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Game of Thrones #7 – Quick Review

Posted on May 1, 2012 by dfstell

By: George R.R. Martin (story), Daniel Abraham (adaptation), Tommy Patterson (art), Marshall Dillon (letters) & Ivan Nunes (colors)

The Story: About midway through the first novel we find the Imp hanging out with the Night Watch and Ned Stark in King’s Landing.

Quick Review: Now that the second season of HBO’s excellent Game of Thrones TV show is underway, it makes sense to touch base with the comic adaptation of the first novel in George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series.

The story itself kinda “it is what it is.”  This is a straight adaptation from the novels, so there aren’t any surprises to be found.  Adapting a novel like GoT is always going to be tricky because knowing what to include, what to leave out and when to add breaks between issues is always going to be an inexact science.  Much like Marvel’s adaptation of Stephen King novels, this comic is kinda written for a whole different audience than the “Wednesday crowd.”  This is a comic to have on your pull list to share with a significant other or family members who have enjoyed the TV show or the novels.  Plus, it’ll make a splendid collected edition someday that’ll sell well in the bookstore.
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The Dark Knight Rises Trailer

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Ray Hilario

 

Filed under: DC Comics | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Rebel Blood #2 – Review

Posted on April 30, 2012 by dfstell

By: Alex Link (plot/script), Riley Rossmo (plot/art) & Kelly Tindall (letters)

The Story: Trapped in the forest during an apocalypse, Chuck tries to make his way home.

Recap/Review: Good and bad with this comic.  Let’s be in a good mood and talk about the good stuff first, eh?

The general premise for this comic is interesting: man is out in the middle of nowhere when the apocalypse happens.  Usually when we see these end-of-the-world stories, we follow people who are trapped in cities or the suburbs.  It’s very different to see the world-ending from the standpoint of a guy located in a very remote location where he has limited information and already accepts that “the authorities” won’t be coming to help him.  Even in normal times, the deep wilderness has potential for scary times as anyone who has encountered an oddball stranger in the middle of the woods can tell you.  There’s no “help”…it’s all on YOU to get out of the jam.  So, the story and the setting work and make sense.

I also find myself enjoying the protagonist’s attempt to get home and find his family.  It seems like this apocalypse might actually be starting in the wilderness and making it’s way to the cities?  Thus, has to escape the mutant-filled forest and get to his family before the ghouls eat his family.  It isn’t a new concept, but the idea of not being able to help your children during a crisis is a powerful one and one that connects with readers.
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Filed under: Image Comics | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

FF #17 – Review

Posted on April 29, 2012 by paladinking

By: Jonathan Hickman (writer), Nick Dragotta (art), Chris Sotomayor (colors), and Clayton Cowles (letters)

The Story:  Can Peter Parker possibly survive the sheer, mind-imploding aggravation of having Johnny Storm for a room-mate?

The Review:  Jonathan Hickman is among my favourite writers, but he wouldn’t exactly be my first choice to write a sitcom, much as I wouldn’t choose, say, Brian Azzarello to write a romantic comedy.  Yet, somehow, Hickman gives us a superhero sitcom with this issue and it is, well, fantastic.  All the jokes are hits and this is a book that is guaranteed to get you smiling.

In both Hickman’s energetic, upbeat script and Nick Dragotta’s cartoony, high-paced artwork, this issue of FF maintains a consistently jocular tone that keeps you in a mood primed for laughter.  Pete’s increasing level of suppressed anger, slowly rising to boiling point, is matched perfectly to Johnny’s complete and total obliviousness.  Hickman plays the dynamic perfectly; he gives us peaks into Peter’s mind, which only make Johnny’s behaviour all the more ridiculous.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Moon Knight #12 – Review

Posted on April 29, 2012 by paladinking

By: Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Alex Maleev (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors), and Cory Petit (letters)

The Story: Moon Knight versus Count Nefaria, head to head, one last time.

