Bought/Thought 10/17/07

[Colossal Spoons]

I thought so

 

[Darthphere]

No dude, just don't buy that crap, period.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

What crap exactly?

 

[PhotoJones]

I got a LOT of books yesterday. Reviews from me this week will be short.

Lazarus #1 - There's no set up here; the story just begins. A man picks his girlfriend up from her job as a genetics researcher and the woman tells the man that her research facilities seem to have files on him. The man is confused, someone deliberately t-bones their car and it is sent flying off of a cliff. The man witnesses a man come down the cliff, kill his girlfriend and proceed to kill him. The man wakes up in the hospital, seemingly unharmed and flees. Cops track him to his home, where they are all attacked by men in black suits and the man is killed again. On the autopsy table, the man comes to. Very intriguing with great art. I'm glad I didn't pass on this.

Graveslinger #1 - Like Lazarus, this one just sort of begins. While not as good as I'd hoped, this is still completely enjoyable if for no other reason then seeing an old man shoot up zombies in the Wild West. That's basically the entire premise. Apparently, there's a prison somewhere in the dust bowl, and the inmates are undead. Some of them escaped and this guy's job is to bring them in. Or kill them. Whichever comes first. I've seen the art described as "bad" by some on these boards, but I think it's fantastic. It's dirty and scratchy and it fits the tone of the story. Kind of like a Ben Templesmith/Ashley Wood vibe. I'll pick up the rest of the mini.

Captain America #31 - What can be said? It's Marvel's best book and the story continues. Don't be a 'tard and pick up this series. It's now 100% Dread approved.

Marvel Comics Presents #2 - The Vanguard story is shaping up to be my favorite. The dialogue is spot on and the story is just mysterious enough to not be tedious. Guggenheim writes a seriously creepy Reed Richards. I felt icky while reading his scenes. The Hellcat story continues it's fun story and actually got even better with this installment. I think the cabbie Patsy is my favorite one. The Weapon Omega story kind of stumbled this issue. It was boring and seemed a lot like filler.

Marvel Zombies 2 #1 - I found this to be a lot more interesting then the last few MZ stories. Sure, this book is excessive and an excuse to print money, but the story is fun and the art is great. What more can one ask for, really?

Elephantmen #11 - Another great issue from a great book. This one is a few months late, but the reasoning is justified. Moritat, the artist, is suffering from carpal tunnel and couldn't could pencil to paper for a while. He's getting better now, though. This one peeks into the lives of Nikken and Serengeti before the Elephantmen were made public. This is pretty special book, and you should be reading it.

The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #2 - I don't how this guy manages to write one of freshest, best books of the year when he also makes some of the crappiest music on the planet. Not only are the characters all very cool in their own ways, but the story is very cool and the dialogue is very cool. One line had me laugh out loud. The best news comes in the back of the book, where the editor confirms that this series will continue long into the future, a la as a series of minis like Hellboy or BPRD. I'm most definitely in.

Suburban Glamour #1 - After reading Phonogram, I expected this book to blow my socks off. It didn't, but it's still a good read. The premise revolves around a girl's childhood fantasy life becoming real in the present. The dialogue is good and the art is clean and colorful. It's only a 4 issue mini, so I'll pick up the rest.

Mighty Avengers #5 - When you stop and think about it, the plot really is pretty stupid. That said, I'd totally pay $9 to see this on the big screen. It's action packed and the while we already know that everything turns out okay in the end, Bendis somehow manages to make it seem legitimately urgent. I'll give him a pat on the back for that. The art seems to bother some of you and that's fine. It doesn't bother me. To me, it's just as stupidly fun as the plot. And really, if you're going to ***** about T&A, at least pick an artist that sucks with anatomy.

Clockwork Girl #1 - This as cute as one would expect. It's a nice little reworking of Romeo and Juliet with a robot girl and a monster boy. The art is very animated and clean and the colors are perfect. The only drawback I have is all the damn typos. I mean, c'mon guys. That's just lazy.

DMZ # 24 - Another standalone, character issue in the 6 issue arc of, um...standalone, character issues. This one focuses on Amina, the terrorist/one night stand of Matty Roth in the Public Works story. It scene jumps from past to present pretty well, and not only serves to flesh out her character, but to also advance the story, as we learn in this issue that the military has secretly moved into the Bronx. The war continues.

I also picked up The Programme #4, The Sword #1 and Punisher MAX #1-50, but I haven't gotten around to those yet. Except the first 6 issues of Punisher MAX. Which are AMAZING.

