Gob and gobs of them. For bandwidth’s sake, we’ll do this down in the “MORE” area …
Grading parameters: [writing / art / tercile in the stack], where 3 is fabulous, 2 is pretty nifty, and 1 is marginal.
- The Establishment #6 (WildStorm) [2/1/2]
Unlikeable characters, noteworthy only for being up against rather more unlikeable ones. Cynicism and sarcasm abound. The irony is that the book’s now been cancelled. Could it be that cynicism-n-sarcasm is going the way of grim-n-gritty? - Monarchy #11 (Wildstorm) [1/1/1]
Or maybe this is the one which being cancelled. Though this one adds in the fillip of trying to be smartly obscure. - Titans #38 (DC) [1/2/1]
I’ve cancelled my pull on this one, and this issue didn’t change my mind any. It wraps up a lot of stray story lines which ought never to have been started in the first place, but not in any way that makes me particularly look forward to what comes next. - Uncanny X-Men #402-403 (MarvPG) [2/2/1]
The secrets behind Banshee’s new rough-n-tumble mutant army continue to slowly be revealed. But it’s not just former Brotherhood types in the van, but former X-Force members. Mildly interesting, but I think this one is headed to the cancel stack. - Detective Comics #767 (DC) [3/2/2]
“Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” Part 8. Sasha in prison, facing both nasty convicts and her own doubts. Good, solid characteriziation. Plus Judd Winnick’s Josie Mack backup tale. - Batman: Gotham Knights #26 (DC) [3/2/2]
“Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” Part 10. Where this cross-over event has shone is in dealing with characterizations, and the way that all the members of the Batman team have their perceptions and trust of Bruce Wayne shaken — or not — by events. This issue, written by Devin Grayson, is a good example of where it’s shining. - Birds of Prey #40 (DC) [2/2/2]
“Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” Part 12. More Gotham Knights goodness,with plenty of guest stars from across the Bat-world. Not the greatest story since sliced bread, but Dixon’s writing is decent, and if Rick Leonardi is getting a little anime-like in his art, it’s not bad. - Suicide Squad #6 (DC) [2/2/1]
Clean stories (by Keith Giffin), and clean art. Bad guys talked into doing good things, and some of the interesting dynamics between psychopaths, sociopaths, and just plain ol’ criminals. Worth a read, but nothing to nominate for awards. Yet. - Impulse #83 (DC) [2/2/1]
An on-going decent series. If I had to cut things to a minimum, I’d probably drop Impulse — but I’d kind of miss it. - Adventures of Superman #601 (DC) [2/2/1]
Joe Casey’s story is okay, but it really isn’t sending me. And why we have to somehow swipe the Persuader into current continuity really isn’t clear. I vote it off the island. - The Punisher #9 (MarvPG+) [1/2/1]
This series is rapidly descending into mediocrity in the absence of Ennis and Dillon. The only thing worth the prie of entry is Tim Bradstreet’s covers. *Sigh*. - Orion #23 (DC) [2/2/2]
Just read this series has been canelled, and that’s a crying shame, because Walt Simonson has managed to serve as the best heir to Jack Kirby in running the “Fourth World” of anyone since the King was doing it. Good solid work, demonstrating why a New God makes a particularly terrifying opponent. - Thunderbolts #61 (MarvPG) [2/2/2]
Nicieza continues to demonstrate that you can have too much of a good thing, when it comes to rich plotting, subplotting, and subsubplotting. It’s still a good read, but half of it feels like it’s being shoved down your throat. - JSA #33 (DC) [2/2/2]
The dream world of the UltraHumanite is revealed, sort of, but more important is the introduction of the new JSA. Not the best issue, but good stuff nonetheless, despite an extraordinarily deceptive cover. - Incredible Hulk #37 (MarvPG) [2/2/3]
Slick art from John Romita, Jr., and solid writing from Bruce Jones. Folks who ran away from the Hulk over the past few years should really come back to it, because it’s a one or two good ticks better than the “Hulk Smash” school of Hulkiness. Take up and read. - Mystic #21 (Crossgen) [2/3/1]
Giselle wins. Or does she? Y’know what? I’m enjoying this. But not so much that I have to read it as it happens, vs. waiting for the TPBs. Aloha. - Spectre #14 (DC) [3/2/2]
Sooks Mignola-esque art is missed but DeMatteis’ writing carries the day in this tale of guilt and redemption. In a sense, this is a great intro to the series and title character. - Powers Annual #1 (Image) [3/2/3]
This issue takes the idea of this being a “police procedural” to extremes. But, y’know, Bendis and Oeming’s creation is just so damned good, this actually enhances things rather than adding a ho-hum factor. Triffic stuff. - Spyboy / Young Justice #1 of 2 (Dark Horse/DC) [2/2/3]
