Comics Review - w/c Wednesday 23rd October 2013

Unforgivably, a missed blog last week due to late nights at work and other lames excuses.

In all honesty, it has been a quiet few weeks with monthly comics as I have been reading mainly trades with Walking Dead, Captain America: Red Menace, Batman: Killing Joke, Avengers Disassembled, and House of M. It’s possibly for this reason that my monthlies have gone by fairly unnoticed.

For last week, here are my brief thoughts.

Justice League #24

Writer: Geoff Johns

Art: Ivan Reis

Whilst DC have gone overboard with their Forever Evil titles, Justice League #24 marks itself as one of the key issues as it tells the origin story of Earth 3’s Ultraman. Seemingly, wherever any good happened to good ‘ol Clark Kent, the exact opposite would be the case for Ultraman as he lays waste to his foster parents and continues his path of destruction towards joining the Crime Syndicate.

There is a brief mention, kind of, of Darkseid that reinforces my belief that, after Forever Evil, a truly huge ‘event’ is not far off. Darkseid is the villain that appeared at the beginning of the New 52 so is very prominent with this current version of the DCU. I expect him to take centre stage some time soon.

Rating: 3/5

Velvet #1

Since I am currently reading through Ed Brubaker’s Captain America run, it is no surprise I am a fan of his new title, Velvet.

Set in the 1970s, this espionage tale is certainly not the most original in terms of plot, however it is a very well polished product with the interesting premise of a slightly aged female character as lead. Whilst her backstory is not fully played out, she is seen as an office secretary for a covert organisation but with secret shit-kicking skills. I always find it hard to judge a first issue as its likely not all the characters have been introduced at this stage who may offer the series a different dynamic.

As with Cap, this feels very familiar, in a good way, as the sense of conspiracy, paranoia, and intrigue are all present with a gritty realism that is often missing in today’s comics.

Is it even a surprise that this is an Image title?

Rating: 4/5

As my weekly comics are on hold for financial reasons, the next blog will be on Twisted Light, the next trade by Neil Gibson. If people are unfamiliar with his work, check out the brilliant Twisted Dark.

Comics Review - w/c Wednesday 9th October 2013

**Spoilers**      **Spoilers**      **Spoilers**

Just on a side note, separate to the below reviews, disappointing to hear news this week that Vibe has been cancelled by DC. A shame to see it go after only ten issues and it was building things up nicely. No doubt it will be replaced with another Batman / Superman title.

It’s understandable to see a company make a decision to maximise profit but some variety would not be a bad thing.

This week’s titles.

The Walking Dead #115

Robert Kirkman – Writer

Charlie Adlard – Art

In #115, The Walking Dead begins its ‘All Out War’ storyline.

This is represents the culmination of one of the comic’s longest arcs going back to, at least, #100, where Negan first appears to brutally kill Glenn in front of Rick, Maggie etc. Since then, the last 15 issues have been carefully structured highlighting Rick’s journey from one of submission to now open rebellion against the Saviors.

Along with the occupants from Alexandria, Rick combines forces with those from the Hilltop and the Kingdom to march upon Negan’s forces. The start of the issue is very poignant as Rick reflects with Andrea that, despite everything they have been through, this represents their biggest challenge. The ensuing battle is likely to be a drawn-out affair as the comic states this will be a 12-issue arc. As such, I expect several twists and turns before things conclude and it wouldn’t be the Walking Dead without at least a few character deaths.

This is where the comic really excels for me. Given the high turnover of characters, it still manages to introduce new individuals that the readers care about and, when they die, their deaths still mean something. Credit for this lies with Kirkman who continues to create believable characters.

An example of strong characterisation is seen with Michonne’s ‘potential’ start of a relationship with Ezekial. As time goes by, she is seen more and more as a tragic, sympathetic figure who, behind the impressive sword-wielding skills, is desperately trying to connect with someone in the harsh environment she finds herself in.

Rating: 4/5

Infinity #4

Jonathan Hickman – Writer

Jerome Opena, Dusin Weaver - Art

Whilst the pages of Avengers and New Avengers focus on specific areas of battle, the Infinity comic itself has the unenviable job of covering a little bit of everything.

This makes the outcome even more impressive as Hickman is managing the project amazingly well as it is certainly the most wide-ranging ‘event’ I have read when it comes to comics.

The majority of the first half of the issue covers the fallout of Black Bolt’s destruction of Atillan in his act of defiance against Thanos. This results in unleashing the terrigenesis bomb and spreads the terrigen mist across Earth, ‘activating’ those with dormant Inhuman DNA. Unfortunately for Black Bolt, Thanos rises from the rubble of Atillan and beats the holy hell out of him. As someone who read the recent Thanos Rising mini-series, this was an excellent continuance of the character seen in that title. Thanos shows himself to be a villain that, when one-on-one, is the better of most, if not all, the superheroes.

As the issue shifts to the Avengers battling The Builders in space, this section can be summarised quite simply. Thor…

Thor is sent to negotiate with one of the Creators and, when this does not go too well, he puts Mjolnir to good use in an incredible ‘death’ scene. Whilst this was a good overall issue, that is how I will remember the comic.