The Review:  All good things must come to an end and, sadly, it has come all too soon for Bendis and Maleev’s Moon Knight.  Thankfully, however, reading this issue, it’s clear that this was exactly the ending that the creators always intended; this isn’t at all a rushed, slapped together conclusion necessitated by a sudden cancellation.  Instead, the issue is excellently paced, covers all the bases, and ties up any and all loose ends very nicely.  All the plot elements that Bendis introduced in his run get some level of satisfying closure, from the current state of Marc’s current “Avengers” personalities to the status of his television show.

Much of Bendis’ run has seen Moon Knight bumbling about, only semi-competently, playing Avenger.  As the run has progressed, we’ve see him become more and more the professional superhero we know him to be.  This issue, fittingly, feels like the crux of that; as he goes one on one with Nefaria in a police station, Moon Knight feels at his most superheroic.  Furthermore, throughout the issue, he also retains that human aspect, that vulnerability that Bendis has so focused on.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Previews – May 2012

Posted on April 29, 2012 by dfstell

Maybe we’ll start this as a new feature?  I’ll flip through Previews, tell you what I think is worthwhile and you can tell me I’m a moron.  Sound like fun?

DARK HORSE

- Axe Cop: President of the World #1 - At some point, this odd comic that is written by 8 year old Malachai Nicolle and illustrated by his brother, 31 year old Ethan, will lose it’s magic.  Someday Malachai will probably “grow up” too much or become too self-aware, but until that happens we should enjoy the ride.  Here’s a link to my review of last Spring’s Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #1.

- Early issues where you can hop on before it’s too late.  Fatima: The Blood Spinners #2 by Gilbert Hernandez, Mind Mgmt #3 by Matt Kindt and The Massive #2 by Brian Wood.

- Eerie Comics #1 brings back the beloved old Warren Publishing title.  It’s really hard to go wrong with a horror anthology in black and white.  Of course, don’t miss the big brother: Creepy Comics #9.
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Filed under: DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, Vertigo, IDW, Image Comics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Young Justice S02E01 – Review

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Greg Weisman (story)

The Story: YJ’s philosophy toward recruitment?  The more the merrier.

The Review: When I reviewed the show’s season finale last week, I was all settled in for a summer’s break until its return.  I suppose I should have known by now to give up trying to figure out this show’s release schedule.  Who could ever predict that the premiere of the second season would follow right on the heels of the first’s season finale?  I can only guess this is Cartoon Network’s way of keeping up its newly-minted DC Nation block.

The first few minutes of the episode get you pumped for another season of teen superhero action, as you watch Superboy, Miss Martian, and Robin take down Clayface in a sewer with great finesse and confidence, proving their victory aboard the League watchtower did wonders for their street cred.  When Robin appears from the shadows in a whole new costume, you’re only briefly curious.  Then an alligator slides down a chute and becomes Beast Boy.  Blue Beetle flies in, remarking on the smell.  A shrunken Bumblebee hovers above and resizes back to normal.  You think to yourself, Wow, their street cred really must have taken off to recruit this much.  And then Superboy reports back to HQ, only to be told to head back by one “Nightwing.”
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Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

The Legend of Korra Episode 4 – Review

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko (story)

The Story: Korra learns it’s not easy to defeat the bending world’s Che Guevara.

The Review: No doubt one of the major factors which played into the original Avatar’s popularity was the irresistible charm of its star character.  Aang had such a joyful, happy-go-lucky nature (with just the right amount of pathos thrown it to keep him from being saccharine) that it was hard not to like him.  Since you naturally feel invested in anybody you happen to like, that made any change to Aang a little more intriguing and any danger a little more threatening.

