FOX Studios must have had a brilliant plan up there sleeves all along for marketing X-Men: Apocalypse. At San Diego Comic Con, they released the first red band trailer to extremely excited audiences and the whole thing really amped up the buzz around the film. Alas, FOX says that footage will remain for SDCC audiences only, so unless you saw the pirated footage that was leaked on the internet (which you shouldn’t have, because that’s stealing, but if you did OH MY GOD THAT WAS AWESOME RIGHT?! Not that I’ve seen it or anything…) you may be out of luck.
However, FOX teamed up with Entertainment Weekly to give non-SDCC attending audiences a glimpse of the film to hopefully get them just as pumped. The new issue of EW will hit news stands on July 24, 2015 and will feature a full-length introduction to the film and several characters and their costumes. Psylocke (Olivia Munn), Apocalypse himself (Oscar Isaac) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) grace the cover, and on the inside spread we get glimpses of Quicksilver (Evan Peters), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Professor X (James McAvoy), Moira McTaggert (Rose Byrne), Beast (Nick Hoult) as well as first looks at new comer mutants Jubilee (Lana Condor), Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee), amd Jean Grey (Sophie Turner).
You can look at the first photos here, and be sure to pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly when it comes out next week.
Still of Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) and Quicksilver (Evan Peters) in X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Magneto (Michael Fassbender) in X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Cyclops (Tye Sheridan) in X-Men Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosPhoto of director Bryan Singer, Oscar Issac, Michael Fassbender and Alexandra Shipp on the set of X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox Studios.Still of Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) in X-Men” Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Jubilee (Lana Condor) in X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Moira McTaggert (Rose Byrne), Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Beast (Nick Hoult) in X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) in X-Men Apocalypse. Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosStill of Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac), and Psylocke (Olivia Munn) Photo courtesy of EW and property of Fox StudiosAlexandra Shipp as Storm in X-Men: Apocalypse. Photo coutresy of EW and property of Fox Studios
All images belong to FOX Studios and Entertainment Weekly. They are credited to Alan Markfield.
Another year is in the books, and we here at Hush Comics couldn’t pass at the chance to rank our favorites of this year’s releases in all types of mediums. Some of the winners will surprise you; heck, some of the results surprised us. The results are completely subjective, and therefore were chosen with infallible logic. We would love to hear your opinions on what we have chosen, or if you thought we missed anything. This should be a fun review before we gear up for 2015.
Click on the link to take you to the “Best of 2014” homepage.
Best Horror/Thriller Movie
Gone Girl
Horns
Nightcrawler
The Purge: Anarchy
Under the Skin
WINNER – Horns
Horns is a seemingly unlikely pick for the best horror movie of 2014, but it was able to steal the win by being by far the most dynamic movie in its category this year. It’s not traditionally scary, or even gory – and it certainly doesn’t fit the whole torture porn thing that is so damn popular these days, but it’s thrilling and plays on the human fears of losing someone you love and the monster that you can turn into through the need for vengeance. In my opinion it at least had a beautiful and happy ending. What this movie really had going for it (other than Daniel Radcliffe *swoon*) is that it told a great love story, that just so happened to include demons, devils, and sociopaths. In a year of horror/thrillers that relied on blood and torture Horns had layers, and emotion and someone who actually knows how to write (Joe Hill) at its helm. We’d all be lucky if a new trend in horror started because of the impact Horns made. – Keriann
Second Place – Nightcrawler
Louis Bloom gets by stealing and scavenging until he picks up a video camera and a police scanner. Bloom, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is dark and intense, which is what Gyllenhaal does best. He starts to chase terrible accidents and crimes happening while the rest of us sleep. He pushes the boundaries every night to get bigger and better shots. Renee Ruso is a local news producer trying to raise her station’s rating so she employees Gyllenhaal. Ruso is fantastic and equally as intense as Gyllenhaal, which is hard to do. They’re both characters I wouldn’t want to be left in a room alone with. I don’t like using clichés like “heart pounding,” but if the shoe fits… Nightcrawler isn’t a mile a minute thrill ride; however, it is an exceptional movie that deserves everyone’s consideration. – Scott
Third Place – The Purge: Anarchy
If you’re looking to really scare the crap out of people, prey on the fears that could most realistically happen. For this, The Purge: Anarchy has gripped onto our feeble minds and burrowed itself there for years to come. In this materialistic, reality-consumed America, the nation sacrifices one night each year to make all crime completely legal. You know, to get it out of our system. Nobody is safe, and nobody will help you. That is 100x scarier to me than an evil doll or serial killers wearing fox masks (“What Does the Fox Say?”). Creating a lot of buzz with such a low budget – Anarchy cleared over ten times its $9 million budget – you can be sure to see new installments of this every year. – Sherif
RUNNER UP – Gone Girl
This story doesn’t have a happy ending , that’s why I like this movie. Amy wants things to go back to the way they were. Nick, played by Ben Affleck, is scared to death of his wife, Amy, knowing she is over the top manipulative and just got away with murder. The story on paper is a mess but this movie is able to spin it all together so well into a cohesive story. There are a few plot holes but nothing too glaring. It’s a clever game of manipulation by almost every character in the movie .The underlying message I got from this movie was, don’t believe any narrative the media tries to shove down your throat, you don’t have a clue as to what’s really going on. – Shane
RUNNER UP – Under the Skin
I don’t think I like the movie. Sometimes when I think about it, I do. Maybe this is the brilliance of the film. It had a friend and I talking about it for hours afterward. I’m not a big fan of the ScarJo at all, but this role was perfect for her because she just has to do her equivalent of a Keanu Reeves Matrix stare. I would have liked more explanation and understanding what is going on with the character and why she is luring men back to this strange house in Ireland. At the same time the film treats you as if you’re part of her story and should already know what her story is. It’s an extreme version of the show over tell. I need to watch it a few more times to really explore the narrative. The most interesting and disturbing part of the film is the ending reveal. The alien inside the human suit is some cinematography genius. And if a film makes me watch it just to understand how I feel about it, then it’s done something right. – Jené
“We Can Do It!: Women in Comics, Television and Beyond” is Hush Comics’ answer to what women in comics mean to the world and to us Visit our page every Monday to learn about a new super lady!