Aside from his own title, Thor has been very much underused by Marvel recently. Yes, he is in several teams but his contribution has been fairly limited as the usual suspects of Cap and Iron Man take centre stage. Infinity #4 puts him to great use and I hope this is something that is built upon.

Rating: 4/5


Captain America #12

Rick Remender – Writer

Carlos Pacheco, Klaus Janson – Art

The last two issues of Captain America have included some aspects which have not sat well with some internet Cap purists.

Firstly, was his burning of some of his prized possessions as part of his attempts to move on from his experiences in Dimension Z.

In #12, he breaks down in tears when explaining his loss of both Sharon and Ian to Falcon.

Certainly, in terms of the latter anyway, it would have been wrong if something like this wasn’t featured. Given the unique nature of the Dimension Z storyline, one which lasted years for Cap, there had to be some fallout to this before just going into the next storyline. As such, I thought this was handled well and it seems these are issues which will remain in the comic for a while at least.

Also featured here is Nuke as he continues his rampage across Eastern Europe. This feels very much out of place at the moment as there is no connect between this and Cap. I’m sure this will change, likely in the next issue but, at the moment, it makes it feel disjointed.

Rating: 3/5

Comics Review - w/c Wednesday 2nd October 2013

**Spoilers**      **Spoilers**      **Spoilers**

After finally achieving success in conquering my comic backlog, in terms of the monthlies anyway, I can now focus on a weekly summary blog where I go over a few titles I have read over the last seven days.

This week’s titles:

Earth 2 #16

James Robinson – Writer

Nicola Scott – Art

And so ends James Robinson’s run on Earth 2.

As with most recent DC departures, his exit seems oddly timed, not to mention clouded in mystery. Whilst it is good news that artist Nicola Scott is staying with the title, this goes against DC’s habit of a whole new creative team and indicates something went awry with DC / Robinson relations. I won’t harp on this topic for too long as that is a blog in its own right, however DC could learn a lot from Marvel and Image in how to keep their writers happy.

The main coverage of the issue is very much based on the World Army and it heroes attacking Steppenwolf's foces in Dherain. Scott's art in this issue is off the charts in the amount of detail that is placed into each battle scene, in particular the double-spreads. The title is far better for her staying on. Despite this, the focus will be on the conclusion as Brutal, one of Steppenwolf’s charges, kills his leader, only then to reveal his true identity. The revelation plays to the Darkseid villain’s month issue and results in one rather large cliffhanger.

I have stuck with Earth 2 as I feel it will eventually lead to having a major impact on the DC Universe and signs of this are starting to show. Whilst Forever Evil is taking centre stage, I do think there is a large multi-universe, Darkseid event looming somewhere down the line.

I wish new writer Tom Taylor well, however he may have wished for an easier time to join Earth #2 as it seems it is all about to hit the fan for the World Army.

Rating: 4/5

 

Forever Evil #2

Geoff Johns – Writer

David Finch - Art

Forever Evil continues after last month’s introduction and highlights the Crime Syndicate from Earth 3 settling into their new home and causing general carnage. The Justice League are still presumed dead and Earth’s saviour takes the unlikely form of Lex Luthor as he unveils a half-complete, half-dead, part-kryptonian 'thing' to lead the fight.

Other than raising questions over the identity of the father of Superwoman’s child and the initial signs of some dissention within the Syndicate, this issue didn’t really do much for me this month. It seems very ‘by the numbers’ and, even though the ending, indicating the Justice League are maybe not so dead as initially thought, was well done, it was to be expected.

The combination of Johns / Finch is one I struggle to appreciate as I think their styles contrast too much. The shaded, almost stressed, approach by Finch doesn’t seem to fit well with the tone of such a mainstream title.

On a side note, I don’t personally read Teen Titans however, if I did, I would be somewhat annoyed at how easily they get brushed off in an all-too-brief encounter with Evil-Flash.

At the moment, this lagging behind when compared to Infinity and Battle of the Atom.

 

Rating: 2/5

 

Green Arrow #24

Jeff Lemire – Writer

Andrea Sorrentino – Art

I have enjoyed Green Arrow since Jeff Lemire has taken over writing duties and this issue sees Oliver return to Seattle only to find Count Vertigo has followed him all the way from Vlatava. After Vertigo’s issue in Villains month, I expected this to be the start of a multi-issue arc however it all seems to wrap itself up by the end of the issue. If this has made anything apparent, it is that Green Arrow does not have any major historical villains that can be used for a long storyline.

We do see the first character from the Arrow tv series, Diggle, make an appearance although it is debatable what similarities the two will have.

Green Arrow continues to be a title very much left to its own devices which is no bad thing. Oliver may also be in the JLA, however this solo title has a distinctly unique feel to it, in no small way down to Sorrentino’s art which gives it an indie feel.

On a separate matter, I do wish they would make Oliver look older. Whilst all DC characters have all been re-booted with the New 52, Queen looks especially young and can occasionally look like a pissed-off teenager which diminishes the overall quality of the comic at times.

Rating: 3/5