So far I can’t really say the same for Korra.  While not totally unlikable in any way, she just doesn’t capture your heart.  Part of the reason is aside from her love of bending and a superficial desire to be Avatar, she doesn’t project many qualities you can get attached to.  She’s stubborn, strident, temperamental, and cocky, which doesn’t exactly make her the most appealing protagonist.  If not for her honesty and affectionate heart, she’d practically be grating.
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Spaceman #6 – Review

Posted on April 28, 2012 by dfstell

By: Brian Azzarello (writer), Eduardo Risso (art), Trish Mulvihill (colors), Clem Robins (letters), Mark Doyle & Will Dennis (editors)

The Story: Everyone is trying to get Orson and “save” the little girl they think he has kidnapped.

Recap/Review: There are two things really impeding my enjoyment of this issue (and series).  Sorry to say, they’re both art related problems.  From the strict standpoint of aesthetics, I love Eduardo Risso’s artwork.  He works with dark spaces so well, does wonderful eyes and cartoons enough with his characters that I can tell what they’re up to.  But, this issue brought a nagging issue to a head.  Namely, I can’t easily identify two of the main characters in many scenes.  The first problem is with differentiating Tara (the kidnapped little girl) from all the other street-urchins that Orson (the Spaceman) hangs around with.  They’re all small, light of frame and brown skinned with floppy black hair.  In a many panels, I just can’t locate Tara and thus can’t really tell if it is Tara speaking OR one of the other kids.  Would it have killed them to give some of these kids distinctive tattoos or earrings…or maybe make one wear sunglasses all the time…or wear their hair in a pink Mohawk?  Tara is an important character and I couldn’t pick her out of a line-up.
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Filed under: Vertigo | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Daredevil #11 – Review

Posted on April 28, 2012 by paladinking

By: Mark Waid (writer), Marco Checchetto (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: Daredevil tries to recapture the Omega Drive from Cole (Alves?).

The Review:  The Omega Effect has been a really nice little crossover.  It’s small, contained, and went across titles that worked well with each other.  If you enjoyed the previous two issues, you’ll enjoy most of what’s offered here.  Seeing Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Punisher kick Megacrime ass together is about as entertaining as you’d expect.

The real heart of the comic, however, is in Daredevil’s interactions with Rachel Alves (why does everyone, including Marvel, keep calling her Cole when the character explicitly calls herself Alves?).  There’s great chemistry between the two, highlighting the very high, very dangerous precipice that Alves finds herself at.  Naturally, this lets Matt really shine as well; in attempting to “save” her, we see all the personal characteristics that have defined Matt: his sense of responsibility, his heroism, his empathy, his passion, and, of course, his constant sense of guilt and his desire to atone for past wrongs.  In this case, in appealing to Rachel, he’s also trying to make up for what he sees as his failure in reforming Frank.  It makes for a strong, compelling read that says as much about Matt as it does Rachel.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Blackhawks #8 – Review

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Mike Costa (story), Cafu (pencils), Bit (inks), Guy Major (colors)

The Story: When the day’s flying is done, every bird must go back to its nest.

The Review: Just a few days ago, I noted in my review of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #6 that with Nick Spencer going off that title, I didn’t really believe there was any title that could really take its place.  Upon reflection, I may have overstated things a bit.  After reading this issue, I firmly believe that Costa might have, given some more, written turned this series into such a title, which makes its cancellation all the more tragic.

From the first issue I ever read, I noticed and greatly admired Costa’s sprightly writing, which has a similar combination of wit and intelligence as Spencer’s.  Even with tons of exposition being exchanged, he keeps the pace breezy, making sure each bit of information comes through a logical part of the dialogue.  He also knows the right timing to throw in a smart joke and break up the tension (“Attila wet his pants.”  “My nervous system was being short-circuited!”).
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Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 – Review

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz (story), Dan Duncan (art), Ronda Pattison (colors)

The Story: Doesn’t matter how big a robot is once you stick a knife through its motherboard.