Who:
Mystique
Nicknames/Aliases:
Raven Darkhölme, Foxx, Raven Wagner, and everyone she has shapeshifted into.
Skills:
Shapeshifting, Super Healing, Agelessness, speaks over fourteen languages, and can fight, like, really well.
Origin Story:
This is probably the trickiest “Origin Story” section I have had to write. The thing about Mystique, one of the most infamous mutants in Marvel’s X-Men history, she is Mystique. That wasn’t a typo, either. The Oxford English Dictionary (yeah, I went there) defines “mystique” as, “A fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.” So that being said, her origins are a little… mysterious. It is unknown exactly when she was born, but we do know she is well over 100 years old. Mystique, or Raven Darkhölme, ran around with (ok, they had a full blown lesbian relationship) fellow mutant Destiny aka Irene Adler, a precognitive from Austria. Destiny sought out Mystique’s help around 1900 after witnessing many horrific events yet to pass and going blind in the process. Their goal was to change the future together. However, both women found that trying to change events was near impossible, and instead decided to achieve individual success. Together, they formed the second Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. It is Mystique’s Brotherhood that Kitty Pryde stops in the comic version of “Days of Future Past.” Contrary to popular belief (which is no doubt because of all the other media versions of Mystique), she is not a disciple of Magneto. Mystique is a super villain in and of herself. Notably, Mystique is the mother of many pivotal characters in X-Men. With Sabretooth, while posing as German spy Leni Zauber, she birthed a boy named Graydon Creed. When she found out he was not a mutant, she abondoned him. He grew up to be a politician, one who ran on an anti-mutant campaign. Before his election, Mystique killed him. Mystique also gave birth to Nightcrawler with Azazel. Nightcrawler is an important member of the X-Men. After giving birth to him, Mystique and Nightcrawler were ran out of town because of his demon-like appearance. She abandoned him, too. Later, Mystique and Destiny found a young girl who was scared and alone in the woods. This girl was a mutant named Rogue. Mystique and Destiny raised her for years. Rogue was a member of the Brotherhood before switching allegiances to Professor X. Eventually, Mystique joined the Freedom Force and worked with the government to detain mutants. She then became an X-Man, promising to help Charles Xavier in exchange for protection. However, she reneged on the deal, posing as Foxx to seduce Gambit, her daughter Rogue’s boyfriend. It all goes to prove that no matter what group Mystique is with, she will always be on her own, working on her next conniving plot.
Why is she important?:
Mystique is pretty much THE female villain in the X-Men universe and beyond. Mystique is the reason the newest X-Men: Days of Future Past plot even happened. While often using her powers for evil rather than good, she has always believed in her fellow mutants. She has taken many in and showed them how to deal with their abilities, particularly her lover, Destiny, and her adopted daughter, Rogue. Her mission to assassinate Senator Robert Kelly, a popular anti-mutant politician, proves her loyalty to those who share her likeness. While Mystique acts on her own safety much of the time, she is still one of the fore figures fighting for the rights of all mutant-kind.
Mystique by John Byrne with the Brotherhood
Mystique and Destiny
Mystique by Mike Mayhew
Mystique in X-Men: The Animated Series
Rebecca Romijn as Mystique in X-Men
Morgan Lily as Mystique in X-Men: First Class
Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique in X-Men:Days of Future Past
Lyric: “Fast and agile/Teleport rhymes, Nightcrawler while you’re fragile/Stagnant ballers/Don’t give a damn about your dollars.”
Character Reference/Meaning:
Today is somewhat of a special day for “DTC” as we introduce our first female artist to the stage, Jean Grae. What better person to represent our music/comic cross over than a hard hitting hip-hop artist who happens to share the same name as a strong and brilliant female comic book character (check out our profile on Jean Grey here). It is truly an honor to feature the underground legend Jean Grae, who truly proves her worth and nerdiness right off the bat with her name, and this sick lyric. It’s one thing to mention the X-Men in your lyrics, but to mention fanboy favorites like Nightcrawler and have it be as awesome as this. Basically, what Jean Grae is BAMFing about is that her rhymes are simply better and that’s all there is to it. With the wonder that Kurt Wagner travels through space is the same wonder her rhymes inflict on her listeners – which is actually as close to the truth as you can get without being Nightcrawler.
While a lot of artists think they are making moves and putting out work, they are moving in stasis compared to what Jean Grae spits. While they stand still, counting whatever their pocket-change produces, Jean Grae isn’t worried about them at all. For all she cares, you could be swimming in loot, but that doesn’t mean your rhymes are worth a dime. She might as well be Nightcrawler, the way she’s making moves from one venture to another. On top of rapping, Grae recently made her directorial debut creating “Life With Jeannie.” This half-hour sitcom is written, directed by and stars Jean Grae which dropped on JeanGraeTV.com. She also created her own company “KAGD.” In one of her most recent music ventures, Jean Grae released three cycles of “Gotham Down.” How nerdy is that. She is also a self-proclaimed X-Men and John Byrne, who wrote Days of Future Past (the movie adaptation comes out next month).
