I feel like every week I call one of the books I review “one of my favorites” or “at the top of my reading list,” so I thought it would only be fair to just tell you up front what my ten favorite books of the moment are. Mind you this list is subject to change at the drop of a hat (or the first issue of Fear Itself.) Ok so, my top ten reads, with #1 being my current favorite:
10. Flash-DC
The new adventures of the fastest man alive by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul
9. S.H.I.E.I.L.D.-Marvel
A high concept series that reveals the secret history of the Marvel Universe through the eyes of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Leonardo DaVinci, Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo, Nathan Ridchards, and Howard Stark. By Johnathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver.
8. Secret Avengers-Marvel
The current status quo of the Marvel Universe sees Steve Rogers in charge of world security, and he enforces it with his black ops team of clandestine Avengers.
By Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato Jr.
7. iZombie-Vertigo
A delightfully quirky and charming mature readers series following the adventures of a Zombie detective and her group of undead friends. By Chris Roberson and Mike Allred.
6. Avengers Academy-Marvel
A training program where the Avengers with the most personnal baggage try to steer at risk teen heroes towards the path of good. By Christos Gage and Mike McKone
5. Invincible Iron Man-Marvel
Tony Stark attempts to put the shambles of his life back together after losing everything, and he’s doing so by reinventing the wheel (or more specifically the electric car). By Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca
4. Uncanny X-Men-Marvel
Cyclops leads a mutant nation towards an uncertain future, featuring a cast of everyone who has ever been affiliated with any sort of X team. By Matt Fraction, Kiernon Gillen, Terry Dodson, and Greg Land.
3. Fantastic Four-Marvel
The adventures of Marvel’s first family of adventurers and explorers, now reeling from the death of one of their own. By Johnathan Hickman and Steve Epting
2. Green Lantern-DC
Green Lantern Hal Jordan forges an alliance with the leaders of the various other lantern corps in order to confront a powerful and mysterious new adversary. By Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke
1. Batman Inc.-DC
Bruce Wayne is back, and he is traveling the world to recruit and train an international network of bat affiliated super heroes. By Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette
So there you have it, hopefully that will give you a better sense of my tastes and preferences, as well as some ideas for some great books to check out.
Now then. Reviews.
The Invincible Iron Man #500.1
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larocca
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say that I believe this is the first published issue of Marvel's new .1 initiative. Their plan is to do a standalone .1 issues of some of their most popular titles. It is their most recent tilt at the windmill that is acquiring new readers. I've seen a lot of similar attempts over the years, and while I'm unsure if they ever succeed in bringing in new readers, (I tend to doubt it), they usually mean an issue long boring rehash of the protagonist's origin and recent adventures for those who have been reading all along.
Granted this time around Marvel has put their A list up to the task, with most of the .1 books being written by the series's regular creative team, and a few genius fill ins (Alright, call me a hypocrite, but I'm genuinely excited for Nick Spencer's Secret Avengers 12.1).
Opening up the most recent issue of Iron Man I got half of what I expected. Yes it was a rehash issue, featuring Tony at an AA meeting recounting his life, minus the specific details, to a group of strangers. And it was a phenomenal read. Fraction has such a way with words. He is the freshest, most unique, and natural voice in comics today. Fraction reveals Tony's perspective on the events we all know so well, letting us in on Tony's self reflections, analysis, and mini reveals, and does so by diving away from the cliches and the standard rhetoric we've come to expect from such tales, (both AA meetings and super hero origin). Larocca proves he is up to the task of packing a lifetime into these pages without the art becoming too cluttered or confusing, and I really like how he altered his style slightly for the flashback sequences.
And to top it all off, Fraction and Larocca also give us a MAJOR plot development, and tease the coming year's worth of storylines. Invincible Iron Man is such a phenomenal book, and if what came before was the low gear, then the next year's worth of stories will truly be something to remember. For once, I'm really pulling for Marvel's new reader friendly initiative, because the time to start reading Invincible Iron Man was three years ago. But that's ok. Marvel is giving you a chance to get on board now.
Grade: A-
Amazing Spider-Man #653
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Spider-Man faces off against Alyster Smythe, the Scorpion, and an army of Spider Slayers intent on killing Mayor J. Jonah Jameson's loved ones in front of him. This is an action heavy issue, so it feels a little bit slower paced than the roller coast ride that the past few issues of the new status quo has felt like.
Stefano Caselli brings his A game, and as we knew he would ever since he drew those Spidey guest appearances back in early issues of Avengers: The Initiative, he is just crushing it on this title. His style is very fluid, and I really like how he draws Spider-Man, returning that lithe and slightly creepy look that Ditko was known for.