 

[ImrtlLimpWrist]

Yo, Spoons, who says BL didn't go for help. I'm guessing there will be a cavalry charge (Capt. Marvel, maybe the JSA) in the next issue. I heard a rumor that Geo-Force is going to die and I have to say it is time for the Injustice League to kill somebody and Geo-Force sure seems a likely enough candidate.

 

[GNR]

Bought:

Checkmate Vol.1 A King's Game
Checkmate Vol.2 Pawn Breaks
Brave and the Bold #7
Captain America #31

Thought:

-I'm only one chapter into A King's Game,and I'm already hooked and convinced,if this comic is still as good as this debut issue is,then this is one of the best books coming out of either DC or Marvel,the story structure is flawless and exciting,and all the black ops action and suspense is on par or even better than anything Hollywood can dish out,this was money well spent and I look forward to finishing both trades and jumping on the monthly

-yet to read the others,thoughts later

 

[GNR]

Are you from Buffalo?

Canadian from Southern Ontario here only 45 mins from Buffalo.

 

[Sugarculted]

Mighty Avengers #5 - Something just bored me with this issue. Perhaps it was the long wait, for an issue in which nothing too exciting happened. I take a look at Bendis' work in NA and sure, whilst last week's issues had some problems and major continuity mishaps...it was a lot more fun than this predictable comic. As much as I like Cho's art, I'm already bored of this storyline which has ran on for too long.

Captain America #31 - Another neat issue from Brubaker and Epting. He's kept the flow nicely without a Captain America so far. Kudos to the man who is still producing this well crafted comic.

Marvel Zombies 2 #1 - I'm trade waiting this, so I didn't officially buy it. I've read it though, and Kirkman seems to do wonders yet again. I did find myself a bit stuck with the abrupt ending. Perhaps I wanted more? Nonetheless, you can never go wrong with zombies and Kirkman. Can't wait for the trade.

Marvel Comics Presents #2 - I sorta mentally slapped myself when I walked into the comic store, because I had forgotten the intentions of buying this series. I hope it is selling well, due to the fact I'm enjoying this. I'm not so into Vanguard, but seeing one of my favourites for only this issue made me happy. I'm fan of Immonen's work too, so I'm loving the Hellcat stuff. I'm not that into the character, but the art looks wonderful. Weapon Omega? Eh, not too bothered with that. That's fun to read, but I've never been to into Alpha Flight. Sorry.

Suburban Glamour #1 - Upon noticing the preview on Newsarama, something switched on. I had to buy this issue due to the bright work of McKelvie. Something about this first issue was fresh and unique, and yes, I'll happily admit this was one of my favourite reads of all week.

Lazarus #1 - Thank the internets for providing me with previews. This is another one I had the urge to buy after seeing a few pages. Lazarus, the story of a man who had to witness seeing his girlfriend getting killed. Pretty shocking stuff throughout, and the art in here? Lovely. I have one problem with both of the Image titles I bought today though...what is up with the pages which have been printed on? Granted, I should have looked through each one to check...but there's quite a few marks in them.


I've also heard a lot of good stuff about Elephantmen. I'll probably pick up the trade of that. Didn't fancy starting straight at issue eleven. Saying that though, I'm contradicting myself. I found volumes 5 and 6 of 100 Bullets for a mere £3 each. Snapped them up, I just need the earlier ones.

 

[PhotoJones]

I have one problem with both of the Image titles I bought today though...what is up with the pages which have been printed on? Granted, I should have looked through each one to check...but there's quite a few marks in them.

All my Image books this week looked fine. Bad batch, I guess.

I've also heard a lot of good stuff about Elephantmen. I'll probably pick up the trade of that. Didn't fancy starting straight at issue eleven. Saying that though, I'm contradicting myself. I found volumes 5 and 6 of 100 Bullets for a mere £3 each. Snapped them up, I just need the earlier ones.

Elephantmen is fantastic. You should definitely give it a shot.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Bought:

Checkmate Vol.1 A King's Game
Checkmate Vol.2 Pawn Breaks
Brave and the Bold #7
Captain America #31

Thought:

-I'm only one chapter into A King's Game,and I'm already hooked and convinced,if this comic is still as good as this debut issue is,then this is one of the best books coming out of either DC or Marvel,the story structure is flawless and exciting,and all the black ops action and suspense is on par or even better than anything Hollywood can dish out,this was money well spent and I look forward to finishing both trades and jumping on the monthly

-yet to read the others,thoughts later

Well said. Checkmate is the best superhero comic being published right now, as far as I'm concerned.