Along the lines of making movies, Marvel is finally making some big moves with our teleporting superhero, Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler is finally getting his first solo series. I won’t spoil anything for the people out there who aren’t up to date with out hero, but this is truly Kurt Wagner’s second chance at life. Back in 2010, Nightcrawler gave his life for a noble cause in X-Force #26 (April 2010). But, when Amazing X-Men launched last November, we saw our hero return. And now on 4/9/14 we finally get to see him with his first solo series. With artist Todd Nauck and writer Chris Claremont (who has worked with the character from 1975 to 1991) at the head of this project, we can hope and expect to see some good things out of this comic series. I’m getting blue in the face just thinking about it, ha, get it? This comic hit shelves this Wednesday, 4/9/14, and we encourage you to go check it out. We also encourage everyone out there to check out Jean Grae and her latest endeavors. If you want more information about Jean Grae, and her works you can visit her website at http://www.jeangrae.com/.
“I dare say…I was born for this. Raise the flag, X-Men. And let’s go be amazing.” -Kurt Wagner (Earth 616).
The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebookand 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.
The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebookand 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:
Wonder Woman #28 – A-
This latest arc of Brian Azzarello’s Wonder Woman can be summed up in one word – EPIC. All I’ve ever wanted to see is Zeus’ first born tangle with the interim king of Olympus, Apollo. The use of Greek mythology, both public domain and vastly abundant in characters, has held my interest strongly the entire series. Wonder Woman herself is as bad-ass and beautifully-drawn as ever. The best part about her character in this series is that she isn’t just an inspiration to girls; her strength resonates in women and men alike. There is an epic God of War 3-esque build-up happening for the throne of Olympus, and you can’t help feel bad for First Born. I love this series because it feels so much more like a frozen movie than a book, a uniqueness that has made this a series in a league of its own. – S
Other Reviews:
DC/Vertigo:
Justice League #28 – B+
I don’t know how Geoff Johns did it, but he managed to make the Metal Men cool and modern. Sentient androids created from metal alloys, the Metal Men have been around for over fifty years. This iteration shows them as selfless heroes that Cyborg is trying to recruit to take on the Syndicate. They all play off each other well, and are given personalities that match the alloy; for example, Gold is the flashy self-absorbed one, Mercury is the hot-head, etc. The entire issue is full of silly banter that kind of makes the reader forget that the Justice League arc is smack-dab in the middle of a global takeover. I’m curious to see how Cyborg can rally the Metal Men. Alone, this issue was quite enjoyable, but I’m not too sure that it’s anything more than novelty. – S
Supergirl #28 – C
I won’t lie, this series had me at “hormonal Kyrptonian girl with a Red Lantern ring.” For those of us just joining the show, Supergirl had incorrectly thought that she killed Lobo (not the Bastich we remember, but a new skinner Lobo). As the awakened Lobo tries to calm Kara down, and even get her to join the bounty hunter, which would have made for a great story arc on its own. Supergirl, predictably, reacts to the situation like any hysterical teenager would, by punching and yelling. It’s become a tiresome pattern with her, and I was really hoping for some sort of emotional connection with her transformation, similar to the way they did with Rankorr in Red Lantern #5. But what really annoyed me about the issue is that the whole reveal that we were waiting for doesn’t happen until the very last panel, and that everything leading up to it was filler. Supergirl #28 is a taste of good things to come, but I feel it was introduced pretty poorly. – S
Harley Quinn #3 – C-
There comes a certain time in a new comic book that the novelty wears off and you expect an actual story to form. In Harley Quinn, that point was somewhere around the middle of issue #2. There’s plenty of things happening in this issue, but just like the puppies Harley is caring for, this issue chases its own tail the entire time. I really had high hopes for this series going in, and I still think Harley is capable of carrying her title, but taking a vacation from writing just to put out a throwaway Valentine’s Day issue. I’m not breaking up with Harley Quinn, but we’re definitely on a break. – S
Dark Horse Comics:
Terminator – Enemy of My Enemy #1 – A-
I really enjoyed this book and being a major fan of the films, would have thought it impossible to find a female lead that is more of a bad ass than Sarah Connor. Not only is the new lead more of a bad ass, she is able to go toe to toe with the T-800. That’s pretty much unheard of for any human in the current lore. Not much has been stated about the story other than there is no Kyle Reese and there is a woman the terminator is after. Other than that we are left guessing what is next and why this is happening. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be the same continuity as Sarah Connors story or if it is supposed to be an alternate universe. Either way, this was a very enjoyable first issue; things started off with a bang and it doesn’t seem like it will be slowing down from here on out. – R
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows #3 – B+
Cry of Shadow’s #3 is everything that should have been issue #1. From first panel to last panel I was completely engaged in the story of CT-5539 aka Hock Malsuum and his connection to Darth Vader. The insight readers receive in issues #1 & #2 verge on being pointless in the context of “The Shrouded Offensive,” the focus of this issue. Hock’s first person narrative does a lot for Cry of Shadows. Anticipation and suspense is really starting to build and for the first time in some months I’m really interested in what will happen next in a Star Wars series. The Vader and Hock dynamic promises to be very different (and more exciting) that the typical Dark Lord-Stromtrooper combo. Next issue is wide open for deeper developments and continued great story telling. Cry of Shadows will definitely be my first read next month! – T
This new resurgence of the X-Files has been quite interesting. Following up January’s Ghostbuster issue (and preceding next month’s Transformers), the TMNT issue has government agents searching for the exploits of the turtles in Northampton as vampires attack. More than anything, it’s nice to see the turtles having fun. The ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is my favorite out right now, but it’s nice to see them take a break to crack jokes and fight ridiculous bad guys. The art in this issue, which focuses on shading a lot more than the ongoing series, and it’s a nice change of pace. It might be the vampires, but the humor remind me a lot of Joss Whedon’s style. So before I go off on my fanboy fantasy of a Whedon-created TMNT, I will say that this issue was a nice diversion – and an incredibly original idea to use other IDW staples to investigate via X-Files, but not much more. Also, when’s the last time you’ve read the word “Nincompoop” in a comic book? – S
