ComicCritic87’s weekly comic book reviews
Comics of 12/7/11
Hey there, friends, Well I tried an earlier method of review, I like the methodology but to me the execution of it was in my own opinion not my own, I took inspiration from Destroyer, and his review method works great for him, which I highly respect as a great review style, for me however it’s not. So I will take what I learned from it and continue to rework on giving my thoughts on the week of releases. This week as pretty nice sized week, I picked up the new DEFENDERS reboot. It’s a small week, so let’s give them a looksee.
Comic List
DC Comics
Action Comics #4
Swamp Thing #4
Marvel Comics
Amazing Spider-man #675
Defenders #1
Fear Itself: The Fearless #4 of 12
Venom #10
Top Pick of DC comics
DC Comics: Swamp Thing #4
See prior article of it
DC Comics quick reviews
Action Comics #4
Story: STEEL makes his debut in the new 52 as Superman gets attacked by Brainiac (who didn’t see that coming) as the iconic villain bottles up the city of Metropolis.
Review: A pretty well done issue, the action beats are truly some of the best, however the plot at this point bears a striking resemblance to SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC, mainly involving the city shrinking aspect.
Writing: Grant Morrison is one of the best writers out there, really does great dialogue and characterizations.
Artwork: The art is amazing however I’m not a huge of Steels new look, but it’s still a nicely drawn series.
Grade: A-
Top Pick of Marvel Comics
Defenders #1- BREAKER OF WORLDS part 1: I hate myself and want to die
Written by Matt Fraction
Artwork by Terry Dodson
Storyline: Nul, the Breaker of Worlds has been freed by the Hulk during the events of FEAR ITSELF that is causing some very strange and weird things happening to small areas of Europe. Dr. Strange is relaxing at home until the Hulk comes to ask for his aid, this sends them on a globetrotting search for a group that Hulk and Strange can assist in such a matter. They find Namor about to kill a fisherman for slaughtering his innocent water friends. Next up they find Norinn Rad aka the Silver Surfer who has transmuted himself as snow. The third member they catch up with is Betty Ross, the Red She-Hulk who is running with the bulls or should I say running AT the bulls. She joins up with them and brings along the Asgardian powered sword she had in FEAR ITSELF. The final member to join them is the man to provide the transport, Daniel Rand aka IRON FIST, who gets attacked during a zero-g test but easily takes them all out. Once they all gather up as a group they begin to track Nul, only to get attacked and lost in the snowy woods with worshippers of Nul attacking them.
Review: This was a series up in the air for me, I believe team books are some of the best books out there, and I prefer to see team interactions and the variety each member brings over a book that follows one character that is barely fleshed out. So I picked this issue up on a whim and was surprised by how good it was. I enjoyed the way they got each member of the team, I love seeing where these characters are, what are they doing, and why they choose to join. This issue is one of the better team books and its only issue one of what’s going to be a great series.
Story Review: as mentioned above I mentioned that this issue is the set up for all the characters and how they all get together. They add in some great depth and characterization with some of the heroes. I like how Dr. Strange is a bit of a lothario in this series and is more human now since he is no longer Sorcerer Supreme. Namor is a total bad-ass through and through. Silver Surfer is still pretty cool and they don’t seem to explain why he has his powers back when stripped of them in Mighty Thor, which took place prior to FEAR ITSELF and this series is post F.I. so continuity here is slightly off. Danny Rand is pure awesomeness; people say Matt Fraction is amazing when writing Iron Fist and it really does show. The beginning with Nul makes him a very interesting villain but all his actions were overstated a bit. Overall it’s a solid first issue, I like reading teams gather together and becoming a whole and what it will bring.
Writing: A lot of people give Matt Fraction some flack here and there with certain titles he is attached too. Well I can easily say, I’m a fan of his and this series is one of his strongest works to date. He does some great exposition writing and dialogue between characters. He seems to have added in a sense of tongue and cheek, adding in some humorous moments throughout the issue, never keeping it totally serious at any given moment. The one tiny nitpick I can give it is that at the bottom of each page there is some little deadpool style comment that got on my nerves, it broke the level of suspense with each page turn. His writing is sharp and well done, fleshing out each character greatly, giving them plenty of dialogue.
Artwork: The art style with Terry Dodson is truly amazing. The characters easily identifiable, well designed, well drawn and have some great expressions. I really like the physical shape of Nul, he has a very Hulk appearance with many different features that make him a true menace. I really dig this artwork, it’s some of the best in Marvel comics.
Summary: Overall DEFENDERS is one of the best #1 issues of 2011, the story is solid, the characters are fun, and the artwork is amazing. Give this a look when you can.
Grade: A
MARVEL Comics quick reviews
Amazing Spider-man #675
Story: Peter and Carlie discover the origin of the mysterious deaths. Spider-man battles the Vulture and his crew. Carlie meets up with MJ to talk.
Review: Another solid Spider-man issue, I like seeing old villains making a comeback like this. Carlie really develops further in this issue than in any other we seen her in.
Writing: Dan Slott continues to write Spider-man really well, he makes Spider-man fun and never takes him seriously.
Artwork: The art is just solid and well defined. The look and feel as I mentioned prior brings a hint of John Romita Sr.
Grade: B+
Fear Itself: The Fearless #4 of 12
Story: Valkyrie brings one of the hammers back to base and heads out for the next one at the Baxter Building while Sin looks for one in the Ocean and comes across Namor.
Review: I dig this series, it’s the “Brightest Day” for Marvel, I really like the Valkyrie character, they are really developing her into a three dimensional character. Sin is one crazy and messed up villain, she truly does take after her father.
Writing: The various writers on this series are what help it keeping up with its two week releases. They are writers I admire and have great talent at keeping the series on two characters with cameos in each issue.
Artwork: It’s solid and well done at best, nothing groundbreaking or stylish.
Grade: B-
Venom #10
Story: Flash is forced to work with villains he failed to kill. Captain America comes to shut down the project but Flash leaves with the venom suit and fights Cap.
Review: A very strong and solid issue, the fight is one of the best fights in any book out there. The villains returning were a bit of a surprise and I was hoping it would have done something different.
Writing: The dialogue is great, the characters are really fleshed out and the banter in the fight is great.
Artwork: Solid artwork, the fight is fast paced and well done. The character designs are really great.
Grade: B+
Wells it’s great to return to form, next week is a very small week, only 2 issues. So I will save those for the following week. Catch you guys later