Browsing: Review

Or – “There Are Some Resurrections That You Just Don’t Complain About…” Normally, I tend to rant about bringing characters back from the dead. It’s a convention that generally doesn’t work, and I think it’s no coincidence that the two forms of entertainment most guilty of using it (Comic Books and Soap Operas) have stigmas attached to their fanbase. But, frankly, Ice’s death was a cheap 90’s sales ploy carrying just about as much emotional weight as a chromium-embossed Bloodshot cover, and as hypocritical as it might make me seem, I’m gonna chalk up her return in the win column.…

Or – “The Big Bombshell Revealed…” Recent conversations with Tom Grice (who is still WRONG, Sir, WRONG!) have made me think that perhaps I’ve been unfair to Marvel lately. The entire Initiative program rubs me the wrong way, and the interlocking nature of the entire dang Marvel Universe right now does color my perceptions of titles like Omega Flight and New Warriors (though I stand by my blatant excoriation of Illuminati #3 and Loners #3.) Thus, I am going to try and give you a more balanced literary criticism of this issue, purportedly the hook upon which Marvel’s new giant…

Or – “It’s Like 24, Only Slightly Less Unbelievable…” The Check/Out crossover has been interesting on a number of levels, but most of all, it’s been interesting to see the character interactions. Rucka and Winick seem to be co-writing each issue, with each of the various character voices staying true to previous depictions, even with a rollercoaster plot full of twists and turns. I was entertained by the interaction between Boomerang, Junior and Mlle. Marie, between Nightwing and The Black Queen, but nothing in the story so far has surprised me more than this issue’s final page…

“When the man comes around” For some reason growing up I despised everything western. Don’t know if it was the cheesy dialogue, lame getups, or having to sit through the Searchers in film class while Matthew and I pointed out all the stereotypes present. In the last several years, I’ve come to appreciate the Man with No Name, the Seven Samurai Magnificent Seven, Once Upon a Time in the West, and even some of the more recent looks at the genre, like the awesome HBO series Deadwood. So when I was sent a preview of Death and the Man That…

Or – “That Sign Over There? That’s My Breaking Point, And It’s Comin’ Up Fast…” Generally speaking, I don’t drop comic titles very often. What with the general upswing in my disposable income, and a couple of bad experiences desperately searching to fill runs of books that I previously decided were a lost cause, most of my titles end up being cancelled out from under me before I drop them. But my recent problems with the underlying premise(s) of the three Avengers titles are leading me towards a crossroads and, to be frank, this title is near the top of…

Or – “The Man To Whom James Howlett Should Be Paying Royalties…” One of the most common reasons I’ve heard for not reading the Legion (after “Too Many Members!” and “Too Much Continuity!”) is the assertion that their future is too bright and shiny, and all the various Lads and Kids and Lasses too well-adjusted and clean-scrubbed. While I can admit that there is a grain of truth to that, the Legion has it’s share of darker types as well, none more so than the man originally known as The Lone Wolf. Originally a supporting cast member, Timber Wolf was…

Bricks in the Wall Ok everyone, here it is, the issue that has caused more controversy than Perry White knowing the Red Hood is Jason Todd. It’s a week we see Mary get her powers back, Jimmy needs to open his eyes, and the Monitors go all Sparta.

Or -“Do You Realize It’s SNOWING In My Room?” I’ve reiterated over and over what bothers me about the Loners: If it’s a superhero comic, and the premise is that the characters are trying to avoid being superheroes (and treating their costumes careers as an addiction) then either they’re going to fail, making them seem weak, or they’re going to succeed, and it won’t be much of a superhero book. This issue takes that inherent contradiction, adds some silly pathos, and at least one emotional outburst worthy of “The Bold & The Beautiful,” and the results are… less than satisfying.

Or – “Would It Kill Marvel To Have A Hero Who Aren’t Emotionally Scarred For Life?” Three words: BETA RAY MOTHA#&$ING BILL! I’ve said for two months now that Oeming has written these issues with the intent that it would be the first arc of an ongoing series. Since the series has been switched over to limited status, this is doubly frustrating. Not only does it feel like we’re watching yet another Marvel title that’s being written for the eventual trade, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Omega Flight itself won’t be assembled until the last issue, by which…

Or – “Latveriaaa… Latveriaaa… You Border On The Adriiiiatic!” So, after three issues of Ultimate Fantastic Four, the five issue original miniseries, another UFF crossover, four issues of this mini, the ‘Dead Days’ one-shot, the Fantastic Four crossover, and the Dead Days one-shot, have the Marvel Zombies finally reached the apex of their coolness? There are only so many ways to say “Everybody dies!” after all, although I prefer the fey, disaffected “You die, she dies, EVVVVerybody dies,” from Heavy Metal, m’self. Is this the issue where the franchise is finally (you should excuse the expression) cannibalized?

Or – “Mortal Danger Brings Out The Best In Some People…” Here’s something that strangely entertained me about this issue of Buffy, aside from the story (which is quite good.)  This book is called “Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Season 8.”  The words Season 8 are printed (though perhaps a bit small) on every cover so far.  Yet, on the inside of the front cover, there is a disclaimer that reads “This story takes place after the end of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Season 7.” … I wonder who that warning is for, exactly?

Or – “Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss…” First off, a warning: I was a huge fan of the original New Warriors title. In my opinion, the first book was cancelled because Fabian Nicieza left and his replacement didn’t understand the character interactions that made the book tick. The second volume tanked because it tried to be an X-Title, and the New Warriors miniseries was a ridiculous trainwreck, hamstrung by the current Marvel editorial caveat that every team must have some sort of schtick that makes them different from the million other super-teams in the Marvel U.…

Or – “Ya Say Ya Likes The Horror Comics?  I GOT Your Horror Comics…” Last Monday was a legal holiday…  What this meant for those of us who follow comics was the delay ’til Thursday from the regular Wednesday comic shipment.  What it means to you,  loyal Spoilermaniacs, is that Matthew’s grab bag of recappy goodness has done run dry, and the new comics won’t be out until this afternoon.  I considered reviewing the preview copy of New Warriors #1 from the store, (Gatekeeper Hobbies, Huntoon & Gage, Topeka!  Ask ’em about our Vampirella variant covers!) but wasn’t sure of the ethics of…

Or – “The First Meeting Of ‘The Awkward Silence Club’ Will Now Come To Order…” That table looks quieter than the morning after a drunken road trip to Tijuana. “Wanna stop that WHISTLING??” Hal Jordan’s love life has never been simple, but the DCU’s designated stud muffin’s life just got even more complicated, with a super-powered woman wanting to go praying mantis on him (and I ain’t talkin’ kung fu, here) and a cadre of alien amazons with a grudge. Seems like some days, you just can’t keep the ladies away with a stick… luckily, he’s got a power ring.