Comic Book Reviews 07-30-14

Review Scale:

The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebook and The Joy of Cooking.

A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters

B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.

C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.

D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.

F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.

 

Pick of the Week:

Super Secret Crisis War #2 – A

We are now on the third issue of this series but the second of the main series. Earlier this month, we had the one off special with Johnny Bravo and we see the connection to that in this issue which has me excited for future one offs from other series. The art in these issues are great as every character has their style and yet all of them mix together perfectly and almost demand this or something similar in animated form for a Cartoon Network reunion party. Definitely grab this issue if you are a 90’s kid, or just enjoy massive crossovers. – Jacob

 

Other Reviews: 

DC/Vertigo:

Detective Comics Annual #3 A-

The best part about this annual is the fact that we get to see Batman doing what he does best, solving crimes and beating the crap outta the bad guy. I loved this issue for that part alone, but the plot with the boy had me wondering if we were going to be welcoming a new addition to the Bat-family. It seems like we won’t but it could be used in the future to add another character or maybe even villain if the writers desired to. We did get an introduction to Matches Malone, a popular alias that Batman has used since the early 1970’s but is appearing in the New52 for the first time. There isn’t much more to say about this issue other than it was awesome and I found it very enjoyable to read, which seems to be a rarity these days. Definitely worth checking out. – Robert

Sinestro #4 – B

Finally having asserted his dominance over his crew, Thaal Sinestro is back to kicking ass. This issue covers a battle with a religious cult of anti-emotion weirdos. Sinestro’s daughter, the Green Lantern Soranik, has reluctantly agreed to help him on his mission to save their people. However, she doesn’t agree with the way her dad handles business, and calls on Hal Jordan. This will spice things up going forward, as Hal hasn’t seem Sinestro since the end of the Trinity War (Green Lantern #18). Jordan and Sinestro have a lot of history, and it will be interesting to see how they’ve both changed since their last encounter. – Sherif

Justice League #32 – B-

Geoff Johns’ Justice League continues to be one of the most consistently good books on the shelves right now. The time after Forever Evil hasn’t really progressed as much as I hoped it would, but it has still been captivating. Lex Luthor has discovered Batman’s secret identity, and has hired Captain Cold for a mystery job. Issue #32 introduces us to the DOOM Patrol, a group of misfits that follow the guidance of “Chief” Niles Caulder. The Doom Patrol has been around since the late 1960’s, and has gone through several incarnations throughout the years before returning to the classic team in the New52. I’m not a big fan of them, but they could add an interesting element to how they deal with the new Power Ring. – Sherif

Batman Eternal #17 – C-

This book has taken a stiff nosedive for me in the past couple months. While I appreciate the Easter Egg characters that have been popping up in this exasperated love letter to Batman, they just don’t fit fluidly within the story. As a reader, I still have no idea what the purpose of the story actually is. I know that Carmine Falcone is the ultimate villain (or is he?), but shelling out four bucks a week to be led on this wild goose chase just isn’t turning out to be worth it anymore. I think something that has turned me off is the amount of supernatural activity that takes place; Batman has never been a fan of magic, nor I a fan of reading it in his books. Hope isn’t completely lost, though. I still really enjoy anything with Tim Drake and Harper Rowe in it, and the Pennyworth father-daughter scenes are pretty juicy. The book has substance, but there is just too much filler material to satisfy me lately. – Sherif

What seems to have started off strong and well intentioned has seemingly turned into something that is moving along at a snail’s pace with what appears to be little direction. I don’t really see where this is going anymore and I would almost prefer that they move it to a biweekly a book and have them pick up the pace. There is too little going on each issue too hold my interest. I want to know where things are going but it seems like they want to draw things out as long as possible to drive the sales as low as possible to get it canned before they ever finish the story. Only time will tell where this is going but, the end can’t come fast enough. – Robert

Bodies #1 – C-

I’M SO CONFUSED, kinda. I’m not really sure what’s happening in this book, but I do understand one thing. There are dead bodies lying in the street, there is a secret organization where everybody is loved, both the bodies and organization have been going on for centuries, and I’m sure they are connected in some fashion or another. Other than that, all I got to say is, “What? Ummm Okay.” In my opinion it’s important for any new series to make it clear to the reader the jist of what is happening, otherwise I become frustrated and don’t really find an interest to come back. However, if the new story brings a great cliff hanger and suspense, then I will want to return. Sadly, Bodies did not do this for me. I’ll admit there were some cool elements to the book such as the view points from various different time periods, and I’m slightly interested to know more about those time periods, but the bodies themselves, eh. I’m sure it’s really cool, I just wish more was presented for a first issue. – Evan

 

IDW Comics:

Samurai Jack #10 – B+

I absolutely love this series. Samurai Jack has always been a favorite of mine, and this month we get a new artist, who although stay true to the classic Tartakovsky-style, he also adds a grittiness to it which goes great with the mind invasion storyline in this issue. We get some great flashback shots from the first episode and get to see again how Jack is truly the best warrior of the animated and comic universe. Definitely check this issue out, as it is a great story and could be a great introduction to the series in general. – Jacob

 

Image Comics:

Black Science #7 – A-

The second chapter of Black Science begins a lot like the second season of a television show would. The characters have all grown, there are larger-scale obstacles in their way, and the readers have no idea what is going on. In many ways, it’s business as usual. The team is trying their best to find their way back home, but find themselves deeper in doo doo than before. The biggest difference comes in the form of the narrator. This time around, the story is told through the eyes of Kadir, the a-hole turned savior warrior after the events of the end of issue #6. The story still moves at breakneck speeds, and can be hard to follow, but I’m so enveloped in the world of Black Science that I would read it no matter what was going on in the grand scheme of things. – Sherif

Low #1 – B

Ah snap, things are about to get crazy – as if they aren’t already crazy enough. This story is interesting especially with its mix of syfy and drama. With Stel and Helmsman Caine taking their children out on their first hunt things were supposed to be fun and adventurous. However, IT’S A TRAP! I’m not going to spoil much but, things escalate quite quickly, and all I know is that this story has a long way from being over. With the fate of the Caine family, and Earth at risk, the only thing that anyone can have at this point is hope…and badassness. Yes, there are a lot of badass things in this book including the city, the Helm Suit, the the Scurvy Hoard and all the mess that’s about to go down. So basically if you are looking for what appears to be the start of a really cool science fiction series, Low may be for you. – Evan

 

Marvel:

Cyclops #3 – B

I haven’t seen a father-son road trip this bad since A Goofy Movie. Not only have Corsair and Scott been repeated chased down by bounty hunters, but now their ship has crash-landed on an unidentified planet. The two finally end up getting some bonding time, though, as Scott learns some dark secrets about his father. I can’t help but feel for Scott, who is still bitter about his dad abandoning him at such a young age, but still manages to take the situation in with such maturity. Thanks to a dwindling supply of nano-bytes, Corsair only has about a month to live. I feel like this is a good move because it brings a certainty that this series won’t drag on forever, yet still keep its poignancy. – Sherif

They finally answered one of the major early questions readers were asking, but nothing really happened that is worth mentioning. Marvel recently seems to be in the habit of announcing people’s deaths well in advance and is making a similar move here. Cyclops’ time with his father is apparently fleeting and will need to be taken advantage of to the fullest, or it probably won’t and things will continue on as usual… who the hell knows anymore? This book started out as an interesting idea to me but I honestly can’t see this book lasting that long. This version of Cyclops isn’t nearly as interesting as the one he is trying to avoid becoming and like half of the new Marvel roster getting their own books, isn’t a strong enough character to be worth maintaining an entire series for. Hopefully that changes but if this book is going to continue with the intergalactic pirate theme, they need to make it more interesting. – Robert

