/11

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Brett

I’ve already posted reviews for the DC comics that came out, but here’s everything else.

American Vampire #19 – I guess this could be subtitled “the origin of Skinner Sweet.” I think we’ll finally learn how he became a vampire by the end of it. But so far, we’re thrown into the Civil War, the American war with the Indians and get to learn a lot about Sweet and his history. An interesting start to the new arc.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Annihilators: Earthfall #1 – The Annihilators still have the Universal Church to deal with which has now splintered into two factions fighting each other. That leads them to Earth which gets noticed by a whole lot of folks. A bunch of aliens beating up humans doesn’t go over too well. Hopefully there’ll be more than fighting to this four issue limited series. The Rocket Racoon and Groot story is entertaining, but not enough to put this issue over the top.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Avengers Academy #19 – The battle with Absorbing Man and Titania comes to an end with very uneven art and a story I shrug my shoulders about. I don’t understand the praise over the series.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Astonishing X-Men #42 – The battle with the Brood is over and there’s so much wrong here. Storm goes from being infected to not in one panel, there’s a lot of sappy foreshadowing. This series is anything but astonishing.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #523.1 – An ok issue, that unfortunately again puts women in danger to get at the hero. An all too easy plot device. There’s a lot I liked, and a lot I didn’t (replacing bullets!?). Not the best of the series and definitely not a good point one. Also, following this with an event issue just isn’t smart planning.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.25

Brilliant #1 – The latest from Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley asks the question, “what if super powers were real?” There’s some promise here, but the first issue doesn’t hook me like it should have. I also can’t help but think I’ve seen this all before.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Captain America & Bucky #622 – Bucky takes center stage as he has to deal with the fact he’s the only person without power. The Invaders get captured and he has to rush to their aid. The series has been fun so far with solid art. It’s nice it gives a look into Bucky’s early years without have to retcon a bunch of stories. So far so good.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Fear Itself: Hulk vs. Dracula #2 – Two issues in and all this is, is one big fight scene between the Hulk and Vampires. So far it adds little to the great Fear Itself storyline and the fact it’s release schedule is compressed makes me think this was a last minute thing or extremely late. While not horrible in any way, I struggle to think of a reason one should buy it other than being a completist.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

Fear Itself: The Deep #4 – The series itself was blah, but that’s what’s known as foreshadowing. It’s clear we’ll see a lot of these characters in the new Defenders series that will sure start. Whether that’ll be better, that remains to be seen, but if it’s not, I don’t see it lasting long.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

FF #9 – The Inhuman’s whip some ass and with one issue Black Bolt is back and just dominates. The way he dismisses everyone just is so bad ass. A great issue that continues the problem with the Reed Richards’. There’s also something with Valeria that’s up and who knows where that’s going. A great continuation of a fantastic series.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Incorruptible #22 – Max Damage continues to do his thing to try to clean up his act as a new villain comes on the scene. Plutonian also decides to show up, which should be interesting in the next issue. Not the best of the series, but it’s a fun series overall.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Iron Man 2.0 #9 – The Palmer Addley story continues as we finally learn how he’s “survived.” It’s an interesting issue and a lot I liked, but a bunch I had some issues with. It’s unfortunate in that the series had a lot of momentum and then got derailed by Fear Itself. If this was a straight story, without the break, it’d of been much better, but Marvel f-ed this up and a few other series with the distraction.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Journey Into Mystery #628 – Loki leads the troops against the Serpent in hell. It’s interesting, but not quite sure exactly what’s going on. I like it, but I’m confused about it all.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Kick-Ass 2 #4 – For all of the talk about how women are treated and portrayed in comics, how did this not cause more of an uproar? The comic is violent porn and the fact there isn’t an outcry over the rape of a teenage girl, the killing of small children and the murder of god knows how many cops makes me question the recent outcry. But, onto the comic, it’s pure violence, with a lot of holy shit moments. I’m a bit torn because it’s so over the top, but like a Tarantino movie, there’s something entertaining about it.

Story: 6 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.25

The Mighty Thor #6 – Not a bad ending to the battle with Galactus, but the issue remains as to when this takes place? It can’t be post Fear Itself, then there’s the Silver Surfer’s involvement with the Annihilators. It doesn’t exactly add up and for this Marvel fan, it bothers me.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

The New Avengers #16.1 – Why did this have to be a point one issue? There’s some good stuff here but the story telling and art are just off from the regular series. If the point ones are supposed to not be just jumping on points but also get folks interested in a series, I just don’t see this doing that.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

New Mutants #31 – I don’t know what it is, but these Fear Itself tie-ins are so bad. The story here is pointless other than a big fight, the art is horrible too. I liked some of the page layouts, but it’s not enough to make is enjoyable.

Story: 6 Art: 6 Overall: 6

Rachel Rising #2 – WTF!? That ending was so disturbing for so many reasons. This is such a creepy horror comic….

