ComicCritic87’s weekly comic book reviews
Comics of 12/21/11
Hey there, friends, well this is one huge week for me. I skipped out last week of the 12/14/2011 because only 2 issues were on my list, Demon Knights #4 and Journey into Mystery #632, both are my favorite reads but nothing else was. I’m skipping out on that Cable story because I’m betting that the ending is going to be him in a training simulation. This is week features the prior week’s 2 issues along with the 14 of this week to make 16 issues. I love when I get a huge batch of comics like this, it’s always diverse and full of different stories and seeing all the differing ideas they do. We got a lot to get through, let’s begin….
Comic List
DC Comics
Batman #4
Batman Inc. one shot #1
Catwoman #4
Demon Knights #4
Justice League #4
Wonder Woman #4
IDW
Ghostbusters #4
Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters #10
Godzilla Legends #2 of 4
TMNT #5
Marvel Comics
Amazing Spider-man #676
Avengers #20
Fear Itself: The Fearless #5 of 12
Incredible Hulk #3
Journey into Mystery #632
Thunderbolts #167
Venom #11
DC COMICS
Top DC Comic of the Week
Batman #4- FACE THE COURT
Written by Scott Snyder
Artwork by Greg Capullo
Story: Batman survives the building explosion and gets ahold of his ancestors remains to study. While examining the bones, Dick tells Bruce that he is running on empty with this pursuit. Bruce tells Dick a story of what occurred after his parent’s death, learning that letting emotions getting the best of you will be your downfall. Batman follows up on a lead and soon enters the Court of Owls trap.
Review: It’s always a challenge to praise this series as being the best of 52 which it is; there is a high level of talent and artistry being applied from issue to issue. This opening arc has been one of the best, not only for creating a real challenge and mystery for Batman to solve but adds a whole new arc in the Batman character and universe. This series blends the gothic noire, crime thriller, and action series perfectly. The background story involving Bruce’s childhood where he looks for the court of owls and showcasing an aspect of Bruce that he hides the most, his emotions, because Bruce allowed his emotions to cloud his better judgment and wound up paying for it.
Writing: Scott Snyder is constantly keeping his game up and especially with this series. The best moment of the issue was as I mentioned was the backstory involving young Bruce, this small storyline to me has more depth and soul than the Killing Joke, oh yes I went there, this is a very grim telling of a side we rarely see in Bruce’s life, his childhood is mentioned here and there but seeing this new chapter is a truly strong point in Snyder’s favor. I said it before and I will say it again, Scott Snyder MUST be the head writer of an event comic for DC comics.
Artwork: The art by Capullo has been stunning through all 4 issues. The cover is beautiful; it features a red styling of Gotham city with the haunting image of the Talons face staring into his target, BATMAN. The inner artwork continues to shine by giving us that dark and dreary look. Again the backstory with Bruce is the highlighted art section, the look and feel gives it a sense of reminisce as well as obscurity. I also like this design of Batman, he is well created. He is simplistic and looks like a true threat to any criminal force he must face in Gotham.
Summary: This series has been amazing, the writing has been superb, the artwork is stellar, it’s a must read for any fan of the Bat.
Grade: A+
DC comic quick reviews
Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1 one shot
Written by Grant Morrison
Artwork by Chris Burnham and Cameron Stewart
Story: Chapter 1 features Stephanie Brown attending a Leviathan all girls academy to find out anything she can on them. Chapter 2 features the Bat Inc team on a mission to find the leader of Leviathan, reveal to be a familiar friend/foe.
Review: Both stories were great, I preferred the first story over the other one; it was more fun and interesting to see the previous Batgirl taking lead. The second story was very trippy and featured a ton of Batmen all of whom shined in their own way.
Writing: Grant Morrison is an amazing writer with this series.
Artwork: Story 1 artwork was amazing, the design of the girls are gorgeous. Story 2 was very trippy.
Summary: Two great stories for 7 bucks, pick it up if you read the other issues.
Grade: A-
Catwoman #4
Written by Judd Winick
Artwork by Guillem March
Story: Selina attends Lola’s funeral and reunites with an old friend. Selina then does a few crimes to get back on her feet but soon gets attacked by a meta-human named Reach.
Review: A well done issue, giving us some character development in the process. I liked seeing her getting attacked by a meta-human, it was a surprise reveal.
Writing: Winick is doing a great job with the character, he’s toned down her sexy side for a more personal and emotional character.
Artwork: March’s work is fantastic.
Summary: Good story and well-drawn. She is becoming a more well developed character now.
