Tag Archive: review


Astonishing X-Men #37 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment
May 14, 2011

Originally Published: May 11, 2011, on Comicvine.com

Armor continues to mourn her personal losses while Cyclops, Wolverine, and Emma Frost look for a way to calm down Fin Fang Foom before their recent trip to Japan becomes too much more like a bad Godzilla movie.

The Good

There is a lot of action in this comic as Cyclops, Wolverine, and Emma try desperately to figure out how to take down Fin Fang Foom and figure out why exactly he is attacking Tokyo right then and there.

It was also very good to see some strong, much needed, character development for Armor, which is sprinkled in at solid moments to break up the chaos with the other X-Men. In fact, it was great to see Armor at all as I think this is a character that needs to be more heavily featured in the other X-Men monthlies.

The Bad

The worst part about this comic is trying to remember what happened in the last issue since the release of this has been so sporadic in the past two years. Never have I read a comic that needed its “Previously In” page more than this.

I also don’t like the fact that Mentallo is the bad guy here pulling off this crazy extortion plot against Roxxon. It just doesn’t seem to fit with the threats the X-Men are always facing in their other monthlies and unless he is working for someone bigger and badder behind the scenes, which would be more his M.O., it just doesn’t work for me.

The final part about this comic that irked me the wrong way was how it portrayed Wolverine. Maybe its because he’s in Japan or maybe he can relate to something being mind-controller, but normally he would not show as much concern as he did for something like Fin Fang Foom like he did once he realized someone else was pulling the strings.

The Verdict

There was some solid action going on in this issue along with some much needed character development for Armor, which I really enjoyed. I have a problem though with Mentallo getting this much attention and Wolverine acting out of character a bit.

In the end, if you weren’t picking up Astonishing X-Men before or can’t remember what happened in the last issue because of such a long delay between releases, then you are probably better for it. Unless you’re a diehard fan of this series, you can give it a pass this go around until it starts being released regularly again.

2/5 Stars

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

New Avengers #12 Review

Filed under: Written — 1 Comment

Originally Published: May 11, 2011, on Comicvine.com

Mockingbird continues to fight for her life in an operating room while a flashback of Nick Fury’s first Avengers in 1959 continues where they are in the process of hunting down the Red Skull.

The Good

The different art styles between Deodato and Chaykin really do a nice job of making a pointed difference between the two time periods this book takes place in, especially since this is the fourth issue in a row where they’ve been going back and forth with these flashbacks to Fury’s 1959 Avengers.

It was also great to see Hawkeye get mad again. When Hawkeye gets mad and he rushes headlong into a conflict, you tend to get some great action sequences and that has me looking forward to some issues down the road.

The Bad

The worst part about this issue is that we are now four issues in and we still haven’t the slightest idea what the point of these Nick Fury flashbacks are, especially since he doesn’t have anything to do right now with the current New Avengers.

On top of this, the flashbacks comprise most of the book, with only seven pages taking place in current times, two of those have Mockingbird on an emergency surgery table and Hawkeye vowing vengeance. At this point, if the Nick Fury flashbacks do not have some earth shattering reveal that saves Mockingbird when all is said and done, this could be the most drawn out waste of time way to kill a character and could be the most pointless story arc I’ve read in quite some time.

Then combine all this with the fact that we’ve seen this flashback story happen before a million times, just not with these characters. How many times has Captain America, Nick Fury, or some other patriot gone after the Red Skull for it simply to be a clone, a body double, or a robot? It’s not special now that Sabretooth has joined that crowd of not finding the real Skull.

The Verdict

I was really excited at first bouncing back and forth between flashbacks of Fury’s 1959 Avengers and the current New Avengers, especially when Mockingbird got shot. Lots of action coupled with a plot that was clearly laying the groundwork for something big for these characters. Four issues into this though and things have come to a grinding, mind-numbing halt and whatever originality we were hoping for seems to be getting thrown out the window.