The action is enjoyable, but Slott's writing sometimes feels a little bit too old school for its own good. Don't get me wrong, I love what he's done to propel the title and Peter himself forward, by giving Peter a new career and new supporting cast members, and I do like most of the nostalgic elements he's returned, such as classic villains, and fan favorite supporting characters. However Slott's exposition heavy style and cringe inducing jokes need to be toned down before this title can truly shine.
Grade: B-
iZombie #10
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Mike Allred
Gwen is dead. She hangs out in a cemetery. Her best friends are a ghost and a were-terrier. Her mentor is a mummy. Every so often she needs to eat a brain. If she doesn't she'll turn into a mindless, shambling zombie. When she eats a brain she absorbs the memories and last desires of the departed, and does not know peace until she finishes what they left unfinished.
Her life is getting a lot more complicated what with the roguishly handsome demon hunter who rode into town on the trail of a bunch of vampires who run a paintball course, and the Bride of Frankenstein buying bodies from the city morgue. Oh, also the spirit of the were-terrier's grandfather has settled into a Chimpanzee.
It is a testament to the strength of these two creators that even two relatively quiet, set-up issues in a row have not diminished my love for this incredibly original and engaging book. Roberson and Allred have taken the horror/monster genre that is being so callously abused by others these days, and done something new and wonderful with it. Gwen's world is fascinating, fun, and suspenseful.
I hadn't read much of Chris Roberson before this, but I look forward to continuing to watch his career, this guy is gonna be a house name superstar in no time. And for those of you who do not know the inimitable Mike Allred, please, google him, check out his work, and let his clean, zany, pop style mesmerize you.
I know I recommend every book I review, but this is the one I recommend above all others. If you have any passing interest in comics, zombies, horror movies, detective stories, drama, or talking monkeys, you really need to pick up this book. I truly believe that iZombie has something to be enjoyed by all audiences. Get in on the ground floor of something special, that will be fondly remembered by cult followings for years and years to come. If for no other reason than I would be heartbroken if it were cancelled.
Grade: A-
Brightest Day #19
Publsher: DC
Writer: Geoff Johns & Peter Tomasi
Artist: Ivan Reis
Aquaman and Deadman take center stage this time around, and Brightest Day continues its surprising streak of winners. This issue kicks off with a quick check in with Deadman, who is in shock after the white ring he wears vaporized Hawkman and Hawkgirl and informs him it must do the same of Aquaman, Firestorm, and Martian Manhunter if the Earth is to survive the coming crisis.
We then dive right into Aquawar, with Aquaman and the new Aqualad defending the shores of a tropical resort against the invading armies of the Atlantean Penal Colony that had been locked away in the Bermuda Triangle.
There have been some hints, but after this issue, I need rock solid confirmation. This creative team needs to do an Aquaman ongoing series when all is said and done. And they need to bring Aspen MLT's Peter Steigerwald along for the ride as the book's colorist, cuz this issue is GORGEOUS!
The book ends with Black Manta once again proving what a bad ass he is by slicing off Aquaman's hand (poor guy can't catch a break, but I have to admit, I always liked the harpoon handed version best). This is gonna be one bloody brutal showdown next issue.
Grade: B+
Read more Chris' Comics Corner here
Showing posts with label Iron Man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iron Man. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Chris' Comics Corner
So. Anyone heard any news about The Dark Knight Rises recently?
And as a quick note to anyone who is getting their rage on over Bane being the villain of the new bat flick, let me assure you that the Bane from the comics was a calculating master strategist, who was a worthy opponent for Batman both physically and mentally. In his first confrontation with Batman, Bane unleashed the inmates of Arkham and allowed Batman to wear himself out recapturing them. He then DEDUCES Batman's secret identity, lays in wait for him at Wayne Manor, and in the ensuing battle, breaks Batman's spine.
The hulking monstrosity from the cringe worthy (yet excellent drinking game fodder) Batman & Robin was a ridiculous interpretation of a truly terrifying Bat villain. Bane will definitely work within the universe Nolan has created, and I can't wait to see Tom Hardy's portrayal of the character.
Ok. Onto reviews.
Avengers Academy #8
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Mike McKone
I really, really like this book. Despite the fact that it is the only core Avengers title not written by one of Marvel's architects, a title Marvel has given to five of their most prolific writers, this series is consistently one of my top ten reads.
During Norman Osborn's time as head of U.S. security, he discovered, captured, experimented on, and tortured numerous adolescent super humans in an effort to help them fully realize their powers and so he could bolster the ranks of his super human army. After defeating Osborn, the Avengers informed six of these teenagers that they had the potential to one day become full fledged Avengers, and invited them to train at a newly opened facility called the Avengers Academy under the guidance of, as I call them, the most interesting team in comics: Giant Man, Tigra, Quicksilver, Justice, and Speedball.
The students quickly discover that the Avengers lied to them. These six were not selected because they show the most promise to become the next generation of super heroes, they were selected because their psych evaluations raised numerous red flags, and the Avengers saw a high potential of them growing up to become super villains if they did not step in to offer guidance.
