So let's do this!
Superior Spider-Man #11
Otto Spidey is having a great ol time lately. He recently gave the 'other guy' that was floating around in his subconscious the boot and has been cleaning house all over Manhattan and the greater N.Y city (see recent Avenging Spidey issues) and has also been shown to have a better grasp on Peter Parker's life than Pete ever did himself. So this issue introduces the proverbial spanner to Otto's hot streak by having all his meticulous planning fall short leading to a nice finisher that will be sure to bring back readers for #12.
The dialogue throughout is great and as usual the gold is Otto's own musings and the self conflict that erupts within the villain-now-hero.
His character continues to shake Peter's world and in turn how that world see's Peter/Spider-Man. More and more the ripples of Octavius' actions spread and more and more the hero Spider-Man becomes increasingly complex. I for one hope that Otto's usurping of the mantle has an impact that is felt far into the future of Spider-Man.
Camuncoli's art here is stunning. His version of Peter (Otto-Peter), while still recognizable as the much loved man from Queens, sports a bit of pomp slickness in appearance that communicates Otto's influence perfectly. His pencil work is sharp and well defined. Just check out the one page splash on pg.8 . . . so good. Delgado's colors continue to be perfectly keyed to the tone and help make some panels, especially any involving a fight, come out at the reader a bit more.
A great, well rounded issue by Slott and co.
Score 8/10
All New X-Men #12
This installment of the hottest X title 'now' includes alot of really interesting interactions between one teenage Scott and his adult younger brother Alex plus Jean unintentionally (well she said she didn't mean to but . . . ) finds out why mutants have been having such a hard time lately plus and maybe not so interestingly Mystique and her lot continue to rob banks.
So there is a good bit going on in this issue and the bulk of it is solid with high quality writing from Marvel's main architect; Bendis. The stuff between Scott and Alex alone is wonderful, it really gets ya in the feelz.
Also! also this issue actually starts exactly where the last one ended!! well except for a brief 2 page pov of Alex's.
At this point one must understand that frustration could be felt by some, and I myself have made note in a previous review, that this title's direction isn't clear due to it continually going back over itself and older material and the constant encounters with other super groups and the repeated back and forth all generally revolving around what should be done with the original X-Men; 'they should be sent back asap'etc. All this talking leaves little room for the main characters to move towards a goal. Baby steps are being made in this Issue but the problem is still there.
Immonen continues to amazing panels, he continues to create great image layouts and dynamic panel layouts. Immonen contiues to knock it out of the park. Rain Beredo is the colorist on this issue and does great work but it doesn't differ much from what Gracia had been doing up till now.
Like I said; this issue wins on the Scott/Alex bit alone.
Score 7/10
Age of Ultron #9
This is the second Bendis title being reviewed today and sadly, but maybe expectantly, this is much weaker than ANX-Men.
What can I say about Age of Ultron. Well for a start, and I have mentioned something about this before but, did Ultron decide that this story was a bore and left!? Where the heck is the title antagonist?
The introduction is spent on an alternative universe that has obviously been born die and then the rest of the book goes back to the past where AoU Wolverine and Sue Storm are about to murder Hank Pym to prevent him from building Ultron . . snore . . snore .. oh wait is that another wolverine!! (it's not a spoiler cause it's on the cover!) This other new Wolverine doesn't do anything to help things, if anything his appearance causes the book to slump even further into tedium.
And the answer to all there problems; good god could it be any more lazy!
Awful stuff from one of Marvel's biggest names. Nine issues in and all I can think of is why did I waste my money. I know that I may appear to be verging on unfair ranting but no I'm not. One just has to think of the title, Age of Ultron, and easily imagine how easily awesome it could and should have been.
Peterson and Pacheco continue to split pencils and panels; present and past respectively. They do solid work but can't help this story at all and neither can the inks or the colorist, the editors could have but oh well.
I guess Marvel fans will have to hold out for the inevitable epilogue mini series and probable spin-off on-going to actually get anything from all of this but you really shouldn't support that kind of soulless scheme.
Walk away, just walk away.
Score 4/10
Daredevil: Dark Knights #1
I am going to end on a positive for my Marvel releases and what a high note this is.
'End of Days' has just ended but fans of the Red Devil fear not cause this new series (I'm not sure if it's limited, I'd love if it wasn't) is beautifully written and illustrated by Lee Weeks who does a powerful job delivering an issue that contains plenty of grit and somberness all to the setting of a harsh and intense N.Y blizzard. In fact the setting, the snow blizzard, may well be the star of the show because Weeks has described and drawn such a convincing and engulfing scenario and it plays such a role in why the events unfold as they do. The setting also lends itself to some stand out panels both in terms of image and action.
Writing-wise Weeks goes biblical; quoting the old testament, and while I have issues over this particularly over drawn well I have to say that it is well suited to the Man without Fear and his background which Weeks entwines the holy excerpts into in a convincing fashion. Mixed with the word of God is the many aspects of morality that exist in man that Weeks also deftly shapes within the claustrophobic snow of the storm as D.J's risk freezing to warn of muggings and homeless Samaritan's save lives while people pull guns in hospitals and one man, a man with no sight steps out into the cold white to save one life.
Art wise this packs a lot of power too with smart sketchiness and even smarter panels that it would give the Daredevil on-going a run for it's money. Lee Loughridge's colors bring plenty to the table; never complacent they shift and match the story and spike in boldness at certain dramatic points.
A work of art through and through.
Score 10/10
Astro City #1
This, I am ashamed to say, is the first Astro City issue I have ever read!