Image Comics:
Undertow #1 – C
Image published a new series titled Undertow this week that explores a really neat concept – reverse scuba divers! Fish people from under the sea. Not mermaids and mermen though. These underwater dwellers have two arms, two legs and gills. Not to mention they live in Atlantis! And when a group of these Atlantians get the hankering for adventure they dawn scuba suits filled with water and explore the dry surface shores and landscapes. With the use of flying crafts that accommodate whole cities and other advanced gadgetry the explorers study pre-developed and conscientious humans and other creatures that live off oxygen. The ultimate goal is to find a way or method that will allow the gill-bearing society to also breathe the O2 and “free” themselves. Doesn’t all that sound awesome? I thought so too, until I read the issue. As an engineer by trade, I’m often given a hard time by other coworkers for turning something really simple into something really complex. In that sense – I empathize with Steve Orlando (author) and his intention with this story. For a premier issue, Undertow was overwhelming and downright tiring to read. Plot building content was so scattered and choppy that I was lost before I started. It wasn’t even until the very last panel that I saw a real story begin to develop. I get the feeling that Undertow may be one of those series you wait to buy when it comes out in trade paperback format. We’ll let you know if issue #2 is any better. – S
Marvel:
Daredevil #36 – A-
We’ve made it to the end of this chapter in Daredevil, but don’t be sad, because Marvel is finding it necessary to reboot everything in the line-up to attract new readers. In all honesty, though, this was a great place to wrap up this volume of Daredevil. The fight against the Sons of the Serpents is culminating and there is a definite change about to happen in Matt Murdock’s life. It’s not quite the epic conclusion that I was hoping for, but it was still a great send-off that has Daredevil, as Notorious B.I.G. said, “Going Back to Cali.” Should we be so lucky that Mark Waid continues to write for Daredevil, I will continue to read the book enthusiastically. – S
The Punisher #2 – B+
Another great issue to read for you Punisher fans out there in the world. What I really love about this comic is that it stays true to the character. They don’t try to put some different spin or twist on Frank Castle but rather, he is the same good old bad-ass in boots. With this comic, I can see the story development at just the right pace, and the introduction of some familiar characters gets me really excited to see how this story-line is going to progress. The way the panels are set up and the constant action that is happening, I feel like I’m watching an explosive action movie right before my eyes. Even though there weren’t tons of explosions or crocodiles in this issue, it was still really great to see the action that came in this comic…BOOM Head Shot!! Yeah there some of that in this book. Overall, I am very pleased with how this story is progressing and look forward to reading the next issue. – E
Uncanny X-Men #17 – B+
Yeah, so the next time you decide to go on location, do not visit the Savage Land. The Savage Land is some scary stuff, and that is just where Magik decides to drop off the new rectuits for field training. I do want to ask how Google Maps works out there, but there are more pressing matters at hand. The horrid environment makes for some great humor, as the naivity of the students and some exceptional writing by Brian Michael Bendis creates for some golden moments. The new recruits are becoming highly likable, but Cyclops is eager to let his team know that they are serious about the mission they are embarking. Uncanny X-Men #17was a rapidly-paced issue, which had both positive and negative effect on the reader. This high-octane laugh riot is definitely worth your time and money. – S
Dexter Down Under #1 – B+
My only gripe with this first issue, other than the fact that Dexter doesn’t slab anyone up, is that I cant stop picturing Michael C. Hall every time I look at Dexter’s face. This is a continuation or possibly a shoot off from the books from what I can tell. I won’t be sure until they reveal a little bit more of the story. This is a perfect way for people who want more Dexter after the recent ending of the show. I personally hated the way the last season of Dexter ended so this is a perfect opportunity to get that outta my mind and hopefully leave me with something better to remember. Nothing major happens story-wise which is to be expected but is still a little on the disappointing side just because I am used to at least one thing happening every episode. Being a major fan of Dexter I am looking forward to his first trip down under. – R
Marvel Knights: Hulk #3 – B
I may be a little biased this week, just because I am a big Hulk fan, but I love to see the raw power out of the Hulk and we sure get to see some more of it in this issue. I also like that they dove further into back-story. I will admit that part of this comic had me confused at times, with the progression of events or “memories,” but I’m not too hung up on it. As a Hulk fan, I appreciated this book – even with all the mystery surrounding it. It was flooded with amazing, action-packed panels, and good story-telling. So at a pure minimum, it was great eye-candy. I feel that, with this story, a lot of the pieces are there, and we just need a few more to make the whole puzzle in order to get the full picture. Either way, my confusion did not dictate my enjoyment. I look forward to seeing more out of this book, and I’m sure as it progresses I’ll love it even more. – E
Night of the Living Deadpool #3 – B-
I think Deadpool books get a bit of a break in standards. The stories are never great, but they’re regularly enjoyable. Parody some pop culture, shoot and stab some bad guys and make a lot of jokes in bad taste. Lather, rinse, repeat – Night of the Living Deadpool is no exception. And that’s not entirely a bad thing. There is a lot of entertainment value to this series, from Romero jabs to The Walking Dead Easter eggs. Zombie fans will get a kick out of this books, and Deadpool fans get to see a different spin on zombie Deadpool, as Wade has quite the odd reaction to being bitten. I’m also a huge fan of the return of A.I.M. scientists; I knew they would be the cause of the apocalypse some way or another. I wouldn’t buy into it too hard, but I have gotten a kick out of every issue so far. -S
Amazing X-Men #4 – B-
