Comic releases of 7/13/11
Hey all, time for another fun round of comic reviews. 11 issues this week, some new introductions and others shall be leaving my readings. This week I finish my Trinity for Marvel, I will now be reading the new Captain America series, along with Invincible Iron Man and Mighty Thor. Also this week I go back into Ghost Rider now bearing the new form of a Woman. I bid a fond farewell to the Green Lantern Corps as the War comes to an end, yet I will continue to read Green Lantern. As mentioned last week, due to money limitations for a few weeks I will not be reading any other of the Flashpoint Tie-ins, but will keep track of them as they come out perhaps in trade. With that said, let’s begin shall we…
Comics: Amazing Spider-man #665, Captain America #1, FF #6, Ghost Rider #1, Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths #2, Green Lantern #67, Green Lantern Corps # 61, Journey into Mystery #625, Superman #713, Teen Titans #97, Wolverine #12
DC comics
Top Pick of the week: Green Lantern #67
Abridged Story: The war of the Green Lanterns comes on an explosive conclusion. Kyle Rayner frees the other colored Lantern Corps members from the book, their rings about to return to them are taken from them and attach themselves to Krona, now fully powered by all the emotions he attacks and tries to kill Hal Jordan. Hal gives a big speech about the Corps can overcome anything and has greater potential. Just as Krona is about to kill Hal, Sinestro leaps in and helps out, this in turns allows him overcome fear and becomes a Green Lantern once again. Hal and Sinestro team up and do the impossible kill a guardian. With Krona now dead, the other colored Lanterns have regained their powers and are forced to leave Oa. Hal is seen as a danger to the Corps, his ring and honor of being a Green Lantern has been revoked. Hal is returned to earth, back as a normal man.
Review: WOW, just WOW. This is perhaps the biggest twist in the tale of the Geoff Johns run of Green Lantern. I always admire his work with this character, evolving it further from its original roots to a space epic that the DC universe rightfully deserves. This epic war has taken its toll on the Earth based lanterns and all Lanterns, the big twist now having Sinestro returning to his once well respected position. The even bigger twist was the guardians revoking Hal Jordan of his power, which technically is just since they know he was straying from the path during the Brightest Day events. So once again this sets up a new potential for the Green Lantern Saga, will Hal regain his power or will he find a newer calling and heroic persona? Stay tuned
Artwork: The cover was done pretty well, the Earth Lanterns covering their eyes from the mighty glow of the green light. The Interior artwork is still down really well. The amount of characters, with lots of detail to them, is a sight to be seen. The single panel of Sinestro back in the Green Lantern outfit was really great to see.
Grade: A+
Quick Reviews
Green Lantern Corps #61: A tale of one of the forced new members of the Green lantern corps along with John Stewart to help settle two races waging war. Not a bad issue takes place after the War but still enjoyable, last I will read. Artwork was nice. B+
Superman #713: Superman decides to call it quits and stay as Clark Kent. He meets a man who takes him around town and sees that all the people love and care about Superman. So basically it’s a Wonderful life but with Superman. Ends next issue, artwork was good. C+
Teen Titans #97: The Titans battle and finish off the mad god with the help of Solstice who ends up saving the day. This was a pretty nice conclusion to this arc, and the artwork still good and impressive. B-
Marvel Comics
Top Pick of the Week: Ghost Rider #1
Abridged Story: The battle of Fear Itself continues to erupt, two villains, Blackout and Deathwatch, both walking through the battlefield. They are stopped by a familiar yet different, THE GHOST RIDER!!!! This new Ghost Rider doesn’t mess around, the new Rider as seen is now a woman, and she fills their bodies with all the vengeance of the people these two villains have killed. She is then attacked by Sin and they have a battle, Ghost Rider gains the upper hand but once she touches the Hammer of Sin, she loses her power temporarily and reverts to her human form…..a random woman. Johnny Blaze on the other hand loves his new normal life until Mephisto comes and warns that they need to team up and stop this new Ghost Rider.
Review: This was a real toss up since this and Captain America were both really strong debuts that I had to pick the one I read more of. So the new Ghost Rider is now a woman and someone who seems to be really adept with these powers that were just given unto her. The nice surprise was seeing villains from Ghost Riders past coming in this battle, one who clearly is from the 90s and thankfully they are easily taken care of. The real treat is the battle between Ghost Rider and Sin, easily one of the best debut fights especially with one of the biggest baddies in the event of FEAR ITSELF. The reveal of the new female Ghost Rider was great to see her in the first issue but still leaves us wanting to know more.
Artwork: This is some fine and impressive artwork for a debut relaunch. The cover is a typical looking Ghost Rider but the flame appears to be a pinkish flame, obviously symbolizing it that the Rider is a female. The interior artwork is great; the design of the female Ghost Rider has some nice changes and does set her apart from Johnny and Danny. The battle between her and Sin is the highlight of the issue
Grade: A+
Quick Reviews
Amazing Spider-man #665: a filler issue where Betty Brant is attacked and Spider-man goes after her attacker without prejudice. A great issue and expands the side characters of Spider-man. Artwork is good, B+
Captain America #1: Steve Rogers is shocked by the return of a former ally trying to gun him down. He searches for a former ally that might know why but gets attacked by rouge HYDRA agents. We discover a devilish team-up of the former ally and a favorite Cap villain. Another great new relaunch, Brubaker and McNiven are a powerful team up. A+
FF#6: A flashback issue about Blackbolt and the prophecy surrounding him. A nice issue for newbies such as me for the Ihumans lore. Artwork is very well done. A-
Journey into Mystery #625: Loki continues to work his magic by tricking Hela and Mephisto to meet as he sneaks in and forces the messenger of the Serpent to discover his true intentions. They agree to a special arrangement Loki has offered them. Killen continues to work wonders with this series. Artwork is amazing and beautiful. A-
Wolverine #12: We learn another member from the Red Hand Gang that wants Logan dead. This is an interesting take with the Wolverine character, meeting people that he unintentionally hurt in his life. Artwork is still really good. B-
Other Comics
Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths #2
Abridged Story: Our wrongfully accused cop has forced the giant goddess Mothra to help clear his name from the evil mobster that has done him in.
Review: That’s pretty much all that happens. This is still a well done issue. Bringing in another one of the monsters shows the team is having more fun than the mainstream title. I love that we have a character we can sympathize, he is a wronged man who wants justice when no one around him will give it to him and he is willing to risk death from a GIANT MOTH to prove his point. The villain is a classic Godzilla style human character, by making him think he is tough but isn’t. Not a real amount of action in this issue but still a good issue.
Artwork: The cover features Godzilla and Mothra in a blazed cover city. The interior artwork is really great; the human designs are all unique and different to each one while the monsters have a great amount of detail to them. The highlight of this issue is mainly Mothra.
Grade: B+
Well that’s all for this week. This was a great week; hope you all check it out. Next week appears to be a smaller week. Catch you all later :D