This issue opens with the students discovering that the video of the Hood, the super-villain kingpin of crime, mercilessly ambushing Tigra in her home and beating her senseless has been leaked onto the internet. Tigra is forced to confront her darkest hour made public, while a handful of the students decide to disobey the orders of their instructors and sneak out of the Academy to find the Hood and get some pay back.
The connecting theme for the protagonists of this series is damage. The instructors were all chosen because of the personal tragedies they have experienced and the egregious mistakes they have made. This group can relate to the troubled students because at one point or another in their careers as heroes, they have all hit rock bottom and now they are trying to be better. The real fight in this book isn't against the various villains the heroes face, it's for the souls of their charges, and this issue sees a major step back on the path to heroism for several students, leading to Tigra making a startling proclamation at the end of the issue.
This book has so much going for it! Great writing, Phenomenal art, a killer hook, and best of all, each issue is self contained, (aside from the sub plots that carry over from month to month). I defy you to show me another book that tells a more satisfying, complete single issue story on a regular monthly basis. While it might not sell as well as the other Avengers titles, Avengers Academy is definitely the best of the bunch.
Grade: A-
Invincible Iron Man #500
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca, Kano, Nathan Fox, Carmine Di Giandomenico
This milestone, phone book sized celebration of everything Iron Man takes place in two time periods, the present, where Tony Stark teams up with Spider-Man to recover the plans for a doomsday weapon he designed but can't remember much about due to his recent memory wipe, and the future, where Stark and his descendants face a nightmare world upon which said weapon was unleashed.
While it is a satisfying read, I can't help but feel that this issue mostly teased at the bigger picture of things to come without offering any truly new developments or insights that weren't beats that this creative team has already hit. Don't get me wrong, it was a great issue, and this being the second time it's happened, I can only hope that Fraction intends to make the Iron Man/Spider-Man team up an annual event in his book, because under his pen it is a winning combination! (I especially love that throughout the fight against a group of anarchist terrorists who have named themselves after a deceased villain named Stilts Man, Spider-Man continually remarks that despite the fact that Stilts Man was a bank robber and a moron, he was actually a sweet guy and would've hated everything the terrorists stood for.) And I don't think I'm alone in demanding that Marvel make Salvador Larroca an offer he can't refuse to get him on a Spider-Man title as soon as he finishes his run on Iron Man.
Invincible Iron Man is the smartest and highest quality book Marvel is currently publishing. The only fault I can level against it is that sometimes the pacing can be infuriating as I think was the case with this issue, which, while it was a great read, made me more excited for what's to come, rather than the actual book I was holding in my hands, which wouldn't normally be a problem for me, except for the fact that this was such an important milestone issue.
Grade: B+
Buffy The Vampire Slayer #40
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: Georges Jeanty
This is the one that I know for a fact that several people who read this blog are actually following so I'm gonna try to be as non spoilery as possible, forgive my vagueness.
After almost a year's worth of issues where the action geared up fast and never looked back, the finale to Joss Whedon's Season 8 finally stops, takes a deep breath, and examines how these characters have changed and where they are headed. It's a bitter and sad ending. So much was lost at the end of last issue, it's hard to disagree with the characters who angrily assert that the world is less bright.
Buffy makes the rounds checking in with most of the surviving characters, revealing new status quos and hinting at future plot lines. We don't really take a lot of time to see the characters reacting to the deaths of major players, but I think that's ok as the ramifications of these losses will likely play a major role in the upcoming Season 9. While the guest writers have all done a great job at capturing the voices of these characters, it's always nice to see the master back at the helm, I especially loved the dialogue in the exchange between Buffy and Spike, which added a much needed bit of comic relief and a nice examination of how their relationship has evolved.
As a fan I do mourn both the characters lost, and the changes to the world of BTVS, however from a plot perspective I understand why these decisions were made, and I am very excited to see where we go from here.
Grade: A-
Read more Chris' Comics Corner here
And as a quick note to anyone who is getting their rage on over Bane being the villain of the new bat flick, let me assure you that the Bane from the comics was a calculating master strategist, who was a worthy opponent for Batman both physically and mentally. In his first confrontation with Batman, Bane unleashed the inmates of Arkham and allowed Batman to wear himself out recapturing them. He then DEDUCES Batman's secret identity, lays in wait for him at Wayne Manor, and in the ensuing battle, breaks Batman's spine.
The hulking monstrosity from the cringe worthy (yet excellent drinking game fodder) Batman & Robin was a ridiculous interpretation of a truly terrifying Bat villain. Bane will definitely work within the universe Nolan has created, and I can't wait to see Tom Hardy's portrayal of the character.
Ok. Onto reviews.
