Tag Archives: rachel rising

Pick of the Week – America’s Got Powers #2

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In the extra week, there’s quite a few solid choices of books to pick up and at the top for me is America’s Got Powers #2.  The series reminds me of The Hunger Games, a popular series that still hasn’t seen a comic adaptation.  Well, even with publishers dropping the ball on that, we’ve got this substitute which has super powered teenagers battling it out for a spot on a team in front of television audiences.  The first issue was solid, and I expect nothing less from the second issue.

  • America’s Got Powers #2 – see above
  • World War Hack – I read this graphic novel from Viper Comics and it’s good.  Really good.  Someone has hacked the US Government and they turn to some of the best hackers to figure out the how.  A very possible scenario that’s chilling in how likely it is to happen.
  • Channel Zero – Brian Wood’s series is collected by Dark Horse and it’s fantastic.
  • Rachel Rising #8 – A female centered horror series that deserves WAY more coverage than it’s getting.
  • Transformers: Robots in Disguise #5 – IDW’s series is fantastic.  Just love it!

Comic Book (sort of) Weekly Reviews – 3/7/12

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That’s three week’s of reviews taken care of this week.  Getting closer to catching up.

Age of Apocalypse #1 – It’s the last remaining humans versus Weapon Omega and a world full of mutants.  It’s the reverse of the 616 in a way and while I missed the Age of Apocalypse the first time around, the writing style, voice and art have me wanting to come back for more.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Animal Man #7 – The battle along with Swamp Thing is growing nearer as the Rot continues to hunt Animal Man and his family.  The story is solid as expected and it’s the fright along with the quiet moments that makes this series great.  Vertigo has come to DC and damn is it good.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Avengers Academy #27 – Part one of the Runaways’ visit to Avengers Academy starts with a stereotypical fight and looks like the second part will be one too…. sigh.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Avengers: the Children’s Crusade #9 – After so much build-up.  After so many delays, the final issue of this mini-series is kind of a let down.  Not much really happens other than events being set into motion concerning Iron Lad and what happens to Vision, but really it’s all to neat and tidy when the vents leading up to it and depicted during were anything but.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7

Batman: Detective Comics #7 – The story involving Penguin’s Casino is over and I’m all mixed up as to what the hell is going on.  Too many Batman comics with not enough distinction.  The stories seem to blur together a bit and that’s not a good thing.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Batwing #7 – We find out the horrific thing the Kingdom did and really, it’s impact just didn’t hit me.  But.. the fight heads to Gotham.  What’s it say that Batwing has to run to the other “white” Batman and friends to solve his issue?  Doesn’t really make the character stand on his own….

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

the Defenders #4 – The first arc is over, but that doesn’t mean the story is over.  There’s a dream machine and Strange doesn’t know what it does and how it works.  The issue really focuses on Strange and his history and a lot of potential of what the story could be.  Lots of hints of excellence, but it doesn’t quite work for me.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Fairest #1 – Spinning out of Fables, what ever happened to Sleeping Beauty?  Ali Baba is the Prince of Thieves in search of treasure and this first issue harkens back to the quality of early Fables comics.  So good.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Hell Yeah #1 – It’s the last generation of heroes and there was a lot of buzz about this book and there’s a reason.  It’s so good, Hell Yeah lives up to it’s name.  The comic has great art and the story has me very interested.  Such a solid first issue that shows why Image is one of the most buzzed about publishers.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

The Manhattan Projects #1 – Jonathan Hickman’s latest series is so interesting involving the Manhattan Project and how that was really a front.  The ideas are so out there as expected, Hickman knocks it out of the park with this first issue.  The art is interesting and not quite to my liking, but overall the series is a great read and absolute buy.

Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 9

Night Force #1 – What the fuck did I just read?  This is really only for hardcore fans of whatever came before.

Story: 6 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.25

Rachel Rising #6 – Wow.  A slow burn of a horror series that seems to only get better with each issue.  I really wish more people were praising the series because it deserves the mass exposure a certain other horror comic series is getting.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 – The things that come out of Ralph’s mouth are some of the best things ever said on The Simpsons.  He’s easily one of my favorite characters.  I was giddy when I heard about this series and it’s as funny and innocent as I expected.  I had a smile on my face the entire time and was laughing out loud.  So much potential, so much fun.

Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 8.75

Red Lanterns #7 – Atrocitus still searches for Krona so Bleez decides to take the Red Lanterns on a mission.  Then there’s the Red Lantern of Earth, who of course lashes out and fights Guy Gardner.  For all good there is, there’s also so much bad…

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7

Stormwatch #7 – The series is so close to being something great, but it just doesn’t quite do it for me.  I’m still reading hoping it’ll get there.  It shows improvement, but still not there yet.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Swamp Thing #7 – The Green is under assault by the Rot and Alec must choose what he’ll do.  Does he become the Swamp Thing or does he let the Rot win.  Here’s what we’ve been waiting for… the decision.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #8 – Miles and his uncle have a talk while the Scorpion is after the Prowler.  Miles is still dealing with his new role as others are adjusting to the news of a new Spider-Man.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Uncanny X-Men #8 – The Tabula Rasa story is over and I’m sure that’s not the last we’ll see of it.  Overall a poor follow up to X-Force’s story that created it, but interesting concepts.  The art is still very uneven.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Venom #14 – The battle in Vegas is over thankfully… such a bad story arc.  Here’s hoping the series gets back on track.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Villains for Hire #4 – And with that, a good concept comes to an end.  So sad as the Heroes and Villains concept had a ton of potential and the Heroes version was a lot of fun.  This ending was a bit convoluted, but still entertaining.  We’ll see if there’s any lasting impact to this all.  I hope there is.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Winter Soldier #3 – Not as quite good as Cap stories of the past, the series is slowly finding it’s own voice and coming together.  Bucky and Widow have to break into the Latverian Embassy to have a chat with Von Doom after figuring out who is behind all the activity they’re tracking.  There’s a lot of action here, but the comic stands out when it slows down and focuses on the characters.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Wolverine #302 – Wolverine struggles against mind control, what a shock.  His battle with the Hand continues and gets noticed by the Hand’s leader Wilson Fisk…  The story is ok, but the art is sub-par.

Story: 7.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7.25

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega #3 – And the point to this miniseries is?  I really need to learn to not buy these.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

X-Men #26 – Wow is the art bad in this issue.  Storm looks anorexic in the majority of panels.  The story is so-so, but really, I kind of hoped someone would stake Jubilee and get this story arc over with.

Story: 7 Art: 6 Overall: 6.75

Rachel Rising excerpt in The Walking Dead #95

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THE RISING DEAD
Rachel Rising excerpt to appear in THE WALKING DEAD #95

THE WALKING DEAD #95, in stores on March 28, will have a five-page preview of Terry Moore’s horror comic Rachel Rising, published by Moore’s own Abstract Studio. The trade paperback collecting the first six issues of the ongoing series by the Strangers in Paradise creator, Rachel Rising: The Shadow of Death, will be in comic book stores the same day.

Rachel Rising tells the story of a young woman who cannot die. She wakes up at the foot of her own shallow grave, looking at her own freshly-murdered corpse. The events of her last night are hazy, and Rachel must piece together the events that led to her death — so that she can take revenge on the right person. Comic Book Resources described Rachel Rising as being “chock full of decadent mystery, unspeakable horror, strong characters, and beautiful black and white artwork, and it’s on its way to becoming the best of Terry Moore’s already impressive work.”

THE WALKING DEAD creator Robert Kirkman decided to include the preview in the latest issue of the Image Comics bestseller to support Moore’s work.

“Terry is a personal hero of mine dating back to my self-publishing days,” he writes in his introduction to the preview. “I’ve always been a fan of his work and an admirer of everything he’s been able to accomplish independently.”

THE WALKING DEAD #95 by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn continues the series’ “A Larger World” storyline. Rachel Rising: The Shadow of Death (ISBN 978-1-89259-751-9) is a 120-page black-and-white trade paperback.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visitwww.imagecomics.com.

ABOUT ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman’s success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company’s inception twenty years ago. He’s the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, kid-friendly Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolfman, and new title Thief of Thieves, among many others. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011, taking four of the top spots.  He’s the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit television show, AMC’s The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 120 countries and 250 million households.  www.Skybound.com is your destination for all news and merchandise for Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles.

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 (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 – 11/9/11

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A pretty good stack of books this week.  Find out what’s worth it below.

Avenging Spider-Man #1 – When a comic has me laughing out loud multiple times that’s a good sign.  The comic has energy, fun and excitement dripping out of it’s pages.  The writing by Zeb Wells is perfect with some amazing one-liners and the art by Joe Madureira is as fantastic as I’d expect.  I can’t wait for the second issue.  Is all of Spider-Man this fun?