Deadpool Dracula’s Gauntlet # 4 – C+

Ok so this series has gone from weird t just about as crazy as I would be to live in Deadpool’s mind. As crazy as it has gotten, it has now gotten to a Sharknado 2: The Second One level where it actually become enjoyable to see where the story is going now matter whether a werewolf and other classic monsters show up with Deadpool or whether Al Roker will survive the New York Sharknado. But the series is almost over here and surely we will see Deadpool and Shiklah fall in love as we know they get married, but with a succubus, maybe love is not why they get married. – Jacob

Guardians of the Galaxy #17 – C

After being individually captured, Star Lord has freed himself with the help of Captain Marvel and is on the way to free the rest of his crew. Seeing the team work well together even though they are so different is what makes me love this book. All in all, though, nothing really happens in issue #17. It was a fun read, but the story was a scattered mess of one-two page summaries and the Nick Bradshaw’s pencil work was not very appealing. There’s really no issue that will hold a candle to the fact that the movie is coming out today, but it’s nice to see that the team’s spirit is still alive. – Sherif

All-New Ghost Rider #5 – A-

We’ve been waiting for five issues, but Robbie Reyes is finally ready to accept his position as the Spirit of Vengeance. This issue caps off his encounter with Mr. Hyde, and the battle here is one of the most artistically displayed fight scenes I’ve seen lately. I haven’t wanted to root for Ghost Rider this much since before Nicholas Cage ruined it for everybody. However, little by little we can see the suit eating away at his consciousness, tempting him to take more brutal action as Ghost Rider, and do so without impunity. I wish the book was longer, however, as each issue is cut short and I am always left wishing I had gotten more out of it. All-New Ghost Rider is easily one of the books I look forward to reading the most. – Sherif

 

Funniest Panel:

Panel with the Most Awesomeness:

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That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!

All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.

 

Comic Book Reviews 05-14-14

Review Scale:

The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebook and The Joy of Cooking.

A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters

B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.

C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.

D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.

F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.

Pick of the Week:

The Walking Dead #127 – A-

Well, this was certainly not the follow-up to All Out War that I was expecting. This is like when you and your girlfriend have a huge fight and you think you’ve lost interest, but then you wake up the next morning and there’s bed in breakfast for you. Oh, Walking Dead, how could I stay mad at you? This issue was everything I was hoping for and more to freshen up the series. That girl on the cover? Yeah, you’ll have no idea who she is. That doesn’t mean the rest of the book is unfamiliar, but there’s just so much that is happening here in this issue that I don’t even stop to wonder how we got here. Alexandria is fully developing, and Carl has turned into one weird little dude. Puberty does not look good when you’re missing half your face. Oh, and I think we should start a petition to start officially calling them “stinkers.” Jumping ahead so doesn’t excuse the terrible All Out War story, but I’m finally genuinely interested in the book again, and there looks to be potential for a lot more to come. – Sherif

When the teaser for issue 127 was released there was fan boy speculation galore. Who were the new characters on the cover? Is this a spinoff from our normal cast of survivors? Will the story still take place outside of Atlanta? Well Dead-heads, A New Beginning answered all of those questions and more. Spoiler Alert! A large heard of Walkers is steered in the direction of our new group of post-apocalyptic drifters. Jesus, Aaron, Eugene and Rosita are on horseback and leading the zombies away from The Kingdom. Eugene has devised a flocking technique to keep the settlements safe. Sidenote: I find it interesting that Kirkman is using the term herd. Usually the word herd is used to refer to a group of grazing animals, like cattle or sheep. Zombies are predatory in nature, the term pack seems more appropriate because the collective hunts as a single entity, much like Walkers.  With that being said, this new survival skill is attention-grabbing and depicted well in the issue. We join our group at Alexandria sometime in the future. Crops are being harvested, children are free to roam, there is peace and order, and yeah, Rick Grimes is in charge. His hair is shaved and his beard is full. It’s a good look for our long-time hero. He still has a limp and is now using a prosthetic arm. All of our characters seem to have gotten a make-over. Jesus looks like Yojimbo. Andrea looks like Clint Eastwood in For A Few Dollars More, and Carl looks like…Carl. Our new survivors are welcomed into Alexandria. When Magna is introduced to Rick in a tense situation, Jesus says, “I promise Rick doesn’t bite.” This was especially funny because in issue 57 Rick kills a bandit by biting the man in the throat. This also happened in last season’s finale of AMC’s TWD. Meanwhile, Eugene has secured a crucial role in the success of The Kingdom, and appears to be Rick’s right-hand man, and Carl is ready to move to The Hilltop to apprentice as a Blacksmith. But that’s not all. At night Carl creeps into the basement and has been chatting it up with their former enemy and current prisoner Negan. This is a story arc to watch. During All Out War, I predicted that Negan would take Carl as a Padawan. This still seems like a possibility and I’m excited to see how their relationship turns out. Can we say Stockholm Syndrome, anyone? – John

 

Other Reviews:

Dark Horse:

Terminator: Salvation #6 – A-

Six issues in and we are finally up to the point in time where the first and second Terminator movies take place. The T-800, T-1000, Kyle Reese and the reprogrammed T-800 have all been sent back in time to come full circle with everything we know about the series so far. We are finally entering uncharted territory and it is truly no fate but what we make for ourselves. I have been waiting for these issues with baited breath seeing as how I consider T2 to be the greatest film of all time. I am excited to see how they finally end the series. This issue ends with a blast from the not so distant past and would have made for an amazing twist if they decided to finish this series out as movies. It is disappointing that these didn’t get turned into films but I am just happy that they decided to finish the series at all. Shit is about to go down and for the first time in the series history, anything can happen. That’s worth the price of admission alone. – Robert

Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy #3 – B+

There is something really awesome about the way they have managed to create a character that can rival the great sarah connor herself. This is possibly the only character that can go toe to toe with a  Terminator and not only die, but come out the victor. Ultimately she would eventually be killed I suppose but each encounter with the terminator has only gotten better in this series. With the new remake of the original Terminator in the works, I hope that they can implement similar story choices in the film, Kyle Reese is after all a soldier from the future. It wouldn’t be a major surprise if he was capable of handling himself where the Terminator is concerned. We are three issues in and still haven’t been given a solid idea as to what is happening, but it would seem that they are going to stretch things a little while longer seeing as how they don’t have a limit on the issues like they do with their other series. This issue ends with a  small twist but I cant wait to see the next battle between these two. – Robert

DC/Vertigo:

Superman: Doomed #1 – B+

Doomsday is back! The last time this Phantom Zone escapee came to Earth, the Man of Steel lost his life. This new and improved Doomsday seems to suck the energy from all living things. Humans burst into flames in his presence, and water boils at his touch. Superman has teamed up with Dr. Shay Veritas and she informs him that the old Doomsday was just “Larva,” and that our hero must kill Doomsday or billions may suffer. Look for an appearance from Steel and the Justice League. Ken Lashley is perfect for this face-paced, action packed book. His art is vibrant and electrifying and kept me glued to each panel. – John

I’m not usually a big Supes fan, so for me to say that I enjoyed this book says a lot. Doomsday is one of those villains that you love to see the Man of Steel throw down with. As with most New52 reincarnations, Doomsday has returned to the pages deadlier than ever. There isn’t a whole lot of plot developing here, but we get to see some of the best action sequences I’ve seen from DC in a long time. It’s definitely enough to warrant a second issue for me. – Sherif

I have always said that my favorite issues and films of Superman are the ones where he snaps and unleashes his full potential, and this is definitely one of those issues. The whole Doomsday/Superman dynamic has evolved and we can no longer just have the two go head to head, we have to have something for the new generation. Now its not about the death of Superman but instead he becomes the very thing he has tried to destroy. It’s a different kind of self-sacrifice but I really enjoyed the imagery presented in this issue as well as the way they paid homage to the original battle. I couldn’t help but feel that this fight was a little bit on the easy side considering it was over in one issue and he was barely beat up by the end. The original was a knockdown, dragout brawl that ended in the both of them bloodied and beaten so badly that it took months, if not years for both to fully recover. The other weird thing about how quickly this fight ended was that this is supposed to be an evolved Doomsday as well. Perhaps that is the plan, he is fragile enough that even if he is defeated he becomes the person who defeats him. It kind of reminds me of the old horror film Jason Goes to Hell. This can’t possibly be the last we see of Doomsday but now we also have Wonder Woman on our side so another battle with a more powerful Doomsday seems inevitable. – Robert