Peter David throws his young super-team up against his young secret agent. Hilarity ensues. This works better than a lot of these sorts of cross-overs, and that David writes both of them makes the whole stand up a lot better than you’d expect. - Superman/Tarzan: Sons of the Jungle #2 of 3 (Dark Horse/DC) [2/2/1]
A rather cartoony Elseworlds tale (what if it were Kal-El who landed in the jungle?) that’s fun for continuity buffs of either series. - Action Comics #787 (DC) [2/2/1]
Supes in Japan against suitably Japanese bad guys and covert good guys. Bye-bye. - Paradise Too #5 (Abstract) [2/2/3]
I really want to enjoy Terry Moore’s cartoons more. And they’re fun. I just don’t know that each set is $3 worth of fun. Let me give this another month or two. Moore’s worth the investment. - Flash #182 (DC) [2/2/2]
A look into the heart of Captain Cold. Surprisingly good stuff. - Avengers #50 (MarvPG) [2/1/1]
A disappointingly weak anniversary issue. This wraps up (one hopes) the Triune Understanding/Triathlon subplot — and it was just as dissappointing in conclusion as in execution. Bleah. - Last Kiss #3 (Shanda) [2/2/2]
John Lustig does a “What’s Up, Pussycat?” on old romance comics. A fun concept for an occasional strip (as in its run in The Comic Buyer’s Guide) but it sort of falls flat for an entire, pricy comic book. - The Authority #28 (WildStorm) [2/3/3]
Arthur Adams does an an amazing Frank Quitely style. That said, this is basically an issue of the old Authority beginning to take out the new Authority. Huh. - New X-Men #122 (MarvPG) [3/3/2]
Grant Morrison cross the Authority with the Imperial Guard to insert some marvelous bits, as Xavier’s sister turns the Shiar Empire inside-out. Frank Quitely’s art is great — usually; his Scott Summers takes the “Slim” nicknames to mutant extremes. - Sojourn #8 (Crossgen) [2/3/2]
High fantasy goodness. - Iron Man #51 (MarvPG) [2/2/1]
Generic heroic stuff. Hmmm. Should I be getting more for my $2.25? - The Thessaliad #2 of 4 (Vertigo) [2/2/2]
Bill Willingham does what he does best — myth-twisting sardonic encounters of power. Thessaly and her Fetch continue on their Campbellian journey. Good stuff. - Iceman #4 of 4 (MarvPG) [1/2/1]
It’s over. Thank heavens. - Glory #2 (Avatar) [2/2/2]
Alan Moore does Wonder Woman, but more like Wonder Woman of 1942, not of the present (which he does in Promethea). Pleasant fun. - Private Beach #4 (SLG) [2/1/2]
This slightly off-beat slice-o-life reminds me of Strangers in Paradise. I don’t know where it’s going, but I’m enjoying the ride. - Muties #1 (Marvel) [2/2/2]
How would teenagers actually act like if they had mutant powers. Petty and hateful, is likely how, at least a lot of the teens I remember. That seems to be the direction of this series. That might turn out to be refreshing — or really irksome. We’ll see. - Elektra #7 (MarvPG+) [3/1/2]
Rucka does deep, mysterious spy stuff. Chuck Austin robs it of any life. Ah, well. - Hammer of the Gods: Color Saga (ISG) [2/2/3]
Mike Oeming’s Hammer of the Gods series was kind of interesting. This side tale is less so. Just a bit too … cartoony — and I’m not talking about the art style here. - Knights of the Dinner Table #64 (Kenzer) [3/1/3]
Really cool stories … I’m just getting kind of torqued that the main story is a hair less than 50% of the book. Feh. I’m beginning to think that I should start waiting for the collections … - Lucifer #22-23 (Vertigo) [2/2/2]
Lucifer’s plans start to go horribly wrong, and it begins to look like he’s not going to be able to stop it. Eep! Not for kids, but nothing that would necessarily shock your mom. - Exiles #10 (MarvPG) [2/3/2]
A somewhat weak conclusion to this three issue arc — which, when you’re talking about Judd Winick, simply means it’s a damn fine read, rather than something amazing. Galactus is dealt with reasonably, but the longer impact will be a change in the membership. - Supergirl #67 (DC) [2/2/2]
A little too complex of a story from Peter David, a little too crude of artwork from Diego Barreto. Ah, well. - The Power Company: Manhunter #1 (DC) [1/2/1]
Manhunter is sort of a classic beloved character, stemming solely from an Archie Goodwin/Walt Simonson backup feature in Detective Comics. That makes any attempt to resurrect the character particularly dicey. While I have my doubts about the Power Co., this story (guest starring Nightwing) is a decent outing and intro to the character — though Busiek is anything but at the top of his form. - The Power Company #1 (DC) [2/2/1]
Busiek writes the Thunderbolts, only with (so far) a less complex story. A decent enoug team story, worth a look-see — but if they don’t make it something special, it’s probably not worth the effort from DC or the cost from the buyers. - Usagi Yojimbo #54 (Dark Horse) [3/3/3]