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Batgirl #3 – Everyone is worried about Barbara Gordon.  She’s recovering you know… That fact and that she’s experienced a miracle is beat over our head throughout this issue as she attempts to diffuse a bomb, chats with her dad and goes toe to toe in a flirtatious fight with Nightwing.  Some lines in this comic just make me even more confused about the new 52 timeline.  Just best to ignore all of that.  The comic isn’t bad and is quite entertaining, it’s just the repeated mentioning of some simple facts in Babs life that keep being repeated each issue, that feels old already.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Batman and Robin #3 – The first three issues really seem to be about Damian and the fine line he walks between vigilante who has some sort of moral code and a full on murderer.  The villain is the represent that latter side.  A “good guy” who brings the ultimate justice to criminals.  Damian is caught between that and Batman’s style and interesting intro story.  This issue is good continuing to build on what’s been one of the better comics of the new 52.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Battle Scars #1 – An attempt to introduce a new character post Fear Itself it would seem.  I’ll read it, but so far not too impressed.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Batwoman #3 – The art is amazing, absolutely stunning.  The layouts just make you question the visual aspect of comic book story telling and show what can be done.  The story though is a mixed bag.  There’s a lot I like here, like Kate Kane’s personal life and her juggling that with being Batwoman but the Weeping Woman thing confounds me.

Story: 7 Art: 9.5 Overall: 7.5

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #525 – The other pulp comic Marvel is doing. Black Panther now faces the Kingpin who is making a move on Wakanda and has the Hand to help him.  The story is interesting, art great as usual.  The series is one that deserves an audience as it’s pretty high quality and entertaining.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Fear Itself #7.2 – Wait, what the hell happened?  We get a new God of Thunder, which everyone just seems to accept but hoisting beers and he seems to have no issues with his fellow Avengers and then is that Don Blake?  I’m so confused.  Then there’s the ending which we could all predict.  Sigh….

Story: 6.75 Art: 9 Overall: 7

Green Lantern #3 – Um, that was a bit unexpected.  Jordan has to come to grips with his new role and Sinestro’s as well.  The two have to team up too, which makes it all a bit more complicated.  All the while it seems the Guardians are plotting on what to do next.  There’s some hints we’ll be seeing some fireworks soon and that ending definitely caught me off guard.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Huntress #2 – Pretty similar to the first issue but Huntress now has a better idea as to who the first target should be, but clearly there’s someone higher or something bigger going on.  The art is great and story is solid, I just wonder if it really needs to be six issues and whether it might read better as a trade or graphic novel.  Still, a strong female lead, great story and art, it’s a comic that’s a buy.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Jennifer Blood #6 – This is a very interesting series.  Jennifer has got her revenge and lays it out there for the final victim.  After all her talk, you’re left to think.  Is she as bad as they are?  Is she somehow more perverse due to her duality?  Is she a new type of feminist?  It’s a series I’d love to debate folks about.  A female lead with twisted violence and sexuality that only Garth Ennis can do.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Journey Into Mystery #631 – An interesting issue where Loki has to deal with the new status-quo of Asgard.  It’s all about setting up the future and the pseudo Shakespearean speak bothers me still, but the character of Loki is back to his roots and very entertaining.  This is really for the hardcore Thor fans.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Magneto: Not a Hero #1 – A lot I like, especially the interaction between Cyclops, Magneto, Captain America and Iron Man but the second half teeters a bit diving into X-Men history I’m a bit fuzzy on.  It’s not quite as new reader friendly as I’d hope, but still entertaining.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

The New Avengers #18 – Osborn is back and he’s forming his own group of Avengers again.  This issue focuses on that as well as why A.I.M., Hydra, some Hand and H.A.M.M.E.R. are all coming behind his leadership.  Something awesome is brewing here, you can just tell.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Point One – Hmmm, there’s a lot here and about half of it gets me interested, but that’s for stuff I’d probably buy anyways.  Also, a lot of the stories teased here have been set up in other series.  It’s also probably not quite enough to suck in and get a new reader interested.  But, it’s interesting for the most part.  I have to give Marvel props for trying, but this comes up short overall.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7