At this point we’ve seen all the double crosses and triple crosses and the Red Skull Herrings and for it to drag on over four issues is becoming borderline tortuous and definitely tedious. If things don’t come to a head in the next issue with something unexpected, there is a good chance I’m kicking this from my pull box. Only pick up this issue of New Avengers if you have been reading it to this point, otherwise steer clear.

1.5/5 Stars

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Batman Beyond #5 Review

Filed under: Written — 1 Comment
May 5, 2011

Originally Published: May 4, 2011, on Comicvine.com

Someone is trying to take down the Wayne-Powers Corporation with some classic corporate espionage. Meanwhile, Paxton Powers has been mysteriously released from prison months before parole. Are these events connected and can Bruce and Terry smoke out the culprit before it is too late?

The Good

After four relatively slow issues re-establishing the Batman Beyond universe and Terry’s various relationships, things really start to pick up as one of Terry’s original big bad guys shows up and he does so in a big way at the end of this issue as the clear mastermind behind the plot against Wayne-Powers. This lays the groundwork for a great three part story arc that looks like it will be chock full of the kind of action we were starving for in the first four issues of this monthly.

The Bad

While you have this great conspiracy theory main plot going, you still have several sub-plots established in the first four issues of the series carrying over and taking up precious space and time. And as much as I enjoyed seeing Terry and Dana’s relationship coming to a head in this issue, you still follow her and her home issues and this means that the “break-up” was all just lip service and wasted precious pages.

This means that either Terry’s personal life is going to have to become as interesting as his Batman life, or Adam Beechen is going to have to start phasing out Terry McGinnis as a person more and more because I’m just not caring about him outside of the Batsuit right now.

The Verdict

Even with the slow progress of several sub-plots in Terry’s personal life, the fast-paced action that he sees while wearing the Batsuit will bring a smile to the face of anyone who has been a long time fan of Batman Beyond, especially as this is the first time we’re seeing even a tease of some big-time action in this new monthly.

The beginning of this conspiracy theory laden three part story arc is a great place to come into as well as you’ll bypass all the re-introductory garbage old school fans of Batman Beyond had to sit through in the first four issues.

Pick up this issue if you are a fan of Batman Beyond because even with the distracting sub-plot interjected into the middle of the issue, this is a fun comic that features the return of one of Terry’s major bad guys supported by some great action and main plot.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Herc #2 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment

Originally Published: May 4, 2011, on Comicvine.com

A mortal Hercules will have his hands full with the Hobgoblin and a pouch filled to the brim with pumpkin bombs. Can the Lion of Olympus and his enchanted arsenal take down the pilfered tech of this hooded horror?

The Good

Herc #2 features epic action from cover to cover. With the Hobgoblin pulling out new goodies from that pouch of his to hold Herc at bay, Herc needs to use his mind as much as his limited remaining might to overcome his foe while also protecting the damsel he accidentally put in distress at a Brooklyn construction site. Swords, arrows, and pumpkin bombs fly for more than a dozen pages before Herc gets the upper-hand.

Combine this with the Kingpin making his first in-person appearance of the series and you know that this is just the beginning of Herc’s non-Olympus related problems.

The Bad

The overall plot for this opening story arc that finds Herc in Brooklyn to find his followers and quash the Ares uprising progressed a little more slowly than I would have liked. Also, the end reveal of who Herc’s foe really is means that his Olympus related problems are separate from this business with the Kingpin, which will likely be put on hold for some issues, but that the action is just getting started and business is about to pick up!

The Verdict

A lot of great action coupled with a great villain reveal at the end of this issue has Herc shaping up to be one of the best new series to come out in a long time. I can’t wait for each new issue each month and because of the villains who have popped up here in just the first two issues allows me to forgive the plot for moving along a bit more slowly than you would expect at the launch of a new monthly.