BAMF! Nightcrawler and the crew are back at it. Azazel is trying to hi-jack the after-life, and only Nightwing and his X-buddies can stop him. Most of this issue focuses on reuniting the team, which is scattered across hell. It all happens a bit too easily, because the gravity of the situation is lost when Nightcrawler is able to just teleport everybody out of danger. Amazing X-Men succeeds when it is able to fall back on the nostalgia of Kurt Wagner, especially with the use of flashbacks and his encounter with Wolverine. It looks like we’re finally gearing up for the battle with Azazel, so I hope the next issue has more to offer. – S
Avengers World #3 – B-
I don’t really know what to say about the story for this book. There is almost too much going on at the moment. The events of last issue went completely unmentioned and we are back to something that was mentioned in the first issue. For some reason, the city of Madripoor is on the head of a giant centurys old dragon flying around the ocean. And to make matters worse, we don’t end this issue knowing any more than we did when it started. All that being said, Shang-chi is a boss and is truly the Master of Kung-Fu. The art is amazing and the action sequences between Shang-chi and Gorgon are awesome. I particularly loved the panels they chose while he was channeling his chi from those before him. I’m still left wondering what the hell is going on and don’t really expect anything to be answered next time either, since there are three groups, it most likely won’t focus on either of the last two issues stories. I’m hoping for a bit more story cohesion in these next few issues because they really do have a great cast to work with and it would be a shame to see that get wasted. – R
New Warriors #1 – B-
Like any new comic that comes out, there is going to have to be some set up in order to get things rolling. What I really liked about this comic is that it successfully introduced the main story-line and the individuals involved with no background needed; it revealed the heroes names, their nicknames, and super-powers. With all that in mind, it is really easy for new readers to focus on the story rather than trying to figure out who everyone is. I believe this book has the potential to be a great read, depending on what happens next. No, there wasn’t a ton of action, more or less just set up for the action that is soon to come. Whatever is about to happen, it was intriguing enough for me to want to come back and read the next issue whenever it may come out. So even though most of the book was just set up for future issues, it was still a nice read and fans of the genre would find enjoyment from it. – E
GPA by Publisher:
DC Comics: 1 A, 2 B’s and 1 C, averaging out to a 3.00
Marvel Comics: 1 A’s and 8 B’s, averaging out to a 3.11
Independents: 1 A, 2 B’s and 1 C earning a 3.00
Funniest Panel of the Week:
Iceman in Amazing X-Men #4
Epic Panel of the Week:
Hulk loses it in Marvel Knights: Hulk #3
Cover Art of the Week:
Justice League #28 Steampunk variant
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.
The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebookand 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:
Uncanny X-Men #16 – A
If you’ve been reading any X-title post- AvX, then you would think Magneto had turned into an impotent, outdated vigilante with a change of heart. You (and I) would be sorely mistaken. Since the Phoenix entity was defeated, leaving Magneto, Emma Frost and Cyclops allwith clipped wings in terms of power, Magneto has had a difficult time adjusting to his new sage-like role. As Erik takes some time off from the other Uncannys, he is led to a Genosha-like island where all the children are being pumped with growth hormones. Looking somewhere between Max Payne and Master Roshi, Magneto absolutely loses his mind. Has he become unhinged? Was he faking his power loss all along? All I know is that Magneto is back, and not in a good way. Well, that is, not in a good way for anybody but the reader. – S
Other Reviews:
Dark Horse Comics
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows #2 – D
I wonder if the news about Marvel taking over the comic book rights to all Star Wars comics is getting Dark Horse writers down. If so, is showed in this issue of Cry of Shadows. We pick up right where we left off in issue #1. CT-5539 who, during his hiatus in the dessert after being abandoned by his Jedi generals, has decided to name himself Hock rejoins civilization and signs up for service in the new Galactic Empire as a Stormtrooper. We are also regaled with additional background from Hock’s training and service to the Jedi, prior to Order 66. As a whole, this issue was very disjointed. I’m confused in the direction Tim Siedell (author) is moving this story. Nothing of any notable significance occurred in the 25 pages of Cry of Shadows #2. While I do appreciate the story telling perspective – through the eyes and thoughts of Hock – the tales are about as exciting as listening to my brother describe the sandwich he just made… It was ham… I had high hopes (and somewhat still do) for this series. I hope issue #3 provides some direction and I really hope we get to experience more exciting themes through Hock’s eyes as the story continues. And for any Dark Horse writers out there that might be reading this – cheer up! I’m sure Marvel has a spot lined up for you in 2015. You all know as well as I do that The Force works in mysterious ways. – T
DC/Vertigo:
Superman/Wonder Woman #4 – B+
Kneel before Zod!! While nothing too crazy happens in this issue, it does take the lull as an opportunity to touch on some interesting aspects of superhero relationships as well as the potential consequences for regular humans. It also starts to take a closer look at the deeper differences between Clark and Diana in regards to their upbringing and how that will affect their future together. Zod, unfortunately, didn’t play as major of a part as I was hoping/anticipating. That’s not to say that he won’t play a major part in the future, it just feels as though they may have showed their hand a little too early. Only time will tell how this pans out, but even if they don’t do anything major with Zod, the threat of Doomsday still lurks on the horizon. – R
Batgirl #27 – B
We got a tidbit of a preview of the Gothtopia arc in last week’s Detective Comics #27, where all our heroes are dressed in white as they patrol the shiny, crime-free streets of Gotham. This issue sees Batgirl, or Blue-Belle, is trying to save a group of children from a woman gone mad at the Joker Ice Cream Company – so you already know something isn’t right. It’s a great introduction into the story arc, as the Pleasantville-esque setting is as entertaining as it is eerie. The only thing really lacking from a phenomenally-written Batgirl (kudos to Gail Simone) is a consistent artist. The art in #27 is choppy at best, to the point where it detracts from my focus on the words and a far cry from the gorgeous cover art we see each month. That aside, Batgirl continues to be a silent juggernaut in the DC Universe. -S
Batman: Li’l Gotham #10 – B