Superman/Wonder Woman #8 – B+

With the way they are intertwining the whole “Doomed” story in to all of Superman’s publications, this is essentially a continuation of what happened in Superman Doomed #1. We also know that it is apparently resolved by superman #32 so either a lot happens in these two series or this whole Doomsday thing is going lie dormant in Superman’s body. Either one of these scenarios has the potential to be pretty awesome but I would like to see Superman transform into Doomsday when he needs some extra firepower, which could make for some very interesting Hulk-like scenarios. Only time will tell how this pans out but I am also happy to report that it seems the relationship between Supes and WW isn’t going anywhere. I look forward to the continuation of this storyline in Superman #31. – Robert

Batgirl #31 – B-

Why is it that Batgirl has gotten all of the uninteresting crap villains as of late? She is an interesting character/Superhero and she deserves to be treated as such. Her last few villains have been a bunch of super carnies, a vampire hunter, a ventriloquist doll, her brother and now a guy who can wrap his legs around you like Xenia Onatopp from Goldeneye. How much lamer can they really get? Then throw in the personal struggles of her regular life and we have a recipe for a hot mess. Also while I’m thinking about it, why is Commissioner Gordon getting shit on in every publication all of a sudden? It would seem that the people at DC have some sort of hatred for the guy. – Robert

Batman: Eternal #6 – C+

I haven’t kept up with the publication so you can imagine my surprise to see Batwing in this issue. I don’t think he was strong enough to stand alone as his own character but he makes an interesting addition to the current Batman family, kind of like a modern day Batman Beyond. This series and particularly this issue reminds me of knightfall and the way Bane planned to wear Batman out before he broke him. Anytime I hear Alfred mention him pushing it to the limits in the way it is described here, I can’t help but feel it’s a rehash of what has already been done. I mean the guy has the whole of Batman Inc. at his disposal, why does he have to run himself ragged in this day and age? Plot holes aside I am interested to see where this series is ultimately headed. Carmine Falcone can’t be the only major thing they have up their sleeves. Perhaps the death of Jim Gordon? – Robert

With Eternal really digging deep in the Batverse, issue after issue, I was wondering just when we would pass the point of an all-inclusive Batman story and fall into the realm of obscure and overly-complex. Issue #6 brings us dangerously close. We meet The Spectre, Batwing and even Gentleman Ghost and Deacon Blackfire (big ups if you even knew who this guy is), but nobody really carries any weight. I know Snyder and friends are building up to something huge here, but so far, the series looks like when you buy a jigsaw puzzle and throw all the pieces on the table. – Sherif

The New 52: Futures End #2 – C

I am not too sure where this series is going, to be honest. The only part that makes any sense to me is with Batman Beyond and the corporation he is investigating. Not to mention they are pulling some obscure characters out to highlight as main attractions for this. As with most series though it usually takes an issue or two to get into the story and past the initial intros and with a multitude of characters that this story includes you have to introduce a lot to get the story going. I am not the biggest DC Comics reader other than Batman so it may be that these characters are just a little bit lost to me but hopefully we start getting things connected soon before it turns into something like Lost where only more questions are asked while none get answered. – Jacob

Oh snap, the future is looking pretty crazy at the moment. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about the DC universe, but I had no idea who any of these characters were except for Green Arrow. Overall, I can see this becoming a really good story if all the pieces connect and things start to become cohesive. I hope future comics will allow me the insight and background knowledge that would make this comic great for me, however, at this point in time I feel that I just can’t connect due to that lack of knowledge on my part. – Evan

 

IDW Comics:

Mars Attacks: First Born #1 – C

Although I love this franchise – Cards, Comics, Film and all – this series is a bit odd. It may be that babies just do not interest me at this point in my life, or that the other Mars Attack series I have read seen or know about are much more filled with story and conflict from the start. We are introduced to the main couple of characters and the first born Martian baby in this issue but it doesn’t go past much from there. Besides it being a bit bland to begin with I have a lot of faith in it as it is a franchise I trust and it is co written and all the art is done by Sam Keith, who created The Maxx comics, which are still some of my favorite comics from when I was growing up (which they are rerelasing now through IDW!). Hopefully we won’t have to endure Tom Jones battling the aliens like in the film, which is a much better pro than the con of it being about a baby. – Jacob

Marvel:

All-New X-Men #1 – B

The casual reader may find this series a bit confusing. The young X-Men of the past are now in the present. Young Cyclops is now part of the StarJammers, see Cyclops #1, Jean Grey is back from being on Trial, Tyrion Lannister style, and the Brotherhood of the future is attacking. There is a big reveal about Christopher Muse and his abilities and the genealogy of Mystique. This may play out in the future.   Sidenote: There a ton of advertisements in the physical issue. It’s a little off-putting. We get it Marvel, there are 20,000 different story arcs we need to keep up with. – John

Nightcrawler #2 – B-

What do you get when you mix a blue transporting man, a witch lady, and a bunch of other individuals with extreme abilities? There are a crazy amount of answers to that but in this case the correct answer is a circus that I would love to see. As Nightcrawler returns he is continuing trying to preserve his life while at the same time trying to save the people he loves and take down Trimega. Next issue seems that it’ll be pretty exciting because of the battle that is about to ensue. Overall this issue wasn’t anything great but it did allow readers a deeper look into Kurt’s life and how he became the Nightcrawler. – Evan

Am I the only one who is wondering where the hell those little adorable BAMFs came from? There must be something I am missing because I am completely lost when it comes to them, but all I know is that I want one. This issue isn’t really that interesting and barely pushes the plot forward. It is as if we are both slowly getting background information as well as slowly advancing the plot with almost no idea what is going on in the first place. I am still not sure how he came back to life and I also am irritated that I don’t really see any direction as far as the plot. I hope that marvel didn’t spread itself too thin with this new reboot. – Robert

All-New Ghost Rider #1 – B-

This ride is getting crazier each issue, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon. The art in this series really sets it apart, especially when Robbie starts getting his rage on. Even with the great art, it’s Robbie’s human interactions that really sell the book. I oddly enjoy his time as himself than I do as the vengeful spirit from hell. This initial arc seems to be more of an introduction than a kick-the-door-down type of book. I can respect Felipe Smith’s approach, but I’m looking forward to seeing a more brazen take going forward. – Sherif

All-New Ghost Rider is pretty spectacular and it is only 3 issues in! I do have to say though of the last three issues this one is probably the weakest as not as much happened it terms of story or character development as the first two issues. This is also understandable as we are getting more into the story now, now that we are past the initial introduction phase.  We do learn the a little about how Reyes became Ghost Rider which is definitely a different take than the past Rider was. The artwork on this series is very interesting and definitely gives this series a fell all of its own. Definitely check out this series as it is bound to get crazy now that things are picking up. – Jacob

Just when you think this issue is going to suck, this all new Ghost Rider pulls something off that makes things awesome. Toward the beginning of the comic, I thought this week was going to be a flop. First off, it reminded me a little too much of Knight Rider with the whole, “my car is a spirit” thing. And if you have a badass car spirit, I wouldn’t expect it to be named Eli. So even though that part was really cheese and just not as cool as it could have been to me, I still really liked the action Robbie Reyes brought forward in this issue. I personally loved the whole, transportation through fire thing. That was awesome. I still can’t say I know what to expect out of this new series but I still plan on following through with it. Overall not a bad, but not a great showing this week. – Evan

All-New Ultimates #2 – C+

GANG FIGHT!!! I have to say, I did like the way this comic started out jumping right back into the fight that we left off in, yet overall as a whole issues, it all kind of lacked. I do like how the comic clearly captures how new and unexperienced these new Ultimates are truly how much work they need to do. With all the infighting, and back workings of the comic I don’t know what to expect, but I hope it doesn’t suck. The ending of this issue with Black Widow (Formally known as Spider-Woman) tripping off her ass on something only god knows intrigued me, and it gives me hope that the next issue will be better. So once again, I didn’t hate this comic, but it was absolutely nothing to brag about.  – Evan

Wolverine #6 – C

Things have started to slow down again with this series but if the past is any indication, things will pick up towards the middle to end of this current arc. We get to see a James Bond side of Logan that is really only hinted at in his past. The more I read these stories and other characters that he is involved with, I can’t help but feel he will ultimately sacrifice himself in some way that will save the world. It would be a fitting send off for such a great character but I will be livid if he doesn’t at least take that bastard Sabretooth down with him, and I don’t want to see any of that “we made peace with each other and became friends” crap either. – Robert

 

That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!

