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COMIC BOOK REVIEWS FOR
2 - 17 - 2010

Astounding Wolf-Man #21

READ IT!

7.5/10

7/10 - Writing

8/10 - Art

Story by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art & cover JASON HOWARD

The first issue of the last arc has a lot going on.

This series has been consistently good from the start. Much like invincible, Kirkman uses simple storytelling, heavy character development, and constant twists and turns to keep this series entertaining, and this issue is no different. It took a while to come out, but I can gladly say that all of the hype Kirkman has been talking about this final story arc is legitimate. The first issue has many angles and are all told well. My only concern is that Kirkman has too much to do with the series in too little time that we might get some poor pacing, but so far so good.

Jason Howard penciled, inked, colored, and even lettered this issue. He is truly incredible. I hope he is able to work with Kirkman again after Wolfman is over. I would hate for comic books to lose him for a while.

Even if you haven't read the series, I recommend you try this issue. You won't pick up on everything going on, but with Kirkmans simple style and clear dialogue, you shouldn't have any problems being thoroughly entertained.

Uncanny X-Men #521

READ IT!

6/10

6/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by GREG LAND

The big showdown ends with a new threat.

I haven't been crazy about this last story arc. I'm a big fan of the idea of Nation X but the focus has been about unrealistic enemies ever since the mutants got there. The good news is that the enemies become much more interesting in this issue and create an interesting new threat for mutant kind. The bad news is that there is still no character development or emotion in this series.

The script is slightly good, and so is the art. As much as I dislike Lands faces I can admit that he is talented just about everything else. Although in this issue, there were many scenes that had poor layouts. They were exciting perspectives and full of action, but most of them were in so tight that I couldn't tell what was really going on. He needs to pull back from the focus and show us the scene from time to time, or it hurts the story-telling.

All in all, this was a little better than the last few issues in my opinion and I'm looking forward to the next one. This is a mild recommendation.

Joe The Barbarian #2 (of 8)

READ IT!

8/10

7/10 - Writing

9/10 - Art

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and cover by Sean Murphy

A classic in the making.

The second issue cements the style for the series and assures me that it will be nothing less than great. We don't get a lot of answers from dialogue but slowly throughout the issue things, as strange as they are, make more and more sense. It's a good mixture of substance and mystery and it really works. We get to see more of Joe's creative subconscious and more of Joe's real life predicament, and it's only getting better.

Try to pick up the first issue if you can. It's a remarkably creative and engaging read and everyone should try out the first issue for only $1.00

Amazing Spider-Man #621

SKIP IT!

5.5/10

5/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK

Lark joins the team, but can't wake up Slots sleeping script.

There's nothing quite like reading a book about Spider-man struggling to survive evil villain plots... and being completely bored. There is no passion, feeling, or personality in this book, nor has there been in a Dan Slott Spider-man book yet. I am thoroughly disappointed that Marvel continues to put one of their greatest characters into the hands of a man that doesn't write him with any heart and therefore created little excitement or entertainment.

The plot isn't bad, it's the pacing/flow of the story, and dialogue that have killed each one of his stories. Slott tries to come up with clever dialogue, but instead has forced banter and cheesy tough-guy lines throughout his comic.

Until we get a new writer on this title that can make us care about the characters and what is happening by writing some genuine dialogue and engaging story layouts, I would stay away from this title.

Devil #1 (of 4)

SKIP IT!

5.5/10

5/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Writen and drawn by Torajiro Kishi

and Madhouse Studios

A heartless yet interesting comic book that feels more like a manga.

I wonder if this comic book was intended to be a comic book from the beginning or if Dark Horse is trying something new by changing the format of manga to see if it will sell. Either way it wasn't good enough for me to recommend but isn't bad enough for me to call a failure.

For as many things as this comic book does right, it does something wrong to kill the buzz. The story and ideas are good but the characters are flat and undeveloped with poor dialogue as well. The art has brilliant layouts (much like an anime) and good colors, but lacks style and detail frequently.

