Reviews 

Wednesday Is New Comic Book Day! (08-26-09)

By | August 27th, 2009
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

David is out this week and next, so we’re all pulling double time to get you the same quality reviews as you’re used to. And too bad for him! It’s an incredible week of comics! But don’t worry – you probably wouldn’t even notice he was gone!

(Ooo, burrnnn)

MATT’S REVIEWS

The Flash: Rebirth #4
Another week, another Geoff Johns title, and another absolute win. Johns is continuing to prove his skills as a writer as he embarks on his epic Flash revival with the Flash: Rebirth #4, and just as I adored the previous issue, this issue continues to impress. We now know who our villain is, and we now know why he is doing everything. It’s Zoom, and it’s awesome. I’ve never taken Zoom too seriously, but in this incarnation, reurned once again from the dead, he is truly terrifying. As he thrashes Barry and goes after Wally’s family, you can really see what a true villain he is. Leave it to Johns, though, to create a truly return from the Speed Force for Barry as the issue plunges the mini-series to it’s exciting conclusion. On top of all this, Scriver knocks it out of the park with the art this issue as Barry is trapped in the crimson, and we are treated to lush backgrounds full of detail where you would assume none are needed. His Zoom, attacking from all angles, is really something to behold.

The best part of the issue is, though, is just as Johns went and redefined the very mythos that defined Green Lantern, he is completely redefining the way we look at Flash and the speedsters. In fact, it’s really quite incredible. Johns is bringing the Flash Family together once and for all and showing us just how this comic will be in the future when Johns starts his new Flash series (soon, I hope). I’m so excited to talk about what Johns changed in this issue, but it’s a spoiler so I’ll leave you to it. Regardless, it sets up a plot point that I feel will be big in the upcoming future of Flash. So what we’ve had is a lot of tips and hints in the previous issues and a big change in this issue… and then we have the Green Lantern series for a frame of reference… can you say “upcoming epic”? The Zoom Wars?

So if you haven’t been buying the Flash: Rebirth, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a very exciting read for Flash and DC fans alike, and ultimately more proof that Johns is the top writer DC has in it’s base. Add Scriver into the mix and you have an ultimate winner, even before all is said and done.

Final Verdict: Buy

Batman And Robin #3
Frakking. Awesome.

That’s all I really need to say here. That could be the entire review. I’m not kidding. If not for the fact that we want to make this site look really professional, I’d leave it at that alone and move on to another review. It’s just so good. Quitely’s art, Morrison’s crazy writing… oh, I love it. This issue is PURE Morrison insanity, and Quitely’s art is just so perfect for it. I can’t imagine another artist doing the job. Seriously. Quitely art is kind of off putting to some, but just like Morrison I believe it’s an acquired taste, and once you understand the angles and the way that it connects to the story in that you have these disgusting characters like Pyg and Quitely brings out the horror of their world in truly magnificent fashions, you just get it. This book is one of the few artist/writer teams that bring together everything you could ever want in a comic.

So this is the final part of the opening arc, yeah? And what a way to go out. I was wondering in issue #2 why they weren’t dragging it out more to be a five issue opening arc, but this issue makes it very clear. Morrison has this amazing way of setting up pieces of a puzzle without you even noticing and then ripping the rug out from under you in an epic fashion. This issue begins to clearly set those pieces into place for those of us who are used to his style of writing. We have 4 new villains, 1 of whom is in the shadow, and an over arcing mystery involving domino pieces. In fact, the metaphor of dominos being lined up and knocked down is very appropriate for Morrison’s writing. On top of that, there’s a great reference to the final page of Batman: RIP, which took place several months after RIP. If you’d previously read it, you’ll love it.

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So I’m gushing over with love for this issue. It’s such a strong start for what is looking to be a great series and definitely the only Batman book you NEED to have in your pull. If you’re a fan of Batman, or if you’re honestly just a fan of great writing, now is the time to hop on this series. You won’t regret it.

Final Verdict: Buy

Batman: Widening Gyre #1
Remember Kevin Smith? That guy who made all those cult films about two stoners and how they LOVE to talk? Or maybe you remember him better as the man who killed Karen Page? Kevin Smith has had quite an illustrious career as a writer, killing Daredevil’s wife and bringing Green Arrow back from the dead. He recently penned a mini for Batman entitled Cacophony in which he brought back his villain, Onomatopoeia, and it was well received, particularly by us. So now we have a brand new mini in which Smith promises to introduce more new characters but also tell a much bigger story split into two six part arcs.

