Welcome to the new and improved review set up on Multiversity. I was away last week so wasn’t here for the launch of the new way of doing thing, so bear with me. It’s simple, and our rating system is below:
0: Uwe Boll will direct the adaptation of this comic
0.1 – 1: Burn upon touching
1- 1.9: Abysmal
2.0 – 2.9: Art. Writing. Editing. All bad.
3.0 – 3.9: You’d be a masochist to pick this up.
4.0 – 4.9: “I’ll give it another month…but that was not good.”
5.0 – 5.9: “Really? The Watcher? In the face? I guess it was fun.”
6.0 – 6.9: “Hmm. That was decent.”
7.0 – 7.9: Well made but a few problems
8.0 – 8.9: Nearly flawless
9.0 – 9.9: Outstanding
10: Perfection. Issue of the year contender
This week I’m reviewing the Green Lantern #55, milestone Wonder Woman #600, Captain America #607, and Thor #611. A nice mix of the big two if I say so myself. I’m actually thinking I took Matt’s books, because there are a couple books starring cats! It’s an odd feeling to say the least.
Green Lantern #55
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Doug Mahnke
Format: FC, 32 pg.
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale: June 30, 2010
Price: $2.99
BRIGHTEST DAY marches on as the Main Man, Lobo, goes head-to-head with Red Lantern Atrocitus — with Hal Jordan caught in the middle! It doesn’t get more brutal than this! Plus, Hector Hammond returns… to join the new Guardians?
This month’s Green Lantern felt like it used to. While there is still little to no secret identity or real life for Hal here, the quality has been upped back to the level it was at during and before Blackest Night. That’s not to say it had been bad, but it wasn’t as GOOD. But it’s back, and thankfully so.
Geoff Johns’ seems to be back on the right track, telling his Brightest Day opus, complete with everyone’s favorite Intergalactic bounty hunter who can somehow breathe in space: Lobo. Maybe it was the addition of Lobo which caused the unusual amounts of joy, but it was awesome.
And that’s not even mentioning Doug Mahnke’s artwork. The man is a god, and has been at the top of his game for what seems like forever. The action scenes are incredible and it proves what a gifted storyteller he really is. But you probably already knew that. The guy’s crazy talented, and there’s a reason he’s on one of the biggest books on the market right now.
And that brings me to the back-up feature starring everyone’s favorite rage kitty Dex-Starr.
Goddammit.
That’s all I can say about the back-up feature, telling us Dex-Starr’s origin for the first time. I have a soft spot for animals and Dex here had one of the saddest origins I’ve ever read. Of course he’s angry. He’s completely justified. Jesus. Geoff Johns, I hate you for making me feel FEELINGS. And damn you Shawn Davis for capturing them so well and showing us how sweet Dexter was before the strife that entered his world and turned him into what could best be described as a monster.
Final Verdict: 8.5
Wonder Woman #600
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, GEOFF JOHNS, GAIL SIMONE & others
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, PHIL JIMENEZ, JOE MADUREIRA & others
Format: FC, 56pg.
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale: June 30, 2010
Price: $4.99
Continued belowYou’re invited to the gala celebration featuring WONDER WOMAN talent from the past and present to commemorate this landmark issue! Renumbered to reflect Wonder Woman’s starring role in 600 issues, this book features the industry’s top talent – including Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, George Perez, Gail Simone, Joe Madureira and more! Plus, readers won’t want to miss a chance to check out the exciting, all-new direction for the Wonder Woman universe as new ongoing writer J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN, BRAVE AND THE BOLD, Amazing Spider-Man) provides a story of his own!
Today marks a milestone for everyone’s favorite superhero from Paradise Island. No, it’s not that she hit the big #600 (although she doesn’t look a day over #200), she now owns pants! How about that? Oh, what’s that you say? The most important thing is the story you say? Oh, I hadn’t realized that, I’m too concerned with how different Diana looks!