All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.

Comic Book Reviews 04-09-14

Review Scale:

The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebook and The Joy of Cooking.

A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters

B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.

C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.

D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.

F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.

Pick of the Week:

The Walking Dead #125 – A

Finally!  A TWD issue that sustainably elevated my heart-rate!  I’d forgotten what that felt like.  We are one issue away from the conclusion of the All Out War arch of the series and all things are stacked up accordingly.  What’s got me even more excited is I can actually still envision a future for this series – all thanks to THIS issue.  How the war ends will be exciting and interesting (I’m betting), but real trademark of The Walking Dead series is how Kirkman and Image are able to keep that baited hook dangling in front of readers – ensuring that the everlasting question, “what will happen next?!” stays on the forefront of fans’ minds.  Maybe I’m still just on my high from #125 and I’ll be off of it by tomorrow morning.  But after being thisss close to putting this series to bed, I’m right back where I was when I first picked up this series – dying to keep reading.  See what I did there?… – T

The spirit of The Walking Dead has reanimated from the corpse that has been the last ten issues. When Rick first butted heads with Rick – and then promptly murdered one of the most beloved characters on the show – we knew there was going to be a showdown that lasted a while. However, with the way that (at least it seems from the last panel) it is wrapping up, it isn’t sitting well with me. In a GREAT way. Is Rick really the good guy? This issue contains quite possibly the greatest soliloquy the series has ever had – and then throws it all away in the name of survival. Damn you, Robert Kirkman, you had us all fooled. – S

“But seriously, there’s nothing weird about wanting to piss all over Rick Grimes’s dead bloated body.  He ruined everything, every motherfucking thing. It’d be weird if I didn’t piss all over him.” Hilltop is in shambles, and The Saviors are in the woods waiting nearby to finish the job. Negan is waiting for the remaining survivors to surrender after Rick dies from his injury following Dwight’s arrow to the back. While we fear for Rick’s life, Carl gives Mikey some much needed advice as he watches his father die. Hang on tight Dead-heads! The last page of issue #125 is exactly what we have been waiting for since this war began. – JS

Other Reviews:

Dark Horse Comics:

Star Wars #16 – B-

I’m still riding this Star Wars wave.  The first 15 issues have taken me up and down in my enjoyment.  I’m on my way up with the latest issue and hoping that it keeps building.  After the plot “reset” that took place last issue, I ‘m glad to see that this issue followed up in appropriate fashion.  It’s become a story of depth and internal struggles – something that defines classic Star Wars.  But man… I sure do wish Wood (writer) would drop the whole “Luke still has a crush on Leia” angle.  I shutter in disgust way more frequently than I should reading a SW comic. – T

DC/Vertigo:

Batman: Eternal #1 – A

Batman is getting a LOT of attention this year, and for deserved reasons; we celebrate the Dark Knight’s 75th Anniversary with Batman: Eternal, a weekly series headed by Scott Synder and James Tynion IV. Usually I’m a bit skeptical of weekly series, but Eternal is the real deal. The first issue pulls no punches. We’re given a glimpse of the future and it looks terrible; Gotham is in flames, and whoever is doing this knows Batman’s identity. My money is on Ra’s Al Ghul. He’s been too quiet in the New 52. Anyway, the issue also sets precedents. We’re given a new police officer recruit, and Jim Gordon gets himself in DEEP doo-doo. It’s everything I want out of a Bat-book and more, and the fact that it is weekly means they will be propelling Batman’s universe four times as fast with new (and returning) characters making an impact. – S

Superman – Wonder Woman – B+

I’m not really sure how the hell Wonder Woman has become the God of War since I don’t keep up with her regular book, but I think they could have done a better job summarizing what happened there for the rest of us. This issue wasn’t so much about the past as it is about the future. Starting with the next issue as well as the next Superman issue, they will be starting Doomed, which can only include one villain when you think about it. But just in case it doesn’t immediately come to you, I won’t spoil the ending of this issue for you. My biggest question is how will these two fare against one of the greatest DC foes of all time? Will the combined might of the God of War and the Man of Steel be enough to conquer true evil? It sure as hell better be because Supes was able to do it by himself once before so I don’t wanna see any weak crap in the next few issues. This book has been very solid throughout and I would hate for it to turn into some kind of love conquers all cliché. – R

Batgirl #30 – C

What the hell is going on in Gotham City right now? Where have all of these supernatural demons and vampires come from? I hope these last few issues haven’t been a setup for some bigger supernatural plot line they are going to introduce, because with the way they have written the last few issues regarding it, it would be enough to make me seriously consider not continuing to read this book. Aside from all of that the artwork was great and there was nice introspection from Barbara about Dick Grayson that meshed with the story very well. – R

When I first found out that Gail Simone didn’t write this issue, I freaked out. Luckily, this is just a one-time thing, as she returns to writing in #31. That being said, what was so special about this issue that Simone got bumped back an issue? I don’t really understand the Alien-like symbiote; it could be setting up some weird gooey future storyline, but it’s unclear as to how that will happen. What I really don’t get – and makes me want to chuck the issue altogether – is that she spends the entire issue pouting and “mourning” Dick Grayson. I think this is an unbelievably dumb move, because his fate is still in the balance in Forever Evil, so it’s like “Shut the hell up, Barbara, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gail Simone would never have been so sloppy, so I’m glad next month we can get back to normal. – S

Dynamite Entertainment:

Flash Gordon #1 – B

I’ve had the misfortune of being born in the 20th Century.  The internet, smart phones, and automated coffee makers that will, in all likelihood, enslave the human race one day have all been the norm for me.  As such, I never got to experience Flash Gordon in his original form as a 1930’s adventure comic hero.  So imagine my surprise when I was hit with nostalgia and wonderment when reading the new Flash Gordon series.  Weird right?!  It’s abundantly clear that Parker (writer), Shaner (illustrator) and Dynamite have an agenda with Flash and his courageous crew in that they are bringing a cherished piece of nerd history to the present.  The beauty of issue #1 is that it’s cliché in nearly every aspect of the original comic book medium – from the artwork, to the general plot and character banter.  But it’s all done in a way that captures my attention and makes me want more.  I mean, if George Lucas used this as inspiration for Star Wars, that means it guaranteed to be good. – T

IDW Comics:

Rocky and Bullwinkle #2 – B

In the second issue of Rocky and Bullwinkle, we have the same format as about every episode of the show and the last issue. It is a two-part story with a “Dudley Do-Right” story in the middle. This series reads so much like the show, which makes them absolutely wonderful for fans of the past. It is hard to get through without speaking the lines as Bullwinkle or Boris and yet Snidley has not tied Nell to train tracks yet. This issue brings up a almost Burt Wonderstone feel of how magic is lost in modern times and no one goes to see the magician, the Great Griffin anymore. Moose and Squirrel find him and try to help him make it onto a reality show competition but as magic is no more in this modern era, he inevitably fails. The baddies Boris and Natasha try to kidnap Griffin to have him open a safe and only with the help from some old friends will Rocky and Bullwinkle be able to save the day in time. The Dudley Do-Right story is great as well and puts the well known Mountie phrase to the test, “A Mountie always gets his man!” Filled with many great gags, references, and even a Kardashian joke to wrap it all up, this series is a great read and always bring lots of nostalgia into your life. – JR

