Hey all, time for another helping of Comic book reviews. I got a lot to get through this week. I got 9 issues to review this time around. I believe that is the record for most reviews in one week. So I'm gonna keep it simple and shorten my long reviews into short and sweet reviews but still following my format. Alright with that said today we have 9 issues; Amazing Spider-man #645, Batman and Robin The Road Home one shot #1, Green Lantern #58, Invincible Iron Man #31, Shadowland #4, Superior #1, Superman #703, Thor #616, and Thor: The Mighty Avenger #5.
Amazing Spider-man #645
Story: Spider-man goes on a rampage, hunting down all the villains who were chasing him and the baby. Doc Ock explains that the baby can provide him a source to gain a new body. Carlie finds MJ and Lily after bringing Tombstone with by accident. Spider-man finds Chameleon, who tells him someone stole the baby and its a surprise who it is
Review: This was a great issue, it pulls no punches and goes straight for the jugular. Spider-man isn't friendly in this issue. He takes everyone out quick and easy to the point it scares all the lower tier villains. The final page is mind blowing and leaves you wanting to know how this is gonna end. The action is great in this issue. Their were some cop banter that was annoying but it goes great from that point forward.
Art: This art is still the same but this issue has some great use of than any of the past issues. This art has grown on me now.
Grade: This issue gets an A-, for a great follow up and just goes for all the action and for the still improving art style.
Batman & Robin- The Road Home one shot #1
Story: separate from the Morrison arc, this issue focuses on Vicki Vale trying to figure out where Batman is. Dick and Damian are fighting off some thugs and chasing one down. They are being trailed by a mysterious person who is reveal to be........
Review: I ain't gonna spoil but I guess you all know who it is, but it was a nice surprise to see this character but more or less laying low. I really enjoyed the dialogue between Dick and Damian, they are still trying to become a great team-up despite their drastic differences. This is part of a series of one shots but I'm sticking with only this one.
Art: Unlike the Morrison arc, this artwork is the typical style and not really surreal. I like the artwork, don't get me wrong, this just feels kinda normal after seeing “ART”.
Grade: I give this a B-, for a good tie-in and some decent artwork, but its a tie-in and you gotta follow other parts to the story.
Green Lantern #58
Story: Sinestro and Astrocitus are tracking the red lantern entity and it leads to a prison, they stay briefly as Astrocitus burns a bus of prisoners due to all the rage in them(it makes sense when you read). Hal and Carol talk about her new proposition as Queen, it seems she is gonna take the position for the time being. The blue lantern has found its host, a young girl who was kidnapped. Larfleeze is keeping watch of the man who was possessed by the Predator, who knows about Larfleeze's real name. Larfleeze doesn't like that and he tries to kill him. Jordan stops him and they head to see the new entity. She imbues them with Hope.
Review: This was a really good issue. The issue focuses nicely on each party that is working together to get some kind of answer to the greater question that is happening with the entities. I love to see more with Sinestro and Astrocitus as they hunt the red entity, because they are opposing mindsets.
This is one of Johns stronger GL works and I can't wait for more.
Artwork: The color design in the GL and BD titles are really amazing and take so much attention to detail. The fire in the beginning was not fire...but rage, hard to believe because it looks so convincing. Solid work every time.
Grade: This issue gets an A, for a great story that has each member following simple goals but showing us more and more as we get closer to the big reveal. Along with solid artwork and the amazing use of color.
Invincible Iron Man #31
Story: After the car explodes, Tony tries to tell Pepper in secret something is going on. He tries to figure out who is the spy and why the sabotage. They fix up the beta version and set it up for the expo. The Hammers are plotting once again to break Tony so that he can never recover again. The Detroit steel drones attack the racetrack and causes mass panic. Tony preps for the final battle.
Review: This is where all of Matt Fractions exposition has finally lead up to. After treading through mostly dialogue and some slight showings of action, we are finally here and it is good. The characters talking about who the spy is and the act of sabotage was pretty cool because Tony is relying on simplicity to get people to figure out who is part of his team and who may be the culprit. The Hammer scenes at the end showed how desperate they are at getting this all done and just what they are willing to do and risk to defeat Tony..
Art: The one off scene I have to point out was the Hammer scenes, mostly because it is too dark to see what is happening. The rest of the issue is bright and full of the red and gold that fits with the Stark universe.
Grade: This issue gets an B+, for a strong issue that is giving in to the action and hit the third act portion of the story, and for the good artwork, but odd moment of darkness with the Hammers.
Shadowland #4
Story: Elktra joins the team of heroes after killing out a bunch of Hand ninjas. Wolverine leads the pack as they head back into the main chamber. Kingpin and lady Bullseye are heading to play out the final part in this game. As Matt and his Hand ninjas revive Bullseye, they are immediately interrupted by the heroes. They have a huge epic battle in the hall. Wolverine gets a shot at Matt but it doesn't even hurt him. Spider-man gives it a try and manages to knock him down as the other heroes dog pile him. Matt gets them off with ease and is more of a monster than before.
Review: This is the turning point for the event. We now know what exactly Matt Murdock is and we know that he will return later in a few months, but for now, he is the main baddie and has unleashed his beast side. I feel that this and Chaos Wars are two widely different types of event comics. That has to do with the scope as I mentioned before with Chaos War. The threat level isn't that high but is a notable one. I'm enjoying this event but its just how focuses and small aspect it is, which makes it not on par with Chaos War but like it, it will of course have some impact on the overall universe.