Now that I have the sarcasm out of the way, let’s get down to business. The book is your standard milestone faire, with the end of the previous arc (which I really wish I had read, it actually looked awesome) penned by staff favorite Gail Simone (another reason I should have read it…) with a guest artist in George Perez! How about that? What follows are a bunch of guest appearances from some of the industry’s favorites, from Amanda Conner (whose cat-centric submission is absolutely adorable, and THE highlight of the book) to Geoff Johns to the new scribe J. Michael Straczynski. While none of it is absolutely Earth shatteringly amazing, it’s a solid way to feature a character that everyone knows but not enough people care about.
But now that we’re entrenched in the new reign of JMS, let’s focus on the beginning of his arc.
To be honest, it wasn’t terrible, but at the same time, it felt like the Marvel-ing of the iconic DC character. Her new costume, when it debuted, smacked me of Bendis and the New Avengers (not that that’s a bad thing), as it reminded me of something Mockingbird would wear on patrol. The writing isn’t much different. Diana is now a street level hero, fighting faceless baddies and leaving her mark on their cheek. I can only hope that the W imprinted n the guys check isn’t permanent. This is definitely for fans of Marvel and Bendis, and I think DC knew that.
Final Verdict: 7.0
Captain America 607
COVER BY: Marko Djurdjevic
WRITER: Ed Brubaker
Sean McKeever
PENCILS: David Baldeon
Butch Guice
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Format: FC, 40pg.
Price: $3.99
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE! Zemo and Bucky — two characters linked through history whether they like it or not. And now Zemo has set his sights on Bucky and plans to destroy our new Captain America one step at a time. Part 2 of the senses-shattering “No Escape” arc will rock Bucky’s world to the core! Brought to you by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.
Continuing Baron Zemo’s return to badness and his obsession with Bucky Barnes, the new Captain America, seems to be at the end of his rope already. Falcon is in the hospital and Bucky is hallucinating, seeing Nazis where there are police. It’s not a fun time for our new Star Spangled Sentinel, and Zemo is loving it.
I blasted the last issue because it came off as boring and not really meshing with this “Heroic Age” concept. Well, thankfully, this issue was better, but not by THAT much. I’m not really a fan of the idea of making Bucky look like a crazy person among the populace, especially since the current Baron Zemo had grown into a somewhat heroic figure, but now he’s inexplicably evil again. Is it because we have a new Cap to match the new Zemo? It’s not really known.
I’m not the biggest fan of the art either. It’s fine, but it’s too dark for my taste. I like Captain America to be bright and shiny. Here it’s drab, and I just can’t connect.
Overall, the book just isn’t my thing. I want to like it, but I’m just not feeling it.
Final Verdict: 6.5 – Browse
THOR #611
Written by Kieron Gillen
Pencils by Richard Elson
Cover by Mico Suayan
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Format: FC, 40pg.
Price: $3.99
Continued belowJust days after the SIEGE, the best-selling, fan-favorite THOR written by Kieron Gillen continues…and the God of Thunder goes to Hell! The war dead of Asgard are not resting easily. How did Loki contrive to rob these departed heroes, even in death? What do the wandering spirits want now…and what will they do to get it? The events of SIEGE, THOR and SIEGE: LOKI have profound repercussions!
Well, not really. But he’s heading there. Mephisto is back and he’s causing a ruckus. He, along with some demons from the Asgardian underworld are looking to usurp the souls of the Asgardian dead following the Siege. In turn, Hela asks for Balder and his kingdom for help and there you go.
Kieron Gillen has an unfortunate task. Originally taking over Thor initially just for Siege, his tenure was lengthened due to Matt Fraction was unable to take over for a few months.
It’s not a bad arc in the least, but I get the nagging feeling that it is quite literally just filler, and one Fraction takes over, there will be little to no consequences felt from this arc. It’s kind of fun, though.
The art is what really made me like it though. It’s improved since the original arc with Gillen and it has that mythic feel to it. I loved how Elson kept the gods very godlike. It’s appropriate, as they are…godlike.
It’s a decent story but I don’t see anything coming from this, other than an enjoyable read. If you like Thor or Kieren Gillen, pick it up, if you’re waiting for Fraction, I don’t think you’ll miss much.
Final Verdict: 7.0 – Buy
