Hey everyone. Here is the reviews for last week's releases. I missed out on some good stuff especially Earth 2's annual so not too much to get through.
X-Men #1
Let's start off with a strong one from Marvel. This latest Marvel Now/X title has been well advertised and much has been expected from the star pairing of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel.
The issue has plenty going for it and delivers on what fans wanted; a highly intriguing intro built upon by a mix of believable mutant school antics, the return of an old favorite (with a highly endearing guest in toe), some smooth x vet action involving a train and a nice twist at the end. What more can you ask for?
Coipel's pencil work and layouts are on the mark. His panels are perfectly arranged to suit the building momentum of the story and even though nothing as epic as a the battle from New Ultimates (for e.g) is happening, to his credit, Coipel never lets the energy lag making the finish more satisfying than it may have been without him. Pencil wise he brings the usual style that is much loved. With an all female cast one can imagine that Coipel must be actively trying to avoid making them look too similar (every penciller has a recognizable way of drawing faces) and he succeeds . . . most of the time but this is me being nitpicky so don't let it put you off. Laura Martin is the colorist and is, as always, making the pages come to life with the perfect range of color to make the book dynamic and pleasing to flick through.
I don't think I've been as satisfied with an X book in a long time, in fact this one stirred memories of Jim Lee's stuff in the 90's which for me means a lot cause it's the reason I got into the X-Men in the first place!
Score 9/10
Wolverine and the X-Men #30
So now for the second X-title that I picked up this week. I have to admit I dropped this ages ago, whenever they went to the circus, and I haven't bothered with it since because it never stood out until now because this issue is pegged as the prologue to The Hellfire Saga!
Aaron is still at the helm but this is far from his best at the mo (see Thor instead!!), rather than being a compelling start to an enticing event this prologue is a predictable read whose parts are more entertaining than the overall story.
Yes, in it's favor, there are stand out segments to the book including a true to form moment between Kid Omega and a Bamf and the ending is decent but it's let down by the parts dedicated to Beast and Broo which are obvious in there result and include one of the most badly named unknown villains ever. Worse still is the intro which is such a waste of time that one of the characters involved says so word for word.
The art is annoying. There are 3 pencillers involved and I don't recognize each by they're style but the art on the first 2 pages is not great. The panel layout is static and the expression on the two heroes don't match the situation that they are in plus the colors don't work with the pencil style.
The rest of the pencil work is good but all momentum is lost when the artwork changes with a page turn. Overall the colors are sufficient but not adding anything to the page and at times the lack of color shading is too much.
A disappointment overall, really, especially when I thought that this 'saga' was going to bring me back on board WatXM.
Score 5/10
New Avengers #6
This is a man's world. At least it feels that way when you look at 7 powerful and brilliant men taking the fate of countless planets into their own hands and like to keep a blanch skinned beauty in a perspex prison!! but just like the song this issue would be nothing without this woman, curiously named the Black Swan, it is her character that stands out from the rest. Story wise she is also essential as the Illuminati must now turn to her to help them avert the next incursion. On top of this she is there to explain all the sci-fi jumbo to both readers and avengers alike.
This issue was pegged to be the one where the band of heroes must destroy a planet to save their own! Exciting!! but absolutely unexciting is what actually unfolds inside (stupid misleading beautiful cover). The action here culminates in a new complication in the ongoing collisions of all realities and the introduction of new villains whose motivation is old hat and whose design is completely forgettable but in among this meh is an old adversary whose involvement in the incursions is anything but dull.
Regardless of the level of questionable action taken by the Avengers, Hickman does still instill a sense of moral compromise and a reminder of what a 'hero' is or isn't through compelling dialogue from the books stars.
The art by Epting continues to meet the tone of the story. Simple panel layouts with epicness inside; a nice contrast of grand figures and bleak surroundings all of which is aided by D'Armata's well paired colors that shift when needed to match the mood.
A lot of good here but it's let itself down with a mediocre climax.
Score 7/10
Avenging Spider-Man #21
The Chameleon Sanction Part 2/2!
So for some unknown reason Superior Spidey goes after The Chameleon who is hold up on a S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier and just as he makes his move a bunch of old KGB/Soviet types along with a super powered pair called Th Saints also bust on board to kill the Russian impersonator. So now we're all up to date.
As with part 1, this month's installment is highly enjoyable with stellar pencil and ink work by Marco Checchetto who really packs in alot in every panel, the guy could give Hitch a run for his money.
Story wise this is all out action and entertainment from Yost who hasn't failed yet at nailing exactly what one imagines Superior Spider-Man is all about. Smart. fun with a couple of epic pages and a zinger ending and readers don't have much to complain about.
I hope that Spidey's behavior isn't simply forgotten after this issue because Ock was overtly suspicious at times and unfortunately the 'new' Nick Fury was always there to be a dupe and play it down. The man is meant to be the new Nick Fury!! Yeah right. In this issue he was way too trusting and dismissive. This out of character portrayal of Fury Jr. is the books only real flaw and can be ignored.