Another “Lone Goat and Kid” episode. Fabulous stuff. - Usagi Yojimbo #55 (Dark Horse) [3/3/3]
Again, Sakai’s work is beginning to get a bit sketchy, and this done-in-one telegraphs itself way too soon. Fortunately, Sakai is just so damned good, he still gets all 3’s. - Doom: the Emperor Returns #3 of 3 (MarvPG) [1/1/1]
If there’s one thing less impressive than Doom on the rather goofy Counter-Earth created after the Onslaught saga, it’s Doom in the totally goofy neo-Puritan realm of the Negative Zone created by Nicieza. Yuck. - Black Panther #41 (MarvPG) [2/2/2]
Solid, intriguing stuff, with guest stars Iron Man and Wolverine. But y’know what? It doesn’t feel like it’s a “Let’s guest star Wolverine to boost the ratings,” but “Hey, it makes sense for Wolverine to get involved here.” How refresing. Christopher Priest continues to keep us guessing — and should serve as an example to Nicieza on how to keep complicated subplots juggled effectively. - Barry Ween #6 of 6 (Oni) [3/3/3]
Judd Winick manages to get you going from blood-out-your-nose laughter to an actual teary eye in the course of the story. He also draws an incredibly hot barbarian Sara. Now that we have three miniseries in softcover, I seriously want a hardcover compilation. Barry Ween rocks. Most recommended. - Elektra and Wolverine #3 of 3 (MarvPG+) [3/2/3]
Greg Rucka concludes a helluva story. Yoshitaka Amano’s art is a bit too exotic for me — and, frankly, it really doesn’t add all that much to the storytelling. Waiting for the collection on this one. - Daredevil Visionaries TPB (Marvel) [3/3/*]
This new TPB covers the initial Kevin Smith/Joe Quesada/Jimmy Pamiotti arc. While I am a big believer in creator-owned characters, something like this demonstrates that it is possible to do ground-breaking, even profound work with an already-existing character. Smith does a great job here (and I’ve heard that in the past, but had not been reading DD at the time), and the artwork is stylish but at an appropriate level of detail.. Triffic stuff. - Daredevil: Ninja TPB (Marvel) [3/1/*]
Brian Bendis wrote this miniseries, and he brings his own flare to dialog (of course) and DD’s character. The art by Rob Haynes is, well, too stylized and difficult to follow for my taste. Another example of doing well with a forty-year-old character. - Sam & Twitch: Udaku TPB (McFarlane) [2/2/*]
Bendis tells a story that’s superb in panel to panel, but doesn’t quite holds together as a full creative arc. Angel Medina does a Bill Sienkiwicz riff here, and those who like that sort of thing will find it the sort of thing they like. - Batman: Year One TPB (DC) [3/2/*]
A Christmas gift I’m finally getting around to reviewing. A nicely put-together study of how Batman started out — and how his relationship with James Gordon was built. - Torso TPB (Image) [3/2/*]
One of Bendis’ earlier works, detailing a true story of a serial killing in Cleavland, which brought an end to the career of Elliot Ness. Good stuff. - Spy Boy: Undercover, Underwear! TPB (Dark Horse) [2/2/*]
Fun series, fun collection. - Punisher Vol. 2. TPB (Marvel) [2/3/*]
Those who like this sort of thing will find it the sort of thing they like. Ennis and Dillon reprise their Vol. 1 grand guignol. This time out, it’s a bit more over the top, and, ironically, is less effective to that end. - Hellblazer: Good Intentions TPB (Vertigo) [2/3/*]
John Constantine is a multi-faceted character, but Brian Azzario’s interpretation works just fine. Marcelo Frusin’s art is dark and nasty and just fine as well. It’s not 100% clear what’s happening when all is said and done, but it’s a darkly enjoyable trip. - Sin City TPB (Dark Horse) [3/3/*]
Frank Miller at the top of his frickin’ form, and the best example of film noir ever put to paper. The writing is solid, sweaty and drenched in night-time heat. The art is a masterpiece of shadow-as-substance. The best of the series, which, given the quality of the others, is saying something. Lord Almighty. I’ve been rereading these (thanks to giving the couple of them that I had to Doyce when he was in the hospital), and, damn, they are fine. I have no idea why I stopped buying these, but I have subsequently corrected that mistake. - Sin City: A Dame to Kill For TPB (Dark Horse) [3/3/*]
Miller. Noir. Again, great dark sweetness. - Sin City: Booze, Broads, & Bullets TPB (Dark Horse) [3/3/*]
Unlike the two previous, this consists of eleven separate stories, mostly B&W, but a few with spot color. Not quite as good as the two TPBs above, but still fabulous. - Sin City: That Yellow Bastard TPB (Dark Horse) [3/3/*]
Comparable to A Dame to Kill For in quality. Rather than a criminal seeking blood-drenched goodness, it’s the story of a cop fighting against the darkness. Wow.42 view(s)