So how about this first issue? It opens with a great fight sequence between Batman and Robin and some neo-Nazis on Yom Kippur, and as a Jew I found it particularly great. As the story moves forward, Batman goes to Arkham to deal with seemingly a problem with Pamela Isley, but it turns out to be so much more as Smith brings back a villain I never saw coming. In fact, I have to applaud Smith on his comic knowledge here because it’s clear he’s done his homework. There are actually a lot of references to older in Batman stories in here that all shine for fans of the stories. While some call his Batman a bit wordy, I find it appropriate in setting up the twists of his story, and believe me, there’s a whopper of an angle at the end.

You’ve also got to commend Walt Flanagan’s artwork here. For the most part, I’d say people don’t know who he is unless they’re big followers of the Jersey Trilogy cult. However, the man’s got talent with the pen. His frames are really great, especially in the scene of Batman exploring the Asylum. As Batman begins to realize what’s going on, the frames begin to change, and it adds an extra level of texture into the story. His backgrounds are rich and his villains look great. You’ll see his Joker returning, as well as several other prominent villains such as Harvey Dent, Waylan Jones, and the aforementioned Isley. Plus, the entire opening scene is a throwback to old old old Batman, when Dick Grayson wasn’t Nightwing, and it all looks timely and very sharp.

I think a lot of people will pick this up just because Smith’s name is on it alone, but if for some reason that didn’t entice you, I hope this review will. Widening Gyre is a great start to what looks to be a very interesting story in Batman’s legacy, but you won’t know why unless you read until the very last page of the issue. Trust me – just pick it up.

Final Verdict

Dark Avengers #08
I’ve been kind of meh on the whole Utopia ordeal. It seems very drawn out with no real point. I mean, obviously there’s some end game, but for the most part a lot of the crossovers as of late just haven’t been very good. Messiah War, Mangum Opus… it’s all been kind of meh. But this one? This one is definitely picking up.

First we start as the X-Men become public enemy #1 and everything going topsy turvy, with everything being set up for an explosive scenario. And an explosion was had. This issue sees Scott’s quiet plan of abstaining from the fighting come to fruition. Not only that, but this is the first issue that really ties the Avengers in with the X-Men. For a crossover to work, the characters being crossed over need to have a really big interaction, and you can be sure that in the next and final moment of Utopia, that interaction is coming. We’ve been building up to this moment pretty well, and it turns out great. On top of that, you can definitely tell where the upcoming Planet X with Mangeto is going to come into fruition. In fact, I’m more excited for the return of Magneto now than I was before.

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I gotta say, though: I’m not a big fan of the artwork. Previously in Dark Avengers the art has been one of the coolest parts, because the characters were drawn dark and realistically. In the event of this crossover it’s all been pretty… feh. I mean, we go from these really slick and creepy looking characters to cartoon caricatures of their former glory. I admit, I’m being very critical right now – in the events of new writers and crossovers, artists and things of that nature change. It’s just a fact of comic books, and a part of life. I can’t help but wish they had gotten a better artist over all, both for X-Men and the Dark Avengers. I definitely am not much of a fan, though.

When Fraction stated that this would be a big change for the X-Men and their universe he wasn’t putting it lightly. In the past few years there have been big status quo changes in the Marvel Universe for everything, but depending how this all ends up after Utopia, this could definitely be one of the biggest for the X-People. Color me very excited for the final issue.

Final Verdict: Buy

Justice Society of America #30
Issue #30 continues our brand new stretch into the reign of the Fables men in JSA, and unlike David, I can’t say I’m overly a fan. I loved Johns’ run a lot because it was setting up a brand new team, and like David said we now have an even bigger team. The JSA and JLA are huge families, sure, but this book just brings in such a wide and crazy cast of characters, it’s hard to keep a good and straight focus. Granted, these are the men behind Fables… they’re not strangers to a large cast with intense variety. I’m just not getting the over all feeling that they’re pulling it off here. On top of that, they leave off with a moment entirely reminiscent of the opening to the Great Fables Crossover, and I’m sure everyone remembers my general annoyance at that endeavor.

This issue picks up just where the other one left off and it shows our heroes overcoming their foes in a pretty epic sequence. I gotta say, that was superbly done. On top of that, the whole thing keeps adding to the over all mystery of just what is going on in this new era of the Justice Society of America. Who took out Obsidian? What is the fate of Mr. Terrific and what is up with the new All-American Boy? Why is everyone so afraid of Stargirl? These are all questions I really can’t wait to see the answer to, and I’m not being factitious. While I do have my reservations and general trepidation towards the writing duo of Willingham and Sturges, I’ve gotta say their lack of character handling is made up for in over all mystery and excitement.