If you haven’t picked up the first issue of this series, then go get it and then pick this up so you can join the rest of us as we wait with baited breath for the next action packed issue of Herc’s new adventures as the number one champion/bartender of Brooklyn.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Avengers Academy #13 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment

Originally Published: May 4, 2011, on Comicvine.com

After their epic throw down with Korvac, the Avengers Academy stress levels are at an all-time high. In order to try and calm things down and provide a sense of normalcy, Hank Pym and Tigra have invited some former members of the Initiative to show the members of the Academy a time they’ll never forget. Time to boogie: Avengers style!

The Good

This issue shows off a lot of characters we haven’t really seen or heard from since the closing of Camp Hammond after Norman Osborn’s takeover of the facility, including one of my favorites, Butterball. It was a good chance to remind us that these characters are still out there, maybe for some team-ups with the Academy kids in the future, and was fun to see them interact with the Avengers Academy members.

Couple this with the odd setting for a lot of character development and loose ends to be tied up in and this was definitely a change of pace compared to the first dozen issues of this high octane series.

The Bad

Unfortunately this change of pace insures really nothing happening action wise in this issue. This is plainly just a chance to reset where a lot of the characters are with their development before they are forced to tackle their next obstacle, which looks to be the Sinister Six.

This leaves most of the comic dragging between the handful of light bulbs that go off in the characters’ heads as they begin to pair off into couples and overcome some of the shortcomings that have been plaguing them in the first 12 issues of this series.

The Verdict

If you haven’t been reading Avengers Academy then this is a great place to jump into the series since it resets all the characters and where they at in their lives as we wait for the next story arc to jump off.

Unfortunately, this issue really doesn’t do much in terms of action and so if you have read the first dozen issues, then this comic will be very boring compared to what you’re used to and even cameos by Gravity, Firestar, and Butterball can’t save this issue as a whole.

If you haven’t been reading Avengers Academy, this issue would be a great time to jump into it, as we get ready for the return of the Sinister Six. If you have been reading it and your comic budget is tight this week, then don’t feel bad if you miss this issue since you’re not really missing anything you haven’t already seen in the first dozen issues and save up for next month’s issue.

2/5 Stars

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Batman, Inc. #5 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment
April 27, 2011

Originally Published: April 27, 2011, on Comicvine.com

Batman and Gaucho pair up with Batwoman and The Hood in order to stop an insane scheme by Dr. Dedalus that threatens to bring the civilized world to its knees.

The Good

Grant Morrison continues to weave a complicated and thrilling web over Batman lore as he introduces new villains and schemes while continuing to expand the Batman, Incorporated franchise. Dr. Dedalus is proving to be another major threat for Batman as it is revealed that he is a character who will play both sides of the fence in order to achieve his end goals.

In this one issue, we also saw several new candidates for the Batman, Inc. franchise with Gaucho all but being initiated for Argentina, The Hood possibly for England, and a new unknown Batman in Africa who will likely be expanded upon in future issues.

Couple all this with some great action highlighted with an awesome fight scene with Scorpiana against The Hood, Gaucho, and Batwoman and this book entertains from beginning to end.

The Bad

With all this world traveling and new characters being constantly introduced or re-introduced after long hiatuses, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of just which way the comic is going. Combine that with a lot of flashbacks to help flesh out the character of Dr. Dedalus and long speeches between characters we haven’t seen in a while to get us up to speed on who they are, and this Batman, Inc. arc is a little tough to follow at times.

Also, even though Dr. Dedalus has a lot of ties to Batman’s past according to his story, he feels a bit like a Ra’s al Ghul clone and hasn’t done anything to prove to be very memorable as of yet. He comes off as just another megalomaniac who wants to destroy the world.

The Verdict

Batman, Inc. is something you have to keep following because it is surely building up to something beyond huge for the Dark Knight. Although I prefer to see Batman work alone most times or just within the Bat Family, this comic does a good job of making sure that Batman doesn’t lose sight of his goal and see this devolve into a less campy Brave and the Bold series of team-ups every issue.