All in all, I think this book had some potential but didn't have quite enough talent behind it to turn it into anything special.

Dark Avengers #14

READ IT!

8.5/10

9/10 - Writing

8/10 - Art

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Mike Deodato

Incredible moments and new twists.

With Marvels big siege event in full force, people are unsure about which titles they should be picking up. I would argue that the "Dark Avengers" Tie-ins are even better than the main event so far.

The last incredible issue of Dark Avengers reinvented a dying character and added a lot of mystery and impending doom to the marvel universe and this new issue adds even more. Bendis has been saying that this event has been "years in the making", and I truly believe him. This incredible arc feels effortless and well planned rather than just some throw in twist that occur in most main-stream comic books.

Not only does Bendis bring the most out of these characters with great scripting, but Mike Deodato does some great work in this issue as well. These might be the best layouts we have seen from him yet! It also helped that the colors were particularly rich and moody.

Do not miss this issue!

COMIC BOOK REVIEWS FOR
2 - 10 - 2010

Batman and Robin #8

SKIP IT!

4/10

3/10 - Writing

5/10 - Art

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Variant covers by Cameron Stewart

A waste of some great characters.

Between Dick, Damian, and Kate there is plenty of personality and character to work with, but Grant Morrison refuses to use any of it or make us care about any of them. Instead he spends every page on completely ridiculous plots fueled by contrived events that feel more like a distraction to what could be a good story.

This new series is just awful. It has no heart, no character development, no rationality when it comes to plots and characters, and worst of all it wastes some of the best characters in comic books. The art is mediocre, much like the dialogue, and doesn't try to do anything new or bring much intensity to any of the layouts. It feels flat, as though a robot draws the book.

I know you love Batman, and probably not even as much as I do, so let DC know that this writing is unacceptable by not picking up this trash anymore.

Punishermax #4

READ IT!

7/10

8/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Written by JASON AARON
Penciled by STEVE DILLON

Big twists and even bigger action!

This issue was great. After the last issue I thought there was a slight chance that Aaron might not take us somewhere interesting with this arc, but I was wrong. The new character that is discovered in this issue is a great twist on a classic villain, and he only makes you want to know so much more about him. Jason Aaron sure excels at making readers interested in the most despicable characters.

The plot develops nicely in this issue as all three characters interact with each other and propel themselves into even more danger.

I'm happy with the way Dillon is able to tell a story with his layouts. It's very simple and clear, but at the same time I really wish we could have something much more dramatic and realistic for art. Dillons pencils are too flat and cartoony for such heavy content, but it does help to keep the violence light, much like keeping "The Walking Dead" in black & white. It's nice to be able to disconnect a little from such violent acts rather than being forced to feel the reality of them all.

My only complaint so far is that The Punisher is the least interesting part of his own book at this point, and I still can't get enough background for Wilson Fisk. I really hope we get more of both, but in the mean time I will be enjoying whatever Jason Aaron throws my way.

Vengeance Of Moon Knight #5

SKIP IT!

4.5/10


3/10 - Writing
6/10 - Art

COVER BY: Leinil Francis Yu
WRITER: Gregg Hurwitz






Nice pencils can't save a book cursed with bad plots.

If you have read either of the last two "Moon Knight" series you know that Marvel is constantly trying to save the book with stylized art, and unnecessary cameos, but the book always ends up drowning in them. All they need is a decent character driven story, but instead we get piles of unnecessary characters, lifeless dialogue, convoluted plots and lousy story-telling.
It doesn't matter how cool some of the panels look, many of them still fail to tell the story or action clearly.
It's still not safe to come back to this title, especially when it's trying so hard to get your attention that they forget to tell a good story. Maybe one day we can have a Moon Knight story that won't have to involve the tired ideas of obscure super villains, torment from Khonshu, and unwarranted cameos in every single issue. Skip this rubbish!

Hit-Monkey #1

READ IT!

6.5/10


7/10 - Writing
6/10 - Art

Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by DALIBOR TALIJIC






"Hit-Monkey" has more heart and character than expected.