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Secret Avengers #17 – Warren Ellis took over the series I was expecting some big explosions and master story telling. We’ve had to self contained issues for his first two issues and neither were all that good. The art isn’t quite up to snuff and the plot is ho-hum. It’s like the comic is treading water until Fear Itself is done.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 – I can’t say I like how a story that took one issue to tell in the 1960’s will be dragged out for four or five issues, but the pacing and how things unfold are still solid. There’s some great touches that really updates the Spider-Man mythos for the modern world wrapping in technology and discussions of tolerance. Even the stereotypical chat about “responsibility” is updated. This is Spider-Man for a new millennium and that has to do with more than just his skin color.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #2 – Well that got a bit complicated quickly. I think the pacing was very off in the issue cramming in too much for a new reader, but it’s theme of technology and progress killing myth and god is very intriguing.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Venom #7 – A bit torn on the issue, it’s easy to dismiss it as a tie-in for yet another event, but there’s a lot of focus on Flash and his connection to Venom. It’s very subtle but it’s there. Instead of asking Anti-Venom to come with him, he attacks, there’s then a scene with him and his father. It’s two parts of a comic that’s really a focus on a character and the demons that lie within.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Wolverine #16 – The fallout of Wolverine finding himself after killing his children continues, but I can’t help feel like I’ve read this exact same story before….

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

X-Men: Legacy #256 – It’s great to see these characters back, but the story is boring and the art atrocious. Spinning wheels until the shake up is all I have to say really.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 8/31/11

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Brett

It’s a good week to finally catch up on reviews. The DC universe is totally changed with two comics, but are they worth it? Will the gamble pay off for DC comics? We can’t answer that this week, but here’s the reviews for the week.

Fear Itself: The Deep #3 – A lot of talk about Undying Ones and me yawning. The comic and limited series isn’t bad in any way, but there’s nothing to grab me. It’s one of the numerous Fear Itself tie-ins that’s so far hasn’t shown me any reason that it was needed and couldn’t be done in the main comic with a tweaked storyline.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Flashpoint #5 – One hell of an ending. The story might have had some faults, but for all of the over the top action, it came back to the heart of the characters. The ending with it’s tender, quiet moment is perfect in every way. Flashpoint will easily go down as a classic event in DC and comics in general. Beyond solid and as an end cap for the DC universe that was it’s great, but more importantly it’s the messenger of what’s to come.

Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5

Iron Man 2.0 #8 – The story is cool as part of the mystery is solved, but the coloring for this issue is so off. Why is Jim Rhodes a white guy for a good chunk of it? The Palmer Adley story continues and overall it’s a decent story, but it looks like the last quarter of this issue kicks it up a notch. The low art score is for the messed up coloring which does take away from the issue.

Story: 7.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Journey Into Mystery #626.1 – The point of Marvel’s point one is to introduce us to the comic and the characters and this one does so well at achieving that. It would seem that this indicates that this comic’s Fear Itself tie-in is over, which is good, because it can now move forward to telling the tales of the young Loki who stands out a lot from his previously older self.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Justice League #1 – This comic had to come out running and instead of something pumped full of energy, it’s a slow burn. Taking place five years ago it really chronicles Batman and Green Lantern meeting. It’s decent enough and there’s some great back and forth but Hal Jordan seems a bit more flippant and a smart ass than the serious and cocky character we’ve known. There’s also some moments I outright question, especially in the beginning action scenes. It’s an ok start, but I don’t think it’s quite the knock it out of the park DC comics needed.

Story: 7 Art: 8.75 Overall: 7.25

The Mighty Thor #5 – Interesting…. but I’m still confused as to when this takes place in continuity. Is this before Fear Itself? Is it after? I’m at a loss here.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

Secret Avengers #16 – And with that Warren Ellis takes over for the series. It’s an interesting comic and the story is disposable, but it’ll be interesting to see what he does with the series. The characters are a little off, and I hate the art, but here’s hoping future issues and his run is as solid as ones he’s done for other series.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #1 – I haven’t been much of a fan of Marvel’s Ultimate line, but this comic is pretty damn cool. Full of action and a very cool concept, it’s got me hooked to check out the second issue. This is an action comic on steroids, and fun to boot.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Uncanny X-Force #14 – Can I just say holy shit. This story has gotten tense, and I have no idea how they come back from it. Archangel is now in full control and X-Force has gotten jacked up. What’s Archangel up to and how will the team stop him? We still don’t know, but it’s interesting some team members still haven’t been shown off in the teasers for what comes next in the “X” line of comics.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 7/27/11 Part 1

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Brett

I’m a bit behind in my reviews. So, instead of waiting to post all of the reviews, I figured I’d get it out in pieces.

The Amazing Spider-Man #666 – The prelude to Spider-Island, there’s enough here to get me interested, but it also plays off a lot of back story which makes me hesitant. I will say, I can understand why everyone is saying Spider-Man is back to form and this is one of the best runs in a long time.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

American Vampire #17 – Scott Snyder continues to show why he’s one of the hottest writers out there. His “Ghost War” story pitting American vampires versus Japanese ones has been through so many twists and turns with moments you just don’t expect. This issue mixes action with a lot of character development to the point I felt emotion on what happened to a few of them.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

Astonishing X-Men #40 – The X-Men and Agent Brand battle the Brood and I yawn. There’s some things I really like and others I scratch my head and wonder what they’re thinking. The story is so-so and the art I could pass on. This series doesn’t quite fit it’s title of “astonishing.”