Art: the art work is top notch as ever with this series. We do get a predator vision from Murdock's POV and having all those heroes in a confined space, everyone can be spotted with ease.
Grade: I give this issue a B+, for a good issue focusing on the action and giving only slight exposition of what is happening. Along with top notch artwork that gives every character time to shine.
Superior #1
Story: Since it is a Mark Millar work, I really can't spoil it, because you gotta see and read this to believe it. I will give you one thing.......Talking Wish Granting Monkey in a Space suit.....nuff said
Review: From what I can say about it, this is a great reversal when reading Nemesis, which is just a comic that is so wrong that its good. Yet, this has the beginnings for some much more and has a lot of potential which each up coming issue. I spotted some hints at the Tom Hanks movie BIG had some minor influence with this. The dialogue is really well done, some of Millar's best writing in recent titles(Nemesis has good writing too, but that's more involving with the villain aspect). The characters are interesting so far, it doesn't seem be set in Israel, even tho the kid's name is Israeli(Simon Pooni), so after this first issue, it delivers for not just Mark Millar but as a new title.
Art: I hear some complaints that Nemesis has sluggish art but this artwork is amazing. The characters have some great expressions and detailing with some close-ups. The detailing of Superior as a character, and even his villain he will be fighting.
Grade: Being a Millar fan it delivers on all accounts and has some of the best new art I haven't seen in a while. This issue gets an A+
Superman #703
Story: Superman continues his trip across America. He meets up with Grayson Batman and they have a long talk about heroism and the ethics behind being a hero. We learn that pieces of new Krypton has landed on earth. A school teacher holds it and falls under its power. She goes to a Bar and gives one guy the same power. He finds Superman and they have a huge fight that wrecks the city. Superman fixes it all up but the people didn't think he did good.
Review: This is an interesting story line to talk about when it comes to Superman, he is walking across the US and helping people wherever he goes. I like seeing JMS doing this writing, which seeing his work on Wonder Woman last week is disjarring. This is stronger work than WW, yet its not on par with his work on Thor, which I hope he can replicate that with these two titles he has under his belt.
Art: The look of this artwork fits really well with the superman character. It is odd to see a more muscular Batman, when other issues show Grayson to be more fit and thin because of his acrobatic upbringings. The colors are bright and good for this title.
Grade: This issue gets a B-, for making an effort in telling a good story but has still yet to gain momentum and has some good but some misleading artwork when it comes to other characters.
Thor #616
Story: Thor is sulking over the lost of his Brother as he sifts through his fathers treasure room. Kelda is STILL grieving over the lost of Bill, his mother and some of her elderly friends consul her over her emotions. Volstagg brings the scientist to Thor and Balder's attention and he warns them that with Asgard's old place is empty, a new thing is trying to fill it. We see those red dudes talk about how they are out to conquer everything.
Review: This is a great follow up to the last issue, its keeping the pace of the story up and never once feels like it is slowing down. I still find it weird that Kelda is still grieving, I thought once her missing piece was returned from hell, that she would act normal, but she is still grieving. I'm digging this book, I followed all the writers so far and I think Fraction has what it takes to do Thor. I like the scifi feel it has to it now, but still keeping the mythology and characters the same.
Art: Ferry has some amazing artwork and character designs. Whenever you want something with a Science Fiction design to it, you call in Ferry. The villains for this new look are something from out of this world, and feel like they are real threats, whatever they may be.
Grade: This issue gets an A-, for having a strong story and some good character development, while it has some minor complaints, they are a whisper in a thunder clap.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger #5
Story: Thor takes Jane on a trip around the world with his magic sled and goats. They reach Australia and see a giant whale and on it is...NAMOR. Thor tries to aid him but drowns. Namor helps him out and they save the giant Whale from capsizing a cruise ship. We get a quick flashback of Loki meeting with Thor again and a comedy sketch ensues and he leaves telling Thor he could return to Asgard but has to be “sneaky”. As Thor saves the cruiser and whale; He, Jane, and Namor have a small dinner on the beach. Namor tells Thor to act more responsible, learn humility, and learn to be weary of his actions. Thor doesn't take kindly to that at first but leaves with high hopes.
Review: Man what a let down, I seriously thought we were gonna see Thor fight with Namor, that would be so one sided of a fight...but still this is a great issue nonetheless. I liked seeing that this issue was more of a morals tale, and not all about action and good times for Thor on earth. Seeing Loki acting more comedic is very funny to see and I hope we see him more as we go along. They do kinda hint the oil spill disaster in this issue too, much like Brightest Day did before issue 7. The speech Namor gives to Thor is great, because he is teaching a lesson to someone better than him.
Artwork: The characters and artwork are phenomenal but I got one minor complaint and that's Thor's hammer. It appears to be much smaller than what you expect with Mjrlonir. Some panels make it look like a meat tenderizing hammer.
Grade: An amazing issue with a nice twist on what I thought was gonna happen and a strong but one tiny odd nit pick with the art, which is always strong, This issue gets a B+
Phew....that was a trial and a half. I got another comic title joining my listings. Starting on October 27, I will be reading and reviewing Teen Titans #88 which is a jump-in issue. I will however not be reading Carnage next week, I'm not that big of a fan of the character., the last thing I want to be is bad mouth a character. Thats all for this week, catch you all later, ComicCritic87 OUT!!!!