Wolverine #1

Wolverine #1! Starts with a half disintegrated Wolverine assuring the reader or a bystander not to worry he is a Super Hero.  He says this I assume because yet again Wolverine looks horrible.  But while Wolverine is trying to assure us that everything is ok a madman is killing innocent Coffee House visitors.  Lots and lots and lots of people die and then Wolverine gets off his ass and fails to save the day.  This comic has potential but seems more interested in killing innocent bystanders like some rabid terrorist than providing an interesting story.

Batman!! #18

Batman #18!!!  Was slow but still managed to be interesting.  This is another Requiem issue with the aftermath of the death of Robin (Damian Wayne).  We get the return of Harper and Cullen Row with Harper trying to help Batman get over the death or at least get some sleep before some punk manages to kill Batman.  It is all kinds of wordy yet interesting.  I liked this issue.

Batman and Robin #18

Batman and Robin #18 Requiem was interesting as it lacked typed or spoken dialog of any type.  The story was told entirely in the graphic form that is possible with comic books. While I am tempted to be flippant and say this was simply a writer being lazy and a big company deciding not to pay a letterer.  I have to say the art work was excellent with several very worthy frames.  There is little to else to say since there is not much development beyond that which was displayed.  I liked this issue.

Batgirl #18 Requiem / Death of the Family

Batgirl #18 Requiem was horrible.  First off the story really has nothing to do with the death of Robin beyond Batgirl getting a phone call.  This issue is really a continuation of the Death of the Family Story line where Barbra Gordon is fighting against her brother.  But the story is told in a bad noir style from the evil brother’s point of view.  It has bad stilted writing as show in blocky block text that might be trying to be dramatic.  But in reality it is bad crappy writing pretending to put a woman in an imaginary abusive situation of some kind of “I hate all women” fantasy.  You the reader and I should get better for our money but when Spider-Man beats his wife/girlfriend and is still considered a hero there is not much hope for the art form since abuse is abuse weather it is in a comic book or real life.

Katana #2

Katana #2 was interesting and while I realize for the most part this is all backstory being told to us the reader as current events.  It is still just telling us who Katana was and will become.  There is a bit of choppiness in the story with story jumps as if we were watching an old Kung Fu flick.  It is a little more confusing that the story needs to be.  In the end Katana makes alliances and the story moves along.  Then Steve Trevor shows up and now what?...

Before Watchmen - Ozymandias #6 !!!

Before Watchmen – Ozymandias #6 was simply a retelling of the movie and portions from the original Watchmen comic book.  I was rather disappointed as after the last issue this could have been much more and better.  This was the last chance to do something good with the Watchmen universe and instead just did a basic retread.

Age of Ultron!!

Age of Ultron Book One was good.  It was better than I expected or hoped.  The art is really good thanks to Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary and Paul Mounts.  I am a bit disappointed that the story begins mid disaster or post disaster which was Ultron taking over the world or at least Manhattan.  The world is in a post-apocalyptic state with Manhattan under what appears to be a giant spaceship or building (a dome?).  The action starts with Hawkeye attacking what appears to be a drug den or at least a place with bad guys running the show.  It turns out Hawkeye is trying to save Spider-Man (we do not know which Spider-Man yet) from Hammerhead and the Owl.  During the rescue the action attracts the notice of many Ultrons whom attack the hideout even though there was a deal possibly made between Hammerhead and Ultron that kept those bad guys safe from the big and powerful Ultron.  That deal seems to fail as the Ultrons the building and such explode.  The good guys get away and reach their hideout in the crashed remains of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier where we meet more survivors.  These survivors are not happy that Hawkeye has returned and run tests on Hawkeye and Spider-Man.  They are greeted by Luke Cage and She-Hulk followed by Tony Stark (Iron Man) who runs tests on Hawkeye and Spider-Man to make sure they had not been infected with a tracker of some sort.  We then get a quick look at additional survivors Emma Frost, Wolverine, Sue Storm and finally after some more plot exposition we finally see Captain America whom we are told is devising a plan.  First off Hawkeye?  We just had an end of the world mini-series that followed Hawkeye around while the world burned under the fist of Doctor Doom and the crazy zombie plague known as the Avengers vs. the Marvel Universe.  So we have been there done that with Hawkeye and considering the number of mid power super heroes it seems like Marvel could have gone with a different character to follow.  I was entertained, when at the beginning of the book Hawkeye continues to use his trademark arrows even if he has switched to hand crossbows.   Second the good guys are waiting on the good Captain America for a plan?  Even though they have Tony Stark one of the world’s smartest people available to make plans and fix stuff.  In the end I did enjoy this comic nitpicking aside it was entertaining and a good attempt to draw in the reader.