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Avengers Academy #16 – Half of the issue I disliked and half of it I liked. Pym continues to fight Absorbing Man and Titania. My issue with this is the inconsistent art as well as the fact the two possessed villains are speaking in English when at other times these Asgardians speak in another language. The second half dealing with Veil is so much better and actually somewhat touching. Overall, I don’t see why so many praise this series as it’s the weakest in the Avengers family.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing #2 – An interesting read, but I’m not sure I understand the real need for the series other than to give a real bridge bringing these Vertigo characters into the greater DC universe. Some inconsistent art and the story is ok.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

The Cape #1 – Wow, to say this series knocks it out of the park with the first issue is an understatement, beyond solid with a great story and fantastic art. I have no idea what to expect, but it’s set up what looks to be one hell of a story.

Story: 9.5 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5

Captain America & Bucky #620 – How Bucky met Cap. I’m not sure if Bucky’s back story has been delved into this much, but it’s a solid beginning for this “new” series.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #2 – When I think of noir, I picture dames and detectives in the 20s or 30s. Brubaker has fast forwarded that formula for the 60s, and instead of his protagonist being a rough anti-hero, we’re focused on a main character that’s as bad as the villains. It’s a throwback to the Eerie crime stories of the 40s and 50s with the focus on crime and murder, and boy is it good.

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

Fables #107 – A pseudo one-off story that follows up on a plot point that was made a long time back. It’s entertaining but something is slightly off. Not quite the best foot forward after the previous epic storyline.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Fear Itself: The Deep #2 – Hmm, I’m a bit torn on this limited series. There’s a lot of potential with the characters and the interaction is good, but it’s one fight after another with explanations thrown in between as to what’s going on. Kind of a snoozer and overall it doesn’t add a lot to the Fear Itself storyline.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Fear Itself: The Worthy – Some background on all of the characters that are currently ravaging the Marvel universe. Some of the writing is quite good, some of the art is quite blah. It’s a decent comic to give some depth to the characters, but I wonder why it took five months for it to be released. It should of been out with the second issue of Fear Itself.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

FF #7 – And in one issue, all that was built up in the cosmic end of the Marvel universe is undone. I’m a bit torn about it, as I feel Abnett and Lanning should have the honor of returning Black Bolt to the Marvel universe.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #2 – Definitely one of the weaker entries in Flashpoint. Something is just off with it, I don’t really like the characters, the art is not consistent and overall, I kind of want them to lose. Hal Jordan just comes off as a dick.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #2 – To me, this seems like it’s leading up to the end of the Kid Flash in DCnU. There’s a lot I like here. The art is cool, the story flows nicely and keeps me on my toes. It’s good and seems to add a bit to the overall Flashpoint story.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2 – Interesting story, but a bit choppy. It adds something to the overall story, but isn’t a necessity to read. It’s still fun to see this motley team working together.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Flashpoint: Project Superman #2 – A lot I liked here. The idea of attachment and how Superman might have turned out without it is explored, but as a whole the story is a bit choppy and not sure it’s the way I would have gone. It feels as though it was done to explain what happened to this world’s Superman instead of adding something to the overall Flashpoint story.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Green Lantern Corps. #62 – As a whole the series seems to be on autopilot until the major DCnU shake up. The story is ok, but the art is so-so. We’ll see how much what happens matters in the future DC universe.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #12 – A single story about yet another evil being the Guardians put away and hoped to never see again. The story is ok, but nothing special. Overall, it’s just treadng water until DCnU begins.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 6/1/11

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Brett

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

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

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

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

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

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

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

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

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.75

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

Story: 6.5 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

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

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

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

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

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

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

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

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

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

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

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

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

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

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

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

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

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

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

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

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

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

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7.25

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

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

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

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

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

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

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

Story: 7.25 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

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

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

Around the Tubes

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Brett

DC post-Flashpoint news continues to trickle out as well as the usual deluge of reviews from other sites. Also the return of a long dead comic book line! Check out the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Shockya – Valiant Entertainment Reintroducing Valiant Universe in 2012 – There’s potential here, but I don’t see how fourth or fifth time’s a charm.

Geekweek – Paramount To Adapt DC’S THE MIGHTY Graphic Novel – Haven’t read it, so no idea if this is a good idea or not.

Post Flashpoint:

Bleeding Cool – DC Announces Justice League #1 Print Or Digital For $3.99 – $4.99 For Both

Comics Alliance – Comic Book Retailers Weigh in on the DC Comics Reboot and Same Day Digital

Bleeding Cool – DC Relaunch: Duane Swierczynski And Batman

Bleeding Cool – DC Relaunch: Teen Titans #1

The Beat – JMS: “Reboot was DiDio’s dream”

Bleeding Cool – DC Relaunch: Batwoman #1

Con Coverage:

MTV Geek – HeroesCon Preview: What We’re Looking Forward To At This Year’s Convention

Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – The Amazing Spider-Man #663