What amazing artwork! I am a fan of all the “Li’l” artwork anyway, but this was beyond expectation. We open with Poison Ivy taking us through the seasons. When she reaches Autumn, her least favorite she becomes catatonic. Throughout these panels, she seems fairy-like and almost ethereal, especially because of the color-scheme. The story here is pretty great, too. Selena, Harley and Mr. J all think of creative ways to try to cheer their friend up. Is it weird that I think all kids should read this to learn about friendship? The second half of the story focuses on Damian who is suspicious of Alfred. After convincing his friends that Alfred is a murderer, they all find out he was just cleaning up around Wayne Manor. This section was notably darker than the first. While it was cutesy and nice to see Damian in comics, it would be nice if Damian did a bit of growing up in future issues. -A
Justice League 3000 #2 – B-
Welcome back to the year 3000 again in the newest issue of Justice League 3000. The genetically recreated five member team (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and The Green Lantern) is sent on a mission by their creators – The Wonder Twins – to take out a Garrison of the mysterious “The Five.” Things go very astray once the dysfunctional group encounter Locus – a super charged, teenage, alien girl that has can alter any and all aspects of reality. As a reading I’m developing a love-hate relationship with this series. What I love about the story is the way Keith Giffen (author) subtly develops plot and reveals how and why The Wonder Twins have decided to recreate the original Justice League. I also love the nuances in character personality and team interaction from the JL of the prior millennium. Flash is a bit too nancy, Batman is slightly more introspective (but still the coolest), Green Lantern is missing pep from his step, Wonder Woman needs a double dose of chill pills and Superman is way more of an ass-hat than usual. What I’m having difficulty appreciating is the almost annoying omission of a greater conflict. Referring to “The Five” incessantly isn’t providing any additional suspense. Before too long I need to know why it is The Five are to be feared across all galaxies and how our heroes plan on taking them down. I’m banking on major development in issue #3 to keep me engaged. – T
IDW Comics:
Black Dynamite #1 – B-
If you are a fan of Black Dynamite and his authentic Chinese Kung Fu, then chances are you will enjoy this book. I like that fact that with this issue, the fans get the sense that this arc is going to be more than just a comical story about our beloved hero. There is definitely something deeper at play right from the get go. And I also appreciate the way the story was told: we begin with a mystery, the middle portrays background relevant to the current story, and the end goes back to the present and revealing more about the mystery along with a little twist. One reason I liked this book is because it has classic Black Dynamite quotes that are both hilarious and awesome. It makes you think, “Man, I wish I was cool enough to say that.” The art was cartoony, but not in a bad way. It really reminded me of the old Fat Albert cartoons which makes sense for both the genre and time period. The only reason I didn’t give this comic a higher grade was because there wasn’t anything truly grasping me into the story. Yes, it was fun and cool, but noting made me excited, nothing made me truly invested in the actual story. A much as I love Black Dynamite, I’m not too sure I would pick this comic over others out this week, but if you do have time, it has its funny moments. – E
Marvel:
Amazing X-Men #3 – B+
Feels like just yesterday that Kurt Vagner.graced us with his presence, his devilish, blue tail BAMFing around in Heaven. Three issues in and his return isn’t any less shocking. One of the best characters in X-Men history is back, and sees to have brought a hell of a villain with him. Ed McGuinness and Jason Aaron are a comic book making machine, as the art and story complement each other perfectly. This issue focuses on Beast, as he is BAMFed into a fight with Azazel aboard his ghoulish pirate ship. Beast battles with grace, as well as sass, while Nightcrawler and Storm reunite once more for some more-than-friendly interactions. I was so enthralled that I was sad to have it end at all. Great job by this team; this is beginning to form into a great story, and at only three issues in, you need to jump on board. Get it? Pirate Ship? On Board? Whoo… – S
Daredevil #35 – B+
This run of Daredevil has been one of the best runs of any comic book out recently. This “everyday hero” aspect given to Matt Murdock is what makes him so easy to relate to. After putting The Sons of the Serpent, an underground white supremacy group with reach throughout the justice system, on blast last episode, they seem to have an ace in the hole against Matt: his best friend Foggy and his secret identity. Dardevil spends the issue debating the right thing to do – whether he “the right thing for the wrong reason [or] the wrong thing for the right reason.” Issue #35 is a very introspective issue and embodies the character as a whole. I can’t say enough about Mark Waid as he has re-crafted a character thought to only exist in the darkness of Frank Miller’s world. – S
Miracleman #1 –B+
The return of Miracleman is finally here! OK, I’ll be honest. I don’t know that much about him, but this issue explains a lot. Mircleman was originally called Marvelman. There were some legal issues regarding the character and he became Miracleman, who is science based. He has been written and rewritten several times over. The newest reprisal is actually a reprint of Alan Moore’s 1980’s reboot, which is the only reason Miracleman #1 gets a B+ this week. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the 1950’s story and then the updated 1892 story. The story is clearly classic and Alan Moore’s reworking of it brings it to the more serious side. The artwork from both eras is pretty incredible. I am looking forward with what a 2014 take on Miracleman will look like for the future, and I am honestly glad this issue was more of history lesson before we delve into the modern update. – A
Seekers of the Weird #1 – B
Seekers of the Weird is based off a concept from Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump. Years ago, his idea for the Museum of Weird was supposed to be its own attraction at Disneyland, but never came to fruition. Now, it is coming alive through the comic book. We are introduced to Max and Melody Keep who have normal teenage problems. They go to the family curio shop called “Keep It Weird” and things certainly do get weird. Their parents are kidnapped by demons and their never before seen Uncle Roland leads them to the Museum of the Weird to find their kidnapped parents. Max and Melody will have to explore the museum to figure out what happened to their parents and find out what weird things they have been getting into. I enjoyed this comic, but everything seemed to happen so fast, that it was hard to find something relatable about the characters. It did have a modern Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego vibe, which was one of my favorite shows growing up. I am looking forward to delving into the Museum of the Weird and what adventures we will go on with Max and Melody. -A