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #57
So Aquaman's current series goes out with a whimper. I couldn't help thinking that this comic would've been a great second-to-last issue. We finally learn what the relationship between Aquaman and the Aquanewb is, we get confirmation that we're not the only ones who figured out Narwhal is probably Koryak, Clownfish goes even more batty and winds up getting away, presumably to shoot and hold hostage other undersea characters' loved ones, and the Aquanewb starts going by his middle name and becomes determined to live up to the name "Aquaman." And... that's it. There's nothing else to the story, it just kind of stops.

Badly executed finale, but not terrible under the circumstances. Tad Williams must be a hell of a writer to tie everything together as well as he did in, what, like half of the issues he planned on having? That's no small feat for a writer. McManus' art is still McManus' art. It polarizes people, certainly, but I happen to be one who likes it. Even if it's a bit more cartoony than I thought was appropriate for the story, both in its subject matter and in the fact that it's the last Aquaman story for the foreseeable future, it's still expressive and well crafted.

So that's pretty much it. As it stands now, Aquaman is dead, the Aquanewb is the "real" Aquaman for the time being, Narwhal/Koryak's off... somewhere, Tempest is off... somewhere else, and who the hell knows what's going on in Atlantis or Sub Diego from here on out? I'm uncomfortable with that status quo, but Aquaman's apparently not popular enough for DC to care enough to change it. We at least get a little box at the end of the last page saying the Aquanewb's story will continue in Outsiders, which gives me one more reason to look forward to that (although I'm fairly certain he'll be one of Bedard's intended characters that Dixon drops like a rock after a few issues). So long, Aquaman. No one liked you but me and trustyside-kick, it seems.

 

[PhotoJones]

Well said. Checkmate is the best superhero comic being published right now, as far as I'm concerned.

Yucky.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

You've never even read it.

 

[PhotoJones]

That would be false.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Then you have exceptionally bad taste.

 

[PhotoJones]

Because I don't think it's the best superhero book out there?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

No, I don't care about where you rank it. I thought you didn't even like it.

 

[Phaedrus45]

5 Quick Thoughts:

The Highwaymen #5: Oh, please, please, please....let there be more Highwaymen. Some of my favorite comics have come from Wildstorm: Welcome to Tranquility, American Way, and The Highwaymen. Each one tells a great story, gets you interested in these new characters in a short time, and has great action scenes. This final issue delivers the action in full force, from the opening scene of the car falling out of the plane to the final confrontation at the end. If you haven't been picking up this series, get the trade when it comes out. You won't be disappointed. 9/10

DMZ #24: 24 issues later, and this story hasn't really progressed one bit. It's like a movie that just keeps dragging on and on without any real direction. This much lauded book suffers because of this; even this one-shot tale of Amina's past and a current situation where she is forced to become a runner has no ending. It's unsure if we'll find out next issue what will happen. All we get is a "The End" without a clear resolution. I'll keep reading this title; for it's still better than many other comics I could read. I just want a sense that the rider has a sense of direction with his story. 7/10

Jungle Girl #2: Frank Cho's Jungle Girl could have easily been his next Shanna miniseries. It's obvious that Cho was type-cast after his sexy take on Shanna The She-Devil in 2005 for Marvel; only, that miniseries was far superior to this Jungle Girl. It now seems like there is a formula that Shanna and Jungle Girl must follow: Slightly ignorant, sexy jungle woman meets up with Americans who are slightly shady, coming across the dangers of a savage land. That's what the first Shanna represented, and that's what Jungle Girl and the current Shanna mini by another writer and artist is. This is a "one-trick pony." 7/10

The Sword #1: YES! Luna Brothers are back, and from what I've read with this first issue, I'm totally on board. Sure, there are a couple things that bug me: The characters in The Sword look identical to the characters from Girls, almost carbon copies; and, sometimes the "family talk" sounds like no type of talk I've ever had before...it's a little too "Leave It To Beaver" for my liking. But, by the time you get to the last page, those two things are forgiven, and I'm more upset I have to wait a month for the next issue. I'd say what this issue is about; but, part of that is giving away what happens when the bad guys show up in the second part of this issue...and, the reader should get to experience this issue on it's own before reading a spoiler. 9/10