Grade: B-
Demon Knights #4
Written by Paul Cornell
Artwork by Michael Choi
Story: We learn the origin of the Shining Knight involving Merlin and it is awesome.
Review: A truly Arthurian style tale told.
Writing: Paul Cornell does an amazing job with the writing. He blends the mythology seamlessly.
Artwork: Michael Choi does a great a job with the artwork, making this book feel like a true fantasy tale being told.
Summary: One of the best titles of the 52, the writing is amazing and the artwork is top notch.
Grade: A-
Justice League #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Artwork by Jim Lee
Story: The heroes begin to gather together as Darkseid makes his triumphant entrance.
Review: Johns and Lee continue to shine in this series. The story is really amazing and the big arrival of the big baddy was well done.
Writing: Geoff Johns continues to be one of DC’s best writers, and this version of Aquaman he has done is fantastic.
Artwork: Jim Lee is a truly talented artist; he gives the characters such great detail as well as creating one awesome looking Darkseid.
Summary: A solid issue with only a few minor complaints, other than that, it was a good read. The big entrance was truly grand.
Grade: B-
Wonder Woman #4
Written by Brian Azzarello
Artwork by Cliff Chiang
Story: Wonder Woman lives it up in London while two sons of Zeus try to figure out where there father is and who will take the throne. Meanwhile, Hera makes a visit to the Island of the Amazons.
Review: Easily one of the top 5 titles that should be read. This version of Wonder Woman is amazing and a more intriguing one. The ending is pretty grim; we now see where this story is a “horror” story.
Writing: Azzarello does a fantastic job with creating these characters, showcasing some stellar war amongst the gods.
Artwork: Chiang’s art is highly stylized and creates some amazing looking characters. The looks of the gods are really unique.
Summary: A solid issue with solid writing and artwork.
Grade: A
IDW COMICS
IDW Top Comic of the week
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Written by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
Artwork by Dan Duncan (New York) and Mateus Santolouco (Japan)
Story: Splinter is on a personal mission to retrieve some items for his sons. Interlaced is a tale of Hamato Yoshi and his four sons being killed by a feudal era Shredder. Master Splinter returns and gifts his sons with their respective color masks.
Review: Wow, simply wow. I’m a TMNT fan and have been for quite some time. I found this issue to be a very amazing story. The Feudal Japan tale is the highlight of the issue. I really loved it. The story of a feud between Yoshi and the foot clan is FAR better than the cartoons version (which granted was toned down for the kids) as well as the first movies dark telling. They did an amazing job at creating this new origin tale, it kind of hints that these characters (Splinter and the Turtles) are the reincarnations of Yoshi and his children.
Writing: What truly works in these comics favor is that its own creator after all these years has returned to work on his work. This would be the equivalent of Matt Groening coming back to write on the Simpsons. Eastman and Waltz add such depth to these characters. My biggest compliment has to be their take on the Feudal Japan characters; I would love to see THAT story unfold as well. I liked the way they give them such character in a few pages is stupendous.
Artwork: The two artists at hand do amazing work with the different styles they represent. The look and feel of the New York art style continues to showcase the dark and dreary look it gives off. The Japanese art is where it really shines. The attention to detail to the armor and clothing is great, and where this truly shines is with this version the Shredder. He looks like a true villain, he and his foot clan are truly demonic looking, and this is the BEST look of the character.
Summary: Truly one of the best issues of this series and one of the best comics to read out there. The writing is solid, the artworks are amazing, and the ending is nice.
Grade: A+
IDW comic quick reviews
Ghostbusters #4
Written by Erik Burnham
Artwork by Dan Schoening
Story: The gang returns to the Gozer building to stop the third coming.
Review: Fun and funny issue.
Writing: Solid writing from Burnham, the characters are true to source from both the movies and cartoons.
Artwork: Love the cartoonish style
Summary: A true fans comic, fun writing and artwork.
Grade: B+
Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters #10
Written by Jason Ciaramella
Artwork by Victor Santos
Story: The battle between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla comes to an end.
Review: A pretty fun and solid issue. The battle is what makes this issue worth reading.
Writing: fewer characters talking which seems to be a plus in this series, which should focus on the monsters.
Artwork: This artwork is okay at best, I was never blown away by this style but I hope it does get better as it goes along.
Summary: Solid issue with some great fighting, artwork could improve.
Grade: B-
Godzilla Legends # 2 of 4
Written by Jon Vankin
Artwork by Simon Gane
Story: Rodan seeks out its egg on a military base.