A little difficult to follow at times, the elaborate plot and great action are more than enough to keep your attention for the long haul as we’ll hopefully start to see just what Batman, Inc. can really evolve into in the coming issues.

4/5 Stars

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

X-Men #10 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment

Originally Published: April 27, 2011, on Comicvine.com

The X-Men and Spider-Man wrap up their expedition in the sewers of New York City as they try to stop Dark Beast and his mad experiments on Dr. Curt Connors and the unsuspecting citizens of Manhattan.

The Good

Any story arc with Dark Beast in it is a win for me because he poses a threat on so many levels to the current X-Men. This is also an ideal time to have him re-emerge in the X-Men’s lives since we know he will be a major player in future X-Force issues, even though we don’t know the details on that as of yet.

The banter back and forth between Emma Frost and Spider-Man was also very well written as they are burdened with the task of rescuing the rest of the X-Men after they fall under the spell of Dark Beast’s lizard transformation device.

The Bad

This arc started off so strongly, with a brief spike at the Dark Beast reveal, but has been on a downward slide ever since with this final issue hitting rock bottom. Most of the issue is Emma and Spidey crawling through the sewers trying to regroup and escape from the barely coherent Lizard X-Men. Although the banter was entertaining, it just felt like filler before we got to what was a short and quick resolution with Emma freeing the original Lizard, Curt Connors.

Due to the cramped quarters, you also never really see Wolverine, Spidey, or anyone else with any speed or agility really ramp up and let go in the limited fight scenes. If anything, Spider-Man felt like an unnecessary addition to this entire adventure and was there simply because it is his turf and he’s had experience with the Lizard before and reminded me why I don’t particularly read most Spider-Man comics anymore.

The Verdict

Although the banter was well written, there was far too much of it and made this comic feel like it was dragging two pages in. To sort through all that filler and end on such an anti-climatic resolution on top of it just left me shaking my head.

Spider-Man was nothing but useless aside from acting as foil to Emma and this entire story arc felt like a cheap way of bringing Dark Beast into everyone’s mind before he makes his impact on the Age of Apocalypse storyline with X-Force coming in June. Even if you’ve been reading this arc, I’m tempted to tell you to steer clear and hope for better things next month.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Brightest Day #24 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment

Originally Published: April 27, 2011, on Comicvine.com

The White Lantern has resurrected Alec Holland in an attempt to quell the Black Lantern animated husk of Swamp Thing and save the Earth as the White Lantern has finally revealed the mystery it has been weaving over the course of Brightest Day.

The Good

Most things fit together nicely in this extra-sized final issue of Brightest Day as it ties everything neatly into a pretty little bow with just enough loose ends to allow the DC Universe to continue to change and grow, while leaving many of its characters changed forever, in this event’s aftermath.

This event has also successfully re-imagined and then thrust a lot fan favorite DC Vertigo characters like Swamp Thing, and others with its final reveal, into the limelight and give them a chance to flourish in the mainstream DC Universe now. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens to these characters and see how they are developed by DC and how or if they’ll interact with other mainstream heroes and villains.

The Bad

Even with this final issue being an extra-sized one, the pace seemed frantic, like too much needed to be explained and tied up before Johns and Tomasi ran out of pages to do it in. This made the final confrontation between Alec Holland and the Dark Avatar feel much too short and simple for deciding the fate of the planet. Plus, this left only a few panels to explain what happens to each resurrected character now and you could clearly see that the extra pages were simply a prologue without actually calling it one.

On top of this, I really wasn’t happy with what happened to a lot of the characters in the end. I understand that Deadman had to return to his ghostly form otherwise he’d really have no place amongst the super-powered beings of the DC Universe, but I think it would have been better if the visions of Captain Boomerang slaying Dove came true instead. Or Hawk, who was scolded by the White Lantern for being the only resurrected member of the 12 to have failed in his mission, was sacrificed anyway instead of either Deadman or Dove for not finding his purpose like the others had. The fact that some characters did not come back upon Swamp Thing’s victory in order to allow other characters to grow left a bad taste in my mouth.

