Hey all, welcome again to another installment of my weekly comic book reviews. This is once again another small week of reviews, only 4 issues, but still worth checking out. As I mentioned I will be doing a new style of reviewing further on from this article. I'm gonna be breaking down the issues into two categories: story- telling an abridged version of the issue without spoiling too much, and then praising or discrediting them. The second half is on the artwork,which if the art fits the character plus if its good, bad, or meh. So its like my old way of reviewing but rebuilding it from the ground up and making it a much easier read. Alright with that said today's issues are Invincible Iron Man #29, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Superman #702, and Zantanna #4
Invincible Iron Man #29
Story: Still part of the Stark Resilient arc, Pepper is finally awoken after her new repulsor generator installed into her chest and once again reunited with a new upgraded version of her RESCUE armor. Meanwhile along with the Hammer family they introduce a new line of Drones designed to help Detroit Steel. Rhodes has a small chat with the General who is seeking a contract with Hammer. The second half of the issue is with Stark and his new team setting up shop and preparing for a big gala. Tony dresses up in a red tuxedo and shows off for a bit until Pepper arrives and shows of her new look. Tony and Pepper begin to glow and react to each others generators. Tony sees the Hammer family arrive and he puts on his "charms" with Sasha and they leave together.
Review: This is a much better issue than the previous one, Fraction is keeping the story going and we are seeing much more progress with the characters. I keep bringing up that action is required at some point in the story and this feels much like a film where we get all this exposition leading into a spectacular action packed issue and finale to the arc. I hope we do get some resolutions pretty soon, I'm curious who the villain dude is with that red and black armor that Justine Hammer hired.
Art: The artwork is really spot on for this title. The characters are very expressive with everything that is occurring in the story. The colors of red and gold is heavy in this issue. Giving off the theme colors of Stark in a very cool way. I spotted no real errors in the arts continuity. There is a tiny moment of “fan service” with one of the Hammer girls which is tasteful and Pepper has a sorta “fan service” moment.
Grade: I give this issue an A-
Thor: The Mighty Avenger #3
Story: The story brings in two founding members of the Avengers; Ant-man and Wasp. They receive news of the passing of a former colleague and go to Bergen Oklahoma where Jane and Thor are. Thor is trying to figure out why he is banished on earth. He has a nightmare and Loki makes his first appearance. He doesn't tell Thor what caused him to be banished but gives him a slight clue. Jane is told she is temporarily fired from her job at the museum and goes cloths shopping with Thor. As Thor goes shopping with Jane, he has a headache which causes him to have strange visions and sees Ant-man, while in Giant Man form, sees him as a frost giant. They have a fight and Wasp confronts Jane. Jane explains the situation and Giant Man quickly heals Thor of his problem.
Review: This is another one of those fun reads to just pick up and skim thru. I love how it's starting to tie together the beginnings of the Avengers and yet keeps the main focus on Thor and his life in Midgard. I love seeing Loki making his appearance, not only him but also the warriors 3 and Odin. I love the campy tone its going for and it is miles apart from the main title, so don't be surprised by its downplay on the characters and battles.
Art: I like the look of this in terms of the context of the title. Its trying to be like the beginnings of Thor, much like Kirby when he did it, so the art, while not groundbreaking, is still a colorful and bright comic title. The style is about streaks, the helmets have angles and streaks to them. Rather than the twisted horns Loki has, the ones in this title are more like an angle rather than a curve.
Grade: I give this issue a B+
Superman #702
Story: The next city Superman has entered is Detroit. He walks past a group of kids playing basketball, he plays a few rounds and allows one of them to knock the ball out of his hands. He then focuses on a mysterious family who turned out to be aliens. He tells them about that they can't come here in such a manner without giving back to the community. He leaves to decide their fate, while he walks he meets up with a man who watches over the closed factories. He lets superman in and they tour the empty area. The man asks Superman to see him fly, Superman does and the man is happy. However tragedy strikes and Supes returns to the aliens who have the technology to heal him. They then find their calling in life and reopen all the factories in Detroit and Flint creating a huge boom in the areas economy. The issue ends with a familiar face scouting Superman onto his next destination.
Review: I really liked this issue. I like how we are getting a literally grounded Superman walking from place to place, rather than flying all over in an instant. We see him interacting with various kinds of people in these places and how his interactions better and further the people and area. JMS's writing is really good here, I can't wait to see this entire arc come together. I just hope each issue is not the same thing. So far the first 2 issues so far in this arc is Superman going to town, meet some people, do something that helps an individual, and then helps the place as a whole, then leaves. Up the ante JMS, you brought back Thor in a great way, do the same with WW and Supes
Art: I like the art style of this title. Its very bright and all the colorful. Each area he goes to has a striking look and brings in the look and feel of these areas. The aliens in this issue have a cool look to them and the shadowy figure is dark and dynamic watching Supes walking towards the setting sun.
Grade: I give this is an A-
Zatanna #4
Story: ZATANNA IN VEGAS, that's not all in this issue. The Story has Zatanna taking up residence in Las Vegas for a special week of performances. She first fights off a Vegas sect of the Royal Flush Gang, but they take the form of the Rat Pack. Zatanna deals with them and performs her show with ease. She meets the billionaire owner and they make an arrangement for drinks. The man then has a discussion with a mysterious person and they make a deal. Zatanna, after practicing her stage performance goes to her room and finds it crowded by party guests. It turns out that Zachary, her cousin, was the one who threw the party. Zatanna and Zachary have a talk and as Zatanna finally gets alone is attacked by 3 fire demons who defeat her, ending on a cliff hanger.
Review: I can't stop praising this title. I love it, I finally found a great title that mixes mystical elements along with charm of the characters, amazing artwork, and spot on writing. I loved that we get a new setting and a fresh start too, its almost like another Jump in title, since it has no connection to the first 3 issues, but those are truly worth reading also. I loved the interaction Zatanna has with her cousin, you feel the difference they have yet care about each other. The twists are pretty quick in the issue but not too bad and it seems to be trying to set up something awesome. Dini is amazing with his writing skills here, he has the Rat Pack guys make notions and subtle references to who they are. Also seeing Zatanna in a new setting adds something cool to it.
Art: sadly this issue is not Stephane Roux's artwork, while he is off the title, FOR NOW, he will return in the future, but this issue still has some great artwork in it. Zatanna is still sexy as ever, as long as they keep her sexy, its good in my book.
Grade: I give this issue an A+
I wish I was able to review Kick-ass 2: Balls to the Wall but despite popular belief, its not even out yet. Despite its “August 11th” release date, I went to my comic shop when it opened and there was none there, everything was there. Also none of the sites where they post solicitations have no mention of the title. Hell even Nemesis #3 isn't coming out til September, so Kick-Ass 2 is still in the waiting line for now. With that said, I hope you all like my new review method, next week is another 6 issues. Til then, Aki87 OUT!!!!