Samurai Jack #7 – B-

Samurai Jacqueline and the Scotswoman are back for another adventure…wait. With Jack and the Scotsman under a spell that has turned them into women, the Leprechauns whom cursed them send them on a journey to defeat a bothersome giant. Once the duo reach the giant and attack it relentlessly they find out the giant is actually a good person and his screams drown out the spell making both Jack and the Scotsman men again. Once that gender switch is taken care of the heroes now head back to the leprechauns with their giant friend to defeat them once and for all. This two-issue story was quite entertaining and left you almost wanting to see the gender bending team stay on for more than just two issues. As always, the art of the Samurai Jack books are great and the dialogue is slim which makes it just like the series. A great read for any Jack fan and of course if you had read last months issue. – JR

Image Comics:

Shutter #1 – A-

Seriously, does Image Comics have a bad book? Their latest new book, Shutter, is a fantastic story of a young girl who was groomed to be the world’s greatest explorer. The traumatic death of what we think is her surrogate or biological father derailed her ambition, but “She’s seen some shit,” so she says. Somewhere in the middle, there are holographic ninjas and mechanical Monopoly men. The book is funny and exotic and I can’t wait to keep reading. I mean, any story in which the moon is considered boring must be an adventure worth taking. – A

Marvel:

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 – A

This comic was amazing; it was dark, filled with that reminded me of a brutal anime (Afro Samurai) and set the tone for a great story to take place. I really like this new Iron Fist, and I only want to see more of him. For those of you that love the character, or know nothing about him, this is a great comic to check out. I can’t wait for the next issue to come out and I highly recommend it.  – E

Kick-Ass 3 # 7 – A-

Hit-Girl is back and s*** is about to go down. There is only one more issue left and it finally feels like we are going to see the badass kickass we have been waiting to see since the beginning. Three storylines in the making, and he finally is done being such a wuss. Lots happened this issue, but none of it is as important as what is coming up next issue. This conclusion could mean the death of one, or both, of our heroes, as Millar has said before that this will be the last installment of the epic trilogy six years and two movies in the making. I don’t know how they are going to end it all but I can’t wait to find out, this issue has got me pumped for the finale. – R

Captain Marvel # 2 – B

That Flerken Cat! Captain Marvel is back in space after an awesome introductory issue. We get a good scope of how strong of a character she is, physically and in character. The only thing that could make her book even more enjoyable is a team up with the Marvel darlings, Guardians of the Galaxy! Rocket Raccoon steals the spotlight a bit, as he always does, and the whole issue is entertaining. I’m really excited to see how this team-up builds and, of course, Kelly Sue DeConnick‘s writing shapes the story wonderfully. Go buy this! – S

All-New Ghost Rider # 2 – B

Only into the second book and this series has proven its worth. We still don’t have an explanation as to why Robbie Reyes has become the Ghost Rider but I am sure we will get that soon enough. This series and the characters are growing very nicely and we are definitely getting to sympathize with Robbie and beginning to dislike many people he will likely be battling and defeating in coming issues. This issue shows us what the mystery pink pills that were in the car Robbie borrowed to race can do, and it introduces us to multiple people who may end up being main adversaries throughout the series. Although the standard Johnny Blaze and the motorcycle we all know and grew to love are gone, this new, gritty and very different artistic take on Ghost Rider is guaranteed to please old fans and create many new ones. – JR

Thanks to Marvel’s earlier studio movies – okay, really, it’s just Nicholas Cage’s fault – fans have a sour taste of Johnny Blaze in our mouths. Couple that with the fact he hasn’t been around since the end of Fear Itself a couple years ago, and it just screams reboot! Robbie Reyes is to the barrio what Kamala Khan is to Muslim Americans; there’s a certain honesty that All-New Ghost Rider carries with it is refreshing and unique. The new outfit, vehicle and art style are very polarizing. I feel like you either love how it feels or you think it looks cheap and poorly designed. You can add me to the list of the former, because Ghost Rider is quickly catapulting to the upper echelon of books in my pull list. – S

(Note: can’t win ’em all) The new Ghost Rider has a new look, and as Tim Gunn would say, “This concerns me.” The new GR is a Los Angelino named Robbie Reyes. No more flaming chopper and black leather jacket, our hellish vigilante is pushing a muscle car and looks more like a H&M model than hellfire corpse. Look at it this way, I read this comic so that you won’t have to. – JS

All-New X-Men # 25 – B

This book is beautifully illustrated. I’m not sure that I am versed enough in comic folklore to fully appreciate the massive team of talent that went into this singular issue…if you are a comic head you will appreciate this Dream Team roster of artistic talent; Bruce Timm, Laura Martin, Arthur Adams, Justin Ponsor, David Mack, Skottie Young, Jason Keith, Robbi Rodriguez, Lee Bermejo and Marte Gracia to name a few. Beast is visited in the middle of the night by The Watcher. He plays a Ghost of Christmas future role and shows Hank all the damage he caused by bringing the X-Men to the future. What this issue lacks in story, it makes up in production. – JS

All-New Doop # 1 – B

If you see the cover of this and are immediately turned off because it’s ridiculous and dumb, then you can hand in the keys to your childhood right now. Doop is described as the “green potato thing,” and boy is that on the money…. I guess. Doop reminds me of a cuter version of DC’s Bat-Mite as he sneaks around behind the scenes and meddles with the X-Men’s affairs in Battle of the Atom. It’s just overall a really cute book that adds a breath of fresh air, especially in a week filled with so many anniversary and tribute issues. Take this book for a spin and I bet you won’t be disappointed. – S

Daredevil # 1.50 – B-

Here we get yet another anniversary issue, celebrating fifty years of Matt Murdock. We begin with a letter from the editor revealing that The Avengers came about solely to fill in a gap when the writers of Daredevil were late – very interesting. This anniversary special is broken into three parts: one written in the future by current writer Mark Waid, one by legendary writer Brian Michael Bendis, and the final a reprinting of an old Gene Colan piece (RIP). It’s better than a lot of tribute issues as of recent where too many writers just too few pages to tell a meaningful story. Instead, we’re given unique and powerful panels that remind us why Daredevil is The Man Without Fear. Even fans not caught up with the book can appreciate this. – S

Deadpool # 27 – B-

Dubbed “The Most Important Issue #27 in Comic Book History,” I was already offended before I flipped to the first page Note: This is a joke, of course, but Detective Comics (1939) #27 gave us the first appearance of Batman, who is experiencing his 75th Anniversary this year. The cover to this issue is amazing; it would be a fun game to see how many of the 232 characters we know (key in the back of the issue). This issue is really long-winded, but serves as a tribute to and from all the writers and stories Deadpool has had over the years. There’s a really cool sense of ownership and community of the character. It kind of lost its mojo part way through, but the general consensus is that Deadpool has been lovestruck a lot and now that he finally has a bride, things can’t go his way for much longer. – S

Nightcrawler #1 – C

Disappointing effort from Chris Claremont. I was expecting something completely different. Nauck’s art lacks depth (in my opinion) and this book falls short. This was a boring first attempt to reenergize a fan favorite. Let’s hope there is more to come. – JS

For a book that sees our beloved Nightcrawler return from the dead, there sure wasn’t a whole lot to celebrate here. Acclaimed writer Chris Claremont is back to write the series, but a lot of the “umph” that he had in the 90s. His signature style of explaining every little nuanced detail of the character’s personality was endearing twenty years ago, but readers really don’t need that much background anymore. As for Nightcrawler, he’s really not even the focus in this book; he takes the backseat to both Wolverine and Amanda (Claremont explains everything but the history of this character, who is important to Nightcrawler, but not really in the X-Universe). At the end of the day, I just wanted more of the lovable BAMFer and less distracting side-story. The man just came back from the dead, can we get him a beer or something? Expand upon the stories of Heaven, Hell and Azazel? I’m willing to give it another chance, but I’m ready to teleport out if the next issue is as disappointing. – S

All-New Ultimates #1 – C-

This comic was fairly good. When there was action, it stood out and was very entertaining, however throughout a good part of the comic it just felt like nothing was happening. I do like that they didn’t make this new team the “ultimate weapon” right off the bat. They are still very new and green and they showed that side in the comic. Overall I enjoyed it and I recommend it to people that enjoy the characters. – E

That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!

