Some weeks it is just insane how many comics get published. Despite the intrepid efforts of our writing staff here at WCBR, we simply can’t do a full review of every comic. Thus, we bring you the quick-hit reviews where we say a few words about some comics that were pretty darn good and some others that are not so much…
Silver Surfer #1 – The story here is pretty good stuff. It isn’t the best story ever regarding the Surfer, but a very solid story involving Earthly affairs with a surprising guest starring role from the High Evolutionary. This action seems to dovetail with the High Evolutionary story occurring in the Iron Man – Thor miniseries from Abnett & Lanning. What really puts this issue over the top is the art. Stephen Segovia and Victor Olazaba do an awesome job drawing and inking (especially inking) the Surfer and Wil Quintana contributes great cosmic colors. I am trying to pare down my “non-essential” Marvel titles, but this display of art will probably have me sticking around. Grade: A- — Dean Stell
Wolverine & Jubilee #2 – This is a great series so far that casts Wolverine in his best role: as mentor to a younger hero. Not only is this my favorite role for Wolverine, but it has always been the best way to bring new members into the X-universe. Jubilee isn’t new, but she is in a new “role” as she adapts to her vampiric powers (which we learn more about in this issue). Kathryn Immonen even works in some very funny bits such as Wolverine’s revelation that one can apparently get one’s tongue stuck to Colossus if it is really cold outside. I DEMAND that that story be in the next Strange Tales! This issue is also telling a neat story that shows Logan and Jubilee finding zombies in Siberia and it would have gotten a better grade if not for a wholly confusing final page. Seriously, the final page made me wonder if there was a printing error and I’d missed something. Phil Noto’s art is again wonderfully pretty. He draws such pretty eyes on his women. Grade: B+ — Dean Stell
Venom/Deadpool #1 – No character but Deadpool could pull off a comic like this, and I highly doubt that many writers other than Remender could have written it. This fourth-wall slaughtering romp through the Marvel U is a great deal of fun, with in-jokes, creative references and absurdity to spare. The artwork is big and bold (as well it should be for this kind of a tale) and the story itself–Deadpool is on a quest to find the Continuity Cube, thus making himself the single most relevant character in the Marvel Universe–is a very funny concept that both Remender and Moll execute very well. I must admit, I’m glad I bought the single, $2.99 comic rather than trying to piece together the four mini-chapters that were spread out over four different books. The story is good enough, and fun enough, that $2.99 feels just about right. Any more cost–or effort–than that would be a little much though, even for a ‘Pool-addict like myself. Grade: B — SoldierHawk
Justice League of America #54 – What a difference new art makes! Bagley’s time on this title was pretty drab, but I really, REALLY like the work that Brett Booth is doing in this issue. Booth’s classic figures (with a beautiful fine line from inker Norm Rapmund) combines really well with Andrew Dalhouse’s understated colors. I so enjoy this muted color scheme to brilliant and shiny colors. The story is pretty good too showing Eclipso coming “back” and beginning to recruit shadow-powered villains. Very little actual JLA in this issue, but that’s fine. Hopefully this is the arc where James Robinson’s turn on the series finds its footing. Very promising. Grade: B — Dean Stell
Captain America: Man Out of Time #4 – This series continues to be a wonderful character showcase for Steve, and a more overarching look at his current relevance to the Marvel Universe. I especially like Cap’s being forced to face the less-savory parts of American history he’s missed (rather breezily–or perhaps, very calculatingly–passed over by Tony Stark’s version of the temporal tour.) I am and always will be a huge Tony Stark fan, so the contrast we see between his America, and General Simon’s America, was fascinating, and a lot of fun to read. My only complaint is that, in this issue especially (and mostly for the sake of pushing the story along), Steve seems awfully naive. I understand that both he and the 40s are supposed to represent a more innocent and morally straightforward time, but…c’mon. Cap’s a soldier. He fought the Nazis for crying out loud. He’s seen the absolute worst of what humanity has to offer…and he’s really THAT shocked by the fact that, yes, crime and Bad Things still exist in America today? I do understand why he might be disappointed, but Waid and company spend far too much time milking that for the sake of a larger message. Grade: B- — SoldierHawk