The art is kind of off and on. I’ll be honest, the second I hit the first page I kind of cringed. If you look at the Flash and Stargirl, they just look… lanky. It looks as if someone grabbed them and stretched them out in a Chinese torture device. Then, on the next page, they’re back to being normal again. There are a lot of moments in the book where the artwork and attention to background details is really great, but then there are other moments where everything just looks pretty awful. It’s a hit and miss scenario.

So JSA, which was one of my favorite series for a while, has just been a mix of ups and downs in an uneven pace of greatness and mehness. I can’t really rest my finger on it yet, but I’m both excited and weary for the next issue.

Final Verdict: Browse. I mean, Starman’s not even in it anymore.

Wolverine: Origins #39
I’ll be honest: I’d lost all interest in this serious and Daniel Way as a writer. His Deadpool is increasingly subpar and Dark Wolverine… don’t even get me started on Dark Wolverine. I hail Jason Aaron’s Wolverine: Weapon X as the only real Wolverine title you need to follow (although you should be sure to note that Wolverine will pop up in every book you read at some point or another regardless). After this issue, I’m willing to lay off all the Daniel Way hate. Seriously. It’s that good.

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Daniel Way promised to pick up where Loeb left off with the death of Sabretooth and the introduction of an insane new element: Romulus. Romulus was the man who was behind everything in Wolverine’s life. Everything. Wolverine had apparently been brain washed far farther than we could have ever assumed, and it was Romulus who did it. However, Loeb merely came into the series, threw that in there, and then left. Daniel Way had the task of picking up the pieces, and he has done an admiral job. The first 30 or so issues of Origins had all been fantastic. It began to drop out of my focus when it entered into Dark Reign and focused a bit too much on Daken, however, but now, with this issue, it is back. In reading this issue, I thought to myself,” Pfft. What the hell is he going to do with Wild Child of all characters?” And now I see. As it turns out, the past 38 issues have all been leading up to this one moment, and the pay off is fantastic. You know how Loeb told us we’d find out who Rulk is in #600, and then he didn’t tell us? Well, Way is not the same way. Way told us we’d know who Romulus is by the end of the arc, and without giving too much away, now we know. And it’s an amazing moment that met me with much joy.

I also want to point out that the art is really an essential part of this book, and it’s really great. I don’t like the covers very much, but the interiors? Great. Wolverine and Omega Red both look awesome this issue, and don’t even get me started on the last page. While I’m not a very good art critic, I must say that this issue looked really good as I read it.

So good job Daniel Way. I had lost all faith in you and in one single moment you reeled me back in. Not a lot of writers can do that. Kudos. I’m very much looking forward to where the series is going to move from here.

Final Verdict: Buy

Fantastic Four #570
Hot off the heels from Mark Millar’s absolutely insane run on Fantastic Four, we have Jonathan Hickman’s brand new start. I hope you read the prologue in Dark Reign: Fantastic Four, because this ties directly into it! And it’s a good start. In fact, this is one of the books I was most excited for this week, and the read definitely paid off. Believe it or not, I read it twice. So. That should say something, yeah?

Hickman’s Fantastic Four has picked a definite focal point: Reed Richards. The book opens with a very well drawn battle against old foe, the Wizard. Moving directly from this fight, Hickman writes in a parable showing Reed’s dealing with the Wizard and how he deals with his own family. Using a machine that he created during the mini, Reed has decided he is going to solve everything, and the machine connects him to an infinite amount of parallel universes, or more specifically, an infinite amount of Reed Richards. See, as we learned in the Dark Reign mini, the actions of our universe actually center around the actions of Reed Richards, and if not for him, we wouldn’t be ruled by Norman Osborn. So it’s time to fix it! But what could possibly go wrong with this?

Hickman’s start is filled with intrigue, mystery, and a great twist ending. On top of that, Dale Eaglesham’s artwork looks fantastic. We just had the stylings of Bryan Hitch and Stuart Immonen, both of them fan and MC favorites, and Eaglesham is relatively unknown, but he knocks it out of the park with this book. Honest to God, it’s a real treat. I liked Mark Millar’s run, but in the end it seemed phoned in and VERY ridiculous (Super powered Doom to the point he won’t be a villain anymore? Really?). Hickman has picked up where he left off and, instead of ignoring it and moving on at his own pace, he’s elaborating on the things Millar left resolved. Ace move.