All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.

Written by Sherif Elkhatib, Evan Lowe, Adrian Puryear, Taylor Lowe, Robert Michael, John Soweto and Jacob Robinson

Comic Book Reviews 03-26-14

Review Scale:

The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebook and The Joy of Cooking.

A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters

B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.

C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.

D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.

F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.

Pick of the Week:

Superior Spiderman #30 – A

We knew the end of Superior Spider-Man was approaching when an all-new Amazing Spider-Man was announced late January. However, the details of how it would come about were still up in the air. This issue unveils that mystery, and in spectacular fashion. Otto does the only thing he feels he can to end the terror of the Goblin. There are a lot of heart-felt, you-had-no-idea-this-was-coming moments, which makes it a tad unbelievable, but genuinely moving at the same time. The series wraps up in next issue, so don’t miss the thrilling conclusion to Superior Spider-Man where we find out who really is Superior. – S

Other Reviews:

Dark Horse Comics:

Blackout #1 – B+

A suit that lets you travel through shadows and dimensions?!  Now that’s a sweet concept.  And that’s exactly what readers get with Blackout #1.  What I really like about the start of this new Dark Horse series is that it’s not a cliché superhero comic.  It’s just an average scientist using a supercool suit to do supercool stuff.  Kinda like Ironman, but a lot more complex in premise.  Blackout is already shaping out to be one of Dark Horse’s more interesting series. – T

Tomb Raider #2 – B-

The story of the video game continues with the island coming home to haunt Lara. There is really no major indication of what the heck is going on but I assume that it will continue with the progression of Lara from beginner to seasoned adventurer. The part that I find most disappointing is that after years of her being a badass and for that matter a badass by the end of the game, she has regressed to an unknowledgeable non-badass that clearly contradicts what we have come to know. I am assuming and hoping that Gail Simone’s plan is to show her evolve into the badass we expect her to be. – R

DC/Vertigo:

Injustice: Year Two #3 – B

Just because a series isn’t canon doesn’t mean it can’t have impact. Superman’s totalitarian regime is just starting to dig its heels in to the rest of the world and there’s really nobody standing in its way – unless you count the entirety of the Green Lantern Corps. As the rest of the world falls in or out of favor with the Man of Steel, everything is getting real. Fast. I was pretty disappointed in the Batgirl/Oracle and Jim Gordon reveal, especially when Barbara was moments away from revealing herself in Batgirl. – S

IDW Comics:

Rocky and Bullwinkle # 1 – A-

The first of a four-issue Rocky & Bullwinkle special was great. If you have ever seen the classic show this issue will really bring back some good memories.  The whole time I was reading it, it felt just like watching the series with updated jokes to include modern culture; on top of the two part Rocky & Bullwinkle story in this issue, we get a short story for Dudley-Do Right where he has to thwart his nemesis Snidley Whiplash for the 349th time, supposedly. The style of Rocky & Bullwinkle lends itself to comics very nicely and makes me hope they extend this series beyond the four issues planned. It would be great to see shorts of Aesop’s Fables and Fractured Fairy Tales, as well, but I believe Dudley Do-Right is the main focus besides the title characters. Definitely a good read for anyone needing a laugh, anyone who enjoys classic animation, any comic aficionado, or any kids alive today. – JR

X-Files: Conspiracy #2 – B-

It is the final issue of the X-Files: Conspiracy series and it all goes out in a bang, well almost. Only one of the properties that had been included in this series makes an appearance in this issue, which was a bit of a let down.  We only see the man possessed by the Crow show up but it would have made me squeal with glee if we could have seen Egon, Michelangelo, Optimus Prime, and The Lone Gunmen together. Despite the absence of the other properties, this issue seemed rather simple. The conflict ends half way through the issue and gives us a look at an alternate reality. In doing this, it was rather upsetting because we had to see some people go through things I never wanted to see again… But hey, it was in a different reality so no worries, I guess. Ultimately, I feel this series was hyped up and looked way better than it was, but it is worth a read – and seeing The Lone Gunmen save the world once again is always a plus. – JR

Image Comics:

Deadly Class #3 – B

Deadly Class #3 was a good issue and I like that we gained more background story on a few of our characters; however, it doesn’t hold up to the standard set by the first two issues. There were minor story developments that got me excited to read the next few issues. I still believe that Deadly Class has been a great new comic and I hope it continues down the path set by the first 3 issues. – E

The Walking Dead  #124 – B-

Has anyone else noticed that there a now two guys named Carson in TWD? The Hilltop is under siege by Negan and The Saviors. Rick is rushed to Doctor Carson after being shot by Dwight’s arrow.  Eugene and his group are desperate to get back to help in the fight and he even kills his first man. The battle continues, Rick and their combined forces fight desperately to free the kingdom as Jesus and Michonne make a shocking discovery.  – JS

Well, there are only two more issues of All Out War; so far, the twelve issue run hasn’t really produced anything. All relationship building has been put on hold. A bunch of people have kicked the bucket, and the Negan has dropped the F bomb more times than The Wolf of Wall Street. I really do hope something happens here that will inspire me to keep reading past this arc. I never thought I’d say this, but the future of the book is in Dwight’s hands. Is the Two-Face looking gentleman a double agent, or just that much of a pussy? – S

The Revenge #2 – C+

This comic is just plain weird. It’s full of blood and boobs and dwarfs with horns… I don’t know. No matter how weird and strange it is, there are some pretty cool things about this comic. Based off some of the dialog from this issue, I am semi-confused about who is going to backstab who, but I don’t believe it really matters at this point. Overall, this comic is crazy and I am fairly interested to see how it progresses in the future. – E

Sex #12 – C+

The plot continues to stagnate to the point where I’m wondering when the hell something is actually going to happen. If the Armored Saint doesn’t show up in the next few issues I can’t see myself continuing to be interested in where this is going. If you are buying this for the sex scenes then I feel sorry for you because I am sure there has to be better stuff out there. As for this issue, the foreplay continues. There was finally some action but it didn’t come from the person we are all waiting to see. It is time to step it up or they are going to start losing readers. – R

Real Heroes #1 – C

In the first issue of Real Heroes, we are introduced to the super hero team The Olympians, or at least the actors that portray them. This seems to be a basic story that has been done before of the mistaken heroes being thought to be real. The story so far seems to be a super hero version of the film Galaxy Quest with heroes that seem to mimic famous ones, almost to a tee. Although the originality of the story and heroes is incredibly small, the villains and the set up are both very original. I feel this series may have a rocky start, as many people will give up on it due to the fact it has been done before, but ultimately it will likely end up becoming something so much more. It was hard to give this a C grade as it just seemed so bland so far, but just like every origin story you have to get past the hump to fully respect the material and the universe jumping, the huge brained aliens, as well as what seems to be the depiction of real actor types had me engaged despite the plot and idea behind it all. – JR

 

Marvel:

All-New Ghost Rider #1 – B+

I actually enjoyed the first issue of the All-New Ghost Rider. I appreciated how they developed a solid background history, and story line for the new character Robbie Reyes in such a short amount of time without making everything feel rushed. I can already tell by the way the first issue ended that there is going to be much more to come from this story and I’m actually pretty excited to read the next issues. Seeing that it is only the first issue, it has a lot of potential to be great or terrible; hopefully it will turn out to be a solid character and story. – E

Honestly, the story was just too short to really get the good debut that it definitely could have. We get to see the relationship between Robbie Reyes and his brother, and then we see Robbie’s character, and then somewhere in there his face melts off and he becomes the Ghost Rider. The art team did a great job; All-New Ghost Rider has a unique identity in color and shape, giving off a graffiti vibe. I’m really excited for #2, I just wish that there was more happening in #1. – S