Marvel Knights: Hulk #2 – B-
With the second installment of Marvel Knights: Hulk, I came in still not knowing what to expect after reading the first issue; however, at the end of the issue, I was pleased, but I had to wait until the end to reach that feeling. For the beginning and middle of the book you begin to see a little bit more of a glimpse as to what is happening, yet they still have a ton of information left in the bank – hopefully for later issues. The writing can be stale at times, seeming like a dull point in an action film, so I wasn’t too excited about the progression that was happening. However, the ending saved it all for me. The design and flow of panels, the art work (by the talented Piotr Kowalski of image Comics’ Sex), and the evolution of the last few pages hit me and all of the sudden I was excited and intrigued again. I got to see the Hulk I know and love, but it is obvious that there is a little something different this time around. There are still a ton of questions I have, that I’m sure can’t be left out for future issues, but nevertheless I am excited and interested to see where they take it from it. It can either turn out to be something really unique and entertaining, or it can be a complete flop; it truly has the potential to fall any which way at this point. – E
Superior Spiderman #25 – B-
We’ve been putting up with Otto Octavius as Spiderman for an entire year now, and the pompous super-genius is really starting to wear out his welcome. He’s tossed Mary Jane to the side, used his Avengers’ status selfishly, and even managed to take his anger out on poor Aunt May. It’s been unsettling, but for the sake of story-telling, we went with it. As Spidey is consumed by the Venom symbiote, he’s letting all his feelings out. The Avengers need to be called in to subdue Spiderman, and a huge reveal is made along the way. This reveal, which is so big I have to SPOIL, is that Peter Parker is not dead and gone. He is in fact returning to comics in April. That was a saving grace in a book that has been plauged by Otto’s obnoxious attitude. We want Parker back! – S
Night of the Living Deadpool #1 – C
Sporting a clever name like Night of the Living Deadpool and plenty of puns and potty humor, this book pits Deadpool against an army of the undead. Basically, if you’ve been waiting on a Deadpool zombie book not titled Marvel Zombies, this is for you. However, you probably haven’t been waiting for said title, so let’s disect the book for what it really is. As interesting as it is to watch Deadpool chop hordes of zombies apart, I got the sense that I’ve read something like this before. As a fan of the Merc With A Mouth, I will likely keep reading the series, but to call this a great series in the making is just too far of a stretch. – S
All-New X-Men #21 – D+
It wasn’t too long ago that Jean Grey and friends burst onto the scene as literal blasts from the past. The emotional shock of Cyclops turning into a felon and the physical shock that Iceman and Beast had when learning of their physical transformation was enough to keep me completely hooked. However, now that the novelty has worn off a bit, the All-New team seems, well, stuck. Battling a group of religious zealots called the Purifiers is just as mundane as it sounds. The potential for good things to happen later will be the sole reason I keep reading, but this arc isn’t doing All-New any favors. – S
GPA by Publisher:
DC Comics: 4 B’s, averaging out to a 3.00
Marvel Comics: 1 A, 6 B’s, 1 C and 1 D, averaging out to a 2.77
Independents: 1 D and 1 B, averaging out to a 2.00
Funniest Panel of the Week:
Epic Panel of the Week:
Cover Art of the Week:
Batgirl #27
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.
Burn the Orphanage – Born to Lose #2, our pick of the week
Pick of the Week:
Burn the Orphanage: Born to Lose #2 (DC Comics) – A
It’s about time we had a fun, over the top Jean-Claude Vanne Dammey comic come out. Full of total guy nerd references and comedy, this over-the-top book is about a local hero who has extracted revenge on the man who burned down the orphanage he lived in as a kid. It might feel like a rip off of 90’s nerdom, but that’s because it is – and the creators have no shame in admitting that. The character looks just like Ken from Street Fighter and he is entered into a Mortal Kombat-style tourney in another realm. Independent comics are still alive and well here in this unapologetically witty and fun book, and that’s what should make you want to keep coming back.
Other Reviews:
Action Comics #26 (DC Comics) – B-
Finally, an enjoyable Superman title that isn’t carried by the best tag team in comics (Superman: Unchained). With Lana Lang in danger, Superman must try to rescue her and the other civilians in the area from a giant monster dog thing. It’s more than meets the eye when we realize that maybe the monster isn’t the alien after all. Superman gets frustrated with the civilians and the military for attacking the alien instead of being the unwavering Blue Boy Scout. It’s a change that’s pretty enjoyable to see in the Superman comics.
Amazing Spiderman #700.1 (Marvel Comics) B+
Amazing Spiderman #700.1 is a reversion back to the Steve Ditko and Stan Lee’s classic comic series. It is been a year since the “superior” Spiderman murdered Peter Parker, so his homecoming is much welcomed! I was thrilled to see David Morrell as the writer on this project, not only because his novel First Blood was transformed into the blockbuster Rambo movie franchise, but for his writing for 2007’s Captain America series: Chosen, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This Spidey book entitled “Frost” and follows the emotional and physical struggles of a young man gifted with incredible abilities after a science experiment gone terribly wrong. He seems more civil-servant than flashy superhero. This has always been the draw to Spiderman. In the early days he found himself more of a policeman walking a beat than he did A-lister superhero. Klaus Johnson’s artwork only contributes to this nostalgic feel, bringing a scene of Spiderman saving a gondola off the 59th Street Bridge to life. Reading this book took me back to a simpler time when superheroes felt closer to home. This book has everything the old-school Spidey fan loves, J.J. Jameson, Aunt May and an ordinary kid given extraordinary powers.
Amazing X-Men #2 (Marvel Comics) – B-
After the revelation of the debut issue that Nightcrawler is alive… kinda, this issue shows our X-Men being sucked into heaven and hell. It was a good issue, with Iceman’s humor really stealing the show. The book reads a little slow, as Nightcrawler is constantly narrating what the pictures explain, and describe teammates like Wolverine and Storm like you’ve never heard of them before. Not a whole lot was explained story-wise, but we can guess that the team isn’t in a good place when they were transported. With Nightcrawler poised to make a move on his father, Azazel, the next issue is sure to be a little more exciting.