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Hickman has proven through his work on Secret Warriors that he is a great new writer in the Marvel stable and that he’s got the talent to take characters we know and love in exciting new directions. Fantastic Four is definitely a book to watch with his hands behind the pen, and I highly recommend checking it out.

Final Verdict: Buy

GIL’S REVIEWS

Green Lantern #45
Worlds have died.

Worlds will rise.

Strong words, and they certainly live up to it. The opening scene is certainly one that strike terror in the only actual Green Lantern appearance this issue. John Stewart, visiting the remnants of Xanshi finds out what these word mean. We see the rise(sorry) of The Black Lantern’s version of MOGO, and from then on, this is exactly what the cover implies. It’s a battle between the founder of the Sinestro Corps and the newly re-instated and most famous of the Star Sapphires, Carol Ferris, among other tidbits spanning the entirety of the emotional spectrum.

Most of the issue is revealing the Blackest Night to the characters that aren’t on Earth, from the Lanterns on Ysamault in battle with Atrocitus(on a side note, how awesome is that name?) and seeing the resurrection of everyone lost on this bloody planet, to Agent Orange realizing his greed might have just been his downfall, to Sinestro reliving the greatest loss of his life and then seeing just how many of his Corpsman have returned from death, this book is important to the overall mythos of the Blackest Night.

But I’m not sure you NEED to buy it.

Don’t get me wrong, the book is another book scripted by the capable Geoff Johns, and it’s pencilled by the always great Doug Mahnke, and it goes to show you just how widespread this reaches. But it jumps around so much, that unless you’re really familiar with the universe, you might just get lost. But at least check it out for the prettyful pictures.

Verdict: Browse

Incredible Hulk #601
When they relaunched the Incredible Hulk title, I was a little confused. Did they need a second(some might say third) Hulk book? Couldn’t they have kept this going in Hulk? Oddly enough, the answer to both of these questions is “no.”

That’s not a indictment on either of the Hulk books I’m reviewing, it’s merely confusion that the other(Son of Hulk) is unnecessary due to the fact that Skarr is starring in this book.

Unlike some people, I think this book is actually important to the character of Bruce Banner. Lately it’s been all Hulk all the time, and it’s nice to see what he’ll do without the relative safety of The Savage Hulk having his back. Turns out he really knows what he’s doing. The opening scene establishes that well, and then when Hulk starts interacting with the Marvel U at large, we see how smart, calculating, and manipulative he really is.

Greg Pak is one of my favorite writers working for Marvel, and this book does not disappoint. He really gets into the head of a character long thought as being weak, and makes him a legitimate badass. And the art, provided by Ariel Olivetti, is absolutely stunning. I think the weakest point of the book is the back-up story, featuring She-Hulk II, Lyra. I just don’t care about the character, so I had no desire to keep up with her exploits. But the main story makes it worth it.

Verdict: Buy

Hulk #14
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Jeph Loeb gets a bum rap. He stated before that Rulk’s identity would not be revealed until Hulk #20, when the arc he’s working on is finished, and so far, he’s done that. It was never meant to come out during Incredible 600, and I blame the editors for that. But now that that’s out of the way, let’s discuss the book.

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At first, I don’t think the cover made much sense. You had a wildly divergent group of characters who don’t much care for each other taking on X-Force. From Elektra to Deadpool to The Punisher, I was did not understand how these people would get along enough to take on a military style group. It’s a shame it doesn’t even happen in the book. It’s a tease to a cliffhanger. Which sucks. I was looking forward to Wolverine taking on Rulk, but I guess I’ll have to wait until next month. Sigh.

Other than that, the only real problem I have with the book is the fact Wolverine didn’t really act like Wolverine. Sure he doesn’t like Deadpool so much, but he’s always had mutual respect for Elektra, so his attitude toward her was really off putting. But it’s a nit pick.

The book seems to have some pacing problems initially, but this is the beginning of a new arc, so it’s the set up for a big knockdown drag out fight between some of the most bloodthirsty heroes and villains out there. I still have faith that Loeb will pull this all together. I’m just concerned that it will have taken so long, that no one will care by the time he’s revealed. Myself included. As it is, it’s another 6 issues until I expect us to know who he is.

The pencils are done by Ian Churchill, but I personally think that they’re sub par after being so used to the always bombastic work from Ed McGuinness. He’s possibly the person most suited to this title and he’s noticeably absent.