Origin II #4 – B+

Talk about an interesting plot twist, I didn’t think this issue was going to go anywhere but by the end I was left a bit speechless. This issue we are finally given a little advancement on the plot, and not a moment too soon seeing as we only have one issue left after this. They still haven’t really let on to what the purpose of this origin sequel is but I heavily suspect that it shows the beginning of the eternal feud between Sabertooth and Wolverine. With only one issue to go I’m not sure how it’s all going to end but I look forward to the epic conclusion. – R

Amazing X-Men #5 – B-

Once it was announced that Nightcrawler was coming back in hi own series, I knew that his tenure in Heaven was to be short-lived. With that in mind, I still readily enjoy any time an X-team comes together to kick butt. The issue is a bit predictable, but Jason Aaron’s lucid writing keeps the story going, and fills in all the gaps with some truly funny quips. – I can’t wait to see the boy in blue again. – S

Hawkeye #18 – B

After a spectacular animal-centric issue in #17, we join Hawkeye Kate as she uncovers something fishy going on in Los Angeles. I’m usually a bit weary of issue built around here, but so much crazy stuff goes down, I couldn’t help but get sucked in. Trouble is a’brewin, as Kate has kicked the hornets’ nest. – S

Survive #1 – B

The world is in mourning in the wake of Galactus. Ultimate Cataclysm left us with Reed Richards branded as a terrorist,  Monica Chang blamed for the loss of human life and the deaths of Thor and Captain America. Most of this issue sat us in the back row of Steve Rogers’ funeral where Tony Stark delivered a heartfelt, although forced, eulogy. I personally expected Stark to deliver something a bit more grand to honor his Avenger brethren, but it served its purpose. The speech inspired new heroes to form, and by the end of the issue we are introduced to  The Young Ultimates. – JS

Silver Surfer #1 – B-

To be honest, I found this issue somewhat boring. I felt that a lot of it was very bland and there wasn’t much about this issue to keep me entertained. There was indeed action; however the way it was drawn and colored made the action panels look boring or dull. I didn’t feel much excitement from much of this comic. There were some interesting and cool things about this comic, though. With the introduction of a new “plant” and the story line that is about to develop is just enough to make me want to read more. Hopefully future issues will prove to be better. – E

All New X-Factor #5 – C+

If it wasn’t for amazing artwork and a story focused on a small core of fan-favorite mutants I would have but this series down three issues ago.  But something keeps pulling me back every few weeks!  All New X-Factor has developed into a story with two plots – one involving the interworking’s and secret motives of Serval Industries and it’s CEO Harrison Snow, the second being pure Marvel mutant action & adventure.  On the second front, I’m completely lost, BUT totally captivated due to the really engaging battle and action sequences.  My patience is wearing somewhat thin on the first front.  Die hard X-Men & Marvel fans are sure to love this, but an average Joe like me is struggling a bit.  That said, I’m still looking forward to the next issue. – T

Iron Patriot #1 – C

Tony Stark’s substitute teacher is back for another go. Admittedly, it was difficult to get excited about this title. As Iron Man hype dies down we are still well aware that his is the only hero arc we REALLY care about in his universe. James Rhodes is a less compelling character but this book seeks to change that perception. Iron Patriot vows to the world to “limit my involvement in military operations to those occurring on American soil.” The powers that be see this as a threat and plans are set in motion to put James and his niece Lila in harms way. – JS

Deadpool #26 – C-

I go back and forth with this series a lot. On one side, you gets arc like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Deadpool vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. that make you believe that maybe there is some merit to a character like Deadpool. And then some months, you get crap like fighting MechaHitler with a time machine. Shames me to say it but this was actually a bit enjoyable – like smelling your own farts enjoyable. It seems like it’s only gonna get worse, as we go back to a groovin’ Wakanda next issue. This is why Deadpool fans can’t have nice things. – S

 

GPA by Publisher:

DC Comics: 1 B, yielding a 3.00 (really?? one book? )

Marvel Comics: 1 A, 6 B’s and 3 C’s, averaging out to a 2.80

Independents: 1 A, 5 B’s and 3 C’s, averaging out to a 2.78

That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!

All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.

Written by Sherif Elkhatib, Evan Lowe, Adrian Puryear, Taylor Lowe, Robert Michael, John Soweto and Jacob Robinson

Diggin’ Through the Crates: Army of the Pharaohs “God Particle”

Song: “God Particle”

Artist: Army of the Pharaohs

Album: In Death Reborn (to be released April 22, 2014)

Lyric: “You know Lois Lane know my name/I’m throwing flames at your brain like Ghost Rider, my flow’s tighter.”

Character Reference/Meaning:
Coming to the DTC stage this week is none other than the rap super group, Army of the Pharaohs. This group originally formed by Vinnie Paz, the MC for another hard hitting under-ground rap group you may have heard of called Jedi Mind Tricks. With their soon to be released album In Death Reborn, which has been in the works for several years, they are pulling no punches in hopes of creating greatness. What better way to show the Hip-Hop community that you are rough, rugged, and Hip-Hop royalty than spitting off some nerdy lyrics. I can’t think of one, because as I have said time and time again, if you are nerdy you will become a rapper. Therefore, if you are a rapper, chances are you are nerdy. The proof is right in front of us with our lyric of the week.

Time to break it down people. Now why in the world would Lois Lane know who this group is? I mean, isn’t she only caught up on the big stories about big name people such as Superman and other heroes? EXACTLY, what Esoteric from Army of the Pharaohs is trying to tell you is that they are a big deal, and if you aren’t convinced, then their next album is out to prove it. Seeing that Lois Lane is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, she seems like the only viable and capable candidate to bring their story to light in their rebirth. Basically, Esoteric is telling you that Army of the Pharaohs is big enough to capture the attention of Lois Lane. Sure, Superman can fly, lift heavy things, and stop bullets, but can he make you sing along to lyrics and nod your head to a beat? From the sounds of this lyric is appears that their album is going to do more than make your head nod. It’s quite possible it’ll make your whole head explode.

Similar to Ghost Rider, AOTP is going to be spitting hot fire like Dylan, so much in fact that by the end of the album, you’ll just be a skull with flames. Ignition point, the headphones. However that is not the only thing AOTP has in common with Ghost Rider, similar to how they are releasing their new album and it being titled In Death Reborn Ghost Rider is also being “reborn.” Just recently Marvel has regained the movie rights to the Ghost Rider franchise and look to do a possible reboot with the series. Even though nothing is confirmed about releasing new movies, hopefully this won’t be the last we see of Johnny Blaze. So even though we may not see Ghost Rider on the big screen any time soon, we will see him return to comic book shelves this month. Well actually, Johnny Blaze won’t graced the shelves at all. In fact writer Felipe Smith and artist Tradd Moore are introducing a brand new Ghost Rider completely.

The new hot head goes by the name of Robbie Reyes, a young high school student who grew up in the harsh inner city of East L.A. Even though he isn’t as experienced in life as Blaze, he still shares the same mistrust of people, quick to anger attitude, and violent surroundings that define Ghost Rider. Possibly one of the biggest changes that we will see in the comics is that Reyes won’t be sporting a Harley or a Hog, but rather he will be on 4 wheels. Instead of driving a motorcycle, the new series will have Reyes in a classic Dodge Charger. Don’t fear though, the wheels and a majority of the car is still engulfed in flames. Honestly I’m not sure how I feel about this, but based off the prints that have been appearing, it still looks bad ass. With issue #1 set to drop in March, issue #2 in April, and In Death Reborn the same month, I can already tell it’s going to be a month full of bad-ass-ery. Moral of the story, check out Army of the Pharaohs new album, check out All-New Ghost Rider (#1 drops on 3/26), and above all else, be a fancy pants nerd.