Review: pretty simplistic story, was fun but could have been improved here and there.
Writing: Pretty good writing and the characters were interesint.
Artwork: Pretty interesting style.
Summary: Not the best of the mini-series but a pretty ok concept.
Grade: C+
MARVEL COMICS
Marvel Comics top pick of the week
The Incredible Hulk #3- HULK: ASUNDER, part three
Written by Jason Aaron
Artwork by Marc Silvestri
Story: The Hulk returns to the depths of his new home where it is under attack by the two warthog brothers with strength equal to Hulk’s own. Hulk and the twins make the entire world shake on its foundations. After making quick work of them, Hulk leaves his village and seeks out to kill Banner.
Review: I’m glad that I have picked this series up. I was never the biggest fan of the Hulk; he’s a pretty simplistic idea for a hero. However with this series it has shown to be quite a 180 of the character. I like that this is Hulk on his own; he is free of Banner and the “weakness” that he was seen as. The role of Banner as the evil mad scientist is a treat. I like to see these conflicting characters finally at clash with one another.
Writing: Jason Aaron is a true power house, he makes the characters he is given and adds much more depth to them. I would LOVE to see him do a special Hulk vs Wolverine story.
Artwork: The art by Silvestri is remarkable. The cover features Hulk holding a defeated Banner with a red backdrop. The style and feel of the action beats with the battle is amazing, seeing the various places getting bombarded by earthquakes made by the three of them fighting is well drawn.
Summary: Overall this series is shaping up greatly to be one of Marvel’s best. The writing is solid and the artwork is very fitting to the characters and story.
Grade: A-
Marvel comics quick pick
Amazing Spider-man #676
Written by Dan Slott
Artwork by Humberto Ramos
Story: The sinister six attack another group of super intelligent villains to gain control of a powerful new weapon
Review: A very fun and action based chapter. The villains fighting amongst one another were super fun.
Writing: Slott gives the villains so much depth and make them so memorable.
Artwork: The Ramos art style is fun and well managed in this series.
Summary: Solid and fun, writing and artwork are top notch.
Grade: A-
Avengers #20
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Artwork by Daniel Acuna
Story: The team splits up to figure out what Osborn is up to and it all backfires.
Review: A well done issue and the characters are always full of variety and emotion
Writing: Bendis does well with the team; hopefully this will be the cap off to his run
Artwork: The art could be a bit better; it’s a style that is not for everyone.
Summary: good, not great. Well done writing, artwork could be better.
Grade: B+
Fear Itself: The Fearless #5 of 12
Written by Cullen Bunn, Matt Fraction, and Chris Yost
Artwork by Paul Pelletier and Mark Bagley
Story: Valkyrie gets the Things hammer from FF while Sin gets Titanna’s Hammer from the Raft.
Review: A pretty fun series, giving us a deeper look into who Valkyrie was. Sin/Red Skull is a very weird villain, especially this female one.
Writing: These three are talented and add in some fun moments with the issue
Artwork: The artwork is solid and is consistent.
Summary: A fun, well written and drawn issue.
Grade: B-
Journey into Mystery #632
Written by Keiron Gillen
Artwork by Mitch Breitweiser
Story: Loki gains a litter of hell pups and must find homes for all of them.
Review: A very well thought out idea, it was funny and light hearted.
Writing: Gillen continues to be the best writer for this series.
Artwork: The art is pure bliss; the look and feel gives it a mystical feel.
Summary: Solid and sweet. The writing and artwork are amazing
Grade: A+
Thunderbolts #167
Written by Jeff Parker
Artwork by Delcan Shalvey
Story: The team reunites as they figure out the true mystery of what is happening. They are transported FURTHER back in time.
Review: I love this team and cast of characters. The action is fun and fast paced.
Writing: Parker writes these characters with such great emotions and diversity.
Artwork: Fun and solid with great looking characters.
Summary: Really great and very fun issue. The writing is top notch and the artwork is solid.
Grade: A-
Venom #11
Written by Rick Remender
Artwork by Lan Medina
Story: Jack O’Lantern joins Flash on his trip to Vegas. They save a group of trapped miners while along the way.
Review: This series has been another top best for Marvel. The characterization is some of the best with Venom.
Writing: Top notch writing is what makes this a great read.
Artwork: The dark and dreary look to this series is great.
Summary: Solid and top notch as ever.
Grade: A-
PHEW!!! Man this was quite a task. This season is taking its toll on me friends. This time of year is keeping me super busy. Catch you all later.