On the upside this offers me a chance to do a new-comer review of the much loved series' as it relaunches under the 'Vertigo' banner.
Kurt Busiek, considered a master of comic writing, does what one of his caliber should be able to and balances introducing new readers to the world of Astro City while pleasing regulars by picking up where the title left off a few years back, so no alienation and no boring backstory context setting etc. On this first point alone Busiek and the book deserve much credit because I personally found the book not only inviting but also intriguing through the scope of characters and hints of backstory and weight of history that existed in the world that I know nothing of but maybe returning fans would. All this past did not dissuade because of the smart writing style of Busiek, instead it beckoned one to stay on board, to learn more and to buy the next issue.
The story in the here and now also brings in new blood with some new heroes like American Chibi (the big headed girl on the cover) who gets a few pages to herself. The whole thing is narrated by one character, the Broken Man, who breaks the third wall by addressing the audience and also goes further by acknowledging that he is in a comic book!
This issue's main focus however is a door and the figure that emerges from it, this alien doesn't go unnoticed but only requests a guide to help become familiar with the world it has arrived into. How does the Broken Man know everything that is happening? Who is this visitor and what are it's intentions? Who or what is the Oubor? and what role does Ben Pullam play in all this? All the exciting mystery!
Brett Eric Anderson is on pencils and inks and does a fine job. Excelling in terms of panel layout and image composition Anderson's work fails slightly on close-ups, his faces being slightly bland and, at times, oddly shaped.
A unique title and a big start that dares one to not hold on for #2.
Score 8/10
Earth 2 #13
The newest chapter from James Robinson may just be the most exciting and interesting yet!
The focus of the story is the introduction of the New 52 version of Captain Steel; a Filipino native who had a prototype liquid metal bonded to his frail form and was reborn a super strong, highly durable wonder who has a couple of other abilities that I'm not sure the pre-52 version had.
So Steel has been ordered by the U.S to enter a fire pit left from the great war with Apokolips next to Rio de Janeiro to find out what is going on inside. Meanwhile Hawkgirl gains the attention of some unwanted riders as she moves further with her investigation of Sam's murder. Plus there is a brief and spooky appearance of a certain fellow who showed up in last week's annual (still have to get my hands on a copy!) and a one page splash ending that is very very cool in terms of pencil work but also drops a shocking reveal of an evil lurking within the fire pit.
Robinson is on ace form with his writing. It is a well balanced read that flows effortlessly from background info to climactic suspense to the edge-of-you're-seat ending. Not a panel too wordy. Just perfect which just makes it upsetting that the man is leaving the title soon.
The art is also really exciting. Cinar is so well tuned into what this title is about. His images just strike the mark in terms of edginess and dynamic compositions with full panels that are all well laid out and all are clear and easy to follow. Kudos to Pete Pantazis on colors, who brings solidity to each image with slick reds and bluesand great changing hues to some of the panels that really set the tone.
The best yet just wish there was more pages so they could fit in The Flash, Fate and GL.
Score 8/10
I must apologize, I think last week I referred to this but mistakenly called it Tales of the Dark Knight. So sorry to confuse.The focus of the story is the introduction of the New 52 version of Captain Steel; a Filipino native who had a prototype liquid metal bonded to his frail form and was reborn a super strong, highly durable wonder who has a couple of other abilities that I'm not sure the pre-52 version had.
So Steel has been ordered by the U.S to enter a fire pit left from the great war with Apokolips next to Rio de Janeiro to find out what is going on inside. Meanwhile Hawkgirl gains the attention of some unwanted riders as she moves further with her investigation of Sam's murder. Plus there is a brief and spooky appearance of a certain fellow who showed up in last week's annual (still have to get my hands on a copy!) and a one page splash ending that is very very cool in terms of pencil work but also drops a shocking reveal of an evil lurking within the fire pit.
Robinson is on ace form with his writing. It is a well balanced read that flows effortlessly from background info to climactic suspense to the edge-of-you're-seat ending. Not a panel too wordy. Just perfect which just makes it upsetting that the man is leaving the title soon.
The art is also really exciting. Cinar is so well tuned into what this title is about. His images just strike the mark in terms of edginess and dynamic compositions with full panels that are all well laid out and all are clear and easy to follow. Kudos to Pete Pantazis on colors, who brings solidity to each image with slick reds and bluesand great changing hues to some of the panels that really set the tone.
The best yet just wish there was more pages so they could fit in The Flash, Fate and GL.
Score 8/10
Legends of the Dark Knight #9
This issue is split into two stories. The first and longest is dedicated to an unspecified encounter between the Batman and Scarecrow. The twisted doctor has a new hallucinogen for the crusader and what follows is Wayne's attempts to discern reality from illusion as he is faced with a most tragic nightmare. A fine example of Batman's quick mindedness and resolve but also a peek into a hovering future most bleak. Well written by Christos Cage, this tale is written with all the emotional weight and desperation that the nightmare needs to really be felt.
Jeremy Raapck's pencils and panels do the job and even standout on some pages where panels have been very smartly positioned and close-ups on faces are perfectly keyed to the right expression. The colors like the outline are good if a bit too bright at times but work best during the close-up conversation panels.
The second story is my favorite. It's a simple one about Batman trying to catch up with Catwoman mid burglary and one trying to outsmart the other. Simple but clever and a lot of fun with some highly enjoyable panels. Better still is the art which is beautifully done by Stephane Roux, outline, colors, inks, the lot all beautifully done with plenty of exceptional panels that all work neatly together and never get cluttered.
A fun issue that may have done even better if the focus on the stories had been reversed.
Score 7/10
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