The Review: I don’t know exactly when it happened—though I’m guessing probably sometime in the seventies—but at some point weirdness became an attractive quality to the mainstream.  Think about it: NBC comedies, reality television, films like Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter—it’s almost as if in our ever-increasing struggle for originality, we appreciate anything that produces surprise of any kind, however tepid or extreme.

Nowhere does that point seem more apparent than in this series.  In the opening pages, April O’Neil recaps the Turtles’ story up to the present day, covering their mutant origins, their training in the martial arts by a giant rat, and their rivalry with a mercenary cat with an eye-patch.  And that’s before we get to Michelangelo reminding Donatello, “…you forgot to tell her the part about us being reincarnated and stuff.”  So, yeah, this is some truly strange stuff at work.
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Filed under: IDW, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The New Deadwardians #2 – Review

Posted on April 27, 2012 by dfstell

By: Dan Abnett (writer), I.N.J. Culbard (artist), Patricia Mulvihill (colors), Travis Lanham (letters), Mark Doyle (associate editor) & Will Dennis (editor)

The Story: The murder-mystery set in a zombie-infested Edwardian era London continues.

Recap/Review (with minor SPOILERS): This was a challenging review to compose.  I kept starting by saying that, “The New Deadwardians is different than typical zombie-fiction because of ABC…”, only to pause and realize that all zombie fiction included ABC.  Then I’d begin again by saying it was different “because of XYZ…” only to realize that XYZ is also present in just about all zombie fiction.  It was frustrating because The New Deadwardians is obviously fresh and different even if I couldn’t verbalize the proper adjectives.  So, I did some household chores, walked on the treadmill, fed the dogs….and it finally hit me…..

The New Deadwardians is different because it is clean.  This world has all the standard tropes of zombie fiction: ghouls hissing from behind bars, scarcity of resources and the danger of your fellow survivors.  That’s all present in TND just as it is present in The Walking Dead.  But, the difference is that these people look clean and civilized: They look like they’ve taken a bath recently; the well-to-do still have butlers and cooks; the upper class still dresses properly.
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Secret Avengers #26 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by paladinking

By: Rick Remender (writer), Renato Guedes (art), Bettie Breitweiser & Matthew Wilson (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: A special team of Avengers head off into space in a desperate attempt to contain the Phoenix before it reaches Earth.

The Review:  It’s hard not to be skeptical going into this issue of Secret Avengers: it’s a tie-in issue and one that only features half the regular team, the other half of the roster being filled with guest stars (Thor, Ms. Marvel, etc).  This screams “derailment,” the fear that always looms when there’s a tie-in.  Worse still, regular artist Gabriel Hardman is nowhere to be found.

Yet, against all odds, this may very well be the best issue of Rick Remender’s run thus far.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

All-Star Western #8 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti (story), Moritat (art), Gabriel Bautista (colors)

The Story: Hex discovers that on occasion, violence can be a turn-on.

The Review: The thing about genre fiction, which includes the western, is that the stories are frequently restricted by conventions.  They have certain archetypes fans easily recognize, and their plots tend to follow well-established patterns and formulas.  Breaking out of these ruts can be quite difficult, considering the limited range each genre offers.  With the western, the limits are even greater since it has restrictions on both geography and time.

This title has defied the traditions of its genre by moving the story outside the usual dusty, frontier town and placing it within urban settings.  While we’ve gotten a lot of entertainment out of observing Hex’s unique brand of “country mouse, town mouse” conflict, it’s more important to note that putting him in cities like Gotham and New Orleans means he encounters the kinds of problems we can relate to, making him more accessible to us.  It also means he has to re-discover and re-use parts of his humanity he hasn’t had to deal with in a while.
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New Avengers #25 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by paladinking

By: Brian Michael Bendis (writers), Mike Deodato & Will Conrad (art), Rain Beredo (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: The ancient, until now unknown ties between K’un Lun, the Iron Fist, and the Phoenix Force are revealed.

