There were way too many comics to review in yesterday's Weekly Crisis Comic Book Reviews. Thankfully, there's always my follow up Quick Shot Reviews to cover the rest of the field. Hit the jump for the rest of this week's reviews.
ALL STAR SUPERMAN #9Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant
There's not much more I can say about All-Star Superman that you haven't heard elsewhere. Amazing, incredible, spectacular and any other word the various reviewers pull out of their thesauri will perfectly fit this issue.
Solicits describe this pretty much perfectly and, to be honest, I'm not going to bother going into detail because you should be reading this title regardless of what I, or anyone else, has to say about it. So a summary would be like preaching to the choir.
My only complaint is why can't every other Superman book be half as entertaining as Morrison and Quitely's stuff?
Verdict - Must Read.
Solicits describe this pretty much perfectly and, to be honest, I'm not going to bother going into detail because you should be reading this title regardless of what I, or anyone else, has to say about it. So a summary would be like preaching to the choir.
My only complaint is why can't every other Superman book be half as entertaining as Morrison and Quitely's stuff?
Verdict - Must Read.
AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL # 14Written by Tom DeFalco
Art by Ron Frenz
Brubaker got me pumped for more Black Tarantula with his recent DD Annual and now that DeFalco is finally returning to the Hobgoblin / Black Tarantula feud from the first Spider-Girl series, I'm actually starting to enjoy this series again.
If you started reading Spider-Man in the 90's or liked a lot of the elements from that period, this title has been the only source for that material and this issue introduces another long, lost 90's character in the form of Arana.
The book's not for everyone, but most issues are fairly self-contained and there's an old school Amazing Spider-Man feel to the series. So, if you're a fan of retro style stories with a modern twist, give this book a shot. It's a real love it or hate it title and you'll know if it's for you after an issue or two.
Verdict - Check It.
If you started reading Spider-Man in the 90's or liked a lot of the elements from that period, this title has been the only source for that material and this issue introduces another long, lost 90's character in the form of Arana.
The book's not for everyone, but most issues are fairly self-contained and there's an old school Amazing Spider-Man feel to the series. So, if you're a fan of retro style stories with a modern twist, give this book a shot. It's a real love it or hate it title and you'll know if it's for you after an issue or two.
Verdict - Check It.
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE # 7Written by Dan Slott
Art by Stefano Caselli
What the heck was this? Is this supposed to be the ending to One More Day? I know Slott is writing ASM come Brand New Day, but am I honestly expected to believe having the three Scarlet Spiders claim Peter was an Initiative operative the entire time? Granted, this is more than likely better than anything JMS and Quesada will come up with, but it still isn't what I would call a solid ending.
As for the rest of the issue, the Scarlet Spiders are revealed as MVP clones? Scarlet Spider. Clone. Oh Marvel, you sly dog. Will you never learn? I don't think Clor was exactly well received and you let the name Scarlet Spider be associated with clones again? I personally don't care as I liked most of the Clone Saga (most, not all), but I hope Slott and Marvel have this planned out very carefully. I can see this ending badly.
Verdict - Must Read for Spider-Man stuff. Check It otherwise.
As for the rest of the issue, the Scarlet Spiders are revealed as MVP clones? Scarlet Spider. Clone. Oh Marvel, you sly dog. Will you never learn? I don't think Clor was exactly well received and you let the name Scarlet Spider be associated with clones again? I personally don't care as I liked most of the Clone Saga (most, not all), but I hope Slott and Marvel have this planned out very carefully. I can see this ending badly.
Verdict - Must Read for Spider-Man stuff. Check It otherwise.
BOOSTER GOLD #4Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens
Another solid issue from Johns and Katz, who most people forget about when giving props for the genuinely funny and entertaining Skeets Booster Gold title.
However, I'm confused as to the future of this title. Johns and Katz pretty much wrap up all the time fixing hi-jinxes this issue by not only revealing who Supernova is, but also who was guiding him and, on top of that, ending the Supernova threat and capturing his benefactor. While there's hints of another mystery man guiding these two, it still seems like this series is pretty much getting ready to end and ramping down. While I hope this isn't true, as this is probably the title I have the most fun reading each month, I really don't see where they can go with the remaining issues aside from trying to save Booster's friend, Ted Kord, the former Blue Beetle.
Don't let my Negative Nancy fears dissuade you from buying this issue though. It's still hilarious and a must read for everyone. I have faith Johns and Katz won't let me down.
Verdict - Must Read.