Batman/Superman #6 (DC Comics) – C-
All bets are off: the heroes are being controlled by videogame players (really, who wouldn’t want to do that?), the entire comic is in landscape format (really, who would want to do that?) and Batman has a freakin’ hole in his chest. What began as a well-crafted story with freakishly good art from Jae Lee has become a jumbled mess of a book. While the Toymaker angle is interesting, there’s nothing cohesive enough to call this book “good.”
Deadpool #20 (Marvel Comics) – F
Oh, good. For a second there, I was worried that the Deadpool book had standards. Silly me. After a sincere and comical story arc had finished about the Weapons X program in North Korea, they drop this trash about Deadpool shooting and blowing up inter-galactic monsters in Wakanda. In 90’s print. For no damn reason. Growing up, Deadpool had always been the mischievous, “do what I want” misunderstood merc with a mouth. With the success he has garnered in pop culture, it seems writers are literally willing to do whatever they want. It’s not cute, and I don’t even think that every die-hard Poolians (I just made that up) should give this series a shot anymore.
Green Arrow #26 (DC Comics) – B
Thanks to the CW’s Arrow, Oliver Queen and company have enjoyed some much deserved attention in the comics. Throw in tremendously talented writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino, and you have the next face of your brand. The start of the Outsiders War arc was not full of action, but full of ambiance. Arrow’s return to the island was charged with emotion as he reflects on his time there. It’s looking like this arc is gearing up to be fun and exciting.
Ever since Tony Stark and Bruce Banner teamed up for S.H.I.E.L.D its been non stop action. Banner is motivated by a desire to repair his reputation as the world’s leading scientist and not a raging green monster, while Stark is motivated by…whatever motivates a genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. The pair run errands for the clandestine organization and we are thankful for it. Indestructible, penciled by Mahmud Asrar is filled with epic battle panels with Iron-Man and Hulk. If this buddy-cop match up is one you’ve been waiting for, Indestructible Hulk won’t disappoint.
Inhumanity #1 (Marvel Comics) – B+
Every Marvel event comes with a certain level of gravity. The world, galaxy or universe is always in danger and it’s the duty of our heroes to sacrifice and blah blah blah – sound familiar? This story, though, has an awesome feel to it. Unless you read or saw the animated version of Inhumans, you would not know that Inhumans are awakened through Terrigen Mists that activate super powers in normal humans. Karnak walks readers through the story of Black Bolt and what the fall of Attilan has to do with Thanos. It’s an epic event in the Marvel U that actually deserves the description.
Marvel Knights: X-Men #2 (Marvel Comics) – B-
With all the complicated twists and turns of the other X-books, it’s nice to see a book go to the simplest of times. Knights debut ended with Wolverine finding his buddy Sabretooth in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Continuing the story, which had a very pulpy, Scooby-Dooish vibe, we find another lonely and confused mutant with the ability to project memories (good thing this wasn’t a teenage boy). It has a bit of social commentary that has been absent in X-Men recently. This is definitely a short series worth checking out.
Superior Spiderman #23 (Marvel Comics) – B
Man, just when you think you can get used to Octavius as Spiderman, he pulls a major jerk move and messes with our pal Flash Thompson AKA Venom. We saw him go too far with his black & white justice approach with Cardiac earlier in the series, and now he’s really fighting with fire, tricking Flash into undergoing surgery to help him walk again, but extracting the Venom symbiote from Flash altogether, who now has Darth Maul legs. Once free, it latches onto the most suitable host in the room. I’m pretty excited to see how Otto thinks he can get himself out of this one, if he even wants to.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro-Series (The Shredder) #8 (IDW Comics) – C
When you really think about it, Oroku Saki aka The Shredder never really talks. I mean, he never really has to. A few speeches about how much he hates Splinter and the turtles or how disappointed he is in the Foot, sure, but when it comes to actually talking, it just doesn’t happen. This whole issue focuses on Shredder’s journey through the after-life, which is on its own, pretty entertaining and well-drawn. However, his lack of personality really put a damper on what could be a pretty cool Japanese folklore-based story.
Terminator: Salvation – The Final Battle #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – B+
This Terminator comic begins almost exactly like the first three terminator movies. Human and Terminator alike come back in time, Terminator kills people for clothes and the human runs from the police. The story fluctuates between the present day timeline and the future of 2029. Being a continuation of the movie, it is actually necessary that you watch the film in order to understand who a few characters are. That being said I am very excited to see where they take this series. Being a major fan of the series, I am very interested to see how they finally end the saga.
Trillium #5 (Vertigo Comics) – A-
The dimensions of a comic book page are 6-7/8″ x 10-1/2″ and Jeff Lemire seems to fill up every square inch with quality work. Issue #5 is split horizontally into two stories, read from opposite ends of the book to give the impression of two different stories. Swapped places in time and space, Billy and Nika are losing their minds trying to figure out how they got there. Right off the bat, things are out of place. There will be nobody named Clayton in the future of outer space; I simply refuse to believe it. I don’t know where this wild ride is going, but we have three issues to save the world and get these star-crossed lovers back to each other.
Velvet #2 (Image Comics) – B+
James Bond meets La Femme Nikita in this spy thriller. Only two issues in and we are uncovering a web of lies and a screw job within a secret government organization. Full of action and espionage, the second issue digs a bit deeper. Velvet boasts a strong female lead and a deep storyline to explore. If you haven’t picked up on Velvet yet, I strongly suggest getting into this spy thriller.
Funniest Panel of the Week:
Bobby breaks the ice in Amazing X-Men #2
Epic Panel of the Week:
The real Peter Parker saves the day in Amazing Spiderman #700.1
Cover of the Week:
TMNT Villain Micro-Series #8, written by Paul Allor and drawn by Dan Duncan
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, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.
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