Comic releases of 2/16/11
Hey all, Time for another weekly dose of comic reviews. This week is smaller, only 6 issues this week, but they are worth the read. I’m surprised to be reading since I should be playing my copy of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 or playing some more DCU: Online….decisions, decisions.
Comics: Avengers Academy #9, Brightest Day #20, Green Lantern #62, Thunderbolts #153, Wolverine #6, and Wonder Woman #607…..another .1 comic was released, this time Spider-man #654.1
DC Comics
Brightest Day #20
Abridged Story: The Aqua War is in full swing, the army has made it to shore, Aqua man is down an arm and Black Manta is about to deal the finishing blow. Just then, Jackson saves Aqua man from certain death. Mera and Aqua Girl arrive on the scene and lend a hand. Mera moves the water away from the shore and pushed the army back into the ocean. Aqua man leads the charge with an army of Dead Sea life. Jackson reaches up and suddenly activates his power and seals the army along with Black Manta in the Bermuda Triangle. The White Lantern ring says his mission is complete and has regained life…then gets the same treatment as the Hawks
Review: Well this was faster than expected, I thought this issue would draw out the Aqua war by a few more issues and conclude on a high note, but nope, we have it conclude in one entire issue. The battle itself is amazing and pulled off in a very cool way. I also like to point out a tiny flaw in the White Lantern…..just now we have three heroes turning to dust….but Reverse Flash had his mission completed so many issues ago, and it didn't happen to him, is there a loophole? Still we have 5 more issues to go with this series, I see them finally wrapping up all loose ends and I can't wait to see this finale, will it live up to the hype or will this lantern flame extinguish?
Artwork: The cover is very cool, it's a battle wounded Aqua man fleeing from Black Manta, like a victim fleeing from a masked serial killer. Since this entire issue was on the battle of land and sea, the best scene is seeing Aqua man leading the army of dead ocean creatures, in all their rotten glory.
Grade: An exciting issue, it comes and goes so fast. Good action and good artwork as usual. This issue gets a B+
Green Lantern #62
Abridged Story: Hal Jordan battles the now revealed former guardian Krona, who has the powers of a few the lantern entities. Hal does his best but can barely overpower this new menace. Other Lantern Corps team up but it proves futile as Hammond appears and attacks them, taking the memories. Hal wakes up at the Watchtower where Bats, Superman, and Flash question Hal and all his actions since the event of Blackest Night. The other Corps meet up with Hal and they go after Krona while Hals friends look disappointed.
Review: We have two events, one reaching its end(Brightest Day) and the next one coming very quickly(War of the Green Lanterns), along with Flashpoint kicking in soon enough, DC has way too many events to juggle around it seems hard to keep track. Still this was a really good issue, we finally see Hal be the weaker fighter, even with his strongest willpower he is no match for Krona. Even the mightiest of the Entities is no match for him. We also get the back story of who Krona is and how he is the one who has been a huge player in the creation of many staples in this Comic universe. I loved seeing the other heroes Hal has known for so long question their friend and his recent actions.
Artwork: The cover is each Corps greatest member. This has some really great actions moments especially in the battle with Krona and how many people who barely do that much damage to the ancient guardian.
Grade: Geoff Johns has so much on his plate, not overflowing just yet but he needs to keep all this in line. I loved the action in this issue and the artwork is fantastic as ever. This issue gets an A-
Wonder Woman #607
Abridged Story: Diana heads into the lair of the Minotaur battling his skeleton army. She and her bodyguards head down and discover him. He doesn't put up a fight as Diana uses the golden lasso, which makes him speak the truth. He tells them the Morrigan used this as a ploy to lure Diana away to both influence her to become one of them and to attack the Amazon hideout.
Review: The crawl has sped up to a nice trot. The series was heading a wrong direction thanks to JMS but since his departure we have slight changes that have shown signs of improvement. The best is showing the character as a more grounded, even with her powers slowly returning. I like the idea of having three iconic characters from Wonder Woman's past making a return and being used in a new way. I do enjoy the moments where she and others see her previous life and think it is out of place.
Artwork: The cover is of Diana lassoing the Minotaur. I enjoy the artwork with this issue, I think her new out, minus the jacket, has finally dug into me and I don't mind it, I think it is more suggestive now more than ever, with more showcasing of her Cleavage and the pants showing off her perfectly shaped end. There were a few moments that seemed out of place in this comic, but they can be overlooked for now.