A + X #5

A + X #5 Iron Fist and DOOP is the first story and it appears to be a rip-off of an old the Real Ghostbusters story.  DOOP sure looks acts and talks like Slimer.  The adventure was silly and slightly confused by the correct flow of time.  It was not a bad story it was just kind of lacking context beyond trying to make a generally serious character such as the Iron Fist look and sound silly.  We then get a Loki and Mister Sinister story which was very good.  The story was well written and paced.  Loki when used as play full chaos is so entertaining and not so much fun when he is being evil.  So getting to see him play some tricks and pretend to fall victim to Mister Sinister powers and technology was fun.

Iron Man #7!!!

Iron Man #7 was actually really good.  We get the trail of Tony Stark the God Killer which with a little outside help from Rigelian Recorder 451 or in this case Tony’s Lawyer.  Recorder 451 looks a lot like Machine Man.  Anyway the legal advice given to Tony Stark is to request trail by combat – this combat is without weapons or the Iron Man armor.  Tony Stark has experience fighting without any weapons or armor and the aliens not having much experience fighting wins bout after bout winning his innocence against many charges.   The most amusing charge Tony is found innocent of is Hubris in the first degree.  In order to get to a suspenseful cliffhanger to end this issue we have Iron Man set to fight the robotic bounty Hunter Death’s Head.

Winter Soldier #16

Winter Soldier #16 contained a bit more talking than action.  The previous issue was much better.  The talking part of the story is a bit more melon collie and mopey than I like as I could just read X-Men.  This issue felt more like filler than actual story.  Oh well at least we got to see the original Nick Fury.

All New X-Men #8!!!

All New X-Men #8 was a good issue.  I was glad the Angel finally got some face time and better yet he got to do something with his future self.  The fight at Avengers Tower was great and Hydra needs help as attacking an empty Avengers Tower is just wimpy.  There are a number of great lines in this story including Captain America saying “Why are there two of you?” and even the Hulk has a quizzical look on his face.  Having Ice Man and Kitty Pride narrating the talk between the current Beast and Captain America was well done and amusing.  But having the original Scott Summers come out and give his little talk was great, though I am getting a bit worried about Jean Grey while she is learning all her new / old powers.  Overall this was a great issue!

Cable and X-Force #5 !!!

Cable and X-Force #5 was a good slice of life yet mostly filler issue.  We have the continued fallout from the previous saving of the world that no one will ever give the team credit for saving.  Cable has another vision and now they need to steal / find a spaceship.  I do like Dr. Nemesis and his battle with Forge escalating into giant homemade robot fight club was fun.   I may have to actually see where this goes next it will be horrible I am sure.  I was thinking the powers that be should have tied this into the Age of Ultron mega story what with the giant robots and Cable having visions.

Ame-Comi Girls #1 !!!

Ame-Comi Girls #1 (the series) is actually just a continuation of the previous series that introduced the reader to all the nice ladies.  While the previous issues had some handy dialog and story building up this issue just had a big fight with Wonder Woman yelling about stabbing or smashing things.  The defeat of Supergirl was very anti-climactic and disappointing.  At least Powergirl has something happening at the center of the Earth that turns out to be a giant computer.  It is strange that no one noticed the lack of a molten iron core at the center of the Earth before this moment.  While the art work was not that great especially the fight scenes at least the entire issue was more than a giant slice of fan service.

Batman Detective Comics #18 Requiem Review!

Batman Detective Comics #18 Requiem – was an interesting story as we continue to follow the fall of the Penguin from his position of power.  Though there seems to be a lot of history and criminality this story forgets what has happened since the new 52 began.  There was little here to merit a Requiem or Death of the Family tie in the title page claims.  In the end the Emperor Penguin owns all that once belonged to Cobblepot.  At least the backup story had the Joker show up and that must be the actual Death tie in.  Anyway it was a good main story and the backup story could and should have been part of the main story.  I am getting tired of paying for a full sized issue and instead getting several short stories that could not really support a full book.  In some cases the main story is awkwardly cut up to extend the story ark and sometimes not.  This is deceptive on the publisher’s part and needs to stop unless the two or more stories are mentioned on the cover.  Maybe if there are not enough Batman stories it is time to retire one of the many many many Batman comic books that are published each month.

Legends of the Dark Knight #6 !!!