However, I'm confused as to the future of this title. Johns and Katz pretty much wrap up all the time fixing hi-jinxes this issue by not only revealing who Supernova is, but also who was guiding him and, on top of that, ending the Supernova threat and capturing his benefactor. While there's hints of another mystery man guiding these two, it still seems like this series is pretty much getting ready to end and ramping down. While I hope this isn't true, as this is probably the title I have the most fun reading each month, I really don't see where they can go with the remaining issues aside from trying to save Booster's friend, Ted Kord, the former Blue Beetle.
Don't let my Negative Nancy fears dissuade you from buying this issue though. It's still hilarious and a must read for everyone. I have faith Johns and Katz won't let me down.
Verdict - Must Read.
GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #2Written by Judd Winick
Art by Cliff Chiang
Alright, I actually enjoyed this issue. I hate myself for laughing at the horrible, horrible AIDS, hooker and gay/lesbian jokes, which may or may not accuse all female volleyball players of being lesbians, but I honestly can't help myself. I know that makes me a terrible person, but I'm a grown man that still collects funny books. I can't get much worse.
I was initially annoyed with this series simply due to the publicity stunt gimmick that was Ollie's "death", but it's quickly growing on me. As I said in the opening of this review, there's a lot of low brow humour and it doesn't stop with the opening as Ollie is typical Ollie with penis jokes and other innuendo.
However, not much happens here and if, unlike me, you don't care for the crass humour, you probably won't enjoy this issue and might even be offended by it. I'm not sure as I'm pretty dulled to anything remotely resembling political correctness or lack thereof.
Verdict - Check It.
I was initially annoyed with this series simply due to the publicity stunt gimmick that was Ollie's "death", but it's quickly growing on me. As I said in the opening of this review, there's a lot of low brow humour and it doesn't stop with the opening as Ollie is typical Ollie with penis jokes and other innuendo.
However, not much happens here and if, unlike me, you don't care for the crass humour, you probably won't enjoy this issue and might even be offended by it. I'm not sure as I'm pretty dulled to anything remotely resembling political correctness or lack thereof.
Verdict - Check It.
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR # 48Written by Mike Carey
Art by Mark Brooks
Carey continues to grind gears as his run on UFF stalls out. While an improvement over last month's edition, this issue still fails to grab me.
Who are these people? Am I supposed to just assume he's a random deranged scientist that wants to somehow resurrect his wife? And why does he need Sue Storm? I don't understand why he didn't just grab some random girl off the street and use her. Surely he's not kidnapping her for the one or two drugged out suggestions she gives in regards to the Negative Zone this issue? Why did the hired muscle turn on him? Why did he even keep her around after she delivered Sue? I feel like I'm reading an earlier Countdown issue where random people show up and do random things for no reason whatsoever.
The only redeeming part of this issue is the Crimson Dynamo. I really liked his personality and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. Hopefully the Carey's Power Rangers upgraded Crimson Dynamo's don't kill him off next issue.
Verdict - Check It.
Who are these people? Am I supposed to just assume he's a random deranged scientist that wants to somehow resurrect his wife? And why does he need Sue Storm? I don't understand why he didn't just grab some random girl off the street and use her. Surely he's not kidnapping her for the one or two drugged out suggestions she gives in regards to the Negative Zone this issue? Why did the hired muscle turn on him? Why did he even keep her around after she delivered Sue? I feel like I'm reading an earlier Countdown issue where random people show up and do random things for no reason whatsoever.
The only redeeming part of this issue is the Crimson Dynamo. I really liked his personality and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. Hopefully the Carey's Power Rangers upgraded Crimson Dynamo's don't kill him off next issue.
Verdict - Check It.
WONDER WOMAN #14Written by Gail Simone
Art by Terry & Rachel Dodson
I picked up last issue of Wonder Woman expecting Simone to be writing it. I'm not really a big Wonder Woman fan, but there's been a lot of buzz concerning Simone's arrival and it was enough to get me to pick it up. I was a bit disappointed when I got home and found out she wasn't starting until this issue and that #13 was pretty much filler.
However, the wait was more than worth it. I was a little concerned when I started reading and Wonder Woman was fighting random super gorillas, but Simone delivers an unexpected, and enjoyable, conclusion to that encounter and, yes, it involves gorillas flinging poo.