The Review: I imagine a lot of people are going to be pretty upset about this issue and would probably demand that it get no better than a D, if not lower.  Aside from the fact that it’s written by Bendis (an almost automatic F in some readers’ eyes), it’s a tie-in, it doesn’t feature a single Avenger in it, and it centers on one big old retcon of the history of the Iron Fist.

Of course, as regular readers may know, I’m not all that opposed to writers playing fast and loose with it or bending it to better suit their aims, provided it means a good story.  Of course, those that feel differently will despise this book.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

I, Vampire #8 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Joshua Hale Fialkov (story), Andrea Sorrentino (art), Marcelo Maiolo (colors)

The Story: Andrew and Mary take another step in their Ross-and-Rachel relationship.

The Review: Between you and me, I hate crossover events.  I’m not talking about Marvel and DC’s Big Events, the ones with their own maxi-series and scads of tie-ins, most of which are frivolous and immaterial.  With these you can choose which to buy, and which to rightfully ignore.  It’s a bit different when one title’s story spills into another, then spills back in again later, practically force you into picking up issues you never intended to get in the first place.

So it annoyed me to find “Rise of the Vampires” crossed over into Justice League Dark, a title I unceremoniously dropped just a few months before.  While this issue doesn’t start off in a drastically different place than where we left off last month, it’s nonetheless clear that a fairly important chunk of the story happened elsewhere, as we see Andrew Bennett returned from the “dead” and better than ever since Xanadu apparently “shunted” Cain’s power to him.
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American Vampire #26 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by dfstell

By: Scott Snyder (writer), Roger Cruz (artist), Dave McCaig (colors), Jared K. Fletcher (letters), Gregory Lockard (assistant editor) and Mark Doyle (editor)

The Story: AV shifts to 1950′s Alabama and a new type of enemy.

Recap/Review (with SPOILERS): Cool things abound in this issue.

First, we get a great fill-in artist in Roger Cruz.  Superhero comics have trained us that fill-in artists are a bad thing because Marvel/DC usually fill-in with a lesser artist.  That allows the reader to suddenly appreciate plot holes that were there all along and generally wonder why they waste their money on this stuff.  But, with Vertigo, fill-in artists are a treat because it exposes you to an outstanding artist that you weren’t previously familiar with.  It’s like getting a wonderful sampler platter as an appetizer at a restaurant.  Regular artist Albuquerque is the entree (and you know he’ll be good), but getting to sample artists like Cruz (or previous fill-ins on AV by Matheus Santolouco and Danijel Zezelj) let you broaden your horizons and maybe even track down some other works by these talented guys.
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Filed under: Vertigo | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Aquaman #8 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Geoff Johns (story), Ivan Reis (art), Joe Prado (inks), Rod Reis (colors)

The Story: It’d be a good idea to get the old gang back together while there’s still a gang.

The Review: Like a lot of his fellow Justice Leaguers, Aquaman has always struggled with figuring out who he is and where he belongs, torn in his loyalties between two peoples and cultures.  The interesting part is that unlike many of his peers, he does have a legitimate human origin, though only half of one.  But humans, we know, don’t take too kindly to those who seem different, so it’s not so cut and dry that Aquaman would pledge himself to them.

In fact, this issue shows us that for a while, he did anything but, declaring his outright rejection of the whole human race before diving into the sea.  In his defense, there was quite a bit of trauma motivating this decision, as it took place on the day of his father’s funeral.  If you want to know just how emotionally wrecked Arthur is, Johns shows him nursing his grief over a mixture of family photos and newspapers, one headline blaring, “The Aquaman’s Father Killed.”
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Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Captain America #10 – Review

Posted on April 26, 2012 by paladinking

By: Ed Brubaker (writer), Alan Davis (pencils), Mark Farmer (inks), Laura Martin (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: Cap and friends rush to put a stop to the mad bombs and a mind-controlled, enraged Falcon.