Legends of the Dark Knight #6 contained three short stories that were of good quality.  The first story is more of a traditional Batman hunts thugs who knocked over a convenience store.  There was something about sound and enhanced hearing that was the point of the story.  The second story was Batman tracking down and fighting what appears to be a dragon.  The dragon turns out to be the pet of Killer Crock.  It was an interesting story, Batman saved by luck and a search for humanity.  The final story was a spooky tale that could have been saved for the Halloween issue.  We have a spooky villain working for the Penguin and then inevitable betrayal.  While the story is resolved, it would have been nice to see a little more background (origin story) of the mysterious man with the scary van.

Dial H #10

Dial H #10 was interesting the Hero as Glimpse escapes from the Canadian Government building.  Then  Nelson brings the Bristol Bloodhound with him.  The big reveal is that the reason the Canadian’s had  a problem with their dial was because to make it work you dialed S.I.D.E. for sidekick.  So that explains why they just could not get their dial to work without a Hero to provide direction to the sidekick.  Now the good guys have a Hero dial and a Sidekick dial they go out on patrol together Nelson takes the sidekick dial and becomes Copter.  Roxie takes the Hero Dial.  They have a few adventures in a montage with a very surprising ending.   The government agent Centipede fills the reader in on more background of the dial and Thomas Edison dealing with the Dial’s creators.  All in all this was a well written and interesting comic we have more story evolution and some more information on where and what is behind the Dials.

Earth 2 Issue #10 Tower of Fate Begins!

Earth 2 #10 or the Tower of Fate Begins.  This was an interesting story as in this comic; we get a little more background on the Earth 2 Dr. Fate as well as Hawkgirl and the new person who can wear the helm of fate.  We also follow Green Lantern for a few pages where he continues to mourn for his lover.  The main villain Karel Wotan kidnaping Dr. Fate, the Flash and the Flash’s mother.  With the mom as hostage the heroes would go into the Tower of Fate in order to claim the helm of Fate and all the power it contains.  The journey through the tower was artistically interesting in an Escher like effect of weird dimensions.  The issue ends with a great shot of the Great Beast of the tower – a well-drawn demon looking thing.

World's Finest #10 !!!

World’s Finest Huntress and Power Girl #10 was actually three separate stories.  None of these stories were very satisfying.  First we have some fist pounding destruction of property in revenge for the attack on Power Girl’s island base.  Then there is a quick homage to the passing of Robin which also gives the comic a chance to have Batman make an appearance.  While not a bad issue it could have been better if one or two of the stories had been given more time to develop.  Which leaves me to my biggest complaint of DC comics the last month – there have been this stupid channel 52 two page story cutting into my comics and now there is a many page story in the back of every DC comic which is an advertisement for a new comic book DC will be putting out soon.  I really do not appreciate paying good money only to be shorted pages for advertisement for comics or items I am not interested in buying.  Now that those advertisement have reduced my enjoyment of many comic books I will make a point to not buy what has been advertise.  If these advertisements had lowered the cost of a comic book I would have been fine with losing story, but these comics are the regular price.

Rorschach - Before Watchmen #4 !!!

Before Watchmen – Rorschach #4 was actually really good.  I do not know why there was such a downturn in quality before.  But this issue of Before Watchmen was good.  Rorschach was captured and his mask stolen, the bad guy takes the mask and goes out to kick ass (During the big blackout riots I assume).  Instead the bad guy gets his just reward falling to the mob on the street.  Rorschach escapes with the help of a hungry Tiger.  Then the flashback ends and we see “current” time with Rorschach taking revenge on a different bad guy whom had harmed Rorschach’s lady friend from the dinner.  This issue was good (I think I said that already but added for emphasis).

Planet of the Apes Cataclysm #7

Planet of the Apes Cataclysm #7 was interesting.  But the story is kind of dragging.  I am not sure getting to see characters from the first Apes movie when they are younger is worth my money or time.  A lot of what is being covered is not really much of a surprise from people who have at least watched the movies and TV shows.  

Deadpool Killustrated #2 !!!

Deadpool Killustrated #2 was rather entertaining.  Though not finishing off Captain Ahab was rather disappointing considering how much time he spent in the comic.  I was also a little disappointed with how little time was spent doing in the main character displayed on the front cover of the comic.  At least Count Dracula was given more than a page for his death.  But giving the Little Women characters that many pages was disappointing.  With luck the cliffhanger characters will give Deadpool a better fight.

The Future Foundation #4 (FF)

FF #4 (Future Foundation) was just so boring.  The She-Hulk goes on a date with her old boyfriend Wyatt Wingfoot.  The entire night the mole kids try to ruin the date and nothing goes well for the Mole Kids.  The story was not really funny or interesting.   Oh well, it is a shame such classic characters are being wasted here.