Grade: Enjoyed the issue, improving with each issue, looking forward to its next installment. The writing is good and the artwork looks nice. This issue gets a B-
Marvel
Avengers Academy #9
Abridged Story: After the falling out of the Hood’s video, Tigra expels Hazmat, Veil, and Striker. The other members try to make her change that decision, while Quicksilver takes Finesse to a hidden base in Nevada where Taskmaster might be hidden. As Quicksilver leaves Finesse behind, she is attacked by Taskmaster. They have an AMAZING battle, showing off their skills to each other. The battle ends by Taskmasters choice, he tells her he may or may not be her father. He tells her that he forgets things as he gains new knowledge of combat and survival, he tells her to cherish life for now. Tigra tells the three that they aren't expelled but on probation.
Review: I'm amazed by this series continuing improvements and engaging story. I like seeing the dynamic of this team and the teachers, despite their clashing ideals the teachers are really memorable. I think Quicksilver has more secret motives than any of the other teachers. The great draw of this issue was Taskmaster and Finesse fighting each other, showing who the better of their kind is. I actually felt bad for Taskmaster, not being able to have a normal memory for long. I still think Striker is a major douche and the teen’s teamwork has yet to shine, but we have lots more with this team coming very soon.
Artwork: The cover showcases the highlight of the issue, Finesse fighting Taskmaster. The design of Taskmaster is really great; the detail to his skull mask is really cool. Another character that has a cool thing going for him is Quicksilver, when he runs they show where he was in a blurred highlight, as opposed to DC speedsters where it's a yellow or reddish streak. The fight scenes are the best in this series so far loved it and can't wait for more.
Grade: This series continues to impress me and I love seeing this team evolve, where they going I can't wait to see. The fight is awesome and the artwork is impressive with the characters. This issue gets an A+
Thunderbolts #153
Abridged Story: The Warden of the Raft wants to talk to Gunna about the Thunderbolts program. Meanwhile, the field team is stuck after Hyperion wiped the floor with them. Juggernaut saves Moonstone and Songbird, and goes after Hyperion. Mach V and Luke Cage finally free themselves from the giant beasts mouth and fly off to see what's happened. Juggernaut catches up with Hyperion and they have a brutal fight. Moonstone joins the battle but it is suddenly over when Ghost has gained the upper hand and incapacitates Hyperion. After songbird takes care of the giant beasts, we see a brutalized Hyperion and Man-Thing finishing him off, due to his “fear”
Review: Man I did not see this ending coming, I cannot believe just how brutally damaged Hyperion was after fighting the Juggernaut. I do like the beginning with the warden asking Gunna to join the Thunderbolts, I hope she does, she is a very interesting character so far. Ghost has a very funny moment with Moonstone and Songbird; it got a chuckle out of me. The fight between Hyperion and Juggernaut is just…..man it is brutal, probably the most brutal thing I have seen with this title so far. The giant Godzilla like monsters were more of a red herring, they are easily taken care of at the end of the issue.
Artwork: The cover shows the team fighting one of the monsters. Again as mentioned a lot the look of Hyperion after Juggernaut waling on him is BRUTAL!!!! He looked like he was in so much pain and just a total mess; the detail of his pain is just astounding. The giant monsters are really cool looking and I could see them in old school monster movies.
Grade: Man this was a crazy issue, loved the misdirection it gives us, awesome fight between the two strongest members. The artwork on that one moment is just amazing as well as the rest of the issue. This issue gets an A
Wolverine #9
Abridged Story: 4 members of the X-men find out what has happened with Logan and decide to take matters into their own hands. They find he is not out of the woods with the demons inside him, which are fighting back. The X-men and the people who helped Logan try to stop the demons from taking over completely. Scott tells Magneto to halt him in place and prepares for the counter attack
Review: Out of the furnace and into the fire, this is a very interesting issue. I love the way that even with Logan back, we still have to deal with the demons within him. Aaron does an amazing job with Scott as the leader of his people and taking the initiative to defend everyone. Also since I don't read X-men titles, I can't believe Magneto is a part of them, are they now good or bad guys…..this is why I don't read them….so confusing. I love the madness that is surrounding this battle, even bringing in fellow X-men members even though they have Magneto, Cyclops, Namor, Emma Frost, Two Ghost Riders, Hellstrom, and Mystique combined are taking on this demonic possessed Logan.
Artwork: The cover has the X-men leaders as Wolverine is laying in the air, defeated. The issues art has changed and has a Sam Basri style to it, which I do like in this issue. The mind of Logan looks beautiful and even the malleable form of this giant entity of joined demons looks really awesome.
Grade: Loved this issue, although they brought in an aspect I'm not up to date with, it's still enjoyable. The artwork fits great with a brighter feel to this darkish character. I give this issue an A-
Thats all for this and last weeks releases, now if will excuse me I got some MVC3 and DCUO to play. Catch you all later, ComicCritic87 OUT!!!!