Written by Evan Lowe

Weekend Wrap-Up…March 16, 2014

This week is a little thin on big nerd news this weekend, so we’ll lay it out for ya:

DC Comics is releasing variants based on the pin-up style Bombshell line in June. I can’t guarantee Catwoman will get any more bearable in writing, but the cover will look awesome.

Rocksteady has released new screenshots of their next-gen finale to the Arkham series, Arkham Knight. Prepare to ogle.

Johnny Blaze has been replaced, as Robbie Reyes will be taking up the mantle of Ghost Rider in All-New Ghost Rider, debuting this Wednesday.

All you Moonies can jump for joy; in July, an all new adaptation of Sailor Moon will make its way to the Niconico, the online streaming service.

Action figure models of the Michael Bay Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have surfaced. What do you guys think? I think they have quite a Jim Lee vibe.

JK Simmons, also known as the Farmers Insurance guy and Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man  flicks a decade ago, will be playing a “weary and alcoholic detective who has followed a bizarre case involving Sarah Connor and robots for more than three decades” in Terminator: Genesis.

Be sure to grab Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes (out Tuesday) and inFamous: Second Son (out Friday). It will be very hard to get anything done through the next couple weeks with these amazing games coming out.

Madness? No, THIS IS… SPARTA!!! Be sure to put in a March Madness bracket with Quicken Loans. It’s free, and if you fill yours out perfectly, you’ll be looking at $1 Billion in winnings.

So Far this Week… March 12, 2014

With the expansion of Hush Comics, we have decided to give bi-weekly news updates.  Anything we find news-worthy will be posted here bi-weekly.  Have anything to add?  Post it in the comments!

A new volume of Kelly Sue DeConnick’s Captain Marvel drops today. If you’re wondering what you’re missing out on, check out our review of her first run in the series here.

The first part of Metal Gear Solid 5, MGS: Ground Zeroes, comes out next week. It’s the first big game for next gen consoles, and sure to impress at only $30

Friend of Hush Comics, Ken Arkind, had his first book, Coyotes, published and released yesterday.  Check it out here.

New Game of Thrones trailer arrived; the dragons are actually coming.

SLAM KICKS- Basketball Sneakers that Changed the Game came out yesterday, too.  Read about it here.

Arkham Knight is not the game that the PS3 deserves… and so it’s not getting it. It will be a next-gen exclusive.

Super-strength spider silk is coming to the market. For reals.

Extreme deviation in the new Ghost Rider series. Love or hate?

Denver Comic Con is celebrating 75 years of Batman with Kevin Conroy, Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar!

Also at Denver Comic Con, there will be a special Gargoyles 20th anniversary reunion.

Post-credit info for Captain America… but we’re not even spoiling it for ourselves, so here’s the link, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Terry Crews wants to play Luke Cage in a Netflix mini-series.  Here’s to hopin’.

999, an interactive novel coming to iOS next week.  Will you purchase it?

Avatar-like exo-skeletons are being prototyped in Japan.  Yeah, that’s a thing.

written by Sherif Elkhatib and Adrian Puryear

So Far this Week… February 12, 2014

With the expansion of Hush Comics, we have decided to give bi-weekly news updates.  Anything we find news-worthy will be posted here bi-weekly.  Have anything to add?  Post it in the comments!

R.I.P., Shirley Temple. May the afterlife be full of maraschino cherries and lemon-lime soda.

Jimmy Palmiotti, DC Comics writer, is trying to launch an independent graphic novel through Kickstarter called, get this, Denver. Set in a future where Denver remains the last city in a world submerged by water (now tell me Global warming isn’t real!), Denver is about a whole new type of apocalypse. Check out this interview detailing the process.

If you weren’t sold on a Tarzan reboot that star’s Alexander Skarsgard, Samuel L Jackson and Christoph Waltz, the inclusion of The Wolf of Wall Street‘s Margot Robbie as Jane will have your jaw on the ground and your wallet in the air.

Speaking of Sam Jackson, this BAMF went all Black History Month on Sam Rubin during a TV interview for mistaking a commercial Laurence Fishburne did as Jackson’s. While I think that Rubin was just a victim of circumstance – the circumstance being that he told the angriest black man in Hollywood that he looks like another famous black man, it sheds some light on the portrayal of black celebrities among the media. Do you remember when George Stephanopoulos mistook Celtics’ legend Bill Russell for Morgan Freeman?

The hilarious Englishman John Oliver or Daily Show and Community fame will be getting his own HBO show called Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. It sounds like it will be the same format as Jon Stewart’s show, but with more foul language and obscenities – just the way we like it.

The Protector 2, starring Muy Thai legend and actor Tony Jaa, will be released March 27th (date varies). If you don’t know who Tony Jaa is, take ten minutes out of your day to watch this. This guy is 38 years old and still kicking ass. Oh yeah, Wu-Tang legend The RZA will also be acting in the film!

All-New Ghost Rider is coming out in May, and it’s not the Johnny Blaze we know. Check out this feature on the amazing new approach to a classic Marvel character.

For people looking for a reason to cut out cable/dish, Apple TV may be releasing a version that can stream live TV. I’m pretty skeptical, but it sounds like we’re on the right track.

Stephen King’s It was one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen. Alright, I have have been seven when I saw it – give me a break. A reboot has been in the works for almost two years, but director Cary Fukunaga (True Detective) has confirmed that it’s happening.

Now that Nikita is over, lead actress Maggie Q has found a new gig as a Chinese pirate queen Ching Shih in the limited series Red Flag. Shih was a real pirate in the 1800’s who rose through the ranks as a prostitute (they don’t call ’em working girls for nothing). This is in addition to her role of Tori Wu in the upcoming film-adaptation of Divergent.

Guess what Batman: Arkham Origins fans? WB Games has heard your complaints, and they don’t care about your problems. They’re too busy making the next Mr. Freeze DLC. It’s an added frustration to a game that has been riddled (get it?) with issues since it launched in October.

Mob City no mo.’  The TNT mini-series centered around mob life in LA during the 30’s and 40’s has been cancelled. It bums me out because John Bernthal (Shane from The Walking Dead) and friends acted their butts off in this noir Frank Darabont production, and I felt the show could have gone a lot further if renewed.

DC Comics and Robot Chicken are teaming up, once again, to release DC Comics Special: Villains in Paradise. There will also be accompanying variants for special DC Comics issues in March. Check em out here.

There have been several additional castings for Fox’s Gotham show, including: Alfred Pennyworth, Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin), Captain Sarah Essen (Gordon’s coworker and eventual spouse), and Barbara Kean (Gordon’s spouse-to-be and soon ex-spouse).

In the upcoming Flash series (just a pilot at this point), Tom Cavanagh will play Harrison Wells, genius physicist of S.T.A.R. Labs. It’s a huge jump from his portrayal as the title character of Ed, or as JD’s brother in Scrubs, but I think it’s a good call. Also, the original Flash from the 1970’s series will be making an appearance on the show. Our bet is that he will play the first Flash, Jay Garrick.

They just can’t let How I Met Your Mother go. A lead character has been cast for the spin-off, titled How I Met Your Dad. With HIMYM ending on March 31, I think it’s too soon to be moving on to a spin-off.

Joss Whedon and Co. have begun filming Avengers: Age of Ultron, slated to hit theaters in May 2015.

New York’s Fashion Week displayed some of the freshest dresses this side of the galaxy. Check out the Star Wars-themed dresses here.

Would you sleep with Scarlett Johansson, even if it meant being trapped in goo and preyed on by an alien? What, did I lose you after “Johansson?” Well then, you might want to check out Under the Skin, coming to theaters everywhere April 11. Leave you girlfriends at home.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, along with their 50/50 director Jonathan Levine, will reunite to bring holiday cheer back to the world in Xmas.

Yee-haw! Star Wars fans, saddle up and get ready for Kanan, the cowboy Jedi (although, aren’t they all space cowboys?). Voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr., Kanan will debut in the upcoming Disney animated series, Star Wars: Rebels.

 

Written by Sherif Elkhatib