Another questionable thing Simone decides to do is use Nazis. Captain Nazi to be precise and he has an army of Nazi friends attacking Paradise Island. Now, Nazis are sort of reserved only for Captain America and the Red Skull. While I'm willing to give Simone the benefit of the doubt, as her Nazis are revealed at the end of what is an otherwise excellent issue, I'm still going into next issue with a bit of trepidation. Nazis. I'm honestly not sure what they want with Paradise Island or why they had to be Nazis, but it will either be a resounding success or an unmitigated disaster for Simone next issue. Here's hoping for more of the same from this excellent first issue.
Verdict - Must Read.
However, the wait was more than worth it. I was a little concerned when I started reading and Wonder Woman was fighting random super gorillas, but Simone delivers an unexpected, and enjoyable, conclusion to that encounter and, yes, it involves gorillas flinging poo.
Another questionable thing Simone decides to do is use Nazis. Captain Nazi to be precise and he has an army of Nazi friends attacking Paradise Island. Now, Nazis are sort of reserved only for Captain America and the Red Skull. While I'm willing to give Simone the benefit of the doubt, as her Nazis are revealed at the end of what is an otherwise excellent issue, I'm still going into next issue with a bit of trepidation. Nazis. I'm honestly not sure what they want with Paradise Island or why they had to be Nazis, but it will either be a resounding success or an unmitigated disaster for Simone next issue. Here's hoping for more of the same from this excellent first issue.
Verdict - Must Read.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #1Written by Walt Simonson
Art by Ludo Lullabi
I've played World of Warcraft. I quit World of Warcraft. It dragged me back and I eventually got in a 12 step program to get off that crack addiction of a game. So having this hellspawn of a game enter my world of comics is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I get to satisfy my WoW cravings. On the other, it could be like giving Tony Stark a bottle of Jack Daniels.
Ignoring my vices, this was a pretty solid debut issue. As a WoW fan, it hit all the right notes. Lots of references to the game and its lore, showing off Simonson's attention to detail that made his Thor run so awesome all those years ago. I'm talking stuff like his references to Dire Maul, the various races and knowledge of their backgrounds and the assorted classes he uses in the issue, like the Night Elf Druid or the Orc Blademaster at the end. And none of these things come off as forced. Simonson makes them all flow naturally with the story.
My only complaints with the issue are concerning Simonson's choice of focus for this story. The gladiator theme was recently played out in Planet Hulk and, as of right now, it seems like he's going to follow through with the whole Gladiator rip off. That's not to say the issue wasn't good, but a video game property probably won't hold up with such a cliched premise.
However, it's only one issue and I enjoyed it enough to stick around for more, but it's worth noting, nonetheless. I'm also not sure how much non-WoW fans will like this. Fantasy buffs will most likely enjoy it, but they probably play WoW anyways. So, I'm curious if any non-WoW addicts actually picked this up and enjoyed it.
Verdict - Check It.
Ignoring my vices, this was a pretty solid debut issue. As a WoW fan, it hit all the right notes. Lots of references to the game and its lore, showing off Simonson's attention to detail that made his Thor run so awesome all those years ago. I'm talking stuff like his references to Dire Maul, the various races and knowledge of their backgrounds and the assorted classes he uses in the issue, like the Night Elf Druid or the Orc Blademaster at the end. And none of these things come off as forced. Simonson makes them all flow naturally with the story.
My only complaints with the issue are concerning Simonson's choice of focus for this story. The gladiator theme was recently played out in Planet Hulk and, as of right now, it seems like he's going to follow through with the whole Gladiator rip off. That's not to say the issue wasn't good, but a video game property probably won't hold up with such a cliched premise.
However, it's only one issue and I enjoyed it enough to stick around for more, but it's worth noting, nonetheless. I'm also not sure how much non-WoW fans will like this. Fantasy buffs will most likely enjoy it, but they probably play WoW anyways. So, I'm curious if any non-WoW addicts actually picked this up and enjoyed it.
Verdict - Check It.
Follow each of us on Twitter:
2 comments:
But - but doesn't Wondy always fight Nazis at some point?
I'm not sure Matthew. I'm not a huge Wonder Woman buff and this is probably the first time I've read and thoroughly enjoyed an issue of her series. I'm sure every DC character has fought Nazis at some point in the last 60 years or so, but I still find it a little odd when I see a Nazi themed villain these days.
Post a Comment
Thanks for checking out the Weekly Crisis - Comic Book Review Blog. Comments are always appreciated. You can sign in and comment with any Google, Wordpress, Live Journal, AIM, OpenID or TypePad account.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.