The Review:  This issue is a frustrating one to review if only due to the talent behind it having created such a mediocre issue, particularly given how much a fan I was of the last issue.  I really thought this Alan Davis-illustrated arc had been a turning point for the series post-relaunch, but alas.

Let me first say, however, that even a mediocre effort by the likes of Ed Brubaker and Alan Davis will be better than a fair chunk of superhero comics out there.  When he finally gets around to doing it, Brubaker’s internal monologue from Rogers is as gritty, forboding, and intimate as ever.  Furthermore, I really liked how Brubaker ended this issue; we learn the nature of Sharon’s bargain with Machinesmith and we get an ending that manages to both conclude the arc while also tantalizing us by leaving things open, with Queen Hydra and Bravo still very much at large.  While an open ending like this will no doubt frustrate the trade-waiters, it’s one that will keep monthly readers reading and it’s cool to see that be the case in a medium that’s increasingly become about writing for the trade.
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Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

The Flash #8 – Review

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato (story and art), Ian Herring (colors)

The Story: Having to look at a stranger’s life for untold years would drive anyone crazy.

The Review: I often talk about “lack of direction” on this site, and that’s a stuffy, English-major type word that deserves explanation.  If you’re going to invest your time and interest into a long-form piece of fiction, you need more out of it than simply a series of entertaining tales; you need to see a clear progression in either the characters’ development or an overarching plot/theme.  If you hit issue eight and neither has changed much from the first, the title clearly lacks direction.

Now, obviously there have been a few changes to the status quo from #1: the Flash discovering the Speed Force’s effects on time and space, a couple villain clashes, a new girlfriend.  But if you take a step back and examine the book as a whole, these alterations are largely superficial.  They’ve done nothing to make our hero a different person than when he started, nor have they established a clear path or tone for what this series wants to be.
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Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Mighty Thor #13 – Review

Posted on April 25, 2012 by paladinking

By: Matt Fraction (writer), Pepe Larraz (art), Frank D’Armata (colors), and Joe Sabino (letters)

The Story: Thor enters a vault containing an ancient evil while Donald Blake tries to make a deal with the devil (NOT Mephisto).

The Review: After last month’s incredibly hollow conclusion, I said I probably wouldn’t be around for issue 13.  What can I say?  My love for the Odinson has made a liar out of me.

In many ways, this issue lets Matt Fraction get back to basics.  Thor unleashes an ancient evil and spends much of the issue hammering the snot out of monsters.  For Thor fans such as myself, while that’s not necessarily the  makings for the most groundbreaking or shockingly awesome issue, it’s definitely within a certain comfort zone.  There will always be an innate satisfaction in seeing Thor smash stuff up with Mjolnir.  New supporting character Hreidmar, a guy who looks like a goblin accountant, makes the whole thing a bit more fun and light-hearted as well.
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WCBR’s Top Picks

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Batman #8 – Even if you’re not interested in reading a Bat-event (like me), this was a wonderful issue.  Scott Snyder has made the atmosphere so damn claustrophobic that it’s hard to see what Bruce/Batman can do but fight for his life at this point.  This is also an example of why new characters (and especially villains) are so pleasant.  Part of the sense of danger in this story comes form the fact that we don’t know much of anything about the Court of Owls and their Talons.  We really don’t know the lengths they’ll go to in accomplishing their objectives and that makes them scarier.  Plus, as a not insignificant bonus…. we don’t have to hear any fanboys saying, “Given that Talons were trained by British missionaries and are fond of proper swords, they would never use small daggers and speak the way these guys do.  It’s as if Snyder has never read Detective Comics #___ to #____ from 1968.  These guys are so unprofessional….”  And the art is simply sublime.  I hope fans will also notice that Greg Capullo hasn’t missed an issue yet.  I can’t even imagine the dedication to craft that it takes to produce a book this beautiful on a monthly basis.  Runner-up: Amazing Spider-Man #684