Avengers Academy #8
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Mike McKone
I really, really like this book. Despite the fact that it is the only core Avengers title not written by one of Marvel's architects, a title Marvel has given to five of their most prolific writers, this series is consistently one of my top ten reads.
During Norman Osborn's time as head of U.S. security, he discovered, captured, experimented on, and tortured numerous adolescent super humans in an effort to help them fully realize their powers and so he could bolster the ranks of his super human army. After defeating Osborn, the Avengers informed six of these teenagers that they had the potential to one day become full fledged Avengers, and invited them to train at a newly opened facility called the Avengers Academy under the guidance of, as I call them, the most interesting team in comics: Giant Man, Tigra, Quicksilver, Justice, and Speedball.
The students quickly discover that the Avengers lied to them. These six were not selected because they show the most promise to become the next generation of super heroes, they were selected because their psych evaluations raised numerous red flags, and the Avengers saw a high potential of them growing up to become super villains if they did not step in to offer guidance.
This issue opens with the students discovering that the video of the Hood, the super-villain kingpin of crime, mercilessly ambushing Tigra in her home and beating her senseless has been leaked onto the internet. Tigra is forced to confront her darkest hour made public, while a handful of the students decide to disobey the orders of their instructors and sneak out of the Academy to find the Hood and get some pay back.
The connecting theme for the protagonists of this series is damage. The instructors were all chosen because of the personal tragedies they have experienced and the egregious mistakes they have made. This group can relate to the troubled students because at one point or another in their careers as heroes, they have all hit rock bottom and now they are trying to be better. The real fight in this book isn't against the various villains the heroes face, it's for the souls of their charges, and this issue sees a major step back on the path to heroism for several students, leading to Tigra making a startling proclamation at the end of the issue.
This book has so much going for it! Great writing, Phenomenal art, a killer hook, and best of all, each issue is self contained, (aside from the sub plots that carry over from month to month). I defy you to show me another book that tells a more satisfying, complete single issue story on a regular monthly basis. While it might not sell as well as the other Avengers titles, Avengers Academy is definitely the best of the bunch.
Grade: A-
Invincible Iron Man #500
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca, Kano, Nathan Fox, Carmine Di Giandomenico
This milestone, phone book sized celebration of everything Iron Man takes place in two time periods, the present, where Tony Stark teams up with Spider-Man to recover the plans for a doomsday weapon he designed but can't remember much about due to his recent memory wipe, and the future, where Stark and his descendants face a nightmare world upon which said weapon was unleashed.
While it is a satisfying read, I can't help but feel that this issue mostly teased at the bigger picture of things to come without offering any truly new developments or insights that weren't beats that this creative team has already hit. Don't get me wrong, it was a great issue, and this being the second time it's happened, I can only hope that Fraction intends to make the Iron Man/Spider-Man team up an annual event in his book, because under his pen it is a winning combination! (I especially love that throughout the fight against a group of anarchist terrorists who have named themselves after a deceased villain named Stilts Man, Spider-Man continually remarks that despite the fact that Stilts Man was a bank robber and a moron, he was actually a sweet guy and would've hated everything the terrorists stood for.) And I don't think I'm alone in demanding that Marvel make Salvador Larroca an offer he can't refuse to get him on a Spider-Man title as soon as he finishes his run on Iron Man.
Invincible Iron Man is the smartest and highest quality book Marvel is currently publishing. The only fault I can level against it is that sometimes the pacing can be infuriating as I think was the case with this issue, which, while it was a great read, made me more excited for what's to come, rather than the actual book I was holding in my hands, which wouldn't normally be a problem for me, except for the fact that this was such an important milestone issue.
Grade: B+
Buffy The Vampire Slayer #40
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: Georges Jeanty
This is the one that I know for a fact that several people who read this blog are actually following so I'm gonna try to be as non spoilery as possible, forgive my vagueness.
After almost a year's worth of issues where the action geared up fast and never looked back, the finale to Joss Whedon's Season 8 finally stops, takes a deep breath, and examines how these characters have changed and where they are headed. It's a bitter and sad ending. So much was lost at the end of last issue, it's hard to disagree with the characters who angrily assert that the world is less bright.
Buffy makes the rounds checking in with most of the surviving characters, revealing new status quos and hinting at future plot lines. We don't really take a lot of time to see the characters reacting to the deaths of major players, but I think that's ok as the ramifications of these losses will likely play a major role in the upcoming Season 9. While the guest writers have all done a great job at capturing the voices of these characters, it's always nice to see the master back at the helm, I especially loved the dialogue in the exchange between Buffy and Spike, which added a much needed bit of comic relief and a nice examination of how their relationship has evolved.
As a fan I do mourn both the characters lost, and the changes to the world of BTVS, however from a plot perspective I understand why these decisions were made, and I am very excited to see where we go from here.
Grade: A-
Read more Chris' Comics Corner here
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