The art shines through and the ending gets the eyebrows raised!! Success.
Score 8/10
Adventures of Superman #1
The latest Superman title from D.C, this originally was released digitally but I like to get stuff in print for various reasons soooo how does it fare?
The main story by Jeff Parker is great. It is straight up classic Superman and I don't just mean the costume. This is the Man of Steel self propelled to the fore of a situation he must remedy asap.
The action is all age friendly but doesn't let itself fall into feathered conflict and over zealous moral lessons, it instead moves fast into a predicament that, typically, Superman cannot deal with and the fun ensues with a laugh out loud moment that leaves physics (I am bearing in mind that it's Superman) a few blocks behind.
The pencils and inks by Samnee are full of energy and are spot on for the story with some great panels that capture Superman's ability and character perfectly. Plus the cover by Samnee is awesome, the chains make one believe this may have been for 'Unchained'. The colors by Wilson are ideal and give the images an animated feel like you could see this same art on t.v.
The two other stories drop the ball quite a bit in comparison to Parker's. The second is pointless. I can't decide who it was targeting. Kids? Why? If kids wanted to look at playing superman in a make believe game then they'd just go out and do it. Adults? To induce endearment, nostalgia? It fails in this respect because the the ending and subsequent point of the story is both too simple and yet agitates a bunch of nerdish questions in opposition to the end. All endearment would be lost on any D.C reader.
Also the art is beyond the type considered pleasing in it's childlike naiveté, i.e it's just childlike.
The last story is a bit better with Supes confronting Bizarro. Superman's solution to Bizarro is frustratingly simple that it renders previous encounters with the antagonist moot but you still have to laugh at it. The art does the job, it suits the story but fails to push the pages in any interesting direction.
This may possibly be Superman's answer to ToTDK but it'll have to be more consistent if it wants to be considered on par.
Score 7/10
Batman The Dark Knight Annual #1
This is a successful change of scene for this done in one annual by Greg Hurwitz and illustrated by Szymon Kudranski. It stars 3 of Batman's classic foes who are mysteriously brought together on a Halloween night in a well known and eerie location. What follows is insightful, at times unsettling and hilarious.
Like so many annuals, this one is not what one would call essential. Don't get me wrong, it's really entertaining but it's not pushing the Bat or his world in any degree. Instead it leaves all current events behind for an unknown time and focuses on 3 villains with plenty of baggage. Readers are treated to a story that moves effortlessly between lightheartedness to darker moments that remind one why these people are who they are. The dialogue is also fluid with conversations moving from shared jokes to insane outbursts.
Best of all is the ending which is expected but never the less succeeds to bring a smile to you're face.
The linework is beautiful with just the right amount of noir and gothic in it's style to match the setting plus the villains are spot on. The panels are always changing in layout from page to page making a really engaging read. The shift from delusion and reality is not always succesful and the large patches of black doesn't help and the close up on Bruce's face is not good, massive fish lips. For the most part the Colorist helps bring the eeriness out from the page but sometimes the amount of black takes away from a panel that would have benefited from more space for color.
A nice one off that plays up on the myth of Batman and how he is perceived.
Score 8/10
Justice League of America #4
Things are kicked into high gear as Catwoman successfully infiltrates the lair of The Secret Society!
The JLA make their move and all does not go as planned.
Everything you could want from a team book like this is here as this issue pulls a couple threads forward while still holding back on who the mastermind of the Society is and what their goals are plus a house busting battle breaks out.
While only on #4 Geoff Johns drops character development in favor of action with very little in the way of pathos being touched on which is a shame because the team offers plenty in interesting relationships and a sense of 'gelling' together is still nowhere to be found in the series. Action speaks louder I suppose but even so the dialogue is mainly comprised of one or another character stating what they are about to do in that panel or the following and added to this is a slew of shallow one liners that belittle good characters that deserve more.
It's with the villains that interest prevails! A fast expanding society offers intrigue with it's cast of members while the shadowy leader holds centre stage simply by holding back his reasons and his identity. It should also be mentioned that a certain Dr. Arthur Light's involvement in this issue is also well executed being convincingly tied into the immediate plot of the Secret Society.
Th ending is a surprise but doesn't hold up for any who know Catwoman in the New 52, more interesting will be the response of a certain winged mammal themed person and why this is exactly what the Society want!
Brett Booth's art is so cool! There is no better word for it!. It's slick, real flashy but well defined pencil work and he doesn't let the images overrule the panels. The colorist, Andrew Dalhouse, does a fine job but some pages have a strange hue to the colors like a light mist is covering the page.
Lot's to enjoy and lot's still wrong here. The ending is grabbing enough to keep this reader for another issue.
Score 7/10
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