Rachel Rising #3 – It’s a horror comic that’s creepy more than anything.  There’s a lot here that’s disturbing and still a mystery as to exactly what’s going on, but I’m hooked.  It’s all interesting and different, definitely a comic I look forward to each month to see how it’d unfold.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Resurrection Man #3 – We get a bit better of a sense as to what’s going on here and the mystery deepens really.  Isn’t the “caught between heaven and hell” schtick more of a John Constatine thing?  No matter, the comic is entertaining as it explains a lot of what’s going on, but the ending makes me feel like I missed something.  I’m sure for long time DC fans it’s a cool moment but for me, I shouldn’t have to go to wikipedia to get the back story after the relaunch.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Suicide Squad #3 – The issue is a bit choppy in the story telling as it just back and forth in time though that’s not totally clear.  There’s an essence of time with the series that could be played up a lot better, but overall it seems to just be getting it’s footing and it’s pretty entertaining.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Superboy #3 – Well, I think that answers who Red really is.  Superboy is out and discovering what the real world is like.  That’s interesting, but there’s not enough of it.  We also learn a bit about who this Superboy really is, also interesting stuff.  Overall though, we’re still in the set up phase and the verdict is still out on the series overall.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #4 – Bendis has put together a comic that plays off nicely on what’s coming before creating a connected transition that doesn’t feel forced but a natural passing of the torch.  The story is still in the whole discovering powers phase but Miles and his friends seem interesting and there’s a sense of fun that flows off the page.  I’ve never been a big fan of the Ultimate universe, but I’m a fan of this newly rebooted series.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Uncanny X-Force #17 – Wow.  The issue is impressive and is filled with moments that make me say holy shit.  I have no idea what to expect and what’s going to happen next.  For a series to keep my on my toes just shoes how top notch it is.  So far everything has been on the table and so much being pulled out of so many different places.  The Dark Angel Saga is going to go down as one of the best “X” arcs ever.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

Wolverine #18 – A nice mix of action and humor as Logan and friends take on the Jade Claw.  An entertaining issue that’s leading the series away from the depressing morose plot it’s had for way too long.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

X-Men: Legacy #258 – Why is there a moment where I can see the writer pausing to figure out how to end this arc and get everyone home?  The X-Men save the day and get folks back to Earth, shocker.  It’s really all to set up what happens next.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7


Pick of the Week – Uncanny X-Force #17

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Uncanny X-Force hasn’t just been one of the highlights of Marvel‘s “X” universe, it’s actually been a highlight for Marvel period.  The series has been focused on the rise of Apocalypse and Archangel’s role in that.  The team is getting it’s ass kicked and the action and art is amazing.  This will go down as a classic arc for the entire “X” line due to the look, epic story and great writing.  Out of all of the changes coming to the mutant side of the Marvel universe, I’m hoping this is one series that’s not changed, it doesn’t need it in any way, just beyond solid.

  • Uncanny X-Force #17 – See above.
  • PIGS #3 – The series has been fantastic in it’s first two issues and the mix of espionage, Cold War politics, Law & Order feel has been amazing.  The first issue had a shocking ending, the second issue was amazing and I’m expecting the same from the third.
  • Batwoman #3 – Some of the best art on the market, period.
  • Mega Man #7 – So much fun the comic has a great feel to it and is perfect for the entire family.
  • Rachel Rising #3 – I’m hooked.  I have no idea what to expect from this series that’s a bit zombie and horror and just so different.

Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 9/28/11

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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

Pick of the Week – I, Vampire #1

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Vampires in the DC universe, it’s really that simple.  Joshua Hale Fialkov has been one of the folks tasked with bringing a bit darker edge to the DC world with the launch of I, Vampire #1.

For hundreds of years, vampire Andrew Stanton kept mankind safe from the horrors of the supernatural world, thanks to a truce he made with his ex-lover Mary, the Queen of the Damned. But now the truce has reached a bloody end and Andrew must do everything in his power to stop Mary and her dark forces from going on a killing spree – and she plans to start with the heroes of the DCU!

Fialkov has proven he can do dark.  Read Echoes and you can’t tell me the man isn’t a bit tweaked (in a good way).  I’ve read the comic, and it’s awesome, one of my favorites of the relaunch and the idea of blending these two worlds together is very interesting to me.  There’s a lot of debate about what’s right and wrong along with some simple fight scenes, giving you a bit more to think about.  Vampires are simple bad guys to pit the heroes of the DCU against and hopefully when it comes to that, it’s as cool as this first issue.

  • I, Vampire #1 – see above
  • Ultimate Comics Ultimates #2 – I’m new to the Ultimate Marvel universe, but all of the first issues have been rock solid.  Out of the four series, this one stands out to me mixing super heroes at a global level with some nice political intrigue.
  • Ghostbusters #1 – It’s Ghostbusters, nuff said.
  • The Flash #1 – The Flash was the focal point of Flashpoint and I have a feeling he’ll play a big role in the DCU.  It helps his last volume was awesome, I can’t wait for this reboot.
  • Rachel Rising #2 – I read the first issue and all I can say is wow.  It was fantastic and from what I can tell this is an undead/zombie series that’s still original.
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