Thisis definitely a book for fans of the various Hulks in he Marvel U. But personally, I can’t wait until Blue Hulk(Blulk?) shows up. Check it out in your LCS, but I can’t give it a full recommend.

Verdict: Browse


Incredible Hercules #133

Ever since Herc and Amadeus split up, I was wondering what Marvel’s Boy Wonder was going to do without the titular character to back him up? Why, go on a road trip of course! And what better place than the hometown of the corporation that killed your family? MAKES SENSE RITE?!

It kind of does. He wants answers, and the now ghost town of Excello must be the only place to get them. But while I love The Big Bang Theory, without a proper foil for the smart guy, it’s just brainiac city, and it’s less interesting. To me.

Greg Pak is usually top notch, but this book is not at his best. I honestly think it’s Van Lente bringing him down. And it really pains me to say that. The art, on the other hand, is top notch, and it really popped off the page.

If you’re a fan of Amadeus, I would say pick this up, but if you’re mainly reading it for the dynamic of Herc and Cho, it’s not here. It’s quite a shame really. I can only hope this arc brings real character development to him, and makes him a more 3 dimensional character.

Verdict: pass

New Avengers #56
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Armadillo part of the 50-State Initiative back after Civil War ended? Small nit pick, and I guess it’s NBD, but it’s something that crossed my mind when I saw him in the group of small timer super villains using their numbers to overtake both of the New and Dark Avengers.

It’s clear what the point of this arc is. It’s bringing Mockingbird back into the spotlight to establish her as more than a pretty face, so to speak. And let me say, while her spotlight is brief, Bendis does a great job. She’s clearly a force to be reckoned with. And Immonen, here providing brilliant visuals, knows how to choreograph a stand out action scene.

My only complaint is that this book isn’t even really about The New Avengers. It’s about the Osborn-Sponsored Avengers, and the little snafu he’s having with The Hood’s gang. Loki seems to be sneakily manipulating the game as he/she/it influences every player on the board, and even some not involved.

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I do like that while Bendis again introduces The Sentry only to take him out of play, it’s not because of his frakking mental deficiencies. It’s legit, and only reinforces the stakes involved. I didn’t especially care for the previous issue, but it’s certainly starting to pay off.

Verdict: Browse

Superman #691
If comics have taught me anything, it’s that in-laws are rarely caring individuals. Especially ones that are generals and presumed dead. They’ll do anything to further their goals, not giving one rat crap about how their actions will destory the lives of those around them. Hulk has Gen. Ross, and Superman has the (presumed dead) Gen. Lane.

Things are coming together as to why the entire Superman universe is coming apart at the seams, and it’s all thanks to Lois’ father. He’s doing things that would make Lex blush. Jeebz.

The art is still a bit on the sloppy side. There are times where I can’t tell if it’s Sam Lane in the picture or Renee Zellwegger. It had to be said. Even if I’m insulting the general like that. BURN.

Overall, it’s an excellent issue. The writing is superb, and Robinson is one of the go-to Superman writers. The art brings it down a notch, but not enough to warrant not picking this up.

Sam Lane is still an ass.

Verdict: Buy

Deadpool #14
Sometimes I wonder if Matt and I read the same books. While he didn’t like this book, I thought this was hilarious. It’s Deadpool…as a PIRATE. What’s not to love? The inner dialogue is as zippy as ever, and Bob is one of the best supporting characters in the Marvel U. Just once I want to see Bob die, and inexplicably show up on the next panel with two replacements.

That’s a HYDRA joke. Keep up.

While I thought Daniel Way handles The Merc with a Mouth well, the art leaves a lot to be desired. It reminds me of the Monroe strip in Mad Magazine. And before you ask, that’s NOT a good thing. We see Deadpool without his mask, and I had no idea it was actually him! I mean, he has a scar here and there, but not enough to make him as ugly as he’s billed. While this book gets the “Quote of the Week” from me for “there’s more gold here than at the BET awards!”, the art pushes it down from a buy to a Browse. It’s really ugly. Like…Larry Stroman ugly. and that’s bad. Really bad.

Verdict: Browse


Matthew Meylikhov

Once upon a time, Matthew Meylikhov became the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Multiversity Comics, where he was known for his beard and fondness for cats. Then he became only one of those things. Now, if you listen really carefully at night, you may still hear from whispers on the wind a faint voice saying, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not as bad as everyone says it issss."

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