At first glance this book looks like just another completely stupid "Marvel Apes" book that arrived too late, but it is anything but. Believe it or not... Daniel Way takes a serious approach to this character, which not only makes it fun, but it makes it interesting. Just the fact that Hit-Monkey wasn't treated like just another not-funny Marvel Comedy book, and was written with care, makes it's readers care about it as well.
I was not expecting to enjoy this book, but completely loved it. I realize that most of my excitement is biased because I love primates (especially in suits with guns) so I brought down the rating to a 6.5/10, rather than the 8/10 that I was feeling about it.
It was very surprising to find a great story with some decent character development as well, and I can't wait to read more. I really hope we see more of Hit-Monkey soon.
It just ridiculous enough to be fun, and just serious enough to be something you want to keep reading. so, give it a chance.

Green Arrow Black Canary #29

SKIP IT!

2.5/10

3/10 - Writing

2/10 - Art

Written by ANDREW KREISBERG
Art by MIKE NORTON

Flat and uninspired.

This last issue of this series was a little better than it's previous issues, but that's not saying much. There were a few climactic scenes with decent layouts, but that's about all. The pacing and story are decent, but the execution is completely uninspired and tame. The writer relies on big scenes to excite his readers but does nothing to convey his characters beyond personalities made of cardboard and dialogue made from 80s comic books. Even the style of the book is completely cliche and contrived.

The art is even worse. It's sloppy, and does little to create drama or tension.

The only people that will enjoy this issue are fans of the characters that don't care how a book is written or drawn as long as they can feel like these lifeless characters are their friends.

Atom Eve & Rex Splode #3 (of 3)

READ IT!

6/10

6/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Written by Benito Cereno

Art by Nate Bellegarde

A decent ending wraps up invincibles first spin-off series.

It was a very strange choice for Kirkman to do a mini-series about Rex, a character that recently died in "Invincible", but it ended up being a nice touch. For those of us that wanted more from he character, we got exactly what we wanted, without having to take away from "Invincible"s normal story lines.

This issue had some clever moments and some very fun scenes, but it didn't end with quite the "BOOM" I was expecting. I wouldn't say that it was a let-down, and it was definitely worth reading, even if you aren't a reader of "Invincible". There were no big twists, and it was fairly predictable, but it was still a good story and told fairly well.

If you're looking for something light with a character driven story pick up this mini.

Siege #2 (of 4)

READ IT!

7.5/10


7/10 - Writing
8/10 - Art

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL







Things start to heat up.

The first issue tried to do so much that all the best parts were glazed over without much to chew on, but the second issue offers a little more. Not only are there some big moments in this issue, which is to be expected, but the pacing is a little better. Bendis is still trying to work too many angles at once, but at least in this issue he spends more time covering the reactions of things.
The Sentry will never be the same, and a there is a definitely a reason for the skull on the cover. More answers and even more questions ensue, as Osborne starts playing his cards and the Marvel Universe answers back slowly.
This series isn't nearly as good as it can be, but you would have to be crazy to not pick it up and enjoy it. With art and action this great, nobody should be passing this up.

Scalped #34

READ IT!

9/10

10/10 - Writing

8/10 - Art

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by RM Guera

A climactic conclusion to an amazing arc.

There has been so much build-up for this issue, and it DELIVERED. We all knew that the @#$% was about to hit the fan, but in this issue, there's a lot more than that. Issue 34 has everything and won't let you down. There is a ton of suspense, drama, action, twists, and pure intensity. I was very impressed.

I am amazed at how Aaron paced and delivered this script. It is perfect. Every page is important but it doesn't have to jump around in order to do it. Jason finds a way to give you the most out of every interaction, and that is pure comic book gold.

The art is particularly good in this issue as well. It's almost as if Guera takes just as much pride in this issue as Aaron is. Guera deserves a ton of credit for bringing this masterpiece to life.

If you are sick and tired of your cheesy capes and powers and want to read a real comic book, like the grown-ups do... go and buy the first trade of scalped and start the journey. Don't wait.

Wolverine Savage (one shot)

SKIP IT!

5/10

4/10 - Writing

6/10 - Art

Written by RYAN DUNLAVEY
Penciled by RICHARD ELSON

Silly enough to make you smile, but not clever enough to make you laugh.

With a title like "Savage" you would expect an action-packed blood fest of bad guys and claws, but this title must be a joke, and it's only slightly funny. Instead of wolverine slicing up bad guys, he's mostly chopping up sushi and tracking down cooking ingredients. It's cute, but not something I would be happy paying $3.99 for. The plot was funny but the dialogue was juvenile and tame. There was nothing clever about this issue, just plain silliness to make you shrug.

If your a crazy wolverine fan that also likes to read kids comic books, you will probably enjoy this one-shot. It certainly has a Saturday morning cartoon feel to it.

Demo Vol. 2 #1 (of 6)

READ IT!

6/10

4/10 - Writing

8/10 - Art

Written by Brian Wood
Art and cover by Becky Cloonan

Style without much substance.

This new volume of Demo conjures up the same styles and moods as the first series and Wood's other series local. There isn't much deviation from his normal formula of Strange/Twist single issue plots without enough character development to make you care about any of his stereotypical indie/rocker college characters. Even with some interesting ideas and some great art I can't get past the feeling that Brian Wood is WRITING FOR HIMSELF. If he cared much for his audience I think he would bother giving us enough substance to feel something real when reading one of his issues.

Brian's writing goes to waste. His pacing, layouts, and dialogue are all great but it can't pull together any of his shallow scripts enough for me to give a strong recommendation at this point.

Aladdin Legacy of the Lost #1 (of 3)

SKIP IT!

5/10

3/10 - Writing

7/10 - Art

Writer IAN EDGINTON
Artist PATRICK REILLY and STJEPAN SEJIC

A dry rehashing of a great classic.

The story is great, and the art is too, but this book had too many flaws in order for me to recommend it. Radical is showing us time and again that they care more about their colors than their script. They keep publishing some of the most amateur writing. The good news is that unlike many of the other Radical titles this one doesn't suffer from being too complex for it's own good.

The pacing is too fast, but their aren't enough words on the pages, and the words that are there, aren't very good. This was a missed opportunity to tell a great story about Aladdin, and instead they just shoot strait for an action/adventure. It's a Bare-bones story with almost nothing to it. They jump from scene to scene without building much tension, drama, or motivation for the characters. The dialogue is also corny and clumsy.

I expected a little more from the art. The colors are incredible but the faces and expressions all look plastic and airbrushed. It took me away from the characters and disconnected me from the story.

All in all, it wasn't a bad issue, but it had way too many flaws that leveled out it's positive aspects and made it skipable.

Ultimate Comics X #1

READ IT!

7/10

6/10 - Writing

8/10 - Art

Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ART ADAMS

Lots of potential from Loeb.

The idea is great. It's like "Smallville" for Wolverine. The only problem is that it doesn't need Wolverine.

This new series could have just as easily been about any old mutant growing up in Florida and dealing with being different, but the element of having him be Wolverines son helps it and hurts it at the same time. The good news is that Jimmy (wolverine's son) has to grow up in the shadow of his Father and probably deal with some of his fathers friends and enemies, but the bad news is that tying this character into wolverines history seems to constrain the new character. We have enough X-books, and Wolverine books. I wouldn't mind a book about a mutant that doesn't have to be weighted down by the pressure of tying everything into the jagged history of the Ultimate x-universe. And if you know Jeph Loeb... he will probably turn this book into an explosion of cameos as soon as he runs out of ideas. Let's hope it doesn't happen because this first issue has a decent script and has potential to be a good story.

Art Adams does some of his best work in this issue. I'm thrilled to see that they gave him a great inker and colorist.

I'm not sure how long this series will last, as it is already starting to tie into Ultimate X-men, but this first issue is worth picking up.