Hawkeye #8 !!!

Hawkeye #8 is the issue with the Target colored / James Bond inspired movie comic book cover.   The art work starts entertainingly like a bad romance novel called Doomed Love but actually it is rather serious story.  I am really enjoying the new book / comic book cover and story title.  Normally something this disjointed would be annoying but somehow it works here.  If you love the old style pulp books and comics you will just love this aspect of the story (art is really telling the story here).  I have to say again this is a really good story.  The comic book covers inside this comic actually tell another story and that was surprisingly well done.  Hawkeye gets in trouble again in such an interesting manner.  I really have come to love these slice of life stories being told in the comic.  It reminds me so much of the Marvel Comics I read as a kid the kind of stories that I loved even as I was confused by them.  But looking back those were good stories, it is one of the things I love about following the low power heroes in the Marvel Universe.  You can keep Iron Man, Thor and the Hulk – these are the stories of the lowbies that make for good comic books.  The Bro gang is pissed and they are going for broke even getting the Kingpin involved which should lead to some more interesting adventures for Hawkeye.

Thunderbolts #5 !!!!

Thunderbolts #5 was interesting but just filled a gap in the story.  It is weird to see or should I say hear Deadpool sound so sane and thoughtful.  I do not really believe the Punisher should still be going at this point considering his wounds.  It is strange not hearing the Leader rant and rave about how smart he is, the Leader is even helping Thunderbolt Ross who has come down a step and is not the Red Hulk at the moment.   I have no idea what is up with Venom (is that Flash Thompson?).  One of my big complaints about this comic is there are too many characters to follow and some did not have their story told as well as some.  I fear this is a sign there will be a “surprise” in the story that should shock the reader unless we knew what was going on.

X-Treme X-Men #11 !!!!!

X-Treme X-Men #11 was clever as the reader never really sure which villain the heroes were helping to end the fight.  The X-Treme X-Men were fighting to save the last of the humans on this current Nazi / Atlantean world.  Though the end splash page was and “conclusion” was a little disappointing as somehow the good guys missed a few of the evil Xaviers.

The Young Avengers #2!!

Young Avengers #2 and we are still in setup mode.  I don’t know why the writer decided to spend all that time on introducing the other characters if we are going to just be following these two around.  Though we do get to see this world’s version of the Avengers (apparently) and then the young lovers are saved by Loki.  This Loki is very entertaining and not nearly as evilly chaotic as his other forms.  I especially enjoy Loki’s insistence that Wiccan do something about his possibly offensive to Pagans’ name.  The three of them decide to do something about the evil unleashed on the world, but then for some reason decide to take Loki home to Asgard where they meet Loki’s father and as Wiccan says, “isn’t he dead?”  I guess you just cannot trust Frost Giants to remain dead.  Just to make sure it is clear I did enjoy reading this comic.

All Star Western #17

All Star Western Featuring Jonah Hex #17 was horrible, it was badly written and the story was lame.  After some improvement at the end of the last story I was really looking forward to seeing what would happen next.  Instead we get an impractical and impossibly stupid plague that hits Gotham followed by what appears to actually be the results of plotting of the bad guy.  I also have to mention that the 19^th Century Stormwatch story was a bad rip off of the Girl Genius comic, the rip off is bad enough and cheesy enough and close enough to Girl Genius that I would not be surprised if lawyers would not be involved soon.  If not the Girl Genius people are dumb.  All in all I just have to say this issue was bad do not bother reading or spending your money on this comic if you have not already done so.

Batman Inc #8 R.I.P.

Batman Inc #8 where I seemed to have missed issue #7 and considering what happened in this issue it might be hard to find a copy.  The story starts out mid something riot like possibly related to the events in Death of the Family.  Robin and Nightwing are working to help Batman out of a jam.  There is a long and eventful fight with some banter between Robin and Nighwing I am not really sure why Robin took off the battle suit helmet but oh well.  I figure that since the end of the comic made the news this is not really a spoiler but just in case: Spoiler! Alert!  But for some plot based reason Robin dies he is killed by someone claiming to be his brother but that Robin called Father.  Considering that children trained as the Robin’s replacement have died and come back to life in the past the death of Robin (Damian Wayne Al ghul) is bound to be short lived.  At the very least Robins’ death is valid until the next plot point and a handy Lazarus Pit.  Do not get my sarcasm wrong this was a good climatic story.