Most anticipated this week: American Vampire #26 – It’s just a Scott Snyder party over here I guess.  But, it’s hard not to get excited about a new story arc in one of the best comic series on the market.  Regular artist Rafael Albuquerque gets a break this issue in favor of guest artist Roger Cruz.  I really don’t know much about Cruz, but the guest artists who have (or will) worked on this AV property are: Sean Murphy, Dustin Nguyen, Jordi Bernet, Matheus Santolouco and Danijel Zezelj.  Even the guys on that list you haven’t heard of are really good.  So I’m expecting Roger Cruz to be pretty hot stuff since Snyder, Albuquerque and Vertigo don’t let chumps draw their books.

Other picks: The New Deadwardians #2, Spaceman #6, Rebel Blood #2, AvX Vs. #1 (morbidly curious), FF #17, Supercrooks #2

——-

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Weeks: Uncanny X-Force #24 – Really an issue with everything that makes this series a good one.  A heavy sense of tragedy, this is never a book that makes for a light read.  Phil Noto also brings fantastic art with colorist Dean White doing his thing, a welcome relief after the last arc.

Most Anticipated:  Moon Knight #12 – Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev’s has been a fairly controversial title and, I’ll admit, I wasn’t particularly sold on it in its first 3-4 issues. Slowly but surely though, it got better and better until suddenly, it was one of my most enjoyed titles, with a great tone and a great supporting cast to match up with the beautiful artwork.  I’ll miss this series quite a lot and it’s a shame to see it go just as it was hitting its true potential.  If you’re considering picking up this book in trade, but are having your opinions swayed by naysayers online or whatnot, know that most of those folks probably either dropped the book before it improved or wrote it off entirely from the get-go based on an initial dismissal of the “Avengers gimmick” or a general hatred for all things Brian Bendis.

Other Picks: Aquaman #8, The Flash #8, American Vampire #26, Spaceman #6, Captain America #10, Daredevil #11, FF #17, Mighty Thor #13, New Avengers #25, Secret Avengers #26, Uncanny X-Men #11

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Rachel Rising #7 – Review

Posted on April 24, 2012 by dfstell

By: Terry Moore (writer/artist)

The Story: A friend comes back and some crazy stuff happens down at the graveyard.

Recap/Review (with SPOILERS): This is was a slow-paced issue of Rachel Rising.  You can either look at that as “not much happens” OR you can appreciate spending some extra time with the main cast of characters.

So, let’s take a glass-half-full approach, and appreciate that after several hectic issues it’s nice to see a more character development and less focus on the crazy events going on in this whacky town where women are coming back from the dead.

Rachel doesn’t have a whole lot to do in this issue except to chat with her Aunt Johnny who was injured in the car crash last issue.  Beyond the fact that there is character development, there isn’t much to this scene beyond establishing that the little girl who’s rambling around town since killing her sister with Saran Wrap vanished from the scene of the car accident.  But, whether that is just normal “kid leaving the scene of the crime” or something to do with the crazy events going on isn’t exactly clear.
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T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #6 – Review

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Minhquan Nguyen

By: Too many to list—check out the review.

The Story: All storms must end sometime, and with them go the thunder.

The Review: After my review of last issue, reader Don asked me what titles I could recommend to satisfy his craving for Nick Spencer material, once this series wrapped up.  I had to admit I knew nothing that blended superheroics and political thriller so seamlessly and with such sophistication, wit, and craft.  It reminded me of how much I’ve enjoyed Spencer’s work here since it debuted, and how sorry I am to see it go.

If you like T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents as much as I do, then you’ll also be particularly dismayed to see how quietly this issue pulls the curtain on the series.  Spencer obviously has a lot of affection for all these characters, however brief their working lives are, and he attempts to give each of them as neat a resolution as possible under the circumstances.  Even so, you can clearly tell he had a much longer endgame in mind, and things were never intended to end this way.
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