Uncanny X-Force #5 – What a difference art makes! While I think I did really enjoy the first story arc dealing with Apocalypse, there is a chance that what was really hooking me was Jerome Opena’s art, because in this issue he is replaced by Esad Ribic and I found that I couldn’t remember what this story was about as I type this review 2-3 days after reading it. I think the problem is that Ribic and the rest of the art team are trying to keep the look of the comic consistent with the first arc and the same inking and coloring just doesn’t work as well with Ribic’s style. Sothe upshot is that the art isn’t bad, but if you loved Opena, you’ll be disappointed. The story itself started strong with some fallout from the last arc (with Deadpool being upset that they killed child-Apocalypse last issue), but tapers off as the new arc starts to focus on Fantomex and Deathloks. Grade: C+ — Dean Stell
Generation Hope #4 – Not without its high points as the 5 “Lights” that Hope and Rogue have gathered up from around the world (in a story weaving from Uncanny X-Men into Generation Hope) are returned to Utopia. The fun all comes from trying to figure out what these kids can do and them getting settled on this island. Great scene of the feral kid offering Wolverine a peace offering of a fish after getting the worst of a fight. Another great scene with Dr. Nemesis and the speedster kid. Now the problems: One, this series simply shouldn’t exist. The problem with the X-titles is too many titles, too many mutants and not enough cohesion between the story lines and titles. Simply stated, we didn’t need 5 new mutants to watch when there are TONS of young mutants who aren’t having stories told about them (Armor, Rockslide, Pixie, etc). And the art isn’t anything special. Not “bad”, but it isn’t a book that I’d pick up just to get the art either. That leaves it as a very average superhero book. I kinda wonder how long this title will stick around. Sales aren’t great and all of the LCSs that I’ve been into WAY over-ordered and have lots of the earlier issues molding on the shelf. Grade: C — Dean Stell
Twilight Guardian #2 – I enjoyed this issue quite a bit more than the first. The #1 issue wasn’t “bad”, but it was a little too slow paced. I’m not sure the pacing picks up in this issue, but the story is fun enough to make up for it. Basically, out heroine who is just a regular woman (perhaps slightly insane) who is a major comic fan takes to patrolling her neighborhood for crime. In this issue, she is invited to a meeting of similarly minded individuals with the meeting taking place at a comic book convention. It’s kinda a neat idea when you think about it: What if some of those cosplayers are really slightly insane people who fancy themselves superheroes? A lot of the fun from this issue comes from the action at the convention, which most comic fans can relate to like posing with a co player or finding that back-issue that you were looking for. However, I still feel like this series is waiting to do something and I’d like it to happen a little sooner. Grade: C+ — Dean Stell
Proof Endangered #3 – I want to like this so much more than I am. I like cryptids, I enjoyed the first run of Proof and I LOVE Riley Rossmo, but the package just isn’t pushing my buttons this time. That’s not a bad thing, but it could just be that the story of Proof has run its course? Not every story needs to (or should) continue onward to issue #500. The story is basic Proof stuff, but I’m not sure it is all that new-reader friendly. Nothing bad here. I’m just kinda indifferent at this point. Grade: C — Dean Stell
Daredevil Reborn #2 – Ugh! This was not good. The basic story is a little too predictable: Matt Murdock goes on walk-about after Shadowland, not even sure he wants to be a hero any longer, but when he runs into a city full of corrupt cops where people need him… Well, Matt can’t just turn his back, can he? I fell like I already know what will happen at the end of issue #4 and even if I end up being wrong, the problem is that the story feels predictable. There is some groan-worthy dialog in this issue too. The high point is the art. While I’m not sure it is correct for a Daredevil story, this art team could do an issue of Scalped sometime and it would be pretty good. Grade: D+ — Dean Stell
Vampirella #3 – I’ve given this series more than a fair shake. I didn’t love the first issue, but due to the blessing/curse of pre-orders, I ended up with the first 3 issues coming my way. Sometimes that extended trial helps a series find its footing, but not in this case. My fundamental problem is still that this isn’t Vampirella. There is no campiness and no red swimsuit. 99% of people who pick this up are going to expect that Vampirella and will be disappointed. What we’re left with is a an uneven vampiric detective story with dark art that makes the story a little more confusing that it should be. Grade: D — Dean Stell
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