Lazarus #1: It's pretty easy to figure out the basic premise behind this title. And, while it wasn't a bad read, I came away thinking that anyone who had a concept of "Lazarus" probably would have come away with a very similiar style of story. Basically, Lazarus is James Trout, a man of many mysteries. At the beginning of the story, James is driving in a car with his girlfriend after surviving some type of accident; during that time, she had probed into his past, and found out some frightning information. Before she could tell him, they are both murdered in a car accident. Yet, somehow, James survives. By the time this issue ends, it's clear James is some kind of Wolverine-style character. Shoot him, strangle him, whatever....he'll come back to life after a while. Like I said, it's a decent enough first issue, just not that original. 7/10

 

[PhotoJones]

No, I don't care about where you rank it. I thought you didn't even like it.

No, it's extremely well written. It's intriguing and I wish my roommate had the second trade to go along with the first. But I certainly would not call it the best superhero book on the market.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I would.

DMZ #24: 24 issues later, and this story hasn't really progressed one bit. It's like a movie that just keeps dragging on and on without any real direction. This much lauded book suffers because of this; even this one-shot tale of Amina's past and a current situation where she is forced to become a runner has no ending. It's unsure if we'll find out next issue what will happen. All we get is a "The End" without a clear resolution. I'll keep reading this title; for it's still better than many other comics I could read. I just want a sense that the rider has a sense of direction with his story. 7/10

What sort of progression are you expecting? I thought DMZ was the kind of comic that basically sets up a status quo to act as a framework and then fits commentary on various political situations into that framework. Taken that way, it's been fantastic to me. Nothing much has changed with Matty or the DMZ or the war, but Wood's been consistently shining a light on the darker truths of some of the world's current political situations and driving home how powerful a tool journalism used right is through Matty. It's worked well enough for me.

 

[PhotoJones]

I would.

That's what makes you crappy.

What sort of progression are you expecting? I thought DMZ was the kind of comic that basically sets up a status quo to act as a framework and then fits commentary on various political situations into that framework. Taken that way, it's been fantastic to me. Nothing much has changed with Matty or the DMZ or the war, but Wood's been consistently shining a light on the darker truths of some of the world's current political situations and driving home how powerful a tool journalism used right is through Matty. It's worked well enough for me.

Yeah, I look at Wood's idea for DMZ as presenting us with a situtaion that mirrors our own and just spending issue after issue exploring every nook and cranny of that situation and the people who deal with it everyday. I think the book is excellent.

 

[Anubis]

Dread....why the f**k are you still reading Ultimate X-Men?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's what makes you crappy.



Yeah, I look at Wood's idea for DMZ as presenting us with a situtaion that mirrors our own and just spending issue after issue exploring every nook and cranny of that situation and the people who deal with it everyday. I think the book is excellent.

I was astonished when the Blackwater thing came out. I literally yelled, "Oh ****, Trustwell is real!" in my car.

 

[PhotoJones]

Dread....why the f**k are you still reading Ultimate X-Men?

Sad, isn't it?

I was astonished when the Blackwater thing came out. I literally yelled, "Oh ****, Trustwell is real!" in my car.

Blackwater scares the living the **** out of me. When that stuff was all over the news, I literally finalized the decision that I am not bringing kids into this world.

 

[Phaedrus45]

What sort of progression are you expecting? I thought DMZ was the kind of comic that basically sets up a status quo to act as a framework and then fits commentary on various political situations into that framework. Taken that way, it's been fantastic to me. Nothing much has changed with Matty or the DMZ or the war, but Wood's been consistently shining a light on the darker truths of some of the world's current political situations and driving home how powerful a tool journalism used right is through Matty. It's worked well enough for me.

I still said it's a good comic; it's just that after 24 issues, I don't see it going anywhere. This last issue didn't give me anything new; it didn't progress the story at all. I would like to have a sense that DMZ has an ultimate resolution somewhere down the road. Otherwise, while you might laud its greatness, I believe others will get bored. Remember, The Nam was lauded when it first came out, too...but, eventually all those people who proclaimed its greatness eventually dropped it, too.

 

[PhotoJones]

I still said it's a good comic; it's just that after 24 issues, I don't see it going anywhere. This last issue didn't give me anything new; it didn't progress the story at all.

Sure, it did. Didn't you catch the last couple of pages? After a long string of uneasy truces and ceasefires, the military has apparently gone undercover and is now entrenched further into the city, specifically in the Bronx.

Prepare for a giant ****storm.