The Verdict

A brilliant way to re-introduce and redefine a classic DC Vertigo character and find a way for him to fit into the mainstream universe, Brightest Day will pave the way for characters like Swamp Thing, Aquaman, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, and Firestorm to maybe see a bit of a renaissance within the DCU and helps to reset the universe back to simpler and maybe better times. Unfortunately, this all came at the cost of several other characters that I personally preferred over some that were brought back and felt that this final issue felt like it was trying to hammer home themes of personal growth and overcoming loss way too much for my liking.

Overall, this issue is something you need to pick up, whether you like what happens in it or not, as it will reshape many characters in the DCU from here on out and serves as a perfect place to get back into the DCU if you haven’t been following it for a while as many characters have had the chance to have their reset button pressed for new fans to become acclimated to them.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

From My Mom’s Basement – Vol. 2 Ep. 9 – Test Your Might!

Filed under: From My Mom's Basement — 1 Comment

Originally Published: April 26, 2011, on Youtube.com/Rcars4885

I come to you once again with your weekly geek fix. This week’s episode sees me give my take on the PSN crash, review Batman #709 from DC Comics and the new Mortal Kombat from Netherrealm Studios and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. My hot chick pick of the week is UFC Ring Girl Brittany Palmer and this week’s theme is the Mortal Kombat movie theme by The Immortals.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Thunderbolts #156 Review

Filed under: Written — Leave a comment
April 20, 2011

Originally Published: April 20, 2011, on Comicvine.com

With Satana joining the A-team of Thunderbolts, Warden John Walker and Songbird move forward with the selecting of the B-team, The Underbolts!

The Good

A cavalcade of villains we haven’t seen or heard from in quite some time look to be thrust into the limelight depending on what the exact role will be for this B-team of Bolts. With folks like Shocker, Mr. Hyde, and Troll looking to top the list, this B-team could definitely make for some interesting scenarios and leave Songbird with more than she can handle as team leader. Not to mention this could be an interesting set-up for a future standoff between the current team and this B-Team in the Raft.

As for the A-team, the new supernatural situation mission they find themselves on is definitely something we haven’t seen before and it should be very entertaining finding out how they’ll work their way out of this mess and just how much use their newest team member can be.

The Bad

After adding Satana to the team, you would have liked to see a little more of her interactions with the team aside from her barely failed attempt at seducing them all. Instead, the A-team of Bolts is immediately thrust into a new mission without her having a chance to really work her magic on the group or to the reader.

Along with this, the bouncing back and forth between this new supernatural zombie threat in Germany and the recruitment process back at the Raft was jarring and difficult to follow. I think it would have flowed much better had the A-team stuck around and helped take part in the screening process so we could see a lot more villains who have been gathering dust. Instead, it seems like an obvious build-up to have the B-team come save the A-team if this becomes too much to handle, even with Satana in tow.

The Verdict

I loved seeing some of the villains that took part in the screening process for the B-Team of Thunderbolts. Even if they don’t make it on to the team, it was great to see Shocker, Mr. Hyde, Super-Skrull, and many others even if Marvel will throw them back into a cage again after this issue.

This light-hearted cameo-fest was poorly balanced though by the A-team of Bolts being thrown back into a new, occult themed mission that seemed like an excuse just to see what Satana could do. I would have preferred a slower introduction of her character to the team and having these two stories going on at the same time made it harder to follow this cavalcade of stars we were seeing in these 20 pages.

Despite this, Thunderbolts #156 was an enjoyable read, especially if you’ve been following the series up to this point, and makes you want to pick up the next issue just to see what will happen between the A-team and B-team, even though you know it can’t realistically last having two teams of Bolts.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment